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During this holiday, in which we remember all the good things in our lives, why not write a thank you letter to a family member, relative, or friend, thanking them for being in your life! This will not only make the recipient very happy, but you will also feel wonderful after you do so. We sometimes forget to show gratitude to the important people in our lives and what they mean to us, and this is the perfect time to let someone special know you appreciate and love them! As an added bonus, if you happen to see these people around your own Thanksgiving table, why not have the letter on hand to actually give to them at some point during the day! A handwritten letter goes a long way these days, since so much is done by text or email, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the reaction you will receive!!
Part Two Idiom of the Day When Julian decided to quit smoking, he did not follow any particular plan; instead, he went cold turkey. Questions to ask yourself:
The Writing Piece: Have you ever stopped doing something cold turkey? It does not have to be a smoking habit; it could be anything that falls under your definition of this idiom! If you have not had this experience, perhaps you know someone else who has! Why not write about their situation instead? Use the space below to write your story! Part Three Thanksgiving Grammar Fun Directions: Please locate the prepositional phrases in the festive sentences that follow! The number in parenthesis that follows tells how many phrases occur in each one! Note: A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition, which is a positional word that leads to a noun or pronoun. It does NOT contain a verb! Example: The class attended the Thanksgiving celebration in a classroom that had been prepared for the students. (Notice there are two prepositional phrases in the sentence above, and each begins with a preposition and, in this case, ends with a noun! 1. We give thanks for our blessings on Thanksgiving. (2) 2. The turkey was filled with delicious stuffing. (1) 3. Do you want some cranberry sauce for your turkey dinner? (1) 4. It can be a lot of fun to watch football games on television with our families. (3--some are tricky!) 5. What time will coffee and desserts be served to our guests? (1) Part Four Writing Directions: Please continue the holiday mystery I have started for you! Please remember to maintain point of view, verb tenses, and parallel sentence structure! It was a blustery autumn Thanksgiving, and all of Cyndi's family and friends were due to arrive soon for the big feast. Cyndi had just put the turkey in the oven, alongside so many other delicious side items, when she heard a loud thud coming from the upstairs hallway. BONUS: How many words can you find in THANKSGIVING DINNER? I will start you off with: drive
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As we love to do, here is a review of just some of the skills regarding idioms we have worked on during the school year so far. I may throw in some argument writing as well, even though we have recently completed just the opening paragraph. (Hint: If you have not given me your opening paragraph, please do so asap! The ones I have seen so far have been terrific, and we want to get this essay down soon, especially for those who are testing in December!)
Part One. Idiom of the Day Directions: The following idioms have been used in our class since September; how many can you identify? 1. The new employee didn't speak to anyone and kept to himself at break time. Many people thought he had a chip on his shoulder, but it turned out he was just shy around people he did not know. Chip on his shoulder means that a person: a. enjoys having Tostitos around in case he gets hungry b. had problems in his past and carries them around in his daily life c. may need orthopedic surgery sometime soon 2. We are all in the same boat, here at SCALE. This means we: a. share many of the same hopes and dreams about what we want in life b. need to be sure we can swim before going onboard c. will be heading to the Bahamas soon 3. When we tell someone he should not count his chickens before they hatch, this means he: a. needs to be better at his mathematical skills b. should not tell everyone what a result will be until it actually happens c. should buy a bigger pen 4. At the drop of a hat, my sister will come to me when I need her. This means: a. she will drop by my house immediately b. she will wait until some time has passed before coming by c. she will bring a new hat to replace the one lying on the floor 5. Dejan knew that enjoying himself at the country music festival was just what the doctor ordered. This means: a. Dejan was told by his primary care physician (PCP) to attend this particular concert. b. Dejan realized that country music should be listed as a remedy in the latest medical journals c. Dejan did something that made him feel happy and was especially good for his well-being 6. "Haste makes waste," Varsha's mom always told her. This means: a. Varsha's mom wanted her to hurry up and finish her homework more quickly b. Varsha's mom wanted her to take her time so that she didn't make as many mistakes c. Varsha's mom wanted her daughter to some extra homework to improve her grades 7. It's raining cats and dogs means: a. it's a heavy rainfall outside b. we need to wear helmets so that we don't get hurt when venturing outdoors c. there is only a light drizzle outside 8. After realizing there was yet another mistake in our takeout order, I decided this was the last straw. What would I likely do next? a. Give the restaurant one more chance. b. Buy extra food the next time I order from them. c. Order dinner from a different place the next time I order takeout. Part Two. Writing Here is a great topic for you to think about while writing an effective paragraph or more! This would work as part of an argument essay if you can imagine two sides to this situation. We will discuss it in class first!! Should confidential agreements be mandatory in certain situations or should they be banned? Stay tuned for more skills to come! Hello, RW3 classes! Today's skills board will include some extra vocabulary words for us to decipher, understand, and include in our daily communication with others! Remember: When you are able to create something from information you have learned, you are at the highest level of understanding you can possibly be! This is my goal for all of you every single day! Part One Vocabulary I Directions: The following words are often included in directions of any kind; this includes the GED and HiSET tests as well as forms you may fill out, contracts you may sign, and job applications you may complete! Let's take a moment to test your understanding of each one! 1. When you are asked to read a passage, this means you will be looking at: a. a map or chart that could include diagrams, tables, and timelines b. a short section of reading that has been taken from a much longer piece of writing c. a math example, which you will need to solve 2. Another word for passage could be: a. selection b. definition c. skill 3. When two questions are said to be related, this means they: a. are likely to be cousins b. have something in common with each other c. do not share any common traits 4. When we revise our writing, we: a. make any necessary changes or corrections to improve our work b. do not make any changes because it is already perfect c. decide to use a different pen color the next time to make it look more appealing 5. When something is presented in a conventional way, it: a. is shown in a unique style that captures our attention b. is colorful because you used that different pen color mentioned in question 4 c. is shown how you would expect something to be or is in its usual manner 6. If a story is labeled as nonfiction, it is: a. not true b. true c. comical 7. When a traveler went on an expedition in the past, they were likely to: a. discover something new, such as a new land b. meet new people and learn about new cultures c. both a and b 8. If a story is mythical, it: a: is a traditional story that was created to explain a belief or force of nature not fully understood b. is a true story that contains a moral c. is filled with mathematical problems 9. If you are asked to focus on something, you need to: a. daydream about the coming weekend b. think carefully about the information you have been given c. talk to a friend and not pay attention in any way 10. When something links with something else, it: a. occurs after it b. connects to it c. happens before it 11. The theme of a story is: a. the main character b. the main problem c. what the author wants us to think about and apply to our own lives after we finish reading 12. An example of a source can be: a. a dictionary b. WebMD.com c. a newspaper d. a person with direct knowledge of a subject e. all of the above 13. An innate ability is one that: a. you have learned throughout your life b. you will never be able to do c. you have been born with 14. When a writer illustrates a particular point, he is usually: a. showing details or presenting information about the subject matter b. drawing pictures of cartoons to make the readers laugh c. reading his own book to check for mistakes 15. When something is depicted, it can be: a. described in words b. shown in pictures c. both a and b Vocabulary Part II Directions: This section will be devoted to reviewing words in Chapter Nine! Simply follow the directions on each line! 1. Something that happens concurrently happens at the same time. True False 2. If I have to confiscate your phone during class, this would mean I: a. need to use it to make a quick call b. had to take it from you because it was causing a distraction c. wanted to see if I should buy the same cellphone model for myself 3. Many hardworking students constitute our class. Is the word in bold print used correctly? Yes No 4. If you have to decipher someone's handwriting, their writing was probably: a. clear b. in red ink c. difficult to read 5. When I purchase something, I have a credit card that I keep stored in my account as the main one I want to use. This card is known as a: a. default b. my sister's fault c. last choice 6. A hypothetical situation is one I create simply to explain a topic or to prepare for what could happen. True False 7. When you pay a nominal fee to have an order shipped to your house, this means you have paid: a. too much b. very little c. nothing at all 8. If a poster I place on the classroom wall has a predominant color of green, this means: a. it is the main color we see b. we can see very little green in the poster c. there is no green anywhere on the poster 9. When a class you want to take has a prerequisite, this means: a. you can take two classes at the same time b. you need a ticket to get into class c. you must take a different class to prepare you for taking the one you want 10. During a recession, a country is doing well economically, especially small businesses. True False Vocabulary Part III Writing Directions: Please select at least three words from Vocabulary Part II (Chapter Nine words) and write an effective paragraph in the space below. Underline, circle, or highlight the vocabulary words you used! You will pass this in at the end of class! Enjoy!! Hi, everyone! Here are tonight's skills, filled with both new items and a review of oldies! As always, enjoy the process!
Part One. Idiom of the Day Directions: The following sentence contains an idiom in italics. Let's read the sentence carefully to make an inference about its figurative meaning. When Paul did not get the promotion at work yet again, it was the last straw. He decided it was time to look for a new job. Note: Before deciphering this idiom's meaning, reread the first part of the sentence and form an inference about how Paul feels about his situation. Is this a positive or negative experience for him? Has this happened to him before? Write your own definition for this idiom here: Has anything ever happened to you in which you could say "This is the last straw!" Take a few minutes to discuss this with another student sitting nearby; perhaps you will both have similar situations to talk about. If you have not had a problem such as Paul had, think about something that could cause someone else to feel this way. Write about what it means to feel as though something is "the last straw" in the space below. As always, use complete sentence structure! Part Two. Adage of the Day Directions: In the past two weeks, we have discovered that adages are bits of wisdom or advice that are told to help us in our daily lives. They do not have the same type of figurative meaning as idioms do, but they are still often categorized with them. Today's adage: The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Questions to ask yourself: What is the literal meaning of the adage above? What would happen if your wheel (or tire) started to squeak or your engine started making a strange noise? What would your first reaction be to something like this and why? How can we apply this adage to our own lives? (Remember that something that is literal means exactly as the words state! Something that is figurative, such as an idiom, must be figured out! In an adage, we take the literal meaning and apply it to a situation we may be dealing with! We use the adage as a bit of advice on how to handle problems that may arise in life!) Write the meaning of the above adage here, as well as any situations you can think of in which it may be beneficial for us to squeak: Part Three Literary Terms Today's Literary Device: Exposition Definition: The exposition of a story usually occurs in the first few paragraphs or pages of a novel. This is where the characters are introduced, the setting is described, and all the most important pieces of information are explained to us so that we can then read the story more effectively! Your Question: After reading the definition above, what do you feel is the importance of exposition in a story? What would happen to us, as readers, if an author failed to provide enough exposition at the start of a novel? Write your answers here: Bonus: How do you think exposition is shown in a movie? Part Four Grammar Challenge Directions: Your challenge today is to show understanding of the direct and indirect objects we have spoken about in the last week or two. Please follow each set of directions in the exercises below. Example: Name the direct object in the following sentence. Tom, a neighbor of mine, bought presents for everyone on our block. Always find the verb first, when trying to decide if the sentence contains a direct object. Then ask the questions what or whom in regard to this verb. In the sentence above, the verb is bought. You would ask: Tom bought what? Your answer, presents, is your direct object. Your Turn: Please find the direct object(s) in each of the sentences below. 1. The students at SCALE wrote wonderful argument essays in class yesterday. 2. All of the children at the Hancock School rode bikes to class in the spring. 3. Dave and Jayson passed the basketball and scored points during the game. (Note: There are two verbs and two direct objects in this sentence!) 4. The custodian washed all the floors in the building after the winter storm. 5. Tia and Sal ran a garage in which they fixed cars and pumped gas. (Note: There are three verbs and direct objects in this sentence!) Directions #2: Please find the indirect objects in the sentences below. Remember that if a sentence contains an indirect object, it MUST contain a direct object as well because this is what the indirect object is receiving!! Example: Give the notebook to Jorge. Let's first find the verb, which is the word give. Next, let's see if there is a direct object. Ask yourself give what? The direct object would be notebook. But we are not finished! The indirect object is the receiver of the direct object! This means that the notebook would be given to someone or something in the sentence above. Who is receiving the notebook? Jorge! Jorge is the indirect object!! Your Turn: Please find the indirect objects in the sentences below. 1. Pass the papers to Bill. 2. The children gave their teacher a birthday card. (Careful on this one!) 3. Send Brian the tickets for the concert. 4. Write a letter to Maya when you have time. 5. Tell Cyndi a story before she goes to sleep. Your Turn Again: In the space below, create two sentences that contain direct objects and two sentences that contain indirect objects. Be prepared to switch your papers with a classmate! 1. 2. 3. 4. Part Five Writing Please finish the story that I have begun for you below. Remember to maintain verb tenses and point of view, and to sequence your story ideas carefully! You may decide to maintain the tone I have created or change it into something you prefer. The choice is yours! For today's story, you should continue the paragraph I have written and write a second paragraph of five more sentences after that!! Enjoy!! Tamika always enjoyed the month of November. The days were a bit cooler, but it just made her house feel that much cozier--especially when she had logs in her fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. On this particular day, however, ________________________________________________________________________ (Note: Please continue your story beyond the line above. It is only there to show you exactly where you should continue your story! Have fun!) I am so excited to tell you that the copier is fixed! This means you will receive a hard copy of this posting to use today in class! Yay!
Part One. Idiom of the Day Cyndi wanted to tell her boss that she had found another job, but instead she kept beating around the bush during their meeting. Note: Always remember to reread the first part of the sentence to see what is happening and to make an inference about how it connects to the idiom. My Meaning for Beat Around the Bush: Have you ever experienced something like Cyndi did in the sentence above? Did you ever beat around the bush or can you think of situations in which someone else may have done so? Write about them in the space below! Part Two. Literary Term Climax The climax of a story is its highest point of action; it is the moment when the protagonist has to make a choice or face something they may not want to! It is the point of no return! As a reader, the climax of the story is the most exciting and one that is filled with the most suspense; you simply cannot wait to find out what is going to happen next! As we read stories in class next week, we will be paying careful attention to the story climax and its place in literature. It is important to know that right after the climax takes place, all the pieces of the puzzle that make up a story's plot now begin to fit together and make sense. Can you take a moment a think of a climax to a book or movie you have read or watched? Remember that it is right before the protagonist has to take one final action!! Part Three. Grammar Prepositions As we spoke about in class, prepositions are positional words. They are part of phrases, which are groups of words that add something of interest to a sentence. Phrases do not have verbs (or action words) within them; only clauses do!! Directions: Please select the prepositions from the sentences below. The number in parentheses tells us how many are in each sentence. Example: November is a month filled with colder weather and still popping with vivid colors! (2) 1. I found my sister in Market Basket; she was shopping for her family! (2) 2. Do you know the way to San Jose? (Note: Yes, that sentence is part of a song!) (1) 3. The students in our class always do their best work on Fridays! (2) 4. Have you seen that new video game at Game Stop? (1) 5. Jayson played a great game of basketball at the Garden. (2) Now, can you go back and underline the entire phrase that contains the prepositions above? Part Four. Writing Directions: Please finish the story I began for you! Patti had so many ideas for what she wanted to do over the weekend. But before she could select even one, her cellphone pinged and startled her. A number she did not recognize appeared on her screen, and the text that followed caused her to nearly jump out of her chair. |
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