Narrative Elements Study Guide

We will have a test on the Narrative Elements (Plot, Conflict, and Setting) on Tuesday 10/7/14. 

The study guide for the test is listed below. All of this information should already be in your notes, this is just another resource. 

Setting: time and place of a story Point of View: angle from which the story is told Plot: sequence of events in a story Resolution: reveals how everything turns out; sometimes ends with a surprise twist              Falling Action: shows how the main character resolves the conflict; eases the tension Climax: the most exciting part and a turning point; makes the result of the conflict clear Rising Action: shows how the conflict becomes more difficult; builds suspense the problem in the story Exposition: introduces the characters and setting; hints at the conflict Internal Conflict: a struggle that goes on inside a character External Conflict:a struggle between a character and another person, group of people, or nature Man vs. Society: a character has a conflict with the laws or beliefs of larger group (a community, government, etc.) Man vs. Man: a character has a conflict with another character Man vs. Himself: a character experiences an inner conflict (difficult decision, guilt, worry, etc.) Man vs. Nature: a character has a conflict with a force of nature

Additionally, be sure you can identify what type of conflict is present from a description and plot points from an example text.  

Mysteries of Harris Burdick

We are beginning a new unit on "Mystery Writing" this week. We will use images from the "Mysteries of Harris Burdick" as inspiration for our next writing assignment. Below, you will see several pictures from the "Mysteries of Harris Burdick." Choose one picture on which to base your mystery story and copy the caption for the story into your notes. You will need to use the caption in your story.

Picture Title: The Third Floor Bedroom

 Caption:"It all began when someone left the window open..."

 Picture Title: The House on Maple

Caption: "It was the perfect lift off..."

 Picture Title: Missing the Venice

Caption: "Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal..."

 Picture Title: Oscar and Alphonse

Caption: "She knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wiggled in her hand, spelling out 'goodbye.' " 

 Picture Title: Uninvited Guests

Caption: "His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob move..."

 Picture Title: Archie Smith, Boy Wonder

Caption: "A tiny voiced asked, 'Is he the one?' "

 Picture Title: A Strange Day in July

Caption: "He threw with all his might, but the stone came skipping back..."

 Picture Title: The Seven Chairs

Caption: "The fifth one ended up in France..."

 Picture Title: The Harp

Caption: "So it's true, he thought, it's really true..."

 Picture Title: Another Place, Another Time

Caption: "If there was an answer, he'd find it there..."

Picture Title: Captain Tory

Caption: He swung his lantern three times and slowly the schooner appeared..."

Van, Allsburg Chris. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1984. Print.

"Broken Chain" by Gary Soto

We read this story in class this week. Students analyzed the story in class on Friday. Students will have 10 minutes in class on Monday to finish their analysis before it will be taken up for a grade. Students know that if they need more than 10 minutes to finish, then they have homework this weekend.

Here is the link for the story:
"Broken Chain" by Gary Soto

If you have misplaced your worksheet here is a link to reprint and start over:
"Broken Chain" Plot, Conflict, Setting Analysis

Setting Quick Write

• Open Google Drive
• Click on your English Folder
• Create a New Document
• Change "Untitled Document" to "Setting Quick Write"
• Complete the following prompt:

“How does the setting affect the story and our understanding of the characters? How would a change in setting change the story?” 

Write 8-9 sentences. Complete your response and give reasons for your decision. We will discuss your response at the end of class.

Setting/Conflict Videos

Conflict Quick Write

• Open Google Drive
• Click on your English Folder
• Create a New Document
• Change "Untitled Document" to "Conflict Quick Write"
• Complete the following prompt:

“If you’re struggling to make a decision about whether or not to turn someone in for stealing, what type of conflict is this and is it considered internal or external?”

Write 8-9 sentences. Complete your response and give reasons for your decision. We will discuss your response at the end of class.

Chromebook Training

We are finally ready to use our Chromebooks!!!

We have discussed the rules and procedures for Chromebooks in class. Please be mindful of these things each time you use them. These resources are a privilege and we should take care of them at all times.

 Be sure to save my blog as a favorite on your Chromebook. Do this by clicking on the star in the upper right corner. Make sure this site is on your favorites bar, we will use it frequently throughout the year.

Click on the following red link to a Google Doc and continue following directions.
Research and Creating a Document

Figurative Language Test Study Guide

We will have a test on figurative language on Thursday, September 18th.
All of the notes listed were given to students in class.

Vocabulary

• Idiom: A phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning
• Personification: Giving a nonhuman object human characteristics
• Alliteration: Words with the same first consonant sound occurring close together
• Simile: a comparison between two things using “like” or “as”
• Onomatopoeia: A word that mimics the sound of the object or action it refers to
• Metaphor: A comparison of two things not using “like” or “as”
• Hyperbole: Exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally 

Identifying and Labeling Figurative Language

On the test, students will be given several poems, excerpts, and sentences to read and identify the various forms of figurative language used. Students will be asked to interpret the meaning of the figurative language used on some questions. These are skills we have been practicing in class. There are a few sentences using figurative language below for students to practice. The answers are listed at the bottom of this post.

• His feet are as big as boats.
• Her hair is silk.
• I seriously can’t see how Sally could sale her satchel.
• The grass stared at me in fear when I started the lawn mower. 
• Crack! Johnny hit a home-run. 
• We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
• I think it’s 500 degrees outside!

Writing Figurative Language

Students will also need to be able to write their own figurative language. We have written several stories, poems, and examples of figurative language in class. The figurative language that students write should demonstrate their understanding of the definition and how to use it properly in writing. Students should know how to write each of the following:

*Note: Students cannot use one that is already on the test

• metaphor—
• personification—
• idiom—
• hyperbole—      
• alliteration—
• onomatopoeia—
• simile—

  

Answers for labeling figurative language above: Simile, Metaphor, Alliteration, Personification, Onomatopoeia, Idiom, Hyperbole

Binder Test Items

On Monday we will have our first Binder Test. On a Binder Test, I choose 10 items that the students should have in their binder. These items could be daily writing activities, returned grades, notes, or anything else they should be keeping in their binder. These tests are a good way for me to make sure students are completing daily work and staying organized. Below is a list of items that could be checked on the upcoming Binder Test. This is the only time I will make a list of items that could be checked. I am doing this because it is the first Binder Test and students are not familiar with the process. Students have been given a fair amount of time to finish these assignments in class.

Here are the items students should have in their binder so far this year:

• English Class Syllabus
• Notes Tab
• STAR Revising Reminders/COPS Editing Reminders/Editing Checklist
• Editing/Revising Practice 
• Subject/Predicate Notes
• Figurative Language Notes
• Writing Tab
• Footprints to the Future Rough Draft
• Quick writes (3)
• Train Writing
• Memory Writing
• Snapshot Writing
• Personification in Poetry (assignment posted on blog, if needed)
• Hyperbole Tall Tale
• Onomatopoeia Comic Strip
• Alliteration Fairy-tale
• Caught Ya Grammar Tab
• Week 1 (8/18-8/22)
• Week 2-3 (8/28-9/5)
• Vocab Tab
• None so far
• Grades
• Footprint to Future Final Draft
• Narrative Writing Final Draft (Train Writing, Memory, OR Snapshot)

Feel free to send me an email this weekend if you are confused about anything listed here. Hopefully, everyone is staying on top of their work and keeping it well organized!!

Personification in Poetry

This assignment was completed in class on 8/28/14 in groups. A few students were unable to finish it in class on that day. I am posting the assignment below so students can finish over the weekend if necessary. 

Answer the following for each poem
1. Copy one example of personification from the poem.	3. How is the object/idea being personified?
2. What object/idea is being personified in the example you chose?	4. What is your interpretation of the personification?

“April Rain Song”

By Langston Hughes

Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.

“Words Like Freedom”

By Langston Hughes

There are words like Freedom
Sweet and wonderful to say.
On my heart strings freedom sings
All day everyday.

There are words like Liberty
That almost make me cry.
If you had known what I know
You would know why.

  

“Keep A Poem In Your Pocket”
By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Keep a poem in your pocket
And a picture in your head
And you'll never feel lonely
At night when you're in bed.

The little poem will sing to you
The little picture bring to you
A dozen dreams to dance to you
At night when you're in bed.

So - -
Keep a picture in your pocket
And a poem in your head
And you'll never feel lonely
At night when you're in bed.

“The sky is low, the clouds are mean”

By Emily Dickinson

The sky is low, the clouds are mean,
A travelling flake of snow
Across a barn or through a rut
Debates if it will go.

A narrow wind complains all day
How some one treated him;
Nature, like us, is sometimes caught
Without her diadem.

“The Sun Just Had a Nasty Day”

By Denise Rodgers

The sun just had a nasty day,
refused to smile or shine.
It stayed behind the dark gray clouds,
a mottled, grim design.
But shortly after dinner time
one ray poked though the gray,
a spark of golden yellow warmth
reminding us of day.

If you want to please us, Sun,
(don't take this as a warning)
if you're going to pierce the clouds,
please do it in the morning.