HOW TO BECOME A STRONGER ENGLISH STUDENT
- Give yourself a reason for what you are doing. For example, today, we were reading the two student stories in order to ensure that we understand the criteria for the stories we will write (due Oct. 28) Silent reading: My goal is two books a month, which is 30 pages a day. I need to arrive on time and get reading. I need to choose books that I can't wait to read.
- Don't ask your teacher for an answer. Ask your teacher to give you the steps you need to find the answer. Of course, the teacher knows the answer. Who cares about that? The important thing is to know how to learn. For example, today, how do we find theme? You need to make connections between the title, the opening, the conclusion, or key passages. I call it the TICK steps: title, intro, conclusion, key passages. Focus on a few essential parts of the story so you can create a statement of theme. One thematic statement for "Hot Chocolate" could be: A simple cup of hot chocolate becomes the catalyst for a mother and a son to realize they love each other-- when they stop treating each other like mother and son and start treating one another like human beings, communication and connection occur.
- Take time to review. Before you hand in an assignment, check and re-check the criteria. To not do so is like showing up to play golf with a baseball bat and glove. You will not succeed at golf without the proper equipment, training and practice, right? To write a literary paragraph, you need to memorize and use the literary must-haves, and what you have learned so far about the strengths and weaknesses of your writing. You cannot expect different results if you keep making the same mistakes.
- Know that change takes time. Assessments are feedback, essential coaching. Studies show that students need a lot of feedback and they need it often. We have to be reminded of what is possible and we have to believe in ourselves. Revising our writing is what professional writers do.
- We don't do any stupid assignments in English 10 A. Remember?
HOW ARE YOUR LITERACY PROJECTS GOING? BE SURE TO CHECK IN WITH YOUR PARTNERS AND REPORT BACK.
Homework: Finish making notes on the two stories. The point here is to teach yourself about the components of modern fiction written by teens. What are they doing well? What can you imitate? What can you do better? Read The Claremont Review, Canada's only literay magazine for teen writers. What is getting published? Why?
Start your short story. You can use the pieces you have started in your journal or you can start over. You can use the ideas on the short story assignment sheet. Lots of ideas. Best not to stare at a blank page. Look out the window or listen to music or describe an object, anything to start the imagination.
Enjoy.
See you Monday. Be prepared to articulate what you have learned from the stories in Naming the Baby.
