Anthony Sanacore

Writing site

The following link will take you to some example writing tests from last year:

http://www.gadoe.org/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CITestingWA8

Once at the page, look for the box on the right side that says "Grade 8 Resources" and click on the first link "2008 Grade 8 Writing Samples."  This will bring up a PDF for you to look through.  Look at a few papers a day if you can, and carefully read the feedback after each.

I Remember....

Students are learning that expository writing need not be boring and dry.  We revisited the memoir today in class and students are writing to show, not tell, their memory. 

Compare/contrast

We had an exciting day today that began with students comparing and contrasting  their "best" and "worst" teachers and then comparing and contrasting two different types of candy.  Students seem to be understanding the different forms a compare/contrast paper may go, and if you ask them about the different types, they will most likely be able to explain it to you.  Students will continue to build their compare/contrast knowledge base through this week and will move into a formal compare/contrast essay assignment next week. 

Update...

It has been a while, but students have been busy!  The "Flowers for Algernon" projects are mostly all in, and many of them are outstanding.  We are moving from our brief short fiction study into expository writing with an emphasis on the compare/contrast form.  Attached  is a PPT with  different methods of completing a compare/contrast essay and graphic organizers.  Download ccessays.ppt

Sentence types test

The test for sentence types is tomorrow, October 2.  You need to be able to identify the four sentence types, write examples for each type, know what makes a clause a clause, and justify why a subordinating conjunction is not a preposition or adverb.  Presentation of the Willy Wonka letters will begin tomorrow after the test and will continue into Friday.

Subordinating Conjunctions

The Willy Wonka letters are due tomorrow and you will begin presenting Thursday and Friday.

The link below has a list of common subordinating conjunctions.

Download subordinating_conjunctions.ppt

September 29, 2008

ITBS is finally over and I feel all my students performed well.  be sure to congratulate your children on a job well done!  The Willy Wonka persuasive letter will be due Wednesday.  Students, be sure to bring your completed drafts to class tomorrow.

September 23, 2008

ITBS testing is well underway!  All students, regardless of meeting times, need to bring a completed introductory paragraph with you to class.  I don't plan on issuing homework during testing week, so class time needs to be used effectively.

Here is the PPT from today's class on persuasive strategies:

Download persuasive_strategies_ppt.ppt

Ethos, pathos, logos

Here are the links for the in-class Internet research:

http://courses.durhamtech.edu/perkins/aris.html

http://www.public.asu.edu/~macalla/logosethospathos.html

http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/webclass/web/project1/group4/index.html