Roots

I titled today's blog "Roots" because that is part of what the personal essay we are reading focuses on. How does a person become so rooted in a place that he shows pride and even love for that place? Can a person have roots in one place and move to another and still hold fast to those roots? According to the film Sweet Home Alabama, you can have roots and fly!

Students began working on thoughtful questions about the personal essay. They will create a timeline so that they can track key events that help the author achieve his purpose. AND just what is that purpose? That's what the students should be thinking about. They will also look how the writer uses "facts," "opinions," and "anecdotes" to help the reader understand his purpose.

Tomorrow, students will finish up their formative work on this personal essay and prepare to discuss what they think is going on and how they can prove what they think. Everyone has a log on for the text book, but remember that if a book is needed, the school does have copies for each student!

We have a quiz on Monday: Active and Passive Voice, and we will have a quiz over this essay on Wednesday.

Get geared up for our first full essay--writing an argument! We know that teenagers certainly have opinions. Now, can they logically argue while considering the other side of said argument? Time will tell.