4.1 | Drafting, drafting, drafting

by | Apr 1, 2025 | Freshman English

Today, students read independently. Absent students should get their absence excused for the bell-ringer to be exempted.

Then, students continued working on their dystopian short stories. Students were given time to work on a draft in preparation for teacher conferences next week.

3.31 | Prep that next Draft

by | Mar 31, 2025 | Freshman English

Today, students read independently. Absent students should get their absence excused for the bell-ringer to be exempted.

Then, students continued working on their dystopian short stories. Students were given time to work on a draft in preparation for teacher conferences next week. Students were encouraged to do the following before the teacher conference:

  • Dialogue: Have discussions between two or more characters that reveal the realities of the world in which they live, including the history of their world.
  • Details: Give vivid descriptions of what characters look like or how they behave and things people see. Add tastes, smells, colors, textures.
  • Break up the story into paragraphs and/or sections
  • Really characterize these characters; what are they afraid of? hoping for? feeling?
  • Consider the narrator! Make it clear who they are.

3.27 | Peer Reviewy fin

by | Mar 27, 2025 | Freshman English

Today, students read independently. Absent students should get their absence excused for the bell-ringer to be exempted.

Then, students finished up their peer reviews and turned in their Dystopian Mapping assignment. Students will still be able to access this assignment for the next stage of the writing.

3.25 | Peery Reviewey

by | Mar 25, 2025 | Freshman English

Today, students read independently. Absent students should get their absence excused for the bell-ringer to be exempted.

Then, students worked on peer conferences for their short stories. Students will also have Thursday to work on these peer conferences before they begin making their draft better for the next stage of conferences.

3.24 | Peers

by | Mar 24, 2025 | Freshman English

Today, students went to the library to check out books; it may be a while before students return to check out books so they should be sure to check out plenty of books to read.

Then, students read independently. Absent students should get their absence excused for the bell-ringer to be exempted.

Then, students participated in class-wide peer reviews. Students should be sure to choose reviewers who will help them improve their first rough draft. Remember: This draft is a first attempt at a story and stories are almost NEVER perfect on the first draft.

Here are the requirements for the peer reviews:

  • Students are required to get two peer reviews from two separate people.
  • Peer reviewers must answer every question with suggestions for improving the story.
  • Peers may NOT answer questions just to say that the story is good and doesn’t need to be changed.
  • At least one of the peer reviewers should be in one of Mrs. Evans’ English 9 class. If a student chooses another peer reviewer, it must be someone who is at least in 9th grade and familiar with dystopian literature. It is highly recommended that both peer reviewers be in Mrs. Evans’ English 9 class.
  • Do not share the document with a peer. Let the peer read the short story in class and then take back your computer and conference with them; interview the peer by asking them the questions and then writing what their suggestions were in the boxes. Again: Do not let them just say that it’s good. They should always make a suggestion for improvement.

Students will have class time today and tomorrow to get a total of two peer reviews.