Adding Metaphors, Connotations, and Dennotations to your Poem

1.) http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jane-hirshfield-the-art-of-the-metaphor

2.) After viewing this video about creating meaningful Metaphors in your writing, look back at your Emotions Poem.  Try to infuse better metaphors to describe what you were feeling in that moment.

3.) Also while writing your poem today, consider Connotations.  Connotations are what emotions come to mind when the reader reads your poem. 

Example:  I am sick with fear.   What does the word "fear" make you think of? To me, it reminds me of something scary, like a movie, witches, ghosts, or Halloween.

So keeping this in mind- I think I'll change the sentence to I am sick with dread.     "Dread" seems like a better word choice for me in my poem because it makes me feel like something is looming overhead...  I might even go further to add more figurative language to create the mood like, "There was a dark cloud hanging over my head." 

I also purposefully used the word sick in the statement above to connote the feeling of actual sickness.  I want the reader to know how bad I was feeling at that moment.

4.) Work on the final draft of your poem.  It's due Monday, which is also our day for the Gallery Walk!  If you wish to type the poem, you must print it out at home.  We do not have a printer in class.  However, a very clean, hand-written copy is just as nice :)

For more about connotations click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfiSFij6SR8

ChromeBook Handbook Link

Visit https://www.trussvillecityschools.com/Technology/Documents/Chromebooks/Chromebook%20Guidelines.pdf to see the handbook for the TCS Chromebooks!  Get your forms with signatures turned in ASAP!

Book Bloggin

Write a brief summary about a book or story we have read in READING Class thus far this year.  After the summary, feel free to include our thoughts (what you thought about the book.)  PROOFREAD BEFORE YOU POST.

Writing Prompt for Today

Write a story from the teacher's perspective.  Proofread before you publish! :) 

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 6TH GRADE ENGLISH

Dr. Gilchrist’s English Class  

Website:  http://DrGilchristsClassBlog.blogspot.com

Twitter: Follow us @DrGilsEnglish

Instructor: Erin Naugher Gilchrist Ph.D.

Experience:  I have had the privilege of teaching English for 8 years.  I’ve worked directly with Spanish translators in an 8^th grade classroom for English Language Learners, taught advanced Art in and out of public schools, and this is my second year teaching 6^th grade English.  My doctorate, earned in 2012, is from The University of Alabama in English Curriculum & Instruction.  

Welcome:  This 6^th grade English class is based upon the College and Career Ready Standards that require our content to revolve around Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.  A large portion of the year will focus on writing, but students are also asked to critically think, answer open-ended questions, and participate in class discussion.  Compositions for the year vary from creative to research-based, and students are required to do various projects and presentations to demonstrate their knowledge of the content and writing.  Hopefully, with enough practice and repetition, given the freedom and environment in which to create, your student will not only become a better writer throughout the year, be he or she will grow comfortable and even learn to enjoy writing.   My goal is to inspire writers for life!  My passion is writing and I hope to dually spark that fire in the hearts and minds of my students as well. 

Contact Information: You may call the school and leave a message or email me at erin.gilchrist@trussvillecityschools.com

English Supplies:

·         Three Ring Binder

·         Tabs/Dividers

·         Loose Leaf Notebook paper (Replenish when you run out!)

·         Colored printer paper

Please have these supplies as soon as possible so that we may begin the year and stay organized together! I prefer that your student have their own notebook for English class.  Large binders and trapper-keepers are just too small to house all of the information from each class.  In English- we create large compositions and the paper builds quickly!

 

 

A Few Class Norms:

Textbook: Each day students are to bring to English class their own personal book for reading.  We use our personal reading material in English to examine literature and texts; also it’s frequently used as a writing catalyst.  Throughout the year, we will refer to these books as our “IDR” books.  IDR stands for Independent Daily Reading.

Grades:  All grades are out of 100 points; there are simply various categories for each grade.  Categories are as follows:

·         50%--Mastery (Tests, Projects, Major Writing Assignments, etc.)

·         30%--Checkpoint (Quizzes, Smaller Writing Assignments)

·         20%--Practice (Completion/Participation Credit)

Please check student grades frequently in INOW.  This is encouraged.  I will try and keep these as up-to-date as possible throughout the school year. J  

Notebook: Notebooks in this class are very important.  Notebooks are checked and graded, so students are held accountable for their own papers, class assignments, and grades.  This is an effort to teach consistency and organization (a thing most 6^th graders need help with!)  These notebooks also allow parents to view student work on a regular basis and examine grades.

Absence & Late Work Policy:  When and if a student is out, it is the responsibility of the student to come to me the day upon their return to school and ask for their make-up work.  They have three days to complete the work.  If the work is not submitted on the third day, it will be counted as “late.”  All late work is graded with a 30 point deduction.

Technology Welcome…but not required:  Here at HTMS, we have a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy.  I utilize student technology consistently in my classes.  If your student has technology (such as a smartphone, Ipad, Tablet, IPod, or laptop), and you feel comfortable allowing them to do so, they are allowed to use them at the appropriate times in class.  If a discipline issue occurs in conjunction with personal technology, your child will no longer be allowed to BYOD to school. 

Check out The Literary Magazine

Take a break this summer and read the HTMS Literary Magazine.  It's amazing.

https://www.trussvillecityschools.com/schools/htms/Documents/lit%20mag.pdf

I'm so proud of our writers!

Grammar Quiz Assistance

Just a reminder- We are having a Pronoun Grammar Quiz on Monday and have been practicing diligently in class!  To do well on this test, students must memorize the subjective and objective pronouns.  They must also have a solid background knowledge of verbs (action & linking).  We have studied pronouns very in-depth and done various practice exercises together and independently.  While 95% of the students seem to be on target, some are still having trouble with the concepts.  Check with your student to make sure he or she is understanding the concepts covered in class.  If they need extra practice- try the following sites for further explanation.  I have also been available all week for extra grammar help during homeroom and during classwork.  Many students have taken me up on his offer!  Encourage your student to ask questions if he or she has a history of not performing well on grammar tests. 

 

We want to finish the year with FLYING COLORS!!!! J

 

Erin Naugher Gilchrist Ph.D.

English Curriculum & Instruction HTMS

 

Explanation & Practice Problems:

http://www.bowvalleycollege.ca/Documents/Learning%20Resource%20Services/Library%20Learning%20Commons/E-Resources/Study%20guides/grammar%20pronouns_sub.pdf

 

Further Explanation:

 http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0885483.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/595/02/

http://learnenglishfromhome.blogspot.com/2011/08/subjective-vs-objective-dennis-and-i-or.html