Comma What?

Today we are going to REVIEW your knowledge of commas and semicolons.  After going over our Revising and Editing practice sheet together yesterday, I realized you MIGHT need some more practice before your TAKS test.  So, here we are. 

The first thing I want you to do is take this little Pre-Test.  Don't worry, it's not a TEST, test, just a PRE-Test...I want to know what you know, so I know what to review and what you already know!  :) 

Look at the paragraph below.  It is an excerpt from The Lovely Bones.  I have taken out the commas where they should be.  I want YOU to replace as many as you can!  Copy and paste the paragraph from this blog to YOUR blog, and then add commas where you see necessary.  When you add them, CHANGE THE COLOR, so I can see them easily when I'm looking over it! 

Got it?  GOOD!  Now, get to work! 

HINT:  There are SIX commas missing that need to be replaced.  Good luck!

My father had left our house in the midst of a fight between Lindsey and my mother.  My mother was trying to get Lindsey to go with her to the Y to swim.  Without thinking Lindsey had blared "I'd rather die!" at the top of her lungs.  My father watched as my mother froze then burst fleeing to their bedroom to wail behind the door.  He quietly tucked his notebook in his jacket pocket took the car keys off the hook by the back door and snuck out. 

Gossip Got Your Tongue?

You probably remember an old proverb that went something like:

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me..."

To be honest, though, the whole reason we said it was because we really were hurt.  There are things that have been said to me that I will never forget, and they still sting like the day they were spoken.  O.K. so we all agree that we should control our tongues and not slam people to their face.  That's why it's so much easier to do it behind their backs, then deny it later--right?  Check out this story:

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem.  One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"  


"Hold on a minute, "Socrates replied.  "Before telling me anything, I'd like you to pass a little test.  It's called the Triple Filter Test.'  


"Triple Filter?"


"That's right," Socrates continued.  "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say.  That's why I call it the triple filter test.  The first filter is Truth.  Have you made absolutely sure that what you're about to tell me is true?"  


"No," the man said, "actually I just heard it and..."


"All right," said Socrates.  "So you don't really know if it's true or not.  now let's try the second filter, the filter of goodness.  is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"


"No, on the contrary..."


"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true.  You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left:  the filter of usefulness.  Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"


"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

-Author Unknown

And just because you are a teenager or young, doesn't mean you have an excuse to gossip.  It isn't just something ALL teenagers do.  It's a conscious choice we all make, which means we could CHOOSE not to do it!  

So....got gossip?  Perhaps today you should start triple-filtering so you don't do double-damage with your words!

Questions to ask yourself:
How would your conversations be different if you 'triple filtered' everything?

I'm sure you have been the victim of gossip at some point in time, even if you aren't aware of it.  Knowing how it feels to be gossiped about, why do you think people choose to do it anyway? 


**Parts of this post were taken from www.dare2share.org.  To see the original post, go to www.dare2share.org/devotions/devil-got-your-tongue/.

Literary Elements: TAKS PT 3

Use the title above as yours.

Then, look up the following definitions using the BOOK dictionary, not your computer.  You will see these words on Practice Test 3 which you are about to begin.

1.) SATIRE

2.) IRONY

3.) ANALOGY

4.) FORESHADOWING

After you have defined each word, go to Google Images and find an example of IRONY and FORESHADOWING.  Find a picture that fits the definition of each of these and add it to your post.

When you have done all of the above, publish and close your computer for the day.

Story Spinners!

Story Spinner is a handheld creative writing wheel that generates millions of writing ideas, topics, and exercises so you never get stuck. It’s a low-tech item that produces high-caliber results, time after time, no matter where you are. It was invented in 1998 by Bonnie Neubauer.

Coach K had her seniors complete this blog journal and I thought it was great, so we are going to use it, as well, with her permission.  

There is an online version of this game but not what I was looking for in the way of topics, etc. I decided to use this idea and come up with my own "story spinners." I have come up with three options from which you can choose. I will give you a setting, starting phrase and four words that must be used (correctly) in your story. I want the four words to be a different color than the rest of your story, so that I can find them easily! You will use my exact phrase for the opening of your story, but please notice it is just a phrase--not a complete sentence--so you must complete the thought and then begin your story from there!

These stories need to be AT LEAST three paragraphs with no less than five sentences per paragraph.

I also want you to find a picture for your story and place it at the beginning of your post. You may choose to use several pictures throughout your story, as well.


I KNOW you will have fun with this!! :)


Option 1

Setting: Your childhood neighborhood

Starting Phrase: As the old man approached my friends and me...

Four words that must be included in the story: barefoot, bicycle, flashlight, gibberish


Option 2

Setting: A bus stop in Paris

Starting Phrase: The long scar just below her left knee...

Four words that must be included in the story: immature, credentials, squint, roses


Option 3

Setting: A dark alley on a rainy night

Starting Phrase: As I regained consciousness, I remember asking...

Four words that must be included in the story: blame, headlights, stubborn, vestibule

Now, get to work and HAVE FUN!  I can't wait to read what you come up with!