Call of the Wild Salmon

Fill-in-the-blank Practice 5 Paragraph Essay

2011-10-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

I got the

Perfect Paragraph Practice

2010-10-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

One of the best musicals of all time is My Fair Lady. It's all about Victorian London, and that is one of my favorite periods in history. The costumes are great; especially the ones at the horse race with the ladies in the big hats. I was in a production of this musical in high-school, and can still sing the songs. My Fair Lady is clearly the best musical ever.

I got the picture at http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/MY_FAIR_LADY_THE_GREAT_RACE_Screen_In_Hollywood_327_28_20090327

Perfect Paragraph Practice

2010-10-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

My favorite musical of all time is West Side Story. It was created in the 60's by Leonard Bernstein. It's about warring gangs in New York. The leader of the Jets falls in love with one of the girls from the Sharks. The musical is based on Shakespeare's famous play, Romeo and Juliette. West Side Story will blow you away!

I got this picture at
http://www.thomastonoperahouse.org/ShowSchedule/SpecialEvents/WESTSIDESTORY/tabid/705/Default.aspx

A Conversation to Remember: Telling Stories with Dialog

2010-03-16T11:41:00.001-07:00

All of us have had conversations that we remember. Sometimes a conversation, or even just a few words from a conversation, can change our lives forever. Dialog is a great literary device, or writing tool, that authors can use to develop their characters and speed their stories along. Now it's your turn to take a dialog driven story out for a spin!

Goals for this Unit:

Write a 2 page personal narrative (handwritten and single spaced), centered around a dialogue that changed your life, and post it on your blog. It may be between you and anybody else you like. There could even be more than just two speakers involved. It could be about a serious and sad situation, or a funny and amusing one. It’s important to make sure your writing sounds like you – use your “voice.” Properly punctuated slang is acceptable (i.e. ‘cause, for because). Your final draft will be posted on your blog. Please include at least one image. Use the rules for punctuating dialog, below.

Include:

1. A clear description of the setting at the beginning, which sets the mood, or atmosphere, for the story (Where and when does this conversation take place? With whom are you speaking? What happened, or what was said to start the conversation?).

2. A dialog between yourself and one, or many, others. Your dialog should build to a dramatic climax, when that one memorable line was spoken, and then lead back “downwards” (falling action), towards your resolution.

3. A resolution that tells about what you learned, and how your life was different after the conversation.

4. At least 3 examples of different literary devices - including simile, metaphor, repetition, alliteration, foreshadowing and personification.

Rules for Punctuating Dialog:

When you are writing narrative, as in fiction, words spoken by a character are enclosed in quotation marks. Explanations of actions are not. Look at this dialogue closely to notice where words are capitalized. (Notice that “he said” or “replied Jane,” is not a complete sentence.)

"So this is a dialog, " said Tarzan.
"Yes, that's right.” Jane untied the vines around her grammar and punctuation handbook. "You'll notice that whenever a new speaker starts talking, he or she begins a new paragraph, even if it's very short."
"Really?" Even a single word gets its own paragraph, if it's a new speaker taking a turn.
"Yes , " replied Jane. "It's a great convenience to the reader. And that way the writer can skip some of the boring ' he said/she said ' stuff, as long as it's clear who's talking." Notice that a quotation within a quotation is enclosed in single quote marks
"The paragraphs have to be indented and everything?"
"Yup. But of course if the same speaker keeps on talking, it stays within the same set of quotation marks. If one speaker talks for a while and changes the topic, so that you'd want to start a new paragraph, then you show that by not closing the quotes at the end of the paragraph, but opening the quotes at the beginning of the next.
"Tarzan, where are you going with that grammar book? Please give me that." Since Jane continued to speak when she changed the subject, her words got a new paragraph, but didn't close the quotation in the previous paragraph.

Science Systems Essay: A Letter to the Human Body Corp.

2010-01-25T08:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Human Body Corporation:

Today, I found out that you are planning to fire me, your endocrine system, and you need to know that that would be a huge mistake. I've done so much to look out for you all these years, and this is what I get? How could you be so ungrateful? Clearly, you've forgotten about what it is exactly that I do for you; it's time for a reminder. Seriously, even though there are other body systems, the endocrine system shouldn't be fired because that would cause growth disorders, a nasty disease called P.O.S., and diabetes.

Hey, you're not even fully grown yet, and if you fire me, you might not ever be! Without me you'll be overweight for your height. Your growth would slow down dramatically. In fact, your face would always look younger than your actual age, and not in a good way. People would think you were some kind of little fat freak because of all of your growth disorders.

Then there's P.O.S. - polycystic ovarian syndrome. Think you're a pizza face now? Well you wouldn't believe how bad your zits will be without me! Oh, and you'll develop some lovely velvety dark skin around your neck and armpits! By the way, if you're a lady, you can expect to have to start shaving - your whole body! Lose the endocrine system, and say hello to P.O.S.!

By getting rid of me you'd also risk getting diabetes, another serious disease! Diabetes can lead to heart disease. Also, you might go blind. Kidney disease would also be likely if I weren't around to take care of you. Diabetes is a frightening disease, and without me there's a good chance you'll develop it.

Don't fire the endocrine system if you want to avoid growth disorders, P.O.S. and diabetes! Sure there are other body systems, but we're all important! I know that times are tough, but you should seriously consider maybe just shaving off all your hair if cut backs are absolutely necessary. We've come a long way together, and I think we can still have a great future. Hey, would you really want to be a short, fat, blind, pizza face with a mustache? Let's work this out.

Sincerely,
The Endocrine System

Picture

Debate Essay Competition

2009-12-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

Now that we've practiced the construction of an expository 5 paragraph essay, it's time to get down to business and write a real one! We've been debating in class so that you all understand that this kind of essay is really like a written debate, or argument, even if it is one sided (that is, no one will be rebutting your arguments as you state them).

We voted on the poll on this blog, and the proposition for this debate will be...

A laptop computer should be provided to every student at BMS.

You may choose to write on either the affirmative or negative side of this debate.

Prize: There will be a drawing for an 8 gig iPod Nano at the end of this unit. Upon completing each stage of the assignment, students will receive a single ticket to submit to the drawing. There will be an additional ticket for those who choose to play Devil's Advocate, and write on the negative side of the debate. This ticket will be handed out upon completion of the 3rd stage of the assignment.

In order to be eligible for the iPod, the first 3 stages of the assignment must be complete. The drawing for the iPod will take place during announcements on the day before winter break.

Time line:

1. Day 1 - Complete outline: Notes only (not complete sentences), properly organized and color coordinated. Grabbers and clinchers may not be the same as the thesis statement.
A Day = 12/2 B Day = 12/3

2. Day 2 - Rough draft: Heading (name, class, date in upper left corner), title properly capitalized, double spaced, hand written in pencil, color underlined reasons and supporting paragraphs.
A Day = 12/8 B Day = 12/9

3. Day 3 - Clean draft: All of the above, plus, neat and no apparent errors, After approval by me, posted on the wall outside the classroom.
A Day = 12/10 B Day = 12/11

4. Blog post - Final Step: Post on blog, no errors and a picture.
Due for A & B Day 12/15

Getting Connected with Fun Poll Assignment

2009-11-16T18:16:00.000-08:00

One of the best ways to get ideas about how to improve your blog, and how to complete assignments for your blog, is to look at some of your classmates' fine blog work. For this assignment you will need to do the following:

1. Gather the Gmail addresses for five of your classmates.

2. Email all five with a fun note saying 'hi'!

3. After you've received email from your five friends, create a 'group' in Gmail so you can email all of them with a single message.

First, send a quick reply to the people you got emails from. This will make them a 'contact'. Then, click on 'contacts' to the left of your inbox > select the people you want in your group (select 'all contacts' to see a list you can pick from) > click on 'groups' > new group, and give your group a name > groups > select the group you just created

Adding a parent or grandparent would be really awesome! You can always see who's in your group, and manage that list, by clicking on the name of the group in 'contacts', on the left hand side of your main screen.

4. Now let's go to your blog and create a poll (a multiple choice survey question) for the people in your group to answer.

From your Blogger dashboard select 'layout' > add gadget > poll > insert your question (properly capitalized and punctuated!) and insert the answer options > save

Have fun with this. Think of something silly you'd like to know about your friends. View your blog to make sure it looks right. How cool would it be to have family members vote on something like what everyone wants to do with your next vacation?! The possibilities are endless!

5. Return to your Gmail and 'compose mail'. Start writing the name of the group in the 'To' line and select it when it pops up. 'Subject' line, "Come vote on the poll on my blog!"

6. Create a link for them to follow to your blog.

From your blog's front page, select and copy the entire address from the main address bar at the top.

Back in the email you're writing, click on the button that looks like a chain link. In 'Text to display', write, "Click here to see my blog." In the 'Link to box', right click and 'paste' your address. Click 'ok'. Add a personal message if you like and press 'send'.

7. Follow the links sent to you by your friends when you get their emails - and vote on their polls! Have fun!

Now you know how to create email groups and send email to them, and how to create a poll on your blog. Keep your friends and family members updated on your language arts work, or any other cool stuff you post! Cheers!

5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay Practice

2009-01-25T14:59:00.000-08:00

The motto for effective persuasive essay writing is, "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em. Tell 'em. Then, tell 'em what you told 'em!"

In your first paragraph, or introduction to your essay, your primary goals are to describe the main point you'll be trying to persuade your reader to agree with you on (this is known as the Thesis Statement), and to lay out the main ideas you'll be using to support that point.

In the body, or middle, of your essay, you'll use a paragraph to explain, give details and examples, for each of your main ideas.

Finally, in the conclusion, your last paragraph needs to restate your Thesis Statement, summarize the main points you covered in support of it, and leave the reader with a memorable and powerful final statement of your position, known as the Clincher Statement.

Here's an example for you to follow. Note the Transition Words at the beginning of each paragraph, to help guide the reader through the argument. Cheers!

Mr.A - The Best Rodeo Clown There Ever Was!

When I grow up, I think I'd make a great rodeo clown. I've always enjoyed being trapped in small places with dangerous animals. One of my favorite things to do is to redirect the attention of bullies in the classroom, so that nice kids don't have to deal with them. I even have some experience with barn-yard animals. I'm comfortable with dangerous animals, I don't mind risk taking to help other people and I like barn-yard animals, therefore, I will be the best rodeo clown there ever was!

The first reason why I'll be a great rodeo clown is that being around dangerous animals has always come naturally to me. There was that time when I was hunting, when I sat twenty feet away from a sow and two cubs as they ate salmon out of a stream. I'm always watching dangerous animal shows on the Discovery Channel. When ever I'm close to a man eating animal, I feel more alive than ever. Being able to be comfortable near dangerous animals is the first step to becoming a rodeo clown.

Also, helping people in danger is another thing I really enjoy. It's so exciting to see the look of relief on a person's face when you save them. When I'm helping people avoid physical harm, I feel like a super hero. I am to helping people in danger, what a fire extinguisher is to a fire! Being able to help people in danger for the rest of my life would be fantastic!

Finally, working with barn-yard animals takes a special talent. I gained a lot of experience with bulls and other large animals on my relative's farm. I learned a lot about the way bulls think. For example, if you run across a bull's corral with a red bandanna hanging out of your back pocket, he'll start chasing you! The time I spent on a farm is sure to give me an advantage when it comes to becoming a rodeo clown.

In conclusion, the three most important ingredients required in order to become a successful rodeo clown are being comfortable with dangerous animals, a willingness to help people in danger and barn-yard experience, and I've got them all! I want to be the best rodeo clown of all time. I'm never so happy as when I'm in the midst of farm life. It's like Ben said, "Mr.Allison, you're a clown!" When I streak across a field in front of a raging bull, my soul is filled with delight, and that's why I'll be the best rodeo clown there ever was!

My rodeo clown picture came from http://photo.monkey.net/index.php?showimage=247

Our Internet Code of Conduct

2008-11-14T15:57:00.001-08:00

In 7th grade language arts, you are encouraged to use a Gmail account and to set up a blog on Blogger.com. Along with these privileges, come responsibilities. While the internet represents a great learning opportunity, it can also pose threats when used inappropriately. Before you may participate in this component of the class, please read and sign the below Code of Conduct, along with your parents. If you opt not to participate in the online part of this class, a paper and pencil alternative will be provided. Please keep a signed copy of this agreement at home. A copy of this agreement will be handed out at the beginning of the year, but may also be printed from this site for reference purposes or for those entering the class late.

1. Please, no last names, school names, phone numbers, personal photos or addresses.

2. Do not link to your personal blog (MySpace, etc.) from your school blog, or to any other personal web content; you might reveal information on there that you don't want to reveal on your school blog.

3. If you accidentally come across inappropriate or offensive content, turn around and leave the site immediately without interacting with it in any way.

4. Always make sure you check over your post for spelling errors, grammar errors, and your use of words.

5. Never disrespect someone else in your blog, whether it's a person, an organization, or just a general idea. You don't want someone making a stab at what you are passionate about; don't do it to someone else.

6. Don't write about other people without permission. Never share someone else’s last name.

7. Watch your language! Make all of your work as professional looking as possible, and always consider who your audience is.

8. Discuss your internet and blog activities with your parents; keep them involved and interested.

9. In Blogger settings, for ‘Who Can Comment?’, select, ‘Only members of this blog,’ and please don’t add any members.

10. Never engage in harassing or inappropriate behavior, or share ‘adult’ content. Report all such activity to your teacher and parents immediately. Remember, we are living in the time of ‘infinite data archiving.’ That is, everything you post will never go away. Questionable internet activity will come back to bite you!

Students: I will abide by the above code of conduct. Signed:_____________________________

Parents: I support my student in his/her use of the above described internet applications, and I will remain interested and involved in their on-line activities.
Signed:__________________________ Date:____________________________________

This code adapted from www.budtheteacher.com/wiki/index.php?title=Blogging_Rules

The Internet: An Opportunity for Alaskans - and 7th Grade Language Arts!

2008-10-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

A hundred years ago, the refrain heard around the state of Alaska, and around the world, was, "There's gold in them hills!" Thousands flocked here to stake their claims and get rich. Well, there may not be gold in them hills in any longer, but there's certainly gold in them fiber optic cables, so it's important that we all learn how to use the necessary tools to become successful Internet "miners"!

I decided to have my students start emailing and blogging this year because, as a seasonal small-business owner in Alaska, I know that success or failure hinges on my ability to respond promptly and succinctly to email inquiries, and represent my business online. If you'd like to check out my business web page, go to www.wildsalmonfishing.com .

Often I've heard the complaint that there just aren't enough opportunities for young Alaskans who want to remain in-state after graduation. However, the opportunities for Alaskans to make a living, or at least contribute to their livelihood, through the Internet, are abundant.

Living in Alaska, we have the ability to provide services and web-content unavailable anywhere else in the world. Whether we're selling kayak tours or fishing trips, maintaining a blog about spawning salmon or unique volcanic fields, our individual Alaskan experiences are a natural (and renewable) resource just waiting to be tapped!

Blogs represent a money-making opportunity in their own right. Though you need to be 18 to be eligible for making money through your blog, or at least need to collaborate with an adult guardian to do so, preparing for that opportunity can start right now, with the blog you make for class. So consider what your special talents or interests are, and use your blog as a way of getting them out there, and creating an opportunity for yourself. Heck, lots of people make money for doing nothing but writing book reviews on their blogs! Don't believe me? Check out this article about how bloggers make money, http://www.slate.com/id/2201325/ .

There's still gold in them hills, but these days, instead of using picks and shovels, we use the Internet! Get digging!

Image from www.geomerchant.com

How to complete your lit. novel assignment!

2008-10-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

Folks, this cool little video makes understanding how to complete your literature novel assignments crystal clear! Don't bother trying to watch this when you first press play; it takes a while to buffer. I recommend pressing play, going and doing something else for five minutes and then returning to start it over. It should have completely buffered at that point, so it'll play smoothly. Enjoy!

One of My Favorite Things: Royal Enfield Bullet

2008-09-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

Folks, this is the bike I got just last summer. They build these things in India, but the company that originally produced them came from Great Britain. This one is in classic black, with lots of chrome and polished metal. It's a pretty small bike really, weighing in at just under 400 pounds, but you've got to remember that it's made for wrangling your way through the Himalayas on winding dirt roads. And, it sounds almost as good as it looks. It's a single cylinder, 500cc, THUMPER!

Up until 1947, Great Britain owned India. After India won its independence, lots of cool British stuff got left behind - like the Royal Enfield motor cycle factory. After the Brits left, and the Royal Enfield Company in England went bankrupt, Indian businessmen took the factory over and just kept on making the exact same bikes - to this day. At first, they built the bikes for the Indian Army, and you can still buy all-green military versions of the Bullet.

So while my bike is brand new, it's important to realize that it's a actually a 'brand new' 1950 motorcycle! After it's finished being broken in (in about another 250 miles), the top speed will be 75 mph, and it'll get around 72 miles per gallon. You can find out more about these time machines at http://www.royalenfield.com .

I'd always wanted one of these beauties, because when I was a kid I lived in southeast Asia. My dad was a civil engineer, and we got to travel extensively throughout the region. On a trip when I was 14, we visited Bangalore, in India, and a friend of ours who lived there and owned a Bullet, took me for rides around the city.

Oh, until my bike's broken in, look for me cruising along at around 36mph. Don't worry, I'll be pulling over to let you past!

2008-09-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie's book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, made me laugh and cry (well I don't really cry, not since my black lab, Mo, died anyway). A poignant personal narrative, loosely based on the author's own life, the story focuses on the life of Junior, a Spokane Indian growing up on the reservation, or rez.

Junior is typical of kids on the rez in that he has to deal with a lot of violence and alcoholism. He was born with a brain defect that left him with a chip on his shoulder, and a creative turn of mind; Junior wants to grow up to be a cartoonist, and the book is full creative and humorous drawings.

He quickly learns that for many, staying on the rez can be a death-sentence, so he decides to attend an off-rez public school, full of white farm kids. He encounters and overcomes racism and his own insecurities to become a star basketball player, and one of the most popular kids at the school.

This book appealed to me for a number of reasons. I love stories about real people surviving and thriving in the real world - which is messy! Many of the personal trials and challenges described in the book are the same as those going on behind closed doors in our own neighborhoods, or even in our own homes. Also, the story takes place in eastern Washington, where I went to college at Washington State University, so it was easy for me to visualize.

I loved the book and fully recommend it, but that recommendation comes with a warning; the book contains lots of sexual references and violence. Alexie didn't pull any punches when it came to describing just how brutal real life on the reservation can be, so make sure to check with your parents before reading this book.

Cover art from http://www.fallsapart.com/truediary.htm

Proud to be Guiding American Sport Anglers!

2008-06-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Fishing. Charter fishing to be exact. Today, the guys came from San Francisco. Dad and his son, and his nephew all came to Sitka for a fishing odyssey with me. Fishing with families is the best! The excitement a kid feels when he lands a fish keeps me going all day.

I picked them up at the hotel dock at five. I was up at 3:30. Not a typo. I get up at 3:30 when I fish with people staying in town.

Well it took five or six hook-ups before we finally got a king in the boat. Then we got one, missed a couple more. Got another, missed some more. Finally we had all three. It took us all day, and one of the fish that got up to the boat only to throw the hook at the last minute must have been the biggest king I've seen all season. The guys were so pumped about their fish at the end of the day that all of the frustrations were soon forgotten.

Now I'm smoking and canning fish. I'll be out on the water again tomorrow, and for the next three days straight. In fact, I've only got a couple non-fishing days between now and when we leave for south. I'll be going to a graduation in B.C., seeing my folks in Vancouver and D.C., and then I get to be the best man at my buddy's weeding in Manhattan. Then I'll be back to fish some more.

My new motorcycle should be here by then!

2008-05-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Here it is; the first post to my blog. This is my first experiment in blogging. Keep in mind - this is pretty rough. Hey! I'm a beginner!

I've got to figure this thing out 'cause I want to get my language arts classes to start publishing their writing assignments on the web.

Publishing - that's the last step in "the writing process", and getting there in a meaningful way is always a challenge in a school setting.

So here we go. I'll be posting examples of the kinds of writing assignments I expect my students to complete, and the topics I'll cover will be based on my interests. I hope my students will use topics or subjects they're interested in as the raw material for their writing as well.

We'll practice writing some standard paragraphs, persuasive five paragraph essays, compare and contrast essays, book reviews, and personal narratives driven by dialog.

So, my interests: my family, teaching language arts and chess, deer hunting, fishing, vintage British motorcycles, music, life in Alaska, literature, politics - well, this list could go on an on. So it will, as the inspiration strikes. Enjoy!

Cheers,
Mr. Allison