Friday May 13/16

First, I’m happy to announce the winners of our world’s worst business letter contest……

Second, let’s do that quiz! Remember you are welcome to use your notes, but you can’t use any electronic devices.

Next, let’s continue with our introduction to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest:

Big Idea: How does society force individuals to conform and punish those individuals who don’t conform. (Think pair share)

Critical thinking question: Can a text still be valuable even if it contains racist, sexist, or homophobic depictions of individuals? (Think pair share)

Finally, we will complete our introduction to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with the following One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest jigsaw.

Wednesday May 11/16

I am away for PD today so here’s what you’re doing:

  1. Peer editing: if you were here yesterday, get your rough draft and peer editing sheet from the supply teacher. If you weren’t here yesterday, get a copy of the peer editing sheet from the supply teacher and write your name next to writer_________
  2. Pair up with someone and exchange rough drafts for peer editing. Make sure you write your name next to editor_________ on the copy you are editing.
  3. Submit edited rough drafts to supply teacher so I can see them before tomorrow’s class.

We’re going to be starting our play One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. In order to understand some of the big ideas in this play I’m going to show you a Prezi that covers the main ideas. You are expected to take notes as you watch. The main headings you’ll need to organize your notes are as follows:

  • About the author
  • Inspiration
  • Main Characters
  • Key Ideas
  • The American Dream

Be prepared for a quiz on this tomorrow.

 

Friday May 6/16

Last day in room 211 for working on the research reports. We will discuss the due date today as well.

After a discussion with all of you, we settled on Tuesday May 17 as the due date for the report.

Thursday May 5/16

We’ll begin today by revealing the memo rankings. How did your group do?

Example #1

This example was ranked third place by instructors for the following reasons:

  • Demonstrates some understanding of the memo format.
  • Contains a signature – which it should not have.
  • Demonstrates confusion about the subject of the memo (subject line describes the type of document rather than the topic of the memo).
  • Contains too much irrelevant information.
  • Is too “I” focused.
  • Is inappropriately narrative in the first and third paragraphs.
  • Doesn’t explain benefits to the reader.

Example of a memo.

Example #2

You might be surprised to learn that Example #2 was ranked first place. After all, it did have a line crossed out, but here are the reasons why instructors gave it a level 4 even though it wasn’t perfect:

  • Student uses a standard memo template.
  • Shows good use of text features (bullets, italics, underlining).
  • Stresses reader benefits.
  • Presents complicated information clearly.
  • Writing is not perfect (line corrected after printing) but it is clear and direct.

Example of a memo.

Example #3

This is example was given second place for the following reasons:

  • Information is presented clearly.
  • Follows a logical sequence of ideas.
  • Concise.
  • Use of bullets is good, a table showing costs would be more appropriate.
  • Date at bottom of memo is unnecessary.

Example of a memo.

Example #4

Instructors gave this memo fourth place for the following reasons:

  • The student is confusing memo format with letter format.
  • Voice is too casual.
  • Lacks evidence of paragraph structure.
  • Contains several spelling and grammar errors.

Example of a memo.

Memo assignment

(this is also posted on Sesame)

Write a one-page memo for your teacher using the format provided in this activity. In your memo, be sure to do the following:

  • Identify the topic and subtopics you plan to explore in your research report;
  • Explain why you think this is a worthwhile topic to research;
  • Identify any areas where you feel you need support or feedback. For example, you may be concerned about finding resources and would like some help, or you’re not sure what your headings should be and you’d like some suggestions;
  • Write clearly, and concisely, in a business-like voice;
  • Make effective use of text features such as headings, bulleted lists, italics, and underlining to add clarity to your memo.

Be sure to check the rubric for this assignment before submitting.

Memo Rubric

 
Categories Level 4

(80 – 100%)

 Level 3
(70 – 79%)		 Level 2
(60 – 69%)		 Level 1
(50 – 59%)
Knowledge and Understanding:
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of memo format.
WR2.01.		 Demonstrates excellent knowledge and understanding of memo format. Demonstrates considerable knowledge and understanding of memo format. Demonstrates some knowledge and understanding of memo format. Demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding of memo format.
Communication:
organize content of memo in a logical sequence.
WR1.04.		 Organizes content of memo with a high degree of effectiveness. Organizes content of memo with considerable effectiveness. Organizes content of memo with some effectiveness. Organizes content of memo with limited effectiveness.
demonstrate business-like voice to convey research topic and subtopic ideas.
WR2.02.		 Demonstrates excellent use of business-like voice to convey research topic and subtopic ideas. Demonstrates considerable use of business-like voice to convey research topic and subtopic ideas. Demonstrates some use of business-like voice to convey research topic and subtopic ideas. Demonstrates limited use of business-like voice to convey research topic and subtopic ideas.
use text features such as headings, bulleted lists, italics, and underlining to add clarity to memo.
WR3.06.		 Demonstrates excellent use of text features to add clarity to memo. Demonstrates considerable use of text features to add clarity to memo. Demonstrates some use of text features to add clarity to memo. Demonstrates limited use of text features to add clarity to memo.

Wednesday May 4/16

Final literature circle meeting. You know the procedure. Duotangs are on the small desk near the cupboards. Make sure if you have any incomplete handouts in your duotang you get them done now.

Your group task for this meeting is to read through the handout on the Memo. Memo and then look at the example memos and rank them from best to worst using the criteria provided to you on the memo handout. You will get these from your supply teacher.

By the end of the period, one person from each group must have the ranked example memos in his or her duotang.