Velcro Shoes

Trust no one!

We’ll start with buddy work. Read your 2 paragraphs out loud to a buddy and listen for specific sensory details (remember RENNS?). Work together to improve the paragraph and post the results here.

Then, we’ll look at the My Turn essay (Ashley) essay and note the places where she uses specific examples and for what reason.

1) How does the writer use the hook (“three blonde heads”) to grab the reader and set the tone for the essay?
2) Re-read and paraphrase the paragraph starting “The first time I actually became aware…”
3) Why does the writer use the example of the pencils? What is she trying to show?
4) How does the writer create a turning point? What anecdotes and information does she give to show that she has regained her pride for her name? How does she demonstrate her changed attitude?
5) What advice would you give the writer to make the essay even better?

Then, we’ll read “Defending our Skies Against the Elderly” and answer these questions.

1. Re-read the 2nd paragraph. What are the details about the shoes meant to show and demonstrate?
2. What does the 3rd paragraph show us about the character of her grandfather?
3. Now skip down to the paragraph beginning “The man who never broke a law…” What does this anecdote about how airport security?
4. Why does the author think what happened to her father was unfair and unwarranted?  How does she explain her feeling? Is there some telling here? Is that bad?
5. How does the writer conclude the essay?  How do the earlier details make it effective?

Our next trick will involve a pre-writing activity for our next writing assignment.

If we have time, I hope to have us see a bit of the DVD of Poetry Out Loud.

HW: Pre-write for My Turn essay assignment