WS Section 45 -48 - Classroom Notes / Examples

Section 45 talking about defining a word in a paragraph. This method is used in all types of writing. For example:

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body; also known as Cancerous cells called malignant cells. When a patient is told this from results of a test, he or she may be shocked and go into denial about having Cancer.The patient also doesn't want to believe it could happen to them. Then the patient and loved ones start a grieving process in which they start to work through together. They will wonder if they will make it through the rocky roads ahead, and just like grief that will be stages of coping when a patient has cancer.

Section 46 talks about the process of writing. This is a method that can be simple or complex. It is used in reports where you have to tell someone how to do something from start to finish. It is a paper of instruction. Examples given in class were a instruction manual, or a chart on how to build to something, etc.

Section 47 talks about enumeration / chronology. This is very important in the writing process.
Where enumeration simply means what it says, by numbering things in proper order; chronology means saying what came first in time,second, and so on.


Section 48 talks about classification which distinguishes between and gives order to a series of items.

Rough Draft I / Thesis-Driven Essay: Observation On Education (paper II)

Michelle L. Jones
Dr. Sonia Begert
English 99
18 July 2011

     An Outstanding Teacher

     When Mrs. Montgomery was the sixth grade teacher at MacDonald Elementary, she was know as one of the school districts most outstanding teachers. She was accredited for her teaching skills because she was able to help her students set and meet goals, made learning fun and interesting, was an advocate for children’s self-esteem, always there for her students, and promoted life long learning that would follow students into adulthood.

     "We are the only ones responsible for our futures!", said Mrs. Montgomery as she helped us set and meet our goals. Often she would remind us that our goals should be set in small steps, this way we would be sure to succeed each one. She helped her students stay focused and emphasized her wisdom as she kept us mindful of our choices we would make that would reflect our futures. In the beginning of school year, she would have us write our goals down on a sheet of paper. Along with that, she would have us write a letter to ourselves. As we worked toward meeting our goals through the school year, she would walk and coach us, when needed every step of the way. During the summer she would mail the letters and your goal lists to you that she had you write the beginning of the school year. Being able to see all your accomplishments you achieved, prepared and empowered you for the next school year. As I sit here as an adult, I see all my educational achievements and owe a lot of my successions to Mrs. Montgomery for her dedication of being an outstanding teacher.

     I am sure we have all encountered “Boredom” of learning in the classroom, I know I sure had, until I met Mrs. Montgomery. She had the art of sparking imagination in all her students. No matter what subject, she opened creativity, and she always made sure it was fun and interesting.

     Our favorite history project our sixth grade year was learning different cultures of countries around the world. Mrs. Montgomery called it, “Dinner Around The World” and each group of students was assigned a country in which we had to prepare week long projects. Each group was to write a report and transform their school desks into the “Customs Booth” for their our assigned country. The table was to be displayed with the country’s flag, facts, and chart of statistics. On Friday, all groups were to bring in a special food dish to share with the class, that their country was known for. Since our group was assigned Sweden, our special food dish that my mom helped us make was Swedish meatballs.

     The next day our classroom looked like a International tourist trap. The aroma of food from American, Italian, Mexican, to Chinese filled the air and down the hallways. Our pretend passports were stamped at every customs booth and by the end of our day long adventure, we chased Leprechauns in Ireland, walked the Great Wall of China, danced the Polka in Poland, rowed in the Gondola down the Grand Canal of Venice in Italy, celebrated the Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, ran with the bulls in Spain, had tea and crumpets with the Queen of England, and toured The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. By the time we arrived back in the United States, it was time to clean up and head home for the weekend.

     Along with the fun and exciting times, Mrs. Montgomery also had her serious side too. She was an advocate for children’s self-esteem and she believed that teachers played a major role in this development of a child. Mrs. Montgomery took pride in watching her students achieve. No matter if it was big or small, she would let you know how proud she was of you. When there were failures, she would encourage us to pick ourselves up and try again. To make us feel better, she would slip in a triumph or failure of her own, to let us know that if she made it this far she knew we could go even further. She had passion, encouragement, and a gentle way of helping everyone out in their own special way.

     Mrs. Montgomery was an inspiration to all her students. She always treated us as if we were her own children. Her love and compassion showed true in all she did for us. One of the very first things I remember her telling our sixth grade class was, “No matter what, I will always be here for you.”, and she held true to her word.

     For me, she has been there since my first day of arriving at MacDonald Elementary. She was my Science and English teacher for fifth grade as well. Knowing I had to repeat the fifth grade and having previous educational challenges, she knew of my frustrations and sadness. No matter what, she would always arrange special one on one time for me, as she did for all her students, when needed.

     Although 17 years has passed since I have communicated with Mrs. Montgomery, she has promoted life long learning that has followed me into adulthood. She would always tell our class that no matter what challenges come our way in life, to stay positive and you will be able to find the good out of any bad situation, and she also instilled in us that no matter how old you are, you are never to old to learn new things. For me this has been two, true statements that I am teaching to my own children today.

     I often wonder what she would say of my many accomplishments. I continue to find the good out of the many bad situations that have come my way. I have made my lemonade with the lemons God has given me. To talk to her today, she would be especially proud of me for coming back to school. She was right, you are never to old to learn new things. Not going to college right out of high school is my only regret in life, but I am sure proud of my decision to come back now. I have her to thank for my many accomplishments along the way, because she was an outstanding teacher, I have the encouragement and ability to succeed all the way to my college degree as a “Medical Assistant.”

Thesis Statement - One Paragraph (paper II)

Thesis Statement:    

     When Mrs. Montgomery was the sixth grade teacher at MacDonald Elementary, she was known as one of the school districts most outstanding teachers. She was accredited for her teaching skills because she was able to help her students set and meet goals, made learning fun and interesting, was an advocate for children’s self-esteem, always there for you, and promoted life-long learning that would follow students into adulthood.

One Paragraph:

     "We are the only ones responsible for our futures!", said Mrs. Montgomery. She helped us set and meet our goals, reminding us that they should be set in small steps, this way we would be sure to succeed each one. She helped her students stay focused and emphasized her wisdom as she kept us mindful of our choices we would make that would reflect our futures. In the beginning of school year, she would have us write our goals down on a sheet of paper. Along with that, she would have us write a letter to ourselves. As we worked toward meeting our goals through the school year, she would walk and coach us when needed every step of the way.

Thesis Statement - Outline (paper II)

An Outstanding Teacher

     When Mrs. Montgomery was the sixth grade teacher at MacDonald Elementary, she was known as one of the school districts most outstanding teachers. She was accredited for her teaching skills because she was able to help her students set and meet goals, made learning fun and interesting, was an advocate for children’s self-esteem, always there for you, and promoted life-long learning that would follow students into adulthood.

1.       Mrs. Montgomery helped students set and meet goals.

A)     She had students write goals down in small steps, so all could be accomplished.

B)      She had students write a letter, addressed to them-selves and at the end of the school year you would receive the letter in the summer, where you could see your goals met and it made you feel inspired and empowered for the next school year.

2.       Mrs. Montgomery made learning fun and interesting.

A)     She sparked imagination in all her students. She took the term “BOREDOM” out learning.

B)      My favorite history lesson was “Around the World” where each group of students was assigned a country and a special project was given for class / group participation.

3.       Mrs. Montgomery was an advocate for children’s self-esteem.

A)     She believed teachers played a major role in the development of children’s self-esteem.

B)      When failures occurred, she never gave up on you. Instead, she was full of encouragement and motivation.

4.       Mrs. Montgomery was always there for her students.

A)     She treated all her students as if they were her own children.

B)      She was there for me through my repeat of fifth grade and all through high school.

5.       Mrs. Montgomery promoted life-long learning that followed students into adulthood.

A)     She taught us that no matter what challenges present themselves along the path we take in life, to make sure we stay positive and find the good out of the bad.

B)      She taught us that no matter how old we are, you are never too old to learn new things.

Thesis Statement - Stand & Deliver / One Paragraph

     Mr. Escalante was an inspirational teacher at Garfield High School, because he made teaching interesting, he boosted students self-esteem, he was always there for his students, and he stood up for the students rights.

1. Mr. Escalante made teaching interesting

    A. Used apple for fractions.
    B. Used the Gigelow math problem for algebra problem.

2. Mr. Escalante boosted students self-esteem.

   A. He showed Poncho that he can do the math.
   B. Gave words of encouragement to keep the children motivated during the AP Calculus learning.

3. Mr. Escalante was always there for his students.

   A. Talked to Anna's father about her staying in school.
   B. Did last minute studying for re-taking of test and cooked dinner for the students so they could study
       longer.

4. Mr. Escalante stood up for the students rights.

    A. When they were being accused of cheating.
    B. He didn't allow other facility to cut the student down / "Label" the students.

     After the students successfully passed the AP calculus exam, the morale inn the school had changed. Until one day the Educational Testing Officers falsely accused them of cheating on the original test. Mr. Escalante immediately stood up for the students rights and never gave up on them. All the students agreed to retake the test, but were only given one day to review. Mr. Escalante showed pure inspiration as he and the students spent countless hours together. Mr. Escalante even cooked dinner for the students as they continued to review for the AP Calculus exam. It was a very small kitchen, everyone was hot and tired. Frustrations arouse and Mr. Escalante continued to joke with the students to relax the atmosphere. The students contributed to his humor and Angel said, "Lets order out."

Stand & Deliver - My Thoughts and Observations

The last three days of observing the movie, Stand and Deliver, gave me lots of inspiration. I observed a school that was much like Mike Rose attended. The facility had the students LABELED and it doesn't give them full advantage for them to be all that they can be. Having a teacher in the school system that is able to stand up for the students, seeing that they have full potential means a lot. I have experienced a school with bad teaching structure and the damage that it does to your self-esteem, can effect you for a lifetime.

I observed that in the beginning the students didn't have no respect for the teacher, until he pushed them to their full capacity. After giving them the support and structure that they were needing, did the teacher win the respect he deserved. This teacher was always there for his students, made learning fun and stood behind the students, especially when they were being falsely accused. It is a shame that other teacher out there have to label children. Everyone has a special talent, we just have to find our forte in life!

After watching this movie, it motivated me to get my thesis-driven essay on Observed Education. I looked forward to perfecting it over the upcoming week.

Malcolm X's "Learning To Read" - Thoughts about it and how it relates to the first unit?

Let us think back to the time we first had to learn to read. We all remember “Dick & Jane” or for most of us we do anyways. Malcom X started out with a dictionary, how extraordinary is that. He set goals everyday and put all he had into his learning. He had the Desire to put forth the effort to learn and teach himself something. We have to make the best of each situation, whether it is reading, writing or whatever life hands us.

Just like we read in Unit 1 of "Writing Simplified", if you want to be rewarded, it is all in the attitude, desire, and practicality. It is amazing what we can accomplish with positive attitudes. It should never be I CAN'T DO THIS or I HATE DOING THIS..... but instead it should be setting our minds so we can CAN DO THIS and LOVE THIS.

I felt POWER in the whole reading. There was pure emotions, both ups and downs. Yet just as we also read in unit one, he followed a process to complete the stages to become a better reader and writer. That is why we are taking this class, to take the steps needed to become better writers. So let us pour our emotions and strengths into our writing, set our goals, because what I read is without knowing how to write or read, it becomes hard to build on your own views of intelligence or even insight of other things.

My First Paper Assignment on "My Literacy Narrative"

Numerous events have happened in my life….. I thought about writing about the time my Grandma Grace spent the day teaching me how to bake her famous, homemade apple pie. I can remember that day like it was yesterday and can still smell the warm cinnamon as the pie came out of the oven.

However, I have decided to write about an experience that impacted my entire life. The problems started back in my 3^rd grade year. It continued to worsen and by the time I reached 5^th grade, it would be the event that played the biggest part of who I am today.

I struggled with reading comprehension in school and I could not get my teachers to listen to me. They found it way more important to spend extra time with the enrichment students. When I would ask for help, they would treat me horribly and sent me for evaluations. They even went as far as telling my parents that I was mentally handicapped and sent me for evaluations at the mental health clinics.

It was Christmas break and I remember having to go to this Doctor evaluation. I was devastated! I just needed someone to help me with my reading. The only person I could get to listen to me was my grandma, this eventually was a huge eye opener for my parents.

That 5^th grade year I was pulled out of Fairview Elementary School, placed in MacDonald Elementary in downtown, received A’s & B’s and continued on through Jr. & Sr. high school. I graduated top 20 of my class of 1994.

I am a big promoter of boosting children’s self esteem because it truly does play a huge part in who they become.