Reading essays written by professional writers will train your ear for writing well. This week we will read three essays. Enjoy them. They are not equal in quality, but all still well-written.
Homework: Week 24 (PDF) |
You will need two copies of the Analyzing Articles handout.
Analyzing Articles Handout (DOCX) |
Article 1 (PDF) |
Article 2 (PDF) |
Article 3 (PDF) |
The Scarlet Pimpernel Questions, Part 1 (DOCX) |
Poetry Assignment for April
Rules: You must memorize and recite the poem without error during the month of April. Choose one from the following. You must also write 4 to 5 sentences explaining the poem in your words. If you don’t know how to pronounce a word, Google it. This is worth 100 points.
How to memorize a poem in a few simple steps (really)
How to memorize a poem in a few simple steps (really)
- Read through the poem carefully and slowly and out loud. It’s okay if you don’t get it all right away. Just read it, letting the language flow out of your mouth.
- Copy the poem over in your own handwriting, writing on every other line. Try to keep the lines and stanzas on your paper the same as in the original poem.
- Read the poem out loud again.
- Using an index card or a piece of paper, cover up all of the poem except the first line. Say that line over to yourself three times. Now, gaze off into space for a moment and try to say the line from memory.
- Repeat this with the rest of the lines in the stanza, saying the lines you have already worked on, too. If the poem is not divided into stanzas, divide it yourself into groups of three or four lines.
- Once you have one stanza down, go to the next one, again working line by line.
- Put those two stanzas together, and then move on. Repeat this until you reach the end of the poem.
- You will think you have it down pat, and you will be wrong. It will take practice to move this information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. To practice, follow the ideas below:
- write the first letter of each word on an index card and practice with the card, using the letters to prompt you
- record yourself reading the poem and listen to it (if you can load it on an iPod or MP3 player, that is awesome practice)
- say the poem out loud when you are walking by yourself
- recite to your parents (serious brownie points)
- say it while you are in the shower, drying your hair, or exercising (repetitive motion like a foot striking the track will help get the pattern of the poem in your mind)
- write it out over and over
- think it to yourself when you are bored in class
Poems to Memorize for April (PDF) |