5 November

Writer's took notes on editing marks.

Writer's who missed Karen's class on Tuesday were assigned a work group for Karen's next class.

Mr. Zartler announced that he would be out Monday and Tuesday of next week.

Writer's shared stories.

7th period met with author Lydia Davis

Writer's reviewed two deadlines for the next unit:
Toast: 19 November
Spirals: 1 December
Resteraunt Review: 17 December

3 November, Karen Karbo

Karen came and taught a memoir lesson. As usual she mentioned the due date for the final project, Tuesday, 26 January, 2010!!!!

The focusing theme for this lesson was Anger. Each class made a list of things that made them angry.

Karen read a short memoir/ essay piece called "Tar Baby" from Reading, Writing, Rising Up and asked to writers to notice the various kinds of evidence that the author, a former Jefferson H.S. student had used.

Types of evidence included: Personal Experience; Friends' Experience; Stuff that Happened at School; Newspapers; Internet; Movies; Books; the experience of the "Flaneur" (one who walks around philosophizing).

Writers eventually picked, or were assigned to a group. Writer's homework assignment was to search for evidence about why their topic would make them angry, using the suggested sources above, or others.

Writer's who missed Tuesday will be assigned a group in class on Thursday.

2 November

Writer's studied the stories of Lydia Davis.

Ms. Davis will be visiting Grant on Thursday, 5 November during 7th period. All writers are invited.

Writers should bring questions for Ms. Davis.