How to start class:  Come in with materials  Sit down  Write HW in agenda  Complete warm-up silently

Warm-up:  Write a complete paragraph writing predictions for your 2010 school year as a 7 th grader.

Classroom Expectations  Do not talk when I’m talking  Raise your hand and wait to be called on if you have something to share  Do not leave the room without permission (you will receive a “Dragon’s All Access Pass” today in science)

Reflecting on Our selves through Analyzing Poetry Created by: Andrea Gambino 2010

Today’s Agenda  Evaluate Edgar Guest’s “The Things That Haven’t Been Done Before” and generate a learning log of our analysis.  We will also reflect on our learning experiences during semester 1  Remember: Take notes & keep up!  Don’t forget to write down your homework!

NCSCOS 1.02 Respond to expressive materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:  monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.  summarizing the characteristics of expressive works.  determining the importance of literary effects on the reader/viewer/listener.  making connections between works, self and related topics.  comparing and/or contrasting information.  drawing inferences and/or conclusions.  determining the main idea and/or significance of events.  generating a learning log or journal Reflect on learning experiences by:  analyzing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.  examining changes in self throughout the learning process.  determining how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with text.

Make a prediction…  By raising your hand, can you make a prediction about what “unchartered territory” is?

So…what’s the diff!?  Unchartered territory: an area, experience, or action that is new and unknown  Chartered territory: has done before and others can benefit from his/her success or failure

Edgar Guest  August 20, 1881-August 5, 1959  Born in Birmingham, England  Known as “The People’s Poet”  Moved to the U.S. in 1891 to Detroit, Michigan  Penned over 11,000 poems  Named “Poet Laureate” in Detroit (the only person to receive this award)

By: Edgar Guest “The Things that Haven’t Been Done Before” The things that haven't been done before, Those are the things to try; Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore At the rim of the far-flung sky, And his heart was bold and his faith was strong As he ventured in dangers new, And he paid no heed to the jeering throng Or the fears of the doubting crew. The many will follow the beaten track With guideposts on the way. They live and have lived for ages back With a chart for every day. Someone has told them it's safe to go On the road he has traveled o'er, And all that they ever strive to know Are the things that were known before. A few strike out without map or chart, Where never a man has been, From the beaten path they draw apart To see what no man has seen. There are deeds they hunger alone to do; Though battered and bruised and sore, They blaze the path for the many, who Do nothing not done before. The things that haven't been done before Are the tasks worthwhile today; Are you one of the flock that follows, or Are you one that shall lead the way? Are you one of the timid souls that quail At the jeers of a doubting crew, Or dare you, whether you win or fail, Strike out for a goal that's new?

Lines 1-10: Q1: This poem speaks of courage in trying new things. Who is someone that you admire because of his/her courage? Why do you admire him/her? A1: Example: I admire my Mom because she has overcome several obstacles in her life (poverty and getting an education while raising two kids), illness (when doctors told her she would not live), etc. Q2: Based on the poem, why is Columbus considered courageous? A2: Poem Analysis:

Lines 11-26: Q3: How does the poem describe the “few” who “strike out” or try new things? Have they really failed? Why or why not? A3: Lines 27-34: Q4: Using context clues from the poem define the following words: quail, timid, jeers, strike out. A4: Poem Analysis cont’d

1) Explain whether you agree or disagree with the line in the first stanza that “Those things that haven’t been done before, those are the things to try.” 2) You have just completed a lot of work in 7 th grade ELA. You’ve charted some unknown territory for yourself and done things that you hadn’t done before. -What is the most important thing you learned during the first semester of ELA? -What do you need to improve in order to do well in ELA? -What activity or assignment in ELA have you enjoyed the most? -What has been your favorite reading experience so far in 7 th grade? Why? 3) In the poem, the speaker asks, “Are you one of the flock that follows, or Are you one that shall lead the way?” Answer this question and consider what your work in ELA class says about you. 4) Has your work during 1 st semester shown who you really are? What will you change and improve upon for 3 rd quarter? 5) Name one of the things that you haven’t done before in ELA. How will you accomplish that as a goal? Learning Log TIP: Use the answers to the above questions to help guide you in your homework assignment (due: Thursday, January 7 th )

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Exiting Class  Be sure your area is neat and clean & wait silently to be dismissed by row