1. Warm Up: Edit-Me Monday Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive is a phrase made up of the word to followed by the present form of a verb (to escape). Infinitives may act as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.
An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any other words that complete its meaning.
Directions: Copy the sentences. Underline the infinitive phrase in each sentence.
Example: I went to the local library to do research on lizards.
The librarian helped me to learn the distinguishing characteristics of lizards.
I used the library computer to look up information about several lizard species.
The largest species of lizard, the Komodo dragon, is able to climb trees.
The Komodo dragon’s keen sense of smell helps it to find food.
When a Komodo dragon bites its prey, deadly bacteria in the lizard’s mouth are transmitted to the prey, causing it to die of infection.
The flexible skill of the lizard allows it to swallow large chunks of food.

2. Test Prep Tuesday
No Warm Up

3. Word Work Wednesday
No Warm Up

4. Thoughtful Thursday: Conventions in Writing
Using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation is the finishing touch on an effective essay. Using verbs incorrectly, misspelling words, and using commas incorrectly can prevent your readers from understanding what you have written.
For example, “Let’s add basil” could mean to add an herb, basil, to a dish of food. “Let’s add Basil” could mean to add a person named Basil to a group.
Directions: Edit the paragraph for mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation by rewriting it correctly.
The final reason why the city should not build the bus shelters perposed by the Mayor is that there ugly. I see the material that will be used to construct them, and I’m convinced they looked like World War II bunkers. The overall affect will be hulking and clumsy, no wonder the merchants hate them! Downtown Lincoln avenue wont be a popular tourist destination no longer if these monstrisities are allowed to be builded.

5. Poetry Friday: Read each poem and write down how the writer uses personification.
Personification is a literary device that gives human attributes to a nonhuman object. Using personification makes nonhuman things seem as though they have the abilities that people have, giving a strong image of what the writer is describing. For example, the wind whined in the leafless trees is personification. Wind does not whine; people (unfortunately) do.
Poem 1:
Emily Dickenson
She sweeps with many-colored brooms, And leaves the shreds behind; Oh, housewife in the evening west, Come back, and dust the pond!
Poem 2: William Wordsworth
When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Poem 3: Mother Goose
Hey, diddle, diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon.
Poem 4: William Blake
“Ah, William, we’re weary of weather,” said the sunflowers, shining with dew. “Our traveling habits have tired us. Can you give us a room with a view?”
Poem 5: Denise Rodgers
I’d love to take a poem to lunch or treat it to a wholesome brunch of fresh cut fruit and apple crunch. I’d spread it neatly on the cloth beside a bowl of chicken broth and watch a mug of root beer froth.