Unit 3 Notes

Descriptive Writing, “Daystar” and “My Father’s Song”

Unit 3 – How Important Ideas are Expressed
English 208A – Ms. Cook & Mrs. Dietz
Unit 3 Priority Standards:
 RL.9-10.1-Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as
well as inferences drawn from the text.
 RL.9-10.2-Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course
of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective
summary of the text.
 RL.9-10.3-Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop
over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
 RI.9-10.5- Analyze in detail how an author's ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular
sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of a text (e.g., a section or chapter).
 W.9-10.1-Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas,
concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis
of content. 

Take notes during Class Connect on 10/21 and 10/22 and as you complete lesson
3.06

Note: You will NOT complete the 3.06 Descriptive Writing assignment to turn in for a grade.
Instead, we will complete it and share in our Class Connects! You will also share it below.

Prompt Note Taking Area

Jot a list of three or more meaningful places, The one time my grandma swore
objects, people, experiences, or emotions The Christmas dinner that was ruined
that left a vivid impression on you.
Free write about your subject for three Smudge
minutes or more. Concentrate on sensory Crunch
details: What did it look like, sound like, feel Pull
like, smell like, or taste like? Cold

Free write on your own sheet of paper or
document. When the timer goes off, you are
more than welcome to share!
As we sat at the Christmas dinner, the usual
feeling of love was gone. Not only had our
neighbors come uninvited, but in the
scramble to make dinner for them, the whole
dinner was reduced to inedible scraps. The
cordon blu was dry, and the sauce had
curdled.

Share the descriptive essay or poem you wrote in Class Connect on 10/21 and 10/22
below. 😊
As we sat at the Christmas dinner, the usual feeling of love was gone. Not only had our
neighbors come uninvited, but in the scramble to make dinner for them, the whole dinner was
reduced to inedible scraps. The cordon blu was dry, and the sauce had curdled. It had
happened when my mom had gone to take a short brisk shower and had asked them to stir the
much-needed sauce, to no avail. The green bean had, in the whole mess, has not only been
salted, but salted by both my mother and my father. My mom, defeated, sat at the Christmas
dinner, not willing to wrestle the dinner anymore. Soon the defeated feeling steamed and tuned
to anger, as remarks like “this chicken is dry, in needs a sauce” flew across the table. The final
straw was when it was announced the ethe “these green beans are salty”. After dinner they
rushed the neighbors out of the house, relived for them to leave. Finally, after that, my mother
was able to enjoy her new presents.

Take notes during our Class Connects on 10/27 and 10/28 and while you review
Lesson 3.10- Literary Devices: “Daystar” and “My Father’s Song”.

Write a short summary of the EnglishCast: Imagery, symbols and theme (Lesson 3.10-
Practice Folder).

Cornell Notes

Cue Column- Note Taking Area-definitions, examples,

Write Down Key Words/Topics and answers

Define Theme The main idea of the story

Imagery How the author can paint a picture with words

Symbolism Using something to stand for an idea like x

eyes for death

What is the theme of “Daystar? Personal time is extremely important

Examples of imagery in “Daystar”

 Diapers steaming on a line, a doll
 slumped behind the door
How children intrude, though lovingly, and
What might the diapers and doll take quite a lot of space.
represent? Answer on the right side.

Examples of imagery in “Daystar”

 So, she lugged a chair behind the It tells how she is tired and just wants some
garage to sit out the children’s naps. time to herself

What does this section tell you about the

mom and how she is feeling? Answer on
the right side.

Write down one direct quote that

support’s “Daystar’s” theme. Answer on “she would open her eyes and think of the
the right side. place that was hers”

What is the theme of “My Father’s Song?”

Answer on the right side. All life is important

Write down one direct quote that supports “very gently, he scooped tiny pink animals
the theme of “My Father’s Song”. Answer into the palm of his hand”
on the right side.

Summaries: