Monday, September 30, 2013

September 30th

Today Papers were passed back and upcoming assignments reviewed, like a normal Monday.

We completed Vocabulary Book pages 42-43 to start out Lessons 1-3 review

We complete Writers Choice pages 711-712 exercises 1-2-3 (ODDS)

We Started to read from the Upfront Magazine an article about Congress on pages 12-13.

Due Dates this week:
Tuesday by 11:59 PM Upload Paper 1 Final Draft to turnitin.com

Block Day:
Bring Paper 1 Rubric (same as rough draft) to class
Maus I completion WS

Friday
Grammar Quiz Lessons 20/21 (Multiple Choice PLUS written portion)
A reading selection will be given after the quiz, what is not active read will be homework for Monday

Sunday, September 29, 2013

MAUS UNIT - Cross Country Connections

All of you need to respond to 4 MAUS discussions posted on Cross Country Connections BLOG Your response can be to the original question asked, or you can comment on a post made by another student.

Cross Country Connections is a BLOG community created after a conversation I had with one of my United States Holocaust Museum Teacher Fellow peers. WE set up the blog so that our students could virtually discuss a book that we were reading in class.

Make sure your responses are clear and communicated using textual evidence. Remember your audience is not necessarily in our classroom.

A blog response is 200-300 words, including textual evidence.

To get credit for your response, you need to sign your post with your first name and last initial, if not your last name as well!

You MUST complete TWO responses for each book...4 total!

Remember the BLOG IS PUBLIC. Good DIGITAL CITIZENS use appropriate language and cite sources.

Any student that thoroughly responds to EACH BLOG POST with a 200-300 word reply (that is thorough, and adheres to digital citizenship rules) will be eligible a LITERATURE BONUS.

Posts will be counted starting 10-1-13, the day the announcement was made in class. The closing date for the BLOG comments will be announced with a week to go...it should run through most of OCTOBER. Perhaps into November...

See me if you have any questions!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Friday 9-27-13

We took Vocabulary Quiz (3) today and Grammar Quiz (unit 21). New Upfront editions were passed out as well.

Over the weekend:
Look at comments made on turnitin.com...ask me if you have questions...or ask your peer reviewers

Due Next Week:
Tuesday 10-1-13 11:59 PM final draft uploaded to turnitin.com

NOTE: TUESDAY is MASS DAY ... TIE DAY ATTIRE


Block Day: Maus I completion/WS AND Return PAPART 1 RUBRIC

Friday 10-4-13
Grammar Quiz (20/21)

REMINDER: There WILL be a MAUS quiz each of the next two weeks


LOOKING AHEAD.
..PAPER #2 rough draft is due Monday 10-14-13 ...

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Block Day 9-26/27

today we got new seats AND...

Completed Vocabulary Book page 40 (11-20)
Complete Writer's Choice SEMICOLONS (Rules on 733-734 and exercise on 737)

WE discussed book Censorship .... Banned Books Week in the USA and Book Burning during WWII in Berlin, Germany.

The first Maus Assignment was collected. The MAUS BLOG assignments will be discussed on Friday.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Tuesday 9-24-13

Today we reviewed Vocabulary Lesson 3 by completing 1-10 on page 40

We discussed paper revision topics with the entire group and then spent the rest of the time PEER EDITING

Due Block Day:
first MAUS assignment

Block Day we will discuss Cross Country Connections BLOG Requirements (while reading Maus)

Monday, September 23, 2013

The Week of September 23rd

Today papers were passed back and we reviewed THE USE OF COLONS in the Writers Choice book (page 733-734). We completed Exercise 3 on page 734 (some classes did evens and some odds)


WE discussed proper salutations for professional letters:
Use of colon
When to address a female with MISS, MRS. , or MS.

The time remaining was spent reading the latest UPFRONT magazine.

Upcoming assignments:
Monday 9-23-13 paper #1 draft uploaded to turnitin.com by 11:59 P.M.
Print draft and bring in ALL THREE PAGES of directions/Rubric to class TUESDAY 9-24-13

Block Day
Maus Read/Study Guide up to and including Chapter 3 is due
Maus quiz anytime after each reading assignment is completed.

Friday 9-27-13
Vocabulary Quiz 3
Grammar Quiz (unit 21)
BOTH Multiple Choice

NEXT WEEK:
Paper #1 Final Draft uploaded to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM
Rubric brought BACK to class Block Day 10-2 or 10-3

Block Day
Maus complete book 1 and study guide/prepare for a quiz

Friday 10-4-13
Grammar Quiz (units 20/21) BOTH Multiple Choice format AND correcting sentences.

Upcoming:
Maus II completed by BLOCK DAY 10-9 / 10-10
Vocabulary Test (MC format) lessons 1-3 on Friday 10-11
Paper #2 Rough Draft due 10-14 uploaded to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM
Paper 2 Rubric/draft brought to class for peer review 10-15-13

WED 10-16 PSAT TESTING

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY 10-18-13

Friday, September 20, 2013

Friday 9-20-13

Blocks 2 and 4 were given back Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 1 and 2. Corrections (words and definitions) are due on Monday.

Block 2 needs to complete paperwork for the 10th Grade Counselor (due Monday)

Blocks 5 and 6 are turning in their vocabulary corrections today.

ALL blocks will be viewing a PPT that goes into detail about how to read a graphic novel.

Assignments due next week:
Paper 1 needs to be uploaded to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM Monday
The rubric and Rough Draft need to be brought to class on Tuesday.


The FIRST Maus Assignment is due BLOCK DAY

Vocabulary Quiz and Grammar Quiz (UNIT 21) on Friday 9-27-13

NEXT WEEK: Bring Writers Choice, Vocabulary, and Maus (always have your planner and binder)

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Block Day 9-18 and 9-19

I will go to St. Vincent de Paul today.

ALL classes will take a GRAMMAR DIAGNOSTIC TEST then have time to read MAUS.

The Grammar Test will allow me to see what units we need to focus more attention on this year and what units are merely a quick review. The test should be taken seriously but NO GRADE will be entered into the gradebook.

I spent 1 hour with BLOCK 6 ... after everyone finished the diagnostic we corrected Vocabulary Lesson 3 synonyms and Antonyms AS WELL AS page 38 11-20

BLOCK 6 also was given back Vocabulary Quiz 1 and 2. Corrections to Quiz 1 and 2 are due Friday. To fully correct the test, find the correct answer and circle it on the WHITE paper. THEN write the word and definition next to it. This will help reinforce meanings of words that were unclear the first time. Corrections will be made on each and every quiz where full credit is not earned. This IS an assignment.


Since I am not going to be available to review VOCAB IN ALL CLASSES...I am switching the Vocab Quiz to NEXT FRIDAY 9/27/13- coupled with the grammar quiz for unit 21.

REMINDER...Paper @1 is due on Monday night!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

MAUS UNIT

The Maus Study Guide was posted as you took your Summer Reading Test. You can find it on the Maus Page of the class website.

Active Read Maus I up to and including Chapter 3 and complete the WS by BLOCK DAY 9/25 or 9/26 2013
Active Read The rest of Maus I and complete the WS by BLOCK DAY 10/2 or 10/3 2013
Active Read ALL OF Maus II and complete WS by Block Fay 10/9 or 10/10

For Time Management...
Book 1 is 150 pages... Up to and including Chapter 3 is 70 pages (10 pages a night)
Chapter 4 to the end is about 90 pages... about 13 pages a night
Book 2 is 133 pages ... about 20 pages a night


We will discuss both books and the historical era in class. We will focus on HOW to read a graphic novel, the concepts of memory, the idea of biography and autobiography.

Participation in Cross Country Connections Blog will be required.



Tuesday 9-17-13

Today we corrected the Synonyms and Antonyms from Vocabulary Lesson 3

We had the remaining 40 minutes to take the Summer Reading Test

Instructions for AFTER the TEST....
Vocabulary Book page 38 11-20
Read Maus

Monday, September 16, 2013

Monday 9-16-13

Today vocabulary Story Lesson 3 was turned in at the beginning of class. There was time given to complete Vocabulary Lesson 3 Completing the Sentences (1-10 on page 38) as well as synonyms and antonyms. We corrected Completing the Sentences ... synonyms & Antonyms are homework if not done in class. WE WILL correct thgem before tomorrow's test.

Upcoming Work:
Bring Summer Reading Books to the TEST tomorrow
Start bringing MAUS

Summer Reading Test will be SHORT ANSWER AND/OR ESSAY FORMAT. THOROUGH COW IS THE SECRET TO SUCCESS


FRIDAY 9-20-13
Vocabulary Multiple Choice Test Lesson 3

MONDAY 9-23-13
Paper 1 Rough Draft (see BLOG POST 9-3-13) due UPLOADED to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM
Bring to class on Tuesday 9-24-13 your rubric as well as a copy of the rough draft. Library of Congress Letters About Literature Paper Rubric can be found on Papers page of class website as well as into on 9-3-13 blog post.

Block Day 9-25/27-13 Study Guide for MAUS I

Friday 9-27-14
Grammar Quiz

Writing Pet Peeves

A few concepts to think about as you write:

OTHERS FIRST...do not write (me and my ... always address others before you address yourself)
Avoid unclear pronoun reference
Avoid dead and overused words
Avoid commonly confused words
Avoid contractions in formal writing...save that for conversation and social media
Do not end stories with THE END, rather have a natural conclusion to your story
Revise and use adjectives and adverbs rather than strings of prepositional phrases
Use sophisticated vocabulary...when is doubt, use a Thesaurus!

DO proofread
Do use spell check



Our NEXT Book....

will be Maus 1 and Maus II

A reading study guide will be posted TONIGHT. Please START bringing to class tomorrow, Tuesday 9-17-13. When you finish your Summer Reading test you can work on starting MAUS!

Part of our study will involve collaboration via a BLOG with a peer of mine, another United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow. There will be 1 or 2 blog posts each week for students in EACH OF OUR CLASSES to discuss together online. We will moderate the discussions. The blog allows the students to carry the conversation of the text outside the walls of the classroom, plus engage in a form of writing that is geared for the public, not academia. We will moderate to ensure the students are exhibiting proper DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP. Students will be required to respond to 50% of the posts from each book. Students who respond to 75% or more of the posts will be eligible for a MAUS BONUS!

Friday, September 13, 2013

BONUS OPPORTUNITY...

Warwick's is a privately owned book story in La Jolla. They often have events where authors come to speak. I am including a list of dates that have authors that might be of interest to you. Please do CALL them to confirm that there are no schedule changes!

How do you get a bonus?
1. Print out this blog post and have your parent print/sign/date below this statement expressing their approval that you attend the event.

2. Have an employee sign this form

3. Take a picture of yourself with the author.

4. Take notes when the author speaks and staple to this.

5. Bring the notes, this printed blog post, and the picture to school THE NEXT DAY BETWEEN 7 AND 7:15 am. You will be asked to share your experience with the class within the week of the event.

Potential Dates:
October 15th 7 PM Children's and YA Publisher Night
October 16th 7 PM Warwick's Recommends
October 21st 7 PM Publisher's Rep Night
December 9th Amy Tan

As I become aware of more opportunities, I will let you know!

If you hear of something....PLEASE SHARE!

Friday the 13th...

Everything went as planned in block 2 ... let's hope to keep it up the rest of the day!

Vocabulary Quiz 2 was today...time to read Upfront after the quiz.

Next week:
DUE MONDAY Vocab + Grammar story # 3 ... see blog September 3rd for details.
TUESDAY Summer Reading Test (essay/short answer format)
FRIDAY: Vocabulary Quiz #3

Next week details for the next book MAUS I and MAUS II will be posted. BRING TO CLASS ON TUESDAY to start reading AFTER SR TEST.



Upcoming:
Paper #1 ... Monday 9-23 uploaded to turnitin.com
9-24 bring rubric and a printed copy of paper to class for PEER REVIEW

HIGHLY SUGGESTED:
Come in and meet with me during the month of September. I will make myself available to talk to you about your goals for English class and strategies for success! I will be available before school from 7-7:30 each day...and Wednesday-Friday at lunch.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Block Day (9-11 and 9-12)

Today in class we discussed strategies for studying for the vocabulary quizzes each week

We also discussed the Outside Reading Bonus Opportunities

We completed CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORD from vcab lesson 2
We corrected WC esercis 20 (evens) page 753 and part of ex 22 page 756

We discussed the Ted Koppel interview in a compare/contrast situation with the book Tuesdays With Morrie.

We completed the Tuesdays With Morrie CONFLICT CHART

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

LINK

a few emailed with trouble with the link...here it is again

Tusday 9-10-13

Today we corrected Exercise 18 from page 751 of Writer's Choice.

We also completed pages 31-32 in the Vocabulary book

The vocabulary Stories from Lesson 2 that were graded last night were returned.

We started discussing the conflict chart with the CHARACTER MORRIE. We will continue tomorrow!

Tuesdays With Rene' ... BONUS Opportunity Begins Today

Remember...to qualify for a BONUS, all work for the semester must be turned in...and on time! A BONUS is an opportunity ABOVE AND BEYOND what is expected of you!

You can always come watch the movie for review, even if you are not using it as a bonus opportunity!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Monday 9-9-13

Today I passed back the Summer Reading Projects and Vocabulary Story Lesson 1

I also passed out a handout from the library that should be placed in the WRITING section of teh class binder...Research Resources for Saintsmen

We started our day by working on Synonyms and Antonyms on page 32 of the Vocabulary Book (Lesson 2)

Vocabulary Lesson 2 was collected and Scholastic $ was collected.

We discussed Upcoming assignments and started working on the conflict chart, due tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will correct WC activities from Friday.

Upcoming Work Due Dates:
Tuesday 9-10-13

Scholastic $
Conflict Chart (a copy of the chart can be found HERE (titled CharacterandConflictChart) if you lost your copy)

Wednesday/Thursday (YOUR BLOCK DAY)
Watch the Ted Koppel Interview with Morrie and complete the WS
The worksheet is ATTACHED (TedKoppelInterview) on the Summer Reading Page of the class website...the video URL is on the WS

Friday
Vocabulary Lesson 2 Quiz...Multiple Choice...same format as Quiz #1

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Friday 9-6-13

Friday is the FIRST Vocabulary Quiz Day!

After Vocabulary Quiz #1 students will complete Writer's Choice activities (using PEN and printing neatly):
page 751 Exercise 18 (events)
page 753 Exercise 20 (evens)
page 755 Exercise 22 (evens)
What is not done in class is homework

Homework due Monday is Vocabulary Story Lesson 2 + Grammar. Details of this assignment on a blog post from 9-3-13.

Summer Reading Projects need to go home...second reminder!

Monday 9/9 we will go over the CONFLICT Chart we did not get to on Block Day
I will also pass back Vocabulary Stories Lesson 1 AND Summer Reading assignments


Next Week's assignments...looking ahead:
1. Conflict Charts not done in class Monday will need to be finished by Tuesday 9-10

2. If you did not have a portfolio you need to bring in a 1/2 inch to 1 inch size binder by Monday. You will START your portfolio this year!

3. Tuesday 9-10 please have in all Upfront Magazine money ($15.00 cash or check made payable to Saint Augustine High School)

4. Block Day have watched Ted Koppel video and complete WS. (Document called TedKoppelInterview is linked on the Summer Reading page of the website)

5. Vocabulary Quiz #2 on Friday 9-13-13

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Block Day and PAPER #1

In class we will start in the LIBRARY.

First we will get our CLASS ID and PASSWORD to register for www.turnitin.com.

Second we will look at the PAPERS page of the class website to find where details of each paper will be located. Read the instructions about PAPER #1 as homework. Ask me outside of class time if you have any questions about how to begin or if you wish me to look at your brainstorming or a rough, rough draft.

Rough drafts of paper # 1 need to be UPLOADED to turnitin.com by MIDNIGHT Monday 9-23-13. Bring to class a printed copy of your rough draft AND your rubric on TUESDAY 9-24-13. You will give me your rubric and work with your peers in a peer review session on Tuesday 9-24-13.

Information for future papers will be located on the papers page of the class website.

After the time in the library we will:
Correct Vocabulary Homework from Tuesday
Review vocabulary prior to Friday's quiz
Share SR Projects AND TAKE THEM HOME
Start to discuss CONFLICTS. Conflict CHART MUST be completed by Monday 9-13-13.

We did not get to the conflict chart in ANY block...we will START that Monday (updated 9-5-13 at 2:22 PM)

Vocabulary Stories Lessons 2 and 3 + Grammar

ALL vocabulary stories will be:
Typed - double spaced using Times New Roman 12 Point Font
Each vocabulary word will be indicated in BOLD
The word count (based on guidelines) will be listed after the FINAL WORD
Have a title
Be at least three paragraphs (remember 1 idea per paragraph) ... which means it is a story as it has a beginning, middle, and an end (is fully developed)


Lesson 2 Story is due Monday 9-9-13
Word Count 200-400 words
GRAMMAR add in...please put in italics and BOLD:
1. TWO DIRECT QUOTATIONS
2. TWO titles of short literary works
3. TWO unfamiliar slang expressions
STORY TOPICS...PICK ONE TO FINISH THE STORY:
1. It was a sunny May morning when I awoke with a special spring in my step. Somehow, overnight, I had merged with a slinky and was able to do all sorts of things other humans could not. For instance, when I...
2. You are a father who just discovered a major dent in your car. You approach your teenage son. Start with: It has come to my attention...

Lesson 3 Story is due Monday 9-16-13
Word Count 200-400 words
GRAMMAR add in (21.12, 21.13, 21.14) ... please put in BOLD:
1. TWO compound adjectives and/or numbers
2. TWO abbreviations
3. TWO numbers
STORY TOPICS...PICK ONE ... START WITH THE WORDS BELOW AND FINISH THE STORY:
1. There is no one more berserk than ___ on Christmas Eve.
2. At an early age, the little boy discovered...

Tuesday 9-3-13

In class we took care of a few more "start of school" items:
Portfolios from 9th grade were passed back to be used this year
Names were put on "cards"

Normal class routines were started:
Vocabulary Lesson 1 + Grammar story was collected
The calendar updates were announced

Classwork:
Vocabulary Lesson 1 SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS
We completed Characterization Chart

Upcoming Assignments:
Block Day 9/4 and 9/5: Vocabulary Lesson 1 Completing the Sentences + Choosing the Right Word (1-10 both)
Friday 9-6-13 Vocabulary Quiz

Monday 9-9-13 Vocabulary Story Lesson 2 + Grammar
Tuesday 9-10 Scholastic $ due
Friday 9-13 Vocabulary Quiz Lesson 3

SUMMER Reading Test MOVED to Tuesday 9-17-13 due to our library use Block Days this week!

****** Students that did not create a Portfolio last year need to purchase a 1/2 or 1 inch binder to use as a portfolio. On the outside of the portfolio they need to neatly have their name and title English Portfolio.THis needs to be brought to class by Monday 9-10-13