Thursday 11-4-10

This week we discussed Vocabulary lessons 15 and 16. The quiz tomorrow will be Multiple Choice Format as well as use in sentences relating to the Holocaust literature.

Friday after the quiz read: Upfront Magazine (October 4th)
pages 6-9 Armed and Underage
pages 12-13 Founding Amateurs
Prepare for a Debate/Presentation...quiz will be given if not full class participation

We had a debate on Block day about the Upfront story about a Mosque being built in NYC near Ground Zero.

We discussed SIA characters/concepts and had the final SIA quiz on Wednesday.

I POSTPONED the In My Hands Quiz that was going to be today as we had a few loose ends from SIA to complete. The quiz will be tomorrow along with the vocabulary Quiz.

UPCOMING DUE DATES:
Monday 11-8-10 Outside Reading Report...bring book with you to school
Tuesday 11-9-10 Correct vocabulary Quiz
BLOCK DAY: In My Hands Part 2, Vocabulary Quiz lesson 17
Thursday 11-11 2 PM ... 3 peer reviews completed.
Friday 11-12 DAY OFF

TURNITIN.COM

DRAFTS...

all drafts perused and comments made for those students IN ALL BLOCKS that submitted rubrics.

If no grade is evident, then you did not submit a rubric and need to bring in one so it can get graded.

My Morning Duty

November 1-9 I have morning duty on Nutmeg Street so will not be in my room...come see me there if you need me ... will be there from 7:20-7:40.

New York Times Blog...Holocaust related

Read/See Photojournalist story about the Holocaust.

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/the-ghetto-the-nazis-and-one-small-boy/

Rough Drafts

Just completed Block 1 Drafts...for those submitted at turnitin.com AND a rubric was given to me in class by Wednesday before lunch.

Make some changes and submit and updated draft to the Peer Review Assignment ... Peer Reviews for the groups I established in class start Wednesday 11-3 and conclude the 11th at 2 PM.

Block 3 completed Saturday 4:13 PM

BLOCK 4 ... almost done...all will be done before I leave school today.


By Wednesday at 7:30 AM submit draft to revision
By 11-11 at 2 PM THREE Peer Mark reviews must be completed...peer groups I assigned

Friday 10-29-10

Today was the vocabulary TEST on 8-14. In My Hands reading WS Part 1 was turned in today.

After the quiz, students were told to read the New York Times Upfront Magazine (September 20, 2010)

1. Page 6-7 Who Gets to be an American?

2. Page 8-11 Islam: Not in My Backyard

3. Page 14-15 Going Private

NEXT WEEK:
Monday and Tuesday Block Days...Monday Mass and 2-4-6, Tuesday Homeroom and 1-3-5.

Wednesday a SIA quiz on last 2 chapters.
Thursday a IMH quiz on Part 1.
Friday Vocabulary quiz 15/16

Starting WEDNESDAY-the 11th...3 peer reviews of the paper contest...I set your peer review groups. Turn in your rubric AFTER you complete the three...no grade assigned w/o a rubric being turned in to me.

Reminder about Writing Lab...

It is available every Wednesday and Thursday morning 6:45-7:40 in the Mendel Computer Pod with Coach Johnston.

Turnitin.com ... thesis proposals

4:52 PM commented on Block 1
5:06 PM Block 3
5:11 PM Block 4

Block Days this week

I will be in class for blocks 1 and 4 ... not block 3.

Notes for ALL:
1. Turn in DRAFT rubrics to me NO LATER than the break between blocks 2 and 4 tomorrow. I must leave the minute block 4 concludes to make it to my workshop. Papers must be uploaded to turnitin.com by Midnight Wed...but Thesis proposals must be OK'D also...
2. Friday 10-29 TEST on 8-14 (Multiple Choice)
3. Wednesday 11-3 Quiz SIA Part 2
4. Thursday 11-4Quiz In My Hands Part 1

Monday 11-1-10 is a Block Schedule (Wednesday Schedule TIE DAY with mass...blocks 2-4-6)
Tuesday 11-2-10 is a Block Schedule (Thursday schedule...Homeroom and blocks 1-3-5)

Block Day this Week:
Blocks 1 and 4 I'll be there:
Vocabulary Review
SIA discussion ... characters and quotes
If done early...time to read OR or In My Hands

Block 3...a sub will be there...be on your best behavior, stay on task...
1. Vocabulary Review
2. Create the charts with the partners assigned in class today...textual evidence
3. Read Outside Reading or In My Hands

Last Week of October

Today I passed back papers and we discussed upcoming assignments.

This Week:
Vocabulary corrections for lessons 11 and 12 due Tuesday
Vocabulary TEST Friday (8-14) Multiple Choice Format

Thesis must be approved before draft submitted...but draft due NO LATER THAN Wednesday at midnight...on Turnitin.com. Bring rubric by the classroom by Wednesday. Block 4 can just slide under door Wednesday if it is not brought in on Tuesday.

Friday In My Hands Part 1 ... read and Study Guide

UPCOMING:
Outside Reading Paper due 11-8-10
Paper Peer Reviews ... 3 between 11-3 and 11-11 (groups assigned today)

Turnitin.com ... thesis proposals

Block 1 ... just completed looking through thesis proposals 5:50 PM. Also commented on 3 drafts that were submitted. Those students can work on revisions to have a more developed draft to submit for peer review.

Block 3 ... thesis comments made...comments on 2 drafts submitted. Those students can work on revisions to have a more developed draft to submit for peer review. 6:19 PM

Block 4...same as above...except no drafts submitted so none perused. 6:32 PM

Turnitin.com ... thesis proposals

Just commented on proposals from all blocks...Sunday 9:04. Concerned not 100% approved. Drafts due NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT...WEDNESDAY...late papers NOT accepted.

Turnitin.com ... thesis proposals

Just commented on new additions for each block...8:34 pm

Friday 10-22-10

7:46 PM ... commented on all new turnitin.com thesis posts
will check again tomorrow after 2 PM ...will email and post on blog after I check.

Friday 10-22-10

The first week of the second quarter comes to a close. Today is the Vocabulary Quiz on lessons 11 and 12 as well as the SIA quiz for SIA Part 2.

Thesis proposals were due by Midnight Wednesday. I posted on earlier blog posts that I finished looking at them. ALL are not DRAFT ready...Keep looking at turnitin.com...keep revising...I'll send the class an email each day as I finish going through your thesis proposals...once you get the OK...it's time to start on the DRAFT.

Another resource to help you with your papers...Bill OF Rights Institute (http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/teach/freeresources/constitutionday/) go to the link Life without the Bill of Rights.

Also go here (http://interactive.billofrightsinstitute.org/bri-flash-template.html) and check out the quotes and Madison's Notes are Missing Activity.

Draft due...uploaded to turnitin.com no later than Wednesday 10-27-10 at MIDNIGHT.

Friday 10-29-10 Vocabulary TEST on lessons 8-14...Multiple Choice Format.

Friday 10-29-10 In My Hands Part 1 due...Details on Monday October 4th Blog Post (Link to website page for quick reference https://sites.google.com/site/english2macvay/Home/survival-in-auschwitz/in-my-hands-memories-of-a-holocaust-rescuer)

BONUS trivia...Respond by Sunday at NOON (send to my yahoo account)
In what year were M & M's invented? Who invented them? How did the idea come to the inventors?

Turnitin.com ... thesis proposals

Just completed comments on BLOCK 1 5:02 PM

BLOCK 3 completed 5:18 pm

Revise and Resubmit if not told ok...work on DRAFT

I will check again for revisions and comment no later than tomorrow evening. Will post on the blog and email through turnitin.com.

Thesis on Turnitin.com

5:30 AM Thursday...all BLOCK 4 discussions have been commented on as of this blog post. Check over yours...if I did not mark OK...on to DRAFT...then you need to revise and resubmit to obtain credit for this portion of the assignment.

Remember rough drafts due by Wednesday next week...midnight.

Blocks 1 and 3 ... I'll post when I finish yours today...

Reminders...

Thesis Proposal sent to turnitin.com discussion by MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. If you sent one already...it's 1:45 ... all have been commented on and need to be revised and resubmitted.

remember formula...
name the civic value you believe is ESSENTIAL to being an American
Address the value through a FOUNDING DOCUMENT, FIGURE IN HISTORY and YOUR LIFE.

Friday Vocabulary Quiz 11-12 (Multiple Choice and Sentences)
Friday SIA final Part Due, SIA Quiz.

Additional Resources for Paper #2

The Library of Congress is another place you can search for information about Founding Documents or Americans in History that embody the ESSENTIAL VALUE to being American that is the topic of your paper.

http://www.loc.gov/index.html
(American Memory is a GOOD place to go)

Blog Bonus...send your response to my yahoo account by MIDNIGHT tonight...10-20-10...
October 20, 1803 the Senate ratified the ____ by a vote of 24-7. The agreement, which provided for the purchase of the western half of the Mississippi River basin from France at a price of _______ , or approximately four cents per acre, doubled the size of the country and paved the way for westward expansion beyond the Mississippi.

Another location to find Founding Documents...

National Archives ... Washington, DC

http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/

Blog Bonus...emailed by MIDNIGHT 10-19-10 to my yahoo account.
During WHICH session of Congress and in WHAT year was the Act to Establish the National Archives and Records Administration?

Monday 10-18-10

Today we brainstormed for the Being American Essay Contest. We made a list of civic values we thought were essential to being American...students took notes during our brainstorming session. We looked that the assignment directions and the website for clarification about the assignment...I answered questions from what you read about the essay over the weekend.

Thesis proposal submitted to turnitin.com discussion by Midnight Wednesday...keep checking back...for a REAL discussion.

Blocks 1 and 3 I passed back papers that I corrected.All papers will be returned by Monday. As per syllabus...1 paper each semester can be rewritten...due the last day of class...not finals...the last class meeting.

Tomorrow:
Everyone will bet the vocabulary quizzes back and corrections will be made in class. Will introduce vocabulary lessons 11 and 12 and we'll talk SIA.

Bonus Trivia: In what YEAR was Lincoln's Gettysburg Address? Due emailed to my yahoo account by midnight 10-18-10

Upcoming Assignments

The Holocaust Web Assignment that you worked on in the library on BLOCK DAY is due Monday at the start of class.

Monday I will discuss the next paper topic...The Being An American Essay Contest.
The information can be found on the class website under Papers page...2010 Writing Contest.READ the instructions this weekend...come to class with any questions you may have.

Thesis discussion Due Mon-Wed...anytime before Midnight Wednesday
Rough draft the following week...no later than Wed. midnight

Paper can be found attached HERE: https://sites.google.com/site/english2macvay/Home/semester-1-papers

Next week...

Monday...Vocabulary Lessons 11 and 12 introduced, paper details and SIA discussion...
Tuesday...vocabulary quizzes returned and SIA Discussion
Block Day...Vocabulary review, SIA
Friday...Vocabulary quiz 11-12 and SIA assignment due/quiz

Block Day

We will meet in the library.

Vocabulary Quiz 8/9 corrections are due as well as SIA part 1 read/study guide questions. (Quiz Friday)

In the library we will work on a GROUP project. The project is located on the Holocaust Studies Page on the class website. (https://sites.google.com/site/english2macvay/Home/survival-in-auschwitz/holucaust-studies) BOTH students must contribute equally to the group activity to earn the possibility of full credit on the assignment. Working together to complete a task is an important skill ... share responsibility.

The first project we will look into is attached at the bottom of the Holocaust Studies page. It is called Holocaust Web Activity. This MUST be completed in class...both you and your partner need to use your time wisely.

The second project...look over it on your own time...we will have time in class to work on it...it is called BooksBurnedBooksBanned - read the directions ... ask me if you have any questions. This is an UPCOMING assignment...no due date is set as of yet.

If you complete the Holocaust Web Activity:
Study for Vocabulary ans SIA quiz Friday

The First Quarter ends this coming week...

Time flies!

Today we took LAST WEEK's vocabulary quiz and the multiple choice section of the Literature Quiz.

Next Week:
Monday:
Final draft of paper is due...uploaded to turnitin.com before class time and rubric/rough draft brought to class.
Literature quiz Short Answers

Tuesday/Thursday...BLOCK Days this week...
Meet in the library
Turn in Vocabulary quiz corrections and SIA part 1

WEDNESDAY - PSAT testing/college fair

Friday: Vocabulary Quiz (10) and SIA part 1 quiz

In My Hands Reading Assignments

The reading guide is located on the In My Hands page on the class website. Here are the due dates so that you can plan out your reading of the class books as well as your outside reading book.

There will be a quiz on each DUE date. Type your responses to the questions. Include page #'s.

Part 1 Due Friday 10-29-10
Part 2 Due Block Day 11-10 or 11-11
Part 3 Due Monday 11-15-10

HOLOCAUST UNIT TEST 11-19-10

The Next Book will be Brave New World...First reading Due date will be Monday 11-22-10

Survival In Auschwitz Reading Assignments

The Study Guide for Survival In Auschwitz, SIA, is located on the Survival in Auschwitz Page on the class website.

Please type your answers ... include page #'s ... Assignments are due NO LATER THAN the following dates: (FYI...there will be a reading quiz on the Due Date)

Chapters 1-9 Tuesday 10-12-10
Chapters 10-15 Block Day 10-20 or 10-21
Chapters 16-17 Friday 10-22-10

FYI: We'll read In My Hands next...the reading dates will be published...the first part will be due Friday 10-29-10.

Paper Revision Tips

Things to consider as you make final revisions:
1. Header with your last name and page number
2. Works Cites in ABC order (properly indented)
3. Do not use "I" or contractions
4. Do not have propositions at end of sentences or end paragraphs with a citation.
5. Highlight your thesis and make sure your paper logically follows and reinforces
your thesis
6. Your Title needs to match content of paper, not assignment name.

If I asked you to resubmit a draft...I created a REVISION 2 assignment - deposit it there before 4 pm on Thursday 10-7-10. Papers there AFTER that time will not be looked at prior to the final draft.

Feel free to submit final drafts early. They are due Monday 10-11-10. Bring your rubric and rough draft that you already turned in and I gave back to you to class on Monday 10-11-10. Upload your paper to turnitin.com Paper 1 Final Assignment.

When will I be in class to assist you?
Tuesday and Thursday 2-3 PM
Wednesday-Friday 7-7:30 AM

October 1st.

Today was nothing like any of us planned. Those who came to class we held "tutoring time". I met with students about their paper drafts and Outside Reading Book Choices.

A few notes about upcoming assignments:

Saturday 10-2-10 at NOON. Paper revision assignment turned in on turnitin.com

Monday 10-4-10 Tell me your OR Title if you have not yet. Was extended till today...no more exceptions after Monday. I MUST know so you have time to get the book and read it!!!!

Thursday 10-7-10 First Survival In Auschwitz Assignment...Will post schedule of assignments in a separate blog post tomorrow.

Friday 10-8-10
Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 8 and 9 (This week's lessons...was to be today) SAME FORMAT AS PLANNED
Literature Quiz...First Scheduled Quiz for literature. Covers stories from out Lit Book.

Monday 10-11-10 Paper #1 Final Draft Due
Upload to turnitin.com
bring rubric and rough draft to class.

Tuesday 10-12-10 Correct Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 8/9. MEET IN LIBRARY.

Block Day (10/13 and 10/14) Survival in Auschwitz (SIA) Assignment

Friday 10-15-10 Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 10/11.

Block Day

Vocabulary test return...although no corrections necessary, do look through to see what words you still need to become more familiar with and incorporate into your personal word bank.

Rough draft return. Blocks 3 and 4 will not have any marks on the papers. Those are found online as I discussed Tuesday in class. Check online, read through my comments on your draft...ask me any questions. I am here before school this week and next for paper assistance! Rough Draft # 2 is due on Saturday bu noon. No late papers will be accepted. FINAL DRAFT due Monday 10-11-10.

I passed out additional books that arrived from the book order. Since block 4 ended all have arrived. Blocks 1 and 3 will get two books tomorrow...block 4 will get the final title - Survival in Auschwitz - on Friday.

After we reviewed vocabulary today we got into a circle and talked about the 4 literature stories:
A Management of Grief
The Story of an Hour
Sonny's Blues
A Pair of Tickets

Tuesday 9-28-10

Today I returned and we discussed upcoming assignments:

Due Block Day this week...A Pair of Tickets...read/type answers to questions
Due Friday 10-1-10 Vocabulary Quiz...8 and 9 (part multiple choice and part sentences...relating to LIT stories again)

Due Saturday 10-2-10 (No later than NOON) ... a second revision to the paper draft. NOTE...all paper drafts must be done again to keep polishing them. Some have a notation of "1" on turnitin.com ... this mean revise and return. NO grade was given as edits need to be done for me to help you more.

Blocks 3 and 4 papers were perused ONLINE. check turnitin.com for the comments I made. If you cannot access them by clicking on paper title, let me know WEDNESDAY. We'll have to work to get the glitch in the new program figured out ASAP!!

I did run the vocabulary tests through the scantron and entered the grades into the computer before I left school. Block day you will get those back. Those that missed the test can come in before school any day this week to make it up.

The Holocaust Titles arrived today. I will give them to you on Friday. If you do not have them arriving in the book order make sure to have them with you on Friday October 1st.

Block Day this week: Vocabulary review and Literature Discussion...circle talks!!

Read this story about a Holocaust Survivor

Just read the story on Yahoo today - it as about a survivor being reunited with the people that saved her.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100924/us_yblog_upshot/after-62-years-holocaust-survivor-reunites-with-lost-friend-whose-passport-led-her-to-america

We will start our Holocaust Unit October 1st.

Block Days

We reviewed for the test...scantron format with an emphasis on lesson 7 ... 60 questions total.

Friday:
Vocab Test
If you finish...read the lit book stories that are due next week

Next Tuesday (paper grade) you need to have your Outside Reading Book Approved. Remember it needs to be of an author that is a different ethnicity than you are and must be written, roughly, within your lifetime. The genres include: Memoir, Historical Fiction and Coming of Age. A few people asked for suggestions of books...check out the following websites...read about the books listed, peruse like you would if you were walking through a library or book store. Not all fit the guidelines. Some may not be appropriate for a school report. Email me if you have questions.

Historical Fiction: http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/historical-fiction
Coming of Age: http://www.librarything.com/tag/coming+of+age
Memoir: http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/memoir

Remember...the book needs to be chosen, not purchased or read by Tuesday...the assignment is due in NOVEMBER. Pick a book at your reading level and of a length you can manage with your other classes, extras, etc.

TRIVIA QUESTION FOR FRIDAY....
(answer MUST be emailed to yahoo account by NOON Saturday)...check back...others could be posted this weekend.

What are the TOP 5 BOOKS on the New York Time Best Seller list for Fiction adn Non-Fiction this week?

Tuesday 9-21-10

The following books arrived and were passed out today (the others are on their way):
Frankenstein
Macbeth
The Tempest
Brave New World

Brave New World will be read closer to Thanksgiving. The other titles will be read the second semester.

Tuesday 9-21-10 Upcoming Reading Assignments Announced

Today in class we will do activities to learn vocabulary lesson 7. We'll review on block day.

We will discuss: The Management of Grief and The Story of an Hour from our literature Book as well as Salvation by Langston Hughes.

Homework for Monday 9-27-10: ACTIVE Read James Baldwin's Sonny's Blues (Literature Book pages 81-105) Answer questions 1-3 on page 105. Each answer should be at least a paragraph in length. The answers should start by restating part of the question in the answer. Each answer should be developed with textual evidence, not ambiguous. TYPED.

Homework for BLOCK DAY 9/29/30:Active Read A Pair of Tickets by Amy Tan (Literature Book pages 166-180) Answer questions -following guidelines from Sonny's Blues ... 1-3 on page 181.

Monday 9-20-10

Today we discussed how to submit papers to turnitin.com. I demonstrated citing sources in-text and a works cited page. The rough draft is due in class tomorrow (hard copy and electronic copy submitted to turnitin.com). Make sure to include your rubric at the beginning of your hard copy.

I also introduced vocabulary lesson 7 and returned last week's vocabulary quiz. Friday 9-24-10 the VOCABULARY TEST will cover lessons 1-7 (Multiple Choice Format)

Vocabulary Quiz corrections are due NO LATER THAN BLOCK DAY. Corrections:
1. If you did not write sentences on topic, you need to read the story and rewrite the sentences about the story.
2. If you lost points from not knowing the word, you need to write the word and definition as well as a sentence that relates to the story.

Friday 9-17-10

TODAY: go back to turnitin.com and check the comments I made about your thesis. Respond to your peers giving them constructive feedback.

In class I returned a few papers and we took our lessons 5 and 6 vocabulary quiz. After the quiz ... homework if not completed... active read The Story of an Hour on pages 314-315 in the lit book. Be prepared for a quiz.

Paper draft due Tuesday 9/21/10.

Absence...Test Retake

If you missed the Essay test on Tuesday you have the following options for making it up:

Before School THIS Friday 7 AM or Tuesday or Wednesday next week 7 AM. Hope to see those of you that missed sooner than later while the concepts are fresh in your minds.

Summer Reading books can stay at home - they will be needed to study for both semester exams but not be needed on a daily basis in class. The LIT book will be our focus till the novels arrive.

Block Day

Meet in the library and register for for your turnitin.com account.
Research ... turn your paper into a thesis... review proper sources and MLA format.

Thesis due, submitted to turnitin.com discussion (reply to topic) by Thursday at midnight. I will respond to ALL posts that come in no later than Friday afternoon. Check back...you need clarification from me prior to starting your rough draft.

Read the information about a good thesis from yesterday's post (link).

Your rough draft is due Tuesday 9-21-10.

Friday 9-17-10 QUIZ on Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 5 and 6. Quiz will be SENTENCE FORMAT.

Tuesday 9-14-10

Summer Reading Essay Test Today!

Summer reading books can now reside at home. You will not need them until it is time to study for your Semester Exam (December and June).

Remember to bring your paper topics with you to the LIBRARY for block day...also bring your vocabulary book!

In the library we'll sign up for Turnitin.com as well as research our paper topics.

Due NO LATER THAN midnight Thursday 9/16/10 ... your thesis statement needs to be posted to turnitin.com. Friday students must comment on EACH of their classmates topics giving them constructive criticism/useful feedback.

Drafts must be turned in to turnitin.com as well as a hard copy brought to school and stapled to the rubric on Tuesday 9-21-10.

Trouble coming up with your Thesis....Click on the link for more assistance.

Monday 9-13-10

Today we discussed the new vocabulary lessons (5/6). The quiz will be Friday.

If your A Management of Grief homework was not typed, return typed tomorrow...staple handwritten page with my writing on it.

Important information this week:

Tuesday 9-14 Turn in Vocabulary Quiz 3/4 Corrections
Summer Reading Essay Test...bring YOUR books...borrowed books will not be allowed to be used

Block Day: Meet in the library. Sign up for turnitin.com and use the library resources to start working on your paper draft due 9-21-10 (turned in hard copy and electronically to turnitin.com). Bring (written or printed) a list of 2-3 paper topics for us to discuss...so you know where to start.

Friday 9-17: Vocabulary Quiz
After the Quiz you will read The Story of an Hour on pages 314-315 of your lit book. Copy the story if you do not have a book yet. OR print out this online copy.

Friday 9-10-10

After the quiz on Vocabulary Lessons 3 and 4 ... Active read from your lit book A MANAGEMENT OF GRIEF BY BHARATI MUKHERJEE (STARTS ON PAGE 224). TYPE YOUR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 1 AND 2 ON PAGE 236. Your answers must include textual evidence. Be prepared for a quiz on the story. (read/questions due Monday 9-13-10)

Today we discussed the first paper that you will write. For the BLOCK DAY next week...your Homework is to come to class with 2 to 3 possible paper topics written down to be turned in/discussed with me. Rough Draft ... due 9-21-10.

Remember...Summer Reading Essay Test on Tuesday 9-14-10.

Block Day

Block day will be devoted to vocabulary Review for lessons 3/4 quiz on Friday. We'll also discuss the summer reading...conflicts, author's target audience and word choice.

After Friday's quiz, you will have a homework assignment from your literature book. Make sure you have it with you in class.

Week 3

Welcome back after a three day weekend!

Today I collected the short story Salvation by Langston Hughes. Also, we got back our vocabulary quizzes from lessons 1 and 2. Corrections are due tomorrow. We introduced the new vocabulary words for lessons 3 and 4.

Wednesday - Parents Meet Teachers Night...Hope to meet your parents! Remind them to attend!

Upcoming Due Dates:
Block Day: Correct Vocabulary Quiz lessons 1 and 2
Friday: Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 3 and 4 (Multiple choice and sentences)

Tuesday 9-14-10:
Correct Vocabulary Quiz lessons 3 and 4
Summer Reading Essay Test...use books
Block Day: Meet in the library
Friday 9-17-10: Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 5 and 6

Friday 9-3-10

Today we took our first vocabulary quiz on lessons 1 and 2. Next Friday the quiz will cover lessons 3 and 4. The format will be similar...multiple choice AND using the words in sentences.

After the quiz...Read the short story SALVATION by Langston Hughes and answer the questions...due Tuesday 9-7-10

DUE DATES next week:
Tuesday 9-7-10: Lit Book, Salvation by Langston Hughes
Friday 9-10-10 Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 3 and 4

Upcoming Due Dates:
Tuesday 9-14-10 Summer Reading TEST...using your text...textual evidence...essays...MLA format
Friday 9-17-10 Vocabulary Quiz lessons 5 and 6

September 1 and 2

Block days we will review for the vocabulary quiz and discuss Summer Reading. Work not completed in class is homework.

We will work on the Conflict charts for both books and discuss Characterization for The Five People You Meet in Heaven, if there is time.

Friday:
Book Order $/forms due (forms on class website homepage for you to download)
Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 1-2

Next week...
Monday is a DAY OFF
Tuesday...Have your lit books in class
Block Day:Summer reading and vocabulary
Friday 9-10-10 Vocabulary Quiz lessons 3 and 4 AND Summer Reading ESSAY test

Tuesday 8-31-10

We wrote words and definitions for lessons 1 and 2 in Vocabulary. We completed paragraph #2 on pages 17 & 28 from our vocabulary book.

Block Day: Have Vocabulary Book (for review) & Summer Reading (for discussion/group work)

Friday:
Book Order Forms DUE
Vocabulary Quiz...Format: Multiple Choice and Using the words in sentence format

Week Two begins...

Today we had the Summer Reading test. The rest of the week we will concentrate on discussing summer reading as well as learning lessons 1 and 2 in vocabulary.

Due Dates:
Friday 9-3-10 Vocabulary Quiz on lessons 1 and 2
Friday 9-3-10 Book Order $ Due

Next Week...
Monday 9-6-10 NO SCHOOL
Tuesday 9-7-10 Lit Book needs to be in class
Friday 9-10-10 Vocabulary Quiz lessons 3 and 4

Friday 8-27-10

Today I returned Summer Reading papers to those that did not get their on the block day. We discussed conflicts in Tuesdays with Morrie.

Next Week:
Summer Reading Test Monday and Tuesday
Book order $ due Friday (9-3-10)
Vocabulary Quiz Lessons 1 and 2 Friday (9-3-10)

Block Day

Covered Summer Reading ... Specifically Discussed Tuesdays With Morrie.

If you do not finish class assignment, it is due as you walk in on Friday.

Summer Reading Test will be Monday and Tuesday August 30 and 31.

Day Two...

Today we finished discussing classroom procedures and put KEY dates from the syllabus into our planners. Each block got to a different point in discussing the Character Chart.

Key Terms:
Characters: Dynamic Round, Dynamic Flat, Static Round, Static Flat, Protagonist, Antagonist

Action Items:
Get your syllabus signed THIS week, if you have not already
Get your supplies/binder organized
Return your BOOK ORDER form NO LATER THAN September 3 (I have some used books in the classroom...first come, first served)

Day One...Complete

Today we discussed classroom procedures. Your homework is to:
1. bookmark the blog and website
2. read the syllabus and get it signed
3. order your literature book (needs to be in class September 7th)
4. get your vocabulary book from the Turtle Shop if you do not already have it...we will use the week of August 30th

Welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year!

On Monday August 23rd we will meet for the first time. Please bring with your your summer reading books, your vocabulary book that you purchased in the Turtle Shop and the grammar book you checked out at orientation.

Summer reading homework will be collected on Monday and we will discuss the books throughout the first few weeks of school.

Did you read anything else over the summer?

Summer Reading for 2010-2011

ALL Sophomores (English 2 and Honors) go to my website (link is on the right hand column)for the study guide questions: https://sites.google.com/site/english2macvay/Home

English 3 ... I posted the information for Juniors when I was given it...look to blog post May 28th.

email me at renemacvay@yahoo.com if you have any questions

Final Exams

The SCANTRON portion of the final exam is Wednesday June 9th at 8:30 AM

Block 3...room 316
Block 4...room 317
Block 5...in 322 with me

Bring pencils and erasers!!

Please donate any books you do not want to the classroom library.

Don not forget about your ENGLISH 3 SUMMER READING FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR - posted MAY 28th!

BLOCK 3 ALERT!!!!

Someone pulled a fire alarm on campus today (6-2-10)– just as lunch was ending. Your sons were shorted 30 minutes on their essay final today. I am giving them an option to finish either for 30 minutes AFTER SCHOOL TODAY 6-2-10 or Monday after the second final exam (6-7-10).

June 1st

Today I passed out a SUMMER READING ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM for everyone to sign and keep a copy.

We proceeded to have the Frankenstein essay exam...tomorrow will be the "all novels" exam with Thursday being POETRY ANALYSIS.

Wednesday June 2nd: Students can take vocabulary book home OR recycle!

Any NOVELS you do not want...please donate...Outside Reading books for the classroom library or class novels for students next year. THANKS!!

BOOKS WILL BE ALLOWED ON TOMORROWS ESSAY TEST!

Summer Reading for Juniors ... English 3 ...2010-2011

Summer Reading for Students entering English 3 in 2010-2011

1. ACTIVE read the following from the CURRENT Literature Book:

Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman (page 923-993)
Joseph Conrad’s short story The Secret Sharer (237-268)

2. Also ACTIVE read Essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson (read the first series…the 12 essential essays)

Can be purchased at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Writings-Emerson-Library-Classics/dp/0679783229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275075830&sr=8-1

3. Juniors write research papers in conjunction with the US History course they take. A review of Chapters 19-21 in the Literature Book may be helpful since this was covered more thoroughly 1st semester of sophomore year.

Final Exam Essays start on Tuesday

The final exam essays begin on Tuesday. Both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s essays are posted on the website (http://sites.google.com/site/english2macvay/Home/final-exam-review). The day of the essay tests I will pick numbers out of a hat (in each block) and students will be given 2 or 3 choices and will be told to pick 1 from the choices I randomly chose for them. I told you in class that it is in your benefit to prepare for each and every question as you do not know what your block's choices will be. You can have YOUR OWN BOOKS IN CLASS…YOUR BOOK MUST HAVE YOUR NAME ON IT…YOU CANNOT BORROW A BOOK TO USE ON THE FINAL AS THAT BORROWED BOOK HAS OTHER STDUENTS’ NOTES, ETC. IN IT.


Thursday will be poetry analysis

June 9th we will have the scantron portion of the final exam.

Grades AND Finals

Please check the accuracy of the grade book against the papers that have been returned to you. The only papers I have are the grammar quizzes for today. What you see online is your grade going INTO the final exam essays/scantron.

Let me know if there is a discrepancy...bring in the paper so a change can be made.

Stop by if you have any questions about your finals. Remember...I WILL PICK a question on the essay day and you will write about that one...be prepared for EACH topic!!

Last week of classes...week fo 5-24-10

Monday 5-24-10 Ballad Revisions due
Wednesday 5-26-10 Grammar Quiz...commonly confused words

All week: Bring ALL novels from this year AND your grammar book...we will be reviewing for the final exam

Week of June 1st:
June 1st: Frankenstein Essay final
June 2nd: Literature Essay Final (all books)
June 3rd: Poetry Analysis final

Scantron Final Exam: Wednesday June 9th at 8:30 AM

Poetry Quiz 5-21-10

The Poetry Quiz will be an interpretation of a poem ... giving textual evidence. There will be a matching section (words and definitions). See blog post Friday May 7th is you never wrote down what terms you need to know!

Looking ahead: Monday ballad final copy, Wedneday grammar quiz

Just for fun...

May 22nd a New Exhibit Opens (http://www.sdmart.org/) Titled Heroes Mortals and Myths in Ancient Greece. Take the quiz to see what Greek god you are...

http://thewalters.org/exhibitions/heroes/quiz/

Tuesday 5-18-10

Today we discussed poetry (Lit Book page 584).

Tomorrow we will discuss the Eugenics Homework...bring with you Brave New World , In My Hands and Survival in Auschwitz.

Monday 5-17-10

Today in class we discussed connections between Macbeth and Frankenstein regarding GUILT and how it manifested itself in a character's Mental/Physical/Emotional Health.

We got into groups and found textual evidence from Frankenstein.

Tomorrow: Literature Homework ... details on previous blog post

Friday 5-21-10: Poetry Quiz

Monday 5-24-10: Ballad Final Draft Due

Wednesday 5-26-10: Grammar Quiz...Commonly Confused Words

Literature Homework due Tuesday 5-18-10

Saved as document titled Eugenics under NEW page on the website: Final Exam Review

Friday 5-14-10

Today we will discuss the Active Reading Worksheet about the REVENGE that Victor and the Creature planned for one another in chapters 22-24. Yesterday the focus was on Victor. Today the focus is on the creature.

We will move on to discuss Frost's The Road Not Taken.

HOMEWORK due Monday:

ACTIVE READ (Literature Book) pages 501-509 (Including Pope's Sound and Sense. Also read The Raven by Poe on pages 513-516. Be prepared to discuss the poems and the background material in class on Monday.

Tuesday's homework will be making a connection between Frankenstein and Brave New World. (Final Exam Prep) Locate your BNW book!! I will post the assignment this weekend on the Frankenstein page of the website in case you wish to work ahead. I will post on the blog when I put the document on the website.


Looking ahead:
Friday 5-21 Poetry quiz
The weekend of the 22nd I will post the final exam study guide
Wednesday 5-26 Grammar quiz
Final Exam Essays (in class Tuesday June 1st and Wednesday June 2nd)
Final exam Multiple Choice/Matching (Scantron) Wednesday 5-9-10 at 8:30 AM (Rooms To Be Announced)

Wednesday 5-12-10

Today we discussed imagery and the poem Harlem on page 592

We started an Active Reading WS about Chapters 22-24 of Frankenstein. Complete 1 comment (from the first page) by Victor and one by the monster.

Tomorrow group discussion regarding Frankenstein.

Continue to bring Frankenstein, Grammar and Literature books to class

Monday May 10, 2010

I returned what papers I had and collected Frankenstein completion questions. We completes sections B and C of Commonly Confused Words Worksheet page 149. We discussed Frankenstein. Topic: What event was the turning point in the character of the CREATURE.


Homework from the LITERATURE BOOK: Active read poem by Rrobert Frost on page 584 (The Road Not Taken) and Langston Hughes page 592 (Harlem).

Week of May 10th...and beyond

Monday 5-10-10 Frankenstein completion
There WILL be a Frankenstein quiz early next week...

Friday 5-14-10 Resume and Final Draft due

Friday 5-21-10 Poetry Quiz. Will include the following #'ed terms from the Poetry Terms document attached to the poetry page of the website.

#'s 1,2,5,7,8-10, 13-15, 20, 27-30, 40, 67-70

Wednesday 5-26-10 Grammar Quiz (Commonly Confused Words)

Wednesday 5-5-10

Block 5 took a Poetry quiz while I was out then read Frankenstein.

Blocks 3 and 4 corrected the grammar lessons from the VOCABULARY book (110,152) in class. We discussed grammar book COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS ...STARTS ON PAGE 656.

Thursday: Frankenstein Chapters 13-15 are due. we'll discuss Frankenstein in class as well as work on GRAMMAR...bring your books!

Week of May 3rd

The last full month of school...

Today you turned in Frankenstein questions from chapters 13-15. We discussed resume/cover letter revisions and Annabel Lee in class.

Tuesday 5/4/10 Quiz on Frankenstein 9-15

Wednesday BLOCK 5 MAKE-UP Poetry Quiz (from last Friday)

Thursday Frankenstein chapters 16-18 due (potential quiz)


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
SeeMe's from paper drafts...Wednesday before school (tutoring time) we will have a review session.

Wednesday and Thursday are the final two sessions for revising ESLRs...after school till 4 pm.


Next week:
Monday 5/10/10 Complete Frankenstein (potential quiz)
Friday 5/14/10 Resume/cover letter final draft due AND Poetry Quiz

Block 5 did not have their quiz

due to the length of the assembly.

EVERY BLOCK is responsible for the Annabel Lee poem and Frankenstein for Monday. Block 5 will have their poetry quiz next week.

Thursday 4-29

Today we discussed Tintern Abbey. Tomorrow we will have our poetry quiz.

Homework for the weekend:
1. ACTIVE Read Annabel Lee (Poem by Poe)
2. Read/complete WS for Frankenstein Chapters 13-15. There WILL be a quiz next Monday on chapters 9-15.
3. Start to organize your BINDERS...finals are approaching.

Looking ahead:
Chapters 16-18 are due on Thursday 5-6-10
ESLR Make up opportunities Wed/Thurs 5/5 and 5/6

Other Bonus Opportunities...

Barnes and Noble and Borders often have authors speak or other special events. If you know of an event at a local bookstore, please let me know and I can share with the class as a bonus opportunity

Thursday 4-29

In class we will discuss Tintern Abbey and Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe.

ESLR Make up time after school. If you do not come in this week then you need to Wednesday 5-5 or Thursday 5-6.

Poetry Quiz on Friday (4-30-10).

April 28

Today I read the poem Tintern Abbey (Wordsworth) to the class. Then the class divided into groups to discuss Tintern Abbey. What was not finished in class (group time) is homework. Come in prepared to discuss the poem ... the answers you prepared and others that will follow. Reread the poem if you need.

Questions to consider for tonight...use textual evidence to support:
Find shifts in the poem (TONE)
Who is the narrator?
Who is the intended audience?
How and why are alliteration and assonance used in the poem?
Why are some words capitalized when they are NOT proper nouns?

Friday's quiz:
Study the Figurative Language document (we have used most of the words). There will be matching as well as a poem where you must apply what you know about the terms to the analysis of the poem.

I posted a POETRY TERMS document on the Poetry Page...those terms must be known for a quiz on Friday May 14th.

Image: Tintern Abbey by J.M.W. Turner

Tuesday 4-27-10

Today we discussed Frankenstein and tomorrow the Resume and Cover Letter draft are due. Tomorrow we will be discussing Poetry as well since our quiz is Friday.

Week of April 26th

Frankenstein 9-12 due 4-26
Resume/Cover letter draft due 4/28 (final 5-14)
Poetry quiz due 4-30

ESLR make up dates:
Wed 4-27
Thurs 4/28
Wed 5/5
Thurs 5/6

I will stay after school any of those 4 days for ESLR Make-ups...please let me know the date you wish to attend. I want to make sure I can go through your paper with you prior to your rewrite.

Frankenstein Assignment Due Monday 4-26-10

Remember chapters 9-12 are due on Monday 4-26-10. Make sure to read the vocabulary words/concepts document on the website. The vocabulary words may show up on a quiz...the concepts not until the TEST and/or final exam.

Friday April 23rd Poetry Quiz...moved to Friday April 30th

tomorrow we'll discuss Frankenstein, vocabulary book grammar exercises from the day I was away on a filed trip then discuss POETRY.

Bring your Literature and Grammar books along with Frankenstein.

Homework due 4-22-10

Research the TIME PERIOD in which Frankenstein was written. What are the cultural norms (etiquette, laws, etc.). Where was the novel written? What religion is dominant?

This can be in a paragraph or a chart.

You MUST state sources. WIKIPEDIA does not count.

Week of April 19th

Monday April 19th: Turn in Frankenstein Chapters 6-8 and take a quiz. Papers will be returned.

Tuesday April 20th: More papers to be returned...all that I have that have been corrected. You will have a sub as I am taking Blocks 1 and 6 to the LA County Museum of Art. Work not completed in class is homework.

Sub Info:

STEP 1: Write down the poetry terms on the back board and keep in the literature section of your binder.

STEP 2: CAREFULLY tear out pages from the vocabulary book:
•118-121. ADD to directions: Active Read and answer the questions. Put paragraph #’s next to the answer to show were they “found” the answer
•111-112 ADD to directions: State reason why you made the choice you did
•153-154 ADD to directions: State reason why you made the choice you did


Wednesday April 21st: Ballad draft due, class time for Frankenstein and poetry discussion. Ballad topic is Holocaust or Holocaust Remembrance Day...broad so you can find information for the poem...after all the poem is a bit long...

Thursday April 22nd: Class time for Frankenstein and poetry discussion

Friday April 23rd: Poetry Quiz (terms on the back board, Chapters 9 and 10 discussion of poetry from Lit Book)

Next week:
Frankenstein chapters 9-12 due Monday 4-26
Resume and Cover letter draft due Wed 4-28

Friday April 16

Today we corrected page 633 (GRAMMAR) and took a chapter 11 quiz.

After the quiz there was time in class to start the BALLAD poem assignment (link in poetry page of class website if you seem to misplace copy given out in class). You will write a BALLAD about the Holocaust and/or Holocaust Remembrance Day celebrations.

BALLAD assignment due Wednesday 4-21-10.

Monday - Frankenstein assignment...read/ws chapters 6-8 (quiz on that also)

Thursday 4-15-10

If you did not complete Grammar Book page 633 Exercise 7 in class then it is homework. It will be turned in tomorrow.

Friday 4-16-10...grammar quiz (Unit 11)
Friday 4-16-10 ... bring in notes from previous blog entry about the Holocaust Remembrance Days this week. We will turn in the notes with an in-class writing assignment.

I am concerned, no everyone that had unfinished ESLRs came in this week to complete them. If yours was in the "not done pile" you need to see me tomorrow BEFORE SCHOOL or at the short break between classes.

Wednesday 4-14-10

Holocaust Remembrance Day Website look-up...bring the materials to class on Friday 4-16-10.

Tomorrow we will have our quiz on Frankenstein and review grammar for the quiz Friday and Discuss Resume/Cover Letter draft that is due 4-28-10.

Friday Grammar quiz and Holocaust Remembrance Day Activity.

Holocaust Remembrance Day passed...Sunday April 11th

This Year's Theme...Stories of Freedom: What You Do Matters.

Read the information on the USHMM website - take notes ( they will be turned in). This will be turned into a writing assignment. Due April 15th.

Poem to read by Wednesday 4-14-10

Read Rime of the Ancient Mariner
a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (http://www.poetry-online.org/coleridge_rime_of_the_ancient_mariner.htm)

Link is also on the Frankenstein page.

TPCASTT Poem

Fourth Quarter Starts Tuesday April 13th

You are almost half way through your high school career...time to focus for a few more weeks to end this year on a STRONG NOTE!!

This week:
1. Frankenstein worksheet due tomorrow (4-13) and a quiz on what you were assigned to read.
2. Grammar quiz on Unit 11 on Friday (semi colons, colons, etc).
3. Poetry discussed (from the lit book...when I was out ill)
4. Make-up/finish ESLRs after school Tuesday-Wednesday or Thursday for 1 hour. This is the LAST opportunity.

CHANGE...paper draft (Resume) NOT due 4-14-10 as I did not alert you to it before break. It will now be due Wed. the 28th and the final draft due Friday May 14th. We will discuss details in class this week.

Next week:
1. Frankenstein chapters 6-8 due Monday 4-19
2. Poetry Quiz on Friday 4-23
3. Grammar discussions

Continue to bring Frankenstein, Grammar and Literature books to class each day.

Interesting Article About the History of Paperback Novels

Read the Smithsonian Magazine Article about the start of PAPERBACKS...

Where do you see the "next" step in book publishing to be? E-readers? Another technology? Just think...you could be the inventor of the new technology...or a writer for it...

Keep your eyes open to opportunities for creative thought!

schedule change due to my illness/work over break/Frankenstein Schedule

March 31st and April 1st we will finish the ESLR. If you were absent for any reason and/or need extra time...plan on staying after school (after break) Wednesday 4-14 or Thursday 4-15 or both of you were absent several days.

This week's grammar quiz will now be Friday 4-16-10 (we need to review semi-colons and colons...(Unit 11)

We'll have a poetry quiz on Friday April 23rd...

Work over break...
Go to the FRANKENSTEIN page on the class website. Follow the link to read more of the background information. Read the letters and the first 5 chapters for the day we get back. Complete the appropriate questions from the attached 2010 study guide...there WILL be a quiz when we return.

Frankenstein reading schedule/study guide due dates:
Background reading, letters and 1-5 due Monday 4-12-10
Chapters 6-8 due Monday the 19th
Chapters 9-12 due Monday the 26th
Chapters 13-15 due Monday May 3rd
Chapters 16-18 due Thursday May 6th
Chapters 19-end due Monday May 10th

While I was away

Monday and Tuesday you were asked to read from your lit book. The two chapters I chose dealt with poetry...Chapters 9 and 10. You were to answer the questions at the end of the chapters. That will be collected 4-1-10.

If you MISSED any days of class during the writing exam

plan to stay after school Tuesday (3/30) or Wednesday (3/31) to complete the exam. The exam MUST be done before the break.

Writing Exam

We will spend ALL class time writing the ESLR tomorrow. Monday we will have a grammar review then finish the final copy. The grammar quiz will be Tuesday 3-30-10.

The Outside Reading report is due tomorrow as students walk into the room. If a student borrowed one of my books, it must be turned in WITH the report for the report to be considered on time.

Next Tues-Thurs we will work on POETRY and preview FRANKENSTEIN. The FRANKENSTEIN study guide will be posted next week.

Grammar Quiz Monday on Unit 11

We'll be working on concepts in class until then...see me if you have any questions!

Bake Sale 3-24-10

don't forget the bake sale for the Lenten drive to raise money for the orphanage is tomorrow. Bring pre-packaged homemade goodies tomorrow to the table outside student services.

Writing Exam started in class today

It is a 100% in class activity. If you miss any class days, you get the equivalent amount of time to work at lunch, before school or after school. Please make arrangements with me to make sure everything is completed before school lets out for Easter. We will work on the writing Exam (ESLR) for 5 class periods.

Wed - Fri we will do grammar activities to open class as we have a quiz on unit 11 on Monday 3-29-10.

Don't forget your Outside Reading report is due Friday 3-26-10.

The third quarter is almost over

Monday 3-22-10 there will be a grammar quiz on Capitalization
Monday 3-29-10 Grammar quiz on Punctuation

Friday we reviews punctuation work from when I was out of class. A semicolon worksheet was handed out - homework due Monday.

Students need their Frankenstein books by Tuesday March 30th.

3-17-10

I was not here for block 5 as I was at the junior retreat. I will miss blocks 4 and 5 tomorrow.

Today the classes turned in the final drafts of the autobiography paper. one more formal paper to go...a resume and cover letter next quarter!!

Grammar exercises were centered around comma and semicolon usage. We discussed comma rules on pages 255-257 and completed page 258. We looked at rules about semicolons on pages 259-260. Block 5 was to complete exercise 4 on page 631 (all).

Tomorrow ALL students need their grammar books and outside reading books in class. Grammar exercises will be done and there may be time to read from the outside reading book (report due Friday 3-26-10).

There will be a CAPITALIZATION QUIZ (UNIT 10) ON MONDAY 3-22-10
There will be a PUNCTUATION QUIZ (UNIT 11) on MONDAY 3-29-10

Bonus opportunity...replenish the KLENEX supply with LOTION filled KLENEX...allergies are here and we are going through a box a day some days. Bring in 1 box for 5 points. LIMIT 1 for bonus, the more you bring in the happier our noses will be.

Tuesday 3-16-10

In class we corrected the Grammar exercises from yesterday and started comma rules from chapter 11 (251-253). We did the exercises on page 254 together.

Monday March 15th

In class:
Went over poems TPCASTTed for homework
Wrote Thank you notes to the speakers

Homework:
Grammar book pages 227 and 247
ALSO write rules/take notes pages 228-238

Bonus: What is the allusion in this cartoon?