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 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!

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.

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

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 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

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

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

Vocabulary Lesson 1 ...includes Grammar

*** Each Friday a new grammar and vocabulary unit/review will be covered. A story will be due on Monday and a subsequent quiz the following Friday. That will be ROUTINE this year.

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)


Friday in class we will begin review UNIT 21 in the Writer's Choice Book. It is expected that you follow the grammar rules outlined in UNIT 21 (Lessons 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 and 21.10) when you create your vocabulary story. Both the Vocabulary and Grammar topics will be covered on a quiz.

Vocabulary Lesson 1 + Grammar Unit 21 REVIEW Begins
DUE Tuesday 9-3-13
Word Count 200-400 words

Write your story using ALL 20 vocabulary words. Base your story on ONE of the following prompts:
A character from one of the summer reading titles.
A character from one of the books from 9th grade English class.
A character from a Disney ANIMATED film.

Vocabulary Quiz #1 covers lesson 1...FRIDAY 9-6-13
Multiple Choice Format (definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and completing the sentences)

Seating Charts

I will be making SEATING CHARTS ... YES, assigned seats start next week. The seats will not be the ones you MUST sit in all year, but for a month or so.

Please send me an email to rmacvay@sahs.org if you wish to tell me about a seating preference. We will utilize BOTH the front and back boards so the only time there is a "front" to the classroom is when the screen is being used.

If you have a preference, let me know via email by FRIDAY night.

Thanks!

Ms. MacVay

Block Day

Today I passed out a letter to give your parents, asking for them to send you to school with cash or a check (made payable to the SCHOOL) to cover the cost of the year's Upfront Magazine subscription. Please bring in the $15.00 by September 10th.

Today we discussed:
1. How a book cover reflects marketing practices (target audience, etc)
2. Who the target audience of the book is, in our opinion, after reading each book.
3. The author's choice of setting and how it helps us relate to characters
4. The author's character development in relation to setting


We got through MOST of the Characterization WS ... BLOCK 2 ... please complete the chart so we can discuss Friday due to Mass Shortened-Class

WE ALSO discussed TECHNOLOGY in the class
1. How to FOLLOW the blog
2. How to follow a hyperlink and download a worksheet so that is can be saved on a personal computer and the answers TYPED under the questions!

Remember...my Tutoring Hours are Wednesday 7-7:30 ...
Remember...Block 2 students drop off your BACKPACKS/OTHER ITEMS in the classroom BEFORE MASS so we can maximize our mass-shortened time together!

Tuesday August 27th

This week we will continue to discuss class expectations.

Today I will collect signed syllabus forms and we will start to discuss summer reading.

The CHARACTERIZATION chart needs to be completed (definitions) if not done in class. If the document handed out in class is lost, it can be found on the DOCUMENTS PAGE of the class website.

BRING Summer Reading Books every day until we have a summer reading test.
BRING vocabulary book every day starting FRIDAY this week (photocopy someone's lesson 1 if you do not have one yet and make sure you have your copy with you in class on Friday).

BRING Writer's Choice Book Friday...you do NOT have to bring it each day. The book is TOO heave to carry each day!

Ms. MacVay

DID you bookmark the blog and follow it? I can "see" who follows the blog and how many people check the posts. Homework last night was to do this...only 9 of you did! Take care of this tonight...do not lose participation points.

Welcome to English 2 for the 2013-2014 Academic Year

I look forward to exploring literature and writing with you this year. Together we'll share ideas about the literature we read, work on developing our writing, review grammar, and learn new vocabulary words!

I'll announce homework in class and SOTW but all detailed information will be here on the BLOG. Bookmark this page.

Documents you need for class can be downloaded from the class website. We will use www.turnitin.com to upload papers.

The first day of school and the entire first two weeks of school, bring to class your summer reading books, vocabulary book, and grammar book.

Homework Due Tuesday 9-27-13
1. Use www.dictionary.com to complete the 4 definitions on the CHARACTERIZATION handout (if you lost it it is on the documents page of the class website). We'll complete the rest IN class on TUESDAY.
2. read over the syllabus with your parents and sign and complete the last page. Bring in the teacher copy of the signed syllabus form. Keep the family copy.

DUE by Friday 9-30-13
Have all of your supplies and your binder organized.

DUE By 10-9-13

Bring in your check or cash for the New York Times Upfront Magazine.