Week of November 25th, 2013

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.  Embrace time with family and friends.  Create lasting memories.

Academic English 9:  Students will analyze and dissect Act II of Romeo and Juliet.  They will be responsible for creating a modernized version of Act II.  Students will work in pairs to produce a relevant rewrite with the application of iambic pentameter, rhyme, and metaphor in an 8 line verse/dialogue which will be due on Wednesday, 11/27.  They will be responsible for handing in an exit ticket at the end of class on 11/25 where they will need to identify a motif and demonstrate its significance in the play.  On Tuesday, 11/26, there will be a reading, notes, and study guide check.

Practical 10:  Students will be working on the Demonstrative Speech.  They will be responsible for an outline, podium cards, and the required materials to instruct the class on "how to" do something.  Instructional speaking and writing are required for effective communication in our daily lives. Speeches will commence on the day they return from break.

English 11:  Students will review Vocabulary Unit 7 for the test on Tuesday, 11/26.  Author's purpose and tone of The Crucible will be discussed.  The abuse of power, morality, sacrifice, and relevancy need to be discussed in order for the meaning of the play to be understood.

Public Speaking:  Students will continue to work on their Persuasive Speeches.  Logical arguments on fact, value, or policy need to be utilized.  References to sources need to be incorporated in their speech. Their visual aids should be used to help the audience follow their argument.  It is necessary for the students to rehearse/practice their speeches ahead of the due date.   Podium Cards are required.  Speeches will commence on December 16th.

Week of November 18th, 2013

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively.

Academic English 9:   The students will complete Act II of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. They will be responsible for reading, comprehending, analyzing, and applying the literary elements and devices used by Shakespeare to show the flaws of human nature and how society influences individuals.  Act II Notes and Study Guide will be due on Monday, November 25th.  Next week, students will continue writing the tragedy in a modernized vernacular version to demonstrate comprehension of content and form.

Practical English 10:  Students will complete writing the Movie Review.  They will summarize and critique the movie.  The students will need to evaluate the movie and use persuasion to inform the reader of the reasons why the movie is a success or a failure.  It is necessary for them to use specific details to support their response.  Students will be responsible for all of the parts of the writing process:  brainstorming, outlining (using their worksheets), rough draft, editing, and a final copy.

General English 11:  Students will take a Quiz on Act I of The Crucible.  A Reading Assessment Check, a Character Chart check, and a Study Guide check will be given.  They will view Act I of The Crucible and a discussion comparing/contrasting the play and the DVD will follow.  Vocabulary Unit 6 Test will be given on Thursday, November 21st.  Vocabulary Unit 7 will be assigned.  The Vocabulary Squares will be due on Friday, November 22nd.  There will be a Vocabulary Review on Monday and a Test on Tuesday, November 26th.

Public Speaking: Students will need to complete the process of speech preparation necessary for the utilization of good public speaking skills. Research will need to be completed by Thanksgiving Break.  The Outline will be due on December 3rd.  The Rough Draft will be due on December 9th. The Visual Aid will be due by December 11th.  Students should be ready to Practice their speeches on December 12th.  Persuasive Speeches will commence on December 16th.  Preparation for the Final Speech will begin on December 18th.

Week of November 11th, 2013

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively.

Academic English 9:  The students will complete Act I of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. They will be responsible for reading, comprehending, analyzing, and applying the literary elements and devices used by Shakespeare to show the flaws of human nature and how society influences individuals.  Act I Notes and Study Guide will be due on Tuesday, November 12th.  Students will begin writing the play in a modernized vernacular version to demonstrate comprehension of content and form.

Practical English 10:  Students will be responsible for identifying, analyzing, and applying the elements of the movie review through the viewing, evaluating, and critiquing of a movie. Their use of persuasion and opinion will be necessary for completion of the written review. Students will be required to use active voice.

English 11:   Students will begin reading Arthur Miller's The Crucible. They will be responsible for completing an accompanying study guide to help with their comprehension. Discussion will be necessary for application of relevant issues found in the play. Their study of the Salem Witch Trials, Puritanism, and McCarthyism will aid in understanding themes of individualism, conformity, and the abuse of power. Vocabulary 6 Test on Friday.  Students should be able to answer the following question:  Why is discipline better than punishment?

Public Speaking:   Students will be responsible for reading and taking notes on the Persuasive Speech from their textbook in preparation for the third speech. They will need to complete the process of speech preparation necessary for the utilization of good public speaking skills. Research will aid in the process of picking a topic. Students will need to pick a topic and convince the audience to "do something".  Fact and Policy Worksheets due on Monday, November 11th.  Chapter 17 notes due on Tuesday, November 12th.

Week of November 4th, 2013

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively.

Academic English 9: Students worked on Vocabulary Unit 3 and Sentence Structure last week.  They will begin reading William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  The realization of classic literature as being relevant demonstrates how human nature has not changed.  The students will be responsible for reading, comprehending, analyzing, and applying the literary elements and devices used by Shakespeare to show the flaws of human nature and how society influences individuals.

Practical English 10:  Students presented documentaries and analyzed Vocabulary last week.  Students will create a movie review.  They will be responsible for identifying, analyzing, and applying the elements of the movie review through the viewing, evaluating, and critiquing of a movie.  Their use of persuasion and opinion will be necessary for completion of the written review.  Students will be required to use active voice.

English 11:  Students completed persuasive writing projects.  They were responsible for picking 1 of 3 options (Political Cartoon, Editorial, or Print Advertisement) of Persuasive Writing found in the Newspaper.  Students will begin reading Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  They will be responsible for completing an accompanying study guide to help with their comprehension.  Discussion will be necessary for application of relevant issues found in the play.  Their study of the Salem Witch Trials, Puritanism, and McCarthyism will aid in understanding themes of individualism, conformity, and the abuse of power.  Vocabulary 6 Squares Worksheet is due on Wednesday. 

Public Speaking:  Informative Speeches were presented last week.  Thank you for the excellent work!  Students will be responsible for reading and taking notes on the Persuasive Speech from their textbook in preparation for the third speech.  They will need to complete the process of speech preparation necessary for the utilization of good public speaking skills. Research will aid in the process of picking a topic.  Students will need to pick a topic and convince the audience to "do something".