Weeks of February 9th and February 16th

"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 have been introduced to the elements of the Short Story.  They have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the time period for the short story by Richard Connell from an informational article.  They will read, analyze, and discuss "The Most Dangerous Game".  The informational article will help them make connections to the literature and help them make connections to today's society.  There will be a quiz on the elements of the short story on 2/19.  The students will then read, analyze and discuss "The Cask of Amontillado"and "The Necklace"  They will read "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and then view the movie trailer for the modern day production.  The students will then be asked to bring the classic stories into the 21st century.They will create ideas for Movie Trailers and present their ideas to the class. The students have also been working on identifying, analyzing, and applying vocabulary on the Unit 5 Test.  They have been given the opportunity to identify mistakes, to demonstrate knowledge of word choice and word placement, and to make corrections.  Students who need extra time will meet with me after school.  Learning is a process that takes time and facilitation.  Thank you for your patience!

Practical English 11:  Students will be working on Vocabulary Unit 1.  They will learn to use resources, analyze words, and apply words.  Students will become familiar with the content and context of word choice.  There will be a Unit 1 Test on 2/12.  They will begin work on a relevant writing assignment, The Letter of Complaint.  Students will learn correct form, grammar usage, and content when writing this specific letter.  The final copy will need to be completed by Wednesday, 2/17.  The students will then begin work on The Letter of Reconsideration which will be due on Tuesday, 2/24.

Public Speaking: Students have been reading and discussing the Introductory Chapters of their text.  Chapter 5 Notes will be due on 2/17.  They will view, analyze, and respond to JFK's Inaugural Address.  They will be required to write a written critique of the speech.  The critique will be due by Friday, 2/20.  Chapter 7 Notes will be due on 2/20.  Next week will be preparation for their first presentation, the Introductory Speech.  Speech Presentations will commence on 3/2.

Week of February 2nd, 2015

"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:  Reminder that the Extra Credit Assignment will be collected on February 6th at the beginning of the period.  Students have been working on identifying and applying Vocabulary.  They have been required to identify and apply the rules for subject/verb, phrases, and clauses.  Students will be introduced to the elements of the Short Story.  They will be required to identify and apply the elements and literary devices through discussion and analysis.

Practical English 11: Students will be working on dissecting and analyzing vocabulary.  The goal is to make students aware of word choice and communication.  Learned vocabulary is to be used in order to communicate effectively.  Through dissection and analysis, the students learn grammar, word parts and origins, and vocabulary in context.  Being able to use a resource to its fullest capacity is also a skill that is necessary in life.  Definitions, word analysis, sentences and worksheet will be due on Wednesday, February 4th.  There will be a review on Wednesday and a Test on Thursday, February 5th.

Public Speaking: Students will be required to read, comprehend and take notes on the text, preparing them for the requirements of Public Speaking, which include the utilization of research skills that they will need for the semester.  Through discussion, students will identify and apply the knowledge  skills, and techniques necessary for Public Speaking.

Reading Assignment 1:  Chapter 1 due on 1/28
Reading Assignment 2:  Chapter 2 due on 2/2
Reading Assignment 3:  Chapter 3 due on 2/9

Week of January 26th, 2015

"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 will be working on dissecting and analyzing vocabulary.  The goal is to make students aware of word choice and communication.  Learned vocabulary is to be used in order to communicate effectively.  Through dissection and analysis, the students learn grammar, word parts and origins, and vocabulary in context.  There will be a Vocabulary Unit 5 Test on Thursday, January 29th.  Students were given the opportunity to complete an extra credit assignment for the 2nd Marking Period last week.  The extra credit assignment will not be accepted past the beginning of class on February 6th, giving them 2 weeks for completion. If they have taken advantage of the extra credit assignment, then they have the requirements for the assignment.

Practical English  11: Students will be working on dissecting and analyzing vocabulary.  The goal is to make students aware of word choice and communication.  Learned vocabulary is to be used in order to communicate effectively.  Through dissection and analysis, the students learn grammar, word parts and origins, and vocabulary in context.  Being able to use a resource to its fullest capacity is also a skill that is necessary in life.  Definitions, word analysis, and sentences will be due on Friday, January 30th.  The students will then receive a worksheet on vocabulary in context to be completed by Monday, February 2nd.

Public Speaking:   In the beginning, students will be required to read, comprehend and take notes on the text, preparing them for the requirements of Public Speaking, which include the utilization of research skills that they will need for the semester.

Reading Assignment 1:  Chapter 1 due on 1/28
Reading Assignment 2:  Chapter 2 due on 2/2
Reading Assignment 3:  Chapter 3 due on 2/9

Weeks of December 15th and December 22nd

"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.    

Hoping you all have a very Happy Holiday and a joyous New Year with family and friends!
Be safe and warm, surrounded with the ones you love.  Time, after all, is all we have.  Create memories, for that is our legacy.  Rest, Relax, and Enjoy! 
Academic English 9: Students will analyze and apply vocabulary.  They will identify subject/verb in independent clauses.  They will identify clauses and phrases with specific attention given to prepositional phrases.  Students will read, analyze, and respond to poetry and to informational articles on authors/culture. 

Practical English Literature 10:   Students will read and respond to a variety of informational passages and literature.  They will be responsible for identifying and applying literary elements and devices for understanding, meaning, and relevancy.

Public Speaking: Speeches will commence.  Students will be responsible for preparation for the Reflective Speech due upon return.

SAT Prep: Students will continue to utilize technology for practice.

Weeks of December 1st and 8th, 2014

 

"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:  All Poetry Projects must be printed or emailed to me by December 8th.  Students will be working on Vocabulary Unit 4:  Negative Judgments, Complaints.  They will be required to analyze the word through its breakdown and dissection.  Students will need to identify and use the word in context.  Vocabulary Unit 4 and Grammar Test will be on Monday, December 8th.  Students will work on the Poetry Unit.  They will be required to read and respond to poetry.  Students will need to identify and apply poetical elements and devices.  There will be a quiz on the poetical devices on Thursday, December 11th. 

Practical English Literature 10: Students will be working on Literary elements and devices, responding to literature, analyzing informational texts, and reading in context.  All Friday Night Lights Requirements are due by Thursday, December 12th, with a test on 12/15.  Students will be assigned Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 which will be due on December 22nd. 
 
Public Speaking: Students will be working on the Persuasive/Argumentative Speech.  Speeches will commence on 12/16.

SAT Prep: Students will be working on strategies and skills to be utilized on the SAT.  Subject /Verb Agreement, Subordinate Clause/Phrase Identification, Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement, Vocabulary, Reading and Responding to literature will be practiced through sample tests and interactive websites.

Weeks of November 17th and November 24th, 2014

"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 will complete the Grammar Portion of the Vocabulary Unit 3 Test.  They will be responsible for identifying subject and verb in the independent clause.  Ideally, students should be able to identify subordinate clauses and phrases as well.  They will use the phrases and clauses charts, the notes, and the Warriner's text to help them identify, differentiate between the two,  and label each  phrase and subordinate clause.  Students will begin work on the Poetry Project.  They will be responsible for identifying poetic elements/devices, applying the poetic elements/devices, and creating two poems.  The students have been given a prompt/requirements, a rubric, and a list of the required poetic elements/devices.  The due date is November 26th.

Practical English Literature 10: Students are working on reading, analyzing, responding, and identifying and applying literary devices in Friday Night Lights.  They will also specifically work on responding to literature questions in preparation for the Keystones.

Public Speaking: Students are working on the Persuasive/Argumentative Speech.  They will be required to use reliable/valid sources in a logical organization.  Speeches will commence in mid-December.

SAT Prep: Students will be practicing strategies and skills to help them succeed on the SAT:  identifying words/ vocabulary in context, agreement (pronoun/antecedent, subject/verb), parallelism, sentence structure, and identifying key words in the questions.

Weeks of November 3rd and November 10th, 2014

"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 will be working on the literary analysis.  They will be required to identify literary devices, show how they support the message of the novel/movie, create a thesis, show relevancy, and apply critical thinking skills through the analyses.  Students will experience the writing process:  brainstorming/freewriting, outline, rough draft, editing/proofreading, and final copy.  They will be completing 2 literary analyses.  The final drafts need to be uploaded to edmodo.com.  The Night essay is due November 3rd and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is due November 10th.  Students will be responsible for Vocabulary Unit 3 Positive Judgments, Agreements:  identifying affixes, origin/root, synonym, antonym, creating sentences, and completing a review sheet.  They will need to identify subjects/verbs, and they will be introduced to subordinate clauses, phrases.  There will be a Vocabulary Unit 3 Test on Friday, November 14th.

Practical English Literature 10: Students are working on reading, analyzing, responding, and identifying and applying literary devices in Friday Night Lights.  They will also specifically work on responding to literature questions in preparation for the Keystones.

Public Speaking: Chapters 16 and 17 are due by November 7th.  Students will be working on the Persuasive Speech.  They will be required to identify statements as fact, policy, or ethic to help them create a purpose statement for the speech. Students will critique JFK's Inaugural Address.  They will be responsible for identifying rhetoric skills.

SAT Prep: Strategies and skills will be applied to practice tests.  Analysis of answers through review.