May 8, 2012

Thank you to Mrs. Weedin for subbing for me yesterday while the English department was out grading End of Year assessments.  She did a good job starting us on a special writing assignment which cannot be posted here, but which we are working on in class.  If you plan on being out on Friday, please let me know in advance!  You will need to finish your writing on Thursday.  Continue to complete your Encyclopedia of Me! 

Today I gave all students a print out of their grade - but I included in that print out their books read for the quarter so they could see how that will affect their grade if they don't get those in.  You have until the 18th to turn in your book reports and do your oral reports. 

May 1, 2, 3, 2012

There is little to post - we are testing this week.  We have finished the written end of year assessment and are now in the lab doing the Performance Series assessment.  Those who finish will be able to use that time to work on their end of the year project.  Don't forget that you still need to read three books!

Finish strong!!

April 30, 2012

Today we began the two day process of the end of year writing assessment.  Rough draft, revision and editing today.  Final copy tomorrow, then on to performance series testing in the computer lab!  Remember to continue working on your Encyclopedia of Me project!  You have 9 school days left until it is due!!  You also have only 14 school days left to get your three books read and reports done!!!

April 25 - 27, 2012

These few days we are using to work in class on the Encyclopedia project.  Each day we are looking at examples and different ways to create entries.  We are looking at our lists of writing ideas in the front of our composition notebooks as well.  These are great sources for ideas!  Remember that it is okay to have more than one entry per letter!  Here is a great source of ideas for entries that we have looked at in class:  http://www.phs.d211.org/english/krausejm/gold_star_entries.htm#X-Y-Z

We will be creating a list of words that MUST be spelled correctly so make sure you are proofreading your work carefully!!  Missing one of these words will automatically deduct five points!  List will be posted tomorrow.

April 24, 2012

Today we learned what an encyclopedia was!  Our end of the year project is going to be the Encyclopedia of Me.  The project sheet that lists the options and requirements is linked on the right.  It is important to remember that this project is due on May 14.  It is also important to work on this at home as well as at school! 

Another reminder - three books, with reports, are due by the end of the quarter.  Since we will be busy the last two days of school it will be imperative to have those turned in BEFORE the last week.(May 18)  If you haven't been reading, you better get it together!!!

April 23, 2012

Today we had Mrs. Gerhardt in our class talking about the importance of standing up against violence and violent acts.  It was a great conversation!  Tomorrow, we will learn of our final project for the year!  Stay tuned!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Our first task was to complete the chart for the short story, "The Most Dangerous Game."  We did this in groups.  Not only did we fill out the information on the characters Zaroff and Rainsford, but we also wrote examples of the literary devices the author used:  irony, word play, foreshadowing, suspense with pacing, and conflict.  Students then had 7 minutes, timed, to complete a short reflection of the story incorporating what was learned about those elements and the characters.  Following the writing, students completed a very short, 8 question quiz.  The rest of the class time was given to reading, as I discovered quite a few were NOT finished with Book Talk books and Book Talk is tomorrow!!!