| English 11A |
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ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 24, 2014 * Students are only meeting for one class this week. Please see the homepage for details.*
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 17, 2014 WRITING: Students will complete various writing assignments to review Lesson 3 vocabulary. They will also write their first SAT essay. READING: Students will read through chapter 5 in Brave New World. We also continue in Great Expectations. SAT: I am teaching the SAT essay format this week. Students will write their own essays at the end of this week. Students will also continue to review lesson three words. Here is a page containing the list of words and review games for students: https://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=3 INDEPENDENT READING: I will provide class reading time at the end of this week. Students should have picked and started their books by now. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: Students may write ten sentences (using a word from Lesson 3 vocabulary in each sentence) on Great Expectations.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 10, 2014 WRITING: Students will take notes on chapter four in Brave New World over the weekend. I will pass back the Lord of the Flies articles to the 11A-2 section this week, and we will review transitions, grammar and style. I will hand papers back to the 11A-1 section next week (as we only meet once this week). READING: Students will complete group work on chaper 3 in Brave New World. We also continue in Great Expectations. SAT: Students will review lesson three words this week. Here is a page containing the list of words and review games for students: https://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=3 INDEPENDENT READING: I am still checking in books this week. I will assess students just before the winter break.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 3, 2014 WRITING: Lord of the Flies articles due this week. Students will research magazine and television advertisements and write their responses over the weekend. READING: Students will read through chaper 3 in Brave New World. SAT: I will introduce the Lesson 3 words this week. As Nov / Dec are short months, I will test students on the Lesson 3 words just before the winter break. Here is a page containing the list of words and review games for students: https://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=3 INDEPENDENT READING: Students are reading banned books during the months of Nov/Dec. I will begin checking in books this week. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: Students may turn in their Lord of the Flies articles one class early for an extra 5 points on the paper.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF October 27, 2014 WRITING: Lord of the Flies article drafts are due this week. Students will peer edit their drafts. READING: Brave New World: after an introduction to the book, students will read the first chapter in class. They will read chapter two over the weekend. We did not get to Great Expectations last week, so I am hoping to have enough time this week. We will compare the opening scene in various film versions of the novel to review the first two chapters. SAT: Lesson 2 vocabulary test at the end of this week. I will also place some words from lesson 1 on the test. Here is a link to the words and review: https://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=2 INDEPENDENT READING: Independent Reading assessment at the end of this week. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: Grades close Tuesday. Students can still turn in last week's extra credit option until Tuesday afternoon.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF October 20, 2014 WRITING: Students will complete journals based on television (The Monsters are Due on Maple Street from The Twilight Zone) and paintings in relation to Lord of the Flies. They will write an article based on five journal entries (Blake poetry, war poetry, song lyrics, television and paintings). We will begin the article in class this week, and the rough draft is due next week. READING: Great Expectations: Students will compare the opening scene in various film versions of the novel to review the first two chapters. SAT: I will test students on the Lesson 2 vocabulary words at the end of this month. Here is a link to the words and review: https://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=2 INDEPENDENT READING: The October genre is mystery / horror / detective. Students should be about 3/4 of the way through their books, as I will assess them at the end of the month. Please ask your child about his/her book. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: Students can create a dictionary page for one of the Lesson Two SAT words. The page should contain the word, definition, a sentence and an image.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF October 13, 2014 Students are taking the PSAT this Wednesday, blocks 1 and 2. Students will also listen to, analyze and compare song lyrics to Lord of the Flies. ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF October 6, 2014 WRITING: Students will complete journals based on the poetry of William Blake and various soldiers in relation to Lord of the Flies. They will also turn in their Lord of the Flies projects at the beginning of the week. READING: We are reading a variety of poems this week: "They Lamb" and "The Tyger" (old spelling) by William Blake; "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen; "Suicide in the Trenches" and "Does it Matter?" by Siegfried Sassoon; "Grass" by Carl Sandburg; "Night," by Elie Wiesel; and "First They Came," by Martin Niemoller. Students will write two journals on these poems and connect them to Lord of the Flies. SAT: Students are taking the PSAT next week; therefore, I will dedicate most of this week to specific preparation for the test (grammar, punctuation, reading passages and vocabulary). INDEPENDENT READING: The October genre is mystery / horror / detective.Our librarian, Toby Kyle, was kind enough to visit each class last week and discuss / share books from our library collection. Many students took out books at that time. Please ask your child about what he/she has chosen to read. I will check books in all this week, and I will assess students during the last class meeting of the month. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: Students can create visuals to correspond with the poetry we are reading this week; they can also find other examples of war poetry and write a one paragraph response for each poem they find.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF September 29, 2014 WRITING: Lord of the Flies articles are due 10/1 and 10/2. I have provided two class periods for students to work on their articles. I will also stay after school on Tuesday to help students who still need the lab / assistance. At the end of this week, the 11A - 1 section will write a journal on Blake's poetry and its connection to Lord of the Flies. 11A-2 students will write their journals at the beginning of next week. READING: We are continuing in chapter 2 of Great Expectations. We will also read two poems: "They Lamb" and "The Tyger" (old spelling) by William Blake (Friday, 11A-1 and next Monday, 11A-2). Students will write a journal on these poems and connect them to Lord of the Flies. We are also completing the documentary on the novel. SAT: The SAT vocabulary test is this Monday (9/29) and Tuesday (9/30). I will provide the words and students will write definitions, use the words in sentences and complete SAT fill-ins. I will introduce the Lesson 2 words this week, and students will complete flashcards. Here is a link to the SAT words on this week's test: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=1 INDEPENDENT READING: The independent reading assessment is this Monday (9/29) and Tuesday (9/30). Please make sure that your child completes his/her book this weekend. Students should look for their new October choices (mystery / horror / detective). I will check books in this week and next week. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: Students will have the opportunity to hand in their magazine articles early (9/29 or 9/30) for five extra points on the article. They have the same opportunity to hand in their projects early (10/2 or 10/3) for five extra points. They also took part in contests for extra points on their vocabulary tests.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF September 22, 2014 WRITING: Students are completing their Lord of the Flies articles. I have extended the due date. Final articles are due 10/1 and 10/2. READING: Students are watching a documentary on the book, Lord of the Flies. In addition, they will have class time to work on their Lord of the Flies projects (due 10/6 and 10/7). SAT: The SAT vocabulary test will take place on Monday (9/29) and Tuesday (9/30). Students are using flashcards and activities to review these words each class. Here is a link to the SAT words: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=1 INDEPENDENT READING: The independent reading assessment will be on Monday (9/29) and Tuesday (9/30). Please make sure that your child is close to completing his / her book and prepared to bring the book in on the day of the assessment. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: Students will have the opportunity to hand in their magazine articles early (9/29 or 9/30) for five extra points on the article. They have the same opportunity to hand in their projects early (10/2 or 10/3) for five extra points.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF September 15, 2014 WRITING: Students are handing in their final beast journal at the beginning of this week. Now they will write an article based on these journals (due next week). READING: We continue our review of the summer reading book, Lord of the Flies, and our reading of Great Expectations. SAT: I have assigned the first 15 SAT words. Students are using flashcards and activities to review these words each class. I will test students during the last class meeting of September. Here is a link to the SAT words: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=1 INDEPENDENT READING: Students have chosen biographies or autobiographies for the month of September. I will assess their reading during the last class meeting this month. I have already checked in their books, so please discuss these books with your child. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: Students will have the opportunity to hand in their magazine articles early (beginning of next week) for five extra points on the article. We are also having an in-class vocabulary contest for extra points on the upcoming vocabulary test.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF September 8, 2014 WRITING: Students are writing three journals based on the "beast" in the novel Lord of the Flies. Each journal should be 1 typed page and double-spaced (in Google Docs). READING: We are beginning our review of the summer reading, Lord of the Flies. Students are also reading chapter 1 in Charles Dickens' novel Great Expectations. SAT: I have assigned the first 15 SAT words. Students are using flashcards and activities to review these words each class. I will test students during the last class meeting of September. Here is a link to the SAT words: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=1 INDEPENDENT READING: Students have chosen biographies or autobiographies for the month of September. I will assess their reading during the last class meeting this month. I have already checked in their books, so please discuss these books with your child. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: At times, I will provide extra credit opportunities for students. This week, students have the opportunity to create vocabulary posters (based on SAT words). They also have the opportunity to draw the graveyard scene from chapter 1 in Great Expectations. They should make sure to use the description from the text. Here is a link to the chapter: http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/great-expectations/chapter-01.html
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF September 1, 2014 WRITING: Summer Projects due this week. Students chose from three options, all of which included writing portions. READING: I will test students on the summer reading, Lord of the Flies. We will also begin chapter 1 of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. SAT: I have assigned the first 15 SAT words. Student flashcards are due next class. I will test students during the last class meeting of September. In addition, I am assessing student knowledge of grammar and punctuation to prepare them for the PSAT. Here is a link to the SAT words: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=1 INDEPENDENT READING: Students are choosing biographies or autobiographies for the month of September. I will assess their reading during the last class meeting this month. I will check in their choices througout the week. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: At times, I will provide extra credit opportunities for students. This week, students have the opportunity to draw Joe or Mrs. Joe from chapter 1 in Great Expectations. They should make sure to use the description from the text. Here is a link to the chapter: http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/great-expectations/chapter-01.html
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF June 2, 2014 WRITING: Students are working on their portfolios (Letter to the Reader and Table of Contents). They are also keeping research notebooks as we read Macbeth. READING: We are completing Great Expectations this week! Students will also read into Act III of Macbeth.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF May 26, 2014 WRITING: Sonnets due this week.Students will begin their portfolios this week. They will also keep research notebooks as they read Macbeth. READING: Chapters 53 - 55 in Great Expectations. Act I of Macbeth. SAT: We are now done with SAT prep for the year! INDEPENDENT READING: We are also done with independent reading for this year!
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF May 19, 2014 WRITING: Students will write sonnets this week. READING: Chapters 45 - 51 in Great Expectations. We will also begin Macbeth. SAT: Lesson 6 SAT test at the beginning of this week. Here is a link to help students study: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=6 INDEPENDENT READING: We are now officially done with independent reading for this year! EXTRA CREDIT: 1. Research the Macbeth Curse. 2. Attend the Theater Class production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing on Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 pm in the HS auditorium. Admission is free.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF May 4, 2014 WRITING: Portfolio cover pages due at the beginning of this week. Students will begin rewrites of In Cold Blood articles toward the middle of this week. READING: Chapters 40 - 42 in Great Expectations. Students will present their characters from the prologue of The Canterbury Tales. They will also read "The Pardoner's Tale" and "The Wife of Bath's Tale." SAT: Students are working on the Lesson 6 words. Here is a link to help them study: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=6 INDEPENDENT READING: The new independent reading for April is non-fiction. Students should be reading their books, and I will assess them May 12 / 13. EXTRA CREDIT: Memorize the first 18 lines of the Prolouge in Middle English for Monday / Tuesday (5/12 - 5/13 -- date extended). Here is a link where you can listen to a version in Middle English. We will also review Middle English in class and translate these lines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF April 28, 2014 WRITING: Students will choose one of their In Cold Blood articles to revise for a grade. They will also create cover pages for their portfolios. READING: Chapters 36 - 39 in Great Expectations and The Canterbury Tales prologue (Chaucer). We will look at the first 18 lines of the prologue in Middle English and then we will move into translation. There are 29 characters introduced in the prolouge, so I will assign each student a character / section of the prologue. SAT: We are moving on to Lesson 6. I will introduce the words to students this week, and they will create flashcards. Here is a link to the words: http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?book=vocabulary_power_plus_3&lesson=6 INDEPENDENT READING: The new independent reading for April is non-fiction. Students should be reading their books, and I will assess them during the second week of May. EXTRA CREDIT: Memorize the first 18 lines of the Prolouge in Middle English for Monday / Tuesday next week. Here is a link where you can listen to a version in Middle English. We will also review Middle English in class and translate these lines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF April 14, 2014 WRITING: Students continue to present their In Cold Blood research during an in-class discussion. READING: Chapter 35 in Great Expectations. We will also review poetic techniques in Beowulf. SAT: Students should be reviewing lessons 1-5 vocabulary words. I will test students on Wednesday and Thursday of this week (4/16 and 4/17). INDEPENDENT READING: The new independent reading for April is non-fiction. I will check in books all week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF April 7, 2014 WRITING: In Cold Blood projects are due this week (4/8 and 4/9). Students will present their research during an in-class discussion. READING: Students will complete the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf this week. In addition to answering questions on the plot of the poem, students will also analyze literary devices used in the poem. We continue through chapter 34 in Great Expectations. SAT: Students should be reviewing lessons 1-5 vocabulary words. I will test students on Wednesday and Thursday of next week (4/16 and 4/17). INDEPENDENT READING: The new independent reading for April is non-fiction. I will check in books this week and next week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF March 31, 2014 WRITING: College resumes are due this week. Students are also working on their In Cold Blood culminating projects (due 4/7 and 4/8). READING: We begin the Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf, this week. The reading is easy, and students tend to enjoy this poem. We will read both in and out of class. When I assign outside reading, I will quiz students during the following class meeting. We will also read through chapters 32/33 in Great Expectations. SAT: This month, we will review Lessons 1-5 vocabulary words through in class activities. I will test students on the day before April vacation. INDEPENDENT READING: Students are presenting their graphic novel projects this week. I will assign non-fiction for the April independent reading genre.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF March 24, 2014 WRITING: Students will write a third newspaper article based on the end of In Cold Blood. They will complete their college resumes. READING: We will read through chapter 28 in Great Expectations. Classes should be prepared for a quiz on the final reading assignment of In Cold Blood at the beginning of this week. I will assign a culminating project at the end of this week. SAT: This month, we will review Lessons 1-5 vocabulary words through in class activities. I will test students on the day before April vacation. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should be working on their graphic novel projects. These projects are due at the beginning of next week, but students may hand them in early for extra credit.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF March 17, 2014 WRITING: Students will write a second newspaper article based on In Cold Blood (trial section). They will also continue work on their college resumes. READING: We will read through chapter 24 in Great Expectations. Classes should be prepared for a quiz on In Cold Blood (pages 235-275) at the beginning of this week. Please make sure students are taking notes. These notes really help their quiz grades (I actually use them as part of the quiz grade to help students who have trouble quizzing. If students don't do the split notes, they receive a 0% for that part of the quiz). We will complete the book over the weekend. SAT: This month, we will review Lessons 1-5 vocabulary words through in class activities. I will test students on the day before April vacation. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should be working on their graphic novel projects. These projects are due at the end of the month, but I will take them beforehand for extra credit.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF March 10, 2014 WRITING: Students will begin their college resumes this week. They will also begin a new newspaper article based on In Cold Blood. READING: We will read through chapter 20 in Great Expectations. Monday's class read through page 215 for In Cold Blood over the weekend. Tuesday's class read through page 235. Both classes will read through page 275 over next weekend. Please make sure students complete their split notes. SAT: Students will have their SAT Lesson 5 test this week. I will test students on the words from LESSON 5 ONLY. Please see words below: Fop, Imprecation,Non Sequitur, Sanguine, Bowdlerize, Impair, Panegyric, Quandary, Ebullient, Deference, Carnal, Nebulous, Rakish, Elegy and Pedantic. Here is a site where you can access the current SAT words and students may review the words: http://quizlet.com/25255430/vocabulary-power-plus-book-three-lesson-five-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: I will hand out the graphic novel assessment. Students have a list of options from which to choose, and they have until the end of the month to complete their work.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF March 3, 2014 WRITING: Due to issues with the school server last week, students are still word-processing their newspaper articles and found poems based on chapters 16 and 17 in Great Expectations. READING: We will read through chapter 19 in Great Expectations. At the beginning of the week, I will assess students on their In Cold Blood reading (117-155). Students will continue through at least page 215 over the weekend. Please make sure they use their graphic organizers to complete split notes when they read. SAT: We did not have enough time to get to the SAT essay last week, so students will complete the essay this week. I will put grades in Powerschool next week. Lesson 5 SAT words are: Fop, Imprecation,Non Sequitur, Sanguine, Bowdlerize, Impair, Panegyric, Quandary, Ebullient, Deference, Carnal, Nebulous, Rakish, Elegy and Pedantic. Here is a site where you can access the current SAT words and students may review the words: http://quizlet.com/25255430/vocabulary-power-plus-book-three-lesson-five-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: I will check in the new independent reading books (graphic novels) this week. I will assess students at the end of March.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF February 24, 2014 WRITING: Students will complete newspaper articles and found poems based on chapters 16 and 17 in Great Expectations. READING: We will read through chapter 18 in Great Expectations. Students in the 11A-1 class will read pages 77-117 this week for In Cold Blood. Students in the 11A-2 class will read pages 97-117. Both groups will read pages 117-155 over the weekend. They should be completing split notes as they read. I will give them a graphic organizer this week to make the process easier. SAT: Students will complete a new SAT essay this week. I will put grades in Powerschool next week. Lesson 5 SAT words are: Fop, Imprecation,Non Sequitur, Sanguine, Bowdlerize, Impair, Panegyric, Quandary, Ebullient, Deference, Carnal, Nebulous, Rakish, Elegy and Pedantic. Here is a site where you can access the current SAT words and students may review the words: http://quizlet.com/25255430/vocabulary-power-plus-book-three-lesson-five-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: The new indepdendent reading assignment will be a graphic novel. I will check in books during the first week of March. Students will view sample graphic novels (Capote in Kansas, Lizzie Borden) to familiarize them with the genre.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF February 3, 2014 WRITING: Students will begin writing a newspaper article based on 19th century British journalism (to go along with chapter 16 in Great Expectations). READING: We will read through chapter 16 in Great Expectations. Students will also begin reading In Cold Blood. I will assign about 10 pages per night. Please make sure that students break up the reading (especially over weekends), or they might end up having to read 40 pages on a Sunday night! The reading schedule for 11A-1 (meeting on Tuesday, Thursday of this week) is: pages 1-13 assigned on Tuesday night and 13-52 on Thursday night. The reading schedule for 11A-2 (meeting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday of this week) is: pages 1-13 assigned Monday night; 14-32 assigned Wednesday night; 33-52 assigned Friday night. SAT: We are now on Lesson 5 in the SAT vocabulary book. The new words are: Fop, Imprecation,Non Sequitur, Sanguine, Bowdlerize, Impair, Panegyric, Quandry, Ebullient, Deference, Carnal, Nebulous, Rakish, Elegy and Pedantic. Here is a site where you can access the current SAT words and students may review the words: http://quizlet.com/25255430/vocabulary-power-plus-book-three-lesson-five-flash-cards/ Students took their 3rd SAT practice essay last week. Scores will now count in Powerschool. Scores of 70-75% represent the average junior score across the country. INDEPENDENT READING: As I will assign about 10 pages per night for In Cold Blood and as February is a short month, there will be no independent reading assignment for the month of February.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF January 27, 2014 WRITING: Students will turn in the final copy of their Brave New World character responses this week, and they will type up their completed poems in the computer lab. READING: Chapter 15 in Great Expectations. Due to the snow day last week, I did not get to assign the articles for Truman Capote's In Cold Blood. I will do so this week. SAT: SAT test Thursday and Friday of this week. Here is a site where you can access the current SAT words and students may review the words: http://quizlet.com/734972/vocabulary-power-plus-for-the-new-satact-book-iii-lesson-four-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: Independent reading assessment at the end of this week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF January 20, 2014 WRITING: Students continue to revise their character responses for a grade (Brave New World). Students are completing their in-class poetry writing. READING: Chapters 13 and 14 in Great Expectations. Students will read articles related to Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, the new novel on which we are working. SAT: Here is a site where you can access the current SAT words and students may review the words: http://quizlet.com/734972/vocabulary-power-plus-for-the-new-satact-book-iii-lesson-four-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: January books: free choice. Test at the end of next week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF January 13, 2014 WRITING: Students are revising their character responses for a grade (Brave New World). Television commercials write-ups due this week. Students will also write poetry in class. READING: Chapters 11 and 12 in Great Expectations. We are still working on the two poems related to Brave New World: "The World is Too Much With Us" by William Wordsworth (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174833) and "Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173742). Please feel free to look at the poems using the links provided. We will also begin In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. SAT: Here is a site where you can access the current SAT words and students may review the words: http://quizlet.com/734972/vocabulary-power-plus-for-the-new-satact-book-iii-lesson-four-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: January books: free choice
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF January 6, 2014 WRITING: Brave New World character response #4. Students will choose their favorite character response to revise for a grade. Now that we have completed Brave New World, students will look for examples of the novel in their own world. We will begin with magazine advertisements and television commercials. Students will write journal responses about their research. READING: Chapter 10 in Great Expectations (http://www.online-literature.com/dickens/greatexpectations/10/). If your child is absent this week, he/she can simply read the chapter on-line using the link provided. We are also reading two poems related to Brave New World: "The World is Too Much With Us" by William Wordsworth (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174833) and "Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173742). Please feel free to look at the poems using the links provided. SAT: New SAT essay grades will appear in Power School. As I am not counting the first two essays, you will simply see a check mark in Power School to indicate that your child wrote the essay. In the comment section you will see the grade. Students can score from 0 - 12 (7 and 8 are average scores). I will introduce lesson 4 words this week, and students will create flashcards. Here is a site where students may review words and create flashcards: http://quizlet.com/734972/vocabulary-power-plus-for-the-new-satact-book-iii-lesson-four-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: January books: free choice
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF December 16, 2013 WRITING: SAT essay #2; Brave New World character response. READING: Quiz on chapters 14 and 15 in Brave New World at the beginning of the week. We will complete the novel this week. SAT: Students will receive their PSAT scores on Tuesday. Please have students save their booklets so that we can continue SAT preparation in class. Students will write their second SAT essay this week. INDEPENDENT READING: January books: free choice
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF December 9, 2013 READING: Students will read through chapter 13 in Brave New World this week. They will read chapters 14 and 15 next weekend. SAT: SAT vocabulary test this week (English 11A-1 on Thursday, 12/12; and English 11A-2 on Friday, 12/13). Lesson 3 words: adventitious, ambiguous, bona fide, cataclysm, deviate, edify, extenuate, fecund, glower, impale, importune, obfuscate, optimum, parochial, pedestrian. Students will work on differentiated assignments throughout the month to help them learn the words. They can also practice at home. Here is a helpful site with quizzes and activities for these words: INDEPENDENT READING: Assessment this week (English 11A-1 on Thursday, 12/12; and English 11A-2 on Friday, 12/13).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF December 2, 2013 WRITING: Students are writing two character responses this week as they read chapters 7 and 8 in Brave New World. I am still waiting for Lord of the Flies articles from a handful of students. At the end of this week, the articles will be more than two weeks late. Additionally, I gave students an extra week for the original due date beyond the four weeks we spent writing the articles. Therefore, this Friday is the last possible day I will accept articles. READING: Students will complete chapter 9 in Great Expectations. The 11A-1 class will read chapters 8-11 in Brave New World this week. They will read chapter 12 over the weekend. The 11A-2 class will read chapters 7 and 8 in class this week. SAT: SAT vocabulary test next week (English 11A-1 on Thursday, 12/12; and English 11A-2 on Friday, 12/13). We continue lesson 3 vocabulary work through choice boards in class. Lesson 3 words: adventitious, ambiguous, bona fide, cataclysm, deviate, edify, extenuate, fecund, glower, impale, importune, obfuscate, optimum, parochial, pedestrian. Students will work on differentiated assignments throughout the month to help them learn the words. They can also practice at home. Here is a helpful site with quizzes and activities for these words: INDEPENDENT READING: The independent reading assessment is next week (English 11A-1 on Thursday, 12/12; and English 11A-2 on Friday, 12/13).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 25, 2013 WRITING: Lord of the Flies articles were due last week. If your student did not hand in the article, I will send you an email on Tuesday. This week, students will record and reflect on their Quarter 1 writing and projects. READING: We will finish up work and review content in chapters 1-6 of Brave New World. SAT: Students will receive their SAT essay grades after break. Score range is 0 - 12, and the average student scores a 7 or 8. Please look for your child's scores in the comment section on PowerSchool after break. We continue lesson 3 vocabulary work through choice boards in class. Lesson 3 words: adventitious, ambiguous, bona fide, cataclysm, deviate, edify, extenuate, fecund, glower, impale, importune, obfuscate, optimum, parochial, pedestrian. Students will work on differentiated assignments throughout the month to help them learn the words. They can also practice at home. Here is a helpful site with quizzes and activities for these words: INDEPENDENT READING: This month's genre: mystery / detective. Students should be finishing up their books over the next couple of weeks. They have until the second week of December before the assessment.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 18, 2013 WRITING: Lord of the Flies articles due this week. 11A-1 students (postponed to Friday - 11/22). 11A-2 students (due 11/21). Students may turn in their articles early for 10 points extra credit. READING: This week I will use choice boards to help students understand chapter 3 in Brave New World. Students will then read chapters 4 and 5 over the remainder of the week, and they will read (and take notes on) chapter 6 over the weekend. SAT: I will teach the SAT essay format this week. 11A-1 students will write their first practice SAT essay this Friday; 11A-2 students will do so next Monday. We continue lesson 3 vocabulary work through choice boards in class. Lesson 3 words: adventitious, ambiguous, bona fide, cataclysm, deviate, edify, extenuate, fecund, glower, impale, importune, obfuscate, optimum, parochial, pedestrian. Students will work on differentiated assignments throughout the month to help them learn the words. They can also practice at home. Here is a helpful site with quizzes and activities for these words: INDEPENDENT READING: This month's genre: mystery / detective. Students should be well into their books by now. They have until the second week of December to complete their books.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 11, 2013 WRITING: Now that students have completed all of their journals, they will begin their Lord of the Flies 2 articles. I will review opening and closing paragraph structure, transitions, and layout. Students have a week and a half to complete their articles. They may turn them in early for extra credit (10 points on article). READING: This week we will take part in literature circles and discussions to help students understand the new novel on which we are working: Brave New World. Students read chapter 1 over the weekend, and they will read chapter 2 this week. We will also continue in Great Expectations. (Great Expectations extra credit due by the end of this week). SAT: We continue lesson 3 vocabulary work through choice boards in class. Lesson 3 words: adventitious, ambiguous, bona fide, cataclysm, deviate, edify, extenuate, fecund, glower, impale, importune, obfuscate, optimum, parochial, pedestrian. Students will work on differentiated assignments throughout the month to help them learn the words. They can also practice at home. Here is a helpful site with quizzes and activities for these words: INDEPENDENT READING: This month's genre: mystery / detective. Students should have their books by now. Make sure they check in with me. They have until the second week of December to complete their books.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF November 4, 2013 WRITING: All Lord of the Flies journals / graphics are due this week. Students may hand in the journals at the beginning of the week for extra credit, but they are due by the end of the week. Students will also complete in class writing journals on utopias as we begin Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. READING: New novel: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I will introduce the novel, and we will begin chapter 1 in class together. Students will finish the chapter and take notes over the weekend. SAT: We begin Lesson 3 vocabulary. New words are: adventitious, ambiguous, bona fide, cataclysm, deviate, edify, extenuate, fecund, glower, impale, importune, obfuscate, optimum, parochial, pedestrian. Students will work on differentiated assignments throughout the month to help them learn the words. They can also practice at home. Here is a helpful site with quizzes and activities for these words: INDEPENDENT READING: This month's genre: mystery / detective. I will check books in all week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 28, 2013 WRITING: Students will write journals on film in relation to Lord of the Flies. I will also offer an extra credit opportunity: students may write about examples of art / photography related to Lord of the Flies. I will allow the students to view these samples in class. Extra credit will be due with the final article. READING: We continue with chapter 8 in Great Expectations. SAT: Test this week: 11A-1 class on Thursday and 11A-2 class on Friday. Students will be asked to provide definitions, write sentences and complete SAT fill-ins on the following words from Lesson 2: impotent, antithesis, maelstrom, emendation, chagrin, bauble, diaphonous, labyrinth, gloat, impediment, bestial, effete, shard, bland and nihilism. Please find helpful activities for studying on Quizlet. Address below: http://quizlet.com/6319423/vocabulary-power-plus-for-the-new-sat-book-3-lesson-2-flash-cards/ INDEPENDENT READING: Test this week: 11A-1 on Thursday and 11A-2 on Friday. Students should complete and bring their books to class. Next month's genre: Mystery / Detective.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 21, 2013 WRITING: Students will write journals on war poetry and music in relation to Lord of the Flies. The 11A-1 section will also write a journal on The Twilight Zone episode, "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street," and the way it compares to the novel. READING: Students will read and write in response to chapter 8 in Great Expectations this week (We did chapters 6 and 7 last week -- not 9 and 10 as posted -- my mistake). They will also read the following war poems: "Dulce Et Decorum Est," by Wilfred Owen; "Suicide in the Trenches" and "Does it Matter," by Siegfried Sassoon; "Grass," by Carl Sandburg; "Night," by Elie Wiesel; and "First They Came," attributed to Martin Niemoller. Students will also listen to music and read the lyrics of artists such as Bob Marley and John Lennon. SAT: Students should continue to work on the Lesson 2 SAT vocabulary words. They will include the vocabulary words in the Lord of the Flies journals. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should be finishing up their fiction books. The assessment will be Wednesday and Thursday of next week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 14, 2013 WRITING: Lord of the Flies projects due this week (Tuesday, 11A-1 and Wednesday, 11A-2). Students will share their projects in class. Students will also write a three paragraph response to the poetry of William Blake. READING: Students will read and write in response to chapters 9 and 10 in Great Expectations this week. They will also read two poems by William Blake: The Tyger (Old English spelling) and The Lamb. SAT: Students should continue to work on the Lesson 2 SAT vocabulary words. I will also continue to work with students on SAT grammar / punctuation for the PSAT. This week, we will review commas, semi-colons and dashes. I will assess students at the end of the week. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should be well into their fiction books. The assessment will be at the end of October.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 7, 2013 WRITING: We will conduct our final peer edit of the Lord of the Flies magazine articles at the beginning of this week. Articles are due on Thursday (11A-1) and Friday (11A-2). Students may turn in the articles early for an extra 10 points on the assignment. Students should continue to work on their Lord of the Flies projects this week. I will provide class time on Thursday and Friday for students to work. Projects will be due on 10/15 (11A-1) and 10/16 (11A-2). If your child decides to do the mask project, please look at the dollar store, Wal*Mart or Amazon.com instead of the craft stores (masks are very expensive at the craft stores). READING: Students will read and write in response to Dickens this week, and they will view a documentary on Lord of the Flies (11A-1 students viewed the documentary last Friday). SAT: Students should continue to work on the Lesson 2 SAT vocabulary words. I will also continue to work with students on SAT grammar / punctuation for the PSAT. This week, we will review subject / verb agreement, parallel structure, tense and modifiers. I will assess students at the end of the week. INDEPENDENT READING: Independent Reading assessments due Tuesday (11A-1) and Wednesday (11A-2). October SAT genre: fiction. Students need to choose and bring in a book for me to okay at the beginning of this week. The assessment will be at the end of October.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2013 WRITING: We will continue to work with the Lord of the Flies magazine articles throughout this week. Over the weekend students will design their final drafts. In addition, I will assign the Lord of the Flies project. Students will choose a creative project idea from a list of options. Projects will be due on 10/15 (11A-1) and 10/16 (11A-2). If your child decides to do the mask project, please look at the dollar store, Wal*Mart or Amazon.com instead of the craft stores (masks are very expensive at the craft stores). READING: As we did not get to Dickens last week, students will work on chapter 5 in Great Expectations this week (students will do this work in class). Students will view a documentary on Lord of the Flies. SAT: I will introduce new SAT vocabulary words (lesson 2) this week, and students will create flashcards for these words. I will also continue to work with students on SAT grammar / punctuation for the PSAT. INDEPENDENT READING: Independent Reading assessments on Monday (11A-1) and Tuesday (11A-2). October SAT genre: fiction. Students need to choose and bring in a book for me to okay by next Monday. The assessment will be at the end of October.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2013 WRITING: I will assign the opening paragraphs for the LOF magazine article to the 11A-2 section on Monday. Paragraphs will be due on Wednesday. 11A-1 students will show me their opening paragraphs on Tuesday 9/24. I will conference with each student about his/her LOF journals and opening paragraphs. Next, students will review actual magazine articles and learn about design / format. I will then assign the LOF magazine article draft. Draft due dates: 11A-1 on 10/2 and 11A-2 on 10/3. READING: Chapter 5 in Great Expectations (students will do this work in class). SAT: SAT vocabulary test this week (11A-1 on Thursday and 11A-2 on Friday) on the following words: factious, ignoble, boor, rectify, opulent, erotic, perspicacity, enervate, besiege, carrion, altruism, fervent, amorphous, aegis and ephemeral. On the test, students will be asked to provide definitions, write sentences and complete SAT fill-ins. We are also reviewing grammar for the PSAT writing section (this week: pronoun/antecedent issues). INDEPENDENT READING: Biography or autobiography. Assessment next week (11A-1 on 9/30 and 11A-2 on 10/1).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 WRITING: Students are handing in Journal #3 on Monday (11A-1) and Tuesday (11A-2). Journal #4 will be due on Wednesday (11A-1) and Thursday (11A-2). It is very important that students hand in these journals, as they will use them as the basis for their magazine articles (which I will assign at the end of this week). Students will work on the rough draft of their magazine articles over next weekend. READING: We are reviewing symbolism in Lord of the Flies this week. Students will study characterization and symbols from the novel. We are also reading chapters 3-5 of Great Expectations in class. SAT:We are reviewing modifiers and pronouns for the writing section of the PSAT. Students continue to study SAT vocabulary (lesson 1 words: factious, ignoble, boor, rectify, opulent, erotic, perspicacity, enervate, besiege, carrion, altruism, fervent, amorphous, aegis and ephemeral). Pop quiz them at home:) INDEPENDENT READING: Biography or autobiography. I will assess students during the last class meeting in September.
Summer Reading: Lord of the Flies by William Golding / Free Choice(s) from School List (See Library Page). You may purchase Lord of the Flies at Amazon.com
PLEASE SEE THE INDEX FOR END OF THE YEAR ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 29TH, 2012 WRITING: All Macbeth research is due this week. BOOK: We are finishing Macbeth, and beginning The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (in the student textbook). SAT: Students have received their SAT exams for the year. They may use these tests to study for the May SAT. INDEPENDENT READING: Free choice. Test date TBA.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 23RD, 2012 WRITING: 11A-1 Students will hand in their Macbeth notebooks this week. . 11A-2 students will hand in their notebooks at the beginning of next week. English portfolios due Tuesday of this week.. BOOKS: We finished Great Expectations last week, and we will celebrate the novel this week with various activities. We will finish Macbeth toward the end of this week / beginning of next week. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should have checked in their new IR by now (April is free choice).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 2ND, 2012 WRITING: Student portfolio goals are due at the beginning of this week. In addition, students continue to take notes for their research paper on Macbeth. BOOKS: We are finishing Act III and moving onto Act IV in Shakespeare's Macbeth. We are reading through chapter 54 in Dickens' Great Expectations. SAT: Make sure your child signs up for the May SAT (sign ups end this week!). INDEPENDENT READING: Free choice. I am still checking in books this week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 26TH, 2012 WRITING: Students continue their Macbeth research (Act III) this week. They will also write their goals sheet and create their cover pages for their English portfolios. BOOKS: We are reading Act III in Shakespeare's Macbeth. In addition, we will read through chapter 49 in Dickens' Great Expectations. SAT: There will be no SAT work this week. Please look at Powerschool for the grades on last week's test. INDEPENDENT READING: New independent reading: free choice. I will begin to check books in this week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 19TH, 2012 WRITING: Students are taking notes for their research projects on Macbeth. I will collect notes for Acts I and II on Monday. BOOKS: We will complete Acts II and III in Macbeth this week. In addition, we are reading chapters 41, 42 and 43 in Great Expectations. SAT: Lesson 5 test this week. INDEPENDENT READING: NY Times Bestseller / Assessment this week. Next book: free choice.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 12TH, 2012 WRITING: Students are taking notes for their research projects on Macbeth. I will check their notes and count each Act as a homework assignment. BOOKS: We will complete Acts I and II in Macbeth this week. In addition, we are reading chapters 39 and 40 in Great Expectations. SAT: I will test students on the lesson 5 SAT words next week. INDEPENDENT READING: I will test students on their independent reading (NY Times Bestseller) next week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 5TH, 2012 WRITING: Students have chosen individual motifs for their Macbeth research. They will trace these motifs as we read the play in the notebooks that I have provided for them. BOOKS: Great Expectations: Chapters 35-38. Macbeth: Acts I and II (students will begin Act III over the weekend). SAT: Students should be looking over their lesson 5 words. INDEPENDENT READING: I will assess the NY Times Bestsellers during the third week in March.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 27, 2012 WRITING: Students will continue to take notes for their literary critiques on Macbeth. They will use parenthetical citations. BOOKS: Students are reading Macbeth by William Shakespeare. In addition, they are reading chapters 33 and 34 in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. SAT: I will hand out the SAT dates for Spring 2012 this week. Please discuss which test (s) your students will take. I will also hand back the last practice SAT essay. Please look for the scores in Powergrade. Also, students should be working on their lesson 5 words. INDEPENDENT READING: NY Times Bestseller. The test will be during the third week in March.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13, 2012 WRITING: Students will begin research and note taking for their Macbeth Literary Critiques. Each student will choose a strand of imagery to trace through the entire play. I will provide students with notebooks for this purpose. BOOKS: We begin Macbeth this week. I hope to complete the first Act (there are five) before vacation. We are also reading chapters 29-32 in Great Expectations this week. SAT: Students should be working on their Lesson Five words. INDEPENDENT READING: I continue to check in student choices (NY Times Bestseller).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6, 2012 WRITING: Students will create their resumes this week. They will keep a copy in their portfolios, file one copy in guidance and hold onto one copy for themselves. They will also choose their research topics for the upcoming Macbeth Research Paper. BOOKS: Students will read portions of their textbook this week (background on Shakespearean Theater). They will also read in Macbeth (in their textbook): Act I: Scenes 2-4 over the weekend. In class, we will read chapters 27 & 28 in Great Expectations together. SAT: Students are making flashcards for the unit 5 SAT words. We will review these words in class. INDEPENDENT READING: This week, students are checking in their February Independent Reading choice (NY Times Bestseller).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 30, 2012 WRITING: Students will write character responses for their Independent Reading assessment this week. BOOKS: As we reflect on Brave New World, students will hand in projects and work on in-class assignments. We are reading chapters 25 and 26 in Great Expectations this week. SAT: Students are taking the SAT 4 vocabulary test on Wednesday of this week. INDEPENDENT READING: Test on Monday. The Independent Reading choice for February is a New York Times Bestseller.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 22, 2012 WRITING: Students will hand in their commercial journals on Monday. They will continue to work on the BNW projects for which they will write character responses and create character visuals. BOOKS: To reflect on Brave New World, students will work in pairs to create moral advertisements. We are reading chapter 24 in Great Expectations this week. SAT: Students will try their first practice essay in class on Monday. I will provide students with scores at the beginning of next week. They will also continue to work with the SAT 4 words (creating crosswords for Wednesday) and review PSAT questions. You should look at the upcoming SAT testing dates on Collegeboard.com, and discuss the date on which your son /daughter will take the exam. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should have checked in their books by now, as the test is next week (choice is mystery or detective). I will provide in- class reading time for students this week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 16, 2012 WRITING: Students are working on journals as they reflect on Brave New World. This week, they will choose a favorite television program. Before viewing an episode, students will write about the plot and audience for the show. They will make predictions about the types of commercials that will air during the show. As they watch the program, students will keep track of the commercials / sponsers for the show. They will then write about the what they found and why they think these particular commercials were used (as well as whether their original predicitons were accurate). Students are also working on their Brave New World projects for which they will write a character response and create a visual. BOOKS: In addition to journal writing and projects, students will also do research as they reflect on Brave New World. This week, they will look through magazines for moral advertisements. After we review these examples in class, students will work with partners to create their own moral advertisements. We will also complete chapters 22 and 23 in Great Expectations. SAT: We continue to reveiw the SAT 4 words. Students are also reviewing the answers to the PSAT in class. INDEPENDENT READING: Students are still checking in their mystery / detective books this week. The test will be during the last class meeting in January.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 9, 2012 WRITING: Final copies of children's stories are due this week. Students will write a reflective journal on positive and negative conditioning over the weekend. BOOKS: Students are reading the last two chapters of Brave New World this week. Next week, we will begin Macbeth; therefore, students will need to bring their textbooks to each class. We are working on chapters 21 and part of 22 in Great Expectations this week. SAT: We continue to review the SAT 4 words. Students also need to bring their PSAT booklets, as we are reviewing the answers in class. INDEPENDENT READING: I gave students a week to find a mystery / crime book for this month's independent reading. They will check their books in with me this week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 2, 2012 WRITING: Students are writing the second drafts of their children's stories this week. I will be handing back their first drafts with edits. BOOKS: Brave New World: chapters 13-16. Students will read chapter 17 over the weekend. Great Expectations: chapters 19-20. SAT: SAT 4 words. Students need to create flashcards this week. Students also need to bring their PSAT booklets, as we are reviewing the answers in class. INDEPENDENT READING: The January reading is mystery / detective. Students need to begin checking in their books next week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 19, 2011 WRITING: This week students will share and edit drafts of their children's stories. BOOKS: Brave New World. The 11A-1 section will take a quiz on chapter 11 on Monday. They will also answer in-class questions on chapter 12. They will take a quiz on chapter 13 on Wednesday. The 11A-2 section will review chapter 8 in class on Monday. We will then read chapters 9 and 10 together in class. Students will be assigned chapter 11 for homework Monday night, and I will give them a quiz on Wednesday. They will then answer questions on chapter 12. Both classes continue toward chapter 20 in Great Expectations. SAT: Students will be receiving their PSAT scores at the beginning of this week. INDEPENDENT READING: The January Independent Reading (for those students who would like to get ahead) is a mystery or detective story.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 12, 2011 WRITING: This week, students are working on the first drafts of their children's stories. The section 2 class will write a character response on Brave New World (the section 1 class wrote these last Friday). BOOKS: Brave New World (section 2 students will work on chapter 7 this week; section 1 students will work on chapters 8-10). Great Expectations: the section 2 students will work on part of chapter 18, and the section 1 students will read part of chapter 19. SAT: The SAT 3 lesson test will be on Thursday. I will also include some words from lessons 1 and 2 on the test. Students are also including SAT words in their children's stories. INDEPENDENT READING: The independent reading assessment on non-fiction books will be this Thursday.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 5TH, 2011 WRITING: Students will finish up their pre-writing for their children's stories this week. In addition, they will also write character responses based on Brave New World. BOOKS: We continue our reading of Brave New World. The 11A-1 section should read for the following quizzes: chapter 4 on Monday; chapter 5 on Wednesday and chapter 7 on Friday (we will do chapter 6 in class together on Wednesday). The 11A-2 section should have their chapter 3 questions completed for Monday. They should also be ready for a quiz on chapter 4 on Wednesday and a quiz on chapter 5 on Friday. They will read chapter 7 over next weekend. 11A-1 will read chapter 19 in Great Expecations this week. 11A-2 will read chapters 16-18 in Great Expectations this week. SAT: Students continue to review their SAT words through in-class activities and their children's books. The SAT test is Thursday, December 15th for both classes. Students will also be receiving their PSAT scores within the next two weeks. INDEPENDENT READING: Non-fiction. The test will be on Thursday, December 15th.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28TH, 2011 WRITING: Students are working on children's stories. At this point, they have developed their main characters and considered vocabulary. This week, students will develop the setting and conflict in their stories. BOOKS: We have reviewed chapters 1 and 2 in Brave New World. Chapter 3 is a confusing and difficult, so students will work on that chapter in class this week (using guiding questions and organizers). They will read chapter 4 on their own over the weekend. SAT: Students are using the lesson 3 words in their children's stories; in addition, we will act out the words in class this week. INDEPENDENT READING: Students are reading non-ficiton. The test will be during the 3rd week of December.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 21, 2011 WRITING: Students will continue to brainstorm for their children's stories. They will fill out sheets on characterization, plot and vocabulary. BOOKS: We are working on chapters 2 and 3 in Brave New World this week. Students are also working on Great Expectations: 11A-1 (chapters 16 and 17); 11A-2 (chapters 13 and 14). SAT: Students are using five words from SAT Unit 3 to incorporate into their children's stories. INDEPENDENT READING: Students are working on non-fiction books for the November / December books. I have told them that I will allow them to use one of their research books they are reading for their History class papers.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14, 2011 WRITING: This week, students will explore children's books and begin writing their own stories (using the SAT vocabulary). Once these stories are done, we will have art students illustrate them. BOOKS: We begin a new book this week, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. We will look at the first two chapters. In addition, the 11A-1 students will read chapters 15 and 16 in Great Expectations, while the 11A-2 students will concentrate on chapters 11 and 12. SAT: Students are working on their SAT vocabulary words for unit 3; they will incorporate these words into their children's stories. INDEPENDENT READING: Students are working on non-fiction books for their November / December books.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 7, 2011 WRITING: Lord of the Flies articles due on Monday, 11/7. Students had the chance to turn in the articles last week for extra credit. Lord of the Flies projects are due on Wednesday, 11/9. (I will give extra credit to those students who turn in their projects on Monday) BOOKS: Symbolism test on Lord of the Flies: Monday, 11/7. 11A-1 section will read chapters 13 and 14 in Great Expectations this week. The 11A-2 section will read chapters 10 and 11. SAT: Students are working on the SAT unit 3 words. Due to the shortened month of November, students will take the test on these words in December. INDEPENDENT READING: The November / December (due to shortened months) Independent Reading is non-fiction. Students started checking their books in last week. Everyone should check in books by the end of this week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 31, 2011 WRITING: Lord of the Flies Articles Due November 7th, 2011. Students may turn in the articles this week for extra credit. Lord of the Flies projects due November 11th, 2011. BOOKS: Great Expectations: 11A-1 (chapters 12, 13); 11A-2 (chapters 9, 10). Lord of the Flies documentary and review for next week's symbolism exam. SAT: New words (Lesson 3). Students will complete in-class activities. They need to make flashcards at home this week. INDEPENDENT READING: Non-Fiction for November. Students may begin checking in new books this week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 17, 2011 WRITING: As we continue our analysis of Lord of the Flies, students will review war poetry and song lyrics related to Golding's theme. They will write a one page journal on the war poetry Tuesday night, and they will write a one page journal on the song lyrics Thursday night. We will use these journals when students write their final LOF articles. BOOKS: The section 1 class will read chapters 8-10 in Great Expectations; the section 2 class will read chapters 5-7 in Great Expectations. SAT: Students should have taken the PSAT this past weekend. We will discuss the test, and we will continue to work on the October SAT words. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should be well into their October reading books by now. The test will be next Friday, the 28th of October. (A few students have yet to choose books --- please ask what they are reading). You can also check Power School. I put name of the book in the comment section when they check it in with me.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 10, 2011 WRITING: Students will write a journal response to William Blake's poems, "The Tyger" and "The Lamb" (we did not get to this activity last week). BOOKS: We continue our review of Lord of the Flies, and we continue our work in Great Expectations. SAT: Students took at sample PSAT last week (the actual 2007 test). We will be scoring and reviewing these tests this week. Students are also working on their second set of SAT words. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should be well into their new books for the month of October (fiction).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 3RD, 2011 WRITING: I will hand back the Lord of the Flies articles, and I will give students the opportunity to ask questions about my edits. We will also set up our class writing folders. Toward the end of the week, students will write a journal response to William Blake's poems, "The Tyger" and "The Lamb." In addition to analyzing the poems, students will be comparing Blake's theme to Golding's theme in Lord of the Flies. BOOKS: We continue our review of Lord of the Flies as we look at the symbolism of the characters. We are reading through chapter 7 in Great Expectations. SAT: I will introduce the second lesson in our SAT book. Students will be responsible for creating flashcards for these 15 words. We will also discuss parallel structure, and the students will complete exercises in class (I take the sentences from their articles). There are many questions on parallel structure on the writing section of the PSAT. INDEPENDENT READING: The October choice is fiction. Students should show me their books this week. The test will be during the last class period in October.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2011 WRITING: Students are handing in their Lord of the Flies articles this week. BOOKS: We are continuing our review of Lord of the Flies. We are also reading Great Expectations (11A-1 is in chapter 5 / 11A-2 is in chapter 3). SAT: Students are taking their first SAT vocabulary test this week. The test consists of definitions, sentences and SAT fill ins. INDEPENDENT READING: Students will take their first independent reading test at the end of the week in the computer lab.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2011 WRITING: Students are completing their fourth journal on the 'beast' in Lord of the Flies. For tonight's journal, they are concentrating on the Id, Ego and Superego. At the end of the week, I will assign a magazine article. Students will use their journals to create the magazine article. The article will be due 9/29. BOOKS: Students are reviewing Lord of the Flies. We are also reading Great Expecations by Charles Dickens (chapters 2-4 this week). SAT: Students are working on the SAT lesson 1 words. We practice these words in class each day. We are also reviewing grammar / punctuation for the test. Students have a test on the first 15 vocabulary words on Tuesday, September 27th. INDEPENDENT READING: Students are reading a biography / autobiography for the month of September. They have a test on their books on Thursday, September 29th.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE SUMMER OF 2011 SUMMER READING: Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Please make sure to read the book for the first day of class. I will give you part of your test on that day. See instructions for your English binder on my homepage.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 2ND, 2011 BOOKS: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. We will be reading through chapter 38 this week. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. We will continue in the prologue this week. Students will read the following descriptions in the prologue: Skipper, Doctor, Wife of Bath, Parson, Plowman. SAT: Unit 6 words ENGLISH PORTFOLIO: Students will create their covers this week. HOMEWORK: Students will turn in their portfolio covers and the individual webs for The Canterbury Tales. If you would like to know the pilgrim your child has been assigned, please feel free to email me. INDEPENDENT READING: This month, students will read a book that has been recommended to them by their friends or parents, etc..
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 25TH, 2011 BOOKS: We will continue through chapter 35 in Great Expectations this week. We will also work on the prologue in The Canterbury Tales. SAT: Unit 6 words INDEPENDENT READING: To be announced.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 27TH, 2011 BOOKS: We will continue in Great Expecations this week. The 11A-1 class is beginning chapter 26. The 11A-2 class is working on chapter 22. SAT: Test on Unit 5 words (Thursday / Friday) WRITING: All Beowulf papers due at the beginning of this week (Monday / Tuesday) INDEPENDENT READING: March independent reading assessment (Thursday / Friday)
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 21ST, 2011 BOOKS: We have just completed Beowulf. Students will write their creative papers and prepare for the exam. We will also view a film version of the poem. We continue in Great Expectations as well (chapters 22-25). SAT: Words for Lesson 5. WRITING: Short story / poem in which students create a new battle for Beowulf. They must employ proper literary techniques and Anglo-Saxon traditions. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should be finishing up their March books (free choice). I will test students next week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 7TH, 2011 BOOKS: Beowulf. I will give students nightly reading assignments. I will then quiz them on plot each class. In addition, they will do in-class partner work to learn about the literary techniques used in epic poems. SAT: Writing Section Review (grammar and essay). Good luck to those students taking the test this Saturday!!!! WRITING: Practice SAT essay. INDEPENDENT READING: Students are checking in their March books (free choice).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14TH, 2011 BOOKS: Brave New World. Review through projects. Students created in-class advertisements with partners based on Huxley's idea of moral conditioning. They need to print these projects at home -- projects due at the beginning of this week. Great Expectations. Review 17-19. Read chapter 20 in class. SAT: Unit 4 test at the end of this week. Signups for March SAT ended Feb. 11th. Late signups still available on collegeboard.com. WRITING: Brave New World project due at the end of this week. Students are writing character responses and creating character pages in order to review the book. They have had two weeks to work on this project. INDEPENDENT READING: Test at the end of this week on non-fiction choices.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7TH, 2011 READING: We have finished reading Brave New World. Students will review the book through in class partner assignments and an out of class project (character response and creative page). The project will be due next week. We continue our reading in Great Expectations (18-20). SAT: Vocabulary paragraph due Monday / Tuesday. Students will write a paragraph on Brave New World using the words from SAT Lesson 4. Bring PSAT booklets to class. Students should log onto collegeboard.com to sign up for either the March or May SAT exam. WRITING: SAT paragraphs on Brave New World. Character Responses for Brave New World due next week. INDEPENDENT READING: Non-Fiction. Test will be the week before February break.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 31ST, 2011 READING: Depending on the snow, we will finish Brave New World this week. Students should have read chapters 14 and 15 over the weekend. 11A-1 is now moving onto chapter 20 in Great Expecations. 11A-2 is still finishing up 17-19. SAT: Bring PSAT booklets to class. Students should log onto collegeboard.com to sign up for either the March or May SAT exam. WRITING: SAT Paragraphs INDEPENDENT READING: Non-Fiction. Test will be the week before February break.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 17, 2011 READING: Brave New World Quiz on chapters 6 & 7 (Tuesday / Wednesday class meetings.) We will read chapters 9 & 10 in class. Quiz on chapter 11 (Thursday / Friday class meetings). Great Expectations: students will continue questions on chapters 17-19 in class. SAT: All flashcards for Unit 4 due this week. Bring PSAT booklets to class. Students should log onto collegeboard.com to sign up for either the March or May SAT exam. WRITING: SAT paragraph in class. INDEPENDENT READING: Non-Fiction. Test will be the week before February break.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 10TH, 2011 READING: BRAVE NEW WORLD: QUIZ ON CHAPTER 4 (11A-1, MONDAY 1/10); QUIZ ON CHAPTER 5 (11A-2, TUESDAY 1/11 - 11A-1, WEDNESDAY 1/12). CONTINUE THROUGH CHAPTER 7. SAT: CREATE FLASHCARDS FOR UNIT 4 SAT WORDS. BRING ALL PSAT BOOKLETS TO CLASS FROM NOW ON GREAT EXPECTATIONS: QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTERS 17-19 IN CLASS. INDEPENDENT READING: CHECK IN NEW INDEPENDENT READING BOOKS (NON-FICTION). TEST BEFORE FEBRUARY BREAK. WRITING: COMMERCIAL ASSIGNMENT FOR BRAVE NEW WORLD
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 3RD, 2011 READING: Chapter 4 of Brave New World (assigned for Monday / Tuesday night); Chapters 17 & 18 of Great Expectations in class. WRITING: Journal assignment on television commercials (assigned Wed. / Thurs.) SAT: Introduction to Unit 4 words. Flashcards due this week. INDEPENDENT READING: Independent Reading tests due Wednesday and Thursday of this week. January Book: Non-Fiction (Free Choice).
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 22, 2010 WRITING: Final draft of the Lord of the Flies article due. (11A-2 / Due 11/19 -- 11A-1 / Due 11/22). SAT: Students continue work on the SAT essay and their poetry books. READING: Work through chapter 13 in Great Expectations. NEW BOOK: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. INDEPENDENT READING: Mystery or horror. Test before winter break.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15, 2010 WRITING: Lord of the Flies articles due this week! Students may hand in articles earlier in the week for extra credit. Articles should include information on the poetry, music and video we went over in class as each relates to the novel. Students should also use graphics and design. SAT: Students are working on the Unit 3 words. They will begin a poetry book project this week. Students will also try their first SAT practice essay in class this week. READING: Students are reading chapters 10 - 13 in Great Expectations this week. NEW BOOK: Students will start Brave New World at the end of this week (section 2) and the beginning of next week (section 1). INDEPENDENT READING: The November book is mystery or horror. As November and December are shorter school months, I will not test students until right before the winter break.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 25, 2010 GREAT EXPECTATIONS: All students should complete questions and reading through chapter 8 by the end of this week. INDEPENDENT READING: Fiction. Test for 11A-1 is on Friday. Test for 11A-2 is on Thursday. PROJECT: Lord of the Flies project due THIS WEEK. 11A-1 on Monday / 11A-2 on Tuesday. WRITING: Students should be working on Lord of the Flies journals. They will complete 4 journals on the following topics (1. William Blake's poetry 2. War Poetry 3. Music Selections 4. Video: The Monsters are Due on Maple Street). Each journal should be 2-3 paragraphs long, address the topic and relate it to Lord of the Flies. Students should complete these journals by Tuesday, November 2nd. SAT: Unit 2 Vocabulary. Test the week of November 2nd. READING: Lord of the Flies Symbolism Test the Week of November 2nd.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18TH, 2010 LITERATURE: Students are still working on chapters 6-8 in Great Expectations. They are answering questions while they read (the questions will count as their first quiz grade). Students are reading "The Tiger" and "The Lamb" by William Blake, and they will relate these poems to the themes in Lord of the Flies. They will also read WWI poetry and listen to music lyrics as we close our discussion on the novel. SAT: Review PSAT. Continue SAT Unit 2 vocabulary. INDEPENDENT READING: Fiction. I will test students at the end of the month. PROJECT: I am extending the project due date. The new dates are October 25th / October 26th (check class section). Please see project description below. I will provide students with class time to work on projects this week (Thursday and Friday). WRITING: Students will begin journals on the poetry, music and video we watch in connection to Lord of the Flies. They should be writing at least two paragraphs after each class meeting this week. The finished paper will be due next week.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 11TH, 2010 LITERATURE: Through Chapter 8 in Great Expectations SAT: Continue Unit 2 words. PSAT this weekend: October 16th. INDEPENDENT READING: Fiction. Make sure your child has checked in a book with me. PROJECT: Lord of the Flies project assigned. Due October 20/21 (depending on section). Students were given choices for creative ways in which to present their knowledge of the symbolism in Lord of the Flies. Choices include artwork, teaching, crafts, film, and magazines. Students have two weeks to complete the project (they will also be provided with class time). All projects include a writing component. PLEASE DO NOT BUY MASKS AT THE CRAFT STORES! THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE! You can make masks a home (students have used milk jugs, etc.) or find them at Wal*Mart and Dollar Stores. ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 4TH, 2010 LITERATURE: Through chapter 6 in Great Expectations. SAT: Unit 2 words introduced. Class Activities. Students need to make flashcards. INDEPENDENT READING: New Independent Reading Book assigned. Students need to find a book of fiction to read this month. Assessment during last class meeting in October. I will check books through the end of this week. SUMMER READING: Final notes on Lord of the Flies. Project assigned by beginning of next week. Symbolism test to be announced.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 LITERATURE: Chapter 4 in Great Expectations. PAPERS: Lord of the Flies articles due Monday / Tuesday (9/27 and 9/28). SAT: Unit 1 Test on Friday (10/1) and Monday (10/4). INDEPENDENT READING: September Independent Reading Test on Wednesday 9/29 and Thursday 9/30. Students have until the end of next week to show me their new Independent Reading books.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 LITERATURE: Chapters 2 & 3 in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens PAPERS: Students will turn in their Magazine Articles on Lord of the Flies on Friday / Monday (Depending on their course section) SAT: Students will continue to work on their SAT vocabulary; they will also take sample sections of the test this week. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should continue reading (biography, autobiography, memoir). Test will be the last class meeting in September (coming up!)
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 EXAMS: All Summer Exams should be completed by Wednesday, 9/15. Please see scores in Power Grade. PAPERS: Students will be working on sections of their Lord of the Flies journals this week for homework. SAT: Students will be working on SAT Unit #1 for the month of September. INDEPENDENT READING: Students should have acquired and started their biographies, autobiographies or memoirs. They will be tested on these books during the last class meeting in September.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 ENGLISH BINDERS, COLLEGE WORKSHEETS AND INDEPENDENT READING BOOKS ARE DUE (BIOGRAPHY / AUTOBIOGRAPHY). STUDENTS WILL BEGIN WORK ON UNIT 1 IN THE SAT VOCABULARY BOOK STUDENTS WILL BEGIN JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR LORD OF THE FLIES.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2010 1. STUDENTS SHOULD BE DONE WITH THEIR SUMMER READING BOOK, LORD OF THE FLIES. 2. STUDENTS WILL FILL OUT THE COLLEGE INFORMATION SHEET. 3. STUDENTS NEED TO ORGANIZE THEIR ENGLISH BINDERS (1" BINDER WITH 4 DIVIDERS: LITERATURE NOTES, SAT VOCABULARY, GREAT EXPECATIONS NOTES, AND IN-CLASS WRITING). WE MAY ADD MORE SECTIONS AS THE YEAR PROGRESSES. 4. STUDENTS NEED TO FIND A BIOGRAPHY OR AUTOBIOGRAPHY FOR THE SEPTEMBER INDEPENDENT READING BOOK. Course
Description / Expectations |
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to Authors Chaucer The Pearl Poet William Shakespeare | Charles Dickens Aldous Huxley William Golding |
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