Final Message 9th Lit and Yearbook

Hello All of My Wonderful Students,

I want to let you all know how much it has been a joy getting to know you and watching you grow this semester.  Thank you so much for all your hard work.  I really do appreciate each and every one of you.

The final grades are in Synergy, including EOCs.  Some students were amazing, some students struggled.  I want to thank you for your efforts.  I know that many of you tried your absolute best, and that's all I can ask for.  Thank you.

I hope you all have an amazing Winter Break!

9th Lit Lord of the Flies Constructed Responses

Good Morning,

While I haven't yet graded the Lord of the Flies Constructed Responses, I have looked at who did or did not turn in a submission.  If your child did not submit their final constructed response, I put in the grade they've earned, 0.  If they did submit it, it should say "not yet graded."  

Please check your child's grades.  If they did not submit this last Constructed Response, they must submit it today, before midnight, to earn late credit.  If they do not, their grade will stand.

For those who did already submit their constructed responses, they should be graded by tomorrow.  

Thank you,

Yearbook Final Exam Study Guide

Hello All,

The final exam study guide has been posted to the blog.  You can also find a copy here.

Happy Friday!

9th Lit Final Exam Study Guide

Hello All,

The final exam study guide has been posted to the blog.  You can also find a copy of it here.

Happy Friday!

6 Days of School Left -- 9th Lit

Hello All!

We are at our final countdown and in class we've been discussing what students need to do to get their grades where they need them to be by the end of the semester--only 6 school days away.

The EOC is 20% of their grades.  I will move that into Synergy as soon as I get those scores back.  They said it could be up to 10 business days, which means we'll have them by the Monday of Winter Break.  I know--I want them back sooner as well.

So let's focus on what we can control.  You'll need to finish reading Lord of the Flies chapter 9 tonight, we'll read chapters 10-11 in class tomorrow and you'll need to finish reading over the weekend.  We'll meet in the Writing Lab on Monday to type up your last constructed response (it is due at the end of class).

Our final unit test is our final exam.  It will be on Thursday for 2nd period and Friday for 3rd.  After the final unit test we'll take our last Touchstone benchmark, which students can use to replace their Unit 5 or 6 test grade (I'm hoping they'll do amazingly on both the Touchstone and their Lord of the Flies test so they can replace their Romeo and Juliet test and really raise their grades).

These are the last opportunities the students have to pull up their grades, or to keep them where they are.  We still have 6 days of school and I expect them to continue to give me their full effort right through to the end.

Happy Thursday!

Testing, Lord of the Flies, and That Time of Year

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday's testing went pretty well.  I saw a lot of good test taking behaviors from most of the students and I really hope you did as well as I believe that you did/can/will.  Keep up the hard work through our next two days of testing!

As was announced in class yesterday, you do have homework.  We are starting Lord of the Flies and you should have read up through chapter 3 by Tuesday, about 50 pages, but you have the weekend to do it (don't wait until Monday night!).  We will have a short quiz on Tuesday and it would be very helpful for you to complete the study guide as you read.

As a side note, the basketball team is hosting a Toys-for-Tots drive at tonight's home game.  You can get in free with a donation of an unopened, new toy.  It would be awesome if you could come, support the teams, and donate to a good cause.

Speaking of donating, Shop with a Longhorn is this Saturday.  Even if you're not on a team, if you want to come and help people wrap the presents, it would be nice to have extra volunteers.  If you're participating with a team, I'll see you on a bus :)

If you are in the donating spirit and want to donate to the classroom, we could really use tissue, extra highlighters, extra dry erase markers, pencils, and loose leaf paper.  These are things that we use and/or give away throughout the semester and my stores are running low.  I'd really appreciate it, if you want to.

Happy Friday.  After today, we only have 10 more school days this semester.  You can make it!

9th Lit -- Upcoming Schedule and Final Unit and Exam

Good morning,

This is a head's up about what the plan is through the rest of the year.

Today, the students are taking their Romeo and Juliet Test.  Today and tomorrow they will be working on their Romeo and Juliet Constructed Response, which can be handed in written in school on Friday, or typed on turnitin.com, also on Friday.

In getting ready for the EOC, students have USATestPrep.com assignments that are due every Wednesday, this includes over break.

We will have FREE EOC Tutoring after school on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 11/30-12/2 in Ms. Wood's room.  I highly encourage you to attend.

We will start our final unit on Monday after break, while we do some test preparation in class in the days before the EOC.  For our final unit, we will be reading the classic, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding.  We will mostly be reading this in class.  We do have a limited selection of books in the library available for check out, but will not have enough for everyone.  Students who are able to obtain their own copy of the novel will need to do so by Tuesday.  They are able to read it on their phones, tablets,or a physical copy.  Some sites you can order it from are Abe Books, Amazon (includes a link to Kindle), Barnes and Noble (includes a link to Nook), eBay, and many others.  You can also try to find a different copy online, or look in a physical new or used book store.  I recommend a physical copy, as you can highlight and write notes in it.

Our EOC will be Thursday, Friday, and Monday, 12/3, 4, and 5.  Please look at your schedule and make every effort to be here those days.  If you have any appointments during those days, I encourage you to reschedule.  It is vitally important you have the best opportunity to do the best you can on this test.

We will then have the remainder of the 2nd week to finish reading Lord of the Flies and to complete your last major Writing Assignment.  Your final exam will be a test over this novel.

We are so close.  Please put forth your best effort in these last few weeks to make sure that your grade is as high as possible by the end of December.  I believe in you and I know you can do it, but I need you to try your best.

Happy Thursday!

9th Lit -- Final Schedule and Book

Final Exam Schedule

Click here to see the Final Exam Schedule.

All Classes -- Course Extension

Good afternoon,

From Admin:

We will be offering course extension this Fall.  The following parameters have been set to be eligible:

·        Final average between 66—69

·        3 or fewer absences (excused or unexcused)

·        No ISS or OSS

·        No zeroes

·        Program will begin on Wednesday, January 6 and run for 8 consecutive days.  

·        Students must attend all 8 days. (no absences allowed/no exceptions)

·        Students can only attempt grade repair for 1 class.

·        Classes will be offered in the afternoon beginning at 3:40.

In order to facilitate students qualifying for Course Extension, as a 9th Lit Collaborative, we will allow students to turn in any assignment they haven't turned in, not for points, but for credit towards Course Extension, with a final due date of Friday, 12/11.

If you have any questions, please feel free.  Thank you.

9th Lit -- EOC Tutoring Sessions

Good morning,

We are offering free tutoring for all EOC classes.  You can find the full schedule here.

9th Lit will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 11/30, 12/1, and 12/2 from 3:45-4:45 by Ms. Wood in room 2223.

If you have lower than a B average, I highly recommend you attend.  The EOC is 20% of your grade, so it is very important for your final average and your GPA.

Thank you,

EOC Dates and Classes

Please click here to see the EOC dates and classes for this semester.

Happy Tuesday!

9th Lit Remediation Assignment

Tomorrow we will be in the computer lab to give students the opportunity to complete a makeup assignment.  Please click here for a copy of the assignment.  This will be the last opportunity this semester to make up these writing grades, please encourage your student to complete this assignment.

Additionally, as we have discussed in class, students have homework every single night.  Every week they have specific USA Test Prep assignments due Wednesday (they have 3 due tonight) and they should go over what we learned today and/or complete any assignments they didn't finish in class.

Since we'll be in the lab tomorrow, they do have 2 pages of the Romeo and Juliet packet due Friday (Globe Theater and Shakespearean Insult List).  This packet is their study guide, and I will collect it at an unknown date in the future and grade what they should have finished by that date--it is important for them to keep up with their responsibilities each day to be ready for that Unit test.

I've also updated the class calendar with a rough sketch of the rest of the month.

Happy Wednesday!

Odyssey Constructed Response 9th Lit

Hello all,

I've been checking over the constructed responses of the people who turned them in early and I'm seeing a couple of things.  You have until 11:59 tonight to resubmit your constructed response to turnitin.com.  Please double check that you have done the following things, and edit your response and resubmit if you have not.

1. Do you have 3 paragraphs?  1 paragraph for each response.
2. Does EACH of your paragraphs have the following:
1. a thesis statement that clearly answers the question that is your first sentence
2. 2, 3, or 4 quotes from the Odyssey to use as evidence to support your thesis
3. for each quote, at least one sentence that explains how your quote supports your thesis
4. a conclusion sentence that restates without repeating your thesis as your last sentence
3. Is each paragraph numbered 1, 2, or 3. (In order please)
4. Do you have an MLA Heading?
5. Have you put your quotes in quotation marks:  "words words words (p. #)."
6. Have you fully answered the question in the prompt?
7. Is your explanation of how the quote supports your thesis underlined? (This is to prove to yourself that you do have it.)
8. Did you look at the examples we did in class?  Does each of your response look similar or very different (it should not).

From what I've seen most students missed only one or two things listed above and would loose just a few points.  Some students it seems didn't read the instructions and only looked at the questions, which means they won't earn points.  We discussed this in class and did an example together in class.

Please use this opportunity as a chance to raise their grades.  This assignment is worth 30 points and up until this point their constructed responses were only worth 20.  I want this to help their grades, not to harm them.  

I've copied the assignment below:

Student responses. Answer each of the prompts with a complete paragraph. The majority of your points will come from how well you explain how your textual evidence supports your claim. You do need a thesis/claim statement, 2-4 pieces of evidence (quotes!), and a concluding statement as well.

1. Evaluate Odysseus' trials. What obstacle do you think is the greatest one that Odysseus faces? Describe it and explain why it was the biggest challenge he faces. (10 Points)


2. Is Odysseus an epic hero? Why or why not? Provide and explain at least two (2) specific examples from the text. (10 Points)


3. Explain the virtue of hospitality by using one episode from Odysseus’s travels that illustrates the importance of this virtue to ancient Greeks. (10 Points)

Yearbook 2nd 6 weeks Progress Report

Hi all,

Today marks the end of the 2^nd 6 weeks grading periods.  Some students are doing stellar in the class.  Some students are behind.  As I told them today, if I don’t have their page done, checked, edited, and submitted today, I cannot give them a grade as they haven’t earned any points.  Because some students have yet to submit their Deadline 2 page, their grades are about to massively drop.  

However, I know they are working hard on their pages to get them in to our standards by Monday. 

Please have your student pull up their yearbook page for you and talk you through their progress on Deadline 2 (10-19—yes, they are late).  Some are submitted and graded, but if their button is not green, your child’s page has not been completed.

If they are not finished, please make sure they work hard this weekend to complete their deadlines to pull their grades up.

Thank you and happy Halloween!

9th Lit 12 Week Progress Reports

Hi all,

Progress Reports will come home next week.  What I’ve seen is that students who are doing all of their work, are participating in class, and turning their work in are passing.  The students who are not passing are not passing because of a major zero.  Every assignment from this point on is vital to their grades. Please make sure they’re doing their homework every night.  Yes, they have homework every night. Even if they don’t have an assignment due (which usually they do), they should be spending time studying for their upcoming test.

Students will have a quiz over the Odyssey Part 2 on Monday.  They also have their Constructed Responses due on turnitin.com on Monday before 11:59.  Please let me know if you have any questions about that one—we did do an example together which is on the blog.

We’ll have the Odyssey Unit Test on Tuesday.  Students have their study guides and have been working on filling them out the whole time we’ve been reading.

Also, with the EOC looming upon the horizon I’ve been assigning USATestPrep.com practice every week for homework (Due Wednesdays).  Some students are doing this well.  Some aren’t touching it.  Please encourage your student to not only complete these practices, but try their hardest as they mimic the EOC, which will be 20% of their grade.  The more they practice the test taking skills, the better they’ll be on that test.

Happy Halloween!

Kim Bundschu

The Odyssey 9th Lit

At this point students should have read up through "The Challenge" of The Odyssey and completed most of their study guide questions.  Our test is scheduled for Tuesday next week, and we'll have 2 major assignments in the interim.  Please make sure they are studying and prepared.

We also have 2 USA Test Prep assignments due on Wednesday night, with another 2 for next week.

Happy Tuesday!

Yearbook -- Last Chance

Tomorrow I'm going to do a final run through of our pages.  Any edits that I have to make at this point will come off your grade.  Make sure that you've gone by our rubric, class discussions, notes on your page, and have no errors.  Check the colors, the layout, the name tags, the punctuation, and the spelling.

Grades go in tomorrow.  Happy Thursday.

9th Lit Permission Slip Due 10/27

Hello all,

We sent home a permission slip today about the movie we'd like to watch in class next week as a part of a multimedia, standards-based assignment.  You can find a digital copy of it here, just in case your 9th grader misplaced it.

Happy Thursday!

[edit: Apparently, because we've previously shown this movie with no problems, we were told that permission slips are not neccessary.  If you have an issue with the movie, please let me know directly at kimberly [dot] bundschu [at] cobbk12 [dot] org and I will give your student an alternative assignment.  Students who did turn in their slip today will receive extra credit because they did exactly as I asked.]

Moving forward 9th Lit

This unit we're reading The Odyssey.  We'll have a quiz over part 1 tomorrow, the quiz over part 2 next week as well as a travel brochure, a writing assignment, and our test will be early the week after.

We'll also have our Touchstone 2 on Friday.  This is a standarized test from the county that doesn't directly impact your grade, HOWEVER you can use it to recover an old test grade

Yearbook -- Layout Rubric and addition

Hi all,

I love how your book is really coming together and taking life.  I love the decisions we are making together to make an awesome and unique addition to our yearbook family.

The rubric that we made in class together today is both up on the blog and attached here.  Yes, because we just made a creative decision, those of you with academic pages will need to update the question mods and headines (change them to the headline pop style please) on the academic pages.  I need to submit those pages on Monday, so if those fixes we spoke about in class today are fixed by Friday, I'll be a happy adviser.  

Happy Thursday.  We're so close to submitting our first pages!  Exciting and scary!

9th Lit -- Sonnet Troubles

Good morning,

First of all I want to exclaim how much so many of you are POETS!  Your poems were amazing!

Before you freak out or think on not talking about you because your grade, please hear me out.  I am--all of your poems are awesome.

We apparently had some trouble following the directions and rubric--therefore a lot of you didn't earn credit for your sonnet.  So, I'm giving you this opportunity:

1. Log in to turnitin.com and look at your sonnet assignment--click on Grade Mark to see your rubric and how you scored on each criteria.
2. Go back to your google doc and edit your original assignment.  Make sure you are looking at the rubric and the example.
3. Make sure you label the 4 criteria at the bottom of your poem.  This is what you earn credit for!  Can you accurately use and identify rhyme scheme, 2 instances of figurative language, and 1 sound device?  Yes, you need to write an original poem, but the rubric is how well you can use what we've learned to create a poem.  Most of you put your devices in there, just didn't label them.  Prove you knew what you were doing and didn't do it by accident!
4. Resubmit your sonnet on turnitin.com under the assignment called Revision 1.  If you try to submit it under the original assignment, you won't be able to.
5. The new deadline is this Friday by 11:59pm.

If you have any questions, please email me!

PSAT Opportunity -- 9th Lit

From County Office:

Good Morning,

The College Board launched “Daily Practice for the New SAT” – a free app that allow students to “scan and score” a paper PSAT/NMSQT or SAT practice test with their mobile device and receive instant score feedback and connect to practice resources. There is a 1 minute video on their site that showcases this new PSAT/ SAT practice app. It looks really cool!  

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/daily-practice-app

9th Lit Online Textbook

Ladies and Gentlemen,

From now on, if we use a text found in the textbook, you'll need to use the online textbook instead of a link to the individual texts on my blog.  Click here for the link to the online textbook.  Your login is ccsdyournumber (not the words, actually your number).  Your password is ccsd2016.

Hi everyone,

A student asked for this and I decided to post it.  If you'd like to take a free personality test to better understand your thinking and the way your personality works, click here for the free Myres Briggs test.

Poetry Book Contest

Click here for an awesome and creative poetry contest.

Week 9 -- 9th Lit

We are half way there!

This week we're going to do a brief unit on Poetry.  Students will be given a poetry packet in class on Friday.  We'll probably finish this on Wednesday, have a in-depth look "The Raven" on Thursday, assign a presentation assignment on Friday, present on Monday, and test on Tuesday.

After that, Romeo and Juliet and the Odyssey. We'll finish up the year with a novel study.

Happy Thursday!

Grade Update 9th Lit

Hello All,

Those of you who worked hard over the September Break, thank you!!!!  I've gone through and marked your grade only if you didn't turn an assignment in.  So if you did turn you should see "Not Graded Yet."  If you didn't turn it in, you should see a 0 for your score.

Students still have the opportunity to turn in their Cask CR if they haven't yet, for a late grade.  The extra September Break work's opportunity has past,

As a head's up, we'll have a test on Thursday covering the literary elements we used to analyze "Most Dangerous Game," "The Necklace," "Cask of Amontillado," and "Scarlet Ibis."

Happy Monday!

9th Lit September Break Homework and Grade Recovery

Hello All,

The homework assigned today was:

1. Complete the Computer Lab 9/18 assignment (many did in class and they should be able to log in to turnitin.com and show you their submission).
2. Over the break, the students have been assigned a Practice Test on USAtestprep.com. Students must pass this test before the end of the break.  They can retake the test multiple times--as many times as needed, but I need to see a score in my class that they have successfully passed it by 9/27.  
3. We discussed again the September Break Grade Recovery Assignment.

If you have any questions, please email me at kimberly [dot] bundschu [at] cobbk12 [dot] org.

Have a great break!

Yearbook Deadline Coming Quickly!

Hello all,

Students are working hard to complete their responsibilities before Friday so that their editors can check their pages before their deadline.  They should be able to log in to eDesign at home and show you their progress on their pages.  It's either an Academic Page or a Superlatives Page.

So that you are aware, the only Published Deadline (70% of their overall grade) that is in the gradebook right now is their Unit 1 test and test corrections.  This was a 35 point grade.  Their page, which is due on Monday, 9/21 (yes, over break), is a 100 point grade.  If they need to work over the weekend to meet the standard, they can, but only if they have all of the pictures and quotes that they need.

Thank you and have a great Tuesday.

September Break Grade Recovery Opportunity 9th Lit

Hello all,

In order to give each student the chance to improve their grades over the September Break, students have the chance to complete up to 3 assignments.  You can find the link to the assignments here.  If you have any questions, please look over the assignments before Friday.

These are great opportunities for students to either pull up, or to improve, their grades.  I hope to start October fresh and strong with our Unit 2 test set for the end of the week we return from Break.

As a head's up, in addition to these opportunities, students will have a homework assignment online over the break.  In order to complete this assignment they do need to have completed the Electronic Accounts you Must Have for This Class assignment.  If they have not already earned credit for this assignment, it means they have not completed this assignment.  Please ensure that they are ready for their homework over break by completing this at home before Friday.

I know that some students started off to a rocky start, but I can see their renewed vigor and am looking forward to a successful rest of the semester.

Quick reminder for the students: their homework tonight is to complete the talking drawings handout.  They must answer question 1, watch the Edgar Allen Poe Bio Video (found on the resources page of the blog), then answer questions 2 and 3.  

Thank you and have a great Tuesday.

Week 7 Yearbook

Hello All,

Our first deadline is this Monday, yes, even though it's over break, so students are working furiously to complete their pages.

I've gone through and caught up on grading over the weekend because grades are due today and will be send home on Friday.  Some students have not been turning in their work!  At the end of the day, what is most important is that they are finishing their pages, as those are the biggest grades we'll have.  But if they aren't doing their work now, I worry about their pages being done and meeting the standard.

If you need extra time with the computers this week, let me know--I can get here early and stay late, if I know you need to work.  I might even be able to procure a few pizzas...

My goal is for us to have an awesome book, but the book is only as awesome as our students' effort.  Let's go team!

Week 7 9th Lit

Hello all!

Grade reports will go home on Friday this week, and grades will be finalized for the report today.  Students will have an remediation opportunity over the break.  I'll be sending that home later this week.

This week we're going to read "The Necklace" and "Cask of Amontillado" and write a Constructed Response in class.

When we come back from break we'll be finishing the unit with "Scarlett Ilbis" and having our test towards the end of that first week back.

Block Scheduling really has us moving forward quickly...

Yearbook Test Accompanying PowerPoint

Click here for a link to the pictures to be used for questions 12-24 of our test today.

9th Lit Homework

Hi everyone,

You can check out the example annobib we came up with in class on the resources page.  It's just the annotation part, but you should have the rest because we did it together in class.

Your homework is to complete this form and be ready to research in the Media Center tomorrow:

Research Topic Form

Week 5 Yearbook

You have your first assignment!

Our test will be on Thursday!

If you have any questions ask Mrs. Bundschu or your Year 2 ASAP.

9th Lit Week 5

Hi Everyone!

Next week we're going to be in the Media Center on Tuesday, so you need to get your research topic approved on Monday in class.  If you don't pick one by Monday, your teacher will pick one for you.  Don't make me pick one you may or may not care about--we want you to research something you do care about.  Come in on Monday with a social issue that you would like to research.

We will also start our next unit, consisting of a variety of short stories, starting with "The Most Dangerous Game" on Wednesday.  Check out the calendar for more details.

Happy Friday!

Week 4 Yearbook

Hello everyone,

We spoke in class today and talked about grade repair opportunities.  Students will have a test next Friday that will cover all of the topics we've discussed thus far.  This will replace any work grade or quiz grade thus far that they need to.  The test will cover:

• 10 Rules of Photography
• How to Upload and tag Photos
• Caption Writing
• Angles
• Characteristics of Good Journalism including details and angle
• How to interview including open and closed questions
• Layouts

Week 4 9th Lit

Hello all,

It was wonderful to meet so many of you last night and to get so many emails.  Thank you!  I'll respond to those who emailed me as quickly as I can.

This week we're finishing Anthem, learning how to begin research, and getting ready for our Dystopian Test set for Friday.

Tomorrow, we'll be meeting in the classroom and review for the test.

Next week, we'll be going to the Media Center on Tuesday and writing our annobibs there.

Happy Wednesday!

Picture Day tomorrow

Hello All,

Since Picture Day is tomorrow, I will have a substitute in class while I coordinate the entire school to get their pictures tomorrow.

I have stressed and stressed to the students that I don't give busy work and I expect them to work hard tomorrow so we can continue strong on Wednesday.  Please reinforce this at home.  With block schedule, we don't have time to lose between now and the 15 1/2 weeks away last day of the semester (that number just keeps going down...).

Happy Monday!

Week 3 Yearbook

Hi All!

I'm really excited with our the theme and progress of our book are coming together.

I want to remind you that if you haven't finished your picture page, that's been due.  I need you to finish it so 1) you can get a good grade on it and 2) we can do the next step with that page.  Be ready for Monday--we're going to use those pages!

You can also check out the calendar to get an idea of what all is going on in class this week.

Picture Day is Tuesday and I'll have a sub that day.  However, to keep us on track, during 4th Block we'll have a pretty awesome (if I do say so myself) assignment to complete about good journalism.  Some volunteers will be helping be during 2nd period with Picture Day itself, but I'll need all students on point during 4th with that assignment.  We'll need to discuss it in class on Wednesday to keep pace, so finish it at home if you need to (you shouldn't need to if you spend your time wisely).

Happy Friday!

Week 3 9th Lit

Hi All!

I've updated the calendar with the major plan for next week.  As I've been telling students in class, as we're adjusting to block schedule we're finding that our pacing will have to be adjustable--sometimes we move through activities quicker or slower than I anticipate, so the calendar might have to be adjusted as needed.

Did you notice when the quiz would be?  Based on your responses in your Student Surveys, that was the most popular day.  So that day it is!

Have a great weekend!

PS:  Don't forget your homework!

Week 2 9th Lit

Hi everyone!

Just a quick reminder about your homework tonight!  

• You're to finish reading and notetaking "The Lottery" (copy linked on the blog).  
• You need to finish the discussion questions to the best of your ability.
• You need to attempt to diagram the plot of the story. Try to find the point of highest tension for the Climax.

All of this is so we can continue our class discussion and have a fun activity as our opening tomorrow.  If you're not prepared, we'll have to have a boring class :(

Students who worked hard in class today, have a lot less homework tonight.  Although as a reminder, you have homework every night.  If you finish the tasks above, what should you do? ;)

Happy Wednesday!

Week 1 Done! Yearbook

Congratulations on having your child make it through the first week of school!

I wanted to go ahead and touch base with you.  This week we focused on breaking down the elements of a yearbook, elements of theme, elements of photography, and started working with our yearbook software.

Some students have been rock stars in the class, doing everything I ask of them, following along, helping other students, completing all of the work, everything!  Some students have been taking their time getting back into the swing of things.  It is a lot of information for the first week of school, but in yearbook, our deadlines and responsibilities start coming hard and quicker than you can imagine.  We have to hit the ground running.

Some students are already ahead of the game and have finished most of their homework for the weekend, but please double check that your child is on track.

1. They need to go over the syllabus with you so that they and you are clear about the expectations of the class.
2. They need to complete the Welcome to the Class Student Survey that is linked on the blog.
3. They need to get you to complete the Parent/Guardian Survey on the blog.
4. They need to upload their practice pictures to eDesign, tag them eDesign Practice, put the on their practice page, and label them with which rule of composition they showed in their picture in a caption. (Due by Monday, I'm checking it first period).
5. They need to look through their assigned theme list and try to think about the feeling of the school.  Write down some themes that they think they could use to express the feeling of the school (ie: tradition is a boring theme, but we have traditions because we're a family, what themes could we use to express this feeling of family?).
6. They need to come to class prepared to discuss a theme for next year based on their homework.

All of these links can be found on the Yearbook Resources page of the blog.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me or leave me a voicemail. 

I really look forward to working with you to have an amazingly successful year together.

Sincerely,

Kim Bundschu

Week 1 Done! 9th Lit

Congratulations on having your child make it through the first week of school!

This week we focused on breaking down our reading by closely reading 2 poems and our summer reading assignment.  We worked on annotating (marking up) our texts and looking for specific things: connections, questions, figurative language (specifically similes, metaphors, personification, and imagery), and grammar (sentences and prepositional phrases).  Some of this is a review from years' past, some of this is kind of new for some students.  

Some students have been rock stars in the class, doing everything I ask of them, following along, helping other students, completing all of the work, everything!  Some students have been taking their time getting back into the swing of things.  We had a group discussion today about their effort and our goals as a class.  I recommend you also discuss this with your child.  Unlike in middle school, you have to pass ALL of your classes to move on in high school, and your GPA for college matters starting right now.  I know that every student in my classes can earn an A, but it's up to them to put forth the effort to earn that A (you can ask them about my experiences in my chemistry classes.  Yes, plural).  I know how hard it is to be a student, and I know the effort you have to put into each class.

Some students are already ahead of the game and have finished most of their homework for the weekend, but please double check that your child is on track.

1. They need to go over the syllabus with you so that they and you are clear about the expectations of the class.
2. They need to complete the Welcome to the Class Student Survey that is linked on the blog.
3. They need to get you to complete the Parent/Guardian Survey on the blog.
4. They need to make sure they've annotated their Summer Reading for 5 connections, 5 questions, figurative language (underlined and labeled, i.e.: S if it's a simile), and circled any vocabulary they didn't understand.
5. They need to respond to the quickwrite prompt about the tone in the Summer Reading article "There Will Come Soft Rains."  The instructions for the prompt were covered in class and can be found on the Tone and Mood PPT linked on the blog.

All of these links can be found on the 9th Lit Resources page of the blog.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me or leave me a voicemail. 

I really look forward to working with you to have an amazingly successful year together.

Sincerely,

Kim Bundschu

Welcome to 9th Lit or Yearbook with Mrs. Bundschu

Welcome to Mrs. Bundschu's blog my for 9th Lit and Yearbook classes.

I am so happy to have you in my class.

First up, let's discuss how you use this blog.

This tab is Weekly Updates.  It will just give you an overview of what we have planned in class this week.  It is used for a quick update.

The Resources tab for your class is the most important tab you will use.  It is where I will upload EVERYTHING for this class, including (but not limited to) important links, copies of assignments, copies of handouts, powerpoints, videos, anything we use in class.  If there is a digital version (and I do try to work in digital versions whenever possible) it will be linked on the Resources Tab.

The Calendar tab for your class is the 2nd most important tab for this class.  I use my calendar as my lesson plans.  It will show you all of the activities we do through out the day.  This is important because it not only shows you what is upcoming in our schedule, but is also where you will get the information you missed when you are absent.  If you have any questions about what you missed, you can email me at kimberly [do] bundschu [at] cobbk12 [dot] org or discuss it with me before or after class (not during) when you come back, however, I will expect that you first checked the calendar.  I put a lot of time into getting that information to you and appreciate it when you use it.

The names of activities should be the same on both the calendar and the resources page to make it easy for you.


Next up, let's talk about your first assignments.  All of these assignments will be linked on the Resources page by the first week of school.

9th Lit

1. You will get a grade for completing your Summer Reading Assignment.
2. You will get a grade when you complete the Student Survey.
3. You first major assignments will be a novel study of Anthem by Ann Rand (as a part of the Summer Reading Assignment), we will have free copies for students to borrow, but you may choose to obtain your own copy.
4. You will get your errand passes for your parents/guardians completing the Parent/Guardian Survey AND you complete the Student Survey.  These function as your bathroom/I need to go somewhere passes as well as turn into extra credit at the end of the semester if you don't use them.  It is very important you get your Parents/Guardians to fill out this survey.

Yearbook

1. You will get a grade when you complete the Student Survey.
2. You will get a grade when you complete your Yearbook Responsibilities form.
3. You will get your media pass when your parents/guardians complete the Parent/Guardian Survey AND you complete the Student Survey.

Have a great last two weeks of summer and I'm looking forward to meeting you on August 3rd or at Stampede on July 23rd.

World Lit Credit Recovery

For students who qualified for credit recovery, you can click here to see all of your assignments.

2015-2016 Kell High School's Summer Reading Assignments

Hello Everyone!

Here are the assignments for Summer Reading.  You should know what class you are signed up for next year.  If you are planning to waiver up, or are on the wait list, you should do both assignments so that you are prepared for whichever class you end up in.

9th Grade Literature (for Rising 9th Graders)

• On Level World Literature
• Honors World Literature

10th Grade Literature (for Rising 10th Graders)

• On Level World Literature
• Honors World Literature

11th Grade Literature (for Rising 11th Graders)

• On Level American Literature
• Honors American Literature
• AP Language/American Literature

12th Grade Literature (for Rising 12th Graders)

• On Level British Literature
• Honors British Literature
• AP Literature

Happy Summer!

10th World Lit Final Exam Study Guide

is on your Resources page.

Good luck!

Study Guides and Final Exams

Hello All!

Yearbook, your final exam is on the resources page.  It is due before the end of class on the day of your final.  Seniors, that is MONDAY.  Make sure you follow all of the directions and you do a GOOD JOB.  You're getting graded on quality, not quantity.

10th World Lit On Level
You can find your Poetry Study Guide here.

10th World LIt Honors
You can find your Poetry Study Guide here.

Short Story Contest Opportunity

Hello everyone!

I’ve been made aware of a short story contest opportunity I’d like to share with you.  If your child would like to participate, please email me with your permission, your child’s name, and your address (so that I can nominate them, a requirement) before 4/29.  The short story itself is due for submission by 5/15.

Please see the information below:

2015 Short Story Contest for Students in Grades 5-12 who have been nominated for a USAA Award by an educator

Topic: Open Topic

Send us a short story of 500 words. You choose the topic. Use your imagination and create a story that includes descriptive settings, colorful characters, dialogue, conflict and solutions. Perhaps you want to write a story about dragons or a day in the country, or a day in the city. Maybe you like mysteries, or adventure, or travel. Use your imagination and write about what interests you. Your story will be judged on spelling, grammar and sentence structure, as well as plot, dialogue, conflict and solutions. Stories from different grade levels are not compared to each other. For example, a 6th grade student’s short story is not compared to a 12th grader’s story. Instead, it is judged individually based on the writing capabilities and expectations of a 6th or 12th grader.

Student Instructions: All short stories submitted must be typed and double-spaced. Only one entry per student. Your name, home address, email address, nominating teacher, school name, city and state, and your grade level must appear on the first page of the text. You can email your essay to d.dinsmore@usall-academy.com or mail it to USAA, 2528 Palumbo Drive, Lexington, KY 40509. Short stories must be received by May 15th.

USAA will choose the top three short stories and award the following: First Place $500, Second Place $300, and Third Place $150. Winners will also receive one complimentary book. We will publish all three short stories in the 2015 USAA National Yearbook. You will become a published author in a nationally distributed book. Publication is an honor that stays with you for a lifetime.

All entries become the property of the United States Achievement Academy and will not be returned. Participation in this contest allows USAA to use short stories in the Academy’s publications.

Good luck to everyone!

Poetry Presentations!

Hello All,

Honors World Lit and On Level World Lit are doing tiered poetry presentations based on poems based on the level they scored on their pretests.  Check each Resources page for your specific packet which contains your rubrics on the last page.  Due to the testing schedule, the presentations will have to be different days for different class periods.  Check the calendar for when your class's deadlines are.

Yearbook We did it!  We're just finishing up the last few distributions then we can start looking ahead to next year!  We're going to have a couple of projects getting us ready for next year before our final exams.

Spring BREAK!

It's finally here~!

10th World Lit
Your vocabulary unit 8 quiz has been moved to the Wednesday we come back. :)  Your Extra Credit is on the Resources Page.

Honors World Lit
Your vocabulary unit 8 quiz has been moved to the Wednesday we come back. :)  Your Extra Credit is on the Resources Page.

Yearbook
We still have yearbooks to sell then we're going to start getting ready for next year.  :)

2 Weeks to Spring Break

Hello all,

I know we're all getting ready for that break, but make sure that you're sticking with your responsibilities until the end!

Honors 10th World Lit
Starting Monday, we're going to have our presentations.  Make sure you're ready and you have double checked all of your rubrics.  Our ATA will be Thursday.

On Level 10th World Lit
Your Parallel Reading Project is due on Friday by Midnight.  This week is vital to make sure that you are on top of this major assignment.  We also have our ATA on Thursday.

Yearbook
Your last deadline was last week!  Whew!  Now we need to focus on Marketing and selling the remaining copies of the book!

Projects and due dates -- 40 more days until Finals

Whether you say we have 8 more weeks of the semester, or only 40 days until finals, the end is quickly approaching.  Are your grades where you want them to be?

Honors 10th World Lit
On Tuesday we'll have our MuB on all of Doll House and through Act 4, scene 2 in Taming of the Shrew.  Students should also be working on their Multigenre Research Projects.  Remember, the instructions said I expect you to wow me.  If you want that A, that's what you should go for.

We're getting really close to our Field Trip and I'm very excited about it.  I hope you are too.

10th World Lit
As we finish up Doll House the students have a couple of projects to complete.  Their Character Analysis Foldable is counting as their MuB for this unit, and their writing assignment is due on Turnitin.com before midnight on Tuesday.

Yearbook
All students are only working on their Spring Supplement pages.  These will be the last pages in the book then we'll focus on marketing and getting ready for next year.

Credit Recovery and Weekly Update

On Level 10th World Lit
Students who qualify for credit recovery for the mid semester opportunity are students who earned a 60 or below on either their test or their writing.  The orange forms were sent home yesterday and are due by Friday.  The session will be four days starting on 3/13, 3:45-4:45, in Ms. Baker's room.

In class this week we're reading Doll House and analyzing the characters.  We started the project that will count as their Mid Unit Benchmark in class today.  If you weren't in class, you'll need to make an appointment before or after school to get the minilesson.

Don't forget about the vocabulary quiz on Friday.  Unit 7.

Honors 10th World Lit
We've had some time in class to work on our Muligenre research projects and I'm really fascinated by some of your choices.  I expect amazing presentations.  Tomorrow we'll start with our background reading of Taming of the Shrew.  I hope you have your No Fear Shakespeare copies in class tomorrow.  Don't forget about our voc quiz on Friday (unit 7), and our Doll House quiz tomorrow.

Yearbook. 
We're working on our final deadline, our Spring Supplement.  There is no more time, we have to get the pages turned in.

Week 8

Hello all!

10th World Lit Honors
This week we'll start reading A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen (translated by Rolf Fjelde) in class.  After this week, we'll finish reading A Doll House at home as your parallel reading, and will start reading the No Fear Shakespeare version of Taming of the Shrew in class.  The time has come and I hope you have your copies!  Remember, you can access both texts online, but will need to be able to read Taming in class (either on your phone, or hardcopy).  Personally, I don't like to read on the computer/phone, so I prefer a hardcopy, but the choice is yours.  We're going to start having reading quizzes on Doll House, to make sure you're up to date at home.  We'll base our pace on how much we get through this week.  Both plays will be on the unit test.

In order to get ready for this, please complete the Background PPT and the anticipation guide (both on the Resources Page) this weekend.

10th World Lit On Level
This week we'll start reading A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen.  You'll also get your reading packet and Character Analysis Foldable Instructions and Rubric.  The foldable will be your Mid Unit Benchmark and we will have a Unit Test on this play.  If you miss a day, make sure you catch up on the online textbook linked on the blog.

Yearbook
We are getting so close to the end.  All we have left is our Spring Supplement!

Snow Days

The "Snow" Days necessitated a change in plans.  As of today, we've finally caught up with everyone and will finish the Search for Meaning Unit with today's test.

As an FYI, I'll be updating the calendar a little differently, including Activators and Summarizers.  That's what the A: and S: mean.

Happy Friday.

Change in plans

Hi all,

If you were in class today, you understand why I put in for a sub tomorrow.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience and the change in pace this will necessitate.  

Honors

I'm going to leave a review ppt with the sub for your ATA on Thursday, which will now be Friday.  Presentations will be Wed-Thurs (order will remain the same on the sign up sheet).  This means your test will be Tuesday, not Monday.

On Level

Ms. Bagley will take you to the lab tomorrow to complete your writing assignment.  Presentations are going to be on Wednesday, ATA is on Thursday, test on Monday.

Yearbook

You were given an assignment today.  Make sure it's ready to turn in on Wednesday when I get back!

I'm sorry for the change in plans.  Hopefully I'll feel well by Wednesday.  Being sick this long is very frustrating. 

Happy Monday,

Week 4

Hello Everybody!

10th World Lit
This week we'll be really getting into our selections of Don Quixote as well as working on a Speaking and Listening Project at home (due Friday).

Honors 10th World Lit
This week we'll be reading from selections of Candide.  Be ready for the Night test on Monday.  19 people made As on the ATA today (woo hoo!) and the grades are in Synergy.  Check and see if one of the As was you!

Yearbook
We only have one more deadline before the Spring Supplement.  Are you ready for the end?

Honors World Lit Field Trip and Deadlines

Hello everyone!

I'm really excited that so many students have already brought in their permission slips and $22.  The deadline is tomorrow.  I have put in both the permission slips, the money, and the lunch money (optional) as zero weighted grades in Synergy.  If you want to check if your child has turned in their stuff, "Not Due" means no, "100" means yes.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.

Also, tomorrow the students will have their 2nd Night Quiz and the Part II of the Packet is due.  Please make sure they are prepared.

Edit:  Due to request, I've decided not to collect the Art part of the Part II assignment until next Thursday, the day of the ATA.  If you want to turn it in early, that's fine.

Happy Thursday!

Week 3

Hello All,

Open House will be at 6pm on Thursday, January 29th.  I would love to see you there.

As a reminder, check the calendar to see what's coming up in the class.

10th World Lit
Continue to read and make progress on your Parallel Reading.  Remember, there is no safety net this semester; you have to turn in everything.  We're working through "The Metamorphosis" in class.  Make sure you're studying your cornell notes a little bit every few days.  Don't forget about your vocabulary quiz on Friday.

Honors 10th World Lit
We're moving forward to Part II of Night.  In class, our Metamorphosis MUB is on Thursday.  Make sure you've read through Metamorphsis so that you are ready for that test.  If you need to come early or stay late to read the book version, let me know.  Field Trip Money and permission slips are due by Friday.  Please make sure you have $22 cash or check made out to Kell High School.  We'll order lunches later, closer to the date.

Yearbook
Your blue deadline is due next Monday.  Make sure you're working hard to get everything you need done this class.  Use your time effectively.

World Lit and Honors World Lit Homework

I said it in class, but wanted to follow up.  

10th World Lit

Students will need to read "The Metamorphosis" through the end of Part 2 for Tuesday.  I copy has been placed on the resources page.  They need to take notes and come to class prepared to ask any questions they have.

Honors World Lit

Try to read through whatever you need to in order to be ready for the MUB on Thursday.  Please bring back your Field Trip Permission Slips and $22 before Friday.

Have a Great Weekend!

Yearbook

Hello Yearbook Students and Parents!

Your first deadline for the semester is this Thursday.  Try your best to meet your deadlines.  If you make your deadlines, you'll pass.   If you don't, it will be a lot harder of a class for you.

We can do this!

10th World Lit

Hello 10th World Lit Students and Parents!

Just some reminders for this Friday:

• Welcome Back Letter
• Vocabulary miniquiz Unit 5 1-10
• Parallel Reading Parent Permission Slip
• Parallel Reading Show me your book

Happy Wednesday!

Honors 10th World Lit

Hello Honors Students and Parents!

I am very happy to officially announce that we got approval from Mr. Wagner to go on a Field Trip on April 1st to the Shakespeare Tavern to see one of the plays we are reading, "Taming of the Shrew."

This invaluable experience will finish up our unit on Gender and Society and will occur right before the unit test. 

Students will need to bring in $22 (exact change or check made out to Kell High School) before next Friday, 1/23.

Other reminders for what is due this Friday:

• Holocaust Museum Webquest on Turnitin.com
• Weclome Back Letter Signed
• Vocab Unit 5 miniquiz 1-10
• Night Packet (2 articles, Anticipation Guide, Part I sheet)

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome Back to 10th World Lit!

Welcome Back to 10^th World Lit!

I hope you had a fabulous Winter Break.

This letter contains just a few reminders and pointers to bring us back to a successful Spring Semester.  

1. Errand Passes will be passed out to each student who brings the bottom portion of this paper (which will be sent home on Friday) back signed.  Remember, Errand Passes are your tickets out the door, your one day late pass, and turn into extra credit at the end of the semester.  
2. We’re starting our Parallel Reading in the Media Center tomorrow.  Please make sure you sign and return the permission slip ASAP.
3. I frequently send home mass emails through Synergy. Please check that your email is correct in Synergy to ensure that you them.
4. I put everything I can on the blog. 
5. As I've told the students, we will not be offering an in class grade recovery opportunity at the end of the semester. Students who are about to be in 11th grade need to learn the responsibility of keeping up with their assignments to make sure they pass on their own merit. This semester there is no safety net.
6. With Flu reaching epidemic levels (seriously, that is what the CDC has labeled it this year), we would love donations of tissue and hand sanitizer for the classroom.  Some Lysol wipes wouldn't hurt either.  

I’m really excited about the topics we’re going to be covering this semester (even if a few of them are a bit depressing) in our units The Search for Meaning (reading selections from Night by Wiesel, “The Metamorphosis” by Kafka, and selections from Don Quixote by Dante), Gender and Society (reading Doll’s House by Ibsen), and ending the year with Around the World through Poetry (reading a variety of poems from around the world).  

            I’m looking forward to an awesome semester and hope you are, too!

            Kim Bundschu

Welcome Back Honor's 10th World Lit

Welcome Back to Honors 10^th World Lit!

I hope you had a fabulous Winter Break.

This letter contains just a few reminders and pointers to bring us back to a successful Spring Semester.  

1. Errand Passes will be passed out to each student who brings the bottom portion of this paper (which will be sent home on Friday) back signed.  Remember, Errand Passes are your tickets out the door, your one day late pass, and turn into extra credit at the end of the semester.  
2. We’re starting our Parallel Reading of Night by Wiesel on Monday.  There are copies in the library, or you can buy your own.  
3. Other books you need are Doll’s House by Ibsen (although it is in the online textbook) and the No Fear Shakespeare version of Taming of the Shrew, which you need to be able to access it in the classroom.
4. I frequently send home mass emails through Synergy. Please check that your email is correct in Synergy to ensure that you them.
5. I put everything I can on the blog. 
6. With Flu reaching epidemic levels (seriously, that is what the CDC has labeled it this year), we would love donations of tissue and hand sanitizer for the classroom.  Some Lysol wipes wouldn’t hurt either.  

I’m really excited about the topics we’re going to be covering this semester (even if a few of them are a bit depressing) in our units The Search for Meaning (reading Night by Wiesel, “The Metamorphosis” by Kafka, and selections from The Inferno by Dante), Gender and Society (reading Doll’s House by Ibsen and Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare), and ending the year with Around the World through Poetry (reading a variety of poems from around the world).  

            I’m looking forward to an awesome semester and hope you are, too!

            Kim Bundschu