Change in Plans

Hello all,

Due to a death in the family I'll be out tomorrow.  This means that your vocabulary test will now be on Friday.

Honors, you received the Marriage is a Private Affair activity today. 

On Level, we started the Marriage is a Private Affair today. 

Your job is to:

1. In the Learning Target and the Setting a Purpose for Reading, you should circle the verbs and underline the direct objects. 
2. When you are identifying the 5 narrative elements in the text make sure to annotate when you find them and include details about: setting, sequence of events, point of view, theme, and characters. For example, what do you learn and can you infer about the characters?
3. After you've read through the story once, read it a second time and answer the questions and create and complete the chart in a separate piece of paper. 

You will turn in both your copy of the story and your answer sheet to the sub.

If you finish early, you may:

1. Read
2. Practice vocab (individually or with a partner)

I'll see you all Thursday.

Ending Week 7 and February Break

Hello All,

As we finish up these last few days before the break, stay strong!  Progress reports will be sent home the week we come back.

After tomorrow's assembly, we'll be completing the next step of the Capstone Project.  The step by step instructions are already on the Resources Page.

An optional assignment is on the Resources Page to help recover your Precourse Reading grade.  Yes, it involves reading a book, but it's a short book, my copy is 167 pages.  See the assignment for details.

Honors students, we'll also start reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver tonight.  On average, you should be reading about 19 pages a night to stay on target for our final assessment.  By the Monday we return, you should read through page 134 (if you're reading the 1998 Harper Perennial version) and you'll stop in "Book 2" at Adah's chapter that starts "Walk to Learn.  I am Path.  Long one is Congo."  There will be a quiz when you get back on Monday.

I hope you have a fantastic break!

Looking towards Weeks 6 and 7 and Next Year's English Classes

Hello All!

I've updated the calendars with the tentative plan for the next 2 weeks.  Yes, those are tests coming up.  Yep, presentations, too.  You can do it.  I believe in you.

We need to talk about next year's placement.  Moving up from our World Literature classes, you have 3 options.

1. On Level American Literature -- your standard 11th grade literature class that is a requirement for graduation with an EOC.
2. AP Language -- the Advanced Placement course that focuses on the language of English that includes what you need for your American Lit requirement for graduation and an EOC.  If you pass the AP test in the spring, it counts for college credit.
3. AP American Studies -- the year long Advanced Placement courses that combines AP US History and AP Language with American Literature in an A day/B day class that discusses the documents from American History for both their literary and historical merits.  It counts as your American Lit graduation requirement as well as your American History requirement.  You will take the American Lit EOC and for each AP Test you pass in the spring, it counts for college credit.

Please talk over your placement desires with your families and be prepared to let me know what you wish to be placed in next week.  AP classes are a lot of work, but if you're willing to do the work, they are worthwhile endevours.  

Parents, if you have any questions or specific requests, please email me and let me know.

Happy Friday!

Looking for Writing Fair Entries

If you are interested in submitting a piece of writing please contact me asap so we can make sure to get your entry in.  We need your entries before Valentine's Day.  See the official rules below.

2017-2018
Cobb County School District Writing Fair
PURPOSES
The purposes of the Writing Fair are (1) to encourage students K-12 to develop writings that represent their best efforts, (2) to provide a context for schools to support and celebrate the writing successes of all students, (3) to encourage and recognize student achievement in writing throughout the system
HOW TO ENTER
Each participating school may hold a local school Writing Fair using guidelines/criteria outlined in this packet. Each school judges, selects, and submits one winning entry per grade level within your school. Submit local school winning entries with the entry form attached. Make sure all entries follow all guidelines and all signatures have been signed. (Use provided checklist)
WHAT TO WRITE: Students entries may include:
a. Short Stories
b. Poetry
c. Essays/Literary Criticism/Analysis
d. Journalism
e. Academic/Research Reports
f. Personal Narratives
g. Any Other Original Student Writing
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ENTRIES
1. Entries must be student generated
2. Entries must be single authored.
3. Entries must not exceed five pages – FRONT ONLY – 8 ½ X 11 paper
4. Entries can be typed or neatly written. (If typed must be Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced).
5. Entries must be original (no copies are needed). We recommend making copies for your records and also if student and/or parent/guardian wants a copy.
6. Do not bind, make a cover for, decorate, laminate, or otherwise alter the original paper on which the entry is written.
7. Student # on top right corner of EACH page of the entry. PLEASE DO NOT PUT NAME OF STUDENT, TEACHER, OR SCHOOL ON PAPER.
8. Entries must be accompanied by an official entry form. Entry forms must be filled out completely and signed by the student, parent, and teacher. Any entry submitted without ALL signatures will be disqualified.