September Break and Upcoming Assignments

Hello Students,

Our World Lit and Honors World Lit classes just finished a big week.  Our first Socratic Seminar, a Reading Test, and a Writing Test--all going into the Summative Category.

Turnitin.com is still frustratingly down.  So that means I need all of you to turn in your major writing assignments to Google Classroom for now so I can grade them there.  Follow the instructions on each assignment.  Please bare with me as we work through this technological breakdown. 

Our next unit will focus on Cultural Perspectives from around the world.  We'll be having reading assessments as we go through the readings, but we'll also be working towards a narrative and an argument paper, as well as a presentation.  Exciting things!

On Level classes should still be reading a personal choice book. 

Honors classes, when we get back from break we'll begin reading Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver as a parallel text to what we read in class.  This means, I need you to obtain a copy -- digital or physical, rented or bought, up to you -- and you'll have reading targets each week so that we can have our discussions in class.  You will be completing a Major Works Data Sheet on this text.  You are not assigned to read it over the break, but if you choose to read ahead so that you'll have less homework each night when we get back, that choice is yours to make.

Yearbook classes, your first mod is due today.  As we discussed in class, if you don't have your things on the page before midnight, you're earning a zero until you do, and when your content is on the page, the best score you can earn is 50.  You've had weeks.  You know what's expected of you.  I've also assigned you your next spread.  Make sure you look at the topic on the ladder and know what you are going to cover.  Start thinking about your plan.

All Classes: When we do return from the break, I have been summoned for Jury Duty.  As you know, this can be a short or a long summons.  However, as I told the students in class today, my lesson plans are the same whether they tell me I have to go to the courthouse or not.  Any time I am in class or not, I have spent time and effort into creating meaningful instruction and learning for you.  There are no free days--we are always practicing a skill to help you meet the standard. 

I hope you have a fantastic Fall Break. 

Week 7, Socratic Seminar and Deadlines

Hello All!

This week is a pretty big week.

Honors and On Level World Lit, your first Socratic Seminar is tomorrow.  Make sure you come to the discussion prepared by having the questions answered before you walk in the door.  You can see a copy of the questions and the rubric on the resources page.  Remember, the Socratic Seminar will help you to discuss things that will be on the test on Thursday.  Be prepared.

Yearbook, your first deadline is officially Friday.  You absolutely need to have your pictures and quotes in eDesign before the end of the day on Thursday so that we can do final touches in class.  If you are not done before you leave, you'll earn a 0 and late work has a maximum grade of 50.  I've already extended this deadline, so you have had time.  Be prepared.

There's a lot of major grades going on so we can start fresh after the break.  Do your best until the end!

Week 6

Hello All,

We have big things coming up in our classes as we're closing out this grading period.

Honors:

We're finishing up our Oedipus part of the unit and doing final filming on Monday (although if they're done and uploaded to Youtube before Monday, I'll be very happy) as well as going through Hero's Journey.  We're moving into the other half of the unit as we do a dive into types of plots and getting ready for our Synthesis Argument Essay.  Don't forget that you have 2 MWDS due next Friday.  Make sure you're keeping up with your notebook as our test is coming up.

On Level:

We're finishing up the types of plots and Hero's Journey part of the unit on Monday.  We'll be moving into the other half of the unit, Oedipus, as we get ready for our Synthesis Argument Essay.  Make sure you're keeping up with your notebook as our test is coming up.

Yearbook:

You've been assigned your first pages and your Mods need to be turned in by the last day of the month.  Remember, if you turn them in early, I'll check them and give you immediate feedback for you to fix for free.  If you wait until they're due and I have to fix them, then you'll loose points.

You do have a quiz grade due by the end of the day on Monday to add the portraits template, the pink divider lines template, and a mod that matches the number of green boxes in your designated space (in the search bar type the number across x the number down without spaces and hit enter. ie: 4x5, 13x3).  The templates you need are at the bottom of the template tab in eDesign.  You can look at finished examples:

• Pages 22-23: 26x3 mod (since Band is a big subject, going across the whole spread is a good idea)
• Page 27: 13x3 mod (a half spread mod)
• Page 37: 6x7 mod (a cut out from the inside of the portraits)

Remember, don't cut portraits without paying attention to where the names are going to be.  Keep the pink spacers on for now and make sure they touch the portrait boxes as well as the mod edges--never change the thickness of the pink line.  If you need help with this, we can talk about it on Monday, but you need to turn yours in before the end of the day Monday.

This will help you know how big your final product for the spread will be.  How many action pictures?  How many captions?

Be prepared.  We're going to create our rules for a good caption next week and all hands need to be on deck for Picture Day on Friday.

I hope you have a great weekend!