Capstone and Independent Reading

Hello All,

This week students are finishing their research for the Capstone Project.  Honors will be expected to complete this assignment before we get back from Spring Break, while on level will be composing the project in class together.

After we come back from Spring Break students will be completing an Independent Reading Project.

In Honors:
For this project, they were asked to choose a book from the list of books that have appeared on the AP Lit test, found here, so that they will be more well-read and better prepared for that test, if they should choose to take it.  As such, the list is large and some of the texts are on varied maturity levels.

In On Level:
For this project, students were asked to choose a book that they want to read as reading more promotes better literacy and raises vocabulary and lexile levels just through the act of reading.

For everyone:
If you have any concerns with your child's choice, please let both of us know so that they can choose another book.

Students are expected to bring this text with them to class on Monday when we return from Spring Break.

Happy Thursday!

Capstone Project and Independent Reading

Hello All, This week students are finishing their research for the Capstone Project. Honors will be expected to complete this assignment before we get back from Spring Break, while on level will be composing the project in class together. After we come back from Spring Break students will be completing an Independent Reading Project. In Honors: For this project, they were asked to choose a book from the list of books that have appeared on the AP Lit test, found here, so that they will be more well-read and better prepared for that test, if they should choose to take it. As such, the list is large and some of the texts are on varied maturity levels. In On Level: For this project, students were asked to choose a book that they want to read as reading more promotes better literacy and raises vocabulary and lexile levels just through the act of reading. For everyone: If you have any concerns with your child's choice, please let both of us know so that they can choose another book. Students are expected to bring this text with them to class on Monday when we return from Spring Break. Happy Thursday!

Fast approaching Spring Break

Hello All!

As we look forward to Spring Break, here's a head's up of upcoming assignments and expectations.

Honors: 

• Our Poisonwood Bible Socratic Seminar is Monday, come to class with a physical copy of your answers.
• The Poisonwood Bible MWDS is due Tuesday.
• The Poisonwood Bible Test is on Tuesday.
• The Vocabulary Test covering units 1-4 is Wednesday.
• Your next step, including all previous steps, in the Capstone Project is due Wednesday.
• We'll be starting Doll House before we leave.  We'll be reading from the textbook in class, and there will be a copy-write free version on the Resources Page.  You will have a MWDS and a test when we return.
• We will be starting our reading circles (independent reading, but from a list) when we get back, so you'll need a copy of your text on Monday when we return.

On Level:

• Your Vocabulary Test Covering units 1-4 is Wednesday.
• Your next step, including all previous steps, in the Capstone Project is due Wednesday.
• We'll be starting Doll House before we leave.  We'll be reading from the textbook in class, and there will be a copy-write free version on the Resources Page.  You will have a test when we return.
• We will be starting our reading circles (independent reading) when we get back, so you'll need a copy of your text on Monday when we return.

Happy Friday!

This week and while I'm gone

Hello All,

As we've discussed in class, on Thursday you'll be going over Unit 4 Vocab from the Resources Page and continuing to work on your draft.  On Friday you'll be completing the Unit 4 crossword that you already have and continuing to work on your draft. 

Some reminders is that if you are writing a poem, you'll need to include *poetic devices* (you can choose from the whole list).  If you're writing a story, you'll need to include specifically *figurative language and/or sound devices*. 

Your final drafts are due Sunday night on turnitin.com.

I'm looking forward to reading your amazing stories on Monday in class.

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!