Friday December 13 Periods B, E Monday December 16 Period F
Today in class you had time to:
annotate your article from me and the web page you printed from the library
categorize your information into 3 or 4 categories
answer your question
Grammar Review Terms of the Day:
Prepositional Phrases and Appositives
Study these notes about the two types of phrases and how to tell them apart. Click here! Here's a quiz.
Information on all of these concepts is clearly spelled out on this page, and if you scroll down to the bottom, there's a practice quiz and a key that you can download.
Independent and Dependent/Subordinate Clauses
A nice teacher somewhere out on the Internet put together this presentation on the concept. Study it.
I love this quiz! It tells you why you got it wrong (if you get it wrong).
And there's a part two!
Today we went to the Information Commons to look for a web page to go along with the article I gave you for our research project. You were able to print one out there, or if you couldn't find one in the time you had in the lab, you could find and print one out at home.
Also, we did a review of persuasive elements. You were able to keep this handout to study from.
Grammar Review Terms of the Day:
Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives
Confused about the concept? Read about predicate nominatives here and predicate adjectives here
This is a review worksheet: click! Here are the answers: click! Here's a quiz. Another quiz (kind of challenging)
Tuesday December 10 Periods B, E Wednesday December 11 Period F
Countdown to Final Exam:
10 Days (Pd. B, E)
9 Days (Pd. F)
Today you chose your question for the research project and annotated the article I gave you. You answered questions about the Thomas Paine speech AND about persuasive speeches in general. This was all due in class today.
Next class, we will go to the library so that you can find a website to add to your question.
Grammar Review Terms of the Day:
Direct and Indirect Objects
Study them using this website Here's a fun online quiz! Here's another!
Oh, you like those worksheet pages? Here are the worksheets. Do them. Now check your answers here.
Thursday December 5 Periods B, E Friday December 6 Period F
Here is the rubric for the Caleb's Crossing essay...in case you misplaced yours. It is due on Thursday 12/12. If you turn it in on Monday (whether you have class or not), you can get 2 extra credit points.
We went over your comma homework and then took the practice quiz. The real quiz will be next class period.
Then we went over all of the persuasive speaking devices as well as pathos, logos and ethos again. We applied them to Patrick Henry's speech.
We went over the final information on your Caleb's Crossing paper. It is due next Thursday, December 12. If, however, you turn it in on Monday December 9, you will get 2 extra credit points towards your paper. (This deadline counts EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE CLASS on Monday December 9! You can find your way to my classroom to drop it off.) The rubric is under "handouts"--and don't forget you will need all of your graded steps to turn in along with your final draft.
Next, we read Patrick Henry's "Speech in the Virginia Convention" and you took notes on some rhetorical (speaking) techniques.
When you get back from Thanksgiving break, Steps 1-7 must be done. This means:
Your paper is on Google Drive, shared with me at my gmail address and shared with your partner.
Your paper is finished completely.
Your paper has been edited by your partner following the requirements listed on Step 7
You have edited your partners paper following the requirements listed on Step 7
Because we've spent so much time on this in class, there will be NO LATE WORK POINTS GIVEN. However, to advance to Step 8, you will have to complete the previous steps, even if you're not earning points.
I will be out of town, so I'm not sure how much email I'll be able to answer, especially on Sunday. Rely on one another if you run into problems!
All handouts for this paper are in the handouts folder over on the right.
Wednesday November 13 Period F Thursday November 14 Period B, E
Today we did even more work on clauses, conjunctions, and simple/compound/complex sentences. We did page 81 in your grammar workbook and we did questions 1-10 on the handout called "Types of Sentences: Formative Practice." If you'd like to do questions 11-20 for practice, I put the answer key over in the "handouts" folder, or you can click here: click! You'll have a quiz over this next class.
Next, you had to complete the handout on theme that I also put in the handouts folder (it's also here: click!). You should ultimately come up with two or three potential themes for your paper on Caleb's Crossing. This is due when you walk into class next time!
Tuesday, November 12 Period F Wednesday, November 13 Periods B, E
Today we reviewed subordinating and coordinating conjunctions, and then we added simple, compound, and complex sentences into the mix. We will finish those up and then take a practice quiz over them next class.
We spent the rest of class talking about our new paper--a thematic essay over Caleb's Crossing. We did this by following the Write Source book chapter on writing a theme paper. You should have a rough out line of a theme statement done by the end of class.
Wednesday November 6 Period F Monday November 11 Period B, E
Today we started a new grammar unit: CLAUSES AND CONJUNCTIONS. Everyone has to participate in this one! There's a handout; it's in the handouts folder!
Then we read the rest of the book together. I may have shed a tear.
For next week, you will need your red Write Source book. It looks like this:
You spent the rest of class with the character you chose to investigate from the beginning of the book to the end. You filled out a character chart for this person, tracing his or her development by selecting and explaining quotes that show growth (positive, negative, or neither...any growth!). Get these charts in class if you were absent, and find out how many you had to fill out for today.
1. You took your quiz over chapters 16, 17, and 18
2. Your next assignment is to read chapters 19, 20, and 21.
2. You turned in your 3 papers, with the one you want graded on top.
3. We went over prepositional phrases, and the quiz will be tomorrow. Find extra practice at these websites: This one This one This one (scroll down the page for answers)
Period B:
We looked at the third paper you'll be writing: "What is the Perfect ____?" We looked at a sample (in the handouts folder over on the right). And the requirements for this paper are on the handout called "Writing to Inform & Explain" (in fact, the requirements for ALL THREE papers are on this handout!). You have a copy of it, or it's in the handouts folder. Pretty much everything is in the handouts folder! All three of these papers are due on Friday. They don't need to be typed, but they do need to be in perfect, final-draft form. Put the one you want graded on top.
We didn't get to grammar today, but we WILL go over that preposition homework!
We had a quiz on Caleb, chapters 14-18.
Your homework is to read chapters 19-21.
Period E:
You had your quiz on chapters 14-18.
Your homework is to read chapters 19-21.
Period F Thursday, October 24 Periods B, E Friday, October 25
Pd. F: You took the chapters 13 & 14 quiz, and then you completed the writing assignment called "What is the perfect _____?" (I put a copy in the handouts folder; link to that is over on the left!) You should model your paper after this sample. Specific directions for what should be included are on the handout I gave you called "Writing to Inform or Explain"--you should have it in your binder. If you don't, there's a copy in the handouts folder over on the right. This is due with the other two writing assignments on Monday.
Have chapters 16, 17, and 18 read for Monday.
Pd. B: We read chapter 13 together and you read chapter 14 in class. Your homework is to read chapters 15, 16, 17, and 18 for next class.
Pd. E: You took the chapters 14 & 15 quiz, and then you completed the writing assignment called "What is the perfect _____?" (I put a copy in the handouts folder; link to that is over on the left!) You should model your paper after this sample. Specific directions for what should be included are on the handout I gave you called "Writing to Inform or Explain"--you should have it in your binder. If you don't, there's a copy in the handouts folder over on the right. This is due with the other two writing assignments on Tuesday. Homework: Read chapters 16, 17, and 18.
Monday, October 21 Pd. F Tuesday, October 22 Pd. B, E
You had your chapters 10,11 quiz
We did a character activity based on your life graph that you turned in (pd. F will turn it in on Wednesday).
Grammar workbook homework (due on Thursday for periods B, E, and F)
Page 57, 58: exercises 1 & 2
Page 59: exercise 1
Page 60: exercises 1 & 2 DUE NEXT TIME WE HAVE CLASS
Tuesday, October 15 Pd. F Thursday, October 17 Pd. B, E
Today you had your chapters 5-7 quiz.
You worked on the second of three writing assignments you will turn in. The handout is in class, or you can get it in the handouts folder. It's called "Sometimes You Can Judge A Book By Its Cover."
Wednesday, October 9 Period F Thursday, October 10 Periods B, E
Today we went over the grammar homework, which was pages 51 & 52 in the workbook. There will be a quiz over PN/PA next class.
Then you took a quiz over Part II, chapter 1 of Caleb.
Finally, you worked on characterizing Caleb and Pastor Mayfield on the handouts you received in class. You didn't have time to finish it, so we will work on it again another time.
Homework: Read chapters 2, 3, 4 of Part II of Caleb.
Tuesday, October 8 Pd. F Wednesday, October 9 Pd. B, E
Today you took a quiz over Part I of the book.
You worked on the writing we started in class last time, and I gave you a handout for this assignment. You won't turn it in until we do three of these writing assignments.
Finally, we worked on predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives. You'll have a quiz next class (pd. F) or we will work more on them next time (B and E).
Friday, October 4 Period F Monday, October 7 Periods B, E
Today we discussed chapters 7 & 8. We didn't discuss 9 yet, but I assigned you to read the end of part 1 of the next class. You'll have a quiz over all of Part I then.
Next, we started some writing. You began writing your own essay after we read a few aloud.
Thursday, October 3 Period F Friday, October 4 Periods B, E
You had a quiz over chapter 6. (You need to see me to make it up if you were absent! See the procedure sheet for information about this--it WILL turn into a 0 if you ignore it.)
You also took the direct/indirect object quiz. (Same as above about making it up if you were absent.)
Finally, we discussed chapter 6 in a group. Your homework is to read chapters 7, 8, and 9.
Tuesday, October 1 Period F Wednesday, October 2 Periods B, E
Today we read part of chapter 6 together, then you took another difficult reading assessment. Your homework is to read the rest of chapter 6 on your own.
We went over direct and indirect objects, and the quiz will be next class period.
Finally, your task this week is to create a blog on www.blogger.com and to email me your address.
Extra grammar help:
Lessons 106 - 110 contain practice questions...they start here. (click the word "here")
Wednesday, September 25 Period F Thursday, September 26 Periods B, E
If you didn't receive a 19 or a 20 on the DO/IO grammar quiz, your homework is to complete the following in your grammar workbook (this is due FRIDAY for periods B and E, and MONDAY for period F):
Exercise 1 ONLY on pages 51-54
Then we worked on characterizing two of the main characters: Bethia and Makepeace. You did this on a handout you'll have to pick up in the classroom.
Tuesday, September 24 Period F Wednesday, September 25 Periods B, E
Today we took the first "difficult reading assessment." This is a way I can see how you're progressing with your reading without penalizing you for not understanding the language. You paraphrased (in different ways) five passages. I'll give them small grades, and gradually the passages (and my grading) will be more difficult. My expectation is that you will get better at it!
Next we discussed the end of chapter 3 and we read chapter 4 together. Your homework is to read chapter 5.
Thursday, September 19 Period F Friday, September 20 Periods B, E
Today we took the quiz over your background presentations.
Then we read chapter 2 of Caleb's Crossing together. Your homework is to read chapter 3 up to the top of page 20. In your book you should make notes on character, and make notes if you have questions. Be ready to discuss it in class!
Today we started Caleb's Crossing. We looked at the cover and answered some questions, and then looked at some maps of the setting, Martha's Vineyard:
Next, I gave you some words and definitions to put in your book so you could refer to them as you read. I will do this before each chapter, and you can add to it as you read. You can also add character names and who they are to help you as you go.
Finally, we looked at some annotating strategies. At this point in the book, I recommend using annotating to look for the following:
Character information - what are they like? What worries them? What motivates them? What can I look forward to from them? Why are they in the novel--what is their function?
Questions / Confusion - to ask about in class. But try and figure it out yourself...there's NOTHING wrong with taking a guess, and you'll be surprised at how insightful you can be.
Here's a look at my annotations, which are all over the place (click on the words for the link!):
Finally, we started watching part of "We Shall Remain" - a documentary about Native American history at the time and in the place the novel takes place. You have a few questions to answer as we watch, which you can get in class.
Chapter 1 Terms to Know
Paganism:
Religion that is not Christian or Jewish. One who has no religion.
“Satan’s
Thrall” – servant
Shakedown –
bed
Hellebore –
plant
Idolatry –
blind or excessive devotion to something that isn’t God
To be “in
meeting” – to be in church services
Pawaaw –
wizard, medicine man, spiritual leader
Sorcerer –
one who practices magic
Calvanism –
Christian set of beliefs that stresses God’s power, the weakness of human
beings, and predestination.
Today you gave your Caleb's Crossing background presentations.
If we had time, we worked on the Unit 2 Wrap-Up handout, which you can find in the "handouts" folder over on the right. Please have that completed and in your binder!
Thursday, September 12 Period F Friday, September 13 Period B, E
Today we went over your subject/predicate grammar quizzes.
Then you had time to work on your Caleb's Crossing background project. Be sure you are ready to go for next week (Monday for period F, Tuesday for periods B & E) with your Glog and with each member of your group explaining part of your topic with a notecard. And please be sure to send me your quiz with 5 questions/answers before then!
We're going to start reading Caleb's Crossing next week, so have it ready! You can't buy one from a student who has already read it, because you will have to do your own annotating.
Our Unit 2: New Beginnings unit is coming to an end, so we reviewed both handouts. I also asked you to find two quotes for #2 for the William Bradford story to support your answer. We have one more story to read in this unit, then we'll complete the unit wrap-up (but you got the handout today--see handouts folder).
To commemorate the anniversary of September 11 this week, and to complement the explorers' writings we've been studying, we read two firsthand narrative accounts of survivors of the attacks in New York City. Then we watched videos featuring interviews with survivors of the attacks.
In your grammar groups, you went over your homework pages and there will be a quiz over subjects and predicates next time we have class. Here is what you can do to get ready:
Friday, September 6 Period F Monday, September 9 Period B
Today we continued the New Beginnings unit with two more readings.
We took background notes on the two authors: John Smith and William Bradford. Then we read parts of the stories. This is all outlined on the handout, which is in the handouts folder. The questions are there as well.
Then you took a grammar pre-test over subjects/predicates. If you didn't get a 19 or a 20 on it, you need to complete pages 41-46 in your grammar workbook, exercise 1 only on each page. This is due next class.
Period E
Our Unit 2: New Beginnings unit is coming to an end, so we reviewed both handouts. I also asked you to find two quotes for #2 for the William Bradford story to support your answer. We have one more story to read in this unit, then we'll complete the unit wrap-up (but you got the handout today--see handouts folder).
To commemorate the anniversary of September 11 this week, and to complement the explorers' writings we've been studying, we read two firsthand narrative accounts of survivors of the attacks in New York City. Then we watched videos featuring interviews with survivors of the attacks.
In your grammar groups, you went over your homework pages and there will be a quiz over subjects and predicates next time we have class. Here is what you can do to get ready:
We took background notes (there's a handout in the handouts folder) and we read "Journal of the First Voyage to America" by Christopher Columbus. Then you went on an exploration of Carmel's new areas and wrote a letter describing what you saw.
Thursday, September 5 Period B
You had your binder check today.
Today we began our next unit: New Beginnings.
We took background notes (there's a handout in the handouts folder) and we read "Journal of the First Voyage to America" by Christopher Columbus. Then you went on an exploration of Carmel's new areas and wrote a letter describing what you saw.
Period E
You had your binder check today.
Today we continued the New Beginnings unit with two more readings.
We took background notes on the two authors: John Smith and William Bradford. Then we read parts of the stories. This is all outlined on the handout, which is in the handouts folder. The questions are there as well.
Then you took a grammar pre-test over subjects/predicates. If you didn't get a 19 or a 20 on it, you need to complete pages 41-46 in your grammar workbook, exercise 1 only on each page. This is due next class.
Tuesday, September 3 Pd. F
Today you took the assessment on the Native American Origin Myth.
You also filled out the end-of-the-unit chart, which you will keep with you to study for the final exam.
Then you got into your grammar groups for the first time and gave yourselves a name. If you don't have your grammar workbook, you will need to order it ASAP as we will be using it starting THIS WEEK.
I also checked your binders.
Wednesday, September 4 Period B
Today you took the assessment on the Native American Origin Myth.
You also filled out the end-of-the-unit chart, which you will keep with you to study for the final exam.
Then you got into your grammar groups for the first time and gave yourselves a name. If you don't have your grammar workbook, you will need to order it ASAP as we will be using it starting THIS WEEK.
You will have a binder check on Thursday, so please be ready!
Period E
Today we began our next unit: New Beginnings.
We took background notes (there's a handout in the handouts folder) and we read "Journal of the First Voyage to America" by Christopher Columbus. Then you went on an exploration of Carmel's new areas and wrote a letter describing what you saw.
Today we read "Origin Myth" by the Chelan Tribe and filled out the chart for it. Next class we will have the assessment, except for Pd. E who took it today.
Wednesday, August 28 Pd. F Thursday, August 29 Pd. B, E
Today we had guest speakers share some of their family stories with us.
Then we went to work on discussing the role of nature and animals in the lives of the Native Americans, as inferred from the origin myths that we read. We recorded these on one of our handouts from yesterday. We also talked about their differing versions of how our earth came to be, and on what their tribes felt was valuable and what they feared. We will do more with this next class, and then you will be assigned your own origin myth to assess for a major grade.
Monday, August 26 Period F Tuesday, August 27 Periods B, E
Today we finally started exploring American literature! There are two handouts (and two handouts only!) for our first unit--they can both be obtained in the handouts folder. You'll want to get notes from someone. We read one (pd. B), two (pd. F) or three (E) origin myths during class, and we'll do some work with them next time.
Look, I hated Sunday nights, too. This is what I grew up fearing/loathing/dreading:
When that sound came on the TV, I knew my weekend was over. I also knew that I'd have to do all the dishes by myself because my parents would be sitting in front of the TV watching what looked to be the world's most boring program.
I'm not here to rain on your Sunday night of leisure and fun...I just want to remind you of a few things so that you get all of your points tomorrow.
You have two things due on Monday:
1. The Words of Wisdom assignment. If you don't have yours with you, it's on the right-hand side of this page under "handouts"--or just click on this link right here (clllllllllick!). Please make sure you follow the MLA formatting guidelines the best you can--I won't be crazy when I grade you on them, but you do need to try. It cannot be handwritten! I put a copy of the MLA guidelines (and how to set your computer up to do them) on the front of our Edline page, or you can get them in the handouts folder over on the right. ALL RIGHT, FINE, I'll link to them here, too. Click!
2. You will need your 1.5" binder and everything that goes in it when you walk through the door. If you are missing just one element (a pencil...the index cards...the dividers...), you will lose all five points. This is spelled out for you on the back of your procedure sheet (which I just linked to, but is also on Edline, and is also in the handouts folder). Please assemble it BEFORE class begins. We will write on the dividers in class--just have them in place and ready to go!
I will be asking you to purchase the novel Caleb's Crossing in the bookstore this week. I'm not sure how much it will cost, as it just arrived on Friday afternoon, but I'll let you know and post it on my blog here.
Have a great Sunday night. I am so relieved you have been such wonderful classes...teachers worry about who they'll get too! I have been triply blessed with my three classes of sophomores. Thank you for being you!
Today I went over the requirements for your binder. You can see this information on the procedure sheet (linked to on the front of the Edline page). I will give you a grade of five points if you have your binder--but only if you have everything. The 1.5 inch binder. The pencil pouch. Pens. Pencil. Highlighter. Grading pen. Notecards. EIGHT dividers. Index cards. If you don't have all of these items, you will receive a permanent 0.
Next, you took a diagnostic grammar test so I can see where you're at, skills-wise, with grammar. It's important for me to know what your range is so I can accommodate all of you when I plan grammar instruction.
Monday, August 26: Periods B, E
You turned in Words of Wisdom. We went over your diagnostic grammar quiz. And you took a diagnostic writing assessment.
Today you took a writing assessment so I can see where you're at in your writing development.
Your Words of Wisdom assignment is due, typed, on Friday.
Thursday, August 22:
Pd. B, E
We looked at this blog, and we also looked at how to e-mail me (and all of your teachers) using you class Edline pages.
We talked about your Words of Wisdom assignment. This is due, typed, in MLA format, on Monday. Please see the front of our class Edline page for information on how to format an MLA style document.
Then you took a grammar diagnostic test. You did this so I can see where you're at, skills-wise, with grammar. It's important for me to know what your range is so I can accommodate all of you when I plan grammar instruction.
These classes reviewed what's needed for their binders. You can see this information on the procedure sheet (linked to on the front of the Edline page if you lost yours). I will give you a grade for having your binder--along with ALL of the required materials inside of it--on Monday. If you don't have everything required, you get a 0.
Finally, you took a diagnostic grammar exam so I can see where you're at, skills-wise, with grammar. It's important for me to know what your range is so I can accommodate all of you when I plan grammar instruction. Your Words of Wisdom assignment is due on Monday. Please see the front of our class Edline page for information on how to format an MLA style document.
We discussed the three songs in greater detail. Then we went over the procedure sheet. You should have the parent/student acknowledgement form signed and bring it back to class.
We also went over the Words of Wisdom assignment. It needs to be typed. I put a sample MLA document on our Edline page for you to look at. This will be due for period F on Friday.
Wednesday, August 20:
Period B:
We discussed the three songs songs in greater detail.Then we went over the procedure sheet. You should have the parent/student acknowledgement form signed and bring it back to class.
Period E:
We discussed the three songs songs in greater detail. Then we took a diagnostic grammar test.
First, we'll answer these questions in class as
we listen to three songs.
1. "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)" by
Toby Keith
2. "Proud to be an
American" by Lee Greenwood
3. "American Idiot" by Green
Day
Next, we're going to practice some classroom procedures so that we can take our first quiz tomorrow (period F) or Wednesday (periods B & E).
I'm
assigning one item today:
Words of Wisdom. See the
handout I just linked to--it's from our Google Drive file. If you can't get the
assignment through this link, I've also put a copy on our class Edline page. This assignment is due on Thursday (periods B & E) or Friday (period F). Please read the directions carefully!
