Sept. 29th (A day) and 30th (B day)

Today we spent a lot of the time talking about books. Book reviews were due the 28th and 29th. They may still be turned in with a late pass as long as it is within the next two weeks.

The journal for today was: Tell me about your experience of writing a book review. What was easy? Hard? Do you have questions for next time? (1/2 pg.)

We discussed the books that people wrote their reviews on and (hopefully!) got ideas for the next book review. Remember the 2nd book reviews will be due:

Monday, October 24th (B day)
Tuesday, October 25th (A day)

After our discussion, we started learning about some commonly confused words. A blank worksheet can be found in the sidebar. Use a dictionary to look up the words and record their definition. If you are uncertain of the differences between the sets of words, please come see me and I'll help you with that part. Being able to distinguish between and correctly use the commonly confused words will be a big part of your TMU at the end of the term.

Sept. 27th (A day) and 28th (B day)

Today we had a guest speaker speak to us about scholarships and financial aid.  No matter which college you plan on attending, you'll want to fill out your FAFSA, and it's probably a good idea to look at scholarships that are not specific to the school you plan on attending.  A few good places to checkout are Fastweb and Zinch.

Our presenter also pointed out that you are going to need to be able to write a good essay to get a lot of the scholarships that are available.  That really makes it worthwhile for you to be practicing those writing skills this year in class.

Sept. 23rd (A day) and 26th (B day)

For our short classes on Friday and Monday we did a peer review of our 1001 Nights personal narratives.  If you were absent, or if you were not prepared you will need to have a friend or family member review your paper for you.  Then, use their feedback to improve your paper.  The peer review sheet is available in the sidebar.  Remember, the 1001 Nights personal narratives are due:

Wednesday, October 5th (A day)

Thursday, October 6th (B day)

Then we had some advisory time to work on any missing work or get help with anything that has been confusing in class.

Please don't forget that book reviews are due this Wednesday (B day) and Thursday (A day)!

Progress Reports

Progress reports will be sent home today and tomorrow. They need to be signed by a parent and returned:

Thursday 9/29- A day
Friday 9/30- B day

Please remember that you are only able to turn in missing work from each progress report period for one week after you receive it. That means all late work is due the same day as the progress reports.

Sept. 21st (A day) and 22nd (B day)

All classes have now finished reading The Fisherman and the Jinnee and should have turned in the reading guide (found in the sidebar).

After looking at some example personal narratives, we began writing up our own stories.  The assignment sheet is off to the left, but here's the gist.  The story should be based on something that really happened to you.  It should be at least 2 pages, but no more than 5 pages, and should follow MLA guidelines.  The most important part is that it should pass the "Scheherazade test."  Is it interesting enough that it would keep you alive if you were in her situation?

Next time, we'll be doing a peer review activity.  You must have a hard copy of your rough draft with you in class to participate.  If you are not prepared to participate, you will not be able to fully make up the points you miss.

Sept. 19th (A day) and 20th (B day)

Today we...

Took our test on the topics we reviewed in our writing expert groups. Be sure to come in to take the test if you missed it! If you wait too long, you won't be able to take it.

We finished (almost finished for A days) reading The Fisherman and the Jinnee. Then, we started thinking about our own stories. If you had to tell a story from your own life under the same high stakes situation as Scheherazade, which story would you tell? Be ready to start writing it next time!

Sept. 15th (A day) and Sept. 16th (B day)

Here's what we did in class.

First thing, we wrote the journal, "what makes a story good?" (Remember it must be 1/2 page to get full points.)

Then we finished up our genre review and book recommendations. Also, remember that there is extra credit available for attending an author visit at local libraries. There is more information on the back bulletin board.

After that, we read the background information of our first in class reading, "The Fisherman and the Jinnee" from The Thousand and One Nights (found on page 84 of your textbook). We talked about how the story is a frame narrative. This basically means it's a story within a story. One way to think of it is like these Russian nesting dolls.

Photo from: bestgiftexpress.com

There is one main story with a smaller story inside of it. Ours actually has 4 stories total. If you know it's coming, it won't be too confusing. Some people have said it's kind of like Inception, so that might be a good way to think of it too.

We started reading the story, but we will be finishing it next time.

Progress report #1 was due today, as well as ALL of the late work from that progress report. Another progress report will be coming home soon.

Sept. 13th (A) and 14th (B)

Today, we (except for A2) started out class by reading and responding to the article "Ethics in the Classroom: What You Need to Know". You should read and annotate the article, then write 1/2 page in response. Do you agree with it? Would this work to help prevent cheating? What else could be done to help?

A2 finished their last group presentation.

We all reviewed for the test on writing basics. You can click here to get to the game we used to review with. Please let me know if you have questions. Remember the test will be:

Monday 9/19 (A)

Tuesday 9/20 (B)

Then, we started to review the different genres that are part of the Fantastic 50 Reading Challenge.

Sept. 9th (A) and 12th (B)

Today in class...

• We discussed how to write a book review.  There is a handy guide posted in the sidebar.  Also the dates for the book reviews are:
• 1st Book Review
• September 28th (B day)
• September 29th (A day)
• 2nd Book Review
• October 24th (B day)
• October 25th (A day)
• We finished up the remaining writing presentations.

Be reading!

Sept. 8th (B)

Things were a little bit different today, depending on which class period you're in.

Everyone:

• Got points for bringing their reading book. If you didn't have it today, please make sure you have it next time. You can still get 1/2 points on it.
• Got their 1st progress report. The signed (by a parent) progress report and ALL missing work from the progress report are due next Friday. Remember that you get extra credit if you turn it in early, but that you need to keep it to work with if you have missing work.

B1- We had a mini-lesson about semi-colons and then went to the Josten's assembly.

B2- We had a mini-lesson about semi-colons and colons and then we began talking about ethics in American high schools.

B4- We had mini-lessons about commas and semi-colons/colons.

If you missed any presentations please talk to someone in class to get the information or familiarize yourself with the info from the sidebar.

Sept. 7th (A)

Today was a little bit different depending on which class period you're in. In all of the classes, however, we had our first book check. If you didn't bring a book, bring one next time to get back 1/2 of your points. Please, please, please make sure you've found a book you're interested in reading and you're bringing it to class with you.

ALSO, all classes today received the first progress report. It is due back with a parent signature next Thursday, although if you return it next time you will receive extra credit. Remember that ALL missing work from this progress report is also due by next Thursday. It will NOT be accepted after that time.

A1: We had the comma presentation as well as a lesson on colons and semi-colons. Like last time, if you were absent please review these materials with someone from class or go over the resources on that topic in the side bar.

A2: We read the article "Ethics in the Classroom" and wrote a one page response. If you were gone, print the article and annotate it (that means to take notes about what you're thinking as you read, underline things that stick out to you, etc.). Then, your response should explain what you think about what you read. Don't summarize!

A3: We had the comma, sentence structure, and colons and semi-colons presentations. Like last time, if you were absent please review these materials with someone from class or go over the resources on that topic in the side bar.

Sept. 2nd (A) and 6th (B)

Here's what you missed...

Journal: What is your personal code of conduct? Or, in other words, what rules do you have for yourself to help you be the best person you can be? (1/2 pg.)

The capitalization expert groups presented their lessons, and a few of the sentence structure groups presented as well. If you missed a presentation, make sure you go over the material they taught with someone in class, or check out the resources on that topic over in our side bar.

We also began talking about ethics in high school. We all agree that we want to be our best selves and help build a good image of WHS.