10-28 Class

Today you took your Vocabulary test for Unit 6.
After the test, I showed you the Wallwisher site and explained the assignment. (see bottom of page)

With any time remaining before Mass, you had a chance to begin on this weekend's tasks:

• Vocabulary Unit 7 Part 1/2.  We will correct this in class on Monday
• Reading Chapters 28 & 29.  You will have a very short quiz over these 2 chapters Monday.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

• Monday: Correct Vocab, take quiz, finish reading the last two chapters together (HWK: Vocab pt 3/4)
• Tuesday: Finish any reading together if necessary; discuss the last portion of the novel (HWK: Vocab pt. 5/6; Study for TKM test)
• Wednesday: Take a TKM Novel Test (HWK: Study for vocab. unit 7 test)
• Thursday: Take Unit 7 Vocabulary Test

BEFORE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, GO TO THIS SITE:
www.wallwisher.com/wall/TKMthoughtsa  and post.  Make sure to use your first name and last letter INITIAL so you can earn credit while maintaining security measures.

10-27 Class

Today we corrected Vocabulary Parts 5/6.

As promised, I gave you today as a final workday to complete Chapters 25-27 and questions 120-130 on the study guide.

During this time you were also able to ask me any vocabulary or TKM questions you might have had.

HOMEWORK

• Tomorrow you have a vocabulary test over Unit 6. 
• Also, your TKM questions will be collected for Chapters 23 & 24 (which were assigned last week) and Chapters 25-27.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK:

• You are going to read Chapters 28-29 this weekend.  Be ready for a short quiz on Monday.  You will not be responsible for answering any questions for these two chapters.
• You will need to finish Vocabulary parts 1/2 for Monday.
• On Monday you will take a short quiz, correct Vocab parts 1/2.  We will also read together the last two very short chapters of TKM (30/31).
• We will have a whole class discussion on Chapters 25-31 on Tuesday. 
• You will have a Book Test over TKM on Wednesday
• You will have a Vocabulart Test on Thursday.
• We will watch TKM beginning Monday of the following week.

10-26 Class

Today we corrected Vocab Part 3/4

You had the entire evening to work on the TKM assignment given yesterday.  (See yesterday's post for the specific assignment).

TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK
Finish Vocab Part 5/6------TEST THURSDAY

Tomorrow you will have one more TKM Work Day.

10-25 Class

Today we corrected Vocabulary Unit 6 part 1 and 2.

Next I gave a presentation on TKM (Testimony and Summaries for Chapters 21-24).  At this time you answered certain questions as a class aloud and were given the time to ask additional questions of your own.

I posted the powerpoint to Edline so you can review it if needed.


Homework:

• Vocabulary Unit 6 parts 2 and 3
• DUE THURSDAY: TKM Chapters 25-27 and questions 120-130 (I will be giving you most of the hour on Tuesday and Wednesday to work on this as well)

Looking Ahead This Week

• Tuesday: Class: Correct Voc. 6 Part 3/4 & allow the rest of class time for reading Chapters 25-27 and working on questions #120-#130  HW: Voc. 6 Part 5/6
• Wednesday: Class: Correct Voc. 6 Part 5/6 & allow the rest of class time for reading Chapters 25-27 and working on questions #120-#130  HW: Study for Voc. 6 Test THURSDAY
• Thursday: Take Voc. 6 Test, Turn in Chapters 23-27 Questions (questions for Chapters 23-24 should have already been completed for Monday's class)  (This is a MASS day!)
• Friday: ENJOY YOUR DAY OFF :)

10-22 Class

Today you gave group presentations.  With the 15 minutes remaining, most of you began working (some of you were talking.  When given class time you MUST learn to use it!)

This Weekend's Homework DUE MONDAY:

• Read Chapters 23 & 24 and answer study guide questions: 105, 106, 107, 109, 112, 115, 116, 117, 118
• Complete Vocabulary Unit 6 part 1 and 2---feel free to use this link (Sadlier Vocabulary Extra Help (Audio and Educational Practice)  (This link is also found at the top right of this blog).

I will collect them on Monday.  We will be have a whole class discussion.  Please bring any questions you have about certain scenes to class so we can flush out any misunderstandings.

10-21 Class

Today we had Mass.  During our shortened time together you completed the vocabulary test for unit 5.

Homework:

• Tomorrow I will collect all questions assigned for Chapters 19, 20, 21, & 22
• Your group will present.  If  you are addressing the audience tomorrow, make sure you are prepared!

10-20 Class

Here was what we worked on today in class:

1. Corrected the last two sections of vocabulary for Unit 5.  You are now all set to take your test tomorrow!
2. Group work: 1st you made sure your Post-It was concise and ready for Friday's presentation.  2nd you discussed HOW you were going to present the information.  Remember to NOT merely read off the Post-It.  Include how the information impacts the story and how your group reacted to reading the information (in conjunction with the info on the Post-It note).  PACK YOUR AUDIENCE WITH AN EMOTIONAL PUNCH (and don't be wimpy about it :)
3. Study for Vocab Unit 5 test
4. Read Chapters 21/22 and answer questions #95, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103.  I will collect Chapter 19-22 questions on FRIDAY.

Tonight's Homework:

• STUDY for your vocabulary test tomorrow
• Read Chapters 21-22 and answer questions #95, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103 and be prepared to turn this in along with the questions from chapter 19-20 DUE FRIDAY
• Begin reviewing your speaking part for your presentation on Friday (if you have one).

10-19 Class

First we corrected Vocabulary Unit 5 Syn/Ant.

Next you continued working in your group.  Below is the homework for tonight and the agenda for the rest of the week:

Tonight's Homework

• Vocabulary Choosing the Right Word/Vocabulary in Context (this will finish up Unit 5)

REST OF THE WEEK'S AGENDA
Wednesday's Class
Finish group work
If you finish early, you will have time to study for Vocab Unit 5 Test on Thursday or work on reading Chapter 21 & 22/questions #95, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103 DUE FRIDAY

Thursday's Class
Take Vocabulary Unit 5 Test
Finish reading/questions DUE FRIDAY (see Wed. Class)
MASS

Friday's Class
Collect Ch. 21/22 questions #95, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103
Presentations to class regarding group projects (testimony, Atticus's closing remarks, Dolphus Raymond)

10-18 Class

Today we began by correcting vocabulary parts 1/2.

Next we began a group assignment that will take at least tomorrow to finish, if not a little bit of time on Wednesday.  The assignment dealt with summarizing testimony and Atticus's closing remarks.  I was impressed at how well you all worked together!  KUDOS!

Homework:
Complete Vocab 5 Syn/Ant for tomorrow

10-15 Class

Today you began by taking Unit 4 Vocabular quiz.

Next you were given the remainder of the hour to read chapters 19 & 20 in TKM.  You were also assigned the following questions:
#82, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 94

• #86 reword to: "What is ironic about what Tim Robinson says in his testimony?"
• #94 (take off the words "page 233)

DUE MONDAY:

• TKM chapters 19-20 and questions (see above).  Be prepared for Monday: GROUP WORK regarding TKM
• Vocabulary Unit 5 part 1 and 2
• If you are entering the AOD contest as an artist, your artwork MUST be finalized by TUESDAY
• YOU DO NOT have to work on your AOD contest piece otherwise.  We will do rewrites later next week.

10-14 Class

Today in our shortened hour we corrected the remaining vocabulary assignment.  Afterwards, you had the opportunity to workshop your piece you are going to submit to the AOD contest.  (Please see the link to the right of this page for further information should you need it).

After you receive my feedback tomorrow, I would like you to take ALL of the advice you have received and submit a NEW draft on Monday.  This draft MUST BE TYPED.  On Monday, if you are entering the contest as an artist of any type, the photograph/picture/painting MUST BE COMPLETED by then.  I need to see it!

TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK:

• Study for tomorrow's vocabulary test
• Finish reading Ch. 16-18 in TKM and the study questions for chapters 17-18

10-13 Class

In our shortened hour, we corrected Unit 4 Vocabulary Parts 3/4.   The rest of the time you had to ask questions and finish the assignments due tomorrow and the ones due on Friday.

Homework DUE TOMORROW:

• Complete Vocabulary 5/6 (We will check tomorrow.  Test is Friday)
• TWO copies of your completed rough draft
• poetry and prose: must be completely TYPED out and include the word count. Make sure the word count matches the requirements
• art: you must have AT LEAST a sketch of the idea (photo/drawing/painting/etc) AND have a typed explanation of how your visual relates to the theme Life is a Gift. Your explanation must be AT LEAST 8 sentences long, mature sounding, and make a clear connection to the theme.
• music/song: the sheet music and/or lyrics must be present in class. You must also type an 8 sentence explanation of how the music or the song relates to the theme Life is a Gift

Homework DUE FRIDAY:

• TKM reading Chapters 16-18 and TKM questions from study guide (Ch. 17-18)
• You will have a Vocabulary test today as well

10-12 Class

Today we corrected Part 1 and 2 of your vocabulary.  Afterward you had the entire hour to accomplish the three items below:

1. Finish Vocabulary (Synonyms and Antonyms) (Due Tomorrow)
2. Read TKM Chapters 16-18 and answer study guide questions (Due Friday)
3. Complete a rough draft* for your AOD contest entry (Due Thursday)

*The rough draft must be a COMPLETE DRAFT by THURSDAY:

• poetry and prose: must be completely TYPED out and include the word count.  Make sure the word count matches the requirements
• art: you must have AT LEAST a sketch of the idea (photo/drawing/painting/etc) AND have a typed explanation of how your visual relates to the theme Life is a Gift.  Your explanation must be AT LEAST 8 sentences long, mature sounding, and make a clear connection to the theme.
• music/song: the sheet music and/or lyrics must be present in class.  You must also type an 8 sentence explanation of how the music or the song relates to the theme Life is a Gift

10-10 Class

Here is a tentative list of things we will cover this week, along with tentative due dates.

Monday---

• discuss chapters 10-15/collect questions
• discuss AOD contest/rough draft DUE THURSDAY for FEEDBACK THURSDAY/MUST be typed/MUST have two copies ONE FOR ME, ONE FOR VARIOUS EDITORS
• assign Vocab Unit 4 Part 1 and 2 (due Tuesday), Part 3/4 (due Wednesday), Part 5 (due Thursday), Friday Vocab quiz
• assign Chapters 16-18 & all Questions for chapters 17-18 DUE FRIDAY

Tuesday---

• In-class WORKDAY!
• Check Vocab Part 1/2
• Assign Vocab Part 3/4

Wednesday---

• In-class WORKDAY!
• Check Vocab Part 3/4
• Assign Vocab Part 5 (TEST FRIDAY)

Thursday---

• FEEDBACK THURSDAY (editing sessions with people you trust!)
• Check Vocab Part 5/TEST FRIDAY

Friday

•  Vocabulary Quiz Unit 4
• Review TKM chapters 16-18
• For Monday New Draft of AOD contest DUE!

SO FOR TOMORROW:
The only thing that is due is Vocabulary Unit 4 Part Definitions (part 1) and Completeing the sentences (part 2)
You also need to think about what you are completing for you AOD Project due Thursday and begin the reading/questions due on Friday

10-8 Class

I hope everyone had a pleasant Friday!


IF YOU WERE ABSENT AND MISSED THE VOCABULARY UNIT 3 TEST on Thursday, you will take it MONDAY during LUNCH/HOMEROOM.

In class I gave you the entire period to complete the assignments I gave you yesterday.  On Monday I will collect:

• Questions from Chapters 10-13
• Your one page TYPED essay (see yesterday's blog entry for the specifics)

In regards to your essay, utilize the MLA sheet Mrs. Knudson uses in her class along with the sheet that gives you pointers on what to have/not to have in your essay (i.e. get, got, alot, "for example", etc.)  Although I do not expect you to work as you are for Mrs. Knudson's Animal Farm essay, remember this exercise is to help you when you do writing samples for the AP English exam or the ACT.  You will be given a topic and 30-45 minutes to write a well-organized essay with minor punctuation/grammar/mechanics errors.  

I look forward to reading your work next week.

This weekend, if you have time, check out Channel ABC around 3:30 p.m.  You may want to watch this before you click on the TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TVcKYpZrj0

10-7 Class

Today we had a shortened period, but we accomplished a lot!

1. Took Vocabulary test & turned in Vocabulary Unit 3 work
2. Discussed next assignment:
• Read Chapters 13-15 by Monday and answer questions for chapters 12-13 (you can use simple answers, not complete sentences)
• 1 One page essay.  Choose ONE of the following topics:
• Jem and Scout needed proof that Atticus wasn't "too old."  They definitely got it when Atticus shot Tim Johnson.  Discuss a time when you needed proof to believe something.  Be specific and detailed in your writing.  Make me feel as if I was in the situation with you!
• Many characters in this novel find themselves defending someone else.  Have you ever had to defend someone?  Who were you defending and why?  Do you believe you were right to defend him/her?  In this way, do you feel your actions are like those of a character in this novel?  Who and why?
• Your essay MUST
• be at least one page typed
• use MLA heading format (use Mrs. Knudson's handout to help you)
• use Mrs. Knudon's PICKY PAGE
• have a clear thesis, organized & detailed supports, excellent conclusion

A WORD OF NOTE:
I am very aware you are working on a longer essay for Mrs. Knudson; do not FREAK OUT thinking you have TOO much to do.  This essay should not take the length of time to complete as Mrs. Knudson's will take you.  Think of this as an ACT writing prompt.  In an ACT situation you will be given a prompt and asked to respond to the prompt in 30 minutes. They expect a clear thesis, organized and detailed supports, and a conclusion.  This is a lesson preparing you for that situtation.  All the while you must be mindful of grammar/puncutation/mechanics.  Be thoughtful.  Be concise.  Be procise.  This will take practice to "get good at" which is why we are practicing it!! :)

10-6 Class---LAST day of IOWAs EVER!!!

Congratulations!  This is the last IOWA test you will ever have to take----EVER!!

Please be mindful of a few things for tomorrow:

• we have Mass at 9:30 a.m. which means your 1st 3 hours are shortened
• For English, you have a vocabulary test and along with that test, all work for Unit 3 is due
• You must read Chapters 10-12 by tomorrow and answer the assigned questions

See you tomorrow!

10-5 Class---More IOWAs

You all did a great job on your 2nd day of IOWAs! 

Continue working on TKM Chapters 10-12 along with the study questions.  It is due on Thursday.

Also, do not forget you will be taking a Vocabulary Test on Unit 3 on Thursday as well.

Looking Ahead:
Thursday we have a shortened hour because we have Mass at 9:30 a.m.

10-4 Class----A CONTEST in the midst!

You all did quite well this morning working through the IOWAs.  If you'd like, bring a small snack that you can munch on after you are finished with a section.

Also, I just caught word of a writing contest!  I sent you and your parents an email with the link, but here it is again: http://www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com/pages/america/amcontest.htm

Please read the links on the site to familiarize yourself with the rules and forms to fill out.

I will be discussing the contest in more detail with you Thursday or Friday.

I look forward to reading and helping out some quality entries!

10-1 Class

Today we went to Mass and did not meet for class.  Please see the posting for 9-30 Class below for your homework as it was given yesterday in class.

Remember: Next week we DO NOT meet for class Monday-Wednesday.  We will only meet to take the IOWAs.  Get plenty of sleep Sunday night and eat a healthy breakfast Monday morning!