English 1

Today in class, students received training on the 6-traits of writing using various scoring guides and and sample papers. Students learned how to recognize each of the 6 traits in others writing with peer grading, and they also learned how to improve traits individually in their own writing.

Homework

• Make changes to your narratives according to the suggestions from your peer graders

English 2

Today students started class by reading from their choice novels. Next, we went over the analysis of Cassius's persuasion in his speeches in Act One Scene 2 of Julius Caesar. To end class, students recapped Act One Scene 3 of the play and began reading Act Two.

Homework

• Bring your choice novels to class
• Keep up with your Quote Notes and Study Questions for Julius Caesar. You should be finished with Act One quotes and questions

English 1

Today in class, students went to the computer lab to begin typing their personal narratives. On the computers, they learned how to properly format their papers in MLA style, and they also learned how to correctly format dialogue in their narratives. Next they came back to class and students who needed to retake their parts of speech quiz got their second chance to do so before reading from their choice novels. To end class, students learned about the importance of powerful verbs in their writing through a demonstration by one of their classmates.

Homework

• Get rid of boring verbs and "be" verbs in your narratives, and replace them with powerful verbs
• Be good for your substitute on Friday!

English 2

Today in class, students read their choice novels for 20 minutes, and then continued to read Act One of Julius Caesar. In scene 2 we saw just how sneaky, manipulative, and persuasive Cassius can be. Next class, students will learn about persuasive appeals and fallacies and use the new information to analyze the quality of Cassius's persuasive speeches.

Homework

• Bring your novels to class

English 1

Today in class, students read for 20 minutes from their novels of choice. Afterward, we finished discussing the narrative poem we read last class, called "Autumnal Equinox", and we also read another catalog poem called "Daily". With both poems, we discussed the importance of imagery in writing, both in poetry and in the narratives the students are currently working on. To end class, students completed a dialogue activity for which they created a conversation between a horse and a bear who met on a deserted country road. Students learned two important rules for dialogue and practiced formatting it correctly in their writing.

Homework

• Add dialogue to your narrative

English 2

Today students read and journaled on their choice novels to start class. They were then introduced to the main characters of Julius Caesar using some silly props and costumes (ever seen Groucho Marx glasses and pom-poms in the same play?). After the introductions, we began reading Act One of the play aloud in class. Next class we will finish Act One and begin talking about persuasive.

Homework

• NONE

English 1

Today in class, students took their Parts of Speech Quiz and then learned that they will have to keep retaking it until they get an 80% or better since parts of speech are a very basic, very important part of grammar. Next, they began writing their first major writing assignment of the year, the personal narrative. After spending some time brainstorming and writing, students were also introduced to our Poetry Unit by reading a poem called "Autumnal Equinox". Students began discussing the similarities that the poem and To Kill a Mockingbird share, especially in the theme.

Homework

• Finish writing the rough draft of your personal narrative

English 2

Today in class, students read for their novels of choice for 20 minutes. Next they prepared to begin reading Julius Caesar by brushing up on their knowledge of Shakespeare, Elizabethan England, and the Roman Republic by reading a little, taking notes, and watching a couple short videos. To end class, students also pondered some important situations and questions that they will encounter while reading the play.

Homework

• Remember to bring your choice novels to class

English 1

Today in class, students learned about the Novel of Choice Project they will be working on for the rest of the semester, and they went to the library to choose their novel. To finish class, they reviewed their parts of speech by playing mad libs in groups. Next class, they will take their parts of speech quiz and begin their personal narratives.

Homework

• Study for Parts of Speech Quiz

English 2

Today in class, students finished presenting the last few digital stories. Next they learned about the Novel of Choice Unit they would be working on until the end of the semester. Classes went to the library to choose books, and read silently when they brought their books back to class. Next class, students will be beginning Julius Caesar.

Homework

• Remember to bring your choice novels to class!

English 2

Today in class, students presented their digital stories to their peers and me. Each student also engaged in an activity called PQP (praise, question, polish) in order to give the presenters constructive feedback on their work. Next class we will finish up the last few presentations, go to the library to check out books, and begin our personal choice book project that will last until the end of the semester.

Homework

• None, so long as your digital story has already been completed

English 1

Today in class, students finished filling out their character blocks for all main characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. After recording all these character traits, students played 2 rounds of Mockingbird Review Jeopardy to help prepare them for their test on Thursday.

Homework

• Study for your Mockingbird test on Thursday
• Finish typing/creating on the computer your newspaper pieces -- they are due Thursday

English 2

Today in class, students wrote about their best or worst birthday experience before reading "Eleven", a Sandra Cisneros story about the unfortunate birthday experience of a girl named Rachel. After reading the story, students took their end of unit "test" in the form of a creative writing piece connecting "Eleven" with other short stories we read in class and using vocabulary words that went with the stories. To end class, a few students presented their digital narratives to their classmates. Next class, we will continue with digital narrative presentations.

Homework

• Finish your letter or short story RAFT
• Make sure your digital narrative is perfect for class on Wednesday