English 2

Today in class, students had their last day of working on the research paper before the due date on Friday. First we circled-up and each told the 5 most important/interesting things we learned about our research topics. Classmates had a chance to ask their peers questions that could help them fill in holes in their research and improve the content of their papers. Next, students completed a ratiocination, which is a systematic editing exercise that helps whip writing into shape. To end class several students read their butterfly child biographies.

Homework

• Papers due next class

English 1

Today in class, students finished watching Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet and then moved on to Act 4. Students broke into 5 groups, each tackling a scene. They all did a great job reading, interpreting summarized, and answering questions on the notesheet. To end class they split into their scene performance groups to finish assigning parts, deciding on settings, and begin paraphrasing lines.

Homework

• Finish paraphrasing your lines for your scene performance. Remember that links to the full text of the play can be found on the class website: http://sites.google.com/site/mrskrysl/Home/resources

English 2

Today in class, students received training for the 6 traits writing program that we will use throughout the school year. They looked at 3 different writing rubrics/scoring guides that help show them was is expected of them for each of the 6 traits in order to write an "A" paper, a "B" paper, a "C" paper, and so on. They even read examples papers that fit each of these categories. After training, students scored each other's research paper rough drafts as a means of planning for needed revisions to their papers. These revisions will be made for next class when we will do the last bit of editing on the research papers and get ready to turn them in.

Homework

• Make revisions to your research paper based on the scoring guides/feedback from your peers.

English 1

Today in class, students began reading Act III of Romeo and Juliet. In scene 1, which is the turning point of the play, we read of 2 main characters losing their lives and of the newlywed Romeo being banished from Verona. Scene 2 shows up Juliet's reaction to the events of scene 1.
Next class we will be continuing with Act III of the play as things heat up and fall fast toward the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. To end class, students signed up for the scenes that they will perform in the weeks to come.

Homework

NONE

English 2

During this class period, students took their test over the Holocaust unit. After testing, they continued to work on their research papers, turning in their sourcecards to me and working toward completing their required 20 (minimum) notecards. I informed the students of the schedule of events for the next few class periods, leading up to the paper due date next Friday. To see the complete schedule, check out the calendar on the English 2 page of our class website http://sites.google.com/site/mrskrysl/


Homework

• Finish your 20 notecards -- Due next class
• Bring all research materials to class -- everything should be in your folder organizer. No more excuses will be accepted!

English 1

Today in class, students finished reading Act II of Romeo and Juliet which ended with the two young lovebirds getting married. Next class we will begin Act III and reach the turning point of the story. Today students also got to see Shakespeare's work in action as they watched Act II of the Romeo and Juliet movie. To end class, students had an opportunity to choose the scene they will paraphrase, modernize, and perform in class when we finish reading the play.

Homework

None!

English 2

During this class period, students began work on their research paper. Students learned how to make source cards and notecards that will help them with the organization of their papers. Students who brought their 3 required sources to class were able to create their source cards in class and begin perusing their research in order to make notecards and begin piecing their papers together. Students who did not have their sources with them in class (I have to say I was disappointed by the large number of students who did not) were luckily able to get into the computer lab to print sources from the internet. At the end of class, students were informed of what to study for their test next week, and we heard some Butterfly Biographies as well.

Homework

• Study for your test
• Bring your research paper folder to class, complete with all 3 sources, source cards, and notecards.