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