Mrs. Webster's Homework Assignments
20071030
Wednesday, October 31
• Bellringer (Work for ten minutes on anticipation guide paragraph. Due at end of bellringer time [10 minutes])
• Turn in bellringer paragraph before you leave class today
• Discuss assigned essay (due next Wednesday). You will NOT have lots of time in class except to type, so write the draft at home!
• Hand out study guide
• TEST TUESDAY!
Communications second hour:
• Work on study guide (due tomorrow)
• Finish and turn in thank you letter
• Finish interviews and packets and turn in
• TEST MONDAY over Chapter 4!!
English 4 fourth hour:
§ Discuss validating online resources
§ Group work on evaluating online resources
§ Present findings if time permits
Communications fifth hour:
• Check and then discuss study guide answers
• Finish and turn in thank you letter
• TEST MONDAY over Chapter 4!!
• If time remains, begin Chapter 5
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer (Work for ten minutes on anticipation guide paragraph. Due at end of bellringer time [10 minutes])
• Discuss aftermath of trials
• McCarthyism worksheet for homework (due Monday)
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer (Write paragraph based on anticipation guide. Use the directions sheet given to you. Work for ten minutes.)
• Watch movie clips
• With remaining time, discuss “aftermath”
English 4 eighth hour:
• Discuss validating online resources
• Group work on evaluating online resources
• Present findings if time permits
20071029
Tuesday, October 30
• Bellringer (work for ten minutes on anticipation guide paragraph)
• Check homework for completion
• Discuss McCarthyism and Arthur Miller
• Compare the witch trials and McCarthyism era
Communications second hour:
• Discuss thank you letters
• Write ONE and turn in for grade
• Work on study guide for review (due Weds.)
• Chapter 4 test Monday
English 4 fourth hour:
• Begin making notes for zero draft of essay
• Validating online sources (www.rlc.edu)
• Examine assigned sites in groups and present
Communications fifth hour:
• Work on thank you letter (due Weds. to me by end of hour)
• Work on study guide (due Weds. at beginning of hour)
• Chapter 4 review
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer (work for ten minutes on anticipation guide paragraph)
• Continue movie
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer
• Check study guide for Act IV for completion
• Discuss Act IV study guide
English 4 eighth hour:
• Begin making notes for zero draft of essay
• Validating online sources (www.rlc.edu)
• Examine assigned sites in groups and present
20071026
Monday, October 29
• Bellringer (Write paragraph based on anticipation guide. Use the directions sheet given to you. Work for ten minutes. Due Weds.)
• Discuss the aftermath
• Begin McCarthyism reading/worksheet
Communications second hour:
• Finish interviews
• Put folders in order and turn in
• If time allows, begin Chapter 4 study guide
English 4 fourth hour:
• Quiz
• Discuss poverty essay
• Work on thesis statement
• Consider how to organize your ideas
• Read sample student essay on page 295-296.
• Work on “zero” draft
Communications fifth hour:
• Take 10-15 minutes to wrap up interviews and put folders in order
• Turn in folders
• Chapter 4 review
• Work on Chapter 4 study guide
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer (Write paragraph based on anticipation guide. Use the directions sheet given to you. Work for ten minutes. Due Weds.)
• Watch movie J
English 3 seventh hour:
• Continue reading Act IV
English 4 eighth hour:
• Quiz
• Discuss poverty essay
• Work on thesis statement
• Consider how to organize your ideas
• Read sample student essay on page 295-296.
• Work on “zero” draft
20071023
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2007
• Bellringer (1. I told my Mom that she needed to give we kids more allowance this year. 2. times three is a poetry book that contains the funny selection lancelot a poem about young love.)
• Watch movie
Communications second hour:
• Finish wincareers.com and turn in
• Write out answers to possible questions for interviews
• Correct, print, and keep final copies of resumes and cover letters (staple together)
• Put everything in manila folder
• Discuss preparations for interviews
• Assign companies to interview tomorrow and Monday (no school Friday)
English 4 fourth hour:
• Freewrite: what is your definition of masculinity or femininity?
• Freewrite on your topic (Freewrite about the following concerning your probably topic:
• --why concept is important to your life
• --why the concept needs to be defined
• --what is it similar to?
• Different from?
• --what are its causes? What effects does it have? --what information needs to be in definition)
•
• Discuss pages 272-277
• Do p. 277
• Reading assignment: “What Is Religion?”
Communications fifth hour:
• Interviews begin for these two companies:
• When Duckie Calls
• Shoes Galore
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer (1. I told my Mom that she needed to give we kids more allowance this year. 2. times three is a poetry book that contains the funny selection lancelot a poem about young love.)
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer (1. I told my Mom that she needed to give we kids more allowance this year. 2. times three is a poetry book that contains the funny selection lancelot a poem about young love.)
English 4 eighth hour:
• Freewrite: what is your definition of masculinity or femininity?
• Freewrite on your topic (Freewrite about the following concerning your probably topic:
• --why concept is important to your life
• --why the concept needs to be defined
• --what is it similar to?
• Different from?
• --what are its causes? What effects does it have? --what information needs to be in definition)
20071022
Tuesday, OCTOBER 23, 2007
• Bellringer (Who bears the most guilt for the fate of those hanged in the Salem witch trials—the girls who accused innocent people or the judges who sentenced them to death? Why?)
• Watch movie
Communications second hour:
• Finish wincareers.com and turn in
• Write out answers to possible questions for interviews
• Correct, print, and keep final copies of resumes and cover letters (staple together)
• Put everything in manila folder
• Discuss preparations for interviews
• Assign companies to interview
• tomorrow and Thursday
English 4 fourth hour:
• Quiz
• Discuss essay
• Freewrite activity (Freewrite about the following concerning your probably topic:
• --why concept is important to your life
• --why the concept needs to be defined
• --what is it similar to?
• Different from?
• --what are its causes? What effects does it have? --what information needs to be in definition)
Communications fifth hour:
• Finish wincareers.com and turn in
• Write out answers to possible questions for interviews
• Correct, print, and keep final copies of resumes and cover letters (staple together)
• Put everything in manila folder
• Discuss preparations for interviews
• Assign companies to interview
• tomorrow and Thursday
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer (Who bears the most guilt for the fate of those hanged in the Salem witch trials—the girls who accused innocent people or the judges who sentenced them to death? Why?)
• Read Act IV
• Hand out study guide
• Finish the play on your own. You will have tomorrow all hour to read and finish study guide.
• Study guide due Thursday.
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer (Who bears the most guilt for the fate of those hanged in the Salem witch trials—the girls who accused innocent people or the judges who sentenced them to death? Why?)
• Continue reading Act 3
English 4 eighth hour:
• Quiz
• Discuss essay
• Freewrite activity (Freewrite about the following concerning your probably topic:
• --why concept is important to your life
• --why the concept needs to be defined
• --what is it similar to?
• Different from?
• --what are its causes? What effects does it have? --what information needs to be in definition)
20071016
Wedensday, October 17, 2007
• Bellringer: (Answer the following: If you were John Proctor, would you tell the truth about you and Abigail so that everyone would know what she was truly like? What if it would save your wife’s as well as other people’s lives? What might the consequences be if you did, indeed, tell? If you didn’t tell?)
• Read in Act 3
• Work on study guide (due Thursday)
Communications second hour:
• Work on cover letters
English 4 fourth hour:
• Make list of concepts for possible topics
• Read pages 254-257 and do questions 1 and 2 in the first set and 1 and 3 in the second set
• Quiz tomorrow
Communications fifth hour:
• Work on cover letters
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer: (Answer the following: If you were John Proctor, would you tell the truth about you and Abigail so that everyone would know what she was truly like? What if it would save your wife’s as well as other people’s lives? What might the consequences be if you did, indeed, tell? If you didn’t tell?)
• Act 2 quiz
• If time remains, continue in Act 3
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer
• Continue reading in Act 2
English 4 eighth hour:
• Make list of concepts for possible topics
• Read pages 254-257 and do questions 1 and 2 in the first set and 1 and 3 in the second set
• Quiz tomorrow
20071010
Thursday, October 11
• Vocabulary test
• Continue in Chapter Act 2
Communications second hour:
• Finish job opening advertisements
• Save to my flash drive and turn in a copy
• Work on job applications
English 4 fourth hour:
• Begin Chapter 8 discussion of concepts
Communications fifth hour:
• Finish job opening advertisements
• Save to my flash drive and turn in a copy
• Work on job applications
English 3 sixth hour:
• Vocabulary test
• Possibly present two groups
• Begin reading Act II if time allows
English 3 seventh hour:
• Vocabulary test
• Work on essays for ten minutes
• Turn in essays (final, then drafts, then peer edit sheet)
• Work in groups
English 4 eighth hour:
• Continue Chapter 8 discussion of concepts
20071009
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
• Bellringers
• Practice for vocabulary test tomorrow
• Continue in Act II
Communications second hour:
• Continue working on job descriptions
• Make job opening advertisement and save to my flash drive
English 4 fourth hour:
§ Discuss Chapter 8
Communications fifth hour:
• Continue working on job descriptions
• Make job opening advertisement and save to my flash drive
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringers
• Practice for vocabulary test tomorrow
• Turn in essays
• Continue Mr. Ruedin’s activity
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringers
• Practice for vocabulary test tomorrow
• Hand back peer editing
• Correct errors (paper due tomorrow)
• Continue Mr. Ruedin’s activity
English 4 eighth hour:
§ Discuss Chapter 8
20071003
Thursday, October 4
• Bellringers
• Complete your draft
• Begin peer editing
Communications second hour:
• Discuss resumes
• work with www.careercruising.com
•
English 4 fourth hour:
• Discuss formatting of paper
• Choose a partner and peer edit using chart in the back of your textbook
• Fix your draft
• Final draft due by the end of the hour tomorrow
Communications fifth hour:
• Discuss resumes
• work with www.careercruising.com
•
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer
• Primary sources activity with Mr. Ruedin
• Essay due Monday
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer
• Primary sources activity with Mr. Ruedin
• Essay due Monday
English 4 eighth hour:
• Discuss formatting of paper
• Choose a partner and peer edit using chart in the back of your textbook
• Fix your draft
• Final draft due by the end of the hour tomorrow
20071002
Wednesday, October 3
• Bellringer
• Last vocab. presentation (test on all words Friday)
• Work on essay. Be ready to peer edit tomorrow.
• Final due Friday the end of the day though you will not have time Friday to work in class (I can write you a pass in study hall).
Communications second hour:
• Work on www.wincareers.com
• Remember your new user name and password
English 4 fourth hour:
• Work on peer editing
• Work on draft, due Friday
Communications fifth hour:
• Work on www.wincareers.com
• Remember your new user name and password
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer
• Vocabulary presentations (test on all words Friday)
• Work on essay. Be ready to peer edit tomorrow.
• Final due Friday the end of the day though you will not have time Friday to work in class (I can write you a pass in study hall).
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer
• Vocabulary presentations (test on all words Friday)
• Work on essay.
• Final due Friday the end of the day though you will not have time Friday to work in class (I can write you a pass in study hall).
English 4 eighth hour:
• Work on peer editing
• Work on draft, due Friday
October 2, 2007
• Bellringer
• Vocabulary presentations
• Work on essay (due Thursday)
Communications second hour:
• Continue in Chapter 4
English 4 fourth hour:
• Peer editing: read aloud in groups and discuss.
• See page 87
Communications fifth hour:
• Continue in Chapter 4
English 3 sixth hour:
• Bellringer
• Vocabulary presentations
• Work on essay (due Thursday)
English 3 seventh hour:
• Bellringer
• Vocabulary presentations
• Work on essay (due Thursday)
English 4 eighth hour:
• Peer editing: read aloud in groups and discuss.
• See page 87
20070928
Monday, October 1, 2007
English 3 first hour:
- Bellringers
- Vocabulary presentations
- Act I quiz
- Work on essay response (due Wednesday)
Communications 2nd hour:
- Continue Chapter 4 discussions (telephone conversations)
English 4 fourth hour:
- Quiz over Orwell’s essay
- Discuss Orwell’s essay
- Discuss editing your draft
- Work on typing / editing draft in preparation for peer editing tomorrow
Communications 5th hour
- Continue Chapter 4 discussions (telephone conversations)
English 3 sixth hour:
- Bellringers
- Vocabulary presentations
- Act I quiz
- Work on essay response (due Wednesday)
English 3 seventh hour:
- Bellringers
- Vocabulary presentations
- Act I quiz
- Work on essay response (due Thursday)
English 4 eighth hour:
- Quiz over Orwell’s essay
- Discuss Orwell’s essay
- Work on typing / editing draft in preparation for peer editing tomorrow
20070913
Friday, September 14, 2007
English 3 first hour:
• Bellringer:
- Assign vocabulary presentation dates
- Continue in the play
Communications second hour:
• Practice logical fallacies
• Explain commercial assignment
English 4 4th hour:
• Continue discussion of essay in groups
• Discussion on creativity
• Discuss topics/thesis statements
Communications 5th hour:
• Finish fallacies worksheets and go over answers
• Work on commercial project
English 3 6th hour:
. Same as first hour
English 3 7th hour:
- Bellringer
- Assign vocabulary and discuss assignment
- Assign parts for Act I
- Begin reading Act I
- Homework: read pages 1234-1235 all, 1236 last paragraph, and 1237 all. Quiz over it tomorrow.
English 4 8th hour:
Same as fourth hour
20070912
Thursday, September 13, 2007
• Bellringer
• Assign vocabulary and discuss assignment
• Assign vocabulary presentation days
• Assign parts for Act I
• Begin reading Act I
. READ pages 1234-1235 all; 1236 last paragraph; 1237 until the play begins--QUIZ over reading tomorrow
Communications 2nd hour:
. Discuss logical fallacies
. Work on commercials
English 4 fourth hour:
• Quiz
• Discuss reading selection
• Work on essay
Communications 5th hour:
• Logical fallacies practice in groups
• Discuss commercial project -work on commercials
English 3 6th hour:
• Bellringer
• Assign vocabulary and discuss assignment
• Assign vocabulary presentation days
• Assign parts for Act I
• Begin reading Act I
English 3 7th hour:
• Bellringers
• Continue discussion of background of the play
• Finish study guide and outline notes
English 4 8th hour:
--Same as fourth hour
20070911
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
• Bellringer
• Continue discussion of background to The Crucible.
• Finish study guide outline notes
• Assign vocabulary
• Assign parts to Act I first half
Communications second hour:
• Continue in Chapter 3 discussion
• Listening exercise
English 4 4th hour:
• Discuss thesis statements
• Discuss Chapter 3 and 4
Communications 5th hour:
• Review logical fallacies/propaganda
• Look at examples
English 3 6th hour:
• Bellringer
• Continue discussion of background to The Crucible.
• Finish study guide outline notes
• Assign vocabulary
• Assign parts to Act I first half
English 3 7th hour:
• Do Bellringer: anticipation guide
• Discuss “Sinners” sermon
• Fill in notes over Pilgrims/Puritans
• Continue discussion
English 4 8th hour:
• Discuss thesis statements
• Discuss Chapter 3 and 4
20070910
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
• Bellringer
• Discuss “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
• Check homework
• Discuss background to The Crucible
Communications second hour:
• Chapter 2 test
• Articulation test
• Discuss Chapter 3
English 4 fourth hour:
. Discuss first assignment parameters
Communications 5th hour:
. Discuss Chapter 3
English 3 sixth hour:
. Same as first hour
English 3 seventh hour:
. Bellringer
. Collect summaries
. Discuss Pilgrims and Puritans
. Assign “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
. Discuss background to The Crucible
English 4 eighth hour:
. Same as fourth hour
Monday, September 10, 2007
• Bellringer: do citation
• Collect summaries
• Puritan Power Point –take notes
Communications 2nd hour:
• Go over study guide
• Discuss articulation test
• Journal write: Write about one or two times you judged a person based on the language he/she used? Or, write about a time you were judged based upon the language us were using. Explain.
• Test Monday
• Begin Chapter 3
English 4 4th hour:
• Quiz over “Under Water”
• Discuss “Under Water”
• If time permits, discuss essay assignment #1
Communications 5th hour:
• Test over Chapter 2
• Articulation test
• If time permits, continue in Chapter 3
English 3 6th hour:
• Bellringer: do citation
• Collect summaries
• Puritan Power Point –take notes
English 3 7th hour:
. No bellringer
. Discuss "America"
. Assign summary
. Turn in old bellringers up to last Weds.
English 4 8th hour:
. Same as fourth hour
20070906
Friday, September 7, 2007
• Bellringers and print/turn in all old ones (not yesterday’s or today’s)
• Discuss “Born in the U.S.A.”
• Listen to and annotate “America”
• Discuss how to write a summary
• Summary assignment, with focus on complete sentences and spelling
Communications 2nd hour:
• Practice w/partner for articulation test Monday
• Work on study guide, due Monday
• Test Tuesday
• Journal write: What are your problem areas as a speaker? Do you speak too rapidly? Are you too quiet/loud? Are you monotone? Do you use vocal fillers such as “um” or “uh”? Do you have pronunciation/articulation problems with specific words/sounds? What are they?
Communications 5th hour:
• Go over study guide
• Discuss articulation test
• Journal write: Write about one or two times you judged a person based on the language he/she used? Or, write about a time you were judged based upon the language us were using. Explain
• Test Monday
• Begin Chapter 3
English 4 (both hours):
• Quiz over Dillard’s essay
• Discuss Dillard’s essay
• Assign next reading assignment: “Under Water” and questions that follow
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Communications:
second hour:
- journal write on "experiment"
- Finish articulation problems discussion
- Practice articulation
Fifth hour:
- practice with a partner for articulation test on Monday
- work on study guide, due tomorrow, over Chapter 2
- Journal write over articulation problems
- Test over Chapter 2 Monday
English 4 (both hours): Discuss p. 67 homework. Journal write on page 64. Assignment: pages 69-70--read first time for questions on p. 68 (just think about them--don't write them out) then read a second time, answering on paper both sets of questions at end of reading.
20070831
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
• Bellringer paragraph with open notes
• If time permits, discuss the American Dream concept through poetry and song
Communications 2nd hour:
• Finish discussion over articulation
• Practice articulation exercises
English 4 4th hour:
- Continue Chapter 3 discussion
- Discuss homework from Friday: page 61.
Communications 5th hour:
• Articulation exercises
English 3 6-7 hours:
• Finish presentations
English 4 8th hour:
• Continue Chapter 3 discussion
- Discuss homework from Friday: page 29 #3 and page 61.
20070828
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
• Bellringer
• Discuss visual aid
• Discuss presentation
• Discuss grade requirements for project
• Finish peer editing and then work on final draft
• Final draft and presentations due tomorrow
English 3 sixth and seventh hours:
• Bellringer
• Peer edit
• Work on fixing up your draft and getting it typed
• If time allows, discuss visual aid for presentation
Communications:
• Review yesterday’s discussion.
• Continue in Chapter 2, slides 18-28
• Nonverbal practice activities
English 4:
• Discuss semantic meaning (denotation/connotation) and pragmatic meaning
• Work on “Grounds for Fiction” and five assigned questions (due Thursday when you come to class).
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Sixth and seventh hours--finish drafts. Final draft due Friday at beginning of class (presentations also begin then).
Communications: Continue Chapter 2 discussion.
English 4: Discuss "Plato's Cave" and annotations. Metacognition discussion and practice. Begin reading "Grounds for Fiction" and working on annotating the reading. Additionally, do all three questions following in the first section and the last two questions in the second section. This is due Thursday when you come to class.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Communications: Chapter 1 test. Second hour, do journal entry #1.
English 4: Discussion over Chapter 2 in CWWH and Chapter 1 in CWH. Work on analyzing textbook from other class.
20070823
Friday, August 24, 2007
Communications: Do journal assignment. Go over review sheet for Chapter 1 (I will take a 10 point completion grade). Begin Chapter 2 discussion. Chapter 1 test is Monday.
English 4: (4th hour): Do journal activity (page 3 in CTTW in green box). Begin Chapter 2: "Reading Actively, Reading Critically." If time permits, we will practice a sample reading activity in class. (8th hour): Quiz over "Writing. . .Hamburger" and discussion. For tonight, read in CTTW pages 27-35.
Thursday, August 24, 2007
English 3: Bellringer activity. Lyrics chart due. Discuss directions for CD project. Look at sample completed project. Draft of project due Tuesday when you come to class.
Communications: Finish bag speeches. You will recieve a Chapter 1 study guide that is due tomorrow for 10 completion points. Work on this in class during remaining time and finish tonight. Chapter 1 test postponed until Monday!
English 4: 4th hour: Quiz over "Writing. . .Hamburger" and discussion. For tonight, read in CTTW pages 27-35. Think about which suggestions you already do and which ones you think might help you to become a more critical reader.
Wednesday, August 22
Communications: Present bag speeches
English 4: 4th hour: Quiz over Colin Powell's essay. Discuss essay in class. Assign "Writing Isn't a McDonald's Hamburger" and do the first three questions that follow. 8th hour: Complete diagnostic quiz on vocabulary. Discuss Chapter 1 in CTTW. Assign Colin Powell's Essay "My American Journey" and the first three questions that follow. Quiz over reading tomorrow.
20070821
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
English 3: Signed forms due back tomorrow for a 10 point grade. Continue working on your lyrics chart. You may want to search your CDs and music at home or work at home on the same website as class... www.leoslyrics.com or www.lyricsspy.com. If you find you don't have enough class time to finish, you may need to work at home.
English 4: Signed forms due tomorrow! Fourth hour is a day ahead of 8th hour. 4th hour, we will complete a diagnostic definitions quiz (not for a grade) and we will discuss today your reading assignment (pages 2-10). Tonight, read Colin Powell’s essay in the CTTW textbook, pages 10-12, and do the questions from the Active Reading section. Remember, there will be an brief quiz over the essay you have to read. 8th hour, we will complete a diagnostic essay. For homework, read pages 2-10 in the CTTW textbook.
Communications: We will discuss Chapter 1 today and possibly do some exercises to practice what we learn. Remember, your signed sheet is due tomorrow as well as your bag speeches.
20070517
Thursday, May 17, 2007
English 3: Be sure to print a RLC transcript for Mrs. Zawaske and get it to her before the summer. For review for the final exam, go to www.bearcatenglish.com and click on the English 3 link. The three links provided will take you to review sites to help you. English 3 first hour exam is Monday and the exam for sixth and seventh hours is next Weds. You should have received a study guide a couple of days ago. IF you need a new one, you may take one from the table in front of my desk.
Reading: Finish your Power Point this week. Be sure you have everything required and be sure you know how to pronounce everything. Your presentation for final exams is Monday second hour.
Hang in there, guys. You're almost there!
20070510
Friday, May 11, 2007
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” --Milton Berle
~*Happy Graduation To Me*~ I graduate with with my master's degree with Mrs. Fitch and Mrs. Polley tomorrow at McKendree. Whoo Hoo!
Friday is Mr. O'Hara's last day. He's graduating, too, very soon. We'll have a goodbye party each hour and give him advice and such. Bring enough food to share and don't bring anything that will stain.
English 3: Make sure your poetry journals are finished and ready to turn in next week. Practice for poetry presentations which will resume Monday. I will miss those of you that are seniors. Congratulations! This is YOUR last day while the rest of us are here for another week and a half. You made it!
English 4/1102: LAST DAY! MLA final exam. After that, party for Mr. O'Hara. We will give him advice on his new career. You can bring snacks if you wish, but remember that drinks should not be red or a color that would stain the carpet. Bring enough to share. I will miss you all. Come back to see me!
Speech: Last day of farewell speeches. Last day for Mr. O'Hara. Heck, last day of everything, including class. You're outta here! I will miss you all! Come back to see me!
Reading: Continue reading in your books and finish your reading packets. Congratulations, Brandon! You made it! I'm proud of you! Be sure to come back and visit some.
20070508
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
- Barbara Hyett
** Please see yesterday's post for more detailed information including a party for Mr. O'Hara this Friday the 11th and a final exam schedule. **
English 3--We will again work on journals today. First hour, you need to be sure by class tomorrow your journals (the five poem paragraph entries) are finished when you come to class. Today, you will work on choosing one of the five to present and work on finishing the presentation/practicing the presentation. You (first hour only) will present beginning tomorrow and continue each day until the 15th. We will probably take off , however, for Mr. O'Hara's last day this Friday the 11th to party and say goodbye (read yesterday's post). Sixth and seventh hours, you will also work today on the poetry journals. You should be finished by the beginning of class Thursday when you enter the door. You will then spend Thursday working on your presentation and practicing reading your chosen poem. You will present your poems beginning Monday the 14th and finish the 16th.
I will be giving you copies of the rubrics I will use to grade you so you know what to expect. You will need to staple your poetry rubric I give you onto your journal before you turn it in next week. Journals (even though we finish them this week) will not be due until the presentations are completed (I'll keep you posted on the date later on).
English 4/1102: Post write final exam today and tomorrow. Good luck!
Speech: Farewell speeches the rest of this week. Bring hankies or Kleenex!
20070507
Heeeerrrreeeee's Jenny (That's Mrs. Webster to you!) Monday, May 7, 2007
Well, I'm back for most classes. It feels great. I love to teach, and it's not easy giving up my classroom or my students though I knew you were in good hands with Mr. O'Hara. Friday is his last day with us, so we will probably do something out of the ordinary Friday. You can bring snacks if you would like (Just make sure it's nothing that ruins or stains carpet) and we'll take time to say goodbye and leave him with advice for being a teacher from the student side of things. So start shopping and start thinking.
Here's what's going on in classes this week.
English 3: All hours are working on their poetry journals. However, due to unforeseen (and one seen) circumstances, sixth hour is lagging behind a day or two. But it's ok, I promise. During finals week, first hour has to take their finals on Monday the 21st and sixth and seventh don't take theirs until Weds. the 23rd. This means that you sixthers and seventhers get an extra 30 minutes on that Monday and Tuesday to catch up on whatever we're behind on. No biggie, see? So first hour should pretty much be finished with their five journal entries by the end of the hour Tuesday (you get all hour Monday to work, too). First hour will then spend all hour Wednesday working on the presentation of their favorite poem and practicing reading their individual poems. They will present their poems beginning Thursday and will continue a few a day until the end of the day the Tuesday the 15th. Sixth and seventh hours can work all hour today and Tuesday and should be finished probably by the end of the hour Wednesday. Thursday you can work on your presentation and practice presenting and presentations will begin most likely Monday the 14th and continue until the end of class the 16th. Then , for all of you reviews will begin for the final exam. Whoo hoo!
Reading class: you are reading your book and completing your packet. Remember, this is the book you will probably use to create your Power Point presentation for your final exam. You can bring snacks Friday to say goodbye to Mr. O'Hara if you would like. Just make sure it's nothing that ruins or stains carpet.
Speech: you will finish out the week creating and presenting your farewell speeches. Friday is Mr. O'Hara's last day and I have a little something different for you as a way to say goodbye to all of you and Mr. O'Hara. Sad, sad, sad. I'll miss you all. Remember that you can bring snacks if you'd like to celebrate this most momentous occasion. Just make sure it's nothing that ruins or stains carpet.
English 4/1102: Here's the rundown. After you finish presenting your research papers Monday and Tuesday, you're down to the final exams. In case you haven't paid a lick of attention the last two weeks, Wednesday and Thursday you have a rewrite of your prewrite and then Friday you have a little MLA test (little as in 5 questions). We'll have a little going-away party for Mr. O'Hara (and all of you--You can bring snacks if you want since the MLA test will not take long--Just make sure it's nothing that ruins or stains carpet). Then, you're outta here!
Final exams for underclassmen are as follows:
Monday the 21st: First and second hours (the other hours are shortened to about 30 minutes each for review)
Tuesday the 22nd: Begin the day with third, fourth, and fifth hours with shortened hours afterwards.
Wednesday the 23rd: Begin the day with sixth, seventh, and eighth hours and then go home
Thursday the 24th: Teacher institute day. Stay home. Sleep. Watch Oprah. Think about me at school grading all those final exams.
Friday the 25th: Come get your report cards and have a great summer.
20070420
I've Got a Second Life!
I logged into www.secondlife.com and signed up for an account. It was at first a bit scary. I was standing in a new world, looking not a bit like myself. I tweaked the controls to make my avatar look more like me and set off to find adventure. Since I didn't know where to go, I took the advice of a fellow teacher, who is known as Existential Paine in Second Life, and went to Eduisland. It was a world all its own. I was met with buildings, strange upturned vehicles, and odd masses littering the ground. After some time of wandering aimlessly, I met someone who helped me tour the island. However, I kept thinking it was a video game. I wanted to pick up mugs of java and bash them against walls to see what money I could collect. I kept thinking people who were flying above me were enemies or aliens. I expected to get into trouble at any minute for looking into people's houses. And I couldn't figure out my quest for solving a level. Finally, I realized this was not the purpose of Second Life. Though I'm not entirely sure of its purpose except for fun in a virtual world, I do see how it could hold potential in the educational world.
Second Life has educational possibilities, I think. One can meet others to chat. Some places have buildings with rooms to sit at tables and hold discussions. Dean Koontz, master horror crafter, read his book at Bantam Dell's book shop and cafe. How cool would this be for students to be able to meet all together in virtual reality and hear a famous author reading his or her book or to be able to hold a discussion with an author of a book? Students could meet somewhere on SL and hold real discussions about assigned text or work on class projects. What better way to garner student interest than to meet another classroom from somewhere else in the world to converse about some educational topic? So many possibilities, I think. And since many students love technology and are so much more literate in this medium than I, I think many would be more interested in the subject at hand.
I do, however, think this would require much planning and caution. I noticed I could strip down to my skivvies (maybe even more, though I was not about to try), put on strange outfits, choose an alien-like persona for my avatar, and wreck places by creating litter (which had just happened on Eduisland when I was there and some virtual people were cleaning up the trash). Would I as the leader of the group be able to monitor student activities? Could a student fly (yes, you can actually fly to new places on SL) off and create mischief unbeknownst to me? How would Iensure student learning? How would I evaluate participation? And more challenging still: can students join the adult SL and vice versa? If not, how will we all get on the same island? One can buy an island, at least according to one person I talked to on SL, for about $2000 and then high monthly fees. Perhaps if I own my own island, I would have more control.
I could own my own island. Maybe call it "Webster's Island" or something pithy like that. Perhaps I'll retire there some day when I am ready to leave my teaching days behind. . .
20070328
I've Been Blogged!
I forget sometimes that what I put on the Internet is there for all to see. I forget when pecking away at my keyboard that it is not beyond the realm of possibility that someone outside of our humble town of Christopher might view my website or blog. And even though I ask my students to blog and reply to each other online in the hopes that they will receive an authentic audience of world wide webbers, I fail to believe that my students may really get that audience. But it IS possible. With that possibility, then, comes a set of potential problems that I must consider. While it is great to have a real audience, how much do I want them to know about my students? How will I ensure their privacy (whether they want to be anonymous or not. . .some are all too eager to put their favorite bands or pictures of their friends or their emails on their pages)? When they begin adding pictures to dress up their boring pages, as teenagers are wont to do, must I teach them about copyright laws? How often should I check their pages to ensure Mary isn't jonseing Billy because he chatted with Mary's best friend last night on MSN or to be comfortable that Precious hasn't added a picture of Eminem in his skivvies?
Technology is fun. It's fascinating. It can make a boring class a bit more palatable for reluctant students. But it sure creates new stresses for the teacher. In the long run, however, I think it's worth it. Students are famished to see their world brought into the classroom. And I'm just as eager to incorporate this technology as well. Especially if it gets me a hit when I google myself. Now, when I find myself as a Wikipedia entry, or if some anonymous admirer creates me a myspacepage and adds me some friends, I will know I have arrived.
20070326
Mr. O'Hara's Blog for Homework
Go to http://mrosenglish.blogspot.com/ to view it.
20070126
Monday, January 29, 2007
Discuss Chapters 21-24 with Smart Board timeline activity
We will discuss level 4 questions.
Two questions due w/possible answers
English 4/1102: You will have time to work on your annotated bibliography and to work on finding sources for your paper.
Speech: Speeches, beginning with Bridgette, and then Rachel, Amanda, and then Jordan.
Reading: Reading in A Man Named Dave and finishing up your pen pal letters.
20070125
Friday, January 26, 2007
We will discuss level 4 questions.
Quiz over Chapters 11-20 for Monday.
Quiz over five prefixes for Tuesday.
Discussion over Shephardsons and Grangerfords today.
English 4/1102: We will discuss MLA documentation, specifically internal citations. Your annotated bibliography will be due next week on Wednesday.
Speech: More speeches today, beginning with Chelsey and then Susan, Gretchen, and MAYBE Bridgette.
Reading: Finish your pen pal letter today.
20070124
Thursday, January 25, 2007
English 4: We will discuss MLA documentation most of the hour, specifically focusing on the Works Cited page and punctuating quotations/titles.
Speech: Jason Swan will be here today to talk to you about college.
Reading: Pen pals are in, so you will write to him/her today and some of tomorrow. Finally!!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
English 3: You will finish and then present your projects for Mr. O'Hara and then will present to the class.
Go over next five prefixes.
English 4: Kris Kuberski will be here for about ten minutes to register you for ENGL 1102.
Quiz over “Young Goodman Brown”
Discuss story
Speech: More speeches today. Presenting today for us will be Cassie, Megan, and Amber. We *might* get to Chelsey. If not, Chelsey, tomorrow!
Reading: Mr. O’Hara will be reading to you.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Mr. O’Hara worked with your class in groups on a creative writing assignment. Your assignment will have to be completed on your own instead of in a group. Attached is the assignment.
Read Chapters 18, 19, and 20 for tomorrow and prepare level 3 questions for discussion.
English 4: We will discuss more on MLA style. You will have a b it of time to research. Read "Young Goodman Brown" for tomorrow, applying the archetypal/symbolism criticism to the reading. Try looking at other criticisms as well.
Speech: Speeches begin today! Presenting for us will be Janell, Tyler, and Cassie. If we don't get to you, Cassie, today, we WILL get to you tomorrow, promise.
20070119
Monday, January 22, 2007
English 4/1102: Time to research again. We will discuss argumentation a bit.
Speech: Work on finalizing outlines. Turn in completed outline by end of hour today. We will draw for speech order.
Reading: Mr. O'Hara will read once again to you.
Friday, January 19, 2007
English 4/1102: Class fourth hour only due to 2:00 P.M. dismissal. Fourth hour will have all hour to research.
Speech: I will hand back your outlines today and give you suggestions for improving and turning in a final copy by the end of the hour Monday. We will also discuss notecards and how to prepare them for your speech. Speeches will begin Tuesday. We will draw for the order Monday in class.
Reading: Bookworm.
20070118
Thursday, January 18, 2007
English 4/1102: Quiz over "The Lottery." Mr. O'Hara will then discuss the story with you. Then, you will have time to work on research. You will be allowed to research all hour tomorrow.
Speech: We will discuss Easybib and your Works Cited/visual aid page. The rest of the hour, work on your visual aid and speech.
Reading: Reading A Man Named Dave.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
English 3: Quick 8. Discuss level 3 questions...do ONE with TWO level 2 questions for Chapters 8-10 tomorrow. Discuss in groups some questions I will give you. Read Chapters 11-13 for Friday. You will have a quiz over Chapters 1-10 tomorrow.
English 4/1102: Discuss methods for saving sources and research paper assignment.
Speech: We will discuss how to use appropriately Power Point for your presentations.
Reading: Mr. O'Hara will begin reading A Man Named Dave to you.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
English 4/1102: Disuss EBSCOHost and setting limiters/tutorial. Research.
Speech: Outline due by end of hour.
Reading: Read on own.
20070111
Friday, January 12, 2007
English 3: Do a Quick 8. Any student signed up to teach Chapters 5-7 teach will teach first. Turn in the study guide for me to copy for the class before the end of the our.
Discuss Chapters 5-7: t-chart (level 2 questions/plot list)Discuss movie from yesterday: Born to Trouble: The Adventures of Huck Finn (Part 1)
Read Chapters 8, 9, and 10 for Tuesday. Tuesday you will also have a quiz over the next five root words from the 30-15-10 list.
English 4/1102: We will discuss how to record information from sources you locate. Next week, you will have some time to work on locating information. Research questions are due by Weds. A working thesis is due by Friday.
Speech: Work on outlines and audience analyses. Detailed outline, typed, due by end of the hour Tuesday.
Reading: Bookworm contest.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Go over new root words
Watch movie: Born to Trouble: The Adventures of Huck Finn (Part 1)
Finish Chapters 5-7 and t-chart for tomorrow.
English 4/1102: We will discuss “Teenage Wasteland”
We will discuss RLC’s library and EBSCOHost
If you need more information, you can go to the following: http://www.mckendree.edu/academics/library_infor_svcs.aspx and click on “tutorials” in the middle and then on the following links: (you will need to have the volume up)
Advanced Searching Techniques
Advanced Search / Guided Style Techniques
Basic EBSCO Searching in Academic Libraries
Using My EBSCOhost
Speech: Work on outlines and audience analyses.
Reading:Bookworm
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Go over level 2 questions and answers/t-chart
Read Chapters 5-7 for Friday's class.
Remember to tell me which chapter you want to present.
English 4/1102: Read "Teenage Wasteland" for tomorrow's class.
Discuss literary criticism.
Apply literary criticism to "All About Suicide"
Speech: Work on audience analysis and outline.
Reading: Read in your book.
20070108
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
English 4/1102: We will discuss indicators of critical thinking. We will also discuss the research paper, pages 443-445 in The College Writer's Handbook, and work on looking for an acceptable topic for your first paper.
Speech: Work on locating a topic and completing your audience analysis. Next, we will discuss locating reliable sources. You will then have time to work on finding information for your topic and working on an outline.
Reading: Read assigned book in folder on right side floor of my desk.
20070105
Monday, January 8, 2007
English 4/1102: We will discuss the short story you read as homework, "All About Suicide". We will also discuss critical thining indicators. Additionally, we will begin discussing the research paper.
Speech: Chapter 6 test. Afterwards, you will be given a worksheet that we did not get to Friday due to our discussion of subliminal advertising. You will work on analyzing your audience and topic for your first speech.
Friday, January 5, 2007
English 4/1102: We will discuss understanding literature today, pages 3-19. For tomorrow, read the story "All About Suicide" on page 5 and mark text/prepare for discussion tomorrow.
Speech: I will give you a sheet explaining your first speech, the expository speech. We will discuss expectations and then you will have some time to work on an audience/topic analysis and do some research. Remember, you have a Chapter 6 test Monday.
Reading: Continue reading in your books.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
English 3: I will let you see your exam grades and your fourth quarter grades. We will then discuss the next time period: "Division, Expansion, and Reconciliation."
English 4/1102: We will go over your RLC and high school grades and then discuss the syllabus for this semester.
Speech: We will finish and then review Chapter 6. You will have a Ch. 6 test Monday.
Reading: You will read a book of your choice today.