April 27, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Only one satellite has been destroyed by a meteor--the European Space Agency's Olympus in 1993.

Speech: Today, Ashlee and Mallory will start off persuasive speeches.

Sophomores: We will be watching Caesar on video this week. Eighth hour is a day behind. Today, we will begin the video. Act III diary entries due by end of day.

Freshmen: We will be continuing reading and watching Romeo and Juliet, Acts 2-3. Today, third hour will read in groups and attempt to determine what Lady Capulet, Lord Montague, and the prince feel the punishment should be. Finally, we will write a diary entry predicting how we would feel if we were Juliet and had found out that the man we just married had murdered our cousin. Fifth and seventh hours will watch the fight scene until Tybalt dies and then, reading the text in partners, answer worksheet questions 1-13.

April 22, 2005 Friday

Now you know: 1961 was the most recent year that could be written both upside-down and rightside-up and appear the same. The next year that this will be possible will be 6009.

Speech: Yesterday, you got a sheet telling you what to check over in your outlines. Today, we will highlight some portions to make them stand out when I look them over throughout the weekend. They are due before you leave class today.

Sophomores: We will finish Act III today. Then, we will work with a few vocabulary words (in your book at the end of Act III) and begin the Act III diary entry.

Freshmen: You started your letters on computer yesterday. Today, you will need to finish them and do a self evaulation (or a peeer check, if you don't care for someone else reading your letter about love). Your letter is due by the end of the hour. The remainder of the hour, or for homework if you don't get to it, will be a worksheet over Act 2, what we've read so far.

April 21, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: The roaring lion in the MGM logo was named Volney and lived at the Memphis Zoo.

Speech: Work on outlines. I saw several yesterday, and they're looking much, much better. Today, use the checksheet I will hand out to make sure it contains some of the required elements that you may have neglected to add. Tomorrow, they are due.

Sophomores: We will continue listening to Caesar.


Freshmen: We will watch the famous balcony scene today. Letters are due today (not 5th hour, though--we're behind that hour).

April 20, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: To sting, a bee uses 22 muscles.

Speech: After discussion yesterday, I think the outlines are looking better. They are due, completed, Friday.

Sophomores: Act II diary entries are due at the beginning of the hour today. We will begin Act III on tape.


Freshmen: Worksheets due at beginning of hour from Act II, the chorus and scene 1. We will read the famous balcony scene, scene 2, today.

April 19, 2005 Tuesday

Speech: Continue working on your speeches. Remember to look at the sample ones I gave you, as well as the errors you made on your last one. Several of you are making up your own style for your outline, which is costing you points. That's why I give you a sample one. Follow it!

Sophomores: Continue working on the Act II diary entry. It is due by tomorrow, first thing.

Freshmen: Choose one of the following questions below. Write your opinion to the question on my website. Once you've arrived at my website by clicking on the link above, choose "Romeo and Juliet Online Discussion" for your hour. Then, respond to AT LEAST three other students' postings.
1. Does Romeo gain your sympathy in Scene 1? Give reasons.
2. Explain the close relationship between Juliet and the nurse. Do you find the nurse amusing or annoying?
3. Is Romeo’s sadness real or imaginary? Explain.
4. Describe how and why Romeo and Juliet fall in love.
5. Describe Lady Capulet's attitude to Juliet when asking her if she is willing to marry Paris. Do you regard her as a good mother? Give reasons.

You are expected to reply in an educational manner.

For homework, read Act II, the chorus and scene 1 and do the worksheet given to you in class.

April 18, 2005 Monday

Speech: Continue work on your persuasive outlines.

Sophomores: Work on Act II diary entry letter. Due tomorrow by end of hour.

Freshmen: Mr. Shapkoff will speak with you most of the hour about how to make a schedule for registration Friday.

April 15, 2005 Friday

Remember: We drop fifth and sixth hours today.

Speech: Continue working on outline.

Sophomores: Today, we will finish Act II of Caesar. Then, we will finish the questions and begin our Act II diary letter. Letter will be due Monday at end of hour.

Freshmen: What awesome masks you make yesterday!!! It was so fun to see them all. We have very creative students! Today, we will continue in Act I. We will see how Tybalt reacts to Romeo attending the Capulet party (fifth hour will do this Monday).

April 14, 2005 Thursday

Speech: We will begin typing our outlines, now that we have narrowed topics and begun locating information.

Sophomores: We will again listen to Act 2 on tape and do the questions that go with it.

Freshmen: Yesterday, we learned the Pilgrims and Saints dance. Today, with our masks, we will dance and then vote on masks: most original design, most colorful, most unique materials, most carefully done, wildest, funniest, and best representative mask. Then, we will begin reading the dance scene.

April 13, 2005 Wednesday

Speech: Begin outlines.

Sophomores: We didn't get as far as possible since Mr. Shapkoff spoke most of the hour. We will work on Act II in assigned groups.

Freshmen: Pictures of Queen Mab due. We will work on getting ready for the Capulet party.

April 12, 2005 Tuesday

Speech: Work on finding information over your speech topic. Today we worked on audience analysis and how to back up what you say.

Sophomores: Julius Caesar letter due. Turn it in with the final on top, then the rough drafts, and finally, the peer edit sheet from yesterday. Mr. Shapkoff will be here to discuss next year's scheduling...and to help you get your schedules ready for registration Friday. Next, we will begin reading Act II.

Freshmen: We will discuss the worksheet over Act I, scenes i and ii. Today we will watch part of the video (to the end of scene iv) and then discuss what occurred. Queen Mab picture due tomorrow.

April 11, 2005 Monday

Speech: Work on finding information for your speech. Since many of you will be gone to attend the RLC Tech-Prep College Career day, we will work on locating information all hour.

Sophomores: Julius Caesar diary entries due today. We will begin Act II.

Freshmen: Today, we will begin reading Act I scene ii.

April 8, 2005 Friday

DON'T FORGET THAT WE DROP THIRD AND FOURTH HOURS TODAY DUE TO JUNIOR SCHEDULING.

Speech: We are working on narrowing persuasive topics and finding the cause/solution.

Sophomores: (No class 4th hour today)--work on typing your diary entry and adding two pictures. Due Monday at end of hour.

Freshmen: (No class 3rd hour today)--we will finish Act I scene i and do a worksheet.

April 7, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket!

Speech: Today, we will discuss in depth our last major speech, the persuasive speech. I know some of you have already chosen the topic you'd like to give. Be thinking about yours if you are still undecided.

Sophomores: We will begin our first project from Julius Caesar. You will write a diary entry as if you were a character from the play. We will type it in class and find pictures to go with it.

Freshmen: Yesterday was fun. You did a great job "sword fighting!" Today we will discuss the worksheet you did and make sure everyone understands what has happened so far in the play. We will then continue reading the play.

April 6, 2005 Wednesday

Speech: Mallory will finish off our biographical speeches today. We had an awewome field trip yesterday!


Sophomores: Today, we will finish Act I of Caesar and will discuss it in depth.

Freshmen: Today is the fun day! We get to "sword" fight! After we present our version of Act I scene i of Romeo and Juliet, we will watch a video of the fight to compare. Also, we can see the way they dressed and how the city might have looked. Be sure that you turned in your worksheet that was given to you in class yesterday.

April 5, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: Jellyfish have no brains, yet they can tell light from dark, and sense movements.

Speech: Our last two speeches are today, Chrissy and Mallory. Then, we leave on our field trip.

Sophomores: You will be given a worksheet to complete. You will answer the questions on both sides, but for now, please exclude number 10 as we didn't get that far yesterday. 8th hour, please print and turn in your Power Point presentation if you haven't done so already.

Freshmen: Shakespeare quiz today. Afterwards, you will fill out a worksheet over what we read yesterday.

April 4, 2005 Monday

Welcome back! I hope you had an enjoyable Spring Break. We're in our last quarter of school!!

Speech: Alyssa and Blake are scheduled to speak today. FIELD TRIP tomorrow to WSIL TV3 and Clear Channel Radio.

Sophomores: We will attempt to get through most of Act I in Caesar today. Be sure to bring the notes we took before break, as we will add to them today.

Freshmen: Shakespeare quiz tomorrow. You were given the study guide before break. Today, we will begin Act I, scene i of Romeo and Juliet. We will discuss meaning in preparation for acting it out Weds. Tomorrow, you will have a sub as I will be taking my speech class on a field trip.

March 23, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green.

Speech: Two more speeches today.


Sophomores: We will continue with Julius Caesar. We will also present a Power Point presentation on Greek/Latin root words.

Freshmen: We will continue with Romeo and Juliet. Today, we will be learning how Shakespeare formed insults, which is how the play begins. Go to http://www.geocities.com/alemry/Shakespeare.html for the definition of the words you get in class. We will also present a Power Point presentation on Greek/Latin root words.

March 22, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: Shrimps' hearts are in their heads.

Speech: Jesse and Frank (and maybe Travis) will go today. Be ready. IF the people before you are absent or unprepared, you will be called upon to give your speech.

Sophomores: Today, two groups will present their Greek and Latin root word presentations. We will begin Caesar, Act I scene 1 today.

Freshmen: Groups will need to finish their Greek and Latin presentations today. Tomorrow, we will begin presenting, two groups a day. We will begin the Prologue to Romeo and Juliet.

March 21, 2005 Monday

Speech: We will resume speeches where we left off last week.

Sophomores: Today, you should turn in a printout of your slides from the Greek and Latin root words Power Point presentation you created last week. To do this, go to "file", "print", then on the left side in the middle choose the drop-down box and select "handouts." Then print. If time allows, we may begin presenting them today. If not, we will begin tomorrow, one or two groups a day throughout the week. We will discuss some background to Julius Caesar and then begin Act I.

Freshmen: Today, you should turn in a printout of your slides from the Greek and Latin root words Power Point presentation you created last week. To do this, go to "file", "print", then on the left side in the middle choose the drop-down box and select "handouts." Then print. Next, I will hand out a packet of papers for Romeo and Juliet. We will answer some questions included in the packet. Then, we will discuss the background for Romeo and Juliet and hopefully begin the Prologue. If at any time you are having difficulty understanding the text, you may wish to visit http://www.clicknotes.com/romeo/SP1.html . Be warned, however, that Shakespeare wrote with crude humor to capture his audience and the authors of this site explain it in full detail. Do not go here if you may be insulted or embarrassed. If there is not enough time, we will instead present some of the Power Point presentations. The presentations will continue, one or two groups a day, throughout the week.

March 15, 2005 Tuesday

Speech: Due to my absence yesterday, no speeches were given. Those scheduled to go yesterday will go today.

Sophomores: If you read today's blog like you are supposed to, you knew to turn in the "ex" worksheets. However, since I was absent, as long as they're in at the beginning of the hour, they will not be late. We will continue with the Caesar presentations today.

Freshmen: If you read today's blog like you are supposed to, you knew to turn in the "ex" worksheets. However, since I was absent, as long as they're in at the beginning of the hour, they will not be late. Today, we will discuss Shakespeare and the web quest answers you should have. We will then begin ROMEO AND JULIET.

March 14, 2005 Monday

Now you know: The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.

Speech: Two more speeches today.

Sophomores: Turn in "ex" worksheet. Present Caesar projects today.

Freshmen: Turn in "ex" worksheet. Finish Shakespeare web quest by end of hour today. Tomorrow, we will disucss them.

March 11, 2005 Friday

Now you know: The raised reflective dots in the middle of highways are called Botts dots.

Speech: Casey and Jesse are scheduled to go today.


Sophomores: Work on “ex” worksheets. They are due Monday. I will be handing out a sheet with any zero grades you have received. Please check them over to make sure there were no errors in my recording of grades. If you feel there was an error, please see me TODAY. The rest of the hour, you should finalize your presentation plans. Finish your projects, check them over with the checksheet I will give you, and make copies of your brochure. Print a copy of your test and answer key and a copy of your Power Point, please, to turn in by the end of the hour. You may wish to take a few minutes to practice what you will say. Monday, each group will present in order (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then 6). Most likely, we will finish Tuesday. During your presentation, you will present your Power Point, hand out your brochures, and ask the audience the questions from your quiz to see if they remember (or can find the answers on the brochure). Should you finish and have extra time, begin working on your "ex" worksheets.


Freshmen: Work on “ex” worksheets. They are due Monday. I will be handing out a sheet with any zero grades you have received. Please check them over to make sure there were no errors in my recording of grades. If you feel there was an error, please see me TODAY. Continue working on the Shakespeare webquest by going here.

March 10, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: The pitches that Babe Ruth hit for his last-ever home run and that Joe DiMaggie hit for his first-ever home run were thrown by the same man.

Speeches: Sierra and Anthony will go today.

Sophomores: We will begin the hour by going over the "therm" and "bio" worksheets. We will then discuss the other root words we did the previous week. Last, you will be given time to finalize your project for presentation tomorrow. I will tell you what order you will present for tomorrow.

Freshmen: Those I-Searches are FINISHED! Today, we will begin discussing William Shakespeare, the author of ROMEO AND JULIET. You will be put into groups to do a webquest about his life and works. You will have two days to work on this before turning it in. Use your time wisley. You may have a partner, if you so choose, but I will accept groups of two only. We will also spend a few minutes going over the "therm" and "bio" worksheets.

March 9, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Napoleon constructed his battle plans in a sandbox.


Speech: Due to the bus safety training and the presentation by the Illinois Petroleum Resource Board, there will be no speeches today. Tomorrow will be Sierra and Anthony.

Sophomores: Today is the day for bus safety training and the presentation by the Illinois Petroleum Resource Board. Class schedules will be confusing. IF you are in class, you will be working on your Caesar presentation.

Freshmen: Today is the day for bus safety training and the presentation by the Illinois Petroleum Resource Board. Class schedules will be confusing. IF you are in class, you will be working on getting your I-Search final paper turned in. You will need a folder for it and the drafts, etc. Put all copies, stapled, with the cover pages. It all goes in a folder. I will have you do a final check before you turn it in...the order is as follows:

Left side: Include all copies, notes, rough drafts, etc. PUT THE FINAL CHECK ON TOP OF IT ALL, THEN THE DRAFTS, THEN EVERYTHING ELSE.

Right side: Put your I-Search paper, in its entirety (Title page, outline, then each section (make Section 5 on a page by itself, called "Works Cited" with no quotation marks and NOT labeled Section 5) on the right side.

Turn it in to me and get a receipt saying it was turned in on time. Keep that receipt until you get your paper back, graded.

March 8, 2005 Tuesday

Speech: We will have students who were not prepared yesterday go today. If time allows, we will also listen to Sierra and Anthony.

Sophomores: You will have all hour to work on your projects. However, since some of you will be on a field trip, you will need to work on your part of the assignment on your own time.

Freshmen: Today, you will get back your Section 3 papers, graded. You will need to spend most of the hour correcting errors. Please recheck for grammatical errors, as I did not fix everything--just what I happened to see. Afterwards, continue stapling drafts, Internet copies, journal printouts, etc. in preparation for turning in your final I-Search paper. I am hoping to be ready tomorrow by the end of the day.

March 7, 2005 Monday

Now you know: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak!?!?!?

Speech: I am seeing improvement from your first speeches. Today, Raquel and Eric will inform us.

Sophomores: Friday, you received your "governmental" assignments as welcoming committee for Caesar's new Roman citizens. You should have begun researching your assigned topic. Hopefully, you've been saving the information AND the websites where you found the information. Today, continue locating your answers and decide how to divide up the projects you have to accomplish. You will have Tuesday and Wednesday to work in class (Weds. and Thursday for 8th hour since tomorrow (Tuesday) Miss Newton will teach a lesson). Thursday, I will speak to you about Shakespeare. Presentations are scheduled to begin Friday.

Freshmen: Today, we will finish the Works Cited on www.easybib.com and reprint your Section 3 and the new Works Cited you created. You will finish highlighting today. We will look to be certain that you are citing sources correctly and using only the ones you mentioned in your Works Cited. If time allows, we will begin putting all the drafts, copies, journal pages, etc. together. Hang on! We're almost finished!

March 4, 2005 Friday

Now you know: Gilligan of Gilligan's Island had a first name that was used only once, on the never-aired pilot show. His first name was Willy.

Speech: Bobby and Kyle will entertain us today.


Sophomores: No bellringer today. "Them" and "bio" will be due next week. Today, we will begin a new project in preparation for JULIUS CAESAR by Shakespeare. We will be taking on roles of a welcoming committee and researching for a presentation to the class. To begin, click this link.


Freshmen: No bellringer today. "Therm" and "bio" will most likely be due next week, after I-searches. We will finish our Section 5, the Works Cited page on www.easybib.com today. If you started it yesterday, type in the number it gave you and yesterday's work will magically appear! Once you've gotten all your sources from Section 3 in easybib, you will hit the little blue print button and click "open." Copy and paste on the first blank page under Section 4. DO NOT label it as Section 5. It should just say Works Cited. Save. Print a new copy of Section 3 and the Works Cited page. We will highlight (instruction to be given in class).

March 3, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: In 1963, baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry remarked, "The'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." On July 20, 1969, a few hours after Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, Gaylord Perry hit his first, and only, home run.


Speech: Tippie, Lucas, and Richard give speeches today.


Sophomores: Do "Bio" worksheets...due tomorrow. IT'S D-DAY...time to turn in those I-Search papers! They are due by the end of the day. Be sure to highlight your sources from the Works Cited page with your Section 3. Also, put all copies, stapled, with the cover pages. It all goes in a folder. I will have you do a final check before you turn it in...the order is as follows:

Left side: Include all copies, notes, rough drafts, etc. PUT THE FINAL CHECK ON TOP OF IT ALL, THEN THE DRAFTS, THEN EVERYTHING ELSE.

Right side: Put your I-Search paper, in its entirety (Title page, outline, then each section (make Section 5 on a page by itself, called "Works Cited" with no quotation marks and NOT labeled Section 5) on the right side.

Turn it in to me and get a receipt saying it was turned in on time. Keep that receipt until you get your paper back, graded.


Freshmen: Do "Bio" worksheets...due tomorrow. Finish your Section 4 paper. Then, we will go to www.easybib.com to make Section 5, called a Works Cited. I will show you how to do it. You will need the information from all your sources that you used in Section 3. That information should be in your journal.

March 2, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: The Grateful Dead were once called The Warlocks.

Speech: Scott, Ryan, and Tippie give speeches today. Good job, Brad, on your speech yesterday.

Sophomores: No bellringer today. Continue fixing errors in Section 3. Highlight sources in your Works Cited and your Section 3 if you haven't done so already. Make a title page for your entire I-Search paper. Staple all copies and notes to the pages I give you. Get ready...tomorrow we turn them in. Be sure you have a folder for the entire paper and copies.

Freshmen: No bellringer today. Begin Section 4. I will give you examples of good ones to look at. You will use the worksheets from yesterday to type Section 4. It goes under Section 3. Save as Section 4.

March 1, 2005 Tuesday

Happy March! Spring Break is this month!!!

Now you know: Dr. Samuel A. Mudd was the physician who set the leg of Lincoln's assassin John Wilkes Booth...and whose shame created the expression for ignominy (great personal dishonor or humiliation), "His name is Mudd."

Speech: Brad and Scott give their speeches today. We will be evaluating them as a class as well.

Sophomores: Bellringer worksheet: "THERM". Print another copy of Section 3 and your Works Cited. Highlight like last year (I will explain again in class). If I get your Section3 papers graded, you need to fix mistakes. Staple covers for your drafts, copies, etc. Make cover for entire I-Search paper. Remember to turn in signature on thank you letter by tomorrow.


Freshmen: Bellringer worksheet: "THERM". Finish correcting Section 1 and 2. Remember to turn in signature on thank you letter by tomorrow. Do Section 4 worksheet.

February 28, 2005 Monday

Now you know: When two words are combined to form a single word (e.g., motor + hotel = motel, breakfast + lunch = brunch, spoon + fork = spork), the new word is called a "portmanteau."

Speech: Speeches begin tomorrow. Today, finish getting your outline ready, practice, and go over comments from last speech.


Sophomores: Finish "logy" worksheets. Turn in packet by end of day today. Finish Section 4 and save under Section 3. Go to www.easybib.com and make Section 5, which is the Works Cited page. When you are finished with easybib.com, hit the "save" button on their site and copy the number. Then, hit the "print" button (which does not pring on paper-just your screen as a Word document). Copy and paste it under Section 4 on the next blank page and save as Section 5. You're done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow, we will make sure everything is correct, highlight your sources, and put everything together. Hopefully, we will get them turned in today. If time runs short, it will be Weds.

Freshmen: "Logy" worksheets due today. Turn in packet. We will discuss them. Then, we will circle our sources in Section 3 to make sure you used them all. The rest of the hour, you will correct Sections 1 and 2 as well as correct errors in your thank you letter to prepare to send them.

February 25, 2005 Friday

Now you know: Los Angeles's ful name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina do los Angeles"

Speech: We will draw names for the order of speeches which begin next Tuesday, March 1st.

Sophomores: Check your . In your bellringer for today, label it number 73 and tell me how many you missed. Then, begin the "logy" worksheet, due Monday. Continue working on Section 4. When it is finished, go to www.easybib.com and begin your Works Cited page. Remember to use only those you mentioned in Section 3!!!!!!! If you have to save and return to the page, copy the number it gives you. IF not, you have to start all over.


Freshmen: Check your . In your bellringer for today, label it number 73 and tell me how many you missed. Then, begin the "logy" worksheet, due Monday. Continue submitting your Section 3 to Criterion and fixing errors. You may, if you wish, have one more person peer edit. When you are confident that you have no plagiarism, and that your citations are correct, you are ready to turn in the hardest part, Section 3. It is due by the end of the day, in the following order:
TOP = Final copy of outline (if you changed anything in your paper, change the outline to match)
Final draft of Section 3
All rough drafts (of Section 3 AND outlines)
Peer edit sheets

February 24, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: The word "set" has ore definitions than any other word in the English language.

Speech: Today we will discuss your visual aids, spending most of the time talking about Power Point. We will draw for speech order Friday. Speeches will begin Monday.

Sophomores: We will begin substituting a study of Greek and Latin root words in place of bellringers for the next few weeks. At the beginning of class each day, you will be given a worksheet to complete. You will spend about 5-10 minutes on it, and whatever is not finished then becomes homework to go over the next day in class FOR A GRADE. Today, you will learn "ject." Finish editing Sections 1 and 2. Send your corrected thank you letter and show me proof it was sent (either I stamp it and mail it, or you get the person's signature, or you send me a carbon copy if it was emailed). Begin Section 4. It is due by the end of the day tomorrow.

Freshmen: We will begin substituting a study of Greek and Latin root words in place of bellringers for the next few weeks. At the beginning of class each day, you will be given a worksheet to complete. You will spend about 5-10 minutes on it, and whatever is not finished then becomes homework to go over the next day in class FOR A GRADE. Today, you will learn "ject." You should receive your Section 3, edited, back from your assigned peer editor. Fix errors. Reprint and get a new edit sheet and then have someone of your choice peer edit. Again, fix mistakes. KEEP ALL OLD DRAFTS!!! Last, submit to Criterion Online to have it edited by the computer. Fix any errors it finds. Final drafts are due Friday by the end of the day in the following order:

TOP: Final draft of outline (fix your old outline if there were errors or if you changed anything in your Section 3)
Final draft of Section 3
ALL old drafts (Section 3 and outlines)
Peer edit sheets

February 23, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain was born on a day in 1835 when Haley's Comet came into view. When he died in 1910, Haley's Comet came into view again.

Speech: Continue working on outlines. Tomorrow and Friday we will work on visual aids. Speeches will begin early next week.


Sophomores: Bellringer 72. (Should it not work, you will do it on paper, the old-fashioned way.) The worst part is finally over! Section 3 has been handed in. Today, you will get back your Section 2 papers and will have time to correct errors from the first two sections. As well, I will give you a worksheet to fill out, which will soon become Section 4.


Freshmen: Bellringer 72. (Should it not work, you will do it on paper, the old-fashioned way.) I will return your Section 2 papers today. Don't forget to correct any errors from it and Section 1 as soon as you can. We will begin peer editing today, looking for plagiarism and errors in citing sources. Final draft of Section 3 will be due Thursday by the end of the day.

February 22, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: The dot over the letter "i" is called a "tittle."

Speech: I hope you had a good day off and are healthy and ready to work. We will be putting your information into outline form for the next couple of days.

Sophomores: Continue peer editing, replacing "dead words," submitting online, and correcting errors. Final draft of your paper is due by the end of the day today. Final order is as follows:
TOP: Final, corrected outline that matches your paper
Final draft of Section 3
All old drafts (should show some editing/revision)
Peer edit sheets

Freshmen: Today, we will begin the process of peer editing for plagiarism and for correct internal citations. We will also work on improving word choice.

February 21, 2005 Monday

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY!

See you tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy your day off and get healthy!!!

February 18, 2005 Friday

Did you know: All 50 states are listed across the top if the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill?


Speech: Print your sources for your biographical speech. Highlight the different source types.


Sophomores: Finish peer editing for plagiarism and correct MLA citations. Fix errors. If time remains, check hour Section 3 online. Fix mistakes again. You should, at that point, have several drafts: the original one, the one with words "spiced up" so that, as my 2nd grader says, "you don't sound like first graders," and the draft (or drafts) from peer editing and online computer editing. Tuesday, you will have all hour to fix errors, finish getting it edited, print, and turned in.


Freshmen: We will spend about 10 minutes discussing how to incorporate direct quotatons correctly so that they do not "float." We will also do a quick check to see that your citations are correct. You will have the rest of the hour to finish your Section 3. It should be completed and ready to peer edit Tuesday.

February 17, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: The only two days of the year in which there are no professional sports games (MLB, NBA, NHL, or NFL) are the day before and the day after the Major League All-Star Game.

Speech: We have a guest speaker, Tracey Webb from the Rend Lake College theater department, coming in to speak with us today. We will resume research tomorrow.

Sophomores: Rough drafts are due today during class. We will peer edit and fix some errors I am often seeing. Final drafts are due by the end of the day Monday.

Freshmen: Continue working on your drafts of Section 3. Draft due by Friday do that Monday and Tuesday we can check over plagiarism, citations, etc. Final due Tuesday at end of the day.

February 16, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.


Speech: Continue locating information on your biographical speech. Begin highlighting information according to the info type (statistics, etc.) Tomorrow, we will begin constructing an outline.


Sophomores: Continue typing your Section 3 papers. They are due in draft form tomorrow.


Freshmen: We will work on Section 3 today. Continue typing, attempting to give credit where it's due.

February 15, 2005 Tuesday

Speech: Since the Internet was blocked yesterday (sorry), today we will attempt to narrow down our search and to locate information. Tomorrow, we will work on highlighting information according to the type it is (statistic, testimony, etc.)

Sophomores: Today, we will go through how to avoid plagiarism again and continue typing Section 3, due Thursday in rough draft form at the beginning of the hour. Remember, you have this hour AND computer hour (2 hours a day) so you should, if you use your time wisely and effeciently, have no problem being finished by then. Many of you chose to waste TWO hours yesterday rather than type. Not a wise choice. Turn in your thank you letter today.

Freshmen: Today, we will discuss plagiarism and what it looks like. We will discuss how to give credit to your sources. Turn in your thank you letter. The rest of the hour will be spent typing Section 3.

February 14, 2005

~~HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!~~

Now you know: The first Ford cars had Dodge engines.


Speech: Friday, we did not get a lot accomplished due to the absence of many students gone to the Accounting Challenge. Today, we will continue to research and find proof to back up what we say.


Sophomores: Work on your draft of Section 3. Remember to avoid plagiarism! Use internal citations everytime you state something that is not your original idea!


Freshmen: Work on drafting Section 3. Try to avoid plagiarism. Remember the information we learned about giving credit to your sources!

February 12, 2005 Friday

Now you know: An iguana can stay underwater for 28 minutes.

Speech: Now that you've chosen your topics, you need to be locating information. Remember to be locating the four types of information. You must have at least one of each.

Sophomores: Turn in outlines today. Work on Section 3 draft.

Freshmen: Turn in outlines today. Finish and turn in website evaluation forms. We will then discuss plagiarism.

February 10, 2005 Thursday

Now you know:

Speech: Work on locating information on your new speeches. Remember, you need one of each type.

Sophomores: I am going to have a few of you at a time try the bellringer. The rest of the hour, you need to be finishing your outline for Section 3. We will also discuss plagiarism and how to avoid it in Section 3.

Freshmen: I am going to have a few of you at a time try the bellringer. The rest of the hour, you need to be finishing your outline for Section 3. After that, I am going to have each of you evaluate two of your helpful websites from your research (the information should be in your journal).

February 9, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Montpelier, Vermont is the only U. S. state capital without a McDonald's.


Speech: We will work on choosing and researching a new topic for our next speech.[


Sophomores and Freshmen:

Hello. I am either grading your Section 2 papers right now or I am at a workshop. I’m sure you miss me! Here are some things you need to know:
A. Treat the sub the same way you would treat me.
B. Do the work you are assigned today.
C. Be sure you have turned in Section 2.
D. You should not be doing anything inappropriate on the computers (like playing games when your work is not finished, playing unapproved games, etc.)
E. Should your name be given to me by the substitute, either for misbehaving or inappropriate use of the computers, you will pay the consequence, whether it be a detention, a lowered participation grade, or loss of computer privileges for a week.
F. Have a good day. After all, you get a break from me!


Now, on to your assignment. Try the bellringer from yesterday. Next, Miss Meadows will give you an outline packet (some of you got them yesterday). Read over requirements on worksheet packet and then begin to fill out your outline. You may modify the outline to match your needs (in other words, you can delete or add Roman Numerals, add or delete letters C, D, etc.). Each Roman Numeral (I, II, III, etc.) should be a paragraph topic. What you’re doing is taking the information you learned from research and breaking it into topics. Each topic is a Roman Numeral. If you finish, you should begin typing their outline. Nothing is due tomorrow, though I should see LOTS of evidence of working on your outline.

February 8, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: February 865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon!

Speech: Today you will continue to work with your partner finding facts, statistics, etc. It will be due tomorrow morning.

Sophomores: Bellringer 72. It looked like most of you finished yesterday. However, today may get hectic due to group/organizational pictures, so finish editing, correcting mistakes, submitting to Criterion Online, and then turn in your paper by the end of the day. SEE YESTERDAY'S POST FOR THE ORDER TO TURN IN YOUR PAPER. If time remains, begin drafting your outline of information learned.

Freshmen: Bellringer 72. Finish editing, correcting mistakes, and submitting your paper to Criterion Online. Section 2 due at beginning of hour tomorrow. SEE YESTERDAY'S POST FOR THE ORDER TO TURN IN YOUR PAPER. If time begins, begin drafting your outline of information learned.

February 7, 2005 Monday

Now you know: The Boston University Bridge (on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts) is the only place in the world where a boat can sail under a train driving under a car driving under a plane.

Speech: Since Richard intrigued us so yesterday with his information on backward recorded messages, we did not get to discuss your first speeches. We will do so today and then learn how to better find and label statistics, testimony, etc.

Sophomores: Bellringer 71. Today is your last day to get your Section 2 completed. You typed Thurs. and Friday and had time in Mrs. Kelton's class to finish and peer edit once in her room and once in mine. Today, please attempt to finish typing, peer editing, and correcting your errors. Today, I am going to have you submit your writing to an online grading program to let you see your errors and have one more chance at correcting them. Your final is due tomorrow by the end of the day, though there won't be a lot of class time tomorrow to work. The order is as follows:
TOP: Final Draft
Any rough drafts you may have (if not, don't panic)
Your two (or more) peer edit sheets from partners

Freshmen: Bellringer 71. Today, you need to peer edit and submit your Section 2 to Criterion Writing. Tomorrow, we will spend about half the hour finishing the corrections of our errors and getting ready to turn it in. Your final is due tomorrow by the end of the day, though there won't be a lot of class time tomorrow to work. The order is as follows:
TOP: Final Draft
Any rough drafts you may have (if not, don't panic)
Your two (or more) peer edit sheets from partners

February 4, 2005 Friday

Now you know: The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.

Speech: Richard will give his speech (saved the best for last, right Richard?) today. We will then discuss as a class how you think you did overall for your first speech. We will then discuss ways to better back up what you say using facts, statistics, testimony, and examples.


Sophomores: Bellringer 70. Be sure you turned in your evaluating websites worksheets. Today, work on finishing Section 2 (you are also getting time in Mrs. Kelton's computer class). When you are "finished," have a student in HER class and also a student in MY class peer edit your paper. That means it will be edited at least twice. Then, fix errors. She will have forms for peer editing and I will have some, too.

Freshmen: Bellringer 70. Work on typing Section 2. When you are "finished," have a student peer edit your paper. I have the forms on the desk in my room.

February 3, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: In every episode of Seinfeld, there is a Superman somewhere.

Speeches: We're almost finished! Today should be the last day. Don't forget to watch yourself on video and fill out/turn in the self-eval. with the video.

Sophomores: Bellringer 69. Turn in your three website evaluations, stapled together, today. You have all hour to work on typing Section 2 and fixing Section 1. Remember not to lose your Section 1...it is now a rough draft and should be kept in your classroom portfolio in the drawer.

Freshmen: Bellringer 69. You have all hour to work on typing Section 2 and fixing Section 1. Remember not to lose your Section 1...it is now a rough draft and should be kept in your classroom portfolio in the drawer. Also, be working on evaluating at least three of your websites you visited, preferrably the three best ones. Evaluation worksheets are due by next Tuesday by the end of the day.

February 2, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Cat's urine glows under a black light.

Speech: Continue with speeches and self-evaluations.

Sophomores: Bellringer. Today's the day! You should have your interviews conducted, your books read, copied and highlighted, your Internet information printed, etc. We are ready to begin Section 2: The Search. I will be giving you a hefty pack of papers, most of which are samples of good Section 2 papers from last year. There will also be a paper which tells you what is required in Section 2. We will write and type this paper the rest of this week. It will be due Friday by the end of the day. Today, you need to turn in your three website evaluation forms. Staple them ALL together before turning them in.


Freshmen: Bellringer. Today's the day! You should have your interviews conducted, your books read, copied and highlighted, your Internet information printed, etc. We are ready to begin Section 2: The Search. I will be giving you a hefty pack of papers, most of which are samples of good Section 2 papers from last year. There will also be a paper which tells you what is required in Section 2. We will spend quite a bit of time today going over what a good Section 2 looks like, since many Section 1 papers look weak and without much substance. We will write and type this paper the rest of this week. It will be due Monday by the end of the day. Today, you need to turn in your three website evaluation forms. Staple them ALL together before turning them in.

February 1, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: The average ear of corn has eight hundred kernels arranged in sixteen rows.

Speech: Same as Monday.

Sophomores: Bellringer 67. You should still be working on locating research and matching it to your questions. Copy all final information from books, the Internet, etc. and have it highlighted ASAP. We begin Section 2 tomorrow. PRINT your journals today and KEEP them...you'll need them tomorrow for Section 2. Don't forget (since we didn't get to it yesterday) to highlight information from your interviews like you did with Internet and book information. Here's an ordered list of what to accomplish today:
1. Do the bellringer
2. Update and print journals and keep them for tomorrow
3. Finish printing and highlighting information (books, magazines, interview answers, Internet info, etc.)
4. Copy any needed book or magazine pages
5. Make sure you have useable information from a print source (book, movie, magazine), an interview, and the Internet.
6. Bring it ALL back tomorrow.

Freshmen: Bellringer 67. You should still be working on locating research and matching it to your questions. Copy all final information from books, the Internet, etc. and have it highlighted ASAP. We begin Section 2 tomorrow. PRINT your journals today and KEEP them...you'll need them tomorrow for Section 2. If you didn't take the online writing test yesterday, you MUST do so today if you want credit. Otherwise, it is a zero (unless it's makeup from missed days). Don't forget (since we didn't get to it yesterday) to highlight information from your interviews like you did with Internet and book information. Here's an ordered list of what to accomplish today:
1. Do the bellringer
2. Update and print journals and keep them for tomorrow
3. Finish printing and highlighting information (books, magazines, interview answers, Internet info, etc.)
4. Copy any needed book or magazine pages
5. Make sure you have useable information from a print source (book, movie, magazine), an interview, and the Internet.
6. Bring it ALL back tomorrow.

January 31, 2005 Monday

Now you know: The only real people to be a Pez head are Betsy Ross, Paul Revere, and Daniel Boone. I'll bet they're collector's items now!

Speech: Same as Friday...still giving speeches and self-evaluating.

Sophomores: Bellringer quiz over commas use. Interviews due today. Work on locating information for all your questions, through the Internet, interviews, books, videos, etc. Final day is tomorrow. We begin Section 2 Wednesday!!

Freshmen: Bellringer quiz over commas use. Interviews due today. Work on locating information for all your questions, through the Internet, interviews, books, videos, etc. Final day is tomorrow. We begin Section 2 Wednesday!!

January 28, 2005 Friday

Now you know: When the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers play football at home, the stadium becomes the state's third largest city!

Speech: We are still giving expository speeches. Remember, when you receive your video, you must watch it, fill out a self-evaluation, and then turn both of them back in to me to receive your speech grade.

Sophomores: Bellringer 66. To see a tutorial of the new quiz site, click HERE. Continue working on locating information through the Internet, books, magazines, videos, and interviews. Remember to highlight your information to match the question answered. Interviews must be finished by Monday when you come to class. We will begin Section 2 Wednesday, which means that all information needs to be located by then. However, remember, as we discussed in class, sometimes good research takes us in different directions, and sometimes, not everything we want to know is out there. Make an excellent effort, but don't panic if the answer to a question is not out there in books, Internet, interviews, etc.

Freshmen: Bellringer 66. To see a tutorial of the new quiz site, click HERE. Continue working on locating information through the Internet, books, magazines, videos, and interviews. Remember to highlight your information to match the question answered. Interviews must be finished by Monday when you come to class.We will begin Section 2 Wednesday, which means that all information needs to be located by then. However, remember, as we discussed in class, sometimes good research takes us in different directions, and sometimes, not everything we want to know is out there. Make an excellent effort, but don't panic if the answer to a question is not out there in books, Internet, interviews, etc.

January 27, 2004 Thursday

Now you know: The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagra Falls froze completely solid.

Speech: Expository speeches all this week.


Sophomores: Start by going HERE. Bellringer 65. Work on locating information and highlighting/numbering this week. Also, remember to put sticky notes on pages that answer your questions in your library books, magazines, etc. so I can send you to photocopy them. Interview must be CONDUCTED by Monday.

Freshmen: Start by going HERE. Bellringer 65. Work on locating information and highlighting/numbering this week. Also, remember to put sticky notes on pages that answer your questions in your library books, magazines, etc. so I can send you to photocopy them. Interview must be CONDUCTED by Monday.

January 26, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at red lights.

Speech: We will be giving speeches all week. Remeber to turn in your outline before your speech on the day you present. Also, if you gave your speech, you will not get your grade until you have completed and turned in the self-evaluation.

Soph0mores: Bellringer 64: After going over prepositional phrases and commas, try yesterday's quiz again (click on yesterday's link below). This time, however, after copying and pasting your results, tell me how much better or worse you did than yesterday. Next, we are going to take the information you printed yesterday and color code or number according to your numbered questions from Section 1. You can go to http://bearcatenglish.com/highlighting.doc to see my sample. Afterwards, you will continue reading, researching, saving, printing, and highlighting/numbering information.

Freshmen: Bellringer 64: After going over prepositional phrases and commas, try yesterday's quiz again (click on yesterday's link below). This time, however, after copying and pasting your results, tell me how much better or worse you did than yesterday. Next, we are going to take the information you printed yesterday and color code or number according to your numbered questions from Section 1. You can go to http://bearcatenglish.com/highlighting.doc to see my sample. Afterwards, you will continue reading, researching, saving, printing, and highlighting/numbering information. Tomorrow we will take an online writing quiz then continue researching, etc.

January 25, 2005 Tuesday

Speech: Speeches all this week. Remember, you MUST complete and turn in a self-evaluation over your videotaped speech to receive your grade.

Sophomores: Go to http://school.discovery.com/quizzes29/jennywebster/PrepPhrases1.html and take the quiz over commas with prepositional phrases AFTER reading the worksheet I will hand out. Then, copy and paste your results to a new bellringer document, called bellringers 63-66. Work all this week on locating and saving/printing information on your topic as well as finding and reading a print source. Your evaluating web sources three worksheets will be due by Friday. Your interview must be conducted by Monday.

Freshmen: Go to http://school.discovery.com/quizzes29/jennywebster/PrepPhrases1.html and take the quiz over commas with prepositional phrases AFTER reading the worksheet I will hand out. Then, copy and paste your results to a new bellringer document, called bellringers 63-66. Work all this week on locating and saving/printing information on your topic as well as finding and reading a print source. Your evaluating web sources three worksheets will be due by Friday. Your interview must be conducted by Monday.

January 18, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: A Boeing 747's wingspan is longer than the Wright brothers' first flight. The wingspan of the B-36, a retired USAF bomber, was twice as long!

Speech: Due to server problems, we could not finish our outlines or our visual aids Friday. We will try again today. Tentative schedule for the week: Tuesday, finish the outlines and visual aids. Wednesday, work on practcing and putting in final touches. Thursday, begin speeches for the next several days, at a rate of about three a day.

Sophomores: Print last week's bellriners, #56-62. Then, do today's bellringer, #63. Well, Friday there was STILL no server. Therefore, we did not get Section 1 printed. Today, we will try again to finish editing and printing. SEE FRIDAY'S ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE ORDER TO TURN IN YOUR PAPER. We will attempt to finish learning how to use search engines effectively as well. Remember that you need to set up and conduct an interview ASAP.

Freshmen: Print last week's bellriners, #56-62. Then, do today's bellringer, #63. Since there was still no working server Friday, fifth and seventh hours couldn't print/turn in Section 1. We'll try again today. SEE FRIDAY'S ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE ORDER TO TURN IN YOUR PAPER. We will then attempt to finish learning how to use search engines effectively. Don't forget to be setting up and conducting an interview SOON!!!

January 17, 2005 Monday

No school today--Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

See you Tuesday!

January 14, 2005 Friday

Now you know: Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.

Speech: Work on finishing up your outline (final draft), work on your visual aid, and begin putting your essay all together in your mind. Tuesday we will practice and tie up any loose ends as well as draw names for presenting order.

Sophomores: Bellringer 62. What a day we had yesterday...the server went down all the time. Obviously, not everyone got Section 1 completely re-edited and re-printed, so I will not be deducting late points as long as your paper is in by the end of your class hour today. The order for turning in your paper is as follows:
TOP: Proofreading sheet (the one where you put your most common mistakes)
Final draft
Old rough drafts
Any partner proofreading sheets
KWL chart
Today, we will discuss the interview and how to use search engines effectively, provided the server behaves.


Freshmen: Bellringer 62. Due to the *very* hectic day yesterday with the server we did not get our papers turned in. They are due today by the end of your hour. The order for turning in your papes is as follows:
TOP: Proofreading sheet (the one where you put your most common mistakes)
Final draft
Old rough drafts
Any partner proofreading sheets
KWL chart
Today, we will discuss the interview each student must conduct over his/her topic. If time remains and the server behaves, we will move on to how to use search engines effectively.

January 13, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2-6 years of age.

Speech: Final outlines should be close to completion. Today, we will discuss the use of visual aids. Be thinking about what you might like to use.

Sophomores: Bellringer 61. Yesterday, we learned how to use the "track changes" feature on Word to let others edit our documents. Some of you did not finish, so today, we will finish and turn in our Section 1 papers in this order:
Top: Proofreading sheet (the one where you put your most common mistakes)
Final draft
Old rough drafts
Any partner proofreading sheets
KWL chart
Next, we will go to the library to begin checking out books. Remember, Shawnee delivers only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you don't check out a book this week, it will be next Thursday before you get yours. Hurry! Also, be thinking about your interview.

Freshmen: Bellringer 61. Yesterday, we learned how to use the new grading program for our writing, Criterion Writing, to edit our papers. Most of us submitted our Section 1 papers to see what errors we had. Today, after a tour of the library, we will finish correcting our errors and submit our final draft as well as turn in a copy. The order, AFTER YOU HAVE SUBMITTED A COPY TO CRITERION WRITING, is as follows:
Top: Proofreading sheet (the one where you put your most common mistakes)
Final draft
Old rough drafts
Any partner proofreading sheets
KWL chart
After our library tour today, you need to begin checking out books for your topic ASAP. Shawnee delivers books only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you need to hurry to get your book with plenty of time to read it.

January 12, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin. EWWW!

Speech: Work on making your final outline. Remember to write in complete sentences and label statistics, testimony, etc.

Sophomores: Bellringer 60. Section 1 due by the end of the DAY today. Peer edit sheets are available on the little table. I HIGHLY recommend getting your paper peer edited.


Freshmen: Bellringer 60. Section 1 due by the end of the DAY today. Peer edit sheets are available on the little table. I HIGHLY recommend getting your paper peer edited.

January 11, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: Walt Disney, who created the most famous mouse ever, was afraid of mice!

Speech: We are working on the body of our outlines for our first speech.

Sophomores: Bellringer 59. You should continue typing your Section 1 today. It is due by the END of the DAY tomorrow, Wednesday. The sooner you finish, however, the earlier you can do a peer edit to fix any mistakes that you may have made.

Freshmen: Bellringer 59. You should continue typing your Section 1 today. It is due by the END of the DAY tomorrow, Wednesday. The sooner you finish, however, the earlier you can do a peer edit to fix any mistakes that you may have made. Remember to refer to the samples I gave you yesterday. Those are great examples of a Section 1 paper!

January 10, 2005 Monday

Now you know: A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

Speech: We are working on our outlines.

Sophomores: Bellringer 58. Now that we have our topics chosen, it's time to think about what we already know, what we want to know, and where we think we can go to find out that information. Your KWL chart will be completed in class today. You should have had the first two columns completed when you came to class, and you will receive a grade on it. It will then be time to begin Section 1. I will go over in class with you what is required in that section, and we will look at some sample excellent papers. Then, you will begin typing. Section I is due, completed, by Weds. at the end of the day. Should you want to look at the sample papers online, they can be found at http://bearcatenglish.com/unsolvedmysteries.doc .

Freshmen: Bellringer 58. Now that we've finished our KWL charts, we will begin looking at the first part of our research paper, Section 1. We looked at the website (see above link at the end of the sophomore paragraph) which has all your papers and samples of Section 1. Today, we will begin Section 1. It will be due by the end of the day Weds. If you do not have your KWL chart, you will be penalized in points as well as by falling behind other students. REMEMBER: this is not the time to fall behind. Once you get behind in something of this magnitude, it is very, very difficult to catch up without great effort! Stay on task.

January 7, 2004 Friday

Now you know: The king of hearts is the only king in a deck of cards without a mustache.

Speech: We will work on beginning our outline of our first major speech this week.

Sophomores: Bellringer 57. Today we will choose our topic questions for the I-Search. We will work on a KWL chart dealing with our topic. We will think about what we already know, what we want to know, and where we can find that information. Please do NOT begin researching yet.


Freshmen: Bellringer 57. Now that you have chosen your topic for research, you will finish the KWL chart you began yesterday. You will fill in what you already know about your topic, what you want to know, and where you think you can find that information. Afterwards, we will begin Section 1 of the paper, which is an easy section about your KWL chart. Please do NOT begin researching yet.

January 6, 2004 Thursday

Now you know: The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.

Speech: We will work on Chapter 7 notes.


Sophomores: Bellringer 56. Correct the following sentence. We will begin the I-Search process by taking an interest inventory. We will also look at what makes a "fat" question. For tomorrow, you need to have thought through possible I-Search topics like you did last year. We will then work on coming up with ten subsidary questions over our topic.


Freshmen: Bellringer 56. We will begin the research paper process (called an I-Search). First, we will look at possible topics and then choose one. We will then work on coming up with ten subsidary questions over our topic.

December 20-January 4

Exams

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year!! See you January 5th.

December 17, 2004 Friday

Don't forget: there will be a study session Monday: Sophomores from 3-4 and Freshmen from 4-5. Hope to see you there!

Now you know: Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.

Speech: We are working on our audience analysis and looking up information on our topics/labeling them facts, statistics, etc.

Sophomores: Print and turn in bellringers from this week. We will finish the movie and review for the exam. Turn in your essays today if possible; however, I will accept them by 3:00 Monday with no late points deducted.

Freshmen: Be sure that if you didn't turn in bellringers yesterday, do so today. Speak essay needs to be turned in. Check to see that you turned yours in. We will review today for exams.

December 16, 2004 Thursday

Don't forget about the study sessions after school this evening and Mon. evening for exam review. Hope to see you there.

Now you know: In Scotland, a new game was invented. It was entitled Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

Speech: We will work on our topics and audience analysis.

Sophomores: NO BELLRINGERS. We will peer edit and type some today as well as attempt to finish the movie. Second hour may not get to it since we need to review for exams.

Freshmen: Last bellringer of the semester! Go to yesterday's link and go to number 16. Finish the questions, copying and pasting like yesterday. Print all this week's bellringers and turn in. We will get your essays ready to turn in and then turn them in by the end of the hour. If time remains, we will begin reviewing for exams.

December 15, 2004 Wednesday

ANNOUNCEMENTS: THIS THURSDAY AFTER SCHOOL I WILL HOLD A FRESHMAN REVEIW SESSION FROM 3-4 AND A SOPHOMORE REVIEW SESSION FROM 4-5. NEXT MONDAY, I WILL HOLD A SOPHOMORE REVIEW SESSION FROM 3-4 AND A FRESHMAN REVIEW SESSION FROM 4-5.

Now you know: In English pubs, ale (an alcoholic beverage) is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bardender would yell at them to mind their own pints and quarts and settle down. It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's."

Speech: We will begin discussing Chapter 7 and taking notes on how to organize a speech.

Sophomores: Bellringer 51. Today, you will do numbers 6-10 and copy and paste your correct answers in your bellringer file. We will discuss what a good TKaM essay looks like. We will then watch the movie. Tomorrow, we will spend some time peer editing. Final is due Friday.

Freshmen: Bellringer 52. Today, do numbers 11-15 and copy and paste your correct answers in your bellringer file like yesterday. We will discuss conclusions and add one to our essays. You will have the rest of the hour to peer edit again if you would like, then you may type your essay if it is not yet typed. Final draft is due tomorrow, Thursday.

December 14, 2004 Tuesday

Now you know: The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour is 61,000.

Speech: Chapter 6 test. If enough time remains, we will discuss what types of information needs to be included in your first speech.

Sophomores: For your next bellringer, go to http://www.chompchomp2.com/gbfree/hotpotatoes/commas05a.htm . Do the first five sentences, then write in your bellringer journal (named Bellringers 50-53) about how difficult correcting those sentences was. Did you do them right the first try? Did it get easier each sentence? Think sheet/graphic organizer for TKaM essay is due. Rough draft due tomorrow. We will spend a brief amount of time going over the essay, then spend the rest of the hour watching the movie.

Freshmen: For your next bellringer (51), go to http://www.chompchomp2.com/gbfree/hotpotatoes/commas05a.htm and do the next five sentences. Tell me today if it was easier than yesterday. Why or why not? What troubled you? Today, your draft is due. We will discuss how to peer edit and check for a good essay. If you didn't get your draft due today, you have homework tonight! Get to it.

December 13, 2004 Monday

Now you know: In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase, "Good night, sleep tight."

Speech: We will go over the study guide we did not get to discuss Friday due to picture retakes. Test tomorrow over Chapter 6. We will discuss how to prepare for our first major speech.

Sophomores: Do bellringer 49 and print, since we didn't get to print Friday due to server problems. We will discuss the brief essay due Wednesday over To Kill a Mockingbird. Then, we will begin the movie and take notes over the differences between the novel and movie.

Freshmen: Do bellringer 50. We will discuss ways to make introductions good and look at some great ones and some that need some improvement. Next, we will move on to the body of the essay. We will go to www.bearcatenglish.com/speaksampleessay.doc to look at an example. Body will be due tomorrow, in rough draft form.

December 10, 2004 Friday

Now you know: 111,111,111 X 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321. Cool, huh?

Speech: Only one makeup impromptu today...We will review Chapter 6. You have notes we took in class on stage fright and how to control it. Test Tuesday. Makeup pictures today.
Sophomores: Bellringer 49. Print this week's bellringers, 45-49. We will try to solve the answer to yesterday's bellringer. Finally, finally, we will discuss the end of the novel. If time remains, we will discuss our short essay over the novel. Monday we will begin watching the movie and looking for differences between the book and the movie (There are many!).


Freshmen: Bellringer 49. Print this week's bellringers, 45-49. We will try to solve the answer to yesterday's bellringer. We will then move on to our paragraph worksheet. We will look at a good sample at www.bearcatenglish.com/speaksampleessay.doc. Essay/paragraph is due next Wednesday at the beginning of the hour.

December 9, 2004 Thursday

Now you know: Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks; otherwise it will digest itself!

Speech: Finishing up impromptu speeches this week. By Friday, I hope to be working on locating information for our first imformative speech.


Sophomores: Bellringer 48. We will discuss Chapters 26-28 in groups and turn in our responses to three passages. Finish the book for tomorrow! Be ready to discuss the rest of the novel.


Freshmen: Bellringer 48. We will work on our speak paragraph. Be sure you have your worksheets I gave you yesterday!

December 8, 2004 Wednesday

Did you know: Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair!

Speech: We will continue with impromptu speeches today.


Sophomores: Bellringer 47. We will discuss the novel so far (up to Chapter 25). For tomorrow, read Chapters 26-27 and choose three passages and write your responses. We're almost finished!


Freshmen: Bellringer 47. Today, we will finish our worksheets on speak and begin a writing assignment.

December 6, 2004 Monday

Did you know: It was discovered on a space mission that a frog can throw up. The frog throws up its stomach first, so the stomach is dangling out of its mouth. Then, the frog uses its forearms to dig out all of the stomach's contents and then swallows the stomach back down. EWWW!


Speech: We're almost finished with impromptus. Hang in there. Today, begin thinking of a topic you'd like to present for your first speech. It will be an expository speech. In other words, you will simply tell the class about a topic you find interesting. Spend class time today looking on the Internet for ideas for a topic for a 3-5 minute speech.


Sophomores: Begin this week with bellringer 45. Label your document "Bellringers 45-49." We should have a lot to discuss today, since we didn't discuss Friday. We will discuss 15-20 (since MANY of you chose not to read 15 when it was assigned). Try for intelligent discussions today over the ASSIGNED reading, not early parts of the novel. For tomorrow, read Chapters 21-23, since the chapters begin to get shorter. For tomorrow, I want you to choose three passages from the novel and write your response to them. Please go to http://www.seymour.k12.wi.us/shs/brogley/images/10/pageimages/oms/joanna.jpg , http://www.seymour.k12.wi.us/shs/brogley/images/10/pageimages/oms/riley.jpg , and http://www.seymour.k12.wi.us/shs/brogley/images/10/pageimages/oms/scan0001.jpg to see what good ones look like. If your responses are not intelligent and detailed, you will not receive credit.
You need to keep up with the reading. Several of you did not score well on the DYRT quizzes from the previous two weeks, which leads me to think you're not reading the assignment. Once you get behind, it is really difficult to get caught up.

Freshmen: Begin this week with bellringer 45. Label your document "Bellringers 45-49." We will work on the literary elements worksheet from speak. Contine to find similes and metaphors (comparisons without using like or as--"He was a busy bee trying to complete all of his work.") and then continue on to motifs of mirrors and mouths/silence. In other words, a motif is a recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work. In speak, mirrors and mouths/silence occur many, many times. Look at your worksheet and see which ones have to do with mirrors, mouths and/or silence. Label them mirrors, mouths, or silence. There will still be some sentences we haven't lableled yet, so don't worry. No homework unless your group does not finish.

December 3, 2004 Friday

Now you know: You thought yesterday's word was long? Check this out! According t9o dictionary.reference.com, it might be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, unless you count names of towns ,Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, a village in Wales, or antidisestablishmentarianism ("opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England"), or
floccinaucinihilipilification , or honorificabilitudinitatibus (Which appears in Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost). Finally, you might try "smiles" because there's a mile inbetween the first and last letter. :)

Speech: We're still plugging away through impromptu speeches. Since we had to vote on senior favorites yesterday, we fell behind when we got through only one speech. We'll do better tomorrow.


Sophomores: In your bellringer journal, write about this: Make a guess as to what the title of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, means. Label it TKaM bellringer #3. Print your bellringers. We will then discuss Chapters 16 and 17. Over the weekend, your reading assignment will be to read Chapters 18-20 and complete a bookmark.


Freshmen: In your bellringer journal, write about this: Melinda demonstrates many of the symptoms of clinical depression. What behaviors does she manifest that would cause you concern if you were her best friend or teacher? What would you do to help her? Label your answer speak bellringer #4. Print your bellringers. We will then discuss the ending of the novel in groups and as a class. For homework, you will have a worksheet that lists several sentences from the novel. Please go through them and label all similes you can find (you know, the ones that compare using "like" or "as").

December 2, 2004 Thursday

Now you know: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words.

Speech: Impromptu speeches. Yesterday, I was impressed by your comments to each other!


Sophomores: For bellringers, continue in your folder you began Monday. Call it TKaM bellringer #2. Your topic: Have you ever been or seen someone treated unfairly simply because of how they look, what their family is like, how they dress, etc.? How did it make you feel? Why do people do this to others? We will begin by discussing bookmarks for today. Then, we will work on our group and individual goals. We will also discuss anything still not cleared up in your groups. Read Chapters 16-17 for tomorrow and do a bookmark.


Freshmen: For bellringers, continue in your folder you began Monday. Call it speak bellringer #3. Your topic: Mr. Freeman tells his class, "You must walk alone to find your soul." What does this mean? Is it true? What is a soul? We will begin by discussing our group and individual goals and how we will try to meet them over the last few lit circles. Then, we will discuss our bookmark comments and reading so far. Last, read to the end of the book for tomorrow and do a final bookmark! That does not mean lit circles are over, just that you will have read all of the book, so we can FINALLY discuss the "secret" and the ending together!

December 1, 2004 Wednesday

Happy December!

Did you know: American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first class!

Speech: We are still giving impromptu speeches. We need to work on movement and gestures!


Sophomores: Instead of regular bellringers today, please write about the following and label it TKaM Bellringer #1 (add it to the file you've been working on this week): Knowing what you do about how blacks were treated, how his family may be treated, and how unlikely Atticus felt it was he'd win the case, if you'd been Atticus in the same time period, would you have chosen to represent Tom? Why or why not? Next, we will discuss your bookmark comments in groups. We will then begin to evaluate our group and ourselves. Read Chapters 14-15 for tomorrow and fill out a bookmark.


Freshmen: Instead of regular bellringers today, please write about the following and label it speak Bellringer #2 (add it to the file you've been working on this week): Why is it that people sometimes "like us" more when they can get something out of us? Are the Marthas good friends to Heather? Why or why not? Next, we will discuss your bookmark comments in groups. We will then begin to evaluate ourselves since we evaluated our groups yesterday. Read to page 180 for Thursday and fill out a bookmark.