Tuesday, August 21, 2007

WELCOME BACK!! Here we go...

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.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

The end is near! Summer's almost here. The rest of this week we're going to review. My website has changed some as I'm getting ready for next year (believe it or not!). However, the links you will need to review and my speech students' links are still working.

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!

Friday, May 11, 2007

“All our dreams can come true...if we have the courage to pursue them.”--Walt Disney
"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.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

...[Poetry. . .]the art of saying everything and reducing it to nothing...
- 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!

Heeeerrrreeeee's Jenny (That's Mrs. Webster to you!) Monday, May 7, 2007

With apologies to Johnny Carson. Are you too young to know who he was? If not, you REALLY need to catch up! Or maybe I'm just getting old....NAH.

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.

I've Got a Second Life!

Most people probably know that I'm somewhat addicted to video games. I could play Zelda, KotOR, Fable, and Halo forever. Back in the days of old computer games like Labyrinth, King's Quest, Monkey Island, and Jousting, I would play for hours. If someone could have hooked me up intraveneously to sustenance and kept me full of caffeine, I would have played all night. Role playing games, though, are what I like best. I love working through puzzles and investigating new places. So when I heard about an online virtual community called Second Life, I had to see it for myself.

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. . .

I've Been Blogged!

While sitting in the library while Mr. O'Hara was busily usurping my position as classroom teacher (ok, only sort of. . .student teachers have to do this), I ran out of teacher-y stuff to do. I created a list of students who will accompany me on the field trip in April. Completed in two minutes. I found an outline sample for Mrs. Forbes. Check. I talked with Mr. Biby about a problem with the colored printer while attempting to print scholar bowl certificates. Done. Put the finishing touches on the last two chapters of my action research project for McKendree College. My eyelids were getting heavy. After sighing forlornly and wiping the drool off my lip, I decided to do what lots of people do. I decided to google family members. I got lots of hits on my cousin, who is apparently a tech guru, but no one else. I decided to google myself. Up popped really cool pictures of other Jennifer Websters. Doctors, lawyers, average Joes, er, Janes. But not ME, Jennifer Webster. Fairly entertaining, I must say, but not entertaining enough to feel like a good use of my time. So I did the next best thing: I googled Bearcatenglish, my classroom website and blog. The majority of posts were links to assignments and various pages I've created on the website, but in the midst I found one site I'd long forgotten. It was a link to someone else's blog, called NerdyTales. I remember finding it one day in 2004 and thinking it was cool that someone else in cyberspace had found my homework blog. I printed it for posterity, put it in a file in case I ever needed to impress someone, and then promptly forgot about it. But there it was again. And seven people had replied to the author's comments about my blog (ok, one reply was mine, but seven is so much more impressive than six).

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.

Mr. O'Hara's Blog for Homework

Now that Mr. O'Hara has taken over teaching full time during his student teaching, he has created his own blog for your assignments.

Go to http://mrosenglish.blogspot.com/ to view it.

Monday, January 29, 2007

English 3: Quiz over chapters 11-20
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.

Friday, January 26, 2007

English 3:Chapters 21-24 and questions (at least TWO level 4).
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.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

English 3: We will go over the next five prefixes today (some classes got through the first couple of slides). We will discuss Chapters 18-20. Be sure you have questions, most of them level 3 type. Read Chapters 21-24 for Monday and do level at least one level 4 question.

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

English 3: Do your last quick 8 today. Print each one separately and turn them in in numerical order (Quick 8 #1, if you did it, would be first and so on).

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.

Monday, January 22, 2007

English 3: Do quick 8 (your ninth one...one more to go!). We will have several students presenting today each hour. Afterwards, with what time remains, we will discuss Chapters 14-17 and turn in t-charts for those chapters.

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 3 -- Quick 8. Mr. O'Hara and I will check your t-chart and discuss with you Chapters 11-13. Chapters 14-17 due Monday with level 3 questions on your t-chart.

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.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

English 3: NO QUICK 8 TODAY! Instead, you will take a test over Chapters 1-10. Some students may present today their assigned chapters. T-chart for Chapters 8, 9, and 10 is due today, with ONE level 3 and TWO level 2 questions. Mr. O'Hara will discuss these chapters with you today. Read Chapters 11-13 for tomorrow and do your t-chart with some level 3 questions.

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

Welcome Mr. O'Hara, our new student teacher! We are so glad to have you.

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 3: Do a quick 8. Those who are supposed to teach a chapter will present. Quiz over ten prefixes. We will then work in groups discussing what we've read so far. Chapters 8-10 are due for discussion Wednesday.

English 4/1102: Disuss EBSCOHost and setting limiters/tutorial. Research.

Speech: Outline due by end of hour.

Reading: Read on own.

Friday, January 12, 2007

No School Monday due to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday!

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

English 3: Quick 8
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

English 3: Do a Quick 8
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.

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

English 3: We will go over and attempt answers to the four level 2 questions you wrote last night. Next, we will discuss how to prepare for a chapter presentation, as each of you will be required to teach a chapter. Last, we will read on in Huck Finn and write four questions on the t-chart (level 2) as well as write plot items.

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.

Monday, January 8, 2007

English 3: We will complete an anticipation guide today before beginning the novel. I will begin reading Chapter 1 aloud and we will discuss the use of the "n" word as well as Twain's use of the vernacular.

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 3: We will discuss Mark Twain's life and a bit about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn today. You will receive a copy of the novel as well as a novel packet for notes.

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

Happy 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.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

English 3 first hour: Groups will reconvene and divide out/practice assigned portions of "Song of Myself." You will present tomorrow. Remember that your group has to explain for the class what you think Whitman was saying in your portion. Then, you will have some time to work on your letters. Sixth and seventh hours: Work on your letters! They need to be finished by the end of the day tomorrow so that I can send them. The rest of the week we will review for the exam and you will have time to work on the essay portion so you do not have to do it that day and feel rushed.

Reading: We will read on in The Lost Boy.

English 4/1101: You will get in your assigned groups and discuss the essays your partners wrote. You will have the rest of the hour to work on revision. The rest of the week, you will have time to work on the revision and get the final draft submitted (due by Dec. 20 at 10:00 A.M.) and to work on your revised essay/cover letter as the final exam (also due by Dec. 20 at 10:00 A.M.). You may come in next week during my fourth, fifth, or eighth hours if you want to work on your essay or need help. You may also come in to submit your essays if you need to.

Speech: We will begin discussing Chapter 6, which is how to deal with anxiety in speaking. We will begin learning how to create formal speeches in January after the break.

Monday, December 11, 2006

English 3 first hour: Since so many students were absent...change of plans. Today, we will discuss Whitman's "I Hear America Singing," Hughes's "I, Too," and deHoyos's "To Walt Whitman." Then, we will write letters to children in California...you'll find out why in class HO HO HO!

Reading: We will finish the newspaper vocabulary activity we began Friday.

English 4/1101: You will have all hour to finish your drafts today and then to trade with the other two people assigned to your group. I will give you sheets to use when evaluating them and to use tomorrow when you discuss in your group. You will need to be prepared to discuss the two essays from your group members, so read through them tonight and make notes for discussion.

Speech: Chapter 5 test.

English 3 sixth and seventh hours: Any student who did not present in the choral reading of "Song of Myself" will need to do so today. Then, we will discuss your notes over the three poems assigned Friday. Last, we will begin writing letters to children in California...you'll find out why in class...HO HO HO!

Monday, November 27, 2006

English 3: (first hour) We will do a visualization exercise and discuss feelings about nature. For homework, write visualization paper. (sixth and seventh hours) We will discuss how our reading strategies changed from first to second and third readings. In groups, you will work on discussing and answering questions over the excerpt from Nature. We will also look at some contemporary lyrics and discuss how they relate to the excerpt/Transcendentalism.

English 4: We will continue discussing argumentation-persuasion. We will focus on audience analysis today. Turn in paper and article over logos, pathos, and ethos.

Speech: Work on group outlines for symposium presentation.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

English 3: We will watch more of Moby Dick and discuss film techniques for creating meaning.

English 4: Work on finding an article and evaluating it for ethos, pathos, and logos.

Reading: We will read on in Chapter 2 of The Lost Boy.

Friday, November 9, 2006

English 3: First hour -- Open book test over "The Fall of the House of Usher" and Poe's life. Test next Tuesday over the vocab from the story and the first five prefixes. Sixth and seventh hours -- Quiz over "Usher" vocab and the five prefixes. Then, we will finish taking notes on Moby Dick and then begin reading an excerpt from the novel.

English 4/1101: Work on your draft.

Speech: We will begin discussing Chapter 5.

Thursday, October 8, 2006

English 3: First hour, Mr. Anglert will present a lesson to you. Sixth and seventh hours, we will watch a United Streaming video over Herman Melville and Moby Dick. You will be given a sheet on which to take notes.

English 4 / 1101: Begin your draft. We will work this week and Monday on the draft.

Speech: You will complete two surveys over public speaking anxiety and your role in group work. You will have two questions to answer and turn in.

Wednesday, November 7, 2006

English 3: You will get into groups and discuss the assigned portion of "The Fall of the House of Usher" and discuss your role.

English 4: We will discuss the Works Cited page and how to use www.easybib.com. Tomorrow, you will begin your draft.

Speech: Chapter 4 test.

Friday, November 3, 2006

English 3: First hour -- We will read a bit of "The Fall of the House of Usher" and then discuss Poe's style. You will be given a role sheet for your assigned group of literature circles for tonight's reading. Prepare that role sheet for Monday. Sixth and seventh hours -- You will get into your groups and discuss what you prepared. You will then get new role sheets and will need to read up to the bottom of page 319 for Monday.

English 4/1101: Today we will work on narrowing down your topic (you may wish to keep the one you outlined yesterday). The main thing we need to hammer out is your principle for classification. We will fill out a sheet narrowing down information from yesterday. Then, we will discuss the sample paper from two days ago, "Different Computer Users." We will also look at another sample paper. If time allows, we will discuss how to paraphrase and incorporate MLA style into your paper.

Speech: more speeches today. You're all doing great!!

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

English 3: First hour -- We will discuss the vocabulary words and then begin a presentation over Edgar Allan Poe. Sixth and seventh hours -- We will finish discussing Poe and how he died and begin discussing "The Fall of the House of Usher."

English 4: We will discuss the sample essay and then work on brainstorming for your three chosen division classification topics.

Speech: More speeches today.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

English 3: First hour -- You will be given your anticipation guide you filled out about "TheDevil and Tom Walker" before reading it. You will then write a paragraph for each statement telling whether your opinion changed or stayed the same for each statement after reading the story and why. Do the vocabulary worksheet for homework. Sixth and seventh hours: We will discuss the definitions to the vocabulary words and then discuss Edgar Allen Poe today. For homework, read the article about his death and do the three sheets about where you got stuck.

English 3/1101: Fourth hour: read the sample essay using division/classification and be ready to discuss it tomorrow. Eighth hour: We will discuss "Propaganda Techniques" and you will turn in your response. Read sample essay about different computer users for tomorrow and prepare to discuss (no response due). We will also discuss topics and how to choose three for tomorrow.

Speech: Speeches over your personal interview begin today.

Monday, October 30, 2006

English 3: First hour--We will discuss the worksheet you completed over "The Devil and Tom Walker." Sixth and seventh hours: You will complete an assignment over the anticipation guide you filled out over "The Devil and Tom Walker" and write whether or not you changed your mind about the anticipation guide questions after reading the story and why. Tomorrow, we will begin discussing Edgar Allen Poe.

English 4/1101: I will give you some time to finish your partner activities over division/classification. We will also discuss "Propaganda Techniques" and you will turn in your written response/reflection. Tonight, read "Doublespeak" and prepare a response.

Speech: You will complete your interviews today. All other companies will interview today.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Remember: I will not be at parent/teacher conferences Thursday from 2:30-4:30.

English 3: First hour -- We will discuss where you got stuck on the Pluto article and then discuss the next story to read, "The Devil and Tom Walker." Sixth and seventh hours: We will discuss "The Devil and Tom Walker" where you got stuck. Additionally, we will work with digging deeply to find meaning in the story.

English 4/1101: REMEMBER to post your comparison/contrast essays before 3:00 today! Go to bb.rlc.edu to post. Turn in your responses to "The Ways We Lie." We will discuss the author's use of division/classification and the thesis/development. We will then do some group exercises with division/classification. For homework (due Monday) read "Propaganda Techniques in Today's Advertising" and prepare a response of at least 3/4 page.

Speech: Interveidws begin today. The groups conducting interviews are as follows: Momo's, The Sexy Stiletto, The International House of Cookie Dough, and Bricocr. Next week will be Shukites Law Firm, Ghouls R Us, Fashion 4 Felines, and Real Deal Toilets as well as any make-ups from the first set of interviews.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Parent/Teacher conferences are Thursday from 1-7. Any parent wanting to see me should come at a time other than 2:30-4:30 as I will be attending the parent/teacher conferences of my three children at Ewing. If the available times don't work, please call the school at 724-9461 and make an appointment with me for another time.

English 3: First hour -- We will work on learning to recognize when we're confused when reading and how to get "unconfused." Sixth and seventh hours: We will discuss "The Devil and Tom Walker" and do some partner work on making meaning of the text.

English 4/1101: I will begin discussing the next type of writing, the division-classification essay. For tonight, read "The Ways We Lie" beginning on page 237 and prepare for discussion. Prepare a page reflection over the selection.

We will finish preparing for interviews by going to wincareers.com and reading about interviews. Finish the worksheet from Friday and turn in first thing tomorrow. Interviews begin tomorrow. The groups conducting interviews are as follows: Momo's, The Sexy Stiletto, The International House of Cookie Dough, and Bricocr. Next week will be Shukites Law Firm, Ghouls R Us, Fashion 4 Felines, and Real Deal Toilets as well as any make-ups from the first set of interviews.

Monday, October 23, 2006

English 3: First hour--We will discuss Franklin's Autobiography. Then, you will work in groups with virtues. Sixth and seventh hours--In groups, you will discuss where you got lost inthe article about Pluto and what strategies each group member used to get unstuck. For homework, read "The Devil and Tom Walker."

English 4: We will work all hour on your drafts. They are to be posted by the end of the day Weds. on Blackboard at RLC. Anything posted later than 3:00 will be penalized. Tuesday we will begin the next type of writing.

Speech: Hopefully, everyone is now finished with the resume and two cover letters. They are due by the end of the day today. Today you should be finishing wincareers.com and filling out the worksheet I gave you. It is due tomorrow. The rest of this week we will conduct interviews. Monday, October 30 we will begin interview speeches.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

All classes today: A DeVry University representative will be here in each of my classes to speak with you about how to choose a college and how to prepare for a career. Tomorrow, we will do the following:

English 3: First hour, we will discuss the next era, the Age of Reason. Sixth and seventh hours, we will continue working with your group virtues.

English 4 / 1101: We will work with your drafts.

Speech: We will work with your cover letters.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

English 3: First hour--We will finish the movie today. Sixth and seventh hours --we will discuss Franklin's Autobiography and look at how you marked text. We will then, if time permits, begin crafting our own virtues.

English 4: We will discuss grammar today and any questions about your essays.

Speech: We will write questions for interviews that begin tomorrow. We will practice answering some of the tougher questions.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

English 3: First hour -- We will continue the movie today. Sixth and seventh hours: Since I was absent yesterday, we are a little behind where I wanted to be yesterday. . . and today you have a sub since I will be at a meeting this afternoon. You will look at a Power Point in your folder and then complete a worksheet about your personal traits. For homework, you will read part of The Autobiography from Ben Franklin. You will be given a worksheet that tells you what to do with the text during and after reading it. I will check tomorrow to see that you did it.

English 4: You will work with partners today going over each other's drafts. Tomorrow, we will discuss grammar.

Speech: Finish resumes and the two cover letters for your jobs. If time permits, begin working on your interview speech, due next Monday to be presented. Tomorrow we will work on questions for the interviews and practice answering some of the toughter questions. Interviews begin Thursday and will resume Friday.

Monday, October 16, 2006

English 3: First hour -- We will begin the movie over the play. Sixth and seventh hours -- We will begin discussing the works of Ben Franklin and his time period.

English 4/1101: Finish draft before end of hour. I will consult with each of you individually about your topic/thesis.

Speech: We will attempt to finish your resume and cover letters for each job.

October 13, 2006

Friday the thirteenth!

English 3: First hour: Test over the play. Turn in your essay. Be sure to include a self-edit sheet and put things in the correct order according to the directions on the table in front of my desk. No class sixth and seventh hours...we will be at the parade.

English 4/1101: Fourth hour -- work on your outline (not required) and then move on to your draft. Rough draft due Monday. 8th hour: do the same, but on your own time.

Speech: We will work on resumes and cover letters.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

English 3: NO FIRST HOUR. Begin the day by going to second hour when you would normally go to first hour. Make sense? Sixth and seventh hours: Watch movie.

English 4 / 1101: Fourth hour: We will work on your worksheets organizing your compare and contrast essay. Tentative thesis statements are due today. 8th hour: No class, but your tentative thesis statements are due today.

Speech: We will work on resumes on careercruising.com

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

English 3: First hour – Finish essays. You will be given a study guide with some vocabulary words from the play and several review games. Your essays are due by Friday at the BEGINNING of the hour. Final test over the play is Friday. Sixth and seventh hours-- Watch movie. Seventh hour may be dismissed for the talent show.

English 4: Fourth hour – Work on worksheets from yesterday over chosen topic. Eighth hour – no class. Work on worksheets from yesterday on your own.

Speech: Go to www.careercruising.com and continue working on your resume.

Reading lab: play bookworm with a partner of your choice. Write down your highest score and your names next to the score.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

English 3: First hour: REVISED SCHEDULE: Return peer edited draft. Fix up problems in draft. Receive self edit. Prepare essay to turn in tomorrow.

Weds. Turn in essay by end of hour. Receive study guide.
Thursday. No class. Your day starts out with second hour. Instead of coming here first hour, go to your second hour class.
Friday. Test over the play. We will begin the movie Monday.

Sixth and seventh hours: We will watch the movie all week.
______________________________________________________
English 3/1101: Next week is going to be crazy due to Homecoming. Fourth hour will be in session all four days. However, eighth hour will be in attendance only Tuesday, the way the schedule looks. So…….. Here is what it looks like will happen. 8th hour students, you will have to do some work on your own and get it in to me…not a lot, but it has to be done to keep up with the RLC schedule.

Tuesday: ALL CLASSES. Quiz over “The Ugly Truth about Beauty” by Dave Barry. Suggested topics will be handed out. We will look at outlining and thesis statements in more depth.

Wednesday: 4th hour only in session. We will discuss in more depth outlining by filling out the compare and contrast charts for the chosen topic. 8th hour: work on filling out the chart.

Thursday: 4th hour only in session. Turn in tentative thesis statements. Work on draft. 8th hour: Turn in tentative thesis statements by the end of the day today. Work on draft.

Friday: 4th hour only in session. We will work on the draft of the essay. Draft due Monday at the beginning of the hour. Bring TWO copies to peer edit, but not your only copy. 8th hour: work on your draft. Draft due Monday at the beginning of the hour. Bring TWO copies to peer edit, but not your only copy.
______________________________________________________

Speech: We will work on resumes today.

Friday, October 6, 2006

English 3: First hour -- Finish making changes to your draft to "spice" it up. For homework, you will be given a classmate's draft to peer edit for Tuesday. Next week, for first hour:
Tuesday: Return partner's essay, peer edited. Fix up draft.
Begin movie.
Wednesday: Watch movie or work on essay.
Thursday: Essay due. Watch movie.
Friday: Watch movie. You will be given a study guide for the test. Test is Monday.
Sixth and seventh hours: Test over the play. We begin the movie next week.

English 4/1101: We will discuss "A Fable for Tomorrow." Begin thinking about topics for your compare/contrast essay.

Speech: Work on resumes.

Thursday, October 5, 2006

English 3: First hour: You will work on your draft today. I will discuss the conclusion and we will discuss how to spice up your writing. Sixth and seventh hours: Your essay is due by the end of the day today...the first half of the hour today, you will work on finishing your essays. The second half you will play review games online in preparation for the unit test tomorrow.

English 4 / 1101: You will work on your movie review compare/contrast today in your group. For homework, read "A Fable for Tomorrow." Your essays are due by the end of the day tomorrow.

Speech -- We will "apply" for jobs today. Additonally, we will print RLC unofficial transcripts. If time allows, we will begin working on resumes.

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

English 3: First hour -- We will add a conclusion to your draft. We will discuss ways to spice up your writing today and tomorrow. Sixth and seventh hours: Turn in your peer editing to your editor. Fix up your draft. Final copy due tomorrow by the end of the day. Test tomorrow, Thursday, over the play. We will begin the movie Friday.

English 4 / 1101: Turn in your peer editing today. We will begin comparison/contrast today. Essays due Friday by the end of the day (I have added an extra day--you will NOT have class time to work).

Speech : We will finish the ads tomorrow and then sign up for interviews.

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

English 3: First hour: We will finish your drafts from the outlines you created over your topic choice from the play. For homework you will need to ensure that your draft is finished. Sixth and seventh hours: Today, we will peer edit each for each other. I will assign you a partner to edit for a grade. The rest of the hour, you will be able to fix mistakes. Tomorrow you will do a self edit and fix the draft for turning in Thursday. Thursday, we will take a test over the play and then begin the movie.

English 4 / 1101: We will discuss punctuation today. Turn in a copy of your draft. I will assign you an editor for peer editing. Today is the last day you will have in class to edit. Your final draft is due Thursday by the end of the day.

Speech : You will work in your groups today creating an ad for your "company".

Monday, October 2, 2006

Happy October!

English 3 -- First hour: You will have a brief jr. class meeting. The rest of the hour, you will work on your essay outline. If time allows, I will discuss introductions and conclusions and how to turn your outline into an essay. Sixth and seventh hours: I will show you how to spice up your writing today. You will have the rest of the hour to fix up your draft and then print and give a copy of your essay for someone to grade. You will receive the editing back tomorrow so you can fix your errors.

English 4 / 1101: You have all hour to finish typing your draft. A copy is due, in your hands, when you come to class tomorrow. Do NOT bring your only copy in case your editor loses it. Tomorrow, we will discuss punctuation and then peer edit. Your paper will be due Thursday, though Tues. is the last class day to work on it in my room. Weds. we will begin the next type of writing.

Speech -- We will work on your groups.

Friday, September 29, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: We will complete an activity called "Who is responsible" and make a pie chart. Then, we will begin an essay over the play. Sixth and seventh hours: You will have all hour to type your rough draft. Monday, your draft is due when you come to class, typed or handwritten.

English 4 / 1101: We will look at each other's drafts and discuss what steps are missing. The remainder of the hour you may work on typing and fixing your draft. We will peer edit once again with a different editor Monday with typed drafts. Essay is due Thursday, though you will have little class time after Monday to type. We will also begin a new type of writing a little later this week.

Speech: We will discuss your interview/speech over the interview today. Then, we will begin discussing job interviews. We will be preparing to create companies with open job positions and looking at real job openings.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: We will discuss McCarthyism and how it relates to The Crucible. You will be given a chart on which to take notes. We will also discuss the themes of the play. For homework, please complete the responsibility chart and bring it with you to class tomorrow. Sixth and seventh hours: You will have all hour to work on your Crucible outline. If time permits and you all appear ready, I will discuss introductions and conclusions, since we skipped that part for now.

English 4 / 1101: You will have all hour to work on your draft. It is due tomorrow when you come to class.

Speech: We will role play telephone conversations today. Afterwards, we will discuss one to one communication as it relates to interviews.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Happy birthday, Emma!

English 3 -- First hour: we will finish reading Act 4 today. Sixth and seventh hours: we will make a pie chart with the responsibility percentages from yesterday. Afterwards, I will give you several topic choices for essay portion of the test over the play. The draft of the essay will be due Friday when you come to class. You will have Friday to type and part of Monday (after the final test over the play--hint, hint) to type. The rest of next week, we will watch the movie of the play.

English 4 / 1101: We will discuss the essay over doing laundry assigned from yesterday. We will then discuss your thesis sentences and begin completing a graphic organizer over the steps for your process analysis essay. The rough draft is due Friday at the beginning of the hour.

Speech - We will continue discussing one to one communication, Chapter 4. We will discuss telephone conversations and practice telephone conversations in class.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

English 3 -- First hour, we will begin reading Act 4 of the play. Sixth and seventh hours, we will discuss McCarthyism and the Red Scare as compared with The Crucible. We will also discuss some other forms of hysteria that are more recent. Be sure you fill out the chart showing comparisons between the play and McCarthysim. For homework, please fill out the chart of characters and assign them a percentage of responsiblity. Last, write a brief description for each character stating why you gave them that percentage of responsibility.

English 4 / 1101: Quiz over "How to Say Nothing in 500 Words". We will then discuss the essay. Next, we will discuss your topics and how the topic choice is going for each of you. If time allows, you will each be given an opportunity to tell the class your topic and discuss what you plan to do with it. We will help you with ideas. Last, for homework read the essay "Dirty Laundry" that I will give you. Be prepared to discuss it tomorrow. Tomorrow your tentative thesis statements are due.

Speech --We will finish the final four impromptu speeches today. Then, we will begin discussing Chapter 4: One to one communication.

Monday, September 25, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: You will have all hour to finish your Act 3 myspace blog quiz. We will assign characters and begin reading Act 4 if time permits. Sixth and seventh hours: We will hopefully finish reading Act 4.

English 4 / 1101: We will discuss "Your New Computer". Begin thinking about topics for the process analysis paper: sample topics to get you thinking will be given to you today.

Speech : We will finish the commercial evaluations and impromptu speeches.

Reading: We will finish Freak the Mighty.

Friday, September 22, 2006

English 3: First hour: You will receive information on your Act 3 quiz. It is an assignment requiring you to create a blog for four characters from the play. You will have all hour today and most of the hour tomorrow to type. Sixth and seventh hours: We will read Act 4.

English 4 / 1101: Today, we will begin discussing the next type of essay: process analysis. For homework, read "Your new computer" and be ready to discuss Monday.

Speech -- We will watch your commercials and evaluate the effectiveness of the logical fallacies. Also, the last three people will give their impromptu speeches.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

English 3: First hour, we will be working with your strips of paper from Act 3. Bring them with you to class. Afterward, I will hand out your Act 3 quiz (sort of like a takehome quiz). We will work on it in class tomorrow. Sixth and seventh hours: I will give you a small portion of the hour to finish your myspace.com journals (remember, you're not REALLY creating a myspace.com account or typing on it--it's all done on Microsoft Word and NEVER goes on to the Internet). The second portion of the hour, we will begin Act 4, the final one!

English 4/1101: We will begin the next type of writing, process analysis. For homework, read "Your New Computer" on pages 297-300 and be prepared to discuss tomorrow. The remaining portion of class, you will be able to finish typing your exemplification essays and turn them in to me (not due until the end of the day).

Speech -- Impromptu speeches focusing on eye contact.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: You will have about half the hour to finish reading Act 3 and completing your slips of paper. If time remains, we will work with the strips of paper. Sixth and seventh hours: You will have all hour to work on your Act 3 quiz. I will explain expectations, etc.

English 4 / 1101: You will have all hour to work on your exemplification essay. Towards the end of the hour, I will ask that you print out a copy for someone in your hour to peer edit for homework. DO NOT give him/her your only copy in case it gets lost. Your final copy is due tomorrow. You will not have all hour (only about half) to finish typing.

Speech : We will attmpt to log onto learnerblogs.org and register for blogs. Afterward, we will begin impromptu speeches that focus on eye contact.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: Continue reading Act 3 in The Crucible and completing your ten strips of paper. You should have Act 3 completed along with your strips of paper by Wednesday when you come to class. Sixth and seventh hours: Jigsaw activity over ten most important events in Act 3. We will then assemble the chain of events from your strips of paper and hang them around the room.

English 4 / 1101: We will finish the clarity and style worksheet from discussion yesterday. We will then look at a sample explication essay and discuss. Any remaining time will be yours to type and work on your essay.

Speech -- Chapter 3 test. We will begin impromptu speeches if time remains. IF not, we will begin them tomorrow.

Monday, September 18, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: open book quiz over Act 2. You will be reading Act 3 in class afterward and Tuesday and Wednesday and filling out strips of paper. Sixth and seventh hours: read all hour and fill out strips of paper.

English 4 / 1101: We will discuss sentence parts and patterns today. Continue working on your final draft of your explication essay, due Thursday by the end of the day. Most likely, you will get only one day this week to type your final.

Speech : Jason Swan from RLC will be here most of the hour to speak with you. Afterwards, you will be given a Chapter 3 study guide. Chapter 3 test will be tomorrow, Tuesday.

Friday, September 15, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: we will finish reading Act 2 and will complete an "iceberg" activity on two characters. Sixth and seventh hours, you will have all hour to read and work on your slips of paper.

English 4 / 1101: Outlines and drafts are due at the beginning of the hour today. We will look at a sample grading rubric so you know how your final will be graded. Additionally, you will be peer editing, looking at the thesis, paragraph topic sentences, and examples. Remember that your final is due Thursday. We will also look at a program, www.writely.com today.

Speech -- last day to work in your groups on your commercials. They are due next Friday. Don't forget your group must turn in a half-page, single spaced paper explaining your ad.

Reading -- Bookworm contest today.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: We will attempt to finish reading Act II today. If not, we will finish tomorrow. Do questions over Act II in your packet. Sixth and seventh hours: We will discuss Act II questions and begin Act III.

English 4/1101: Yesterday, looking at BlackBoard took most of the hour...soooooo, your drafts are not due until Friday, final essay is not due until next Thursday. We will work all hour today on outlines/drafts. Next week you will not have lots of time to finish your final, so some work will have to be on your own.

Speech -- We will finish going over the logical fallacies worksheets. Afterwards, I will explain your group commercial assignments and you will have some time to discuss and plan. The commercials are due next Friday. You may wish to plan on filming this weekend if it fits every group member's schedule since it gets so busy during the week.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: Act I quiz. We will discuss the last five questions of Act I from homework. We will then begin Act II. Sixth and seventh hours: We will discuss the five questions that were for homework and then continue reading Act II.

English 4 / 1101: You will work all hour on your outlines and then begin your drafts which are due tomorrow.

Speech -- Finish the logical fallacies worksheets. If time remains after we have gone over the answers, we will discuss making group commercials.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: We will finish Act I. For homework, finish the Act I questions in your packet. There will be an Act I quiz tomorrow. Sixth and seventh hours: We will begin Act II today. Do the first five questions in your packet over Act II.

English 4 / 1102: Quiz over "Tweens" today. We will also discuss the essay you read. We will look at a sample outline, discuss outlining, and begin your explication essay. By tomorrow, you definitely need to know your topic.

Speech -- We will discuss the rest of the types of logical fallacies. Then, we will look at some sample commercials and discuss what logical fallacies/propaganda are used in them. Finally, you will work in groups looking at examples of logical fallacies and attempting to identify the fallacies used in each. You will not finish today...you will have about half the clas hour to work on them tomorrow.

Reading -- We will be reading books from folders.

Monday, September 11, 2006

English 3 -- We will do a September 11th activity. Sixth and seventh hours have an Act I quiz.

English 4 /1101 -- Quiz over "Sexism and Language." We will discuss the story afterward. We will also discuss your topics and conclusions. Draft due Thursday. Tonight, read "Tweens: Ten Going on Sixteen."

Speech -- We will work with mnemonic devices today, using the Wal-Mart shopping lists each of you created. Then, we will continue discussing Chapter 3 (we will focus on logical fallacies).

Friday, September 8, 2006

English 3 -- First hour, we will read in Act I. Complete the character chart as directed in class for homework. Sixth and seventh hours: we will finish Act I and go over the character chart. Be sure you understand Act I...there will be a quiz over the plot and characters Monday.

English 4 / 1101 -- We will discuss "The Values Wasteland." We will also discuss introductions. For homework, read "Sexism and Language" for Monday. Also, be thinking about your topic for your exemplification essay.

Speech -- We will be discussing Chapter 3.

Thursday, September 7, 2006

Sorry about the lack of posts this week. I have not been able to get Blogger to load on my computer. I'm not sure what the problem was, mine or Blogger's. Anyway, I will try to catch you up here.

English 3 -- We have started The Crucible. We watched a Power Point over the Salem Witch Trials and began Act I. We did the first five questions out of a Crucible packet over Act I. For tonight, Thursday, you are to fill out the first two columns of the character chart in your packet.

English 4 / 1101 -- You should have turned in your description essays by now. We registered for RLC, so if you didn't pass the ASSET test you will not get credit for this class. Yesterday we discussed exemplification. Today, we will discuss thesis statements and introductions. For tonight, read "The Values Wasteland" and prepare to discuss tomorrow the thesis sentence and examples in the story. Possible quiz over the story, too.

Speech - We finished up the pet peeve speeches. We took a Chapter 2 test yesterday. Today, we began discussing Chapter 3: Listening.

Friday, September 1, 2006

English 3 -- We will finish Power Point presentations you created in your committees. If time allows, we will watch a brief movie over the Salem witch trials.

English 4 / 1101 -- Peer edit and type descriptive final draft today.

Speech -- pet peeve speeches

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

English 3-- I will show you a Power Point presentation over The Crucible plot and author. We will then begin reading the play...finally!

English 4 / 1101 -- Final day to peer edit and finalize your descriptive paper...it is due by the end of the day today.

Speech -- Chapter 2 test today. We may need to finish pet peeve speeches.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

English 3 -- First hour, we will go over how to use Power Point effectively. Sixth and seventh hours, we will spend the first half of the hour finalizing the Power Point presentations and practicing, and then the second half we will present.

English 4 / 1101 -- We will discuss clarity and style today. Continue working on your description papers, due Tuesday.

Speech -- You will read your six sentences to me today to ensure you are enunciating and pronuncing words correctly. Afterwards, I will give you a Chapter 2 study guide to use for review. Friday you will present your pet peeve speeches and next Tuesday (No school Monday!) you will take a Chapter 2 test.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

English 3 -- We will discuss using Power Point effectively and then you will have the rest of the hour to finish your presentation. Presentations begin Thursday and Friday for sixth and seventh hours, and Friday and Tuesday for first hour.

English 4 -- 1102 --You will have all hour to work on your rough draft. I will be conferencing with each of you to ensure you are on the right track in using description.

Speech -- We will work on pronunciation and enunciation today. Tomorrow, we will read aloud for a pronunciation grade. Then, you will prepare a brief (1-2 minutes) pet peeve speech where you have to utilize correct enunciation, pronunciation, and avoid speech pitfalls ("um," "uh," "like")

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

English 3 -- Work on your group projects over the Puritan era. Sixth and seventh hours, we will discuss creating your Power Point presentation.

English 4 -- We will work on sensory details of your draft and look at some examples.

Speech -- We will discuss articulation today and practice.

Monday, August 28, 2006

English 3 -- FIRST HOUR: We will finish typing credos and then discuss a famous Puritan poem, "Huswifery." SIXTH and SEVENTH HOURS: We will begin a group project over the Puritan era. You will work today through Weds. and then present Thursday and Friday.

English 4 -- We will read portions of your descriptions from homework. You will then get your first writing assignment...the draft is due Weds. and the final copy is due next Tues. (since there's no class Monday...yea!)

Speech -- We will review and practice the information I presented last Friday over Chapter 2.

Friday, August 25, 2006

English 3 -- First hour: we will type all hour. Credos from first hour are due Monday. Sixth and seventh hours credos are due today by the end of the day, though most of you have turned them in already. Sixth and seventh hours will have a little time to finish typing credos, and the rest of the hour we will discuss the Bradstreet questions and look at a new poem, "Huswifery."

English 4 / 1101 -- We will discuss "Once More to the Lake" today. Afterwards, we will look at your descriptive sentences. For homework, you will need to practice fixing up a boring paragraph I will give you.

Speech -- I will begin teaching Chapter 2 today.

Reading -- Freak the Mighty.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

English 3 -- We will type credos today. If you finish today, please turn in with your rough draft...the worksheet you filled out is optional.

English 4 / 1101 -- We will discuss "Sister Flowers" today. Additionally, we will finish spicing up those dull sentences. For homework, read "Once More to the Lake" and prepare for discussion.

Speech -- Chapter 1 test today. We will finish bag speeches.

Reading -- We are reading Freak the Mighty and making predictions.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

English 3 -- We will continue working on the credos each of you wrote and edited yesterday. Today, we will work on breaking the information into paragraphs and checking mechanics and ensuring that you have explained enough. We will begin typing tomorrow. The rest of the hour, we will begin reading and discussing Puritan poetry from Anne Bradstreet.

English 4 - We will discuss Soto's "The Jacket." We will spend some time practicing making dull sentences come to life with word choice and description.

Speech -- Bag speeches today! You have a Chapter 1 test tomorrow. Should we not finish all the bag speeches, we will finish them after the Chapter 1 test Thurs.

Reading -- We are still reading Freak the Mighty. . .we are on Chapter 8.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

English 3 -- We will discuss your credos today and then work on editing them. Additionally, we will read a poem by Anne Bradstreet and discuss how the Puritan influence can be seen in her poem.

English 4 -- We will continue to discuss the writing process.

Speech -- We will discuss each of your potential future careers and how speech communication will help you. We will go over the study guide for Chapter 1. If time allows, we will begin discussing Chapter 2.

Reading -- We will read Chapters 5-8 of Freak the Mighty and practice making predictions and asking questions.

Monday, August 21, 2006

English 3 -- Today, we will discuss the Pilgrims and Puritans. Additionally, please complete your credo draft and bring it with you tomorrow.

English 4 -- We will discuss Chapter 1: "The Reading Process: and will begin Chapter 2: "The Writing Process."

Speech -- We will practice nonverbal gestures, review Chapter 1, and work on a Chapter 1 study guide. Bag speeches due Wednesday, and a Chapter 1 test will be given Thursday.

Reading -- We will begin Chapters 1-4 of Freak the Mighty. I will read to you and you will draw a picture, ask a question, and make a prediction.

Friday, August 18, 2006

English 3 -- Take home "Million Words or Less" assignment to parents. Get class syllabus and Internet posting papers signed. We will do an individual survey today and turn it in.

English 4 -- We will do the RLC pre-write.

Speech -- We will discuss Chapter 1.

Reading -- We will discuss what good readers do.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

English 3 -- You will do an activity today to learn more about yourself. Then, you will need to complete an survey about yourself. Last, take home the "Million Words" paper to your parents. It's due next week. Remember to turn in your signed forms over the rules.

English 4 -- Read Chapter 1 in the Longman Reader.

Speech -- Read Chapter 1 in your textbook.

Reading -- Reading assignment in class.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

You will have school first hour only today. In your first hour class, you will go over school rules and regulations and such.

The normal school day begins tomorrow.

Beginning of School

School begins August 16th. See you soon!

Monday, May 8, 2006

English 3 -- Today is your last day to complete your poetry journal, save your poem to your folder (use the directions I gave you for this), and prepare what you will say tomorrow.

English 4 / 1102 -- Research presentations begin today. Final exams begin Wednesday.

Speech -- Work on farewell speeches.

Reading -- WIN reading.

Friday, May 5, 2006

Happy Cinco de Mayo!


English 3 -- We will discuss what goes into your poetry presentations that begin on Tuesday. You will have the rest of the hour to work on your poetry journals.

English 4 / 1102 -- Research papers due today. Work on your presentations, due to begin Monday.

Speech -- We will finish radio presentations. Begin working on your farewell speech. They will begin Tuesday and are only 1-2 minutes in length.

Reading -- Educational games today.

Thursday, May 4, 2006

English 3 -- You should be working on your poetry journals today. They must be finished by the end of the day Monday. You will present them Tuesday.

English 4 -- Work on your research papers and presentations. Presentations begin Monday.

Speech -- Radio presentations

Reading -- WIN reading program

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

English 3 -- Work on locating poems and writing in your journals.

English 4 / 1102 -- Work on your research paper and presentations.

Speech -- Practice your radio presentations today and finish your scripts. Presentations begin tomorrow.


Reading -- Work on WIN program.

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

English 3 -- We have a couple of slides left on the poetry Power Point. The rest of the hour, you should work on locating poems and writing in your journal. Presentations are tentatively set to begin Friday.

English 4 / 1102 -- We will discuss final preparations for completing your research paper, due Friday. We will also discuss your upcoming research paper presentation to the class. Presentations begin Monday of next week.

Speech -- Begin finalizing your radio program and work on your script. Scripts are due Thursday and presentations begin Thursday as well.

Reading -- Work on WIN program

Monday, May 1, 2006

Happy May! This is the last month of school!

English 3 -- Today we will attempt to finish the Power Point over poetry. Tomorrow you will begin your search for ten awesome poems and write about the best seven.

English 4 / 1102 -- Those of you who didn't present your poem Friday will do so today. Tomorrow we will discuss final preparations for your research paper and discuss what you need to do for your research paper presentation. The research paper is due Friday and the presentations begin Monday of next week.

Speech -- Work in groups on radio presentation. Presentations and scripts due Thursday.

Reading -- Work on WIN program.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

English 3 -- You should have about 5-10 minutes to finish your Work Keys practice test and then we will go over the answers. The rest of the hour you will hopefully work on PLATO, a program that helps you prepare for the reading of ACT and Work Keys. Tomorrow the ACT test begins. Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast!!

English 4 - 1102 : We will discuss "My Father as Guitar" and your notes. Then, we will continue looking at poetry. Work on your chosen poem at home in preparation for teaching the class.

Speech -- We will complete oral interpretations today. If time remains, we will discuss the final project, a radio presentation.

Reading -- You will take a Watsons Go to Birmingham test today to see how much you learned. Then you will go back to choosing your own books to read.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Welcome back from break! Hope it was a good one. Only a few more weeks of school left. Hang in there!

English 3 -- We are going to discuss the ACT English practice test you took before break. We will go over only the first section. Tomorrow, I will give you the answers to the rest of the test for those of you who finished it all and want to see how you did. The rest of the hour we will work on a practice Work Keys test. We will finish and discuss it tomorrow.

English 4 / 1102 -- We will begin poetry today. You will each need to choose a poem to present at the end of the week. I realize that several of you will be gone throughout this week...Weds. and Thurs. are speech field trips and Friday is the Art Fest. Keep up with your note taking and homework...especially your research paper!!

Speech -- Field trip for our class is Thursday. We will be gone all day to TV 3 and Clear Channel radio. We will finish our oral interpretations today and tomorrow. Our last project is a radio presentation.

Reading -- We will finish The Watsons Go to Birmingham today.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

English 3 -- We will take a practice ACT reading test today.

English 4 / 1102 -- Work on your research paper. . .keep the May 5th deadline in sight.

Speech -- Oral interpretation of lit presentations today.

Reading -- next chapter of The Watsons Go to Birmingham.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

English 3 -- ACT and PSAE/Work Keys practice today. Bring your practice packet.

English 4 / 1102 -- Work on your research paper today.

Speech -- Oral interpretations today.

Reading -- Finish Chapter 11 of The Watsons Go to Birmingham.

Monday, April 10, 206

English 3 -- Mrs. Zawaske will be here all hour again today to register you for the PSAE. Bring your practice packets with you tomorrow.

English 4 / 1102 -- We will discuss "Good Country People" today. The rest of the hour as well as Tuesday and Wednesday are for you to work on your papers. Remember to turn in your critical analysis by the end of the day today.

Speech -- Oral interpretations begin today.

Reading -- Chapters 10-11 of The Watsons Go to Birmingham.

Friday, April 7, 2006

English 3 -- Mrs. Zawaske will be here all hour registering you for the PSAE. She will also be here Monday.

English 4 -- Read "Good Country People" for Monday. Critical analyses due Monday by end of the day.

Speech -- Last day to practice you oral interp.

Reading -- Game day

Thursday, April , 2006

English 3 -- We will discuss today what to expect on the Prairie State and ACT exams that you will take after spring break.

English 4 / 1102 -- You have today to finish your critical analysis and work on your research paper. I will be discussing both papers with each of you individually. Additionally, you should read "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" for tomorrow and mark text for discussion.

Speech -- We will practice with partners today for oral interp. pieces.

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

English 3 -- We will begin discussion of the ACT and Prairie State exams. If time permits, we will begin practice exercises.

English 4 / 1102 -- Continue working on your critical analyses. We will go ahead tomorrow and work on lit analyses/research papers. "A Clean, Wel-Lighted Place" by Hemingway is due tomorrow. Bring notes to discuss. Analyses will be due Monday by the end of the day, not today as is on the calendar. However, you will not have additional class time to complete it.

Speech -- We will mark text and practice today for oral interpretation. We will begin these tomorrow.

Reading -- Next chapter of The Watsons Go to Birmingham.

Tuesday, April 4, 2006

English 3 -- We will finish the movie over The Great Gatsby today and begin practicing for the ACT and Prairie State exams.

English 4 / 1102 -- Work on your literary analyses today. They are due Thursday by the end of the day, though you will not have time in class Thursday to work on them. Also, 8th hour will not have class tomorrow due to early dismissal.

Speech -- We will discuss today how to write your introduction for your oral interpretation and how to mark your text and read.

Reading -- We will read the next chapter of The Watsons Go to Birmingham.