Homework 1/4-8

English 10R:

• *MM and GG books were due back before break!
• *If you were absent the Wednesday before break, go on Google docs, review my comments on your American Dream Essay, and revise your essay using those comments by Friday this week.
• "Letter" analysis using the "Letter" Claims Tools (central idea/theme, supporting evidence, and two significant rhetorical devices) due on the following days and will NOT be accepted late for credit: 
• Paragraphs 5-8: due in class on Monday 
• Paragraph 9: due in class on Tuesday 
• Paragraphs 10-11: due in class on Wednesday 
• Paragraphs 12-18: due in class on Friday 
• "Letter" vocab. revisions due Friday at 3:00

English 10H:

• "Letter" Facilitations begin Monday!
• "Letter" analysis using the "Letter" Claims Tools (central idea/theme, supporting evidence, and two significant rhetorical devices) due on the following days: 
• Paragraphs 19-21: due in class on Monday
• Paragraphs 22-24: due in class on Tuesday 
• Paragraph 25: due in class on Thursday 
• Paragraphs 26-30: due in class on Friday 

"8 Life Lessons You Learned from Mr. Feeny"

Click here to get some great advice from one of my favorite childhood teachers!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2016!

Homework 12/21-23

English 10R:

• Turn in your MM and GG books before break!
• "Letter" analysis (central idea/theme, supporting evidence, and two significant rhetorical devices) due on the following days: 
• Paragraphs 2-4: due in class on Tuesday (will NOT be accepted late for credit)
• If you are absent on Wednesday, go on Google docs, review my comments on your American Dream Essay, and revise your essay using those comments over break

English 10H:

• "Letter" analysis (central idea/theme, supporting evidence, and two significant rhetorical devices) due on the following days: 
• Paragraphs 12-18: due in class on Tuesday
• Paragraphs 19-21: due in class on Monday 1/4
• Paragraphs 22-24: due in class on Tuesday 1/5
• Paragraph 25: due in class on Thursday 1/7
• Paragraphs 26-30: due in class on Friday 1/8
• "Letter" Facilitations begin the Monday we return from break!

Homework 12/14-18

English 10R:

• "Letter" vocab. due Wednesday at 3:00
• Read and annotate "Letter," and complete the "'Letter' Preview" prompt for class on Thursday

English 10H:

• "Letter" analysis (central idea/theme, supporting evidence, and two significant rhetorical devices) due on the following days: 
• Paragraphs 2-4: finish for class on Monday
• Paragraphs 5-8: due in class on Tuesday
• Paragraph 9: due in class on Thursday
• Paragraphs 10-11: due in class on Friday
• "Letter" vocab. revisions due Friday at 3:00

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

Homework 12/7-11

*The 15-week Progress Report period ends this Friday!

English 10R:

• American dream essay draft due in class Monday on Google Docs
• American dream essay final draft due Friday at 3:00 on Google Docs. Turn in your rubric when you are ready to have your essay graded.

English 10H:

• Read and annotate "Letter," and complete the "'Letter' Preview" prompt for class on Monday
• "Letter" vocab. due Monday at 3:00

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

Homework 11/30 - 12/4

English 10R:

• GG chapter 9 (end of book!) and assigned slides due Monday in class
• Over Thanksgiving break, begin brainstorming for, outlining, and/or drafting your American dream essay: draft due in class Monday 12/7 on Google Docs

English 10H:

• American dream essay final draft due Wednesday at midnight on Google Docs
• Half of your IR book and QIRJ #1 due Friday at midnight (on the SAME document as your other QIRJs)
• Read and annotate "Letter" and complete "'Letter' Preview" prompt by class on Monday 12/7
• "Letter" vocab. due Monday 12/7 at 3:00

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

Homework 11/23-25

English 10R:

• GG chapter 8 and assigned slide(s) due Monday in class
• Optional: GG vocab. #2 revisions due before you leave for break (11:10 on Wednesday at the latest)
• Over Thanksgiving break, begin brainstorming for, outlining, and/or drafting your American dream essay: draft will be due in class Friday 12/4 on Google Docs
• GG chapter 9 and assigned slide(s) will be due Monday 11/30 in class

English 10H:

• *Bring your GG and MM books to class all week!
• American dream essay draft due in class Tuesday on Google Docs: final draft will be due Wednesday 12/2 at midnight
• Keep reading your chosen Q 2 IR book; half of the book and QIRJ #1 will be due 12/4

Homework 11/17-20

English 10R:

• GG chapter 6 and assigned slide(s) due Tuesday in class
• GG vocab. #2 due Wednesday at 3:00
• GG chapter 7 and assigned slide(s) due Thursday in class

English 10H:

• GG chapter 9 (end of book!) and DEJ due Tuesday in class
• Optional: GG vocab. #2 revisions due Wednesday at 3:00
• *Bring your GG and MM books to class beginning on Thursday!
• Begin drafting your American dream essays on Google Docs: draft due in class Tuesday 11/24
• Keep reading your chosen Q 2 IR book; half of the book and QIRJ #1 will be due 12/4

Homework 11/9-13

English 10R:

• GG chapter 5 and assigned slide(s) due in class on Monday
• GG chapter 6 and assigned slide(s) due in class on Tuesday 11/17 (These are already shared with you, so feel free to get a head start!)
• GG vocab. #2 due at 3:00 on Tuesday 11/17

English 10H:

• GG chapter 7 and DEJ due in class on Monday
• GG vocab. #2 due at 3:00 on Monday
• GG chapter 8 and DEJ due in class on Thursday 
• Get a copy of your Q 2 IR book and begin reading: the first half and QIRJ #1 will be due Friday 12/4

11/6 Classwork: Quarter 1 Check-In

Click here to fill out the Quarter 1 Check-In.

Homecoming E-Vote Test Run

Click here to help Student Government try out our new e-voting system for Homecoming next year!

UPDATED 11/5: Homework 11/2-6

*The 10-week marking period ends this Friday!

English 10R:

• Read GG chapter 3 and complete your assigned slide(s) by Monday in class
• Read GG chapter 4 and complete your assigned slide(s) by Wednesday in class

English 10H:

• Select a classic to read for your second quarter independent reading book by Friday. Submit your choices here.
• Read GG chapter 6 and complete your DEJ by class on Thursday
• GG vocab. #2 due Monday 11/9

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

Homework 10/26-30

*Reminder: Since this is week 9 of the marking quarter, all extra credit is due Friday at midnight.

English 10R:

• GG chapter 1 and analysis (slides) on your assigned character(s) (in your EDIT folder on Google Drive) due at midnight on Monday
• Read GG chapter 2 and complete your assigned GG chapter 2 slides (in your EDIT folder on Google Drive) by midnight on Wednesday
• Student book talks begin this Wednesday! If you have not yet signed up for a book talk slot, please do so by Friday (in your EDIT folder on Google Drive).
• Optional: GG vocab. #1 revisions due at 3:00 on Friday

English 10H:

• GG chapter 4 and DEJ due in class on Tuesday
• GG chapter 5 and DEJ due in class on Thursday
• Student book talks begin this Wednesday! If you have not yet signed up for a book talk slot, please do so by Friday (in your EDIT folder on Google Drive).
• Finish MM and complete your second QIRJ by Friday at midnight

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

Writing Workshop with Author Shane Peacock

From Mrs. Mann in the Library:

If you have any students so inclined, there is a Writing Workshop with author Shane Peacock and an evening "talk" with him at Phillips Free Library on Tuesday, November 4.

The Writing Workshop starts at 4 pm.

The Talk starts at 6:30 pm.

Shane Peacock writes about the "Boy Sherlock."  Looks like a great evening!

(I have a poster about the event in the library.)

Homework 10/19-23

English 10R:

• Be ready to discuss and write about Of Mice and Men in its entirety in class on Monday
• GG vocab. #1 due at 3:00 on Monday (submitted via the Digital Dropbox using Google Docs OR on paper)
• GG chapter 1 and analysis (slides) on your assigned character(s) (in your EDIT folder on Google Drive) due in class Tuesday 10/27

*There will be no SSR this week due to the Jump Start 10 Conference on Tuesday.

English 10H:

• GG chapter 2 and DEJ due in class on Wednesday
• GG chapter 3 and DEJ due in class on Friday
• Optional: GG vocab. #1 revisions due at 3:00 on Friday

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

*SSR will be on Tuesday this week due to the Jump Start 10 Conference.

Homework 10/13-16

English 10R:

• Jump Start 10 permission slips due on Tuesday
• If you were absent on Thursday and/or Friday and did not finish your poetry essay, you must see me to finish it this week.
• Grammar review sentences #1-5 due in class on Wednesday
• Finish reading Of Mice and Men (chapters 5-6), and submit your last journal entry (one journal for both chapters) by Friday at midnight

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

English 10H:

• Jump Start 10 permission slips due on Tuesday
• GG vocab. #1 due at 3:00 on Tuesday (submitted via the Digital Dropbox using Google Docs OR on paper)
• GG chapter 1 and character analysis (2 slides) on your assigned character (in your EDIT folder on Drive) due in class on Friday

Extra Credit Opportunity

See below for information regarding an extra credit opportunity. If you are interested, talk to Mr. Cortese or contact Sara Watrous using the information below. If you write an article for Noyze.org and it is published, you may earn up to ten points of extra credit. Remember, all extra credit must be submitted by week 9 of the marking quarter.

---------

The Teen Hub project that you heard about late spring/early summer has now morphed into Noyze.org, a digital platform for youth in Cortland County to engage with one another around topics that interest them (and a way for partners to get info our to teens in a way that connects with them).

We are looking for content contributors. If you have any students who like to write and are opinionated/passionate, please send them my way. We have $100 stipends and leadership positions for those who want to get involved.

...The site will launch in early October. We are looking for more content so that it is ready to go.

The topic areas of the site will be: Life, Pop Culture, Sports, College, Dating, News, Jobs/Careers, and a few others TBD. We are looking for brief (or long) articles, opinion pieces or whatever else teens what to contribute for the site.

One site we are modeling this off of is:

http://thelala.com/ (obviously, with a different focus and target audience)

We are in the process of forming a Teen Editorial and Marketing Committee to help govern the site. ...

We hope you will have more students interested.

Sara Watrous

Projects Coordinator

Cortland Area Communities That Care

(607) 299-4910 x1

swatrous@ccocc.org

cortlandareactc.org

5-Week E-Newsletter

Want to have this delivered to your inbox? Just click here, and fill out the short form to sign up.

---------------------------

Dear parents, guardians, and colleagues,

It's difficult to believe it's come and gone already, but last Friday marked the end of the five-week Progress Report period. Please take the time to review your student's grades on the Schooltool ParentPortal regularly to check for accuracy as well as to look for ways for your student to improve as the quarter continues. The ParentPortal will be updated at least once a week. As you will see, homework completion is essential for students to gain the reading and writing skills they need to be successful in this class.

Remember, this Progress Report period is just a checkpoint to let you know how your student is doing so far this year; there are five additional weeks that will count toward the marking period grade and which will significantly impact your student's overall quarter 1 grade.

*

Here's what we've been up to in class:

The first tenth-grade module is about the American dream and focuses on close reading skills as well as how character development impacts central ideas in a text.

English 10 Regents is currently discussing two poems centered around the idea of the American dream, focusing on how one poet draws upon and transforms the central ideas in another poem. This short unit will culminate in an in-class essay this Friday comparing the two poems and showing how they are connected. Students should also be reading and journalling about John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men independently, finishing the novella next week. Up next is F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.

English 10 Honors will begin discussing Fitzgerald's Gatsby this week, the second major text in our American dream unit. This module will culminate in an essay in which students will be asked to discuss the American dream as it is portrayed in both Of Mice and Men (which students are reading independently) and Gatsby (which we will be discussing together as a class).

*

Please check the class blog weekly, as you will find the most recent homework assignments and announcements posted there. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at swebb@homercentral.org.  

I hope to have the opportunity to meet you at Open House this Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to a great year!

Homework 10/5-9 (UPDATED 10/8)

English 10R:

• In-class American Dream Poetry Essay Thursday and Friday
• MM chapter 4 and journal due Friday at midnight

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

English 10H:

• Grammar Review Sentences (1-5) due Tuesday in class: Label all nouns, action verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and anything else you know.
• GG vocab. #1 due next Tuesday 10/13 at 3:00 (on Google Drive and submitted via the Digital Dropbox OR on paper—your choice)

Happy Banned Books Week!

From the American Library Association's (ALA) website...

"BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2015: September 27-October 3

Top ten frequently challenged books of 2014 has been released as part of the State of America's Library Report. Find out which books made the list.

The ALA promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice.

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) promotes awareness of challenges to library materials and celebrates freedom of speech during Banned Books Week. This event is typically observed during the last week of September of each year. See Banned Books Week for information and resources for getting your library or organization involved in this event!

OIF compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted to us by librarians and teachers across the country.  For more about books challenged as well as information about classic novels that have been challenged and/or banned, please see Frequently Challenged Books.

OIF also offers support for librarians facing challenges to materials in their library. The support librarians seek will not be disclosed to any outside parties and the challenge report OIF receives is kept confidential. Please see Challenges to Library Materials for resources and information to help you prepare for and respond to challenges.

If you would like more information about banned and challenged books not covered in the website, please feel free to contact the Office for Intellectual Freedom at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4220, or oif@ala.org."

Homework 9/28-10/2

English 10R:

• MM chapter 3 and journal due Friday at midnight

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

English 10H:

• Complete the "American Dream Poetry Discussion Qs" for class on Monday by making a copy of the Google doc of the same name. Use your notes from last Thursday and Friday to help you answer the questions.
• In-class poetry essay Thursday
• QIRJ #1 (MM) due Friday at midnight

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

Announcement: Phillips Free Library Open House

There is an Open House this Saturday (Sept. 26) at Phillips Free Library:

• 1:00 Ribbon Cutting
• 1:30 Keynote by Michael Buckley, children's/YA author (He wrote NERDS, The Sisters Grimm, and the Undertow Trilogy.)
• 2:30 Writing Workshop with Michael Buckley for 6th-12th-grade students

Contact the Phillips Free Library for further details!

Homework 9/21-25 (UPDATED 9/23)

English 10R:

• Finish up article questions (classwork on Friday) if you did not finish for class on Monday
• Literary Terms Self-Assessment due in class on Tuesday
• Bring a book to read for SSR on Wednesday
• MM chapter 2 journal due Friday at midnight on Google Docs.

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

English 10H:

• Read and annotate the "The Great Depression" and "Migrant Workers of California" articles for class on Monday
• Literary Terms Self-Assessment due in class on Tuesday
• Bring a book to read for SSR on Wednesday
• Revise the Supplementary American Dream Articles doc by Wednesday at 3:00 using my comments
• Read and annotate "I Hear America Singing" and "I, Too" for class on Thursday
• Revise your Summer Journal by Friday at midnight using my comments
• QIRJ #1 (for MM) due Friday 10/2 at midnight

*Must be turned in via your class' Digital Dropbox

Homework: 9/14-18

English 10R:

• Signed syllabus and supplies due in class Monday
• MM chapter 1 journal due Friday in class on Google Drive
• Six-word memoir due Friday at 3:00

English 10H:

• Signed syllabus and supplies due in class Monday
• Read and annotate the two American dream articles for class on Tuesday
• Summer Journal Assignment Focused Peer Review comments due Tuesday at midnight on Google Docs
• Find and read one recently published article about the American dream, and fill out the "Supplementary American Dream Articles" chart (in your class EDIT folder on Google Drive) by class on Thursday
• Summer Journal Assignment due Friday in class on Google Docs: Choose your best journal of the two to submit for a grade.
• Six-word memoir due Friday at 3:00

GoGuardian Link

Go here to enroll your Chromebook in GoGuardian. You will receive your class code in class.

Six-Word Memoir Links

• YouTube video: "Six Tips for Writing Six-Word Memoirs"
• SMITH Magazine Six-Word Memoirs: Teens
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus

2015-16 Beginning-of-the-Year Survey

Click here to access the Beginning-of-the-Year Survey. You must finish the survey in one sitting, so make sure you have enough time to complete it before you begin!

Homework 9/8-11 (REVISED 9/10)

English 10R:

• If you are absent on Thursday or do not finish in class, complete the Beginning-of-the-Year Survey by 3:00 on Friday
• Signed syllabus and supplies* due in class next Monday, 9/14

English 10H:

• Summer assignment journal drafts due in class on Thursday
• Beginning-of-the-Year Survey due at 3:00 on Friday
• Signed syllabus and supplies* due in class next Monday, 9/14

*If for any reason you cannot get all of the required supplies by Monday, see me BEFORE MONDAY to discuss!

Required Supplies 2015-16

All students will need the following supplies for English 10R and 10H this year:

• Pens (blue or black ink)
• Highlighters
• Loose-leaf paper
• A binder for English papers only (± 2 inches)
• Four binder divider tabs (Labels: Important, Notes, Grammar/EL, Vocab.)
• One folder for English papers only (If your binder and/or tabs have pockets, that will work!)

If you have any trouble getting these supplies, please let me know as soon as possible: we will discuss a plan to help you keep organized this year!

The Iceberg Illusion: Success is an Iceberg!

Check out Sylvia Duckworth's newest drawing, "The Iceberg Illusion," and remember that there's a lot more to success than meets the eye.

Shmoop: "Summer Reading Got You Down? Spice It Up"

Check out Shmoop's summer reading resources here!

English 10R/H Classwork 6/15: English 10 Exit Survey

Fill out the Exit Survey by clicking here.

Thank you in advance for your honest, thorough feedback! Have a wonderful summer! :)

Honors English Summer Assignment

Attention, all students taking English 9H, 10H, or 11H next year:

Click here to view your summer assignment. See me, Mr. Massenzio, Mr. Hatch, or Mrs. Stokoe with any questions.

Homework 6/8-12 (FINALS WEEK)

All classes:
There are still some students who have not returned books. Please do so this week to avoid any lost book charges.

Literacy in English 9:

• "The Most Dangerous Game" End-of-Unit Assessment revisions due Tuesday at 3:00
• The final exam (read two related texts, answer multiple-choice questions about the texts, and write an essay about the shared central idea of the two texts) will be in class on Wednesday - Friday. If you are absent for any of those days, you must make plans to make up the test ASAP.

English 10R:

• "Death of a Pig" End-of-Unit Assessment (well-developed paragraph) due in class on Monday
• Look over the practice final exam for class on Monday
• The final exam (read two related texts, answer multiple-choice questions based on the texts, write two well-developed paragraphs based on the texts, and write an essay about the shared central idea of the two texts) will be in class on Wednesday - Friday. If you are absent for any of those days, you must make plans to make up the test ASAP.

English 10H:

• Look over the practice final exam for class on Monday
• QIRJ #2 due Monday at midnight
• All extra credit due Monday at midnight
• Turn in HeLa and your Elements textbook this week
  
• The final exam (read two related texts, answer multiple-choice questions based on the texts, write two well-developed paragraphs based on the texts, and write an essay about the shared central idea of the two texts) will be in class on Wednesday - Friday. If you are absent for any of those days, you must make plans to make up the test ASAP.

STAR Test Link: Literacy in English 9 Students

Click here to access the STAR test.

Must-Read Book Survey

This week is the last week we will have SSR in class this school year. :(

Did you read a great book this year? Have a recommendation for another student? If so, please be sure to fill out this short "Must-Read" Book Survey this week, which will be shared with all of you as well as my sophomores next year to help them choose good independent reading/SSR books. Thanks!

Homework 6/1-5

All classes:
Please return all classroom library books by Wednesday! Check the side "Owed Books" board to see if you need to return a book. If you have lost a book, let me know ASAP so I can look up the replacement cost.

Literacy in English 9:

• If you are absent on Wednesday, you must make arrangements to make up the STAR test this week.
• WN #14 revisions due Thursday at 3:00
• "MDG" vocab. #2 revisions due Friday at 3:00

English 10R:

• Research paper + Works Cited page (final draft) due at 3:00 on Monday—Be sure to turn in your rubric/W.C. checklist
• We will be reading E.B. White's "Death of a Pig" in class this week. If you are absent, you may access a digital version of the text here.
• "Death of a Pig" Part 1 discussion questions due in class on Tuesday (if you did not finish in class)
• "Death of a Pig" Part 2 discussion questions due in class on Wednesday
• "Death of a Pig" Part 3 discussion questions due in class on Thursday
• "Death of a Pig" Part 4 discussion questions due in class on Friday

English 10H:

• Research paper + Works Cited page draft due in class on Google Drive on Thursday
• Independent reading: Read "Death of a Pig," and answer one question of your choice by class on Friday.
• Research paper + Works Cited page (final draft) due at midnight on Friday—Be sure to turn in your rubric/W.C. checklist when you are done.
• *Bonus IR story: Read Raymond Carver's flash fiction story, "Little Things" (handed out in class and shared with you on Google Drive). We will not be discussing this in class, but you may use it for your QIRJ #2 if you wish. 

Summer Ideas from Shmoop

Click here to check out Shmoop's suggestions for a fun- and learning-filled summer!

Homework 5/26-5/29

All classes:
Please return all classroom library books this week! Check the side "Owed Books" board to see if you need to return a book. If you have lost a book, let me know ASAP so I can look up the replacement cost.

Literacy in English 9:

• WN #14 due Thursday at 3:00: In "The Most Dangerous Game," Rainsford is forced to play a very dangerous "game" with General Zaroff. For this week's WN, write about what you would have done if you were in Rainsford's place. Do you believe you would have "won" Zaroff's game? Why or why not?
• "MDG" vocab. #2 due Friday at 3:00

English 10R:

• Research paper + Works Cited draft due in class on Google Drive on Tuesday
• Research paper + Works Cited final draft due in class on Friday

English 10H:

• Organize, annotate, and/or take notes on all of your sources for class on Tuesday.
• Work on your research paper outline and draft this week.
• Independent reading: Read "Harrison Bergeron" for class on Friday. There are no assigned questions, but take a look at Shmoop's questions before class. Also, consider the following two questions: What is the story's central idea or theme? What is the significance of the ending?

When do you cite?

Check out this super simple flowchart to help you determine when to cite.

(Hint: In research, the answer is most of the time. If in doubt, always cite!)

Homework 5/18-21

Literacy in English 9:

• "MDG" vocabulary revisions due Wednesday at 3:00
• WN #13 revisions due Thursday at 3:00

English 10R:

• Research paper + Works Cited draft due in class on Google Drive on Tuesday 5/26

English 10H:

• We will be researching in the Library on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week. By the end of the week, you must have at least five reliable, relevant, and accessible sources to help you answer your chosen inquiry question. By Tuesday 5/26, organize, annotate, and/or take notes on these sources.
• Independent reading: Read "A Rose for Emily" (in textbook) and complete one question of your choice by class on Thursday.

Homework 5/11-15

Literacy in English 9:

• The Local ELA 9 Assessment will be given in class on Monday and Tuesday. Students will be asked to read two short related passages, answer five multiple-choice questions about the passages, and then write a well-developed multi-paragraph (at least two) response that answers a question about the passages. Since the passages will be a cold read (texts we have not studied in class before), students cannot study the content of the passage. They can, however, prepare for this assessment by reviewing how to write a well-developed paragraph, how to properly cite and quote, and their Editing Log minilessons.
• "The Most Dangerous Game" vocabulary #1 due Wednesday at 3:00
• WN #13 due Friday at 3:00: ​How do you plan on spending your summer?  OR  What is the best summer-time memory you have? Pick one to write about for your WN.  Remember, it needs to be a page handwritten or 2/3 page typed, so provide details!

English 10R:

• Research proposal due Monday at midnight
• We will be researching in the Library on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week. By the end of the week, you must have at least five reliable, relevant, and accessible sources to help you answer your chosen inquiry question.

English 10H:

• Inquiry Questions Checklist due Tuesday in class on Google Drive
• Pre-searches #1 and #2 due Thursday in class on Google Drive
• Independent reading: Read Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" for class on Friday. Focus questions: What is the couple talking about? (Please do not Google this; try to figure it out using context clues!) How does the story end?
• Research proposal due Friday at midnight

Homework 5/4-8

Literacy in English 9:

• "The Tell-Tale Heart" Mid-Unit Assessment revisions due Wednesday at 3:00

English 10R:

• The Local ELA 10 Assessment will be given in class on Thursday and Friday. Students will be asked to read a one-page passage, answer five multiple-choice questions about the passage, and then write one well-developed paragraph that answers a question about the passage. Since the passage will be a cold read (one we have not studied in class before), students cannot study the content of the passage. They can, however, prepare for this assessment by reviewing how to write a well-developed paragraph, how to properly cite and quote, and their Editing Log minilessons.
• Inquiry Questions Checklist due Tuesday in class on Google Drive (have your two best inquiry questions chosen)
• Research project pre-searches #1 and #2 due in class next Monday 5/11 on Google Drive

*No SSR this week due to testing.

English 10H:

• The Local ELA 10 Assessment will be given in class on Thursday and Friday. Students will be asked to read a one-page passage, answer five multiple-choice questions about the passage, and then write one well-developed paragraph that answers a question about the passage. Since the passage will be a cold read (one we have not studied in class before), students cannot study the content of the passage. They can, however, prepare for this assessment by reviewing how to write a well-developed paragraph, how to properly cite and quote, and their Editing Log minilessons.
• Choose a Surfacing Issue (topic) to research by class on Monday.
• Exploring a Topic Tool due Tuesday in class on Google Docs
• Independent reading: Read Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" for class on Wednesday.
• QIRJ #1 due Friday at midnight on Google Docs (RR/SBL document).

*No SSR this week due to testing.

HeLa Follow-Up Article 8/8/13

Interested in what's going on with Henrietta's family today? Check out the Huffington Post article students in 10H found: "HeLa Cells Use Restricted Under New Agreement With Family Of Henrietta Lacks."

Homework 4/27-5/1

Literacy in English 9:

• Extra credit: Bring in a school-appropriate poem (or song) to read to the class on Thursday for Poem in Your Pocket Day
• WN #12 revisions due Friday at 3:00

English 10R:

• HeLa pages 245-247 and 261-267 + discussion questions due in class on Monday
• "Exploring a Topic" Tool due Wednesday at midnight on Google Drive
• Bring in a school-appropriate poem (or song) to read to the class on Thursday for Poem in Your Pocket Day
• HeLa vocab./reading quiz in class on Friday

English 10H:

• HeLa facilitations continue on Tuesday
• Finish HeLa for class on Tuesday
• HeLa vocab./reading quiz in class on Wednesday
• Bring in a school-appropriate poem (or song) to read to the class on Thursday for Poem in Your Pocket Day
• Read Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," and be ready to discuss it Friday in class (no questions)

*SSR will be on Monday this week; book talks have been moved to Friday.

Inspiration for Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death"?

English 10H: Click here to read Pallimed's "1832 Paris Cholera Outbreak" article as well as some related artwork.

Do you think that this may have been Poe's inspiration for "The Masque of the Red Death"? We'll discuss in class on Friday.

Homework 4/20 - 4/24

Literacy in English 9:

• "The Tell-Tale Heart" vocab. #2 revisions due Thursday at 3:00
• WN #12 due Friday at 3:00: "The Tell-Tale Heart" is about a very audacious man. What is the most audacious thing you (or a friend) have ever done? What happened? Were there any consequences? Did you learn anything from the experience?
• Students will be taking the Mid-Unit Assessment (one well-developed paragraph) in class on Friday

English 10R:

• HeLa pages 174-183 and questions due in class on Monday
• HeLa pages 194-198 and questions due in class on Tuesday
• HeLa pages 199-201 and questions due in class on Wednesday
• HeLa pages 201-206 and questions due at 3:00 on Thursday

*SSR will be on Thursday this week.

English 10H:

• HeLa facilitations continue this week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday)
• Read HeLa through page 136 for class on Monday
• Read HeLa through page 198 for class on Tuesday
• Read HeLa through page 267 for class on Thursday
• IR: "The Masque of the Red Death" + a question of your choice due Thursday at 3:00

English 10H Q4 Extra Credit Opportunity

See the document titled "Q4 EXTRA CREDIT: 'Occurrence' short story vs. film" on Google Drive for details. For those of you who will be here on Friday (and are not going on the Boston field trip), we will be watching the short film in class.

Homework 4/13-17

Literacy in English 9:

• WN #11 revisions due Tuesday at 3:00
• "The Tell-Tale Heart" vocab. #2 due Friday at 3:00

English 10R:

• HeLa 93-102 reading and questions due in class Tuesday
• WCW parodies due Tuesday at midnight
• HeLa 127-136 reading and questions due at 3:00 on Wednesday
• HeLa 164-169 reading and questions due in class on Friday
• HeLa vocab. revisions due Friday at 3:00

English 10H:

• HeLa presentations begin in class on Monday: the presentation schedule has changed, so please check the Google Doc!
• HeLa through page 66 due in class Monday
• HeLa through page 136 due in class on Tuesday
• WCW parodies due Tuesday at midnight
• IR: "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" + a question of your choice due in class on Thursday
• HeLa vocab. revisions due Friday at 3:00

Quarter 3 Check-In

English 10R/10H classes, go here to complete the Quarter 3 Check-In.

UPDATED 3/31: Homework 3/30-4/2 + Spring Break

English in Literacy 9:

• "The Tell-Tale Heart" vocabulary revisions due Thursday at 3:00 or before you leave for break
• WN #11 due Thursday or before you leave for break: Choose either RJ or "St Lucy's," and write about the text's central idea (= main idea or topic of a text). What is it, and how do you know? If you don't have your copies of the texts, use examples from the texts as best as you can remember.

English 10R:

• HeLa vocabulary due Tuesday at 3:00
• HeLa pages 27-33 and questions due Tuesday in class
• HeLa pages 63-66 and questions due Wednesday at 3:00
• Complete the Quarter 3 Check-In before you leave for break
• WCW parodies (2) due Tuesday 4/14

English 10H:

• HeLa vocabulary due Tuesday at 3:00
• Complete the Quarter 3 Check-In before you leave for break
• Read HeLa, pages 27-33 and 63-66 for class on Monday 4/13 and be ready to discuss
• HeLa section presentations begin Monday 4/13
• WCW parodies (2) due Tuesday 4/14

Homework 3/23-27

*All Q3 extra credit is due on Friday, 3/27!

Literacy in English 9:

• Romeo and Juliet essay due Monday at 3:00. Class time will be provided on Monday to finish and proofread your essay. If you finish early, please bring a book to read on Monday.
• "Tell-Tale Heart" vocabulary due Friday at 3:00

*SSR will be on Monday this week for those students who finish their essays early.

English 10R:

• Period 3: You will be writing your "Letter" Rhetoric essay on Monday and Tuesday this week in class. Remember that you may use your annotated text and prompt/checklist. 
• Periods 1-2: You will be continuing to write your "Letter" Rhetoric essay in class on Monday and for half of the period on Tuesday. Please bring a book to read for SSR (second half of class) on Tuesday.
• Well-developed poetry paragraph response revisions due Friday at 3:00.
• SSR Quarterly Book Review due Friday at midnight on Google Docs (should be written on the same document as your SSR Reading Record/Someday Books List). I will be reviewing how to do this on Tuesday and/or Wednesday, and class time will be provided for you to work on this on Wednesday.

English 10H:

• You will be continuing to write your "Letter" Rhetoric essay in class on Monday (full period) and Tuesday (half period). If you were absent last Thursday, Monday, and/or Tuesday and need more time, you must see me this week to finish your essay.
• Finish your quarter 3 independent reading book, and complete your QIRJ #2 by Friday at midnight on Google Docs—should be written on the same document as your SSR Reading Record/Someday Books List.
• Sign up to facilitate your HeLa section this week (in your EDIT folder on Google Drive).

English 10 Q3 Extra Credit

English 10 students: See the Module 2: Rhetoric folder on Google Drive for an extra credit opportunity for marking quarter 3. Due Friday, March 27 at midnight on Google Drive.

UPDATED 3/18: Homework 3/16-19

Literacy in English 9:

• Romeo and Juliet essay due next Monday 3/23 at 3:00

English 10R:

• "Women" questions due in class on Monday
• Periods 1-2: You will begin writing your "Letter" essay in class on Thursday this week. Remember that you may use your text and any annotations you've made on it.
• Choose one of the three poems in this rhetoric unit ("In This Blind Alley," "Freedom," or "Women"), and write a well-developed paragraph response to that poem's specific prompt—due at 3:00 on Thursday.

English 10H:

• "Women" questions due in class on Monday
• You will begin writing your "Letter" essay in class on Thursday (second half of the period). Remember that you may use your text and any annotations you've made on it.
• Choose one of the three poems in this rhetoric unit ("In This Blind Alley," "Freedom," or "Women"), and write a well-developed paragraph response to that poem's specific prompt—due at 3:00 on Thursday.
• You will be creating your schedules for next year with Guidance in the East Lab (Library) on Thursday. If you are absent on Thursday, see Guidance ASAP to create your schedule for next year.

SCORCH TRIALS Sneak Peak!

Hey, Greenies (a.k.a. Maze Runner series fans), check out this sneak peak of the Scorch Trials movie, coming out later this year!

UPDATED 3/11: Homework 3/9-13

Literacy in English 9:

• WN #10 revisions due Thursday at 3:00
• RJ essay due next Thursday, 3/19, at 3:00

*No SSR this week due to Guidance scheduling.

English 10R & 10H:

• "Letter" paragraph 34 Jigsaw questions due in class on Monday
• Sign up for a presentation group by class on Tuesday on Google Docs (EDIT folder)
• "Letter" paragraphs 35-39 group presentations begin in class on Thursday
• Alice Walker mini-research assignment due Friday at 3:00 on Google Drive: Conduct a brief search into Alice Walker. Choose at least two facts about Walker, and explain how these facts might contribute to her perspective as a writer. Cite your source(s) using proper MLA format. Use your MLA worksheet for help, go to the OWL at Purdue for more information, or see me during a 9th period for assistance.

Calling all MISS PEREGRINE fans!

I just came across this very interesting short video about Ransom Riggs' journey to Europe to find inspiration and images to create the book trailer for his first novel, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Check it out!

In-Class MLA Citation Practice: English 10R/10H 3/2

Website #1: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1913/tagore-bio.html

Website #2: http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/rtagore.htm

Homework 3/2-6

*SSR will be on Friday this week for all classes.

Literacy in English 9:

• WN #9 revisions due at 3:00 on Friday
• WN #10 due at 3:00 on Friday: Who do you blame for Romeo's death? Why? Who do you blame for Juliet's death? Why? Use specific evidence from Romeo and Juliet to support your claims.
• We will be working on the final Romeo and Juliet essay in class this week.

English 10R:

• "Freedom" questions 1-14 due in class on Monday
• "Letter" paragraphs 26-27 Jigsaw questions due in class on Tuesday
• "Letter" paragraphs 28-33 Jigsaw questions due in class on Wednesday

English 10H:

• "Freedom" questions 1-14 due in class on Monday
• "Letter" paragraphs 26-27 Jigsaw questions due in class on Tuesday
• "Letter" paragraphs 28-33 Jigsaw questions due in class on Wednesday

MLA: How to Cite an E-Book

Go here to learn how to write both internal citations and a full citation for a book you are reading on an e-reader, such as a Kindle or a Nook.

Homework 2/23-27

The 25-Week Progress Report Period ends on Friday, February 27!

Literacy in English 9:

• RJ 3.3 paragraph revisions due Thursday at 3:00
• WN #9 due Friday at 3:00: Choose one book you've read during SSR this year. Discuss how one character is characterized AND/OR summarize the plot so far. Feel free to use relevant quotations to support your ideas!

English 10R:

• "Letter" paragraphs 24-25 Jigsaw questions due in class on Thursday 
• Conduct a brief search into Rabindranath Tagore. Choose at least two facts about Tagore, and explain how these facts might contribute to his perspective as a writer. Submit your research here. Due in class on Friday.

English 10H:

• "Letter" paragraphs 24-25 Jigsaw questions due in class on Thursday 
• Conduct a brief search into Rabindranath Tagore. Choose at least two facts about Tagore, and explain how these facts might contribute to his perspective as a writer. Submit your research here. Due in class on Friday.
• If you have not done your book talk yet, please sign up for a slot this week on Google Docs (EDIT folder) to ensure everyone has an opportunity to present this year.

More Fun with the Oxford Comma!

Check out Grammar Girl's page and infographic if you're interested in learning more about the Oxford comma debate!

UPDATED 2/9: Homework 2/9-13 + February break

Literacy in English 9:

• RJ 3.3 well-developed paragraph due Wednesday at 3:00 (Prompt: How is Romeo characterized in act 3, scene 3 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?)
• Hyperbole poem (minimum 10 lines) due Friday in class or before you leave for break

English 10R:

• "Letter" vocab./reading quiz in class on Friday or before you leave for break

*No SSR this week due to Monday's snow day.

English 10H:

• Rhetorical Devices slides (in your EDIT folder on Google Drive) groupwork due in class on Wednesday
• "Letter" vocab./reading quiz in class on Friday or before you leave for break
• Q3 QIRJ #1 due Friday 2/20 (the Friday of break—plan ahead!) at midnight. This must be completed on Google Docs on the same document as your Reading Record/Someday Books List, which should already be in your shared folder; failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for this assignment. See me with questions.

*No SSR this week due to Monday's snow day.

UPDATED 2/4: Homework 2/2-6

*No SSR this week due to Monday's Snow Day.

Literacy in English 9:

• RJ 3.1 and/or 3.2 revisions due in class Friday
• RJ 3.3 paragraph due Tuesday 2/10 at 3:00

English 10R:

• "In This Blind Alley" questions 1-6 due in class on Tuesday
• "Letter" paragraphs 12-18 Jigsaw questions due in class on Wednesday
• "Letter" paragraphs 19-21 Jigsaw questions due in class on Friday
• Shamlu citation revisions due in class Friday

English 10H:

• "In This Blind Alley" questions 1-6 due in class on Tuesday
• "Letter" paragraphs 12-18 Jigsaw questions due in class on Wednesday
• "Letter" paragraphs 19-21 Jigsaw questions due in class on Friday
• Shamlu citation revisions due in class Friday

Google Drive: Semester 2

Beginning semester 2 (January 30), all assignments that are not properly shared with me on Google Drive on time will be subject to the late-work penalty, regardless of the time stamp.

Please see me if you have any questions about using Google Drive!

Homework 1/25-1/30

English 10R & H:

• Finish the "In This Blind Alley" questions (1-6) for class on Monday, February 2

TIME's "100 Best YA Books of All Time"

TIME recently released their controversial list of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time. What do you think? Did your favorites make the cut?

UPDATED: Midterms

The Midterm Exam Schedule has been finalized. Below, find information regarding students' Midterms this year.

Literacy in English 9:

• When: Wednesday, January 28, from 9:30 - 10:45
• Where: Students should make arrangements with their Resource teachers regarding location in order to address testing modifications (location, reading, extra time, typing, etc.).
• Format of test: Read two short related passages; answer five multiple-choice questions based on the passages; write at least two well-developed paragraphs to address a prompt based on the two passages.

English 10R/10H:

• When: Wednesday, January 28, from 11:00 - 12:30
• Where: The gym (Resource students should make arrangements with their Resource teachers regarding location in order to address testing modifications.)
• Format of test: Read one short passage; answer ten multiple-choice questions based on the passage; write one well-developed paragraph to address a prompt based on the passage.

UPDATED: Homework 1/20-23

English 9:

• Finish your RJ 3.1 and 3.2 well-developed paragraphs by Friday at 3:00

English 10:

• "Letter from Birmingham Jail" paragraph 9 questions due in class on Tuesday
• Research Ahmad Shamlu and the context in which he lived using at least one reputable source. Choose at least two facts about Shamlu, and explain how these facts might contribute to his perspective as a writer. Turn in your research and citation(s) using this Google Form by midnight on Thursday.
• Take the Quarter 2 Check-In Survey by Friday at midnight

English 10H:

• "Letter from Birmingham Jail" paragraph 9 questions due in class on Tuesday
• "Letter from Birmingham Jail" paragraphs 10-11 Jigsaw: Reread paragraphs 10-11 of the letter, and complete your assigned questions for class on Wednesday (See Google Docs for Jigsaw assignments.)
• Research Ahmad Shamlu and the context in which he lived using at least one reputable source. Choose at least two facts about Shamlu, and explain how these facts might contribute to his perspective as a writer. Turn in your research and citation(s) using this Google Form by midnight on Thursday.
• Take the Quarter 2 Check-In Survey by Friday at midnight
• Sign up for your Quarter 3 Independent Reading Book by Friday at midnight

Homework 1/12-16

English 9:

• RJ vocab. #2 revisions due Thursday at 3:00
• WN #8 revisions due Friday at 3:00

English 10:

• Read and annotate "Letter from Birmingham Jail" for class on Monday
• "Letter" vocab. revisions due Thursday at 3:00
• Quarterly SSR book review due Friday at midnight

English 10H:

• Read and annotate "Letter from Birmingham Jail" for class on Monday
• "Letter" vocab. revisions due Thursday at 3:00
• Finish reading your Quarterly Independent Reading Book this week; journal #2 due Friday at midnight on Google Docs

*All Q2 extra credit is due Friday at midnight.