Look here for course updates, homework and reminders!

5.18:
   Here's the schedule for the remainder of the year!
   Week of May 24: Dickinson notes and reading on Monday, Group Work Day on Tuesday and Wednesday, Discussion Day on Thursday, and Discussion of THE GREAT GATSBY on Friday. Logs for novella are due on Tuesday!
   Week of May 31: Closed on Monday, Discussion and Close Reading of Passages of THE GREAT GATSBY from Tuesday through Friday. Come with your questions!  
   Week of June 7: Wrap-Up of THE GREAT GATSBY on Monday with class questioning, Finalize Writing Folders on Tuesday, Loose Ends and Review for Exam on Wednesday, & Final Exam on Thursday.
   Week of June 14: We are scheduled to meet on the last of school, June 16th. We'll review the final during that period.
    Have a great summer! Get ready to return as seniors!!

5.15:
This week the focus will be on Walt Whitman. Monday and Tuesday are group work days with Wednesday being discussion day. On Thursday and Friday, we will work on notes and more background on THE GREAT GATSBY to assist in your reading. Be sure to have the novella and logs done for next week! Also, don't forget your group poem is due this week!!

5.07:
This week we finish modern poetry and begin Whitman. Modern poetry sessions will be Monday and Tuesday. Whitman notes and group work begin on Wednesday and conclude on Friday. HW this week: Continue with reading of The Great Gatsby. Logs are due 5/21.

5.02:
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we will hold post-research paper conferences. Bring your GREAT GATSBY book with you as well as your reading portfolio. On Thursday and Friday, you will work cooperatively in small groups to read and understanding modern poems.

4.23:
This week will focus on finishing Transcendentalism. Monday and Tuesday will be work days for your projects. Wednesday will have you completing a quest on Emerson and Thoreau readings. Presentations begin on Thursday and continue on Friday, if need be. HW: Begin reading THE GREAT GATSBY after projects!

4.17:
This week we will focus on Transcendentalism. On Monday, we will begin with "Thanatopsis" and move to Emerson and Thoreau excerpts. On Tuesday, you will be completing a class exercise due at the end of the period. On Wednesday, we will complete any follow-up on Emerson and Thoreau and then you will begin a group project. This will continue on Thursday. Project is due April 28th. On Friday, your 55-Word Short Story is due. Be prepared to read it aloud.

4.10:
Big Day on Monday--Final Research Paper due by 2:30 pm. No late papers will be accepted. On Monday we will begin an introduction to the Growing Nation and Transcendental Periods. "Minister's Black Veil" and "The Devil and Tom Walker" stories in textbook are due on Tuesday. Read "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls," "Thanatopsis" and "A Psalm of Life" for Wednesday. Read Emerson and Thoreau selections, a total of four, in text for Friday. 55-Word Story is due 4/23. Be sure to mark your calendars for these dates. It will be easy to fall behind!!!

4.05: Work ahead this week if you have a lot to complete on your final research paper due on Monday. Remember, you must submit your draft and your final paper to TURNITIN.COM.

This week we will have a mix of tasks to complete. On Tuesday, we will follow-up on Frederick Douglass and research paper. HW: Be sure double entry journals are ready for collection tomorrow. On Wednesday, you will compose an essay in class on Douglass. HW: Begin reading text intro (pp.215-224). On Thursday, you will complete a sustained reading/writing exercise. HW: Continue to work on research paper and intro reading. On Friday, we will update our writing folders for the third marking period. HW: Due on Monday--BY 2:30...NO LATES WILL BE ACCEPTED--FINAL RESEARCH PAPER. Also, have "The Devil and Tom Walker" and "The Minister's Black Veil" (pp. 234-46; 294-5; 316-28) read for Monday. Expect a comprehension quiz.

3.27:
This week we will focus on Frederick Douglass's NARRATIVE. On Monday, you will complete the critical analysis (CA) question in class then begin reading chapters 6-7. On Tuesday, you will complete the CA and then read chapters 8-9. On Thursday, you will complete entries for Chs. 8-9 and read chapter 10. Chapter 11 and Appendix are for HW. Finally, on Thursday, you will share your assessments and complete entries. Your only task over Spring Break will be to be sure all of your entries are complete. Make sure you reread them to keep your comprehension up. You will have a final assessment on Wednesday of our return from break.

Resource for Letter Formats

3.19:
We will complete paper conferences on Monday and Tuesday. Use those days to work on more quotes or to draft your paper. Rough draft is due Thursday. No late drafts will be accepted! On Wednesday we will begin a mini-unit on Frederick Douglass. HW for the Week: Work on rough draft. Preface, Letter and Chapters 1-5 are due Monday!

3.9: For the week of March 15th, we will focus on research paper conferences. Be sure to bring any ongoing research work with you each day. I will also have the library cart available for you to use in the classroom. Also, 'candy' essay is due Monday, March 15th.

    15 secondary notecards are due on Friday, March 19th.
    The next research deadline is the rough draft of the paper. See link to the left (Research Page) for points rubric. No lates will be accepted, as is the policy with the final paper. Plan accordingly!

3.7:
This week we will continue with speech presentations. We should finish on Thursday and have some time to update our writing folders. DON'T FORGET: 'Candy' Essay due date has been moved to Monday, March 15th. Be sure your essays reflect the time extension!! WOW me!!!

2.25: For the week of March 1st: You will write a controversial essay on-demand on Monday so that I can get this final HSPA practice back to you on Wednesday. We do not meet on Tuesday or Thursday because of the testing schedule. On Friday, I will collect your speech (Remember, you must have a 'clean' copy AND an annotated copy). We will begin presentations on Friday and continue next week. HW: Your 'candy' essay is due on March 10th!

NEW POSTS (2.20): "Research Paper Specifics" and Purdue Online Writing Lab
These two resources should be helpful in the research process. Happy Writing!

2.22:
We will focus on expository writing on Tuesday and Wednesday. You will have a timed writing on Wednesday as a final practice. On Thursday you will begin a persuasive exercise. You will begin cooperatively but will be responsible for submitting your own essay. You will also have Friday's class session to work on this task.

Due dates to keep in mind: Due Wednesday--HSPA practices; Due February 26th--Preliminary Oultine with revised thesis (remember, no research is needed for the outline. This is a thinking exercise.); Due March 5th--Speech and Revised thesis/outline; Due March 10th--Persuasive Work.

2.6:
I hope you are enjoying the snow! I know I am...but our agenda for the next two weeks looks like this: Research essay is due on Monday. Don't forget, I'll be checking the rest of the speeches for annotation, too. We will be in the library from Wednesday, 2.10, to Thursday, 2.18. During those research days, you should be focusing on your alphabiography and speech outside of school. Remember, alphabiography is due 2.22, and speech is due 3.5.

2.1:
This week will begin with a writing folder update. On Tuesday we will review expository writing. Mr. Honeyman, our literature coach, will be visiting. On Wednesday, you will have a 30-minute expository writing. We will spend Thursday and Friday--in class--reading and annotating three famous speeches as preparation for your speech. Balance your time carefully. Remember, 2.4 the student declaration is due; 2.5 your preliminary thesis is due; 2.8 your research essay is due; and 2.22 your alphabiography is due. You will have time during our six-day library sessions to do the course work since those days will be devoted to research in the library. Take advantage of that time!

1.23:
This week's agenda: Monday is a recap on DeCrevoceur. Web is due today. For HW: Complete annotation begun in class. Work on research essay. Tuesday: Active Reading in class of "The Crisis." Wednesday: Franklin selections...work in class. HW: Continue work on ongoing assignments. Thursday: Quiz on Franklin selections. Friday: Alphabiography and Declaration Work Session...come ready to work quietly and independently! Declaration due 2/3; Research essay due 2/8; Alphabiography due 2/22.

1.19:
This week we begin the unit on the Revolutionary Period. Read textual introduction to supplement class notes (pp. 117-126). You'll have some classwork to finish for HW on Thursday. Scan over pp. 192, 197-199 to supplement handout that you'll receive in class on DeCrevoceur. Topic card is due Monday. Declaration annotation (will be given out on Thursday) is due Monday as well. Other than that, focus on your draft of your independent research essay due February 8th.

1.07:
The Week of January 11th will focus heavily on quoting rules and their application. This is preparation for an application assessment on Thursday and Friday as well as your research work that will begin very soon! Be sure to work on critical essay due February 8th as well as homework that has you practicing the rules. Due on Tuesday, 1.19, will be the editing work to be distributed on Friday.

12.14:
Okay, here we go from today until winter break beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 23--Monday through Wednesday will focus on closing the CRUCIBLE unit with brainstorming character and theme. You will receive a web homework assignment on Wednesday due on Thursday. District Persuasive task will be given on Thursday, Dec. 17. On Friday, because of the Renaissance program, you will have time to work on essay work in class.

On Monday, Dec. 21, we will review for the unit test. On Tuesday, we will review graded work and file. We'll update our writing cards for this year. On Wednesday, we'll have some winter fun!

Over the winter break, be sure to review the unit for testing upon return. Remember, Monday and Tuesday will focus on class work brainstorming. On Wednesday, you will complete the objective/short answer test. On Thursday, you will compose unit essay in class using brainstorming. Other than that, enjoy your break. Rest up for a great start to 2010!!!

12.6:
This week we will focus on THE CRUCIBLE in some fashion. On Monday, I'd like to focus on persuasion as a follow-up to the memo work. An OEQ based on discussion will be due on Wednesday, 12.9. Tuesday and Wednesday we will discuss character and plot development in the play. Have your notes and text with you. On Thursday and Friday you will take part in a group test, focusing on notes and background readings.

11.29:
Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving Break! Tomorrow we return to the grindstone!! Monday we will finish the film and take Act IV CRUCIBLE quiz. You'll then have some SSR and annotation to begin in class. Finish it for HW. Tuesday we will work on the SSR reading. Wednesday is our district narrative text test. Thursday and Friday you will work cooperatively to review, revise and edit the memos for sending!!

11.15:
Until Thanksgiving Break, the CRUCIBLE and district narrative text will be our focus. Here's a good day-by-day guide: 11.16-17 will focus on THE CRUCIBLE notes. 11.18 and 11.19 will focus on narrative text practice in class. 11.20 will be the district narrative text response for grade. On 11.23 and 11.25 you will have comprehension quizzes on notes and THE CRUCIBLE. Acts 1 and 2 followed by Acts 3 and 4. Tuesday, 11.24 we will watch a film on the Salem Witch Trials. You will take viewing notes; they will be helpful on your group test! HW for the Week: Read THE CRUCIBLE for 11/23. Review supplemental packet!!

11.05:
This week we will concentrate on expository writing! You should be reading THE CRUCIBLE (the entire play; it is in your textbook) for 11/23. Brainstorming will occur in class on Tuesday and Wednesday regarding expository topics. If you cannot complete all graphic organizers in class, be sure to work on them at home. They are due Wednesday. A choice expository will be due on 11/19.

10.31:
This short week will have us finishing the Colonial Period with testing. Remember, Monday is the write-on-demand. Wednesday is the objective portion. Memo is also due on Wednesday. Controversial Issue essay is due next week, November 10. A nice way to end the marking period as well as the short week. Have a good, long weekend!!

10.24:
This week will find us finishing the Colonial Period Unit. We will work on Edwards and Taylor on Monday. Don't forget that your "Mediation 6" packet is due on Monday! We will begin work on the unit controversial essay; this will cover Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday, an expository writing is scheduled. There is a scheduled assembly that may affect our class. If so, this will be moved to Monday. DATES TO REMEMBER: On-Demand Unit Essay on 11/2; Objective Test on 11/4; Take-Home Essay due 11/10. Memo will be due before the end of the MP. Plan your time carefully this final week of the MP!!!

10.17:
This week will be a mix of Puritan readings and a creative exercise to celebrate National Writing Day on October 20th. Monday we will focus on Anne Bradstreet; you will have some follow-up work to complete on Bradstreet in the form of AP exercises. No time like the present to get your feet proverbially wet!! Tuesday and Wednesday will be creative writing and group work days. Let's write to be entertained!! Let's simply enjoy the process of creating a text without the pressure of a grade! The writing juices will commence flowing on Tuesday!! Thursday and Friday will find us returning to Puritan thought with a focus on Jonathan Edwards and Edward Taylor. HW for this week: Edwards and Taylor readings (pp. 92+, 98+), and HW for next week: Meditation 6 packet due Monday; Memo due Friday, 10/30.

10.09:
This week will be devoted to Native American readings. Have the text readings ready for Tuesday. I'll be distributing Anne Bradstreet materials on Tuesday that will be due on Thursday. Taylor and Edwards readings (pp. 92+, 98+) will be due next week, 10.19. If you are up-to-date on readings as the week progresses, spend some time reviewing the unit to date.

KEY REMINDER: Controversial issue essay is due Tuesday, 10.13!!! No lates will be accepted.

10.03:
We will begin the Colonial Period Unit in your textbook this week. Be sure to bring your book to class every day.

      On MONDAY, we will set up writing folders and review all graded work. TUESDAY will be devoted to historical introduction notes. READ UNIT INTRODUCTION in textbook. WEDNESDAY we will work on Native American legends; we will continue to explore Native American thought through Friday. Your CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE ESSAY is due on Friday, October 9th. No lates will be accepted. Don't forget prewriting sheet is due Oct. 5th. You will get it back on Tuesday. If you don't want homework over the upcoming three-day weekend, plan on reading all Native American readings in textbook. They will be due TUESDAY, October 13th.

9.27:
Update--Don't forget that photo-essay is due on Tuesday. Summer reading tests will be given on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9/29-9/30. We will be completing our first unit this week with persuasive writing. You will have an open-ended response on an article due Friday; controversial issue essay will be due Friday, 10/9 with prewriting due on Monday, 10/5.

Unit One: Student In Service

During the next two weeks or so, we will practice, model and assess your reading and writing skills. This workshop will prepare you for the diverse number of skills and assessments that you will experience over the course of the year. For example, annotating text is an important reading strategy also helpful for the AP test. Pre-discussion notes will be useful as you prepare independent readings. Brainstorming will facilitate your essay writing, especially as you consider integrating counterpoints.