English 10 Honors--5/15/2017

Jump Off
--Write your name on the back of the picture that you printed out for the south wall of the classroom.  Place your picture in the black basket on the front table.
--Pick up the following from the front table: 

• a lined 3 X 5 card
• your "Mrs. Donohue" sheet from last class block
• the "English 10 Honors End-of-Course Assignment" document

--Brainstorm some goals for today's library block to add to the list below:

• Use varied search terms to find potential sources, skimming for both relevance and credibility.
• Each time you find a relevant and credible source, print/copy the source so that you have easy access to it when it comes time to purposefully read.
• After finding a source that you have little to no doubt you will use, input the source in NoodleTools so as to build your Works Cited page.
• Leave with at least one credible piece of literary criticism and two pieces of nonfiction.

S. the C.
--set some rough goals
--create a "Compact for Work Time"
--agenda/HW

Transition
--journey on over to the library

LIBRARY

HW (Class Preparation)

--Find and print out another picture for the south wall of our classroom.  (Perhaps you can find something in the library today related to one of your sources?)  Bring the picture for collection at the beginning of class next time (Wednesday, 5/17).
--Complete a "UB Discussion Card" while/after reading up to the end of page 71 of An Ordinary Man.  The expectation is that your card consists of at least two potential contributions for discussion.  Discussions about An Ordinary Man will be driven by all of you via a drawing of name cards.  This assignment is to be completed by next class (Wednesday, 5/17).  
--Following each section of reading of An Ordinary Man, I reserve the right to administer a "Did You Read?" assessment similar to those we have taken in the past.  If you have completed a successful reading, said assessment should not be challenging at all! :)

--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
HW (Class Preparation)/Writing

--Continue moving forward with regard to the End-of-Course Assignment.  We will head to the library again next class (Wednesday, 5/17).

On the backburner:

• Paraphrasing AoW as preparation for culminating assignment
• Counterargument lesson/AoW as preparation for culminating assignment
• ACT nonfiction passages and multiple choice questions

English 9--5/12/2017 & 5/15/2017

Jump Off
--As you come into the classroom, please populate the "Dos and Do Nots" t-chart on the front board with items you wrote down and/or remember from last class.  (I, too, plan to add a few items!)
--All three of the "sentences" written on the front board (created by Caleb Martin! :)) are punctuated incorrectly.  Please identify and fix the issues present in each "sentence".  (You can do this in your head or in writing in your notebook.)

• I had two carrots, my mom gave me twenty more.
• I had baseball, I had soccer on the same night.
• Six raccoons sat in the woods, two foxes came along.

S. the C.
--Reminder: It is important for you to stay caught up with regard to all of your coursework.  It is in your best interest to check the blog and SchoolTool often.  Additionally, if you have an "INC" for a Marking Period, following up with me ASAP would be wise!
--FYI: As part of today's class, we will work on demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing (L.1).  THIS STANDARD WILL BE SELF-ASSESSED IN CLASS TODAY AS PART OF THE GRAMMAR HAMMER MINI-LESSON AND OFFICIALLY ASSESSED NEXT CLASS VIA A QUIZ AND WITHIN YOUR FINAL END-OF-UNIT ESSAY.
--agenda/HW

Transition
--Pick up the "Common Error: Missing comma in a compound sentence/unnecessary comma with a coordinating conjunction" sheet from the front table.  Purposefully read the instructions and carefully complete the task at hand quietly and independently.  I will be around to check for understanding on the task at hand and ask a few of you to write your sentences up on the front board.

Mini-Lesson -- GRAMMAR HAMMER: Missing Comma in a Compound Sentence (before a FANBOYS)/Unnecessary Comma with a Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS)
--view 0:00-1:12 and 3:32-End of the following video from TEDEd: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/comma-story-terisa-folaron
--essential questions for going over today's grammar work with the comma:

• If compound sentences are formed by combining two complete sentences, what constitutes a complete sentence?
• When do writers need a comma before a FANBOYS word?
• When do writers not need a comma before a FANBOYS word?

--answer essential questions/work with sample sentences on the front board
--Closure

• contextualize today's grammar work with the comma:
• A comma rule that should be mastered at this point is the following: Comma splices are bad! A comma alone is not strong enough to combine two complete sentences!
• Five useful methods exist for fixing comma splices. Using all of these sentence combining methods within your writing creates sentence variety (which improves the "Style [Language Use]" aspect of your writing!).
• One such method of combining sentences is adding a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS word) after the comma in order to create a compound sentence.
• Two common errors exist when it comes to using FANBOYS words. Avoid making these errors by learning the rules (which improves the "Control of Conventions" aspect of your writing!)!
• answer the following essential question/work with paragraph projected up on the front board: How can I RE-READ and edit/revise for FANBOYS errors?

--For HW, prepare for the quiz based on today's grammar work, which will take place at the beginning of next class.  You will be presented with a paragraph that contains both of the common errors pertaining to FANBOYS words and asked to find and fix the errors.

Transition
--Take out the printout of your best effort with regard to the End-of-Unit Essay.

Writing Workshop -- The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet End-of-Unit Essay (Editing/Revising)
--RE-READ your essay and edit/revise for FANBOYS errors (8 mins.)

• If time permits, RE-READ and edit/revise for commas with introductory elements as well.

--Transition--pick up a copy of the assignment sheet and grading sheet from the front table
--oral re-reading of the assignment sheet
--oral reading of the front of the grading sheet
--Q & A
--purposefully read through the back of the grading sheet as per the following question: What distinguishes a "4" from a "5" in each of the five rubric categories?

• I will MODEL with both the "Meaning" and "Language Use" categories.  (Of course, you should also be considering the other columns on the chart!)

 --Q & A
--Transition--pick up a blank grading sheet from the front table
--purposefully read an End-of-Unit Essay, looking for the "Dos and Do Nots", arriving at a "score", and editing/revising accordingly

• Though you can complete the aforementioned task with your own work, you are strongly advised to work with a peer's work.

Closure (time permitting)

--What questions do you still have? I want to make sure that you are set up for success!

HW Time -- Veronica Roth's Divergent CHAPTER EIGHTEEN-CHAPTER TWENTY: Oral "Gist" Reading (time permitting)

HW (Class Preparation)

--Prepare for the quiz based on today's grammar work, which will take place at the beginning of next class.  You will be presented with a paragraph that contains both of the common errors pertaining to FANBOYS words and asked to find and fix the errors.

--"Gist" read up to the end of page 260 of Divergent.  Though you are not required to do anything other than read the next 33 pages of Divergent--you do not need to take notes--, expect a "Did You Read?" assessment about this section and the previous three sections of reading as part of class next time (Tuesday, 5/16 [ACE] or Wednesday, 5/17 [BDF]).  If you have completed successful "gist" readings, said assessment should not be challenging at all! :)

• FYI: If you have kept with the reading, you are already more than halfway through the book!  (If you have not kept up, use this weekend to get back on track!)  Beginning next week, you will be assigned more deliberate reading purposes with an awareness of what you will be asked to write about on the English 9 Final Examination.  We will start actually discussing the novel as well.

--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class if time permits you to do so.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!

HW (Writing)

--The FINAL version (I promise!) of your essay is due in the form of a printout at the beginning of class next time (Tuesday, 5/16 [ACE] or Wednesday, 5/17 [BDF]).  Don't settle for anything less than your best!  Please also keep in mind our classroom policy for meeting due dates of long term assignments.
--You should strongly consider the following:

• fully RE-READING your work in order to demonstrate control over the conventions of standard written English
• having someone with skills superior to your own read your work and offer you suggestions
• purposefully re-reading the grading sheet one last time and making sure that your essay aligns

Paraphrase Scoring Sample and Exemplary Paraphrases

ORIGINAL TEXT

“Whereas before, we might have tried to recall something on our own, now we don’t bother,” says lead author Dr. Benjamin Storm.  “As more information becomes available via smartphones and other devices, we become progressively more reliant on it in our daily lives.”

PARAPHRASE
According to Dr. Benjamin Storm, many do not even try anymore to answer questions or go through challenges with the aid of only their brains.  They need to use technology to think and solve problems for them.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ORIGINAL TEXT

In 2012, the world learned of “No-Mobile Phobia” or “nomophobia”—the feeling of panic one has upon being separated from one’s phone or tablet.

PARAPHRASE

"Nomophobia", the fear or anxiety one feels when away from his or her device, was introduced about five years ago.

English 10 Honors--5/11/2017

Jump Off
--Please pick up a copy of the "Reading Comprehension Passage B" document from the front table.  You have the first 15 minutes of class (no more!) to complete both the purposeful reading of the text and the multiple choice prompts/questions.  (This, of course, is practice for the NYS Regents Exam in ELA [Common Core], which takes place a little over a month from today!  Let's set our sights on demonstrating mastery! :) )
*WHEN YOU FINISH WORKING, REMOVE YOUR END-OF-COURSE ASSIGNMENT CLAIM FROM THE GREENBOARD AS YOU WILL NEED IT DURING THE NEXT PART OF THE CLASS BLOCK.*

S. the C.
--go over correct multiple choice responses/engage in "think-alouds" via a drawing of cards
--agenda/HW

Transition
--Pick up a copy of the "Current Claim and Potential Sources/Source Types" document from the front table.  After reading the first three bullets of directions together, complete the task at hand.

Writing Workshop -- End-of-Course Assignment
--read the fourth and fifth bullets together--MODEL the fourth bullet with the following claim:

• By nature, humans are inherently good but are more often than not influenced by negative forces (such as the desire for power, greed, etc.) that cause them to act in "evil" ways.

--form groups (intelligently!)

--wrap up by writing new and improved claims both on your document and on a new poster

--read the last set of directions together and complete the task at hand

• Q & A so as to clarify directions (if necessary)

Transition

--Place both your "Current Claim and Potential Sources/Source Types" document and your new poster in the black basket on the front table.

--Pick up each of the following:

• the halfsheet beginning with the words "For our next class"
• a lined 3 X 5 card

--Form a circle out of the desks and read the halfsheet quietly and independently.

Purposeful Oral Reading -- Paul Rusesabagina's An Ordinary Man up to Page 48
--MODEL the UB Discussion Card (see SMART Notebook file)
--pick back up with the reading on page 19

Closure

• Is Paul Rusesabagina an "ordinary man"

HW (Class Preparation)

--Find and print out a picture for the south wall of our classroom.  Bring the picture for collection at the beginning of class next time (Monday, 5/15).
--Complete a "UB Discussion Card" while/after reading up to the end of page 48 of An Ordinary Man.  The expectation is that your card consists of at least two potential contributions for discussion.  Discussions about An Ordinary Man will be driven by all of you via a drawing of name cards.  This assignment is to be completed by next class (Monday, 5/15).  
--Following each section of reading of An Ordinary Man, I reserve the right to administer a "Did You Read?" assessment similar to those we have taken in the past.  If you have completed a successful reading, said assessment should not be challenging at all! :)

--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
HW (Class Preparation)/Writing

--Continue working on the End-of-Course Assignment.  We will head to the library next class (Monday, 5/15).
Miscellaneous
--I wish you the best of luck if you are taking an AP exam this week and hope that my plans help you use your time in the best manner possible!

On the backburner:

• Paraphrasing AoW as preparation for culminating assignment
• Counterargument lesson/AoW as preparation for culminating assignment
• ACT nonfiction passages and multiple choice questions

English 9--5/10/2017 & 5/11/2017

Jump Off (1-2 mins.)

--Take out your notebook, open to a new page, and put the date in the lefthand margin (5/10 [ACE] or 5/11 [BDF]). Then, label the page "R & J Essay--Dos and Do Nots".  Finally, draw a t-chart in your notebook as directed.
--Please SEE ME before leaving class today (preferably down in the Computer Lab while working):

• Noah F.
• Mackenzie G.
• Mike H.
• Jasmine M.
• Jake O.
• Carter P.
• Jordan P.
• Alyssa P.-A.
• Bryanna R.

Writing Workshop #1 -- The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet End-of-Unit Essay Notes/Mini-lessons/Dos and Do Nots (flex time--as quickly [but as meaningfully] as possible)
--rationale/directions
--take notes/complete mini-lessons as per PowerPoint slides--this information will prove helpful when finishing and revising your writing pieces!

• after each section of slideshow, add to Dos and Do Nots t-chart

--Closure (time permitting)

• What questions do you still have? I want to make sure that you are set up for success!

Transition (2-3 mins.)

--head down to the Computer Lab and sit at computers assigned via a drawing of cards

Writing Workshop -- The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet End-of-Unit Essay (Drafting) (remainder of class block)
--What do you think of this agreement?:

COMPACT FOR WORK TIME

• Talking should be very limited
• When talking must occur, get peer's attention first and stay on task.
• Teacher will use the consequence system in place for lack of compliance.
• Listening to music via headphones is acceptable. 

--work block

• SEE ME if you need an instructions page for MLA format.

--meetings as per the order established on the white board in the lab

HW (Class Preparation)
--"Gist" read up to the end of page 226 of Divergent.  This might include completing one or both of the following tasks: 

• asking yourself the "Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How" questions every five pages and jotting down related notes on lined paper
• jotting down notes on Post-its related to important characters, plot events, contrasts and contradictions, etc. and sticking the Post-its to the corresponding pages in the book

--Though you are not required to do anything other than read the next 37 pages of Divergent--you do not need to take notes--, expect a "Did You Read?" assessment about this section and the previous two sections of reading at the beginning of class next time (Friday, 5/12 [ACE] or Monday, 5/15 [BDF]).  If you have completed a successful "gist" reading, said assessment should not be challenging at all! :)
--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class if time permits you to do so.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
HW (Class Preparation/Writing)
--Your absolute best effort with regard to the End-of-Unit Essay must be printed out and brought to class on Friday, 5/12 (ACE) or Monday, 5/15 (BDF).  Don't settle for anything less than your best!  Please also keep in mind our classroom policy for meeting due dates of long term assignments.  (What is the policy again?!)
--You should strongly consider:

• doublechecking the directions for MLA format and making sure that your document aligns
• RE-READING your work in order to demonstrate control over the conventions of standard written English
• having someone with skills superior to your own read your work and offer you suggestions

On the backburner:

• Rubric handed out and "analyzed"
• continuing to address board items for the essay
• analyzing results of self-assessment
• zeroing in on Divergent reading purposes

English 10 Honors--5/9/2017

Jump Off
--Please turn in your Monomyth Writing Assignment by placing what I hope is your best effort in the black basket on the front table.  Make sure that you have completely followed all directions.  (I will accept writing assignments up until 3 PM today with no penalty for lateness.)
--Please take a look at the Room 203 study hall rules by which I will ask you to abide today:

• A study hall is a full block of silent work time:
• Work on homework, studying, etc.
• If nothing "productive" to do, read a book/appropriately access electronics as per "yellow zone" parameters
• Therefore, the following goes against the purpose of a study hall:
• Talking
• Sleeping
• Bathroom/locker trips, preferable one per block, are limited to five minutes.  Prepare accordingly.

LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH ANYTHING DEFINED

ABOVE RESULTS IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION

S. the C.
--study hall rules Q & A

Study Hall

HW (Class Preparation)
--"Gist" read up to the end of page 19 of An Ordinary Man.  This might include completing one or both of the following tasks: 

• asking yourself the "Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How" questions every five pages or so and jotting down related notes on lined paper
• jotting down notes on Post-its related to important people, events, etc. and sticking the Post-its to the corresponding pages in the book

--Though you are not required to do anything other than read the assigned pages of An Ordinary Man--you do not need to take notes--, I reserve the right to administer a "Did You Read?" assessment similar to those we have taken in the past next time (Thursday, 5/11).  If you have completed a successful "gist" reading, said assessment should not be challenging at all! :)

--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
HW (Class Preparation)/Writing

--Continue working on the End-of-Course Assignment.  We will head to the library on Monday, 5/15.
Miscellaneous
--I wish you the best of luck if you are taking an AP exam this week and hope that my plans help you use your time in the best manner possible!

On the backburner:

• Paraphrasing Mini-Lesson as preparation for culminating assignment
• ACT nonfiction passages and multiple choice questions

English 9--5/8/2017 & 5/9/2017

Jump Off
--Please pick up a copy of the "Article of the Week #7 (5/8-5/12)" document from the front table.  As soon as I finish taking attendance, we will take care of our work with this article together.
--Please SEE ME before leaving class today (preferably down in the Computer Lab while working):

• Darby C.
• Lilly D.
• Tabitha D.--SAW ME
• Davy D.
• Shawn D.
• Mike H.--ABSENT ON 5/8--SAW ME IN THE CLASSROOM ON 5/9 AND IS LOOKING FOR AOW #6
• Jake O.--ABSENT
• Carter P.--SAW ME--DOES NOT KNOW WHERE AOW IS SO AS TO SUBMIT
• Alyssa P.-A.--DID NOT SEE ME
• Cody V.

S. the C.
--Reminder: It is important for you to stay caught up with regard to all of your coursework.  It is in your best interest to check the blog and SchoolTool often.  Additionally, if you have an "INC" for a Marking Period, following up with me ASAP would be wise!
--oral reading and brief discussion of AoW #7
--consult blog post titled "Paraphrase Scoring Sample and Exemplary Paraphrases"

• How can you use your returned AoW #6 to help you write a better End-of-Unit Essay?

*I WILL RETURN AOW #6 IN THE COMPUTER LAB TODAY WHILE YOU WORK.*

Transition
--head down to the Computer Lab and sit at computers assigned via a drawing of cards

Writing Workshop -- The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet End-of-Unit Essay
--What do you think of this agreement?:

COMPACT FOR WORK TIME

• Talking should be very limited
• When talking must occur, get peer's attention first and stay on task.
• Teacher will use the consequence system in place for lack of compliance.
• Listening to music via headphones is acceptable. 

--work block

• SEE ME if you need an instructions page for MLA format.

--meetings as per the order established on the white board in the lab

HW (Class Preparation)
--"Gist" read up to the end of CHAPTER FIFTEEN of Divergent (pg. 188).  This might include completing one or both of the following tasks: 

• asking yourself the "Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How" questions every five pages and jotting down related notes on lined paper
• jotting down notes on Post-its related to important characters, plot events, contrasts and contradictions, etc. and sticking the Post-its to the corresponding pages in the book

--Though you are not required to do anything other than read the next 31 pages of Divergent--you do not need to take notes--, expect a twelve-question "Did You Read?" assessment about this section and the previous section of reading at the beginning of class next time (Wednesday, 5/10 [ACE] or Thursday, 5/11 [BDF]).  If you have completed a successful "gist" reading, said assessment should not be challenging at all! :)
--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class if time permits you to do so.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
HW (Class Preparation/Writing)
--Continue progressing through your essay-writing process in whatever manner you see fit.  The final version of your essay (your absolute best effort) is due at the beginning of class on Friday, 5/12 (ACE) or Monday, 5/15 (BDF).  Don't settle for anything less than your best!  Please also keep in mind our classroom policy for meeting due dates of long term assignments.  (What is the policy again?!)
Miscellaneous
--We will have computer access again next class.  Prepare accordingly.

On the backburner:

• "Dos" and "Do Nots" Powerpoint
• Rubric handed out and "analyzed"
• continuing to address board items for the essay
• analyzing results of self-assessment
• zeroing in on Divergent reading purposes