Don't just do the minimum!!!

Objective:  The students will read a complex story to try to see its deeper meanings.

1.  Get folders.
2.  WP
3.  Beginning of Grief Vocabulary.  We will finish and grade today.
4.  Read the story.  Think.  Deep.  It may hurt... but you can do it.

Homework:  read Chapter 1 of Night.

Actual 4th Paragraph from a student's essay yesterday!!!

"Another example is my teacher Mr. Warren. He used to have cancer. He struggled with it for a few years before he finally beat it. Mr. Warren struggled for change. Now he is a beautiful butterfly."

1.  Get folder.
2.  Get a piece of paper.
3.  Video:  Elie Weisel and Oprah Interview:  Watch, learn, and write down a minimum of 10 facts that you learned from it.

No homework:  We will begin the novel tomorrow in class as well as finish at home.

You will LOVE this book!  It's incredibly sad, and it will make you feel bad, but it will also make you feel happy about what you have in life.

District Writing Test

Objective:  The students will show that they have learned to be better writers than they were when they came to this class about 8 months ago.

1.  Get the prompt.  Get the rubric.  Use your own paper.  Don't write on the back.

I could write this essay and get an A (a score of 6) by doing the following:

1.  Intro
2.  Discussion of the argument and the extent of agreement
3.  Example from lit.
4.  Examples for experience or observations
5. Close

2.  Night Check out

3.  Video:  Notes:  You must turn in a paper with 10 or more notes of information that you learn from the author's discussions with Winfrey.

District Wriitng Test

Objective:  The students will show that they have learned to be better writers than they were when they came to this class about 8 months ago.

1.  Get the prompt.  Get the rubric.  Use your own paper.  Don't write on the back.

I could write this essay and get an A (a score of 6) by doing the following:

1.  Intro
2.  Discussion of the argument and the extent of agreement
3.  Example from lit.
4.  Examples for experience or observations
5. Close

2.  Night Check out

3.  Video:  Notes:  You must turn in a paper with 10 or more notes of information that you learn from the author's discussions with Winfrey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IJ4mpCDVpE

I Hope it isn't one of my kids.....

Objective:  The students will look at three writing prompts in preparation for next week's writing test.

1.  get folders.  get highlighters, and pens and paper.
2.  Get handout.
3.  Read one prompt at a time.  Highlight and label all key parts (title, author, main argument, claims, support, and find at least one good quote to use in your writing.  Then, write an intro paragraph for the "essay".  You will do this for EACH prompt by the end of the period.

So that is three intro paragraphs.

Satires due next time I see you.

Two of My Favorite Classes for a LONG TIME today.

Objective:  The students will complete their own satire.

1.  Do work.
2.  Try to limit cell phone internet activity.  It is really messing with the testing.

Tomorrow:  We will look at some "sample" district tests and see how we would address them if we were given that writing task.

Objective:  The students will complete the satire unit performance task: The Original Satire

1.  Get folders.
2.  Discuss yesterday's satire test....  Why was it so hard?  I don't get it. (periods 2,4,6)
3.  Discuss (periods 2,4,6) and work on Original Satire

Outside Book:  We start our last class novel next Monday.  It is pretty short, but you should be reading your last outside book when you have free time (like the next three weeks during the long testing periods).

Two hours is nothing....

Objective:  The students will complete the satire unit performance task: The Original Satire

1.  Get folders.
2.  Discuss yesterday's satire test....  Why was it so hard?  I don't get it.
3.  Discuss and work on Original Satire

Outside Book:  We start our last class novel next Monday.  It is pretty short, but you should be reading your last outside book when you have free time (like the next three weeks during the long testing periods).

Remember the testing schedule starts tomorrow.

Objective:  The students will show that they know how to analyze a satire.

1.  Satire Unit Test .  You will need one sheet of paper (maybe more).

All book reports are graded.  The scores are in Aeries.  Some of you didn't put the number of pages for your book, so I need that information!

Date of next book report due:  Tuesday June 2, 2015.  No late papers.  And no chances this time either.  So get them in on time... or better yet, early.  If you read 450/500 pages already, you are done... You have a 90% on the Outside Reading part of your grade (which is 10% of the overall grade)

Satires... What did you find?

Objective:  Students will write about what they have found as their satire and share some of their "findings" with the class.

1.  Writing about your satire:  Complete the following in as many paragraphs as needed to fully explain your satire.
        a)  What is the title of your satire?  Who "made" it.  And what is its medium (song, video, etc.)
        b)  How is it written?  Of the two ways to write a satire, which is it?  Or is it both?
        c)  Who is the intended group being made fun of and what behavior is sought to be changed?

This should have a very clear "argument or thesis" to prove.  It should have multiple claims that are supported by strong details, specifics and examples.

2.  Share.

Satire.... or Not? You decide

Objective:  The students will decide if something is a satire and break down an author's argument.


1.  Get your folders.
2.  WP 15
3.  Discuss "Dirty Laundry" questions from yesterday.
4.  Thank You for Smoking opening scene
5.  Op Ed analysis and breakdown of argument
6.  Writing:  After watching the video, tell whether this is an example of a modern day satire.

Homework:  Have an example of a satire ready to write about and discuss tomorrow.

Satire examples... expectations.... possible results.

Objective:  The students will see, listen, and read some examples of modern day satires and some unfortunate effects.

1.  Get folders.
2.  WP # I don't know.
3.  Review why satires are written.
4.  Effects of satire video
5.  Satirical Video
6.  Satire Analysis:  Dirty Laundry

Satire Examples 2 and 3

Objective:  The students will analyze two more satires.

DID ANYONE LOSE A PHONE??

1.  Get your folder.
2.  Pull out yesterday's "Learn with Book" satire and analysis (soapstone).
3.  Discuss its elements
4.  Satire Notes
5.  Satire examples 2 and 3

New Mini-Unit

Objective:  The students will read and analyze a short piece called "Learn with Book."

1.  Hand in your completed newspapers.  They are due right now (complete or not).
2.  If you need to make up the Caesar Final, please come and get the test and take it.
3.  All other students, grab the two handouts on the computer desk.
4.  Complete Close Reading of the document and the Soapstone Handout.

This is due tomorrow for discussion and further activity.

Nathan I Hear you are running into walls...

Objective:  The students will have one last day in class to complete this assignment.

1.  I am going to stay out of your way today.  You have complete use of anything you need to complete your assignment.

a)  Computers and printer.  Paper is loaded (try not to waste it)
b)  I got some samples of the Letters to the Editor on the back board.

2.  Tomorrow is the Caesar Final.  You are allowed one page of notes.  You will staple your notes to the test answer sheet when done.  The notes can not be a Zerox copy of someone else's notes.  AND you can't have any quotes on the page.

3.  Newspaper is due on Monday

Ready, Set... Go!

Objective:  The students will generate a great newspaper.

1.   You know what to do.  Let me know if I can help.

Welcome Back!!! I mised you!

Objective:  The students will complete a class project that shows total knowledge of the play, the time, and the people.

Get all Caesar Notes in order.  Highlight all sections (there should be 18).  Staple and put in basket for points.

1.  Discuss the project.
2.  Get into groups and plan, assign, design, and work.

Here is the week's calendar:
Monday:  Project
Tuesday:  Project
Wednesday:  Project
Thursday:  Project
Friday:  Julius Caesar Final (300 points.  100 questions.  You can use one page of notes.... your choice)