January 31

WNB: Article of the Week - US Judge Bars Deportations under Trump Travel Ban

We combined notebook time and reading time today, so most students had about 10-15 minutes of IRT.

We attempted to finish presentations of the literary terms. We will definitely finish these tomorrow!

Students received two excerpts to read before tomorrow. We will be doing some analysis work with these.

Today's Board

January 30

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside of class entry - Students who need inspiration should look under the About section on Classroom.

Groups used about 20 minutes to finish up their lit terms posters and presentations. A few groups presented their lessons today. Others will present tomorrow!

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

January 27

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Grudges - Think about famous grudges that you're familiar with (like the Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet or any Twitter feud). How did the grudge start? How was the grudge resolved? If it wasn't resolved, why does it persist? What advice would you give to the two parties involved?

We read "The Interlopers" and looked for examples of literary devices to use in their presentations. Students used the remaining class time to wrap up the lit terms poster and presentation.

Fourth period had a substitute today while I attended a meeting.

Today's Board

January 26

I passed back the summer reading work today. This grade has been entered in Skyward.

Students completed the summer reading timed writing. They had 40 minutes to write the essay that we've been planning this week.

With the remaining class time, students worked with their groups to find more examples and visuals for their lit terms presentation. We're still on track to complete and present this assignment on Monday.

Today's Board

January 25

We visited the library today to learn about all of the great things available!

We read an excerpt from Anderson Cooper's Dispatches from the Edge. Students looked for examples of their literary device to use in their presentation. We also used this passage to practice embedding quotes (slides on Classroom).

With the remaining class time, students worked on the lit terms presentation with their groups.

Tomorrow, we will complete the summer reading timed writing assignment!

Today's Board

January 24

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - "Nerd Alert: Reading Is Good for Your Health" (video connection: "Empathy")

Students handed in their quote mini-posters and 3-2-1 assignment.

Following independent reading time, I introduced the method for annotating and responding to articles of the week (posted in the About section on Classroom under Writer's Notebook). Students who didn't finish annotations or responses during class time will need to be sure to complete this before the next class period.

I briefly reviewed the timed writing assignment that is coming up on Thursday. We will discuss embedding quotes tomorrow.

Students used the remaining class time to begin working on group presentation project--they will be teaching an assigned lit term to the class.

I will be in my room during B block tomorrow if anyone needs to visit!

Today's Board

January 23

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside entry - Students may write about whatever inspires them. Look here if you need ideas.

We looked at the timed writing planning sheet, and students had time to work and prepare a thesis and outline for the essay that we will write in class on Thursday. See the Slides on Classroom if you need to review the work. Also plan to come to tutorials A block Tuesday or B block Wednesday (4th period students will also have A block Thursday). We will review this work in class tomorrow and Wednesday.

I reminded students that the Quote Mini-Poster and 3-2-1 assignment is due tomorrow.

Today's Board

Week at a Glance

January 20

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: What advice would you give the new president of the United States? (I wrote with the kids today. Here's my advice.)

Students completed activities with their summer reading. They were to bring and hand in the reading goals chart where they tracked their reading. On Classroom, they completed a reading ladder and reflection assignment.

I handed out the quote mini-poster assignment (also on Classroom)--this is due Tuesday, 1/24. I also handed out a planning sheet (also on Classroom) for the timed writing assignment. They'll use their annotated summer reading book as the resource for this work. We will discuss this more on Monday, and students will write the essay on Thursday, 1/26.

Today's Board

January 19

We started class with a recap of yesterday and time to answer any questions students may still have.

We visited the library! Students will need a book tomorrow as we begin independent reading time.

We set up our writer's notebooks. Students who did not have their notebooks today should check the slides under the About section on Classroom to make sure they set theirs up correctly. Feel free to come in before or after school on Friday if you need help with this.

I shared some mentor passages with students, and we used that inspiration to write our first notebook entry.

Please bring your summer reading work tomorrow (annotated book & three-column reading list).

Today's Board

Titles I talked about in class today:
Ball Don't Lie by Matt de la Pena
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely
Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
When I Was The Greatest by Jason Reynolds
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

January 18

Beginning of 2nd semester!

Welcome to English II PreAP!

We spent a little time learning about each other and how the classroom operates today. Students visited different stations, discussed summer reading, and explored the syllabus. Be sure to share the syllabus with your parent/guardian!

Remember to bring a notebook (single subject, college ruled) so we can begin working in our Writer's Notebooks tomorrow. Bring all summer reading work and your annotated book on Friday, 1/20.

Today's Board

January 13

Fourth period completed the final exam today!

Final grades will be posted before I leave today.

I shared some final thoughts with students on Wednesday. I wish you all the best of luck! Stop by if you have book recommendations for me!

January 12

First and 2nd periods completed their final exams today! Fourth period students had the option of attending a volleyball game this afternoon, and they will take their final tomorrow at 10:18am.

I'll be archiving Classroom on Tuesday, so please don't remove yourself from the roster. I'll need access to your work until then.

Today's Board

January 11

I handed back the Julius Caesar timed writing from last week and explained the grading.

Students completed an end of course survey (on Classroom). I'm always looking for ways to improve my teaching and the class, and students always provide great feedback!

Students completed the final reading ladder and reflection (on Classroom).

First and 2nd periods will take their final exams tomorrow! Fourth period will take their final on Friday during the 2nd period timeslot.

Today's Board

January 10

Students used the first 35 minutes of class to complete today's notebook entry (an excerpt from Michelle Obama's final speech as First Lady) and the final notebook check (on Classroom).

With their table groups, students completed a round of blog commenting, visiting each other's blogs and noting good lines, asking questions, and making connections.

We continued the fake news lesson (on Classroom), and we will finish this tomorrow.

Today's Board

Updated Calendar

January 9

We reviewed logical fallacies, and students worked in groups to create their own examples to share on Classroom.

Students used the remaining class time to catch up on their notebook entries (notebook check tomorrow), finish their last blog entry (due by end of class today), and read independently (reading reflections Wednesday).

Today's Board

Updated calendar

Week-at-a-Glance

January 6

IRT: ~20 minutes (Don't forget to update your "currently reading" page!)
WNB: What actions can you take to become a better-informed human?

Students received the final exam review (also posted on Classroom), and we discussed the format. First and second periods will take the exam on Thursday, 1/12, during the usual class time. Fourth period will take the exam on Friday, 1/13, at 10:10am.

We began a discussion of fake news. I shared stories and video clips with students, and they talked at their tables about times they encountered fake news. The slides will be available on Classroom, and we will finish this work on Monday.

Also on Monday, students will have time in class to complete and publish their last (required) blog post.

Today's Board

Calendar

January 5

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to work on their last blog entry. I reminded students that one of their entries must be about their AP book. This entry is due by the end of class on Monday, and we will have class time on Monday.

Students completed SAT-style questions about Antony's speech. Students used the remaining class time to write a response related to the speeches.

Today's Board

Updated calendar

Here's the "One Word" wall that we created yesterday!

January 4

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

I reminded students to be sure their currently reading pages are up to date in their notebooks. We'll be working with that information starting Monday.

We revisited Brutus and Antony's speeches in Act III, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, looking for persuasive techniques (logos, ethos, and pathos) and rhetorical devices (repetition and parallelism). Students will need to be able to identify these things on the final exam.

Here's a calendar tracking the last days of this semester.

The blog will not be due Friday because we won't have computer access that day. Blogs will be due at the end of each class on Monday.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance