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!

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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