Friday, June 2, 2017

Monday, March 13, 2017

AGENDA 3/13 AND 3/14

BLOCK SCHEDULE

Complete the “Quick Review Synthesis Source Packet” to analyze weekend homework on "Museums" prompt. After you finish, discuss your responses with table. Read thesis statements aloud

Compose hook/context and rewrite on new lined paper with hook/context first and then thesis. Write neatly in ink. For hook/context, consider the experiences you've had or exposure you've had to museums through film or literature. What do you know about this topic? How can you ADD to the ongoing conversation?

Review the “Tips for Writing an Effective Synthesis Body Paragraph” handout and read pages 160-166 in your textbook. Then compose two rich and fully-developed body paragraphs that include evidence from THREE different sources and follow the guidelines, depth, and complexity outlined in the gold synthesis handout and the textbook, pages 160-166, and a thoughtful conclusion.

HW: Finish synthesis essay draft if not finished in class (please write neatly, in INK) and bring completed essay to class on Wednesday. Begin work on 5-4-3-2-1 Reading Prep for your outside reading book.

Friday, March 10, 2017

AGENDA 3/10

CAASPP ELA final makeups CAT and PT as needed

Introduction to AP Synthesis Essay PowerPoint: read and take notes

In-class activity for those not testing using textbook pages 153-159:
HW: View and follow these directions with the "museums" synthesis packet you received in class and bring on Monday.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

AGENDA 3/9

Pass back timed argument essays from common scoring day on creativity
Discuss notes from the reading and think about how to move from 4s to 6s and 6s to 8s

HW: Bring textbooks tomorrow!

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

AGENDA 3/8

Finish CAASPP Testing: ELA Performance Task, then CAT

HW: Independent reading - finish book this weekend - 54321 prep next week
Bring TEXTBOOKS TOMORROW!

Monday, March 6, 2017

AGENDA 3/6 and 3/7

Block Schedule
CAASPP Testing: ELA Performance Task

HW: Independent reading - finish book by 3/10.
Bring TEXTBOOKS TOMORROW!

Thursday, March 2, 2017

AGENDA 3/2 and 3/3

Block Schedule
CAASPP Testing: ELA CAT test

HW: Independent reading - finish book by 3/10

Monday, February 27, 2017

AGENDA 2/27

Begin research in class for RH papers using Inventory Sheet
NOTE: For students who did not submit a request via the Google Form last week, you will need to look over the list of responses and choose something NOT on anyone’s first choice or the second choices already approved. Contact me if you need help choosing a suitable topic.

At the end of the class period on the back of your sheet, write me a short reflection: what went well today? What are next steps for researching?

HW: Complete research inventory sheet if not completed in class. It will be due on Tuesday at the beginning of the period. Continue to work on finishing independent reading book.


Friday, February 17, 2017

AGENDA 2/17

Finish and submit RH Wikipedia Analysis to Turnitin.com

Complete RH Paper Topics Google Form to request your first and second-choice topics. No guarantee that you'll receive your first two choices; you might want to complete a third choice request, too, especially if you know your first two choices are popular. Use formal academic written English and make your request paragraphs as persuasive as you can! Give claims/reasons/evidence why you're the right student to write this particular paper. You might include personal anecdotes or some of the questions you're curious about--why should you get this topic over someone else?

HW: Finish and submit RH Wikipedia Analyses to Turnitin.com. Independent reading. Plan to attend Writing Center next week--TW Argument next Thursday.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

AGENDA 2/14

Work in class on your Wikipedia Analysis assignment, for two different historical/current events, using the Directions and yesterday's model to help you

*You should be able to complete the first in class!

HW: Finish the first Wikipedia analysis if you were close to finishing in class. We'll pick up with the second one in class on Wednesday. If you finish before class ends, please read your independent reading book for homework!

Monday, February 13, 2017

AGENDA 2/13

Model how to create a Wikipedia analysis for two historical/current events: Hurricane Katrina and the rescue of "Baby Jessica," Jessica McClure

(remember to right-click when pasting and select "paste without formatting" to avoid copying over links or formatted text!)

Note: When citing Wikipedia pages, please DO NOT cite by corporate author as the page recommends. Instead, cite by the title of the article in quotation marks. Also, your instructor would like for you to include the URL, so please do so at the end of your citation, giving the full URL, between "alligators" (tags). For example, this page would be: .

HW: Register for the AP Exam in person before school, at lunch, or after school this week! Think about the two events you'd like to research tomorrow, remembering that you will need a compelling reason or question or connection or curiosity to guide your research. We'll be choosing final research topics before the end of the week!

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

AGENDA 1/31

Revising essays we brought: introductions and body paragraphs
PPT from class

Revision slip for personal experience body paragraphs
Revision slip for historical/current events body paragraphs
Revision slip for creative works (film, literature, TV) body paragraphs

Reflect on what you need to improve and will do for homework

HW: Make your revisions!!! Write to additional prompts if you like. Fill out your cover sheet for the Writing Center if you plan to attend tomorrow. This will all be due on Thursday.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

AGENDA 1/26

Craft opening paragraphs for humorists prompt together
Examine sample body paragraphs for humorists prompt
Notes from class today

HW: Write the full introduction (hook/context and thesis) and a second body paragraph of your own (using either the Trevor Noah clip from The Daily Show or the Meryl Streep Michael P. Ramirez cartoon), extending the ideas from your introductory paragraph. Commonplace Book #4 due this Friday to Turnitin.com; choose a current issue that is important to you (school, local, state, national, or global level)

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

AGENDA 1/24

Collect Learning Targets for fallacies mini-unit take-home quiz
Go over new learning targets for argument essays and examine prompt from 2010: Do humorists play a vital role in society as de Botton thinks?


HW: Continue to read independent reading book. Commonplace Book #4 due this Friday to Turnitin.com; choose a current issue that is important to you (school, local, state, national, or global level)

Thursday, January 19, 2017

AGENDA 1/19

Announcement: Samohi Summer Reading Selection Committee and description of book finalists
Meeting 2/28 at 3:30 in I201

Reviewing homework from textbook (pg. 109, #1-8) and fallacies worksheet
Creating posters in groups to review fallacies

Posters that receive full credit will have the following qualities:
  • The name of the fallacy, spelled correctly, in large, easy-to-read letters
  • A brief explanation or definition of the fallacy in your own words
  • An image or "comic" to illustrate the fallacy, with a caption or dialogue to show the fallacy in action
  • Be free of errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation
  • Be neat and use color for emphasis and effect
Per 3 only: Writing Center protocol and essay return

HW: Bring your independent reading book to class TOMORROW. Correct older fallacies homework as necessary and read the first 15-20 pages of your independent reading book.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

AGENDA 1/17

Guest speaker: Mr. Rich Cooper

Complete Exit Slip for Mr. Cooper's presentation and turn in
Turn in last week's Evidence Continuum tree for credit

HW: Select independent reading book and bring to class on Friday!

Friday, January 13, 2017

AGENDA 1/13

Work through and take notes on Understanding Fallacies PPT

HW: Reread pages 79-109 of Language of Composition if needed. Complete the activity on page 109, #1-8--identify the type of fallacy AND explain what is wrong with the thinking.


Thursday, January 12, 2017

AGENDA 1/12

Sort evidence and generate advantages/disadvantages of each evidence type - model one together; complete for homework
Brief presentation from Ms. Gonzalez regarding senior year scheduling

HW: Finish your tree map on advantages/disadvantages of evidence. Start investigating independent reading books and bring one to class on 1/20