Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

See you next year...

Monday, 12/19/11

ELAS
1. Study all 60 spelling words to prepare for the final.
2. Study the 8 habits and the 5 ways to annotate a text to prepare for the final.
3. Read your IR book.
ATTENTION: ALL ELAS STUDENTS--BRING YOUR COMPOSITION READER TO THE FINAL ON WEDNESDAY.

Composition

1. Do the Final Review Sheets one, two, three, and four. 

2. Bring the following things to the final:

-2 pencils

-2 pens

-blank paper

-your copy of "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.

-your four final exam review sheets

-the vocabulary final

-any unused bathroom passes

-a book or magazine to read for fun

English H

1. Finish your Of Mice and Men projects.
2. Bring the following things to the final:
-2 pens
-blank paper
-your final exam paper
-the vocabulary final
-any unused bathroom passes
-a book or magazine to read for fun

Friday, 12/16/11

ELAS
1. Study all 60 spelling words.
2. Read your IR book!

Composition
1. Study all 110 VPP vocabulary words. The final is on Monday.
2. Complete all three Final Review Sheets (one, two, three, four). They are due on the day of the final.
3. Finish the Grade Check Sheet based on your HomeLogic grades.

English H

1. Study all 110 VPP vocabulary words. The final is on Monday.

2. Work on your Of Mice and Men project.

Thursday, 12/15/11

ELAS
1. Study all 60 spelling words (lists A-F).
2. Read your IR book! Try to finish it before finals next week.

Composition
1. Study all 110 VPP vocabulary words. The final is on Monday.
2. Complete all three Final Review Sheets (one, two, three, four). They are due on the day of the final.
3. Finish the Grade Check Sheet based on your HomeLogic grades.

English H
1. Work on your Of Mice and Men project.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 12/13/11

ELAS
1. None.

Composition
1. Study VPP vocab lessons 1-10.
2. Complete the Final Review sheets: One, Two, Three, and Four. Due on the day of the final.
3. Complete the irony essay. Final draft due on Thursday. Remember that the essay organizer packet is always included in the links section to the right.

English H
1. Finish reading Of Mice and Men.
2. Complete Curley's Wife's Letter, written in 1st person unreliable limited narrative style to her sister.
3. Work on the Of Mice & Men Project, due the day of the final or earlier.

Thursday, 12/08/11

ELAS
1. Finish reading The Hunger Games chapter 13, and do 10 annotations.
2. Study all spelling lists (A-F) to prepare for the final.

Composition
1. The essay packet for the irony essay is due filled out on Monday. Be sure to check out the first body paragraph that I wrote for you.
2. Study VPP10 to be ready for the test tomorrow!

English H
1. Finish reading Of Mice and Men chapter 3.
2. Create a character dreams & loneliness chart for your group's character.
3. Study VPP10 to be ready for the test tomorrow!

Tuesday-Wednesday, 12/06-07/11

ELAS
1. Finish The Hunger Games annotations (10 total) on chapter 12.
2. Study Spelling List F in preparation for the quiz Thursday.

Composition
1. VPP10 ex. II (Sentence Completion), and quiz make-ups.
2. Irony essay introduction -- fill in the essay intro organizer sheet. The essay prompt is:
How do authors use irony in literature? Use three example texts to support your thesis.

English H
1. Irony/Symbolism essay final drafts due Thursday.
2. VPP10 ex. III-IV, quiz make-ups.
3. Finish the George and Lennie characterization on the character notes/chart sheet.
4. Read Of Mice and Men chapter 3 up to page 50 (about half way). Pay special attention to George's characterization and any possible foreshadowing.

Monday, 12/5/11

ELAS
1. Binder checks tomorrow.
2. James - finish Jaws, for crying out loud!

Composition
1. VPP10 exercise I (Words in Context) and flashcards.
2. Della vs. Mathilda Loisel - 2 CDs. Since we haven't read "The Necklace" yet, just write about what kind of person Della is and back up your opinion with a concrete detail with a citation in correct MLA format.

English H
1. Essay final drafts are due Thursday.
2. VPP10 flashcards and exercises I-II.

Friday, 12/02/11

ELAS
1. None, except to keep those binders organized.

Composition
1. VPP10 word pictures.
(we will be turning in the sheet that goes along with "Gift of the Magi" on Monday).

English H
1. Read Of Mice and Men chapter 2 and draw five of the characters introduced.
2. Irony/symbolism essay rough drafts due Monday.
3. VPP10 word pics

Tuesday-Wednesday, 11/29-30/11

ELAS
1. No homework.

Composition
1. VPP9 quiz makeups (20X each).
2. VPP9 exercise II (Sentence Completion).
3. MLA sheet - A, B, C example sentences.
4. Write your new verse for the song "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette.
See the lyrics here.
See the music video here.

English H
1. Symbolism/Irony essay: Introduction and CDs. See texts below.
2. VPP9 ex. III & IV (also quiz makeups, 20x each).

Irony:
"Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
"The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty
"Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs

Symbolism:
"The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe
A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz
"Marigolds" by Eugenia Collier
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
"Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost
"How to Eat a Guava" by Esmerelda Santiago

Monday, 11/28/11

ELAS
1. Finish the tutorial questions sheet.

Composition
1. Complete the work for VPP9: Notes, word pictures, flashcards, and exercise I (Words in Context).
2. Make sure you are caught up in all of your Standards Tasks.

***Click here to download the VPP word picture sheet***

English H
1. Complete the work for VPP9: Notes, word pictures, flashcards, and exercises I-II.
2. Start bringing Of Mice and Men instead of Mythology to class every day.

Tuesday, 11/22/11

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

ELAS
1. IR - three entries, three days. All on one Cornell note page. Your choice of habit for each one, but each habit should be different.

Composition
1. Fix up and work on any standards tasks that are not yet passing.
2. Have a restful break!

English H
1. Finish your "Red Death" notes: Do the summary tying together the "Red Death" song, the "Illusion of Safety," the symbolism in the story, and the theme in the story.
2. Have a restful break!

Monday, 11/21/11

ELAS
1. Finish reading "A Vendetta" by Guy de Maupassant and do 10+ annotations. Remember that the annotation types are as follows (you need two of each):
1. 8 Habits
2. Literary Devices (English Comp class stuff)
3. Repetition
4. Vocab
5. Customs/History

Composition
1. Fill out the final box on your trial sheet (if you didn't finish in class) and discuss how the trial went and your reactions to the verdict on a sheet of paper that you will attach to your trial sheet.

English H
1. Finish reading "Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe.
2. Write down (on today's notes) information about your group's symbol:
-What literal information is there on your symbol in the story? (get CDs)
-What might it symbolize?

Friday, 11/18/11

ELAS
1. Read your IR book for 15 minutes each day. :)

Composition
1. Prepare for the Montresor TRIAL! Fill out your trial sheet and be ready for Monday.

English H
1. Write about a time you took the "Road Less Traveled By" (the "Road Not Taken") in your life. Did it make "all the difference?" (see the poem at the bottom of this entry).
2. Do the TMNT quiz make-ups. The prompts are below:

1. Kenny is a good student.
2. The more money one has, the more problems one has.
3. Money.
4. People should be frugal with their money.
5. War tears apart families.
6. Do not judge someone based on their outward appearance.
7. Judgment.
8. There is often a disparity between how someone looks on the outside and how they truly are on the inside.


"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost (1920)


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.


I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Thursday, 11/17/11

ELAS
1. IR book: Read 10+ pages and add to your summary sheet. We will do one more tomorrow and have four total.

Composition
1. Flowers For Algernon typed Progress Report journal entry from another character's point of view - first person limited unreliable narrator. TYPED. Your options are as follows:
Pt. 1
Progress Report Mar 10 – Dr. Strauss’s or Dr. Nemur’s POV
Progress Report Mar 25 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report Apr 3 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report Apr 9 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report Apr 15 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report Apr 28 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Pt. 2
Progress Report May 15 – from Dr. Strauss’s POV
Progress Report July 10 – from Mrs. Flynn’s POV
Progress Report July 25 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report July 27 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report July 28 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV

English H
1. Take notes on the Symbolism article in the packet.
2. TMNT (Topic/Moral/Neither/Theme) quiz make-up.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 11/15-16/11

ELAS
1. Finish chapter 8 of The Hunger Games and do 10+ annotations.

Composition
1. Finish Flowers For Algernon (part 2) and the FFA questions.
2. Do the Progress Report journal from another character's point of view (first person limited unreliable. See the choices below: Make sure you type it and reference at least 3-4 events from the text.
Pt. 1
Progress Report Mar 10 – Dr. Strauss’s or Dr. Nemur’s POV
Progress Report Mar 25 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report Apr 3 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report Apr 9 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report Apr 15 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report Apr 28 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Pt. 2
Progress Report May 15 – from Dr. Strauss’s POV
Progress Report July 10 – from Mrs. Flynn’s POV
Progress Report July 25 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report July 27 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report July 28 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV


English H
1. Finish your myth essay final draft.
2. Finish the theme notes.
3. Do a little mini-poster on your topic given in class. It should have the topic, a moral relating to that topic, and a theme relating to that topic.

Monday, 11/14/11

ELAS
1. Finish organizing your binder.
2. Complete the Tutorial Tuesday question sheet.
3. Finish reading chapter 7 of The Hunger Games and annotate it, using the 8 habits and new vocabulary.

Composition
1. Read Flowers For Algernon part one (up to page 82).
2. Answer as many questions on the FFA question sheet as you can.

English H
1. Complete the rough draft of your myth essay.
2. Complete the foreshadowing and irony chart.

Thursday, 11/10/11

ELAS
1. Write conscience and conscious 10 times each on your spelling words list.
2. Read chapter 7 of The Hunger Games and annotate it, using the sheet we went over in class.

Composition
1. In class we read the article on point of view and narrator on page 24 of the class reader. Take notes on it, and then, on a separate piece of paper, write the mini-story on that page (about the saxophone player) over again...do it in first person limited unreliable point of view from the point of view of either the dog or the girl in the window.
2. Finish your characterization narrative final draft. Be sure to follow Mr. Power's suggestions and to fix the dialogue in the narrative.

English H
1. Write a new verse to the Alanis Morisette song "Ironic" (go here to see the lyrics and here to see the video).
2. Read "Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry on page 142 of the reading workbook.
3. Get the CDs (concrete details) for your mythology essay. Write them into the essay organizer sheet, and be sure to put them in MLA format.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 11/08-09/11

ELAS
1. Write 10 sentences for each of your spelling list F words.

Composition
1. VPP8 quiz makeups and exercise II (sentence completion).
1. Finish the foreshadowing boxes sheet.

English H
1. VPP8 quiz makeups and exercises III-IV.
2. Finish your essay intro.
3. Read "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty.
4. Read "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant.

Monday, 11/07/11

ELAS
1. Finish the tutorial questions sheet.
2. Finish the (late) annotation of The Hunger Games chapter 6 if you haven't already done so.

Composition
1. VPP8 flashcards and exercise I, Words in Context.
2. Finish the "Beware of the Dog" continuation paragraph.
3. Finish the "The Landlady" questions (see below)
1. Where is Billy coming from, and what is he trying to find in the town of Bath?
2. What are three things Billy sees that attracts him to the Bed and Breakfast place?
3. What is the first strange thing Billy notices about the landlady?
4. What is another strange thing that the landlady says or does (CD)?
5. Billy thinks he recognizes the names of the two young men in the guest book (Mulholland and Temple). Where does he think he remembers them from?
6. How does the landlady say the two young men were alike?
7. Where does the landlady say the two young men still are? What happened to the landlady’s pets?
8. What does the tea taste like?
9. What do you think will happen to Billy Weaver?
10. Copy two CDs of foreshadowing from the story.


English H
1. VPP8 flashcards and exercises I-II
2. Write your Greek Mythological Allusion Poem.
3. Finish the MLA practice sheet. You can also read the whale article here and watch the video here.

Friday, 11/04/11

ELAS
1. The Hunger Games - finish reading chapter 6, and finish annotating the text.

Composition
1. VPP8 word picture.
2. Characterization narrative typed draft due Monday.

English H
1. VPP8 word picture.
2. Start thinking of a poem you will write using Greek mythological allusions.

Thursday, 11/03/11

I apologize to all parents and students who were unable to see Tuesday's and yesterday's blog entry: I was still feeling sick and was not able to update the website.

ELAS
1. Binder check tomorrow...be prepaaaaaared!

Composition
1. VPP7 -- study for the test tomorrow and have the packet ready.
2. Characterization narrative (standards tasks!) typed drafts are due Monday or tomorrow for extra credit.
3. Finish the foreshadowing notes if you haven't already done so.

Here are the questions for "The Landlady" from the projector:
1. Where is Billy coming from, and what is he trying to find in the town of Bath?
2. What are three things Billy sees that attracts him to the Bed and Breakfast place?
3. What is the first strange thing Billy notices about the landlady?
4. What is another strange thing that the landlady says or does (CD)?
5. Billy thinks he recognizes the names of the two young men in the guest book (Mulholland and Temple). Where does he think he remembers them from?
6. How does the landlady say the two young men were alike?
7. Where does the landlady say the two young men still are? What happened to the landlady’s pets?
8. What does the tea taste like?
9. What do you think will happen to Billy Weaver?
10. Copy two CDs of foreshadowing from the story.


English H
1. VPP7 -- study for the test tomorrow and have the packet ready.
2. Finish the myth packet if you haven't already done so.

Monday, 10/31/11

Happy Halloween!

ELAS
1. Finish your 10 spelling sentences using each spelling word.
2. Finish your tutorial question sheets.

Composition
1. VPP7 word picture due tomorrow (we'll do notes on the words, too).
2. Characterization narrative rough drafts due tomorrow (bring your rubrics and chart sheets as well).
3. "The Monkey's Paw" questions are due tomorrow for those classes that finished the story.

English H

1. VPP7 word picture due tomorrow (we'll do notes on the words, too).
2. Myth packets due tomorrow.

Friday, 10/28/11

ELAS
1. Finish your 8 Habits from chapter 5 of The Hunger Games if you haven't already. Organize your binder.

Composition
1. VPP7 word picture.
2. Characterization narrative rough draft due Monday. Use your characterization boxes sheet and rubric to guide you.

English H
1. VPP7 word picture.
2. Myth packets due Monday.

Thursday, 10/27/11

ELAS
1. Finish chapter 5 of The Hunger Games and the 8 Habits on one sheet.
2. Organize your binder and have it ready for the check.

Composition
1. VPP6 - study for the test tomorrow!
2. Complete your characterization narrative sheet and work on the rough draft (due Monday). Check the characterization narrative rubric to make sure you are doing everything you need to do.

English H
1. VPP6 - study for the test tomorrow!
2. Complete the myth packet. Due on Monday.

Monday, 10/25/11

ELAS
1. Finish reading chapter 5 of The Hunger Games.

Composition
1. Do VPP6 exercise II (Sentence Completion)
2. Finish the characterization sheet.

English H
1. VPP6 exercises III & IV.
2. Myth packets! Due on Monday.

Monday, 10/24/11

ELAS
1. Finish the tutorial questions sheet.

Composition
1. Do the VPP6 word picture, exercise I (Words in Context), and flashcards.

English H
1. Do the VPP6 word picture, exercise I (Words in Context), and flashcards.
2. Do at least two stories in the myth packet.

Tuesday-Friday, 10/18/11

ELAS
1. Study your spelling lists A-D.
2. Organize your binder.
3. Remember to bring a pen, your IR Book, and The Hunger Games for the midterm.

Composition
1. Complete your VPP1-5 midterm crossword.
2. Complete the midterm study guide.
3. Bring a pen for the midterm.

English H
1. Complete your VPP1-5 midterm crossword.
2. Complete the midterm study guide.
3. Bring a pen, your myth packet, and an IR book to the midterm.

Monday, 10/17/11

ELAS1. Study your spelling list for lists A&B, C, and D. Go to this address below to download the list:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2659783/elas%20spelling%20lists.doc
2. Organize your binder (it is part of the midterm!).
3. Finish the tutorial Qs sheet for the things you learned the whole year in each class.

Composition
1. Study VPP lessons 1-5. The vocabulary midterm starts tomorrow. You need to know the definition, part of speech, and spelling of each word. You also need to be able to correctly use the word in a sentence.
2. Do any fix-ups you need to do. Please remember: Standards Tasks must be completed in order to pass the class!!

English H
1. Study VPP lessons 1-5. The vocabulary midterm starts tomorrow. You need to know the definition, part of speech, and spelling of each word. You also need to be able to correctly use the word in a sentence.
2. Continue working on your myth story packets.

To find the online magic card generator for the card project, go here:

http://magic.falseblue.com/

Thursday, 10/13/11

ELAS
1. Study your spelling lists to prepare for the midterm
2. Organize your binder.
3. Tutorial Qs - we will turn them in on Monday.

Composition
1. Characterization Cornell notes -- you are to read "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes on page 70 of the reader and include the following information on your Cornell notes from class today:
-What indirect characterization do you see from Miss Luella Bates Washington Jones?
-What do you learn about the character and personality of Miss Luella Bates Washington Jones?

English H
1. Work on your myth card projects.
2. Work on your myth readings packets (at least finish the story of Dionysus).

To find the online magic card generator for the card project, go here:

http://magic.falseblue.com/

Tuesday-Wednesday, 10/11-12/11

ELAS
1. Study your spelling list (test Thursday).
2. Organize your binder (check soon).
3. Finish your tutorial questions sheet that we worked on in tutoring.

Composition
1. Setting & Mood writing pieces: Fix up into a typed draft -- this is a standards task -- and turn in on Thursday with the rubric.
2. Keep studying VPP1-5.

English H
1. Keep working on those myth projects. They should be almost finished at this point.
2. Keep studying VPP1-5.

Monday, 10/10/11

ELAS
1. Study your spelling list.
2. Organize your binder.
3. Complete the tutorial worksheet before tomorrow! (First half only).

Composition
1. Finish the figurative language sheet if you didn't turn it in today.
2. Finish the cut-and-paste tense sheet.
3. Study VPP1-5 for the midterm next week.

English H
1. Work on your myth project!
2. Study VPP1-5 for the midterm next week.

Friday, 10/07/11

ELAS
1. Binder organization. Check on Monday.

Composition
1. Add more to your setting writing piece. This will become the next standards task. Make sure you have added many sensory details and one of each type of figurative language to the writing. Underline each figurative language example.
2. Study VPP1-5 for the midterm.

English H
1. Complete your essay final draft. Due Monday.
2. Start really working on the Myth Beings Card Project. Due 10/17.
3. Study VPP1-5 for the midterm.

To find the online magic card generator for the card project, go here:

http://magic.falseblue.com/

Thursday, 10/06/11

ELAS
1. Fix up your binder in preparation for binder checks tomorrow.
2. Spelling word re-writes (any words you missed when writing the sentences today).
3. Summarize pages 48-49 of The Hunger Games on your notes we took in class.

Composition

1. Organize the English section of your binders in reverse chronological order.
2. VPP5 -- study for tomorrow's test.
3. Persuasive/Opinion Essay - work on your rough draft and fix it up. Type up the final draft -- due tomorrow.
4. Setting & Mood writing piece. Due tomorrow. Also don't forget to turn in the Figurative Language notes if you haven't already.

English H

1. VPP5  -- study for tomorrow's test.
2. Organize the English section of your binders in reverse chronological order.
3. Persuasive/Opinion Essay - work on your rough draft and fix it up. Type up the final draft -- due Monday.
4. Mythological beings notes -- continue taking notes on all beings with names in ALL CAPS from part 1 chapter 1. Due tomorrow.
5. Humanlike god miniproject: Create a Greek-like god like the example of Loopy Hamsterbuns in class. Include a picture.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 10/04-05/11

ELAS
1. Study your spelling words, and write them five times each.

Composition
1. Organize the English section of your binders in reverse chronological order.
2. VPP5 quiz makeups and exercise II: Sentence Completion.
3. Persuasive/Opinion Essay - work on your rough draft and fix it up. Type up the final draft -- due Friday.
4. Setting & Mood writing piece. Due tomorrow.

English H
1. VPP5 notes, flashcards, and exercises III-IV.
2. Organize the English section of your binders in reverse chronological order.
3. Persuasive/Opinion Essay - work on your rough draft and fix it up. Type up the final draft -- due Monday.
4. Mythological beings notes -- continue taking notes on all beings with names in ALL CAPS from part 1 chapter 1. Due Friday.
5. Humanlike god miniproject: Create a Greek-like god like the example of Loopy Hamsterbuns in class. Include a picture.

*****instructions for voting: freshman ASB position*****

1. Watch the video by clicking HERE.

2. Vote by filling in the bubble on the scantron sheet.

3. Only vote for one candidate for each position.
4. Give the scantron ballot to Mr. Power tomorrow.

4. The candidates' numbers are as follows:

For President

Emily Dennis-Keep #1

Andrea Cadena #2

Tyler Spriggs #3

N'Dierra Jennings #4

For Vice-President

Gregory Mitchell #10

Charise Montgomery #11

For Secretary

Paula Diaz #21

Areania Robinson #22

Helena Tewolde #23

For Treasurer

Sierra Jennings #31

Sullivan Lyons #32

Monday, 10/03/11

ELAS
1. Study the spelling words for the test tomorrow: Accomplish, Believe, Criticize, Disappear, Financially, Grammar, Height, Intelligence, Jewelry, Knowledge

Composition
1. Organize the English section of your binders in reverse chronological order.
2. VPP5 notes, flashcards, and exercise I: Words in Context.
3. Persuasive/Opinion Essay - work on your rough draft and fix it up. Type up the final draft -- due Friday.

English H
1. VPP5 notes, flashcards, and exercises I-II.
2. Organize the English section of your binders in reverse chronological order.
3. Essay rough draft -- write it up using your intro sheet and packet.
4. Mythological beings notes -- continue taking notes on all beings with names in ALL CAPS from part 1 chapter 1. Due Friday.
5. My origin myth: Write a short mythological story that explains one of the following questions from the notes in class --

How did we all get here?
What are volcanoes?
Why do the seasons change?
Why do flowers exist?
Why does the sun rise and set?

Thursday, 09/29/11

ELAS
1. Write each spelling word five times:
2. Organize your binders! Be ready for the check tomorrow.

Composition
1. Essay rough drafts are due Monday. They can be written or typed.
2. VPP4 - study for the test.
3. Finish the summary for the setting notes (page 17 in the Reader).

English H
1. VPP4 - study for the test.
2. Fill in the essay organizer packet for your opinion essay.
3. Start getting ideas about the mythology card beings project...


ALL CLASSES: YOU CAN NOW DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THE COMPOSITION COURSE READER HERE AND IN THE LINKS SECTION TO THE RIGHT. YOU'RE WELCOME.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 09/27-28/11

ELAS
1. Work on organizing your binders (again).
2. Study the spelling words: Accomplish, Believe, Criticize, Disappear, Financially, Grammar, Height, Intelligence, Jewelry, Knowledge

Composition
1. VPP4 quiz makeup (20x each for missed words), exercise II (Sentence Completion).
2. Finish the essay packet.
3. Choose to read either "Dog Star" or "Crime on Mars" by Arthur C. Clarke, and then fill out the worksheet that goes along with it. You may work with a partner or group of three.

English H
1. VPP4 quiz makeup (20x each for missed words), exercise II (Sentence Completion).
2. Complete the essay evidence sheet.
3. Read the myth article and take notes on it.

Monday, 09/26/11

ELAS
1. Study & practice spelling words: Arguing, Choose, Chose, Definitely, Embarrassing, Environment, February, Government, Humorous, Loneliness, Marriage, Necessary, Opinion, Paid, Repetition, Sacrifice, Tragedy, Until, Woman, Women
2. Continue organizing your binder, and keep it organized until Friday.

Composition
1. Complete the essay organizer packet, except for the Conclusion page.
2. VPP4 notes, flashcards, and exercise I: Words in Context.
3. Finish the Marigolds plot/conflict side of the sheet if you didn't in class.

English H
1. VPP4 notes, flashcards, and exercises I-II.
2. Write your opinion in the 'closing statement' box of the trial sheet: What did you think about the evidence?

Friday, 09/22/11

ELAS
1. Continue organizing your binder.
2. Study the spelling words (written below)
Arguing, Choose, Chose, Definitely, Embarrassing, Environment, February, Government, Humorous, Loneliness, Marriage, Necessary, Opinion, Paid, Repetition, Sacrifice, Tragedy, Until, Woman, Women

Composition
1. VPP4 word picture.
2. Finish your essay CDs (concrete details) on the sheet from Thursday.
3. We'll be turning in the Marigolds head and conflict/plot sheet on Monday.

English H
1. VPP4 word picture.
2. Finish your trial research and be ready to present your case on Monday.
3. Finish the improved draft of your Setting & Mood writing piece.

Thursday, 09/22/11

ELAS
1. Binders! Organize them.

Composition
1. VPP3 - study for the test tomorrow.
2. Continue getting CDs for your persuasive/opinion essay. These are due Monday.
3. Finish the Character's Empty Head sheet for Lizabeth in the story "Marigolds" by Eugenia Collier.

English H
1. VPP3 - study for the test tomorrow.
2. Montresor trial research - be ready to present your case in the trial of The People vs. Montresor.
3. Setting & Mood writing assignment - do the next draft of the setting/mood writing assignment. It is due Monday.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 09/20-21/11

ELAS
1. Keep your binders organized.
2. Write sentences using each of the misspelled words from the spelling word sentences we wrote in class.

Composition
1. VPP3 quiz corrections (20 times each), exercise II in the book (sentence completion)--remember to copy the entire sentence.
2. Complete the worksheet getting facts (CDs, or concrete details) for your persuasive/opinion essay.
3. Finish the tense worksheet.
****if you still need to read "Big Boy" by David Sedaris or "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell, click one of the the links.

English H
1. VPP3 quiz corrections (20 times each), exercises III & IV in the book.
2. Finish reading "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, finish the worksheet, and do the perspective journal. The journal information is as follows:
Choose one of the following journals and label it with the information below.

Pt. 1
*Progress Report Mar 8 – from Dr. Strauss’s or Dr. Nemur’s POV
Progress Report Mar 10 – Dr. Strauss’s or Dr. Nemur’s POV
Progress Report Mar 25 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report Apr 3 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report Apr 9 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report Apr 15 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report Apr 28 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Pt. 2
*Progress Report May 15 – from Dr. Strauss’s POV
Progress Report July 10 – from Mrs. Flynn’s POV
Progress Report July 25 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Progress Report July 27 – from Joe Carp’s or Frank Reilly’s POV
Progress Report July 28 – from Miss Kinnian’s POV
Be sure to reference at least 3-4 events from the text.

Monday, 09/19/11

ELAS
1. Read your IR book!
2. Answer questions 1-5 on the Hunger Games chapter 2 questions sheet.

Composition
1. VPP3 notes, flashcards, and exercise I (Words in Context).
2. Finish reading "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell and fill out the conflict and plot sheet for that story and for "Big Boy" by David Sedaris.
**also finish the Most Dangerous Game parts I & II questions if you haven't already

English H
1. VPP3 notes, flashcards, and exercise I-II.
2. Write the story from the narrator article of your packet from the first- or third-person point of view of either the girl or the dog. Write which one you chose, first- or third- person, and omniscient or limited narrator type at the top.

Thursday, 09/15/11

ELAS
1. no homework! Have a great weekend. Congratulations to the following tie-tying competition winners:
Speed tie winners:
1st - Andrew Morales
2nd - Steven Chavez
3rd - James Cunningham
Blindfolded tie winners:
1st - Dalton Cabuto
2nd - Sadique Hayward
3rd - James Cunningham
Ultimate tie winners:
1st - Navari Julius
2nd - Paulina Prochazkova
3rd - Ty Roller

Composition
1. Study for your VPP2 test, finish exercise II (sentence completion) - remember to copy the complete sentences.
2. Finish reading "The Most Dangerous Game" parts I and II (we'll finish part III in class). Then finish the questions sheet. This is all due on Monday.

English H
1. Study for your VPP2 test, finish exercises IV-V.
2. Add to the next draft of your mood setting paragraph and type it. Remember to add the following:
-past tense (all verbs)
-sensory details - cover all five senses except taste
-figurative language - at least one of each of the four types - simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole

Tuesday-Wednesday, 9/13-14/11

ELAS
1. Bring ties to class, and practice your tie-tying skills.
2. Finish writing each of the spelling words five times each, and finish writing one sentence using each word. The words in Spelling list A are: Arguing, Choose, Chose, Definitely, Embarrassing, Environment, February, Government, Humorous, Loneliness, Marriage, Necessary, Opinion, Paid, Repetition, Sacrifice, Tragedy, Until, Woman, Women

Composition
1. Do make-ups for VPP2 quiz, and complete exercise I, Words in Context.
2. On your persuasive essay topic sheet, write down three reasons why you are right about your opinion.

English H
1. Do make-ups for VPP2 quiz, and complete exercises II-IV.
2. Complete the mood setting paragraph on the mood setting sheet.

Monday, 09/12/11

ELAS
1. Remember to bring your ties to class! Click here to watch the instructional video we watched in class.

Composition
1. VPP2 (Vocabulary Power Plus lesson 2) notes - finish. Also create flashcards for the words.
2. Pick one of your five topics for your persuasive essay. Write a few sentences explaining why you chose that topic.

English Honors
1. VPP2 (Vocabulary Power Plus lesson 2) notes - finish. Also create flashcards for the words.
2. Read Marigolds by Eugenia Collier and complete the Lizabeth's head side of the worksheet.

Friday, 09/09/11

ELAS
1. Practice your tie tying skills in preparation for the contest next week. Click here to watch the youtube video we watched in class.

Composition
1. Complete  your VPP lesson 2 picture.
2. Finish the take-home VPP1 test.

English H

1. Complete  your VPP lesson 2 picture.
2. Finish the take-home VPP1 test.

Thursday, 09/08/11

ELAS
1. No homework - continue to bring your IR book and binder every day.

Composition
1. First vocabulary test tomorrow! Study, study, study: Use your flash cards, your notes, your exercises, and your copied picture sheet.
2. Finish Exercise II: Sentence Completion in your VPP (Vocabulary Power Plus book).
3. Make up the points on your spelling quiz, if applicable.
4. Period 5 only: Label the type of conflict from your TV show on your notes.

English H
1. First vocabulary test tomorrow! Study, study, study: Use your flash cards, your notes, your exercises, and your copied picture sheet. Make sure all exercises are complete.
2. Finish the conflict and plot chart for "The Most Dangerous Game" and "Big Boy".

Tuesday-Wednesday, 09/06-07/11

ELAS
1. No homework except to bring your ties to class.

Composition
1. Do your VPP (vocabulary power plus) lesson one flashcards and exercises (Words in Context, Sentence Completion).
2. Watch one TV show in story form--no reality, news, or sports--and write down two conflicts in the story. Explain them in terms of wants...but... on your conflict notes from today.

English H
1. Do your VPP (vocabulary power plus) lesson one flashcards and continue your exercises.
2. Read "The Most Dangerous Game" and answer one prompt per page in the interactive reader.

Friday, 09/02/11

ELAS
1. Read for 30+ minutes out of your IR book.
2. Bring your tie to class every day next week!

Composition
1. Finish the improvements on your typed letter to Mr. Power. Make sure it is printed out.
2. Complete the vocabulary picture for VPP lesson 1 (download the sheet here).

English H
1. Read the story Big Boy by David Sedaris and write down the conflicts you see on your notes.
2. Complete the vocabulary picture for VPP lesson 1 (download the sheet here).
3. Keep looking for an IR book. Start bringing it to class next week.

Thursday, 09/01/11

ELAS
1. Take your IR (independent reading) books home and bring them back again tomorrow.

Composition
1. Improve your rough draft letter to Mr. Power and work on typing up a better draft--due Tuesday.

English H
1. TV show conflicts: On your notes, describe two conflicts from a show you watch this evening. Bonus--guess what type of conflict it is!
2. Complete VPP (Vocabulary Power Plus) lesson I exercise 2 (sentence completion).
3. IR book - get one! Start bringing it in.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 08/30/11-09/01/11

ELAS
1. Finish your three reactions to the book you interviewed in class. Don't forget the summary of what happened in your book!
(download the syllabus here)

Composition
1. Correct your syllabus quiz.
2. Review the summer reading (our first test will be on The Giver).
3. Finish the rough draft of the letter to Mr. Power.

English H
1. Finish draft two of your Who I Am letter.
2. Finish VPP (Vocabulary Power Plus) lesson 1 notes and exercise I (Words in Context).
3. Get an IR book to bring to class every day.
(download the syllabus here)

Monday, 08/29/11

ELAS
1. Work on your weekly goal.

Composition
1. Complete the syllabus information sheet and have your parent/guardian sign it.
2. Review the summer reading in preparation for the quizzes.

English H

1. Complete the syllabus information sheet and have your parent/guardian sign it.
2. Review the summer reading in preparation for the quizzes.
3. Do your syllabus quiz corrections in preparation for turning them in tomorrow.

Friday, 08/26/11

ELAS
1. Start thinking of a book you'd like to read (on your own)!
2. Have your parent or guardian fill out the syllabus form and bring it on Monday.

Composition
1. Sign the classroom rules and bring the sheet on Monday.

English H
1. Sign the classroom rules and bring the sheet on Monday.

****Remember, for all classes the "drop dead" book due date for all books for the entire year is Tuesday, September 6th. See our text requirements here.

Welcome Home, Vikings!

To all new Vikings: Welcome Home!

I am extremely excited at the prospect of this new year, and to see faces both new and old. I hope that this year will be marked by caring, communication, a broadening of horizons, and lots of enjoyable learning in the classroom. Here is some information that might be helpful:

Summer projects are due! You can find the summer project assignment sheets for download here. Click here for the 9th grade English Composition summer project assignment. Click here for the English Honors summer project assignment.

Students need their books as soon as possible! Click here to see a list of required class texts for this year with their ISBN numbers and purchasing links to Amazon.com. Click here to see the list for the year.

Students need materials! They should have a 3" binder, lined looseleaf paper, subject dividers, a pencil pouch, blue ink pens, black ink pens, red ink pens, green ink pens, scissors, tape, and highlighters.

It is important that students and parents know the classroom expectations and rules. Click here to check 'em out.

Have a blessed year, and keep checking back!

-Mr. Power

Required Class Texts, 2011-2012

The following is a complete list of the required class texts for each class. Clicking on the title of the text will take you to the Amazon.com page where you can order the text. For more information, check the class syllabus. NOTE: The 2011-2012 Class Reader can ONLY be purchased through Bernard's Books.

9th grade Composition


Ninth Grade English Class Composition Reader 2011-2012
Edited by Robin Power
ISBN: N/A, purchase here

Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT Book One
ISBN: 9781580492539

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
By Edith Hamilton
ISBN: 9780446607254

Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
ISBN: 9780140177398

Lord of the Flies
By William Golding
ISBN: 9780399501487

Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare
ISBN: 9781411400368

English Honors

Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT Book One
ISBN: 9781580492539

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
By Edith Hamilton
ISBN: 9780446607254

To Kill a Mockingbird
By Harper Lee
9780446310789

Lord of the Flies
By William Golding
ISBN: 9780399501487

The Red Badge of Courage
By Stephen Crane
9781593081195

Fahrenheit 451
By Ray Bradbury
9780345342966

Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
ISBN: 9780140177398

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
By Mark Twain
9781593081393

Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare
ISBN: 9781411400368

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest*
By Ken Kesey
9780451163967
(*you may wait until next semester to purchase this text)

Thursday, 08/25/11

ELAS
1. Bring your 3" binder to class.
2. Bring your signed handbook contract form.
3. Get a good night's sleep. :)

Composition
1. Bring your 3" binder to class
2. Bring your class reader and vocabulary book to be checked.
3. Bring your rules sheet to be finished in class.

***Click here to find download links to the required class texts for this year***

English H
1. Bring your 3" binder to class.
2. Bring your Mythology and vocabulary books to be checked.
3. Write a formal personal letter to Mr. Power that discusses the question "Who am I?" Follow the format we used in class.

***Click here to find download links to the required class texts for this year***

Wednesday, 08/25/11

Welcome, class of 2015!

Directions: Look at the picture that corresponds to your period and email a description of the picture to Mr. Power.

Period 4:

Period 5:

Use one of these tools if you don't have an email account:
https://www.whisperbot.com/send/
http://www.venompen.com/write.php


English Honors homework:
1. Watch If You Really Knew Me episode 106 (click here for the link).
2. Copy and answer the following questions:
1. If I had to fit into a "clique" or "label," what would it be?
2. What would I want/wish my label to be?
3. What are my strengths? My weaknesses?
4. How do I think others see me?
5. What drives/motivates me?
6. What would I want my memorial or epitaph to be?
7. Who do I want to be?
8. What did I think of the If You Really Knew Me episode? Explain.

Tuesday 08/23/11

Welcome, class of 2015!

Period 2:

Period 3:

Use one of these tools if you don't have an email account:
https://www.whisperbot.com/send/
http://www.venompen.com/write.php


English Honors homework:
1. Watch If You Really Knew Me episode 106 (click here for the link).
2. Copy and answer the following questions:
1. If I had to fit into a "clique" or "label," what would it be?
2. What would I want/wish my label to be?
3. What are my strengths? My weaknesses?
4. How do I think others see me?
5. What drives/motivates me?
6. What would I want my memorial or epitaph to be?
7. Who do I want to be?
8. What did I think of the If You Really Knew Me episode? Explain.

Summertime and the Next School Year

Students! Find the section below that applies to you for English information for next year.

Next year's Junior Class
Download your summer reading assignment here. You will need to get two books, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt, and read them over the summer (honors students will need to download this assignment and will need to also read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain). Please remember, do NOT buy a class reader from one of last year's juniors. The reader has changed, and you need the updated version. Remember to get next year's school books online from Bernard's Books over the summer.

Next year's Sophomore Class
Download your summer reading assignment here. You will need to get two books, A Separate Peace by John Knowles and The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, and read them over the summer (honors students will need to download this assignment and will need to also read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein). Remember to get next year's school books online from Bernard's Books over the summer.

Next year's incoming Freshmen
Download your summer reading assignment here. You will need to get two books, The Giver by Lois Lowry and A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry , and read them over the summer. Remember to get next year's school books online from Bernard's Books over the summer.