Winding Down 2008

English 11-1 A/C Days, Block 3
English 11-2 B/D Days, Block 1
English 11-3 B/D Days, Block 3

This last week-and-a-half, our eleventh grade classes have been working on a number of different culminating activities for our work with the Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Projects and test dates are:

1) The Crucible Culminating Project, a research paper with which students researches and compared the Red Scare of the 1950s with the Salem Witch Trials, was due in class on Wednesday (11-2 & 11-3). Class 11-1 completed the activity as an in-class writing assessment last Thursday.

2) A unit test for The Crucible made up of multiple choice, matching, quote association and short answer questions was given in class on Wednesday and Thursday.

3) A test of student understanding of ALL SORT CARD TERMS assigned thus far this school year (and listed directly to the right of this blog) will be administered on today (Friday) and Monday of next week.

4) The Greece Central School District's second mandatory parallel assessment were given earlier this week to all eleventh graders. The results of this practice are utilized to plan future lessons in order to facilitate student performance on the New York state English assessments.

5). Winter Recess re-reading assignments (and books) will be distributed in-class today (Friday) and Monday. All related work is due immediately upon our return from break, and students will be given a comprehension assessment to gauge whether or not they re-read the assigned book on whether January 5 (11-2, 11-3) or January 6 (11-1).

Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to see the teacher PRIOR to Advisement and arrange for a pass when you need assistance with any home/classwork.

Read Up and Write On!

In-Class Today: 12/5 & 12/8

English 11-1 A/C Days, Block 3
English 11-2 B/D Days, Block 1
English 11-3 B/D Days, Block 3

Today our classes completed the following activities:

1) The Crucible Character Web.

2) Complete a Dramatic Plot Map of The Crucible.

3) Discuss and take notes regarding the theme of "Hysteria" in The Crucible.

4) Introduce the upcoming WebQuest and Essay prompt to be worked on independently this week in the Library/Media Center.

5) Continue watching the 1996 film version of The Crucible starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder.

Homework Due Next Class:

1) Bring a flash drive to the next class in order to save progress on the WebQuest/Essay.

Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to see the teacher PRIOR to Advisement and arrange for a pass when you need assistance with any home/classwork.

Read Up and Write On!

Homework for September 22

English 11-1: Day A, Block 3

Today in English class, students took the first of four parallel assessments planned by the Greece Central School District to gauge each students current level of preparedness for the Regents Exam administered in June.

While administration of this practice test took the majority of our class time today, but students also had their American Dream Definition drafts returned to them for revisions. Most students had their drafts completed on the due date and had the opportunity to receive feedback from both a peer and the teacher. Final drafts are due at the start of our next class.

Please ask to see your students draft prior to their turning it in at class on Wednesday. While reviewing their work, check to see if they completed the task as it was assigned:

We have read and discussed three articles about the American Dream. We’ve also had the chance to hear a speech regarding one person’s experiences following “it.”

Your assignment is to write a well-crafted essay about what the American Dream is. You can reference any of the resources we have worked with in class. Because this is a Definition Essay, you should avoid using personal pronouns such as “I,” “me,” and “my.” (It is very important that you continue to develop the skill of expressing your views without using those words.)

Remember, writing is a process (see the “Writing Process Graphic Organizer” in your LRG!), so we will be following the entire process from pre-writing through publishing together. You will be graded on each step of the Writing Process, beginning with the initial draft.

Students will receive bonus point once you have signed the rough draft signifying that you have read it.

Read Up and Write On!