Fri. Mar. 28, 2014 Writing Class

Today, the students worked on their essays. These are due on April 3.

Wed. Mar. 26, 2014: Essay Creation

Today, students worked on their essays. About half have begun to write a rough copy on the computer. If is due on April 3 so there is still plenty of time to work on content and organization.

Mon. Mar. 24, 2014: Major Essay

Today, students were given the class to work on their major essay (which is due on April 3). This is meant to be an in-class essay assignment which means all steps should be performed in class. Most students created a thesis and collected evidence for main points today (only one started working on a copy on the computer). As long as you have a direction (thesis) and the main points planned, you are on track.

Thurs. Mar. 20, 2014: Essay Introduction

Today, I reminded students about the steps of active reading (in a test), which includes highlighting (5 w's, unknown words, question marks, literary devices), and of the importance of using process of elimination in test situations.
I then gave them their unit essay questions and instructions. These are to be completed on April 3. They are to be completed on the computers at school using the "computer usage steps" which were handed out today. They are also to be titled "Unit Three Essay."

Tues. Mar. 18, 2014 Unit Three Exam

Today, you wrote your exam for this unit. We will follow this up with an essay that you will start working on on Thursday.

Fri. Mar. 14, 2014 Feature film & test prep

Today, we finished watching The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I discussed "pathetic fallacy" with you in more detail. I then reminded the students that all outstanding assignments are due at the end of the day. The unit exam is on Tuesday. Students were given the remainder of their class-time to work on their test prep information.

Wed. Mar. 12, 2014: Feature Film Viewing

Today, we continued to watch the feature film, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. You were encouraged to identify differences between the text and the novel (there are many, which we discussed). I then reminded the students to have their outstanding assignments (including thechapter analysis) in by the end of class on Friday. The unit exam will be on Tuesday. We will then work on an essay.

Mon. Mar. 10, 2014

Today, We began to watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. You will write your exam for this novel and for reading comphrension on Tuesday, March 18. I handed out a text prep sheet to you. If you were not here, it is in your portfolio. We will then work on an essay. I am reminding you again that all assignments are now due. You will have until Friday to get them in. Your mark will then be an average of the assignments in total.

Thurs. Mar. 6, 2014 Final Questions for the Novel

Today, I handed out the questions for Chapters 18 to 20 (there were none given for Chapter 17). All questions prior to this should have been handed in today. In addition, your "Reflect and Assess" sheet needs to be handed in so I can start gathering resources for you. The questions handed out today are due on Monday.

Your comprehension exam for the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas will be on Wednesday. We will then start working on an essay (major) assignment.

Tues. Mar. 4, 2014 Chapters 15, 16

Today, you wrote a quiz on Chapters 11-14 of the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I then had you fill in an "Assess and Reflect" sheet based on your most recent editing asssignments (mid-term, letter, paragraphs). You were to hand this in and then read Chapters 15 and 16 of your novel.
Questions for these chapters were also handed out and are due on Thursday.