First Week of School: August 29 - September 2

Welcome to the first week of school!  This week, we'll get to know each other, talk about your expectations of me as your teacher, my expectations of students, and what our goals are for the year.  We'll also get familiar with routines and procedures in the class, and warm up for an engaging, productive year ahead.

MONDAY: (minimum day - all classes, 35 minutes per class) Find seats, welcome and introduction, journals passed out and started, share.  Receive syllabus, begin work on Interest Inventory Worksheet.

Due: First journal entry, completed in class.

Homework: Bring the Interest Inventory Worksheet for next class - you will have time to work on it in class, but you can start on it before Wednesday if you think you'll need more time.

Read through the syllabus and ask parents/guardians to read, sign and return the signature page by September 7.

WEDNESDAY: Journal, share.  Interest Inventory Worksheet activity.  Teacher/Student Contract exercise, the "dark side" of 11th grade.  Overview of ACT/SAT changes, 11th grade English standards, and the specific units we'll cover to prepare you for the writing you'll be expected to do during the year.  Discuss syllabus, procedures and routines.  Write one-page letter to yourself as a freshman.

Due: Interest Inventory Worksheet

Homework:

• Finish Letter to My Freshman Self for next class.
• Study classroom rules/procedures from notes and syllabus for first quiz. 
• Go over the syllabus with your parents/guardians and bring the signature page of the syllabus to class. 
• Work on gathering supplies (binder with tabs, per syllabus) for next week.

FRIDAY: Journal, share.  Review procedures and routines.  First quiz covering procedures, classroom guidelines.  Turn in Letter to Freshman Self.  Receive Vocab/Grammar sheet for next week.  Gallery Walk.  Grapes of Wrath introduction including anticipation guide, video of Dust Bowl, Depression PPT.  Pick up a copy of The Grapes of Wrath for next week.

NOTE: There will be an assembly for all juniors for the second half of the class period.  We will pick up the book earlier in the period and the Gallery Walk and Grapes of Wrath introduction is scheduled for Wednesday. 

Due: Letter to Freshman Self

Homework:

• Signature page of syllabus due by September 7
• Signed Turnitin.com permission form by September 7. 
• Get supplies for class (notebook with tabs per syllabus) before September 7.
• Read Chapter One of The Grapes of Wrath and answer the Chapter One questions on the handout for Wednesday, September 7.

Enjoy the three-day weekend!  I look forward to seeing you next week in class.