August 28 - September 1

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.

SUMMER READING: There will be questions on the upcoming weekly quizzes covering Where You Go is Not Who You Are  and Warriors Don't Cry. 

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 next class 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 6.

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: Journal, share.  Discuss summer reading.  Interest Inventory Worksheet activity.  The "dark side" of 11th grade PowerPoint (cheating, meltdowns, drugs).  Overview of 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 giving advice to your freshman self.

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 before September 6th, bring the signature page of the syllabus to class 
• Turnitin.com permission form due back signed by September 6.
• Work on gathering supplies (binder with tabs, Frederick Douglass book, etc. per syllabus) for next week.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal, share.  Review procedures and routines.  First quiz covering procedures, classroom rules.  Turn in Letter to Freshman Self.  Warriors Don't Cry gallery walk.  Warriors Don't Cry small group discussions. 

Due: Letter to Freshman Self

Homework:

• Signature page of syllabus due by next class, Sept 5 or 6. 
• Turnitin.com permission form due back signed by September 6.
• Get supplies for class (notebook with tabs per syllabus).
• Please review Warriors Don't Cry for next week; the second week quiz on Thursday/Friday will cover this reading.
• Please read and annotate the article "I'm a White Man. Hear Me Out."  by Frank Bruni and come with opinions about the article for Tuesday/Wednesday.

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

Welcome to English 3!

I'm Ms. Mogilefsky (also known as Ms. M).  I'm excited to work with you this year as we explore a variety of well-known books, short stories, nonfiction articles and essays that are an important part of the conversation about the nature of American life, past and present. 

In this extremely interactive class, we will read American literature, as well as a wide range of nonfiction pieces – essays, memoirs, letters, speeches, articles about current events, literary criticism, and even legal briefings.   You'll also read books and articles of your choice as you work on research-based pieces, independent reading, current events assignments, debates, and other activities.  Themes from classic texts will be read and discussed alongside related current events, and you'll have a lot of opportunities to express yourselves verbally and in writing.  

I know junior year can be stressful: SATs, ACTs, extracurriculars, and CAASP testing at the end of the year.  All of the activities we'll work on will help you succeed and I look forward to a productive and enjoyable year with you. 

What to Bring to Class (after the first day)
Please bring the following to class with you every day:

• 3-ring binder with the following section tabs: Current Unit, Vocab/Grammar, Reference, and Homework

• Plenty of paper

• Pens or pencils to write with

• Current novel/readings

I don't mind eating or drinking in class as long as you clean up after yourself and it's not disruptive to other students or the class (please, no sharing food during class time).   

Cell phones: I have a cell phone charging station in the front of the classroom where students may, at their own risk, charge phones during class time while they are set on silent mode.  Otherwise, cell phones must be completely turned off and put away in backpacks or purses or they'll be collected. Even adults (just about everyone I know!) struggle to keep from the distraction of a phone, and if it's out of reach and turned off it'll be easier for everyone.  This will help you to develop good habits for college and/or your work life and will help us maximize productivity during class time.

Procedures/Routines
I believe that English is the most important subject at school (every teacher thinks that about their subject, and I am no exception)!  In English 3,  we'll work on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills that will help you achieve your goals in every other class at PVHS, at university and/or on the job, and even in your personal life.  Because there is such a wide variety of skills we'll practice, I like to set up routines so that students know what to expect from class.  Here is the basic framework: 

Monday/Tuesday, 113 minutes: 
10 minutes journal time
5 minutes random sharing of journal answers 
15 minutes practice this week's vocabulary and grammar
40 minutes: work on current novel -  reading, debates, skits, presentations, etc.
40 minutes: work on current writing unit - practice, read and evaluate drafts, learn new concepts
3 minutes go over any homework, file papers away in notebook, answer questions

(every other)Wednesday, 85 minutes:
10 minutes journal time
5 minutes random sharing of journal answers
65 minutes Current Events - (read and annotate both sides of a current issue, discuss/debate, vote, various writing assignments short and long supporting your position)
5 minutes summarize which skills we practiced,  go over any homework, file papers away in notebook, answer questions
 
Thursday/Friday, 113 minutes: 
10 minutes journal time
5 minutes random sharing of journal answers 
15 minutes, approximately 15 question quiz covering this week's vocabulary, grammar, reading and other skills/current unit
80 minutes: work on current novel -  current writing assignment, debates, skits, presentations, etc.  
3 minutes: go over any homework, file papers away in notebook, answer questions

Additional Info

Novels
The novels/play we may explore together this year are:
A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Great Gatsby
A Raisin in the Sun
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

We'll also work on a brief gender unit, a two-week fundamental Supreme Court case unit, and a science/nature unit where we'll read and discuss a variety of shorter articles, essays, and briefs about the topic.


Journals
Composition books for journals will be provided.  Each day, questions will be posted in the front of the room and students will write a one page response in the journal.  Journals will be kept in the classroom and will be counted as an assignment for credit and checked at random intervals.  

Also...
Be sure to read Where You'll Go is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni as well as the school-wide novel, Warriors Don't Cry and be ready to discuss your opinions about these books during the first week of school.

Curious browsers can check out the syllabus (on the right hand side bar of this blog).  Otherwise, we will cover it in class the first week. 

I look forward to a great year with the class of 2019.  Have a spectacular rest-of-summer!