September 4 - 7

Welcome to the short, post-Labor Day week. We'll continue with The Grapes of Wrath and rhetorical analysis and also practice the words on Vocabulary list #1.

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. SOAPS notes and 9/11 speech example. Googlemaps Grapes of Wrath, structure, dialect exercise.  Review Chapters 1 and 2, read Chapter 3 in class, then begin Chapter 4.

Due: Please read Chapters 1 and 2 of The Grapes of Wrath.

Homework: Please read Chapters 3 and 4 for Thursday/Friday. 

Please study for the quiz covering Vocabulary list #1, grammar, and Grapes of Wrath reading through Chapter 4.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Vocabulary list #1 and Grapes reading through the end of Chapter 4. Notes: figurative language. Read Chapter 5 in class with activity. Introduction to "Setting the Stage" assignment. 

Due: Chapters 3 and 4 of Grapes.

Homework:  For next class, please finish Chapter 5 and read Chapter 6, with the "Setting the Stage" assignment in mind. 

For September 17/18, please finish the "Setting the Stage" assignment. 

August 27 -31

It's the second week of school and the last week of August. It's been a pleasure to meet everyone, and I look forward to starting our first novel as a class, The Grapes of Wrath, as well as learning the basics of rhetorical analysis (an important 11th grade English unit, and the skills needed for the SAT essay).

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Collect Letter to Freshman Self. A Step Toward Falling (summer reading) discussions and activities. Notes: Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle. 

Due: Letter to Freshman Self.

Signed syllabus and Turnitin.com form. 

Homework:  Summer reading written homework, (if you haven't already turned it in).

Please read pages 1-3 in the Rhetorical Analysis Packet. 

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints. Discuss and debate, vote. Outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday)

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz: syllabus quiz and summer reading questions. Receive Vocabulary list #1 for next week. Gallery Walk: The Grapes of Wrath.  Intro to Grapes of Wrath. Begin reading.

Due: Summer reading written homework.

Homework: Please read The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 1- 2. Think about how the dialect of the characters affects how believable it is.

Enjoy the three-day weekend!

First Week!

Welcome to the first week of school! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and kicking off the new year together.

WEDNESDAY: (minimum day) Journal warm-up. Welcome and introduction. Share journal answers using the bucket. Receive syllabus, Turnitin.com forms. Summer reading announcements. Begin work on Interest Inventory Sheet.

Due: First journal entry, completed in class.

Homework: (for next class) Completed Interest Inventory Sheet.

(for next week) Signed syllabus, Turnitin.com forms, review summer reading.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Interest Inventory Worksheet activity.  Discuss syllabus, including upcoming units, procedures and routines, lockdown instructions. "Eleventh Grade: The Dark Side" PowerPoint.  Summer reading group activity. Introduce the Letter to Freshman Self assignment. 

Due: Completed Interest Inventory Sheet.

Homework: (for next class)
Type or neatly handwrite the Letter to Freshman Self assignment for next class. 

Review summer reading books, especially A Step Toward Falling.

Please syllabus and Turnitin.com signed.

(for next Thursday or Friday)
Summer reading assignments will be collected.

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, CAASP testing, and thinking about life after high school.  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 longer novels/play we will explore together this year are:
The Grapes of Wrath
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Great Gatsby
A Raisin in the Sun

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 can 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, A Step Toward Falling 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 2020.  Have a spectacular rest-of-summer!

June 4 - 8 LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

 It was truly and honor and a privilege to teach such an interesting group of students. I've learned so much during our time this year and I hope you feel that your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are even better than they were a year ago.  

I've gotten to know many of you fairly well and hope that you visit me next year and keep me posted about what's going on in your life. 

Here's what we're doing this last week:

MONDAY, JUNE 5: (all classes, 0 period final) Read more sample college essays.  More work time on laptops for drafts and individual help.  Pass out editing checklist. 

Due: Be able to access your essay drafts electronically, and have an idea matched to a prompt with a document created and some sentences with details under the prompt.

Homework:  Type out a full rough draft by the beginning of the final. 

TUESDAY - THURSDAY FINAL: Short, anonymous class evaluation so I understand what was the most helpful and also improve the section next time. Volunteers from class will share paragraphs and receive helpful feedback.  Work time on laptops and direct, one-on-one feedback for drafts during the class period. You'll have at least one full hour to work on drafts in class during the final.

A full draft of the essay with specific details and full sentences that is proofread and close to the wor count is due to Turnitin.com by the end of the final.  (No exceptions.)

Please note, due to how far along we are in the semester and the fact that this is your final for the class, NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Thanks for understanding.

Have a wonderful summer as seniors!

May 28 - June 1

It's the last week before finals!

A few reminders/announcements:

• June 1 is the last day to turn in any make-up work for partial credit.
• Please turn in any outstanding library books asap.
• Journals are due Friday, June 1 during class.
• The entire school will read A Step Toward Falling this summer. It's available on Amazon for $4.19 as of this update.

MONDAY: Memorial Day holiday. 

TUESDAY: (Adjusted Class Comp schedule, 5th period only): Fill out questionnaire. Brainstorming Worksheet, interview each other and fill out. Journal exercise. Go over 4 options for final assignment. Read a sample and evaluate as a class.

Due: n/a

Homework: Decide which of the 4 options you will write for the final assignment. If you're planning on applying to colleges, research what their requirements are for a personal statement/essay.

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: Journal warm-up. Discuss topic choices for college essays.  Read and evaluate samples as a class. Begin writing on laptops, with individual help.

Due: Decide which of the 4 options you will write for the final assignment. If you're planning on applying to colleges, research what their requirements are for a personal statement/essay.

Homework: Continue work on final assignment.

FRIDAY: (All review day: 55 minute classes) Journal warm-up, then put them in the classroom bin. How to add imagery/specific details to your essay to ensure it's highlighting your important points and unique to you.  Work time on laptops.

Due: Journals in the classroom bin for a final journal check.

Homework: Continue working on the final assignment which will be uploaded on the day and time of your final next week.

May 21 - 25

Three weeks left of school, including finals! Wow, it's going fast. I've really been enjoying the Raisin readings and especially the warm-up discussions over the last two weeks. This week, we'll finish Raisin and A day will begin the last unit: the college essay draft or job title assignment.

NOTE: Next week, on Friday, June 1 journals will be due, and that is also the last day to turn in any late work for partial credit. 

Also, it's CAASP testing week. Monday through Thursday, half of the students will be out of class for testing.

(Monday - all students in 3rd period, Tuesday - half of the students in 5th period, and Thursday - the other half of 5th period): Journal warm-up. Read the last scene of A Raisin in the Sun together (Act III, Scene I). Take the Raisin quiz. 

Due: Please upload the final version of the Sustainable Foods Essay to Turnitin.com by Sunday, May 20 at 10:00 p.m.

Homework:  Think about whether you'll choose a college essay prompt or the job title assignment and have a decision ready by the end of the week. 

WEDNESDAY (3rd period only):  Journal warm-up. Very interactive brainstorm activity to begin college essay/job title final assignment.

Due: n/a

Homework: Bring brainstorming sheet to class.

FRIDAY (3rd period only, minimum day schedule): Journal warm-up. View prompts and decide between college essay and short job title research paper.

Due: Bring brainstorming sheet to class.

Homework: Begin matching stories from your Brainstorming sheet to the prompts. Decide on a prompt or specific job title for next week.