March 28 - April 1

It's the end of March, and almost Spring Break.  Hang in there!

There are two main assignments due this week, a journal check and the full rough draft of the research paper (see below). 

MONDAY: (1st and 2nd) Journal warm-up.  Discuss Gatsby Chapter 7 and 8.  Begin Chapter 9.  Computer lab for the last half of class - last in-class time to draft research paper before due date.


Due: Gatsby Chapter 7 and 8 read.

Homework: For Wednesday: Finish Gatsby, Chapter 9 (finish the book!), have journal ready to turn in, and bring Gatsby book to class.

Please upload full draft of research paper to Turnitin.com by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1. 


TUESDAY: (5th and 6th) Laptops for the first half of class - last in-class time to draft research paper before due date.  Discuss Gatsby 7 and 8.  Begin Gatsby 2013 movie.


Due: Gatsby Chapter 7 and 8 read.

Homework: For Thursday, finish Gatsby, Chapter 9 (finish the book!), have journal ready to turn in, and bring your Gatsby book to class.  

Please upload full draft of research paper to Turnitin.com by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1.

WEDNESDAY: (1st and 2nd)  Announcements, turn in journals, Gatsby books.  Begin Gatsby movie. 


Due: Gatsby, Chapter 9 read, Journals in, Gatsby books to class to turn in. 

Homework:  Please upload full draft of research paper to Turnitin.com by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1. 

THURSDAY: (5th and 6th) Turn in journals, Gatsby books.  Continue watching Gatsby 2013 movie.


Due: Gatsby Chapter 9 read, journals ready to turn in, Gatsby books to class. 

Homework:  Please upload full draft of research paper to Turnitin.com by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1.   

Research Paper Homework: 

• Read at least 2 other research papers and reply with comments (helpful, supportive, academically-worded comments for credit).  A good guideline is something you liked about the paper, and something they can improve for the next draft. 
• Complete an interview and take notes, make sure to ask about "unofficial" requirements for being successful on the job. 
• Read through the outside book you selected and look for information that you can use to add to the research paper.

FRIDAY: (1st and 2nd - minimum A Day). Finish watching Gatsby 2013 movie.

Due: n/a

Homework: Please upload full draft of research paper to Turnitin.com by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1.   

Research Paper Homework: 

• Read at least 2 other research papers and reply with comments (helpful, supportive, academically-worded comments for credit).
• Complete an interview and take notes, make sure to ask about "unofficial" requirements for being successful on the job. 
• Read through the outside book you selected and look for information that you can use to add to the research paper.

March 21 - 25

It's the week before the week before Spring Break!  This week, we'll begin to draft out the sections of the research paper, and continue with a lot of dramatic action in Gatsby.  This week, I'm splitting A and B days, (see below).

The week for B days:

MONDAY: Journal warm-up.  Discuss Chapter 6 of Gatsby.  Begin Chapter 7 in class.  Work on research paper on laptops: Works Cited, how to take raw data and make it into sentences, using direct and indirect citations. 

Due:  Gatsby, Chapter 6 read.

Homework:  For Wednesday, bring outside book to class for research paper.

Finish drafting the first section of the body of the paper and have the Works Cited completed for Wednesday. 

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up with the following links:

1. How conservative/liberal are you? (Online quiz.)

2. Candidate Matchmaker

NOTE: this is not meant to be the only way you make decisions about the upcoming election.  They are just for fun and may not actually represent your views.  You'll have a chance to assess the results and whether or not you think they are a fair representation of your viewpoint in your journal.  As your teacher, I'm facilitating your discussion and won't be sharing my own personal results or views.

Work time on research paper: draft body sections b. and c.

Due: outside reading book for research paper in class.

Homework: Finish drafting body sections b. and c. and look over your intro and make revisions.

FRIDAY: Journal warm-up.  Vocab/grammar/Gatsby quiz. Read more of Gatsby, Chapter 7 in class.  Research paper: draft out d. and e.

Due: Research paper draft through section c. and Works Cited completed.

Homework: Finish Chapter 7 and read Chapter 8 of Gatsby for Tuesday.

Checkpoint: finish draft of research paper sections d. and e. for Monday.

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 The week for "A" Days:

TUESDAY: Journal warm-up.  Discuss Chapter 6 of Gatsby.  Begin Chapter 7 in class.  Work on research paper on laptops: Works Cited, how to take raw data and make it into sentences, using direct and indirect citations. 

Due:  Gatsby, Chapter 6 read.

Homework:  For Thursday, bring outside book to class for research paper.

Finish drafting the first section of the body of the paper (section a.) and have the Works Cited completed for Thursday.
. 
THURSDAY: Journal warm-up.  Vocab/grammar/Gatsby quiz.  Read more of Chapter 7 in class.  Work time: draft sections b, c, and d of the body of the research paper on laptops in class.

Due: Research paper draft through section a. and Works Cited completed.

Homework: Finish Chapter 7 and read Chapter 8 of Gatsby for Monday.

Checkpoint: finish draft of research paper sections b, c, and d for Monday.  

March 14 - 18

We are already halfway finished with Gatsby...it's going fast.  I'm looking forward to more dramatic acting/reading this week, along with more work on the research paper.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up.  Hand back last argument essays and go over general trends in the class. (NOTE: if you aren't happy with your grade, please rewrite and upload to turnitin.com by 3/25.  I will average the two scores.)  Exercise: make a sample paragraph stronger in groups of two.  Homework assignment discussed:  rewrite your weakest paragraph for Thursday/Friday.

Discuss Gatsby, Chapter 4, and begin reading and acting out Chapter 5.  Research paper: go over an example of the paper, and discuss progress.  Begin working through the other sections, c. and d. on laptops.  Outside book due next week in class; schedule an interview before the end of March. 

Due: Finish Gatsby, Chapter 4, and be ready to discuss.


Homework:
Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 5.
Study for vocab/grammar quiz on Thursday/Friday.
Rewrite your weakest paragraph from the argument essay, attach to original essay, and turn in on Thursday/Friday.

WEDNESDAY: (1st and 2nd only) Journal warm-up. Go over SAT/ACT essay prompts with sample essay.  Watch brief CBS video about the dispute between Apple and the F.B.I. and read articles supporting opposite sides of the issue.  In small groups, outline a response either ACT or SAT style.  

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday)
Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 5.
Study for vocab/grammar quiz on Thursday/Friday.
Rewrite your weakest paragraph from the argument essay, attach to original essay, and turn in on Thursday/Friday.


THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up.  Vocab/grammar/Gatsby quiz.  Begin reading Chapter 6 in class, time to gather research for Body: e. and f. for Research Paper. 

Due: Gatsby, Chapter 5.

Homework: 
For next class: finish Gatsby, Chapter 6, have information copied and pasted with a link in each section of the body of the research paper.  (We will work on taking the source info and making it into paragraphs and a working draft next week.)

For Wednesday (5th and 6th), and Thursday (1st and 2nd): Bring outside book to class for research paper.

March 7 - 11

We're heading right into March, continuing with Gatsby and beginning the research paper.  I've really enjoyed the energetic and entertaining reading of Gatsby so far!

MONDAY/TUESDAY:  Journal warm-up.  Discuss Gatsby, Chapter Two and begin reading Chapter 3 in class.  Overview: how to organize sources while writing a research paper.  Receive overview of research paper and begin writing rough draft of introduction on laptops. 

Due: Chapter Two, Gatsby, read and ready to discuss.

5th and 6th period only: On a separate piece of paper, please list 5 job titles you are interested in, with 1 sentence each explaining why you chose that job title.

Homework: Finish reading Chapter Three of Gatsby for next class.  This week's quiz will include 4 questions from The Great Gatsby.

Continue to work on Research Paper introduction and save it in a safe and accessible place.

WEDNESDAY:  Current event/issue day.  Read articles about opposing sides of a discussion, debate, vote and practice outlining a response.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY:  Journal warm-up.  Vocab/grammar quiz with 4 Gatsby questions covering the book through Chapter 3.  Begin reading Gatsby, Chapter 4, casting exercise.  Begin researching first section: "Typical Day on the Job" that includes the actual tasks involved and what an average day would entail for your Research Paper.

Due: Gatsby read through Chapter 3, Research Paper draft of intro (1 - 3 paragraphs)

Homework:  Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 4.

Continue research for the "Typical Day on the Job" section and think of someone you can interview, if possible. 

Begin looking for a book about either someone working in the industry you've chosen, a book about new developments in the industry, the history of the industry, or an industry leader's biography.  You'll read and reference this book throughout the research paper.

February 29 - March 4

It's already the beginning of March (almost)!  We've started The Great Gatsby, and I'm excited to begin our research writing unit based on a profession/job title of your choice. This week, students will also attend Junior Conferences during English class and plan their schedules for senior year.

MONDAY: (1st and 2nd only) Journal warm-up.  Review Gatsby Chapter One, character traits so far.  Listen to clips of student song choices and share paragraphs.  Select a song for each character from the whole class.  Begin reading Gatsby, Chapter Two.  Start initial work for research paper based on a profession/job title of your choice: view career aptitude test and compare the number of people employed and median salary on another chart.

http://www.rasmussen.edu/resources/aptitude-test/

  

http://www.rasmussen.edu/resources/what-career-should-i-choose/

NOTE: Dr. Park will give a presentation to 2nd period at 11:30.

Due: Gatsby Chapter 1 read and Character Song Assignment finished.

Homework: Finish brainstorm for research paper - on a separate piece of paper list top five choices for a job title you could research and a sentence or two by each explaining why that might be a good match for your interests, talents, and goals.

TUESDAY: (5th and 6th periods only): Journal warm-up.  Review Gatsby Chapter One, character traits so far.  Listen to clips of student song choices and share paragraphs.  Select a song for each character from the whole class.  Begin reading Gatsby, Chapter Two.

5th and 6th periods will have Junior Conferences on Tuesday, March 1.

Due:  Gatsby Chapter 1 read and Character Song Assignment finished.

Homework:  Study for vocab quiz.  Quiz will have 2 Gatsby questions from Chapter One. 

WEDNESDAY: (1st and 2nd only): Journal warm-up.  Begin reading Gatsby, Chapter Two.

1st and 2nd periods will have Junior Conferences on Wednesday, March 2.

Due:  brainstorm for research paper - on a separate piece of paper list top five choices for a job title you could research and a sentence or two by each explaining why that might be a good match for your interests, talents, and goals.

Homework: Study for vocab quiz.  Quiz will have 2 Gatsby questions from Chapter One.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY:  Journal warm-up.  Vocab quiz with 2 Gatsby questions.  Gatsby reading Chapter 2, scene 1, pages 23-29.  Watch 3 versions of how the Myrtle introduction is portrayed in film (the scene we just read), and vote on your favorite.

(5th and 6th will start initial work for research paper based on a profession/job title of your choice: view career aptitude test and compare the number of people employed and median salary on another chart.)

Due:n/a

Homework: Finish reading Chapter Two, where we get a close look at Tom's not-so-secret life.   Next week's quiz will include 4 questions from The Great Gatsby.

5th and 6th period only: On a separate piece of paper, please list 5 job titles you are interested in, with 1 sentence each explaining why you chose that job title.  Please see Monday's agenda, above, for links to websites that can offer some help generating ideas for you.  DUE ON MONDAY, MARCH 7 for 5th and 6th only.

February 22-26

Thank you for the great debates about women signing up for the draft last week.  I am reading the essays and so far, there are strong, clear positions and specific examples and evidence provided.  I love reading them, though it's going to take me a week or two to finish them all!

This week, we'll finish our Gender Unit and move on to The Great Gatsby.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up.  Discuss "Professions for Women" article and turn in.  Read and discuss "I Want a Wife": what is the author's purpose?  How does she build her argument? Discussion questions about your own future, division of household duties, hours you envision that you'll be working in your 20s, 30s.  Vocabulary Story Round activity.

Note: Dr. Park will address classes about the CAASPP activity coming up in late May. 

Due: Professions for Women essay and questions.

Homework:  Study vocabulary for quiz on Thursday/Friday.  Check Aeries to make sure you are caught up with the many assignments during the Gender Unit.


WEDNESDAY: (5th and 6th only) Discussion about the gender pay gap and possible reasons for it, view statistics.  Read blog entry from a young professional about what she wishes she'd known about negotiating her salary (beneficial for everyone in class, not just the girls).  Speaking and listening: Small group activity - improve the blogger's suggestions for phrases that could be used during a conversation with a potential employer that are respectful and helpful in negotiations of salary, terms, etc. when accepting a position. Whole class discussion. 

Extension: If you have time, click here for a challenging and informative video from the Stanford Business School about negotiation.  I learn something new every time I watch the lecture.



THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up.  Vocab/grammar quiz. Intro to the world of Gatsby: F.Scott Fitzgerald and the 1920s.  Pick up the book at the library and begin reading.  You'll be choosing one song that best represents one of the characters introduced in Chapter One to share next class.


Due: n/a

Homework: 
Finish reading Chapter One of The Great Gatsby, pages 1-21. 

Character Song Assignment.

February 15-19

During this short, four-day week we will not have a vocabulary quiz; we will instead have a formal debate about whether or not women should be required to sign up for the draft and then write an argument essay at the end of the week.  I look forward to an interesting week!

MONDAY: President's Day Holiday - no school!

TUESDAY (5th and 6th period): Journal warm-up.  Complete "beauty ideals" presentation and go over instructions for debate prep, a few minutes for research.  Draw a side for the formal debate and switch seats.  Twenty minutes prep, twenty minutes opening statements, 30 minutes rebuttals.

Due: Debate prep - 3 examples total with at least one in each agree/disagree side.  One credible source printed out and annotated.

Homework:
1. Review notes from debate.  Think about your own opinion about the matter and what the best evidence/examples are.  Review argument essay outline and steps.
2. Bring Huck Finn book for Friday for points!
3. Journal check on Thursday. 

NOTE: Extra Credit Opportunity #1- after school in the same classroom - Room 509.  English Department multiple choice Huckleberry Finn test.  (See sidebar for details.)


WEDNESDAY (1st and 2nd period): Journal warm-up.  Draw a side for the formal debate and switch seats.  Twenty minutes prep, twenty minutes opening statements, 30 minutes rebuttals.

Due: Debate prep - 3 examples total with at least one in each agree/disagree side.  One credible source printed out and annotated.

Homework:
1. Review notes from debate.  Think about your own opinion about the matter and what the best evidence/examples are.  Review argument essay outline and steps.

2. Bring Huck Finn book for Friday for points!
3. Journal check on Friday. 

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up.  Open "popcorn" debate about whether or not women should sign up for the draft - 15 minutes max., compare notes.  Write in-class argument essay arguing your own personal position about the topic.  NO VOCAB QUIZ THIS WEEK.  If time, begin homework for next week.  Receive vocab list for next week.


Due:
1. Huckleberry Finn books - for 5 participation points!
2. Journal check
 
Homework:  Read "Professions for Women" by Virginia Woolf.  Answer the questions and bring for next class.