Holocaust Survivors

Don't forget to check out YouTube for survivor interviews--some of whom were part of  "Freedom Writers"-- Lots and lots--but take notes!

RST and Write or Die

"Is there American Dream possible for American people?"
Final copy due tomorrow.
Try out this fun (but really annoying) website if you have trouble staying on task.  Check it here: Write or Die!

RST and Write or Die

"Is there American Dream possible for American people?"
Final copy due tomorrow.
Try out this fun (but really annoying) website if you have trouble staying on task.  Check it here: Write or Die!

RST and Write or Die

"Is there American Dream possible for American people?"
Final copy due tomorrow.
Try out this fun (but really annoying) website if you have trouble staying on task.  Check it here: Write or Die!

December Overview-- Always subject to change!

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
3 Class Spelling Bees Homework: Find a nonfiction source focused on the term GENOCIDE.	4 How does a holocaust happen? RST questions (one class period)	5 Reading Act I & diary text	6 Reading:  Act I Vocabulary	7 Reading: Act I
10 Review Activity	11 **Advisory Act I Assessment	12 Reading: Act II	13 Reading: Act II	14 RST Workshop: Is the American Dream possible? (Final draft of essay due Thursday, 12/20)
17 Fakebook	18 **Fakebook due Act II Assessment	19 Introduce project Film	20 **RST final draft due Film	21 **single session School-wide spelling bee

"The Monkey's Paw"

This is the best version that I can find... can you review it? Not too shabby!

"Monkey's Paw" text

"The Monkey's Paw" text

Happy Thanksgiving!

"My Life As a Turkey"

FREEDOM WRITE IS DUE TOMORROW!

Study Guide

Of Mice and Men: Unit Study Guide

Monday, November 12 (all multiple choice)

Part 1:  Matching

Be able to identify the role each of the following characters plays in the novel:

• v Lennie
• v George
• v Curley
• v Curley’s Wife
• v Slim
• v Candy
• v Crooks
• v Carlson

Part 2:  Novel Multiple Choice

Definitions and application of the following terms:

• Ø Cyclical
• Ø Marginalize
• Ø Parallel characters
• Ø Foreshadowing
• Ø Personification
• Ø metaphor
• Ø reverent
• Ø morose
• Ø imperious
• Ø bemused
• Ø Vicious
• Ø Bewildered
• Ø Pugnacious
• Ø Reverent

Comparisons between the following characters:

• Ø Lennie and Candy’s Dog
• Ø Curley’s Wife and Candy’s Dog
• Ø Candy, Crooks, Curley’s Wife, and Lennie

Part 3:  Nonfiction Multiple Choice

Definitions:

• v Opinion
• v Fact
• v Median
• v Various types of hooks

Review the nonfiction sources we studied related to:

• v Gender
• v Race
• v Disability
• v Recession vs. Depression
• v The Dust Bowl
• v Sources from the Research Simulated Task essay packet

Assignment Updates

1. Freedom Write: due Friday (or earlier) 
2. Of Mice and Men Unit Test: Monday (required Reading test for all students; 30 multiple choice)
3. LA Quarterly: canceled, but there will be an alternate assignment completed by students to reinforce persuasive writing (which was to be the quarterly topic)

Storm Chaos!

I hope that this posting finds you safe, warm, and in (somewhat of) a routine.  Please be aware that I do not have internet access restored at home yet.  I am only able to respond to emails from my classroom.  As with any transition, please know that your emails are a concern, but smoothly transitioning back into academic mode is my priority.  I will get back to as soon as possible.

In class today, I will outline the remaining assignments for the marking period.  At this time, the adjusted end of marking period date has not been decided by the district.  In the coming days, students will continue to receive updated information about assignments.  I will be updating the blog as more decisions become finalized.  In light of the times, flexibility is the key to success. 

Thank you for your flexibility and patience.

NJASK Rubric

	3 70-79	4 80-84	5 85-92	6 93-100
Content and Organization ·         Hook ·         Effective conclusion ·         Content is focused ·         Details are provided for persuasive, textual, or narrative evidence ·        paragraphing	o    missing hook o    missing conclusion o    lacks transitions o    off-topic, too much unnecessary information o    paragraphs are disorganized or mushed together o    missing topic sentences for paragraphs o    details lack specificity and clarity o    not backed up o    you are left wondering “What? Who? How? How do you know?”	o    has hook o    opening and closing present o    single focus o    transitions evident o    paragraphs are easy to follow o    paragraphs may lack an intro or concluding sentence o    uneven development of background info and specific details—you are left wondering “What? Who? How? How do you know?”	o    strong opening and closing o    interesting hook o    unified paragraphs o    topic and concluding sentences for each paragraph o    logical progression o    transitions evident o    compositional risks (figurative language, high level punctuation) o    answers all the questions a reader may have	o    high-level hook o    distinct focus o    well-developed paragraphs with topic and concluding sentences o    compositional risks effective o    details effective, vivid, important to topic o    goes above and beyond what the reader may question by providing deep insight
Usage ·         Tense ·         Pronouns ·         Word choice	o    Patterns of errors evident o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are simple and repeated	o    Errors that do not interfere o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are varied and interesting	o    Few errors o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are specific, high-level, and vivid	o    Very few, if any errors o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are specific, high-level, and vivid
Sentence Construction ·         Variety of sentence types ·         Correct usage of subject and predicate ·        Sentences start with variety	o    Sentences start off the same way many times o    Repetitiveness o    Numerous errors o    Sentence fragments/incomplete sentences	o    Some repeated sentence types o    A few incomplete sentences	o    Variety of sentence types o    Few errors in sentence structure o    Easy to read	o    Very few, if any errors, o    Complex o    Compound-complex o    Compound o    Simple sentences used o    Exciting to read o    Easy to read
Mechanics ·         Spelling ·         Capitalization ·         Punctuating dialogue ·        Punctuation	o    Patterns of errors o    Same words used incorrectly repeatedly	o    No pattern evident o    Errors do not interfere	o    Few errors	o    Few, if any, errors