Week #12 - Welcome Back!

Hello Sophomore!

Here we are - three more weeks together in 2011!  Pretty amazing!  Let's work hard to make sure we are continuing to build our critical reading and writing skills.  Next we will be exploring our Drama Unit.

Independent Reading Projects are due on Monday 12/5.  Gallery Walk and small group discussion will follow.  Please be ready to discuss your book without telling everything.  This is a time for you to reflect and to recommend (or not recommend) selections to classmates.

We will also be back in our WRG's next week.  You will have to bring a piece of your own writing to discuss and to get feedback on.  This is FREE CHOICE.  You may bring poems, songs, memoirs, stories, Do Nows.  The idea is that you are trying to make an existing piece of your writing much better based on stylistic devices and reader connection. 

What will be your NEXT reading selection?  You will need to let me know before Winter Break.  Expect an on-line sign-up.

This is what you can expect this week:

Monday - Do Now - Highlights of T-Giving Break/Your end-of-the-year thoughts...

You will get your copy of "12 Angry Men" - as well as an activity packet.  We will begin to explore ideas and themes we will learn while we read this famous play.

Tuesday -  Activities/Discussion concerning our play.

Wednesday - "12 Angry Men" - Act One - Related Questions due on Friday

Thursday - Independent Reading.  Take the time to read and finish your independent reading related to your project due on Monday.  Use this time well.  If you are done - you may work on any TAM ("12 Angry Men") assignments.

Friday - HW due - TAM Act One Questions

Activities/Discussion for TAM Act One - We will begin Act Two.

All TAM readings will have related video clips to allow all of us to have access to this play.  We will use a variety of different strategies to make sure all of us are involved with the play.  If you are asked to read - the expectation is that you really commit to your part in the play.

Here are the Essential Questions we will be acknowledging each and every day during our Drama Unit:

How does conflict lead to change?

What happens when basic human rights are denied to a group of people?

How will I stand up for what I value/believe?

How do I handle others' points of view?

How do I determine when taking social action is appropriate?

Do the ends ever justify the means?

How does one stand up for what is “right” even in the face of opposition?

Why did Reginald Rose feel compelled to expose the potential for injustice among the jury?

Why did the author choose not to name the jurors? 

What role does judgment play in the outcome of the story? 

Why do some people need to be forced to recognize their own vices to treat others fairly?

How can the reader determine if justice has been served?

This is a seriously fun, but quick unit.  If you miss class - you will miss out on key readings and discussions.

12 Week Grades will close on Tuesday 12/6.  This is ONLY a progress report.

I am still imputing grades from previous assignments - so please be patient.  Come and speak with me on YOUR time if you are worried and we can take care of any concerns that you may have.

Office Hours are on Tuesdays after school.

Here is to a good week.

Work hard!

Samakosky

This Week We Have Off

Hello Sophomore!

Nice job for checking in.  On an index card - on the Monday we get back - write down "Turkey Pot Pie".  Present it to me quietly at the door.  I will award you some extra points for being smart enough to check the site over the break.  ; )
Keep it on the down low.

I hope you are really taking a break and enjoying your family and friends.

Please make sure to read your independent book choice and give yourself enough time to allow your project to be authentic and something worthwhile.  We will be having a Gallery Walk with our finished products on 12/5.

We will begin our Drama unit when we return.  We will be reading the play "Twelve Angry Men".  There will be hard-copies for you to read and annotate- but I will also be providing an online link available through the blog.  You will receive a packet with essential vocabulary, questions, and activities.  You will be interacting with this material the entire duration of the unit - you must have it everyday with you in class.

I am still continuing to mark papers and update grades.  Be patient.  Come and speak with me on your own time if your are concerned.  Tutoring/Office Hours resume on Tuesday 11/29 after school.

Poetry Club continues on Wednesdays at Lunch.  Show up and get some extra points in our class!

Work Hard. Play Hard.  See you on Monday 11/28.

Samakosky

Week #11 - The Info You Want.

Hello Sophomore!

You are one smart cookie for checking in on our blog.  I am thankful to have such awesome people that I get to hang with on a daily basis.  Please know I only want the best for you and that is why the bar is set so high in our class.  Take stock of what you are grateful for - let those that impact your life know how you feel. Rock on!

So - yes.  You will be able to use your notes, templates, and annotations for tomorrow's test.  However, you need to greet me at the door and somehow indicate the password without having other students hear it.  This means that you might want to write it on a small piece of paper or on your hand.  If you are caught telling someone else - you will loose this privilege.  You are cool enough to be on this website right now - so earn your keep yo!  Let others worry about themselves. This is all very complicated...I know.

Password:  NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER
When I ask you what color - you must respond with WHITE
*For those of you who have seen Ace Ventura Pet Detective - you will know what I am talking about.  ; )

The article for tomorrow's test may appear simple at first glance.  Please do not understimate the amount of information.  Carefully read the entire piece - the author's claim/purpose/thesis may not be evident immediately.  Just a heads up.

Friday is our Thanksgiving celebration.  We will watch an episode of the amazing show "Freaks and Geeks".  Check out the amazing characterization and writing.  Many of you will notice some of the actors who are now super famous - they were way young and unknown back then.

Some classes have chosen to do a potluck on Friday.  Please decide if this is something you and your class will be part of.  What a nice opportunity to come together and be thankful for the awesomeness of our writing community.  We are pretty cool.  I am expecting a few of you to step up and share for our AUTHOR'S CHAIR.  Be heard.  It can be your own original work or you can read from a book, share a poem, even some song lyrics...maybe even play that song?  That's nice.

See you tommorow.

Samakosky

Week #11 - Turn It Up To Eleven!

Hello Smart Sophomore!

Here we are - week #11...one week until Thanksgiving Break...and we have so much to be grateful for.  It has been an awesome first few months of the school year - you guys are writing, reading, thinking, discussing, and analyzing at an intensely high level - it is so cool to see you improving every day.

What are you thankful for?  This will be our Do Now question of the week.  Each day we will explore a different aspect of our lives in which we are appreciative of.  Start your list now.  : )

Let's finish our Expository Unit with a bang...not a whimper.  Four days of hard work and a Thankful Friday celebration is our goal.  Stay focused and work hard.  Our culminating unit test will be on Thursday.  Please come to tutoring/office hours on Tuesday if you believe you will need assistance.

Expository tutoring/revision/assistance workshop on Monday after school.  Come see examples and a "cheat sheet" of magic lines that will surely help any aspiring expository writer!  Your optional Expository writing is due by Friday.

Make sure you are reading your independent selection and working on your related project - it is due on Monday 12/5.  You will be sharing in small groups.  Your efforts will be rewarded accordingly. If you habve questions - please come and speak with me.

Monday - Continue w/Startling Finds on the Teenage Brain.  We will view the video footage of Nathaniel Brazill.  We will also read a new article called Many Kids Called Unfit for Adult Trial:  Those Under 15 Often Blind to the Long-Term Results of Their Choices.  We will discuss and annotate this text - we will use this for our Philosophical Discussion on Tuesday.

Tuesday - Philosophical Chairs - Discuss evidence and specific appeals of ethos, pathos, logos regarding articles Startling Finds... and  Many Kids... We will also practice our analysis responses.  Expect HW regarding analysis for either of the already mentioned articles.

Wednesday -  Cyber-Bullying Article - Test Prep for Thursday

Thursday - Assessment.  Read, annotate, analyze an article you have not yet seen.  Your work will indicate your growth as a reader, thinker, and writer during our Expository Unit.

Friday - A Day of Thanks.  We will have a long-over due Author's Chair.  We will also watch an episode of "Freaks and Geeks" - be witness to amazing writing and character development.  We are going to eat cereal and celebrate our writing community as we all head to Thanksgiving Break.  Extra credit for those who choose to share for our Author's Chair.

Work hard and get the help you need to do your best in our class.  All grades will be posted and current by Friday.  Thank you for your patience as it takes a while to assess you as you deserve.  Memoirs and quiz scores by weeks end.

Next up - 12 Angry Men.  We will explore this selection together.  Expect most of our reading to be done in class.  New genre - however we continue to build on our skills and knowledge.

Many Thanks,

Samakosky

Week #10 - Mid-Week Update

Hey Sophomores!

Thanks to all of you that came and got extra assistance today.  It is very easy for me to distinguish who is taking the class seriously and those who are just looking to get by - so please expect your grades to mirror that exactly.

I too have been reflective and note a bit more explanation of certain assignments might be helpful.  I appreciate the feedback and will continue to improve what I can to better assist you.  Please do the same.

Good luck for your Quiz tomorrow.  Here is the vocabulary you will need to know. As well as one specific question.  Please note that you may use your notes (especially those who came to see me today) - but you must say the magic password to me as you enter class tomorrow.  If you enter without telling me - your note use may be in jeopardy.  The magic password is TORNADO.  Am I being serious?  Well - better to be safe than sorry.

See all said info below.  Good luck tomorrow.  You will also receive a new article for you to read and annotate.  There is no built in template - so you will have to really put your skills to use.

Peace on You.

Samakosky

Terms

Ethos                Pathos              Logos                Appeals           Evidence               Anecdotes/Narrative      Examples          Descriptions              Facts                              Statistics                    Quotes from Authorities

One specific Q: What are the 3 reasons according to D and L – why people do not help in crisis situations?

Week #10 - Four Days For Lots of Work.

Hello my brilliant sophomore!

Thanks for doing your part and checking in.  This is a quick update - please check in again tomorrow as I will update with additional information.

For Monday 11/7

Please have your independent reading book.  You must still sign up online if you have not done so.  You should be reading daily and contemplating your project.


We will continue with our expository unit.  We will read an article titled "Why Don't People Help in a Crisis" - we will annotate it for purpose, style, evidence, and appeals.  This is an interesting piece that will provide additional support and strategy so that you are able to navigate the text with confidence and insight.


Expect a quiz on Wednesday.  You must know the various evidence we discussed and the appeals - ethos, pathos, logos.  You will most likely do some analysis as well that I will assess as a quiz grade.  Show me you know what you know.


Hey Alex Stein!  Hey Micah Christina! I got you some rad stuff from the Tony Hawk Foundation event I went to this weekend.  You will be stoked.


Memoirs - you want 'em?  Come ask me on your time.  Which reminds me....tutoring/office hours are this Tuesday - anything you need - come and speak with me.  Concerns, assistance, grade talk, memoir feedback...take advantage folks.


There is no school this Friday (Veterans Day) - don't be average - be excellent!


Samakosky