Week #9 - Argument Quiz

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Argument Quiz

Week #9 - The Art of the Argument

Hello Sophomores!

I hope you are keeping up with this March Madness!  We are on the cusp of Spring Break.  We will cover a lot this week and will look at mentor text to see how other writers present their arguments.  Please be ready to participate, imitate, and recreate - indicating that you are understanding what is expected when presenting your own written and verbal arguments.

When we return from Spring Break - you will be writing your own arguments, researching, and presenting evidence with structure.  We will also bring research and debate into the classroom.  It is going to get competitive and fun - so get your logic on!

Monday
* Identifying Thesis/Claim in an Argument (see handout from Friday) - What is being discussed?  Explored?  Ideas?  Themes?
* Mentor Text TBD
* Homework - write a thesis/claim that would work for both your Ad Argument from Friday (refer to the Padres Friar mascot example) and a would be introduction paragraph for your Pro/Con stance for the prompt regarding a year off between high school and college.

Tuesday
* Writing Response Groups - Discuss "Toddlers and Tiaras"/Beauty Pagents Arguments
* Elements of Writing an Argument - see student examples
* HW - Begin reviewing vocabulary/terms for QUIZ on Thursday.

Wednesday
* Identifying Reasons and Evidence in Argument
* HW - Quiz Review
Thursday
* Argument Conclusions - length, purpose, bias, no-call to action
* Quiz - Vocabulary/Terms related to Argument Unit - ie: argument, claim (direct/indirect), reasons for argument, refute, rebutal, counter claim, deliniate, evaluate, valid, sufficent, author claims, legitimate, ethos, pathos, logos

Friday
* Class Guests - The Yes Team!  Making a difference and contribution through writing, music, and philanthropy.  Do not miss this!  It will be a great day and an awesome Spring Break send off!

Office Hours/Tutoring - Tuesday after school
Poetry Club - Wednesdays
Goodreads - Continue to read independently.  Your review must be posted by Wed. 4/18
Extra Credit Opportunity - Come and speak with me on your own time - not during class
School resumes on Monday 4/9 - check the blog on Sunday 4/8.

Please note that all the work we do this week will help you improve and will allow you to be successful when writing your own arguments and competitively debating in class.  Those who present the most logical arguments and evidence will be rewarded well.  Please note that the class with the highest class percentage for the 12 weeks will also receive a nice incentive.

Be in command of your life and the choices you make!

Samakosky

Week #8 - Update to the Great!

Hello Sophomore!

The last three days have been great!  I really like the dedication and effort that many of you are displaying with our Argument Unit.  There is a lot of tricky and critical thinking taking place!  There have been many of you seeking additional assistance and advocating for yourself.  This is what good students do.  Please keep it up.

Remember that the class with the highest class grade average is going to get rewarded in some way - I am not sure yet - but we can discuss it later on.  Pull your weight. Do your part.

Thursday (Tomorrow)
* In class writing - Argument
* Toddlers and Tiaras - Is it acceptable to allow young girls to participate in beauty pageants?
* We will evaluate these on Monday in our WRG.  You are getting credit for Argument structure, appropriate use and placement of claim, and your overall effort.  Be ready to present a fair argument that seeks to explore and understand.

Friday
* TBD
* There is a good chance I might be asbsent - I will let you know.
 

Next blog update will be on Sunday.  Please see what we will be up to next week.  You will feel a lot more confident this way.  I will post the Power Point.

For right now - here is the link to Toddlers and Tiaras:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/toddlers-and-tiaras-teens_n_1291289.html?ref=teen&ir=Teen

Next Friday we will have some guest visitors and it will be a fun and rocking time - just a heads up.

Goodreads - You will have time to read next week.  However, please make time to read at home.  You can submit your goodreads review at anytime. Please follow the checklist and be honest.  The deadline is Wednesday 4/18.

Keep on keeping on!

Samakosky

Week #8 - Welcome to Argument and Debate

Hello Sophomore,

Thanks very much for checking in.  Now is the time to make the right decisions and commit to your work and your involvement in our class.  Work hard and speak up!

Monday
* Independent Reading - Bring your book
* Finish "The Great Debaters" - Complete worksheet
* Argument v. Persuasion - Example Essay and Related Questions
* HW - Complete Handouts

Tuesday
* Argument v. Persuasion - HW handout discussion
* Toddlers and Tiaras - Video Clip w/Related Handout - Thesis Statement

Wednesday - In class writing diagnostic.  Let's see what you know.  Use your insight from Monday and Tuesday to write an Argument for a given prompt.  

Thursday/Friday
* To Be Determined.

Please continue to work hard. 
Being involved daily, completing your work well and authentically are keys to success in our class.  Take advantage of office hours and tutoring (Both Monday and Tuesday this week after school).
Our last day of school before Spring Break is Friday 3/31.  Please earn your break!
Extra Credit -
1) Poetry Club on Wednesdays  2) Provide tissues to help ensure a germ free classroom

Work hard. Play hard.

Samakosky

Week #7 - Time to Kick Cahsee!

Hello Awesome and Smart Person of the Sophomoric Persuasion,

I hope this finds you in the right frame of mind - ready to wrestle with this test and tackle the remaining few months of your Sophomore year of high school.  You will never have this year again - so make the most out of it and our time together.  Everything is illuminated....everything disappears.

Grades.  I have to turn them in on Tuesday.  You get your progress report on Friday.  I am still working on this as I currently inform you.  As always, your concerns are my concerns (at the appropriate time of course).  If you have a specific question, please come and speak with me.  I appreciate your patience.  The truth is that many of us know exactly how we are performing in most of our classes.

Good luck for the Cahsee this week.  Please be present both days.  Use all the skills and strategy we discussed at length.  You are smarter than this test.  Please give it your all.  Have your ID's with you both days.  Eat well.  Sleep well.  Have your independent reading with you.  You can have time to read if you finish early...if not...you will be bored.

Monday
* Last day of Cahsee review.  Discuss and review essay prompts, thesis statements, proofs, and evidence.  Be ready to destroy any essay/subject that comes your way! We will also review answers to the online practice Cahsee.
* HW - Revisit/Review the Cahsee website. See the last blog update for the link.

Tuesday/Wednesday
*  Cahsee Testing. Please go to your designated room assignment.  It is time to kick Cahsee!

Thursday/Friday
* Film/Discussion - Thinking ahead toward our Argument/Debate Unit which begins on Monday next week.

* HOMEWORK - Read indpendently.  Use this week to really get ahead in your book
* Hunger Games anyone?  If you are reading this awesome book - let me know.  I encourage any of you who have not read it to do so immediately..and then go see the movie on 3/23.  We all know the book will be better. 
* Poetry Club is on Wednesday
* Have your book with you on Monday 3/19
* There are THREE weeks until Spring Break.  There are 12 weeks remaining in the semester.
* Office Hours are on Tuesday.  Please come by with any concerns.  I have until Wednesday morning to officially change any grades...just saying.

Peace on you,

Samakosky

Week #6 - Wednesday Update

Hello Sophomore,

We are in the midst of our "CAHSEE Bootcamp."  We have covered all types of approaches, strategies, and skills needed to perform well on next weeks tests.  I know you will do excellent.

Please visit the website.  Revisit your notes.  Do ALL the practice tests until you are getting 100% on each section.  Familiarity with the questions, their phrasing and wording will ensure that you are more comfortable and ready when taking the real thing.

Unless you are taking the CAHSEE in my classroom (Period 1 only) you will NEED to bring your ID on both testing days.

English CAHSEE - Tues. 3/13
Math CAHSEE - Weds. 3/14

CAHSEE Website:

https://sites.google.com/a/puhsd.k12.ca.us/cahsee-practice-for-english-language-arts/home

Wednesday
* Notes on Reading Comprehension - See PowerPoint
* Practice Test - Literary Response (2 Tests)

Thursday
* Notes on Writing Analysis - See PowerPoint
* Practice Test - Reading Comprehension/Writing Analysis/Practice Cahsee

HW each night is to continue practicing with Online Cahsee tests, sample questions, and essay prompt

Friday
* Notes on Thesis Statements
* Practice Thesis Statements for potential essay prompts, brainstorm

Reminders:
Poetry Club on Wednesday
Indep. Reading Book Selection - due Friday (you must have your book)
6-week grades close on Friday 3/9.  Progress reports come out on 3/16.
Office Hours/Tutoring is every Tuesday after school (or upon request if need be)
Spring Break - Mon 4/2.  We return to school on 4/9.

Continue to work hard.  We will be transitioning into our Argument/Debate Unit after completing the CAHSEE.

Samakosky

Week #6 - Marching On!

Hello Super Sophomore!

Here is the schedule for the upcoming week.  Grades close this Friday.
Please work hard, be respectful, and demonstrate a genuine work ethic.  You know what is expected, so please make wise choices and decisions.

We will take a brief hiatus with our film "Slamnation".  Most of you are enjoying the exposure to this rebellious art form and the creativity and culture that goes along with it.  Truth or competition?  Please continue to keep an open mind.  We will revisit the film, as well as our own spoken word efforts.  It is never to early to begin brainstorming ideas and even potential groups.

Our current focus is preparing for the Cahsee - Tues 3/13 and Wed. 3/14.

This is the website we will be working with all week.  I will be including a direct link.

https://sites.google.com/a/puhsd.k12.ca.us/cahsee-practice-for-english-language-arts/home

Monday
* Notes - Language Conventions
* Practice Test - Writing Strategies (notes taken on Fri. 3/2)
* Lit Analysis - Author's Share

Tuesday
*Notes - Lit. Response
*Practice Test - Language Conventions (notes taken on Mon. 3/5)

Please check back on Tuesday for further updates.
You will need to indicate your next reading selection on Friday 3/9.  This will count as a book check.
Extra Credit - Come to poetry club! Bring in tissues!

Grades are still being inputted this week.  I am working with a lot of literary analysis.  ; )
If you are concerned, please come and speak with me on your own time or at Office Hours/Tutoring on Tues. 3/6. Make up work MUST be done this week.  Some of you never completed some assignments.  Again, please come and speak with me if you are concerned.

Feel free to explore the Cahsee website on your own. The more you make yourself aware of the style and types of questions you will be challenged, with, the better prepared you will be.

Be good.  Work hard. 

Samakosky