Hello Sophomores,
Week #9 signals that we are 1/4 of our way through this school year! Crazy!
I am continuing to upgrade all assignments and Zangle scores. Please be patient. Any concerns you have can be discussed during Office Hours/Tutoring this week. Please take advantage of the help and resources you have. If you are struggling with any of our expository reads, assignments, or concepts - please come get the assistance you need to feel successful in the class.
*Periods 3,4 - Ms. Kurtz has some amazing resources and handouts to assist your further. These are for EVERYONE! (If you are in Period 1, come by during advisory and Ms.K can get these to you as well)
Here is our schedule for the week. Some readings/assignments may be subject to change. If you are absent please make sure to get the article(s) you need, plus any additional notes, handouts, or graphic organizers. Please see the Table of Contents listed in class and keep your NB updated.
Do the nightly assignments and continue reading your own book. Your first Book Meeting is this Friday. You must show up with notes (post its work too!) and discussion questions. Please do not let you group down!
Monday - QW - Compare SD to any other place you know well. Follow the sentence template in class to make sure you are using academic language/buzz words.
Work Check - Comparison - Article "Dead Sea v. Great Salt Lake"
Article Check - Did you bring your own article to share this week? You will need it this week!
Notes - Problem and Solution - related article and assignment - "Slow Down and Think About Fast Food" - read the article for problem/solution, description, sequence. Write your own summary.
Tuesday - Work Check - Problem/Solution writing and related work
Notes - Cause and Effect - related article and assignment.
*** HAPPY HALLOWEEN! *** Bring candy! Dress up! Extra credit to those who help make it a fun day! We will work hard and play hard!
Wednesday - Notes - Evidence - facts, anecdotes, quotes, statistics, description, example. We will also review the Appeals - ethos, pathos, logos. Halloween related article.
Thursday - Notes - Charting/Chunking Texts
* For Weds/Thursday we will have a variety of articles. You will work in small groups and will read the articles for a multitude of different info - everything from structure to text features, chating text to evidence and appeals. Listed below are some of the articles we will read. Be ready for anything!
Friday - Book Group Meeting #1.
* You will also share your article from Monday. It will be annotated for all the different expository features we will have discussed. Refer to your notes and all previous articles for the week.
This is an important week - I will be spot grading. This means that some work will be counted and some won't - you just won't know what is being counted - so you will want to complete everything.
Expect some sort of quiz to follow to see how much you are learning and processing.
Have a great week. I will be around after school for Office Hours on Tues/Weds - however I will be around on Monday as well. Be proactive. See previous posts for extra credit opportunities - some of these expire prior to our Thanksgiving Break.
Samakosky
Here are some the articles we will explore!
* Halloween related article - Weds
"Creating The Bond" - The relationship between cheetahs and dogs
"Green Day Blast Through Raucous 40-Song Set in New York"
"The Pleasures of Eating"
"What is a Life Worth?"
"Devices Go Nose to Nose with Bomb-Sniffer Dogs"
"Voukefalas Turns to Bordellos for Bailout" (this is a hilarious article!)
"The Mystery of the Purring Elephant"
"A Quick Island Getaway from Auckland"
"Wildlife - Snow Leopards"
"Experts Say Great White Killed Surfer Off Central California Coast"
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Week #8 - It's Great!
Hello Awesome Sophomores!
Thanks for checking in to the site! We are beginning our Expository Unit this week. This week you will be showing me what you remember from last year and this will indicate where we will specifically spend our time and focus during our unit this year.
We will cover text structures, features, the appeals, evidence, diction, syntax, and sources. A variety of articles, topics, and your own research will support the guiding questions and goals we are implementing for the unit. Please be present and attentive. Take cohesive notes and participate.
Monday - Multiple Choice/Short Answer/Matching Diagnostic.
* Seating Change tomorrow!
* Do your best to show what you know and remember from last year. This will affect what we cover and how you may be grouped for certain assignments.
* The test will feature - text features, structure, grouping/chunking, types of evidence, and appeals
Tuesday - On Demand Writing Diagnostic
* Timed Writing assignment
Wednesday - Library Day - Books and Groups
* Please meet IN THE LIBRARY at the start of class. If you are late - you will be marked tardy.
* With time permitting - "The Lady or the Tiger" class discussion/work check
Thursday - Notes and Key terms for Expository Unit
* Take notes in our Writers NB - keep track of your pages and notes in your Table of Contents.
* Read our first article for specific purpose
Friday - TBD - but we will include time for Author's Chair. AC is an extra credit chance for YOU to share in class writing, parts of your short story, and/orpoems. It is a time to celebrate our writing community. I would like to see this thrive over the next grading period.
Your short stories and on demand writings are being assessed. Please be patient. If you are seeking immediate feedback - please schedule time during office hours and you can get your results.
Please return all books you have checked out from the classroom library NOW. We will be starting Book Groups this Wednesday - you will develop a reading schedule and I will provide discussion questions for weekly small group Socratic Discussions. First meeting will be Friday 11/2. More information to follow.
Please see last weeks post for current Extra Credit opportunities. Come and speak with me if you are interested. There are also other writing opportunities - Office Hours is the time to chat. The time for this is Tues/Weds from 2:15 - 3:30. You can also revise your short story (or write another) upon receiving your score. Again, Office Hours is the appropriate time to advocate for yourself.
College Fair at the Scottish Rite Center this Wednesday from 5-8. Find me there - say hello. Get some extra points!
Four weeks until Thanksgiving Break!
Work hard. Play hard.
Samakosky
Thanks for checking in to the site! We are beginning our Expository Unit this week. This week you will be showing me what you remember from last year and this will indicate where we will specifically spend our time and focus during our unit this year.
We will cover text structures, features, the appeals, evidence, diction, syntax, and sources. A variety of articles, topics, and your own research will support the guiding questions and goals we are implementing for the unit. Please be present and attentive. Take cohesive notes and participate.
Monday - Multiple Choice/Short Answer/Matching Diagnostic.
* Seating Change tomorrow!
* Do your best to show what you know and remember from last year. This will affect what we cover and how you may be grouped for certain assignments.
* The test will feature - text features, structure, grouping/chunking, types of evidence, and appeals
Tuesday - On Demand Writing Diagnostic
* Timed Writing assignment
Wednesday - Library Day - Books and Groups
* Please meet IN THE LIBRARY at the start of class. If you are late - you will be marked tardy.
* With time permitting - "The Lady or the Tiger" class discussion/work check
Thursday - Notes and Key terms for Expository Unit
* Take notes in our Writers NB - keep track of your pages and notes in your Table of Contents.
* Read our first article for specific purpose
Friday - TBD - but we will include time for Author's Chair. AC is an extra credit chance for YOU to share in class writing, parts of your short story, and/orpoems. It is a time to celebrate our writing community. I would like to see this thrive over the next grading period.
Your short stories and on demand writings are being assessed. Please be patient. If you are seeking immediate feedback - please schedule time during office hours and you can get your results.
Please return all books you have checked out from the classroom library NOW. We will be starting Book Groups this Wednesday - you will develop a reading schedule and I will provide discussion questions for weekly small group Socratic Discussions. First meeting will be Friday 11/2. More information to follow.
Please see last weeks post for current Extra Credit opportunities. Come and speak with me if you are interested. There are also other writing opportunities - Office Hours is the time to chat. The time for this is Tues/Weds from 2:15 - 3:30. You can also revise your short story (or write another) upon receiving your score. Again, Office Hours is the appropriate time to advocate for yourself.
College Fair at the Scottish Rite Center this Wednesday from 5-8. Find me there - say hello. Get some extra points!
Four weeks until Thanksgiving Break!
Work hard. Play hard.
Samakosky
Monday, October 15, 2012
Week #7 - Doing It Well
Hello Sophomores!
Thank you for being so studious while I have been away. I am eager to see your best and most well given efforts. Please read below for a tentative schedule for class this week. It is a bit different. There is NO advisory this week. Please continue to check in for any updates and changes. Have a good week and stay focused. Grades come out this Friday. You are in control - come and speak with me during Office Hours if you are concerned or are wanting to improve.
Tuesday - Short Stories due w/highlights and annotations. You must attach the rubric.
* Gallery Walk - Silent and Independent Activity. You have the write to see others writing. Get a solid perspective of your classmates writing - explore and read, comment, be specific. Everyone wants to know that their words have an impact on their reader. Use post its - have fun. Be inspired.
* Discussion - "The Lady or the Tiger"?
* PSAT Informational Power Point
Wednesday - PSAT. Alternative Schedule. I will let you know where you will be taking the test. This will be during period 1-4. You will go on to periods 6 and 7.
Thursday - Short Story Unit Assessment. 13 questions - show what you have learned. Review the literary devices - you will receive tow short selections to read with questions to check for understanding and comprehension. If you paid attention to the stories, conversations, and activities during this unit - you will do just fine.
Friday - Short Story Post Diagnostic - In class timed writing. Bring your A game to respond to your choice of exciting prompts. Let's see your creativity and use of style and devices!
Tutoring and Office Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday after school. This is a great time to get one on one assistance. Make up work or work ahead - you can use the computers! You can print!
We will be moving on to our Expository Unit next week. Continue to improve and to bring your best work daily. You earn what you deserve.
Extra Credit - Have you read (or recently seen the film) "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"? If you have - come and talk with me. You can do some short answer question responses. I am eager to see what you thought of the book and/or film.
Be well.
Samakosky
Thank you for being so studious while I have been away. I am eager to see your best and most well given efforts. Please read below for a tentative schedule for class this week. It is a bit different. There is NO advisory this week. Please continue to check in for any updates and changes. Have a good week and stay focused. Grades come out this Friday. You are in control - come and speak with me during Office Hours if you are concerned or are wanting to improve.
Tuesday - Short Stories due w/highlights and annotations. You must attach the rubric.
* Gallery Walk - Silent and Independent Activity. You have the write to see others writing. Get a solid perspective of your classmates writing - explore and read, comment, be specific. Everyone wants to know that their words have an impact on their reader. Use post its - have fun. Be inspired.
* Discussion - "The Lady or the Tiger"?
* PSAT Informational Power Point
Wednesday - PSAT. Alternative Schedule. I will let you know where you will be taking the test. This will be during period 1-4. You will go on to periods 6 and 7.
Thursday - Short Story Unit Assessment. 13 questions - show what you have learned. Review the literary devices - you will receive tow short selections to read with questions to check for understanding and comprehension. If you paid attention to the stories, conversations, and activities during this unit - you will do just fine.
Friday - Short Story Post Diagnostic - In class timed writing. Bring your A game to respond to your choice of exciting prompts. Let's see your creativity and use of style and devices!
Tutoring and Office Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday after school. This is a great time to get one on one assistance. Make up work or work ahead - you can use the computers! You can print!
We will be moving on to our Expository Unit next week. Continue to improve and to bring your best work daily. You earn what you deserve.
Extra Credit - Have you read (or recently seen the film) "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"? If you have - come and talk with me. You can do some short answer question responses. I am eager to see what you thought of the book and/or film.
Be well.
Samakosky
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Week #6 - Update
Hello Sophomores!
Thanks for checking in. I appreciate you working independently and diligently while I am not in the classroom. Please work hard, use your time well, and help your classmates and friends. Proofread, edit, revise...but most importantly play! Play around and see what you can do. Use the rubric to make sure you including everything that I am checking. Write On!
I am also including a short story called 'The Lady or the Tiger". There are two versions - you will get the one that is appropriate for you as a reader. If you are in first period - I canceled the two other readings we discussed today - I did not want to overwhelm you. So - concentrate on your writing and understanding of "The Lady and the Tiger". We cool?
Thursday - Time to edit, write, revise. Bring copies of your story to get feedback from multiple classmates. Use your time well.
Reading - "The Lady and the Tiger" - Answer this short answer questions (5-7 sentences) in your notebook. Use evidence from the story to support your answer.
Question - Infer who comes out the door? The lady or the tiger? Work Check Tues.
Friday - Continue editing, writing, and rewriting. Bring copies! Use your time well. Get feedback. Use the graphic organizer - partner up. If your partner is having a tough time finding examples of symbolism, culture, time, character motivation (cause and effect) - then you need to make revisions accordingly.
Monday - Last day for writing, revision, and edits. I would have a few different people read your story and check the rubric that you are including everything. You want to highlight and mark your paper indicating everything you want me to notice about your story. Make it easy for me to grade!
Your story is due on Tuesday. No late work is accepted. We will have a gallery walk to celebrate our writing. Make sure your rubric is stapled to the back of your story for easy grading.
Wednesday - PSAT day!!!
Check the blog soon for more updates. Make sure that your work is your best and that it indicates how you have grown as a writer over the last few weeks.
Six week grades will be in by weeks end. Advocate for yourself. Work hard. Bring your best work everyday!
Play on players!
Samakosky
Thanks for checking in. I appreciate you working independently and diligently while I am not in the classroom. Please work hard, use your time well, and help your classmates and friends. Proofread, edit, revise...but most importantly play! Play around and see what you can do. Use the rubric to make sure you including everything that I am checking. Write On!
I am also including a short story called 'The Lady or the Tiger". There are two versions - you will get the one that is appropriate for you as a reader. If you are in first period - I canceled the two other readings we discussed today - I did not want to overwhelm you. So - concentrate on your writing and understanding of "The Lady and the Tiger". We cool?
Thursday - Time to edit, write, revise. Bring copies of your story to get feedback from multiple classmates. Use your time well.
Reading - "The Lady and the Tiger" - Answer this short answer questions (5-7 sentences) in your notebook. Use evidence from the story to support your answer.
Question - Infer who comes out the door? The lady or the tiger? Work Check Tues.
Friday - Continue editing, writing, and rewriting. Bring copies! Use your time well. Get feedback. Use the graphic organizer - partner up. If your partner is having a tough time finding examples of symbolism, culture, time, character motivation (cause and effect) - then you need to make revisions accordingly.
Monday - Last day for writing, revision, and edits. I would have a few different people read your story and check the rubric that you are including everything. You want to highlight and mark your paper indicating everything you want me to notice about your story. Make it easy for me to grade!
Your story is due on Tuesday. No late work is accepted. We will have a gallery walk to celebrate our writing. Make sure your rubric is stapled to the back of your story for easy grading.
Wednesday - PSAT day!!!
Check the blog soon for more updates. Make sure that your work is your best and that it indicates how you have grown as a writer over the last few weeks.
Six week grades will be in by weeks end. Advocate for yourself. Work hard. Bring your best work everyday!
Play on players!
Samakosky
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Week #6 - Friends, Stories, and Grades
Hello Sophomores!
Thanks very much for checking in! We are culminating our short story unit this week. As you read our last few selections - you should be thinking about ideas for your short story. Take note of plot development, characterization, themes, symbolism, time, culture, and setting.
You will want to revisit the blog on Wednesday - as this update only has assignments listed until Wednesday. Please take note of due dates and work accordingly.
Essential Questions for the week include:
1. Why do authors manipulate time; what clues can it give a reader?
2. How does an author’s culture influence his/her style of writing: setting, characterization, language, conflict, etc.
3. How do authors use symbolism to develop the theme of a story?
We will include some writing mini-lessons this week to assist you with improving aspects of your own short story. Make sure to play and experiment with your words and sentences!
1. How to format dialogue
2. Symbolism
3. Show, not Tell! (including characters)
4. Setting - importance of time and place; how to be descriptive
Monday - You will need your class reader as previously mentioned. Read "Two Friends" by author Guy de Maupassant. This is a great story that questions and encourages you to think about friendship and loyalty during difficult times.
* QW - What is it about another person that makes you want to be his/her friend?
* Answer all questions in your reader on lined paper in you NB (along with the QW) as you move through the story
* Complete Graphic Organizer #1
* HW - GO #1, Work on your short story (Draft #2 due Weds) - USE YOUR RUBRIC!
Tuesday - Continue working with "Two Friends" - you will need your reader
* Complete Graphic Organizer #2
* Rethink the ending (group assignment)
* HW - GO #2, TF work check Weds, Work on your short story (Draft #2 due Weds)
Wednesday - Related nonfiction article: Christmas in the Trenches, 1914" and "The Friend"
* Read other works with connecting themes
* Short Story - draft #2 due. Partner Feedback opportunity.
*Come prepared with questions for your story, ideas you may have, are you incorporating what is being asked of you and are you using these devices properly. This is your time to get assistance!
Thurs/Fri - In class short story writing and opportuntiy for partner feedback. Incorporate previous feedback and suggestions. Use ideas from the mini-lessons. Final draft is due on Tuesday 10/16. No late work accepted.
Grades close this Friday. Do you need to make up any work? Did you want to redo the literary devices test? Tuesday/Wednesday Office Hours/Tutoring is the time to do so. Get one on one help with your story! Type and print in class! Take advantage of the resources that are available to you.
Good luck this week. Work hard.
Samakosky
Thanks very much for checking in! We are culminating our short story unit this week. As you read our last few selections - you should be thinking about ideas for your short story. Take note of plot development, characterization, themes, symbolism, time, culture, and setting.
You will want to revisit the blog on Wednesday - as this update only has assignments listed until Wednesday. Please take note of due dates and work accordingly.
Essential Questions for the week include:
1. Why do authors manipulate time; what clues can it give a reader?
2. How does an author’s culture influence his/her style of writing: setting, characterization, language, conflict, etc.
3. How do authors use symbolism to develop the theme of a story?
We will include some writing mini-lessons this week to assist you with improving aspects of your own short story. Make sure to play and experiment with your words and sentences!
1. How to format dialogue
2. Symbolism
3. Show, not Tell! (including characters)
4. Setting - importance of time and place; how to be descriptive
Monday - You will need your class reader as previously mentioned. Read "Two Friends" by author Guy de Maupassant. This is a great story that questions and encourages you to think about friendship and loyalty during difficult times.
* QW - What is it about another person that makes you want to be his/her friend?
* Answer all questions in your reader on lined paper in you NB (along with the QW) as you move through the story
* Complete Graphic Organizer #1
* HW - GO #1, Work on your short story (Draft #2 due Weds) - USE YOUR RUBRIC!
Tuesday - Continue working with "Two Friends" - you will need your reader
* Complete Graphic Organizer #2
* Rethink the ending (group assignment)
* HW - GO #2, TF work check Weds, Work on your short story (Draft #2 due Weds)
Wednesday - Related nonfiction article: Christmas in the Trenches, 1914" and "The Friend"
* Read other works with connecting themes
* Short Story - draft #2 due. Partner Feedback opportunity.
*Come prepared with questions for your story, ideas you may have, are you incorporating what is being asked of you and are you using these devices properly. This is your time to get assistance!
Thurs/Fri - In class short story writing and opportuntiy for partner feedback. Incorporate previous feedback and suggestions. Use ideas from the mini-lessons. Final draft is due on Tuesday 10/16. No late work accepted.
Grades close this Friday. Do you need to make up any work? Did you want to redo the literary devices test? Tuesday/Wednesday Office Hours/Tutoring is the time to do so. Get one on one help with your story! Type and print in class! Take advantage of the resources that are available to you.
Good luck this week. Work hard.
Samakosky
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