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