Week #6 - CAHSEE Prep

Hello Sophomores!

I hope this note finds you feeling positive and confident.

We are about to close out the first grading period and you will receive progress reports the week of 3/11. These are tentative grades and you can work hard to improve your status if you choose to do so.  Talk with your teachers and advocate for yourself.  Work hard and be authentic.

Please know that your semester grade in our English class will be a culmination of your 6-week grade, your 12-week grade, along with the remaining weeks.  This means that if you receive a C at 6-weeks and an A at 12-weeks, then you will be heading into the closing weeks with a B.  Please come and see me on your own time if this needs further explaining.

This week we will concentrate on strategies and tactics to tackle the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam).  All 10th graders will be taking this test next week, March 12th and 13th.  We will make sure that you feel ready and able to demonstrate your knowledge and know how. Please ask questions and participate.  Participation points are always happening!

Those of you who still need to turn in your typed speech (MLA), Work Cited page, and /or rubric must do so tomorrow - Monday 3/4.  I will not accept it afterwards.
4th period - We will begin each day this week with TWO speeches.  Please be ready to present. 

Monday
Due:  FF/WRG piece w/rough draft (annotated) and one page reflection/analysis on the piece, changes made, and author (your) choices. 10 Minute gallery walk.
* CAHSEE Powepoint (take notes) and in class activities.
* Terms to review - editorial, encyclopedia, diagram, index, appendix, documentary

Tuesday
* CAHSEE activities - WS strand concentration.  This is the section that PL students struggle with the most. 

Weds/Thurs
* CAHSEE activities - Essay Strategy and Writing.

Friday
* CAHSEE activities

We will make sure to mix in some reading and writing time this week.

Be sure to have your independent reading with you every single day.  There will be a random book check sometime this week. You should be reading your selection daily and making narrative connections that you will demonstrate and.or illustrate with your book related project - either a typed critique or the Mind Map activity.  This will be due the week of 3/25. Alternative project ideas must be cleared with me.

The next FF/WRG will be Friday 3/15.  You have two weeks to put together your next piece.  You may write whatever you like - but feel free to use any and all prompts given to you in class.

Tutoring/Office Hours are Tuesday after school.  Advocate for yourself.

Be good.

Samakosky