"The Sniper"

Good Morning!

NOTE:  Library is open today for book checkout.  By next Monday you will have a book each day in class.

1. News article summary -- I will collect that.  I would first like some of you to share what you read in The Wall Street Journal.  This is an extra credit opportunity. 

2.  Terms to Review -- You completed this yesterday.  We will review the definitions, and I will collect.

3.  "The Sniper"  -- Today you will read this story with a partner and respond to the text as you go along.  We will then discuss the story as a class tomorrow.  Your reading and responding should promote that discussion.

Homework:  1. Wall Street Journal article  2.Select an independent reading book

Narrative Unit

Good Morning!

I hope that you had a great three-day weekend!

1.  ASSIGNMENTS: Last week I collected four assignments from you last week:  1.  annotated poem  

                        2. student interview  

                       3. letter of introduction 

                       4. summary of news article

2.NOTE:  Library is open tomorrow for book check out.  By next Monday you will have a book each day in class.

3. NARRATIVE UNIT: Today we will begin the narrative unit of study by defining terms relevant to narrative text.  Narrative simply means an account or story of related events. We will be reading selected short stories that demonstrate elements of narrative text. With a partner, define the terms on the handout provided. 

Homework:  Summarize a news article from The Wall Street Journal.  You are receiving a copy of the paper to take home. Select an article of substance!

Article of the Week

Good Morning!

I hope this week has gone smoothly for you and that you are glad to be back to the business of learning!

1.  Letter of Introduction -- If you did not turn in your letter yesterday, I will collect it today.

2.  Article of the Week:  I would like to incorporate an article of the week into our routine.  I thought that a good way to end the week before we commence our curriculum next week would be an article. We will use the Wall Street Journal to locate an article of interest.  Try to select an article that addresses a significant issue or an issue of substance!

3.  NOTE:  It looks like the library will be open next Wednesday, Sept 7th.  I will remind you of that next week so we can begin independent reading in class. 

Syllabus

Good Morning!

I hope this week is going smoothly for you and that you are glad to be back to the business of learning!

1.  Finish student introductions

2.  Syllabus

3.  Letter of Introduction:  Write a letter addressed to me telling me what you would like me to know about you as a student in my class.  I know this might seem to be a repetition of the interview, but I am hoping that you will explore in more depth what you would like me to know about you as a student. Write one page.  You might include the following:

                        *Your strengths or weaknesses
                        * Likes or dislikes
                        * Interests
                        * Family information
                        * Your goals
                        * Your learning style
                        * What you feel passionate about 
                        * Anything else that you would like to share

Student Introduction

Good Morning!

I hope this week is going smoothly for you and that you are glad to be back to the business of learning!

1.  Student Interview -- please finish this up and you will then introduce each other to the class!  I need to start learning names, so this will be a beginning!

2.  Letter of Introduction:  Write a letter addressed to me telling me what you would like me to know about you as a student in my class.  I know this might seem to be a repetition of the interview, but I am hoping that you will explore in more depth what you would like me to know about you as a student. Write one page.  You might include the following:

                        *Your strengths or weaknesses
                        * Likes or dislikes
                        * Interests
                        * Family information
                        * Your goals
                        * Your learning style
                        * What you feel passionate about 
                        * Anything else that you would like to share

Textbook Checkout

Good Morning!

I hope the first day of school went smoothly for you and that you are glad to be back to the business of learning!

1.  Library to check out textbooks -- be sure to have your schedule and ID with you.

2.  You may drop your books at your locker except your literature book and return promptly to class.  Write your name in your literature book for this class.  The book will be safely stored in a cabinet in the class, so it is available in the future.

3.  "The Sun Goes Down on Summer"  -- you have completed your response to this poem, and I am ready to collect it.  Be sure to have your name, period, and date in the upper right corner.

 

4. Activity for today: You will interview a fellow student in this class (handout) 

Welcome Back!

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

I hope that you had an awesome summer vacation and are ready to get back to the wonderful business of learning!

1.  INTRODUCTION:  Ms. Baltrushes or Ms. B

2.  ATTENDANCE:  I do have a seating chart ready which is arranged alphabetically.

3.  GETTING ACQUAINTED ACTIVITY--  Think of one word that describes something that you did over the summer and arrange yourselves alphabetically around the classroom with the first letter of this word. You will be telling the class about your word.  

4.  Poem: "The Sun Goes Down on Summer"
                 1. First, quietly read the poem.
                 2. Identify the parts that you found especially meaningful, true, or
                      appropriately expressive or descriptive.
                 3. Identify and explain the imagery used.  (2 examples)
                 4. What line clearly suggests apprehension about the start of school?
                 5. What are the speaker's worries?
                 6. Explain the poem's theme which becomes clear in the second half of the
                      poem.
                 7. What are your thoughs on the poem's theme?  Do you connect to
                      this theme?

5.  NOTE:  Tomorrow library for textbook checkout.  Please have your schedule with you for textbook checkout. You may drop your texts off at your lockers after you checked them out but please return to class promptly.