Make-Up Work and Extra Credit

Students!

I'm sure you're all worried about getting your grades up. So, here are a few things you can do.

1. See me for a list of missing assingments and then make them up!
2. See me for a list of failed tests or quizzes and then retake them!
3. Read a book on your own and complete a scrapbook. See me for the assignment sheet.
4. Come in for tutoring and get extra credit points. But, you must schedule a time beforehand.
5. Do some creative writing that includes your vocabulary words. This must be at least one page and be typed. Poems or song lyrics are acceptable.
6. Complete extra Commonplace Book entries.

See me if you have any questions or need clarification on any of this.

Homework Updates

Hello Students!

Period 2:
Get caught up with your grammar work! It's just going to get harder if you're behind! We will have make up tests this week.

As well, you should read the introduction to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Period 5:
Finish A Seperate Peace for your essay assignment which will be due Monday, April 7th.

Read Farewell to Manzanar and complete the scrapbook assignment due Monday, April 14th.

For tomorrow bring in a list of significant places, events, activities, things, and smells from the book A Seperate Peace. We will use this list in class tomorrow.

VACATION WORK!

Congratulations on making it to Spring Break!  After we come back it will be a fast drive to the end of the year!  But, if you're behind so far or getting a grade you're not satisfied with, then don't dismay!  You have plenty of time to get back on track and turn things around!  I believe in you so you should too!

Ok, now to recap what you have to complete over vacation.

Period 2.  You're working on Grammar Chapter 2: all exercises but only odd questions.  If you have any questions, and I'm sure you will, please feel free to contact me.  If I can't help you via e-mail or over a blog comment we can either arrange to speak on the phone or meet for coffee so I can give you some extra help.  I don't have a lot to do over vacation so I'm more than happy to help you with any questions you might have.  

You also should continue working on your Commonplace Book and read for at least 30 minutes every day!  Fill out those reading logs.  Remember, most of you read for thirty minutes without realizing it; it could be picking up a magazine, looking up something online, or curling up with your favorite book.  It should be fun and it should interest you, so don't think of it as a chore!

Period 5:  You're working on essay rewrites for The Old Man and the Sea.  Some of you never wrote this essay to begin with so your assignment is to complete your first draft.  I know a lot of you struggled with how to discuss the symbolism.  Don't fret.  Use your critical thinking skills and be sure to explain your reasons completely.  Don't assume the reader knows what you mean; explain everything, and then explain it again!  And use citations.  I expect to see quotations and page numbers listed.  And, if you're citing the Study Guide from the back of the book, then cite that page number and mention that the information came from the study guide.

You should also be reading, working on your Commonplace Book, and studying your grammar and vocabulary.  You will see that grammar test again, so be ready for it!

If I can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.  What I said for period 2 goes for you as well.  

Take care everyone and enjoy the week off.  Read for pleasure and enjoyment and spend just a few minutes each day on your assignments so they don't stress you out too much.  We will discuss any questions you have as a class when we reconvene on the 24th.

Best,

Mr. Moody

Updates

Hello Students.

My apologies for being out sick today.  I had absolutely no intention of coming down with whatever bug that has hit me, but such is the unfortunate case.  I have been struck with a severe lack of energy and extreme weakness; some congestion as well.  I was feeling a little under the weather yesterday but I thought the blast of vitamins and herbs would have me well by morning; such was not the case.

I hear that your sub was useless.  I apologize for that as well.  You should have been instructed to work on a vocabulary lesson out of the blue books and study your grammar in groups for a retest tomorrow and Wednesday.  We have CAHSEE testing so tomorrow and Wednesday are block schedule.  They will use my room for testing so my morning classes (1-4) will be meeting at another location.  Check my door or ask a teacher for the room assignments.

The grammar tests from Friday were... abominable to say the least so I will give you a simpler test in class this week.  Expect to have vocabulary tests as well on any and all words we've covered so far.  These tests will always be cumulative so continue to study everything you've learned.  Word of the Day words will be included.

Period 5:  Your Old Man and the Sea essays were... well... not so hot.  So, we will have a writing workshop and a revision will be due next week.  I have graded them harshly, as I always do, but scaled them for the grade book.  So, the grade you see will be lower than the one you've received.  I'm doing this for your benefit.  The rewrite will not be scaled.  And, if you're one of the dozen or so students who hasn't written this essay... get started!  Your lack of work ethic is unacceptable!

Period 2:  Your "The Most Dangerous Game" essays were in the same boat as period 5's.  We will also have a writing workshop and a revision will be due next week.  I applied the same grading method as above so refer to that when considering your score.  Also, please be prepared to pass in your compare/contrast essay when you see me on Wednesday.

Questions?  Comments?  Send me an e-mail or post a comment here.  

Oh, and you should be reading, reading, reading!  

Grammar Review Quiz; A Few Reminders

Hello Class!

Just a reminder, we will have a grammar review quiz tomorrow.   It will cover everything we've studied so far.  Remember that grammar builds just like math so if you're confused about a concept please see me soon for tutoring.  

Commonplace Books (16 entries) and Reading Logs are due again.  

Period 5: You have a take home A Separate Peace test due tomorrow.

Period 2: You have a 2 page compare/contrast essay due on the stories "Thank You M'am" and "The White Umbrella".  You should focus on the main characters and discuss how their situations/actions/consequences are similar or dissimilar.  Papers should, as always, be typed.

Both Classes:  There will be a vocabulary test on Monday.  It will cover Words of the Day as well as some of the words you have already been tested on.  Be sure to study everything we've covered so far.  

You should be prepared for weekly grammar tests (Friday) and vocabulary tests (Monday). 

Any questions?  Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.