Tues. June 17, 2014: Test Prep/Cheat Sheet

Today, students worked on cheat sheets (they must be submitted by the end of school tomorrow - no exceptions) and test prep. The test is on Friday at 1:00 in the regular classroom (208).

Mon. June 16, 2014: Reading test prep

Today, you were given the reading "The Betrayal" to read actively and then answer questions for. I also discussed what a point form cheat sheet is and reminded you that it is due on Wednesday (or earlier).

Fri. June 13, 2014: Test Prep Comprehension

Today, I gave you a reading that you were already exposed to one (Life and Death in Shaghai). You were to read it actively and answer the questions. The advantage this time is that you get access to the dictionaries to aid you in both the readings and the questions (which I handed in after the readings were complete).
I then gave you an explanation/exercise sheet on apostrophe usage.

Thurs. June 12, 2014: Test Prep Draft and possible single source questions

Today, you were given seven possible single source questions for your final exam. I will be using two of them on the final (with some alteration to simplify the language).
I then gave you a copy of the October, 2013 "Draft" reading and questions in order to help you identify the areas that you need to work on. I stressed timing yourself in this activity so you get a realistic understanding of how much time you will need to be successful on the final.

Wed. June 11, 2014: Poetry Analysis

Today, you analyzed the poem "Sisters."  Those who answered the questions as homework (as instructed) were placed in groups to arrive at consensus. We then reviewed the answers on the board.

Tues. June 10: Test Prep: Poetry Rading

Today, we reviewed the answers from the poem, "1956: Ambition of the Eldest Son." I then gave you the poem "Sisters" by P.K. Page to read actively. You were then given questions to answer in long form. These are to be completed for tomorrow's class.

Mon. June 9, 2014: Poetry Analysis 1956

Today, I gave you two sheets: "How to Analyze Poetry," and "How to Read Actively in a Test Situation." Using the poem you were to have read on Friday, we practiced the steps on how to read a poem. I then gave you seven questions on the poem that you were to read using your process of elimination skills. These were due at the end of class.

Fre. June 6, 2014: Multi Genre Essay

Today, I went over how to write a well formed multiple source essay. You will need to do one of these on the final (the question has been provided to you). I then gave you the poem "Ambition of the Eldest Son" to read for Monday's class.

Thurs. June 5, 2014: Run ons and Fragments

Today, we discussed and identified sentence run ons and fragments. I explained how to correct them and then gave you some exercises to do. The purpose is to avoid these in your final essays and to answer the question about them correctly in the "draft" reading you will study as part of the final. If you were not here, see me for help.

Wed. June 4, 2014: Test Prep Handout and Text Discussion

Today, I handed out a test prep sheet explaining what your exam will look like as well as the expectations. I also gave you the question options for writing assignment One.
We then looked on Blogspot to review what we have read and categorize the readings as major and minor (minor sources can only be used for the multi-source essay; major sources can only be used for the single source essay).

Tues. June 2, 2014: Short Story Reviews

Today, I had the students break up into groups of three and discuss/summarize each of the three Sinclair Ross stories they were to have read for today. In addition, I did a check to see if they read the stories actively (as per instructions). When finished, each student should be able to explain each story.

Mon. June 2, 2014: INS Writing Activity

Today, your independent novel study was due. As a final activity, you were given a writing assignment (book review) to complete in which you could reference your journal to help you. This was a one hour activity. If you were not here, the journal is due on the first day back at school. You will also have to come in at lunch that day to do the assignment. 

Tomorrow, you will have to have the Sinclair Ross short stories actively read when you arrive in class.