Week 10/10-10/14

The students and I had some really awesome discussions last week regarding this presidential election as I was walking around and helping them with the essays. There are a lot of strong opinions, some general confusion, and all around curiosity about the future. It is great to see them thinking about the politics and investigating what they have heard, fact checking, and learning to look at the other side. One thing that I try to instill in the students is that we live in America where we are free to have our own opinions; however, that does not mean we should be ignorant to the other side or even attack the other side. Evidence, logic, and reason can go a long way, but personal beliefs are just that-personal. I will always challenge what they say to get them thinking about both sides of the argument diplomatically, without ever attacking their personal views. 

What I have really enjoyed about the process of this essay is that they are usually complaining about the actual task of writing--structure, analysis, etc.; however, this time, they are struggling to put the "truth" in their essay and feel confident about what they are writing without going against their moral compass. It has been great to watch them struggle because this means they are truly thinking critically about the issues. This will definitely allow them to make an informed decision when they participate in the nationwide Student Presidential Mock Election in their history classes on Tuesday. Here is a link to examples of "A" essays. 

This week, we will be shifting our focus towards a short story again. I always try to give them a week off from essay writing (it is really for my own sanity). We will begin the week with a study on mood and tone to help them understand Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart." While I am usually a sucker for romance and shy away from horror, everybody loves Poe! 

Monday
Non-Student Day
Tuesday
Student Presidential Mock Election (History Classes)
Mood and Tone Interactive Notebook Activity
Wednesday
"The Tell-Tale Heart" Background/Vocabulary
AR Log Check (Log-5 entries/Signature)
  *Students need to be reading an AR book that has a reading level >3.5 for 30 minutes 5 nights per week. Students need to earn 35 points at every quarter checkpoint (10/21, 12/9, 3/10 and 6/2). GOOD NEWS: Students only need 5-entries to take an AR quiz!
Thursday
"The Tell-Tale Heart" Vocabulary Due Friday
Friday
"The Tell-Tale Heart" PDF
"The Tell-Tale Heart" Handout 1

Week 10/3-10/7

We finally finished our first short story "Charles" last week. The students were troopers and made it through their depth and complexity handouts, an argumentative short-essay test, and a group narrative from a different character's perspective. Their "handwriting" was done after that; however, then they got their next argumentative essay (at least, they are back on the computers).

This week we will continue to work on the new argumentative essay regarding the 2016 Presidential Election. This is not a guided essay; rather, this essay will demonstrate their implementation of what was taught. I am always here for support. If you feel your child is struggling, please have them email me or use Remind to communicate with me. I am always available for help (well, until like 9:00 p.m. when I make myself go to bed). I am actually looking forward to grading these essays. Hopefully, they will help me decide!

I also want to thank you for all of the "Remind" messages this week and weekend and to thank you for voting. I am trying to get part of my Donors Choose Bring on the Books: We Love to Read! project for books funded and I love free money from these large companies. Sonic is willing to donate up to $600 for the projects that have the most votes--I am competitive, so I am hoping that I win. Fingers crossed! Click here to continue voting! You can vote every day and if you share it on social media or email the link to someone, we get extra votes. For this week's voting, I think they decide the top votes tonight at 10:00 p.m.

Monday
Presidential Election Argumentative Essay Evidence Sheet and Outline Due at 11:59 p.m. to GC
Tuesday
KROC Center College and Career Fair Field Trip (No English Work-Woo Hoo!)
Wednesday
Presidential Election Argumentative Essay
AR Log Check (Log-5 entries/Signature)
  *Students need to be reading an AR book that has a reading level >3.5 for 30 minutes 5 nights per week. Students need to earn 35 points at every quarter checkpoint (10/21, 12/9, 3/10 and 6/2). GOOD NEWS: Students only need 5-entries to take an AR quiz!
Thursday
Presidential Election Argumentative Essay 
Friday
Presidential Election Argumentative Essay Due at 8:00 pm. to GC
Peer Editing Feedback Sheet
*This is also the day that I will be accompanying the Honor Society club to Cal Berkeley!