THAT was an interesting week...

Not that you guys are complaining though, right? :) Yeah, so last week was basically a wash regarding class schedule, etc. due to the rash of snow days and built-in off days. Hope you guys still enjoyed it all! I'm sure you did...

So...here are the latest updates regarding this next full (probably?) week:

**Check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right especially due to all of the days off as of late.

**Eng. 9a students: be prepared for TKMB Test #2 first thing Monday in class. Also be prepared to turn in your TKMB book and chapter packet! We'll continue of work with punctuation and spelling that day too...NO QUIZ. Finally, we'll be starting our reading/analysis of Romeo and Juliet on Tuesday of next week, so you plan to purchase your own copy of the text, I need $1 from you either on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Oh, and we start our first official essay assignment on Monday as well. I know! A lot comin' at ya!

**Englih 9b students: your halfway-point-of-book "assignment" is still due this Monday. Be prepared to prove that you have half your book read, half of your plot summaries completed, and 3 of 6 characters taken care of in writing. We'll continue our work with spelling and capitalization on Monday as well...NO QUIZ.

**English 10a students: we will edit your Hamlet essay rough drafts in class on Monday like we would have done this past Thursday. THE FINAL DRAFT IS NOT DUE ON MONDAY BUT INSTEAD WEDNESDAY NOW. Please have a completed rough draft in hand on Monday so that we can go through the editing process in class! Also, we'll continue our work with capitalization on Monday...NO QUIZ. Finally, we'll be starting our next text, Tuesdays with Morrie, on Tuesday (haha...fitting, right? Considering the title?)...fyi.

Ok, I think that's it for now, all! Enjoy the weekend...and be prepared to get back to reality (and hard work) on Monday!

It's the Weekend!

Hey, everyone. I hope your weekend starts off nicely today. It's gonna be cold...brrrr!

Take a look at the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepared for the upcoming parent/teacher conference-shortened week!

Reminders:

**English 9a...finish the reading and writing of TKMB materials for Monday!

**English 9b...keep truckin' with the reading and writing of your "choice novel" materials, and also check your school email accounts sometime on Sunday for feedback on your recent essays.

**English 10a...be ready to perform (with props) your Hamlet scenes on Monday, and please also be thinking about a fitting "argumentative" topic you might choose for an upcoming Hamlet essay assignment starting on Monday.

That's it for now, all! Take care and be safe. Let me know if/how I can help!

Weekend Update

Hi, everyone. Enjoying the balmy, mild start to the weekend?! Hope it's a good one for you either way....

When you get a chance, check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for our second full week of classes since Break.

Here goes with some reminders for the weekend:

**English 9a--read up TO Ch. 27 of TKMB and complete all pertaining chapter notes for Monday (two separate sheets in our packets). Also, remember that we have our first test on Monday regarding the Tom Robinson situation. Be prepared!

**English 9b--all of your A. Farm essay items are DUE MONDAY. Remember that final drafts should be 2.5 pages (at least), double spaced, typed, 12 point/normal font, 1 inch margins, and with a cover page. Let me know if/how i can help BEFORE the due date if needed! Also, remember that we start our "Choice Novel Project" on Monday, so feel free to choose a fitting novel over the weekend (at least 225 pgs., fiction, etc.) and bring it to class for the genesis of said project. If you do not bring a novel to class on Monday, be ready to choose one in the school library that day in class!

**English 10a--relax and enjoy the weekend with no homework in this class, but feel free to work ahead on Spelling Unit #2 if so desired! Also, be ready for the Hamlet print vs. video assessment on Monday...the one we didn't get to today.

Take care, everyone! Let me know if/how I can help!

Back to School Time!!

Excited, everyone?! :) Seriously though, I really hope all of you have been having a great, refreshing Break. I look forward to seeing you all again in person in a few days.

If you haven't already done so, check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for our first full week of the new year.

As you'll see, we'll all be doing at first a bit of review of some of the concepts/objectives/texts that we were covering before break. You'll also see that we've got another set of official grades coming in the near future in each respective class regarding various items. Be ready!

Finally, if you haven't done so, check out the post just below this one and the announcement about recent grades that have been entered into powerschool last week.

Let me know if you need anything in this next day or so, guys! Take care...see you soon.

Happy Holidays!!

Hi, everyone. Hope all is well with you and yours these days? Whatever you're celebrating, I hope it's a great, quality time!

Perhaps class stuff is the furthest thing on your mind right now, but humor me and a.) check out the reminders below...and b.) check back in with this blog late next week sometime in order to be prepared for the first full week of class thereafter. Make sense?

Reminders...

**English 9a--there is no official homework over the Break...but feel free to read ahead in TKMB if you wish! You've got all of the chapter notes/grids in your possession, so feel free. Also, you can check out your most recent Latin/Greek Roots Quiz score (standard L.04) on powerschool when you get a chance.

**English 9b--there is no official homework over the Break...but be prepared after Break to officially (and more formally) wrap up our reading/analysis of Animal Farm. And feel free to check out powerschool in the near future with your updated grade including the book/research test you recently took in class. Fyi...the aforementioned test covered English 9 reading and writing standards R.01, R.03, R.09, R.10, W.02, and W.09. Also, you can check out your most recent Latin/Greek Roots Quiz score (L.04) on powerschool when you get a chance.

**English 10a--there is no official homework over the Break...but feel free to read ahead in Hamlet! You've got all of the study questions in your possession...fyi. We'll be wrapping up our reading/analysis of the play shortly after Break. Also, feel free to check powerschool in the near future to review your recent Hamlet Soliloquy test results. The test covered English 10 reading and writing standards R.03, R.06, R.10, and W.10 (for the translation portion...top 5 numbers on your pieces of paper)...and R.02, W.10 (for the bottom "theme/evidence" portion). Also, you can check out your most recent Spelling/Commonly Confused Words Quiz score (L.02) on powerschool when you get a chance.

That's it for now, guys! Enjoy your time with loved ones...

Holiday Break is almost here!

Hey, everyone. It's rainy, gray Saturday, but I hope you're still having a good weekend overall?

Please check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for our last full week of classes before Break. You'll see that for everyone, the end of the week is back-loaded with important stuff--tests and quizzes galore.

Reminders at this point:

**English 9a--read up TO Ch. 15 of TKMB and complete the accompanying chapter notes BY MONDAY.

**English 9b--read up TO page 112 of A. Farm and note that Ch. 8/9 questions are DUE NEXT WED.

**English 10a--read up TO Act 4: Scene 2 of Hamlet and complete accompanying study questions BY MONDAY.

That's it for now, all. Take care and let me know if you need anything!

Weekend News

Hi, everyone. Hope the weekend is going well so far? Here comes the Winter weather!

Check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for our full week of classes next week.

Here goes with a few weekend reminders...

**All classes, be prepared for a KEY TERMS TEST first thing in class on Monday. Any of the 53 terms and real world examples are fair game!

**English 9a--read up TO Ch. 8 of TKMB and complete your corresponding written notes by Monday.

**English 9b--continue with your Russian Revolution research (officially DUE NEXT WED.) and read/complete Ch. 3/4/5 written notes for our novel by Monday.

**English 10a--read/complete the written notes (don't forget about THEMES!) for Hamlet up TO Act 3: Scene 1...Act 2 only has two scenes...sorry for the confusion!

That's it for now, all. Take care, and always, i'm at your service!

First Weekend Update

Hey, all! Hope the first weekend of the second trimester is treating you well?!

When you can, check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for this coming week-- our first full week of the second trimester.

In each class, we'll be (on Monday) officially starting our new respective texts which we briefly introduced in each class today (Friday). Again, feel free to preview the text at home this weekend at your leisure...that's why you have them over this weekend!

Also, remember that all of your Key Literary Term work is officially DUE ON MONDAY. It's our first "due date". Be prepared...and re-check the "class rules" to the right in order to prepare for RESPONSIBILITY rules!

Take care, guys...and please let me know if you need anything at all this weekend.

Welcome, everyone!

Greetings, everyone. I'm really looking forward to working with all of you and, of course, getting to know you more as students AND as people.

If at ANY TIME, you have questions, concerns, comments, etc., PLEASE feel free to contact me via the email address listed below. Of course, you could always simply talk to me face to face in class as well...:)

Let's get off to a GREAT start this week!

LAST WEEKEND OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER!!

Hey, all. Big weekend coming up here...for a variety of reasons.

Check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for our final week (and your first shot at final exams as a high-schooler) of the first trimester.

Important items for the weekend:

**You and your research partner(s) should be finalizing Research Project responsibilities. Remember, you'll be turning in all of your research note cards, your outlines, and your final draft (with cover page and works cited page attached). Be prepared, work TOGETHER, and ask questions if needed! Remember, we will NOT be doing research "presentations" as previously discussed.

**Those of you who did not perform your RJ scene in class today (Friday), be prepared to be on stage this Monday...with props, written scripts/summaries, etc. Lookin' forward!

**In order to best prepare for our upcoming final exam, look thoroughly back over any TKMB-related items that you have in your possession...as well RJ-associated material.

I think that's it for now, guys! As always, i'm here if you need me....

Weekend Update

Hi, guys. First, enjoy the weekend! BUT...also know that we've got an important last full week of the first trimester coming up here.

Check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for this last full week. You'll notice, among other things, an official DUE DATE for the Romeo and Juliet performances on there.

Reminders for the weekend:

**You should have your note card research COMPLETED by the time you come to class on Monday. This means that you'll have at least 5 "small" cards covering the required sources and 20 "big" cards in your possession all covering the key "topics" regarding your respective roles as either historians or biographers. No excuses...ask for help if you need it...from your partner(s) or from me!

**You should have the reading and the notes completed for Romeo and Juliet up TO Act 5: Scene 1 by Monday. We are just about finished with the play and will so officially on Wednesday/Thursday of this coming week! I know you're sad...:)

Take care, all...and once again: Let me know if you need anything at all!

PS. If you checked out a book or a film from me today (Friday) be sure to turn that back into the cart first thing on Monday morning BEFORE school starts.

Happy Weekend!

Hey, guys. Hope you're enjoying the weekend thus far.

When you get a chance, check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for next week in class. It's crazy to think, but we've only got 2.5 weeks left in the trimester. Our last main tasks will be to finish Romeo and Juliet and work on our first and only research project of the trimester starting this Monday.

Reminders/Updates:

**Please bring at least 15 bigger, blank note cards and 3 smaller, blank note cards to class on Monday in order to begin our note-taking process for the research project we'll be starting.

**Read/note-take up TO Act 3: Scene 4 by Monday.

Take care, everyone, and let me know if you need anything at all!

Long Weekend Update

Hi, everyone. Enjoying the long weekend?! I bet....

A few things:

**Check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right when you can. You'll see that our next "long term", major date to keep in mind is the end of the 1st trimester in less than a month! Man, time flies...

**Over the weekend, you should do your BEST reading/deciphering/taking written notes on Romeo and Juliet...up to Act 2: Scene 3 by Monday. And remember, it's not ALL going to make sense...but you CAN make sense of a lot of it! Shakespeare is work...give it an honest shot...and keep giving it an honest shot. I'm here to help!

Enjoy, everyone...let me know if you need anything at all.

Go Tigs!

Weekend Update

Hi, everyone. Hope your weekend is treatin' ya right thus far.

When you can, check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important links" dates to the right. You'll notice/be reminded of a short week next week. Congrats! :) We will solely focus on Romeo and Juliet next week, so be prepared with book in hand and minds open....right? right?!

Have a great weekend, all...Go Tigers...Go State!

WHAT?!!

A weekend with no homework?! No way! Yes way....enjoy, all :)

At the very least though, check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for next week. You'll see that we have another round of SPELLING (from the handout that you already have) and the final stages of TKMB. As you should know, we have our second TKMB Test on Monday...similar to the one we had before.

Note: the $1 that's due by Friday is for your purchase of our next text: Romeo and Juliet. Purchased copies are lightweight, easy to use...and you can write in them! In other words, it is YOUR property once you provide the dollar. Feel free to pay up at any point by Friday.

Take care, everyone, and have a safe weekend!

Weekend News

Greetings, all. Hope your weekend gets off to a great start here on this Friday afternoon. A few things to start your weekend off:

**Check out the newly updated "important dates" and "weekly schedule" links to the right in order to prepare for next week for our class. We'll be officially finishing TKMB by the end of the week! Excited?! On the horizon: Shakespeare/Romeo and Juliet. Yes! :)

**Read up to Ch. 29 of TKMB at the very last by Monday. As for the writing, at the very least complete the Ch.25/26 lumped-together section in the chapter packet. You can finish the next section up to Ch. 29 Monday night if you want...for Tuesday.

**Please remember to bring another handful of blank note cards on Monday for our third (of four) week of Latin/Greek roots starting on Monday.

**All personal narrative essay items (brainstorm, outline, edited rough draft, final draft) are officially due on Monday. Plan ahead of time for this important due date! No excuses. I'm, of course, here to help if you have any question or concerns...or if you simply need me to print something off before Monday. At your service!

Final Draft requirements are as follows: 2.5 pages, double-spaced, typed, 12 point font, cover page (not included in the 2.5 page total)...start your text at the top of the first non-cover page.

Lookin' forward to reading those essays, guys! Take care...have a great weekend.

Sunny Weekend Update...

...as opposed to LAST weekend...a rainy one! First, everyone, enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts....and hope Homecoming was a good one for ya!

As always, check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for next week. You'll see that we've got another round of commonly misspelled and commonly confused words coming up again...quiz Friday. We've also got our first essay assignment starting on Monday as well....excited?! :)

Reminder for the weekend:

**You should read (and take notes) at least up until Ch. 22 of TKMB for Monday. We're in the midst of some pretty enthralling stuff in these chapters! Enjoy...and be ready to discuss.

On a random note, many of you struggled a bit on the Roots quiz today (Friday). That quiz score has already been entered into Powerschool in place of the old score. That said, don't worry too much at this point (unless it becomes a trend!) because today's score may or may not "stick" depending on how you do with that standard with two more tries remaining in the trimester. But we DO have to get better for the most part!

Enjoy life this weekend, guys....let me know if you need anything at all.

Rainy Weekend Update

Hey, guys...sorry about the weather for your weekend thus far! Rain rain, go away...

Please check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for this coming week...already our last week of September!

Reminders for the weekend:

**You are to read/take chapter notes up to Chapter 15 of TKMB by Monday.

**We have a TEST over our key literary terms (and four separate English standards) first thing on Monday. Prepare, prepare!!

**Please remember to bring a handful of blank note cards on Monday in order to begin in class the flash card process for our second Roots lesson of the school year.

That's all for now, everyone. Happy Fall! Let me know if you need anything at all.

Weekend Update #2

Greetings, everyone. I hope your weekend gets off to the right start with some beautiful weather on our way it seems.

Check out the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for this next week of school.

Now for some reminders for the weekend:

**Read and complete the chapter summaries up TO (not THROUGH) Ch. 8 of TKMB at the very least for Monday. We'll perhaps be having a "pop quiz" of sorts regarding key points of the first 7 chapters of the story...hint hint.

**Continue familiarizing yourselves with the 53 Key Terms we've been keeping track of and reviewing a bit here and there. We'll now OFFICIALLY have a test of those on Monday, Sept. 24.

**Be prepared for our first "spelling/grammar" lesson of the trimester starting on Monday. And we're back to some more "reading comprehension" that we started the first week of school as well. Excited?!! :)

That's it for now, guys! Take care, and have a fun, safe, productive weekend. Let me know if you need anything at all.

Weekend Update

Hi, all. I hope your weekend gets off to a great start. Be ready for our first FULL week of school next week. Excited?! :)

Check the newly updated "weekly schedule" and "important dates" links to the right in order to prepare for next week when you can.

Reminders for the weekend:

**All 53 Key Literary Terms note cards must be completed by this coming Monday. Even if you are confused about examples and/or pictures, at least give it a shot! We'll be talking about each card (and correcting when needed) all week next week in order to clarify information. Be aware that we tentatively have scheduled our first test (over these terms) on Monday, Sept. 17.

**Feel free to begin your reading of To Kill a Mockingbird now that you have the text in your possession. It is not required, since we'll officially start on Monday. Just a suggestion!

**Bring at least 8-10 extra blank note cards to class on Monday for our first Latin/Greek roots lesson of the trimester. We'll be making another handful of simple flash cards in class that day!

That's it for now, guys. PLEASE let me know if you have any questions, concerns, and or/comments. I'm all ears. Take care!