AGENDA 9/30

Introduce vocabulary chart for Ragged Dick, Chapters 1-11
Ben Franklin Maxims activity - complete with a partner

HW: Read Ch. 5 and complete "Thinking While Reading": In this chapter, both a shopkeeper and a man who calls himself Samuel Snap try to trick Dick and Frank and cheat them out of their money. How does the author, Alger, show that Frank is “book-smart” while Dick is “street-smart”? Which of the two boys does Alger seem to admire more?

AGENDA 9/29

Discuss Ch. 3 and share "Thinking While Reading" responses with a partner

HW: Begin reading Ch. 4 and complete today's "Thinking While Reading" response--

1. Find two quotations that show Dick’s sense of humor. How do these humorous bits make him more likeable?
2. How much do you think appearance matters in America today? Write a paragraph exploring your answer.

AGENDA 9/28

Turn in American Dream collages
Compose Back-to-School Night Letter for Parents
Portfolio Exchange

HW: Read Ch. 3 and complete "Thinking While Reading" - What stereotypes or "single stories" do people have of Dick? Find two quotations and note your responses.

Back-to-School Night PowerPoint for Parents

AGENDA 9/27

Discuss and turn in the five questions for "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes
Finish American Dream collages
Begin reading Ragged Dick, ch. 1 aloud

HW: Read ch. 2 of Ragged Dick and complete "Thinking While Reading": List similarities and differences between Ragged Dick and Johnny Nolan.

AGENDA 9/24

Grammar Practice
Turn in OPTIC analysis of $1 bill - answer any questions.

American Dream Collage activity - finish in class on Monday

HW: Read "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes and answer the five questions in preparation for discussion on Monday.

AGENDA 9/23

OPTIC Analysis of "Raising the Flag at Ground Zero"
Additional information about Franklin's photograph

Group work: analyze a $1 bill using the OPTIC strategy

HW: Complete the OPTIC analysis of the dollar bill if not finished in class

AGENDA 9/21

Baseline essays

HW: Prepare for second round of seminars tomorrow.

AGENDA 9/20

Review for Baseline Essay tomorrow:
Practice Baseline Essay Prompt
SAT scoring guide
Tips shared in class
Sample body paragraph

HW: Prepare for tomorrow's baseline essay. Bring blue or black ink pens and notebook paper, and a book in case you finish early.

AGENDA 9/17

Grammar Warm-up #1

Discussion over A Long Way Gone and Adichie's talk.

HW: Bring your copy of A Long Way Gone on Monday.

AGENDA 9/16

Vocabulary warm-up #1

Finish watching TED talk by Chimamanda Adichie, "The Danger of a Single Story" and complete viewing guide

HW: Summer Free Choice Book Letter due tomorrow. Discussion over A Long Way Gone and Adichie's talk tomorrow.

AGENDA 9/15

Syllabus Quiz

Trip to textbook room - Pick up copy of Ragged Dick (unless you plan to purchase your own copy)

Watch TED talk by Chimamanda Adichie, "The Danger of a Single Story" and complete viewing guide

HW: Summer Free Choice Book Letter due on Friday. Today is the last day to email me to ask for an extension!

AGENDA 9/14

Introduce last five vocabulary words for A Long Way Gone
Group activity (3 people per group): Review major concepts from A Long Way Gone and brainstorm evidence from the book and other sources. Track in Major Concept Chart.

HW: Study for syllabus quiz tomorrow. Bring ID/schedule for trip to the textbook room. Summer Free Choice Book Letter due Friday--tomorrow is the last day to ask for an extension!

AGENDA 9/13

Introduce next five vocabulary words
Discussion Groups - Review major themes and events of A Long Way Gone by addressing "mystery questions" in groups. Use yellow foldable to track thinking about each question--this can be used on the baseline essay!

HW: Summer Free Choice Book Letter due Friday, 9/17

AGENDA 9/10

Continue to review syllabus, class policies, and syllabus study sheet
Introduce vocabulary words for A Long Way Gone: please complete the vocabulary sheet or make 3x5 index cards to study vocabulary. We will continue going through words on Monday.
Explain Summer Free Choice Book Assignment and share Mrs. Pust's sample letter. Due Friday 9/17 at the beginning of class, and must be typed!

HW: Work on summer free choice book letter. Bring A Long Way Gone to class on Monday and be prepared to discuss personification in pages 78-84.

AGENDA 9/9

NO SCHOOL!

AGENDA 9/8

Reading Quiz over A Long Way Gone
Introduce Syllabus Study Questions - Quiz over Syllabus and Classroom Rules/Procedures next Wednesday worth 15 points. 10 questions will be drawn from the 20 on the study sheet; the other 5 points will come from turning in your completed final page of the syllabus. This should be the easiest 15 points you'll ever earn!

HW: Review pgs. 78-84 of A Long Way Gone, looking for instances of personification. When you find them, make note of them for Friday's discussion.

NOTE: Personification is when an author gives human attributes or qualities to non-human things, such as inanimate objects. For example, if an author writes "the sky wept," that would be an example of personification.

AGENDA 9/7

WELCOME BACK!
Index Card Directions (Do Now Activity)
First Day PowerPoint and Class Overview/Feedback
First Day Letter to Parents/Guardians
Four Truths (and a Lie) Activity

HW: Review A Long Way Gone for reading quiz tomorrow. Share First Day Letter and optional Homework Assignment for Parents with your parents/guardians.