Assignment for December 3rd, 2013

Click on the link below and read the following article on Louis Pasteur. Think about what types of questions may arise on an exam or questions to that you might want to know about the subject. When you have finished then you should post a question in the comment box.  Each student will need to post an original question. You should read all other questions posted to ensure that your DO NOT repeat anyone else's.  We will be using these questions later in this week's assignments so you may want to check back often to ensure you know the answers.  Refer back to the article as needed.

Louis Pasteur

December 2nd Assignment

When answering a question on an exam, whether it be multiple choice, short answer essay or even a full essay, it is most important to pay attention to what you are being asked. Sometimes we may not read the question carefully enough.  We may not even understand what the question is asking. Thus, a short lesson in verb usage in questions.  

When looking at the question it is important to look at the main verb.  Some may be easy to spot; find, discuss, explain.  Some may not be so easy; determine, analyze, defend.  But each asks for a specific thing to be answered.

This works across the board for all question no matter what the subject matter.  

See the following examples:

The 3 types of RNA are messenger RNA, Transfer RNA, and Ribosomal RNA. Which one is bound to amino acids base pair with the codons of mRNA at the ribosome to begin the process of protein systhesis?

Women, such as Susan B. Anthony, fought for suffrage and were finally successful in 1920. What does suffrage mean?

Find the distance between (3, 0) and (-2, 4). 

What is the intended argument that the author poses?

Each question has a purpose.  You must know what is being asked. Please be prepared to state what each question is asking.  We will have a brief discussion on this.  I suggest that you identify the verb and post your response. 

English 3 Assignment

Please view and use information from these short tubes to start off your assignment.  Remember you need to relate your paper to the time period.

Woodrow Wilson
Flappers
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Titanic
The Klan of the 20's
Lindbergh
Amelia Earhart
Prohibition

As Promised...

9th and 10th grade have been looking at science through fact and fiction.  We note that science fiction holds a large grasp on what we believe to be true.  We have learned the difference between "hard" and "soft" sci-fiction, optimistic and pessimistic, and traditional versus non traditional.  Here are copies of the links to look at for the first part of classes.  Please note they are in order of the classes you are taking.

English 1 Classes

Trip to the Moon

The Coral Castle - Anti Gravity

The Coral Castle - Leverage


English 2

Mary Shelley

Prometheus

Prometheus Unbound

Please review this information.  You will be tested in the near future.

Book Reports for the 1st Semester Due December 4th

Instructions for your book report/review are posted on the classroom site that is on the tab to the right of this post.  If you need a hard copy please come and see me for one. 


All students in English 3 will do a report on a book that is based in the late 1800's.  I found a handy link that might help you find a good book to read.  All books must be set between 1850 and 1910 in America.  They should be written by an American author as well.  Please follow the standards on the class site. Your 2nd book report will be done on a book that we will read together as a class.

19th Century Books


All English 2 students will have a book report based on fantasy, science fiction or futuristic books.  This means that there are many books to choose from.  You will need to stay away from any books that are written as a series if possible.   It is much harder to read a group of books than an individual book.  Here is a link that might help.  

Books of the Future


English 1 students will also be reading books but they will only be science fiction books that are approved.  All books will be in a report form and you will need to show in your paper what parts of the book pertain to science as we know it today.  Think about it this way, What did you read that could now be proven with today's science.  Remember science fiction has been around for a long time and many scientist have taken ideas and proven them as facts.  Below is a solid list of books containing science. 

Science Fiction List

Body and conclusion Paragraphs

It is important that your body paragraphs follow the preview in your introduction.  Remember that the body will give supporting information.  Ask yourself if you composed enough information for your reader?  Were you specific and informative?  Did you give details?

Introduction Paragraphs

We will be re-writing our papers in the near future and enhancing them so they can be developed.  Look at your original paper and ask yourself if it meet all the requirements of an introduction paragraph. 

Basic Parts of a Paper

Please watch the following video and be prepared to discuss it in class. It is important to know what to do and how to get started.  Over the course of the week or more we will be covering all the parts of your basic paper or essay.  You will be able to review with these videos and many other resources.  I hope you find them easy to follow and understand.  While watching the video please ask yourself some of the following questions about the most recent paper you wrote:  Is my paper clear and understandable? Did my paper demonstrate that I knew how to write a paper?  Was my paper arranged well?  Did I follow basic guidelines in my paper?   

  

Reading Strategies

Reading Strategies for All Learners

Many times we can tell about a book by its cover and other times we have to look at the title.  Many times however we need a bit more help to connect, review and even evaluate what we have read. Below you will find the reading strategies that you need to be a successful reader.  Be ready to use this information in class.

Predict: This helps you to anticipate events, appreciate less obvious parts of a story and put together clues so you can make an educated guess about what will happen to characters. Does the title tell you something about the story?  The characters?  Does it match your thoughts? 

Connect: Connect the people, events, and setting in the story to those in your life or from another story you have read. Ask yourself  "How might I feel if I were them? What is historically happening, or what story does this remind me of?"

Question: Ask yourself questions. Do I understand what I just read? Why did he say that? Does this action affect the overall conflict? 

Visualize:  Form pictures of the setting, the characters, and the actions in your own head, and then ask: Can I see the characters? What descriptions are being used for setting and scene?

Evaluate: As you read, form opinions and make judgments about the characters. Ask yourself: Is this realistic? What style is the author using, or does it even make sense? 

Review: Summarize the related events. Say to yourself: What events have happened? What caused the event? Can the character fix the event?

Respond: Respond while you are reading it. Ask things like: Did the character really do that? Why did the author use that point of view? What would happen if we changed the date?

We'll be reading a story tomorrow. Please make sure you come prepared to discuss these strategies as we read.

Procedures and Policies

Grade Breakdown

Tests 40%

Projects 30%

Classwork 20%

Participation and Extra Credit 10%

Make-up Work

It is the students responsibility to get any missing work when they are not in class.

Student's must come see me so we can set a due date for make-up work.

Make-up work only applies to excused absences.

Suspensions are NOT excused absences.

Late Work

All work is due by the end of the week. 

If a student fails to turn in classwork on time they will have no later than 3 days to turn in the assignment. This means Monday.

If a student wishes to turn in a classwork assignment late, they must include a 5 paragraph essay on an assigned topic.  The original assignment will be worth 50% of the late grade and the essay will count for the other 50%.

Students must do both the original assignment and the essay to receive credit for the late grade.  Students can not turn in one without the other.

Attendance

Students are expected to be in class on time every day unless the absence is excused.

If you are absent, bring a note from your parent/guardian, doctor, or a copy of any official state paperwork and turn it in to the front office and provide a copy for the teachers.

Skipping

If a student is caught skipping class they will receive a one time grace.

After that it is an automatic write up for disciplinary action by the school.

In addition, a parent / guardian will be notified.

Food and Drink

There is no food or drink allowed in class at all.  Any food or drink brought into the class will be confiscated until the end of the day or you will be asked to put it in the trash.

New State and Federal regulations do not allow students to bring food to school to share with other students.  Food is only for personal consumption.

No Gum...Ever

Cell Phones

Cell phones are only allowed if they are being used for school purposes that have been pre-approved by the teacher.

Please keep them on vibrate

Phones will be confiscated if used for other purposes.

Other Important Policies

You will find the student handbook on the school webpage.  A link is on my blog.