STUDENTS & PARENTS: I UPDATE THIS PAGE REGULARY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT ADDRESSED HERE, PLEASE SEE ME.
ONLINE LEARNING BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 6. CHECK YOUR STUDENT EMAIL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. MISS YOU GUYS!
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND YOUR FAMILIES OVER OUR EXTENDED BREAK. 
Tuesday, 3/10 & Wednesday, 3/11 - Students delivered and/or listened to each other's presentations. Interesting stuff!
Monday, 3/9 - We reviewed the answers to the Semicolons/Colons test and we discussed how the presentations would work (they begin tomorrow).
Thursday & Friday, 3/5 & 3/6 - Students completed their 2-day DISRICT BENCHMARK.
Wednesday, 3/4 - After submitting their Biography Mind Map Project, students completed a 100-point Semicolons and Colons test.
Monday & Tuesday, 3/2 & 3/3 - Semicolons and Colons review. On Monday, students received their corrected Pre-Quiz back for study notes.
Wednesday & Thursday, 2/26 & 2/27 - Sub Days. Please follow the sub instructions; we will begin our semicolons and colons review upon my return.
Monday and Tuesday, 2/24 & 2/25 - Students completed a handout about the Upfront article "The U.S. vs. Iran."
We discussed the importance - and variety of - text features, as well as why quotes and statistics are important to non-fiction writing.
Friday, 2/21 - Today students worked in groups and compared two mediums: a memoir and a graphic novel.
Thursday, 2/20 - Today the class continued to analyze the excerpt of the novel in preparation for Friday's groupwork.
Wednesday, 2/19 - Today students began reading and analyzing an excerpt of the memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran.
Tuesday, 2/18 - Today Period 3 read and analyzed a debate about whether or not voter registrations should be automated.
On Tuesday, 2/18, Periods 6 & 8 should report directly to the Tel Lab (4-201) for a special presentation on the Harlem Renaissance.
Students in Periods 6 & 8 attended a special performance on the Harlem Renaissance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT).
Thursday, 2/13 - Today students traded papers with a peer and color-edited according to the instructions. This was a 50-point assignment.
Wednesday, 2/12 - I can't wait to read your essays! Today in class everyone was hard at work finishing their 5-paragraph essay.
Tuesday, 2/11 - Today students wrote the introduction and the first body paragraph of their informative essay.
NOTE: I do strongly encourage students to re-write/edit/polish their introduction and body paragraph tonight.
The entire paper will be due when students walk into class on Thursday, February 13.
Monday, 2/10 - Today students received an FSA Informative Essay rubric and this week's writing assignment. The plan was due today.
Friday, 2/7 - Today students self-evaluated the quality of their annotation assignment and we analyzed a piece of artwork for rhetorical effect.
Thursday, 2/6 - Today we began annotating Kennedy's speech; as we annotated, we discussed King, Kennedy, parallel structure, and repetition.
Wednesday, 2/5 - Today we went over test items that many students missed; we also watched and listened to Bobby Kennedy's eulogy for MLK.
Tuesday, 2/4 - Today students finished their computer-based assessment and began reading a speech in their Close Readers.
The speech is "A Eulogy for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." by Robert F. Kennedy on pages 25-28.
Monday 2/3 - On Monday, students took the first part of a computer-based assessment on MLK's I Have a Dream.
There were also questions on the colon (:).
Please review the proper use of the colon (:) and semicolon (;) in preparation for the Grade 9 FSA Reading test in May.
Friday 1/31 - Today we reviewed the "Process of Elimination" test-taking strategy. On Monday, we will APPLY it!
We also celebrated Literacy Week with a story inspired by Leo Tolstoy: The Three Questions written and illustrated by Jon Muth.
Thursday, 1/30 - Today students completed their project on rhetorical devices; some students may decide to submit at the start of class Friday.
Wednesday, 1/29 - Wow! I just LOVE the AWESOME creations students are coming up with for their assignment on rhetorical devices!
I can't wait to hang up ALL the EXEMPLARS! We will finish this project tomorrow (Thursday) in class. Can't wait to get them all!
Tuesday, 1/28 - Today students learned what the expectations will be for their Rhetorical Devices assignment. Some students began the work.
*See Mrs. Yeh for information if you were absent today.
Monday, 1/27 - Today students took an "open-magazine" test on the article "Sitting Down to Take a Stand."
Friday, 1/24 - Today students took a test on the Gettysburg Address.
After the test, students completed a packet that included a photo anaylsis, graph analysis, and inference activity.
NOTE: All of these skills will be tested on the Grade 9 FSA Reading Test in May. (The FSA Writing Test will be on April 1.)
Thursday, 1/23 - Today we discussed "The Greensboro Four" and began a photo analysis.
Students, remember to study for your test on the Gettsburg Address tomorrow - Friday, 1/24!
Tuesday, 1/21 - Today students received the REQUIREMENTS and RUBRIC for their Q3 book project due Wednesday, March 4.
We also discussed the FSA Writing Test that all Grade 9 students will take on Wednesday, April 1.
Friday, 1/17 - Today we viewed and discussed MLK Jr's I Have a Dream.
Thursday, 1/16 - Today Periods 3 & 6 watched a short photographic presentation on the history of civil rights.
Among the topics discussed, was the brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till and his mother's courageous decision to "show the world" what had happened to her son.
Period 8 watched a presentation in the PAC on the 100-year anniversary of the women's suffrage movement.
Wednesday, 1/15 - Today Periods 3 & 6 completed their analysis of Lincoln's speech. Period 6 also took the "mini-test" on parallel structure.
Period 8 discussed the Civil Rights Movement; in particular, we focused our attention on a few of its most galvanizing moments.
Tuesday, 1/14 - Students pulled evidence of the "seminal" (notworthy, historically significant) aspects of Lincoln's speech.
Period 3 also completed a skills check "mini-test" on parallel structure; I will share the data with you tomorrow.
Monday, 1/13 - Today we continued analyzing the Gettysburg Address, in particular its parallel structure.
Friday, 1/10 - Today we read the Gettysburg Address and began identifying rhetorical devices, including parallelism.
Period 6 took a "virtual tour" of Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865.
Thursday, 1/9 - Today students received back their letters.
Review your grade on the Family Access Portal, and unless you have any questions, return them SEALED to me. 
NOTE: If you did not use a semicolon correctly, your score is a 71%. Please review your semicolon notes before our next quiz. !
Today we began discussing President Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address. In particular, we focused on his assassination.
Wednesday, 1/8 - Today students submitted their January letters.
We also discussed student data (except Period 8) and employability expectations.
Tuesday, 1/7 - Today students wrote a "January letter" to themselves that meets the following requirements:
Address two bullet points that are reflective (focused on 2019). Choose from the instructions provided in class.
Address two bullet points that are forward-looking (focused on 2020). Choose from the instructions provided in class.
Include one semicolon, correctly used, in your letter. Highlight the semicolon. (See examples on the board.)
Address the envelope provided as shown.
The letter is due Tuesday, 1/8. Period 8 will need to submit the letter at the beginning of class on 1/8 (before the assembly).
Everyone else: The letter is due at the end of class on 1/8. (If you were absent, I need it no later than when you arrive on 1/9.)
WELCOME BACK, FRESHMEN! And happy new year! 
QUARTER 2 GRADES HAVE BEEN FINALIZED.
MIDTERMS BEGIN ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, AND END ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20. WE WILL HAVE AN ALTERNATE BELL SCHEDULE.
Wednesday, 12/18 - PERIODS 3 & 8: YOUR MIDTERM IS ON FRIDAY. SEE YOU THEN! WE'VE ALMOST MADE IT!
Tuesday, 12/17 - PERIOD 6: YOUR MIDTERM IS TOMORROW. GET PLENTY OF REST TONIGHT. 
Students read and annotated an article by Jhumpa Lahiri and wrote a 1/2-page (or longer) reader response to the article.
Students who did not complete the reader response in class today should submit it on the day of your midterm.
Monday, 12/16 - Students finished their quadrant exercise and submitted it, along with what they thought the theme of the story is.
Friday, 12/13 - Socratic Seminar today!! Come prepared and ready to make several meaningful contributions to our discussion.
Thursday, 12/12 - We read further in and discussed "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine."
Wednesday, 12/11 - Today students took their last quiz on the novel The Joy Luck Club.
After the quiz, most students had time to continue reading the short story "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine."
Tuesday, 12/10 - Students began a quadrant exercise related to the short story cited below.
Monday, 12/9 - Today we reviewed The Joy Luck Club expectations for the week and the DATA from students' previous quizzes.
We also started discussing "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine" by Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri.
The short story is in your Collections text, beginning on page 103.
Thursday and Friday, 12/5 & 12/6 - Students read and the class discussed the narrative poem "Pyramus and Thisbe."
Students, you will participate in a PRACTICE FSA WRITING TEST on Wednesday, 12/4.
By now, you should have written down your testing time and location. If you aren't sure, please see me ASAP.
Please make sure you sign up for my course on Blackboard before 12/4. This is how you will access the test materials on test day.
Tuesday, 12/3 - Today we discussed tomorrow's FSA Writing Practice test. Report on time and do your best. It is a test grade (100 points).
I will be using the FSA rubric to evaluate your paper.
Monday, 12/2 - Today Mrs. Brandenberger, AICE Coordinator, spoke to the class about the AICE diploma program.
Friday, 11/22 - Today students took Quiz #3 on The Joy Luck Club: "American Translation." (The Socratic Seminar was postponed until Friday, 12/13.)
Thursday, 11/21 - Students completed an open-magazine test related to the Ebola article.
Wednesday, 11/20 - Today we continued looking at the Ebola article. Students wrote down more definitions for an article they will read after the break.
Tuesday, 11/19 - Today students read the article "Winning the War Against Ebola" in the October 28, 2019 edition of Upfront.
Periods 6 & 8 were advised where they need to report for the mock FSA Writing test on Wednesday, December 4.
Period 3 will receive this information on Wednesday.
All students began work on a graphic organizer and took down the definition of seven words found in the article.
Absent? Be sure to get the handout from me immediately upon your return.
Monday, 11/18 - Today students took their Shakespeare/Romeo & Juliet test.
Students, please make sure you sign up for my course on Blackboard before 12/4.
On 12/4, all students will need to access Blackboad to complete the MOCK GRADE 9 WRITING FSA.
YOUR NEXT READING QUIZ IS ON THURSDAY, 11/21: "American Translation."
YOUR NEXT SOCRATIC SEMINAR IS ON FRIDAY, 11/22; YOU HAVE 5 DIALECTICAL JOURNAL ENTRIES DUE THIS DAY.
PLAN AHEAD! START READING NOW!
YOUR SHAKESPEARE / ROMEO & JULIET TEST (25 QUESTIONS; MULTIPLE CHOICE) WILL BE ON MONDAY, 11/18.
Friday, 11/15 - Today we reviewed for the Shakespeare/Romeo & Juliet test. Periods 3 & 8 also had a brief "Flattery" contest!
Period 6 read through the rest of the condensed version of the play. Everyone should review their blue and gold packets for Monday's exam.
Thursday, 11/14 - Today students took a semicolon quiz and Periods 3 and 8 read the rest of the condensed version of Romeo & Juliet.
Wednesday, 11/13 - Today we read the condensed version of Act III (Scenes 1-5).
Students also submitted their (second) index card assignment: Analyzing the motivations of Mercutio, Tybalt, and Romeo.
If you were absent, view the scene at these links (~9 mins.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ0kOi6qqHY
And here (~ 5 mins.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BftisZAv7tY
List three observations about each of the characters listed above; in addition, state, based on their actions and dialogue, what motivates each character.
Tuesday, 11/12 - Today we discussed the dramatic climax of Romeo & Juliet: Act III, Scene 1.
Monday, 11/11 - Semicolon Quiz on THURSDAY, 11/14. Be prepared! (You will also need to know the "FANBOYS" comma rule.)
Today in class we examined Act 2, Scenes 1-6, and spent particular attention to 2.6 (Friar Laurence's warning to Romeo).
If you missed class, you will need to do the following:
Students read a condensed version of Act II, Scenes 1-6, of Romeo & Juliet. Later, they watched a Close Read Screencast of 2.6.6-15 (Act II, Scene 6, Lines 6-15), page 226 in the Collections text, in which these lines were carefully broken down and analyzed. Finally, they answered a 2-part exit ticket about the lines: 1) Based on Romeo's past romantic history, what is Friar Laurence fearful of?; and 2) Why do you think the Friar's stern warning in Act II, Scene 6, was omitted from Tina Packer's condensed version of the play?
Friday, 11/8 - WOW! We had some EXCELLENT discussions today on The Joy Luck Club.
I LOVE IT WHEN STUDENTS COME PREPARED AND READY TO CONTRIBUTE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY!! 
Next week, we will quiz on the semicolon - probably on Tuesday. Be prepared.
Thursday, 11/7 - Students read and annotated Act II, Scene 2, of Romeo & Juliet. The expectation was four annotations per page.
Please come prepared for your Socratic Seminar on The Joy Luck Club tomorrow. Bring the text and your dialectical journal.
Also, bring any additional notes you may have taken to prepare for our discussion.
Wednesday, 11/6 - Students took The Joy Luck Club Quiz #2; after the test, they began reading Act II, Scene 2, of Romeo & Juliet.
CONGRATULATIONS, 8TH PERIOD FOR OUTSCORING PERIODS 3 & 6. I WILL SHARE THE DATA SOON!
Would you like to earn EXTRA CREDIT ON TOMORROW'S QUIZ?
The first three students who email me with the following information are eligible for 15 extra credit points.
WOW! I must be feeling GENEROUS!
NOTE: YOU MUST CORRECTLY PUNCTUATE ALL OF THE SENTENCES TO QUALIFY.
THIS OPPORTUNITY ENDS ON 11/6 AT 7:00 A.M.
Email subject line: I know how to use a semicolon!
In the body of the email, write out the following sentences and add the correct punctuation where needed:
1. I am a conscientious student checking Mrs. Yeh's website is a no-brainer for me
2. My reading quiz is tomorrow therefore I am going to study tonight
3. Mrs. Yeh's favorite cities include the following San Francisco California Charleston South Carolina and New Orleans Lousina
YOUR NEXT READING QUIZ IS TOMORROW, 11/6: "The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates".
YOUR SECOND SOCRATIC SEMINAR IS ON FRIDAY, 11/8; YOU HAVE 5 DIALECTICAL JOURNAL ENTRIES DUE THIS DAY.
PLAN AHEAD! START READING NOW!
Tuesday, 11/5 - Today we completed our lesson on the semicolon; you should all be experts now!
Monday, 11/4 - We are learning how to use a semicolon; practice makes perfect!
Friday, 11/1 - Today students wrote a 4-paragraph essay/reflection about one of three possible topics.
For example, some students chose to write about their freshman year so far.
Every paragraph must contain at least five sentences - to help ensure that students' ideas are adequately developed.
Periods 3 & 6 had the option to submit on Monday (but no later); Period 8 was required to complete the assignment in class. (They all did.)
If you are in Period 8, and you were attending the basketball game, you do NOT have to complete this assignment.
If you CHOOSE to complete it (basketball students mentioned above), you must submit it by Tuesday, 11/5.
Thursday, 10/31 - Today we examined several adaptations of Act 1, Scene 5, of Romeo & Juliet. We added notes to our yellow packet.
Wednesday, 10/30 - Congratulations, Sydney! Woo-hoo! You ARE the winner! (See special offer below.)
Today we added notes to Act I, Scenes 1-4, of our Romeo & Juliet Study Guide (gold packet).
Tuesday, 10/29 - This week, I have been emphasizing the importance of checking our classroom website on a more regular basis.
In particular, if you miss class, checking the website is a good habit to ensure you are not missing important announcements.
Today, 10/29, I gave students two new handouts: the JLC Dialectical Journal handout due Friday, 11/8, and the Study Guide.
Use the Study Guide to help you prepare for our next Socratic Seminar on 11/8.
Also, today we discussed dramatic conventions and we read a condensed version of Act 1 of Romeo & Juliet.
If you are still reading this entry, and you want to be exempt from our next discussion on 11/8, be the first to email me.
Your subject line should read: I want an "A" for NOT participating! 
The first student who emails me will earn an "A" for attending the seminar and just listening respectfully.
The exemption offer expires on 10/31 at 2:15 p.m.
YOUR NEXT READING QUIZ IS ON WEDNESDAY, 11/6: "The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates".
YOUR SECOND SOCRATIC SEMINAR IS ON FRIDAY, 11/8; YOU HAVE 5 DIALECTICAL JOURNAL ENTRIES DUE THIS DAY.
PLAN AHEAD! START READING NOW!
Monday, 10/28 - Students submitted their "Is Survival Selfish?" essay today.
As discussed in class, I cannot print your paper for you. If you cannot print it, then please handwrite it: Skip lines & write on one side only.
Today we also looked at the Prologue to Romeo & Juliet. Students received a new gold handout that provides a character map and scene synopses of the entire play.
Friday, 10/25 - Today we had our Accountable Talk discussion/Socratic Seminar on Section 1 of the novel.
If you missed class on Friday, 10/25 (our discussion), your makeup work will be to answer 8 questions from the Study Guide: Choose 2 from each section. Cite evidence and answer in complete sentences.
PLEASE NOTE: I must receive your makeup work by Friday, 11/1, or it will be a ZERO.
Thursday, 10/24 - Students took Quiz #1 on Section 1 of The Joy Luck Club: "Feathers from a Thousand Li Away."
Afterward, they read an article titled "Ten Things You Didn't Know about Shakespeare" and answered Questions #1-10 on the provided handout.
If you missed the quiz on Thursday, 10/24, it is YOUR responsiblity to see me for the makeup work. You will have until Thursday, 10/31, to complete it or it will be a ZERO.
Wednesday, 10/23 - Another GREAT DAY talking about the Bard - Shakespeare, and Iambic Pentameter! Can't wait to start Romeo & Juliet.
Tuesday, 10/22 - ALL STUDENTS: If you have not finished your District Benchmark, your LAST DAY to complete it is Friday (25 points).
Today we discussed the life and legacy of William Shakespeare. See me for blue handout.
Tomorrow is the LAST DAY I will accept your showing me your copy of the required novel for an Employability grade (10 points).
For Thursday's quiz, make sure you read the opening parable (about the Shanghai market), in addition to the rest of Section 1.
Monday, 10/21 - Today we discussed the structure, plot, setting, and themes of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. Be ready for Thursday's quiz!
Friday, 10/18 - Today students in Period 3 worked on their argumentative papers.
Students in Periods 6 & 8 completed their 2-day District Benchmark and, with any time remaining, worked on their argumentative papers.
The argumentative essay "Is Survival Selfish?" is due on Monday, October 28.
Thursday, 10/17 - Students in Period 3 finished their District benchmark; students in Periods 6 and 8 began theirs.
This is a two-day assessment. Work hard on it. It is perfect practice for the Grade 9 FSA at the end of the year.
BY FRIDAY, 10/18, SHOW MRS. YEH YOUR COPY OF THE JOY LUCK CLUB BY AMY TAN.
Wednesday, 10/16 - PERIOD 3: Students completed Day 1 of their two-day District Benchmark (a computer-based test meant to simulate the Florida Standards Assessment/FSA).
PERIODS 6 & 8: Students worked on their argumentative essays (due Monday, October 28).
Tuesday, 10/15 - Students began drafting Paragraphs 1 and 2 of their argumentative essay: "Is Survival Selfish?"
Tomorrow Period 3 will be displaced to 8-216 (computer lab). While there, we will take the first part of the required District Benchmark.
QUARTER 1 GRADES HAVE BEEN FINALIZED.
Friday, 10/11 - Students completed their plans for their argumentative paper; they will begin drafting their essays on Tuesday. Laptops will be available.
Thursday, 10/10 - Sub Day (while Mrs. Yeh attended mandatory training elsewhere on campus). Students were to have completed the handout provided.
Wednesday, 10/9 - Students planned their introduction and wrote their claim statement. The plan must be complete by the end of class on Friday.
Tuesday, 10/8 & Monday, 10/7 - Students finished collecting text evidence from NIght, An Ordinary Man, and "The End and the Beginning."
Friday, 10/4 - What an excellent final discussion on Animal Farm - especially considering this was a Pep Rally day! Well done!
Plan ahead: On Friday, 10/4, we will have a quiz and a Socratic Seminar on Chapters 9 & 10 of Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Begin your dialectical journal entries now, and prepare thorough responses to the assigned Discussion Questions.
Thursday, 10/3 - Students took a colon quiz and students shared, in writing, which piece of literature they have read this year, so far, has most opened their mind.
Wednesday, 10/2 - Students read the poem "The End and the Beginning" by Wislawa Symborska. Period 8 students (and many others) attended the play Romeo & Juliet in the PAC. FUN!
Tuesday, 10/1 - It's October! The end of the quarter is almost here! Today we practiced with the colon and with parallel structure.
Monday, 9/30 - We finished our lesson on the colon; the quiz on the colon will be on Thursday. Study your notes!
Friday, 9/27 - Students took a quiz on and discussed Animal Farm, Chapters 7 & 8.
Thursday, 9/26 - We had Part 1 of a lesson on the colon (:). Students took notes and practiced sentences using a colon.
Wednesday, 9/25 - We took a 2-part test on Night today; the first part was closed book, and the second part was open book.
Tuesday, 9/24 - Students completed their essays; some had time to pull out their Animal Farm work or study for tomorrow's test on Night.
Monday, 9/23 - Students worked on their 4-paragraph essays. It is due on Wednesday, 9/25. The Night test will also be on Wednesday.
Friday, 9/20 - I was impressed by the QUALITY of several students' contributions to our Socratic Seminar.
Today, I let students run the show, and they did AWESOME!
I will be nominating some of the most outstanding contributors for a PRIDE award!
We will be back to essay writing next week.
Thursday, 9/19 - We began writing the first half of the 4-paragraph essay. We will finish writing the essay on Monday and edit and proofread Tuesday.
Wednesday, 9/18 - We began writing the essay. First, we discussed the rubric; next, we discussed the format. Formatting is part of the grade.
Students, come prepared to hunker down and write tomorrow. We will be on an abbreviated Bobcat PRIDE schedule.
Tuesday, 9/17 - We listened to the audio of the rest of the selection, students highlighted terms in their packet, and we discussed Elie Wiesel's stance against indifference. Tomorrow we begin the essay!
Monday, 9/16 - We continued reading the selection NIght through page 311, line 120. We also discussed Holocaust survivor Steen Metz.
Students received papers back and were told to put them in their binders. (NOTE: ALL graded work throughout the year should be saved!)
Plan ahead: On Friday, 9/20, we will have a quiz and a Socratic Seminar on Chapters 5 & 6 of Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Begin your dialectical journal entries now, and prepare thorough responses to Discussion Questions #1-3.
Friday, 9/13 - Once again, I was impressed by the quality of students' contributions to our Socratic Seminar today on Chapters 3 & 4 of Animal Farm. Awesome work!
On Monday, 9/16, we will return to Elie Wiesel's Night. Please begin reading (or re-reading) Chapters 5 & 6 of Animal Farm.
Thursday, 9/12 - Students answered Questions #4-6 in their Night packets (Period 6 stopped just before #6).
REMINDER: On Friday, 9/13, you will have a quiz on Chapters 3 & 4 of Animal Farm.
Bring your complete answers to Questions #1-5 to our Socratic Seminar discussion tomorrow, as well as your Dialectical Journal entries.
Wednesday, 9/11 - We resumed working on Night. Students received a handout packet for Night and we answered Questions #1-3.
NOTE: Period 6 only answered Questions #1 & 2. We will catch up tomorrow. Thanks, by the way, for the excellent discussion on 9/11. We shall never forget.
Tuesday, 9/10 - Students wrote down definitions for five words that appear in the memoir Night by Elie Wiesel (see page 307 in Collections).
Looking ahead, we also examined the content requirements for the 4-paragraph essay students will be writing about the memoir (see page 314).
Finally, we discussed expectations for the next dialectical journal entries that students will complete on Animal Farm, Chapters 3 and 4. We looked at student exemplars from Chapters 1 and 2. Well done!
Monday, 9/9 - YIKES! Period 3 still needs their dialectical journal organizer from me. Be sure to get it on Tuesday; it's due Friday.
Today we finished SOAPStone-ing the text An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina. It is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, 9/10.
We also began discussing the Holocaust, and, in particular, the memoir Night by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.
Friday, 9/6 - Overall, students did an impressive job today while participating in their first Socratic Seminar. After a brief quiz, we discussed, in depth, Chapters 1 and 2 of Animal Farm by George Orwell.
On Monday, 9/9, be sure to pick up a new dialectial journal (DJ) handout/organizer for completing DJ entries for Chapters 3 and 4 of Animal Farm.
Your next quiz on Chapters 3 and 4 is on Friday, 9/13.
Begin answering Questions #1-5 now.
Plan ahead!
Thursday, 9/5 - We began learning about "SOAPStone" - a reading strategy to help increase comprehension.
Today we started to "SOAPStone" the excerpt of Paul Rusesabagina's memoir An Ordinary Man. We will be referring to this strategy throughout the year.
REMINDER: On Friday, 9/6, students will take their first quiz on Chapters 1 and 2 of Animal Farm. Please come prepared.
You will need to bring to class: 1) Your book; 2) Your completed dialectical journal; and 3) Your answers to Questions #1-4.
Yes, I do prefer that you write out the questions, along with providing the answers.
Come prepared to participate in a Socratic Seminar!
Wednesday, 9/4 - Students completed the Pre-Test assessment and completed a 16-question online school culture survey.
NOTE: Any student who was absent on Tuesday or Wednesday is responsible for completing the 30-question Pre-Test assessment at home this evening.
Tuesday, 9/3 - Students received written feedback (and a grade) today for their Close Reader page 84 assignment.
We also started a computer-based "Pre-Test" assessment that we will complete tomorrow.
Friday, 8/30 - Students completed a RAFT (Role/Audience/Format/Topic) assignment related to An Ordinary Man. See me for the makeup work next week.
Thursday, 8/29 - Students who did not complete the writing assignment should finish it this evening and bring it with you to class on Friday.
OPEN HOUSE IS THURSDAY, 8/29, FROM 6:00-7:30 P.M.
Wednesday, 8/28 - After receiving their graded quizzes, students created a plan to address the two-part question on page 84 of their Close Reader.
The completed academic response will be due at the end of class on Thursday. If you asked for an extension, it is due Friday. A rubric was provided.
Tuesday, 8/27 - Students finished reading the excerpt of An Ordinary Man and took a quiz on dialectical journaling. Yikes! Not everyone was prepared.
Remember that those students with the strongest "Growth Mindset" always ask What can I do differently next time? What can I learn from this result?
Monday, 8/26 - Today was freshman picture day! There was just enough time at the end of class for a quick binder check for those students who were ready. The binders are due tomorrow. Reminder: Quiz tomorrow on dialectical journaling.
Friday, 8/23 - We discussed the allegorical nature of George Orwell's Animal Farm and how the main characters (the pigs) correspond to political leaders who lived throughout the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. (Period 8: Fire Drill)
Students were given instructions for dialectical journaling. Students should prepare for a quiz on dialectical journaling on Tuesday.
Thursday, 8/22 - We analyzed, annotated, and discussed pages 80-81, lines 66-112. Parallel structure and figurative language, in particular metaphors and similes, figured into our analysis. Students are also considering the organizaiton of ideas.
Wednesday, 8/21 - We looked closely at pages 78-79, lines 25-65, practiced annotating, and discussed how the rhetorical use of similes help advance the author's purpose. Note: We will be Animal Farm's allegorical nature on Friday.
Tuesday, 8/20 - We discussed and looked at examples of three different kinds of annotation: Text-to-Self, Text-to-World, and Text-to-Text; students practiced annotating lines 1-24.
Monday, 8/19 - Students were issued their Close Reader workbooks, and we began discussing the excerpt of the memoir An Ordinary Man (pp. 77-84).
Mrs. Yeh's freshmen English classes will get their pictures taken on Monday, 8/26. Students received written photo information today.
Students were given the Reading Schedule for the first novel. Students should read Chapters 1 and 2 of Animal Farm by Friday, 9/6, and prepare for a quiz and a dicussion on that that day.
Note: In addition to the quiz and discussion, students will be required to submit two written assignments: their answers to the Chapters 1 and 2 questions, and five dialectical journal entries.
Friday, 8/16 - We practiced classroom procedures for entering and exiting class, and students played a group icebreaker BINGO game.
Students need to let Mrs. Yeh know on Monday, 8/19, if they will buy their own copy of Animal Farm, consult the online version, or borrow a copy from the Media Center.
Thursday, 8/15 - We formed groups today and discussed group etiquette, including Accountable Talk. Students participated in an icebreaker.
Wednesday, 8/14 - Students did an in-class writing. Period 8 only: Complete and score the Mindset Quiz by Monday.
Tuesday, 8/13 - We practiced classroom procedures and completed index cards. Students in Periods 3 and 6 took an assessment on Growth vs. Fixed mindset.
Monday, 8/12 - Students received the course syllabus (pink) and an Acknowledgment Form (gray). The acknowlegment form is due Friday.