English Four

Friday, January 12, 2018

We'll begin with a review of the context of George Orwell's Animal Farm. You'll use your handout and notes from yesterday to complete a partner review quiz. We'll go over the review quiz and then you'll turn it in.
Finally, we'll read and discuss chapter one of Animal Farm. Pro-tip: you will have open notes reading quizzes throughout our study of this book, so be sure to take notes whenever we stop to discuss something important from the book and whenever I write something about the book on the board.
Notes: I'll introduce some of the key teachings of Karl Marx, which we'll connect to Orwell's novella.
Depending on time, we may examine a speech by Vladimir Lenin in March 1919, which you will use to write a one page essay in your notebook. Your essay must compare Lenin's speech to Old Major's speech in the first chapter of Animal Farm. It must also use brief quotes from each text to support your answers.
Before you leave today, turn in your class notebook.

Here are our plans for today:

We'll begin by checking out copies of George Orwell's novella, Animal Farm, from the library. You'll need your student ID or ID number.
Then we'll begin a lesson on the historical context of Animal Farm, focusing on key vocabulary and Stalin's rise to power.
Finally, you'll have some WORK TIME for the following:

Vocabulary review exercise: choose five of the English words on this week's vocabulary list and write a complete sentence that correctly uses the word and demonstrates your best writing ability. Then choose one of the Greek or Latin roots and draw a labeled illustration of it. (Stick figures are acceptable, but feel free to blow me away with your artistic ability.) Due Today.
One-on-one check-ins with me about any missing work or corrections you need to do.

Here are our plans for today:

I've made some changes to the seating chart based on how things are going in class. I'll share those changes with you.
You take the PSAT Writing and Language test. Good news -- it's only 35 minutes.
We'll all get on computers and log in to Khan Academy where you'll enroll in our online class. You'll confirm that your enrollment went through by checking with me. Then you'll log off and put your computer away.
Finally, you'll have some WORK TIME for the following:

Vocabulary review exercise: choose five of the English words on this week's vocabulary list and write a complete sentence that correctly uses the word and demonstrates your best writing ability. Then choose one of the Greek or Latin roots and draw a labeled illustration of it. (Stick figures are acceptable, but feel free to blow me away with your artistic ability.) Due Thursday, 1/11.

Image Source: me.me

You'll begin by taking a released PSAT 10 reading test. Don't panic -- just do your best. This is practice, and practice makes perfect.

After you've completed the test, we'll log in to Khan Academy and you'll enroll in my online class, where you'll enter your test answers digitally tomorrow.
Finally, we'll de-stress. You've earned it today!

Happy Monday, folks. Here are our plans:

You'll have a few minutes to quickly review your notes on allegory and satire. Then you'll take a quiz to show your understanding.
Notes: We'll usually introduce new vocabulary words on Wednesdays, but we'll be taking the PSAT practice test this week, so we're going to get our new words out in the open today. I'll introduce the words and model note-taking strategies.
Finally, we'll talk about strategies for taking the PSAT.

Happy Friday!

Turn in your signed course syllabus today or Monday for full points.
I'll share the class seating chart.
Notes: We'll begin our study of satire with some introductory notes and discussion.

Welcome to English Four! Here are our plans for today:

We'll go over the course syllabus and class expectations, including cell phones and signing in and out for restroom breaks.
We'll set up class notebooks and folders and discuss how you'll use them this quarter.
Finally, we'll begin a lesson on the study of allegory.