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No Homework--you have worked hard enough!

Homework for 5/18 This I Believe saved as a quicktime movie and dropped in my drop box by the start of class on Wednesday

Think about course evaluation questions

Course Evaluation—we will have time to answer these questions in class—but please think about them. Indicate the course title and date please! Please answer these questions using full sentences. Print your answers and submit (you do not have to put your name on it). Your honesty here will help me as a teacher and help me improve this course. Thanks! 1. Please describe the most valuable work you did for this course. 2. Please describe the strength of this course. 3. Please describe the weakness of this course. 4. Please name any projects or books you would leave out or add. 5. Please give any suggestions for improving this course.

Homework for 5/16 work on This I Believe that is due on Wednesday

Homework for 5/12 Persuasive letter sealed in envelope

For five extra points, turn in by the end of class (11:40) on Thursday, May 12th your Final Draft of essay with works cited page Rough draft of essay with partner comments on draft Rubric with partner comments on back

For full credit (no late penalty) place on my desk in the English office on Friday, May 13th by 3:05 (not after school) your Final Draft of essay with works cited page Rough draft of essay with partner comments on draft Rubric with partner comments on back

Homework for 5/10 Bring a full rough draft to class on Tuesday--include works cited Persuasive letter submitted to me Tues or Thurs

Homework for 5/5 2-3 paragraphs of draft--any paragraphs to show that you can use source data in your own writing and make it understandable to the reader Keep reading, taking notes, and analyzing for final drafts due on 3/12

Homework for 5/3 Persuasive letters due with addressed envelope

Keep working on research project--final drafts due 5/12

Homework for 4/28 Sentence outlines with works cited due at start of class

Persuasive letter due 4/28 or 5/3

Final draft of research essay due 5/12

Homework for 4/26 Happy Easter! Celebrate with Joy!

Work on sentence outline(ordering your notes into the four major sections) that is due 4/28 Work on Persuasive letter

Homework for 4/20 Read, take notes, add to bibliographies, gather sources, keep reading, keep taking notes, keep adding to bibliographies. Think about order of notes and what you need in your essay. We are working toward a sentence outline. Check this rubric

Identify a recipient for your persuasive letter based on your research topic. Bring that person's address and main points you want to include in your two paragraph letter.

Homework for 4/18 Think about writing a persuasive letter based on your research topic. Find a real person to address and consider what to write.

Read, take notes, add to bibliographies, gather sources, keep reading, keep taking notes, keep adding to bibliographies.


 * Classwork for 4/12--say a prayer for the 9th graders and faculty (including me) who are on retreat today. We will pray for you!**


 * Watch this power point.**


 * Do the exercise of taking notes on p. 391 (pp. 378-379 in green book) of your textbook. Read the passage and answer questions 2,3,4, and 5. You may work in pairs or on your own. Turn in one copy of your work. Here are some active verbs to use when introducing the source.**


 * Always correctly document information from sources. Do not leave yourself vulnerable to even a suspicion of plagiarism.
 * Use present tense verbs that are active
 * argues establishes emphasizes finds
 * points out notes suggests adds
 * explains believes continues declares
 * observes proposes concludes agrees
 * insists maintains disagrees states
 * compares stresses assumes is aware

Princess Diana's death was not an accident, and much information points to the monarchy as the cause of her death. Advertising needs to be changed so women don't have an unrealistic idea of beauty.
 * Please work quietly for the remainder of class time to read, read, read, and take notes when you find something you want to use in your essay. I will look for ten completed notes on Thursday and a working thesis statement. A working thesis statement can be 1, 2, or 3 sentences long and it explains the argument you will put forth in your essay. Here are some example working thesis statements:**

The movie //Erin Brockovich// tells the correct story of Hinckley, California, yet portrays the surrounding people in an unrealistic way.
 * You may re-work the three notes you took for today if you would like to and include those in your 10 for Thursday.**


 * Homework for 4/14**
 * Read the handouts on "No Hats Here". Determine your opinions about each student. We will work with those on Thursday.**
 * Bring ten notes in proper format to class.**

Read pp. 383-390 carefully about taking notes, incorporating source material, and avoiding plagiarism Read, read, read sources Take 3 notes use full sentences "frame" by introducing source, including material, and citing location
 * Homework for 4/12**

Example: John Smith writes that Stephen King is his favorite author (//The Author's I Love).//


 * Homework for 4/6**
 * Argument essay final draft due at start of class**
 * submit draft with partner comments from today also**


 * Bring ten sources to class; add them to bibliography**


 * Homework for 4/1**
 * Bring three sources with you to class**

Complete Research Topic Exploration questions and print before class on Wednesday Look in NH library for good sources--use catalog; talk to Mrs. Winkler
 * HOMEWORK FOR 3/30**


 * HAPPY SPRING BREAK!**

__Homework for 3/17__ Write 7 questions that outline a topic to be explored through this research. Example: What is the most effective technique to persuade drivers to not text while driving?
 * Research Project** that will be 5-7 pages of text and turned in on May 3rd

Write 5 or so supporting points that you will use in your essay. We will pair up and be "devil's advocates" for each other to help solidify our own views.
 * Argument Essay** that will be 4-6 paragraphs based on your own experiences

Homework for 3/15

Write a topic proposal for an argument essay--answer questions on pp. 291-292 Study word pairs often confused on p. 146; choose ten pairs to write sentences for--you will have twenty sentences

Review the powerpoint about the research project to consider topic ideas

essay using research 2011.ppt

Homework for 3/11 Study for logical fallacies quiz Consider topics for research project--topics selected by 3/17

Homework for 3/9 Choose one ad from pp. 299-310. Take notes about why the ad is effective in persuading the viewer to take action.

Define the Common Logical Fallacies on pp. 286-289. There are 15 terms.

Homework for 3/7 Read 3 argument essays in packet--in the margins mark the main idea and supporting details for each essay Write a response to the magazine article you brought to class. In 2-3 paragraph with direct references to the article (use direct quotes) answer these questions 1. What is the main idea of the essay? What specific details does the author use to explain this main idea? 2. Who is the target audience for the essay? What examples does the author use or what can you guess about the audience from the magazine as a whole? 3. How does this article relate to your ideas about the big question? Bring your magazine with you to class on Monday.

Homework for 3/2 Dictionary terms-20 minutes to work on Wed and turn in Big question responses Big question article and magazine from NH library with you in class Extra credit due //Macbeth// or //Alice in Wonderland// Homework for 2/28 Work on your term for the dictionary; dictionaries due 3/2


 * Create a themed dictionary of terms you define—**
 * Your theme can be anything that shows the relationship of the terms and helps us to understand your target audience--ex. “Nerinxisms” “No Grandma, That Word Does not Mean What it Used To” “Teenage Girltalk” etc**
 * Each person in your group will contribute one extended definition. That definition will be one “page” of your dictionary and include a two-paragraph personal definition of the term using examples, compare/contrast, explanation of a process, etc. The definition can include graphics.**
 * Create a cover for your dictionary, put all group members’ names on the front, and each contributor’s name on the definition she contributed. You may set up your dictionary in portrait or landscape, and use any computer tricks you know if you so desire.**
 * You will have 15 minutes of each of these class periods to work on your dictionaries 2/24, 2/28, 3/2—we will print and assemble in class on 3/2**

Continue to respond to big questions; responses due 3/2 Look for an article in a magazine that you can get the hard copy in NH library--article should relate to a big question in some way--bring magazine (not printout) to class on 3/2 Directions for searching ebscohost ebscohost 2011.pptx Presentations scheduled maddie simonds Escape From Slavery.pptx Caitlin Carey - Nonfiction Book.pptx SCHAEFERalongwaygone.pptx mcarthur-freethechildren.pptx kate johnson The Burn Journals .pptx Homework for 2/24 Causal Analysis Final Draft due at start of class 10 terms as possible topics for extended definitions Continue to respond to big questions Presentations Scheduled Getting Away With Murder erin.pptx WarIS...Melissa Fandos.pptx NoChoirboy_Park.pptx kaitlyn shreeves nonfiction presentation.pptx GIRLBOMB.pptx Rachel Shepherd Rolling Away.ppt Homework for 2/22 Celebrating Nerdiness Questions Possible terms to define Presentations scheduled graf ediths story.pptx ragsdale An Uncommon Soldier.pptx Tess O'Brien Book Presentation.pptx Possessed B Vasel.pptx Non-Fiction Book Presentation 2 Sitek.pptx libby shea nonfiction book project.pptx

Causal Analysis Essays due 2/22 or 2/24

Homework for February 17th Study characters from Macbeth packet p. 3 for a character quiz Respond on laptop to one big question from each presentation given--responses should be 4-5 sentences each. Include the question and your answer (5 presentations from today) Read "Celebrating Nerdiness" on handout Final drafts of causal analysis essays are due on Tuesday, 2/22 Supergirls Speak Out.pptx Nonfiction Book Project.pptx LorbertScienceofSH.pptx j.k. rowling.pptx Amanda Eshelman A Long Way Gone.pptx Homework for February 15th Consider these "Big Questions" for the presentations on Tuesday

Read pp. 236-241 in textbook on "Strategy Four: Development by Definition" and think about topics for a definition essay.

Write a one sentence definition for a term that you would need to explain to someone who does not go to Nerinx.

Homework for February 11th Read MACBETH packet and prepare to discuss Read sample definition essays in textbook "Blind Paces" and "The Munchausen Mystery" pp. 242-247

Homework for February 9th finish ppt and submit either in drop box or email rough draft of causal analysis essay express the music extra credit

Homework for February 7th Finish reading independent book Work on outline of causal analysis essay--one sentence for each paragraph--5-8 paragraphs Your sentence for each paragraph should be an explanation of what you plan to do in that paragraph-- Example: 1. In my first paragraph I will tell the story of breaking my leg while skiing and although I didn't realize it at the time, it helped me to learn a lot about how I value my independence.

2. In this paragraph I will describe how my mom had to do everything for me at home--even things I did not want her to help with.

3. In this paragraph I will talk about how frustrated I got at school while trying to carry everything and move around the building.

4. Next I will get into the pain of the injury (or maybe I should do this in the second paragraph?) and how I lost a lot of sleep and was tired.

5. I will conclude by describing getting the cast off, my ugly shrunken leg, and the way I felt when I could take a shower by myself again or some other activity that I missed doing because of my broken leg.

Start work on independent book project due February 9th Nonfiction book presentations expos.docx 2011 presentation on non-fiction books.doc The Boy who Harnessed the Wind.ppt sample presentation

Homework for February 1 Study vocabulary for quiz Do topic proposal for causal analysis essay (p. 267-268) Finish independent book for February 7

2011 Definitions for Causal Analysis.docx

Homework forJanuary 28th Read packet of Causal Analysis Essays Underline Thesis statements, circle causes Keep reading your independent book

Homework for January 26th Keep reading your independent book.

Read two essays from your Steps to Writing Well books. Read "It's Simply not Worth It" and "Some Lessons from the Assembly Line." Look for the attitudes the writer's each express about working and why they formed those feelings. Also, highlight or mark 3 "good" sentences in each essay. You define what is "good" about them and be ready to discuss in class.

Don't forget about the Extra Credit opportunity on Wed the 26th at 7 pm in the EAC. Kwame Dawes will be here to talk about his work in Haiti.

Homework for Jan 18th Use your looping work and draft an essay of description. Use 400-700 words to describe an important event, person, or place. Create a focus of your experience to help your reader see what it is most important to you about this topic. Use specific details and dialog to help the reader of your essay feel as if she is experiencing this with you. Include a title. You may use first person, but do not use second person. The audience for this essay includes the members of this class and Mrs. Staed. Save your draft as your name and be ready to share with others on Tuesday. Poetry Out Loud Extra Credit is due on Tuesday also.

Homework for Jan 11th--Read "My Turn" Essays Read pp. 78-87 in textbook about Beginnings and Endings Select one "My Turn" essay that has a good beginning based on the traits of good beginnings from your text book Select one "My Turn" essay that has a good ending based on the traits of good endings from your text book Prepare to defend your choices aloud in class Bring your independent book choice

Homework for Jan 7--"Loop" for 24 minutes--3 loops of 8 minutes each about a person, place or event; save as yournamelooping; do not print bring nonfiction book on Tuesday Homework for Jan 5--prewrite on 3 people, 3 events, and 3 places

**Welcome to Expository Writing**


 * About Me**

Jennifer Staed (pronounced "stayed") //jstaed@nerinxhs.org// I am here on ABCD days Find me in the English office during contact

Textbook: //Steps to Writing Well// by Jean Wyrick We'll write sentences, paragraphs, letters, short essays, and long essays. We'll read examples of all of those. We'll follow the expectations for written work on page 16 of the handbook. The upper right hand corner of each page should provide your first and last name on the first line, the date on the next line, and the assignment information on the third line. We'll use a total points system with each polished piece of writing worth 100 points, and we’ll use the Nerinx Hall grading scale to determine letter grades. Late work (work not turned in during class at the assigned time) will be assessed at 50% of points earned. All work is to be turned in at the beginning of class unless otherwise noted. Please do not print work in class that is due at the start of class. Printing should take place before you come to class, and please print front to back when possible. Create a folder for “Expos” on your googledocs account for backup and sharing. Laptops must be charged and functioning each day.
 * About the Course**

Let’s show our respect for the environment and one another by— Listening carefully to one another Paying close attention to all classroom activities Offering helpful and useful comments to other writers Cleaning up the classroom each time we use it Bringing a re-usable water bottle Keeping laptops closed and hanging on hooks until needed for class Printing front to back (duplex)
 * About the Classroom**