HW and Vocab Tests

Periods 5 & 6: Click HERE to review the vocab words for your test tomorrow. Period 6, your test is Thursday, 2/25. Period 5, your test is on 2/26. Remember that you are responsible to keep up with your readings (up to page 128)!

Periods 3 & 4, your vocab review is to the right. Look over there, and you will see it. You will also have a lit tool test with it. BE READY! Remember, you are working on your Reading Plus and FCAT readings for homework, so make sure you are keeping up!

Trust me, I am hard on you so you will be the best student you can be!

Love you all!

Revised Reading Schedule for 5th & 6th

Below is the new reading schedule. We are finishing at the same time, but I changed it up a bit. Remember, you have to have the pages read BEFORE you get to class. Also be reminded that even if you're absent, you're responsible to keep up with your readings.

2/19 and 2/22 - pgs. 1-60; 2/23 and 2/24 - pgs. 63-97; 2/25 and 2/26 - pgs. 100-128; 3/2 and 3/3 - pgs 128-175; 3/4 and 3/5 - pgs. 178-207; 3/8 and 3/9 - pgs. 208-239; 3/11 and 3/12 - pgs. 239-280

Hope you all are enjoying it so far. I am amazed at what these men have endured thus far, the calm among them, and the vivid details in the writing. WOW! Share some of your thoughts here if you wish!

If you choose (for a few extra points), compare and contrast yourself and one of the men on the Endurance. In chapter 5, there were several descriptions of the men, and I could relate to at least one or two of them. If you do respond, make sure that you use specific quotes from the book...and, remember, it's compare AND contrast. Tuesday, 2/23 at 10 p.m. is the deadline.

Love you all!

Periods 5 & 6

You have an upcoming project that will deal with our theme this quarter: Science and Nature.

Below is a list of authors I want you to investigate. You need to pick one author, as well as one or two of his/her works to read, study, critique and write about. Try to find an essay, excerpt or other non-fictional piece that can be read in one or two sittings (like the length of a short story or some of the essays we've read in class).

Post the author you choose here, as well as the two pieces you want to work on by that author. I know there are fewer authors than students, so an author can be selected by no more than TWO different students; however, the works you choose by that author must be different than the other student's choices. Basically, the early bird will get the worm! You have until Thursday night, or I will pick one for you. :o)

Happy shopping!

Edward Abbey, Diane Ackerman, Natalie Angier, Wendell Berry, Jacob Bronowski, Rachel Carson, Charles Darwin, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Jared Diamond, Annie Dillard, Gretel Ehrlich, Loren Eiseley, Timothy Ferris, Tim Flannery, Richard Fortey, Atul Gawande, Stephen Jay Gould, Evelyn Fox Keller, Aldo Leopold, Barry Lopez, Peter Matthiessen, Bill McKibben, Margaret Mead, John Muir, Steven Pinker, David Quammen, Carl Sagan, Lewis Thomas, Jonathan Weiner, E. O. Wilson

Note: If there is a writer that reflects insight on science and nature that is not on the list, you may still be able to use him/her; however, you will need to use rhetoric to convince me!

Periods 1 & 2

Reading Plus is a site that helps you with your reading skills, especially comprehension (your understanding) and fluency (your speed). Each night, I want you to commit to working on Reading Plus for 1/2 hour! Trust me, the time you invest now is time you will save later NOT having to be in intensive classes or having to retake the FCAT.

Here is what you do:

1. Go to http://www.readingplus.com/


2. Click on "login"


3. Click on "student login"


4. Enter the site code, which is hia117


5. Go down to Rodriguez period 1 or 2. If you do not see your name in one class, look in the other.


6. Click on your name then enter your password. You pword is mdcps and your student number. For example, if your student number is 8675209, your password would be: mdcps8675309. (Gaby, Shantell and Kiara, I had to add a zero to the beginning of your student number, so be sure to include that).


7. Once you are in, you will start reading stories. Be advised that the lines will disappear to get you to read faster. Finish a whole activity, and if you want, do another. I will be tracking your progress, and you will be getting a grade.

LOVE YOU and HAVE FUN!

Haiti Relief Drive

C'mon, guys, there's one last chance to donate goods to Haiti. By Tuesday, let's get as much in as we can!

Thanks to periods 1 & 2 for their donations, photos, voices, and contributions to this video. I am very proud of the job you did, even the cackling that we called singing. LOL! In addition, I want to give a special thanks to Joyce and Geisa for their work on the video, Vanessa and Kiara for sending me the sound recordings, and MOSTLY to Ms. Loubeau for organizing the Haiti Relief Drive!

OK, my beautiful kids, just know that if any of you need a helping hand, you can LEAN ON ME! Love you!

REMEMBER TO PAUSE THE PLAYLIST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BLOG BEFORE YOU START THIS VIDEO.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

FCAT WRITES IS TOMORROW, 2/9!

I know that you are going to rock this test!

Remember the CRUNCH time plan:

Concentate on the prompt and make a web!
Reel them in with a sharp hook and thesis
Use FRIES that are FULL OF FLAVOR!
Never forget to use transitions
Conclusions are key
Hand them a FEAST, not a meal or a snack!

Also remember to GET A GOOD NIGHT'S REST and to be on time!

Just a reminder of C-Rod's prize program for FCAT Writing (Remember what I told you - I would rather spend my money on you than myself. Investing in you, I know I will have a HUGE return!):

4.0 or higher - SUNDAE SOCIAL DURING LUNCH
5 or higher - $5 and a PIZZA PARTY DURING LUNCH
6 or higher - DINNER WITH C-ROD

Remember, prizes are cumulative! If you get a six, you get them all!

Happy Writing!

Periods 5 & 6

Are you ready for our next novel? You better be! LOL!

Here it is! It's Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.

The first lines read, "The order to abandon ship was given at 5 p.m. For most of the men, however, no order was needed because by then everybody knew that the ship was done and that it was time to give up trying to save her. There was no show of fear or even apprehension. They had fought unceasingly for three days and they had lost. They accepted their defeat almost apathetically. They were simply too tired to care."

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome! You need to get your copy by 2/16. Whether you bring in $10 for me to buy your copy, you borrow it from a library, or you pick up your own copy, you need to have it. If you plan to have me buy it for you, I need the money by 2/9. Remember, you do not have to buy it, but you do need to get to a library ASAP.

Looking forward to it! Finally, a novel the guys will enjoy! LOL!!!