Team C-Rod's All-Stars

My Blog is ON THE MOVE!

2010-08-09T07:05:00.001-04:00

MY BLOG IS MOVING TO crodsdreamteam@blogspot.com. See you there!

FCAT SCORES ARE IN!

2010-07-01T15:56:00.002-04:00

You can check your FCAT scores on your student portal! Many of you did really well, and some of you fell short. If you want to talk to me about your scores, feel free to call me. You needed to have 300 points or more to pass!!!!

For writing, here's my SUPER SIX crew: Carlos B., Kayla S., Kassandra C.

My FAB FIVE crew: Elisabet C., Paula F., Jennifer R., Joyce S., Jackie S., Andrea A., Ashley G., Hugo G., Monica H., Erika M., Sarai R.

Our FANTASTIC FOUR crew: Laysu, Lourdes, Ashely C., Vanessa D., Shantell, Daniela, Henry, Steppo, Ceci, Melissa, Elio, Yelsin, Dianelis, Anthony, Sarah, Yeny, Dante, Geisa, Gaby, Yuli, Natalia, Juan, Jennifer P., Adisney, Helen, Sarelly, Krystal, Kiara.

Only three of you got threes. No worries, though, this WILL HELP our school grade!!!! I am proud of you, too!

First period had a mean score of 4.45, and second period had a mean score of 4.2. GREAT JOB! I will treat you all to your ice cream and other prizes when we come back. WE WILL HAVE A BIG REUNION PARTY!

So proud of you all!!!

QUESTION OF THE DAY: FCAT SCORES READY? Uh, no!

2010-06-25T09:23:00.004-04:00

I am sorry to have to say this, but there are no FCAT scores yet. I am guessing next week. I PROMISE, PROMISE, PROMISE to call you as soon as I hear something!

LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!

PS. Isn't the picture up top hilarious? LOL!

Thank you!

2010-06-09T11:42:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to tell you thank you and love you! You guys light up my life!

For those of you who were wondering, I put the Renaissance extra credit under the Effort/ Behavior column. If you did a project board, it will go under the Renaissance Fair column in the gradebook. Your exam grades will be up in a day or two.

Love u!

Periods 1 & 2

2010-05-26T22:45:00.003-04:00

I wanted you to see a sample, but I am getting super sleepy, and I have to be up at four a.m. to go to the airport. I tried to upload it several times, but the quotes and captions all shift behind the background when I try to post???? Oh, well.

Please don't forget to email me your poems for the lit magazine.

I will miss you! See you on Tuesday! Pray for my LeeBee!

CONGRATS, NHS INDUCTEES!

2010-05-24T15:02:00.003-04:00

Congrats to the following students on Team C-Rod for being the newest inductees to the National Honor Society. To see the slideshow made by Mrs. Parra, click HERE!

Amanda Frye
Ana Bormey
Melissa Prat
Erika Muniz
Monica Hernandez
Laysu Borges
Vanessa De la Cruz
Genesis Fernandez
Aileen Meneses
Oscar Rios
Mabit Gonzalez
Giloly Jose
Yoanet Garcia

Rick Bravo, Jessica Perez, Ibis Iser, the executive officers of NHS, are also to be lauded (nice use of a vocab word) for a job well done in presenting!

Periods 5 & 6

2010-05-10T14:10:00.003-04:00

Hey there, guys and gals! First, I want to wish you luck on your AP test Wednesday! You are going to do SWELL! Remember, don't lay down, no matter how hard a question may seem, or how tired you are!!!!!

For Monday/Tuesday, you need to have a copy of The Great Gatsby. Our library has several copies, as do our neighboring libraries. If you want to buy your own copy, you can go to any bookstore, or you can buy one from me for $10. I bought only 20 copies, so the first 20 to bring in the money, will get a copy from me. Remember, I do NOT expect you to buy one; you can go to any library and borrow a copy for free!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

2010-05-08T11:40:00.002-04:00

We're celebrating Renaissance Style May 18th! During English class that day, we will have our "GLADFEST - Renaissance Faire." In preparation for our celebration, I am going to need some help with main dishes (lasgana, shepherd's pie, chicken wings or drumettes, baked ziti, etc). If you can help, please see me ASAP, or post it here. I also want you to dress up if you can (it's extra points).

Here is a slideshow from last year's Renaissance Faire. Remember, that only Ms. Davis and I did it last year. This year, it's the whole school. See why we need your help :o) LOL!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Check out the sites below for some ideas:
http://www.renfaire.com/
http://www.party411.com/theme127.html
http://www.42explore2.com/renaissance.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/shakespeare_william.shtml
Wear your toga in honor of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar! Below are sites to help you form your toga Remember, you have to wear your uniform under your toga, no exceptions :o)
http://www.howtomakeatoga.info/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPaFtZIZmfk
http://how-to-make-a-toga.blogspot.com/

Sonnet Review

2010-05-06T15:23:00.004-04:00

Here is a VENN diagram you can use to write out your notes for the sonnet test retake. Period 3, you know what to do. Period 4, after you get your test scores back, you will likely need to do this, too. I know it's a challenge to grasp this, but you must :o) LOVE YOU!
A Lesson on Sonnets_057

Periods 3 & 4

2010-05-04T11:43:00.003-04:00

If you have not turned the Narrative Poem, Metaphor Poem, and/or Lyric Poem, you need to have them in ASAP.

Period 3 - Your lyric poem is due next class, as well as any others you are missing (look in the gradebook).

Don't forget that you need to email your favorite poems to crodslitmagazine@gmail.com as soon as you can! Remember, no attachments...just cut and paste it into the email. Be sure to indicate what kind of poem it is, and if it applies to any of the books/stories or works we've read this year.

SMILE!

Periods 3 & 4

2010-05-01T12:28:00.005-04:00

Your HW for this week is to compare and contrast two entries from the pages you read of TFWD. Remember to consider the writer, the message, the events, the lesson learned, the inspiration. You need to write it in Microsoft Word, fix the spelling and grammar then post your response in the comments section.

In addition, be reminded that your sonnet and lit tools test is Monday for period 4, and Tuesday for period 3.

Love you guys!

Extra Credit for Periods 5 & 6

2010-04-28T06:01:00.003-04:00

Scholarship for college education: $2500
Extra credit points in C-Rod's class: 30
Knowing you are one step closer to going to college: PRICELESS

If you would like some extra credit, here you go: CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RULES OF THIS SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY

I will need the application and the essay on a USB drive by Monday, May 3rd. I will proofread it, and you can make the improvements on 5/4. I will mail it on 5/5 for you. This is 30 points extra credit. You will only get the credit if you cover all of the requirements stated on the link.

SMILE!

Periods 5 & 6

2010-04-27T14:42:00.002-04:00

Hey there, ladies and germs (LOL).

I just wanted to remind you that SYNTHESIS ESSAY #4 is due Wednesday, 4/27 for 5th; and Thursday, 4/28 for 6th. Remember to focus on the prompt and what it's asking you to do. You should already know I do NOT want a summary of the sources; rather, I would like you to use those sources to bolster your own ideas and commentary. Also be reminded that you should not take more than 15 minutes to read the sources and 40 more to write. That is a total of 55 minutes from the moment you read the first word of the packet until the moment you should put your pencil down. Be strict with yourself, as giving yourself more time will only deprive you in the long run. (That was deep stuff, man!)

I also want more of you to sign up for Saturday AP Camp. Ms. Borges and I are working on something special that will be applicable in both your AP Eng Lang and the AP Amer Hist tests.

LOVE YOU! We're almost there!

SATURDAY AP CAMP CANCELED 4/24

2010-04-23T12:40:00.000-04:00

Sorry :o) I have to take a final tomorrow. Our AP Saturday camp will resume on 5/1 and 5/8.
LOVE YOU!

Earth Day & Take Your Child to Work Day

2010-04-23T11:17:00.003-04:00

On "Take Your Child to Work Day," many of my diligent students came to school. Fifth period, for example, took a mock AP Test. In doing so, they have no homework Monday night, and they are one step closer to passing that AP test. Woohoo!

To celebrate Earth Day (April 22nd), we wrote tankas (a five-lined lyric poem with 5, 7, 5, 7 and 7 syllables). While visiting our school's wetlands preserve, we used the environment around us as our inspiration! What a beautiful day it was! Mother Earth is good! Feel free to read some of the tankas under this post (Students, please post by Monday night).

TYCTWD-Clarification

2010-04-22T07:29:00.001-04:00

Hi :o) Only if you miss periods 1, 3 and 5 today of MY class, do you have to do the essay. All periods, however, have the opportunity to do the same assignment for extra credit IF YOU SHOWED UP TODAY!

See the post below for details. Hope your day is wonderful!

Take-Your-Child-to-Work Day

2010-04-21T07:40:00.006-04:00

I'm excited so many of you decided to partake in TYCTWD. I hope you hone your work ethic and skills while you are away. Hopefully, your parents show you what it is like to put in a tough day's work.

If you are participating in TYCTWD and miss my class, you have a make-up assignment. Since what we are doing in class cannot be made up, this will be your make-up assignment.

You need to type a two-page essay on the following topic: Defend or challenge the quote below and use one example from history, one from literature, and one from your experiences at your parent's workplace today, to support your claim.

All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do. ~Author Unknown

The essay must be two pages, double-spaced, one-inch margins, in 12 point Times New Roman font. In addition, your name and period should be on a cover page, not on the essay itself. You are not permitted to skip lines either. I want your best work. It is due on Monday at the start of class. THIS IS WORTH THE 50 POINTS YOU WOULD HAVE EARNED IN OUR CLASS-PROJECT THAT DAY.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN TYCTWD, you can do this assignment as extra credit (50 points).

Enjoy your day with your parent(s). I hope you gain much knowledge about the power of work ethic.

Periods 1 & 2

2010-04-11T15:58:00.002-04:00

Don't forget that you have to turn in your quote analysis papers on Monday (period 1) and Tuesday (period 2) CORRECTED, TYPED and ON POINT. Remember, we are prepping you for AP class or 11th grade honors English next year. This is also the kind of the prompt you will see on the SAT (the test required to attend a university). You can do it!

SMILE!

5th and 6th Period - Saturday AP Camp

2010-04-09T10:43:00.005-04:00

I am hosting three Saturday AP English Language Camps (pending approval, of course). The dates I have proposed to administration are 4/24, 5/1, and 5/8. It will be from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in my room.

If you are interested in attending, please post the dates you are interested in, as well as your first name and period number.

Periods 3 & 4 - English 2

2010-03-30T09:28:00.004-04:00

In case you all needed the document below (if you wanted to get started), here it is. Hope you are enjoying your spring break. I do miss you if you were wondering.

Remember to read; it keeps the mind fresh!!!! No dead brains when you return. LOL! I am reading Eclipse for the second time, as well as some books for my classes. What a blessing it is to read and write! See you in a week!
Portfolio of Poetry

WAY TO GO!

2010-03-26T14:22:00.010-04:00

Congrats to the following students for making A's in both my reading and English classes this quarter: MONICA HERNANDEZ, ERIKA MUNIZ and ANTHONY VALECILLOS

Congrats to these students for making A's all three quarters thus far in English class:

3rd Period - ESTEFANIA MARTINEZ-BONET and LAYSU BORGES

4th Period - MONICA HERNANDEZ and ERIKA MUNIZ

5th Period - RICK BRAVO, AMANDA FRYE, JESSICA PEREZ and IBIS ISER

6th Period - MABIT GONZALEZ and JONATHAN MUNOZ

I am very proud of all my babies, but I am especially proud of the aforementioned students. That is quite a feat!!!!

Spring Break Home Learning

2010-03-25T14:47:00.002-04:00

You have a few tasks for Spring Break. I suggest you do them today, or the Monday that's a teacher workday. Let's finish the year strong!

Periods 3 & 4 - Read The Freedom Writer's Diary, pgs. 78-107. Write three entries in your journal that discuss your feelings regarding the readings, or you can write about your experiences during spring break. You also need to write an enjambment poem of at least 14 lines. Remember, you need to focus on one literary tool.

Periods 5 & 6 - DO pgs 61-63 of your test packet. Set a timer for 16 minutes. Once the time is up, circle the questions you weren't able to finish. You can do them anyway, but I want you to circle them so you are aware that you have to work faster. You also need to read "Men, Women, Sex and Darwin" from the 50 Essays book. It's on page 29. In addition, you need to answer the four questions that follow the reading. Don't write the questions, just the answers (Shocker, I know! LOL!) You also need to look at the stylistic aspects of the essay. Look for figurative language, sytax, rhetoric, etc. Highlight it in your book and make notes in the margin. A useful tool is the handout from the summer with all the rhetorical appeals on it. It's to the left if you need another copy.

OK, I love you all. Be safe and make good choices! I will miss you!!!!!!!!

Check Your FCAT Camp Points

2010-03-24T19:58:00.002-04:00

At 9 p.m. this evening, I will be done entering points for FCAT Camp. I gave 5th and 6th credit for science; 1st and 2nd for reading camp; 3rd and 4th for writing and reading camp. I entered it in the book as 1 point, which may seem low for you, but I promise it's not. It was the only way I could give you partial points if you only came one or two Saturdays. It equaled to a one to three PERCENT increase, which is HUGE!

If you notice I did not credit you for attending camp, see me at lunch tomorrow.

Smile,
C-Rod

BRING YOUR BINDER!

2010-03-24T11:12:00.002-04:00

Periods 3-6, be sure to bring your binder for class. Will there be a binder check? Maybe. You just need to be prepared!

PERIODS 1-6:Test Make-up/Retake Day on 3/24!

2010-03-18T11:32:00.008-04:00

Periods 3 & 4: If you did not get the grade you wanted on the literary tools test (less than an 85%), you can make it up! I will allow you to retake it (it will be a different test, but same lit tools) on Wednesday, 3/24 during lunch. To do this, you will need to bring the old literary tools written out three times (tool and definition) on Tuesday or Wednesday to class. At that time, I will write you a lunch pass for Wednesday. To take the test, you will have to bring your pass and arrive by 11:33. You will have until 11:55 to take it, and then you can eat lunch.

Periods 5 & 6: The same goes for you for our last vocab test, except you will write out ALL Vocab 6 words and definitions 5 times each. See above for the rules and details!

Periods 1-6: If there is a test you need to make up from this quarter, here is what you need to do (no exceptions will be made, sorry):
1. Make sure your absence is excused.
2. Request to take the make-up on this blog by Monday, 3/22 at 8:00 p.m. You must also indicate the date you missed and which test/quiz you have to take.
3. Come to me by Wednesday at 9:25 to request a pass. (Do not interrupt my class to do so, please.)
4. Show up for your make-up by 11:33 a.m.

Remember, I love you!

Periods 1 & 2

2010-03-17T09:13:00.003-04:00

According to the article we read in class today, some marriages are arranged by the parents of a man and a woman, as opposed to them meeting, falling in love and then exchanging vows. Oftentimes, the cultures that arrange marriages use horoscopes to determine if the couple will be a good match. Though I don't find horoscopes to be a valid method of determining your day or that the love of your life has to come from one specific sign, I do think it's interesting. So what I want you to do is look up your sign and the traits of people who fall within that sign. Then look up which sign is the best match for you and why. Do you know anyone who has the same sign as your ideal match? Is what you found accurate based on your experiences with that person? Would you be OK with your parents arranging for you to marry this person at such a young age?

I want you to post your findings here, as well as your reaction to what you discover. If you want to use the Chinese signs (calendar), since so many of you are in Chinese, you can! Have fun with this! Again, I am not pushing astrology; I just thought it would interesting and tie in nicely to our readings this week!

HOLD UP, Periods 5 & 6!

2010-03-16T12:27:00.005-04:00

I feel I have not prepared you well enough for the compare and contrast essay; therefore, I am moving the due date back. Here are the new dates: 3/25 (5th) and 3/26 (6th). Understand that since I am doing more to prepare you, you will be graded even more stringently than before.

To replace this assignment, access the following Powerpoint.Take notes on the presentation then write 5 sentences per type of sentence (for a total of 20) and incorporate your most recent vocab words. It must be typed. This is due this Friday for 5th, and this Thursday for 6th.

Simple, Compound, And Complex Sentences In

Smile and love you (even though I am grouchy).

YOU ARE READY, and I BELIEVE IN YOU!

2010-03-05T12:58:00.006-05:00

I am so glad that FCAT is finally upon us. You have worked so hard to get where you are. Some of you have come every Saturday for FCAT camp, while some of you have endured tutoring at 6:30 every morning. I know Reading Plus has made you nuts, as well as all of the reading passages, but I know it will pay off in huge dividends. Not only are you ready for Tuesday, you are also ready to be a junior, a college student, and a lifelong reader, writer and learner.

Rest this weekend, do a couple more sessions of Reading Plus, then relax. Remember to let the fear go; you are more ready than any other group I've had.

I AM PROUD TO HAVE YOU AS MY STUDENTS, CHILDREN, BABIES, SWEETIES, MUFFINS, ETC! Love you!

Periods 5 & 6 - Compare and Contrast Essay

2010-03-02T09:44:00.003-05:00

You are going to be writing a compare and contrast essay on two literary criticisms of the piece you selected. The due dates are as follows (I made them due after FCAT Science to try and help you out): Period 5 - March 19; Period 6 - March 18.

This time you are going to print one copy for class, but you will have to email it to me by the morning of your due date (there is a reason). I will give you the email address in class.

Furthermore, I need you go to this site (CLICK HERE), and print out this handout. It will prove to be useful, and we will also be discussing it in class.

HW and Vocab Tests

2010-02-24T14:54:00.003-05:00

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

2010-02-19T07:51:00.005-05:00

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

2010-02-15T22:57:00.003-05:00

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

2010-02-12T09:17:00.004-05:00

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:

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

Click on "login"

Click on "student login"

Enter the site code, which is hia117

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

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).

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

2010-02-11T20:53:00.013-05:00

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!

2010-02-08T07:43:00.005-05:00

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

2010-02-02T17:57:00.004-05:00

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!!!

Periods 6 & 5 Work!

2010-01-29T04:49:00.004-05:00

Read this document below (you may have to download it first) then answer the questions that follow. If you did not attend the field trip today (period 6), then you must do it in class, finish it and give your work to the teacher. Those on the fieldtrip for period 6, as well as ALL of 5th period, MUST TURN THIS IN next week. (Per 6 - 2/2; Per 5 - 2/3). Period 5, you will also have homework on Monday night, so you may want to do this now.

Getting ready to head to school for our field trip to the Zora Neale Hurston Festival! SO EXCITED!!!!! Love you all. Standby for photos. :o) Miss you!

The Whistle

OUR FIELDTRIP!

2010-01-28T12:42:00.002-05:00

5th and 6th period kids - Be here NO LATER THAN 6:30 a.m. We will meet by the bus loop. You can wear jeans (NO SHORTS), a nice t-shirt and a jacket. Wear sneakers, too (we will be taking a walking tour). Bring $20-$30 for food, as we will be eating breakfast and dinner off the Turnpike...and you can buy lunch at the festival. Tell your parents that we will be back between 10 and 11 p.m. You can give them a definite time when we stop for dinner.

I cannot wait! Bring your cameras!!!!! Love you!

Periods 3 & 4 - Assignment :o)

2010-01-27T10:23:00.007-05:00

In the first of the journal entries in TFWD, there is talk about sororities and gangs. In sororities, Greek letters symbolize their "club." In gangs, however, graffiti often is their tag. In both sororities and gangs, they use symbols and letters to indicate their affiliation, and they serve as a part of their identity.

You are going to put Greek symbols together to create a name or nickname, or you can create a graffiti version of your name. Remember, color is just as important as letters, as they symbolize certain personality traits.

Create your name on an 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper, and spruce it up nicely! Can't wait to see them!
This is due Friday for 4th and Monday for 3rd.

Periods 3 & 4 Home Learning Questions

2010-01-25T15:32:00.007-05:00

Period 4 has already read the first few excerpts in Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl , as well as the "Foreword" and "Freshman Year; Fall 1994" in The Freedom Writers Diary (TFWD). Period 3, that will be your charge Tuesday night. With that said, your homework is to answer the following questions using specific examples or details from the text.

1. What is the theme (life lesson) of the "Foreword" and "Freshman Year; Fall 1994" of TFWD? Which statement from the section supports that theme? You should also use details to bolster your claim. (short response)
2. Do any of the entries in "Freshman Year; Fall 1994" support the ideas that Zlata expresses in the "Foreward"? Use details to support your response. (short response)
3. Select one of the personality traits (hardworking, innovative, flexible, caring) and show how it helped Ms. Gruwell better meet the needs of her students. Use details from the entries to support your response. (short response)
4. Compare and contrast any of the themes, events, feelings, OR concepts that you've read about so far in Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl and TFWD. (extended response)
5. If you had to do a research project on an event, theme, issue or concept in TFWD, what would it be? Use details from the entries to support your choice. (short response)

Grammar, punctuation, and spelling WILL count!

Period 4's due date is 1/27; Period 3's is 1/28. You must write the questions and underline your answers. You can type it if you choose. LOVE YOU ALL!

Periods 3 & 4

2010-01-25T04:49:00.006-05:00

Taken from www.about.com, here are 33 facts about the Holocaust. From each of the five sections, list one fact that you were not aware of, or one fact that shocked you. Be sure to explain why. Grammar will count! You must post by Thursday (2/4/10) at 11 p.m.

What Does Holocaust Mean?

The Holocaust began in 1933 when Hitler came to power in Germany and ended in 1945 when the Nazis were defeated by the Allied powers.
The term "Holocaust," originally from the Greek word "holokauston" which means "sacrifice by fire," refers to the Nazi's persecution and planned slaughter of the Jewish people. The Hebrew word "Shoah," which means "devastation, ruin, or waste," is also used for this genocide.
In addition to Jews, the Nazis targeted Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the disabled for persecution. Anyone who resisted the Nazis was sent to forced labor or murdered.
The term "Nazi" is an acronym for "Nationalsozialistishe Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" ("National Socialist German Worker's Party").
The Nazis used the term "the Final Solution" to refer to their plan to murder the Jewish people.

The Big Numbers

It is estimated that 11 million people were killed during the Holocaust. Six million of these were Jews.
The Nazis killed approximately two-thirds of all Jews living in Europe.
An estimated 1.1 million children were murdered in the Holocaust.

Persecution Begins

On April 1, 1933, the Nazis instigated their first action against German Jews by announcing a boycott of all Jewish-run businesses.
The Nuremberg Laws, issued on September 15, 1935, began to exclude Jews from public life. The Nuremberg Laws included a law that stripped German Jews of their citizenship and a law that prohibited marriages and extramarital sex between Jews and Germans. The Nuremberg Laws set the legal precedent for further anti-Jewish legislation.
Nazis then issued additional anti-Jews laws over the next several years. For example, some of these laws excluded Jews from places like parks, fired them from civil service jobs (i.e. government jobs), made Jews register their property, and prevented Jewish doctors from working on anyone other than Jewish patients.
During the night of November 9-10, 1938, Nazis incited a pogrom against Jews in Austria and Germany in what has been termed, "Kristallnacht" ("Night of Broken Glass"). This night of violence included the pillaging and burning of synagogues, breaking the windows of Jewish-owned businesses, the looting of these stores, and many Jews were physically attacked. Also, approximately 30,000 Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
After World War II started in 1939, the Nazis began ordering Jews to wear a yellow Star of David on their clothing so that Jews could be easily recognized and targeted.

Ghettos

After the beginning of World War II, Nazis began ordering all Jews to live within certain, very specific, areas of big cities, called ghettos.
Jews were forced out of their homes and moved into smaller apartments, often shared with other families.
Some ghettos started out as "open," which meant that Jews could leave the area during the daytime but often had to be back within the ghetto by a curfew. Later, all ghettos became "closed," which meant that Jews were trapped within the confines of the ghetto and not allowed to leave.
A few of the major ghettos were located in the cities of Bialystok, Kovno, Lodz, Minsk, Riga, Vilna, and Warsaw.
The largest ghetto was in Warsaw, with its highest population reaching 445,000 in March 1941.
In most ghettos, Nazis ordered the Jews to establish a Judenrat (a Jewish council) to both administer Nazi demands and to regulate the internal life of the ghetto.
Nazis would then order deportations from the ghettos. In some of the large ghettos, 1,000 people per day were loaded up in trains and sent to either a concentration camp or a death camp.
To get them to cooperate, the Nazis told the Jews they were being transported to another place for labor,
When the Nazis decided to kill the remaining Jews in a ghetto, they would "liquidate" a ghetto by boarding the last Jews in the ghetto on trains.
When the Nazis attempted to liquidate the Warsaw Ghetto on April 13, 1943, the remaining Jews fought back in what has become known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The Jewish resistance fighters held out against the entire Nazi regime for 28 days -- longer than many European countries had been able to withstand Nazi conquest.

Concentration and Extermination Camps

Although many people refer to all Nazi camps as "concentration camps," there were actually a number of different kinds of camps, including concentration camps, extermination camps, labor camps, prisoner-of-war camps, and transit camps. (Map)
One of the first concentration camps was Dachau, which opened on March 20, 1933.
From 1933 until 1938, most of the prisoners in the concentration camps were political prisoners (i.e. people who spoke or acted in some way against Hitler or the Nazis) and people the Nazis labeled as "asocial."
After Kristallnacht in 1938, the persecution of Jews became more organized. This led to the exponential increase in the number of Jews sent to concentration camps.
Life within Nazi concentration camps was horrible. Prisoners were forced to do hard physical labor and yet given tiny rations. Prisoners slept three or more people per crowded wooden bunk (no mattress or pillow). Torture within the concentration camps was common and deaths were frequent.
At a number of Nazi concentration camps, Nazi doctors conducted medical experiments on prisoners against their will.
While concentration camps were meant to work and starve prisoners to death, extermination camps (also known as death camps) were built for the sole purpose of killing large groups of people quickly and efficiently.
The Nazis built six extermination camps: Chelmno, Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, Auschwitz, and Majdanek. (Auschwitz and Majdanek were both concentration and extermination camps.)
Prisoners transported to these extermination camps were told to undress to take a shower. Rather than a shower, the prisoners were herded into gas chambers and killed. (At Chelmno, the prisoners were herded into gas vans instead of gas chambers.)
Auschwitz was the largest concentration and extermination camp built. It is estimated that 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz.

Grades

2010-01-22T09:09:00.007-05:00

Grades are done for all periods.

I want you ALL to have A's next quarter!

Smile.

Periods 3 & 4

2010-01-21T10:35:00.002-05:00

Here is what you need to do this weekend:

Print out pages 12-19 of this packet...if you haven't done so already. Click HERE for the packet!
Get your copy of Freedom Writers and bring it to class Monday/Tuesday.
Do you vocab homework (4th period); it's due on Monday.
Enjoy your day at FCAT Writing Camp if you are attending!

SMILE!

2010-01-13T17:14:00.003-05:00

I need the following students to see me ASAP (if you see your friend's name on the list, motivate him/her make the time). The little sweeties listed below need to come to me before or after school THIS WEEK for a much-needed opportunity!!!
Period 5 - Anthony, Javier, Sylvia, Kevin, Rosa, Mayara, Tahimi, Gabriel, Nahobi
Period 6 - Chris, Aman, Pedro, Ernest, Silvia, Henry, Marvin, Richard, Blanca, Barbaro, Kristy, Angel & Jame.

To all students in periods 5 & 6 - IF YOU MISSED THE WINTER BREAK READINGS' QUIZ, AND/OR THE LAST QUIZ FOR THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD, the make-up will be next Wednesday morning at 6:50 a.m. (and your absence must be excused for 1/4 or 1/5). Start making arrangements now because it's a one-shot deal.

Let's finish the nine weeks strong!!!! Love you guys and gals!

2010-01-13T02:13:00.004-05:00

You guys are going to do well; I feel it in my bones! You only have one hour, so get busy! We will return to the room for more!

Periods 3 & 4 - Click HERE to take your exam!

Period 5 - Click HERE to access your exam!

Period 6 - Click HERE to access your exam!

A Head's Up

2010-01-11T12:07:00.002-05:00

Hello to my beautiful children. FYI ~

Period 5 - In case there was any confusion, you MUST turn in the 3 times each (midterm review) on 1/12/10.
Period 4 - you need to come and pick up your review packets to write out one more time. I will try to catch you in reading class, but just in case. You also need to read "The Monkey's Paw" on your own.

Smile...love you!

HOMEWORK - PERIODS 5 & 6

2010-01-04T14:04:00.005-05:00

For your homework assignment tonight, read the final draft of "The Declaration of Independence" on page 215 of 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology. If you do not have the book, click HERE to read it.

After you read this document, answer the following question: How it support or challenge the ideas presented in EACH of the winter break readings, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and the cartoon (see a couple posts below for the list)? Use quotes from EACH of your sources to bolster your arguments.

Whether you were absent or not on Monday, January 4th, you will be responsible for this work , which is due next class. Due date - January 6 (period 5); January 7 (period 6). Love you!

Periods 3 & 4

2010-01-04T10:52:00.002-05:00

Here are our upcoming assignments:
1. You need to get your copy of "Freedom Writers' Diary" (see the post a few down from this one).
2. You need to finish your midterm review (due 1/6 and 1/7).
3. Click HERE to print a portion of the packet you will need for next class. Only print pages 4-11. You will need this for 1/6 (per 3), and 1/7 (per 4).

Periods 5 & 6 Home Learning for Break

2009-12-18T14:03:00.005-05:00

During the holiday break, you must read the following:

A letter from Abigail Adams to her husband, John Adams - Click HERE for Abigail's letter to John
The response John Adams writes to his wife. Click HERE for his letter.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton's "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions." It is on page 400 of the 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology book. If you don't have it, you can run a search online.
You must also look at the following cartoon by clicking HERE.

As you read the above passages and look at the cartoon, be sure to draw parallels (and, possibly, note the contrasts) between ALL the author's messages, the cartoon, as well as Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Bring in these notes, the readings, and the novel when you return from break.

You must also answer the following questions:

1. What ethos does Abigail Adams establish in the opening paragraph? How do the questions contribute to the persona she presents?

2. What are some of the generalizations she makes about men and women (use quotes), and how does she make these statements without sounding accusatory or alienating her husband?

3. Based on the details John provides in his letter to Abigail, what can you conclude about his attitude toward her?

4. What do you think about when John tells Abigail the he "cannot but laugh"? Do you feel that is dismissing her suggestions for laws? Is he disrespectful to her? Explain.

5. Describe the overall tone of each of these letters. Based on the tone and the information in the letters, describe the relationahsip between John and Abigail Adams. If there is any, what evidence of intimacy do you find in each letter?

6. What is the analogy that Stanton sets up between Revolution-era Americans and women of her time?

7. Read Stanton's argument through her title: Why does she declare sentiments and resolutions? (Start by defining both terms.) How does she get from the former to the latter?

8. Look for three literary devices in Stanton's reading. What are they? Explain.

9. Create a diagram, table, or chart that shows the parallels and differences in the various readings, the novel, and the cartoon.

SMILE! I WILL MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Periods 3 & 4

2009-12-17T13:39:00.006-05:00

Hey there, guys and gals! Over the break, I need you to pick up a copy of this book (The Freedom Writers Diary). It ranges from $10-$12 at most book stores, or you can borrow one from your local library or our very own media center. I am buying a class set of the Diary of Anne Frank, which we will use in conjunction with this novel. I know this will be an amazing experience for all of us!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BARNES & NOBLE SITE TO BUY ONE ONLINE.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO SEARCH FOR THE BOOK IN THE CATALOG OF YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY.

CLICK HERE TO SEE IF THE BOOK IS AT ANY OF THE LOCAL SCHOOLS, OR HERE AT HGHS.

Periods 5 & 6 - Due THIS FRIDAY!

2009-12-16T14:21:00.005-05:00

For your homework tonight, you will create a 4-3-2-1 chart for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Create a chart that compares and contrasts the movie with the novel. You will need to address the following: 4 aspects of the movie that were not in the novel; 3 aspects in the book that should've been included in the movie ; 2 aspects of the movie you enjoyed; and 1 aspect of the movie you did not enjoy

Be sure to explain your answers. This is due on Friday, 12/18 when you walk in the door. This is likely to be the last of the grades you will get for this quarter. SMILE!

Periods 3 & 4

2009-12-15T11:11:00.002-05:00

Here you go, guys. Sections I, II, V, VI must be completed by THIS Friday (the rest will need to be completed by January 4/5). Naturally, it will be for a grade (both times). I hope this helps you in your preparation. Be advised that I may add to it when we return from break! I love you!

Midterm Study Guide - English II Honors

PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE MAKING UP A TEST TOMORROW.

2009-12-14T17:02:00.003-05:00

Some of you are coming in tomorrow to make up tests, but your absences are UNEXCUSED; therefore, you will not be able to make them up.

The following students requested a make-up test and have been approved to take it:
Chapter 5 & 6 - Rick, Maribel, Blanca
Chapters 7 -9 - Esther
Chapters 10-12 - Jessica

All others, you are out of luck; I'm sorry. I love you, but that is my final decision.

Periods 3 & 4

2009-12-11T08:02:00.002-05:00

Click HERE to print the "There, Their, They're" worksheet. Please bring it to class COMPLETED on Monday and Tuesday. You write it out by hand (include the notes, questions and answers), or print it from the computer and just fill in the answers. Love you!

My students are the best. They're always trying their hardest in school and in their homes. There is a place in my heart for each one of them. (LOL!)

By the way, if you make a mistake with any of these three homophones when we return from break, you will write it out the notes portion of the handout 50 times. Therefore, be careful.

Periods 5 & 6

2009-12-10T15:34:00.004-05:00

For those of you numbskulls (wink, wink) who have a quiz to make up for Their Eyes Were Watching God, the time to do so is at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, 12/15. If you are one minute late, you can forget it! Be advised that you can only take the missed quiz if your absence is EXCUSED...and you MUST post which quiz you're missing, so I know how many of you will be here. The post needs to be up by Monday at 11 p.m. This is your last shot to make up quizzes, or it's a ZERO, baby! I love you all!

Period 6 - Tests

2009-12-10T11:10:00.003-05:00

Click HERE to access your vocab test.

Click HERE to access the chapter test for Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Some Words to Ponder - 5th & 6th period

2009-12-04T14:12:00.004-05:00

Hey, guys and gals. I want you to read the quote below then write a carefully reasoned, persuasive paragraph (or two) that either defends, challenges, or qualifies the quote’s position. Use evidence from your observations, experiences, and/or readings to develop your position.

"Most humans [don't] love one another nohow, and this mislove is so strong that even common blood can't overcome it all the time." ~ Zora Neale Hurston

Try and limit yourself to 10 minutes, and be sure that it's grammatically correct and that your spelling is PERFECT! You must post your response by Monday night at eleven.

Good luck, and I really look forward to your responses. I want to be inspired!!!

LOVE YOU!

1960s Playlist - Periods 3 & 4

2009-12-03T05:35:00.002-05:00

That's righteous, man! Here is a 1960's playlist just for you! If you want to listen, pause the playlist at the bottom of the blog. As you work on your 1960's projects and assignments, pull this up for a little inspiration. Totally rad! We are going to go ape for this lesson!

Periods 5 & 6 - Woohoo!

2009-12-01T14:14:00.003-05:00

Here is your Their Eyes Were Watching God "blog task" for the week. For chapters 5 - 8, find one example from each of the tiers of syntax (way of organizing words, phrases and sentences):

Tier One - paradox, aphorism, cumulative, juxtaposition
Tier Two - antithesis, triadic, parataxis, freight-train
Tier Three - segregating, balanced, chiasmus, passive

You can use the Style and Rhetorical Appeals handout to the left for a review. This is due by THIS Tuesday by 11 p.m. for period 6; Wednesday at the same time for period 5. Remember to indicate the page number for each of your examples, and don't use the same one someone else has used. I look forward to your responses!!!

I'm out today :o(

2009-11-30T04:19:00.002-05:00

Sorry, guys, but dad needs me today. He had a rough weekend, and I need to be with him to make sure he is OK. I will miss you terribly, that's for sure. Below is the work for the day that I want you to complete. Even though I am not there, I want your best! I will see you Tuesday. Until then, hugs and besitos! Love you all!

Period 2 – Turn to page 184 of your textbook, and use these definitions to complete pgs 70 & 71 in your workbook. Do all activities. (20 minutes)

Turn to page 72 in your workbook. Do all activities for pages 72 & 73. (20 minutes) Then turn to page 186 of your textbook. Read pages 186-197 (you can use the CDs that accompany the reading, which is in an Edge CD case next to my computer. (30 minutes)

After reading, the kids will work in groups. There should be 5 groups of 3 or 4, and each group will complete the following pages: Group 1 – Pages188 & 189; Group 2 – Pages 190 & 191; Group 3 – Pages 192-194; Group 4 – Pages 195-197

The task is that each group create a summary for their section. I want a new title for the assigned section, a one-sentence summary for their section, as well as three to five main points. Write it on a nice, white sheet of computer paper, add a graphic, and organize the info in a unique way. All work is due at the end of the period for a grade.

Period 4 – Students will work in groups to create a 4-3-2-1 chart for New Moon. Using the big paper (behind the bookshelf by the counter), create a chart that compares and contrasts the movie with the novel. On the chart paper, they will address the following:
4 aspects of the movie that were not in the novel
3 aspects in the book that should have been included in the movie
2 aspects of the movie you enjoyed
1 aspect of the movie you did not enjoy

Once they are done, they can share with the class, or they can wait until I return. After that, it’s Scrabble time (they MUST ALL play).

Period 6 – Turn in all vocab cards at the beginning of class. Be sure to include your name on the back of at least one of the cards.

In groups of four, the teams will complete the following tasks:
1. If chapters 1-4 were one chapter, what would the chapter’s title be?
2. Create a chart of 6 events from chapters 1-4
3. Write a nice, white sheet of computer paper, add a graphic, and organize the info in a unique way.
4. On another sheet, create a characterization chart for Janie, Nanny, and Logan Killicks. I want the physical description (quoted from the text); their mental, physical and psychological state; and their main motivation (so far). Again, make it unique!

Once you are finished, read QUIETLY! Your homework for chapters 5 & 6 will be on the blog, and you should expect a quiz on chapters 1-6 on Wednesday.

THANKS!!!!

New Moon Field Trip

2009-11-25T10:11:00.003-05:00

Click here to see highlights from our New Moon field trip!

Thanks to Ms. Parra for making this Smilebox

and to all of the students and teachers who attended.

I am so proud of your outstanding behavior!

Periods 5 & 6

2009-11-24T08:21:00.005-05:00

Here is your Their Eyes Were Watching God "blog task" for the week. For chapters 1-4, find one example from each of the tiers of literary tools:

Tier One - metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, oxymoron
Tier Two - personification, paradox, hyperbole, allusion
Tier Three - apostrophe, metonymy, pun, or irony (verbal, situational or dramatic)

You can use the Style and Rhetorical Appeals handout to the left for a review. This is due by THIS Sunday at 11 p.m. Remember to indicate the page number for each of your examples, and don't use the same one someone else has used. I look forward to your responses!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-23T09:01:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to wish my sweeties a very Happy Thanksgiving. Let's start an Attitude of Gratitude chain right here on our blog.

Click on "comments" below and state three things for which you are thankful (be different)! I already know you are grateful for your parents and family, your friends, and your AMAZING teachers (try not to laugh), but I want some original things. I will go first so you can see what I mean (mine may be longer since I talk a lot)! Be sure to read the various comments that are posted, and you will see that we have so MUCH to be thankful for, even the small things we take for granted!

I hope your day and weekend is filled with all the love and happiness your heart can handle, and all the food your tummies can take! Remember, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips! haha!

LOVE YOU ALL! Thanks for being the great kids you are! I am blessed!

New Moon Poem - Periods 3 & 4

2009-11-10T11:18:00.009-05:00

I bet you can guess from the title of this post that you are going to write a poem for New Moon. Well, you guessed right...being the amazingly bright students you are. Here are the requirements:

It must be a minimum of 14 lines.
You will write your poem from the point of view of one of the characters.
There must be a rhyme scheme (either ABBA, ABAB, or AABB).
You must use at least five different literary tools (see our current list on the left).
You must include the quote you are painting onto your shirt for our field trip.
Proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization is REQUIRED!
Your rough drafts are due Nov. 12 (period 4); Nov. 13 (period 3).
Final drafts are due on Nov. 16 (period 4); Nov. 17 (period 3).
Your final draft must include some graphic that relates to your poem

You may type your final draft and glue it on posterboard (or construction paper), or you can write it by hand NICELY and NEATLY on posterboard.

I truly look forward to seeing your work! I know it will be AMAZING!

HOMECOMING 2009

2009-11-06T09:07:00.004-05:00

It's Homecoming Time! This year's theme is Mardi Gras, and it promises to be TONS of fun!

Monday - Flashback day (Wear clothes from your favorite decade.)

Tuesday - Cartoon Day (Wear clothing of your favorite cartoon character.) The faculty talent show is after school, and yours truly will be performing!

Wednesday - Pajama Day (There is no school that day, so you can sit at home all day in your jammies. LOL)

Thursday - Gladiator Day (Wear your favorite Gladiator shirt, or your green and black WITH your uniform pants.) The game is on this day at 7:30 at Traz Powell Stadium

Friday - Sports Day (Wear a jersey or tshirt of your favorite sports team. Jason Taylor, here I come!) Our Homecoming Dance is this day. Come out and have some fun!

When you dress up on a dress up day, I will give you Mardi Gras beads.

Periods 3 & 4 Reflections

2009-11-02T16:16:00.008-05:00

In your literature circles today, you each had a role and you had meaningful conversations about quotes from New Moon, the characters, how this relates to our own lives and the human experience, among other topics. What I want you to do here is reflect on what you discussed. You can write about your role and how your circle members responded to your question(s), or you can reflect on the questions that were asked of you (or you can do both - LOL).

Please be sure that your reflections are grammatically correct and that you use ALIVE words!!!!!
Period 3's responses are due by Tuesday at 11:00 p.m.; Period 4's is due Wednesday at 11 p.m.

Periods 3 & 4 - This is for you!

2009-11-01T20:13:00.001-05:00

Make sure you are caught up with your reading. You should have read up to the end of chapter 17 by next class (Monday for 3rd; Tuesday for 4th). Our activity this week is dependent on you having already read these chapters!!!!

I know you can do it! Nineteen days until we go see New Moon!!!!!

Periods 3-6: Trick or Treat Activity

2009-10-29T04:24:00.008-04:00

As you walked into class today, you picked a piece of candy from the candy bowl. Did you know that what you picked says quite a bit about you? I know, SHOCKER!

Well, now that you’ve gotten the treat, you are going to do a trick and POST IT HERE.

Periods 3 & 4: In one paragraph, explain how the personality description of your selected candy bar resembles your personality. Explain with specific examples why this description is accurate or not. Use ALIVE words! In another paragraph, you will do the same for your favorite New Moon character. If he or she went trick-or-treating, which candy would he/she choose based on their actions, behavior, or powers? (You only get to pick one.) To support your answer, you will need to cite specific examples from the novel. Use ALIVE words! This is due Sunday by 11:00 p.m.

Periods 5 & 6: You are going to write a well-reasoned paragraph that challenges or defends the following quote: "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Remember to use examples from your experiences, observations or readings to support your answer. In another paragraph, explain how the personality description of your selected candy bar resembles your personality. Explain with specific examples why this description is accurate or not. (For 6th, this is due by Sunday at 11:00 p.m.; 5th period's is due by Monday at 11 p.m.)

BABY RUTH - Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm fuzzy items. You are a little nutty, but you are interesting to talk to!
3 MUSKETEERS - You are adventurous, love new ideas, are a champion of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up, you whip out your saber.
BUTTER FINGERS - Smooth and articulate, you are an excellent after-dinner speaker and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time.
SNICKERS – You are fun-loving, sassy, humorous. Everyone enjoys being around you. But you are a practical joker!
MILKY WAY - You are romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people and can be counted on in a pinch. You tend to melt in romantic situations. TWIX – You are sexy, always ready to give, very energetic, and you really like to get the most out of life. The opposite sex is always attracted to you. M & M’s - You are a very fun loving person who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you because you are a very warm-hearted person.
CRUNCH – You are happy-go-lucky. In a crunch, you are a person who is reliable and resilient. You persevere under stressful situations, but you can have fun at the same time.

Happy Halloween! Make smart choices this weekend, please!

Periods 5 & 6 Home Learning Info

2009-10-23T04:55:00.005-04:00

You will read "I Just Wanna Be Average" from the 50 Essays book (pg 350), or you can download it from two posts below this one. There are three tasks you have with this reading:

Do the four questions that follow the essay. (For those of you without a book, you will need to copy them out of someone's book.) You will only submit your answers, but they must be numbered and they must be in complete sentences and/or paragraphs.
I will look for ACTIVE READING on your handout, or in your book. That means I want to see highlighting, underlining and annotations (notes in the margins, between the lines, etc.)
You will do the Style and Rhetorical Appeals chart for this reading. The link for it is a few posts below, or look to the left. When you do the chart, remember to use the Style and Rhetorical Appeals Terms to Know. Understand that you will not find EVERY TERM on the chart in the essay. However, you will find quite a few things from each section on the chart. I want you to indicate what you do find and provide specific quotes, examples and details that support your findings. I want THOROUGH work here.

Be advised that there might be a chance of a pop quiz on this essay. Don't be alarmed. If you read, you will be fine. Remember, too, DO NOT copy off each others' work. The fix from that will only be temporary, as cheating ALWAYS catches up with you one way or another.

Period 5 - You have test corrections, too (due Monday with the home learning assignment). Oh, and don't forget to rewrite your essay (due Wednesday...YAY!).
Period 6 - The "I Just Wanna Be Average" items are due on Tuesday for you. Your vocab test will be on Tuesday, and your test corrections and essay rewrite will be due on Thursday, so plan accordingly. Most importantly, know that I miss you! (I am at a workshop today for A.P., which will help us all immensely!)

All classes, don't forget that the extra credit is due 10/27 and 10/28. The essay for Have a Little Faith, BTW, is to compare and contrast the the rabbi and the preacher (I don't mean their race, income, and religion). You will need to have an attention-grabbing introduction, a thesis statement, several body paragraphs, several quotes and examples, a stellar conclusion that leaves my mouth hanging open, leaves me in AWE!

Love and miss you all! Happy Weekend!

Periods 3 & 4

2009-10-22T10:59:00.008-04:00

For Chapters 10-12, I wanted you to consider the symbolism (the emotional meaning behind an item, color, word or phrase) in New Moon. If you remember from our past classes, we discovered that Bella is like the earth. Earth symbolizes her because she is moved by (and reacts to) the forces around her, like the moon (Edward) and the sun (Jacob). The new moon symbolizes Edward because he is not able to be seen fully by Bella (the earth), but he is present. The sun symbolizes Jacob because he is warm and brightens Bella's world. Well, just like these three celestial bodies symbolize the characters and their personalities, such is the case for the colors fof each of the wolves in the pack.

Each of the five wolves in chapter 11 is a certain color. Bella explains on page 243 that one is deep gray, one is light gray, one is brown, one is reddish brown, and another is black. These five wolves represent the five members of the "La Push Gang" - Sam, Embry, Jacob, Paul, and Jared.

On pages 137, 146, 173, 198, 325 (and throughout chapters 6, 7, 8, 10 and 14), Bella and Jacob inform the reader about these young men. Based on what you learn about them, which wolf (and its fur color) represents which character?

Now, looking at your bookmark where it shows the symbolism of the many colors, why are the colors of the wolves appropriate (or not appropriate) for each of the "La Push Gang" members? Do the colors of their fur symbolize who they are as people?

For example, Sam is the black wolf, and black symbolizes power. Since we know that Sam is the leader of the pack, as explained by Jcaob, black is the ideal color for when he morphs into a wolf.

For each of the wolves, do what I just did for Sam - write a few sentences that explain why/why not the fur color symbolizes the character. There are other traits that symbolize black, so you will still have to do one for Sam. Use specific quotes, details and events from the novel to support your answer.

This must be done on the blog by Monday, October 26th at 11:00 p.m. WATCH FOR SPELLING, GRAMMAR and PUNCTUATION. Type out your response in Microsoft Word, run a spell check, then copy and paste it into the comment section on the blog.

I believe in you!!! You can do it!!!!

5th and 6th Periods - LOOK HERE!!!

2009-10-20T07:46:00.007-04:00

Bring in your 50 Essays book.

You will need to bring it EVERY DAY from this day on!

Let me know if you are having issues with this, and I can try and help.

You will need to print this chart (You might as well make a few copies for future use): http://www.scribd.com/doc/15650763/AP-Style-and-Rhetorical-Appeals-CHART

And you will need to print this story if you don't have your 50 Essays book: http://www.middlesexcc.edu/faculty/Robert_Roth/rosetext.htm

Periods 1-6 Extra Credit

2009-10-16T04:44:00.003-04:00

Here is your chance to get some extra points (don't ask me how many). I am going to be reading Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom, and for those of you who want some extra credit, you are too. Get the book this weekend and begin reading. In your book, I will look for "How to Mark a Book" concepts (See me for it TODAY if you don't have it). I also want to see vocab added to your journal. You will have an oral quiz on 10/27 during lunch, and you will have a paper due on 10/28 by 7:20 a.m. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to these dates or times!!!!

For the synopsis, click HERE. I am sure it will be truly inspiring!

Binder Check

2009-10-15T12:15:00.006-04:00

Ok, guys and gals, periods 3-6 will have binder checks next week! This is what I want to see:

A BINDER (3 rings, 1.5 inches thick or more)

DIVIDERS (Notes, Tests, Handouts, Vocab, and Responses. Post-it notes as your dividers WILL NOT work. I want the real deal.)
NEATNESS (No papers in side pockets, and the binder should ONLY include English class notes, work, items, etc. If you have reading with me, too, you can create a 6th section just for reading. I am OK with that.)
COVER PAGE (Your first page should be inviting. Have your name, the class name, the period, and some cool graphic).
NOTES (Any notes from the blog or class lectures should be included.)
VOCAB (Your vocab notes, tests, corrections, Words of the Day, should all be in this section. If you like the vocab journal idea, just put the actual journal in this section).
HANDOUTS (All handouts, short stories, etc., should be here. For AP, these should include ALL summer handouts, too.)
RESPONSES (These include classwork, homework, essay responses, etc. These DO NOT include anything dealing with VOCAB).
TESTS (Pretty self explanatory. Again, VOCAB tests go in the VOCAB section).
BRING IT! (This is the most important part - you MUST bring your binder everyday).

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment. Periods 3 & 5 will have their checks this upcoming week). Periods 2 & 4 will have theirs the following week. This should be the easiest A you earn all quarter, so please get it right.

Love you all!

WORDLE Activity FOR 5th and 6th

2009-10-12T13:46:00.003-04:00

Post the URLs for your wordle posters here. Remember, you are either defining or finding synonyms for the Words of the Day. You will get your word and the instructions in class...just post the URL here. Be sure to include your first name, the word you did and the category.

SMILE!

FIRST PERIOD...This is for you!!!!

2009-10-07T08:17:00.003-04:00

It's United Way time. I need you guys to bring in dimes for Friday, 10/9; quarters on 10/13, and dollars on 10/15. Try and help any way that you can. This is a wonderful cause. SMILE!

Never Quit

2009-10-03T08:34:00.002-04:00

I know we are only six weeks into the school year, but I can see the stress on some of your faces. I just wanted you to know that YOU CAN DO IT. I saw this video, and I thought you would like to see it, too. Don't let anyone or any obstacle stand in the way of your dreams and your success. Never settle for less than who you are - AMAZING! I truly mean that. Love you!

Periods 3 & 4 - New Moon

2009-10-02T10:48:00.004-04:00

Hello, New Mooners! LOL!

Here is your blog/New Moon task for the week. For chapters 4-7, find examples from the book that show PARADOX, OXYMORON, IRONY (verbal, situational or dramatic), PUN, or HYPERBOLE. Of the five literary tools, you must find examples for at least three. You can use the Literary Tools Handout to the left for a review. (I will fix it by tonight; I see the file is corrupted.) This is due by Friday, 10/9 at 7 a.m.

Remember to indicate the page number, and don't use the same one someone else has used.

Have fun with this!!!

Periods 5 & 6 Vocab Review & Color Purple

2009-09-29T15:00:00.005-04:00

Hey there, guys and gals! Click on the link below to review your vocabulary words for this week's test. You can review your words in four formats: flashcards, a memory or concentration game, or in a word search. You shouldn't need a log-in. Just click on the activity once you are in. Then you click on PLAY THE GAME.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE REVIEW ACTIVITIES!

Have fun with this!!!

In addition, if you want to see a clip from "The Color Purple," click HERE! Please take a look and sign up for our field trip on 10/29!!!

Periods 1-6

2009-09-25T16:34:00.003-04:00

For those of you who did not do this activity, you still have a chance for 5 FREE points. I need you to respond the post WELCOME TO TEAM C-ROD. Leave a comment about one thing you are looking forward to this year in English or Reading class. (BTW, the last day of school is NOT an answer! LOL!)

Saturday, August 22, 2009
WELCOME TO TEAM C-ROD!

I want you to get those easy points, so please do it.

SMILE, and I love ALL of you...even if I get grumpy sometimes. LOL!!!!!

Periods 2, 4, & 6 - I missed our time together today. I hope you enjoyed Twilight - my treat to give you a much-needed rest. Period 3 - It's for you to see on Tuesday.

Periods 1 & 2

2009-09-24T12:14:00.004-04:00

After reading "Skins," we got a small snapshot of Native American customs. Not to mention, we learned several life lessons during the course of the story! The narrator, Mitchell, used many of Uncle Tommy's aphorisms to teach us to be comfortable in our own "skin." An aphorism is a brief saying that embodies a general truth, a life lesson or an astute observation. A theme in a story is very similar - it is the moral message, the life lesson that is implied.

With that said, my sweetie-pies, you have an assignment. It is NOT optional, and it is in two parts. You must do both.

Part 1: Find an aphorism or a theme in "Skins." Explain what this taught you and how you will follow that advice from now on. Make sure your response is grammatically correct, please. I will allow you to look through the book during class...unless you can access it now through the Student Portal. I want the quote from the story in your response.

Part 2: Click HERE to generate an Indian name. When you are on the webpage, just click "Get Your Name." Once you get your Indian name, tell me what it is in a comment/post. What do the words mean in English? Does your Indian name symbolize you, does it define you or reflect who you are? Explain this in a short paragraph on our blog.

You can submit both responses in ONE post, or you can can do it in two different ones. This is due on 9/30 by 11:00 p.m.

Have fun with this :o)

My Indian name, by the way, was WALLOWING TURKEY! Hilarious!

Periods 5 & 6: Make-Up of Summer Readings

2009-09-22T21:36:00.004-04:00

I am not one for failing students; I am one to foster learning. With that said, here here is ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY to pull up your summer reading grades and, more importantly, learn about reading essays and articles with a critical eye.

Be reminded that this opportunity applies only to the summer ESSAYS AND EDITORIALS.

For those of you who did not attempt and/or finish these, and for those who did score as well as they'd hoped, please do the following:

For all eight essays, do the SOAPStone questions...not the chart. You must type your responses, and be sure to address EACH of the SOAPStone categories and support your ideas with quotes from the text. It must be in essay form.

For the eight editorials, you must do ten instead. You must use the "Style and Rhetorical Appeals Terms to Know," along with your "Style and Rhetorical Appeals Graphic Organizer" to complete the information. Be sure to use specific examples to bolster your claims.

You will have until 10/1 (5th period) or 10/2 (6th period). I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY MAKE-UP WORK AFTER THIS DATE...even if you are absent on the due date!!!!

If you still choose not to do these assignments, it's all on you. I have provided every opportunity for you to learn and succeed, now it's your call. Remember, I love you...don't let me down!

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
~ Colin Powell

New Moon Homework: Chapters 1-3

2009-09-20T14:49:00.004-04:00

Periods 3 & 4 - Due by September 28th at 11:00 p.m.

You know how I am always pointing out AWESOME WRITING in our readings. Remember when Bradbury, the author of "A Sound of Thunder," described the T-Rex??? Well, now it's your turn to discover it for yourself in chapters 1-3 in New Moon. For this assignment, I want you to choose three different sentences that appeal to your sense of smell, sight, taste, touch AND/OR hearing. You will need to type the full sentence in the comment section, identify the sense it's playing on, as well as the page number the sentence is located. YOU CANNOT USE SENTENCES THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS ALREADY USED.

Here is an example, but you will have to do this for three different sentences:
SIGHT - "That was me. Me in a mirror. Me-ancient, creased and withered." (Page 6)

Be reminded that THIS IS NOT EXTRA CREDIT. Feel free to use a class computer during lunch, or before/after school if you need to.

As you read, underline the sensory images (which is active reading, a trait of a GREAT READER). You should also try to employ Meyer's strategies whenever you write. She is gifted at luring in the reader with her sensory details! Have fun with this!

Our Class!

2009-09-20T06:48:00.008-04:00

These are photos of some of the firsts this year. Hope you like! I am so blessed to making Hialeah Gardens' history with my champion students!

The Butterfly Effect Extra Credit - Periods 3 & 4

2009-09-16T09:51:00.003-04:00

In the short story, "The Sound of Thunder," we learned that traveling through time can be dangerous. The characters from the story realize how they impact nature when one of the hunters steps on a butterfly. Through the destruction of one small element of the ecosystem, the future was changed. This is known as the “Butterfly Effect.” Man is causing changes in the ecosystem today.

Choose one of the topics below and write six sentences about how “tomorrow” will be affected by that topic.

Example:
Today: There is an oil spill off the coast of California.
Tomorrow:
1. Fish are poisoned.
2. People must buy expensive fish from the east coast.
3. People can no longer afford fish so they eat more meat.
4. More and more people get high cholesterol.
5. Some people die from heart attacks due to high cholesterol.
6. A president who creates positive change in the world is never born.

Choose one topic:
Topic 1: More oil is pumped to lower the price of gas.
Topic 2: A park is made into a parking lot.
Topic 3: A new landfill opens in your neighborhood.
Write your topic here.
Today:
Complete six sentences.
Tomorrow:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The deadline for this activity is 9/21 at 11p.m.

Periods 3 & 4 - This is for you!

2009-09-15T19:14:00.005-04:00

This is the newest New Moon trailer (aired on the VMA's on 9/13). Click on the photo if you would like to see it.

Have your books ready for Monday! I AM SO EXCITED TO GET STARTED!

Below, you will find the links for the reading calendars for the novel. Print them and put them in your notebook.

September Reading Calendar
October Reading Calendar
November Reading Calendar

Periods 5 & 6

2009-09-14T05:37:00.005-04:00

Hey there, guys and gals! Please bring your summer reading books everyday for the next week or two. Smile!

Periods 1 & 2 Playlist

2009-09-12T09:29:00.004-04:00

You all compiled a playlist for our reading theme of the month, "When Do You Really Know Someone?" For some of the songs, I could not find the clean versions, but I still think the playlist represents the joys and pitfalls of getting to know someone. To listen, pause the playlist at the bottom of the page then press play on this one. ENJOY!

Feel free to leave feedback. Love you!

GREAT JOB, GUYS! Way to go!

Vocab Review for Periods 3 & 4

2009-09-08T14:35:00.002-04:00

ROOTS:
LUC, LUM - light; to shine or glitter
SPECT - see, view or look
PATH/PATHY - feelings, emotions, disease

Apathy - having no feeling (remember, the prefix "A" means NOT, WITHOUT)
Antipathy - having a strong feeling against (remember, "ANTI" means AGAINST)
Empathy - understanding of another's feelings
Pathos - arousing pity; the expression of feeling pity
Elucidate - to shed light on
Lucent - giving off light
Lucubration - hard or difficult study (from the old days of "done by the lamp light")
Luminary - one who sheds light on a subject
Translucent - partly transparent; allowing light to get through
Circumspect - to see things from all angles; watchful and discreet (remember, "CIRCUM" means AROUND)
Introspective - the ability to look within oneself (remember, "INTRO" means WITHIN)
Retrospect - the contemplation of things in the past (remember, "RETRO" means BACK)

YOU WILL DO GREAT! Just study! Love you....

Periods 1, 2, 5, 6

2009-09-06T09:58:00.006-04:00

Ever heard of the Rock Bottom Remainders? Well, by day, they’re authors...really famous authors! But once a year they shed their pen-and-pencil clutching personas and become rock stars, complete with roadies, groupies and a wicked cool tour bus.

Amy Tan (the author of "Two Kinds" and The Joy Luck Club), Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie) and Stephen King (The Green Mile, It, and other thrillers) are just three of the famous authors in this band.

Click HERE to see a performance of RBR (with Mitch Albom singing lead).
Click HERE to see their Good Morning America interview.

For some extra points, give me some feedback on their performance and, more importantly, their interview. Tell me why you believe they made their own band, why they continue to perform, and why they wear costumes in their performances. Please also tell me the name of another author in the band and name one literary piece that person penned.

You will need to post your comment by 11 p.m. on 09/09/09. Enjoy!!!!

PERIODS 5 & 6 ONLY

2009-09-03T09:48:00.003-04:00

If you are still in need of this book, I can get them for $20 with my teacher discount at Barnes and Noble. During the week of 9/4 to 9/11, I will collect money from the students who want me to order their books. Remember, if you have financial issues at home, we can help. There are libraries that check them out, I can lend out my copy, or we can try and find a used one. Just let me know if this is your case, please. I cannot help you if I do not know what's going on.

In addition, our class texts, The Language of Composition, will be here soon. The school ordered these for you because they were a little expensive.

Please DO NOT buy any AP Language practice books. We will be doing plenty of practice in class (and the occasional Saturday), there are practice tests online through College Board, and I have copies of several books for you to borrow. PLEASE DON'T SPEND YOUR MONEY ON PRACTICE BOOKS!!!!!

OK, remember I love you all!!!!! Happy Labor Day Weekend.

Periods 3 & 4 - This is for you!

2009-08-31T04:50:00.005-04:00

Since we have been reading about grandparents in our reading classes, you are going to write a poem and make a card for your "abuelo or abuela" for Grandparents' Day in English class. Read the document below for some background on this special day and see the rubric for this assignment.

By the way, if you share a comment here about your grandparent using a literary tool learned in class, you will receive some bonus points for the nine weeks (periods 3 & 4 only). The tools we've learned so far are: simile, metaphor, allusion, alliteration, onomatopoeia.

If you're one of the ones (like me) with no grandparents, you can create your poem and card for a special older person in your life who reminds you of an abuelo...like an aunt or family friend, etc.

I look forward to working on this with you as you honor that special someone.

SMILE!

National Grandparent's Day Poetry Activity

WELCOME TO TEAM C-ROD!

2009-08-22T07:38:00.003-04:00

Hello! Welcome to Team C-Rod! This school year is going to be an exciting SEASON of victories and triumphs, and I am honored to be your learning coach.

We are going to use this blog as part of our PLAY BOOK to better us as a TEAM! On this blog, you will find tips for homework and projects, extra credit assignments, recaps of activities, a list of upcoming assignments, videos and slideshows of our BEST PLAYS, among many other resources. Below this post, I included some of last year's MVP performances to motivate and inspire you!!!!

As your COACH, I expect my PLAYERS to view, learn from, and comment on our PLAY BOOK. I recommend that you look at our PLAY BOOK at least every other day.

Your first assignment is to create an ID and/or email account then post a comment. Your ID/Email MUST include your first name, only your last initial and your period number (Google e-mail is free, by the way). For example, a student named Christy Lopez in period 2 would have an ID/email of ChristyL2. This will help me identify you easier. If I have you for two classes, you only need to add one of the two period numbers, not both. I highly recommend that you ALL jot down your ID somewhere visible (maybe put it on a post-it note and stick it on your computer). You will need to use this every time you post.

Once you create your ID, comment under this post. I want a quick blurb on what you would like to see happen this SEASON in Team C-Rod's English class. Please know that "doing nothing" and "sleeping" is not an ideal response. haha! I promise you, that will never happen! I really would like to know what you want to get out of my class! Please remember that your blogs should be mature and "limpia!"

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to let me know. I am here to guide, lead, and coach you!

See you on the playing field for PRACTICE, and be ready to help create our TEAM GOALS!

GO TEAM!

Love,
C-Rod
Your Coach & Teacher

Our Student STAR Spectacular!

2009-06-02T20:04:00.001-04:00

Below is a video of the photos from our Student Spectacular on May 28th. (Give it time to buffer, and pause the playlist at the bottom of the blog.)

I want to thank you and your parents for coming out and sharing our successes. It was my privilege to be your teacher this year! I love you all!

2009-05-19T17:12:00.001-04:00

It was CELEBRATION WEEK FOR MY STELLAR WRITERS !

May 14th - It was dinner for the top dogs at Buca di Beppo's! YUM!

May 15th - The 100 students who passed from my class had a SUNDAE social during lunch. Though you all got rained on, you still came in droves for ice cream and the fixings!

May 19th - All you level 4's and up were treated to doughnuts and juice (that's 90 of you)! What is better is each of the 5's, 5'5's and 6's received "five for a five." There were 15 writers in total to get $5 for getting a five or higher.

To see all of the FCAT Writing stats, scroll down a couple posts in the middle column!

I wish I could do more for all of your efforts! I am so proud of you. Just remember the real reward (and motivation) should be that AWESOME feeling you had when you heard you passed! That is PRICELESS!

2009-05-19T17:11:00.001-04:00

It was time to celebrate

The state average of passing students was 77%; you all were 98%. The state average of students earning a score of 4 or higher was 60%; you all were 87%. The state's mean score was 3.8; your mean score was 4.4!!! That's AMAZING! My hat's off to you!

Here are my TOP DOGS:

Level 6 - Heather, Adrian, Michael L., Jessica Mart. (The only four in our school to earn a 6)

Level 5.5 - Yovanni T., Blanca R., Maite, Angel V., Marvin M.,

Level 5 - Fanny, Kassandra, David, Javier, Ivana, Michelle G., Karina, Carel, Jennifer M., Gina, Pablo, Jessica Men., Nelson M., Richard P., Nahobi, Katherine

There were 30 4.5's; and 34 4.0's, which is INCREDIBLE!

Be ready for your rewards and recognition - YOU ALL DESERVE IT!

Pinwheels for Peace

2009-04-28T16:39:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Mr. Binder, our trust counselor, for gathering all of us to show that peace reigns at HGHS. Now, lets take that out into our homes and community! Many of you wrote amazing haikus! I am so impressed with your talent, enthusiasm, and kindness! Keep up the good work!

A special thanks to Mrs. Davis for arranging for Mr. Louis Schneider, a Holocaust survivor, to come and speak to the tenth graders. This week our classes have been reading Night, which recounts Elie Wiesel's ordeal in Auschwitz. All of these wonderful activities have made this week a vital learning experience to remember! I hope my students will always use this experience as a guide for how to be instruments of peace throughout their lives!

Shakespeare Day Slideshow

2009-04-26T21:04:00.001-04:00

I wanted to thank those of you who made our Shakespeare Day/Renaissance Fair so special! I had a wonderful time, and it looked like you all did, too! A special shout out to Mrs. Davis and her crew for a JOB WELL DONE! We look forward to our school-wide fair next year!

Make a Smilebox slideshow