Jennifer Holzhausen's Homework Blog

December 17-19, 2008

Sorry this has taken me so long to update.  I am having problems creating new entries from our computer at home, so borrowed a friend's laptop to make some updates and changes while I had an opportunity.  

B2, B3. B4 Final Exams have been moved to Monday, January 5.

G2, G3, G4 Final Exams have been moved to Tuesday, January 6.

B1 and G1 Final Exams have been moved to Wednesday, January 7.  January 7 will NOT be a half day... after the G1 final, students will report to their new B3 class for the lunch block, then follow an abbreviated second semester Blue day schedule for the rest of that day.  Students will get their new schedules earlier that day.  I don't have the specifics with me right now, but will let you know more when I learn more myself.

At this point, my B2, B3, G2, and G3 English 9 classes only need to worry about the final exam.  I will not be accepting late work (including late Response to Literature essays over Night) after Christmas Break.  Students were told this on Friday when I saw them.  I have not had an opportunity to grade those essays yet, but I am planning to do some grading on Monday, so we'll see how much I am able to get done.

My G1 Honors English 11 class has an essay and collage to practice or prepare.  

My B4 class will get more info later today...

December 16, 2008 (Gold)

G1 - Finished group evaluations of the class project.  Distributed expectationsa and specifications for the two-part final exam.  Showed students a number of examples for the collage portion of the final to help them gather their own thoughts and ideas.  Assignment: Prepare for the final exam.  Get your journal prepared for assessment on Friday.  If you are exempting the final, please bring me your books and journal sometime before Friday.

G2/G3 - Went to the computer lab to finish typing up final drafts of the Response to Literature essay.  I checked packets for a late grade.  Final Drafts due by the end of the period.  If I did not get them today, they are LATE.  A late penalty will be deducted from the student's grade.  No late papers will be accepted after the Final Exam.  Assignment: Study for the Final Exam.  A Review Sheet (basically an outline) was distributed in class today.  Students are responsible for their own review.

December 15, 2008 (Blue) Review Day

B2/B3 - Went to the computer lab to finish typing up final drafts of the Response to Literature essay.  In B3, I checked packets for a late grade.  Final Drafts due by the end of the period.  If I did not get them today, they are LATE.  A late penalty will be deducted from the student's grade.  No late papers will be accepted after the Final Exam.  Assignment: Study for the Final Exam.  A Review Sheet (basically an outline) was distributed in class today.  Students are responsible for their own review.

B4 - Presentation Day #2.  more later. 

December 12, 2008 (Gold)

G1 - Presentation Day!  Most of the students did a very nice job today.  Many were dressed up in professional business attire (including ties--even on the girls!).  I was impressed with the project and the presentation.  There are a few concerns about where some of the information might have come from, but, for the most part, this class did a very nice job.  Assignment: Put your journal together and have it ready to turn in to me during the Final.  If you are exempting my final, please be sure to get it to me ahead of time.  And, hey---Nice Job, Everyone!!! :)

G2/G3 - Daily Oral Grammar exercises #26, 27, 28.  Collected Daily Oral Grammar Sheets for #15-28.  Went around the room and checked everyone's packets and monitored them throughout the period to be sure they were getting it done.  Those who came prepared with everything completed on time received 5 bonus points... they were in the minority today.  Most students were not prepared and are currently WAY behind.  Parents, please have your student complete the essay packet and write the rough draft for Tuesday.  They will be typing and turning in their final drafts on Tuesday, regardless of whether or not they are really ready for that.  Assignment:  Get the packet and rough draft done! 

December 11, 2008 (Blue)

B2/B3 - Passed back and recorded some graded work.  Completed and discussed Daily Oral Grammar Exercises #26, 27, and 28.  Collected Daily Oral Grammar (DOG) sheets.  Checked packets.  In B2, students began typing their essays.  Most were not ready for this stage, so it was awkward and messy for most of them.  On Monday, we will go through what they have and try to get them in better shape for turning in their final drafts.  In B3, I forfeited the computer lab and helped students continue to work on and complete their essay packets.  Assignment:  In B2, students are expected to have their papers typed by the beginning of the period on Monday.  In B3, students are expected to have their rough drafts written and completed, ready to type for Monday.  In B3, if students did not complete their essay packets by the end of the period, they may be completed by Monday for a late penalty.   Also, on Monday I plan to have some sort of review materials ready for the students so that they know what they need to study and do to prepare for their final exams.

B4 - Final Drafts of the Comparative Critique have finally been graded and recorded.  Students received those back today.  I am so sorry for the delay on getting those back to you.  Believe me, it is a relief to have those off of my kitchen table!  I will work hard to get the Comparative Analysis papers read and graded by Monday.  (Cross your fingers!)

TODAY, Final Drafts of the Trend Analysis paper DUE (two new copies with complete Rough Draft packet).  Presentation Day #1.  Two groups presented their final presentations.  Students were given peer feedback afterward.  Assignment:  Presentations will continue on Monday.  Students need to clean up and organize their binders by Wednesday for their final binder assessments.   

December 10, 2008 (Gold)

G1 - Project Day #3.  Students completed their project today---or will by the beginning of the period next time.  Assignment: Assignments will vary until this project is presented to me and over on Friday morning.  Bring journals with you to class on Friday so we can run through those together.  Journals will be due on Tuesday.

G2/G3 - In G2, I walked around the room and individually checked with and/or worked with all students on their essay packets.  Students were given lined paper and asked to complete the packet and the Rough Draft (following the notes for integrating the quoted material into their essays) for Friday. I was pulled out of G3 for a conference today, so my father, Mr. Holzhausen, subbed for me.  Assignment: Packets are due in full by Friday. 

December 9, 2008 (Blue) Early Release Day

B2/B3 - Checked packets and had students continue working on their essays in class.  Some students are right where they should be.  Others are WAY behind.  This essay could make or break some grades, so, parents, please encourage your students to stay on top of this assignment.  Assignment:  In B2, I expect a complete packet by Thursday.  In B3, I expect to see the packet AND the Rough Draft complete.  I gave B3 students lined paper for writing their rough drafts as well as some notes about how to integrated quoted material into their body paragraphs. 

B4 - Final Drafts of Comparative Analysis paper DUE.  Signed up for presentation slots, starting Thursday.    Assignments: Final Drafts of the Trend Analysis DUE on Thursday.  The first round of presentations will be given on Thursday.  Be sure to have a copy of your final presentation printed off for me as well as a copy of each person's Works Cited list so that I can check off your sources as you present them to us. 

December 8, 2008 (Gold)

G1 - Project Day #2.  If you were absent, please see your Vice President or Chairman about what you missed.  Assignments will vary for this project.  Students are responsible for the tasks delegated to them by their Vice Presidents or Chairman.

G2 - Students took the test over Night.  I distributed and discussed the essay packet and asked that students complete one step at a time, checking in with me after each step so that I can ensure they are completing it correctly.  Today, most students completed the pre-writing chart at the top of the first page, wrote their thesis statements, and started working on the word web and/or outline.  Assignment:  At the very least, I expect students to have the word web and outline complete for Wednesday.  If they are able to move on without difficulties, I would encourage them to work ahead.  Time will run short by the end of the week, so the more they can do ahead of time, the better.

G3 - Students took the test over Night.  I went around the room and checked essay packets to make sure students had completed the chart I assigned on Friday.  Individually, we discussed the next step in the process, choosing a prompt to write about for the essay and writing the thesis statement for that particular prompt.  Once they wrote their thesis, they needed to complete the word web and the outline on page 2.  I would LOVE for them to finish the packet and work ahead.  The more they can do now, the easier the rest of the week will go for all of them.  Assignment:   Finish the packet. 

December 5, 2008 (Blue) SSR Day

B2/B3 - Students took the test over Night.  I went around the room and checked essay packets to make sure students had completed the chart I assigned on Wednesday.  Individually, we discussed the next step in the process, choosing a prompt to write about for the essay and writing the thesis statement for that particular prompt.  Once they wrote their thesis, they needed to complete the word web and the outline on page 2.  I would LOVE for them to finish the packet and work ahead.  The more they can do over the weekend, the easier the rest of next week will go for all of them.  Assignment:  B2 - Finish the word web and outline. Work ahead if possible.  B3 - Finish the packet.  Many of my B3 students sat around and did next to nothing.  They could have had it easier, but because they chose to mess around, they are responsible for the whole packet for Tuesday.

B4 - SSR

B4 - Went to the library to work from the laptops.  Students continued to peer-edit, work on final drafts, and work on their final presentations with their groups.  Assignment:  Final Drafts of the Comparative Analysis are due on Tuesday.  Final drafts of the Trend Analysis are due on Thursday.  Presentations will begin on Thursday.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! :)

 

December 4, 2008 (Gold) Homeroom Day

G1 - Students were shown some examples of past projects.  The organizational structure was shared and discussed.  Meetings were held.  Students had Day 1 of their project today.  Not much was accomplished yet... we'll see how things go on Day 2.  Assignments will vary at this point depending on what each Vice President assigns for his/her "employees" to do. 

G2 - Distributed copies of student-generated vocabulary dictionaries for Night. (Parents, I will be the first one to admit to you that some of these are not too good.  I promised the kids I would give them a class set, and this is what I received back from them.  They are "rough" in many ways.  Please be assured that this is NOT indicative of what I expect from my students... If you ask your child to see this dictionary, you will know what I mean.)  Daily Oral Grammar Exercises #24-25.  Spent some time reviewing for the test over Night.  I quizzed the students and gave them 2 pieces of candy for correct responses.  I saw more hands in the air for that particular activity than I have seen all semester.  :)  We were cut short a little bit today for Homeroom.  Assignment: Study for the test over Night.  The essay pre-writing was not assigned in G2 today.  We will work on it together after the test on Monday.

G3 - Distributed copies of student-generated vocabulary dictionaries for Night. (Parents, I will be the first one to admit to you that some of these are not too good.  I promised the kids I would give them a class set, and this is what I received back from them.  They are "rough" in many ways.  Please be assured that this is NOT indicative of what I expect from my students... If you ask your child to see this dictionary, you will know what I mean.)  Daily Oral Grammar Exercises #24-25.  Passed back some graded work and gave students a copy of an editorial that was printed in yesterday's Daily Reporter about the genocide which is still occurring in Darfur.  It is important that our students know that genocide is still something we are fighting to stop, even today.  Spent some time reviewing for the test over Night.  I quizzed the students and gave them 2 M&Ms for correct responses.  I saw more hands in the air for that particular activity than I have seen all semester.  :)  We were cut short a little bit today for Homeroom.  At the end of each block, I gave students the materials they will need to start working on for the Response to Literature essay.  I read through the four writing prompts with them and told them they need to complete the chart at the top of the first page of the packet.  That's all they have to do for Monday.  We'll continue the rest in class after they finish their tests.  Assignment: Study for the test over Night.  Complete the 4 part chart at the top of the first page of the writing packet.  Bring your materials with you to class to work on after the test on Monday.

Homeroom between G3/G4 today.