Jennifer Holzhausen's Homework Blog

September 30, 2016 (Gold) - End of 1st Quarter

G1 - We had four Book Talks today. For the rest of the block, students took the Common Quarterly Assessment for Honors English 9.  No Assignment! Have a great Fall Break!

G2 - Critique Final Drafts DUE (unless an extension was requested ahead of time). Comparative Critique Draft #3 DUE (3 analysis paragraphs). Documentary DENs DUE. Binders DUE for a midterm spot-check for feedback. Today was mainly all about organizing, submitting assignments, going through binders, etc.  Ideally, students peer-edited, but I’m not sure how much of that was done. Assignments: Draft #4 (a full draft) is due for peer-editing next time.  Read “Universality of the Folktale” (p. 267+ in WRAC) and be prepared for discussion. In addition, you may do a DEN over the article for some bonus points.  Have a great Break!  

G3 - Journals DUE. Students took the Common Quarterly Assessment for English 10 today. When they were finished, they were expected to work on late work from the current unit.  All late work was due by the end of the block.  No Assignment!  Have a great Fall Break!

September 29, 2016 (Blue) - End of 1st Quarter

B1 - We had six Book Talks today. For the rest of the block, students took the Common Quarterly Assessment for Honors English 9.  No Assignment! Have a great Fall Break!

B3/B4 - Journals DUE. Students took the Common Quarterly Assessment for English 10 today. When they were finished, they were expected to work on late work from the current unit.  All late work was due by the end of the block.  No Assignment!  Have a great Fall Break!

September 28, 2016 (Gold)

G1 - Five students gave Book Talks today. Several people went to the library to return, renew, and exchange books, so reading time went a little bit long. Students updated their Book List (on Moodle), and I updated the Book Talk Calendar for the rest of the semester so students can begin planning their second and third Book Talks (on Moodle).  For the rest of the block, I shared a brief presentation on Tone and Mood and some related videos. Assignment: For the Common Quarterly Assessment, I recommend re-reading through your notes from this semester. You will be given a new short story to read, and you will have several questions to answer about it, using the skills we have been practicing (Characterization, Irony, Similes, Theme, Mood, Tone, Dialogue, etc.)  Truly, the best way to prepare is to simply re-read through your notes over all of these skills.

G2 - I checked Comparative Critique Draft #2 (two analysis paragraphs), and students peer-edited them today. We discussed binders and how to prepare for the preliminary check on Friday (print and organize what you can). The rest of the block was open for students to work on revisions and binders in class today.  Assignments: Draft #2 (three analysis paragraphs) is due on Friday for peer-editing.  Final Drafts of the Critique paper are due on Friday, unless you email me ahead of time to request a formal extension. I will be checking Binders to give you a quick status check prior to the end of the semester, and I will have several items printed for you to include in your binders.  If you have not watched a documentary for this unit, you need to do that and do a double-entry over that documentary.  I know this seems like a lot right now, but prioritizing these assignments should help. The only one of these four assignments with an actual grade attached to it right now is the Critique Final Draft. Everything else is part of the participation grade, and that is a much less important part of your overall grade for the semester.  Email me if you have questions or need extended time. I am happy to give you the time you need over Break to produce quality work if you need that time.  Don’t be afraid to ask.

G3 - Homework questions and timeline worksheets for "Blowup: What Went Wrong at Storm King Mountain" were DUE.  In class today, we compiled a class list of journal prompts from this quarter (posted on Moodle). Next, we reviewed Tone and Mood (Google Slides presentation posted on Moodle). I shared some video clips and an interesting article with a very distinctive Tone and Voice. For the rest of the block, students were given time to work on their journals and make-up or late work from these past three stories.  Assignment: Please review your notes for the Common Quarterly Assessment next time (all notes are still posted on Moodle). Journals will be collected and graded for participation points next time. If you were absent, you are still responsible for those journals you missed. Any late or absent work from this current unit (the last 3 stories) is due by the end of the block on Friday. 

September 27, 2016 (Blue)

B1 - Four students gave Book Talks today. Several people went to the library to return, renew, and exchange books, so reading time went a little bit long. Students updated their Book List (on Moodle), and I updated the Book Talk Calendar for the rest of the semester so students can begin planning their second and third Book Talks (on Moodle).  For the rest of the block, I shared a brief presentation on Tone and Mood, some related videos, and an article about sports which utilizes a very distinctive Voice and Tone. Assignment: For the Common Quarterly Assessment, I recommend re-reading through your notes from this semester. You will be given a new short story to read, and you will have several questions to answer about it, using the skills we have been practicing (Characterization, Irony, Similes, Theme, Mood, Tone, Dialogue, etc.)  Truly, the best way to prepare is to simply re-read through your notes over all of these skills.

B3/B4 - Homework questions and timeline worksheets for "Blowup: What Went Wrong at Storm King Mountain" were DUE.  In class today, we compiled a class list of journal prompts from this quarter (posted on Moodle). Next, we reviewed Tone and Mood (Google Slides presentation posted on Moodle). I shared some video clips and an interesting article with a very distinctive Tone and Voice. For the rest of the block, students were given time to work on their journals and make-up or late work from these past three stories.  Assignment: Please review your notes for the Common Quarterly Assessment next time (all notes are still posted on Moodle). Journals will be collected and graded for participation points next time. If you were absent, you are still responsible for those journals you missed. Any late or absent work from this current unit (the last 3 stories) is due by the end of the block on Thursday. 

September 26, 2016 (Gold)

G1 - We had four Book Talks today. Students were asked to read their pleasure reading books in class for a little while. I passed back a mountain of graded work. For the rest of the block, students were expected to fine-tune and finalize their Personal Narratives, getting peer-feedback in class when ready.  Assignment: Personal Narratives were due at 3:30pm today as instructed on Google Classroom, sub plans, Homework Calendars, etc.

G2 - THE GREAT BLACKOUT OF 2016!  Comparative Critique Charts (Draft #1) DUE. I passed back Rough Drafts of the Critique and Final Drafts of the Summary today. I checked charts in the dark. Groups were asked to write some research-based analysis questions for the fifth paper (list of questions on Moodle). Students were given the rest of the block to work on their charts (as needed), revisions, and drafts.  Assignment: Fix your charts (as needed). Complete Draft #2 for next time. This should be two well-developed analysis paragraphs for now. We'll add the rest of the paper later this week.  If you have not been reading the supplementary readings, please work on those. I believe there are some very useful tips for helping you draft this paper. Final Drafts of the Critique paper are due on Friday (unless you request additional time). Documentary Double-Entries and Binders are due on Friday as well.

G3 - Homework questions for "The Man in the Water" DUE. Students were asked to write a half-page journal entry about the topic/subject of "Fire." They were asked to copy notes on Narrative Nonfiction (posted on Moodle). For the remainder of the block, they were given a short video to watch about the Storm King Mountain fire disaster (link on Moodle), read the story (on Moodle or in class), complete a timeline worksheet, and work on Homework questions if time allowed.  Assignment: Read the story, do the timeline, and complete homework questions #s 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9. The story is available to you on Moodle.

 

September 23, 2016 (Blue)

Mrs. Northouse was out for a conference today, but this was the general plan:

B1 - Students were asked to read their pleasure reading books in class today. Next, they were given a copy of Sandra Cisneros's story, "Barbie-Q" to read and discuss as a class. For the rest of the block, students were expected to fine-tune and finalize their Personal Narratives, getting peer-feedback in class.  Assignment: Personal Narratives were due at 3:30pm today as instructed on Google Classroom, sub plans, Homework Calendars, etc.

B3/B4 - Homework questions for "The Man in the Water" DUE. Students were asked to write a half-page journal entry about the topic/subject of "Fire." They were asked to copy notes on Narrative Nonfiction (on Moodle). For the remainder of the block, they were given a short video to watch about the Storm King Mountain fire disaster (link on Moodle), read the story (on Moodle or in class), complete a timeline worksheet, and work on Homework questions if time allowed.  Assignment: Read the story, do the timeline, and complete homework questions #s 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9. The story is available to you on Moodle.

September 22, 2016 (Gold)

G1 - Rough Drafts of the Personal Narrative and Journals were DUE today. I checked rough drafts, mainly for length and completion. Students spent some time reading for pleasure, then we had four Book Talks today. After the Book Talks, we read and discussed "Barbie-Q," by Sandra Cisneros.  For the rest of the block, students were asked to go back to their rough drafts for revision and fine-tuning. They were encouraged to ask others for input when needed.  Assignment: Final Drafts of the Personal Narrative are due on Monday by 3:30pm. Students will have almost the entire block on Monday to continue revisions and fine-tuning as well as getting peer feedback in class.  

G2 - Double-entries for "The Man Who Couldn't Stop Eating" DUE. I checked these assignments while students discussed the article with their groups. We briefly discussed the article today.  I distributed supplementary readings for this unit and went through the Comparative Critique assignment. All remaining time was spent working on individual charts (which I am calling Draft 1). Assignment: Complete your own Comparative Critique chart as Draft 1 of the Comparative Critique (template on Moodle) using the 2 articles from this unit you wish to use for your paper.  Fill that chart with AMPLE support.  This officially counts as Draft #1 of the Comparative Critique paper for your Participation grade, so please put some effort into it. You'll be really glad you did when we start drafting this paper next week.  Work on skimming through those supplementary reading assignments, especially the section on Introductions and Conclusions.

G3 - Homework Questions and Timelines for "The Johnstown Flood" DUE.   Students took some very quick notes over Reflective Essay, Main Idea, and Supporting Details today.  Journal/Discussion: What kind of swimmer are you? Are you comfortable in the water? Explain. After our discussion of the water, I showed a couple of video clips about the plane crash we are reading about in class today.  We were then able to read and discuss "The Man in the Water" (p. 354-356) together (on Moodle).  Assignment: Complete questions # 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 on page 357 (story and questions are on Moodle).  

September 21, 2016 (Blue)

B1 - Rough Drafts of the Personal Narrative and Journals were DUE today. I checked rough drafts, mainly for length and completion. Students spent some time reading for pleasure, then we had four Book Talks today. After the Book Talks, we read and discussed the three excerpts from The House on Mango Street from the textbook. For the rest of the block, students were asked to go back to their rough drafts for revision and fine-tuning. They were encouraged to ask others for input when needed.  Assignment: Final Drafts of the Personal Narrative are due on Friday by 3:30pm. Students will have almost the entire block on Friday to continue revisions and fine-tuning as well as getting peer feedback in class.  

B3/B4 - Homework Questions and Timelines for "The Johnstown Flood" DUE.   Students took some very quick notes over Reflective Essay, Main Idea, and Supporting Details today.  Journal/Discussion: What kind of swimmer are you? Are you comfortable in the water? Explain. After our discussion of the water, I showed a couple of video clips about the plane crash we are reading about in class today.  We were then able to read and discuss "The Man in the Water" (p. 354-356) together (on Moodle).  Assignment: Complete questions # 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 on page 357 (story and questions are on Moodle).  

September 20, 2016 (Gold)

G1 - Storyboards for Narrative Assignment DUE (on Google Classroom). We had three Book Talks this morning, then students spent some time reading their pleasure reading books. Instead of a journal today, we walked through all 11 of the prompts students have been assigned, and I asked students to prepare their journals for a participation grade for Thursday. Journals should have a title, the date, and at least half a page of writing. I will collect them and grade them in class on Thursday. I checked Storyboards and returned those as well as all other graded work.  Grades are current in this class right now. Next, we read and discussed 3 excerpts from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. We talked about the creative imagery and word choice within her pieces. Students were asked to keep those things in mind while writing their personal narratives. The rest of the block (about 25 minutes) was devoted to time writing drafts of the Personal Narrative.  Assignments: Journals and Rough Drafts of the Personal Narrative are due on Thursday at the beginning of the block. Students may handwrite their drafts or submit an electronic copy in a Google Doc on Google Classroom. If students handwrite their drafts, they must have them to show me on Thursday.

G2 - We began the block with several videos to stir up some conversation.  Double-Entry assignments for "Too 'Close to the Bone'..." and Food Journals were DUE today.  We discussed the article, food journals and a few other related images and videos. I distributed copies of Writing Analytically in class today.  Great discussions today!!  Assignment: Read the last article for this unit, "The Man Who Couldn't Stop Eating," by Atul Gawande, and complete a double-entry notebook assignment.  Upload that to Google Classroom. Start reading the supplementary materials for this unit.  Plan to read those sometime before Fall Break.  

G3 - We began with some quick notes on Historical Narrative, Cause and Effect, and the 5W's and one H of news reporting. Next, I asked students to write a journal about flooding. This could be written in a news report format, creatively, fiction/nonfiction, etc. After sharing a few of their journals, I shared a 15 minute History Channel clip about the Johnstown Flood of 1889. We then read the story, "The Johnstown Flood."  Students were asked to make a list of at least 10 details in order to create a timeline of events of the story.  Assignment: For Thursday, jot down ten events to create a timeline for "The Johnstown Flood," and complete questions #3, 5, 6, 7, 9 at the end. Be sure to write through and detailed responses to the questions. The story and questions are posted on Moodle.

 

September 19, 2016 (Blue)

B1 - Storyboards for Narrative Assignment DUE (on Google Classroom). We had three Book Talks this morning, then students spent some time reading their pleasure reading books. Instead of a journal today, we walked through all 10 of the prompts students have been assigned, and I asked students to prepare their journals for a participation grade for Wednesday. Journals should have a title, the date, and at least half a page of writing. I will collect them and grade them in class on Wednesday. I checked Storyboards and returned those as well as all other graded work.  Grades are current in this class right now. Next, we read and discussed "Eleven" (Handout), by Sandra Cisneros. We talked about the creative imagery and word choice within her piece. Students were asked to keep those things in mind while writing their personal narratives. The rest of the block (about 25 minutes) was devoted to time writing drafts of the Personal Narrative.  Assignments: Journals and Rough Drafts of the Personal Narrative are due on Wednesday at the beginning of the block. Students may handwrite their drafts or submit an electronic copy in a Google Doc on Google Classroom. If students handwrite their drafts, they must have them to show me on Wednesday.

B3/B4 - We began with some quick notes on Historical Narrative, Cause and Effect, and the 5W's and one H of news reporting. Next, I asked students to write a journal about flooding. This could be written in a news report format, creatively, fiction/nonfiction, etc. After sharing a few of their journals, I shared a 15 minute History Channel clip about the Johnstown Flood of 1889. We then read the story, "The Johnstown Flood."  Students were asked to make a list of at least 10 details in order to create a timeline of events of the story.  Assignment: For Wednesday, jot down ten events to create a timeline for "The Johnstown Flood," and complete questions #3, 5, 6, 7, 9 at the end. Be sure to write through and detailed responses to the questions. The story and questions are posted on Moodle.