Tuesday, April 26

Writing Prompt: How important do you think it is to fit in? Do people need to conform in order to survive or succeed? How should a person determine when it is appropriate to fit in and when to be his or her own individual? Explain what you think about the positives and negatives of conformity. 

Period 2

Today:

1. Review vocabulary

2. Using quotes in your writing

3. Independent work time

Important Dates:

1. Rough drafts due Friday, April 29!!

2. Make up the vocab test from Friday, 4/15 today afterschool in the IMC

3. Word maps are due Tuesday, May 3: Write the word part and its meaning. Find three words that use the word and keep the same meaning. (you cannot use "a path through the woods" as an example of "path" meaning emotion)

Period 4:

Today:

1. New vocabulary

2. SAT practice

3. MLA formatting

4. Independent work time

Important Dates:

1. Final drafts due Monday, May 2!!

2. Make up the vocab test from Friday, 4/15 today afterschool in the IMC

Monday, April 25

Writing Prompt: What is the optimum aspect of being a teenager? What is the most vexing or disconcerting aspect of being a teenager? Explain.

Period 2:

Today:

1. Collect outlines and research notes

2. Avoiding plagiarism

3. Rough draft requirements

4. Sample rough draft

Important dates:

1. Outline and research notes are due in class.

2. Concept cards are due today (if you didn't finish them before the break!)

3. Test make-up tomorrow after school in the IMC

4. Rough drafts are due Friday, April 29

Period 4: 

Today:

1. Collect rough drafts!

2. Tear apart Ms. McCartney's rough draft

3. Peer edit rough drafts

4. Concept cards

Important dates:

1. Rough drafts are due today in class

2. Test make-up tomorrow after school in the IMC

3. Typed final copies are due Monday, May 2

We will go over MLA tomorrow and Wednesday. We have the laptops reserved for Wednesday.

SPRING BREAK ASSIGNMENTS

There was a vocabulary test on Friday! If you weren't in school, see me by Friday, April 29 to make it up. 

PERIOD 2:

Complete 10 pages of research notes.

Complete the outline for your paper. 

Email me before Sunday if you need help!!!

PERIOD 4:

Complete the outline for your paper. 

Write a complete rough draft of your paper.

Here is the power point from Thursday about using quotes.

Email me before Sunday if you need help!!!

Have a happy spring break! Read lots and lots of books. :)

Wednesday, April 14

PERIOD 2

Today: 

Working Thesis - your thesis is due at the end of class today!!

Important Dates:

1. 10 Research Sources due on Thursday, April 14 - email to mccartneychs@gmail.com. For each source, write 1-2 sentences explaining how the information on the source relates to your topic and thesis and 1-2 sentences explaining how you know the source is reliable. You can simply include the URL of the website. You don't need to use formal MLA format yet. 
2. Vocabulary test on Friday: 40 new/60 old
3. Spring Break Homework: Outline and 10 pages of research notes due Monday, April 25. 

PERIOD 4

10 pages of research notes due at the end of the period!!! 

Important Dates:

1. Vocabulary test on Friday: 40 new/60 old 
2. Spring Break Homework: Outline and rough draft due Monday, April 25. 

Tuesday, April 12

Period 2:

You have the laptops to use for research today! Use your time wisely. You will not have laptops on Wednesday.  

Important Dates:

1. GRADES END TODAY!!! MAKE SURE ALL YOUR WORK IS IN BY 2:54. I will be in the IMC until 4:30 this afternoon.
2. Vocabulary Test on Friday!  
3. 10 Research Sources due on Thursday, April 14 - email to mccartneychs@gmail.com. For each source, write 1-2 sentences explaining how the information on the source relates to your topic and thesis and 1-2 sentences explaining how you know the source is reliable. You can simply include the URL of the website. You don't need to use formal MLA format yet.

Period 4: 
Writing Prompt:

What are your plans for after high school? What do you need to do to prepare yourself for these plans? What knowledge and skills do you think you need to do well after high school?

Today:

1. Review Vocabulary

2. Plagiarism ppt

3. College Readiness Article

Important Dates:

1. Grades close today at 2:54. See me to get in make up work.

2. 10 pages of research notes due tomorrow, Wed, 4/13

This is your first grade for the 4th marking report.

3. Vocab Test on Friday - 40 new & 60 old

Friday, April 8

Make sure you get your working thesis statement to me today!!!


Your working thesis statement should:

• answer one of the essential research questions
• focus your research on a specific topic
• explain your argument
• be easily revised and edited
• be changed if your research leads you to a different conclusion

Please email me or talk to me about your working thesis statement by the end of the period.

Ten Resources Due TODAY, Friday, April 8.

• Email me a list of your sources by 11:59pm today. 
• For each source, write 3-4 sentences explaining what the source is about and why you believe it is reliable. 
• These are not your research notes! All I want is a list of the sources you have found so far, a 1-2 sentences overview of the type of information and 1-2 sentence explanation of why it is a reliable source.

Thursday, April 7

Today:
Focus on creating a working thesis statement. This should not be your final thesis, but it should be what you will focus on as you continue your research. Think of it as a hypothesis for what you are trying to prove.


Your working thesis statement should:

• answer one of the essential research questions
• focus your research on a specific topic
• explain your argument
• be easily revised and edited
• be changed if your research leads you to a different conclusion

Please email me or talk to me about your working thesis statement by the end of the period.

Ten Resources Due Tomorrow, Friday, April 8

• Email me a list of your sources by the end of the period.
• For each source, write 3-4 sentences explaining what the source is about and why you believe it is reliable. 
• These are not your research notes! All I want is a list of the sources you have found so far, a 1-2 sentences overview of the type of information and 1-2 sentence explanation of why it is a reliable source. 

Wednesday, April 6

I'm sorry that I'm not with you in class today. Please use your time in the IMC to research your topic. There are more copies of the research notes handouts if you need them (and you probably will need them if you are doing thorough research!).

Today:

1. Keep working on research and developing your research question. Your research should be complete by Monday, April 11. Check the calendar and make sure you are staying up to date.
2. You should have a list of ten sources to show me by Friday. For each source, write 1-2 sentences explaining why it is a reliable source (review the power point from Monday, April 4).
3. The text book research was due today. I will collect it tomorrow. 
4. Word maps are due Friday! Don't forget. We will review the words tomorrow in class. 

Thank you so much for cooperating and working hard today. 

Tuesday, April 5

Teach Me How to Google ppt

You have the period to work on your research notes. Make sure you are filling in as much of the Works Cited information as you can!

Monday, April 4

Today we start real research! Your final topic selection is due at the end of the period. 

How do you start to choose your sources? Review this powerpoint on evaluating internet sources.

Be sure to finalize your topic by the end of the period. You need to relate your topic to one of the essential research question. Explain how you will attempt to answer this question using your topic. This should not be a thesis yet; instead, it will help you create a thesis at the end of this week. 

If you want to start researching and recording information, use the attached Research Notes.

Homework

1. For Wednesday, complete the Textbook Research Handout. Use two of the textbooks in the school (African American History, the American Pageant, or either of the AP textbooks) to complete this sheet. 

2. Word maps due Friday!

Friday, April 1

Welcome back to English class! I am very proud of how hard each of you worked on the PSSAs. Thank you all for being so cooperative and focused during these past two weeks. And, keep it up for science next week!

We got new words today! Vocabulary 11 is posted here and on the vocab list, numbers 372-411. Word maps will be due on Friday.

Research Project began today! I know that research is not always the most exciting project, but I know these skills will help you succeed for all the college papers you will eventually have to write. :) See me if you have any questions! This is not an April Fool's joke...

Research Assignment and Calendar

Topic Selection Sheet - due Monday, 4/4 in class (30 points)