Wednesday, March 16

Writing Prompt: 

The following is a prompt for an informational essay. Read the questions and complete the following:
1. Brainstorm
2. Outline how you would answer this question in an essay format. Include a thesis, and at least three reasons supporting your thesis. 

You have just won $50,000 in an essay contest. Here's the catch: You can't spend any of the money on yourself, and you must use it to improve your school. You will soon be addressing the student body with your explanation of how you will use the money. In your paper, be sure to explain what you will do and how it will help others.

Today:
1. Review Vocabulary
2. "The Interrogation" page 176
3. "Progress" page 182

Important Dates:
1. Green Light Project due Friday, 3/18!
2. If you need anything printed for your project, email  it to me today!!
3. Vocabulary quiz tomorrow (with a super fun PSSA practice part!)
4. The last SAT test prep after school classes are today and tomorrow!

Tuesday, March 15

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH!!!

Writing Prompt: The following is a prompt for an persuasive essay. Read the questions and complete the following:

1. Brainstorm possible answers

2. Outline how you would answer this question in an essay format. Include a thesis, and at least three reasons supporting your thesis. 

You have decided that you want to be a contestant on a reality show. Write an essay persuading the producers of the show to choose you. Be sure to include reasons why you should be chosen, and provide details countering any objections you think they might have to selecting you.

Today:

1. Review vocabulary

2. Review PSSA practice test

3. "Candle Hat"

4. Gandhi 

Important Dates:

1. Vocab quiz on Thursday

2. Green Light project due on Friday

3. Last SAT Test Prep after school classes are Wednesday and Thursday this week. 

Monday, March 14

Writing Prompt: The following is a prompt for an informational essay. Read the questions and complete the following:
1. Brainstorm possible inventions
2. Outline how you would answer this question in an essay format. Include an introduction with a thesis, and at least three reasons supporting your thesis.

"Inventions have changed our lives for the better and for the worse. In an essay, discuss one of the most important inventions of your lifetime. Explain the positive and negative effects this invention has had on society." 

Today:
1. Review vocabulary - quiz on Thursday!
2. Non-fiction focus: article on homelessness
3. Poetry focus: poem on homelessness


Important Dates:
1. Green Light Project - due Friday
2. Vocabulary Quiz - Thursday
3. PSSA Practice Test (from Thursday). You need to make this up tomorrow (Tues, 3/15) after school.
4. Last afterschool SAT prep sessions are Wed and Thursday this week.

Friday, March 11

Because you all did such an amazing job on your test today, we will finish The Great Gatsby in class!

As we watch, compare and contrast the film to the book. Think about the following:

1. How does the movie interpret scenes or characters differently than you did while reading?
2. Does the movie change the plot of the story? If so, when? Why do you think the director made the decision to do this? 
3. How can the film add to your understanding of the novel?
4. If you were making a film of The Great Gatsby, what would you do differently. 

Work on your green light project this weekend!!

Thursday, March 10

No Writing Prompt  :(

Practice PSSA Test!! :)

See me if you missed class today. You will need to make this test up Tuesday after school.

Thank you all for being so cooperative, industrious and focused in class today. I know it's tough and not always very exciting. I appreciate your diligence and I am proud of how hard you worked.

Wednesday, March 9

Writing Prompt: What do you think Gatsby's obiturary would include? To do this, think about how a newspaper would report his death. Would they include his parties or his corrupted past? Would a newspaper in NYC report the death differently than a newspaper in the midwest?
Write your own obituary about Gatsby. 

Today:
1. Review vocabulary
2. Finish PSSA practice from yesterday
3. Practice editorial (orange book 139)


Important Dates 
1. Words maps due today
2. Green Light project due on Friday, 3/18
3. Practice PSSA test tomorrow

Tuesday, March 8

Warm-up:
Get a Writing: Sample Passage 2 handout from my desk and begin completing it.  

Today:
1. Finish color chart presentations
2. Review chapter 8 quiz
3. PSSA practice!!!!

Important Dates:
1. Writing prompts due today
2. Word Maps due tomorrow
3. Green Light project due Friday, 3/18
4. Practice PSSA Test on Thursday. Bring a pencil to class