We began today’s class by going over what you found out about words through the Google Etymology assignment. Then we read several selections of text that discussed the importance of names. Students had a chance to begin pre-writing for an essay about their name (due on Tuesday, September 1 – must be typed). My Name Writing Assignment

Homework for tonight was to read and answer the questions about an essay called Superman and Me: The Joy of Reading and Writing, which will be due tomorrow. The Joy of Reading and Writing – Sherman Alexie

Today in class, we talked about the syllabus, which is posted under the syllabus section of the website. I asked you to please return the signed back page to me tomorrow (Thursday) – please keep the front part of the packet for your records.

We went over a PowerPoint about vocabulary: Vocabularying

Then we talked about this week’s vocabulary words (the Superman and Me list, posted under the Vocabulary section of the website). You’ll have a quiz over these on Monday.

Homework for tonight was to complete the Google Etymology assignment: Google Etymology Homework

See you tomorrow!

I really enjoyed our second day together!

Students discussed literary devices, with a focus on hyperbole. We read and analyzed two pieces of hyperbolic writing – a college admissions essay and a poem – and then students started writing their own piece of hyperbole. (To recap – the big lesson that I wanted you to learn today is, “the paradox of hyperbole is that by lying, you get closer to the truth.”)

Homework is to finish your hyperbole writing. Here is that assignment: Hyperbole paragraph instructions

An important reminder that your summer reading essays are due soon!

The Alchemist: Monday, August 31

I Am Malala: Tuesday, September 8

Here are the rubrics for those assignments: Summer Reading Essay Rubrics revised

Please note that the two essays, combined, will equal a major grade. (They will each be weighted as .50 of a major grade in the grade book.)

Hello, students! I am excited to have you in class.

To recap, today we talked about some important policies and procedures:

• I will give you a syllabus later this week (I don’t like doing that on the first day, because I think that’s what you will probably be doing in all of your classes). It will have lots of information about grades, procedures, contact information, etc. It will also have a form for you to fill out and have your parents sign. I really need you to return that form to me.
• YOU MUST HAVE A SCHOOL LAPTOP FOR THIS CLASS (as well as many other classes at Bellaire). To get a laptop, you need to bring a permission slip and $25 to the MPR (Multi-Purpose Room) during lunch on any day this week. You have probably already received a permission slip, but if not, ask me and I’ll give you one. I will ask you every day whether you have turned in your money and form for the laptop. If you do not turn your money and your form in by Friday, you will not get your laptop on Monday, August 31, with everyone else, and you will have to wait a long time before you can get one. If you are having a problem that is preventing you from getting a laptop, please come talk to me.
• I run two class websites for each of the levels of English that I teach.

1. for Academic classes: http://www.mschapmansenglishclass.com
2. for Pre-AP classes: http://www.mschapmansclass.com

Please be careful to go to the correct website. These websites will have everything that you will need over the course of the year – summaries of what we did in class every day (in case you were absent, or if your parents want to check), copies of assignments and homework, additional resources to help you study, and so on. If you already have a computer at home, I would like for you to try going to the website tonight, just to see what it’s like.

• Please make sure that you do your homework for tonight!

Homework for tonight was to finish up your letter to me. Here is an electronic copy of that assignment: Letter Introduction Homework Assignment – 2015

I added the film project extra credit to people’s PSA assignments – please check to make sure that yours is on there, if you did a project.

I also wanted to tell you all how grateful I am to have had the chance to be your teacher this year. You have made me look forward to getting up and going to work everyday, and I am so proud of all that you have achieved. I really want to stay in touch, so I created a Facebook group (optional, of course) where I’ll post things occasionally that I think may interest you (articles, scholarship opportunities, pictures from my Vietnam trip, etc.), and where you can post to share what’s been happening with you. (We’re not allowed to be friends on Facebook, which I think is a good idea – this way, I won’t see any of your personal business, and you won’t see mine.)

If you’d like to join (and please join! right now, it’s just me and Ms. Newton), click the link below:

www.facebook.com/groups/mschapmansclass

3rd period, I’m so sorry – we were having too much fun yesterday, and I forgot to take you down to the laptop room to check in your computers. I talked with the tech guy, and he said just to ask you to come on your own some time when you have a spare moment. So please make sure you check yours in before the school year is out!

On Monday, we took the essay portion of our final exam. If you were absent, you need to come in on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday to make it up during lunch.

Here is a review to help you study: Pre-AP English 1 Spring Semester Final Review

Today in class, we learned about pronouns using puns!

Pronouns and Puns

We got almost to the end of Romeo and Juliet – we’ll finish up next week.

Some important dates (next week is very strange because of the schedule):

Period 1: laptop-turn-in day is Tuesday; your scripts (and videos, if you have chosen to do one) are due Thursday

Period 3: laptop-turn-in day is Wednesday; your scripts (and videos, if you have chosen to do one) are due Tuesday

Period 4: laptop-turn-in day is Wednesday; your scripts (and videos, if you have chosen to do one) are due Tuesday

Period 6: laptop-turn-in day is Thursday; your scripts (and videos, if you have chosen to do one) are due Wednesday

Period 7: laptop-turn-in day is Tuesday; your scripts (and videos, if you have chosen to do one) are due Thursday

Also, on Monday you will write your final exam essay. This will count for 50% of your final grade. Here is the prompt: Essay Prompt You may plan over the weekend, but based on what all of the English 1 teachers decided, you may not bring notes or an outline with you. When you sit down to write on Monday, you must do so with nothing but the lined paper and your pencil.

Finally, I wanted to mention that I graded your vocabulary review quizzes, and there were a lot of A’s and a lot of F’s. Those words will be on the final! Overall, vocabulary will count for about 10% of your final grade. If you were dissatisfied with your score, I would highly recommend that you use the weekend to study.

We learned about clauses today in class!

Independent and Dependent Clauses and Dinosaurs

We also continued watching Romeo and Juliet.