Hi Students!

Nice job on your career interviews! Now onto our next project:  College and Career Exploration Project. Please follow the guidelines given for the slide presentation. Below are some websites to help you in your research. The due date to present is May 6th.

https://www.bls.gov/k12/content/students/careers/career-exploration.htmhttps://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htmhttps://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/explore-careers.aspx?&frd=truehttps://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/default.aspx

Hi Students!

Please review for the test on Monday, March 4th, and turn in your study guides before the test.

Next week, we will work on our learning plan and goals for the next card marking period. You will begin researching a career topic of your choice and will present it as an information speech. Details to follow. in the meantime, check out this link to begin researching and background reading:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm

Great job on your introductions and interviews! I hope you have enjoyed getting to know each other and yourselves these first few weeks.

As you speak in front of the class to present more frequently, you will become more confident and improve your English speaking skills.

I loved hearing you recite your Diamonte poems, and your self-portraits turned out beautifully! You should be proud and recognize some of your types of intelligence, strengths and weaknesses, learning styles, etc.

As we begin the second half of the marking period, we will use our text and various articles to develop our reading skills. We will focus on annotating and analyzing these texts to use critical thinking skills. We will also practice 6+1 writing traits in the writing process.

Keep up the great work!

Hi Students,

We’re in the home stretch of the semester! Hopefully, you had a relaxing break and are now back on school schedule. You’ll want to finish strong and raise your GPA, so keep focused and study hard! Best Wishes!

Here are some tips as we prepare for final exams:

1. Go to tutoring in the library after school on Tuesday, Wednesday &/or Thursday. Also, ACCESS tutoring is available in the cafeteria. If you’re failing any class, you can see Mrs. Zeidan in the nurse’s office for free professional tutoring, and even get a $20 gift card for participating!
2. Bring home books and use study guides each day to review for all classes little by little. As exams approach, focus more on the first or more difficult tests. Set a schedule and plan your study time.
3. While studying, take short breaks from time to time to refresh your brain.
4. KEEP YOUR PHONE OFF OR AWAY FROM YOU WHILE STUDYING! It’s a huge distraction and will continually make you lose focus, wasting your time as you have to keep going back over the same material you read when you were interrupted by your phone.
5. Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night, and try to go to sleep at the same time every night to train your brain.
6. Turn off all electronics (yes, phones!) one hour before bed.
7. Move and get some exercise earlier in the day; it will help you sleep better at night. Even a short, brisk walk will help.
8. Eat healthy foods (fruits, veggies, proteins) for energy and mental focus. Avoid caffeine and sugary foods (even fruits), especially at night, so you won’t be hyper and have trouble falling asleep.
9. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated and mentally alert.
10. Eat breakfast every morning, especially on test day!

Hi Students!

As we begin this week, we enter the final card marking! Let’s stay focused over the next few weeks to keep working hard and developing our English skills! Keep up with SSR at home, reading at least 45 minutes per night just for fun! Also, keep reviewing study guides for upcoming tests and quizzes. And of course, my favorite:  Practice speaking English in complete sentences! You will be amazed at how much growth you will experience if you just try to push yourself a little bit more!

Study for our final quiz in this Short Story Unit on “The Machine That Won the War.” Quiz is on Friday. Go for the A!

Hey Students!

This is the last week of the second card marking. How are you doing on your English goals? Keep working on your three action steps to reach those goals by the target date, this Friday, 12/1. I’m proud of you!

On Thursday, 11/30, we have a quiz on “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” Be sure to complete and review your study guide, focusing on Point of View. The study guide is due on Thursday before you take the quiz. We will also continue with our group presentations on the 6+1 Writing Organization trait.

I am still grading your 4-Square essays on “The Most Dangerous Game.” So far, I see some excellent literary analysis! Keep up the great work!

Hi Students!

I hope you had a great weekend! This coming week we are continuing our 6+1 Traits and writing process with the 4-Square frame on “The Most Dangerous Game.” Focus on Ideas, Organization, and Conventions.

Remember there is a Late Start on Wednesday!

Hi Students! Please remind your parents to come to conferences either on Monday, 10/30 or Friday, 11/1. Conferences will be held both days in the cafeteria from 3:30-6:30. You can pick up your report card from your counselor at the tables in A hall just outside the cafeteria, and then come in and find your teachers in the cafe. Most of us are seated alphabetically, but all the ELL teachers will be sitting in the same section. I’m looking forward to meeting your parents and sharing good news with them, as well as some tips for supporting you to help you improve your learning experience even more!

Hello Students!

This week we began our short story unit with “The Cask of Amontillado.”  We’ve learned several reading strategies over the past couple of weeks, so now it’s time to use them in our text!

Keep re-reading the story and reviewing the study guide questions. The test is planned for Wed., 10/11.  Results will be posted on your Student Connect next weekend. Remember: If you receive a D or E, you may retake the test but ONLY IF you did all your homework. I know of several students who are working late and may need extra time to complete assignments, but always try to finish them BEFORE the test. Remember that HW is practice for the test. Missing HW = NO RETAKE.

Next week, we will also begin our unit on the 6+1 Writing Trait of Ideas. Have a great weekend!