Greetings:

In this time of grave uncertainty, we can rely on our humane elements to see us through. We see it especially in the collective sacrifices of our medical community…from our healers to those who clean contaminated spaces and ensure replenishing of supplies and resources. No amount of praise or dollars can compensate them for their human acts. I hope you take time to reflect on this and on our many class discussions about the need to keep our medical spaces arenas for ethical and humanitarian practices-and not zones for competing business interests.

That is what I will consider as I go on this break. To those of us who celebrate the rebirth of Jesus, I wish you and your families-our world too-the grace of his deeds. We are all in such dire need of them. To all, a break full of spiritual reflection and rejuvenation.

Stay healthy!

Dr. Kassem

Greetings Juniors:

I hope the start of this week presents suitable opportunities for you to meet some new characters, write some creative responses, and reflect in more ways about life and literature. This week, I expect you to do three things:

1. Read Of Mice and Men…about a chapter a day (reading schedule posted to google classroom as well as the link to the novella-short novel).
2. Respond in a meaningful way to the plot/characters/themes of this story (posted ideas for you to choose from in google classroom but I am open to your suggestions about any ideas you may also have). Reading responses are due the week after our spring break (4/13 thru 4/17) although you are encouraged to complete one after you finish reading each chapter this week.
3. Relax from research a bit…I will keep checking the sources (you should have 1, 2, and 3 turned in so far) and feedback to you so that you can work better on sources 4 and 5. I will set the due dates for those later as well.

My goals this week will be threefold as well:

1. Communicate regularly with you Please forward any questions/concerns to me. I will get back with you as soon as possible, especially during our regular school hours.
2. Continue returning your work and providing feedback to steer you.
3. Compose a list of suggested readings as a resource for those of you who are looking for a great read.

This will be our last week before break next week, so spend it wisely and well. I had a bad case of dehydration this past week and I have a lingering headache because of that…Remember to stay hydrated, healthy, and home.

I miss you much,

Dr. Kassem

I hope you are all doing fine. This week we have three goals that we must commit to:

1. Sharing your rhetorical analysis essay (Ornish) with 3 other students so that you can get/give feedback for revision. I posted the rubric for you to use, and I will post a feedback sheet you may use.
2. Reading Independently: I posted some articles of the week for you to read and reflect on. But I also posted a link to our class novel for this cardmarking. I will post a reading schedule soon.
3. Staying on your research course…You got another week extension to read source 3 (Due 3/27). Research sources will be biweekly now to give you time to read.. Staying on track helps you when we start the research paper later.

I like that some of you are doing some creative writing and sharing with me. I love it and encourage your to keep a journal/reflections of these times. I will share some of your peers and my own entries with you starting next week.

I hope you have found a rhythm for your time home…that way you will know how to beat the boredom…I miss you all.

Best,

Dr. Kassem

Greetings: As I check source 2 and give feedback, I am noticing that the summary for quite a few reflects:

1. a need to read deeper (You are finding the article so test if you can read it by skimming first)
2. need to write more effectively and proofread what you read.

Please do not assume that completion is enough…It is not. I went through multiple examples with you in class. We did peer feedback on source 1. I will post some shining examples for you to read. I will also extend the due date till next week for source 3…But I will not give points if you do not read and summarize well.

Best,

Dr. Kassem

Greetings:

All of your body paragraph 1 assessments have been checked and recorded…Please take the time to refine your skills by going to the digital resources I posted on google classroom, especially if you scored a 7 (2/4) or below on the assessment.

I will continue to look at research source 2 which you turned in last week…In the meantime, please work on source 3 and turn in by tomorrow. All of next week will be spent giving feedback on rhetorical analysis essays…You need to give three, and receive three…details to come early next week.

Hope you are still bunkered down, and reading all you can get your minds on. Share any especially good reads so I can add to my recommended reading list. I added the book I am reading now.

Stay vigilant and find a few recipes to cook,

Dr. Kassem

Greetings:

Today, you should have turned in a copy of your rhetorical analysis essay (Ornish) to google classroom. I have attached the SAT rubric for you to look at and make any revisions before you do so. Your essay will be scored in three categories: Reading/Analysis/Writing with a 4 score on each category and a 12 total score. Read the rubric carefully as you will follow it for peer revisions next week.

Source 3 or your research is due this Friday 3/20. Read well for this source too.

For those of you who may need to check out computers, or know of someone who does, please pass this announcement from Mr. Martin:

“We have some good news. For those of you needing to borrow a Chromebook, the building will be open from 3-6 pm today for you and your child to come and get one. Please enter the circle drive and enter the first door by the attendance office and auditorium. I’ve included all the documents that will come with them for your reference; we will have these available for you at pickup too. We don’t have enough Chromebooks for every student, so please only borrow one if you absolutely need it. “

Be productive,

Dr. Kassem

I want to thank the great majority of you who responded to my “making contact” email…23 in the first 10 minutes! That is awesome. I loved the personal messages -and photos- and tried to respond to every one-Here is the next scoop: Source #3 is due this Friday 3/20 and so that is what you will work on next. I know I had students who showed interest in researching the coronavirus epidemic-all from different lenses. This is a good time to read deeply and from various credible sources. Your topics are only as interesting as you make them by reading extensively. Please be patient as I check Source #2 and send your way. I will also be posting your last assessments’s grade (Rhetorical Analysis body paragraph 1) this week.

Let us make this week very productive…If you finish and want a sneak peek of our novel for this CM, Of Mice and Men, you are welcome to check it out here too. Read the first chapter and tell me what you think…next week, we will talk more about this.

First, I wish you health and peace. I know these are nontraditional times. They too are needed. They test our resiliency and teach us more about ourselves. I wish you and your families health as we maneuver through them together.

I believe if we had a choice, this would be the best time to go online with our learning. We have just finished our rhetorical analysis body paragraph assessment (Thursday 3/12/2020), and we turned in via google classroom our source 2 for the Research on Friday (3/13/2020). Those of you who did not take the assessment must do so when we return. Until then, it will show as missing and we must live with that. Those of you who are late turning source 2 in must do so ASAP.

Starting next week, and until we get back to school, we will be focusing on the following goals:

1. Independent Reading (via a class novel that I will post on gooble classroom with reading entries).
2. Our research trail (Source 3 will be due 3/20/2020 via google classroom) and I-search (Part I, Part II, and Perhaps III).
3. Revising our rhetorical analysis essay and providing feedback to each other. Most of you have typed it and I will ask you to post on google classroom soon and share with three peers for feedback. I will also be providing feedback to you individually.
4. Other Miscellaneous work that we need to complete along the way such as writing entries, articles of the week, and grammar/writing exercises.

As you can see, we have much to do. This is the time to demonstrate initiative and personal responsibility. I will exemplify mine by posting clear and specific directions, answering your questions, and providing you feedback and examples. Please exemplify yours by reading the directions carefully, following them faithfully, and doing your work to the best of your abilities.

I look forward to your cooperation,

Dr. Kassem

Greetings:

Students today turned in their course selection sheets for next year. In class, we worked to finish the Ornish rhetorical essay-we put the paragraphs we have worked on into one essay that is due tomorrow. Students will assess in class tomorrow on writing a rhetorical body paragraph.

Source 2 is due to google classroom on Friday 3/13.

Greetings: Juniors today met with their counselors in the auditorium. The presentation focused on next year’s scheduling choices. For the rest of the week, students will continue working on the body paragraphs of their rhetorical analysis essay…Possible assessment on Thursday 3/12. Source 2 due Friday 3/13…for all students.