English+10+August+08

AUGUST 2008 CLASS PERIODS:

 * SCROLL DOWN TO THE CLASS DATE YOU WISH TO SEE:**

Introduction to the course. Syllabus and a bunch of other handouts passed out. These documents can be found on the class webpage through GACS. There is also an MP3 file posted below of the discussion of the class syllabus if you care to hear that discussion from class. I'm sure there's no cooler thing to listen to on your Ipod than an English 10 syllabus discussion.
 * Day 1: August 11th, 2008:**

http://gerryhill.podbean.com/

The Summer Reading quiz and essay assignments were also discussed. Handouts for this are also in the Document Library at the GACS teacher web page for Mr. Hill.

Students took the short Summer Reading Quiz today. They should bring the copy of the essay "How to Mark a Book" with them to class on Block Day. This essay is also in the Document Library on my teacher web page.
 * Day 2: August 12th, 2008:**

Students heard the Fall Semester Research Project (The Annotated Bibliography) explained today. A podcast of the requirements for this project will be available for a limited time at the following link: http://gerryhill.podbean.com/
 * Day 3: Block Days: August 13th and 14th, 2008:**

You can also get a paper copy of the requirements to the right of this statement: [|Annotated Bibliography Project Guidelines and Directions.pdf]

Students should bring in their Summer Reading Study Questions and Vocabulary Unit 1 on Friday. The Summer Reading Essay is due on Monday 8/18. Documents related to these things are below: [|Summer Reading Five Paragraph Essay Assignment.pdf] [|Summer Reading Student Discussion Questions and Activity.pdf]

Students also viewed two PowerPoint presentations: [|Intro to Research.mht] [|Marking A Book Lesson.mht]

Due to a high number of questions/concerns/stresses about the essay and the topic selection, the class met in the High School Media Center Computer Lab and received individual help in working on the essay and the summer reading study questions. The Study Questions were turned in at the end of class. Many students have started reserving their research topics.
 * Day 4: Friday, August 15th, 2008:**

Vocabulary Unit 1 was graded in class before going to the Media Center.

Students were reminded that there will be a review on Monday for the Summer Reading Test that will be given on Tuesday of next week (8/19).

Students participated in a Peer Review grading session on the Summer Reading Essays. Rest assured that I will be looking over the grades and making any needed adjustments, but I will try to stay as close to the student grading as possible.
 * Day 5: Monday, August 18th, 2008:**

Students were also given a BRIEF review for the Summer Reading Test that will be given during the next class period. They were then instructed to visit the class web page where a more detailed review of the test will be available. That online review is available at:

http://gerryhill.podbean.com/

Students were also reminded that we will be in the Library on Block Day and they need to bring their flash drives and any other resources they have for the research project.

A REVISED set of Grammar Requirements was issued today. This document replaces the one given out on the first day of class. A copy of this document is available with this link:

[|REVISED Grammar Requirements.pdf]


 * Day 6: Tuesday, August 19th, 2008:**

Students took the Overall Summer Reading Test today in class. Results should be returned to the classes on Block Day of this week. Students are reminded that class on Block Day will be in the Library and students should report directly to the Library for class that day.


 * Day 7: Block Days, August 20-21, 2008:**

Students were given the Block period to do research in the Library for the Research Project. Mrs. Baker discussed the use of the Gale Databases for the students.

Students were reminded that there need to be Source Review Sheets completed for each of the sources they collect. That document can be found in my Document Library or by clicking the link below:

[|Research Project Source Review Sheet.pdf]

Students were also given a HW assignment to complete their registration for the Moodle Virtual Classroom. An instruction sheet was handed out and can be accessed with the link below:

[|Introduction and Directions for Enrolling in Moodle.pdf]

This registration needs to be completed before the end of the day on Friday August 22.


 * Day 8: Friday, August 22nd:**

Students that did not attend the Retreat were able to view a segment of the video //A Separate Peace//. Students should also know that they need to complete their registration for the Virtual Classroom over the weekend. See Class Notes section for Block Day for the link to the instructions on how to do this.

Next week, we will look at creating proper MLA citations for the Annotated Bibliography.


 * Day 9: Monday, August 25th:**

The students learned about the proper way to create an MLA citation. There was one Power Point presentation viewed and one set of notes to complete in class. The links to both of these items are below:

[|MLA Citations.mht] [|MLA Citations Powerpoint Outline Worksheet.pdf]

The link to the Homework for Monday night is listed below. Students should follow the directions on the worksheet and use the HW Template for Handouts to complete the assignment. It should be brought to class on Tuesday 8/26.

[|Correct MLA Citations for Common Sources.pdf]

Students can hear the lecture for this class period at the class podcast site: [|gerryhill.podbean.com]


 * Day 10: Tuesday, August 26th:**

Students covered the presentation on "Evaluating Research Sources" in class today. The link to the Power Point presentation is found below this description. The students completed the Student Notes Worksheet that went along with the Power Point. That worksheet is also linked below this class description.

At the beginning of class, Vocabulary Unit 2 was checked for accuracy and those grades were submitted to Mr. Hill. They will be posted in Net Classroom by the end of the week.

Students were reminded that their first Vocabulary Unit Test is scheduled for Block Day this week. It covers all of Units 1-2 (a total of 24 words) and is a matching-style test. Once the test is completed and graded, the students will have the remainder of Block Day to work in the library on their research project.


 * //Personal note: Starting tomorrow (Wed 8/27), Mr. Hill will be out of class for about a week recovering from surgery. The plan is for me to return on Wed 9/3 or Thurs 9/4. Students can contact me with questions through email starting Friday of this week as I will be a bit out of it on Wed and Thurs recovering from the surgery on Wed morning. Julie Harper will be the class sub for this extended absence and I will send things to her that she will need. I will keep the class updated with emails as needed.//**

[|Evaluating Research Sources Powerpoint.mht]

Students can hear this class lecture at the class podcast site at [|gerryhill.podbean.com]. The lecture will be posted soon after the end of the school day on 8/26/08.


 * Day 11: Block Days August 27th and 28th:**

Students will take the Vocabulary Test for Units 1-2 today in class and (after grading it) have the remainder of the class period to conduct their research in the library. No new links or handouts for this class period.


 * Day 12: Friday, August 29th:**

Students will complete the Research Unit Test Study Guide in class and grade it so that they will have it over the long weekend to study for their Research Unit Test which will be given on Tuesday, September 2nd. The test is 50 questions, multiple-choice covering the 4 Power Points we have viewed as well as the requirements and deadlines for the Research Project. There is no podcast review for this test as Mr. Hill is out of school recovering during this time.


 * //HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY HOLIDAY!!//**