Week 9-29 through 10-3

In preparation for our CAHSEE review, we will need to take a quick practice assessment. This will guide the 10th grade teachers to the area(s) where you all need specific CAHSEE focus [sorry for yet another assessment]. We have not forgotten the _Bean Trees_, please keep on reading - or go back & reread. A quiz on Ch 6-7 is pending...

Please make sure you have completed your prefix sentences & vocabulary questions [pp 1-2]... Remember I find the "complete w/ the corrected word" on page 3, one of the most valuable sections because it allows you to create a 2-4 word definition / and oftentimes it gives you a synonym.

Please bring your completed grammar sheets 1-2...you may have a quiz.

We will go to the library to check-out _the Diary of a Part-Time Indian_ by Sherman Alexie.

Class this week 9-16, 9-19

9-16 Agenda: Bean Trees: 3 presentations [make-up ch3, Ch4 and Ch5]

Be prepared to discuss the theme you see introduced in Chapter3 dealing with botany.

We will finish Monday preparation with a quiz over ch3-4...visiting winners get **Quiz Bonus question(s): 1) Does Taylor hate the weird garden in Mattie’s yard - no! she loves it. 2) LouAnn named her son _Dwayne Ray_ and he was born on January 1. _Homework: see BT Journal #3 below - due 9/18/08_:

Your journal#3 due on 9/18 Thursday:

"In The Bean Trees, all of the major characters are involved with quests or personal goals. The author, Barbara Kingsolver, seems to suggest that a journey (whether physical, emotional, or intellectual) is necessary for any chance of happiness or satisfaction."

What is your opinion of: we are strongly motivated by the need to prove ourselves or find ourselves?

Your challenge will be to write a 1 page opinion without using any “I” phrases. Please write at least a page to this response. Also, date your journal, _DO NOT_ skip lines and TRY to write in present tense as much as possible. If you do not have your journals, you may use binder paper / or just post here [must be 2 paragraphs on-line]. For example, your position may be, "People are never motivated by the need to prove themselves, but they are often looking for themselves." -or- "People are very motivated to prove themselves - this is shown by ..."


Thursday 9/18: Agenda: vocabulary list #1 quiz & Introduction to Grammar [review parts of speech] Homework: given in-class
______A sample vocabulary test will appear here on Wed eve____

Week of 9-08 through 9-12-08

Hi all-
Monday's classwork expectations were your summer reading assessment - sorry about the key issue. Since only a few of you completed your in-class essay, you will have 45 min on Wednesday to complete/edit/type. No outside notes, aside from 1 page of quotes you selected to use can to brought from home [that's why I stamped where you were.] Bring *your own summer reading novel for quotes, and a blue/black pen.

We will have the laptop LAB w/ printer again in class.

We will have _ONLY_ the chapter 3 Bean Trees presentation on Wednesday. Please make sure you remember what our goal/theme for the semester is ...that may be on your quiz. On a 3x5 card, please complete your vocabulary CARD project [example on Communicado/or I'll email it; come get a 3x5 card in E-2 or A-4 if you need one.

Email me if you have questions. best, Ms. Uptegraft afleur@seq.org

BT Ch2 quiz ...one of the questions...

Ch2:______
This chapter introduces a few new characters (and supports old themes). While reading, don't get discouraged if the story doesn't make sense...keep reading. Taylor will be introduced to LouAnn in a few days.
Why does the author include this character? ..why would she be interested in being friends w/ Taylor [Missy].

here's your freebie for visiting: [a free quiz question]
#4 Lou Ann comes home and thinks she has been robbed. What really happened?

BT summaries - partner project

Use this form for your Chapter (partner) presentation - you can type it if you'd like.
I will assign your partners. Hope you had a great long weekend.

A reminder of other homework is on Communicado. [email me if you cannot access that yet].

along the lines of our semester theme...

I hope most of you enjoyed the intro to the semester...perhaps thought provoking? or maybe just fun to get out of your seats!?

So here's a fellow, Peter DeBenedittis, Ph.D., author of _Stranger in your Living Room: How Media Hurts Children_. While I cannot endorse the book [I haven't read it] he seems fairly knowledgeable about how media may benefit when teens don't think for themselves. *thank you Claude.

Note: Your parents may even be interested. ;o
Click here for the flier

p.s. ask me about XC if you attend this...

Classes have begun

Welcome Uptegraft classes for 2008-09

We will hold homework assignments on this site as well as journal entries over weekends. Are you ready? Come see me if technology scares you...

You all sound excited to be back - by the way, your letters were excellent! Thank you for taking such time & care as you told me a little about yourself. In turn, I will share information with you - and best of all, we will share ideas about the novels we explore.

How was chapter 1 of the Bean Trees? You will have a quiz over the Chapter. Welcome back again - I am delighted to be your Eng2 teacher. See you in A-4 on Thursday - we will be moving to E-2 next week.

best, Fleur Uptegraft
afleur@seq.org

p.s.
Please mark your calendars AGAIN for the summer reading assessment [test] on 9/8 - A day. If you haven't completed your novel, please do so this weekend. Have a restful Labor day weekend.