EPIC! English 12 (Spring 2019)

Welcome! It's going to be a phenomenal 2016-2017 school year! Go For The Gold!

Daily Agendas:

**** All handouts and Power Points are in the attachment

section at the bottom of this page. Please scroll all the way down

Daily Agendas:

Welcome to the 2018-2019 School Year at Johnson Center's EPIC Program!

9/19 through 9/21: Word of the Day/ Latin Word Parts: Please see your Polyglot Club lists and continue where you left off.

********* QUIZ next Tuesday! This includes Latin & Greek Word Parts and Tuesdays with Morrie terms.

Vocabulary for Tuesdays with Morrie:

https://quizlet.com/296248731/tuesdays-with-morrie-vocabulary-english-12-flash-cards/

Wednesday: Continue with Tuesdays with Morrie "The Syllabus" pages 3-5 in the text and page 2 in the study guide.

Thursday: Finish "The Syllabus" (page 5 in text and page 2 in study guide) and begin the next section. Work on study guides also.

Friday!!!: Finish "The Syllabus" questions in study guide. Then, read "The Student" and "The Audiovisual." Work on those questions as well.

Closing activity: Independent Reading with response or Creative Writing (1.5 pages)

Wishing you a fantastic day!

9/17 & 9/18: Welcome!

Word of the Day/ Latin Word Parts: Please see your Polyglot Club lists and continue where you left off.

Checking in.... Independent Reading and Creative Writing Requirements (discuss)

Vocabulary for Tuesdays with Morrie:

https://quizlet.com/296248731/tuesdays-with-morrie-vocabulary-english-12-flash-cards/

Continue with Tuesdays with Morrie Introduction (see Power Point)

Begin reading Tuesdays with Morrie (see study guide)

Closing activity: Independent Reading with response or Creative Writing (1.5 pages)

Wishing you a wonderful day!

9/12 to 9/14: Good Morning!

Word of the Day/ Latin Word Parts: Please see your Polyglot Club lists and continue where you left off.

Review your annotations from yesterday's article (News ELA) and the multiple choice questions.

Begin Tuesdays with Morrie Unit (vocabulary and background information first)

https://quizlet.com/296248731/tuesdays-with-morrie-vocabulary-english-12-flash-cards/

Closing activity: Independent Reading or Creative Writing

Wishing you a phenomenal day!

9/11/18 Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: Latin Word Part. Please see your

lists and follow the format for "bene" and mal" with

the next word.

Annotating activity

News ELA article (read and annotate) with multiple choice questions. You need five annotations.

Continue studying on Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/213006639/mrs-benedettos-literary-terms-review-2018-flash-cards/

If you are done with Quizlet and have shown me your quiz score, please select one of the

two activities: Independent Reading or Creative Writing.

Please complete your letter and the learning survey from last week if you have not done so yet. I know some students arrived in this class late due to schedule changes. Don't worry! You have time to catch up!

Closing: Wishing you a fantastic day!

9/10/18 Good Morning!

Word of the Day:

· Modus Vivendi (Mo-duss-vih-VEN-dee): lifestyle; a way of living.

Example:

While most envied his rich and seemingly carefree

existence, Glen often found his extravagant MODUS

VIVENDI rather empty and lonely.

Please write down as many literary terms as you can recall in 60 seconds in your notebooks/ discuss why we use literary terms in English classes.

Time to review and apply what you know on Quizlet! Please log into a laptop and go to the following site: https://quizlet.com/213006639/mrs-benedettos-literary-terms-review-2018-flash-cards/

Once you are on this site, please spend some time on each activity and take the practice test. Make sure that you show one of the teachers in the room your score (20-22 minutes).

Lastly, Independent Reading with Response (see reading log) OR Creative Writing (see packet and write a full page in your notebooks (20-22 minutes).

Closing: Wishing you a positive and productive day!

9/7/18 Welcome to Class! (Day 2)

What is your ONE WORD for the new school year? Please write this on a colorful post it and

place on the cabinet

Review our classroom website and today’s agenda

Grading Policy and Expectations (post it activities)

Latin word Part – Mal

Letters (draft, type, save on thumb drive)

Review Creative Writing Packet and Requirements

Independent Reading & Reading Log/ Discuss and Select a Book

Discuss Current Events and Brainstorm a List of Topics (if there is time)

Closing

Wishing you a positive and productive day! :)

6/4 to 6/8: Good Morning!

Seniors: Introduction to #myseniorfootprint (due this Friday!)

https://thereadinessisall.com/2012/11/30/1365-the-best-way-for-seniors-to-end-the-year/

Seniors may also work on the creative writing assignments from last Friday (please see the agenda from last Friday, which is directly under this agenda).

Juniors: Test prep if you are taking the ELA Regents (Lashaun and Nigel, you have review folders with materials)OR Independent Study.

Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day :)

5/30 - 6/1: Good Morning!

Creative Writing!

Please look through the following links and write for the entire period. Yes, the entire period.

1.

https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/journal-prompts.html

2.

https://thewritepractice.com/creative-writing-prompts/

3.

http://visualprompts.weebly.com/high-school.html

4.

https://elitewritings.com/blog/30-creative-writing-prompts-for-high-school.html

********You may break up the prompts and select two to three topics. You may also decide to write about one topic for the entire class period. The point is to get you writing creatively! The work is to be completed in your notebooks or typed in a Word Document. Either way, you will leave your work with Miss Morrison or Miss Carroll. I will grade you for the work and time on task.

Enjoy your day!

5/29: Welcome Back!

No Word of the Day due to your exam on Tuesdays with Morrie. Please study.

https://quizlet.com/296248731/tuesdays-with-morrie-vocabulary-english-12-diagram/

Pick up exactly where we left off last Friday! Your exam is today.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

5/21- 5/24: Welcome to Class!

Quizlet (quiz on Friday that includes Tuesdays with Morrie ):

https://quizlet.com/296248731/tuesdays-with-morrie-vocabulary-english-12-diagram/

Film Study Continued (review assignments). Your questions and the writing assignment are due.

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day!

5/18: Welcome!

Quizlet instead of WOD

Continue with film study and assignments

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

5/17:18: Good morning!

No Word of the Day today. Please use your time wisely. There will be a quiz tomorrow. I will also collect your completed work.

Please go to Quizlet to learn your vocabulary words for Tuesdays with Morrie:https://quizlet.com/296248731/tuesdays-with-morrie-vocabulary-english-12-diagram/

Then, select an assignment from the activity sheet that I left for you. I've also attached it below in the attachment section (TWM- English 12). Here is the link to the movie if you decide to watch it with headphones on your laptop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBAYAwt9VB4

If you decide to watch the movie that goes with the writing assignment, I'll look for the notes you took in your notebooks. The notes will be helpful for the writing assignment. I'll collect this on Monday.

I'll collect all other assignments tomorrow.

Wishing you a wonderful day ;)

5/16/18: Welcome!

Word of the Day/ Something NEW!: https://membean.com/treelist

Please write down the meaning of "Bene" from the above link in your notebooks. Then, select two words and their definitions to write underneath "Bene." You will earn a 100% for each step.

Continue with Tuesdays With Morrie. Continue to take notes. Please see your question sheet too.

Closing. Wishing you a productive and positive day! :)

5/11/18 : Welcome to Class! TGIF! :)

Word of the Day

Remuneration: the act or fact of paying an equivalent to for a service, loss, or expense: recompense, pay

Example: The actor was offered a modest speaking fee by the host as remuneration for giving her speech at the awards ceremony.

Current Events Friday!

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

Then, please select a learning station: Independent Reading, Castle Learning, SAT Prep, Make-up Work.

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day! :)

5/9/18

Mundane adj.

Definition: 1. of or pertaining to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven; worldly; earthly. 2. common; banal.

Example: mundane affairs.

Synonyms: earthly, ordinary, plain

Rhetoric in advertisements: Please pick up where you left off

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day! :)

5/8/18: Good Morning!

Word of the Day:

Integrity n.

Definition: 1. uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

Example: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

Synonyms: honor, completeness

Rhetoric in advertisements: Please pick up where you left off

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

5/7/18: Welcome!

Word of the Day:

Innocuous adj.

Definition: 1. not harmful or injurious; harmless. 2. not likely to irritate or offend; inoffensive.

Example: an innocuous home remedy; an innocuous remark.

Next:

• • Finish Rhetoric Lesson: https://www.slideshare.net/thalialongoria/ethospathoslogos

  • Make up quiz if needed

Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day!

5/4/18: Good Morning and TGIF!

No Word of the Day. Instead, please study your words for the quiz.

Kahoot Review! https://play.kahoot.it/#/?quizId=661941e0-6cca-49a1-a8d5-859359b4db48

Quiz- Good Luck!

Next,

• • Presentations

  • Independent Reading with response (this is a weekly requirement- 2-3 times per week minimum)

  • Make-up work

If you are done with all of the above, please complete a Current Events.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

5/3/18: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day (two minutes- three minutes MAX) :

Aesthetic adj. (pronunciation: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aesthetic)

Definition: of or pertaining to beauty

Example: The statue had real aesthetic appeal.

Synonyms: tasteful, beautiful, pleasing

Please select two learning stations from the list below. I'll grade your work by the end of today as I'll be in by 11 am:

• • Finish your projects if needed and prepare for your presentation tomorrow. This does NOT require talking. Thank you.

• • Independent Reading with response (also a weekly requirement- 3 times per week minimum)

  • SAT Prep Station (the sheet is in the bin with all of your handouts):

  • Quizlet- Review for tomorrow's quiz!

  • Make up work

Wishing you a wonderful day!

5/1/18 & 5/2/18: Good Morning!

Word of the Day:

MONDAY

Apoplectic adjective: :

2 a : of a kind to cause or apparently cause stroke

• an apoplectic rage

b : extremely enraged

• was apoplectic over the news

TUESDAY- Anecdote http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/sat/

Quizlet/ April's Words: https://quizlet.com/_4t67jl

Quiz on Friday!

Presentations. Then finish up any owed work as we are starting a new unit tomorrow.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

4/30/18: Welcome Back!

Word of the Day:

Disdain v.

Definition: to treat with contempt, or to reject with scorn

Example: He was treated with disdain after being caught stealing Halloween candy from younger children.

Synonyms: snub, disregard

Quizlet/ April's Words: https://quizlet.com/_4t67jl

OR https://quizlet.com/290863281/mrs-benedettos-sat-words-for-april-2018-flash-cards/?new

Pick up where you left off with your projects or Independent Reading assignments. Presentations are tomorrow!

Introduction to Rhetoric: https://www.slideshare.net/thalialongoria/ethospathoslogos

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable and productive first day back! :)

4/20/18: Welcome to Class and TGIF!

Word of the Day:

Subtle adj.

Definition: barely noticeable

Example: The vintage wine had subtle hints of oakiness.

Synonyms: mild, abstruse

Work on your projects. All projects and presentations are due today or Tuesday after break. The due dates is generous and final.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful and safe break! :)

4/19/18: Good Morning!

Word of the Day:

Aegis-noun EE-jus pronunciation ----> https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aegis

• • Definition: a: protection <under the aegis of the Constitution>

b: controlling or conditioning influence <passed new laws under the aegis of national security>

• • Synonyms: Security, shield, protection

  • Usage: The matter will be dealt with under the aegis of the ethics committee.

Continue working on your projects and independent reading. Please stay focused and

use your time wisely. When we conference tomorrow, I want to see what you have

accomplished over the past two days.

Closing. wishing you a positive and productive day! :)

4/18/18: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day:

Zealous adj.

Definition: full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent.

Synonyms: devoted, fervent

Usage: The detective was zealous in her pursuit of the kidnappers.

Work on your projects and your reading. Mini-conferences as needed. Please use your time wisely!

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day :)

4/16/18 & 4/17/18: Good morning!

Monday's Word:

Vociferous adj.

Definition: 1. crying out noisily. 2. characterized by noisy or vehement outcry.

Example: vociferous protests

Synonyms: clamorous, loud

Tuesday's word: Abide- https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/abide-2018-04-02

Learning Stations: Work on Projects and Independent Reading with Response

Closing. Wishing you a terrific day!

4/13/18: Welcome! TGIF!

Word of the Day:

vigor n.

Definition: 1. active strength or force; intensity; energy. 2. healthy physical or mental energy or power; vitality. 3. healthy growth in any living matter or organism, as a plant. 4. effective force, esp. legal validity.

Synonyms: power, strength

Current events Friday!

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

The, Independent Reading with Response OR another Learning Station (your projects!).

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! :)

4/12/18: Welcome to Class! Nice work yesterday!

Word of the Day:

Grandiose: Impressive because of uncommon largeness, scope, effect, or grandeur

• • Synonyms: Glorious, grand, splendid, majestic

  • Usage: The committee eventually scaled back the most outlandish parts of its plans for the festival, including a grandiose scheme to bring in live peacocks for the event.

Next, please work on your projects.

Lastly, present your work. Good luck!

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day! :)

4/11/18: Good morning!

Word of the Day:

Verbose adj.: expressed in or characterized by the use of many or too many words; wordy.

Synonyms: loquacious, repetitive

Usage: 1. She has a verbose writing style. 2. He was a verbose speaker.

Continue with your next research or writing project and Independent Reading

Closing. Have a nice day! :)

4/9/18 & 4/10/ 18: Welcome!

Welcome to the new marking period! Review grading policy and expectations

Mini-conferences for next project

ATTENTION students who need a topic for their third or fourth research project AND who are in Independent Study: Please look through the following three links to decide upon a topic:

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/writing/research-paper-topics/

https://edusson.com/research-paper-topics/

http://www.myspeechclass.com/good-and-interesting-research-paper-topics.html

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! :)

4/6/18: Welcome to class and TGIF!

Presentations!

Unanimity: the state or quality of being unanimous; a consensus or undivided opinion.

Synonyms: agreement, unison

The judges made a unanimous ruling.

Next: Current Events Friday!

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic weekend :)

4/4/18: Good Morning!

Word of the Day:

Tentative: 1. of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt. 2. unsure; not definite or positive; hesitant.

Synonyms: hesitant, conditional

Usage: We made tentative dinner reservations hoping that we would be able attend.

Two learning stations (Projects and one other- Independent Reading or SAT Prep)

Mini-conferences

Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day! :)

4/3/18: Welcome to class! REMINDER: Grades are due this Friday! Is all of your work turned in?

No word of the Day due to the quiz

Review for SAT vocabulary quiz:

https://play.kahoot.it/#/?quizId=41d2d6b3-7865-4278-aa27-17266aa61fdf

Take quiz. Good luck!

After the quiz, please work quietly on a learning station quietly (Independent Reading , SAT prep, or your Projects)

Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day! :)

4/2/18

Word of the Day-

Tactful: having or manifesting tact, consideration.

Synonyms: discreet, understanding

Trying to remain tactful when you disagree with someone is a strength and shows respect.

Please study and practice using your SAT words on Quizlet at the following link (15-20 minutes) : https://quizlet.com/281810598/mrs-benedettos-march-sat-vocabulary-words-2018-flash-cards/

Your quiz is tomorrow!

Next, continue working on your projects. I'll be around for a mini-conferences.

Closing. Enjoy your day! :)

3/29/18: Welcome to class!

Word of the Day!

Succinct adj. : 1. expressed in few words; concise; terse. 2. characterized by conciseness or verbal brevity. 3. compressed into a small area, scope, or compass.

Synonyms: brief, short

Usage: Each student was asked to be succinct in their presentations in order for everyone to get a chance to present.

Please study and practice using your SAT words on Quizlet at the following link (15-20 minutes) : https://quizlet.com/281810598/mrs-benedettos-march-sat-vocabulary-words-2018-flash-cards/

Quiz on Tuesday, April 3rd!

Next, continue working on your projects!

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable three day weekend!

3/28/18: Good Morning!

Words of the Day:

Claim: a confident statement that (something) is true but may not be proven or supported.

Argument: a position on a topic organized by a claim or series of claims that are supported by reasons and evidence.

Please study and practice using your SAT words on Quizlet at the following link (15-20 minutes) : https://quizlet.com/281810598/mrs-benedettos-march-sat-vocabulary-words-2018-flash-cards/

Next, continue working on your projects! Use your time wisely!

Wishing you a positive and productive day! :)

3/27/18

Welcome to Class!

Continue with your projects! Use your time wisely :)

Lastly, please select a learning station (Independent Reading or SAT Prep)

• • Word of the Day!

Somber: 1. gloomily dark; shadowy. 2. dark and dull in color or tone. 3. downcast; glum. 4. extremely serious; grave.

Synonyms: dark, serious

Usage: There was a somber note in his voice that was frightening.

Closing. Wishing you a terrific day!

3/26/18: Welcome!

Word of the Day!

Scrutinize v.: 1. to examine minutely. 2. to conduct a scrutiny.

Synonyms: inspect, investigate

Usage: During any kind of subjective research you must scrutinize your sources.

Continue with the next phase of your research project or essay

Lastly, please select a learning station if there is time (Independent Reading or SAT Prep)

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day!

3/22/18: Welcome to Class!

• Word of the Day:

• Definition: Uncanny- being beyond what is normal or expected; suggesting superhuman or supernatural powers.

• Usage: Our waiter had an uncanny resemblance to the creepy villain in the film we had just seen.

Continue with next steps of the writing, researching, and/ or creating process. Where did you leave off yesterday? That's your starting point today.

You will receive a grade for your planning time every day from now on. I logged your work time yesterday in the grade book and have done so in the past. Now it will be every day. It's an easy hundred when you work all class. Thank you!

Wishing you a wonderful day :)

3/21/18: Good Morning!

Continue with next steps of the writing, researching, and/ or creating process. Where did you leave off yesterday? That's your starting point today.

Word of the Day: http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/grade12/

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day :)

3/20/18: Happy Spring!

Word of the Day:

Rebuttal: an act of rebutting, as in a debate.

Synonyms: answer, parry

Usage: I’ll allow a rebuttal, the Judge ruled.

Second half of class: Finish Project #2, Learning Stations, or College Essay Planning Time

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

3/19/18: Welcome Back!

Word of the Day

· rancor: bitter deep-seated ill will; deep hatred \ ˈraŋ-kər , -ˌkȯr \

• • Synonyms: Antagonism, hostility

  • Usage: She answered her accusers calmly and without rancor.

Next, Presentations (Bryelle and Netti)

Second half of class: Finish Project #2, Learning Stations, or College Essay Planning Time

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

3/16/18: Good Morning and TGIF!

• Current Events Friday!

Links for Current Events:

• Featured Story: Student Voices: How Teens Want to Solve America's School Shooting Problem: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/student-voices/how-teens-want-to-solve-americas-school-shooting-problem/

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

Next, continue with your project OR a learning station ( Independent Reading, SAT Prep, etc.)

Closing. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable weekend! :)

The School Week of 3/12/18:

Good Morning!

Review Essential Questions

Presentations...? Check in

Project Time (Research and Planning Station). Remember, you have the creative freedom to select your own topic for this second research project! Many of you have already started (Bryan actually already finished!)

Select a station if there's time.

Word of the Day:

Reverberate v

Definition: To spring back, spring away from an impact; To be reflected, to ring or echo, to have a long or continuing effect

Synonyms: bounce, echo, rebound

Usage: On the last day of school, the students' cries of elation reverberated throughout the hallways.

ATTENTION students who need a topic for their third research project AND who are in Independent Study: Please look through the following three links to decide upon a topic:

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/writing/research-paper-topics/

https://edusson.com/research-paper-topics/

http://www.myspeechclass.com/good-and-interesting-research-paper-topics.html

Closing. Enjoy your day!

3/9/18: Welcome to class and TGIF!

You will be following yesterday's agenda (directly below), which was the agenda for the entire week. The only difference is that your SAT vocabulary quiz is today. Miss Carroll has the quizzes. Thank you, Miss Carroll! Thank you to my students for a great week!

3/6/18 to 3/8/18: Good Morning!

Please study for your SAT Vocabulary Quiz on Friday. You have the list and the following resources:

Link to Quizlet Review: https://quizlet.com/272347110/mrs-benedettos-sat-word-of-the-day-review-for-february-2018-flash-cards/

Link to Kahoot!: https://play.kahoot.it/#/lobby?quizId=070ae016-639a-43f3-a5b1-270ddd2212ec

Next, final presentations (depending on attendance)

Discuss next project options. Then, select a learning station based upon that project and begin working. I will begin brief mini-conferences to see what you've selected.

(Tuesday's word) Word of the Day:

Nullify

1. to render or declare legally void. 2. to deprive (something) of value or effectiveness; annul; invalidate.

Example: To nullify a contract.

Synonyms: cancel, invalidate, repeal

(Wednesday's word) Word of the Day:

Acrimonious:

Definition: Marked by strong resentment

Synonyms: bitter, acrid

Usage: The debate was punctuated with acrimonious exchanges.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

3/5/18: Welcome Back!

Let's regroup and move forward from there together.

Activities to consider: Projects, SAT Words with Quizlet Review, Stations, and Next Project and/or Writing Assignment.

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day :)

2/27/18: Good Morning!

Presentations!

Please see yesterday's agenda if there is time left.

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day! :)

2/26/18: Welcome Back! It's going to be a wonderful week!

Review Essential Questions. How are you doing in these areas?

Please finish your research projects if needed. Final presentations are tomorrow. Remember to use your check list and all of the tools you have access to online and in your folders.

The online materials are listed under the 2/12 through 2/14 agenda. You'll need to scroll down just a little.

For Bryelle and Netti: We will have a mini-conference to discuss next steps since you are done with your research projects and your presentations. Choices to think about: Next Research Project, Independent Reading, SAT Prep, College Essays.

Review and discuss your SAT Word of the Day list to prepare for Quizlet and Kahoot

SAT Prep!

Link to Quizlet Review: https://quizlet.com/272347110/mrs-benedettos-sat-word-of-the-day-review-for-february-2018-flash-cards/

Link to Kahoot!: https://play.kahoot.it/#/lobby?quizId=070ae016-639a-43f3-a5b1-270ddd2212ec

Closing: Please tell me something you learned today and/or one thing you are still wondering?

Wishing you an enjoyable and productive week!

WINTER BREAK! 2/17 to 2/24

2/15/18 & 2/16/18 Good morning! A special thank you to our guests yesterday!

Presentations! Bryelle - 2/15 and Netti - 2-16

Who else is ready? Please see your checklist and rubric to decide. Also, have you met with me and received my seal of approval?

After presentations, everyone else will pick up where they left off to prepare for Monday after break.

Bryelle and Netti- Learning Stations (your choice)

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

2/12/18 through 12/14/18 Welcome to class! Presentations are tomorrow and Friday!

Word of the Day on 2/12/18: (Selected by Bryan Bibs) No WOD on 12/13 or 2/14 to save time to work on your projects

Literal n - Meaning exactly what is said or written; not open to interpretation.

Example- Mr. Smith's unyielding, literal- minded interpretations of his supervisor's directives left him very little flexibility handling unanticipated crises in his department,

Research Station: Continue creating and revising your research projects. Presentations are this Thursday and Friday as agreed upon. I will hold mini-lessons on Works Cited each day like we did last week. Yes, you have to do a Works Cited ;)

ONLINE RESEARCH MATERIALS:

Links to biography sites (REMEMBER: Please use 2-3 reliable and legitimate sites to gather information. I do not care for Wikipedia and I've explained why):

https://www.google.com/search?q=biography+sites&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab

Creating a Works Cited:

https://www.google.com/search?q=citing+sources+in+text+and+a+works+cited&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjC8J2RjI3ZAhUlw1kKHRPdCU4Q_AUICygC&biw=1568&bih=768

Citation Machine: http://www.citationmachine.net/ or http://www.easybib.com/v2/home

Closing- Checklists and Essential questions. Wishing you a wonderful day!

2/8/18 & 2/9/18: Welcome to Class!

Continue with your research. Check in with a partner. What feedback would be useful to give one another?

Current Events Station (maybe)

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day! :)

2/7/18 ****Snow Day**** Stay warm and safe!

Word Of the Day: (same as yesterday due to low attendance)

Emulate v.

Definition: 1. to imitate in an effort to equal or surpass. 2. to rival with some degree of success. 3. a. to imitate the functions of (another computer system) by means of software. b. to replace (software) with hardware to perform the same task.

Synonyms: imitate, copy

2/5/18: Good morning!

The following agenda is for the school week of 2/5/18:

Word of the Day: (Per. 3- Mon.-Bryelle, Tues.- Netti, Wed. -?)

(Per. 4- Angel & Leasia all week)

Project Station (Black History)

Research Materials:

Links to biography sites:

https://www.google.com/search?q=biography+sites&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab

Creating a Works Cited:

https://www.google.com/search?q=citing+sources+in+text+and+a+works+cited&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjC8J2RjI3ZAhUlw1kKHRPdCU4Q_AUICygC&biw=1568&bih=768

Citation Machine: http://www.citationmachine.net/ or http://www.easybib.com/v2/home

Select a Station: Independent Reading, Teen Ink Activities or SAT Prep

Writing Station Materials: Teen Ink Activity @https://www.teenink.com/search_google.php?q=college+essa

The Teen Ink assignment sheet is attached in the attachments section at the bottom of the page!

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day!

2-2-18 Welcome to class and TGIF!

Ominous adj-

Definition: presaging ill fortune

Synonyms: alarming, menacing

Usage: The ominous clouds made the tornado warnings worth heeding.

Writing Station (Resumes)

Project Station (Black History)

Current Events Friday Station!

Links for Current Events:

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.syracuse.com/news/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

2/1/18 Welcome to class!

Word of the Day:

Appall v-

Definition: strike with disgust or revulsion

Synonyms: alarm, dismay, offend

Usage: The scandalous behavior of the married woman appalled her friends.

Source: http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/grade9/

Due today: Drafts of resumes. Perfected, typed copies are due tomorrow by the end of class.

Annotating Activity (DONE!)

Writing Station: Teen Ink Activity @https://www.teenink.com/search_google.php?q=college+essays

The Teen Ink assignment sheet is attached in the attachments section at the bottom of the page!

Review college essay writing prompts: http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/common-application-announces-2017-2018-essay-prompts

Writing outlines: 1. http://www.collegeessaycoach.com/theoutline.html

2. http://www.gocollege.com/admissions/applications/essays/outline.html

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day!

1/29/18 to 1/31/18 Good morning and welcome back!

Introduction and information about EPIC (a review of the program)

Review curriculum and this website (resume, cover letter, college essays, projects, books and plays)

Review grading policy and classroom expectations (headphones, passes- five minute rule, after school hours, etc.)

Introductions: Introduce yourself to a peer and find out two things you have in common and one difference. Then, you will introduce each other.

Locate our classroom website and begin researching possible topics for your first major project, which is due next Friday.

Resume Writing! Tools: Laptops, Sample Resume (document camera), Microsoft Publisher, Online Templates

Link to online tips:

1. https://www.livecareer.com/career/advice/resume/resume-tips-for-teenagers

2. https://damngood.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/resume-workbook-highschool.pdf

TAKE QUIZ!

3. https://www.thebalance.com/high-school-student-resume-example-2063279

Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day :)

1st semester / 2017

1/16/18 Good morning and welcome back!

Word of the Day:

1/31/18: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: Contrite http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/sat/

Example: A contrite apology was given to students when their lunches were missing that afternoon.

Stations: Resume Writing (draft and perfected copy), Research Topics, Independent Reading

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! Quiz on Friday! Study your Literary Terms!

Word of the Day: Censure n.

http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/sat/

1. Test Prep Station: Students taking the test will practice argumentative writing.

2. Everyone else: Independent Reading, Odyssey Ware, SAT Prep, Research Project, etc.

*****Closing. Please log off of your laptops. Have a terrific day!

1/3/17 Good Morning!

Word of the Day:

http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/sat/

Stations: Independent Reading, Odyssey Ware, Test Prep, Research Project

Closing. Log off laptops. Wishing you a positive and productive day

1/2/18 Welcome Back!

Word of the Day: Disdain (superkids.com)

• • Stations: odyssey Ware, Independent Reading, Test prep

  • Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable first day back!

12/20/17 Good Morning!

• • Philanthropist:

http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/sat/

• • Stations: Odyssey Ware, Independent Reading, Test Prep, SAT Prep, Research

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

12/19/17: Welcome!

Word of the Day: Novice (Super Kids)

• • Stations: Odyssey Ware, Independent Reading, Test Prep, SAT Prep, Research

  • Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

12/14/17: Good Morning!

(Super Kids)

Word of the Day: Rebuttal

Stations: Odyssey Ware, Independent Reading, Test Prep, Research Project, SAT Prep

Test Prep: Continue with video "How To" for Part 2 of the ELA Regents

Closing. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :)

*******12/13/17: SNOW DAY!!!! Enjoy and stay warm!

12/12/17: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: Mitigate http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/sat/

Stations: The same as yesterday.

Closing. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :)

12/11/17: Good Morning!

12/18/17: Welcome to Class! Unfortunately, I'm out sick today. Please work diligently as you always do when I'm present.

Word of the Day:

Expedient: 1. fit or suitable for the purpose; proper; advisable. 2. conducive to advantage; governed by self-interest; advantageous. n. 3. a handy means to an end. Synonyms: appropriate, desirable

SOURCE: www.superkids.com

Stations: Odyssey Ware, Independent Reading with Response, Test Prep, SAT Prep, Research Project (Olivia, Nyitaire, and Nie).

Link to more practice tests:

http://www.nysedregents.org/hsela/

Word of the Day: Assuage: http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/sat/

• • Stations: Odyssey Ware, Independent Reading, Test Prep, Research Project, SAT Prep

  • Test Prep: Continue with video "How To" for Part 2 of the ELA Regents

  • Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day :)

2/7/17: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day:

Adversity-

a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune

• showing courage in the face of adversity

Stations: Odyssey Ware, Independent Reading, SAT Prep, Test Prep, Research Project

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

Juniors: Test prep (If you have been doing test prep, you will continue to do so). If you finish early, then you may select a station. However, please keep in mind that it has been taking us all class period. Do not rush. Take your time!

Research project on HBCUs for three of my seniors(Nie, Olivia, Nyitaire)

Stations for everyone else: Independent Reading with response or work on project, SAT prep, and/or Odyssey Ware (Please remember to work on at least two stations per class)

• Closing: Please log off of the laptops

• Wishing you an enjoyable day!

12/4/17: Welcome Back!

Word of the Day: Infinitesimal- Very small (see example under document camera)

• Research project on HBCUs for three of my seniors

• Juniors: Test prep

• Stations for everyone else: Independent Reading with response or work on project, SAT prep, and/or Odyssey Ware (Please remember to work on at least two stations per class)

• Closing: Please log off of the laptops

• Wishing you a positive and productive day!

12/1/17 Good Morning and TGIF!

Word of the Day: Infer: to derive as a conclusion from facts or premises; compare, imply

• We see smoke and infer fire—L. A. White

Stations: 1. Current Events Friday! 2. Select another station when you are finished 3. Check points with me

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable and safe weekend. Thank you for a fabulous week! Your hard work is paying off :)

11/30/17: Welcome to class!

Word of the Day: Substantiate (sub-stant-chee-ate): to provide proof or evidence; to give validity to.

The agenda is the same as yesterday. Please see below.

11/29/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day

• Stations: Independent Reading, Odyssey Ware, SAT, or Research Projects on HBCUs

• Test prep continued! Day 3.

• Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day! :)

11/28/17: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: Central idea is just another way of describing the main thought or principle theme of a work of literature.

• Continue with test prep

• Stations (if there is time)

• If you already passed the exam, please work on your research project or stations

• Closing. Have a nice day! :)

11/27/17: Good morning and welcome back!

Word of the Day: Analyze- To break down, closely examine and interpret

• Introduction to test prep for the NYS English Regents Exam

• Stations: Odyssey Ware and Independent Reading (with written response)

• Mini-conferences as needed

• Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day :)

***** Wishing you a wonderful break!

11/20/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Divulge

Stations:

• Odyssey Ware

• Independent Reading

• SAT Prep

• Closing. Have a fantastic day! :)

11/17/17 Welcome to class and TGIF!

Word of the day: Lollygag (yesterday's word was Shilly- shally)

Current Events:

Links for Current Events:

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.syracuse.com/news/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

Next, please select a station

Closing: Log off your computer properly. Wishing you an enjoyable day! :)

11/13 to 11/15 Welcome to Class!

• Word of the Day (Tuesday only)

• Select Two Stations: Odyssey Ware, SAT Prep, Independent Reading

• Closing: Log off of computer properly. Have a great day!

11/9 & 11/10

Stations

11/8/17: Good Morning

• • I am out sick today. I'd rather be there with you, believe me. Please stay focused and do your very best.

  • The marking period ends tomorrow. I need to see as much work as possible completed today in order to log your final assignments tomorrow.

  • Please work on your stations: SAT Prep, Independent Reading, and/ or Odyssey Ware. If you do not know what these stations are, then you must be new. In that case, please see Miss Morrison.

  • I will collect everything tomorrow or have Miss Morrison collect it today. I can see what was completed on Odyssey Ware, therefore, that's not an issue.

  • Have a nice day :)

11/3/17 TGIF!

• Review for quiz

• Take quiz- Good luck!

• Current Events Friday!

• Select a station if there's time.

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend :)

Links for Current Events:

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.syracuse.com/news/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

11/1/17 & 11/2/17 Welcome to Class and to November! Your Quiz is on Friday.

• No Word of the Day Today. Please go to the following link to study your last 14 Words of the Day (20-25 minutes): https://quizlet.com/238768059/mrs-benedettos-words-of-the-day-part-2-2017-flash-cards/

• For students studying the literary terms for the English Regents, please see the Quizlet from Tuesday's agenda below.

• Independent Reading or Odyssey Ware. Both if you have time. Please be productive during this time as usual. Thank you.

• Enjoy your day and I'll see you tomorrow :)

*** Word of the Day Quiz on Friday!

10/30/17 & 10/31/17 Good Morning!

• No Word of the Day Today. Please go to the following link to study your last 14 Words of the Day: https://quizlet.com/238768059/mrs-benedettos-words-of-the-day-part-2-2017-flash-cards/

• Literary Terms Review: https://quizlet.com/213006639/mrs-benedettos-literary-terms-review-2017-flash-cards/

• Select a station (two if you have time)

• Closing: Chart. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :)

*** Word of the Day Quiz on Friday!

10/27/17 TGIF!

Word of the Day: http://www.wordthink.com/favorite-words/

• • Current Events!

  • Select a station

Closing: Charts. Wishing you an enjoyable weekend :)

10/23/17 to 10/26: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: http://www.wordthink.com/favorite-words/

Review our grading policy

Please select two stations:

• Odyssey Ware

• SAT Prep

• Independent Reading

Closing: Chart

Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :)

10/20/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: http://www.wordthink.com/favorite-words/

• Current Events Friday!

• Then, please work on a station (Independent Reading, Odyssey Ware, and SAT Prep)

• Closing: Charts (I'll collect them on Monday)

• Wishing you a wonderful weekend! :)

10/16/17 to 10/19/17

Good Morning!

Word of the Day: http://www.wordthink.com/favorite-words/

Stations (choose two):

• SAT Prep, Independent Reading , and/ or Odyssey Ware

• Closing: Charts

• Wishing you a wonderful day :)

10/13/17: Welcome to Class and TGIF!

Word of the Day: http://www.wordthink.com/favorite-words/

(Choose one from the list)

• • Current Events Friday!

  • Select a station

  • Closing: Fill out chart fully

10/12/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Abstruse

Stations to choose from today (please choose two):

• SAT Prep with written response

• Odyssey Ware

• Independent Reading with a complete written response

• Make up quiz

• Closing: Chart. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :)

10/11/17: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: Modicum

*****Take your quiz****

Stations:

• Independent Reading with response (please use all of the space in the box- at least four to five complete sentences)

• Odyssey Ware or SAT Prep

• Closing: Charts. Wishing you a terrific day :)

10/10/ 17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Gregarious

• Station 1: Please go to the following link and study your Words of the Day:

  • https://quizlet.com/_3t3wb7

• Once you are on Quizlet, please type Mrs. Benedetto's Word of the Day Review! into the search engine at the top of the Quizlet site

• Reminder: You should be completing all of the activities, including the quiz

• Station 2: Independent Reading OR SAT Prep

• Station 3: Odyssey Ware (if there's time)

• Closing: Blended Learning Charts. Wishing you an enjoyable day!

***** Your quiz is tomorrow!!!!

10/5/17: Welcome to class!

No Word of the Day today!

• Please finish typing and printing your drafts and turn them in ASAP! I've been collecting them all week. Thank you!

• Word of the Day Review on Quizlet at https://quizlet.com/_3t3wb7

********************Look for your vocabulary words if you a re not sure which activity to click on. Remember to use your lists from yesterday as you complete the activities. Miss Morrison knows where they are located if you need a copy***********************

Once you are on Quizlet, please type Mrs. Benedetto's Word of the Day Review! into the search engine at the top of the Quizlet site

Then, select a station to complete (independent reading, SAT prep, or OW)

Closing: Charts. Have a nice day!

Reminder: Quiz on Wednesday!

10/4/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Apropos

• Please finish typing and printing your drafts and turn them in ASAP! Thank you!

• Word of the Day Review on Quizlet at https://quizlet.com/_3t3wb7

• Your quiz is next Wednesday!

• If the above link doesn't work for you, please type Mrs. Benedetto's Word of the Day Review! 2017 into the search engine at the top of the Quizlet site

• Conferences/Progress Reports

• Closing: Blended Learning Charts. Have a wonderful day :)

10/3/17: Welcome to Class!

• Word of the Day: Censure

• Personal narrative essays are due TODAY at the end of the period. Please make sure they are typed, saved, and printed. Reminder: You should have at least four paragraphs.

• Select two stations if you are done wit the above.

• Closing: Blended Learning Chart. Have a fantastic day!

10/2/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Ensconce

• Personal narrative drafts are due tomorrow by the end of class!

• Please look over the agenda from last Friday. What still needs to be done? Proceed with that work before moving onto the next step.

• Select a station

• Closing: Blended Learning Charts. Have a nice day! :)

9/29/19: Welcome to Class and TGIF!

Word of the Day: Diligent

• Current Events Friday!

• Writing Workshop Continued. Your four to five paragraph draft is due next Tuesday. Please type your work.

• If you are done writing, typing and printing, please select a station.

Closing: Blended Learning Charts

Links for Current Events:

• http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge

• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

• http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

• http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

• http://www.syracuse.com/news/

• http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

• http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

• http://www.espn.com/

9/28/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Please see the poster on the side of the smart board.

Stations:

1. Work on your personal narratives for 30 minutes. Please use the materials in your notebooks and the handouts as guides. Remember, you are writing about a specific time in your life and expanding upon that specific moment with a beginning, middle, and end.

2. At the half way mark, please choose a station (Independent reading, SAT Prep, or Odyssey Ware) OR keep writing. Everything is a grade just like every other day.

3. Closing: Fill out your weekly blended learning charts.

********Wishing you a wonderful day :) ********

9/27/17: Welcome to Class!

• Word of the Day: Credible

• Review Personal Narrative Graphic Organizers and Materials

• Continue writing with the materials as your guide

• At the half way mark if class, please decide as to whether you will keep writing OR switch to a station of your choice (SAT Prep, Independent Reading, or Odyssey Ware)

• Closing: Fill out your Blended Learning Check List

• Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day :)

****** 40 Personal Narrative/ College Essay Topics: http://www.2012egnconference.com/forty-personal-narrative-essay-topics-to-choose-from

****** 25 College Essay Ideas:

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/peters/25-creative-college-essay-prompts

9/26/17 Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Avid

• • Continue with Teen Ink Activity from yesterday

  • Small group station if needed for Deciding What to Say (final activities)

  • When all of the above has been completed, please select a station OR keep writing!

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day

9/25/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Preposterous

• • Finish Deciding What to Say activities

  • Begin Teen Ink Activity (attachment)

  • Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day :)

9/21/17: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: Retort

• Current Events Friday! (see attachment for assignment sheet)

• Continue With Our Writing Workshop

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! :)

9/20/17: Good Morning!

Word of the Day: Ampersand (Am-per-sand): the symbol "&"; represents the word "and."

Example: For the corporate logo she was designing, the graphic artist decided to use an ampersand instead of the bulkier word "and."

• Continue with Deciding What to Say Writing Activity (same Power Point at yesterday)

• Closing. Wishing you a fabulous day!

9/19/17: Welcome to Class!

Word of the Day: Cognizant (KOG-nuh-zunt) - aware or well informed.

Example: The attorney angrily denied the the charges that his client had been cognizant of the scheme to defraud customers.

• Writing (quick write): 1. What words and phrases come to your mind when you hear the word "writing"? 2. Think back to as early as you can remember up until present day about writing. What was your all time favorite writing activity? Why? Please explain.

• Deciding What to Say (see attachment)

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day!

9/18/17: Welcome Back!

Word of the Day: Precocious- Exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age

• Example: My five year old niece is quite precocious; sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a grownup with her sophisticated vocabulary and phrases!

Next, please select from the following two stations for today:

• Odyssey Ware Station

• SAT Prep

• Catching Up Station

• Independent Reading Station

• Conferencing (I will be coming around for mini-conferences today)

Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day!

9/15/17 Good Morning and TGIF!

Word of the Day: Inoculate (Merriam Webster)

• Review and discuss our vocabulary log activity

• Current Events Friday! Please see the links in last Friday's agenda ( please scroll down to that date 9/8/17)

• Next, please select a station: Independent Reading (with response), Odyssey Ware, or get caught up if needed.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend :)

9/14/17: Good Morning

Word of the Day: Flabbergast: to overwhelm with shock, surprise, or wonder :dumbfound

• Example: We were flabbergasted by the news that he had won the lottery.

http://www.majortests.com/sat/wordlist-01

• Please look at Monday's agenda below and pick up where you left off. Several students left off at the start of Step 4.We will review and discuss your answers to Step 4 as a whole group.

• After step 4, please log in to the following site with you SCSD login and password:

https://fs.scsd.us/adfs/ls/?SAMLRequest=fZJfT8IwFMW%2FytJ31nb8GTZjBCFGElQC6IMvpnR30mRrsbdD%2FfaWIZEXeb055557frnZ%2BKuuogM41NaMCI8ZGefZpPE7s4KPBtBHQWBwRBpnhJWoURhZAwqvxHrysBBJzMTeWW%2BVrchJLFDW1XWHRATnQyaJXs7hYU6i%2BWxE3gapgpKx7pBzKAcJJLyEIWcqHfYUk1uWJsNtovrpoB8MiA3MDXppfNjB%2BKDDkw5LN7wrWF%2F0buLeTfpKolnooo30bdTO%2Bz0KSkuMUWERN0hlUSKtkJJocr5tag02Nbg1uINW8Lxa%2FDlVBYFarGxNrQy46LEzPdUi0fIXyK02hTbv11lsTyIU95vNsrN8Wm9Inh3Xibaby69n1uBlIb2MA%2FuMXvqyx5A1ny1tpdV3dGddLf3%2Fp%2FCYtxNddMpWKhqDe1C61FAEKlVlP6cOpIcR8a4BQvOMXn5K%2FgM%3D&RelayState=NTQxODY5NzFmMzFhNTE3MDM1MDBiYWQw%3BNGM2M2MxY2Y2MjNkY2U4MmNhYWM%3D%3BaHR0cHM6Ly9jbGV2ZXIuY29tL2luL2F1dGhfY2FsbGJhY2s%3D%3BZmVjN2U4NDk1NTMxNmJkYTQyMzM0MjY0NTFlY2ExN2JhNTQxNmUyNjRlNTZkMDZiMmI2ZWQ4ODZkODVhMjYyZg%3D%3D%3BY29kZQ%3D%3D

Welcome to Castle Learning! This is one of the places where you will prepare for the the English Common Core Regents.

Closing/ Wishing you a fantastic and productive day!

12/5/16: Welcome back!

No word of the day today.

1. Please look closely at your personal narratives and rate yourself on the rubric. How do you think you did?

2. Then, look over the rubric I completed based upon your work. Are we close?

3. Next, revise your work. Locate your document and begin revising. Once your copy is perfected, please print to 115 and hand me your draft, your rubrics, and your perfected copy.

4. Research: 1. Look up (Google) argumentative essays 2. In your writer's notebooks, tell me what an argumentative essay is and how to write this type of essay. 3. Research and define the following terms: Ethos/ Logos/ Pathos. What did you learn? How will these devices be helpful to you as you practice argumentative writing?

5. Look over an English Regents/ Discuss. Begin working on multiple choice questions if there is time left.

Closing/ Have a wonderful and productive day :)

12/2/16: TGIF! :)

• Welcome to class!

• Vocabulary Quiz/ Quizlet. No word of the day today. Please study for the first five to seven minutes of class.

• Current Events Friday! What is going on in the world? Your topic could be local, national, or international. Possible Sources:

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

http://www.syracuse.com/news/

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic Friday!

12/1/16: Welcome to class!

Word of the day: Boisterous- a : noisily turbulent : rowdy b : marked by or expressive of exuberance and high spirits

Sample sentence: My amazing students were extremely boisterous as they discussed exciting and controversial topics during our Lit Arts after school program every Friday.

Stations: 1. Odyssey Ware for Ninth or Tenth Grade Students Only

2. Test Preparation (see Regents Review and SAT Prep page on sidebar)

2. Independent Reading with Response (see your reading log)

Closing. Have a fantastic day!

11/30/16: Good morning!

Word of the day: Accentuate- intensify, emphasize, accent.

Sample sentence: My grandmother used to always say that we should accentuate the positive as it leads to a happier life.

Stations: 1. Personal Narratives (due today)

2. Odyssey Ware OR Test Prep (see NYS Regents Common Core Website)

3. Independent Reading with Response (see your reading log)

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

11/29/16: Welcome!

Word of the day: Pessimism- a feeling or belief that bad things will happen in the future: a feeling or belief that what you hope for will not happen.

Sample sentence: Unfortunately, some students expressed pessimism about the state exams that were a few weeks away even though scores went up last year.

Stations: 1. Personal Narratives (due tomorrow)

2. Odyssey Ware OR Test Prep (see NYS Regents Common Core Website)

3. Independent Reading with Response (see your reading log)

Closing. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :)

11/28/16: Welcome back! I hope that you enjoyed your time off :)

Word of the Day: Optimism- a feeling or belief that good things will happen in the future: a feeling or belief that what you hope for will happen.

Sample Sentence: Both students expressed optimism about the future of our new school program.

Stations: 1. Personal Narratives (due this Wednesday)

2. Odyssey Ware OR Test Prep (see NYS Regents Common Core Website)

3. Independent Reading with Response (see your reading log)

Closing/ Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day!

11/22/16: Welcome to class! I hope that you enjoyed your snow day!

1. Quizlet Activities and Quiz at www.quizlet.com

2. Continue working on your personal narratives- they are due next Wednesday, November 30th at the latest! Please remember to use your rubric! I've attached a copy below in the attachment section.

Closing/ Wishing you a wonderful five days off!

Agenda 11/18/2016 Happy Friday!! I love you all so much.

1. No word of the day today! Answer this question in your writer’s notebook:

   1. What is the topic of your personal narrative and why did you choose this topic?

2. Drafting! Start drafting your essays!

   1. If you’ve already started, look it over a few times and think of anything you can add. If you need to, look back to the “How to Write an Essay” worksheet I handed out yesterday and think about the answers to some of the questions.

3. Peer Review.

   1. For the second half of the class, we will pause and peer review each others work. If you’re not finished that’s fine! You can still use the feedback as you continue to draft your essays.

4. Closing. Grade yourself on the work you’ve done today on a scale of 1-10. 1 being “Wow! I didn’t do so great today.” 10 being “I did awesome!!”

Reminder! You have a vocabulary quiz on Monday so study the terms on the study sheet!!

Agenda 11/17/2016 Happy Thursday!

1. Word of the day

   1. Diligent: When a person works hard and carefully.

   2. Sample Sentence: The students were being really diligent as they worked on their personal narrative essays in class.

2. Class essay activity (continued)

3. Begin drafting your essays!

4. Closing. How far did you get in your personal narrative? Do you think you have a good start?

Here are some useful links!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBQ8dU0KPtg

This is a video that explains the planning process of writing a personal narrative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2H29fRVqf8

This video gives some useful tips on writing an introduction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJMQWNd1TT8

This video gives some useful tips on writing a conclusion!

You can also access the "How to Write an Essay" handout in the downloads below that explains everything in the videos above.

Have a great rest of your day!

Agenda 11/16/2017 Hey, it’s Wednesday!

1. Word of the day

   1. Hook (essay): The first two sentences of an essay that grabs the reader’s attention.

   2. Sample Sentence: Make sure your essay has an interesting hook, otherwise no one will read it.

2. Examine sample essays

   1. We will continue the sample essay activity from yesterday, and grade two sample essays as a class.

3. Essay writing activity

   1. We will be writing an essay as a class!

4. Begin drafting

   1. This is when you will start drafting your own personal narratives.

5. Closing. When thinking about writing your own personal narrative, how prepared do you feel on a scale of 1-10? 10 being super prepared and 1 being not prepared at all.

Have a fun and safe Wednesday!!

Agenda 11/15/2016 Half-Day Tuesday!

1. Word of the Day:

   1. Expository: Intended to explain or describe something.

   2. Sample Sentence: The journalist wrote an expository on the treatment of children who worked in coal mines during the 1920s.

2. Finish up Deciding What to Say (more writing, yaay! You can do it!!)

3. Essay grading activity

   1. We’ll be looking at sample essays and giving them a grade as a class! Try to keep in mind the aspects of the “good” essays when you go on to write your own personal narratives!

4. Closing. After this essay grading activity, do you have a better idea of what a “good” essay looks like versus a “bad” essay?

Agenda 11/14/2016 Hooray for Monday!

1. Word of the day:

   1. Personal Narrative: A true story that relates to the author’s own personal experience.

   2. Sample Sentence: When I was younger I wrote a personal narrative about how my dad taught me to ride a bike.

2. Deciding What to Say PowerPoint.

   1. You will need your writer’s notebook for this activity. No laptops or cellphones necessary!

3. Closing:

   1. Did this activity help you think of a topic for a personal narrative? If yes, what is the topic you would like to write about? If not, can you think of a topic you would rather write about?

4. Have a Marvelous Monday!

Agenda 11/10/2016 Hooray for Thursday!

Word of the Day

Amiable: having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner

Sample sentence: My grandmother is always very amiable; she says hi to the neighbors and invites my friends over to dinner.

Poetry Test (For those who haven’t taken it yet)

Current Events Thursday!

Here are some sample articles you can choose from. Or you can find your own!

http://www.syracuse.com/us-news/index.ssf/2016/11/donald_trump_election_protests_oakland.html

This article is about protests that happened across the country on Wednesday in response to the election results.

http://www.nwitimes.com/business/jobs-and-employment/the-decline-of-the-teen-job/article_1458eeb7-eada-58bb-b1b3-c49a4e5d39e4.html

This is an article about how employers tend to hire less young people due to lack of experience.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/07/world/australia-police-arrest-woman-with-koala-in-bag-trnd/index.html

And for those who would like a little break from all the drama in the world, this is an article about an old woman who hid a baby koala in her bag in Australia.

Of course, feel free to pick your own articles if these do not interest you!

Here are some sources you can use:

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

http://www.syracuse.com/news/

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

Agenda 11/9/2016 Happy Wednesday!

-No word of the day today. Instead use this time to study for your poetry test.

-Poetry test. This will probably take the next two days. Take your time and do your best!

-If you finish the test before class is over, use this time to catch up on work or silent read.

Good luck and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Agenda 11/7/2016 Welcome back!

1. Word of the day

a. Copious: Large in number or quantity

b. Sample Sentence: The students had a copious amount of review in store for them for their class that day.

2. Station 1 (whole group): Kahoot review on authors

3. Station 2 (whole group): Question power point

4. Station 3: Quizlet Review—Play review games on your laptop for 10-15 minutes OR matching activity—match the terms with their correct definition

5. Closing. After you have completed these review activities, how confident do you feel for Wednesday’s test?

Have a wonderful Monday! Remember, no school tomorrow!

Agenda 11/04/2016 YAAAY for Friday!!

1. Word of the Day:

• 1. Garner: Assemble or get together

  2. Sample Sentence: The church members are trying to garner enough funds to purchase the pastor a new house.

1. Finish up your “Where I’m From” poems (15 minutes)

2. Current events

3. Closing. What was your article about? Have a fun and safe weekend!!

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/attack_on_autistic_teen_runner_prompts_charges_of_racism_by_syracuse_official.html

This is an article about a student from Corcoran High School, Chase Coleman who was shoved by 57 year old Martin MacDonald, saying “Get out of here”. The mother thinks it was due to the fact that her son is both black and disabled.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/03/africa/morocco-teen-girls-kissing-jail/index.html

This article is about how two young women in Morocco face jail time for kissing each other.

OR if you would like to find your own article, you can use one of the sources below!

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

http://www.syracuse.com/news/

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

Agenda 11/03/2016 Happy Thursday!!

Word of the Day:

Memoir: A historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.

Sample Sentence: The man wrote a memoir of his life so his grandchildren could read it after he died.

Finalize “Where I’m From” Poems (10 minutes).

6 Word Memoirs (see presentation)

Closing. Have a wonderful Thursday!

11/02/2016: Welcome to class!

Word of the Day:

Frugal: To avoid wasting something

Sample Sentence: The students were being frugal with their time because they spent every minute of class working hard.

Writer's Workshop! Write your own Where I'm from Poem!

Name activity --> Poem

"Where I'm From" Introduction:

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Template:

******You may create your own version of the following template. The templates are available to help you get started.

http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/t/Target_I_am_from%20poem.pdf

Examples:

A. http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm

B. https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVjCWL.FXAbYAyHYPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMDgyYjJiBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=Where+I%27m+From+Template&fr=yhs-adk-adk_sbnt&hspart=adk&hsimp=yhs-adk_sbnt

Who would like to share her or his favorite line?

Closing/ Wishing you a fantastic and productive day! :)

Agenda 11/1/2016 Happy Tuesday!!

1. Word of the Day!

   1. Periodical: A magazine or newspaper published at regular intervals

   2. Sample Sentence: I have a friend named Sam who writes periodicals about the ocean.

2. Author Study continued (Eve Merriam, Mark Strand, and Tupac Shakur)

3. OdysseyWare / Independent Reading (Or if you would like to finish your crossword puzzles / word searches from yesterday you may do that as well)

4. Closing: What was the most interesting thing you learned about one of the authors today?

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Agenda 10/31/2016 Happy Halloween!!

1. Word of the day!

   1. Marginalize: To treat a person, or group as insignificant.

   2. Sample Sentence: Minority groups often feel marginalized by majority groups because their thoughts and opinions are not acknowledged.

2. Author Study on Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, and Audre Lorde

3. Halloween Crossword puzzle.

4. Closing. What is something interesting that you learned about today’s authors?

   1. Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Agenda 10/28/2016 TGIF!!

1. No word of the day today! Use the first ten minutes of class to study for the vocabulary quiz!

2. Vocabulary quiz

3. Current Events Friday!

4. Closing. What did you learn from the article you chose today?

5. Wishing you a fun and safe weekend!!

http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2016/10/syracuse_activist_plans_to_sue_pd_for_millions_demands_radical_changes.html#incart_most-commented_news_article

This article is about the older man, Maurice Crawley who was arrested and detained over the summer. It caused quite an uproar in parts of the community, and there was even a Black Lives Matter protest about it. He's part of the OG's Against Violence group, and is now suing the Syracuse Police department for the way he was treated while being arrested. There is a video on attached to the article that is a recording of the event, as well.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/at_least_3_million_gallons_of_sewage_spewed_into_onondaga_lake_after_heavy_rains.html

This article is about how a sewage pipe broke and leaked 7 million gallons of sewage into Onondaga Lake--a lake that has been under treatment for some time now (treatment meaning, they have been working on getting rid of the pollution in the lake in order to make it clean again).

OR if you would like to find your own article, you can use one of the sources below!

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

http://www.syracuse.com/news/

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

Agenda 10/27/2016: Hooray for Thursday!!

Word of the Day!

· Imperative: of vital importance; crucial

· Sample Sentence: It was imperative that everyone understood the rules so that this would not happen again.

Station 1: Finish up Caged Bird practice questions

Station 2: Word of the Day Quiz Review (Quizlet, flash cards)

Station 3: Independent Reading

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

Agenda 10/26/2016

1. Word of the day!

· Form: the physical structure of the poem: the length of the lines, their rhythms, their rhyme scheme, and repetition

· Sample Sentence: The poem “Caged Bird” has a very rhythmic from; as you read the poem it sounds as if it could be a song.

2. Finish poetry activity from Tuesday

3. Quizlet Practice

4. Question practice

5. Closing. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!

Agenda 10/24/2016: Welcome to class!

1. Word of the day (50 Words Every High School Student Should Know)

   • Metonymy: A figure of speech where you replace the name of something with an object that is closely related to it

   • Sample Sentence: People often refer to the Queen of England as "The Crown".

2. Station 1 Annotating poetry (whole group)

3. Station 2 Poetry/small group discussions (if there are enough students)

4. Closing. Have a magnificent Monday!

Agenda 10/21/2016: Welcome to class! TGIF!

• 1. No word of the day today! Instead study the four most recent vocabulary words.

• 2. Vocabulary Quiz!

• 3. Current Events Fridays! Today, you will select out your own articles. If you do not want to choose your own articles, please look at the following articles and links below:

• http://whatstrending.com/wtfem/23079-nadya-okamoto-camions-of-care-homeless-women#

  • This article is about a young lady who established an organization that provides homeless women with feminine hygiene products. I thought it would be a nice switch up cause I feel like we've been covering more depressing parts of the news for current events which can be a bummer. There's also a 2 minute video where the girl, Nadya talks about why she decided to start this organization.

• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/nigeria-boko-haram-releases-21-chibok-girls-161013102746662.html

Topic of above link: Nigeria: Boko Haram 'releases 21 Chibok girls'

OR, choose one of the following links to explaore: www.syracuse.com. www.PBS.org, http://www.teenkidsnews.com/, or www.CNN.com

a. For those of you who haven’t done the poetry activity from Wednesday you will be doing it with Miss Christensen BEFORE you start your Current Events.

4. ******** Closing. Wishing you a Fantastic Friday! (Despite all the rain)

Agenda 10/20/2016

Welcome! Happy Thursday!

1. Word of the day, (50 Words Every High School Student Should Know)

Sympathy: Feelings of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune.

Example Sentence: I feel sympathy for the children whenever I see the St. Jude's Hospital commercials on television.

2. Add the finishing touches to your Mark Strand/Eve Merriam interviews

3. Make up day! Finish up any work you may have missed.

4. Closing. Wishing you a tremendous Thursday!

10/19/2016: Welcome to class!

Warm Up: No word of the today today! Please answer the following question in your writer's notebooks, don't forget today's date!

-Name something you have great appreciation for. Why do you appreciate this person/thing/place etc.?

1. Poetry Unit continued (Nikki Giovanni and Tupac)

2. Whole group writing activity

3. Closing

Wishing you a wonderful day!

10/17 & 10/18: Welcome to class! :)

Word of the Day: See Smart Board

Station 1: Poetry (whole group)/ Poems you may need to access:

• "Eating Poetry" by Mark Strand ( poem and audio): https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/52959

• Nikki Rosa by Nikki Giovanni (poem and audio: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/nikki-rosa/ (you will need for Wednesday)

*******Monday and Tuesday: Write and Present Mock Interviews with Mark Strand

Station 2: Test Preparation Online: Please check to see if you can access our classroom website:

https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbenedettoswebsite/. If this is working, we will proceed. If it isn't, go to the next station (3)..

Station 3: Test Preparation Packet (multiple choice) OR Independent Reading with Response (see your sheet)

Closing/ Wishing you a wonderful, safe, and productive day :)

10/14/16: Welcome! TGIF! :)

Word of the Day: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day

Station 1: Word of the Day Review with Quizlet (create a log in and password)

Station 2: Current Events! (view video clip, complete response, discuss as a class)

Link to video clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84U1Qkv-wjE

Closing/ Wishing you a safe and enjoyable weekend! :)

10/13/16: Welcome!

Warm Up:

Word of the Day: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day

Station 1: Poetry (Whole group)

Station 2: Odyssey Ware

Station 3: Test Prep (for students who are reviewing for the January exam)

Closing/ Wishing you a productive and fantastic day!

10/11/ & 10/12/16: Welcome! :)

Warm Up:

Word of the Day: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day

Station 1: Test Prep for students reviewing for the January Exam (please see page on sidebar or independent reading)

Station 2: Odyssey Ware https://syracuse.owschools.com/owsoo/login/auth

Station 3: Poetry Unit (whole group)

Closing/ Have a wonderful day! :)

10/7/16: Welcome! TGIF! :)

Word of the Day: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day

Station 1: Odyssey Ware

https://syracuse.owschools.com/owsoo/login/auth

Station 2:

Current Events Link to Explore (with response sheet):