AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2007

NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS;

THE EMAIL ADDRESS I ESTABLISHED FOR YOU IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE DURING OUR OFF-TIME.

Period 1, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Congratulations to all of you who took part in the field trip to "Habitat."

2. All those who did not have a chance to practice their Compare/Contrast speeches will have and opportunity today, Monday, August 27, 2007.

3. This will not be a day off. I will have work for you to do. Obviously, it will be counted on the next Progress Report.

4. If you do not have your pack of papers, for your Senior Project 20 hours, please ask me for one.

5. Use my email to contact me for questions or to submit your rough drafts for your 8 to 12 page essay.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:


1. Greek roots test 3 tomorrow, Tuesday, August 28, 2007. Obviously, it will count on the next progress report.

2. If my scanner cooperates, I will have photocopies of "Silent Dancing" for you to annotate as we do close reading.

3. Review of figures of speech, rhetorical devices, and logical fallacies. Please bring your handouts.

4. Review of Greek roots, Lessons 1,2, and 3.

5. Read my Blog from time to time for hints and help with Huck Finn.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

1. Come prepared to write a one page monograph (Opinion Paper) on Jonathan Edward's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." I will reread the sermon since you no longer have our text books.

2. During your off-time please use my email for any questions you have on the outside literature you are reading. Suggested reading: Animal Farm, The Great Gatsby,

War of the Worlds

, Catcher in the Rye,
Bless Me, Ultima, and the "Harry Potter" books. Although, War of the Worlds and the "Harry Potter" books are not written by Americans, they are well-worth your time.

3. I will be Blogging from time to time, so please check it.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2007

NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS:

MY EMAIL WILL BE OPEN TO YOU DURING THE BREAK. ALL STUDENTS MAY SEEK HELP WITH WITH ANY LITERATURE THEY ARE READING. SENIORS MAY SEND QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR FINAL 8 TO 12 PAGE ESSAYS AND MAY SUBMIT ROUGH DRAFTS FOR MY PERUSAL, CORRECTIONS, AND COMMENTS.

PLEASE ENJOY YOUR TIME OFF, BUT READ, READ, READ!!!!

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Project/Senior Composition:

1. Please return all textbooks today, Friday, August 24, 2007.

2. Compare/Contrast speech practice continues.

3. Cause/Effect essays will be collected on August 27; either hand them in or email them if you are absent. They will count on the next Progress Report.

4. Make sure you have a photocopy of the Senior Project pages prepared by Mr. Garcia. You will need these pages to work on your project during your off-track time.

5. Again, email questions and rough drafts.



Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Please return all books today. Friday, August 24, 2007.

2. Greek roots test #3

3. Close reading of "Silent Dancing"

4. Please check my Blog from time to time during our off-track period for information on Huck Finn.

5. Please check my Blog, also, for off-track study suggestions.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:


1. Please return all books today, Friday, August 24, 2007.

2. Continued work with "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

3. In class essay on "Sinners."

4. Please check my Blog during our off-track time for study suggestions.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Please continue to email essay rough drafts, late homework and late essays. I shall submit the grades this week. The weekend will be too late.

2. The Cause/Effect essay will be counted in the next grading period.

3. Please continue to practice your Compare/Contrast speeches on your own time tonight.

4. Practice speeches begin today, Thursday, August 23, 2007. Do not embarrass yourselves in front of your peers and the adults who are giving up their time to assist you in becoming accustomed to speaking in front of an audience.

5. Continue working on your Cause/Effect essays. My email will be available while we are off-track.

6. As I have suggested before, it is not too soon to be planning for and researching on your final 8 to 12 Page final essay.

7. Most of you have not turned in your consent forms and mentor forms to me. If you have given them to another teacher, that is fine.

8. No one has asked me to organize a Power Point refresher class, so may I assume that no one needs it?


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Since most of you are now reading my Blog, I shall no longer award points for printing it out.

2. Please email late essays by the end of this week; missing essays earn an "F."

3. Continued close reading and annotation of "Silent Dancing." We will be looking for figures of speech, examining word choice and syntax, as well as exploring the meaning of the text.

4. Continue to study and learn Greek roots, Lesson 3.

5. Standard vocabulary quiz, Page 976, Column 2 (This may be a review.)

6. Continue to read Huck Finn.

7. Several student came to class on Wednesday without their books. This is unacceptable and I shall be forced to cut your grade if it happens again.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:


1. You must email or hand in all late work by the end of this week. I must turn in the grades.

3. Close reading, annotation, and discussion of "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

4. Dictation assignment from "Sinners."

5. Figures of speech test, Page 973.

6. Standard vocabulary test, Page 978, Column 1.

7. New figures of speech assignment, Page 974.

8. New standard vocabulary assignment, Page 978, Column 2


Veni, vidi, vici.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Attendance and tardiness continue to plague my efforts to help you graduate.

2. I shall continue to read and correct your rough drafts on a one-on-one basis.

3. You may email papers and homework to the address I have established for you.

4. Continue to practice your Compare/Contrast speeches in groups, in front of friends, in front of family, and in front of the mirror.

5. Compare/Contrast speeches will be heard on Thursday and Friday this week.

6. Grades are to be submitted next week. If you owe essays, your grade will be "F."


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:


1. Greek roots Lesson 2 quiz. Learn all forms!

2. Collection of the "Orientation" essay.

3. Close reading, annotation, and discussion of "Silent Dancing."

4. Continue to read and annotate Huck Finn.

5. Standard vocabulary assignment for quiz tomorrow.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:


1. Dictation

2. Figures of speech test, Page 972.

3. Standard vocabulary test, Page 977, Column 2.

4. Continued collection of essays owing.

5. "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" textual assignment.

6. New figures of speech assignment, Page 973.

7. New standard vocabulary assignment Page 978, Column 1.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Collection of homework Page 623, Exercises 1 and 2 in Writer's Choice.

2. For Period 1, Owing to yesterday's fire drill, I will continue to discuss the three styles of writing your Cause/Effect essay. I will call you up one by one to help you begin your Cause/Effect essay.

For Period 3, I will call you up one by one to help you begin your Cause/Effect essay.

3. No Homework for Wednesday, August 22, 2007.

4. Please return your consent forms and your mentor forms.

5. If you are having trouble finding a mentor, Mr. Lee is developing a list of reliable and safe agencies who can provide a mentor for you.

6. If you need a refresher course on Power Point, let me know so that I can make arrangements for you training.

7. Compare/Contrast practice speeches will be given on Thursday and Friday.

8. You may email your essays, homework, and questions to me.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum;

1. Continued work on your "Orientation" essay.

2. Discussion of Greek roots, Lesson 3.

3. Greek roots Lesson 2 quiz tomorrow. I expect you to know all the forms.

4. Close reading of "Silent Dancing" with annotations for figures of speech, word choice, syntax, and grammar.

5. Standard vocabulary assignment for test tomorrow.

6. Maintain you notes on "Silent Dancing" for information for an essay to be written later.

7. Continue reading Huck Finn.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

1. New grammar-in-context dictation assignments: #1: Page 283, Column 1, Starting ...And so it was...to ...into the vase. #2: Page 283, Column 2 Starting... In truth they had...to...efferveced away.

3. Figures of speech assignment.

4. Standard vocabulary assignment.

5. Collection of essay on "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."























32

SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR SENIOR PROJECT STUDENTS, SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2OO7

DEAR STUDENTS,

AS I TOLD YOU ON FRIDAY, I HAVE ESTABLISHED AN EMAIL ADDRESS JUST FOR YOU. YOU HAD ASKED ME FOR MY ADDRESS AND I HAVE GIVEN IT. THOSE OF YOU WHO COULD NOT PRINT YOUR COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAYS IN THE LIBRARY, IN OUR CLASS ROOM, OR OTHER VENUES WERE TOLD YOU COULD EMAIL THEM. I HAVE RECEIVED NONE.

YOU MAY ALSO USE MY EMAIL FOR QUESTIONS, CORRECTION OF ROUGH DRAFTS, AND SUBMITTING HOMEWORK. I HOPE THIS WILL TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF THE OTHER TEACHERS OF SENIOR PROJECT. MR. GARCIA GAVE YOU A FORM TO FILL OUT AND HAVE YOUR PARENT OR GUARDIAN SIGN. YOU MAY GIVE THAT TO ME, IF YOU WISH.

AS TO THE COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAYS I HAVE READ SO FAR, THEY ARE MUCH BETTER. PLEASE CONTINUE TO USE SPELL CHECK AND GRAMMAR CHECK. THOSE RED WORDS AND LITTLE GREEN LINES ARE NOT THERE TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS--THEY ARE TELLING YOU THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH SPELLING OR GRAMMAR.

FURTHER, I AM PLEASED WITH HOW MUCH I AM LEARNING FROM YOUR PAPERS. SOME OF YOU HAVE REALLY RESEARCHED YOUR TOPIC. PLEASE REMEMBER INTERNAL DOCUMENTATION AND WORK CITED PAGE. WHEN YOU FAIL TO CITE YOUR SOURCES, I HAVE TO CUT YOUR GRADE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE STILL SOME STUDENTS WHO HAVE GIVEN ME NO WORK OR ARE FAR BEHIND ON THEIR ESSAYS. THIS MESTER IS ALMOST ENDED; I WILL HAVE TO USE THE GRADES I HAVE. I WILL NOT MANUFACTURE A PASSING GRADE JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE GOOD RAPPORT. THERE WILL BE NO "DEUS EX MACHINA" (LOOK IT UP!--YES, THERE IS A LATIN DICTIONARY ON THE HHS LIBRARY WEB SITE). \

R. MELLING

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2007

Period 1, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Collection of Exercises 1, 2, and 3 on Pages 571 and 574 in Writer's Choice.

2. I will call you up one-by-on to examine your prewrites and introductions for your Cause/Effect essays. If you have written more, I will help with that, as well.

3. Homework: Study Pages 572 and 573. Write Exercises 2 and 3 in complete sentences.

4. Return your Senior Project Consent Forms to Mr. Garcia or to me.

5. Focus on finding a mentor. We are still working on a list of safe and reliable agencies who have people willing to spend time with you in person, by phone or email.

6. Please inform me if you need a refresher course on Power Point so that I may make arrangements with Mr. Lee in the Library or with a computer teacher.

7. It is not too soon to begin planning you final project paper of 8 to 12 pages.

8. Compare-Contrast speech practice will take place on Thursday and Friday. Please be prepared. Several adults will be giving up their free time to hear and evaluate your presentations.



Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Greek roots test 2. Please learn all the variant forms for each root.

2. Quick oral review of figures of speech.

3. I shall return the rough drafts of your "Orientation" essay. You will finish them and print them out double-spaced, New Times Roman using MLA Style.

4. Thanks to Ms. Cavalli, we now have the college-level dictionaries. They are to remain in the class room.

5. Be sure you have read "Silent Dancing" and "Homeless" in the Bedford Reader. Remember to annotate in your notebook as you read. Your notes will help you with your next essays.

6. Be prepared for more work on roots.

7. We will continue with standard vocabulary quizzes. I shall assign the pages on Monday, August 20, 2007.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

1. See Friday's Agenda for Monday, August 20Th's Agenda.

2. Finish your Essay on "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."

3. New assignment in the American Literature book.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

DEAR STUDENTS,

ATTENDANCE, TARDINESS, LACK OF WORK ETHIC, IPODS, AND OTHER TOYS CONTINUE TO INTERFERE WITH MY ATTEMPTS TO HELP YOU.

I HAVE DEVOTED TWO FULL DAYS TO GIVING YOU ONE-ON-ONE (INDIVIDUAL) HELP. ONLY A FEW OF YOU HAD WORK READY FOR ME TO HELP YOU WITH. I HAD ASKED THOSE OF YOU WHO HAD NOTHING FOR ME TO CORRECT TO BRING SOMETHING FOR ME TO READ TODAY. VERY FEW BOTHERED.

AGAIN, HOMEWORK IS TO BE DONE AT HOME--THAT IS WHY IT IS CALLED HOMEWORK. IT APPEARS THAT I MUST GIVE GRAMMAR ASSIGNMENTS DURING CLASS TIME, AS WELL AS FOR HOMEWORK. I PREFER TO DO GRAMMAR-IN-CONTEXT; THAT IS, YOUR ESSAY WORK. GRAMMAR IN ISOLATION IS NOT SO VERY EFFECTIVE AS WHEN I CAN CORRECT YOUR WORK WHILE YOU ARE WATCHING.

NOW FOR THE ASSIGNMENTS:

1. I will collect your Compare/Contrast essays on Friday, August 17, 2007.

2. Homework (to be done at home): Study Pages 571,572,573, and write out Exercises 1, 2, and 3 on Pages 571 and 574 in complete sentences.

3. Classwork to be collected at the end of the period: Study Page 599, Then write out Exercises 1 and 2 on Page 600 in complete sentences.

4. Begin planning your Cause/Effect essay.

5. Let me know if you need a refresher course in Power Point so that I can schedule you with Mr. Lee or a computer teacher.

6. Start organizing you final essay of eight to twelve pages.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

Dear Students,

Sadly, after Mr. Carmicle's visit and talk with you, several came to class, leaving the Bedford Readerat home or in the locker. This is unacceptable.

When I asked you to read, you stumbled over words in the text. Again, the Library website has dictionaries on line.

These are not college-level behaviors.

1. Test on Greek roots. Learn all the forms to earn a good score. Knowing one form is not enough.

2. Continued work on "Orientation," "Silent Dancing," and "Homeless."

3. New roots assignment.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature and Composition:

1. Dictation Page 279

2. Period 5, Standard vocabulary test Page 977, Column 1
Period 5, Standard vocabulary test Page 977, Column 2

3. Figures of speech quiz, page 970

4. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

5. New figures of speech assignment, Page 970.

6. New vocabulary assignment: Period 5: Page 977, Column 2.
Period 6: Page 978, Column 1.

7. Finish work on "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:


1. Collection of homework: Pages 648-649, Exercises 1 and 2. Remember: Homework is done at home, not during class time.

2. Attendance and tardiness continue as problems. We are calling home.

3. I will continue to call you up one-by-one to help you with your Compare/Contrast essays. They will be collected on Friday, August 17, 2007.

4. There will be no homework assignment for Friday, but there will be one to be collected on Monday, August 20, 2007, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD.

5. Compare/Contrast practice speeches will be given on Thursday and Friday, August 23, and 24. Remember: The adults have been giving low scores, your peers, as well.

6. Cause and Effect essays will be collected on August 28,2007. It is time to start planning them.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Quick oral review of figures of speech.

2. I hope today is the day you receive your college-level dictionaries. I have pushed all the buttons to make it happen.

3. Please bring your Bedford Reader. You should have read "Orientation," "Silent Dancing," and "Homeless." Remember, as you read, to annotate, clarify, ask questions, look for figures of speech, and predict.

4. Greek roots test 2 on Friday, August 17, 2007.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

1. Dictation

2. Standard vocabulary quiz, Page 976, Column 2

3. Figures of speech quiz, Page 970.

4. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

5. Standard vocabulary assignment, Page 977, Column 1.

6. New figures of speech assignment, Page 970

7. Continued close reading of "Dr. Heideggar's Experiment."

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

Period 1: Today Mrs. Campbell spoke to you of the importance of passing this class. She reminded you, also, of the necessity of correcting your grammar and spelling on your essays before you turn them in. Spell Check and Grammar Check are available to you. Please use them.

Period 3: Mrs. Campbell will be giving you the same messages soon.

Now for the assignments:

1. Very few students are turning in the homework. None of you can afford deductions from your grades. Look at you Progress Report again.

2. New homework assignment: Study Pages 647 and 648 and write out Exercises 1 and 2 on Pages 648 and 649. Homework is done at home, not during class time!

3. You have today only to solicit my help on your Compare/Contrast essays. I will collect them tomorrow. Late papers will see a deduction in grade.

4. You must practice your Compare/Contrast speeches. The adults who came to hear your speeches graded you much lower than I did, so did your peers! The judges will not be so very kind as I.

5. You will give your Compare/Contrast speeches next Thursday and Friday.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using AP Curriculum:

1. Review of Greek roots. Test on Lesson 2 on Friday.

2. Review of rhetorical divices. Bring your handouts.

3. Bring your Bedford Reader for work on "Homeless", "Silent Dancing", and "Orientation."

4. Introduction of any new figures of speech found in the textual materials.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

1. Dictation

2. Standard vocabulary test, Page 976, Column 1

3. Figures of speech quiz (review) Pages 968-969.

4. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

5. New standard vocabulary assignment, Page 976, Column 2.

6. New figures of speech assignment, Page 970.

7. Continued close reading of "Dr. Heideggar's Experiment with annotations for figures of speech, word choice, syntax, grammar, punctuatin and root words.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Owing to severe absence, tardiness, and non-commission of assignments, we are calling parents and guardians to inform them of the situation. In first period, only four students had their homework done. In third period, no one had done the homework. Senior Composition/Senior Project is a requirement for graduation. Students ignore essay deadlines, do not prepare speeches, and do not do homework. If this continues, many will fail to graduate.

2. Collection of Monday's homework, Pages 360 and 361 in Writer's Choice.

3. Collection of Today's homework, Pages 533,534,535 with written Exercises 4 and 5 on Page 536.

4. Guided work on the Compare/Contrast essay. This essay will be collected on Friday. You have the form. I will be there to help.

5. If students fail to work on their essays during classtime, another much-needed grammar assignment will be given as class work.

6. The Compare/Contrast speeches will be given next week on Thursday and Friday.



Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Figures of speech oral review.

2. We are still expecting the college level dictionaries. I will make a standard vocabulary assignment on words to be tested tomorrow.

3. Bring your Bedford Reader for work on "Orientation" by Daniel Orozco, "Homeless" by Ann Quinlan, and "Silent Dancing" by Judith Ortiz Cofer.

4. Brainstorming on you Rogerian thesis statement for the essay.

5. Review of Greek roots assigned thus far.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition

1. Dictation

2. Figures of Speech quiz on Pages 968-969. This is a review!

3. Standard vocabulary quiz on Page 976, Column 1.

4. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

5. Standard vocabulary assignment: Page 976, Column 2

4. Contiued close reading of "Dr. Heideggar's Experiment" with annotations for figures of speech, word choice, grammar, syntax, punctuation and root words.

MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS, GUARDIANS, FAMILY MEMBERS, FACULTY AND STAFF

FIRSTLY, I WISH TO THANK ALL PARENTS, SIBLINGS AND GUARDIANS WHO CAME TO OUR OPEN HOUSE. AT THAT TIME, I EXPLAINED HOW TO ACCESS THE BLOG. THOSE MANY WHO WERE UNABLE TO DO SO SHOULD BECOME AWARE THAT THEIR STUDENTS' ASSIGNMENTS ARE WRITTEN DAILY ON THIS BLOG.IT WOULD HELP GREATLY IF THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE ABLE TO ATTEND OPEN HOUSE, WOULD SPREAD THE WORD TO OTHER PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.

EQUALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL FACULTY AND STAFF TO REENFORCE THE READING OF MY DAILY BLOG BY THE STUDENTS WHOM WE SHARE.

THANKING YOU ALL IN ADVANCE,

BOB MELLING

SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007 FOR FIFTH AND SIXTH PERIODS

SORRY! SORRY!

I DID NOT FORGET YOU ON FRIDAY. I RAN OUT OF TIME FOURTH PERIOD WHEN I ENTERED THE BLOG.

HERE ARE YOUR ASSIGNMENTS FOR MONDAY'S CLASS:

1. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment from the text of Dr. Heideggar's Experiment: Page 276: #1 Mr. Gascoigne was a ruined polititian, a man of evil fame, or at least had been so till time had buried him from the knowledge of the present generation, and made him obscure instead of infamous. #2 As for the Widow Wycherly, tradition tells us that she was a great beauty in her day; but, for a long while past, she had lived in deep seclusion, on acount of certain scandalous stories which had prejudiced the gentry of the town against her.

These lines should be copied out by you, annotated for grammar, syntax, cognates, context clues for unknown words, word choice, figures of speech, subject/verb agreement and pronoun reference. I shall select one of them for you dictation on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, a shortened day.

2. Standard vocabulary assignment: Page 976, Columm 1. This is a review, but owing to the poor scores the first time around, (What figure of speech is that?), I am reassigning it for testing on Tuesday. I expect you to know how to spell the words and use them correctly and appropriatly in an original sentence.

3. Figures of speech assignment: Review Pages 968 and 969 for a quiz on Tuesday.

4. Continued close reading, annotation and discussion of "Dr. Heideggar's Experiment."

5. This is a shortened day, and owing to that fact, I may not have time to repeat these assignments during class time. You are required to read my Blog every day. The Blog is available on any computer with Internet access. Go to , click on Blogs at the top of the page, scroll down to R. Melling, click on R. Melling. There you will find my daily Blog.

6. Some students have the habit of dropping in when and if they feel like it. I have reported this situation to the counselors and coordinator.


NOLI IRRITARE LEONES!

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007

Periods 1 ans 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Collection of Pages 360 and 361, Exercises A and B in Writer's Choice.

2. Guided work on the Compare/Contrast essay.

3. New Grammar assignment in Writer's Choice.

4. Please submit the name of your mentor.

5. Continue planning you final 8 to 12 page paper on your project.

6. All papers submitted must be double-spaced New Times Roman. Use Spell Check and eliminate the green lines under the typing before printing and giving them to me.

7. Continue practicing public speaking in front of friends, family, and the mirror. Time your speech.



Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Figures of speech oral review.

2. Greek roots oral review.

3. Students will read Daniel Orozco's "Orientation", Page 324; Ann Quinlan's "Homeless", Page 200; and Judith Ortiz Cofer's "Silent Dancing", Page 162 in the Bedford Reader.

4. More roots are coming

5. Continue reading, annotating, questioning, clarifying, summarizing, and predicting Huck Finn for homework. Remember: It is not bad if your predictions are incorrect, you still have done the critical thinking.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Owing to the evaluations provided by the adults in attendance, as well as those provided by your peers, a Compare/Contrast speech WILL be required. Since I will not be able to return your essays on the day I collect them, you must maintain a hard copy, a copy on your hard drive, floppy, disc, or flash drive. Again, use Spell Check and eliminate all the green lines given you on Word. Major errors in syntax, word choice, spelling, subject/verb agreement,and noun/pronoun agreement continue. There are endless run-on sentences.

2. The above grammar problems must be worked on. For this reason, I am requiring you to take Writer's Choice home over the weekend (Yes, over the weekend). You will study Pages 356, 357, 358, and 359. You will write Exercises A and B on Pages 360 and 361. The papers will be collected on Monday. No excuses!

3. We will dicuss the Compare/Contrast essay forms given you by Ms. Multani. I will help you with these.

4. You should be continuing research on your major paper and preparations for your Power Point presentation.

5. Attendance and tardiness continue to be a problem.

6. Some students have turned in no work to this point.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using AP Curriculum:

1. Quick figures of speech oral review.

2. Quiz on Greek roots

3. Discussion of farm fertility rictuals. Remember? I asked you to research this in connection with Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery."

4. Discussion/braistorming of possible controversial issues in connection with Bless Me, Ultima, , Catcher in the Rye, and Huck Finn. for your Rogerian essays.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

As you may have noticed, I am no longer using Margaret George's The Memoirs of Cleopatra for your grammar-in-context dictations. This is owing to Ms. George's use of easy English words. This fact precludes (Look it up!) my delving (Look it up!) into Greek and Latin roots that you need to know to decode unknown words in our textual materials. From now on I shall use dictations from the selections in our Pacing Plan.

1. Dictation

2. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

3. Standard vocabulary assignment

4. Close reading, annotation, and discussion of "Dr. Heideggar's Experiment." This lesson is to teach you how to read, annotate, summarize, clarify, question, and predict as you read. Even if you prediction proves to be incorrect, you have done a lot of critical thinking.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. You will give your definition speeches today. I expect you to practice with your friends, family, and in front of a mirror. Time yourself. Expect a number of adults to hear your speech in class.

2. As I mentioned on yesterday's Blog, the Compare-Contrast essay will be collected next Friday, August 17, 2007. You will use the essay form Ms. Multani has provided you. I have copies for those not in her classes. Please use Spell Check and clear all green lines on your screen before you print. Reworking your grammar is a nightmare for me.

3. Based on the Compare-Contrast essay forms, begin planning your speeches for next week.

4. Again, we will provide a list of reliable and safe agencies from whom you may seek a mentor.

5. Please begin planning your 8 to 12 page final essay.

6. If you are not familiar with Power Point, start learning now. It is a requirement for the presentation.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Quick oral review of figures of speech.

2. Finish discussion of Rogerian Argument.

3. Close reading, annotation, and discussion of "The Lottery"

4. Revisit to rhetorical devices and logical fallacies.

5. Continue reading Huck Finn.

6. Puzzle out how to create a Rogerian thesis statement for your essay. This will require class discussion, as well.

7. Should our college-level dictionaries arrive, there will be vocabulary assignments.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition

1. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

2. Reassignment of vocabulary test words.

2. Close reading of "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. A reprieve: Ms. Multani will present her classes with a special form to help you write your Compare/Contrast essay. This will allow you one more week to complete these essays; however, these forms will require your close study. If you are not in her class, I will help you with these forms.

2. Group practice of your definition speeches. Be aware that I have invited many adults to your Thursday and Friday presentations.

3. For those of you having trouble finding a professional mentor, The Senior Project Team is in the process of developing a list of reliable and safe agencies. If you have already chosen a mentor, please inform me who it is so that I may clear him or her with The Senior Project Team. The reason for this caution is not only for the reliability of the mentor you have chosen, but, also, for your safety.

4. Remember: Use Spell Check and remove the green lines on all papers before you print. This will allow me more time to focus on your ideas rather than grammar and spelling.

5. Based on the many grammar errors in your essays, we will continue the grammar assignments in Writer's Choice. Run-on sentences are frequent on your papers in spite of the work Mr. Rolland did with you. Long sentence are hard to punctuate correctly. Take care using them until you are comfortable with English punctuation.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Short oral review of figures of speech.

2. Complete reading, annotation, and discussion of the Carl Rogers materials on the Rogerian Essay handout.

3. Analysis of the Rogerian essay example. You will use this form to write the major essay of this term on the three novels selected by Dr. Fuller: Bless Me, Ultima, Catcher in the Rye, and Huck Finn.

4. Until we receive the college-level dictionaries, you will continue to be responsible for the standard vocabulary in the textbook.

5. Continued close reading, annotation, and discussion of "The Lottery." You should have preread this story and looked up unknown words in the text. The HHS Library website will help you. The college-level dictionary you will receive is another heavy book.

6. Please remember: My job is to prepare you for the AP test; college-level behavior is a prerequiste. I should not have to waste class time on discipline.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature and Composition:


1. Owing to the shortened day yesterday, there will be no testing today.

2. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

3. Standard vocabulary assignment.

4. Close reading, annotation, and discussion of "Dr. Heideggar's Experiment" focusing on foreshadowing.

MESSAGE TO ALL FACULTY AND STAFF

DEAR COLLEAGUES,

IN AN EFFORT TO CONDITION AND ACCUSTOM MY SENIOR PROJECT STUDENTS TO SPEAKING IN PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY TO ADULTS, I AM INVITING ALL THOSE WHO CAN FREE THEMSELVES DURING FIRST AND/OR THIRD PERIODS ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS TO COME TO CLASSROOM 312. THIS WEEK'S SPEECHES ARE ON THE DEFINITION OF THEIR TOPIC FOR SENIOR PROJECT.

THIS IS AN OPEN INVITATION: THE NEXT SPEECHES WILL BE THE COMPARE/CONTRAST SPEECH. THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE WEEK OF THE 13TH.

THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE,

BOB MELLING

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Students will continue to prepare their definion speeches to be delivered starting Thursday, August 9, 2007

2. Students will prepare their Compare/Contrast essays for collection on Friday. Please use "Spell Check" and correct any thing underlined in green.

3. Students will begin working on their 8 to 12 page final papers on their senior projects. Do not wait until December.

4. Please secure a mentor for your project.

5. Please make arrangements for you twenty-hour community service.



Period 2, English 11Th Honors using AP Curriculum:

1. Students will be responsible for learning the Greek Roots issued on Monday August 6, 2007 for a test on Friday, August 10, 2007.

2. The quizzes scheduled for Monday, August 6Th will be given today.

3. Deus volens, the college level dictionaries will be issued today.

4. Continued close reading of "The Lottery." Students will take notes!

5. Students will continue reading Huck Finn for homework, take notes as they read, asking themselves questions, and predicting.

6. Handouts on Rogerian essays will be issued.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

1. Dictation

2. New grammar-in-context dictation assignment.

3. New figures of speech assignment.

4. New vocabulary assignment.

5. Continued close reading, annotation, and discussion of "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Students will have their last opportunity for the College Application Essay speeches.

2. Students will prepare their definition speeches.

3. Students will work on the rough draft of their Compare-Contrast Essays.

4. The Compare and Contrast Essay will be collected on Friday, August 10, 2007.

5. Students will begin research for the Senior Project Essay.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Figures of speech test, Page 974. Although you have studied and, I hope, mastered these literary tools, I will be introducing more of them as you encounter them in the textual materials. I fully expect them to become a permanent part of your working vocabulary.

2. Standard vocabulary test, Page 976, Column 1.

3. New standard vocabulary assignment, Page 976, Column 2.

4. Continued close reading, annotation, and discussion of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery."

5. Continued reading of Huck Finnfor homework.

6. Students will begin preparing for their major essay on Bless Me, Ultima, Catcher in the Rye, and Huck Finn.


Periods 5 and 6, American Literature/Composition:

1. Standard vocabulary test, Page 977, Column 2

2. New grammar in contex dictation assignment.

3. Figure of speech assignment: Oral review of figures of speech studied thus far.

4. Figure of speech test on pages studied to this point.

5. Close reading, annotation, and discussion of "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment"

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2007

NOTE FOR ALL CLASSES: OWING TO POOR ATTENDANCE ON ESSAY DUE DATES AND THE HELTER-SKELTER TURNING IN OF LATE WORK, PLEASE KEEP COPIES OF ALL ASSIGNMENTS, EITHER ON DISC, FLOPPY, OR FLASH DRIVE. I WILL NO LONGER HOLD MYSELF RESPONSIBLE FOR STUDENTS' ERRATIC ATTITUDE TOWARD ASSIGNMENTS. LATE PAPERS WILL RECEIVE LOWERED GRADES.

ALL ESSAYS, MONOGRAPHS, REPORTS, AND OTHER TYPED ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE DOUBLE-SPACED NEW TIMES ROMAN.


Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Definition essays will be collected today.

2. College Application Essay speeches will continue. Remember: eye contact, posture, hands, quality of presentation, length of presentation and voice projection are scored on a rubric of 6.

3. Students should be preparing for the Definition Essay speech. This will be a two-minute speech. You may use visuals.

4. The Compare-Contrast Essay will be collected next Friday, August 10, 2007.


Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP Curriculum:

1. Figures of Speech Test, Page 973.

2. New Figures of Speech Assignment, Page 974.

3. Standard Vocabulary Assignment, Page 976, Column 1.

4. Continued close reading, analysis, annotation and discussion of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" in The Bedford Reader.

5. Students will continue reading and annotating Huck Finnat home.


Periods 5 and 6, American Lit/Comp:


1. Grammar in context dictation assignment.

2. Standard Vocabulary Assignment, Page 977, Column 1.

3. Close reading, analysis, annotation and discussion of "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment", Page 276 in the textbook.

AGENDAS FOR ALL CLASSES FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2007

Periods 1 and 3, Senior Composition/Senior Project:

1. Definition essays will be collected tomorrow, Friday, August 3, 2007

2. Students will give their college application one-minute speeches today. Remember: eye contact, posture, hands, projecting the voice, and no negative ideas.

3. Students should begin the rough drafts of their "compare-contrast' essays.



Period 2, Honors 11Th English using the AP curriculum:

1. New figures of speech assignment, Page 973

2. Standard vocabulary assignment.

3. Close reading, analysis, annotation, and discussion of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery."

4. I discovered in our work on the "The Lottery" today that you are not looking up unknown words in the assigned texts. This is a super "no-no." LOOK UP THE WORDS!

5. Continue reading Huck Finn.


Periods 5 and 6, American Lit/Composition:

1. I will collect your summaries of "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."

2. New grammar in context dictation assignment.

3. New figures of speech assignment.

4. New standard vocabulary assignment.

5. Close reading, analysis, annotation, and discussion of "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."

5. New reading assignment.


SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL STUDENTS: YOUR GRADES HAVB BEEN ENTERED. I HAVE TOLD YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT YOUR TESTS AND ESSAY SCORES COUNT. MANY OF YOU DO NOT TAKE YOUR BOOKS HOME AND DO NOT STUDY FOR MY TESTS. THE ONUS (LOOK IT UP!) IS ON YOU.

TUUM EST!