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Davis School District

August 24-28, 2009: Welcome Back!

Monday, August 24: A Day
Tuesday, August 25: B Day

• Writing Notebooks (aka journals): Let's Get Started! (Don't say I never gave you anything...but leave it in the box when you go! It's still mine until you fill it up!)
• First Day Presentation/Discussion: Great Expectations
• Letters from Last Year: The Advice of Your Elders (Reading)
• Disclosures: Parent signature due next time!
• Zachary Rosenstein for Pres!
• The Usual Stuff: Hall Passes, Reading Requirements
• Honors English, Anyone?
  

Wednesday, August 26: A Day (Computer Lab)
Thursday, August 27: B Day (Computer Lab)

• Disclosures: Signed Form Due!
• Computer Lab Orientation & Introductory Assignment
• Finished early? You must be pretty smart! You should check this out.
• Or here's something scary! (See me for more details.)
  

Friday, August 28: A Day

• Writing Notebooks: Look over your Introduction from Day 1. Conclude. Try to summarize your expectations for the year.
• Review a few more Letters from the Past
• Sign My Yearbook! Pretend that it is now the last day of school and you just finished the best year of your life. Everything was great, especially this English class. Sign my yearbook and tell me all the fabulous things you enjoyed. (Use the expectations you developed based on my first day speech, the letters from former students, and your own first impressions.) Sign your signature legibly, using the name you want me to call you for the rest of the year.
• Journals (Part of the Writing Notebook): The Finer Details
  Copy this quotation inside the front cover of your journal:
  "You learn to write by writing. The only way to learn to write is to force yourself to produce a certain number of words on a regular basis."
  --William Zinsser

• Journal #1: How is 9th grade treating you so far? Give examples! Be specific! (80+ words)
• Review the correct answers to the Computer Lab Review
• Reading Practice Contracts due September 8th
  Pick one: Traditional or Simplified
  

August 31 - September 4, 2009

Monday, August 31: B Day

• Writing Notebooks: Look over your Introduction from Day 1. Conclude. Try to summarize your expectations for the year.
• Review a few more Letters from the Past
• Sign My Yearbook! Pretend that it is now the last day of school and you just finished the best year of your life. Everything was great, especially this English class. Sign my yearbook and tell me all the fabulous things you enjoyed. (Use the expectations you developed based on my first day speech, the letters from former students, and your own first impressions.) Sign your signature legibly, using the name you want me to call you for the rest of the year.
• Journals (Part of the Writing Notebook): The Finer Details
  Copy this quotation inside the front cover of your journal:
  "You learn to write by writing. The only way to learn to write is to force yourself to produce a certain number of words on a regular basis."
  --William Zinsser

• Journal #1: How is 9th grade treating you so far? Give examples! Be specific! (80+ words)
• Review the correct answers to the Computer Lab Review
• Reading Practice Contracts due September 8th
  Pick one: Traditional or Simplified
  

Tuesday, September 1: A Day
Wednesday, September 2: B Day

• Just for Starters: "This is Your Brain on Cell Phones" (Read it.)
• Most Important Word: Select the word that you believe to be the most important one in the article we just read and write it on one side of the slip of paper I give you. On the other side, write the reasons you think it is the most important word in the article. Meet in discussion groups; each person explain the reasons for his/her choice of most important word. Discuss each person's reasons as well as the article itself. Decide on a group choice, if possible. Share responses with class.
• Journal #2: Respond to the article. Include your (revised) choice of most important word and how it aligns with what your group decided. (80+)
• The Pigman: Narrative Voices
  Chapter 1: Meet John!
  Chapter 2: Meet Lorainne!
• First Impressions: Write a sentence or two about your first impressions of each of the narrators. Who is more like you?
• Pigman Pages: Pigman Vocabulary List #1 & Assignment
  

Thursday, September 3: A Day
Friday, September 4: B Day

• Journal #3: Who makes the best friends, those of the same sex or those of the opposite sex? Why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? (80+ words)
• Read Chapters 3 & 4 in The Pigman
• Respond to the Discussion Questions.
• Literary Concepts: Humorous Devices in The Pigman
  (Define the four terms in your Writing Notebook.)
• Pigman Pages: Pigman Vocabulary List #2 & Assignment
• See you in a month...or so it seems!
  

September 7-11, 2009

Monday, September 7: Labor Day

Tuesday, September 8: A Day
Wednesday, September 9: B Day

• Hand in two items: 1) Reading Practice Contract (Simplified or Traditional) & 2) Pigman Vocabulary List #2 Assignment
• Journal #4: The President of the United States gave a speech this morning for all the students in America. It has caused a lot of controversy. What do you think? (80+)
• Grammar Punk: Roll the Bones! (See the Hall of Fame!)
  • Handouts: Grammar Punk Intro & Parts of Speech Reference
• Online Resource: Thompson's Guide to Writing Conventions
  Learn it. Know it. Live it.
• The Pigman: Read Chapter 5
• (Respond to Discussion Questions if time...)
  

Thursday, September 10: A Day
Friday, September 11: B Day

• Computer Lab: Specific vs. General (Writing -- 1st half of period)
• Library/Research Pre-test
• Read Chapter 6
  

September 14-18, 2009

Monday, September 14: A Day
Tuesday, September 15: B Day

• Journal #5: Are you a good liar? Why or why not? (Give an example of a time you either lied very well and got away with it or lied poorly and got caught.) Is there ever a time when it is right to lie? Explain. (90+ words)
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #1
  Use a comma between two independent clauses (complete thoughts) that are joined by a conjunction.
• Pigman: Finish Chapter 6 (quietly)
• Summarize Chapter 6 (in Writing Notebook)
• Pigman Vocabulary List #3 & Review Lists 1 & 2
• Pigman: Read Chapter 7 (aloud)
  

Wednesday, September 16: A Day
Thursday, September 17: B Day

• Journal #6: Are you afraid to die? Why or why not? What is your attitude about death? Is it a natural part of the life process, or is it something to be avoided at all costs? Discuss. (80+ words)
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #2
  Use a comma to separate adjectives that modify the same word.
• Pigman Chapter Titles (In Writing Notebook): Review the seven (7) chapters we have read so far. None of them have chapter titles...yet. Assign each chapter a title that you believe works for the content of each chapter. After each title, write a brief explanation of why you think that is an appropriate title for the chapter. Leave room on the same page to do this with the remaining 8 chapters, as well.
• Pigman: Read Chapter 8 (together)
• Journal #7: Do you like to shop? Why or why not? How do you prefer to shop: Online? In a mall? Department stores? Alone? In a group? Discuss your feelings on shopping. (80+ words)
• Pigman: Read Chapter 9 (silently)
  

Friday, September 18: A Day

• Finish Chapter 9 (quickly) & title the chapter (on Pigman Chapter Titles list)
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #3
  Use commas to separate non-essential interrupting elements in a sentence.
  (For some more practice with Comma Rule #3, click here...and here!)
• Pigman Vocabulary List #4: Define them together, orally.
• Journal #8: Pigman Personality Profile (listening activity)
• The Pigman: Read and Title Chapters 10 & 11
• Grammar Punk: Your Ticket Out the Door
  

September 21-25, 2009

Monday, September 21: B Day

• Finish Chapter 9 (quickly) & title the chapter (on Pigman Chapter Titles list)
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #3
  Use commas to separate non-essential interrupting elements in a sentence.
  (For some more practice with Comma Rule #3, click here...and here!)
• Pigman Vocabulary List #4: Define them together, orally.
• Journal #8: Pigman Personality Profile (listening activity)
• The Pigman: Read and Title Chapters 10 & 11
• Grammar Punk: Your Ticket Out the Door
  

Tuesday, September 22: A Day
Wednesday, September 23: B Day

• Journal #9: You know you're an adult when....(90+)
• The Pigman: Read Chapter 12
• Pigman Vocabulary Lists 5 & 6 Assignment: Complete the vocabulary handout for the words on these lists that are in boldface type. (Due next time!)
• Literary Concepts & Motifs in The Pigman: Fill out the worksheet as we finish reading the book. (See board in class for page references.)
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #4
  Use commas to separate items in a series.
• The Pigman: Read Chapter 13
• Use any remaining time to complete vocabulary assignment and/or Literary Concepts worksheet.
  

Thursday, September 24: A Day
Friday, September 25: B Day

• The Pigman: Read & Title Chapter 14
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #5
  Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.
• Journal #10: What does it mean to be organized? Are you an organized person? Do you know where everything is, or are you continually searching for things you have misplaced? Do you like to have a plan, or do you prefer to be spontaneous? Why? Discuss organization as it applies to you. (90+)
• Organization: Academic Essay & Sample (Handout -- Don't lose it!)
• Read and Annotate the Sample Essay: Introduction, body, conclusion, attention getter, thesis statement, main points, topic sentences, transitions, clincher statements
• The Pigman: Finish it!
• Remaining Time (if any): Finish and Turn in Pigman Vocabulary 5 & 6 Assignment
  

September 28 - October 2, 2009

Monday, September 28: A Day
Tuesday, September 29: B Day

• What do I expect ninth graders to be able to do when it comes to writing an academic essay? Today we will answer that question and see how many of you can do it.
• Classroom
• Organization: You'll need the Academic Essay & Sample handout.
• Popsicle Sticks: Create a Symbolic Representation of a Proper Essay
  (Still doesn't make sense? Here's an annotated version.)
• "Color" the Sample Essay to Illustrate the Concept! (Don't lose this!)
• Computer Lab
• Assignment: Write a standard academic essay in response to this prompt.
  

  The Pigman is one of the most frequently banned books of recent years. Many people feel that the book treats serious adult issues in a non-serious way and that there is no literary value to the novel and no worthwhile lessons to be learned from it. Some claim that John and Lorraine are bad role models to whom students should not be exposed (even in a work of fiction). What do you think? Should The Pigman be taught in schools? Why or why not? If yes, what value is there in reading the book? (Come up with three reasons it is worthy of study and devote a paragraph to each.) If you don't believe The Pigman should be taught in schools, explain why. (Come up with three reasons students should not be exposed to it and devote a paragraph to each.) Keep in mind that your reasons need to deal with the content and themes of the book, not just whether or not you liked it. Also, keep in mind that your reasoning should be sound: Consider what the opposing point of view would be and address those issues along with your supporting points.

• Include good transitions!
  (What's a transition? Try these links: A, B, C, D, E, F)
• It should look about like this one on the page before you print it.
  

Wednesday, September 30: A Day

• Writing Notebooks have been scored. Review the guidelines you copied on the first day of school. Are you still abiding by them?
• (On a Fresh Page, Please!) Journal #1: Copy these quotations into your journal.

  "It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do." --John Baptiste Moliére "Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility." --Albert Einstein "When we have begun to take charge of our lives, to own ourselves, there is no longer any need to ask permission of someone." --George O'Neil "A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and your ultimate success depends on the choices you make." --Denis Waitley

  Explain which quotation best applies to the last chapter of The Pigman and tell why.
• The Pigman: Finish it all up & turn it in!
  Themes and Lessons & Literary Concepts & Motifs & Vocabulary Review
  

Thursday, October 1: Fall Recess

• No School
  

Friday, October 2: Fall Recess

• No School
  

October 5-9, 2009

Monday, October 5: B Day

• Writing Notebooks have been scored. Review the guidelines you copied on the first day of school. Are you still abiding by them?
• (On a Fresh Page, Please!) Journal #1: Copy these quotations into your journal.

  "It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do." --John Baptiste Moliére "Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility." --Albert Einstein "When we have begun to take charge of our lives, to own ourselves, there is no longer any need to ask permission of someone." --George O'Neil "A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and your ultimate success depends on the choices you make." --Denis Waitley

  Explain which quotation best applies to the last chapter of The Pigman and tell why.
• The Pigman: Finish it all up & turn it in!
  Themes and Lessons & Literary Concepts & Motifs & Vocabulary Review
  

Tuesday, October 6: A Day
Wednesday, October 7: B Day (PTC 3:45-7:15 P.M.)

• Homeroom on October 7: Meet in Computer Lab 202!
• Journal #2: Midterm grades went home yesterday. How were yours? How did the first half of the term go for you? What, if anything, are you going to do differently for the second half?
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #6
  Use commas (and quotation marks) to set off a speaker’s exact words (direct quotation) from the rest of a sentence.
• Mythology Grid: Meet the Olympians (20 minutes)
• Word Cells: What are they?
• Word Cells List #1
• Word Cells Dictionary Activity #1
  (Speaking of which, do you actually know how to use a dictionary?)
  

Thursday, October 8: A Day (PTC 3:45-7:15 P.M.)
Friday, October 9: B Day

• Finish Meet the Olympians and as much of the grid as possible.
• Journal #3: If you were the "god/goddess" of something, what would it be? Which aspect of the world or of human life would you like to control? Why? What would your symbol be? What would you wear? How would all of us mere mortals recognize your work? Explain. Discuss. Elaborate. Pontificate. (90 + words)
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rule #7
  Use a comma to set off a phrase at the end of a sentence that refers back to the beginning or middle of the sentence or that indicates a distinct pause or shift.
• Media Center
• Orientation (Mrs. Jorgensen)
• Mythology Research Assignment: Topic Assignments (DON'T LOSE THEM!)
  Absent? E-mail me and I'll send you your topic.
• Mythology Research Worksheet: Using the information you learned and the web sites you were shown today during Mrs. Jorgensen's orientation, try to answer questions 2 and 3 on the worksheet by next Monday.

October 12-16, 2009

Monday, October 12: A Day
Tuesday, October 13: B Day

• Media Center to Research for Mythology Research Assignment
• Take notes as you do the following things:
  • Read the stories! Become an expert!
  • Learn the pronunciations of characters' names.
  • Compare different versions of the stories!
  • Summarize!
• You need to write down and save source information from any book or encyclopedia:
  • Author's entire name (first, middle, last)
  • Title of book/encyclopdia
  • Edition/Volume
  • Title of Article
  • Page numbers
  • City of Publication
  • Year of Publication
  • Name of Publisher
• USE YOUR TIME IN THE MEDIA CENTER WISELY!
  

Wednesday, October 14: A Day
Homeroom on October 14: Meet in Activity Room!
Thursday, October 15: B Day

• Word Cells List #1 Quiz
• Grammar Punk: Semicolon Rule #1
  Use a semicolon to join independent clauses.
• Journal #4: Write a paragraph made up of eight (8) sentences, one to illustrate each Grammar Punk Rule we have covered so far. (You'll need your notes!) Make sure your paragraph has a clear topic sentence, six specific sentences to develop that topic sentence, and a clincher.
• Summarizing: What does it mean and how do you do it?
  (Resource: Massive Blue Text, p. 200 -- Read together in class.)
• Read and summarize this in your Writing Notebook.
• Word Cells List #2 + Assignment (due late next week, day of quiz)
• Outlining in Reverse: Pigman Essays Revisited (due next session)
• Check your grades! Get your term reading done! The end is near!
  

Friday, October 16: A Day

October 19-23, 2009: Red Ribbon Week

Monday, October 19: B Day

Tuesday, October 20: A Day
Wednesday, October 21: B Day

• Journal #5: What makes you furious? Why? Describe the last time you were so mad you couldn't think straight. What purpose does your anger serve? Discuss rage. (90+)
• Grammar Punk: Semicolon Rule #2
  Use a semicolon before an independent marker that connects independent clauses.
• Mythology Research Considerations:
  • Mythology Research Worksheet: Complete Synthesis Questions (side 2) using Hamilton's Mythology as a resource.
  • Essential Questions for Research: Start formulating one!
  • Turn in the worksheet and a preliminary essential question now.
• Finish the Olympians on the Mythology Grid by viewing Olympians Presentation
• Homework: Finish Assignment & Study Word Cells List #2 for Quiz
  

Thursday, October 22: A Day
Friday, October 23: B Day

• Word Cells List #2: Quiz & Turn in Assignment
• Computer Lab: Finish Presentations/Prepare for Monday!
  

October 26-30, 2009

Monday, October 26: A Day
Tuesday, October 27: B Day

• Mythology Presentations: Be Ready!
  

Wednesday, October 28: A Day
Thursday, October 29: B Day

• Finish Presentations & Mythology Grid (if time)
• So, just what is a sentence, anyway? (Halloween "Treat")
• Reading Practice Points due!
• Grade Conferences (if time)
  

Friday, October 30: Quality Teaching Day

• No School for Students
• See you next term!