End of Quarter 1 Announcements: PSAT Prep and Vocab Test

Parents and Students,

The final quarter test (which will always be the cumulative vocabulary test) is now moved to Thursday, October 4th for the sake of PSAT testing for sophomores and juniors. If you need to get your grade's vocabulary words, click on your grade level to the left of the navigation bar. I suggest that you use the quizlet.com app to help prepare you for your vocabulary test. You need to have your in-class flash cards by Wednesday, October 5th. The test will evaluate your knowledge on context clues and correct spelling.

For more information about the PSATs, please browse through the collegeboard.org website. Students have prepared for the basics of the test, such as reviewing critical reading, math, and writing skills. In English class, students will take a timed practice test before the PSATs for the critical reading and writing skills portion of the test. These sections will be graded in class. However, the math section will be given to students at their own discretion. It is highly recommended that students take the math portions over fall break. In order to time yourself, here is a link to the countdown clock used in class.

For fall break, sophomores and juniors are expected to take another take-home prep PSAT test. Seniors are to read a short story pertaining to their Irish Literature unit with discussion questions.

Finally, Quarter 1 at ACAA officially ends on October 19th. However, I am ending my quarter units this Thursday with the quarter end final grades in PowerSchool by Sunday, October 7th. If you have any questions, please e-mail me.

Final grades BEFORE the Quarter 1 break will be posted in my classroom on Thursday, October 4th.

Good luck on your studies, and I hope everyone has a relaxing fall break!!!

Ms. Tomasik

: )

Love Letter Edit for Reference

For folks who need a bit of reference, here's a polite and semi-edited version of the grammatically horrific, thoroughly obsessive love letter.

All students must re-write the letter to Chris from the perspective of the girl. Make your argument eloquently.  I am grading for conventions and organization according to the six traits rubric handed out on Wednesday.

Weekend Homework:
You are going to rewrite this letter from the perspective of the forlorn young girl whose heart was so blatantly shattered. Write a letter to Chris using the rules of grammar to illustrate the argument that, well, you don’t want to talk to him anymore. Be sure to follow the six traits of writing using the rubric attached.

Name: ____________________                                                         Period: ________

Love Letter Proofing

Directions: Use a red pen to make proofing marks on this paper. Only correct this paper for proofing marks.

Dear Loser,[Chris]~~~~!!!!

I thought you liked me you said it yourself I hate you .people only say you asked me out because you needed a date for the dance and that after the dance you would dump me well guess what bastert i dumped you cause you were thinking that I cheated on you i didn’t so like idiots that you guys are and so smart that you are you called me a slut.i hung up on you cause you tol me it on the phone because i guess you werent man enough to tell me it in my face!i hate you and also guess what my mother hates you to that she the one who put me to do this ,you come to breakfast every morning and I aint stupid you try to sit next to me and my lil bro who only 7YRS old hates you to and dont even know what you did and is always blocking your chair haha!I went out with another boy after you and after we were over you an idiot dated you even tried to ask me out again i didnt break up with him for you OK! I hate you ive always hated you spreading to everyone that I cheated on you when you just got jealouse that i used to talk to your friends to your so jealouse you automatically think i like them well guess maybe I do maybe i do maybe I dont gotta problem you aint my boyfriend anymore I dont  have to tell you who I like or who iam thinking of going out with its none of your buisness got that to you loser!Ihate you and I know you still like me but i dont like you i dont care what you stupid friends say you make me touch your hands for stupid reasons u accidentally say you hugged me I will never like you again I HATE YOU I HATE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THIS DAMN WORLDDDDDDDDDDDD id rather date a spider or rat den u ur soooo ugly and fat!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then saying that I looooooooooved you pleassssse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU

Well bi i have more things to do right than then remember YOU

Answer these questions when finished:

1.      What was the most common error that you came across when editing?

2.      What is the main point of her message?

3.      How is her letter organized? (Beginning, body, conclusion.)

Video Interviews from Junior English

We had some TERRIFIC interviews in class last week when juniors finished their summer reading project with a self-interview to get into The Real World: Junior English. Other students made posters, acted in class, and we all had an all-around great time. Check it out!

Juniors! You should also know that grades are updated as a test grade for your self-interview project.

Discussion Prompts for Participation Credit

**There is now a link on the left hand side of the page to access the discussion prompts.

Please complete respond to any of the following discussion prompts in five complete sentences as associated with your grade level. Be sure to include your first name with your the initial of your last name along with the date you are attempting to make up for participation. These prompts will change every month.

For example:

Conan O.
Period 2
Grade 10

The loss of print will have a devastating consequence on...

Here are the following prompts for the month of September:

Grade 12: The invention of the Gutenberg press increased the population by half only a few centuries ago. We began communicating with our fingers in the 1950s with the invention of the computer only 60 years ago. We now discover more than 80% of information with the Internet which became popular only a little more than 20 years ago. Today we communicate with our phones via our thumbs.

With the quick rate of communication growing today, what do you believe the world will be like in 50 years in regards to the way society socializes? How will this have an impact on your life, the English class, and the world around us?

Grade 11: Do you think grammar and conventions are necessary to teach in English class? With texting being so popular and being injected into everyday colloquialisms, is it even necessary? Is there such a thing as "proper grammar?" How does having "proper grammar" affect potential work opportunities? Explain your answer.

Grade 10: Do you believe that the transition of printed documents to online sources (laptops, tablets, smartphones) is helpful or hurtful to society? Explain your answer.

Vocabulary #4

Vocabulary 4 is posted under each grade's page. Also, on Monday you will have the Vocabulary #3 quizzes.

All grades are currently updated on PowerSchool. Please come see me before or after school if you have any questions regarding your grades. Progress reports go out today!

Also, there is a new discussion page post for students who need to make up their participation via absence or losing points (due to chewing gum, for example) in class. Leave a comment and I will give you credit.

Have a relaxing and safe weekend!

Vocabulary #3 has been posted under each grade's page.

Vocabulary is posted under the grade's appropriate page. We are now on Vocabulary #2 for this week.