Juniors - Final Essay Prompt

You have two weeks to prepare for the final. There should be no excuse for failing this exam. Although you may not use The Crucible for the exam, you may use your study guide as a reference.

The Crucible Prompt for the Final Essay

Character Analysis

You are to compose a 5 paragraph essay with 3 MLA quotes to cite from the text. Please be conscious of the six traits or writing: organization, sentence fluency, voice, ideas and content, conventions, and word choice.

Again, please check your essay for conventions and correct grammar usage. Also be sure to use third person and avoid generalizations. If you make a point, please be sure to concisely support it.

Essay Prompt: Choose of the following characters in The Crucible. Discuss their moral and virtuosic growth or decline throughout the play and how it affected another character in the list below.

Abigail Williams

John Proctor

Elizabeth Proctor

Reverend John Hale

Reverend Parris

Deputy Governor Danforth

Senior Study Guide, Comprehension Test, and Final Essay

Seniors, you will have your Angela's Ashes comprehension test on Monday, December 10. This study guide is also due on that day. The comprehension test is no mystery--if you complete and answer these questions then you will do well on the exam.

1.       What is the name of the school teacher who inspired Frank? In what ways does this teacher inspire him?
2.      What does Frank think will happen when he goes to America? Why is this his ultimate desire? What drives Frank to America?
3.      What is the relationship between Malachy (the brother) and Frank? What examples from the text support your beliefs on this?
4.      How does Frank’s father’s abandonment shape teenage Frank in Ireland? In what ways does it have long term effects?
5.      Why does Angela move in with Lamen?
6.      What is the symbolism of The Irish Oak? What is The Irish Oak? Explain.
7.      Why did McCourt end the book with ‘Tis?
8.      What does the role of guilt play through the novel? Give three instances.
9.      How is Ireland different than American in the 1930s – 1940s? Explain the economic culture.
10.   Why is this book is titled Angela’s Ashes?
11.   Why do you think McCourt offered to discuss such personal instances about his life in this memoir? Give examples of the text to support your point.
12.   What do you think the human experience means?

Seniors, your final essay prompt was handed out on Thursday, December 6. You have two weeks to work on your final. There is no excuse to fail this final--you should be over-prepared!

Let me know if you have any questions.

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Best of luck to all of you during this study week!

Ms. Tomasik

Juniors: The Crucible Text

This week you were to finish Act I of the The Crucible in class. If you did not check out a copy in class, please finish Act I along with your Study Guide Questions (there are 23 of them) in complete sentences.

You will have a quiz on Act I on Tuesday, November 13. To access a copy of The Crucible please click the following link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/21067412/The-Crucible-Text

Arizona PBS Nerd Walk

On Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9:00 AM before the ASU Homecoming game, we will meet at the Tempe ASU campus for the Arizona PBS Nerd Walk. Please be sure to sign up online at http://www.azpbs.org/nerd/ for more information. And most importantly, to sign up for your FREE t-shirt!

See you there!

:)

Ms. Tomasik

P.S., This is completely voluntary for students who want to strut their nerdness.

Quarter 2 Vocabulary

Can't believe Quarter 2 is already here! 

Grades for Quarter 1 are officially posted. Students, I will return your Quarter 1 vocabulary finals tomorrow in class. It has your final Q1 grade circled at the top of the page.

New vocabulary is posted under each grade level. Students, please remember that you are expected to know the part of speech from here on out. Remember: Context clue homework is due every Monday night!

This quarter, we focus on our class novels and independent reading projects. Let me know if you have any questions!

Ms. Tomasik

College Brochure Project

Juniors and Seniors!

Mrs. McCoy reviewed the brochure project due on Monday, October 22nd. If you lose your notes (get organized!) then you may reference the following to help guide you on your brochure creation:

College Brochure Project
Due Monday, October 22nd

100 points – Homework Grade for Project

Worth more than quiz grades!

You may use any creative format to create the brochure. It doesn't have to be typed on the computer. I am copying the best ones to use as references in other classes. Please take your time with this. Effort and research is 10 points!

• What is the main college that you’d like to attend? +5
• What is the application deadline? +5
• What is the application fee? (In-state AND out-of-state!) +5
• What SAT/ACT scores do you need in order to be accepted? +5
• How much does it cost to attend the school per year? In-state AND out-of-state!  +5
• What is 1 scholarship that you found? Tell us about it. What are the requirements? What’s the scholarship deadline? What makes it such a perfect fit for you? +20 
• What are you planning to study? (Major) Why? What makes you interested with it? What do you want to do with it? +5
• What are some main attractions around the school? (Art museums, Empire State Building, Biggest Ball of Yarn?) +5
• Why is this college for you? +5
• What is 1 fun fact about the college? +5
• Brochure pictures of campus and city +10
• Effort and obvious research (2 links) + 10
• Oral presentation +15

Can't wait to check out the projects for this Monday!

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

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