Grades are in the gradebook for these and were by progress report. Students were given 2 full weeks in class to work on the assignment, as well as 4 weeks outside of class (not including the winter break). Students were reminded often that they would need to work on these outside of class as well. Work checks were taken several times throughout the assignment. While Pre-AP does not mean more work, it does mean in depth work. Students had the option to chose which portions to complete and for how many points. All of the portions covered a variety of topics relating to the works and times of Charles Dickens to show depth of thought and creativity. If you have questions about the grades, please contact me via email.
Message from Seattle! Click for a larger picture!
Moving Update Update for the kiddos
Seattle?! Moving!
Copyright Laws Illegal Music?!
Lots of updates! Changes to the website....
Interesting Article Will you need these?
Welcome Back! McMath Middle School
Is math important? To Algebra? Or Not to Algebra?
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Older downloads
Because the new six weeks is here, the downloads for Dickens are no longer available. If you are working on your portfolio at the last minute and didn’t get the downloads earlier as requested, you can find them here:
life of Dickens
info hunt
Desc. Poster
Xmas Card
Portfolio
Book of Symbols
P. M. Protagonist
Vocab
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Semester Review Sheets
Semester review sheets for semester exams are now available on the DOWNLOADS page at the bottom. Reviews are up for On-Level English, Pre-AP English, Pre-AP Reading, and GT Reading. If you download it, please be sure to grab the correct one.
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Witness by Karen Hesse (Pre-AP/GT ONLY)
Students and parents were told at the beginning of the year that they would need to purchase Witness and Fahrenheit 451 for this school year. Students will need Witness beginning Tuesday, January 22 (just after exams), and will need Fahrenheit 451 shortly after that. Students are encouraged to purchase these books now, as most schools in BISD (and surrounding districts) read these books and bookstores often need to order more. This takes time and if delayed, students might not get their books on time. Please purchase these books now.
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Christmas Carol Portfolio
Just a reminder that this portfolio, while much smaller than the Shakespeare one, is due January 22. Students will have about 2 weeks in class to work on it but are encouraged to begin work on it NOW. This is not intended to be a homework assignment over the break, but students should work on it for homework this week when they have time to get a thorough head start. Students will want to use some class time prior to 1/22 to study for exams, which could take away some class portfolio time.
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Portfolios and projects
After the break, Pre-AP and GT students have some major deadlines:
Portfolio performances on Monday, 11/26
Portfolio due on Tuesday, 11/27
Shakespeare Massive Test on Friday, 11/30
Students have had more than 4 weeks to work on these, 2-3 of those weeks were in class “work days,” so no one should be just starting it. Every student should be almost done. Parents–ask to see where your child is in this process.
On another note, Happy Thanksgiving.
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Phrases Handout
The phrases notes from today’s Pre-AP English classes is online now under DOWNLOADS.
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due dates
In the coming weeks, Pre-AP students will have several due dates coming up for their reading and English classes. The Shakespeare portfolio, which covers grades in BOTH classes, is meant to be a 90% in class assignment. It is a rather large assignment with multiple pieces and is quite in depth. It is truly a Pre-AP level piece of work. Please encourage your child to attend tutorials if they are not understanding any portion of the assignment. I can’t help if I don’t know there is a problem.
On personal news, my pipes in my kitchen are shot. More on that in my blog here: http://www.oaksclass.com/blog/
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Xmas Carol $1 (Pre-AP only)
Students are required to purchase 3 books for Pre-AP Reading/English, one of which is Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Parents were told at Meet the Teacher night that they could purchase this book through us for $1 (vs. $6 at the bookstore). I have had on my board all week a reminder about this as students will need this book in about 3 weeks. If parents/students are wishing to do purchase this book for $1, I need the $1 from the student/parent by Monday at the absolute latest. Quite a few kids have forgotten to mention this at home so this is my email to you to help them remember. This book is required for all Pre-AP Reading students, even if they don’t have me but have Ms. Brown.
Just a reminder that the other two books students will need are Witness by Karen Hesse (needed in January) and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (in February).
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Absent
I was out Monday and Tuesday due to the stomach flu that’s going around. I will be out tomorrow (Wednesday) as well. I will be back Thursday but wanted everyone to know so that if I don’t respond to your email immediately, you know why. Thanks!
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