Students: 

Welcome Back -- Today is Thursday, Februray 21st, and our lesson will be to complete READING COMPREHENSION (understanding what you read) by using memory, context clues, and short summaries.  (For credit, you must highlight words you do not know and/or unsure (unknown words and/or phrases), mini (short) notes for interpretation, and short summaries in margins (margins are the empty spaces next the text (writing).

In addition to the above, you must continue to work in class and out side of class by:
1)  Reading your INDEPENDENT BOOK
2)  Logging in Information about your book in the READING LOG
3)  Writng a letter to a 9th Grader telling them about your book (see previous Blog Entry for
details and template of letter)
4)  Listen to TEEN NEWS, reported by TEENAGERS (see previous Blog Entry for Website address)
5)  Take notes from a report in Journal using the WH words

Have a great day -- YOU CAN DO THIS!

Seniors -- ELA Prep Class

Hello Students:

The week of Februray 18th is our two day vacation.  Hence, school will resume on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.

The following is a review of homework.  All work is due on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.

Homework #1:  TYPED AND PRINTED -- SAVE ON YOUR FLASH AND ON YOUR COMPUTER -- ALSO SEND IT TO YOUR EMAIL.

*Note:  Students, even if you did not finish your book (keep reading), you still need a letter due on 2/20/13.  As you read, find as much information as you can so that you may write a letter.

Continue to read your independent reading book.  Continue to "log-in" notes on Reading Log Booklet.  Synthesize (organize and shorten) your knowledge of your book into a letter.  Your job is to write a letter to a ninth grader inspiring a ninth grader to read your book.  In other words, you are writing in which you are recommending students to read.  In your letter, you must anser the following:

*Title
*Author
*Summary
*Setting and how it affects the characters
*Conflict
*Tone and Mood
*Figurative Language and/or Literary Element

Follow the graphic organizer below to help you write:


Dear Ninth Grade Student:

As a senior, I know how important it is to read especially meeting graduation requirements like passing all regents tests -- all in preparating for college and for life.  Hence, as a young reader, my suggestion to you is to start reading--but make reading fun.  The following book is one that I recommend.  The title is _______________________________________________, by the author named, _________________________________________.  This book is about ______________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________. 
This book is well developed through the author's use of literary elements and techniques.  That is the
author uses "writing tools" as a way to "build" the story.  These tools include setting, characterization, conflict, tone, mood, similies, metaphors, and more.  What I found in my book that was especially well developed is _____________________________ because it shows how _____
________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________.
Another literary element I found is _________________________, because it shows how _______
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
In conclusion, I really recommend this book because _____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

Sincerely,

___________________________________-

Homework #2:

Listen to the passage -- check this out: 
http://www.teenkidsnews.com/site: 

Scroll Down for "Newest Videos"  Click on a video, listen and take notes (use Wh words as a graphic organizer)  Be prepared to share ideas in class.  Especially have notes for Who, What, Why and How

Have a great holiday.