Welcome to English 9 with Mrs. Ferrill

2009-2010

Good Morning, Happy People!Please write an interesting fact about yourself on the

white index card. Do NOT write your name on the card.Also write your name on the first inside page of your

student calendar. You need to bring this calendar to class every day and write down daily assignments.

While I take attendance, please fill out the student information questionnaire.

Letter, Laptop Policies, and Class ExpectationsBring organized notebook by tomorrow. Signed Laptop policies are due Thursday, Aug. 21st.Bring the remainder of your supplies to class by Friday, Aug.

22nd.Mrs. Ferrill’s English 9 Web Page and Personal BlogLet me tell you a story . . .

Good Morning, Happy People!During Announcements, please take out your AHS

Calendars and organized notebooks for me to check. After writing the dates below in your calendar, respond to the following prompt in your journal: Have you ever told an elaborate lie that caused trouble for you or those close to you? Describe in detail.

Reminder dates and additional dates to note:Signed Laptop policies are due Thursday, Aug. 21st.Bring the remainder of your supplies to class by Friday, Aug.

22nd.Library Orientation: Wednesday, August 26th

MAP Testing: Friday, August 28th in Library Computer LabMrs. Ferrill’s English 9 Web Page and Personal BlogLet me tell you a story . . .

Thursday, August 20th• During announcements please place

notebooks and calendars on your desk. Also take out a pen and highlighter.

• Please pass forward laptop policies if you have not turned them in yet.

• While I check notebooks, begin reading and highlighting “You Can Be a Super-Achiever.”

• MLA Format: Modern Language Association• Homework: Bring all supplies tomorrow and

work on truth/lie paragraphs due Monday.

Good Morning, Happy Laptop Wizards!• During announcements please clear your desk

except for your AHS calendar and a writing utensil.

• Please pass forward laptop policies if you have not turned them in yet.

• Homework: Typed truth/lie paragraphs due Monday.

• Review of laptop policies: Inspired Writing link found on Mrs. Ferrill’s Web Page.

Happy Tuesday, Happy People!• During announcements: Please clear your

desks except for a pencil or a pen.• Today:– Quiz/discussion over “Lamb to the Slaughter”– Notes on Literary Terms/Devices

• Homework:– Finished, detailed drawings of “Born of Man and

Woman” due tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26th

– Post your comment on our Class Blog by Thursday, August 27th

Happy Library Orientation Day!During announcements:– Please sign the Student Code of Conduct sheet

next to your printed name. Write your full name cursively! No abbreviations!

– Also take out your “Lamb to the Slaughter” short story, your Literary Terms handout, and $4.00!

Today:– Please take your AHS Calendar and Student I.D.

with you when we go to the library. Leave all other materials in the classroom.

Homework: Post comment on class blog!

Thursday, August 27th • During Announcements, please take out your

calendars, “Lamb to the Slaughter,” picture of “Born of Man and Woman,” Literary Terms handout, and $4.00!

• Calendar:– Complete blogging post by the end of today.– MAP testing tomorrow. Go directly to the library

computer lab and sit at the computer with your name.

Response to “Born of Man and Woman

• Please take out a sheet of lined notebook paper and the picture of your short story. Describe what happens in this story from the point of view of another character in the story: The Mother, The Father, or the Little Mother.

Happy Monday, Happy People!• During Announcements, please take out

calendars, literary terms sheet, AND your composition notebooks! (MORE WORKBOOK $?)

• Homework: Type “Where I’m From” poem by this Wednesday, Sept. 2nd.

• Today– The Art of Clustering– If time, wrap-up discussion over “Lamb to the

Slaughter” and character conflict (internal and external). Does Mary’s giggle at the end of the story prove she’s evil?

Good Morning, Happy People!• During Announcements, please take out

calendars and composition notebooks. Starting on a new page of your notebook please write Four types of paragraphs:– Descriptive– Narrative– Persuasive– Expository

Homework: Type “Where I’m From” poem by tomorrow, Sept. 2nd.

Today: From cluster to paragraph

September 3, 2009• During Announcements, please take out short

story workbooks, truth/lie sentences and composition notebook.

• On a new page of your composition notebook, write today’s date at the top and cluster the word, “Education.” When you are ready, move from a cluster to a vignette. Write whatever you would like related to Education. And if you get stuck, DOODLE!

• Do I have a volunteer to rewrite sentence #2 from the truth/lie sentence handout?

Persuasive Paragraph• Today you will finish your game paragraph

and then begin to work on a persuasive paragraph related to President Obama’s address to students next week. Obama will talk about the importance of education, but some people are against him giving this speech because they think parents should talk to their children about education, not the president. Write a paragraph agreeing or disagreeing with Obama giving this speech. Explain your position with three reasons.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!• Please take out two typed paragraphs, one

about “Games” and one about Obama’s speech to students.

• Also take out a writing utensil, your truth/lie sentences, Short Story Workbook, and “Born of Man and Woman” short story handout.

• HOMEWORK: Prepare for Homecoming Week and remember to dress up for Tuesday which is Black and White Formal Dress-up Day.

Fixing Sentence #2

• We weren’t just playing with dolls, but taking soft, stuffed animals out of big black garbage bags while talking about how cute they were and making them seem real. Suddenly, my sister ran downstairs and started crying to my parents that I had put the garbage bag over her head and wouldn’t take it off. I was so angry at this little brat I wanted to scream.

Happy “Tie Die” Day• During Announcements, please begin a

cluster, writing the word “Internet” in the middle section of a new sheet of paper in your notebook journal (not your composition book).

• Today: – Complete rough-draft for first writing assessment.– Read “Little Red Riding Hood” and complete plot

chart.

Happy Sports Day• During Announcements, take out a different-

colored writing utensil other than the one you used yesterday to write your rough draft. Please sit quietly until I give you further instructions. Turn on computer, but do not begin typing. Stay on the home page.

• Today: – Reread your rough draft, editing carefully– Type Final Draft of writing assessment.Read “Little Red Riding Hood” and complete plot chart.

• Homework: “Red Riding Hood” and plot chart!

Happy Homecoming! Be Safe!• During Announcements, take out your AHS

Calendar, and write the following on the first page: Writing Lab is available every Tuesday/Thursday Periods 2, 3, 4 (10:35-11:30), 5, and 6 in C9. Also take our a writing utensil, your Truth/Lie Sentences, and Short Story Workbook.

• Today: – Explain corrections and Writing Lab Help. Fix more

sentences and discuss “Little Red Riding Hood.”

• Homework: Corrections on Truth/Lie Paragraphs due next Tuesday, Sept. 15th.

September 14, 2009• During Announcements:– In your composition notebook respond to the

following question: What do you value most? Think of three important values in your life and explain each one. Start with a cluster if you wish!

• Also take our a writing utensil, your Truth/Lie Sentences, and Short Story Workbook.

• Today: – Discuss “Little Red Riding Hood” and remaining literary

term definitions.

• Homework: Corrections on Truth/Lie Paragraphs due tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 15th.

September 15, 2009• During Announcements:– Take out corrections of truth/lie paragraphs.

• Also take out a writing utensil, and Short Story Workbook.

• Today: – Take on-line Student Survey on Technology– Look up vocabulary for “Lady or the Tiger” using

Visuwords.

• Homework: Finishing defining “Lady or Tiger” Vocabulary words and print the definitions.

September 16, 2009• During Announcements:• Please take out a writing utensil, your typed “Lady

or the Tiger” vocabulary, and Short Story Workbook.

• Today: – Reading “Lady or the Tiger”

• Homework: Type a response to the following Journal prompt:– What is the most difficult choice you have ever had to

make? What made it difficult? Which choice did you ultimately make? What were the consequences of your choice?

September 17, 2009• During Announcements:• Please take out a writing utensil, your typed

journal response about a difficult decision, and Short Story Workbook.

• Today: Creating a mind map for “The Lady”– What does the princess value most”– Use short story to identify Five Values and highlight

the quotation that reveals these values.– Open Internet on computer and find a picture of a lady

that reminds you of the princess. Save to User file– Create a new document—I’ll explain further.

Happy Friday, Happy People!• During Announcements:• Please take out the mind map of the princess’s

values you created yesterday. If you need to print your map, please take your computer and print! Also take out a writing utensil, and Short Story Workbook.

• Today: Prioritizing the Princess’s Values– First, let’s examine some values and quotations from a

few papers turned in yesterday.– Next, let’s examine the Barbaric King’s Values– Now rank the princess’s values. First reread your

ending to the story. Are some values results of others?

Happy Monday, Happy People!• During Announcements:• Number the pages of your Short Story Workbook,

starting with the Table of Contents as page #1. Number both front and back of pages until you reach page number 18, which should take you to the Previewing page of “Utterly Perfect Murder.” Complete the two squares about Memory after reading the Personal Connection introduction.

• Today: Review how to write a good topic sentence.

• Homework: Read “Utterly Perfect Murder”

September 23, 2009

• During Announcements:• Please complete reminders about writing a good

topic sentence worksheet.• Today: • Finishing and presenting Vocabulary Group Work• Rubric for evaluating Vocabulary Presentations

or How to get a good grade on this collaborative project!

September 24, 2009During Announcements:• Everyone, take out “Dangerous Game” Vocab List• If you need your computer for Vocabulary

Presentations today, please take it from the cart.Today: • Vocabulary Presentations• Homework • Study the vocabulary words we cover today for

quiz tomorrow!

Happy Friday, Happy People!During Announcements:• Please print your name in the upper, right-hand

corner of the white index card. Beneath your name, also print my name: Mrs. Ferrill

• Also take out your “Lady or Tiger” mind map and AHS calendar

Today: • Topic Sentence Assessment and Vocab. Quiz• Previewing “Most Dangerous Game on page 27• Homework :

Topic Sentence Assessment:

After reading the short story, “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank Stockton, explain in a topic sentence what the princess most values and why.

Turn your index card face down when you are finished and take your quiz.

Happy Monday, Happy People!During Announcements:• Please take out your AHS calendar and your

“Most Dangerous Game” vocabulary list. “Most Dangerous Game” take-home quiz is due this Wednesday, September 30th.

Today: • Finish Vocabulary presentations• Homework : If you received an “R” on Truth/Lie

Corrections, resubmit tomorrow!• Type “Most Dangerous Game” take-home quiz

responses for Wednesday.

September 29, 2009During Announcements:• Please take out your Composition Notebook,

your “Most Dangerous Game” vocabulary list, and your corrections of truth/lie paragraphs.

• In Composition Notebook, describe a time when you were deliberately cruel to someone. You may wish to start by clustering “cruelty.”

Today: Finish Vocabulary presentations• Homework :Type “Most Dangerous Game” take-

home quiz responses for Wednesday.

September 30, 2009During Announcements:• Please take out your “Most Dangerous Game”

take-home quiz, your poem, “Bleeder,” and the picture of the poem you drew yesterday.

Today• Understanding “Bleeder”• Discussing “Most Dangerous Game.”• Homework :– Study for vocabulary quiz tomorrow

Exchange your “Bleeder” picture with another person.

• Look carefully at the picture you have received.

• Find four quotations from the original poem that connect to different parts of the picture. Write these quotations on the back of the picture, explaining why you chose the quotations you did.

• Return the drawing with your added quotations to the creator of this picture.

October 1, 2009During Announcements:• Please take your handout with the poems,

“Bleeder,” and “Anthony,” and your drawing.• Yesterday, I asked you to explain which passage

from “Bleeder” was most significant. Write your explanation on your poem handout.

• In Composition Notebook, describe a time when you felt left out, misunderstood, or alone. You may wish to start by clustering “alone”

Today: From Journal to Poetry

Joy to the Wordle!During Announcements:• Please take out poems, “Bleeder,” and “Anthony,”

and your drawings; and composition notebook.Today: Collect poem drawings.• Bookmark www.wordle.net on computer.• Create a Word Cloud using at least three lines

from either “Bleeder” or “Anthony.”• Type a poem based on either your “cruelty” or

“alone” journal entry. See handout. From your poem create another Word Cloud.

• Due Monday: Typed poem and Word Cloud

Good Morning, Happy People!During Announcements:

• Please take out your original poem, and, if you were able to print them, your two word clouds: one of your original poem and one based on “Bleeder” or “Anthony.”

• Homework: Read a HAPPY story! By this Wednesday read “Fish Eyes,” the last story in your short story packet. As you read the story, think of five good questions to ask. Create a typed quiz using your five questions.

Journal: In composition notebook describe a time you played a practical joke on someone.

Today: Asking Good Questions• 1. Is Doug from “Utterly Perfect Murder” truly

insane when he plans to kill Ralph?• 2. Why does Doug only say “Bang” rather than

kill Ralph?• We know “Bleeder” is a poem about a

hemophiliac. We know the other campers hurt each other to keep from hurting the Bleeder. We know he’s send home because he isn’t safe to be around. But what is the theme of this poem or the universal truth the author wants to reveal? Does your word cloud help identify the tone?

Good Morning, Happy People!During Announcements:

• Please take out the Topic Sentence handout I gave you yesterday and your short story workbook. Continue numbering your workbook until you reach page 46, Previewing “The Scarlet Ibis.”

• Today: Revising a rough draft paragraph• Homework: Read a HAPPY story! By tomorrow

read “Fish Eyes,” the last story in your short story packet. As you read the story, think of five good questions to ask. Create a typed quiz using your five questions.

• Calendar: Paragraph revision due Mon., Oct 12th.

Peer Editing and Revision

• First, reread your three rough drafts. Which one has the most potential to become a creative, compelling, convincing paragraph?

• Mark this paragraph with an “X” and exchange papers with one of your classmates.

• Complete the peer-editing form with comments and return to the owner.

• Begin your revision.

October 7, 2009• Calendar: Revised paragraph due next Monday,

October 12th. Also include your peer editing sheet and rough draft with final paper.

• During Announcements: Take out your “Fish Eyes” quiz and short story workbook.

• Today: – Understanding symbols with Photo Story– Continue reading “The Scarlet Ibis” and highlight• Passages that infer similarities between Doodle and the

scarlet ibis, and passages that foreshadow Doodle’s death• Passages that reveal the narrator’s feelings toward Doodle• Passages that identify the theme or message of the story

October 8, 2009• Calendar: Revised paragraph due next Monday,

October 12th. Also include your peer editing sheet and rough draft with final paper.

• During Announcements: In your notebook journal explain the following quotation by Franz Kafka: “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.” What does this mean to you?

• Today: • “Scarlet Ibis” Quiz• Posting a response on Blogger about Kafka’s quotation.

Sign in to our class blog from my teacher. Then compose your response in word before you copy and post.• Find pictures for your personal Photo Story

Creating your own Photo Story• Start with the interesting fact about

yourself—find a picture or symbol that summarizes that fact• Reread “Where I’m From” poem—identify

three images• Reread your Journal entries and highlight

important information about yourself that could be transformed into pictures or symbols. For example, “What you value Most”

Happy Friday, Happy People!• Calendar: Revised paragraph due next Monday,

October 12th. Also include your peer editing sheet and rough draft with final paper.

• During Announcements: Please number the list of Vocabulary Words from “The Cask of Amontillado.” You should number to 43 words.

Today: • Reading “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar

Allan Poe on page 775• Learning Vocabulary

Happy Friday, Happy People!• During

Announcements: Please number the list of Vocabulary Words from “The Cask of Amontillado.” You should number to 43 words.

Happy Monday, Happy People!• Calendar: Short Story Test will be a week from

tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 20th.• During Announcements: Please take out your

polished paragraph, rough draft, and peer editing sheet. I will pass around the magic stapler. Also take out your short story workbook.

Today: • Finish reading “The Cask of Amontillado” by

Edgar Allan Poe on page 775• Claim/Data/Warrant

Choose a character from “Cask of Amontillado,” “The Scarlet Ibis, or “Fish Eyes.”

• What CLAIM would you like to prove about this character?– Despite physical handicaps, Doodle is gifted.– Montresor’s need for revenge stems from his

insecurity.– David Brenner’s pranks go too far and suggest he

lacks essential communication skills.– Together, Doodle and his older brother create a

complete individual.