August 28 - September 1

Welcome to the first week of school!  This week, we'll get to know each other, talk about your expectations of me as your teacher, my expectations of students, and what our goals are for the year.  We'll also get familiar with routines and procedures in the class, and warm up for an engaging, productive year ahead.

SUMMER READING: There will be questions on the upcoming weekly quizzes covering Where You Go is Not Who You Are  and Warriors Don't Cry. 

MONDAY: (minimum day - all classes, 35 minutes per class) Find seats, welcome and introduction, journals passed out and started, share.  Receive syllabus, begin work on Interest Inventory Worksheet.

Due: First journal entry, completed in class.

Homework: Bring the Interest Inventory Worksheet for next class - you will have time to work on it in class, but you can start on it before next class if you think you'll need more time.

Read through the syllabus and ask parents/guardians to read, sign and return the signature page by September 6.

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: Journal, share.  Discuss summer reading.  Interest Inventory Worksheet activity.  The "dark side" of 11th grade PowerPoint (cheating, meltdowns, drugs).  Overview of the specific units we'll cover to prepare you for the writing you'll be expected to do during the year.  Go over Independent Reading Project in detail.  Discuss syllabus, procedures and routines.  Write one-page letter to yourself as a freshman.

Due: Interest Inventory Worksheet

Homework:

• Finish Letter to My Freshman Self for next class.
• Study classroom rules/procedures from notes and syllabus for first quiz. 
• Go over the syllabus with your parents/guardians and before September 6th, bring the signature page of the syllabus to class 
• Turnitin.com permission form due back signed by September 6.
• Research books on the Independent Reading Project Sheet and narrow down your choices. You'll turn in your decision next week on September 5 or 6.
• Work on gathering supplies (binder with tabs, per syllabus) for next week.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal, share.  Review procedures and routines.  First quiz covering procedures, classroom rules.  Turn in Letter to Freshman Self.  Warriors Don't Cry Gallery Walk and small group/whole class discussions.

Due: Letter to Freshman Self

Homework:

• Signature page of syllabus due by next class, Sept 5 or 6. 
• Turnitin.com permission form due back signed by September 6.
• Sign up for TheWeek.com weekly e-mail blast (see sidebar for instructions).
• Get supplies for class (notebook with tabs per syllabus).
• Choose one of the four themes from the Independent Reading Project list - final choice due in writing on Tuesday/Wednesday. 
• Log in to the Independent Reading Turnitin.com group (see sidebar on right hand side of this website for login info) and answer the first discussion question.  Read other responses to the question.
• Order or check out the independent reading book. (Please see or email me with any questions/concerns and I'm happy to help out here.)
• Please review Warriors Don't Cry for next week; the second week quiz on Thursday/Friday will cover this reading.
• Please read and annotate the article "I'm a White Man. Hear Me Out."  by Frank Bruni and come with opinions about the article for Tuesday/Wednesday.

Enjoy the three-day weekend!  I look forward to seeing you next week in class.

Welcome to English 3 Honors!

I'm Ms. Mogilefsky (also known as Ms. M).  I'm excited to work with you this year as we explore a variety of well-known books, short stories, nonfiction articles and essays that are an important part of the conversation about the nature of American life, past and present. 

In this extremely interactive class, we will read American literature, as well as a wide range of nonfiction pieces – essays, memoirs, letters, speeches, articles about current events, literary criticism, and even legal briefings.   You'll also read books and articles of your choice as you work on research-based pieces, independent reading, current events assignments, debates, and other activities.  Themes from classic texts will be read and discussed alongside related current events, and you'll have a lot of opportunities to express yourselves verbally and in writing.  

I know junior year can be stressful: SATs, ACTs, extracurriculars, and CAASP testing at the end of the year.  All of the activities we'll work on will help you succeed and I look forward to a productive and enjoyable year with you. 

What to Bring to Class (after the first day)
Please bring the following to class with you every day:

• 3-ring binder with the following section tabs: Current Unit, Vocab/Grammar, Reference, and Homework

• Plenty of paper

• Pens or pencils to write with

• Current novel/readings

I don't mind eating or drinking in class as long as you clean up after yourself and it's not disruptive to other students or the class (please, no sharing food during class time).   

Cell phones: I have a cell phone charging station in the front of the classroom where students may, at their own risk, charge phones during class time while they are set on silent mode.  Otherwise, cell phones must be completely turned off and put away in backpacks or purses or they'll be collected. Even adults (just about everyone I know!) struggle to keep from the distraction of a phone, and if it's out of reach and turned off it'll be easier for everyone.  This will help you to develop good habits for college and/or your work life and will help us maximize productivity during class time.

Procedures/Routines
I believe that English is the most important subject at school (every teacher thinks that about their subject, and I am no exception)!  In English 3 Honors,  we'll work on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills that will help you achieve your goals in every other class at PVHS, at university and/or on the job, and even in your personal life.  Because there is such a wide variety of skills we'll practice, I like to set up routines so that students know what to expect from class.  Here is the basic framework: 

Monday/Tuesday, 113 minutes: 
10 minutes journal time
5 minutes random sharing of journal answers 
15 minutes practice this week's vocabulary and grammar
40 minutes: work on current novel -  reading, debates, skits, presentations, etc.
40 minutes: work on current writing unit - practice, read and evaluate drafts, learn new concepts
3 minutes go over any homework, file papers away in notebook, answer questions

(every other)Wednesday, 85 minutes:
10 minutes journal time
5 minutes random sharing of journal answers
65 minutes Current Events - (read and annotate both sides of a current issue, discuss/debate, vote, various writing assignments short and long supporting your position)
5 minutes summarize which skills we practiced,  go over any homework, file papers away in notebook, answer questions
 
Thursday/Friday, 113 minutes: 
10 minutes journal time
5 minutes random sharing of journal answers 
15 minutes, approximately 15 question quiz covering this week's vocabulary, grammar, reading and other skills/current unit
80 minutes: work on current novel -  current writing assignment, debates, skits, presentations, etc.  
3 minutes: go over any homework, file papers away in notebook, answer questions

Additional Info

Novels
The novels/play we'll explore together this year are:
A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Great Gatsby
A Raisin in the Sun
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

We'll also work on a brief gender unit, a two-week fundamental Supreme Court case unit, and science/nature unit where we'll read and discuss a variety of shorter articles, essays, and briefs about the topic.
 

Independent Reading Project
Honors students will receive a list of four themed categories with 2-3 books by American authors included in each one.  Students will choose a category and read the first book by the end of the first semester, and the second by the end of the year.  In fall semester, students will write an essay analyzing the style and effectiveness of the first book (similar to the new SAT optional essay) and in the spring, students will answer an essay prompt using evidence from both books plus another source of their choice (similar to the ACT essay prompt style).  These books will also be the basis of online and in-class discussions as well as questions on the final for the semester.

 
Journals
Composition books for journals will be provided.  Each day, questions will be posted in the front of the room and students will write a one page response in the journal.  Journals will be kept in the classroom and will be counted as an assignment for credit and checked at random intervals.  

Also...
Be sure to read Where You'll Go is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni as well as the school-wide novel, Warriors Don't Cry and be ready to discuss your opinions about these books during the first week of school.

Curious browsers can check out the syllabus (on the right hand side bar of this blog).  Otherwise, we will cover it in class the first week. 

I look forward to a great year with the class of 2019.  Have a spectacular rest-of-summer!

June 5 - 9 LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

 It was truly and honor and a privilege to facilitate such an interesting group of students.  I often joked about "the four-hour version of the class" and my (optimistic? ambitious? bloated?) lesson plans are a reflection of how much I enjoyed reading, writing, and being involved in discussions with you.  I've learned so much during our time this year and I hope you feel that your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are even better than they were a year ago.  

I've gotten to know many of you fairly well and hope that you visit me next year and keep me posted about what's going on in your life. 

Here's what we're doing this last week:

MONDAY, JUNE 5: (all classes minimum day) Read more sample college essays.  More work time on laptops for drafts and individual help.  Pass out editing checklist. 

Due: Be able to access your essay drafts electronically, and have an idea matched to a prompt with a document created and some sentences with details under the prompt.

Homework:  Type out a full rough draft by the beginning of the final. 

TUESDAY, JUNE  6:   Short, anonymous class evaluation so I understand what was the most helpful and also improve the section next time.  Volunteers from class will share paragraphs and receive helpful feedback.  Work time on laptops and direct, one-on-one feedback for drafts during the class period.  You'll have at least one full hour to work on drafts in class during the final.

A full draft is due to Turnitin.com by the end of the final.

Please note, due to how far along we are in the semester and the fact that this is your final for the class, NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Thanks for understanding.

Have a wonderful summer as seniors!

May 29-June 2

Welcome!  This week we'll turn in journals and kick off the final assignment, the college essay.  Here's the agenda for the short week:

MONDAY: HOLIDAY - Memorial Day, no school.

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up.  Interactive brainstorming activity, to be completed "speed-dating style."  Turn in lists.  (Pick up yearbooks.)

Due: On a separate piece of paper, please make a list of colleges you might apply to this summer or fall. Go to their websites (or our College and Career Center) and find out what kinds of essay prompts they require, making notes of them on your list. I will provide the latest UC and Common App prompts in class on Friday, but if there is a unique prompt for one of your school choices, please bring that to class.

NOTE: If you aren't planning on going to a university, please see me about an alternate assignment.  If you have a different writing requirement (for example letters asking for a recommendation to apply to a military academy), please let me know and that can be substituted in for the college essay assignment. Otherwise, you'll work on a two-page research paper on a job title of your choice, with details provided next class.  If this is the case, please have a job title chosen for Friday.

Homework: Fill out the rest of the Brainstorming Activity Sheet and bring it with you on Friday.  Make sure your journal is ready to turn in.

FRIDAY: Journal warm-up.  Go over UC and Common Application prompts. Read a sample essay that has been successful in the past and note its subtext.  Match an idea from your brainstorming sheet to a prompt, keeping in mind which traits you'd like to emphasize and anything in the rest of the application you may want to explain.  Begin matching a good story/event from your life to a prompt.  Create a new document, choose a prompt, and begin writing out some details that could be worked into a a unique essay that demonstrates something positive about you.  Come to class on Monday prepared to work those details typed into the document into a rough draft.

Due:  Journals in the classroom bin at the end of the period.  Brainstorming sheets completed.

Homework: Begin matching a good story/event from your life to a prompt.  Create a new document, choose a prompt, and begin writing out some details that could be worked into a a unique essay that demonstrates something positive about you.  Come to class on Monday prepared to work those details typed into the document into a rough draft.

May 22-26

We're truly in the home stretch now!  The class will complete and upload the Independent Reading Essay, and the Raisin in the Sun assignment this week.  After that, there is a final journal check and a good draft of the college essay (or alternate assignment).  Here's what's in store for the week:

MONDAY: Journal warm-up.  Peer review of Independent Reading rough drafts - 3 rounds. A Raisin in the Sun discussion.  Introduce A Raisin in the Sun group assignment.  Decide and submit group roles for Raisin assignment by the end of the class period. 

Due: 1. Finish reading A Raisin in the Sun - know what happens with all of the characters at the end of the play!  Click on the pdf link from the right hand sidebar of this website.
2. Please bring a paper copy of your full rough draft of the Independent Reading Essay for today.

Homework:
1. Work on Independent Reading Essay - final draft due to Turnitin.com by Wednesday, May 24, 11:00 p.m.
2. Work on the Raisin group assignment - materials due on Friday, May 26.  Be ready to share what you have with the class in an informal presentation with your group. 


WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up.  Current event video and articles. Time to meet with Raisin groups in class (assignment and informal presentations due on Friday).

Due: Independent Reading Essay - final draft due to Turnitin.com by Wednesday, May 24, 11:00 p.m.

Homework: Work on the Raisin group assignment - materials due on Friday, May 26.  Be ready to share what you have with the class in an informal presentation with your group. 


FRIDAY (minimum day): Journal warm-up. Raisin group presentations.

Due:  Raisin group assignment - materials due in class today.  Be ready to share what you have with the class in an informal presentation with your group.

Homework: On a separate piece of paper, please make a list of colleges you might apply to this summer or fall. Go to their websites (or our College and Career Center) and find out what kinds of essay prompts they require, making notes of them on your list. I will provide the latest UC and Common App prompts in class next week, but if there is a unique prompt for one of your school choices, please bring that to class next Wednesday.

NOTE: If you aren't planning on going to a university, please see me about an alternate assignment.  If you have a different writing requirement (for example letters asking for a recommendation to apply to a military academy), please let me know and that can be substituted in for the college essay assignment. Otherwise, you'll work on a two-page research paper on a job title of your choice, with details provided next week.

Have a marvelous Memorial Day! 

May 15-19

Hello!  It's CAASP week, so our class will effectively have one meeting (half of you on Tuesday and the other half on Thursday).  Please click here for the CAASP schedule and parent letter.  Please come to class first, then you'll head to the MPR.

TUESDAY/THURSDAY: Journal warm-up.  Go over a few model sustainable food essays, discuss rough drafts. Read A Raisin in the Sun, Act II, Scene III, and begin Act III (the final scene).

Due: Read A Raisin in the Sun, up through the end of Act II, Scene II.

Homework: Finish reading A Raisin in the Sun.

Please bring a paper copy of your full rough draft of the Independent Reading Essay to our next class on Monday, May 22.

May 8-12

Here's the agenda for the week:

MONDAY: Journal warm-up.  Discuss independent reading essay, check in, begin outlining.  Intro to A Raisin in the Sun and begin reading the play in class.

Due:  Find an additional source created by an American that fits with your independent reading category and post to the discussion board by Sunday night, May 7 at 11:00 p.m. to Turnitin.com. (See category suggestions, or talk to me or e-mail me.) I would also recommend reading the prompts before choosing an additional source.

Homework: Please write up a detailed outline for the independent reading essay assignment.

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up.  Check in with independent reading essay: view outlines.  Continue reading and acting out A Raisin in the Sun.

Due: Please write up a detailed outline for the independent reading essay assignment. 

Homework:  Continue with the Independent Reading outline, making it more detailed and focused, and bring it on Friday. Study for last vocab, grammar, and reading quiz (!)

FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz.  Continue reading  A Raisin in the Sun in class. 

Due: outline for Independent Reading Essay.

Homework: Read A Raisin in the Sun through Act II, Scene II.

Begin typing full rough draft of the Independent Reading Essay for Thursday.