Second nine weeks

Make sure on Monday or Tuesday you have your copy of Kate Chopin's The Awakening. If by some chance the book store does not have a copy and they place the order for you bring in your receipt. You can check out a copy from a public library. In other words, you have many options, but need to have a copy in order to read in class and at home.


Corrido poems will be turned in on Monday or Tuesday. You must submit your rough draft (hand written) and a final draft (typed). Make sure you adhere to the structure as you can refer to the link a few posts down.


You will also have the quiz on the I-L words next week. It may be Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday. Be prepared!

You will learn one way or another

Now that the first nine weeks is over, let me reiterate some ideas that you need to remember for the rest of the school year:
1. No pencil! When submitting work to me it needs to be done in blue or black ink. Notes or work that stays in your folder can be done in pencil, but everything else must be in ink. Play with fire and you will loose points.
2. Check and recheck your work before submitting it. Typos and grammar errors will cause you to loose points on assignments. Make sure you are turning in your best work. The more careful and detailed you are demonstrates to me that you took time when completing your work and you will earn the better grade.
3. Following directions and listening. If I make copies of project sheets and take the time to explain what I am looking for you need to follow those directions or your grade will suffer. Many of you have also lost points on assignments because you don't listen to my instructions. Pay attention when I am explaining how I want assignments to be turned in (for example, rough draft, peer editing sheet and final draft).
4. Deadlines need to be adhered to as well as making up work in a timely fashion. When you are absent and you miss an SAT Question of the Day that should be the first thing you turn into me the following class period with your excused admit. Do not turn it in a week later because you know already one is due each week.

With all this said, keep in mind the saying,
"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
Here's looking towards a successful second nine weeks.

Corrido poems

To end our Hispanic Heritage unit you will be writing your own Corrido poem.

In class we will visit the following website to understand what and how to write one.

http://www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/3742/3742_mexCor_definition.pdf

Here is an example of the corrido poem entitled "El Corrido de Gregorio Cortez"--

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/3742/3742_mexCor_cortezCor.pdf

We will also get in the spirit of Halloween by reading a piece by Edgar Allen Poe later this week. He was known as the original Gothic Horror writer.

Almost There

So this weekend you have a break since the Colonial Newspapers are done and you have presented your Hispanic Folktales. Thanks to all of you for being so creative and putting your effort into your assignments. (Your grades will demonstrate what you have earned.)

With that said, I have a lot of grading to catch up so I need you to give me some time and space. Please do not bother me with questions about your individual grades until I am done inputting everything. (If you have an X for a grade that means I have your assignment, but have not graded it yet.)

October 20th is the FCAT Retake for Reading and October 21st for Math. Remember that this test is not timed and there are no short or long response questions. Please practice using the FCAT Explorer program. If you need your login and password email me or post a comment so that I can send it to you.

****I am selling tickets for the Hispanic Heritage Assembly taking place October 23rd during 4th period for $2. Come and see your fellow Gladiators singing, dancing, and celebrating their Hispanic Heritage.

Class Act

Twice a month, beginning on Oct. 25, the Miami Herald will profile a person or program making an impact at a local school -- like a dedicated teacher ;) , an interesting school club, or a student who makes a point of helping others in the community.

If you know of someone or something at a local school, learning center or university that's worthy of a Class Acts profile, let the Miami Herald know. Send ideas to Neighbors editor Tere Figueras Negrete at: tfigueras@miamiherald.com or to One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132.

Important Dates

On October 14th students who registered will be taking the PSAT.

Colonial Newspaper Projects are due on the 14th (even periods) or 15th (odd periods).

On October 20-22 students will be retaking the FCAT. Make sure you are practicing using the FCAT Explorer program.

If you want to get a jump on obtaining a copy of the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin, which we will begin reading for the second nine weeks, go ahead and do so. The paperback should cost about $5. You can also obtain it from the public library or see if our school library has it and if not they can get it from another school. (You will receive points for having the book so make sure you have it by the beginning of the second nine weeks -- November 2nd!)

Trial Period is Over

Ladies and gentleman, your first 30 days is over. From next week on points will begin to suffer (drastically) for the following reasons:
1. Anything turned in written in pencil will not be accepted.
2. Anything turned in late -- points will be deducted. Assignments will not be accepted at all a week after they were due. If you know you are going to be absent make sure to get your assignment to me somehow (i.e. a friend, email, post on the blog).
3. Your full name (first and last) must be on all papers turned in. No initials! You also must include your period and the date.

I also want to make another point crystal clear -- CHEATING is UNACCEPTABLE!
As a result of my observations, from now on quizzes will be reviewed only after everyone has taken it. I can tell you how you did if I have time to grade them, but actual feedback will not be given.
The new set of SAT Words I-L procedures have been changed due to the fact that many of you had the exact same sentences and some of them were copied directly from the Internet. So from now on sentences will be written in class -- individually. This should also help those of you who seem to not have the time to finish the flashcards; it is now classwork. :)

Other than that, this week we accomplished the following:
The Final Drafts for the Literary Analysis of "The Minister's Black Veil" were completed.
The Summer Reading Projects were turned in.
Colonial Newspaper Project is due October 14 (even periods) and October 15 (odd periods).
We are beginning to review basic grammar skills because we need to make sure we are following the standards of English properly.

Those of you not checking the blog will not be aware of important information. You have been told to check it once a week, especially on the weekends. There will be no more warnings.

**Don't forget Picture Day is on Monday and Tuesday during English class.

Scholastic Writing Awards

Here is the website with detailed information regarding the Scholastic Writing Awards.
www.artandwriting.org/SubmissionGuidelines/ShowGuidelines?zipCode=33018&workType=W&x=19&y=11

If you are interested and want me to look at your writing feel free to come and show it to me.
Have fun!