Summer Reading

Use the following link to get the list of books and the explanation for the assignment:

http://hghsgladiators.net/docs/SummerReading2014.pdf

Essays must be uploaded to turnitin.com by September 5th.
Please refer to the posting regarding setting up an account with turnitin.com

My Hero Assignment for Period 1

Listen to the following song -- I Need a Hero by Bonnie Tyler




I hope Bonnie's song gives you some inspiration regarding heroes because now it is your turn to analyze what makes a hero.

We are discussing heroes in class.  From your class hero to Beowulf, the world has been fascinated by heroes since the beginning of human history.  Beowulf is defined as an EPIC hero, but the definition of a hero can be very different for each individual.  I want you to address the following ideas in this assignment:

1. Define, in your own words, what a hero is to you.
2. Pick someone and explain why they are a hero to you. (It can be someone from your personal life, a famous person, a character from a story, etc.)
3.  Answer whether the hero you picked meets any of the EPIC hero qualities.  Refer to the following characteristics:
*being of noble birth or high position, and often of great historical or legendary importance
*exhibiting character traits, or qualities, that reflect important ideals of society
*performing courageous, sometimes superhuman, deeds that reflect the values of the era
*performing actions that often determine the fate of a nation or group of people

The assignment must be typed.  Please refer to the post from August 20th on Paper Formatting.

Due date:  Tuesday, September 2nd
Worth: 10 points

Reading Plus

I will begin grading all my students for 2 sessions of Reading Plus starting the week of September 8th.
If you have not taken the placement test by that date then it is your responsibility to complete it on your own.
I am trying my best to get as many students tested in the classroom during class time, but that is to be helpful -- it is not my obligation.

This year you must sign onto Reading Plus through your student portal.  When you sign into your portal you will click on the link for "Apps" and then scroll down to find Reading Plus.

**To receive full credit for the assignment you must complete two passages with 80% or higher comprehension, complete two vocabulary activities and two eye balance activities.

No excuses!  The first Reading Plus grade will go into the gradebook on September 15th.

Formatting for Typed Papers

Here is the formatting that all Hialeah Gardens Senior students are being asked to use:

1. Times New Roman
2. Size 12 font
3. 1 inch margins
4. Do not use bold
5. Use italics only when writing the titles of articles
6. Do not use word art
7. Do not justify the margins
8. Do not use borders
9. Do not print on front and back
10. Only use white paper

Your heading will go in the top right-hand corner of the paper.
Include Name (first and last), Date, Period, and Title of assignment

Set up your Turnitin.com account

You will receive a completion grade for creating your Turnitin.com account.
Your account needs to be completed by Friday, August 29th.  No excuses.
Here are the steps to login:
1. Go to www.turnitin.com
2. In the upper-right hand corner click on Create Account or Log In if you already have an account
3. Type in your email address and the class password is manfra1
4. The class code is English IV 8378504

You must have a Turnitin account because by September 5th you will be submitting your summer reading assignment.
You will also be using the Turnitin site for your research paper during the second nine weeks.

Please come and see me if you have any issues or problems setting up your account.
You can also try the following link from their help center that has step-by-step instructions:
http://turnitin.com/en_us/support/help-center

Robin Williams clip

I shared with all of my classes the clip from Dead Poet Society where Robin Williams asks his students:
"What will your verse be?"




I would like to give whoever is interested an opportunity to share one of your favorite Robin Williams clips.

In order to make it fair, I need you to post a comment to this post with the link to the clip and an explanation to how it ties to English class or school in general.

I will select the best explanation and show that clip on Friday (for periods 1,3,5) and Monday (for periods 2,4,6).
Looking forward to some great clips and explanations.

Reminders

To my first period students:
Please remember to bring in your paperwork -- Emergency Contact, Phone number disclosure form, lunch application

All my classes:
Remember to bring your "What will your verse be?" assignment.  This will be your first grade in English IV so you want to start off on the right foot.

To my periods 2,3,5,6:
Remember to bring in your weekly SAT and ACT question.  It can be written on paper, printed out, or email it.
Example:
SAT Question of the Day
Question
Your answer
ACT Question of the Day
Question
Your answer

SAT/ACT Test Schedule

You can register for the SAT and ACT at the following websites:

SAT: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us-dates

ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html

Welcome class of 2015!

To all my seniors:
I hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer because we are starting the year off running.
There is a lot I want to cover this year to prepare you for the next stage of your life.
Many of you may still not even know what the next step in your life is so we have some work to do to make sure you figure it out.
SAT and ACT deadlines are right around the corner and college applications are fast approaching as well.
Preparation needs to begin NOW!

I am looking forward to having an amazing 2014-15 school year.