Monday, November 29, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Journal-Custom-build your dream car.
2. Library Research
a. go to Galileo
b. find the division that best fits your topic
c. or use #8-General
d. type in your topic-use Boolean operators(and/or/not) to help narrow down your topic.
e. browse through sources
f. print useful sources or cite the source for later use
3. Start composing your introduction with a thesis.

HW: Start composing the body paragraphs with sources cited.

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Journal: Have you ever been heartbroken? Inversely, have you ever been in love?
2. Active vs. Passive Voice p.87
3. Parallels p.92
4. Grammar Errors p.96
5. Shifting Pronouns p.114-115
6. Fragments p.162-164

NO HW

Monday, November 22, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Journal: You are immortal for a week, what would you do?
2. Media Center: look for reference and periodical sources.
3. Update your working bibliography.
4. Computer Lab: list sources in working bibliography.
5. Start drafting the introduction with a thesis (TITLE: RESEARCH INTRODUCTION AND THESIS).
6. Be sure to check spelling and follow guidelines in RULES FOR WRITERS.

HW:Take draft home and ask someone else to read it. Ask the reader if your point is clear.

Friday, November 19, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Journal: If you had to room with a classmate, from this period, in a college dorm, who would it be?
2. Voc. 14 Quiz
3. Voc. 15 Pneumonic Synonyms
4.Computer Lab-Finish this week's entries.

HW:Interview needs to be ready for complete transcription.

Vocabulary 14 Quiz

Vocabulary 14 Quiz
(Matching)
1. CONCILIATORY
2. CRITERION
3. CRYPTIC
4. INGRATIATE
5. INSIPID
6. LACKLUSTER
7. QUELL
8. QUIBBLE
9. QUIP
10. TIRADE
11. TREPIDATION
12. TURBULENT
13. URBANE
14. VOLATILE
15. VOLITION
16. cacophony
17. pompous
18. mschiang.blogspot.com
19. chronic
20. colloquial

a. act in a way to make oneself agreeable/ acceptable

b. bland and dull

c. harsh, jarring sound

d. minor criticism or objection

e. recurring often or lasting a long time

f. pretentious and full of oneself

g. explosive and unpredictable

h. will, power to choose

i. to calm down or put an end to

j. conversational

k. Ms. Chiang's blog address

l. having the effect of soothing anger, pacifying

m. marked by unrest or disturbance

n. lacking brightness or energy

o. long angry or vehement speech

p. smooth and well-mannered

q. mysterious, puzzling, having a hidden meaning

r. rule or standard on which judgments can be based

s. state of alarm or dread

t. clever witty remark

Thursday, November 18, 2004 (PROGRESS REPORT DAY)

TODAY'S AGENDA
1.RECEIVE OFFICIAL PROGRESS REPORTS AND C.M.'s Week 15 PICTIONARY
2. Journal: Create a list of journal topics for your class. Title: Possible Journal Topics (3rd period is finished).
3.Continue with your blog.
Things to do in the computer lab:
a. Continue transcribing the rest of the interview.
b. Document your working bibliography (Title: My Working Bibliography 11/18) as shown in Wednesday, November 17 agenda.
c. Research online, then cut/paste the important information that you would like to use for your research project. Be sure to cite the source(S) in your working bibliography.

HW: Study for vocabulary 1-14 quiz.
Finish Interview transcript by Monday Afternoon.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Check your blog for my comments.
2. Correct and rectify the issue that I mentioned in those comments.
3. New Post- Title: MY WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY
4. List the sources that you have used thus far, according to guidelines discussed in Diana Hacker's Rules for Writers.
EXAMPLE:
1.Bender, Larry. Trophies of an Ancient Culture. 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Harcourt Brace, 1995.
Ch 3—Roles of archaeologists
pp. 223-40—pros and cons as a career
2. Chiang, Vickie. "Wednesday, November 17, 2004" mschiang.blogspot.com

5. Continue transcribing and researching online.

HW:.Continue transcribing and researching online.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. No Journal
2. Transcribe the interview.
3. Include question and answers. (TITLE: INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTION 11/16)
4. Change Blogger settings with Ms. Chiang.
5. Use Word Processing's Spellcheck.
Example:
Ms. C: What will I have to do to get my song recorded in your studio?
Mr. Rogers:Book a time to come in and pay the deposit.
Ms. C: How much will the deposit be?
Mr. Rogers: $25 and $100 to burn your song onto a disc.

HW: Continue with interviews and research

Monday. November 15, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Turn in ALL make-up work.
2. Journal-Free Write
3. Research
4. Primary vs. Secondary Sources
5. Working Bibliography
6. Quoting
7. Forming Thesis
8. What the final product should look like
9. Pop Quiz on #3-8 (above)

HW: Continue with interviews and bring transcriptions in.

Friday, November 12, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

Journal: What if you were drafted by the US military?

1. Check Ms. Chiang's Blog
2. Write your Journal-Title: Write the topic and date(What if you were drafted by the US military ? 11/12).
3. Write the story that goes with Week 14 on the blog. (Title: Week 14 Story 11/12)
4. If time permits, continue with online research. Be sure to cut and paste slugs that are important. These will be your online note cards. Remember to include the exact URL in order to cite your work at the end.

HW:
1. Complete all missing assignments from #65-86 ONLY
All other assignments are not for make-up.
ALL WORK TO BE TURNED IN BY MONDAY 11/15-NO EXCUSES!
2. Start calling and interviewing. Be sure to transcribe the interview.

Thursday, November 11, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Get list of missing work (PRINTOUT WITH GRADE AVERAGE).
2. Discuss research project.
3. Blog Assignment:

TITLE: Research Reflection
a. Which topic(s) are you interested in?
b. Why?
c. How many people will I need to contact?
d. Who are they?

Example:
a. Which topic(s) are you interested in? I want to find out how much car insurance will be for a 94 Chevy Impala.
b. Why? This will be the car that will be bequeathed to me when I turn 16.
c. How many people will I need to contact? Probably 3
d. Who are they? Insurance agent, father, and my friend Jerome

4. Start internet research

HW:
Complete all missing assignments from #65-86 ONLY
All other assignments are not for make-up.
ALL WORK TO BE TURNED IN BY MONDAY 11/15-NO EXCUSES!

Ms. Chiang’s 9th Grade Advanced Composition “Sourcing” Research Project

This project will be the majority of your final-exam grade. It will be graded throughout the next 4 weeks.

*TOPICS*
1. How much is car insurance? The insurance quote is make, model, age and gender specific.
2. What can be expected after a car accident?
3. What do I need in order to rent an apartment?
4. What do I need in order to rent a car?
5. What is and how much is renter’s insurance (also known as homeowner’s insurance? Renter’s insurance is for the protection of items in the home or apartment.
6. How do I apply for a credit card?
7. What is credit?
8. How do I start my own company?
9. How do I start my own magazine.
10. How does my music get on the radio?
11. How do I obtain a visitor’s visa (pass) to another country.
12. What does a manager of a fast food restaurant (or other occupation) look for in an employee?
13. How much would I need to make in order to live the lifestyle I wish.
14. Without a college education, what jobs and salaries are available?
15. What do colleges look for in a high-school senior?
16. How do I apply to a university?
17. Where could I receive health care if I am an uninsured student?
18. How much does a funeral cost and what does it entail?
19. What is the average cost of raising a child to the age of 18?
20. What academic scholarships are available to me?
21. What do I need to do before I can become a (occupation) of your choice.
22. How do I get copyrighted for my work? Or, how do I obtain a patent for an invention?
23. How do I open a bank account (checking, savings, etc)?
24. What happens and what can I do when I get laid off?
25. What do I need to do to become a citizen of a specific country?
26. What does it take to become a politician (president)?
27. What needs to happen before I get a marriage license?
28. How do I get an internship?
29. How do I file a tax return?
30. How do I apply for financial aid?
31. If I am a victim of a crime(specific), how do I file a police report?

Requirements:
* Choose a topic that suits your schedule and network sources.
* Ms. Chiang must approve any topic not mentioned.
* Primary and secondary sources will be used.
* Interview an expert.
* All interviews will be transcribed.
* Reference book will be among a source used.
* Internet source will be among a source used.
* Periodical will be among a source used.
* Minimum of 4 different sources will be used.
* All notes and experiences will be transferred to blog under the title, ‘Sourcing Research Project”.
* All work will be properly cited, using Citation Machine.
* All documents (applications, brochures, etc.) will be turned in to Ms. Chiang or scanned into computer.
* Reflection Essay will be composed at the end.
* CHECK BLOG OFTEN (both Ms. Chiang’s and yours).

Tips:

* WHAT ARE PRIMARY SOURCES?
Primary sources enable the researcher to get as close as possible to what actually happened during an historical event or time period. A primary source reflects the individual viewpoint of a participant or observer.

You are allowed to use a broader definition of primary sources, which may include some of the types of materials listed below. If in doubt, ask Ms. Chiang or Ms. Newman.
• Diaries, journals, speeches, interviews, letters, memos, manuscripts and other papers in which individuals describe events in which they were participants or observers.
• Memoirs and autobiographies These may be less reliable than diaries or letters since they are usually written long after events occurred and may be distorted by bias, dimming memory or the revised perspective that may come with hindsight. On the other hand, they are sometimes the only source for certain information.
• Records of or information collected by government agencies. Many kinds of records (births, deaths, marriages; permits and licenses issued; census data; etc.) document conditions in the society.
• Records of organizations The minutes, reports, correspondence, etc. of an organization or agency serve as an ongoing record of the activity and thinking of that organization or agency.
• Published materials (books, magazine and journal articles, newspaper articles) written at the time about a particular event. While these are sometimes accounts by participants, in most cases journalists or other observers write them. The important thing is to distinguish between material written at the time of an event as a kind of report, and material written much later, as historical analysis.
• Photographs, audio recordings and moving pictures or video recordings, documenting what happened.
• Materials that document the attitudes and popular thought of a historical time period If you are attempting to find evidence documenting the mentality or psychology of a time, or of a group (evidence of a world view, a set of attitudes, or the popular understanding of an event or condition), the most obvious source is public opinion polls taken at the time. Since these are generally very limited in availability and in what they reveal, however, it is also possible to make use of ideas and images conveyed in the mass media, and even in literature, film, popular fiction, textbooks, etc. Again, the point is to use these sources, written or produced at the time, as evidence of how people were thinking.
• Research data such as anthropological field notes, the results of scientific experiments, and other scholarly activity of the time.
• Artifacts of all kinds: physical objects, buildings, furniture, tools, appliances and household items, clothing, toys.


*WHAT ARE SECONDARY SOURCES?
A secondary source is a work that interprets or analyzes an historical event or phenomenon. It is generally at least one step removed from the event. A recent article that evaluates and analyzes the relationship between the feminist movement and the labor movement in turn-of-the-century England is an example of a secondary source; if you were to look at the bibliography of this article you would see that the author's research was based on both primary sources such as labor union documents, speeches and personal letters as well as other secondary sources. Textbooks and encyclopedias are also examples of secondary sources.

*FIND THE RIGHT REFERENCE SOURCE.
A good first step in finding primary materials is to look at the resources in the library's reference collection. These sources will give you a good overview of the topic, will outline the basic historical context and will help you identify key participants, dates and publications associated with your topic.

Ask Ms. Newman or Ms. Chiang to suggest reference sources or textbooks, such as specialized encyclopedias, chronologies or factbooks that will give you an historical overview of a topic or event and identify the participants. If you have specific people in mind already, biographical dictionaries and encyclopedias will give you background information and bibliographies of primary and secondary sources.

Books and historical journal articles (especially those with extensive bibliographies) and other secondary sources can give you background information and clues as to the participants involved and source materials, which might be available.

Specialized bibliographies and guides to research often give both an introductory overview of how to go about researching a particular topic as well as list specific primary and secondary sources.

Examples of specialized encyclopedias, chronologies and handbooks:
• Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups
• Historical Dictionary of the French Revolution
• Encyclopedia of Asian History
• Encyclopedia of the Holocaust
Examples of biographical sources:
• Current Biography (1940-present)
• Dictionary of American Biography
Examples of bibliographies and guides to research:
• Guide to Sources in Medieval History
• A Guide to Sources of British Military History
• Modern China: 1840-1972: An Introduction to Sources and Research Aids

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

Journal: Describe the last two days, while the teacher was away.
1. Voc. 13 Quiz
2. Journal
3. Update Profile on personal blog.
4. Publish today's journal on your blog.
HW: Finish Voc. Packet (from Monday and Tuesday)

Week 13,14, and 15 Vocabulary

Week 13
1. COLLOQUIAL
2. COMMISERATE
3. COMPATIBLE
4. COMPATIBLE
5. INCIPIENT
6. INCONTROVERTIBLE
7. INCORRIGIBLE
8. PROLIFIC
9. PUGNACIOUS
10. QUERULOUS
11. TEDIOUS
12. TENTATIVE
13. THWART
14. VILIFY
15. VIRTUOSO

WEEK 14
1. CONCILIATORY
2. CRITERION
3. CRYPTIC
4. INGRATIATE
5. INSIPID
6. LACKLUSTER
7. QUELL
8. QUIBBLE
9. QUIP
10. TIRADE
11. TREPIDATION
12. TURBULENT
13. URBANE
14. VOLATILE
15. VOLITION

Week 15
1. CURSORY
2. DEARTH
3. DEBILITATE
4. LANGUID
5. RAZE
6. UNASSAILABLE
7. WANTON
8. LASSITUDE
9. REBUFF
10. UNGAINLY
11. WRATH
12. LAVISH
13. RECLUSE
14. VORACIOUS
15. VOLUMINOUS

Monday/Tuesday, November 8/9, 2004

Vocabulary Review
Weeks 12-15
HW:None

Friday, November 5, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Printout of missing tasks and current grade given.
2. Clarify assignment and expectations for Monday and Tuesday.
3. Computer Lab
a. work on blog
b. computer preferences
HW: Study for Voc. Quiz 1-13

Announcement Regarding Monday and Tueday 11-8/9

Ms. Chiang will be away during Monday and Tuesday for a professional conference.
All work will be given during class and then taken up on the same day. There will be no homework for these two days. The assignment will be vocabulary review from Weeks 12, 13 and 14. There will be new vocabulary to define for week 15. Students are expected to be on their best behavior for the substitute teacher. If the student receives poor marks for behavior from the substitute, Ms. Chiang will refer the student to the administrator on Wednesday.

Thursday, November 4, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Journal: Nader, Bush or Kerry?
2. Computer Lab
a. check teacher comments
b. revise journals
c. change comment preferences

HW: Study for Week 13 Voc. Quiz
A LIST OF MISSING ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS AVERAGE WILL BE SENT TOMORROW (FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2004).

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
Journal: What would you do if you were president?

1. Journal
2. Publish a journal from the past 7 days.
3.Publish this onto your blog in the computer lab.

HW:Finish what you don't at home or before/after school.

Tuesday, November 2, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Create your own blog using a pseuonym on www.blogger.com.
2. Publish your first journal on the blog.

NO HW
*******

Monday, November 1, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
Journal: Free Write
1. Journal (12min.)
2. Finish Diagramming Lessons 19-22.
3.Week 13 Voc. create sentences and story.

No HW

Friday, October 29, 2004

TODAY'S JOURNAL
Journal: If you could change one law, which would it be? Why? How?

1. Grade printout with current average in class given.
2. Journal (12min.)
3.Voc. Week 12 Quiz
4. Finish Diagramming Lessons 19-22.
5. Define Week 13 Voc. and create sentences.

HW: Bring signed grade printout back to Ms. Chiang

Thursday, October 28, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

Journal: 1st and 2nd- Dante' Inferno
3rd- FreeWrite

1. Journal (11min.)
2. Diagram Lesson 19/20/21
3. New writing worshop on Week 12 story- Edit
4. Compare two versions of pictionary

HW:
1.Study for tomorrow's Voc. Week 12 Quiz
2.Finish Diagram Lesson 22

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

Journal: Free Write for 1st and 2nd
Dante's Inferno- 3rd
1. Journal (11 min.)
2. Edit (workshop) one piece of student work from packet.
3. Sentence Diagramming Lessons 17/18

HW:
1.Finish Lesson 17 and 18 ( should have been completed by the end of class)
2.Diagram: Before Parent's Night, we practiced our experiments.
Mrs. Sanchez wrote precise instructions on the chalkboard.
3.Visit Ms. Chiang's blog and post a comment ( by Friday, October 29). Be sure to include your full name and a factual comment regarding the blog.

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

JOURNAL: Imagine that you're a blade of grass. Describe what it would feel like after a fresh cut.

1. Journal (11 min.)
2. Polish journal from one in the last week.
3. Make-Up work

HW: Finish make-up work

GRADE PRINTOUTS

Parents,

Grade printouts were given out Friday 10/22, Monday 10/25 and Tuesday 10/26. All students were given the same opportunity to complete any missed work. All work is due this Friday, 10/29. Student grades have changed since the midterm exams. Please email me with any questions.

Monday, October 25, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

JOURNAL: Do you believe in excuses?
1.Journal (11 Min.)
2.Finish Vocabulary Week 12 Exercises
3.Finish Story writing using all voc. words.

HW: Diagram the following sentences:

1.Jezebel ran to me and rolled on the grass.
2.Shasa ate and drank from her bowl.

Vocabulary Week 12

1.CELESTIAL-of or related to the sky or universe; heavenly
2.CHRONIC-lasting for a long time or recurring often
3.CLAIRVOYANCE-the power to see things not present to the senses
4.IMPARTIAL-favoring no side or party more than another
5.IMPLAUSIBLE-not believable or acceptable
6.INADVERTENT-accidental, unintentional; not on purpose
7.PONDEROUS-very heavy; massive; unwieldy because of weight
8.PRETENTIOUS-making an exaggerated show of dignity or self importance; arrogant
9.PRODIGIOUS-wonderful; amazing
10.PROFUSION-great in quantity
11.SYCOPHANT-someone who attempts to win favor through flattery of a superior
12.TAWDRY-cheap and gaudy; showy; sleazy
13.VANGUARD-the front or leading position in an army or movement
14.VICARIOUS-imagined participatio in another's experience
15.VICISSITUDE-a sudden or unexpected change in one's life

Friday, October 22, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

Journal: What is your vision of a perfect world? (11min.)

1. Vocabulary Quiz Week 11
2. Journal
3. Define Week 12 and create sentences.

HW: Create a composition, real or imagined, using all of the new vocabulary words.

Thursday, October 21, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Journal: When _____ say(s) ______, I ______. (11 min.)
2. Continue with editing lessons in packet of student work.
3. Diagramming appositives and appositive phrases
4. Diagramming prepositional phrases
HW: 1. Digram the following sentences:
a. Charley Parkhuerst was really Charlotte Parkhurst, an orphan.
b. Fifteen-year-old Charlotte, a tall, strong, girl, left an unfriendly orphanage.

2.Study for Week 11 Vocabulary quiz

3.Finish Sentence Diagramming packet.

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Journal: Free Write (11 min.)
2. Editing on the Overhead
3. List of Proofreading Symbols
4. Apply Symbols
5. Peer Editing

HW; Diagram the following sentences:

1. Rangers led hikes and gave hikers advice.
2. Campers collected and buried leftovers.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Journal: Who is your favorite and least favorite teacher? Explain. (11 min.)
2. Finish Voc. 11 activities.
3. Learning to Edit
a. Writing Conventions
b. Grammar and Usage
c. Mechanics

HW: Complete the revision from class, if incomplete.

Week 11 Vocabulary Words

1.CAPITULATE-to surrender
2.CATALYST-a substance that alters the rate of a physical orchemical reaction takes place, usually by makingit go faster
3. CAUSTIC-able to burn, eat away, or destroy by chemical action; sarcastic or cutting in speech; corrosive
4. HIERARCHY-a group of persons arranged in order of rank
5. HOMOGENOUS-having or consisting of the same parts; similar
6. HYPOCRITICAL-insincere, fals; pretense of being better than one is
7. ICONOCLAST-a person who attacks and seeks to overthrow poular ideas
8. PIETY-a pious act or thought; devotion to religious duties and practices
9. PLACID-calm; peaceful
10. POMPOUS-acting with an air of great dignity; full of high sounding words or phrases; pretentious; self-important
11. SUMPTUOUS-of a size or splendor suggesting great expense
12. SURMISE-to reach a conclusion on slight evidence; to guess, presume
13. SURREPTITIOUS-acting in a secret way; stealthy
14. SUSCEPTIBLE-easily influenced or affected by; disposed to
15. VALIDATE-to confirm or support; to verify; to make official

Monday, October 18, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Journal: What's your favorite photo of yourself? Explain. (10 min.)
2. Polish a journal.
3. Define Vocabulary Week 11
4. Create sentences and pictionary.
No Homework

Friday, October 15, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Midterm
2. Polish a journal
HW: Finish Polishing

Thursday, October 14, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Journal: Are you Superstitious? (10 Min.)
2. Voc. Quiz Week 10- take home for 3rd
3. Midterm Review
HW: Study for Midterm

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Journal: Describe your hair. (10 min.)
2. Media Center Orientation- Citing Sources (45 min.)
3. Missing Tasks- Complete missed work.
4. Review for Midterm
HW: Study for week 10 words-quiz tomorrow 10-14
Organize your notebook for exam.
Complete any missed work on missing tasks sheet.

(First Semester Syllabus) Advanced Composition

ADVANCED COMPOSITION--NINTH GRADE ENGLISH
Vickie Chiang ROOM V202 404-370-4420 (Voice mailbox #216)
E-mail address: vickie_chiang@decatur-city.k12.ga.us

Department Mission Statement: Students will develop proficiency in reading, writing, and analytical skills.

DECATUR CITY SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT
City Schools of Decatur, in partnership with home and community, is a model of innovative excellence. The small schools support and empower students with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to meet the challenge of the future as responsible and productive members of society.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is your first course in literature and composition at the high school level, and it is required for graduation. This course integrates writing, grammar, and usage, speaking and listening; covers the writing process, emphasizes clear and effective written communication, sentence structure, vocabulary, and paragraph structure. Readings focus on summer reading (The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros) and nonfiction from a variety of disciplines as a way of leading to writing.

SUPPLIES
1- 1 inch three-ring binder
1- pack of dividers
1- pack of lined index cards 3x5
2- marble composition books ( usually in black and white, but any color is acceptable.
packs of notebook paper
dark blue or black ink pens
pencils

TEXTS
Experiencing Literature EMC Paradigm
Rules for Writers, Bedford/St. Martin

GRADING VALUES
The focus of this course is on writing; notice that 50% of the grade is writing.
15% Quizzes, Class Exercises, Homework
15% Participation
20% Tests, Formal Evaluations
30% Compositions, Writing Assignments
20% Final Assessment (15% is the State’s End of Course Test [EOCT]; 5% is Teacher-Given Assessment)
The EOCT is the final exam for an EOCT course. The student’s final grade will be calculated using the course grade as 85% and the EOCT score as 15% of the final grade. The student must have a final grade of 70 or above to pass the course and to earn credit toward graduation. (Source: EOCT Brochure on the website gadoe.org)

Decatur High School’s Grading Scale:
90-100 A 80-89 B 75-79 C 70-74 D 0-69 F

Grade Reports and Parental Notification

Parents, please mark your calendars and ask your students for these reports. I rely heavily upon the progress reports as a means of communicating with parents. To the progress reports, I attach a note that reveals the number of times the student has been absent and additional comments if needed.

September 21 DHS Open House, 6:00 p.m.
September 8 *Progress report sent home with students
October 15 Midterm report mailed from the school
November 18 *Progress report sent home with students
December 16 Exams 1st and 3rd Block
December 17 Exams 2nd and 4th Block
January 13 Report cards mailed home

*Students should have these reports signed by a parent or guardian and returned to me within two school days. Parents, you are welcomed and encouraged to check on your child’s progress. Please contact me for a parent conference by calling the number or emailing the address on the front of this form.

ENGLISH DEPT. POLICIES FOR MAKE-UP WORK AND LATE PAPERS:
Students with ten or more unexcused absences are not eligible to take the final. Regular attendance is mandatory in order to be a successful student. However, if you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to see your teacher before or after school regarding make-up work. If classroom work is not made up within one to five days (time varies with the individual teacher) after an excused absence, your grade will become a zero for that assignment. Make up work includes, but is not limited to, tests, quizzes, homework, class work, and recitations.
NOTE: If you make an appointment to make up work and don't show up, you miss your chance to make up the assignment and you will receive a zero for the assignment. Out-of-class papers/essays/projects are due by the date determined by your teacher. AN ASSIGNMENT IS DECREASED BY TEN (10) POINTS EVERY DAY IT IS LATE. An assignment is not accepted after the third day; a grade of zero (0) is recorded. Any in-class or out-of-class assignments missed due to unexcused absences cannot be made up and will result in a grade of zero (0).
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT POLICY ON PLAGIARISM/CHEATING
Plagiarism is the presentation of the words, ideas, or opinions of someone else as your own. You are guilty of plagiarism if you submit as your own the words, ideas, or arrangement of material found in sources such as books, magazines, or pamphlets (including book jackets, Cliff’s Notes and similar publications), without crediting the source. The ideas and opinions of someone else, even though expressed in your own words, must be acknowledged in the text or in a footnote.
Unfortunately the practice of obtaining essays from the internet is increasing. Colleges and universities take plagiarism seriously. In order to protect the validity of the degree, colleges are taking serious measures to punish those students who “buy” papers. Two common penalties are suspension or expulsion. A guilty student may be suspended for a certain amount of time (a year or a semester). If a student is expelled, he/she may never again return to that institution or to any accredited college or university in the nation.
You are guilty of plagiarism/cheating if you copy the work of a fellow student, a friend or a relative who is no longer in school, or use an essay or any part of another source and submit it as your own. A student who allows such copying is also guilty of cheating. Cheating is outlined in the student handbook, but also includes the use of unauthorized resources on assessment instruments. Penalties in this class for plagiarism/cheating include:
(1) An F grade (0) for the work involved;
(2) An automatic and irrevocable U in conduct;
(3) A written referral that will become part of your permanent record.

TUTORING TIMES: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons or by appointment.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Students will . . .
1. Follow rules carefully as outlined in student handbook.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
3. Treat classmates, teacher, room, and supplies respectfully at all times.
4. Be seated and ready to work when the bell rings.
5. Bring necessary materials.
6. Enter the classroom with a positive attitude and enthusiasm to learn.

Nondiscrimination Notice:
City Schools of Decatur shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, or gender identity in its programs and activities.

MIDTERM REVIEW

Scheduled for Friday, October 15, 2004
PART I.

4 Types of Essays (minimum of 5 paragraphs for all 4 types of essays)
A. Expository-requires the writer to give information, explain the topic or define something
B. Descriptive-requires vivid detail and description
C. Persuasive-convince the reader that your point is valid
D. Narrative-a story

GENERAL DIRECTIONS
1. Choose an object, such as a pencil.
2. Write each type of essay on the subject, the pencil.
For an expository essay, explain and define the uses of the pencil.
3. Describe the pencil in full detail. Use at least 20 vivid adjectives.
4. Persuade the reader that the pencil is perhaps the greatest invention in history.
5. Give life to the pencil by creating a story where the pencil is the main character.

PART II.

A. Sentence Diagramming

Sentences will be from the packet including lessons 10-16


PART III.

A. Weekly Vocabulary

The words on the exam will be drawn from only weeks 8, 9, and 10.

Week 10 Vocabulary Words

1. CACOPHONY
2. CALLOUS
3. CARP
4. GRUFF
5. GULLIBLE
6. HAPHAZARD
7. HERETIC
8. PERFIDY
9. PERIPHERAL
10. PHILISTINE
11. SUCCINCT
12. SULLEN
13. TACIT
14. TACTLESS
15. UNFATHOMABLE

Friday, October 8, 2004

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Journal: Freewrite (10min.)
2. Return signed grade printouts given on 10/6.
3. Take Vocabulary Quiz- Weeks 1-9
4. Finish Defining Vocabulary for Week 10
5. Midterm Review

Homework: Study for your Midterm Exam (Friday 10/15)