Mrs. Speach's English 1 Honors & Advanced Communications Web Portal

 

"While You Were Out"

Picture
Here you will find a listing of the work we do in class, both English I Honors and Advanced Commuications.

If you are absent, be sure to check here to see what assignments you will need to complete. If there are documents that are associated with the work, I will post them here on the site so you may download them to complete. If they are documents that I don't have in a digital format than I will make note that you need to get it from me the next time you are in class.

Monday, Aug. 26

  1. Get your English I Honors & Advanced Communications syllabi signed and bring back to class
  2. Purchase all necessary class supplies (see syllabus for list and directions)

Advance Communications: Book Report #1

Your first independent reading book report for Advanced Communications is due on Friday, Oct. 8. (That is 2 weeks before the end of the grading period.) You will not be allowed to turn this project in late!!!!! This is a long-term assignment, so there will be no extensions!! Please ask Mrs. Patterson or email me if you have any questions concerning this book report.

If you need another copy of the book report instructions or the journal entry forms, you can find them under the "Book Reports" tab above for downloading.

You will be assigned your second book report for the next quarter shortly after we begin the next 9 weeks, so start thinking about what novel you will want to read independently.

Monday, Oct. 4


English I Honors
1. Work on finishing reading your team independent reading novel from SpringBoard and working on your books ad campaign. 
2. We went over the different types of advertising campaigns on page 71 in your SpringBoard book to help your ad campaign.
YOUR NOVEL AD CAMPAIGN IS DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD WEDNESDAY (Remember!!! It is an early release day!!!)

Advanced Communications
1. Worked on a couple hands-on organization activities, discussing different methods for determining organization.
2. Began prepping for your survival step-by-step guide writing piece based on the novel, Hatchet.
Below is the student directions handout that explains the preparations we performed and details how to write your guide. You must get the novel mentor text excerpt from me in class.
hatchet_student_directions.docx
File Size: 13 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Tuesday, Oct. 5

English I Honors
1. Work on finishing reading your team independent reading novel from SpringBoard and working on your books ad campaign. 
2. We went over the different types of advertising campaigns on page 71 in your SpringBoard book to help your ad campaign.
YOUR NOVEL AD CAMPAIGN IS DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD TOMORROW (Remember!!! It is an early release day!!!)

Advanced Communications
1. Draft your Hatchet-style step-by-step survival guide. 
Typed final copy is due Wednesday at the BEGINNING of class!!! 
If you don't have a computer or are out of ink, paper or your printer doesn't work, you better be sure to come class or the media center before school to print it out!!!!!

Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 6-7

English I Honors
Wednesday: We finished your SpringBoard Independent Novel ad campaign which was due with your reading log at the end of the period.
Thursday: We begain preparations for our inquiry journey thorugh our short story unit. You were partnered up with a classmate who will be your partner for the unit. You and your partner began working with Inspiration to create a concept map answering the "big question:" What makes a story good?

Advanced Communications
Wednesday: Soap Box issues. To get your mind thinking about possible research paper topics, you brainstormed on a 4x6 index card possible issues or ideas you could write about for your research paper.
Thursday: 1. Research the elements, examples and images about tall-tales.
2. Read chapter 20 from Maniac Magee (get the handout from me). After your read the chapter, highlight in one color all the examples that show the 4 elements of a tall-tale (which you should have found from your research) and take marginal notes. Then, in another highlighter color, find all the similes and metaphors that are present and take  notes how they impact the text.
3. Begin reading student samples of tall-tales

Friday, Oct. 8

English I Honors
1. Finish working with your partner to create your initial "good story" concept map in Inspiration.

Advanced Communications
1. Brainstorm ideas (on the planning sheet) on your original tall-tale
2. Draft and type your tall tale.

Monday, Oct. 11

English I Honors
1. "What's a story?" Power Point
**The Power Point file is below**

Advanced Communications
1. Introduced the I-Search Paper.
2. Went to the computer lab to look for a topic and available resources on the Internet.
**The I-Search Paper document is below for download if you lose yours.**
what_makes_a_story.pptx
File Size: 1606 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File

freshman_i-search_essay_research_paper.doc
File Size: 161 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

Tuesday, Oct. 12

English I Honors
1. finished "What makes a Story?" Power Point
2. Read "No Easy Answers: Bliss at the Burger Bar" short story
(You have to get a copy of the sthort story from me in class.)
3. After reading, answer the "Big Question: What makes a story good?" in relation to "Bliss at the Burger Bar" and identify the 4 elements of story invention

Advanced Communications
1. Continued looking for topic resources in the media center.
2. I collected everyone's word document of website links for possible research material.

Wednesday, Oct. 13

English I Honors
1. Took notes from "Dramatic/Plot Structure & Conflict" Power Points
**Both Power Point files are below**

Advanced Communications
1. Showed you how to create digital note cards in an Excel file.
2. Began reading through your website resources pulling infomration to put in your Excel Note Cards
**The sample Excel Note Cards file is below for download**
plot-dramatic_structure.pptx
File Size: 642 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File

types_of_conflict.ppt
File Size: 197 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File

excelnotecards.xlsx
File Size: 10 kb
File Type: xlsx
Download File

Thursday, Oct. 14

English I Honors
1. Disscussed the question: "How do people reveal their "essential character"?
2. View several Mac/PC ads and listed the 3-5 most important characteristics that make the characters who they are. Groups shared out and explained their reasoning for their choices.
3. I passed a photographic portrait to each group. Each group then listed the single most striking characteristic. Groups shared out and explained their reasoning for their choice.
4. Began working on the "Character Inference" handouts. You need to get those from me in class.

Advanced Communications
1. Continued working on your I-Search Paper: looking for topics and building your Works Cited page.
2. The media center specialist gave a presentation how to access and navigate through two the online databases to access more sources for your paper.

Friday, Oct. 15

English I Honors
1. We finished the "Character Inference" handouts.

Advanced Communications
1. I went over how to set up and fill in your Excel Note Cards for your I-Search Paper.
The sample is available down below, but you need to meet with me so I can explain how to set up the template and what information goes in each column.

Monday, Oct. 18

English I Honors
1. Passed out "The Most Dangerous Game" study guide.
2. Began working on the "Pre-reading assignments" described on the study guide
        a. Author study (done in your Literature Learning Log)
        b. Started your Vocabulary flip-book (talk to me about how to set it up and fill it in)
The study guide is available for download below.
REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT THE "SHORT STORIES" SECTION ON THE WEBSITE, YOU CAN FIND LINKS FOR THE TEXT OF THE SHORT STORY AND OTHER INFORMATION!!!!

Advanced Communications
1. Continue working on collecting sources
2. Add sources to your working Works Cited page
3. Begin highlighing material from your sources you plan to use in your paper possibly.
4. Start filling out your Excel Note Card file
the_most_dangerous_game_study_guide.docx
File Size: 35 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Tuesday, Oct. 19

English I Honors
1. Completed the "Most Dangerous Game" Vocabulary Flip-Book (directions are in the box on the study guide available for download above)
2. Finished the "Meet Richard Connell" author study (also on the study guide)

Advanced Communications
1. Continue working on collecting sources
2. Add sources to your working Works Cited page
3. Highlight material from your sources you plan to use in your paper possibly.
4. Fill out your Excel Note Card file
***I will collect a working Excel Note Card file at the end of class on Thursday. You must have at least 10 entries!!!***

Wednesday, Oct. 20

English I Honors
1. Created a "Cornell Notes" template in your Literature Learning Log (a download of the template is available below)
2. Went over what elements to look for to fill out the Cornell Notes as we read "Most Dangerous Game"
3. Began reading (as a class) the "Most Dangerous Game" filling out the Cornell Notes as we read.
***A link for the text of "Most Dangers Game" is under the "Short Stories" tab above.

Advanced Communications
1. Continue working on collecting sources
2. Add sources to your working Works Cited page
3. Highlight material from your sources you plan to use in your paper possibly.
4. Fill out your Excel Note Card file
***I will collect a working Excel Note Card file at the end of class on Thursday. You must have at least 10 entries!!!***

Thursday, Oct. 21

English I Honors
1. Started reading "Most Dangerous Game"
2. Worked on Cornell Notes as we read looking for: plot elements, simile, metaphor, personification.

Advanced Communications
1. Worked on Excel Note Cards
Collected at the end of the period

Friday, Oct. 22

English I Honors
1. Finished reading "Most Dangerous Game" and completed Cornell Notes
2. Began working on "MDG" study guide.
File is available for download below.

Advanced Communications
1. Introduced Quarter 2 Book Report.
File is available for download below.
2. Worked on developing a research question and working thesis statement.
3. Went over outline format.
the_most_dangerous_game_study_guide.docx
File Size: 35 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

digital_book_trailer.docx
File Size: 14 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Tuesday, Oct. 26

English I Honors
1. Reading check-in
In your literature learning log, answer the following question in a freewrite: "What advice would you give the main character (Rainsford)?"
2. Finish "MDG" study guide
3. Create a "MDG" plot structure. Use your notes you took on Dramatic/Plot Structure to complete the assignment.

Advanced Communications
1. Work on paper outline.

Wednesday, Oct. 27

English I Honors
1. Finish "MDG" Plot Structure

Advanced Communications
1. Work on I-Search Paper outline

Thursday, Oct. 28

English I Honors
1. Complete "Character Arc/Development" with your partner.
Get the handout from me in class.

Advanced Communications
1. Finish I-Search Paper Outline

Friday, Oct. 29 & Monday, Nov. 1

English I Honors
1. Work on "MDG" Conflict Brochure.
The directions handout and teacher model are available below for download.

Advanced Communications
1. Introduce MLA format
Power Point print out and notes need to be acquired from me in class.
2. Begin drafting I-Search Paper rough draft.
conflict_brochure.docx
File Size: 24 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

conflict_brochure_-_teacher_model2.pub
File Size: 1126 kb
File Type: pub
Download File

Tuesday, Nov. 2 & Wednesday, Nov. 3

English I Honors
1. "MDG" Ship-Trap Island Map/Setting Sensory Deatils
Directions handout below for download
2. Video Notes: Begin watching "MDG"
Video Notes handout below for download

Advanced Communications
1. Continue drafting your I-Search Paper
mdg_map_assignment.docx
File Size: 20 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

take_notes_from_videos.docx
File Size: 128 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Thursday, Nov. 4

English I Honors
1. Finish watching "MDG" and complete Video Notes handout
2. Revise Concept map

Advanced Communications
1. Continue drafting I-Search Paper

Friday, Nov. 5

English I Honors
1. Read "No Easy Answers" short story
2. Student Dialogue Journal
Handout available under the "Short Stories" tab, scroll down to the "Reading Strategies"
2. Answer in Literature Learning Log: "What makes a good story?

Advanced Communications
1. Finish rough draft of I-Search Paper

Monday, Nov. 8

English I Honors
1. Finished reading "Trashback"
2. Free write in Literature Learning Log
"What makes this a good story?"
3. Dialogue Journals

Advanced Communications
1. Passed back I-Search Rough Draft
2. Began revising suggestions

Tuesday, Nov. 9

English I Honors
media center
1. Revise "Good Story" concept map
2. Begin "Hatfield and McCoy" PPT investigation

Advanced Communications
1. Continue revision process of I-Search Paper draft

Wednesday, Nov. 10

Pep Rally schedule

English I Honors
1. Finish "Hatfield and McCoy" PPT investigation
2. Go over Notes and Quotes reading strategy
3. Begin reading "The Interlopers"

Advanced Communciations
1. Revise I-Search paper draft
the_hatfields_and_mccoys.ppt
File Size: 516 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File

Monday, Nov. 15

English I Honors
1. Finish Notes and Quotes
2. Quotations Clarified handout
Handout is available for download below
3. Passed out "Gift of the Magi" study guide
Handout below for download
4. Began Vocabulary flip-book & author summary

Advanced Communications
1. Revise I-Search Paper
    a. Revising and Proofreading handout
FINAL DRAFT DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD FRIDAY!!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!
quotations_clarified.docx
File Size: 17 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

gift_of_the_magi_study_guide.doc
File Size: 167 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

revising.doc
File Size: 120 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

Tuesday, Nov. 16

English I Honors
1. Finish vocabulary flip-book and author summary for "Gift of the Magi"
2. Allusions

Advanced Communications
1. Revise I-Search Paper
    a. Revising and Proofreading handout
FINAL DRAFT DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD FRIDAY!!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!

Wednesday, Nov. 17

English I Honors
1. Turned in vocabulary flip-book
2. Create "Cornell Notes" in your Literature Learning Log.
3. Begin reading "The Gift of the Magi" (pg. 259 in the textbook)
As you read complete your Cornell Notes (refer to what we did with "Most Dangerous Game"). Pay special attention to analyzing: 5 plot elements, similes/metaphors, irony and symbols.
4. Begin working on your "Gift of the Magi" study guide
(You shoul have that as you needed it to complete your vocabulary flip-book)
But the file is available for download below.

Advanced Communications
WE WILL NOT BE IN THE MEDIA CENTER TOMORRO!!!!
1. Be sure to include your final Works Cited page on your I-Search Paper
2. Turn your research question into a statement (thesis statement)
3. Use the "Sentence Types" cheat sheet (You will have to get it from me) to add/revise so you have 2 Complex Sentences and 2 Compound-Complex Sentences in your paper.
Be sure to use the highlighting option in Mircrosoft Word to highlight those sentences. They will remain highlighted even when you turn in your final copy Friday.
gift_of_the_magi_study_guide.doc
File Size: 167 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

Sorry for the missing days...I think we all got busy with the impending Thanksgiving Break...I think I got everyone's assignments who were out that week, but talk to me in class if not!

Monday, Nov. 29

Picture
English I Honors
1. Work on "What Makes a Good Story?" presentation
PRESENTATIONS ARE DUE THURSDAY

Advanced Communications
1. Work on I-Search mulit-media presentation

Cooper can't wait to see your presentations!
ONLY 3 WEEKS UNTIL WINTER BREAK!!!

Tuesday, Nov. 30

English I Honors
1. "The Necklace" Tea Party
2. Begin reading "The Necklace"
complete "Notes and Quotes" as you read.

Advanced Communications
1. Work on I-Search multi-media presentation

Wednesday, Dec. 1

English I Honors
1. Finish reading "The Necklace"
"Notes and Quotes"

Advanced Communications
1. Last day to finish I-Search multi-media presentation

Thursday, Dec. 2 & Friday, Dec. 3

English & Advanced Communications
1. "What Makes a Good Story?" and I-Search multi-media presentations

Monday, Dec. 6

English I Honors
1. Watch Edgar Allan Poe video
(need to get video from Mrs. Speach)
2. Filled out Video Notes
(get handout from Mrs. Speach)
3. Copy "Elements of Fiction" Power Point notes
file availabe for download below

Advanced Communications
1. I-Search Mulitmedia presentation
2. Bring your old composition book or get a new one for class tomorrow.
elements_of_fiction.ppt
File Size: 327 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File

Tuesday, Dec. 7

English I Honors
1. Finished Elements of Fiction Power Point notes
2. began reading "Cask of Amontillado"
(need to get the story copy and get the notes from a classmate to understand the reading)

Advanced Communications
1. Began (Digital) Writer's Workshop
2. Writing Territories

Wednesday, Dec. 8

English I Honors
1. Finished reading "Cask of Amontillado"
2. Silent graffiti

Advanced Communictions
1. Poem mini-lesson
2. "What is writing?" mini-lesson
3. finished drafting "Writing Territories"

Thursday, Dec. 9

English I Honors
1. "Cask of Amontillado" Lego PPT.
2. Complete an Elements of Fiction hand for "Cask of Amontillado"

Advanced Communications
media center
1. set up blog for digital portion of Writer's Workshop
2. set up RSS feed and begin subscribing.
get cheat sheet from Mrs. Speach

Friday, Dec. 10

English I Honors
1. NY Times Poe article
2. Read "The Raven"

Advanced Communications
1. Work on blog/RSS feeds
3 Blog Posts:
1. "My Writing Territories"
Try to remember as many of your writing territories and list them on your blog post. Remember they need to be longer than one word, you need to have a sentence and enough for me to understand why they are important to you or would offer writing ideas.
2. "What I think of the (Digital) Writing Workshop"
In a paragraph write about what you think of embarking on this experience. Are you excited? What do you hope to get out of this? Will it  help you with your writing? How?
3. "What is Writing to Me?"
In a paragraph, write about what the writing means to you? Is is a burden, a passion? Is it something school has sucked the creativity out of for you?

Monday, Dec. 13

English I Honors
1. Watched "The Tell-Tale Heart" (you will have to watch it during your free time during lunch because the only copy of the video is in the classroom)
2. Completed video questions

Advanced Communcications
1. "Following Footsteps" poem
2. Heart Mapping mini-lesson (speak to Mrs. Speach about what it entails)
3. Complete your own Heart Map in your Writer's Handbook

Tuesday, Dec. 14

English I Honors
1. How did Poe really die?
Handout directions available for download below.

Advanced Communications
1. Finish your three blog posts explained above.
2. Set up your www.google.com/reader account and subscribe to your classmates blogs.
(You will need to see Mrs. Speach for comprehensive directions how to complete this)
3. Leave a comment on two of your classmates blog posts. Your comments must be 3-4 sentences long.
how_did_poe_really_die.docx
File Size: 11 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Wednesday, Dec. 15

English I Honors
1. Read "The Black Cat" (story available for download below)
As you read, highlight any quotes or lines that help you answer any three of our "Big" Questions:
a. Was Poe really insane?
b. What role/influence did Poe's life play in his writing?
c. Why was Poe seemingly obsessed with disease, the insane, disaster, and destruction of the human soul in his writings?

Advanced Communications
1. Finish subscribing to your classmates blogs and leave your two comments.
2. Draft and post three poems on three different items from your Heart Map.
3. Respond to one classmates poem by leaving a comment.

Thursday, Dec. 16

English I Honors
1. Edgar Allan Poe Inquiry Unit Assessment
Handout is available for download below. Be sure to use all your available Poe materials to complete the essay.

Advanced Communications
1. "SIMS: The Game"
2. "Brief History of the English Language" mini-lesson
3. Writing Workshop: Begin working on a writing piece of your choice, of any genre (short story, narrative, essay, etc.) and on any topic of your choosing. It can be from your writing terrtitories or your heart map, or not.
poe_inquiry_assessment.docx
File Size: 13 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Friday, Dec. 17

English I Honors
1. FAIR testing

Advanced Communictions
1. Holiday fun

Monday, Jan. 4

English I Honors
Periods 1 and 3:
FAIR testing
Period 5:
Shakespeare bio video
 Shaiespeare's Dentist

You need to access the video and Dentist handout on ANGEL

Advanced Communications
1. Independent Book Trailer presentations

Wednesday, Jan. 6

English I Honors
1. Globe Virtual tour
Upload the word document and access the link on it. Be sure to read all the information on the "Full Sound Version" and move your mouse on any people or places within the Globe to see if they change color. If they do, click on them and you will get more infomration.
Type your answers in the document and print it out and turn it in.

Advanced Communciations
1. FInished book trailers
the_globe_theater__a_virtual_tour.doc
File Size: 31 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

Thursday, Jan. 7

English I Honors
1. Sonnet analysis
(You will have to get the sonnets from me)

Advanced Communications
1. "America" poem
2. Rule about a Pebble
3. Writing Workshop

Friday, Jan. 8

English I Honors
1. Poetic Cycle: Sonnet analysis/teaching
Get all necessary handouts and packet of sonnets from me

Advanced Communications
1. Poem
2. The Power of I mini-lesson

Monday, Jan. 10

English I Honors
1. Work with your partner to annotate your chosen sonnet

Advanced Communications
1. "The Little Boy"
2. Free-verse poetry conventions mini-lesson
3. Writing Workshop

Tuesday, Jan. 11

English I Honors
1. Work on explcating your group's sonnet and response. Determine a visual representation, "talking about it" or acting it out.

Advanced Communications
1. Writing workshop

Wednesday, Jan. 12-Friday, Jan. 15

MIDTERM WEEK

Wednesday, Jan. 19

English I Honors
1. Sonnet presentations

Advanced Communications
1. "Rememberence of a Friend:
2. Beware the Participle (mini-lesson
3. Writing Workshop

Thursday, Jan. 20 & Friday, Jan. 21

English I Honors
1. Sonnet presentations

Advanced Communications
1. Digital Writing Workshop

Monday, Jan. 24 - Wednesday, Jan. 26

English I Honors
1. Sonnet Essay
*Tips handout available for download below*

Advanced Communications
1. Poem
2. Mini-Lesson
3. Writing Workshop
*You will need to get copies of the poems from me and the mini-lesson notes from your partner*
sonnet_essay.docx
File Size: 13 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Thursday, Jan. 27 & Friday, Jan. 28

English I Honors
1. Romeo and Juliet introduction video
2. Power point notes
*Power point is available below

Advanced Communications
1. Digital Writing Workshop

Monday, Jan. 31

English I Honors
1. Set up R&J note taking template in Literature Learning Log
2. Begin reading Act 1
3. Take analytical notes


Advanced Communications
1. "Autobiography in Five Short Chapters"
2. Cut to the Bone mini-lesson
2. Writing Workshop

Monday, Feb. 7

English I Honors
1. Read Act 2, Scenes 1–2
*Be sure to get your notes from a classmate

Advanced Communications
1. "Unlucky" & "New Eyes"
2. Effective Memoirs mini‐lesson
3. writign

Tuesday, Feb. 8

English I Honors
1. Romeo and Juliet: Their Relationship 2.2 (handout is available for download below)

Advanced Communications
1. "Mail Call"
2. Questions for Memoirists mini‐lesson
3. Writing
*Went over the next final product writing piece to be turned in.
romeojulrelationnotetkg_fig3.12.docx
File Size: 28 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Wednesday, Feb. 9

Early Release
English I Honors
1. Read Act 2, Scene 3
Get your notes from a classmate

Advanced Communications
1. "New Love"
2. Using Repitition mini‐lesson
3. Writing

Thursday, Feb. 10

English I Honors
1. Read Act 2, Scene 4–5
Get your notes from a classmate

Advanced Communications
1. Start "The Neighborhood"
Get the handout in class.

Friday, Feb. 11

English I Honors
1. Romeo and Juliet: Mentoring Relationships 2.3 (handout)

Advanced Communications
1. Finish "The Neighborhood"