english ii -- nov. 30 assignment

Choose one of the aspects you did a small amount of research on and write about how that aspect is important in the book. How does it affect the story, characters, setting, etc.?

This essay should be typed and is due on Wednesday at the beginning of the period. If you finish early and have nothing to do, you should be reading your book club books. If you have finished your book club book, you should read another book.

english ii in class assignment -- nov. 23

Choose one of the aspects you did a small amount of research on and write about how that aspect is important in the book. How does it affect the story, characters, setting, etc.?

english ii -- homework

Writing Assignment (Homework)
Choose the archetype that you think is the most interesting in this novel. Write about that archetype how it works in the novel.
You writing should be at least a page long.

wiki and blog registration

Many of you in English II and Creative Writing haven't sent me your information. Please see the previous posts for your class and send me the information I need. Thanks!

I need this ASAP! And you need to do this so you will get a grade!

english ii book clubs

We will be starting book clubs today. See our class wiki for more details!

english ii -- memoir

English II, remember that your memoir is due on Friday, October 9 for five extra points or Wednesday, October 14 for full credit.

You memoir must have all drafts attached and must be typed, double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font.

english ii -- september 15

The second draft of your memoir (personal narrative) is due on Monday, September 21.

english ii -- reminder

Sophomores,

Remember that I check your Independent Reading Log every Friday that we meet. You need to be reading for at least 15 minutes everyday, including weekends.

I will be checking your reading log this Friday.

Also remember that your SSR projects are coming up before you know it! You should be thinking about which project you are going to do this six weeks.

Enjoy your book!

~Ms. Arbuckle

english ii --- august 31

Your homework is to write a paragraph (at least 7-10 sentences) or more finishing this idea:

"You Begin" is a poem about ____.

Choose one word and try to prove your point.

HINT: Use evidence from the poem -- use your color marking and annotation from class.
Remember to show me your thinking, not what you think I'm thinking.
Feel free to take a risk.

This is due at the beginning of the period Wednesday. If you have not completed it, you will be assigned Homework Hall.

august 27 -- english ii

It's official. Independent Reading Logs were passed out in class today. You are officially required to read every day outside of class and record the pages in your log. When you fill up a log, new logs will be provided. Keep them together so you can see what you've read this year!

You should use your log as a bookmark so you remember to record!

Remember that I will be checking your logs every Friday that I see you.

english ii course overview

English II Pre AP/IB
Ms. Arbuckle
Class Overview

The goals of this class:
Students will view literature from the dual perspective of a reader and a writer.
Students will understand and articulate both orally and in writing the purpose of a text and how the author achieved that purpose.
Students will be prepared for the battery of standardized tests (TAKS/PSAT/SAT) and writing assessments in the Sophomore year.
Students will study literature in a variety of genres and from a variety of countries.
Students will write in a variety of modes with different purposes and audiences.
Students will acquire the necessary skills as readers and writers to be successful in college level classes.
Additional specific goals will be discussed during the first two weeks of school.

The requirements of this class:
All Pre AP courses are taught as AP preparatory classes. Students need to know that they require a serious commitment in time and effort.
All assignments must be completed on time. There will be a window during which the assignment is due. Assignments will not be accepted after this time without prior approval from the instructor. On the rare occasions when student late work is accepted, it will receive a late grade penalty. See the Late Work Policy for more details.
Students will be required to keep a literary journal, writing folders and a student portfolio of all work done throughout the school year. See the explanation of the Reader’s-Writer’s Notebook below.
Students will be assigned outside reading which must be completed on time.
Students will be expected to participate actively in all discussions, projects, assignments. Choosing not to participate is not an option.
All student writing is based on process: major papers must show multiple drafts, revisions, conferencing and editing.
All students’ assignments must be their individual work; plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.
Students must come to class prepared with all assignments and with proper materials.

Classroom Principles
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
All classroom rules stem from these two principles!

Reader’s-Writer’s Notebook
This notebook will be where you will write many of your reflections, notes, class activities, etc. The structure of the Notebook will become clearer as we begin to use it. This notebook will remain in the class room and will be one daily grade at progress report time and one major grade at report card time.

Grading procedures:
Grades will be based on the instructor’s assessment of student writing, student participation, student class preparation and completed projects/assignments.
The following grade weighting is the department policy for Pre-AP Classes:
Major Grades – 60%
Daily grades – 40%

Teacher/Student Communication:
Pre AP Classes are rigorous. They are challenging and will require students to be willing to ask for help before they are in danger of failing. I am available before and after school and during Homework Hall. If you do not understand an assignment, are having difficulty meeting a deadline, or are experiencing difficulties of any kind in meeting the class requirements, you must conference with me before an assignment, project or report card/progress report is due.

Late Work Policy
All work is due at the beginning of class. If work is turned in after this time, it is considered late and the following penalties will be accrued:
e 30% off 1st school day
Maximum grade given after 2 or more school days (not class periods) will be a 50%. Assignments will not be accepted, and will be recorded as a zero in the grade book, once a 3-weeks grading period has ended (the teacher grade entry deadline for progress reports or report cards).

Homework Hall
SBISD has developed a new homework policy that requires homework to “promote high quality student learning and achievement. Homework is an out-of-classroom learning experience assigned by a teacher to enhance student learning.” Because homework is designed to help the student become a successful and independent learner, it is imperative that each student complete all of his/her homework. WAIS has created homework hall to help students meet this goal of completing all homework. Homework Hall is provided Monday – Friday from 3:05-4:05 p.m. A late bus is provided that takes students to the elementary school closest to their home.
· Students who do not turn in homework on time will be assigned homework hall on the day the work was due. The teacher will enter the assignment in the computer system, including the assignment that needs to be completed.
· The students will call their parents to inform them about the homework hall assignment. A classroom phone log could record the call. The WAIS call out system will also call parents about the homework hall assignment.
· Students who are unable to attend an assigned homework hall will be required to make up their assignments on Saturday from 9 am - 12 pm. Homework Hall is not optional.

Make-Up Work (directly from the district grading expectations)
It is the student’s responsibility to complete work missed while absent from class. The following are general statements covering make-up work.

1. Students who miss class must make up the work. Students will receive credit for make-up work except in the case of a documented truancy (UT in SASI).
2. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with teachers for make-up work prior to or immediately upon returning to class.
3. Make-up work, especially tests, may be of an alternate version to more accurately measure what the student has learned.
4. Students who have pre-approved absences are expected to notify the teachers of the classes they will miss in advance and request assignments. The work is due at the first class meeting following return to school.
5. All make-up work from the prior grading period must be completed and a grade assigned before the next grade report (progress report or report card).
6. Whether a student is absent one or five days, make-up assignments and tests must be completed. Make-up assignments for absences will include the following schedule (unless prior principal approval is received):
1st day absence .........................day following return to class
2nd day absence ........................... 2 days after return to class
3rd day absence............................ 3 days after return to class
4th day absence ............................ 4 days after return to class
5th day absence ............................ 5 days after return to class
6th day absence .............................5 days after return to class, unless prior approval given by principal
7. Students absent for school activities should be prepared for class when they return and be prepared to complete work missed while absent from class.

How to contact me:
Email is best: kelly.arbuckle@springbranchisd.com
Also room E 146.
Phone 713-251-1800
http://kellyarbuckle.blogspot.com/

Conference periods:
A-Day: 2nd period 9:25-10:55
B-Day: 6th period 9:25-10:55

Supply List:
One notebook of your choosing
Regular ruled notebook paper
1 small box of crayons
scissors
2 highlighters
sticky notes
1 glue stick
Pens/pencils

*additional supplies may be needed as the school year progresses.
Students must come to class each day prepared to learn.

This is going to be a great year!

ssr assessment -- period 3

The SSR Assessment choices for 3rd period are:

1. Write a review for the book you read on http://www.amazon.com/ and email the link to Ms. Arbuckle.
2. Design a new cover for the book.
3. Write up an idea for a sequel.
4. Dress up as a character from your book and talk about the book from that character's perspective.
5. Write a reader's theater script.
6. Create a board game based on your book. The game may follow the plot of the book, be based on the setting, or may be thematically related to the book.
7. Make a sculpture or drawing based on the book.
8. Write a poem from diferent characters' perspectives.
9. Create a news story about the book.
10. Sign up for a conference with Ms. Arbuckle.
11. Make food related to and inspired by the book.
12. Make a movie poster of the book. Include a tag line. This may not be based on the cover of the book.
13. Make a sound track of the book. Turn the CD in with an explanation of your choices.

You must choose a different project each six weeks. Remember that you are proving to me that you have read the book. If you don't like one of these projects, don't choose it! Choose something that will be fun for you!

ssr assessment -- period 1

The SSR Assessment choices for 1st period are:

1. Write a review for the book you read on www.amazon.com and email the link to Ms. Arbuckle.
2. Create a board game based on your book. The game may follow the plot of the book, be based on the setting, or may be thematically related to the book.
3. Draw your favorite scene and explain why this is your favorite scene.
4. Write a song inspired by the book and explain how the two are related.
5. Watch the movie and explain why the book is better. (This only applies if there is a movie based on the book you read.)
6. Write a Reader's Theater Script.
7. Create an animation inspired by the book and explain your inspiration.
8. Create a film inspired by the book and explain your inspiration.
9. Make a movie poster of the book. Include a tag line. This may not be based on the cover of the book.
10. Make a sound track of the book. Turn the CD in with an explanation of your choices.
11. Sign up for a conference with Ms. Arbuckle.
12. Create a graphic display to represent the book.

You must choose a different project each six weeks. Remember that you are proving to me that you have read the book. If you don't like one of these projects, don't choose it! Choose something that will be fun for you!