Ms. Fitz’s Class Website

Some of you may have had trouble downloading the comma worksheet from this site. The problem has been corrected and you should be able to access it now. Thank you KJ for informing me! Please–if something isn’t working, let me know. I can’t fix a problem I know nothing about.

The character profile sheet for Freak the Mighty, distributed in class today, should be finished by the end of the period tomorrow. Take some time to work on this at home tonight.

We will continue to read in class, our goal is to finish the book by Friday.

Thank you to all students who turned in their EXPOSITORY ESSAYS on Friday last week. I enjoy reading your thoughts and observations on the topics. Expect to receive your papers by the end of this week. For those of you who have not turned in your essay, please do so before Thursday for partial credit.

This week we begin experimenting with NARRATIVE writing. We will continue reading the novel, Freak the Mighty, and several short stories and essays to look at the structure of a good narrative before writing one of our own.

This week we begin Week 3 in the Etymon packet. Please work on this at home. Your test will be next Thursday, Oct. 8th. It will cover weeks 3 and 4 in the Etymons booklet.

Don’t for get to download the first worksheet on commas from this website. Once you’ve completed it, you are welcome to try your hand at the COMMA QUIZ. Remember, everyone must pass the comma quiz to earn a reward for your class. So far only one person from period 2 has passed the test. CONGRATULATIONS to Hannah Mattison for her excellent punctuational skills!

This week we start Etymons packet #2. On Friday, I will collect your Etymons book and grade weeks 1 and 2. You will also be tested on the etymons and the sample words in each of the last two units. If you haven’t started using the Flashcard Machine website to make flashcards and study, you REALLY SHOULD!

Today, Monday, we worked on crafting a thesis statement for you expository essay. At the lend of class most of you had not only a thesis statement, but you were working on your first draft of the expository paper assignment. Bring that paper to class tomorrow. We will work in small groups reading and discussing the ideas in your papers.

LOOKING AHEAD
We also started reading Freak the Mighty. It’s a good book and we will be using it as a jump off point for discussion in the weeks to come.

Wednesday we’ll start reviewing punctuation, starting with the comma.

Thursday we’ll proof our expository paper and review the etymons.

Friday we’ll have the test on Etymons [weeks 1 and 2] and turn in the final copy of the expository paper.

Today I assigned the Expository Essay. You all received the selection of prompts for this assignment. Be sure to read each prompt carefully before you decide which topic you want to write about.
When you come to class on Monday, bring this assignment sheet with you. On the back include evidence of brainstorming. This may be a cluster map, a list of ideas to write about, or a piece of free writing.
Have fun this weekend. Don’t forget, if you’re looking for something to do—visit Fiesta Latina this weekend and write about it!
See you Monday.

Okay! School definitely goes into full swing this week. Pay attention to due dates and don’t procrastinate. Give yourself at least 10 minutes a day to keep you on track to finish your assignments on time.

MONDAY: Signed course descriptions and composition books are due now! The first packet of Etymons went out today. It is your job to complete the entire packet before the test next week on Sept. 25th. Don’t put this off. Next week you will receive a second packet to complete before the 25th as well.
We reviewed the basic structure of an expository essay and listened to President Obama’s address to American students. His speech was an excellent example of a well structured essay. Those who did not finish completing the outline in class should try to finish it at home. We will review it tomorrow.
If you have not started the Introduction Activity for this class [located in the LINKS column at the right of this page] you should begin tonight. This activity is due on Thursday.
TUESDAY: We set up our class journals today and reviewed how to access information through this website. Outlines for the Obama speech were turned in today after reviewing this in class. For the last half of the class we worked on student interviews. Each person was paired with another. Your task was to interview each other and collect notes to use in an expository essay informing the rest of the class about the person you just met. Rough drafts of these papers are due tomorrow. In addition to this practice paper, we will use the information to give a brief introductory speech about each student to the class this week.
WEDNESDAY: Rough drafts of essays are due. We will work on revising these papers today. We will also discuss writing traits and modes. Work on your etymon packets in your spare time, and don’t forget that your Introduction Activity papers are due tomorrow.
THURSDAY: Turn in Introduction Activity papers. Begin student speeches in class.
FRIDAY: Continue with student speeches and assign our first formal writing essay for class. Don’t forget to work on etymons over the weekend. Are you trying out the FLASHCARD MACHINE website?

Congratulations! You made it through the first day, and the first week of school. Amazing how time flies–isn’t it?

Thank you to all the Freshmen who turned in signed course descriptions today. You show that you are already thinking like upperclassmen.

Be sure to check out the links on this site. You can check your grades, begin the Introduction Activity, download the English Paper Guidelines, and if you lost your course description, you can print a copy for yourself from here.

Remember, I expect you to come to class, Monday, with your binder and writing materials, a composition notebook, and a signed course description if you haven’t submitted one to me yet. Until then, enjoy the weekend.

This is the place to look for grades, announcements and assignment updates for this class.

Don’t forget to review the course outline with your parents and have them sign it. Those of you return it to me by Monday, September 14th will receive 5 extra credit points towards your Participation grade.

I’d like to see everyone with their materials for class on Monday as well. Have your notebooks, composition books and writing materials with you and score another 5 extra credit points in the Class work category.

You can access the format exercise by going to the Introduction Activity link in the right margin. This assignment is due on Thursday, Sept. 17th.

To check your grades go to the Grades link, then follow the prompts for your name and student number. Your grade should pop up automatically. If it doesn’t, come see me–the sooner the better!