9/11

Over the years I have heard people much older than me speak about tragedies and scandals that they lived through--the assassination of JFK, Pearl Harbor, the Watergate Scandal and even World War II. I can understand what happened intellectually but it is hard for me to feel the same shock that they did.

I began to realize this because my students now barely, if at all remember September 11, 2001. They were only pre school children. For me, I was junior in high school sitting in Miss P's history class. The principal came over the PA to tell the teachers what was unfolding and that they should turn on their TVs. A class full of 16 and 17 year olds sat their in dismay wondering what was happening and what this meant for the United States.

Just a few minutes after the TVs were turned on, I witnessed the second tower crumbling to the ground. I have goosebumps and my hair is standing on ends as I type...

Remember all involved in the events of 9/11...the victims, the survivors and the rescuers.

(1st and 5th) Let to games begin! A tribute was assigned to a district today. Soon we will begin our challenges...may the odds ever be in your favor.

(2nd and 3rd): 1984 Artistic Project

Tonight's homework:

1st period: Read Chapter 4 and answer comp questions and make Vocabulary Flashcards

2nd and 3rd Period: Read chapters 4 and 5 of 1984 (be tracking your symbol on the annotation chart). Prepare for Socratic Seminar #2. Chapter 1 Artistic projects are due Friday...You will have time in class Thursday to work on them.

5th Period: Rd. the rest of Chapter 5 and make Vocabulary Flashcards

NEED to step it up...

Friday was the first Vocabulary quiz and today what the first 1984 reading quiz (for honors)....and yikes! I know so many of you can do better! So, some of you will be making vocabulary flashcards this week. As far as reading quizzes go, I think many of you need to read more slowly and carefully. The reason your 8th grade teachers  taught you how to annotate last year was to make you a better reader. Use those skills. Or you will find yourself doing poorly on any assignments related to the novel. This novel will probably be more challenging than other novels you have read for school; it will require you to stop often and think deeply about the things that are happening. Then novels you read for school (an college) from here on out will be more and more challenging, especially if you stick to the honors and advanced courses.

Today we worked on Unit 2 vocabulary (due Wednesday). We also had our first Socratic seminar in honors English 9, which went very well. I really enjoyed reading the outer circle's thoughts and questions. Those will serve as a good starting grounds for the next seminar.

It is SO freakin' hot!

And tomorrow is supposed to be worse. Ugh!

Today in Honors English we went over Socratic Seminars-how they work and when you will be in the inner circle. I also presented some background info on 1984. We ended the class (which will have to be finished tomorrow) talking about the symbolism mini-project. I will prepare a hand out to give you next week. For now, you should be tracking your symbol and filling out the annotation chart in your 1984 packet.

In English 9 we finished Part 1 Vocab for The Hunger Games, did the reality TV prereading activity, and read part of Chapter 1. We will finish Chapter 1 tomorrow and have out own class reaping!!

ALL CLASSES: Unit 1 Vocabulary Quiz is tomorrow. You will need to know each word's definition, synonyms, antonyms, and part of speech.

1984 was NOT suppposed to be an instruction manual

Today in Honors 9 we talked about the Patriot Act its relation to the novel 1984. I also showed the class some super eerie websites like spokeo.com and googlemaps. It is a bit freaky how much you can find out about a person by simply getting on the web (and paying a meager 2.95 to know even more). So much that we think is "private" really isn't anymore...even if we try to play it safe.

I also handed out a grammar worksheet, which is due tomorrow for 2nd period. Third period received a different worksheet "What really happened in 1984?"...2nd Period you will get this tomorrow.

Regular English 9 here is the vocabulary for The Hunger Games  if you fell behind

We also filled out the PPt. notes on dystopian Literature and read "Harrison Bergeron."

1984 and The Hunger Games

Today in English 9 (1st and 5th period) we completed a grammar worksheet on nouns (see Ms. S to get this) and we reviewed Unit 1 vocabulary. Remember the quiz will be this Friday!

We started the much anticipated Hunger Games!! I gave a hulking packet that will last us the entire novel-- so do not lose this or let your dog chew on it. We did the first two activities in the packet. The first one was a series of video clips that introduced us to the novel and author (we all agreed Ms. Collins could use a hair straightener). The second activity was a series of agree/disagree statements. We will return to the second one once we finish the novel.

In Honors English 9 we did  a grammar worksheet (finding the subject of the sentence) and review unit 1 vocabulary (remember the quiz is Friday and I promised no vocab cards as long as you don't bombed the first test!!)

Next we started getting into 1984. Everyone should have received a novel and a packet. I went over the packet and the class suggested Socratic Seminars in place of comprehension questions, which I am totally in favor of!!

Unit One Vocabulary

Today in class you got more  "stuff."

1. Independent Reading Novel Project Hand out--- (not due until the end of the trimester)
2. Vocabulary books
3. Vocabulary schedules

After 15 minutes of SSR we started on Unit 1 Vocabulary which is due tomorrow ...the quiz will be Friday. You will no have to make flashcards unless you bomb the quiz...so prove to me that they are not necessary(:

Media Center Orientation

Today we traveled down to the media center to get aquianted with it. You got another dose of rules but at least you got to hear them in the pleasure of the AC. Also, students learned how to search for books available in the MC.

At the end of the period students had the chance to get their own novels....which are due on Monday, 175 pages or more.

Good Luck tonight at the first football game!

The Accordian Paragraph

Today in class students learned the 14-sentence accordian paragraph model. I was so impressed with the students. Most of the students caught right on and someone from each class was willing to explain why it was called the "accordian" paragraph.

Students were also given a hand out on MLA format. The only homework for tonight is to finish up the practice accordian paragraph if it didn't get finished in class.

Top Ten Reasons why it is great to be back to school....

Day one is in the record books! And what a relief it is to get through all the rules and the hotness. Hopefully, cooler days are on their way.

Following in David Letterman's steps we made top ten lists today on why it is great to be back to school. Students shared their lists and some were quite creative and clever! I didn't share this today ...slipped my mind but here is mine.

10)  Moon has to help me with house chores more now since I'm not home all day!
9) I have a shorter drive to work than I use to.
8) School is less than 2 minutes from WalMart
7) The community is very supportive and
6) Celina is super techy...Freshmen get Net books!
5) Some of my classes are reading The Hunger Games
4) I get to teach freshman for the first time (I've always had 10th-11th grade)
3) I have 4th period plan (the longest period of the day)
2) I have an awesome staff to work with .
1)All the new students I get to meet and get to know!

This is my first year at Celina HS. I previously taught at Greenville HS for three year. And let me say this--I am so pumped to be teaching here. The staff has been so welcoming-- I hope everyone realizes what  great teachers they have here! The students seem motivated and very school spirited and I cannot wait to get to know all of them.

HOMEWORK:Remember tomorrow (August 25)  you need to turn in the parent form and student questionnaire. By Monday you will need an independent reading novel of your choice, 175 pages or more.

Have a fantabulous evening!!


For all you trying to find the class Facebook page and are having trouble try searching by my email: ashley.shaffer@celinaschools.org If that doesn't work let me know