SOPHOMORES: Here's the link to the test: https://www98.achievedata.com/sdusd/?OnlineTestStudentLogin

SENIORS: This is it!!!! You have until 11:59 tonight to get your word count up through Nano!!  The points count only if you share your novel with me on Saturday!!  Good luck and keep writing!!!!1!!!

SOPHOMORES: We took a data director test on Expository Writing and updated our Goodreads accounts.

SENIORS: You have one more day after today to make your word count!  Keep creating!  !!!!!!1!!

SOPHOMORES: In your notebook, under the title of CHARACTERIZATION, answer the following questions: How do we learn about characters in novels?  Think about a character from your Independent Reading Book or from the short stories we've read this semester and write an example of what you learned about a character based on what that character said or did.  How do we learn about characters in plays?  Is there anything different?  BRING YOUR IRB (INDEPENDENT READING BOOK) with you to class tomorrow.

SENIORS: There is a light at the end of the tunnel!  You can do this!  Keep writing your novel!  I love exclamation points!  They're so energizing!

SOPHOMORES: We started a new unit: DRAMA!  Please see me for a copy of the play we will be working on and the handout that we started.

SENIORS: Work your novel!  If you're stuck, look on the back of the Nano packet at the List of Lists; you should get some ideas from that.

SOPHOMORES: The expository essay (class process piece) is due today.  Make sure you have a Works Cited page (MLA format).  Also, you must identify what you used in your essay; highlight or comment in the margins for structure, evidence, and appeals.  Check the prompt to make sure you have everything.

SENIORS: The final push is on!  You CAN do it; get to that 100% word count goal!  The deadline is Friday, Nov.30 at 11:59 pm.  Don't delay!

SOPHOMORES: The rough draft of your expository essay should be complete and it is time to create your final draft.  You will also need a "Works Cited" page.  To do this, go to the website Easybib.com  and follow the directions.  You don't need to print out the Works Cited page, just share it with me through my email: jbgardham@gmail.com.  The deadline for the final draft and Works Cited page is Tuesday, Nov.27 at the end of the period.

ALL STUDENTS: HAVE A GREAT BREAK! COME BACK IN ONE PIECE! READ ON FOR YOUR PARTICULAR GRADE LEVEL!

SENIORS: At midnight tonight you should have accomplished 50% of your word count goal.  If that is not the case, fear not; keep at it and as you achieve each benchmark, you will get those points.  However, time will run out eventually (Nov.30 to be exact), so don't delay!  Be aware that another benchmark (75% of your word count goal) occurs during Thanksgiving break (Friday, Nov.23).  I will be checking for that benchmark on Sat. Nov.24.  Good luck!

SOPHOMORES: If I didn't see your article summaries, you will need to email them to me.  Title them "Summary #1(or #2 as the case may be)" and send them to jbgardham@gmail.com.  You can also send me the rough draft of your essay the same way.  When you share, make sure I can edit or comment; if you send it to me as "view only," I will not be able to give you any feedback.

ALL STUDENTS: No new news; SENIORS work on your novels, SOPHOMORES work on your summaries or essay rough drafts.

HEY EVERYBODY!  Sorry I couldn't be with you today; if you're a senior, keep plugging away at your novel, and if you're a sophomore, you DEFINITELY should have both your summaries written.  See you all tomorrow!

SENIORS: You are now working toward the second benchmark of 50% of your rough draft novel, due at the stroke of midnight, Nov.16.  Good luck!

SOPHOMORES: Your summaries should be done (one for each article), so now move on to creating the body paragraphs for your essay.

SENIORS: Midnight is the witching hour; you need to have submitted 25% of your word count goal through the Nanowrimo Word Count Validator Box by 12pm.  Good luck!

SOPHOMORES: By now you should have two articles on a topic of your choice.  Write a summary of each article and have those ready for me to see on Tuesday.  If you're doing this electronically, send your summaries to me over the weekend, and I can look them over right away and get them in Gradebook.

SENIORS: Continue writing  your novel and working in your nanowrimo packet.  You should be able to discuss certain elements of your novel with me.  These elements would be: inciting incident, climax, and 3 things that happen in your rising action.

 SOPHOMORES: Today we concentrated on thesis.  In your notebook, have the following: your topic, your thesis statement, which text structure best suits your thesis statement, and what kind of evidence will you need to find to support your thesis statement.

SENIORS: Continue working on your novel; remember, 25% is due by Friday, Nov.9.  I'm checking packets for completion of Plot Rollercoaster and Calendar.  

 SOPHOMORES: You must have 2 articles dealing with your topic tomorrow.  If it's a hard copy, bring it; if it's on the internet, make sure you can access it on the netbook.  We watched a powerpoint on expository writing and took notes in your notebook.

SENIORS: Continue with your novel.  There will a benchmark goal of 25% of your word count every Friday.  The first benchmark happens on Nov.9; whatever your word count is, have 25% (1/4) of that done.  

SOPHOMORES: Go to your Goodreads account, log on to the book you are currently reading, and answer the following: Briefly summarize what has happened since the last time you wrote, tell me if the book is easy to read or difficult (and tell me why), and do you identify with any of the characters (and in what way)?  Homework: We are going to start writing an Expository paper, so you will need a topic and at least 2 articles related to that topic.  I don't care if the articles are hard copies or on the internet.  Annotate for one of the articles (you will need to turn that in).  You will get the writing prompt on Tuesday.  

SENIORS: Your novel-writing begins today!  Even though you have class time to write, make sure you carve out some time to write on your own at home.  It will be easy to get behind with this work; you can do it if you stay focused and PLAN.

SOPHOMORES: On your computer, finish annotating If Only They Could Talk, looking for logos, pathos, ethos, and types of evidence.  Share that work with me through jbgardham@gmail.com.  Then, write a new, more detailed summary of the article.  Tomorrow (Friday) we will go on Goodreads and update our responses to our Independent Reading Books.