SENIORS: Children's book work.
SOPHOMORES: Today we did a diagnostic essay on argument.  The prompt was: We are well aware of the power of technology to influence tastes, knowledge, opinions, and lifestyle.  We are becoming overwhelmingly dependent on technology.  Is this dependence on technology beneficial or something of which we should be suspicious?  Discuss the question.  Support your position with evidence from your reading, observations, and personal experience.
     Don't forget to use a credible source to support your opinion.

SENIORS: Keep at that children's book!
SOPHOMORES: We did a grammar exercise and used netbooks to find a credible source for the argument essay you're going to write tomorrow.  If you were absent and reading this, you need to think about the following: Is our dependency on technology good or bad?  The first thing you need to do is narrow down the topic: instead of writing about technology, write about computers, cell phones, or TV entertainment.  Then decide if you are for or against it.  After that, support your decision with observations, personal experiences, and credible sources who feel the same way you do.  Be ready to cite your sources.

SENIORS: Keep working on your children's book; due Friday, March 30.

SOPHOMORES: Find and begin reading your independent reading book if you haven't already done so.  Also, for Monday, bring a counter argument to the Kony 2012 video (can be text or video).

SENIORS: The due date for your children's book is Friday, March 30; the last day before Spring Break.  That means everything is done and put together; the final product, either hardcopy or digital.

SOPHOMORES: We began a new unit today: argument.  You might be familiar with persuasion from your 9th grade English class.  There are subtle differences between  argument and persuasion; see me so I can explain the handout to you.  We watched KONY 2012 to determine if argument or persuasion was being used. 
     We will be writing in Goodreads tomorrow, so make sure you bring your new independent reading book with you and have something to say about it.  Also, I will be collecting the thesis HW.

SENIORS: The due date for the completed children's book is Friday, March 30.  That means your book is totally finished whether you are submitting a hard copy or have it in a digital format.  If you notice the due date, that is the last day before Spring Break, so won't have any HW if you complete your book on time.

SOPHOMORES: Hope the CAHSEE didn't fry your brains too badly!  Remember to bring your notebook with you to class on Thursday.  Also, you should have a new Independent Reading Book; be reading in that book so you can have a response for Goodreads on Friday.

SENIORS: Keep working on that children's book!
SOPHOMORES: No news today due to the CAHSEE.  Get some good sleep tonight and eat a good breakfast tomorrow!

SENIORS: Now we begin comparing our text to our illustrations, making sure the text and the illustrations go together to tell a story.  Also look for correct mechanics in your text.  Tomorrow and Wednesday, if you are in Periods 1 and 4, do not come to Room 860; go instead to the PAC (this is due to the CAHSEE testing).

SOPHOMORES: CAHSEE testing is tomorrow and Wednesday!  Get a good night's rest, and make sure you eat a good breakfast!  Check the library so you report to the right room at the beginning of the school day.  Good luck!  Finish your HW (thesis handout, both sides) and have it ready to turn in on Thursday.