Last CAHSEE info

Today we went over some examples of essays that received a score of "4."  Basically, remember to write about everything that is mentioned in the prompt, vary the length of your sentences, and try to keep the grammar mistakes to a minimum.

Besides the prompts that we covered in class, spend a little time tonight thinking about the following:
1) You might be asked to explain something you do and why it is important and/or interesting.  Think about the things you do in your spare time, such as sports, cooking, playing a musical instrument, etc.  Choose one and make a list of the things you might say.

2) You might be asked to write a persuasive essay.  The prompt will give you the topic; make sure you provide the opposing viewpoint and then rebut it before giving your closing argument.

3) In class, we worked on one last prompt:
             A person who seems in charge of every situation is sometimes called a "natural leader."  People often look to such a person to lead them in projects both great and small.  Describe someone you have read about who seems to be a "natural leader."  Write an essay in which you describe the person and his or her accomplishments so vividly that your readers will feel they know this person.

            For class purposes, I asked that you choose a person that you've read about whom you would consider to be a natural leader.  Then, in your notebook, make a list of the traits this person has.  I don't need you to write an introductory paragraph for this person; just have that list of traits in your mind in case this is the prompt CAHSEE gives you.

TONIGHT, GO TO BED EARLY SO YOU WILL BE WELL-RESTED FOR TOMORROW.
TOMORROW MORNING, EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST SO YOU'LL HAVE ENERGY.

                                                   GOOD LUCK!! (but you won't need it, because you'll do fine!)
 

Possible CAHSEE prompts

Yesterday we focused on the prompt of choosing a person you studied in school and writing about why this person is special.  There is a chart to help you organize your thoughts; however, I am not able to put that chart on my blog, so you'll have to see me.

Today we focused on the prompt of choosing an historical event that you studied in school and writing about why the event was important.  There is an outline to help you organize your thoughts; the link to the outline is here.  On a separate sheet of paper, complete the outline with the information about your chosen event; then write an introductory paragraph, just like you would for the CAHSEE, using your most legible printing or cursive, and making sure that you indent and write to the margin.

Business Letter and Response to Literature

Most of you did okay with the business letter; but if you received less than a 35, you should rework it and resubmit it for a better score.

We continued working on the response to literature.  I'm not happy with the amount of annotation I'm seeing on the copy of the short story.  The more you annotate, the more information you'll be able to find quickly to help you write your essay.  Here's what I'll be collecting from you tomorrow at the beginning of the period: 1) Your copy of the short story, HEAVILY annotated, 2) The pre-writing you did to show how you are organizing the information, and 3) An introductory paragraph.

Prepositional Phrases; Response to Literature

We reviewed prepositions and prepositional phrases; if you're shaky on this, Google "prepositional phrase" and click on the first selection ( the author is Robin L. Simmons).  Review this information and try to memorize the prepositions; if you can recognize a preposition, you can recognize a prepositional phrase, and that will help you with some of the multiple-choice questions you might encounter on the CAHSEE.  A short quiz that can also help you can be found if you Google Quia Prepositional Phrase Quiz.

For the essay portion of the CAHSEE, you might be asked to respond to a piece of literature (either a short story or a poem).  See me for the handout on this assignment.

Business Letter; Active and Passive Voice

We are still prepping for the CAHSEE; today we focused on the difference between the active and passive voice, and we wrote a business letter (if you were in class and forgot, the letter is due first thing tomorrow).

See me for the business letter format; for the active and passive voice, Google Active or Passive Quiz, choose the English Club version (should be the first on the list), and take the quiz.

CAHSEE Work

Yesterday, today, and the rest of this week has been, is, and will be spent in working on assorted grammar and reading exercises in preparation for the CAHSEE.  If you are absent, you will need to make up this work; it won't be on this blog (the technology doesn't support it), so come in during Advisory.

The actual CAHSEE will be held on Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19.

CAHSEE Preparation Powerpoint Notes

We finished the debates on Friday; if you were absent and your group debated without you, you will need to present a speech.  See me for the details.

We now begin the preparation for the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam).  The dates for the CAHSEE are Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19.  Passing this test is a requirement for graduation, so we will be spending the next few days getting familiar with the format and the types of questions you could encounter.  I won't be able to put everything we do on this blog, so make sure you get notes from a friend.

We started the preparation with a couple of powerpoints with some generalized information.
Here is the link to the 1st powerpoint. Here is the link to the 2nd powerpoint. Take notes in your notebook under the title CAHSEE Powerpoint Notes.