What a great group of students! I feel extremely fortunate to have such a terrific group of
young adults to work with! Please let me know if you ever have any questions/concerns.
Check the "Grades" section of this website to see your/your student's individual grade report.
If a student is absent, they should also be sure to read the section of the chapter
we're studying in addition to making up the homework missed (for instance, we're
studying ch. 6 "The Declaration of Independence" in all of the Social Studies classes;
in English classes we're starting the research process for our Americana Research
Paper and monologue). Since class discussions are missed when a student is absent,
it is important to be sure to get the all of the information. Students are welcome to
come in at lunch (Tuesdays or Thursdays, or any other day if they arrange with me)
to get extra help.
Late work is accepted during the current unit of study and is worth up to 1/2
credit. No late work is accepted for the current unit after the final unit
test. Be sure to complete assignments on time in order to be able to earn
full credit. Students need to keep all of their work.
U.S. History (College Prep & GATE): Every student is required to maintain and
update their "U.S. History Packets". Packets will be collected and graded
approximately every 2-3 weeks and will need to have a Table of Contents page
stapled to the front. Our new unit is The Revolutionary War (chapters 5-7).
We're learning about the causes of the American Revolution, what Patriots,
Loyalists, and Neutralists believed, different acts (laws), the Declaration of
Independence, and the results of the war. The Ch. 5, 6, & 7 Test (Revolutionary
War) will be on Tuesday, November 24th for all History Classes. Periods 1 & 2 (SS8G)
will have an in-class essay test on that day. The Ch. 6 & 7 Packet will be due
as well on Tue. Nov. 24th.
English 8 GATE: Every student is required to maintain an "English
Notebook"(9x11 spiral bound, 100 pages, 1 per semester) which will be
collected and graded approximately every 2-3 weeks. GATE students are
required to read at least 2,000 pages each semester (and read a variety of
genres) and complete 2 book projects each semester. We're moving into research
skills in preparation for the Americana project that GATE English and GATE History
work on (now-Feb.). Students will be using a variety of sources (a minimum of five)
as they evaluate and gather research materials. We'll be working on summarizing
and paraphrasing as well. On Tue. 11/10 and Thur. 11/12 we'll have the "Grand
Conversation" about books we've read so far this semester; students will have a letter
assignment in response to this speaking and listening activity. The week of Nov. 16th
will be spent at the library as we focus on gathering and evaluating research information
in preparation for our research papers and monologues. The Thesis Statement and
Outline (for the Americana Research) will be due by Tuesday, Nov. 24th.
Americana Performances (for GATE History and GATE English) will be on
Thursday, Feb. 4th and Friday, Feb. 5th. (Please see the "Calendar" section of this
website for more dates.) We have a mandatory dress rehearsal all day Sat. Jan. 30th.
There will be other rehearsals during the Saturdays in January and once a week.
Students will be researching a historical era/group/person. We're choosing our
Americana Research topic on Friday, November 13th in GATE English classes.
The thesis statement & outline for the research paper is due Tue. 11/24/09, the
3-4 page (typed) research paper rough draft will be due Fri. 12/4/09 & the final draft
will be due Thur. 12/10/09; the monologue that students will write will be due
on Thur. 12/17/09.
Help is available to students before school and during lunch ("officially" on Tuesdays
and Thursday in room Q-4). I'm also available to help other days/times if
students arrange in advance with me.
If there are ever any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to
contact me at 967-4506 ext. 204 or cstevens@lacolinajhs.org.
