test day - what a concept

Ninth graders took a vocabulary test today.  We will finish that test tomorrow.  If you are finished with the test, bring something to read tomorrow for the first 15 minutes of class.  We will start Romeo and Juliet tomorrow or Wednesday.

Juniors wrote a rhetorical analysis today, which we will review tomorrow.  Rest, read, think.  No Macbeth until after the AP test.  After-school review sessions are Wednesday and Friday this week.

Farewell to TAKS! Marvale, are you reading this?

Ninth graders turned in homework, completed a vocabulary warm-up, received a new homework assignment (a story with 20 vocabulary words), and read.  Your test will be on all vocabulary and Kaffir Boy through chapter 9.

Juniors reviewed essay writing today. Monday you will write a rhetorical analysis.  In fact, next week you will write at least three essays and complete at least one multiple choice packet. Sleep, think, read, learn, and write.  Become a citizen scholar this weekend.

So fair (weather) and foul (TAKS) a day I have not seen

Ninth graders received graded work, received new vocabulary, received a homework assignment, took a reading quiz, and read Kaffir Boy.  Whew!  Your homework is to write a paragraph with the ten new words:  august, dastardly, mitigate, flout, acrimonious, supine (again!), ensconced, limpid, unintelligible, lurid.  This homework is due Friday.  Because you have two days, these pieces of writing should be works of art.

Juniors (sixth) answered a scintillating multiple choice packet.  After school review today and Friday.

Please let me know if you would like to make up the mock exam.

Have a lovely day!

The yearbook looks great!!!!

Today I saw odd classes:).  Believe me, they were very odd.

Juniors will work on multiple choice packets through Wednesday.  We will review the rest of the week and prepare for da test next week.

Practice sessions Wednesday and Friday after school.

Bring a "pleasure reader" tomorrow and every day the rest of the week, one that will make you smarter.

Tomorrow Ninth Graders will have a quiz on chapter 8 of Kaffir Boy.  You will receive new vocabulary and a new homework assignment. Life is good.

I guess that I should tell you the earthshattering news (verbal irony) that I will not be returning to Bellaire High School next year.  Thanks to all of you in advance for making my last year at this great school so fabulous.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."  Helen Keller

Smart lady

Test day

Ninth graders took a test.  The next time I see you will be Wednesday.  Please have chapter 8 of Kaffir Boy read.  We will have a quiz!

Juniors had a test today; tomorrow (odd) and Wednesday (even) you will complete a m/c packet on Macbeth.  Apologies to Billy Shakespeare for using his splendid play as a testing vehicle.

Wednesday and Friday apres ecole, we will have a review session.

Have a great day!  Go outside and snag some vitamin D!  Then watch DWTS tonight!

Cheers

Screw your courage to the sticking place!!!!!

Ninth graders wrote a vocabulary warm-up and read Kaffir Boy.  Your test Monday will be on both vocabulary lists and through the end of chapter 7 (page 53).  Read this weekend, and that includes you, Cole H.:)

Juniors performed Act I of Macbeth.  Tomorrow we will have our mock AP.  Please arrive at the cafeteria by 8:15.  Bring pens and paper.
Monday you will have a quote test on Act I.

Tuesday-Wednesday - Multiple choice on Acts I and II
Thursday-Friday - Review Multiple Choice, Synthesis, and Rhetorical Analysis

  Have a great weekend!

Good day, sunshine

Ninth graders created vocabulary folders.  Tonight your homework is to write a poem with ten words from the blue vocabulary sheet.

Juniors wrote an essay!  Rhetorical analysis!  Ann Thomas's favorite!

Tomorrow please have read and annotated Act I of Macbeth.  Extra credit to anyone who wears a costume that is in some way relevant to one of the characters in the play.

"People who don't do anything don't make mistakes, and they don't get criticized.  Criticism is an honor."  John Gaston Fairey

Early dismissal

Ninth graders received a homework assignment (story with 20 vocabulary words) due tomorrow and read Kaffir Boy.

Juniors received a review packet and started (barely) Macbeth.  Please have Act I of Macbeth read and annotated by Friday.

Thanks!

Tuesday

Ninth graders received 13 new vocabulary words.  Homework tonight is to write 13 sentences (not simple!) or to write a story with all 13 words.  We also read K Boy.  Tomorrow we will read for most of the class.

Juniors wrote a synthesis essay.  Tomorrow ... Macbeth!!! 

Just another rainy Monday ... Yipee!

Ninth graders tested today.  Please bring your vocabulary sheet tomorrow and your books.

Juniors learned about and discussed the synthesis essay of the AP Exam.  I am now obsessed with the penny.

Tomorrow, you will write a synthesis essay; tomorrow afternoon we will have a review session.

Wednesday ... MACBETH !!!!  Could we be luckier?  Think not!  As Frank McCourt once stated, "reading Shakespeare aloud is like having jewels in my mouth."  Aye, 'tis.

Remember that Saturday morning we will have the mock AP in the cafeteria from 8:10 to noonish.  Fifteen bonus points!! Could you be luckier?

Thank you seventh period paper elves for the gift of paper.  I am grateful for our generosity specifically and for you generally.

Stay dry,

Ms. Seward

Last post this week (I promise)

Week at a glance for juniors:

Monday: review synthesis; if time, start to discuss Brother.
Tuesday: Synthesis (come early or (seventh period) stay late)
Wednesday Macbeth!!!!
Thursday - personal writing, discuss Brother, or essay
Friday - Essay, most likely

Turnitin.com

The information you need for turnitin.com is on the blog entry for March 5, 2012.

Friday the 13th

Ninth graders wrote stories with partners and vocabulary and read our book outside.  Our test Monday will be on our 30 vocabulary words and a few questions about Kaffir Boy.

Juniors submitted their annotated books Brother, I'm Dying.  First, third, and seventh periods discussed how to fix our school.  Sixth period had a different experience.

Please have Macbeth by next Wednesday.  We will begin the play by reading it in class on Wednesday.

Have a good weekend!

Link to article

Below is the link to the Sir Ken Robinson article for your school essay.

http://www.chron.com/life/article/Author-Education-system-fosters-a-culture-of-3413628.php

Enjoy!

Hump Day

Ninth graders have a new vocabulary sheet and a homework assignment, which is to write ten compound sentences or a paragraph with the following words:  Oracle, wizened, admonish, inscrutable, notorious (B.I.G.):), peruse, paradox, accost, belligerent, vehemently.  We also read more of Kaffir Boy, which we will do tomorrow, so bring your book.

Juniors discussed and took a quote quiz on Brother, I'm Dying.  We also talked about the process of writing a synthesis essay, which all classes (except third period) will do tomorrow.

Friday I will collect your annotated Brother, I'm Dying, and you will bring your school essay to class to turnitin and "publish to your peers."

We will also have an after-school review session on Friday.

Our next piece is Macbeth by Billy Shakespeare.  I have them for sale for $5; you must bring Macbeth with you on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.

"And the other one quickly answers, 'Mwen la.  Right here, brother.  I'm right here.'"

Tuesday in the park with Mark

First - I was very proud of our students yesterday at Mr. Mathabane's talk, at the reception, and at dinner.  You are a fine group of scholars, and I am proud to be associated with you.

Ninth graders went to the MPR today to learn about college.  Make sure to get a Naviance account and make sure to get to know Ms. Ruben.  Tomorrow we will continue reading our book and learn more words.

Juniors collected evidence for a debate/position paper on Haiti.

Please peruse this week-at-a-glance (this is for you, Eghosa).

Wednesday - review the synthesis question and quote quiz on pagers 224-end of book.  Third period (A-L go to multipurpose room)

Thursday - write synthesis

Friday - publish school papers, review, discuss book &
after school review session

All for now,

Ms. Seward

Movie premier?! Say what?

Ninth graders attended a guest speaker today.  Tomorrow we will meet to talk about college, I believe.  I will post a sign on the door telling you where to report.

Juniors also attended Mr. Mathabane's talk.  Tomorrow please bring both Mountains Beyond Mountains and Brother, I'm Dying.

Dinner for the nine of you with Mr. Mathabane is tonight at Piatto di Santi, 5711 Bissonnet, 6:00.  Please e-mail me if you cannot attend.  Raneem H., Grant Warren, Natalie Dorman, Tian Wang, Jennifer K., Marguerite G., Danielle T. Chelsea Ji, and Elizabeth Murphy.

Dinner tomorrow

Elizabeth Murphy, Chelsea Ji, Danielle Tobias, Natalie Dorman, Jennifer Knesbach, Grant Warren, Tian Wang, Marguerite Grubb, and Raneem Hamdan.

Dinner is tomorrow evening at Fadi's on Beechnut at 7:30.  Please e-mail me at lseward@houstonisd.org to give me a contact number for you.  I may need to notify you about any last minute changes.  If you cannot attend, please e-mail me.  There will be someone else willing to replace you.

See you all tomorrow.  E-mail with any questions.

Friday, kinda

Ninth graders turned in homework and read Kaffir Boy.  Please come to the Multi-purpose room right after second period on Monday. If you need to take a test third period, please come to the MPR as soon as third period is over.

Juniors planned for Mr. Mathabane's visit and discussed Brother, I'm Dying as well as submitted study questions.

The restaurant where I usually take Mr. Mathabane, Piatto di Santi, is closed on Easter.  Therefore, I will find another restaurant, confirm the definitive dinner list, and post it on the blog sometime Saturday.

Please e-mail this weekend with any questions that you may have.

Thanks!

Hump Day!

Ninth graders turned in homework, reviewed the test from Monday, and finished Dead Man Walking.  Tonight's homework is to write a story with five of the old words and all ten of the new words.  Tomorrow we will start reading Kaffir Boy.

Juniors wrote a rhetorical analysis.  You all are becoming quite skilled.  Tomorrow please have read and annotated through page 230 of Brother, I'm Dying.  Also bring to class five typed questions, two relating to pages within 1-123 and three relating to pages 124-230.  Please include page references on your questions.

Cheers!

Tuesday

Ninth graders received a new vocabulary list today.  Homework tonight is to write 10 compound sentences, one for each new word.  Write compound sentences with commas and fanboys, please.  Remeber that I will give FIVE points of extra credit for consistent and conscientious attendance at NHS tutorials Tuesday and Wednesday at lunch.

We will finish Dead Man Walking tomorrow and start a bit of Kaffir Boy.

Juniors discussed plans for Mr. Mathabane's visit.  Please be thinking of how you would like to contribute.  I will take names tomorrow.

We also discussed the rhetorical analysis of the AP Exam and scored student samples.  Good stuff.

Dates to remember:

Tomorrow:  rhetorical analysis
Thursday, April 5th: read and annotate through page 230 of Brother, I'm Dying.  Bring five typed discussion questions to class.  Each question should have a page reference.  Two questions should relate to any page(s) 1-123, and three questions should relate to page(s) 124-230.
Monday, April 9th - Dr. Mathabane
Tuesday, April 10th - finish Brother, I'm Dying

All for now!

Monday

Ninth graders took a test today.  Tomorrow we will start preparing for a speaker from South Africa and will start learning more vocabulary.

Juniors write a rhetorical analysis today and received a Rhetorical Analysis Cheat Sheet.  Tomorrow we will review said analysis and discuss our Brother book.  Please bring your book.

Deadlines:

Thursday, April 5th - read and annotate through page 230 of Brother, I'm Dying

Monday, April 9th - Mark Mathabane will be here.  (We will adjust the deadline by which you must finish the book, maybe slide it to the next day.)

Friday, April 13th - "Improve our schools!" paper due

Saturday, April 21st - Mock AP exam

All for now!