9th Grade Grammar Review

Guys, for Friday's tests make sure you study the following:
- a few/a little VS. few/little
- Differences between GENERIC nouns, INDEFINITE nouns, and SPECIFIC nouns (7.7)
- Expressions of quantity (7.9 & 7.10)
- Article usage rules (7.8)
- Using OF with expressions of quantity (7.11)
- Singular expressions of quantity (7.13)

Good luck!

Extra Credit Assignment [ALL GRADES]

This assignment is for 10 extra TEST points, OR 100 extra HW points. I want you to tell me about an event in your life that's made you feel thankful [about something important, preferably]. In 1 to 2 pages, I want you to tell me about a time in your life in which you did something, experienced something, or saw something that made you feel thankful. Be honest about it too!

Due Date: Monday, Dec. 8 2009.

The Body of the Queen - 12th Grade Lit. Documentary

Hey guys,
Since we will not be having class until next week, we will not be able to finish the documentary we began until then. But worry not! I have found it online, so I will post it so that you can finish it at home if you cannot wait 'til next week. Enjoy it!

9th Grade Grammar Period Exam Review

Guys, the period exam will be made up of exercises that are similar to those found in the tests we've taken this period. Study them!

Test Chap. 1-2
Test Chapt. 3-4

10th Grade Grammar Period Exam Review

Guys, the period exam will be made up of exercises that are similar to those found in the tests we've taken this period. Study them!

Test Chapter 1
Test Chapter 2-A
Test Chapter 2-B

12th Grade Period Exam Review

Guys, the period exam will be made up of combinations of the following questions:

1) Who do you think is the hero of the play? Why do you think this character is the hero of the play? Is there a hero at all in the play? How do you think this has affected the ending of the play?

2) How would you describe Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s relationship? Is she a positive or negative influence, and why? Please provide quotes from the play to support your answer and explain how they do so.

3) Imagine you are an important businessperson with the second highest position in a powerful company. One day, a group of stockholders and executives that are part of the Board of Directors of your company come up to you and tell you that they see a lot of potential in you and want for you to one day be the face and leader of your company, but that it would not happen as long as your boss was around. Your boss, a person who thinks highly of you but doesn’t have a close relationship with you, reveals privileged information to you that can get him fired. This leaves you in a very particular dilemma: You could either tell the Board of Directors what you know, and by de facto take over your boss’ job; or you could keep it to yourself, protecting the person who has been careless and is holding your progress back. What would you do, and why? REMEMBER:  Your answer must show that you have considered the pro’s and con’s of both sides.

4) Who do you think is the villain of the play? Why do you think this character is the villain of the play? Is there a villain at all in the play? How do you think this has affected the ending of the play?

  

5) What is the significance of the three witches in Macbeth? How are they depicted, and why do you think this is so? Do you think this has to do with the way Shakespeare understood the supernatural? As readers, how are WE supposed to understand the supernatural according to the play?

6) The main example we’ve had of a friendship (that of Macbeth and Banquo) ended with betrayal. The main example we’ve had of a marriage (that of the Macbeths) is flawed. What do you think this tells us about Shakespeare’s views on friendship and marriage? Do you think his representation of these two would be accepted in today’s world?

  

For my 8th Graders - Is the Moon Landing Real?

Throughout my whole life I never doubted the veracity of the moon landing... until I watched this documentary. You're free to make your own conclusions, since I am in no way trying to make you believe that the moon landing never happened. It's just something interesting to think about, considering the circumstances surrounding the event. Enjoy!

9th Grade Grammar Test 2 Review

Guys, study the following:

Present, Past, and Future Perfect [and how to use them in sentences].

Present, Past, and Future perfect Progressive [and how to use them in sentences].

Future Progressive.

Formulas for the Progressive, Perfect, and Perfect Progressive.

Difference between WILL and BE GOING TO.

Time Clauses [what they are and how to identify them].

For the 10A kids

Hey guys, here's the video you (well, Jorge) asked about. Enjoy:

Weezer - This Is Such a Pity from Rafael Sans on Vimeo.

9th Grade Test Review

Guys, make sure you study the following:
-Verb tense formulas (Ch. 1)
- Difference between progressive and simple tenses (Ch. 1)
- ING and ED endings (Ch. 1)
- Irregular verbs (Ch. 2)
- Stative Verbs (Ch. 2)
- Using always to complain (Ch. 2)
- Using the simple present and present progressive (Ch. 2)
- Using the simple past and past progressive (Ch. 2)

7th Grade Final Exam Review

Guys,

Here are the tests I promised. Make sure you study these because the final exam will be made up of these questions. The 2nd "Health" test will be posted on Tuesday.

Science Test 1

Science Test 2

Health Test 1

Health Test 2

Good luck! Study hard.

10th Grade Grammar Final Exam Review

Guys,

Here is the test I promised. Make sure you study this because the final comes from these same questions and exercises.

Test Ch. 6

Good luck! Study hard.

9th Grade Grammar Final Exam Review

Guys,

Here are the tests I promised. Make sure you study these because the final comes from these same questions and exercises.

Test Ch. 11

Test Ch. 12

Good luck! Study hard.

8th Grade Grammar Final Exam Review

Guys,

Here are the tests I promised. Make sure you study these because the final comes from these same questions and exercises.

Test Ch. 8

Test Ch. 9

Good luck! Study hard.

Extra Credit Assignment [ALL Grades]

Write a paragraph discussing an important moment in your life. You can either tell a story of an event, talk about an important person in your life [besides me, of course], or one of the following:
- What experiences have changed you as a person.
- Which people have made an impact in your life.
- Your view of life and your future as a child VS. your view of life and your future now.
- New friends you’ve made / Old friends you’ve lost.
- What things you value and appreciate the most in your life today.

Please be as honest and descriptive as possible. Good luck!

Extra Credit Assignment [ALL Grades]

For up to 10 TEST points/100 HW points.

Write a paragraph discussing your school year. You can include details like:
- What you felt like at the beginning of the year VS. how you feel now.
- What your favorite subject has been and why.
- The most valuable thing you have learned this school year.
- Your most memorable experience this school year.
- Your least favorite subject and why.
- New friends you’ve made / old friends you’ve lost.

Please be as honest as posible, and try to focus on your achievements and experiences IN school. And no, you won't get more points if you talk about how wonderful I am. I was supposed to put this up on Friday, but I just forgot. It was my Wii's fault.

10th Grade Grammar - Resources

http://idebate.org is a good place to start, it should help you with your essay and research paper.

I will try to post more as I find them.

10th Grade Grammar Essay/Research Paper hand-out

Instructions:

- You will choose one of the following topics as your ESSAY topic, and a different topic as your RESEARCH PAPER topic.

- You are not allowed to use the same topic for the essay and the research paper. You can use internet sources, encyclopedias, articles and books in your paper, AS LONG AS YOU CITE THEM. IF YOU QUOTE SOMETHING (ANYTHING AT ALL) FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, WITHOUT CITING IT, YOU WILL RECEIVE A 20 GRADE.

- You are not allowed to have any of your relatives or friends proofread or edit your paper, they can only give you an opinion, sources, or ideas. Only your teachers and classmates are allowed to proofread your papers and give you grammar advice. This is a grammar class, and I need to be able to grade you on YOUR grammar.

- The essay MUST be at least FIVE paragraphs long. Each paragraph must consist of at least 8 sentences, and a maximum of 13.

-The research paper MUST be at least SEVEN paragraphs long. Each paragraph must consist of at least 8 sentences, and a maximum of 13.

Topics:

Abortion: What is abortion? What are the types of abortion? Is abortion legal? If so, where in the world is it legal? What are the moral objections to abortion? Is it ever beneficial? Should women have the right to abort?

Music Censorship: Should music ever be censored? Are lyrics in songs ever harmful or insulting? Could music be a bad influence on people’s lives? If so, what should the government do about it, if anything at all? What should parents do about it?

Alcohol: What are the effects of alcoholism? Should the drinking age be lowered? If so, why? Does alcohol have any positive effects? What measures have been taken to ban alcoholism? Should more be taken, or are they too strict?

Sexism: What is sexism? Does it exist today? What are the effects of sexism? Has sexism decreased or increased in recent years? What has the feminist movement done to affect sexism? What more can be done to completely erradicate sexism?

Animal Rights: Do animals have rights? If so, what would they be? Should humans be allowed to experiment on animals? Why or why not? Are animals treated fairly? If not, what Could we do to treat them more fairly?

Legalization of Cannabis: What is cannabis? What are the effects of cannabis? Does it have positive or negative effects? Should it be legalized? Why or why not? How can the government control the use of cannabis?

Death Penalty: What is the death penalty? What are its origins? Is it still used? Should it still be used? Why, or why not? Is the death penalty effective? Has it helped reduce crime? What are some alternatives to the death penalty?

Capitalism VS. Socialism: What is capitalism? What is socialism? What are the differences between them? Is there one better than the other? Is there a way to combine the benefits of both, or are they completely exclusive of each other?

Imposition of Democracy: What is democracy? What are its origins? What are the benefits of democracy? Is it the fairest government system? Should democracy be imponed on non-democratic countries? Why, or why not? Would this have benefits? What would be its disadvantages?

Piracy and File-sharing: What is piracy? Why is it illegal? Is it morally wrong? How has file-sharing influenced piracy? Has piracy increased or decreased in recent years? Is file-sharing used exclusively for piracy? Does file-sharing have any benefits or uses?

Gay Marriage: Is gay marriage morally wrong? From a legal point of view, should it be allowed? Why or why not? From a religious point of view, should it be allowed? Why or why not? Would allowing gay marriage benefit society? Would banning gay marriage benefit society?

Global Warming: What is global warming? Is it real, or made-up? Can it be stopped? Are governments doing enough to stop it? What are some alternative methods to stop global warming? What are the possible effects of global warming?

War: Is war always necessary? Can it be avoided? Is there such a thing as a justified war? What are the effects of war on society and on the world at large? Historically, how has war influenced the World?

DUE DATES:

Essay:

1) The Topic Sentence and Outline will be due Wednesday April 22nd.

2) The Rough Draft will be due Monday April 27th.

3) The Final Draft will be due Monday May 4th.

Research Paper:

1) The Topic Sentence and Outline will be due Wednesday May 13th.

2) The Rough Draft will be due Friday May 22nd.

3) The Final Draft will be due Friday May 29th.

Grammar Ninja

Grammar games > History games. I present to you, Grammar Ninja.
Grammar NinjaBy the way, you can e-mail me your extra credit assignments if that makes it easier for you. GET THEM DONE!

8th Grade Grammar Exam Review

Guys, here is the review for the Exam. Study these tests and you will do well on your exam.

Test #1

 

Test #2

9th Grade Exam Review

Guys, here are both tests we had this last period. Study these and you will do well on your exam.

Test 1

Test 2

8th Grade Test

8th graders,

Don't forget about your test on MONDAY [8B] / TUESDAY [8A]. Make sure you study the following things:

- What do modal auxiliaries express?

-What are imperative sentences?

-How to express:

-Advice

-Permission

-Possibility

-Polite Questions

-Advice

-Necessity / Lack of Necessity

-Prohibition

-Suggestions

-Preference

Study hard. Good luck.

9th Grade Test

9th Graders,

Don't forget to study for your test on TUESDAY [9A] / WEDNESDAY [9B]. Study the notes from Chapter 9 that I gave you in class [What are modals? What modals express what?] and what you learned from your peers during the presentations [basically, MORE modal stuff that is found in Chapter 10]. Study hard. Good luck.

Extra Credit Assignment [All Grades]

An Ethical Dilemma

A woman was near death from a unique kind of cancer. There is a drug that might save her. The drug costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could only get together about $2,000. He asked the doctor scientist who discovered the drug for a discount or let him pay later. But the doctor scientist refused. 

Should Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife? Why or why not?

Write a paragraph [10 - 13 sentences] explaining what you believe Heinz should do. Keep in mind every possibility [i.e., what if he gets caught while stealing and gets sent to prision where he can no longer spend time with his wife OR get her the medicine? What if his wife dies while he is trying to save enough money to buy the medicine? Would he go against the Bible by stealing?] and tell me what YOU would do if YOU were in Heinz's position.

Due by April 1st, 2009.

Extra Credit Assignment [All Grades]

Listen to the following song:

lyrics

Write a reflection about it, that is at least one paragraph [10 - 13 sentences] long.

Your reflection should answer some, though not all, of the following questions:

- What is the song about?

- What does the "feeling" of the song tell you about the mood of the songwriter?

- What do you think he means in the line "No cruxifix could ever fix enough"?

- How does the song make YOU feel?

- What does the songwriter say about life in this song?

Due by: 03/15/09

Paragraph Assignment [10th Grade Grammar]

Hey guys, here are the essays I told you about in class. You need to pick ONE of them, and write me a paragraph telling me whether you agree with it or not, and WHY you feel that way. It's pretty simple. Remember, it needs to be 10 - 13 sentences long and you need to pick a specific way to develop your argument. Good Luck!

Unnecessary Curfew For Kids Under Age Fifteen

Police Brutality

Gun Control is Not the Answer

Cell Phone Use Should be Banned While Driving

Extra Credit Assignment [All Grades]

Read the following story:  

http://malaspina.edu/~johnstoi/kafka/imperialmessage.htm

Write a reflection about it, that is at least one paragraph [10 - 13 sentences] long.

Your reflection should answer some, though not all, of the following questions:

- How does the imagery used in the story make you feel?

- What do you think the story tells you about the author?

- Have you ever been in a situation that feels like the one the messenger is in?

- What do you think the story says about life and society?

- Since the story has an open end, what would you add to it, if anything at all?

Due by 03/06/09

About the author:
Franz Kafka (IPA: [ˈfʀanʦ ˈkafka]) (3 July 1883 – 3 June 1924) was one of the major fiction writers of the 20th century. He was born to a middle-class German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, Austria-Hungary, presently the Czech Republic. His unique body of writing—much of which is incomplete and which was mainly published posthumously—is considered by some people to be among the most influential in Western literature.
^{His stories, such as The Metamorphosis (1915), and novels, including The Trial (1925) and The Castle (1926), concern troubled individuals in a nightmarishly impersonal and bureaucratic world.} 

^(Wikipedia)

Outline Assignment [10th Grade]

Here is the article/video for your outline assignment. Choose one and write an outline with the information given in the article/video. Good luck. Leave a comment/E-mail me if you have any questions, and I'll try to reply ASAP.

If you have limited internet access, talk to me at least 3 days before the assignment is due.

Barack Obama's Biography:

Article: http://www.biography.com/featured-biography/barack-obama/index.jsp [SKIP THE BREAKING NEWS SECTION]

Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3545343528928314588

If you feel like you have a story/article/video that you would rather write an outline about, e-mail/message me and I'll have a look at it and decide whether you can use it or not. I'm pretty flexible, so don't be afraid to ask.

Here is a website giving you a few tips on making better and more effective outlines:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/