Thursday, July 30, 2009

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

UNIT 1: Informational Texts--"Power and Success"

YOU have the power to be a success in the 9th grade!

In our first unit of the year, we are going to be learning about the qualities and attributes of successful people. We are going to do some self-reflection on what has made us successful in the past, and study other leaders in the community, nation, and world to learn about the personal attributes and life experiences that have led them to their positions of power. We are going to learn about reading strategies that we'll be using throughout the year to be successful with different kinds of text. We are also going to learn about the attitudes and behaviors it is going to take for you to be a success both in this grade and throughout your school career.

Homework (due Friday 9/5)
1)Visit Time Magazine online and pick one person from their 2009 list of the 100 Most Influential People:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1894410,00.html?iid=redirect-time100
2) Write a Power Paragraph (minimum 5 sentences) that describes the qualities that make this person powerful or successful. Answer the question "Why are they an influence on the world?"

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Welcome to Our Blog!

Hello my Ballou babies! I am excited for us to have a place on the web where you can keep up with classwork at the same time as you keep track of friends on MySpace :)

This blog will serve multiple purposes for our class. Here, you will be able to:
  • view and complete online homework assignments and lesson extensions
  • have an extra place to contact me with questions about assignments you are working on at home
  • listen to audio for novels we read together in class
  • find important announcements and calendars with due dates to keep you organized
  • find the links to websites that I think you would need to see or will enjoy (including my Snapfish account, where you can order pictures I've taken of you!)

You now have a place to share your thoughts and take accountability of your learning in English One.