HOLIDAY HELLO

Ms. Gonzalez and I want to wish you the MERRIEST of Christmases and the HAPPIEST of days!  We miss you already!  Thank you for the many notes, hugs, gifts, and goodies you gave us this past week; we love EVERYTHING and are so grateful for your thoughtfulness and love.  Really, our days are brighter because of you!

Don't forget to do your 4 sessions of Reading Plus.  You can do them whenever, as long as they're done by 1/8/13.  In addition, if you are not up to 26 sessions by then, you will need to be.  Take this time to get caught up.  Every week you aren't, you will not get the points for keeping up the pace.  If you are already at 26 sessions, you are OFF for the entire break (good job).

REMEMBER THAT WE LOVE YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!!

Periods 3 & 4, read this!

In the aftermath of our nation's recent tragedy--and much to our chagrin--C-Rod and I have decided to postpone our Ides of December Toga Celebration until we return from winter break.

Please pass this news on to your friends and classmates as soon as you read it!

Remember, bookbags and large purses will not be allowed in school on Friday; that said, make sure to bring pens, paper, and folders to class. YOU WILL STILL HAVE YOUR VOCABULARY TEST; STUDY!

Know that we love you! While we have been eager to culminate our JULIUS CAESAR unit, we agree the postponement is most wise. :0) 

Celebrating Caesar - PERIOD 3

Celebrating Caesar

Period 3 (Period 4, you will leave a comment in the next post): We did not have time to decide which items you could bring for our Ides of December celebration.  Naturally, all items need to relate to our play - Julius Caesar.  Be sure to list the item(s) you plan to bring here in this post.  For example, Michelle Garcia is bringing three bottles of Portia's Burning Coal-a (soda). Try not to double up on items.  Let's be different. YOU WILL NEED TO LABEL YOUR FOOD WITH THE NAME YOU CREATE :)  Oh, if you cannot bring anything, but you can donate $3, I will bring in a HUGE tray of Brutus's Zealous Ziti.

YOU MUST WEAR A TOGA over your uniform for our celebration!!!!

Celebrating Caesar - PERIOD 4

Period 4: We did not have time to decide which items you could bring for our Ides of December celebration.  Naturally, all items need to relate to our play - Julius Caesar.  Be sure to list the item(s) you plan to bring here in this post.  For example, Michelle Garcia is bringing three bottles of Portia's Burning Coal-a (soda). Try not to double up on items.  Let's be different. YOU WILL NEED TO LABEL YOUR FOOD WITH THE NAME YOU CREATE :)  Oh, if you cannot bring anything, but you can donate $3, I will bring in a HUGE tray of Brutus's Zealous Ziti.

YOU MUST WEAR A TOGA over your uniform for our celebration!!!!

BLESSING BASKETS - ALL PERIODS

For the holidays, we are doing Blessing Baskets in honor of Ms. Valle's beloved grandfather. He passed away this week, and his wish was that we help our families :)  With that said, we are collecting items for SIX blessing baskets (one per period) to help those in our Gladiator family.  Please sign up in class THIS WEEK.  We will need all items by Monday :)

You all have no idea how important it is to PAY IT FORWARD, and we're proud of you for participating for no credit, no grade, no points.  It is you, our amazing students, who put the "BLESSING" in Blessing Baskets.

All Classes

ALL CLASSES:  Remember to have your 20 Reading Plus sessions done by tomorrow  :)  For Word of the Day this week, do ONE of these graphic organizers (see below) for ONE word from 112/10-12/14.  It is due on Thursday (per. 3 & 5) or Friday (per. 2, 4, and 6). For more specific instructions for certain periods, SEE BELOW:

Period 4 - Be sure to finish Act I of Julius Caesar.  Click HERE to access an online copy.  Be ready for a quiz on that scene on Friday. 

Periods 2 & 6 -   Go to TEAMROGO.COM.  Click on the ENGLISH LANG tab to access your page.  Once you're on your page, click on the EL Unit 5 Vocab link on the right.  Remember, you need to be on the English Lang page to see the link. Copy the new words into your vocab journal. 

Love you ALL!!!

PS. For WOD this week, use this:

– Period 4, here's your homework:  

 Create your own slither of a sonnet following these guidelines:

- Topic:

™ 1) Excessive pride leads to one’s ruin.    OR

™ 2) Good leaders acknowledge their weaknesses. 

– - 6 lines of Iambic Pentameter (10 syllables each)

– - Rhyme Scheme:

™ A

™ B

™ A

™ B

™ C

™ C

–  -Due Monday, 12/10.

Period 3

Period 3 - Be sure to finish Act I, scene ii of Julius Caesar.  Click HERE to access an online copy.  Be ready for a quiz on that scene on Friday.  In addition, don't forget to do your graphic for one of the Words of the Day.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?????

All Classes:  For this weekend (or at least until Tuesday), you should be working towards that Reading Plus MINIMUM of 18 sessions.  Remember that a session doesn't end until you see that progress screen.  Be sure to complete reading and vocab each session.  For Word of the Day this week, you will create a graphic of one word from THIS WEEK (Nov. 30-Dec. 7) like the ones we have done in class.  There are some samples here on our blog under the General Paper column.

General Paper:  Your only HW is to complete Reading Plus.  Keep in mind that you will have the FCAT 2.0 Writing Field Test on Tuesday.  This is merely a pilot; however, you are EXPECTED to go FULL THROTTLE on this test and RACE TOWARDS a SIX!!!!!!  Your actual FCAT Writing exam won't be until the end of February.  (Period 4, we will be collecting your essays and your self-evaluations on Tuesday, so please bring them in.)

English Language:   You not only have to get caught up on Reading Plus, you must also do your Iola reading, and study for your vocab test.  Many have expressed that they're really immersed in our novel, which is always music to our ears.  Be sure to check the calendar for the chapters you must complete.  (Period 5, we are back on schedule, so be ready for a quiz on Chapters 9-15.)  Period 2, since I didn't collect them, you will submit your annotated article on Tuesday for last week. 

Thinking Skills: Be ready for a cumulative vocab quiz any minute! STUDY THOSE WORDS DAILY!

Know that we love and miss you DEARLY!