Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Week of 28-30 Aug. 2012

Gospel of John homework:

Tuesday: Handout on Synoptic Problem (Q). Read John 1-11 and write a sentence summary of each chapter.
Thursday: Read John 1-11 and write a sentence summary of each chapter. Read pp. 23-33. Take notes.  

World Literature homework:

Tuesday: write a paragraph response to Psalm 137. Look up unknown words in Aquinas prayer and paraphrase (write in your own words) on looseleaf.
Wednesday: G.U.M. 5, 6, 13. Worksheet(s).
Thursday: Read handout, Psalm 19 and “The Sun” p. 38; complete worksheet.  

American Literature homework:

Tuesday: paraphrase the Aquinas prayer & write your student prayer (one paragraph) Wednesday: Read Literature pp. 134-136 and list characteristics of Puritans. Academic vocabulary worksheets
Thursday: Finish academic vocabulary worksheets. Read Literature 138-141, 143. p. 142 #1-2.  

British Literature homework:

Tuesday: Read Literature pp. 84-95. p. 89 #2-3; p. 93 #2, 4; p. 96 #7.
Wednesday: Using articles, create the following: 1) Summary; 2) Main points; 3) “The development of the English language means that…” Bring Language Network books to class
Thursday: Vocabulary sheet Read “Historical Background: The Anglo Saxon Period,” pp. 18-20 (Lit. books). What kind of hero would a person in this time period likely appreciate? (paragraph response)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Week of 20-23 Aug. 2012

Gospel of John homework:

Monday: Finish survey. (We will work on the diagnostic during class tomorrow.) Bring signed letter to your parents.
Tuesday: Read pp. 11-21. Answer questions #1-5.
Thursday: Draw an illustration of each of the four Gospels (cf. p. 15) and write an explanation for each illustration of why you illustrated it the way you did.

 World Literature homework:

Monday: Survey (if unfinished). Bring signed letter to your parents.
Tuesday: Study for summer reading test tomorrow; bring summer reading assignments to class. Wednesday: Have all books covered by Monday.
Thursday: Have all books covered by Monday.  

American Literature homework:

Monday: Survey (if unfinished). Bring signed letter to your parents.
Tuesday: Study for summer reading test Thursday.
Wednesday: Study for summer reading test Thursday; bring Great Expectations and summer reading homework assignments.
Thursday: Have all books covered by Monday.  

British Literature homework:

Monday: Survey (if unfinished). Bring signed letter to your parents.
Tuesday: Study for summer reading test Thursday.
Wednesday: Study for summer reading test Thursday; bring Great Expectations and summer reading homework assignments.
Thursday: Have all books covered by Monday.

Letter to twelfth grade parents

20 August 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians:

 I would like to welcome you and your child to 12th Grade English at OCSI. I am excited about having your child in my class, and I am committed to high expectations and standards for your child’s behavior and academic performance as we work together to prepare your child for graduation. OCSI’s 12th grade literature class is a survey of British literature, so we will be reading works ranging from early works written in Anglo-Saxon and Middle English up through those written in the twentieth century. I am excited for this opportunity to guide your students as they learn more about the history of the English language and continue to hone their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

 One of the ways I can communicate my high expectations while helping your child to become a better student overall is by increasing the quality and amount of time spent reading. Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between students’ high test scores and the time they spend reading. Your child can raise test scores significantly over time by spending thirty minutes a night reading.

Education is maximized when the school and parents work together to help students succeed, so I hope that you will support this effort. Towards that goal, please take some time to look over the syllabus and the policies and procedure sheets that your child has received, and to fill out and sign the information sheet. Also, in order to keep track of your child’s assignments and class schedule, feel free to refer to my blog site, where homework assignments and other relevant materials will be posted weekly:

 http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com

You are invited to attend Open House on Friday, August 24, 2012. This will be an informal meeting designed for parents to meet each other and teachers.

Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern.

Yours Truly,

Amber Fontenot
Amber.fontenot@ocsi.org

 ----------------------------Please complete and return the information below-------------------- STUDENTS: I have read the class procedures. I will follow them. Name:________________________________________ Date:_____________________ E-mail address of student:___________________________________________________ Access to word processor, e-mail, and printer:__________________________________ Signature:______________________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PARENT or guardian’s name (first and last):____________________________________ Your phone number:_______________________________ Best time to call:__________ E-mail address of parent:___________________________________________________ Parents: My child has discussed the parent letter, syllabus, and classroom procedures with me. I understand them and will support them. Signature:__________________________________________Date:_______________ Questions or concerns:

Letter to eleventh grade parents

20 August 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians:

 I would like to welcome you and your child to 11th Grade English at OCSI. I am excited about having your child in my class, and I am committed to high expectations and standards for your child’s behavior and academic performance as we work together to prepare your child for their senior year of high school. Since OCSI’s 11th grade literature class is devoted to the study, the class will survey American literature from the colonial times through the twentieth century. We will also discuss the historical time periods and movements in which authors wrote and how authors were affected by their historical and social contexts, so the course will parallel information that your child will learn in US History this year.

One of the ways I can communicate my high expectations while helping your child to become a better student overall is by increasing the quality and amount of time spent reading. Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between students’ high test scores and the time they spend reading. Your child can raise test scores significantly over time by spending thirty minutes a night reading.

Education is maximized when the school and parents work together to help students succeed, so I hope that you will support this effort. Towards that goal, please take some time to look over the syllabus and the policies and procedure sheets that your child has received, and to fill out and sign the information sheet. Also, in order to keep track of your child’s assignments and class schedule, feel free to refer to my blog site, where homework assignments and other relevant materials will be posted weekly:

http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com

You are invited to attend Open House on Friday, August 24, 2012. This will be an informal meeting designed for parents to meet each other and teachers.

 Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern.

Yours Truly,

Amber Fontenot
Amber.fontenot@ocsi.org

 ----------------------------Please complete and return the information below-------------------- STUDENTS: I have read the class procedures. I will follow them. Name:________________________________________ Date:_____________________ E-mail address of student:___________________________________________________ Access to word processor, e-mail, and printer:__________________________________ Signature:______________________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PARENT or guardian’s name (first and last):____________________________________ Your phone number:_______________________________ Best time to call:__________ E-mail address of parent:___________________________________________________ Parents: My child has discussed the parent letter, syllabus, and classroom procedures with me. I understand them and will support them. Signature:__________________________________________Date:_______________ Questions or concerns:

Letter to tenth grade parents

20 August 2012

 Dear Parents and Guardians:

As OCSI’s humanities teacher, I am pleased to welcome you and your child to tenth grade. Your child will be embarking on an exciting journey as we study together in two classes: world history and world literature. I am looking forward to having your child in my classes, and I am committed to high expectations and standards for your child’s behavior and academic performance as we explore the history and literature of cultures around the world.

 One of the ways I can communicate my high expectations while helping your child to become a better student overall is by increasing the quality and amount of time spent reading. Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between students’ high test scores and the time they spend reading. Your child can raise test scores significantly over time by spending thirty minutes a night reading.

 Education is maximized when the school and parents work together to help students succeed, so I hope that you will support this effort. Towards that goal, please take some time to look over the syllabus and the policies and procedure sheets that your child has received, and to fill out and sign the information sheet. Also, in order to keep track of your child’s assignments and class schedule, feel free to refer to my blog site, where homework assignments and other relevant materials will be posted weekly:

http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com

You are invited to attend Open House on Friday, August 24, 2012. This will be an informal meeting designed for parents to meet each other and teachers.

Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern.

Yours Truly,

Amber Fontenot
Amber.fontenot@ocsi.org

----------------------------Please complete and return the information below-------------------- STUDENTS: I have read the class procedures. I will follow them. Name:________________________________________ Date:_____________________ E-mail address of student:___________________________________________________ Access to word processor, e-mail, and printer:__________________________________ Signature:______________________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PARENT or guardian’s name (first and last):____________________________________ Your phone number:_______________________________ Best time to call:__________ E-mail address of parent:___________________________________________________ Parents: My child has discussed the parent letter, syllabus, and classroom procedures with me. I understand them and will support them. Signature:__________________________________________Date:_______________ Questions or concerns:

Letter to ninth grade parents

20 August 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I would like to welcome you and your child to 9th grade at OCSI. I am looking forward both to continuing to develop relationships with continuing students and families and also to welcoming some new faces.

Your child will be starting the school year studying John in Bible class. We will be reading and discussing the fourth gospel, learning about the life of Jesus as recorded by one of his closest disciples. Class activities will include scripture reading and analysis, drawing comparisons to the Old Testament, and memorization of Bible verses.

Education is maximized when the school and parents work together to help students succeed, so I hope that you will support this effort. Towards that goal, please take some time to look over the syllabus and the policies and procedure sheets that your child has received, and to fill out and sign the information sheet. Also, in order to keep track of your child’s assignments and class schedule, feel free to refer to my blog site, where homework assignments and other relevant materials will be posted weekly:

http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com

You are invited to attend Open House on Friday, August 24, 2012. This will be an informal meeting designed for parents to meet each other and teachers.

Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern.

 Yours Truly,

 Amber Fontenot
Amber.fontenot@ocsi.org

 ----------------------------Please complete and return the information below-------------------- STUDENTS: I have read the class procedures. I will follow them. Name:________________________________________ Date:_____________________ E-mail address of student:___________________________________________________ Access to word processor, e-mail, and printer:__________________________________ Signature:______________________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PARENT or guardian’s name (first and last):____________________________________ Your phone number:_______________________________ Best time to call:__________ E-mail address of parent:___________________________________________________ Parents: My child has discussed the parent letter, syllabus, and classroom procedures with me. I understand them and will support them. Signature:__________________________________________Date:_______________ Questions, comments, or requests:

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Supply list for all classes

 Welcome, parents and students!  Whether you are an incoming freshman, a returning senior, or anything in between, I am excited to begin a new school year with all of you.  This year I will be teaching 10th grade English (World Literature), 11th grade English (American Literature), 12th grade English (British Literature), and the one-semester freshman Bible class Gospel of John.  Additionally, sophomores will have Mr. Wagner and me as their class advisors this year. 

Below please find the supply list for your (or your child's) classes.  You can also use the links under "Documents" at right to view the syllabi for classes I teach.

10th/11th/12th grade English

- Two notebooks (B5)
- Loose-leaf paper
- A binder or folder
- Pens, pencils, erasers
- Book covers for class textbooks

Gospel of John (9th grade Bible):

- Two notebooks (B5 or A4)
- Loose-leaf paper
- A folder
- Pens, pencils, erasers
- Bible

British Literature syllabus


Syllabus
English 12 - British Literature

Hour: 3rd period
Teacher Name: Ms. Amber Fontenot
Room Number: 332
E-mail Address: Amber.Fontenot@ocsi.org
Blog Address: http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com
School Phone Number: 958-3000
The best time for parents to call me is: from 3-5 PM

Course Description:  British Literature is a chronological survey of the literature of England with special attention to the impact of social and intellectual history on literature. Students contrast periods such as Romanticism and Realism and study some of the ideas and events which shaped literary movements.

Class Activities: Class activities are designed to develop the students’ communication skills through reading, writing, and speaking. These activities include but are not limited to: reading in class (independently and in groups), writing to examine and explain their thoughts, especially on the subject of literature, working actively both individually and with others, and demonstrating their understanding through tests and projects.

Class Texts:
McDougal Littell - The Language of Literature
Language Network
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (non-consumable workbook)
Dickens A Tale of Two Cities
Golding Lord of the Flies
Shelley Frankenstein
T.S. Eliot Murder in the Cathedral
Shakespeare Hamlet

Materials you should bring to class every day:
- Two notebooks (B5)
- Loose-leaf paper
- A binder or folder
- Pens, pencils, erasers
- Class textbooks with book covers
-An IR book

Grading:
Tests/research paper                40%
Quizzes/projects                      30%
Daily assignments                   20%
Class participation                   10%



Expectations:
- Come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn, explore, and ask questions.
- Be in your seat when the bell rings and begin bellwork immediately at the beginning of class.
- Assignments are expected to be turned in on time; no credit will be given for late assignments.
- During class, be prepared to take notes and participate in class discussions.

Class Rules:
- Respect:  Respect each other, your teacher, and all school rules.
- Expectations:  Come with an open mind and a positive attitude; be ready to explore and ask questions.
- Materials:  Come to class prepared—you should have all necessary books, materials, and assignments when the bell rings.

Approximate Class Schedule:
The schedule below is estimated, and may be adjusted based on class needs, at the teacher’s discretion, at any point throughout the year.

Summer reading:  Great Expectations
First quarter:  Introduction and historical overview, Anglo-Saxon time period and Beowulf, Middle English and The Canterbury Tales
Second quarter:  Medieval romances (continued):  Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Le Morte D’Arthur, Renaissance and Hamlet
J-term reading:  Lord of the Flies
Third quarter:  Enlightenment, Romantic poetry, Frankenstein, Victorian age
Fourth quarter:  Modernism, research paper, Murder in the Cathedral



Academic Vocabulary:

British Literature
Chronology
Medieval Literature
Victorian Literature
Anglo-Saxon Affix
Anglo-Saxon Root
Ballad
Sonnet
Epithet
Ode
Parody
Satire
Understatement
Allusion
Allegory
Imagery
Iambic Pentameter
Universal Theme
Etymology
Comic Relief
American Psychological Association (APA)
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Primary Source
Secondary Source
Revise
Edit
Differentiate
Coherence
Syntax
Parallelism

American Literature syllabus


Syllabus
English 11 - American Literature

Hour:  1st/4th period
Teacher Name: Ms. Amber Fontenot
Room Number: 332
E-mail Address: Amber.Fontenot@ocsi.org
Blog Address: http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com
School Phone Number: 958-3000
The best time for parents to call me is: from 3-5 PM.

Course Description:  The students study literature that coincides with what they are studying in their US History class. Students develop oral skills, critique selected readings, and develop their knowledge of the writings of America throughout its history.

Class Activities:  The students study literature that coincides with what they are studying in their US History class. Students develop oral skills, critique selected readings, and develop their knowledge of the writings of America throughout its history.

Class Texts:
McDougal Littell - The Language of Literature
Language Network
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (non-consumable workbook)
John Grisham – The Testament
Nathaniel Hawthorne - The Scarlet Letter
Mark Twain – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Charles M. Sheldon - In His Steps
Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby

Materials you should bring to class every day:
- Two notebooks (B5)
- Loose-leaf paper
- A binder or folder
- Pens, pencils, erasers
- Class textbooks with book covers
-An IR book

Grading:
Tests/research paper                40%
Quizzes/projects                      30%
Daily assignments                   20%
Class participation                   10%

Expectations:
- Come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn, explore, and ask questions.
- Be in your seat when the bell rings and begin bellwork immediately at the beginning of class.
- Assignments are expected to be turned in on time; no credit will be given for late assignments.
- During class, be prepared to take notes and participate in class discussions.

Class Rules:
- Respect:  Respect each other, your teacher, and all school rules.
- Expectations:  Come with an open mind and a positive attitude; be ready to explore and ask questions.
- Materials:  Come to class prepared—you should have all necessary books, materials, and assignments when the bell rings.

Approximate Class Schedule:
The schedule below is estimated, and may be adjusted based on class needs, at the teacher’s discretion, at any point throughout the year.

Summer reading:  The Testament
First quarter:  Historical overview, the Puritan tradition (The Scarlet Letter), extra credit opportunity (The Crucible)
Second quarter:  Spirit of Individualism, informative speeches, Romanticism and gothic literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
J-term reading:  In His Steps
Third quarter:  Research paper, Civil War and Beyond (19th ce. short stories and poems)

Fourth Quarter:  The Great Gatsby, Twentieth Century American Literature


Academic Vocabulary:

suspense
appeal to authority
appeal to emotion
appeal to logic
logical fallacy
valid argument
enunciation
modern literature
noun clause
American literature
Puritan literature
Romantic period literature
Gothic literature
Realism
Transcendentalism
stream of consciousness
semicolon
hyperbole
dialect
tall tale
tone
analogy
symbolism
theme
scan
stress
simple sentence
compound sentence
complex sentence
compound-complex sentence

World Literature syllabus


Syllabus
English 10 - World Literature

Hour: 2nd period
Teacher Name: Ms. Amber Fontenot
Room Number: 332
E-mail Address: Amber.Fontenot@ocsi.org
Blog Address: http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com
School Phone Number: 958-3000
The best time for parents to call me is: from 3-5 PM

Course Description:  The students study literature that coincides with what they study in their World History class.  Students develop oral skills, presenting scenes from plays, speeches and readings.  They will rely upon the writing process to develop and complete a research paper of 6-8 pages, essays, poetry, and personal experience pieces.  In addition, Independent Reading (IR) will be assigned every quarter based on genre and page number criteria.

Course Objectives:
         Students will apply appropriate strategies to interpret various types of reading materials (textual, functional, and recreational).  They will recognize symbolism, context clues, follow directions, recognize cause and effect, identify sequence, and identify literary elements in specific works.
        Students will exhibit the habit of reading for a substantial amount of time daily, including both assigned and self-directed materials.
         Students will write in response to literature and prompts using journals and at times exercising critical analyses of ideas in their journal writing.
         Students will demonstrate listening skills with oral vocabulary development along with dialect, slang, and jargon.
         Students will demonstrate knowledge of grammar concepts and proper usage, resulting in strengthened phrases in their writing processes.
         Students will conduct individual research using all aspects of the research process, producing thoughtful compositions constructed from pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and presenting.
         Students will display an extended vocabulary consisting of common foreign words and terms, analogies, and formal and informal word choice.

Class Texts:
McDougal Littell - The Language of Literature
Language Network
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (non-consumable workbook)
Conrad Richter - The Light in the Forest
Euripedes - Medea
Joni Eareckson Tada - Joni
Corrie Ten Boom - The Hiding Place
Alan Paton – Cry the Beloved Country


Materials you should bring to class every day:
- Two notebooks (B5)
- Loose-leaf paper
- A binder or folder
- Pens, pencils, erasers
- Class textbooks with book covers
-An IR book

Grading:
Tests/research paper                40%
Quizzes/projects                      30%
Daily assignments                   20%
Class participation                   10%

Expectations:
- Come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn, explore, and ask questions.
- Be in your seat when the bell rings and begin bellwork immediately at the beginning of class.
- Assignments are expected to be turned in on time; no credit will be given for late assignments.
- During class, be prepared to take notes and participate in class discussions.

Class Rules:
- Respect:  Respect each other, your teacher, and all school rules.
- Expectations:  Come with an open mind and a positive attitude; be ready to explore and ask questions.
- Materials:  Come to class prepared—you should have all necessary books, materials, and assignments when the bell rings.

Approximate Class Schedule:
The schedule below is estimated, and may be adjusted based on class needs, at the teacher’s discretion, at any point throughout the year.

Summer reading:  A Light in the Forest
First quarter:  Literature of the Ancient World (The Epic of Gilgamesh, creation stories from around the world), research paper, PSAT review
Second quarter:  Medea, Julius Caesar
J-term reading:  Joni
Third quarter:  Arthurian legends and other romances, poetry appreciation and writing, The Hiding Place (Extra credit opportunity:  Farewell to Manzanar)
Fourth quarter:  Holocaust and WWII literature, Cry, the Beloved Country



Academic Vocabulary:

subplot
slang
ancient literature
Bible as literature
irony
standard English
tragic flaw
tragic hero
hamartia
hubris
phrase
clause
mythology
alliteration
couplet
autobiography
archetype
assonance
mechanics
grammar
double negative
root word
drama
comedy
tragedy
tense
citation
parenthetical reference
minor character
credibility