September 30, 2009

Today we started with a noun game on the interactive whiteboard. We took vocabulary quiz 2 next. We did some pronoun practice as well as some pronoun games on the whiteboard. We talked about chapter 8 in Huck Finn. The students are to read chapter 9 in Huck Finn for next class.

September 28, 2009

Today we did a pronoun game on the whiteboard to start class. We went over pronouns and learned that we have a lot to learn about pronouns. We talked about Huck Finn a little. Pages 348-353 in textbooks should be studied to learn (not memorize) pronouns. Homework is to read chapter 8 and to be prepared for vocabulary 2 quiz for next class.

Sept. 24, 2009

Mr. Annen had to get allergy tests done on Thursday. Please be sure and read chapter 6 and 7 of Huck Finn for Tuesday.

Sept. 22

Today we had rushed classes. With the fog delay, we needed to get through some material to keep the kids/classes on schedule. We did some pronoun work and the students received a worksheet that is due next class and we talked about Huck Finn and assigned chapter 5 which is also due next class. We check vocab 2 and still have some student who are not completing simple tasks. Keep up on the homework. It's easy points much of the time.

September 21

Today we discussed two chapters of Huck Finn. We answered some questions and we talked about issues the students had with the reading and tried to keep it clear. We also defined vocabulary 2 and had chapter 4 assigned for homework. Please remind students to complete reading and vocabulary 2.

Huck Finn

If a student forgets his/her book at home. The following site contains the entire book Huck Finn.
http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/Twa2Huc.html

September 17, 2009

Today we did a short summary of chapter 1 of Huck Finn. We discussed what words the students had trouble with in the reading. We took a vocabulary quiz. The homework is to read chapters 2 and 3 of Huck Finn.

September 16,2009

Today we started with a noun/proper noun word game and the students seem take to it immediately! We moved into a discussion on racism and the "n-word" and where it comes from and why it is never appropriate to use. The kids really did a nice job with this. They did a free write about their feelings following this talk and could write and/or draw about what they feel about racism and the use of that word. We then went over vocabulary 1. They have the definitions that will be on the quiz. And, finally, I assigned the first chapter of Huckleberry Finn.

Extra Credit

Students may earn extra credit by finding noun/pronoun mistakes anywhere. The mistakes can be anywhere: in print, on tv, or any other medium you may find.

September 14, 2009 Freshman English

Today we started off discussing what makes up a sentence and the kids could draw a picture, make up a formula, or come up with another creative way to demonstrate this. We then had our first homework issue. Several students did not complete vocabulary lesson one. Please remind students to complete homework especially now that we have a blog reminding of all homework. We completed our introductory noun check and then started to talk about the times of Huck Finn as well as why it might be a controversial book.

English 9: September 11

Today we started with a film on Mark Twain for our introduction into Huckleberry Finn. The students wrote on the whiteboard things that were important from the film and I highlighted what was really important. We concluded concluded class with our first vocabulary lesson and that is due when we meet next.

You can follow my twitter for homework updates as well if you'd like. You can do a search for Mr. Annen and I'll try to remember to post homework on twitter.

Have a great weekend!

Syllabus

I'm pasting my syllabus in here. This is something that is changing a bit this year so I'll try to update when I make changes.


ENGLISH 9
Mr. Annen
The primary goal of the ENGLISH 9 course is to develop your abilities in grammar and usage. You will broaden your vocabulary as we embark on a weekly vocabulary quiz schedule. Grammar lessons, vocabulary, and reading assignments will comprise your English homework.
General Course Objectives
To expand your knowledge of our language and its correct use in the written form.
To broaden your vocabulary through projects and quizzes.
To expose you to classic literature and keep you accountable for reading that literature.
Tentative 1st Semester schedule of literature:
Huck Finn
Romeo and Juliet
Grammar and vocabulary throughout (approximately 7-9 units of grammar and 16-18 units of vocab)
Tentative 2nd Semester schedule:
The Odyssey
Grammar and vocabulary throughout (approximately 7-9 units of grammar and 16-18 units of vocab)
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Grading
Grading will be based on a straight scale and will consist of the following:
weekly vocabulary quizzes
reading quizzes
tests/projects
Extra Credit: I am not a big fan of this, but if you are passing, you may earn extra credit through various movies, plays, and/or other sources of modern media that I assign as being so.
Note: If your grade should fall into or below the “D” range, a phone call OR email will be made/sent to your home to inform your parents of your progress.
Class Rules
Show respect
My name is Mr. Annen or Coach Annen… please address me as one of those, and I shall return the courtesy to you
You will be verbally warned before any detentions are handed out. If you are a problem in class, you will not continue to remain in this class.
Please listen when others speak.
Please follow directions the first time they are given, and if you don’t understand, please, by all means, raise your hand and ask for clarification
DO YOUR WORK!
Most of the problems that arise in English 9 are a result of students not completing homework. Do it, and most times you will pass. Don’t do it, and you will surely fail.
If you do not do your work, you will be penalized but I expect you to do all of your work. WE will work together to get your work finished and correct.
Keep all handouts in a folder just for this class, and please bring all books to every class unless otherwise informed.
Please bring a writing utensil to class each and every day. You will be expected to use a pencil or a blue or black pen. NO RED PENS WILL BE USED EXCEPT BY ME. Thank you in advance
Follow school enforced rules
All school rules apply to this and every classroom… please don’t ask me to bend or break them for you… thank you.
If you are absent, you must come see me for make-up work otherwise it will be late. You will of course have the same amount of time that you were absent to make it up.
Please be on time to class.
Cheating on any homework or quizzes will result in a zero, a phone call home, and a detention from me.
TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF. I WILL CONFISCATE THEM IF I SEE THEM.
f. Hall passes will only be issued when you have YOUR OWN planner and will not exceed those in your planner.
No food or soda in the classroom… NO EXCEPTIONS

Day 2

Great classes today! We went over our syllabus and talked about how the grades are divided up in English classes. Assessments are 50%, writing is 30%, and assignments are 20%. We also talked about a writing prompt concerning the possibility of extending high school to five years instead of four. The students did a great job with this! We finished class by starting our grammar dealing with nouns.

Day 1

Day one was as positive experience. My classes shared summer experiences and personal preferences when it comes to reading, movies. and personal activities. Day two will be an interesting day of more freshmen as well as p.e. and seminar. Parents should have given personal email addresses to students so that I can send out newsletters as well as updates on individual students.

Welcome to Mr. Annen's Class

This is the first post in a long list of posts. I will post on twitter as well as on here with homework or other information that can make your year a positive experience for both English 9 and AP English Literature. Feel free to ask questions and post suggestions for me to consider as we work on this blog this year.