Test Results/Class Averages for The Great Gatsby (Chapters 6, 7, and 8):
A Band: 74.5
B Band: 68.8
G Band: 73.0
Saturday, October 29, 2011
PLEASE NOTE: Do not become discouraged by your score on the first Timed-Write. The average grade was an 85%-not too many grades of 90% or above. Your timed-write will be returned when the absent students have responded to the prompt. If you were absent, you have until Tuesday afternoon (11/1) to complete the response. I do expect an absence note. Furthermore, those absent on Friday also have until that day to do the same for the Group Test on The Great Gatsby.By the way, you may take the test-as a group-with other absent students-only four students per group. Recall my policy-you have two days to complete any test -once you return to school- I will then remove the "0" from Jupiter grades and enter your score.
The results for The Great Gatsby Group Test should NOT disappoint you. I deducted 3 points for each incorrect response and then added 6 points to your final score. (32 questions x 3=96) Sadly, several students did NOT collaborate with members of their group; they simply recorded the responses-I took note of these students. You know who you are-regrettably, I should have spoken to you privately!
The results for The Great Gatsby Group Test should NOT disappoint you. I deducted 3 points for each incorrect response and then added 6 points to your final score. (32 questions x 3=96) Sadly, several students did NOT collaborate with members of their group; they simply recorded the responses-I took note of these students. You know who you are-regrettably, I should have spoken to you privately!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Just a Reminder: Letter grades are entered for the first-marking period according to NYC DOE and LMGHS directives. Hence, a numerical grade is not rounded-up to the next letter-grade. For example, if you have an 89% (B+), it will NOT be rounded-up to a "90" so that an "A" could be entered on your report card. Your grade would be entered as a "B"-please do not become "disgruntled" with me. HOWEVER, this "89"- since grades are cumulative- would be averaged with your second-marking period grade and entered as a numerical grade-not a letter grade.
Early Monday morning, I will determine if your score on the Chapter 3, 4, & 5 test for The Great Gatsby is going to be averaged with the first-marking period or with the test grades for the second-marking period.
Presently, some of you who have earned an "A" for the first-marking period would most likely end-up with a "B" on the report card if I decide to enter your test result. Furthermore, some of you who have earned a "B" could actually end-up with a "C"-Please keep in mind that I am referring to those students who are on the "borderline" of those letter grades.
Diedrich is trying to be "fair" about this. I am sure your parents will understand if they see your average is an 89% and yet, a "B" was entered on your report card. Diedrich is following the mandated policy and can not deviate from what the administration has dictated.
Early Monday morning, I will determine if your score on the Chapter 3, 4, & 5 test for The Great Gatsby is going to be averaged with the first-marking period or with the test grades for the second-marking period.
Presently, some of you who have earned an "A" for the first-marking period would most likely end-up with a "B" on the report card if I decide to enter your test result. Furthermore, some of you who have earned a "B" could actually end-up with a "C"-Please keep in mind that I am referring to those students who are on the "borderline" of those letter grades.
Diedrich is trying to be "fair" about this. I am sure your parents will understand if they see your average is an 89% and yet, a "B" was entered on your report card. Diedrich is following the mandated policy and can not deviate from what the administration has dictated.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Schedule for Week of 24 October:
NOTE: I realize that many of you are curious about your score on the test for Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of The Great Gatsby, unfortunately I was only able to scan the papers for "Test A" before receiving a message on the Lexmark Printer that the service had been lost. I will attempt the scanning process again early Monday morning-if unsuccessful, I will hand score your answer sheet. "No, I will not make any errors, Diedrich is accurate in all he does." I will say that there were quite a few students who scored from 80% to 100% on the test so far. Sadly, there were students who averaged only 9 questions correct. Should I input these grades into Jupiter for the "first-marking" period?
You do not have to bring your Language of Composition textbook to class this week, but you do have a homework assignment that is DUE on Thursday, 27 October.
What is the impact of gender roles that society creates and enforces?
For Thursday, 27 October: Read Professions for Women by Virginia Woolf beginning on page 356 of your textbook (This is one of my favorite essays/speeches.) You will then answer the Questions on Rhetoric and Style according to your last-name initial.
A-M will answer Questions 1-6
N-Z will answer Questions 7-12
Naturally, your responses will be answered in complete sentences. Kindly use 12pt font and New Times Roman. If you do hand write-it, which you should not-skip a space after each response.
Wait, there is another part to this assignment. You will complete Exercise 1 on page 424. Please skip a space after each sentence.
If you are absent, you know what to do...
Tuesday, 25 October: College NOW Visitations in all English 11 classes.
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Preparation for your first-timed write for the Rhetorical Analysis Question on the AP Examination.
Wait-Wait-Wait-You do have another assignment-another assignment you do have (name that rhetorical device): Read Chapters 6, 7, and 8 for a Group Test on Friday, 28 October. I will ASSIGN the groups-you will NOT make-up the groups on your own.
NOTE: I realize that many of you are curious about your score on the test for Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of The Great Gatsby, unfortunately I was only able to scan the papers for "Test A" before receiving a message on the Lexmark Printer that the service had been lost. I will attempt the scanning process again early Monday morning-if unsuccessful, I will hand score your answer sheet. "No, I will not make any errors, Diedrich is accurate in all he does." I will say that there were quite a few students who scored from 80% to 100% on the test so far. Sadly, there were students who averaged only 9 questions correct. Should I input these grades into Jupiter for the "first-marking" period?
You do not have to bring your Language of Composition textbook to class this week, but you do have a homework assignment that is DUE on Thursday, 27 October.
What is the impact of gender roles that society creates and enforces?
For Thursday, 27 October: Read Professions for Women by Virginia Woolf beginning on page 356 of your textbook (This is one of my favorite essays/speeches.) You will then answer the Questions on Rhetoric and Style according to your last-name initial.
A-M will answer Questions 1-6
N-Z will answer Questions 7-12
Naturally, your responses will be answered in complete sentences. Kindly use 12pt font and New Times Roman. If you do hand write-it, which you should not-skip a space after each response.
Wait, there is another part to this assignment. You will complete Exercise 1 on page 424. Please skip a space after each sentence.
If you are absent, you know what to do...
Tuesday, 25 October: College NOW Visitations in all English 11 classes.
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Preparation for your first-timed write for the Rhetorical Analysis Question on the AP Examination.
Wait-Wait-Wait-You do have another assignment-another assignment you do have (name that rhetorical device): Read Chapters 6, 7, and 8 for a Group Test on Friday, 28 October. I will ASSIGN the groups-you will NOT make-up the groups on your own.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Please Note: You may now receive lower than a ✓- (75) on a Homework Assignment. I am sure you are asking, "Why the change, Diedrich? and "How much lower, Diedrich?"
My reason for the change is NOT based solely on the most recent assignment I received, but it certainly was a "major" factor to make the change. The assignment guidelines on page 48 of your Language and Composition textbook are clear. Yet, several students deviated from what was suggested (annotation, dialectical journal, or graphic organizer) even though "models" were provided and did it their way. Furthermore, I have not been pleased with the quality of the last two assignments.
On poorly completed assignments, students will receive a ✓x (65). Keep in mind that some of these assignments should have received a 55! Of course, these assignments will not be posted.
As you enter the classroom on Monday/Tuesday, I would like you to examine the most recent assignments posted in the classroom.
I will now be maintaining an individual folder for your assignments. All written assignments will be kept in this folder-this is your "portfolio" of work completed during the course of the year-yes, this will become a "Project" in April/May 2012.
My reason for the change is NOT based solely on the most recent assignment I received, but it certainly was a "major" factor to make the change. The assignment guidelines on page 48 of your Language and Composition textbook are clear. Yet, several students deviated from what was suggested (annotation, dialectical journal, or graphic organizer) even though "models" were provided and did it their way. Furthermore, I have not been pleased with the quality of the last two assignments.
On poorly completed assignments, students will receive a ✓x (65). Keep in mind that some of these assignments should have received a 55! Of course, these assignments will not be posted.
As you enter the classroom on Monday/Tuesday, I would like you to examine the most recent assignments posted in the classroom.
I will now be maintaining an individual folder for your assignments. All written assignments will be kept in this folder-this is your "portfolio" of work completed during the course of the year-yes, this will become a "Project" in April/May 2012.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Please Note:
Test on Rhetorical Devices-Several students from each band received 100%! That is fabulous-even if you missed several-that is good,too. Check Jupiter for your grade. Since there were a total of 37 rhetorical devices-I was generous and only deducted 2.5 points for each incorrect response (37 x 2.5 =92.5-that is more than generous-do not ask me to curve any score-that is not my policy. As of Saturday, 15 October, the Mean for all classes is approximately 70%-Sadly, no "reward" when the mean is this low. Perhaps, with Friday's Great Gatsby's Test...
Apology Speech Rubric: Since too many students randomly underlined any group of words or phrases, I omitted that "criterion" from the rubric, making the total point score "90". What does that mean? Simply, the total point score is then divided by 90. For example,
a total of 87 would be divided by 90 (87/90 = 96). The majority of students received an "A" for the Apology Speech. This assignment was considered a "Project" and will appear as such in Jupiter.
I will examine your speech separately for the part of the assignment (which was mandatory) requiring you to identify at least 10 rhetorical devices and then reward credit accordingly. This will be entered as a HOMEWORK assignment. (I also took note of your submission of the other required assignments for this project: outline-draft-rhetorical appeals /triangle.)
Test on Rhetorical Devices-Several students from each band received 100%! That is fabulous-even if you missed several-that is good,too. Check Jupiter for your grade. Since there were a total of 37 rhetorical devices-I was generous and only deducted 2.5 points for each incorrect response (37 x 2.5 =92.5-that is more than generous-do not ask me to curve any score-that is not my policy. As of Saturday, 15 October, the Mean for all classes is approximately 70%-Sadly, no "reward" when the mean is this low. Perhaps, with Friday's Great Gatsby's Test...
Apology Speech Rubric: Since too many students randomly underlined any group of words or phrases, I omitted that "criterion" from the rubric, making the total point score "90". What does that mean? Simply, the total point score is then divided by 90. For example,
a total of 87 would be divided by 90 (87/90 = 96). The majority of students received an "A" for the Apology Speech. This assignment was considered a "Project" and will appear as such in Jupiter.
I will examine your speech separately for the part of the assignment (which was mandatory) requiring you to identify at least 10 rhetorical devices and then reward credit accordingly. This will be entered as a HOMEWORK assignment. (I also took note of your submission of the other required assignments for this project: outline-draft-rhetorical appeals /triangle.)
Friday, October 14, 2011
Schedule for Week of 17 October:
A Reminder-If you are absent for a test/quiz- upon your return to school- you have TWO school days to make-it up during 37 1/2 minutes! Furthermore, too many of you are NOT complying with my HOMEWORK POLICY! Re-read the class contract for clarification!
Friday, 21 October-Test on Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of The Great Gatsby (30 Multiple Choice Questions/30 Minutes Only) You must bring to class your novel for this examination.
Prior to Friday, we will review/discuss the test on Chapters 1 and 2
Thursday, 20 October-Sat Vocabulary Test: List 5
Bring your textbook to class on Thursday. We will examine the Synthesis Essay (Question #1 on the AP examination) You will then be given an assignment using the texts on community service (see Chapter 3).
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: A Rhetorical Analysis of a Speech...
A Reminder-If you are absent for a test/quiz- upon your return to school- you have TWO school days to make-it up during 37 1/2 minutes! Furthermore, too many of you are NOT complying with my HOMEWORK POLICY! Re-read the class contract for clarification!
Friday, 21 October-Test on Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of The Great Gatsby (30 Multiple Choice Questions/30 Minutes Only) You must bring to class your novel for this examination.
Prior to Friday, we will review/discuss the test on Chapters 1 and 2
Thursday, 20 October-Sat Vocabulary Test: List 5
Bring your textbook to class on Thursday. We will examine the Synthesis Essay (Question #1 on the AP examination) You will then be given an assignment using the texts on community service (see Chapter 3).
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: A Rhetorical Analysis of a Speech...
Monday, October 10, 2011
Conferencing Topic:
Your first-one on nicenet.org!
You are to either Defend-Challenge-or Qualify the following: California Bans Tanning Bed Use for Under 18 Crowd. Sign-in and click on "Conferencing" then click on the link for this topic. Feel free to exchange thoughts and/or comments with each other-remember my warning about the use of inappropriate language (see class contract).
You are to post your comments by Friday, 14 October-23:59 hours-that is one-minute before midnight. No, Diedrich will not be sitting in front of his computer to check-up on your compliance.
Your first-one on nicenet.org!
You are to either Defend-Challenge-or Qualify the following: California Bans Tanning Bed Use for Under 18 Crowd. Sign-in and click on "Conferencing" then click on the link for this topic. Feel free to exchange thoughts and/or comments with each other-remember my warning about the use of inappropriate language (see class contract).
You are to post your comments by Friday, 14 October-23:59 hours-that is one-minute before midnight. No, Diedrich will not be sitting in front of his computer to check-up on your compliance.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A Reminder for Week of 10 October:
Please Note: I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY PAST DUE ASSIGNMENTS-DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SUBMIT THE ASSIGNMENT THAT WAS DUE ON FRIDAY,
7 OCTOBER. YOU KNOW WHAT MUST BE DONE IF YOU ARE ABSENT OR IF YOUR PRINTER IS MALFUNCTIONING!
Tuesday, 11 October: Test on Chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Gatsby-15 AP and SAT Style -Multiple Choice Questions in 15 Minutes (recall what you have been told- on the AP L and C Exam -you will have to answer approximately 55 questions in 60 minutes). You may refer to the handout on Rhetorical Devices for assistance while taking The Great Gatsby test. YOU MUST BRING THE NOVEL TO CLASS-YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SHARE WITH YOUR TABLE-MATE.
Wednesday, 12 October: PSAT! B-Band will meet at 8:15-we will view an exciting video illustrating strategies for sentence completion and reading the critical thinking passages. EVERYONE MUST BRING PENCILS-THE SCHOOL WILL NOT GIVE YOU ONE!
Thursday, 13 October: Turn-in the assignment for Chapter 2 from your textbook (see posting below). You do NOT have to bring your textbook today-keep it at home since I will soon be posting an assignment for Chapter 3. SAT Vocabulary test- List 4 (3 words from List 3 and 7 words from List 4- 5 minutes only)
Friday, 14 October: TEST on RHETORICAL DEVICES-you may not use any resource for this test (MEMORIZE THE DEFINITIONS-BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE EXAMPLES).
Please Note: I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY PAST DUE ASSIGNMENTS-DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SUBMIT THE ASSIGNMENT THAT WAS DUE ON FRIDAY,
7 OCTOBER. YOU KNOW WHAT MUST BE DONE IF YOU ARE ABSENT OR IF YOUR PRINTER IS MALFUNCTIONING!
Tuesday, 11 October: Test on Chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Gatsby-15 AP and SAT Style -Multiple Choice Questions in 15 Minutes (recall what you have been told- on the AP L and C Exam -you will have to answer approximately 55 questions in 60 minutes). You may refer to the handout on Rhetorical Devices for assistance while taking The Great Gatsby test. YOU MUST BRING THE NOVEL TO CLASS-YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SHARE WITH YOUR TABLE-MATE.
Wednesday, 12 October: PSAT! B-Band will meet at 8:15-we will view an exciting video illustrating strategies for sentence completion and reading the critical thinking passages. EVERYONE MUST BRING PENCILS-THE SCHOOL WILL NOT GIVE YOU ONE!
Thursday, 13 October: Turn-in the assignment for Chapter 2 from your textbook (see posting below). You do NOT have to bring your textbook today-keep it at home since I will soon be posting an assignment for Chapter 3. SAT Vocabulary test- List 4 (3 words from List 3 and 7 words from List 4- 5 minutes only)
Friday, 14 October: TEST on RHETORICAL DEVICES-you may not use any resource for this test (MEMORIZE THE DEFINITIONS-BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE EXAMPLES).
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Twenty-Four Hour Rule!
If you recall on Day 1 of class, Diedrich explained that he would not discuss a graded returned assignment until everyone had a chance to re-read a text associated with the assignment, to re-read his/her actual written work with Diedrich's comments and to examine the written work of classmates' receiving the same and/or higher grade on their papers. Diedrich calculates that this would take at least "twenty-four hours" to accomplish what he has suggested.
If you do plan on meeting with him to discuss "The Art of the Apology" reaction paper, Diedrich expects you to bring a copy of the resource he provided for the writing of reaction papers (see posting/link for this resource). He suspects that many of the students did not refer to this resource to assist with this assignment. Diedrich is well aware that for many of you this was the first-time for an assignment of this nature and he will- subsequently, take this into consideration.
If you recall on Day 1 of class, Diedrich explained that he would not discuss a graded returned assignment until everyone had a chance to re-read a text associated with the assignment, to re-read his/her actual written work with Diedrich's comments and to examine the written work of classmates' receiving the same and/or higher grade on their papers. Diedrich calculates that this would take at least "twenty-four hours" to accomplish what he has suggested.
If you do plan on meeting with him to discuss "The Art of the Apology" reaction paper, Diedrich expects you to bring a copy of the resource he provided for the writing of reaction papers (see posting/link for this resource). He suspects that many of the students did not refer to this resource to assist with this assignment. Diedrich is well aware that for many of you this was the first-time for an assignment of this nature and he will- subsequently, take this into consideration.
The Language of Composition
Week of 10 October:
PSAT on Wednesday, 12 October-Your B Band Class will meet! Bring pencils-they will NOT be given to you by the proctor!
You are to bring the textbook to class on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Chapter 2 Homework Assignment: Complete assignment on pages 48-49. This assignment should be typed-too many students are turning in assignments hand-written-please refer to the class contract. As a class we will complete a rhetorical analysis of JFK's Inaugural Address.
Just a Reminder: SAT Vocabulary Test-List 4 (3 words from List 3-7 from List 4)
Week of 10 October:
PSAT on Wednesday, 12 October-Your B Band Class will meet! Bring pencils-they will NOT be given to you by the proctor!
You are to bring the textbook to class on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Chapter 2 Homework Assignment: Complete assignment on pages 48-49. This assignment should be typed-too many students are turning in assignments hand-written-please refer to the class contract. As a class we will complete a rhetorical analysis of JFK's Inaugural Address.
Just a Reminder: SAT Vocabulary Test-List 4 (3 words from List 3-7 from List 4)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Literary Movements and The Great Gatsby
During the week of 3 October, I will distribute this assignment sheet along with specific guidelines for completion. If you scroll down to the videos (power-points) below, you will discover information on each of the movements presented for this assignment.
During the week of 3 October, I will distribute this assignment sheet along with specific guidelines for completion. If you scroll down to the videos (power-points) below, you will discover information on each of the movements presented for this assignment.
The American Novel: Literary Timeline
Visit this site and watch the video clip for The Great Gatsby-also I recommend that you "check-out" the other informational resources for texts we will be studying.
Visit this site and watch the video clip for The Great Gatsby-also I recommend that you "check-out" the other informational resources for texts we will be studying.
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