English 10
Rosemary Dibben
(707) 965-6759,
PrepEnglish@yahoo.com
English Department
PUC Preparatory School
McKibbin Hall, 1 Angwin Ave.
Angwin, CA 94508

Syllabus | First Quarter's AssignmentsRevised: Sept. 1, 2010
Week of August 16 to 20 (Beginning of first quarter and first semester)
Mon

First day of class: Class introductions. English I0 as part of the Prep English sequence and as a reflection of the NAD Curriculum Guide (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing). Distribute copies of course syllabus. Review of journaling as part of the writing process. Assembling English notebooks. Journal Writing #1 (Be prepared to share #1 & 2 with classmates.):

  1. What was the BEST part of your summer?
  2. Brag on yourself about something you've done in the last 12 months of which you are very proud.
  3. What I need to accomplish this school year . . .
  4. This year will be the same . . .
  5. This year will be different . . .

Hmwk: Finish reading course syllabus. Send to Mrs. Dibben (PrepEnglish@yahoo.com) a photo of yourself doing something fun this summer. Due by Wednesday.

Tues

Complete Journal Writing #1. Finish assembling English notebook. Reading survey (on board). Journal Writing #2 (untimed preparation for class discussion):

  1. Why do we have grades?
  2. What function/s do grades serve?
  3. Agree/disagree: "Grades are a good reflection of what I know about a subject." Explain.
  4. Agree/disagree: "Grades are a better reflection of how conscientious I am as a student than how well I know the subject." Explain. (Can students who are organized, don't procrastinate, and learn the teacher's 'system' earn better grades than students who know more about the subject but are not as conscientious?)
  5. Complete: I get good/not-so-good grades because . . . .
  6. Agree/disagree: "Good grades reflect good teaching. If the teacher is really good, everyone in class will earn good grades." Explain.
  7. Agree/disagree: "Grades are fair." Explain.

Hmwk: Discuss Journal Writing #2 questions with your parent/s and/or some other adult. Be prepared to explain their ideas in class. Finish organizing English binder. Send summer photo to PrepEnglish@yahoo.com.

WedDiscussion about grades--based on Journal Writing #2 notes and conversations with parents. Grades and learning styles? Learning Styles resources: Introduction, Survey, Four Learning Styles. Have you sent your photo to PrepEnglish@yahoo.com? No hmwk.
Leave English binders in classroom for initial check. (For full credit, you need to have a notebook, five tabs--correctly labelled and in right order, a syllabus in "Handouts" section, Writing #1 in the "Journal" section, and your name on the front cover and/or spine.)
ThursNo Class: Whole-School Fine Arts Field Trip to SF
Week of August 23 to 27
Mon

[Shortened class period for Week of Prayer] Intro spelling and vocab words. Spelling pre-test. Writing sample: Write a story about something that didn't turn out the way you expected. No hmwk.

Tues[Shortened class period for Week of Prayer] Study strategies for vocab. Practice in class. Write sentences on board. Discuss features of "winning" sentences.
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz.
WedNo Class: Whole-School Field Trip to Ball Game
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz.
Thurs[Shortened class period for Week of Prayer] Spelling/vocab quiz. No hmwk.
Week of August 30 to September 3
MonSpelling pre-test. Begin "Soph-o-More" stories unit. Define sophomore. Read aloud "Two Kinds," Amy Tan (pp. 49-58). Students finish reading the last two pages silently.
Hmwk: Think about your own experience. Have you ever been made to do something that you didn't want to do? Did it turn out well? Not so well?
Tues"Soph-o-More" stories. Reading quiz, "Two Kinds." Discuss together "Conflict" qstns, #1-3, p. 59. Answer "Analyzing Literature" qstns, #1-10, p. 59. (Due by end of class; OK to work with partner.)
Hmwk: Journal Writing #3 (Write a story about an experience you had when someone made you do something that you didn't want to do. How did it turn out?)
Wed"Soph-o-More" stories. Check off homework Journal Writing #3. In groups, discuss Debating Issues (p. 60). Record good and bad points in two columns in Journal Writing #4. Agree/ disagree: "Pushing kids to do things that they don't want to do is generally good." Discussion of Journal Writings #3 & 4. What are the conditions that make the statement true or false?
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz.
ThursSpelling/vocab quiz. "Soph-o-More" stories. Introduce narrative essay (an essay that is supported by a story or stories). Review of writing process: we've done lots of thinking. Now we need to organize those thoughts. Thesis statement needs to make obvious your opinion on the agree/disagree statement. Create a one-sentence thesis statement and write it at the top of a piece of paper. On the paper with your thesis statement, write bullet point notes of the chronology of a story (or stories) that support/s your thesis statement. Go for details, details, DETAILS! (More details = less work when you begin drafting and a better grade when I check off the organizing stage.) No hmwk.
Week of September 6 to 10
Mon

No School: Labor Day.

TuesSpelling pre-test. "Soph-o-More" stories. Continue working on narrative essay. Complete thinking stage, the chronology of your story (or stories). Review concept of strong thesis statements. Begin drafting.
Hmwk: Complete rough-rough draft. Be able to access rough-rough draft tomorrow on computer in classroom.
Wed"Soph-o-More" stories. Self evaluation. Revise essay based on self evaluation.
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz. (Complete revision based on self evaluation.) Print out hard copy of essay to have in class tomorrow.
ThursSpelling/vocab quiz. "Soph-o-More" stories. Peer evaluation. Revision based on peer evaluation. No hmwk.
Week of September 13 to 17 (Midterm)
MonSpelling pre-test. "Soph-o-More" stories. Continue revision based on peer evaluation. Discuss proofreading techniques and tricks. Proofread.
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz. Complete essay revision and print out final draft.
TuesSpelling/vocab quiz. "Soph-o-More" stories. Due: Final draft of narrative essay (with all previous drafts, in a pocket folder). Share with classmates. No hmwk.
WedNo Class: Biology Trip.
ThursNo Class: Biology Trip.
Week of September 20 to 24
MonNo Class: Standardized Tests.
TuesNo Class: Standardized Tests.
WedSpelling pre-test. "Soph-o-More" stories.
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz.
ThursSpelling/vocab quiz. "Soph-o-More" stories.
Week of September 27 to October 1
MonSpelling pre-test. "Soph-o-More" stories.
Tues"Soph-o-More" stories.
Wed"Soph-o-More" stories.
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz.
ThursSpelling/vocab quiz. "Soph-o-More" stories.
Week of October 4 to 8
MonSpelling pre-test.
Tues 
Wed
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz.
ThursSpelling/vocab quiz.
Week of October 11 to 15 (End of first quarter)
MonSpelling pre-test.
Tues 
Wed
Hmwk: Study for spelling/vocab quiz.
ThursSpelling/vocab quiz.

Syllabus | Assignments