UPDATE 6/9
Hello Honors 9th Grade Families!
Today was our final day working on our Mystery creative writing essay in class. It is due Sunday at 11:59 PM. All of the information needed for the essay is available on the homework page of my website (www.missaubrey.weebly.com). There are many requirements that need to be highlighted for the final copy (we have gone over this in class). I also have included some extra notes/reminders after looking at the rough drafts that were due today!
If this pertains to your student, all late work is due by Monday. After that, I cannot accept any work, as it needs to be graded and before the end of the year. There is a final review packet and quizlet to study on the front page of the website.
It has been a great year! I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful this 4th Period Honors English Class has been. Thank you for all of your support. Please let me know if there is anything I can do as we wrap everything up!
Today was our final day working on our Mystery creative writing essay in class. It is due Sunday at 11:59 PM. All of the information needed for the essay is available on the homework page of my website (www.missaubrey.weebly.com). There are many requirements that need to be highlighted for the final copy (we have gone over this in class). I also have included some extra notes/reminders after looking at the rough drafts that were due today!
If this pertains to your student, all late work is due by Monday. After that, I cannot accept any work, as it needs to be graded and before the end of the year. There is a final review packet and quizlet to study on the front page of the website.
It has been a great year! I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful this 4th Period Honors English Class has been. Thank you for all of your support. Please let me know if there is anything I can do as we wrap everything up!
UPDATE 4/21
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are enjoying the warm weather! We have started our final unit of the school year -- our Mystery Genre study! Your student should have an independent book that they are reading at home and analyzing based on the constructs of the mystery genre (we have been discussing what makes something a mystery in class).
Your student should be working on a revision of their To Kill a Mockingbird research essay. This is due tonight at 11:59 PM. After grading the essays, I went back and retaught some of the research skills and gave the students opportunity to revise in class. The rest of the revisions should have been made at home. All changes must be highlighted in order for the revisions to count. This way, I know the students are aware of the changes that needed to be made.
Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy your weekend!
I hope you are enjoying the warm weather! We have started our final unit of the school year -- our Mystery Genre study! Your student should have an independent book that they are reading at home and analyzing based on the constructs of the mystery genre (we have been discussing what makes something a mystery in class).
Your student should be working on a revision of their To Kill a Mockingbird research essay. This is due tonight at 11:59 PM. After grading the essays, I went back and retaught some of the research skills and gave the students opportunity to revise in class. The rest of the revisions should have been made at home. All changes must be highlighted in order for the revisions to count. This way, I know the students are aware of the changes that needed to be made.
Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy your weekend!
Update 2/10
Hey Honors English 9 Families!
I hope everyone enjoyed the snow day! Today in class, we started reading chapter 1 of To Kill a Mockingbird. I introduced students to the Double Entry Journals (there will be seven journal assignments all together) that students should complete as they are reading the text at home. There is no additional independent reading through this unit because they will be reading multiple chapters of the text a week. The first due date is for chapters 1-3 (2/15); the journals should be turned in to turnitin.com and there is a template on my website.
Please be sure that students are reading at home and that they are studying their vocabulary (there are 10-15 words per unit). As we read this text, we are going to be analyzing the questions: How is fiction a reflection of society? How does society influence the people we become? What does it mean to give a voice to the voiceless?
Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything!
I hope everyone enjoyed the snow day! Today in class, we started reading chapter 1 of To Kill a Mockingbird. I introduced students to the Double Entry Journals (there will be seven journal assignments all together) that students should complete as they are reading the text at home. There is no additional independent reading through this unit because they will be reading multiple chapters of the text a week. The first due date is for chapters 1-3 (2/15); the journals should be turned in to turnitin.com and there is a template on my website.
Please be sure that students are reading at home and that they are studying their vocabulary (there are 10-15 words per unit). As we read this text, we are going to be analyzing the questions: How is fiction a reflection of society? How does society influence the people we become? What does it mean to give a voice to the voiceless?
Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything!
UPDATE - 1/12
Dear Honors English 9 Parents,
I wanted to let you know that the grades for the Dystopian Literary Analysis paper have been posted. Students have until 1/18 at 11:59PM to submit revisions. I asked that students interested in making revisions make an appointment with me, or go to before school help or after school help in the library to work with an English teacher.
Just so you know, the steps to make revisions are as follows:
Thanks for your support!
- Kim Aubrey
I wanted to let you know that the grades for the Dystopian Literary Analysis paper have been posted. Students have until 1/18 at 11:59PM to submit revisions. I asked that students interested in making revisions make an appointment with me, or go to before school help or after school help in the library to work with an English teacher.
Just so you know, the steps to make revisions are as follows:
- Read the comments provided to you on turnitin.com
- You must meet with a teacher
- Make an appointment with Ms. Aubrey
- Go to before school help with Dr. Park and Mr. August
- Go to after school help with Mrs. Casile or Mrs. McCreary
- Make changes in your original Google Document – HIGHLIGHT the changes that you make so I know you understand the necessary changes.
- Resubmit to turnitin.com by Wednesday 1/18. The assignment will say Dystopian Fiction - Comparative Literary Analysis | Revision 2
Thanks for your support!
- Kim Aubrey
UPDATE 1/3
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! Today was a great day back at it in English class. We jumped back in to Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The class has been having fun comparing this 1590's play to our modern day lives. We should be having an Act 1 and 2 quiz by early next week! There will be comprehension questions and they will have to answer the prompt: Who is the most important character in Romeo and Juliet so far? Use evidence from the text to back up your answer.
As we read the play in class, students should be reading a self-chosen independent book at home. They should be asking themselves What Makes or Breaks a Relationship as they read! Please check in with your student and make sure they are reading their independent book.
Before break, students received a grade sheet with their mid-marking period grades. Please sign this paper and give to your student to return tomorrow. Just as a reminder, a T on the grade sheet means that the assignment has been turned in, but it needs to be graded.
As a reminder, there is before school help Monday - Friday from 6:45 - 7:10 and there is after school help in the library from 2:30 - 4:00 Monday through Thursday. I am also available after school for help! Please let me know if there are any questions.
Thank you for your continued support; I wish you a happy and healthy 2017!
As we read the play in class, students should be reading a self-chosen independent book at home. They should be asking themselves What Makes or Breaks a Relationship as they read! Please check in with your student and make sure they are reading their independent book.
Before break, students received a grade sheet with their mid-marking period grades. Please sign this paper and give to your student to return tomorrow. Just as a reminder, a T on the grade sheet means that the assignment has been turned in, but it needs to be graded.
As a reminder, there is before school help Monday - Friday from 6:45 - 7:10 and there is after school help in the library from 2:30 - 4:00 Monday through Thursday. I am also available after school for help! Please let me know if there are any questions.
Thank you for your continued support; I wish you a happy and healthy 2017!
UPDATE 12/14
We just completed our study of Dystopian Fiction. Each student wrote a five paragraph comparative literary analysis and it was turned in online. Over the next week they will write a short, one-page, creative piece to exemplify their knowledge of the genre. I am looking forward to seeing the creative side of each student after all of the analysis we have done so far this year!
Yesterday, we started our study of Shakespeare's Romiette and Julio. We began with discussion of our essential question: What makes or breaks a relationship? This is the question that will link this text, written in 1590, to the issues of modern-day teenagers. Each student was given an additional assignment -- it is called "Parent Perfect Mate" Homework. In it, I ask that you answer two questions about your students and your wishes for them in a future relationship. This is meant to put students in the shoes of the characters! I handed it out yesterday, but it is not due until tomorrow. There is an extra copy on the website, if you need it!
I thank you, in advance, for your assistance! Please check e-school frequently for grade updates -- remember, "T" means turned in, the alternative is "0", meaning the assignment is not turned in. If you have any questions, please let me know!
Yesterday, we started our study of Shakespeare's Romiette and Julio. We began with discussion of our essential question: What makes or breaks a relationship? This is the question that will link this text, written in 1590, to the issues of modern-day teenagers. Each student was given an additional assignment -- it is called "Parent Perfect Mate" Homework. In it, I ask that you answer two questions about your students and your wishes for them in a future relationship. This is meant to put students in the shoes of the characters! I handed it out yesterday, but it is not due until tomorrow. There is an extra copy on the website, if you need it!
I thank you, in advance, for your assistance! Please check e-school frequently for grade updates -- remember, "T" means turned in, the alternative is "0", meaning the assignment is not turned in. If you have any questions, please let me know!
Update 11/22
Over the break, students should be finishing their independent books -- the end of our unit will be December 5th. This is when we will begin writing our Comparative Literary Analysis. Revisions for Constructed Response 3 are due on Monday, 11/28. We will also have a vocabulary quiz for unit 4 on 11/30 -- there is a quizlet to study on the website.
Let me know if you need anything -- Have a great Thanksgiving!
- Kimberly Aubrey
Let me know if you need anything -- Have a great Thanksgiving!
- Kimberly Aubrey
UPDATE 11/10
Hi Honors English 9 Families!
Today marks the end of the Marking Period 1; time is going so quickly! We are almost done our study of Dystopian Fiction. Over the past week and a half we studied setting (both physical and social setting) in this genre. Today, we started Constructed Response 3 - What is the theme of your independent novel and how does the author use SETTING to develop this theme? This will be due Monday 11/14 at 11:59 PM on turnitin.com
Your student also has the opportunity to revise Constructed Response 2 on turnitin.com. This is due by 11/15 at 11:59 PM so the grades can be calculated for next Thursday.
As we enter the fourth unit of this genre study, your student should be in their third book of the unit! Please make sure they are reading at home each night for at least 20 minutes.
Thanks for your continued support as we move into the second marking period. I am thoroughly enjoying teaching your students! :)
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Today marks the end of the Marking Period 1; time is going so quickly! We are almost done our study of Dystopian Fiction. Over the past week and a half we studied setting (both physical and social setting) in this genre. Today, we started Constructed Response 3 - What is the theme of your independent novel and how does the author use SETTING to develop this theme? This will be due Monday 11/14 at 11:59 PM on turnitin.com
Your student also has the opportunity to revise Constructed Response 2 on turnitin.com. This is due by 11/15 at 11:59 PM so the grades can be calculated for next Thursday.
As we enter the fourth unit of this genre study, your student should be in their third book of the unit! Please make sure they are reading at home each night for at least 20 minutes.
Thanks for your continued support as we move into the second marking period. I am thoroughly enjoying teaching your students! :)
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Update 9/23
Today was an exciting day for our Honors English 9 students -- we went to the library to pick our independent reading books in the Dystopian Genre. After choosing, students had the rest of the period to read for enjoyment! My hope is that over the course of the unit, students are able to read approximately four independent texts as we read The House of the Scorpion as a class. Through the comparison of independent novels and our "core text" we will create a definition of the genre and then work to see how the author works within the genre to develop characters, setting, and plot elements. Everyone seemed very excited to get to select their own book -- this would be great family conversation this weekend!
Homework, for the most part, over the next few weeks will be to read at least 15-20 minutes from their independent book. At the end of next week we will start writing on our texts and students will be asked to compare their independent novel to The House of the Scorpion.
Please let me know if you have any questions; I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night next Thursday!
Homework, for the most part, over the next few weeks will be to read at least 15-20 minutes from their independent book. At the end of next week we will start writing on our texts and students will be asked to compare their independent novel to The House of the Scorpion.
Please let me know if you have any questions; I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night next Thursday!
Update - 9/16
Hello Honors English 9 Families!
We made it through our first full week of school! This week we focused on our first two short stories of the year: "The Necklace" by Guy deMaupassant and "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. Next week will we study theme and review how to write a constructed response in preparation for our Summer Reading assessment. If your student has it, they can bring in the book that they read over the summer on Monday and Tuesday. Monday in class they will be given a graphic organizer for theme that should help them on the writing assessment!
Next week we will also take the STAR assessment to find lexile (reading levels) levels for each student. This will be imperative as we move toward our Genre Study of Dystopian Literature at THE END OF THE WEEK! We will read a grade level text as a class, but each student will be expected to read books at their own independent level at home/in class on independent reading days.
The end of next week will be the start of our first genre lab on Dystopian Literature. As a class, we will read The House of the Scorpion. There will be frequent vocabulary and writing assignments that may need to be completed at home, but our main focus at home will be reading independently. If a student is reading a book that is appropriate to their independent level, they should be able to finish it in a week. I am asking that students take no longer than two weeks to finish a book -- this should be a minimum of four independent texts throughout the unit! I really think the students are going to enjoy selecting their own texts; I can't wait to get started!
Please check Home Access to make sure your student is up to date on all assignments. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Enjoy your weekend!
We made it through our first full week of school! This week we focused on our first two short stories of the year: "The Necklace" by Guy deMaupassant and "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. Next week will we study theme and review how to write a constructed response in preparation for our Summer Reading assessment. If your student has it, they can bring in the book that they read over the summer on Monday and Tuesday. Monday in class they will be given a graphic organizer for theme that should help them on the writing assessment!
Next week we will also take the STAR assessment to find lexile (reading levels) levels for each student. This will be imperative as we move toward our Genre Study of Dystopian Literature at THE END OF THE WEEK! We will read a grade level text as a class, but each student will be expected to read books at their own independent level at home/in class on independent reading days.
The end of next week will be the start of our first genre lab on Dystopian Literature. As a class, we will read The House of the Scorpion. There will be frequent vocabulary and writing assignments that may need to be completed at home, but our main focus at home will be reading independently. If a student is reading a book that is appropriate to their independent level, they should be able to finish it in a week. I am asking that students take no longer than two weeks to finish a book -- this should be a minimum of four independent texts throughout the unit! I really think the students are going to enjoy selecting their own texts; I can't wait to get started!
Please check Home Access to make sure your student is up to date on all assignments. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Enjoy your weekend!
Update - 9/9
Hello 9th Grade Honors English Families!
I hope that by this point,your student is getting used to the high school routine! English class has been going very well.
Today, we took a small break to get our pictures taken and then we continued reading the short story "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant. On Monday students will be quizzed on their vocabulary words -- there is a quizlet to study on our website (www.missaubrey.weebly.com it can be found under the short story tab). When we are finished with "The Necklace", students will begin "The Most Dangerous Game". Our focus will be discovering the THEME and then we will review requirements for a constructed response.
Our Summer Reading Assessment will begin on September 19th. If students have a copy of their self-selected book, they can bring it in at this time. They will be able to use it for the assessment if it is accessible, but it is not a necessity.
If you would like to receive reminders about Homework, Quizzes, Due Dates, etc., please join Remind101. You can do so by texting the class code (@aubrey4) to 81010 (be sure to include the @ sign).
There are a few grades in Home Access at this point, please check frequently as we are starting to really get into the swing of things!
Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything I can do to better help your child!
I hope that by this point,your student is getting used to the high school routine! English class has been going very well.
Today, we took a small break to get our pictures taken and then we continued reading the short story "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant. On Monday students will be quizzed on their vocabulary words -- there is a quizlet to study on our website (www.missaubrey.weebly.com it can be found under the short story tab). When we are finished with "The Necklace", students will begin "The Most Dangerous Game". Our focus will be discovering the THEME and then we will review requirements for a constructed response.
Our Summer Reading Assessment will begin on September 19th. If students have a copy of their self-selected book, they can bring it in at this time. They will be able to use it for the assessment if it is accessible, but it is not a necessity.
If you would like to receive reminders about Homework, Quizzes, Due Dates, etc., please join Remind101. You can do so by texting the class code (@aubrey4) to 81010 (be sure to include the @ sign).
There are a few grades in Home Access at this point, please check frequently as we are starting to really get into the swing of things!
Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything I can do to better help your child!
Welcome back!! 8/31
Dear Honors English 9 Families,
Hello! My name is Kimberly Aubrey and I had a wonderful first day with your student today! I hope that he or she came home feeling comfortable and ready for a successful year. Today your student received a syllabus for the course, a plagiarism and academic dishonesty contract, and an agenda for the next two weeks. I ask that both you and your student sign the plagiarism contract and the last page of the syllabus and return them to us by Friday, September 2nd. There is also information about how to get organized for English this year.
We will spend the rest of the week getting to know each other and getting ready for the year ahead! On Friday we will take an English 9 Pre-test to see what knowledge students are bringing with them. This will count for a participation grade. The students will be given the same test at the end of the year to measure growth.
English 9 is an exciting year; over the past few years we have revamped the curriculum to include more opportunity for student choice. Students will be able to choose many of the books they use for class. We also will read classics, such as Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and there is a large focus on writing.
If you need any information about the course or to find out the homework for the day, extra copies of handouts, etc., you can visit my website: www.missaubrey.weebly.com
Hopefully your student had a great first day! I look forward to working with you throughout the 2016-2017 school year!
Please let me know if you need anything at all.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Aubrey
Hello! My name is Kimberly Aubrey and I had a wonderful first day with your student today! I hope that he or she came home feeling comfortable and ready for a successful year. Today your student received a syllabus for the course, a plagiarism and academic dishonesty contract, and an agenda for the next two weeks. I ask that both you and your student sign the plagiarism contract and the last page of the syllabus and return them to us by Friday, September 2nd. There is also information about how to get organized for English this year.
We will spend the rest of the week getting to know each other and getting ready for the year ahead! On Friday we will take an English 9 Pre-test to see what knowledge students are bringing with them. This will count for a participation grade. The students will be given the same test at the end of the year to measure growth.
English 9 is an exciting year; over the past few years we have revamped the curriculum to include more opportunity for student choice. Students will be able to choose many of the books they use for class. We also will read classics, such as Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and there is a large focus on writing.
If you need any information about the course or to find out the homework for the day, extra copies of handouts, etc., you can visit my website: www.missaubrey.weebly.com
Hopefully your student had a great first day! I look forward to working with you throughout the 2016-2017 school year!
Please let me know if you need anything at all.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Aubrey