Welcome to Mr. Sell's Class
(Your schedule should say “Mod 3”)
Please Find a Seat and Begin Filling Out the Info Form
Please Answer All Questions
While I take attendance...
Introductions
A little about me:
Big nerd.
Married, father of one.
Also endorsed to teach drama. Improv is my specialty.
Attended Willamette and Oregon State Universities, as well as LBCC.
I used to write about video games for a living.
I have worked at Safeway, Hollywood Video, Gamestop, and for ChaCha.
I tend to be a bit sarcastic.
I will call you out/make a sarcastic comment if you’re not doing what you should be doing. My delivery can be dry. Just know it comes from a place of love.
Respect is important to me. Disrespect is not my favorite.
Acting
Why do I Teach English?
I think reading/writing are some of the most important skills an individual can possess.
Being able to read/write well will help you to be successful in all future classes, college, and the working world.
I also love stories, in all their different forms, and in English we get to explore the novels, stories, thoughts, and emotions of the human race.
Also, I have an English degree.
Welcome to English
Who's ready to learn about some Englishy stuff?
My Goals:
Make every day "interesting."
Show the connections between what we do and real life.
Make you better readers and writers.
Help you understand the often vulgar, violent world of Shakespeare.
Classroom Expectations
This year, I have four classroom expectations:
1. Be Respectful
2. Be Prepared
3. Be Responsible
4. Participate
Other Policies
Bathroom policy:
Unfortunately, we’re stuck out here miles from nowhere, so there will be no bathroom breaks allowed during class.
Late Work:
You are expected to respect the due dates for each assignment. Late work must be turned in by the end of each six week period. Dates: 10/16, 11/20, 1/26
Absences: You are responsible for getting make up work from my website (http://is.gd/mrsell) or a classmate. You have as many days as you were gone to get your assignments turned in for full credit.
Other Policies/Procedures
Papers should be turned into the baskets near the door. Look for the one labeled with your class period.
Once again, no bathroom breaks. Sorry. I don’t get them either. Go on your way to class.
Food and Drink/Cell Phones
Water is acceptable, with a lid/cap. Any messes will be cleaned up by the student responsible.
School policy dictates that no outside food or drink is allowed in class.
School policy states that cell phones must be off and out of sight. There may be times when you have my permission to use them. All other times the rule should be followed.
Please sign your sheet now, then take it home and have your parents sign it as well. Please return the signed bottom portion by 2/8
English 9B: Overview
This semester, we will be learning about:��Expository Writing Samples
Greek Mythology
The Odyssey
Romeo and Juliet
Questions?
Do you have any?
Story Spine
As I mentioned, I also teach acting and improvisation.
�Today, we’re going to play a game that involves transitional phrases and story structure.
Story Spine
Once upon a time…
And every day…
Until one day…
And because of that…
And because of that…
Until Finally…
From that day forward...
One Word Story
A "fun" way to practice sentence structure, punctuation, and complete sentences.
The object is to place a period at the end of a complete thought. I will demonstrate. I will need a volunteer.
Afterward, with a partner, give it a shot. I'll ask a group or two that thinks they have it down to "perform" for the class.
English 9A: An Overview
This semester, we will study:
Expository Writing and Organization
Ender’s Game
Supplies
Please get out a writing utensil and 2 pieces of notebook paper.
Your First Assignment: Mini Essay!
This is a pre-assessment that will help me determine exactly what we need to focus on this semester.
Your assignment: write a 1 page mini essay.
This is your opportunity to show me what you already know about the writing process.
Using all the steps you learned in middle school (pre-writing, rough drafting, editing, final drafting, etc…), craft a (minimum) one page essay on one of the following topics:
Essay Topics
You will receive 2 grades for this assignment:
1: 25 points for completing and turning it in.
2: A pre-assessment score in Organization, based on the quality of your paper.
Name Game?
Names + Adjectives
Names + Action
Names + Likes
Names + Alliterative Adjective
One Word Story
As I mentioned, I’m a theater guy. This occasionally creeps into my teaching.
Today, we’re going to learn a game that we’ll eventually use to practice sentence structure. Today, we’re just going to play for fun.
English 10B: An Overview
This semester, we will study:
Night
Short Stories
White Fang
Persuasive and Expository Writing
We will complete 3 work samples over the course of the semester.
Speaking of Night, let’s go get our books.
Journals
One thing we will do every day in this class is write.
Usually, we’ll do this writing in spiral notebooks that will be kept here in the classroom.
By the beginning of next week (2/10), I’d like you to acquire and bring in a single subject spiral notebook.
Please label your notebook and put it in the appropriate classroom crate.
Labels will be kept nearby.
The Expectations
I want you to have a part in
defining the expectations of the
classroom.
Here they are again:
1. Be Respectful
2. Be Prepared
3. Participate
4. Have Fun
1. Be Respectful
What does it mean to be respectful?
Whom/what should you show respect for?
What does it look like to be disrespectful?
What do you think should be the consequence of disrespectful behavior?
What is an example of respectful behavior? Disrespectful behavior?
2. Be Prepared
What does it mean to be prepared?
What does being not prepared look like?
What kinds of things should you be prepared for/with?
Who should be prepared? What does that look like?
Why is it important to be prepared?
What should be a consequence for being unprepared?
3. Participate
Who should participate?
What does participation look like?
What does non-participation look like?
�Why is it important to participate?
What should happen to those who choose not to participate?
4. Have Fun
Why is it important to have fun?
How can we have fun without violating the other 3 expectations?
Who is responsible for making class fun?
How can we make learning fun?
Is there a time when class might not be fun? When? Why is that? How do we make it fun?
Greek Myth Video?
Why not?
A Note On Temperature
The temperature in this room has a tendency to fluctuate without warning.
We have no control over the heat or A/C.
So, you may want to wear layers when you
come to class. I apologize in advance for any discomfort. If it bothers you, be thankful
you only have to deal with it for one period a day.
Defining The Rules
In a moment, I’m going to put you into groups and ask each of you to get up and write a comment or suggestion on each of the four rules.
Think about what each rule means. Are there any exceptions to the rule? What would be an example of not following the rule?
Talk to each other as you move around. Discuss examples and ideas.
Get Up!
Using a writing utensil, write at least one thought, idea, or suggestion on each rule.
Try to be realistic. “Turning Mr. Sell into a zombie” might be disrespectful, but it’s probably not something we’re going to have to deal with.
Legitimate suggestions will influence the way this classroom is run, so I encourage you to take this seriously.
You have 5 minutes.
Now, Report.
Each group will get a rule.
Each group will be responsible for discussing what appears on the paper for one rule. You will have 5-10 minutes to decide what you will report to the class. I will take these suggestions into consideration and may change classroom policy accordingly.
Use the questions on the handout as your guide.
Journals
The best way to improve your writing is, simply, by writing.
To that end, we will spend the first five minutes of class each day writing in our journals.
When class begins, one representative will pick up journals for their table. Once the bell rings, I will give you a topic and ask you to write silently for five full minutes.
It is very important that we get started quickly. You should be in your seat with your journal ready to go within one minute of class starting.
Journal Topics
Topics will cover a wide range, depending on what we're currently working on in class.
On occasion, you'll be able to use a journal entry as part of a larger assignment.
If the topic of the day doesn't interest you, you are free to write about whatever you'd like. The key is to write for the full five minutes.
I will not grade these based on spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Meeting the minimum daily length is the thing.
Journals
Do not write anything in your journal you don't want me to read.
I will occasionally share journal entries, please indicate if you would rather I did not share a specific entry.
Please do not write about hurting others or yourself.
I am a mandatory reporter, required by law to report any illegal activity.
Journal Grading
Journal entries will be worth three points a day.
3 points a day x 18 weeks = over 200 points for the semester. This is the single largest assignment.
Journals are graded two ways. You can earn up to 3 points each day for simply participating. Points are deducted for being off task, talking, or not writing for the full 5 minutes.
I will also "spot check" journals at the end of the semester. I will grade several journal entries at random and give you a score based on them. This is a 100 point assignment.
English 9B Tentative Schedule
Week 1: Intros/Presentations
Week 2: Presentations/Intro to Shakespeare
Week 3: Expository Work Sample
Weeks 4-10: Romeo and Juliet
Week 11: Work Sample
Weeks 12-16: Animal Farm
Week 17: Final Work Sample
Week 18: Final
English 10B Rough Schedule
Week 1: Intros/Begin Work Sample
Weeks 2-9: To Kill a Mockingbird
Week 10: Persuasive Work Sample
Weeks 11-16: Shakespeare (TBA)
Week 17: Work Sample 3
Week 18: Final
Enough Boring Stuff
Yes, a classic icebreaker.
Here's the deal: You're going to come up with three facts about yourself.
Only, one of these facts is a lie.
You will tell us all three items, and then we as a class will try to guess the one that isn't true. (you may have to explain a bit afterward)
Try to make your facts as interesting as possible.
I'll go first
Please include your name.
Questions?
Any questions for me?
Curious about assignments? Requirements? Books we're reading? Journal writing? Classroom procedures?
Any suggestions/comments for me?
Free Write
Let's practice journal writing.
This is a free write. I want you to write for five minutes, without stopping. Spelling and grammar do not count.
Write about your first impressions of this class and the school year in general.
What are you excited about? What are you anxious about? What do you not understand?
Rules and Procedures Discussion
In your groups, discuss the classroom expectations we have covered today.
Brainstorm several suggestions for how the rules could be improved/changed to better ensure student learning. Be prepared to justify your choices.
Rules should be for the benefit of everyone's learning. Suggestions like "watch movies every day" are not realistic. Focus on actual, realistic changes to the rules.
Afterward, be prepared to share.
Essay Writing
You will write several essays this term, but don't feel overwhelmed.
We'll break them down into manageable chunks and focus on specific aspects of writing.
Reading
We'll do a lot of reading this semester. Literature is a major focus of both English 9B and 10B.
We will have plenty of time to write, as well.
English 9: An Overview
English 9A is your introduction to high school-level reading and writing.
We will discuss essay writing and the state scoring guide.
This year's 9th graders will be required to pass both the reading and writing tests to graduate.
My job is to prepare you to do exactly that.