Welcome!! I am so happy to be back and teaching you. :)
I have an exciting semester planned! In Year 9, we’re going to:
· publish a book of short stories,
· produce and circulate a school newspaper,
· read and analyze some far-out science fiction to understand globalization,
· create a museum exhibit for the school, and
· write letters and create a campaign to help the children of a current armed conflict.
It’s going to be AWESOME!
Below, please find important information that will help you succeed in Ms. Nina's class.
Important Websites
Like last semester, we will use my website to showcase your work and my Facebook page to communicate outside of class. Be sure you know and/or bookmark these sites:
Supplies
To succeed in Ms. Nina’s class, you will need the following supplies:
Vocabulary Journal
The small notebook that I’m asking you to buy will become your vocabulary journal.
In your vocabulary journal, you will write down and define the new vocabulary you come across in class or during reading assignments. You can even write down vocabulary from other classes or slang from your friends!
For example:
· foreshadowing: a technique used in literature where the author hints at a future story development
· neuron: a cell that transmits nerve impulses
· slimmin’: slang for “cool”
· -ous: a suffix (at the end of a word) that indicates the word is an adjective, e.g. famous, pompous, egregious, etc.
I expect you to define at least 10 new vocabulary words every week.
From time to time, I will collect your vocabulary journals to ensure that you are completing this assignment. Each entry is worth 2 points with up to 20 points possible.
You must bring your vocabulary journals to class every day! I will collect your vocabulary journals without prior notice. If you do not have your journal, you will receive a 0 for the assignment.
Class Participation
You will be graded on class participation every day. Successful participation includes:
You will lose points for:
You will earn up to 5 points each day.
Extra Credit
For extra credit throughout the semester, you may read a book, write a summary of that book, and present it to the class.
You may choose any book you like, in any language you prefer, as long as the book is not one you have read before and is over 100 pages. Please show Ms. Nina your book of choice for approval.
Summaries must feature two parts: 1) an objective overview of the story, and 2) your opinion of the book. Length is up to you. Just be sure that your summary is well written, featuring the proper paragraph writing that we’ve been learning and practicing in class.
Presentations should be five minutes long. You should introduce the story and how it connects to the theme we’re studying in class. However, you must not give away any spoilers! Spoilers are plot twists and story endings that ruin the story for other people. Your purpose is to present the book persuasively so that other people will want to read your book.
You may earn up to 25 points of extra credit every time.
You may do this assignment as many times as you like throughout the semester.
I have an exciting semester planned! In Year 9, we’re going to:
· publish a book of short stories,
· produce and circulate a school newspaper,
· read and analyze some far-out science fiction to understand globalization,
· create a museum exhibit for the school, and
· write letters and create a campaign to help the children of a current armed conflict.
It’s going to be AWESOME!
Below, please find important information that will help you succeed in Ms. Nina's class.
Important Websites
Like last semester, we will use my website to showcase your work and my Facebook page to communicate outside of class. Be sure you know and/or bookmark these sites:
- Ms. Nina’s Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Ms.NinaHall
- Ms. Nina’s website: www.MsNinaHall.weebly.com
Supplies
To succeed in Ms. Nina’s class, you will need the following supplies:
- · a 8.5”x11” notebook (duh)
- · pens and/or pencils (duh)
- - a thumb drive (a.k.a. flash drive or USB drive)
- · an academic planner on which to write down your homework and due dates
- · a 2- or 3-ring binder to store and organize hand-outs (there will be a lot!)
- · a small notebook in which to write new vocabulary (this will be your vocabulary journal)
Vocabulary Journal
The small notebook that I’m asking you to buy will become your vocabulary journal.
In your vocabulary journal, you will write down and define the new vocabulary you come across in class or during reading assignments. You can even write down vocabulary from other classes or slang from your friends!
For example:
· foreshadowing: a technique used in literature where the author hints at a future story development
· neuron: a cell that transmits nerve impulses
· slimmin’: slang for “cool”
· -ous: a suffix (at the end of a word) that indicates the word is an adjective, e.g. famous, pompous, egregious, etc.
I expect you to define at least 10 new vocabulary words every week.
From time to time, I will collect your vocabulary journals to ensure that you are completing this assignment. Each entry is worth 2 points with up to 20 points possible.
You must bring your vocabulary journals to class every day! I will collect your vocabulary journals without prior notice. If you do not have your journal, you will receive a 0 for the assignment.
Class Participation
You will be graded on class participation every day. Successful participation includes:
- · following directions,
- · contributing to class discussions appropriately,
- · paying attention throughout class,
- · respecting others and their property, and
- · being positive.
You will lose points for:
- · talking out of turn,
- · being disruptive,
- · complaining and/or being negative,
- · sleeping in class, and/or
- · not following directions.
You will earn up to 5 points each day.
Extra Credit
For extra credit throughout the semester, you may read a book, write a summary of that book, and present it to the class.
You may choose any book you like, in any language you prefer, as long as the book is not one you have read before and is over 100 pages. Please show Ms. Nina your book of choice for approval.
Summaries must feature two parts: 1) an objective overview of the story, and 2) your opinion of the book. Length is up to you. Just be sure that your summary is well written, featuring the proper paragraph writing that we’ve been learning and practicing in class.
Presentations should be five minutes long. You should introduce the story and how it connects to the theme we’re studying in class. However, you must not give away any spoilers! Spoilers are plot twists and story endings that ruin the story for other people. Your purpose is to present the book persuasively so that other people will want to read your book.
You may earn up to 25 points of extra credit every time.
You may do this assignment as many times as you like throughout the semester.