Wednesday, November 30th - Period 2

Poetry: Day 3

Do Now: What do students live, talk, and think abouton a daily basis?
(What major ideas or topics are a part of your lives?)

Homework: How does the theme that we decided on connect to your life?
(1 paragraph.)

Critical Thinking Question: How do we find themes in poetry, music, and literature?  Why are themes important?  Where do themes come from?

Content: Wiki-Recovery, Wiki-Loud, Langston Hughes Dream Poetry, 5 Word Poem

Objective: To see how themes are embedded in all poetry and to decide on our own classroom theme for the unit.  

Class Activities: Discuss themes of popular music and poetry, Preview Portfolio for Creative Writing Unit, Decide on Theme for class, Write our first poem on theme

Cover Letter Format - Senior Project

Cover Letter Format

Your Contact Information 


Name 


Address 


City, State, Zip Code 


Phone Number 


Email Address

Date

Employer Contact Information (if you have it)


Name 


Title 


Company
Address 


City, State, Zip Code

Salutation
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (leave out if you don't have a contact)

First Paragraph 
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.

Middle Paragraph(s)
The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.

Final Paragraph 
Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.

Complimentary Close

Respectfully yours,

Signature

Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter)

Typed Signature

Tuesday, November 29th - Period 2

Poetry: Day 2

Do Now: Can any piece of writing be considered poetry?

Homework: Article response on wikispaces.

Critical Thinking Questions: What is poetry? What is art?

Content: Writing Samples

Objective: We will analyze unconventional examples of poetry and begin to shape their own definition of poetry. Also, where do we find inspiration for our poetry?

Class Activities: Poetry analysis, Definition share, 6 Word Poems

Tuesday, November 29th - Periods 1, 6-7, 8-9, 10

Senior Project Day: Research Proposal

Do Now: What are topics that you have been interested in for your senior project research paper?

Homework: News Article Response on Wikispaces

Critical Thinking Questions: How can you narrow down a broad topic to something more meaningful and focused? Can you use your own experiences in your research writing?

Content: Mr. Zeller’s college thesis, 50 Research Questions, Research Proposal Worksheet

Objective: SWBAT write a focused research topic with accompanying research questions.

Class Activities: Do now, Brainstorming Topics, Narrowing Topics, Creating Questions/SignPosts.

Monday, November 28th - Period 2

Poetry: Day 1

Do Now: What is poetry to you? Do you value poetry in your life?  Why or why not?

Homework: Do you already write poetry?  If yes, then why?  If no, then why not?
(1 Paragraph)

Critical Thinking Question: What is poetry?

Content: Dead Poets Society Clip, Saul Williams Videos, Introduction to Poetry,

Objective: Students begin their own inquiries into poetry, to see poetry as an opportunity to see the world a little differently, to see the world anew.

Class Activities: Watch videos, discussion about video, writing about videos.

Monday, November 28th - Periods 1, 6-7, 8-9, 10

Senior Project Day: Cover Letters

Do Now: What are ways that you can “follow up” with an employer after an interview?

Homework: Cover Letter must be completed. (Must be written or typed in googledocs.)

Critical Thinking Questions: For what kind of job do you need a cover letter?

Content: Cover Letter Samples

Objective: SWBAT write their own cover letter.

Class Activities: Do now, Returning Work, Writing Cover Letter

Monday, November 21st - Period 2

After School Inquiry: Day 6

Do Now: Name one thing that you know we had in school last year that we do not have this year. (Or, explain how the school has changed since last year.)

Homework: Study for test tomorrow.

Critical Thinking Questions: How do politics affect our education? How can we make a difference in our communities and in our lives?

Content: Students: Fund Schools Not Prisons

Objective: SWBAT write a letter explaining their view of the budget cuts to schools in Pennsylvania.

Class Activities: Do Now Discussion, Reading Article, Text Rendering and Poem, Dear Tom Corbett Letter, Test Review

Monday, November 21st - Periods 1, 6-7, 8-9, 10

Student Debt Day

Do Now: How do you plan to pay for post-secondary school?

Homework: 1) Study for test tomorrow!    2) College Essay due tomorrow!

Critical Thinking Questions: What does it mean to go into a situation “with your eyes wide open”? How will you plan to pay for post-secondary school? What resources do we have in the school building to help students find funding?

Content: I Owe U - Time Magazine, Test Review, Vocabulary

Objective: SWBAT recognize the seriousness of student loan debt and the importance of having a plan to enter the economy of the 21st century.

Class Activities: Do now, Text rendering on board, Reflection of student-debt crisis, Test review, Vocabulary Word Sort

Student Debt and Senior Test Review

The College Essay

Senior Project: The College Essay

This is a personal expression of who YOU are. The post-secondary schools that you apply to will have an academic picture of you through your high school transcript, GPA, and SAT score. This essay is an opportunity for you to provide an personal picture of you. It should be about 1 ½ pages double spaced.

Think through your entire life and think...

• What was the single moment or experience in your life that has had the largest impact on you and how you see the world?
• Who has been the most influential person in your life? How did he/she influence you?
• What was the most difficult event or period of your life? How did you overcome that time?
• What was the most rewarding moment of your life? A time when you did something selfless for someone else. This could be something ongoing that you still do.
• Also...you can think of extra curriculars, volunteer activities, and jobs that you have had.

Friday, November 18th - Period 2

After School Inquiry: Day 5

Do Now: If you could speak to your home neighborhood or block...what you you say?

Homework: Extra Credit Opportunity: Use 5 of the vocabulary words in a creatively written paragraph. Please underline the words.

Critical Thinking Questions: How do we interact with the non-human world?

Content: Student Dialogue, Student Letter Writing, Holla Back: “Choose to be Great”

Objective: SWBAT write a letter to their neighborhoods synthesizing the knowledge and awareness they have used during this reflective unit to express how they feel and what they believe.

Class Activities: Do Now Discussion, 8 Minute Dialogue, Dear Neighborhood Letter, Holla Back, Word Sort

Friday, November 18th - Periods 1, 8-9, 10

Senior Project: College Essay Day 4

Do Now: Why are the first couple sentences of your college essay so important?

Homework: 1) A final copy of your college essay (either shared on googledocs or written neatly) is due Tuesday.
2) Extra credit opportunity: Write 5 of the vocabulary words in a creatively written paragraph.

Critical Thinking Questions: How do you choose a topic that will reveal your personality and character? Why is this writing a valuable process?

Content: Student writing, College Essay examples

Objective: SWBAT write their own college essay on a meaningful topic for them.

Class Activities: Computer hand out, Reflection and Brainstorm of topics, Student writing

Friday, November 18th - Period 6-7

Senior Project: College Essay Day 4

Do Now: Come up and grab a computer if you are ready to write your college essay.

Homework: 1) A final copy of your college essay (either shared on googledocs or written neatly) is due Tuesday.
2) Extra credit opportunity: Write 5 of the vocabulary words in a creatively written paragraph.

Critical Thinking Questions: How do you choose a topic that will reveal your personality and character? Why is this writing a valuable process?

Content: Student writing, College Essay examples

Objective: SWBAT write their own college essay on a meaningful topic for them.

Class Activities: Computer hand out, Reflection and Brainstorm of topics, Student writing

Thursday, November 17th - Period 2

After School Inquiry: Day 4

Do Now: Do you want to be a good student? Why or why not?

Homework: Wiki response due by tonight. (Submit it online or write your response to the article on paper and hand it in!)

Critical Thinking Questions: What does it look like to be a good student at Overbrook High School?

Content: Stand Up Statements, Dialogue Questions, Holla Back: “Choose to be Great.”

Objective: SWBAT reflect on their own experiences and write about what “greatness” looks like to them.

Class Activities: Stand Up Activity, 8 Minute Dialogue, Reading and Writing

Wednesday, November 16th - Periods 8-9 & 10

Senior Project Day: College Essay Day 1

Do Now: When you write a the essay to be accepted to a college, what do you want to show your audience?

Homework: Choose the event, story, activity, or special detail from your life that you will use for your college essay. Explain why you made that choice. (1/2 page)

Critical Thinking Questions: What writing skills do you need in order to write a good college essay? What are the elements of a good college essay?

Content: Elements of a Good College Essay, College Essay Samples

Objective: SWBAT recognize the elements of a good college essay and begin to brainstorm ideas for their own essays.

Class Activities: Do now, Reading article and essay samples, Discussion of “What works,” Brainstorming.

Wednesday, November 16th - Periods 1 & 6-7

Senior Project: College Essay Day 2

Do Now: Why are the first couple sentences of your college essay so important?

Homework: Complete a draft of your college essay.

Critical Thinking Questions: How can you begin your essay effectively? What type of stories make a good college essays?

Content: Student Writing

Objective: SWBAT complete a draft of their college essay.

Class Activities: Story Leads, Essay Drafting

Tuesday, November 15th - Periods 1, 6-7, 8-9, 10

Senior Project Day: College Essay

Do Now: When you write a the essay to be accepted to a college, what do you want to show your audience?

Homework: Choose the event, story, activity, or special detail from your life that you will use for your college essay. Explain why you made that choice. (1/2 page)

Critical Thinking Questions: What writing skills do you need in order to write a good college essay? What are the elements of a good college essay?

Content: Elements of a Good College Essay, College Essay Samples

Objective: SWBAT recognize the elements of a good college essay and begin to brainstorm ideas for their own essays.

Class Activities: Do now, Reading article and essay samples, Discussion of “What works,” Brainstorming.

Tuesday, November 15th - Period 2

After School Inquiry: Day 2

Do Now: For which classes do you complete homework assignments? Why?

Homework: What goals do you have for yourself after graduating from Overbrook? (1/2 page)

Critical Thinking Questions: What is inquiry? Why don’t we, as a whole class, take our academics more seriously?

Content: Calvin and Hobbes Comics, Boondocks, Student Writing, Holla Back

Objective: SWBAT reflect on their own experiences inside and outside of school and finish writing their own stories about what they do after school.

Class Activities: Do Now, Class Inquiry Discussion - Purpose, Comics Review and Plot Development, Student Writing, Holla Back “Choose to be Great” page 115.