To read ahead for tomorrow's review session.....

Here is a link to the controlling idea task that we will be working on for tomorrow's review session. ACE'ers we will work on this task in class, BDF'ers, we did it today, although I am not too sure how successful we were. Anyways, when you are developing your controlling idea statement (your thesis), make sure it is something beyond ---both passages show someone reaching beyond oneself...it needs to be more than that. Practice Task Controlling Idea

Agenda because of the snow day....

Because of the snowday we will be slightly behind schedule. You should finish your critical lens so that we can go over it on Wed. If you left the materials at school and want to work on it, just go to the Regents link and pick out another quote. Wed. we will focus on cont. idea and critical lens (lit elements) and on Friday listening passage and factual reading. Your attendance will be critical. Afterschool/Morning Review will begin on Wed. AM see the blog for details (under Google Calendar).

Before you begin writing (or complaining about writing) an essay....

Notes on writing an essay are available at this link

I am surprised to see that many of you act like you have never written an essay before. Just because this material is more difficult and therefore requires more thought, does not make it impossible. The same steps are used in the writing process that you have been using throughout your school career. Take it slow: pre-drafting is necessary to organize ideas before you begin--why make it hard on yourself?

Look at the link (below to the left, side column) under Regents exam, etc. It is a Regents Prep page at Georgia Tech which I think is quite helpful in helping you pre-draft, develop a thesis etc. Their test is not exactly the same but most of the links will help.

Act IV The Crucible/Analysis of John Proctor

Sparknotes link to the analysis of John Proctor

The Exam....Tues. 1/27, Wed. 1/28 12:30 pm

Day 1:Listening Task Essay/mult. choice (take listening notes)
Factual Reading Essay/mult.choice (interpret and include chart/graph)

Day 2: Controlling Idea Essay/mult. choice (2 given pieces of lit.)
Critical Lens Essay (need 2 stories from high school)
*both Day 2 Essays require you to write about literary elements and techniques

A Note from Winter Break...

Obviously because of the snow day Fri. 12/19, some people never received the packet of the 3 Regents essays you should have been working on over break. For those of you that were in class to receive them, I DO expect them to be completed upon your return. We only have 3 weeks to get prepared for the exam. Also, the posts for the novel are up and for those of you who are not doing Catcher in the Rye, you will need to have your alternate book report turned in by Regents week as well (format will be given when we get back). Also, we need to finish The Crucible ASAP. Your attendance and preparation will be critical for the next 3 weeks. That means, be here and be prepared. We cannot finish it all in class, so you MUST be working at home too. Thanks---Mrs. C

Midterm Assignment Links

Tasks 3 and 4 (controlling idea and critical lens)

Task 2 (factual reading/begins on page 5)