- High Schools
- Hellen's Junior English
English
Page Navigation
-
Welcome to Junior English 2020! What a year so far!
-
How To Links—2020
Ms. Hellen
Office: Damonte Ranch High School Room 116 Office Phone: 851-5656
Office Hours: By Appointment E-mail: dhellen@washoeschools.net
LINKS to assist understanding FOR STUDENTS
How to download Teams app on I-phones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4rWS93-Wbs&app=desktop
How to get Microsoft OFFICE on your phone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490hWSaqJUg
How to log into Teams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx8xHpRMFHU
How to access TEAMS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNQh34l0B-o&t=2s
How to access Assignments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1dJyGZpht4
Teams Tour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zB2jiCxxuQ
TurnItIn Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpdGTaPmKCI
How to Convert Image to Text on Phone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5eTrwlIZtE
-
Hello and welcome to Junior English! What luck, you, are in my class! Wahoo! With this class and every English class taught at Damonte Ranch High School, we will meet State Common Core Standards.
Learning Goals:
-
- Identify and cite strong textual evidence.
- Determine analyze meaning/themes in various types of literature such as novels, plays, poetry, films, songs, essays, etc.
- Increase knowledge and skill of conventions of English grammar .
- Explain, identify and use several literary devices.
- Increase writing skills through planning, revising, editing for purpose and audience.
- Writing will include but not limited to, various essays, short stories, poetry, songs, personal/business letters, job applications.
- Increase vocabulary and academic vocabulary.
Academic expectations:
- Students are expected to demonstrate thoughtful attention to detail on all assignments. This includes independent or group work and inside and outside class assignments.
- It is expected that students understand that all assignments and learning itself is a process that often involves learning from mistakes. Learning is the journey.
- All formal written assignments will use MLA format. Students name, period, date due and teacher’s name will be typed or written in the upper right corner. All final written assignments will be typed using Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, and turned to Turnitin.com.
Student responsibilities and skills:
- Commit to growth.
- Respect and appreciate others’ ideas.
- Develop listening skills by being attentive, open-minded, and respectful.
- Increase your collaborating, consensus building, compromising, and negotiating skills.
- Engage in purposeful conversations with a variety of audiences and purposes.
- Increase writing skills for either college and career by using the stages of writing, avoiding plagiarism, and using viable sources.
- Learn and master the required content.
- Be cooperative and have fun!
Teacher’s Responsibilities:
Establish a safe, fair, equitable, and challenging environment.
Promote active engagement and inquiry.
Use appropriately rich, and thought-provoking questioning.
Promote student self-awareness and clarification of thoughts in writing and speaking.
Equip students with skills of collaborating, thoughtful questioning, responding respectfully to others’ ideas, building consensus, compromising, and negotiating.
Foster active engagement.
Commitment to growth.
Assessment:
Writing 25%
Reading 25%
Classwork, group work, homework 30%
Final Exam 20%
Grades:
100-90 = A
89-80 = B
79-70 = C
69-60 = D
59 below = F
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to do their own work unless group or partner work is stated. Do not plagiarize, cheat, or accidentally on purpose take another’s words. Plagiarism is intentionally or unintentionally copying the work of someone else and passing it off as one’s own. In papers, plagiarism can be avoided by quoting and citing all work that comes from an outside source. Plagiarized assignments will receive a zero grade and a disciplinary referral will be sent to Students Services. See handout for full details.
Classroom Policies:
- Treat all others with respect. Quietly and attentively listen to me and others during discussions and presentations. Wearing face masks is a sign of respect. We are all in this pandemic together. Some of us have it more difficult than others, but respect goes a long way to supporting others through this difficult time.
- Part of showing respect to others is being on time.Be prompt, in your seats, or on line and ready to learn when the bell rings
- Go to the bathroom when you need to, not to hide or escape.
- Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the class because of Covid-19. I am so sorry.
- All final essays and writings must be turned in to Turnitin.com and sent to me by e-mail only. Essays will not be graded unless they are emailed.
Daily Supplies Needed
A three ring binder with dividers
Colored pencils (for coloring because I love color!)
1 or 2 highlighters
At least one pen and one pencil
DRHS Planner and Student ID
Mask at all times in class
Make-Up Work
- Make-up work is defined as scheduled tests, scheduled quizzes, homework assigned on the day the student was absent, and/or a description of the topic(s) covered in class while the student was absent and possible resources where the student can obtain information on the topic(s). If the assignment was given prior to the day absent, student will turn in work upon return.
- It is the responsibility of the student to request make-up work (done or given on day absent) after returning from an absence and return the completed work within the designated deadline(s).
- Students are provided the length of the absence plus one day to complete any make-up work assigned. For example, if the student was absent for four days, he/she will have five days to complete and submit the make-up work.
- Students who do not request or return completed make-up will not earn credit on missed assignments.
- Make-up work may not be identical to missed assignment due to the absence but will ensure that the student has the opportunity to meet the academic standards.
- Previously assigned work that was due on the day the student was absent is NOT considered makeup work and is due the day the student returns to school.
What virtual classroom looks like in the classroom and at home:
- Attendance will be taken each class period on Teams (whether you are in class or virtual).
- Students logging into Teams to view their assignments, attending class via Teams and/or Zoom to view a teacher lesson.
- Students logging into Teams to work in Class Notebook, Library Content, or Collaboration.
- Students working collaboratively both in-person and via Teams and/or Zoom individually or in groups virtually.
- Students and teacher working collaboratively for one on one learning.
- Quiet time to learn and to complete independent work.
- Use of paper handouts/ apps to support learning.
- Students working independently on assignments when class is not on virtual (Zoom/Teams).
No-Nos
Since we are going to an online hybrid classroom, images of any of your classmates (and me) will be at your fingertips. To avoid any confusion regarding photographs or recording, you have no permission for anyone’s, likeness, or voice to be taken and/or used. This includes taking pictures, recording of lessons with picture and/or audio, and videoing anyone in class and/or on campus by any medium (camera, app, computer, etc.). No one in your household (brothers, sisters, friends, dogs, cats, etc.) do not have permission either.
PERSONAL DEVICES
Every class period you will need to bring personal devices. The preferred device is a laptop with headphones/ear pods. You will need to bring your cellphone with headphones/ear pods if possible.
CELL PHONE / DEVICE POLICY 2020
The District views the use of electronic resources as central to the delivery of its educational program and expects that all students will use electronic resources as an essential part of their learning experience. It is the policy of the WCSD to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible conduct in all electronic resource activities. With this privilege, come responsibilities for the parent/guardian and for the student.
- All users of the District’s network and equipment must always comply with WCSD Administrative Regulation 7211 Responsible Use and Internet Safety Policy
- Cell phones and laptops should be used solely for students’ learning purposes and should not be used for personal use unrelated to school assignments and lessons.
- Use of the device and network must support instructional outcomes as defined by the teacher, for the class period in which you are using the device.
-
-
Assignment 1
Welcome to your first assignment or as I will call it: Assignment 1
There are two partrs to this assignment and both of them must be completed to receive credit.
Directions for Part 1:
- Find a picture of yourself or take a selfie without your mask on. Because you will be removing your mask, this must be done at home and not on campus.
- Change your “Profile Picture” in Teams. Your smiling face should appear instead of initials. Below is a Youtube link on How To Change your Profile Picture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMk3Cs29sPo
Directions for Part 2:
- Printout your fabulous picture. If you cannot print at home, please email it to me so I can print it out.
- Place your fabulous picture in your “White Erase Board." The "White Erase Board" should be given to you in 4 Period.
-
Assignment 2: Tell me about you
Assignment #2
You will pick a medium to tell about yourself. (Follow directions below.) That portion must be done before the due date because you will need to talk about it and show it during your FlipGrid video (Assignment #3) which will be submitted on Sat. 29th at 11:59p. You will then bring Assignment #2 to your next live class where it will be graded and then hung on the wall. Feel free to place your name and period on the back, add color, and be creative, if you would prefer.
______________________________________
Writing is an important form of communication. As with all communication, the main purpose is to relay information with the expectation that the intended purpose is the one being gleaned.
Types of writings discussed in K-12.
(This list is non-exhaustive.)
- Non-Fiction Magazine Articles
- How-To Style Informative pieces and instructions, manuals
- Fiction works with clear themes
- Fiction works with less clear themes
- Novels/Novellas
- Advertisements
- Captions/Copy (for newspapers, yearbooks, etc.)
- Standard 5 paragraph essays with set Hook, Info sentences, Thesis statement, etc.
- Narratives
- Argumentative Essays
- Research Papers
- Business Letters
- Resumes
- Cover Letters
- Rhetoric
- College Entrance Narrative Style Essays
- Allegories
- Satires
- Poems
*You cannot choose an italicized medium
Each has its own unique vehicle by which to drive the intended message home. Sometimes the intention is clear like in an instruction manual and some are far less overt or deliberate.
A few things they all have in common, other than their base purpose, are their need to be written, edited, and rewritten.
For this assignment, you will choose a method listed (or one I have not listed, but have approved) to tell me about you. Make sure your method of delivery is clear-by using tone, mood, voice, dialogue, etc. as needed- to represent your own character (personality, persona, etc.) and illustrate your ability to communicate in the vehicle you chose.
*You need a catchy title, if you have chosen something that needs that. Formatting must follow, if dictated by your choice. Stay in “character” throughout the entire piece.
**You need a Pre-write (that includes the items you wish me to know), Rough Draft, Edit/Revisions, and a Final Draft, remembering that your first pass is NEVER your best. (That means 3 items, 4 grades)
-
Missing Virtual Meeting Rules
Creating Virtual Rules for class.
In Teams, you will find the channel “Virtual Rules.” Your job is to read the rules for our class and then create five more rules. The rules can be funny, serious, or somewhere in between.
How to get there.
- Click on “Virtual Rules” channel.
- At the top, click the tab, click “Files”
- Click on “Copy of Virtual Meeting norms.”
- The (rules) Norms will pop up in a poster format.
- Read all the Norms (because we will follow them).
Unfortunately, I feel I have forgotten a few, five to be exact.
What you need to do (directions):
- After reading all the Norms, create a document titled “Missing Norms”
- Create a poster of Five (missing) Rules for Virtual Learning.
- The poster should have a background picture and/or 3-5 pictures on the poster.
- Add arrows to point the direction to read.
- The rules can be funny or serious or anywhere in between.
- Be creative and have fun!
- Create a poster of Five (missing) Rules for Virtual Learning.
- Save the document to your One Drive under Missing Norms.
- Download the file in Assignment 3 so I can grade it.
- Click on “Virtual Rules” channel.
-
Writing Process
As the year continues, we will refer back to this PowerPoint to have a closer look at the writing process.
-
Independent Clause
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.
Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.
Day 1: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, but they don't know the reasons for it.
Independent Clause (IC) Independent Clause
Day 2: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, and they don't know the reasons for the rising death rates.
Independent Clause (IC) Independent Clause
Day 3: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, for they dont't know the reasons for it.
Independent Clause (IC) Independent Clause
_________________________ , cc ____________________________.
IC comma Coordinating conjuction IC
-
College/Career/Personal Essay Prompts
(from https://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/2018-2019-common-application-essay-prompts)
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, and an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
- DRHS Scholarship Prompt (Choose One)
- Write a narrative revealing your values, character.
- Explain when education “clicked” for you.
- Explain your philosophy of life.
- Narrate a personal, life-changing experience.
- What makes you stand out from the crowd?
-
Pattern 2
If a sentence begins with a phrase or clause or transition, you probably need a comma to separate it from the independent clause that follows. In other words, use a comma after an introduction or opener.
AAAWWUBBIS: After, although, as, when, while, until, because, before, if, since
AAAWWWUBBIS DC, IC.
Pattern 3
Sent , interrupter , ence .
No Comma in a Nonrestrictive Element (Also known as appositives, asides, parentheticals, or adjectives out of order).
In plain English: When a group of words interrupts a sentence, it needs to have commas on both sides. Use two commas to set off nonessential information.
Interrupters, or embedded details, add information to a sentence.
The interrupter sentence pattern gives the writer the option of adding information, a sort of double exposure of the preceding noun, which provides the reader with more details about it. Sometimes writers want to add an aside to a sentence, to use the grammatical equivalent of cupped hands to add a parenthetical embedded detail.
- All Categories
- Unassigned
- Select Month
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
- Select Year
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
Current Assignments
There are no current assignments.
Past Due Assignments
There are no past due assignments.