Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Well, it's hard to believe we are half-way "there". I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank-you all for being such a great class. Yes, there were days when you had me pulling my hair out ( I can't lie!). But all in all, I really enjoyed teaching your class. I will miss each and every one of you next semester.

Take care, and hit the books "hard" next semester!

P.S: There are several people who did not pick up their recent assignments. Please drop down to pick them up tomorrow.

Ms. Flick:)

Writing Portfolio

I hope that everyone is having a very productive weekend. I am sure you are all home studying for your English exam:) Don't forget to take breaks; your brain needs time to rest, so that it can hold on to all that information!

Please remember that I expect all students to be in class at the regular time (8:50am) for study hall. At that time I will collect all textbooks (Sightlines, A Midsummer Night's Dream, To Kill A Mockingbird). I will only allow students who come to class at the designated time to keep their AMND books during the exam. Please do not mark or write in your books. I will be collecting them, and handing out a different copy to each student during the exam.

IMPORTANT: You are responsible for all notes on this blog (characteristics of a romantic comedy).

If school is cancelled on the day of the exam, all exams will be pushed a day ahead. For example, If school is closed Monday, Jan. 29, the exams scheduled for the 29th will be written on the 30th; exams scheduled for the 30th will be written on the 31st (and so on).

IN CASE OF SICKNESS, CALL THE SECRETARY TO REPORT YOUR ABSENCE BEFORE
THE EXAM(S).

Just a reminder (not that you need one) that Friday, Feb. 2 is an administration day and there will be no classes.

Friday Class re-cap:

• Passed back poetry and non-fiction quizzes
• Reviewed quizzes
• Discussed final exam (format and possible questions
• We had our cake and ate it too!

Please do not forget to bring your cumulative binders on Monday. Also, you must have your writing portfolios passed in on Monday. The following is a list of entries that should be in your portfolio:

• Challenge Day
• Free Writing (Dec 4)
• Poetry prompt questions (Dec11)
• "My Left Foot" response (Dec. 15)
• "The Only Wheelchair in Town" (Dec. 16)
• A Midsummer Night's Dream Journal Prompts
• Act I = All
• Act II = All
• Act III = Skip square bullet; do triangle bullet
• Act IV = Skip square bullet; do first triangle bullet

That is all you are required to have completed in your writing portfolios.

Good Luck Studying!!

Final Exam Review

Class Re-cap (Thurs.)

• Discussed all AMND important quotations that will be on the final (speaker, situation, meaning)
• Passed out and discussed notes on theme, symbols, "5" plots
• Passed out sheets with "tentative" averages for the semester

Tomorrow: Important Class! We will be reviewing your poetry and non-fiction quizzes and all important material for the exam. If school is cancelled, please check the blog for further instruction!

English 421 Final Exam Review

Non-Fiction
You must be able to:

Do a sight reading of a designated piece of writing
Write and identify thesis statements
Identify arguments used by an author to support his/her thesis
Understand all terms relating to non-fiction writing (notes)
Understand the 4 different types of writing (notes)
Answer questions relating to all non-fiction pieces studied in class

Poetry
You must be able to:
Analyze and dissect a poem(s)
Understand all poetic devices and terms (notes & hand-outs)
Compare and contrast two poems
Answer questions relating to all poems studied in class
Have knowledge and understanding of sonnets (Shakespearean/Petrarchan)
Iambic Pentameter


A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare)
You must be able to:
Understand all important quotations (identify: speaker, situation, & meaning)
Understand all notes/hand-outs
Analyze the key characters
Have an understanding of the plot
Understand all "5 plots"
Understand all themes presented in the play


Good Luck Studying. Be mindful that this exam is performance driven. In other words, I am testing you to evaluate how you use all the skills you learned throughout this course. Remember to take your time during the exam, and re-read all sight readings at least twice to increase understanding and comprehension.

Upcoming Exams

Hello all,

I just wanted to stress the importance of attending Thursday and Friday's classes. We are covering new material right up until Friday afternoon. I will be providing you with a review sheet; however, I am sure you realize that the exam will cover poetry, non-fiction, and AMND. Please do not forget your cumulative binders on exam day. Also, be aware that I will be marking your writing portfolios sometime next week.

Class re-cap for Wed. Jan. 25:

• Non-Fiction Quiz
• Journal Prompts (AMND) Come see me to verify the specific entries

More non-fiction notes...

Here are some notes on the different types of essays for those who do not have them. Good luck studying! Please remember to bring your textbook and AMND quotation notes to class tomorrow!!

Descriptive -- Describes a person, place, or thing in detail. Most common form of organization is spatial.

Narrative -- Narrates an event or series of events. Most common form of organization is chronological. May also use the "flashback" technique.

Expository -- Explains something; provides information. may be in the form of an extended definition, cause and effect, or may consider specific aspects of a particular topic.

Persuasive -- Attempts to convince the reader to agree with the author's side of an issue using both reason (logic) and emotional appeals.

Class re-cap:

• Finished AMND (watching/reading)
• Journal entry (Act II -- square bullet on journal prompt hand-out)
• Passed out "Important Quotations" hand-out for AMND
• Discussion of 1st quote

Monday, Jan. 22

Class re-cap:

• Poetry Quiz
• Watched/read AMND
• Journal entry (Act I -- both journal prompts on hand-out)

What's left...

• Non-fiction quiz (Wed)
• Finish up AMND
• AMND Important Quotations
• AMND notes on theme
• Review for Exam
• Cumulative Binder (due during exam)

Cumulative Binder

As mentioned at the beginning of this course, I will be taking in your binders (during the exam period) for evaluation. I will evaluate your binders mainly on content and organization. This is a way for me to reward all students who have "held on" to their notes, hand-outs, and homework.

Your binders will be marked out of 10, and will hold the same value as a regular assignment.

Some tips:

• All notes, hand-outs, and homework should be in chronological order.
• Be sure that your binder is well-organized and neatly presented.
• Be sure that your first and last name are visible.