Welcome Back from Labor Day Weekend!

Hey Wildcats!
Hope you guys enjoyed your LONG weekend! Here are some updates for the coming week!
Make sure to bring your textbooks to class this week. We will be starting our first short story, "The Open Window." You will need your textbook Wednesday & Thursday in class!

Schedule at a glance:
Wednesday - Begin "The Open Window." We will write down some definitions and then read the story together as a class.

Thursday - Continuing notes on "The Open Window." Note packets will be due by the end of class. I hope I will see all of your parents at Open House at 6:30!

Friday - We will be meeting in the IMC. Mrs. Hafermann has agreed to help give us an introduction into the West library. She'll show you guys around and help familiarize you with all of West's resources.

Below are the attached notes and worksheets for this week!

Have a great rest of your weekend, Wildcats!
~Miss D.

Open Window Note Packet
Visualization Activity Powerpoint
Visualization Activity Notes

Another Monday Down!

Hey English 1!

Today we worked on wrapping up some more speeches. This week, after we finish all of our speeches, we will be beginning our short story unit with the story "Sweet Potato Pie." Make sure to bring your textbook to class with you starting WEDNESDAY!

Also, later this week I believe we will begin MAP testing. I will try to get more information out to you the closer we get to these dates. It's looking like Thursday and Friday will be our MAP testing days.

I hope to have more updates for you later, Wildcats!
Have a great beginning of your week!
~Miss Dinges

Contacting Me

Hey Wildcats!
Just a heads up that if you are ever in need of contacting me, below is my contact information.

E-mail: dingesar@unit5.org
Sharing on Google drive: dingesar@myunit5.org

(Make sure you are getting the right Dinges when you share or email. There are 3 different ones in the system!)

Have a great day Wildcats!
~Miss Dinges

Happy Wednesday Wildcats!

We have made it half way through the first week! Congrats! Here's a quick update on what we've done so far this week!

Monday - We took attendance and were assigned seats. I gave you all a copy of the syllabus, which is also posted below in case you need another copy! I also presented a little bit about myself and the expectations I have for this class.
Homework: Letter to Miss D. due Wednesday 8/20. (8/21 for 1st hour)

Tuesday - Help Wanted! After we finished our "Wake-up Warm-Ups" for the day, I posted 7 jobs around the class that I needed help with. The classes were split into groups and circulated the room reading the descriptions and filling out a survey on whether they were interested in having that job or not. After we finished, you guys filled out an application for a job that interested you. EVERYONE had to fill out the application seriously, even if they didn't want a job. Those that don't actually want a job were asked to check the "please do not select me" box at the end of the form. This will be our first grade of the quarter!
Homework: Letter to Miss D. due Wednesday 8/20 and Application due by the end of the hour.

Wednesday - After Wake-Up Warm-Ups and the collecting of the homework, we did an Ice Breaker activity to help everyone figure out everyone else's names. Every student had to go around and say their name and something about them that we wouldn't know by looking at them. Plus they had to say the names of everyone who had gone before them. Afterwards we began our "In the Bag" speeches. You guys will have to give a speech on 3-5 objects that represent you and who you are. You can bring in the items you are talking about as extra credit, if you wish.
Homework: Rough Draft of Outline of Speech

Thursday - We will be having a workday. With your rough draft, you will be working to make it better. You can practice with a partner to make sure it fits in the time limit (2-3 minutes), you can make sure you are telling interesting stories, and you can make sure that you feel comfortable with the material.
Homework: Be ready to give your speech!

Friday - Speeches begin (After FRITUNES of course)

Class Jobs:

1. The Secretary
1. The job: The secretary takes attendance, takes good notes, and labels and saves handouts for absent students.
2. Skills needed: Should be reliable, have good attendance, and know most people's names in the class
2. The Ambassador
1. The job: Introduces new students to class procedures, helps absent students, welcomes visitors and explains what the daily objective is (what students are learning for the day)
2. Skills needed: Should be friendly and like to meet new people, outgoing, hospitable, and should have a strong grasp on our classroom procedures.
3. The Master of Ceremonies
1. The job: Conduct all classroom celebrations, lead class in "Happy Birthday," monitor prize box, keep up the West spirit!
2. Skills needed: Outgoing personality, comfortable in front of the class, joyful, creative.
4. The Errand Manager
1. The job: Pick up things for the teacher as needed, deliver notes and materials to places in the building.
2. Skills needed: Flexible, willing to run around, responsible, reliable, trustworth
5. The Spot-Checker:
1. The job: Double check the room for cleanliness and order before leaving each day.
2. Skills needed: Organized, cares about maintaining a clear environment, has a next class not too far away.
6. The Tech Officer
1. The job: Assist students during technology lessons in the computer lab, coordinate and assist with class tech projects outside the classroom.
2. Skills needed: Knowledge and skill using class technology, quick learner, helpful, frequent user of technology at home.

Resources/Worksheets

English 1 Syllabus

Letter to Miss D. Instructions

Classroom Job Application

Bag Speech Instructions & Rubric

Have a great day Wildcats!

~Miss Dinges

Welcome to English 1!

Welcome back to another wonderful school year! I am so excited to have you in my English 1 class this year. We are going to be covering a lot together this year so let's start off with the basics! Attached below is the Syllabus to this course. However, in case you lost it here are the major things to remember this first week.

You are going to need to bring to class EVERY DAY:

1. 2 notebooks (Wake Up Warm Up & Reading/Writing)
2. 1 Binder or Folder to organize handouts and important class paperwork
3. Pens/Pencils
4. Whatever novel or text we are working on at that time

You will need to follow the school rules in the classroom as well as classroom rules. I try to keep my rules short and sweet. 

1. Come to class prepared
2. Turn in Homework on Time
1. This also means make sure your name, class period, and the date are at the top of your work. If work isn't labeled, I'm not going to bother grading it. 
3. Be respectful of others (Students and teachers)
1. Meaning don't talk when others are talking
2. Be understanding and respectful of different opinions
4. Keep your cell phones, iproducts, music, ereaders, and anything else that we aren't using at that time put away. There are times when I will let you use electronic devices in class as the year goes on. However, we aren't there yet.
5. DO NOT PACK UP BEFORE I GIVE THE ALL CLEAR. One of my biggest pet peeves is having to talk over everyone packing up. I promise to give you plenty of time to get where you need to go if you give me your full attention during my time. When I say "Let's get packed up." You are fee to put your stuff away. When I say "Have a great day," you are free to line up at the door and leave.

5 rules isn't really all that much, right?

I know we will have a great year and I can't wait to get to know each and every one of you!

Miss D.