4A Grammar and Semester Review

From Anglo-Saxons to the Romantic Age make sure your knowledgeable about how English took root in literature. Be sure to focus for essays on Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, and MacBeth. However, all aspects are of course important! 

https://prezi.com/hnzvetk8j6ss/4a-review/

https://prezi.com/gzdomx10f1d2/4a-grammar/

Romantic Poetry

Step closer to the modern era as the Romantic Age addresses key elements of the era via poetry. Can you spot the key elements of the time?

https://prezi.com/frni1igpsw8w/4a-the-romantic-age-and-poetry/

Enlightenment and ''A Modest Proposal''

Satire is often used to address a social issue. Jonathan Swift used this to address a lack of empathy for the Irish people during the famine, in an effort to ridicule how harsh the English were being he went to extremes in his metaphor. 

https://prezi.com/gtuiarrf9tvm/4a-enlightenment-and-restoration-swift-modest-proposal/

Renaissance Men and Women

A bit of skills in everything? Then perhaps you are a modern version of the Renaissance men and women of the past. People who pursued their interests and knew a lot about a variety of topics. What key events were happening during the Renaissance? Find out inside the prezi!

https://prezi.com/jijfjrdj3xef/4a-the-renaissance-and-the-renaissance-menwomen/

MacBeth

Shakespeares' shortest and bloodiest work, comes alive in this epic tragedy. This play is haunted as well by a curse, will you be one it befalls?

https://prezi.com/lyqbxurnwzlu/4a-macbeth/

Romeo and Juliet Newspaper

Imagine how news would have presented the events of Romeo and Juliet. Create your own newspaper with articles explaining what was going on at the time from a locals point of view.

https://prezi.com/fdkce1glftdj/writing-newspaper-rj/

Compare Paintings

Comparing paints can help us to understand key terms used in both art and literature like tone, mood, and setting. Compare paintings of Romeo and Juliet scenes to get an idea of how color, light, and placement can change a painting.

https://prezi.com/tv7l06pj_fmk/comparing-paintings/

Writing a Story Board

Create a story board for a scene from Romeo and Juliet. Use your film director skills to plan all the key elements!

https://prezi.com/3dp8dkx8zvhv/writing-storyboard/

O' Romeo Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Read the tragic comedy of two crazy teenagers falling in love! This prezi will help you identify key points, historical aspects, and literary devices. 

https://prezi.com/ttpgeun49bfx/1a-shakespeare-and-romeo-and-juliet/

Doth Thou Jest? Use a Shakespearean Insult Toad!

Throw around some Shakespearean insults you heartless hind! 

https://prezi.com/u2yjajiymhxy/insult-scene/

Use the Shakespearean insult kit to get your juices flowing. 

http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Funny-pages/shakespeare-insult-kit.html

Chaucer and "The Canterbury Tales"

Journey on a pilgrimage of discovery on the way to Canterbury. Learn about the people and their stories during the Middle Ages.

Be sure to watch the fun and funny videos that explain each of the different tales that the various pilgrims tell on their journey.

https://prezi.com/xn4ustj_e-ad/4a-chaucer/

Write Your Own Poems - Open Form and Sonnet

An excellent way to practice English and get those emotions on paper is to write poetry. Poetry can be a great way for self-expression. Let's see your poems!

https://prezi.com/-g5zy_ex9gj0/writing-poetry-open-poem-and-sonnet/

Poetry

Enjoy some amazing poetry while learning all about poetic devices. Just think, you don't even have to follow all the grammar rules, and can call it art :D

https://prezi.com/lcbl4zaodg5h/1a-poetry/

Beowulf

The oldest epic poem in the English language. Beowulf tells the tale of a classic hero on his journey of life. His characteristics represent the ideals of the people of the era, with many Christian values added by the monks that finally wrote down this tale after years of oral retelling.

 

https://prezi.com/a3qtqsracie7/4a-beowulf/

Anglo Saxon Era and "The SeaFarer"

"The SeaFarer" tells the life of a sailor on the North Seas during the Anglo-Saxon era. Learn the history of the earliest oral literary moments in English (the good old old fashion kind).

 

https://prezi.com/u7xoiugr0m2r/4a-anglo-saxon-the-seafarer/

Compare/Contrast Essay between Don Quixote and The Odyssey

Compare and contrast the works of The Odyssey and Don Quixote. Are they both heroes? Are their quests similar or different?

https://prezi.com/ft64eyksgp0e/compare-and-contrast-don-quixote-and-the-odyssey/

Don Quixote

Journey into the land of dreamers, where the narrator changes and is perhaps not your most reliable resource. What does it mean to chase your dreams? Is it pure madness?

https://prezi.com/bjpk9qcagaag/1a-don-quixote/

3B Review

Test your knowledge before the test! Be sure to review the material so you can ace the exam!

https://prezi.com/ti1jrqijfj-n/3b-review-presentation/

Language Skills and Appendix Reviews

Brush up on your English Language Skills prior to the test by reviewing some key grammar, structure, and literature essential vocabulary!

https://prezi.com/rgdppybn_7-i/3b-language-skills-and-appendix/

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a classic tale of the social struggles faced during the great Depression with a look at themes that cross all time to evaluate the true meaning of friendship, dreams, and life. 

https://prezi.com/qrqkx80fg8oy/3b-of-mice-and-men/

Modernism Poetry and the American Dream

The modernism era of literature brought great growth to the American literary movement in the late 19th century and early 20th century as new methods of expression were explored along with major changes in all aspects of the American lifestyle.

Meanwhile it was also the start of the slow death of the American Dream and the realization for many people that the American Dream was just that, no more than a dream. 

https://prezi.com/jmlze-v5nizp/3b-modernism-and-the-american-dream/

The Odyssey

The hero's journey is never complete, especially if the gods are against you. Follow Odysseus' epic 10 year journey home from war, as he tries the patience of gods and people alike often cause of his own hubris. 

https://prezi.com/uu6fd6e1lva6/1a-the-odyssey/

Write Chapter 24 of The Giver

 

 The Giver ends without a clear ending. Consider the possible endings that you would like to have seen happen, and write one of them. Be sure to use clear support from the text.

https://prezi.com/x4sek202e29z/chapter-24-of-the-giver/

Analytical and Expository Essay Writing - Step-by-Step

Writing one's first essays can be very tricky. Academic essays have so many slight nuances and differences. Overall it's important to remember to be formal in writing and follow the structure presented in each essay outline.

Expository Essay

Learning Outlines and Thesis Statements

https://prezi.com/igtr6f7fiet7/writing-outlinethesis/

Refresher on Formal Writing Rules including third person, active verses passive voice, and sentence structure.

https://prezi.com/fsdrdrkj1svg/formal-writing-third-person/

Expository verses Argumentative Essay

https://prezi.com/8qffjd3wkmnu/expository-vs-argumentative-essays/

Analytical Essay

https://prezi.com/bjf75gnk3dx6/analytical-essay/

Citations and Work Cited

https://prezi.com/jksjs47qpxss/citations-and-work-cited/

MLA formating Rules

https://prezi.com/wpjrwwbf-ieo/writing-mla-work-cited/#

Writing Basics - Sentences, Grammar, and the Hamburger

Writing basics can be tricky for students who are not always use to writing in English. It is a good idea to brush up on some key grammar points and then start with a writing using the classic all-American hamburger!

Independent Clauses and Run on Sentences

https://prezi.com/09bmm95sscyi/writing-independent-clauses-and-run-on-sentences/

Subject Verb Consistency and Punctuation

https://prezi.com/42fj_aluk_h4/writing-subject-verbconsistencypunctuation/ 

Grammar Gorillas- Parts of Speech and how to use them!

https://prezi.com/gy09qnr_vmei/1a-grammar-gorillas/

Writing 101 Brainstorming to Hamburger

https://prezi.com/tbvbyof3f2bk/writing-class-101-hamburgerbrainstorming/

Writing a Hamburger Paragraph

https://prezi.com/14ywicoymssj/writing-a-hamburger-paragraph/

Business Letters

Getting down to business means we have to be professional. Make sure your business letters follow proper business format, and are not too informal. Business letters follow a clear structure and are always specific and polite.

Follow the format for various 

Great resources for Business Letter structure can be found at OWL Purdue Writing Labs

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/01/

And the WISC Writing Center

https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/BusinessLetter.html

Use these resources to complete your own business letter.

https://prezi.com/-s0r06szwyho/business-letters/

Forum Writing

Discussion Forums are online and on the record. Make sure your being a responsible internet contributor by not just spewing out whatever comes to mind, but by adding content that is relevant and well thought out.

Check out the format for a discussion forum.

https://prezi.com/ecdfjwnd-7ca/discussion-forums-they-are-on-record/

Look deeper into forums 2.1Utopia Rules

https://prezi.com/s7aodqzm_eem/forum-21-utopia-rules/

Check out how to make similes and write forum 3.1

https://prezi.com/5ba1cdjp5scv/similes-and-forum-31/

Many students think about going to University abroad. This can be an excellent idea for some students, but before a student makes a major decision like that. They should consider a number of factors.

Students should consider a number of questions:

1) Where do you want to live?

2) Do you want to go to a big school or a smaller school? Do you know what the advantages are of each?

3) How important in the name of the school to you?

4) How important is financial aid?

5) Are you a competitive applicant for the schools you want to apply for?

6) What are you considering majoring in?

When your thinking about going to university consider looking over this prezi to get some ideas on key information.

https://prezi.com/hb0w_7g5kbeh/thinking-of-university/

Made up your mind your going? Great! Check out this Padlet that has links to official test registration sites, scholarship sites, and other helpful information to guide you in the process.


http://padlet.com/LizMiller/Uniintheusa

Click the link on Source in the Padlet to go to the direct website. 

Realism Short Stories

Realism in American literature looked to tell real life without any sugar coating. After the Civil War and all the blood and conflict that came with it people were looking for a bluntly honest view from their literature at the time.

Fredrick Douglass ushered in Realism with his slave narratives, some of the finest writing of the era. An excerpt from "My Bondage, My Freedom" shows his exceptional literary finese.

https://prezi.com/xik5pelk_hvn/3b-realism/


Mark Twain is considered the father of realism as he brought local color to his works via regionalism and a twist of humor. His short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" brings to light the twists of a gamble, be it on a friend's advice or an animal.

https://prezi.com/d8loedxg_lzy/3b-mark-twain-and-the-celebrated-jumping-frog-of-calaveras-county/

Ambrose Bierce brings a darker twist to reality with his short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."

https://prezi.com/p22dtqhq_ylk/3-b-the-occurrence-at-owl-creek-bridge/

Common Writing Errors

There are a number of common writing errors that often hinder student's ability to write well in English. Here are some of the most complicated errors seen in High School for Brazilian students.
By correcting these errors writing can improve immensely!

https://prezi.com/lo6vmwawv5qj/common-errors/

The Giver

The Giver is Newberry Medal winning book by Lois Lowry that takes a look at a boy who comes to the realization that his utopian society is really a dystopia. A world in which Sameness has slowly cut away individuality, choices, feelings, and simple joys in life such as color. 

Here is a great Quizlet to help students practice literary devices!

http://quizlet.com/68928236/literary-devices-english-1a-flash-cards/

Intro to Literary Devices and Literary Term Prezi

https://prezi.com/pucofqwfgxiu/1a-intro-class/

https://prezi.com/alttxci1s7ur/literary-terms/

The Giver Prezi with exercises, questions, and projects

https://prezi.com/b6ggnwd83caw/the-giver/

Prefixes and Suffix Practice and Understanding

http://quizlet.com/76003418/prefixes-and-suffixes-flash-cards/


Precision of Language to focus on difficult words that are often confused in English

http://quizlet.com/75995186/precision-of-language-flash-cards/


Here is the vocabulary practice for The Giver

http://quizlet.com/class/1440060/

STAAR EOC ENGLISH I & II

The STAAR EOC exams are how Texas validates each students performance. Students must past the required EOC exams in order to validate their diplomas and graduate in the state of Texas.

In order to pass the exam students are graded on a scale of performance, with a minimum standard needing to be met. Though many students achieve advanced performance on some tests, meaning they have done over and beyond the required level.
.

Here are prezis for working with writing for the English I and II Texas STAAR EOC Exams


Overview of the Exam + Expository and Persuasive Essay Explanation and Practice
https://prezi.com/tmzl9b8cb8_e/staar-exams/

EOC / STAAR Overview: English I and II

Texas English I EOC preparation guide by Andrew Hollinger 

https://prezi.com/yjmbchesivv5/eoc-staar-overview-english-i-and-ii/

Short Answer Sentence Structure

https://prezi.com/-tv6e7yy34jm/short-answer-questions/

Overview of Exam

https://prezi.com/kbwwbgfandbl/staar-overview/


Brush up on Literary Terms

https://prezi.com/alttxci1s7ur/literary-terms/

Beef Up your Reading skills with prefixes, suffixes, and context clue practice

https://prezi.com/ufvydvm4w10s/beef-up-your-reading-skills/

Quizlets for Literary Devices, Prefixes and Suffixes, and Giver Vocabulary

Struggling a bit with the new readings. Maybe you need to brush up on some context clues, tricky words, and literary devices. These help students to have a better understanding of the literature they are reading in English. Understanding both the denotative and connotative meanings of the works.

Here is a great Quizlet to help students practice literary devices!

http://quizlet.com/68928236/literary-devices-english-1a-flash-cards/


Prefixes and Suffix Practice and Understanding

http://quizlet.com/76003418/prefixes-and-suffixes-flash-cards/

Beef Up Your Reading Skills - Context Clues, Prefix, Suffix

https://prezi.com/ufvydvm4w10s/beef-up-your-reading-skills/


Precision of Language to focus on difficult words that are often confused in English

http://quizlet.com/75995186/precision-of-language-flash-cards/


Here is the vocabulary practice for The Giver

http://quizlet.com/class/1440060/

Editing and Revising Resources

Here is a padlet to help students with Editing and Revising. Come here to learn tips to enhance your editing and revising. Practice as well to improve your grammar skills! This way you can fix everything without Ms. Miller's help!

Editing, typing, and revising games and explanations.

http://padlet.com/LizMiller/Editingandrevising

Animal Farm Resources

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a book that is rich in literary devices! It is a book with multiple layers of understanding for the reader to digest and think about. Here we see how a utopia can quickly become a dystopia when people fail to question things around them.

Here is a great padlet to help you with resources on Animal Farm by George Orwell!

http://padlet.com/LizMiller/AnimalFarm

Magno Resource Padlet

The Magno Resource Padlet has helpful links for writing, editing acronyms, and other useful tools to use as your studying or preparing for High School classes. It helps you to link up with any important site that can be tools for you to use in your work.

Here is the Padlet that shows all the possible Magno resources!

http://padlet.com/LizMiller/magnoresources

Blended Learning Infograph

Blended Learning is creating integration with the technology tools of today and the classrooms that we teach in. These practices seek to merge the old system with a new one that prepares students with
21st century skills.


                                                                           
Created by Knewton and Column Five Media

Teacher Tech Tools Padlet

Teaching in the modern era requires modern tools! Check out some possible Web 2.0 and 3.0 tools that you can integrate into your classrooms. These tools help to make classes and grading easier for you and more dynamic for the students.

Here is a padlet: an online bulletin board of sorts providing you with links to useful tools that you can add to your classroom or teaching experience!

http://padlet.com/LizMiller/TeacherTech

Grammar Doubts Padlet

Grammar is tricky. We all know that. However, it can make all the difference in your message.

Here is a padlet: an online bulletin board of sorts providing you with links to useful tools, explanations, and practice in grammar!

http://padlet.com/LizMiller/grammardoubts

Getting Started

I have never considered using a blog to help facilitate teaching. However, teaching is all about learning as well, so since I am taking a course on Humanizing MOOCs I figured I would give blogging a try as a unique way to have all of my educational resources in one location. It seems to make sense. Then hopefully in the future I can expand to creating ongoing educational tools and posts!

Let's see if I turn out to be more of a blogger or a booger....

Intro to 1A and "The Interlopers"

Learn the literary devices used in literature through a look at the first short story in High School, "The Interlopers."

https://prezi.com/pucofqwfgxiu/1a-intro-class/

Simile Writing

Write some of your own similes! Learn the joy of comparisons using like or as, it's just like the best activity ever!


https://prezi.com/5ba1cdjp5scv/similes-and-forum-31/