Welcome to 10th Grade Honors English! Mrs. Ebersole

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Welcome to 10th Grade Honors English!Mrs.
Ebersole
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About Me

• My name is Laura Ebersole
• Ive taught at Upper Merion for 15 years.
• My undergrad work was at U. of Delaware (go Blue
  Hens!) and my masters degree is from West
  Chester University.
• I also direct plays, am a class sponsor, and live
  in the district (you may see me in the Middle
  School or at Caley).

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My Beliefs

• All children,,,
• can learn
• should be held to high expectations
• Should have choices that meet their areas of
  special interests.
• deserve exposure to higher level concepts to
  promote critical thinking and problem solving
• Need strong communication skills as a vital
  component in any career path.
• Can improve their writing skills by reading
  challenging material.
• Must take risks in order to grow.

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Essential Questions Grade 10

• While there are many questions we will address
  through our reading and writing, below are the
  essential questions that shape our coursework
• How does the process of self-discovery shape an
  individual's identity?
• How does social/economic/class structure affect
  an individual's identity?
• What makes us stand out amongst a society that
  values sameness?
• What qualities define an effective leader?
• How do we use our words to persuade others?
• How are themes in literature reflected in our
  personal lives?

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Major Assessments

• Novel tests
• Based on Essential questions, class discussions,
  literary terms, and reading strategies.
• Writing
• Analytical writing
• Literary comparison Essays
• Creative Writing
• District performance tasks
• Writing and reading
• 1 per quarter
• PSSA domain specific rubric

• Grammar
• 1 formal unit per quarter
• Focus areas include clauses/phrases, parallel
  structure, comma review, commonly confused words,
  agreement, active/passive voice.
• Projects
• 1 per quarter
• Reading Olympic project
• Ad campaign
• Research wikispace
• Zine Poetry project
• Vocabulary Quizzes
• Approximately 4 a marking period
• Mixture of SAT words, In-text vocabulary, and
  Tone Words

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• Grading Policy
• Components (point value system)
• Reading
• Writing
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Projects
• Criteria
• 90-100 A Exceeds expectations
• 80-89 B Meets expectations
• 70-79 C Needs improvement to meet
  expectations
• 65-69 D Below expectations
• Below 65 F

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Extended Learning

• Students can earn up to 10 bonus points per
  marking period for submitting additional writing
  assignments. Items might include
• Submissions for Venture
• Reviews of plays, sporting events, or other
  school sponsored events.
• Book, Music, or Film reviews.
• Submissions must be 1 page of text and be
  received at least 1 week before the end of the
  marking period.

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How can students improve their organization?

• Keep an English notebook or digital notebook,
  devoting sections to reading, writing, grammar,
  vocabulary, and research.
• Use a study buddy or email the teacher if they
  are missing a class due to illness, sporting
  event, or music pull out.
• Review Ning for blogging, videos, and peer
  editing.
• Subscribe to ical for due dates, notes, and
  announcements.

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How can we work together?

• Ask students what will be due in the next week
  and monitor their progress.
• Encourage students to develop self advocacy while
  still offering parental support.
• Please contact me with questions, problems, or
  concerns.
• Stress the importance of balancing
  responsibilities.

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What do you like to read?

• Books Ive read this summer and found
  interesting
• Understanding Creativity by Jane Piirto, Ph.D.
• Late Lost and Unprepared A Parents Guide to
  Helping Children with Executive Functioning by
  Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel
• The Hunger Games series
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.