All classes went to the spring book fair today. This year we were given only fifteen minutes in the fair, which seemed fair enough.
Afterward, first and seventh periods began working on linking verbs, with the eventual goal of working on subject/verb agreement.
Second period evaluated their PASS exams.
Fourth period worked on quoting and the use of [...]

I’ve been sharing example songs for English I students to get an idea of how the soundtrack project should be. I’ve created a small sample of the song we went over today at the beginning of class.

We had a late start, so first period didn’t have class today. Second period only had twenty minutes; we continued our whirlwind review of the parts of speech.
Fourth period continued watching Romeo + Juliet and discussed a little about the project.
Seventh period did first period’s work from yesterday, so the two classes are now caught [...]

First, second, and seventh periods all had a test on nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. We spent the remainder of the time going over examples of PASS writing test responses, evaluating and discussing the individual essays’ strengths and weaknesses.
Fourth period took the final quiz on Romeo and Juliet and we continued watching the film version. We’ll [...]

First and second periods were taken up with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS).
Fourth period discussed three topics in R&J, two of which have been running through the whole play: fate and dreams. We decided on a project proposal that will not take up significant amounts of class time. We agreed on a few [...]

The following is an example of what would be required in a proposed changed project:
Act III Scene 5
Nora Jones “Nightingale”
Nightingale
Sing us a song
Of a love that once belonged
Nightingale
Tell me your tale
Was your journey far too long?
Does it seem like I’m looking for an answer
To a question I can’t ask
I don’t know which way the feather [...]

First and seventh periods turned back to grammar, covering a one-day review of adjectives. We’ll have a small test on nouns, pronouns, and adjectives next week.
Second period finally had their PASS review. We’ll spend a little more time on it tomorrow.
Fourth period finished IV.3.
Homework

First, second, and seventh periods: none (except the daily journal)
Fourth:

read IV.4 and [...]

A quick overview: First period went over outlining for a PASS writing test prompt. Second period continued working on their review of Much Ado About Nothing. Fourth period went through IV.1 and IV.2 of Romeo and Juliet. Seventh period had a review of nouns and pronouns. Additionally, first and seventh spent some time writing in [...]

First, fourth, and seventh periods had a quick practice PASS test today. We’ll be having them in first and seventh periods periodically until the actual test in March. (Fourth period took a break from Romeo and Juliet because of Monday’s impending quiz on act three.)
Second period almost completed watching Much Ado About Nothing. We’ll finish [...]

First period finished up pronouns. We went through the final groups very quickly: my goal is only to have them be able to recognize them in sentences, not necessarily to identify the type of pronouns.
Seventh period is about 20 minute behind first period.
Second period began watching Much Ado About Nothing and taking notes for the [...]

First and seventh periods worked on reflexive and intensive pronouns. First period completed everything; seventh period needs to work on practice exercises.
Additionally, first and seventh periods were assigned journals. First, second, and seventh periods are now working on identical journal assignments. The requirements are simple:

Write daily.
Write deeply (always ask “Why” and go a little deeper [...]

First and seventh periods went over the tests from Friday. The results were good: somewhere in the mid-80s for both classes. Additionally, first period began working on reflexive and intensive pronouns (tomorrow’s topic).
Second period had rehearsal time for their major Shakespeare acting project. Tomorrow we’ll be working on the rehearsals a bit more tomorrow, as [...]

First and seventh periods completed tests on their Bluford books. Next week we’ll be using their essay responses to look at the PASS rubric and use of detail.
Second period determined their groups and scenes for the major project for Much Ado About Nothing.
Fourth period completed III.i in class. We’ll be having the quiz on act two [...]

Fourth period began working on tableau vivants (Wikipedia) for act three, scene one. We’ll be presenting them tomorrow. We have heavy homework coming up this weekend, though: three scenes from act three (two, three, and four).
First and seventh periods continued with the parts of speech review, going over personal pronouns today.
Second period finished Much Ado [...]

First and seventh period completed the allotted time for the Bluford literature circle. We’ll be having a test on Friday.
Second period finished reading/acting Much Ado About Nothing. We’ll be starting the project — memorizing and acting a scene from the play — at the end of class tomorrow.
Fourth period finished act two from Romeo and [...]