Natalia's Pictures - Story and Storyteller

Story and Storyteller Reflection

@irockenglish Instagram

ROCKSTAR Student - Sabrina's - Writer's Notebook Cover!

Sneha's Story and Storyteller Project

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Story and Storyteller Project

Welcome to Google Classroom!

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80 colleges and universities announce plan for new application and new approach to preparing high school students | Inside Higher Ed

80 colleges and universities announce plan for new application and new approach to preparing high school students | Inside Higher Ed

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Hinna's Notebook Page - Paris

SketchNoting

10 Tips to Get Started with Sketchnoting | Langwitches Blog https://t.co/xIxIh0AIaa pic.twitter.com/maBZjBoZvX

— Silvia Tolisano (@langwitches) November 16, 2015

NaNoWriMo Crew - 4th

20k words and counting

Comma Practice

How To Thank Veterans For Their Military Service

How To Thank Veterans For Their Military Service:

Twenty-five veterans and service members share how people should thank them for their service.

For veterans and service members, receiving thanks on Veterans Day, or on any day for that matter, can elicit a wide range of emotions or reactions. Some may respond with a genuine smile, others may give an awkward and humble nod. The reasons for why are as varied as the reactions and as diverse as the veterans being thanked, which raises an important question: On Veterans Day, how do we honor the men and women who have taken this oath and served our country and the American people?


Task & Purpose posed this question to our network of contributors, specifically asking, How should people thank you for your service? Here’s what they said.

http://taskandpurpose.com/how-to-thank-veterans-for-their-military-service/
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Commas - The Writing Center

Commas - The Writing Center:



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Where Are You? - Shareen Shaik

Where Are You? 

We called you downstairs for Momma's Sunday dinner,

Mashed Potatoes and Fried Chicken,

Your favorite,

But, where are you?

The window was open and the curtains danced swiftly to the tempo of the wind,

Calling your name,

But, where are you?

Michael jumped on his bike and left

Momma is crying unbearably

Daddy's mind wanders off

Where are you?

We are supposed to be each other's strengths,

But we are instead weaknesses

What have you done to us?

Where are you?

The police are outside interrogating the neighbors,

The twins are peeking through the windows watching curiously

Our home doesn't feel like a home anymore

Where are you?

I'm suddenly the new spotlight in school,

Teachers reassured me 

Your friends walked me to my classes,

The prinicpal said I could stay home,

But that would only remind me of you.

Each of us held a candle,

Not budging even though the rain pelted us,

"God guide us through our hard times,

And bring back our Mia to us!"

"AMEN!"

Our kitchen is filled with stacks of food,

Pies, cakes, casseroles, and who could forget Mrs. Smith's turkey,

But we haven't ate a proper morsel since you had left,

Where are you?

It's been 5 days Mia!

Momma's throwing up nonstop,

Daddy isn't home anymore,

Michael doesn't stop drinking

And I...

I sit on the roof because of the fresh air

And knowing you are elsewhere beyond!

We were emotionally and physically shattered,

We stopped believing,

Our thoughts questioned us

But one unexpected phone call ended it all.

They found you

"Hold on Mia girl we are coming!" 

Social Links

Tweets by @pkoch9999 Tweets by @RockRidgeHigh

Meeting My Idols By: Sameer Sawhney

          Sameer Sawhney

Block: 4

Meeting My Idols

I have been obsessed with basketball since day one.  One of the most memorable nights of my life was the day when I met the Cleveland Cavaliers team.

It was about two years ago I went to the Verizon Center to watch the Cavs take on the Wizards.  My brother, a diehard Cavs fan, started a conversation with a security guard.  The security guard told my brother that Cavs fans were not very common in DC.  He then gave my brother backstage passes to meet the players.

After the game, we went to the bus boarding area.  We were waiting for about 45 minutes, then the staff came.  After that, the coaches that we see on TV were coming out of the tunnel.  I was already having trouble containing myself but then came the players.

Professional players, people who I look up to were walking by us to board their bus.  They were very friendly.  Matthew Dellavadova had a fifteen minute conversation with the people next to us.  We got a picture with him.  Then Anderson Varejao, my brother’s favorite player, came.  He was very nice and also took a picture with us.  After that came NBA All Star, Kyrie Irving!  I couldn’t believe it.  This was one of the best nights of my life.

I did not want to leave but the players were already on their bus and were about to leave.  We left and all I could think about was that night.  I was excited go home and brag to my friends. 

Rock Ridge Drama - Bridge to Terabithia Trailer

Alex's Writer's Notebook Page - Two Wolves

By: Kiya Hicks

A Summer Day 

The sun's beaming now,

the warms beams across my face,

a nice summer day.

Smile?

Smile?

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

Time is passing by,

Don’t know how to feel anymore.

Don’t know what to do.

Can’t take this much longer,

This pain this hurting can’t take it.

Done, tired, torn,

Soon she’ll explode.

Tired of putting on fake smiles.

They think she’s happy,

But don’t know that inside-she’s fighting a battle,

Doesn’t feel “good enough.”

Tries to handle things but can’t,

Tries to keep emotions in check.

She tries to hide all her scars, all her pain,

No one understands so,

She’ll just have to put on a façade and go on.

Business Letter to Nike By: Isabella DiFulvio

One Bowerman Drive

Beaverton, OR 97005

October 25, 2015

Isabella DiFulvio

43403 Stukely Drive

Sterling, VA 20166

Dear Nike,

Nike is one of my favorite athletic clothes brands, and I have everything from your soccer cleats to your shin guards and to your running shoes. Whenever I go out shopping I always stop by your outlet store or Dick’s Sporting Goods to see if you have anything new on sale. All of your products that I’ve purchased so far are of great quality and work perfectly. I especially love your soccer cleats, sweat pants, and your running shoes.

Your Nike Rally Loose pants are comfortable, warm, and snug. I have them in black and they match with any t-shirt or sneakers. I wear them when I go to the store or to school or on any average day. The size women’s XS fits me like it was tailored just for me. The cuffed ankle and soft interior makes the pants excellent for any occasion.

I also have a pair of your Nike Free 5.0 running shoes. I got them a while ago so I’m not exactly sure about the exact model. They are fantastic, and I love how comfortable and light they feel on my feet. The molded sock liner additionally adds extra support and comfort. Also they run a little bit wider which is perfect for my foot. I have them in a neon orange color and they stand out in a crowd.

My absolute favorite product of yours so far are your Tiempo Legacy FG soccer cleats. I got them about two months ago, and they are providing me with excellent traction and comfortability. My feet are slightly wider and these cleats give me comfort that no other brand has. The forefoot stitching is almost like a cushion which allows me to have superb ball control and the Hypershield outer layer that hugs my foot grants me the ability to make crisp passes. The Tiempo Legacy FG cleat is definitely the best pair of cleats I have ever owned.

            You guys have done an exceptional job with combining comfortability, style and quality into all of your products. I wanted to write this letter to say how great this brand is and how much I love it. I hope you guys keep designing good quality and stylish products.

Thank You,

Isabella DiFulvio

Natalia's Writer's Notebook page - Two Wolves

Do You Use a Comma After a Prepositional Phrase at the Beginning of a Sentence? | The Classroom | Synonym

Do You Use a Comma After a Prepositional Phrase at the Beginning of a Sentence? | The Classroom | Synonym:

Four or Fewer

If a prepositional phrases contains four or fewer words, usually no comma is needed as in the following sentence: On the table a bottle of champagne rested, conserving its energy for the upcoming festivities. Prepositional phrases of five or more words require a comma: Beneath the dusty redwood table, the cat crouched with murderous anticipation. The punctuation marks serve to indicate how the sentence is to be read aloud. As such, the first sentence would have no pause, whereas the second sentence would be read with a slight pause after table. While the word count may appear arbitrary, it reflects an organic speech pattern.

Five or More

As noted above, prepositional phrases containing five or more words should be followed by a comma: In this time of economic depression, worsening drought and dwindling mineral resources, children were particularly vulnerable. Some prepositional phrases may require commas within the phrase: On that tall, cold, green mountain, the birds are loudest at dusk. The comma does not impact the punctuation a longer prepositional phrase would require, so punctuate series, parenthetical elements and adjectives as you normally would.

Two or More Prepositional Phrases

If the prepositional phrases themselves are in series, you should separate them with a comma: By land, by sea, by air, we'll get that package to you within a week. The prepositional phrases stand alone, so they should be separated as a series. In the sentence "On the hill with the fairy grass, we stopped to eat lunch," the prepositional phrase "with the fairy grass" modifies "on the hill." Because neither phrase can stand alone, the no comma is needed to separate the phrases.

Avoiding Confusion

At times, a comma can help to clarify the meaning of a sentence. Writers may use clarifying commas even if the prepositional phrase contains four or fewer words as in the following examples: "Before the snow flurry birds sought shelter," and "Before the snow flurry, birds sought shelter." Without the clarifying comma, the reader might read "snow flurry birds" as a single concept and the sentence as a fragment. Prepositional phrases tend to merge with nouns, but be sure to read each sentence aloud. If you pause to separate the phrase from the main clause, insert a clarifying comma.

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Raina's Notebook Page - Harrison Bergeron

Harrison Bergeron

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English 9 - Year at a Glance

Rock Ridge CSI - Authentic Writing Tasks with Mr. Harrison.

Ballad

from http://literarydevices.net/ballad/

Distinguishing Features of Ballads

Ballads, no matter which category they fall in, mostly rely on simple and easy-to-understand language or dialect from its origin. Stories about hardships, tragedies, love and romance are standard ingredients of ballads. This is irrespective of geographical origins.

Another conspicuous element of any ballad is the recurrence of certain lines at regular intervals. Ballads can also be in interrogative form with appropriate answers to every question they ask.

Ballads seldom offer a direct message about a certain event, character or situation. It is left to the audience to deduce the moral of the story from the whole narration.

Example #5

“The Ballad of Billy the Kid” is an example of a modern ballad.

‘From a town known Wheeling, West Virginia
Rode a boy with six gun in his hands
And his daring life crime
Made him a legend in his time
East and west of Rio Grande’

Functions of Ballad

Ballads, as stage performance, enjoyed the status of being one of the main sources of entertainment in ancient times. Legends and historical events were narrated in the form of a ballad which would comprise song and dance.

Ballad was a perfect substitute for our current day technology-based entertainment, albeit with more emotional appeal. In the 18th century, the ballad based stage entertainment came to be known as Ballad Opera. According to ballad aficionados, the first formal Ballad opera was staged in the first half of 18thcentury with the theme of “the Beggars Opera”.







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VASOL Prompt of the Day

Some people believe that students should be required to take a music, a drama, or an art class. Should students be required to take a class in the arts, or should such classes be electives? Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your position

The First Week of High School

Sharan Patnaik              

September 7^th,2015

English

Mr.Koch

The First Week of High School

The night before school started I was tossing and turning in bed as thoughts and questions flooded my head. Are the teachers mean? How much homework will they give us? Is high school anything like the movies…High School Musical, Mean Girls, Disney Channel, Clueless, and Grease?

The next morning as I was getting ready I couldn’t help but think about how I’ve changed since the beginning of middle school. From my sense of style and always being studious and quiet, I’ve broken out of my shell. I think that starting my first day in high school is going to be a great chapter in my life and will help me figure out who I am. I’ve also realized that my first day is nothing like the movies at all. When a popular person walks in the school, nobody makes a path for them like they do in High School Musical and Clueless.  Walking through the halls I’ve also noticed that everybody has a friend, or people that are willing to be one. Jocks with varsity jackets don’t actually shove small geeky lowerclassmen into lockers.

The second day of school was a little easier to adjust to. During the day all the teachers would be doing some “get to know you” games and explaining the rules, informing us about supplies that we needed to get. Same old boring stuff, which we need to listen for seven hours straight, for two days. Talk about fun.

Lunch is really different because now you don’t have teachers walking around monitoring you like you’re two. You don’t have to raise your hand to get up and you can sit wherever you want. Once again lunch in realistic high school doesn’t consist of the populars bullying you if you sit at their table. There is no second story in the cafeteria where someone will be singing and a flash mob will start, then everyone stares at one person yelling “NO NO NOOO STICK TO THE STATUS QUO!” Everyone encourages each other to try new things.

Wednesday I realized that teachers expect you to do your homework neatly, assignments on time, straight A’s, check their website because everything is online now. And you have no excuse not to get it done.

That night lying in bed, I thought to myself, this is freshman year, your third day in high school. You will most likely not be able to spend time with Danny Zuko, the T Birds and Pink Ladies at the racetrack every day. You won’t be able to go shopping every weekend or not worry about homework or the test you have that day. Yes there will be time for fun as long as you aren’t sabotaging the mean girls. Nobody has two bright pink lockers with extra clothes hanging, shelves, and  a mirror etc. There is more to high school than jocks, cheerleaders and stereotypes.

Friday finally came along and everybody was exhausted. It seemed to be the longest first week of school ever. High school is fun and you have freedom, more choices to do things. People are there to help you if life ever gets tough, teachers you can trust, friends you can count on. High school isn’t like the movie at all. In the first week of high school I learned that it’s the place where we make mistakes, get our hearts broken, our brains stretched beyond capacity, but it’s also the time to be adventurous, daring, spirited. It’s where you find out who you are. This is the place where our lives change forever.

VASOL Writing Prompt of the Day

Imagine your school cafeteria plans to change to a new, healthier school lunch menu, which would eliminate some of the students’ favorite cafeteria foods. Take a position on this issue and write to convince your principal whether this change to the school menu is a good idea or a bad idea. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Hinna's Notebook Page on The Most Dangerous Game

4 bases, 3 strikes, 2 teams, 1 winner

            When I step on the freshly raked field, feeling the dirt under my cleats, I feel proud of the game that I play. I belong on the diamond. The smell of the newly cut grass, the sound of metal cleats on concrete, the feeling after you make a big play, and hearing everyone cheer for you is a special feeling.

            I started playing t-ball when I was five years old. It has always been a part of my life. I was so proud of myself when I was seven and made the boys baseball all-star team. I was the only girl in league history to play with the boys. One of my most memorable moments, however, is when I hit my first over-the-fence homerun. I’ll never forget, the feeling running around the bases and rounding third base, seeing all of my teammates crowding around home plate, waiting to celebrate with me. Or when I turned my first double play, flipping the ball from my glove to our second baseman as she tapped the bag with her foot and fired the ball over to first base. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in softball, but I hope to continue doing what makes me happiest for a long time to come.

            If you play softball you will share some smiles, but with that also comes times when you will shed some tears. There are great wins and tough losses. The game can change in just a minute. I will always remember when I was ten, playing in the USSSA World Series tournament, coming back from being down in the bottom of the last inning, going into ITB (international tie breaker), and then becoming the World Series champions. On the other hand, I’ll never forget winning the entire game in the PONY Nationals tournament and then falling behind in the last inning and giving them the game. Softball comes with mixed emotions, hard work, and a lot of dedication, but I am willing to take the risks. I hope softball will always be a part of my life because I don’t know what I would do without it.

By: Becca Ludowig

What Works?

Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye, 1952

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Zentangle Your Writer's Notebook

VASOL Prompt of the Day

Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with Emerson’s statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Do you agree or disagree with Gandhi’s statement about the importance of helping others as a way of discovering more about yourself? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Writer's Notebook Page - 12 Stepping Stones

VASOL Prompts of the Day

It has been said that first impressions are almost impossible to change. Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with this statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Do you agree or disagree with Emerson’s statement about individuality? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

English 9 Pacing Plan - Koch

Purdue OWL: Basic Business Letters

Purdue OWL: Basic Business Letters:

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Back To School Night Survey - Thanks for Coming Parents

Arena's Poems - block 2

Summer

The hot summer day
The bees buzzing everywhere
Sipping lemonade



Winter

Christmas Eve is here
Sitting by the fireplace
Waiting for the snow



Fall

Watching leaves all day
Green, purple, orange, I see
The nice breeze comes through



Spring
Green leaves sprouting out
Fresh smell of the breezy wind

Nice days with nice air

VASOL Writing Prompt(s) of the Day

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Determine never to be idle . . . It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.” Do we accomplish more if we are always doing something, or does inactivity also serve a purpose? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
















 It has been said that a positive attitude is the key to success in life. Do you agree or disagree with this statement about the importance of attitude? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Driving Questions Semester 1

What does the story say about the storyteller?

How are oral stories different from written stories?

How do we use stories to explain the world around us?

Why do we read this?

Thanks Coach

Coach Tallent shares his reading history and his current book!

THE STRUCTURE OF A LIMERICK

THE STRUCTURE OF A LIMERICK:

"Limericks are short poems of five lines having rhyme structure AABBA. It is officially described as a form of 'anapestic trimeter'.

The 'anapest' is a foot of poetic verse consisting of three syllables, the third longer (or accentuated to a greater degree) than the first two: da-da-DA. The word 'anapest' shows it's own metric: anaPEST.

Lines 1, 2 and 5 of a limerick should ideally consist of three anapests each, concluding with an identical or similar phoneme to create the rhyme.

Lines 3 and 4 are shorter, constructed of two anapests each and again rhyming with each other with the overall rhyme structure of AABBA."


The limerick packs laughs anatomical
Into space that is quite economical.
But the good ones I've seen
Hardly ever are clean
And the clean ones so seldom are comical.


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VASOL Prompt of the Day

The British naturalist and politician John Lubbock wrote, “Your character will be what you yourself choose to make it.” Do we choose our own character traits, or is our character formed by influences beyond our control? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.

My Dog Didn't Eat It

My Dog Didn't Eat It

I was given so much time

to finish up these rhymes,

but I waited till the night before,

and now I am screwed for sure.

But it's not really my defect

that I didn't finish this project.

My red and abandoned fish, Fred, died

when my brother threw him outside.

My clothes got wet,

so I got an idea set.

I caused a fire to go by

when I threw them in the microwave to dry.

My hair was a flowing, shiny river streaming

down my shoulders, before I began thunderingly screaming

when it instantly mutated into a massive frizz ball

in the stickiest, most humid morning of all!

In a rainy afternoon, I went out to the patio

to munch on some crispy, green pistachios.

On a spur of a moment, I was blinded when lightening struck!

I would be paralyzed in a coma, if I had not ducked.

Every time I started to work,

I felt my phone staring at me like a jerk.

You ought to believe me!

This project is bad luck…please agree.

I'm working on it at this minute.

Something will surely happen to it.

Wait a second! What is this?

A poem of my excuses to end my crisis!

VASOL Writing Prompt of the Day

Because of safety concerns, many states have increased the age at which teens can begin to drive. Your state legislature is considering raising the minimum driving age from 16 to 18. Do you think the minimum driving age should be raised? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

iRockEnglish: Heroes We Never Name

iRockEnglish: Heroes We Never Name: Heroes We Never Name Back of the men we honor Enrolled on the scroll of fame, Are the millions who go unmentioned - The heroes we...

Heroes We Never Name

---

Back of the men we honor Enrolled on the scroll of fame, Are the millions who go unmentioned - The heroes we never name! Those who have won us the victories, And conquered along the way; Those who have made us a nation - A tribute to them I would pay. Back of our nation's first leader, Of Lincoln and Wilson, too, Back of the mind directing our course Was the army that carried it through. Back of the generals and captains Was the tramping of rank and file, And back of them were the ones at home Who labored with tear and with smile. And What of the "everyday" heroes Whose courage and efforts ne'er cease! Toilers who struggle and labor and strive And hope for a future of peace? Hats off to the worthy leaders; Their honor I'd ever acclaim - But here's a cheer for the many brave, The heroes we never name. By M. Lucille Ford

VASOL Writing Prompt of the Day

Many schools require students to participate in volunteer programs in their communities as a requirement for graduation. However, some people feel that requiring students to volunteer defeats the purpose of volunteering. Do you think students should be required to volunteer in their communities to receive their high school diplomas? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/online_writing/writing_prompts/eoc_writing_prompts.pdf

First Time Driving a Car - Writer's Notebook Revision #1

First Time Driving a Car - Writer's Notebook Page Quickwrite

First Time Driving a Car

This is my first draft in my notebook about the topic - First Time Driving a Car.

"...the voice of the writer is in the text, don't subvert that at all."

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