Journal Entries/Reader Responses with assigned dates (Students should check this website for missed entries):
(Entry lengths: Students will work up to one notebook page or one-and-a-half composition book pages.)
• Journal Entry: "How does it feel to have someone hate you?" — Jan. 22.
• Journal Entry: "Explain how not doing anything can hurt you." — Jan. 29.
• Writing Prompt: "Explain the irony in the inscrition that greeted arrivals
   at Auschwitz." (Refer to page 38) — Jan. 30.
• Writing Prompt: "Explain the significance of Buna."
   (Refer to pages 45-62) — Feb. 4.
• Indelible Moment: "Explain how the will to survive
  overcomes all sense of compassion." — Feb. 7.
• Journal Entry: "Explain what can happen — most times —
  to friends and family when you get a contagious case of the flu." — Mar. 6
• Journal Entry: "Have you ever made a minor mistake that
  ends up having a huge impact on your life?" — Mar. 11.
• Journal Entry: "How does accountability apply to me?" — Mar. 13.
• Journal Entry: "How do you feel about animal research?" — Mar. 24.


NEW Assignments — Poetry:
• Come, and Be My Baby, by Maya Angelou
    — Provide notes, citing Imagery, Tone, Theme and other literary devices used: due April 14.
    — Assignment:
         • Find three poems from three different poets (remember that songwriters are also poets),
         and place them on a Word document to form an anthology. Use creativity to make this booklet.
         • Find three pieces of art from three different artists and also place them
         on a Word document to continue the anthology. Use creativity to finish this booklet.
         For a copy of the assignment details, click here.

• Autobiographical Poems, by all students
    — Assignment:
         • Answer the questions, and remember that you can expand on your answers.
         In other words, if you'd like to explain an answer, place it in parentheses.
         Type final draft in a Word document and save to Serna-AutoBioPoems folder on Mac computers.
         • A photo, which can be scanned in class, must accompany the poem.
         • For an example of an autobiographical poem, click here.
         • With parental permission, poems will be published on website.

Exams:
• Night Essay Exam (Major Grade) Feb. 8.
• TAKS Testing Mar. 4-7.
• The Hot Zone: Essay Exam: Ch. 1-5 (Daily Grade) Mar. 10.
• The Hot Zone: Essay Exam: Part Two (Major Grade) Mar. 27.
• The Hot Zone: The Big Debate, Socratic Seminar Apr. 3.
          (Check Grades for Collaboration, Presentation, Project, Research and Leader)
• Benchmark Thematically Linked Essay Pre-Writing Apr. 4.
• Benchmark Thematically Linked Essay Final Draft Apr. 7.

Essay:
• EXTRA CREDIT: Free Choice Reading Presentations (three major grades for project: One for project, another for presentation and one for Literary Device) during third six weeks, sixth six weeks (May date to be determined).
      (Fifth Six-Weeks Students must choose book by March 5 from AP Reading List or by teacher approval.)
      Remember that you can store Powerpoint presentations, Dialectical Notes or other computer artwork in digital lockers.

•Writer's Workshop: Thoughts Turned into Words (Fourth Six-Weeks: For assignment details and Conference Log, click here.) Was due Feb. 29.

•Writer's Workshop: Thoughts Turned into Words (Fifth Six-Weeks: For assignment details and Conference Log, click here.) Due April 18, late work subject to point deductions.
      » All students will sharpen their writing skills and have the chance to demonstrate their writing ability.
      » Every Friday, students will have in-class time to devote to a short story, narrative essay, collection
      of poems, letters, diary entries or TV/movie/play script.
      » Begin by brainstorming possible ideas or themes.
      » Each student will need to conference with the teacher and three other students.
      » The fifth six-weeks Writer's Workshop assignment will have:
            1. Use The Idea Arsenal or other Pre-Writing Strategy. (Daily Grade)
            2. Rough Drafts must have with revisions and corrections. (Daily Grade)
            3. A Conference Log must contain constructive criticism. (Daily Grade)
            4. Use three Literary Devices more than once. (One Major Grade)
            5. Include one use of allusion. (One Major Grade)
            6. Standout Quote: Select one passage, sentence or statement that stands out.
                Include your best writing on a typed and double-spaced separate sheet. (One Major Grade)
            7. Sentence Structure/Poetic Structure (Daily Grade)
            8. Type out a computer-generated final copy. (Major grade for content, Daily grade for sentence structure)

•Writer's Workshop: Thoughts Turned into Words (Sixth Six-Weeks: This assignment is due May 16, late work subject to point deductions.) Students will submit their five previous Writer's Workshops as a writing portfolio.
            1. Submit newly typed copies of all previous Workshops. (Major Grade for each)
            2. Submit a typed analysis that details your growth as a writer. (Two Major Grades)
             — Include how you used literary devices, dialogue, description, and structure.
             — Overall, explain what you learned about writing and what you discovered about yourself as a writer.
             — This analysis must be a page and a half minimum.

            » To view "More than Dancing at El Camaroncito" by English Teacher Fernando Serna, click here.
            » To view "Barbecue Secrets" by English Teacher Fernando Serna, click here.

Each student must maintain a three-ring binder, which is to be brought to class everyday, and students must write down each day's agenda.

Binder and agenda checks, for a grade, will occur spontaneously and regularly. Organization is key to success in the classroom.

Extra Credit: Interpret Steve Prefontaine's quote. If you have previously turned this in, look for other quotes within the website. You can only turn in one quote per six-weeks.

| Syllabus | | Handouts |