UN Trip
As international students, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the UN headquarter located right here in NYC. The 10th graders had just finished studying WW2 and the establishment of the UN as an international peacekeeper so this field trip was all the more meaningful. The students got to speak to a survivor from the Hiroshima bombing, they took a picture in front of the portrait of Mr. Ban Ki Moon, the general secretary and we also went on a group tour where students learned about all the work the UN does for world peace and development. It was an eye-opening experience for us to see the collective efforts of the global society to make this world a better place.
Miss Park
Let’s Talk
This month I wanted to focus on my students’ speaking skills so I found a website that offers questions for conversation practice on various topics. The students were paired up with a conversation partner and they picked a topic of mutual interest. Each then received different sets of questions to take turns asking. As I went around monitoring the conversations, I was hearing some big SAT vocabulary being used. So we did a follow up lesson on the difference between language for writing vs. speaking and also went over some phrasal verbs. I plan on spending more time on these speaking activities.
Miss Park
Ready for the end
Now the end of the school year approached and it was Regents time. Students were fully equipped and prepared to take on the task. After reviewing the English Regents, I was confident that my classes were going to do well. I am proud of the grades they received and am confident that they are ready for 12th grade. Blessings Juniors or excuse me, Seniors!
Miss Quiros
Julius Caesar
We began our Shakespeare play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. This was so fun because students were so eager to act out the assassination of Caesar. Students were given handouts that covered weekly homework assignments and quizzes. Students meshed themes and ideas and we learned so much about each other. It was so fun. We then finally acted out Act 3 and the students laughed, some even recorded the event; it was definitely memorable.
Miss Quiros
Ted Decker
Students began their independent read, House, by Ted Dekker. With this independent read, students put into practice what we had covered in our Short Story unit. They dissected characters. They uncovered the plot of the stories. They even worked on Regents practice essays. It was definitely a good way to close out the 3rd quarter.
Miss Quiros
Washington Irving
We then tackled the story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, where we began to dig into the literary element of the setting. We enjoyed the story and even noticed the cliffhanger that was left to us as readers. Washington Irving does not give a clear indication as to what happens to our protagonist, Ichabod Crane. We assume Brom Bones (inferences tell us he may possibly be the famous Headless Horseman) chased him away.
Miss Quiros
Flannery O’Connor
We moved onto Flannery O’Connor’s, A Good Man is Hard to Find. This story reminded us of a Chevy Chase vacation movie. A family goes on a vacation to find that they come in contact with a man who broke out of prison. This story was a perfect story to use with the literary element of Characterization. All characters were described in full detail and we were able to develop character sketches. Fun, Fun, Fun!
Miss Quiros
The Lottery
This month we began our journey into the world of short stories. In the Regents, we know that learning to dissect literature is vitally important, so we began with a short story by Shirley Jackson, The Lottery. This short story was no ordinary story; there were twists and turns and so many examples of figurative language that the students were shocked at how the story ended. Guess you will have to read it to find out!
Miss Quiros
Practice time
With a week left for classes students stepped it up to review, ask questions, and practice, practice, practice.
Mrs. Wong
Beat the clock
Math students became more confident this month in their abilities as they tried to beat the clock during review time.
Mrs. Wong