Junior/Senior English WITH MRS. WOODWARD SEPTEMBER 7 AND 8

Announcements Text book check-out during mentor group this Friday. Picture day during mentor group this Friday. Next week’s class location: periods 2 and 6 are in Portable L. Period 4 and 8 are in the Fort.

Introduction What is Junior/Senior English? ◦How is this class different from 9/10 Humanities? ◦English only. Not combined with social studies. ◦College level class. Differentiated for different levels of students.

Woodward’s Introduction

Tell us your name. Why were you given this name? ◦Does it have a special meaning? ◦Were you named after some one? If so, who?

Class Norms How do you need others to behave so you can feel safe to learn, work, grow, and thrive in this class? ◦Write your answer to this question. ◦Share with others at your table. ◦As a group come up with one or two norms for the class.

Review Syllabus On a piece of paper, please write your answer to the following questions: Name: Period: Do you have access to a computer and internet at home? Do you need to borrow books from me or can your family purchase them for you? What do you want me to know about you as a person and as a student? What motivates you?

Brief Writing Assignment On a piece of paper, please write your answer to the following questions: Name: Period: Do you have access to a computer and internet at home? Do you need to borrow books from me or can your family purchase them for you? What do you want me to know about you as a person and as a student? What motivates you?

Homework Have your parent review the syllabus either online or in their . I have hard copies for those whose parents cannot access the internet. Have your parent sign the Parent Signature Form and return it to me at our next class. This is summative. Next week we will start writing our college application essay. Brainstorm qualities you want the college your dream college to know about you. Choose a prompt from the Common Application to write a response to. If you are applying to a college that uses a different prompt, you may respond to that prompt.

Common Application Prompts 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

College Application Essay Assignment Read “Tips for Essay Writing” Read a sample essay. What tips did this writer use? What are the strengths of this essay? What are the weaknesses? If you were a college admissions counselor, would you recommend accepting this student based on the essay?

Read “The Critique” What parts of the critic’s opinion do you agree with? What parts of the critic’s opinion do you disagree with?

Write Your Own College Application Essay Use either a Common Application Essay prompt or a prompt from a college or scholarship that you are applying to. Bring a hard copy of your rough draft on Tuesday/Wednesday.