Boca Raton Community High School Welcomes You! Brenna Merrill Brenna.merrill@palmbeachschools.org ENGLISH II

Who is Miss Merrill? Bachelor of Arts in Exceptional Student Education Florida Atlantic University, 2015 ESOL Endorsement Palm Beach County Beginning Teacher of the Year; Finalist 2016 Boys Head Cross Country Coach Sponsor, Class of 2019 Triathlete & Marathoner

Our classroom: A Closer Look Short stories, poetry, articles, primary source documents. This year we will read novels including: Of Mice and Men, Night, Julius Caesar and The Lightning Thief (summer reading)

Our classroom: Current Work Reading/Writing strategies: KWL charts, search & destroy, debate structure, argumentative vs. informative writing. Students are learning how to brainstorm and write sound introductions with strong thesis statements, building critical writing skills. Using primary documents to cite textual evidence; Integration of history, life- skills, and exploration of individual interests

Our classroom: Looking Ahead Building strength Students will build a base of content knowledge to utilize on the FSA exam. Students start from day one investigating a range of topics. Building an awareness and strengthening their skills. Putting skills into practice Students will analyze individual test and assignment results on a regular basis. Students will reflect upon strengths and weaknesses to set goals. Studies show this reflective method serves as a motivating factor for students to learn from their mistakes and identify areas of strength. This provides students with a pathway to build confidence.

Visit the blog for more info, practice tests and FAQs! What about FSA? The Florida Standards Assessment, or FSA, is a computer-based test in both English Language Arts (Reading and Writing Component) and Mathematics (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry). Students will take the test in 9th grade and receive a score based on levels 1 through 5, where level 3 is identified as a passing score. Students will also take the test again in 10th grade, regardless of scores in 9th grade, where a level 3 is again considered passing. Passing the FSA is a graduation requirement for students, and so far, Bobcats are some of the top performers on the test! The FSA Writing Test is 120 minutes, while the FSA Reading Test is 90 minutes. The FSA is administered during a designated window from the end of February to the end of May 2017 Students will experience plenty of practice tests throughout the year. Visit the blog for more info, practice tests and FAQs!

FSA: A Closer Look A written examination; FSA Writing Administered in April/May; Computer-based; 120 minutes Candidates must write a response (essay) using provided sources. A reading examination; FSA Reading Administered in April/May; Computer-based; 90 minutes Candidates are required to answer questions based on written, provided texts, assessing vocabulary, comprehension, and higher-order thinking skills. Scores are released in June 2017 A passing score is a Graduation Requirement

Preparing Students for both Post-high school assessments and FSA While your child is enrolled in English II this year as a sophomore, you may be thinking….how will they be prepared for future classes, experiences, and jobs?? Well, that’s where the we the teachers have your child’s back. All schools are required to teach the Florida Standards, and as teachers, we seamlessly weave in all students will need to know to rock these state tests! While we may be preparing for the FSA test by brainstorming a debate about the upcoming election or conducting a review on Shakespeare for an in-class test, we will be simultaneously gearing up for the skills required for success outside of the classroom. Most of our daily life in class will not have a “FSA label” slapped across the top of the paper, but almost everything we do is aligned with what the FSA will test and skills for upper-level high school courses, college and beyond!

Let’s Talk Miss Merrill’s Grading Policy Course Communication & Edline Attendance Independent Reading

Questions for me?! Contact me ANYTIME! Brenna.merrill@palmbeachschools.org Class Website: www.merrillwrites.com I look forward to working with you and your child this year!