1. Mr. McAuley’s 9th Grade Honors english
"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."
-- Thomas Jefferson

2. Stuff you’ll need Composition book
3 ring notebook (at least 1 ½ inch rings)
Paper and pencils
Dividers are nice
Whatever book we are reading at the time
Desire

3. Reasons for stuff
We will write in a journal virtually every day. Entries will go in your comp book. It is separate so we can turn them in; this is one of my favorite activities that we do.
English Binder– organization is fundamental to success for most of us. The more organized you are, the better off you’ll be. If you are trying to study for finals and you have three classes of stuff spread through a combination of your bedroom, your locker and the bottom of your book bag, it’s going to be tough.
Dividers will further help with your organization. Our sections will be Grammar, Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, and Composition (different from journal comp: this is the formal essay). Having said all that, I do not plan on notebook checks: take pride in the little things and the big things will more easily fall into place.
Desire is probably most important. No one can force you into something that will be effective. If you decide to do your best, everyday, you will be successful.

4. What & WHY?
We will spend an inordinate (free ACT word meaning large) amount of time discussing our purpose and the reasons for what we do. “Why do we have to do this?” Is an excellent question.
We will also write– a lot. It is a transferable skill that will serve u weather u r in Kollege, the military or the workforce. In fact, it may be the most vital skill you leave high school having (or not).
We will read a plethora of things. I love reading and, next to writing, it may be the most important skill you can leave high school with. In a discussion of the three most important things you can do every day, Yale University lacrosse coach Andy Shay listed “read for 20 minutes every day as #2”.
Thus we will read. I hope you will enjoy our selections; unfortunately, even if you do not, you still have to do it. Coach Shay’s #1?: self discipline.
Lastly, we will discuss. If two people in an office always agree, one of them is not necessary. We will be polite, but we will present opinions and have many discussions. I am the ninja of being a “devil’s advocate”.

5. Communication is paramount for success
Remind: in browser type rmd.at/29939c
OR text to 81010
Webpage:

6. Quizlet
This is a great tool– I will set it up very soon and we can start using it.

7. Never let the sun set on your anger
If you ever have questions or concerns, please contact me. This is parents and students. If I do not know an answer, I will try and find one out for you. We are a team, not opponents. I am looking forward to a GREAT year. Go Dolphins!