1. Bell Ringer – August 25/26 By leaving your comfort zone behind and taking a leap of faith into something new, you find out who you are truly capable of becoming. 1)Read the above quote. 2)In a paragraph of at least 5 sentences, explain how the quote relates to you today by focusing on the following questions: a) What would you define as your “comfort zone” that you are leaving behind? b) What “leap of faith” are you taking? c) What do you hope to see yourself “becoming”? 3) Be prepared to discuss your answers with the class. **When you’re finished, come get fifteen beans from the front of the room. COUNT CAREFULLY.

2. Bell Ringer – 8/27-8/28 Please get out a loose leaf piece of paper, put your name at the top, and then answer the following questions: 1.Where can you find work when you are absent? 2.What should you do immediately when you walk in the door? 3.What is the best college football team in the world? (There is only one answer. Otherwise, you fail English.) 4.What is the penalty if you turn something in late? 5.What percent of your grade is WRITING alone? 6.Explain situations where you may have homework. 7.What are the four points of respect you need to show? 8.What are the four discipline steps? 9.When do you need to have your folder, sticky notes, index cards, and permission slip back? 10.How many days do you get to turn in an assignment after you’ve been absent? 11.Where do you turn in late work? 12.When am I available to help you?

3. Bell Ringer – August 27/28 Part 2: Communication Today we are going to discuss verbal communication and written communication. Discuss: 1)What is verbal communication? 2)What is written communication? 3)Why are they important? 4)Which one is MORE important? Why?

4. Bell Ringer – August 29/September 2 Reading: We all do it. Some more than others. Using only yourself as an example, answer the following questions: 1)What do you read? Not just books, but what do you HAVE to read on a daily basis? 2)Why do you read? We all HAVE to read, so why is it necessary? 3)How do you read? Don’t say, “With my eyes.” Instead, list what you do when reading. Think deeply about this one as I am asking you to really THINK!!!!!

5. Bell Ringer –September 3/4 Congratulations! You conquered middle school! So, now that you have put in 3 years of blood, sweat, and tears into that process, give me a list of 10 rules you would give to any 6 th grader just starting out. Don’t give me the rules found in the School Handbook. I want the rules that are learned, but never written down. For example: If you want to pass Mr. Bean’s math class, make sure you always do the extra credit because it will save you at the end of the semester. WARNING: I will not tolerate any mean talk about people…and yes, teachers are people, too!

6. Bell Ringer –September 5/8 Not using your notes from yesterday, describe the following vocabulary in your own words. Also write down how you would abbreviate each word as well. Concrete Detail Commentary

7. Bell Ringer –September 9/10 Give your best guess on the definitions for the following 5 terms: 1.Simple Sentence 2.Complex Sentence 3.Compound Sentence 4.Parallel Structure 5.Dangling Modifier