Study Guide

1. Debate

• ethos 
• pathos
• logos
• rhetoric
•  Straw Man         
• Poison the Well 
• Weasel Words               
• Argument from Ignorance 
• Red Herring   

2. SAT/ACT Vocab

3. Persuasive Essay

• TIEDIED paragraph structure
• grammar
• word choice
• sentence structure
• confused words   

Week of May 6

Take the Survey

Random stuff you need to know....

Click here to see the debate structure and the set-up for opening/closing statements on page 2 of the doc.
*Opening/closing statements due tomorrow, Tuesday.

 Go over rubric.

Debates begin Thursday.

Your English final is Monday, May 20th in the HS Gym at 8:10.

Impromptus

Research! Research!

Thursday, May 2

Be thinking about opening/closing statements.
I will be checking for those on Tuesday.
Click here to see the set-up for opening/closing statements on page 2 of the doc.

Tuesday, May 1

Vocab Quiz and Logical Fallacy Quiz tomorrow.

TODAY:

Research and start building your arsenal of evidence.

HOMEWORK:

Prepare for quiz!

Tuesday, April 30

WARM UP:

fortuitous (adj) - Happening by a lucky chance; fortunate
Ex:
Mark proved to be fortuitous by selecting all six winning lotto numbers. 

FYI: Vocab quiz and logical fallacy quiz on block.

How to keep your evidence organized....

Lines Side
Organize your cards by THEME.

This one is all about MONEY.

Each number corresponds with its matching website on the reverse.


Blank Side

The numbered websites correspond the the numbered notes on the other side.




In class, research with your partner. Make as many cards as you can. Do not repeat any information. Instead, split the THEMESS between the two of you. Work together to form a well rounded argument with many angles.

HW: 5 cards/partner (at least 3 pieces of evidence on each card) are due on Block Day. You definitely may want more cards before your debate, but this will be a good start.

Monday, April 29

WARM UP:
eclectic (adj) - selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
EX. She has an eclectic collection of jewelry which includes some rare pieces.

DEBATE
Discuss logical fallacies:

• Weasel Words -
• Straw Man Argument -
• Loaded Question -
• Poison the Well -  
• Proof by Verbosity -
• Excluded Middle -
• Red Herring - 
• Special Pleading - 
• Non-Sequitur - 
• Argument from Ignorance –

FYI: QUIZ on logical fallacies and vocab - Block Day

Click here to see our debate structure.


 EQ: What actually constitutes as evidence anyway? 

• Facts/Statistics
• Quotes
• Cause/Effect
• Anecdotes (short stories)
• Opinion (from experts or general)
• Hypothetical examples
• Comparisons 

      EQ: How can I organize my research to be ready for a fast-paced debate? 

THEMESS is an acronym for the SEVEN areas you can use to look for arguments. By knowing these seven areas, you will make sure that you have thoroughly searched for all the possible angles of an issue. Please record this acronym and it's hint questions in your Debate Notes.

Time     Does it save people time?

Health      Does it allow people to be physically, mentally or socially healthier?

Education    Does it enable people to become better educated?

Money             Does it save people money?

Environment      Does it help the Earth's environment?

Safety                  Does it keep people safer?

Scripture                  Does it support a Christian world view?

Use the THEMESS Worksheet to analyze the article for each "angle" or topic.

Independent Practice: Choose an article of your choice from your own research. Organize your evidence using the THEMESS format to make sure you've examined all angles and sides of your topic. 

HW: Complete a THEMESS chart based on your own debate topic.

Thursday, April 25

WARM UP:

digression (v) - straying from main point
A logical fallacy can be considered a digression from the facts or the topic as a whole.

EQ: What are logical fallacies?

TODAY:

Click here to see our debate structure.

Choose debate topics.


J 22 (cont.) - Logical Fallacy Activity (cont.)

Logical Fallacies (Part 2)         

Record terms and brief descriptions of each logical fallacy in this video #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z71w-rHkeSk

• Weasel Words -
• Straw Man Argument - 
• Loaded Question -
• Poison the Well -
• Proof by Verbosity -

Logical Fallacies (Part 3)

Record terms and brief descriptions of each logical fallacy in this video #3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmRCpqO_1JA

• Excluded Middle -
• Red Herring - 
• Special Pleading - 
• Non-Sequitur - 
• Argument from Ignorance –

J 23 - Logical Fallacies Practice: View examples of logical fallacies in these commercials. Click here. Record at least two commercials by product with a brief explanation of how a logical fallacy is displayed.

Wednesday, April 24

WARM UP:

brazen (adj) - bold
Ex. Andrew's request for a 30 day grace period for the research paper is a brazen move to say the least.

EQ: What are logical fallacies?

TODAY:

•  Test yourself on E, L & P by untangling the mixed up examples here.

J 21 - Persuasion paragraph

• In a well written paragraph, persuade me as to why it takes a balance of ethos, pathos, logos to win a debate. (Please mention the word rhetoric)
• Please record your well written paragraph in Journal 21

J 22 - Logical Fallacy Activity

Add to your Debate notes in preparation for a quiz. As you watch, record each type of Logical Fallacy with a definition + an example.
Video ONE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N3TROA8MYY

• Ad Hominem - 
• Band Wagon -
• Argument from Antiquity - 
• All - Natural -
• From Authority -
• Appeal to Quantum Physics -

Impromptus the last 10 min. of class.

Tuesday, April 23

WARM UP:

ambivalent (adj) - uncertain as to what course to follow

Ex. Some of his friends were confident in their plans for after high school, but Zack felt ambivalent about his future.


DEBATE UNIT 

• EQ: Remember ethos, pathos, logos? How do you define each of the three?
• EQ: What is rhetoric?

Starter definitions:

• Logical Fallacy - an error in argument that makes something seem convincing even if it is not true. (These errors might be used on purpose or accidentally)

• Rhetoric - the art of using language effectively and persuasively.

• Ethos, Logos, Pathos Review (take notes)

•  Test yourself on E, L & P by untangling the mixed up examples here.

 HOMEWORK

• In a well written paragraph, persuade me as to why it takes a balance of ethos, pathos, logos to win a debate. (Please mention the word rhetoric)
• Please record your well written paragraph in Journal 21

** Impromptus: Over the next few weeks, we will complete two-minute impromptu speeches for a ten point grade. Your only goal will be to continue speaking for the entire two minutes. But first we must make our topics. Due tomorrow. Please consider things that you might wish to draw from a hat. Create two impromptus slips before the fun can begin. PG 13 please! Try to make these interesting...something we would want to hear about. We will begin tomrrow

April 8 - 11

Monday - Paper points and Vocab J19

Tuesday -  IXL, Vocab J19 and Movie J20

Wednesday - Vocab J19 and Movie J20

Thursday - Vocab QUIZ and J19 Vocab due and Movie J20 due

SAT Vocab
J 19

  querulous (adj)  irritable   (Give an example sentence)

  reverence (n)  profound respect    (Give an example sentence)

  substantiate (v)  to verify, confirm    (Give an example sentence)


  Monday - tentative (adj)  not yet finalized    Ex. The tentative test date turned out to be an April Fools joke.

  Tuesday - vindicate (v)  to clear from blame    Ex. I have been vindicated from all of the charges against me.

  Wednesday - assiduous (adj)  hard-working    Ex. With your assiduous attempt at learning English, I think you will  master the language in no time.

   Thursday - QUIZ - don't forget the vocab from days of old.

   

A Better Life

J 20

What is the father's name?

What is the son's name?

Which is the setting for this film?

Where is the mother/wife?

Where does the father get the money for the truck?

The truck is a symbol of ...

What are some decisions Luis is facing in the film?

What letters were written on the receipt they found on Santiago?

Why did Santiago steal the truck?

What is the significance of the boy watching MTV cribs at the beginning of the film?

What does "la migra" mean?

Why did Luis get suspended from school?

From who did Carlos buy the truck?

What was the schoolyard fight over?

Describe the ending of the film?

Why did the character of the truck thief have to be old Santiago instead of some young punk?

Toward the end of the film, we learn that part of the reason Carlos sister is willing to take a risk to help is because _______________________.

What's the significance of all the different scenes Carlos observes out of his passenger side window on the way home from work?

Thursday, April 4

TODAY:

Journal ✅ 16, 17, 18

ICE, ICE Baby

• Journals out
• Book, paper, pen/pencil
• Clear off your table

Wednesday, April 3

TODAY:

We're finishing the book!

FYI: Tomorrow we will clean house, as well as write a lil' ICE.

Tuesday, April 2

TODAY:

READING QUIZ....nah....April Fools!

•     After Juana explains her bruises, she tries to convince Adelina to do what?
•       What does Juana see Adelina pull out of the drawer?
•       What is the plan for Juana and Adelina once Juana crosses the border?
•       Why doesn’t Adelina cross the border with Juana?
•        Who’s Lourdes?
•        What is Lourdes’ prior sad experience in the US?
•        What do Juana and Lourdes smell in the bushes?
•        Some coyotes are not who they appear to be. Explain.
•       Who was waiting for Juana at the end of the tunnel?
•     How many times is the group threatened to be captured by border patrol?

Read pgs. 220-236

Monday, April 1

TODAY:

I ain't April Foolin'. We're finishing the novel by Wed., so buckle up and read!

Thursday, March 28

TODAY:

Read pgs. 180-195

J 18 Answer the following:

1. Prediction: Who is Droopy Eyes? Who is Droopy Eyes mother? What are you basing your prediction on?

2. What's the significance of the rosary?

3. What is Adelina's gift to her mother? Do you think it will give Ama some peace? Explain.

5. Who is Gerardo? Is he a good guy? Explain.

6. What special event did Adelina and Juana celebrate at the beach? Why?

7. The coyote with the funky eye seems to know something about Juana's father. What gives us this clue?

8. Wait! Didn't funky eye help Adelina at the beginning of the book? Hm? How can this be? What are your thoughts?

9. What is Juana's B'day wish?

Wednesday, March 27

TODAY:

Read pgs. 167-179
J 17 Answer the following:

1. Holy guacamole! Juana and Adelina collide! Explain. (160-170)

2. Adelina and Miguel de Watsonville are both bummed. Explain.

3. Crystal ball time. Will Adelina be a positive in Juana's life? What do you think? Explain yourself.

4. It appears that Juana follows in Ama's footsteps. Explain.

Tuesday, March 26

TODAY:

Reminder: Essay due no later than Thurs. After Thurs., it will be considered late.

Read pgs. 156 - 166
J 16 Answer the following questions:

1. What is Don Ernesto trying to get at in his conversation with Adelina? (156-157)

2. Juana dodges the proverbial bullet in pages 159-160. Explain.

3. Poor Juana really shows her naivety on pg. 161. Explain.

4.  What does Adelina do with the money she inherits from Don Ernesto?

5. Watsonville is a temporary place of hope for Adelina. Explain.

6. Oh those droopy eyes pop up on pg. 163. Any relevance to previous readings? Explain your thoughts and suspicions.

HOMEWORK:
No way!

Monday, March 25

TODAY:

Work on Compare/Contrast Essay, for it is due tomorrow whether I am here or not!
Those that meet the March 26th deadline will be rewarded.

* Remember: refer to March 14th's blog.

Thursday, March 21

TODAY:

Independent Reading - Make sure you have read to page 155 by Monday.

Compare and Contrast Essay due on Tuesday, March 26.

*Remember to refer to March 14th's blog for the Block Method structure.

Thursday, March 14

WARM UP:

substantiate (v)  to verify, confirm
Can you substantiate your story as to where were 5th period?

TODAY:

J15 Independent Reading

• Read  (20 mins.) Take notes.
• Teacher will conference with small groups  (5 mins.) Take notes.
• Class Share (5 mins.) Take notes.
• Students should be taking notes through each step of the process
• 10 pts.

                               

Writing

Create a chart which lists the points A,B,C,D for 1,2,3

1. Juana's Experience    /    2. Adelina's Experience    /    3. My Experience

A. Important Dream/Hope

B. Obstacles/Fears 

C. Steps to Take

D. Support - friends/family

Once you have created a chart, take the information and write an essay which compares and contrasts your life experiences to those of the two women in the story.

Use the Block Format (ABCD points vs. ABCD points)

Introductory Paragraph

(include background, topic, and finally

thesis sentence with three subjects and four features)

Para #2 Subject 1___________

Topic sentence includes first subject listed

Feature A: _____________________________

Feature B: __________________________________

Feature C: __________________________________
Feature D:

Para #3 Subject 2:__________

Topic sentence includes next subject listed

Feature A: __________________________________

Feature B: ________________________________

Feature C: ________________________________

Para #4 Subject C: same process as above

Concluding paragraph includes a revised thesis sentence with different wording.

*Remember to use appropriate transitions, as well as TIED paragraph structure 

Must be in MLA Format

100 points. The chart is worth 15 points

Due date: Tuesday, March 26
 
Example Essay  using the Block Method

HOMEWORK:

Nope! Enjoy your three day weekend.

Wednesday, March 13

WARM UP:

querulous (adj)  irritable

reverence (n)  profound respect

Due to the lack of reverence in period 5, Mrs. Witmer's mood became increasingly querulous.

TODAY:

Check J13 & J14

Reading Discussion

HOMEWORK:
Nope!

Tuesday, March 12

WARM UP:
IXL

TODAY:
Read pgs. 110-118
J 14 Discussion Questions
Come up with 3 open-ended questions that will make for some good discussion.

HOMEWORK:
J 14

Monday, March 11

TODAY:

• Quietly read pgs.  99-109
• J 13  Answer the following questions:

1. Why is Juana disappointed when she finally catches a glimpse of the horseman?
2. Where does Don Jose take Juana?
3. Why is Diana at the shelter? Adelina says she understands Diana's pain. Do you think she really does?
4. What is Juana's 13th B'day wish?
5. What happens? Does she receive her wish?
6. Name Drop! Juana comes to a realization. What is that realization?
7. Don Ernesto wants Adelina to go to school. Why? What are her feelings on the topic of school? When does she finally agree to go?

HOMEWORK

J 13 due Tuesday

Thursday, March 7

TODAY:

• Test
• Check for Immigration Investigation - NYT article
• Read pgs. 87-98

HOMEWORK:

Nope!

Wednesday, March 6

TODAY:

• Check for J 12
• Study for test
• Immigration Investigation NYT article

HOMEWORK:
Immigration Investigation NYT article
Study for test

Tuesday, March 5

WARM UP:

# 8 revere (v) - to honor, to honor with respect
The family reveres their St. Patrick's Day traditions.

TODAY:

Study Guide for Q3 Test

1. Know all 8 vocab words and be able to use them in a sentence.

• altruistic
• embellish
• pretentious
• obscure
• lament
• insipid
• disdain
• revere

2. Know poetry terms.

• iambic pentameter
• volta 
• rhyme scheme
• sonnet
• stanza
• couplet
• sestet
• tercet 
• refrain
• quatrain
• sonnet
• villanelle 

3. Know what's going on in Across a Hundred Mountains

***********************************************************************************
Read pgs. 76-86
J 12   Answer the following questions:

1. What or who made Adelina's body ache with pain? Any guesses why?

2. Again we see the motif (a dominant idea in a literary work) of the moon. What does Juana notice about the moon and who or what does she compare it to?

3. What do you think the moon motif symbolizes throughout the story?

4.  How do you explain the fact that Don Elias can no way be the father of Lupe's child?

5. Don Elias seems convinced the baby boy is his. How does he justify the timing of the baby's birth?

 ***********************************************************************************
Immigration Investigation

Choose an article from The New York Times
Write 1 page summary and thoughts/opinions

************************************************************************************
HOMEWORK:

• J12 due Wed.

• Immigration Investigation due Thurs.

• Q3 Test on Thurs.

Monday, March 4

WARM UP:

#7 pretentious (adj) - exaggerated importance or worth
 Dressed in all name brands, she made an overly pretentious appearance at her new school.




TODAY:

Check for NYT article summary

I will check for J 11 tomorrow

Read pgs. 65-75

HOMEWORK:
Nope!

Thursday, February 28

WARM UP:
#6 obscure (adj) difficult to see, vague, mysterious
Adelina's story is somewhat obscure to the reader.

TODAY:
Free Write

Immigration Investigation check.

What's going on?
Read the following article from The New York Times and write a brief summary, and most importantly express your thoughts and opinions regarding what you have read. (1 page)

Read pgs. 57-64, and answer the following questions (J 11):
1. Dig deep. Why do you think the women in Juana's town seem to show so much cruelty towards Juana and Ama?
2. Making a prediction or a guess. What has happened to Apa? Where is he?
3. Getting to the truth. Why does Abuelita Elena show so much disdain for Ama?
4. What's your gut feeling? Why would Ama and Juana not eat the fresh tortillas that Dona Rosa gave them?
5. Something not so obvious. Why do you think Adelina has a difficult time looking at the bruises of the battered women she helps? After all she's been working with these women for many years. Shouldn't she be used to it?
6. Romance is in the air. For whom? How do you know?

HOMEWORK:
Finish What's going on?
Finish Journal 11.

Wednesday, February 27

WARM UP:
#5 lament (verb) to mourn or express sorrow
I began to lament when I heard the news about my 5th period class.

TODAY:
Read pgs. 46-56

HOMEWORK:
Immigration Investigation due tomorrow

Tuesday, February 26

WARM UP:
IXL

TODAY:
Check J 10
Read pgs. 30-45

HOMEWORK:
Finish reading through pg. 45
Immigration Investigation on Thursday

Monday, February 25

WARM UP:

#4 insipid (adj) boring or stupid
When you present, please do not be an insipid speaker who makes everyone fall asleep!

FYI: Immigration Investigation on Thursday.

TODAY:

Read pgs. 17-29
J 10 - Answer the following questions:


1. Why is that Juana was enfolded by her parents when Maria died, but not when Anita died? Is this fair? Do they have a good reason for making her feel as if she's not part of the family? Do you think they realize they have made her feel that way?

2.  Apa feels that the death of Anita is his fault. Why?

3. How did Maria die?

4. Who is Josefina? How did she die?

5. What seems to occupy Apa's every thought?

6. How old was Adelina when she arrived in LA?

7. What is the significance of the moon?

8. Who is Don Ernesto?

9. Why is Apa leaving the fam?

10. According to Apa, where is El Otro Lado? What should Juana do when she misses Apa?

HOMEWORK:
Finish J 10

Thursday, February 21

WARM UP:

#3 embellish (v) to heighten the attractiveness by adding decorative or fanciful details, enhance

Curt tried to embellish his account of what happened on the senior trip.

TODAY;

Free Write
Use two of your three vocab words in your writing. (altruistic, disdain, embellish)

Immigration Investigation

• 15 minute meet up with your news group.
• Discuss your investigation.
• Choose someone to share your findings.
• Be ready to present.
• If you're not chosen, take in the details and be ready to question, further discuss and give your opinion. You do not have to agree.
• Be respectful of each other's opinions.

Continue reading Across a Hundred Mountains.

HOMEWORK: No way! Enjoy your weekend!

Wednesday, February 20

WARM UP:

# 2 disdain (n)  intense dislike;  (v)  to treat with scorn or contempt

(n) Mrs. Witmer tries to hide her disdain for a certain class period.

(v) A certain class period is disdained by Mrs. Witmer.


TODAY:

Immigration Investigation

How to efficiently examine your source:

1. Determine the message. Look for the writer's main idea.
2. Look for supporting evidence. How does the writer support each main idea? (facts, stats, quotes, brief stories)

Continue reading.

Check J9 - Author Notes

HOMEWORK:
Immigration Investigation

Tuesday, February 19

WARM UP:

Vocab.

#1 - altruistic (adj) unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others, generous

He seemed to be driven by purely altruistic reasons when he organized the GoFundMe for starving college students.


TODAY:

Check J8

Immigration Investigation

• You will be assigned to a "reliable" news source.
• You will investigate what that source has to say about the current state of immigration.
• List your source, along with the author and title of the article.
• Give a brief summary of what was reported. (Answer the who, what and the why)
• Also, at the end of your summary, state your thoughts and opinions about what you learned from the article.
• Be ready to share with the rest of the class.

Meet our author, Reyna Grande

Meet our author, Reyna Grande

ACROSS A HUNDRED MOUNTAINS

• Journal 9: Author Notes ~ Take half a page of bullet point notes on our author, Reyna Grande, while you watch this video. 
• • 
    
  • 
    
  • Begin reading!
  • 
    
  • 
    
  • 
    
  • HOMEWORK:
  • 
    
  • 
    
    Immigration Investigation (I.I.) due Thursday.
  •