Dropout Articles: a self-reflection

Dropout Articles: a self-reflection

Why do you think the dropout rate is so high? Reflect. What might schools do to lower the dropout rate? Pick one (or more) statistic from this article and reflect.

Writing Prompt on Revenge: "The Cask of Amontillado"

We will begin reading Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" next week.  To prepare for the story you will be writing about (insert dark music here) REVENGE.

Choose one of the quotations below.  Write about what you think it means, make a connection to the quotation, and discuss if you agree or disagree with the statement and why.  Again, make sure you are putting thought into your writing.  

QUOTATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM...

"Don't get mad, get even."  ~Robert F. Kennedy

"An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."  ~Mahatma Ghandi

"The best revenge is not to become like the one who wronged you."  ~Marcus Aurelius

"The Sniper"

Pre-reading Blog

What causes people to become enemies?  Why is peace so difficult to achieve?  

Goal Setting

“You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a plan or goal.” – Zig Ziglar

So why should I set goals?  

1)  Goals give you something to aim for.  Basically it's like you are involved in archery.  You know that you want to get a bullseye on the target.  Setting goals gives you a purpose for doing things.

2)  Goals builds motivation, confidence, desire, and persistence.  If we want to hit that bullseye, we will continue to practice until we can get it.  Once we get closer to the center, our confidence builds as does our desire.

3)  Goals provide the roadmap to success.  This map  guides us from where we are today to where we want to be later.  

We will be writing SMART goals today.
S - SPECIFIC (example: yes, get in shape is a goal but you need to be more specific - join a gym and will work 
        out for at least 30 minutes three times a week.)
M - MEASURABLE (in other words how will I know I've accomplished the goal?)
A - ATTAINABLE (think about who can help you or what you specifically will need to do to attain it.)
R - REALISTIC (you must be willing to do this and know that you are able to dedicate yourself to it.)
T - TIMELY (when do you want to have the goal achieved by?  It needs to be in a timely manner.)

Think about this class.  What are two goals you have for this class?  Remember to be specific; I don't want "to pass the class."  This is a weak goal.  Dig deep into what worries you may have.  Use these to guide you in your goal setting.  Complete the chart for each goal.

Mrs. DeVore's Goal for English
1.  My goal is to read at least 10 minutes each day to increase my knowledge and share my enthusiasm with others.  Obviously the time is set at a minimum of 10 minutes which is an obvious measurement, but I can also measure this by the conversations I have with my colleagues as well as my students.  I hope to join the teacher book club that will begin sometime this school year which will allow me to grow in professional reading.  These teachers will help push me to think about other ideas with teaching and helping students.  Though I feel this goal could be difficult on nights where I have multiple essays, blogs, and projects to grade, I know that it is a betterment to myself so it is worthy.  I will try this for one semester.

Blog Guidelines

We will be blogging regularly in class this year.  Please take a look and follow the guidelines that are set up for our class blog.


1.  Only post what you want EVERYONE to know.  Remember Grandma can see this as can someone in China.  Therefore don't post personal information.

2.  Think before you post.  Only write school appropriate things.  This means no foul language and slang. 

3.  Because we are an English class, remember your writing conventions.  Avoid "text talk" and slang.


4.  If you use any media or quotations from another source, you MUST cite the creator of that idea or work.  Essentially, I want to see your ideas. 

5.  You will be asked to comment on other's blogs at times.  Remember our discussion on constructive criticism.  This isn't a place to bash someone.

6.  As I've seen on many online sites, use the THINK approach:
      T - Is it TRUE?
      H - Is it HELPFUL?
       I - Is it INSPIRING?
      N - Is it NECESSARY?
      K - Is it KIND?
If you can't answer yes to these, don't post it.


See Mrs. DeVore if you have any questions.