Please return all LOTF novels (and any other textbooks or library books that you have) to the Tech Prep Office any weekday between 9 and 11 a.m.
You may want to put a sticky note or bookmark on the book with my name and your name!
All diplomas will be held until all books are turned in, so please be sure to get them to the school ASAP.
Please read the graduation information thoroughly, and continue to check the South Side Facebook/social media accounts and website for updates. I will also post updates here.
Graduation will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00 and 2:00
Approx. 97 students will graduate at each time.
10 a.m. Graduation: Last Name A-L (Gates open at 9:15)
2 p.m. Graduation: Last Name M-Z (Gates open at 1:15)
There will be 6 tickets per graduate.
Seniors will park near the baseball field and at Meridian Baptist church and must enter and exit from the baseball stadium gate.
All guests must enter at the main stadium entrance and must have a ticket, regardless of age.
All guest MUST wear a face covering. Masks are optional for students.
Graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed via Youtube.
Please read the attached PDF for attire, rain plan, other notes, etc.
Pick up robes, gold tassels, tickets, and other attire on Friday, May 15 from 9-11 a.m.
As I found out late last week, all senior grades are due to South Side on Friday (May 1) morning; therefore, this will be your final week for distance learning. Please use this week to submit anything that you have not yet submitted if you would like for it to be considered to improve your S2 grade. Your S2 grade cannot be lower than your Q3 grade; however, it can improve. I have extended the deadlines for all previous assignments to Wednesday, April 29 at Noon (12 pm). Please watch this brief video regarding your research paper, as our final research assignment is the Works Cited page and NOT the term paper itself.
THE ABSOLUTE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT ANY WORK IS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 AT NOON.
If you would like ANYTHING to be considered for your S2 grade to improve from last quarter, it MUST be submitted by Wednesday, April 29 at 12 pm noon.
This week, there is no assignment for 10 Steps to Advance College Reading.
Catch up on/submit anything that you may be missing from previous weeks.
This week for methods of research: Catch Up and Works Cited Page due.
Catch up on anything that you may be missing.
Finish and submit your works cited page. Please see last week’s post for resources, samples, how-to screencasts, etc.
When logged into your Townsend Press account, you will see a red link that reads “Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills Plus”. Click that link. You will then see your assignments for the chapter.
This week, you will have a video lesson about finding main ideas in complex texts and a practice exercise (10 questions).
I have removed this week’s mastery test to give you more time to catch up on methods of research.
The assignments must be completed by and will close on Friday, April 24 at midnight.
This Week for Methods of Research: Paraphrasing Focus and Begin Works Cited Page
Before starting anything, please be sure to watch my brief weekly overview screencast here. IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO WATCH BEFORE YOU START ANYTHING FROM THE RESEARCH PROCESS!
If you have not yet submitted your parenthetical citation form from last week, you should do so before submitting the paraphrasing form, as you will need to cite on it.
One extremely useful research skill is paraphrasing, which can be used to add ample research to your paper without direct quote overuse. Most of the body paragraphs of research writing will be comprised of paraphrased, parenthetically cited research.
Review the “How to Paraphrase” PowerPoint found here, and read some of the examples.
Once you have re-familiarized yourself with paraphrasing, complete and submit the form found here.
Note: On this form, you will have to copy and paste 2 direct quotes from your sources, paraphrase them, and explain why that piece of information would be fitting and relevant to your research paper.
Begin your Works Cited Page. You will have 2 weeks to make your Works Cited Page, but I would begin now.
Compile all 5-8 sources (Including Lord of the Flies, 3-5 from TNTEL, and 1-2 websites), and begin making your Works Cited Page for your research paper. Use www.easybib.com (or another comparable site such as Citation Machine or Bibme) to put all entries into MLA 8.
For ample other helps, please scroll down to “Creating your Works Cited” at http://mdlivingston.weebly.com/english-iv.html, use OWL Purdue, revisit your previous Works Cited pages, and study the samples linked below. Please note that your works cited page should be formatted exactly like the samples provided. DO NOT DEVIATE from the standard MLA 8 format.
Please note that all works cited entries from TNTEL (see weeks of March 30-April 3 and April 6-10 if this doesn’t sound familiar) have their own MLA 8 works cited entry already created, so you do not need to use Easybib, Citation Machine, or Bibme to make a works cited entry. Copy and paste it directly from TNTEL. Please be sure to watch my screencast above to learn how to do this.
General steps:
Pull up your article or source on TNTEL.
Click on “Cite” in the upper right-hand corner of your article.
Copy the MLA 8 bibliography entry.
Paste it on to your word document.
You have all made a works cited page before; however, you might need some guidance to remind you of a few tricky rules. IF YOU ARE UNSURE HOW TO DO ANYTHING, PLEASE REFER TO ALL OF THE HELPS I HAVE INCLUDED HERE, and study the samples thoroughly!
When you finish your Works Cited page, SHARE It with me ([email protected]) via Office 365 so that I can add comments and corrections as needed.
Please DO NOT SHARE your final Works Cited page with me until you have watched the instructional videos, reviewed the requirements, looked at the samples and “how to guides” above, etc. Again, it should be formatted EXACTLY like the samples. If it does not look like the samples, please revisit the screencasts and guidelines before submission.
Remember, you have ample time to create a proper works cited page, so please be sure to practice this vital college skill.
Have a great week!
Week of April 13-April 17: Supporting Details and Parenthetical Citations
Great work on your College Reading prep last week! I hope that you find this book study beneficial. If you would like for me to open up more assignments, practices, or mastery tests for you individually, please let me know!
Watch my quick weekly overview here.
This week for 10 Steps to Advance College Reading Skills: Supporting Details Focus (Chapter 3)
Log into Townsend Press If you have forgotten your credentials, see the post from last week below.
When logged into your Townsend Press account, you will see a red link that reads “Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills Plus”. Click that link. You will then see your assignments for the chapter.
This week, you will have a video lesson about finding supporting details complex texts, a practice exercise (10 questions), and a mastery test (10 questions). The assignments must be completed by and will close on Friday, April 17 at midnight.
This Week for Methods of Research: Parenthetical Citations and Finalize Sources
Watch my brief weekly overview about Parenthetical Citations here.
One extremely useful research skill is understanding parenthetical citations in MLA 8, which is required any time you take information from a source, including when using direct quotes or paraphrases. Most of the body paragraphs of research writing will be comprised of paraphrased, parenthetically cited research.
Watch my parenthetical citations overview (with a student sample) screencast here. In this screencast, I go through a few brief citation reminders and discuss the parenthetical citation PowerPoint linked below. In addition, I show you in-text examples using a student's research paper.
Once you have thoroughly reviewed the parenthetical citations basics, submit the form here. This form is due and will expire Friday, April 17 at Midnight. If you do not know what to do or are confused, revisit the resources provided above. OWL Purdue has every single MLA citation rule on its website.
If you have not yet found all 5-8 sources for your research paper (1 is LOTF), please do so ASAP, as we will begin making a works cited page next week. Finalize your sources, and review how to make a works cited page using Owl Purdue and Easybib.
Please use the resources from last week to evaluate sources.
PS: SOME OF YOU HAVE STILL NOT SIGNED UP FOR A RESEARCH TOPIC! YOU MUST DO SO ASAP! WE WILL MAKE A FULL 5-8 SOURCE WORKS CITED PAGE NEXT WEEK, SO LET'S GET TO IT!
Week of April 6-April 10: 10 Steps to Advance College Reading Skills and Methods of Research
This week, we will begin a book study called 10 Steps to Advance College Reading Skills. In addition, we will be practicing a few different methods or research so that you may familiarize yourself a bit more thoroughly with the research process in case we do not return to school with the opportunity to conduct a more formal research paper. First, however, you must access your Townsend Press account. I have already created an account for you and added you to my class. See info below.
To access your Townsend press account, use the following credentials:
Your username is your firstname.lastname (Just like your e-mail address/JMCSS credentials. No nicknames or middle names, so it will appear JUST LIKE YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL. There is no capitalization in your username on Townsend press.
Your password is Hawks2019 (Case sensitive, so be sure to capitalize the “H” in “Hawks”). Yes, I did realize about halfway through that it is indeed, 2020. Woops. That’s still the password.
To log in, it will look like this example:
Example: elvis.presley
PW: Hawks2019
Once you have logged on, you may change your password if you desire; however, I do NOT have access to your new passwords, so please be sure to write it down if you do change it.
When logged into your Townsend Press account, you will see a red link that reads “Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills Plus”. Click that link. You will then see the copy of the e-book online and your assignments for the chapter.
This week, you will have a video lesson about finding main ideas in complex texts, a practice exercise (10 questions), and a mastery test (10 questions). The assignments must be completed by and will close on Friday, April 10 at midnight.
Complete the assignments; however, please be sure to review the PowerPoint first (above). The skills outlined in the PowerPoint are summaries of the textbook itself. You may read the e-book online, or you may view the PowerPoint and watch the video lessons in lieu of this.
You do not have a blog forum this week; however, if you’d like to have a quick laugh, watch my brief video of LOTF beginning vs. end, click here. If you have not yet answered last week's post, please do so this week.
This week for Methods of Research: Continue to Find Sources (TNTEL and Website)
If you have not yet signed up for a research topic, please do so here. If you would like to read a PDF of the topic options, please see last week’s post.
You began finding resources on TNTEL and watched my screencast last week. This week, watch Mrs. Parnell’s TNTEL Overview screencast here. It is extremely informative and much better than mine.
Continue finding and saving sources (3-5) on TNTEL. If you have not yet submitted your form regarding your experiences with TNTEL, please do so here. This is the SAME FORM from last week, so if you have already submitted it, you do not need to submit it again. This form will close and is due on Friday, April 10 at midnight.
If you need to revisit the database information, please look at last week’s assignment post below.
Once you have found 3-5 TNTEL sources that you would be likely to use in your paper, spend some time browsing the web, and find 1-2 valid websites that you might use in your research paper. Be sure to save the source or bookmark it so that you are well prepared to use it on your works cited page.
For each website that you find, please use this rubricto determine the website’s credibility. Do not use a source that is not credible, valid, and directly relevant to your topic. In addition, be sure that your website source is a .org, .gov, or .edu whenever possible. There are of course exceptions.
You do not have a form to submit for your website source, but again, please be sure that you have saved it and could add it to your future works cited page. If you have questions about the validity of a source, please e-mail the link to me.
At this point, you should have 5-8 sources (Including Lord of the Flies, 3-5 from TNTEL, and 1-2 websites).
Keep up the good work, and please feel free to email me with any questions!
Week of March 30-April 3: LOTF Full Work and Intro to Methods of Research
Please sign up for my REMIND if you have not yet. Instructions and class codes are in my initial e-mail or at the bottom of this page. I have linked all files/websites below and in the buttons above for your convenience.
This Week for your Literature/Lord of the Flies Assignment:
Respond to the prompt below on the English IV Honors class discussion page here.
This Week's Prompt: As we have discussed previously in the course, symbols contribute significantly to the allegorical meaning of a work. There is not necessarily one idea or quality that a symbol represents, but instead several debatable ideas intended for the reader to evaluate his or herself. Lord of the Flies is rich in symbolism designed to create levels of meaning and aid in critical thinking about a significant work. Trace symbolism throughout the novel, and consider multiple symbolic meanings. Choose TWO symbols to discuss, and provide specific, cited textual evidence to prove its symbolic nature. Consider Piggy’s glasses, the beast, the “Lord of the Flies”, the conch, the fire, the island, and different characters (Piggy, Jack, Simon, Ralph, Roger, littluns).
Reminders and Requirements:
Respond to this post initially by adding a comment below.
Use formal language and complete sentences.
Always use your first AND last name before submitting your initial response to the prompt.
Answer all parts of the question.
Over the course of the week, read other people's comments, and respond to at least 1 other person's initial response.
Use formal language and complete sentences.
Always be respectful of your classmates and their opinions at all times.
When you are replying to a specific comment, be sure to address the person by name.
All initial responses and comments responding to other people's initial responses are due by Friday, April 3 at Midnight. Happy Commenting!
Please not that this is the page ONLY for 4th block Honors English IV. If you are in 3rd block regular English IV or 2nd block Honors English III, you may ignore this page.
This week for your Methods of Research Assignment (You will actually have 2 weeks to complete this methods of research assignment. Finding sources can be time consuming, so please be sure to give yourself ample time to complete this part of the assignment):
This week, we will begin methods of research as well as continue to discuss Lord of the Flies. We will be practicing research methods in anticipation of returning to school or using these methods of research for college and career.
I have prepared a brief YouTube video explaining the topic selection and sign up as well as expectations for using the Tennessee Electronic Library Database, so please watch it here. PS: I am aware that it’s funky. I am also aware that Travis is hammering in the background. This is life now.
Read and review the Lord of the Flies Research paper topics in PDF form here.
Once you decide which one you want to use for your research practice, sign up with your first and last name here. While your topic sign up form will remain open until April 10, I highly suggest that you go ahead and sign up for a topic ASAP, as topic selection will be first come/first served.
After you have signed up for a topic, you may begin researching it using the TN Electronic Library Database. See below for more information about how to do this.
To understand the TN Electronic Library Database, you must first familiarize yourself with Databases and their purpose. To do this, watch the following YouTube Videos:
Then, spend some time on the TN Electronic Database. Browse for information that might be useful for your LOTF topic of choice. The url is: https://tntel.info/
Your goal is to find 3-5 sources that you could likely use in a research paper about your topic. Be sure that your sources are directly relevant to your topic of choice.
As you are researching, BE SURE TO SAVE ANY OF THE DATABASE SOURCES THAT YOU LIKE. Bookmark them, save them, create a TNTEL account, or save them to your Office 365 One Drive.
I highly suggest that you save them to your One Drive to save the information. One drive will automatically create a folder with the article in it. You can download the One Drive (and any Microsoft App) to your cell phone and log in using your credentials at any time.
This assignment is about familiarizing yourself with the TN Electronic Database, so please make sure that you give yourself ample time to browse, as it can be challenging to find sources that are right for your topic.
When you have found 3-5 sources and saved them, submit the docs form linked here.
To complete this form, you will need to log in using your Office 365 credentials, which is the same as your email credentials.
This form will close on Friday, April 10 at midnight and is due then; therefore, you will have two weeks to learn the TN Electronic Database. Please use your time wisely in doing so.
Please read my initial distance learning information email and respond to it immediately.
Please not that this is the page ONLY for 4th block Honors English IV. If you are in 3rd block regular English IV or 2nd block Honors English III, you may ignore this page.
Finish LOTF if you have not yet. Official full novel assignments in association with research will begin Monday, May 30.
Reread the following excerpts from chapter 12 to analyze for author's style:
•194- “Ralph fastened his hands round the chewed spear….billowed round him” •195- “He wormed his way…nothing more difficult to do than wait” •195- “Another double cry…a time to think!” •196- “And there again, shrill and inevitable,…Hide, and let them pass.” •197- “At last he found….lay and listened” •198- “Someone cried out…Don’t scream. Get Ready.” •199 “Ralph screamed, a scream of fright…crouching with arm to ward off, trying to cry for mercy.”
If needed, use the "LOTF Animalistic Language" handout, accessible from the button above, to see the excerpts and to view the guided questions.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE THIS GUIDED ANNOTATION OR PRINT IT; however the questions and excerpts will help you best answer the literary analysis prompt below.
Click on my screencast above if you have difficulty deciphering the Author's style. This is a 7 minute video designed to help you with a close reading of the excerpts.
Then, go to the "English IV Honors Class Discussion" page, and use the "comment" button to respond to the prompt on the blog. This week's prompt: How does Golding’s writing style change in chapter 12? What are the effects of this change? ( To help you answer, consider the following: How does Golding’s writing style aid in the reader’s understanding of plot and theme? How would the reader’s understanding of plot and theme be different if the writing style had not changed?) Cite at least 2 pieces of evidence from the text to prove your claims.
Response requirements:
Use formal language and complete sentences.
Always use your first AND last name before submitting your initial response to the prompt.
Answer all parts of the question.
Over the course of the week, read other people's comments, and respond to at least 1 other person's initial response.
Comment requirements:
Always be respectful of your classmates and their opinions at all times.
When you are replying to a specific comment, be sure to address the person by name.
Use formal language and complete sentences.
All initial responses and comments responding to other people's initial responses are due by Friday, March 27 at midnight. Happy commenting!
Initial Distance Learning Email and REMIND information:
To My Dearest Third Block Seniors,
Part I: Welcome Back Welcome back to school!I look forward to trying out distance learning with you all and hope that we can use the digital resources at our disposal to continue learning.Please know that I miss each of you dearly and hope that throughout this experience, we can all learn a bit more about ourselves and our priorities.I hope that we may truly understand the value of education, community, health, friendship, and family. I know that many of you are stressed, unsure, overworked, bored, anxious, or tense.I hope to provide some semblance of normalcy in a chaotic world as we open our minds to analyze literature via CommonLit and to embark on a bit of preliminary methods of research. I will also consider a Pygmalion study for the future. I am not certain what the next weeks will look like, so we will take everything one week at a time. Part II: What you need to do.
Students only: Please respond to this e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will call you and your parents. (I have CC'd parent e-mail addresses found in PowerSchool for reference only and so that parents will also have my email address. Parents, if you check your e-mail more often than your student, please pass the information on. Parents, please feel free to email me as needed, but I would like the responsibility of response and work to be on the students.)
My mdlivingston.weebly.com webpage will be my distance learning hub.
To my website mdlivingston.weebly.com I have added a tab called “English IV P3 Weekly Assignments” and will update it regularly.
I would like to remind you as well tocheck your school emails regularly!This is super important! Make it adailyhabit.
Also check my class website regularly! Again, make it a daily habit.
I have also set up a class Remind, soplease sign up for the class Remind!This will allow you to text me via the app, opening up an additional line of communication.I can also share files via Remind if needed.
Be sure to add your first and last name when it prompts you. Parents are welcome to join as well.
Part III: Contacting Me Option 1: Office hours- I will be sitting at my computer each week day (M-F) from 10 am-12pm. At this time, I will respond to any Emails/Remind texts/Questions/other inquiries immediately.Please use this time each day, if at all possible, to work on coursework for my class so that you can have immediate access if you have any questions. Option 2: I have a TON of information on my website, so please utilize it before e-mailing, calling, or Remind texting, as I am likely to refer you back to resources whenever possible. Option 3: Of course, please feel free to contact me at any time and do your work at any time, whether it is during my office hours or not, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
A few reminders for when you e-mail me or text me via Remind:
Please be sure to tell me your first and last name AND the assignment that you are working on. Please do not assume that I have your phone number or e-mail saved or that I know what your question is about.
Always reference the resources I have provided for you BEFORE asking a question.I have spent much time compiling these resources so that you can access them as needed, so please use them.
I plan to do all course work via my website, and all work will be cell phone compatible.If you have significant technology issues and require a paper packet, please let me know ASAP. Otherwise, everything will be completed digitally for the safety of all students, faculty, and staff. Until further notice, I will aim to post all new assignments by 10 am on Monday mornings, and all assignments will be due by Midnight on the Friday night of that week. I know that this is a lot of information and new for many of you, but I am excited to start English IV Virtual Academy with this wonderful group of students.Online classes will be a reality for you in the future, so hopefully we can all gain positive, constructive time in your lives. Againplease respond to this email IMMEDIATELY by clicking REPLY (NOT reply all!). I must have confirmation of receipt from EVERY student. You all are wonderful, and I look forward to discussing literature and learning a few research skills with you as we embark on this new learning path! You may utilize your relationships during this time, as you have access to everyone's email addresses. I suggest that you turn to each other and communicate openly with me and your classmates during this challenging time.
I look forward to hearing from you soon! Sincerely, Mrs. Livingston