Monday, January 30, 2012

CAHSEE

The California High School Exit Exam will take place on March 13th and 14th. Tuesday is the English test and Wednesday is math. The tests mostly cover what you learned in 9th and 10th grade, so you know most of it already - that doesn't mean, however, that you can't study.

Here are two links to handy on-line CAHSEE study guides. Many teachers also have paper copies of these guides available if you ask.

English/Language Arts Study Guide

Math Study Guide

We will also be reviewing/preparing for the English test in class. Good luck!

Lord of the Flies



Semester 2 is here at last! This gives us all a chance to start over - new grades, new study units, and for some students even a new class or two. We even have a few new students in Ms. Naylor's class (welcome)!

For our class, semester 2 starts with two things: CAHSEE preparation and our first novel: William Golding's Lord of the Flies. We will get the book from the book room on Thursday. March 2nd, but if you want to buy your own copy you can check out nearby bookstores or try Amazon.com here:


In case you misplaced your calendar, here is our reading schedule. You will be asked to read one chapter a night Monday-Thursday until you finish the book.

Monday, March 6th: Chapter 1
Tuesday, March 7th: Chapter 2
Wednesday, March 8th: Chapter 3
Thursday, March 9th: Chapter 4
Tuesday, March 14th: Chapter 5
Wednesday, March 15th: Chapter 6
Thursday, March 16th: (Test on Chapters 1-6) Chapter 7
Tuesday, March 21st: Chapter 8
Wednesday, March 22nd: Chapter 9
Thursday, March 23rd: Chapter 10
Monday, March 27th: Chapter 11
Tuesday, March 28th: Chapter 12
Monday, April 2nd: Test on Chapters 7-12
Tuesday, April 3rd: Essay

Of course, you can read ahead if you like, but try not to fall behind - we will have several reading quizzes!

I know you'll enjoy this book. The boys in it are from England so they might use some language you are not familiar with (they call glasses "specs" which is short for spectacles, for example) but there is a lot of violence and excitement. The book also features some of the most famous examples of symbolism in literature.

Happy reading!