Monday, September 15, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. teach and learn new vocabulary.
2. write an organized and coherent essay about future career plans.
3. write for a specific audience for a specific purpose.

Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: Begin teaching each other the 2 words you learned about over the weekend. You should take notes on what your classmates teach your group. By the end of the warm-up, you should have a list of atleast 6 new words in your notebook. 15 minute activity - Ms. Kingsbury will circulate and monitor student discussions.

2. Students will receive their textbooks today!

3. Students will write the Career Goals Essay of their Senior Project in class today.
a. Length: 1 full typed page = 2 full handwritten pages
b. Purpose: Describe what you want to be when you grow up and how you will get there.
c. Format: Write 6 paragraphs. Each paragraph should begin with the following lines:
- When I was growing up, I always thought that I would be...
- Since then, my goal is to become...
- The colleges I am considering are...
- The classes I will take are...
- My dream career would be to...
- In order to reach my goals and dreams, I...

Homework:
Letters of Recommendation aka “I need a reference!”
a. You will need two LORs for your senior portfolio as well as your college applications.
b. You should choose teachers who like you and whose class you did well in.
c. Writing of Request Letters: Students will write the following letter to two teachers requesting a recommendation for their senior portfolio:

(30 points for each letter, two required, each additional worth extra credit)

September 16, 2008

Dear _________________:

I am writing to request a special favor. As you know, I need two recommendations for my senior project. Would you please write one for me by October 31, 2008? Three words I would use to describe myself are…. My plans after Overbrook are…. I believe you are the best teacher to write me a recommendation because….

Sincerely, YOUR NAME AND BOOK #

You may handwrite or type these letters. Personally, I think handwritten is better as it shows a teacher an extra deliberate effort on your part. Bring these letters to class tomorrow, and I will make sure that they are delivered to your teachers!