Damon and Pythias

This is a funny trailer (preview of a movie) for an old Hollywood film of the story we will be reading next. It's not at all the real legent or even the story we have, but it will give you an idea of the setting. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV25pYXyC_M&feature=colike



Simple time line......



high school version.....
http://youtu.be/bP5TMVN12jI

Course Outline and Parent, Teacher and Student Contract

Course Outline and Parent, Teacher and Student Contract

Class Code and Section: L4T Subject:  ESL Literature Term: Spring 2012

Teacher: Ms. Nancy De Pas    Telephone: (718) 937-6005, ext. 104

Email: ndepas@schools.nyc.gov Blog: MsDePasL4T@blogspot.com  Analyzing Literature and everything…L4T Spring 2012

This class is an advanced English literature course designed to help you improve all your language skills and to prepare for passing the English Regents Exam. You will improve their formal and informal language, listen for information, read for comprehension, write essays and speak clearly. It is important that you are immersed in an English-speaking environment, both at home and at school, so that you will use what you learned in class and out of class, think in English, therefore write better in English and improve your fluency. This will ensure that you will do well in the class, pass the English Regents, and graduate high school.

1.      Course Goals and Objectives

·         Academic skills – improve writing summary and controlling idea paragraphs, learn how to write a critical lens essay, participate in literature circles

·         Language skills – improved verbal and written expression of English, discussion of literary ideas

·         Content – poetry, short stories, music, films, videos, excerpts of  a novel

·         Thinking skills – mastering of literary terms, analyze and critique literature,  synthesize themes found in literature across different genres

2.      Course Requirements and Expectations

• Lateness and Absences – Be on time. Attend class every day. Bring a note from your doctor or parents when you are absent. Students who are late, cut class or are absent will miss important work such as assignments, cooperative activities, quizzes and tests and therefore they will get a lower grade. Late homework is not accepted. Students are responsible to get the assignments and notes from a classmate when they are absent.
• Note-taking – Speak, read and write English in class. Copy all class notes. Keep notes, handouts and returned work in your binder. Participate and do your own work in class and at home.  
• Behavior in class –Respect yourself and others. Respect all teachers and school staff members. Do not disrupt, talk or play in class. Dress appropriately for school. No iPods, cell phones or hats are permitted. Don’t chew gum, write on the desks, apply make-up, or eat in class. Pick up and throw out your trash. Respect school furniture and equipment. If you break any school rule, you may be sent to the dean’s office and face possible suspension. If your cell phone is taken away from you, a parent will be asked to come to school to claim it.
• Use of textbooks – Textbooks will be kept in the classroom and a text book will be sent home for study and homework. Students must bring their book to school every day. He or she is not permitted to write in the book. A fine will be charged for unreturned and damaged books. 
• Class participation – Come to class prepared to learn every day. Bring your binder, pens, highlighter and dictionary/translator. Raise your hand to speak. Pay attention to the teacher and other students.

3.      Themes & Topics

• First Marking Period – the power and importance of language, the immigrant experience
• Second Marking Period – adversity, discrimination, choices
• Third Marking Period – adversity, advice, confronting challenges, independence

4.      Assessment Policy

• Homework (25%)
• Participation and Group-Work (25%)
• Exams, Essays and Quizzes (25%)
• Projects and Presentations (25%)

5.      Closing statement to parents & students

• You will use teacher-provided handouts and books: Voices in Literature Gold, English, Yes, Intermediate Level 2 and multimedia materials on the class blog
• I look forward to meeting with you at the Parent-Teacher Conferences: Friday, March 29, 2012 (6:00-8:30 PM); and Friday, March 30, 2011 (1:00-3:00 PM)
• You may contact me to discuss your child’s progress at (718) 937-6005, ext. 104   ndepas@schools.nyc.gov
• Attendance in College Now, 21^st Century After School and Saturday Programs are strongly recommended

Students, please sign. Parents, please sign that you will help your child follow the contract.

***************************************************************************************************

Ms. Nancy De Pas Student’s signature _____________________________Print Name _________________

        Parent/guardian’s signature_______________________ Print Name__________________ relationship____________

Literary Devices Games

This was originally posted on the other blog on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Literary device games

Please go to the websites below to play some games that will sharpen your skills. 

Play for 15 minutes.Then post a comment with your name and how you felt about the game. 

You can post your score if you wish.
Ms De Pas

Alliteration is a type of repetition--the same letter or sound is repeated. For example: "baby boy in a blue blanket" the /b/ repeated. "Cuando, cuando, cuando" is not alliteration.

http://eclassroom.110mb.com/3rd%209%20weeks%20web/Figlang1.swf

http://eclassroom.110mb.com/3rd%209%20weeks%20web/figurative_language_-_classify_it!.swf

Welcome to our Blog!

Welcome to our Blog!

You will find new and exciting stories and poetry that we will discover this semester as well as what I did and taught last semester. I thought that it would be helpful to you to have access to the exciting work we covered last semester. It was too complicated to have last semester's work and this semester's together so I changed it.
I expect you to:

• join this blog by becoming a member 
• post a good picture of you (no sexy shots)
• make comments on the tasks and to your classmates (use academic English, be respectful, comment to your classmates' posts)
• read, write and have fun
• feed the fish!  

Vocabulary Games

This was originally posted on the other blog on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.

Vocabulary Games

Please go to the websites below to play some games that will sharpen your skills.

 Play for 15 minutes.Then post a comment with your name and how you felt about the game. you can post your score if you wish.

Ms De Pas

This is a fun site--the more you play the smarter you get--and you feed the poor. You can play English vocabulary or grammar or other subjects. The more you do the better it is for you. Share this site with your friends.

http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1590

http://www.vocabulary.com/

Why you shouldn't copy work off the Internet! 1st assignment

This was originally posted on the other blog on Thursday, February 9, 2012. 

Why you shouldn't copy work off the Internet

In class, I told you that you  should be careful about what you post to the Internet (ex. Facebook, Qu Qu, Twitter, Google+ and more) because your online reputation can’t be edited or changed easily. There’s also the problem of posting and finding incorrect information online. For example, you can also find incorrect or misleading facts that seem correct on the Internet.  Many times you need to find information for a paper or homework, the Internet is right there to help you—or hurt you!

I searched for “No Speak English” by Sandra Cisneros and found this essay that looked really good until I read it. This was the revision--final draft!

Can you find the mistakes? There’s one fact and one big literary technique mistake (choice and analysis).

 Post your answers – A) the incorrect fact--so easy to miss!

                                     B) the correct technique and analysis.

Good Luck!

                    http://ncruz2011.weebly.com/no-speak-english-essay-revision.html