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{book}
Teachers Introduce New Works; New York Times Editors'
Choices Included in 2011-2012 Courses
of Study
{book}
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DODGER Goes Digital
School Newspapers Enters a New Phase in Production
The school newspaper will take on a new format this fall as the journalism class produces the first on-line newspaper. Students in the class say they are "excited" to be involved in this ground-breaking endeavor and have been writing articles and planning layouts and design in anticipation of the launch.
Teachers in the English department continue to believe that empowering students through publishing opportunities will elicit a strong sense of responsibility among them and enhance their reading and writing skills. With the help of School Wires and their advisor, students will design the newspaper and maintain timely articles, editorials and features. The editorials board will provide opportunities for guest writers to share the forum to inform, instruct or simply entertain readers.
With the full support of Principal Robertson, the school newsaper will produce regularly and reduce the current expense of hard-copy newspapers. The first publication should be
on line by next month.
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Language Arts Boasts 98% Passing Rate On HSPA; Scores Reflect Proficiency and Preparation
The results reflected in this year's HSPA scores continue to demonstrate students' proficiencies, both in general and special education, and exceed both the District Factor Group I and the State in all categories. In writing: expository and persuasive, reading, interpreting text and analyzing/critiquing text, students achieved impressive scores, again demonstrating their skills in close textual reading and literary analysis.
The high school writing program goes beyond traditional assignments of topics and grading of written work. We focus on critical thinking and the process of writing and believe that students come to appreciate that learning during the writing process is as significant as the final product.
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2010 Scores will be replaced soon by 2011 results.
Dodger
ASPA- First Place Award
CSPA-Bronze Awards
Glyphs
ASPA- First Place Award
NSPA- First Place with Three Marks of Distinction
CSPA-Silver Award
NCTE- Superior-Nominated for Highest Award
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Freshman Honors Continue
to Develop
Action Plans to
Improve Grammar Skills
In an initiative to improve students' grammar, freshman have been empowered to develop their own action plans. By identifying their strengths and weaknesses from diagnostic tests and writing assignments, students develop assignments that target focused areas.
Once they develop an objective, students work independently on individualized grammar improvement. Students maintain a log of assignments and skills practiced. The grammar action plan includes, but is not limited to, parts of speech, sentence fragments and run-ons, plurals and possessives, pronouns, subject-verb agreement, verb tesne, adjectives and adverbs and punctuation. Students' work is reviewed and assessed intermittently by their teacher. Students may peruse their writing portfolios in class or during a tutorial period.
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Carole Breheny, Chair
Department of English
Office 973-593-3117 X3147
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{MLA Handbook}
Smart Goals Reflect Student Proficiency
in Research
As part of a New Jersey State initiative for professional development, S.M.A.R.T. Goals, specific research skills developed by English teachers during common planning time, provide the means "to engage students at a higher level of Bloom's Taxonomy." Research and writing skills correspond with current research assignments as identified in the courses of study to support the development of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Currently, Smart Goals include the ability to develop a thesis statement, garner reliable sources, take notes effectively, synthesis, and prepare a works cited page using MLA format. The activities for research are derived from the literature and writing curriculum. Soon, English teachers will announce the varied research opportunities in their classes, including multi-media projects.
Depending on grade and ability level, students are expected to demonstrate research and writing that includes prewriting, thesis, outline, and rough drafts all in line with MLA format.
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Junior and High School Teachers Continue Their Vertical Team to Improve English Instruction
This year, articulation meetings between junior and high school English teachers will continue and form the basis for improved reading and writing instruction. In addition, teachers will continue to develop learning and behavioral techniques for students as they begin their high school experience. Meetings will be led by English Chair, Carole Breheny.
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Looking Ahead...
Congratulations to
Rachel Alvey who has won the local Poetry
Out Loud High
School Competition
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