Mason Hess

May 11, 2012 8:37 AM

May 14-May 18

English Grammar (Grade 8): Most of the eighth-grade class will be in Washington, D.C. The students who will not be attending the trip will have several reading comprehension exercises to complete.

French I (Grade 9): Students will spend the week in the computer lab conpleting several French listening, speaking, and reading comprehension exercises each day in the Rosetta Stone program. Students should reach Unit 3: Lesson 1 by Friday, May 18th.

French Elective (Grade 6): Students will complete an art project involving surrealism, impressionism, and cubism.

May 3, 2012 8:49 AM

7 May-11 May

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will receive a study guide on Monday to assist them in preparing for Friday's English grammar final exam worth 100 points. Students will review primarily on Monday and Thursday due to End of Course testing for math on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students will take the exam on Friday.

French I (Grade 9): Students will have a 100-point exam on the irregular past tense and cultural information on Friday. Students will spend the week reviewing information about several regions in France in addition to the differences between the irregular and regular formation of the past tense in French.

French Elective (Grade 6): Students will review family vocabulary as well as telling time in preparation for a small quiz on this information on Thursday. On Friday, students will have a cultural lecture on the surrealist, cubist, and impressionist art movements so as to prepare for an art project next week.

April 27, 2012 11:57 AM

30 April-4 May

English Grammar (Grade 8): On Monday through Wednesday, students will be taking the IOWA test in the mornings. On Thursday and Friday, students will read articles and persuasive essays discussing the education system in the United States in order to practice identifying main points, reading nonfiction writing, and using supporting details.

French I (Grades 9/10): Students will complete Rosetta Stone lessons on Monday and Wednesday; they will take the IOWA test on Tuesday. Students will practice the irregular verbs partir, sortir, dormir, and venir on Thursday and Friday as well as learn the difference between the irregular and regular past tense in French.

French Elective (Grade 6): Students will finish reviewing telling time in French before beginning to learn vocabulary concerning the family. Students will also learn cultural information on Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre Museum.

April 12, 2012 10:35 AM

April 16-20

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will continue to take the L.E.A.P. test on Monday, in science, and Tuesday, in history. For the remainder of the week, students will read Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I Have a Dream." Students will take a 50-point reading comprehension quiz on the speech before discussing it in detail and learning about the historical context involving the civil rights movement.

French I (Grade 9): Students will complete Rosetta Stone listening lessons on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, students will finish reviewing the grammatical formation of the past tense in French before having a 100-point exam on Friday.

French Elective (Grade 6): Students will begin to learn how to tell time in French in addition to counting from 1-60.

March 29, 2012 11:42 AM

April 9-13

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday completing L.E.A.P. reviews; the L.E.A.P. testing sessions will be on Thursday and Friday.

French I (Grade 9): Students will begin learning how to conjugate the past tense throughout the week; students will also begin working more frequently with the Rosetta Stone language learning software.

French Elective (Grade 6): Students will review the cultural material that has been discussed thus far in addition to beginning to learn how to count from 1-60 in French.

March 23, 2012 3:21 PM

March 26-March 29

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will discuss a short story that was read last week in addition to completing several paragraph and essay revision exercises. Students will take a field L.E.A.P. test on Tuesday, and there will be no school on Friday so as to begin the Easter Break. Students will have a 50-point quiz on Thursday.

French I (Grade 9): Students will begin learning how to use verbs in the past tense rather than only in the present tense; students will also discuss the film that was viewed last week. Students will complete several film comprehension questions prior to the class discussion for a 100-point grade.

French Elective (Grade 6): Students will continue with the alphabet, spelling activities, common phrases, and introductions.

March 16, 2012 1:12 PM

March 19-March 23

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will practice answering questions in complete sentences on Monday, and they will take the constructive response portion of the L.E.A.P. test on Tuesday. On Wednesday, students will read a short story before answering reading comprehension questions. On Thursday, students will discuss the story, and on Friday, students will practice correcting grammatical mistakes in writing.

French I (Grade 9): On Monday, students will discuss French culture on several provinces in France. Students will then watch a classic French film on Tuesday and Wednesday; they will spend Thursday discussing the film's themes and cultural relevance. On Friday, students will sample traditional French snacks.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): Students in Grade 6 in the new 9-week rotation will begin learning the French alphabet and some basic facts about France's culture and history.

March 9, 2012 11:04 AM

March 12-16

English Grammar (Grade 8): On Monday and Tuesday, students will practice expanding sentences, using who and whom, distinguishing between commonly misused homonyms, and constructing strong, logical paragraphs. Students will have a field trip on Wednesday. On Thursday, students will have a quiz on the material covered on Monday and Tuesday, and on Friday, students will read and discuss a short story in order to practice reading comprehension.

French I (Grade 9): Students will practice the differences between the four most common irregular French verbs-avoir, etre, aller, and faire. Students will have the last test of the thrid nine-weeks on Friday on the use of these four irregular verbs.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): Students will finish the last week of this elective rotation by practicing subject pronouns and conjugating "-er" verbs.

March 2, 2012 1:18 PM

March 5-March 9

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will complete all six sections of Chapter Nine in the grammar portion of the English textbook. The instructor will also provide supplemental worksheets so that students may practice the use of varied sentence structure in their writing. Students will have a 100-point exam on the week's material on Friday, March 9th.

French I (Grade 9): Students will practice conjugating "re" verbs in addition to using the family and house vocabulary. Students will also begin preparing for the semester final exam by reviewing all verbs learned thus far during the school year. Students will have a 100-point exam on Friday, March 9th, on "re" verbs and the vocabulary only.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): Students in Grade 6 will continue reviewing subject pronouns, noun genders, and "er" verb conjugation.

February 24, 2012 2:30 PM

February 27-March 2

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will review noun clauses, sections 8.6-8.11 in the grammar portion of the textbook, in preparation for a 100-point exam on Tuesday, February 28th. Students will have a field trip on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, students will begin Chapter 9 on conjunctions and interjections.

French I (Grade 9): Students will spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday practicing how to conjugate "-ir" verbs, to pronounce travel-related vocabulary, and to use directions in French correctly. Students will have a 100-point exam on Thursday on this material. On Friday, students will have a cultural lecture.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): Students in Grade 6 will begin practicing subject pronouns in addition to reviewing all of the material learned thus far during the nine weeks.

February 17, 2012 11:15 AM

February 20-February 24

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will spend Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday completing sections 8.6-8.11 in the grammar portion of the English textbook. Students will have to complete the grammar exercises associated with each section in class or for homework throughout the short week. There will be no formal exam during these three days.

French I (Grade 9): Students will begin memorizing and pronouncing new vocabulary concerning travel. Students will also begin learning how to conjugate "ir" verbs in French; the instructor will complete several grammar exercises with students so as to provide application. On Friday, students will have a cultural presentation on the history and success of Cirque du Soleil, and that evening, interested students will attend a Cirque du Soleil show in Baton Rouge.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): In Grade 6, students will continue practicing small dialogues so as to practice using basic phrases. Students will also have a cultural presentation on the francophone world.

February 10, 2012 10:59 AM

February 13-17

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will finish section 8.5 on adverb clauses on Monday before beginning the material in section 8.6 on noun clauses. Students will review sections 8.1-8.6 on Tuesday in preparation for a 100-point exam on Wednesday, February 15th; the material for this exam is found in these sections of the grammar portion of the English text book. On Thursday and Friday, students will continue to work on noun clauses in sections 8.7 and 8.8.

French I (Grade 9): Students will continue to practice using adverbs, food vocabulary, and the irregular verbs "préférer" and "acheter" in preparation for a 100-point exam on Wednesday, February 15th. On Thursday and Friday, students will begin learning a vocabulary theme dealing with traveling in addition to a list of regular "-er" verbs associated with vacations and travel.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): In Grade 6, students will finish learning how to tell time correctly in French. The learner will also practice using family vocabulary through several writing activities. Students will finish the week by learning about Mardi Gras, a major cultural element of French culture throughout the world.

February 3, 2012 3:06 PM

February 6-10

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will begin Chapter 8 in the grammar portion of the English textbook, completing Sections 1-5 on Monday through Thursday. This material will cover phrases and clauses. There will be no formal exam this week due to Faculty Development on Friday, February 10th.

French I (Grade 9): Students will practice the irregular verbs "acheter" and "préférer" in addition to the grammar associated with several, commonly-used adverbs. Students will also practice using and pronouncing the food vocabulary throughout the week. Students will continue to discuss cultural notes on daily living and culinary traditions in France.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): Students in Grade 6 will review counting from 1-60 before learning how to tell time correctly in French. Students will also continue to practice using classroom and family vocabulary.

January 30, 2012 8:38 AM

January 30-February 3

English Grammar (Grade 8): On Monday and Tuesday, students will read and discuss an article on the purpose of education by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The class will then write a 13-15 sentence essay on what the main points of his article are as well as the student's personal idea(s) about education's purpose. On Wednesday, the class will review the various uses of infinitives from Chapter 5 in the English textbook; on Thursday, students will have a 50-point quiz on infinitives. On Friday, students will begin Chapter 8 in the grammar section of the English textbook.

French I (Grade 9): On Monday, students will review cultural information, and on Tuesday, students will review for a 100-point exam on vocabulary and possessive adjectives. Students will begin food vocabulary on Wednesday as well as two new verbs. Students will complete various written and listening activities on Thursday and Friday so as to practice the new material.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): In Grade 6, students will begin reviewing family and classroom vocabulary in addition to completing an art project on several French monuments.

January 20, 2012 12:26 PM

January 23-27

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will spend the week learning about the various uses of infinitives; the examples and notes for this information can be found in the grammar portion of the English textbook on pages 398-410. Students will likely have a 100-point exam on infinitives on Friday, January 27th.

French I (Grade 9): Students will spend the week practicing the use of possessive adjectives in addition to clothing vocabulary, porter, and numbers. Students will have an exam on this material in addition to last week's cultural notes on Thursday, January 26th.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): Students in Grade 6 will continue to practice the French alphabet and common, introductory phrases. Students will then begin reviewing classroom vocabulary and cultural information on Paris.

January 13, 2012 2:32 PM

January 17-20

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will review sections 5.1 and 5.2 on participles and section 5.3 on gerunds. Students will then cover sections 5.4 and 5.5 on gerunds as well as section 5.6 on infinitives. Students will have a 100-point exam on Friday, January 20th.

French I (Grade 9): Students will practice writing French sentences, pronouncing clothing vocabulary, conjugating the verb "porter", and counting 1-100. Students will count from 1-100 on Thursday for a 100-point exam.

French Elective (Grade 6): Students will learn the French alphabet, definite and indefinite articles, the five French accent marks, and common, introductory phrases in French.

January 11, 2012 12:21 PM

English III-Personal (Wiesel) Essay

Read the Jewish legend below. Then, write a personal essay-a page and a half or two pages in length-on what you believe it means to see the face of one's brother or sister in any human creature and how this can be achieved.

An ancient rabbi once asked his pupils how they could tell when the night had ended and the day had begun. "Could it be," asked one student, "when you can tell whether the animal in the distance is a sheep or a dog?""No," answered the rabbi. "Could it be, " asked another, "when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it is a fig or a peach tree?""No," answered the rabbi. "This is how you can tell. It is when you look into the face of any human creature and see your brother or sister there. Because if you cannot do this, then no matter what time of day it really is, night and darkness are still with us."

Email me at masonhess@apcs.us with any questions or concerns.

Due Thursday at the end of class.

January 3, 2012 6:04 PM

January 9-January 13

English (Grade 8): After a brief review to refresh students on the fundamentals of grammar, the instructor will spend the week covering Chapter 5, which deals with verbals. Students will cover sections 5.1 and 5.2 on participles in addition to sections 5.3 and 5.4 on gerunds. There will be no formal exam this week; students will have no school on Friday, January 13th, due to faculty/staff development.

French I (Grade 9): Students will review several vocabulary themes and verb conjugation before beginning new vocabulary. The instructor will deliver a presentation on the history, culture, and landmarks of Paris. There will be no formal exam this week due to faculty/staff development on Friday, January 13th.

French Elective (Grades 6, 7, and 8): This will be the last week of this semester's elective rotation. In Grade 6, students will practice speaking all material that has been learned during the semester in addition to reviewing cultural information. Students will then briefly cover subject pronouns. In Grade 7, students will begin learning weather vocabulary. Students in this elective will also learn about several famous French landmarks.

December 16, 2011 11:18 AM

Dec. 19-Dec. 22

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will review nouns, verbs, and subject-verb agreement before taking a review exam on the material on Wednesday, December 21. Students will practice typing on Thursday, December 22.

French I (Grade 9): Students will review counting from 0-100 as well as vocabulary and verb conjugation throughout the week in preparation for a mid-term exam on Thursday, December 22.

French Electives (Grades 6, 7, and 8): In Grade 6, students will have a recitation exam on counting from 0-60 and the short, French poem that they have been memorizing. In Grade 7, students will practice subject pronouns and city vocabulary.

December 9, 2011 11:07 AM

December 12-16

English Grammar (Grade 8): Students will finish chapter 7 in the grammar portion of their English textbook on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. This week's material covers prepositions on pages 424-436. On Thursday, December 15th, students will have a 100-point exam on this chapter's material. On Friday, students will practice typing using the school's mobile computer lab.

French I (Grade 9): Students will spend the week practicing the correct use of the common, irregular verb "faire" in addition to recognizing the difference between its usage and that of the other irregular verbs, "aller,""avoir," and "être." Students will have a 50-point quiz on "faire" and its idiomatic phrases on Friday, December 16th.

French Electives (Grades 6, 7, and 8): Students in Grade 6 will begin learning family vocabulary as well as complete an art project related to the short, French poem that they are currently memorizing in class. In Grade 7, students will begin learning vocabulary related to towns and cities before completing an in-class project on calligrammes.