AHS Subject Guides: English: K. Kane

ELA Independent Reading

Find a Book in the Amity HS Library

Do you want to find a book in the Amity High School Library for a research project, or just to read for fun? Before you come in to browse our shelves, watch this video on how to search the library catalog, 

How to Find a Book in the Library Catalog: Introduction to Destiny

Next, get your book.

• Find a book in the catalog or come in to browse.
• Check it out with us.
• Return it on to the library on time, OR...
• Need more time? You MUST email Mr. Musco or Mrs. Hulse to avoid fines.

eBooks and audioBooks:

Currently digital books are available from two sources starting at the library database page:

• eBooks from EBSCO eBooks
• eBooks and AudioBooks from Public Libraries with SORA 

Get Book Recommendations

How to Find Book Recommendations Online: Book Recommendation Websites 

YALSA Booklists: compiled by the American Association of School Libraries.

School Library Journal: Check under the tabs for Awards and Books to search

RJ Julia Independent Book Sellers: Staff recommendations for teens

Common Sense Media Teen Booklists: There are several different broad categories.

GoodReads Teen Booklists: A great little summary, plus tons of reader reviews.

Barnes and Noble for Teens: Take a look at the “Teens” list to see what’s hot.

You can always just Google “lists of books for teens”.

English I

Embedding/Blending Quotations and MLA Citations (updated 9-2019)

Information Literacy Topics:

• Creating/Writing a research-based product
• In-text citations
• Using technology tools

Objective: To understand how to effectively embed/blend quotations into writing, to cite evidence (direct quotes) using MLA citation style.

Learning Expectations: 

• Academic-Writing: “Students will produce and distribute a variety of writing designed to entertain, inform, or argue, as well build and present knowledge derived from research.“
• Civic: “Students will exhibit personal integrity and ethical decision-making.”

During class:

Objective: To understand how to effectively embed/blend quotations into literary analysis, to use MLA style 8 in formal essays and papers.

1. Go to Nearpod.com.  Enter class code.

2.  Type your first name and click join session.

3. Today's slideshow will appear on your screen.  Follow along!

Student Instructions

English I

Embedding/Blending Quotations and MLA Citations (updated 9-2019)

Information Literacy Topics:

• Creating/Writing a research-based product
• In-text citations
• Using technology tools

Objective: To understand how to effectively embed/blend quotations into writing, to cite evidence (direct quotes) using MLA citation style.

Learning Expectations: 

• Academic-Writing: “Students will produce and distribute a variety of writing designed to entertain, inform, or argue, as well build and present knowledge derived from research.“
• Civic: “Students will exhibit personal integrity and ethical decision-making.”

During class:

Objective: To understand how to effectively embed/blend quotations into literary analysis, to use MLA style 9 in formal essays and papers.

1.Go to Nearpod.com.  Enter class code

2.  Type your first name and click join session.

3. Today's slideshow will appear on your screen.  Follow along!

Part II: MLA Citation Style-title page

1. Rules

Rules for MLA formatting rules for writing papers/essays.

• 12 point Times New Roman/Arial font.
• Double spaced
• Last name and page number in right upper corner of EACH page.  (Open a blank google doc and show students how to insert a header.  Directions: From the “Insert” menu click on “Header & page number” select “Page number” and select the option that shows a page number on pages 1 and 2.  The page function will automatically number the pages for you. Place your space bar before the number 1 and type in your last name, followed by a single space.  Click outside of the Header box to return to the main document.)
• Format for top of first page: review with students.  Emphasize the date format.
• Titles of papers/essays should not be italicized or in bold (unless the title of your book appears in your title--then italicize that only.)

2. Sample papers

Take a look at the sample papers: OWL Sample MLA Paper and To Kill a Mockingbird Sample Paper

3. Review Mrs. Hulse’s sample paper

    What's wrong with Mrs. Hulse's sample paper?

4. Today's class: Respond using Nearpod to the following question: “What’s one thing you learned from today’s class?

5. Create a template following the MLA citation guidelines.

English I

Paraphrasing Mini Lesson (1-2018, V. Hulse)

Information literacy topics covered

• Definition of paraphrasing
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2​ Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
• Understand the importance of paraphrasing  
• Model and practice skill of paraphrasing through effective note-taking

1. Explain objective: To understand what paraphrasing is, explain the importance of this skill, recognize what paraphrasing is and how this skill helps you avoid plagiarizing information and ideas. Take notes by paraphrasing what you read.

2. Paraphrasing--What is it?  View slideshow. Show video.

3. Practice: Students practice paraphrasing using a gradual release model (I do, we do, you do)  

Hand out worksheet to students

• Ask students to read example 1 silently.
• I DO: Using “think aloud” method, demonstrate how to paraphrase example 1.

Re-read one sentence at a time and put in own words

Have students write the paraphrase on back side of paper with you.

• Ask students to read example 2.
• WE DO:  With volunteers from class, go sentence by sentence and paraphrase example 2 as a class.
• Ask students to read example 3.
• YOU DO: Ask students to paraphrase example 3 independently.  Fill out response on google form. Share responses via google sheets.
• Discuss how the practice went--(strengths, challenges)

4. Wrap Up Discussion: How will paraphrasing help you with taking notes?