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Mark Braam » Greetings from Mr. Braam!

Greetings from Mr. Braam!

Hi, I am Mark Braam.
I am an English teacher at Fairfield High School. During the 2022-23 school year, I am teaching five bells of sophomores in College/Career-Ready English 10 and one bell of a fifth-year Journalism/Media course.
In addition to being an English teacher, I have been a journalist for the better part of a quarter century, working both in Washington, D.C., as a sports and political reporter and editor, and here as a news editor and designer at The Cincinnati Post and The Cincinnati Enquirer. You might see me at many school events with a camera in my hands and journalism students at my side!
I hope to meet you all, in the classroom, at parent-teacher conferences, or via Zoom, phone or email; meanwhile, here is my own webpage on the district website.
I have this page for a number of reasons:
1. So I can send home news (and sometimes share photos!) of what we are doing or will be doing;
2. So I can post reminders and class-specific files
3. So I can post some educational videos that I make from time to time;
4. So I can post some links to some great educational resources;
5. So I can permanently post some files, such as the class syllabus and class policies, and update them as needed; and
6. So parents and students can get an easy notification each time that I post something new.

How does this work? On the right side of this page, there is a "SUBSCRIBE" button. If you click on the subscribe button, and register, you will get an email notification every time that I post something new to the page. Please note that there is a separate page for class files, which is actually where most new things will get posted. That means you need to subscribe to both pages, please!

Now, not everything that I post will be earth-shaking(!!!), but at least you will know when and if I do.

This is a good and fast way to pass on news, get copies of homework assignments, and to permanently post some items (such as the class syllabus).

Take a look and see how it works! Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Mr. Braam
P.S. Many things are still different this year due to the COVID-19. THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE!!!! That means there will also be many messages that will go back and forth, and sometimes from different platforms. PLEASE ... be patient as we all (teachers, students, parents and administrators) continue to adjust, sometimes on the fly.
 

Posts

Don't Forget Your "I Prefer" Poems Monday!!!

I hope you all had a great break. I spent most of mine being sick (Boooo!!!!!!), but, even so, it was a much needed two weeks for all of us.

DON'T FORGET: Your "I Prefer" Poems are due Monday, Jan. 5!!!
 
We will be posting them on the wall and discussing them.

Updated "I Prefer" & "The Language of ...": What Do I Notice?

Poem due on first day back from break

Attached is the work we did in class on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, plus the assignment that will be due on our first day back in class after Winter Break (time will be given on Friday to work on the poem).
Students should examine the model poems "I Prefer" and "The Language of ..." and write down everything that notice about them, including the words chosen and the poetic devices used.
Students will then write their own "I Prefer" poem, which will be posted on the wall (and some of which may be posted online)!
 FYI: I have added a list at the end of the file of most of the things that the students should have noticed.
 

Socratic Circle Make-Up Postponement

I once again have to postpone my after-school Socratic Circle make-up sessions once again.
Due to deaths and illnesses/hospitalizations in my family, the first one will NOT be held on Monday, Dec. 15.
Instead the two possible make-up sessions (I hope) will be instead Wednesday, Dec. 17, and Friday, Dec. 19., after school in the 3107 computer lab, from 2:40-3:10.
Thank you for understanding the delays during this rough time.

Last Night of the World w/ questions

Attached is the Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, in-class assignment, "The Last Night of the World," It is a Ray Bradbury short story featuring two parents discussing the end of the world -- which will happen in just a few short hours.
It was scheduled to be due on Monday at start of class, but due to deaths and illnesses in my family, that has been postponed until my return, which should be Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Why We Proofread ... A Continuing Series

So what is wrong with this window sign that some business has paid good money to create?
Well, injured people may be willing to hire this law firm ... but, somehow, I doubt that very many people who have been "killed in a car wreck,trucking accident, construction site accident, etc."  will respond!!!

Rotten Relationships: Dateline Bathtub Mystery, Text Set Part 2

The attached file is the work done in class on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 8-9, 2014. It is due on Wednesday.
The assignment includes watching a "Dateline" episode about the Ryan Widmer  murder trial, taking notes (just as a jury member would do, then deciding whether or not Widmer was guilty or innocent. The student then writes a claim, along with a reasons supporting the claim. Clicking on Dateline: Bathtub Mystery will take you to the episode online.
 

Socratic Circle Seminar Make-Up Session Dec. 5 (after school)

The make-up session of the Socratic Seminar for Mr. Braam’s classes will be held after school today (Friday, Dec. 5) in the Room #3107 computer lab from 2:40 to (about) 3:10. BE ON TIME!!!

Bring your list of questions and your Poem of the Day poetry booklet.

Additional dates may be offered as needed.

This is for students who were absent on Monday, Dec. 1, failed to talk during that session or who failed to bring their questions that day. 

Remember, you must have your questions to participate.

Rotten Relationships Text Set, Part 1

The attached file includes the text Set activities we have doing in class Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 3-4, 2014. To do at home. Read the front page and follow the instructions, one question at a time.
Note: In the fourth question, the link to reach the Sesame Street episode on divorce is http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/divorce ... or you can go to Google and type in Sesame Street Divorce Episode and it should be found in the first option. You only have to watch the first three very short clips.
Text sets are a crucial concept in both preparing for standardized tests and life. In real life, you rarely, if ever, make a decision based upon one source of information. That is why practicing with text sets -- collections of information from multiple sources, such as articles, books, charts, maps, videos, newscasts, photos, etc. -- mimics skills that you will always use (and also utilize in such tests as the OGT and the PARRC).
Additional files for this text set will move next week.

Job Opportunity for Students

STUDENT JOB ALERT!!!

Jersey Mike's is hiring for its new Fairfield location (in Jungle Jim's plaza)!

If you know someone who is looking for a job (teens are strongly encouraged to apply), send an email to Charles Halbrook, [email protected] or visit the Tri-County store at 11409 Princeton Pike in Springdale to fill out an application. If an application is completed at Tri-County, be sure to specify that it is for the Fairfield store.
 
P.S. This was a note originally sent in a Fairfield District news release on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Why We Proofread ... A Continuing Series

Another student found a news flash spelling error during reporting of recent Ferguson riot-related protesting. Good catch!
 

Socratic Circle Reminder for Monday

We will be holding the postponed Socratic Circle on Monday. 
Remember, I have the questions that were handed in to me last Monday; those of you who who did not hand in questions MUST have them with you, or else you will not be able to participate in the Circle.
NOTE: I am not happy with several students who chose to copy questions from a classmate; nor am I happy with classmates who let them copy. Your grades will reflect your choices.

Why We Proofread ... A Continuing Series

I challenged my class to find a proofreading mistake in a sign less than half a mile from the high school, a sign that hundreds of students pass by every day yet no one had claimed for extra credit. 
Today ... the quest has ended!!!
(Still looking for the mistake? Better test the batteries in your spelling machine!)

Why We Proofread ... Part of a Series

Another one of my students came up with this gem. Notice the location of the fire. Still don't get it? Try saying the place out loud!

Test Tuesday, Plus Long-Term HW Now Due Reminder

Just a quick reminder that the Poetry/Literary Devices test is Tuesday, Nov. 24, and that the Poetry Devices Packet is due the same day at the start of class.
 
* NOTE: As pointed out in class, students should bring their copy of the Poem of the Day booklet. It MUST be used during the second portion of the test. 
The exam is in two parts, multiple choice and extended response.