Homework!

Welcome to second quarter!

Tonight's homework is in your journal. What I want you to do is to read in your supplemental novel for thirty minutes. Then, I want you to construct a double entry diary. First, make a chart that is divided into two columns. Then, write down two or three quotes that stuck out to you in some way on the left. On the right, I want you to write a brief (2-3 sentence) reflection on the quote.

Consider: Why did you write this quote down? What drew you to this quote? Do you like the imagery in this quote? Do you like the words? How does this quote fit in to the story?

You don't have to answer these questions - but you may want to think about them to help you write your reflection.

P.S. - We haven't had a journal check in awhile...you should expect one.

Homework for B-day students...

Tonight's homework will go in your journal. I want you to think about the concept of fate or destiny and answer the following question:

Do you believe in fate? Why or why not?

Answer the question in at least five sentences. Remember, if I can tell that you didn't put much time into your work, I may choose to not give you credit.

Announcements...

As we finish up the first quarter I just want to remind you of a few things.

1.  Your outside novel projects are due on the 20th and 21st of October November.  

People have been asking me about this a few times and I wanted to clarify that.

2.  You are going to have a quiz on the first half of The Odyssey on October November 6th and 7th.  

3.  You should be bringing your literature books to class with you everyday.  I'm going to be a lot stricter on this for the new nine weeks. 

Enjoy the long weekend!!!!!!

Update: Looks like I just love October - notice the updates!

Tonight/This Weekend Homework

B-day students!  I'm going to miss you since we won't see each other for a really long time.  So - I'll see you all on Wednesday.

A-day students, you have homework!  What you need to do is write in your journals about fate.  Do you believe in fate?  Why or why not?  How do you define fate?

Also - everyone, make sure you're reading in your supplemental novels.  Projects are due around November 15th.

Some information for you all...

First - I figured that I would tell you about the extra credit.

Extra Credit Project – 1st Nine Weeks

The choice is as follows. This project will add as many as six points to your test average.

1. To earn two points you will need to read the stories “Liberty” and “An American Story” in your text book. You will then need to answer questions one through five for each story.

2. To earn four points you will need to read “Liberty,” “An American Story,” and “Exile” in your text book. You will need to answer the following question as a three paragraph answer with a brief introduction and a brief conclusion: How do these pieces of literature show the immigrant experience in America.

3. To earn all six points you will need to read “Liberty,” “An American Story,” and “Exile” in your text book. You must write two things. First, a three paragraph response in which you tell me how each story influenced or impacted your opinion of immigration. After this, you will then need to write a POSITION PAPER in which you discuss your opinion on immigration with three outside sources. You must cite all of your sources.


Now your homework -

For homework you will need to read in your supplemental novel for thirty minutes. After you read you will need to tell me why the author of your book gave that book that title. This is a pure opinion question. I want you to write at least five sentences. Please put this in your journal.

Homework - 17/20 October

Tonight there are two different assignments - one for Honors and one for Standard.

For Honors: You will need to read the poem "The Lotos-Eaters" by Tennyson. After you read the poem you will need to write a two paragraph compare/contrast assignment. You will be comparing/contrasting the depiction of the lotus eaters from the poem and from The Odyssey. Think about imagery, language use, tone, perspective, the characterization of Odysseus - or any topic of your choice. No matter what your topic you will want to be sure that you are using specific details from the poem (quotes are effective.)

For Standard: You will need to complete the RAFT activity on the handout. Be sure that you're really getting into the character that you are writing from. Be creative, but make sure that what you are saying and the way that you are describing your character can be supported from the story.

If anyone needs help, come to study hall on Monday. This assignment is due to the box on Tuesday for A-day and Wednesday for B-day.

Homework for 10/15 and 10/16

Tonight's homework is another journal entry. Be sure that you are keeping all of your journals together in one space! While I was checking journals today I didn't like the fact that many of you were keeping notes in your journal. Anyway, your prompt is:

If you were Odysseus, would you stay with Calypso or would you go set out to go home? Use specific examples that make your ideas clear.

If you would like to rewatch the section of The Odyssey that we watched today, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjKHvAnJt0k

To Do - Monday Night and Tuesday Night

Students - you have several things that you need to do for homework tonight. To begin, you need to make sure that you study for your quiz on the introduction to The Odyssey. This quiz will concern many of the topics that we covered today in class. In addition, I want to be sure that you read in your novels. Furthermore, be ready for a journal check - you should have warm-ups and journal prompts about your novel ready to be checked next class.

In addition, those of you that didn't complete a Breakdown or Honors Enrichment part of your project you will need to turn this in late. Put it in my box by Wednesday (A-day) or Thursday (B-day). You will get late credit, which is better than no credit.

Breakdown - Following the story, you are expected to give a critique of your story. It should include such things as: what is the critical incident, what is the nature of the conflict, what is the climax of the story, etc., etc.

Honors Enrichment: You are also expected to analyze two elements of your story (setting, character, point of view, tone) and tell me in one paragraph for each how this adds or increases the effect of your story. If you need help, leave a comment with your e-mail address.

Weekend Homework

This weekend you will be reading more in your supplemental novel. You will need to read for thirty minutes and then in your journal you will need to make three predictions as to what will happen in your novel. Your predictions can be about whatever you like. As you are making your predictions, however, I would like for you to tell me why you think each prediction will happen.

Remember - as you're reading, try not to read ahead. You'll have assignments with your reading log throughout the next few weeks. If you do read ahead in your book, you will still be responsible for the journal assignments.

Finally - remember to start bringing your books to class with you every day starting on Monday/Tuesday.

Before I go watch the debate!

Your homework will be in your journal, and will involve your supplemental novel that you got from the Library today.  You first need to read for thirty minutes in your supplemental novel.  Don't stop.  Don't get interrupted.  Just read for a solid thirty minutes.

After you do this, reflect on the following question in your journals:

Is the author grabbing your attention in the first section that you read?  If so, how?  What are specific examples (quotes) of ways that he/she grabbed your attention?  If the author hasn't grabbed your attention?  Why not?

I'll be checking journals next week sometime - be prepared.  You should have this entry, your entry about the three books you've read and then the past two warm-ups.  The warm-ups are excused if you were absent.

Homework 10/3 and 10/6

Tonight's homework is a journal entry. I am going to be relying more on journal entries during this unit on The Odyssey - so, be prepared. The question I would like for you to respond to is:

What are the last three books you've read? What was your opinion of them? What kind of books do you like to read, in general?

Homework for 10/1 and 10/2

The only homework that you have for tonight is to finish your short stories! Bring in your final drafts to class. Also, if you're in Honors you need to bring in your Honors Enrichment assignment too!