Homework and Announcements

First, your homework:

You will need to read the poem "Back Again Home" by Haki Madhubuti. There are questions at the top of the handout. Standard students only need to answer the first four; Honors students need to answer all seven. The answers should be done in complete sentences and then put in the box.

Announcements

You will have a poetry quiz on 4/2 and 4/3. You will need to review your notes for the past few classes. Be aware that several questions from the last quiz will reappear.

You will have your poetry project due when you get back from Spring Break - 4/20 or 4/21. On this day we will also have a workshop for rough drafts of your poetry papers. You will get this assignment next week.

There will be a final poetry exam on 4/24 and 4/27. Your final drafts of your papers will be due on the day you take your test.

Weekend/Monday Night's Homework

Students - The homework is different for the different sections of the class.

Honors Students - You will need to read the handout with the poem "Ode to Duty" by William Wordsworth. Throughout the poem I made several notes to you that you may want to pay attention to. Also, there are several questions throughout the handout. Answer the questions thoughtfully and thoroughly.

Standard Students - You will need to compose your own ode to whatever you'd like. Your ode needs to be at least fifteen lines long. This could be a poem you later use for your poetry projects.

If you need help, come to study hall on Monday.

No Homework

I hope you all enjoyed having a night off this past night. I just want you all to be aware that we are starting fourth quarter and I am keeping my expectations high. If you need any help, at any time - remember to ask.

Homework for 23/24 March

Tonight's homework is to find a poem and bring in a copy of that poem to class. You will need to include the title of the poem and the author. The poem must be written by someone other than you.

After you find a copy of the poem, you need to write two paragraphs. In the first paragraph you need to summarize what is going on in the poem, and in the second paragraph you need to tell why you think the author wrote the poem. The paragraphs and the poem are due to the box!

Peer Editing

Today in class you were given another student's paper. These rough drafts of the definition essay are your homework for tonight. Your job is to go through each line of the paper, and mark it up. Give the writer suggestions as to how to improve their essay. Don't just focus on grammar mistakes - give comments on the overall strengths and weaknesses in the essay.

I recommend that you use the rubric on the assignment sheet to grade the essay and look for places to improve. You should give the essay back to the writer on Wednesday (A day) and Thursday (B day).

Do not lose your partner's paper. Protect it in the same way you would your own child. If you lose your partner's paper you will get a zero for your rough draft. If you don't get your paper back by Wednesday/Thursday - look at the roster posted on the wall outside my room to see who has your paper. Feel free to harrass them all you want.

Homework for the weekend

I really hate giving you homework over the weekend after a test - unfortunately, that's how the cards fell this month. Your homework is to finish your rough draft of your definition essay. Turn this into the box on Monday/Tuesday. You will be getting either a pass or fail grade for this assignment. If you turn in something - you pass. If you turn in nothing - you fail.

Also, we will have DPS Benchmark Exams on Monday and Tuesday. I, unfortunately, do not have a study guide for you. If you spend time reviewing your notes from the beginning of the year to now, you should be well prepared. This test will focus on reading comprehension and grammar. Be sure you study your warm-ups and literary terms!

Leave a comment if you have any questions.

OPEN THREAD

If while you are studying you come across any questions and you can't figure out the answer. Ask here. I'll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Homework for 6 and 9 March

Your homework tonight asks that you continue to work on your definition essays. For this assignment, you should use the outline format that I provided for you in class today to outline your essay. Use your prewriting assignment to help you get started. Please bring your outline with you to class on Tuesday/Wednesday as I will use this time to check over your outlines and give guidance about how to move forward with your drafts.

Unfortunately, I cannot post the proper format here on the blog because it messes up the spacing. Come see me for the format if you need help.

New Due Dates!

Because of the snow day earlier this week things are a little off. Here are the new due dates for upcoming tests and projects.

Shakespeare/Drama Projects - Friday the 6th (A day) and Monday the 9th (B day)

Shakespeare Test - Thursday the 12th (A day) and Friday the 13th (B day)

Rough Draft of Definition Essays and Benchmark Exam - Monday the 16th (A day) and Tuesday the 17th (B day)

Final Draft of Definition Essays - Tuesday the 24th (A day) and Wednesday the 25th (B day)

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Tonight's homework is to finish your projects. I will collect these at the beginning of class on Friday/Monday.

Happy Snow Day!!!

It looks like Alaska outside today!

Enjoy your day off - use this day to get a lot of work done on your projects!