Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Homework over Break - ESL English III

ESL English III Students - 

Over break put in some time on your independent books.  We'll be coming back after the break to finish our current book and move on to another more challenging (for many reasons) text.

Enjoy the time off from school.  I'll be interested to hear about how you spend vacation!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Homework over Break - Honors English II

Honors English II Students - 

Over break you need to read "The Letter", "The Party" and "The Heroes" - continue to take your notes on character development as you read.  Additionally, you'll want to spend some time with your personal books too.  Enjoy the break!  Eat lots!

Homework over Break - Russian I

Russian I Students

Over break all of you need to prepare yourselves for your test on vocabulary, verbs, and declensions.  You've received back all of your work with my feedback.  Use this to be prepared for your exam.  Be sure to study your vocabulary for units one and two.  Know how to conjugate verbs.

Please ask for help if you need it.  Underlines below indicate stress!  Wish your families a Happy Thanksgiving in Russian :)

С Днём Благодарения!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Homework over Break! AP English III

AP English III Students,

Remember over break that all you have to do is read to the end of chapter sixteen.  As you're reading, make sure to pay attention to the development of Huck's and Jim's character as well as the relationship between them.  Also continue to note how Twain is continuing to build on his satirical targets in the text.  Is the satire getting more multi-faceted or focused?  How is Twain increasing the severity of his commentary?

Keep on your annotations!  Look for vocabulary!  Read!  Enjoy your break!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Homework for the Weekend - 11/22/2013

Honors English II

Over the weekend I'd like for you to do a few things related to the first four sections of Persepolis.  First, you should go back through and make sure that your notes are in good shape.  Remember that you're supposed to be focusing on the main characters in the family as well as key moments which lead to development in the characters.  Second, I'd like for you to respond to the following prompt in a solid paragraph.  You can use the comments to do your paragraph (which I prefer because we can then see what we think) or you can submit your response on paper.  No matter which route you choose, be sure that you use clear references to the text in order to clarify, develop, and explain your answer.
In Persepolis Marjane Satrapi makes use of light and dark imagery in her panels in order to add meaning to scenes and language.  Investigate one panel (other than one we discussed today in class) and explain how the use of light and dark imagery within the panel helps Satrapi to express to the reader a larger idea within that panel or within the larger text.
As you write this response, please make sure that you cite your panel so that I can refer to the text as I read your response.  Identify the row, frame, and page number so that I know I'm looking at the right thing.  Also, if you have any additional questions please jot those down and bring them to class on Tuesday.

ESL English III

Over the weekend you should prepare for your exam on Tuesday.  Remember that you'll have grammar, questions on Number the Stars, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and you'll have some multiple choice questions.  Study and review so that you are prepared for this examination.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Homework for the Weekend - 11/21/2013

AP English III

Over the weekend your key priority is to prepare for your mini-AP exam on Monday.  For Monday you'll have approximately twenty multiple choice questions and then an argumentative timed writing.  To prepare for this I would suggest the following:

  1. review your vocabulary - especially tone words and rhetorical devices
  2. look over your sample multiple choices, review questions that you missed
  3. review your comments from your first timed writing as well as your summer essay - the same strategies will be useful on the timed writing
For Thanksgiving Break you'll need to read to the end of Chapter 16.  I hope you're enjoying this book, the discussion today was wonderful!  Let's keep it going.

Russian I

You will have another quiz on Monday/Tuesday related to sentence formation and verb conjugation.  Make this better than last time.  Know your verbs.  Know your declensions!  Be ready!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Homework for 11/20/2013 - B Day Students

Honors English II

Tonight you need to read the next two portions of Persepolis for our seminar in class on Friday.  You'll read "The Water Cell" and "Persepolis".  Make sure to pay special attention to the "Persepolis" section as this is the title chapter and thus is very important.

As you are reading, continue to add to your character notes on the main people in the family.  You'll be getting a lot of significant information about them in these chapters.  Also, consider how our discussion of The Koran also helps you to understand how Marjane and her family live their lives.

ESL English III

We'll be discussing the quiz for Tuesday on Friday and making our study guide.  Be ready for that!  Ask any questions that you may have.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Homework for A-Day Students - 11/19/2013

AP English III

First I'm going to repost the video we watched today in class from The Daily Show.  Remember the different elements of satire which we see in this clip, especially understatement and hyperbole.  Don't also to notice the tone and irony at work in the piece.
Now, remember the big question that we started discussing last class - does altering the language significantly alter the text and its meaning?  How does the altering of the illustrations hyperbolically align with the altering of the language and help show the argument of the show?

Also, don't forget to finish the reading.  You've got to be to the end of chapter six with complete annotations.  Be ready for a thorough discussion on Thursday!  Lastly, there's a timed writing waiting for you on Monday before Thanksgiving break!

Russian I

Tonight for homework you need to focus on finishing your writing and your floor plans for Thursday/Friday.  Remember that you will be reading your description of one room aloud to the class.  Don't forget that right now you can only use your possessive pronouns in the nominative case.  If you try to use them in the other cases this won't count against you, but the sentence technically won't be grammatically correct.

Lastly, you'll be reviewing with me next class to get ready for another quiz on sentence formation next week and the new vocabulary.  Be studying!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Honors English II Homework - 11/18/2013

Honors English II

As you saw from our opening discussion on Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis you will need to have a good wealth of background knowledge on Iran and the events surrounding the narrator/author's life as she is heavily impacted by the drastic changes happening in her country, Iran.

In this online homework assignment, you will investigate at least one piece of non-fiction regarding this area of Iran's history, reflect on it, and then continue the conversation.

First - Read/Experience one of these online sources about Iran.  You may choose to explore any or all of them but you must select one for your comment/reflection.

Option I - An audio slideshow reflecting on the lessons of the 1979 Revolution.

Option II - A photo slideshow with informative captions of the important moments and people in the 1979 Revolution.

Option III - An NPR story/interview with an Iranian who remembers and discusses the 1979 Revolution.

Option IV - An article on the American Hostage crisis in Iran related to the 1979 Revolution.

Option V - A brief overview in text of the key players and events in the Revolution.

Second - Post a comment to this post in which you answer the following questions:

  1. What is the author's purpose in writing this article.  Be specific and highlight a purpose linked explicitly to this article.
  2. Explain what the author used in his/her writing/piece to alert you to the purpose.
  3. What did this article help you to understand from the first excerpt of Persepolis?
  4. Post a current event about Iran - there's a lot in the news right now - and explain how your current event continues the conversation with you and the topic of Iran.  What are you continuing to learn?  How are you fighting your preconceptions?
If you cannot post a comment, please do this assignment on paper and turn it in at the beginning of class on Wednesday.  Remember that you can complete this assignment from the school library.  Please sign your post with your name to receive credit.  Assignments are due at 9:00 am on Wednesday 11/20/2013.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Homework for the Weekend - A-Day Students - 11/15/2013

AP English III

This weekend you have a few things to be working on in preparation for our last three classes before Thanksgiving break.  First, you need to read Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" for class on Tuesday.  This is a great piece to investigate the connection between language and identity.  Use that as your main anchor to help you to get through this piece.  The article can be found in 50 Essays or at this address.

Beyond this you will need to complete the reading and annotating of chapters one through six of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Thursday the 21st.  Feel free to read ahead.  Lastly, we will have our second argumentative timed writing on the 25th.  Be prepared for that!

Russian I

Today in class I went over with you our new vocabulary and our new verbs for this unit.  Now you will use this new vocabulary to complete a floor plan project, in Russian.  Follow the instructions on your assignment sheet to the letter.  Remember that you only need to write ten sentences in Russian about three different rooms.  Use your verbs!  Use your notes!  Ask me for help with your writing if you need it.  Floor plans and writing assignments are due on the 21st and 22nd.  You will be presenting on one of your rooms in Russian, so do be prepared to read to the class.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Russian Language Resources

For those of you wanting a bit more help with Russian I wanted to share this great website with you all.

Master Russian

This website has a bevy of material for you from the alphabet all the way up to complex grammar topics we likely won't touch until Russian IV.  Use the links on the left hand side of the page to navigate.  And remember, see me for help.  A lunch on A-day, B lunch on B-day and after school on Thursday and Friday.

Homework for B-Day Students - 11/14/13

Honors English II

This weekend you will begin reading our next major text, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.  I'm very excited to study this text with you as I'm a bit of a comic book nerd.  Over the weekend you need to read the "Introduction" found before the story begins, as well as the chapters called "The Veil" and "The Bicycle".  While you're reading these chapters I really want you to focus on the main characters.  You should take notes on the key characters and their traits as well as any key scenes or moments involving the characters.

In addition, you may want to consider the ideas we discussed today with Allende in her piece "Writing as an Act of Hope."  How do we see that Satrapi is doing what Allende discussed?  There are a lot of commonalities between these two writers which I look forward to discovering with you all.

ESL English III

This weekend you should review your notes on chapters one through seven on Number the Stars.  I think it would be especially important for you to focus on the patterns and the topics we've spent several days discussing.  Next class we will read and discuss chapter eight and hopefully finish The Boy in the Striped Pajamas before preparing for our test.  The test will be on Wednesday the 20th.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Homework for AP English and Russian Students - 11/13/13

AP English III

Tonight you have no homework!  Yay!  You've spent a lot of time finishing up on The Great Gatsby and that definitely paid off in your performances.  I'll have your take-home tests graded and back to you next week.  Remember to have a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for class on Friday.

Russian I

You had a quiz today so you have no homework tonight too.  Remember that even though you don't have anything to turn in you will still want to study and review.  Keep up on your vocabulary and especially study any areas of the test which were difficult for you.  The trick with foreign language classes is that we continue to build on what we've already done.  Study and review so that you can keep learning!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Homework for 11/12/13 - B Day Students

Honors English II

Tonight you officially have no homework as you had an exam today in class.  Unofficially, however, many of you probably need to finish your Siddhartha final projects to show me your symbolic journey.  If you would like for me to review your project, please stop by today (Tuesday) or Wednesday after-school; remember that face-to-face conferences are your only option for this.

On Thursday we will present our projects and then begin on our next major piece, Persepolis which I hope that all of you will enjoy.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Reminders for the Weekend

A-Day Students

I hope your day today was productive with the substitute.  There are a few important reminders for all of you that I want to communicate for you this weekend.

  1. Remember that all classes will have a major grade coming due on Wednesday.  Russian students, you have your quizzes on verbs, sentence formation, and declensions.  Make sure to use the study guide and packet.  Also, remember that I'll be in the building on Tuesday, please come see me if you'd like to review anything.  AP English students, you all have your skit presentations and I'll be collecting your take-home exams.  Be ready for those assignments.
Honors English II Students - Remember that you have your in-class essay assignment on Tuesday.  I'll be collecting your copies of Siddhartha and giving you our next text, Persepolis.  If you're going to purchase your own copy of Persepolis please make sure that you have one before Thursday, for sure.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Homework for the Weekend - B Day Students

Honors English II

Your main goal for this weekend is to prepare for your in-class essay on Siddhartha on Tuesday.  Remember that you will have the full ninety minute period to plan, write, and revise your final product.  To assist you in this, you will be able to enter class with one sheet of paper of notes.  You may use both sides of the paper.  Here is the essay question you will answer for your final exam.

Throughout Siddhartha the main character encounters many teachers who guide him toward enlightenment.  In your opinion, which of these teachers is the most influential in guiding Siddhartha?  How?  Why?  Be sure to fully explain and defend your position using appropriate information from the text.

Remember that in this assignment there really isn't a right answer; it's about defending and proving that your answer is correct.  Defend yourself through your use of the text and your explanation of that text.

ESL English III

No homework this weekend.  I enjoyed seeing your skits today in class.  Please make sure that you keep up with your reading and studying as we continue forward in Number the Stars.  You'll have a test once we hit the midpoint of this book which is coming soon.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Homework for Wednesday - 11/6/2013

AP English III

Remember students that I will not be here on Friday as I will be working on a DPS project for English II Honors classes.  Be good for the substitute.  You'll be watching The Great Gatsby as a means of reviewing the text and seeing your different scenes for your skits.  Remember as you watch these scenes that you should be thinking about how you can reflect some of these same ideas in your own skits.  Your skits will be presented on Wednesday, the 13th.  This is the same day that your take-home exams on The Great Gatsby are due.  Remember what I went over with you in class today regarding this assessment.  Please type your responses and turn in your work on the 13th.  Remember to sign the honor code and submit that and the test paper with your answer document.

Lastly, remember to get a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for Friday the 15th.  If you need me to get you a copy of the text, please let me know.

Russian I

Next class, in my absence, you will get a study and review guide for our quiz next week.  To prepare for that, you should spend time tonight reviewing for this upcoming quiz.  Make sure that you focus on the relationship between verbs and cases.  Know which verb triggers which case or cases and what the difference in meaning is between those different case usages.  In addition, be sure that you review your declension chart and endings so that you have a good knowledge of those endings in making your sentences.  You also will want to be sure that you can complete first and second conjugations.

Your quiz will be on the 13th and 14th of next week.  Remember that I am here after-school for help with Russian on Thursdays.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Homework for B-Day Students: 11/15/2013

Honors English II

Tonight for homework you only have one chapter to read "Om" which is a pretty quick chapter.  As you read, make sure to pay attention for the moment when Siddhartha really changes.  Consider what causes his inner change.  How do we know as readers that he has changed and found enlightenment?

Further, be reminded that next week will be a very busy week for all of you.  On Tuesday you'll have your in-class essay.  Review your writing notes from today and from the first nine weeks.  Remember what you're trying to accomplish in the essay.  You can't really prepare until next class when I give you the question for the in-class essay.  On Thursday of next week you'll have the presentation of your Siddhartha final projects.  Tonight and this week allow you a lot of chances to get a lot of work on these projects done.  Remember to ask for help if you need it.

ESL English III

No homework for tonight.  Next class we will be finishing our scripts and then presenting these dialogue skits.  I look forward to seeing what you have all come up with!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Homework for Monday - 11/4/2013

AP English III

Tonight for homework you have a few things to accomplish.  I'm going to list them here for you and then go over a few details with each assignment.

  1. Finish your annotations of The Great Gatsby.  Make sure that you have really spent time looking at your covers and that you have page number references for characters.
  2. Work on your scripts.  Remember that you should have a Google Doc which is shared amongst the group so that you can work on it without being in the same room.  Your script is already written in the pages of your text.  You just need to redo it as an actual script.  Remember to add notes as to tone and stage directions.
  3. Read Joan Didion's "On Keeping a Notebook" - you can find it in 50 Essays or you can find it here.  This is a very beautiful piece about writing.  As you read it, you may want to reflect on the way in which Nick has told us this story.  Essentially we are reading his notebook.  
  4. Remember that you need your copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Friday, November the 15th.
Russian I

Tonight you should spend time working on your sentences for your dialogue activity.  Remember that next class you'll have approximately twenty minutes to finish your dialogue and then you will present.  Use as much vocabulary as you can.  Use verbs!  Make complete sentences.  This is wonderful practice for your quiz next week on the 13th and 14th.  Your quiz next week will really be focused on the verbs we are learning in this unit.  Study!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Homework for the Weekend - B Day Students - 11/1/2013

Happy November Everyone!  Here are your reminders for the weekend:

Honors English II

This weekend you have to read the next two chapters of Siddhartha, "The Ferryman" and "The Son".  As you read these chapters, be sure to pay attention to the character of Vasuveda.  He's a significant person in this text made even more significant by the fact that he is introduced to us so close to the end of the text.  Furthermore, continue to draw links and connections between the ideas that you are seeing in this text.  You all did some great thinking today in class related to the overall messages in this text.  Keep doing that work.

ESL English III

This weekend's assignment is an extra credit opportunity for you.  Using your vocabulary from chapters four and five which you collected in class I want you to write a brief story (8-12 sentences) using at least six of the new words from your lists.  Make sure that you underline your new words when you use them.  Also be sure that you know the meaning of the word.  You will not get credit for using a word if you use it incorrectly.