Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Homework for A Day Students - 11/30

Russian II-IV

Tonight you should be working on the rough draft (черновик) of your new writing assignment.  Follow the directions on your sheet.  Remember that in some cases (Russian III) you will need to do some research to know what to write for your dialogue.

I expect to see a good faith effort at a draft on Friday so that I can conference with each of you.  Remember that these assignments are meant for you to get your final practice with these concepts before your quiz next week.

If you have any missing quizzes or work then you need to settle that soon.

Russian I

Tonight you have two texts that use the prepositional case so that you can get more practice with this case in Russian.  Read the stories.  Use the vocabulary to help you understand what is going on.  Then, answer the questions as best you can and fill in the blanks.  We'll go over this soon.

Next class we have half of our city presentations.  Those of you presenting, make sure that you have submitted your final project on Google Classroom.

Russian Students - Keep Singing!



English II

Next class will be our last class in the computer lab to work on essays.  Hopefully you will be able to finish a complete rough draft of your work by then.  Tonight, you need to do some reading in Persepolis.  Read the chapter called "The Party" and look at the whole-page panel.  Like we did in class, try to draw out at least four inferences from this panel.  What do they help you to understand about the story?

Also, please return your permission slips.

Sorry for the oversight - B-Day Homework - 11/29

Apologies for not posting this last night before I went home.  Then I got home and visited with my Russian friends and went to bowling and then it was bedtime...anyway...

AP English III

We'll be starting our study of The Crucible by Arthur Miller next week.  This week we're focusing on some necessary skill development and getting some context for Puritan America.  Read Jonathan Edwards's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry G-d" and annotate it heavily.  Look especially at how he is able to use rhetorical devices to suit his purpose.  Identify these and comment on them.  When you've finished, construct two rhetorical triangles for two different audiences.  Remember that he has a specific audience as he is giving his sermon:  How would they respond? How does he appeal to them?  What's another audience?  How does he appeal to them?

Please also secure a copy of The Crucible.  If you don't have one next week we can issue one to you.  We would prefer you buy the Penguin Edition.

English II

Please read "The Party" from Persepolis and draw inferences from the whole-page panel in this chapter.  What is going on in this panel?  Why are these details important?  How do they help Satrapi (the author) accomplish a purpose and send a message?

Next class will be our last class to work on our rough drafts.  You've been doing very well with this work!

Monday, November 28, 2016

Homework for A-Day Students: Welcome Back - 28 November

Russian II-IV

Tonight you should focus on summarizing what you've been learning so far this unit into a simple to read study guide.  Make sure to account for your grammar units so far in this section as well as useful vocabulary related to that grammar.  Additionally, if you did not complete the writing assignment over Thanksgiving Break then you should complete that work for me so that I can see how your writing is doing in Russian.

Russian I

Tonight for homework you have two exercises focused on reviewing the grammar you already know.  In the first exercise on Accusative Case you can only do three of the questions.  Answer the question and state the item in the Accusative Case.  In the second exercise you're working with verbs.  Read carefully, understand, and fill in the blank with a logical verb.

English II

We are going to continue working on our essays over the next few classes.  Keep doing that work.  For tonight, remember to bring back your permission slips for Mr. Miller and to read from Persepolis.  You should read the chapter called "The Letter" and find one panel to record your observations and inferences.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Homework for B-Day: Thanksgiving Break Edition: 22 November

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break everyone!  Don't forget to do your assignments!!!

AP English III:

Make sure that you buy your copy of The Crucible by Arthur Miller over the holiday break (maybe not on Friday though).  Get the edition by Penguin which shows a Puritan woman on the front cover.  We will start the book in December.

Also, make sure that you have spent time with the rhetorical devices and your tone vocabulary.  This will be a focus for us when we return from break.

Lastly, if there are any finishing touches to be made on your websites, make sure that they are made tonight because the grading will start tomorrow!

English II:

Over the break read two chapters of Persepolis - "The Letter" and "The Party".  You could also go back and read what we've skipped over if you want to.  As you read these chapters, pick what you think is the most important panel and do inferences on that panel.  What can you learn from it by just focusing on all of the details.  Take notes, and write out your inferences.

Also, if you want to work on your papers you can - next class we'll spend more time on those.

Lastly, please fill out and return my permission slip so that I can get started on my professional project!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Homework for Thanksgiving Break - A Day - 21 November

English II:

There's no real homework for you to complete over the break but you should keep reading and writing and thinking.  There's an online version of Persepolis if you're interested in that.  You can find it at this link.

Advanced Russian:

Over the break you need to write a brief story using the new grammar (time expressions, imperatives, comparisons), but don't forget what you've already learned.  There's a length requirement based on the different levels.  Twos should write eight to ten sentences.  Threes should write twelve to fifteen sentences.  Four should write twenty (or more) sentences.  Feel free to write about anything that you want, but make it logical.

I'd recommend planning in English first.  Remember to keep it simple.  No translators.

Russian I:

This break I want you to write ten sentences using the nominative and accusative cases.  Use exercise six as a jumping off point.  Use a variety of verbs and items, but be able to understand everything that you write and say.

No translators.  Use the vocabulary that you know.


Friday, November 18, 2016

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 18 November

AP English III

This weekend you should be putting all of your energies into finishing your website projects and preparing to present on Tuesday.  Make sure to share your websites to Ms. McCormick so that she can give help and prepare for the presentations.

In terms of the presentation you will need to be able to discuss your own piece and your analysis of it.  You will also want to contribute to your group's explanation of their argument for the synthesis assignment.

Make sure that you have uploaded all citations for all of your information.  If you need help, you need to ask.

English II

Based on what we completed in class today you should move forward with the planning and writing of your essays.  Start to take your ideas and weave them together into complete thoughts, sentences, and paragraphs.  Don't worry too much right now about having the writing perfect - we'll go through an editing step.  Try to edit what you've already done to make it stronger, then add more.

Also, everyone, don't forget your permission slips for Ms. McCormick.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Homework for A Day Students - 17 November

Advanced Russian

On Monday we have the reassessment on our previous quiz as well as our writing projects.  For the projects, make sure that you have a written artifact to use for your presentation.  Everyone will be speaking aloud - make sure that you've practiced.  You have your rubric, use it to prepare your final drafts.

In terms of other homework, make sure that you are working with the exercises on our new grammar topics.  You should do either the odds or the evens in the exercises to prepare for Monday.  I'd like for us to work through some of the more difficult ones.

Russian I

We now know how to work with two cases - the accusative case and the nominative case.  The exercises will have you practice with these cases.  You should complete exercise one, three, and six.  In exercise one you should translate and identify the subject and the direct object.  In exercise three you should complete the sentences using verbs.  In exercise six, you are given the beginning of a sentence and then items - put those items in the right form to complete the sentence.

Write out your work.

On Monday you will also be reassessing on your verb work.  Hopefully what we've been doing the last few classes has been helpful with that.

English II

If you have permission slips for Ms. McCormick please turn those in to her as soon as you can.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Homework for B-Day Students - 16 November 2016

English II

A few of you were absent on the day we started Persepolis.  Today might not have made too much sense, but the book we're starting is from this country, Iran.  Tonight there's no homework to complete.  If you still have your copy of The Boy Who Dared bring that back.  If you have Ms. McCormick's permission slip, get it signed and bring it back.

For those of you who missed it - see us to get your work from the first chapter of Persepolis.

AP English III

You have your major exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on Friday as well as a novel annotation check.  Be sure that you are prepared.  The exam's sections have been revealed to you and you've practiced and received feedback on all of these types of thinking.  Use that feedback to prepare yourselves.  Do not forget your books or any annotations you have made on Friday.  That would negatively impact your grade.

On Tuesday (day before break) we'll have the presentations of the website projects.  A lot of good discussion was going on today in class - make sure that you follow through on your plans and hold each other accountable.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Homework for 15 November - A Day

Russian II-IV:

Tonight you should be working on the revision of your writing assignment.  I saw some great things today in terms of your grammar and vocabulary.  Make sure that you type, check your spelling, and mark stresses in complicated words to make your reading go better.  Practice reading aloud.  Practice your intonation patterns.  We'll present our work on Monday next week.  Monday will also be our day for any reassessments from the previous quizzes.

Additionally, you will want to review the information in your textbook related to the next grammar unit in your chapter.

  • Russian II Students - Look over the information on the accusative case when using time expressions.  This is covered on pages 205-209.
  • Russian III Students - Look over the information on imperative mood.  This is covered on pages 369-374.
  • Russian IV Student - Look over the information on forming comparisons.  This is covered on pages 504-510.


Lots of fun new grammar for us to be learning!

Russian I

I hope that you enjoyed the film about Russia and the different cities in Russia.  Go forward with tonight's homework.  You have a list of cities and a blank map of Russia.  Using Yandex or Google Maps - find these cities and mark them on the map.  Be sure to label your map.  You should be able to read, write, and locate the city.

We'll be doing research with these cities next class - think about which one you would like to study.

Also, we'll be reassessing on grammar and verb conjugation next week.

English II

Please bring back the permission forms for Ms. McCormick so that she can move forward with her project.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Homework for B-Day - 14 November 2016

It's kinda strange that we have a full week ahead of us.  Is anyone else feeling that?

English II

Today we began our reading of our next major book, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.  We'll continue reading daily and you will have some reading at home to do once we get more comfortable with the book.  For tonight, your homework is to complete your permission slip for Ms. McCormick.  Have your parent sign it and bring it back to us.

AP English III

There are several things on the horizon that you need to start to prepare for.  Here they are in order of nearest to latest.  First, there's your unit test on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on Friday.  After today's class you have a good understanding of what will be on the test.  You have identifications, quote explanations, short answers and rhetorical analysis.  After Wednesday's class you should be feeling much stronger with completing the rhetorical analysis process.

Next week we have our websites.  As a group you should be finishing your synthesis assignment, editing each other's rhetorical analyses, and putting final touches on your sites.  Make sure to check the mock-up and account for all of the moving parts.  Your presentations will be on Tuesday.  In advance, make sure to share your websites with me (daniel_miller (at) dpsnc (dot) net) and with Ms. McCormick (samanthagmcc (at) gmail (dot) com).  Let us know if you need help with your sites.

Lastly, don't forget about Ms. McCormick's form.  Get it signed and bring it back.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 10 November 2016

English II

Today you had your unit exam on genocides and conformity.  Since we had a test today, there's no homework this weekend.  Next week we're going to start working on your first essay assignment of the year and then go on to our new book, a comic book.

Russian I

Continue studying your verbs and nouns from this chapter.  We will be having a reassessment on verb conjugation next class.  Look over your notes and your first quiz and aim to improve.  You'll need to be able to conjugate first and second conjugation verbs.  You also will want to know how to conjugate a verb like "to write" - remember that it does have a mutation.

Secondly, keep practicing the reading of your poems.  Here are links to youtube videos of the different poems so that you can listen and practice.

Poem One
Poem Two
Poem Three
Poem Four
Poem Five

Advanced Russian

Over the weekend you should work on the rough drafts of your presentations.  Remember that you each have different tasks to complete on this assignment.

For Russian II - You need to make a list of items in the dorm room that would be provided to you to live your life.  Then, a bit of research about the university.  The research questions about the university should be answered in complete sentences in Russian.  Remember, no numbers - all numbers must be written as words.

For Russian III - You need to come up with rules and needs for life on campus.  Three areas on campus need to be accounted for - the dorm, a common area (cafeteria/library), and a classroom.  What's possible or impossible?  What should we do?  What do we need?  Use your modal expressions!

For Russian IV - You need to use your verbs of positioning to tell us what to do with our things in different areas.  Make signs and use commands to tell us what to do.  You need to come up with at least five different rules for each area!

We will conference about your work on Tuesday and do a final presentation the class before Thanksgiving Break.  Make sure to use websites related to Moscow State University as you are researching!

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Homework for B Day Students - 9 November 2016

We live to fight another day and move forward together.  Always.

AP English III

Today's class was really focused in on your website projects which are going to be presented by all of you to the class on the 22nd of this month.  Today we began work on the group synthesis assignment.  Now that you know the prompt and the focus of the assignment, it's time to start working.  As a group, decide on your argument - Do you all think that satire has a role in changing a society?  What is that role?  What change is created?

Remember that each of you will write about how your own piece of satire helps to support and develop your team's argument.  In order to do this, you have to have your personal rhetorical analysis done.

You should spend a lot of time with your groups in developing your websites.  The other main goal that you have is to finish your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - we'll go over the final sections of the novel next week in advance of our unit examination on the book.

English II

Today we had our test on the Holocaust and Conformity.  You have no homework tonight.  If you did not return your copy of The Boy Who Dared then please have that for me soon.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Homework for 7 November - A Day

Remember that with tomorrow being Election Day there is no school.  Our next A Day will be on Thursday.  Also, remember to remind your parents (and anyone else you know over 18) to vote.  You can all volunteer to get out the vote!

Advanced Russian

On Thursday you'll be having a vocabulary quiz.  It won't focus at all on grammar, just the spelling and meaning of your new words.  Be prepared for this!

Russian I

You have five poems to begin reading and studying.  Practice regularly and develop your fluency.  All of the poems can be found on YouTube which will definitely help your speaking go up!  Also, remember to prepare for your reassessment on verb conjugation.  Play with your dominoes!!!

English II

Next class we will have our unit examination on Holocaust narratives and conformity.  Make sure that you are studying your notes and your study guides to prepare.  Also, you'll need to bring in your copy of The Boy Who Dared - I'll be collecting those next class.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 4 November 2016

AP English III

We have so much going on in the rest of November to finish up our unit on Satire and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Here are your reminders below:

  1. Rhetorical analysis timed writing will happen on Wednesday - this is your next class day.  Be ready!  You will also start working on the final portion of your websites - the group essay.  Make sure that you have posted and revised your own rhetorical analysis in advance of Wednesday.
  2. You must finish reading and annotating The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by November 14.
  3. Your unit exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is on November 18.
  4. Your Satire Websites will be presented on November 22.
Lots of major grades are coming up!  Make sure that you are moving forward on your websites and in your reading.  You need to support your groupmates as they are working to make you all successful.  This weekend, we will check on the progress of your websites.

Don't forget your moral journey assignments - those are due on Wednesday if you didn't turn it in today.

English II

On Wednesday you will have your Holocaust and Genocide Unit Exam.  Use the study guide that we created today in class as well as your notes and books to help you prepare.  Remember that there will be a short answer question which requires you to write a one paragraph response.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 3 November

Advanced Russian

You will have a vocabulary quiz next week focusing on the new nouns that you are learning in this unit.  For Russian IV this deals with body parts and health vocabulary, Russian III has food items and Russian II has words related to time and counting.  Learn your new words!

Additionally, spend time tonight reviewing the new grammar that we are learning.  Russian IV and III have exercises to complete related to the new topics.  Make sure that as you complete the exercises you are using your notes and your notebooks.  Russian II - you have writing to practice to finish your learning on the Genitive Plural.  Remember that you are writing about five times of the day and what you do at that time.  Write out all numbers as words, don't forget your counting rules.

Russian I

If after today's quiz you feel like you need to reassess on this content, then make sure that you are actively practicing so that you are ready to reassess next week.  Today, we started learning the real meat of the Russian language - cases.  The textbook does a good job of reviewing this information - you may find it helpful to read over pages twenty six through to thirty seven for an overview of cases.

There is also this video taught by a Russian lady named Nadya to overview what we did in class today.  She has some funny examples to help you understand.


English II

As I discussed today we will have our unit exam next week!  It'll cover Hotel Rwanda, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Boy Who Dared, and The Wave.  Start studying now to prepare yourself.  Next class we will have our review game, start on our final essay for the unit, and work on our reading project!  Big days ahead!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Homework for B-Day Students: 2 November 2016

AP English III

In order to prepare for Friday's class there are two things that you need to be working on.  First, you need to continue reading and annotating The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  You will need to be to the end of Chapter Twenty-Eight (the Wilkes episode).  Be sure to focus on the characters of the Duke and the King as well as Huck's moral development in this section.

In terms of your websites you should be working on your individual portion of the site - your analysis of your source material.  In advance of Friday you should upload your rhetorical analysis of your satirical material.  This way your partners will be able to read and give you feedback on your work.  Remember that you are focusing on explaining an author's argument and how the author makes that argument clear to you.  These websites will be presented on the 22nd of November.

English II

For Friday's class make sure that you have finished reading  The Boy Who Dared  and answering the final comprehension questions.  We will be playing our end of unit review game on Friday and preparing for our unit exam which will happen on Wednesday the 9th of November.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Homework for A Day Students - 1 November 2016

Advanced Russian:

Tonight read over the section of the textbook that covers your new grammar for the beginning of the unit.  For Russian II this really just covers page 209.  Remember that you want to be reviewing and studying your nominative case and genitive case endings.  Don't forget your vocabulary.

For Russian III we have the information on modal expressions which is covered on pages 364-369.  You should focus on the usage of the dative and nominative cases in this section as well as the use of the verb "to be".  You also have vocabulary.

For Russian IV there's the information on verbs of positioning.  This is covered on 501-504.  Remember to study your conjugations of the new verbs - there are some weird stems there.  Did I mention your vocabulary work?

Russian I:

You have a quiz next class on verbs and conjugation.  Remember our study guide that we created.  Focus on your chapter one verbs and notes.  Hopefully the constant practice has helped you to determine what to do with a verb and how to do it to form the present tense in Russian.

English II:

You need to finish reading The Boy Who Dared and complete your questions to prepare for our final exam on this first unit.  Make sure that you are ready for your exam which will be happening next week.

Advanced Russian - New Unit Vocabulary

Advanced Russian:

Here are the vocabulary files for your new unit.  Please listen and repeat.  A good practice is listening to the word, spelling it, and then checking yourself as to your accuracy.

Unit 5

Unit 9

Unit 12