Homework for the Weekend/Monday - 11/30 and 12/3

Some important reminders for all of you to be aware of this weekend and Monday to prepare for Tuesday/Wednesday's classes.

First, all of you will be getting official progress reports on Tuesday/Wednesday.  I expect that you will take these home and get them signed so that I know that you have been in communication with your parents.  If you receive any additional paperwork to take home, I expect that you will also return that to me.

Freshman Focus

No homework for the weekend; we will have an assignment related to the Utopian School Projects on Tuesday/Wednesday night, so do be prepared for that.

AP English III

Over the weekend you need to be working on meeting your next reading goal which is to be to the end of chapter twenty-two by the class on Thursday/Friday.  This next section is vitally important in Huck's development.  Also, we will begin on our major project related to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and satire.  Make sure that your google accounts are active.

Next class you will have your first rhetorical analysis.  Prepare by reviewing your notes.  This will be a prompt you've never seen before, but the process is always the same.  Just be sure that you're ready.  Remember - car and driver - you've got to have both.  While you complete the timed writing I will be grading your journals and your vocabulary bookmarks. 

English IV

Now that we've finished reading 1984 I want you to tell me what you thought of it.  Please answer the following question in a one page response, using clear details from the text to explain your opinion. 

What did you think of 1984?  Why?

 

I will be collecting this assignment for a grade on Tuesday/Wednesday.  Also, if you have any tests that need to be turned in or any other make up work to turn in, get that done this weekend too as the window to submit those assignments will soon be closed.  And by soon, I mean Tuesday/Wednesday, after I give out progress reports.

Homework for 11/28 and 11/29

Apologies for not posting your assignments last night.  Here are your reminders to prepare for Friday/Monday.

Freshman Focus

Your presentations will be next class.  We will begin presentations right when class begins so if there is any preparation that needs to be done in advance it needs to happen over the weekend.  Remember that there will be two grades here, your shared group grade for the powerpoint and then your individual grade for the presentation.  Your individual grade will also include your question and answer session in which I test your knowledge of your content.  Make sure that you are fully prepared.

AP English III

There are a few things going on over the next few days, here we go.  First, you need to give me your gmail account using the form in the previous post if you haven't already done that.  I need this information soon because we will begin our website project and that project will require the use of a gmail account for ease of creation.  Second, we will have a timed writing on Tuesday/Wednesday.  The timed writing will be a rhetorical analysis.  We've spent several classes preparing for this new task; I look forward to seeing what you all produce for me.  Remember that timed writings do count as a test grade.

Third, you need to stay on your grind, and by grind I mean reading schedule.  Remember that your next checkin is to be to the end of chapter sixteen, there was a misprint (my mistake) on your bookmarks.  Fourth, I will be checking your vocabulary bookmarks for completion on Friday/Monday.  I expect to see words from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Great Gatsby on these bookmarks.  Fifth, and very lastly, make sure that you've reviewed the reading by Sojorner Truth for a brief discussion and review on Friday/Monday.  There are a few important ideas that I want to go over with you all related to how Truth uses rhetoric to persuade her audience.

English IV

Today in class we had a great conversation related to the next to last chapter as well as some of the big ideas in this text:  power, humanity, authority, and truth or reality.  These ideas are all some that you can incorporate into your papers if you wish.  Tonight, you need to begin your first portion of your paper - your thesis statement.  On Friday/Monday I will conference with each of you about your thesis statement and we will make sure that you're starting off on a good point - then we'll move to the next phase of the essay which is collecting evidence and organizing it.

Essays are challenging because of all of the pieces that must be done in order for the essay to be successful.  This will be a very major test grade for you this quarter, please make sure that you meet your goals and are working hard to accomplish this.

Homework for Thanksgiving Break

All classes have something to accomplish over break.  Please follow the guidelines below to ensure that you come back to school with all of your deadlines met.

Freshman Focus

Over the break I would suggest putting some work into your powerpoints on your Utopian School.  Remember that we will only be in the computer lab for two more classes before we do presentations.  I don't want any of the groups to be left in the lurch, so make sure that you're meeting your goals.  Also, remember that each member of the group needs to be an "expert" on one portion of the school design and implementation.  Each person will have to answer questions, be sure that you've shared your ideas and have good answers.

AP English III

With the student surveys today we did not get through nearly as much as I wanted to; apologies for that.  Over the break you need to keep moving forward in your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Remember that you should develop your focus on characters as well as topics and motifs.  If I were to check your annotations when we get back from break, I would like to make sure that a full character list is in your front cover. 

In addition to reading your bit in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, you're also going to read Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" - located in 50 Essays or at this link.  Continue to pay attention to the ideas of language and identity.  We'll be discussing this in comparison to Tan before we begin to crack open Twain. 

English IV

Over break I would like for you to read chapters three and four of Book Three in 1984.  To help you with your reading I want you to complete the dialectical notebook assignment.  For every two pages you should record one quotation and then write down your thoughts or reflection on the quotation.  There are some ideas to consider or questions to ponder to help you with the writing of your reflection on the quotes.  I will collect your quotes and reflections for a grade.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I'll see you when we get back together next week!

Homework for the Weekend - 11/15 and 11/16

Below are your reminders for the weekend.  Please continue to work hard, meet your deadlines, and ask for any assistance that you may need from me.

Freshman Focus

I've been really happy to see all of you working hard in your groups to accomplish the goals of your Utopian School project.  On Monday you will have another good chunk of time to continue working and planning your schools.  Please make sure that you are being an active member of your group and working well with others to accomplish your shared goal.  Furthermore, remember that you will need to incorporate Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs into the discussion of your school.  You will want to focus on that as we continue to move forward. 

AP English III

Today I gave you your homework from now until Winter Break - your reading schedule for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Be sure that you meet your deadlines.  Also, be aware that it is better to be ahead than behind - Read ahead especially over Thanksgiving Break!  Over the weekend you will need to meet your first reading goal as well as read the article "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan.  The article is in 50 Essays and at this link.  As you read the article think about the ideas of language and its connection to a person's identity, just like Twain began to develop in his "Explanatory" before the novel began.  Furthermore, you will want to continue to annotate your texts and glean vocabulary from all of the pieces you read.  You should begin to prepare yourselves for another Bookmark check soon!

English IV

If you did not finish your collage/interpretation assignment, you will want to make that a priority over the weekend.  Also, I would like for you to read Chapter II of Book Three.  This is a very long chapter, so I would like to provide you with some areas to focus on in your reading.  Look primarily for the ideas of power, truth, and memory.  Most of this chapter takes place as a dialogue between Winston and O'Brien, so it should read pretty quickly. 

I think that does it.  Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Homework for All Classes - 11/13 and 11/14

Dear Students!  It's time for another short week here at school before we have a super short week next week.  Keep working hard before the Thanksgiving break and you will be rewarded!  Here are your reminders for tonight:

Freshman Focus

Next class we will be spending a majority of our class time working on the in class group project.  I liked seeing the discussions today and noticing the different directions that all of the groups were taking.  Remember that the goal is to meet all of the needs in the Hierarchy while still providing a quality education.  I look forward to seeing what you all come up with.

AP English III

You all should take some time to relax tonight as you've just completed a major assessment.  I hope that you all found that this test was one you were well prepared for due to your annotations, reading, and your discussion of the text.  Remember that for next class you will need to have a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (I'll have some that you can check out) and you will need to have your vocabulary slides completed.  I will be grading the slides immediately after class, so no late work will be accepted.  Links to upload your slides are in the previous posts.  Make sure that you complete the proer assignment - one for A-day and one for B-day.  Don't get it twisted.

English IV

Tonight I would like for you to finish reading Chapter One of Book Three.  We will move quickly through the final section of the novel as it reads very fast.  Soon we will be beginning our final essay on this book and putting our skills at writing and communication to the test.  I look forward to seeing what all of you prepare for me.  In addition, be reminded that you will have a quiz next class on Chapter One.  Consider yourselves warned.

Homework for 11/5 and 11/7

We've got tomorrow off for Election Day!  I hope that you all encourage your parents and older relatives to vote.  I hope that those of you who may be too young to vote go out and volunteer to help get out the vote.  At the very least, make sure that you do the following.

Freshman Focus

There is no homework for tonight.  We will finish watching Two Million Minutes next class and you will have a writing assignment connected to this film.  Be ready for that.

AP English III

In the next post I will put up the beginnings for your vocabulary slides.  You may want to go ahead and get started on these, but remember that they won't be graded until the 15th and 16th.  For tonight you should be prioritizing your The Great Gatsby skits as well as studying for your exam on the novel.  Remember that each group will need to submit an extra copy of their skit to me in order to get full credit.  We will present our skits next class, be ready with all required materials at the beginning of the period.

English IV

Next class you have your exam on Book II of 1984.  We spent a good amount of time today going over what will be on the test and preparing for that.  Make sure that you are ready for this exam.  Study your vocabulary, study your notes, and prepare your book so that it's a good resource for you.

I think that's it.  Enjoy your day tomorrow!

Homework for the Weekend - 11/1 and 11/2

Freshman Focus

Now that we've finished our debate on education I would like for you all to review your experience and write a reflection. For the reflection, please answer the following questions:

1. Overall, how was this experience for you? What would you do differently next time? What do you think you did well?

2. Which team won the debate? Why did they win?

3. If we do another debate in class, what can I do to make the experience better for you?

Please answer the three questions in a brief paragraph for each. When you've finished, make sure that you turn in your work to me on Monday/Wednesday morning.

AP English III

I've gone ahead and given you the outline for your second vocabulary assignment - the vocabulary slides. I'm putting the link here so that you can review the required information needed on the slide. Be sure to use dictionary.com or the Oxford English Dictionary in my classroom to find the required information. This will be officially assigned to you on Monday/Wednesday.

The real assignment you have this weekend is the Woolf/Petrunkevitch tone compare/contrast assignment. To complete this assignment you must first complete the graphic organizer to find evidence from each piece. Then, you will create your one to two page assignment. With this assignment, don't focus on making a thorough essay - focus on creating your argument, proving the argument with evidence from the two pieces, and then conclude. Remember that the assignment is about comparing and contrasting the tone of the author - stay focused on the prompt. You will want to add complexity to your argument by coming to a decision as to why each author uses their particular tone.

These tone assignments and graphic organizers will be collected on Monday/Wednesday. No late assignments will be accepted. We're past that point.

English IV

For homework over the weekend you have two tasks to complete. First, you need to finish your quotation analysis from chapter ten if you did not finish it in class. If you did finish it, great! All you have to do is the test review. We will be having our test on Book II of 1984 on Thursday and Friday next week. To prepare, I would like for you all to do a bit of review and preparation for me. You will be writing sample test questions for Book II. I would like for you to write:

• one short answer question
• four multiple choice questions with answers

We will use these to begin our test review on Monday/Wednesday. You will be graded on this, so make sure that you have completed this assignment before you walk in.

Homework for All Classes - 10/30 and 10/31

Happy second nine weeks!  Now that we've gotten off to a good start it's time to continue moving forward into the rest of the year.  Here are your reminders for all classes:

Freshman Focus

Next class will be our final class in the computer lab.  I would ask that you be prepared to either submit your final project (the career brochure) at the end of our computer time tomorrow or at our class immediately following that.  We will also continue our debate next class with the refutation and closing statements.  Be sure that you've participated to earn full credit for this activity.

AP English III

I was happy to see all of you dive right in to this The Great Gatsby skit assignment.  Remember to work effectively with your group members to accomplish and create a strong and thorough skit.  Make sure that you follow the guidelines in the assignment sheet.  Remember that this will count as a major grade for you and serve as your review before your exam on The Great Gatsby.

Besides working on your skit, I'd like for you to finish reading The Great Gatsby tonight.  You should take this time to finish up your annotations and continue working on vocabulary.  Next class we will be spending a good amount of time discussing "The Death of the Moth" and the final chapters of The Great Gatsby.  Be prepared for a quickly moving class on Thursday/Friday.

English IV

Tonight I want you to finish reading Book Two - but I don't want you to read all of chapter nine.  Only focus on reading pages 148-151, 164-165, and 179.  The other pages of the chapter are Goldstein's book and I don't think that you don't need to understand these portions to understand the book.  You also are going to want to focus on studying your vocabulary.  We'll soon have our Book Two test, which will be structured very similarly to your first test.  Try not to repeat the same mistakes.

Homework for 10/25 and 10/29

You can look at this as either your last homework assignment of the first nine weeks or your first homework assignment of the second nine weeks.  Either way, as long as you get your tasks completed, we'll all start off on the right note.

Freshman Focus

Next class we will be returning to the computer lab to continue constructing our career pamphlets.  I think that most of you will probably finish during this time.  I would also like to remind you that we will be doing the opening statements of our debate.  I think that the groups have clarified what they are trying to argue; I would remind you that this is a team effort.  Make sure that you are being an active participant.

AP English III

This weekend/Monday you've got a few things to take care of for me.  First, I'd like for you to read chapter eight of The Great Gatsby.  As we're now moving to the conclusion of the novel, I would remind you that you want to start seeing how Fitzgerald is tying up his loose ends and creating a message on these different topics and motifs.  Continue to annotate heavily and update your covers and vocabulary bookmarks.

Additionally, I would like for you to read Virginia Woolf's "The Death of the Moth" - this piece is available in 50 Essays or also at this link.  Be sure to annotate this piece and feel free to use it to stock your vocabulary bookmarks.  After you read this piece, take another look at the description of Myrtle's death scene.  There are some interesting parallels.

Lastly, I gave you your skit assignment today - think about what you'd like to do and who you'd like to work with; don't worry about making any progress on these assignments yet -- we'll start on that Tuesday/Wednesday of next week.

English IV

This weekend I'd like for you to read chapters seven and eight of 1984.  Continue to watch Julia, Winston, and O'Brien as they start to form different relationships and push the ideas in the text further.  We will soon start wrapping up this book.  Be sure to be prepared for any pop reading quizzes!

Homework for the Weekend and Monday - 10/19 and 10/22

We're about to begin our final week of the first nine weeks!  Pay attention to the details below and finish strong!

Freshman Focus

Tonight for homework I'd like for you finish reading the New York Times article about paying students for their success in school.  On Tuesday/Wednesday we will participate in a small debate which will attempt to answer the following question:

Is this method a useful and effective one for dealing with the issue of laziness in American students?

Remember that we will begin our day in the computer lab across the hall working on more research for our career projects.

AP English III

Over the weekend you have a few things to prepare.  Let's go through those in the order of their importance:

1.  Your revised summer essays are due on Tuesday/Wednesday.  In order to receive credit you must submit the original essay with your rubric.  I have to see your improvements in order to score your work again.

2.  Your vocabulary bookmarks will be checked.  You need to have twenty entries - all with page numbers and personal definitions.

3.  You need to read chapter six of The Great Gatsby - remember to focus on the idea of the past and time as you read.  Use that as a lens to help you interpret the chapter.

I'll be here very late on Monday - feel free to make an appointment with me if you need additional assistance before the due date.  I will not be available for help over e-mail this weekend or on Tuesday.

English IV

Before next class I would like for you to read chapters four and five of 1984.  While you read, I would suggest taking notes due to the fact that you will have a reading quiz on these chapters when we see each other next class.  The quiz will likely be one of your final grades of the nine weeks.

All classes - You will be getting progress reports on Tuesday/Wednesday which will be updated to that date.  This provides you a chance to see where you stand before the quarter ends.

Homework for the Weekend 10/11 and 10/12

It's crazy to think that we've had almost a full nine weeks of class already.  Remember to catch up if you're falling behind, especially with the end of the quarter coming so quickly.

Freshman Focus

Today in class most students finished their essays and then we began to present essays to the class.  We will continue this on Monday/Tuesday.  Please make sure that your essay is complete, it is correctly formatted, and that you have submitted all of your drafts.  These essays will likely be your last major grade for the quarter - be sure to make it count!

AP English III

I was very impressed to see you all getting so quickly into The Great Gatsby and unlocking a lot of meaning connected to the characters.  We didn't have a chance to work through the first two chapters, so we'll hold that off until Monday/Tuesday.  For the weekend, I would like for you to read Stephanie Ericsson's "The Ways We Lie" which is in 50 Essays or at this link.  Be sure to read carefully and annotate.  Also, you should read chapter three of The Great Gatsby.  It's my hope that next week we will begin to pull together some of these ideas and have some really amazing conversations.

Lastly, don't forget that the window for revised essays is closing soon.  Make sure that you are actively working to revise your summer essays and submit them for a new score.  Submissions must be turned in by 10/23 and 10/24.

English IV

Next week you will have your propaganda projects collected.  Please make sure that you are putting time and effort into these projects as they will count as a large major test grade.  Over the weekend you should put time into your explanation of the poster.  Explain what message you are trying to convey to the viewer of the poster and how it is that you are communicating that message.  Be sure to focus on the details of your poster.  Also, continue moving forward in Book Two of 1984.  Read chapter three and continue to note the changes in Winston as he and Julia's relationship continues to develop.

I'll see you all on the flip side!

Homework for 10/9 and 10/10

Now that you have had a bit of time off from your first test, it's time to get back to business.  Here are some reminders for all of you as we move foward.

Freshman Focus

You have now completed the first draft of each part of your essay.  What you need to do is to begin putting the two parts together with the feedback you've received from your peers.  In class on Wednesday/Thursday we will be returning to the media center to finish our drafts.  Make sure that no matter what, you are prepared to present your draft on Monday/Tuesday the 15th/16th as this will be the day that your essays will be collected.

AP English III

I hope that you all enjoyed the discussion today on art and culture in the 1920's.  I was happy to see that many students who haven't participated that much began to open up and share to create knowledge in the room.  Please continue to open up - it's more fun that way.  For tonight, I would like for you to finish reading chapter one and two of The Great Gatsby.  As you read, continue to annotate.  Look especially at information for your front and back covers and continue to build on the ideas we've been discussing.  Show me what you can come up with and be an active reader.

English IV

I was impressed with what you all were seeing in our reading circle today about Winston, Julia, their budding relationship, and the society in which they live.  Tonight, I want you to finish reading chapter one of book two - continue adding to your notes and observations regarding our two characters and the questions I posed for you at the beginning of class.  After you finish chapter one, please continue on to chapter two.

It would also be a good idea to review your new vocabulary words as these will be asked about soon on a quiz.

Homework for 9/25 and 9/26

Students,

I'm out of the building tomorrow in observance of Yom Kippur.  B-day students, I hope that you enjoy your day with the substitute.  Below are your reminders of what you need to have accomplished before you enter class on Thursday/Friday.

Freshman Focus

For Thursday's class we will be seeing several presentations depicting your ideas of the second part of Family Man.  On Thursday you'll have ten minutes to prepare and then we will go through our scenes.  Remember that you need to have a copy of all three skits to turn into me.  You also will want to have props and costumes for your characters as well as any backgrounds or music.  Remember that everyone needs to have a role in the presentation in order to get credit.  You'll be graded as a group on your scripts and then individually on your acting.

AP English III

On Thursday/Friday I'll be collecting your journals for this first nine weeks as well as your tone analysis assignments.  Let me review for you a few of the important aspects of the tone assignment.

1. You're going to want to structure both an argument and a paragraph clarifying your argument.
2. Your argument should pass the DADS test.  Part of what I'm assessing is that you have embraced this idea.
3. I will want to see clear explanation of details from the paragraph you've chosen to help support your argument.  Remember to make connections and explain them.
4. I'm looking forward to seeing how you all have begun to improve as writers from bootcamp.

English IV

We will be finishing our discussion of Book One of 1984 on Thursday/Friday.  Make sure that you've finished reading to the end of chapter eight to be ready for this.  Also, you will want to make sure you've spent time studying your vocabulary lists.  There will be a vocabulary section on your Book One test.  Lastly, make sure your journals are in order and all the entries are finished as I'll be collecting those too.

Progress reports will go out on Thursday/Friday after I return.

Apologies for Posting Late! Homework for 9/22 and 9/24

Again, apologies everyone!  Here are your reminders for what you need to accomplish before our next class on Tuesday/Wednesday.

Freshman Focus

There is a very important thing you should all be aware of - progress reports are going out next week.  Some of you are missing some assignments, including your Future Autobiography project.  Make sure that you get these assignments done and turned in as soon as possible.  Over the weekend you may want to spend some time working on your skits project.  Consider props and costumes for your character to use during your presentation.  You will have time to work on this more on Tuesday/Wednesday, but you should really attempt to be to the point where you are practicing with your group in class on Tuesday/Wednesday.

AP English III

For our next class I would like for you to begin putting our work from bootcamp into your composition.  I would like for you to take a very close look at one of Dr. King's paragraphs from his "Letter" - take a special look at tone.  Determine what King's tone is and then show me what King uses to develop and make his tone clear to the reader.  Make sure to stay focused just on one paragraph and stay focused on tone.  You should open your piece with an argument about what King's tone is and then prove that argument to be true using evidence from the paragraph under consideration.  The idea here is to focus focus!

English IV

We are going to get into the final bit of Book One of 1984.  Some very exciting things happen to Winston, especially as we get ready to get into Book Two.  We're going to start focusing on a lot of the literary elements of the text and focus in on writing as we move forward.  Continue finding ways to get interested in this text.  Many of you are doing very well in understanding what Orwell is creating in this book.  Read chapter six and seven of 1984 and we will discuss them on Tuesday/Wednesday. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Homework for 9/19 and 9/20

Happy middle of the week, everyone!  A few assignments and pieces for you to consider tonight to prepare for Friday/Monday. 

Freshman Focus

You all have two things due for Friday/Monday.  First, you will need to be sure that you complete the Family Man viewing guide and have all questions thoroughly answered.  This will count as a larger classwork grade, so be sure that it reflects your best work.  The second thing to complete is your Future Autobiography Comic Assignment.  Follow the instructions on the planning guide.  On Friday you will have approximately twenty minutes to put any finishing touches on your work and then we will present.  Each member of the class will be expected to present one comic strip and explain how it shows your personal definition of success.  The presentation will count as a part of your overall grade on the assignment.

AP English III

I want all of you to remember that we are starting a hard journey today.  The journey to improve your writing, which is one of the most important things I can do for all of you.  Remember that I'm always here on Monday and Wednesday afternoons to give personal assistance or guidance if you need it.  Next class we are going to spend some time discussing arguments/thesis statements and then we will go into the King piece thoroughly. 

To add some depth to our discussion of Dr. King I'd like for you to read another piece by Thoreau which can be found here.  This piece is heavily excerpted, but you should be able to do the following:  read it, annotate it, uncover his argument, and compare his piece to that of Dr. King.  Understanding Thoreau will help you to make some leaps to Transcendentalism, which is of course important.

English IV

As we are beginning to explore some of the more significant elements of 1984, I want you tonight to take a bit of time to reflect on what you've learned today about North Korea.  In a one paragraph response I want you to explain to me (1) what is most surprising to you about North Korea, and then (2) explain why that element is so surprising to you.  As we move to Friday/Monday we will begin our first project on propaganda and continue reading to the next section of the book. 

As always, if you have questions - please ask!

Homework for the Weekend 9/13 and 9/14

We've finally started to hit our stride a bit this year.  At least I feel like I have finally gotten back into the swing of school.  Here are some reminders for all of you this weekend.

Freshman Focus

Over the weekend you should spend some time working on your first project grade, your future autobiography comic strip assignment.  As we went through the instructions today it's important that you realize that each moment of success needs to have its own comic strip.  All together, these comic strips will create your future autobiography.  You're not going to be graded on your artistic skills, but I do want to see that they're neat, colorful, focused on your moments of success, and that you're showing me the process which leads to your moment of success in each strip.  You'll have some time to work on these assignments in class on Wednesday/Thursday.  They'll be due on Friday/Monday.

English IV

Over the weekend you will need to read to the end of chapter five in preparation for your first quiz on 1984.  I'm going to ask you questions about the major moments of the plot, the characters, some interpretation questions about important quotes, and your opinion on some of the major issues that this book as raised in class.  There may also be some questions related to the article we read in class about the government's surveillance center.  The quiz will be open book and open note.  Remember that my goal is not to trick you but to see what you know and think about this book.

Make sure that over the weekend you read to the end of chapter five which happens around page fifty-five.

AP English III

I hope that all of you in all of these conversations that we're having in class are starting to see connections between the different elements of the philosophy of Transcendentalism and the different pieces of literature we've been studying.  Over the weekend I want you to read an annotate Dr. King's "Letter from a Birmingham City Jail" - it can be found in 50 Essays or at this link.  As you read, look for the elements of the philosophy which we've been discussing in class.  Use those as your anchors and notice as well what Dr. King's argument is and how he goes about proving his argument.  We will not discuss this piece until Wednesday/Thursday, but do have it prepared.

I think that's all.  Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Homework for 11/12 September

All classes have something to accomplish outside of class before we see each other again, feel free to ask any questions about the assignments in a comment or via e-mail.

Freshman Focus

I would like for all of you to spend some more time thinking about your values and the values of the people around you.  For the Values Venn Diagram assignment I would like to see you compare and contrast your values to those of your Parent/Guardian and one of your friends.  Ask then what they value and then consider any similarities or differences.  Remember that for each person you must consider a minimum of five values.  There are ideas on that sheet as well as other values which we've discussed earlier in the week.

English IV

For homework tonight I would like for you to continue reading Book One of 1984.  This will take you to page thirty-four in our editions.  As you read, continue to be on the lookout for new vocabulary words to learn and new insights about Winston's society.  I was pleased with what you all were noticing today in class and the connections that you were able to make.  I look forward to seeing what other observations you make as we move forward.  Also be aware of the fact that we will have a quiz on this opening part of the book next week.  It would be a good idea to prepare by reviewing.

AP English III

For tonight I want you to continue chewing on Transcendentalism and read one of the most important pieces in this movement.  Tonight you'll read "Where I Lived and What I Lived For" by Thoreau.  This is in 50 Essays and can be found at this link.  Please read and annotate the text and then answer question four from 50 Essays.  The question asks you to consider something like the railroad from Thoreau's text (an object created to be useful but which actually creates a burden in our lives).  I want you to think of a similar object and consider the reasons why this object is burdensome instead of helpful.  Written responses to this question should be no longer than a page (typed, double spaced) and should be ready to be collected at the beginning of class.

9/3 - English IV Homework

Seniors:

This weekend I'd like for you to spend some time and reflect on what we've gone over so far in 1984. Please respond to one of the following prompts either in the google group discussion board or on paper. Make sure that you have responded before class on Tuesday! I will collect any paper responses then. The prompts are given for you below:


1. In "Welcome to North Korea" it is possible to see many connections between the society and culture in 1984 and that of North Korea. What do you think is the most interesting similarity? Why is this similarity important? What does reading a text like 1984 do to help readers understand life in a totalitarian society?

2. Throughout book one of 1984 the reader is introduced to the world of Winston through a distinct third person narrator. There are several areas in the text where the narrator presents seemingly shocking events as if they were completely normal. However, there are also several places where the narrator presents very everyday scenes in a way that makes the event seem abnormal. Find an example of this in the text and comment not only on the scene presented, but also the way that Orwell uses tone and diction to send a subtle message to the reader about the world presented in 1984.

3. Many readers argue that Orwell's use of irony is one of the most important elements of this text, that without the irony in this story, the novel would not function. Find a scene or moment in the text that is particularly ironic and comment on the importance not only of the scene but also on the importance of irony in this scene. What effect does Orwell's use of irony have on this text as a whole up to this point?

Finally - you will have a quiz/test on Book One on WEDNESDAY! Use the opportunity over the weekend to collect any questions that you may have so that you can get some clarification on Tuesday in class. If you have any problems completing the homework assignment, let me know as soon as possible so that we can try to work that out.

Homework for 8/31

Freshmen:

Tonight for homework you need to read both parts of The Autobiography of Malcolm X and complete the worksheet. Answer the questions on the worksheet like notes. We will go over the piece and the worksheet in class on Thursday/Friday.

Seniors:

Tonight I would like for you to read and annotate 1.5. Tomorrow in class we will be discussing and reviewing 1.2-1.5; make sure that you are ready for this by reviewing your annotations and your reading from the past few days. It looks to me that a lot of you are starting to figure out some really interesting things in this text - keep working.

Also, make sure that you join the google group! If you haven't given me your gmail address yet, please e-mail it to me. Once you've done that, check this account for your invitation to the group.

Homework - 8/30

Seniors:

I think that we had a really great discussion today in class. It's obvious to me that you are reading and doing a lot of thinking as you read. For tonight, read 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 - be sure that you annotate as you read.

Also, get your gmail account established and e-mail me or in some way give me the address. I have been sending out group invitations for our google group to these e-mail addresses. If you have gotten an invitation, please join by Wednesday! We are going to start using this group later this week.

If you have any questions - feel free to ask!