PHEW! It is now 4th period, thus, for me it is now Spring Break. I hope that all of you have a relaxing time and stay safe.
Freshmen: Over break you should use web resources to do some more research for your project. Honors students should move on to your new topic of research; Standard students should continue to research your first topic. The document for the project is a few posts back and there is also the link to the links on the Jordan website for this project. I will be looking for ten new notecards when you return from break. I'm not requiring that you read Romeo and Juliet over break - but getting ahead is always a good idea. We will return from break on an A-day.
Juniors: I was pretty impressed with the conversations going on in class today. Over break you will need to meet your group goals. Read your books and focus on your motifs/characters. When we get back we will finish up on Transcendentalism and then have a test on this on the Thursday or Friday after break.
If over break you need any help, feel free to e-mail; though it may take me some time to get back to you.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Juniors - Homework for 4/14/2011
Juniors:
Tomorrow in class I will be collecting your Crucible/Mean Girls papers. I've appreciated the fact that a lot of you have come to see me to review your drafts. For tomorrow, I only need to collect your final draft - not any of the preliminary materials. I will also be collecting a completed vocabulary bookmark from each of you, be sure that you have twenty new words all defined with their source. Tomorrow's class will be spent working in your groups. I will spend some time getting you started and then you will have approximately seventy minutes to work together to discuss your novel and to begin planning your upcoming paper/lesson. I look forward to a very productive day with all of you tomorrow.
Tomorrow in class I will be collecting your Crucible/Mean Girls papers. I've appreciated the fact that a lot of you have come to see me to review your drafts. For tomorrow, I only need to collect your final draft - not any of the preliminary materials. I will also be collecting a completed vocabulary bookmark from each of you, be sure that you have twenty new words all defined with their source. Tomorrow's class will be spent working in your groups. I will spend some time getting you started and then you will have approximately seventy minutes to work together to discuss your novel and to begin planning your upcoming paper/lesson. I look forward to a very productive day with all of you tomorrow.
Freshmen - Homework over the Break!
Freshmen:
Over the break I am expecting that you will take the time to do some more research on your project. Honors students should begin to move on to their second topic of research; remember that the topics are listed under "Writing Topics" in the document in the previous post. You are more than welcome to use internet and book sources as you research - just make sure that your information is sound and accurate. Please remember to use the links on the Jordan website, which you can access by clicking this link. Those websites are categorized and geared toward this project.
When you get back I'm looking for ten new notecards. Get it knocked out tonight, and you have no English work to do over the break.
Over the break I am expecting that you will take the time to do some more research on your project. Honors students should begin to move on to their second topic of research; remember that the topics are listed under "Writing Topics" in the document in the previous post. You are more than welcome to use internet and book sources as you research - just make sure that your information is sound and accurate. Please remember to use the links on the Jordan website, which you can access by clicking this link. Those websites are categorized and geared toward this project.
When you get back I'm looking for ten new notecards. Get it knocked out tonight, and you have no English work to do over the break.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Document for Elizabethan England Project
Here is the document for the Elizabethan England Project. The topics for research are located under "Writing Topics."
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=12cI2gJIApT3PT--rKeDcVIuImCkpwjWRU1FrgYdC2Vo
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=12cI2gJIApT3PT--rKeDcVIuImCkpwjWRU1FrgYdC2Vo
Homework for 13 April 2011
Freshmen:
Next class will be your final class before Spring Break. To start class we will have a warm-up check and I will be checking your two homework assignments that are due. Remember that you will need to have your WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE notes for Act II Scenes 1, 2, and 3. Furthermore, you will need to have your notecards for your project. I'll be looking for anywhere from five to ten notecards. Over break you will not have any additional reading to do, but you will need to keep researching for your project. You should be moving on to your second topic if you are in Honors or continuing to research for your first topic if you're in Standard.
Juniors:
For tonight I would like for you to do some reading for me. Take our discussion of Transcendentalism and use that to understand Henry David Thoreau's Walden. In the textbook I would like for you to read the excerpts "Economy," "Where I Lived," "Solitude," and "The Bean Field." As you read, you should take notes as to interesting quotations and ideas that relate to Romanticism and Transcendentalism. We will spend some time working through this piece on Thursday and doing some work on our two Transcendental thinkers - Emerson and Thoreau. Be sure that you're ready for your group meeting on Friday!
Next class will be your final class before Spring Break. To start class we will have a warm-up check and I will be checking your two homework assignments that are due. Remember that you will need to have your WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE notes for Act II Scenes 1, 2, and 3. Furthermore, you will need to have your notecards for your project. I'll be looking for anywhere from five to ten notecards. Over break you will not have any additional reading to do, but you will need to keep researching for your project. You should be moving on to your second topic if you are in Honors or continuing to research for your first topic if you're in Standard.
Juniors:
For tonight I would like for you to do some reading for me. Take our discussion of Transcendentalism and use that to understand Henry David Thoreau's Walden. In the textbook I would like for you to read the excerpts "Economy," "Where I Lived," "Solitude," and "The Bean Field." As you read, you should take notes as to interesting quotations and ideas that relate to Romanticism and Transcendentalism. We will spend some time working through this piece on Thursday and doing some work on our two Transcendental thinkers - Emerson and Thoreau. Be sure that you're ready for your group meeting on Friday!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Homework - 12 April 2011
Only THREE more classes to go until Spring Break!
Here is what I will be looking for next class.
Freshmen: I will have your exams on Act I graded and returned when we get back from Spring Break. For tonight I would like for you to read the first three scenes of Act II (don't forget the prologue at the beginning of the act). As you read, complete your WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE notes as I will be checking these in class on Thursday/Friday. Also, you will have your first check-in on your notecards. I am expecting to see a good amount of cards - anywhere in the region of five to ten. WIth this kid of assignment, more is better. Continue to look for information that you can use to create your stories about your characters. Don't forget to format the notecards correctly, with the MLA source at the top of the card and the parenthetical citation at the end of the quote/note/paraphrase. Anyone needing help with notecards should see me on Wednesday afternoon.
Juniors: You have a paper due on Friday. This should be your number one priority along with reading your group novel. Follow your group deadlines and be prepared for a productive meeting on Friday. I will be collecting your final drafts on Friday. Please come and see me as soon as possible to review drafts and get feedback.
I think that does it. There's a lot going on in English here at the end, don't fall behind. Ask for help and work hard!
Here is what I will be looking for next class.
Freshmen: I will have your exams on Act I graded and returned when we get back from Spring Break. For tonight I would like for you to read the first three scenes of Act II (don't forget the prologue at the beginning of the act). As you read, complete your WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE notes as I will be checking these in class on Thursday/Friday. Also, you will have your first check-in on your notecards. I am expecting to see a good amount of cards - anywhere in the region of five to ten. WIth this kid of assignment, more is better. Continue to look for information that you can use to create your stories about your characters. Don't forget to format the notecards correctly, with the MLA source at the top of the card and the parenthetical citation at the end of the quote/note/paraphrase. Anyone needing help with notecards should see me on Wednesday afternoon.
Juniors: You have a paper due on Friday. This should be your number one priority along with reading your group novel. Follow your group deadlines and be prepared for a productive meeting on Friday. I will be collecting your final drafts on Friday. Please come and see me as soon as possible to review drafts and get feedback.
I think that does it. There's a lot going on in English here at the end, don't fall behind. Ask for help and work hard!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Homework - 11 April 2011
One more week to go until Spring Break! Remember that we don't stop until 2:30 on Friday. This is no time to start getting lazy. Be sure that you come to class every day with your best effort and your A game.
Freshmen:
As stated in the previous post, now that you know how to research and do notecards, I fully expect that you will be working on this project and research on your own time. On Tuesday/Wednesday you will have your Act I exam on Romeo and Juliet. You will want to focus on the following information to prepare:
Honors students will have quote identifications and Standard students will have short answers on this exam. The quotes and ideas that I ask you about will be pretty apparent, but you would do well to review all of Act I before your exam.
For Thursday/Friday I will be expecting you to have read Act II, Scenes 1, 2 and 3 as well as complete your notes for WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN. You will also need to be ready for your first notecard check that day. You should have anywhere from five to ten notecards.
Juniors:
Today we got started with ROMANTICISM - this will be something that we will be working on over the next two weeks. For today, it's important that you understand the key elements of ROMANTICISM as well as the elements of scansion in poetry. Romantics were great proponents of sacrifice in order to gain understanding about ourselves and the world around us - in that same idea, I am asking you to respond to the following question in a one page response:
Also, don't forget that you should be reading every night in your novels and meeting the goals that your group has set. You will have another group meeting on Friday. Your papers on Mean Girls/The Crucible will also be collected this day - come see me outside of class for draft conferences.
Enjoy the beautiful afternoon - I think I'll ride my bike...home.
Freshmen:
As stated in the previous post, now that you know how to research and do notecards, I fully expect that you will be working on this project and research on your own time. On Tuesday/Wednesday you will have your Act I exam on Romeo and Juliet. You will want to focus on the following information to prepare:
- new literary devices connected to drama (monologue, tragic hero, soliloquy, aside, dramatic irony, etc.)
- new literary devices connected to poetry (blank verse, iambic pentameter, couplet, sonnet, etc.)
- plot events in Act I - putting the information in order, knowing WHAT happened WHEN
- the characters - which family, what role they play, their importance
- the historical information about the time period
Honors students will have quote identifications and Standard students will have short answers on this exam. The quotes and ideas that I ask you about will be pretty apparent, but you would do well to review all of Act I before your exam.
For Thursday/Friday I will be expecting you to have read Act II, Scenes 1, 2 and 3 as well as complete your notes for WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN. You will also need to be ready for your first notecard check that day. You should have anywhere from five to ten notecards.
Juniors:
Today we got started with ROMANTICISM - this will be something that we will be working on over the next two weeks. For today, it's important that you understand the key elements of ROMANTICISM as well as the elements of scansion in poetry. Romantics were great proponents of sacrifice in order to gain understanding about ourselves and the world around us - in that same idea, I am asking you to respond to the following question in a one page response:
What is something that you cannot live without? Why?As you answer this question, be specific and personal. Really try to understand your need for this thing. Don't tell me about something that every human needs to survive (water, food, etc.) but something instead that is important to you (iPhone, Twitter, car, etc.). I look forward to reading your responses.
Also, don't forget that you should be reading every night in your novels and meeting the goals that your group has set. You will have another group meeting on Friday. Your papers on Mean Girls/The Crucible will also be collected this day - come see me outside of class for draft conferences.
Enjoy the beautiful afternoon - I think I'll ride my bike...home.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Homework over the Weekend - 4/8/2011
English I: Over the weekend you'll need to spend a lot of time studying for your Act I exam. This exam is going to happen on Tuesday and Wednesday with a review session on Monday afternoon. Be ready! Also, as you now know about the MLA formatting and the notecard structure, I expect that you will be working on your research projects on your own time. You will have a notecard check next week on Thursday/Friday and you'll need to be sure that you have the required cards by that time.
English III: Over the weekend your first priority is to create your outlines for your Mean Girls/The Crucible compare/contrast paper. Come to class with these on Monday. Also, you'll want to make sure that you're starting your reading of your novels. The quicker you get through the book, the easier this project will be. This group project is a big deal. It's important that you keep yourselves honest and focused.
English III: Over the weekend your first priority is to create your outlines for your Mean Girls/The Crucible compare/contrast paper. Come to class with these on Monday. Also, you'll want to make sure that you're starting your reading of your novels. The quicker you get through the book, the easier this project will be. This group project is a big deal. It's important that you keep yourselves honest and focused.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Homework for April 7, 2011
Juniors:
Tomorrow we are going to have our first group meeting of the nine weeks. You'll need to have a copy of your novel and be ready to establish norms for your groups so that you can sucessfully complete the tasks ahead. If you don't have a copy of your novel, I'll have a copy or two for you to use in class that you could check out for the weekend while you get your own. I am expecting you to annotate your novels and I will be checking in on you as we work through the rest of the quarter.
On Monday you'll need to bring your textbook to class AND you're going to need to have a rough outline for your The Crucible/Mean Girls paper. You'll be conferencing with your peers about these outlines on Monday and we'll be doing some draft workshops on Tuesday for these papers. I'll collect final drafts of these papers on Friday, right before break begins.
Also, don't forget that I'll be checking vocabulary tomorrow: three cards and ten words on the bookmark.
Freshmen:
You should be reading in Romeo and Juliet. By next Tuesday and Wednesday you'll need to be to the end of Act II, Scene 2 and have your notes done on these portions. Don't forget that you'll have your Act I exam on Tuesday and Wednesday! We'll have a review session on Monday during Study Hall if you'd like to attend. Don't forget your index cards on Friday/Monday - we're going to research our faces off over the next few days to get ready for the next portion of our research project.
Tomorrow we are going to have our first group meeting of the nine weeks. You'll need to have a copy of your novel and be ready to establish norms for your groups so that you can sucessfully complete the tasks ahead. If you don't have a copy of your novel, I'll have a copy or two for you to use in class that you could check out for the weekend while you get your own. I am expecting you to annotate your novels and I will be checking in on you as we work through the rest of the quarter.
On Monday you'll need to bring your textbook to class AND you're going to need to have a rough outline for your The Crucible/Mean Girls paper. You'll be conferencing with your peers about these outlines on Monday and we'll be doing some draft workshops on Tuesday for these papers. I'll collect final drafts of these papers on Friday, right before break begins.
Also, don't forget that I'll be checking vocabulary tomorrow: three cards and ten words on the bookmark.
Freshmen:
You should be reading in Romeo and Juliet. By next Tuesday and Wednesday you'll need to be to the end of Act II, Scene 2 and have your notes done on these portions. Don't forget that you'll have your Act I exam on Tuesday and Wednesday! We'll have a review session on Monday during Study Hall if you'd like to attend. Don't forget your index cards on Friday/Monday - we're going to research our faces off over the next few days to get ready for the next portion of our research project.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Homework - 4/6/2011
Juniors:
Tomorrow you're going to have your final assessment on The Crucible. You should review all of the major information in the play and be prepared to show me what you know. Focus specifically on the idea of social and political change, contrasting settings, and the ending. I will most likely be collecting annotations tomorrow too. We're also going to be finishing Mean Girls tomorrow - that means that you'll need to construct your outlines and drafts very soon!
Freshmen:
We will be going to the library on Friday and Monday to continue researching for our Elizabethan England projects. You'll need to bring notecards with you on Friday/Monday because I will be teaching you a very specific method on how to take notes to complete your research for this assignment. You will also want to begin reading Act II of Romeo and Juliet. You'll have a reading assignment over the weekend in Act II. Take this time to get ahead. As you read, you should take your basic notes (who, where, when, what) to keep up with the information.
Tomorrow you're going to have your final assessment on The Crucible. You should review all of the major information in the play and be prepared to show me what you know. Focus specifically on the idea of social and political change, contrasting settings, and the ending. I will most likely be collecting annotations tomorrow too. We're also going to be finishing Mean Girls tomorrow - that means that you'll need to construct your outlines and drafts very soon!
Freshmen:
We will be going to the library on Friday and Monday to continue researching for our Elizabethan England projects. You'll need to bring notecards with you on Friday/Monday because I will be teaching you a very specific method on how to take notes to complete your research for this assignment. You will also want to begin reading Act II of Romeo and Juliet. You'll have a reading assignment over the weekend in Act II. Take this time to get ahead. As you read, you should take your basic notes (who, where, when, what) to keep up with the information.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Homework for 4/5/2011
Juniors:
For tonight you don't have any homework that will be collected tomorrow. It would be a very good idea if you spent an hour or so tonight doing some preliminary work on your compare/contrast papers on Mean Girls and The Crucible. Seeing as we have finished The Crucible you should be able to get an idea for what idea you'll focus on between both stories and you should begin to pull out quotations and details that you will discuss in your essay. Tomorrow we'll spend most of class watching Mean Girls and hopefully we'll finish it.
You will have your final assessment on The Crucible on Thursday and we will begin a new unit on literature of the 1800's. You should prepare for this final assessment which will cover the whole play and you should have your annotations ready to check.
Freshmen:
Your homework is in the previous post. Have your notes thoroughly done in your notebooks for class on Thursday.
For tonight you don't have any homework that will be collected tomorrow. It would be a very good idea if you spent an hour or so tonight doing some preliminary work on your compare/contrast papers on Mean Girls and The Crucible. Seeing as we have finished The Crucible you should be able to get an idea for what idea you'll focus on between both stories and you should begin to pull out quotations and details that you will discuss in your essay. Tomorrow we'll spend most of class watching Mean Girls and hopefully we'll finish it.
You will have your final assessment on The Crucible on Thursday and we will begin a new unit on literature of the 1800's. You should prepare for this final assessment which will cover the whole play and you should have your annotations ready to check.
Freshmen:
Your homework is in the previous post. Have your notes thoroughly done in your notebooks for class on Thursday.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Homework for Monday, 4/4/2011
Freshmen:
Tonight for homework I'd like for you to finish reading Act I. You'll need to read the final scene and then begin your notes. Make sure that you note the WHO, WHERE, WHEN, and WHAT in your notebooks. We will complete the HOW/WHY in class. Don't forget that you will have an exam on Act I next week. Be sure that you are ready!
Juniors:
For tonight I would like for you to reflect on one of the earlier belief statements from The Crucible. Your reflection should be one page, typed, double spaced. As you complete your reflections you may want to address the following questions:
Tonight for homework I'd like for you to finish reading Act I. You'll need to read the final scene and then begin your notes. Make sure that you note the WHO, WHERE, WHEN, and WHAT in your notebooks. We will complete the HOW/WHY in class. Don't forget that you will have an exam on Act I next week. Be sure that you are ready!
Juniors:
For tonight I would like for you to reflect on one of the earlier belief statements from The Crucible. Your reflection should be one page, typed, double spaced. As you complete your reflections you may want to address the following questions:
- Why did you have the belief that you did at the beginning?
- In what ways has your belief changed?
- What from the play has changed your opinion?
Friday, April 1, 2011
Weekend Homework - 4/1/2011
Freshmen: Your homework is in the previous post. Please make sure that you give yourself adequate time to turn in the assignment on Monday to the homework box. Remember that I will be grading this on thoroughness, content, and grammar/usage. Be sure that you show your best work for the beginning of the last nine weeks. This will also serve as a good review of what you've already learned in the play as we prepare for our first test on Act I. Lastly, if you have some extra time this weekend, start doing some more research for your Elizabethan England project. We'll take another big step forward with these next week as we start to develop the stories featuring your characters.
Juniors: Over the weekend you will need to complete the reading of The Crucible. Pay attention to the end of the play, especially how the characters wind up, how the conflicts get resolved, and all of the irony that explodes in the ending. You may also want to go back to the beginning "statements of belief" and reassess if you have changed your point of view on these statements from your reading of The Crucible. Finally, on Monday we will continue watching Mean Girls in order to prepare for our final paper.
Enjoy the weekend! Don't bite your thumb at strangers!
Juniors: Over the weekend you will need to complete the reading of The Crucible. Pay attention to the end of the play, especially how the characters wind up, how the conflicts get resolved, and all of the irony that explodes in the ending. You may also want to go back to the beginning "statements of belief" and reassess if you have changed your point of view on these statements from your reading of The Crucible. Finally, on Monday we will continue watching Mean Girls in order to prepare for our final paper.
Enjoy the weekend! Don't bite your thumb at strangers!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Homework - 3/31/2011
It's the last day of March! That means tomorrow is April Fool's Day...be on guard!
Freshmen: Over the weekend I'd like for you to write a one page response about a character that you've met so far in Romeo and Juliet. As you write your response feel free to write about any aspect of the character that you'd like. Talk about your feeling toward the person, if they remind you of anyone in your own family, feel free to write about anything related to the character - but make sure that you stay focused on the character. Make sure that you also pay attention to grammar and usage and writing rules. I will be grading these pretty thoroughly. Get it to the box on Monday or Tuesday morning.
Juniors: Good acting today! I hope that you enjoyed seeing how everything turned around on John Proctor here at the end of the act. Tomorrow we'll have a quiz on Act II and III - so be sure to study tonight the key plot points, characterization and important quotations. We'll have the quiz tomorrow as well as begin watching Mean Girls to prepare for our final paper on The Crucible.
Freshmen: Over the weekend I'd like for you to write a one page response about a character that you've met so far in Romeo and Juliet. As you write your response feel free to write about any aspect of the character that you'd like. Talk about your feeling toward the person, if they remind you of anyone in your own family, feel free to write about anything related to the character - but make sure that you stay focused on the character. Make sure that you also pay attention to grammar and usage and writing rules. I will be grading these pretty thoroughly. Get it to the box on Monday or Tuesday morning.
Juniors: Good acting today! I hope that you enjoyed seeing how everything turned around on John Proctor here at the end of the act. Tomorrow we'll have a quiz on Act II and III - so be sure to study tonight the key plot points, characterization and important quotations. We'll have the quiz tomorrow as well as begin watching Mean Girls to prepare for our final paper on The Crucible.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Homework for Everyone - 3/30
Juniors:
If you've yet to fill out the form, please go to the previous post and make your selections. I'm going to be making groups in the next few days and need this input from you in order to move forward. For tonight, you don't have any homework but you should spend some time thinking about the poem that I gave you today in class. I'm looking forward to having a great class tomorrow to discuss the poem and then finish going through Act III.
You may find it helpful to read over Act III tonight before we begin working through it tomorrow so that you have an idea of what's coming up. Tomorrow is when everything hits the fan in Salem.
Freshmen:
Don't forget about your introductions to your characters. You should have either very thorough notes or a complete paragraph that deals with the information that I'm looking for. Make sure that you either have a book or internet source with that paragraph so that I can see where you're getting your information from for this.
I think that'll do it - enjoy the rainy afternoon!
If you've yet to fill out the form, please go to the previous post and make your selections. I'm going to be making groups in the next few days and need this input from you in order to move forward. For tonight, you don't have any homework but you should spend some time thinking about the poem that I gave you today in class. I'm looking forward to having a great class tomorrow to discuss the poem and then finish going through Act III.
You may find it helpful to read over Act III tonight before we begin working through it tomorrow so that you have an idea of what's coming up. Tomorrow is when everything hits the fan in Salem.
Freshmen:
Don't forget about your introductions to your characters. You should have either very thorough notes or a complete paragraph that deals with the information that I'm looking for. Make sure that you either have a book or internet source with that paragraph so that I can see where you're getting your information from for this.
I think that'll do it - enjoy the rainy afternoon!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Homework for All Classes - 3/29/2011
Juniors:
Today in class I outlined for you several options for your final project in English III. Fill out the following form:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHVQSnFqcjlBZExSZVcxQVM5Z0dCOGc6MQ
In the form you'll need to mark The Scarlet Letter as The Crying of Lot 49. Be sure that you put your name on the last question. I'll have the groups put together for you by Friday.
Also, please read in Act III of The Crucible until the entrance of Mr. Putnam. Pay attention to all of the new characters as you read.
Freshmen:
Tonight for homework you need to complete the first part of your project, the description of your character. Make sure that you tell me about everything that you can tell me at this point about your character. You're going to add more to this as you do more research. Be sure, as well, that as you include one source (either internet or book) that you used to complete your introduction to your character. The document that has the project is back a few posts if you need to refresh yourself.
Bring this introduction with you to class on Thursday/Friday and I'll check them in class.
Today in class I outlined for you several options for your final project in English III. Fill out the following form:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHVQSnFqcjlBZExSZVcxQVM5Z0dCOGc6MQ
In the form you'll need to mark The Scarlet Letter as The Crying of Lot 49. Be sure that you put your name on the last question. I'll have the groups put together for you by Friday.
Also, please read in Act III of The Crucible until the entrance of Mr. Putnam. Pay attention to all of the new characters as you read.
Freshmen:
Tonight for homework you need to complete the first part of your project, the description of your character. Make sure that you tell me about everything that you can tell me at this point about your character. You're going to add more to this as you do more research. Be sure, as well, that as you include one source (either internet or book) that you used to complete your introduction to your character. The document that has the project is back a few posts if you need to refresh yourself.
Bring this introduction with you to class on Thursday/Friday and I'll check them in class.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Special Note - Juniors
Be sure as you're reading tonight to look at John Proctor's final lines before the falling of the curtain. Lots of ideas are going to collide at once. Heavily annotate that passage! Don't forget about your vocabulary stories! Fifteen word benchmark - and it has to be coherent!
Oh, and we'll meet tomorrow in the computer lab. I'll put a sign on the door to direct you there for tomorrow's class.
English Homework and Announcements - 3/24
English III:
WOW! You all took what I thought was going to be a quick and simple conversation to a much higher level. Everyone was participating and really sharing some great insights about the play. For tonight, I want you to finish reading Act II. Continue noticing how all of these big ideas are coming together to form messages about these different topics and ideas.
English I:
Today we started our last project of the year - research on Elizabethan England. I've created a link to the project document here. Using that link will bring up all of the requirements and description of the assignment. For next week, you will have to complete step one of the assignment - the description of the character you're creating. After you create the character, we're going to spend more time researching the character and getting information to create the narratives. If you go here you'll see a collection of links at the bottom of the page that you can use for the assignment too! Special Note: The more you devote to creating this character, the stronger your project will be!
For Homework (English I) - Over the weekend you need to finish reading Act I, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet. In your notebooks you'll need to take notes on the WHO, WHERE, WHEN, and WHAT of the remaining parts of the scene. Remember for the WHAT you need write a brief summary of what happens in the part of the scene. Read thoroughly, you may need to read a few times. We'll discuss the scene in a lot of detail on Tuesday/Wednesday!
WOW! You all took what I thought was going to be a quick and simple conversation to a much higher level. Everyone was participating and really sharing some great insights about the play. For tonight, I want you to finish reading Act II. Continue noticing how all of these big ideas are coming together to form messages about these different topics and ideas.
English I:
Today we started our last project of the year - research on Elizabethan England. I've created a link to the project document here. Using that link will bring up all of the requirements and description of the assignment. For next week, you will have to complete step one of the assignment - the description of the character you're creating. After you create the character, we're going to spend more time researching the character and getting information to create the narratives. If you go here you'll see a collection of links at the bottom of the page that you can use for the assignment too! Special Note: The more you devote to creating this character, the stronger your project will be!
For Homework (English I) - Over the weekend you need to finish reading Act I, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet. In your notebooks you'll need to take notes on the WHO, WHERE, WHEN, and WHAT of the remaining parts of the scene. Remember for the WHAT you need write a brief summary of what happens in the part of the scene. Read thoroughly, you may need to read a few times. We'll discuss the scene in a lot of detail on Tuesday/Wednesday!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
English III Homework - 3/23
Juniors:
Tonight for homework I want you to start reading Act II. Read from the opening of the act to the entrance of Reverend Hale. Pay particular attention to the foreshadowing and the way that things are changing in the town of Salem. Keep annotating and keeping track of major trends in the text. We'll also do some acting tomorrow!
Enjoy it!
Tonight for homework I want you to start reading Act II. Read from the opening of the act to the entrance of Reverend Hale. Pay particular attention to the foreshadowing and the way that things are changing in the town of Salem. Keep annotating and keeping track of major trends in the text. We'll also do some acting tomorrow!
Enjoy it!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
This is my 500th post!!!
Happy Birthday Blog - You've got 500 posts to you now. Here are some reminders to get you ready for the next class.
Freshmen:
On Thursday/Friday after our warm-up we will jump immediately into poem presentations. I'll collect your project from you when you present. Make sure that you have all of the required pieces here as Thursday and Friday are the last days of the grading period. I will only be able to take this project late if you come in on Monday and turn it in before 10:00 am. Remember that this project will count for five separate grades. Be sure that you get it done. For next class, it is also important that you bring a flashdrive because we'll be starting our final project - research on Elizabethan England.
Juniors:
Tomorrow we'll finish watching the film for Act I of The Crucible and you will have a quiz on Act I. For the quiz you will need to know about specific characters, so be sure that you've reviewed your character list as well as major points about each of them. Also, you're going to be asked about the historical allegory as it relates back to McCarthyism and the Red Scare. The first part of your test is multiple choice, and then you'll have quote identifications. The quotes are relatively major ones that I think will stand out to you. For the quotes, you'll need to know the speaker, the context, and the importance of the quote. Be sure to also think about the major motifs/conflicts within this text.
Let me know if you've got any questions as you're studying and preparing.
Freshmen:
On Thursday/Friday after our warm-up we will jump immediately into poem presentations. I'll collect your project from you when you present. Make sure that you have all of the required pieces here as Thursday and Friday are the last days of the grading period. I will only be able to take this project late if you come in on Monday and turn it in before 10:00 am. Remember that this project will count for five separate grades. Be sure that you get it done. For next class, it is also important that you bring a flashdrive because we'll be starting our final project - research on Elizabethan England.
Juniors:
Tomorrow we'll finish watching the film for Act I of The Crucible and you will have a quiz on Act I. For the quiz you will need to know about specific characters, so be sure that you've reviewed your character list as well as major points about each of them. Also, you're going to be asked about the historical allegory as it relates back to McCarthyism and the Red Scare. The first part of your test is multiple choice, and then you'll have quote identifications. The quotes are relatively major ones that I think will stand out to you. For the quotes, you'll need to know the speaker, the context, and the importance of the quote. Be sure to also think about the major motifs/conflicts within this text.
Let me know if you've got any questions as you're studying and preparing.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Homework for 3/21
Freshmen:
I've said it before, I'll say it again: POETRY PROJECTS. I'm hopeful that you all were able to finish your projects this weekend and at this point you are only doing small tweaks and changes to make it perfect. Remember that these are due on Thursday for A-day and Friday for B-day. Be ready!
Juniors:
Tonight you need to finish reading Act I of The Crucible. You'll want to go back and read all of the introductory information about Rev. Hale and his character. Understand him well, because he will play a significant role moving forward. Also, as you end the act, pay attention to how quickly things change and what the cause for the change is. I look forward to our class discussion of the act tomorrow. We will probably watch the first bit of the film as well in order to start getting a visual for everything that's going on.
Enjoy the afternoon! Happy Monday!
I've said it before, I'll say it again: POETRY PROJECTS. I'm hopeful that you all were able to finish your projects this weekend and at this point you are only doing small tweaks and changes to make it perfect. Remember that these are due on Thursday for A-day and Friday for B-day. Be ready!
Juniors:
Tonight you need to finish reading Act I of The Crucible. You'll want to go back and read all of the introductory information about Rev. Hale and his character. Understand him well, because he will play a significant role moving forward. Also, as you end the act, pay attention to how quickly things change and what the cause for the change is. I look forward to our class discussion of the act tomorrow. We will probably watch the first bit of the film as well in order to start getting a visual for everything that's going on.
Enjoy the afternoon! Happy Monday!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Weekend Homework - English I and III
Freshmen:
Over the weekend you should be able to finish your Poetry Projects. Be sure that everything is ready for the collection of these projects on Thursday and Friday of next week. On these days we will hear you all prsent these poems to us and I will collect all of your work. Next week, on Tuesday/Wednesday we will begin our study of Romeo and Juliet which will be the last major piece we read before the end of the year. If you have any props or costumes that you would like to bring to class, please do so on Tuesday/Wednesday.
B-day students, don't forget that you have your exam on Monday.
Juniors:
Over the weekend you read until the entrance of Rev. Hale in The Crucible. Pay particular attention to the major motifs and ideas that are being developed in the opening of the play. Also, pay attention to the conflicts that are being established. One of the key questions htat we will need to consider is how these conflicts will be resolved throughout the course of the play.
On Monday we will spend some time (approximately half the class) in an inside/outside circle. Be sure that you are ready to lead the conversation then.
I will also be collecting outlines on Monday. This is your final extension on these. If you don't have them ready Monday, you'll get a zero.
Be sure that you go outside and play this weekend - it's really gorgeous!
Over the weekend you should be able to finish your Poetry Projects. Be sure that everything is ready for the collection of these projects on Thursday and Friday of next week. On these days we will hear you all prsent these poems to us and I will collect all of your work. Next week, on Tuesday/Wednesday we will begin our study of Romeo and Juliet which will be the last major piece we read before the end of the year. If you have any props or costumes that you would like to bring to class, please do so on Tuesday/Wednesday.
B-day students, don't forget that you have your exam on Monday.
Juniors:
Over the weekend you read until the entrance of Rev. Hale in The Crucible. Pay particular attention to the major motifs and ideas that are being developed in the opening of the play. Also, pay attention to the conflicts that are being established. One of the key questions htat we will need to consider is how these conflicts will be resolved throughout the course of the play.
On Monday we will spend some time (approximately half the class) in an inside/outside circle. Be sure that you are ready to lead the conversation then.
I will also be collecting outlines on Monday. This is your final extension on these. If you don't have them ready Monday, you'll get a zero.
Be sure that you go outside and play this weekend - it's really gorgeous!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Junior Homework - 3/17/2011
English III Students:
Don't forget about your outlines being due tomorrow. With this I want to see all of your quotes, research and information organized in a way that makes sense for this assignment. Be sure that you also submit a Works Cited page with your outline in proper MLA format. Tomorrow I will share with you the citation for your textbook as well as the Zinn and Wheatley pieces. You'll need to add whichever of these you used to your Works Cited page.
Furthermore, you do have reading to complete tonight. Please read in The Crucible until the long description of Mr. Thomas Putnam. Once you reach this, you can stop. We will discuss the opening of the play tomorrow and begin some of our acting. Also, make-up vocabulary cards will be collected tomorrow. If you need to do this - make sure that they come in to me at the beginning of class tomorrow.
Don't forget about your outlines being due tomorrow. With this I want to see all of your quotes, research and information organized in a way that makes sense for this assignment. Be sure that you also submit a Works Cited page with your outline in proper MLA format. Tomorrow I will share with you the citation for your textbook as well as the Zinn and Wheatley pieces. You'll need to add whichever of these you used to your Works Cited page.
Furthermore, you do have reading to complete tonight. Please read in The Crucible until the long description of Mr. Thomas Putnam. Once you reach this, you can stop. We will discuss the opening of the play tomorrow and begin some of our acting. Also, make-up vocabulary cards will be collected tomorrow. If you need to do this - make sure that they come in to me at the beginning of class tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
English III - Homework due Friday
Don't forget Juniors that you have a formal outline due on Friday which I will grade for accuracy and content over the weekend. Make sure that you have all of your research and quotations that you'll use in the essay in the outline. Also, ensure that they're organized into a specific structure. Please make sure that you're following the outline that I gave you on the assignment sheet. Point/Counterpoint/Point.
I'll be available on Thursday at A-Lunch and after school to help you out with outlines.
Update: I forgot to mention the works cited page. Don't forget that with your outline.
I'll be available on Thursday at A-Lunch and after school to help you out with outlines.
Update: I forgot to mention the works cited page. Don't forget that with your outline.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Study Guides for English I and III - 3/14/2011
So, all of you have exams coming up soon. Below I'm going to post some ideas and tips for you to consider as well as in order to review. I'll also be reminding you of a few other deadlines coming up this week.
English I:
Your poetry exam is coming up on Friday/Monday. We covered a lot of different poems in this unit, below are a few that you will be asked some specific questions about:
"in Just -" by ee cummings
"Legal Alien" by Pat Mora
"Back Again Home" by Haki Madhubuti
"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost
"Ballad of Birmingham" by Dudley Randall
"Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" by Adrienne Rich
"Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda
Don't forget that you'll also be asked about some new poems that you haven't seen before so thinking about your TPCASTT and Color Coding Strucutres will be important to review in order to think about how to break these poems down.
There will also be a lot of literary devices that you'll see on this examination - think especially about the new ones related to poetry (alliteration, consonance, assonance, rhyme, lines, stanzas) as well as the old ones such as imagery, metaphor, simile, denotation, tone, connotation.
Remember to always think about how these authors create meaning within their poems through the use of literary devices.
English III:
You all will be having your examination on Early American Literature on Tuesday. Here are the pieces that will be considered on that examination.
"A Narrative of the Captivity" by Mary Rowlandson
"From the Brief and Interesting Life" by Oluadah Equiano
Native American Mythology - "Coyote Finishes His Work" and "The Sky Tree"
Selected Poems by Phillis Wheatley, especially "On Being Brought from Africa to America"
"Some Verses Upon The Burning of Our House" by Anne Bradstreet
Excerpts from People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
As you work through these pieces you should focus on the main points that we have studied so far this unit especially the ideas of objectivity, subjectivity, and sensationalism. You should also consider the ideas of logos, pathos, and ethos. There will be a mixture of short answers and multiple choice questions. So, you should focus on specific details from the texts as well as the bigger ideas for the short answer questions.
Now, I will be giving you the citation for the textbook tomorrow at the beginning of class - your drafts of the papers will be due on Friday! Please don't forget to follow the formatting that I gave you on the assignment sheet. Remember: Thesis, Point, Counterpoint, Point, Conclusion. Don't structure this like a regular five paragraph essay - you won't get through everything you need to and you'll waste a lot of time and energy.
This was a really long post - I'm going to go and write your exams now!
English I:
Your poetry exam is coming up on Friday/Monday. We covered a lot of different poems in this unit, below are a few that you will be asked some specific questions about:
"in Just -" by ee cummings
"Legal Alien" by Pat Mora
"Back Again Home" by Haki Madhubuti
"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost
"Ballad of Birmingham" by Dudley Randall
"Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" by Adrienne Rich
"Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda
Don't forget that you'll also be asked about some new poems that you haven't seen before so thinking about your TPCASTT and Color Coding Strucutres will be important to review in order to think about how to break these poems down.
There will also be a lot of literary devices that you'll see on this examination - think especially about the new ones related to poetry (alliteration, consonance, assonance, rhyme, lines, stanzas) as well as the old ones such as imagery, metaphor, simile, denotation, tone, connotation.
Remember to always think about how these authors create meaning within their poems through the use of literary devices.
English III:
You all will be having your examination on Early American Literature on Tuesday. Here are the pieces that will be considered on that examination.
"A Narrative of the Captivity" by Mary Rowlandson
"From the Brief and Interesting Life" by Oluadah Equiano
Native American Mythology - "Coyote Finishes His Work" and "The Sky Tree"
Selected Poems by Phillis Wheatley, especially "On Being Brought from Africa to America"
"Some Verses Upon The Burning of Our House" by Anne Bradstreet
Excerpts from People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
As you work through these pieces you should focus on the main points that we have studied so far this unit especially the ideas of objectivity, subjectivity, and sensationalism. You should also consider the ideas of logos, pathos, and ethos. There will be a mixture of short answers and multiple choice questions. So, you should focus on specific details from the texts as well as the bigger ideas for the short answer questions.
Now, I will be giving you the citation for the textbook tomorrow at the beginning of class - your drafts of the papers will be due on Friday! Please don't forget to follow the formatting that I gave you on the assignment sheet. Remember: Thesis, Point, Counterpoint, Point, Conclusion. Don't structure this like a regular five paragraph essay - you won't get through everything you need to and you'll waste a lot of time and energy.
This was a really long post - I'm going to go and write your exams now!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Weekend Work
I just typed this, and then it disappeared. I hate computers sometimes. I really, really do.
English I:
Priority number one for this weekend is to finish your Poetry Projects and make some serious headway here. I have extended the deadline on these projects so that you all will come to me outside of class and get my feedback on your creative and analytical writing. The projects will be collected on the 24th and 25th - we'll also have the memorized poems presented on this day. You also have your Poetry Unit Examination coming up at the end of next week. You should spend some time this weekend preparing for that exam. Look over your notes and be ready to review in class on Monday/Tuesday.
English III:
Over the weekend you should pull all of your research and evidence from your primary source together with your thesis into a coherent, well-organized outline. The goal of the outline is to show me what you're thinking and where you are with your ideas. I'll be checking these on Monday in the library. The first round of drafts will most likely be toward the end of next week with final drafts due shortly after that. You should also spend some time reviewing your notes and information about Early American Literature in preparation for your exam which is scheduled for Tuesday.
English I:
Priority number one for this weekend is to finish your Poetry Projects and make some serious headway here. I have extended the deadline on these projects so that you all will come to me outside of class and get my feedback on your creative and analytical writing. The projects will be collected on the 24th and 25th - we'll also have the memorized poems presented on this day. You also have your Poetry Unit Examination coming up at the end of next week. You should spend some time this weekend preparing for that exam. Look over your notes and be ready to review in class on Monday/Tuesday.
English III:
Over the weekend you should pull all of your research and evidence from your primary source together with your thesis into a coherent, well-organized outline. The goal of the outline is to show me what you're thinking and where you are with your ideas. I'll be checking these on Monday in the library. The first round of drafts will most likely be toward the end of next week with final drafts due shortly after that. You should also spend some time reviewing your notes and information about Early American Literature in preparation for your exam which is scheduled for Tuesday.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Homework - 10 March
English I:
Over the weekend, your primary goal should be to finish a large part of your poetry project. We are moving quickly to the end of the poetry unit and it will be imperative that your projects are done well and thoroughly. Over the weekend, try to get one of the writing pieces totally finished - either the essay or poems and then come see me next week for some feedback.
Also, you should begin preparing for your poetry examination. You will be asked about the poems that we've studied and I will be giving you some new poems and asking you to either answer questions or write an essay on the new pieces. Review your analysis techniques (Color Coding/TPCASTT) in order to see how to approach these areas.
English III:
Today's review of Anne Bradstreet went really well. She is the last writer that we will be studying before moving on to The Crucible. We will not start reading The Crucible until next week, but I would suggest that you go ahead and get your copy this weekend if you have not already done so.
For tonight you should spend time doing preliminary work on your position paper. If you would like to do some research online tonight about your topic, please do so. If you would like to further clarify your question, do that. You should put in approximately one hour tonight working on this assignment. Tomorrow we will spend half the class in the library working on research. Also, I will talk to you all about formatting your Bibliography as well as in-text citations.
Some of you will find this link really helpful. It provides a great way to approach the different elements of this paper as well as the structure of the essay. I will be collecting an outline from you for this assignment next week. A good outline is key to a good paper. Please see me if you need help here.
That's all - Happy Friday tomorrow!
Over the weekend, your primary goal should be to finish a large part of your poetry project. We are moving quickly to the end of the poetry unit and it will be imperative that your projects are done well and thoroughly. Over the weekend, try to get one of the writing pieces totally finished - either the essay or poems and then come see me next week for some feedback.
Also, you should begin preparing for your poetry examination. You will be asked about the poems that we've studied and I will be giving you some new poems and asking you to either answer questions or write an essay on the new pieces. Review your analysis techniques (Color Coding/TPCASTT) in order to see how to approach these areas.
English III:
Today's review of Anne Bradstreet went really well. She is the last writer that we will be studying before moving on to The Crucible. We will not start reading The Crucible until next week, but I would suggest that you go ahead and get your copy this weekend if you have not already done so.
For tonight you should spend time doing preliminary work on your position paper. If you would like to do some research online tonight about your topic, please do so. If you would like to further clarify your question, do that. You should put in approximately one hour tonight working on this assignment. Tomorrow we will spend half the class in the library working on research. Also, I will talk to you all about formatting your Bibliography as well as in-text citations.
Some of you will find this link really helpful. It provides a great way to approach the different elements of this paper as well as the structure of the essay. I will be collecting an outline from you for this assignment next week. A good outline is key to a good paper. Please see me if you need help here.
That's all - Happy Friday tomorrow!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Homework - 9 March - PLC Day
I'm really not a huge fan of PLC Days - they go too fast and require us to do too much in too little time. I appreciate the fact that we were all able to get through a lot of information today.
English I:
Don't forget your assignment! I will be checking your notes on your poem for the poetry project on Thursday/Friday. This will count as a quiz grade for all of you. You may choose to use TPCASTT to structure your notes or you may want to use the color coding method we did on the overhead with "Back Again Home." Either way, be sure that your notes are thorough! You should analyze all of the lines and images!
English III:
You don't have any homework tonight, but I think that it would be a good idea for you all to go back and review the poem "To Maecenas" given our discussion of Wheatley and the way that she hides her meaning in conformity. Tomorrow I will be giving you your essay assignment for this Early American Literature unit and we will begin working on these essays tomorrow by going to the library and beginning some research.
English I:
Don't forget your assignment! I will be checking your notes on your poem for the poetry project on Thursday/Friday. This will count as a quiz grade for all of you. You may choose to use TPCASTT to structure your notes or you may want to use the color coding method we did on the overhead with "Back Again Home." Either way, be sure that your notes are thorough! You should analyze all of the lines and images!
English III:
You don't have any homework tonight, but I think that it would be a good idea for you all to go back and review the poem "To Maecenas" given our discussion of Wheatley and the way that she hides her meaning in conformity. Tomorrow I will be giving you your essay assignment for this Early American Literature unit and we will begin working on these essays tomorrow by going to the library and beginning some research.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Homework - 8 March
English I:
I hope that today's lesson in notetaking on poetry gave you some ideas for ways that you can organize and take notes in a more creative way. Also, it think that it can be effective to color code your notes in order to quickly find information and to see how different parts of the poem interact with each other. For tonight, I would like for you to spend approximately one hour taking notes all over your poem. This will count as a quiz grade! The big thing that I will be looking for is that you have thoroughly examined all parts of the poem and identified significant elements which create the meaning/message/theme of the poem. You may want to color code or use TPCASTT in order to structure your notes.
English III:
Your tabloid covers are fantastic! I think that they show a clear understanding of the three big concepts: subjectivity, objectivity, and sensationalism. For tonight, I would like for you to shift your attention to poetry. Please read the packet that I gave you on Phillis Wheatley - especially focus on the biography and the poems "To Maecenas" and "On Being Brought from Africa to America." Annotate these poems/biography heavily. We will spend a lot of time tomorrow discussing Ms. Wheatley and her importance not only as a poet but as the first African American female voice in literature.
Enjoy your evenings. See you tomorrow for the half day!
I hope that today's lesson in notetaking on poetry gave you some ideas for ways that you can organize and take notes in a more creative way. Also, it think that it can be effective to color code your notes in order to quickly find information and to see how different parts of the poem interact with each other. For tonight, I would like for you to spend approximately one hour taking notes all over your poem. This will count as a quiz grade! The big thing that I will be looking for is that you have thoroughly examined all parts of the poem and identified significant elements which create the meaning/message/theme of the poem. You may want to color code or use TPCASTT in order to structure your notes.
English III:
Your tabloid covers are fantastic! I think that they show a clear understanding of the three big concepts: subjectivity, objectivity, and sensationalism. For tonight, I would like for you to shift your attention to poetry. Please read the packet that I gave you on Phillis Wheatley - especially focus on the biography and the poems "To Maecenas" and "On Being Brought from Africa to America." Annotate these poems/biography heavily. We will spend a lot of time tomorrow discussing Ms. Wheatley and her importance not only as a poet but as the first African American female voice in literature.
Enjoy your evenings. See you tomorrow for the half day!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Homework - 7 March
Today has flown by. I can't believe that it's already 4th period. Here's what you all need to accomplish for tonight.
English I:
You should all be working hard on your poetry projects. Be sure that you've finished at least one of your elements by this week and you've begun on the second. The due date is coming quickly - next week! If you've got any questions or concerns, please see me this week (Thursday/Friday) for assistance. Don't forget to read and consider the poem "Back Again Home" as well as the questions. We'll spend time on Tuesday/Wednesday discussing this piece in some depth.
English III:
For tonight's homework, I'd like for you to complete the following activity to get us started in a thorough review of subjectivity, objectivity, and sensationalism.
First, Google information related to tabloid journalism and find an example of a tabloid publication/website. You may want to navigate to a specific tabloid that you know (National Enquirer, Hello!) or look for someone who publishes in this style (Perez Hilton.)
Second, share a link to a story, image or something else that has been produced in the style of a tabloid. Then, point out elements which are sensationalized, objective, and subjective. Select one of these three and comment further as to what you think the effect of the sensationalism, objectivity or subjectivity is.
This should be done on your own paper to be submitted tomorrow OR login to the google group and respond to the discussion board with your answers!
See you tomorrow for another quick day!
English I:
You should all be working hard on your poetry projects. Be sure that you've finished at least one of your elements by this week and you've begun on the second. The due date is coming quickly - next week! If you've got any questions or concerns, please see me this week (Thursday/Friday) for assistance. Don't forget to read and consider the poem "Back Again Home" as well as the questions. We'll spend time on Tuesday/Wednesday discussing this piece in some depth.
English III:
For tonight's homework, I'd like for you to complete the following activity to get us started in a thorough review of subjectivity, objectivity, and sensationalism.
First, Google information related to tabloid journalism and find an example of a tabloid publication/website. You may want to navigate to a specific tabloid that you know (National Enquirer, Hello!) or look for someone who publishes in this style (Perez Hilton.)
Second, share a link to a story, image or something else that has been produced in the style of a tabloid. Then, point out elements which are sensationalized, objective, and subjective. Select one of these three and comment further as to what you think the effect of the sensationalism, objectivity or subjectivity is.
This should be done on your own paper to be submitted tomorrow OR login to the google group and respond to the discussion board with your answers!
See you tomorrow for another quick day!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Reminders for the Weekend
English I: Over the weekend you'll need to read the poem "Back Again Home" by Haki Madhubuti and consider the attached questions. I will not be collecting these questions - but you will need tou consider them and jot down some notes to form your responses. We will discuss this poem on Tuesday/Wednesday after we finish our poetry tournament. Don't forget as well that you should complete some part of your poetry project every week. By the end of this week you should have your memorization done, your essay started, or your poems completed. Please see me next week for additional assistance.
English III: Over the weekend you need to read the piece by Oluadah Equiano. Complete the whole piece and take good notes for a discussiona nd activity on Monday. I'll have your tests and some other assignments ready to hand back to you on Monday, as well.
Have a beautiful weekend.
English III: Over the weekend you need to read the piece by Oluadah Equiano. Complete the whole piece and take good notes for a discussiona nd activity on Monday. I'll have your tests and some other assignments ready to hand back to you on Monday, as well.
Have a beautiful weekend.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Homework - 3 March
Juniors:
Today's class went well, I hope that the review of the Mary Rowlandson piece helped your understanding of some of the pivotal moments within that text. To prepare for Monday's class I would like for you to complete the reading of the excerpted narrative of Oluadah Equiano in the textbook. Please read the whole thing. It's broken into two pieces - and it may be helpful for you to break the reading up into these two pieces.
As you read, take note of interesting passages and ideas - always annotate! Also, pay attention to the similarities and differences between Equiano and Rowlandson - their tone, point of view, narrative structure, life experiences, and so on. We will spend Monday going through this story as well as looking at some commonalities between Rowlandson and Equiano.
Don't forget that you have vocabulary cards and bookmarks due tomorrow!
Freshmen:
No homework tonight is required of you - but you should be working on your poetry projects. I'll probably be checking in with you in the next few days to see what you have accomplished. If you have any questions about this project or want help, please come and see me at Monday's study hall.
Have a beautiful afternoon!
Today's class went well, I hope that the review of the Mary Rowlandson piece helped your understanding of some of the pivotal moments within that text. To prepare for Monday's class I would like for you to complete the reading of the excerpted narrative of Oluadah Equiano in the textbook. Please read the whole thing. It's broken into two pieces - and it may be helpful for you to break the reading up into these two pieces.
As you read, take note of interesting passages and ideas - always annotate! Also, pay attention to the similarities and differences between Equiano and Rowlandson - their tone, point of view, narrative structure, life experiences, and so on. We will spend Monday going through this story as well as looking at some commonalities between Rowlandson and Equiano.
Don't forget that you have vocabulary cards and bookmarks due tomorrow!
Freshmen:
No homework tonight is required of you - but you should be working on your poetry projects. I'll probably be checking in with you in the next few days to see what you have accomplished. If you have any questions about this project or want help, please come and see me at Monday's study hall.
Have a beautiful afternoon!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Homework - 2 March
English I: You all had your Benchmark Exam today, thus you have no required homework for tonight. However, if I were you I would take this night to work on your poetry projects. Get one of the poems written or work on the memorization aspect of your poem. On Friday we will move on to looking at a few new kinds of poetry as we move forward through our study of poetry.
English III: For tonight I would like for you to read Mary Rowlandson's "A Narrative of the Captivity" in the textbook. Use the access information that I gave you today to get to the online book or use a book which you brought from class. Complete the worksheet that goes along with the story. As you read the story, it will be important that you all read all of the attached information including Rowlandson's biography as well as the information about Captivity Narratives.
Let me know if you've got questions!
English III: For tonight I would like for you to read Mary Rowlandson's "A Narrative of the Captivity" in the textbook. Use the access information that I gave you today to get to the online book or use a book which you brought from class. Complete the worksheet that goes along with the story. As you read the story, it will be important that you all read all of the attached information including Rowlandson's biography as well as the information about Captivity Narratives.
Let me know if you've got questions!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Homework - 1 March
Happy March! Only four weeks to go until the end of the grading period! Lots of things to do this month - keep up with all of your due dates and requirements.
Freshmen: Over the next two days you will have your Second Benchmark Exam. It's important that you prepare yourself in any way necessary for this exam as I will be using this exam to individualize instruction for you moving to the EOC. There are two key sections to the exam: grammar and literature. For the grammar section, look over your warm-ups. Try to recognize what looks right and what doesn't. It's not a good use of your time to memorize grammar rules - focus on the patterns that we've been observing all year. For the literature section you should focus on literary terms - there is a resource in your textbook which you can use for this on page 1019 and you can look over all of your notes that you've taken all year. Come to class ready with a pencil on Wednesday/Thursday.
Juniors: Time to start a new unit today - Early American Literature. Today we began with a piece of history so that you all can understand a bit more the context for the writings we'll be reading in the next few weeks. For tonight, finish reading the piece by Zinn; remember to annotate heavily. Tomorrow we will review this piece and move on to some Native American literature before studying our first Puritan piece. Also, don't forget to get yourself some post-its that you will use to annotate in your textbook in class.
Freshmen: Over the next two days you will have your Second Benchmark Exam. It's important that you prepare yourself in any way necessary for this exam as I will be using this exam to individualize instruction for you moving to the EOC. There are two key sections to the exam: grammar and literature. For the grammar section, look over your warm-ups. Try to recognize what looks right and what doesn't. It's not a good use of your time to memorize grammar rules - focus on the patterns that we've been observing all year. For the literature section you should focus on literary terms - there is a resource in your textbook which you can use for this on page 1019 and you can look over all of your notes that you've taken all year. Come to class ready with a pencil on Wednesday/Thursday.
Juniors: Time to start a new unit today - Early American Literature. Today we began with a piece of history so that you all can understand a bit more the context for the writings we'll be reading in the next few weeks. For tonight, finish reading the piece by Zinn; remember to annotate heavily. Tomorrow we will review this piece and move on to some Native American literature before studying our first Puritan piece. Also, don't forget to get yourself some post-its that you will use to annotate in your textbook in class.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Homework - 28 February
Juniors: You had an exam today. Take the night off: go to the LAX game this afternoon, have a good run in the weather, whatever. Relax.
Freshmen: Hopefully the Matchbox gave you some ideas as to what you know and don't know in preparation for the Benchmark Exam. Spend tonight working on the first portion of your poetry project - memorizing. Try to get the first three or four lines memorized tonight. Also, make sure that you spend time reviewing for your Exam. Study your literary terms and your grammar warm-ups.
Freshmen: Hopefully the Matchbox gave you some ideas as to what you know and don't know in preparation for the Benchmark Exam. Spend tonight working on the first portion of your poetry project - memorizing. Try to get the first three or four lines memorized tonight. Also, make sure that you spend time reviewing for your Exam. Study your literary terms and your grammar warm-ups.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Websites
Juniors:
Websites have been graded. You will see the grades/commentary on your progress reports which I will give to you tomorrow. This round of progress reports is more for you, but I do encourage you to keep your parents appraised of your progress. If you would like to work on improving your grade - please see me outside of class (during lunch or Monday afternoons).
Do you have any questions as you're studying for your exam? Been stretching your hands? I'm looking forward to seeing your summative ideas about Catcher. Remember to look over your writing rules tomorrow as well as your notes and annotations. Remember the stress on using specifics in your writing, you will be able to use your books - but only in the last ten minutes to check yourself. You will not be able to do well if you're relying on your notes too heavily.
Lastly, look at your vocabulary - try to integrate a few new words tomorrow: fallacious, lucrative, goad, supercilious, and so on...
If you have questions, consider the post open. Comment away!
Websites have been graded. You will see the grades/commentary on your progress reports which I will give to you tomorrow. This round of progress reports is more for you, but I do encourage you to keep your parents appraised of your progress. If you would like to work on improving your grade - please see me outside of class (during lunch or Monday afternoons).
Do you have any questions as you're studying for your exam? Been stretching your hands? I'm looking forward to seeing your summative ideas about Catcher. Remember to look over your writing rules tomorrow as well as your notes and annotations. Remember the stress on using specifics in your writing, you will be able to use your books - but only in the last ten minutes to check yourself. You will not be able to do well if you're relying on your notes too heavily.
Lastly, look at your vocabulary - try to integrate a few new words tomorrow: fallacious, lucrative, goad, supercilious, and so on...
If you have questions, consider the post open. Comment away!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Homework for All Classes - 2/24/2011
Tomorrow's FRIDAY! I feel that this week has really flown by, and we're getting a bit closer to a break, which is much needed. Here's your update for the day:
English I:
Today we took our Wordskills 2 Exam and began work on our Poetry Project. Remember the deal about the project - this is five grades rolled into one project. The memorization and paper will count as a quiz grade, the creative writing will count as a homework grade. All of those grades will then be averaged together to create a test grade. Thus, it is important that you not miss any part of this project. The project will be due the week of March 14th - specific dates will come closer to this week once I see what the schedule looks like. This means that you have three study halls before the project is due to meet with me. You must realize that you will not do well with this assignment if you wait until the last minute.
For tonight's homework I would like for you to answer the following question and put your response in the box on Monday/Tuesday.
English III:
I think that we got off to a good start with today's presentations. I will be grading your websites this weekend, thus if there is anything not on the site that should be there you have until Sunday morning to make any edits or corrections. I will grade all of your sites on Sunday.
For tonight, you don't have anything that is due tomorrow. Those of you presenting tomorrow will want to be ready for that and those of you turning in redo vocabulary cards will want to have those. I would also spend some time looking over your notes to begin studying. I will give you some ideas for things to focus on tomorrow as you study; but you should know by now that I won't tell you everything. Don't forget - your exam on Catcher will be Monday.
Enjoy the rainy afternoon. See you tomorrow!!!
English I:
Today we took our Wordskills 2 Exam and began work on our Poetry Project. Remember the deal about the project - this is five grades rolled into one project. The memorization and paper will count as a quiz grade, the creative writing will count as a homework grade. All of those grades will then be averaged together to create a test grade. Thus, it is important that you not miss any part of this project. The project will be due the week of March 14th - specific dates will come closer to this week once I see what the schedule looks like. This means that you have three study halls before the project is due to meet with me. You must realize that you will not do well with this assignment if you wait until the last minute.
For tonight's homework I would like for you to answer the following question and put your response in the box on Monday/Tuesday.
Why did you choose the poem that you selected for this project?As you answer the question use details from the poem as well as your literary vocabulary: talk about figurative language, tone, and structure. Also, if you can find any information on your author, please include a few facts with a citation.
English III:
I think that we got off to a good start with today's presentations. I will be grading your websites this weekend, thus if there is anything not on the site that should be there you have until Sunday morning to make any edits or corrections. I will grade all of your sites on Sunday.
For tonight, you don't have anything that is due tomorrow. Those of you presenting tomorrow will want to be ready for that and those of you turning in redo vocabulary cards will want to have those. I would also spend some time looking over your notes to begin studying. I will give you some ideas for things to focus on tomorrow as you study; but you should know by now that I won't tell you everything. Don't forget - your exam on Catcher will be Monday.
Enjoy the rainy afternoon. See you tomorrow!!!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Homework/Reminders - 2/23
It is the end of the day and I am feeling wiped out! Phew! Hopefully I can summon a bit of energy to enjoy this beautiful afternoon. Here's what you all need to get done tonight:
English I:
Tomorrow you have a Wordskills exam on Lesson 2 - it's all multiple choice and will focus mostly on prefixes. You should spend some time looking over the base words as well. Don't forget that the final drafts of your movie reviews are also due tomorrow/Friday. I like the fact that a good amount of you have seen me to review your drafts. Please turn in all of your drafts with your final draft on top.
English III:
Tomorrow we'll begin with talking a bit more about the excerpts that you all got today from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I especially want us to focus in on the idea of voice, authenticity, characterization, tone, and structure/point of view. We will also begin our presentations. I look forward to seeing what you all have come up with regarding these different topics in the novel.
Let me know if you have any concerns or questions!
English I:
Tomorrow you have a Wordskills exam on Lesson 2 - it's all multiple choice and will focus mostly on prefixes. You should spend some time looking over the base words as well. Don't forget that the final drafts of your movie reviews are also due tomorrow/Friday. I like the fact that a good amount of you have seen me to review your drafts. Please turn in all of your drafts with your final draft on top.
English III:
Tomorrow we'll begin with talking a bit more about the excerpts that you all got today from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I especially want us to focus in on the idea of voice, authenticity, characterization, tone, and structure/point of view. We will also begin our presentations. I look forward to seeing what you all have come up with regarding these different topics in the novel.
Let me know if you have any concerns or questions!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Homework - 2/22/11
Did anyone notice that if you divide the day and the month you end up getting the year? Crazy...
English I:
Next class you have two major things to be ready for. First, your movie reviews of A Separate Peace are due. Please make sure that you are following the guidelines that I gave you on the assignment sheet. Your first paragraph should provide a hook and then a clear thesis statement which presents your opinion on the film and why. Your second paragraph should be a review of the main moments in the film. The final paragraph is where you will speak to your thesis - showing me that scene or element which made or broke the film for you. Remember that you will need to keep everything on one page!
Also, next class you will have your Wordskills 2 Exam. Pay close attention to your prefixes!!! Knowing those prefixes will be key to being successful on the exam. Remember that you may see some information from lesson one - it would be a good idea to go back and review the last unit too.
On Thursday we will spend some time in the library getting started on our poetry project for the nine weeks. You may want to come to class with some change to make photocopies in the library.
English III:
Today was another very successful inside/outside circle discussion. A vast majority of you were participating in the circle discussion and I think that we were able to hit on a lot of major topics in the book. You may want to continue to consider and think about these ideas as we prepare for the exam on this book next week. For tonight, you will want to spend a lot of time working on your websites. Get your information uploaded and in the right place. Make sure that everyone in the group is pulling his/her weight. Tomorrow we will have about thirty minutes at the beginning of the period to meet and discuss as groups - I've gotten us a set of laptops from the library - but if you'd like to bring your own, you are more than welcome to do so.
Also, tomorrow, don't forget that I'll be checking annotations across the whole novel. Spend some time tonight getting those ready for me.
I think that'll do it. Tomorrow's Wednesday - halfway to Friday!
English I:
Next class you have two major things to be ready for. First, your movie reviews of A Separate Peace are due. Please make sure that you are following the guidelines that I gave you on the assignment sheet. Your first paragraph should provide a hook and then a clear thesis statement which presents your opinion on the film and why. Your second paragraph should be a review of the main moments in the film. The final paragraph is where you will speak to your thesis - showing me that scene or element which made or broke the film for you. Remember that you will need to keep everything on one page!
Also, next class you will have your Wordskills 2 Exam. Pay close attention to your prefixes!!! Knowing those prefixes will be key to being successful on the exam. Remember that you may see some information from lesson one - it would be a good idea to go back and review the last unit too.
On Thursday we will spend some time in the library getting started on our poetry project for the nine weeks. You may want to come to class with some change to make photocopies in the library.
English III:
Today was another very successful inside/outside circle discussion. A vast majority of you were participating in the circle discussion and I think that we were able to hit on a lot of major topics in the book. You may want to continue to consider and think about these ideas as we prepare for the exam on this book next week. For tonight, you will want to spend a lot of time working on your websites. Get your information uploaded and in the right place. Make sure that everyone in the group is pulling his/her weight. Tomorrow we will have about thirty minutes at the beginning of the period to meet and discuss as groups - I've gotten us a set of laptops from the library - but if you'd like to bring your own, you are more than welcome to do so.
Also, tomorrow, don't forget that I'll be checking annotations across the whole novel. Spend some time tonight getting those ready for me.
I think that'll do it. Tomorrow's Wednesday - halfway to Friday!
Monday, February 21, 2011
In review of the websites...
I hope to see a lot of serious movement on these websites tonight and tomorrow. After just checking in, it seems as though only a few people have really done anything. I will be checking you against the template, I'm expecting to see thorough pieces of work.
Be aware that everything must be cited, properly. Failure to do so will constitute plagiarism.
Please come and see me during lunch tomorrow and Wednesday if you or your group need assistance.
Junior Homework - 2/21
Juniors:
This week we're going to be wrapping up our study of The Catcher in the Rye. In order to facilitate this, tomorrow we will be having an inside/outside circle discussion on the final chapters of the novel. Come prepared with points to share with the group so that we can begin to unlock these final chapters and discover Salinger's meaning for us as readers.
Further, you may find it helpful to review the thesis building/prompt breakdown that we did today in class. Remember that the idea with these timed writing sessions is to do more with less. Don't tell me about every example, instead explore an example thoroughly to show me how it connects to something greater.
Annotations will be checked on Wednesday. Be ready for that!
This week we're going to be wrapping up our study of The Catcher in the Rye. In order to facilitate this, tomorrow we will be having an inside/outside circle discussion on the final chapters of the novel. Come prepared with points to share with the group so that we can begin to unlock these final chapters and discover Salinger's meaning for us as readers.
Further, you may find it helpful to review the thesis building/prompt breakdown that we did today in class. Remember that the idea with these timed writing sessions is to do more with less. Don't tell me about every example, instead explore an example thoroughly to show me how it connects to something greater.
Annotations will be checked on Wednesday. Be ready for that!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Apologies Juniors!
I didn't get the homework up on Friday. Had an appointment and the blog completely slipped my mind, especially with all the beautiful weather.
This weekend you're to finish reading Catcher. Finish up your annotations. Remember that as we come to the end of the novel it's important to realize how the author is tying up the numerous threads that he/she has created throughout the work. What is Salinger's message to us as readers? What has his purpose been?
We're coming up on a very busy week - keep abreast of all of the upcoming deadlines. I'll deliver those on Monday!
This weekend you're to finish reading Catcher. Finish up your annotations. Remember that as we come to the end of the novel it's important to realize how the author is tying up the numerous threads that he/she has created throughout the work. What is Salinger's message to us as readers? What has his purpose been?
We're coming up on a very busy week - keep abreast of all of the upcoming deadlines. I'll deliver those on Monday!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Homework for Juniors - 2/17
English III:
For tonight you will need to complete your first vocabulary bookmark and three more vocabulary cards from the words on your bookmark. Remember the mistakes that you made on the first round of this and fix those mistakes for your next round of cards. I want to do nothing but see 100's on these assignments. Further, please get your website set up for our Catcher projects. Once you set up the website, be sure to share it with me and all of your groupmates. Get that done by the end of the day on Friday.
English I:
Your homework is in the previous post - make sure that your answers get in the box on the day that it's due.
For tonight you will need to complete your first vocabulary bookmark and three more vocabulary cards from the words on your bookmark. Remember the mistakes that you made on the first round of this and fix those mistakes for your next round of cards. I want to do nothing but see 100's on these assignments. Further, please get your website set up for our Catcher projects. Once you set up the website, be sure to share it with me and all of your groupmates. Get that done by the end of the day on Friday.
English I:
Your homework is in the previous post - make sure that your answers get in the box on the day that it's due.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Homework - English I and III, 2/16
English III:
I hope that you all enjoyed walking around Manhattan today during our "field trip." Unfortunately the computers don't always do what we want them to, but I think that it's important to attempt these types of explorations in order to get a better understanding of the setting and perspective in this novel. For tonight, I would like for you to read and annotate chapters twenty-one and twenty-two. Tomorrow we will have an in-class presentation from Guidance and then we will work through chapters eighteen through twenty-two. It would behoove you to review your notes and annotations on these chapters as well. We're nearly done with this novel - continue to think about your website project and topic as you move through the final chapters.
English I:
Today we began really studying poetry in some depth. The next few weeks will serve as our transition from the world of prose (short stories and novels) to the realm of poetry. For tonight's homework read pages 472 to 474 in your textbook. It will be important to pay attention to the literary devices defined for you before the poem in order to answer the questions at the end. You may find it necessary to read the poem several times in order to understand it fully. When you finish the poem by Pat Mora please answer questions 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7. Make sure as you answer these questions to base your answers solely on the poem and to follow good writing rules as you will be discussing literature. Make sure that your answers get to the homework box before the start of the day on Friday (A-day) or Monday (B-day).
If you have any questions, please ask.
I hope that you all enjoyed walking around Manhattan today during our "field trip." Unfortunately the computers don't always do what we want them to, but I think that it's important to attempt these types of explorations in order to get a better understanding of the setting and perspective in this novel. For tonight, I would like for you to read and annotate chapters twenty-one and twenty-two. Tomorrow we will have an in-class presentation from Guidance and then we will work through chapters eighteen through twenty-two. It would behoove you to review your notes and annotations on these chapters as well. We're nearly done with this novel - continue to think about your website project and topic as you move through the final chapters.
English I:
Today we began really studying poetry in some depth. The next few weeks will serve as our transition from the world of prose (short stories and novels) to the realm of poetry. For tonight's homework read pages 472 to 474 in your textbook. It will be important to pay attention to the literary devices defined for you before the poem in order to answer the questions at the end. You may find it necessary to read the poem several times in order to understand it fully. When you finish the poem by Pat Mora please answer questions 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7. Make sure as you answer these questions to base your answers solely on the poem and to follow good writing rules as you will be discussing literature. Make sure that your answers get to the homework box before the start of the day on Friday (A-day) or Monday (B-day).
If you have any questions, please ask.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Homework - 2/15
English III:
Tonight for homework you will need to read chapters eighteen, nineteen and twenty. As you read, continue to pay attention not only to your group's focal point, but also the other ideas that we have been talking about in the novel. As we move toward the end of the novel, it's important to think about what messages Salinger is sending us about these different ideas.
You will also want to go ahead and set up your group's website for your project. Follow the instructions that I gave you in class. I'm including the project mock-up at this link. Once you create the page, make sure that you've shared it with your group members as well as with me. Follow the formatting guidelines here. These projects will not be due until after we finish reading the novel, but you will want to be sure that you are spending some time thinking about your ideas over the next few days.
English I:
Your movie reviews are due tomorrow for editing. Bring it with you to class. We will also begin our study of poetry in depth by looking at some interesting pieces of poetry by Robert Frost and Billy Collins. Don't forget, you may want to start looking at all of your literary devices that we've covered this year. Quizzes are coming up on these things!
Tonight for homework you will need to read chapters eighteen, nineteen and twenty. As you read, continue to pay attention not only to your group's focal point, but also the other ideas that we have been talking about in the novel. As we move toward the end of the novel, it's important to think about what messages Salinger is sending us about these different ideas.
You will also want to go ahead and set up your group's website for your project. Follow the instructions that I gave you in class. I'm including the project mock-up at this link. Once you create the page, make sure that you've shared it with your group members as well as with me. Follow the formatting guidelines here. These projects will not be due until after we finish reading the novel, but you will want to be sure that you are spending some time thinking about your ideas over the next few days.
English I:
Your movie reviews are due tomorrow for editing. Bring it with you to class. We will also begin our study of poetry in depth by looking at some interesting pieces of poetry by Robert Frost and Billy Collins. Don't forget, you may want to start looking at all of your literary devices that we've covered this year. Quizzes are coming up on these things!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Homework - 14 February
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
English III:
In a moment of grace I've decided that you all don't need to do any reading tonight. It may be a good idea for you to begin looking over what you've already read with an eye toward your website project. Begin looking through the earlier information in an attempt to find quotes that explain your idea. Think consistently about author's purpose as you look at these passages.
Tomorrow we are going to spend some time reviewing what we've already read and then going forward into the last few sections of the novel. For tonight, you will definitely want to make sure that you're prepared for a good discussion tomorrow.
English I:
Today I gave you the outline and requirements for your film review of A Separate Peace. On Wednesday/Thursday we will be editing these in class to make sure that they are in good shape before final drafts are due. Final drafts will be due the 24th and 25th of February. I'm giving you this time so that you will have time to come and see me to get extra editing assistance. Also, please have your copy of A Separate Peace with you next class as I will be collecting these from you.
Lastly, Freshmen, if you are missing any assignments please see me as soon as possible to get them made up. The third nine weeks will pass by very quickly. Keep up with your work, don't fall behind!
English III:
In a moment of grace I've decided that you all don't need to do any reading tonight. It may be a good idea for you to begin looking over what you've already read with an eye toward your website project. Begin looking through the earlier information in an attempt to find quotes that explain your idea. Think consistently about author's purpose as you look at these passages.
Tomorrow we are going to spend some time reviewing what we've already read and then going forward into the last few sections of the novel. For tonight, you will definitely want to make sure that you're prepared for a good discussion tomorrow.
English I:
Today I gave you the outline and requirements for your film review of A Separate Peace. On Wednesday/Thursday we will be editing these in class to make sure that they are in good shape before final drafts are due. Final drafts will be due the 24th and 25th of February. I'm giving you this time so that you will have time to come and see me to get extra editing assistance. Also, please have your copy of A Separate Peace with you next class as I will be collecting these from you.
Lastly, Freshmen, if you are missing any assignments please see me as soon as possible to get them made up. The third nine weeks will pass by very quickly. Keep up with your work, don't fall behind!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Homework for the Weekend - 11 February
Juniors:
Over the weekend I'd like for you to spend some time reviewing chapters fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen. We'll be discussing these in depth on Monday and I would like to make sure that you are all prepared for that. Also, I would like for you to take some time and read the Dostoevsky excerpt from the novel Crime and Punishment. As you read the excerpt, pay particular attention to similarities and differences between the excerpt and The Catcher in the Rye. There are some very interesting parallels.
Freshmen:
Don't forget that your poems are due on Monday/Tuesday to the box. If you haven't turned in your project yet, make sure it gets to me as soon as possible. Five points off for lateness per day, ten points off per class.
Over the weekend I'd like for you to spend some time reviewing chapters fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen. We'll be discussing these in depth on Monday and I would like to make sure that you are all prepared for that. Also, I would like for you to take some time and read the Dostoevsky excerpt from the novel Crime and Punishment. As you read the excerpt, pay particular attention to similarities and differences between the excerpt and The Catcher in the Rye. There are some very interesting parallels.
Freshmen:
Don't forget that your poems are due on Monday/Tuesday to the box. If you haven't turned in your project yet, make sure it gets to me as soon as possible. Five points off for lateness per day, ten points off per class.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Homework - 10 February
Juniors:
Great job with the inside/outside circle today. I'd like to see more people engaging in the conversation when we do these things. Remember, your ideas get stronger when you discuss them and test them against your classmates. For tonight, I'd like for you to read chapters fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen. Be sure that as you read, you are annotating. Furthermore, don't forget that vocabulary cards are due tomorrow. You'll need to submit two cards and I will be checking your bookmark. Follow all of the instructions.
Freshmen:
Over the weekend you have a creative writing activity to do for me. I would like for you to complete a poetic eulogy for Finny. The eulogy will need to be no less than fifteen lines for Standard students and no less than twenty-five lines for Honors students. Remember that a eulogy is meant to be in praise of the person - try to use interesting diction and imagery to make your poem more complete. These will need to be turned into the box on Monday/Tuesday.
Great job with the inside/outside circle today. I'd like to see more people engaging in the conversation when we do these things. Remember, your ideas get stronger when you discuss them and test them against your classmates. For tonight, I'd like for you to read chapters fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen. Be sure that as you read, you are annotating. Furthermore, don't forget that vocabulary cards are due tomorrow. You'll need to submit two cards and I will be checking your bookmark. Follow all of the instructions.
Freshmen:
Over the weekend you have a creative writing activity to do for me. I would like for you to complete a poetic eulogy for Finny. The eulogy will need to be no less than fifteen lines for Standard students and no less than twenty-five lines for Honors students. Remember that a eulogy is meant to be in praise of the person - try to use interesting diction and imagery to make your poem more complete. These will need to be turned into the box on Monday/Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Homework for Juniors - 9 February
Today's class flew by! Phew. Tonight, I'd like for you to complete a few different tasks:
1. Tomorrow we will be having an inside/outside circle discussion. I will be staying in the outside circle and observing the whole time and will not prompt the discussion unless absolutely necessary. I want you all to be prepared to lead the discussion. Tonight, review chapters eight through eleven to prepare for this. You may want to make a list of topics for discussion or questions that you would like to bring to the group. You can also raise anything that you don't understand. The inside circle will consist of ten students, the outside circle will consist of twenty students. Tomorrow will provide all of you a chance to earn some participation points.
2. I would like for you to read and annotate chapters twelve, thirteen, and fourteen. Continue to play with some of the ideas that were raised in today's discussion/lesson especially the Madonna/Whore Complex, sexuality, innocence and corruption.
3. Lastly, if you did not finish your preparation on your group's female character. Please have that done for tomorrow. The important thing to consider is this character's function in the text. Why is she here? What is Salinger trying to accomplish or show by including her?
Don't forget about vocabulary cards on Friday!
1. Tomorrow we will be having an inside/outside circle discussion. I will be staying in the outside circle and observing the whole time and will not prompt the discussion unless absolutely necessary. I want you all to be prepared to lead the discussion. Tonight, review chapters eight through eleven to prepare for this. You may want to make a list of topics for discussion or questions that you would like to bring to the group. You can also raise anything that you don't understand. The inside circle will consist of ten students, the outside circle will consist of twenty students. Tomorrow will provide all of you a chance to earn some participation points.
2. I would like for you to read and annotate chapters twelve, thirteen, and fourteen. Continue to play with some of the ideas that were raised in today's discussion/lesson especially the Madonna/Whore Complex, sexuality, innocence and corruption.
3. Lastly, if you did not finish your preparation on your group's female character. Please have that done for tomorrow. The important thing to consider is this character's function in the text. Why is she here? What is Salinger trying to accomplish or show by including her?
Don't forget about vocabulary cards on Friday!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Homework - 2/8
A good day was had by all, I think. Tomorrow's a PLC day - hooray for half days.
Freshmen:
Tonight you will need to finish reading A Separate Peace. On Thursday/Friday we will discuss the ending of the novel and begin our transition to poetry. Don't forget that your projects are also due on Thursday/Friday - a presentation of part of your project is required and will count toward your overall project grade.
Juniors:
Tonight you need to read chapters eight through eleven of The Catcher in the Rye. We are moving to a new section of the text - Holden's adventures in New York City. Pay attention to what stays the same with Holden and what changes. Furthermore, I'd like for you to take one of the words on your bookmark and create your first vocabulary card. This is a practice - but it will count toward your cards for the week. Thus, this Friday, you will only need two completed cards and ten words on your bookmark.
Enjoy the afternoon. See you all tomorrow!
Freshmen:
Tonight you will need to finish reading A Separate Peace. On Thursday/Friday we will discuss the ending of the novel and begin our transition to poetry. Don't forget that your projects are also due on Thursday/Friday - a presentation of part of your project is required and will count toward your overall project grade.
Juniors:
Tonight you need to read chapters eight through eleven of The Catcher in the Rye. We are moving to a new section of the text - Holden's adventures in New York City. Pay attention to what stays the same with Holden and what changes. Furthermore, I'd like for you to take one of the words on your bookmark and create your first vocabulary card. This is a practice - but it will count toward your cards for the week. Thus, this Friday, you will only need two completed cards and ten words on your bookmark.
Enjoy the afternoon. See you all tomorrow!
Monday, February 7, 2011
English III Homework - 2/7
Juniors:
Tonight for homework I would like for you to spend some time reviewing what you've already done. Take some of the major ideas that we discussed today in class (immaturity, living in the past, escape, etc.) and start tying these ideas to areas in the text. This will be very important as we begin moving through the rest of the novel to see how these ideas are developed and eventually what the message is about these ideas.
Make sure that your annotations on chapters one through seven are thorough. Also, be sure that you're keeping up with your vocabulary. I will be collecting cards and checking bookmarks on Friday.
Today's discussion was very productive, let's keepp it going all week.
Tonight for homework I would like for you to spend some time reviewing what you've already done. Take some of the major ideas that we discussed today in class (immaturity, living in the past, escape, etc.) and start tying these ideas to areas in the text. This will be very important as we begin moving through the rest of the novel to see how these ideas are developed and eventually what the message is about these ideas.
Make sure that your annotations on chapters one through seven are thorough. Also, be sure that you're keeping up with your vocabulary. I will be collecting cards and checking bookmarks on Friday.
Today's discussion was very productive, let's keepp it going all week.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Forgot the Homework!
Students,
Sorry for the delay in posting. Here's what you need to get done over the weekend.
English I:
Your projects are due this week coming up. Thursday for A-day and Friday for B-day. Come and see me after school to go over the written part of your project. Remember that these projects will count as a test grade. Over the weekend you'll need to read chapter eleven. You may want to go ahead and finish the book after that.
English III:
Over the weekend you should complete the reading of chapters four through seven. Continue to annotate. Remember, look for patters and things that you find interesting in the reading. We've been doing a lot of discussion on point of view and narrator. These may be things to focus on. Don't forget that you have to have your book every day in class. Not being prepared in not acceptable.
Sorry for the delay in posting. Here's what you need to get done over the weekend.
English I:
Your projects are due this week coming up. Thursday for A-day and Friday for B-day. Come and see me after school to go over the written part of your project. Remember that these projects will count as a test grade. Over the weekend you'll need to read chapter eleven. You may want to go ahead and finish the book after that.
English III:
Over the weekend you should complete the reading of chapters four through seven. Continue to annotate. Remember, look for patters and things that you find interesting in the reading. We've been doing a lot of discussion on point of view and narrator. These may be things to focus on. Don't forget that you have to have your book every day in class. Not being prepared in not acceptable.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
English III Homework - 3 February 2011
Juniors -
Today's presentations provided a lot of fodder for thinking, especially as we open up our study of The Catcher in the Rye. You should have particularly noted the culture of the 1950's - this is something that we will continue to discuss in the first few chapters of the novel. For tonight, you should read to the end of chapter three. As you read, keep track of your vocabulary and annotation assignment. If annotating as you read doesn't work for you, then read first - then go back and annotate. I think that it's a good idea to pause after every paragraph and then go back to reexamine what you just read. As you do this more, you'll get into the hang of it.
Tomorrow I'll be handing back your essays and we'll do a bit of talking about where I've found some general strengths and areas for improvement in what I read. I will also give you a lot of guidelines for improving your writing. After that, we will get into a discussion of Catcher. If you have any questions about the reading, we will begin with those. Raising questions is a great way to earn participation points.
Today's presentations provided a lot of fodder for thinking, especially as we open up our study of The Catcher in the Rye. You should have particularly noted the culture of the 1950's - this is something that we will continue to discuss in the first few chapters of the novel. For tonight, you should read to the end of chapter three. As you read, keep track of your vocabulary and annotation assignment. If annotating as you read doesn't work for you, then read first - then go back and annotate. I think that it's a good idea to pause after every paragraph and then go back to reexamine what you just read. As you do this more, you'll get into the hang of it.
Tomorrow I'll be handing back your essays and we'll do a bit of talking about where I've found some general strengths and areas for improvement in what I read. I will also give you a lot of guidelines for improving your writing. After that, we will get into a discussion of Catcher. If you have any questions about the reading, we will begin with those. Raising questions is a great way to earn participation points.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Homework and Reminders - 2 February
English I:
Freshmen, I will try to have your tests graded and back to you by next week. They will definitely be on your progress reports. For tonight you do not have any homework that you need to complete, but you should move toward finishing A Separate Peace. You will need to have the book done next week. Your projects will be due at the end of next week. Thursday the 10th for A-day and Friday the 11th for B-day. If you need any assistance or want me to take a look at your projects, please come and see me for that. Next week we will wrap up our study of the novel and then move on to poetry!
English III:
Today in the library I hope that you were able to complete your research for your presentations tomorrow. Tonight, you will need to finish up any research that you need to complete your presentation/public speaking assignment tomorrow. I will be collecting bibliographies from you as part of your presentation grade. You will also be graded on your content and the way in which you present the information (good eye contract, volume, posture, and so forth). Also, tomorrow, we will begin our study of The Catcher in the Rye. Make sure that you have your copy of the novel with you in class. I will also be giving out your vocabulary assignment for the year.
As always, let me know if you have any questions. Assuming that I survive my swim tonight, I'll see you all tomorrow.
Freshmen, I will try to have your tests graded and back to you by next week. They will definitely be on your progress reports. For tonight you do not have any homework that you need to complete, but you should move toward finishing A Separate Peace. You will need to have the book done next week. Your projects will be due at the end of next week. Thursday the 10th for A-day and Friday the 11th for B-day. If you need any assistance or want me to take a look at your projects, please come and see me for that. Next week we will wrap up our study of the novel and then move on to poetry!
English III:
Today in the library I hope that you were able to complete your research for your presentations tomorrow. Tonight, you will need to finish up any research that you need to complete your presentation/public speaking assignment tomorrow. I will be collecting bibliographies from you as part of your presentation grade. You will also be graded on your content and the way in which you present the information (good eye contract, volume, posture, and so forth). Also, tomorrow, we will begin our study of The Catcher in the Rye. Make sure that you have your copy of the novel with you in class. I will also be giving out your vocabulary assignment for the year.
As always, let me know if you have any questions. Assuming that I survive my swim tonight, I'll see you all tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
English III Homework - 1 February
For tonight, I'd like for you to respond to the following prompt:
What is the distinction between lonliness and anlone? These two concepts are very close to each other, yet, they have a clear difference as well. What is this difference? In thinking of Prufrock, does he suffer from a case of lonliness or alone? Why?
Please respond using the Google group or respond to the prompt via e-mail. If you cannot do either of these, then a paper option will be accepted. Just make sure that you are thorough in your response. You may find it useful to reread "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" tonight - we'll be finishing up with him tomorrow and then moving on to Mr. Salinger.
What is the distinction between lonliness and anlone? These two concepts are very close to each other, yet, they have a clear difference as well. What is this difference? In thinking of Prufrock, does he suffer from a case of lonliness or alone? Why?
Please respond using the Google group or respond to the prompt via e-mail. If you cannot do either of these, then a paper option will be accepted. Just make sure that you are thorough in your response. You may find it useful to reread "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" tonight - we'll be finishing up with him tomorrow and then moving on to Mr. Salinger.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Homework for All Classes - 1/31
English I:
On Wednesday/Thursday you will have an exam on chapters six through ten of A Separate Peace. The test will have four sections. Section one will be matching. Section two will be multiple choice. Section three will be short answer. Section four will be different for the different sections: Honors students will have quote identifications, and Standard students will be asked to complete a character web. Thus, it's important for Standard students to focus in on characters (Who are they? Who are they connected to? What is important about them?)
In terms of studying, you are going to want to focus on plot events, literary devices, and the ways in which these literary devices are being used in the text to add meaning. Also, think about the major motifs and symbols that we have been discussing throughout this portion of the text (reality versus fantasy, childhood versus adulthood, maturity, the war, the school, and the relationship between Gene, Finny and Brinker.)
If you've been engaged with this novel and keeping up with your reading, then this will be an easy exam; if not, this will be very difficult for you.
Lastly, don't forget that your projects will be due next week.
English III:
For homework tonight you will need to complete your "Orientation Posting." Login to the Google Group and click on the discussion board called "Orientation Post," follow all of the directions. You will be asked to post three things in your posting. Make sure that this is done before you come to class tomorrow. The beginning of class is the cut off time for all discussion board postings. If you are having problems getting to the group, please come and see me or e-mail me so that we can resolve the issue. Please remember to check your Spam/Junk folder. Your invitation may be in this folder if you have strict Spam settings.
On Wednesday/Thursday you will have an exam on chapters six through ten of A Separate Peace. The test will have four sections. Section one will be matching. Section two will be multiple choice. Section three will be short answer. Section four will be different for the different sections: Honors students will have quote identifications, and Standard students will be asked to complete a character web. Thus, it's important for Standard students to focus in on characters (Who are they? Who are they connected to? What is important about them?)
In terms of studying, you are going to want to focus on plot events, literary devices, and the ways in which these literary devices are being used in the text to add meaning. Also, think about the major motifs and symbols that we have been discussing throughout this portion of the text (reality versus fantasy, childhood versus adulthood, maturity, the war, the school, and the relationship between Gene, Finny and Brinker.)
If you've been engaged with this novel and keeping up with your reading, then this will be an easy exam; if not, this will be very difficult for you.
Lastly, don't forget that your projects will be due next week.
English III:
For homework tonight you will need to complete your "Orientation Posting." Login to the Google Group and click on the discussion board called "Orientation Post," follow all of the directions. You will be asked to post three things in your posting. Make sure that this is done before you come to class tomorrow. The beginning of class is the cut off time for all discussion board postings. If you are having problems getting to the group, please come and see me or e-mail me so that we can resolve the issue. Please remember to check your Spam/Junk folder. Your invitation may be in this folder if you have strict Spam settings.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Homework over the Weekend - English III
Juniors:
Over the weekend you do not have any homework to be collected or checked, but you do have some things that you need to get done. First, we will begin our study of The Catcher in the Rye next week. Most likely toward the end of the week. Please take the time this weekend to get yourself a copy of the book. There are a few used bookstores in the area (my personal favorite being Nice Price Books on Broad Street) where you can get a copy, or you can buy it new. I only ask that you get the small copy with the red horse on the cover. This will ensure that we have the same page numbers. Second, I've sent an invitation to join our Google group to those of you who have given me an e-mail address. Please accept the invitation as next week you will have an assignment using this online resource.
Freshmen: Your homework is listed in the previous post.
Have a great weekend!
Over the weekend you do not have any homework to be collected or checked, but you do have some things that you need to get done. First, we will begin our study of The Catcher in the Rye next week. Most likely toward the end of the week. Please take the time this weekend to get yourself a copy of the book. There are a few used bookstores in the area (my personal favorite being Nice Price Books on Broad Street) where you can get a copy, or you can buy it new. I only ask that you get the small copy with the red horse on the cover. This will ensure that we have the same page numbers. Second, I've sent an invitation to join our Google group to those of you who have given me an e-mail address. Please accept the invitation as next week you will have an assignment using this online resource.
Freshmen: Your homework is listed in the previous post.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Homework/Notes - 1/27/2011
English I:
For homework over the weekend you have a few things to do. First, you should read chapter ten of A Separate Peace. As you read chapter ten, continue to pay attention to Gene and how he is changing in this chapter, again. Pay particular attention to his treatment of Leper. Also, you should complete the grammar worksheet on Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement. Remember that if the antecedent (thing that comes before) is singular, then the pronoun will also have to be singular. If the antecedent is plural, then the pronoun needs to be plural. It's all about matching. Lastly, you should be working on your final projects for A Separate Peace. Come and see me next week after school if you need any extra assistance.
Lastly, on February 2 (A day) and February 3 (B day) you will have an exam on chapters six through ten of A Separate Peace. You would do well to begin reviewing these chapters over the weekend. On Monday/Tuesday we will review chapter ten and then prepare for the exam.
English III:
I want to begin by saying that I was very impressed with the amount of engagement that I saw in our class discussion today. If we can work as hard as we did today every day, then we are going to have an amazing year. For tomorrow you have two things to do. First, you need to complete the final drafts of your "What is America?" essays. Please submit to me the final draft and the rough draft. Second, I want you to do an activity tonight called 1Q1P, to do this, you will need to select one sentence that you think is the most important sentence in the whole story. That is the 1Q (quote). After you have selected your sentence, you need to write your 1P (paragraph). As you write the paragraph you will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt why your selection is the best choice for the whole story.
Tomorrow, we will finish up with Oates by playing with the numbers a bit more and then we will move on to our next key piece. A piece of poetry...
Enjoy the evening, let me know if you've got any questions.
For homework over the weekend you have a few things to do. First, you should read chapter ten of A Separate Peace. As you read chapter ten, continue to pay attention to Gene and how he is changing in this chapter, again. Pay particular attention to his treatment of Leper. Also, you should complete the grammar worksheet on Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement. Remember that if the antecedent (thing that comes before) is singular, then the pronoun will also have to be singular. If the antecedent is plural, then the pronoun needs to be plural. It's all about matching. Lastly, you should be working on your final projects for A Separate Peace. Come and see me next week after school if you need any extra assistance.
Lastly, on February 2 (A day) and February 3 (B day) you will have an exam on chapters six through ten of A Separate Peace. You would do well to begin reviewing these chapters over the weekend. On Monday/Tuesday we will review chapter ten and then prepare for the exam.
English III:
I want to begin by saying that I was very impressed with the amount of engagement that I saw in our class discussion today. If we can work as hard as we did today every day, then we are going to have an amazing year. For tomorrow you have two things to do. First, you need to complete the final drafts of your "What is America?" essays. Please submit to me the final draft and the rough draft. Second, I want you to do an activity tonight called 1Q1P, to do this, you will need to select one sentence that you think is the most important sentence in the whole story. That is the 1Q (quote). After you have selected your sentence, you need to write your 1P (paragraph). As you write the paragraph you will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt why your selection is the best choice for the whole story.
Tomorrow, we will finish up with Oates by playing with the numbers a bit more and then we will move on to our next key piece. A piece of poetry...
Enjoy the evening, let me know if you've got any questions.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
English III Homework - 1/26
Tonight I would like for you to finish reading the story that we began reading today in class. As you read, read deeply and slowly. Pause after each paragraph and look for trends and patterns. Investigate the text through annotation. Tomorrow, we will spend a majority of our time discussing and unlocking the story in order to get at some really deep level things going on. Please prepare the questions at the end of the story as a jumping off point; do not limit yourself to just these questions. If you have your own questions or points to raise in the class discussion; please bring them tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to our first discussion.
Don't forget that your essays are also coming due soon. I will collect your rough drafts and final drafts from you on Friday.
Don't forget that your essays are also coming due soon. I will collect your rough drafts and final drafts from you on Friday.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Homework - 1/25/2011
Welcome back! I think it's going to be a great semester for all of us. Only ninety days to go until the end of the year and summer vacation! Let's get on to business:
English I:
For Thursday/Friday, you need to be sure that you've read and understand chapter nine of A Separate Peace. We'll be spending a lot of time working through the major conflict that is being established here in this last part of the novel. Furthermore, your projects on the novel will be due the week of February 7th. Be sure that you're working on these bit by bit as opposed to waiting until the last minute. Lastly, I do want to inform you that you will be having a test soon on chapters six through ten of A Separate Peace. Be ready!
English III:
This was a good first day. For your assignment tonight, you need to complete your writing diagnostic: a two page definition essay that answers the question "What is America to you?" Your answer in one sentence will be your thesis - I encourage you to use the brainstorming that we did today in class to begin this writing. Your body paragraphs should show me what these concepts mean; you'll want clear, concise examples from our world which support your opinions. Finally, make sure that you use the rubric to compose your assignments, that is how you will be graded.
Tomorrow we will do a Peer Editing workshop on these essays and begin our first piece of literature for the year, an absolutely fantastic short story by a woman named Joyce Carol Oates. Get excited for that. Don't forget to return your parent contact forms to me tomorrow.
Let me know if you've got questions!
English I:
For Thursday/Friday, you need to be sure that you've read and understand chapter nine of A Separate Peace. We'll be spending a lot of time working through the major conflict that is being established here in this last part of the novel. Furthermore, your projects on the novel will be due the week of February 7th. Be sure that you're working on these bit by bit as opposed to waiting until the last minute. Lastly, I do want to inform you that you will be having a test soon on chapters six through ten of A Separate Peace. Be ready!
English III:
This was a good first day. For your assignment tonight, you need to complete your writing diagnostic: a two page definition essay that answers the question "What is America to you?" Your answer in one sentence will be your thesis - I encourage you to use the brainstorming that we did today in class to begin this writing. Your body paragraphs should show me what these concepts mean; you'll want clear, concise examples from our world which support your opinions. Finally, make sure that you use the rubric to compose your assignments, that is how you will be graded.
Tomorrow we will do a Peer Editing workshop on these essays and begin our first piece of literature for the year, an absolutely fantastic short story by a woman named Joyce Carol Oates. Get excited for that. Don't forget to return your parent contact forms to me tomorrow.
Let me know if you've got questions!
Monday, January 24, 2011
3rd Nine Weeks/Semester II
We start brand new tomorrow!
Tomorrow's schedule will have you going to all of your classes like normal. You will have a new third and fourth period. Tomorrow will be an A-day. Tomorrow you'll be getting your essays back and we will discuss chapter eight. Make sure that you've finished reading the chapter and that you understand it thoroughly. If you have any questions about the reading; jot those down and ask them in class during our discussion.
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow after the semester break!
Tomorrow's schedule will have you going to all of your classes like normal. You will have a new third and fourth period. Tomorrow will be an A-day. Tomorrow you'll be getting your essays back and we will discuss chapter eight. Make sure that you've finished reading the chapter and that you understand it thoroughly. If you have any questions about the reading; jot those down and ask them in class during our discussion.
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow after the semester break!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Grades and Wrap Up...
Freshmen and Seniors:
For the most part, I have grades ready for you. Some of you have come to see me about redoing some final assignments to earn a few extra points. Some of you are missing a major assignment, and I have contacted a majority of you about this. Friday will be the last day to make anything up for this grading period. I'm also available on Thursday afternoon (12-2:30) if you would like to come then.
Tomorrow's schedule has me meeting after the 4th period exam with 3rd period for lunch, 1B and then 2B. This will provide a chance for Seniors, and B-day students to make up missing work, redo past assignments, or even play games. I'm bringing Apples to Apples. I know not all of you will be in class tomorrow; especially those of you exempt from your 4th period exam.
The next time that I will be seeing all Freshmen will be on the 25th of January. This will be an A day and the start of a new semester. I will be handing back your essays on this day, and I will inform you of some important changes for this quarter. You will begin your new classes for the second semester on this day: new third and fourth period. In A Separate Peace, I am expecting that everyone be finished with chapter eight. I encourage you to read ahead. The end of the novel moves pretty quickly, and once you see Gene leave Leper out there...you really just want to finish to see what's going to happen.
We will be picking up the pace with this novel as we move to its denoument. Don't forget that you have projects on A Separate Peace. This will be your first major test grade of the third nine weeks! Make it count!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Exam Preparation - English IV
Seniors:
The time has finally come. It's time for your final exam. The exam will have two portions: identifications and essay. For the identifications you will need to know the title and author for each thing, you will also need to explain the significance of the object/thing in the work as a whole. For the essay section, you will have two essays. One essay will ask you to analyze a piece of poetry or a piece of fiction; the other essay will ask you to respond to a prompt using your knowledge of one of the major pieces we studied.
I will be collecting final papers from ALL OF YOU on Tuesday. If you are not taking the exam, come in, drop off the paper, and then leave. If you are taking the exam, I will take the paper when you enter. I will not be accepting any assignments past the end of the final exam.
I will not be posting a list of exempt or non-exempt students. If you don't know, please show up and we can double check then. Don't assume you're fine and then get a phone call from me on Tuesday afternoon.
If you have any exam/class related questions, please let me know.
The time has finally come. It's time for your final exam. The exam will have two portions: identifications and essay. For the identifications you will need to know the title and author for each thing, you will also need to explain the significance of the object/thing in the work as a whole. For the essay section, you will have two essays. One essay will ask you to analyze a piece of poetry or a piece of fiction; the other essay will ask you to respond to a prompt using your knowledge of one of the major pieces we studied.
I will be collecting final papers from ALL OF YOU on Tuesday. If you are not taking the exam, come in, drop off the paper, and then leave. If you are taking the exam, I will take the paper when you enter. I will not be accepting any assignments past the end of the final exam.
I will not be posting a list of exempt or non-exempt students. If you don't know, please show up and we can double check then. Don't assume you're fine and then get a phone call from me on Tuesday afternoon.
If you have any exam/class related questions, please let me know.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Notes to prepare for 14 January
Freshmen:
I will be seeing all of you tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be playing a small game called Matchbox. All that you will need for tomorrow is something to write with as well as your vocabulary bookmarks. Vocabulary bookmarks will need to be turned into the box to receive a grade. I will be looking for entries from chapters one through eight when I check these assignments
Seniors:
Tomorrow, class will begin at around 1:00. I expect to see you all in costume for the Pub. I will collect your worksheets at the beginning of the period and then check your notes at the end of the period. The reflection of the activity will be collected electronically via Google Docs or you can hand it in to me at the final exam. Don't forget that final papers for my class are due on Tuesday the 18th.
Let me know if you've got any questions. I'm off to the gym to run away from today's horribly long day...
I will be seeing all of you tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be playing a small game called Matchbox. All that you will need for tomorrow is something to write with as well as your vocabulary bookmarks. Vocabulary bookmarks will need to be turned into the box to receive a grade. I will be looking for entries from chapters one through eight when I check these assignments
Seniors:
Tomorrow, class will begin at around 1:00. I expect to see you all in costume for the Pub. I will collect your worksheets at the beginning of the period and then check your notes at the end of the period. The reflection of the activity will be collected electronically via Google Docs or you can hand it in to me at the final exam. Don't forget that final papers for my class are due on Tuesday the 18th.
Let me know if you've got any questions. I'm off to the gym to run away from today's horribly long day...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Schedule for Tomorrow - Seniors
According to the schedule for Thursday and Friday, assuming that Thursday and Friday are both full days, we will have two more meetings of third period before the final exam.
Tomorrow, after the first period exam, we will have a normal third period. Then there will be an extended second period for exam review.
On Friday, we will have the second period exam, fourth period, and then a lengthened third period for exam review.
I think that it would be better if we held the Pub on Friday to end the day. It would also give more people time to prepare and the longer period will allow us more time for the activity. It won't feel as rushed.
Tomorrow, we would have a normal class. Looking at the media's depiction of Hamlet through The Simpsons and focusing on the treatment of the ending in South Park, the Branaugh and Gibson versions of Hamlet. I'd also like to ask your opinions on the This American Life story posted a few days ago. We could end the class with a bit of exam review.
How does this sound for everyone? Seniors, leave your comments below!
Freshmen - As soon as I know the schedule for you, I will tell you. I would come prepared to have all of your classes tomorrow except 4th period. B-day students: I will be collecting essays from you. A-day students, you should have read chapter eight and made any vocabulary bookmark entries.
If there are any changes/clarifications with the schedule for tomorrow, I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Well, that was a good idea
Looks like the pub is closed due to ice. Lame. I was really looking forward to the pub with all of you. Any ideas for where to go from here?
Snow Day - 2011
Lots of time off this winter. I would have preferred a lot of snow to the sleet that we got instead. As of now we've got a two-hour delay for tomorrow. But, things can change. Tomorrow's schedule is as follows:
Period 2: 9:30 - 10:42
A Lunch: 10:42 - 11:12
Period 3: 11:18 - 12:24
Period 1: 12:30 - 2:30
Seniors:
The Beehive Pub will be open tomorrow! Come in the morning, before class, or during lunch to drop off supplies. If you haven't signed up for food yet and don't know what to bring we could use some decorations to help create more of a British pub feel. We don't have any vegetables yet. Is that lame to ask for vegetables and dip? Or fruit? Pretzels? Anyway...
You'll need to be in costume and on time when class starts; I don't want us to waste any time getting ready outside of the introduction. I'll be collecting your worksheets as you come in to class; I'll check your notes from the interactions as you leave class. You'll need to use those notes to write the reflection. The reflection can be submitted to me electronically via Google Docs.
I hope that you've spent today working on your drafts for your Hamlet papers. I will be available tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday after school to look at drafts. The final draft is due the day of the final exam, or earlier, which is currently scheduled for next Tuesday. A review session will most likely be offered this Friday.
If you're missing any assignments, they need to be submitted/made-up by this Friday. Also, please look around for checked out school books you used during this class. Please return these as soon as possible.
Freshmen:
Tomorrow I will be collecting papers from 1B and 2B. Anyone who has not yet submitted a paper, in B day should have it ready tomorrow. I will also be giving out progress reports for B day and A day students. A day students will get them from either Ms. Kaneko or Mr. Brosnan. When you see your progress report, it is important that any assignments missing a grade and not marked as exempt be made up before next Friday.
We will be discussing certain elements of chapter seven tomorrow. Be ready for a meaningful discussion.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Homework - 10 January
Freshmen:
In looking at your warm-up checks today, it seems like some of you either aren't reading or you aren't reading as closely as you need to. Tonight, for homework you'll need to read chapter eight of A Separate Peace. It may be a good idea for some of you to go back and reread chapter seven before moving on to chapter eight. Make sure that you pay attention to vocabulary and keep up with your bookmarks as you're reading.
Seniors:
Tonight for homework I would like for you to listen to this episode of This American Life. As you listen, make note of things that are interesting to you. I'd like to start class on Tuesday by discussing this piece with you. If we don't have class until Wednesday, then we'll just have the Pub activity.
With this post, I'd like for you to comment with what you're bringing for the Pub activity. I'm bringing cups, plates, and napkins as well as tea for everyone to drink. If you'd like something other than tea, bring some soda for the group. When you're cooking/shopping, remember that you need to bring enough for 34 people.
Keep up with this to know what the schedule is. As of now, it looks like we'll have school tomorrow. But who knows...
In looking at your warm-up checks today, it seems like some of you either aren't reading or you aren't reading as closely as you need to. Tonight, for homework you'll need to read chapter eight of A Separate Peace. It may be a good idea for some of you to go back and reread chapter seven before moving on to chapter eight. Make sure that you pay attention to vocabulary and keep up with your bookmarks as you're reading.
Seniors:
Tonight for homework I would like for you to listen to this episode of This American Life. As you listen, make note of things that are interesting to you. I'd like to start class on Tuesday by discussing this piece with you. If we don't have class until Wednesday, then we'll just have the Pub activity.
With this post, I'd like for you to comment with what you're bringing for the Pub activity. I'm bringing cups, plates, and napkins as well as tea for everyone to drink. If you'd like something other than tea, bring some soda for the group. When you're cooking/shopping, remember that you need to bring enough for 34 people.
Keep up with this to know what the schedule is. As of now, it looks like we'll have school tomorrow. But who knows...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A teaser for Monday night's homework.
Seniors,
A small teaser for you. Happy work on the Hamlet papers...Come and see me Monday afternoon for help. 3:00-4:00 pm. Assuming the weather cooperates. Wednesday afternoon works too.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Homework for the Weekend - 1/7
Seniors:
Over the weekend I expect that each of you will use this time to put together a full rough draft on Hamlet. Then, you can come and see me next week either after school or during 4th period or A lunch to have me review it before the final drafts are due. Please remember what I said last week, this is your last paper of your high school English career, thus I expect it to be the best. Also, this weekend, you'll want to spend some time preparing for our British Pub activity next Wednesday. If you weren't in class today, come see me on Monday to get ready for the Pub activity.
On Monday we will finish our study of Hamlet. The bodies are going to start hitting the floor.
Freshmen:
Over the weekend you all will read chapter seven of A Separate Peace. Pay very close attention to the way that the school is organized socially. We're going to start seeing a new side of the Devon School in these chapters. Further, remember that if you didn't turn in your essay on the first due date, it will need to be handed in to me on Monday/Tuesday to avoid late penalties.
If you've got questions, please ask!
Over the weekend I expect that each of you will use this time to put together a full rough draft on Hamlet. Then, you can come and see me next week either after school or during 4th period or A lunch to have me review it before the final drafts are due. Please remember what I said last week, this is your last paper of your high school English career, thus I expect it to be the best. Also, this weekend, you'll want to spend some time preparing for our British Pub activity next Wednesday. If you weren't in class today, come see me on Monday to get ready for the Pub activity.
On Monday we will finish our study of Hamlet. The bodies are going to start hitting the floor.
Freshmen:
Over the weekend you all will read chapter seven of A Separate Peace. Pay very close attention to the way that the school is organized socially. We're going to start seeing a new side of the Devon School in these chapters. Further, remember that if you didn't turn in your essay on the first due date, it will need to be handed in to me on Monday/Tuesday to avoid late penalties.
If you've got questions, please ask!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Homework - January 6th
Freshmen: Over the weekend I expect that you will read chapter seven and complete any vocabulary entries for words in this chapter. I don't want you all getting complacent at this point in the year. Things are only going to get more complicated, and my expectations for all of you are only going up. Furthermore, if you didn't complete your essay and turn it in today, you will need to be sure that it's ready to be turned in on Monday or Tuesday.
Seniors: Tomorrow we're going to finish looking at Act IV and begin the study of Act V. Things are moving quickly to the end of the year. Tomorrow I will also give you the instructions and assignments to prepare for your final assignment. Over the weekend, I would suggest that you all work on your drafts and come in next week with these drafts to be checked by me.
Please let me know if you need any help or have any questions.
Seniors: Tomorrow we're going to finish looking at Act IV and begin the study of Act V. Things are moving quickly to the end of the year. Tomorrow I will also give you the instructions and assignments to prepare for your final assignment. Over the weekend, I would suggest that you all work on your drafts and come in next week with these drafts to be checked by me.
Please let me know if you need any help or have any questions.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Homework - 5 January
Freshmen:
Your homework is posted in the previous post. Please be sure that you're working on your papers and vocabulary bookmarks. Come and see me for extra help!
Seniors:
Your final papers on Hamlet will be due no later than the day of the final exam. Our final exam will be held on January 18th. Please be sure that you see me as you are working on these papers so that they really will be the best thing you've ever written. For tonight, keep working. Tomorrow we are going to work through Act IV and then move on in to Act V.
Your homework is posted in the previous post. Please be sure that you're working on your papers and vocabulary bookmarks. Come and see me for extra help!
Seniors:
Your final papers on Hamlet will be due no later than the day of the final exam. Our final exam will be held on January 18th. Please be sure that you see me as you are working on these papers so that they really will be the best thing you've ever written. For tonight, keep working. Tomorrow we are going to work through Act IV and then move on in to Act V.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The First A-day of the New Year
The first A-day of the year brings with it literary three by three games and a long lecture on syntax. A few things to work on tonight for Freshmen and Seniors.
Freshmen: Today I gave you the due date for your essays. The first due date for essays is 1/6 and 1/7. The second due date for essays is 1/10 and 1/11. Students who would like to opt for the second due date should come and see me to request an extension to the second due date. I'll be available after school on Wednesday and Friday. I would recommend that you come and see me if you are having any problems with your essays; even if you're not having problems, I'd recommend bringing me a draft to read through.
There's no reading homework for tonight. If you would like to read ahead, please do so. I do encourage rereading of chapters and passages so that it is fresh in your mind. If today's discussion was difficult for you to participate in, please reread the chapter for our next meeting.
Seniors:
I threw a lot at you today in terms of syntax and syntactical analysis. I'm not going to recount everything, but I would like to stress a few things. First, remember that syntax is a component amongst many used by an author to create meaning. You can't simply discuss syntax (well, you can, but it's wonky), but it's best to use syntax as another part along with diction, imagery and other literary devices. It's all about showing how the author creates the meaning. Those of you working on a literary analysis will want to include a discussion of syntax. It really tends to round out and create depth in your analysis.
Tomorrow we're going to the library to work on papers. We'll be in there the whole period. I'll be conferencing with each of you about your progress in the course, your website work, and your papers. Be prepared to work hard tomorrow.
Lastly, we've not spent any time talking about Act IV - I apologize for that. We will review it Thursday before beginning Act V.
Let me know if you've got any questions or comments!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Homework - 1/3/2011
Happy New Year! It was really great seeing all of you today in class. I've been looking forward to today for a few days now. Anyway, here's what you need to do tonight.
Seniors:
You have only about seven more classes. All of your energy for the next few days should be directed at your final papers. I expect that you'll be working about an hour to two hours a night on this assignment. I'll be checking in with you all on Wednesday about your papers. Please come with drafts, outlines, notes, or any other preparation. Tomorrow we will be spending most of our time working through Act IV to understand the plot before moving on to Act V.
Freshmen:
Your essays are coming due soon. For tonight, revise and edit your essays. Come and see me this week to conference if you need to. Some essays will be collected as early as the end of this week. Be sure that you're prepared.
Seniors:
You have only about seven more classes. All of your energy for the next few days should be directed at your final papers. I expect that you'll be working about an hour to two hours a night on this assignment. I'll be checking in with you all on Wednesday about your papers. Please come with drafts, outlines, notes, or any other preparation. Tomorrow we will be spending most of our time working through Act IV to understand the plot before moving on to Act V.
Freshmen:
Your essays are coming due soon. For tonight, revise and edit your essays. Come and see me this week to conference if you need to. Some essays will be collected as early as the end of this week. Be sure that you're prepared.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Last Minute Stuff...
Make sure that you have done what you need to have done for tomorrow.
Seniors: Be sure that you've read Act IV of Hamlet - and by read it, I mean it. This may mean that you read it twice or three times with a high degree of annotation. Also, I hope that you spent some time working/thinking about your final papers. Things will move fast in these last few days of class. Don't fall off the wagon...
Freshmen: Tomorrow is a B-DAY. B-Day students should have their completed drafts for a workshop in class. A-day students, read chapter six and revise those essays. Essays will be due NEXT WEEK for all students. If you want to see me this week, find a time to do that!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Homework over the Break!
Freshmen:
Over break you should read chapter six of A Separate Peace. You will want to keep up with your vocabulary assignment as you are working through the book. The first exam showed me that a lot of people are having problems with vocabulary - so I will be collecting bookmarks when we get back from break to check in on your progress with this. Also, A-day students, take the feedback from today's workshop to improve your drafts. Use the rubric to make them really good. Please come and see me when we get back from break to go through your essays and get some more commentary.
Seniors:
Over break you will need to read Act IV of Hamlet. You will want to annotate and keep track of things as you work through this section of the text. We will come back, review the material, and then move on to Act V. Also, you will want to spend some time working on your final papers - Rough Draft workshop will happen on the Wednesday when we get back from break. If you have any questions about papers, please e-mail me over the break.
That's all! Enjoy the time off.
Over break you should read chapter six of A Separate Peace. You will want to keep up with your vocabulary assignment as you are working through the book. The first exam showed me that a lot of people are having problems with vocabulary - so I will be collecting bookmarks when we get back from break to check in on your progress with this. Also, A-day students, take the feedback from today's workshop to improve your drafts. Use the rubric to make them really good. Please come and see me when we get back from break to go through your essays and get some more commentary.
Seniors:
Over break you will need to read Act IV of Hamlet. You will want to annotate and keep track of things as you work through this section of the text. We will come back, review the material, and then move on to Act V. Also, you will want to spend some time working on your final papers - Rough Draft workshop will happen on the Wednesday when we get back from break. If you have any questions about papers, please e-mail me over the break.
That's all! Enjoy the time off.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
SNOW DAY!
Hopefully we'll have school tomorrow. If not, happy early Winter Break.
Seniors: Keep polishing your websites. We will present all websites tomorrow. Be sure that you check yourselves against the mock-up. If you have questions, please e-mail me. I'll respond throughout the day. Hopefully we have enough time for a bit of a surprise before we head out. Today would also be a good day to spend working on your paper. Collect quotes, organize, begin to formulate an outline.
Freshmen: You should keep working on your drafts. If we have school tomorrow it will be an A-day. A-day students should be prepared with their drafts. B-day students, I won't be looking at yours until after break. If you'd like to see me tomorrow afternoon to conference, I'm more than happy to do that.
Enjoy the day off. I know I will!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Reminders for 12/15
So - is it going to snow? We shall see.
Seniors: I don't think that I need to tell you what to do. Work on your websites. Groups with chapters in the forties will definitely present tomorrow. We may get to the first set of chapters from the fifties. The later fifties groups will be presenting on Friday. If we don't have school tomorrow we will have all presentations on Friday. If we don't have school both days, we'll see about that.
Please also be aware that you should begin working on your final paper. Those of you wishing to explore the eight to ten page option will want to sit down with me to discuss how to attack this.
Freshmen: Rough drafts of your essays, in full, are due next class. Do not put them in the homework box, bring them to class. We will begin workshopping these tomorrow.
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