Welcome to the weekend. It's not a long weekend, unfortunately, but we do have a PLC day next week to make life a bit easier.
AP English III:
Today in class you got some time to begin your final assessment on The Great Gatsby - your dramatization project. This will count as a major grade and I've already given you the rubric for how you're going to be graded. You have ten days to prepare, which is a lot of time. Make sure that your presentations are polished and show a lot of time and attention to detail.
Over the weekend I'd like for you to read Virginia Woolf's "The Death of the Moth" which is in 50 Essays and also available at this link. Remember to bring a copy to class that has been heavily annotated. In addition I'd like for you to reread and annotate chapters seven and eight of The Great Gatsby. I think it's pretty obvious given what the title of the essay is and what happens in these later chapters what we'll be discussing on Tuesday/Wednesday.
As I said today, it's important that you begin to look at all of these small details and see how they're coming together at the end to really reinforce Fitzgerald's purpose.
English I:
You all need to read a very short piece called "How to Eat a Guava" which is in your textbook on page 542. As you read I want you to do the following in your literature notes section. First, make a list of any quotations in the story which contain imagery. Then after you've read the story state the topic and the theme of the story. Remembering of course our discussion from a few days ago on the difference between topic and theme.
Also, we're almost done with our first unit, you'll have your first test very soon!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Homework - 9/7 and 9/8
Welcome back after the long weekend. I hope that all of you enjoyed the mini break - especially the fact that you didn't have any English homework. Tonight, however, you do have a few things to accomplish.
AP English III:
I think that today's exercise in interruped reading went really well. Remember that the thing about AP is to look at all of those minute details and see the trends and then comment on the author's purpose. Always tie it back to purpose. For tonight's homework I want you to reread and annotate chapters five and six of The Great Gatsby. I'm only planning on us spending about two more days on Gatsby so you will want to find the Joad family and get them all piled up in the truck - we'll be seeing them soon.
Furthermore, you'll have time next class to work on your group assignment. It may be a good idea for you to think about who you'd like to work with tonight as well as which section of the text you'd like to cover.
English I:
I hope that after today's class the idea of theme will be a lot clearer. For tonight you have an assignment that is due to the box on Friday (A-day) and Monday (B-day). Everyone will need to read "Go Carolina" by David Sedaris and complete the worksheet. The worksheet should be turned in to the box. Honors students also need to read Sedaris's "Me Talk Pretty One Day" but you won't need to worry about answering questions until your first test. This test is coming soon! Start to prepare!
AP English III:
I think that today's exercise in interruped reading went really well. Remember that the thing about AP is to look at all of those minute details and see the trends and then comment on the author's purpose. Always tie it back to purpose. For tonight's homework I want you to reread and annotate chapters five and six of The Great Gatsby. I'm only planning on us spending about two more days on Gatsby so you will want to find the Joad family and get them all piled up in the truck - we'll be seeing them soon.
Furthermore, you'll have time next class to work on your group assignment. It may be a good idea for you to think about who you'd like to work with tonight as well as which section of the text you'd like to cover.
English I:
I hope that after today's class the idea of theme will be a lot clearer. For tonight you have an assignment that is due to the box on Friday (A-day) and Monday (B-day). Everyone will need to read "Go Carolina" by David Sedaris and complete the worksheet. The worksheet should be turned in to the box. Honors students also need to read Sedaris's "Me Talk Pretty One Day" but you won't need to worry about answering questions until your first test. This test is coming soon! Start to prepare!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Just a little reminder...
Namely to the AP kids, but Freshmen take notice.
We're outside of the "beginning of school adjustment period." I've noticed a lot of you in class haven't had the reading assignment, there have been a bevy of excuses. All of which I've tolerated. This ends tomorrow and the gloves come off.
No homework tonight for B-day. Get your minds right.
Next time I see you all, you should all have everything you need to be successful and capable in class (brains, books, blue books).
Friday, September 2, 2011
Weekend Work - 9/2
A-day students in all classes have no homework over the weekend. I'll be enjoying the weekend and celebrating my birthday, I hope that you all will too.
B-day students, you won't have any homework on Tuesday night, please remember that you do have assignments due on Tuesday morning. Look in the previous post to remind yourself of what they are.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
B-day students, you won't have any homework on Tuesday night, please remember that you do have assignments due on Tuesday morning. Look in the previous post to remind yourself of what they are.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Homework and Reminders - 8/31 and 9/1
I'm really enjoying the fact that we're getting into the swing of things. Thank you for a productive and interesting conversation today in all of my classes - below are the assignments for you to complete in preparation for the next class.
AP English III:
Today's discussion did not cover nearly the amount of detail that I wanted to about chapters two and three - we'll pick up with that on Friday/Tuesday. So, definitely revisit your annotations and your reading. For the next class I would like for you to read and annotate Stephanie Ericsson's "The Ways We Lie" - this can be found in 50 Essays or at the following link. Print a copy and bring it with you to class. We will have an activity tying The Great Gatsby and this piece together.
Also, don't forget that your "Introduction" pieces are due on Friday/Tuesday. Please have both your final draft and your rough draft.
English I:
For tonight you have one assignment that needs to be turned into the box and one assignment that should be brought to class. Your "The Me You Don't See" paragraphs should be turned into the box on either Friday (A-day) or Tuesday (B-day). Remember that the final draft will count as a quiz grade for everyone. The rough draft will count as a homework assignment. You also need to read the excerpts by Malcolm X and complete the worksheet as notes - we will review the worksheet in class on Friday/Tuesday. Be sure that you complete all parts of the worksheet and bring any questions you have to class.
Also, Freshmen, if you didn't get your "About School" worksheet to the box, make sure that you go to study hall. Get your points back!
AP English III:
Today's discussion did not cover nearly the amount of detail that I wanted to about chapters two and three - we'll pick up with that on Friday/Tuesday. So, definitely revisit your annotations and your reading. For the next class I would like for you to read and annotate Stephanie Ericsson's "The Ways We Lie" - this can be found in 50 Essays or at the following link. Print a copy and bring it with you to class. We will have an activity tying The Great Gatsby and this piece together.
Also, don't forget that your "Introduction" pieces are due on Friday/Tuesday. Please have both your final draft and your rough draft.
English I:
For tonight you have one assignment that needs to be turned into the box and one assignment that should be brought to class. Your "The Me You Don't See" paragraphs should be turned into the box on either Friday (A-day) or Tuesday (B-day). Remember that the final draft will count as a quiz grade for everyone. The rough draft will count as a homework assignment. You also need to read the excerpts by Malcolm X and complete the worksheet as notes - we will review the worksheet in class on Friday/Tuesday. Be sure that you complete all parts of the worksheet and bring any questions you have to class.
Also, Freshmen, if you didn't get your "About School" worksheet to the box, make sure that you go to study hall. Get your points back!
Monday, August 29, 2011
And now it's time to really get going
It's time for us to have a full week of school. I know that I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better as readers and writers this year. Below are the different assignments for each group.
AP English III:
Today's seminar began to scratch the surface on these two pieces which we will continue to study throughout this unit on The Great Gatsby. For our next class, we will really begin getting into Gatsby - starting with chapters two and three. Make sure that you have reread and annotated chapters two and three. Remember as you annotate to look for EVERYTHING - we'll talk more about how to annotate in class on Wednesday/Thursday.
In addition to this reading you also should be revising and polishing your introduction assignments. I'll be collecting these on Friday/Monday. Be sure that you see me for my opinions/critiques if you need it. After-school on Tuesday or Wednesday would be a great time to see me.
English I:
It's time for us to start using the homework box. Your worksheets on the poem "About School" are due to the box on Wednesday (A-day) and Thursday (B-day). Any homework not submitted on time will need to be completed during study hall. I was impressed with the fact that a lot of you had your assignments today. Keep that going! The paragraphs that you edited today will be collected on Friday/Monday. These paragraphs will count as a quiz grade. Make sure that you see me if you need extra help. Also, don't forget when you turn in your final draft that you also turn in your rough draft. I'll remind you of this next class.
See you all on the flip side...
AP English III:
Today's seminar began to scratch the surface on these two pieces which we will continue to study throughout this unit on The Great Gatsby. For our next class, we will really begin getting into Gatsby - starting with chapters two and three. Make sure that you have reread and annotated chapters two and three. Remember as you annotate to look for EVERYTHING - we'll talk more about how to annotate in class on Wednesday/Thursday.
In addition to this reading you also should be revising and polishing your introduction assignments. I'll be collecting these on Friday/Monday. Be sure that you see me for my opinions/critiques if you need it. After-school on Tuesday or Wednesday would be a great time to see me.
English I:
It's time for us to start using the homework box. Your worksheets on the poem "About School" are due to the box on Wednesday (A-day) and Thursday (B-day). Any homework not submitted on time will need to be completed during study hall. I was impressed with the fact that a lot of you had your assignments today. Keep that going! The paragraphs that you edited today will be collected on Friday/Monday. These paragraphs will count as a quiz grade. Make sure that you see me if you need extra help. Also, don't forget when you turn in your final draft that you also turn in your rough draft. I'll remind you of this next class.
See you all on the flip side...
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The First A-Day of School!
Just think, tomorrow you get to do the first day of school all over again. It was really great getting to meet all of you this morning; I'm really looking forward to working with you all this year. Below are the assignments for the weekend. I will post every A-day; if there are changes for B-day students, that will be noted after the B-day.
AP English III:
There are a few things to get done this weekend for me. First, you should all begin by reading and annotating Barbara Lazear Ascher's "On Compassion" - this can be found in 50 Essays and online at the following website. Copies will also be available for pickup from my room Friday. Second, you should all reread and revisit your annotations for "On Dumpster Diving" by Lars Eighner. On Monday/Tuesdsay we will have a seminar on these two pieces. Be ready to discuss them and rip them apart as only AP students can. Finally for reading, I would like for you to begin rereading and annotating chapters two and three of The Great Gatsby - we will begin studying this text on Wednesday/Thursday.
For writing over the weekend I would like for you all to complete the "Introduction" assignment as explained on your handout. Remember to follow the guidelines and have fun with this assignment. We will edit these in class on Monday/Tuesday.
For AP students, the online parent form can be accessed by following this link.
English I:
This weekend you have some business to take care of for next week. First, if you didn't complete the "Tell Me About You" questionairre, plese finish that over the weekend and have it ready on Monday/Tuesday. You also need to complete the paragraph assignment called "The Me You Don't See." Remember that this also needs to be brought to class for peer editing on Monday/Tuesday. Use the guidelines that we discussed today in class to finish this assignment and do it well.
Finally, make sure that you get your school supplies and that your parents fill out the parent contact sheet. The online form for English I can be found by following this link.
All Students: If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment on the blog. Have a great weekend!
AP English III:
There are a few things to get done this weekend for me. First, you should all begin by reading and annotating Barbara Lazear Ascher's "On Compassion" - this can be found in 50 Essays and online at the following website. Copies will also be available for pickup from my room Friday. Second, you should all reread and revisit your annotations for "On Dumpster Diving" by Lars Eighner. On Monday/Tuesdsay we will have a seminar on these two pieces. Be ready to discuss them and rip them apart as only AP students can. Finally for reading, I would like for you to begin rereading and annotating chapters two and three of The Great Gatsby - we will begin studying this text on Wednesday/Thursday.
For writing over the weekend I would like for you all to complete the "Introduction" assignment as explained on your handout. Remember to follow the guidelines and have fun with this assignment. We will edit these in class on Monday/Tuesday.
For AP students, the online parent form can be accessed by following this link.
English I:
This weekend you have some business to take care of for next week. First, if you didn't complete the "Tell Me About You" questionairre, plese finish that over the weekend and have it ready on Monday/Tuesday. You also need to complete the paragraph assignment called "The Me You Don't See." Remember that this also needs to be brought to class for peer editing on Monday/Tuesday. Use the guidelines that we discussed today in class to finish this assignment and do it well.
Finally, make sure that you get your school supplies and that your parents fill out the parent contact sheet. The online form for English I can be found by following this link.
All Students: If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment on the blog. Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Done! Donezo! Finito!
I think I just needed to do the requisite end of the year post. I hope you all come back and visit me next year; I'll probably be in a new room next year - so work hard to find me.
I'm at a workshop all week - summer starts for me on Friday afternoon. I hope you all have wonderful summers: relax, read, get tan, and ride your bikes!
I'm at a workshop all week - summer starts for me on Friday afternoon. I hope you all have wonderful summers: relax, read, get tan, and ride your bikes!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Juniors - Preparing for Next Week
Juniors:
Your exam is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, June 2, 2011. We will have a review period on Wednesday afternoon. If you were not in class today (or just aren't sure) you should e-mail me and figure out if you are exempt from the exam or not. Don't just assume something and then get a phone call from me on Thursday about why you aren't taking your exam.
For those of you that are exempt I will be figuring out your grades over the weekend - you may want to take the exam in order to push you up to the next grade level. Numbers and grades will be ready on Tuesday. See me AFTER SCHOOL for this information.
Your exam is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, June 2, 2011. We will have a review period on Wednesday afternoon. If you were not in class today (or just aren't sure) you should e-mail me and figure out if you are exempt from the exam or not. Don't just assume something and then get a phone call from me on Thursday about why you aren't taking your exam.
For those of you that are exempt I will be figuring out your grades over the weekend - you may want to take the exam in order to push you up to the next grade level. Numbers and grades will be ready on Tuesday. See me AFTER SCHOOL for this information.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
FRESHMAN LDOC!!
WHOOO! All of you are done with class and now you start exams. The schedule of exams was in the last post as was the review sheet.
For tonight, get a good night's sleep. Eat a good breakfast tomorrow (eggs, yogurt, peanut butter and carrots, oatmeal) and be ready!
Think about the matchboxes we've done lately - what kinds of questions have you missed (literary terms? comprehension? opinion? grammar?).
There are some online practice examples that you can use if you feel it necessary.
Texutal Analysis: Literary Devices, Opinion, Style, Comprehension
Grammar and Editing
See you soon - feel free to come by after school for extra help if you need it.
For tonight, get a good night's sleep. Eat a good breakfast tomorrow (eggs, yogurt, peanut butter and carrots, oatmeal) and be ready!
Think about the matchboxes we've done lately - what kinds of questions have you missed (literary terms? comprehension? opinion? grammar?).
There are some online practice examples that you can use if you feel it necessary.
Texutal Analysis: Literary Devices, Opinion, Style, Comprehension
Grammar and Editing
See you soon - feel free to come by after school for extra help if you need it.
Juniors - Final Day of Class
Tomorrow we'll finish presentations and wrap up the end of your Junior year. I know that you all are looking forward to summer, I am too. We've done a lot of good work this year and I've really enjoyed a lot of your discussions and insights about literature. I've been making it a point to grade research papers so that I can give it back to you after you present your final project.
Those of you presenting tomorrow - I'll have your papers ready by the time I leave the building on Friday, which is usually around 4:00. Please come and get your graded papers then or inquire via e-mail. I'll also have exemption information for you all tomorrow. Remember that the final can only help your grade if you are exempt. I should have your grades figured out for those of you that are exempt by Tuesday (maybe even Friday afternoon).
The review session for our class will be held Wednesday afternoon and the exam on Thursday morning. I expect you to attend if you are taking the final exam.
Lastly, if I've given you your paper - please make it a point to put it in your writing portfolio. If you did a group paper, make copies for everyone. I can even do this for you if you'd like. Just give it to me Friday.
Those of you presenting tomorrow - I'll have your papers ready by the time I leave the building on Friday, which is usually around 4:00. Please come and get your graded papers then or inquire via e-mail. I'll also have exemption information for you all tomorrow. Remember that the final can only help your grade if you are exempt. I should have your grades figured out for those of you that are exempt by Tuesday (maybe even Friday afternoon).
The review session for our class will be held Wednesday afternoon and the exam on Thursday morning. I expect you to attend if you are taking the final exam.
Lastly, if I've given you your paper - please make it a point to put it in your writing portfolio. If you did a group paper, make copies for everyone. I can even do this for you if you'd like. Just give it to me Friday.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
EOC Review Sheet
Freshmen:
It's the end my friends. Time to study. Time to be ready for your exam.
A1 - Your exam will be Friday morning in one of the two computer labs. Remember to show up early to the exam room as showing up late will likely lock you out of the system.
A2 - Your exam will be on Tuesday beginning at 11:12. Remember to take the first lunch after your B1 exam and then report immediately to the computer lab.
B1 - Your exam will be on Tuesday morning. Don't be late!
B2 - Your exam will be on Wednesday morning. Don't be late.
Below are the terms from the EOC review sheet. Remember that you should know what all of these terms are and be able to apply that knowledge in identifying their use in reading passages. As you study, don't just think of definitions, but think of examples of the device too.
• alliteration
• assonance
• character
• direct and indirect characterization
• character trait
• connotation and denotation
• conflict (man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. nature, man vs. society)
• internal conflict
• external conflict
• figurative language
• hyperbole
• imagery
• onomatopoeia
• metaphors (direct and indirect)
• simile
• epic simile
• extended metaphor
• allusion
• aside
• author
• autobiography
• ballad
• blank verse
• climax
• comedy
• comic relief
• couplet
• dialogue
• diction
• drama
• monologue
• epic
• epithet
• flashback
• flash-forward
• foil
• foreshadowing
• free verse
• haiku
• iambic pentameter
• meter
• irony (situational, verbal, dramatic)
• lyric poetry
• mood
• myth
• narrator
• paradox
• personification
• plot (plot diagram pieces)
• poetry
• point of view (1st, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient)
• protagonist
• antagonist
• pun
• rhyme (end and internal)
• rhythm
• setting
• short story
• solilioquy
• sonnet
• speaker
• stanza
• line
• style
• suspense
• symbolism
• theme
• tone
• tragedy
It's the end my friends. Time to study. Time to be ready for your exam.
A1 - Your exam will be Friday morning in one of the two computer labs. Remember to show up early to the exam room as showing up late will likely lock you out of the system.
A2 - Your exam will be on Tuesday beginning at 11:12. Remember to take the first lunch after your B1 exam and then report immediately to the computer lab.
B1 - Your exam will be on Tuesday morning. Don't be late!
B2 - Your exam will be on Wednesday morning. Don't be late.
Below are the terms from the EOC review sheet. Remember that you should know what all of these terms are and be able to apply that knowledge in identifying their use in reading passages. As you study, don't just think of definitions, but think of examples of the device too.
• alliteration
• assonance
• character
• direct and indirect characterization
• character trait
• connotation and denotation
• conflict (man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. nature, man vs. society)
• internal conflict
• external conflict
• figurative language
• hyperbole
• imagery
• onomatopoeia
• metaphors (direct and indirect)
• simile
• epic simile
• extended metaphor
• allusion
• aside
• author
• autobiography
• ballad
• blank verse
• climax
• comedy
• comic relief
• couplet
• dialogue
• diction
• drama
• monologue
• epic
• epithet
• flashback
• flash-forward
• foil
• foreshadowing
• free verse
• haiku
• iambic pentameter
• meter
• irony (situational, verbal, dramatic)
• lyric poetry
• mood
• myth
• narrator
• paradox
• personification
• plot (plot diagram pieces)
• poetry
• point of view (1st, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient)
• protagonist
• antagonist
• pun
• rhyme (end and internal)
• rhythm
• setting
• short story
• solilioquy
• sonnet
• speaker
• stanza
• line
• style
• suspense
• symbolism
• theme
• tone
• tragedy
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Homework for Juniors - 5/24/2011
Juniors:
There's a few things that you need to accomplish for tomorrow's class. Here they are:
1. You need to complete your character worksheet and then complete your reflection on the activity today in class. I'll collect both of these tomorrow.
2. You'll need to turn in your rough drafts of your research papers. Remember, like I said today in class, you should aim to make these as good as you can. I'll be assigning you a grade based on the rubric and then I'll have these ready to give back on Tuesday. Come and see me to get the papers. Revised papers will be due NO LATER THAN 4:00 pm on Friday.
3. Have your presentations ready. I'm looking forward to them.
There's a few things that you need to accomplish for tomorrow's class. Here they are:
1. You need to complete your character worksheet and then complete your reflection on the activity today in class. I'll collect both of these tomorrow.
2. You'll need to turn in your rough drafts of your research papers. Remember, like I said today in class, you should aim to make these as good as you can. I'll be assigning you a grade based on the rubric and then I'll have these ready to give back on Tuesday. Come and see me to get the papers. Revised papers will be due NO LATER THAN 4:00 pm on Friday.
3. Have your presentations ready. I'm looking forward to them.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Today was the last Monday of the School Year
Isn't that exciting?!
Juniors:
I really hope that you enjoyed O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find" - I saw a lot of good thinking going on in the room as we were reading and discussing. We'll finish discussing the story on Wednesday before we begin presentations. Don't forget that tomorrow we'll be taking C-lunch. Feel free to come by in the morning to drop off food/snacks/drinks/materials for the party. Also, don't forget that I'll be collecting your worksheets about your characters to start class.
Lastly, your drafts of your papers are due on Wednesday. Some people turned them in today which was good - I look forward to the rest of them.
Freshmen:
I think that today's activity in going through our portfolios really goes to show just how far you've come as writers this year. Remember that this is a journey that never really ends. You always continue moving forward and developing. Make sure that you spend a good chunk of time over the next few days reviewing those literary devices - as I said in each class, you need to know these things easily off the top of your head. We'll have our final matchbox on Wednesday and spend some time looking at some literary terminology before the EOCs begin.
Juniors:
I really hope that you enjoyed O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find" - I saw a lot of good thinking going on in the room as we were reading and discussing. We'll finish discussing the story on Wednesday before we begin presentations. Don't forget that tomorrow we'll be taking C-lunch. Feel free to come by in the morning to drop off food/snacks/drinks/materials for the party. Also, don't forget that I'll be collecting your worksheets about your characters to start class.
Lastly, your drafts of your papers are due on Wednesday. Some people turned them in today which was good - I look forward to the rest of them.
Freshmen:
I think that today's activity in going through our portfolios really goes to show just how far you've come as writers this year. Remember that this is a journey that never really ends. You always continue moving forward and developing. Make sure that you spend a good chunk of time over the next few days reviewing those literary devices - as I said in each class, you need to know these things easily off the top of your head. We'll have our final matchbox on Wednesday and spend some time looking at some literary terminology before the EOCs begin.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Last Weekend before Exams
Juniors:
This weekend you should attempt to finish your research papers. Remember the requirements. Remember what you need to do. I'm here if you need me. I'll be collecting these from you on Wednesday. On Monday we're going to spend some time reflecting on ourselves and our writing for this course as well as move on to the last piece of the year.
Also, remember the order of the presentations. We'll begin those on Wednesday!
Freshmen:
Your priority at this point is to focus on preparing for your EOC. Use the review guide. Learn those literary terms. We'll review this sheet in a lot of detail on Monday/Tuesday as well as get our writing portfolios ready for next year. Wednesday/Thursday will be our final Matchbox and review.
Enjoy the weekend. Not much more left!
This weekend you should attempt to finish your research papers. Remember the requirements. Remember what you need to do. I'm here if you need me. I'll be collecting these from you on Wednesday. On Monday we're going to spend some time reflecting on ourselves and our writing for this course as well as move on to the last piece of the year.
Also, remember the order of the presentations. We'll begin those on Wednesday!
Freshmen:
Your priority at this point is to focus on preparing for your EOC. Use the review guide. Learn those literary terms. We'll review this sheet in a lot of detail on Monday/Tuesday as well as get our writing portfolios ready for next year. Wednesday/Thursday will be our final Matchbox and review.
Enjoy the weekend. Not much more left!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
It's time for the end...
Freshmen:
From here on out you should all be focused on preparing for your English I EOC - use the review guides that I gave you last week to get yourselves ready. Remember that you need to know all of those literary terms so that you can identify them on the EOC and answer questions about them. You've started seeing sample items the past few days in class - take this practice to help prepare you.
Oh, if you didn't turn in a project, make sure it comes in ASAP. As I've said, you've had about two months to work on this, waiting until the last minute is only going to cause problems for you.
Juniors:
The drafts of your research papers are due no later than Wednesday of next week - which is the first day of our presentations. Today was the final day of class time to be spent preparing for these papers. I highly recommend that you put the papers together over the weekend and then come see me on Monday with a draft. Use the rubric in your research packs to help you to construct your paper.
Also, you're going to want to think about who you want to be next week and what you're goign to bring for our Lavender Room party. I'll collect your character choices tomorrow as you spend our final day working on your presentations.
From here on out you should all be focused on preparing for your English I EOC - use the review guides that I gave you last week to get yourselves ready. Remember that you need to know all of those literary terms so that you can identify them on the EOC and answer questions about them. You've started seeing sample items the past few days in class - take this practice to help prepare you.
Oh, if you didn't turn in a project, make sure it comes in ASAP. As I've said, you've had about two months to work on this, waiting until the last minute is only going to cause problems for you.
Juniors:
The drafts of your research papers are due no later than Wednesday of next week - which is the first day of our presentations. Today was the final day of class time to be spent preparing for these papers. I highly recommend that you put the papers together over the weekend and then come see me on Monday with a draft. Use the rubric in your research packs to help you to construct your paper.
Also, you're going to want to think about who you want to be next week and what you're goign to bring for our Lavender Room party. I'll collect your character choices tomorrow as you spend our final day working on your presentations.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Some Reminders - 5/18/2011
Juniors:
Today was basically the last day of new content before the final exam. You should now spend the remaining energy that you have for this course in working on your research papers and your final projects. We will be spending tomorrow's class in the library so that you can finalize your research and (hopefully) begin writing your papers if you've not yet done so. Drafts of these papers are coming due soon, don't wait until the last minute. Tomorrow I will also be giving you the information you'll need for your final assignment - "The Lavender Room." Look forward to that tomorrow. Friday will be your final group meeting day.
Freshmen:
Research projects! Get them done, get them turned in. Follow all of the guidelines. Also, start reviewing for your EOC - use the review guide. Every class we will complete a Matchbox as a means to prepare for the exam, be sure that you are spending time thinking about these concepts and ideas to prepare for the exam.
As always, if you need help or have questions - e-mail me!
Today was basically the last day of new content before the final exam. You should now spend the remaining energy that you have for this course in working on your research papers and your final projects. We will be spending tomorrow's class in the library so that you can finalize your research and (hopefully) begin writing your papers if you've not yet done so. Drafts of these papers are coming due soon, don't wait until the last minute. Tomorrow I will also be giving you the information you'll need for your final assignment - "The Lavender Room." Look forward to that tomorrow. Friday will be your final group meeting day.
Freshmen:
Research projects! Get them done, get them turned in. Follow all of the guidelines. Also, start reviewing for your EOC - use the review guide. Every class we will complete a Matchbox as a means to prepare for the exam, be sure that you are spending time thinking about these concepts and ideas to prepare for the exam.
As always, if you need help or have questions - e-mail me!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Homework - 5/17
Remember, just a few more days...just a few more days...
Freshmen:
A lot of you have been working very hard on your research projects over the past few classes and that hard work will soon pay off. It's time to get ready to turn them in. In the previous post I outlined for you the order of the assignment and what you need to do at each section of the assignment. Tonight, I'll be reposting the document for all of you for easy access. Follow this link to access the project document. I'll also embed it below for you.
It's important to remember that this is a research project - you're writing historical fiction. Include your parenthetical citations after every instance where you include research in your writing. Don't forget that your parenthetical citations and works cited page should align entirely.
It's also important to remember that you've had a lot of time to work on this project. Your complaints are falling on deaf ears. If you need help, ask.
Juniors:
Class discussion today - better. I hope that you all enjoyed "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" - it's a really moving poem. Of course, consider the big motifs that we discussed today (especially identity and how identity is established) - there's a lot of overlap to your own novels in a lot of what we've been discussing; I hope you all are seeing and exploring these overlaps. We didn't get a chance to talk about Bonner today - that will dominate a lot of what we do tomorrow. Be sure that you read and annotate it for tomorrow. There's also going to be one additional poet - Claude McKay with "The Tropics in New York." You should also be working on your papers! Last day in the library is Thursday - come in with a draft, let's conference.
Don't forget to return your textbooks, all of you.
Seven more days until exams begin.
Freshmen:
A lot of you have been working very hard on your research projects over the past few classes and that hard work will soon pay off. It's time to get ready to turn them in. In the previous post I outlined for you the order of the assignment and what you need to do at each section of the assignment. Tonight, I'll be reposting the document for all of you for easy access. Follow this link to access the project document. I'll also embed it below for you.
It's important to remember that this is a research project - you're writing historical fiction. Include your parenthetical citations after every instance where you include research in your writing. Don't forget that your parenthetical citations and works cited page should align entirely.
It's also important to remember that you've had a lot of time to work on this project. Your complaints are falling on deaf ears. If you need help, ask.
Juniors:
Class discussion today - better. I hope that you all enjoyed "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" - it's a really moving poem. Of course, consider the big motifs that we discussed today (especially identity and how identity is established) - there's a lot of overlap to your own novels in a lot of what we've been discussing; I hope you all are seeing and exploring these overlaps. We didn't get a chance to talk about Bonner today - that will dominate a lot of what we do tomorrow. Be sure that you read and annotate it for tomorrow. There's also going to be one additional poet - Claude McKay with "The Tropics in New York." You should also be working on your papers! Last day in the library is Thursday - come in with a draft, let's conference.
Don't forget to return your textbooks, all of you.
Seven more days until exams begin.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, May 16th - Homework
Juniors: It's imperative that as we're winding down the year that you all give me a full ninety minutes to work with you in class. Today was a bit rough; it shouldn't have taken nearly the time that it did to get through our notes on the Harlem Renaissance. Tomorrow we will continue with the TP-CASTT of the three poems as well as have our theme battles on these three different poems by Langston Hughes. In addition, we will discuss the two pieces that I gave you for homework: Hurston's "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" and Bonner's "On Being Young -- a Woman -- and Colored." I expect that you will read and annotate these two passages heavily. There are spaces in the bottom margins for you to do so. Remember one of the key things to consider here in these passages is how these two writers are both similar and different - think about their style, their writing, and their purpose in both pieces.
Freshmen: Very impressive work with your Act III Translation projects. This week, your only homework is to work on your projects in advance of Thursday/Friday's due date. In case you missed it, here's the structure of the project:
Freshmen: Very impressive work with your Act III Translation projects. This week, your only homework is to work on your projects in advance of Thursday/Friday's due date. In case you missed it, here's the structure of the project:
- Page One: Header information (name, date, class, period), Title of Project (centered), Introduction to Character, Thesis. You've already done the intro and thesis - just revise it!
- Pages Two through Five/Seven: Stories on the different topics. Be sure to include research in your stories as well as parenthetical citations. We reviewed how to do these on MLA day. If you have questions, ask.
- Page Six/Eight: Conclusion. Restate your thesis on the living conditions of your character and review the main points that prove your thesis. This should only be one paragraph, through it should be a weighty paragraph.
- Page Seven/Nine: Works Cited Page in MLA format.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Homework for 5/12/2011
Freshmen:
Don't forget that your presentations are tomorrow and Monday. Before school you will need to make sure that a member of your group has turned in a copy of your script to the box, failure to do so will negatively impact your group score. Those of you with a lot of props and costumes can drop off your things in the morning and leave them in the classroom until the end of the day. Those people who haven't turned in their worksheets will need to turn these in at the beginning of the period.
After presentations we will continue with Romeo and Juliet and see just how these crazy kids get themselves into so much trouble.
Juniors:
Tomorrow you will have three vocabulary cards due at the beginning of the period. Make sure these are complete and well done, some of you have been slacking on vocabulary. You'll be working the whole period in your groups to prepare for your presentations. I'm going to start off by telling you a bit about planning a lesson and what a lesson plan needs to have in it. This will be a major focus for your groups tomorrow, to complete a vast majority of your lesson and revisit your goals as well as your essential questions. As I said today in class, tomorrow will be your second to last group meeting. We have this week and then next week to prepare, presentations will be held during the final week of the quarter.
Don't forget that your presentations are tomorrow and Monday. Before school you will need to make sure that a member of your group has turned in a copy of your script to the box, failure to do so will negatively impact your group score. Those of you with a lot of props and costumes can drop off your things in the morning and leave them in the classroom until the end of the day. Those people who haven't turned in their worksheets will need to turn these in at the beginning of the period.
After presentations we will continue with Romeo and Juliet and see just how these crazy kids get themselves into so much trouble.
Juniors:
Tomorrow you will have three vocabulary cards due at the beginning of the period. Make sure these are complete and well done, some of you have been slacking on vocabulary. You'll be working the whole period in your groups to prepare for your presentations. I'm going to start off by telling you a bit about planning a lesson and what a lesson plan needs to have in it. This will be a major focus for your groups tomorrow, to complete a vast majority of your lesson and revisit your goals as well as your essential questions. As I said today in class, tomorrow will be your second to last group meeting. We have this week and then next week to prepare, presentations will be held during the final week of the quarter.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Homework - 5/11/2011
Freshmen:
We're nearly to the end of the year. For Friday you will be expected to turn in a copy of your group's script for the presentations to the box. Make sure that every member of the group has a copy as well. If you have a lot of costumes and props, feel free to drop them off in the morning before school and then pick them up at the end of the day. I look forward to seeing your presentations. We'll also move forward into Act IV on Friday/Monday with hopes of finishing the play on Tuesday/Wednesday as we begin reviewing for the EOC.
Don't forget about quiz redos on Friday/Monday as well as your Rough Drafts due at the end of next week. Please ask for help if you need it. Lastly, remember that if you didn't turn in your worksheets today, they will be due on Friday/Monday.
Juniors:
Tonight you should finish reading "To Build a Fire" by Jack London. In addition, you should heavily annotate the story. I would like to finish up the discussion of the story that we started last class tomorrow. Also, you will have a timed writing to accomplish tomorrow as well. Be sure that your book is with you and annotated well because you will be able to use these notes/books to accomplish the assignment.
Finally, don't forget that you have three vocabulary cards due this week. This will most likely be the final round of vocabulary for the quarter/year.
Keep on keepin on...
We're nearly to the end of the year. For Friday you will be expected to turn in a copy of your group's script for the presentations to the box. Make sure that every member of the group has a copy as well. If you have a lot of costumes and props, feel free to drop them off in the morning before school and then pick them up at the end of the day. I look forward to seeing your presentations. We'll also move forward into Act IV on Friday/Monday with hopes of finishing the play on Tuesday/Wednesday as we begin reviewing for the EOC.
Don't forget about quiz redos on Friday/Monday as well as your Rough Drafts due at the end of next week. Please ask for help if you need it. Lastly, remember that if you didn't turn in your worksheets today, they will be due on Friday/Monday.
Juniors:
Tonight you should finish reading "To Build a Fire" by Jack London. In addition, you should heavily annotate the story. I would like to finish up the discussion of the story that we started last class tomorrow. Also, you will have a timed writing to accomplish tomorrow as well. Be sure that your book is with you and annotated well because you will be able to use these notes/books to accomplish the assignment.
Finally, don't forget that you have three vocabulary cards due this week. This will most likely be the final round of vocabulary for the quarter/year.
Keep on keepin on...
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Homework for All Classes - 5/10/2011
Juniors:
I hate the fact that the online textbook wasn't functioning well last night - please take the copies of "To Build a Fire" and have them thoroughly read for when we meet on Thursday. We'll finish up our conversation of the story then. Also on Thursday you'll have a timed writing on your novel. It's important that you have a good chunk of your book read by this point so that you will be able to complete the assignment well. Consider what we did today in class (looking at sample essays/prompts) as a way to prepare for this in-class writing assignment.
Tomorrow we will be spending a bit of time in class talking about the research papers and then moving to the library to spend time researching. Come prepared to work hard on your papers tomorrow. You may even want to start drafting so that you're not left scrambling at the end.
Freshmen:
Next class will be our final class to work on the in-class projects. As I discussed today and yesterday in class, the research projects are coming due soon - namely the rough drafts on the 19th and 20th. If you put forth a lot of energy to the rough draft you will not need to turn in a final draft. Be sure that you make any changes to your introduction and thesis, and have this ready as the first page of your project. After that come the stories on the different topics, and at the end the conclusion and works cited page. On Wednesday/Thursday you will also be getting progress reports as well as a lot of returned work. Don't forget what I said about quiz redos on Friday and Monday.
I hate the fact that the online textbook wasn't functioning well last night - please take the copies of "To Build a Fire" and have them thoroughly read for when we meet on Thursday. We'll finish up our conversation of the story then. Also on Thursday you'll have a timed writing on your novel. It's important that you have a good chunk of your book read by this point so that you will be able to complete the assignment well. Consider what we did today in class (looking at sample essays/prompts) as a way to prepare for this in-class writing assignment.
Tomorrow we will be spending a bit of time in class talking about the research papers and then moving to the library to spend time researching. Come prepared to work hard on your papers tomorrow. You may even want to start drafting so that you're not left scrambling at the end.
Freshmen:
Next class will be our final class to work on the in-class projects. As I discussed today and yesterday in class, the research projects are coming due soon - namely the rough drafts on the 19th and 20th. If you put forth a lot of energy to the rough draft you will not need to turn in a final draft. Be sure that you make any changes to your introduction and thesis, and have this ready as the first page of your project. After that come the stories on the different topics, and at the end the conclusion and works cited page. On Wednesday/Thursday you will also be getting progress reports as well as a lot of returned work. Don't forget what I said about quiz redos on Friday and Monday.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Junior Work - 5/9/2011
Juniors:
Tonight for homework I would like for you to complete the reading of Jack London's "To Build a Fire." It's probably one of my favorite stories that we read all year. As you read, be sure that you take good notes that will prepare you for our inside/outside circle discussion. Here are some ideas to think about as you read the story:
Tonight for homework I would like for you to complete the reading of Jack London's "To Build a Fire." It's probably one of my favorite stories that we read all year. As you read, be sure that you take good notes that will prepare you for our inside/outside circle discussion. Here are some ideas to think about as you read the story:
- describe the narrative voice of this story - how effective is it - how would this story be different if it were told from another perspective - what is the narrator's tone toward the different topics of this story
- how does the idea of naturalism come into play - what determines the behavior of the man in this story
- who are the significant characters in this story - what role do they play - in what ways are they symbolic
- how does setting effect the characters in the story
- how does the main character change throughout the story
- what is the theme of this story
Freshman Work
This post is mostly in the form of announcements - please pay attention to them all.
1. Groups 1-4 will need to turn in their worksheets at the beginning of class on Wednesday/Thursday. Groups 5-7 will need to turn in their worksheets on Friday/Monday.
2. Group presentations will happen for everyone on Friday/Monday. You'll need to be sure that one of your group members turns in a copy of the script to me before class begins.
3. You'll be getting progress reports on Wednesday/Thursday. On these reports you will see your grades up to this point - you will be able to redo your quizzes on Act I and II to earn back points. This redo opportunity will happen on Friday and Monday after-school.
4. Your Research Projects: Rough drafts of the research projects are due on the 19th and 20th. Thursday and Friday, next week. With the rough draft, you will need to turn in your Introduction and Thesis, your stories (Honors students need to submit three stories, Standard students need to submit two stories), and finally your conclusion and works cited page. With the stories, you'll need to include your research with parenthetical citations so that I can see how the research supports what you're saying. If your Rough Draft is good enough, then you won't need to submit a final draft.
Remember - you really only have two grades left this quarter: the translation project and then the Research Project. Don't fall behind with either of these - they're major grades.
1. Groups 1-4 will need to turn in their worksheets at the beginning of class on Wednesday/Thursday. Groups 5-7 will need to turn in their worksheets on Friday/Monday.
2. Group presentations will happen for everyone on Friday/Monday. You'll need to be sure that one of your group members turns in a copy of the script to me before class begins.
3. You'll be getting progress reports on Wednesday/Thursday. On these reports you will see your grades up to this point - you will be able to redo your quizzes on Act I and II to earn back points. This redo opportunity will happen on Friday and Monday after-school.
4. Your Research Projects: Rough drafts of the research projects are due on the 19th and 20th. Thursday and Friday, next week. With the rough draft, you will need to turn in your Introduction and Thesis, your stories (Honors students need to submit three stories, Standard students need to submit two stories), and finally your conclusion and works cited page. With the stories, you'll need to include your research with parenthetical citations so that I can see how the research supports what you're saying. If your Rough Draft is good enough, then you won't need to submit a final draft.
Remember - you really only have two grades left this quarter: the translation project and then the Research Project. Don't fall behind with either of these - they're major grades.
Friday, May 6, 2011
5/6/2011 - Junior Weekend Homework
Juniors:
Over the weekend I'd like for you to start pulling together the work that you've been doing in the library. Here is what I will be looking at on Monday in class:
Over the weekend I'd like for you to start pulling together the work that you've been doing in the library. Here is what I will be looking at on Monday in class:
- A works cited page that has all of your sources on it in the proper order. Be sure that you alphabetize this list and do it in the proper MLA format.
- A revised thesis statement that reflects some of what you've learned in your research. Begin to make your thesis more specific and stronger.
- A rough outline which begins to organize the quotes and other notes that you have begun to find.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Homework for 5/5/2011
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Freshmen:
Tonight you will need to finish your introductions and thesis statements for your research projects. There are a few things that you need to do with the project.
• Review the preliminary introduction you wrote for your character and make any necessary revisions in light of your research.
• Write a preliminary thesis statement that summarizes the main point you will be making about life for this character in Elizabethan England. Print a copy of the introduction and thesis for class.
In terms of structure - you should put the introduction paragraph at the top of your paper and then the thesis underneath. I would recommend typing this and saving it as it will eventually be reprinted as the first page of your project. You may also want to do some work on your Act III projects, you will have classtime in the next few days, but getting ahead is a good idea.
Juniors:
For tonight you need to finish your poetry writing assignment - the "Song of Myself," remember to follow the instructions on the assignment sheet. I look forward to reading these over the weekend. Also, you will have vocabulary cards and bookmarks due at the beginning of class tomorrow. Be sure that you have three cards and one full bookmark.
Freshmen:
Tonight you will need to finish your introductions and thesis statements for your research projects. There are a few things that you need to do with the project.
• Review the preliminary introduction you wrote for your character and make any necessary revisions in light of your research.
• Write a preliminary thesis statement that summarizes the main point you will be making about life for this character in Elizabethan England. Print a copy of the introduction and thesis for class.
In terms of structure - you should put the introduction paragraph at the top of your paper and then the thesis underneath. I would recommend typing this and saving it as it will eventually be reprinted as the first page of your project. You may also want to do some work on your Act III projects, you will have classtime in the next few days, but getting ahead is a good idea.
Juniors:
For tonight you need to finish your poetry writing assignment - the "Song of Myself," remember to follow the instructions on the assignment sheet. I look forward to reading these over the weekend. Also, you will have vocabulary cards and bookmarks due at the beginning of class tomorrow. Be sure that you have three cards and one full bookmark.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
5/4/2011 - PLC Day
A few things that you should all take care of this afternoon as you are home early and I am in meetings.
Freshmen:
Don't forget that your take-home exams are due at the beginning of class on Thursday/Friday. I will not accept these late. Whatever you get done will be taken tomorrow. I will not really have a lot of sympathy for those who did not finish the whole exam - you've had two days and all of your resources to get this done.
Juniors:
Tomorrow we will have a brief quiz on Walt Whitman - if you haven't yet caught up on what we did in class on Monday, go back a few posts to see the pages that you should review for this information. Furthermore, don't forget about your writing assignment due on Friday - the "Song of Myself." Put some thought and effort into these and make sure that you deal with all of the listed elements in your poem. Finally, I would like for you to spend some time tonight as you read your novels to think about your thesis. Begin to clarify it now so that this paper doesn't sneak up and bite you at the end of the semester.
See you all tomorrow!
Freshmen:
Don't forget that your take-home exams are due at the beginning of class on Thursday/Friday. I will not accept these late. Whatever you get done will be taken tomorrow. I will not really have a lot of sympathy for those who did not finish the whole exam - you've had two days and all of your resources to get this done.
Juniors:
Tomorrow we will have a brief quiz on Walt Whitman - if you haven't yet caught up on what we did in class on Monday, go back a few posts to see the pages that you should review for this information. Furthermore, don't forget about your writing assignment due on Friday - the "Song of Myself." Put some thought and effort into these and make sure that you deal with all of the listed elements in your poem. Finally, I would like for you to spend some time tonight as you read your novels to think about your thesis. Begin to clarify it now so that this paper doesn't sneak up and bite you at the end of the semester.
See you all tomorrow!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Homework for 9th and 11th Graders - 5/3/2011
Juniors:
For tonight you should begin working on your own "Song of Myself" - please finish reviewing the instructions that I gave you today in class and realize that these will be collected from you on Friday. As I said in the instructions, for the most part there are "no rules" in this assignment as I want you to be as creative as possible and for the poem to be a true reflection of who you are. Please be sure that you integrate the ideas and literary devices at the bottom of the sheet - do these artfully and skillfully and be sure that you really engage with the topic. Tomorrow we will begin work on our RESEARCH PAPERS - which are the final papers of the year! This is a long term investigation and will take time to get started. Remember what I said about your learning goals that your groups created, these are great jumping off points for the thesis statements you'll investigate in your essays. Oh, don't forget #lrndneng3
Freshmen:
Your priority for tonight will be to complete your Act II Take Home Test. Be sure that you follow all instructions on the exam. You may use your book, the Internet, your notes, or any other resources you see fit; however, you may not confer with each other. Any evidence of cheating will be dealt with swiftly and with no mercy. Tests will be collected at the beginning of class on Thursday/Friday. We will also pick up with our study of Act III on that date as well as begin our final in-class group project on Romeo and Juliet.
For tonight you should begin working on your own "Song of Myself" - please finish reviewing the instructions that I gave you today in class and realize that these will be collected from you on Friday. As I said in the instructions, for the most part there are "no rules" in this assignment as I want you to be as creative as possible and for the poem to be a true reflection of who you are. Please be sure that you integrate the ideas and literary devices at the bottom of the sheet - do these artfully and skillfully and be sure that you really engage with the topic. Tomorrow we will begin work on our RESEARCH PAPERS - which are the final papers of the year! This is a long term investigation and will take time to get started. Remember what I said about your learning goals that your groups created, these are great jumping off points for the thesis statements you'll investigate in your essays. Oh, don't forget #lrndneng3
Freshmen:
Your priority for tonight will be to complete your Act II Take Home Test. Be sure that you follow all instructions on the exam. You may use your book, the Internet, your notes, or any other resources you see fit; however, you may not confer with each other. Any evidence of cheating will be dealt with swiftly and with no mercy. Tests will be collected at the beginning of class on Thursday/Friday. We will also pick up with our study of Act III on that date as well as begin our final in-class group project on Romeo and Juliet.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Work for Juniors - 5/2/2011
This is mainly for those of you not in class today due to AP Exams. Today in class we spent time reviewing the information about Walt Whitman and two of his poems from the collection Song of Myself. To those of you not in class today I would like for you to read in the textbook the biographical information on Whitman as well as #10 and #52 in the textbook. You will want to answer the questions related to each of these poems as a review. Just answer them in your notes - if you have questions, please let me know.
Tomorrow we will spend some time in our groups in preparing for the end of the year. We will begin working on lesson plans tomorrow. In addition, we will work on one of our final writing pieces for the year - the autobiographical poem.
Tomorrow we will spend some time in our groups in preparing for the end of the year. We will begin working on lesson plans tomorrow. In addition, we will work on one of our final writing pieces for the year - the autobiographical poem.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Work for the Weekend - 4/29
So - April is over and we're only one month away from summer vacation. It's hard to believe that we're already so close to the end of the year. As I always say - don't stop pushing until you come to the end of the last question on the final exam.
Juniors:
I will have your exams graded for you on Monday. To those of you taking an AP Exam on Monday - good luck, remember that you've been studying this content all year, don't cram and stress out before the exam; that'll just serve to mess you up going in. Take your time and breathe. We're going to spend a few days next week looking at the work of one Mr. Walt Whitman, a poet who really changed a lot of the ideas of what it meant to be a poet and poetry. For the weekend, you should concentrate on reading your novels. You'll have a group meeting on Tuesday and we'll begin moving to the next step of the project - the lesson plan and research paper.
Freshmen:
I hope that you all enjoyed the new version of Romeo and Juliet - there are a lot of interesting contrasts to Romeo + Juliet which will be interesting to investigate over the next few classes. Over the weekend you should prepare for your Act II Test which will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week - remember that there will be an in-class portion and a take-home portion. For homework, you will need to finish your worksheets on Act II, Scene 6. Make sure that you answer all of the questions thoroughly and that you've followed the instructions. Someone from your group will also need to turn in your diagram on moderate/passionate at the beginning of class.
If you have any questions - don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy the weekend!
Juniors:
I will have your exams graded for you on Monday. To those of you taking an AP Exam on Monday - good luck, remember that you've been studying this content all year, don't cram and stress out before the exam; that'll just serve to mess you up going in. Take your time and breathe. We're going to spend a few days next week looking at the work of one Mr. Walt Whitman, a poet who really changed a lot of the ideas of what it meant to be a poet and poetry. For the weekend, you should concentrate on reading your novels. You'll have a group meeting on Tuesday and we'll begin moving to the next step of the project - the lesson plan and research paper.
Freshmen:
I hope that you all enjoyed the new version of Romeo and Juliet - there are a lot of interesting contrasts to Romeo + Juliet which will be interesting to investigate over the next few classes. Over the weekend you should prepare for your Act II Test which will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week - remember that there will be an in-class portion and a take-home portion. For homework, you will need to finish your worksheets on Act II, Scene 6. Make sure that you answer all of the questions thoroughly and that you've followed the instructions. Someone from your group will also need to turn in your diagram on moderate/passionate at the beginning of class.
If you have any questions - don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy the weekend!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Homework for Juniors - 4/28
Well, tomorrow's the last day of April which will bring on May - the last full month of school. It's important that we keep on pushing hard until the end of the year. Tomorrow you will have your unit test on Transcendentalism and Romanticism due to the fact that the presentations ran a bit over today. Make sure that you complete the take-home portion of your test tonight and have that ready to be handed in tomorrow at the beginning of class. Remember what I said in class, I'm expecting good thorough responses to the questions. Be sure to use specific details from the text to support your opinions and ideas.
Also, tomorrow is a Vocabular Make-up Day for any student who wishes to resubmit new cards/bookmarks for a new grade. Don't miss this opportunity.
Also, tomorrow is a Vocabular Make-up Day for any student who wishes to resubmit new cards/bookmarks for a new grade. Don't miss this opportunity.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Field Trip! 4/27/2011
Today the 9th graders took a trip to NC State University. A good time was had by all, except when the bus broke down at the end of the day. Freshmen will get back to studying Romeo and Juliet on Friday of this week as we finish Act II. It would be a good idea to take this time to get ahead on your research projects.
Juniors
Tomorrow you will be presenting on your Arab Spring rebellion - please be insightful and prepared. I will also be collecting your viewing guide on the film Pleasantville. Lastly, you will have your Romanticism/Transcendentalism exam tomorrow. There will be no vocabulary this week, but it is a redo week for those student who missed an earlier vocabulary check. Next week you will have cards due!
Juniors
Tomorrow you will be presenting on your Arab Spring rebellion - please be insightful and prepared. I will also be collecting your viewing guide on the film Pleasantville. Lastly, you will have your Romanticism/Transcendentalism exam tomorrow. There will be no vocabulary this week, but it is a redo week for those student who missed an earlier vocabulary check. Next week you will have cards due!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Homework for 4/26
Juniors:
I have to begin by saying that I wasn't all that impressed with the reading of Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government" - I expect that when I assign a piece to be read that you are going to read it, thoroughly with notes an annotations so that you are prepared to discuss it in class. I would recommend that if you have been skating by that you go back and read the pieces that you missed before your exam on Thursday.
For your exam on Thursday you will be asked about six pieces in particular:
Tomorrow I will not be in class as I'll be with the 9th graders at NC State. You will have a substitute and a film to watch which will help to review some of the main concepts of Romanticism and Transcendentalism. I will take your film guide up on Thursday for a grade.
Tonight for homework you should begin to study for your exam, do any additional work needed for your Arab Spring presentations, and spend some time reading in your novels. You will have a group meeting on Friday.
Freshmen:
Your homework is in the previous post. Remember that I will not be checking your homework until class on Friday (A-day) and Monday (B-day). It would be in your best interest to begin preparing for your Act II Exam.
I have to begin by saying that I wasn't all that impressed with the reading of Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government" - I expect that when I assign a piece to be read that you are going to read it, thoroughly with notes an annotations so that you are prepared to discuss it in class. I would recommend that if you have been skating by that you go back and read the pieces that you missed before your exam on Thursday.
For your exam on Thursday you will be asked about six pieces in particular:
- Longfellow's "The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls" and "Cross of Snow"
- Thoreau's Walden and "Resistance to Civil Government"
- Emerson's "Self Reliance" and "Nature"
Tomorrow I will not be in class as I'll be with the 9th graders at NC State. You will have a substitute and a film to watch which will help to review some of the main concepts of Romanticism and Transcendentalism. I will take your film guide up on Thursday for a grade.
Tonight for homework you should begin to study for your exam, do any additional work needed for your Arab Spring presentations, and spend some time reading in your novels. You will have a group meeting on Friday.
Freshmen:
Your homework is in the previous post. Remember that I will not be checking your homework until class on Friday (A-day) and Monday (B-day). It would be in your best interest to begin preparing for your Act II Exam.
Monday, April 25, 2011
First Day Back From Break - 4/25
I feel completely wiped out. Phew. It was really good to see everyone today and to get back to learning and talking/interacting with all of you. I'm hoping that by the end of the week my jaw will feel a bit less sore so that class can be a bit more engaging. Here's what you need to do for me tonight:
Juniors: You need to finish reading Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government" - this piece is pretty heady and dense. I suggest that after every paragraph you stop and review the main ideas and content presented. This will be one of the only ways to make sense of what he's trying to say here. Pay attention to his criticisms of government and what he thinks government should be. Also, note all of the metaphors that he uses to discuss the government and what it does. We will really break down this text tomorrow to understand what he is trying to do.
Freshmen: Tonight you will need to read Act II, Scene 6 of Romeo and Juliet - the wedding scene - and complete your Who, What, Where, When notes. I will be checking these notes on Friday. Don't forget that with the field trip on Wednesday that you assignment will not be due until then. I would spend some time reviewing the rest of Act II as well seeing as you will soon have (next week) an exam on Act II. Finally, those of you not keeping up with your notecards are going to be in for a world of hurt next week as we move foward with the research project. Please take this week to get your notecards done and see me if you need any help. We have very few classes left until exams start - you've got to meet every deadline as we come to the end.
Juniors: You need to finish reading Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government" - this piece is pretty heady and dense. I suggest that after every paragraph you stop and review the main ideas and content presented. This will be one of the only ways to make sense of what he's trying to say here. Pay attention to his criticisms of government and what he thinks government should be. Also, note all of the metaphors that he uses to discuss the government and what it does. We will really break down this text tomorrow to understand what he is trying to do.
Freshmen: Tonight you will need to read Act II, Scene 6 of Romeo and Juliet - the wedding scene - and complete your Who, What, Where, When notes. I will be checking these notes on Friday. Don't forget that with the field trip on Wednesday that you assignment will not be due until then. I would spend some time reviewing the rest of Act II as well seeing as you will soon have (next week) an exam on Act II. Finally, those of you not keeping up with your notecards are going to be in for a world of hurt next week as we move foward with the research project. Please take this week to get your notecards done and see me if you need any help. We have very few classes left until exams start - you've got to meet every deadline as we come to the end.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Absentees on Friday
To those Juniors absent on Friday, be aware that your papers are due once you walk in the room on Monday the 25th. Failure to turn it in will result in the late penalty.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Work over Spring Break
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.
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.
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!
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