Honors English II Homework - 11/18/2013

Honors English II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. What is the author's purpose in writing this article.  Be specific and highlight a purpose linked explicitly to this article.
2. Explain what the author used in his/her writing/piece to alert you to the purpose.
3. What did this article help you to understand from the first excerpt of Persepolis?
4. Post a current event about Iran - there's a lot in the news right now - and explain how your current event continues the conversation with you and the topic of Iran.  What are you continuing to learn?  How are you fighting your preconceptions?

If you cannot post a comment, please do this assignment on paper and turn it in at the beginning of class on Wednesday.  Remember that you can complete this assignment from the school library.  Please sign your post with your name to receive credit.  Assignments are due at 9:00 am on Wednesday 11/20/2013.

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

AP English III

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

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

Russian I

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

Russian Language Resources

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

Master Russian

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

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

Honors English II

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

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

ESL English III

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

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

AP English III

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

Russian I

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

Homework for 11/12/13 - B Day Students

Honors English II

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

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

Reminders for the Weekend

A-Day Students

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

1. Remember that all classes will have a major grade coming due on Wednesday.  Russian students, you have your quizzes on verbs, sentence formation, and declensions.  Make sure to use the study guide and packet.  Also, remember that I'll be in the building on Tuesday, please come see me if you'd like to review anything.  AP English students, you all have your skit presentations and I'll be collecting your take-home exams.  Be ready for those assignments.

Honors English II Students - Remember that you have your in-class essay assignment on Tuesday.  I'll be collecting your copies of Siddhartha and giving you our next text, Persepolis.  If you're going to purchase your own copy of Persepolis please make sure that you have one before Thursday, for sure.

Homework for the Weekend - B Day Students

Honors English II

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

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

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

ESL English III

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

Homework for Wednesday - 11/6/2013

AP English III

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

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

Russian I

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

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

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

Honors English II

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

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

ESL English III

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

Homework for Monday - 11/4/2013

AP English III

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

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

Russian I

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

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

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

Honors English II

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

ESL English III

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

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 10/31/2013

AP English III

For the weekend you have two key priorities - First, you should finish reading and annotating The Great Gatsby.  As you finish make sure that you go back to your covers especially and fill in any blanks about the meanings of symbols or develop your motifs into more complete theme/argument statements that Fitzgerald is presenting through the text.  Second, you will need to complete the planning sheet and the analysis for Woolf and Petrunkevitch.  Remember the advice I gave you today in class about your organization of this assignment as well as your argument that you will present.

Lastly, you have your final project and your group for The Great Gatsby skits.  Over the weekend you don't need to put in any work on these as you'll have approximately half of the class on Monday to work on this.  I would perhaps set up a Google Doc to work on the script and make sure that you and your groupmates are starting to divide the work so that you can conquer it.

Russian I

This weekend I want you to work with your vocabulary.  You are to write ten complete sentences using a variety of verbs and vocabulary from unit one.  Use your vocabulary sheets.  Use only the verbs you can conjugate.  Do not use any sort of translator software - use of this is a violation of the honor code and will earn you no credit for this assignment.  Remember that I'm available both Thursday (today) and Friday (tomorrow ) after school for help.

Homework for B-Day Students

Honors English II

Tonight for homework you'll read the chapter "By the River" from Siddhartha.  As you read, I want you to take notes on four key ideas:  self, suffering, cycles, and changes.  I would suggest that you divide a piece of paper into four areas and then make notes of quotes, paraphrases, moments, and scenes as you read.  Once you finish the reading you should then analyze your findings to discover some of the connections between these ideas.  You'll find something really interesting if you look closely enough.

Your Siddhartha projects will be due on the 14th of November.  Your final exam on the book will happen on the 12th.  Be prepared for both.

ESL English III

No homework tonight.  Next class there will be a lot of independent working time.  Be prepared for that!

Homework for AP English III and Russian I

AP English III

Tonight for homework I'd like for you to complete the reading of A. Petrunkevitch's "The Spider and the Wasp" and complete your note sheet for this and Woolf.  The Petrunkevitch piece is available at this link.  We will be working through Woolf next class and go over how to draft this type of tone analysis assignment.  Please make sure that your note sheet is finished as it will be useful in our notes and walk-through of the writing assignment.  I will not be assigning a chapter of The Great Gatsby tonight but your next assignment will have you finish the book.  You may want to get ahead a bit.

Remember that your tone assignments on Woolf/Petrunkevitch will be collected on 11/4.  Your Gatsby projects will be due on 11/13.  This is the same day your take-home tests on Gatsby will be due.

Russian I

Tonight please complete the homework sheet.  Do exercises seven through ten, and fifteen through sixteen.  Complete all work on your own paper.  Remember to be studying and reviewing your verb conjugation rules as well as your vocabulary notes.

Status Check

Students:

At this point grades are finalized for all classes except for AP English III since I have essay revisions to read this weekend.  I'll have everything done no later than 9:00 am on Monday.  If you are still needing to make up an assignment or turn something in I better see you at my classroom door on Monday morning at 8:00 when I arrive.

Enjoy the weekend!

Homework for the Long Weekend - All Classes

As I "grade my face off" this weekend and finish your finish your scores for the first quarter, you all get a bit of time to relax.

Russian I and ESL English III

There's no homework this weekend.

Russian I Students - I would spend some time this weekend staying up with your language skills.  Remember that a bit of Russian every day is helpful.  Listen to some Russian music on youtube.com and follow along with the lyrics.  Test your comprehension and speaking.  Next week we will be continuing on with cases, especially and moving in to verbs.  Be prepared and for those of you struggling, it's time to come in and work extra hard.  Remember that I'm free most lunches and after school.

Honors English II

Reread "Among the People" and "Samsara" to be prepared for Wednesday's class.  Also put in some work on your projects!  The due date will be announced on Wednesday.

AP English III

This weekend you have some reading to do.  Read and annotate chapter seven of The Great Gatsby.  As you read, continue to draw connections to motifs and symbols.  At this point in the novel you should be able to make some conclusions about the meaning of some of these symbols.  Also, I want you to read Virginia Woolf's "The Death of the Moth."  The article is available in 50 Essays or at this link.  As you read this piece, know that it is in a rhetorical mode called "process analysis."  We will work on this piece over several classes as it is quite beautiful and has some interesting Gatsby connections.  Read and annotate.  Always!

Homework for B-Day Students: 10/23/2013

Honors English II

On Friday you will have your final exam on chapters one through four of Siddhartha.  Please make sure that you take your time and prepare for this exam.  You will have multiple choice and true/false questions related to:

• plot and characters from chapters one through four
• notes and ideas from the poem "Night" which you read with the substitute
• opening PowerPoint information on Hinduism, Buddhism and Hesse's life

There will be short answer questions which are derived from your study guide which you had last class, please make sure to review those ideas.  Also you will have quotes.  You'll need to tell me the speaker of the quotation, the context, and analyze the quote to show its importance to the overall narrative.

I look forward to seeing what you produce.

ESL English III

Please respond to the following question in a clear paragraph.  Try to follow the rules for good writing as you create this response:

At the end of chapter three we see that Annemarie begins to mature as a character due to what is happening in her country.  Describe a moment in your life which caused you to mature as a person.  How did this event affect you?  How did it encourage your growth?

Homework for A-Day Students: 10/22/2013

AP English III

Today in class we did a lot of work on our cover annotations and then in that close reading of the passage from chapter four.  Remember as we complete close readings and things of that nature that I am modeling for you how to approach this text.  Try to incorporate some of these same skills into your practice as a reader.  For tonight, you should read and annotate chapters five and six.  Also, I will be checking vocabulary on Thursday.  Make sure that you have at least ten words from The Great Gatsby as well as your definitions and such.

Russian I

You have an exam on Thursday/Friday.  We reviewed today in class.  Be ready!

Homework for the Weekend - 10/18/2013

AP English III

Over the weekend you need to read and annotate chapter four of The Great Gatsby.  Chapter four is essentially the half-way point of the novel.  This provides you an excellent chance to check in with your cover annotations to record important topics and motifs as well as going through your characters and checking in on them.  Make sure that you've also been collecting vocabulary, it's not terribly elevated in this text, but there are some great words that Fitzgerald uses for very specific purposes.

Also, feel proud of yourselves, you've done your first timed writing.  We'll continue doing these throughout the year!  So know that they're not going anywhere.

Lastly, this weekend gives you your final weekend before the end of the grading period.  Make sure that you have your essay revision ready to go, many of you are getting on my calendar - be sure to not wait on this!

Russian I

This weekend you have no homework officially but you should spend this time by going through your assignments, especially your homework, to make sure that everything is complete.  The final sheet I gave you today (or the substitute gave) is a great review of the possessive pronouns and the possessive interrogative.  Do these exercises.  Make sure to go through your notes and assignments to generate questions.  Tuesday/Wednesday will be our review day before the exam.  Be prepared!

Remember that I won't be in on Monday - I'll see everyone on Tuesday!

Homework for the Weekend - B Day Students - 10/17

Students of B-day.  Remember that I will not be here with you on Monday due to the fact that I will be working on a project for Durham Public Schools.  Don't fret.  You'll have plenty of independent work to do with your substitute.  Here are your notes to take you through the weekend.

Honors English II

Over the weekend you should read the chapters "Among the People" and "Samsara" from Siddhartha.  As you read, you are not required to take notes, but I would recommend that you do continue to take notes as it makes you a stronger reader.  In addition, I gave you today your final project on Siddhartha.  You may want to spend some time this weekend working and brainstorming about that project.  The due date will likely be the first full week of November, be prepared.

Lastly, you have two tests coming next week.  The first, on Wednesday, will be a district assessment.  This test is not for a grade but is meant to show me how prepared you are for our final EOC.  Please do not study for this exam; I want to see your raw skills at this point in the year.  Your test on Friday will cover part one of Siddhartha, chapters one through four.  On Monday I will have a study guide for you all to work on which will prepare you for this exam.

ESL English III

This weekend you should complete your quiz corrections on section one of your quiz.  Remember to redo the questions you missed on a separate sheet of paper and then submit that to Ms. Gillen on Monday, after lunch.

On Monday you will continue working on Number the Stars and move into chapter two on your own.

Homework for AP English and Russian I - 10/16

AP English III

This post is extremely important for those of you who were not in class today due to PSAT testing.  Today in class we discussed "The Ways We Lie" by Stephanie Ericsson.  As we discussed this piece, we focused on the following topics; please be sure that you go through the piece and analyze or consider these topics.  Remember that being absent does not excuse you from the content we cover in class.  Topics of discussion were:

• the structure and organization of her argument
• the argument she presents about human nature and lies as well as the pervasiveness of lies
• the use of irony and anecdote as rhetorical devices in her argument
• the mixing of rhetorical modes, especially definition and exemplification
• connecting the different types of lies to the main characters in The Great Gatsby (consider society as a character and the lies in which society is complicit)

If you are confused about these topics or would like to discuss further please make a note to raise a question on Friday as we will finish up on this piece then.  Outside of our analysis of this article we watched some clips of The Great Gatsby (2013) in order to better understand the characters, especially Daisy.

For homework:  Prepare for your timed writing assignment.  You will have an argumentative essay on Friday.  Prepare by reviewing your bootcamp notes.  Remember that this is your chance to show off everything that you've learned so far this quarter.  Show me how you've grown!  Also, be sure to read and annotate chapter four of The Great Gatsby.  This isn't really a priority until Tuesday's class as the timed writing and finishing up of "The Ways We Lie" will take most of our time on Friday.

Lastly - remember that next week is the last week of the grading period.  All revised essays and any other aspects of the summer assignment are due no later than 3:30 pm on Friday, October 25th.  No extensions will be granted.  Prepare accordingly.

Russian I:

Tonight for homework you have several exercises to complete to practice work on possessive and subject pronouns as well as the possessive interrogative.  Remember the concept of gender as you work through these exercises as we are really reviewing gender on this assignment.  Here are your notes for each exercise:

• Exercise 51 and 52:  Just fill in the blanks - You do not need to rewrite the sentences or answer the questions in 52 - just fill in the blanks.
• Exercise 53:  Organize the nouns based on the gender.  For soft sign nouns, use your vocabulary list.
• Exercise 54:  Pronoun replacement.  Fill in the blanks with the appropriate subject pronoun.
• Exercise 85:  Answer the questions using possessive pronouns.  Make sure to change the possessive pronoun from the question to an appropriate and logical answer.
• Exercise 86:  Write the proper form of the possessive interrogative (whose) based on the gender at use in each question.  You do not need to write whole questions if you do not choose to.
• Exercise 87:  Fill in the blanks with a variety of possessive pronouns.
• Exercise 88:  Use the possessive interrogative to ask questions about the words in the sentences.

Remember to do this work on your own paper and see me for additional help if you need it.  We will not review this assignment as we did today with cases.

Homework for B-Day Students: 10/15/2013

Honors English II

Tonight you have two chapters of Siddhartha to read "The Awakening" and "Kamala".  As you read through "The Awakening" keep track of the following ideas -- transformations, paradox of unity, vision, and epiphanies.  You may want to make some notes about these ideas as we go through since that will lead you to a fuller reading experience.  In chapter five, "Kamala" you will need to take notes as part of your reading experience.  You should take notes on the ideas of symbolism (consider Kamala as a symbol as well as the things associated with her), the moments when Siddhartha finds himself (what are these moments?  why can't he hold on to these moments?), and finally the changes that Siddhartha is undergoing.

I look forward to another super productive day on Thursday.  Today's discussion was wonderful, but I do want to stress to all of you to participate more, especially if you were silent during your inside circle work.  Remember that asking questions and further developing a classmate's opinion works.  Be active.  Be engaged!

ESL English III

No homework tonight since we didn't finish our reading of chapter one.  Next class we will have finished that reading and you will need to do some writing for me over the weekend.  Look forward to this!

Homework for A-Day Students: 10/14/2013

AP English III

Next class is going to be a bit strange with so many of you taking the PSAT.  I still want you to complete the reading of "The Ways We Lie" and have that ready for Wednesday if you are in class or not.  The link to the article is available in the previous post for the weekend.  We will likely continue to analyze and discuss some moments from chapters one through three.  We will probably watch a bit of the film too so that we can analyze some of the visuals from the text.

On Friday you will have your first timed writing assignment.  It will be an argumentative piece.  Please make sure to review your notes on writing and argumentation as this will be the way that you show me what you can do and what you've learned.

Russian I

Tonight for homework I want you to continue working on case identification and changes.  Please complete both sides of the worksheet.  On side one you are identifying the case used in the underlined portion.  Remember to identify each underlined portion.  On the second side you are then applying that case to the word.  Remember what we did in class today.  Use your notes and apply the changes accurately.  We will review this next class.

Weekend Homework - A day and B day Students - 10/10 and 10/11

AP English III

This weekend your priority is to complete chapter three of The Great Gatsby.  As you are reading you need to continue to annotate and add to your cover notes on characters, topics, symbols, settings and motifs.  As we continue to discuss and draw out the patterns we see in the text, you should continue to look for these ideas and elements on your own.  Monday we will be focused solely on Gatsby.  If you would like to get ahead for Wednesday's class I would suggest that you also read "The Ways We Lie" by Stephanie Ericsson which is in 50 Essays or at this link.  As you read Ericsson's piece, connect the different lies back to the characters in the text.  How does this text give you a better understanding of what it truly means to tell a lie?

Russian I

This weekend you have no homework due to the fact that you had a quiz today or yesterday.  Please continue to study and learn on your own with this language.  I am still disappointed in the fact that some of you are not putting forth the effort required of you to be successful.  Many of you who are struggling are not completing homework assignments or coming to me for extra help.

Honors English II

This weekend everyone you need to read chapter three of Siddhartha.  This is when he will meet Buddha - the man who is enlightened.  Watch this scene carefully and consider how it continues Siddhartha's quest for knowledge and understanding of himself.  As you read you should be collecting vocabulary and defining that vocabulary.  I will be collecting your next vocabulary bookmark on Tuesday.  Have that ready!

Lastly, you have the opportunity this weekend to do test corrections on your multiple choice.  To earn back one half point for each question missed you need to turn in a sheet of paper on which you:

• write out the question that you missed with the correct answer
• explain why the answer is correct

Only assignments which do both parts will earn credit back.  Submit this with your original test.

ESL English III

Relax this weekend - you've taken your first test for me today and have done a lot of writing.  Enjoy the weekend and be ready to continue moving forward next week.

Homework for B-Day Students: 10/9/2013

Honors English II

Tonight for homework you need to read chapter two of Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.  As you read you should continue to add to your character lists as well as your notes on topics, motifs, and symbols in the text.  Continue to pay attention to the relationship between Govinda and Siddhartha.  Lastly, as you read, make sure that you go through chapters one and two and add to your vocabulary lists.  I look forward to a very productive conversation on Friday about this opening of the text.

ESL English III

Your goal for tonight and tomorrow is to study for your first assessment on "A Taste of Home."  Remember to use your notes as your key resource for studying.  As you are studying your notes, make sure that you go back to the text and review the ideas in the story to pair your notes with your text.  We will start class on Friday with questions and then launch into the test.  Be ready!

Homework for A-Day Students: October 8th

AP English III

Tonight for homework you need to read to the end of chapter two in The Great Gatsby.  As you read, be sure to pay attention to motifs, characters, and symbols.  Try to make connections to our opening lecture as we worked through those topics so that you will start to see them within the text.  Be sure to also be adding to your vocabulary bookmarks -- now that we're doing novels you'll want to start keeping up with the vocabulary a lot more.

Here's the prompt for you to respond to as we go through to next class.  Please respond to this post by commenting on this post.  If you cannot comment, please submit your response via e-mail or on paper next class.

By the end of chapter two, whom do you consider to be the most immoral character?  Why?

Respond briefly to this, make sure that you're not simply parroting another classmate.  We can think the same person is immoral, but there should be a variety of reasons.

Russian I

Next class you will have your quiz on grammar and vocabulary.  In order to prepare for this quiz you should do the following:

1. Study and know your vocabulary list.  If you need another copy, come see me and get a textbook.
2. Be sure that you know your six cases as well as their function.  Studying your notes and your homework on cases would be helpful.
3. Be sure that your grammar exercises are complete.  These are useful in studying.  Be especially sure that you can replace your pronouns and nouns as well as distinguishing between КТО\ЧТО.
4. Be sure that you know how to make questions and answers both positive and negative.

If you know your notes and the grammar structures we've been using then you'll be in good shape.  Again, many of you have not come to see me so I assume that everything is okay.  Please see me if you need help!

Homework for B-Day Students: 10/07/2013

Honors English II:

For homework tonight I want you to build from our lecture today on Hinduism and Hesse's biography.  We'll be continuing these notes on Wednesday as we start reading Siddhartha on that day too.  Tonight, I want you to find a news article related to one of the different topics we touched on during our lecture today.  Once you've found the article, you'll need to post a comment in which you do the following:

1. Post the link for the article you've found.
2. State the main idea/argument of the article as a complete sentence.
3. Explain how the article connects to our lecture today.
4. State three facts you learned from reading the article.  

If you don't do this on the class website then you will need to bring a printout of your article as well as the answers to the three tasks.  There can be no repeat of an article, so make sure that you look at what others have posted before you submit yours.  Let me know if you have any questions about this.

ESL English III

Today we finished reading our first major text of the year "A Taste of Home."  On Friday you will have a quiz on this text.  For tonight, it would be in your best interest to begin studying and reviewing this story.  We will do a bit of a guided review on Wednesday after our time in the computer lab.  Come with questions to class on Wednesday so that you're prepared for Friday!

Homework for the Weekend - 10/04/2013

AP English III

You've just passed a major milestone - your first exam with me.  I hope that you felt prepared and confident as you went through your exam.  I look forward to reading your responses and working with you all as you continue to develop your composition skills.  I should get these tests to you by the end of next week.

For the weekend you have no homework.  Please make sure that you get yourselves a copy of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and bring it with you to class on Tuesday.  Remember that a used copy is perfectly acceptable to me and there are several good used book stores in the area; my personal favorite is Nice Price Books on Broad Street, near East Campus.

Russian I

You are starting to now learn about one of the most challenging aspects in the entire Russian language - cases.  There is a steep learning curve here, but you will be able to comprehend this.  Remember that you should study and work with Russian nightly in order to conquer these blocks, and you can see me outside of class for extra help.

Tonight, I want you to apply your knowledge of cases to English with your bridge assignment.  Using the ten sentences, identify which case would be used in the underlined portions.  The number to the side indicates how many cases are at play in the sentence.  We will review this in class on Tuesday/Wednesday as part of our review for our quiz on Thursday/Friday.  Make sure that you spend time this weekend studying and internalizing your vocabulary as that will be a significant portion of your quiz.

Homework for B-Day Students: 10/3/2013

Honors English II

Today you took your first test for me.  I hope that you all felt prepared and that the test was not super difficult.  If you studied and felt as though your studying was not helpful, come and see me so that we can discuss some new strategies for you.

This weekend you have no homework.  Make sure that you have your copies of Siddhartha with you in class on Monday as we'll begin reading this text together on that day.

ESL English III

I was very pleased at the amount of work that we got done together in class today.  For the weekend you should continue to study your vocabulary.  Next week we will begin working on two major assignments.  Stay tuned for that!

Homework for A-Day Students: 10/2/2013

AP English III

Tonight you should make your priority studying for your first exam on Transcendentalism as it is reflected in the literature and non-fiction that we have read in this opening unit.  Remember that your focus texts for this exam are Dr. King's "Letter from a Birmingham City Jail", Thoreau's "Where I Lived and What I Lived For", and finally Ralph Waldo Emerson's "The Over Soul".  These texts will have specific questions asked of them, but you can then use the parallel texts to explain your ideas from these key texts.

Remember as you study that you will have four short answer questions on this exam.  You should consider your writing boot camp notes as you prepare for this exam as I will be looking for improvements in your clarity, argument, use and explanation of examples.  I look forward to seeing your growth so far!

Russian I

Tonight for homework you have several grammar exercises to complete.  You need to complete numbers one, two, three, and four based on our lesson today on pronouns, questions and answers.  Please write out all of your answers on a separate sheet of paper.  On the reverse, you should complete exercises six and half of exercise seven as you identify whether you use КТО or ЧТО to ask a question about those different nouns.

As well, continue to study your chapter one vocabulary.  I would expect a quiz soon!

Homework for B-Day Students - 10/1/2013

Honors English II

Next class you will be having your first exam with me which will cover all of the texts that we have read in this opening unit.  Take the review we accomplished today in class and continue to study and review.  Now that you know the sections of the test as well as how to accomplish each section, you should find an easy time of studying.  Tonight you should go through your notes and materials in order to prepare questions.  Remember that I will not answer questions twenty-four hours before a test; this requires that you prepare now and ask your questions in advance.

Study hard, especially the vocabulary and literary devices.  Remember to review your feedback on your writing as you will be graded more harshly on this in the test.  If you have been making consistent errors in your writing you will want to focus on those before Thursday's exam.

ESL English III

On Thursday we will finish up the vocabulary for this section of "A Taste of Home" as well as continue to work on the distinction between tone and mood.  I wanted to let you all know as well that you will be having a test, likely next week, on these different stories that we have read.  Make sure that you start studying now!

Homework and Tips for A-Day Students - 9/30/2013

And with that we say good-bye to September and hello to October and the last half of the first quarter.  Here are your reminders for tonight to take you through to our next class. 

AP English III

Your homework for tonight is the same that it will be tomorrow night - prepare for your examination.  Your exam on Friday will consist solely of short answer questions.  These are not essays, but you may find that they require more of you than just a paragraph as these questions will be quite complex.  I will not give you any questions for this test.  The questions are all in your notes, you just have to find them first.  As you go through and study your notes, focus on noticing trends and patterns throughout the texts as well as drawing connections between them.  This will be an important and productive way to study.  As well, write sample questions and then time yourself as you respond.  The biggest challenge that most of you will have with this test is the time constraint, the only way to conquer this is to practice a timed testing environment.

For next class, we will have our meeting with guidance as well as a quick discussion of "Once More to the Lake" which is our last piece for the exam.  If you have any questions for me about what we have covered so far, be sure that you raise them on Wednesday.  I will not answer questions about this test past that date.

Russian I

For tonight you need to finish your handout on identifying gender as well as working through your handwriting practice.  As we are moving forward with our grammar, please remember that we will constantly be building on what we've done before.  That's how a foreign language works, which is why you need to be so solid on your foundational elements.  Please make sure that you constantly study your vocabulary and try to use it daily.  We will soon have vocabulary quizzes and assessments, but we have to learn some of the nitty gritty of the grammar first.

Lastly, be sure to hang on to your НАЧАЛО sheets as you'll need that for every day of class.  They will be collected for a grade.

Homework for B-Day Students - 9/27/2013

Honors English II

I want to start this post with a reminder that you have to be responsible for your learning and for what you are accomplishing in this class.  It is unacceptable that when given two days to pick up a reading assignment that some of you did not do this.  It's especially troubling that not completing homework assignments is developing into a very dangerous trend for some of you.  Keep up with all of your assignments.  Every single day.  Here's what you need to accomplish over the weekend - your study guide for your first test.  You should look at each of the texts that we have studied so far in this unit and consider the following information on each:

1. What is the theme (are the themes) that the author is presenting in the piece?  How?
2. Who are the major characters?  Do these characters undergo significant changes?  Why is this change significant to the overall text or to the author's theme?
3. Are there significant literary devices at play such as irony, tone, or others?
4. What is the main plot of the story?
5. How is the author using language and specifically word choice to further his/her ideas.
6. How does this piece reflect the idea of culture?
7. Do you have any questions about this piece?

We will start class by doing our review and from there we may begin work on our first major text of the year.  Remember that your test will fall on Thursday, October 3rd.

ESL English III

Over the weekend you should take the drafts of the assignments you did and apply my feedback.  Try to follow the suggestions that I've made for you so that you can revise what you've done and then move on to the next phase of the assignment.  Please come and ask if you need any help with this.

Homework for A-Day Students - 9/26/2013

AP English III

Let me begin this post by saying how impressed I was by both classes today.  Your attention to detail and the depth of our discussion today was absolutely fantastic.  Remember that we really only looked at several small pieces of the overall "Letter", yet we were able to fill over an hour with solid discussion.  Way to go.  Here are your reminders for tonight.

1.  Remember that you will have your unit test on October 4th.  Any text that we have read in this opening unit is fair game for your exam.  To prepare for the test I would recommend that you write sample questions and then time yourself as you write your responses.  This test will be made up of several short answers.  Practice!

2.  We will begin our study of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby during the week of October 7th.  Please have a copy of the text.  You can purchase a used copy, which is totally fine with me or you can get a new one.  If you need me to furnish you with a copy of the text, please let me know in advance.

3.  Your final reading selection for this unit is E.B. White's "Once More to the Lake" -- You can find it in 50 Essays or at this link.  As you read, be sure to focus on the rhetorical effect of White's use of detail and description.  It's a beautiful piece that reminds me a lot of summers in Alaska.  I hope you all enjoy it.

Russian I

Congratulations!  You've survived your first unit exam.  I'll be working hard to get them graded and returned to you early next week.  If you still have gaps in your alphabet knowledge it is imperative that you shore up those gaps this weekend.  As I've said consistently in class, "I can't learn this for you.  I already learned it for myself."  Commit to memorizing the alphabet and internalizing it.

Over the weekend you should be learning your new vocabulary.  Read the words several times and practice using them.  We will begin next week by investigating the grammar of the Russian language.  It's about to get harder and much more intense from here on out, be sure that you're ready.

Homework for B-Day Students - 9/25/2013

Honors English II

For homework tonight I want you to read the excerpt from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's 1970 Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech.  As you read, focus on the two questions that I've given you at the top of the speech.

1. What is Solzhenitsyn's view on the purpose of authors and literature?
2. How does this piece reflect the idea of culture which we've been focused on in this unit?

There is also a lot of vocabulary that you can glean from this excerpt, make sure that you're adding to those vocabulary bookmarks.  Finally, be sure that you annotate this text heavily.  I'm looking forward to a great seminar on Friday to finish our week.

ESL English III

Tonight I want you to read independently in our story "A Taste of Home".  You need to read to the top of page 199.  As you're reading, continue to focus on what we learn about the narrator, take notes as you read to help you remember what you're reading.  Also, like always, focus on your vocabulary.

Homework for A-Day Students - 9/24/2013

AP English III

Tonight you need to finish your reading and annotation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "Letter from a Birmingham City Jail".  As you read, remember the connection between this piece and the shorter letter we read today in class.  Make sure that you draw connections between the two pieces so that you can see just how effectively King refutes and then utterly destroys their argument.  Remember to always read closely and to draw connections!  Also, be sure that you continue to develop your vocabulary lists.  I will collect a bookmark next week.

Russian I

Your alphabet unit test is coming on Thursday and Friday.  Be sure that you are studying your cultural notes on formality and names as this will be an important part of your exam.  Review your phonics, handwriting, and all notes up to this point.  Consider this your last chance to solidify your skills before we move on to the grammar and structure of the language.

Homework for B-Day Students: September 23, 2013

One day down and just four more to go this week.  Here are your reminders for Wednesday's class.

Honors English II

Tonight you have an online reflection due for class.  Please either e-mail your response to me, complete it as a comment on this post, or complete a written response on paper and turn it in at the beginning of class on Wednesday.  Here is the prompt -

What is one element of upper class Russian culture which you understand from reading "A Problem" by Anton Chekhov?  Is this element of the culture important or unimportant?  How do you know?

Furthermore, if you did not turn in your vocabulary today at the end of class you MUST submit it for a grade on Wednesday.

ESL English III

Tonight for homework you should continue working on your vocabulary and your reading skills.  I would suggest that you practice your skills of annotating by applying them to another text you are reading right now. 

Homework for the Weekend - 9/20/2013

I forgot to post this before I left the building, so I'm taking care of this from my kitchen table.  Then I'm going out for my run as I hope the clouds don't open up on me.

AP English III

Over the weekend you should begin reading Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior's "Letter from a Birmingham City Jail."  This piece is quite lengthy and will take you some time to get through; that's why we won't be discussing this piece until Thursday.  You can find the piece in 50 Essays or at this link.  As you read this piece keep track of Transcendentalism and the Over Soul.  You'll see a lot of that here.  Also, continue looking at your vocabulary sheets.  I will be collecting those next week.  Enjoy this piece, it's one of the most important things written in the twentieth century.

Russian I

Over the weekend you need to prepare for your presentations on Tuesday/Wednesday.  In addition, you should work through the worksheets I gave you today on Russian naming customs and on the distinction between formal and informal.  You'll see a lot of that information on your test on Thursday and Friday.  Be ready.  Study.  Ask for help if you need it!

Homework for the B-day Classes -- September 19, 2013

We've had our last B-day of the week, so it's time to rev up for the weekend.  Here is what you need to make sure to take care of before we see each other again on Monday.

Honors English II

Over the weekend I want you to read Anton Chekhov's "A Problem" from our literature textbooks.  As you read the story, the key idea I want you to look for is the idea we saw reflected in Szymborska's poem "In Praise of Feeling Bad About Yourself."  How are you seeing the characters praising their bad feelings about themselves?  What about the narrator?  How does the language of the text reflect these ideas?

Be sure that as you read Chekhov that you continue working on your vocabulary bookmarks.

I was very pleased with your performances today!  I look forward to our next skit day!

ESL English III

Over the weekend I would like for all of you to move forward with your vocabulary bookmarks.  Use the article we read today as well as the other texts we've read so far to fill up your first bookmark.  Remember that you've got to make sure to understand the definition in order to put it on your bookmark form.  We will have a bit of time to finish these bookmarks on Monday, but you should try to get a lot done this weekend.

Homework for 9/18/2013 - A Day Classes

Students!  I hope that your Wednesday has been as wonderful as mine!  Lots of stimulating conversation in my AP classes and some amazing progress in our Russian speaking ability in class too!  Keep moving forward!  Never stay still!

AP English III

Tonight you have two key tasks to prepare you for our class on Friday.  First, I would like for you to read an annotate the excerpted version of The Grapes of Wrath which I gave you in class.  The text is from my own copy so you can see how I annotate a text.  As you work through the four excerpts, I want you to "find the Over Soul" -- How do you see Emerson's philosophy reflected by the characters and scenes I've given you.  Focus on the five essential elements of Transcendentalism as well as our discussion to get you through this.

In addition, you need to read Henry David Thoreau's "Where I Lived and What I Lived For" which is in 50 Essays or available at this link.  Remember to use this as an outgrowth of our discussion of Emerson.  How is Thoreau living the philosophy?  Where are some issues related to practicality?

I look forward to another hearty discussion on Friday!

Russian I

Tonight you need to all practice your reading, writing, and phonics.  Practice the lines in your skit.  If you're still having trouble with the alphabet - then continue to study that.  Your test is coming next week!  You need to be ready.  If you're having serious trouble, then come see me so that I can help.  Remember, I can't learn it for you.  You've got to do it for yourself.

Homework for Tuesday - 9/17/2013

Honors English II

Your key homework assignment for tonight is to finish preparing for your skits and presentations which you will have on Thursday.  Remember that we are starting with the skits before we move on to finishing our work on "In Praise of Feeling Bad About Yourself".  Remember that each member needs a copy of the script, a role in the presentation, and any necessary props.  I look forward to seeing what you all have come up with.  If you have any powerpoints or images to load onto the Brightlinks screen, please email those files to me.

ESL English III

Tonight you should continue to review and revise your writing assignments as well as work on your vocabulary bookmarks.  I will be returning your first drafts back to you on Thursday so that we can continue working through and finishing these first assignments.

Homework for Monday - 9/16/2013

AP English III

By next class all of you should have finished Emerson's "The Over Soul" and have thorough annotations to take you through the piece.  As you read, continue to mark vocabulary and add to your bookmarks.  I'm looking forward to our seminar on Wednesday; remember that participation comes through both asking and answering questions!

Russian I

Next class we will continue to work on phonetics related to consonants and voicing rules.  For tonight, you should complete your worksheet on the different cities in Russia and the handwriting practice.  Continue researching your city if you need to.  Next class we will start writing scripts for our presentations.

Homework for the Weekend/Monday - 9/16/2013

This post is for my B-day students.  A-day students will be able to find their homework in the post at the end of the day.

B-day students:  I'm sorry for not getting this up earlier.  I had a crazy busy day yesterday and then Friday and Saturday were eaten by Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur.  Here are your notes to get you ready for tomorrow's class.

Honors English II

For homework you need to construct an extended response which uses two pieces of textual support to develop your answer to a question of your choice.  At the end of Sundiata there are several questions for you to consider.  I would like for you to choose either number six, nine, or eleven and complete your extended response.  You must have a clear topic sentence which clearly answers the question; in addition, there needs to be two pieces of evidence taken directly from the text which you then explain to show how it helps to prove the point you are trying to make.  Remember to take our discussion from today's class about writing - make sure that you aren't leaving me to draw my own conclusions - make your point clear, always. 

Next class you will be working in your dramatization teams again - make sure you have anything that you need for your group to work well together.

ESL English III

I was very pleased to see all of you develop your writing today by considering the positives and negatives of a particular issue.  Next class we are going to spend some time working through our writing pieces and revising them to consider both sides of the idea of being an immigrant in America.  Make sure that you have your original drafts in which you only considered one side of the issue.

Quite the Day Today. 9/12/2013

Today was quite the day at Jordan High School.  I don't know where all of you evacuated to during third period, but I want to say a special thanks to my 3A Russian class for staying together, staying calm, and following instructions.  Спасибо!  AP Students, this update is especially important for all of you.

AP English III

With today's evacuation we did not have fourth period so Monday's class is going to become Wednesday's class to make sure that all students are in the same place in the calendar.  You should still put in and hopefully finish "The Over Soul" this weekend.  The extra day will be great for you to review it before class and to write down any questions which you're going to ask in class during our seminar.  You've also got some time to work on your vocabulary bookmarks.  I will want to collect one of those from you soon, be sure to go through Emerson thoroughly as he's got a highly elevated diction in his writing.

If you need the link to the article, see last class's post.  If you need a paper copy, please see me tomorrow to collect one.  4A - You will get your essays back on Monday and we will have today's class then.  2A - We will have an enrichment day on Monday.  I look forward to that with you.  It may also give us a chance to read a bit more together.

If you have any questions, please come see me tomorrow.

Russian I

I want all of you to think of this first quiz as a challenge.  Even if you did very well, there are still places where all of you can improve.  Focus on reviewing your handwriting very thoroughly as we go through the weekend.  We will begin with a speaking and culture activity on Monday and Tuesday.  I wanted to give 3A the handout today, but we were busy evacuating and not only did I leave my phone and car keys in the classroom, I left your handouts too.  I'll get these to you tomorrow morning during our short time together (see below).

To those of you who did not perform as well as you had hoped on the quiz, I especially want you to practice and study and review.  Remember that language needs to be experienced daily.  Over the weekend, it's your job to expose yourself to Russian!  Write your name, review your alphabet, listen to recordings as you look at your handouts and notes.  Remember that I'm also available during some lunches, before and after school for help and to review.

Here's that film we watched today in class.  I hope that you all enjoyed the beauty of Moscow.  Those of you in 3A - you're among the few people who know why I don't chew gum.  Congratulations.

All Students

Mr. Leathers will be calling tonight about tomorrow's schedule.  We are starting with 3A and then going to our normal schedule.  This will allow you to collect any belongings you left behind.  We will be in 3A only for 10 minutes.

Homework for Tuesday - 9/10/2013

What a lovely day with all of you.  I was impressed by the seriousness with which the Russian students completed their quizzes and the amount of discussion and thinking we had going on in AP English III as we worked through our key characters.  Here are your reminders for tonight!

AP English III

Tonight ladies and gentlemen you have one of the hardest pieces to read this year, Ralph Waldo Emerson's "The Oversoul".  Due to the fact that I was running around like mad this morning I didn't have a chance to make copies of the article.  There's a link here - or you can come and pick up a copy of the essay next tomorrow.  You do not have to have this read until you come in to class next week.  Next class we're going to be focusing on starting our Writing Bootcamp and you'll get back your first essays.  Remember, we're ripping off the band-aid; it's going to hurt.

As you read "The Oversoul" you should annotate heavily.  Keep taking yourselves back to our notes on Jim Casy's philosophy.  Find those elements in the text.  Those will be your anchors as we go through the text.  Remember to ask questions of the text, and keep up with your vocabulary logs!

Russian I

Today you completed your first quizzes on the alphabet.  If there was anything at all on the quiz or any letters that you don't feel sure about make sure that you go back and study tonight.  Also, look over and begin to learn that new vocabulary, we'll be studying and working through that next class as well as a few other small notes.  It's time to start writing dialogues!

Another Manic Monday - 9/9/2013

B-Day Students - This Monday has just flown by, but unfortunately my to do list has just gotten longer.  Here is your to-do list for tonight to prepare you for Wednesday's class.

Honors English II

Tonight you need to read the handout I gave you which is the excerpted version of Sundidata as well as some background information on epics and Mali.  Please make sure to read everything, including the background information.

Tonight you need to read the epic and you need to take notes as you read in your text.  This is called annotating.  For tonight, I want you to focus on the main character and his antagonist.  As you read the text, mark quotations and moments which develop each of these characters for you.  Be sure to make a note when you underline or highlight something to remind you as to why you marked that particluar passage.  As you read you should also continue working on your vocabulary bookmarks.

ESL English III

Tonight you should continue working on your definition paragraphs.  Next class we are going to finish our work on "Puertoricanness" and then we will move on to finishing our definition paragraphs. 

Homework for the Weekend - 9/6/2013

One more week down everyone!  Here are your notes for the weekend.

AP English III

First of all, here is the link to the Ken Burns documentary on PBS about the Dust Bowl.  I'd recommend looking over the photos and videos this weekend to add some more to your knowledge of what exactly this environmental catastrophe was like.  In addition, make sure that you have your copies of The Grapes of Wrath with you in class on Tuesday.  You should have notes to the end of chapter eight by the time we meet together on Tuesday.  We're doing all Grapes on Tuesday, so prepare yourselves for a great discussion and some thorough analysis. 

Did I mention having your books on Tuesday?  Make sure you bring them.

In addition, continue working on your vocabulary bookmarks.  Define the words you found today and use them in your regular conversation.  The more you use this language the better you'll find your vocabulary becoming.

Russian I

You all have your first quiz on Tuesday/Wednesday.  It will include speaking, listening, reading, and writing focusing primarily on the Cyrillic alphabet.  Make sure that you have studied thoroughly and that you are prepared by knowing all thirty-three letters of the alphabet, their sounds, their shapes in both print and handwriting, and any relevant cultural notes that we've gone over.

Please ask questions if you have them.  I'll be here after school on Monday for any last minute help.

Homework for A-day Students - 9/4/2013

L'Shana Tova!  Happy New Year Everyone.

I know it seems a bit silly to wish you a new year now, but tonight is Erev Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year's Eve.  Even if you're not Jewish, we can all still celebrate a good start to our new school year together.  Here are your reminders for Friday's class.

AP English III

Next class we are going to finish our work on Eighner's "On Dumpster Diving" as well as begin our work on The Grapes of Wrath.  Be sure that you have both texts with you in class on Friday.  To prepare for our work on Friday, be sure that you've reread and annotated chapters one through four of The Grapes of Wrath.  You don't need to read it as carefully as the first time, but going back through it to refresh yourself will lead to a good class seminar. 

Also, remember that your "Introduction" Assignments are due on Friday.  You'll submit the rough draft from peer editing with the final draft.  Remember that I'm looking for the following in your drafts:

• a clear narrative approach
• strong and specific details
• clear use of language
• an effective title
• personalized voice

These writing assignments are always fun for me to grade since I get to know a lot about each of you.  Make sure that it's your best work.

Russian I

A-Day Students, I hope that you enjoyed today's first culture day.  B-Day Students, you'll enjoy this on Thursday.  For tonight you want to continue studying and working through your alphabet.  By this point you should be confident in the alphabet and are now moving to reading whole words.  We will review the alphabet on Friday/Monday in preparation for our quiz on the 10th and 11th.  You will be expected to read, write, listen, and speak on your quiz next week.  Spend the weekend practicing and studying. 

Be sure, as well, that all of your writing practice sheets are done for our review day.

B-Day Homework Assignments: September 3rd

B-Day Students -

As a reminder, I will not be here next class.  All of you have important work to accomplish with the substitute teacher, please make sure to do your best with him/her.  If you have any questions, come see me on Friday to discuss those.  Here are your reminders for tonight.

Russian I

Look at yesterday's post to see your assignment as well as links to several online resources for studying and learning your letter sounds.

English II Honors

For tonight since I won't be here to collect your assignment I would like for you to use the website to turn in your work.  Any assignment e-mailed to me (daniel.miller@dpsnc.net) will also be accepted for credit.  Please respond to the following prompt using clear details from the story and a solid paragraph to explain yourself. 

The story "The Train from Rhodesia" contains two contrasting settings - the train and the village.  How does Gordimer's use of the two contrasting settings emphasize the larger injustice and flaw of the society in which the characters live?

You may use the website to post a comment with your response or you may e-mail it.  As a last ditch, you can also turn it in to me on Monday.  Continue to review your vocabulary and add to your vocabulary lists in your notebooks.

English III ESL

After all of the work we've done on writing, you should be able to finish your "Defining an Immigrant" paragraphs.  Please continue to review and study your writing notes as you will want to be able to apply those notes almost without thinking.

A-Day Homework for Labor Day Weekend - 8/30

AP English III

Over the weekend for homework I would like for you to read Lars Eighner's "On Dumpster Diving" - it is available in 50 Essays or at this link.  If you use the online version you will want to have some post its as well due to the fact that there is not a lot of space in the margins for annotating.  As you read continue to look for the elements of rhetoric we have discussed as well as participating in your own analysis of the piece.  Look for elements of writing that Eighner uses and consider how these elements contribute and strengthen his overall argument. 

This is a really enjoyable piece - pay special attention to his use of TONE - it varies throughout, notice the shifts.  I look forward to a thorough discussion on Wednesday as well as more work on The Working Poor - be sure that you have your copies with you on Wednesday.

Russian I

Today in class we finished learning all of the letters in the Russian alphabet.  Congratulations!  Now we can move forward with our study of the grammar and the more high-level elements of the language.  I'm putting below links to several .mp3 files to help you with your pronunciation of the sounds in Russian.  Over the weekend it should be your priority to memorize all of the letters and become more fluent in your handwriting.  Use the worksheet I gave you in class as well as the notes we've taken over the past few days to practice more. 

Study!  Then study some more!  Your first quiz is coming soon!

Here is the link to the files on the alphabet.  Use the file names to download individual letter sounds or the whole alphabet.

Homework for the Weekend - 8/29/2013

B-day Students -- I won't see you all again until Tuesday so here are your reminders to get you prepared for our next class.

Honors English II

Tonight for homework your key task is to complete your vocabulary log with at least five words from the opening half of Nadine Gordimer's "The Train from Rhodesia".  Remember as you complete this that you need the following information in your log:

• the word
• its dictionary definition
• a synonym
• a sentence using the word which you've come up with yourself

Also, since we didn't get to peer editing today we will do that for sure on Tuesday.  If you did not complete your writing assignment, make sure that you have it then.

ESL English III

Please have your parent contact sheets filled out on Tuesday with a phone number for you and for your parent or guardian.  Also, continue to consider your first writing assignment - How can you add more detail and explanation to explain your idea of what it means to be an immigrant.

Homework and Announcements - 8/28

AP English III

Apologies for not getting to the peer editing of our introduction pieces today in class.  I just got so caught up with "On Compassion" and the elements of RHETORIC that I lost all track of time.  For next class you will definitely want to arrive with a complete version of your rough draft.  I'll be available next week for conferencing if you would like.  In addition, I would like for you to complete the multiple choice practice for "On Compassion" - give yourselves just ten minutes to complete the questions.  It is open book, so use the text.  In addition, be sure that you mark any words that are new to you so that you can begin your vocabulary logs. 

Lastly, I want you to reread the Introduction and the chapter called "Harvest of Shame" from The Working Poor.  As you reread and reannotate these pieces I would ask that you apply what we learned today in class about the rhetorical appeals:  How do you see ethos, pathos, and logos at play in Shipler's writing?  How does this help to make his argument more effective?

Russian I

At this point in class we have reviewed letters in groups one, two and three.  You now know the majority of the alphabet.  Next class we will finish with our alphabet study and begin working on writing words.  Tonight for homework I would like for you to complete the "Pre Lesson" handout to improve your handwriting.  As you write, make sure to fill the line with the writing and also be sure that you are saying the letters, sounds and words as you write them.  Saying as you write will help you to remember the sounds. 

As a head's up - be aware that you will have your first quiz at the end of next week on the alphabet.  Prepare yourselves accordingly.

The First B-Day of the Year 8/27

By this point I've met all of you and I'm pleased to say that given how we've started this year I think we're going to do some amazing things.  Please be aware of the following assignments and reminders to get you ready for our next class together.

All Classes

Please use the link in yesterday's post to access the online parent contact form.  You can also submit a paper copy.

Russian I

Your assignment is listed below.  I will post Russian I homework on the A-day post for the year.  Be aware of that.

English II Honors

Tonight for class I would like for you to complete your first writing assignment of the year in which you reflect on your personal culture.  Remember that this is a maximum one page response, and it is an introductory piece.  Make sure that as you explain what your culture consists of that you focus on one specific element and include a lot of detail to clarify your ideas.  Remember to stay focused on your main idea which is explaining your personal culture.  Bring your rough draft with you to class on Thursday for peer editing.

ESL English III

Tonight I would like for you to spend some time finishing your brainstorming on the idea of an immigrant which we began discussing today in class.  Think of specific examples from your life or the life of people around you to help you to explain your personal definition of what an immigrant is.  Remember that you need to make your idea clear to me which means that you need to really explain things thoroughly.  Remember to use your words as weapons to explain!

The First A-Day of the Year

Hooray for getting over the first day of the year; however, boo to alarm clocks which have to go off at 5:30 in the morning.  Anyhow, I hope that all of you have enjoyed your day and gotten the year off to a great start.  Here are your reminders for the first day of class.

All Classes:

Please submit either the paper or online contact form.  If you choose the online form, please return the paper version with a note saying that you have done this online.  This will help to ensure accurate and timely communication throughout the year.

Parent Contact Form

AP English III

If you did not submit all of your summer assignment today and you have not already made arrangements with me then you are already falling behind in class.  Remember that one of the key tools for success in AP classes is communicating honestly and proactively with your teachers.  Please see me before our next class to talk about anything that you need. 

For tonight, you will need to complete your introduction draft assignment as well as complete the reading of "On Compassion".  The article for tonight's reading can be found in the 50 Essays anthology or at this link.  No matter how you complete the reading, be sure that you come to class with notes and annotations and that you are prepared for a seminar on this piece in which you will be an active participant.  In addition, you will need to bring your copy of Shipler's The Working Poor as we will begin our work on this text during class on Wednesday.

Russian I

Добро пожаловать в русский мир!  Welcome to the world of Russian!  I hope that today's class was helpful for you in reviewing the policies and expectations for this class as well as getting you interested in our developing language study throughout the rest of the year.  For tonight, you need to make sure that your parent form is completed as well as continue your practice with the "Group One" letters which we studied today.  Practice writing both lowercase and uppercase versions of the letters.  Make small words or combinations of letters so that you can practice your handwriting and begin developing your style.  Remember that as you write you will want to say the sounds that you are writing so that the sound sticks.  Lastly, do not make English sounds when you say Russian letters.  Focus on making a pure Russian sound so as to begin working on your American accent.

See you all Wednesday!  B-day Russian students, your assignments are posted with the A-day post.  B-day English II and III students can expect your update tomorrow.

Final Post of the Year

And that takes us to the end of another successful school year.  I'm sitting in an emptied classroom and I hope that most of you took this day to sleep in, especially since it's so crappy and rainy outside. 

I wish you all a wonderful summer.  I'll see you all in August when we start the next school year :)

EXAM TIME

Alrighty kiddos - It's exam time.  The exam schedule for all of you is posted on the Jordan website, I'm including a link to the actual document here.  Please be aware that A1 students will not have a formal review period, so I will work in some review time before we begin the actual testing period.

As a reminder, any work which you have not yet submitted must be turned in at the day of the exam in order to get credit.  At this point, fourth quarter grades are ready for nearly all of you so that you can determine your final score for the year if you are exempt.  Remember that no student in English IV can be exempt from the exam as your test is a state test.

If you have any questions, come and see me.  Good luck on your exams!  Be rested and ready!

AP English III - Group Photo

If you couldn't make the group photo but would like to be included e-mail me a small photo of you and I will photoshop you in.

B-Day Flannery O'Connor Discussion Board

Please respond to the following prompt by attaching a comment signed with your name. Responses received before 4:00 on Friday afternoon will be considered for extra credit on a previous assignment of either one, two, or three points.



As discussed during the reading of the story, Flannery O'Connor is an expert when it comes to creating and using irony within her stories.  In your opinion, which element is the most ironic in the body of the story?  What is this element's greater purpose in the context of the story?  How does irony help Flannery O'Connor to communicate her greater message?

A-Day Flannery O'Connor Discussion Board

Please respond to the following prompt by attaching a comment signed with your name.  Responses received before 4:00 on Thursday afternoon will be considered for extra credit on a previous assignment of either one, two, or three points.


Flannery O'Connor is celebrated as being one of the foremost authors of the Southern Gothic style.  This style relies especially on the use of the grotesque in either characters or situations to clarify O'Connor's greater purpose in the story.  Given that knowledge, what element of the grotesque do you think has the most impact on the story?  What is that impact?  Why is this element of the grotesque and its impact important to the story as a whole?

Homework and Reminders 5/14 and 5/15

We've got a few reminders for all of you in this post.  Please pay attention and read carefully.

AP English IV:  Our final days are upon us - Thursday we have our Character Cafe and then on Monday we have the project presentations.  Be sure that you have completed your entry ticket thoroughly on your character.  I'll announce exemptions for all of you on Monday.  There's no formal review for our exam but I am offering time for you to come in on Tuesday afternoon or during lunch on Tuesday which is the last day of class.  It's not required, but I'd come if you're taking the exam.

Remember for Thursday to be on time as we'll be taking our group photo at the beginning of class.

AP English III:  First, remember that we have The Great Gatsby on Thursday afternoon at around 3:30.  Meet at the Carmike Wynnsong on Martin Luther King Parkway.  Also, we'll be having our group photo on Wednesday afternoon at 2:40.  Please be prompt!

You all have your Character Cafe on the last day of class.  Remember to sign up with me with your character and what you're planning on bringing for the good of the group.  Keep it secret - part of the fun of the game is figuring out who everyone is.  I'll announce exam exemptions for all of you during the Character Cafe.

Lastly, due to the fact that I'll be out this Friday you will have your final chance to tun in your Motif/Calligraphy Projects on Monday the 20th.  This is a final due date for all students!

English IV:  If you have missing assignments you need to get these made up and submitted ASAP.  A-day students have their final projects due on the 16th (Thursday).  B-day students will need to turn in their projects on either the 16th during 4th period or on Monday the 20th before school, after school, or during 4th period.  Again, due to the fact that I will be out, the date has changed.

A3 Denisovich Scripts

A3 Students - Here is the link for your script.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yI15E-foMBX-Gdta4awkv_1feWhofVNo03GI9II4kZA/edit?usp=sharing

English IV - Denisovich Work

B2 Students - Here is the link for your script.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pO7ThuNBCubTXfaUUynuETlBh0_693dJSAEfLnev4dk/edit?usp=sharing

Winding Down the Year

Students!  Happy Friday!

By this point all of you have taken your AP Exams for me and now we just need to move forward to our actual examinations.  AP Students - I'll be announcing your exemptions on the 20th and 21st.  Remember that absences do count as well as grades. 

AP Juniors - Remember that your motif and calligraphy projects are due next week.  This is really your final chance to bring up your grades for the quarter - be sure that these projects show a level of sophistication and style.  I'll be able to collect your projects before school, after school, or during lunches.  Remember that you need to come with your copy of Invisible Man for a quick annotation check when you submit your work to me.  I will not be able to collect projects on the 17th (Friday) due to the fact that I will not be in the building.  Please plan accordingly.

English IV - Please work to complete your final projects on A Day in Your Life.  Consider your presentation and your commentary as you work.  B-day students, I will need to change your due date due to my absence next Friday.  I'll be sure to find a plan that will work for you all and be fair.

Freshman Focus - Next week we will be constructing our children's books.  Remember to bring any materials that you may need.  I'll have the basics of colored pencils, markers, glue and colored paper - but you will need to bring clip art or collaging materials if you're not hand drawing your illustrations.

Lastly, if you have any materials or books from me please start bringing those back!  I don't want to hunt you all down at the end of the year.

Homework and Reminders - 5/8 and 5/9

By this point in the year all classes really just have their final projects to work on and complete.  Be sure that you're working on these so that your final projects show a level of sophistication and that they complete the task that you have ahead of you.

Remember - AP students, those of you taking the exam, I'd like to see you before you test.  Come see me for one last hype-up!

AP English III Homework - 5/7 and 5/8

Like I said, this week the B-day students are ahead of the A-day students due to AP Testing; we'll all catch back up with each other by the end of the week.  For tonight I would just remind you that you have your final projects due next week - Remember that you can turn them in all week before school, after school, during C lunch on A-days and during all lunches on B-days.  I will be spot checking your annotated novels during this time - so make sure that you have everything that you need to have when you come to submit the project.

You've got your exam this week - for those of you taking it - be sure to rest, eat a good and filling breakfast with protein and carbohydrates before you test, and don't be stressed.  You're all amazing!  You'll do wonderfully.

Homework Reminders - 5/6 and 5/7

Cross another day off of your calendars everyone.  We're only FIVE A-days away from the beginning of final exams.  Make sure that you're studying and preparing as well as portioning your time wisely so that you can get all of your tasks completed.

AP English IV

At this point your priority is to finish your projects related to Ivan Denisovich - our presentations of these projects will not happen until the 20th of May (LDOC) but remember that in order to fully show me a complete project you can not rush this at the last minute.  Review your assignment sheets and make sure that your moments which you present show me what they need to show. 

AP English III

Today was not a real class as we had only six people here.  To those of you who were taking an AP Exam, I hope you felt prepared.  Check back tomorrow for your update.

English IV

Many of you are missing assignments or missing parts of assignments which are bringing your overall grade down.  Remember that I will be checking your journals next class to see how you've done with the reading of this text as we've been working.  Be sure that you don't have any missing entries or that you don't have gaps in the earlier entries.  You also have a final project which is coming due at the end of the next week.  Be ready for this!

Homework and Announcements - The Beginning of the End - 5/2 and 5/3

Students,

We're now at a point in the year where we are really focused on wrapping up and preparing for exams, or two rounds of exams for AP students.  Below are some reminders going into AP Exam week and also as we move in to May.  Remember as always to ask for any help, especially if you're falling behind or have been absent.

AP English III and IV

Next week you all have your AP Exams, many of you will be absent on Monday taking your AP science exams so the schedule and lessons will be a bit discombobulated.  Remember that you should be focusing on your review at this point.  Go over strategies, learn and review vocabulary, maybe a practice set or two.  We'll continue talking about the writing tasks in class over the next few days.

Don't forget about our photos.  Your respective exams are at the end of the week and you have morning exams.  I would really enjoy seeing all of you before you march in to do the deed, one last cheer perhaps.

AP English III - Remember about your motif and calligraphy projects on Invisible Man.  I will spot check your novels when you submit your project to me.  Thus, there will be times for you to come by during the week of the 13th.  Prepare yourselves accordingly.

AP English IV - Your final projects are coming due at the very end of the quarter.  Right before your Senior Breakfast day.  Stay tuned on Monday for more fun surprises at the end of the year!  If you've not finished Ivan Denisovich make sure that you do!

English IV

Many of you today asked me in class about your Shakespeare final presentation grades.  If you need to make up part of this assignment, please see me during your lunch period to get this settled.  You all also have your final project which should be occupying your time outside.  Think about your day, think about your daily routines.  Remember the idea of introspection and reflection - What does what you do say about who you are?  How can you express this with various voices?

And onward to next week!  Happy Friday!