Honors English II
Tonight and/or over the weekend you need to complete your reading of Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" - use the guide that I provided to you in class today and complete all questions or note taking tasks within the assignment. Remember that you don't have to necessarily write down your answers, but you should be able to discuss all of those points on the guide.
Also, don't forget that Wednesday is your last day this quarter. Our MGP projects will be due that day and you will present them. Don't forget about your artist statement which will accompany the three pieces that you create. Be sure to ask for help and ask questions as you are creating your products. Further, continue to draft and revise your outline as the fourth quarter will begin with that essay.
ESL English III
I was very proud of all of you and your attitude during class. Everyone was very serious and determined to do the work and that meant we got a lot done. Excellent. If you still need to complete and submit your project, please do that on Monday. I will not take projects past that day. Continue your reading.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students: 3/19/2014
AP English III
I hope that today's class session on outlines help you all as you move forward into the drafting element of your work. Please prepare yourself for the next due date which is March 24 - Monday. On this day you will be expected to turn in your rough drafts. Remember that rough drafts are required to be fifty percent complete - my recommendation is that you submit your introduction, at least two consecutive body paragraphs, and your conclusion. On the 24th you will sign up for your draft conference. Be sure to come early on the 24th for your choice of conference times.
For Invisible Man, you need to complete the following: First, make sure to use the outline and guide that I gave you to complete and prepare chapters ten through twelve. Secondly, be sure that by the 25th that you are to the end of chapter fifteen in Invisible Man. I'll give you new motif charts on Friday to take you through the rest of the text.
Russian I
Next class you will have your Начало sheets collected as well as the homework on the accusative case. Be sure that this is all complete. Also, you will have your presentations on the former Soviet republics. Please share or email me your presentation in advance of class beginning on Friday/Monday so that we can start the presentations quickly after class begins.
Furthermore, your quarter exam will now fall on the 25 and 26 of March. Make sure that you are preparing yourself toward that exam.
I hope that today's class session on outlines help you all as you move forward into the drafting element of your work. Please prepare yourself for the next due date which is March 24 - Monday. On this day you will be expected to turn in your rough drafts. Remember that rough drafts are required to be fifty percent complete - my recommendation is that you submit your introduction, at least two consecutive body paragraphs, and your conclusion. On the 24th you will sign up for your draft conference. Be sure to come early on the 24th for your choice of conference times.
For Invisible Man, you need to complete the following: First, make sure to use the outline and guide that I gave you to complete and prepare chapters ten through twelve. Secondly, be sure that by the 25th that you are to the end of chapter fifteen in Invisible Man. I'll give you new motif charts on Friday to take you through the rest of the text.
Russian I
Next class you will have your Начало sheets collected as well as the homework on the accusative case. Be sure that this is all complete. Also, you will have your presentations on the former Soviet republics. Please share or email me your presentation in advance of class beginning on Friday/Monday so that we can start the presentations quickly after class begins.
Furthermore, your quarter exam will now fall on the 25 and 26 of March. Make sure that you are preparing yourself toward that exam.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
If this isn't the last snow day I'm going to kvetch
I already freaked out once this morning, especially because we just got the schedule back to normal. Oh well, I'll grade and readjust; here's what all of you should take care of on your new day off.
All Students:
It's important to realize that the end of the quarter will still be next week. Many of you due to being sick or absent for another reason, and then with all the missing school for snow days, have missing assignments which must be made up ASAP. Wednesday will provide a good day to take care of these things before next week when my availability will be limited.
AP English III
Your rough drafts are still going to be due next week and we will begin conferencing. Outlines were ready for pickup, but not everyone did. If you have your outline, and even if you don't, you will want to begin drafting and writing. Remember to continue refining your topics to be more fine and specific and to push the argument deeper. What is the big reason why this issue is so important? Why should I as your audience be invested in this topic? That's what you want to prove to me.
Next class will now be Wednesday; have your reading complete to the end of chapter twelve so that we can begin that analysis work. I guess you all weren't meant to take the ACT; I still recommend that a lot of you take that exam - just for another data point, I did better on it than the SAT.
ESL English III
Continue reading The Kite Runner and complete your comic strips if you have not already submitted that. Also, some of you need to finish your Persepolis test. Make sure to see me this week to take care of those exams.
Honors English II
We will see each other again on Thursday and have our discussion of Chapter II as well as some time to work on the Multi-Genre Project. Today gives you a chance to finish your first two products as well as your reading of the third genre. As you read, take notes using the essential questions. Many of you will see that these essential questions can be used to organize and approach the argument to your essay and structure that argument.
As a benchmark, please have everything that you've completed for your essay outline to class on Thursday. I will want to see these, especially your argument on change!
Honors and ESL Students - The final day for permission slips is Friday. Please make sure that you have that turned in!
Russian I
Our next class together will focus on finishing the Accusative case and doing some listening activities to prepare for the exam coming next week. The date of the exam is now the 25th and 26th. You will still have the weekend to prepare, but it is coming a bit earlier. Our presentations will fall on the 21st (A-day) and 24th (B-day). Use the time today to work on your presentations, build your vocabulary skills, complete the exercises on the prepositional case, and listen to the news about Russia.
Olympiada Team - Please still plan to meet with me this week. Friday is best because I want to see all of you as a whole group to talk about the weekend and the fact that we're traveling next week.
All Students:
It's important to realize that the end of the quarter will still be next week. Many of you due to being sick or absent for another reason, and then with all the missing school for snow days, have missing assignments which must be made up ASAP. Wednesday will provide a good day to take care of these things before next week when my availability will be limited.
AP English III
Your rough drafts are still going to be due next week and we will begin conferencing. Outlines were ready for pickup, but not everyone did. If you have your outline, and even if you don't, you will want to begin drafting and writing. Remember to continue refining your topics to be more fine and specific and to push the argument deeper. What is the big reason why this issue is so important? Why should I as your audience be invested in this topic? That's what you want to prove to me.
Next class will now be Wednesday; have your reading complete to the end of chapter twelve so that we can begin that analysis work. I guess you all weren't meant to take the ACT; I still recommend that a lot of you take that exam - just for another data point, I did better on it than the SAT.
ESL English III
Continue reading The Kite Runner and complete your comic strips if you have not already submitted that. Also, some of you need to finish your Persepolis test. Make sure to see me this week to take care of those exams.
Honors English II
We will see each other again on Thursday and have our discussion of Chapter II as well as some time to work on the Multi-Genre Project. Today gives you a chance to finish your first two products as well as your reading of the third genre. As you read, take notes using the essential questions. Many of you will see that these essential questions can be used to organize and approach the argument to your essay and structure that argument.
As a benchmark, please have everything that you've completed for your essay outline to class on Thursday. I will want to see these, especially your argument on change!
Honors and ESL Students - The final day for permission slips is Friday. Please make sure that you have that turned in!
Russian I
Our next class together will focus on finishing the Accusative case and doing some listening activities to prepare for the exam coming next week. The date of the exam is now the 25th and 26th. You will still have the weekend to prepare, but it is coming a bit earlier. Our presentations will fall on the 21st (A-day) and 24th (B-day). Use the time today to work on your presentations, build your vocabulary skills, complete the exercises on the prepositional case, and listen to the news about Russia.
Olympiada Team - Please still plan to meet with me this week. Friday is best because I want to see all of you as a whole group to talk about the weekend and the fact that we're traveling next week.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students: 3/17/2014
Honors English II
Tonight continue reading Kafka's "The Metamorphosis". As you read, continue to take notes related to your essential questions and continue to note the motifs as they appear in your reading. You should make it to the end of chapter two tonight.
Once you've finished the reading, respond to the following question using your knowledge of the text and your own personal opinion:
Both Oedipus and Gregor can be viewed as tragic characters because they are the victims of forces beyond their control; which of the two characters would you consider to be more tragic and pitiable? Oedipus or Gregor? Why?
Be sure to use references to the text and clear explanation to make your argument clear. Don't forget that on Wednesday we will have time to work on the Multi-Genre Project and I will want to see what you've done on your outlines, so bring in what you need to bring in to be productive.
ESL English III
Continue moving forward in your reading of The Kite Runner. If you did not have your comic strip today in class for presentation, be sure to have it next class for a late grade.
Tonight continue reading Kafka's "The Metamorphosis". As you read, continue to take notes related to your essential questions and continue to note the motifs as they appear in your reading. You should make it to the end of chapter two tonight.
Once you've finished the reading, respond to the following question using your knowledge of the text and your own personal opinion:
Both Oedipus and Gregor can be viewed as tragic characters because they are the victims of forces beyond their control; which of the two characters would you consider to be more tragic and pitiable? Oedipus or Gregor? Why?
Be sure to use references to the text and clear explanation to make your argument clear. Don't forget that on Wednesday we will have time to work on the Multi-Genre Project and I will want to see what you've done on your outlines, so bring in what you need to bring in to be productive.
ESL English III
Continue moving forward in your reading of The Kite Runner. If you did not have your comic strip today in class for presentation, be sure to have it next class for a late grade.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Homework for the Weekend - A Day Students: 3/14/2014
AP English III
Over the weekend you should spend your time preparing for the ACT on Tuesday as well as moving forward in your reading of Invisible Man. In Invisible Man, you will need to be to the end of chapter twelve by Thursday's class. Here are some places to pay attention:
Over the weekend you should spend your time preparing for the ACT on Tuesday as well as moving forward in your reading of Invisible Man. In Invisible Man, you will need to be to the end of chapter twelve by Thursday's class. Here are some places to pay attention:
- Chapter Ten: The paint factory is an important setting, notice Lucius Brockway, as well as the conflict between the union and Brockway. Notice as well the importance of white/black color symbolism especially as it relates to the paint.
- Chapter Eleven: This is a difficult and confusing chapter. You're in a hospital and the Invisible Man is going in and out of consciousness so his perspective is hard to follow. Notice here the importance of the color white, the allusions to The Odyssey, as well as the creation of a new identity.
- Chapter Twelve: This chapter is very short. Pay attention to the character of Mary in this chapter as well as the idea of a new identity at play for the Invisible Man.
Lastly, remember that your outlines will be ready for pick-up on Monday.
Russian I:
Today I outlined for you all of the topics which will be on your quarterly exam which will fall on 3/26 and 3/27. Please take the time this weekend to study and begin to prepare yourselves. With the worksheet which I gave you, you cannot complete all of the exercises starred. Attempt for now to do the work that you can do on adjectives, subject, possessive and demonstrative pronouns. The best thing for you to do with the exercise packet is to focus on the story. Practice your reading and comprehension as you will have something very similar on your exam.
On Tuesday you all will be with Mr. Belvin since I'll be administering the ACT. I'll have something fun for you, don't worry, as well as a chance to review for your exam. Don't forget that your projects on Soviet states are due on the 20 and 21 of March, so put in some work for those this weekend too.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students: 3/13/2014
Honors English II
Over the weekend you all have a few tasks to accomplish before our next class. First, you need to complete the reading of Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" to the end of chapter one. As you are reading, be sure to refer to the Essential Questions in your Multi-Genre Assignment pack to help you consider and analyze Kafka's story. Here are some other things to consider as you are reading:
Over the weekend you all have a few tasks to accomplish before our next class. First, you need to complete the reading of Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" to the end of chapter one. As you are reading, be sure to refer to the Essential Questions in your Multi-Genre Assignment pack to help you consider and analyze Kafka's story. Here are some other things to consider as you are reading:
- What is the setting of this story? How could the setting be symbolic?
- How well does Gregor know himself? How well can he control himself?
- How often does language related to prison or confinement appear? Why this trend in the text?
- What makes Gregor angry? Why?
- Develop each member of the family and his/her characterization.
- Where is there some humor in the story? Consider the darkness of this humor as you read.
- What is the reaction once Gregor finally is seen by the family?
- How does the tone shift in chapter one? What causes these shifts?
Furthermore, be sure that you are continuing to outline for your final essay on change, related to the Multi-Genre Project. Remember that your products and your product reflection are due this nine weeks, the final essay will not be collected until the fourth nine weeks so that we have time to develop some great pieces of writing.
Lastly, don't forget your permission slips and money. I need those on Monday!
ESL English III
Over the weekend you will want to finish the comic strip to go along with your personal story. Make sure to follow the rules related to which colors you can or can't use in your art. Remember to put all of the details of your story into the images that you are creating. We will present these on Monday as we move forward into our study of The Kite Runner.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students: 3/12/2014
AP English III
There are a lot of things for you all to accomplish over these next few days. First, you have your research paper outlines due next class. Remember that the key elements of this assignment are that I see your:
There are a lot of things for you all to accomplish over these next few days. First, you have your research paper outlines due next class. Remember that the key elements of this assignment are that I see your:
- argument (DADS) thorough and complete
- use of source material with parenthetical citation and bullets/sentences commenting on the source and its use in the argument
- a full MLA works cited page for all source material, indicate non-print sources
- the topics into which you have divided your argument
- any questions for me
Be sure to submit this tomorrow from 7:00 to 3:00 in your envelope with your original proposal. Also, you will have reading to the end of chapter ten as well as your group teaching assignment. The emphasis here is on the teaching assignment, not on chapter ten, if you don't finish, that's okay, but do move toward completion.
Furthermore, next week will be a bit special for us. We'll only have class on Thursday due to the ACT make-up for the whole school on Tuesday. To this end, aim to have chapters ten through twelve complete by Thursday, March 20.
Russian I
You have one more group of exercises to complete in order to finish your work and review on the PREPOSITIONAL CASE, after today, as I've said, you basically know all there is to know about the PC except for plurals. We haven't done any plurals except in the NOMINATIVE CASE. For tonight, complete the exercises noted in class for another completion check on Friday/Monday. Also, be aware that you will only have half of next class in the library to work on your Soviet Republic project. Work effectively with your partner to complete this work. Presentations will fall on the 20th and 21st. I look forward to this day. Our quarter exam will fall on the 25th and 26th. And we will spend time next week preparing and reviewing for this.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students: 3/11/2014
Russian I:
I hope that all of you enjoyed the festivities today during fourth period. Remember to complete your exercises on the prepositional case for a completion check and review next class. We'll also begin our research project on other former Soviet republics; look forward to that.
Honors English II:
Today's workday should have been productive for all of you; I saw apt of reading and some drafts of products. Remember to review the instructions sheet thoroughly so you complete all of your assignments, as we reviewed in class there are five distinct parts.
Spend tonight finishing your products, completing a draft of your product reflection, and begin drafting your outline.
Next class will be finishing our reading of Oedipus the King and beginning "The Metamorphosis".
ESL English III:
I look forward to reading your reflections on today's class with Ms. T. Tonight you can continue reading The Kite Runner but be sure to spend some time on your comic strips. With last snow day the due date is now Monday. We'll have some time later this week to work on these in class.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students: 3/10/2014
AP English III
Hopefully we're at the end of winter and we won't be missing any more days due to snow or weather. With that being said, here are your reminders for tonight and really to take you through the week.
Hopefully we're at the end of winter and we won't be missing any more days due to snow or weather. With that being said, here are your reminders for tonight and really to take you through the week.
- Next class you will have your assessment on Invisible Man. Remember that you will have identifications (quotes/objects), a personal response related to a moment of the text which was challenging for you, and then finally an essay on a pattern which you have seen between these various African American authors (Baldwin, Lorde, Hurston, and Ellison). However, you may choose to draw on another author (MLK, Twain, etc.) to develop this essay question as well.
- On Friday your groups will present on your chapters. Be sure that your group has a visual aspect to guide the conversation. Also be sure that you get to the end of chapter ten by Friday's class. The teaching will be used to launch into the next chapter under consideration.
- Thursday your research outlines are due. Make sure to follow all of the requirements which I gave you last class. Turn in your proposal as well as your outline in the envelope on Thursday. You will have until 3:00 PM and then it will be considered late. You must turn in a hard copy, electronic copies will only be accepted with prior approval.
Russian I
Today was our Prepositional Case day! Hooray for the Prepositional Case! It's important to explain where things happen. For tonight, you have seven exercises to complete using the prepositional case. Be sure to use the charts within the pages so that you can develop your knowledge here. Do the exercises on a separate sheet of paper and be ready for a completion check next class. We will then review some of the exercises before we move on to our research projects on the former Soviet republics!
Friday, March 7, 2014
Another Snow Day. What the heck...
You're all at home again and I'm at school all lonely. Here are some things to consider as you have this surprise three-day weekend.
All Students - Our next day at school will be an A-day.
AP English III: You all should all be able to complete all reading and be caught up moving into Monday's class. Remember to be to the end of chapter nine and to have all motif charts and annotations updated to this point as well. In addition, I have met with Ms. Baker and we have adjusted the due dates of the Research Project. Hopefully this is the last adjustment:
All Students - Our next day at school will be an A-day.
AP English III: You all should all be able to complete all reading and be caught up moving into Monday's class. Remember to be to the end of chapter nine and to have all motif charts and annotations updated to this point as well. In addition, I have met with Ms. Baker and we have adjusted the due dates of the Research Project. Hopefully this is the last adjustment:
Outline Due: March 13, 2014
Rough Draft Due: March 24, 2014
Writing Conferences: March 24 - April 2, 2014. Only morning and lunch on 3/27.
No conferences on 3/28.
Due Date: April 9, 2014.
Final Due Date: April 10, 2014. (Ten point deduction, lateness)
Be sure that you are moving to complete all of these deadlines. Several of you have been speaking with me about your arguments. Continue to ask questions to make this project come together easily for you.
Russian I: Spend the weekend with your fundamentals. We'll be beginning a review of cases before going on to our unit exam. I'm planning that your Third Unit Exam will be held on 3/25 and 3/26. We'll be reviewing a lot over the next two weeks to prepare!
Honors English II: You will still have your quiz next class, so be sure that you're getting ready for it. Also, you will still have your MGP project workshop. I hope that all of you are reading over this time and taking good notes. On Tuesday, you will need to work on a project, you should not be reading but being productive.
ESL English III: This day off gives all of you a chance to be working on your visual projects. Remember to focus on the characters. Their faces, their expressions, to indicate how people are feeling and the general tone of the piece. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with. Remember our due date of March 17, 2014.
Also - ESL and Honors Students - Don't forget that I can start accepting money for the Holocaust Memorial Trip on Monday. Remember to give part or all of the cost to reserve your spot on the bus!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
B-Day Student Homework and Reminders - 3/6/2014
Honors English II
On Monday, or whenever I see you next, you will have your quiz on Sophocles, Tacitus and vocabulary. Remember that this quiz will look at knowledge related to the text as well as knowledge of the vocabulary. If you have been paying attention in class with Oedipus the King and have taken good notes during our discussion you should do just fine. Just be aware that this quiz is more than simply vocabulary.
Additionally, we will have our first workday for the Multi-Genre Project next class. Many of you will want to work on your first product either on your choice genre or on Oedipus the King. No matter what you will be doing during our workshop, make sure that you have brought what you need to do.
ESL English III
You comic strips which will go along with your personal memoir will be due on Friday, March 14th. You need to begin to divide your story into frames and translate it from all words to visuals and words. Make sure to use the instruction sheet to help you as you make this into a visual of what has happened to you in your life.
On Monday, or whenever I see you next, you will have your quiz on Sophocles, Tacitus and vocabulary. Remember that this quiz will look at knowledge related to the text as well as knowledge of the vocabulary. If you have been paying attention in class with Oedipus the King and have taken good notes during our discussion you should do just fine. Just be aware that this quiz is more than simply vocabulary.
Additionally, we will have our first workday for the Multi-Genre Project next class. Many of you will want to work on your first product either on your choice genre or on Oedipus the King. No matter what you will be doing during our workshop, make sure that you have brought what you need to do.
ESL English III
You comic strips which will go along with your personal memoir will be due on Friday, March 14th. You need to begin to divide your story into frames and translate it from all words to visuals and words. Make sure to use the instruction sheet to help you as you make this into a visual of what has happened to you in your life.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
The A-day That Shouldn't - 3/5/2014
Today we had a class day that we shouldn't have had, but that's okay. I was still able to make it productive for all of us. Here are your A-day reminders for tonight:
AP English III
Tonight you have several goals to meet as we move toward the weekend. First, you need to be to the end of chapter nine in Invisible Man by Friday. Do not procrastinate in your reading or fall behind, doing so will begin to make things very difficult for you. On Friday you will be placed in groups which will be tasked with teaching the different chapters. Take good annotations so that you are prepared for this work.
Furthermore don't forget that you have your research paper outlines due on 3/13; these need to reflect all of your research and development of your argument. Be sure that your full bibliography is attached.
Lastly, you will have your first assessment on Invisible Man on 3/11 - it will cover the Prologue to the end of Chapter Nine. Prepare yourselves!
Russian I
Today you took your quiz so you have no required homework tonight. However, you should spend some time studying your fundamentals of Russian (cases, declensions, and conjugations) as we will spend the next few classes focusing on these elements.
Also, start speaking to your parents now about our trip next summer. Remember that the earlier your lock in and confirm that you will be coming, the lower your overall price!
AP English III
Tonight you have several goals to meet as we move toward the weekend. First, you need to be to the end of chapter nine in Invisible Man by Friday. Do not procrastinate in your reading or fall behind, doing so will begin to make things very difficult for you. On Friday you will be placed in groups which will be tasked with teaching the different chapters. Take good annotations so that you are prepared for this work.
Furthermore don't forget that you have your research paper outlines due on 3/13; these need to reflect all of your research and development of your argument. Be sure that your full bibliography is attached.
Lastly, you will have your first assessment on Invisible Man on 3/11 - it will cover the Prologue to the end of Chapter Nine. Prepare yourselves!
Russian I
Today you took your quiz so you have no required homework tonight. However, you should spend some time studying your fundamentals of Russian (cases, declensions, and conjugations) as we will spend the next few classes focusing on these elements.
Also, start speaking to your parents now about our trip next summer. Remember that the earlier your lock in and confirm that you will be coming, the lower your overall price!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Another Snow Day!
I thought this winter was done, and now here we are with another snow day. Announcements about the ACT for Juniors and other school wide activities will be pending, the ACT will likely need to be rescheduled for the whole state, so it may take some time to get that put together. Our next day at school will be an A-day. All students should prepare for that.
Russian I students, you will still have your quiz. AP English III students - try to make it to the end of chapter nine, we will likely have a regular class next time while the powers that be decide what to do with the ACT.
English II and ESL English III students should prepare for their next day. Sophomores, you have reading to do - I hope that many of you are taking this time to put in some planning or work on your long-term projects! Good thing I told you to bring your books home. English III students, remember that you have a test on Persepolis next class.
Russian I students, you will still have your quiz. AP English III students - try to make it to the end of chapter nine, we will likely have a regular class next time while the powers that be decide what to do with the ACT.
English II and ESL English III students should prepare for their next day. Sophomores, you have reading to do - I hope that many of you are taking this time to put in some planning or work on your long-term projects! Good thing I told you to bring your books home. English III students, remember that you have a test on Persepolis next class.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students
Honors English II
Today I gave you quite the project. The multi-genre project will require a lot of time and effort from all of you but it is something that I know you can accomplish. Follow the guidelines I gave you today in class as well as the timeline. You've all taken your textbooks home, so you can begin to prepare and make selections now for what you will be studying in this project.
Tonight for homework, you need to continue reading Oedipus the King. Read "Part Ten" which will take us to the blinding of Oedipus. Stop there and complete your notes, including the how/why portion of these notes. In addition, don't forget that you have a quiz on Friday which will cover Tacitus, Sophocles, and vocabulary. Make sure that you're preparing!
ESL English III
Next class you will have your final exam on Persepolis. Use this time to organize your notes and prepare. Remember that we will take A lunch on the day of our test.
Today I gave you quite the project. The multi-genre project will require a lot of time and effort from all of you but it is something that I know you can accomplish. Follow the guidelines I gave you today in class as well as the timeline. You've all taken your textbooks home, so you can begin to prepare and make selections now for what you will be studying in this project.
Tonight for homework, you need to continue reading Oedipus the King. Read "Part Ten" which will take us to the blinding of Oedipus. Stop there and complete your notes, including the how/why portion of these notes. In addition, don't forget that you have a quiz on Friday which will cover Tacitus, Sophocles, and vocabulary. Make sure that you're preparing!
ESL English III
Next class you will have your final exam on Persepolis. Use this time to organize your notes and prepare. Remember that we will take A lunch on the day of our test.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Work for the Weekend - All Classes - 2/27 and 2/28/2014
Honors English II
This weekend ladies and gentlemen you should prepare for your quiz on vocabulary and Oedipus the King which has been set for you as Friday, March 7th. Remember not only to study your vocabulary words but also how these words can be used to discuss characters and situations within the play.
Next class I will also outline our major project this quarter which will focus on Oedipus as well as two texts we have yet to encounter.
ESL English III
You all will have your final test on Persepolis next week. Make sure that you are studying and preparing, especially using your notes and question packets. Next class we will spend some time working on our final projects as the due date for those is coming very soon.
AP English III
I will not be seeing you all as a real working class until Thursday due to the fact that we will have the ACT on Tuesday. For Tuesday, make sure that you are rested and ready. Review needed notes and use the Internet resources to prepare for the ACT day. For class, make sure that you follow the instructions in the post below to outline your reading over the next few days.
Remember finally that your assessment on the Prologue to Chapter Nine will occur on March 10, 2014. I will outline this assessment to you on Thursday and give you the weekend to prepare.
Russian I
Next class you will have a quiz on the new grammar topics. Use the review packet as necessary and build off of what we were able to complete in class. Remember to submit only the exercises for extra credit if you so choose. Be ready for your quiz on Tuesday/Wednesday!
This weekend ladies and gentlemen you should prepare for your quiz on vocabulary and Oedipus the King which has been set for you as Friday, March 7th. Remember not only to study your vocabulary words but also how these words can be used to discuss characters and situations within the play.
Next class I will also outline our major project this quarter which will focus on Oedipus as well as two texts we have yet to encounter.
ESL English III
You all will have your final test on Persepolis next week. Make sure that you are studying and preparing, especially using your notes and question packets. Next class we will spend some time working on our final projects as the due date for those is coming very soon.
AP English III
I will not be seeing you all as a real working class until Thursday due to the fact that we will have the ACT on Tuesday. For Tuesday, make sure that you are rested and ready. Review needed notes and use the Internet resources to prepare for the ACT day. For class, make sure that you follow the instructions in the post below to outline your reading over the next few days.
Remember finally that your assessment on the Prologue to Chapter Nine will occur on March 10, 2014. I will outline this assessment to you on Thursday and give you the weekend to prepare.
Russian I
Next class you will have a quiz on the new grammar topics. Use the review packet as necessary and build off of what we were able to complete in class. Remember to submit only the exercises for extra credit if you so choose. Be ready for your quiz on Tuesday/Wednesday!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
A-Day Homework and Reminders - 2/26/2014
Sorry for not getting this up sooner. It was a bit of a hectic afternoon to start my Wacky Wednesday. Here are your reminders.
AP English III
I'm very pleased with how well we seem to be starting on our study of Invisible Man. I only hope that we can continue this same level of discussion and analysis as we continue through the text. Continue to bring your top performance; I'm seeing a lot of new things this year and I think that's because of all of you. Continue with your reading schedule - remember that with the ACT on Tuesday we will not be discussing the chapters until Thursday when we will be looking all the way to chapter nine. Prepare yourself accordingly. Here's my suggestion:
Read chapter five on its own. This chapter will challenge you because of the different voice - that of a reverend. Pay attention closely to his story of the Founder. Use your motif charts heavily here.
Chapters six and seven pair well together, as do eight and nine. I would try to read the two closely together or perhaps in one sitting. My pacing would be to read chapter five by this Friday, six and seven over the weekend, and then eight and nine by Thursday. This give you time as well to continue to move ahead in the schedule because chapter ten is tough.
As well, continue to research. I would hope that on Friday some of you stay after to check your argument and division into topics. That work should be settled in order to begin your research. If it is not settled soon, then you are falling behind.
Russian I
The date of your next quiz has been set. This will fall on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Today in class we spent our time going over the topics which will be covered on the quiz. I will be giving you all an exercise packet on Friday/Monday which will help you to prepare. For tonight, your priority is your speaking assignment. On Friday/Monday, all members of the class will present. If your partner is absent, I will be your partner. I will use the five point rubric to grade this assignment, but it will be a bit more expanded and precise since we've got a lot more preparation time.
If you need me, please come and see me tomorrow or Friday to ask for that help.
All of you got progress reports - if you need to, see me. You know what you need to do, just let me know that it's happening.
AP English III
I'm very pleased with how well we seem to be starting on our study of Invisible Man. I only hope that we can continue this same level of discussion and analysis as we continue through the text. Continue to bring your top performance; I'm seeing a lot of new things this year and I think that's because of all of you. Continue with your reading schedule - remember that with the ACT on Tuesday we will not be discussing the chapters until Thursday when we will be looking all the way to chapter nine. Prepare yourself accordingly. Here's my suggestion:
Read chapter five on its own. This chapter will challenge you because of the different voice - that of a reverend. Pay attention closely to his story of the Founder. Use your motif charts heavily here.
Chapters six and seven pair well together, as do eight and nine. I would try to read the two closely together or perhaps in one sitting. My pacing would be to read chapter five by this Friday, six and seven over the weekend, and then eight and nine by Thursday. This give you time as well to continue to move ahead in the schedule because chapter ten is tough.
As well, continue to research. I would hope that on Friday some of you stay after to check your argument and division into topics. That work should be settled in order to begin your research. If it is not settled soon, then you are falling behind.
Russian I
The date of your next quiz has been set. This will fall on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Today in class we spent our time going over the topics which will be covered on the quiz. I will be giving you all an exercise packet on Friday/Monday which will help you to prepare. For tonight, your priority is your speaking assignment. On Friday/Monday, all members of the class will present. If your partner is absent, I will be your partner. I will use the five point rubric to grade this assignment, but it will be a bit more expanded and precise since we've got a lot more preparation time.
If you need me, please come and see me tomorrow or Friday to ask for that help.
All of you got progress reports - if you need to, see me. You know what you need to do, just let me know that it's happening.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
B-Day Homework - 2/25/2014
Honors English II
Thank you to all of you for being flexible with the change in instructor. I hope that you all enjoyed your time with Ms. Baker. Tonight, I would like for you to devote yourself to studying our content so far on Oedipus the King as well as your vocabulary. The date of your vocabulary quiz is still next week, so prepare yourself accordingly. The quiz will likely rely more on the content of the play to answer questions, so a clear knowledge of the play will be important in being successful on this quiz.
This also provides you a chance to submit any late work for a possibly of make-up credit. Remember that progress reports will be given to you next class.
Additionally, next class we will continue to review those discussion questions you ended with today in order to develop more depth in our approach to the questions. Be prepared for that.
ESL English III
Today you received your drafts of your writing with thorough feedback from me and Ms. Gillen. If you need to resubmit your work for a new grade, please do that. If you are ready to move on to creating your comic strip, then please do that. Next class we will begin finishing up with our work on Persepolis in the small groups. You will be presenting your question next class, so if you need to do work at home in order to be able to do that - please do that work on your own.
Thank you to all of you for being flexible with the change in instructor. I hope that you all enjoyed your time with Ms. Baker. Tonight, I would like for you to devote yourself to studying our content so far on Oedipus the King as well as your vocabulary. The date of your vocabulary quiz is still next week, so prepare yourself accordingly. The quiz will likely rely more on the content of the play to answer questions, so a clear knowledge of the play will be important in being successful on this quiz.
This also provides you a chance to submit any late work for a possibly of make-up credit. Remember that progress reports will be given to you next class.
Additionally, next class we will continue to review those discussion questions you ended with today in order to develop more depth in our approach to the questions. Be prepared for that.
ESL English III
Today you received your drafts of your writing with thorough feedback from me and Ms. Gillen. If you need to resubmit your work for a new grade, please do that. If you are ready to move on to creating your comic strip, then please do that. Next class we will begin finishing up with our work on Persepolis in the small groups. You will be presenting your question next class, so if you need to do work at home in order to be able to do that - please do that work on your own.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Homework for A Day Students - 2/24/2014
AP English III
Tonight ladies and gentlemen you need to spend some serious time working on your arguments and your topics for your research paper. Remember that by the end of this week you will need to have your argument finalized as well as your topics. You will need to start researching and pulling out the pieces of information which you will use to prove your argument as valid.
With Invisible Man make sure that you have read to the end of chapter four and that you have completed your annotations and motif charts. Remember that each chapter will be its own row on the motif chart, even if they are combined in our reading. Prepare questions and ask to your hearts' content!
Russian I
Tonight you will be working on the concept that has been quite confusing for me - the difference between ТОЖЕ/ТАКЖЕ. Complete exercise nine by combining the sentences using either word. Remember that in some cases these words can be used interchangeably, but not often. Use your notes as well as the example sentences to help you with this.
Also be reminded that you have a dialogue activity as well to test your speaking proficiency. We will have time next class to continue working in groups.
Additionally, next class we will begin reviewing this unit and all of the new grammar. You will have a quiz on 3/4 and 3/5 on the most recent topics (adverbs, conjunctions, negation, also) and then you will have a unit test on the whole unit after that, prepare yourself accordingly!
Tonight ladies and gentlemen you need to spend some serious time working on your arguments and your topics for your research paper. Remember that by the end of this week you will need to have your argument finalized as well as your topics. You will need to start researching and pulling out the pieces of information which you will use to prove your argument as valid.
With Invisible Man make sure that you have read to the end of chapter four and that you have completed your annotations and motif charts. Remember that each chapter will be its own row on the motif chart, even if they are combined in our reading. Prepare questions and ask to your hearts' content!
Russian I
Tonight you will be working on the concept that has been quite confusing for me - the difference between ТОЖЕ/ТАКЖЕ. Complete exercise nine by combining the sentences using either word. Remember that in some cases these words can be used interchangeably, but not often. Use your notes as well as the example sentences to help you with this.
Also be reminded that you have a dialogue activity as well to test your speaking proficiency. We will have time next class to continue working in groups.
Additionally, next class we will begin reviewing this unit and all of the new grammar. You will have a quiz on 3/4 and 3/5 on the most recent topics (adverbs, conjunctions, negation, also) and then you will have a unit test on the whole unit after that, prepare yourself accordingly!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Homework for the Weekend - All Classes - 2/20 and 2/21
Apologies all for not getting this posted last night. Here are your reminders to prepare for the last week of February.
AP English III
At this point you should be working on the development of your argument and topic for your research papers. Once you have discovered what you are trying to prove, make sure to see me to check it for thoroughness. Remember, as I've said in class, a few minutes spent with me now can save you a lot of time down the road. You should also be completing your research as we will not be spending any class time in the library.
In Invisible Man you need to be working toward the next reading goal. This portion of the text is relatively short, so do try to get through more than is required of you.
Lastly, don't forget that on Tuesday the 25th, all Juniors will report to their ACT testing rooms for Pre-Administration during 2nd period.
Russian I
Over the weekend you have several dialogues to read in Russian to review and study the use of conjunctions in Russian. Something that I would suggest is that you mark any words which are difficult for you to say so that you can ask about them. When you have read all of the dialogues, complete the three exercises at the end.
First, complete your analysis of the use of conjunctions in the dialogues. Focus especially on the conjunction A and understand why it is being used.
Second, complete the fill in the blanks activity and then, attempt the translation. We will review all of these on Monday/Tuesday to begin our wrap up of grammar in this unit.
Lastly, remember that progress reports are going out on Wednesday/Thursday: Any missing quizzes or assignments must be done by that point. Please ask if you need to.
Honors English II
With the AP Pre Test today I did not get to check your notes on section eight of Oedipus the King, make sure that you have completed these notes and that they are thorough before we meet again on Tuesday. Also for Tuesday you will need to complete your vocabulary cards from our new set of words. Remember the following for your cards:
Front of Card: word, part of speech, word origin with explanation, sentence with word from play, citation of quote.
Back of Card: two synonyms, explanation of difference between synonym and word. one antonym
ESL English III
You should begin to plan for the next part of our assignment which is turning your story into a graphic novel. Consider your drawings and how you will use light and dark colors to show emotion in your comic strip.
AP English III
At this point you should be working on the development of your argument and topic for your research papers. Once you have discovered what you are trying to prove, make sure to see me to check it for thoroughness. Remember, as I've said in class, a few minutes spent with me now can save you a lot of time down the road. You should also be completing your research as we will not be spending any class time in the library.
In Invisible Man you need to be working toward the next reading goal. This portion of the text is relatively short, so do try to get through more than is required of you.
Lastly, don't forget that on Tuesday the 25th, all Juniors will report to their ACT testing rooms for Pre-Administration during 2nd period.
Russian I
Over the weekend you have several dialogues to read in Russian to review and study the use of conjunctions in Russian. Something that I would suggest is that you mark any words which are difficult for you to say so that you can ask about them. When you have read all of the dialogues, complete the three exercises at the end.
First, complete your analysis of the use of conjunctions in the dialogues. Focus especially on the conjunction A and understand why it is being used.
Second, complete the fill in the blanks activity and then, attempt the translation. We will review all of these on Monday/Tuesday to begin our wrap up of grammar in this unit.
Lastly, remember that progress reports are going out on Wednesday/Thursday: Any missing quizzes or assignments must be done by that point. Please ask if you need to.
Honors English II
With the AP Pre Test today I did not get to check your notes on section eight of Oedipus the King, make sure that you have completed these notes and that they are thorough before we meet again on Tuesday. Also for Tuesday you will need to complete your vocabulary cards from our new set of words. Remember the following for your cards:
Front of Card: word, part of speech, word origin with explanation, sentence with word from play, citation of quote.
Back of Card: two synonyms, explanation of difference between synonym and word. one antonym
ESL English III
You should begin to plan for the next part of our assignment which is turning your story into a graphic novel. Consider your drawings and how you will use light and dark colors to show emotion in your comic strip.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students: 2/19/2014
Honors English II
Back into the swing of things today. I hope that today's reading of Oedipus was fun for all of you in seeing how close they are to realizing everything. For tonight, you've got a few things to work on to prepare for our next classes.
Back into the swing of things today. I hope that today's reading of Oedipus was fun for all of you in seeing how close they are to realizing everything. For tonight, you've got a few things to work on to prepare for our next classes.
- Read the next section of Oedipus - use the online text to read the next conversation between the strophe and the antistrophe after everyone goes inside. Stop at the end of that conversation and then complete your notes. Attempt to the the WHY/HOW notes and we will review them next class.
- Your vocabulary cards for three words in the next section will be due on 2/25. Prepare for those.
- You will have your AP-Pre Test next class. There's nothing you can really do to prepare for this as it's a raw test of your skills, but you should know that it is coming and your essay will count as a grade.
ESL English III
Next class we will be in the computer lab typing up the final drafts of our memoirs. Please have your edited version with you so that you can complete this work.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Homework for AP English III and Russian I - A Day - 2/18/2014
It was so good to see all of you today - it felt like forever. Here are your notes for tonight:
AP English III
Tonight you have two clear goals related to two very different assignments. First, complete reading chapter two. Use the notes I provided you in class today as your anchor as you either finish, or review the chapter to prepare for our seminar next class. I expect to see full participation and thorough annotations as we work through this important chapter next class.
Additionally, you have received your proposals with my feedback. Here are your steps moving forward:
AP English III
Tonight you have two clear goals related to two very different assignments. First, complete reading chapter two. Use the notes I provided you in class today as your anchor as you either finish, or review the chapter to prepare for our seminar next class. I expect to see full participation and thorough annotations as we work through this important chapter next class.
Additionally, you have received your proposals with my feedback. Here are your steps moving forward:
- Review your feedback and create your argument. Remember to make sure it meets the DADS test. Come to see me when you think you have it so that we can push it further.
- Once your argument is complete begin to research using SIRS, CQ Researcher, Online, Print, and other sources as you see fit. Cite everything.
- Construct your outline. Lessons on this to follow as we draw nearer to the due date.
Remember that due to the snow days we have shifted everything back by two classes. Make sure that you have the new due dates.
Russian I
Tonight for homework you need to complete your reflection on your warm-up sheets as well as the writing of exercise six.
Next class I will collect completed warm-up sheets and this homework assignment for a grade. Also, as I said today in class, you can continue to see me to submit missing work or to retake quizzes for new grades. Progress reports go out next Wednesday and Thursday, so everything needs to be made-up and settled by that point.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students - 2/17/2014
Honors English II:
Unfortunately I was not able to find the same excerpt of Tacitus as we have in our textbooks so you will have to take the books home to read the excerpt for tonight. You will read "The Burning of Rome" from the Annals by Tacitus. Make sure to read the biographical information as well as the story itself. As you read, pay attention to the following ideas; I would take notes related to these topics to prepare for our discussion:
Unfortunately I was not able to find the same excerpt of Tacitus as we have in our textbooks so you will have to take the books home to read the excerpt for tonight. You will read "The Burning of Rome" from the Annals by Tacitus. Make sure to read the biographical information as well as the story itself. As you read, pay attention to the following ideas; I would take notes related to these topics to prepare for our discussion:
- Where is Tacitus' bias in the piece? How do you see it shown? Are there any trends in his bias?
- How is this piece about leadership? What qualities make a good leader according to Tacitus?
- How is this piece about a reversal of fortune? Consider Rome and how its fortune changes in the piece as well as other characters or groups.
In addition, you should begin to prepare your vocabulary work. Our next section of words are numbers twenty-one to thirty-six; prepare accordingly.
ESL English III:
After today's writing workshop you will need to take the feedback given to you by either me or Ms. Gillen and begin to revise. You will want to have your revisions done by Friday because we will be going to the computer lab during that day to type our drafts for submission.
Friday, February 14, 2014
All These Snow Days!
Just a few quick words before I go back to digging my car out from the snowplows. Our next day in school will be a B-day. B-day students will have due what was mentioned in your previous post. Given the weekend I expect that you will all have what is required of you and that it will reflect your best work.
AP English III students - I would seriously use this time to get ahead on Invisible Man. I will be giving you new dates for the reading schedule, but we may have to speed up in a few areas.
Enjoy the weekend!
AP English III students - I would seriously use this time to get ahead on Invisible Man. I will be giving you new dates for the reading schedule, but we may have to speed up in a few areas.
Enjoy the weekend!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students: 2/12/2014 - Winter Storm Watch!
Here we go sensationalizing our blog posts just like the weather reports do...
AP English III
Who knows when the next time I will see you all, no matter the date, be sure that the following is ready for me. First, you will have a timed analysis at our next class. Remember to review all of your notes on presenting a proper analysis and your goal in doing this type of writing. The key thing is to explain clearly what techniques the author uses and how these techniques help him/her to accomplish his/her argument. Secondly, you will have your research proposals due next class. Be sure that you have thoroughly answered all parts of the assignment, especially focusing on the questions about your position and why it is important.
Lastly, be aware that not next class, but the following you will be expected to have read all of chapter two. This is a difficult part of the text which will spark a lot of conversation. Read carefully and be prepared to ask questions!
Russian I
Due to the shortened class there is no official homework tonight, but you should always be practicing. Today we reviewed verb conjugations for all verb types as well as the formation of adverbs. I would suggest doing some writing in Russian to practice with these and other concepts. Write about your house, your family, your dog, or something like that. Use vocabulary you know and make sentences.
This provides you a chance to earn some extra credit. Students who complete this practice writing and submit it for correction will be eligible to earn two bonus points on our most recent homework check. This bonus is available to all students, even if you missed the chance to turn in the assignment.
AP English III
Who knows when the next time I will see you all, no matter the date, be sure that the following is ready for me. First, you will have a timed analysis at our next class. Remember to review all of your notes on presenting a proper analysis and your goal in doing this type of writing. The key thing is to explain clearly what techniques the author uses and how these techniques help him/her to accomplish his/her argument. Secondly, you will have your research proposals due next class. Be sure that you have thoroughly answered all parts of the assignment, especially focusing on the questions about your position and why it is important.
Lastly, be aware that not next class, but the following you will be expected to have read all of chapter two. This is a difficult part of the text which will spark a lot of conversation. Read carefully and be prepared to ask questions!
Russian I
Due to the shortened class there is no official homework tonight, but you should always be practicing. Today we reviewed verb conjugations for all verb types as well as the formation of adverbs. I would suggest doing some writing in Russian to practice with these and other concepts. Write about your house, your family, your dog, or something like that. Use vocabulary you know and make sentences.
This provides you a chance to earn some extra credit. Students who complete this practice writing and submit it for correction will be eligible to earn two bonus points on our most recent homework check. This bonus is available to all students, even if you missed the chance to turn in the assignment.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students
Honors English II
Answer the following question in a one page response. If you type - make sure that your writing is double spaced, if you hand-write, be sure that it is one-page front and back. This is a mini-essay. Make sure that you have a clear thesis/argument statement, that you are using the text and explaining its meaning, and finally that you give a brief conclusion which reviews your findings.
Here is your question: In what ways is Oedipus a good king? In what ways is he a good person? How are these two qualities different? How do these virtues relate to result in a negative consequence for Oedipus? How do these qualities relate to the city of Thebes?
ESL English III
For homework tonight I would like for you to complete the first draft of your memoir assignment. Move forward from our work in today's writing workshop and tell me the story of a moment in your life. Be sure that you are using details, imagery, and figurative language to make your emotions and experience clear to me.
Answer the following question in a one page response. If you type - make sure that your writing is double spaced, if you hand-write, be sure that it is one-page front and back. This is a mini-essay. Make sure that you have a clear thesis/argument statement, that you are using the text and explaining its meaning, and finally that you give a brief conclusion which reviews your findings.
Here is your question: In what ways is Oedipus a good king? In what ways is he a good person? How are these two qualities different? How do these virtues relate to result in a negative consequence for Oedipus? How do these qualities relate to the city of Thebes?
ESL English III
For homework tonight I would like for you to complete the first draft of your memoir assignment. Move forward from our work in today's writing workshop and tell me the story of a moment in your life. Be sure that you are using details, imagery, and figurative language to make your emotions and experience clear to me.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students: 2/10/2014
AP English III
Today in class we began what will be our major project for this quarter - the argumentative research project. Your first check-in for this assignment is due on Friday the 14th. Make sure to meet all the goals of the assignment and be thorough in your approach to all questions.
Be sure to use the Durham County Library online resources for this assignment. Remember that they are connected to only borrowers - so if you don't have a Durham library card be sure to get my number so that you can use mine.
For the week remember to meet the goals of your reading schedule. You have to make it through chapter two by next Tuesday. Also, for tonight I would recommend rereading the key scenes of the grandfather's curse, the battle royal, and the circus dream; we'll discuss these at length next class. Also remember that we will have a timed writing on Friday - it will be an analysis - prepare accordingly.
Russian I
Since you had a quiz today there is no homework for you all tonight. However, I would recommend that you practice your verbs and conjugation patterns as these will be our focus for the next part of the unit.
Today in class we began what will be our major project for this quarter - the argumentative research project. Your first check-in for this assignment is due on Friday the 14th. Make sure to meet all the goals of the assignment and be thorough in your approach to all questions.
Be sure to use the Durham County Library online resources for this assignment. Remember that they are connected to only borrowers - so if you don't have a Durham library card be sure to get my number so that you can use mine.
For the week remember to meet the goals of your reading schedule. You have to make it through chapter two by next Tuesday. Also, for tonight I would recommend rereading the key scenes of the grandfather's curse, the battle royal, and the circus dream; we'll discuss these at length next class. Also remember that we will have a timed writing on Friday - it will be an analysis - prepare accordingly.
Russian I
Since you had a quiz today there is no homework for you all tonight. However, I would recommend that you practice your verbs and conjugation patterns as these will be our focus for the next part of the unit.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Homework for All Classes - Weekend - 2/6 and 2/7
I'm going to go ahead and post announcements and reminders for all of you since I'm going to be out of the building tomorrow. Be sure that you're prepared for Monday/Tuesday and that you have everything taken care of in advance of next week.
AP English III
I'm so impressed by how much you've latched in to Invisible Man. Over the weekend, make sure that you read chapter one thoroughly. Annotate heavily and add to your covers. Make sure as well that you will check in on your motif charts. We can review that next week.
Also, you will have a timed writing on rhetorical analysis on 2/14. Be sure that you are preparing yourself for this assessment. It will be your first major test of the quarter.
Russian I
Your quiz will fall on Monday/Tuesday and will cover new verbs and singular/plural transformations. Be sure that you complete the homework and check it as I will be grading it for accuracy on Monday/Tuesday. Additionally, make sure that you are continuing to work on your vocabulary! Learn those words!
Honors English II
You have your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday. Be ready! Study hard and know your words!
ESL English III
You should spend some time this weekend working on your memoir assignments. We will start drafting these assignments next week, so be sure that you are prepared for this and that you can put your ideas on paper clearly!
AP English III
I'm so impressed by how much you've latched in to Invisible Man. Over the weekend, make sure that you read chapter one thoroughly. Annotate heavily and add to your covers. Make sure as well that you will check in on your motif charts. We can review that next week.
Also, you will have a timed writing on rhetorical analysis on 2/14. Be sure that you are preparing yourself for this assessment. It will be your first major test of the quarter.
Russian I
Your quiz will fall on Monday/Tuesday and will cover new verbs and singular/plural transformations. Be sure that you complete the homework and check it as I will be grading it for accuracy on Monday/Tuesday. Additionally, make sure that you are continuing to work on your vocabulary! Learn those words!
Honors English II
You have your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday. Be ready! Study hard and know your words!
ESL English III
You should spend some time this weekend working on your memoir assignments. We will start drafting these assignments next week, so be sure that you are prepared for this and that you can put your ideas on paper clearly!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students: 2/5/2014
Honors English II
Remember students that I will not be here on Friday so you will not need to worry about much in this post until next week. The first priority that you have is to complete the studying for your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday. The quiz will have definition matching, fill in the blanks, and character explanation using the vocabulary words. Be sure to know the full meaning of the words to prepare.
I made reference to an analysis assignment as well in class, but I don't want you to worry about this until I can go over the assignment thoroughly. You may want to just make note of important lines by either Oedipus or Tiresias, but I would prefer to wait on this assignment so that you will have the chance to possibly analyze other characters.
ESL English III
After today's translation activity you should now begin to move on to the planning of your memoir. Begin to develop your imagery in the assignment so that your words will be more than just words on a page. Think about creating excellent sight, smell, and sound imagery so that I can be in the moment which you are describing for me.
Remember students that I will not be here on Friday so you will not need to worry about much in this post until next week. The first priority that you have is to complete the studying for your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday. The quiz will have definition matching, fill in the blanks, and character explanation using the vocabulary words. Be sure to know the full meaning of the words to prepare.
I made reference to an analysis assignment as well in class, but I don't want you to worry about this until I can go over the assignment thoroughly. You may want to just make note of important lines by either Oedipus or Tiresias, but I would prefer to wait on this assignment so that you will have the chance to possibly analyze other characters.
ESL English III
After today's translation activity you should now begin to move on to the planning of your memoir. Begin to develop your imagery in the assignment so that your words will be more than just words on a page. Think about creating excellent sight, smell, and sound imagery so that I can be in the moment which you are describing for me.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students: 2/4/2014
AP English III
Next class we will begin our reading of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Like we do with every book we study as a class we will be reading the Prologue together as a group in class to set a foundation for you all to move forward into the text. Make sure that you have your copy next class. If you are using a copy which I will provide for you, be sure to bring post-it notes with you.
For tonight, I would like you to read Audre Lorde's "Fourth of July". Pay particular attention to questions one and four as the use of diction and irony are especially important in this piece. Further, you will want to consider how Lorde, Hurston, and Baldwin have given you an idea of different types of African American identity. Are there common trends that you see between these voices? What about the differences?
Enjoy the reading!
Russian I
Tonight you need to complete your work on exercise four which is on the reverse of our review sheet in class. I made an error last time because you didn't know the verb conjugations which are used in the sentences. Now that you know them, you can accurately do this work. Remember that you are selecting ten sentences and making all necessary changes from singular to plural. Pay attention to your verbs!
This will provide you a last good practice for our quiz which will occur on Monday (A-day) and Tuesday (B-day). This quiz will focus on singular versus plural in the nominative case, irregular plurals, adjectives, verbs, and possessive pronouns. Be ready!
Next class we will begin our reading of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Like we do with every book we study as a class we will be reading the Prologue together as a group in class to set a foundation for you all to move forward into the text. Make sure that you have your copy next class. If you are using a copy which I will provide for you, be sure to bring post-it notes with you.
For tonight, I would like you to read Audre Lorde's "Fourth of July". Pay particular attention to questions one and four as the use of diction and irony are especially important in this piece. Further, you will want to consider how Lorde, Hurston, and Baldwin have given you an idea of different types of African American identity. Are there common trends that you see between these voices? What about the differences?
Enjoy the reading!
Russian I
Tonight you need to complete your work on exercise four which is on the reverse of our review sheet in class. I made an error last time because you didn't know the verb conjugations which are used in the sentences. Now that you know them, you can accurately do this work. Remember that you are selecting ten sentences and making all necessary changes from singular to plural. Pay attention to your verbs!
This will provide you a last good practice for our quiz which will occur on Monday (A-day) and Tuesday (B-day). This quiz will focus on singular versus plural in the nominative case, irregular plurals, adjectives, verbs, and possessive pronouns. Be ready!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students - 2/3/2014
Back to the grind. Since we missed last week due to snow we'll have quite a long stretch ahead of us to Spring Break. Off we go!
Honors English II
Tonight you need to complete reading Part V which consists of the conversation between the Strophe and Antistrophe after Tiresias's departure. As you read this section of the play complete your basic Who, What, Where, When notes. Further, after you complete these notes I want you to begin your Why/How notes by characterizing these voices. We've done this a bit in considering their tones, but also consider facial expressions, body language, tone, and general characterization.
Next class we will review Parts IV and V before moving on to some more vocabulary review. Don't forget that I'll be absent on Friday and that your quiz will fall next Tuesday.
Honors English II
Tonight you need to complete reading Part V which consists of the conversation between the Strophe and Antistrophe after Tiresias's departure. As you read this section of the play complete your basic Who, What, Where, When notes. Further, after you complete these notes I want you to begin your Why/How notes by characterizing these voices. We've done this a bit in considering their tones, but also consider facial expressions, body language, tone, and general characterization.
Next class we will review Parts IV and V before moving on to some more vocabulary review. Don't forget that I'll be absent on Friday and that your quiz will fall next Tuesday.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students - 1/31/2014
It certainly was good to see all of you again today at school. Here are your assignments for the weekend. B-day Students - Be advised that your assignments which would have been due this week are now due on Monday as that is our next B-day. Honors English II, ESL English III, and Russian I all have assignments due.
AP English III
Over the weekend you need to complete reading Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son", bring Invisible Man next class and also complete your reflection to this prompt. Remember for the prompt that you must type one page, double spaced, with one inch margins. I would like for everyone to use Times, 10 point font. Do not go over a page. Do not use a header. Do not use a title. Simply answer the prompt. I would recommend at least two drafts of this.
Prompt: When President Obama was elected in 2008, many commentators and thinkers posited that America was entering a post-racial society. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not? What evidence from our reading or your own experience strengthens your position?
In order to properly address this prompt you must first define the idea of "a post-racial society" and then evaluate the idea. Use literature and texts deliberately and specifically to show your ideas and clarify them.
Russian I
This weekend I want you to complete your work on our review sheet with singular versus plural. Complete ten of the sentences from exercise fifteen. Change the singular to plural in the sentence and then translate the sentence. Remember to change all singular words to plural including adjectives, demonstrative and possessive pronouns, as well as nouns. Be on the look out for irregular plurals and spelling rules!
AP English III
Over the weekend you need to complete reading Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son", bring Invisible Man next class and also complete your reflection to this prompt. Remember for the prompt that you must type one page, double spaced, with one inch margins. I would like for everyone to use Times, 10 point font. Do not go over a page. Do not use a header. Do not use a title. Simply answer the prompt. I would recommend at least two drafts of this.
Prompt: When President Obama was elected in 2008, many commentators and thinkers posited that America was entering a post-racial society. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not? What evidence from our reading or your own experience strengthens your position?
In order to properly address this prompt you must first define the idea of "a post-racial society" and then evaluate the idea. Use literature and texts deliberately and specifically to show your ideas and clarify them.
Russian I
This weekend I want you to complete your work on our review sheet with singular versus plural. Complete ten of the sentences from exercise fifteen. Change the singular to plural in the sentence and then translate the sentence. Remember to change all singular words to plural including adjectives, demonstrative and possessive pronouns, as well as nouns. Be on the look out for irregular plurals and spelling rules!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Snow Day - 1/29/2014
The roads are frozen and we're all at home. If you go out today I'd recommend that you only go out on foot, but if you drive remember that doing everything slowly is the way to go in the snow.
Our next day back at school will be an A Day. Plan accordingly and be sure to have all of your A Day assignments ready.
Our next day back at school will be an A Day. Plan accordingly and be sure to have all of your A Day assignments ready.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students - 1/28/2014
Honors English II
Tonight for homework you need to work on completing your cards/slides for our vocabulary review. Remember that if you are completing PowerPoint slides instead of index cards then you will need to share that with me via Google Drive or you should e-mail me the slides in advance. Please plan accordingly.
For tonight's homework, I'd like for you to consider some of our reading and discussion questions on Oedipus the King. In particular I'd like for you to think about the following:
Tonight for homework you need to work on completing your cards/slides for our vocabulary review. Remember that if you are completing PowerPoint slides instead of index cards then you will need to share that with me via Google Drive or you should e-mail me the slides in advance. Please plan accordingly.
For tonight's homework, I'd like for you to consider some of our reading and discussion questions on Oedipus the King. In particular I'd like for you to think about the following:
- In what significant ways does the chorus contribute to the play? Give specific instances of where the chorus serves important functions.
- How does Sophocles manipulate the fact that the audience already knows the ending of this myth? Analyze the importance of dramatic, verbal, and situational irony throughout the play and how it enables Sophocles to convey an argument to his audience.
ESL English III
Tonight you all should work on your individual memoirs. Once you have selected your significant moment, start to write. Remember to rely on the five senses as you are doing your writing to make the moment come alive for me as your reader. Remember to focus on your specific moment and show me the details of that event.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students - 1/27/2014
AP English III
Tonight I'd like for you to continue our reading of significant African-American writers by studying James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son" - this piece can be found in 50 Essays as well as at this link. For the reading, you only need to complete parts one and two of the article. We can save part three for Friday's class; if you'd like to go ahead and read it, please do.
As you read, pay particular attention to the extremely different tone that Baldwin takes in his essay in contrast to Hurston. Try to find the reasons for the difference in tone from his experiences. Also, continue to notice trends in the subject matter and rhetorical strategies employed by these authors.
Lastly, don't forget to look up the novel Native Son so that you can understand Baldwin's use of literary allusion to frame his narrative.
Russian I
For tonight I want you to continue your work on the reading assignment to develop your skills at using the plural. In the story I want you to mark all plural nouns, adjectives, pronouns, possessive pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns. At the end of the story you should then transform these from their plural version back to their singular. If you can work in reverse, this will show me that you really understand this concept. Remember as you do this work, do not just mark a word as plural just based on the ending. Read carefully and remember that the genitive and prepositional case also use these endings. Think about context and work on your translation skills as you do this work.
Tonight I'd like for you to continue our reading of significant African-American writers by studying James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son" - this piece can be found in 50 Essays as well as at this link. For the reading, you only need to complete parts one and two of the article. We can save part three for Friday's class; if you'd like to go ahead and read it, please do.
As you read, pay particular attention to the extremely different tone that Baldwin takes in his essay in contrast to Hurston. Try to find the reasons for the difference in tone from his experiences. Also, continue to notice trends in the subject matter and rhetorical strategies employed by these authors.
Lastly, don't forget to look up the novel Native Son so that you can understand Baldwin's use of literary allusion to frame his narrative.
Russian I
For tonight I want you to continue your work on the reading assignment to develop your skills at using the plural. In the story I want you to mark all plural nouns, adjectives, pronouns, possessive pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns. At the end of the story you should then transform these from their plural version back to their singular. If you can work in reverse, this will show me that you really understand this concept. Remember as you do this work, do not just mark a word as plural just based on the ending. Read carefully and remember that the genitive and prepositional case also use these endings. Think about context and work on your translation skills as you do this work.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students - 1/24/2014
Students - Here are your assignments for the weekend. Make sure that you're working hard to advance and prepare for next week.
Honors English II
Over the weekend ladies and gentlemen you should complete your vocabulary cards and notes as well as continue to study your first twenty words. Your cards and slides are due to me on Thursday - we will present these cards and words on Thursday as a way to review the words before your vocabulary test on February 3rd. Please begin to study and prepare for this examination.
To study I would recommend that you look up each word and find synonyms for each one. Find a synonym which you know and then pair that word with the vocabulary word. Use your vocabulary in your everyday speaking so that you can internalize these words more effectively.
Honors English II
Over the weekend ladies and gentlemen you should complete your vocabulary cards and notes as well as continue to study your first twenty words. Your cards and slides are due to me on Thursday - we will present these cards and words on Thursday as a way to review the words before your vocabulary test on February 3rd. Please begin to study and prepare for this examination.
To study I would recommend that you look up each word and find synonyms for each one. Find a synonym which you know and then pair that word with the vocabulary word. Use your vocabulary in your everyday speaking so that you can internalize these words more effectively.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Homework for A-Day Students - 1/23/2014
Students,
Here are your assignments to take you through the weekend. Please make sure to pay attention to the details.
AP English III
I hope that you all enjoyed our musical analysis and poetry work today. I think that these pieces do a very good job of setting the context for the Harlem Renaissance as well as helping all of you to understand some very important elements of our upcoming novel. For the weekend I want you to read "How It Feels To Be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston. This piece is available in 50 Essays or at this link. As you read, keep attention to your key motifs of identity, gender, and race. Also, pay attention to the use of diction that Hurston employs. There's a lot of coded language in the piece which I hope that you will be able to uncover in your reading.
Read and annotate heavily. Also, you should get started on Invisible Man so that you aren't thrown off when I give you the reading schedule.
Russian I
Now I can officially welcome all of you to the second semester. Today in class we went over the basic system of making plurals in the nominative case as well as some exceptions to the basic system. This weekend for homework you will complete additional practice to fully learn this system.
You need to complete on a separate sheet of paper the following:
Here are your assignments to take you through the weekend. Please make sure to pay attention to the details.
AP English III
I hope that you all enjoyed our musical analysis and poetry work today. I think that these pieces do a very good job of setting the context for the Harlem Renaissance as well as helping all of you to understand some very important elements of our upcoming novel. For the weekend I want you to read "How It Feels To Be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston. This piece is available in 50 Essays or at this link. As you read, keep attention to your key motifs of identity, gender, and race. Also, pay attention to the use of diction that Hurston employs. There's a lot of coded language in the piece which I hope that you will be able to uncover in your reading.
Read and annotate heavily. Also, you should get started on Invisible Man so that you aren't thrown off when I give you the reading schedule.
Russian I
Now I can officially welcome all of you to the second semester. Today in class we went over the basic system of making plurals in the nominative case as well as some exceptions to the basic system. This weekend for homework you will complete additional practice to fully learn this system.
You need to complete on a separate sheet of paper the following:
- EITHER exercise 76 OR 79
- EITHER exercise 77 or 78
- EVERYONE completes exercise 80.
Exercise 1 on the opposite side is available for extra practice. Exercise 2A is meant for you to work with reading and translation. You do not need to complete these exercises for grading.
Next class I will collect your НАЧАЛО sheets and your homework for this weekend. I will be checking the homework for accuracy! If you are missing a НАЧАЛО due to absence be sure to make that note on your paper. Here is the list of what I'll be checking on the НАЧАЛО sheets:
- 12/16 (A day) or 12/17 (B day) - The Real Russia: Grocery Store.
- 12/18 or 12/19 - Cultural Information on Russian New Year and Christmas.
- 12/20 or 1/6 - Dehydrated Sentences
- 1/13 or 1/14 - Topics to Review for Studying
- 1/23 or 1/24 - Dictation of New Vocabulary
I hope that this gives everyone the information they need to get caught up. Remember that I am available outside of class for additional assistance.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Homework for Honors English II - 1/22/2014
I'm glad that we all got a chance to get a bit of extra sleep today. Given that I and the swim team are about to have a very late night, the extra sleep will sure come in handy. Here are your reminders for tonight.
Honors English II
For tonight you need to start on your THREE vocabulary slides/cards which you will be studying in this first round. Remember that you can pick from words one through twenty from the list, but be sure that you've encountered the word in the text since you have to write out the sentence. Remember that for this assignment you will need to use either PowerPoint or index cards - either is fine for me. Have all of the required information and ask if you need help, especially with the word origin information.
Next class we'll get caught up with Oedipus and hopefully move on to the third portion.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
End of Sunday Workday!
And with that everything I brought home is graded. If you have a comment on your grade or are missing an assignment I expected to have that assignment by 8:00 am on Tuesday or else I will have to give you a missing assignment score.
I'm off to enjoy the remainder of the long weekend. Russian I students - Don't forget about your vocabulary study system.
I'm off to enjoy the remainder of the long weekend. Russian I students - Don't forget about your vocabulary study system.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
End of a Saturday Workday
Just a quick post to let all of you know that grades are finalized in most classes except AP English III 2A. I should have 2A's Huck Finn exams graded by the end of the day tomorrow.
Missing Assignments - Exams
Several students in my classes have missed exams due to being absent in class on either Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. If you have missed an exam I have attempted to contact you and tried to also leave notes in PowerSchool. Final administration of exams will be on Tuesday morning at 8:00 am. My goal is to submit all grades by 11:00 am. Please contact me this weekend via e-mail or come in for the make-up administration.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Homework for the Weekend - A Day Students
I believe that I posted this yesterday, but just to make sure that we're all clear.
AP English III
This weekend you need to make sure to acquire your copy of Invisible Man - remember that I prefer you get the red and white cover or the green cover so that we will have matching page numbers. We won't start our reading of this book for a week or so, but I do recommend that you start reading it now to get ahead. This book will challenge you due to its post-modern style and type of narration. It's not like Huck Finn where you have the language issues of understanding, it's just confusingly written. Struggle and get through it and remember, Ellison is confusing you on purpose. Think about why he would confuse you and how this perhaps relates to the experiences of the narrator and Black society as a whole.
Russian I
Over the weekend you should study your new vocabulary as well as the adjectives from chapter two. Focus this weekend on your verbs, nouns, and adjectives. We'll be working with those next week. Be sure that you come in to class on Wednesday/Thursday with your study aid of choice for vocabulary.
AP English III
This weekend you need to make sure to acquire your copy of Invisible Man - remember that I prefer you get the red and white cover or the green cover so that we will have matching page numbers. We won't start our reading of this book for a week or so, but I do recommend that you start reading it now to get ahead. This book will challenge you due to its post-modern style and type of narration. It's not like Huck Finn where you have the language issues of understanding, it's just confusingly written. Struggle and get through it and remember, Ellison is confusing you on purpose. Think about why he would confuse you and how this perhaps relates to the experiences of the narrator and Black society as a whole.
Russian I
Over the weekend you should study your new vocabulary as well as the adjectives from chapter two. Focus this weekend on your verbs, nouns, and adjectives. We'll be working with those next week. Be sure that you come in to class on Wednesday/Thursday with your study aid of choice for vocabulary.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Announcements and Reminders for All Classes - 1/16/2014
Sorry for not posting anything yesterday, it slipped my mind in my hurry to get to the gym.
AP English III
You all have your final exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Study hard and be prepared. Remember to bring in your copy of the novel for your final annotation check. Also, if you have not yet purchased a copy of Invisible Man I would recommend that you do this soon as we will be starting the novel next week.
Russian I
I've at this point graded all completed A-day exams and posted those grades. I'm pretty pleased with what I see, there were some issues in the final section of the multiple choice, but that's to be expected since that information was pretty new. Keep studying and reviewing! Especially your cases and verb conjugation rules. Next class (Friday/Wednesday) we will review our new vocabulary for this unit and then watch more of Doctor Zhivago - hopefully we will finish it.
Honors English II
Your homework is the same as the previous post. Please make sure that you bring back your copy of Persepolis on Wednesday as I will be collecting them then.
ESL English III
You all have no homework for the long weekend. Continue your individual reading.
AP English III
You all have your final exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Study hard and be prepared. Remember to bring in your copy of the novel for your final annotation check. Also, if you have not yet purchased a copy of Invisible Man I would recommend that you do this soon as we will be starting the novel next week.
Russian I
I've at this point graded all completed A-day exams and posted those grades. I'm pretty pleased with what I see, there were some issues in the final section of the multiple choice, but that's to be expected since that information was pretty new. Keep studying and reviewing! Especially your cases and verb conjugation rules. Next class (Friday/Wednesday) we will review our new vocabulary for this unit and then watch more of Doctor Zhivago - hopefully we will finish it.
Honors English II
Your homework is the same as the previous post. Please make sure that you bring back your copy of Persepolis on Wednesday as I will be collecting them then.
ESL English III
You all have no homework for the long weekend. Continue your individual reading.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students - 1/14/2014
Honors English II
This assignment will not be collected until Wednesday 1/22/2014 which will be our first day of the third grading period. Keep that in mind as you prepare the assignments below. First, here is a link to an online version of Oedipus the King. For those of you who don't want to drag your textbooks back and forth, this may be a good option for you. Remember that the parts as I've broken them down will not be marked in this or in any copy of the play, so pay attention to the details in the instructions.
For homework you need to read the discussion of the Chorus. In the online and regular text you will read the Strophe and Antistrophe until Oedipus reenters the scene. This is part two. Once you complete your reading of the part there are the following tasks:
This assignment will not be collected until Wednesday 1/22/2014 which will be our first day of the third grading period. Keep that in mind as you prepare the assignments below. First, here is a link to an online version of Oedipus the King. For those of you who don't want to drag your textbooks back and forth, this may be a good option for you. Remember that the parts as I've broken them down will not be marked in this or in any copy of the play, so pay attention to the details in the instructions.
For homework you need to read the discussion of the Chorus. In the online and regular text you will read the Strophe and Antistrophe until Oedipus reenters the scene. This is part two. Once you complete your reading of the part there are the following tasks:
- Complete your WHO, WHERE, WHEN, and WHAT notes. Do these in the same manner we did in class.
- Work on your vocabulary. Look for words.
- Select one portion of the text. Focus on one set of lines by the Strophe or Antistrophe and present a tone analysis of these lines. In the analysis you will want to tell me what is the tone that the speaker has and how is the tone created. Be sure to look carefully at the language and explain any particular word choice, imagery, or figurative language which creates the tone. You should complete this assignment in a well written paragraph which draws heavily on the text to make your points clear.
I will check your notes for completion and collect your analysis for a grade. Make sure that you do all parts.
ESL English III
Your goal for tonight is to reach the end of page thirty-two in your texts, the end of the chapter called "Persepolis." Make sure that you stay focused on the main characters and what you're learning about them as they are really the most important part of the story.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Homework for A-Day and Russian I Students - 1/13/2014
AP English III
Tonight your key priority is to complete your websites and go through and edit the work of your peers so that you have your best possible product on Wednesday for presentation. I went over the rubric and areas to be graded today in class. Be sure to ask a group mate for this information. I look forward to your presentations next class. If we have time remaining after the presentations then we will move on to discussing a few smaller areas of "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" so make sure that you have the text with you next class too.
Lastly, you will need to purchase Invisible Man for next week. We won't start reading it for a few more classes but I recommend that you purchase it now and start getting in to it.
Finally, don't forget that you have your exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on Friday's class. Be prepared for that!
Russian I
Next class you will have your semester exam. You should use your review packets as well as your study guides to prepare.
Tonight your key priority is to complete your websites and go through and edit the work of your peers so that you have your best possible product on Wednesday for presentation. I went over the rubric and areas to be graded today in class. Be sure to ask a group mate for this information. I look forward to your presentations next class. If we have time remaining after the presentations then we will move on to discussing a few smaller areas of "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" so make sure that you have the text with you next class too.
Lastly, you will need to purchase Invisible Man for next week. We won't start reading it for a few more classes but I recommend that you purchase it now and start getting in to it.
Finally, don't forget that you have your exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on Friday's class. Be prepared for that!
Russian I
Next class you will have your semester exam. You should use your review packets as well as your study guides to prepare.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Homework for the Weekend - Honors English II
Honors English II
This weekend students you need to complete the final drafts of your essay and collect all of your supporting documents in your envelopes. Here is a review of what you need to turn in to me on Tuesday:
This weekend students you need to complete the final drafts of your essay and collect all of your supporting documents in your envelopes. Here is a review of what you need to turn in to me on Tuesday:
- Your final draft with the essay rubric stapled to the back.
- Your rough draft with peer editing feedback.
- Your original argument with my feedback.
- You may also submit any additional drafts and notes or preparation work (outline) that you've done with this to show me your development and writing process.
Your essay will be scored using the rubric I gave you - you should use this to revise and check your writing. The essay with the supporting material will count as a 150 point test grade. Be sure that you do not miss this important end of quarter assessment.
AP English III - Weekend Addition
AP English III
The votes have been counted and we will be studying Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison next. I'm super excited. We won't start reading the novel for some time, but I would recommend that you acquire a copy as soon as possible so that you can begin to read it. It's a dense text and it will take you some time to get used to the style and language. Doing that work now will pay off down the road.
Also, I wanted to post some questions on the story that you are reading this weekend. Use these to get into the text and unlock the meaning.
1. Analyze the story's symbols. Consider name symbolism.
2. What are the numbers? How could they be important on a symbolic level?
3. Document the significance of the settings.
4. What do you make of the references to music? Do you see any allusions other than the dedication to Bob Dylan?
Dig deep with this story - it's fun. Enjoy it!
The votes have been counted and we will be studying Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison next. I'm super excited. We won't start reading the novel for some time, but I would recommend that you acquire a copy as soon as possible so that you can begin to read it. It's a dense text and it will take you some time to get used to the style and language. Doing that work now will pay off down the road.
Also, I wanted to post some questions on the story that you are reading this weekend. Use these to get into the text and unlock the meaning.
1. Analyze the story's symbols. Consider name symbolism.
2. What are the numbers? How could they be important on a symbolic level?
3. Document the significance of the settings.
4. What do you make of the references to music? Do you see any allusions other than the dedication to Bob Dylan?
Dig deep with this story - it's fun. Enjoy it!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Homework for the Weekend - A Day Students - 1/9/2014
AP English III
Over the weekend you have a few things to complete for me. First, you have to put in a lot of work on your websites. The reading load has been light for the last few classes so that you can devote a lot of time to these projects. If you need me to look at anything in particular, please ask. Secondly, you need to read a short story by Joyce Carol Oates called "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" It's available at this link or you can pick one up from me before you leave for the weekend. We will spend a lot of time on this story in class on Monday, annotate it heavily to find its deeper meanings.
Don't forget as well that we will have our The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn exam on Friday, and our website presentations on Wednesday. Two major assessments next week. Be prepared!
Russian I
Over the weekend your first priority is to finish your projects and have them perfect for turn in on Monday/Tuesday. Make sure that you are not using translators, as if I see evidence of a translator in your work you will not receive a good grade. In addition, you would be advised to begin studying for our semester exam which will be on Wednesday/Thursday. Study all of your content from this semester, all the way back to the alphabet and the most recent grammar topics. Help sessions will be available on Friday as well as on Tuesday.
Over the weekend you have a few things to complete for me. First, you have to put in a lot of work on your websites. The reading load has been light for the last few classes so that you can devote a lot of time to these projects. If you need me to look at anything in particular, please ask. Secondly, you need to read a short story by Joyce Carol Oates called "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" It's available at this link or you can pick one up from me before you leave for the weekend. We will spend a lot of time on this story in class on Monday, annotate it heavily to find its deeper meanings.
Don't forget as well that we will have our The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn exam on Friday, and our website presentations on Wednesday. Two major assessments next week. Be prepared!
Russian I
Over the weekend your first priority is to finish your projects and have them perfect for turn in on Monday/Tuesday. Make sure that you are not using translators, as if I see evidence of a translator in your work you will not receive a good grade. In addition, you would be advised to begin studying for our semester exam which will be on Wednesday/Thursday. Study all of your content from this semester, all the way back to the alphabet and the most recent grammar topics. Help sessions will be available on Friday as well as on Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students - 1/8/2014
Honors English II
Today in class we completed the revision of our drafts as well as some additional instruction on writing introductions and completing citations. On Friday we will finish reviewing information you will need for this assignment including how to structure your conclusions and how to transition effectively between paragraphs. For tonight's homework you should complete your essay drafts and begin collecting all of your supporting documents for your envelope. You also have the final rubric which I will use to grade your papers. Use that to help you do your revisions. Remember that your final drafts and all supporting documents are due on January 14, 2014.
On January 16th we will have our District Cumulative Assessment. All you will need in class that day is a pencil to complete your test.
Today in class we completed the revision of our drafts as well as some additional instruction on writing introductions and completing citations. On Friday we will finish reviewing information you will need for this assignment including how to structure your conclusions and how to transition effectively between paragraphs. For tonight's homework you should complete your essay drafts and begin collecting all of your supporting documents for your envelope. You also have the final rubric which I will use to grade your papers. Use that to help you do your revisions. Remember that your final drafts and all supporting documents are due on January 14, 2014.
On January 16th we will have our District Cumulative Assessment. All you will need in class that day is a pencil to complete your test.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Homework and Reminders - 1/7/2014 - A Day
AP English III
Students, at this point you should be finished with your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, if you have not finished it then you will need to definitely finish before our exam next week as there will be several questions on this final portion of the novel. Your main priority right now is your website. Website presentations will occur on the 15th; we will go over the presentations next class so that you can prepare. Be sure that you are completing all portions of the site and working with your group mates to review and revise your final product.
After today, we have gone over the synthesis portion of the assignment. You should now be able to complete this portion and move forward to finishing the website.
Lastly, remember that you have a choice between what we are going to do next. Your options are Invisible Man or The Crucible - it doesn't matter to me which you choose, but you should do a bit of research so that you can make an informed decision. My suggestion is that we do Invisible Man next, but I'll leave that up to you.
Russian I
Due to the fact that so many of you have done a lot of work on your projects, I am rewarding that by giving you the rest of the week to finish your writing projects. Your final draft is due on Monday/Tuesday. This is a final due date - you may submit your work early, but the final date is fixed. Please remember that if you are completing the assignment online then you will want to use Google Docs and share with my mrmillerjhs @ gmail.com e-mail address. You can also submit this assignment on paper or poster.
For homework tonight you will need to complete your work on exercise ten, reviewing adjectives and demonstrative pronouns and case endings. Remember that you cannot do the possessive pronouns in these sentences yet - those are going to be covered next class. Make sure that you work on your adjectives, demonstrative pronouns, and nouns due to the fact that I will be checking this for completion next class.
Students, at this point you should be finished with your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, if you have not finished it then you will need to definitely finish before our exam next week as there will be several questions on this final portion of the novel. Your main priority right now is your website. Website presentations will occur on the 15th; we will go over the presentations next class so that you can prepare. Be sure that you are completing all portions of the site and working with your group mates to review and revise your final product.
After today, we have gone over the synthesis portion of the assignment. You should now be able to complete this portion and move forward to finishing the website.
Lastly, remember that you have a choice between what we are going to do next. Your options are Invisible Man or The Crucible - it doesn't matter to me which you choose, but you should do a bit of research so that you can make an informed decision. My suggestion is that we do Invisible Man next, but I'll leave that up to you.
Russian I
Due to the fact that so many of you have done a lot of work on your projects, I am rewarding that by giving you the rest of the week to finish your writing projects. Your final draft is due on Monday/Tuesday. This is a final due date - you may submit your work early, but the final date is fixed. Please remember that if you are completing the assignment online then you will want to use Google Docs and share with my mrmillerjhs @ gmail.com e-mail address. You can also submit this assignment on paper or poster.
For homework tonight you will need to complete your work on exercise ten, reviewing adjectives and demonstrative pronouns and case endings. Remember that you cannot do the possessive pronouns in these sentences yet - those are going to be covered next class. Make sure that you work on your adjectives, demonstrative pronouns, and nouns due to the fact that I will be checking this for completion next class.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Homework for B-Day Students: 1/6/2014
Welcome Back Everyone! It's a new year!
Here are your reminders to prepare for Wednesday's class.
Russian I:
Be reminded that your extra credit assignments are due next class. Have all parts completed in order to receive full credit. Also, you have your written projects due on Thursday and Friday of this week. I'm available on Tuesday and Thursday to help with projects.
Honors English II:
Next class we will be having a workshop on our essay drafts. Be reminded that you must have forty percent of your draft completed to get full credit for this assignment. Based on the feedback I got from you in class today I will go over several topics on Wednesday related to finishing out your papers. Final drafts will be due next week so that you have the weekend to make any changes.
I hope that all of you enjoyed watching Persepolis today. Remember that you can respond to one of these questions in order to earn two bonus points on your last quiz. Here are the questions:
1. How does the addition of voices change your understanding of the characters in the story?
2. What did you like about the film adaptation of Persepolis? Why?
3. Are you surprised about what happens in the second part of Marji's life, after she leaves Iran? Why or why not?
4. Does the second half of the story, following Marji's life in Europe, still accomplish her purpose of telling both her story and Iran's? Why or why not?
Please respond in a comment to this thread; be sure that you identify the question to which you are responding. Be sure that you answer in a complete paragraph which fully answers the question asked of you.
Here are your reminders to prepare for Wednesday's class.
Russian I:
Be reminded that your extra credit assignments are due next class. Have all parts completed in order to receive full credit. Also, you have your written projects due on Thursday and Friday of this week. I'm available on Tuesday and Thursday to help with projects.
Honors English II:
Next class we will be having a workshop on our essay drafts. Be reminded that you must have forty percent of your draft completed to get full credit for this assignment. Based on the feedback I got from you in class today I will go over several topics on Wednesday related to finishing out your papers. Final drafts will be due next week so that you have the weekend to make any changes.
I hope that all of you enjoyed watching Persepolis today. Remember that you can respond to one of these questions in order to earn two bonus points on your last quiz. Here are the questions:
1. How does the addition of voices change your understanding of the characters in the story?
2. What did you like about the film adaptation of Persepolis? Why?
3. Are you surprised about what happens in the second part of Marji's life, after she leaves Iran? Why or why not?
4. Does the second half of the story, following Marji's life in Europe, still accomplish her purpose of telling both her story and Iran's? Why or why not?
Please respond in a comment to this thread; be sure that you identify the question to which you are responding. Be sure that you answer in a complete paragraph which fully answers the question asked of you.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Work over Break - AP English III and Russian I - 12/20/2013
Time for the last post of 2013! To all my students - I hope that you have a wonderful and restful break!
AP English III
As you know you have your website projects and your completion of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I'll be checking in on your websites sporadically over break, not for a grade but just to see how things are coming. Remember that I'm only an e-mail away. Feel free to drop me a question and I'll respond as quickly as I can. Anywhere I'm going to be over break will have Internet access.
Enjoy the ending of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it's hard to find a book with a happy ending in high school; this is the best that I can do.
Russian I
Over break you have two things to complete for sure, but many of you have additional tasks too. I need for all of you to be confident and sure in your abilities to decline adjectives, nouns, and pronouns in all six cases. When we return from break we will continue to move forward with our content which requires that these declensions are firm in your wheelhouse. Make flashcards of endings, drill yourself, use some of the internet resources below to help too.
You have your writing project as well as your extra credit to complete over break. The extra credit is due on the 7th/8th and the project is due on the 9th/10th. Remember that for the project you can send me as many drafts as you need to in order to get a perfect score, which all of you can attain. Use your notes! Learn your cases (notice how everything seems to come back to that). Also, use vocabulary from the course, don't rely on Google at all, many times it will give you a word which you don't know how to use yet.
Here are some good resources for help in Russian. Use these!
Master Russian - This site offers grammar outlines as well as sample exercises to quiz yourself and check your understanding. This site is exhaustive and goes over all topics all the way back to the alphabet and handwriting. This site also has a link to a java Russian keyboard so that you can type, and then copy/paste your content from the website to your word document.
Russia Today - Language - I don't know much about this site but it comes from a really good source. There are lessons and activities on this page which will help for a variety of topics. Remember to focus on the topics we've covered in class. Explore a bit if you want, but stay focused on shoring up your skills to this point!
AP English III
As you know you have your website projects and your completion of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I'll be checking in on your websites sporadically over break, not for a grade but just to see how things are coming. Remember that I'm only an e-mail away. Feel free to drop me a question and I'll respond as quickly as I can. Anywhere I'm going to be over break will have Internet access.
Enjoy the ending of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it's hard to find a book with a happy ending in high school; this is the best that I can do.
Russian I
Over break you have two things to complete for sure, but many of you have additional tasks too. I need for all of you to be confident and sure in your abilities to decline adjectives, nouns, and pronouns in all six cases. When we return from break we will continue to move forward with our content which requires that these declensions are firm in your wheelhouse. Make flashcards of endings, drill yourself, use some of the internet resources below to help too.
You have your writing project as well as your extra credit to complete over break. The extra credit is due on the 7th/8th and the project is due on the 9th/10th. Remember that for the project you can send me as many drafts as you need to in order to get a perfect score, which all of you can attain. Use your notes! Learn your cases (notice how everything seems to come back to that). Also, use vocabulary from the course, don't rely on Google at all, many times it will give you a word which you don't know how to use yet.
Here are some good resources for help in Russian. Use these!
Master Russian - This site offers grammar outlines as well as sample exercises to quiz yourself and check your understanding. This site is exhaustive and goes over all topics all the way back to the alphabet and handwriting. This site also has a link to a java Russian keyboard so that you can type, and then copy/paste your content from the website to your word document.
Russia Today - Language - I don't know much about this site but it comes from a really good source. There are lessons and activities on this page which will help for a variety of topics. Remember to focus on the topics we've covered in class. Explore a bit if you want, but stay focused on shoring up your skills to this point!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Homework for Winter Break - B Day Students
Honors English II
Over break your priority is to work on the formative steps of your essay and then complete your rough draft of the assignment. Here is your process, as I would recommend you complete it:
Over break your priority is to work on the formative steps of your essay and then complete your rough draft of the assignment. Here is your process, as I would recommend you complete it:
- Complete your argument. Make sure that it fully answers the question and deals with the greater significance of what you are discussing.
- Divide the argument into topics. Which elements of the story will you need to discuss? How will you organize and link the topics? How can you break your argument into pieces?
- Find evidence to discuss within the topics. Annotate panels. Organize your notes and develop your commentary. Explain how your argument is true based on the information.
- Construct your draft.
Your drafts are due on the 8th of January. Make sure to have them this day. I'm available to you over break via e-mail if you have any questions while you're working.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Homework for A Day Students - 12/18/2013
AP English III
Tonight you should prepare for your timed writing on Friday as well as for your journal check. Make sure that all of your journal entries are complete and thorough. I'll be checking them on Friday as you write your rhetorical analysis. Also, keep in mind two very important dates for January. On January 15 you will present your completed websites. On January 17 you will have your final exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Over break you need to finish your reading of the text and put in work on your websites! Remember to monitor and assist your group as necessary. Enjoy this work!
Russian I
Your extra credit sheet is due in full on the day we return to class. Your family paragraph projects are due on the 9th and 10th of January. This allows all of you the chance to see me a few times to review your writing and get help. Remember over break to use the time to complete your solidification of these grammar concepts - you have to know your conjugations and your declension patterns. Spend a bit of time each day of break working and when you come back you'll be golden.
I'm available after school on Friday for any help you may need. Also remember that I'm always only an e-mail away.
Tonight you should prepare for your timed writing on Friday as well as for your journal check. Make sure that all of your journal entries are complete and thorough. I'll be checking them on Friday as you write your rhetorical analysis. Also, keep in mind two very important dates for January. On January 15 you will present your completed websites. On January 17 you will have your final exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Over break you need to finish your reading of the text and put in work on your websites! Remember to monitor and assist your group as necessary. Enjoy this work!
Russian I
Your extra credit sheet is due in full on the day we return to class. Your family paragraph projects are due on the 9th and 10th of January. This allows all of you the chance to see me a few times to review your writing and get help. Remember over break to use the time to complete your solidification of these grammar concepts - you have to know your conjugations and your declension patterns. Spend a bit of time each day of break working and when you come back you'll be golden.
I'm available after school on Friday for any help you may need. Also remember that I'm always only an e-mail away.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Homework for B-Day Students: 12/17/2013
Honors English II
I hope that our revision and review of the argument statements was useful for all of you. Many of you were able to take the instructions and tips I gave you and turn them immediately into strong and persuasive argument statements. Once you've received an "all clear" from me then you can move on to the next phase of your essay which is annotating specific panels and collecting your "research". Remember that you can only do this once you know what you're trying to prove, so that as you annotate and pull out details you keep that larger point in mind.
The draft of your essay will be due when you return from break - not the 6th of January, but the 8th - our second day back. Keep this in mind.
For tonight, you should prepare for next class's open-note quiz on Persepolis. Study and review tonight. Make sure to look over the text and check that your notes are complete as these are all you will be able to use on the quiz.
ESL English III
You also have a quiz next class on grammar, vocabulary, and your writing skills. I'm looking forward to seeing how much you've grown in all of these areas in this class so far. Study your journals and your notebooks to prepare for this assessment.
I hope that our revision and review of the argument statements was useful for all of you. Many of you were able to take the instructions and tips I gave you and turn them immediately into strong and persuasive argument statements. Once you've received an "all clear" from me then you can move on to the next phase of your essay which is annotating specific panels and collecting your "research". Remember that you can only do this once you know what you're trying to prove, so that as you annotate and pull out details you keep that larger point in mind.
The draft of your essay will be due when you return from break - not the 6th of January, but the 8th - our second day back. Keep this in mind.
For tonight, you should prepare for next class's open-note quiz on Persepolis. Study and review tonight. Make sure to look over the text and check that your notes are complete as these are all you will be able to use on the quiz.
ESL English III
You also have a quiz next class on grammar, vocabulary, and your writing skills. I'm looking forward to seeing how much you've grown in all of these areas in this class so far. Study your journals and your notebooks to prepare for this assessment.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Homework for A-Day Students - 12/16/2013
AP English III
I spent last week going through your assignments for this week so let me just quickly review what you have to accomplish for tonight. Read to the end of chapter thirty-three four Wednesday's class. Make sure that your covers as well as your pages are thoroughly completed so that I can see that you are doing this thinking as you read and that you are practicing with your analysis of the text. In addition, you will have time in your group meetings on Wednesday's class. Bring anything that you need for that time together. I will give your group some goals to complete on Wednesday's meeting, so be ready for that.
Lastly, remember that you will have a timed writing on Friday's class. If you will not be here on Friday I ask that you make up this writing assignment before class on Friday so that I can get everything done over break.
Be sure that you have your books with you next class.
Russian I
Tonight you should be working on your family projects. Make sure to remember that you can always see me for extra help with editing your Russian sentences and paragraphs to check your grammar. Follow the outline that I've given you on the assignment sheet and in the website to complete this assignment. Do not use any online translators for this assignment - use only language you've learned in class.
The final due date for this writing assignment is January 9th (A-Day) and January 10th (B-Day). Remember that this is the final due date for you - you can submit the work in advance but you must have it done by this final due date - all paragraphs written with images!
Tonight you should continue to work on your vocabulary and grammar! Study and review. Learn this information!
I spent last week going through your assignments for this week so let me just quickly review what you have to accomplish for tonight. Read to the end of chapter thirty-three four Wednesday's class. Make sure that your covers as well as your pages are thoroughly completed so that I can see that you are doing this thinking as you read and that you are practicing with your analysis of the text. In addition, you will have time in your group meetings on Wednesday's class. Bring anything that you need for that time together. I will give your group some goals to complete on Wednesday's meeting, so be ready for that.
Lastly, remember that you will have a timed writing on Friday's class. If you will not be here on Friday I ask that you make up this writing assignment before class on Friday so that I can get everything done over break.
Be sure that you have your books with you next class.
Russian I
Tonight you should be working on your family projects. Make sure to remember that you can always see me for extra help with editing your Russian sentences and paragraphs to check your grammar. Follow the outline that I've given you on the assignment sheet and in the website to complete this assignment. Do not use any online translators for this assignment - use only language you've learned in class.
The final due date for this writing assignment is January 9th (A-Day) and January 10th (B-Day). Remember that this is the final due date for you - you can submit the work in advance but you must have it done by this final due date - all paragraphs written with images!
Tonight you should continue to work on your vocabulary and grammar! Study and review. Learn this information!
Friday, December 13, 2013
Homework for the Weekend - B Day Students - 12/13/2013
Honors English II
Your homework over the weekend is to finish reading Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. As you finish reading you should continue to finish your notes on the family members and the different changes you've seen from each of them. Remember that by taking notes you are much more active as a reader and thus you will remember more of the reading. After you finish your reading, please respond to the prompt below. Remember that you may submit your response on paper, via e-mail, or by completing a comment on this post.
What preconception about Iran has this text helped you to disprove? How has the text done that? Does this relate to one of Satrapi's larger purposes in this text? Why or why not?
Please make sure to make specific references to the text as you compose your reflection.
In addition, you should continue working on your essays. You will get your argument statements back from me on Tuesday with feedback. Use the framing strategy we did today in class to begin your research of the specific frames that you will use in your essay. Remember to focus on detail within the frames (language and graphics) and how these details relate to your overall argument.
ESL English III
No homework for the weekend, but do spend time reviewing your writing notes. I'm happy to see so much growth in your writing as we've been spending a lot of time working on writing skills. Continue to improve and develop your skills!
Your homework over the weekend is to finish reading Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. As you finish reading you should continue to finish your notes on the family members and the different changes you've seen from each of them. Remember that by taking notes you are much more active as a reader and thus you will remember more of the reading. After you finish your reading, please respond to the prompt below. Remember that you may submit your response on paper, via e-mail, or by completing a comment on this post.
What preconception about Iran has this text helped you to disprove? How has the text done that? Does this relate to one of Satrapi's larger purposes in this text? Why or why not?
Please make sure to make specific references to the text as you compose your reflection.
In addition, you should continue working on your essays. You will get your argument statements back from me on Tuesday with feedback. Use the framing strategy we did today in class to begin your research of the specific frames that you will use in your essay. Remember to focus on detail within the frames (language and graphics) and how these details relate to your overall argument.
ESL English III
No homework for the weekend, but do spend time reviewing your writing notes. I'm happy to see so much growth in your writing as we've been spending a lot of time working on writing skills. Continue to improve and develop your skills!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Homework for A-Day Students: 12/12/2013
AP English III
For tonight you should continue working on your websites. Make sure that all of your pages and sub-pages are set up. You don't need to have the content filled in, but the framing should be done. Also remember to keep a backup saved of everything you do for this site. There have been instances of sites and pages being deleted by accident. Don't let this happen to you. Have everything saved on your computer just in case. Remember to focus first on content - then work on design last.
Over the weekend complete your first reading goal for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - the schedule is in the previous post. Also, don't forget that you will have your rhetorical analysis timed writing on the Friday before we leave. Be prepared!
Russian I
Over the weekend you should revise your first two paragraphs and then continue to the next three. Make sure to use only vocabulary that we've learned in class and in the notes - this way you can have more ownership of what you are saying.
Next class we're going to look over the review packet I gave you today on cases and then watch Doctor Zhivago since we didn't get to that in class today. Work on your writing - I was pleased by the amount of growth that I've seen. Keep going. Next week I'm available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday for extra help after school.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Apologies - Homework for 12/11/13
Honors English II:
Tonight you should make your first priority the completion and formalization of your argument statement for your essay. Remember that though you are answering the question and beginning your process of drafting you will still and are expected to revise and clarify your writing as we finish the text and move forward with the process.
This is also a good time to work with a classmate. Using a peer to read over your writing and give feedback is a great strategy - I had an edit buddy in college and we often exchanged drafts.
On Friday I will collect your argument statement. We didn't get to the discussion of today's portion of Persepolis so you don't have to keep reading, but I encourage you to. We will be finished with the reading by winter break.
ESL English III:
Very good work today with your vocabulary study. You haven't yet has a vocabulary assessment like a test, so expect one soon. We will work on those questions I gave you next class to start the class then we will move on to the next chapter.
Russian I:
Your homework is the same as a day, like always. Complete your first part of the vocabulary project for our workshop next class. I've put together a good review on cases for you for next class. Look forward to that.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Homework for A-Day Students: 12/10/2013
AP English III
Tonight for homework you have two key things to accomplish. First, make sure that your group site is up and shared with all members of your group; also, be sure to think through what you need me to cover with you at our tech help session next class in the Dell Lab. This will give you all an opportunity to get some of your pages created as well as start plugging in media. In addition to this, be sure to read Gloria Anzaldua's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" - it is available in 50 Essays as well as at this link. As you read Anzaldua you will be struck by her use of Spanish in the piece - consider her rhetorical purpose behind this. In addition, consider the connection between language and identity that Anzaldua presents as well as the link between language and revolution. This is a highly political and provocative piece; I'm looking forward to our seminar on it.
What follows is your reading schedule for the next few classes as well as winter break.
Tonight for homework you have two key things to accomplish. First, make sure that your group site is up and shared with all members of your group; also, be sure to think through what you need me to cover with you at our tech help session next class in the Dell Lab. This will give you all an opportunity to get some of your pages created as well as start plugging in media. In addition to this, be sure to read Gloria Anzaldua's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" - it is available in 50 Essays as well as at this link. As you read Anzaldua you will be struck by her use of Spanish in the piece - consider her rhetorical purpose behind this. In addition, consider the connection between language and identity that Anzaldua presents as well as the link between language and revolution. This is a highly political and provocative piece; I'm looking forward to our seminar on it.
What follows is your reading schedule for the next few classes as well as winter break.
- Chapters 23 - 28: Monday, December 16th
- Chapters 29 - 33: Wednesday, December 18th
- End of the Book: Tuesday, January 7th
Don't forget that you will have a timed writing - RHETORICAL ANALYSIS - on Friday, December 20th before we leave for break. If you are going to be absent on that day, please get your Timed Writing done before you go!
Russian I
For tonight's homework you will need to get started on your writing project. Follow the outline that I gave you on the assignment sheet in order to complete this assignment. The outline is below in case you forget your handout:
- Sentence One – Introduce person by name. State relationship to you. Possessive Pronoun. Agreement.
- Sentence Two – State where person lives. Verb – жить. Prepositional case.
- Sentence Three – Describe the person using an adjective. Adjective. Agreement.
- Sentence Four – State something the person likes. Verb – любить.
- Sentence Five – State something the person does. Verb – choice.
- Sentence Six – State something the person wants for the holidays. Verb – хотеть.
Remember that next class we will be having a writing workshop on these paragraphs. Please be sure to bring what you have and make sure to try! We won't be able to do much of a workshop without any work. Use your vocabulary lists for this and dictionaries. Do not translate whole sentences.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Monday Homework - B Day - 12/9/2013
Honors English II
Tonight you need to read the next three chapters in Persepolis - "The Trip", "The F14's" and "The Jewels". As you read these chapters consider the way in which the country is changing and how Marji's family reacts and adapts to those changes. You should be thoroughly adding to your notes with this.
Furthermore, you have your essay question for Persepolis. Tonight you should to the translation of the question into your own words and then your one sentence answer of the question. It is important that you get this work done tonight as next class we will be working on writing our thesis/argument statements. You will want the translation and the one sentence answer done as this is the pre-work for the completion of the argument statement.
Tonight you need to read the next three chapters in Persepolis - "The Trip", "The F14's" and "The Jewels". As you read these chapters consider the way in which the country is changing and how Marji's family reacts and adapts to those changes. You should be thoroughly adding to your notes with this.
Furthermore, you have your essay question for Persepolis. Tonight you should to the translation of the question into your own words and then your one sentence answer of the question. It is important that you get this work done tonight as next class we will be working on writing our thesis/argument statements. You will want the translation and the one sentence answer done as this is the pre-work for the completion of the argument statement.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 12/6/2013
AP English III
Over the weekend you have a few things to accomplish. First you need to finish the reading of the Grangerford section. Be sure to consider what Twain is able to accomplish through his writing of this part of the text. Why would he stop the main story to present this? Obviously there must be a big point he's trying to make.
In addition, make sure that you have created and shared your website with your groupmates and with me. Use my school gmail account for this project (mrmillerjhs @ gmail . com) and also use that to communicate with me any questions or issues you may have. Since we went through how to do a rhetorical analysis today you should also begin going through your selected piece to complete your own analysis.
Russian I
For homework tonight you will be completing the exercise in the middle of the listening activities. Remember to use the nominative case and change the adjectives to agree with the noun they modify. I will collect this for an accuracy grade next class, so have it ready. Use your notes and apply what we have been learning in class.
Over the weekend you have a few things to accomplish. First you need to finish the reading of the Grangerford section. Be sure to consider what Twain is able to accomplish through his writing of this part of the text. Why would he stop the main story to present this? Obviously there must be a big point he's trying to make.
In addition, make sure that you have created and shared your website with your groupmates and with me. Use my school gmail account for this project (mrmillerjhs @ gmail . com) and also use that to communicate with me any questions or issues you may have. Since we went through how to do a rhetorical analysis today you should also begin going through your selected piece to complete your own analysis.
Russian I
For homework tonight you will be completing the exercise in the middle of the listening activities. Remember to use the nominative case and change the adjectives to agree with the noun they modify. I will collect this for an accuracy grade next class, so have it ready. Use your notes and apply what we have been learning in class.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Homework for B-Day Students: 12/5/2013 - Weekend
Honors English II:
There aren't many times that you can say that you don't have English homework due to a bank robbery, but that's the situation in which we find ourselves. Over the weekend you should make sure that you've completed all of the Persepolis reading. In addition we will be starting our essay on this text soon - you may find it useful to reflect on your essay skills for our workshops in the next few weeks.
As well, be reading your choice novels, remember that you need to finish these books by the time we return from Winter Break!
ESL English III:
Very good improvement on your writing today! I like that I see you all applying what we are learning in class so that you can be a stronger writer. Continue to read your choice books and be sure that you have them next week during class since it's a reading week!
There aren't many times that you can say that you don't have English homework due to a bank robbery, but that's the situation in which we find ourselves. Over the weekend you should make sure that you've completed all of the Persepolis reading. In addition we will be starting our essay on this text soon - you may find it useful to reflect on your essay skills for our workshops in the next few weeks.
As well, be reading your choice novels, remember that you need to finish these books by the time we return from Winter Break!
ESL English III:
Very good improvement on your writing today! I like that I see you all applying what we are learning in class so that you can be a stronger writer. Continue to read your choice books and be sure that you have them next week during class since it's a reading week!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Homework for A-Day Students - 12/4/2013
AP English III
Today we introduced our major project on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - our satire analysis websites. Below is the link to the site mock-up, remember that this is your instruction manual for the project. All required elements are here and all instructions are here. Be sure that your group follows them to the letter. To start tonight, you will want to decide which genre (Huck Finn, video, contemporary non-fiction, or image) you want to analyze for your group. We will begin working through the skills of rhetorical analysis next week so that you can begin this work in earnest.
https://sites.google.com/site/huckfinnsatiremockup/home
For reading tonight you need to read the excerpt from Oluadah Equiano. Remember that this is part of the shared slave consciousness - a shared memory. Think about how this deepens your understanding of Jim and his situation as well as his character. Don't forget that for Tuesday you need to be to the end of chapter twenty-two, the end of the "Grangerford section."
Russian I
For homework tonight you need to complete exercises 124 and 125 on adjectives and agreement. Also remember that there will be a scheduled help session this Friday afternoon on verbs. Those of you struggling in Russian would do well to attend this. Additional times can be made but you have to ask.
Today we introduced our major project on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - our satire analysis websites. Below is the link to the site mock-up, remember that this is your instruction manual for the project. All required elements are here and all instructions are here. Be sure that your group follows them to the letter. To start tonight, you will want to decide which genre (Huck Finn, video, contemporary non-fiction, or image) you want to analyze for your group. We will begin working through the skills of rhetorical analysis next week so that you can begin this work in earnest.
https://sites.google.com/site/huckfinnsatiremockup/home
For reading tonight you need to read the excerpt from Oluadah Equiano. Remember that this is part of the shared slave consciousness - a shared memory. Think about how this deepens your understanding of Jim and his situation as well as his character. Don't forget that for Tuesday you need to be to the end of chapter twenty-two, the end of the "Grangerford section."
Russian I
For homework tonight you need to complete exercises 124 and 125 on adjectives and agreement. Also remember that there will be a scheduled help session this Friday afternoon on verbs. Those of you struggling in Russian would do well to attend this. Additional times can be made but you have to ask.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Homework for B-day Students - 12/3/2013
Honors English II
Tonight for homework you need to read "Moscow" and "The Sheep" - our next two chapters in Persepolis. Remember what I said today in class about the chapter called "The Sheep" - it represents a significant turning point for all of the characters, Iran included. Make sure to add to your character notes and understand thoroughly how this moment in "The Sheep" develops the main characters.
In addition you need to remember to always be reading in your supplemental novels. This is a standing assignment, thus you should be always reading.
ESL English III
We did a lot of work today on writing. Continue to reflect on and build on your skills in this area. We will continue to do a lot of work on our writing as we move forward. For tonight, you should keep reading in your individual books. We will do some writing on these books during our next class.
Tonight for homework you need to read "Moscow" and "The Sheep" - our next two chapters in Persepolis. Remember what I said today in class about the chapter called "The Sheep" - it represents a significant turning point for all of the characters, Iran included. Make sure to add to your character notes and understand thoroughly how this moment in "The Sheep" develops the main characters.
In addition you need to remember to always be reading in your supplemental novels. This is a standing assignment, thus you should be always reading.
ESL English III
We did a lot of work today on writing. Continue to reflect on and build on your skills in this area. We will continue to do a lot of work on our writing as we move forward. For tonight, you should keep reading in your individual books. We will do some writing on these books during our next class.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Russian I - Homework - Extra Credit
Tonight's homework for Russian I is optional - respond to this post by leaving a comment with your name and you will receive two bonus points on today's quiz. Be sure to respond by the beginning of your next class to get credit.
Which group of characters do you sympathize with more - the lower class represented by Lara and others like her or the upper class represented by Yuri and Tanya? What in the film has caused you to develop these feelings? How do you think this is connected to Pasternak's (the author's) larger purpose?
Which group of characters do you sympathize with more - the lower class represented by Lara and others like her or the upper class represented by Yuri and Tanya? What in the film has caused you to develop these feelings? How do you think this is connected to Pasternak's (the author's) larger purpose?
Homework for 12/2/2013 - AP English III
AP English III -
Tonight your key task is to complete the reading of Sanders' "The Inheritance of Tools" - it can be found in 50 Essays or at the following link. If you use the link be aware that you don't need to answer the questions but they give you something to think about as you're reading. This is a great piece for you to use to think about family and how a family is created and maintained. It will provide some excellent perspective on the creation of Huck and Jim's family relationship.
Furthermore, be aware that you need to be to the end of chapter twenty-two by Tuesday, December 10. We're going to continue working on the section you read over break for the next few classes so continue to bring Huck with you.
Lastly, if you don't have a Gmail account be sure to get one set up. You'll need this for Wednesday's class as we'll be starting our online project.
Tonight your key task is to complete the reading of Sanders' "The Inheritance of Tools" - it can be found in 50 Essays or at the following link. If you use the link be aware that you don't need to answer the questions but they give you something to think about as you're reading. This is a great piece for you to use to think about family and how a family is created and maintained. It will provide some excellent perspective on the creation of Huck and Jim's family relationship.
Furthermore, be aware that you need to be to the end of chapter twenty-two by Tuesday, December 10. We're going to continue working on the section you read over break for the next few classes so continue to bring Huck with you.
Lastly, if you don't have a Gmail account be sure to get one set up. You'll need this for Wednesday's class as we'll be starting our online project.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)