Homework for Wednesday/Thursday

For homework you will need to read the next two chapters in The Color of Water. After you finish reading, write in your journal about the ways in which you, the mother, and James have had similar or different school experiences.

Also, I think that since we're getting close to start review for the EOC. So, I am planning to have a wrapping up non-fiction quiz/test pretty soon. Just FYI!

Benchmarks

There is no homework tonight. Remember that rough drafts which were not turned in last Thursday/Friday will be collected no later than this Thursday/Friday.

Weekend Homework

For this weekend I need for you to do two things:

1. Review your notes for the benchmark. Any literary terms that you're not clear on or anything that you need further clarification on - please ask! Leave a comment on this blog entry and I'll do my best to answer.

2. Read to page seventy-eight (78) in The Color of Water. In your journal, write about what you think is the most significant difference between the mom's childhood and James's childhood. Write at least one full paragraph.

I want to try something...

I want to see what it would be like to have an online conversation about the book that we're reading.  So, I'd like for you to leave a comment about the following question.

I want to see what people think about the theme of identity that is developing in the text.  How are both of the main characters - the mother and James - developing their own identities?  How is each character's identity changing?

So - just leave a comment.  We'll see how this goes.

Homework

You will have two things to do before the next class. First, read in The Color of Water until page fifty-seven. I've heard that there is an interesting event in the next few chapters. Second, your rough drafts are due at the beginning of next class.

Next class we will be having an in class review for our final Benchmark. After that will be the Benchmark and then we will return to our study of non-fiction.

Extra Help

If you would like to see me about extra help on your poetry analysis assignment - please come see me tomorrow.  Also, please remember that tomorrow is the last day to finish the poetry test.  If you need to make it up because you were absent, you need to do this before Friday.

Book Club Homework - Weekend Edition

This weekend you will need to read to the end of chapter four in The Color of Water. In your journals, please answer the following questions in a short paragraph:

What is the best part of this book so far? Why? What is the the worst part? Why?

This will be journal entry number five. Also, expect a quiz on the first four chapters soon!

Book Club Homework

Tonight for homework you need to complete reading chapters one and two of The Color of Water. Pay close attention to how this book opens. What does the author do to draw you in as a reader at the beginning of the book? Is it effective? Why or why not?

Ideas for studying...

1. Instead of simply reading the definitions of the different literary devices in your textbook or online, write them out and then find examples of those devices and determine WHY that quote is an example of that literary device.

• For example: simile - a comparison between two things using like or as. "Love is like a rose." This is a simile because it compares love to a rose (two unlike things) by using like.

2. Write practice questions for poems (either multiple choice or short answer) and attempt to answer them. This is especially effective in preparing for short answer.

3. Review the poems that we have studied in class - make sure that you know some basic information on these. Perhaps you would want to use your notes sheet to take notes.

4. Review any notes from poems that you have.

5. Some people find it useful to study in groups - remember that if you choose to do this you should focus on being productive and discussing the poetry.

That should do it. Remember to bring a pencil, pen and paper to the test. My supplies are running low and I will not be able to lend things to anyone on the test day.

Next Class

For the next class I will be collecting your poetry projects AT THE END OF CLASS and we will be having our Poetry Slam. For the slam you can either present your own work or you can present something by someone else. I will be grading you on the following elements: your use of imagery, your style and rhythm and your clear speaking and eye contact. Practice!

Your poetry test will be on the 14th for A day and 15th for B day - you'll get a study guide next class.

Also...If I have not seen an outline for your poetry analysis, I need to see something by study hall on Monday. If you feel that you need help on your papers, come see me by Monday's study hall.

Homework

For homework you will need to write a description of the perfect poet. Your description should include at least five character traits and a brief explanation as to why that is an important trait for a poet. This will go IN YOUR JOURNAL and will be your tenth entry. I will check journals next class.

If you missed it...

Don't forget about the extra poem that we studied today - "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos Williams. You can access the poem here.a

Remember also the notes about the modernist movement, imagists and haiku.

Homework

For homework you will need to read "Women's Work" and "Daily" in your text book.  I'm not sure of the page number, but it's in the poetry section.  You will need to answer questions one and two on page 412.  Honors students will need to also answer questions three through five.  Standard students will need to answer question three and four (answer question four as a Venn Diagram NOT A PARAGRAPH).

Extra Credit - Read Carefully

Poetry Scavenger Hunt/Research

Answer the following questions in complete paragraphs (at least five sentences) except where noted. If it is not a question, complete the task as directed. Cite all sources for information in correct MLA format. Failure to properly cite sources will result in no credit.

1. What is a poet laureate?
2. Who is the current poet laureate of the United States? (Answer in just one sentence.)
3. Read one poem by the current poet laureate of our country. Write the name of the poem and attach a copy of the poem with your final product.
4. Based on the rubric that we used with in class with the Sweet Sixteen tournament, decide if the poem is good (gets a high score). Attach your scorecard for the poem with your final product.
5. Why did you give the poem this score? Be specific.

The first four questions will be worth one homework grade. The last question is worth a quiz/project grade.

Rubric:
• Question one is all or nothing – 15 points
• Question two is all or nothing – 15 points
• Task three is all or nothing – 30 points
• Task four is all or nothing – 10 points
• Question five will be graded like a test essay with partial credit awarded. However, since you have more time than you normally would on a test, I am going to be more stringent. Your grade will be determined on the following fields:
• The use of evidence in your writing – 10 points
• The clarity of your argument – 10 points
• Grammar and usage – 5 points
• The level of focus in your writing – 5 points

Due Dates
This is due on the 24th (B day) or 25th (A day). I will not be available over the weekend via e-mail or blog. I will not answer any questions. If you need resources, ask the Media Center staff.

A final note
If your grade is lowered because of the grade on this assignment, I will not count it against you. No wikipedia for research. Your website sources must end with .gov, .org, or .edu.

Get crackin’,

Miller

18/19 March - Homework

For tonight's homework you will beed to write a description of an object of your choice. Make your description at least 100 words. Use rich, descriptive language. This will go in your journals.

Weekend Homework

This weekend you will need to read Haki Madhabuti's "Back Again, Home" and answer the questions on the worksheet. Honors students will need to answer all seven questions and Standard students will just answer the first four. Remember to attempt every answer. We will begin discussion next class by discussing this poem.

Also, let's remember Aisha's quote of the day:

"It's not a tongue twister, it's a mind twister."

Have a great weekend!

Today I forgot the homework...

Your homework for tonight/your last class was to respond to the following questions in your journals.

Why do poets write odes?  If you were to write an ode, what would you write about?  Why?

This will be journal entry number four - you can expect a journal check before spring break.

I forgot Sydney's Quote!

I was just sitting here at my computer and I realized that I forgot Sydney's quote.

"Well, I guess it's pretty awkward in hell."

Looking at the image on the left, I would imagine so.  This is an image of Bartolomeo's idea of what Dante's hell looked like.  I'm going to stop talking about it because I feel like I'm ruining it.

But, if you would like to know more, here are a few really interesting links to Dante's Inferno.

http://web.eku.edu/flash/inferno/

http://books.google.com/books?id=46_t4AwG0boC&printsec=frontcover&dq=dante%27s+inferno

http://www3.iath.virginia.edu/dante/

http://web.eku.edu/flash/inferno/

Homework for the weekend

A Day students:

Your homework will go in your journal. You need to respond to the following quote.

"Beauty is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, but rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted."

Remember that when you respond to the quote you need to write for a solid fifteen minutes. Take the idea in the quote and tell me what you think of it. Use this quote as a jumping off point for your own ideas on beauty.


B Day students:

Your job is to write your own "Love Song." For Honors students I am expecting at least twenty lines of poetry. For Standard students I am expecting at least fifteen. There is no upper limit.

Homework

Due next class:

You will need to bring in a poem that was written by someone other than you. Read the poem and then write a brief summary. After you write the summary, write a brief paragraph in which you discuss the author's purpose (why did the author write the poem).

This will be due to the box!!!