Modern Literature - Monday, November 24, 2008

Today, after a few minutes of review and reading time, you took the first quiz on The Things They Carried. If you were absent, please see me as soon as possible to make an appointment to take this quiz. Over Thanksgiving break, please read the story/chapter "How to Tell a True War Story" and answer the Guided Reading questions as you go (as well as the vocab), all of which will be posted on Tuesday. We will be doing an activity with this story as soon as we return to school, and everyone's participation is essential. Have a wonderful break!!! =)

Also, check out this photo essay from TIME Magazine - it is a profile of soldiers in Iraq and the good luck charms that they carry. The article mentions and quotes the book we've been reading, too. What do many of these good luck charms have in common? Why do people carry good luck charms, sentimental objects, and/or talismans? Which ones offer some form or "protection," and which ones offer some sort of "escape"?

Freshmen - Monday and Tuesday, November 24 and 25, 2008

These last two days before we head off for Thanksgiving break are being spent practicing for We The People!! We will not be doing any work with The House on Mango Street for these days, seeing as how your competition is being held right after we return to school and you have a lot to get done! We will be working on perfecting your opening statements and follow up questions, finalizing your research, and practicing good public speaking in preparation for your teams to face the judges. Have a great break, and be ready to fully dive back in to The House on Mango Street when we return.

Juniors - Friday, November 21, 2008

I was unexpectedly absent today, however, you all attended presentations put on by our counselors today regarding graduation requirements, credit recovery, etc. Your homework for over the weekend was given to you by the substitute - Please read through page 66 in The Things They Carried, and also read the supplementary article called "When Boys Will be Jarheads." This is an article about the memoir Jarhead by Anthony Swofford and the movie on which it is based, and it makes some interesting connections to to what we've been reading and discussing. As you read this article, pay attention to any common themes you notice between the Marines' experience in the Gulf War (and Swofford's memoir) and the experiences of Tim O'Brien and his fellow soldiers in The Things They Carried. What is similar? What is different? What does it say about the nature of war and how it influences or enforces our ideas about masculinity? Download a copy below.

When Boys Will Be Jarheads

English 9 - Friday, November 21, 2008

Today I had to miss school unexpectedly, but you all had a very productive day according to the substitute and Ms. Cody. You spent the entire class period with the laptops, working on and revising your opening statements for We The People. On Monday and Tuesday, we will be integrating and spending both days practicing and practicing and revising and practicing for WTP. That being said, there is no homework for The House on Mango Street for now - just stay focused on the upcoming competition and remember what we talked about in class regarding qualities of good public speaking (maintaining eye contact, no monotone voices, no slouching, no "likes" or "ums"!) and backing up your follow up answers with as much evidence as possible!!

Juniors - Wednesday and Thursday, November 19 and 20, 2008

Block days this week were spent doing some grammar and vocabulary work. Instead of a warm up, the class got into pairs and read a de-punctuated version of a passage from the book. Working together, you corrected the passage by inserting the correct punctuation. We also had a brief discussion about how punctuation can affect meaning, and located a few sentences in the text that had multiple correct punctuation options. Then, I gave you the correct version of the passage, and you tallied your correct and incorrect answers. Following this activity, we also did a little work with the vocabulary words from the last Guided Reading assingment (you were also allowed to work in pairs for this). The sheets I gave you had several little graphic organizers called Word Castles (corny name I know, and they don't even look like castles!). You filled out each organizer with your vocab words and came up with synonyms, antonyms, pictures, connections, and sentences for your words. Once you complete them, I will score them and then we will be using these for future activities in the coming weeks. The rest of the period was spent viewing some brief footage from from a news piece on the Vietnam War. What connections can you make between the experiences of the characters in the book and the soldiers being interviewed on the film? What common themes do you see? What can you gather about gender roles and war when watching the interview with the nurse? And lastly, how does the news expose portray the war? Is it trying to garner positive support from the public, or is it trying to be comprehensive in its portrayal of the positives and negatives? By Friday, you need to have read through page 66 in the book (there will be a quiz next week, so get caught up!). Over the weekend, you will need to have read the article "When Boys Will be Jarheads" and be ready to discuss it. For a head start, download the article below.

"When Boys Will Be Jarheads"

English 9 - Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19 and 20, 2008

For block days this week, our warm up was a little different. I asked you to choose your favorite or most important line from each vignette you read for homework (lines from "Gil's Furniture Bought and Sold," "Meme Ortiz,", "Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin," "Marin," "Those Who Don't, and "There Was an Old Woman..."). We then shared these lines aloud and discussed their significance. Then, you got into groups of three and began an exercise that practiced writing paragraphs of literary analysis. You all worked together to create persuasive paragraphs that back up a claim about one of the the stories we've read so far. After filling out the graphic organizer, you created a cohesive, well-written paragraph that analyzes the story and turned them in. Make sure you each have a copy of these paragraphs in your notebook. We will be returning to this exercise again, and when it comes time to write your literary critiques, you will have some ready-made paragraphs to refer to. View the assignment by clicking the link below. The rest of the time in class was spent discussing some of the key elements of Sandra Cisneros' style and Esperanza's voice. What are some of the patterns you notice? What literary devices does she use? How does Cisneros capture the essence of a young girl? After we listed some of these characteristics on the board, we wrote our own vignettes (imitating Cisneros' style) to add to our name collages, which we will finish working on next week. For homework, please finish your vignette (and type it) if you didn't complete it in class, and turn in on Monday. Also, please read pages 31-45 by Friday (there might be a quiz). As you read, pay attention to the subtle statements Esperanza makes about racism, racial discrimination, and gender. Pick out some quotes that might convey these ideas. What do these things say about the world she lives in, and how does it affect her sense of self?

Delve-In Response Graphic Organizer for Literary Analysis

Juniors - Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Today, after our warm up (which asked you to analyze a passage from the story "Spin,") we finished up going over our discussion questions from yesterday. I also showed you a short, 15-minute film called "Inja" that deals with what we talked about yesterday - the idea that cruelty can perpetuate itself and that it can come back to us. This film takes place in South Africa, but makes several connections to the short story "Spin" and the notion of relativity that we dealt with in our warm up. To view this film, click here. The last fifteen minutes of class were spent doing some guided in-class reading. For homework, please read the story "On the Rainy River" (pages 39-60) by block day and complete the guided reading questions, available for download below.

Guided Reading 2 11.18

Freshmen - Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Today after our warm up, we discussed the guiding reading questions from Monday and turned them in. We also went over some important quotes that we've seen so far and used them to address some of our essential questions for this unit. We also discussed Esperanza's effectiveness as a narrator, and what the style and structure of these stories reveals about Esperanza's character. You also had a short amount of time for in-class reading. For homework, please read to page 30 by block day.

Modern Literature - Monday, November 17, 2008

Today, our warm up dealt with the following questions: does cruelty beget (cause) more cruelty? In other words, does immoral behavior breed more immoral behavior? Does it come back to us? Also, does war make cruelty "okay" or acceptable in most cases? Why or why not? After responding to these questions in writing, some of you shared your responses and we discussed them as a group. Keep these questions in mind as you read, as we will be returning to them later. Next, we discussed some questions for the reading assignments from the weekend, as well as an article from today's paper, which are available for download below. We will continue with these on Tuesday in a group activity, but these discussion questions are helpful to keep in mind as you read, and might appear in the future on a quiz...No reading assignment tonight - just make sure you are caught up and have read the first three stories in the book ("The Things They Carried," "Love," and "Spin").

Discussion Questions 1

Discussion Questions for "Love" and "Spin"

Article from the Boulder Daily Camera about missing Marine Lance Hering (we discussed this when talking about the passage on pages 19 and 21)

English 9 - Monday, November 17, 2008

Today, after a quick warm up, I went over the requirements for the dialectical journal assignment (if you were absent, see me ASAP for instructions and an example). You may create this journal (in two column note format) on plain notebook paper, or you can download a template below and use that. We also had a quick discussion about the book, followed by some in-class reading time. For homework, please read pages 3-18 (the first seven vignettes) and complete the Guided Reading questions below to hand in on Tuesday.

Dialectical Journal template

Guided Reading Questions 11.17

Juniors - Friday, November 14, 2008

Today, we briefly discussed the first story in The Things They Carried - the conflict between being human and being a soldier, the tangible versus intangible "weight" that each character carried with them, and what was revealed about each character through descriptions of what they carry. What might this first story reveal about O'Brien's experience and thoughts on the war? We'll talk more about this story on Monday. We also viewed a Power Point - a brief overview of the Vietnam War and how the United States originally became involved - and took some notes. If you were absent, please fill out the Vietnam Overview Notes sheet and turn in to me. Also, please hand in the Guided Reading 1 assignment and the creative writing we did in class.

For homework, please read the stories "Love" and "Spin" (pages 27-38) and be ready to discuss on Monday. Have a great weekend!

Vietnam Overview Notes Organizer (complete and turn in after viewing the power point)

Power Point (scroll past all of the intro stuff until you get to the slide titled "A Brief Overview of the Vietnam War"

Freshmen - Friday, November 14, 2008

Happy Friday! Today we officially started our new unit by going over an introductory Power Point. I handed out your books and we also did a fun pre-reading activity...Period 2 did a bit of creative writing, and Period 3 began working on some name collages after we read a vignette from the book called "My Name." No homework this weekend, but be ready to dive in full speed next week!

The House on Mango Street Intro Power Point

Modern Lit. - Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 12 -13

Block days this week were spent getting familiar with our next unit, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, a book of related short stories about the Vietnam War. I went over Part 1 of the introduction power point (view by clicking the link below). We will carry on with the second part of this power point on Friday or Monday, which is an overview of the Vietnam War. We also completed a creative writing activity in class today, followed by some reading time. If you were absent, please click on the assignment below and turn in to me as soon as possible. Also, if you would like to download a template for the dialectical journal, you may do so below.

For homework, please read the first story (titled "The Things They Carried"), pages 1-26, by Friday and complete the Guided Reading 1. Be sure to read the instructions!

The Things They Carried Intro Power Point
Creative Writing Pre-Reading Assignment
Guided Reading 1
Dialectical Journal Template

English 9 - Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 12 and 13

Block day this week was spent finishing up the film Freedom Writers. If you liked the movie, I urge you to read the book on which the movie is based, The Freedom Writer's Diary. It is a collection of the actual journal entries written by Ms. Gruwell and her students, and it's great! We also began our next unit - The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. View the Intro Power Point by clicking here. No homework tonight, you will get assigned a book and will start reading it on Friday.

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

Juniors - Monday, November 10, 2008

Happy Monday! It's a happy Monday because we don't have school tomorrow. In honor of Veteran's Day, please just take a few minutes out of your day tomorrow to appreciate those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Today you turned in your final drafts of your editorials and I can't wait to read them! We also continued watching Fahrenheit 9/11. I asked you to watch out for Michael Moore's use of testimony to support his argument - why does he choose to interview the people he does? What is it about these testimonies support his argument? Are there any inconsistencies or weak parts of the argument as a result of this use of testimony? Pay close attention to this film, as we will be talking about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the Vietnam War, in our next unit. Enjoy your day off tomorrow! =)

Freshmen - Monday, November 10, 2008

Today is a Monday, but it's almost like a Friday since we don't have school tomorrow! Today you worked in your "We the People" groups for Government and held a writer's workshop on your rough drafts. Instead of working on them in your own groups, you traded with another group and offered feedback on thier drafts. Remember, these opening statements are a very important piece of the We the People competition, and they need to be good! Don't forget: These are due to Ms. Cody on Wednesday!

In honor of Veteran's Day, while you are enjoying your day off tomorrow, please take a brief moment to pay homage to those who have fought (and are fighting) for our country!

Juniors - Friday, November 7

Today I met with several of you individually to go over your rough drafts and help you with any issues you're having with your writing. In the meantime, we continued with Fahrenheit 9/11. Remember, your final drafts are due Monday!! If you have any questions, concerns, or would like some last minute feedback on your drafts, please email me at megan.l.alvarez@adams12.org over the weekend, and I will be happy to help you. If you are going to post to turnitin.com over the weekend and need instructions (and in case you lost the sheet I gave you in class on Thursday) you can download one. Scroll down to Thursday's post and you will find the link there. Have a super duper weekend and don't get arrested! =)

Freshmen - Friday, November 7

Today you all turned in your writing portfolios, which I am so excited to read!!! You all worked very hard and I'm proud of you! Some of you chose to share some of your writing with the class today, which was great, and then we finished out the week by starting the film Freedom Writers. This a great movie (the book is still way better...) that just proves just how important the power of the written word can be. Writing is powerful and can not only help you deal with issues in your life or provide a creative outlet, but the practice of writing also has the power to affect change in the world. The true story described in the film is a testament to that. Have a great weekend and be ready to start a new unit next week. REMEMBER, BRING IN A COPY OF YOUR ROUGH DRAFT OPENING STATEMENTS "WE THE PEOPLE" - WE WILL BE WORKING ON THEM IN CLASS ON MONDAY!!!

Modern Lit. - Thursday, November 6, 2008

Today we spent most of the period talking about election stuff, wrapping up our unit, discussing plans for next week, and conferencing with a few of you about your rough drafts. We also went over the instructions for Turnitin.com, the website that you will be uploading your drafts to by next Wednesday. Your final drafts of you editorials are due on Monday, but before I release your grade you MUST upload your assignment to this website. Click on the link below for detailed instructions. We also spent some time continuing with the film Fahrenheit 9/11 and thinking about Moore's use of persuasive strategy.

Turnitin.com Instructions

English 9 - Thursday, Nov.6, 2008

Today we wrapped up our creative writing unit by completing a Self Assessment and Unit Reflection. The rest of the time was spent decorating covers for your portfolios and having some last minute, in class work time. If you were absent, please complete the two assignments below and hand them in to me as soon as possible, as they are worth points.

Self Assessment

Unit Reflection

Juniors - Tuesday, November 4, 2008

ELECTION DAY! Woo hoo! This a very exciting day (and a relief since we won't have to suffer through the campaign commercials anymore...) Today, we spent the day in the computer lab for your last work day before your editorials are due. During that time, you need to complete a sentence audit (download below) on your drafts. I also handed out a list of helpful transition terms, an editing and revising checklist, and also a list of good descriptive words that some of you requested. Download below. Please bring your drafts to class for the rest of the week - we will be working on them in class on Thursday and Friday.

Please note: Due to PLAN/EXPLORE testing, you don't have school on Wednesday.

Sentence Audit

Editing and Revising Checklist

Transitional Phrases list

Freshmen - Tuesday, November 4, 2008

ELECTION DAY!!! FINALLY! This is a historic, exciting election and I hope you all pay attention as it unfolds. Today, we spent the period in the computer lab. This was your last in-class day to work on your drafts and conference with me - I will be coming around and talking to each of you one on one about your writing and helping you with any last minute questions. Your portfolios are due on Friday and I can't wait to read them!!
Your portfolio should include:
3 polished, final drafts of your writing that reflect three different genres
3 Writer's Memos (for an example, click here)
3 Rough drafts that reflect revision and editing
Peer Response sheets from the Writer's Workshop



Please note: Wednesday, November 5 is PLAN/EXPLORE testing, so you will not be attending your normal classes. We will meet again on Thursday.

Juniors - Monday, November 3, 2008

Today I had to attend a training session here at MRHS, so we had a substitute come in who was nice enough to put on a video for you. I originally had something else planned for all of you today, but I chose to show you the 2007 documentary "Darfur Now" instead. The reason I chose to do this was due to the realization from our class activity last week that many of you were unaware of the crisis happening in Darfur. This is too important as issue for me to pass up an opportunity to give you some more information about Sudan, the genocide that is still happening, and the plight of the refugees who have been displaced from their homes. While watching the video I asked you to complete a "3-2-1": Write down 3 things you learned, 2 aspects of the documentary that stuck in your mind, and 1 question that you had. This was turned in at the end of class for a participation grade. If you were absent, please complete this same assignment by visiting the websites below, reading the info that they provide, and watching the videos that are contained on the websites. I am posting these for everyone, however, in case you would like more information or some resources to help get you involved. PLEASE NOTE: YOUR ROUGH DRAFTS OF YOUR EDITORIALS ARE DUE TODAY, NO LATER. THESE DRAFTS ARE GRADED. THOSE WITH UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RECIEVE A ZERO ON THIS ASSIGNMENT. IF YOU HAVE AN EXCUSED ABSENCE, YOU MUST TURN IT IN THE DAY YOU RETURN. FINAL DRAFT IS DUE MONDAY, 11/10.

SaveDarfur.org

CNN.com - News and Video about Darfur

24HoursforDarfur.org

Freshmen - Monday, November 3, 2008

Today I had to attend a training in the building all day, so Periods 2 and 3 had a substitute come and help out while you finished up your workshops. From what I heard, you all did a great job and were able to finish up! Hopefully, this was a helpful experience for you and I hope that you gained some valuable feedback from your peers. I asked that you turn in one or two of your three total drafts that you need the most help on. I will take the drafts home Monday night, read them, record my feedback in a conference record, and meet with you Tuesday and Thursday individually to address your needs. Tuesday, we will meet in the computer lab so you can start weeding through your drafts, looking over the feedback you recieved, and begin working on your final drafts. Here is a brief outline of the upcoming week:

TUESDAY - Teacher conference and lab time

WEDNESDAY - No classes; PLAN and EXPLORE testing

THURSDAY - No block schedule: follow your 1-8 schedule today. Continue conference time, complete self assessment and unit reflection.

FRIDAY - PORTFOLIOS DUE! YIPEEE! Your portfolios must consist of the following: Three polished, final drafts, each of different genre, three writer's memos (see your rubric for more info. For an example, view one of mine by clicking here), three rough drafts that show revision and editing. Also, please attach a nice cover page with your name, period, date, and anything else you want to add. I love pretty portfolio covers!