Today we reviewed the first chapter of The Beach that we read in class on Friday. I also went over some unit essential questions, assessment information, and some examples and requirements for the two-column notes that you will be taking as you read the novel. Click here to see the guidelines and an example. Don't get behind on the note taking - I will be periodically checking them for progress. The rest of the period was spent independently reading pages 11-22.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Juniors - Monday, April 27, 2009
Today we reviewed the first chapter of The Beach that we read in class on Friday. I also went over some unit essential questions, assessment information, and some examples and requirements for the two-column notes that you will be taking as you read the novel. Click here to see the guidelines and an example. Don't get behind on the note taking - I will be periodically checking them for progress. The rest of the period was spent independently reading pages 11-22.
Freshmen - Monday, April 27, 2009
Today in class we held a Socratic Seminar as your assessment for Always Running. Using your notes from the last few weeks and the discussion questions that you prepared over the weekend, you participated in a whole class discussion about the book. I also gave you some supplemental discussion questions to help you if you got stuck. Download them here if you'd like to use them in your reflection or if you need them to do the alternative assessment. The alternative assessment is for those who a) did not participate in the discussion or b) had an excused absence today. If you were absent, please make a note on your paper before you turn it in. Friday, April 24, 2009
Juniors - Friday, April 24, 2009
Today we completed Round 2 of our group jigsaw from yesterday by discussing the essay "Why We Travel" as a group and filling out the remainder of your summary organizers. Afterwards, we had a brief discussion that covered the main points of the essay and discussed its relevance to themes and issues in The Beach. Next, we read the prologue and first chapter aloud in class and I showed you a brief video clip (from the film Full Metal Jacket) and some quotes from the Bible for some background information (these are referenced in the novel.) Please keep in mind that for now, the books need to remain in the room as a class set, so we will be doing most of our reading in class for the next week or so until we have enough copies for everyone. If you were absent, you will need to catch up on the reading during class next week and download a copy of the essay from Thursday's post (complete your organizer on your own.) Have a great weekend!!!
Freshmen - Friday, April 24, 2009
Today we watched the last installment of the "Gang Life" videos, part 3. Again, you took some notes that you can use in the Socratic Seminar, which will take place on Monday. Watch the video by clicking here. Afterwards, I handed out your Seminar packet which contains guidelines, sample comments, ideas for note taking during the seminar, expectations, you reflection assignment (which is due on Tuesday,) and a rubric for how you will be scored. Please read through the material carefully. Over the weekend, go through the book and bookmark specific passages, page numbers, and chapters that you would like to mention in your discussion. In addition, take some extra notes to prepare, and come to class with at least five discussion questions that you would like to pose to the class during the seminar. These will be your "entry ticket" and I will checking to see that you have them before you get started. To help you think of some specific discussion questions, consider the following elements of the novel to guide what you'd like to discuss with the group:
Author style (organization, voice, structure, flashback, etc.)
Author purpose
Language (dialogue, slang, Spanish phrases, etc.)
Use of metaphor
Use of imagery
Use of imagery
Use of symbolism, motifs, etc.
Specific events or passages
Use of repetition
Use of verb tense
Author's attitude
Characterization
Aspects of memoir vs. another format (such as fiction, autobiography, etc.)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Juniors - Thursday, April 23, 2009
Today, in order to get ready to start reading "The Beach," you completed some group work on the essay "Why We Travel" by Pico Iyer, followed by a discussion. The remainder of the period was spent reading aloud the introduction to the book and beginning the first chapter. Get ready for some in-class guided reading on Friday. If you were absent, please download the article and notes organizer, complete them, and turn in as soon as possible. Be sure to check out the annotation example and guidelines from Tuesday's post if you get stuck. "Why We Travel" by Pico Iyer
Jigsaw Notes Organizer
Freshmen - Thursday, April 23, 2009
Today you took a quick quiz covering Chapters 6-9 in the book. Afterwards, we spent some time discussing a few parts of the reading, going over your assessment (which we will go over in depth on Friday), and having some independent reading time. For homework, please read Chapter 10. Also, check out this video interview of Luis Rodriguez. He discusses his book, his background, and his community work. It's pretty interesting!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Juniors - Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Today we covered some anticipation material for our new novel, which we will begin reading on Friday. We did a little bit of creative writing around an interesting travel experience you've had, shared some of them, and I also showed you some photos from Thailand. Next, we will be looking at a great essay by Pico Iyer on Thursday, and to get you ready for some annotation requirements, I handed out an excerpt of the essay to practice with for homework. Annotation essentially means that you are picking apart a piece of text to figure out what it means. By Thursday, please read the excerpt and annotate it with at least one of each of the following symbols: * for something you like
! for something that catches your attention or that you think is interesting/weird
? for something that you have a question about or something that is confusing
(also, underline and make comments where you see appropriate)
Freshmen - Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Welcome back. I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. Today was spent working in groups in a jigsaw to discuss and take notes on Chapters 5-8 in Always Running to get ready for our Socratic Seminar (more on this later.) Homework: Please read Chapter 9 by Thursday. There will be a quiz on Thursday.
Monday, April 20, 2009
No School Today! Teacher Inservice. Enjoy your day off (and the beautiful weather!!) Please take a moment today to remember those who lost their lives and who were injured in the Columbine High School shooting. Today is the ten year anniversary. As you know, the Columbine tragedy profoundly affected how schools approach security issues, especially at public schools in Colorado. Ever wonder why you have to wear IDs or why we have to do so many lockdown emergency drills? Columbine is why, people. Check out this article from Boulder's Daily Camera about post-Columbine school security: http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/apr/19/10-years-post-columbine-a-new-02/
Friday, April 16, 2009
Freshmen - Today we had a lively class discussion on the reading from the last few days, along with some notes, which was followed by some in class reading time. By Tuesday, please get through Chapter 8.
Juniors - Today you turned in your college essays and completed a unit reflection and self assessment. We also read a review of our next novel, The Beach by Alex Gardner, which is my favorite book for this course (you're going to love it!) and also watched a brief video clip about backpacking in Thailand. Read the review by clicking here, and view the video clip by clicking here. The video is a spoken word poem, set to music, that explores some similar themes about travel that we will be dealing with in the coming weeks (pay attention to when he mentions that Thailand is his "Never Neverland" and when he asks about whether it was "just a moment or a month.") A traveler posted it to the Lonely Planet website, one of my favorite resources for all things travel. Check it out.
Enjoy the long weekend, folks!!
Juniors - Today you turned in your college essays and completed a unit reflection and self assessment. We also read a review of our next novel, The Beach by Alex Gardner, which is my favorite book for this course (you're going to love it!) and also watched a brief video clip about backpacking in Thailand. Read the review by clicking here, and view the video clip by clicking here. The video is a spoken word poem, set to music, that explores some similar themes about travel that we will be dealing with in the coming weeks (pay attention to when he mentions that Thailand is his "Never Neverland" and when he asks about whether it was "just a moment or a month.") A traveler posted it to the Lonely Planet website, one of my favorite resources for all things travel. Check it out.
Enjoy the long weekend, folks!!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Juniors - Wednesday/Thursday, April 15-16
Today we spent the entire class period working on your final drafts of the college essay. Many of you finished today and turned them in early, so thank you!! Remember, final drafts are due in class on Friday. Along with your final drafts, please turn in your rubric, rough draft, and peer feedback sheets. To download a copy of the rubric, please click here.
Freshmen - Wednesday/Thursay, April 15-16
We spent our block periods this week reviewing your vocabulary words that you began working on last week. I showed you a brief power point and you wrote down some new sentences containing our vocab words. Next, we watched Part 2 of the "Gang Life" video and took notes on specific similarities between Luis and the people from the video (these notes will be helpful for you when we start getting ready for the Socratic Seminar,) followed by a discussion on the reading from this week. By Friday, please read through Chapter 7. Watch the video by clicking here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Juniors - Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Today we had a writing workshop. I returned your rough drafts that you turned in on Friday (with my feedback,) and you spent the period in small groups evaluating your essays and completing peer feedback revision surveys. Remember, final drafts of the college essay are due on Friday, April 17th.
Freshmen - Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Today you spent a better part of the class period taking your first quiz on Chapters 1-5 in Always Running. The rest of the period was independent reading time. By block day, please read Chapter 6. If you were absent, you must see me no later than Thursday to make up the quiz.
Monday, April 13, 2009
I was unexpectedly absent today, so all classes completed some in-class work with a substitute. Freshmen - You had reading time to get through Chapter 5 in Always Running and also created three discussion questions on the reading that you might want to discuss in our Socratic Seminar. Juniors, you practiced with some writing exercises with some assigned prompts and then gave each other feedback in pairs. If you had an excused absence today, then you will be excused from the classwork. Otherwise, see me.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Ultimate Grammar Quiz
I had fun taking “The Ultimate Grammar Quiz” on Facebook last night. If you’re on Facebook, you can take it too … and earn extra credit for this class. And it’ll only take about five minutes of your time. I’ll give you five points for taking the quiz, and 10 points if you earn the title of “Grammar Master.” (With a title like that, how can you resist!)
Just send me a link to (or a screenshot of) your quiz results. Demonstrate your grammar prowess!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
This is awesome. Check this out.
There is a website that allows you to create your own South Park character. Sweet. This is mine. Feel free to post yours here! Juniors - Wed./Thurs., April 8-9, 2009
Block day this week was spent working in the computer lab. By Friday at the beginning of class, you need to have a complete first draft of your college essay. You will be turning it in for credit, so it is imperative that you use your class time well. Over the weekend, I will be reading your drafts and offering you detailed feedback for Monday and Tuesday, so no late drafts will be accepted.
Freshmen - Wed./Thurs., April 8-9
Block day this week was spent discussing Chapters 1 and 2 in some good ol' fashion reading groups. In small groups of three, you discussed key events, characters, and significant quotes about the book, and recorded some ideas in your notes. Afterwards, each group shared what they talked about, and we continued into a whole class discussion and also went over your reading questions from your homework before you turned them in. We also watched part one of a series of videos I will be showing you about gang life. In your notes, you recorded any similarities and differences you noticed between the experiences of the people in the video and Luis' early experience in gangs. To watch the video, click here. For homework, please read Chapter 3 by Friday.
Juniors - Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Today we picked up where we left off last week with our grammar activity. Using the information you collected from the library last week, you and your partner created posters that outline some specific grammar rules, common mistakes, and a variety of examples of good conventions in action (that is, being used correctly.) Hopefully, these posters will help you in your writing, especially during your editing and proofreading phase of your essays. Some of you came up with hilarious examples, by the way! =) If you were absent, please download the assignment from last week's post (Wed./Thurs.) and see me for details so that you can get caught up.
Freshmen - Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Today we spent the majority of the class period diving into our new book with some independent reading time. The chapters are a little longer than what we're used to, and since we are covering this book in a mere three and a half weeks, we need to move quickly. So, remember to bring your books to every class, as we will try to get some reading time in every day. Along with your guided reading questions, read Chapter 2 by block day, and be ready to participate in some small group and whole-class discussion on the reading. The reading questions from Chapters 1 and 2 will be due in class on block day.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Juniors - Monday, April 6, 2009
Today we spent the entire period in the computer lab, officially beginning drafts of the college essay. I handed back your planning sheets, and today we just focused on getting down some serious raw material for your essay (a "vomit draft" as I like to call it...gross I know, but you get the idea). Just write whatever comes to mind relating to you topic - personal stories, specific scenes, whatever. Don't worry about making it perfect. We'll clean it up during our revising and editing stages during and after our workshops. If you were absent, Turn in a copy of whatever you have to me when you return, along with any questions or concerns you may have so that I can address them with each of you individually during in-class work time this week.
Freshmen - Monday, April 6, 2009
Happy Monday! We only have seven (yep, that's seven) weeks of school left...isn't that crazy?? Today, after turning in your essays, we began our next unit, the fabulous memoir Always Running by Luis Rodriguez. We looked at an introductory power point, went over some expectations, and did a little bit of anticipatory journal writing. The rest of the class was spent having a bit of in-class reading time (unless you were in 3rd hour, since we ran out of time, oops). For homework, please read Chapter One and complete the guided reading questions as you go. Juniors - Friday, April 6, 2009
Today was spent in the computer lab, beginning to complete essay planning sheets, researching your choice school's essay prompts, and brainstorming sources of information. If you had time, you also started typing an outline or getting some raw material down on paper to work on during Monday's class. If you used your time wisely, you were able to complete and turn in the essay planner (which was due today) as well as get your essay started. If you were absent, please download the planning sheet, complete it (duh) and turn in to me as soon as possible. Freshmen - Friday, April 6, 2009
Happy Friday! Today I pulled a trick on you....mwuhahahahaha. No Quiz. Hehe. The quiz review we completed this week will count as a grade, and I decided that since you have an essay due on Monday, I'd rather you have class time to work on it and complete your essay planners in class so that I can help get you started. If you were absent, download an essay planner here and fill it out before you start your essay. This will hopefully help you to stay focused and organized! Otherwise, please email me over the weekend if you would like me to read your drafts and give you some feedback before you turn it in. Remember, your essays are due on Monday! Late essays will recieve half credit if turned in no later than Wednesday. Have a great weekend! Essay Planning Sheet
Essay Assignment Guidelines
Rubric
Juniors - Wednesday/Thursday, April 1-2
The first part of class today involved a lively discussionabout something that's been in the news recently - a Colorado bill that is being debated right now regarding giving illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates at Colorado universities. View the article here: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_12086530. We also completed a bit of freewriting and also discussed some more college essay examples. The rest of the period was spent in the library, working in pairs for an upcoming grammar activity. To help us improve in our conventions with writing and to prepare for the editing and proofreading stage of your essays, each group of two was assigned a particular category of grammar conventions. For each category, you researched several grammatical "rules" and recorded some information and examples. Later on in the week, you will be transferring this info onto big posters that we will add to gradually for the rest of the unit. Download assignment below. For Friday, we will be in the computer lab completing essay planning sheets and beginning drafts. Thursday, April 2, 2009
Freshmen - Wednesday/Thursday, April 1-2
Block days this week were spent going over your assessment for this unit, which is, drumroll please...an essay!! Yay!!! See information and rubric by clicking the links below. I will also provide you with a list of ALL the selections from Reading the World that we have covered to help you out, but this is where you summary charts come in... =) You also have a small quiz on Friday, so today, instead of me writing all of the quiz questions, you did. Also accomplished today: In small groups, you created a variety of possible quiz questions for our Middle East readings. I will borrow from your collective genius and the best questions you all come up with will make it on the quiz on Friday. Sweet. We ALSO spent some time reading a few selections from Africa in class...due to technical difficulties with the scanner this afternoon, I am unable to upload the story and poems onto this post. Soooo....we'll catch up with those later. =)
RTW Assessment Info
Essay Rubric
List of Selections covered in class
RTW Assessment Info
Essay Rubric
List of Selections covered in class
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Juniors - Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Today we did some freewriting in class, followed by a brief discussion of upcoming events for the week. We will be starting to draft our college essays this week, and you must complete an essay planner (which I will give you) in class on Friday before drafting. We also went over using quotes (quotes from famous people, writers, actors, musicians, quotes from novels or movies, etc.) as a way to inspire your writing or thematically frame your essay. We looked at some of these quotes online and in a book from the library, and then went over some examples of college essays that use quotes either in the body of the essay or as a way to introduce it. Here are some good websites that provide tons of notable quotations...check them out! You never know, you might get a great idea from finding one that speaks to you. Freshmen - Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Today was spent going over the reading from last night and sharing travel nightmare stories, which was fun. We discussed the use of imagery and description in storytelling and also went over issues presented in the stories such as social class relations, marriage customs, and cultural attitudes towards the poor. You also had a little bit of time to review for the quiz, which will take place on block day. Homework tonight: review your summary charts and the stories and poems from our Middle East literature section!
Juniors - Monday, March 30, 2009
Today we began our next unit, college essays, round 2. Over the next three weeks, we will be creating, revising, and editing drafts of your college application essays. When all is said and done, you will have a polished and well written draft to use next fall in your college applications. In class today, we went over an article about college essay writing and a power point of essay writing tips. We also looked at a few examples and did a brainstorm freewriting exercise. No homework tonight!
College Essay Writing Tips Power Point
Article - "Writing the Essay"
College Essay Writing Tips Power Point
Article - "Writing the Essay"
Monday, March 30, 2009
Freshmen - Monday, March 30, 2009
Welcome back!!! Today we discussed what will be going on in class for the next few weeks and spent some time reviewing the reading from the week before break. We also went over a quick power point about India with some pre-reading questions. The rest of the class period was spent doing some in class reading and working on a short narrative writing assignment, which is due in class on Tuesday. See assignment below. Whatever you did not finish in class today is homework...be ready to discuss these stories and your written piece in class tomorrow. **BEFORE READING: Characters in these stories experience both conflict and satisfaction from interacting with people who are unlike themselves. Why do you think such a theme might be common for a writer from this part of the world, and why might be less common for writers from Arabic-speaking Muslim worlds?
**AFTER READING: Like the family in “Five Hours to Simla,” most people have had the experience of looking forward to a vacation and then having it go horribly wrong. Yet, these are the journeys that give us our best stories. Write about a time when a vacation went wrong, making sure to capture all of the atmospheric details that contributed to your unease, discomfort, and utter lack of enjoyment. If you learned anything about yourself or you country, include that as well.
Yay for Spring Break!! March 23-28...No School!
Not that I have to remind you, but next week is Spring Break, so don't come to school! Have a great break, rest up, and stay safe.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Juniors - Wednesday/Thursday, March 18-19
Block days this week were spent working on your assessments (projects and essays.) If you used your time well, you were able to get quite a lot of work done. Some of you even finished your creative projects. Remember, Friday is the due date for essays and projects, and also test day. Those of you who are turning in an essay will be given something to do in class. Good luck, and remember to email me with any questions!! =)
English 9 - Wednesday/Thursday, March 18-19
Block days this week were spent creating some awesome theme comics from the stories we've been reading over the last eight weeks and created some large theme posters. Each person created a total of six comics, each one from a different reading selection, and posted them around the room. The comics were meant to be a sort of review and summary of all of the stories and poems we've been reading over these last few weeks, as well as a practice in identifying theme in literature. The rest of the period was spent discussing the last few selections from this week. No homework tonight, just make sure you are caught up with the reading! If you were absent, please download the theme comic assignment below and complete as soon as possible. Please see me if you have any questions. Examples
Check This Out
For all of you writing junkies, here is cool website that provides links and information to various ongoing writing contests for teens. This is a great way to get your writing out there and also an opportunity to win some cool prizes and/or cash!http://www.proofpositive.com/contests/writecontests.htm
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Juniors - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today, after going over some general announcements and assessment information (Friday is the day, people!), we spent some time doing some more journal writing in place of a warm up, followed by a brief discussion and some sharing. This particular prompt dealt with the process of death and coping with death, which garnered some lively discussion. Next, you were assigned a group and spent the rest of the class participating in a scored discussion that was centered around the last few chapters of the book. Reminder: Today is the last day to let me know if you'd like to change your assessment option. Starting tomorrow, you're stuck with it. Also, your summary log charts and warm ups will be due in class on block day. Don't forget!
Freshmen - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today after a brief discussion, the class split up in groups and participated in small group discussions about the last four stories we've read. We discussed themes, important quotes, similarities and differences between the stories, etc. This gave you an opportunity to get some new ideas from your partners and also to fill out your summary charts, which you can download by clicking here. Afterwards, we discussed the stories as a class and I collected your homework. For homework, please read the following selections by block day. Keep in mind that these stories deal with political and religious conflict in the Middle East - pay attention to how each author approaches the subject. Be ready to discuss on Wednesday/Thursday. (Please note: all three selections were uploaded in one large file, so just click and you will get the whole thing, in order.)"An Arab Shepherd is Searching for His Goat on Mount Zion" by Yehuda Amichai (Israel)
"The Swimming Contest" by Benjamin Tammuz (Israel)
"Song of Becoming" by Fadwa Tuqan (Palestine)
Juniors - Monday, March 16, 2009
Today we spent some time reviewing the five stages of grief and finishing the organizers that I assigned you two weeks ago. We discussed how many of the characters are exhbiting manifestations of the five stages in the novel, and where. After turning the organizers in, you also completed a book reflection and also did a little bit of journal writing, which was followed by a class discussion. Remember, Tuesday is the last day to change your mind regarding your assessment option! If you haven't yet signed up, please email me. Also, don't forget: your warm ups and your chapter summary logs are due on block day!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Freshmen - Monday, March 16, 2009
Today we reviewed the Middle Eastern stories from the last two weeks and also discussed characteristics of internal and external conflict in story. The rest of the period was spent catching up on reading and working on a short writing assignment that is due tomorrow (Tuesday.) For homework, please read "The Women's Baths" by Ulfat al-Idlibi and make sure you brush up on the previous three stories from this selection (all can be found by scrolling down to previous posts, people.) Once you've read all of these stories, consider this prompt and write a minumum one-page essay (shoot for at least six PEA paragraphs) that addresses the following: What do you learn about the role of women in the societies described by these authors? Discuss how the women characters cope with the different forms of conflict in these stories (internal v. external), and provide examples from each of the four stories to support your answer.
"The Women's Baths" by Ulfat al-Idlibi (I messed up scanning the file, so they are separated by pages...sorry!)
Page 1-2
Page 3-4
Page 5-6
Page 7-8
Page 9-10
Page 11-12
Friday, March 13, 2009
Modern Lit. - Friday, March 13, 2009
Hey, folks! Good to have you back!! Today you signed up for the option you have chosen for your assessment. The last day to change your mind is next Tuesday, so make sure you are comfortable in your decision! You can download another copy of the assignment sheet by scrolling down to Monday's post. The rest of the period was spent briefly discussing some key themes in the novel and viewing some video clips. While watching the clips, I asked you to respond to a few questions. Download them below. Keep your responses in your notebook, because you will be adding to them on Monday. Get ready for a busy week next week - we will be wrapping up the book and working on assessment stuff. Reminder - your WGL Chapter Summary Logs and Five Stages of Grief Organizer are both due Monday. Have a great weekend!! Freshmen - Friday, March 13, 2009
Happy Friday! CSAP is finally over!!! Woo hoo!!! It's been a long week for everyone, so what better to do than host a killer "Cultural Poetry Cafe," complete with hot cocoa and doughnuts. Today, we integrated our 2nd and 3rd periods and you all performed the poems you wrote this week. I must say that Ms. Cody and I were so impressed with you!! You all did a fantastic job. Yay! Have a great weekend - be sure to relax because we have a crazy busy week next week. No homework.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday - Thursday, March 10-12 - CSAP!!!
This week is CSAP week, so we will not be meeting in regular classes until Friday, March 13th. Freshmen: Good luck, hang in there, and bring a book to read when you finish each test session so you don't get bored out of your skull. Juniors: Enjoy your two days off and don't forget to come to your assigned day for ACT prep classes and registration! See you all Friday!!
Juniors - Monday, March 9, 2009
Today after completing and discussing our warm up, I handed out the assignment sheets for your unit assessment. We spent the majority of the period going over it, and afterwards you had some reading time. You have two options - you will need to decide by Friday which option you would like to complete for your assessment and indicate it on a sign up sheet that I will have for you in class. The assessment will be due on March 20th, so you have a little under two weeks to prepare. Please read the instructions and details carefully, and see me if you have any questions. See you Friday!! Comparative Analysis Essay Example
Song Analysis/Playlist example
Theme Poster example
Comic Strip example
Freshmen - Monday, March 9, 2009
Today was spent adding some more info to our poetry notes, briefly going over some of the stories you read from RTW, and working on your poems for Friday's Cultural Poetry Cafe. Remember, please email me if you are having trouble or if you have any questions. Download the Poetry Cafe assignment by clicking here. Good luck on CSAP this week, and I'll see you Friday!! Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Hi, folks...Today I was not in school (mwuhahahahaha) because I was attending the Colorado Language Arts Society Spring Conference in Denver. Picture hundreds of English/LA teachers, all hanging out in the same spot, talking about, well, you can take a guess. You know you're jealous! =) Anyway, all classes did some in-class work with the substitute. Freshmen - you caught up on some reading and completed a literary analysis paragraph organizer (click below to download.) Juniors - you also completed a short assignment (a "KWL" for key quotes from What Girls Learn) and took advantage of some in-class reading time. If you were absent, print out the assignment and get to me as soon as possible. See me if you have any questions. English 9 - "Behind the Veil" Paragraph Organizer
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Juniors - Wednesday/Thursday, March 4-5
Today we spent some time going over some ACT practice questions in place of our warm up. The ACT is coming up for you guys, so the more practice, the better! Especially since the English tests are tricky and difficult. After that, we briefly discussed some of the chapters we've read in WGL and focused on how the girls are beginning to learn more about sexuality and gender roles and expectations as they grow into teenagers. To follow up your Reflection and Response #2 Assignment/project, which dealt with media portrayal and cultural expectations of teen girls, we read a TIME magazine article that offered a different perspective on teenage males, followed by some reading questions and a discussion. For homework, please turn in the questions that you started in class by Friday. Also, don't forget to read to page 260 by Friday! For Monday, read to page 281. Freshmen - Wednesday/Thursday, March 4-5
Block days this week were spent going over more poetry stuff in our power point (see below) and getting a jump on our reading selections from the Middle East. The three readings we read and went over today all touch on a common theme - the treatment of women in Middle Eastern society. How do each of these stories approach this subject? We also viewed a brief power point regarding the use of veils in this region. For homework, complete the reading questions for "From Behind the Veil" and make sure you've read all three of these stories - we will discuss them in class and watch a short video next time I see ya. Reading questions are due Friday at the beginning of class. "Another Evening at the Club" by Alifa Rifaat (link available by scrolling down to Tuesday's post)
"My Father Writes to my Mother" by Assia Djebar
"From Behind the Veil" by Dhu'l Nun Ayyoub
"From Behind the Veil" background Power Point
Juniors - Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Today we spent the period taking a quiz that covers through page 223 in WGL. If you were absent today, you need to make up the quiz no later than this Thursday!
Freshmen - Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, 3/2 - I forgot to post! Yikes! Anyway, this Monday was spent taking a quiz on the Europe section of Reading the World. If you were absent, please see me this week to schedule a time to make up the quiz. Today was a smushy day - we smushed two different things into one class period. One, we looked at a poetry power point and took some notes on an organizer. We will be reading and writing a lot of poetry these next few weeks, so this power point covered poetry terms and poetic forms - make sure you review this if you were absent! Two, we discussed the introductory article about Middle East literature from Reading the World in class. For homework, please read "Another Evening at the Club" on page 356.
Juniors - Monday, March 2, 2009
Today we discussed the five stages of grief, as described by psychologist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. As you begin to finish up this book, I want you to think about why the book is split into five distinct parts, and if there might be a connection to the five stages of grief. To help get you thinking about these possible connections, you will be completing an organizer where you will be required to collect evidence from the book where you see examples of behavior that could be categorized into a stage of grief. We worked on it in class today, but will be due when we finish the novel. View the power point and download the assignment by clicking the link below. The rest of the period was spent discussing some chapters as a class and doing some independent reading. Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Juniors - Friday, February 27, 2009
Happy Friday!!! Today was spent doing a group jigsaw to review the last few chapters that you've read in What Girls Learn. In small groups of four, each member was assigned a chapter that you read this week. Each member had some time to become an expert on their assigned chapter (summarizing key events, themes, important quotes, characters involved, etc.) and then teach their group members about their chapter. This is a great, quick way, to review a lot of reading in one class period and brush up for your quiz on Tuesday. For homework, please read to page 206.
Jigsaw Instructions
Jigsaw Instructions
Friday, February 27, 2009
Freshmen - Friday, February 27, 2009
HAPPY FRIDAY!! I love Fridays, especially when that means a weekend in Vail for Ms. Alvarez... =) Anyway, today was basically spent going over and discussing "Forbidden Fruit," which we didn't get a chance to discuss on block day. We also spent a good chunk of time reviewing for the quiz, which will be on Monday. I've posted a smorgasbord of power points from the last few weeks that will help you review for the quiz. Please email me over the weekend (by weekend I mean Sunday, since I will be too busy shredding the slopes on Saturday...teehee) if you have any questions or concerns, and I will be happy to help. Have a great weekend!! Vocab List
Juniors - Wednesday/Thursday, Feb.25-26, 2009
After our warm up today, which took a little bit longer than normal because you had to rewrite a passage, we focused on characterization in What Girls Learn. Using your character organizers from last week, you worked with a partner to collect as much information as possible about the main characters by going through the book and gathering text and examples. Once you finished those up, the class was split into groups four and assigned one of the four main characters (Tilden, Elizabeth, Frances, and Nick). Each group had to create a "Body Biography" of their character using large sheets of butcher paper and by lending their artistic talents to draw symbols, words, and quotes from the book that exemplified the physical characteristics, personality traits, and motivations of thier character. This was pretty fun and all of you came up with some great stuff! If you were absent, please download the character organizer, complete, and turn in to me as soon as possible. For homework, please read to page 182. Characterization Organizer
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Freshmen - Wednesday/Thursday, Feb. 25-26
Block days this week were spent participating in a poetry jigsaw/boggle extravaganza. First, we looked at a power point that explored basic poetic forms and structure. We will be reviewing this again next week, when we dive into literature from the Middle East. To finish up the poetry selections from our Europe section of Reading the World, the class was split into small groups to jigsaw four poems. These were particulary challenging poems, all dealing with theme of death in one way or another. View the list below. In your groups, each of you became an expert on your assigned poem. Next, you taught your group about the poem, and as a group, discussed themes, possible interpretations, questions you had, etc. Everyone should have taken some brief notes to help you review. Remember to read "Forbidden Fruit" if you didn't already! Poetry Selection from today (all are in the Europe section of RTW):
"Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night" by Dylan Thomas
"Not Waving but Drowning" by Stevie Smith
Excerpt from "Ten Songs" by W.H.Auden
"And Yet the Books" by Czeslaw Mislosz
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Juniors - Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Today after our warm up, we briefly discussed the reflection and response assignment that was due today. Before handing it in, we completed an in-class activity that required you to have an "index card conversation" with a small group. To view the activity, please click here. Basically, this was a way for you to get together with some other students and discuss your findings, as well as your reactions to the article, and record your comments on an index card. This was a graded assignment, but if you have an excused absence for today you will be excused from this activity. Those of you with unexcused absences will not be able to make up these points. For homework, please read to page 169 in the novel. We will be reviewing and going over the last few chapters in class on block day. Please note: I truly appreciate those of you who worked hard on this assignment, turned it in on time, and put forth a considerable amount of effort. Based on what I have seen so far from those of you who turned it in, I am impressed. I greatly appreciate your continual hard work and diligence in my class, and you know who you are! Thank you for being a great addition to our class!! =)
For those of you who chose not to turn in this assignment today, I will not be accepting these late as you had a week to do it and I warned you ahead of time. I am continually frustrated with the lack of effort and participation from you (and you know who you are) as well as the frequent lateness or lack of completion of class assignments. This hurts your grade big time, most importantly, and it also negatively affects your classmates (especially if I have to arrange plans or activities to account for most of you not doing the work, like today during 8th hour). There is a reason why I pour a lot of work, time, and effort into our class website - for you. The website and the unit calendars are there for you as a resource and to help you stay on top of what is going on in our class, and despite this, I still get a bunch of excuses, late work, incomplete activities or assignments, and a lot of slacking. Unfortunately for many of you, this missing assignment is going to result in a big dent in your grade.
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