January 31

Sophomores: We finished our study of the four stages of the hero. If you missed, get the notes. For Friday, bring A Christmas Carol and any art supplies you might want to use on the graphic organizer.

Freshmen: We studied our review of rhetorical devices. The chapter on apostrophes from ESL is due Monday. Three facts to support your argument for Friday.

January 29

Sophomores: We continued our study of the four stages of the hero. The plan is to start A Christmas Carol at the end of the week.

Freshmen: We are wrapping up our study of various rhetorical devices by studying how Morgan Spurlock uses them in Supersize Me. ESL Preface and Introduction are due Thursday; three sources for your argument are due Friday.

Basketball: We beat Highland last night, our ninth win in a row.

January 28

Sophomores: We began our study of the four stages of the hero. This will continue Tuesday and Wednesday. We will begin A Christmas Carol on Thursday.

Freshmen: We began Eats, Shoots & Leaves. The Preface and Introduction - The Seventh Sense are due Thursday. You may use your 20 minutes of reading homework for this. Bring your novel to class for in-class reading time. You are also to collect 3 facts that support your argument in the essay you are writing.

January 24 and 25

Sophomores: We watched an interview titled The Hero With a Thousand Faces. For Monday, you should use your notes to write a synthesis of the information: essentially summarize the content of the interview, hitting on the key points. Your synthesis should be about a page, about 250 words. It should be typed, free of errors, have a minimum of 3 paragraphs, and have a compelling title.

Freshmen: We continued our focus on argument, and also had a presentation on the Ulster Project. Bring Eats Shoots & Leaves on Monday.

Basketball: We have won 8 in a row. Good job, boys.

January 22

Sophomores: We introduced the class and our goals and focus, and then proceeded to focus on the traits of literary heroes, their relationships with their parents, and our own definition of what a hero is. We then analyzed the Harry Chapin song "Cats in the Cradle." The homework is to get a 3 ring binder, sign and return the disclosure, and bring in your typed synthesis of the essay we did in class, according the format I established.

Freshmen: We reviewed the final exam and began a focus on the genre of argument. We read the essay on Short Takes by Harjo and answered questions on organization and ideas as well as technique and style. Students should be deciding on an essay topic that is conducive to argument. For homework, bring Eats Shoots & Leaves for next Monday. You must also write 1 sentence for each of the misused homonyms the class struggled with on the final and there will be a quiz on the types of leads and conclusions we studied last semester.

January 11

Sophomores: We finished our presentations. Bring the Tao Monday for our final wrap up.

Freshmen: We finished our questions on cause and effect. We will write a practice essay Monday in preparation for finals.

Basketball: We beat Highland, our 6th win in a row. We are at Judge the next two dåys.

January 10

Sophomores: Same as yesterday.

Freshmen: We read Black Men and Public Space and answered questions 1-5, as well as reading a poem by Nemerov.

Basketball: Tonight at Highland, 4:30 pm.

January 8 and 9

**Too busy to post for January 7th... sorry.

Sophomores: We have been presenting your end of the semester projects, which have been unbelievable. Your thinking and writing have been amazing. Be ready for the semester exam, and see me if you have any questions.

Freshmen: We began an examination of the technique of cause and effect. Read the Useful Terms in Chapter 8 and the essay "Tiffany Stephenson." Then answer organization and ideas questions 2-5 and technique and style 1, 2, and 5. 20 minutes of reading is your homework.

Basketball: We have won 5 in a row, holding teams to an average of 31 points in that stretch. We play at 4:30 on Thursday at Highland. The bus leaves at 3:15.