February 26 and 27

Sophomores: We did a close reading of the father essays due today and used the JM rubric to assess it, providing proof from both the essay and the rubric to support the assessment. We also then started a study of standard archetypes in literature and began some research of it. The Kite Runner is due Friday; Have The Poisonwood Bible for next week.

Freshmen: We learned how to use repetition effectively in our poetry, how to visualize when reading, and had a discussion on Speak. The first two "marking periods" are due on Friday.

February 25

Sophomores: We finished our video about Masood and Afghanistan. Your essay is due next block period; The Kite Runner is due Friday.

Freshmen: We focused on cutting in our poetry so that our poems are what the poet William Coles calls "Elegant Shorthand." You are to cut the two poems you revised for format and bring in both your marked up copy and your clean final draft next period. Finish the first two "marking periods" from Speak for Friday.

February 22

Sophomores: We began a study of Afghanistan. Essay is due next block period; finish book for next Friday.

Freshmen: We studied how to format poems. Revise/reformat your current batch of poems to adhere to standard form. These are due Monday. The first two sections of Speak are due for next Friday.

February 21

Sophomores: We began an essay about our fathers using the notes we took yesterday in class. This is the synthesis phase: putting things together to make new meaning. Some questions we considered were - who is my father? who am I? what's our relationship like? how has it shaped me? The essay should be 1000 words. Consider what kind of lead you will use - anecdote (a short story that speaks to the essence of your topic), announcement (a strong thesis), or something else? Likewise, how will you end - one of the above suggestions, or perhaps an echo/circular ending? What will you include, what will you leave out?

Finish The Kite Runner for next Friday.

Freshmen: We began Speak today. Finish the first two marking periods for next Friday. A revised ending to your previous poem is due Friday.

February 19 and 20

Sophomores: We held our poetry out loud competition and began a list of "I remember my father..." memories, using literature this time not as a lens, but as a mirror. Your list of 15 is due Thursday; Chapter 16 is due for Friday.

Freshmen: We held our poetry out loud competition and focused on how to write a conclusion for a free verse poem. You are to revise your most recent poem - the one that focused on the lead - revising the conclusion based on our class notes. Your marked up copy and revised poem is due on Thursday. We will begin Speak that day.

Freshmen: Congratulations to the freshman boys’ basketball team who capped an incredible season last night with a win in the 27th annual freshman basketball tournament championship game. The Bulldogs finished with a 17-4 record, and ended the year winning 14 of their final 15 games. In the tournament, the freshmen defeated Juan Diego in the quarterfinals by a score 49-41, and followed that up with a 42-38 overtime win over Mountain Crest in the semifinals, before defeating Sky View last night in the championship game by a score of 33-31. This team set all kinds of records for defensive prowess, and only allowed 40 points or more 4 times. Great job Bulldogs!

February 14

Sophomores: We wrote a short essay from Amir's point of view that analyzed the impact Baba had on him, how he shaped Amir - making sure to cite from the text to support your thesis. Chapter 7 is due Friday; Chapter 8 by the next block period.

Freshmen: We took a quiz on the Dash chapter from ESL. The next chapter is due tomorrow. We learned about participles and revised your poem for them - you must hand in your revision tomorrow.

ALL: Poetry out loud and freshmen basketball - two good ways to help your grade.

February 12 and 13

Sophomores: We explored the motif of the father quest, the literary technique of flashback, and the central role memory plays in The Kite Runner. We did a close reading to see where the narrator uses flashback, as well as listed specific memories Amir had of Baba.

Freshmen: We read The Blue Mound People by Barry Lopez and focused on the strategy of question-asking as readers. We then began our study of free verse. If you were out, get the notes. A poem is due on Thursday.

ALL: Poetry out loud recitals begin next block period and you can attend the JM-MC freshman basketball game for extra credit on Friday at 3:30 and write a short sports article.

February 11

Sophomores: We began The Kite Runner. Finish Chapter 3 for next period. Poetry out loud worksheet is due on Tuesday/Wednesday, and your 5 Facts are due for Friday as well.

Freshmen: Cutting a Dash is due Thursday from ES&L; we annotated your argument essays. Poetry out loud worksheet is due on Tuesday/Wednesday.

ALL: You can come to the Judge-Juan Diego freshman basketball game

February 8

Sophomores: We shared your graphic novels today, and took a quiz on A Christmas Carol. We also began something called a Five Facts research assignment on issues prevalent in The Kite Runner - it is due Friday. Bring The Kite Runner on Monday.

Freshmen: We peer-reviewed your argument essays. Use this to help you revise to a typed, final copy. It is due Monday.

February 7

Sophomores: We finished A Christmas Carol. Your graphic novels are due Friday. Bring The Kite Runner on Monday. Don't forget about Poetry Out Loud.

Freshmen: We took a comma quiz for the chapter on ESL. Airs and Graces is on Monday; a completed draft of your essay is due on Friday. Don't forget about Poetry Out Loud.

February 5 and 6

Sophomores: We introduced the poetry out loud assignment. See me for details. You need to have read 8 poems and picked your three favorites for next block period. Stave III and IV are due for next period, as is your graphic novel up through stage three of the hero cycle. You will need The Kite Runner for next Monday.

Freshmen: We introduced the poetry out loud assignment. See me for details. You need to have read 8 poems and picked your three favorites for next block period. We also wrote two alternate lead possibilities for your argument paper. A hand written rough draft is due for Friday and must have the following elements:
-be eight paragraphs long
-use one one-sentence paragraph
-use all three of the facts you gathered
-use three of the rhetorical devices we have studied
-use one of the conclusion techniqes we studied... however, you cannot use either a pointed question or an echo structure.

Basketball: We're at the ward today from 3-4:30; at Judge Wednesday until 5; at the ward from 3:30-5 on Thursday. Get your own ride to the ward this week.

February 4

Sophomores: We began Stave II, due for Tuesday, as are some panels showing Scrooge's initiation stage.

Freshmen: The comma chapter is due on Thursday; interpret your data for Tuesday as well.

February 1

Sophomores: We began A Christmas Carol and our graphic novel response. Stave I and the first 4 panels are due for Monday.

Freshmen: We wrapped up our study of rhetorical devices; ESL apostrophe chapter due on Monday.