April 1 and 2

Sophomores: We watched "Love and the Goddess" from The Power of Myth. A 1 page typed synthesis that keys on how this material applies to The Poisonwood Bible is due Thursday. Page 423 is due Friday.

Freshmen: We began sorting through our research. Here's what you need to do:
1. Decide what the focus of each of your three essays will be. State each as a thesis.
2. Decide on the genres.
3. Group your 3x5s according to essay.
4. Focus on what kind of lead and conclusion you are going to try. Pointed question is not an option for any of these.

March 31

Sophomores: We shared the poems we read, discussed some key components of free verse poetry, discussed our novel, and began a list of We Remember Our Mothers statements from the daughters' point of view.

Freshmen: We learned about the sonnet form - a typed sonnet is due Thursday. Bring your research materials next block period. All research should be completed by Thursday - we will begin our essays then.

March 28

Sophomores: We took a quiz and continued our work on our poem, "My Daughters in the Congo". A final copy of it is due Monday. Page 423 is due Friday.

Freshmen: We handed in our haiku and finally got some stuff back. You should be working hard at your research; be sure to bring your materials (sources and 3x5s) for next block period.

March 27

Sophomores: We finished our archetype analysis of the various characters of The Poisonwood Bible. We also read a poem and applied it to our book; we are writing an imitation of it from Orleana's point of view.

Freshmen: We studied the haiku form today. 7 haiku are due for class tomorrow.

March 26

Sophomores: We finished up our study of the various archetypes the five main characters from The Poisonwood Bible fit into. Finish page 311 for Friday.

Freshmen: We shared the creative responses to art that you did over the break. Other things to know:
1. Letter to the editor is due May 16.
2. Monday, March 31 - hand in two Great Thoughts on separate sheets of paper - one that is your own, and a Great Thought from someone else that you found to be inspirational.
3. Research deadline is extended to next Thursday, April 2. Be sure to bring your materials each day, especially next block day.

March 18 and 19

Sophomores: We focused on character analysis and close reading, matching characters from PWB with particular archetypes. We will conclude this after the break. Finish page 311 by March 28.

Freshmen: We learned about creative responses to art as a way of crafting poetry. You are to find a work of art and write two separate poems in response to it, each one in a different motif that we studied today. You should then find a way to combine the work of art and your poems, thereby creating your own work of art (put them on a poster board, make a book, put it on a slide show, etc. - how you do it is up to you) that you can present the day we return. You should also be gathering up your sources, reading them, and answering questions on your note cards. All research is due March 31.

March 17

I haven't updated recently - sorry. I also goofed on the 7 Facts Assignment due date, so if this tripped you up, just get it to me before break. Again, sorry.

Sophomores: We shared the 7 Facts assignment, building our background knowledge about key topics from our book. Finish page 311 for the Friday after Easter.

Freshmen: We chose our broad topics for the Capstone and then I introduced the Questions Based Research Strategy we will be using to guide our work. You need to be gather sources, formulating questions, finding answers, and looking for patterns and ideas related to your topic that you can write about. All your 3x5s (25 minimum) need to be done for the Friday after break. You may use your in class and at home reading time for this.

March 11

Sophomores: We started a research assignment for The Poisonwood Bible, due next block period, and also continued our study of the various characters in the novel. Page 124 is due for Friday.

Freshmen: We analyzed "A Work of Artiface" and studied how Billy Collins uses the free-verse techniques we have studied in class in his poetry.

March 7

Sophomores: Page 42 from The Poisonwood Bible was due today. Finish page 124 for next Friday. We took a quiz and began a close character study.

Freshmen: Your metaphor poems, letters to the editor, and reading of Speak were all due today. We had a discussion on Speak that stood in for a final exam. Bring a novel to read for Tuesday.

March 4 and 5

Sophomores: We wrapped up our reading of The Kite Runner with a discussion about Amir, the nature of heroes, whether or not the four stages of the hero are evident in the text, and how we felt about the actual ending of the text. We then continued our introduction to archetypes by focusing on specific attributes of each of the six archetypes we have studied, which characters fit which archetype, and whether or not our self-evaluation was accurate. We concluded by moving on to The Poisonwood Bible. I provided a heads-up for some issues to think about (multiple narrators, female perspective on the hero's journey, the historical context of the book, and how it will make us examine how we live and appreciate our mothers a bit more). We listened to the first few chapters. Finish page 42 for Friday.

Freshmen: We learned about literal and figurative language. You must write a poem using one of the three types of figurative language we studied - due Friday. Speak is also due Friday for periods 2 and 3; due Wednesday for period 6.