Freshmen: March 31

Today we did two very important things:
1. I gave you background information about Twelfth Night, the plot, and the major characters. Read Act 1 scenes 1 and 2.
2. We started "writing your essays backward" for the capstone, and if you do this right, it will help you in the long run. Do this:
a. Look at all the research you have collected. Look for patterns, contridictions, emerging stories, surprising facts, and ideas that are linked together.
b. After ideas begin to emerge, state your three best ideas in the form of a thesis statement. Remember, thesis statements are supportable opinions, written in complete sentences, and not written in the form of a question. DO NOT begin your thesis with the word "How".
c. After you have three solid thesis statements, decide which genre fits each particular thesis. Remember, you must have one essay from each of the three categories listed.
d. Begin writing your essays - and your poems and story as well. Your essays must:
-use a lead and conclusion technique that you've been taught this year.
-have a good title.
-have an in-text and blocked citation.
-fit the intended genre: be sure you identify the genre you intend to write in on the essay header, in the table of contents, or in the cover letter.

Monday, March 30

Freshmen: Today we focused on the reading skill of inferring, or making inferences, by reading Hemmingway's "Hills Like White Elephants." We also discussed how the story fit the things we have studied related to writing fiction as well. Tomorrow we will begin Twelfth Night and start writing your capstone work.

Sophomores: Today we finished applying the archetype survey to the major characters in The Poisonwood Bible. Read through page 428 is due for Wednesday, as is your I Remember My Father essay.

Friday, March 27

Freshmen: Today we focused on the seven elements stories, lives, and books entail - one of your two options for preplanning the structure of your story. Two great thoughts are due for Monday, as is Twelfth Night; finish all research for the next block period.

Sophomores: Today we analyzed which character archetype best fits the six major characters from The Poisonwood Bible. Your father essay is due Wednesday, as is everything through page 428 in The Poisonwood Bible.

Sophomores - Wednesday, March 25

Today we focused on different types of character archetypes and took a survey to see which one we identified with the most. We also started writing our I Remember My Father essay. Essentially, what you should do is look at all your notes (your analysis) and ask yourself, "What do these notes reveal about what kind of person my father is and what our relationship is like?" This, then, is your synthesis. The essay is due next Wednesday. Also due for that day is everything through page 428. Remember, we will have a seminar tomorrow on the first half of the book.

Freshmen March 24 and 25

Today we focused on developing a good character using the main character questionnaire. This is something you will do prior to writing your short story and will include it in your final product. Use your 20 minutes of reading homework the next two nights to work on your research.

Monday, March 23

Freshmen: Today we looked at a simple way to structure short stories. It is one of the two options you have to choose from when structuring your own short stories for your capstone. Due next Monday are your two great thoughts and a New Folger Library copy of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Due 3/31 or 4/1 is your capstone research - we will start writing that day in class.

Sophomores: You are to write a list of at least 12 concrete memories about your father. Also, due next period is everything up to Book Four.

Friday, March 20

Freshmen: Today we learned about sophomore registration, listened to a few more Billy Collins poems, and took some time to research. Remember, you can use your 20 minutes of reading homework for capstone research, and you should bring your sources and 3x5s to class each day next week. The majority of your research should be done by 3/30.

Sophomores: Today we took the majority of the time to read and to work on vocab.

Thursday, March 19

Freshmen: Today we spent the period in independent research for the capstone project.

Sophomores: Today we took the period to read and prepare for next Thursday's seminar on the first 2/3s of The Poisonwood Bible.

Wednesday, March 18

Freshmen: See yesterday's post.

Sophomores: Today we took a fascinating look at Love and the Goddess, an interview with the captivating and compelling Mr. Joseph Campbell. You took notes on a think sheet and are to write a typed one page synthesis that synthesizes this information as it applies to The Poisonwood Bible. Due Friday. Think Sheet too.

Tuesday, March 17 and 18

Freshmen: Today focused the majority of our time on Question Based Research, getting a start on the capstone - those of you who brought your sources, anyway. You must have a minimum of 12 3x5 cards for your project, but bear in mind the majority of A and B projects use several dozen 3x5s.

Also, the final change in our prayer and great thoughts assignment was announced: You need to bring two great thoughts - one of your own original construction, and one from a source outside yourself. These are due March 30.

Thursday, March 12

Freshmen: Today we basically covered what the Capstone involves. Due Monday are your four creative responses to art. Read for 20 minutes tonight. Due for next block period are five sources about your capstone project as well as at least a dozen 3x5 cards. We will begin researching your capstone project that day.

Sophomores: Today we continued our close reading/analysis and synthesis exercise. You are to find 3 statements either by or about the character you were assigned that reveal what kind of person your character is. Type these three statements up in 36 point font and bring them to class Friday. There will also be a vocab exam on Friday. Finish everything up to the start of The Things We Didn't Know next block period.

Wednesday, March 11

Sophomores: Today we focused on close reading exercises. Read everything up to the start of The Things We Didn't Know due for next block period. Vocab exam on Friday.

Freshman and sophomore extra credit

The Central Utah Water Conservancy District's essay contest for students ages 9-18.


Essay contest info: http://www.cuwcd.com/essays/
Essay contest form:  http://www.cuwcd.com/essays/Essay%20Contest%20form.pdf

Essay Topic:  Water Conversation, Let's Do It Together
Cash Prizes Awarded.
Entries are due at the CUWCD office by April 3, 2009.
Essays from students ages 16 through 18 should not exceed 750 words.

Copy of essay must be to me Monday, March 16 for 25 points extra credit for 3rd Quarter.

Tuesday, March 10

Freshmen: Today we focused on creative responses, using the motifs detailed in "Heart to Heart." You are to find a work of art that inspires you to write a poem from each of the four motifs we studied. If you wish, you could use multiple artworks and write a motif poem for each of them. That is up to you. These are due Monday, typed, and identify in your header which motif each poem is. Also, read for 20 minutes tonight and tomorrow, and come to class Thursday with 5 good capstone topic possibilities. Remember, no sports.

Friday, March 6

Freshmen: Today we learned about the sonnet. You are to write one, adhering to the conventions of 14 lines, abab etc. rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter, and a great turn. Due next period. Read for 20 minutes x 3.

Sophomores: Today we discussed facts about the Congo circa 1960. For next time, have everything through the start of The Things We Learned (page 98, I believe) read.

Thursday, March 5

Freshmen: Today we continued to study haiku. You are to write five more haiku that imitate Basho. Also, read for 20 minutes tonight.

Sophomores: Today we discussed some of the characters in The Poisonwood Bible. You need to finish everything through page 42 for tomorrow and complete the research project listed on a previous post.

The Poisonwood BIble Reading Schedule:

3/4 - Begin book.
3/5 - Page 30 due.
3/6 - Page 42 due.
3/11 - Page 98 due (everything up to the start of The Things We Learned).
3/18 - Page 204 due (everything up to the start of The Things We Didn't Know) (I guess they should have checked the blog, ha ha).
3/25 - Page 311 due (everything up to the start of Book Four: Bel and the Serpent).
4/1 - Page 428 due.
4/7 - Page 533 due (we will read Book Seven that day in class).
4/15 - Begin Hamlet - get the Folger Library version. No "No Fear Shakespeare" allowed in here, you hear?

Tuesday and Wednesday, March 3 and 4

Freshmen: Today we had a seminar on Lord of the Flies. You need to find a new book to read and read for 20 minutes, Tuesday and Wednesday, and bring this book with you to class. Bring in your five haiku on Thursday. We will begin Twelfth Night in a few weeks.

Sophomores: Today we began The Poisonwood Bible and handed in your I Remember Baba essays. Due for Friday: 5 facts about the Congo in the 1960s. Cite your sources.

Monday, March 3

Freshmen: Today we focused on haiku. You are to type up 5 tonight that adhere to the guidelines I laid out in class. You are also to focus on 7 items for our seminar and finish Lord of the Flies for next period.

Sophomores: We conducted a Socratic Seminar for The Kite Runner. You need to bring The Poisonwood Bible and your I Remember Baba essays for next period.