Friday, October 31

Happy Halloween.

Freshmen: Today we took two quizzes (scary!), one on chapter 3 from Elements, the other on chapter 4 vocab. Homework: Read 20 minutes twice; chapter 4 from Elements is due next period.

Sophomores: Today we took a vocab exam and discussed how the Tao and The Power of One intersect. Due for next period is everything through Chapter 22 in The Power of One; finish the book for Friday.

CNF: We continued Bigger Faster Stronger; we will finish it next week.

Thursday, October 29

Hi. I am sorry I have been out recently. Here's where we're at:

Freshmen: Today we continued with our analysis-question-synthesis-thesis method of thinking. Due tomorrow is Chapter 3 from Elements and Chapter 4 vocab. We also made one minor change to your prayer assignment next quarter: rather than write out your whole prayer, you will write up an outline. This will help you with eye contact and allow you to speak to us, rather than read to us.

Sophomores: Today we took a look at the TIB essays you looked at the past few weeks. Due tomorrow is Chapter 4 vocab; due next block period is chapters 1-22; the book is due next Friday. The next book you need ASAP is The Alchemist.

CNF: Today we began Bigger Faster Stronger.

Monday, October 26

Freshmen: Today we started working on analyzing, asking questions, synthesizing, and then forming a supportable thesis, which we will then support with evidence (our analysis). Read for 20 minutes tonight and tomorrow; chapter 2 from The Elements of Style is due on Thursday; vocab chapter 4 is due on Friday.

Sophomores: Today we took a quiz and handed in your essay. Check the blog to keep up on your reading; due Friday are your Echoes assignment and vocab chapter 4.

CNF: I thought we had a good seminar on chapter 1 and will begin some interesting documentaries on cheating later this week.

Thursday, October 22

Freshmen: Today we sent off your letters to the editor - follow The Tribune and alert me if you get published. We also took a quiz on the glossary from The Elements of Style, and you must read Chapter 1 for Monday; feel free to use your 20 minutes of reading for that. You will continue to read from your novel in class during in class reading time. Your Theme for English 9 is due Friday.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the wisdom espoused by both Doc and Geel Piet, two seemingly different characters. Remember that Chapters 1-16 are due Monday, as is your essay. Your This I Believe worksheet is due tomorrow, and I will collect your Echoes of the Tao assignment for the quarter next week - you should have two entries from The Power of One.

CNF: Today we began Freaknonomics. Chapter 1 and 15 notes for the seminar are due Monday.

Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21

Freshmen: Today we played a Jeopardy!-style grammar game. You are to spend your 20 minutes of reading tonight reading the glossary from The Elements of Style. Bring Elements and Models for Writers to class each day with you from now on. Your letters to the editor are due tomorrow as well.

Sophomores: Today we reviewed different lead and conclusion techniques - you must use one of them in your essay that is due Monday. Be working on your reading, vocab, 3EJ, Echoes, and TIB assignment.

CNF: We again had a fascinating discussion about cheating, and your thoughts and efforts are much appreciated. Bring Freakonomics on Thursday.

Monday, October 19

Freshmen: Today we looked at your essay revisions and started writing a Theme for English 9 poem. You are to model your poem after Langston Hughes's Theme for English B. Keep your first five lines the same as his first five, and from there follow the instructor's instructions: Go home and write a page tonight and let that page come out of you, then it will be true. Your typed poem is due on Friday. For next period you need The Elements of Style and Models for Writers. Read for 20 minutes tonight and tomorrow night.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on the first half of The Power of One. Some due dates: This I Believe worksheet due Friday; film essay assignment due Monday; Chapters 1-16 due Monday; vocab chapter 4 due next Friday; keep working on Echoes of the Tao and Triple Entry Journal.

CNF: Today we analyzed the data from the survey we took last week. You will need Freakonomics tomorrow.

Freshmen: Today we finished up our reading game and checked out which publishers you found for your work. Tonight read for 20 minutes and be sure to bring The Elements of Style and Models for Writers to class starting next week, along with whatever book you are currently reading in class.

Sophomores: Today I introduced a film study compare and contrast essay assignment that is due in two weeks, on 10/26. The assignment builds upon the analysis and synthesis method of thinking we began last week and will build our schemas for issues we find in The Power of One. Chapters 1-11 are due next Monday, and you should have 7 notes (comments are okay, questions are preferred) for a Socratic seminar next Monday, 10/19.

CNF: Mawige, mawige is what brings us togever, today. Dat dweam within a dweam...
We will start Freakonomics next week.

Thursday, October 8

Freshmen: Today we focused on eye fixations and how they (and our schema) influence how we read things in a few activities. Read for 20 minutes and be prepared for the vocab test Friday. Due Monday is another copy of your essay in a stamped envelope addressed to a potential publisher.

Sophomores: Today we discussed Hoppie and the paradox our affinity for him presents: He's a great guy, a person to admire, yet he is blatantly racist. That said, how and why do we like him? Due for Friday are Chapters 1-7 and chapter 3 vocab.

CNF: Today we conducted our final seminar for Blink. Bring the text tomorrow for the written exam - it will focus on Blink's three proposed tasks. We will start Freakonomics after the break.

Tuesday, October 6 and Wednesday, October 7

Freshmen: Today we finished our study of basic narrative text structure and focused on activating our schema to make connections. The three types of connections we have studied are text to text, text to self, and text to world. As you read this week, actively make connections. Read 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday. Chapter 3 vocab is due Friday. Due Monday is your essay in a stamped envelope, addressed to a potential publisher. Remember, letters to the editor are due no later than October 22.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the thinking skill of analysis and synthesis - breaking things down into their parts to study them and putting them back together to make new meaning. This is the same kind of thinking you engage in when you read, do something like the triple entry journal, the Echoes of the Tao, or the This I Believe assignment you just got. Due for Friday is Chapters 1-7 in Power; Chapter 3 in vocab.

CNF: Finish all of Blink - Chapter 6 and the conclusion - and have 15 notes for the seminar on Thursday. There will be a written exam on Friday. We will start Freakonomics on Monday.

Monday, October 5

Freshmen: Today we focused on some key elements of narrative text structure: plot, character, theme, and setting, and applied those elements to a short story and created a story map. One side of your story map is due next period; read for 20 minutes tonight and Tuesday. Also, for next Monday, you must research and find a place to submit your essay for publication. By Monday, you need a stamped, addressed envelope with a copy of your essay inside so that I can mail it for you. Search the web; search The Writer's Market if you can get a copy at the library for ideas.

Sophomores: Today we talked about our Echoes of the Tao assignment for Life of Pi, and you should be working on it for The Power of One. You also should be working on your 3EJ, as two entries are due for it on Thursday. For Friday, Chapters 1-7 are due on The Power of One as well; we will also have a vocab exam on Friday. I introduced an assignment that requires you to read and write about 5 essays on the This I Believe website - it is due on Friday, October 23.

CNF: Today and next period, we are reading Chapter 6 and the conclusion to Blink and taking 15 notes, using the question stems to prepare for the seminar on Thursday; on Friday, you will have an in-class essay exam that focuses on the three tasks Gladwell set out to accomplish with Blink.

Extra Credit (ALL CLASSES): Attend Wednesday's Director's Night for Rent, and write a 1/2 page typed double spaced reaction and hand it in on Friday for 25 points extra credit.

Friday, October 2

Freshmen: Today we reflected on all the things we have done these past six weeks: you've learned a solid process for writing essays; you've learned how to conduct research based on questions, and turned that research into a coherent piece of writing; you can form and defend thesis statements based on facts; you know how to write a bibliography; you have a number of ways to open and close a paper; and you can perform the 10% Solution on your work to make it more accurate, clear, and brief. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes.

Sophomores: Today we took a quiz and discussed the first three chapters from The Power of One. Chapters 1-7 are due next Friday - that's about 12 pages a night. Don't forget about the ongoing assignments: vocab, Echoes, and the 3EJ.

CNF: Today we did some wrap up of chapter 5/prep work for chapter 6. If you don't have Freakonomics, get it by week after next.

Thursday, October 1

Freshmen: Today we debriefed our 10% Solution experience and moved on to Step 7, with a heavy emphasis on standard form. Your four drafts (first, revised, 10%ed, and final) are due Friday. Read for 20 minutes.

Sophomores: Today we focused on some literary terms and the reading skill of making predictions. Finish Chapters 1, 2, and 3 from The Power of One for Friday.

CNF: Today we had another compelling seminar on Blink. Bring your book - we will do some small groups and writing on Friday and finish it for next week. Get Freakonomics ASAP.

***NOTE: Any student who posts a comment for this entry before Monday will receive 10 points extra credit.