Tuesday, December 22

Freshmen: Today we had a seminar on the book Speak. You've got no homework over the break - enjoy yourselves.

Sophomores: We had a seminar on book and film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Over the break, improve your personal legend essays and complete your This I Believe projects.

CNF: Today we finished The Thin Blue Line.

Basketball: Great job getting the win last night. Done today at 5. Next week we practice Monday and Tuesday at 8 AM - 10 AM. Rest up and come ready to play.

Friday, December 18

Freshmen: Today we took a vocab exam and finished your definition essays. Grandparent project is due Monday; Tuesday Speak is due with your seminar notes.

Sophomores: Today we took a vocab exam and looked at some This I Believe Statements. The book is due Tuesday, and your project is due no later than January 4.

CNF: Today we began a film study of The Thin Blue Line.

Basketball: We are at Monument Park today, 1306 South Wasatch (about 2400 East). Saturday, be to Judge by 10 after 8, and we will finish about 10:45.

Thursday, December 16

Freshmen: Today we practiced writing a definition essay. For homework, keep working on your grandparent project that's due next Monday, voacb is due Friday, and Speak is due next Tuesday.

Sophomores: Today we continued our film study of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Finish the book for Tuesday; vocab is due Friday; your end of the semester project is due any time before January 4.

CNF: Today we had our seminar on Galdwell and the Freakonomic's author's ideas about crime reduction.

Basketball: We're at Sunnyside today, but Friday we're at the Monument Park Ward, located 1306 South Wasatch Drive.

Tuesday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 15

Freshmen: Today we focused on the reading skill of visualization and continued our study of definition essays. Continue to read Speak and finish chapter 7 vocab and your grandparent project.

Sophomores: Today we began a film study of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. You should have 15 notes total for our seminar, covering both the book and the film.

CNF: Today we finished Galdwell's piece on Broken Window's Theory and Chapter 4 from Freakonomics. Have both these read with 15 notes for our seminar on Thursday.

Basketball: Great effort again last night; We'll go until 5:30 the next three nights up at the ward.

Compeling Non-Fiction Semester Final Exam

Hi. You will complete an essay exam for our final. Bring your books to class to help you. You will choose the prompt, and may bring a page of prep notes to the exam to use to help you write the essay. The exam is posted below:

Compelling Non-Fiction First Semester Final Exam

Directions: Choose one of the following essay prompts to answer. Support your answer with evidence from four different sources: Both texts we read this semester, at least one of the films we have viewed, and your own personal experience.

Possible Prompts:

1. Is the statement that “Morality represents how we would like the world to work; economics represents the way it actually does work” a true statement?
2. What ethical obligations must constructors of non-fiction texts adhere to?
3. Is conventional wisdom wisdom? Or is it folly?
4. How can we use our knowledge of incentives to encourage moral behavior and make the world a better place?

2009-2010 World Literature Semester Exam Prep Guide

Hi. Here is your exam prep guide. You may have ONE sheet of paper with notes for the ESSAY EXAM ONLY (yes, Crispo - that means you can write on both sides). You may only use your notes on the essay exam. I encourage you to prep well.

Essay Exam Questions:
Choose one of the following prompts for your essay. Be sure to use evidence from the texts we have read, viewed, and listened to, discussions we’ve had, and class lectures to support your answer, as well as your own personal experience. In your header you must identify the type of lead and conclusion you are using. Craft a compelling title when finished.
1. Explain how all the books we read this semester are essentially Taoist in nature.
2. Explain how all the books we read this semester could be considered parables.
3. Explain how at least one of the books we read this semester acted as both a mirror and a window for you (in other words, explain how one book this semester either taught you about yourself or taught you about other people).
4. Explain a common belief shared among at least three of the main characters that we read this semester (this is not a first person This I Believe essay, but an analytical one that compares and contrasts).

There will also be a 50 question vocab review from chapters 1-7, and a 35 question multiple choice exam that covers material from your notes - focus especially on stuff from your terminology section.

Monday, December 14

Freshmen: Today we began a study of definition essays - read the section on it from Models for Writers. Remember these due dates: Friday = vocab, next Monday = grandparent project, Tuesday = Speak and seminar notes.

Sophomores: Today we composed a letter as if we were in the same situation as Mr. Bauby. We also looked at a few This I Believe statements that go along well with our text. Remember, Friday vocab is due, next Tuesday our book and seminar notes are due, and you should be working on your final project.

CNF: Today we began looking at two texts that examine drop in crime rates in the mid-1990s. Chapter 4 and the supplemental texts are due for Thursday's seminar.

Basketball: Meet today in my room at 3:15. Game is 5:15.

World Literature Extra Credit Option

Hi - Some of you have asked about possible extra credit options. Here is what you can do. Go to www.speakingoffaith.org and listen to The Body's Grace, about a man named Matthew Sanford who, at age 13, was involved in an accident that left him without the use of his legs. He explores the mind-body connection, which is especially important to think about at this point in the semester since we are reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. It is about a 55 minute radio program - listen to it, and then write a one page, typed reaction to the interview where you focus on things Sanford and Tippet say and relate it to what you are reading in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. This is due January 4, and is worth up to 50 points extra credit for this quarter.

Friday, December 11

Freshmen: Today we introduced the notion of a Socratic Seminar for Speak, building on the idea of asking good questions from yesterday. You should have 12 good notes, primarily questions, on Speak for our seminar on the 22nd. Be working on vocab and your grandparent project. Finish through the first two marking periods for Monday.

Sophomores: We began The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. We will conduct a seminar on the book and film on the 22nd. Be working on vocab and your end of the semester project.

CNF: We had our seminar on Hoop Dreams today.

Basketball: We're done today at 5. Practice from 8-10 Saturday with breakfast at Jake's right after.

Thursday, December 10

Freshmen: Today we focused on the reading skill of question-asking, particularly looking for disparities in what we read. We read an excellent descriptive essay by Barry Lopez titled "The Blue Mound People" - check it out if you can. We also looked at your letters to the editor - good luck, and let me know when you get published. Read for 20 minutes - The first two marking periods in Speak are due Monday; next Friday vocab chapter 7 is due.

Sophomores: Today we had good seminars on Siddhartha. You need The Diving Bell and the Butterfly tomorrow. Next Friday chapter 7 vocab is due.

CNF: We concluded our study of Hoop Dreams and looked at some pieces that updated us on Arthur and William, their successes and tragedies, since the film's release.

Basketball: We played a great game last night, and the coaches are really proud. We will practice until 5:30 tonight and end at 5 on Friday.

Tuesday, December 8

Freshmen: Today we focused on how illustrative and descriptive essays make abstract concepts concrete. We viewed a documentary where a man attempts to make concrete the sheer number of victims of the Holocaust by attempting to count out 6 million grains of rice. We then wrote an in class essay on the following prompt: In Speak, Melinda feels isolated and lonely. Is her isolation self-imposed, or is it imposed by those around her? We used specific examples from the text to make the abstract concept of isolation concrete.

Sophomores: Today we focused on om/aum, as it contains the key to understanding both the character and the text Siddhartha.

CNF: We nearly finished our viewing of Hoop Dreams - we will conduct a seminar on Thursday for the film.

Basketball: Practice ends at 5:30 tonight. Meet at 5 to 4 tomorrow; bus for Highland leaves at 4. There is no bus back to Judge.

Monday, December 7

Freshmen: Today we began the novel Speak, discussing some of the issues to be aware of as readers and reading some of it. You need to read the first two Marking Periods for next Monday - about page 92. You can use your 20 minutes of reading for this homework, and should bring Speak to class each day and read from it at the start of class. Letters to the editor are due Thursday - it must be in an unsealed, addressed, stamped envelope. You may not use a school envelope - prepare. Your letter must have your address and phone number on it.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the concept of irony. Finish Siddhartha for Thursday - we will have our seminar on that day. You need a copy of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on Friday.

CNF: We continued our study of the film Hoop Dreams.

Basketball: Meet here at Judge at 4:30.

Friday, December 4

Freshmen: We took a vocab exam and looked at your awesome Letters About Literature - mark it down - there is a good shot someone from our class wins the state competition. Read for 20 minutes this weekend. Have a copy of Speak in class on Monday; letters to the editor are due on Thursday.

Sophomores: We took a vocab quiz as well as one about Siddhartha and discussed the text. Due for next week: Monday = Letters about Literature (with stamped envelope and entry form); Thursday = finish Siddhartha and have 12 items for discussion that day; Friday have a copy of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

CNF: We continued our study of the film Hoop Dreams.

Basketball: Great job these past two games. Friday we end at 5:30, Saturday, we'll got from 8-11. Monday we are at home against Mountain Crest at 5:30 - we will have a study hall from 3-4 and film from at 4 before getting ready for the game.

Thursday, December 3

Freshmen: Today we had an introduction to using the library. Read for 20 minutes, and due Friday is your letter about literature (www.lettersaboutliterature.org) - be sure to have a stamped envelope, your entry coupon, and be sure your name and address is in your header. Also due Friday: chapter 6 vocab.

Sophomores: Today we introduced the Letters About Literature Contest (www.lettersaboutliterature.org). Your letter is due Monday - be sure to have a stamped envelope, your entry coupon, and be sure your name and address is in your header. Due Friday: chapter 6 vocab and everything through "By the River."

CNF: Today we began a study of the film Hoop Dreams.

Basketball: Meet at East at 4 PM.

Sophomore World Lit End of the Semester Project

As you have seen, or will soon see, all of the novels we read have a philosophy at its core, whether it is the religion and spirituality of Pi, Peekay’s The Power of One, Santiago’s belief in following dreams, Bauby’s belief in the power of the mind and spirit to overcome adversity, or Siddartha’s enlightenment. As we study these novels and philosophies, you will also develop your own personal philosophy, and present it as our capstone project for the semester.

We are going to use National Public Radio’s “This I Believe” as our model and prompt. “This I Believe” is a weekly radio broadcast where “Americans from all walks of life share the personal philosophies and core values that guide their daily lives.” In class and on your own, you will explore NPR’s website, and listen to and read several of these essays, as we will model our project on theirs. You can get a start by going to NPR.org and searching their webpage for “This I Believe.” There are tips on writing your essay that will help you in this process.

Our project will have three phases.

Phase 1: Begin to develop and define your own personal philosophy. You should be able to state it in a sentence, but you should also avoid clichés. You should use the philosophies in our novels as well as the philosophies of people you respect (those you know and those you only know of; those living and those dead) to help you craft your own. Part of the project is acknowledging your influences, just as Peekay acknowledges the influence of Doc, Nanny, Geel Piet, and Hoppie, and just as Pi was influenced by the Mr. Kumars, his priest, his pandit, his imam, and Richard Parker. Take notes in your notebook as your thinking evolves on a separate piece of paper. It will be collected. Use class assignments and discussions to help you with this.

Phase 2: Craft an essay that fits the parameters of NPR’s “This I Believe” submission guidelines and submit your essay to NPR. The guidelines can be found on NPR’s website. You must agree to their conditions in order to participate. You will also submit a paper copy of the same essay to me for a grade. The essay should be submitted to NPR before 1/4/10. You will submit the hard copy of your essay as well as your proof of submission to me on or before 1/4/10. Your proof will be printing the page that says “Thank you for submitting” – you will staple this to the copy of your essay as a cover page. You can hand this in early: I will take the essay any time after today. Submitting the essay is worth 50 points; the essay itself is worth 100.

Phase 3: Present your personal philosophy to the class in a roughly 4-minute presentation, which we will begin on 1/4/10. Your presentation must have the following elements:
• You will read your completed, best copy of your essay to the class, the one you submitted to NPR and to me. Bring another copy – I will follow along on the one you hand in.
• In the background, you will have a photo essay on a slide show that shows pictures while you read. Burn this on a disk or bring it on a jump drive, or email it to yourself. You can do this either here at school in the lab or at home. These might be personal photos, or pictures you find or scan from elsewhere, including artwork. Start this collection now.
• If you don’t have the know-how or capability to do an electronic photo essay like this, you can go “old school” by bringing in photos and figuring out how to display them in another way, guiding your audience through them as you read your essay.
• You don’t need to have a ton of photos because your photos should be coordinated with your essay. In other words, the visuals you provide should be in sync with the words you read, and the connection should be obvious to your audience.
• Your presentation will be worth 100 points and includes your reading of the essay as well as the photo essay.
Good luck, and see me if you have any questions.

Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2

Freshmen: Today we began a study of descriptive/illustrative essays and are practicing it through the Letters About Literature contest. Your homework is to read the next two nights for twenty minutes. Your letter about literature essay is due on Friday, with a stamped envelope and your entry coupon.

Sophomores: Today we introduced the end of the semester project. It is posted on the blog. We also read, covered some literary terms, explored plot structure, and explored more themes emerging in the Tao. Due for Friday is everything through By the River and chapter 6 vocab.

CNF: Today we finished Chapter 3 from Freakonomics and held our seminar.

Basketball: Team Mass Wednesday, followed by studyhall prior to the game. Thursday, you are on your own until 4 - meet inside East High in the hallway between their two gyms.