Freshmen: Today we focused on creative responses. You are to finish the creative response motif you were assigned on Picasso's "Guernica", and need to write a second creative response in a different motif. Be sure to follow the directions from Heart to Heart to ensure you write in the motif correctly.
Sophs: Today we viewed Hamlet; have a copy of the play for after break. Finish your essay this week.
CNF: We concluded Earth 2100; be sure to have a copy of Season of Life for after the break (yes, Kristen, I know - so go to the library!).
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 26
Freshmen: Today we chose Capstone Project topics; read for 20 minutes and check to see the change in vocab due dates. Over the break, you need to research your chosen topic as much as possible, and the block day we return you need to have your five sources with you in class as well as your 3x5s - check the outline I gave you.
Sophomores: Today we continued our overview of Hamlet. Have a copy of the play for when we return from break.
CNF: "It's too late to be a pessimist" - was she talking about your grades, or the environment. In any event, I'd like to see some social action come out of this class - any ideas?
Sophomores: Today we continued our overview of Hamlet. Have a copy of the play for when we return from break.
CNF: "It's too late to be a pessimist" - was she talking about your grades, or the environment. In any event, I'd like to see some social action come out of this class - any ideas?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 25
Freshmen: Today we studied the sonnet. You should write a sonnet that adheres to the information we got in class for Monday. Use your notes to help you. Additionally, you need to have three possible broad topic ideas for your Capstone Project with you in class next block period. Finally, you should read for 40 minutes over the three day break - two 20 minute segments for Thursday, and the weekend. Also, due for Monday are two great thoughts - one from someone else, and one of your own devising. The 4th quarter prayer assignment will be modified like this: You will be called on at random to spontaneously lead the class in prayer and then randomly draw out a great thought from our collection. You will then give a 60 second talk on the topic that the great thought speaks to.
Sophomores: We did a few activities to begin Hamlet. We will start reading the play after the break. More pertinent to your immediate future, we began an "I Remember My Father" essay modeled after Mr. House's, using the memories we compiled in class as our observations. Submit this essay to turnitin.com by 3/31 at 11:59 PM. I would expect to see some really great stuff written here. The idea is to examine memories you have about your father, much like we did with Amir and Baba. Your essay should do the following things: Focus on specific memories, reveal the nature of your relationship with your father, reveal something about the kind of person your father is, and reveal something about the kind of person you are because of that relationship.
CNF: We concluded, and began, another documentary. I'd like people to think about one small change you can personally make. Craig and I took the bus today (not together, nothing planned - he just happened to be on the same bus as me). By taking the bus twice this week, I have reduced my car-related impact on the planet by 40% for this week.
Sophomores: We did a few activities to begin Hamlet. We will start reading the play after the break. More pertinent to your immediate future, we began an "I Remember My Father" essay modeled after Mr. House's, using the memories we compiled in class as our observations. Submit this essay to turnitin.com by 3/31 at 11:59 PM. I would expect to see some really great stuff written here. The idea is to examine memories you have about your father, much like we did with Amir and Baba. Your essay should do the following things: Focus on specific memories, reveal the nature of your relationship with your father, reveal something about the kind of person your father is, and reveal something about the kind of person you are because of that relationship.
CNF: We concluded, and began, another documentary. I'd like people to think about one small change you can personally make. Craig and I took the bus today (not together, nothing planned - he just happened to be on the same bus as me). By taking the bus twice this week, I have reduced my car-related impact on the planet by 40% for this week.
Vocab Alert!
Freshmen and Sophomores: Note these date changes:
1. Chapter 12 is now due April 13/14.
2. Chapter 13 is now due April 20/21.
Sorry if that's a problem, though I can't imagine how it will be.
1. Chapter 12 is now due April 13/14.
2. Chapter 13 is now due April 20/21.
Sorry if that's a problem, though I can't imagine how it will be.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 23 or Wednesday, March 24
Freshmen: Today we had a seminar on Lord of the Flies. More importantly, we introduced the concept of our year-ending Capstone Project. Homework is to read for 20 minutes and coming up with a list of 3 possible broad topics for the capstone.
Sophomores: Today in class we mainly focused on coming up with a list of 12 very specific, very detailed memories about our own fathers (or father figures, whatever the case may be). We did this in preparation for an essay we will begin next class period.
CNF: Today we began another documentary and will plan on beginning Season of Life after Easter Break.
Sophomores: Today in class we mainly focused on coming up with a list of 12 very specific, very detailed memories about our own fathers (or father figures, whatever the case may be). We did this in preparation for an essay we will begin next class period.
CNF: Today we began another documentary and will plan on beginning Season of Life after Easter Break.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 22
Freshmen: Tonight you need to write 5 haiku that adhere to the guidelines I gave you in class; finish Lord of the Flies for our seminar on the block day. Chapter 12 vocab is due Monday.
Sophomores: See the extra credit assignment if interested.
CNF: Get Season of Life ASAP.
Sophomores: See the extra credit assignment if interested.
CNF: Get Season of Life ASAP.
The Poisonwood Bible Extra Credit Assignment
The Poisonwood Bible Extra Credit Assignment:
I would like everyone to read The Poisonwood Bible, but due to a myriad of factors, it does not seem to be possible this year to fit it into our schedule. However, I would like to offer it as extra credit, under the following conditions: You have until April 12 to read it, you must read all of it (no skipping, no stopping short), and you must take an exam to earn the extra credit after school on April 12. If you can’t take the exam that day, you don’t get credit, and the amount of credit you get is tied in to how well you do on the exam, which I expect will take about 30 minutes. Right now I tentatively would say that an A will earn between 50 and 60 points, a B will earn between 40 and 49 points, a C between 20 and 39 points, a D between 10 and 19 points, and an F 0 to 9 points. NOTE: There is no way you will be able to read sparknotes, etc. and expect to earn anything other than a 0 – I will be asking you questions only someone who read the book can answer, so please do not waste my time. Frankly, if you are a reader at all, the three weeks you have to do this will be plenty of time, considering how fast a read it is and how much time you have off school for Easter break.
I would like everyone to read The Poisonwood Bible, but due to a myriad of factors, it does not seem to be possible this year to fit it into our schedule. However, I would like to offer it as extra credit, under the following conditions: You have until April 12 to read it, you must read all of it (no skipping, no stopping short), and you must take an exam to earn the extra credit after school on April 12. If you can’t take the exam that day, you don’t get credit, and the amount of credit you get is tied in to how well you do on the exam, which I expect will take about 30 minutes. Right now I tentatively would say that an A will earn between 50 and 60 points, a B will earn between 40 and 49 points, a C between 20 and 39 points, a D between 10 and 19 points, and an F 0 to 9 points. NOTE: There is no way you will be able to read sparknotes, etc. and expect to earn anything other than a 0 – I will be asking you questions only someone who read the book can answer, so please do not waste my time. Frankly, if you are a reader at all, the three weeks you have to do this will be plenty of time, considering how fast a read it is and how much time you have off school for Easter break.
Extra credit opportunity
To all: If you are interested in earning some serious cash, as well as 25 points extra credit, check out the following:
http://www.judgememorial.com/content/2010/03/water-conservancy-district-essay-contest-2010
For more:
http://www.judgememorial.com/content/2010/03/water-conservancy-district-essay-contest-2010
and
http://www.cuwcd.com/essays/
http://www.judgememorial.com/content/2010/03/water-conservancy-district-essay-contest-2010
For more:
http://www.judgememorial.com/content/2010/03/water-conservancy-district-essay-contest-2010
and
http://www.cuwcd.com/essays/
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Week of March 15 to March 19
As you can see, I am out of school this week traveling with the basketball team to the ACIT. Keep current in the work we are doing:
Freshmen: Finish Lord of the Flies.
Sophomores: Get Hamlet for next week.
CNF: Finish Part IV of The World Without Us.
Freshmen: Finish Lord of the Flies.
Sophomores: Get Hamlet for next week.
CNF: Finish Part IV of The World Without Us.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11
Freshmen: Today we studied the three types of figurative language - metaphor, simile, and personification. You are to revise your three poems if you feel using this technique will improve your poem; regardless, you are to craft a new poem that uses at least on of the three types of figurative language we studied. Bring in all four poems on Monday. Also due Monday are chapters 1-7 from Lord of the Flies, so use your 20 minutes each of the next few days to accomplish that.
Sophomores: Today we did an introductory exercise into the six major character archetypal forms we typically find in literature, and applied those ideas to both ourselves and to Amir, Hassan, and Baba. You are to research 5 facts about the archetype you most strongly identified with for Monday. We also focused on the notion of memory being a key component of literature and began a list of memory statements from Amir's point of view about Baba. For Monday, have The Kite Runner read and your items for the seminar ready.
CNF: We finished viewing the documentary about Andy Goldsworthy, Rivers and Tides. Extra credit to anyone who can build one of those giant rock seeds for our classroom...
Sophomores: Today we did an introductory exercise into the six major character archetypal forms we typically find in literature, and applied those ideas to both ourselves and to Amir, Hassan, and Baba. You are to research 5 facts about the archetype you most strongly identified with for Monday. We also focused on the notion of memory being a key component of literature and began a list of memory statements from Amir's point of view about Baba. For Monday, have The Kite Runner read and your items for the seminar ready.
CNF: We finished viewing the documentary about Andy Goldsworthy, Rivers and Tides. Extra credit to anyone who can build one of those giant rock seeds for our classroom...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday, March 9
Freshmen: We took the chapter 10 vocab exam and discussed the notion of effective repetition in poetry; you should write a poem that adheres to all seven principals we have studied so far: I, no participles, proper format, strong lead and conclusions, cut to the bone, and uses effective repetition.
Sophomores: We took the chapter 10 vocab exam, discussed the essay you are writing, and continued our discussion of the four stages of the hero.
CNF: Today we continued our reading of Part III in preparation for our seminar on Monday and also began Rivers and Tides.
Sophomores: We took the chapter 10 vocab exam, discussed the essay you are writing, and continued our discussion of the four stages of the hero.
CNF: Today we continued our reading of Part III in preparation for our seminar on Monday and also began Rivers and Tides.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday, March 8
Freshmen: Today we talked about cutting, using Bobbi Katz's idea that a poem is finished when there's not another word to cut. Chapters 1-7 from Lord of the Flies is due next Monday. The book and seminar are due the Monday after this. Vocab is due Tuesday, as are your revised poems.
Sophomores: Today, we concluded our study of the four stages of the hero. This week, you need to write an essay that answers this prompt: How is this cycle present in your life? In other words, write about how you have gone through a cycle of innocence, initiation, chaos, and resolution. Be specific in your references, use specific examples to illustrate your points, and remember, this is a cyclical pattern - just as in literature, people go through the stages multiple times. Bring a copy of your essay to class on Monday.
Chapter 10 vocab will be due Tuesday; with The Kite Runner read for next Monday in preparation for our seminar. Remember to have 15 items for discussion.
CNF: We worked at finishing Part III from A World Without Us. We will have a seminar on Monday for Part III.
Sophomores: Today, we concluded our study of the four stages of the hero. This week, you need to write an essay that answers this prompt: How is this cycle present in your life? In other words, write about how you have gone through a cycle of innocence, initiation, chaos, and resolution. Be specific in your references, use specific examples to illustrate your points, and remember, this is a cyclical pattern - just as in literature, people go through the stages multiple times. Bring a copy of your essay to class on Monday.
Chapter 10 vocab will be due Tuesday; with The Kite Runner read for next Monday in preparation for our seminar. Remember to have 15 items for discussion.
CNF: We worked at finishing Part III from A World Without Us. We will have a seminar on Monday for Part III.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday, March 5
****ALL: Remember, when accessing your essays on turnitin, to see comments, you must click on the apple!
Freshmen: Today we focused on standard format with poetry. To sum up: Use standard capitalization and punctuation. Use the left hand margin - don’t center your poem.
Single space between lines; double space between stanzas. Line break and construct stanzas to emphasize key words, pauses, and provide a visual effect.
Revise your first two poems for this principal, work on your Cause and Effect revision posted on yesterday's blog, and finish chapters 1-3 from Lord of the Flies for Monday.
Sophomores: Today we finished talking about the four stages of the hero. Chapters 1-19 due Monday from The Kite Runner.
***Period 4: You are to go to turnitin.com and read through the responses to your essay. Then, based on my comments, revise your piece and submit it under the Fate and Free Will Revision assignment. This is due Monday.
CNF: Today we began Part III from The World Without Us - you need 15 notes in preparation for a seminar on Thursday.
Freshmen: Today we focused on standard format with poetry. To sum up: Use standard capitalization and punctuation. Use the left hand margin - don’t center your poem.
Single space between lines; double space between stanzas. Line break and construct stanzas to emphasize key words, pauses, and provide a visual effect.
Revise your first two poems for this principal, work on your Cause and Effect revision posted on yesterday's blog, and finish chapters 1-3 from Lord of the Flies for Monday.
Sophomores: Today we finished talking about the four stages of the hero. Chapters 1-19 due Monday from The Kite Runner.
***Period 4: You are to go to turnitin.com and read through the responses to your essay. Then, based on my comments, revise your piece and submit it under the Fate and Free Will Revision assignment. This is due Monday.
CNF: Today we began Part III from The World Without Us - you need 15 notes in preparation for a seminar on Thursday.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, March 4
Freshmen: Today we focused on beginning poems "in the midst of things" and concluding strongly by ending with words, images, or ideas that resonate. You are to revise your first poem to make sure they do this, and write a second poem that adheres to the first four principals we have covered: Strong use of I, avoidance of participles, and strong leads and conclusions.
Additionally, you need to go to turnitin.com and review the assessment of your cause and effect essay. Revise this essay and resubmit it to turnitin.com by Monday morning. You need to type up a half-page explanation of the improvements you have made and hand in the paper copy to me on Monday. This way I can compare your two pieces.
Remember, read chapters 1-3 in Lord of the Flies for Monday. Use your 20 minutes of reading homework, as well as your in class time.
Sophomores: We focused further on the chaos stage in literature, and particularly in Into the Woods. Remember to finish through chapter 19 in The Kite Runner for Monday.
CNF: Today we had our seminar on Part II and those cute little non-native parrots up there on Telegraph Hill (Connor, we hardly knew ya...). We'll read Part III this week and next.
Additionally, you need to go to turnitin.com and review the assessment of your cause and effect essay. Revise this essay and resubmit it to turnitin.com by Monday morning. You need to type up a half-page explanation of the improvements you have made and hand in the paper copy to me on Monday. This way I can compare your two pieces.
Remember, read chapters 1-3 in Lord of the Flies for Monday. Use your 20 minutes of reading homework, as well as your in class time.
Sophomores: We focused further on the chaos stage in literature, and particularly in Into the Woods. Remember to finish through chapter 19 in The Kite Runner for Monday.
CNF: Today we had our seminar on Part II and those cute little non-native parrots up there on Telegraph Hill (Connor, we hardly knew ya...). We'll read Part III this week and next.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday, March 2 and Wednesday, March 3
Freshmen: Today we began in intro to free verse poetry. Your job tonight is to write a free verse poem about a first person experience. Be sure to use I, and avoid participles. We also began Lord of the Flies - check the reading schedule.
Sophomores: We covered the remaining stages of the hero today and also talked about The Kite Runner. Consult the schedule, and keep up the good work.
CNF: Today we looked at The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill and made some connections between its content and that of The World Without Us. Part II is due Thursday - we'll have a seminar then.
Sophomores: We covered the remaining stages of the hero today and also talked about The Kite Runner. Consult the schedule, and keep up the good work.
CNF: Today we looked at The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill and made some connections between its content and that of The World Without Us. Part II is due Thursday - we'll have a seminar then.
Lord of the Flies Reading Schedule 2010
Hi. Here's our schedule for Lord of the Flies. Remember, you can use your in class and at home reading time to meet the due dates, and if it says Chapters 1-3, it means you should read 1, 2, and 3.
Chapters 1-3 due 3/8.
Chapters 4-7 due 3/15.
Chapters 8-end of the book due 3/22. We will have a seminar that day.
As you read, I would like you to think about how this story and Speak are similar.
Chapters 1-3 due 3/8.
Chapters 4-7 due 3/15.
Chapters 8-end of the book due 3/22. We will have a seminar that day.
As you read, I would like you to think about how this story and Speak are similar.
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