Freshman Honors English First Semester Exam Study Guide 2010-2011

Hi. First off, there will be three parts to the exam: a vocab exam that covers chapters 1-7, an objective exam of 50 questions, and an essay exam. Vocab is self-explanatory; the objective exam will be based on the things we've studied this semester, including, but not limited to, the following: the 10% solution, the seven-step essay process, the various rhetorical devices we've studied (narration, compare and contrast, etc.), different lead and conclusion techniques, principles of free verse poetry, other forms of poetry we have studied, and different reading comprehension strategies and literary concepts we have studied. For the essay exam, you will be asked to randomly write in one of the modes we have studied (narrative, compare contrast, etc.), and also be asked to use a lead and conclusion technique we have studied. I suggest coming up with some potential topics and thinking through them prior to the exam. The exam is worth 10% of your semester grade, with the essay worth twice as much as the objective or vocab exam. Any questions, let me know.

Siddhartha Extra Credit

Siddhartha Extra Credit

Due to various factors, we haven’t had the chance to read Hesse’s Siddhartha this semester. For up to 100 points extra credit (points vary based on the quality of the work), read the novel, take a quiz, and write an essay. You get 50 points for reading the novel, but to get those points you must pass (70%) a 10-question quiz taken before school on Tuesday, January 4 (be there by 7:40). The other 50 points come from writing the essay and completing the Echoes of the Tao assignment for Siddhartha. The essay and Echoes are due that day as well. You have to do all three things – you can’t just do some of it. The essay prompt is: What elements of Taoism are present in the novel Siddhartha? Use the Themes of Taoism notes we have done a few times in class to help you, as well as the Echoes assignment. You must cite at least three times from both Siddhartha and Tao te Ching in your essay and use one of the lead and conclusion techniques we have studied.

Tuesday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 15

Freshmen: Today we focused on the notion of creative response again, this time looking at poems that respond to artwork in one of four motifs found in the book Heart to Heart. These are the same motifs we will use when responding to art for your capstone project. Your task is to find a work of art and write two responses, each in a different motif. This is due, along with a picture of the art you are responding to, the day we return from break. Remember - letter to the editor due Thursday, grand parent project due Friday.

Sophomores: Today we focused on either Joseph Campbell or six word memoirs, depending on your section. Regardless, finish The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for Thursday.

CNF: We finished Chapter 4 and Gladwell's stuff on social epidemics and broken windows theory. We will seminar the next two days.

Basketball: Meet at 4:40, dressed and ready to go.

CNF Plan - Final Weeks

Okay, so here is what we decided: Read chapter 4 this week and Gladwell's piece in class and we'll discuss it Thursday and Friday. Then, you'll read Chapter 5 and 6 over break; we'll discuss and close with a few documentaries.

Monday, December 13

Freshmen: Today we read the first chapter of The Elements of Style and took a quiz on it. Remember, letters due Thursday, Grandparent Project due Friday. Read for 20 minutes tonight and Tuesday.

Sophomores: Today we focused on emerging themes of the Tao and looked at the belief statements you liked. Due Thursday is our book, and remember to work on your final project.

CNF: Today we began a study of crime and crime fighting.

Basketball: Practice is normal place and time today and Tuesday.

Friday, December 10

Freshmen: Today we did a little poetry writing about a concrete object and then looked at an essay titled Left Sink that is a great example of a descriptive essay. Read for 20 minutes; remember, letter to the editor due Thursday of next week, the Grand Parent Project due Friday of next week.

Sophomores: See the last post for an extra credit assignment. Today we explored emerging themes from the Tao. Due Monday is your worksheet on five This I Believe essays; due Thursday is our book and your seminar prep.

CNF: Today we had a seminar on Hoop Dreams.

Basketball: Meeting today after school; game at 7; arrive to JM by 6:15.

The Body's Grace Sophomore Extra Credit

One of the central ideas running through The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is the relationship we have with our bodies. Go to http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/bodys-grace/ and listen to the podcast The Body's Grace with Matthew Sanford. Write a typed, one page, double spaced essay that analyzes the different ways the book we are reading and this interview explore this topic. Include some of your own ideas as well, if relevant. I will take this up until 12/17. It is worth up to 50 points extra credit.

Tuesday, December 7 and Wedensday, December 8

Freshmen: Today we continued looking at the technique of using examples and description to illustrate a point. If you were absent, read Be Specific and The Case for Short Words in Models for Writers. Read 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday; LAL due 12/9, Letter to the Editor due 12/16, Grandparent Project due 12/17.

Sophomores: Today we began The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. See the posted schedule. Remember, LAL due 12/9 and keep working on your project.

CNF: We continued following the adventures of William and Arthur.

Basketball: Wednesday's game is at 5:30; be to JM by 4:30, dressed and ready to go at 4:40.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly reading schedule

I would like you to have one note per chapter in preparation for the seminar. I'd like to see your notes be more than just jotting something down from the chapter, but rather, a reflection of the internal dialogue you should be having with yourself and with the text as you read. Let these notes be a window into your thought processes as you read. The book and notes are due for Thursday, December 16. We will have our seminar that date.

Monday, December 6

Freshmen: Today we began a focus on descriptive/illustrative/example essays. Read for 20 minutes; LAL due Thursday; Letter to the Editor due 12/16; GPP due 12/17.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on The Alchemist. You need The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for next period; LAL due Thursday; semester project due by 1/3.

CNF: We continued Hoop Dreams today.

Basketball: We have a shoot around after school and play against Highland at 5:30.

Friday, December 3

Freshmen: Today we took a vocab exam and concluded our study of compare and contrast essays. Read for 20 minutes tonight. Remember upcoming assignments: Letter to the Editor, Letters About Literature, and Grandparent Project.

Sophomores: Today we took a vocab exam and took time to read to finish The Alchemist. It is due Monday along with your seminar prep and your Echoes of the Tao assignment. Also upcoming due assignments: Letters About Literature and getting a copy of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Most importantly, be working on your end of the semester project.

CNF: Today we looked at a different view of Chicago and an alternate way of winning the tournament by beginning the documentary Hoop Dreams.

Basketball: We play at 3 at home against Wasatch.

Thursday, December 2

Freshmen: Today we finished the in class essays comparing and contrasting Lord of the Flies and Speak. Read for 20 minutes; vocab is due Friday. Due December 9 is your Letters About Literature essay; due the 16th is your Letter to the Editor; due the 17th is your Grandparent Project.

Sophomores: Today we focused on a universal literary form, the parable. We examined a few, its elements and also examined how the texts we have read are essentially parables. Keep reading The Alchemist - it is due for the seminar on Monday, December 6; vocab is due Friday, December 3. Due December 9 is your Letters About Literature essay; due January 3 or before is your final project.

CNF: We had our seminar on chapter three today.

Basketball: We hope to be at Sunnyside, but if we get to the gym and see it is occupied, we will have to change to Westminister.