Friday, November 30

English 12A: Today we continued to work on your analytical essays regarding the film More. You can find the assignment on Canvas. If you didn't finish in class, you have until midnight on Sunday to finish. We also went to the library to hear some book talks from our incomparable librarian, Ms. Bates. Everyone should have a book to read starting Monday during the first ten minutes of class and should read at home for 20 minutes each night, also starting Monday.

English 12B: Today we continued our study of basic hero archetypes and also began a study of the four stages of the hero, the basic cycle all hero figures move through in literature, by watching some of the musical Into the Woods. Continue to think about what your Capstone Project topic will be, and complete your proposal by Monday, December 10.

Wednesday, November 28

English 12A: Good work today - I appreciate your effort. Today we focused on some basic literary analysis by viewing the short film More by Mark Osborn. If you were absent, go to youtube and watch it. Tomorrow, we will discuss and write about the film by addressing the prompt "What is the filmmaker trying to say about dreams and ambition?" Find an outside reading book for Monday and complete your summer reading assignment for 12/5 and 12/7.

English 12B: Great job with focus today. Today we did a basic overview of the Capstone Project and what it entails. Read the whole packet tonight. Begin thinking about potential topics. Your proposal is due 12/10.

Tuesday, November 27

Hello: Happy first day of the new trimester!

English 12A: Today we did all the usual first day stuff - some get-to-know-you activities, the disclosure, and so on. We also discussed the summer reading assignment - the reading and graphic organizer are due 12/5, and the test will be 12/7. To prove you came to the blog as assigned, please comment on this post, listing your first name, last initial, and period number. This, and your signed disclosure, are due tomorrow. If you did not complete the Canvas assignment "Why English..." do so tonight.

English 12B: Today we did all the usual first day stuff - some get-to-know-you activities, the disclosure, and so on. To prove you came to the blog as assigned, please comment on this post, listing your first name, last initial, and period number. This, and your signed disclosure, are due tomorrow. If you did not complete the Canvas assignment "First Day Prompt" please do so tonight.

Tuesday, November 13

English 12A: Today we finished The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and had a few discussions about aspects of the text. We also practiced indirectly quoting material. Your final exam review guide is posted on the blog, and your This I Believe essays are due tomorrow when we begin presentations.

Monday, November 12

English 12A: Today we read pages 77-102 in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, began our next sentence of the week activity, and looked at a few This I Believe essays. Your own are due on Wednesday. The final exam study guide is posted on the blog.

CNF: Today we discussed Chapter 4 and The Tipping Point, as well as Murder on a Sunday Morning.

Final Exam Prep Guide

The final exam will consist of 71 multiple choice questions covering material we have learned this trimester. To prepare for the final, study the following:
1. Introduction and conclusion techniques
2. The 10% Solution
3. Thomas Foster's theories regarding water, blindness, geography, names, physical markings, weather, symbolism, and irony, among other ideas from How to Read Literature Like a Professor
4. Literary concepts and terms like motif, parable, vignette, bildungsroman, symbol, conflict, plot, character, theme, setting, intertextuality, among others
5. Grammar rules that were the focus of the Sentence of the Week activity
6. And, how to correctly cite sources, quote from texts, and use textual evidence.

See me with questions.

Wednesday, November 7

English 12A: Today we read pages 11-30 in The Diving Bell; look on Canvas or the blog for the corresponding pages on the PDF.

CNF: Complete the reading assignments on your own.

English 12A Extra Credit Opportunity: Mind-Body Connection

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-to-two page, double spaced essay that analyzes the different ways The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and this interview explore this topic. Include some of your own ideas as well.

working link: https://onbeing.org/programs/matthew-sanford-the-bodys-grace/

Tuesday, November 6

English 12A: Today we concluded viewing the film version of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and read the first two chapters (pages 1-10). See the blog and Canvas for the schedule to get caught up on the PDF. We also picked presentation dates, which start 11/14, so make sure your This I Believe projects are done.

CNF: Today we continued to read from Freakonomics and The Tipping Point.

Thursday, November 1

English 12A: Today we gained some background information to help us read our next book, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

CNF: Today we began a documentary film titled Spellbound.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Reading Schedule and PDF Link

This is our reading schedule for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. If you are ever absent, please go to this website and read the corresponding pages on the PDF version: http://thedisabilitybooks.org/pdf/the-diving-bell-and-the-butterfly.pdf

11/6: 3-10, PDF pages 1-11
11/7: 11-30, PDF pages 11-16
11/8: 31-52, PDF pages 17-22
11/9: 53-75, PDF pages 23-30
11/12: 77-102, PDF pages 31-36
11/13: 103-132, PDF pages 37-end