Awesome banned words list

Okay, if it were up to me, I'd add the word "awesome".

Read about the banned words list here.

Write your essays!

Okay, it looks like we are out for a three week vacation.

So for all my students, seniors and sophomores, this is my message: write your best rough draft over the break. Bring it in on the first day back to do a self/ peer review. Typing it would be a good idea-- you've got three weeks to do it! I'm hoping to collect the final draft by the end of the first week of January. If you have questions or need help, email me. Don't ask for essay help in the comments section here. Email me directly: mwilson2@ttsd.k12.or.us.


Spread the word to all your classmates. Send them the link to this blog if you need to.

Ewan McGregor talks about Iago

You might recognize Ewan McGregor from the Star Wars films.

Othello directed by Alan Parker

Shakespeare in the ghetto, Othello

Othello: Iago (Ian McKellen) tells of a handkerchief, 2/2

Ian McKellen from Lord of the Rings and X men as Iago.

Othello (Anthony Hopkins): Iago tells of a handkerchief

The worst Othello ever? You be the judge.

Thur 12/11

Seniors
1. vocab warm up: quiz tomorrow
2. essay workshop: RD due next Tuesday

Sophomores
1. grammar warm up
2. essay workshop: gather evidence, outline/ graph essay
3. HW: grammar 14, work on essay

Othello video study guide

Here is the link to the Rocket Book video study guide. You can do the whole study guide or simply take the scene quizzes to prep for the test. To see the entire video study guide you will have to register (for free) as a user, but you can at check out the guide for the first act without registering.

Othello video study guide

Wed 12/10

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Things Fall Apart test
3. essay preparation: decide on topic, search for textual evidence

Sophomores
1. finish Othello film
2. grammar 12
3. HW: grammar 13, decide on essay topic, study for test

Tue 12/9

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. end of Things Fall Apart: gut reaction, Achebe's purpose
3. teacher notes on irony
4. essay topics
5. HW: study for test, choose an essay topic

Sophomore
1. vocab quiz
2. essay topics, questions
3. film
4. HW: start deciding on an essay topic

Mon 12/8

Classes were short this day because of assembly

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. semi-pop quiz
3. ch 18-21 questions
4. read Happy Meal article
5. HW: finish Things Fall Apart
Note: Things Fall Apart test on Wednesday

Sophomores
1. vocab review
2. grammar 11
3. essay topics
4. continue Othello film
5. HW: grammar 12
Note: Othello test on Thursday

Fri 12/5

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. share Ibo proverbs
3. ch 13-17 semi-pop quiz
4. passage response: (pages 1125-128) A. gut reaction; B. What is Achebe's purpose with this passage? What does he want to show us? What is he trying to get us to think or believe?
5. HW: read ch 18-21, test next week the day after we finish the last chapter

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 10
3. Othello Act V-- perform!
4. HW: grammar 11, pick an essay topc
Note: we will watch Othello film next week; the test will be the day after we finish the film, probably Wednesday or Thursday

Thur 12/4

Seniors
1. vocab review
2. Things Fall Apart ch 11-13 questions
3. Ibo proverb illustration-- 10 pts, due tomorrow

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar #9
3. review Emilia's speech, Desdemona's response
4. journal review: possible essay topics
5. cast Act V: extra participation, learn your part, be ready to act!
6. film clips
7. HW: grammar #10

Wed 12/3

Seniors
1. semi-pop quiz for participation
2. quickwrite: tradition-- When are they good and when are they bad?
3. ch 8-10 questions
4. HW: complete proverb illustration for 10 points
5. HW: read ch 11-13

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar #8
3. Othello Act IV
4. HW: grammar #9, paraphrase Emilia speech from end of Act IV

Othello and Islamic textiles

So, is the handkerchief just a "trifle light as air" as Iago suggests? Well, actually textiles are quite important to the Islamic culture Othello comes from. These textiles come in the forms of rugs, drapes, clothing, and yes, handkerchiefs. They often use geometrical shapes, and include fine embroidery and scripture from the Qua ran. So you could imagine how upset Othello would be to think that his wife Desdemona has given away what is essentially a family heirloom.

Here are various pictures of Islamic textiles to give you an idea of how important textile art is in Islamic culture. See if you can spot the fine embroidery or scripture on the textiles. Hint: the scripture is in Arabic calligraphy.

Tue 12/2

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Things Fall Apart ch 4-7 questions
3. HW: complete Freshman proverb for tomorrow, read ch 8-10

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar #7
3. journal discussion
4. finish Othello Act III, handkerchief paraphrase, magic in the web
5. HW: grammar #8; Othello journal #6: How is the handkerchief symbolic?

Wed 11/26

Seniors
1. turn in speeches
2. vocab warm up
3. semi-pop quiz on TFA ch 1-4
4. two quickwrites: Okonkwo's character, Ibo culture
5. Freshmen proverb: 10 pts, due next Wednesday
6. HW: read ch 5-7 in TFA

Sophomores
1. grammar
2. review yesterday's reading with f12 questions in small groups
3. HW: grammar #7 and journal #5

Tue 11/25

I am out today, but here are the plans I left with Mr. McCarty.

Block 2: Senior English

1. Do a vocab warm up with the following words: feign, rebuke, uncanny. Students use the words correctly in sentences in their notebooks. I usually write model sentence on the board, then allow them to share a sentence aloud for participation. You can tell them I’ll mark participation tomorrow.

2. Students should review the first two chapters of Things Fall Apart. Put these names on the board: Okonkwo, Amalinze the Cat, Unoko, Ikemefuna, Umuofia, Mbiano. Students should begin a list called “Names to Remember” in their notebooks. For today they should write a few details about each of these names. Tell them I will check their work tomorrow.

3. The remainder of the period can be dedicated to two things: reading chapters 3-4 of Things Fall Apart or working on their rough drafts of their commencement speeches. Students may listen to music on headphones during this time and you can allow a limited number to sit in the hall to read quietly.

Blocks 3 and 4: Pre IB Sophomore English

1. Councilors will be coming in at the beginning of each period to share information with the class. This should take about 15 minutes.

2. Read aloud page 88 line 90 to page 106 line 476. Please allow students to sign up for these parts: Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia. The parts of Othello and Iago are very large, so allow two to three students to sign up for each of these parts. They can decide together how to divide up the parts.

3. HW: Student should do grammar #6. Students should write Othello journal #4 in their notebooks. This is the topic: How does this first half of Act III embody Iago’s “divinity of hell” paradox?

Mon 11/24

Seniors
1. conventions and vocab warm up
2. brainstorm: advice to Freshmen
3. proverbs: what are they, examples, significance to novel
4. Things Fall Apart chapters 1 and 2
5. HW: work on RD of speech-- typed draft due on Wednesday

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar #4
3. end of Act II: read, review, discuss
4. Picture This: Iago's plan of destruction
5. Othello journal #3
6. HW: grammar #5, read Act III to page 88 when Desdemona exits

Does Obama have a mullet in this picture?

Go Oden! Go Blazers!

Fri 11/21

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Things Fall Apart anticipation questions: (1) When you think of Africa, what comes to mind? (2) Is it okay for one culture to share itself with another culture? To impose itself on another culture? What's the difference between share and impose? How are they different/ similar?
3. speech workshop
4. HW: work on speech, highlight first three pages of TFA background

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. dashes
3. review journal topics
4. aloud: 2.2-2.3
5. HW: read Othello to page 80, grammar #4

Thur 11/20

Seniors
1. conventions warm up: run ons, parallel structure
2. finish sharing speech samples
3. speech writing workshop
4. get new books

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. colons
3. review Othello 1.3 and finish
4. Othello journal #2
5. HW: dashes and read Othello 2.1 (pages 52-60)

Wed 11/19

Seniors
1. The Stranger test
2. define your personal philosophy
3. intro to speech assignment (50 pts)
4. sample speeches
5. HW: typed RD of speech due next Wednesday

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar time: semicolons
3. Othello let terms: dramatic irony, allusion, imagery, pun, double entendre
4. discuss journal #1
5. Othello choral reading, and read 1.3
6. HW: read Othello up to page 48 when Othello exits

Which Oden shows up tonight?

Tue 11/18

Seniors
1. quickwrite: Why do we fear death? Should we or shouldn't we?
2. small groups: complete The Stranger questions
3. Camus' afterword
4. define your personal philosophy
5. HW: review study questions to prepare for test

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Act I scenes 2 and 3
3. HW: grammar #1 (semicolons) and Othello journal #1 in NB

Meh!

A new vocab word perfectly suited for The Stranger: Meh!

Mon 11/17

Seniors
1. The Stranger part 2 ch 3 questions
2. quickwrite: What makes life worth living?
3. Sisyphus
4. Absurdism
5. HW: finish reading The Stranger (we will do the questions for ch 4 and 5 in class tomorrow)

Sophomores
1. get books: Othello
2. vocab warm up
3. review: the lover, the girlfriend, the buddy
3. Act 1.1 slightly cut script
4. HW: Go Blazers!

Oden!

Fri 11/14

Seniors
1. Quickwrite: Are you free? How do you know if you are free/ not free?
2. Existentialsim: What is it?
3. film clip: free will
4. The Stranger discussion: part 2 chapters 1-2
5. HW: read part 2 ch 3 and do quesitions 1-15 in NB


Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar scores
3. line-tossing improvs
4. the lover, the girlfriend, and the buddy
5. Othello background

Thur 111/13

Seniors
1. The Stranger part 1 quiz
2. discuss ch 5-6 of part 1
3. Are you an objectivist, subjectivist, relativist?
4. HW: read The Strnager part 2 ch 1-2 and do questions in NB

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Bardology slideshow
3. line tossing
3. line tossing improvs-- perform tomorrow

Shakespeare authorship question

For those of you interested, just click here.

Wed 11/12

Seniors
1. essays, grades
2. The Stranger ch 2-4 episodes
3. discussions questions for participation
4. Philosophy 101 continued
5. HW: read part 1 ch 5-6 and do questions in NB

Sophomores
1. grades
2. vocab warm up
3. grammar pre test
4. begin Bardology 101

Fri 11/7

Seniors
1. review ch 1 of The Stranger
2. philosophy comics
3. Philosophy 101; continued
4. HW: read The Stranger to page 39 and do #4-14 in NB

Sophomores
1. score NBs
2. Cry, The Beloved Country test

Thur 11/6

Seniors
1. collect essays
2. The Card Game: Which philosophy are you?
3. begin Philosophy 101
4. HW: read ch 1 of The Stranger and do questions in NB

Sophomores
1. finish film
2. last minutes tips for tomorrow's test
3. gather quotations

Wed 11/5

Seniors
1. conventions: prounoun/ antecedent agreement, the literary present tense
2. philosophy quickwrite discussion
3. HW: complete FD of All Quiet essay

Sophomores
1. discuss Book III questions 4,5
2. essay instructions for Friday's test
3. HW: finish reading book, do questions 6 in NB

Tue 11/4

Seniors
1. conventions warm up: apostrophes
2. continue to evaluate drafts: FD due Thursday
3. new book: The Stranger
4. philosophy quickwrite in NB

Sophomores
1. Book III: discuss first three questions
2. prep for on-demand essay
3. finish Book III by Thursday and complete questions 4 and 5 by tomorrow

Mon 11/3

Seniors
1. conventions warm up: capitalization
2. peer/ self evaluation of RD
3. HW: complete FD for Thursday, sign up for turnitin.com

Sophomores
1. discuss end of Book II
2. finish field trip to South Aftrica
3. HW: read to page 280 and do first three Book III questions in NB

Happy Halloween

Fri 10/31

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. essay workshop
3. RD due on Monday (type it if you can)

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. discuss ch 26
3. field trip to South Africa
4. HW: finish reading Book II and do all Book II questions

Thu 10/30

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. essay expectations, sample essays, outline and graphic organizer, text book instructions
3. workshop: work on essays

Sophomores
1. grammar test
2. vocab warm up
3. discuss last night's chapters
4. HW: read to page 229 and do ch 26 questions in NB, complete extra credit poem

Wed 10/29

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. finish film
3. essay expectations
4. HW: gather all your evidence, begin outlining/ graphing your essay

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. ch 20 questions
3. debate: crime
4. HW: read 190- 216 and do ch 22 and 23 questions in NB, study for grammar retake

Tue 10/28

Seniors
1. All Quiet comprehension test
2. check easy prep #1
3. continue film

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review: commas
3. ch 18 discussion
4. debate: rich and poor
5. HW: read to 189 and do ch 20 question in NB

Mon 10/27

Seniors
1. review last chapters of All Quiet
2. HW: complete 1,2,3 of essay prep sheet #1
3. begin film
4. HW: study for tomorrow's comprehension test

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review: commas
3. discuss ch 12 of Cry, the Beloved
4. read ch 18 and do NB question on the chapter
5. HW: complete FD of drama essay

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. discuss ch 9 of All Quiet
3. last clip from Operation Homecoming
4. HW: finish book for Monday and complete all NB questions

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. essay self/peer evaluation
3. complete reading Book I (to page 157) by Monday
4. essay final draft due Tuesday

shanty towns

These are some images of shanty towns in South Africa. Leave a comment for participation.

Thur 10/23

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Ch 8 passages in NB
3. Operation Homecoming stories and poems
4. HW: read ch 9 and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review: commas
3. exposition and character web for ch 1-8
4. interchapter 9 aloud
5. HW: read ch 10-11, complete RD of essay

Wed 10/22

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. review ch 7
3. Operation Homecoming clips
3. HW: read ch 8 and do NB

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review: commas
3. ch 1 discussion-- implied metaphor
4. HW: read ch 5-8, work on RD of essay

Tue 10/21

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. essay topics
3. review All Quiet ch 6
4. Operation Homecoming clips
5. HW: read ch 7

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review-- quotation marks
3. South Africa background
4. ch 1: read it, draw it using three quotations in NB
5. HW: read ch 2-4
6. HW: work on RD of essay

Mon 10/20

Seniors
1. vocab warm up-- quiz Wednesday
2. discuss All Quiet ch 4,5
3. Operation Homecoming
4. HW: read ch 6 and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. essay workshop-- RD due Friday

Wed 10/15

Seniors
1. collect essays
2. vocab warm up
3. discuss All Quiet ch 2-3
4. HW: read ch 4-5 and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. Crucible test
2. score NBs
3. essay workshop
4. HW: work on essay

Tue 10/14

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. WWI clips
3. All Quiet ch 1: begin study guide in NB
4. read ch 2 and 3 adn do study guide in NB
5. HW: complete FD of essay

Sophomores
1. time out for poetry: The Unknown Citizen
2. finish film
3. essay workshop
4. tomorrow: Crucible comprehension test

Mon 10/13

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. essay peer review-- FD due on Wednesday
3. relections on war: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again"; "Knolt Holheimer"
4. review WWI background notes
5. HW: read chapter one of All Queit

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. finish film
3. HW: read "The Unknown Citizen" three times

Thur 10/9

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. NB check
3. begin new unite: Henry V and Johnny Got His Gun
4. workshop: RD of essay due Monday
5. HW: highlight 10 items on WWI background notes

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz/ warm up
2. discuss Crucible Act IV
3. return essay, share sample
4. begin Crucible film

Crucible links

Salem Witch Trials
Abigail Williams
Arthur Miller
The Crucible
McCarthyism

Wed 10/8

Seniors
1. Hamlet test
2. vocab warm up
3. Essay of definition workshop-- RD due Monday

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. review Crucible Act III
3. Act IV aloud

Tue 10/7

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. film clips of 5.2
3. test review

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review
3. finish Act III
4. Act study guide (due tomorrow)
5. HW: look up last five vocab words

Mon 10/6

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. read Hamlet 5.2
3. begin Hamlet review-- test on Wednesday

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review- apostrophes
3. review Crucible Act II
4. begin Crucible Act III

bambi meets godzilla

Fri 10/3

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. crazy Ophelia
3. Hamlet 5.1
4. HW: read up to page 169

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. Crucible Act II
3. HW: complete Act II study guide

Happiest Place on Earth?

Maybe Hamlet should be much happier since he lives in the Happiest Place on Earth! NO, it's not Disney Land! It's Denmark. Read about it or view the video here.

Thur 10/2

Seniors
1. extra credit practice
2. vocab warm up
3. review yesterday's reading: Hamlet 4.1-4.4
4. read aloud 4.5
5. HW: Act IV reader log

Sophomores
1. grammar 11,12
2. vocab warm up
3. complete Act I study guide and review
4. cast Crucible Act II and begin reading

Wed 10/1

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. share Act III reader logs
3. view The Mouse Trap
4. continue reading to page 128
5. "to be" extra credit

Sophomores
1. grammar 9,10
2. vocab warm up
3. read rest of Crucible Act I
4. Crucible Act I study guide
5. HW: grammar 11,12

Tue 9/30

Seniors
1. college handbook from counciling
2. vocab warm up
3. Hamlet: finish Act III
4. HW: reader's log on Act III in NB

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Crucible debate
3. Three Settings lecture
4. begin Act I
5. HW: look up vocab

Mon 9/29

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "To be" close reading
3. view two versions of "To be"
4. HW: read to page in Hamlet, look up vocab words

Sophomores
1. grammar 7,8
2. finish Piano Lesson film, possible essay topics
3. get Crucible
4. start Crucible vocab
5. prep for debate: security vs. freedom
6. HW: grammar 9,10, look vocab words, read about Oxford comma

Read about the Oxford comma

Click here to read the wiki article.

Fri 9/26

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. Rocket review of Hamlet 2.2
3. "Rogue" close reading
4. Act II reader log
5. read Act III scene 1

Sophomores
1. collect essays
2. grammar 6
3. finish film
4. Piano Lesson journal 4: How has the film helped you better understand one discussion topic?
5. HW: grammar 7,8

Thur 9/25

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. stlye--page 4
3. review Hamlet 2.1
4. Hamlet 2.2 (pun, double entendre, classical alluision
5. HW: finish 2.2

Sophomores
1. grammar 5
2. finish reading Piano Lesson
3. last journal on Piano Lesson
4. begin film
5. HW: grammar 6, finish essay

Wed 9/24

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. style warm up
3. ghost scene: review, view two versions
4. review Polonius family (1.3)
5. begin reader log (do 2 topics for each act)
6. HW: read Hamlet 2.1 (pages 42-47)

Sophomores
1. grammar 4
2. read Piano Lesson Act II aloud (finish for HW if we don't finish in class)
3. HW: grammar 5, work on FD of essay

Tue 9/23

Seniors
1. turn in essay/story
2. vocab warm up
3. review Hamlet 1.2 to line 127
4. close reading: Hamlet's first soliloquy
5. finish 1.2, read 1.4
6. HW: read 1.3-- the Polonius family

Sophomore
1. grammar 3
2. finish reading Piano Lesson 1.2, complete review quesitons in group
3. discuss journal topics for 1.2-- complete journal 2 in NB
4. HW: work on essay, grammar 4, visit blog and leave comment

What was the Parchman Farm?

Click here to find out: Parchman Farm

What is a slave song, or a work song?

Click here to find out: Work Song

Song from a Cotton Field - Bessie Brown

Check out this song about slaves working in the cotton field.

Mon 9/22

Seniors
1. vocab warm up-- quiz Friday
2. style warm up
3. Act 1.1-- words, phrases, questions, complete the reading
4. Rocketbook for 1.1
5. HW: read Hamlet to page 15, complete FD of essay/story

Sophomores
1. grammar 2
2. Piano Lessons: discuss, NB journal
3. read Piano Lesson 1.2 (to page 54)
4. HW: grammar 3, work on FD of essay

Fri 9/19

Seniors
1. style and composition warm up
2. peer review of story/ essay-- FD due Tuesday
3. Hamlet line tossing
4. Something's Rotten in the State of Denmark

Sophomores
1. Poetry: "I Have Been Accused of Tending to the Past"
2. essay self evaluation
3. read The Piano Lesson Act I scene 1 (to page 28)
4. HW: grammar page 2, work on FD of essay

Thur 9/18

Seniors
1. collect Canterbury Tales study guide
2. Canterbury Tales test
3. bus evacuation drill
4. get Hamlet
5. work on story/ essay-- RD due tomorrow

Sophomores
1. begin grammar
2. Read Piano Lesson background
3. time out for poetry

Wed 9/17

Seniors
1. discuss Wife of Bath's Tale
2. Canterbury Tales writing assignment and student samples-- RD due Friday
3. review for test

Sophomores
1. check outlines
2. review MLA style, quotations, pet peeves
3. structure of introduction
4. complete RD by Friday
5. pick up copies of The Piano Lesson

Tue 9/16

Seniors
1. Pardoner's Tale discussion (participation points)
2. Wife of Bath's Tale: quickwrite, listen
3. NB: page 188, all reading check questions, and thinking critically # 5,9,11,12,13

Sophomores
1. unity and coherence
2. check graphic organizers
3. key pages in language book, pet peeves
4. complete essay outline

Mon 9/15

Seniors
1. complete graphic #2
2. review key details of prologue part 5 work
3. listen to Pardoner's Tale
4. HW: complete Pardoner's Tale questions

Sophomores
1. check thesis statements, feedback
2. sample essay, key pages in language text
3. share sample graphic organizer
4. HW: complete graphic organizer

Fri 9/12

Seniors
1. Review part 4 of Canterbury Tales. Read aloud The Parson.
2. Complete part 5
3. complete graphic #2

Sophomores
1. share Golding's view on human behavior
2. discuss last three passages
3. essay topic
4. HW: complete essay pre-write, rough draft of thesis statement

Thur 9/11

Seniors
1. complete and share graphics
2. review characters: Merchant, Oxford Cleric, Lawyer, Franklin, Guildsman
3. Complete Day 4 work


Sophomores
1. Lord of the Flies debate
2. In NB: What is your view on human behavior? (view #3); What is Golding's view on human behavior? (view #4). Feel free to borrow ideas from our first two views.

Wed 9/10

Seniors
1. Pilgrimage slideshow
2. review characters so far, read aloud Nun, Monk
3. complete part 3 of study guide
4. begin character graphic: name, 3-5 perfect adjectives, best quotation, symbol (finish tomorrow)

Sophomores
1. symbolism: present answers for your symbol, include facts from text to support answer
3. discuss HW key passages: 113, 140, 143, 155
4. prep for tomorrow's debate
5. HW" What makes the passage key? (178, 200)

Tue 9/9

Seniors
1. more notes on satire: irony, wit, dirision
2. watch youtube satire clips
2. review opening paragraphs of Canterbury Tales
3. complete all study guide quesitons up to and including the Monk

Sophomores
1. discuss passages from last night's HW
2. new passages: 88, 109
3. allegory, symbolism, microcosm-- in groups, four questions, complete and share tomorrow
4. HW: What makes the passage key? (pages 113, 140, 143, 155)

Mon 9/8

Seniors
1. review background: Normans, Feudalism, Knights, Crusades, New City Classes, Thomas Becket, The Plague
3. pages 135-140: Chaucer and the story
4. begin prologue: pages 142-143

Sophomores
1. grammar pre-test
3. Introduction to key passages
4. discuss first passage
5. NB: What is causing the pause? How does this one moment inform us of an important theme in the book?
6. HW: read three passages and answer this question on one of the passages: What makes the passage key? (pages 60, 62, 63) (Also don't forget to hold the knife up and pause!)

Fri 9/5

Seniors
1. seating chart
2. share free writes
3. discuss definition of satire
4. seven deadly sins activity
5. brainstorm satire topics
6. Read Canterbury Tales background on Middle Ages

Sophomores
1. complete syllabus discussion
1. review sentence workshop
2. Lord of the Flies gut reaction discussion

Welcome Back

Welcome Back! Please bookmark this page so that you can use this blog to check for work when you are absent. Leave a comment below to let me know you were here. Also, have a look at today's agenda so you can see what to expect each day on the blog.

Thur 9/4

Seniors
1. course description
2. Introduction to Canterbury Tales Unit: satire, pilgrimage, the art of description
3. Brainstorm list of people, real or imagined, who you want to describe
4. Free write on one person from the list: A. physical details- head to toe; B. Show how physical details reveal personality

Sophomores
1. seating chart
2. Lord of the Flies test
3. course description
4. HW: complete sentence workshop

Wed 6/11

Block 2
Finish film and review for test

Block 4
Joy Luck Club test

Tue 6/10

Sophomores
1. discuss "Double Face" and "A Pair of Tickets"
2. film clips

Mon 6/9

Sophomores
Discuss "Magpies" and "Waiting Between the Trees"
essay test advice
watch clips from Joy Luck Club film

Fri 6/6

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. autobio self assessment
3. discuss last two stories
4. HW: read "Magpies" and "Waiting Between the Trees"

Thur 6/5

Seniors
Commencement speeches

Sophmores
1. vocab warm up and review
2. discuss "Four Directions"
3. read "Without Wood" and "Best Quality"
4. complete FD of autobio story

Wed 6/4

Seniors
1. NB check
2. complete Chronicle project

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. discuss "Rice Husband"
3. last NB check
4. HW: read "Four Directions"

Mon6/2

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review last chapter
3. begin Chronicle final project
4. collect extra credit Things Fall Apart draft

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. revision instructions
3. peer review of autobios--- checklist
4. read "Two Kinds"

Fri 5/30

Seniors
1. collect magical realism stories
2. vocab warm up
3. review Chronicle
4. Cover art: Journal in NB on how the art expresses/ symbolizes the story's themes, topics, conflicts, etc.
5. Create a new cover that features a character other than Angela: Express/ symbolize the story's themes, topics, conflicts, etc. Suggested characters: Santiago, Bayardo, Pedro/Pablo, Narrator. Due Monday for 10 points

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. "Voice from the Wall" discussion
3. HW: complete RD of autobio story, read "Half and Half"

Thur 5/29

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. ch 4 review: events, characters, etc
3. Gender roles activity
4. HW: read to page 111


Sophomores
1. vocab review
2. discuss "Rules of the Game"
3. HW: read "Voice from the Wall"

Wed 5/28

Seniors
1. vocab quiz, new vocab
2. chapter 3: timeline, characters (Pablo/Pedro, the crowd, bystandards)
3. HW: read to page 96

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. "Moon Lady"
3. Bicycle Vignette
4. HW: read "Rules of the Game" and draft autobio story

Tue 5/27

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. return TFA essay: 10 points extra credit
3. discuss Chronicle chapter 2: time line, characters, themes, imagery, irony, machismo, etc
4. HW: read chapter 3

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. drafting: POV, verb tense, voice, long shots, etc
3. discuss "The Red Candle"
4. HW: read "The Moon Lady"
Semi autobio RD due next Monday

Fri 5/23

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. essay story peer review-- FD next Friday
3. Chronicle chapter one: characters, timeline, imagery, motifs, irony, humor, themes
4. HW: read chapter 2

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. story starts: good/bad karma, ghost story
3. free write #4
4. discuss "Scar"
5. HW: read "The Red Candle"

Thur 5/22

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. share journal #1
3. journal #2: Hamlet's last scene, discuss collective memory
4. read aloud pages 1-8, finish chapter one for HW
5. HW: complete RD of magical realism story/essay

Sophmores
1. vocab warm up
2. "Zippy"
3. more topics: sibling rivalry, control freak, backfired, that weird family
4. free write #3
5. JLC: 8 fold notes, topics, discussion

Wed 5/21

Seniors
1. Like Water for Chocolate test
2. get Chronicle books
3. Chronicle vocab: quiz next Wednesday
4. Chronicle journal #1: 9/11 in first person

Sophomores
1. grammar retake
2. story ideas: I lost my temper, battle of wills, scar
3. free write #2
4. writer's workshop topic 2
5. read aloud: A Girl Named Zippy

Tue 5/20

Seniors
1. November/December questions and discussion-- test tomorrow
2. magical realism tips
3. HW: work on essay/story

Sophomores
1. semi-autobiographical story unit
2. mine your memory for noteworthy incidents-- list in NB
3. free write on one of your topics
4. get Joy Luck Club
5. HW: study for grammar test, work on Othello FD, read JLC to page 32

Mon 5/19

Seniors
1. October discussion
2. Magical realism assignment, student samples
3. HW: write draft for Friday, read rest of Like Water for Chocolate-- test Wednesday

Sophomores
1. last grammar review: parallel structure
2. essay peer review
3. HW: read every sentence for active/passive voice, pronoun/ antecedent agreement

Fri 5/16

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. collect TFA essays-- don't forget turnitin.com
3. September discussion
4. HW: read October

Sophomores
1. Othello test
2. check Othello journals
3. HW: complete RD of Othello essay
4. HW: study for next Wednesday's grammar test

Thur 5/15

Seniors
1. vocab review
2. journal #5: nurturing
3. August discussion
4. film clip
5. HW: read September, finish TFA essay

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. Othello test review
3. essay workshop

Wed 5/14

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. June and July discussion
3. film clip
4. HW: work on TFA essay, read August

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. essay workshop

Tue 5/13

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. semi-pop quiz: chapter 5
3. film clip: wedding cake
4. May questions, discussion
5. HW: read June and July, work on TFA FD

Sophomores
1. grammar review: 621- ex 7, 616- revD
2. essay workshop

Othello Act V

Excellent acting!

Mon 5/12

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Chocolate chapter 4 quesitions
3. Things Fall Apart rough draft self review: FD due Friday
4. HW: read ch 5

Sophomores
1. begin grammar review: semicolons, colons
2. sample essay, essay reminders
3. quotations, searchable Shakespeare
4. HW: work on essay: RD due next Monday
5. reminder: Othello test on Friday

Fri 5/9

Substitute plans for Friday May 9, 2008.
Block 1: Senior English
1. Vocabulary quiz: I’ve left the key with you. When they are done, please share the answers and have them score each other and turn in.
2. Like Water for Chocolate chapter 3 questions. They may discuss these in groups, but please tell them they must complete the answers on the sheet and turn them into you today.
3. Journal #3: Please give them the instruction sheet and have them write in their notebooks for at least five minutes. They may share with each other in pairs when they are done.
4. Homework: Read chapter four of Like Water for Chocolate. Complete rough draft of Things Fall Apart essay. Any time left over at the end should be used to get started on this homework.

Blocks 2 and 4: Pre-IB Sophomore English
They will be continuing the film Othello. They’ve already started, so ask a student to help you find where they left off. Block 2 left off about 18 minutes into the film. Block 4 left off about 27 minutes into the film. I don’t think they will complete the film before the period is over, but if they do they can just work on pre-writing for their essays.

Thur 5/8

Seniors
1. vocab warm up; quiz tomorrow
2. Chocolate semi-pop quiz ch 2
3. ch 2 discussion in groups
4. journal #3: family legend
5. HW: Chocolate ch 3, TFA essay (RD due Monday)

Sophomores
1. grammar warm up
2. return and discuss key passages
3. Othello essay assignment-- sample questions
4. begin Othello film
5. HW: start your essay-- topic, questions, quotations (workshop on Monday and Tuesday)

Wed 5/7

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Chocolate quiz 1
3. Chocolate study questions in groups
4. journal #2: family tradition
5. HW: read chapter 2, work on TFA essay

Sophomores
1. grammar
2. Act V aloud
3. Othello slide show
4. HW: finish all grammar, do Act V journal

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Chocolate journal #1: Describe the "ultimate meal" you would serve for yourself and friends. Go into detail. How would it taste? How would it make you and your friends feel.
3. essay workshop, organization, outline, etc.
4. HW: read ch 1 of Like Water for Chocolate

Sophomores
1. grammar
2. end of Act IV
3. Act IV journal
4. cast Act V
5. HW: grammar 11, 12

Mon 5/5

Seniors
1. Things Fall Apart test
2. essay workshop, pick topic, outline, search for evidence, etc.

Sophomores
1. grammar warm up
2. proof
3. Act IV aloud
4. HW: finish Act IV, paraphrase Desdemona's speech on page 136, grammar 9 and 10

Fri 5/2

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. share freshman proverb
3. TFA end: gut reaction
4. teacher notes on ending
5. essay topics, test study sheet

Sophomores
1. grammar warm up
2. Act III review: NB answers, history of a handkerchief, magic in the web
3. lit term: symbolism
4. HW: grammar 6,7,8, Act III journal

Islamic textiles and Othello

So, is the handkerchief just a "trifle light as air" as Iago suggests? Well, actually textiles are quite important to the Islamic culture Othello comes from. These textiles come in the forms of rugs, drapes, clothing, and yes, handkerchiefs. They often use geometrical shapes, and include fine embroidery and scripture from the Qua ran. So you could imagine how upset Othello would be to think that his wife Desdemona has given away what is essentially a family heirloom.

Here are various pictures of Islamic textiles to give you an idea of how important textile art is in Islamic culture. See if you can spot the fine embroidery or scripture on the textiles. Hint: the scripture is in Arabic calligraphy.

Thur 5/1

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Happy Meal: What details from the article remind you of details/events in TFA? What is the author's ultimate point? Share at least one specific quotation.
3. Ch 18-21 questions
4. HW: finish book

Sophomores
CIM reading test

Wed 4/30

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. passage response: (pages 135-137) A. gut reaction; B. What is Achebe's purpose with this passage? What does he want to show us? What is he trying to get us to think or believe?
3. review all events of last chapters
4. Write advice to Freshman proverb, due Friday: (examples: The unchanined gate swings wide and often. The guard who learns to trust the unchained inmate keeps the most secure prison. The thirsty dog is willing to drink muddy water. The snipers bullet is worth a thousand from an ordinary soldier.
5. HW: rea ch 18-21

Sophomores
CIM writing test

Tue 4/29

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. proverb gallery walk
3. semi-pop quiz
4. ch 11-13 questions in your notebook
5. HW: ch 14-17

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. CIM writing test

Mon 4/28

Seniors
1. vocab quiz-- new words for Friday's quiz
2. semi-pop quiz for participation
3. quickwrite: tradition-- When are they good and when are they bad?
4. ch 8-10 questions
5. HW: complete proverb illustration for 10 points
6. HW: read ch 11-13

Sophomores
1. vocab review-- quiz tomorrow
2. review end of Act II with illustration on board
3. Begin reading Act III
4. HW: for Friday-- Act II journal, read Act III and do study questions in NB
Tomorrow: begin CIM testing

Fri 4/25

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. collect RD of commencement speech
3. semi-pop quiz
4. ch 4-7 questions
5. proverb illustration: due Tuesday
6. HW: read ch 8-10

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. colons, dashes
3. finish Othello Act II
4. HW: grammar 4,5

Thur 4/24

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. semi pop quiz
3. quickwrite details of Ibo culture in NB
4. Okonkwo's character in NB
5. work on speech
6. HW: read ch 5-7

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up: quiz Tuesday
2. grammar: semicolon
3. Othello journal discussion
4. Othello 2.1
5. HW: complete 2.1 reading

Tue 4/22

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. advice to Freshman
3. proverbs
4. speech workshop
5. HW: read/highlight TFA background
6. HW: read TFA chapter 1-4
7. HW: vocab sentences for uncanny, delectable, esoteric, impenetrably, incipient

Sophomores
Choice book key passage analysis

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Things Fall Apart anticipation questions: When we think of Africa, what do we think of? Is it okay for one culture to impose/share itself? Why or why not?
3. get books
4. speech workshop

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. lit terms: dramatic irony, allusion, imagery, pun, double entendre
3. end of Act I
4. HW: essay journals by Thursday
5. HW: grammar 1-3 by Thursday

Fri 4/18

Seniors
1. Stranger test
2. defining your personal philosophy: answer three questions in NB
3. commencement speech assignment
4. share samples
5. HW: complete typed RD of speech by next Friday

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. review Othello 1.2
3. Othello 1.3 plus choral reading
4. HW: complete reading of Othello 1.3
5. Tuesday: choice book key passage test

Thur 4/17

Seniors
1. finish Stranger questions
2. notes, review for test, Camus' afterword
3. take ethics survey: subjectivist, relativist, objectivist
4. HW: study for tomorrow's test

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. key passage #2: finding details to help you come up with a theme
3. Othello lit terms: soliloquy, aside
4. review end of Othello 1.1
5. read aloud: Othello 1.2

Wed 4/16

Seniors
1. Sisyphus
2. Absurdism
3. ch 3 questions, review
4. HW: finish the book

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. key passage review: moral vs. theme, lit terms, details
3. aloud: Othello 1.1-- finish for HW
4. HW: do practice key passage #2 on Cry, The Beloved Country in NB

Absurdism

Seniors, read this article on absurdism to better understand The Stranger. Leave a comment for participation. I'll have question for you about it tomorrow.

Tue 4/15

Seniors
1. existentialism-- film clip, background notes
2. answer questions in NB: part 2, chapters 1-2
3. HW: read chapter 3

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. The lover, the girlfriend, the buddy: questions, graphic
3. read aloud: Othello 1.1
4. HW: key passage practice: What theme is being expressed or developed in the passage? (one sentence); Explain how the details of the passage develop or express that theme.

Mon 4/14

Seniors
1. grades for 3rd quarter
2. complete part one question in NB
3. review episodes of part 1
4. HW: read chapter 1,2 of part 2
5. comprehension test on Friday!

Sophomores
1. grades for 3rd quarter
2. line tossing improvs
3. Lover, Girlfriend, Buddy improvs
4. HW: finish choice book if you have not done so already

Thur 4/10

Seniors
1. comics-- Why am I here? What is the meaning of life?
2. wrap up philosophy notes: epstimology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, etc.
3. discuss Stranger ch 1
4. HW: read Stranger to page 59

Sophomores
1. Bardology 101: What do you know about Shakespeare's time?
2. slide show
3. line tossing

This one is for Dylan

Check out this article on spelling differences between American and British English.

This one is for Patrick

This is from Wiki:

Theater is the prevailing American spelling and is used by America's national theater as well as major American newspapers such as the New York Times (theater section) to refer to both the dramatic arts as well as to buildings where performances take place; yet theatre is also current, witness Broadway and The New Yorker. Some places in the United States have "Centre" in their names (i.e. Rockville Centre, New York), named both before and after spelling reform, and there are very occasional uses of "Center" in England [3]). For British accoutre(ment), US practice varies: Merriam-Webster favours the -re spelling,^[31] American Heritage the -er spelling.^[32]

Wed 4/9

Seniors
1. card game-- What's your philosphy?
2. continue philosophy reading
3. complete ch 1 NB questions for The Stranger
4. read chapter 2 and 3 for HW

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar pre-test
3. bardology 101: What do we know about Shakespeare, the man? What do we know about Shakepseare's theater?

Shakespeare authorship controversy

Click here to read the wiki article on the authorship controversy. Read all or part of it and return here and leave a comment for participation.

Tue 4/8

Seniors
1. turn in essay
2. finish film
3. get The Stranger
4. philosophy quickwrite #1
5. World Book notes on philosophy
6. HW: read chapter 1 of The Stranger

Sophomores
complete on demand essay for Cry, The Beloved Country

Mon 4/7

Seniors
1. turnitin.com
2. finish film
3. FD of essay due tomorrow

Sophomores
1. review essays
2. finish film
3. list choice books
4. essay test instructions: pre-write and outline
5. notebooks scored tomorrow

Fri 4/4

Seniors
1. essay peer review-- FD due Tuesday
2. film

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. last three questions of Book III
3. film

Thur 4/3

Seniors
essay workshop--RD due tomorrow

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. begin film

Wed 4/2

Seniors
essay workshop day

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Book III, first three questions
3. HW: finish book for tomorrow

Tue 4/1

Seniors
1. All Quiet test
2. check thesis RD, discuss possible thesis statements
3. sample Huck Finn essay
4. HW: outline (complete first three questions)

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. review chapter questions: 23, 26, 29
3. HW: read to page 280

Mon 3/31

Seniors
1. complete study guide
2. last discussion on book
3. review essay instructions-- key pages in language book
4. read sample essay on Midsummer
5. HW: write a rough draft of you thesis and list five key passages you could use for your essay

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Ch 18, 20 review in groups
3. Ch 22 review-- split class
4. HW: ch 23 question in NB (include one quotation in each response)

Fri 3/21

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. All Quiet essay topics
3. review ch 8 quotations
4. HW: finish reading book-- test on Tuesday after Spring Break

Sophomores
1. collect Crucible essays
2. vocab quiz
3. field trip to South Africa
4. HW: finish reading Book II of the book

Thur 3/20

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "Combat to Campus"
3. finish ch 7 questions
4. read to page 198.

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. review end of Book I quesitons
3. debate: rich and poor
4. HW: read ch 18, 19; finish FD of Crucible essay

Wed 3/19

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "Comrade Search"
3. review ch 7, first four questions in NB
4. read to page 185 for HW

Sophomores
1. vocab review
2. review ch 13,14
3. debate: crime
4. HW: finish Book I

Tue 3/18

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Ch 6 questions on your own
3. Paths of Glory clip
4. read Ch 7 to page 162

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. review ch 9 pictures
3. discuss ch 10,11
4. ch 12 aloud
5. draw ch 12
6. HW: read to page 135

Shanty towns

These are some images of shanty towns in South Africa. Leave a comment for participation.

Mon 3/17

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review chapter 5
3. answer all of ch 5 questions in NB
4. complete ch 6 for tomorrow

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. summarize ch 3-8, family web
3. ch 9 aloud
4. draw ch 9 as collage, use key phrases
5. HW: read ch 10,11; work on essay; visit blog and leave comment

Wed 3/12

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. read "cut off from youth" articles
3. discuss Ch 3 questions for participation
4. ch 4 details
5. show WWI archival footage
6. HW: read to pa 108, do ch 4 questions in NB

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. essay peer review-- FD due next Friday
3. HW: ch 3-8 in Cry, The Beloved Country

Tue 3/11

Seniors
1. vocab warm up-- quiz tomorrow
2. collect definition essays
3. review ch 1 and 2, complete NB work
4. HW: read to page 74, complete ch 3 questions in NB

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. ch 1 aloud-- implied metaphor, key phrases and words
3. read ch 2 aloud-- exposition t-chart in NB
4. HW: work on your essay

Mon 3/10

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. lit of warm: last two items
3. review chapter one of All Quiet; characters, settings, essay topics
4. HW: read to page 50, to questions for first two chapters, complete final draft of definition essay

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up-- quiz next Friday
2. South Africa background
3. get books
4. read chapter one at least twice
5. draw chapter one in notebook; include three quotations
6. HW: work on Crucible essay

Fri 3/7

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. lit of war: "The Soldier" and "Knolt Holheimer"
3. WWI background and statistics
4. HW: read All Quiet ch 1 and 2 and do ch 1 study questions in NB

Sophomores
1. grammar test
2. essay workshop time

Thur 3/5

Seniors
1. essay FD due next Tuesday
2. vocab warm up
3. intro All Quiet unit
4. Lit of war: read "Henry V" speech and excerpt for Johnny Got His Gun
5. get books
6. highlight WWI background

Sophomores
1. last grammar review: page 845- #11-20
2. essay workshop

Wed 3/5

I was out of the building on Wednesday. Here are the plans I left for the substitute:

Block 1, Senior English:

1. Vocab warm up: Give out vocab list and have students identify parts of speech for first ten words.
2. Students watch Act 5 scene 2 of Hamlet (the Kenneth Branagh version). Ian can help you set up projector.
3. Students can do a peer review of their essay of definition using the rubrics on the back of the sample, or they may simply continue to draft the essay. Tell them final draft is due next Monday.
4. HW: read World War I background. Highlight ten most interesting facts/ statements.

Blocks 2 and 4, Pre IB Sophomore English:

1. Grammar review in notebook. Students may write their answers out or simply do the exercises in their head if they wish. This is a review for the upcoming test. In the purple language textbook they should do the following exercises: p. 831 ex4 #1-10; p. 834 ex 5 #2, 8; p. 837 ex 6 #1-10

2. Students are in the early stages of their essays on The Crucible. I’ve left a copy for you of the eleven essay questions they have to choose from. They may use the rest of the period to do one or both of these two things: gather evidence from the text relevant to topic (take notes, use sticky notes to mark pages, etc); begin planning essay (I’ve left outlines you can give to students who are ready for this stage). They may listen to their Ipods during this time if they wish.

Tue 3/4

Seniors
1. "to be" practice
2. sample essay of definition
3. organize and write draft for tomorrow

Sophomores
1. grammar warm up
2. review essays
3. sample essay
4. HW: gather evidence

Mon 3/3

Seniors
1. 20 minute cram session for Hamlet test
2. HW: choose essay topic, define key words
3. watch 5.2 of Hamlet

Sophomores
1. HW: decide on an essay topic
2. Grammar warm up
3. finish Crucible film
4. return essays

Fri 2/29

Seniors
1. Hamlet vocab quiz 3
2. show Hamlet film
3. HW: Hamlet study sheet

Sophomores
1. Crucible test
2. collect forecasting sheets (2nd block)
3. show Crucible film

Thur 2/28

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "to be" practice
3. 5.2 aloud
4. Hamlet review questions

Sophomores
1. grammar warm up: page 871 ex. 6
2. questions about essay questions
3. film

Wed 2/27

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "to be" practice
3. crazy Ophelia, video summary of 4.6-4.7
4. read aloud 5.1
5. do readers log for Act IV

Sophomores
1. grammar answers, complete packet
2. review study guide questions
3. Crucible journal #4
4. Miller clips
5. essay topics

Tue 2/26

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "to be" practice
3. finish ghost film clip
4. summarize 4.1-4.3
5. read aloud 4.4-4.5
6. HW: read pages 137-146

Sophomores
1. grammar answers
2. review Act III study guide
3. read Act IV aloud
4. Act IV study guide
5. HW: grammar 11

Mon 2/25

Seniors
1. Test Friday!
2. return first essay, review errors
3. vocab warm up-- quiz Friday
4. reader's log for Act III in NB
5. view "The Mouse Trap" plus death of Polonius
6. HW: read pages 115-122

Sophomores
1. Test Friday!
2. extra credit-- 10 points
3. grammar answers
4. motif, foils
5. Act III study guide
6. Crucible journal #3
7. cast Act IV
8. HW: grammar 10, read choice book

Fri 2/22

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. read "The Mouse Trap" aloud, view rocketnotes
3. read through to the end of Act III

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar answers
3. read Act III aloud
4. HW: grammar 9, read deleted scene

Sophomores post your titles here

Click on "comments" below. Type in the title of your chosen book and leave your name.

Thur 2/21

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "To be or not to be" close reading, intro of essay topics
3. view "To be" clips

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. review study guide
3. Crucible journal #2
4. HW: grammar 8, post book titles on blog

Tue 2/19

Seniors
1. collect essay/story
2. vocab warm up
3. review 2.1 with Rocketbook
4. read 2.2: review pun, double entendre, classical allusion
5. HW: read to page 73

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar answers
3. review Act I study guide
4. Crucible journal #1
5. cast Act II
6. HW: grammar 6, FD of essay

bambi meets godzilla

Enjoy!

Fri 2/15

Seniors
1. vocab quiz/ new vocab
2. essay/story self or peer review
3. Hamlet 1.5 film clips
4. HW: FD of essay/story due on Tuesday

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz/ new vocab
2. grammar errors
3. essay self review/ NB check
4. turnitin.com ID and password
5. HW: finish Crucible Act I study guide, grammar 5, FD of essay due on Wednesday

Thur 2/14

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review 1.3, plus Rocketbook notes
3. read aloud 1.4-1.5
4. do reader's log in NB for Act 1
5. HW: finish draft of essay/story, read 2.1 in Hamlet (pages 42-47)

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar answers
3. Finish Crucible Act I
4. begin Act I study guide, finish tomorrow in class
5. HW: complete essay draft, grammar 4

Wed 2/13

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. clip: scene 1
3. review pages 11-15
4. first soliloquy
5. finish 1.2, introduce reader's log
6. HW: work on story/essay, read pages 22-28 in Hamlet

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar answers (1,2)
3. share setting #3
4. Crucible Act I, finish tomorrow
5. HW: work on essay, grammar 3

Tue 2/12

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Rotten Denmark
3. Hamlet scene 1 aloud, finish to page 9
4. view 1.1 Rocketnotes
5. HW: work on essay/story, read Hamlet to page 15

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Crucible debate
3. Three settings lecture, complete setting #3
4. HW: work on essay, do pages 1,2 of grammar

Mon 2/11

Seniors
1. pick up Hamlet
2. check essays, stories, due Friday
3. Hamlet vocab
4. Hamlet line tossing
5. HW: essay, story, vocab

Sophomores
1. check outlines, more pet peeves, quotations, draft due Friday
2. college bound reading assignment, due April 14
3. Crucible- get books, vocab list, debate topic

Fri 2/8

Seniors
1. turn in CT study guide
2. take CT test
3. writing instructions for Observational Essay and Satirical Story
4. decide on assignment choice, begin planning, RD due next Friday

Sophomores
1. check graphic organizers
2. review essay pet peeves
3. complete an essay outline for Monday

Thur 2/7

Seniors
1. Discuss Pardoner's Tale questions for participation
2. graphic #2
3. test review
4. pilgrimage slideshow

Sophomores
1. check thesis statements
2. sample essay, review key pages in writing text book
3. sample graphic organizer
4. HW: revise thesis statement, complete a graphic organizer for your essay

Wed 2/6

Seniors
1. review last characters of prologue: Miller, Reeve, Manciple, Summoner, Pardoner
2. listen to Pardoner's Tale
3. complete Pardoner's Tale questions

Sophomores
1. share Golding's view
2. last key passages
3. essay topic
4. complete cause and effect chart
5. HW: write a rough draft of your thesis

Tue 2/5

Seniors
1. share graphics
2. review new characters: Cook, Skipper, Doctor, Wife of Bath, Parson, Plowman
3. Complete all question up to the Plowman
4. read rest of Prologue

Sophomores
1. Lord of the Flies debate
2. In NB: What is your view on human behavior? (view #3); What is Golding's view on human behavior? (view #4). Feel free to borrow ideas from our first two views.

Mon 2/4

Seniors
1. review characters so far, read aloud Nun, Merchant, Oxford Cleric, Franklin
2. create character graphic: name, 3-5 perfect adjectives, best quotation
3. complete all study questions up to and including Guildsman
4. HW: read up to and including Plowman

Sophomores
1. collect January letters
2. symbolism: review microcosm and symbols
3. discuss HW key passages: 113, 140, 143
4. prep for tomorrow's debate
5. HW" What makes the passage key? (155, 200)

Fri 2/1

Seniors
1. more notes on satire: irony, wit, dirision, foil
2. read aloud: Monk, Friar
3. complete all study guide quesitons up to and including the Friar
4. review characters, vices, virtues
5. HW: read up to and including the Cook

Sophomores
1. HW: January letter
2. discuss passages from last night's HW
3. allegory, symbolism, microcosm-- in groups, four questions
4. HW: What makes the passage key? (pages 113, 140, 143, 178)

Thur 1/31

Seniors
1. signatures
2. review background: Normans, Feudalism, Knights, Crusades, New City Classes, Thomas Becket, The Plague
3. pages 135-140: Chaucer and the story
4. begin prologue: Middle English, read up to the Yoeman, begin study guide

Sophomores
1. grammar pre-test
2. participation
3. HW questions: share aloud
4. more key passages: pages 60, 62
5. HW: read three passages and answer this question on one of the passages: What makes the passage key? (pages 63, 88, 109)

Wed 1/30

Seniors
1. seating chart
2. share free writes
3. discuss definition of satire
4. seven deadly sins activity
5. brainstorm satire topics
6. Read Canterbury Tales background on Middle Ages

Sophomores
1. review sentence workshop
2. key passages: What is it? Share first key passage and discuss
3. HW: In your notebook-- Question 1: What is causing the "pause"? Question 2: What do you think is the theme of the novel?

Tue 1/29

Seniors
1. course description
2. Introduction to Canterbury Tales Unit: satire, pilgrimage, the art of description
3. Brainstorm list of people, real or imagined, who you want to describe
4. Free write on one person from the list: A. physical details- head to toe; B. Show how physical details reveal personality

Sophomores
1. seating chart
2. Lord of the Flies test
3. course description
4. HW: complete sentence workshop

Fri 1/25

Sophomores
return autobiographical stories, notebook check, JLC test

Thur 1/24

Sophomores
4th block
return stories, check notebooks, complete JLC test
2nd block
IB info, JLC test prep discussions

Seniors
1. check NBs
2. commencement speeches

Wed 1/23

Sophomores
1. finish writing test
2. JLC test prep discussions: study session at 7:20 tomorrow in my room
3. make sure your NB is complete for tomorrow

Seniors
1. turn in map
2. Siddhartha test
3. check NBs
4. tomorrow: speeches

Tue 1/22

Sophomores
1. don't forget turnitin.com for Othello essay or you get 0/100
2. autobio story self-assessment
3. state writing test
4. HW: check grade on esis, read JLC and prep for JLC test

Seniors
1. discuss chapters: "The Ferryman" and "The Son"
2. complete double entry journals
3. mapwork
4. finish book

Fri 1/18

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. sample autobio incident
3. peer review of RD of stories: FD due Tuesday
4. JLC small groups
5. HW: keep reading JLC and be finished by Thursday

Seniors
1. turn in magical realism essay
2. vocab quiz
3. discuss "By the River"
4. map work
5. read to page 127, finish book by Wednesday

Thur 1/17

Sophomores
1. grammar final
2. vocab review
3. read JLC to p 273

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. discuss "Samsara"
3. DEJ: must complete total of six by next Wednesday
4. map work
5. read "By the River"

Wed 1/16

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. autobio instructions
3. JLC- small group discussions
4. HW: read to pa 236

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. DEJ: Amongst the People
3. map work
4. read "Samsara"

Tue 1/15

Sophomores
1. finish reading test
2. read to 205 in JLC

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. no DEJ due to short classes today
3. share and turn in comics
4. "Kamala" chapter discussion
5. work on Siddhartha maps
6. HW: read to p 73

Mon 1/14

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. HW: read to page 181 in JLC
3. State reading test

Seniors
1. vocab quiz, new vocab list
2. begin Siddhartha map: due next Wednesday
3. HW: complete comic, work on magical realism essay, map or read to page 61

Fri 1/11

Sophomores
1. collect Othello essays
2. vocab quiz
3. grammar review
4. discuss "Voice from the Wall" and "Half and Half"
5. lit term review
6. HW: read "Two Kinds"

Seniors
1. vocab review-- quiz Monday
2. double entry journal for chapter 3
3. discuss chapter 3
4. three forms of learning comic-- due next Tuesday
5. HW: read chapter 4

Thur 1/10

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. vocab review
3. free write-- instruction packet

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Siddhartha chapter 2 double entry journal
3. Buddhism notes
4. Read ch 3

Wed 1/9

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. discuss bicycle vignette, next two stories
3. free write #2: control freak, good karma, bad karma, that weird family, malignant gate
4. read to page 140

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. quickwrite: most important words
3. "om" explanation
4. introduce double entry journals
5. HW: read Siddhartha pages 3-24, do double entries journals

Tue 1/8

Sophomores
1. Intro to free writing
2. discuss "Scar," "The Red Candle," "Moon Lady"
3. HW: read "Voice From the Wall"

Seniors
1. get Siddhartha
2. write for 15 minutes-- letter or essay
3. Siddahartha background reading
4. Siddhartha background quiz

Mon 1/7

Sophomores
1. January letter
2. vocab warm up
3. grammar review
4. questions for last three stories
5. read "Rules of the Game"

Seniors
1. January letter
2. magical realism essay-- RD due Friday