Thur 12/17

Sophomores
1. grammar final
2. vocab warm up
3. finish improvs
4. Othello background chart/map
5. get books
6. HW: finish FD of JLC essay

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. act 2 questions and discussion
3. finish play
4. HW: read choice books

Wed 12/16

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. last grammar review-- test tomorrow
3. line tossing improvs- perform them
4. The lover, the girlfriend, and the buddy improvs
5. HW: work on your essay

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. 20 minutes for choice book
3. finish Raisin act 2, begin act 2 questions in NB
4. HW: read choice book

Tue 12/15

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar
3. Bardology slideshow
4. line tossing
5. prep improvs for tomorrow
6. HW: essay

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. choice book: 20 minutes
3. Choice book journal #1: What is one American ideal you see so far in your book?
4. Raisin quickwrite #1: "Used to be freedom was life... now it's money." How much do we need for "the good life'? What are we willing to do to get "the good life"?
5. continue Raisin Act 2
6. HW: read your choice book

Mon 12/14

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review
3. Bardology 101
4. HW: work on FD of essay

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. 20 minutes to read choice book
3. Read Act II of Raisin
4. HW: read choice book and be ready for first journal

Fri 12/11

Sophomores
1. grammar review: pronoun/antecendent agreement
2. essay peer/self review
3. last JLC film clip

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. 20 mintues to read choice book
3. act 1 study questions in NB
4. watch act 1 of Raisin

Thur 12/10

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar review: p 615 ex c, p 702 ex 12
3. film clips
4. essay workshop
5. HW: complete RD of JLC essay

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. 20 minutes to read your choice book
3. finish Act I
4. answer questions 1 of Act I study sheet in NB
5. HW: complete FD of OMAM essay

Wed 12/9

Sophomores
1. vocab review
2. grammar 14
3. film clip
4. essay workshop
5. HW: work on RD of essay

Juniors
1. book check
2. vocab warm up
3. read aloud Raisin act 1 scene 1
4. HW: work on FD of essay

Tue 12/8

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 13
3. film clip: "The Red Candle"
4. essay workshop
5. HW: grammar 14, work on essay

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. read "Harlem" by Langston Hughes-- metaphors, a dream deferred
3. Journal #1: $50,000--- What would you do if you were suddenly given it? What if you were from a poor family?
4. Journal #2: Rooms--- How many people live in your home? How many rooms in your home? List the rooms
5. Read the setting description for A Raisin in the Sun

Tue 12/7

Sophmores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 12
3. sample thesis
4. film clips
5. RD due Friday
6. HW: grammar 13, RD of thesis statements

Juniors
1. peer review/ FD due Friday
2. new vocab
3. get new books
4. HW: select choice book title and bring book to class every day, last revision of Gatsby paragraph

Fri 12/4

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 11
4. HW: finish book
3. read "Magpies"
5. HW: grammar 10

Juniors
1. In the libary to draft Of Mice and Men essay
2. RD of OMAM essay due Monday
3. next draft of Gatsby paragraph due Tuesday
4. choice book assignment: pick a book and complete reading by Jan 5

Thur 12/3

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 10
3. "Without Wood" and "Best Quality"
4. read "Magpies"
5. HW: grammar 10

Juniors
In the libary to draft Of Mice and Men essays

Wed 12/2

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 9
3. "Rice Husband" and "Four Directions"
4. read "Without Wood" and "Best Quality"
5. HW: grammar 10

Seniors
1. Of Mice and Men test
2. collect Gatsby paragraph
3. sample thesis statements from Gatsby, thesis statement formula
4. sample Huck essay
5. HW: complete outline for Of Mice and Men essay

Tue 12/1

Sophomores
1. autobio self assessment
2. new vocab
3. grammar 8
4. discuss "Two Kinds"
5. HW: grammar 9, read "Four Directions"

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. finish Of Mice and Men film
3. HW: complete essay prep #3

Mon 11/30

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar 7
3. review "Voice from the Wall" and "Half and Half"
4. read "Two Kinds" and "Rice Husband"
5. HW: FD of stories, grammar 8

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Gatsby paragraph revision: due Wednesday
3. OMAM essay topic
4. continue OMAM film
5. HW: essay prep questions 1,2

Wed 11/25

Sophomores
1. vocab review-- quiz Monday
2. grammar 6
3. "Moon Lady" and "Rules of the Game" discussions
4. HW: read "Voice From the Wall" and "Half and Half", grammar 7, FD of story due Tuesday

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review end of book-- ch 5, 6
3. complete study guide and turn in
4. HW: dream chart: concrete and abstract dreams of characters
5. begin film

Tue 11/24

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 5
3. story peer review
4. HW: read "Rules of the Game", grammar 6, complete final draft of story for next Tuesday

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review ch 4: American dream, possible symbolism, round characters
3. read aloud ch 5
4. HW: finish book-- read ch 6

Mon 11/23

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 4: subject/verb agreement
3. last page of story textbook
4. "The Red Candle" discussion
5. HW: read "The Moon Lady", complete RD of story, grammar 5

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. new vocab list
3. ch 3 review
4. read ch 4 (to page 83)
5. HW: ch 4 studyguide

Fri 11/20

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. dashes
3. metaphors, etc. for your stories
4. JLC discussion groups: "Scar"
5. HW: read "The Red Candle", grammar 4, draft stories

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review ch 2: forshadowing, jargon
3. read ch 3 (to page 65), complete conflict study guide

Of Mice and Men Audio

Here is a site for an Of Mice and Men audio if you want to listen to the book: link

Thur 11/19

Sophomores
1. colons
2. student sample
3. words, words, words
4. Begin JLC unit: vocab, 8 fold notes, What is Joy Luck?, essay topics
5. HW: look up vocab words, grammar 3, read "Scar", work on story draft

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Ch 1 quiz, HW check
3. complete characterization from ch1
4. read ch 2
5. HW: ch 2 studyguide

Wed 11/18

Sophomores
1. semi-colons
2. student sample: "Arrival"
3. drafting instructions
4. get books
5. workshop time: rough draft due next Tuesday
6. HW: draft stories, Joy Luck Club pages 5-33, grammar 2

Juniors
1. collect Gatsby paragraphs
2. vocab warm up
3. Guthrie music
4. OMAM ch 1, study guide

Tue 11/17

Sophomores
1. grammar data
2. freewrite #1
3. autobio instructions: showing instead of telling, evoking emotion
4. freewrite #2
5. Zippy sample
6. HW: grammar 1, freewrite #3

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Of Mice and Men background
3. get books
4. OMAM slideshow
5. Gatsby film clip
6. HW: Gatsby paragraph

Mon 11/16

Sophomores
1. first quarter grades
2. grammar pre-test
3. intro to semi-autobiographical story
4. memory mining

Juniors
1. check Gatsby notebook-- final grade for quarter one
2. Of Mice and Men vocab list-- quiz this Friday
3. Gatsby paragraph-- 20 points, due Wednesday
4. Gatsby film clip
5. first quarter grades

Tue 11/10

Sophomores
Key passage analysis on choice books

Juniors
1. Gastby ch 9 review and discussion
2. Gatsby comprehension test

Gastby index

This is a good index to allusions in The Great Gatsby: link

Mon 11/9

Sophomores
1. list books and passages
2. Grapes of Wrath sample passage on word choice
3. last chance to discuss key passages with your team

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. Gatsby ch 7 and 8 review, Rocket Notes
3. Gatsby film
4. HW: read Gatsby ch 9
5. Tomorrow: Gatsby test, turn in extra credit, NB check

11/6

Sophomores
1. collect Crucible essays, don't forget to turn your essays in to turnitin.com
2. theme vs. moral: What's the difference?
3. practice key passage using passage from The Crucible
4. HW: read your books, look for key passages

Juniors
1. return Huck essays: extra credit of 10 pts for a revising essay by Tuesday
2. review ch 7 first half
5. watch first part of film
4. HW: read Gatsby to page 163
(class cut short 10 minutes by assembly)

Thur 11/5

Sophomore
1. Journal #7: Meet with team, list key passages, discuss one, freewrite on your discussion
2. read and revise-- FD of essay due tomorrow

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. journal: Cars: Why do we like them? What is your dream car? How/why are they important to Americans? How/why are they important in the novel?
3. ch 6 questions/DVD review
4. HW: read ch 7 to page 125

Tue 11/3

Sophomores
1. Journal #3: Put your character in one of these settings: The island, Salem, MA, Doaker's house
2. Journal #4: Take a character from one of these books and put him/her in your book: Lord of the Flies, The Crucible, The Piano Lesson
3. read and revise
4. HW: follow your reading schedule

Juniors
1. vocab quiz/ new vocab words
2. scavenger hunt details an winners
3. Gatsby ch 4 questions in NB
4. HW: look up vocab words, read ch 5

Mon 11/2

Sophomores
1. peer review of Crucible essay: FD due Friday
2. Journal #2: pick a key passage from last night's reading. Question: What makes this passage key?
3. time to read books or revise essays
4. HW: follow your reading schedule

Juniors
Collect Huck Finn essays!
1. vocab warm up-- quiz tomorrow
2. ch 3 questions
3. video quiz/review
4. ch 3 scavenger hunt
5. HW: read ch 4 of Gatsby

Fri 10/30

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. Choice book journal #1: T-chart on exposition and foreshadowing; Write the last paragraph of your book based on the information on your T-chart.
3. using quotations for Crucible essay
4. workshop: read your choice book or work on your essay
5. HW: RD of Crucible essay due Monday

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Huck Finn essay peer review: 10 points for RD
3. MLA style final draft
4. Gatsby-- ch 2 questions, character web
5. Gatsby Rocketbook review
6. HW: complete FD of Huck essay, read Gatsby ch 3

Thur 10/29

Sophomores
1. library-- pick out books
2. extra credit-- due next Thursday
3. essay workshop
4. HW: work on RD of Crucible essay, read first 5 pages of choice book

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Gatsby-- semi-pop quiz
3. ch 1 questions in NB
4. HW: read Gatsby ch 2, complete Huck Finn essay RD

Wed 10/28

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. sample essay
3. check Crucible study guide
4. essay workshop
RD of essay due Monday

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. conventions #2
3. Gatsby background: "New Morality" and slideshow
4. read Gatsby ch 1
5. HW: finish ch 1 and work on Huck essay

Tue 10/27

Sophomores
finish Crucible film

Juniors
1. Gatsby vocab list
2. essay workshop
3. pick up Gatsby book

Mon 10/26

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. essay details: conventions, quotations, sample thesis statements
3. Crucible essay topics
4. watch film, review details
5. HW: narrow down essay topics to two

Juniors
1. conventions #2 warm up
2. organizations, textual evidence tips
3. essay workshop in library

Wed 10/21

Sophomores
1. grammar retake
2. read Crucible Act IV
3. HW: Act IV study guide-- turn in whole study guide on Monday
4. return LOF essays

Juniors
1. convention #2 continued
2. essay instructions
3. essay workshop
4. HW: complete an outline or graphic organizer on your essay topic for Monday

Tue 10/20

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review
3. Act III study guide- share answers
4. begin Act IV-- finish tomorrow
5. HW: study for grammar retake

Juniors
1. Huck Finn test
2. Huck Finn essay topics
3. NB: free write one page on any one topic
4. essay details, expectations

Mon 10/19

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review
3. read Crucible Act III
4. HW: look up next three words, complete Act III study guide

Juniors
1. conventions #2 continued: commas
2. complete section 4 of Huck Finn study guide
3. notes on last reading
4. HW: study for Huck Finn test!

Study for Huck Finn test here

Here are a couple of links to help you review for the test:

Huck Finn plot summary
Huck Finn characters

Huck Finn on Audio

To listen to Huck Finn click here. Once you go to the website, scroll to the chapter you want to listen to.

Fri 10/16

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar review
3. get books
4. complete Act II study guide
5. cast Act III

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. conventions #2 continued
3. notes on last night's reading: preview of essay topics, especially concerning the ending of the book and Jim's portrayal
4. HW: finish the book for Monday

Thur 10/15

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. vocab review: quiz tomorrow
3. complete study guide discussion
4. read Crucible Act II

Juniors
1. vocab review: quiz tomorrow
2. begin conventions #2: commas
3. notes on last night's reading
4. HW: read to page 265 in Huck Finn

Wed 10/14

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review
3. Crucible Act I study guide/ notebook check

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. section 3 of study guide/ notebook check
3. clip: Ken Burns "Mark Twain"
4. HW: read to page 239, compete book by Monday, test Tuesday

Tue 10/13

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review: quotations marks
3. finish reading Crucible Act I

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. journal: hard choices (factors and influences, describe one experience)
3. notes on last nights reading
4. read to page 219

Mon 10/12

Sophomores
1. 10 minutes to prep for gallery walk
2. Piano Lesson projects gallery walk
3. vocab warm up-- quiz Friday
4. begin Crucible Act 1


Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar
3. passage analysis (157-158)
4. HW: read to page 197

NY Times article

Here is that article on Michelle Obama's slave ancestry:link

Thur 10/8

Sophomores
1. grammar review: italics vs. quotation marks
2. begin vocab: look up first three words, quiz next Friday
3. Crucible debate
4. three settings lecture
5. HW: complete Piano project for Monday

Juniors
1. vocab quiz: Huck Finn #2
2. notes on last night's reading
3. Epic discussion: Is Huck Finn an epic?
4. HW: read to page 172

Wed 10/7

Sophomores
1. begin grammar review: apostrophes
2. last day to work on Piano project: due Monday
3. HW: prep for Crucible debate: choose a poistion, write one supporting statement

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. share answers from section 2 of studyguide for participation
3. teacher's notes on last night reading
4. HW: read Huck Finn to page 146

Tue 10/6

Sophmores
1. sample thesis statements and visuals
2. workshop time on Piano project

Juniors
1. vocab warm up/ grammar warm up, page 13
2. Close reading of chapter 16: pp 88-89, p 90, p92-- Summarize the passage. Analyze the passage (What does the passage say about theme, satire, Huck's character?
3. read aloud pp 105-117
4. Do studyguide section 2
5. HW: read to page 127

Mon 10/5

Sophomores
1. grammar 11,12
2. finish film
3. begin planning project
4. HW: gather textual evidence for your topic

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Huck Finn, ch 15 close reading: A. reread passage B Answer this question about the passage: What does this passage show about the development of Huck's Character?
3. Read Ch 16 aloud-- finish to p 105 for HW

Friday 10/2

Sophomores
1. turn in FD of LOF essay
2. begin The Piano Lesson film
3. HW: submit final draft of essay to turnitin.com.

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. review Huck Finn reading
3. begin Huck Finn studyguide in NB, 1-6 for section 1
4. HW: read Huck Finn to page 87 (ch 15)

Thur 10/1

Sophomores
1. grammar 9,10
2. last Piano questions in groups/ review end
3. Piano journal #1: What makes this passage key/ (pick a soliloquy from Act 2 scene 5
4. pick teams, topics
5. HW: complete FD of LOF essay

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review last night's Huck reading
3. bus evacuation drill
4. Huck aloud: to page 59
5. HW: read Huck to page 76

Wed 9/30

Sophomores
1. grammar 7,8
2. discuss last night's reading
3. finish play
4. HW: grammar 9,10

Juniors
1. conventions twiz
2. vocab: next three words
3. Huck: ch 3-6 close readings
4. aloud: Huck ch 7
5. HW: read Huck to p 48

Tue 9/29

Sophomores
1. grammar 5,6
2. finish Piano 1.2
3. complete Piano journal #2
4. HW: read Piano to page 80, grammar 7,8

Juniors
1. conventions- run ons
2. vocab warm up
3. finish Huck background
4. discuss Huck ch 1
5. aloud in class: ch 2,3
6. HW: ch 4-6

Mon 9/28

Sophomores
1. grammar 4
2. self/peer evaluation-- FD due Friday
3. begin The Piano Lesson 1.2
4. HW: grammar 5,6 and work on essay

Juniors
1. conventions: more run on sentences
2. read "The Battle with Mr. Covey" and take comprehension quiz
3. get Huck books
4. Huck preview notes
5. HW: read ch 1

Fri 9/25

Sophomores
1. grammar 3
2. lit terms: motif, symbol, conflict, foils
3. read The Piano Lesson Act 1, scene 1
4. The Piano Lesson journal #1: write on one of the lit terms as it appears in Act 1
5. HW: grammar 4, RD of LOF essay

Juniors
1. Declaration test-- 25 pts
2. conventions: run on sentences

Thur 9/24

Sophomores
1. grammar 2
2. The Piano Lesson background and slideshow
3. get books
4. HW: grammar 3, work on essay

Juniors
1. more on fragments
2. finish paraphrasing Declaration (parts 4,5)
3. HW: complete FD of Journey letter

Wed 9/23

Sophomores
1. HW check
2. grammar 1
3. unity and coherence
4. workshop: RD due Monday
5. HW: grammar 2

Juniors
1. conventions
2. Declaration part 2 paraphrase review as class
3. Declaration part 3 paraphrase
4. HW: work on FD of Journeys letter

Tue 9/22

Sophomores
1. essay instructions: quotations, key pages from purple book
2. graphic organizers and outlines
3. HW: complete graphic organizer or outline
4. HW: complete grammar 1
5. HW: check grade on esis

Juniors
1. conventions: lie/lay, sit/set, rise/raise
2. freedom and responsibility graph
3. begin Declaration: paraphrase part 1
4. HW: paraphrase part 2 of Declaration

Mon 9/21

Sophomores
1. HW check: Golding's view
2. discuss last two passages
3. essay topics
4. essay expectations
5. HW: choose one topic and free write for one page (use writing to think!)

Juniors
1. conventions warm up
2. Journeys imaginative writing peer review-- FD due Friday
3. American dream brainstorm: words and phrases, pick our top three
4. share American Ideals famous quotations
5. HW: work on FD of Journeys writing

Fri 9/18

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

Juniors
1. begin conventions: usage problems (page 1)
2. read "What is an American?", list of traits
3. NB: true or not true t chart
4. watch "Made in America", discuss typical, not typical American traits of family
5. HW: complete RD of journeys imaginative writing assignment

Thur 9/17

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)

Juniors
1. HW check
2. intro to Journeys imaginative writing assignment
3. writers' workshop

Wed 9/16

Sophomores
1. HW check, review passages
2. new passages: 88, 109
3. allegory, symbolism, microcosm
4. HW: read these passages and write one of them: 113, 140, 143, 155 (Questions: What makes this passage key?)

Juniors
1. begin American Lit scrapbook
2. review "Plymouth" and collect graphic organizers
3. read aloud "Equiano"
4. HW: NB: Despite the fact that he is an unwilling immigrant, what experiences and qulities does Equiano share with the other immigrants we have read of? (Stewart Wickham, William Bradford)
5. HW: read "Wet food, dry foot"

Tue 9/15

Sophomores
1. complete sentence workshop, share bad writing examples
2. discuss first passage
3. first NB questions: What is causing the pause? How does this moment inform us about an important theme in the novel?
4. more key passages; read the next three passages (60, 62, 63) and answer this question on one of them (in NB): What makes this passage key?

Juniors
1. discuss Ellis Island story: complete four questions in NB
2. begin textbook work
3. read "Plymouth" pages 119-127 and complete graphic organzier

Mon 9/14

Sophomores
1. collect signatures, names, complete grammar pre-test
2. sentence workshop-- page 3
3. Lord of the Flies: gut reaction, begin key passages
4. HW: finish sentence workshop (page 4)

Juniors
1. collect signatures, names, rights and responsiblities
2. "New Collossus": questions, key phrases, line by line
3. NB questions: Is America a welcoming place? How much do you know about how you became an American?
4. HW: Read Ellis Island story

Fri 9/11

Sophomores
1. learn names
2. finish highlighting syllabus
3. grammar pre test
4. review sentence workshop

Juniors
1. learn names
2. "The New Collossus": vocab review, lit term review, questions
3. HW: answer these questions on "The New Collossus" in your notebook: What does the poems say about America? What kind of place, according to the poem, is America?

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 9/10

Sophomores
1. seating chart
2. Lord of the Flies test
3. course description
4. class meetings
5. HW: first two pages of sentence workshop

Juniors
1. seating chart
3. course description
4. class meetings
5. HW: read "The New Colussus" and look up assigned vocab words

Shakespeare in the community links

Shakespeare Competition

Shakespeare in American Communities

Heritage Institute and Heritage Institute Shakespeare Course

Artists Repertory Theater and 2009-10 season and Othello page

Folgers and Folgers educators page

It's Macbeth time

Approaches to Shakespeare

For Lewis and Clark students enrolled in Approaches to Shakespeare, click on this link to access electronic copies of class documents.

The worst of both worlds

And you wonder why I don't like Disney or musical theater? Here's the worst of both worlds.

Have an adventurous summer!

Wed 6/17

Key Passage analysis final

Tue 6/16

Sophomores
1. extra credit day
2. vocab final-- 10 points

Mon 6/15

Sophomores
1. choice book journal #3
2. time to read, complete extra credit, gather vocab words

Fri 6/12

Sophomores
1. present Othello projects
2. HW: read your books, gather ten vocab words

Thur 6/11

Sophomores
1. Journal #2: find a key passage
2. finish Othello project
3. read or do extra credit

Wed 6/10

Sophomores
1. choice book journal #1: freewrite on one of these topics: characterization, setting, conflict, atmostphere, dialogue, foreshadowing, expostition, style
2. extra credit-- due Tuesday the 16th
3. time to read/write

Franklin High Student Accepted to MIT

Don't be a grade-grubber; work to maximize deep understanding. Ever since, "I focus on trying to retain the material and really learn it," he says, "not so much on getting an A."

Read more here.

Tue 6/9

Sophomores
1. create reading calendar
2. begin vocab assignment-- two words a night
3. time to read or work on Othello project

Mon 6/8

Sophomores
Choice book assignment-- read book by 6/17
work on Othello project--- due Friday

Fri 6/5

Sophomores
Work on Othello project

Thur 6/4

Seniors
speeches

Sophomores
Othello test

Ewan McGregor talks about Iago

You might recognize Ewan McGregor from the Star Wars films.

Othello (Anthony Hopkins): Iago tells of a handkerchief

Is Anthony the worst Othello ever? You be the judge?

Shakespeare in the ghetto, Othello

Othello directed by Alan Parker

Here's a clip for the film version starring Lawrence Fishburn as Othello.

Punch Shakespeare

Tue 6/2

Seniors
1. finish Like Water for Chocolate film
2. work time: study for the test, complete extra credit, revise final speech

Sophomores
film: Othello

Mon 6/1

Seniors
1. collect magical realism essay/story
2. "December" discussion
3. film

Sophomores
1. Othello project topics
2. film

Fri 5/29

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. "November" discussion
3. peer review of RD of magical realism story/ essay
4. begin film
5. HW: finish book

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. Othello Act 5-- drama time!

Thur 5/28

Seniors
1. vocab review
2. "October" discussion
3. triangles
4. work time: "Magical Realism" essay/story, speech, or extra credit
5. HW: read "November"

Sophomores
1. vocab review
2. discuss journal # 5
3. close reading and paraphrase: Emilia's speech
4. journal #6
5. cast Act 5

Wed 5/27

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. discuss "September"
3. time to write magical realism essay/ story

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. review journal #4
3. read aloud Act 4
3. HW: journal #5

Tue 5/26

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. discuss "July" and "August"
3. time to work on Magical Realism story/essay
4. extra credit: revise TFA essay
5. HW: read "September"

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Desdemona story circle
3. finish Act III
4. Magic in the Web
5. HW: journal #4-- How does "divinity of hell" embody the events of Act III?

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

In honor of Memorial Day, here is a short video from 1998 of my brother working at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Fri 5/22

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "June" discussion and notes
3. Imaginative narrative story-- 50 pts
4. HW: read "July" and "August"

Sophmores
1. collect essays
2. vocab warm up
3. review Othello journal #3
4. Read Act III scenes 1-3 (scene 3 is round robin acting)

Thur 5/21

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. "May" questions and notes
3. journal #4: options
4. NB check
5. read "June"

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. finish Act II
3. picture this
4. Othello journal #3
5. lit terms: foil, paradox, comic relief, symbolism
6. HW: essay due tomorrow

Wed 5/20

Seniors
1. vocab review
2. "April" discussion and notes
3. journal #4: transcendental relationship
4. HW: read "May"

Sophomores
1. vocab review
2. review journal #2
3. Act II: review last night's reading, read scene 1, scene 2
4. HW: work on JLC essay

Tue 5/19

Seniors
1. collect essays
2. vocab warm up
3. Ch 3 "March" discussion, notes
4. HW: read "April"

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. "Ring the Changes"
3. finish Act I
4. Othello journal #2
5. Iago story circle
6. begin Act II-- read to page 60 line 175

Mon 5/18

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Chocolate ch 2 quiz
3. February study questions in groups, notes
4. journal #3: family legend
5. HW: read "March" and complete FD of TFA essay

Sophomores
1. Bardology 101 slideshow
2. vocab warm up
3. review journal #1 questions
4. chorale reading: the Othello love story
5. read to page 48 up to when Othello and Desdemona exit

Fri 5/15

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. essay peer review-- FD due next Tuesday
3. Chocolate January questions
4. Chocolate journal #2: family tradition
5. HW: read Chocolate ch 2

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. essay peer review-- FD due next Friday
3. Othello scenes 1,2
4. HW: read to p 39 line 47
5. HW: Othello journal #1

Wilson's grading method

In case you are wondering how I grade your essays, click here.

Thur 5/14

Seniors
1. new vocab
2. Chocolate journal #1: ultimate meal
3. read Like Water for Chocolate chapter 1
4. HW: complete TFA RD

Sophomores
1. grammar final test
2. Othello vocab
3. Act One slightly cut script
4. HW: complete JLC RD

Wed 5/13

Seniors
1. essay workshop: RD due Friday
2. pick up Like Water for Chocolate books
3. work on essay

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. improvisation #2: the lover, the girlfriend, the buddy
3. work on essay

Tue 5/15

Seniors
Essay workshop: RD due on Friday

Sophomores
1. grammar review: pronoun/antecedent agreement, active/passive voice
2. line tossing improvisations
3. HW: work on essay

Mon 5/11

Seniors
1. return speech drafts-- FD due 6/4
2. TFA test
3. essay workshop

Sophomores
1. grammar review: sub/verb agreement, past perfect tense
2. Bardology 101
3. line tossing

Fri 5/8

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. end of book passage: get reaction, Achebe purpose
3. essay topics and test study topics
4. HW: study for Monday's test

Sophomores
1. grammar review: semicolons, colons, dashes
2. essay workshop

Thur 5/7

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. TFA questions for ch 18-21
3. share Ibo proverbs- 10 pts
4. HW: finish book

Sophomores
1. grammar 14: test next Thur
2. essay workshop: RD due next Fri

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. ch 13-17 semi-pop quiz
3. 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?
4. HW: read ch 18-21, Ibo proverb due tomorrow

Sophomores
1. grammar 13
2. essay tools, advice
3. finish film
4. HW: narrow topic, grammar 14

Tue 5/5

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. TFA NB questions for ch 11-13
3. Ibo proverb illustration-- 10 pts, due Thursday
4. HW: read ch 14-17

Sophomores
1. grammar 12
2. discuss "Double Face"
3. more film clips
4. HW: finish book; grammar 13; pick essay topic, review evidence, write a rough thesis

Mon 5/4

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. quickwrite: When is tradition a good thing? A bad thing?
3. TFA ch 8-10 discussion; new name: Obierika, Cheilo, Egwuwu
4. ch 8-10 NB questions
5. share freshmen proverbs
6. HW: read ch 11-13

Sophomores
1. grammar 11
2. discuss last four JLC questions
3. film clips, NB check
4. HW: read "Double Face" and grammar 12

Friday 5/1

Seniors
1. collect speech drafts
2. vocab quiz
3. TFA Ch 5-7: Ekwefi, Ezinma, Ogbuefi Ezeuda, Feast of the New Yam, Wrestling, the demise of Ikemefuna
4. NB questions for 5-7
5. complete freshmen proverb for Monday
6. HW: rread TFA ch 8-10

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar 10
3. "Four Directions"
4. HW: grammar 11, read to page 287

Thur 5/1

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. TFA ch 3-4: Agbala, Week of Peace, Yams, marriage and family, Okonkwo's character, Ikemefuna's role
3. Freshman proverb: due Monday for 10 points
4. HW: read ch 5-7, complete speech draft

Sophomores (counseling visit)
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 9
3. "Rice Husband"
4. read "Four Directions"
5. HW: grammar 10

Wed 4/29

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. TFA names to remember: Okonkwo, Amalinze the Cat, Unoka, Umuofia, Mbiano, Ikemefuna, Nwoye, Ibo
3. Okonkwo's character, Ibo culture
4. advice to freshman brainstorm
5. proverbs
6. HW: read ch 3-4-- possible quiz tomorrow

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 8
3. JLC discussions
4. finish writing test
5. HW: grammar 9, read "Rice Husband"

Tue 4/28

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Things Fall Apart anticipation questions
3. TFA background reading
4. read TFA ch 1-2
5. HW: work on speech-- draft due Friday at the beginning of class on Friday-- no late papers!

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 7
3. complete state writing test
4. HW: grammar 8, read "Two Kinds"

Mon 4/27

Seniors
1. vocab warm up: quiz Friday
2. speech workshop
3. get new book: Things Fall Apart-- no reading tonight
4. HW: work on speech: typed draft due Friday, 10 points, no late papers

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up: quiz Friday
2. grammar 6
3. collect autobios
4. state writing test
5. HW: JLC reading-- catch up!
6. HW: grammar 7

Fri 4/24

Seniors
1. conventions quiz #2
2. The Stranger twiz-- 20 pts
3. introduce speech assignment-- typed draft due next Friday

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. discuss "Rules of the Game"
3. autobio self assessment-- due on Monday with your FD
4. HW: read "Voice from the Wall" and "Half and Half"
5. begin state writing tests-- rules and topics

Thur 4/23

Seniors
1. conventions warm up
2. quickwrite # 4: Why do we fear death? Should we or shouldn't we?
3. complete all NB questions
4. Camus' afterword
5. HW: study for The Stranger twiz: 20 pts

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar 5
3. discuss "The Moon Lady"
4. HW: read "Rules of the Game"; grammar 6; finish autobio FD (for Friday or Monday)

Which NBA player is 42 and which is 21?

Dikembe Mutombo or Greg Oden?

Tue 4/21

Seniors
1. conventions warm up
2. discuss Stranger part 2 ch 3-4
3. Quickwrite #3: What makes life worth living?
4. Sisyphus and absurdism
5. HW: finish reading the book-- we will complete NB question in class tomorrow

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar #4
4. "The Red Candle" discussion
5. peer/self review for autobios
6. HW: grammar 6, read "The Moon Lady", FD of autbio due Friday or Monday

Mon 4/20

Seniors
1. conventions warm up-- quiz Friday
2. discuss The Stranger part 2 ch 1-2
3. Quickwrite: Are we free? How do you know you are free/ not free?
4. Existentialism: What is it?
5. HW: read part 2 ch 3-4 and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up-- quiz Friday
2. dashes
3. last student sample autobio
4. essay topics
5. discuss first two stories
6. HW: read "The Red Candle", grammar 4, and complete RD of autobio

Fri 4/17

Seniors
1. conventions quiz: capitalization, apostrophes
2. The Stranger semi pop quiz
3. discuss end of part one of The Stranger
4. subjectivist, objectivist, relativist survey
5. HW: read The Stranger part 2 chapters 1-2 and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. colons
2. sample autobio
3. words, words, words-- choosing the right words in your autobio
4. Begin Joy Luck Club: vocab, eight fold notes, key essay topics
5. HW: grammar 3, read JLC to page 42, look up first 3 vocab words

Thur 4/16

Seniors
1. conventions warm up
2. discuss The Stranger ch 2-4
3. complete philosophy reading
4. HW: read The Stranger part 1 ch 5-6, do questions 15-19

Sophomores
1. semi colons
2. share student sample
3. drafting instructions
4. workshop time: typed RD due Tuesday
5. HW: grammar #2, colons

Wed 4/15

Seniors
1. conventions warm up: apostrophes
2. The Stranger ch 1 discussion
3. comics: ultimate questions from Charlie Brown
4. continue philosophy reading
5. HW: The Stranger-- read to page 39, do questions 4-14 in NB

Sophomores
1. free-writing #1
2. instructions for autobio stories
3. free-write #2
4. sample: Zippy
5. HW: grammar-- semi-colons; do free-write #3

Mon 4/14

Seniors
1. 3rd quarter grades
2. conventions warm up-- capitalization
3. more philosophy reading
4. get books
5. HW: read The Stranger, ch 1, and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. 3rd quarter grades
2. grammar pre-test
3. introduction to Semi-Auto bio story
4. memory mining in NB

Bad grammar advice

This is a great article on grammar advice: Click here.

Sesame Street - James Earl Jones recites the alphabet

Fri 4/10

Seniors
1. collect All Quiet essays
2. conventions warm up: capitalization
3. introduction to existentialism: top ten books, films
4. philosophy free write, share
5. begin philosophy reading: first two pages for Tuesday

Sophomores
1. notebook check
2. key passage analysis, on demand

Twilight. I'm confused. By Channing Frye.

Twilight. I’m confused.

Posted using ShareThis

Thur 4/9

Seniors
1. essay checklist
2. FD in my hand beginning of block Friday or it is late (10% per day)
3. turnitin.com: submit by Friday 11:59 pm; 0/100 if it is not submitted to turnitin.com by Tuesday 8 am.

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz: make your own
2. key passages review discussion

Wed 4/8

Seniors
essay workshop

Sophomores
1. route 66 sample fro word choice
2. Journal 5: word choice passage
3. HW: make sure you have your ten vocab words for tomorrow
4. HW: follow the reading schedule

Tue 3/7

Seniors
1. essay workshop
2. essay samples
3. HW: work on essay draft, check esis for grade update

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. key passage discussion in groups
3. Journal #3: Free write on one of the passages you discussed in your groups. Which literary devices are demonstrated in the passage? How are those devices used to help express a theme?
4. follow reading schedule

Mon 4/6

Seniors
1. All Quiet test
2. sample essay
3. HW: complete an outline/graphic organizer
4. HW: sign up for turnitin.com

Sophomores
1. sample key passage on The Crucible
2. follow your reading schedule

Fri 4/3

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. finish film
3. essay expectations, essay sample--First Draft due next Thursday, FD due next Friday

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. share invented passages from yesterday
3. in teams: pick a key passage, discuss it for all reasons it is key, Journal #3 is to free write on your discussion in NB
4. follow your reading schedule

Thur 4/2

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. last two chapters-- NB
3. finish film
4. HW: gather quotations you can use in your essay

Sophomores
1. Pick one of these settings: The Island; Doaker's House; Salem, 1692.
2. Pick one character in your current book.
3. Compose a new passage for Lord of the Flies, The Piano Lesson, or The Crucible featuring your character.

Wed 4/1

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. do ch 10 questions w/ partner
3. Ch 10 key passages
4. begin film
5. HW: finish reading book-- we will finish NB questions tomorrow

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Journal #2: Key passage. Pick a passage from what you've read so far that you think might be key. Write page number and first three words. Answer this question in NB: What makes this passage key?
3. read!

Tue 3/31

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. ch 9: answer questions in NB
3. review ch 9 key passage
4. HW: read ch 10: we will do question in NB tomorrow in class

Sophomores
1. collect essays
2. read first 5 pages of choice book
3. journal 1: Write what you imagine the last paragraph of your book would be.
4. plan reading calendar
5. reading time
6. HW: pick one good vocab word
7. HW: turnitin.com-- don't forget

Mon 3/30

Seniors
1. return Hamlet essays
2. vocab warm up-- quiz Friday
3. ch 7 questions aloud for participation
4. ch 8 key passage response in NB
5. HW: read ch 9: This is they ultimate chapter, so pay attention. You only have to read tonight; we'll do the questions in class tomorrow
6. check esis

Sophomores
1. collect extra credit
2. begin choice book assignment: pick title, make a reading schedule for 8 days and 10 nights.
3. HW: complete final draft of Crucible essay
4. check esis

Fri 3/20

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. discuss ch 6 of All Quiet
3. watch clips of Operation Homecoming
4. HW: read ch 7, 8 and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. essay workshop: including quotations
3. HW: complete FD of essay by Tuesday March 31
4. extra credit: due Monday March 30

Thur 3/19

Seniors
1. vocab review
2. discuss All Quiet ch 5
3. NB: prep page for essay-- pick a topic, list three key passages
4. read ch 6-- it's long!

Sophomores
1. vocab review
2. essay workshop: outline, begin drafting
3. HW: work very hard on your essay! RD is due tomorrow at the end of the period

Wed 3/18

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. All Quiet discussion: ch 3, 4-- start listing key passages
3. HW: read ch 5 and do NB

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grade NB (Crucible study guide)
3. finish film
4. return Piano Lesson visuals, sample thesis statements from Piano Lesson
5. HW: choose topic, list key passages/ quotations in NB, write a draft of your thesis statement

Mr. Bill's Political ad

David After Dentist

Tue 3/17

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. All Quiet Ch 2 discussion
3. essay topics-- start gathering passages, quotations
4. read Ch 3, 4 and do NB questions

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. check essay free writes-- narrow down to one topic
3. watch Crucible film

Mon 3/16

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. reflections on war: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "Knolt Hoheimer"
3. discuss All Quiet ch 1
4. read ch 2
5. HW: complete FD of essay of definition

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Act 4 study guide: complete with partner
3. discuss end of Crucible
4. essay topics: choose one
5. HW: one page free write on one essay topic

Thur 3/12

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. peer review of essay of definition: FD due Tuesday
3. All Quiet: share background, numbers, video clips
4. HW: read ch 1 of All Quiet and do study guide questions in NB

Sophomores
1. grammar final test
2. vocab warm up
3. discuss Act III
4. HW: finish play

Wed 3/11

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. conventions warm up: verb tenses
3. new unit: Reflections on War- read "Henry V" speech and Johnny Got his Gun excerpt
4. read WWI background, highlight 10 items of most interest
5. HW: complete essay of definition RD

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar questions-- test tomorrow
3. read The Crucible Act III
4. HW: complete Act III study guide

Tue 3/10

Seniors
1. conventions: fragments, run ons
2. Hamlet essay instructions
3. Workshop: plan, begin draft-- RD due Thursday
4. get All Quiet books
5. HW: check esis

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar questions
3. discuss Crucible Act II
4. read act two scene two

Mon 3/9

Seniors
1. Hamlet test
2. return Canterbury essays/ stories, go over areas of improvement
3. read essay of definition sample: "Tact"
4. HW: check esis for grade update

Sophomores
1. grammar review: test Thursday
2. vocab review: quiz Tuesday
3. essay notes: sample, areas of improvement
4. Crucible Act 2 study guide: complete in class
5. HW: check esis

Thur 3/5

Seniors
1. Hamlet vocab quiz #2
2. view Hamlet 5.2 version 2
3. test review-- test Monday!

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. prep for gallery walk (10 minutes)
3. Piano Lesson gallery walk
4. check of Crucible books from library
5. complete and discuss Act I study guide
6. NB check
7. HW: read Act II

Wed 3/4

Seniors
1. Hamlet 5.1
2. vocab review
3. Hamlet 5.2
4. HW: Act 5 reader log

Sophomore
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review
3. finish Crucible Act I
4. Crucible study guide
5. HW: complete Piano visuals

Tue 3/3

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Rocket review: Hamlet 4.1-4.4
3. read 4.5-4.7 aloud
4. view: Crazy Ophelia
5. HW: Hamlet Act 4 reader log

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review: pages 829, 831
3. Crucible: three settings, security vs. freedom
4. aloud: begin Act I
5. HW: Piano visuals

Mon 3/2

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review Hamlet 3.3, finish act 3 aloud
3. Act 3 reader log
4. view 3.4
5. HW: read 115 to 128 line 74

Sophomores
1. grammar review: p 865 ex 4
2. vocab
3. Crucible debate

Fri 2/27

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. notebook check
3. read "The Mouse Trap" and view two versions
4. read to Hamlet to page 104

Sophomores
1. grammar review: italics and quotations marks
2. work on The Piano Lesson visuals: due next Thursday

Thur 2/26

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. review Hamlet 3.1
3. "to be" close reading
4. NB: freewrite on one "to be" topic
4. view two versions of "to be"
5. Hamlet 3.2, read to page 88 line 145

Sophomores
1. grammar review: apostrophes
2. Workshop: The Piano Lesson visual response
3. search for key passages, sentences, phrases
4. compose your thesis statement
5. design/ draft your visual

Wed 2/25

Seniors
1. collect essays/stories
2. vocab quiz
3. crazy Hamlet video clips: Is he really crazy?
4. review rest of 2.2 and do close reading of Rogue soliloquy
5. Hamlet log #2
5. Hamlet 3.1, close reading of "to be or not to be" soliloquy

Sophomores
1. finish film/ reviewing the text
2. form teams, get topics, begin planning visual

Tue 2/24

Seniors
1. vocab warm up-- quiz tomorrow!
2. review Hamlet 2.1
3. 2.2 aloud/ silent
4. HW: complete FD of essay/story

Sophomores
1. grammar 11, 12
2. The Piano Lesson journal #4
3. introduction of The Piano Lesson final assessment
4. begin The Piano Lesson film-- review for key passages, details
5. HW: pick your top 3-5 topics

Mon 2/23

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. ghost scene: review, view two versions
3. begin reader log (do 1 topic for each act)
5. read Hamlet 2.1 and 2.2 to page 55

Sophomores
1. grammar 10
2. The Piano Lesson NB #3
3. Finish reading The Piano Lesson
4. HW: grammar 11, 12

Fri 2/20

Seniors
1. vocab: palpable, rectify, retrograde
2. run on sentences, part two
3. essay/story peer review: FD due next Wednesday
4. Hamlet: first soliloquy
5. Rocketbook for 1.3
6. aloud: Hamlet 1.4-1.5

Sophomores
1. turn in FD of essays
2. finish reading The Piano Lesson 1.2
3. complete NB on 1.2
4. HW: read to page 80
5. HW: grammar 10

What is the Irene Kaufman Settlement House?

Berniece sends Maretha to the Irene Kaufman Settlement House? What is a settlement house? Read about it here.

Parchman Farm

What is the Parchman Farm? Boy Willie says he and Lymon spent three years there. Read about it here. And here are some pictures:

Thur 2/19

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. run on sentences- part 1, indentification
3. review Hamlet 1.1 characters, details
4. read 1.2 aloud
5. Hamlet's first soliloquy jigsaw
6. HW: read 1.3, complete essay/story RD

Sophomore
1. grammar 9
2. review details of The Piano Lesson 1.1
3. begin reading alout The Piano Lesson 1.2
4. HW: complete FD of Lord of the Flies Essay

Wed 2/18

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. get books
3. Rotten Denbark
4. Act 1.1-- words, phrases, questions, complete the reading
5. Rocketbook for 1.1
6. HW: read Hamlet, Act 1 scene 1
7. work of RD of story/essay

Sophomores
1. grammar 5,6
2. review, discuss The Piano Lesson background and context
3. HW: grammar 7, and read Act I scene 1 of The Piano Lesson

Tue 2/17

Seniors
1. Canterbury writing assignment: RD due Friday
2. writing workshop

Sophomores
1. essay self evaluation: FD due Friday
2. read The Piano Lesson background and highlight 10 things
3. get new books
4. HW: grammar 7,8

Fri 2/13

Seniors
1. discuss Wife of Bath's Tale
2. review for test
3. Canterbury Tales test

Sophomores
1. grammar 3,4
2. unity and coherence
3. complete outline, draft essay-- RD due on Tuesday

Thur 2/12

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. grammar 1,2
2. unity and coherence
3. essay workshop: topics, graphic organizers, review theme in textbook, begin outline
4. RD now due next Tuesday instead of Friday

Wed 2/12

I was out for the day. Here are the sub plans I left:

Block 2: Senior English

1. Student will listen to “The Pardoners Tale” (track 6 on the CD that is already in the CD player in the front of the room). They should follow along in the text, which starts on page 168. They should read lines 1-40 first since the CD recording doesn’t start until line 41 when the tale actually begins. Have students follow along and do the eight activities listed on the worksheet. Be sure to pause the CD at times the worksheet indicates so students can do work along the way.

2. After students finish activity eight (ranking evil) have them share their rankings on the board. If you can, try to have the class discuss and come to consensus on their rankings.

3. Any remaining time students can use to review characters from the prologue for the test on Friday.

Block 3 and 4: Pre IB Sophomore English

1. Students should do the first two pages of the grammar packet I am leaving.

2. After completing the grammar, students can use the rest of the period to work on their essays. They should at the least complete the graphic organizer I gave them on Tuesday. However, don’t collect them; they can show me this graphic organizer when I return on Thursday. I’ve left a few extra copies on my desk.

Tue 2/10

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


Sophomores
1. discuss last three passages
3. essay instructions, topic
4. HW: choose an essay topic

Mon 2/9

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.

Fri 2/6

Seniors
1. Pilgrimage slideshow
2. review characters so far, read aloud Friar
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 Monday's debate
5. HW: What makes the passage key? (178, 200)

Thur 2/5

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)

Wed 2/4

Seniors
1. review background: Normans, Feudalism, Magna Carta, The Church, 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. Lord of the Flies gut reaction
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!)

Tue 2/3

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. grammar pre-test
1. review sentence workshop
2. Lord of the Flies gut reaction discussion

Welcome to 2nd semester!

Mon 2/2

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

Thur 1/29

Seniors
1. give commencement speeches
2. complete Siddhartha map

Wed 1/28

Seniors
1. "The Ferry Man" and "The Son"
2. the river, time, eternity, symbolism
3. map work
4. finish the book

Sophomores
1. Joy Luck Club final

Tue 1/27

Seniors
1. "Samsara" and "By the River"
2. What is ennui? What is oblivion?
3. map work
4. HW: read to page 123

Sophmores
1. vocab quiz
2. Jong family, Woo family, other topics
3. prep for final

Mon 1/26

Seniors
1. discuss "Kamala" and "Amongst the People"
2. what is Nirvana, Samsara?
3. map work
4. HW: read to page 100

Sophmores
1. vocab warm up
2. autobio self evaluation
3. discuss motifs for Hsu and St. Clair families
4. HW: finish book

Fri 1/23

Seniors
1. collect magical realism story/essay
2. review ch 3,4: the four noble truths, etc
3. begin map assignment, due next Thursday
4. HW: read ch 5,6

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. autobio peer/self review
3. discuss "Without Wood" and "Best Quality"
4. read "Magpies" and "Waiting Between the Trees"

Thur 1/22

Seniors
1. Like Water for Chocolate test
2. most important words
3. What is "om"?
4. review ch 1,2, begin taking notes for map assignment (50 pts)
5. HW: read to page 42

Sophomores
1. check NBs, vocab warm up
2. "Four Directions"
3. read "Without Wood" and "Best Quality"
4. work on RD of autobio stories

Wed 1/21

Seniors
1. magical realism essay/story peer review
2. Siddahartha background/ quiz
3. HW: read to page 24, work on story/essay FD

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. "Rice Husband" discussion
3. read "Zippy" sample
4. HW: read "Four Directions" and work on your autobio stories

Tue 1/20

Seniors
1. November/ December questions, discussion
2. last film clip
3. HW: complete RD of magical realism story/essay

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. freewrite #3
3. begin drafting stories-- RD due Friday
4. group discussion: "Half and Half" and "Two Kinds"
5. HW: read "Rice Husband

Fri 1/16

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. October
3. triangles
4. film clip

Sophomores
finish state writing test

Thur 1/15

Seniors
1. vocab review
2. September passages
3. film clips
4. begin Magical Realism essay/story draft-- RD due next Wednesday
5. HW: read October

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. begin State writing test

Wed 1/14

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. August questions
3. magical realism reading
4. begin Like Water for Chocolate writing assignment, samples
5. HW: read September

Sophomores
1. grammar final
2. vocab warm up
3. discuss "Rules of the Game" and "A Voice from the Wall"

Tue 1/13

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. July questions in groups
3. film clip: the wedding cake
4. HW: read August

Sophomores
1. complete state wide reading test
2. HW: read "The Voice from the Wall"

Mon 1/12

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. May and June questions
3. HW: read July

Sophomores
state wide reading test

Fri 1/9

Seniors
1. collect TFA essay
2. vocab quiz
3. Chocolate questions, chapter 4 in groups
4. chocolate journal #5: nurturing or rebellion
5. HW: read May and June Chapters

Sophomores
1. collect Othello essay
2. vocab warm up
3. last grammar review
4. "Moon Lady" questions
5. freewrite #2
6. HW: read "Rules of the Game"

Thur 1/8

Seniors
1. vocab warm up-- quiz tomorrow
2. magical realism
4. ch 3 questions in groups
5. journal #4: transcendental relationship
6. HW: read ch 4 and complete FD of essay

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review
3. "The Red Candle" in groups
4. memory mining topics: I lost my temper, battle wills, scar
5. freewrite #1
6. read "Moon Lady"
7. HW: complete FD of essay

Wed 1/7

Seniors
1. collect January
2. vocab warm up
3. ch 2 discussion groups, magical realism
4. journal #3: family legend
5. HW: read ch 3, work on essays

Sophomores
1. collect January
2. vocab warm up
3. discuss "Scar"
4. the semi-autobiographical unit
5. memory mining: list noteworthy memories in NB
6. HW: read "The Red Candle" and work on your essay

Tue 1/6

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. share Chocolate journal #1
3. Chocolate study questions in groups
4. Chocolate journal #2: family tradition
5. HW: read ch 2
HW: extra credit Wednesday

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. grammar review: 604 ex 2, 608 3,6,13-20
3. JLC: eightfold notes, vignette topics, Joy Luck topic
4. HW: read "Scar"

Awesome is banned!

Thanks to Stephen Thompson for finding out that "awesome" was a banned word back in 2007.

Here is the link, and here is an excerpt:

AWESOME -- Given a one-year moratorium in 1984, when the Unicorn Hunters banished it "during which it is to be rehabilitated until it means "fear mingled with admiration or reverence; a feeling produced by something majestic." Many write to tell us there's no hope and it's time for "the full banishment."

Mon 1/5

Seniors
1. extra credit: January letter
2. essay RD peer/self review: FD due Friday
3. Chocolate journal #1: ultimate meal
4. read Like Water for Chocolate chapter 1

Sophomores
1. extra credit: January letter
2. essay RD peer/self review: FD due Friday
3. grammar review: semicolons
4. HW: read first story in The Joy Luck Club

Punch Shakespeare

This is funny. Thanks to Justin for sharing it.