Freshmen:
It's Friday, so vocab quiz and SSR, of course.
HW: Read in Fahrenheit 451 at least to the end of Part 1. Take notes on what we find out about how and why their world got to be the way it is. Feel free, also, to read your SSR book and work on Book Project #2.
AP Lit:
Vocab quiz and a little in-class extra credit opportunity.
HW: Read through at least chapter 20 of Candide and be working on the study questions.
Sunday
Wednesday
12/15/10
Freshmen:
Discussed a few thins from Fahrenheit: foreshadowing, imagery, Mildred, disposable tissues...
A few minutes to read.
HW: For tomorrow, be through page 40 in the book and read "A Song Before Sunset" in the Reader packet.
AP Lit:
Warnings-- then a trip to get Candide.
Talked about Voltaire, context and Optimism.
Read Chapter 1 together.
HW: Read through Ch. 7 in Candide for tomorrow.
Discussed a few thins from Fahrenheit: foreshadowing, imagery, Mildred, disposable tissues...
A few minutes to read.
HW: For tomorrow, be through page 40 in the book and read "A Song Before Sunset" in the Reader packet.
AP Lit:
Warnings-- then a trip to get Candide.
Talked about Voltaire, context and Optimism.
Read Chapter 1 together.
HW: Read through Ch. 7 in Candide for tomorrow.
Tuesday
Funny Links...
So I mentioned these today in AP Lit as we were talking about parody and how a good impersonation is a type of parody. Just for fun, here you go. Please remember that these were originally created and aired for a late-night network TV comedy show, therefore the content and implied language (bleeped, of course) while often hilarious, is not necessarily suitable for all audiences or the classroom. You have been warned. Watch (and laugh) at your own discretion.
Reflections with Justin Bieber
Robert is Bothered
Reflections with Justin Bieber
Robert is Bothered
12/14/10
Freshmen:
Diction exercise using a noun ans an adjective.
Discussed reactions to the M2 article and then wrote a response to the "Generation M2" article:
Diction exercise using a noun ans an adjective.
Discussed reactions to the M2 article and then wrote a response to the "Generation M2" article:
Write about the most interesting and/or telling findings of the study "Generation M2". Which conclusions are most relevant to you? Would it be difficult for you to stop using all forms of digital entertainment for a week? What would you do?
HW: For Thursday you need to read to page 40 in F451 and "A Song Before Sunset" pages 25 to 29 in the Reader.
AP Lit:
Some recap of "A Modest Proposal"-- especially the importance of the italicized section. Then, some notes on some terms related to satire and comedy.
HW: Read the two handouts on Voltaire and Candide. Bring your ID cards and Beowulf tomorrow so we can go check out copies of Candide.
Monday
12/13/10
Freshmen:
New vocab words.
F451 reading quiz #1 (pages 3-24)
Discussed quiz.
HW: Read in the F451 Reader the article on pages 1-5 and take notes on new, interesting or surprising things.
AP Lit:
New vocab.
Tone words handout.
In groups, discuss, determine and describe as precisely as possible the TONE of "A Modest Proposal". In what subtle ways and specific places do we see his tone shift to reveal the point of his satire?
Group thoughts and conclusions were turned in along with the Modest Proposal study questions.
New vocab words.
F451 reading quiz #1 (pages 3-24)
Discussed quiz.
HW: Read in the F451 Reader the article on pages 1-5 and take notes on new, interesting or surprising things.
AP Lit:
New vocab.
Tone words handout.
In groups, discuss, determine and describe as precisely as possible the TONE of "A Modest Proposal". In what subtle ways and specific places do we see his tone shift to reveal the point of his satire?
Group thoughts and conclusions were turned in along with the Modest Proposal study questions.
Friday
12/10/10
Freshmen:
Vocab Quiz #9.
Then, SSR time or time to finish the OAKS reading test.
HW: Read in Fahrenheit 451 to page 24 and take notes on the similarities and differences between their world and ours.
AP Lit:
Vocab Quiz #8.
Discussion of your inference notes from "The Story of an Hour." I collected these for credit.
HW: Read "A Modest Proposal" and complete the study questions.
Vocab Quiz #9.
Then, SSR time or time to finish the OAKS reading test.
HW: Read in Fahrenheit 451 to page 24 and take notes on the similarities and differences between their world and ours.
AP Lit:
Vocab Quiz #8.
Discussion of your inference notes from "The Story of an Hour." I collected these for credit.
HW: Read "A Modest Proposal" and complete the study questions.
12/9/10
Freshmen:
Recitation of your F451 passages! A little talk about denotation and connotation too.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Be prepared.
AP Lit:
Inference notes were introduced. Then, you read "The Story of an Hour" and produced these notes. We'll discuss tomorrow.
Recitation of your F451 passages! A little talk about denotation and connotation too.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Be prepared.
AP Lit:
Inference notes were introduced. Then, you read "The Story of an Hour" and produced these notes. We'll discuss tomorrow.
Wednesday
12/8/10
Freshmen:
While some students headed off to finish the OAKS reading test, the rest of you had time to work on memorizing your passage or whatever else needed working on.
HW: Be ready to speak your passage from Fahrenheit 451 for us tomorrow. It will be recitation day!
AP Lit:
Took some notes on irony, then re-read Genesis and Catastrophe with an eye toward finding all three kinds. Then, we discussed your observations.
HW: Bring your lit anthology tomorrow.
While some students headed off to finish the OAKS reading test, the rest of you had time to work on memorizing your passage or whatever else needed working on.
HW: Be ready to speak your passage from Fahrenheit 451 for us tomorrow. It will be recitation day!
AP Lit:
Took some notes on irony, then re-read Genesis and Catastrophe with an eye toward finding all three kinds. Then, we discussed your observations.
HW: Bring your lit anthology tomorrow.
Tuesday
12/7/02010
Freshmen:
Day 2 of Oaks Reading Testing. Tomorrow we'll meet in the classroom and I'll send those who need to finish down to the lab after I take attendance. Those who finished the test will have a work day tomorrow.
HW: Keep memorizing your F451 passage.
AP Lit:
New vocab words!
Groups presentations on symbolism. Wow. That's all I have to say.
HW: Read Roald Dahl's "Genesis and Catastrophe." Be ready to talk about irony in it tomorrow.
Day 2 of Oaks Reading Testing. Tomorrow we'll meet in the classroom and I'll send those who need to finish down to the lab after I take attendance. Those who finished the test will have a work day tomorrow.
HW: Keep memorizing your F451 passage.
AP Lit:
New vocab words!
Groups presentations on symbolism. Wow. That's all I have to say.
HW: Read Roald Dahl's "Genesis and Catastrophe." Be ready to talk about irony in it tomorrow.
Monday
12/6/2010
Happy Monday!
Freshmen:
OAKS Reading Test, today and tomorrow. Woot!
HW: You should be memorizing, word for word, the passage from Fahrenheit 451 that you were assigned on Friday. We probably won't get to presenting these until Thursday...
AP Lit:
You got into symbol groups, then after a bit of discussion, were supposed to determine the three most important conclusions about how your object functions symbolically in the poem. You will be presenting your findings through some form of visual representation that includes actual (written or spoken) text tomorrow. (I can't wait to see what improvisational-interpretive dance-acting looks like, Joseph and Nic!)
Freshmen:
OAKS Reading Test, today and tomorrow. Woot!
HW: You should be memorizing, word for word, the passage from Fahrenheit 451 that you were assigned on Friday. We probably won't get to presenting these until Thursday...
AP Lit:
You got into symbol groups, then after a bit of discussion, were supposed to determine the three most important conclusions about how your object functions symbolically in the poem. You will be presenting your findings through some form of visual representation that includes actual (written or spoken) text tomorrow. (I can't wait to see what improvisational-interpretive dance-acting looks like, Joseph and Nic!)
Friday
12/3/2010
Freshmen:
Vocab quiz.
Then, we went and checked out the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I then assigned each of you a specific section of lines that you need to memorize by next Wednesday. Everyone will recite their lines to the class. I'll explain more next week.
HW: MEMORIZATION!
AP Lit:
Vocab quiz. Timed Beowulf essay. No homework! (You're welcome.)
Vocab quiz.
Then, we went and checked out the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I then assigned each of you a specific section of lines that you need to memorize by next Wednesday. Everyone will recite their lines to the class. I'll explain more next week.
HW: MEMORIZATION!
AP Lit:
Vocab quiz. Timed Beowulf essay. No homework! (You're welcome.)
Thursday
12/2/10
Freshmen:
We spent a bit of time talking about the State Reading Test that we will be taking next Monday and Tuesday. We reviewed the 6 types of questions, what the cut scores are and looked at a practice passage.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Also, bring SSR books and your ID cards.
AP Lit:
Today a whole period was essentially wasted with AP Testing information, (that I likely could have given you in 10 minutes...but I'm not bitter. Really.)
HW: Tomorrow we will have a vocab quiz (duh) and we'll do an in-class essay on Beowulf. Bring your books with you to use on the essay.
We spent a bit of time talking about the State Reading Test that we will be taking next Monday and Tuesday. We reviewed the 6 types of questions, what the cut scores are and looked at a practice passage.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Also, bring SSR books and your ID cards.
AP Lit:
Today a whole period was essentially wasted with AP Testing information, (that I likely could have given you in 10 minutes...but I'm not bitter. Really.)
HW: Tomorrow we will have a vocab quiz (duh) and we'll do an in-class essay on Beowulf. Bring your books with you to use on the essay.
Tuesday
11/29/10
Freshmen:
Reviewed the Narrative Criteria Sheet and highlighted rough drafts. Had a classmate read and highlight your strongest sentence. Shared these sentences.
HW: Edit, revise and bring final drafts to turn in tomorrow. (You will need to turn in your rough draft, too.)
AP Lit:
Discuss the purposes of sections 19-21. Read together the battle with Grendel's mom noting similarities and differences between this and the first fight with Grendel.
HW: Read through section 35 for Wed. Finish reading Beowulf for Thurs.-- be read to discuss your observations on the symbol you've been tracing.
Reviewed the Narrative Criteria Sheet and highlighted rough drafts. Had a classmate read and highlight your strongest sentence. Shared these sentences.
HW: Edit, revise and bring final drafts to turn in tomorrow. (You will need to turn in your rough draft, too.)
AP Lit:
Discuss the purposes of sections 19-21. Read together the battle with Grendel's mom noting similarities and differences between this and the first fight with Grendel.
HW: Read through section 35 for Wed. Finish reading Beowulf for Thurs.-- be read to discuss your observations on the symbol you've been tracing.
Monday
11/29/2010
Freshmen:
New vocab words (of course!)
We read a short story entitled "The Pedestrian" together.
Then, you read it a second time highlighting all the references to light or dark.
With the last few minutes you began to work on an analysis of how Bradbury uses the light/dark imagery to help communicate the meaning of the story.
HW: Bring your typed, MLA formatted almost-final draft of your narrative to class tomorrow.
AP Lit:
New vocab words.
Made a list of the many names of Beowulf and Grendel. Re-read and talked about the Brecca part.
HW: Read sections 19-21 and think about/note ideas about their purpose in the story. What do these sections add?
New vocab words (of course!)
We read a short story entitled "The Pedestrian" together.
Then, you read it a second time highlighting all the references to light or dark.
With the last few minutes you began to work on an analysis of how Bradbury uses the light/dark imagery to help communicate the meaning of the story.
HW: Bring your typed, MLA formatted almost-final draft of your narrative to class tomorrow.
AP Lit:
New vocab words.
Made a list of the many names of Beowulf and Grendel. Re-read and talked about the Brecca part.
HW: Read sections 19-21 and think about/note ideas about their purpose in the story. What do these sections add?
Wednesday
11/24/10
Freshmen:
We talked about your Narrative, which we began brainstorming for on Monday. Here is the Narrative Criteria Sheet, which I showed you in class. This will be used when I score your final drafts.
HW: Your typed, double spaced almost-final draft will be due in class on Tuesday. We will take a look at these in class and see what bits of editing need to be done before the final draft is handed in on Wednesday.
AP Lit:
We went and checked out Beowulf books. If you were absent, or unable to get yours, here is a link to an online text so that you can stay caught up on the reading. It's not the same translation as those in our book room, but it will do to keep you caught up. Then, we watched this, just to get a feel for what a performance from a scop might have been like. I assigned you each a symbol to keep track of and trace as you read. Follow the instructions here. Then, we began reading the Prologue and Part 1 together.
HW: For Monday, read through Part 18 and take notes on what's happening and the symbol you are following.
We talked about your Narrative, which we began brainstorming for on Monday. Here is the Narrative Criteria Sheet, which I showed you in class. This will be used when I score your final drafts.
HW: Your typed, double spaced almost-final draft will be due in class on Tuesday. We will take a look at these in class and see what bits of editing need to be done before the final draft is handed in on Wednesday.
AP Lit:
We went and checked out Beowulf books. If you were absent, or unable to get yours, here is a link to an online text so that you can stay caught up on the reading. It's not the same translation as those in our book room, but it will do to keep you caught up. Then, we watched this, just to get a feel for what a performance from a scop might have been like. I assigned you each a symbol to keep track of and trace as you read. Follow the instructions here. Then, we began reading the Prologue and Part 1 together.
HW: For Monday, read through Part 18 and take notes on what's happening and the symbol you are following.
Tuesday
Woo-Hoo!
All of the wishing and/or praying and/or snow dance mojo worked! See how happy the Peterson children are? Maybe I'll see you all on Wednesday. Maybe not. Have a great (and safe) day off.
Monday
11/22/10
Freshmen:
Began working on some guided prewrites in preparation for writing a Narrative. More to come tomorrow.
HW: Make it snow.
AP Lit:
Explained the reynoldshigh.net assignment. (See previous post if you were absent or just forgot what to do.)
Talked about Epic Poems, the history of the English language and a bit about Beowulf.
HW: Be sure to bring your ID card tomorrow. We'll be going to check out books.
Began working on some guided prewrites in preparation for writing a Narrative. More to come tomorrow.
HW: Make it snow.
AP Lit:
Explained the reynoldshigh.net assignment. (See previous post if you were absent or just forgot what to do.)
Talked about Epic Poems, the history of the English language and a bit about Beowulf.
HW: Be sure to bring your ID card tomorrow. We'll be going to check out books.
AP Lit: Reynoldshigh.net Log-in Procedure and Assignment
Important Assignment for AP Lit Students! Follow the instructions below. This must be completed by Monday, November 29th in order to receive credit.
1. Go here:
reynoldshigh.net log-in page
2. Log in:
Your user name is First name(dot)Last nameGraduation year and your password is your student ID number.
So, if I were a student logging in I would be: Courtney.Peterson1994
(Yes, I graduated from high school in 1994. I know. I'm getting so old.)
3. Complete Assignment:
From this account, send me an email at: CPeterson@reynoldshigh.net
Include in your email a message to the effect of:
Hi Mrs. Peterson,
I found the page and logged on just fine. Thank you so much for the clear instructions. I just wanted to tell you that you are the best teacher I've ever had and your class is my very favorite. I hope you are having a great day.
Or, you know, something like that to let me know you were able to log on.
In addition to simply sending this message, you need to also send an attachment of a paper you have typed for my class. It could be our most recent Expectation Essay, or our first Character Analysis Essay or your Modern Day Holden assignment, even. I just want to make sure that you can correctly send an attachment.
4. Bookmark the log-in page, from step 1. (If you are on your own computer...)
WHY? This is the email address you must use to submit electronic copies of all future major writing assignments. Paper copies of essays will still be expected on the appropriate due date, as well. Receiving electronic copies of major assignments will not only allow me to check for plagiarism much more easily, but will also allow students who choose to be absent on due dates to submit them on time. All papers submitted and time-stamped after the due date will have points deducted unless individual arrangements have been made in advance for an alternate due date.
1. Go here:
reynoldshigh.net log-in page
2. Log in:
Your user name is First name(dot)Last nameGraduation year and your password is your student ID number.
So, if I were a student logging in I would be: Courtney.Peterson1994
(Yes, I graduated from high school in 1994. I know. I'm getting so old.)
3. Complete Assignment:
From this account, send me an email at: CPeterson@reynoldshigh.net
Include in your email a message to the effect of:
Hi Mrs. Peterson,
I found the page and logged on just fine. Thank you so much for the clear instructions. I just wanted to tell you that you are the best teacher I've ever had and your class is my very favorite. I hope you are having a great day.
Or, you know, something like that to let me know you were able to log on.
In addition to simply sending this message, you need to also send an attachment of a paper you have typed for my class. It could be our most recent Expectation Essay, or our first Character Analysis Essay or your Modern Day Holden assignment, even. I just want to make sure that you can correctly send an attachment.
4. Bookmark the log-in page, from step 1. (If you are on your own computer...)
WHY? This is the email address you must use to submit electronic copies of all future major writing assignments. Paper copies of essays will still be expected on the appropriate due date, as well. Receiving electronic copies of major assignments will not only allow me to check for plagiarism much more easily, but will also allow students who choose to be absent on due dates to submit them on time. All papers submitted and time-stamped after the due date will have points deducted unless individual arrangements have been made in advance for an alternate due date.
Wednesday
11/17/10
Freshmen:
Shared a few of your sentences from the diction handout, then continued watching the OMAM movie.
HW: Test tomorrow!
AP Lit:
In groups of 2-3 created a visual that shows the meaning of at least 12 of the symbols we brainstormed from YGB. Also, you need to include on your assignment an explanation of a theme that the symbols help to construct and whether you think the story is also an allegory and why.
HW: Read "A Hunger Artist" for tomorrow.
Shared a few of your sentences from the diction handout, then continued watching the OMAM movie.
HW: Test tomorrow!
AP Lit:
In groups of 2-3 created a visual that shows the meaning of at least 12 of the symbols we brainstormed from YGB. Also, you need to include on your assignment an explanation of a theme that the symbols help to construct and whether you think the story is also an allegory and why.
HW: Read "A Hunger Artist" for tomorrow.
11/16/10
Freshmen:
Another handout on diction, then we began watching the Of Mice and Men movie.
HW: OMAM test on Thursday and Vocab Quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Talked about symbol and allegory a bit more and then brainstormed a list of possible symbols in "Young Goodman Brown".
HW: Read "A Hunger Artist" for Thursday and RETURN YOUR CATCHER IN THE RYE BOOKS!
Another handout on diction, then we began watching the Of Mice and Men movie.
HW: OMAM test on Thursday and Vocab Quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Talked about symbol and allegory a bit more and then brainstormed a list of possible symbols in "Young Goodman Brown".
HW: Read "A Hunger Artist" for Thursday and RETURN YOUR CATCHER IN THE RYE BOOKS!
Monday
11/15/10
Freshmen:
New vocab! Discussed "To a Mouse" and talked a bit about the OMAM test that will be on Thursday.
HW: Study for test on Thursday, vocab quiz on Friday and be sure you have a new SSR book by Friday too.
AP Lit:
Returned some papers and talked about grades.
Had a brief lecture on what makes Mrs. Peterson angry...mainly, bad drivers, people who litter and students who plagiarize. Grrrr.... It makes me cranky.
I gave you new vocab words and we talked about symbolism, too.
HW: Read "Young Goodman Brown" (in your text) take notes on symbols and what you think they mean.Be ready to discuss these tomorrow.
New vocab! Discussed "To a Mouse" and talked a bit about the OMAM test that will be on Thursday.
HW: Study for test on Thursday, vocab quiz on Friday and be sure you have a new SSR book by Friday too.
AP Lit:
Returned some papers and talked about grades.
Had a brief lecture on what makes Mrs. Peterson angry...mainly, bad drivers, people who litter and students who plagiarize. Grrrr.... It makes me cranky.
I gave you new vocab words and we talked about symbolism, too.
HW: Read "Young Goodman Brown" (in your text) take notes on symbols and what you think they mean.Be ready to discuss these tomorrow.
Wednesday
11/10/10
Freshmen:
Turned in SSR Book Project #1. Took a few minutes to talk about your thoughts on Curley's wife and Steinbeck's letter about her. Then, we read "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns--the poem from which the novel's name is derived-- and answered THESE questions about the poem.
AP Lit:
Mid-term Exam Part 2!
Turned in SSR Book Project #1. Took a few minutes to talk about your thoughts on Curley's wife and Steinbeck's letter about her. Then, we read "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns--the poem from which the novel's name is derived-- and answered THESE questions about the poem.
AP Lit:
Mid-term Exam Part 2!
Monday
11/8/10
Freshmen:
Checked final OMAM study guide, then we began to discuss the books resolution.
HW: SSR Book project #1, due on Wednesday.
AP Lit:
A visit from Ms. Cornell to tell you about the ASVAB, then some time to finish the Timed Essay Self- Assessment and turn all that stuff in I gave you on Friday.
HW: Mid-term exam, part 1 is tomorrow.
Mid-term exam, part 2 is on Wednesday.
Checked final OMAM study guide, then we began to discuss the books resolution.
HW: SSR Book project #1, due on Wednesday.
AP Lit:
A visit from Ms. Cornell to tell you about the ASVAB, then some time to finish the Timed Essay Self- Assessment and turn all that stuff in I gave you on Friday.
HW: Mid-term exam, part 1 is tomorrow.
Mid-term exam, part 2 is on Wednesday.
Friday
11/5/10
Freshmen:
Vocab Quiz then SSR, of course.
HW: Finish reading Of Mice and Men and complete the study guide for chapters 5 &6.
AP Lit:
Took this week's vocab quiz.
Then, I handed back your Timed Essays, gave you an AP Scoring Guide and the Self-Reflection handout. Follow the instructions on the handout and be ready to hand in that, and your essays again, on Monday.
HW: Work on the assignment above, study for your mid-term exam, which will be Tuesday and Wednesday, and you DO NOT have to read "The Story of an Hour" this weekend. We'll likely read it together in class on Monday.
Vocab Quiz then SSR, of course.
HW: Finish reading Of Mice and Men and complete the study guide for chapters 5 &6.
AP Lit:
Took this week's vocab quiz.
Then, I handed back your Timed Essays, gave you an AP Scoring Guide and the Self-Reflection handout. Follow the instructions on the handout and be ready to hand in that, and your essays again, on Monday.
HW: Work on the assignment above, study for your mid-term exam, which will be Tuesday and Wednesday, and you DO NOT have to read "The Story of an Hour" this weekend. We'll likely read it together in class on Monday.
Thursday
11/04/2010
Freshmen:
Discussed "diction" handouts and shared some sample sentences.
While you did some writing and thinking about the power structures in Chapter 4, I came around and marked off your Ch. 4 study guides.
HW: Keep reading your SSR books and working on SSR book projects. (Due Nov. 10th!)
And, we have a vocab quiz tomorrow, of course.
AP Lit:
Adjusted your schedule to show our mid-term exam will be next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Then, you wrote Timed Essay #5! As promised, this will be our last timed essay for a little while. You'll be looking at and practice scoring your essays starting tomorrow. More details will be provided then.
HW: Study vocab. Review for next week's midterm.
Discussed "diction" handouts and shared some sample sentences.
While you did some writing and thinking about the power structures in Chapter 4, I came around and marked off your Ch. 4 study guides.
HW: Keep reading your SSR books and working on SSR book projects. (Due Nov. 10th!)
And, we have a vocab quiz tomorrow, of course.
AP Lit:
Adjusted your schedule to show our mid-term exam will be next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Then, you wrote Timed Essay #5! As promised, this will be our last timed essay for a little while. You'll be looking at and practice scoring your essays starting tomorrow. More details will be provided then.
HW: Study vocab. Review for next week's midterm.
Monday
11/01/10
Freshmen:
New vocab words!
Checked off OMAM Ch. 3 study guides then handed back a bunch of assignments.
Went over the "Migrant Experience" quizzes.
HW: Keep working on SSR book projects!
AP Lit:
Turned in Expectation Essays. (I need them by 11:59pm tonight to count as on time.)
New vocab words.
Timed essay #3-- Golden Lines.
Turned in essays and golden lines at end of period.
HW: Read "Gorilla, My Love". It's in your text. Bring this with you tomorrow.
New vocab words!
Checked off OMAM Ch. 3 study guides then handed back a bunch of assignments.
Went over the "Migrant Experience" quizzes.
HW: Keep working on SSR book projects!
AP Lit:
Turned in Expectation Essays. (I need them by 11:59pm tonight to count as on time.)
New vocab words.
Timed essay #3-- Golden Lines.
Turned in essays and golden lines at end of period.
HW: Read "Gorilla, My Love". It's in your text. Bring this with you tomorrow.
10/25/10
Freshmen:
Checked your Ch. 2 study guides for homework credit, then we spent some time reading and reviewing them together.
HW: Nada.
AP Lit:
I handed back your character essays as well as a key to understand my notations when I score your papers. Then we spent a few minutes talking about and reviewing your Expectation Essays that you have rough drafts of. If you need any additional help on these, bring your questions tomorrow or come visit with me during conferences.
HW: Be ready to talk about the end of Catcher tomorrow.
Checked your Ch. 2 study guides for homework credit, then we spent some time reading and reviewing them together.
HW: Nada.
AP Lit:
I handed back your character essays as well as a key to understand my notations when I score your papers. Then we spent a few minutes talking about and reviewing your Expectation Essays that you have rough drafts of. If you need any additional help on these, bring your questions tomorrow or come visit with me during conferences.
HW: Be ready to talk about the end of Catcher tomorrow.
Thursday
10/21/10
Freshmen:
Homework check for OMAM study guide #1. Then, we discussed the homework.
HW: Study vocab. Bring your SSR book!
AP Lit:
Reading quiz #2 (through Ch. 23)
Then, we discussed a bunch of things: Gatsby, Holden's ice skates, the ducks and fish, disappearing, the sadness of it all...and Phoebe.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. For Monday you need to finish the book and write a rough draft of your essay.
Homework check for OMAM study guide #1. Then, we discussed the homework.
HW: Study vocab. Bring your SSR book!
AP Lit:
Reading quiz #2 (through Ch. 23)
Then, we discussed a bunch of things: Gatsby, Holden's ice skates, the ducks and fish, disappearing, the sadness of it all...and Phoebe.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. For Monday you need to finish the book and write a rough draft of your essay.
Wednesday
10/20/10
So, despite the story Mr. Robertson told you, I actually stayed home sick yesterday. Here's a recap of both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Freshmen:
10/19: Guided close reading of first few paragraphs in Of Mice and Men-- noting sensory language, imagery, adjectives, metaphors, etc.
10/20: Reviewed yesterday's conclusions and added ideas about tone and sound devices and how sentence structure can mirror the content of the passage. Then, we went and checked out copies of the novel so you could complete your reading homework.
HW: Read Chapter 1 in Of Mice and Men and complete the study guide and the handout about dialogue vs. narration.
AP Lit:
10/19: In small groups you discussed some study questions, took notes on your findings and handed these in to Mr. Robertson. (Also, apparently, period 6 was "bright and shiny.")
10/20: I handed out your essay topic, (this would be the Comparative Essay listed on your reading schedule.) Start brainstorming ideas and putting together a rough draft as you finish up reading the novel. Dues dates are on your calendars and the handout. Then we discussed some more about Catcher, mainly about what Holden is doing with Sally, what he really wants and why he references the literature that he does. Tomorrow we'll delve deeper into his visit with Phoebe.
Freshmen:
10/19: Guided close reading of first few paragraphs in Of Mice and Men-- noting sensory language, imagery, adjectives, metaphors, etc.
10/20: Reviewed yesterday's conclusions and added ideas about tone and sound devices and how sentence structure can mirror the content of the passage. Then, we went and checked out copies of the novel so you could complete your reading homework.
HW: Read Chapter 1 in Of Mice and Men and complete the study guide and the handout about dialogue vs. narration.
AP Lit:
10/19: In small groups you discussed some study questions, took notes on your findings and handed these in to Mr. Robertson. (Also, apparently, period 6 was "bright and shiny.")
10/20: I handed out your essay topic, (this would be the Comparative Essay listed on your reading schedule.) Start brainstorming ideas and putting together a rough draft as you finish up reading the novel. Dues dates are on your calendars and the handout. Then we discussed some more about Catcher, mainly about what Holden is doing with Sally, what he really wants and why he references the literature that he does. Tomorrow we'll delve deeper into his visit with Phoebe.
Monday
10/18/10
Freshmen:
New vocab words were given, grammar on this weeks quiz will be a review of all we have talked about so far.
Took a timed quiz over the reading you were to finish for homework. Only 30 minutes were given. Finally, you turned in your dialogue journal and Migrant Mother writing from last week.
AP Lit:
New vocab words, then a 20 minute timed essay on Chapter 16 of Catcher was given. I collected your writing and we just began to discuss some of your ideas. We'll continue our discussion of Chs. 16-20 tomorrow.
New vocab words were given, grammar on this weeks quiz will be a review of all we have talked about so far.
Took a timed quiz over the reading you were to finish for homework. Only 30 minutes were given. Finally, you turned in your dialogue journal and Migrant Mother writing from last week.
AP Lit:
New vocab words, then a 20 minute timed essay on Chapter 16 of Catcher was given. I collected your writing and we just began to discuss some of your ideas. We'll continue our discussion of Chs. 16-20 tomorrow.
Friday
10/15/10
Freshmen:
We took our weekly Vocab Quiz and had some time for SSR. Also, I handed out the instructions for your SSR book projects.
HW: Finish reading the packet about "The Migrant Experience" and complete 10 dialogue journal entries. (Make sure you read and pay attention to all of the information as there might be a little quiz about it on Monday.)
AP Lit:
We took our weekly vocab quiz and then spent some time discussing Catcher.
HW: You need to read through Ch. 20 for Monday.
We took our weekly Vocab Quiz and had some time for SSR. Also, I handed out the instructions for your SSR book projects.
HW: Finish reading the packet about "The Migrant Experience" and complete 10 dialogue journal entries. (Make sure you read and pay attention to all of the information as there might be a little quiz about it on Monday.)
AP Lit:
We took our weekly vocab quiz and then spent some time discussing Catcher.
HW: You need to read through Ch. 20 for Monday.
Thursday
10/14/10
Freshmen:
We began reading a packet of information about The Migrant Experience during The Great Depression, to add some context to the photographs we began looking at on Tuesday. As you are reading you should be keeping a dialogue journal that includes at least 10 entries. This will be due on Monday. Follow the link above, to finish reading this collection of sources.
HW: Vocab quiz and SSR tomorrow. Reading and dialogue journal due on Monday.
AP Lit:
I collected your Modern Day Holden stories and several of you in each class shared. Thanks for your willingness to read your work to us, they were all great! Then we continued discussing Catcher and filing out our charts on the whiteboard. We'll continue with this tomorrow.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow!
We began reading a packet of information about The Migrant Experience during The Great Depression, to add some context to the photographs we began looking at on Tuesday. As you are reading you should be keeping a dialogue journal that includes at least 10 entries. This will be due on Monday. Follow the link above, to finish reading this collection of sources.
HW: Vocab quiz and SSR tomorrow. Reading and dialogue journal due on Monday.
AP Lit:
I collected your Modern Day Holden stories and several of you in each class shared. Thanks for your willingness to read your work to us, they were all great! Then we continued discussing Catcher and filing out our charts on the whiteboard. We'll continue with this tomorrow.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow!
Wednesday
10/13/10
Today was "Future Options" day and Explore testing. Since the whole school schedule was janky, there is little to update you on, except that I finally found some time to enter some grades into Esis, so if you have access to Parent-Assist and are curious about your progress you can check online.
10/12 /10
Freshmen:
We looked at and discussed and "read" some Dorothea Lange photographs. Then, your job was to "write the story" of, or that might correlate to the photo entitled "Migrant Mother."
HW: "Migrant Mother" stories due on Thurs.
AP Lit:
We began filling up the whiteboard with thoughts and observations about Catcher. Especially, motifs and more development of Holden's character (through his likes and dislikes).
HW: Modern Day Holden writing assignment is due on Thurs. and reading through Ch. 15. Vocab quiz on Friday, as usual.
We looked at and discussed and "read" some Dorothea Lange photographs. Then, your job was to "write the story" of, or that might correlate to the photo entitled "Migrant Mother."
HW: "Migrant Mother" stories due on Thurs.
AP Lit:
We began filling up the whiteboard with thoughts and observations about Catcher. Especially, motifs and more development of Holden's character (through his likes and dislikes).
HW: Modern Day Holden writing assignment is due on Thurs. and reading through Ch. 15. Vocab quiz on Friday, as usual.
Monday
10/11/10
Freshmen:
New vocabulary words, review of there/their/they're and then a look at the RHS Code of Conduct.
AP Lit:
New vocab words. Your first reading quiz. Explanation of "Modern Day Holden" creative writing assignment, which is due on Thursday.
HW: Be ready to discuss Catcher tomorrow, especially the topics, people and ideas that seem to be cropping up repeatedly.
New vocabulary words, review of there/their/they're and then a look at the RHS Code of Conduct.
AP Lit:
New vocab words. Your first reading quiz. Explanation of "Modern Day Holden" creative writing assignment, which is due on Thursday.
HW: Be ready to discuss Catcher tomorrow, especially the topics, people and ideas that seem to be cropping up repeatedly.
Friday
Week of 10/4 through 10/6
Well, this was a crazy week. Not only was it short because of inservice days, but in AP Lit we lost a day through counselor meetings, and to top it off, I had jury duty. So our class schedule got a little hectic and convoluted, to say the least. Nonetheless, here is the run-down of what happened in class, in case you missed it.
Freshmen:
10/4 and 10/5: Groups presented the posters you made last week and we discussed the various aspects of "Hunters in the Snow." This served as a review to prepare you for the test.
10/6: Short Story and Literary Terms Test
AP Lit:
10/4: We looked at some "Bartleby" essay rough drafts and talked about some writing and editing issues. This was in preparation for your first solo essay that was due on Wed. We also talked for a few minutes about our first impressions of Holden Caulfield and made a list of his traits, so far.
10/5: Most classes (all but period 6) met with counselors to review transcripts, etc. We also went over the RHS Code of Conduct and talked about Future Options Day next Wed.
10/6: Period 6 met with counselors today so the rest of you had time to read, get ahead in Catcher and, of course, you were supposed to have turned in your Character Description Essays to Mr. Robertson.
Freshmen:
10/4 and 10/5: Groups presented the posters you made last week and we discussed the various aspects of "Hunters in the Snow." This served as a review to prepare you for the test.
10/6: Short Story and Literary Terms Test
AP Lit:
10/4: We looked at some "Bartleby" essay rough drafts and talked about some writing and editing issues. This was in preparation for your first solo essay that was due on Wed. We also talked for a few minutes about our first impressions of Holden Caulfield and made a list of his traits, so far.
10/5: Most classes (all but period 6) met with counselors to review transcripts, etc. We also went over the RHS Code of Conduct and talked about Future Options Day next Wed.
10/6: Period 6 met with counselors today so the rest of you had time to read, get ahead in Catcher and, of course, you were supposed to have turned in your Character Description Essays to Mr. Robertson.
10/01/10
Freshmen:
Hooray for Fridays! We took our Vocabugrammar quiz then had a few minutes for SSR.
HW: Nope. Have a good weekend.
AP Lit:
Turned in rough drafts of your Bartleby essays.
Received a reading schedule through the end of this 9 weeks. (Follow this link, or see the link on the left if you missed this.)
Went and checked out The Catcher in the Rye from the book depository.
HW: Read through Ch. 4 in Catcher for Monday. You should be taking notes on the reading as you should always be doing, but in addition you should be collecting "golden lines." These are lines or passages for each chapter that you think hold some special importance or significance-- like the line or phrase or paragraph that is the key to understanding each chapter fully.
Hooray for Fridays! We took our Vocabugrammar quiz then had a few minutes for SSR.
HW: Nope. Have a good weekend.
AP Lit:
Turned in rough drafts of your Bartleby essays.
Received a reading schedule through the end of this 9 weeks. (Follow this link, or see the link on the left if you missed this.)
Went and checked out The Catcher in the Rye from the book depository.
HW: Read through Ch. 4 in Catcher for Monday. You should be taking notes on the reading as you should always be doing, but in addition you should be collecting "golden lines." These are lines or passages for each chapter that you think hold some special importance or significance-- like the line or phrase or paragraph that is the key to understanding each chapter fully.
Thursday
9/30/10
Freshmen:
In your groups, you finished up the poster assignment.
HW: Vocab quiz #3 tomorrow. Also, bring your SSR books to class.
AP Lit:
Last chance to work on your group essay. Typed rough draft of this will be due tomorrow. Also, I handed out the instructions for the individual Character Description essay you should start working on. It will be due next Wednesday.
HW: Vocab quiz #2 tomorrow. Finish your portion of the group essay if you still need to.
In your groups, you finished up the poster assignment.
HW: Vocab quiz #3 tomorrow. Also, bring your SSR books to class.
AP Lit:
Last chance to work on your group essay. Typed rough draft of this will be due tomorrow. Also, I handed out the instructions for the individual Character Description essay you should start working on. It will be due next Wednesday.
HW: Vocab quiz #2 tomorrow. Finish your portion of the group essay if you still need to.
Wednesday
9/29/10
Freshmen:
Formed groups and began discussing the "Posters in the Snow" assignment. Tomorrow you will finish this up in class.
HW: Study vocab and review verbs for quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Time to continue working on group essay.
Draft 1 due on Friday.
HW: Vocab quiz on Friday.
Formed groups and began discussing the "Posters in the Snow" assignment. Tomorrow you will finish this up in class.
HW: Study vocab and review verbs for quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Time to continue working on group essay.
Draft 1 due on Friday.
HW: Vocab quiz on Friday.
9/28/10
Freshmen:
Reviewed some themes of the stories we have been reading.
Began reading and annotating "Hunters in the Snow." We will begin working on the related poster assignment in class tomorrow.
HW: Finish reading the story and collecting notes and observations on the elements listed on the assignment instruction sheet.
AP Lit:
I handed out essay scoring guidelines and tips for writing essays in my class (see links to the left if you missed this or need another one). Then, you were assigned a group essay and put into groups to begin working. You will have Wed. and Thurs. to plan, work and write as a group. On Friday you will need to have a fully formed rough draft to look at in class. (That means all paragraphs are present and it is in one typed document).
HW: Whatever your group determined you needed to do to begin your paper.
Reviewed some themes of the stories we have been reading.
Began reading and annotating "Hunters in the Snow." We will begin working on the related poster assignment in class tomorrow.
HW: Finish reading the story and collecting notes and observations on the elements listed on the assignment instruction sheet.
AP Lit:
I handed out essay scoring guidelines and tips for writing essays in my class (see links to the left if you missed this or need another one). Then, you were assigned a group essay and put into groups to begin working. You will have Wed. and Thurs. to plan, work and write as a group. On Friday you will need to have a fully formed rough draft to look at in class. (That means all paragraphs are present and it is in one typed document).
HW: Whatever your group determined you needed to do to begin your paper.
Monday
9/27/10
Freshmen:
New vocab words for the week and a quick review of verbs.
Finished up the last of the Literary Terms notes. (We'll be applying them to a new story this week!)
Briefly began a look at using abstractions to formulate statements about theme.
AP Lit:
New vocab for the week.
Notes on characterization, characters and a few other items that may be useful as we embark on some writing this week.
HW: Read Bartleby, the Scrivener for tomorrow.
New vocab words for the week and a quick review of verbs.
Finished up the last of the Literary Terms notes. (We'll be applying them to a new story this week!)
Briefly began a look at using abstractions to formulate statements about theme.
AP Lit:
New vocab for the week.
Notes on characterization, characters and a few other items that may be useful as we embark on some writing this week.
HW: Read Bartleby, the Scrivener for tomorrow.
Friday
9/24/10
Freshmen:
Like most Fridays will be...
Vocabugrammar Quiz #2
SSR
AP Lit:
Vocab Quiz #1
A bit of discussion of "P.O."
HW: Read "Bartleby, the Scrivener" for next week. (It's long and difficult so don't put it off!)
Have a great weekend!
Like most Fridays will be...
Vocabugrammar Quiz #2
SSR
AP Lit:
Vocab Quiz #1
A bit of discussion of "P.O."
HW: Read "Bartleby, the Scrivener" for next week. (It's long and difficult so don't put it off!)
Have a great weekend!
Thursday
9/23/2010
Freshmen:
Finished reading "The Bass, the River and Sheila Mant."
Answered questions # 8, 9 and 10 on page 206. (Turned this in with the "Lady or the Tiger?" questions from yesterday.)
A few more literary terms notes- theme and irony.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow and bring your SSR book!
AP Lit:
Discussed auditor in "Cask." Discussed "White Elephants" too.
HW: Study vocab for quiz tomorrow. And read "Why I Live at the P.O."
Finished reading "The Bass, the River and Sheila Mant."
Answered questions # 8, 9 and 10 on page 206. (Turned this in with the "Lady or the Tiger?" questions from yesterday.)
A few more literary terms notes- theme and irony.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow and bring your SSR book!
AP Lit:
Discussed auditor in "Cask." Discussed "White Elephants" too.
HW: Study vocab for quiz tomorrow. And read "Why I Live at the P.O."
Wednesday
9/22/10
Freshmen:
The Lady, or the Tiger questions
Notes on Point of View
Began reading The Bass, the River and Sheila Mant
HW: Study your vocab. Quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Read together and discussed The Cask of Amontillado.
HW: Read Hills Like White Elephants
The Lady, or the Tiger questions
Notes on Point of View
Began reading The Bass, the River and Sheila Mant
HW: Study your vocab. Quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Read together and discussed The Cask of Amontillado.
HW: Read Hills Like White Elephants
Tuesday
9/21/10
Freshmen:
I returned your first batch of papers. Then we reviewed yesterday's notes and read "The Lady, or the Tiger?"
HW: Study vocab for quiz on Friday and make sure you have an SSR book for Friday too.
AP Lit:
A bunch of notes on narration and point of view.
HW: Be ready to discuss "The Cask of Amontillado" tomorrow.
I returned your first batch of papers. Then we reviewed yesterday's notes and read "The Lady, or the Tiger?"
HW: Study vocab for quiz on Friday and make sure you have an SSR book for Friday too.
AP Lit:
A bunch of notes on narration and point of view.
HW: Be ready to discuss "The Cask of Amontillado" tomorrow.
Monday
9/20/10
Freshmen:
Well, it's Monday, so we started with some new vocabulary words for the week and a talk about adjectives. Then, we discussed last week's work on Gaston, and took some notes on character/characterization.
HW: Vocab quiz on Friday, and be sure to have an SSR book by then too.
AP Lit:
New vocab words were given, then we finished clarifying the chronology of Sonny's Blues. We spent the last 20 minutes or so working on our first on-demand writing prompt involving plot. If you were absent, here is the topic: Discuss how John Cheever and/or James Baldwin structured the plot of their stories to create a meaningful effect in the reader. Specifically, how can an author’s choice in structure cause the reader to identify with the experiences or feelings of the characters? Give specific support and examples from “The Country Husband” and/or “Sonny’s Blues.”
HW: See previous posts for this week's reading schedule.
Well, it's Monday, so we started with some new vocabulary words for the week and a talk about adjectives. Then, we discussed last week's work on Gaston, and took some notes on character/characterization.
HW: Vocab quiz on Friday, and be sure to have an SSR book by then too.
AP Lit:
New vocab words were given, then we finished clarifying the chronology of Sonny's Blues. We spent the last 20 minutes or so working on our first on-demand writing prompt involving plot. If you were absent, here is the topic: Discuss how John Cheever and/or James Baldwin structured the plot of their stories to create a meaningful effect in the reader. Specifically, how can an author’s choice in structure cause the reader to identify with the experiences or feelings of the characters? Give specific support and examples from “The Country Husband” and/or “Sonny’s Blues.”
HW: See previous posts for this week's reading schedule.
Saturday
Friday
9/17/10
Freshmen:
We handed in the Gaston homework, then took our first Vocabugrammar Quiz. Some students went to the library to find an SSR book, others spent a few minutes reading the book they had already picked out.
HW: By next Friday you need to have an SSR book chosen, if you didn't find one today.
AP Lit:
I shared a few final thoughts on The Country Husband and group dynamics in my class. Then, you attempted to put the events of Sonny's Blues in chronological order. We'll continue to talk about that story on Monday and do some writing.
HW: If you'd like to get ahead on reading...
For Wed- The Cask of Amontillado
For Thurs- Hills Like White Elephants
For Friday- Why I Live at the P.O.
We handed in the Gaston homework, then took our first Vocabugrammar Quiz. Some students went to the library to find an SSR book, others spent a few minutes reading the book they had already picked out.
HW: By next Friday you need to have an SSR book chosen, if you didn't find one today.
AP Lit:
I shared a few final thoughts on The Country Husband and group dynamics in my class. Then, you attempted to put the events of Sonny's Blues in chronological order. We'll continue to talk about that story on Monday and do some writing.
HW: If you'd like to get ahead on reading...
For Wed- The Cask of Amontillado
For Thurs- Hills Like White Elephants
For Friday- Why I Live at the P.O.
Thursday
9/16/10
Freshmen:
We read Gaston then made a chart of internal and external conflicts of all the characters.
HW: Write a paragraph in which you explain the MAJOR conflict from the story. Also, study your vocab words for the quiz tomorrow and bring an SSR book to read for tomorrow too (if you already have one handy).
AP Lit:
You shared your Country Husband plot diagrams. We saw a few interesting variations and a lot of similarities as well.
HW: Read Sonny's Blues for tomorrow.
We read Gaston then made a chart of internal and external conflicts of all the characters.
HW: Write a paragraph in which you explain the MAJOR conflict from the story. Also, study your vocab words for the quiz tomorrow and bring an SSR book to read for tomorrow too (if you already have one handy).
AP Lit:
You shared your Country Husband plot diagrams. We saw a few interesting variations and a lot of similarities as well.
HW: Read Sonny's Blues for tomorrow.
Wednesday
9/15/10
Freshmen:
Reviewed the HW paragraph and discussed your MDG plot diagrams.
Took some notes on internal and external conflict.
HW: Study vocab for your quiz on Friday. Bring an SSR book to read on Friday.
AP Lit:
Briefly discussed, then in groups created a plot diagram for The Country Husband. We will share these and discuss them tomorrow.
HW: Read Sonny's Blues for Friday.
Reviewed the HW paragraph and discussed your MDG plot diagrams.
Took some notes on internal and external conflict.
HW: Study vocab for your quiz on Friday. Bring an SSR book to read on Friday.
AP Lit:
Briefly discussed, then in groups created a plot diagram for The Country Husband. We will share these and discuss them tomorrow.
HW: Read Sonny's Blues for Friday.
9/14/10
Freshmen:
Finished up your Most Dangerous Game plot diagrams and turned these in.
HW: Write a paragraph explaining and defending your choice for the climax of the story.
AP Lit:
Notes and discussion of elements of PLOT.
HW: Finish reading The Country Husband for tomorrow. Think about how its plot is structured.
Finished up your Most Dangerous Game plot diagrams and turned these in.
HW: Write a paragraph explaining and defending your choice for the climax of the story.
AP Lit:
Notes and discussion of elements of PLOT.
HW: Finish reading The Country Husband for tomorrow. Think about how its plot is structured.
Monday
9/13/2010
Freshmen:
Vocabulary- Gave you your first 5 words and reviewed nouns. Talked about the vocab routine for this year. We will have a quiz on Friday. You need to be able to spell each word, and match it to its definition. Also, you will need to identify and know the difference between common and proper nouns.
Then, we took a one-question quiz to see who completed the reading homework, and began working on The Most Dangerous Game plot diagram with partners. We will finish this up in class tomorrow.
AP Lit:
Talked about vocab and gave you the first 5 words of the year. We won't have a quiz this Friday, but next week we will begin Friday quizzes. Then, we talked about Cathedral and what you thought of it, interesting discussion in all periods.
HW: For Wed. you need to read The Country Husband and for Fri. you need to read Sonny's Blues. Please don't wait until the last minute-- they are both pretty long short stories so plan your time accordingly!
Vocabulary- Gave you your first 5 words and reviewed nouns. Talked about the vocab routine for this year. We will have a quiz on Friday. You need to be able to spell each word, and match it to its definition. Also, you will need to identify and know the difference between common and proper nouns.
Then, we took a one-question quiz to see who completed the reading homework, and began working on The Most Dangerous Game plot diagram with partners. We will finish this up in class tomorrow.
AP Lit:
Talked about vocab and gave you the first 5 words of the year. We won't have a quiz this Friday, but next week we will begin Friday quizzes. Then, we talked about Cathedral and what you thought of it, interesting discussion in all periods.
HW: For Wed. you need to read The Country Husband and for Fri. you need to read Sonny's Blues. Please don't wait until the last minute-- they are both pretty long short stories so plan your time accordingly!
Friday
9/10/10
Freshmen:
Took notes on and discussed stages of plot.
HW: Finish reading The Most Dangerous Game. (See left column for link.) Take notes on the stages of plot in the story.
AP Lit:
Discussed pages 1-21 and why the study of literature can be a meaningful endeavor.
HW: For Monday, read Cathedral, take notes while you read and also consider and respond to the question: Why a cathedral? (Of all the things the author could have chosen...)
Took notes on and discussed stages of plot.
HW: Finish reading The Most Dangerous Game. (See left column for link.) Take notes on the stages of plot in the story.
AP Lit:
Discussed pages 1-21 and why the study of literature can be a meaningful endeavor.
HW: For Monday, read Cathedral, take notes while you read and also consider and respond to the question: Why a cathedral? (Of all the things the author could have chosen...)
Thursday
9/9/2010
Freshmen:
Reviewed and discussed yesterday's note taking activity.
Tried it again, with a focus on characters. (Wasn't it easier the second time?)
Received syllabus and sign-off sheet.
HW: Get a signature after sharing your syllabus.
AP Lit:
Great discussion about some of our favorite books from our pasts.
HW: Be ready to discuss pages 1-21 of our text tomorrow. Especially, WHY do we study this stuff?
Reviewed and discussed yesterday's note taking activity.
Tried it again, with a focus on characters. (Wasn't it easier the second time?)
Received syllabus and sign-off sheet.
HW: Get a signature after sharing your syllabus.
AP Lit:
Great discussion about some of our favorite books from our pasts.
HW: Be ready to discuss pages 1-21 of our text tomorrow. Especially, WHY do we study this stuff?
Wednesday
First Day!
Freshmen:
Welcome back & attendance
Took a quick survey on an index card.
Read a passage of a story and took notes on it...(we'll work with this more tomorrow.)
AP Lit:
Welcome and attendance. (Good to see so many familiar and smiling faces!)
Distributed syllabus. (Signed half sheet due Friday-- if you didn't get one today, I'll have them for you tomorrow.)
Checked out Norton Anthology.
HW: For Friday, read pages 1-21 in your text. Take notes on thoughts, questions, insights, etc. Especially, think about and write down some ideas about WHY we read and study literature and HOW excellent students read texts.
Welcome back & attendance
Took a quick survey on an index card.
Read a passage of a story and took notes on it...(we'll work with this more tomorrow.)
AP Lit:
Welcome and attendance. (Good to see so many familiar and smiling faces!)
Distributed syllabus. (Signed half sheet due Friday-- if you didn't get one today, I'll have them for you tomorrow.)
Checked out Norton Anthology.
HW: For Friday, read pages 1-21 in your text. Take notes on thoughts, questions, insights, etc. Especially, think about and write down some ideas about WHY we read and study literature and HOW excellent students read texts.
Tuesday
Welcome back! (And, first extra credit opportunity...)
Here we go again. It's time to get to work. Check the links on the right for another copy of your class syllabus. Send me an email at cpeterson@reynoldshigh.net, or post a comment below to let me know you found this place and I'll toss you a few extra credit points to start out the semester on the right foot.
I'm looking forward to our year together!
I'm looking forward to our year together!
Thursday
6/3/2010
Freshmen:
Finished up reading R & J.
HW: We'll have our vocab quiz and finish up the movie tomorrow.
AP Lit:
The plan for tomorrow is to finish up Earnest in Period 3, then I have some papers to return, and then we'll say our goodbyes and such to seniors. Hooray for Fridays and hooray for the last day fo high school for so many of you!
Finished up reading R & J.
HW: We'll have our vocab quiz and finish up the movie tomorrow.
AP Lit:
The plan for tomorrow is to finish up Earnest in Period 3, then I have some papers to return, and then we'll say our goodbyes and such to seniors. Hooray for Fridays and hooray for the last day fo high school for so many of you!
Tuesday
6/1/2010
Woo-hoo! Happy birthday to me, and Emily S. and Christine N. and Marilyn Monroe and Morgan Freeman and... (Okay, I'll stop harping on my birthday already. I've only been talking about it since September!)
Today in class--
Freshmen:
No new vocabulary this week, although we WILL still have a quiz on Friday that could include any of these words, or these.
We reviewed the Unforgettables and added the last 2. That brings us to 16 total. You should be ready and able to identify them on your final.
We had a few volunteers deliver their Prologues. We'll continue taking volunteers this week, and then start assigning times to speak it next week.
Then, we read R & J 5.1. Only 2 scenes left. We may just finish the play tomorrow...we'll see.
AP Lit:
We continued reading The Importance of Being Earnest and the ridiculousness has really begun. We'll finish this up and say our goodbyes to seniors this week. I'll have completely updated grades for you in class tomorrow. And, extra credit vocab quizzes are still available before school, after school or during 4th period this week.
Today in class--
Freshmen:
No new vocabulary this week, although we WILL still have a quiz on Friday that could include any of these words, or these.
We reviewed the Unforgettables and added the last 2. That brings us to 16 total. You should be ready and able to identify them on your final.
We had a few volunteers deliver their Prologues. We'll continue taking volunteers this week, and then start assigning times to speak it next week.
Then, we read R & J 5.1. Only 2 scenes left. We may just finish the play tomorrow...we'll see.
AP Lit:
We continued reading The Importance of Being Earnest and the ridiculousness has really begun. We'll finish this up and say our goodbyes to seniors this week. I'll have completely updated grades for you in class tomorrow. And, extra credit vocab quizzes are still available before school, after school or during 4th period this week.
Monday
5/24/2010
Freshmen:
New vocab words for this week.
Then we began watching Act 3 of R & J. We'll finish the last few minutes tomorrow and begin reading Act 4.
HW: You need to be working on the memorization of the Prologue, and of course, book projects must be done pretty soon. Use your time wisely as you plan for the last month of school.
AP Lit:
We began a conversation about the characteristics of Comedy in preparation for reading our final piece of literature together. We'll be continuing this and taking your final exam this week. Watch the calendar. Be in class. If you are in need of some Extra Credit, the details are in Friday's post. You must let me know in advance when you'll be coming in to take the quiz, so I can be prepared with enough copies.
New vocab words for this week.
Then we began watching Act 3 of R & J. We'll finish the last few minutes tomorrow and begin reading Act 4.
HW: You need to be working on the memorization of the Prologue, and of course, book projects must be done pretty soon. Use your time wisely as you plan for the last month of school.
AP Lit:
We began a conversation about the characteristics of Comedy in preparation for reading our final piece of literature together. We'll be continuing this and taking your final exam this week. Watch the calendar. Be in class. If you are in need of some Extra Credit, the details are in Friday's post. You must let me know in advance when you'll be coming in to take the quiz, so I can be prepared with enough copies.
Friday
5/21/2010 (w/ possible Extra Credit!)
Freshmen:
Vocabulary quiz. Then, you finished reading 3.5 and added it to your notes. Any remaining time you had for SSR.
HW: Be working on finishing your SSR book and book project. Remember that for your project you may earn a bit of EXTRA CREDIT by addressing more than 5 things you learned while reading your book.
AP Lit:
Finished discussing "anyone lived in a pretty how town", then I asked you to summarize your interpretation by addressing:
1) What idea/point/feeling is the poet trying to convey?
2) What specific poetic devices does the poet use to accomplish #1?
These are essentially the questions you will be asked to address for Part 2 of your final exam next week. At the end of class, I collected your notes and responses.
HW: Be studying and preparing for your final next week.
Also, if anyone is in need of a little EXTRA CREDIT, then set up a time with me next week to take an EXTRA CREDIT VOCABULARY QUIZ. I'll pick 15 random words from all the vocabulary we have studied this year and you can do one last matching quiz for up to 15 points you missed this semester. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, you must prearrange a time to come in before school, after school, or during 4th period to take the quiz.
Vocabulary quiz. Then, you finished reading 3.5 and added it to your notes. Any remaining time you had for SSR.
HW: Be working on finishing your SSR book and book project. Remember that for your project you may earn a bit of EXTRA CREDIT by addressing more than 5 things you learned while reading your book.
AP Lit:
Finished discussing "anyone lived in a pretty how town", then I asked you to summarize your interpretation by addressing:
1) What idea/point/feeling is the poet trying to convey?
2) What specific poetic devices does the poet use to accomplish #1?
These are essentially the questions you will be asked to address for Part 2 of your final exam next week. At the end of class, I collected your notes and responses.
HW: Be studying and preparing for your final next week.
Also, if anyone is in need of a little EXTRA CREDIT, then set up a time with me next week to take an EXTRA CREDIT VOCABULARY QUIZ. I'll pick 15 random words from all the vocabulary we have studied this year and you can do one last matching quiz for up to 15 points you missed this semester. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, you must prearrange a time to come in before school, after school, or during 4th period to take the quiz.
Thursday
5/20/2010
Freshmen:
Today we read more of Act 3. Tomorrow we'll take our vocab quiz, finish up 3.5 quickly, then have a little SSR time.
AP Lit:
Discussion of "anyone lived in a pretty how town." A few more things I'd like to discuss about the poem on Friday, then I'll also collect your notes.
Seniors-- Pay attention to the calendar! Your final exam is next week. If you are finished with your anthology (you have chosen a poem and have a copy of it to prepare for your final) then you may return your book to the book depository at your convenience.
Today we read more of Act 3. Tomorrow we'll take our vocab quiz, finish up 3.5 quickly, then have a little SSR time.
AP Lit:
Discussion of "anyone lived in a pretty how town." A few more things I'd like to discuss about the poem on Friday, then I'll also collect your notes.
Seniors-- Pay attention to the calendar! Your final exam is next week. If you are finished with your anthology (you have chosen a poem and have a copy of it to prepare for your final) then you may return your book to the book depository at your convenience.
Wednesday
5/19/2010
Freshmen:
Updated our R&J notes with 3.1, then continued reading Act 3. (Poor Juliet...)
AP Lit:
First, we chose dates for the Final Exam.
Period 3's final will be on 5/26 and 5/27
Period 6's final will be on 5/25 and 5/26
To help you prepare for Part 1 of the Final Exam, here is a link to all of the notes we took on Poetry Terms.
Then, you each told me the title of the poem from our text (pages 565 to 635) that you would like to explicate/analyze on day 2 of the final exam. If you were absent and have not given this information to me, you need to do this ASAP so that I can be sure and have a copy of the poem for you on test day.
Finally, I handed out a copy of "anyone lived in a pretty how town" by e.e. cummings. Your job is to read closely and take notes on this poem. We will be discussing it in class tomorrow, and I will collect the notes you've prepared on this poem.
Updated our R&J notes with 3.1, then continued reading Act 3. (Poor Juliet...)
AP Lit:
First, we chose dates for the Final Exam.
Period 3's final will be on 5/26 and 5/27
Period 6's final will be on 5/25 and 5/26
To help you prepare for Part 1 of the Final Exam, here is a link to all of the notes we took on Poetry Terms.
Then, you each told me the title of the poem from our text (pages 565 to 635) that you would like to explicate/analyze on day 2 of the final exam. If you were absent and have not given this information to me, you need to do this ASAP so that I can be sure and have a copy of the poem for you on test day.
Finally, I handed out a copy of "anyone lived in a pretty how town" by e.e. cummings. Your job is to read closely and take notes on this poem. We will be discussing it in class tomorrow, and I will collect the notes you've prepared on this poem.
Tuesday
5/18/2010
Freshmen:
We read Act 3 scene 1, which is a very important scene! (Thanks to all of you who were willing to hold "swords" and show us how the killing went down.)
AP Lit:
Graded discussion of "Abandoned Farmhouse." Interesting ideas and interpretations from everyone. I collected your notes and will give you credit for them, as well as credit for being in class and participating.
We read Act 3 scene 1, which is a very important scene! (Thanks to all of you who were willing to hold "swords" and show us how the killing went down.)
AP Lit:
Graded discussion of "Abandoned Farmhouse." Interesting ideas and interpretations from everyone. I collected your notes and will give you credit for them, as well as credit for being in class and participating.
5/17/2010
Freshmen:
New vocabulary for the week, then POP QUIZ on Acts 1&2 of R&J.
AP Lit:
Worked on explicating/analyzing "Abandoned Farmhouse." Will be a graded in class discussion of the poem on Tuesday.
New vocabulary for the week, then POP QUIZ on Acts 1&2 of R&J.
AP Lit:
Worked on explicating/analyzing "Abandoned Farmhouse." Will be a graded in class discussion of the poem on Tuesday.
Wednesday
5/12/2010
Freshmen:
We recapped what you read with the sub yesterday (2.3 and 2.4), and looked briefly at R & J 2.5. Tomorrow we'll finish Act 2 and start watching some more.
AP Lit:
Here is what I asked the sub to have you do on Tuesday:
Read pages 560-565 in the anthology, paying special attention to the analysis and discussion that follows each poem. Then, peruse pages 565 to 635, and read a wide selection of the poems found. Each of you needs to choose one of the poems from these pages that you feel you could sufficiently and thoroughly discuss/analyze in the manner of the examples you read on 560-565. Be ready to tell me which poem you have chosen tomorrow.
What we worked on in class today, then, was to read closely and explicate "The Victims" (on page 529). Going line by line you noted observations on how the poem is constructed, what devices and features you noticed the poet using. The most important part of this, though, is being a specific as you can about how/why the devices create the poem's effect. ANALYZING the poem is different than just listing the poetic devices. We are practicing this because, as you might have guessed, you will be asked to do this on your final.
We recapped what you read with the sub yesterday (2.3 and 2.4), and looked briefly at R & J 2.5. Tomorrow we'll finish Act 2 and start watching some more.
AP Lit:
Here is what I asked the sub to have you do on Tuesday:
Read pages 560-565 in the anthology, paying special attention to the analysis and discussion that follows each poem. Then, peruse pages 565 to 635, and read a wide selection of the poems found. Each of you needs to choose one of the poems from these pages that you feel you could sufficiently and thoroughly discuss/analyze in the manner of the examples you read on 560-565. Be ready to tell me which poem you have chosen tomorrow.
What we worked on in class today, then, was to read closely and explicate "The Victims" (on page 529). Going line by line you noted observations on how the poem is constructed, what devices and features you noticed the poet using. The most important part of this, though, is being a specific as you can about how/why the devices create the poem's effect. ANALYZING the poem is different than just listing the poetic devices. We are practicing this because, as you might have guessed, you will be asked to do this on your final.
Monday
5/10/2010
Freshmen:
New vocab words
Reviewed Unforgettables #12, 13 & 14
Went over the R &J 2.2 study guide
Tomorrow we'll continue reading the play with 2.3
AP Lit:
Another awesome day with crazy scheduling for seniors. So, since we had no 3rd period class because of the Senior Meeting (except for Emily and Colin...), in an effort to stay on a similar schedule, period 6 didn't work on any Lit curriculum. Although many got their senior voting taken care of (seriously, "best butt" is a category?). One less thing to do before the end of the year, I guess.
Tomorrow we'll actually do some English.
New vocab words
Reviewed Unforgettables #12, 13 & 14
Went over the R &J 2.2 study guide
Tomorrow we'll continue reading the play with 2.3
AP Lit:
Another awesome day with crazy scheduling for seniors. So, since we had no 3rd period class because of the Senior Meeting (except for Emily and Colin...), in an effort to stay on a similar schedule, period 6 didn't work on any Lit curriculum. Although many got their senior voting taken care of (seriously, "best butt" is a category?). One less thing to do before the end of the year, I guess.
Tomorrow we'll actually do some English.
Friday
5/7/2010
Freshmen:
Vocab quiz, time to finish the 2.2 handout and SSR.
AP Lit:
Practiced finding rhythm, rhyme, meter, sound devices and figurative language in some poetry. (And, by "poetry" I mean fun children's picture books.)
HW for all classes: Have a beautiful weekend, enjoy the lovely weather, and if you can, do something really nice for your mom on Sunday!
Vocab quiz, time to finish the 2.2 handout and SSR.
AP Lit:
Practiced finding rhythm, rhyme, meter, sound devices and figurative language in some poetry. (And, by "poetry" I mean fun children's picture books.)
HW for all classes: Have a beautiful weekend, enjoy the lovely weather, and if you can, do something really nice for your mom on Sunday!
Thursday
5/6/2010
Freshmen:
Summarized R&J 2.1 into our notes, then worked on the study guide for 2.2. You'll have time to finish up the handout on 2.2 after the quiz tomorrow.
HW: Study for vocab quiz.
AP Lit:
Today was the big day for the BIG TEST. Hopefully, you found that the multiple choice was easier than you expected. (I know that my practice tests are harder.) Hopefully, you felt like you knew what you were writing about for the essays. Hopefully, you made it to class 6th period to eat ice cream with us.
Summarized R&J 2.1 into our notes, then worked on the study guide for 2.2. You'll have time to finish up the handout on 2.2 after the quiz tomorrow.
HW: Study for vocab quiz.
AP Lit:
Today was the big day for the BIG TEST. Hopefully, you found that the multiple choice was easier than you expected. (I know that my practice tests are harder.) Hopefully, you felt like you knew what you were writing about for the essays. Hopefully, you made it to class 6th period to eat ice cream with us.
Tuesday
5/3 and 5/4/2010
Freshmen:
Copied down new vocab words. Finished up reading and taking notes on Act 1 of R&J. Then, started watching some clips of the 1968 film.
AP Lit:
Finished up some notes on rhyme, internal structure and poetic forms.
AP Lit Test on Thursday @ The Chapel, 7:30am. Don't be late. Bring your picture ID.
Also, happy Star Wars day. (May the 4th be with you.)
Copied down new vocab words. Finished up reading and taking notes on Act 1 of R&J. Then, started watching some clips of the 1968 film.
AP Lit:
Finished up some notes on rhyme, internal structure and poetic forms.
AP Lit Test on Thursday @ The Chapel, 7:30am. Don't be late. Bring your picture ID.
Also, happy Star Wars day. (May the 4th be with you.)
Friday
4/30/2010
Freshmen:
Vocab quiz then SSR. (Except for period 7 where we read some more R & J so we don't get too far behind since we have the early release on Monday.) Also, I explained your SSR Project: 5 things you learned.
AP Lit:
Well, in 3rd period most of you were at the Every 15 Minutes assembly. ( A big thank you to all of the responsible students who came back for the last few minutes of 3rd to check in and turn in your scantrons for this week's practice test. Thanks to those of you who dropped by later in the day for this purpose, too.) I also handed out reminders and test day instructions for next Thursday's AP Lit Test.
In 6th period, we talked about rhyme scheme, other rhyming terms and ideas related to internal poetic structure. (We'll talk about these things on Monday for 3rd period.)
HW: Have fun and be careful if you're going to prom tomorrow.
Vocab quiz then SSR. (Except for period 7 where we read some more R & J so we don't get too far behind since we have the early release on Monday.) Also, I explained your SSR Project: 5 things you learned.
AP Lit:
Well, in 3rd period most of you were at the Every 15 Minutes assembly. ( A big thank you to all of the responsible students who came back for the last few minutes of 3rd to check in and turn in your scantrons for this week's practice test. Thanks to those of you who dropped by later in the day for this purpose, too.) I also handed out reminders and test day instructions for next Thursday's AP Lit Test.
In 6th period, we talked about rhyme scheme, other rhyming terms and ideas related to internal poetic structure. (We'll talk about these things on Monday for 3rd period.)
HW: Have fun and be careful if you're going to prom tomorrow.
Thursday
4/29/2010
Freshmen:
More reading of the R and the J. Keep taking scene summary notes as we read. I promise these will be a nice and easy way to review when it's test time.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Bring your SSR books too.
AP Lit:
Every 15 minutes
HW: For Friday read Mr. Flood's Party, Church Going, Sonrisas, The Victims, The Dance and be ready to turn in the Multiple Choice Practice Test.
More reading of the R and the J. Keep taking scene summary notes as we read. I promise these will be a nice and easy way to review when it's test time.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Bring your SSR books too.
AP Lit:
Every 15 minutes
HW: For Friday read Mr. Flood's Party, Church Going, Sonrisas, The Victims, The Dance and be ready to turn in the Multiple Choice Practice Test.
Tuesday
4/27/2010
Freshmen:
Journal #12-- How much influence should parents have in who their children go out with?
Continued with Romeo and Juliet 1.1
AP Lit:
Discussed notes, HW poems, symbols and some rose poems.
HW: For Wednesday read The Word Plum, Dirge, Emily Dickinson and The Raven. Notice the cool sound devices in these poems. We'll discuss them tomorrow. Also, be working on the Multiple Choice Practice Test (due on Friday).
Thursday will be our visit with Gresham Police.
Journal #12-- How much influence should parents have in who their children go out with?
Continued with Romeo and Juliet 1.1
AP Lit:
Discussed notes, HW poems, symbols and some rose poems.
HW: For Wednesday read The Word Plum, Dirge, Emily Dickinson and The Raven. Notice the cool sound devices in these poems. We'll discuss them tomorrow. Also, be working on the Multiple Choice Practice Test (due on Friday).
Thursday will be our visit with Gresham Police.
Monday
4/26/2010
Freshmen:
Turned in your Hero Stories. Copied down new vocabulary words. Reviewed your paraphrase of the Prologue from last week, then began reading Act 1, scene 1.
AP Lit:
Prom court nominations (Am I going to win Prom Queen this year? I sure hope so!)
Turned in your papers and metacognitions. (For those of you who were "absent" today, remember that late papers will be accepted for one day only and for a maximum of 70% credit.) I also collected the notes you took on the poems you read last week. Handed out another Practice Multiple Choice AP Test. This will be due on Friday and will be worth 30 points in the gradebook. Also, it will be scored in the same way as the actual AP test. (1 point for correct answers, -1/4 point for incorrect answers, no credit for blank answers.) We then took some notes on terms related to analyzing the language of poetry-- diction, syntax, precision/ambiguity, denotation/connotation, etc. Tomorrow we'll continue discussing interesting language choices.
HW: Read That time of year... , Marks, At the Hospital, and Wild Nights--Wild Nights! (starting on page 481) In your notes, identify and explain the figurative language used in each (simile, metaphor, symbol, etc.)
Turned in your Hero Stories. Copied down new vocabulary words. Reviewed your paraphrase of the Prologue from last week, then began reading Act 1, scene 1.
AP Lit:
Prom court nominations (Am I going to win Prom Queen this year? I sure hope so!)
Turned in your papers and metacognitions. (For those of you who were "absent" today, remember that late papers will be accepted for one day only and for a maximum of 70% credit.) I also collected the notes you took on the poems you read last week. Handed out another Practice Multiple Choice AP Test. This will be due on Friday and will be worth 30 points in the gradebook. Also, it will be scored in the same way as the actual AP test. (1 point for correct answers, -1/4 point for incorrect answers, no credit for blank answers.) We then took some notes on terms related to analyzing the language of poetry-- diction, syntax, precision/ambiguity, denotation/connotation, etc. Tomorrow we'll continue discussing interesting language choices.
HW: Read That time of year... , Marks, At the Hospital, and Wild Nights--Wild Nights! (starting on page 481) In your notes, identify and explain the figurative language used in each (simile, metaphor, symbol, etc.)
Friday
4/23/2010
Freshmen:
Vocab quiz 8.2
SSR or Writing time for Hero Stories
HW: Hero Story is due on Monday-- typed, MLA format, etc.
AP Lit:
Senior questionnaire for the Reveille
Multiple Choice Practice Results
HW: See reading schedule for poems to read and notes to take
Comparison Essay due with your Metacognition on Monday
Vocab quiz 8.2
SSR or Writing time for Hero Stories
HW: Hero Story is due on Monday-- typed, MLA format, etc.
AP Lit:
Senior questionnaire for the Reveille
Multiple Choice Practice Results
HW: See reading schedule for poems to read and notes to take
Comparison Essay due with your Metacognition on Monday
4/22/2010
Freshmen:
Journal #11: Do you believe in love at first sight? Why? Why not?
The Prologue contest.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Bring SSR book tomorrow. Paraphrase the Prologue into modern English.
AP Lit:
Turn in Multiple Choice Practice test.
Discussed a few poems-- To a Louse, A Certain Lady, We Real Cool, etc.
HW: Work on your paper!
Journal #11: Do you believe in love at first sight? Why? Why not?
The Prologue contest.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow. Bring SSR book tomorrow. Paraphrase the Prologue into modern English.
AP Lit:
Turn in Multiple Choice Practice test.
Discussed a few poems-- To a Louse, A Certain Lady, We Real Cool, etc.
HW: Work on your paper!
Wednesday
4/21/2010
Freshmen:
Journal #10- Is it ever okay to hold a grudge? When? Why?
Discussed more interesting stuff... the authorship conspiracy, the theater, etc.
HW: Same as all week. Hero Stories- due Monday. SSR Book by Friday. Vocab quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Looked at Aunt Jennifer's Tigers and Those Winter Sundays.
Notes on speaker, situation and setting.
HW: Papers due Monday. Practice Mult. Choice due Thursday. See reading schedule for reading and notes for tomorrow.
Journal #10- Is it ever okay to hold a grudge? When? Why?
Discussed more interesting stuff... the authorship conspiracy, the theater, etc.
HW: Same as all week. Hero Stories- due Monday. SSR Book by Friday. Vocab quiz on Friday.
AP Lit:
Looked at Aunt Jennifer's Tigers and Those Winter Sundays.
Notes on speaker, situation and setting.
HW: Papers due Monday. Practice Mult. Choice due Thursday. See reading schedule for reading and notes for tomorrow.
Monday
4/19/2010
Freshmen:
New vocabulary words
Understanding Shakespeare and Elizabethan Drama
HW: Be working on your hero story (due Mon 4/26). Also, choose a new SSR book. Bring it to class with you on Friday.
AP Lit:
Handed out a bunch of things: Reading/Homework schedule for this week, Multiple Choice Practice #1 and a scantron (due on Thursday), Tone Words.
Took some notes in class and talked about identifying a poem's tone with precise vocabulary.
HW: Read the following poems and take notes on the tone of each.
Barbie Doll, Woodchucks, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, After Making Love We Hear Footsteps, Those Winter Sundays, The Clock, Alzheimer’s
Also, remember that your comparison essay is due next Monday.
New vocabulary words
Understanding Shakespeare and Elizabethan Drama
HW: Be working on your hero story (due Mon 4/26). Also, choose a new SSR book. Bring it to class with you on Friday.
AP Lit:
Handed out a bunch of things: Reading/Homework schedule for this week, Multiple Choice Practice #1 and a scantron (due on Thursday), Tone Words.
Took some notes in class and talked about identifying a poem's tone with precise vocabulary.
HW: Read the following poems and take notes on the tone of each.
Barbie Doll, Woodchucks, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, After Making Love We Hear Footsteps, Those Winter Sundays, The Clock, Alzheimer’s
Also, remember that your comparison essay is due next Monday.
Thursday
4/15/2010
Freshmen:
Reviewed the Hero's Journey handout I gave out yesterday. Then gave you the outline sheet for your Personal Hero Story. We will work on these more tomorrow. Final drafts will be due Monday, April 26th.
AP Lit:
Talked briefly about the paper you will be working on. Here is the handout explaining the assignment, if you lost yours. Then we generated a list of questions we ask when approaching poetry and looked at "On Opening a Box of Crayola Crayons."
HW: Read pages 398-415 in the anthology. Then, respond to one of the Suggestions for Writing on page 415. (This does not have to be an essay, as your book says. Instead, this should be a quick 1-2 paragraph informal response.)
Reviewed the Hero's Journey handout I gave out yesterday. Then gave you the outline sheet for your Personal Hero Story. We will work on these more tomorrow. Final drafts will be due Monday, April 26th.
AP Lit:
Talked briefly about the paper you will be working on. Here is the handout explaining the assignment, if you lost yours. Then we generated a list of questions we ask when approaching poetry and looked at "On Opening a Box of Crayola Crayons."
HW: Read pages 398-415 in the anthology. Then, respond to one of the Suggestions for Writing on page 415. (This does not have to be an essay, as your book says. Instead, this should be a quick 1-2 paragraph informal response.)
4/8/2010
Freshmen:
Finally, the big test I've been telling you about for well over a week. Hopefully, you all studied and when I score them tomorrow I will be pleasantly surprised at your Greek Mythology prowess.
AP Lit:
Last day of reading R &G Are Dead together. We got (mostly) to the end of Act 2. Thanks so much to Marty and Josh for reading the part of Rosencrantz to my Guildenstern. You guys did such a great job!
HW: Please finish reading the play for next Tuesday. As you do, think about possible topics you could write about for a comparison essay between Hamlet, Death of a Salesman and Ros & Guil).
Also, if anyone is just completely bored on Friday since you have no school, feel free to come on over to my classroom and help grade the matching and multiple choice on the mountain of mythology tests I have awaiting me! (Nice alliteration, huh?)
If you're not completely bored, I'm glad. I hope you have a fantastic four day weekend of fun.
Finally, the big test I've been telling you about for well over a week. Hopefully, you all studied and when I score them tomorrow I will be pleasantly surprised at your Greek Mythology prowess.
AP Lit:
Last day of reading R &G Are Dead together. We got (mostly) to the end of Act 2. Thanks so much to Marty and Josh for reading the part of Rosencrantz to my Guildenstern. You guys did such a great job!
HW: Please finish reading the play for next Tuesday. As you do, think about possible topics you could write about for a comparison essay between Hamlet, Death of a Salesman and Ros & Guil).
Also, if anyone is just completely bored on Friday since you have no school, feel free to come on over to my classroom and help grade the matching and multiple choice on the mountain of mythology tests I have awaiting me! (Nice alliteration, huh?)
If you're not completely bored, I'm glad. I hope you have a fantastic four day weekend of fun.
Wednesday
Tuesday
Extra Credit! NY Times Found Poetry
Need a few more points right at the end of the term?
Well, it's National Poetry Month. Try this activity and email your finished poem to me at courtney_peterson@reynolds.k12.or.us by 8:00 pm, Sunday, April 11th.
Have fun reading and creating!
Well, it's National Poetry Month. Try this activity and email your finished poem to me at courtney_peterson@reynolds.k12.or.us by 8:00 pm, Sunday, April 11th.
Have fun reading and creating!
April 6, 2010
Freshmen:
Just like yesterday... a few book talks and then we watched more of The Odyssey.
HW: Like I've been telling you for over a week now, TEST on THURSDAY. Be prepared.
AP Lit:
Read some more R & G are Dead together. Will continue tomorrow.
Just like yesterday... a few book talks and then we watched more of The Odyssey.
HW: Like I've been telling you for over a week now, TEST on THURSDAY. Be prepared.
AP Lit:
Read some more R & G are Dead together. Will continue tomorrow.
Monday
4/5/2010
Freshmen:
Book Talks
Finish up reading the last few pages of The Odyssey Part 2.
Begin watching The Odyssey movie. (Poor little goat!)
HW: STUDY. Test on Thursday.
AP Lit:
Went to the library to check out copies of, and begin reading Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
HW: Finish reading Act 1. Be ready to discuss thoughts, observations and questions.
Book Talks
Finish up reading the last few pages of The Odyssey Part 2.
Begin watching The Odyssey movie. (Poor little goat!)
HW: STUDY. Test on Thursday.
AP Lit:
Went to the library to check out copies of, and begin reading Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
HW: Finish reading Act 1. Be ready to discuss thoughts, observations and questions.
4/2/2010
Freshmen:
Book talks.
Vocab quiz.
Read part 2 of The Odyssey.
HW: Be studying for the test on Thursday. Seriously. Look over ALL your Greek Mythology/Odyssey stuff. If you won't be here on THURSDAY (band competition, anyone?) you need to make arrangements to take your test ahead of time. It can not wait until next week. Grades must be turned in before Monday!
AP Lit:
Part Two of the Tragedy Test.
HW: Nope.
Book talks.
Vocab quiz.
Read part 2 of The Odyssey.
HW: Be studying for the test on Thursday. Seriously. Look over ALL your Greek Mythology/Odyssey stuff. If you won't be here on THURSDAY (band competition, anyone?) you need to make arrangements to take your test ahead of time. It can not wait until next week. Grades must be turned in before Monday!
AP Lit:
Part Two of the Tragedy Test.
HW: Nope.
Wednesday
3/31/2010
Freshmen:
Journal #9
Finish reading pgs. 49-76 of the Odyssey and questions.
Book talks
HW: Start reviewing for next Thursday's test over all the Greek Mythology stuff we've been learning about.
AP Lit:
Attempted to fill up the whiteboard again with the connections you made yesterday between Hamlet and D.O.aS.
HW: Tomorrow and Friday is the test on the TRAGEDY stuff we've been talking about for most of this 9 weeks. Review all your notes, study questions, etc. and be read to write.
Journal #9
Finish reading pgs. 49-76 of the Odyssey and questions.
Book talks
HW: Start reviewing for next Thursday's test over all the Greek Mythology stuff we've been learning about.
AP Lit:
Attempted to fill up the whiteboard again with the connections you made yesterday between Hamlet and D.O.aS.
HW: Tomorrow and Friday is the test on the TRAGEDY stuff we've been talking about for most of this 9 weeks. Review all your notes, study questions, etc. and be read to write.
Tuesday
3/30/2010
Freshmen:
We continued on with Book Talks today. Be ready on the day you are scheduled and we'll finish these up next week.
Then, we began working on reading pgs. 49-71 in the red version of The Odyssey. We will continue with this reading and answering the questions in class tomorrow.
HW: Greek Mythology/Odyssey test will be next Thursday. Start reviewing your notes and assignments!
AP Lit:
In groups, you began a discussion comparing Hamlet with Death of a Salesman. The goal being to find as many similarities as you can within the plays-- plot, characters, themes, images, symbols, etc. We will report out and continue working on this tomorrow...(and we might just add in Oedipus too.)
HW: We will be having a test over Tragedy on Thursday and Friday. You should know the characteristics of Aristotelian tragedy, the differences between Greek and Shakespearean theater, and of course, you should know the details of the plays we've read. The format will be one short answer and one essay question on each day.
We continued on with Book Talks today. Be ready on the day you are scheduled and we'll finish these up next week.
Then, we began working on reading pgs. 49-71 in the red version of The Odyssey. We will continue with this reading and answering the questions in class tomorrow.
HW: Greek Mythology/Odyssey test will be next Thursday. Start reviewing your notes and assignments!
AP Lit:
In groups, you began a discussion comparing Hamlet with Death of a Salesman. The goal being to find as many similarities as you can within the plays-- plot, characters, themes, images, symbols, etc. We will report out and continue working on this tomorrow...(and we might just add in Oedipus too.)
HW: We will be having a test over Tragedy on Thursday and Friday. You should know the characteristics of Aristotelian tragedy, the differences between Greek and Shakespearean theater, and of course, you should know the details of the plays we've read. The format will be one short answer and one essay question on each day.
Saturday
3/17 - 3/19/2010
Well, as you know if you were at school at all, I was out sick ALL week. And, I still don't feel good. Hopefully, I'm up and healthy soon. Sorry about the craziness this caused right before break.
Freshmen:
You read all of Part 1 or The Odyssey, worked on a handout related to it, did some Book Talks and took this week's Vocab quiz.
Something interesting I ran across. Remember the article we read about the Stanley Milgram experiments? Check this out. Sounds familiar doesn't it?
AP Lit:
You finished reading Hamlet, wrote an in class essay about it on Thursday, took your vocab quiz and recited soliloquies.
HW for AP LIT: Your homework (to be completed by Tuesday of the week we return to school) is to read the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. You can find it in your anthology, or at almost any library or bookstore. As you read it, think about how it does or does not fit the definition of tragedy we've been talking about.
Freshmen:
You read all of Part 1 or The Odyssey, worked on a handout related to it, did some Book Talks and took this week's Vocab quiz.
Something interesting I ran across. Remember the article we read about the Stanley Milgram experiments? Check this out. Sounds familiar doesn't it?
AP Lit:
You finished reading Hamlet, wrote an in class essay about it on Thursday, took your vocab quiz and recited soliloquies.
HW for AP LIT: Your homework (to be completed by Tuesday of the week we return to school) is to read the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. You can find it in your anthology, or at almost any library or bookstore. As you read it, think about how it does or does not fit the definition of tragedy we've been talking about.
Tuesday
3/15 and 3/16/2010
I was home sick on Monday 3/15, so here is the update for both Monday and Tuesday.
Freshmen:
3/15- Book talks, new vocabulary, reviewed notes on Epics and began The Odyssey.
3/16- Book talks, recapped the reading from yesterday, began the story of the Cyclops.
AP Lit:
3/15- New vocabulary, then reviewed/ discussed some Hamlet with the sub. (Who apparently REALLY loves Shakespeare...)
3/16- After a few soliloquy recitations, we discussed a few issues: Is Ophelia's death an accident or a suicide? Why didn't the queen do anything to stop her? Why does Gertrude continue to defend Claudius? How awesomely manipulative is Claudius? How does Laertes contrast Hamlet? And, why does Hamlet tell Claudius he's home? Then we read the first page of 5.1 with the gravedigger clowns...
HW: Have the soliloquy memorized by Friday. Before, if you aren't going to be here.
Freshmen:
3/15- Book talks, new vocabulary, reviewed notes on Epics and began The Odyssey.
3/16- Book talks, recapped the reading from yesterday, began the story of the Cyclops.
AP Lit:
3/15- New vocabulary, then reviewed/ discussed some Hamlet with the sub. (Who apparently REALLY loves Shakespeare...)
3/16- After a few soliloquy recitations, we discussed a few issues: Is Ophelia's death an accident or a suicide? Why didn't the queen do anything to stop her? Why does Gertrude continue to defend Claudius? How awesomely manipulative is Claudius? How does Laertes contrast Hamlet? And, why does Hamlet tell Claudius he's home? Then we read the first page of 5.1 with the gravedigger clowns...
HW: Have the soliloquy memorized by Friday. Before, if you aren't going to be here.
Friday
3/14/2010
Freshmen:
We had a few Book Talks in some classes today. (Good job to all!)
Then, we had both a vocabulary quiz and the Greek Roots test. (Congrats to period 7 for being the big winner of most 100%s on vocab!)
HW: Keep working on SSR books and preparing for Book Talks. Be ready on your assigned day.
AP Lit:
We took the weekly vocab quiz, then before talking a little about Act 4 (in 3rd period) added some heaven/hell, and disease/contagion Hamlet quotes to the white board, which is now completely full of Hamlet-y goodness.
HW: Finish reading Act 4 and work on this new study guide.
We had a few Book Talks in some classes today. (Good job to all!)
Then, we had both a vocabulary quiz and the Greek Roots test. (Congrats to period 7 for being the big winner of most 100%s on vocab!)
HW: Keep working on SSR books and preparing for Book Talks. Be ready on your assigned day.
AP Lit:
We took the weekly vocab quiz, then before talking a little about Act 4 (in 3rd period) added some heaven/hell, and disease/contagion Hamlet quotes to the white board, which is now completely full of Hamlet-y goodness.
HW: Finish reading Act 4 and work on this new study guide.
Thursday
3/11/2010
Freshmen:
Journal #7: What's on your mind right now?
Review/discuss Trojan War work we've been doing.
HW: Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz and Greek Roots test.
AP Lit:
Filled up the whiteboard with themes and motifs.
HW: Read Act 4, scenes 1 through 4 and do the study guide for tomorrow. Also,your vocab quiz is tomorrow too.
Journal #7: What's on your mind right now?
Review/discuss Trojan War work we've been doing.
HW: Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz and Greek Roots test.
AP Lit:
Filled up the whiteboard with themes and motifs.
HW: Read Act 4, scenes 1 through 4 and do the study guide for tomorrow. Also,your vocab quiz is tomorrow too.
Wednesday
3/10/2010
Freshmen:
Journal #6- If you were Paris, who would you have given the golden apple to? Why?
Homework check.
Homer and the Epic notes, from pages 804-806 in the Glencoe text.
Make a chart of Greeks and Trojans- include who was fighting for each side (including gods) and a brief description of each person's involvement.
HW: Study for vocab quiz and Greek Roots test on Friday.
AP Lit:
Golden lines from Acts 2 & 3
Discussed 3.4 a bit.
HW: Stupid printer wouldn't work, so I couldn't make study guide copies for you. Although, if you'd like to get a head start you can start reading Act 4 and print your own study guide.
Journal #6- If you were Paris, who would you have given the golden apple to? Why?
Homework check.
Homer and the Epic notes, from pages 804-806 in the Glencoe text.
Make a chart of Greeks and Trojans- include who was fighting for each side (including gods) and a brief description of each person's involvement.
HW: Study for vocab quiz and Greek Roots test on Friday.
AP Lit:
Golden lines from Acts 2 & 3
Discussed 3.4 a bit.
HW: Stupid printer wouldn't work, so I couldn't make study guide copies for you. Although, if you'd like to get a head start you can start reading Act 4 and print your own study guide.
Tuesday
3/9/2010
Freshmen:
Today we talked about Unforgettable #6 (their, there and they're). You each wrote a sentence that included all 3 used correctly and we looked at them on the projector. Then we discussed last week's stories for a few minutes-- especially the purposes of each. We finished with an excerpt of reading about the Trojan War and a handout with reading questions. These will be due tomorrow.
HW: Read the Trojan War packet and answer the questions I handed out. Also, be studying for Vocab quiz and Greek Roots test on Friday.
AP Lit:
Turned in rough drafts of essay about Hamlet film clips. Then I gave you a study guide for the end of Act 3 and the rest of the period to work on reading and completing it.
HW: Look back through Act 3 and add to your theme/motif notes. Be ready to discuss specific examples tomorrow. Keep working on memorizing the 3.1 soliloquy. We'll present these at the end of next week.
Today we talked about Unforgettable #6 (their, there and they're). You each wrote a sentence that included all 3 used correctly and we looked at them on the projector. Then we discussed last week's stories for a few minutes-- especially the purposes of each. We finished with an excerpt of reading about the Trojan War and a handout with reading questions. These will be due tomorrow.
HW: Read the Trojan War packet and answer the questions I handed out. Also, be studying for Vocab quiz and Greek Roots test on Friday.
AP Lit:
Turned in rough drafts of essay about Hamlet film clips. Then I gave you a study guide for the end of Act 3 and the rest of the period to work on reading and completing it.
HW: Look back through Act 3 and add to your theme/motif notes. Be ready to discuss specific examples tomorrow. Keep working on memorizing the 3.1 soliloquy. We'll present these at the end of next week.
Monday
3/8/2010
Freshmen:
Copied down new vocabulary words and last 10 Greek Roots. We will have quizzes on both of these things on Friday. The, assigned dates for your book talks. Be ready on your day!
HW: Read in your SSR books, begin preparing your Book Talk. Study for Friday's quizzes.
AP Lit:
Copied new vocabulary words. Began reading 3.3 and 3.4 together.
HW: Rough draft of 3.1 comparison essay due tomorrow.
Copied down new vocabulary words and last 10 Greek Roots. We will have quizzes on both of these things on Friday. The, assigned dates for your book talks. Be ready on your day!
HW: Read in your SSR books, begin preparing your Book Talk. Study for Friday's quizzes.
AP Lit:
Copied new vocabulary words. Began reading 3.3 and 3.4 together.
HW: Rough draft of 3.1 comparison essay due tomorrow.
Friday
3/5/2010
Freshmen:
Vocab quiz #4.2
Finished and turned in Map of the Underworld (15 details from Orpheus' story)
A bit of time for SSR.
HW: Read your SSR book and begin preparing your Book Talk. We will begin assigning presentation dates next week.
AP Lit:
Vocab quiz 4.2
Finished watching the 3.1 Hamlet clips (the last part of Gibson, then Branagh and Hawke)-- see yesterday's post for links, if you need to view them.
HW: Begin working on the rough draft of an essay in which you evaluate the various interpretations of 3.1 that we watched. Which acting and directorial choices are most effective? Why? Rough draft will be due on Tuesday.
Vocab quiz #4.2
Finished and turned in Map of the Underworld (15 details from Orpheus' story)
A bit of time for SSR.
HW: Read your SSR book and begin preparing your Book Talk. We will begin assigning presentation dates next week.
AP Lit:
Vocab quiz 4.2
Finished watching the 3.1 Hamlet clips (the last part of Gibson, then Branagh and Hawke)-- see yesterday's post for links, if you need to view them.
HW: Begin working on the rough draft of an essay in which you evaluate the various interpretations of 3.1 that we watched. Which acting and directorial choices are most effective? Why? Rough draft will be due on Tuesday.
Thursday
3/4/2010
Freshmen:
Turned in homework (Unforgettable Paragraph #1)
Finished up on Prometheus, Pandora and Phaethon.
Read Orpheus and began drawing a map of the Underworld on which you must include and label at least 15 different people, locations or objects from the story.
HW: Study your vocab-- quiz is tomorrow. Bring your SSR book to class too.
AP Lit:
Continued watching clips of Hamlet productions (we got through 1/2 of Mel Gibson's performance). If you were absent, or just want to watch them again, the links are posted below.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow
Richard Burton (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsrOXAY1arg
Derek Jacobi (1980):
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-elDeJaPWGg
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUdVVnk3m24
Kevin Kline (1990): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwd98zMxKEg
Mel Gibson (1990):
Part 1 (from 8:50) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVFxdBj5Q04
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LZYm9dFVBc
Kenneth Branagh (1996):
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JD6gOrARk4
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uJBOAkMsSc
...and the very different "modern" interpretation
Ethan Hawke (2000):
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YHMYkUrV7A
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVbrYkxti3M
Turned in homework (Unforgettable Paragraph #1)
Finished up on Prometheus, Pandora and Phaethon.
Read Orpheus and began drawing a map of the Underworld on which you must include and label at least 15 different people, locations or objects from the story.
HW: Study your vocab-- quiz is tomorrow. Bring your SSR book to class too.
AP Lit:
Continued watching clips of Hamlet productions (we got through 1/2 of Mel Gibson's performance). If you were absent, or just want to watch them again, the links are posted below.
HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow
Richard Burton (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsrOXAY1arg
Derek Jacobi (1980):
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-elDeJaPWGg
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUdVVnk3m24
Kevin Kline (1990): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwd98zMxKEg
Mel Gibson (1990):
Part 1 (from 8:50) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVFxdBj5Q04
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LZYm9dFVBc
Kenneth Branagh (1996):
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JD6gOrARk4
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uJBOAkMsSc
...and the very different "modern" interpretation
Ethan Hawke (2000):
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YHMYkUrV7A
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVbrYkxti3M
Wednesday
03/03/2010
Freshmen:
More roots
Continued work on "Heroes, Gods and Monsters" assignment from yesterday.
HW: Unforgettable Paragraph #1: Write a paragraph about the Greek Mythology we've been studying. In your paragraph, make at least 10 mistakes that break the Unforgettables.
AP Lit:
Discussed and turned in "The play's the thing" assignment from yesterday.
Began watching clips of Hamlet 3.1. We'll continue watching and noting observations tomorrow.
More roots
Continued work on "Heroes, Gods and Monsters" assignment from yesterday.
HW: Unforgettable Paragraph #1: Write a paragraph about the Greek Mythology we've been studying. In your paragraph, make at least 10 mistakes that break the Unforgettables.
AP Lit:
Discussed and turned in "The play's the thing" assignment from yesterday.
Began watching clips of Hamlet 3.1. We'll continue watching and noting observations tomorrow.
Tuesday
3/02/2010
Freshmen:
5 more Greek Roots
We began working on the Heroes, Gods and Monsters assignment: read Prometheus, Pandora and Phaethon, then 1) write a brief summary of the story, 2) identify the specific purpose(s) of story, and 3) explain what the story reinforces or shows about the 14 Olympian gods and goddesses we've already talked about.
AP Lit:
I checked and gave credit for Act 3 study guide. Then you worked on this assignment: The play's the thing. This is due on Wednesday if you didn't get it done in class.
5 more Greek Roots
We began working on the Heroes, Gods and Monsters assignment: read Prometheus, Pandora and Phaethon, then 1) write a brief summary of the story, 2) identify the specific purpose(s) of story, and 3) explain what the story reinforces or shows about the 14 Olympian gods and goddesses we've already talked about.
AP Lit:
I checked and gave credit for Act 3 study guide. Then you worked on this assignment: The play's the thing. This is due on Wednesday if you didn't get it done in class.
Monday
3/1/2010
Freshmen:
5 more Greek Roots
New vocabulary words
Unforgettable #5: Do not use contractions in formal writing
Notes on Hermes and Dionysus.
AP Lit:
New vocabulary words
Turn in paraphrased soliloquies
What do we need to read/discuss about Hamlet?
5 more Greek Roots
New vocabulary words
Unforgettable #5: Do not use contractions in formal writing
Notes on Hermes and Dionysus.
AP Lit:
New vocabulary words
Turn in paraphrased soliloquies
What do we need to read/discuss about Hamlet?
Friday
2/26/2010
Freshmen:
Vocabulary Quiz
A few more notes (Ares, Hephaestus and Aphrodite)
HW: Read your SSR books and fill in your 50 questions.
AP Lit:
Vocabulary Quiz
Time to work on your soliloquy translations w/ some help and input if needed.
HW: Read through 3.2 and finish study guide. Finish and bring paraphrased soliloquy (#3, part 1 on sg) for Monday. Continue to take notes on themes and motifs as you read.
Vocabulary Quiz
A few more notes (Ares, Hephaestus and Aphrodite)
HW: Read your SSR books and fill in your 50 questions.
AP Lit:
Vocabulary Quiz
Time to work on your soliloquy translations w/ some help and input if needed.
HW: Read through 3.2 and finish study guide. Finish and bring paraphrased soliloquy (#3, part 1 on sg) for Monday. Continue to take notes on themes and motifs as you read.
2/25/2010
Freshmen:
5 more roots
More Greek god & goddess notes.
HW: Study vocab for quiz tomorrow.
AP Lit:
Talked briefly about Hamlet's response to the actor's Priam speech, then began reading Act 3 together. Handed out Act 3 study guide (part 1).
HW: Begin working on #3 of study guide.
5 more roots
More Greek god & goddess notes.
HW: Study vocab for quiz tomorrow.
AP Lit:
Talked briefly about Hamlet's response to the actor's Priam speech, then began reading Act 3 together. Handed out Act 3 study guide (part 1).
HW: Begin working on #3 of study guide.
Wednesday
2/24/2010
Freshmen:
New seats for periods 1 & 2.
5 new Greek roots
Began notes on Olympians...(Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, etc.)
AP Lit:
Discussed questions and confusions about Act 2.
Tomorrow? We'll talk about the Priam speech and begin Act 3 (To be, or not to be...?)
New seats for periods 1 & 2.
5 new Greek roots
Began notes on Olympians...(Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, etc.)
AP Lit:
Discussed questions and confusions about Act 2.
Tomorrow? We'll talk about the Priam speech and begin Act 3 (To be, or not to be...?)
Tuesday
2/23/2010
Freshmen:
Began looking at 50 Greek Mythology questions.
Notes on 5 more Greek Roots.
Talked about the rise to power of the 14 main Olympian gods and goddesses.
AP Lit:
Continued reading Act 2 of Hamlet.
HW: Finish reading the rest of scene two and complete the study questions for tomorrow.
Began looking at 50 Greek Mythology questions.
Notes on 5 more Greek Roots.
Talked about the rise to power of the 14 main Olympian gods and goddesses.
AP Lit:
Continued reading Act 2 of Hamlet.
HW: Finish reading the rest of scene two and complete the study questions for tomorrow.
Monday
2/22/2010
Freshmen:
Journal #5: If you could have any special/super power, what would it be and why?
Handout for SSR Project #3: Book Talk
Unforgettable #3 & #4
New vocabulary words
Notes on first 5 Greek Roots
AP Lit:
New vocabulary words
Golden Lines from Act 1
Began reading 2.1 together.
HW: Ongoing assignment to take notes on the themes and motifs listed on Friday.
Journal #5: If you could have any special/super power, what would it be and why?
Handout for SSR Project #3: Book Talk
Unforgettable #3 & #4
New vocabulary words
Notes on first 5 Greek Roots
AP Lit:
New vocabulary words
Golden Lines from Act 1
Began reading 2.1 together.
HW: Ongoing assignment to take notes on the themes and motifs listed on Friday.
Friday
2/19/2010
Freshmen:
Woo-hoo! Oaks Reading testing is done (for most of you). We'll meet up next week and start talking about the Greeks. Be ready.
HW: Feel free to keep reading your SSR book. Follow this link, or click on the link to your left for the instructions for Book Project #3: The Book Talk.
AP Lit:
While you took Vocabulary Quiz #2, I checked and gave you credit for Hamlet study guide #2. Then, we talked about 1.5.
HW: Look back through Act 1 and begin compiling notes on the motifs and themes listed below. Your notes should include a brief description/explanation of how we see the theme and/or the lines/phrases that include the motif. Don't forget to include page numbers and line numbers.
Motifs:
rot/decay
poison/contamination
actors/acting
heaven/hell
gardens/plants
Themes:
Appearance vs. Reality ("Seems, madam. Nay, it is. I know not seems...")
Action vs. Inaction
The Impossibility of Certainty (even death itself is uncertain, isn't it?)
Woo-hoo! Oaks Reading testing is done (for most of you). We'll meet up next week and start talking about the Greeks. Be ready.
HW: Feel free to keep reading your SSR book. Follow this link, or click on the link to your left for the instructions for Book Project #3: The Book Talk.
AP Lit:
While you took Vocabulary Quiz #2, I checked and gave you credit for Hamlet study guide #2. Then, we talked about 1.5.
HW: Look back through Act 1 and begin compiling notes on the motifs and themes listed below. Your notes should include a brief description/explanation of how we see the theme and/or the lines/phrases that include the motif. Don't forget to include page numbers and line numbers.
Motifs:
rot/decay
poison/contamination
actors/acting
heaven/hell
gardens/plants
Themes:
Appearance vs. Reality ("Seems, madam. Nay, it is. I know not seems...")
Action vs. Inaction
The Impossibility of Certainty (even death itself is uncertain, isn't it?)
Wednesday
2/17/2010
Freshmen:
Day #2 of Oaks Testing! If you finished up today, bring your SSR book to read tomorrow.
AP Lit:
Made a chart of similarities and differences between Ancient Greek drama and Shakespearean drama, noted some terms (soliloquy, aside, iambic pentameter, blank verse, heroic couplet), talked about some details of the beginning of Hamlet.
HW: Nope.
Day #2 of Oaks Testing! If you finished up today, bring your SSR book to read tomorrow.
AP Lit:
Made a chart of similarities and differences between Ancient Greek drama and Shakespearean drama, noted some terms (soliloquy, aside, iambic pentameter, blank verse, heroic couplet), talked about some details of the beginning of Hamlet.
HW: Nope.
Tuesday
2/16/2010
Freshmen:
Day 1 of OAKS Reading testing. Woo-hoo! See you tomorrow to continue the fun. Bring your SSR book or some other homework to work on when you finish.
AP Lit:
Copied your new vocab words. I checked Hamlet study guides for credit. Then, I collected the "creative" Oedipus assignment. And finally, we began looking at scene 2.
HW: No new reading. If you were one of the many absent on Friday, get caught up.
Day 1 of OAKS Reading testing. Woo-hoo! See you tomorrow to continue the fun. Bring your SSR book or some other homework to work on when you finish.
AP Lit:
Copied your new vocab words. I checked Hamlet study guides for credit. Then, I collected the "creative" Oedipus assignment. And finally, we began looking at scene 2.
HW: No new reading. If you were one of the many absent on Friday, get caught up.
Friday
2/12/2010
Freshmen:
Vocabulary Quiz, then SSR, then we talked briefly about what your practice reading test scores mean. We'll take the real test next week, so eat your breakfast on Tuesday and show up ready to earn an "Exceeds"!
AP Lit:
Vocabulary quiz (that literally took moments.) We talked for a few minutes about some of the changes between theater for the Ancient Greeks and Shakespeare's England. We then began reading the first scene of Hamlet together.
HW: Read through Act 1, scene 3 for Tuesday and complete the study questions. Be ready to discuss anything you're confused about.
Vocabulary Quiz, then SSR, then we talked briefly about what your practice reading test scores mean. We'll take the real test next week, so eat your breakfast on Tuesday and show up ready to earn an "Exceeds"!
AP Lit:
Vocabulary quiz (that literally took moments.) We talked for a few minutes about some of the changes between theater for the Ancient Greeks and Shakespeare's England. We then began reading the first scene of Hamlet together.
HW: Read through Act 1, scene 3 for Tuesday and complete the study questions. Be ready to discuss anything you're confused about.
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