Week of 3/19/12:

Here is the run down of the last week:

• Completed a visual comparing F451 and three other supplementary readings we've done. Presented this to class.
• Finished reading and discussing Fahrenheit 451. 
• Took F451 reading quiz #3.
• Completed "Opening Adverb" practice of sentence composing.
• Began writing about Montag's changing view of fire and the symbolism of the river at the end of the novel. (Handout received on Friday 3/23.)

HW: Over Spring Break, you need to read the materials in the packet you received on Friday. (If you were absent, here are the titles.) You should continue compiling three-column notes like you have for all the supplemental reading packets we've looked at.
                 Article: "The Dumbing of America"
                 Short Story: Harrison Bergeron
                 Poems: The Sound of Silence
                             Hangman 

3/16/12

This week you should have:

• Read and analyzed "Identity" and written a poem that includes extended metaphor and symbol.
• Read and analyzed "EgoTripping" and written a poem that uses hyperbole and allusion.
• Written an analytical paragraph about the use of devices in "EgoTripping."
• Read "The Murderer" and "A Song Before Sunset" and taken notes on both.

HW: For Monday, you need to read through page 136 in Fahrenheit 451.

3/12/12

Today you received some new vocab words for the week. Then, we talked about opening adverbs in sentences. We wrapped up with some discussion of the article on media consumption in the lives of young people today from the F451 Reader.

2/28/12

Today we began talking about sentences that are structured around "Delayed Adjectives." Then, Ms. Wooley gave you a form to sign and have your parents' sign so that she can use your work as part of her action research study data set.

We talked about some Fahrenheit 451; you should be through page 40.

HW: By Friday, you should finish reading Part 1 in Fahrenheit (through page 68) and be ready for your Vocab Quiz, of course.

Welcome to 2nd Semester! Week of 1/31 to 2/3

Mon: Introduced new Vocabulary and Sentence Composing procedures. Continued watching Edward Scissorhands (2.24).

Tues: Continued with "key-sequence" from 2.24. For HW, you should complete the storyboard assignment for 2.25 (pages 168-171), including answering the Reflection Questions at the bottom of 171. 

Wed: More "Sentence Composing." Finish up with home base and expert groups, through page 173.

Thur: Begin screening the final chunk of Edward Scissorhands-- 2.27.

Fri: Vocabulary Quiz #1! Then finish up our viewing of Edward. HW: Write the paragraph for the Writing Prompt at the bottom of page 174. Be as thorough and specific as you can be

01/11/12

Today we:
-shared the notes you took on your assigned topic (page 152)
-discussed the tone in the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory excerpt #2 (page 155)
-began watching the beginning clip of Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" film and taking notes on elements of MOOD and TONE (page 158)

1/10/12

Reviewed your survey answers from yesterday. Then, worked on the Venn diagram.

HW: For tomorrow, read the article on page 147-150 and complete the items on page 146.
For Thursday, complete the research on the topic that was assigned to you. You must use at least 3 internet source and should compile a separate page (or so) of notes. (See page 151.)

1/9/12

We've officially finished up the first half of Unit 2. Today you turned in a Storyboard that consisted of 10 frames (sketches) and explanation of the cinematic elements that coincide with each frame in your "vision" of the portion of the story you chose. (We went over this on Friday. If you were gone that day, ask me or another classmate and I'll show you what you need to complete.) You had a chance to share your storyboard and then a few brave souls allowed the whole class to see their work. Great job, all around.

We then took a few minutes to preview the second half of the unit. We read the Learning Focus on page 142, and...

HW: you need to complete the survey questions on pages 143 and 144 and be ready to discuss your ideas tomorrow.

12/5 to 12/7

Monday 12/5: I was home sick again, but today you took the SpringBoard Unit 1 Test, as expected.

Tuesday 12/6: At long last, we watched more of the LOTF movie.

Wednesday 12/7: Finished up the LOTF film. Then, we talked about a few tricky questions from Monday's test.

HW: Read and complete Activity 2.6 in SpringBoard. Page 105 defines some terminology for you, page 106 has a diagram for you to complete, and page 107 has a chart for you to fill in for "The Cask of Amontillado." Be ready to discuss these tomorrow.

Update 11/28 to 12/1

Sorry I've been out sick this week. I hope I kick this thing soon. Here is what has been happening in class.

Mon 11/28: (w/ sub) Still in C-1 working on day 2 of the state reading test.

Tues 11/29: Last day to work on reading test in C-1.

Wed 11/30: (w/ sub) Work to day to finish up Embedded Assessment #2 and plan presentations.

Thurs 12/1: Began presentations!

Tomorrow, we will finish up presentations and spend a few minutes talking about your SpringBoard UNIT 1 TEST on MONDAY.

11/18/11

Yesterday you previewed SpringBoard Unit 2 with Ms. Wooley. Today, you continue on with the William Blake poem "A Poison Tree" and the concepts of tone, mood and theme.

HW: For Monday, you to read page 95 and use context clues to define the words on page 94. In addition, you need to read "The Cask of Amontillado" on pages 96-103.

11/16/11

Today you got into groups and began planning your work for Embedded Assessment #2. Each of you should know what your job is to support your group's ad campaign.

11/15/11

You should be ready to group up and begin Embedded Assessment #2 tomorrow.
That means:
Page 75 has been completed and checked off by Mrs. P.
The paragraph from page 76 has been completed and turned in.
Pages 77 and 78 are filled with notes about strengths, weaknesses and probable audiences for each of the types of advertisement listed.
Page 79 is full of ideas and brainstorming for how to persuade students to read LOTF.

Come ready to collaborate and be productive group members.

11/7/11

Welcome back and happy Monday!
After receiving new seats we got down to business on some SpringBoard lessons. We quickly reviewed the homework (page 63 and 80-81) then you completed a quickwrite about the prompt from #5 on page 64. Then, we reviewed the Elements of Argument on page 68, read the Student Example and identified each of the Elements in the piece.

HW: Your homework is to revise your quickwrite so that it includes each of the Elements of Argument. (Bottom of page 68.)

10/31/11

Today we re-capped MLA format. Don't forget that the final draft of Embedded Assessment #1 is due tomorrow. You also need to bring your rough draft and interview notes to hand in.

Today, you began reading and annotating "When Good People Do Evil." You should highlight and make a note of as many connections as you can find between this article and LOTF. We will discuss this tomorrow.

HW: On Wednesday, we will be taking a test over LOTF. Bring your NOTES with you.

10/28/11

Today we went over a few requirements for completing the final draft of Embedded Assessment #1.
Final drafts are due Tuesday, November 1st. They must be typed, double-spaced and in MLA format. Here is the way MLA format should look.

Next week on Wednesday we will be taking a test over Lord of the Flies. We'll discuss the specifics of the test on Monday.

10/25/11

Today we talked about a few last items from Chapter 10 of LOTF, then reviewed the requirements and scoring guide for Embedded Assessment #1. Please see pages 60-62 in your SpringBoard book for the specifics on this.
HW: For tomorrow, you need to read Chapter 11 in LOTF and you need to bring the notes from your completed interview.

10/24/11

Today, while you were taking a quiz over LOTF chapter 10, I checked off that you completed pages 58 and 59 in your SpringBoard books, then we had a few minutes to talk about Ralph and Piggy and how messed up these boys have really become.

As you begin Embedded Assessment #1, remember this timeline: Your interview must be completed by Wednesday. The rough draft of your Interview Narrative must be completed by Friday. We'll be talking about the specifics of these things tomorrow.

Also, if you have NOT finished your Narrative Writing Work Sample (from two weeks ago), you must come in and get it finished up by FRIDAY. After Friday all samples will be scored as final drafts.

10/20/11

Today I collected your Pig's Head assignments and gave you a few minutes to update your LOTF notes. Then, we finished reading Chapter 9 together. (Poor Simon!)

10/19/11

Today, as promised, you had a few minutes to work on finishing up the "Pig's Head" visual and questions. I will collect these tomorrow. Then, we began reading Chapter 9 of LOTF together. We'll finish this together in class tomorrow.