High School

NO CLASS NEXT WEEK!

For HW:
Bear Brook Episode Three-Listen and Questions
Poetry- Finish your DEEP analysis of the EIGHT poems that moved on to the next round (Abandoned Farmhouse, Invictus, Nothing Gold Can Stay, In Flanders Field, One Art, Honest Poem,  Because I Could Not Stop for Death, Wild Geese).  Need the prompts?  Make sure you are writing on your page as well (you'll thank me later).
Poetry Creation 1-Make a found poem using Thanks for the Knife.  Want to see some examples?
Poetry Creation 2-Review Ode to Dirt.  Write an Ode for something that seems insignficant, but it extremely important to you. Bring this to share when we return. 

Today we voted our poetry down to our final two contestants:  Because I Could Not Stop for Death and Invictus.  We also worked on our collaborative poetry analysis essays.  Finally, we discussed Bear Brook and our poetry portfolio. 

For HW:
Write your paragraph of the poetry collaborative essay and have it ready to share with your group on Tuesday.  Some groups made a shared Google doc to eliminate the amount of writing.  Remember, each group is responsible for the intro and Thesis.  Each group member is responsible for ONE of the following paragraphs: Structure, Literary Devices, and Theme.  If you are in the junior/senior group, someone also has Word Choice.  Once you meet up again next week with your paragraphs, you will be better able to write your conclusion.  Remember, everyone gets ONE GRADE for this, so it is to everyone's benefit to work together and also do your part! Due 5/13

Work on your poetry portfolio-You have 10 poems due by 5/13.  You should have already started these.  You will turn this in electronically in ONE document (not 10 separate pages). 

Podcast-Continue the podcast.  We will write one final summary/response essay about the podcast you have listened to.  It is due on 5/16

Today we kicked off our poetry study.  We started with a very quick annotation and discussion of the first 12 poems in the booklet.  Please, please, please keep up with all your materials as we will need those for upcoming classes.  For HW:

1. Finish Annotating the remaining 4 poems (all poems should be annotated by the time you return to class). 
2. Create a new 16 line poem.  Use one line from each of the 16 we annotated to create a new poem.  We will share these in class next week, so you need a printed copy to read and turn in. 
3. Listen to Episode 2 of Bear Brook and complete your response page.  What questions do you have about this podcast?  

Today we took a group ACT practice test (Good luck to all those taking it on Saturday).  Then we completed an anticipation guide and discussion for our final podcast and poetry unit. We'll be working on poetry in class and podcast for homework.  We'll be listening to Bear Brook, which is a true crime podcast (TW-murder and possible language). 

Today we worked on one-pagers in class for part of our final assessment on Shakespeare.  All papers are to be emailed by midnight tonight. Next week, we will start our poetry & podcast unit, which is our final unit. CALENDAR UPDATE: We will not meet on April 22nd.  This is the Tuesday after Easter.  

Today we focused a lot on our upcoming Shakespeare papers.  We also discussed Act III in each group and how that is considered to be the turning point of the plays.  We discussed ideas for research and support from the texts and we also learned how to make an in-text citation for Shakespeare.  For next week

Act IV-read & notes page
Draft your reseach paper (we will peer review next week). 

At-Home Work :

9/10
R& J Read Act 2
Complete Act 2 pages
Watch Act 2 (you can do a google or youtube search: Romeo & Juliet Act II scene I, etc)
Read Machiavelli  Power & answer questions


11/12
Hamlet Read Act 2
Complete Act 2 pages
Watch Act 2 (you can do a google  or youtube search: Hamlet Act II Scene I etc)
Read Machiavelli Power & answer questions

Today we worked with partners to create literary Valentines.  This was a fun, creative writing activity to get us ready for Shakespeare (and Valentine's Day).  Then we completed an Anticipation Guide to get us ready to read our respective Shakespeare book.  For at-home work this week:

9/10
R& J Read Act 1
Complete Act 1 pages
Watch Act 1 (Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5)
Read Aristotles "On Tragedy" and answer questions


11/12
Hamlet Read Act 1
Complete Act 1 pages
Watch Act 1 (Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5)
Read Aristotles "On Tragedy" and answer questions

This week, we worked independently (and then together) to go over our rhetorical devices quiz.  We have one more week of rhetoric and then we are finished (until poetry!).   

At Home Work this week:
-Mentor Sentence
-Angela Duckworth "Grit" Ted Talk
-Common App #2 draft
-New Vocab (List 4)-I forgot to give these out in class, so look below  for these words.
-Superbowl Commercial  Rhetoric

We will begin reading new books on 2/11, so please have those ready to go on that date.

9/10-No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet.  The graphic novel is not required, but would be a good source to use to go along with the text. 
11/12-No Fear Shakespeare Hamlet.  Again, the graphic novel is not required, but would be a good companion. 

Vocab week 4
Adhere – Stick to something; follow rules or principles.

Hypothesis – A proposed explanation based on evidence.

Austere – Severe or strict in manner or appearance.

Anticipate – Expect or predict.

Exemplify – Be a typical example of.

Analyze – Examine critically or in detail.

Compensate – Make up for something unwelcome or deficient.

Fluctuate – Vary irregularly.

Inconsequential – Not significant or important.

Ephemeral – Lasting for a very short time.

This week, we focused on getting a bit caught up with content.  We will have two quizzes this week--one on the vocab and one on the rhetorical devices.  Look at the mentor sentence section for ideas about what you will be quizzed on. 

At Home Work this week:
-Mentor Sentence
-Wendy Troxel Ted Talk
-Common App #2 (brainstorm only)
-New Vocab (List 3)

We will begin reading new books on 2/11, so please have those ready to go on that date.

9/10-No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet.  The graphic novel is not required, but would be a good source to use to go along with the text. 
11/12-No Fear Shakespeare Hamlet.  Again, the graphic novel is not required, but would be a good companion. 

Today in class we played the Rhetoric Game and spent some understanding and practicing rhetorical devices and logical fallacies. 

For this week
1. Finish any work from last week. Check the website to see what you need to do.  I  will be taking this up on Tuesday along with the work for this week.  Get on track!
2. Draft your Common app essay.  Remember, it should be short (650 words), but make it impactful.  Print off a copy and bring it to class for peer workshop.
3. Ordeal by Venmo-write a story of what is happening in the Venmo story.  There are some prompting questions on the page, so use those to be thinking about the story.  Remember, I don't want a play-by-play.  I want the WHY of what is happening.  You have some creative liberties here, so take them!
4. Study your vocab--there is no reason why everyone can't make a 100 on the quiz.
5. Mentor Sentence
6. Listen/Read JFK's inauguration speech and complete the rhetoric worksheet to accompany it.

Welcome back!  It was really good to see you all!  We did A LOT of work today.  For at-home work, we'll be working on finishing up the few things we need to, mostly focusing on rhetoric.

1. Work on your sneaker vision board.  Make them colorful and creative!  I want these to look awesome.  Take some time and think about your goals.
2. Reread your Common App sample essay.  Complete your brainstorm circle map and organize it.  We will draft next week.  Keep in mind that Common Apps are ONLY 650 words MAX (I'm looking at you, Ava!)
3. Study your 10 vocabulary words.  YOU WILL HAVE A QUIZ NEXT WEEK.
4. Finish your Mentor Sentence.
5. Watch the Rhetoric video and take notes on your note-taking page (in your packet).
6. Watch, Read, Listen to I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.  and complete your rhetorical analysis grid.
7. Write a four paragraph summary of Ordeal by Cheque--Only one paragraph per page.  Tell me the story.  What is happening here? 

Happy Christmas! We had fun today to work on playing Ransom Notes with A Christmas Carol!  You have two independent projects due over the break.  The first is a summary/response due on 12/20.  The second is a creative assignment due 1/6. 

Here is the Ted Ed (the author's name is different on your paper).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJerBBTy074

Today we had a silent discussion about A Christmas Carol.  This yielded some very interesting "written" conversations.  Then we began our one-pager for A Christmas Carol.  Students will need to complete this one-pager for homework this week.
Next week I will also be assigning students' an independent project to complete  over the break.  There will be due dates throughout the break for accountability.

Reading: Finish the Book
Comprehension: Packet & responses
Writing: One-Pager

Today we worked on completing as much of our at-home work as possible, so that we don't have as much for homework over the break. 

HW:
Writing: Research papers are due at midnight tonight.  Please use the feedback you got from your first paper to improve your second paper.
Reading: Read Stave Three of A Christmas Carol
Respone: Finish up anything you did not finish in class.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm so thankful for you!

We have two more Tuesdays left in class, but I will send home some independent work to complete over the break!  Don't forget to sign up for spring semester! 

Today we finished up our Poe and began A Christmas Carol.  We also peer reviewed our research papers, which are due next week. 
For HW:
Read Stave One and Stave Two and complete the pages I sent home responding to the text. 

Today in class we focused A LOT on creating a thesis from a few words or ideas.  For example, we used Hexagonal Thinking about Poe to develop a thesis.  Then we fleshed out that thesis more by collaboratively writing a paragraph with bbs, ASBA.  Then we applied that strategy to our research papers.  We organized our research notecards and then developed a thesis based off our groupings.  Then we were able to organize our information and see where we needed more research. 

For HW:
Read: The Masque of the Red Death & The Bells
Answer: Comp Questions about the reading  (you will need this link as you answer questions about The Bells)   
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdUThLpuBJ4
Write: Your rough draft--Print a copy and bring it to peer review next Tuesday. 

Today we took an ACT practice test and then we spent the majority of our time analysizing a sample research paper.  We identified features of the paper and how effective those features were.  We also worked in groups to answer analytical questions about the paper. 

For HW:
Finish answering the research paper analysis.  Identify the elements you know you were weak in for your first paper. Pay close attention to the neutrality of the paper.
Finish your 20 Research Note cards.  As a reminder, you need at least three sources, but you are free to use those sources throughout your various topics. 

Your poems were great today!  I loved reading the crossover between Williams Carlos Williams and Montresor!  You also did great with writing unreliable narrators.  Poe loves to write unreliable narrators, so keep your eyes peeled for what makes our characters unreliable.  For this week:

Reading: The Tell-Tale Heart & Annabel Lee
Response: Write a persuasive paragraph to convince me about the narrator--Is he calculating or insane??  Why do you think the way you do?  How do you know?
Comprehension Questions: Discussion Questions
Research: Complete 20 notecards with your notes for your research paper.  Bring these to class completed. Remember to use MLA formatting with your citations! This is a very good guide for MLA if you need help. 

Great Class today!  You did very well with the new concepts present in Gothic Literature.  Remember your theme paper is due by midnight tonight.  If you do not have your Poe book, please get it ASAP!

HW:
Read The Cask of Amontillado & The Raven
Answer: Discussion Questions (There are 11 midlength answer questions).
Write: A short scene from an unreliable narrator's point of view
Research: Look at the Research Topics & Select an Idea; Formulate a question you would like to answer with your research.
Find THREE reputable sources and take notes from those sources. Print these off and bring them to class.  

Today we started off with a little grammar review to apply the parts of speech to specific sentences from The Hunger Games.  Then we divided into partners and did peer review on our papers. 

For HW this week:
Finish reading books (HG or feed)
Complete final bookmark
Make sure you have your Poe book for next week
Complete your final draft of your paper
Share your final draft with me (remember drafting and sharing should take place in google docs)

Calendar

Today we had a discussion about our new books via a group quiz!! I heard some wonderful discussions and comparisions to our previous book, which is the goal! 
We also went over the requirements for our first paper.  We will have a draft due on 10/ 15.  We will peer review on that day, so you will need to bring a copy to class.  There is no need to share your draft with me.  I will only require you turn in your final copy, which is due on 10/22.  I gave students a graphic organizer to explicitly show them what to include.  In addition, I gave students everyone the rubric and grading codes so that they will know exactly what I will be grading them on.  

For HW:
1. Read your book (HG 10-18 & Feed Part 3)
2. Complete your bookmarks
3. Complete your theme page about your second book
4. Write a draft to compare the themes of BOTH books (don't forget bbs, ASBA and MLA formatting)

Today we reviewed our themes from our first book of the year and we wrapped up that reading!  Yahoo!  One book down.  We'll continue to reference this book through our next reading, as our first paper will require us to discuss the thematics that are similar in both the first and second books.  After that we took an ACT practice quiz.  Then we broke into groups and learned about MLA formatting in order to prep for our first big paper.  Speaking of that, a draft will be due on 10/15 (we will peer review that day) and a final will be due on 10/22.  We'll already be into our next unit by then, so we'll do a bit of juggling between the writing phases.  It is my goal to have a progress report for you around this time as well. 

For HW:

Send me your bbs, ASBA paragraph about greatest theme if you have not already done so.  Make sure to grant me editing access. 
Read your books (HG ch 1-9, feed Section 1 & 2)
Complete the comprehension bookmark
Be thinking about the topics you are seeing in your new book. 

Watch the following videos about MLA: The Basics, In-Text Citation, Works Cited

Today we worked the majority of the class on determining the theme of our book citing text evidence.  This is a particularly hard skill, in my opinion because students typically want to make a theme a one word answer.  Themes are a complete sentence expressing what the author is trying to teach using text evidence to support your claim.  Everyone had great conversations today and I am continually impressed at the complexity with which they discuss heavy topics such as fear, censorship, and civility.

For HW this week:
1. Finish reading your respective book (LOTF or F451)
2. Finish your final bookmark for LOTF or F451
3. Finish your theme page that we started in class.  Provide text evidence (including page numbers) for ALL the boxes---trust me, this will help you on your first paper that is coming up!
4. Write a bbs, ASBA paragraph about which theme you feel is the greatest.  Use your evidence and your thoughts about them to write this paragraph.  Remember, you do not have to use bbs, ASBA in that order.  You can make it flow how you need to.  You are also welcome to write more than seven sentences (write as many as you need to express your ideas and thoughts clearly).  Please make bbsASBA bold in your writing and share this with me via Google Docs (don't forget to grant me editing access so I can give you feedback.
5. Get your new book (Hunger Games for the LOTF group & feed by M.T. Anderson for the F451 group)

Today we reviewed ACT prep questions that we were not able to do last time.  We also completed an anticipation guide for each of our new books (9/10-Lord of the Flies (LOTF) and 11/12 Fahrenheit 451 (F451)).  These statements led to quite the discussion!  Finally, we discussed the Julia Alvaverz essay that was assigned for homework.

For this week:

LOTF Read chapters 1-4 and complete your bookmark page
F451 Read the first section (The Salamander and the Hearth) and complete your bookmark page

Today we worked on improving our writing by including subordinate and coordinate conjunctions (bbs, ASBA).  We will use this OFTEN!  I gave everyone a reference sheet to keep.  We will use this strategy with a lot of writing because it is so helpful in improving your writing.  We also took a group quiz about our reading for last week. 

For this week:
F451 Read Second two: The Sieve and the Sand and complete your bookmark
LOTF: Read chapters 5-8 and complete your bookmark

Today in class we practiced our annotations using "My Name" by Sandra Cisneros.  We then, worked in groups to answer response questions to the passage.  Finally, we practiced ACT prep and did MUG sentences and ACT questions.

For HW:

First: If you did not finish your work with your small group---make sure you do that first! 
1. Read Names/Nombres by Julia Alvarez (handout) and Annotate
2. Complete the following response questions to Names/Nombres.  Write your responses in 2-3 sentences (at least) and use text evidence to support your thinking. Draft in a google doc and share your responses with me (don't forget to grant me editing permissions).

• What is the central idea of the text?  

• Which detail from the passage explains that Julia's feelings about her name are still complicated, but less painful?

• How does the inclusion of the Shakespeare quote contribute to the author's overall ideas? 

• Which sentences from the passage reveal the hardships the  family faced when merging their Dominican and American lives?

• How does Julia's feelings about the pronunciation of her name change throughout the story? 

• Do you think that Julia's decision to take on Americanized versions of her name could be seen as "following the crowd"?  Why or why not? 

3. Write a "My Name" creative writing essay.  Share this link with me and bring a printed copy to class next week. 

Today was a great first day of class!  It was important to me to spend a bit more time than normal just having everyone get to know each other.  That is essential for having a great group dynamic and having great discussions about literature! Today, we reviewed the syllabus (please take special note of the AI and Google Docs polices in this class) and then we did an about me ice breaker.  Then we spent some time getting to know one another and chatting.  Finally, we edited a MUG sentence (mechanics, usage, and grammar) and we did a small amount of ACT Prep.  Here's what is assigned for homework:

Visit the This I Believe Essay Website and read three mini-essays.  Write a short response to each.  Include the title, author, a summary sentence, and a critique sentence. 

Then, write a short (300-500) word This I Believe Essay about the topic of your choice (I believe socks should be worn with sandals.  I believe ketchup goes on scrambled eggs.  I believe the voting age should be increased to 21---it's completely your choice!).  Share your google link with me (grant me editing access) and bring a printed copy to class next week.

If you have questions, please email me :)