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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Grade 12
  • I suggest everyone get the reading and notes done. Some of you aren't and this is not the time to slck off. We will be done with the book by Tuesday. One-third of the final exam will be an essay on this book.
  • Read chapter 17 in class. Chapter 18 for hw plus notes
  • All research papers should have been handed in.
Grade 10
  • Took a quiz on chapter 5-10 today and checked notes on chapters 1-10 period 8. Will check period 6 tomorrow.
  • Read and note chapter 18 tonight.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Grade 12
  • Read and note chapter 16
  • Reminder: quiz, notes and research paper grades are going to be averaged with the interim grade. Get the reading done. Do the notes. I'm not kidding.
Grade 10
  • Read chapter 16 in class.
  • Read and note chapter 17.
  • Notes will be checked before the end of the week.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Grade 12
  • Reading assignment through Monday: to page 141, end of chapter 15.

Grade 10
  • Reading assignment through Monday: to page 113, the end of chapter 15.
  • Research paper due next Wednesday

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Grade 12
  • Journal: Choice! Write about 1:
  • What is White saying in chapter 5? What's up with Mr. P? or
  • What is the purpose of chapter 6?
  • HW: Read chapter 7. What's the point of the joust?
  • Notes will be checked tomorrow.
Grade 10
  • Catcher in the Rye: Read chapters 4 and 5. (Chapter 5 is critical.) Notes will be checked tomorrow.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Grade 12
  • Read chapters 5 and 6. I will be checking notes tomorrow!
  • pay close attention to how Mr. P is presented. What is the author saying through this character? Also, contrast the words of Mr. P with the behavior of Merlyn.
Grade 10
  • Catcher in the Rye: Read chapter 3. Notes for the first three chapters will be checked.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Grade 12

We've begin The Sword in the Stone, the first book in T.H. Whites, The Once and Future King. Most of chapter 1 was read in class yesterday and was to be finished, along with chapter 2, for homeowrk last night. Each chapter, or reading chunk as the case may be, must be accompanied by a bulleted list in a notebook. The list should focus on inference and analysis, NOT JUST SUMMARY. Lists will be checked for a grade periodically. NOTE: THE FINAL EXAM ESSAY WILL BE BASED ON THIS STORY!
  • Discussed chapters one and two in class with particular attention to the Wart's character, Cully's function and the irony in the introduction of Sir Pellinore.
  • HW: Chapters 3 and 4

Grade 10
  • Research papers due next Wednesday.
  • Started J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. I read chapter 1 to each class and we discussed the development of Holden Caulfield. Books will be distributed on Monday.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Grade 12
  • Done in class today: Teddy Response Paper:
    Your paper should be a comparison of Salinger’s and Vonnegut’s writing style. What does Salinger do that Vonnegut doesn’t? What does he do differently? Using specific details and literary elements, discuss how each other differs in how they communicate their ideas.
  • Due tomorrow.
Grade 10
  • Began research in the library. Should take us through Thursday.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Grade 12
  • Students responded to an idea presented page 13, 14 or 15 to 16 in their in class journals. Responses discussed in small groups, then large groups
  • Discussed the implications of the story's conclusion.
  • Response paper will be written in class on Monday.
  • Research paper due two weeks from today
  • Portfolio due June 8th.
  • Next week we will begin a novel. There will be work outside of class. Get as much of your long term projects done as possible this weekend.

Grade 10
  • LotF essays finished
  • Next week we will be in the library doing research. Possible topics were discussed along with paper expectations.
  • We will begin the last novel of the year at the end of next week.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Grade 12
  • In groups: a) Journal: Write a brief character analysis of Teddy. This should include a strong thesis statement and supporting details. b) Share with group and discuss.
  • Large group discussion.
  • HW: Read through to the thrid paragraph on page 12. Annotate.
Grade 10
  • LotF exam essay. Will continue tomorrow after completing the multiple choice part of the test.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Grade 12
  • How do you identify and define a writer’s signature style?
  • Peer groups: review yesterday’s reading, and read to the bottom of page 3. (5 min)
  • Journal: What is a specific moment/ scene/phrase. Why is it significant? What is the author’s purpose? (5 min)
  • Discuss in peer groups (5 min)
  • Large group discussion
  • HW: Read to the bottom of page 7. Respond in notebook.
Grade 10
  • Make up day. Finish reading logs. Study for exam. Essay tomorrow, multiple choice Thursday. All reading logs wil be checked by Thursday. NO READING LOGS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THAT!

Monday, May 07, 2012

Grade 12
  • Discussion on what the 'signature style' of an author is, and related this to Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron."
  • Began reading "Teddy" by J.D. Salinger. Students are to annotate with the idea of a signature style in mind. Read to the top of the second page, third paragraph down. Write a brief reaction in notebook. (Note: This is a 16+ page short story, which will be read in chunks. Each chunk will have its notebook reaction, and a response paper will be written when done.
  • Tomorrow, this first section will be discussed in small groups, then as a large group.
Grade 10
  • Read the end of the book aloud. Discussed the significance of the conclusion.
  • Tomorrow will be a catch up day. Anyone behind in the reading and reading logs will have that time to gain ground.
  • Wednesday: I will be out. Essays will be written in class.
  • Thursday: Multiple choice exam and finish essays. Final check of reading logs.

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Grade 12
  • Read "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut.
  • Annotate for the purpopse of constructing a tightly focused thesis question.
  • Tomorrow, will write a response paper supporting that thesis.
  • Research paper due date: 5/24
  • Portfolio due date: 6/8 (Note: This is the last day of classes. If your portfolio is done prior to this, you may hand it in. Otherwise you will have to get it from me during Regents week and finals.)
Grade 10
  • Review the end of chapter 11
  • Discuss literary elements, especially the symbolism in the destruction of the conch, the death of Piggy and the behavior of Roger.
  • Note: We will be finishing the book by Monday or Tuesday. All reading logs must be finished and checked before the beginning of the book exam.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Grade 12
  • Pd 1 and 5: discussed "The Parable of the Prodigal Son." Response paper due tomorrow
  • Pd 3: We'll do this tomorrow and catch up. (No students due to Chamber of Commerce breakfast.)
Grade 10
  • Journal: What happens at the top of page 173? What is the significance of this event?
  • Read the rest of chapter 11 together.
  • Reading log due tomorrow.
  • Note: There is one chapter left. We'll finish the book by the endof the weekend and probably take the test on Tuesday. NO READING LOGS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE EXAM. You have between now and then to get caught up.

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Grade 12
  • Read and annotate "The Parable of the Prodigal Son"
  • Reminder: Portfolio and Research Paper!
Grade 10
  • LotF, Chapter 11 to the bottom of page 175 plus reading log