Myth and Psyche II / Silver Kiss IX

Grade 12

• We've been working with the paper Myth and Psyche: The Evolution of Consciousness. Yesterday, students worked in groups of three to analyze the vocabulary of the introduction.
• Today, groups read and annotate the introduction, and formulate a summarizing statement for the article. Then, after a brief discussion, students organize their analysis of the passage into their notebooks.
• Samurai essay due tomorrow!  

Grade 10

• Collected journals today.
• Pop quiz on chapter 8.
• Reviewed analysis of chapter 5 and 6.
• Discussed analysis of chapter 7 and 8.
• No hw tonight!
• Tomorrow: quiz on chapters 5-8, notebook check, begin chapter 9.

The Last Samurai Essay / Silver Kiss VI

Grade 12

• Last day in the comp lab for The Last Samurai essay, which is due Friday. Please hand it in if finished.
• Handed back college app essay #6.
• Exam on everything covered so far tomorrow: myth slideshow, Power of Myth video and Prof. Jewkes essays. STUDY!
• Group A journals due tomorrow. This is a major grade!

Grade 10

• Journal: What is the most important event in either chapter 5 or 6? Why?
• Quiz on chapters 1-4.
• Work on analysis sections of reading logs for 5 and 6.
• HW: Make sure reading logs for 5 and 6 are complete.

The Last Samurai, finally! / Silver Kiss III

Grade 12

• Finished the movie and handout out the essay prompt. Students are to come to school tomorrow with a well developed planning page. We will be in Mr. G's computer lab for the next three class days writing the essay.

Grade 10

• Took a pop quiz on chapter 2!
• Finished the reading log for chapter 1.
• Students worked together on the reading log for chapter 2.
• Hw: read chapter 3.

Peer Review / Silver Kiss II

Grade 12

• Peer review on essay 6. Finals due on Thursday. Those who did not have their peer review copy today MUST have an edited draft with their final on Thursday.
• Collected Group B journals today.
• Finishing the movie tomorrow and will begin planning the essay.
• We'll be in Mr. G's room Thursday, Friday and probably Monday working on the essay.

Grade 10

• Journal: Write a character analysis of Zoe using direct quotes from the story.
• Finished reading chapter 1 and copied a model reading log into notebooks.
• HW: Read chapter 2 and be ready for a pop quiz tomorrow.

Grade 12

• Gave back essay 5
• Continued movie
• Essay 6 due tomorrow for peer review
• Group B journals due tomorrow

Grade 10

• Collected critical lens essays
• Introduced The Silver Kiss. Started chapter 1.

The Last Samurai (continued) / Critical Lens Essay Practice

Grade 12

• Continued watching the movie to the 1:52:00 mark (presentation of the sword)
• Discussed the continuing transformation of the character of Nathan Algren and the roles he has taken on.
• Group B journals due on Tuesday.
• Essay #5 due on Tuesday.

Grade 10

• Continued critical lens essay practice
• Independent essay due on Monday
• Beginning first novel next week.

That Last Samurai, continued / Critical Lens Essay Practice

Grade 12

• Students were reminded that the first major grades will be collected in the coming weeks. Stay dedicated and focused.
• Reviewed the definition of "archetype":  the images, patterns, and symbols that rise out of the collective unconscious and appear in dreams, mythology, and fairy tales across cultures.
• Journal: Select an archetype from the handout and discuss how it applies to the movie.
• Continue The Last Samurai

Grade 10

• Continued introducing the critical lens essay. Students copied an exemplar as a model.
• Will begin guided practice tomorrow.

Peer Review / The Critical Lens Essay

Grade 12

• Peer Review on essay #5
• Group A journals due
• We will continue the movie tomorrow

Grade 10

• Journal: free write
• Review how to interpret a quote
• Interpret quote #4.
• Discuss the introduction to the critical lens essay
• Begin writing exemplar together.
• Begin first body paragraph if time
• Journals due on Thursday

The Last Samurai III / Critical Lens Preparation

Grade 12

• Journal: Story perceptions/reactions/observations so far.
• Discuss
• Continued watching The Last Samurai to about the 45 minute mark.
• Group A journals due next week.
• Essay #5 due Tuesday for peer review. Choose one of the prompts from the list. Please make sure you put the number and the prompt at the top of the essay.

Grade 10

• Extended journal free write while students finished short story exam from Tuesday.
• Reviewed how to interpret quotes in prep for critical lens essay practice.

The Last Samurai / Intro to the Critical Lens Essay

Grade 12

• Handed back Essay 4. Reviewed essay performance.
• Students advised to meet with me for help on essay rewrites.
• Group B journals due tomorrow.
• Starting watching The Last Samurai. Students are to take notes and view the story through the lens of the journey of the hero. Stopped about 12 minutes into the story.

Grade 10

• Intro to the critical lens essay.
• Discussed and practiced interpreting quotes
• Short story exam tomorrow.
• Writing assignment due tomorrow.

Applying the Hero Journey Stages / Masque, finale

Grade 12

• Reviewed the video briefly and the elements of the hero journey.
• Read "Just Drawn That Way" by Michael Arthur.
• Annotate the elements of the hero journey in the story
• Respond in notebook.
• Discuss in groups
• general discussion
• Work on essay rewrites!
• Group B journals due next Tuesday.

Grade 10

• Journal: What is the symbolism of the conclusion of "Masque of the Red Death?" Use direct evidence from the story to explain your answer.
• Share in groups
• Add to journal entry
• Large group discussion.
• Complete plot outline. (Finish for HW if necessary.)
• Returned writing assignment.
• Now, instead of writing about a significant event, write the event as a story.
• Due Tuesday.
• Short story exam on Monday. Know vocab!

POM continued / Masque continued

Grade 12

• Continued The Power of Myth.
• period 1 finished.
• periods 4 and 7 almost finished.
• Essay 4 due tomorrow.

Grade 10

• Journal: summarize "Masque of the Red Death" so far.
• Continue the story, end at the bottom of pg. 177.
• Journals due tomorrow

Peer Review / "Masque" continued

WARNING! THE 5 WEEK PERIOD ENDS THIS FRIDAY!

Grade 12

• Classes were informed that the 5th college app essay, which will not be assigned until next week, will be their choice of prompts from the 100 prompt list. They should start choosing.
• Peer review on Essay #4 (prompt 6)
• Collected Group A journals.
• Essay #4 final due Thursday.

Grade 10

• Journal: What would help you become a better writer? Why is becoming a better writer important?
• Collected last nights homework.
• Continued "Masque" to the end of the last full paragraph on page 175.
• Discussed the literary elements revealed thus far, especially the symbolism and imagery of the east and west rooms.
• Journals due this Thursday