Friday September 19, 2014

Honors 9- Today we took vocab quiz 1. After we finished The Gift of the Magi and started the point-of-view writing activity. Note: The first narrative assignment is due Monday!

English 10- Today we took reading quiz over chapter 1. We took this quiz as a practice and a reminder for students to keep up with me on readings. Please make sure that you have completed Chapter 2 by Monday. This is only 28 pages long!

Thursday September 18, 2014

Honors 9- Today we outlined the first narrative project, which is due on Monday. The requirements for this are listed under Wednesday September 19, 2014. Don't forget, we have a vocab quiz tomorrow!

English 10- Today we looked at the critical elements we need to consider while reading chapter one, including: setting, topic, theme, foreshadowing and symbolism. Tonight you only need to read 28 pages- Much of it we may finish in class. This will mean that you just have read to the start of Chapter 3.

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Honors 9- You need to have completed The Birds for tomorrow's work. If you did not complete reading it, you can find the text at this link:

http://gpschools.schoolwires.net/cms/lib05/MI01000971/Centricity/Domain/299/BirdsStory.pdf

Today I assigned the first narrative writing assignment. Here is what you need to know:

Things you need to consider and account for:

•POV

•Character development (you need at least 2 players)

•Setting

•Dialogue

•Conflict

•Theme and thematic elements (Don’t get to hung up here, do the best you can. Avoid "Disney" endings i.e. "They lived happily ever after")

•Minimum of 2 pages, Double space if typed, skip lines if you are hand writing it.  Due Monday!!

•Has to be about an experience that happened to you, for this one, write about what you know


English 10- Today we started reading The Lord of the Flies. Make sure you are through page 20 by tomorrow!

Tuesday September 16, 2014

Honors 9- Today we completed the writing prompts for The Necklace and started reading The Birds. Don't forget that there will be a vocab test on Friday.

English 10- Today I checked out a copy of the novel The Lord of The Flies to each student. If you were not in class, please see me right away. We will start reading the book tomorrow! Here are some things to consider about having been checked out a book:

It is your responsibility to take care of your book. Don’t lose it, don’t destroy it!

Bring it with you everyday!!!

You will have some reading to complete at home. Make sure you keep up with our pace in the class. I will give quizzes from time to time to check that students are staying caught up on reading.

Monday September 15, 2014

Honors 9- We took notes on point of view and concluded reading The Necklace. Today I assigned the vocab words for this weeks quiz. The quiz will be Friday.  Here are the words with definitions:

Vocab list for the week of September 15. Quiz will be given Friday

abstract (n) a statement summarizing the important points of a given text (adj) theoretical; not applied or practical. Considered in theory, rather than with reference to a particular instance or example.

guile (n) insidious, treacherous cunning; craftiness; slyness; trickery

belittle (v) to represent or speak of as small or unimportant; to depreciate or disparage; to cause

to seem less or little

censure (n) an expression of blame or disapproval (v) to express severe criticism or disapproval

deference (n) submission or courteous yielding to the opinion, wishes, or judgment of another (v)

to comply with or submit to the opinion or decision of another

eccentric (adj) departing or deviating from the established norm, model, or rule; an odd or erratic

person or thing

facilitate (v) to free from difficulties or obstacles; to make easier; to aid or assist

mar (v) to damage or deface; to spoil the quality of; to injure. marred (adj) damaged, defaced, spoiled, injured

parsimony (n) unusual or excessive frugality; extreme economy; stinginess

recalcitrant (adj) stubbornly resistant to authority, domination, or guidance; unruly

English 10- Today we finished analyzing the Stanley Williams articles and the writing assignment was given. The writing prompts are due tomorrow.  Here are the prompts:

1. How did Williams’ use his power in the first article? How did he use his power differently in the second?

2. Given what you know now about Williams’ life, do you think he has redeemed himself for his crimes?

3. Make a claim for Williams to either be released, serve out a life prison sentence, or receive the death penalty.

Friday September 12, 2014

Honors 9- Today we finished The Necklace and started to look at topics that arose from the story.  We will develop these into themes next week and answer some short questions before we launch into The Birds. Next week we will also begin the first narrative writing assignment. Note: Your first independent reading bookmark should be turned as soon as possible.

English 10- Today we will finish up the two articles we have been analyzing over the past couple of days--which have been about Stanley Williams.  Today we will form a claim about him and his actions while looking at how he used his power. There will be written questions due Tuesday.

Tuesday September 9, 2014

Honors 9- Today we completed the re-write group activity using student work. We purposely identified proficient work. Remember to bring your independent reading book and your bookmark tomorrow.


English 10- Today we finished the group writing prompts and started the next article. Our purpose for annotating this article is to "form an opinion about John Doe."