Tuesday March 31, 2015

Honors 9- Today we analyzed the poem Calypso by Suzanne Vega, We also translated a stanza from book 5 of The Odyssey to practice working with the language of epic poetry.

English 10- Today we took pre-reading notes for Of Mice and Men. 

Monday March 30, 2015

Honors 9- Today we read the prologue and beginning introductions to Homer's The Odyssey. Here are the vocab words for the week. All the words come directly from the text:

•Formidable

•Ravage

•Profusion

•Adversary

•Guile

•Rancor

•Abominably

•Ardor

•Tumult

•Rapine 

English 10- Today we did small group work to discuss the great depression and prepare for reading Of Mice and Men. 

Monday March 23, 2015 to Friday March 28, 2015

Spring Break!!! Have a great break!!! See you Monday!!!

Friday March 20, 2015

Honors 9- Today we took vocab quiz #12. See me immediately after spring break to make this up if you were absent today. We also read the intro to The Odyssey. 

English 10- Today we will be doing our poetry presentations. Review the directions from previous blogs this week.

Thursday March 19, 2015

Honors 9- Today we completed our definitions of "Hero" and voted for them accordingly. The definitions that we chose will now be used to guide the rest of our unit on The Odyssey. Don't forget: We have a vocab quiz tomorrow!!!


English 10- Today we finished looking at Langston Hughes' poems (Harlem) A Dream Deferred and I, Too.  Don't forget: You need to present a poem tomorrow, either one that you wrote yourself or one that you choose from a different source. You need to be able to discuss the figurative language and theme. 

Wednesday March 18, 2015

Honors 9- Today we finished answering the questions "What makes up a hero?" and created our own working definition of what a hero is. This will support our thinking as we move into our reading of The Odyssey. Reminder: Vocab Quiz Friday! Make sure you are studying.


English 10- Toady we finished our analysis of Auto Wreck and started our look at Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance. Reminder: Poetry presentations are on Friday. See yesterdays blog for the requirements.  Here are the poems if you missed class today:

(Harlem) A Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

I,Too

 By Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I'll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody'll dare

Say to me,

"Eat in the kitchen,"

Then.

Besides,

They'll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

Tuesday March 17, 2015

Honors 9- Today we continued looking at the epic hero cycle and began to form definitions of what a "hero" is. This in preparation for our reading of the Odyssey by Homer.

English 10- Today we are continuing to analyze the poem Auto Wreck by Karl Shapiro. Remember we have poetry presentations on Friday. Here are the requirements:

•Friday you will be sharing either a poem you have written, or a poem written by someone else that you enjoy.

•All you have to do is read the poem and then discuss the figurative language and theme. So identify the figurative language and how it helps drive the poem. Then make a connection to the theme.