Homework: January 31

Honors English 11 (A) AND Honors English 11 (D)

• D block folks only, you need to prepare for your vocabulary story performances. The guidelines/jobs are:
• One person takes the story home and types it up. Responsible for spelling and grammar “clean up.” Print on one page, font as big as possible to fit on one page. All vocab words in bold. Make sure you title the story, and put all of your names on it.
• One person creates an illustration to accompany it (to be shown in class and displayed with the story).
• One person (two, if there are 4 people in your group) prepares a dramatic reading of the story for Friday’s class. Costume suggested. Pronunciation of vocab words must be accurate (use vocabulary.com to hear them!)
• A block AND D block folks...all of the rest of this stuff is for all of you!
• Start studying that vocabulary! Make some flashcards, have your folks quiz you, teach the words to your dog...whatever you can do to learn them!
• Here are the words you'll be tested on:

visceral, vestiges, cavalier, placate, bleak, sordid, denounce, capricious, 

extol, banal, ostentatious, remonstrate, pretense, zeal

• Remember, you'll need to know the definitions, as well as how to use the words in a sentence. Additionally, review the ones from the last set--they might reappear!!!
• Additionally, start working on your article of the week assignment. Here's the updated template to use to organize your response (adapted from They Say/I Say):

In recent discussions of . . , a controversial issue has been whether_______________________. On the one hand, Author B argues that_______________________, in his article ___________________. From this perspective, _______________________. On the other hand, Author B argues _______________________ in his article ______________________. In the words of one of this view’s main proponents, _______________________. According to this view, _______________________.
In sum, then, the issue is whether ________________ or ____________. My own view is that_______________________. Though I concede that_______________________, I still maintain that _______________________. For example, _______________________. Although some might object that_______________________, I reply that _______________________. The issue is important because_______________________.

• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Start reading the Arthur Biddle article. You should read the first 3 sections, annotating the article to note your OBSERVATIONS, CONNECTIONS and QUESTIONS.
• For each section, after you've read an annotated, please write a 2-3 sentence summary, in which you note the MAIN IDEA of the section.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 30

Honors English 11 (D)

• Start working on your article of the week assignment--it's due next week! 
• Read your independent book.

English 11 (F)

• Continue reading and taking notes on Room. You should read to at least the break on page 84 by Monday. You should fill in your yellow organizer as you read.
• Read your independent book.

Honors English 12 (G)

• Start reading "The Department of Nothing." You should make notes on the text as you read. By Monday, you should read up to the break on page 72.
• This is a picture of the author, Colin Firth. Now does he look familiar?

• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 29

Honors English 12 (G)

• Finish reading and annotating "Tenth of December." Be ready to write about it tomorrow!
• Read your independent reading book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• Prepare for the vocabulary and grammar story showcase on Friday! The guidelines/jobs are:
• One person takes the story home and types it up. Responsible for spelling and grammar “clean up.” Print on one page, font as big as possible to fit on one page. All vocab words in bold. Make sure you title it, and put all of your names on it.
• One person creates an illustration to accompany it (to be shown in class and displayed with the story).
• One person (two, if there are 4 people in your group) prepares a dramatic reading of the story for Friday’s class. Costume suggested. Pronunciation of vocab words must be accurate (use vocabulary.com to hear them!)
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Write a thorough and thoughtful paragraph in which you answer this question:
• Does "The Body"/Stand by Me (Gordie's story) fit the characteristics of a coming of age story?
• You can start your topic statement this way:
• Gordie's story, in "The Body," ______follows/doesn't follow/follows in this way______ the Hero's Journey as defined by Joseph Campbell because ________________________________.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 28

English 11 (F)

Read Room--finish the first section. As you read, add detail to your yellow sheet.

Honors English 12 (G)

Read and mark up "Tenth of December" to the break on the top of page 11.

Honors English 11 (A)

Read your independent book!

English 11 (F)

Read your independent reading book!

Homework: January 27

Honors English 11 (A and D)

• Write a reflection on independent reading:
• LIST all of the books you’ve read for independent reading, in order from easiest to hardest. (You may also include our course books The Fault in Our Stars, Room and "The Body.") Then, reflect on the order you’ve chosen. (You don’t need to talk about each individual book, but be specific.
• Next, reflect on the experience of independent reading. What have you gained from the experience? Make some connections between/among the texts you’ve read.
• Set goals for yourself for this upcoming semester. What books would you like to read next?
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

Finish up your independent reading reflection if you didn't do so in class today:

• Write a reflection on independent reading:
• LIST all of the books you’ve read for independent reading, in order from easiest to hardest. (You may also include our course books The Fault in Our Stars, Room and "The Body.") Then, reflect on the order you’ve chosen. (You don’t need to talk about each individual book, but be specific.
• Next, reflect on the experience of independent reading. What have you gained from the experience? Make some connections between/among the texts you’ve read.
• Set goals for yourself for this upcoming semester. What books would you like to read next?
• Read your independent book!

English 11 (F)

• Read your independent reading book.

Honors English 12 (G)

• Perform your close reading--choose a section of your independent reading book.
• Identify some significant words and phrases--write them down.
• Look for patterns.
• Write a paragraph in which you discuss the significance of the passage within the text.

Some more inspiration for midterms:

This is a repeat of a post from last year...but it's that good, so I'm ok with it.

When you're feeling challenged, just remember Eddie the otter. He was rescued after being abandoned, is arthritic and 16 years old, and is also a BASKETBALL SUPERSTAR.

The best part of this video: "Eddie almost never misses. But, if he does miss, he keeps going until he makes it." Learn from the otter, folks.

Fuel up for finals...

...just like the Miami Heat fuel up for games. Hopefully your finals will be a slam dunk, too!

(You know this video must be good, if I'm endorsing something that features the Heat...)

And, in the realm of adorable animal videos...

Here's a good one for you:

Homework: January 17

English 12 (B)

• Complete your portfolio; please make sure it's shared with me by Tuesday unless we have arranged an alternative due date.
• Prepare for your midterm. To do so, you should make sure that you have carefully read the novella "The Body." Additionally, you should consider the other texts we've studied this year. You should be prepared to answer questions about "The Body," as well as to write about connections between and among the other texts we've studied so far this year. 
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (D)

• Complete your portfolio; please make sure it's shared with me by Tuesday unless we have arranged an alternative due date.
• Prepare for your midterm. To do so, you should complete Strength in What Remains (including the epilogue) and you should complete notes for each chapter. In class, you'll write about the book.
• Read your independent book!

English 11 (F)

• Complete your portfolio; please make sure it's shared with me by Tuesday unless we have arranged an alternative due date.
• Prepare for your midterm. To do so, you should review one of the books you've read for independent reading this year. You should bring a copy of the book with you to class on Thursday. You should also consider the texts we've read this year, and you should be ready to make connections between and among your independent reading book and other class texts.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 16

Honors English 11 (D)

• Read chapter 16 for class tomorrow--make sure you take notes! 
• Work on your portfolio!
• Read your independent book.

English 11 (F)

• Start reading Room! Your job is to read until the break on page 21, and fill in some notes on the yellow chart. You should have at least 6 notes on the chart. (It's ok if there are 2 in one category and none in another, as long as you have 6 thoughtful details total.)
• Work on your portfolio!
• Read your independent book.

Honors English 12 (G)

• Finish your portfolio, and make sure it's shared with me by Tuesday, Jan 21.
• Revise your Room essay/review, and provide a final version on Friday, Jan 24.
• Prepare for your midterm--the focus will be on "The Body."
• Read your independent book.

Honors English 11 (A)

• Finish reading and taking notes on Strength in What Remains. It will be the focus of your midterm writing assignment in class on Tuesday, Jan 21.
• Work on your portfolio, which should be shared with me by Tuesday, Jan 21.
• Read your independent book.

Homework: January 15

EN11 (F)

• Work on your portfolio assignment! It's due on the 21st. Work hard, and check in if you have questions.
• We're going to start a new book tomorrow! Hooray!
• Read your independent reading book!

HEN12 (G)

• Here's what's happening for you folks: 

HEN11 (A)

• Read Strength in What Remains, and take notes. You read Chapter 15 today in class, and started 16. Your goal should be to finish chapter 16 by tomorrow, but if you can't, read to at least the break on page 229. We'll spend some time discussing in class tomorrow.
• You'll have time in class tomorrow to read and take notes on chapter 17.
• You'll read and take notes on Chapter 18 and the Epilogue by next Tuesday. That way, you'll be prepared for your midterm writing assignment!
• You also have portfolio work to complete, also for Tuesday, 1/21.
• Read your independent book!

EN12 (B)

• Work on your portfolio!
• We'll talk about Stand by Me and "The Body" on Friday, and you'll do some writing about it for your midterm block on Tuesday, 1/21.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 14

Honors English 11 (A)

• Work on your portfolio! And, if you need to, get caught up on your Strength in What Remains notes and work.
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Work on your "The Body"/Stand by Me chart. Note 3 additional places where the text and film overlap, then look for nuanced (and, sometimes, not-so-nuanced) differences between the text and film.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (D)

• Finish chapter 15, taking notes in whatever way works best for you. (Not "mental notes," though. Those don't work...)
• Work on your portfolio!
• If you want to get ahead in the reading a bit, here's what's coming up...
• In class Thursday, we'll discuss ch. 10-15, and you'll have some time to read 16. You'll finish up 16 for homework.
• In class on Friday, you'll read chapter 17.
• By Wednesday, 1/22, you'll need to have finished the book. (Chapter 18 and the Epilogue) That's what you'll write about for your midterm block.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 13

Honors English 11 (D)

• Work on your portfolio! We'll check in tomorrow regarding some of the questions you posed at the end of the class today.
• If you need to, get caught up on your reading of Strength in What Remains. We'll be doing some reading in class tomorrow, and you'll be finishing the book by next week's midterm! Hooray!
• Read your independent book.

English 11 (F)

• Work on your portfolio! Start getting organized--we'll have some work time on Wednesday in class.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• If you didn't already do so, check out (meaning, read carefully) the handouts about The Hero's Journey/monomyth. Make some notes regarding how Stand by Me/"The Body" connects to the idea of the hero's journey.
• Work on our portfolio!
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 10

English 11 (F)

• Read your independent reading book for 15 minutes, then write a response to your reading. You can use the handout with the Core Skill responses if you need a prompt.

Honors English 12 (G)

• Read the handouts about Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey"/monomyth. You'll notice that the one-page image matches up with the longer handout.
• Once you've read the handouts, spend about 10-15 minutes thinking about how "The Body"/Stand by Me matches up with the definition of a hero's journey. Can you connect certain events in the book to the stages of the hero's journey? Do a freewrite, or make a mind map. Be ready to discuss on Monday!
• Read your independent book.

Honors English 11 (A)

• Finish reading chapter 13, and read chapter 14. Make sure you keep track of notes.
• Read your independent book.

English 12 (B)

• Write a response to the film Stand by Me--what did you think of the film? What are some of the main similarities and differences between the film and the novella?
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 9

Honors English 12 (G)

• Finish your Article of the Week assignment.
• Jot down some thoughts/notes on The Body v. Stand by Me.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• Finish chapter 12, if you need to, using a strategy for note-taking. Then, start chapter 13, reading to the end of page 197. The choice of note-taking strategies is up to you. You can try out a couple of different ones. Some strategies we discussed/practiced are:
• Mind mapping (web, chart, etc.)
• Categories might be helpful here. We've looked at the following things throughout the book...you might make a chart and take notes that are focused on these (or other) categories of focus:
• Memory/memory moments
• Tough Questions
• Repetitions/patterns
• Identity
• Education
• Other
• Cornell Notes
• Double entry notes
• Sticky notes
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Read, annotate, mark-up the other 3 passages of "The Body" that are in your Close reading packet. Remember the work we did in class today.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (D)

• Read and take notes on Chapter 14 of Strength. See above for note-taking strategies.
• Read your independent book!

Thinking about the New Year!

In class, we spent some time writing about our goals for 2014, as well as who we want to be in 2014. If you'd like to refer back to those questions that we used as prompts, check out this page. It's actually a writing workshop site, but the questions are great.

Left brain, right brain?

Homework: January 8

English 12 (B)

• Mark up three of the close reading passages on the handout I gave you in class today. Look at and make notes about: 
• Language that's interesting or important (remember the "treading water" example from class today?) or could mean something.
• Patterns that you notice.
• Things that seem "weird"--and your thoughts about what they might mean.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (D)

• Read chapter 13 of Strength, taking notes in whatever way works best for you. You should read to the break on page 200; you'll have time tomorrow in class to finish up the chapter.
• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (F)

• Complete your Article of the Week assignment.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 7

Honors English 11 (D)

• Read chapter 12, using a strategy for note-taking. The choice is up to you. Some strategies we discussed/practiced are:
• Mind mapping (web, chart, etc.)
• McKenzie pointed out how categories might be helpful here. We've looked at the following things throughout the book...you might make a chart and take notes that are focused on these (or other) categories of focus:
• Memory/memory moments
• Tough Questions
• Repetitions/patterns
• Identity
• Education
• Other
• Cornell Notes
• Double entry notes
• Sticky notes
• Read your independent book!

English 11 (F)

• Work on your Article of the Week assignment. (Remember, I'll be giving you another assignment tomorrow, so even though the article of the week isn't due until Friday, you'll have other things to work on, too!)
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• Work on your Article of the Week assignment--Time's choice of The Pope as Person of the Year.
• Write a quick response to what we watched in class today. We'll pick up the movie in class on Thursday.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• Finish reading chapter 11, and complete the big section of the Cornell notes.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: January 6

Woo-hoo! It's the New Year!

Here's what's up:

Honors English 11 (D)

• Finish reading chapter 11, and complete the big section of the Cornell notes.
• Read your independent book!

English 11 (F)

• Start your Article of the Week assignment. Remember, the whole thing is due on Friday, but you'll need to start now or you'll be very sad.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• Start your Article of the Week assignment. Remember, the whole thing is due on Friday, but you'll need to start now or you'll be very sad.
• Read your independent book!