Homework: September 30

English 11 (A)

• Complete the article "Saving Syria's history from civil war" as directed on the handout. You have two nights to complete this assignment, which I suggest breaking up as follows:
• Tonight, read the article, research terms, write the summary.
• Tomorrow night, write the connections paragraph and the multiple choice question.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete a 3-paragraph response to the film Smoke Signals. (Use the bright pink handout for more specific instructions.)
• Summarize
• Respond
• Connect
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (E block)

• Task one: Write for at least 10 minutes (a full page) about a personal essay prompt.
• …if you don’t have specific one for your school/program, pick one of these, from the Common App. You need to write a personal essay, even if you're not applying to a college that requires an essay! Remember, these are broad, so focus just on telling a story that is interesting/important:
• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.  How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content.  What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
• This list of prompts, and the Common App itself, 

• Task two: Make a list of 5 coming of age movies you’ve seen (about a character who grows/journeys/changes), and 5 you want to see—get recommendations!
• Read your independent book!

Homework: September 29

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Start studying your new vocabulary!
• Finish reading and marking up the article on the "decolonized diet"--remember, you're marking up to identify main idea, supporting details, and questions you have. Tomorrow in class, you'll take a 4-question multiple choice quiz. If you don't mark it up, you can't receive credit for the assignment!
• Read your independent book.

English 12 (E block)

• Write your comparison/contrast response to the film "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves." Is the film "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" and effective "translation" of the story by the same name? The questions to consider are: What are the similarities between the film and the story? What are some differences? What does the text in the short story SAY, and how does that connect with the film? Please write a fully detailed 1-2 paragraph response, citing specific examples from both texts. 
• Here's a link to the film if you want to watch it again, or check for specific details!
• Study your vocab!
• Read your independent reading book!

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• Your narrative is due as a final draft on Wednesday. Work on it!
• If you need to, finish up your "Great Showdown" illustration for your current independent reading book.
• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (G block)

• Complete the reading "Saving Syria's history from civil war." Complete the assignment as explained on the handout.
• Read your independent reading book!

Homework: September 26

English 12 (E block)

• Respond to this question: In what ways does the story "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" meet the definition of the monomyth/hero's journey as defined in the video we watched in class today. (Posted below for your reference.)
• Remember, PLAN OUT an idea, then write a full, thoughtful paragraph in response to the question. You can identify where it does and where it doesn't meet the criteria. Most of you need to put more time and effort into this response than you did for your 3-paragraph response earlier this week.

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• You should come to class on Monday with your "great showdown" sketched out. If you want to spend some time drawing it out and making it official on white paper, go for it! Here's a fun one:

English 11 (G block)

• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (A block)

• Read your independent reading book!

Money for the Navajo--check out this current events article:

Check out this article about a US government payment to the Navajo nation.

Homework: September 25

English 11 (G block)

• You have a vocab quiz tomorrow--study for it!

English 11 (A block)

• Study those vocab words! Be diligent about it...

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Read and mark up the "Decolonized diet..." article--for Tuesday.
• Study your vocab!

Homework: September 24

Mrs. Dusseault sent this out in an email today, and I like it so much that I'm sharing it with all of you!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete your reading and response to "In the Shadow of Wounded Knee." It's a complex text, but none of you have come to work with me after school, so I assume you're handling it. Remember that I posted a link in an earlier blog post to the National Geographic website, where you can find many other resources--audio, photos, video, etc. Use your resources to help you understand!
• Study your vocab words! You'll have a quiz on Monday.

English 12 (E block)

• Study your vocabulary--you have a quiz (and class check-in) on Friday.
• Add to your list of prior knowledge/schema/connections.
• Look up the essay requirements for any schools/programs you're hoping to apply to.

Readers/Writers Workshop (F block)

• Work on your narrative. A final draft is due next Wednesday. Use the checklist to monitor your writing progress.

Readers/Writers Workshop: Directions for our work today in the lab

You are near the end of a fairly long writing process that started with listing, brainstorming and freewriting. You have crafted a thoughtful narrative, and you're now revising and editing your draft. Today, do the following things:

1. Take out your copy of the narrative checklist. 
2. Revisit your narrative, checking your own writing and comparing it to the checklist.
3. Identify parts of your narrative that could be stronger, and work on changing them. Remember you have a lot of models to use: "Cold Tree Hill" and "Fireflies" are both narratives we examined, and you also sought out models in your independent reading book. "Steal" what you can from other texts--not by copying word-for-word, but by identifying what you love, and using that to inspire your own text. 
4. Lastly, use the Conventions section at the bottom of the checklist to help you edit your work. Look for spelling and grammar mistakes. Look for sentences that might not be clear. 
5. Once done, with all of that, you can print out a copy, and/or you can share with a partner via Google Drive. Partners, take a look at what the writer has written, and use your checklist to give suggestions.
6. If you finish all of these things, let me know!
7. Please complete this survey:

Homework: September 23

English 12 (E block)

• You're finishing up your 3-paragraph response to "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves." Remember, you've had a while to work on this, so I want to see some good thought and effort behind this work. 
• Remind me to give you your vocab words!

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• Work on your narrative--remember, we worked with the checklist in class today, and you should be using it to make revisions to your narrative.

English 11 (G block)

• We spent some time working with the poem today--here's a picture of our notes. 
• For homework, you are completing Step 1 and Step 2 of the handout "Writing about 'Reservation Mathematics.'" Remember, we changed the directions in class for Step 2! You should choose one word, then explain it (instead of discussing the words and taking notes in class).
• Study your vocab!

English 11 (A block)

• We spent some time working with the poem today--here's a picture of our notes!
• For homework, you are completing Step 3 of the handout "Writing about 'Reservation Mathematics.'" Remember, you should develop an idea, and then use DETAILS from the poem to explain.
• Study your vocab!

Homework: September 22

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• In class, I gave you a checklist for narrative writing. I asked you to check off where your narrative essay is in each category at this point. Next, I asked you to pick 2 things from each category, and spend some time working on editing tonight.
• If you can't type tonight, handwrite some ideas/details.

English 11 (G block)

• Start studying your vocab! Quiz Friday.
• Mark up the poem "Reservation Mathematics" and write down: 
• 3 important words/phrases/sentences, and a reason why you chose each one
• 3 questions you have

English 11 (A block)

• Start studying your vocab! Quiz Friday.
• Mark up the poem "Reservation Mathematics" and write down: 
• 3 important words/phrases/sentences, and a reason why you chose each one
• 3 questions you have

Honors English 11 (C block)

• For WEDNESDAY: Response to "Why We Play Basketball." Use the prompts on the handout that you completed for "Reservation Mathematics"--do STEP ONE, the WORD part of STEP TWO, and map out/organize your response for part 3 (you can write it as a paragraph or as a web/map).
  
• For THURSDAY: Finish reading and responding to the article "In the Shadow of Wounded Knee." Use the 3-paragraph response handout.
• For MONDAY: Vocabulary quiz/weekly check in.
• For TUESDAY: "Native Americans embracing "decolonized diet"..." article: Read and mark up--main idea and supporting details.

Attention 11th grade poets!

Princeton University is holding a poetry contest for high school juniors. Winners receive cash prizes! If you're interested, check out the information here: Milberg Poetry Prize. I can help you put together your submission, and Ms. Hobbs has offered to help you, too. (I'd suggest working with her--she's a published poet herself!)

The deadline for the contest is November 28, 2014.

Homework: September 19

It's going to be nice this weekend--enjoy it! Hang out with a pumpkin...take one to the beach!

English 11 (A block)

• Finish up your "Sherman Alexie connections" assignment--fill in the boxes, identify motifs (the "topics" at the bottom of each column), and write the paragraph. There's a model of the assignment posted in an earlier post, and here's the prompt to write the paragraph:

• Some of you haven't finished the tasks on the "Back to School" checklist. Do that!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete the Steps 2 and 3 of the handout you received in class for "Reservation Mathematics." 
• Additionally, start reading the article "In the Shadow of Wounded Knee." I posted some resources for that article yesterday, so take a look!

English 12 (E block)

• For Wednesday, complete a thoughtful, detailed, well-written 3-paragraph response to the story "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves." Use the handout provided in class for guidance. Each paragraph should be 5-7 sentences...at least!

Tom Brady's resume!

This is too good not to share...check out Tom Brady's resume! He was drafted late, so he may have needed a back up plan, right? He certainly prepared himself in case the football thing didn't work out--he had a great GPA, and a whole lot of internship/work experience. Not surprising, right?

Here's a link to the ESPN article if you want to check it out...

Homework: September 18

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Study for your vocab quiz! It's tomorrow.
• Read and annotate "Reservation Mathematics" (click the link if you forgot your copy at school!). Make note of your OBSERVATIONS, QUESTIONS, and CONNECTIONS. We'll talk about the poem tomorrow in class. This work that we did in class today might be helpful: 

• By next Thursday (sorry, folks, we don't have class next Friday, so Thursday it will be...), read the article "In the Shadow of Wounded Knee," mark it up as you read, and write a response using the 3-paragraph response format. I'll show you this in class, but if you want a little background information and some pictures, check out this site. You can access the text here, but there are also tabs to access some photos and audio from the Pine Ridge Reservation.

English 12 (E block)

• Study for your vocab quiz! It's tomorrow. I'll also be asking you to check in about other content from this week.
• Finish reading and marking up "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves."

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• Finish up your two alternate beginnings for your narrative. Reread your original beginning, consider the two new ones, then decide which one you'd like to use for your narrative.
• Start looking for a piece of writing that you think is strong. I'll want you to bring something in that you think represents good writing--a short story, article, poem, section of a book...
• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (G block)

• Study your vocab! 
• If you need to, finish up your response to the "Sherman Alexie Connections" assignment. Here's the prompt (click on it to enlarge it):
  

Student survey--juniors and seniors, please complete!

Hello everyone!

Please complete the survey that is linked HERE.

Thank you!

Homework: September 17

It was a half day! I hope you're able to enjoy the rest of this beautiful day while you read, study and complete your homework. Find a nice tree to hang out in, or to read under...

English 11 (G block)

• Study your vocab! You have a quiz on Monday.
• Read your independent reading book.

English 11 (A block)

• Study your vocab! You have a quiz on Friday.
• Read your independent reading book.

Homework: September 16

Honors English 11 (C block)

• If you haven't already, finish up that "Back to School..." sheet!
• Finish the activity that we started in class today. I've posted the model below. On the lined part at the bottom, you should choose ONE of the three motifs you identified, and explain how that motif is shown in the examples you chose, as well as in others that you might think of. 
• Start studying that vocabulary! Check out vocabulary.com if you want to see more examples of how to use the words.

English 12 (E block)

Today in class, each of you shared a story or thought about a time when you were new to an environment. You talked about some of the challenges (new buildings! not knowing where to go! new language!) and some of the feelings (confusion...sadness at leaving friends behind...trauma--feeling forced to do something that you didn't want to...feeling left out...) that come along with the experience of moving to a new place.

• Keeping that in mind...start reading the story "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves." Use the notes that I started for you, and annotate your observations, questions and connections.
• Additionally, make sure you've read, and marked up the "Later to rise..." article and answered the four questions.
• Lastly, make sure you finish up the "Back to School..." handout.

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• Today in class, we talked about beginnings! Your task was to identify what type of beginning your narrative has. Then, you were to write two alternate beginnings. Finally, you should reread all of the work you've done, and decide which beginning you want to keep. Make sure you leave all of your beginnings on your Google document, so I can give you credit. If you didn't finish this work in class, you should finish for homework.

Homework: September 15

English 12 (E block)

• Due tomorrow:
• Finish your final draft of your "On Turning Eighteen" poem
• Finish up your "map"--see post from Friday, September 12 for directions
• Finish "Back to school..." checklist
• Due Thursday:
• Read "Later to rise..." article, mark up for main idea, supporting details, and questions. Complete 4 multiple choice questions at the end.

Readers/Writers Workshop 8

• Finish your first draft of your narrative by Tuesday.

English 11 ( G block)

• Complete "Sherman Alexie's Many Tribes" reading and writing assignment.
• Finish reading "Indian Education" if you haven't already!
• Start studying your vocabulary. We'll have a quiz on Monday.
• Complete your "Back to School" handout for Monday.

English 11 (A block)

• Finish reading "Indian Education" if you haven't already!
• Read and mark up the article "Later to rise..."--identify the main argument, as well as supporting details. On Wednesday, you'll answer some multiple choice questions.
• Start studying your vocabulary. We'll have a quiz on Friday.
• Complete your "Back to School" handout for Wednesday.

Homework: September 12

Have a great weekend!

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• Next week, we'll continue working on and editing your narratives. If you haven't finished typing your first draft, you should make sure you've done so by Tuesday. You will need a full draft to work on.
• Read your independent book!

English 11 (G block)

• Read the article "Sherman Alexie's Many Tribes" and follow the instructions on the handout (remember to look at the back!). This assignment is due on Wednesday. 
• I recommend that you read the article over the weekend and do the summary, at least.
• Start working on the "Back to school..." checklist--it's due next Friday!
• Read your independent book!

English 11 (A block)

• The article and assignment "Sherman Alexie's Many Tribes" is due on Monday.
• You should complete the "Back to school..." checklist by Tuesday.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete the assignment "Sherman Alexie's Many Tribes"--due on Tuesday.
• Read and mark up "Indian Education"--due Tuesday. Look for common ideas (motifs).
• Read your independent book!

Homework: September 11

English 11 (A block)

• Complete the assignment "Sherman Alexie's Many Tribes" by Monday. 
• I suggest breaking down the assignment, reading and completing the summary tonight, and responding and connecting over the weekend.
• Read your independent book.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• For tomorrow--complete the "school starts too early" reading assignment, making sure to answer the 4 questions.
• For Tuesday, complete the assignment "Sherman Alexie's Many Tribes."
• I suggest breaking down the assignment, reading and completing the summary tonight, and responding and connecting over the weekend.
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (E block)

• Complete a final copy of your "On Turning Eighteen" poem.
• Complete your influences map:
• Include details about:
• youth/personality
• where you're from
• people who influence you (positive and negative)
• pivotal/significant moments
• Read your independent book!

Homework: September 10

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Finish up the "Back to school" checklist--it's due next week, but you have time tonight!
• Complete the "Later to rise, Not earlier to bed..." article--annotate and answer the "Quiz" questions at the end. This assignment is due Friday.
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (E block)

• Work on your poem draft!
• Read your independent book.

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• We'll continue typing up narratives on Friday. If you want to do some work on yours over the next couple of days, go for it!
• Read your independent book.

English 11 (G block)

• Write a 2-paragraph response to the film we watched in class:
• Paragraph one: A summary. Keep in mind the directions that I asked you to write down in class today. These notes from my A block class will probably help, too!
  
• Paragraph two: A response. You might write about your opinions, observations, questions, etc.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: September 9

English 12 (E block)

• It's your time to be a poet! Tonight, write a draft of your own poem, "On Turning Eighteen." Use "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins as a guide...you can use the sentence starters that we highlighted in class.
• Look over your summer reading book--you'll write about it tomorrow!

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block)

• If you want to work on your story, do so! Tomorrow in class, you'll type it up.
• If you have magazines that you can cut up, bring them in on Friday.

English 11 (G block)

• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (A block)

• Read your independent reading book!

Homework: September 8

English 11 (G block)

• Today in class, we watched the first 10 minutes of Morgan Spurlock's 30 Days: Life on an Indian Reservation. Tonight, please write two paragraphs:

1. A summary of the film, so far.
2. Your response, connections, reactions, and/or questions.

• Also, review The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian--you'll write about it in class tomorrow!

English 11 (A block)

• Today in class, we finished watching 30 Days. Please write a two-paragraph response:
1. A summary of the second half of the film.
2. Your response, connections, reactions and/or questions.
• As you write your response, keep in mind these tips that we talked about in class today:

•  Also, review The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian--you'll write about it in class tomorrow!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Start working on that "Article of the Week"--read carefully, mark up, and answer the multiple choice questions
• Review your notes from this summer to get ready to write about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. You'll do this writing in class on Wednesday.
• Write a two-paragraph response to what we watched so far of 30 Days: Life on an Indian Reservation.
• Paragraph 1: Summary (4-5 sentences). Keep these things in mind: 1. A summary covers the source material as a whole. 2. A summary presents information in a neutral fashion--no bias/opinion/1st or 2nd person. 3. A summary is significantly shorter than the source material.
• Paragraph 2: Your response (8-10 sentences). Use these prompts, if you want! 
• This reminds me of...
• I notice...
• I wonder...
• I can connect to.... because....

Independent reading post: Seniors and juniors, respond to this one!

So, you're back in the swing of things at school! That means that you have an independent reading book that you're reading--and hopefully enjoying!

Your assignment: In a comment on this post, please write a response that's at least 4 sentences. In this response, share:

• The title and author of the book you're currently reading for independent reading.
• How/why you chose the book you did.
• A really quick overview of the book so far.
• Your opinion so far--what do you think about it? Does it remind you of any other books you've read?

I'll start here:

At the end of last year, I started reading a book called The Secret Side of Empty by Maria Andreau. I saw this book displayed in a bookstore--it was a bit of a "judging the book by its cover" situation, but in a good way. I checked reviews online and they looked good, so I went for it. I forgot it at school at the end of the year, and I live really far away, so I read other books over the summer and am now happy for the chance to start this one over. It's about a girl named MT who's starting her senior year in high school. Her family immigrated to the US from Argentina when MT was a baby, So far (I'm only a few pages in!), the narrative voice is really compelling, as is the dynamic that's established between MT and her friends. MT seems like a really interesting character, but I'm not sure yet if she's a totally likable one. I'm looking forward to seeing where this story goes! 

Homework: September 5

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Unfortunately, our class time got interrupted today before we could begin the film. So, here's the plan instead:
• Read your independent reading book for 15 minutes.
• Then, write me two paragraphs:
• First, a summary of your book so far.
• Then, a response. You can use that pink sheet I handed out in class for some prompts. Don't just type up what you wrote in your journal. Talk about what you like/dislike/are curious about/etc. so far.
• If you don't already have a composition book, get one!
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (E block)

• Complete the handout that was given in class, on which you should respond to the packet of readings that we read as a group.
• If you don't already have a composition book, get one!
• Revisit your summer reading book--you'll write about it next week! (We'll do it Wednesday.)
• Read your independent book!

Readers/Writers Workshop 8 (F block

• Bring in a composition book.
• If you took that handout with the goat on it home with you to finish, finish it up and bring it in on Tuesday.
• If you haven't already done so, get your folks to read and sign your syllabus.

Homework: September 4

English 12 (E block)

• Today in class, I gave you a packet of poems/short readings. Read JUST the one called "On Turning Ten" (it's the last in the packet). 
• As you read, annotate the text with your observations, questions and connections. ("This reminds me of..." "I wonder..." "I notice...") Write notes in the margins. Don't just highlight/underline.
• Then, write a 2 paragraph response:
• paragraph 1: Summarize the poem
• paragraph 2: Respond to the poem...what do you notice/think about it?
• Read your independent reading book!
• Get your syllabus signed if you haven't already!

Reader's/Writer's Workshop 8 (F block)

• Spend at least 10 minutes working on your story that you started in class today. You might:
• Finish the story (some of you were just getting to the good part!)
• Revise or add to what you started in class today.
• If you're done with the one you wrote in class today, write another story! You might pick another event off of your A-Z list.
• Get an independent reading book!

English 11 (G block)

• Read your independent book for 15 minutes--be ready to write about it tomorrow!
• Get your syllabus signed if you haven't already!

English 11 (A block)

• Write a two-paragraph response to the film we started in class today, "30 Days on a Reservation" with Morgan Spurlock. 
• In paragraph one, write a SUMMARY of the film (I know we didn't finish--summarize what we did watch). Use the notes from your graphic organizer...information from the first two columns, "words/phrases/sentences" and "images" might be part of your summary.
• In paragraph two, write a RESPONSE to the film--what you think, notice and wonder so far. Information from the third column in the graphic organizer ("my thoughts and questions") might be part of your response.

Homework: September 3

Reading and Writing Workshop 8 (F)

• Share your course syllabus with your parents, and complete the last page (due next Tuesday).

English 11 (G)

• Read over that syllabus I gave you in class today!

English 11 (A)

• Read your independent reading book for 15 minutes.
• Start working on that "back to school" checklist I gave you! Some of the tasks require codes I haven't given you yet, so don't worry about those. But make sure you can sign into your Google account, and check your letter to next year's teacher.

Honors English 11 (C)

• Read, annotate and respond to the text "Superman and Me" by Sherman Alexie (handout given in class today, and posted in our Google Classroom if you need to access it).
• Start working on that checklist of tasks. I'll give you any codes you still need on Friday.

Today in class, here are some of the books that students recommended...

...for independent reading this year. If you have suggestions to add, feel free to do so in the comments!

The Maze Runner series
Eragon by Christophen Paolini
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Assassin's Creed series
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Divergent series by Veronica Roth
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
Marked by Kim Richardson
A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss
True Legend by Mike Lupica
Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Where She Went by Gayle Forman (sequel to If I Stay)
The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
Eve and Adam by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Roots by Alex Haley
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

Homework: September 2

Let's get this party started, folks!

English 11 (A)

• Share your course syllabus with folks at home, and have them sign off on the handout.
• Complete the assignment that's detailed on the back of the Independent Reading handout you received in class today--collect the names of some great books!

Honors English 11 (C)

• Share your course syllabus with folks at home, and have them sign off on the handout.
• Complete the assignment that's detailed on the back of the Independent Reading handout you received in class today--collect the names of some great books!

English 12 (E)

• Share your course syllabus with folks at home, and have them sign off on the handout.
• Complete the assignment that's detailed on the back of the Independent Reading handout you received in class today--collect the names of some great books!

Welcome back, everyone!

It's going to be a great school year, I can tell (even though the summer heat just doesn't want to let go...)!

I hope you have a great first day of classes. Check back later for your homework assignments.