Homework: January 30

English 11 (A block)

• We watched the beginning of an interview between Tim O'Brien and Nate Fick (the link is here if you missed it or want to rewatch). In the interview, the author states: "It doesn't have to be TRUE to be THE TRUTH, and it doesn't have to be THE TRUTH to be TRUE." He also makes the argument that "Truth changes." Your homework task: Ask at least two people (who aren't in our class), what they think those statements mean--listen carefully to their answers, and jot down some notes. We'll talk Wednesday.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Watch the two videos linked below. Pay attention to what the critic--John Green--is arguing.
• 1. "Like Pale Gold"
• 2. "Was Gatsby Great?"

English 11 (D block)

• We watched the beginning of an interview between Tim O'Brien and Nate Fick (the link is here if you missed it or want to rewatch). In the interview, the author states: "It doesn't have to be TRUE to be THE TRUTH, and it doesn't have to be THE TRUTH to be TRUE." He also makes the argument that "Truth changes." Your homework task: Ask at least two people (who aren't in our class), what they think those statements mean--listen carefully to their answers, and jot down some notes. We'll talk tomorrow.

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Read chapters 1 and 2 of Frankenstein. Remember, we're reading the story of the stranger, told through Robert Walton. Pay attention to where this guy came from--how did his family of origin, society, etc. influence him?

If you're interested in viewing more Henri le Chat Noir, you can find him here. Disclaimer: I haven't watched all of these. Yet.

Homework: January 27

English 11 (D block)

• Write down your observations and connections to the story we listened to in class, "Ambush." If you need to listen to it again, you can find it here...the story begins at 13:52 and ends at about 22:20. Write, also, about that idea we discussed in class: "It doesn't have to be TRUE to be THE TRUTH, and it doesn't have to be THE TRUTH to be TRUE."

Creative Writing II (E block)

• Read the first three stories in the packet I gave you. Mark up what you like, what you notice, and what you wonder about.

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Read Letters 1-4 of Frankenstein. As you read, consider the following questions:
• What's going on?
• What are the similarities between Robert Walton and the stranger?

Here's the link to the quotations we looked at in class today:
http://www.thebushwickbookclubseattle.com/10-quotes-from-mary-shelleys-frankenstein/

English 11 (A block) 

• Finish the front of the Organizer for "The Man I Killed" by choosing and analyzing 3 quotations from the story, and by deciding what the most important word is. 

Homework: January 26

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Read the intro packet--"Meet Mary Shelley" and "Introducing the Novel." Be prepared to discuss the content tomorrow.

English 11 (A block)

• Complete the BACK of the handout you received today in class. Your prompt is: What is your reaction to this story? What does the author repeat, and why?
• UPLOAD YOUR PAPERS TO TURNITIN.COM.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Read the piece of literary criticism called "A Whole Heap of Ashes." Identify and mark up the article's CLAIMS, and look at the EVIDENCE and REASONING the author uses to support his claims. We'll discuss the article on Monday.

Homework: January 25

English 11 (A block)

• Make sure you have your independent reading book with you tomorrow!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Read the article about Literary Criticism that I gave you in class today. Underline/make notes of ideas in the article that help to answer each of the section heading questions.

English 11 (D block)

• Bring your IR book with you to class Friday--we'll READ!

Creative Writing II (E block)

• Complete your Daily Diary (SAW, DID, HEARD, DRAW).
• Bring a notebook/journal, and a writing implement, to class!

Homework: January 19

Honors English 11 (C block)

• You did your midyear in class today! Read your independent reading book, and study hard for the rest of your midyear exams!

English 11 (D block)

• Prepare for your midyear exam--you have the handouts! Make yourself an organizer--for each one.

Creative Writing (E block)

• You'll finish your portfolio in class! Make sure you come to class ready to finish before the class block ends.

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Prepare for your midyear exam--you have both handouts and should make notes/etc. You'll do all the writing in class.
• Finish your Body/Brooklyn/Moonrise essay in Classroom. Make sure it gets uploaded to TurnItIn.com, too!!!

Homework: January 18

Creative Writing (E block)

• Work on your portfolio, and if you owe me any work, get that to me, too!

Honors English 12 (G block)

• You have a vocabulary test tomorrow! It's a multiple choice/matching test of the 40 words we've done so far. 
• You should be finishing up your essay to be submitted on Thursday, by 10 PM. 

English 11 (A block)

• Work on preparing for your MIDYEAR EXAM. You received handouts today. You should prepare, and you can bring your prep work with you on Tuesday. You'll do all the writing in class.
• Don't forget to upload your Alexie essay to TurnItIn.com. If you need the information for TurnItIn, you'll find it in the Remind sidebar on this website.
• If you want to re-take the vocabulary test, set up a meeting with me or Ms. McCarley ASAP.

Homework: January 13

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Study for your vocabulary test! It's on Tuesday.

English 11 (D block)

• Study for your vocabulary test!

Creative Writing (E block)

• Work on your portfolio, and any make up work you owe for class.

Honors English 12 -- here's the schedule for the next 2 weeks!

• 1/17: Book club meeting!
• 1/18: Essay work time in class
• 1/19: Midyear vocabulary exam; final draft of essay due by the end of the day
• 1/23: Midyear exam, in class: Habits of Mind reflection and essential questions reflection (more information to follow next week) 

Note: You should be engaged, currently, in a thoughtful and vigorous essay revision process. Your final essay should show substantial improvement from draft to final. I am available after school most days to help, if you want it. 

Homework: January 12

English 11 (D block)

• Make sure you've finished reading "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" and completed the Venn diagram packet, including the paragraph response on the back.
• Make sure you're studying for your vocabulary exam--it's Tuesday!

Creative Writing (E block)

• Mark up Makenna's story and write a workshop letter.
• Work on your portfolio! You have the assignment, and it's due next Friday!

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Work on your essay. See the post above for the full upcoming schedule.

English 11 (A block)

• Study for your vocabulary exam! It's Tuesday. 

Homework: January 11 (Half day)

English 11 (A block)

• Complete the Venn diagram for the first section of the story "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong." Remember, pay attention to the eyes!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Prepare to do some in-class writing Friday--you'll be completing the "Decisions, Decisions: Hindsight is 20/20..." writing assignment in class.

Homework: January 10

Honors English 11 (C block)

• You have a vocab quiz tomorrow! Be ready for it. 
• Also, you should do some prep work for your "Hindsight is 20/20" Gatsby writing assignment. We'll have time to talk and plan tomorrow, and to write on Friday.

English 11 (D block)

• Complete your reading in "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" up to the point we marked in class, and fill in that section on the Venn diagram.

Creative Writing (E block)

• I'll send you a message when Makenna's story is ready to pick up. Be working on revising/editing your work--you'll be putting together a final portfolio for class!

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Start working on your essay edits. 

Homework: January 9 (and also, for C and D block from last week, when I couldn't post)

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete the assignment detailed on the slide.

English 11 (D block)

• You have a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday--make sure you're ready!

And now, your regularly scheduled homework updates:

Creative Writing (E block)

• Mark up and write workshop letters for the three stories you received in class.
• If you haven't already uploaded or printed your flash fiction, do it!

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Make sure you've read and marked up all analytical essays in your possession for workshop.

English 11 (A block)

• Study for your vocabulary quiz--it's Wednesday!

D block--if you were out the day before vacation, this is your post!

Take a look at these essential questions, and keep them in mind as you listen and watch the texts:

• What roles do stories play in our lives?
• What is the story and who gets to tell it?
• How have stories made us who we are?
• How do the stories we tell & the language we use define who we are & how we think?

First, we listened to the segment of the podcast This American Life, linked here. To listen, you can just click the play arrow in the middle of the screen.

Then, we watched a 15-minute segment of Elf, from when he leaves the forest to the part after the Santagram.

Your task is to consider the essential questions above (you can pick one, or write about more than one), and answer the question(s) for the podcast and for Elf. Be as specific and thoughtful as you can!

Homework: January 5

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Write a 1-2 paragraph reaction to the section of Gatsby that we watched today. Within your response, try out our 5 new vocabulary words.

English 11 (D block)

• Finish your "On the Rainy River" map.

Creative Writing (E block)

• Complete the Flash fiction writing assignment--it's in Classroom. 

Homework: January 3

Honors English 12 (G block)

• Prepare for book club!

English 11 (A block)

• Find and note the events, characters and quotations that you'll need to add to your map. You'll have some time in class tomorrow to do so.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Pick one scene from Gatsby. Look it up in the novel, do a close read of the section, and compare it to what you saw in the movie. Your response should be 1-2 detailed paragraphs; you can do it in your journal.