Homework: March 23

English 11 (A block)

• Finish reading chapter 5 in Gatsby. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the fluffy pink cloud and fluctuating emotions.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• What do you know about these terms? What can you infer? Note the details that Kidder provides and consider why he includes them in the chapter. You'll have time in class tomorrow to jot down some notes.
• Gusimbura
• Haiti
• TB (tuberculosis)
• AIDS
• Dr. Paul Farmer
• physician-anthropologist
• Partners in Health
• Joia Mukherjee
• Prevention
• Auschwitz
• Read your IR book!

English 12 (E block)

• Finish reading chapter 10 and your chart of Victor Frankenstein's emotions.
• Read chapter 11. The Creation is going to tell his story now! Hooray! Look for:
• how did he gain the ability to speak?
• how does he feel about all of this?
• what's he been up to?
• did he kill William?
• how does he feel about Victor?
• Start studying those vocab words, and read your book club book!

Homework: March 20

Honors English 11 (C block)

Finish up chapter 9 work.

English 12 (E block)

Complete your "mock trial" writing response.

Read chapter 9 and 10 in Frankenstein.

Creative Writing II (F block)

Be prepared to workshop your short story in Monday.

English 11(G block)

Complete the close reading handout.

Homework: March 19

English 12 (E block)

• Pull together more evidence for your "trial" tomorrow. Is Victor to blame? You need specific textual evidence to prove your case. 
• Study your vocabulary and start reading chapter 9 in Frankenstein. You'll need to complete through chapter 11 for Monday.
• Read your book club book! Your next meeting will be on the 30th.

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Work on your story, and read your independent book.

English 11 (G and A block)

• Work on reading chapter 5 in Gatsby. G block, you're finishing, A block, you're starting and reading to the bottom of p. 93. Keep an eye on: the weather, and the way characters interact with each other. There's a lot of middle-school-era foolishness going on here...and it's so AWKWARD. Embrace and enjoy the awkward.
• You have a vocabulary check in next class! STUDY and look at vocabulary.com to get a sense of how to use the words.

Homework: March 18

English 11 (G and A block)

• Complete your 1-page response to one of today's discussion stations. Remember, you must choose a prompt that relates to one of the stations you participated in.
• Remember, we had a discussion about what a "one-page response" should look like. Typed, or handwritten carefully. One full page, with paragraphs.
• Study your vocabulary!
• Read your IR book. You'll fill in your reading log tomorrow.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete the Strength in What Remains reading and the Reading Guide assignment in chapter 9 through page 135.
• Study your vocabulary!
• Read your IR book. You'll fill in your reading log Friday.

Homework: March 17

Eat some corned beef and cabbage today, everyone!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Finish up your chapter 8 response, if you didn't finish in class.
• Read chapter 9 to page 119, and complete the first section of the Chapter 9 reading road map assignment sheet.
• Read your IR book, and keep studying those vocabulary words!

English 12 (E block)

• Finish up chapter 8 if you need to.
• Read your Book club book, and write your RR. It can be 300 words, since you're reading a shorter section. Use it to identify questions you might have, observations you've made, characters, moments, etc.
• Study your vocabulary!

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Work on your story!

Homework: March 16

English 12

• Read chapter 7 in Frankenstein. Big things are afoot...remember there were two characters introduced in the last chapter, probably for a reason!

Creative Writing II

• Work on that short story! 
• And, read the short handout about flashbacks I gave you.

English 11 (G and A block)

• Read chapter 4 in Gatsby. Remember to track the motifs you picked, and identify questions, observations and connections.
• Additionally, study your new vocab and read your independent reading book.

Homework: March 13

It's Friday the 13th! Again! And then there's Pi Day, and THEN the Ides of March. BEWARE!!!

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Work on your short story, and be ready to discuss your progress and print out a copy on Monday.
• Read something!!!

English 11 (G and A block)

• Make sure you have completed chapter 3 in Gatsby. Make sure you've marked it up, too!
• (A block folks--check yesterday's post if you need access to the video.)
• Study for your quiz. It will cover this week's vocabulary, as well as Gatsby chapters 1-3.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Finish your chapter 7 map. There's a lot of information coming out there, so make sure you organize it all.
• Read chapter 8.
• Start studying your vocabulary, and read your independent reading book.

Homework: March 12

English 11 (A block)

• You have two options tonight.
• Option 1: Start reading chapter 3, up to the line "We shook hands with him gravely..."--make sure you mark it up! Keep an eye on how Nick describes these parties...look at the imagery and diction (word choice...remember connotation!)
• Option 2: Watch this video (it's only the first two minutes...if it keeps going beyond 2 minutes, stop watching!), take some notes, and write a one paragraph response in which you share reflect on what he says about The Valley of Ashes, the eyes of Dr. TJ Eckeberg, Tom Buchanan, and "likable characters."

(If you want to revisit chapter 1's video, you can do so here.)

Honors English 11 (C block)

• For class tomorrow, make sure you've read all of chapter 7 (you should read 8, too, if you have time...if not, you'll need to do it over the weekend along with another assignment). 
• Study that vocab!!
• Read that independent reading book!

English 12 (E block)

• Read chapter 6 of Frankenstein. Keep an eye on those letters...
• Study that vocabulary.
• Acquire a copy of your book club book, and bring it to class with you on Monday.

Homework: March 11

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Study your vocabulary for a quiz on Friday.
• Read chapters 7 and 8 for Friday.
• Read your independent reading book.

English 12 (E block)

• Finish reading Frankenstein chapter 5, looking at what happens next once Victor Frankenstein enlivens his creation. His first reaction is: RUN AWAY!!! Will he reconsider? Why or why not? Keep an eye out for the return of an old friend.
• Read your independent reading book.

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Work on your short story!
• If you haven't already done so, complete "The Girl Detective" and the 5 "two minute" stories, and be ready to discuss narrators/narrative voice on Friday.

English 11 (G block)

• Finish reading chapter 3. Keep an eye out for the MAN, the MYTH, the LEGEND...
• Read your independent book!
• Study your vocabulary for a quiz on Monday.
• Lastly, don't forget to post your essay to turnitin.com! If that site doesn't work, try api.turnitin.com instead. 

Homework: March 10

English 12 (E block)

• Read Frankenstein, chapter 4. Make sure you mark up your text carefully, and note your QUESTIONS, OBSERVATIONS and CONNECTIONS. Be ready to talk (and write!) about chapters 3-4 tomorrow.
• Look especially at: 
• Frankenstein's "lightbulb moment"--it's not quite literal, but almost!
• Frankenstein makes a big discovery
• Some sneaky, creepy behavior...
• (In class today, we read chapter 3, looking for:
• tragedy and dying wish(es)
• a new adventure
• the 2 professors
• Read your independent book!

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Here's the link for the exit ticket.
• Tonight, read the 5 2-minute stories I gave you in class today, and mark them up. For each, figure out: Who's telling this story? What do we know about this narrator?

English 11 (G and A blocks)

• Finish reading Chapter 2 in Gatsby, and come in next class ready to talk and write!
• For chapter 2, keep an eye on:
• New places that are introduced (Valley of Ashes?)
• New people who are introduced (the Wilsons)
• A party!!!
• Study your vocabulary for a quiz on Friday.
• Read your Independent Reading book!

Homework: March 9

English 11 (G and A block)

• Complete the "Character development writing task" assignment. (G block, remember to change MOTIF to CHARACTER everywhere you see it on that sheet.)
• Remember the example we started in class...this is just the beginning. I could also make note of the possessive "his"--Tom OWNS that house, it's HIS porch, and he's standing like he's in charge of it. That "hard mouth" is powerful, but with a fairly negative connotation. It's unyielding and strong.
  

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete anything on the half sheet you received on Friday that you haven't already done. Additionally, complete your chart that you started in class today, covering chapters 1-5.

Homework: March 5

English 12 (E block)

• Finish reading chapter 1, and read chapter 2. Focus on:
• What is the stranger's background?
• Why is it important?
• Study your vocab.

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Finish reading and marking up "The Girl Detective."
• Read your IR book, and work on your story!
• Send me that exit ticket via email (Maddy, email me for the questions!)

English 11 (G and A block)

• Finish reading chapter 1 of Gatsby.
• Remember to focus on, and take notes on: 
• Who's involved?
• What's happening?
• How does Nick describe it all?
• Complete the chart we developed in class. Remember to ANALYZE connotation and figurative language on the right-hand side. You should write at least 3-4 sentences.
  
• Study your vocabulary!

Homework: March 4

English 11 (A block)

• Read Gatsby to the place we marked on page 17. Then, complete the front side of the handout you received in class.
• Study your vocabulary--quiz Monday.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Read Strength in What Remains, chapter 3. Take notes--use the Cornell notes format. You should do a little research about Hutu/Tutsi--the topic is broached in chapter 3, but you might want some outside help to try to understand!
• Study your vocabulary--your quiz is on Friday!

Homework: March 3

Honors English 11 (C block)

• In order to complete an in-class writing assignment tomorrow, you should do the following things:
• Finish reading chapter 2 in Strength in What Remains.
• Complete your chapter 1 and chapter 2 Cornell notes.
• Add information to a mind map/web, in which you look for language/events/moments connected to these three motifs--FEAR, FLIGHT, and MEMORY--in chapter 1 & 2 of Strength.
• Start studying the vocab words you received last week!

English 12 (E block)

• Here's the link for the Librivox audio recording of Frankenstein, if you'd like to listen along! There are other versions available (one on YouTube, for example)...just make sure that you are listening to the 1818 edition, not the 1831. They're different!
• Finish reading Letters 1-4, keeping in mind the same questions you'd consider when you start any book: Who's telling the story and what's his deal?
• Once you've finished reading the letters, complete the chart in the Study Guide for Frankenstein packet. (It's page 13 in the packet.) Also, check out the questions on pages 14-15. You don't have to write answers to them, but use them to check your comprehension.

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Read and mark up "The Girl Detective" to page 10 (there's a break at the top...stop there!). 
• Keep working on your story idea development--respond to the email I sent yesterday with a reflection about your work in class today.

English 11 (G block)

• Read to the end of page 8 in Gatsby. Then, fill out the green "exit ticket" sheet...follow the directions on the sheet.

Homework: March 2

English 12 (E block)

• Complete your book club reflection--make sure you bring your RRs in tomorrow, too!
• Read your IR book (and/or research some new options for Book Club).

Creative Writing II (F block)

• I replied to your emails with the writing reflection--respond to the questions and email it back to me.
• Read your IR book, and do some writing!

English 11 (G block)

• Start studying your vocabulary.
• Read your IR book.
• Here's the link for the 1920s Crash Course video: http://youtu.be/VfOR1XCMf7A

English 11 (A block)

• Read to the bottom of page 8 of Gatsby. Fill out the green exit ticket, considering pages 3-8 of the book.

Homework: February 27

English 11 (G and A block)

• Complete your "Nature of Storytelling" essay--it's due Monday. Make sure you bring your handwritten draft with you to class as well on Monday.
• Read your IR book!

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Read chapter 2 in Strength in What Remains, to the break on page 27. Take notes using the Cornell notes method.
• Read your IR book, too!

Homework: February 26

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Complete a double-entry notebook for Strength in What Remains, chapter 1. Find quotations that help us understand Deo's experience and perspective. Write those on the left-hand side, then analyze the quotation on the right hand side.
• Study your vocabulary!

English 12 (E block)

• Finish your book club book and write your Reader Response.
• Study your vocabulary.

Creative Writing (F block)

• Do some writing! And some reading! Read your independent book, and identify about 10 different places (words, etc.) where the narrative voice is established in the text.

Homework: February 25

English 12 (E block)

• Finish up your essay! It's due tomorrow. 
• Study your vocabulary for your quiz Monday.
• Finish your book club book, and write up your Reader Response, for Monday's final meeting!

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Read and mark up the excerpts I gave you today in class, from Dare Me. The first chapter establishes the narrative voice; the second introduces a pivotal character. There's a lot of white space on the pages for your notes. Remember, keep in mind these questions:
• What does it say?
• What does it mean?
• Why does it matter?
• Put 5-7 objects in your Birchbox box, and make sure you bring it in tomorrow. It will be the basis of a story!

English 11 (G and A block)

• Work on your essays. This is a challenging one, and it might take a lot of thought. Remember, that's a GOOD thing. Don't wait until Sunday night...
• Study your vocabulary for your quiz on Friday.

Homework: February 24

Creative Writing II (F block)

• Sorry for the craziness today, ladies. We'll get back on track tomorrow. 
• Make sure you've finished your "Breadman" response--we'll talk about it tomorrow. 
• Start filling those Birchbox boxes! Find little objects (clippings from magazines, rocks, sticks, buttons...) that, when put together, might lead to a story! Bring it in on Thursday, when you'll trade it with someone else and write a story.
• Tonight's writing prompt: In your journal, write "I remember..." and write for 10 minutes. If you finish before 10 minutes is up, skip a line, write, "I remember..." again, and go again!

English 11 (G and A block)

• Work on your paper. It's due on Monday. I'm around after school tomorrow if you want to come by and get some help!
• Study your vocabulary. Your quiz is Friday.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Start studying that vocab. Quiz Friday.
• Start reading Strength in What Remains. Keep some notes, especially about your observations and QUESTIONS. Remember, you're starting a new book, so you're going to have questions. Make note of them, then try to figure them out as you keep reading!

Homework: February 23

English 11 (A block)

• Work on that paper! Check out the slideshow I posted on January 30th--it has the slides we went over today.

Honors English 11 (C block)

• Write up your response to the Serial/Gatsby narration question. Here are the notes I took while you talked (they're rough...just use them to help you remember! Remember, too, that you may disagree with some of your classmates, or even with something you said during this conversation. Think critically!):
  

English 12 (E block)

• Work on one, or more, of these 3 thiings:
• Essay, due Thursday 2/26
• Book club discussion (finish your book, write your RR), due Monday 3/2
• Vocabulary quiz, Monday 3/2