Homework: February 28

English 11 (F)

• Rest those writing hands--give them some time to recover from your test!
• Read your independent reading book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• You have two jobs today:
• First, write a strong, analytical 1-2 paragraph response in which you discuss the original text of Frankenstein in comparison with the film versions presented in class. The clips are here so you can revisit them:

It's Alive!
Frankenstein at MOVIECLIPS.com

• Next, take a few minutes to look up the myth of Prometheus. The full title of the book is Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, so it'll help to know who Prometheus is!
• Then, read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• DUE Monday: Your "article of the week" assignment. It's about those little clip on cameras...
• Also due Monday: Read Gatsby, chapter 4, up to the halfway point that I marked for you in class. (I don't have it with me right now, so I don't remember the exact page. I'll try to update this.)
• Due at the end of the week: Your chapter 1-3 figurative language 4-paragraph essay. Start taking a look this weekend, so you can let me know next week if you have questions!
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Read chapter 5! Now that Victor has created this creation (he refers to it as a "catastrophe" and a "wretch"--not good signs...), what will he do next? We talked about responsibility the other day...
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 27

Honors English 11 (A and D)

• Make sure you've finished reading chapter 3! Mark it up, making some notes and observations.
• Then, work on the "Close reading: The Character of The Great Gatsby in The Great Gatsby" handout. You don't need to complete the actual writing assignment. You DO need to read and annotate the two passages carefully, looking at the figurative language used. Then, fill out the back with some strong connections and observations. Remember, it's not just about NOTICING the figurative language...it's about analyzing why it's there...)
• (Need a review of Figurative language, as well as some awesome cinematic moments? Check out this video!
• Read your independent reading book

English 12 (B)

• Read Frankenstein, chapter 4. BIG THINGS are happening here! (Get it?) Make sure you mark up your text carefully, and note your QUESTIONS, OBSERVATIONS and CONNECTIONS.
• Look especially at: 
• Frankenstein's "lightbulb moment"--it's not quite literal, but almost!
• Frankenstein makes a big discovery
• Some sneaky, creepy behavior...
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 25

English 11 (F)

• Review for your Room test! You have the practice handouts, so work on them. 
• Read your independent reading book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• Read Chapter 3 of Frankenstein. Keep an eye on Victor as he heads off to school. Something big happens before he leaves, and then he meets two important professors...get a sense of what he learns from each.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• Finish reading chapter 3. Next class, we'll talk a lot about the imagery included, as well as the character of Gatsby.
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Finish reading chapter 2, and then read 3. 
• Remember, in chapter 2, you're paying attention to:
• Clerval
• the Cornelius Agrippa stuff (how his father feels about it, etc...)
• remember, Agrippa and those other scientists were writing at least 300 years before Victor's reading...so, it's pretty old science! Imagine if you based your early studies on a book of science from over 300 years ago. There's a lot you wouldn't know...
• a tree (yes, a real tree)
• In chapter 3, Victor heads off to college. First, something tragic happens. Then, he meets two important professors at school. Keep an eye on who they are and what they're up to.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 24

Honors English 12 (G)

• Read Frankenstein, Chapters 1 and 2. They'll tell you a whole lot about this "stranger's" life (you'll find out his name in chapter 1, so keep an eye out...)
• Additional things to pay attention to:
• the stranger’s background
• the stranger’s parents
• connected: Beaufort, Caroline
• the stranger’s early life
• Elizabeth
• Clerval
• Cornelius Agrippa
• a tree
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (A and D)

• D block folks, you have a vocab quiz coming up. Don't forget!
• All of you: For next class, read and annotate to page 53 (read to the bottom of that page). Pay attention to the story line, and make notes for yourself about what you understand and wonder!
• If you want, check out John Green's rant on Chapter 1 (in the post below). You can revisit the chapter 2 discussion, too...I set it to stop where we stopped in class, because it gets into chapter 3 (and later) stuff, and you should read it first!
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Read Frankenstein, Chapter 1. It will tell you a whole lot about this "stranger's" life (you'll find out his name in chapter 1, so keep an eye out...)
• Additional things to pay attention to:
• the stranger’s background
• the stranger’s parents
• connected: Beaufort, Caroline
• the stranger’s early life
• Elizabeth
• Read your independent book!

John Green talks The Great Gatsby (VERY quickly...)

As you may know, John Green wrote The Fault in Our Stars. And Looking for Alaska. He's kind of a big deal.

He's also a really smart and thoughtful and passionate reader, and he has a lot to say (VERY QUICKLY) about The Great Gatsby. In class today, we watched the first 2 minutes of the second video (below), in which he discusses The Valley of Ashes and TJ Eckleburg. If you want, you can also check out the first video, in which he discusses Chapter 1. Enjoy!

Chapter 1:


Chapter 2:

Homework: February 14

Honors English 11 (A and D)

• D block folks--sorry I missed you this morning! According to the sub, you were "amazingly well behaved" and you know to read chapter 2, you've "been told 3x." :) So, that's good!
• A and D block folks--as you enjoy your vacation, find just a little time to read Gatsby. For the first section, you focused on Nick as a narrator. For chapter 2, pay attention to the setting, both the time and the place. Here's a handout from Harvard (you know, the fancy university) about reading and annotating...it's useful! 
• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (F)

• Your task for the break: Finish Room!
• We'll discuss it in class on Tuesday, and we'll have a test on Wednesday. Then, we'll work on a project. 
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• Read the "Meet Mary Shelley" packet. It gives some helpful background, especially to help you figure out what's going on as the novel starts.
• Read and annotate Frankenstein, Letters 1-4. Remember, the language is going to be different from the last thing you read, so don't freak out! You'll get used to it. Slow down, and annotate carefully. Here's that handout from Harvard, that talks about annotation (you got a copy in class today). Your job is to pay attention to these letters--who's writing? What's he saying, and how does he feel? The chart and the questions will help you figure things out...make sure you can answer those questions.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 12

English 11 (F)

• By next class, finish the "After" section of Room (it ends on page 280). Make sure you write down some notes on your yellow sheet!
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• Write a 1-2 page informal response to our text-based discussions. If you only saw 1, or 2, write about those. You should write about: 
• big ideas that stood out to you
• connections you have or ideas that you have that didn't make their way into the discussion
• the process overall--reading, prepping, discussing, writing...
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• Finish reading and marking up Gatsby, chapter 1. Then, write a brief 3-paragraph response (3-4 sentences per paragraph). 
• Paragraph 1: Summary (Remember, only 3-4 sentences. So, practice deciding what's most significant.
• Paragraph 2: Response (Your reaction--what do you think? You can talk about characters, actions, questions...)
• Paragraph 3: Connections (What else does this text remind you of? If you've seen the movie, what connections might you make to it? Do the characters remind you of people you know?)
• Check out this blog post if you need a reminder about the vocab words you're responsible for studying. Additionally, make sure you don't forget our old favorites! Add those flashcards in with your new ones.
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Finish reading the Letters that start the book Frankenstein. Remember, make notes on the text. Identify where you're confused, and try to fix that confusion. When you realize something important, write it down!
• ***If there's no school tomorrow, I won't see you until after vacation. If that's the case, enjoy vacation! As part of your vacation enjoyment, please complete the last page (front and back) of that "Meet Mary Shelley" packet.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 11

Honors English 11 (A and D)

• Read The Great Gatsby! Hooray! By next class, you should read AND ANNOTATE up to page 19. Make notes on the text about your OBSERVATIONS, QUESTIONS and CONNECTIONS. Interact with that text! I promise, you'll understand, and love, it better that way. Here's a link to an online version, in case you forget yours at school:  http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/gatsby/
• Focus, as you read, on the narrative voice. Who is telling this story? And, how is he telling it?
• Oh yeah...and, study your vocabulary! You've been doing that for weeks now, so it shouldn't be a big deal. We have quizzes coming up...A block on Thursday, D block on Friday. If there's a Snowmageddontastrophepocalyse on Thursday, both quizzes will be on Friday.
• And, read your independent reading book!

English 12 (B)

• It's Franksenstein time! No, it's not a zombie book, nor is it "that yellow thing" (although, that description is a little more accurate than you think). You should read AND ANNOTATE Letter 1 and Letter 2. Make sure you take notes, and remember, you'll need to read slowly. It's going to be a bit different from "The Body."

Homework: February 10

Honors English 11 (D)

• Study for your vocab quiz--it's FRIDAY!!!
• Finish up your revision of your Strength essay...remember, no more than another 20 minutes or so!
• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (F)

• Continue reading Room. By Wednesday, you should be to the end of page 242 (you'll notice a set of stars at the top of 243, which marks a shift that's even more significant than just a text break). Jot notes on your yellow sheet as you read.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• We're going to be starting Frankenstein! Woo hoo! Get ready by completing your EXPLORATION web and response.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 7

English 11 (F)

• Read Room! Many of you have done a good job of catching up, and many of you are ahead of schedule--hooray! Make sure you're taking notes, and get to at least the break on page 201 (though, I know many of you are already beyond that point...feel free to read ahead!).
• Read your independent book, too!

Honors English 12 (G)

• Prepare for your seminars. You might want to get together with a buddy, or talk through some of the questions you have. For the seminar, we'll be discussing any big questions you want to pose, but not clarifying questions--get those figured out ahead of time.
• Read your independent book, too!

Honors English 11 (A)

• If you need to, finish your Strength in What Remains essay revision. Remember, no more than another 15-20 minutes...
• Then, write your Gatsby pre-reading journal. Instructions are on the handout, and this is a creative piece. So, give us a character or two, and show how they interact. Throw in some of those details that you brainstormed. Have fun with it!
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Complete your "EXPLORATION" web. We'll use it in class on Tuesday to start reading Frankenstein! For reference, the one we started in class today is below. The prompt to write about on the back is: What do these texts tell us about the nature of exploration?
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 6

English 12 (B)

• Finish your response to "The Mythic Journey in 'The Body.'" Here's the template to use...feel free to adjust it as necessary. 
• The general argument made by author X in her/his work, _____________ ______________________, is that _______________________________. More specifically, X argues that __________________________. She/he writes, “___________________________________________________________________.” In this passage, X is suggesting that__________________________________. In conclusion, X’s belief is that _______________________________________________.
  
  
  In my view, X is wrong/right, because ___________________________. More specifically, I believe that _____________________________. For example, __________ ________________________________________. Although X might object that ____________________________________________, I maintain that _________________________________________________. Therefore, I conclude that__________________________________________.
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (D)

• Study your vocabulary! Make sure you're practicing the definitions, as well as using the words themselves. Look up example sentences on vocabulary.com!
• Finish up your article of the week.
• Read your independent book!

English 11 (F)

• Finish reading the "Dying" section of Room. Make sure you fill out details on your yellow sheet.
• Read your independent book!

Homework: February 4

Honors English 11 (D)

• Finish annotating the essay you started marking up in class.
• Work on your article of the week assignment; it's due by Monday.
• Finish up and print out vocab stories if necessary and bring them in tomorrow!
• Study your vocab!
• Read your independent reading book!

English 11 (F)

• Continue reading and taking notes on Room. By Friday (snow day or no snow day), you should be finished with the third section of the book, Dying. 
• Establish a reading schedule for yourself. You might read 20 pages tonight, 20 pages in class tomorrow, and then finish tomorrow night. Or, if we have a snow day tomorrow, maybe you want to get a good chunk of the reading done in front of a cozy fireplace after you build a snowman!
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 12 (G)

• Re-read "Tenth of December" and annotate. Many of you expressed confusion, and this is certainly not a straightforward story, but some of your confusion is effort-based. This isn't the type of story that you can read really quickly--you need to take your time, and make notes as you read. You might need to re-read for clues. They're there, but you need to be a careful reader. When you read carefully, you'll start to notice the skill that it takes to write a story that's so highly regarded as this one.
• Here are some things to keep an eye on:
• As we spoke about in class, a text-break signifies a shift in the text--maybe time, setting, narrator, or focus. Here, it seems to shift from focusing on one character to the other, right?
• Make sure you clarify who each of the characters is, and his/her relationship to the main characters, Robin and Eben. You might need to make notes on a separate sheet of paper.
• Consider the opening of the story. We talked about how Robin was getting himself all set up for a mission. And, that mission seemed pretty imaginary, right? Don't forget to keep that in mind when you read about those Nethers, and his conversations with Suzanne. Think about what's really going on there.
• There aren't quotation marks here, even though it sometimes seems like people are saying things--think about why as you read.
• Pay attention to italics--think about reasons authors sometimes use effects like italics and all-caps.
• Make sure you figure out what Eber is up to. It's revealed slowly, but clues along the way will help you understand why he's out in the woods on a cold day in December, and why he leaves his coat behind...
• Read your independent book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• Work on your article of the week assignment; it's due by Monday.
• Finish up and print out vocab stories if necessary and bring them in tomorrow!
• Study your vocab!
• Read your independent reading book!

Homework: February 3

English 11 (F)

• Finish reading the "Unlying" section of Room (it ends on page 110). Make sure you've taken notes on your yellow organizer.
• Read your independent reading book!

Honor English 12 (G)

• Finish reading and annotating "The Department of Nothing." Additionally, perform a close reading of a section you've chosen (just like we did in class today with your own independent reading book). It doesn't need to be formal--it's all about the ideas!
• Read your independent reading book!

Honors English 11 (A)

• Study your vocabulary!
• Work on your article of the week! The response template can be found in the January 31 homework post.
• Read your independent book!

English 12 (B)

• Finish the Arthur Biddle article--annotate it and write quick summaries of each section.
• Read your independent book!

Also, English 12 folks, here are two references. First, this is a Hobbit (specifically, Elijah Wood playing Frodo):

And, here's the Hero's Journey video again:

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...)