Friday 5/30/14

Block A:

• Prepare the article that you would like to share about the topic we will be researching together next week. Bring in your materials and supplies for portfolio work on Monday.

Block B:

• Continue reading TTTC according to your green reading schedule. 

Block C:

• Finish reading and annotating "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" and complete the graphic organizer (the one with all the Venn diagrams) using specific details from the text. 

Thursday 5/29/14: Homework

Block A:
Consider your options for the documentary project that we discussed today. Do some research and see what you can find on a topic that appeals to you. Remember to look not only for a film, but also some articles written about your topic. We will continue our research tomorrow and put together our plan!

Block B:
Continue to read TTTC, following your green reading schedule. Tomorrow, we will discuss "The Ghost Soldiers." Bring your notes and your thoughts to class.

Block C:

• Begin reading and annotating "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong"  up to the page break on page 97.
• Locate a passage from the story that resonates with you and on lined paper, copy it down. Then, use the steps we followed in class to perform a close reading of the passage. Consider what the text SAYS, DOES, and MEANS>

Block E:

• Finish reading "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra-Bong" and complete the Venn Diagrams in the handout I gave you today. 

Tuesday 5/27/14: Homework

Block E:

• On the pink sheet, create a mind map or chart to keep track of the characters and their attributes in the novel. Be sure to refer to specific details from the first story you read.
• Keep track of your observations, questions, and connections as you read on your pink chart.

Block A:

• For Thursday, read and annotate Michael Pollan's article " No Bar Code." Complete an analysis sheet on your reading to prepare for our discussion.

Block B: 

• Continue to read and annotate the text as you follow the reading schedule. 
• Keep in mind the interview that we watched in class today featuring Tim O'Brien and Nate Fick. We will have more discussion on Thursday. If you were absent today, or you would like to re-watch the interview, feel free to check it out here.

Friday 5/23/14: Homework

Block A:

• Read your independent reading book over the weekend--some of you just started something new. We will finish Food Inc. when we return on Tuesday.

Block B:

• Continue to read TTTC. Follow your amended reading schedule. Remember, the work that accompanies "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra-Bong" will be due on Tuesday. Be sure to take careful notes on what you are reading. 
• Read your independent reading book.

Block C:

• Begin our new novel by reading the first story in the collection titled "The Things They Carried." Make yourself a character chart to keep track of all the new characters you will meet in this chapter, as they will reappear again in the other stories.
• Use the glossary of military terms that I gave you in class. If you did not get a copy, you can access it HERE.
• Write your own personal response titled "The Things I Carry" following this model that we read in class.
• Read your independent reading book. 

Thursday 5/22/14: Homework

Block B:

• Keep working on your reading and writing tasks. You have a response on "Sweetheart of the Song Tra-Bong" due on Tuesday. Stay focused and organize, and don't forget to take good notes as you read.

Block C: 

• Read your independent reading book tonight. We will be starting The Things They Carried tomorrow.

Block E:

• Over the long weekend, please write a personal essay titled "The Things I Carry." Use the model we looked at in class today to guide you. If you forgot your handout, you can find the model here.
• In addition, please read and ANNOTATE the first story in Tim O'Brien's collection titled "They Things They Carried." You will meet a lot of new characters, so create a system to help you remember who's who. Also, feel free to use the glossary of military terms that I gave you in class to help you as you read. 

Wednesday 5/21/14: Homework

Block C:

Write your response to Miller's critical essay, using the template as a guide. 

Study Gatsby vocabulary words for the quiz TOMORROW! 

Block E:

Revise your response to Miller if you have changes to make. Bring both drafts to class tomorrow. 

Study vocabulary words for tomorrow's quiz. 

Tuesday May 20, 2014: Homework

Block E:

Develop your response to the critical essay by James Miller, using the template as a guide. Be sure to pull evidence from the texts to support your arguments.

Block A:

Respond to the film we started today by writing a page that explores your questions, observations, and connections. Bring your response to class on Friday. 

Monday 5/19/14: Homework

Block A:

Expand one of your free writes from this mornings journal into a full page response. Bring it to class tomorrow! 

Block B: 

Keep reading and writing about TTTC. You have a response on "How to Tell a True War Story" due on Thursday. 

Block C: 

Study your Gatsby vocabulary- the test on the words will be later this week! 

Friday 5/16: Homework

It's PROM NIGHT! Hooray! 

Be gorgeous (like Gatsby), charming, witty, bedazzled, coiffed, and above all, SAFE tonight! 

Block A: 

• Read your independent reading book this weekend. I will see you on Monday in our smaller circle! 
• Best of luck to all of our seniors! We will miss you1

Block B: 

• Keep reading your TTTC text, and stay up-to-date with your reading agenda. Work on your mind map project over the weekend, as you will be turning them in at the end of the block on Monday. 

Block C:

• Please bring your annotated copy of James Miller's article, along with the response you should have written on Thursday night. We will begin work drafting an essay response on Monday. 

Thursday 5/15/14: Homework

Block C:

• Write a one-paragraph response to the CLAIMS made in the essay we read by James Miller. Bring your response to class tomorrow.
• Take a look at the EXTRA CREDIT assignment I posted below. We can discuss it more in class tomorrow if you have questions.

Block E:

• Read and annotate the critical essay by James Miller over the weekend. We will be writing a formal response to this essay, so read carefully and consider the CLAIMS that he makes.
• Take part in the EXTRA CREDIT assignment posted below--by Sunday May 18th!

Extra Credit Opportunity for All Students!

Recent studies have shown that teenagers don't read books like they used to. Specifically, a recent report by Common Sense Media finds that many students are only reading for pleasure (essentially, meaning reading books that they choose, and that they like) a couple of times a YEAR!
Here's an extra credit opportunity for you:

Read this article from the New York Times Learning Network. Then, use the questions they provided to write a response. Post your response as a comment on the NY Times blog (follow directions, using only your first name). Once it's posted, copy it (including your name and the time it posted) and post it here on our blog as a comment as well.

In order to get credit, you need to address the questions they pose, and you need to make sure that your response is proofread. You must post your response by 8 PM on Sunday May 18. Be thoughtful and honest!

Wednesday 5/14/14: Homework

Block A:

1. Independent projects are due on Friday.
2. Portfolios are due for seniors on Friday.

Block B:
1. Continue to work on reading the stories assigned for Friday on your Reading Schedule. 

Tuesday 5/13/14: Homework

Block B:

If you have finished the reading and annotations due today, feel free to move ahead in the novel. If you haven't finished, catch up so you will be ready to discuss your impressions thus far. 

Block C: 

Finish reading and annotating the article written by James Miller for Thursday. We will be writing a response to this essay, so take your time and read carefully. 

Monday 5/12/14: homework

Block B: 

Tomorrow you have some reading due inThe Things They Carried, so refer to your reading schedule. 

Also, be sure to write you "Things I Carry" response. We will finish the film tomorrow. 

Block C and E: 

Read and annotate the excerpt from "A Whole a Heap of Ashes" for tomorrow and then write a précis about the claims made in the essay. 

Block F: 

Finish your portfolio and your "Stranger" essay for next Monday. Stop by after school if you have questions or need help. 

Friday 5/9/14: Homework

Block E:
This weekend, please check out John Green's Crash Course video on The Great Gatsby, which you can find here.
Then, use the instructions I gave you in class today to write a precis on the talk. Bring your work to class on Monday.

Block F:
Continue to work on your "Stranger" essays and your porfolios.

Block A:
Continue to work on you independent projects.
Locate another follow-up story on Oscar Pistorius for next class.

Thursday 5/8/14: Homework

Block F:
We heard some great presentations today! Nice job to those of you who went first today! Continue to work on your presentations and "Stranger" essays.

Block A:
Continue to work on developing your independent project. I'll ask you to share your progress tomorrow.

Block B:

• Begin reading the stories assigned in The Things They Carried. Keep your vocabulary glossary by your side as you get used to the language and military slang.
• Write your "The Things I Carry" response, using the model essay I gave you today. Bring your work in on Tuesday.

Block C:

• Today we learned about F. Scott Fitzgerald's biography--which is a lot like Gatsby's life, strangely. 
• Tonight, I would like you to watch the Crash Course video from John Green attached here. When you are finished watching it, please write a PRECIS, following the directions on the hand-out I gave you in class today. Read the directions carefully, and remember that a PRECIS should be written in your own words. Your precis is due on MONDAY!

Wednesday 5/7/14

Oops! This is a late blog post... I lost my internet connection yesterday when I tried to post it! 

Block A:

• Continue to work on your independent projects and portfolios (seniors).

Block B:

• Begin reading the assigned stories in The Things They Carried  that will be due on Tuesday. Remember to keep track of what you are reading using a method/strategy that works for you. 

Block C and E:

• Finish your 2 paragraph response to the film review that you have read. Be sure to follow the template and use textual evidence in your response.

Tuesday 5/6/14: Homework

Block C:

• Read and annotate the film review that your colleague found and shared. Bring your notes and your thoughts to class tomorrow, as you will be writing a response prior to our discussion of the film.

Block E:

• Read and annotate the film review that your colleague found and shared. Bring your notes and your thoughts to class tomorrow, as you will be writing a response prior to our discussion of the film. If you did not have a film review prepared for today, you need to find one tonight and annotate it before tomorrow. 

Block F: 

• Continue to work on your projects. Presentations begin on Thursday. You will be responsible for presenting on your assigned due date and time--there are no exceptions, as time is running short. If you are ABSENTor TARDY UNEXCUSED on the day of your presentation, you will FORFEIT your opportunity to present. 

Monday 5/4/14

Block E:

• Bring in your annotated film review to class. Please print it before you arrive.
• Read your independent reading book

Block F:

• Today in class we finished watching Hamlet. What an ending! Be prepared to discuss your impressions.
• You will have lab time tomorrow to work on your projects. Bring your materials.

Block A:

• Bring your project work to class on Wednesday.

Block B:

• Bring your completed storytelling project to class on Wednesday. We will be starting our next unit then. 

5/2/14:Homework

Block A:

1. Work on your independent project this weekend. Bring your drafts and ideas to class with you on Monday. 

Block B:

1. Complete the "Storytelling" handout that we started in class today. 

2. Read your independent reading book.

Block C: 

1. Write a 3-2-1 (3 observations, 2 questions, and 1 opinion) reaction for the film we are watching.

2. Read your independent reading book. 

Thursday 5/1/14: Homework

Block B:

• Finish your synthesis essay response and submit to Turnitin.com tonight! Print it out for tomorrow.
• Read your independent reading book

Block C:

• Study your Gatsby vocabulary words! We will be having a quiz very soon!
• If you haven't done so already, find a film review for the new version of Gatsby. Print it out and annotate it.

Block E:

• If you haven't done so already, find a film review for the new version of Gatsby. Print it out and annotate it. Bring it to class by Monday. 

Block F:

• Continue to work on your projects! See me if you need help!