Wednesday 9/30/15: Homework

Block G:
Sorry that we had trouble viewing the film adaptation of "St. Lucy's" in class today. I have attached it here for you to watch at home instead. Take note of the choices that the director makes, and then write a one-page response that explores the comparisons you see, as well as the differences between the text and the film.

St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves from house of dÜrt on Vimeo.

Block B:
Add to your motif bubble sheet, using your observations from watching the beginning of Smoke Signals.

Tuesday 9/29/15: homework

Block B and C

Use the bubble sheet to trace motifs in Alexie's poems and the novel True Diary.

Block E:

Complete your monologue planning sheet for the lab block tomorrow. 

Block F:

Prepare your reader response (400 words) on part 2 of Room for Thursday.  

REMINDER ABOUT VOCABULARY QUIZZES!

Vocabulary quizzes are on DAY 2 (with a few exceptions if our schedule is interrupted by meetings, etc.) If you miss a QUIZ, it is your responsibility to come after school to make it up BEFORE the next DAY 1 in the rotation. If you do not make up the quiz in this time frame,  you will automatically receive a zero.

Monday 9/28/15: Homework

Block E:
1. Read and annotate the story "Your Husband is Cheating on Us" by Jill McCorkle
2. Complete a reading response, following the steps on the yellow GOAT sheet.
3. Work on your character monologue by thinking of ideas that your character might explore in this format.


Block F:
1. Prepare for your next book club meeting on Thursday. Bring your 400 word reading response to class as an entry ticket to the meeting.

Block G:
1. Re-read and annotate the story "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" so that we can have a more lively discussion when we next meet. If you did not complete your reading response or annotations, do so tonight.
2. Prepare for your next book club meeting on Thursday. Bring your 400 word reading response to class as an entry ticket to the meeting.

Friday 9/25/15: Homework

Block F:
1. Study for your vocabulary quiz on Monday. Remember, last week's words may make an appearance too.
2. Prep for book club on Thursday. Your 400 word entry ticket is due at the start of class. See the bright yellow handout for instructions.

Block G:
1. Study for your vocabulary quiz on Monday 9/28. Remember, last week's words may make an appearance too.
2. Finish your reading response (3 paragraphs) that we started in class. Use the guidelines on the pink instruction sheet to help you. DUE MONDAY 9/28
3. Prep for book club. Your 400 word entry ticket is due at the start of class on THURSDAY 10/1. See the bright yellow handout for instructions.


Block B:
1. Read and annotate the two poems I gave you in class today which we will discuss in more detail on Tuesday. Complete the two sided Close Reading response handout for each poem.

Block C:
1. Read and annotate the two poems I gave you in class today which we will discuss in more detail on Tuesday. Complete the two sided Close Reading response handout for each poem.

Thursday 9/24/15: Homework

Block B:

1. Study for your vocabulary quiz tomorrow.
2. Finish your "split identity" drawing. Remember to annotate it with details from both sides of your identity.

Block C:
1. Study for your vocabulary quiz tomorrow.
2. Re-read the poem "Reservation Mathematics" and complete STEP ONE and STEP TWO only on the handout I gave your in class.




Block E:
1. Work on your character description that we started in the lab today. PRINT and bring it to class on Monday.

Wednesday 9/23: Homework

Block C:
1. Read your independent reading book and study your vocabulary words for Friday's quiz!

Block E:
1. Fill out the extensive character worksheet that I gave your for our character project. We will be in the lab tomorrow writing the first piece of the project. So exciting!

Block F:
1. Good job with book clubs today folks! I'm glad to see such enthusiastic conversations happening! Keep reading. Section 2 is due by next Thursday, as is your 400 word Reading response.
2. For Friday, write your "On Turning 18" poem, using Billy Collins version as a model.

Block G:
1. Good job with book clubs today folks! Keep reading! Section 2 "Unlying" is due by next Thursday, as is your 400 word Reading Response.
2. For Friday, read and annotate the short story we started titled "St. Lucy's School for Girls Raised by Wolves." If you were absent today and need a copy of the story, you can find it HERE.

Tuesday 9/22/15: Homework

Block E:
Find an image of a person (from a magazine, newspaper) you do not know (no celebrities), but who seems to have a story you might like to hear. Bring in the image to class for tomorrow's activity.

Block F:
Prepare for book club tomorrow. Be ready to discuss Part 1 of Room.
Bring your one-pager on "St. Lucy's" to class tomorrow.
Keep working on your "On Turning 18" poems due Friday.

Block G:
Prepare for book club tomorrow. Be ready to discuss Part 1 of Room. Bring your 400 word Reading Response to the start of class. Remember, you will NOT be allowed to PRINT during class.

Block B:
1. Revise your 3 Paragraph Reading Response, adding to the summary and the connections section based on the conclusion of the film.

Monday 9/21/15: Homework

Block G EN 12:
1. Make vocabulary flashcards and study your new words.
2. Prepare your reading response (400 words) on the first section of Room.  Your response should be printed and ready AT THE START of CLASS  on Wednesday.
3. Tomorrow, guidance counselors will be visiting our class to discuss the application process.


Block B EN 11:
1. Complete the "Chain of Events" chart on the documentary that we have been watching in class. If you need help, see Friday's post where I've attached the link to the film. We will use this to revise your summaries, as well as discuss the stories, the narrator, and the big ideas within the documentary.


Block C EN 11: 
1. Write sentences using your new vocabulary words. Be sure to check out vocabulary.com for help as you prepare for this week's quiz.

Friday 9/18/15: Homework

EN 11 Block B and Block C:

Using the pink instruction sheet for Reading Responses, write a three paragraph response on the documentary we watched today in class. If you would like to revisit the film, click on the video below.

CW Block E: 

Read and mark up the Margaret Atwood story I gave you in class today. Consider three stories that you will never write, and be prepared to follow Atwood's model when you return to class on Tuesday. 

HEN 12 Block F :

1. Read, annotate, and prepare a ONE-PAGER on the story "St. Lucy's School for Girls Raised by Wolves" for Wednesday 9/23.

2. Read Part 1 of Room and prepare your Reading Response entry ticket (400 words) for Wednesday 9/23--our first book club meeting. 

3. Remember, we do not meet as a class on Monday. On Tuesday, 9/22, the guidance counselors will be meeting with us to explore the college application process. 

Thursday 9/17/15: Homework

Creative Writing:

Continue to work on your "Why Write" pieces, using the feedback that you received during the workshop today. Tomorrow you will have lab time to finish all 5 pieces. Arrive to class ready to write!


HEN 12 Block F:

1. Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz on the first 5 words.
2. Continue to read Room (Section 1 is due by 9/23).
3. Bring your introductory reading packet back to class tomorrow for presentations and discussion.

EN 12 Block G:

1. Continue to read Room. Section 1 and your Readers Response (400 words) are due on Wednesday 9/23.

Wednesday 9/16/15

HONORS ENGLISH 12 BLOCK F:

1. Today we did some group activities to help you learn this week's vocabulary words. Reflect on which activities seemed to work best with your learning style. Use these activities to help you study this year.  

2. THE QUIZ ON WORDS 1-5 WILL BE ON FRIDAY 9/18! (I originally told you Monday, but we don't meet on Monday. Geesh. What was I thinking?

3. Tonight, read, annotate, and respond to the packet of short readings that I gave you in class today. Bring your annotations, thoughts, and responses to class tomorrow.

ENGLISH 12 BLOCK G:

1. Today we did some group activities to help you learn this week's vocabulary words. Reflect on which activities seemed to work best with your learning style. Use these activities to help you study this year.  

 2. THE QUIZ ON WORDS 1-5 WILL BE tomorrow 9/17/15!

3. Your version of "On Turning 18" is due tomorrow 9/17/15. 

ENGLISH 11 BLOCKS B&C:

1. Develop a list of 10 questions that you have about modern American Indian life and culture. Complete the chart we started in class today.

2. Read  your independent reading book

Monday 9/14/15: Homework

Block C:

1. Study your vocabulary words for this week's quiz on Wednesday. Write a sentence for each word on a piece of lined paper and bring it into class for an activity we will do on Tuesday.

2. Read your independent reading book. 

Block E:

1. Continue to work on your "Why Write" pieces. Bring in one piece to workshop tomorrow. Print it before you arrive to class, or email it to the copy center (www.copy.center@hudson.k12.ma.us) and pick it up on your way. 

Block F:

1. Begin reading Section 1 of Room for our first book club discussion scheduled for Tuesday 9/22. 

2. Study your new vocabulary words for next week's quiz.

Block G:

1. Re-read "On Turning 10" and write your own version titled "On Turning 18." Follow the directions on the handout. TYPE your response in a google doc and bring it to our next class. 

2. Continue reading Room. You should read Section 1 (page 1-57) by next Tuesday 9/22.
3. Study your new vocabulary words for this week's quiz on Wednesday. 

Friday 9/11/15: Homework

Creative Writing Block E:

Block F:
1. Prepare for the summer reading writing event happening Monday morning. Review your notes and be ready to write.
2. Finish the vocabulary pre-test. You will get your first set of words on Monday.


Block G:
1. Study your new vocabulary words for next week's quiz.
2. Begin reading Room by Emma Donoghue. This will be our first book club book of the year. Aim to finish the first section (through pape 57) for the next DAY 6 (9/22).

Block B:
1. Today we did our summer reading response. We will continue to talk about Sherman Alexie and his writing over the next few weeks.
2. This weekend, read and your independent reading book and complete a reading response based on what you read. Write your response in your journal.
3. Study your vocabulary words!

Thursday 9/10/15: Homework

Block G:
1. Prepare for your summer reading write tomorrow! Look over your notes and get ready to write!
2. Use your neighborhood map to write a vignette about a PERSON, PLACE, EVENT, or IDEA from your childhood. Follow the guidelines on the handout I gave you in class today. Your TYPED vignette is due at the start of class on MONDAY 9/14/15. Remember to use lots of figurative language to write vividly.
3. Study your new vocabulary words. The quiz is scheduled for Wednesday 9/16/15.

Block B:
1. Prepare for your summer reading write tomorrow! Look over your notes and get ready to write!
2. Study your  new vocabulary words. Remember, quizzes will be every DAY 2 this year--your first quiz is on Wednesday 9/16/15.

Block C:
1. Prepare for your summer reading write on Monday! Look over your notes and get ready to write!
2. Study your  new vocabulary words. Remember, quizzes will be every DAY 2 this year--your first quiz is on Wednesday 9/16/15

Wednesday 9/9/15: Homework

English 11 Block B:
1. Read your independent reading book for at least 15 minutes tonight. Don't forget to bring it back to class with you tomorrow!
2. Prepare/review for the summer reading assessment which is scheduled for Friday 9/11.


English 11 Block C:
1. Read your independent reading book for at least 15 minutes tonight. Don't forget to bring it back to class with you tomorrow!
2. Prepare/review for the summer reading assessment which is scheduled for Monday 9/14.

Creative Writing Block E:
1. Read and annotate "Why Write" by Paul Auster. Be prepared to discuss the structure and language on Friday.
2. Finish personalizing your writing journal. Don't forget to include your Six Word Memoir somewhere! In case you need help, here is the short video we watched in class.


HEN 12 Block F:
Good work today! I look forward to reading your vignettes!

Tonight, be sure to review your notes from your summer reading books and be ready to write about them on Monday 9/14.

Tuesday 9/8/15: Homework

Creative Writing Block E:
1. Create your "Territories of Writing" list and paste it to the front of your writing journal.
2. Bring in photos, images, words with which to personalize your journal.
3. Write your letter of introduction and get your syllabus signed if you haven't done so already.

HEN 12 Block F:
1. Work on your vignettes. We will have the full block to write tomorrow. Remember, you are developing vignettes about a person, a place, and an event from your childhood.
2. Bring in your supplies tomorrow.

EN 12 Block G:
1. Read and annotate the three vignettes I gave your from The House on Mango Street. Make observations on the STRUCTURE, VOICE, and LANGUAGE of each vignette.

Thursday September 3, 2015

Block F Honors English 12:
1. .Complete your To-Do list
2. Write a letter of introduction and attach it to your “Letter to Next Year’s Teacher” from your portfolio from last year.
3. Bring  in your supplies and your memory map to our next class meeting.

Block G English 12
1. Write a letter of introduction and attach it to your “Letter to Next Year’s Teacher” from your portfolio from last year.
3. Bring  in your supplies and your signed syllabus to our next class meeting.

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back Everyone! 

Welcome to our class blog! Here you will find all sorts of helpful things. Check the blog daily for homework assignments, important due dates, links to notes and reading material, and an occasional task that you will be asked to complete.

I'm looking forward to working with you this year!

Here's what's up for tonight!

Block B English 11:

1. Finish your "What I did on my summer vacation" alphabetical list.
2. Write a letter of introduction and attach it to you "letter to next year's teacher" from last year's portfolio. Be prepared to turn both letters in tomorrow.
3. Start gathering your supplies and pick a new independent reading book.
4. Have your syllabus and contract form signed by a parent or guardian.

Block C English 11

1. Write a letter of introduction and attach it to you "letter to next year's teacher" from last year's portfolio. Be prepared to turn both letters in tomorrow.
2. Start gathering your supplies and pick a new independent reading book.
3. Have your syllabus and contract form signed by a parent or guardian.

Block E Creative Writing

1. Write a letter of introduction! 

2. Gather your supplies

3. Have your syllabus and contract form signed by a parent/guardian

4. Write a story inspired by the image you worked with today in class with your partner. Type it up in our google classroom!