Monday 11/30/15: Homework

Block C:
1. Finish reading and annotating the short story we started before the break titled "The Things They Carried."
2. Study your vocabulary words

Block E:
Read your independent reading book and brainstorm ideas for your independent project.

Block F:
Review your notes from the student-led discussions and identify 3 motifs that King has developed in the novel. Consider what the motifs are and how they may lead to a theme.

Block G:
Consider the obstacles that the boys have faced in their journey in "The Body." Which obstacle has the most significance and why? Develop an argument and use the text to build support in a solid, well-written paragraph.

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's the weekend homework!

English 11 Blocks B and C and Creative Writing students in Block E: 

Plan for and  conduct your interview this weekend, using the StoryCorps app if you want to. Listen carefully, and be prepared to reflect on your experience when you return. If you need suggestions or support for this project, check out the StoryCorps website.


Honors English 12 Block F :
1. Read and annotate the scholarly article on "The Body" by Arthur Biddle.
2. Prepare for a discussion if you are leading one next week.
3. Read your book club book.

English 12 Block G:
1. Finish reading and annotating "The Body" by Monday.
2. Prepare for a discussion if you are leading one next week.
3. Read your book club book.

Monday 11/23/15: Homework

Block E:
1. Continue working on your version of "Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood. Your completed draft is due when we return from the holiday weekend.

Block F:

Prepare for your book club meeting tomorrow, using the instructions I gave you for version 2.0.
We will also resume student-led discussions, so be sure to arrive prepared.

Block G:
Tonight, please respond to the following prompt in a well-supported and thoughtful paragraph. Your paragraph should have a CLAIM, EVIDENCE, AND REASONING.

In Chapter 16 of “The Body,” you read Gordie’s story from “The Revenge of Lard Ass Hogan.” The intertext (or story within a story) obviously provides some comic relief after the boys’ near-death experience on the trestle. However, there is more to the story.  What other function does the story serve in the novella? What does it reveal to us about the boys, their relationship, their desires, and their place in the world? Think deeply about what King’s purposes are for including the story at this moment  in the text. Respond in a well-written paragraph.

Friday 11/20/15: Homework

Block F: 
1. Finish "The Body" this weekend. Make sure to read and annotate! If you are scheduled to lead a discussion, prepare to do so!

2. Your first official book club meeting for this term is on Tuesday. We are going to shake up the process a bit. Instead of a 400 word reading response, I am going to ask you to prepare at least 5 questions to generate discussion, as well as select  2 important passages for a close reading. I will give you a sheet of specific instructions on Monday, but in the meantime, be on the look-out for some rich language in your text that you can examine more closely. Mark up your text with a sticky note if you see something that might work for close reading.

Block G:
1. Complete your mind-map assignment that you were given on Friday. Follow the instructions and be ready to share your work on Monday.
2. Keep up with the reading schedule for "The Body."

Block B:
Read and annotate through to page 9 in "The Things They Carried."  Be prepared to discuss your OBSERVATIONS and QUESTIONS.

Block C:
Read and annotate though page 16 in "The Things They Carried." Be prepared to discuss your OBSERVATIONS and QUESTIONS.

Thursday 11/19/15: Homework

Block B:
1. For those of you who were out on Tuesday, write your "Things I Carry" responses, using the model we looked at together in class.
2. Read and annotate "The Things They Carried" to page 5.
3. Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz.


Block C:
1. Read and annotate "The Things They Carried" to page 9. Underline the characters that you meet, and any words that are unfamiliar to you.
2. Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz


Block E:
Great talk today!
Read and annotate "Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood. Use the GOAT sheet to write a response, due Monday!

Wednesday 11/18/15: Homework

Block C:
Using the model essay that we examined in class, finish writing your own version of "The Things I Carry." Be sure to include specific examples of both tangible and intangible things that describe who you are.

Block E:
Read and annotate the film review on "Eternal Sunshine" and write a response to both the ideas in the review, as well as your own reaction. Consider what the film teaches us about story structure. Be prepared to engage in a lively discussion tomorrow.

Block F:
Continue to read :The Body" following the reading schedule and prepare for your student-led discussion.
Read your book club book and study your vocab. too!

Block G:
Catch up with the reading schedule if you are behind. I expect far better engagement and focus when we meet next time.
Study for your vocabulary quiz on Friday.

Tuesday 11/17/15: Homework

Block E:
Read your independent reading book tonight.

Block F:
1. Write a short response on the role of the intertext in Chapter 16. What does it reveal to us about the characters?
2. Keep up with the reading schedule
3. Study vocabulary
4. Read your book club book.

Block G:
1. Keep up with the reading schedule for "The Body."
2. Study your vocabulary words

Block B:
1. Finish your "Things I Carry" response and bring a printed copy to class on Thursday. Follow the format and be sure to proofread your work!
2. Study your vocabulary words!

Monday 11/16/15:Homework

Sorry folks! I forgot to post this at the end of the day yesterday!

Block G: Chapter 1-4 in "The Body. Read and annotate.

Block B: Read and annotate the short piece titled "The Things I Carry."

Block C: Write your CER paragraph on Big Fish, keeping in mind all of the good insight you gained from today's Socratic seminar.

Friday 11/13/15: Homework

 Block B: 

1. write a three paragraph reading response on Big Fish. Use the pink sheet for directions. 

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

Block C:

1. Prepare for our Socratic seminar on Big Fish on Monday. 

2. Study your new vocabulary.

Block E:

Read your independent reading book. Meet in the mini theater on Tuesday morning when we resume watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Block F:

Continue to follow the reading schedule for "The Body."

Read your book club book, and study your new vocabulary words. 

Monday 11/9/15: Homework

Block B and C:
Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz. Look over your notes on Big Fish, as you will likely see some questions on the film on the quiz tomorrow.

Block E:
Work on your point-of-view pieces due at the end of the block on Thursday: "Mermaid Fever" revision and an old story, retold from a new perspective.
Also, please share the permission slip with your parents/guardians, as we will be starting "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" on Friday!

Friday 11/6/15: Homework

Block C:
1. Study for the vocabulary quiz on Tuesday.

Block E:
1. Revise the story "Mermaid Fever" by telling part or all of it from a different point of view. Have fun, and see where the story goes under the influence of a new narrative lens.

Block F:

1. Read Chapters 1-6 in The Body by Tuesday.
2. Finish your New York Times book review of Room and one other text. Use the models to guide you!
3. Study for the vocabulary quiz on Tuesday.
4. For those of your who are presenting a chapter on this weekend's reading, prepare to lead the discussion for your chapter by following the directions on the assignment sheet.

Block G:
1. Finish your NYT book review of Room. Print it out and bring it to class with you on Tuesday.
2. Study for the vocabulary quiz on Tuesday.

Thursday 11/5/15: Homework

Block E:
Tomorrow we will be talking about "Mermaid Fever." Several of you did not complete the reader response, so you should do it tonight for some partial credit so  you'll be ready for our discussion.

Block F:
1. Study your new vocabulary words (they are hanging outside the door of F202).
2. Work on your New York Times book review due on Tuesday.
3. Procure a copy of your new book club book!

Block G:
1. Study your new vocabulary words (they are hanging outside the door of F202).
2. Work on your New York Times book review due on Tuesday.
3. Procure a copy of your new book club book!

Block B:
1. Study your new vocabulary words and read your independent reading book tonight.

Wednesday 11/4/15: Homework

Block G:
Complete your reflection from today's Socratic seminar. You all did very well today, so be sure to write a thorough and thoughtful response.

Block B and Block C:
We will resume our study of the film Big Fish tomorrow. In the meantime, you should be making flashcards for your vocabulary words and studying them for the quiz on Day 2.

Monday 11/2/15: Homework

Block B:
1. Study your new vocabulary words
2. Read your independent reading book

Block C:
1. Study your new vocabulary words
2. Read your independent reading book

Block E:
1. Read and annotate "Mermaid Fever," paying close attention to the point of view. When you are finished, write a reader's response (use the goat sheet!)

Block F:
1. Nice work today! Socrates would be impressed with your skills! Use the handout I gave you in class to write a thoughtful reflection on what you heard today and how it went for you.
When we return, we will be looking at writing on more short response using Room and one other text that you believe is thematically connected to Donoghue's novel. Be thinking about other texts as you prepare for our next meeting.

Student Survey for 11th graders in B and C blocks

Hi folks,
Please take a moment to take this quick survey. I will explain what is behind the questions I'm asking when we talk about a new practice that we will begin using in class called Serial Testimony.