Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!

Block A and B:
Read and annotate Chapter 8 in Gatsby. We'll work to finish the novel when we return!

Block D:
Prepare to complete your story map on "On the Rainy River" when we return.

Thursday 12.22.16: Homework

Block C:
1. Study for your vocabulary quiz (at long last!) on the day that we return.
2. Watch a coming-of-age film over the break. Be ready to write and talk about what you watched.
3. Select a book that you'd like to read for our next book club!
4. Enjoy the holiday. Rest. Recharge. Ring in the New Year!

Block D:
1. Study for your vocabulary quiz tomorrow!

2. Review your annotations on "On the Rainy River" for tomorrow's activity. You will be creating a story map after the vocabulary quiz.

Block F:
1. Study for your vocabulary quiz. It will be on the Tuesday after break, bright and early in first block!
2. Work on your story map for "On the Rainy River." You will have about 30 minutes of classtime to finish it when we return.

Wednesday 12.21.16: Homework

Block F:
Finish reading "On the Rainy River" for tomorrow. You will work on creating a story map when you get to class, so be ready!


Blocks A and B:
Study for your vocabulary quiz on Friday. Bring your collaborative quiz back to class to complete--you'll have about 10 minutes before I collect them!

Monday 12.19.16: Homework

Block B:
Finish watching the short clip from MTV "Cribs" here. Complete your CER paragraph for tomorrow.

Block C:
Work on your essay. Draft due at the end of the block Thursday.

Block D and F:
Write sentences for your new vocabulary words.

Friday 12.16.17: Homework

Block D and F:
Read your independent reading book. We'll continue reading "On the Rainy River" when we return next week.

Block A: 
Finish reading Chapter 7 for Wednesday. Take note of the power shifts between Tom and Gatsby throughout the chapter.

Thursday 12.15.16: Homework

Block F: 
Finish your character chart for The Things They Carried. 

Block A and B:
Begin reading Chapter 7 in The Great Gatsby. Pay attention to the power struggle between Tom and Gatsby in this chapter. Mark your text when you see one character gain power over the other. 

Block C: 
Work on your mind map for Another Brooklyn and begin thinking about possible essay topics you'd like to explore next week.

Wednesday 12/14/16: Homework

Blocks A and B:
Update your three-layer timeline on Gatsby through Chapter 6. We will resume our discussion of the novel and Chapter 6 tomorrow, so be ready!

Block C:
Continue reading Another Brooklyn, following the reading schedule we've established. We will finish the novel in class tomorrow and begin the work of mind mapping to help solidify an area of interest for your essay.

Block D:
Complete the character chart for The Things They Carried. Locate specific examples in the story. 

Brian Cranston Reads The Things They Carried

Go to this link to listen to Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad) read the first story in O'Brien's collection.

Friday 12/9/16: Homework

Block A: Write your CER paragraph on the MTV Cribs episode that we watched in class together today. Make sure that you incorporate evidence from both the episode and Chapter 5!

Block B:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 5 in Gatsby. Complete your Scavenger hunt as well.

Block C:
Follow the reading agenda posted in yesterday's homework post. For Tuesday, you should read through Chapter 9 in Another Brooklyn.

Block D:
Study for your vocabulary quiz next Wednesday. We'll resume our reading of The Things They Carried when we return to class.

Owen's Ride!

Check out this great story about our own Owen Anketell's amazing adventure!

If you want to make a donation to help fund Owen's ride, go to this site.

Thursday 12.8.16: Homework

Block B:
Read Chapter 5 in Gatsby to the bottom of page 93. Begin working on the Scavenger hunt as well.

Block C:
You are making great progress in our new novel Another Brooklyn. Continue reading and annotating as you trace motifs and connections to our other texts. For Friday, you should be through Chapter 7.
Here's the remainder of our reading schedule for the novel:

By Tuesday 12/13:  Read through Chapters 8 and 9
By Wednesday 12/14: Read through Chapters 10-12
By Thursday 12/14: Read through Chapters 13-15
By Monday 12/19: Finish the novel

Block D:
Write your "The Things I Carry" response draft due Friday. Upload your draft to the google classroom.

Block F: 
Finish reading and annotating the story "The Things They Carried" for Monday.

Wednesday 12.7.16: Homework

Block F:
1. Complete your reflection on today's Socratic seminar.
2. Write your "Things I Carry" personal essay response. Bring it to class tomorrow.

Block A:
1. Read and annotate Chapter 5 in Gatsby, completing the scavenger hunt activity as you read.

Tuesday 12.6.16: Homework

Block A and B:
Read your independent reading book for at least 30 minutes tonight. Gather all of your vocabulary sheets together and get organized. We'll resume Gatsby tomorrow!

Block C:
Read and annotate Chapter 2 in Another Brooklyn. Be on the lookout for the motif that we started to trace as part of our discussion today. Continue to look for overlap and connections between The Body and Moonrise Kingdom as well.

Block D:
1. Bring all of your materials from the Socratic seminar to class on Thursday so I can collect them.
2. Write your personal "Things I Carry" essay for Thursday.

Monday 12.5.16: Homework

Block C:
Read and annotate the first chapter of Another Brooklyn. Note your observations, questions, and connections as you read. We'll dive in to the text together tomorrow!

Also, remember to bring $5.00 for the Holiday Coalition fund!

Block D and F:
Make sure you are prepared for our Socratic seminar tomorrow. Bring your notes, timeline, and handout that we worked on in class today. Also bring your rubric packet.

Farewell to Mr. Decker!

Thanks for joining us this semester! We wish you all the best!

Friday 12.2.16: Homework

Block F:
Work on completing your 3 layer timeline for Monday. We will have a Socratic seminar on Big Fish on Tuesday,

Block A and B:
Read and annotate Chapter 4 in The Great Gatsby. Use the reading road map I gave you to help you as you read.

Thursday 12.1.16

Block A an B: 
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 3 in Gatsby.
Add to your 3-layer timeline and your Star-ganizers too!

Block C:
Finish your book and prepare for your book club meeting on Monday.

Block D:
Complete your 3-layer timeline on Big Fish for Monday. We will prepare for a Socratic seminar next week.

Wednesday 11.30.16

Block B:
1. Finish your 3-layer timeline for tomorrow. Add two more events from Chapter 2.
2. Begin Chapter 3 and read up to the bottom of page 51.

Block C:
Write a one-pager (typed) on Moonrise Kingdom. Use the instructions on the handout I gave you in the beginning of the year to help you.

Block D:
Add details and observations to your timeline on Big Fish for class tomorrow.

Block F:
Add details and observations to your timeline on Big Fish class Friday.

Survey for Mr. Decker!

Please take a moment to complete this survey for Mr. Decker, who will be finishing his student teaching this Friday. We are so sad to see him go!

Monday 11.29.16: Homework

Block F:
Read your independent reading book.

Block A and B:
Fill in your three-layer timeline with at least ONE more event from Chapter 2.
Study for your weekly check-in (Tuesday for A Block, Wednesday for B Block).

Block C:
Work on your response to Biddle. Your They Say/I Say essay is due on Wednesday!

Wednesday 11.23.16: Homework

Block C:
Work on your response to the Biddle article, using the "They Say/I Say" template to help you structure your response.

Block D:
Study your vocabulary words for our weekly check-in when we return.

Tuesday 11.22.16: Homework

Block F:
Study for your vocabulary check-in on the  Monday after we return.

Block A and B:
Read and annotate to the end of Chapter 2 in Gatsby over the weekend.

Monday 11.21.16: Homework

Block A:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 1 in Gatsby for Tuesday. Be ready to show what you know!

Block B:
Read up to the bottom of page 34 in Gatsby. 

Some things to look for as you read:

 

1.The valley of ashes. What is important to know about this place??

  

  

  

2.The billboard that features the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. What might the eyes symbolize?

  

  

  

3.Meet the Wilsons. Note the details Nick uses to describe both of them, and then see if you can detect some of the differences between Myrtle and Daisy?

Block C:
Prepare for your weekly check-in and book club meeting on Wednesday. Work on your response to the Biddle article due after the break.


Block D:
Study your vocabulary words for your next check-in. Read your independent reading book too.

Friday 11.18.16: Homework

Block B:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 1 in The Great Gatsby for Monday.

Block C:
Read and annotate the scholarly article by Arthur Biddle: "The Mythic Journey of the Body."

Block D:
Your essay revision is due by midnight tonight. Upload it to Turnitin.com under the "Revised" essay assignment.
Study your new vocabulary words as well/

Block F:
Your essay revision is due by midnight tonight. Upload it to Turnitin.com under the "Revised" essay assignment.
Study your new vocabulary words as well/

The Great Gatsby audio book

If you are an auditory learner and would like to access the audio version of The Great Gatsby, you can do so HERE (narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal) or HERE. (narrated by Frank Muller).

Thursday 11.17.16: Homework

Block D and F:
Today we watched a TED talk (see below). Tonight, write a response to the following prompt:

How does Bennet characterize the creative and the athlete? Why does he believe in the power of stories and creativity? Use specific details in your response.

Block A:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby. Be on the look-out for some curious things that come up during the awkward dinner party that Nick attends at the Buchanan household.

Wednesday 11.16.16: Homework

Block F:
Continue to work on your essay revisions due on Friday.

Block A:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 1 in Gatsby.

Block B:
Read and annotate to the top of page 18 in Gatsby. Keep your eyes out for the awkward moments I told you to watch for during the dinner party.

Block C:
Complete the close reading organizer for your assigned passage. Prepare for a group discussion on Friday.

Tuesday 11.15.16: Homework

Block A and B:
Be sure you've read and annotated to the bottom on page 8 in Gatsby. Fill out your STAR-ganizer on Nick Carraway using specific examples from the text.


Block C:
Locate some areas of The Body that you would like to examine more closely as a whole class when we meet tomorrow.


Block D:
Read your independent reading book and continue to work on your essay revision due on Friday. 

Monday 11.14.16: Homework

Block C:
Finish reading and annotating "The Body" for tomorrow. Prepare for your presentation if you have not done so already. Arrive to class ready to discuss.

Block D:
Work on your essay revisions, due on FRIDAY! Seek help if you do not understand the feedback we provided to you.

Also, study for your weekly check-in TOMORROW!

Block F:

Work on your essay revisions, due on FRIDAY! Seek help if you do not understand the feedback we provided to you.

Also, study for your weekly check-in on Wednesday!

Thursday 11.10.16: Homework

Block F:
Finish your essay by midnight tonight and upload it to Turnitin. com. If you need help signing in to Turnitin, check out yesterday's blog post.


Blocks A and B:
Read and ANNOTATE to the bottom of page 8 in The Great Gatsby. Fill in your STAR-ganizer with details that you've collected about Nick Carraway, our narrator.

Study for your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday!

Wednesday 11.9.16: Homework

Block A and B:
Study your vocabulary words for our next Day 1 quiz.
We will begin reading The Great Gatsby tomorrow!

Block C:
Study for our weekly vocabulary check in on Monday.
Prepare for your first book club meeting on Monday. You should prepare a three-part response in the same format you used for our Room book club meetings.

Block D:
Finish your Alexie essay due in the Google Classroom at the end of the day on THURSDAY! Don't forget to upload your essay to Turnitin. Sign up using the following code:

Class ID: 13974099
Password: Englishrocks

Blocks D and F: Turn it in!

Use the following class ID and password to join Turnitin.com

Block D:   Class ID: 13974099
Password: Englishrocks

Block F: Class ID: 13974110
Password: Englishrocks

Monday 11.7.16: Homework

Block B:
Develop a list of ten things you know about the 1920's time period. Bring your list to class on Wednesday!

Block C:
Your comparative essay is due by midnight tonight! Upload it to both our Google classroom and to Turnitin.com. To sign into our class in Turnitin, use this code:

Class ID: 13958263
Password: Englishrocks

Block D:
Continue to work on your essays. Use the feedback provided to you to develop your ideas!

Friday 11.4.16: Homework

Block D and F:
Work on your essays!
Study your new vocabulary words too.

Block A
Develop a list of 10 things you know about the 1920's time period.

Thursday 11.3.16: Homework

Block F:
Work on your essays. Take a look at the feedback Mr. Decker has provided in the Google classroom.

Block A and Block B:
Write a thorough and thoughtful reflection on the Socratic seminar you participated in today.

Block C:
Work on your comparative essays due on Monday.
Continue to read through Chapter 26 in The Body for Wednesday. Prepare for your presentation.

Wednesday 11.2.16: Homework

Blocks A and B:
Prepare for tomorrow's Socratic seminar on Serial. You should prepare thorough responses to the questions we will explore (this means your should write paragraphs, not just arrive with a bunch of bullet points or notes). 

Block C:
First, check out this cool (brief) video which explores the significance of Salvatore Dali's painting--thanks to Eva for bringing this allusion to our attention today:

1. Work on your comparative essay due in Google classroom by Monday 11.7.
2. Read and annotate through Chapter 18 in The Body for Thursday.
3. Prepare for your student-led discussion. 

Block D:

Continue to work on your Alexie analytical essay. 

Tuesday 11.1.16: Homework

Block C:
Follow the reading schedule for The Body. You should be up to Chapter 17 for tomorrow.
Continue working on your comparative  essay due on Monday 11/7/16.

Block D and F:
Continue working on your graphic organizer and essay planning outline as you begin to write your essay this week.
Study for your vocabulary quiz on Thursday!

Monday 10.31.16: Halloween Homework

Block F:

Work on developing your ideas and gathering your evidence for your analytical essay. Use the organizers we gave you today to get started!

Block A and B:

Prepare for your Socratic Seminar on Serial tomorrow. You will be earning two grades: a grade for your written responses to the questions (preparation) and your active engagement in the discussion (seminar). We are looking for you to be thoughtful and thorough!

Here are the questions you should prepare responses to:

1. What does Serial teach us about storytelling that traditional stories may not say as loudly? How does it do this?

2. What does Serial teach us about the power of the narrator? How does it do this?

3. What does Serial teach us about the relationship between truth and memory? How does it do this?

In all of your responses, you should be prepared with specific examples that you've drawn from the text and your notes. 

Friday 10.28.16

Blocks A:
Study vocabulary for next week's quiz.

Block B:
Work on your essay revisions. Final revisions due to Turnitin on Monday. Please print out a final copy and attach with your other drafts.

Block C:
Study for your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday.
Read through Chapter 17 for Wednesday. Be prepared  to present if you are scheduled to do so!
Work on your comparative essay due on 11/7/16

Block D:
Fill out your motif organizer to prepare for the essay you'll write next week.
Study for your vocabulary quiz next week.

Wednesday 10.26.16: Homework

Block D:
If you didn't finish gathering your evidence for the motif work we started in class today, do so this weekend.
Study your new vocabulary words too!

Block F:
If you didn't finish gathering your evidence for the motif work we started in class today, do so this weekend.
Study your new vocabulary words too!

Block A:
Work on your essay revision, using the feedback we gave your to guide you. If you are struggling, you should come after school for extra help.

Monday 10.24.16

Block A:

Read your independent reading book.

Block B:

Work on your essay--revision is due tomorrow! Don't forget to Turnitin! 

Block C:

Read and annotate the first two chapters of "The Body."

Study your new vocabulary words

block D:

Work on your motif mind map. 

Friday 10.21.16

Block C:

Be ready to participate in our next Socratic seminar on T.S. Eliot's poem "Burnt Norton."

Get a copy of your new book club book and start reading!

Blocks D and F:

Finish your Alexie mind map and study your vocabulary. The weekly check-in is happening when we next meet!

Thursday 10.20.16: Homework

Block F: 
Finish your response to Smoke Signals and continue to work on your mind map.

Block A:
Review the feedback we gave you on your essays and start revising! Come by for extra help if you need it! Final drafts are due on Monday. Don't forget to TURNITIN!
Also, study for your vocabulary quiz on Monday.

Block B:
Review the feedback we gave you on your essays and start revising! Come by for extra help if you need it! Final drafts are due on Tuesday. Don't forget to TURNITIN!
Also, study for your vocabulary quiz on Monday.

TURN IT IN!

Here's what you will need to log it to our TURNITIN.COM class account:

Block A:   

Class ID: 13836324

Password: Englishrocks

Block B: 

Class ID: 13836356

Password: Englishrocks

Tuesday 10.18: Homework

Block B:
Study your new vocabulary words and practice writing sentences!

Block C:
Prepare for our Socratic seminar on Friday.
Study for this week's check-in, also on Friday.
Procure a copy of your new book club book.

Blocks D and F:
Work on your Alexie mind map and study your new vocabulary words.

Monday 10.17.16: Homework

Block D:
Continue to add to your mind map.
Study your new vocabulary words

Block F:
Review the mind map assignment which we will start tomorrow.
Study your new vocabulary words.

Block A:
Review your new vocabulary words and write sentences using them in context.
Read your independent reading book too!

Friday 10.14.16: Homework

Block F:
Read your independent reading book.

Blocks A and B:
Finish your essay due on Monday (A) and Tuesday (B). Bring in a printed copy at the start of class! Refer to yesterday's blog post for links to resources that will help you with citations!

Block C:
Finish Room and prepare for our final book club meeting on Tuesday! Use the format from last week to prepare for your meeting (see handout for literature circles).
Also, find a new book club book that you would like to read with your friends! Bring your serious selections so we can get organized!

Thursday 10.13.16: Homework

Blocks A and B:
Get busy on those essays! They are due early next week, and some of you haven't made much progress! Be sure to reference the Writer's Guide on the school website HERE for support. The MLA Guidelines have changed this year (they are actually much easier!) so check out THIS SITE for  help with your citations.

Block C:
Refer to the agenda I gave you in class today. Finish reading Room, prepare for Socratic seminars, study your new vocabulary, and find yourself a great new book to read with your pals in class. Do all the things!


Block D:
Work on your Alexie Mind Map--it is worth 30 points! Use lots of specific examples and quotes as you build your connections.

Wednesday 10.12.16: Homework

Block C:
Continue to read Room for our next and final book club. I'll have an agenda for you tomorrow

Block D:
Study for your weekly check-in tomorrow!

Block F:
Study for your weekly check-in on Friday!

Friday10.7.16

Block F:
1. Read True Diary up to page 218. Stop at the chapter titled "Talking about Turtles."
2. Finish writing your response on "Why We Play Basketball." Use language from the poem in your response!
3. Study for your vocabulary quiz on Friday 10.14.16

Block A and B:
1. Continue working on your synthesis essay, using the materials we gave you in class today.
2. Study for your vocabulary quiz on Thursday 10.13.16

Block C: 
1. Study your vocabulary words for Wednesday's vocabulary words! We have a quiz first thing when we return!
2. Prepare for your book club, using the new format and prompts I gave you last week.
3. Read and annotate the personal essay by Anthony Doer titled "Costume Drama."

Block D:
Study for your vocabulary quiz on Thursday 10.13.16!
Finish reading True Diary up to page 218. Stop at the chapter titled "Talking about Turtles."

Wednesday 10.5.16: Homework

Block B:
Begin working on your essay topic development. Use the ideas you've gathered on your mind map to help you start to develop an essay idea.
Study this week's vocabulary words!

Block C:
Create a mind map to prepare for tomorrow's in-class write. Bring all of your materials, as you will have the entire block to respond to the prompt.
Study this week's vocabulary words!

Blocks D and F:
Read up to page 218  in True Diary for our next class.
Study your vocabulary words!

Tuesday 10.416 Homework

Block D:Read to page 179  in True Diary

Block F: Read to page 198  in True Diary

Block A: Begin planning your theme statements for your essay.

Monday 10.3.16: Homework

Block F:
Read to page 179 in True Diary. 

Block A and B:
Write your reading response to Smoke Signals and finish your mind map for tomorrow.

Block C:
Write a reading response on Pleasantville for Wednesday.

Friday 9.30.16: Homework

Block A and B: 
Continue to work on your motif map. We will finish Smoke Signals on Monday. Remember to add language from the text into your map, as it will help you when it is time to do some writing!

Block C:
Work on your personal narrative due on October 5th.
Read Part 4 of Room for our next book club discussion on Wednesday 10/12.
Study your new vocabulary words for our next Day 7 check-in.

Block D:
Be sure that you have read through to page 151 in True Diary. Continue to look for evidence for your motif map as you read.

Thursday 9.29.16: Homework

Block C:
Continue to work on your personal narrative. We will have a writing workshop tomorrow, so bring your working drafts! We'll resume Pleasantville on Monday.

Block D:
Read up to page 151 in True Diary tonight. Finish your response to Mary's email today if you did not finish this writing task in class today.
Study your new vocabulary words! The quiz is tomorrow! Don't forget that we are going to THIRD lunch tomorrow!

Block F:
Read up to page 151 in True Diary for Monday and complete the Scavenger Hunt handout as you read.
Study for your vocabulary quiz on Monday! Use the quizlet!

Wednesday 9.28.16:Homework

Block A and B:
1. Begin working on your mind map project, adding your notes and observations from what we watched of Smoke Signals today.
2. Read, annotate, and respond to the short essay titled "Superman and Me" by Sherman Alexie.
3. Study your vocabulary words for this Friday's check-in.

Tuesday 9.27.16: Homework

Block B:
Look over the instructions to the Alexie mind map project that you'll be working on over the next few days. Get started if you want--we'll review the directions tomorrow.
Study your vocabulary words

Block C:
Prepare for Book Club on Part 3 of Room due on Thursday morning. Upload your reading response to our google classroom and print out a copy to bring to your discussion.
Study for the weekly check-in on words 1-5 on Thursday morning as well.

Block D:
Read up page 134 in True Diary and complete the close reading organizer as well.
Study your new vocabulary words.

Block F:
Read up to page 117 in True Diary. Expect a reading quiz when you arrive to class.
Study your new vocabulary words.

Monday 9.26.16:Homework

Block D:
Study your new vocabulary words. 

Block F:
Read and annotate the poem "Miss Rosie" by Lucille Clifton. In addition, make sure you have some background information on The Battle of Little Big Horn and The Battle of Wounded Knee. We will discuss all three tomorrow before we read Alexie's poem "Reservation Mathematics."
Study your new vocabulary words as well.

Block A:
Begin working on your Alexie mind map tonight.
Study your new vocabulary words.

Friday 9.23.16: Homework

Block F:
Read up to page 198. Complete the close reading organizer.
Study your new vocabulary words as well!

Block A and B:
Read up to page 219 in True Diary.
Study your new vocabulary words as well!

Block C:
As we watch the film Pleasantville, you should be working on the following tasks:

1. VIGNETTE REVISION: Due Tuesday 9.27.16. Upload your final draft of ONE vignette to our google classroom HERE

2. ROOM PART 3 READING RESPONSE FOR BOOK CLUB: Due Thursday 9.29.16 (upload to the Google classroom and bring a printed copy with you to book club on Thursday morning. Coffee time!

3. WEEKLY CHECK-IN WORDS 1-5:  Study words 1-5 for Thursday 9.29.16

4. PERSONAL NARRATIVE DRAFT:  Due in Google classroom on or before Wednesday , October 5.

Thursday 9.22.16: Homework

Block A and B:
Finish watching "Children of the Plains" tonight. The video is attached here.

Block C:

Study your new vocabulary words for next week.

Read Room Section 3 for next week.

Work on your vignette revision. I'll give you a rubric tomorrow!

Block D:

Read True Diary up to page 117. 

Wednesday 9.21.16: Homework

Block C:
Take the vocabulary pre-test tonight.
Continue reading Part 3 in Room for next week's book club meeting.

Block D:
Study for the vocabulary quiz tomorrow!
Read to page 98  in True Diary. Consider this question: How are these next two chapters about BELONGING?

Block F:
Study for Friday's vocabulary quiz! Use our class QUIZLET 
Read up to page 73 in True Diary. Consider these questions:

• What are monsters that Junior is afraid of?
• How is grandmother's advice connected to Junior being a warrior?

QUIZLET!

Sign up HERE to join our class Quizlet!

Tuesday 9.20.16

Block F:
Read to page 53 in True Diary. 
Study for your vocabulary quiz this week.

Block A and B:
Read to page 198 in True Diary. Consider this question:
How does Arnold's grandmother's advice connect to tonight's reading.
Study for your vocabulary quiz this week.

Monday 9.19.16: Homework

Blocks A and B:
1. Study vocabulary
2. Read True Diary to page 179 for tomorrow.

Block C:
Prepare for your book club on Wednesday. Don't forget your breakfast items (no PEANUTS or CHERRIES!). Complete your Reader's Response.

Block D:
1. Study vocabulary
2. Read up to page 73 in True Diary.
(If you'd like to listen along, you can do use the audio versioon HERE).

Friday 9.16.16: Homework

Sorry to have fallen behind with the blog, folks. Here's what's up for the weekend:

Block B:
Read through to page 151 in True Diary.
Study your vocabulary words as well.

Block C:
Read section 2 in Room titled "Unlying." Prepare your reading response for Wednesday's book club meeting.

Block D:
Complete the debate preparation sheet we started in class today. Be sure to prepare to argue both sides of the question.
Also, study your vocabulary words as well. Quiz will be later next week.

Block F:
Study your vocabulary words for  next week's quiz.
Read your independent reading book.

Monday 9.12.2106: Homework

Block C:
Complete your vignette project. You should have 3 vignettes, printed and ready for review by Tuesday. We will do some revision later this week.

Block D:
Today you received our first novel titled The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Tonight, flip through it and look it over. We'll start it together in class tomorrow.

Block F:
Read Chapter 1 in True Diary for Wednesday. 

Homework Friday 9.9.16

Block F:
Read your independent reading book.

Block A and B:

1. Complete your self-portrait.

2. Read True Diary to page 98.

3. Complete the research required on handout in order to prepare for our reading of Alexie's poem "Reservation Mathematics" when we return to class on Tuesday.

Have a Great Weekend!

Thursday 9.8.16: Homework

Block A and B:
Finish your letter from Rowdy to Arnold tonight if you didn't finish it in class today.
Read up to page 76 in True Diary and add any new observations or questions to your 3-2-1 sheet as you read.

Block C:

• Work on your vignette project due on Tuesday of next week. Follow the guidelines on the handout I gave you if you need help.
• Finish reading Part 1 in Room for our first book club meeting on Monday. 

Block D:

• Develop ONE good question that you have after watching the documentary Children of the Plains. Bring your question to our next class meeting, along with the notes that you took. 

• Read your independent reading book and review your notes from the documentary we watched today. If you were out, you can watch it HERE

Thursday 9.8.16: Homework

Block A and B:
Finish your letter from Rowdy to Arnold tonight if you didn't finish it in class today.
Read up to page 76 in True Diary and add any new observations or questions to your 3-2-1 sheet as you read.

Block C:

• Work on your vignette project due on Tuesday of next week. Follow the guidelines on the handout I gave you if you need help.
• Finish reading Part 1 in Room for our first book club meeting on Monday. 

Block D:

Read your independent reading book and review your notes from the documentary we watched today. If you were out, you can watch it HERE

Homework 9.7.16

Block B

Read True Diary up to page 46. Complete the 3-2-1sheet

Block C

Write your own version of "On Turning 18" using Billy Collins's poem as a model.

Block D and Block F

Read your independent reading book. 

Tuesday 9.6.16: Homework

Block D:

• Get your syllabus signed
• Obtain your supplies for class
• Read your independent reading book and be sure to bring it to class with you everyday.

Block F:

• Read your independent reading book.
• If you have not yet turned in your signed syllabus and contact form, or your letter of introduction, do so ASAP!

Block A:

• Read to page 47 in True Diary for our next class meeting. 
• Complete the 3-2-1 sheet as you read tonight.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to school everyone! I hope you had a fun and restful summer. Please check the blog daily for homework assignments, updates, and class notes.

What Book Will You Read This Summer>

Go to THIS site and make your selection!

Monday 6/13/16: Homework

Block B and C:
1. Select your summer reading book. Go to THIS site for summaries and reviews of your choices
2. Prepare for our discussion of "June 17,1994" tomorrow.
3. Study for your vocabulary test on Friday.

Block E:
Continue to work on your portfolio and independent project.
Read your book for book club on Wednesday 6/15/16.

Friday 6/3/16: Homework

Block B:
Review the essay template that I gave you today and begin to prepare your essay response. We will be writing with the lab during our next class.
Start studying your 100 Vocabulary Words! The test is in two weeks!

Block C:
Continue to work on your essay assignment. You have a draft due on Tuesday!
Start studying your 100 Vocabulary Words! The test is in two weeks!

Wednesday 5.11.16: Homework

Block C:

• Review the literary criticism we've been working with to prepare for tomorrow's writing class. You should be familiar with both Green and Foster's arguments as you prepare to write your synthesis essay. 
• Study for your vocabulary quiz on Friday as well. 

Block E:

• Begin to develop a proposal for your independent project. 
• Read our book club book!

Tuesday 5/31: Homework

Block E:
Work on your response due tomorrow that is inspired by David Sedaris's "Turbulence." We will meet in the library!

Block B:
Finish reading and annotating the article "A Whole Heap of Ashes" for our next class meeting. You will be writing an essay based on Foster's arguments, so read carefully.

Friday 5.27.16: Homework

Blocks B and C:
Study your vocabulary for next week's quiz.

Thursday 5/26/16: Homework

Block B:
Write sentences for your new vocabulary words and start studying!

Block C:
Carefully read and annotate Foster's article titled "A Whole Heap of Ashes" for Tuesday. You will be writing an essay about Foster's argument, so be sure to read closely.
Also, study your new vocabulary words.

Block E:
1. Using Sedaris's "Turbulence" as a model, write a story about a situation(real or imagined) which you wish to revise/re-do. Start, like Sedaris, at the end, and work your way back to the start in your retelling.
2. Use THIS site to find a book that you'd like to read as a book club book for class.

Tuesday 5.24.16: Homework

Block C:
Today we watched John Green's 2-part Crash Course on The Great Gatsby. Your job tonight is to finish watching Part 2, and to take careful notes on the argument that Green presents to his question: Is Gatsby great? Look for the claim, evidence, and reasons he presents, and be ready to share your understanding when we return to class on Thursday.

Block E: Choice piece due Thursday!

Monday 5/24: Homework

Block C:
Review your notes from today's video biography on F. Scott Fitzgerald

Block E:
Choice piece due Thursday.

Thursday 5/19/16: Homework

Block B and C:
1. Finish your take-home vocabulary quiz due Monday. For help with the format, see THIS link.

Wednesday 5/18/16: Homework

Block F and G:
Finish all the things!

G Block: Your "Stranger in the Photo Essay" and Final Reflection are due by 7:30 tomorrow morning. Upload both to Turnitin.com and PRINT OUT YOUR "STRANGER" ESSAY and bring it to class with you. You will not be allowed to print it when you arrive, so be PREPARED!

Tuesday 5/17/16: Homework

Block C:
Complete the writing task we started in class today to prepare for the Socratic seminar we will have on Thursday. You should bring your copies of "20 Minutes at Rucker Park" and the novel The Great Gatsbywith you to class on Thursday.

Also, study your words for this week's vocabulary quiz on Thursday as well.

Block E:
Seniors--finish your final portfolio due this Friday at 7:30 am!
All other students, work on the "What's the Scenario" choice piece that I gave you yesterday (due next week as a choice piece) and be sure to select a short piece of your writing that you would like to share on Friday!

Monday 5/16/16: Homework

Block E:
Look over the dialogue scenarios I handed out and do some thinking about which one you would like to do when we meet next.
Seniors, work on your portfolio!
Also, only a very small portion of you turned in a completed project today. Finish it!

Block F and G:
To prepare for our final activity that focuses on our study of Hamlet, find a specific moment or situation in the play that connects to another text we've studied together this year. Bring in a passage or quote from the play (which you can find HERE) and be prepared to share what you've found as part of a collaborative activity.

Block B:
Complete the writing task we started in class today to prepare for the Socratic seminar we will have on Thursday. You should bring your copies of "20 Minutes at Rucker Park" and the novel The Great Gatsby with you to class on Thursday.

Also, study your words for this week's vocabulary quiz on Thursday as well.

Friday 5/13/16: Homework

Block G:
Work on your two remaining assignments due the day of the final.

Block B and Block C:
Read and annotate the article titled "20 Minutes at Rucker Park." Look for connections between the article and The Great Gatsby as you read. We will engage in a Socratic seminar after we finish the film next week.

Thursday 5.12.16: Homework

Block B and C:
1.Study your new vocabulary words
2. Read and annotate the story "20 Minutes at Rucker Park." Look for connections to motifs, themes, and character between the story and the novel The Great Gatsby.

Block E:
Finish your final 3 components of your "Ten Ways" project due on Monday.

Block F:
Today, we finished watching the film adaptation of Hamlet. If you were not here due to testing, please watch the remaining section (see the link in yesterday's post).

To prepare for next week's collaborative activity, start thinking about Hamlet as it relates to the other texts we've studied this year. What similarities do you see between Hamlet's situation and those of the the other characters we've examined? What are some common motifs/themes? Next week, I will be asking you to write a one-pager on this topic, which we will then use as a jumping off point for an activity that we'll do together to conclude our study of the play.

Wednesday 5.11.16: Homework

Block E:
Continue to work on the final components of your project due next week.

Block F and G:
Continue to work on your final writing assignments due next week.

Tuesday 5.10.16: Homework

Block F and G:
Study for the comprehensive vocabulary test you'll take on words 1-75!

If you were absent today, please be sure to watch up to the 2:30 mark in Hamlet, so that you will be ready to view the conclusion of the film when we next meet.
You can watch the film HERE.

Block B:
Read your independent reading book tonight. Report to our classroom on Thursday and we will resume the film in the mini-theater.

Block C:
Read your independent reading book tonight. We will resume the film when we return to class on Thursday.

Friday 5/6/16: Homework

First, listen to Mr. T and be good to your mother figure this weekend!

Block C:

• Finish reading the end of the novel The Great Gatsby this weekend. Remember, the ending of the movie is different from the novel, so read carefully and take note of the changes we will soon see when we start the film.
• Also, study your new vocabulary words for Tuesday's Day 2 quiz.

Block E:

Write your letter for your classmate to prepare for our workshop on Tuesday.

Block F:

• Use the feedback you received today to make some revisions to your synthesis essay. The final draft will be due on Tuesday (for real, this time!). Be sure to upload it to the FINAL category in Turnitin.com. and bring in a final printed version as well.

• Also, start to review your words for Wednesday's vocabulary test.

Block G:

You have two remaining writing projects to complete, as well as a comprehensive vocabulary test on Wednesday! Get going!

Thursday 5/5/16: Homework

Block E:
Finish your 3 Genre pieces due tomorrow! Bring them to class, along with four additional copies of the one that you would like to workshop next week.

Block F:
Work on your essay due tomorrow!

Block G:
If you are scheduled to present tomorrow, get ready! If you presented today, be sure to write a brief reflection on how it went.
Continue to work on the remaining assignments on your end-of- year calendar.

Block B:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 9 in Gatsby!

Wednesday 5/4/16: Homework

Block G:
Work on your theme presentation which you will make either tomorrow or Friday.

Block B:
Finish completing the close reading handout that we started in class today on Chapter 8. Be prepared to discuss your choices when we next meet.

Block C:
Finish completing the last two questions on the close reading sheet we started in class today. Use your understanding of the text as a whole to explore the figurative level of meaning and Fitzgerald's purpose. Why does Fitzgerald describe the situation in this way? What is he trying to accomplish?

Tuesday 5/3/16: Homework

Block B:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 8 tonight.

Block C:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 8 tonight.

Block E:
Continue to work on your three genre pieces due on Friday!
Read the excerpt from "Politically Correct Bedtime Stories" for some additional ideas.

Block F:
Work on your essay! It's due Friday!!

Friday 4/29/16: Homework

Block F:
Continue to work on your essay due next week!

Block G:
Work on your theme presentation due next Thursday.

Block B:

• Finish your power shift chart for the rest of Chapter 7. Be sure to use specific quotes to demonstrate your understanding.
• Study for your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday.

Block C:

• Study for your vocabulary quiz on TUESDAY!

Thursday 4/28/16: Homework

Block B:
Read and annotate the remaining pages of Chapter 7, keeping in mind the power struggle that you are tracing. When you return to class tomorrow, we will use some time to finish your power chart.

Block C:
Finish your power chart on Chapter 7. The assignment is included below, in case you need a reminder of the assignment details.

Block E:
Continue to work on your project--the next part is due on 5/6/16.
If you didn't get the chance to complete the exit ticket after the workshop today, please do so before our next meeting:

1. What did you get out of this activity today as a writer/reader?
2. What was the best suggestion or feedback that you received today?
3. Debrief this process? What worked? Didn't work?

Wednesday 4/27/16: Homework

Block C:
Finish your RAFT project if you didn't already do so in class today.

Block E:
Prepare for your Writing Workshop tomorrow.  Write your letter to your assigned classmate.

Block F:
Work on your essay. Seriously.

Block G:
Work on your essay. It's due Friday

Tuesday 4/26/16: homework

Block E:
1. For WEDNESDAY, read, annotate, and use the GOAT sheet to write a reading response on Woody Allen's short story titled "Udder Madness."

2. For THURSDAY, read, annotate, and prepare  for our workshop session. Write a thoughtful letter to your assigned classmate that provides constructive feedback.

Block F:
Read and annotate Act 1 Scene 1 in Hamlet to prepare for tomorrow's activity.
Continue to work on your academic essay and personal memoir project.

Block G:
Continue to work on your comparative essay and personal memoir project. Both are due VERY soon!

Block B:
Read and annotate Chapter 7 up to the bottom of page 144  and complete the first two parts of the "Chain of Events" graphic organizer.

Monday 4/25/16: Homework

Block G:
Select a photo and complete the pre-writing handout for your "Stranger in the Photo is Me" assignment due on May 19th.

Block B:
If you did not complete the final question on today's quiz, do so at home tonight. Your response should be in the form of a thorough, well-written paragraph. Here are your choices:

• Who is your favorite character in the novel. Explain why, using two specific details from the story.
• Who is your least favorite character in the novel. Explain why, using two specific details from the story.
• Explain the significance of the quote, "I wouldn't ask too much of her. You can't repeat the past."

Block C:

Revisit Chapter 7 in The Great Gatsby and complete the "Chain of Events" handout to re-order the events for our discussion. Fill out the chart using as many details, quotes, and specifics from the chapter as possible. 

Event 1= the lunch

Event 2=the hotel

Event 3=the accident

Event 4=the aftermath. 

Friday 4/15/16: Vacation Homework!

Block B:
Review Chapters 1-6 and the timeline we built today in class for the test on Chapter 1-6 in Gatsby that you will take when we return.

Block C:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 7 in Gatsby. Use your road map to help you as you read.

Block E:
Work on your "Ten Ways" project due after break. Be sure to select one piece to bring to our workshop sessions on Monday and Tuesday after break. Bring enough copies for your group!

Block F:
Continue to work on both your personal essay and the scholarly synthesis essay.

Block G:
Continue to work on your Comparative essay due after break.

Tuesday 4/13/16: Homework

Block F:
You now have TWO essay projects to work on, so get going! Chose a photo to inspire your "Stranger" essay and start composing your response. Continue working on your scholarly essay as well.
Also, finish your book club book for Friday's final book club meeting. Maybe we should bring some book-related foods to celebrate?

Block G:
Begin working on your comparative essay. We will be heading to the lab tomorrow, so bring your materials.

Block B:
Finish reading Chapter 6 in Gatsby and complete your Reading Road Map.

Block C:
Read the first 5 pages in Chapter 7 of Gatsby (stop at the bottom of page 125) for Friday.

Screenplay Links for 12th Grade English Comparative Essays

You can find the screenplay for ROOM here.
You can find the screenplay for JUNO here.

Tuesday 4/12/16: Homework

Block B:
Write a thoughtful and well-supported CER paragraph based on the connections you made between Chapter 5 in Gatsby and MTV "Cribs." You can watch the episode again.



Block C:
Study for the Gatsby mid-point test on Chapters 1-6. Use the close reading handout we worked with today to practice your quotation analysis. Be sure to review the timeline we made in class and all of your annotations and road maps thus far.


Block E:
Continue to work on your "10 Ways" project.

Survey for 1th grades in Blocks B and C

Please take a moment to complete this post-survey for me today. Thank you!

Monday 4/11/16: Homework

What a crazy day! Here's what you need to do tonight:

Block C:
Finish your "Make and Take" quiz on Chapter 6. I will collect them at the start of class tomorrow, and we will use your quizzes for an activity.

Block E:
Continue to work on your "10  Ways" project. We will debrief your take-aways from today's visitor when we meet again.

Block F:
Read and annotate the short essay titled "Stranger in the Photo is Me." Take note the way that the author structures his essay, as it will serve as a mentor text for your own essay.

Block G:
Finish your mind map that we started in class today. Your map will serve as a pre-writing exercise for the comparative essay you will  write later this week,

Friday 4/15/16: Homework

Block E:
Work on your "Ten Ways" project. Three P.O.V.s due on 4/26/16.
Remember that our guest speaker is coming to visit on Monday, so be ready! Look over his words of advice before you arrive.

Block F:
Your thesis proposal and annotated bibliography are due on Monday! Please follow the format outlined on the site included here on the blog.

Block G:
Study for your vocabulary quiz on Monday! And, read and annotate the assignment and mentor text that I gave you yesterday. We will be looking at the examples together before you write an essay on your own.

Thursday 4/7/16: Homework

Block G:

• Read the mentor text articles for the writing assignment I gave you today. We will talk about then when we meet next week.
• Study for your vocabulary quiz on Monday as well! 

Block B:
Finish reading and annotating Chapter 5 in The Great Gatsby. Be ready for a reading quiz on Monday.

Block C:

• Finish reading and annotating Chapter 6 in The Great Gatsby. Be ready for a reading quiz on Monday.
• Also, be sure to return to your Motif Chart and use the text to find evidence for each of the motifs we've noticed. I will be checking your charts again on Monday. 

Wednesday 4/6/16: Homework

Block E:
Work on your scene and project plans for Friday. We will have lab time to work on Friday.
Also, read the advice from David Brody before he joins us on Monday.

Block F:
Begin your research for your essay. Get yourself a library card using the guide I gave you today.
We will head to the library on Friday for more research time.

Annotated Bibliographies!

Here is a great resource that will help you write your annotated bibliography.

Tuesday 4/5/16: Homework

Block F:
Begin research for your essay project. Review the notes you took on the Claridge article. We will revisit it fully tomorrow.

Block G:
Finish your one-pager response, and respond to the critic's comments below in your response:

From MANOHLA DARGISOCT. 15, 2015 New York Times 

Continue reading the main storyShare This Page

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  Continue reading the main storyShare This Page
  

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Block B:
Complete the character analysis sheet on Chapters 1-4 that I gave you at the end of the class period today. Be sure to use the text to provide support for your reason!


Block C: 
Complete your motif map with details and specific examples from the text.

Monday 4/4/16: Homework

Block B:
Finish your comic strip section for tomorrow's performance. Be sure that you have read the entire Chapter 4.

Block C:
If you haven't done so already, watch this edition of MTV Cribs and complete the writing prompt on the handout I gave you in class today. Your CER paragraph will be due tomorrow!

Block E:
Work on your "10 Ways" project.

Friday 4.1.16: Homework

Block C:
Finish reading Chapter 5 in The Great Gatsby, using your reading road map to help you. You can expect a reading check when we return.

Block E:
Prepare your "original story" for the Ten Ways to Tell a Story project. Bring the piece you hope to share at the CoffeeHouse Night on Monday as well.

Block F:
Begin the research for the synthesis essay we will start next week. Prepare a one-pager on Room for the Socratic seminar we'll have on Tuesday.

Block G:
Prepare a one-pager (typed) on Room for a Socratic seminar we will have on Tuesday.