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.