Happy HalloweenHomework! Friday 10.31.14

Block D:

A classic 1970's Halloween costume!
I had one just like this!

• Create a mind map of the chapters we've read thus far in "The Body." Following the instructions on the handout I gave you in class today. Be sure to cite lots of language from the text.

Block E:

• Read your independent reading book this weekend. We will resume Big Fish again on Monday.

Block G

You should have already read Chapter 2 in Gatsby. Now I want you to go back and find some of the language that Fitzgerald uses to describe the following:

• a billboard

• the Valley of Ashes

• some drunk people

• a nasty bit of violence

For Tuesday, write up your response to this question: 

What's the deal with Myrtle's nose, and what does it reveal about life in this time and place?

We will be reading Chapters 3 and 4 next week if y0u want to get a head start!

Thursday 10.30.14 Homework

Block G:

For those of you who attended, I hope you enjoyed today's production of Macbeth. 
Here's what I would like you all to do tonight:

Read Chapter 2 in Gatsby. Be on the look out for the following:

• a billboard
• the Valley of Ashes
• some drunk people
• a nasty bit of violence. 

By the end of the chapter, you should be able to answer this question: 

What's the deal with Myrtle's nose, and what does it reveal about life in this time and place?

Block B:

• Write your own version of "The Pony Problem." Focus on one object, and use it as a starting point to tell a story that reveals something interesting about you or an experience that you've had. Be detailed. Be creative. Write at least 500 words. Bring in your TYPED response on Monday!

Block C:

• Finish reading and annotating Chapter 3 and complete the close reading packet activities for Monday. 

Wednesday 10.29.14

Block B:

• Complete the handout we started in class about "The Things They Carried" and "The Pony Problem." Can you find the similarities in the texts?  How do the texts differ?

Block C:

• Read and annotate Chapter 3 in The Great Gatsby.  Stop at the place we marked in the text--that famous moment we've all been waiting for--when Gastby says, "Why, I'm Gatsby." Hooray! 

Block D:

• Read and annotate Chapters 13 and 14 in "The Body" for Friday. 

Block E:

We've read three unique stories this week: "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, "The Pony Problem" by Sloan Crosley, and "Bearing both the Medal of Honor and trauma" by David Martin (CBS News correspondent). Based on these three readings, we can start to make some connections between the things we carry, the things we remember, and the way we both hold on to and share the memories that help to define us.

Here's your job tonight:
Write a four paragraph response to the following questions:

1. What do these stories have in common? What ideas do they share?
2. How do these stories differ?
3. How are these stories told? What do you notice about the writing style/genre?
4. What conclusion can you draw about why we have read these 3 texts together? What do we learn about the nature of storytelling from these texts?

Monday 10.27.14 Homework

Block E:

• Read and annotate the short story titled "The Pony Problem." Consider what the story has to say about the things we carry and care about. How do our possessions tell a story?
• Read your independent reading book too!

Block G:

• Revisit Chapter 1 in Gatsby. Annotate and develop a set of questions to mark your confusion. Bring your questions to class tomorrow.
• Read your independent reading book too!

Block B:

• Read and annotate the short story titled "The Pony Problem." Consider what the story has to say about the things we carry and care about. How do our possessions tell a story?

• Read your independent reading book too!

Friday 10.24.14

Block G:

• Read and annotate the rest of Chapter 1 in Gatsby. I will be checking annotations on Monday.
• Study ALL of your vocabulary words for the test on Monday. Get those flashcards out and put some quality time into learning them all!

Block B:

• Finish reading and annotating "The Things They Carried." Complete the character chart.
• Study ALL of your vocabulary words for the test on Monday. 

If you would like to listen to the audio book that we used in class, you can find it here.

Block C:

• Read and annotate chapter 2 in Gatsby.  Be on the lookout for the following items: a billboard, the Valley of Ashes, some drunk people, and a nasty bit of violence. By the end of the chapter, you should be able to answer this question: What's the deal with Myrtle's nose, and what does it reveal about life in this time and place?

Block D:

• Read and annotate Chapters 1-6 (stop at 7) in "The Body." Note your questions, comments, and connections. 

Thursday 10.23.14

Block B:

1. Read and annotate the first 5 pages of the story (to the page break that we marked in class).
2. Fill out your character chart with as much information as you have thus far in the reading.
3. Study those vocabulary words...ALL of THEM! Test early next week!

Block C:

1. Finish reading and annotating Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby. Take note of your questions, comments, and connections.
2. Study your vocabulary words...Test on Tuesday!

Block D

1. Study your vocabulary words for tomorrow's quiz!
2. Read your independent reading book.

Block E:

1. Read and annotate "The Things They Carried" and complete your character chart for class on Monday. I will be collecting your stories and giving your credit for your annotations, so read carefully!
2. Study your vocabulary words...we will have a quiz on ALL of them next week!

Wednesday 10.22.14

Block G:

• Review your new vocabulary words--there will be a test on ALL of the words next Monday--keep using those flashcards!
• Read and annotate pages 1-9 in Chapter 1 of Gatsby. Our guiding question is: What do we know about Nick Carraway, the narrator? What can you infer about him based on his tone?
• Read your independent reading book too!