Collaboration, Engagement, Integrity,

Creative & Critical Thinkers

Our school-wide core values

Mr. David Ambrose

Medford High School

English Language Arts Department

Mister Ambrose
489 Winthrop St.
Medford, MA 02155
ph: 781.393.2345
dambrose@medford.k12.ma.us

Juniors 2015-2016

Day 177: Thursday, June 17, 2016

Distribute summer reading
Collect books
Jeopardy review
Share college essays
HW:

Hand in make-up work.
Prepare for final exam (Monday).
Download final exam review sheet here.
Download short answer questions here.

Day 176: Wednesday, June 16, 2016

Read aloud drafts of college essays and submit

Day 175: Tuesday, June 15, 2016

Student-led lesson on To Kill a Mockingbird

Day 174: Monday, June 14, 2016

Student-led lesson on To Kill a Mockingbird

Period 2: Dana's Group
Period 6: Natalie's Group

Day 173: Friday, June 10, 2016

College presentations
College essay work

Day 172: Thursday, June 9, 2016

Post College Essay Prompts on Board
Remaining College Presentations
Read and discuss exemplar essays - what made them good

Lian Blake
Lexi Serino
Mackenzie Madigan

Quiet writing
Sharing and workshopping
Make assignments for To Kill a Mockingbird lessons
HW: Work on college essay

Day 171: Wednesday, June 8, 2016

College essay brainstorming
College presentations
HW: Work on college essay

Day 170: Tuesday, June 7, 2016

College essay brainstorming
College presentations
HW: Work on college essay

Day 169: Monday, June 6, 2016

Discuss and submit As I Lay Dying Essay
College Presentations
HW: To Kill a Mockingbird reading assignment

Day 168: Friday, June 3, 2016

Today's Objective:

To analyze main idea and use of rhetoric in a nonfiction passage.

Today's Agenda:

Review SAT logistics
Silvently read and annotate passage (MLK, essay test 2)
Small groups
Large group matchbox
Distribute one more passage

Tonight's HW:

College presentations
As I Lay Dying Essay

Day 167: Thursday, June 2, 2016

Computer Lab Reserved

Today's Objective:

To work on As I Lay Dying essay.

Today's Agenda:

Distribute Works Cited and Handling Quotations handouts
Review Elements of Style PPT
To the computer lab to work on essay

Tonight's HW:

Finish As I Lay Dying essay

Day 166: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Computer Lab Reserved

Today's Objective:

To work on As I Lay Dying essay.

Today's Agenda:

Distribute How to Read and Why excerpt
Read and disuss what makes an example of good writing
To the computer lab to work on essay

Tonight's HW:

Work on As I Lay Dying essay

Day 165: Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Today's Objective:

Assessment for As I Lay Dying unit.

Today's Agenda:

As I Lay Dying test

Tonight's HW:

Work on As I Lay Dying essay (due Friday)

Day 164: Friday, May 27, 2016

Today's Agenda:

College Presentations
SAT Preparation

This Weekend's HW:

Work on As I Lay Dying essay

Day 163: Thursday, May 26, 2016

Today's Objective:

To review As I Lay Dying.

Today's Agenda:

Distribute As I Lay Dying essay rubric
As I Lay Dying Jeopardy review game
Quotes and Vocab Sheet
Major Points Review
Faulkner is My Homeboy Rap

Tonight's HW:

College Presentations for Friday, 5/27
As I Lay Dying Test on Tuesday, 5/31
As I Lay Dying Essay due 6/3

Day 162: Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Discuss Essay (Rubric Tomorrow)
Clippage and Discussion - As I Lay Dying trailer
Discuss final chapters

Darl's descent into madness
What happens with Dewey Dell?
Anse's new wife

Tonight's HW:

College Presentations for Friday, 5/27
As I Lay Dying Test on Tuesday, 5/31
As I Lay DYing Essay due 6/3

On Tap for the Rest of the Week:

Ch. 46-52
Ch. 53-59 (final discussion)
Faulkner is my homeboy rap
Review sheet with quotes and vocabulary
Introduce research paper
Work in computer lab on research
Test
SAT Prep and college presentations

Day 161: Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Today's Objective:

To learn about chiasmus and to come up with examples.
To discuss plot and characterization in As I Lay Dying.

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Chiasmus - definition, journal, share
Return to review ch. 41-45 questions
Review ch. 46-52

Small Groups
Large Group

Read around chapters aloud (ch. 53)

HW: Finish Book; write bullet point responses

Day 160: Monday, May 23, 2016

Today's Objective:

To continue our close reading of Addie's monologue, and to review events of ch. 41-45.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups: Handout ch. 40-45
Large Group Discussion

Addie's Monologue
Other Chapters (41-45)

Begin Reading Ch. 46

Tonight's HW:

Read ch. 46-52. Bullet point notes.

Day 159: Friday, May 20, 2016

Share nonfiction articles
SAT Prep writing questions
College Presentations
HW: As I Lay Dying ch. 41-45, bullet point notes

Day 158: Thursday, May 19, 2016

Today's Objective:

To debrief on our outdoor experience.
To analyze the characterization of Addie through her monologue.

Today's Agenda:

Debriefing on Outdoor Experience - Share your writing and submit
Ch. 20-39 questions
Circle Reading: Addie's Monologue
Discussion questions pertaining to Addie's monologue

Tonight's HW:

Nonfiction article and response
College presentation

Day 156: Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Outdoor Experience Lesson

Download lesson plan handout here!

HW: See last night.

Day 155: Monday, May 16, 2016

Today's Objective:

To learn about Dark Humor.
To identify meaning of vocabulary words in context.
To discuss plot and characterization.

Today's Agenda:

Work out roles for tomorrow's activity
Submit nonfiction response from last week
Opener: Ch. 20-39 Vocabulary
Dark Humor: Review Handout and View Clippage
Circle Discussion: ch. 20-39 Questions

Tonight's HW:

FOR TUESDAY: Wear appropriate footwear/clothing for going on a hike. Bring a journal or notebook.
DUE WEDNESDAY: Read ch. 40-45. Write a one-page response to Addie's monologue (chapter 40).

Day 154: Friday, May 13, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Wrap up the week: Finish last word discussion format
College presentations
Pair and share and then discuss nonfiction articles of the week (bring up articles on overhead to reference)
SAT section for SAT preparation
HW: Read ch. 33-40 in As I Lay Dying. Bullet point notes.

Day 153: Thursday, May 12, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Don't forget to send entries for literary magazine to Mr. Heinegg - maxheinegg@gmail.com
Opener: Sublimation - Review term and then journal; discuss
Last Word Discussion on ch. 20-32

Tonight's HW:

Nonfiction article of the week response

Find an article online - try www.theatlantic.com or www.nytimes.com to start
Print and read the article
Write a response to the article, including summary, tone, inferences, your feelings, etc.

Day 152: Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Answer Ch. 20-32 Discussion Questions.

Tonight's HW:

Finish Ch. 20-32 Discussion Questions.

Day 151: Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Ch. 1-19 Vocabulary
Report Out on Yesterday's Six Discussion Group Topics
Review ch. 20-25 in large circle.
Read ch. 26-28. Model inferences and discuss.

Tonight's HW:

Read ch. 29-32. Write bullet point notes.

Day 150: Monday, May 9, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Revisit passages from ch. 7-12. Demonstrate close reading skills and review questions about Dewey Dell, Anse, and Addie's Death.
Small Groups: Ch. 1-19 questions. Each group is responsible for presenting out on a different question. (+HW check)
Large Group Discussion

HW:

As I Lay Dying ch. 20-25

Day 149: Friday, May 6, 2016

Today's Agenda:

College Presentations
Wrap up the Week: Discussion of ch. 7-12
Tips and Logistics for Saturday's SAT
Review last night's HW: SAT practice session

HW (Weekend of May 7 and 8):

Read ch. 13-19. Write an active reader's log (bullet points and quotes) for each chapter.

Day 148: Thursday, May 5, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Continuation from Yesterday: Finish reviewing ch. 1-6 discussion questions

Period 2: Be sure to review ch. 4, 5, and 6
Period 6: Be sure to review Jewel's character in particular (and Raquel's observation about Cain v. Abel)

Opener: Faulkner lecture 2 - read and annotate; discuss
Small Groups: Ch. 7-12 Discussion Questions
Large Group: Discussion on Ch. 7-12 (use reader's log from HW and discussion questions from classwork)
Distribute

Tonight's HW:

SAT practice section - link here.
Section 1, #1-31.

Day 147: Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Faulkner lecture 1
Small Groups: Ch. 1-6 Discussion Questions and HW check
Large Group: Discussion on Ch. 1-6 (use reader's log from HW and discussion questions from classwork)
Begin reading chapter 7

Tonight's HW:

Read ch. 7-12. Write an active reader's log (bullet points and quotes) for each chapter.

Day 146: Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Today's Objectives:

To introduce William Faulnker's As I Lay Dying and to begin reading the novel.

Today's Agenda:

Review and submit "A Rose for Emily" response paper (last night's HW), then submit.
As I Lay Dying Introductory PPT
Distribute Books
Together, read chapter 1 ("Darl") and discuss. Review 10 inference-based questions.

Tonight's HW:

Read ch. 2-6. Write an active reader's log (bullet points and quotes) for each chapter.

Day 145: Monday, May 2, 2016

Today's Objectives:

To analyze "A Rose for Emily" and to compare the themes of the short story to a poem by Emily Dickinson and a song by the Zombies.

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Read Dickinson's poem "The Soul Selects Her Own Society." Identify the the theme of the poem. Relate it to "A Rose for Emily." Discuss.
Small Groups (and HW check): Get into five small groups based on your assigned qustions from the weekend. Review your five questions.
Jigsaw: Five groups present out to the class and discuss "A Rose for Emily."
Other Discussion Topics: In the large circle (nonlinear nature of story, characterization, etc.)
Listen to "A Rose for Emily" by the Zombies. Discuss adaptation of the story.

Tonight's HW:

Reponse paper (two paragraphs) on how Emily Dickinson's poem and the Zombies' song adapt Faulkner's story. Use quotes from the poem, the song, and the story to explain connections.
Here is the link to the Zombies song.
Here is the link to the Zombies lyrics.

Day 144: Friday, April 29, 2016

Today's Objectives:

Review expectations for college presentation project.
Complete DDM post-test.

Today's Agenda:

Share and submit HW from last night

crazy family memoir - OR -
a letter from one character to the other

Review college presentation project assignment and rubric

DDM 1 Post-Test
When you are done with DDM 1 Post-Test, read an outside reading book or a nonfiction article from The Atlantic

This Weekend's HW:

Read "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner.
Answer your five assigned discussion questions from Mr. Gunnar's discussion sheet.

Day 143: Thursday, April 28, 2016

Today's Objective:

To read and analyze an example of Southern realism, and to see how photographs may have inspired the work of a Southern writer (Eudora Welty).

Today's Agenda:

Share and submit last night's HW

one-page reflection on "A Good Man is Hard to Find" or an original poem from the perspective of a character from the story

Opener: Free write journal on one of Eudora Welty's photographs (Google search images - give students 3-4 options)

How could a photograph inspire a story for a writer?
Discuss how Eudora Welty was inspired to write "Why I Live at the PO" when she took a photo of a post office worker ironing a shirt on an ironing board in the back room of the post office

Read aloud "Why I Live at the PO"
Discussion Questions and Vocabulary (small group or large group, time-permitting)

Tonight's HW (two options):

one-page personal narrative - your own crazy family story/memoir - OR -
one-page letter from the perspective of one character to "Sister" from "Why I Live at the PO"

Day 142: Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Today's Objective:

To analyze a Flannery O'Connor short story and to determine why it is a good example of the Southern Gothic subgenre.

Today's Agenda:

Do Now: Half the class reads excerpt from Flannery O'Connor's bio, half the class reads excerpt from How to Read and Why

partner with someone who read a different article than you did
share main ideas and talking points

Small Groups:

What are THREE ways that "A Good Man is Hard to Find" fits into the subgenre of Southern Gothic literature? (refer to your notes from yesterday)
Share HW - What is your interpretation of the grandmother's actions at the end of the story? (refer to your homework from last night)

Large Group:

Present out on why last night's story is considered Southern Gothic
Discussion on last night's story (centered around grandmother's decision)

Closing: Listen to "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Sufjan Stevens.

How does the song represent the story?
How does the Misfit's first person narration in the song change the story?

Tonight's HW (one of two options):

one-page analysis of the story ("A Good Man is Hard to Find") and why it exemplifies the Southern Gothic subgenre
an original poem/song retelling the story of "A Good Man is Hard to Find," but from a different character's perspective (not the Misfit)

Day 141: Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Southern Gothic Introductory PPT

Journal and discussion on American Gothic painting
Introductory notes

HW: Read "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

Write a response about why the grandmother touches the Misfit in the end. Find THREE quotes from the text to support your assertions. Here are three options for interpreation:

She does it out of grace and charity. She has transformed as a person.
She is trying to save herself from being murdered. She has not changed.
She is trying to do her best. She has faults and makes mistakes, but is trying to do what is best for her family.

Day 140: Monday, April 25, 2016

DDM 2

Day 139: Friday, April 15, 2016

Submit Hamlet essay
Hamlet Test
NO HW OVER VACATION

Day 138: Thursday, April 14, 2016

Essay workshopping day
Hamlet Test review
HW: Finish essay (3 pages, 2 sources); Study for Test

Day 137: Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Essay workshopping day
Examine Kenz's model essay
Work on quotes

Day 136: Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Review Act 4 and Act 5 guided viewing sheets; discuss and submit.
Hamlet Final Discussion (SRS)
Discuss Inferring Hamlet - main ideas, what makes it good writing.
Distribute essay rubric.
HW: Read another assigned secondary source (based on your character for essay)

Day 135: Monday, April 11, 2016

Award extra credit for food donations and writing contest participation
Review Act 4 questions, and submit Act 4 response and Act 4 questions
Act 5 on video
Discussion of Act 5
HW: Read and annotate "Inferring Hamlet." Note what makes it an example of good essay writing.

Week of Monday, April 11, 2016

Act 5 on Video, discussion (Monday - HW: Inferring Hamlet, read and annotate)
Hamlet Final Discussion (Tuesday)
Inferring Hamlet discussion - main ideas, what makes it good writing (Tuesday - HW: read and annotate your assigned chapter of Inferring Hamlet; matchbox/outline of your own ideas for the essay)
Essay Workshopping Day - Kenz's model essay, brainstorming, exploring secondary sources, looking for quotes, etc. (Wednesday)
Essay Workshopping Day - peer review, incorporating quotes, supporting essay (+ test review, Thursday)
Essay due Friday, Test Friday
No HW over Vacation!

Day 134: Friday, April 8, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Guided viewing of Act 4 on video
Complete guided viewing sheet

This Weekend's HW:

Read Act 5 (both scenes, 5.1 and 5.2). Respond in your logs in the prescribed format.

Day 133: Thursday, April 7, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Character committees presentations

Laertes
Ophelia
Gertrude
Claudius

Tonight's HW:

One-page characterization analysis on your assigned character. (Multi-paragraph, with quotes.)

Day 132: Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Work on character committees presentations

Tonight's HW:

Finalize character committees presentations

Someone will need to put together the Prezi or PowerPoint or poster (Q4 quiz grade)

Due Friday: One-page characterization analysis on your assigned character. (Multi-paragraph, with quotes.)

Day 131: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Review and submit multi-paragraph analysis of monologues
Assign character committees
Begin work on Act 4 (reading in small groups) and character committees

Tonight's HW:

Continue work on character committees

Day 130: Monday, April 4, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Questions about Act 3 from logs
2:03-2:24 on Branagh DVD
Discuss
Small Groups (3) to analyze 3 monologues from 3.2 and 3.3 (rhetoric, main idea, etc.)
Review analysis in large group
Ticket Out: Submit logs

Tonight's HW:

Take your notes from today and write a multi-paragraph AP/SAT style analysis of your assigned monologue from today's class.

Day 129: Friday, April 1, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Discuss nonfiction article of the week (The Atlantic, re: college admissions, part 1 of 3) - small group then large group
SAT preparation (practice test 3) - small group then large group

Weekend HW:

Read Hamlet 3.3 and 3.4.
Respond in your logs in the prescribed format.
Be ready for a log check on Monday, April 4 (quiz grade)

Day 128: Thursday, March 31, 2016

Today's Goal:

To compare film versions of The Mousetrap scene to our own.

Today's Agenda:

Period 6: Mr. Morris comes by for Q and A about Honors vs. AP
Our version of The Mousetrap (review HW; submit with logs next week)
Mousetrap Scene on Film 1 - Branagh, 1:50-2:03
Mousetrap Scene on Film 2 - 1:28-1:40
Discuss adaptations

Tonight's HW:

Read and annotate Nonfiction article of the week (The Atlantic, re: college admissions, part 1 of 3)

Web link to article
Document link to article
Photocopies distributed in class

Day 127: Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Today's Goal:

To prepare and perform "The Mousetrap" scene, with a focus on what it shows about Claudius and Hamlet's characters.

Today's Agenda:

Period 2: Mr. Morris comes by for Q and A (re: AP vs. Honors)
Questions from Logs
Divide into 4 groups for preparation

before the play (3.2.90-140)
the dumb show (stage direction at 140)
The Mousetrap (3.2.140-235)
Claudius's reaction (3.2.235-280)

Present out in relay; discusss

Tonight's HW:

Complete the "Casting your own Mousetrap" handout

Day 126: Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Today's Goal:

To examine the significance of "the nunnery scene."

Today's Agenda:

Last night's HW (your own version of "To be or not to be"): Pair and share, and then share with large group
Read through, stand up, and discuss 3.1.99-202
View Clippage

Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet (ch. 26 on DVD)
Ethan Hawke as Hamlet
Mel Gibson as Hamlet
Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet (ch. 26 on DVD)

Discuss interpretation of clippage using 3.1 handout

Tonight's HW:

Read Hamlet 3.2. Respond in your logs in the prescribed format.

Day 125: Monday, March 28, 2016

Today's Goal:

To analyze and understand the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy.

Today's Agenda:

Read and discuss Hamlet 3.1.1-63
Initial read through of "To Be or Not To Be"
View clippage

Initial Reactions to clippage - What did you like about each? How are they different?
Small Groups: Using handout, perform close analysis of "To Be or Not To Be"
Discuss Small Group Analysis

HW:

Write your own version of the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy (i.e. "To play baseball or not to play baseball," "To take AP or not to take AP," etc.)

Day 124: Thursday, March 24, 2016

Small Groups: Paraphrase "O What a Rogue" and answer 6 discussion questions
Review paraphrase and discussion questions
O What a Rogue Clippage - Tennant; discuss
Collect Logs
HW Holiday

Day 123: Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Today's Goal:

To analyze the interpretation of Hamlet, Act 2.

Today's Agenda:

Touch base to wrap up yesterday about Polonius
Act 2 on video
Discussion

Tonight's HW:

Response to Hamlet's "Rogue" soilolquy

Day 122: Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Polonius values lesson

HW: Hamlet 2.2 - respond in your logs.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Snow Day!

Day 121: Friday, March 18, 2016

Hand back work: Hamlet logs and SAT practice

Wrap up the week: Questions and discussion on Act 1 of Hamlet

Review HW: Practice Test 3, section 2 - small group then large group

Nonfiction article of the week: Read and discuss - main ideas, supporting details, author's tone, tough vocab, your thoughts

HW: Read Act 2.1 and respond in your logs.

Day 120: Thursday, March 17, 2016

Take out logs to follow along

Act 1 on video

Discuss Act 1

Hand back work

Ticket Out: Submit Act 1 Logs

HW: SAT practice test 3, section 2 (grammar section) from https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests

Day 119: Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Quick class (because of spirit rally)

Run through 1.4 and 1.5

HW: Write logs for 1.4 and 1.5 and make sure all logs are in order for log check tomorrow (quiz grade)

Day 118: Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Period 2 (with Mr. Esner and Mrs. Saulnier's classes)

Meeting in first floor cafe

Period 6: with Mr. Esner's class

Meeting in first floor cafe

Day 117: Monday, March 14, 2016

Period 2 (with Mr. Esner and Mrs. Saulnier's classes)

Meeting in science lecture hall

Period 6: with Mr. Esner's class

Meeting in first floor cafe

Day 116: Friday, March 11, 2016

Period 2 with Mr. Esner and Mrs. Saulnier's classes in first floor cafe

Period 6 with Esner's class in first floor cafe

Partner with students from another class to complete Mrs. Saulnier's interview activity
Make groups of 5

2 from Ambrose
2 from Esner
1 from Saulnier

In groups: examine 2015 MCAS Long Comp prompt - juniors (Mr. Ambrose's students) share with the other students:

what is the prompt asking?
how did they approach the prompt?
what did they write about?
be as particular as possible

In groups: examine 2015 MCAS Long Comp make-up prompt

juniors can facilitate, but all students should contribute to brainstorming and writing outline of essay on big paper

Wrap up: groups present out ideas re: 2015 make-up prompt
We'll meet again together on Monday and Tuesday

Day 115: Thursday, March 10, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Hamlet's soliloquy 1.2

Read aloud
Discuss main idea and literary devices
Submit 3-paragraph response

Small Groups 1.3

Characterization of relationship between Ophelia and Laertes
Close reading of the advice from Polonius

Discuss 1.3
Read 1.4 and 1.5

HW (period 2):

What did you write about on last year's MCAS long comp prompt? How did you approach the question?
What tips would you give to someone who will be taking the MCAS in a few weeks?

HW (period 6):

Day 114: Wednesday, March 9, 2016

With Mrs. P

Read Hamlet's soliloquy

Write a three-paragraph analysis of his main idea and the literary devices used to convey that main idea

HW: Read 1.3. Respond in your logs.

Day 113: Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Today's Goal:

To analyze how Shakespeare establishes tone in the opening scene.
To analyze the rhetoric of Claudius.

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Questions from the Log
Finish reading/acting 1.1; discuss
Getting the Politics Right
Read speech from Claudius aloud
Small Groups: Close reading of opening speech of 1.2, then present out

Tonight's HW:

Write a three-paragraph open response (with quotes) on this topic: How does Claudius use rhetoric and structure to convey his main ideas?

Day 112: Monday, March 7, 2016

Today's Goal:

Hamlet Unit Introduction

Today's Agenda:

Establish the Log Assignment

Expectations
Talia's Model Entries

First Log Entry

Journal and Discuss - any questions about Shakespeare?

Read Around 1.1.1-80
Questions
Acting the Scene

HW:

Read 1.1 and 1.2. Write in your log in the prescribed format.

Day 111: Friday, March 4, 2016

Students may use phones to access links for SAT practice
Review Final Tips for Tomorrow's SAT (logistics, snacks, etc.)
Score and comment on a partner's SAT practice essay, then outside reading

Use this link to bring up an exemplar anchor paper for scoring (from College Board site)

Share and submit SAT practice essays (online practice essay 1, re: darkness)
Review Practice Test 2, Sections 1 and 2 (Small Group, Large Group, or just large group, depending on time constraints)
HW: Get some rest for the SAT!!!

Day 110: Thursday, March 3, 2016

Share Review from HW

Turn and Talk with Friend
Share with Large Group
Discuss Incorporation of Focus Language
Discuss Video and Other Feedback

SAT Essay in-class writing

Read and process sample prompt
Brainstorm
Share ideas for outline

HW: Write essay on SAT prompt from class.
Download the text and the prompt here.
Click on this link to navigate to some sample essays that might help you to work on your own.

Day 109: Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Review Expectations for Review Assignment
30 Days Video
Discuss Video
HW: Write a formal academic review of 30 Days using your "writing a rave review" sheet from class.
Don't forget to make sure the remainder of SAT practice test 2, section 1 is completed!

Day 108: Monday, February 29, 2016

Reminders:

Writing Contests
School Committee Recognition
Completion of SAT Practice Test

30 Days

Preview 2 episodes and decide which one to watch

Minimum Wage
Off the Grid

Period 2 goes to see Mrs. Briand's class

HW: SAT Practice Test 2 - finish section 1 (about 30 questions, about 30 minutes)

Day 107: Friday, February 26, 2016

Wrap Up the Week:

Continue discussion on journalism ethics from yesterday

SAT Preparation

Review Khan HW (Reading - section 1, 1-21)
New book packet (Writing - section 2 - 1-11)

Outside Reading

HW: Read outside reading book for 30 minutes

Day 106: Thursday, February 25, 2016

Today's Goals:

To assess the ethical implication of journalists' choices.
To read an excerpt from a modern-day immersion journalist (who is similar to Upton Sinclair).

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups to review journalism dilemmas

round robin
HW check

Large Groups to report out on journalism dilemmas and discuss
Read excerpt from New Jack (see sidebar for link)

Discuss effectiveness and similarity to The Jungle

Tonight's HW:

SAT packet assigned in class - First TWO reading selections from Practice Test 2 (College Board)
Link to College Board Site with Practice Test 2
Downloadable PDF of Practice Test 2

Day 105: Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Today's Goal:

Formative Assessment of our ability to read Modernist poems.

Today's Agenda:

Writing Awards

2/29 for school committee recognition
Upcoming Writing Awards

Introduce HW
Quiz (Sandburg's Poetry)
Correct Quiz

HW: Prep for Journalism activity (Write 5 blurbs in response to the ethical dilemmas)

Day 104: Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Today's Goal:

To read and analyze selections from Carl Sandburg's "Chicago" collection.

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Share and submit original poems based on "Chicago"
Small Groups: Read and analyze poems
Large Group: Review poems
Quiz Review

Tonight's HW:

Prepare for quiz on Sandburg's "Chicago" poems

Day 103: Monday, February 22, 2016

Chicago Poems Introduction

Sandburg Bio
Eminem Video
Photo of Chicago and Free Write (search "industrial Chicago")
Chicago - Read and Analyze

Small Groups: ID examples of imagery and personification/apostrophe and ID how they contribute meaning to the text

HW: Write your own version of the "Chicago" poem (about Medford)

What's on tap for after vacation:

30 Days
Your Own Muck-Raking Project
Chicago Poems
Hamlet

What's on tap for the week before vacation:

Progressive Era Literature

Crash Course
Journalism
30 Days - on Amazon Prime

Reflection on our Quarter 2 Work

Day 102: Friday, February 12, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Do Now: Reflection on goals and share
Small Groups: Review HW

Imagery/Lit Devices - Why does this piece "work"?
Contrast with American Dream - What's more effective, chapter 2 or chapter 3? Why?
Connections to History Class

Large Group Discussion
Finish Reviewing PSAT Section 1

Touch base in small group
Large group questions

NO HW OVER VACATION!!!

Day 101: Thursday, February 11, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Wrap up yesterday

Finish PPT
Small group tasks + report out
Check Progressive era HW + ch. 2 HW

American Dream Lesson

Do Now
Group Work
Clippage
Discuss Last Night's Reading

Tonight's HW:

Read and annotate excerpt from Chapter 3 of The Jungle.
Write a 2 paragraph response (using quotes) about the imagery in the chapter. What makes it so vivid? Why is it so effective?

Day 100: Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Access Prior Knowledge about Progressive Era
Introduction to Muck-Raking PPT
Small Group Tasks (Check HW - prior knowledge about Progressive Era)
Report Out

Tonight's HW:

Read and annotate excerpt from Chapter 2 of The Jungle.
Write a page response to the guiding question about the notion of the American Dream.

Day 99: Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Present Gatsby projects
Small Groups: Review PSAT section 1

Tonight's HW:

One page of prior knowledge about Progressive Era.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Snow Day

Friday, February 5, 2016

Snow Day

Day 98: Thursday, February 4, 2016

Today's Goals:

To work on improving our reading comprehension skills in preparation for the SAT.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups: Review Section 1 of PSAT. ID what questions you'd like to review.
Large Circle: Review Section 1 of PSAT.
Small Groups: Touch base on what needs to get done to finish your visual project.

Tonight's HW:

Finish Gatsby visual and be prepared to present tomorrow.

Day 97: Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Today's Goals:

To work on improving our grammar skills in preparation for the SAT.

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Quietly review section 2 of PSAT. ID items you would like to review.
Large Circle: Review section 2
Score Report: ID areas of relative strength and weakness
Small Groups: Work on visual project

Tonight's HW:

Work on Gatsby visual project. Due Friday.

Day 96: Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Work on visual medium project
Grade conferences

Day 95: Monday, February 1, 2016

Work on visual medium project
Grade conferences

Day 94: Friday, January 29, 2016

SAT Preparation

PSAT score videos from Ms. Jensen

Questions and Answers
Small Groups: ID challenging questions
Large Group: Review challenging questions

Outside Reading
HW: Work on visual medium project

Day 93: Thursday, January 28, 2016

Today's Goal:

To reflect on themes from the Great Gatsby, and to begin to plan a 3-D map of the novel.

Today's Agenda:

Peer revision and scoring of essays
Share and submit essays
Crash course: view video and discuss
Review visual medium project expectations (show map book)
Small groups: brainstorm and work on visual medium project for Gatsby

Also, Gatsby journal check (50 points)

Tonight's HW:

Work on visual medium project.
Bring in outside reading book.
Bring in PSAT booklets and score reports.

Day 92: Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Peer revision of Gatsby essays

Day 91: Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Humanities Computer Lab to work on Gatsby essay
HW: Finish Gatsby essay

Day 90: Monday, January 25, 2016

Gatsby in film - wrap up
Discussion
Work on essay
HW: Gatsy essay (extend to Wednesday?)

Day 89: Friday, January 22, 2016

Gatsby in film
HW: Gatsby essay due Tuesday

Day 88: Thursday, January 21, 2016

Gatsby in film
Check Gatsby journals for latter half of book
No HW (STUDY FOR YOUR OTHER EXAMS!)

Day 87: Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Midterm Exam
No HW (STUDY FOR YOUR OTHER EXAMS!)

Day 86: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Midterm Exam Review Session - small groups (make study guide), large group questions
HW: Review for exam.
DOWNLOAD EXAM REVIEW SHEET HERE.

Day 85: Friday, January 15, 2016

Goal:

Wrap up the week.
Prepare for SAT.
Read.

Agenda:

Outside reading time.
Wrap up yesterday's Gatsby discussion.
Multiple choice formative assessment (ch. 7-9)
ID topics/skills to review for midterm exam

Homework:

Review for midterm exam.

Day 84: Thursday, January 14, 2016

Goal:

Final Gatsby discussion.

Agenda:

Around the Horn Discussion Format
Large Group Final Discussion
Wrap Up: Discuss Essay Ideas

Homework:

Work on essay.
Formative assessment quiz (ch. 7-9) Friday.
Bring in outside reading book.

Day 83: Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Goal:

Perform a close reading of The Great Gatsby

Agenda:

Small Groups: Revisit ch. 5-7

3 sections of class, each focusing on a different chapter, ID 2-4 relevant excerpts/passages from your chapter to read and discuss
HW check (last two nights)

Large Group Discussion (small groups present out)
Begin reading Chapter 8

Homework:

Read Chapters 8 and 9.
Write in your reading response journal.

Day 82: Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Revisit Gatsby Essay Prompts
Chapter 4-6 College Board Questions
Last Word Discussion Format

Tonight's HW:

Read Chapter 7. Complete Reading Log

Day 81: Monday, January 11, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups:

HW Check
Answer Chapter 4 Discussion Questions

Large Circle: Chapter 4 Discussion
Introduce AP Essay Prompts
Begin Reading Chapter 5

Tonight's HW:

Read chapters 5 and 6. Write Reader's Response Log with Page Numbers and Quotes.

Day 80: Friday, January 8, 2016

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Terry's Article
Primer on how to read your PSAT score
Gatsby Quiz
Outside Reading
Review and Correct Quiz

This Weekend's HW:

Read Gatsby Ch. 4
Reading Log for Ch. 4

Day 79: Thursday, January 7, 2016

Today's Goals:

To analyze the use of rhetoric in a passage from Gatsby
To review plot, characterization, and other literary elements in ch. 1-3.

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Read ch. 3 excerpt and answer questions
Review opener with large group
Round robin questions about ch. 3
Wrap up round robin discussion

Tonight's HW:

Prepare for Gatsby quiz, ch. 1-3, focus on rhetoric
Bring in outside reading book

Day 78: Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Today's Goal:

To analyze chapter two of Gatsby.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups

HW Check
Symbolism
Historical Context
Setting

Large Group Discussion

Today's HW:

Read Gatsby Ch. 3. Complete Reading Log.

Day 77: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Today's Goal:

To analyze chapter one of The Great Gatsby.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups

HW Check
Share Reader Response Journal
Answer Chapter 1 Discussion Questions

Large Group

Review Chapter 1 Discussion Questions
Questions from Response Journal

Begin Reading Chapter 2

Today's HW:

Finish reading Chapter 2.
Complete Reading Response Journal.

Day 76: Monday, January 4, 2016

Today's Goal:

To introduce The Great Gatsby.

Today's Agenda:

Journal
Images (from Lost Generation PPT)
Background
Distribut Books and Begin Reading
Download lesson plan here.

Tonight's HW:

Finish reading chapter one of The Great Gatsby. Finish reader response journal.

After Break:

The Great Gatsby

Day 75: Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Rick Reilly Christmas article
The Gift of the Magi
Twain's Letter from Santa
HW: HOMEWORK HOLIDAY! ENJOY THE BREAK!

Day 74: Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Small Groups: Share and Discuss Hemingway Essay
Students Share Ideas from Hemingway Essay with Large Group and Then Hand in Hemingway Essay
Independently, read New York Times Op-Ed piece about Washington Irving
Small Groups: Read Irving excerpt and identify ways it represents modern Christmas celebrations
Large Group: Wrap Up
HW: HW Holiday!

Day 73: Monday, December 21, 2015

Computers for Hemingway Revisions

Period 2 - Cart
Period 6 - Lab

Focus on:

Paragraph Structure
Quotes
MLA Format

HW: Finish Hemingway Essay

Here is the story for tonight - UP in Michigan!

Web link

PDF

Day 72: Friday, December 18, 2015

Outside Reading
Discuss Hills Like White Elephants (a la SAT)
Hemingway Video
How to incorporate biographical information into Hemingway essay?
HW: Work on Hemingway Essay (due Tuesday)

Day 71: Thursday, December 17, 2015

Today's Goals:

To trace the development of Nick Adams's character throughout three stories.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups: Confer on your assigned story

Plan how to present it to class
Identify passages to read

Large Groups: Present out and discuss
Wrap Up: Nick's Development discussion; essay expectations

Tonight's HW;

Day 70: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Today's Goals:

Analyze two of Hemingway's short stories and identify how they represent quintessential Lost Generation stoires.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups: Confer on "Old Man at the Bridge"
Review "Old Man at the Bridge" using Dr. J's analysis
Why is Michigan a place of masculinity for Hemingway? PPT
Small Groups: Confer on "Up in Michigan"
Discuss "Up in Michigan"

Tonigh'ts HW:

Read one of these Nick Adams stories:

Create a response log using the template provided in class.

Day 69: Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Today's Goals:

To analyze Lost Generation short stories and poetry.

Today's Agenda:

Collect entries for Globe contest
Share and submit homework paragraphs about sonnet
Read and analyze short story in groups - "Old Man at the Bridge"

Tonight's HW:

Read "Up in Michigan" and complete graphic organizer.

Day 68: Monday, December 14, 2015

Today's Goals:

To present an analysis of a WWI poem.
To identify the defining traits of a Hemingway short story.

Today's Agenda:

Collect permission forms and payment for Globe writing contest
Student groups present out on 4 WWI poems
Small Groups: Read Edna St. Vincent Millay's Sonnet

Tonight's HW:

Two paragraph analysis of the sonnet.

Day 67: Friday, December 11, 2015

Today's Goals:

Read.
Prepare for SAT.
Wrap up the week.

Today's Agenda:

Opener: Amnesty International Letters
When you're done, Outside Reading
SAT Preparation (second half of last week's packet)
4 presentations on poems

This Weekend's HW:

Go to www.artandwriting.org.
Upload your work.
Bring in signed permission form with $5 payment on Monday.

Day 66: Thursday, December 10, 2015

Lost Generation Day 3

Today's Objectives:

Today's Agenda:

Review Lost Generation bullet point HW from two nights ago
Share original poems from last night's HW in small groups, large groups, submit
Split into four groups to analyze four different WWI poems

HW:

Write a 2-paragraph poem explication of your assigned poem from today. Comment on theme, tone, symbolism, etc.

Day 65: Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Lost Generation Day 2

Today's Objectives:

To analyze a Lost Generation poem, explaining allusions to Greek mythology.

Today's Agenda:

Hannah O. shares narrative (period 2 only)
How to enter the Globe contest
Access prior knowledge of Icarus, watch YouTube clip of Icarus
"Landscape with the Fall of Icarus" - read and analyze
"To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph" - small group analysis then large group discussion.

HW:

Find a painting online and write a poem inspired by the painting.

Day 64: Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Share and submit personal narratives
Lost Generation Introductory Day

Introductory PowerPoint
Initial Poems

HW: Research Lost Generation. Write down ten bullet points.

Day 63: Monday, December 7, 2015

Short Story Unit Test
(Sub for second half of period 6)
HW: Finish your personal narrative

Day 62: Friday, December 4, 2015

Outside Reading
Share and submit analytical essay
SAT preparation (continue practice test 1)

HW:

Due Friday: 2-3 page analytical essay
Monday: Test
Due Tuesday: 2-3 personal narrative

Day 61: Thursday, December 3, 2015

Share information about Bunker Hill dual enrollment

Writing Workshop Day

Analytical Essay
Personal Narrative

HW:

Bring in outside reading book tomorrow
Due Friday: 2-3 page analytical essay
Monday: Test
Due Tuesday: 2-3 personal narrative

Day 60: Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Slowing Down the Moment Lesson

See 11.18.14 lesson plan in archives to download links and Word document for today

HW:

Due Friday: 2-3 page analytical essay
Monday: Test
Due Tuesday: 2-3 personal narrative

Day 59: Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Today's Goal:

To finish analyzing "FUBAR" and to work on our thesis and outline for our essays.

Today's Agenda:

Finish FUBAR (reading and discussion - period 6, discussing - period 2)
Touch base on analytical essay expectations
Small Groups:

Workshop Thesis
Three Talking Points
Quotes

Large Group Thesis Workshopping

Tonight's HW:

Continue work on analytical essay.

Day 58: Monday, November 30, 2015

Today's Goal:

To read and analyze a quintessential Kurt Vonnegut story.

Today's Agenda:

Distribute portfolios.
Do Now: View and respond to two Vonnegut videos (see links on sidebar)
Read around "FUBAR"
Complete "FUBAR" discussion in large/small groups
Review literary analysis prompts

HW:

Thesis, outline, and quotes for literary analysis essay (final essay due Friday)
Bring portfolio home to show parents.

After Thanksgiving (week of 11/30):

Monday: FUBAR and review literary analysis essay assignment
Tuesday: slowing down the moment lesson (see Day 51: 11.18.14 for links)
Wednesday: Finalized Personal Narrative for Grade and Writing Contest
Thursday: 2-3 Page Literary Analysis on Your Short Story
Friday: Short Story Unit Test

Day 57: Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Thankful Readings
Thankful Rap
Thankful Writings
Share

Day 56: Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Reflection on Goals
Portfolio of Best Work
Compile folder
"A & P" discussion
New writing - share Allie piece and other HW from last night
Workshop Writing
HW: Thanksgiving Rap/Poem

Day 55: Monday, November 23, 2015

Today's Goal:

To read and analyze a modern coming-of-age story.

Today's Agenda:

Share and submit memoirs (small group, large group)
A & P lesson

background
read aloud
college questions in groups
discussion

HW: Coming-of-Age narrative - in the style of A & P

Day 54: Friday, November 20, 2015

Today's Goals:

To examine tone, characterization, and theme.
To being to write our own memoir.

Today's Agenda:

Literary: Memoir
Vocabulary: Vexation and Aesthetic
Opener: Journal
Small Groups
Discussion and Presentations
Start Writing Your Own Memoir Free Write

HW:

Start it like this "With that in mind, I think I have become a ________ because of ______ and - more specifically - because of _________.
Begin work on your own memoir.

Day 53: Thursday, November 19, 2015

Today's Goals:

To analyze "A Retrieved Reformation" using terms from Freytag.

Today's Agenda:

Assign HW roles
Journal
Literary Terms
Discussion
Pygmalion Effect
Begin Reading "Sneed"

Tonight's HW:

Read and annotate "Piggy Sneed." Bullet poin notes on your assigned focus areas.

Day 52: Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Today's Goals:

To analyze "Girl" and to examine our own pieces of writing to determine the relevance of this work.

Today's Agenda:

Girl small group discussion questions
Girl large group discussion
Share original Girl pieces
Plot structure PPT notes

Tonight's HW:

Read "A Retrieved Reformation."

Complete this Freytag's Pyramid graphic organizer.

Day 51: Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Girl analysis questions with sub

Day 50: Monday, November 16, 2015

Share and submit artifact exchange personal narratives
Girl lesson
HW: Write your own version of "Girl"

Day 49: Friday, November 13, 2015

Today's Goals:

To construct and edit a personal narrative that could be used as a college essay.

Today's Agenda:

Hand back work and check iPass
SAT test 1, section 2 (completed last week, correct and review)
Model narratives - Mr. Ambrose, Karina
Small groups - share and edit narratives
Large group - share artifacts

Tonight's HW:

Type a polished version of your narrative. Shoot for approximately 650 words. Use multi-paragraph construction and dialogue.

Day 48: Thursday, November 12, 2015

Discussion on Everyday Use

Artifact Exchange Activity

HW: Draft of narrative about your artifact

Day 47: Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Today's Agenda:

Warm Up: Review SAT Practice Test 1, Section 1, Passage 2 (from Friday)
Mirrors and Windows
Small Groups:

Initial Impressions of Story
Discuss and Check HW (Was justice served?)
Complete Question Sheet
Mirrors and Windows

Circle Discussion

Story Analysis
Mirrors and Windows
Introduce Artifact Exchange

Tuesday's HW:

Bring in an "artifact" (or a photo of one, if it is too valuable to you). Be sure to have something tangible (with a story option) to share with the class.

Day 46: Monday, November 9, 2015

Today's Goals:

To share our original creative writing pieces.
To review SAT fundamentals.
To introduce Alice Walker.

Today's Agenda:

Share snapshot piece with partner
Share with class and submit
Review SAT practice from Friday
Alice Walker biography
Quilt background PPT

Tonight's HW:

Read and annotate "Everyday Use."
Response paper: Was justice served by who got the quilt?

Day 45: Friday, November 6, 2015

Share and submit final draft of short story (Q2)
SAT preparation
Last day of quarter - all make-up work due

Day 44: Thursday, November 5, 2015

Exchange and workshop your snapshot short story
Goal: 2-page, multi-paragraph narrative.

Day 43: Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Today's Goal:

To introduce our short story unit.

Today's Agenda:

Share and submit Walden essays
"What Writing Is" - read and discuss
Slideshow Free Write

Tonight's HW:

Polish your free write into a multi-paragraph narrative.

Day 42: Monday, November 2, 2015

Today's Goal:

Assessment of Trascendentalism Unit.

Today's Agenda:

Transcendentalism Unit Test

Tonight's HW:

Your Own Walden Essay due on Wednesday

Day 41: Friday, October 30, 2015

Today's Goal:

Reciprocal Teaching: Teach the class about your assigned poem.

Today's Agenda:

Whitman Poem 4
Whitman Poem 5
Test Review

Tonight's HW:

Transcendentalism Test on Monday
Your Own Walden Essay due on Wednesday

Here is what you should study for Monday's test:

Thoreau (Civil Disobedience - AP-style questions, Walden)
Emerson (Self-Reliance)
Whitman (poems)
Rhetoric
Major Ideas of Transcendentalism
Articles Concerning Thoreau's Relevance

Day 40: Thursday, October 29, 2015

Today's Goal:

Reciprocal Teaching: Teach the class about your assigned poem.

Today's Agenda:

Whitman Poem 1
Whitman Poem 2
Whitman Poem 3
Review Your Own Walden Assignment

Tonight's HW:

Transcendentalism Test on Monday
Your Own Walden Essay due on Wednesday

Day 39: Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Work on planning your Whitman lesson with the subsitute

Day 38: Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Today's Goal:

To analyze Whitman's most important poem and to compare it to a modern rap song.

Today's Agenda:

Turn and talk to share "Learn'd Astronomer" poems
Share and submit poems
Whitman video - "Song of Myself" chapter of American Experience (:32-:39)
Kendrick Lamar's "i" - listen and analyze
"Song of Myself" - read and discuss, compare to "i"
Assign sections of poem to class

Tuesday's HW:

Analyze and annotate your assigned section of "Song of Myself." Be the expert! ID literary devices, ask questions, look for theme, etc.

Day 37: Monday, October 26, 2015

Today's Goal:

To learn about other nature writers.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups: Discuss responses to book of nature readings and HW check
Large Group: Circle discussion - read aloud from book of nature readings and share analysis, response, what resonates with you, etc.
Whitman video - last three minutes of American Experience documentary. Discuss: How does this represent Transcendentalist values? How does this represent a new brand of Transcendentalism not before seen?
Breaking Bad - When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
Discuss When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer

Tonight's HW:

Write your own version of "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer" - a poem about how you were bored by something or didn't understand something until you actually experienced it yourself.

On tap for the week of 10/26:

Monday, 10/26 - Whitman - discuss book of nature readings (HW), introduction with video (see last year for link), When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer, Breaking Bad, I Hear America Singing, other nonfiction reading, HW: write your own version of the poem
Tuesday, 10/27 - share your own poems, review Song of Myself, everyone works on section 1 in small groups, review and discuss, Kendrick Lamar "i," assign sections for students to present, HW: analyze your section
Wednesday, 10/28 - students plan lessons for Whitman poems
Thursday, 10/29 - 3 groups present
Friday, 10/30 - 2 groups present, test review, Khan quiz?
To wrap up quarter (Monday) - Transcendentalism test (Monday) and Your Own Walden writing assignment, your own "Song of Myself" - potential Globe contest piece

Day 36: Friday, October 23, 2015

Today's Goal:

To discuss college.
To read two nonfiction articles about the modern relevance of Thoreau.
To work on our English fundamentals.

Today's Agenda:

Discuss college fair
your thoughts on the hike; share writing and submit
nonfiction readings

Thoreau rediscovered as a climatologist
Depth and Purity
Read your article, swap and report out

Outside reading

This weekend's HW:

Read the book of nature readings.
Pick out a favorite piece.
Write a response.

Day 35: Thursday, October 22, 2015

Hike
Writing reflection
HW: Polish your writing from today; be ready to share tomorrow

Day 34: Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Discuss HW (is McCandless to be celebrated or criticized?)
Review website - Transcendentalist ideas in Into the Wild
Distribute outdoor reading packet
HW: Go to College Fair tonight!

Day 33: Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Today's Goals:

To discuss what a "utopian" school would look like (inspired by Emerson).
To evaluate whether Christopher McCandless is a Transcendentalist.

Today's Agenda:

Small Groups: Share utopian ideas
Present out to large group
Into the Wild

Trailer
Excerpt

Tonight's HW:

Response paper: Should McCandless be celebrated or criticized? Why?

Day 32: Monday, October 19, 2015

Today's Goals:

To discuss the importance of outdoor education.
To consider what our own "utopian" outdoor school might look like.

Today's Agenda:

Warm-up: Reread and rewatch Louv excerpts (see links in unit plans)
Turn and Talk: Share responses, then discuss with large group
Circle Reading: "Want Your Kid to Go to Harvard? Tell Him to Go Outside" Discuss the importance of outdoor education
Discuss concept of "Utopia" (in the context of Emerson)
Small Groups: Begin to plan out your own utopian outdoor school
Ticket Out: Hand in quote responses from last week

Tonight's HW:

Design your own utopian school, in which outdoor education is heavily implemented.
I encourage you to go online an find models of such schools to bring in to class tomorrow. Feel free to share links with me that we can bring up on the projector.

On tap for next week:

Monday:

Warm-up: Reread and/or rewatch Louv excerpts
Turn and talk: Share responses
Read "Want Your Kid to Go to Harvard? Tell Him to Go Outside"
Share and submit quotes from last week's HW
Examine Emerson's "Utopia" excerpt from textbook
Tonight's HW: Design your own utopian school, in which outdoor education is heavily implemented

Tuesday:

Small Groups: Share ideas on utopian school. Prepare to report out.
Report Out and discuss the utopian model from your group.
Into the Wild trailer
Into the Wild excerpt
Connections to Transcendentalism
Tonight's HW: Response paper: Should McCandless be celebrated or criticized? Why?

Wednesday-Friday:

Outdoors experience
Walt Whitman poems
Transcendentalism Test

Day 31: Friday, October 16, 2015

Today's Goals:

To practice critical reading of a nonfiction Transcendentalist text.
To practice fundamental writing and revision skills.

Today's Agenda:

Warm-up: SAT writing questions from Khan Academy (quiz 1)
Small groups: Civil Disobedience AP questions
Review questions
Outside reading

This Weekend's HW:

Watch this 5-minute video (interview with Richard Louv).
Read this 2-page excerpt from Last Child in the Woods (Richard Louv's book).
Write a one-page response: What stood out to you about Lou'vs assertions? Why does Louv this outdoor education is important? Do you?

Day 30: Thursday, October 15, 2015

Today's Goals:

To perform a close reading of seminal Transcendentalist texts (especially because of your field trip with Milne).

Today's Agenda:

How was the PSAT?
Walden passages - Where I Live and What I Live For
Emerson passages - Self-Reliance

Tonight's HW:

Pick one or two quotes from today's reading and write a one page response.

Day 29: Wednesday, October 14, 2015

PSAT

Day 28: Tuesday, October 13, 2015

College Pride Day

College Presentation and Q & A

Final PSAT Review

HW: Review PSAT booklet. Get a good night's sleep. Eat breakfast.

On tap for next week:

Tuesday ("College Pride Day"): UMass presentation, Q and A about UMass and college process in general, finish reviewing PSAT practice booklet
Wednesday: PSAT administration
Thursday: Debrief on PSAT, More Transcendentalism (perhaps Louv, Emerson, Whitman)
Look to get outside to the Fells to do nature reading and writing

Day 27: Friday, October 9, 2015

Today's Goal:

English fundamentals

Today's Agenda:

Review Section 1, passage 3 and 4
Section 1, passage 5
Outside Reading
Model how to answer grammar questions

This Weekend's HW:

Complete PSAT section 2 (grammar section)

Day 26: Thursday, October 8, 2015

Small Groups: Come to consensus on answers to PSAT sections 1 and 2
Large Group: Review Sections 1 and 2
Sections 3
HW: Section 1, Passage 4, #29-37

Day 25: Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Hand back work
Finish presentations of A, B, C, D, and E
Finish Economy quotes
Monday's Reading
Share Where I Live, Submit
HW: Complete sections 1 and 2 of assigned PSAT packet

Day 24: Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Today's Objectives:

To analyze Thoreau's writing philosophies.

Today's Agenda:

Do Now: Personal Economy handout
Small Group: Economy A-E (and HW check)
Begin presenting out

Tonight's HW:

Write your own statement "Where I Live and What I Live For" in the style of Thoreau.

Day 23: Monday, October 5, 2015

Thoreau readings and questions from textbook with substitute

On tap for next week:

Monday: DDM 2, HW Holiday, provided you have finished (a) quote sheet and (b) Economy notes, which will be checked on Tuesday
Tuesday: Do Now: Personal Economy, Small groups to review Economy sections (A, B, C, D, E) +HW check, groups present out and read aloud, review quote sheet with large group, begin reading "Where I Lived and What I Live For," HW: Finish reading "Where I Lived and What I Lived For," in the style of Thoreau, write your own statement of where you live and what you live for
Wednesday: Discuss Thoreau's Where I Lived, Share your own Where I Lived, More Thoreau passages
Thursday: More Thoreau passages, perhaps Louv, perhaps Emerson, perhaps focused PSAT fundamentals
Friday: Begin focused PSAT preparation with PSAT practice booklet

Day 22: Friday, October 2, 2015

Today's Objectives:

Typical Friday objective - wrap up week, outside reading, fundamentals test prep

Today's Agenda:

Discuss visit from Thoreau man, check HW
Wrap up SAT practice test 1, section 2
Outside reading

This weekend's HW:

HW Holiday (provided you have completed the following, which will be check on Tuesday):

Economy notes
Quote sheet from Wednesday

Day 21: Thursday, October 1, 2015

Today's Objective:

To learn from "Henry David Thoreau."

Today's Agenda:

Visit with "Henry David Thoreau," Jay DiPrima

Tonight's HW:

One page response to today's visit from Henry David Thoreau. Bring in outside reading book.

Day 20: Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Thoreau Economy quote sheet with subtitute

Day 19: Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Today's Objectives:

To analyze the notion of "civil disobedience" and how it was influential to MLK.

Today's Agenda:

5 Things you didn't know about Thoreau
Journal: Civil Disobedience
Definition of Term
Small groups: Review HW, HW check
Large Group circle discussion

Tonight's HW:

Read your assigned section of Walden. Annotate. Write a bullet point summary, including at least three quotes.

Day 18: Monday, September 28, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objectives:

To introduce the ideas of Transcendentalism and to examine what it means to be a Transcendentalist.

Today's Agenda:

Do Now: Walden Free Write
Top 6 Signs You Might Be A Transcendentalist
Agree/Disagree activity in small groups
"You Never Know" - listen and discuss

Tonight's HW:

Read and annotate excerpt from textbook - "Civil Disobedience."
Answer the following five questions:

What is unusual about the way Thoreua characterizes his night in prison?
What do you make of the connotation of the word "interfered" (in reference to his neighbor's paying his fine)?
Is he a CHAMPION of the common man, or does he CONSDESCEND to the common man?
Does government require consent of the governed?
In what particular ways do you think MLK was influenced by this essay?

On tap for next week:

Monday, 9/28:

Thoreau Introduction
Walden Free Write,
"You Never Know,"
Top 6 Signs You Might be a Transcendentalist,
Agree/Disagree
Things You Didn't Know About Henry David Thoreau,
HW: read excerpt of "Civil Disobedience" from the text book; answer five questions: 1. Do you find anything unusual about the way he characterizes his night in prison? 2. What do you make of the connotation of the word "interfered"? 3. He is a champion of the people, or does he condescend to them? 4. Does government require the consent of the governed? 5. How was MLK influenced by this essay?

Tuesday, 9/29: "Civil Disobedience Day 1" - 5 Things You Didn't Know About Thoreau, Do now journal about quote, a defintion of terms, Discuss Civil Disobedience (review HW, reread passages), argument map similar to MLK, Start some excerpts from Walden, Discuss, HW: Walden readings, your own response

Wednesday, 9/30: Responses to Thoreau, HW: focused reading to prep for tomorrow's presentation

Thursday, 10/1: presentation from Henry David Thoreau actor Jay DiPrima, discussion with actor to follow, in theater

Friday, 10/2: English fundamentals, the new PSAT format, finish last week's practice test (test 1, section 2)

Day 17: Friday, September 25, 2015

Today's Objectives:

To work on English fundamentals, particularly critical reading skills.

Today's Agenda:

Submit MLK essay
English Fundamentals - Test 1, Section 2
Outside Reading

Tonight's HW:

HW Holiday! Thanks for a great week!

Day 16: Thursday, September 24, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objective:

To take our ID photos.
To revise our essay drafts.

Today's Agenda:

Photo Day
Peer Revision
Essay Workshopping

Tonight's HW:

Final draft of MLK essay due tomorrow.
Bring in outside reading book.

Day 15: Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objective:

To assess the skills that we hav practiced during our Martin Luther King rhetoric unit.

Today's Agenda:

Martin Luther King rhetoric test

35 multiple choice questions
3 open response questions

Tonight's HW:

Bring in your draft of the MLK essay in two formats (digital and print) for peer revision excercises tomorrow.

Day 14: Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objectives:

To review our feedback from yesterday's discussion exercise.
To begin working on our MLK analytical essay.

Today's Agenda:

Wrap up discussion in period 6
LAPTOPS RESERVED TODAY!
Feedback from yesterday's discussion

Meet with your partner to discuss your participation in the discussion.
Digitally access iPass to see your grade and my comments.

Review questions about the task/rubric/expectations for essay assignment
Work on laptops - writing essay
MLK test review

Tuesday's HW:

Study for MLK test (Wednesday)
Work on essay (due Friday)

Day 13: Monday, September 21, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objectives:

To conduct an academic, student-centered discussion and to provide immediate peer and teacher feedback.

Today's Agenda:

Review essay assignment and rubric
Socratic seminar format and expectations
Fishbowl discussion - two rounds
Immediate feedback

Tonight's HW:

Brainstorm and outline (with threesis and quotes) for essay.

On tap for next week:

Monday: Socratic Seminar Graded Discussion on MLK, test grade, immediate feedback, HW: ideas for essay (distribute rubric as students depart)
Tuesday: Review questions on rubric, essay workshopping, HW: study for test
MLK test, HW: typed draft of essay due Thursday
Thursday: Hand back work, Essay workshopping, Essay peer revisions, photo day, HW: Finish essay
Friday: Outside Reading, Submit and share essays, SAT preparation

Day 12: Friday, September 18, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objectives:

To wrap up week's material.
To work on English fundamentals.

Today's Agenda:

Students share argument map
Small groups: MLK vocab and HW check
Two clips on modern applications of MLK and discuss

NPR
Santorum

This weekend's HW:

Prepare for graded discussion.
Write questions.
Write talking points and quotes.

Day 11: Thursday, September 17, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objective:

To learn about the concept of argument mapping.
To use that concept to create a "reverse outline."
To discuss tone.

Today's Agenda:

What is an argument map? (See web link in unit plan.)
Small Groups: Create argument map (using graphic organizer) for all 5 sections of the essay
Present and discuss

Tonight's HW:

Create an argument map for your assigned section (1-5). Use the template on the sidebar, or create your own.

Day 10: Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objective:

To review major rhetorical devices.
To analyze rhetoric in a clip from a modern TV show.
To begin to analyze rhetoric in MLK's writing.

Today's Agenda:

A Rhetoric Review
Mad Men Clippage
Discuss Clip: How does Don Draper use rhetoric effectively to sell us on the idea of this product?
Small Groups: How does MLK use rhetoric effectively to convey his points? Add to your notes.

Tonight's HW:

Add 3-5 points to your annotations, based on today's rhetoric lesson. Perhaps try color-coding.

Day 9: Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Today's Objective:

To learn about the historical context leading up to King's arrest in Alabama.

Today's Agenda:

Wrap up presentations from yesterday (articles 26-30) and post on wall
Review HW: How was what was going on in Birmingham a violation of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights (as well as the Bill of Rights)?
MLK Historical Context PPT

Tonight's HW:

Add to your annotations to the essay, based on your new knowledge of the historical context of the events.

Day 8: Monday, September 14, 2015

Unit: Rhetoric via Transcendentalism

Essential Question:

How do authors use rhetoric to convey their message?

Today's Objective:

RI.11-12.1 To collaborate to understand a foundational government document.

Today's Agenda:

Journal: Just vs. Unjust Laws
Discussion
Jigsaw on UN Declaration of Human Rights
Present Out

Tonight's HW:

Read excerpt from MLK's autobiography and Birmingham Segregation Ordinances.
Response Paper: How was this (what was going on in Birgminham) a violation of UN Declaration of Human Rights? (3-5 points)

On tap for next week:

Monday: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Birmingham Segregation Ordinances, HW: How did what was going on in Birmingham violate UN laws (5.14)
Tuesday: discuss HW, MLK context PPT (6.14)
Wednesday: rhetoric PPT, Mad Men video, small group rhetoric (8.14)
Thursday: Argument Mapping, HW: argument map (9.14)
Friday: Outside reading and hand back work, Santorum clip, Share agrument map, MLK Vocab, MLK nonfiction, HW: prep for Soc. Sem

Day 7: Friday, September 11, 2015

Today's Objectives:

Honor 9/11
Share writing
Pre-test - what do we know/what don't we know?

Today's Agenda:

Read "Four of a Kind"
Share and submit letters
DDM 1
Outside Reading

This Weekend's HW:

Print, highlight, and annotate "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

Day 6: Thursday, September 10, 2015

Today's Objectives:

To present an original skit that conveys our core values.
To analyze two TED Talks that reflect our school's core value system.

Today's Agenda:

Skits about Core Values

Small Group Prep Time
Present Out and Put In Context

TED Talk: Marshmallow Challenge

View and Discuss - What does this say about the nature of (a) collaboration and (b) critical and creative minds?

TED Talk: Everyday Leadership (Lollipop Moments)

View and Discuss

Tonight's HW:

Write (type) a letter (one page) to the person who gave you one of your "lollipop moments."

Announcements:

Bring in your outside reading book tomorrow.
DDM tomorrow.

Day 5: Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Today's Objectives:

Students will be able to identify and explain four core values and will create a skit to demonstrate understanding.

Today's Agenda:

Readings on Integrity and Critical Thinking

Read, turn-and-talk, discuss

Core Values Quotes

Review PPT

Small Group Task: Create skit

Tonight's HW:

Finish the plan for your skit for tomorrow's class

Day 4: Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Today's Objectives:

Summer reading assessment - did you read the book?
Diagnostic - what is your writing process?

Today's Agenda:

In-Class Essay
When you are finished, hand in...

rubric
outline
essay

Tonight's HW:

Stay cool.
Swim in a pool.
You made it through a hot day at school!

On tap for next week:

Summer Reading Assessment
Learning About the Core Values - Skits, Presentations, Reflections
DDM
Introduction to Unit 1

Day 3: Friday, September 3, 2015

Today's Objectives:

To get into our Friday routine - outside reading, fundamentals and test prep, wrap up the week.

Today's Agenda:

Browse the books
10 minutes of outside reading
Brief SAT exercise (Section 3 of online practice test)
Small groups to work on summer reading essay outline

This Weekend's HW:

Finish your one-page outline for your summer reading essay.

Day 2: Thursday, September 2, 2015

Today's Objectives:

To get to know everyone's name.
To review expectations for essay assignments.

Today's Agenda:

Submit Parent Form
Share Name History and Do Ice-Breakers
Review School-Wide Rubric for Writing and What Mr. Ambrose Looks for in an Essay
Review Summer Reading Essay Prompts
Brainstorm Ideas and Outline Your Essay in Groups (according to what you did for summer reading

Distibute Graphic Organizer if necessary

Homework (due Tuesday):

One page outline for your summer reading essay - 3 talking points to suppor thesis and quotes

Day 1: Wednesday, September 1, 2015

Today's Objectives:

To learn about the material we will cover in class.
To set some goals for the school year.

Today's Agenda:

Welcome
Accomplished Alumni
Setting Goals
Review Syllabus
Review Website and Twitter
Review Letter Home to Parents/Guardians
Complete Get-to-know-you Survey
"We All Have Powers" Cartoon
Rita Pierson Mantra

Tonight's HW:

Research the meaning/history of your name. Ask your family members. Go online. Find out as much as you can about the signicance of your name. Write two paragraphs on this, and be prepared to share it with the class tomorrow.

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Mister Ambrose
489 Winthrop St.
Medford, MA 02155
ph: 781.393.2345
dambrose@medford.k12.ma.us

Collaboration, Engagement, Integrity,

Creative & Critical Thinkers

Mr. David Ambrose

Juniors 2015-2016

Links to Unit Plans

Introductory Material

Core Values

SAT Preparation and English Fundamentals

Martin Luther King

Transcendentalism

Snapshots Short Stories

Lost Generation

Holiday Readings

The Jungle

Chicago Poems

Nonfiction Article

Southern Gothic Literature