Check here for daily updates about what is going on in my sophomore classes!

Wednesday, 6.24, and Thursday, 6.25

• EXAMS!

Day 176:  Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Honors:  

• Return books
• Continue Discussion on Seven Statements about Othello
• Othello Onion Article
• Exam Review
• Small Group
• Large Group
• Download Mr. Ambroses's Itemized Test Review List here.
• HW:  Study for exam.

Standard:

• Return books
• Continue Exam Review
• Download Mr. Ambrose's Itemized Test Review List here.
• Examine sample questions from exam.
• Make-up work and touch base on what is owed.
• HW:  Study for exam.

Day 175:  Monday, June 22, 2015

Honors: 

• Do Now:  Daily Paraphrase 5.2.
• Act 5 on Video.
• Discuss "7 Statements About Othello" and any other ideas and questions.
• HW:  Create a review sheet for the final exam.

Standard:

• Othello Wrap up Discussion
• Othello Onion Article
• Final Exam Review
• Small Group:  Create a Review Sheet
• Ten Curriculum Questions
• Large Group:  Create a Common Review Sheet
• Download here.
• Work on make-up work and extra credit.
• HW:  Study for Exam.  Make up work.  Extra credit.

Day 174:  Friday, June 19, 2015

Honors:

• Othello, Act 4
• Review summaries from HW
• View film (Act 4)
• Analysis Questions 3.4-4.2
• Discussion
• HW:  Read Othello Act 5.  Write a summary of both scenes.

Standard:

• Othello, Acts 4 and 5
• View film from 1:08-1:57
• Discuss
• HW:  Review for exam.  Work on make-up work.  Complete extra credit.

Day 173:  Thursday, June 18, 2015

Honors:

• Review HW (How does Iago set Cassio up in 2.3?)
• View 2.3 on video (to reinforce HW)
• 3.3 on video - Othello as a dynamic character
• 3.4 act out or on video
• Use "Passing the Handkerchief" handout and "3.4 Daily Paraphrase" Sheet
• HW:  Read Act 4.  Come in tomorrow with a summary of each scene.

Standard:

• Iago's Soliloquy in 1.3
• 2.3, 3.3, and 3.4 on video
• Discussion Questions
• How does Iago set up Cassio to lose his job?
• How does Iago use the handkerchief as a prop to set up other characters?
• How does Othello function as a dynamic character?
• HW:  No HW due on Friday.  Work on preparing for next week's exam, make up work, and extra credit.

Day 172:  Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Honors:

• Do Now:  Iago 1.3 Soliloquy - view and complete handout
• Review Do Now + HW + any questions
• Act 2, scene 1
• Act 2, scene 2
• Focus on Iago's second soliloquy
• HW:  Act 2, scene 3 - read scene (using No Fear Shakespeare if you need).  Write a response to the following question:  What does Iago do in this scene to set up Cassio to lose his job?

Standard:

• Animal Farm Test - scaling, finishing, make-up
• Distribute and Review Dramatis Personae
• Act 1, Scene 1
• Act 1, Scene 2
• Complete 1.1 and 1.2 Review Sheets
• HW:  No HW due tomorrow.  Make up all your work from the quarter.  Begin studying for exams.  Do some extra credit (i.e. book review).

Day 171:  Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Standard:

• Animal Farm Test
• HW:  No HW tonight.

Honors:  

• Review and Submit Animal Farm Allegory
• Othello Introduction
• Distribute and Review Dramatis Personae Sheet
• Act 1, scene 1
• Act 1, scene 2
• Discuss

• HW:  Read Act 1, scene 3.  As you read, view the clip here and/or use No Fear Shakespeare to help you understand.  Then answer the following:  (1)  What is the accusation that Desdemona's dad (Brabantio) asserts against Othello? (2) How does Brabantio resolve this conflict? (3) What will Othello's role in the war with the Turks be?  (4) What do Iago and Roderigo talk about?

Day 170:  Monday, June 15, 2015

Standard:  

• Test Review
• Harvard Survey in Library
• HW:  Study for test

Honors:  

• Animal Farm Test
• HW:  No homework

Day 169:  Friday, June 12, 2015

Standard:

• Read chapter 10
• Moral - Journal and Discussion
• Check ch. 1-9 handouts for quiz grade
• Test Review
• HW:  
• Catch up on all make-up work
• Prepare for Test (Tuesday)

Honors:

• Harvard Survey in Library
• HW:  Prepare for Test (Monday)
• TEST REVIEW - HERE IS WHAT IS ON THE TEST:
• What character represents what historical figure and explain
• propaganda - what is it?  how does Napoleon use it?
• primary message/moral of the novel
• windmill - events surrounding it, what it represents
• how did Napoleon change the 7 commandments?
• Sugarcandy Mountain - what does it represent?

Day 168:  Thursday, June 11, 2015

Standard:

• Fells Debriefing
• Review ch. 8
• Review ch. 9
• Read ch. 10
• HW:  Reflection on what is the moral of Animal Farm?

Honors:

• Do Now:  Share and discuss reflection on preface and discuss
• Small Group Task:  Create your own Allegory
• Share Allegory
• HW:  

Day 167:  Wednesday, June 10, 2015

10 Minute Classes for Fells Day

Standard: 

• Read excerpt from Walk in the Woods
• Share Henry David Thoreau Quote
• HW:  Go to BBQ

Honors: 

• Read excerpt from Walk in the Woods
• Share Henry David Thoreau Quote
• HW:  Go to BBQ

Day 166:  Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Standard:

• Small Groups:  Chapter 8 Handout
• Review Chapter 8
• Chapter 9:  Read and Discuss
• HW:  Finish Ch. 9 and discussion questions

Honors:

• Small Groups:  Chapter 10 Handout
• Large Group
• Review Handout
• Read Final Passage of Ch. 10
• Discuss Moral
• Individually:  Read and annotate Preface
• Discuss interesting takeaways from Preface
• HW:  Analysis of text using preface as secondary source - one page

Day 165:  Monday, June 8, 2015

Standard: 

• Revisit ch. 6
• Russian Revolution PPT 2
• Review ch. 7
• Begin reading ch. 8 aloud
• HW:  Finish ch. 8. Complete handout.

Honors:

• Revisit ch. 8
• Review ch. 9
• What does Boxer have to die?
• Russian Revolution PPT 2
• Begin reading ch. 10 aloud
• HW:  Finish reading ch. 10.  Expand on your moral from last night's HW.  Do you want to add to it or change it?

Day 164:  Friday, June 5, 2015

Standard:  

• Opener:  Share, discuss, and submit HW (examples in the text with propaganda)
• Small Group Analysis
• Chapter 5 analysis and in-class activity
• Chapter 6 analysis and in-class activity
• Large Group:  Review Chapters 5 and 6
• Begin reading chapter 7 (or outside reading)
• HW:  Chapter 7 - finish reading and complete handout

Honors:  

• Opener:  Share, discuss, and submit HW (examples in the text with propaganda)
• Small Group Analysis
• Chapter 7 analysis and in-class activity
• Chapter 8 analysis and in-class activity
• Large Group:  Review Chapters 7 and 8
• Bonus time:  Russian Revolution Part 2 OR reading (chapter 9 or outside reading)
• HW:  Finish book.  Write a reflection paper about what the moral of the story is.

Day 163:  Thursday, June 4, 2015

Standard:

Goal/Objectives:

• What is the message in the propaganda?
• What techiniques are used?  
• How effective is the propaganda?

Agenda:

• Propaganda Videos - Mr. Ambrose's Choice
• Obama "Mother"
• Obama "Seven"
• Obama "Same"
• Palin "Heartbeat Away"
• McCain "Obama a Celebrity"
• Superbowl - Tebow "Focus on the Family"
• Superbowl - Nationwide "But I Died"
• Propaganda Videos - Student Choice
• Felipe
• Nick
• Alannah
• HW:  Identify one part of the book in which propaganda is used.  Write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of the propaganda techniques.

Honors:

• See Above for Goals and Agenda
• Propaganda Videos - Student Choice
• Emily
• Ivy
• Tyler
• HW:  Identify TWO parts of the books in which propaganda is used.  Write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of the propaganda techniques FOR EACH.  INCLUDE QUOTES.

Day 162:  Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Standard:

• Do Now:  Stalin Propaganda Video
• Propaganda Critic Lesson (PPT)
• Propaganda Handout
• HW:  Bring in an example of propaganda (poster or video).  Identify at least two propaganda techniques at work.

Honors:

• Do Now:  Stalin Propaganda Video
• Propaganda Critic Lesson (PPT)
• Propaganda Handout
• HW:  Bring in an example of propaganda (poster or video).  Write a one-page reflection analyzing the message, using the various terms we learned today.

Day 161:  Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Standard:

• Quiz (ch. 1-4)
• what is the animals' anthem?
• name one of the commandments
• what is the animals' slogan?
• who is the best worker/most admired?
• what is the name of the battle in ch. 4?
• Review ch. 3 questions in large group
• Complete ch. 4 questions in small group
• Review ch. 4 questions in large group
• Russian Revolution PPT 1
• HW:  ch. 5-6

Honors:  

• Quiz (ch. 1-6)
• same as standard quiz (above) plus
• what is the chief conflict in ch. 5 (surrounds industrial innovation)?
• what is one change in the commandments in ch. 6
• extra credit 1:  Orwell's real name
• extra credit 2:  where was Orwell born?
• extra credit 3:  what inspired Orwell to write this book?
• Review ch. 4 handout in large group (from yesterday)
• Complete ch. 5-6 questions
• PPT - Russian Revolution PPT 1 AND/OR Propaganda
• HW:  ch. 7-8

Day 160:  Monday, June 1, 2015

Standard:  

• Review Animal Farm ch. 2 handout (from last week)
• Animal Farm ch. 3 - read aloud, complete packet as we read
• HW:  ch. 4, active reading

Honors: 

• Review Animal Farm ch. 2 handout (from last week)
• Complete Animal Farm ch. 3 and 4 questions in groups
• In-Class Activities for ch. 3 and 4
• Review ch. 3 and 4
• HW:  ch. 5-6, active reading

Day 159:  Friday, May 29, 2015

DDM post-test

Day 158:  Thursday, May 28, 2015

Standard:

• Complete Animal Farm ch. 2 handout

Honors:  

• Complete Animal Farm ch. 2 handout

Day 157:  Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Standard:

Today's Goal:

• To analyze "Beasts of England" and to compare it to historical anthems. 
• To analyze the use of rhetorical devices in Old Major's speech.

Today's Agenda:

• Examine Beasts of England and The Internationale
• Listen to The Internationale here
• Identify and discuss parallels
• Comprehension and Discussion Questions - ch. 1
• In-Class Activity - ch. 1

Today's HW:

• Ch. 2 - Read and employ active reading strategies.

Honors:

Today's Goal:

• To analyze "Beasts of England" and to compare it to historical anthems.
• To analyze the use of rhetorical devices in Old Major's speech.
• To analyze plot development in chapter 2.

Today's Agenda:

• Examine Beasts of England and The Internationale
• Listen to The Internationale
• Identify and discuss paralles
• Comprehension and Discussion Questions - ch. 1
• In-Class Activity - ch. 1
• Comprehension and Discussion Questions - ch. 2
• In-Class Activities - ch. 2 

Today's HW:

• Ch. 3-4 - Read and employ active reading strategies.

Animal Farm packet for Standard classes.  - download here!

Looking ahead:  

• 1 chapter a day for standard
• 2 chapters a day for honors
• Tu - Animal Farm
• W - Animal Farm
• Th - Animal Farm
• F- DDM

Day 156:  Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Today's Goals:

• To review literary terms.
• To learn about Orwell's biography.
• To determine what makes a good leader.

Today's Agenda:

• Submit comedy essay (standard can present for extra credit)
• Review literary terms.
• satire
• allegory
• fable
• Orwell biography notes
• Journal and Discussion:  What makes a good leader?
• Distribute books; Begin reading chapter one

Monday's HW:

• Honors:  Chapters 1 and 2.  Active reading with focus.
• Standard:  Chapter 1.  Active reading with focus.

Week of 5/17:  Introduce Animal Farm to honors, MCAS Math

Day 155:  Friday, May 22, 2015

• Outside Reading
• Hand Back Work
• Grammar
• Standard:  Adjectives and Adverbs
• Honors:  Adverbs and Prepositions

Weekend HW:  Finish Comedy Essay

Day 154:  Thursday, May 21, 2015

Last Day to Work on Essays in Class on Laptops

Day 153:  Wednesay, May 20, 2015

Standard:  Work on Visual/Essay (Laptop cart?)

Honors:  Laptop Cart reserved for work on Essay

NO HW - JUST FINISHED MCAS

Day 152:  Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Standard:  Graphic Organizer for Poster/Essay 

Honors:  Laptop Cart reserved for work on Essay

NO HW DUE TO MCAS

Day 151:  Monday, May 18, 2015

Earnest Test

No HW Monday night due to MCAS Math

Day 150: Friday, May 15, 2015

Standard:

• Class will meet outside today.
• Earnest Test Review (see below for details)
• Grammar Exercises (nouns and pronouns in mid-chapter review)
• Standard Essay Prompts
• Outside Reading
• HW:  Study for test

Honors:

• Earnest Test Review (see below for details)
• Grammar Exercises (Adjectives)
• Work on Essay (Laptop Cart reserved)
• HW:  Study for test

TEST REVIEW ITEMS:

• Multiple Choice 
• Quote Identification
• Literary Terms (recognition scene, all-inclusive resolution, etc.)
• Plot Questions
• Characterization
• Victorian Age
• Oscar Wilde Bio (HONORS ONLY)
• Open Response 
• Standard - elements of comedy, how does it satirize the age
• Honors - maxims/epigrams and respond

Day 149:  Thursday, May 14, 2015

Standard: 

• Film Day 2 (start at :32)

Honors:

• Discuss film
• Review essay prompts
• Essay workshop day
• HW:  work on essay

Day 148:  Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Standard:

• Collect Act 2 questions and writing prompts
• Earnest film, guided viewing, day 1

Honors:

• Earnest film, guided viewing, day 2 (start at :55)
• Discuss film
• HW:  work on essay (Honors Essay Prompts)

Day 147:  Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Standard:

• Finish reading Act 2 (pp. 738-741)
• Read Act 3
• Act 3 discussion questions
• HW:  Act 2 writing prompts

Honors:

• Earnest Film, guided viewing, day 1

Day 146:  Monday, May 11, 2015

Standard:

• Read Act 2
• Act 2 discussion questions
• HW:  Finish Act 2 discussion questions

Honors:

• Share and submit writing prompts
• Read Act 3
• Act 3 discussion questions
• HW:  Act 3 writing prompt (write about something that is ironic in your life - or literature)

Day 145:  Friday, May 8, 2015

Standard:

• Outside Reading
• Share and Submit Act 1 Writing Prompts
• Grammar Exercises (nouns, pronouns, verbs) - small group, large group
• HW:  No homework

Honors:

• Act 2 - finish reading
• Act 2 discussion questions
• HW:  Act 2 writing prompts

Day 144:  Thursday, May 7, 2015

Standard:

• Act 1 questions - review in small group (and HW check)
• Act 1 questions - review in large group
• Act 1 writing prompts - quietly write for 15 mintues
• Share Act 1 writing propmts
• HW:  polish up your writing prompt from today

Honors:

• Act 1 questions - review in small group (and HW check)
• Act 1 questions - review in large group
• Act 2 - begin reading, acting out, discussing

Day 143:  Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Standard:

• Continue reading and discussing Act 1
• Work on "Reading Check" and "For Study and Discussion" questions on page 725 of the textbook.
• HW:  Finish questions tonight

Honors:

• Share and submit writing prompts
• Continue reading and discussing Act 1
• Work on "Reading Check" and "For Study and Discussion" questions on page 725 of the textbook
• HW:  Finish questions tonight (HONORS STUDENTS MUST INCLUDE QUOTES FOR EACH FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION QUESTION) 

Day 142:  Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Standard

• Finish notes on Victorian Age
• Comedy terms handout
• 3 Video clips
• What do you find funny (HW)?
• Begin reading/acting Act 1
• No HW

Honors

• Share satire projects
• Comedy terms handout
• Review HW (literary 100 excerpt) - what are the important takeaways - turn and talk and then share
• Begin reading/acting Act 1
• HW:  Act 1 writing prompts - select one of 3 (provided on handout in class) and write a page reflection

Day 141:  Monday, May 4, 2015

Standard:

• Goal:  To learn about the Victorian Age and to learn about types of comedy.
• Share Satire Projects
• Notes on Victorian Age (through tea time slide)
• Standard HW:  Watch a TV show and write about the types of comedy that you see.  What do you find funny?  Why?

Honors:

• Goal:  To learn about the Victorian Age and to learn about types of comedy.
• Submit Satire Meta-Cognitives
• Notes on Victorian Age
• Examples of Comedy (with clips) and discuss
• Absudism - Napoleon Dynamite
• Sentimental Comedy - Grinch
• Burlesque - Fresh Prince
• Honors HW:  Read the excerpt from The Literary 100.  Write a response to three quotes that you find interesting.  Why are these things significant?

Day 140:  Friday, May 1, 2015

Standard:

• Outside Reading, then a journal on what you read
• Grammar work:  In small groups, complete exercises on nouns; review in large group
• Work in small groups on satire project
• HW:  Finish satire project (send it to me electronically)

Honors:

• Outside Reading, then a journal on what you read
• Grammar work:  In small groups, complete MIDCHAPTER REVIEW for nouns, pronouns, and verbs
• Review grammar work with large group
• HW:  Meta-cognitive reflection on you satire project, if you have not already complete this.

Day 138 (Wed, 4.29) & Day 139 (Thurs, 4.30)

Work on satire projects

HW:  Finish satire project 

• Standard due Monday
• Honors due Friday

On tap for after break:

• Day 1:  Does Satire go too far? lesson
• Day 2-4:  Hand back work, MCAS survey, Introduce and Work on original satire project (using last night's HW as inspiration) - goal:  get published on Mantra
• Day 5:  Outside reading
• Importance of Being Earnest
• Animal Farm
• Othello
• Lord of the Flies (honors)

Day 137:  Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Today's Theme:  Creating our own satire

Today's Agenda:

• Hand in outstanding "When does satire go too far?" questions
• MCAS survey (Honors)
• Review satire project options/expectations
• Articles
• Modest Proposals
• Videos, other
• Small groups:  Brainstorming for project based on last night's HW

Tonight's HW:

• Work on satire project.  Due Friday.

Day 136:  Monday, April 27, 2015

Today's Theme:  When does satire go too far?

Today's Agenda:

• Opener:  View clip of Obama and "Luther, the Anger Translator" from White House Press Correspondents' Dinner - Link here.  Discuss the satire.
• When does satire go too far?  Download PPT (includes links to videos) and handout here.
• Sacha Baron Cohen
• South Park
• Colbert Report
• Romeo and Juliet
• Discuss each satire clip using guiding questions.

Tonight's Homework:

• Standard:  5 ideas for your own original satire
• Honors:  3 ideas for satirical article, 3 ideas for satirical video, 3 idaes for satirical modest proposal

On tap for before break:  Satire

• MCAS Prep survey
• Colbert on migrant workers
• Onion - Student Examples
• Political Cartoons
• Musical parodies?
• When does satire go too far?
• Eggplant project
• Modest Proposal
• Gulliver's Travel
• Vonnegut
• Horatio vs. Juvenal 
• See unit and last year's plans for more
• Certain readings particular for honors

Day 135:  Friday, April 17, 2014

• Satire Test
• MCAS Survey
• Outside Reading
• HW:  Enjoy your vacation!

Day 134:  Thursday, April 16, 2014

Honors

• Review AP questions
• Rape of the Lock
• Jeopardy Test Review
• HW:  Study for satire test (download review here)

Standard

• Read Modest Proposal
• Finish questions
• Jeopardy Test Review
• HW:  Study for satire test (download review here)

Day 133:  Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Standard:

• Review political cartoons from last night's homework
• Small groups:  Modest Proposal vocabulary exercise (figure out words from context clues)
• Begin reading Modest Proposal
• HW:  Study for Friday's test

Honors:

• Small groups:
• complete Modest Proposal vocabulary exercise (figure out words from context clues)
• review homework form last night (analysis questions) + HW check
• Large group:
• review vocabulary
• reread passages of the text and review its structure
• review analysis questions
• Small groups:
• distribute AP questions and answer all 10
• HW:  Study for Friday's test

Day 132:  Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Standard

• Return to groups to finish analysis questions
• Review analysis questions
• Teach section 1 (vocab) and 2 (lit terms)
• Review study guide section 3
• Discussion
• 2 Political Cartoons
• Small group analysis
• Discuss in large group
• HW:  3 Political Cartoons on handout - answer questions

Honors

• Small groups
• Discuss story
• Discuss questions and study guide
• How is this a satire of the style of dystopian fiction?
• 5 political cartoons
• Small group analysis
• Discuss in large group
• HW:  Read and annotate "A Modest Proposal."  Answer four discussion questions in packet.

Day 131:  Monday, April 13, 2015

Harrison Bergeron

• Link to Text
• Link to Activity
• Link to Study Guide

Honors in Small Groups

Standard All Together

HW:  Finish up Study Guide Work

• Honors - All sections
• Standard - Just section 3

Day 130:  Friday, April 10, 2015

Outside Reading

Journal on What You Read

Day 129:  Thursday, April 9, 2015

Standard:

• Read "The War Prayer" (in a large circle, annotate, discuss theme, tone, satirical devices, etc.)
• Listen to "With God on our Side."  Note theme, tone, satirical devices, etc.)
• Video link to song
• Identify parallels in discussion
• Quietly write a paragraph about parallels, and then share
• Share political cartoons from last night's HW.  Discuss.
• HW: Read your outside reading book for 15 minutes today, and bring it in tomorrow.

Honors:

• Review Gulliver's Travels questions (in a large circle).  Discuss passages.  Submit HW.
• Silently read "The War Prayer."  Discuss passages from the text.  Discuss theme, tone, satircal devices.
• Listen to "With God on our Side."  Note theme, tone, satirical devices, etc.
• Small Groups:  Draw parallels between the two.  Discuss with large group.
• End of class:  Students present political cartoons for extra credit.
• HW:  Read your outside reading book for 30 minutes today, and bring it in tomorrow.

Day 128:  Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Honors:

• Reread Juvenal Satire (read for HW last night)
• Discuss analysis questions (from HW last night)
• Share original poem in the style of Juvenal (from HW last night - "plight of artists and teachers")
• Review Horace vs. Juvenal handout to make sure students understand difference
• Small Groups (and HW check):  Review Esner satire handout (honors); ID examples from what we have seen so far
• Any questions on Esner's sheet?
• Begin reading excerpt from Gulliver's Travels
• Honors HW:  Finish reading excerpt from Gulliver's Travels.  Answer analysis questions in text.

Standard:

• Reread Horace Satire 1 (read for HW last night)
• Discuss analysis questions (from HW last night)
• Read Juvenal Satire
• Complete analysis questions in large group
• Review Horace vs. Juvenal handout to make sure students understand difference
• Small Groups:  Write your own poem in the style of Horace and/or Juvenal
• Horace - gentle, theme:  "grass is greener on the other side"
• Juvenal - biting, scathing, theme:  "plight of artists and teachers"
• Share poems (give classwork credit)
• Examine some samples of political cartoons in preparation for tomorrow
• Standard HW:  Bring in an example of a political cartoon.  Write a one paragraph analysis.

Day 127:  Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Goal:

• To examine and analyze examples of satire.

Agenda:

• MCAS preparation survey
• Stephen Colbert on migrant farm workers - view and discuss
• tone
• satirical techniques
• overall point
• effectiveness
• Students share examples of satire that they identified during HW last night
• Honors students submit 2 paragraph HW
• Honors:  Read through and discuss Horace poem (Satire 1)
• HW:  
• Standard:  Read Horace poem and complete questions
• Honors:  Read Juvenal poem.  Complete questions on both side of sheet, including original poem in style of Juvenal

Day 126:  Monday, April 6, 2015

• Satire introductory lesson (PPT, Shrek, etc.)
• Download PowerPoint with lesson plan here.
• Shrek clip (Esner's DVD)
• Bush clip (link in PPT)
• Onion articles (2 for honors, 2 different ones for standard)
• HW:
• Honors - satirical article or clip with two paragraph analysis
• Standard - satirical article or clip for class tomorrow

Day 125:  Thursday, April 2, 2015

MCAS wrap-up and vocabulary games (standard) or Brain Games video (honors)

• HW:  No weekend HW!  Enjoy the long weekend wtih your families!  Happy holidays!

Day 124:  Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Today's Theme:  Final long composition prep

• Review prompts form previous years with this PPT
• Review handouts
• Graphic Organizers
• Character Analysis (Static)
• Character Change (Dynamic)
• Long Comp Prep and Tips
• Write "Identify" paragraph silently.  
• Share and discuss
• HW:  Well-deserved HW holiday.  Watch a movie adapted from a book!

Day 123:  Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Today's Theme:  Session 3 style prep for MCAS

• Standard:  Did not have entire class because many were still taking the MCAS.  Reset on MCAS stragies and touch base on performance without talking about test items.  Also, examine section 3 of previous years' tests on overhead.
• Honors:  Read and review "Is Google Making Us Stupid?"  Discuss and answer questions.  Also, examine section 3 of previous years' tests on overhead.

Day 122:  Monday, March 30, 2015

Review Ice Cream

Short Reading Passages

• Standard - Kafka
• Honors - Fountainhead

Distribute PARCC-esque passages

• Whitman/Lincoln

Tips

• Overall - Mr. Heinegg's presentation
• Personal

Room Assignments

HW:  HW Holiday for MCAS!!! Get some rest!

Day 121:  Friday, March 27, 2015

MCAS format, announcements, HW policy, etc.

Review drama packet

• Check, Please
• Merchant of Venice

Powder

• Read aloud
• Small group questions
• Review

HW:  MCAS packet - "Ice Cream" (standard plans open response, honors writes it all)

Day 120:  Thursday, March 26, 2015

Honors:

• Examine DESE website.  Examine explanations.
• Do Now:  Have students write a paragraph in the style.
• Meet with a partner to review feedback on essay.  (Ambrose checks HW.)
• Review poetry packet ("Sleep" and "Sister")
• Drama.
• HW:  Drama packet

Standard:

• Review poetry packet ("Sister" and "Spartans" - spend LOTS of time on "Spartans")
• Drama.
• HW:  Finish Drama packet.

Day 119:  Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Honors:

• 6 students from period 5 go to work with Ms. Saulnier's students
• Work on poetry packet
• "December Moon" poetry
• "Sleep" poetry
• HW:  Finish poetry packet

Standard:

• Examine DESE website.  Read through explanations of what makes something a 4, 5, and 6.
• Do Now:  Have students write a paragraph explanation about their partner's essay in this same vein.
• Meet with partner to review feedback on essay (Ambrose checks HW)
• "December Moon" poetry
• "Sleep" poetry
• HW: Finish poetry packet

Day 118:  Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Today's Goal (all classes):

• Students arrive with intro paragraph and outline for "battle" prompt.

Today's Agenda (all classes):

• Students arrive with intro paragraph and outline for "battle" prompt
• Review particulars of "battle" prompt
• Review Alannah's tip sheet
• Silent writing for rest of long composition - try to emulate the models from yesterday - dictionary access is allowed

Tuesday's HW (all classes):

• Take home a partner's essay.  Mark it up with edits.  Score them according to the rubric.  Give them particular feedback.  Tell them how to go from good to great!

Day 117:  Monday, March 23, 2015

• Honors
• Small Group - Share HW (intro and talking points for a prompt) and HW check
• Large Group - Review each of the first 4 prompts, have students read an intro and share talking points for each
• Small Groups:  Examine student work from DESE website.  ID difference between a 4, a 5, and a 6.  (Prompt:  Great Battle.)
• Large Group:  Discuss differences.  Discuss how we can go from Good to Great.
• HW:  Introductory paragraph and three talking points on great battle prompt.  Here is the prompt: From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who takes part in either a literal or a figurative battle. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe the battle the character takes part in and what happens as a result, and explain how the character’s experience is important to the work as a whole.
• Standard
• Do Now:  Add to your list of 5 works that you know well.  Add a few more.
• All together, read sample student work from DESE website.  Read a 4, a 5, and a 6.  Write and discuss why they are good models.  (See my tweet with Alannah's handout from today.)
• To wrap up class:  Write an introductory paragraph to go with the Great Battle prompt.  Focus on the models and emulating their style.
• HW:  Introductory paragraph and three talking points on great battle prompt.  Here is the prompt:  From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who takes part in either a literal or a figurative battle. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe the battle the character takes part in and what happens as a result, and explain how the character’s experience is important to the work as a whole.

Day 116:  Friday, March 20, 2015

• Honors
• Share essays.
• Hand in essay.
• Hand in books.
• Long composition introduction and brainstorming.
• HW:  Select one prompt from today and work with it - brainstorming, outlining, writing intro and topic sentences - for the weekend.
• Standard
• Hand in outstanding Catcher books.
• Reread Bridge of Sighs.
• Brainstorm on board for Bridge of Sighs.
• Write open response and score.
• Share soundtrack.
• Share HW (5 works that you know well)
• Long composition brainstorming.
• HW:  No HW.

Day 115:  Thursday, March 19, 2015

• Honors
• All together as a class, review works cited (with Purdue OWL)
• Workshop several students essays on overhead
• Show students how to find secondary sources
• Work on making open responses a 4.
• HW:  Final draft of essay.  Bring in Catcher book to hand in tomorrow.

• Standard

• Hand in essays.  Collect Books.

• Hand back Volar and Bridge of Sighs

• Revisit (reread Volar).  ID three talking points.

• Brainstorm talking points on board.

• Write open response on your own.

• Long composition introduction (Brainstorm for two prompts)

• HW:  List 5 books/movies that you can write about for your long composition.

Day 114:  Wednesday, March 18, 2015

• Honors
• Peer edit essays
• First ID focus areas with class
• Work on quotes from primary and secondary sources
• Writing workshop on overhead
• HW:  Final draft of essay due Thursday
• Standard
• Hand back MCAS work
• Turn your own responses into a four (according to rubric) and resubmit
• Peer edit essays
• First ID focus areas with class
• HW:  Final draft of essay due Thursday

Day 113:  Tuesday, March 17, 2015

• Last day in Humanities computer lab to work on Catcher essays, due Wednesday

Day 112:  Monday, March 16, 2015

• All Classes:  Extra Credit for Song Lyric Analysis?
• Honors
• Work in computer lab on essay
• Focus on secondary sources and implementing quotes
• HW:  Continue working on essay - in lab again Tuesday
• Standard
• Finish reviewing "Bridge of Sighs"
• Finish reviewing "Volar"
• Dani and Raquel share soundtrack project
• Work in computer lab on essay
• HW:  Continue working on essay - in lab again Tuesday

Day 111:  Friday, March 13, 2015

Both Classes:

• Complete MCAS packet (Volar)
• Review MCAS packet (Bridge of Sighs)
• Standard may need quiet time to add to open responses.
• Standard - present soundtracks
• Honors - work on essays
• HW:  Work on respective Catcher in the Rye essay assignments (send it to yourself digitally so that you can work on it in the computer lab on Monday)

Day 110: Thursday, March 12, 2015

Both Classes:

• Catcher in the Rye Test
• Honors HW:  Work on Essay
• Standard HW:  Soundtrack project due tomorrow

Day 109: Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Standard:

• Test Review
• Introduce essay assignment
• Small groups:  Work on essay assignment and/or soundtrack project (brainstorming, thesis, etc.)
• HW:  Study for test

Honors:

• Test Review 
• Salinger Honors-level supplemental readings - read and annotate
• Discuss reading - main ideas, supporting details, what makes its a good mentor text
• Essay work - share brainstorming, small group, large group, thesis writing, grouping, etc.
• HW:  Study for test

Day 108:  Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Standard:

• Did you complete MCAS prep (Volar, Bridge of Sighs)
• Did you wrap up Catcher discussion?
• Review soundtrack project rubric
• Small groups:  Work on soundtrack project
• HW:  Continue working on soundtrack project

Honors:

• Did you complete MCAS prep (Volar, Bridge of Sighs)
• Submit 2 paragraph ch. 26 response
• Did you wrap up Catcher discussion?
• Share and submit soundtracks
• Introduce essay assignment
• HW: one page brainstorming, outlining, quoting, etc. on essay assignment

Day 107:  Monday, March 9, 2015

• Meet in lecture hall.

On tap for next week:

Honors:

• Monday:  share and submit soundtrack, introduce honors essay topics, work on essay brainstorming
• Tuesday:  supplemental readings - 9 Stories, Salinger bio, brainstorm how to include supplemental readings into essay
• Wednesday:  essay work, test review
• Thursday:  Catcher test
• Friday:  MCAS preparation, essay due next Monday

Standard:

• Monday:  introduce standard essay topics, work on essay set up
• Tuesday:  continue work on essay and soundtrack
• Wednesday:  share and submit soundtrack, test review
• Thursday:  Catcher test
• Friday, MCAS preparation, essay due next Monday

Day 106:  Friday, March 6, 2015

Honors:

• MCAS Preparation
• Collect 2-paragraph response to Catcher chapter 26
• Wrap up Catcher Final Discussion (start 5 slides in)
• Outside Reading
• HW:  Soundtrack project due Monday

Standard:

• MCAS Preparation
• Catcher Final Discussion (start at beginning, do more cursory discussion than in honors)
• Distribute soundtrack project rubric to formalize assignment
• Outside Reading
• HW:  Soundtrack project due Wednesday

Day 105:  Thursday, March 5, 2015

Standard:

• Review diagnosis/prognosis handout
• Read ch. 26 (and perhaps ch. 25 as well)
• Discuss end of the book (small group then large group) - with MOTIFS sheet
• Final discussion questions PPT (cursory)
• Preview soundtrack assignment
• HW:  Begin work on soundtrack assignment

Honors: 

• Review motifs handout
• Discuss ch. 26 and the end of the book (small group then large group)
• Final discussion questions PPT (in-depth)
• Preview essay assignment
• HW:  Soundtrack project due Monday

Day 104:  Wednesday, March 4, 2015

• Class met in lecture hall

Day 103:  Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Standard:

• Discuss ch. 21-23 (small group/large group)
• Holden diagnosis/prognosis (small group/large group)
• Begin reading 24
• HW: Read 24-25.  Note two quotes from each chapter.

Honors:

• Discuss ch. 24-25
• Read ch. 26
• Complete motif sheet
• HW:  Brainstorm for essay

For the Month of March:

• Catcher in the Rye Test, Essay, and Project
• Blind Side (Standard)
• Tuesdays with Morrie (Standard)
• Lord of the Flies (Honors)
• Lots of Open Response and Long Composition Practice

Day 102:  Monday, March 2, 2015

Standard:

• Return to MCAS Open Responses from Previous Weeks - Have students add to them in pursuit of a 4.  Look at work samples on DESE website.
• Rats
• Tweed
• Chapters 18-20
• Small groups - students are coming in with a quote from each chapter; complete discussion question sheet
• Large group - Discussion
• Read ch. 21
• HW:  Read ch. 22-23.  Respond.

Honors:

• Introduce CD project
• Small Groups:
• Ch. 21-23 Questions
• Case Study/Assessment Sheet
• Discuss
• Large Group Discussion - focusing mostly on diagnosis of Holden
• HW:  Read ch. 24-25.  Comment on the manifestation of motifs of preservation and protection

Day 101:  Friday, February 27, 2015

• Submit Catcher discussion questions log book (through ch. 17 for standard, through ch. 20 for honors)
• Outside Reading
• MCAS preparation

Day 100:  Thursday, February 26, 2015

Standard:

• Small Groups:  Discuss ch. 16-17
• Large Group:  Discuss ch. 16-17
• Read chapter 18 in large group
• Small Group:  Add to case study handout
• HW:  Make sure all of your discussion questions sheets are completed (through ch. 17) for a log check tomorrow

Honors:

• Small Groups:  Discuss ch. 18-20
• Large Group:  Discuss ch. 18-20
• Small Group:  Work on case study
• Begin reading ch. 21 in small groups if students are interested.  If not, they may continue with case study.
• HW:  Make sure all of your discussion questions sheets are completed (trhough ch. 20) for a log check tomorrow

Day 99:  Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Standard:

• Do Now:  Loneliness Scale - complete for Holden (and for you IF YOU WANT)
• Discuss - Is Holden lonely?  What should be done?
• Ch. 6-15 vocabulary
• Small groups:  ch. 13-15 questions - review
• Revisit ch. 13-15 - reread certain passages
• Discuss ch. 13-15
• HW:  ch. 16-17 and discussion questions

Honors:

• Small Groups:  Vocabulary, ch. 6-15 - figure it out and define
• Review difficult vocabulary
• Loneliness scale - complete for Holden (and for you IF YOU WANT)
• Discuss - Is Holden lonely?  What should be done?
• Discussion:  ch. 16-17
• CASE STUDY WORK
• HW:  ch. 18-20 and discussion questions (or note motifs!)

Day 98:  Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Today's Goals:

• To read and discuss a nonfiction informational text about the true self vs. the ideal self.
• To discuss how Holden presents a persona that contrasts with his true self.

Today's Agenda:

• Standard
• Read Social Networking article aloud.  Highlight and annotate.
• On your own - complete three questions about article.
• Discuss article and questions, particularly what connection the article has to Holden.
• Discuss ch. 12 questions (last night's HW)
• Read ch. 13
• Honors
• Do Now:  Read, highlight, and annotate Social Networking article.  (See link above.)
• Turn and talk - complete three questions about the article.
• Discuss article and questions, particularly what connection the article has to Holden.
• Discuss ch. 13-15 in small groups.
• Discuss ch. 13-15 in large groups.

Tonight's HW:

• Standard:  Read ch. 14-15 and complete discussion questions.
• Honors:  Read ch. 16-17 and complete discussion questions.

Day 97:  Monday, February 23, 2015

Standard:

• Do Now:  Refresh on ch. 10
• Small groups:  Answer questions on ch. 10
• Large group:  Review questions on ch. 10, discuss optimism vs. pessimism
• Read ch. 11, answer questions as we go
• HW:  Read ch. 12, answer discussion questions

Honors:

• Do Now:  Refresh on ch. 10-12
• Small groups:  Answer 10-12 questions
• Large group:  Discuss 10-12 and optimism vs. pessimism
• HW:  Read ch. 13-15.  Answer questions on handout

When we return from break...

Students in period 4 have read through ch. 10.

Students in period 5 have read through ch. 12.

Return to these chapters, reread passages, and examine HW responses (what these chapters say about optimism vs. pessimism, etc.)

Day 96:  Friday, February 13, 2015

MCAS preparation with Boss Tweed nonfiction text

Standard - guided in large group, Honors in small groups

HW for Vacation:

No formal HW.  Watch a movie adapted from a book to prepare for long composition on MCAS.

Day 95:  Thursday, February 12, 2015

Catcher in the Rye reading activities and life orientation quiz

Day 94:  Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Honors

• Hand back work 
• Consult on grades
• Small group: share HW
• Large group:  share HW
• Discuss indirect characterization 
• Read honors article re:  leukemia and discuss effects
• HW:  Catcher reading assignment (ch. 7-9) - active reading

Standard

• Hand back work
• Consult on grades
• Do Now:  use notes to write composition that Holden writes for Stradlater
• Share
• Discuss indirect characterization
• Read standard article re: leukemia and discuss effects
• HW:  standard reading assignment (ch. 7-8) - active reading

Day 93:  Friday, February 6, 2015

Outside Reading

MCAS preparation exercise - An Unfinished Season

HW:

• Standard:  Read ch. 5 and 6 and take notes, particularly on Allie.
• Honors:  Read ch. 6.  Write the composition that Holden writes for Stradlater (about the baseball glove)

Day 92:  Thursday, February 5, 2015

Standard:

• Hand back work
• Review chapter 3.  Discuss Holden as unreliable narrator.
• Introduce 3 levels of personality and psychological approach
• Read chapter 4.
• Small groups:  Characterization of 4 supporting characters.
• Standard HW (due Monday):  Read chapters 5 and 6 of The Catcher in the Rye.  Take bullet point notes on what we find out about Allie.

Honors:  

• Hand back work
• Small groups:  discuss talking points from chapters 4 and 5
• Review chapters 4 and 5.
• Introduce 3 levels of personality and psychological approach
• Small groups:  Work on case study sheet
• Honors HW (due Monday):  Read chapter 6 of The Catcher in the Rye.  Write the composition that Holden writes for Stradlater (about Allie's baseball glove)

Day 91:  Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Standard:

• Hand back papers
• Distribute book
• Journal:  Initial impressions of Holden
• Discuss chapter 1
• Read chapter 2
• HW:  Read chapter 3.  Written response to Holden's statement that he is a great liar.

Honors:

• Hand back papers
• Distribute book
• Review letter from Salinger to movie studio (tone, message, what does it tell us about Salinger?)
• Review chapters 1 and 2
• Read chapter 3
• HW:  Read chapters 4 and 5.  Active reading log in notebook:  questions, quotes, observations, etc.

On tap for next week:

• Catcher in the Rye lessons
• Monday - Honors - review HW (letter), review HW (response to ch. 1 and 2), read ch. 3
• MCAS preparation - working on open response paragraphs

Day 90:  Friday, January 30, 2015

Standard:

• Hand in make-up work
• Review open response graphic organizer
• Read and discuss "Lost City of Z" from November 2013 MCAS
• Brainstorm, organize, and write open response all together
• Download our open response here. 
• Standard HW:  Read chapter 1 of The Catcher in the Rye.  Use this link here.  Write a two paragraph response to the text.

Honors:

• Review open response graphic organizer
• Read and discuss "Lost City of Z" from November 2013 MCAS
• Complete graphic organizer in small groups, then write paragraph in small groups
• Share paragraphs in large circle and discuss strengths and weaknesses.
• Honors HW:  Read chapter 1 and chapter 2 of The Catcher in the Rye.  Write a 2-3 paragraph response to the text.

Day 89:  Thursday, January 29, 2015

Standard:

• Submit your own sonnet
• Agree/disagree sheet
• Catcher book review - read and react
• Catcher PowerPoint intro
• HW:  make-up work for Q2

Honors: 

• Dom and Michael present on sonnet
• Submit your own sonnet
• Catcher PowerPoint intro
• Agree/disagree sheet
• HW:  read letter from J.D. Salinger, write one page response (what can we infer about J.D. Salinger, what is tone, etc.)

Day 88:  Monday, January 26, 2015

Monday's Goal:

• To wrap up student sonnet presentations.
• To write our own sonnet in the style of some poets we have studied.

Monday's Agenda:

• Hand back corrected work
• Last student presentation (Danny and Felipe in period 4, Michael and Dom in period 5)
• Write your own sonnet
• Standard:  review themes of sonnets, quiet writing, groups to share
• Honors:  groups to brainstorm, quiet writing, groups to share

Monday: 

• Standard:  Finish your own original sonnet.
• Honors:  Type your own original sonnet.  Mark it up with proper scansion marks. 

Day 87:  Friday, January 23, 2015

Friday's Goal:

• To assess skills we have learned during our sonnet unit.

Friday's Agneda:

• Sonnet tes (midyear exam)

Friday's HW:

• HW-free weekend!
• Perhaps use this as an opportunity to study for other exams or to complete some make-up work for our class.

Download period 4 sonnet exam (midterm) review here!

Download period 5 sonnet exam (midterm) review here!

Day 86:  Thursday, January 22, 2015

• English 10 DDM exam pre-test

HW:  Study for sonnet test (Friday - midterm exam period)

Day 85:  Wednesday, January 21, 2015

• Student Sonnet Presentations
• Review for Sonnet Test

HW:  Study for sonnet test (Friday)

Day 84:  Tuesday, January 20, 2015

• Submit Sonnet Essays
• Student Sonnet Presentations
• Schedule for Remainder of the Week

HW:  Study for sonnet test (Thursday)

On tap for next week:

• Period 4 presentations (Tuesday and Wednesday):
• TQ (Sidney 39)
• Tyler D (Spenser 75)
• Felipe (Browning 43)
• Tyrese (Sidney 31)
• Period 5 presentations:
• Olivia O. (Browning 43)
• Kayla (Sidney 39)
• Fenn (Shakespeare 73)
• Christian (Sidney 31)
• Sonnet Test (Thursday)
• 50 multiple choice (75%)
• 1 open response (25%)
• DDM Pre-Test (for Midterm Exam - Friday)
• Write Your Own Sonnet Assignment (HW - quiz)

Day 83:  Friday, January 16, 2015

Today's Agenda:

• MCAS Practice Packet
• After you are finished:
• Work on your essay
• Outside Reading

This Weekend's HW:

• 5-paragraph sonnet analysis essay due on Monday
• Honors students should be particularly attentive to use of (1) quotes and (2) historical context to support assertions

Day 82:  Thursday, January 15, 2015

• Guest Speaker
• HW:  Work on essay

Day 81:  Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Period 4:

• Anticipation guide for tomorrow's guest speaker
• Sonnet presentation from BK's group (Shakespeare 29)
• Thesis writing workshopping on board for 5-paragraph essay

Period 5:

• Anticipation guide for tomorrow's guest speaker
• Thesis writing workshopping on board for 5-paragraph essay
• Small group work to plan essay outline

Tonight's HW:

• Continue to work on essay assignment
• Period 4 due Friday
• Period 5 due Tuesday

Day 80:  Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Student Sonnet Presentations

• Period 4:  
• Nick's group (Shakespeare 73)
• Raquel's group (Spenser 67)
• Period 5:
• Tyler N's group (Shakespeare 29)
• Emily's group (Spenser 75)

HW:  Continue working on sonnet 5-paragraph essay

Day 79:  Monday, January 12, 2015

Student Sonnet Presentations

• Period 4
• Steve's group (Browning 14)
• Period 5
• Brendan's group (1819) 
• Iverson's group (Spenser 67)

If times allows:

• MCAS open response from last week
• Download model open response written as a class during period 4 here
• Work on 5 paragraph essay

Tonight's HW:

• Work on sonnet 5 paragraph essay (Due Friday)

Sonnet Presentation Schedule for Next Week:

Period 4:

• Monday:  Steve's group (Browning 14), Raquel's group (Spenser 67)
• Tuesday:  Tyrese's group (Sidney 31), Nick (Shakespeare 73)
• Wednesday:  BK's group (Shakespeare 29)
• Thursday:  TQ's group (Sidney 39), Tyler D's group (Spenser 75)
• Friday:  Felipe's group (Browning 43)

Period 5:  

• Monday:  Brendan's group (1819), Iverson's group (Spenser 67)
• Tuesday:  Tyler N's group (Shakespeare 29), Emily's group (Spenser 75)
• Wednesday:  Olivia O's group (EBB 43)
• Thursday:  Kayla's group (Sidney 39), Cline's group (EBB 14)
• Friday:  Fenn's group (Shakespeare 73), Christian's group (Sidney 31)

After presentations during each individual class:  return to open response from Friday, work on essay planning.

Test at the end of next week.

Five paragraph essay due at the end of next week.  Honors students should offer a more in-depth analysis with a great number of quotes and more historical references.

Day 78:  Friday, January 9, 2015

Today's Goals:

• To practice poetry analysis in preparation for MCAS in March.

Today's Agenda:

• Figure out schedule for presentations next week
• Outside reading time
• Collaborate in small groups to complete MCAS packet (Sonnet 26, To Daffodils, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud)
• Review packet, etc.

This weekend's HW:

• Work on sonnet presentation.  (See schedule above.)
• Work on five-paragraph essay (due Friday 1/16).

Thursday, January 8, 2015:  NO SCHOOL!

Cold Day!

Day 77:  Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Final in-class preparation day for sonnet groups.

Day 76:  Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Today's Goals:

• To finish performing a close reading analysis of our assigned sonnet and to work on a lesson plan for teaching the sonnet.

Today's Agenda:

• Review expectations for sonnet presentation assignment
• Review Mr. Ambrose's approach to analyzing a difficult poem
• Small group time to collaborate on (1) sonnet analysis, (2) sonnet lesson planning, (3) sonnet essay

Tonight's HW:

• Continue to work on (1) preparation for your sonnet lesson and (2) your sonnet essay.

Day 75:  Monday, January 5, 2015

Today's Goals:

• To review rubrics for sonnet projects and to collaborate to analyze a sonnet in small groups.

Today's Agenda:

• Review sonnet presentation project rubric
• Review sonnet 5-paragraph essay rubric
• Collaborate to analyze sonnet

Tonight's HW:

• Continue to work on sonnet analysis sheet. 

Day 74:  Tuesday, December 23, 3014

• It's Not Easy Being Santa
• Rap Battle

HW:  HAVE A WONDERFUL VACATION!

Day 73:  Monday, December 22, 2014

Standard:

• Review parameters for holiday rap battle
• Mr. Ambrose's sample raps
• Work independently and collaboratively on raps
• HW:  Finish rap

Honors:

• Canterbury Tales story-telling contest - share stories
• Brainstorm for rap battle
• HW:  Write rap

Day 72:  Friday, December 19, 2014

Review Section 5 of PSAT

Outside Reading

HW:

Standard HW:  No HW!

Honors HW:  Canterbury Tales project due Monday!

Day 71:  Thursday, December 18, 2014

Standard:

Do Now:  5 Vocab questions from section 3 of PSAT

Large Group:  Read and discuss short passages from section 3 of PSAT

Small Groups:  Complete next passage of section 3 of PSAT

Review Answers

HW:  5 answer explanations from section 3; bring in outside reading book

Honors:

Do Now:  Read, highlight, and summarize passages from section 3 of PSAT

Small Groups:  Review section 3 of PSAT

Check Answers and Discuss

HW:  Work on Canterbury Tales project (due 12/22); bring in outside reading book

Day 70:  Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Standard:

• Discuss and submit HW (3-2-1 from yesterday's video)
• Complete 1-8 of section 1 of PSAT
• Review rest of section 1 of PSAT
• HW:  5 questions from PSAT packet

Honors:

• How to read and interpret your PSAT score
• Review section 1 of PSAT
• HW:  write explanations for the questions you go wrong on PSAT packet

Day 69:  Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Standard:

• Share and submit HW (relevance of sonnet 130)
• A. Landano presents wonderful lesson on Beyonce song
• View video on Shakespeare and Hip Hop
• HW:  3 things you learned, 2 things you found interesting, and 1 question you have about the video; bring in PSAT materials

Honors:

• View video on Shakespeare and Hip Hop (see link above)
• 3 things you learned, 2 things you found interesting 1 question - discuss
• Work on Canterbury Tales project
• HW:  Work on Canterbury Tales project; bring in PSAT materials

Day 68:  Monday, December 15, 2014

All Classes: 

• Submit Globe contest permission forms and fees
• Sonnet and beauty lesson (PPT and links saved in sonnet folder on desktop)

Monday's HW:

• Standard:  1-2 paragraphs about the relevance of Monday's lesson/discussion
• Honors:  Work on Canterbury Tales project (Due 12/22)

Day 67:  Friday, December 12, 2014

All Classes:

• Reminder about Globe contest
• Do Now
• Standard:  Review and submit HW (paragraph about Sonnet 18)
• Honors:  On your own, analyze sonnet 18
• Outside Reading
• Sonnets on the MCAS (Sonnet 116)

Friday's HW:

• Standard: HW Holiday (so enter the Globe contest!) 
• Honors:  Work on Canterbury Tales project (due 12/22)
• All Classes:  Consider submitting work to the Globe contest!

Day 66:  Thursday, December 11, 2014

Standard:

• Globe Writing contest
• Review HW
• Notes about Shakespeare's sonnet series
• Analyze Sonnet 18 in small groups
• HW:  1-2 paragraph analysis of sonnet 18

Honors:

• Globe Writing contest
• Notes on sonnets
• sonnet form
• Shakespeare's sonnet series
• Romeo and Juliet sonnet - analyze in small groups
• HW:  work on Canterbury Tales project (Due 12/22)
• Bring in outside reading book tomorrow

Day 65:  Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Standard:

• Sonnet introduction day

Honors:

• Brainstorm high school archetypes
• write a 20-25 line character description
• Share descriptions (and laugh)
• Review project rubric
• Small groups:  collaborate on rubric
• HW (honors):  Work on project.  Due Monday, 12/15 to coincide with Globe contest deadline 

Day 64:  Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Canterbury Tales Test

Day 63:  Monday, December 8, 2014

Submit Essay

Pardoner's Tale (Read aloud as a play)

Pardoner's Tale questions

HW for Monday Night:

• Prepare for Canterbury Tales Test 

Day 62:  Friday, December 5, 2014

Outside Reading Time

Canterbury Tales Test Review

MCAS Preparation

• Honors:  Canterbury Tales MCAS Prep 1
• Standard:  MCAS Prep from Binder

HW for the Weekend:

• Finish Canterbury Tales Essay
• Honors:  How did Chaucer improve upon his source?
• Standard:  Which is more effective - Miller's Tale or Reeve's Tale?

Day 61:  Thursday, December 4, 2014

Honors:

• Essay Workshop Day
• Honors guiding question:  How does Chaucer improve his source material ("The Miller and the 2 Clerks") to craft a much improved "Reeve's Tale"?
• Do Now:  Revisit HW and add to it
• On Board:  ID talking points
• Grouping:  What is it?  How do I group?
• Silently write thesis using grouping
• Share and workshop theses
• Small Groups:  ID definite talking points and look for quotes
• Honors HW:  Continue working on essay.  Final draft due Monday.  Additionally, bring in outside reading book.

Standard:

• Essay Workshop Day
• Standard guiding question:  Which tale is better/more effective - "The Reeve's Tale" or "The Miller's Tale" - and why?
• Do Now:  Revisit HW and add to it
• On Board:  ID talking points
• Thesis workshop - write them together
• Work on introductory paragraph, first on your own and then in groups
• Small Groups:  ID definite talking points and look for quotes
• Standard HW:  Continue working on essay.  Final draft due Monday.  Additionally, bring in outside reading book.

Day 60:  Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Work on Canterbury Tales essays.

Day 59:  Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Work on Canterbury Tales essays.

Day 58:  Monday, December 1, 2014

Honors:

• Review Reeve's Tale questions
• Present Miller and Two Clerks
• Introduce Essay Assignment (How did Chaucer improve the source material of the Miller and the Two Clerks?)
• Small Group Analysis of Miller and Two Clerks (ID three talking points, ID quotes, revisit preface, etc.)
• HW: Work on essay (final draft due Friday)

Standard:

• Small Groups:  Finish Reeve's Tale questions
• Review Reeve's Tale questions
• Introduce Essay Assignment (Who tells a better tale - the Miller or the Reeve?
• Small Group Preparation (ID three talking points about which tale is better, ID quotes, consider the reactions of the pilgrims and the intent as expressed in the stories, etc.)
• HW:  Work on essay (final draft due Friday)

Day 57:  Wednesday, November 26, 2014

• Brainteasers!
• No HW!  Homework Holiday!

Day 56:  Tuesday, November 25, 2014

All Classes:

• Active Reading of Reeve's Tale
• Reeve's Tale questions
• Submit HW (vocabulary sentences)
• No Homework!

Day 55:  Monday, November 24, 2014

Standard:

• Quarter 1 Portfolio Reflection
• Miller's Tale Vocab - Review Definitions
• Complete Reeve's Tale Pre-Reading Handout in Small Groups and Then Review
• Read and Discuss Reeve's Prologue
• HW:  Write sentences for Miller's Tale vocabulary. 

Honors:

• Quarter 1 Portfolio Reflection
• Share and discuss and submit HW (Miller's Tale satirizes the Knight's Tale)
• Miller's Tale Vocab - Review Definitions
• Complete Reeve's Tale Pre-Reading Handout in Small Groups
• Read and Discuss Reeve's Prologue
• HW:  Write sentences for Miller's Tale vocabulary WITH CONTEXT CLUES.

Day 54:  Friday, November 21, 2014

Standard:

• Outside Reading Time
• Review Cook's Tale MCAS questions together
• Small Groups:  Add to and score your open response homework from last night
• Ticket Out:  submit scored HW
• HW:  HW Holiday!

Honors:

• Read and analyze Miller's Tale
• Discuss Miller's Tale - how does it reflect the teller?
• HW:  How does the Miller's Tale satirize the chivalric romance (i.e. the Knight's Tale)?  (Two paragraphs)

Day 53:  Thursday, November 20, 2014

Standard:

• Finish reading Miller's Tale
• Discuss how tale reflects the teller
• Small groups:  complete graphic organizer T-chart (right side)
• HW:  1-2 paragraph open response:  compare/contrast Knight's Tale and Miller's Tale

Honors:

• Small groups
• discuss HW and HW check
• complete left side of graphic organizer T-chart
• Large group:  Discuss knight's Tale
• Miller's Prologue
• read and discuss questions
• HW:  prediction about the Miller's Tale

Day 52:  Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Standard:

• Share and submit story projects
• Quietly finish Knight's Tale film questions, then review, submit
• Discuss and submit Miller's Tale prediction from last week
• Begin reading Miller's Tale
• HW:  Homework Holiday!

Honors:

• General Prologue quiz
• Review, correct quiz
• Finish reading General Prologue and discuss conceit of the contest
• Medieval Romance PPT
• HW:  Read Knight's Tale, answer two questions:
• 1. How does this represent the chivalric romance?
• 2. Was the outcome of the story fair/just?

Day 51:  Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Standard:  Knight's Tale viewing, HW:  short story prjoect due Wednesday

Honors:  Review and submit HW, review yesterday's reading, small group General Prologue reading, review characters, HW:  study for quiz

Day 50:  Monday, November 17, 2014

Standard:  Knight's Tale viewing, pick up at :42, HW:  short story project due Wednesday

Honors:  General Prologue small group reading, collect and review HW from last week (2 paragraphs), HW:  2 paragraphs on a character from the Canterbuy Tales

Day 49:  Friday, November 14, 2014

Honors:

• Outside Reading
• Hand back Beowulf essays
• Small Group Reading of Gen Pro
• HW:  HW Holiday!  Work on essay revisions!

Standard:

• Guided Viewing of Knight's Tale
• HW: Short Story project due Tuesday

Day 48:  Thursday, November 13, 2014

Honors:

Thursday's Honors Goals:

• Close reading of General Prologue

Thursday's Honors Agenda:

• Share pilgrimmage HW in small groups
• Discuss in large groups
• Read General Prologue descriptions, make inferences based on direct and indirect characterization, take notes
• knight
• squire
• yeoman
• nun
• monk

Thursday's Honors HW:

• Bring in outside reading book
• 2 paragraphs on 1 character from General Prologue - 1 paragraph on direct characterization, 1 on indirect

Standard:

Thursday's Standard Goals:

• Analysis of Knight's Tale and Miller's Tale

Thursday's Standard Agenda:

• Small Groups
• Review and check HW (2 questions about Knight's Tale)
• Complete left-side of Knight's Tale graphic organizer
• Large Group
• Review questions
• Review graphic organizer
• Miller's Tale - intro packet
• Review description from Gen Pro and answer questions (on your own)
• As a group, read through Miller's Prologue and answer questions

Thursday's Standard HW:

• Bring in outside reading book
• Complete "assignment" in packet - your prediction on the Miller's Tale

Day 47:  Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Honors:

Wednesday's Honors Goals:

• To introduce the themes of The Canterbury Tales.

Wednesday's Honors Agenda:

• Return Grendel books
• Baba Brinkman rap
• Opening passages of the General Prologue
• Discuss pilgrimmage

Wednesday's Honors HW:

• One page on a place you would like to travel on a pilgrimmage and why you would like to travel there.

Standard:

Wednesday's Standard Goals:

• To read one of Chaucer's tales and to determine how the tale reflects the teller.
• To learn about the basic elements of the Chivalric Romance genre.

Wednesday's Standard Agenda:

• Review elements of Chivalric Romance
• Revisit description of Knight - make a prediction on what his tale will be about
• Read summary of first 3 parts
• Read excerpt from last part
• Discuss main ideas, plot, characterization, moral
• Begin to plan HW

Wednesday's Standard HW:

• Two paragraphs:
• One - What characteristics of the Chivalric Romance were present in the tale?
• Two - Was the outcome of the story just?  Why or why not? 

Day 46:  Monday, November 10, 2014

Honors:

Grendel test

Honors HW:  Explore the website for the Boston Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  Set up a username and decide what category you want to enter.  Bring in Grendel book to return to Mr. Heinegg.

Standard:

Outdoor Hike and story-telling contest

Standard HW:  Short Story project due next Monday.

Day 45:  Friday, November 7, 2014

Honors:

Friday's Honors Agenda:

• Outside Reading
• Small Groups:  Share letter to Gardner and philosophy response (check both HW)
• Large Group:  Share and discuss letter and philosophy
• Test Review (small group then large group, if time allows; if not, just large group)
• what would be good questions?
• what would be good passages?
• what would be good vocabulary?

Honors HW for the Weekend:

• Study for Grendel test (on Monday in class)

Standard:

Friday's Standard Agenda:

• Outside Reading
• Canterbury Tales MCAS 2
• Ticket Out:  one paragraph response to open response question

Standard HW for the Weekend:

• Work on story-telling project.

Day 44:  Thursday, November 6, 2014

Honors:

Thursday's Honors Agenda:

• Grendel Chapter 12 Presentation
• On your own, read Gardner's letter to high school students
• Begin discussion of letter - comments, questions

Thursday's Honors HW:

• Write your own one-page letter to John Gardner in response to the letter we read in class.
• Bring in outside reading book.

Standard:

Thursday's Standard Agenda:

• Do Now:  Review and add to your homework (character description in verse)
• As a large group, finish reading and discuss the last few pages of the General Prologue
• In small groups, share HW (character descriptions)
• In large group, share descriptions and then share all archetypes you wrote about.  Download the list from period 4 here.
• Review expectations and rubric for story-telling project

Thursday's Standard HW:

• Complete all make-up work and revisions.
• Bring in outside reading book.

Day 43:  Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Honors:

Honors Goals:

• To present a chapter from Grendel in an engaging manner.

Honors Agenda:

• Grendel chapter 10
• Grendel chapter 11

Honors HW (Wednesday Night):

• Read chapter 12.
• Write a brief response paper (using textual evidence - quotes and paraphrase) about the progression of Grendel's philosophies from the beginning to the end of the book.

Standard:

Standard Goals:

• To assess our understanding of The Canterbury Tales General Prologue.

Standard Agenda:

• Do Now:  Formative Assessment - record score on Canterbury Tales MCAS packet, questions 1-12
• Take Canterbury Tales quiz 1
• Review, correct, and enter Canterbury Tales quiz 2
• Finish reading General Prologue
• Distribute "Try Hard" description, review HW assignment, begin work on HW (perhaps brainstorm various archetypes if students are unclear)
• Ticket Out:  Hand back quiz

Standard HW:

• Write your own 15-30 description of a high school archetype (i.e. try hard) in verse.

Day 42:  Monday, November 3, 2014

Honors:

Honors Goals:

• To present a chapter from Grendel in an engaging manner.

Honors Agenda:

• Grendel chapter 8
• Grendel chapter 9

Honors HW:

• Read chapters 10 and 11 of Grendel and take notes.

Standard:

Standard Goals:

• To review direct and indirect characterization of Canterbury Tales characters and to practice reading comprehension for MCAS.

Standard Agenda:

• Read aloud 3 character descriptions; review ideas from Friday
• On your own:  answer multiple choice questions, bullet points for open response
• Small Groups:  collaborate to review multiple choice questions, plan bullet points
• Large group:  review answers; write open response
• Download open response here
• Review for quiz

Standard HW:

• Study for General Prologue quiz

Day 41:  Friday, October 31, 2014

Honors:

Friday's Honors Goals:

• To present a chapter from Grendel in an engaging manner.

Friday's Honors Agenda:

• Grendel chapter 6 student presentation
• Grendel chapter 7 student presentation

Friday's Honors HW:

• Read chapters 8 and 9 of Grendel and take notes.

Standard:

Friday's Standard Goals:

• To engage in a close reading of a Middle English text.

Friday's Standard Agenda:

• Collaborate to read the remaining characters from the General Prologue (35 minutes)
• Review these characters (15 minutes)

Friday's Standard HW:

• Homework Holiday!  Happy Halloween!

Day 40:  Thursday, October 30, 2014

Honors:

Thursday's Honors Goals:

• To engage the class in a student-directed lesson about Grendel.

Thursday's Honors Agenda:

• Chapter 4:  Olivia R.'s group
• Chapter 5:  Iragi's group

Thursday's Honors HW:

• Read chapters 6 and 7 of Grendel and take notes.

Standard:

Thursday's Standard Goals:

• To engage in a close reading of a Middle English text.

Thursday's Standard Agenda:

• Hand back summer reading essays for revision
• Review HW (paragraph response)
• Close reading of the Canterbury Tales, large group and small group

Thursday's Standard HW:

• Paragraph response on one of the characters from today

Day 39:  Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Honors:

Wednesday's Honors Goals:

• To plan an engaging lesson about Grendel.

Wednesday's Honors Agenda:

Small group lesson plan preparation - collaboration.  Make sure your lesson plan includes the following components (brainstormed by the class):

• Grendel's perspective
• Astrological sign
• Plot events
• An activity
• Quotes- make it text-based
• A visual or a handout
• A clear objective

Wednesday's Honors HW:

• Read and take notes on chapters 4 and 5 of Grendel.

Standard:

Wednesday's Standard Goals:

• To engage in a close reading of a Middle English text.

Wednesday's Standard Agenda:

• Share and submit HW (illustration or paragraph)
• Close reading of General Prologue

Wednesday's Standard HW:

• Paragraph open response about a character from today's reading.

Day 38:  Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Honors

Tuesday's Honors Goals:

• To introduce Grendel.  
• To engage in a close reading of Grendel.

Tuesday's Honors Agenda:

• Writing Contests
• Presentation Expectations
• Small Groups:  Review ch. 2 and 3
• Circle Discussion:  ch. 2 and 3
• Chapter Assignments

HW:  Read your assigned chapter in Grendel.

Standard:

Tuesday's Standard Goals:

• To engage in a close reading of a Middle English text.

Tuesday's Standard Agenda:

• Share HW and HW check 
• Close Reading
• General Prologue - direct vs. indirect characterization
• Knight
• Squire
• Yeoman
• Nun
• Download Student Notes Here

HW:  Illustrate or write a detailed description of one character from today.

Day 37:  Monday, October 27, 2014

Honors

Monday's Honors Goals:

• To introduce John Gardner's Grendel.
• To engage in a close reading of the text.

Monday's Honors Agenda:

• Grendel PPT
• Collaborate in small groups to review your graphic organizer for chapter 1 (and HW check)
• Circle discussion of chapter 1
• Read chapter 2

Monday's Honors HW:

• Finish reading chapter 2 and read chapter 3 of Grendel.
• Prepare for discussion using your graphic organizer.

Standard

Monday's Standard Goals:

Monday's Standard Agenda:

• Review and score MCAS The Things They Carried multiple choice and open respoinse
• Canterbury Tales rap 
• large group - listen to song
• small group - answer questions
• large group - review questions
• Canterbury Tales General Prologue - read and analyze page one, discuss how it links to rap

Monday's Standard HW:

• One page on a place you would like to go on a pilgrimmage to.

Day 36:  Friday, October 24, 2014

Honors:

Friday's Honors Goals:

• To read and appreciate a personal narrative written by an MHS graduate.
• To wrap up Beowulf presentations.

Friday's Honors Agenda

• How was the college fair?
• Outside Reading
• Natalie Breen's Essay
• Finish presentations (Beowulf)

1. Scott
2. Olivia
3. Kayla
4. Iragi
5. Iverson
6. Emily
7. Sarah
8. Jazz
9. Young Jama
10. D.E.

• Review kennings sheet
• Distribute and assign Grendel books

Honors HW for the weekend:

• Read chapter 1 of Grendel.
• Use this graphic organizer to prepare for Monday's discussion.

Standard:

Friday's Standard Goals:

• To wrap up our Beowulf presentations.
• To read and appreciate a personal narrative written by an MHS graduate.

Friday's Standard Agenda:

1. How was the college fair?
2. Outside Reading
3. Review kennings sheet
4. Wrap up presentations (Beowulf)
1. Bruna and Felipe
2. Dana
3. Others
5. Natalie Breen's piece about her brother
6. MCAS Preparation

Standard HW for the weekend:

• Complete open response exercise from class.

Day 35:  Thursday, October 23, 2014

• Meet in lecture hall 2

Day 34:  Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To share our Beowulf projects.

Today's Agenda:

• College Fair Info
• Share Beowulf Projects
• Don't forget to hand in diagnostic scores if you haven't done so already.

Tonight's HW:

• Go to the college fair.
• Here is a list of the schools that will be attending.

Day 33:  Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Today's Goal:

• To assess the skills that we have practiced throughout our monomyth and Beowulf units.

Today's Agenda:

• Test

Tonight's HW:

• Beowulf project due tomorrow.
• Honors, don't forget to complete the metacognitive reflection.

Day 32:  Monday, October 20, 2014

Today's Goal:

• To review for Beowulf exam.

Today's Agenda:

Standard

• How did the PSATs go?
• Diagnostic scores
• Test Review - DOWNLOAD HERE!
• Beowulf on the MCAS in small groups
• Work on Beowulf project

Honors

• Talk with Zombie Autopsies author Steven Schlozman
• Test Review - DOWNLOAD HERE!

Tonight's HW:

• Beowulf Test Tuesday
• Beowulf Project Due Wednesday 

On tap for next week:

• Monday:  how was PSAT, review kennings contest, test review (Jeopardy?), Beowulf on MCAS, ticket out:  MCAS and PSAT scores
• Tuesday:  Beowulf test
• Wednesday:  Project presentations
• Thursday:  Hike to introduce Canterbury Tales
• Friday:  MCAS preparation

Day 31:  Friday, October 17, 2014

Today's Goal:

• To work on fundamental English skills (grammar) and to prepare for tomorrow's PSAT.

Today's Agenda:

• PSAT logistics
• Complete section 5 of PSAT practice booklet
• Review and score section 5
• Final tips for PSAT

HW:

• Beowulf project due Wednesday, 10/22.
• Honors students, don't forget metacognitive component.

Day 30:  Thursday, October 16, 2014

• Work on Beowulf project with Mr. McLaughlin

Day 29:  Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To review expectations for our Beowulf project and to collaborate to begin work on the project.

Today's Agenda:

• Review Rubric
• Work on Project
• Bonus Time:  Kennings

Tonight's HW:

• Work on Project (Due Wednesday 10/23)

Day 28:  Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ask me questions about college.

Today's Agenda:

• Honors - hand back work, hand in essay
• College Pride Presentation
• Q and A regarding college

Tonight's HW:

• No HW.

On tap for next week:

• Tuesday - College Pride Day (honors submits translation essay)
• Wednesday - Introduce Beowulf project/rubric and begin work (kennings?)
• Thursday - Work on Beowulf project
• Friday - Final PSAT preparation

Day 27:  Friday, October 10, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To practice fundamental English skills such as vocabulary and critical reading comprehension.

Today's Agenda:

• Complete section 3 of PSAT practice booklet
• When you are done, read your outside reading book
• Review section 3 in large group

HW:  

• Honors:  Complete translation essay.
• Standard:  No HW.

Day 26:  Thursday, October 9, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE in a close reading of Beowulf's third battle, and to compare/ctonrast with his SECOND battle.

Today's Agenda:

• Standard:
• Share HW
• Read ch. 35-38, summarize, analyze, etc.
• Video:  Beowulf and the Dragon
• Discuss film adaptation
• HW:  Revise your open response from today.
• Honors:
• Do Now:  Small Groups - add to open response from yesterday
• Share and critique open response in large circle; consider MCAS rubric
• Read ch. 35-37, summarize, analyze, etc.
• HW:  Work on translation essay

Day 25:  Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE in a close reading of Beowulf's second battle, and to compare/contrast with the first battle.

Standard:

• 5 Things from Video
• Battle with G's Mom - read ch. 20-23
• Compare/Contrast - plan talking points
• Check HW
• HW:  1-2 paragraph compare/contrast on battles

Honors:

• Battle with G's Mom - ch. 20-23
• 1-2 paragraph - collaborative
• HW:  Continue work on translation essay

Day 24:  Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Standard:

• Review PSAT section 1
• Submit Grendel illustrations/descriptions (HW from the other night)
• View first 30 minutes of Beowulf documentary
• Discuss documentary
• Standard HW:  Write 5 things you learned from the Beowulf documentary

Honors:

• Review PSAT section 1
• View first 30 minutes of Beowulf documentary
• Discuss documentary
• Honors HW:  Work on translation essay assignment (Due next Tuesday)

Day 23:  Monday, October 6, 2014

Today's Goal:

• To review and practice fundamental English skills - vocabulary, reading comprehension.

Today's Agenda:

• Do Now:  section 1, #1-8 - do independently
• Small Group:  collaborate to complete section 1, #9-12
• Circle
• Review 1-8, 9-12
• Complete long passage all together (13-24)

Tonight's HW:

• Review section 1.  Explain the answers you got wrong and look up vocabulary words you did not know.

Day 22:  Friday, October 3, 2014

Today's Agenda:

• Finish reading Beowulf in textbook and answer comprehension and analysis questions

Weekend HW for Honors Students:

• Continue working on Beowulf translation essay

Day 21:  Thursday, October 2, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE in a close reading of Beowulf.
• To write our own boast/taunt.

Standard Agenda:

• Share models of taunts (see yesterday's honors link)
• Share and submit taunt HW
• Read and discuss Battle with Grendel

Standard HW:

• Draw or describe Beowulf's battle with Grendel
• Bring in outside reading book and PSAT packet tomorrow.

Honors Agenda:

• Share and submit taunt HW
• Read and discuss Battle with Grendel
• Review rubric and work on translation essay assignment

Honors HW:

• Work on essay.
• Bring in outside reading book and PSAT packet tomorrow.

Day 20:  Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To reflect on our essay writing according to a rubric.
• To ENGAGE in a close reading of Beowulf.
• To write our own boast/taunt.

Today's Agenda:

• Self-Reflection and Submit Essay
• The Coming of Beowulf
• Unferth's Taunt
• Begin your own boast
• Read John Coakley model in both classes
• Honors:  Watch Bridesmaids video and Richard Sherman video

Tonight's HW:

• Your own modernized rap/poem version of Beowulf's Boast or Unferth's Taunt

Day 19:  Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE in a close reading of Beowulf.
• To COLLABORATE to improve our essays.

Today's Agenda:

• Wrap up extra credit presentations
• The Coming of Grendel (read and discuss, student note-taker)
• download period 4 notes here
• download period 5 notes here
• Work on Bliss essay

Tonight's HW:

• Final draft of Bliss essay due tomorrow.

Day 18:  Monday, September 29, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE the class with your presentation.
• To learn about how Tolkien derived ideas from Beowulf. 
• To peer edit.

Today's Agenda:

• Wrap up hero's journey presentations.  Get extra credit.
• Comitatus:  definition, video, notes
• Download PPT here.
• Honors:  Bonus time - crazy Beowulf man video!
• Small Groups:  Peer revision
• Ticket Out:  What concrete things do I need to do to improve my essay?

Tonight's HW:

• Work on Bliss essay.  Final draft due Wednesday, October 1.

Day 17:  Friday, September 26, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To engage in a close reading of Beowulf.
• To collaborate to analyze various translations.
• To touch abse on our personalized essays.

Today's Agenda:

• Outside Reading
• Translation Presentations
• Hero's Journey Presentations
• Wrap Up:  Work on Bliss Essay

This Weekend's HW:

• Pretty polished draft of your Bliss essay due Monday.

Day 16:  Thursday, September 25, 2014

Photo Day

Translation presentations (if time allows)

Day 15:  Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE in a close reading of "Beowulf."
• To COLLABORATE to analyze various techniques.
• To PRESENT OUT our findings.

Today's Agenda:

• Work on Big Paper Translation Exercise
• 3-5 Talking Points
• Why would the author make these choices?
• Present Out

Tonight's HW:

• Work on Bliss essay.

Day 14:  Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE in a close reading of "Beowulf."
• To COLLABORATE to analyze various techniques.
• To touch base on our PERSONALIZED essays.

Today's Agenda:

• Do Now:  Read "The Coming of Grendel"
• Discuss Main Points, Tone, Imagery, Characterization, Literary Devices, Style
• Explain Translation Exercise
• Collaborate to Analyze Translations
• Wrap Up:  Discuss Bliss Essay

Tonight's HW:

• Work on Bliss essay.

Day 13:  Monday, September 22, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To ENGAGE in a reflective viewing of a clip from a documentary.
• To write a PERSONALIZED reflection about our own notion of bliss and to COLLABORATE by sharing these ideas.
• To review the EXPECTATIONS and SCHOOL-WIDE rubric for our next writing assignment.

Today's Agenda:

• Finding Joe clippage (37:00-44:00)
• Journal about your own PERSONAL bliss
• Turn and Share with Partner(s)
• Review Rubric for Essay Assignment
• COLLABORATE to help partner add to essay
• BONUS TIME:  Project Presentations
• Ticket Out:  What is your bliss?

Tonight's HW:  Work on Bliss assignment 

Day 12:  Friday, September 19, 2014

Today's Objective:

• To work on COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY by ENGAGING the class in hero's journey presentations.

Today's Agenda:

• Outside Reading
• Presentations
• Be sure to submit your project!

Tonight's HW:

• Start to think about your bliss.

Day 11:  Thursday, September 18, 2014

• Collaborate in small groups to work on your hero's journey presentation.  (Due tomorrow.)

Day 10:  Wednesday, September 17, 2014

• Finish watching Finding Joe with sub.
• Five student volunteers facilitate discussion of film using guiding questions.

Day 9:  Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To learn about Campbell's hero's journey by watching an interesting documentary (ENGAGEMENT) and making connections to our own lives (PERSONALIZATION).

Today's Agenda:

• Finding Joe

Tonight's HW:  Work on project (due Friday).

Day 8:  Monday, September 15, 2014

Today's Goals:

• To discuss our heroes and why we value them.
• To complete a graphic organizer to show how our favorite movie/book fits into the model.

Today's Agenda:

• Share and submit page on hero
• COLLABORATE on graphic organizer

Tonight's HW:

• Work on poster (or Prezi) due Friday

Activities for Next Week:

• Monday:  Review HW (your hero); post on board; complete graphic organizer in class for your favorite movie (that fits Campbell's model)
• Tuesday-Thursday:  Finding Joe scenes, work on project in class, journal on bliss
• Friday: present posters, record MCAS diagnostic, outside reading, consider extending presentations into Monday

Day 7:  Friday, September 12, 2014

Today's Objectives:

• To drop everything and read.
• To learn about Joseph Campbell's monomyth theory by using clips from modern movies.

Today's Agenda:

• Outside Reading
• Review Return Stages (9-12) in Campbell Prezi

This Weekend's HW:

• Write a page about who your hero is and why.
• Bring in a photo of your hero for extra credit.

Day 6:  Thursday, September 11, 2014

Today's Objective:  ENGAGEMENT!

• To learn about Joseph Campbell's monomyth theory using clips from modern movies.
• To examine stories of heroes from 9/11/2001 to show that there are real heroes - not just fictional ones.

Today's Agenda:

• Man in the Red Bandana - view, discuss
• Four of a Kind - read, discuss
• Hero's Journey notes - next four stages (initiation)
• view Prezi here

Tonight's HW:

• Continue to brainstorm ideas for next week's project (movie, book, etc.)
• Bring in an outside reading book.  If you don't have one, you can borrow one from me tomorrow!

Day 5:  Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Today's Objective:  ENGAGEMENT!

• To learn about Joseph Campbell's monomyth theory using clips from modern movies.  
• To learn that all adventure stories are the same!

Today's Agenda:

• Finding Joe trailer - view, journal, discuss
• Matrix and the monomyth - view and discuss
• Hero's Journey notes - first four stages (separation)
• view Prezi here

Tonight's HW:

• Next week, you'll be working on a project in which you explain how your favorite movie, book, comic, or other story fits into this theory.
• So tonight, start to brainstorm a list of stories you like that you think would fit this model.

Day 4:  Monday, September 8, 2014

Today's Obejctive:  ASSESSMENT!

• To demonstrate our knowledge of a summer reading book by writing an in-class essay.

Today's Agenda:

• Summer Reading Essay
• 5 paragraphs
• 3 talking points
• 1-3 quotes (or so)
• hand in outline, rubric, essay

Tonight's HW:

• Homework holiday!

On tap for next week:

• Monday:  in-class summer reading essay
• Tuesday:  no school
• Wednesday and Thursday:  hero's journey introduction
• Friday:  return to diagnostic

Day 3:  Friday, September 5, 2014

Today's Objectives:  COLLABORATION!  DIAGNOSTIC!

• To review expectations for summer reading essay.
• To complete a collaborative diagnostic to assess our ELA skills as a group.

Today's Agenda:

• Review summer reading prompts and rubrics
• Independent MCAS/SAT reading
• "The Wave" from last year's MCAS test
• Small groups:  complete collaborative diagnostic
• "The Wave" and "Merchant of Venice" from last year's MCAS test

This weekend's HW:

• Outline summer reading essay.
• 3 talking points
• quotes
• everything on one sheet of paper

Day 2:  Thursday, September 4, 2014

Today's Objectives:  PERSONALIZATION - To learn all of your classmates' names as we build an effective class community.

Today's Agenda:

• Collect paperwork (outstanding surveys, parent forms)
• Name histories and ice-breakers
• Review school-wide rubric
• mechanics:  spelling, grammar, capitalization, punctuation
• purpose:  thesis
• development of ideas:  quotes and paraphrase
• organization:  topic sentences
• audience awareness

Tonight's HW:

• Begin to prepare for Monday's summer reading in-class essay (notes on plot and characterization, quotes, etc.)

Day 1:  Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Today's Objectives:  To learn about the class and to set some personal goals.

Today's Agenda:

• Review syllabus and letter home
• Meet Arantxa King and Shane Battier - PPT
• Set personal goals and complete survey

Tonight's HW:

• Get parent/guardian letter signed
• Write 1-2 paragraphs about the history of your name.  Be prepared to present tomorrow.

Often in works of literature, a character takes part in a great battle, either literally or figuratively.

Often in works of literature, a character takes part in a great battle, either literally or figuratively.

MCAS items reviewed:

• The Things They Carried (Standard only) - 10.24.14
• Sonnet 116 (Shakespeare)
• Sonnet 26 (Spenser)
• To Daffodils
• I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
• Lost City of Z
• An Unfinished Season
• Boss Tweed
• Rats
• Volar
• Bridge of Sighs
• Sleep 
• Sister
• Spartans
• December Moon
• Check, Please
• Merchant of Venice
• Powder
• The Trial (Standard)
• The Fountainhead (Honors)
• Ice Cream