Mr. Mahoney's Class ~ Westford Academy

Homework and Daily Review

2012-01-17T05:54:00.000-08:00

F Block - Grade 12 Honors - Room 243
Today we discussed chapters 11-18 of Frankenstein. This conversation will
continue you tomorrow.
We will also discuss passages from John Milton's Paradise Lost.
Homework: Make sure to have your questions for chapters 15-18 completed.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors - Room 243
Today we took a vocabulary quiz for unit 7.
Class received a study guide for the midyear exam
As a class we began reading Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson from the textbook pages 386-390.
Homework: Students will complete questions 1-6.
Questions number 7 revised: Do you find any evidence of Emerson's reverence for nature in
The Scarlet Letter? Provide one example.

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep - Room 245
Today we took a vocabulary quiz for unit 7.
As a class we began reading Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson from the textbook pages 386-390.
Homework: Students will complete questions 1-6.
Questions number 7 revised: Do you find any evidence of Emerson's reverence for nature in
The Scarlet Letter? Provide one example.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors - Room 243
Today the class discussed the experience of the American Student in connection to
The Scarlet Letter and Ralph Waldo Emerson's Nature.
We will continue to discuss Emerson's Nature in connection to The Scarlet Letter in class tomorrow.
No homework for tonight.

D Block - Grade 11College Prep - Room 245
Today we took a vocabulary quiz for unit 7.
As a class we began reading Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson from the textbook pages 386-390.
Homework: Students will complete questions 1-6.
Questions number 7 revised: Do you find any evidence of Emerson's reverence for nature in
The Scarlet Letter? Provide one example.

Daily Review and Homework

2012-01-13T07:15:00.000-08:00

G Block - Grade 11 Honors Room 243Students took the in class midyear exam essay.
Homework:
Unit 7 Homework and Quiz due Tuesday 1/17

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep Room 245
Students reviewed the Midyear Examination Study Guide.
Students received a list of 100 vocabulary words to study
for the midyear exam.
Homework:
Unit 7 Homework and Quiz due Tuesday 1/17

C Block - Grade 11 Honors Room 243
Students took the Unit 7 Vocabulary Quiz.
Students reveiwed the Midyear Examination Study Guide.
Homework:
Students should read Nature, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
pages 386-388 and answer questions 1-6.
Replace #7 with the following question:
7. Do you find any evidence of Emerson's reverence for nature in
Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter? Provide one example.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep - Room 245
Students reviewed the Midyear Examination Study Guide.
Students received a list of 100 vocabulary words to study
for the midyear exam.
Homework:
Unit 7 Homework and Quiz due Tuesday 1/17

Homework and Schedule

2012-01-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

A Block- Grade 11 College Prep
Students took their midyear examination essay in class today.
Homework
Students should prepare their Vocabulary Unit 7 Homework for Quiz on
Friday.
All students should have their textbooks for class on Tuesday.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
Students took their midyear examination essay in class today.
Students should prepare the Vocabulary Unit 7 homework for Quiz on Friday.
All students should have their textbooks in class on Tuesday.

D Block- Grade 11 College Prep
Students took their midyear examination essay in class today.
After lunch, we continued to discuss the important scenes on
the scaffold.
Students should have their text books in class by Tuesday.
Students should prepare the Vocabulary Unit 7 homework for Quiz on Friday.

F Block - Grade 11 Honors
Students took their midyear examination essay in class today.
We will discuss Frankenstein Chapters 11-14 on Tuesday.
Chapters 15-18 should also be ready to present to the class at this time.
No class until Tuesday.

Homework

2011-12-14T06:13:00.000-08:00

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep

We will still be covering Chapters 9-12 and two more presentations tomorrow.
Read Chapters 13-15 for Friday, 12/16. Be prepared to present.

C Block- Grade 11 Honors

We covered Chapters 9-12 today in class.
Read Chapters 13-15 for Friday, 12/16. Be prepared to present.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep

We should cover Chapters 9-12 today in class.
Read Chapters 13-15 for Friday, 12/16. Be Prepared to present.

F Block - Grade 12 Honors

Coverage of British Romantic Poetry in class today.
Review Biographies of Percy Shelley and Mary Shelley and perform extended online research tonight and come up with a list of 5 essential details or influences for the work of fiction, Frankenstein.

Homework and Daily Review

2011-12-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

F Block - Grade 12 Honors English
Vocabulary Unit 5 homework due and quiz is tomorrow.
Hamlet Essay Due Date extended to Monday 12/12/11
Remaining Groups should be prepared to present their
literary criticism to the class.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
Vocabulary Unit 5 HW due and Quiz is tomorrow 12/09/11
The Scarlet Letter Chapter Questions 5-8 due tomorrow.
Group 2 should be prepared to present as well.

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep English
Vocabulary Unit 5 HW due and Quiz is tomorrow 12/09/11
The Scarlet Letter Chapter Questions 5-8 due Monday
Group should be prepared to present their blog posts.

C Block- Grade 11 Honors English
The Scarlet Letter Chapter Questions 5-8 due Monday
Group 2 should be prepared to present their blog post.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep English
The Scarlet Letter Chapter Quesitons 5-8 due Monday
Group 2 should be prepared to present their blog posts.
Vocabulary Unit 5 HW and Quiz on Tuesday

Daily Review and Homework

2011-11-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep
We did not meet today for class.

Yesterday we covered the final lines and closing images in The Great Gatsby.
We also reviewed some of the key concepts in American modernist literature.
Students submitted the Crime Scene Ivestigation reports concerning the death of Myrtle Wilson.
Students made edits to their final drafts of their first essays and submitted their revisions for a quiz grade.

Homework
:

Complete the portfolios for The Great Gatsby to include journals, dialectical journal notes and the American dream graphic organizer.
Be pepared to review The Great Gatsby for the unit exam on Wednesday of next week.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English

Students prepared for the written component of The Great Gatbsy assignment by writing a sample thesis statement and by reviewing how the influences of the modernist era can be found in the literature.
Students watched a short video highlighting most of the major details from The Great Gatsby.

Homework:

Students should have their modernist project passage and thesis statement prepared for in class writing session next week.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep English

We watched a short video summarizing the key concepts in The Great Gatsby.
We also reviewed some of the key concepts in American modernist literature based on the homework assignment.
Students submitted the Crime Scene Ivestigation reports concerning the deaths of Myrtle Wilson.
Students made edits to their final drafts of their first essays and submitted their revisions for a quiz grade.

Homework:

Complete the portfolios for The Great Gatsby to include journals, dialectical journal notes and the American dream graphic organizer.
Be pepared to review The Great Gatsby for the unit exam on Wednesday of next week.

F Block - Grade 12 Honors English

Slide into Hamlet. Class reviewed scenes from Hamlet and placed them in chronological order.
Class reviewed the death of Ophelia and Queen Gertrude's description of her death.

Homework: Review Act Five Questions for class participation on Monday.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English

Students prepared for the written component of The Great Gatbsy assignment by writing a sample thesis statement and by reviewing how the influences of the modernist era can be found in the literature.
Students watched a short video highlighting most of the major details from The Great Gatsby.
Students viewed examples of Modernist art and made comparisons to The Great Gatsby.

Homework:

Students should have their modernist project passage and thesis statement prepared for in class writing session next week.

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

C Block - Grade 11 Honors

Class took a quiz on Unit 3 Vocabulary
Class reviewed study guide for The Great Gatsby Unit Exam - AMENDMENT Jordan Baker was added to the character list. She was left off the list inadvertently. Teacher error.

Homework:

Study for The Great Gatsby Unit Exam
Prepare Portfolio Materials for review on Tuesday. Specific to come.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep

Students took a quiz on Unit 3 Vocabulary
Class reviewed the expectations for the course portfolio.
Reviewed the final chapters of The Great Gatsby.

Homework:

Study for The Great Gatsy Unit Exam
Prepare Portfolio Materials for group work assignments next week.

F Block - Grade 12 Honors

Students took a quiz on Unit 3 Vocabulary
We discussed Act III of Hamlet. Our cheif concern was Hamlet's confrontation with Gertrude. We interepreted this major portion of the play and discussed critical elements. We then viewed the scene from the film.
Matt Lauer's Unit 3 Vocab story was read aloud to the class. It earned much praise for its gore and entertainment value.

Homework:

Students will have read Act V of Hamlet by Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors

Class took a quiz on Unit 3 Vocabulary
Class reviewed study guide for The Great Gatsby Unit Exam - AMENDMENT Jordan Baker was added to the character list. She was left off the list inadvertently. Teacher error.

Homework:

Study for The Great Gatsby Unit Exam
Prepare Portfolio Materials for review on Tuesday. Specific to come.

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep

Students took a quiz on Unit 3 Vocabulary
Class reviewed the expectations for the course portfolio.
Reviewed the final chapters of The Great Gatsby.

Homework:

Study for The Great Gatsy Unit Exam
Prepare Portfolio Materials for group work assignments next week.

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

D Block- Grade 11 College Prep

Reviewed The American Dream in The Great Gatsby pgs. 90-95
Reviewed the final chapters of The Great Gatsby
Discussed contents of the Unit Portfolio due next week.

Homework:

Study for Vocabulary Unit 3 Quiz
Refine any journal entries or dialectical notes for reading assignments.
Portfolios will be collected and assessed next week.

F Block - Grade 12 Honors

Reviwed Hamlet Act III
Discussed Hamlet's treatment of the fair Ophelia before and during the play.
Discussed Hamlet's change in attitude, specifically toward Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Homework:

Study for Vocabulary Unit 3 Quiz
All students should have read Act IV and should be reading Act V over the weekend.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors

Discussed the end of the novel, The Great Gatbsy.
Discussed elements that may appear on the unit exam.
Students worked in groups of 3-4 to come up with a list of modernist themes, analyze their DJ notes for these themes, and discuss possibilities for the Modernist art project.

Homework:

Study for Vocabulary Unit 3 Quiz

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep

Discussed The American Dream in connection to Jay Gatsby / pgs 90-95. We also covered Gatsby's death, the funeral, James Gatz's childhood schedule and list of resoltuions and the final lines in the novel which make reference to the time when America was discovered by Dutch sailors. We also spent a great amount of time reviewing and interpreting the final two paragraphs of the novel.

Homework:

Study for Vocabulary Unit 3 Quiz
Refine any journal entries or dialectical notes for reading assignments.
Portfolios will be collected and assessed next week.

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
What did we do today?

Discussed the American Dream graphic organizer
Discussed elements of fiction in The Great Gatsby
Focused on Dialectic Journal Notes

What is for homework?

Vocabulary unit 3 Homework is due.
Be prepared for a quiz on chapters 6 & 7 on Friday

D Block - Grade 11 CP
What did we do today?

Discussed the American Dream graphic organizer
Reviewed Symbolic landscapes / settings in The Great Gastby
Focused on Dialectical Journal Notes

What is for homework?

Vocabulary unit 3 Homework due on Friday
Be prepared for a quiz on chapters 5&6

F Block- Grade 12 Honors
What did we do today?

Discussed Hamlet Act II details.
Covered spy games between Rosancrantz, Guildenstern and Hamlet
Reviewed the Aeneus tale to Dido and the play.

What is for homework?

Vocabulary Unit 3 Homework is due
Read Act III and be prepared for a quiz for our next class session.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors
What did we do today?

Discussed the American Dream graphic organizer
Discussed elements of fiction in The Great Gatsby
Focused on Dialectic Journal Notes

What is for homework?

Vocabulary unit 3 Homework is due.
Be prepared for a quiz on chapters 6 & 7 on Friday

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

G Block - Grade 11 Honors
What happened in class today?

Journal Entry #5
Reviewed the role of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby
Discussed Nick's "re-presentation" of reality
Discussed the green light at the end of the dock and what it might represent.
Did not get to discuss the valley of ashes a symbolic landscape TBA

What is for homework tonight?

Read chapters 4&5 and take 5 dialectical journal notes.
Vocabulary is on hold this week

A Block - Grade 11 CP
What happened in class today?

Journal Entry #5
Reviewed list of major characters in the novel.
Students identified the difference between indirect and direct characterization.
Students found two quotations from The Great Gatbsy based on a particular character description.
In groups students made posters of the characters from The Great Gatsby.

What is for homework tonight?

Read chapters 3&4 and take 5 dialectical journal notes.
Vocabulary is on hold this week.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
What happened in class today?

Journal Entry #5
Reviewed "The Raft of Medusa" painting and discussed "How to read a painting."
Briefly reviewed the Modernist Era in American Literature
Reviewd "Automat" by Edward Hopper and discussed details, lighting, color, and mood.
Students wrote a paragraph discussing the mood of the painting and the story being told. TBA

What is for homework tonight?

Read chapters 4&5 and take 5 dialectical journal notes.
Vocabulary is on hold this week.

D Block - Grade 11 CP
What happened in class today?

Journal Entry #5
Reviewed list of major characters in the novel.
Students identified the difference between indirect and direct characterization.
Students found two quotations from The Great Gatbsy based on a particular character description.
In groups students made posters of the characters from The Great Gatsby.

What is for homework tonight?

Read chapters 3&4 and take 5 dialectical journal notes.
Vocabulary is on hold this week.

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English
What happened in class today?

Sudents completed the Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz.
We briefly discussed the setting (West Egg vs. East Egg) of The Great Gatsby.

What is for homework tonight?

Students will read The Great Gatsby, Chapters 2+3
Students will take a total of 10 Dialectical Journal notes for Chapters 1-3.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep English
What happened in class today?

Sudents completed the Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz.
We briefly discussed the setting (West Egg vs. East Egg) of The Great Gatsby.

What is for homework tonight?

Students will read The Great Gatsby, Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby
Students will take a total of 8 Dialectical Journal notes for Chapters 1 +2.
Students should expect a short quiz after the long weekend.

F Block- Grade 12 Honors English
What happened in class today?

Students complete the Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz
Students received study guide questions for Hamlet, Act I.
Students watched the opening scene of the motion picture Hamlet, Act I, scene i.

What is for homework tonight?

The first major essay of the year is due on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
For Wednesday, students should read Act I of Hamlet and take 5 Dialectical Journal Notes.

G Block Grade 11 Honors English
What happened in class today?

Students completed the Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz.
We briefly discussed the setting (East Egg vs. West Egg) in The Great Gatsby.

What is for homework tonight?

Students will read Chapters 2+3 of the Great Gatsby.
They will have a total of at least 10 Dialectical journal notes for Chapters 1-3.

A Block Grade 11 College Prep English
What happened in class today?

Sudents completed the Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz.
We briefly discussed the setting (West Egg vs. East Egg) of The Great Gatsby.
We discussed the dialectical journal process.
New seating plan will be instituted during our next class session.

What is for homework tonight?

Students will read The Great Gatsby, Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby
Students will take a total of 8 Dialectical Journal notes for Chapters 1 +2.
Students should expect a short quiz after the long weekend.

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

D Block - Grade 11 CP
What happened in class today?

Each student wrote a reponse to journal prompt #3.
We read the first two pages of The Great Gatsby.
We discussed Nick's inner reality and psychological perspective.
We discussed how Nick describes himself at the beginning of the novel.

What is for homework tonight?

Study for Friday's Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz
Read Chapter 1 and record 3-5 dialectical journal notes for Monday

F Block - Grade 12 Honors
What happened in class today?

The class responded to journal entry #3. We skipped #2 to avoid redudant commentary from yesterday.
We breifly reviewed the Self Pity Song blog posts and discussed their future potential. Students are reminded to post before it is too late. A bracket contest is on the horizon.
Students worked in pairs brainstorming and recalling facts about William Shakespeare's life.
Students reviewed a PowerPoint based on William Shakespeare in preparation for the reading of Hamlet.

What is for homework tonight?

Study for Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz - Friday 10/7

G Block - Grade 11 Honors
What happened in class today?

Each student wrote a reponse to journal prompt #4.
We read the first two pages of The Great Gatsby.
We discussed Nick's inner reality and psychological perspective.
We discussed how Nick describes himself at the beginning of the novel.

What is for homework tonight?

Study for Friday's Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz
Read Chapter 1 and record 3-5 dialectical journal notes for Monday

A Block - Grade 11 CP
What happened in class today?

Each student wrote a reponse to journal prompt #4.
We read the first two pages of The Great Gatsby.
We discussed Nick's inner reality and psychological perspective.
We discussed how Nick describes himself at the beginning of the novel.

What is for homework tonight?

Study for Friday's Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz
Read Chapter 1 and record 3-5 dialectical journal notes for Monday

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

F Block - Grade 12 Honors English
What happened in class today?

Students received the list of journal prompts for the unit on Hamlet, by William Shakespeare.
Students responded to Journal #1 about a time they experienced betrayal.
We then discussed moments of betrayal for 20 minutes of class.
Students brought lyrics to a song containing self pitying lyrics. Songs in which the songwriter wallows in self pity.
We discussed the song "Ms. Misery" as an example and how to apply the exercise to our class blog.

What is for homework tonight?

Each student should cite lyrics from their selected song and reflect on the song. Provide your opinion of the song, the songwriter and the subject matter. Give the reader some context based on your understanding of what the song is about and then provide your opinion. It was suggested that students include a picture to enhance the entry.
Remember the post should apply to www.wamahoneyfblock.blogspot.com

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
What happened in class today?

Students responded to journal entry two in which they discussed the biography of F Scott Fitzgerald and the influences on his writing. Students highlighted details from last night's reading assignment.
As a large group we discussed Fitzgerald's writing style and the influences for the duration of class.
Students received copies of The Great Gatsby and study guide questions for chapters 1-3.

What is for homework tonight?

Because we did not start reading Chapter I, homework is on hold for tonight.
Reminder: Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz for Thursday.

A Block - Grade 11 CP English
What happened in class today?

Students responded to journal entry #3 which discussed one's potential with unlimited wealth and how great wealth may or may not affect one's character.
We read the first two pages of The Great Gatsby and discussed the framework of the novel and how the narrator establishes himself as a character and a storyteller.

What is for homework for tonight?

Because we did not complete reading the entire section, reading homework is on hold until tomorrow.
Reminder: Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz on Friday.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
What happened in class today?

Students responded to journal entry #3 about the potential of unlimited wealth and how wealth may or may not influence one's character.
A student read his vocabulary short story for Unit 2.
We read the first two pages of Chapter I of The Great Gatsby and discussed how the narrator's perspective is established in a modernist fashion.

What is for homework tonight?

Complete reading Chapter I, taking 3-5 dialectical journal notes.
Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz on friday.

Daily Review and Homework

2011-10-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

G Block - Grade 11 Honors
What happened in class today?

The class turned in any remaining essays on The Awakening.
We reviewed the instructions for turnitin.com
Tunitin ID: 4381720 Password: Mahoney
The class wrote a journal entry based on the American Dream. They defined it and explained how it impacts their lives.
Vocabulary Unit 2 Homework was collected and reviewed.

What is for homework tonight?

Read the Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald and highlight any important details that my have influenced his fiction.
Be prepard to write journal entry 2 at the beginning of class.

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep
What happened in class today?

The class submitted their Unit 2 Vocabulary Homework
Based on the homework each student wrote a journal entry based on the influences in Fitzgerald's life and how they impacted his fiction.
We briefly discussed Fitzgerald's poetic writing style and how he uses powerful description to add flavor to his prose.
In a large group discussion we discussed these influences in preparation for reading The Great Gatsby.

What is for homework tonight?

This is a night for any students who feel they are falling behind in class to make up assignments, especially concerning the essay.
All students should have uploaded a complete draft of their essay on buzzword.com.
All students should have submitted their essay to turnitin.com for furter review.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
What happened in class today?

Students reviewed the biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald and responded to journal entry #2.
Students submitted their homework for Vocabulary Unit 2.
We read aloud 4 vocabulary short stories, a series, penned by four different students, based on Chadwick the hamster.
We started to review the details of Fitzgerald's life and how they influences his fiction. We will continue this conversation in class tomorrow.

What is for homework tonight?

Students received copies of The Great Gatsby in class and may begin reading. We will being reading chapter one together in class tomorrow, so if you read, be prepared to read it again in class.
Students also received guiding questions for Chapters 1-III to help them with the reading process. Responses to these questions are optional, unless specifically assigned.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep
What happened in class today?

The class submitted their Unit 2 Vocabulary Homework. We read two stories aloud to the class.
Based on the homework each student wrote a journal entry based on the influences in Fitzgerald's life and how they impacted his fiction.
We briefly discussed Fitzgerald's poetic writing style and how he uses powerful description to add flavor to his prose.
In a large group discussion we discussed these influences in preparation for reading The Great Gatsby. We will need to continue this conversation in class on Thursday.
We discussed how tomorrow is and advisory period and our class will not be meeting.

What is for homework tonight?

This is a night for any students who feel they are falling behind in class to make up assignments, especially concerning the essay.
All students should have uploaded a complete draft of their essay on buzzword.com.
All students should have submitted their essay to turnitin.com for furter review.

Homework and Schedule

2011-10-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep
What happened in class today?

The essays on Into the Wild were collected for review.
Students were required to upload their essays on Buzzword.com and on Turnitin.com
The Turnitin Id: 4381713 / Password: Mahoney
As a class we defined the American Dream and how it impacts our lives.
We covered some of the Modernist attributes found in the short story, Cross Country Ski, by Ernest Hemingway.
We will continue to cover student responses to this short story tomorrow.

What is the homework for tonight?

Vocabulary Unit 2 Homework: Flashcards, Unit Exercises, Complete Sentences or Short Story
Read the short biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald and be prepared to write Journal #2 for tomorrow.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
What happened in class today?

The essays on The Awakening were collected for review.
Students were required to upload their essays on Buzzword.com and on Turnitin.com
The Turnitin Id: 4381704 / Password: Mahoney
As a class we discussed the American Dream and how it impacts our lives.
We covered some of the Modernist attributes found in the short story, Cross Country Ski, by Ernest Hemingway.
We will continue to cover student responses to this short story tomorrow.

What is the homework for tonight?

Vocabulary Unit 2 Homework: Flashcards, Unit Exercises, Complete Sentences or Short Story
Read the short biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald and be prepared to write Journal #2 for tomorrow.

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep
What happened in class today?

The essays on Into the Wild were collected for review.
Students were required to upload their essays on Buzzword.com and on Turnitin.com
The Turnitin Id: 4381707 / Password: Mahoney
As a class we discussed the American Dream and how it impacts our lives.
We covered some of the Modernist attributes found in the short story, Cross Country Ski, by Ernest Hemingway.
We will continue to cover student responses to this short story tomorrow.

What is the homework for tonight?

Vocabulary Unit 2 Homework: Flashcards, Unit Exercises, Complete Sentences or Short Story
Read the short biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald and be prepared to write Journal #2 for tomorrow.

F Block - Grade 12 Honors
What did we do in class today?

We scheduled afterschool meetings for extra help on college essays.
We reviewed the poem, "Written in a Country Asylum" by Jon Clare and discussed how it might relate to Hamlet.
Student work on Morte D'Arthur was revisited.

What is the homework for tonight?

Vocabulary Unit 2 Homework is due.
Read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (in the textbook) p.162-175

Homework and Schedule

2011-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep
Summary
Today we reviewed Vocabulary Unit 1 Homework
and two short stories were read.
We also discussed effective note taking strategies through the dialectic journal process and a model was shown to the class.
Homework
Each student will select one note from their dialectical journal on To Build a Fire.
He/She will refine the journal entry for the blog. Please pay attention to
writing mechanics and the details from the story.

F Block - Grade 12 Honors
Summary
Today we reviewed the symbols from Fahrenheit 451. We mainly covered
the fire, water and wine symbolism from pg. 102-103 of the text.
Students should have prepared their texts for The Kite Runner Socratic Seminar
beginning on Tuesday, 9/21.
Homework
Students should read background handouts for our conversation on The Kite Runner.
Handouts include:
1. "Afghanistan's Dirty Little Secret" article
2. Background information on The Hazzara with 3 questions
3. Background information on Islam

G Block - Grade 11 Honors
Summary
Today, during long block, we read the poem
"Written in a County Asylum" by John Clare and identified
lines of the poem which connected with Edna Pontellier's experience from The Awakening.
For the remainder of class we discussed the topic of sleep in connection to the novella.
Homework
Students will develop a question that they would like to answer with a thesis statement and supportive
3-5 page essay.
We will begin preparing to write the first expository essay.

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep
Summary
We reviewed an effective post to our blog based on To Build a Fire. We discussed effective note taking strategies and writing effective literary criticism.
Homework
Students should be prepared to begin writing their first expository essay of the year.

Homework and Schedule

2011-09-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

A Block - Grade 11 College Prep
1. Read "To Build a Fire" p.608-622
Take 3-5 Dialectic Journal Notes
Due: Wednesday, September 14th
2. Vocabulary Unit #1 HW
Due: Friday, September 16th

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
1. Take 3-5 Dialectic Journal Notes
based on The Awakening
Due: Wednesday, September 14th
2. Vocabulary Unit #1 HW
Due: Friday, September 16th

D Block - Grade 11 College Prep

1. Read "To Build a Fire" p.608-622
Take 3-5 Dialectic Journal Notes
Due: Wednesday, September 14th
2. Vocabulary Unit #1 HW
Due: Monday, September 19th

F Block - Grade 12 Honors
1. Take 5 Dialectic Journal Notes
Based on The Kite Runner
2. Vocabulary Unit #1 HW
Due: Friday, September 16th

G Block - Grade 11 Honors
1. Take 3-5 Dialectic Journal Notes
based on The Awakening
Due: Wednesday, September 14th
2. Vocabulary Unit #1 HW
Due: Friday, September 16th

Homework

2011-09-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

F Block Grade 12 Honors
Accept Blog Invitation
Read and Annotate Plato's Allegory of the Cave

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
For tomorrow's class be prepared to share your connection (gossamer thread) with your group members.
Group Work: The Awakening Questions
In a well developed paragraph, answer the question for the group you were assigned.

A. Why did Edna marry Leonce? Did she ever love him? Did she ever love anyone else before Leonce?

B. Identify a specific moment in which Chopin uses bird imagery to develop a theme in the novella. Explain how the imagery ehances the theme.

C. Identify a specific moment in which Chopin uses sea imagery to develop a theme in the novel.
Explaine how the imagery enhances the theme.

D. What role does music have in the story? Identify a specific moment in which music plays a great role in the story. What is the effect of the music (singing)? Does it develop a conflict? Help to shape a character? Help to develop a theme?

E. Discuss the role of flashbacks in the story.   How do they function? For what purpose does Chopin use flashbacks? Do they shape Edna's character? In what fashion? Identify one specific moment in which Edna has a flashback and discuss its significance.

A Block - College Prep English
For tomorrow's class be prepared to share your connection (gossamer thread) with your group members.
Group Work: Into the Wild Questions
In a well developed paragraph, answer the question for the group you were assigned.
A. Thinkabout the circumstances of Chris's death in Alaska. How did we learn about it,and what did you as a reader feel at that point in the story? Why does Krakauerdecide to go to the location of Chris's death? WasChris McCandless’ death a “foolish, pointless, death” (71)? Did he lack “therequisite humility” to go into the wild (72)?

B.  Eachchapter opens with 1-2 epigraphs (quotations/ excerpts from other sources,interviews, or Chris's writings). What do these epigraphs do to focus ourreading? Identify one of these quotations and discuss how it was used to introduce the chapter and prepare the reader to focus for reading the chapter.

C. Whatare the different versions of family in the story? Discuss both Chris'sbiological family and the families he creates for himself along the road. Use specific details from the text to support your opinion.

D. “Alaskahas long been a magnet for dreamers and misfits, people who think the unsulliedenormity of the last frontier will patch all of the holes in their lives” (4).What are the holes people are trying to fill? Why do we believe the frontierwill save us?

“(Chris)soon discovered…what Muir and Thoreau already knew: an extended stay in thewilderness inevitably directs one’s attention outward as much as inward, and itis impossible to live off the land without developing both a subtleunderstanding of, and a strong emotional bond with, that land and all it holds”(183). What do you think Krakauer meant by this statement?

E. Ina letter to Ronald Franz, McCandless wrote, “nothing is more damaging to theadventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of aman’s living spirit is his passion for adventure” (56). Was Chris right? Why orwhy not?

Inreference to Chris’s mother, Billie, learning about Chris’s death, Krakauerwrote, “such bereavement, witnessed at close range, makes even the mosteloquent apologia for high-risk activities ring fatuous and hollow” (132).However, Krakauer also wrote, that to him, climbing was one of the only thingsthat really mattered when he was young. What draws people to high riskactivities? Is it fair to the loved one of the individuals who participate inhigh-risk activities?

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
Accept Blog Invitation
Bring Copy of The Awakening to class on Friday

Homework

2011-09-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English
For tomorrow's class be prepared to share your connection (gossamer thread) with your group members.
Group Work: The Awakening Questions
In a well developed paragraph, answer the question for the group you were assigned.

A. Why did Edna marry Leonce? Did she ever love him? Did she ever love anyone else before Leonce?

B. Identify a specific moment in which Chopin uses bird imagery to develop a theme in the novella. Explain how the imagery ehances the theme.

C. Identify a specific moment in which Chopin uses sea imagery to develop a theme in the novel.
Explaine how the imagery enhances the theme.

D. What role does music have in the story? Identify a specific moment in which music plays a great role in the story. What is the effect of the music (singing)? Does it develop a conflict? Help to shape a character? Help to develop a theme?

E. Discuss the role of flashbacks in the story.   How do they function? For what purpose does Chopin use flashbacks? Do they shape Edna's character? In what fashion? Identify one specific moment in which Edna has a flashback and discuss its significance.

D Block - College Prep English
For tomorrow's class be prepared to share your connection (gossamer thread) with your group members.
Group Work: Into the Wild Questions
In a well developed paragraph, answer the question for the group you were assigned.

A. Thinkabout the circumstances of Chris's death in Alaska. How did we learn about it,and what did you as a reader feel at that point in the story? Why does Krakauerdecide to go to the location of Chris's death? WasChris McCandless’ death a “foolish, pointless, death” (71)? Did he lack “therequisite humility” to go into the wild (72)?

B.  Eachchapter opens with 1-2 epigraphs (quotations/ excerpts from other sources,interviews, or Chris's writings). What do these epigraphs do to focus ourreading? Identify one of these quotations and discuss how it was used to introduce the chapter and prepare the reader to focus for reading the chapter.

C. Whatare the different versions of family in the story? Discuss both Chris'sbiological family and the families he creates for himself along the road. Use specific details from the text to support your opinion.

D. “Alaskahas long been a magnet for dreamers and misfits, people who think the unsulliedenormity of the last frontier will patch all of the holes in their lives” (4).What are the holes people are trying to fill? Why do we believe the frontierwill save us?

“(Chris)soon discovered…what Muir and Thoreau already knew: an extended stay in thewilderness inevitably directs one’s attention outward as much as inward, and itis impossible to live off the land without developing both a subtleunderstanding of, and a strong emotional bond with, that land and all it holds”(183). What do you think Krakauer meant by this statement?

E. Ina letter to Ronald Franz, McCandless wrote, “nothing is more damaging to theadventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of aman’s living spirit is his passion for adventure” (56). Was Chris right? Why orwhy not?

Inreference to Chris’s mother, Billie, learning about Chris’s death, Krakauerwrote, “such bereavement, witnessed at close range, makes even the mosteloquent apologia for high-risk activities ring fatuous and hollow” (132).However, Krakauer also wrote, that to him, climbing was one of the only thingsthat really mattered when he was young. What draws people to high riskactivities? Is it fair to the loved one of the individuals who participate inhigh-risk activities?

Homework and Schedule

2011-09-01T06:18:00.001-07:00

F Block
Prepare for summer reading quiz

G Block
Make sure you bring your copies ofThe Awakening and Into the Wild to class for Tuesday.