The Daily Post

Friday 2/3

2012-02-03T15:24:00.001-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Complete web/outline with essay organized and CD picked out
-Took Vocab quiz #16

Need to have a minimum of 2 body paragraphs fully chunked and shaped. That means this handout, followed by this handout (or simply typed) for Monday. That's 2 body paragraphs, 2 steps for each. Feel free to jump into your 3rd body paragraph if you want to get a head start.
Update your vocab for Monday

LA 10 Honors
-Due: original sonnet
-Took vocab/lit quiz #15
-Swapped sonnets and "assessed them" based on the structure

Update your vocab/lit
Have your copy (if you are getting one) of Caesar ready for Monday

Thursday 2/2

2012-02-02T16:10:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Working thesis statement
-Did a quick vocab review at the start of class
-Discussed thesis statements.
-Used a Ven Diagram to really start thinking about how the different arguments of these essays fit together
-Began webbing/outlining in class

Complete web, with well-thought-out arguments and selected CD is due tomorrow
Vocab quiz tomorrow...study

LA 10 Honors
-Sonnet work is due. Went over these in class.
-Also looked at Sonnet #130
-Began transitioning into our notes on Caesar. Began with assassinations...worked our way into Caesar's life. We will finish this up tomorrow or on Monday

Vocab quiz tomorrow
Original sonnet due tomorrow (14 lines, abab/cdcd/efef/gg, 10 syllables per line).

Wednesday 2/1

2012-02-01T15:23:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Modern Satire...went over these again in class...turned 'em in.
-Reviewed yesterday's test, discussed the possible answers to each question
-Watched the two different endings to the two different films...discussed the reasoning behind each director's approach to the conclusion of the narrative.
-Assigned the official prompt for the Animal Farm essay...brainstormed possible approaches as a class

A complete, working thesis statement is due at the start of class tomorrow. Be prepared to share.

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Elizabethan English practice...went over the answers to these in class
-Moved into some notes on sonnets and iambic pentameter
-Began breaking down sonnet #18

Finish breaking down all three sonnets on the handout. We will go over them tomorrow in class.

Tuesday 1/31

2012-01-31T16:14:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Updated Satire pieces
-Quickly discussed the end of the novel.
-Took the final Animal Farm test.

Bring your pieces of satire to discuss tomorrow. We will also go over the final test

LA 10 Honors
-Finished up our notes on Shakespeare, took a look at The Globe, and some words and phrases Shakespeare invented.
-Began working on an Elizabethan English handout using this glossary of terms (3rd period...you have to do this all tonight).

Finish the Elizabethan English Handout (click for a copy). Be sure to use this glossary (click) to help you decode and decipher these Elizabethan sentences. Follow the instructions on the handout.

Monday 1/30

2012-01-30T15:10:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Updated vocab...went over words in class
-Due: Modern Satire piece...discussed these in class. Gave folks an opportunity to bring in a revised version tomorrow (find it, describe it, explain what about society it is critiquing, tap into how it does it).
-Attempted to finish the novel in class...ended up being about a page or two short before the bell rang.
Finish the novel

Have your modern satire piece ready for tomorrow
Study your notes/review the novel for tomorrow's Animal Farm test. Be prepared for specific questions on the Russian Revolution, communism, Orwell, etc.

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Updated vocab...went over + scored last week's quiz
-Transitioned into Shakespeare. Began Shakespeare notes. Got through his early childhood up to his marriage with Hathaway...we'll finish 'em tomorrow.

If possible (and if you are so inclined), procure a copy of Caesar for yourself...it will make the whole process easier.

Friday 1/27

2012-01-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Took Vocab Quiz #15
-Scored essay after everyone was finished
-Discussed a bit of last night's reading
-Assigned new vocab

Vocab needs to be updated for Monday
Need to be read through chapter 9...we'll finish chapter 10 (and the novel) in class on Monday
Found Satire due Monday

LA 10 Honors
-Took Vocab/Lit quiz #14
-Handed back HSPE and MLK/Antigone essays
-explained the plan for next week...Caesar!

Track down a copy of Julius Caesar. All it needs is line numbers. No "cheater" versions allowed. I recommend this version.

Thursday 1/26

2012-01-26T16:05:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-CD check on chapter 7
-Reviewed our notes
-Discussed the past few chapters including Napoleon's tactics and the significance of his displays of power.
-Began discussing satire. Looked at a few examples. Discussed the various approaches they take.

Example of modern satire is due on Monday. You need to: find a piece of satire, describe it (or bring it in if possible), explain what it's satirizing, and explain how it does it...we'll chat some more tomorrow.
Vocab quiz tomorrow. Study.

LA 10 Honors
-Quick update on grading--everything will be in and make it to first semester grades.
-Continued the essay scoring and discussions from yesterday. Went over a few as a class, a few in small groups.

Vocab/Lit quiz tomorrow

Wednesday 1/25

2012-01-25T15:02:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-CD check on chapter 6
-Recapped yesterday's notes
-Moved into making direct allegorical connections between the Russian Revolution and the novel
-Defined Satire...quickly introduced the Satire assignment (more on this tomorrow)

Read chapter 7
Begin looking for a piece of modern satire (again, we'll discuss more of the specifics tomorrow)

LA 10 Honors
-Reviewed the AP rubric, discussing the general requirements for a specific score
-Began working through an anonymous packet of essays--discussing each, coming to a consensus on the best fit score.

Study vocab
We will finish up the sample scoring tomorrow

Tuesday 1/24

2012-01-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: updated vocab ..went over in class
-CD check on chapter 5. Discussed Molly, Napoleon, etc.
-Continued with our notes on the allegorical connection to the Russian Revolution...we will wrap this up tomorrow and dive into making specific connections

Read chapter 6

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Updated vocab...went over in class
-Discussed yesterday's in-class AP-style essay. What worked, what didn't.
-Brainstormed the prompt together as a class--discussed, in detail, the various approaches this prompt allows
-Began re-examining the rubric and how it will fit the needs of this essay

Take a close look at the AP rubric...we'll chat more about how we are going to apply it tomorrow in class.

Tuesday 1/23

2012-01-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-CD check on chapters 2-4
-We'll go over vocab tomorrow
-Recapped the past few chapters of Animal Farm
-Moved into some notes on Orwell, Animal Farm, Marx, Socialism, Communism, etc...we'll finish these up tomorrow.

Read chapter 5
Vocab due tomorrow

LA 10 Honors
-Came right in and started working on the in-class, AP-style Antigone + MLK essay. Worked on these for the entire period. We'll discuss and debrief tomorrow.

Vocab due tomorrow

Update for Monday

2012-01-22T21:47:00.001-08:00

LA 9: Vocab is due, need to be read through chapter 4, expect a CD check.

LA 10 Honors: Your final is tomorrow, be prepared. See notes below for details/reminders about what you should come to class with.

What I Know About Finals

2012-01-18T08:54:00.001-08:00

From Mr. Belcher:

"We will extend the semester to accommodate our “no school days” and our finals schedule. We will not have finals on a Friday.

1st full day back: LA/ World Languages CTE

2nd full day back: Social Studies / Science

3rd full day back: Math/PE/Arts/TSE"

Snowpocalypse Update

2012-01-17T17:20:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to write a quick update for what's coming. Since the roads in Seattle are bare and dry, I really have no idea what to expect for tomorrow. Some reports are saying Snowmageddon, others...not so much. Anyway, here's what I think you should be prepared with the next time we meet (whenever that may be, I have no idea):

Freshmen: Friday's post still applies (through chapter 4, updated vocab, updated character organizer).

Sophs: Let's assume we will jump write into finals as if it were Tuesday--there's no official word from the school yet, but I would make sure you are prepared for whatever comes your way on Tuesday. It could be your LA/Math, could be SS/Science, etc. Just be prepared. Check all of your teachers' websites and sharepoint sites. Again, unless I hear otherwise, I am assuming you will be writing the next time we meet...be ready for it.

If questions come up, let me know. I will post more details if I hear anything official about how the finals schedule will be impacted.

Stay warm.

Friday 1/13

2012-01-13T14:58:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-CD check on chapter 2
-Took Vocab quiz #14
-Discussed some of the specifics of chapter 2

Read chapters 3 and 4
Vocab needs to be updated for Tuesday

LA 10 Honors
-Took Vocab/Lit quiz #13
-Spent some time discussing yesterday's sample AP prompt
-Handed out MLK's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" (click here for a copy). Reminded everyone of the plan for Tuesday (an essay connecting Antigone to MLK to civil disobedience).

Prep for Tuesday. You can use your annotations/passages from Antigone and your annotated copy of the B-Ham letter...that's it. For details, rubrics, tips/tricks see yesterday's post.
Vocab/Lit needs to be updated for Tuesday

Thursday 1/12

2012-01-12T16:13:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-CD check on chapter 1
-Reexamined Old Major's speech, focusing on his argument
-Spent a bit of time working on keeping track of the various characters that are introduced in the exposition of Animal Farm. Started using a character organizer to keep track of the characters.

Read chapter 2
Vocab quiz tomorrow

LA 10 Honors
-Went over some of the highlights of this handout on AP tips/tricks which was posted online last night.
-Discussed some of the specifics of this additional handout on more AP tips/tricks
-Looked at the AP rubric again, scored some sample AP essays
-Went through an in-class of planning an approach on a sample AP prompt

Vocab/Lit quiz tomorrow. Be prepared.
Continue to prepare your quotes for Tuesday's Antigone essay

Wednesday 1/11

2012-01-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Finished up our discussion of the Utopia Projects. All groups presented and we discussed the patterns and observations that emerged from the class as a whole.
-Checked out copies of Animal Farm
-Went through a "Close Reading" exercise with the first paragraph of the novel. Discussed the multiple levels on which the novel can be read.

Finish chapter 1 tonight for homework...be prepared for a CD check tomorrow.

LA 10 Honors
-Wrapped up our discussion of Antigone
-Spent a little bit of time prepping for Tuesday--looking through the text in small groups to pull out those passages that speak to themes "beyond the plot."
-Began discussing AP-style writing. Looked at some sample questions from both AP Lang and AP Lit. Discussed what the readers are looking for.
-Examined a modified AP rubric

Peruse this list of advice for AP writers. We'll chat about it tomorrow. It's a bit long, but there is some really good advice here. Be sure to give it a serious look.

Tuesday 1/10

2012-01-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Freshman Experience essay...by 3pm
-Due: Freshman experience essay (submitted by midnight tonight)
-Quick check in on how the last night of editing went...
-Moved back into Utopia Groups, finished up the handouts, began some informal presentations from a few groups...we will finish up tomorrow

Turnitin.com needs to be submitted by midnight tonight. For instructions on how to do that, click here.

LA 10 Honors
-Quick check-in/reminder about the next few weeks
-Jumped back into reading Antigone...most periods finished this during class

Finish the last few lines of Antigone

Monday 1/9

2012-01-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Updated vocab...went over the words in class
-Discussed essay progress. Remember, these are due by 3pm tomorrow (turnitin.com by midnight). Also went over the importance of sticking to the original assignment, using data correctly (click here the fact sheet, here for Belcher's presentation), how to do your citations/works cited page correctly, and proper MLA format.
-Quick transition into Animal Farm--discussed how the novel can be read on multiple levels...we'll be approaching it with a pretty sophisticated lens.
-Defined Utopia as a class. Went over the concept's inherent flaw.
-Broke into groups and started the Utopia Project

Essays due tomorrow by 3pm (no exceptions unless prearranged)
Essay submitted to turnitin.com by midnight tomorrow
Continue thinking about Utopia Projects...we'll jump back into our groups tomorrow

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Updated vocab...discussed in class
-Scored an old vocab quiz from before break
-Went back and revisited Scene 2 and what is revealed about Antigone and Kreon
-Continued reading Antigone...got through most of Scene 3

Finish Scene 3 for tomorrow (should be very little reading)

Friday 1/6

2012-01-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Completed peer editing from yesterday's sub day.
-Took vocabulary quiz #12...scored these in class after everyone finished
-Discussed how everyone's doing with their essays...officially assigned the final due date for Tuesday

Essays due on Tuesday...also needs to be submitted to turnitin.com
Vocab needs to be updated for Monday

LA 10 Honors
-Scored yesterday's vocab quiz
-Went over yesterday's breakdown of Ode 1
-Began reading Scene 2

Finish reading scene 2...no need to go any further
Vocab needs to be updated for Monday

Sub Plan: Thursday 1/5

2012-01-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

As we discussed, I am out today scoring Sophomore practice HSPE essays with the LA department. I will be in my classroom before and after school, but am not available during the day. Listed below is what you need to take care of today:

LA 9
-As we went over, you should have a typed, revised, printed, ready-to-go draft (with correct citations...click here for help) for peer editing ready right at the start of class. Printing is your responsibility, not the sub's.
-Turn in your drafts to the sub. (If you don't have a draft, you are out of luck. You can't participate today. I would suggest staying busy (maybe working on your essay) while the rest of the class goes through today's process)
-After the sub has collected everyone's essays, he/she will redistribute them randomly to everyone who turned one in. No switching, no swapping...just make sure you don't get your own.
-Once you receive a peer's essay, the sub will hand out The Nine Steps to Essay Perfection handout. Follow the steps.
-Edit like you would like to be edited. To do this well will take the majority of the period. Stay focused, stay relatively quiet. If you finish, swap back with your partner before the bell rings. If not, be sure to finish tonight and be prepared to swap back at the start of class tomorrow.

If needed, finish your peer editing/completion of the Nine Steps.
Vocab quiz tomorrow. Study.

LA 10 Honors
-The plan for you folks is relatively simple...
-The sub will let you have about 5 minutes to study for your vocab quiz.
-Once everyone is settled, Vocab/lit quiz #12 will be handed out--you know the drill...stay quiet and focused. The sub will collect these when you are finished.
-When you are done, read Ode 1 of Antigone. On a separate piece of paper, summarize each Strophe/Antistrophe. Do this on your own. Keep it short, but make sure your summary gets to the heart of what this choral ode is all about. Turn this into the correct box on your way out today.

Your new vocab is posted (due Monday)
No need to read any of Antigone tonight...we will dive back in tomorrow.

Wednesday 1/4

2012-01-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: Completed handout from yesterday. Discussed the observations and issues folks ran into after re-examining the ideas and organization of their essays.
-Broke into small groups and took a look at two sample essays, editing in pairs and discussing as a full class.

Need to have a fully revised, printed, and ready-to-go draft for peer editing at the start of class
Vocab on Friday, study

LA 10 Honors
-Went through a quick vocab review...it's been awhile
-Revisited yesterday's discussion of Oedipus and Colonus and civil disobedience and the connection to Antigone
-Started reading Antigone. Got through Episode 1. Click here for an e-copy.

Vocab quiz tomorrow...be prepared.

Tuesday 1/3

2012-01-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

LA 9

-Due: Updated vocab (went over the words in class)

-Due: Revised draft...complete with citations

-Went over drafts in class. Used this handout to go through and reexamine essays, focusing on organization and overall argument...needs to be finished for tomorrow.

Finish this handout for tomorrow
Need to have a revised essay for editing on Thursday at the start of class

LA 10 Honors

-Due: updated vocab list #12 (went over the words in class)

-Read this summary of Oedipus at Colonus

-Went through an intro exercise on civil disobedience (defined, examples, personal causes)...made the connection back to Antigone

-Be prepared to dive into the play on tomorrow...click here for an online copy.
Vocab quiz on Thursday...study

Tuesday 12/20

2011-12-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: typed, printed, as complete as possible draft ready for editing (checked these off for points)
-Took Vocab quiz #12
-Went through a quick peer editing process in class.
-Discussed some of the larger issues folks are having with their essays

Study and update your vocab--remember, you will need to have a complete set/system in a few weeks (definitions + sample sentences for every word, same system for all weeks...use break to get caught up if you are behind)
Work on your essays. You need to have a revised, edited draft ready at the start of class on Tuesday 1/3. Be sure to add the correct citations. Click here for an explanation on how to cite some of your sources. Again, these need to be done correctly on Tuesday 1/3.
Enjoy the break!

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Oedipus paragraphs (by 3pm) and turnitin.com (by midnight)
-Spent the entire period finishing up your Soph. writing assessment...turned these in at the end of the period (although some folks came in after school/lunch to finish)

Due to the calendar and how much time we have left until the end of the semester, you will not be reading Antigone over break. Instead, we will dive into the play right when we get back and use it to lead into finals (your semester final will therefore be an in-class essay on Antigone...don't worry, we will prep for it).
You do, however, have vocab to get done and study. The new list is posted. We will have a quiz on Thursday 1/5 (not Friday)...be prepared...it's been awhile.
Enjoy the break!

Monday 12/19

2011-12-19T14:05:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Quick check in on rough drafts and how the intros and conclusions went over the weekend.
-Took roll and then headed down to the auditorium for the freshman meeting with Mr. Belcher. Click here for his presentation (good place to pull out CD for your essay)

Vocab quiz tomorrow
Typed, printed, as-perfect-as-possible draft due at the start of class tomorrow

LA 10 Honors
-Quick reminder about Oedipus paragraphs (due tomorrow + turnitin.com)
-Got right back into the practice HSPE assessment...worked on these for the entire class

Oedipus paragraph due tomorrow (click for play...click for paragraph)
Oedipus paragraph needs to be submitted to turnitin.com by tomorrow at midnight

Friday 12/16

2011-12-16T15:17:00.000-08:00

LA 9
-Due: "fully chunked" body paragraphs...typed, ready to go...checked these off for points
-Discussed intros and conclusions and the best method to approach these
-Reminded everyone about the schedule/due dates for next week (see below)

Monday everyone will come to class before heading down to the class meeting with Mr. Belcher
Full rough drafts (typed, printed, as-perfect-as-possible) due at the start of class on Tuesday
Vocab quiz on Tuesday

LA 10 Honors
-Finished up discussion of Aristotle's Poetics
-Checked off everyone's notes on Aristotle (for points)
-Discussed the Oedipus Paragraph (click here for the details)
-Began the official HSPE practice writing assessment...we will pick up with this first thing Monday

Oedipus paragraphs due Tuesday (also into turnitin.com)