The Daily Post

Friday 5/18

2012-05-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Active reading evidence
-Due: TKM WDYAK...went over this in class
-Discussed chapters 3-4
-Assigned chapters 1-7 chunks. Click here (choose 3)

Read through chapter 7 (w/ active reading evidence)
Complete your 1-7 chunks for Monday
Vocab Quiz on Monday

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Rough Draft...made sure everyone had peer editing arrangements for the weekend
-Due: Earnest research...went over this in class, prepped for the start of the play on Monday

Edited draft due Monday
Final draft (+ turnitin.com) due Tuesday
Grab a copy of Catcher! We are going to be running low.

Thursday 5/17

2012-05-17T15:33:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Active reading evidence for chapters 1-2
-CD check on chapter 2
-Discussed last night's reading.
-Began working on the Chapter 1-2 "What Do You Already Know" Handout in class
-Started chapter 3

Finish the "What Do You Already Know" Handout
Read chapters 3-4 and be sure to update your active reading evidence.

LA 10 Honors
-Checked-in on essays and rough drafts...reminded everyone about tomorrow's Rough Draft due date
-Began working on some intro research to The Importance of Being Earnest. Click here for the assignment
Finish up your Earnest Research Handout for the start of class tomorrow

Rough drafts due tomorrow
Peer editing due Monday
Final drafts due Tuesday.
Also! We are going to be a bit short on copies of Catcher in the Rye. If you are interested in purchasing your own copy, do it!

Wednesday 5/16

2012-05-16T16:06:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Due: R/J critical response paragraph...also submitted to turntin.com by tonight.
-Checked out copies of TKM
-Explained the purpose and the guidelines for the active reading journals/evidence (2-3 CDs + responses per chapter)
-Began reading chapter 1...got through about 95% of it.

Finish chapter 1. Read chapter 2. Make sure you have active reading evidence for both chapters

LA 10 Honors
-Checked in on Frankenstein essays...a number folks got their rough drafts checked off for points
-Finished watching Young Frank.

Rough drafts due by Friday
Peer editing due by Monday
Final drafts due Tuesday

Tuesday 5/15

2012-05-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

LA 9
-Checked in on R/J film paragraph...discussed chunk format and how to pull CDs from the film. Also reminded everyone about turnitin.com
-Moved into an intro activity for To Kill a Mockingbird. Brainstormed and created a 1-page response to everyone's own, childhood experience. Shared and discussed...focused specifically on the idea of innocence and becoming aware of the world around you.
-Assigned the task of creating a personal analytic response methods--more on that tomorrow

If you want your own copy of TKM, buy one...we'll check out books tomorrow and dive in

LA 10 Honors
-Checked in on essays...reminded everyone about the plan for this week
-Introduced Young Frankenstein and why we are watching it ( a chance for 1-on-1 essay help, connections to the novel, timing with AP tests, etc)
-Started watching the film

Must have a rough draft checked off by Friday (your responsibility)
Peer editing needs to be completed by Monday (your responsibility to arrange)
Final drafts to Tuesday

Monday 5/14

2012-05-14T15:18:00.003-07:00

LA 9
-Finished watching Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet. Spent some time discussing the upcoming response to the film.
-Officially assigned the 3-chunk response and brainstormed/discussed options on how to approach it.

Start working on your critical response. Due Tuesday.

LA 10 Honors
-Went over last week's vocab quiz
-Due: a minimum of 2 body paragraphs
-Went over the plan for this week (rough drafts + peer editing)
-Spent the majority of the period discussing thesis statements and arguments for each body paragraph, called on a number of students in each class to share their arguments and organization. Discussed as a class.

Rough draft due by Friday (up to you to show me anytime before that)
Peer editing due by Monday (up to you arrange and show me anytime before that)
Final drafts due Tuesday (5/22)

Friday 5/11

2012-05-11T15:16:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Due: "analyzed" practice HSPE essay...chatted about these for a bit
-Jumped back into watching Romeo and Juliet...continued watching for the whole period

We will finish the film on Monday. Start thinking about what "works" in the film and what "doesn't." There will be a written response to that very question due Tuesday.
We'll bump vocab to Friday...no quiz on Monday.

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Complete web/outline...went around the room and checked these off for points
-Took the official Frankenstein Vocab quiz

Need to have a minimum of two complete body paragraphs ready to be checked off and discussed on Monday. Typed, printed, complete.

Sub Day: Thursday 5/10

2012-05-09T21:59:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-As we discussed yesterday, the plan for you folks couldn't be easier today. All you need to do is kick back and watch the film (which is now working).
-As you watch, however, be critical. As you know, the director makes some very, very interesting choices. Some of them work...some of them are very questionable to the integrity of Shakespeare's original intent. Be prepared to discuss and critique. For the ease of setup, I am going to have the sub start the film right from the beginning...watching that opening scene again won't hurt you.

I'll be back tomorrow and at the start of class, I want to see your HSPE essays again. Make sure you've taken the time to reread and mark your CDs and CMs...the idea is for you to get a better sense of the ratio between CD/CM that exists in these.
We'll finish the film tomorrow and move your Vocab quiz to Monday

LA 10 Honors
-As discussed yesterday, you folks know the drill for today. In short, it's a work day. The vast majority of you have quite a bit of work to do in order to get to a point where you are ready to have body paragraphs checked off on Monday.
-So today, use the time. Thesis statements need to be revised, CD needs to be harvested, and essays need to be webbed/outlined...make sure you have evidence and a "plan of attack" to show me tomorrow before your vocab quiz.

Vocab quiz tomorrow
Revised thesis and initial essay web/outline due tomorrow

Wednesday 5/9

2012-05-09T15:59:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Vocab practice assignment from yesterday
-Went over the vocab work from yesterday
-Due to technical problems with the DVD, we spent some time doing even more vocab review
-Handed back practice HSPE essays and explained the results

Identify the balance between CD and CM on your HSPE essay. Any way you want to do this is fine--highlighter, underlining, etc. I will pick these up from you on Friday
We should be good to go with the film tomorrow...got things working after school

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Three potential thesis statements for Frank essay
-Handed back J/C essays and read this letter to the class...discussing the essays and observations as we read it
-Took a look at thesis statements, went over these reminders, and discussed what people should be aiming for

Be prepared for tomorrow's work day with the sub. You need to have a revised thesis and an as-complete-as-possible web or outline ready to be checked off for points on Friday
Vocab quiz on Friday

Tuesday 5/8

2012-05-08T15:24:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Final draft of R/J Essays by 3pm
-Went through a vocab skills and tricks mini-lesson...focusing on parts of speech and the best approaches to figuring out difficult questions

Need to get essays into turnitin.com by midnight tonight
Vocab work (complete handout) due tomorrow...do this on your own--no dictionaries or help.

LA 10 Honors
-Due: List of 10-20 thematic topics in Frankenstein...checked these off for points
-Moved from small group discussions of these topics to a large class brainstorm
-Selected 1-2 thematic topics and applied them directly to the novel, brainstorming and discussing potential thesis statements and how an essay/argument could be organized. Click here for a list of thematic topics in Frankenstein.

Using the list of topics generated today as well as the process we used to further develop arguments, come to class tomorrow with three unique thesis statements that you feel could work for a potential essay...be prepared to share. Typing these might be a good idea.

Monday 5/7

2012-05-07T15:49:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Edited draft...came around and assigned points for both having an edited draft and for editing.
-Discussed strengths and weaknesses of essays
-Modeled (again) MLA formatting and layout and how to do it. Again, here's the handout on how to correctly cite/format Shakespearean text.

Essays due tomorrow by 3:30...need to be submitted into turnitin.com by midnight tomorrow (no submission, no points)

LA 10 Honors
-CD check on the end of the novel
-Due: Organized and complete guiding questions (stamped and arranged)
-Went over vocab from last week
-Discussed the end of the novel--the reversal, selfishness, why the creature is prolonging the chase, etc, does Walton learn anything, does Victor?
-Scored AP passage #7

Need to have a list of 10-20 thematic topics addressed in Frankenstein ready at the start of class tomorrow.

Friday 5/4

2012-05-04T13:47:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Took Vocab quiz #23
-Swapped papers with a partner (or made email arrangements) for editing this weekend.

Need to have a fully edited paper ready on Monday...in other words, make sure you completely edit your partner's paper and have a way for them to access it on Monday (printed out with comments would be the easiest). Use this numbered comment guide to help you with the process.

LA 10 Honors
-Took Vocab/Lit quiz #23
-Due: Guiding questions 20-23
-Discussed last night's reading--Victor's selfishness, death of Henry, etc.

Finish the novel for Monday
No guiding questions this weekend...however, make sure all of your stamped questions from the past two weeks are arranged and ready to be submitted (you should have 7 stamps).
We will go over the AP passage (technically due today) on Monday...make sure you've got it.

Thursday 5/3

2012-05-03T15:29:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Digital copy of essay
-Went straight to lab 309 and spent the day working on essays, getting one-on-one help, editing, revising, etc.

Need to have a typed, printed, complete copy ready for editing tomorrow
Vocab quiz tomorrow

LA 10 Honors
-Due: 17-19 questions
-Due: AP passage #6
-Discussed last night's reading--is the creature good/bad? Is it the right decision to create a companion?
-Went over AP passage #6
-Read and discussed Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Mutability" as a class (connects to chapter 10)
-Assigned AP passage #7

Read 20-22 and answer the guiding questions
Complete AP passage #7
Study for Vocab/Lit

Wednesday 5/2

2012-05-02T16:01:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Complete, typed, printed rough draft.
-Took a look at a sample essay and discussed its flaws and strengths
-Went to the computer lab and spent a bit of time working on essays--although the lack of internet made that a bit problematic.

Make sure you have digital copy of your draft ready for editing and lab work tomorrow...we'll be in the lab all period.

LA 10 Honors
-Due: 14-16 guiding questions
-Due: Practice AP passage from chapter 10
-CD check
-Discussed last night's reading, focusing specifically on the creature's responsibility and Shelley's main arguments regarding society and judgement
-Went over the AP passage...and assigned a new one.

Read 17-19 and complete the guiding questions
Finish the new AP passage
Vocab on Friday

Tuesday 5/1

2012-05-01T16:37:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Due: All body paragraphs, completely shaped...checked these off for points
-Went through an exercise for developing 1 sophisticated chunk for a predetermined CD...if gone, you'll need to do this tomorrow.
-Discussed intros and concluding paragraphs...spent a bit of time brainstorming possibilities for how folks should approach these.

Full typed, printed, as-complete-as-possible rough draft due tomorrow at the start of class.

LA 10 Honors
-CD check on chapters 11-13
-11-13 guiding questions due
-Finished up our discussion of symbolism and motifs...turned in the organizers for points at the end of the period
-Started working on a practice AP passage (if gone, you'll need to grab this tomorrow)

Finish AP passage
Read 14-16 and complete the guiding questions

Monday 4/30

2012-04-30T15:27:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Due: A minimum of 1 complete body paragraphs fully shaped (checked these off for points)
-Took a look at a few sample paragraphs and used the literary paragraph check to discuss strengths and weaknesses and to do a bit of self-editing
-Spent the remainder of the period as a work day, continuing to develop paragraphs and get a head-start on tonight's homework...

Need to have all of your body paragraphs fully shaped and ready to be edited tomorrow. Click here for the How to Cite Shakespeare Handout.
Vocab quiz on Friday...study.

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Guiding questions for chapters 8-10 (stamped)
-Discussed the most recent chapters including: first impressions of the creature, Victor's selfishness, Catch-22s, Justine, etc.
-Moved into an exercise on symbolism and motifs in the novel. If gone, you'll need to grab the handout tomorrow.

Read 11-13, complete the guiding questions
Finish your symbolism/motif organizer
Vocab/Lit on Friday

Friday 4/27

2012-04-27T14:59:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Complete web...checked these off for points. Discussed progress thus far on essays
-Took Vocab Quiz #22

Need to have a minimum of one complete body paragraph shaped and ready to be checked off for Monday. Next week will be busy with these essays...feel free to get a head start and tackle more than the minimum this weekend.

LA 10 Honors
-Discussed Rime of the Ancient Mariner, clarifying any questions folks might have about what was read at home.
-Took Vocab/Lit quiz #23

Read chapters 8,9,10 and complete the guiding questions

Thursday 4/26

2012-04-26T17:23:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Due: Initial thesis statement...discussed these in class.
-Used the period to continue working on essays and to truly begin the web/brainstorm process

Vocab quiz tomorrow...study
Need to have a complete web/outline ready for to be checked off by the end of class tomorrow (get this as complete as possible tonight)

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Guiding questions for chapters 5-7
-Discussed (briefly): last night's reading
-Transitioned into the Rime of the Ancient Mariner...started in class, finish tonight at home. Click here for the online version...here for the pics (scroll down to the Mariner section)

Finish Mariner tonight.
Vocab/Lit quiz tomorrow
Read 8-10 for Monday + guiding questions

Wednesday 4/25

2012-04-25T15:34:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Discussed yesterday's assigned essay prompts. Took our time with each individual prompt, brainstorming as a class the complexities of each question and the possible ways to approach the structure and organization of each potential essay...this took the majority of the period
Need to have a thesis statement (and thus, a chosen prompt) ready for the start of class tomorrow. We will use tomorrow to begin organizing essays. If you want to get a head start, feel free to jump in tonight.

Make sure all registration materials are ready for tomorrow.
Vocab quiz on Friday...study

LA 10 Honors
-Debriefed on today's registration successes and obstacles
-Due: guiding questions for chapters 1-4
-Discussed chapters 1-4, paying particular attention to Victor's obsessive personality, hubris, and the science/reasons behind his creation.

Read 5-7 tonight. Complete the corresponding guiding questions.
Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with the myth of Prometheus (click here)

Tuesday 4/24

2012-04-24T15:42:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Took the Act 3-5 R/J quiz.
-Went over the quiz at the end of the period, discussing each quote and its greater relevance to the play
-Officially assigned the prompts for the Romeo and Juliet essay...quickly discussed them as a class

Begin thinking about which prompt you plan on working with for this upcoming R/J essay. We will work on developing thesis statements and prewriting tomorrow
Vocab on Friday...study

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Monster 1-pager...discussed these a class and made connections back to Frankenstein
-CD check on the preface/author's intro
-Discussed Shelley's background and biography + why it matters to understanding the novel
-Discussed last night's reading of the letters 1-4
-Turned in the guiding questions from last night's reading
-Discussed Romanticism a bit and how it all fits into Shelley's purpose with the novel. Click here for some background on Romanticism

Read chapters 1-4 and complete the guiding questions for those chapters (keep 'em short)!
Vocab/Lit on Friday...study.

Monday 4/23

2012-04-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

LA 9
-Finished Romeo and Juliet!
-Got caught up in the film

Act 3-5 R/J quiz tomorrow...make sure you study/review
Make sure your registration materials are ready for this week
Vocab quiz on Friday...study

LA 10 Honors
-Due: LOTF symbolism project and paragraph...discussed these in class, reminded everyone to get their submission into turnitin.com
-Discussed last week's synthesis essay. Went over the plan with everyone still needing additional time to get all caught up
-Moved into an intro to Frankenstein (drawings + monster brainstorms)
-Assigned the Why Do We Create Monsters 1-pager for tonight. Started watching some of the clips/trailers as a class, discussing the connections with each

Why Do We Create Monsters 1-Pager Response due tomorrow at the start of class
Read the intro, preface, and letters 1-4 for tomorrow. Be sure to answer these questions (keep your responses short...these are just there to guide you).

Friday 4/20

2012-04-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

LA 9
-In light of today's news, we decided to forgo the end of R/J and got caught up in the film instead.
-We will finish up the play on Monday and take it from there.

Get your registration materials ready for next week

LA 10 Honors
-Spent the period finishing up the synthesis essays...for those needing additional time, make sure you contact me with your plan. The majority of you, however, got everything turned into me today.
-Checked out copies of Frankenstein (click here for an online version)

Make sure you have communicated with me (if you still need to) about your plan for getting your synthesis essay in.
Symbolism projects and paragraphs (click for handout) due Monday. Paragraph needs to submitted to turnitin.com
Need to be read the author's intro, the preface, and letters 1-4 of Frankenstein for Tuesday. These guiding questions (keep your answers short and to the point...these are really just to guide you) are also due on Tuesday.

Thursday 4/19

2012-04-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

LA 9
-Handed out registration materials and spent a little bit of time prepping for next week. Remember, this is your responsibility to figure out.
-Continued with R/J. Finished Act 4 and got through 5.1 and 5.2. We will finish 5.3 (and the play) tomorrow in class

No vocab tomorrow
Registration! Be prepared

LA 10 Honors
-Quick recap and clarifying questions about yesterday's prep for today's synthesis essay.
-Spent the whole period working on essays...one-on-one help was available as folks wrote.

Get as much done on your essay as you can. They are due tomorrow by the end of the day. Click for online copies of Flies, Night, "Young Killers"
No vocab quiz tomorrow...we will continue to work on essays
Symbolism projects and paragraphs are due Monday

Wednesday 4/18

2012-04-18T16:03:00.002-07:00

LA 9
-Ran through an in-class external/internal conflict exercise with R/J
-Continued reading. Finished up 4.4 and got pretty close to finishing 4.5...we'll finish up the act tomorrow

No vocab quiz this Friday...we'll continue with the play

LA 10 Honors
-Discussed last night's "Young Killers" article and opened up the dialogue on what the article suggests and the greater implications of the crime and situation that is described...moved the conversation into the Nature vs. Nurture debate
-Officially assigned the synthesis essay. Discussed the prompt in class, how it should be organized (see handout), and even went over a sample of how to approach this.

Begin working on your Synthesis essay...the class period tomorrow is yours. Friday is yours as well. You should come to class tomorrow with a plan and an outline (use this organizer...or something similar) so I can see where you are headed.
Symbolism projects and paragraphs are due Monday.

Tuesday 4/17

2012-04-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

LA 9
-Took Vocab Quiz #21
-Scored Vocab Quiz #21
-Continued reading Romeo and Juliet...got through 4.3

Make sure you are caught up in R/J
Make sure you spend some time finalizing your desired classes for registration next week.

LA 10 Honors
-Discussed the symbolism project and 3-chunk paragraph, clarifying the specifics and expectations
-Moved into a broader discussion of symbolism...went through a symbolism "matching" exercise
-Discussed the plan for this week and the start of tomorrow's synthesis writing assessment

Read this article for tomorrow
Begin working on your symbolism project and paragraph...due Monday

Monday 4/16

2012-04-16T15:30:00.001-07:00

LA 9
-Jumped right back into Act 3...finished 3.5
-Started Act 4, got through 4.1

Vocab quiz tomorrow...study

LA 10 Honors
-CD/CM check on the end of the novel
-Due: Symbolism organizer...checked these off for points.
-Discussed the end of the novel--including the great irony of the final scene
-Went through a close reading of Piggy's death

Discussed the LOTF symbolism project
Symbolism project/paragraph due on Monday