LA 10 Honors
-Due:Vocab work 116
-Quickly went through final rehearsals
-Performed the songs

HW:
-Vocab quiz tomorrow
-We will finish up remaining songs tomorrow (2nd period only)

Creative Writing
-Finished up sharing our rapid-fire answers from yesterday
-Went over the syllabus and discussed the course expectations
-Made sure all students recognize the need for the parent/guardian signature (get this done!)
-Showed the website + its features and assigned tonight's web-assignment (which is: to send me an email via the website's contact page. In it, you can just say hello or use it as an opportunity to let me in on any of those "disclaimers" or additional info you may think I need to know about you. Make it quick, make it short. Really, the only purpose of this little assignment is to make sure you've accessed the website and are familiar with it's features. Make sure you include your name so I can give you points)

HW:
-Bring in favorite piece(s) of writing ...or, at the least, be prepared to talk about it
-Blank journal for Monday
-Web assignment finished before class tomorrow (see notes above)
-Get parent/guardian signature on syllabus

LA 9
-Went over new vocab + assigned roll-over words from last semester (click here for the current list)
-Reviewed Odyssey background information
-Began reading The Odyssey

HW:
-Finish reading the story of Calypso (pg 890-893)...do your best with this. Do not give up because it is difficult. Rather, try to decipher it and figure it out.

LA 10 Honors
-Spent the entire period working on/rehearsing the blues with individual groups.
-Performances begin tomorrow. Be prepared

HW:
-Prep for tomorrow's performances (you'll need copies of your lyrics for your group)
-Vocab 16 is due tomorrow

Creative Writing
-No Journal write today (will begin with those next week)
-Spent the period going through a quick-answer/rapid-fire question and answer. We will finish up sharing these tomorrow

HW:
-Get journal
-Identify/bring-in favorite piece of writing on Friday

LA 9
-Quick points for bringing in your LIT book (you'll need these for the next few weeks)
-CD check on last night's reading
-Collected Animal Farm (if absent, bring in your book a.s.a.p)
-Discussed last night's reading, went over the basics of what we need to know for the start of the Odyssey

HW:
-Review the reading from yesterday. Make sure you are familiar with the specifics.
-Bring your LIT books tomorrow

LA 10 Honors
-Due: "Eyes Lyrics"
-Formed groups and worked on refining lyrics and practicing songs. Tomorrow will be a day for rehearsal and prep
-Moved vocab to it's normal date (Voc 16)

HW:
-Voc 16 work due on Thursday
-Voc 16 quiz on Fri
-Bring what you need (instruments, etc) to class tomorrow so you can rehearse.
-Vocab "cards" due Feb 15

Creative Writing
-Today was the start of the semester
-Quick, little introduction to the course and some basics of what you can expect
-In-class write: "Sam noticed that another pile had accumulated. There it sat in a messy heap--3ft tall and sweating against the pale glow of a Moon..." Wrote for 10ish minutes, did some quick rapid-fire sharing

HW:
-Get journal a.s.a.p

LA 9
-Due: Animal Farm film critique (quickly discussed these in class)
-Broke into groups and did some brainstorming as an intro to The Odyssey (the next piece of literature we will be reading)

HW:
-Read pages 878-886 tonight...there will be a CD quiz on what you learned. Read carefully! Tomorrow's CD check will be specific
-Bring LIT book to class tomorrow...for points!

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Their Eyes Were Watching God + You project
-Discussed last night's fieldtrip
-Moved the Vocab quiz to Monday!
-Introduced The 2nd Annual Their Eyes Were Watching God Blues Extravaganza. Talked briefly about the history of the blues, its ties to the novel, and its basic structure. Assigned "lyrics" work for the weekend

HW:
-Vocab Quiz on Monday!
-Finish your "Eyes Lyrics." (at least 4 direct lines from the book (but aim for more), stick to no more than 10-12 syllables, and be sure try to think about how it will translate into song form). For help with this, it might be useful to have a 12 bar blues track playing...click here for one you can sing along with and play over and over.
-For a really basic beginner's lesson on how to play it on guitar, see the video below:

Creative Writing
-That's it. The semester is over! It's been fantastic. I'll be sure to get everyone packets of their final work. If you want extra copies of Floodplain, be sure to swing by.


LA 9
-Essays due (by 3pm at the very latest...)
-Finished watching Animal Farm
-Discussed the major differences

HW:
-1 page (can be handwritten) critique of the film. Be sure to focus on the big ideas and the director's major choices...not just the little stuff. Due at the start of class on Monday.

LA 10 Honors
-Continued working Eyes essays (turned in at the end of the period)
-Quickly discussed Eyes + you... (due tomorrow)
-Last minute field trip info (be in the commons by 6:15)

HW:
-Vocab quiz + work due tomorrow
-Eyes + you due tomorrow

Creative Writing
-No journals today
-Continued with in-class readings
-Discussed Floodplain...(will be published tomorrow)

HW:
-Get prepared for your reading (if you haven't)
-Book talk (if you haven't...tomorrow is your last chance)

LA 9
-Discussed essays
-Began watching Animal Farm
-Opportunity for individual conferences about essays

HW:
-essays due tomorrow by 3pm (absolutely no exceptions)

LA 10 Honors
-Handed out Eyes prompt
-In class essay (working the entire period)

HW:
-Voc due Fri (quiz Fri)
-Eyes + you due Friday

Creative Writing
-Discussed Floodplain (it will be all put together for Friday)
-Began in-class readings (names drawn randomly)

HW:
-Be prepared for tomorrow's readings

LA 9
-Finished up with in-class peer editing
-Discussed essays

HW:
-Revise essays. Final (the official final, final) drafts are due Friday

LA 10 Honors
-Handed back ASP essays (discussed)
-Went through a final discussion of the novel (focused on theme and what the book is really trying to say through its story)
-Prepped/discussed tomorrow's essay

HW:
-Prepare for tomorrow's essay (find quotes that capture what each relationship is all about)
-Eyes + you (due Friday)
-Vocab (back on schedule this week...due Thursday, quiz Friday)

Creative Writing
-Journals: go back to an earlier entry and expand
-Discussed tomorrow's upcoming readings
-Went over what is still needed for Floodplain
-Read: Boy/Girl

HW:
-Get prepped for tomorrow's reading
-Extra Credit: Boy/Girl mimic due tomorrow

LA 9
-Due: Typed, printed draft of Animal Farm essay
-Went through a partnered + anonymous in class-edit. We will finish editing tomorrow

HW:
-Essays will be due on Friday

LA 10 Honors

HW:

-Finish the novel

-Come to class with quotes pulled, ready for an intense (graded) discussion on Tuesday

-Their Eyes Were Watching God...And You has been moved to Friday

HW:

-Floodplain submission DO IT NOW! SEND IT IN!

-Finish final piece for Tuesday

-Open Letter due on Tuesday

HW:

-Need to come to class with all of your completed organizers and a typed, printed, and complete draft on Tuesday

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Vocab work
-Worked on an in-class paragraph for the entire period. This will help prep for next week's in-class essay
-Quickly discussed paragraphs...will dig deeper into them tomorrow

HW:
-Be through chapter 17 for tomorrow. We will finish the book over the weekend

Creative Writing
-Collected journals today
-Went over upcoming due dates
-Read the short story Love: A mixtape and other catastrophes

HW:
-Floodplain email (by tomorrow)
-Final draft of original piece (by Tuesday)
-Open letter (Tuesday)

LA 9
-Due: 2 completely shaped body paragraphs
-Worked on final body paragraph in class

HW:
-All 3 body paragraphs completely shaped (these can still be written out on the organizers...no typing necessary for tomorrow)

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Figurative Language "Illustrations" from chapter 9. Shared examples and discussed
-Went through an AP practice passage from chapter 13. Discussed answers
-Discussed field trip (only 60ish tickets remain)
-Discussed tomorrow's plan --in-class paragraph to get ready for next week's in-class essay

HW:
-Read chapter 14-16
-Vocab due tomorrow
-Field trip signature

Creative Writing
-No Journal today: not enough time due to the late start
-Due: Initial draft of final, original piece. Went through some quick peer editing in class

HW:
-Final journal check tomorrow
-Floodplain submission emailed by Friday (also think about a cover!)
-Final draft of original piece is now due Tuesday (however, if submitting it to Floodplain, I still need it by Friday)
-Final open letter due Tuesday
-Outside reading + book chat!...make sure you get it taken care of

LA 9
-Due: completed webbing for essay
-Discussed paragraph shaping
-Worked on paragraph shaping in class (all handouts can be downloaded here)

HW:
-2 out of your 3 paragraphs need to be completely shaped for tomorrow

LA 10 Honors
-mini-CD check on chapters 9-11
-Discussed reading + Tea Cake's introduction into the novel
-Handed out assignment on figurative language + went over instructions (pick 4, illustrate (this can be quick), explain what is going on when the line is said, and provide some quick commentary that gets to the heart of what the line is all about...due tomorrow)

HW:
-Figurative Language illustrations
-Read chapters 12-13
-Vocab

Creative Writing
-No journals today
-Due: Evidence of original piece
-Shared lines/evidence + discussed
-Read: "How to write suspense"

HW:
-Typed, printed, as complete-as-possible draft of original piece due at the start of class tomorrow. If you don't have this, you won't be able to participate in tomorrow's editing...no paper=no editing=no points.
-Journal check Thursday
-Final draft + floodplain due Friday
-Open letters due next Tuesday

LA 9
-Due: Thesis statement for Animal Farm essay
-Went over/shared/discussed thesis statements (revised as needed)
-Handed out a blank webbing sheet (these can be downloaded here) and worked on these for the remainder of the period

HW:
-Finish webbing. A complete web (CD w/page numbers, some CM, etc. ) is due at the start of class tomorrow.

LA 10 Honors
-CD check on chapters 7-8 (if missed, be sure to make up a.s.a.p.)
-Discussed chapters (picked out quotes)
-Continued discussing "Their Eyes Were Watching God...and You!" assignment
-Began reading chapter 9 out-loud

HW:
-Finish reading chapters 9-11
-Work on vocab lists
-Bring money for JC field trip (the cost is $7.50, the day is the 24th, the time of departure is 6:15ish, the return time is around 10:30ish...we will hand out permission slips tomorrow)

Creative Writing
-Journal Topic: your current ideas/progress on your original piece
-Discussed progress on original piece (need to bring in evidence of some work to class tomorrow)
-Read samples of "best American opening lines 05-06"
-Read the short piece, "He Said" and spent 20+ minutes attempting to mimic its style (some people turned this in at the end of class...some are taking it home to finish)

HW:
-Evidence of original piece tomorrow (doesn't have to be much...just a start)
-Typed, printed draft of original due Wed...we will edit in class
-Open letter now moved to Tuesday 1/22
-Final Draft of original due Friday 1/18
-Final journal check on Thursday
-Floodplain email this Friday

LA 9
-Assigned Animal Farm essay prompt
-Brainstormed and discussed in class
-Began initial development of an argument
-Discussed thesis statements

HW:
-Original and complete thesis statement due at the start of class tomorrow. Be prepared to share

LA 10 Honors
-Vocab quiz #14
-Quickly discussed chapter 6
-Assigned: "Their Eyes Were Watching God...and you" This is an ongoing assignment that we can discuss more on Monday

HW:
-Read chapters 7-8
-Begin thinking about the "TEWWG...and you" assignment

Creative Writing
-Journals: Open Friday
-Due: Stolen Dialogue Remix (discussed and shared examples)
-Discussed your final piece of writing in this class--the assignment is open (no topic or style restrictions) and a draft is due next Wed. The Final will be due on Friday.

HW:
-Open letter due next Wednesday
-Daily journal (the last check) on Thursday
-Outside reading book chat needs to be taken care of by Friday
-Floodplain submission and final draft of your last piece due on Friday (draft due Wed)

LA 9
-Took vocab quiz #3 in class. This essentially took the entire shortened period.
-Finished up AF final quiz from yesterday (if you didn't already finish)

HW:
-Begin thinking about your upcoming essay on Animal Farm. You will get your prompt on Monday. From there we will develop thesis statements and go through the whole writing process

LA 10 Honors
-CD check on chapter 4-5
-Discussed chapters 4-5 (picked key quotes)
-Due: Vocab
-Went over voc

HW:
-Vocab quiz tomorrow
-Read chapter 6

Creative Writing
-Journal Opener: "Are you following me?..."
-Due: "Middle School" Dialogue assignment from yesterday
-Shared samples and discussed
-Due: Stolen dialogue

HW:
-Outside reading
-Stolen dialogue work (take an excerpt from your recorded conversation and spend about 30-40 minutes using those spoken words to create a completely different scene--new characters/setting/plot are all encouraged) Due tomorrow.

LA 9
-Due: Vocab list (for points)
-Spent the entire period working on the final Animal Farm Quiz

HW:
-Vocab quiz tomorrow. All of the words can be found by clicking here

LA 10 Honors
-Due: your thoughts on the "Pear Tree" passage from chapter 2
-Discussed chapters 2-3
-Went through an AP practice session for the chapter 2 + discussed the answers

HW:
-Vocab due tomorrow
-Read chapters 4 and 5

Creative Writing
-Journal Starter: "Douglas was screaming..." (must include dialogue)
-Reminder of upcoming due dates
-Discussed outside reading and everyone's need to finish their book and find a time to have a quick "book chat" this needs to be done before next Friday! Before school, after school, lunch, etc.
-Went over "punctuation" rules for writing dialogue
-In-class scenario: middle school boy asking out middle school girl (take 20+ minutes and write this scene It must be dailogue heavy...aim for realism) Due tomorrow at the start of class.

HW:
-Finish middle school Dialogue scene
-Stolen dialogue due tomorrow at the start of class--you'll need this for tomorrow's assignment!
-Outside reading

LA 9
-Quick CD check on chapter 9 (if missed, see me to make up)
-Discussed chapter 9 and Boxer's death
-Read chapter 10 (finished the book)
-Discussed the ending and why Orwell decided to end it in the manner he did
-Went over what you need to know for tomorrow's mini-test/quiz (review book + notes)

HW:
-Vocab list is due tomorrow (click here for the complete list)
-Vocab quiz on Friday
-Mini-test on Animal Farm tomorrow...be prepared.

LA 10 Honors
-Handed back + quickly discussed ASP essays
-Went over chapters 1-2. Discussed opening lines of the novel

HW:
-Read chapter 3
-Review "the tree" passage from chapter 2. Jot down some CM and come prepared to discuss it and turn in your notes on it
-Bring in Parent Signature!

Creative Writing
Journals: (we used a song as our prompt today...if gone, consider it open)
-Discussed upcoming due dates (see HW below for a list)
-Further discussed stolen dialogue assignment

HW:
-Stolen dialogue due Thursday
-Final Open letter due the 16th
-Final daily journal check the 17th
-Floodplain submission will be due on the 18th

LA 9
-Discussed chapter 8
-Began reading chapter 9
-Went over upcoming important dates (see below)

HW:
-Finish chapter 9 (we will finish the novel--chapter 10--tomorrow in class
-Vocab list due Thurs (click here for the complete list)
-Vocab quiz on Friday
-Animal farm quiz/mini-test on Thursday ( be sure to review + study your notes)

La 10 Honors
-Due: "Reverse Translation" from Friday
-Collected ASP books
-Checked out copies of Eyes Were Watching God
-Compared reverse translations to Hurston's actual passage
-Began reading chapter 1-2 out loud

HW:
-Finish reading chapter 2
-Get signature (if you haven't)

Creative Writing
-Journal topic: "Faded"
-Due: Final character piece
-Discussed dialogue. Shared samples (TKM, Catcher in the Rye, Cavalier and Clay)
-Quickly introduced the stolen dialogue assignment (need to eavesdrop on a conversation and record it...look/listen for something interesting and unique)

HW:
-Stolen dialogue due Thursday
-Continue with your outside reading (we will continue with book chats tomorrow and the rest of this week)
-Open letter due 1/16

LA 9
-Due: modern satire sample + write-up
-Took a CD check on chapter 7
-Shared satire examples
-Discussed chapter 7

HW:
-Read chapter 8
-Vocab quiz this Friday (list w/ definitions and parts of speech due Thursday). We will review throughout the week. Click here for the complete list of the words you need to know.

LA 10 Honors

HW:

-We will begin reading Eyes on Monday (if you have your own copy of the book, bring it)

-Finish the reverse translation passage for the start of class on Monday

HW:

-Final character piece due on Monday

HW:

-Find an example of modern satire and (1. describe/summarize it 2. explain exactly what it is that it's satirizing 3. explain the methods/techniques it uses to get the job done 4. explain whether or not it is effective)

-Read chapter 7

LA 10 Honors
-Quick discussion about tomorrow's essays. Answered final questions
-Introduction to Their Eyes Were Watching God
-Began dialect work. Went over dialect samples. Began working on breaking down one of Hurston's passages in small groups (includes figuring out Hurston's "rules" for vernacular/dialect)

HW:
-Work on the last 2 bullets of the dialect handout (this is the 'translate' and 'rules' steps). Come to class tomorrow with info to share with your group.

Creative Writing
-Journals: "One would think that after 23 years, I'd know better..."
-Due: typed/printed copy of your revised/finalized character piece
-Broke into peer groups for criticism/assessment/review

HW:
-Continue outside reading, be prepared to sit down for a chat about your book next week
-Finish peer editing your partner's piece
-Final (turned-in) versions will be due on Monday (however, there will be other homework this week)

LA 9
-Continued with Animal Farm notes from before break (reviewed communism, Marx, socialism, allegory)
-Completed Russian Revolution notes (if missed, be sure to get these from a classmate)
-Began making connections between Russian Revolution and the novel (again, if missed, you will need to get this info from a classmate)

HW:
-Continue thinking/making connections between AF and the Russian Revolution

LA 10 Honors
-Due: Character evolution sketches
-Due: Typed Draft of ASP essays
-Went through an in-class self-edit process...looked for grammar, punctuation, transitions, etc...

HW:
-Final draft due Friday (by 1pm)
-No voc this week

Creative Writing
-Journal topic: "Beauty"
-Did a CD check on your outside reading (if missed, see me to make up)
-Discussed outside reading
-Discussed current character work and the plan for tomorrow (we will be working in small groups...you 100% need a printed copy of your draft).

HW:
-Typed, printed, complete drafts of your chosen character piece due at the start of class

LA 9
-Due: Russian Revolution CD work
-Took a quiz on chapters 1-6
-Went over quiz/discussed the book thus far

HW:
-Be sure to be ready to take notes for tomorrow's class. Bring books, bring notes from before.