Welcome to The Daily Post! As the name suggests, this portion of the website is updated daily (right after school) and is designed for you to be able to access what was covered in class, from home. It's a great resource for last minute updates or if you are ever absent or find yourself confused about any specifics about homework, reading, due dates, vocab, etc.
Just consider it one more thing I do to make your life a bit easier...
Friday 12/18
Fri, Dec 18 2009 10:31
LA 10 Honors
-Finished watching Cool Hand Luke
-Finished up viewing notes (themes, allusions, Christ figure connections, symbolism, motifs, etc.). Turned these in at the end of the period.
-Briefly discussed notes, the film, the ending. Made connections to A Separate Peace...Luke as an adult Phineas, thrust into the realities of the adult world. Addressed the ideas of conformity, leaders/followers, faith, hope and false hope.
Creative Writing
-No Journals today
-Due: Open Letter
-Handed out and assembled Floodplain #13. Spent a little bit of time flipping through these.
-Read + Discussed David Sedaris' "Christmas Means Giving."
-Finished watching Cool Hand Luke
-Finished up viewing notes (themes, allusions, Christ figure connections, symbolism, motifs, etc.). Turned these in at the end of the period.
-Briefly discussed notes, the film, the ending. Made connections to A Separate Peace...Luke as an adult Phineas, thrust into the realities of the adult world. Addressed the ideas of conformity, leaders/followers, faith, hope and false hope.
HW:
-Outside reading (click here) needs to be done the day you return from break. Be sure to bring your book. You'll need it.
-Study your vocab, will pick up with the normal routine right after break
Creative Writing
-No Journals today
-Due: Open Letter
-Handed out and assembled Floodplain #13. Spent a little bit of time flipping through these.
-Read + Discussed David Sedaris' "Christmas Means Giving."
HW:
-Outside reading. Get your book. Get reading.
Thursday 12/17
Thu, Dec 17 2009 02:10
LA 10 Honors
-Continued watching Cool Hand Luke
-Added to ongoing viewing notes, making sure to address theme, symbolism, motif, allusions and the analysis of Luke's role as a literary Christ figure.
Creative Writing
-No journals today...went straight to the lab
-Due: Headline piece #1 from yesterday.
-Picked a new headline for today's write. Worked on these for the whole period. Due at the end of class.
-Continued watching Cool Hand Luke
-Added to ongoing viewing notes, making sure to address theme, symbolism, motif, allusions and the analysis of Luke's role as a literary Christ figure.
HW:
-Get your outside reading book. They'll be a few that can be checked out tomorrow.
Creative Writing
-No journals today...went straight to the lab
-Due: Headline piece #1 from yesterday.
-Picked a new headline for today's write. Worked on these for the whole period. Due at the end of class.
HW:
-Open Letter due tomorrow.
-Outside reading...be sure to track down your book and bring it in for points.
Wednesday 12/16
Wed, Dec 16 2009 03:49
LA 10 Honors
-Took a quick CD check on last night's reading. Discussed the main points of the article
-Quickly checked-in on yesterday's in-class ASP essay.
-Introduced Cool Hand Luke. Went over the idea of motif and explained what you need to be looking for in the film and what kind of notes to take (theme, symbolism, motif, allusion)
-Began watching the film--got about 40min into it.
Creative Writing
-Journals: Used some headlines from today's assignment (see below) to explain today's task. Just came up with bulleted examples.
-Introduced today's headline work. Everybody chose 2, picked one, and spent the rest of the period developing a short narrative based on that title.
-Took a quick CD check on last night's reading. Discussed the main points of the article
-Quickly checked-in on yesterday's in-class ASP essay.
-Introduced Cool Hand Luke. Went over the idea of motif and explained what you need to be looking for in the film and what kind of notes to take (theme, symbolism, motif, allusion)
-Began watching the film--got about 40min into it.
HW:
-Study vocab...although the quiz will be after break. No quiz on Friday.
-Get your outside reading book.
Creative Writing
-Journals: Used some headlines from today's assignment (see below) to explain today's task. Just came up with bulleted examples.
-Introduced today's headline work. Everybody chose 2, picked one, and spent the rest of the period developing a short narrative based on that title.
HW:
-Headline piece #1 due tomorrow at the start of class
-Open Letter due by Friday
Tuesday 12/15
Tue, Dec 15 2009 12:41
LA 10 Honors
-Spent the class working on the A Separate Peace in class essay. This was a timed, write...55min long. All students had to finish in that time period. Picked up the prompt at the start of class. Worked for the whole period. Turned in at the end. We'll discuss tomorrow.
Creative Writing
-Journal: What you've inherited from your parents
-Discussed book choices. Went around the room and did a little sharing of what folks are thinking. Reminded everyone that you'll need to show evidence that you have the book. If this can be done before break, great. If not, you can show me your copy after.
-Handed back and shared some samples from the last round of open letters
-Spent the class working on the A Separate Peace in class essay. This was a timed, write...55min long. All students had to finish in that time period. Picked up the prompt at the start of class. Worked for the whole period. Turned in at the end. We'll discuss tomorrow.
HW:
-All students need to read this chapter (click) from Thomas C. Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor. It's a great book that tackles all sorts of tips and tricks you should know in order to be an active reader. The tone is light (he makes some very corny jokes throughout) and you should be able to get through it no problem. The topic of this chapter: Christ Figures--and how they come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. Make sure you have this read for the start of class tomorrow...you'll need to have a grasp on the basic info to help analyze the film we'll be starting.
-Begin outside reading. I'll have copies of some of the titles available for checkout tomorrow.
Creative Writing
-Journal: What you've inherited from your parents
-Discussed book choices. Went around the room and did a little sharing of what folks are thinking. Reminded everyone that you'll need to show evidence that you have the book. If this can be done before break, great. If not, you can show me your copy after.
-Handed back and shared some samples from the last round of open letters
HW:
-Open letter needs to be turned in by Friday
-Get/Start your outside reading
Monday 12/14
Mon, Dec 14 2009 03:03
LA 10 Honors
-Due: Vocab 14 work
-Due: Character evolutions (turned these in)
-Discussed the upcoming outside reading assignment. Click here for the details. Remember, you need to chose your book carefully. Warning, some contain mature themes...be sure to discuss your choice with your parents/guardians.
-Went over some details for tomorrow's in-class timed write. Due to the fire alarm and the 2-hour delay, not all classes got to cover this. Please click here for the details you need to be aware of.
Creative Writing
-No journals today.
-Due: Character/Conflict/Starting Point final
-Discussed upcoming outside reading assignment. Handed out customized booklists. Reminded everyone that they need to chose their book wisely. Some contain mature themes. Be sure to choose a book that is appropriate for you.
-Went to the lab to do a little research on outside reading book choices.
-Due: Vocab 14 work
-Due: Character evolutions (turned these in)
-Discussed the upcoming outside reading assignment. Click here for the details. Remember, you need to chose your book carefully. Warning, some contain mature themes...be sure to discuss your choice with your parents/guardians.
-Went over some details for tomorrow's in-class timed write. Due to the fire alarm and the 2-hour delay, not all classes got to cover this. Please click here for the details you need to be aware of.
HW:
-In class essay tomorrow. Be prepared. Here's the prompt. Here's what you should know. Books only. No outside notes (that aren't in your book...sticky notes, writing in the margins, etc. is fine ). Character evolution projects may not be used for the actual writing--books + reading notes only. I'd think about the prompt a bit tonight.
-Pick + track down a copy of your outside reading book
Creative Writing
-No journals today.
-Due: Character/Conflict/Starting Point final
-Discussed upcoming outside reading assignment. Handed out customized booklists. Reminded everyone that they need to chose their book wisely. Some contain mature themes. Be sure to choose a book that is appropriate for you.
-Went to the lab to do a little research on outside reading book choices.
HW:
-Pick and track down a copy of your book
-Open letter due by Friday
Friday 12/11
Fri, Dec 11 2009 02:55
LA 10 Honors
-Took vocab/lit quiz #13
-Went over answers to the lit quiz
-Checked in on character evolution assignment
Creative Writing
-No Journal today
-Went straight to the lab and continued working on character/conflict/starting point assignment
-Took vocab/lit quiz #13
-Went over answers to the lit quiz
-Checked in on character evolution assignment
HW:
-Character evolution due Monday
-In-class essay will happen on Tuesday
Creative Writing
-No Journal today
-Went straight to the lab and continued working on character/conflict/starting point assignment
HW:
-Character/conflict starting point due Mon
-Open Letter due next week.
Thursday 12/10
Thu, Dec 10 2009 04:35
LA 10 Honors
-Discussed the end of the novel: addressed the last lines, Finny's death, the "funeral," the reconciliation between the two, etc.
-Moved the discussion to address theme, author's purpose
-Checked-in on character evolution assignment
Creative Writing
-No journals today...went straight to the lab
-Continued working on character/conflict/starting point assignments. Paid attention to the comments and editing that was done yesterday in class
-Discussed the end of the novel: addressed the last lines, Finny's death, the "funeral," the reconciliation between the two, etc.
-Moved the discussion to address theme, author's purpose
-Checked-in on character evolution assignment
HW:
-Vocab/lit quiz tomorrow
-Character evolution due Mon
-In-class essay will be on Tuesday
Creative Writing
-No journals today...went straight to the lab
-Continued working on character/conflict/starting point assignments. Paid attention to the comments and editing that was done yesterday in class
HW:
-Open letter due next week
Wednesday 12/9
Wed, Dec 9 2009 03:35
LA 10 Honors
-CD check on chapters 10-11
-Went over the new plan for the next few days (character evolution due Mon, in-class essay on Tuesday, etc.)
-Discussed yesterday's character evolution assignment...went through an example with Luke Skywalker as a model
-Discussed last night's reading: Leper, the "trial," the fall down the stairs
Creative Writing
-Read: "How to Write Suspense"
-Journals: followed the guiding rules in "Suspense"...opening line: "Two kids skip school..."
-Due: printed draft of the character/conflict/starting point piece...went through an anonymous peer review on this. Afterward, discussed general observations as a class.
-CD check on chapters 10-11
-Went over the new plan for the next few days (character evolution due Mon, in-class essay on Tuesday, etc.)
-Discussed yesterday's character evolution assignment...went through an example with Luke Skywalker as a model
-Discussed last night's reading: Leper, the "trial," the fall down the stairs
HW:
-Finish the novel
-Begin working on character evolution assignment (due Mon)
-Vocab quiz Friday
Creative Writing
-Read: "How to Write Suspense"
-Journals: followed the guiding rules in "Suspense"...opening line: "Two kids skip school..."
-Due: printed draft of the character/conflict/starting point piece...went through an anonymous peer review on this. Afterward, discussed general observations as a class.
HW:
-Be prepared to continue working on your character/conflict/starting point piece in the lab tomorrow.
Tuesday 12/8
Tue, Dec 8 2009 04:12
LA 10 Honors
-Recapped yesterday's work with Biblical allusions...made sure every one had notes on the connections we discussed in class
-Broke into small groups to discuss the key moments/lines/etc from the past few days' reading.
-Moved this conversation to the whole class. Discussed: Finny's views on war, his return to Devon, Leper, enlistment, etc.
-Began talking about character evolution--handed out this assignment (we'll discuss it more tomorrow)
Creative Writing
-No Journals today
-Went to the lab and continued working on character/conflict/starting point assignments.
-Picked a Floodplain cover
-Recapped yesterday's work with Biblical allusions...made sure every one had notes on the connections we discussed in class
-Broke into small groups to discuss the key moments/lines/etc from the past few days' reading.
-Moved this conversation to the whole class. Discussed: Finny's views on war, his return to Devon, Leper, enlistment, etc.
-Began talking about character evolution--handed out this assignment (we'll discuss it more tomorrow)
HW:
-Read chapters 10-11
-Begin thinking about the dynamic character assignment (at the earliest, it will be due on Friday...more info tomorrow)
-Vocab...study
Creative Writing
-No Journals today
-Went to the lab and continued working on character/conflict/starting point assignments.
-Picked a Floodplain cover
HW:
-Need to have a hard copy of your draft (regardless of the progress you've made on it) tomorrow at the start of class. Be prepared to share and discuss.
Monday 12/7
Mon, Dec 7 2009 03:29
LA 10 Honors
-Due: Julius Caesar Essays (by 3pm)...reminded everyone (again) about MLA formatting rules
-Due: Vocab work
-CD check on chapters 6-7
-Quick discussion of Quackenbush, Brinker, Leper, etc.
-Went over some Biblical Allusions in ASP
Creative Writing
-No Journals today (went straight to the lab)
-Checked in on everyone's initial ideas for their character/conflict/starting point pieces
-Picked "starting points" and began working on developing a narrative
-Due: Julius Caesar Essays (by 3pm)...reminded everyone (again) about MLA formatting rules
-Due: Vocab work
-CD check on chapters 6-7
-Quick discussion of Quackenbush, Brinker, Leper, etc.
-Went over some Biblical Allusions in ASP
HW:
-get your essay uploaded into turnitin.com (click here for instructions)
-Read chapters 8-9...be sure to be prepared (notes, marked passages, ideas, etc.) for tomorrow's class discussion
Creative Writing
-No Journals today (went straight to the lab)
-Checked in on everyone's initial ideas for their character/conflict/starting point pieces
-Picked "starting points" and began working on developing a narrative
HW:
-Floodplain!...do it.
-Be prepared to continue working on this piece tomorrow
Friday 12/4
Fri, Dec 4 2009 03:41
LA 10 Honors
-Took vocab/lit quiz #12...went over in class
-Briefly, briefly discussed chapter 4-5. We will pick up our conversation on Monday. Remember, have quotes, passages, moments, topics, themes to discuss.
-Answered any final questions about essays
Creative Writing
-Journals: Open Friday
-Due: Character sketch from yesterday's "chosen character"...stamped these
-Picked a "conflict" to begin thinking about over the weekend. On Monday, you'll get your starting point and we'll head over to the lab.
-Took vocab/lit quiz #12...went over in class
-Briefly, briefly discussed chapter 4-5. We will pick up our conversation on Monday. Remember, have quotes, passages, moments, topics, themes to discuss.
-Answered any final questions about essays
HW:
-Julius Caesar essays are due Monday by 3pm. Don't forget about turnitin.com.
-Read chapters 6-7
-Update your vocab
Creative Writing
-Journals: Open Friday
-Due: Character sketch from yesterday's "chosen character"...stamped these
-Picked a "conflict" to begin thinking about over the weekend. On Monday, you'll get your starting point and we'll head over to the lab.
HW:
-Continue to do some initial pre-writing for your character and conflict
-Floodplain! Do it! YOU ARE HOLDING US ALL UP...you know who you are
Thursday 12/3
Thu, Dec 3 2009 03:21
LA 10 Honors
-CD check on chapters 1-3
-Broke into small groups to compare reading notes and discussion ideas from last night's reading.
-Moved the conversation to a full-class effort. Spent the entire period discussing chapters 1-3, Finny and Gene's relationship, the meaning of the title...pulled out quotes and moments and addressed them as a class, compared Gene and Finny.
Creative Writing
-Journals: "Frost"
-Due: Stolen dialogue piece. Swapped back to original partner and took a look at the reinterpretation of the original dialogue
-Did a quick little survey to help prepare for the upcoming outside reading project
-Began the character/conflict/starting point assignment. Picked characters.
-CD check on chapters 1-3
-Broke into small groups to compare reading notes and discussion ideas from last night's reading.
-Moved the conversation to a full-class effort. Spent the entire period discussing chapters 1-3, Finny and Gene's relationship, the meaning of the title...pulled out quotes and moments and addressed them as a class, compared Gene and Finny.
HW:
-Read chapters 4 and 5
-Vocab/Lit quiz tomorrow
Creative Writing
-Journals: "Frost"
-Due: Stolen dialogue piece. Swapped back to original partner and took a look at the reinterpretation of the original dialogue
-Did a quick little survey to help prepare for the upcoming outside reading project
-Began the character/conflict/starting point assignment. Picked characters.
HW:
-Character sketch for your chosen character due tomorrow (aim for about a page. dig deep and come up with a layered, dynamic character)
-Floodplain email!
-Floodplain cover...we'll vote on Monday
Wednesday 12/2
Wed, Dec 2 2009 03:58
LA 10 Honors
-Due: peer editing from yesterday. Swapped back.
-Follow up discussion on yesterday's peer editing and the current state of your essays
-Checked out copies of John Knowles' A Separate Peace. Discussed the quick pace we are going to use to approach this book, the reading schedule, the idea behind graded discussions, and how one should go about reading it (actively, taking notes, marking passages, etc.)
-Intro to the novel. Thought about and discussed the title, went over a little background on Knowles, and discussed the prep school experience.
-Began reading chapter 1
Creative Writing
-No journals today...went straight to the lab
-Spent the day in the lab finishing up the Stolen Dialogue piece we began yesterday. Worked all period. Turned these in when finished.
-Due: peer editing from yesterday. Swapped back.
-Follow up discussion on yesterday's peer editing and the current state of your essays
-Checked out copies of John Knowles' A Separate Peace. Discussed the quick pace we are going to use to approach this book, the reading schedule, the idea behind graded discussions, and how one should go about reading it (actively, taking notes, marking passages, etc.)
-Intro to the novel. Thought about and discussed the title, went over a little background on Knowles, and discussed the prep school experience.
-Began reading chapter 1
HW:
-Need to be through chapter 3 for tomorrow
-Essays due Monday at 3pm
-Vocab for Friday
-Oh! and for those curious about the spelling question that came up today...I was right.
Creative Writing
-No journals today...went straight to the lab
-Spent the day in the lab finishing up the Stolen Dialogue piece we began yesterday. Worked all period. Turned these in when finished.
HW:
-Floodplain email...if you haven't
-Finish up your stolen dialogue piece if you haven't
Tuesday 12/1
Tue, Dec 1 2009 04:29
LA 10 Honors
-Went over last night's comma work
-Due: Complete, typed rough draft of Caesar essay
-Went through an anonymous editing process in class...will return essays tomorrow
Creative Writing
-No journal today...went straight to the lab
-Due: original stolen dialogue script
-Swapped dialouges with someone in class...worked on re-creating and reinventing these in the lab...we will also be in the lab tomorrow.
-Went over last night's comma work
-Due: Complete, typed rough draft of Caesar essay
-Went through an anonymous editing process in class...will return essays tomorrow
HW:
-Finish your peer editing. Make sure you have your partner's draft ready to go for him/her at the start of class tomorrow
-We will also be starting A Separate Peace tomorrow. If you have your own copy, bring it.
Creative Writing
-No journal today...went straight to the lab
-Due: original stolen dialogue script
-Swapped dialouges with someone in class...worked on re-creating and reinventing these in the lab...we will also be in the lab tomorrow.
HW:
-Floodplain email