Fun-times Friday!

Happy Holidays Sharks!!!

Block A: No specific homework over the break - unless you've been procrastinating on your independent novel study - because that is due when we get back from break on Monday Jan. 4!

Block B: Thanks for the journals and reflections today - no homework over the break - we'll start prepping for the essay when when get back in January!

Block D: While you are relaxing at home, please read and complete your text-codes for chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 of The Outsiders. And I'll see you when we get back from break!

I hope you and your families have a wonderful break and that you come back refreshed and invigorated to finish off semester one :)

I think you're fancy Thurday!

Block A: We read Act 2 in class today and wrote our headlines up on the board. The rest of the class was to work on the 3 questions for Act 3:

1. What character speaks in verse in 2.2? Which characters in prose? Why might Shakespeare have made this distinction?

2. Based on what you learned in this act, which character would you call the villain of the play? Why? Support your answer with examples from the text.

3. As The Tempest begins, Antonio has overthrown Prospero, the legitimate ruler of Milan. Prospero admits early in the play that he was an inattentive ruler. Is the overthrow of a legitimately chosen government ever acceptable? Make a Text-World connection.

Block B: Every group managed to finish all of their work - I'm so impressed! If you didn't hand in your journals - please do so tomorrow. Homework tonight is to finish the self-reflection!

Block D: Thank you for your poems! Homework tonight is to finish the chapter 6 response sheet.

Sweater Weather Wednesday:

Block A: We finished reading Act 1 in class, then worked on creating headlines, which we put on the board. I then gave you some discussion questions to complete and hand in tomorrow.

1. How did Ariel and Caliban come to be Prospero's servants? How do they feel about their status?

2. What is Prospero's emotional state at the end of Act 1? What might be the reason for it?

3. In what way are Miranda and Ferdinand like characters in a fairy tale? Why might Shakespeare have chosen to portray them in this way?

4. In the play, Miranda and Ferdinand fall in love immediately. Do you believe in "love at first sight? in real life? What are some dangers of falling in love so fast?

Block B: One more meeting tomorrow! Finish your novel and complete your 2 signpost journals - due either Thursday or Friday!

Block D: We will continue working on ELO 8 the symbolism and couplet poem in class tomorrow, homework for tonight is to read chapter 6 and complete your text-codes.

Must be seeing White on Monday!

Block A: Phew! So glad that's over!!! Synthesis essays are done and handed in - we'll start our last unit tomorrow!

Block B: Make sure your reading and sticky notes are done for tomorrow's penultimate group meeting!

Block D: Keep on reading! Please complete your reading and text-codes for chapter 5 tonight :)

Thoroughly Thursday:

Block A: Some great preparation for your synthesis essay tomorrow! Manage your time well - you've got two days to write. Good luck!

Block B: Group meeting tomorrow! Make sure your reading and sticky notes are done :)

Block D: Read and complete your text-codes for chapter 3 of The Outsiders tonight.

Wonderful Wednesday:

Block A: I know that was A LOT of information today on synthesis essay writing - but it seemed to me that this complicated essay writing style is at least a little bit more clear now that I've broken it down into its pieces. You've left all of your materials in class today - so you will be ready to continue working on your point form outline in class tomorrow. We start writing the essay on Friday!

Block B: Interesting class today! I know that we ran out of time for groups to finish because of our drill at the start of class - so luckily the next group meeting will be pushed back to Friday in order to give you more time to read. For tonight you should focus on your 2 signposts of reading journal responses - they are due tomorrow!

Block D: Please read and complete the text-codes for chapter 2 of The Outsiders for tomorrow!

Tangible Tuesday:

Block A: Thank you for your thoughtful responses to "A Good Man is Hard to Find." For homework tonight, you will need to complete the study guide and the assisted notes on characterization. I will be collecting all three of your study guides - but you can choose your best one for me to evaluate.

Block B: I think all the groups need extra time tomorrow for discussion - so not a problem! You will have extra time to finish up. Don't forget that your first 2 reading signpost journal responses are due on Thursday - ask me questions if you are not sure that you're on the right track!

Block D: We started our novel!!! We read chapter 1 in class together - so for homework tonight you need to complete a minimum of 3 text-codes. Try to use a variety of text-codes from the list in class!

Melt-away Monday!

Block A: "A Good Man is Hard to Find" so what's up with that story?! For tonight you need to complete questions 1-3 and then the additional questions from 4-8 that you were assigned. We'll talk tomorrow.

Block B: Tomorrow is Lit Circle Day! Make sure your reading and sticky notes are complete. In addition you need to have your sentence, phrase and word ready to discuss with your group. Just a reminder that your first set of reading signpost journal responses are due on Thursday the 10th. Ask me for help if you're not sure you're on the right track.

Block D: Double-spaced good copy of your connections paragraph is due tomorrow. Make sure you have the rough draft, graphic organizer, and completed pink peer editing sheet to hand in as well.

Fun-times Friday!

Block A: Today we talked about some of the layers inside "Barbie-Q" We discussed the social context, and the role of advertising in manipulating the perspectives of the girls. You then got the rest of the class to work on the questions following the story - the questions are due on Monday.

Block B: Great first meeting today - you certainly seemed to be into your novels already! If you didn't finish your discussion, you will have extra time on Monday to finish up. Make sure you are on track with your reading, sticky notes and journals for next week!

Block D: Work continues on your making connections paragraph. Please review step 5 of the guide - a lot of the graphic organizers that I saw today were missing the context for your connections. Double-check that you are hitting all criteria! The double-spaced rough draft of your connections paragraph is due on Monday for peer editing.

Think it over Thursday:

Block A: Hopefully things went well for you in your synthesis paragraph response today... I will try and get those back early next week. For homework tonight, please read the very short story "Barbie-Q" you'll find it a contrast to the last story!

Block B: Make sure that your reading and sticky notes are done for the first group meeting tomorrow! You will be responsible for engaging with the other members in your group so make sure you come prepared to talk!

Block D: I know that "The Pedestrian" is a bit of a tricky story - so hopefully us talking it through helped to shed some light. Today we talked about the steps we are going to take to write a making connections paragraph. For homework, you will need to complete your chart of making connections - check that they are better than average with the checklist from yesterday!

Work for this Wednesday:

Block A: If you didn't finish up the assisted notes and study guide for "The Yellow Wallpaper" please do so tonight!

Block B: Today I assigned the groups for your novel study - I had to make some tough choices - not everyone was going to get their top pick. Not only will I be giving you time in class tomorrow to read but I will also introduce the journal assignment. Our first group meeting is on Friday!

Block D: Great job on your book talks! Homework tonight is to finish reading and text-coding "The Pedestrian."

Totally Tuesday!

Block A: Make sure that your assigned questions are done for "The Yellow Wallpaper" we'll be sharing our responses tomorrow.

Block B: Thank you for your reflections on the process of creating Deeper Than The Ocean! It means a lot to me to get your feedback. Please hand in a copy of your performance piece that is labelled with the poetic devices that you've included.

Block D: Fabulous work on the book talks so far! We are just over halfway done - we'll finish off the rest tomorrow.