Work for your Wednesday:

Block A: A wonderful start to our play today - great job reading!!! For homework tonight - please complete descriptions of the characters we've met so far in addition questions 1-10 in the study guide.

Blocks B&D: A great introduction to the play - thanks to all the volunteers - we're off to a good start! Here are the questions for homework this evening:

1. Examine the first introduction of the weird sisters. Why do you think Shakespeare would open with this scene? Explain your answer using a minimum of 3 reasons.

2. Create a character sketch (not a drawing - use quotes) of Macbeth through indirect characterization. Find 4-5 quotes that describe Macbeth according to those around him.

3. Find examples of paradox and allusion in 1.1 and 1.2. 
        To quote Shakespeare you have 2 choice (1. 2. 25) or (I, ii, 25)

4. Discuss Macbeth and Banquo's reaction to the prophecies. How do they differ? What can we infer about their characters?

Mulling Over Monday

Block A: We will finish up the presentations tomorrow - a great start today!

Blocks B&D: We've only scratched the surface of our Shakespeare unit - there is no homework tonight!

Face Your Friday!

Block A: You should be basically finished your presentations - and just working on polishing various aspects to be handed in on Monday. I'm looking forward to watching all of your hard work come together during the presentations!

Blocks B&D: Phew! Essays are done :) No homework for the weekend!

Thoroughly Thursday!

Block A: Project work continues! Last work block tomorrow, before presentations start on Monday!

Blocks B&D: You will have one more block to finish your synthesis essay tomorrow - if you need extra time you can come in at lunch.

Take it Outside Tuesday!

Block A: Thank you for the journals and reflections. I handed out the final group project for your lit circles today - make sure you are on track to support your group through this process. You will have a work block tomorrow to continue your progress.

Blocks B&D: Synthesis essay writing starts on Thursday. You will have ONE more block to prepare your outlines tomorrow. Use the time well!!!!

Thank you all for Thursday!

Block A: Great last meeting today! This weekend you need to finish the 1/2 page to a page of reflection on process of participating in lit circles. You can either answer each question on its own, or as a whole. In addition to the reflection, your 2 journal entries are also due on Tuesday.

Blocks B&D: Well I hope you take some time over the weekend to study a little bit more for the quiz that we have on Tuesday - because it seems like some of us need it! There will be a little more time on Tuesday to finish annotating your song and poem before we begin the outline phase of the essay process.

Walk-about Wednesday!

Block A: Make sure your reading and sticky notes are done for tomorrow! You need to have your book finished and sticky notes completed in order to participate in the group meeting. I handed back your journals today - consider what you can be doing in order to improve for next time - you will hand in 2 more entries on Tuesday.

Blocks B&D: Make sure you are studying for the poetry quiz in class tomorrow. There are some extra study guide materials here on this blog that you can use to review a little more. We'll talk more about synthesis essay writing in class tomorrow - I can feel your excitement!

Talking about Tuesday!

Block A: If your group did not finish the discussion today - you will get time in class tomorrow to finish up. You need to have your novel finished for Thursday - so keep on reading! I will be handing back your journals tomorrow so that you can get started on the next set of entries, which are due on Tuesday.

Blocks B&D: We will finish up any left over presentations tomorrow in class. Make sure you have questions 3, 4, 7 & 8 complete for "Stereo Hearts" and "A Red, Red Rose." You also need to have a hard copy of your own song and poem pairing for tomorrow. On Thursday there will be a quiz on poetry terminology - so make sure you study for it!

Merrily on Monday!

Block A: Make sure your reading and sticky notes are done for the meeting tomorrow. Take what we learned/reviewed in class today about symbolism and include sticky notes on symbolism to your novel.

Blocks B&D: I can not wait to see what you have come up with for your Bringing Poetry to Life projects tomorrow! We'll start right away in order to see as many presentations tomorrow as we can. If you did not finish the poetry and song questions for "Stereo Hearts" and "A Red, Red Rose" please have them done for Wednesday - you only need to complete 3, 4, 7, and 8.

Speaking of Wednesday, you need to have your own perfect poem and song pairing in class for your synthesis assignment. Hard copies only.

There will be a quiz on poetic devices and terminology on Thursday May 18th, here is a link to a more comprehensive study guide for the quiz. You MUST know terms 1-21 on the handout.

Face-first into Friday!

Block A: Some groups did not get a chance to finish their discussions today - so you will get extra time on Monday. There is no specific homework for the weekend - just make sure you are keeping up with the reading and sticky notes for the next meeting on Tuesday.

Blocks B&D: If you're looking to do some more review of literary terminology here is a crossword puzzle that you can try. Once you've finished the review here is the answer key to make sure you're on the right track.

You probably won't have any time on Monday to work on your projects - so make sure you're on track for Tuesday's presentations!

Think about your Thursday!

Block A: For the meeting tomorrow - make sure that you have the reading and sticky notes done - try and see if you can add some notes specifically about conflict to help contribute to the discussion tomorrow.

Blocks B&D: Great work on our last poetry challenge today! You will have ONE more work block for your projects tomorrow - so make sure you come to class ready to work!

Wait a Minute... Wednesday!

Block A: All groups were given the opportunity to finish up their discussion logs and tasks of the day.  It was a lovely work block in here today! Homework for tonight is to make sure you have completed your 2 journal entries to hand in tomorrow. Check the criteria! You also need to stay on track with your reading for Friday's meeting. You will get some time in class tomorrow to complete your reading and sticky notes.

Blocks B&D: Projects are underway! You will be bringing your poem to life for all to enjoy on Tuesday May 16th!

Totally Tuesday!

Block A: I know that most groups did not finish their discussion logs or tasks of the day - so you will have time at the beginning of class tomorrow to finish them up. Don't forget that you need to hand in your journals - 2 entries - on Thursday.

Blocks B&D: If you didn't sign up your poet and poem with me today - then please do so before class ends tomorrow. The Bringing Poetry to Life project is due next Tuesday the 16th.

Make the Most of your Monday!

Block A: Your next group meeting for your novel is tomorrow! Make sure that you have your reading and sticky notes done. Your 2 journal entries are due on Thursday May 11. Make sure you are on track with the criteria!

Blocks B&D: Please complete the questions to ask of a poem for "High School Training Ground." We'll synthesize our responses tomorrow. You also need to start thinking about your poet and project - how are you going to bring a poem to life?

Fabulous Friday

Block A: Great first literature circle meeting today! If your group did not finish the discussion log or task of the day - you will have some time on Monday to finish up. Make sure you are keeping up with the reading and sticky notes for Tuesday's meeting as well as the journal assignment (2 entries) that are due on Tuesday, May 11.

Blocks B&D: Homework over the weekend is the acrostic poem that you've started on your silent reading novel. On Monday you will hand in the rough draft, the good copy (typed or hand-written in pen) and the salmon-coloured criteria sheet.

Thoughtful Thursday

Block A: Homework tonight is to complete the reading that your group has decided upon and to make sure all of your sticky notes are finished. You must have 3 sticky notes per chapter with evidence of using the reading strategies in order to participate with your group.

Blocks B&D: Homework tonight is to finish the questions to ask of a poem. There are 9 questions - each with some subquestions for further consideration. Please answer the 9 main questions, and if you have further thoughts on the subquestions - then go for it!

Here is the poem from today:

Wondering about Wednesday?

Block A: Today we finished reading "The Sniper" and practicing our reading strategies. I look forward to reading your reflections and reading goals for this unit. I then handed out the books and revealed the groups and you set the readings for each meeting. You have your first group meeting on Friday - so you need to have completed the reading your group decided on. If you don't do the reading, or don't complete your sticky notes, you will have to sit by yourself and complete boring seat work. So do your reading and sticky notes!!!

Block B: Please finish the purple sheet of poetry terminology for tomorrow's class.

Block D: No homework!

Totally Tuesday!

Block A: Today we reviewed 4 key reading strategies that we will be using during our novel study unit. We started to practice them using a short story - but we ran out of time at the end of class. We will finish up the rest of it tomorrow. No homework tonight!

Blocks B&D: If you didn't finish the self/peer evaluation in class today please do so for homework. Study for the quiz on short story terms! It is a very short quiz - know your terms and you will be fine!