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Comp/Lit 9: 5/16/2011

Greek Mythology

• We did research in the library today.
• The period started with a bit of background reading in the myth packet.
• I then explained the research and poster project.
• The students then had about 45 minutes to research an assigned god/goddess.
• One they finished research, they began creating a poster.
• Homework:  Work on the various projects for class - Or Log Due Friday May 20; Night Scrapbook DUE Tuesday May 26, and the Final Presentation.

Comp/Lit 10: 5/16/2011

Lord of the Flies - Getting Started

• The first few activities in class today were done silently.
• The students started with a Reading QUIZ for LOTF Chapters 1-4
• When they finished the quiz, they worked on Double Negatives, grammar workbook pages 207-208 odd #'s only.
• Then they went onto Journal #2: Persecution.  The students had a bout 30 minutes to complete these three activities.
• We discussed the students' responses to the journal and then we reviewed the grammar pages.
• Next, I introduced the Final LOTF Project (page 20 in the LOTF packet).  Most of the major components of the project will be assigned as homework throughout the course of the unit.  At the end of the book, the students will work in 4's to create a Scrapbook that includes various elements that have been assigned.
• I then talked specifically about the LOTF Island Map.  This is the first assignment for the LOTF Final Project.  The students need to use the description in the book to create an accurate map of the island.
• We then corrected the LOTF Chapters 1-4 QUIZ as a class.  We used this to discuss the various elements in these chapters.
• We spent the rest of the period completing and discussing the Values in Characters assignment.
• Homework: Bring your Final Utopia Essay to class on WEDNESDAY; Finish the Island Map Assignment; Work on the Utopia Essay Final DraftàDUE Fri May 20;  Read: LOTF Chapters 5-6-DUE Friday May 20.

Comp/Lit 10: 5/10/2011

Finishing-up Finding Voices, Finding Utopia & Writing Workshop

• The students received a New Course Calendar (page 1) (page 2)
• We started the period with s few pages of grammar.  We started the Modifiers unit.  The students completes pages 199-200, Exercises 1 & 2 odd #'s only, and pages 201-202, Exercise 1 odd #'s only.
• The students then complete the Writing Focus Statements & Writing Thesis Statements Practice in the Literary Analysis Packet.
• We then reviewed all above mentioned activities.
• I then introduced the Final Essay Assignment.  The students will write a 5 paragraph Analytical Essay where they discuss how two main characters from our readings 'break through' and find a voice, their place in the world.
• I introduced them to the various pre-writing elements that they will be completing, then they spent the rest of the period working on the Focus Statement and Thesis Statement Development Activity.
• Homework: Complete the Focus Statement & Thesis Statement Development and Complete ONE Pre-Writing Planner.

Comp/Lit 9: 5/12/2011

Last Day of Night

• I started the period by reviewing the homework, OR Log, Final Presentation & Night Scrapbook assignments.
• As usual; the day was lead with the Daily Night Power Point, please refer to this for even more details about the lesson.
• We then watching Oprah & Elie Wiesel return to Auschwitz.  During/After the video, the students responded to two questions on the Return to Auschwitz handout.
• After the video the students had about 5 minutes to complete their video responses.
• They then had the rest of the period to work on the Memorializing Night activity.  Whatever was not finished in class, needs to be finished at home and included in the Final Night Scrapbook.
• Homework:  VFA #29-30; Final Night Essay: 3-Pages about 'Your Testimony'; Work on the OR Log DUE Friday May 20; Research Paper Rewrite (optional); Work on the Final Presentation.
• Tutorial Topic for next week:
• Monday: Outside Reading Log & Night Scrapbook
• Wednesday: Outside Reading Log & Night Scrapbook
• Friday: Night Scrapbook

Comp/Lit 10: 5/12/2011

Final Utopia Essay & Lord of the Flies Introduction

• The main focus of today's class was the Final Utopia essay.  The students had several small assignments to work on; however, anytime they finished the current assignment, they were expected to work on their Final Utopia Essay.  The goal was to have a good start on the essay outline by the end of the period.
• We started with four pages of grammar.  We discussed Double & Incomplete Comparisons (pages 203-204), and Using Good & Well, Bad & Badly Correctly (pages 205-206)
• We then discussed the requirements of the Final Utopia Essay again.
• I put the essay terms up on the board so the students could finish copying them down. 
• The students then had about 30 minutes to work specifically on the essay.
• At about 9:10, the students went to the textbook office to get the Lord of the Flies book.
• I passed out the Lord of the Flies packet, and the students completed the Anticipation Guide on page 1.
• I then showed a trailer for the movie, and had students make predictions about the book.
• Homework:  Read Lord of the Flies Chapters 1-4, Work on the Final Utopia Essay-Rough Draft DUE Monday May 16; VFA #29-30

Comp/Lit 9: 5/10/2011

Finishing Night

• The class period was lead primarily by the Daily Night Power Point.  Please see the attachment for more lesson details.
• The students responded to the 'Finishing Night' journal prompt (which was actually a guided visualization activity).
• We then finished listening to Night, pages 93-109
• During this time, the students worked on their final Graffiti Journal for Section 6-9 (pages 81-109)
• After the book was over, the students responded to several more writing prompts that were added to the 'Finishing Night' journal.
• The students then listened to Elie Wiesel's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, and completed one more journal entry for the day called 'I have...'
• I then took some time reviewing the assignment details for the final presentation (periods 5 & 7 also signed up for their final presentation date-I will post the dates on the next blog entry).
• I also passed back several assignment/papers.
• Finally, I help students begin to organize the Night Scrapbook.
• Homework:  Finish the Section 6-9 Graffiti Journal with Three Quote Responses, you also need to find THREE additional quotes for pages 99-109 and complete responses for each.  Remember to sign up for the Research Paper rewrite.  Suggested: Write the One-page Summary for the OR Log.
• During tutorial I presented a lesson on preparing the Final Presentation.  The lesson included a point point about Hints, Tips & Tricks for creating an Effective Power Point Presentation.