Comp/Lit 9: 4/28/2011

Two Circles Discussion for Night, pages 52-62

• For more detailed notes on the day, see the Night Power Point that was used during class.
• We started the period by finishing the Metaphors in Night discussion
• The students then responded to a journal called 'Where is God Now?'  We briefly discussed the powerful metaphor Elie uses.
• I then set up the circle discussion.  The ultimate goal of this exercise is for the students to have a discussion about at least one important passage from each page of this section.  
• We ran out of time, so we did not (yet) complete the Resistance in Night activity.
• Homework: VFA #27-28; Finish Section 4 Work: Graffiti Journal w/Quote Responses, Writing Prompt for p 45-62 ‘What did you WITNESS?’; Get a Binder for your Night Scrapbook (You can buy one from me for $1.50); Get your Homework Card Signed
  
  

Comp/Lit 10: 4/28/2011

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Utopia Unit)

• The period started with a quiz covering the content of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.  Since the quiz was very detailed, the students were allowed to use their homework questions during the quiz.
• After the quiz, we started a new grammar unit-Pronouns.  The students complete Using Pronouns Correctly, pages 181-182, #1-19 odds, and Who & Whom, pages 185-186 #1-19 odds.
• We then reviewed A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by discussing the homework questions (packet pages 14-15).
• We then spent the rest of the period reviewing paragraph format.  I returned the ...Caged Bird... paragraphs and I lead the students through an editing process.  They colored each part of their paragraph a different color.  This helps the students to see if they've missed a particular element, or if they have some details in the paragraph that are not necessary.
• Homework: VFA #27-28; Signed Homework Card; Redo/Rewrite I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Paragraph (Bring edited version and rewritten draft on Monday); Read Breaking Through (Reader pages 78-94)-DUE Wed. May 4; Read The Circuit (packet pages 27-28)-DUE Wed. May 4; Complete Chart for Breaking Through (packet page 1)-DUE Wed. May 4

Comp/Lit 9: 4/26/2011

STAR Testing & Metaphors in Night

• STAR Testing took place today, so the periods were only 50 minutes long.  
• For the full instructions, open the Night Power Point for today.
• The period started with a journal called 'Risked Safety'.  The students had about 5 minutes to respond in the journal section of the Scrapbook.
• We then listened to Night pages 45-52.  The students worked on their Graffiti Journals as they listened.
• I then introduced them to the definition for metaphors and we also examined some examples.
• We ended the period with a discussion of metaphors.  The students worked in groups to discuss the meanings of 5 different metaphors from Night.
• Homework: Finish Reading Night, pages 52-62 (Section 4); Write FOUR Metaphors for the Holocaust (from anywhere in the novel);  Check Grades OnlineàGrade Corrections & Make-up work DUE on Thursday; Verified Service Hours Extension DUE Monday May 2;  Get a Binder for your Night Scrapbook (You can buy one from me for $1.50)

Comp/Lit 10: 4/26/2011

STAR Testing & Introduction of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

• STAR Testing took place today, so the periods were only 50 minutes long.  
• We started the period with a Grammar QUIZ on Unit 7: Subject-Verb Agreement
• After the quiz, we read through page 13 of the Utopia packet.  This is an introduction to Betty Smith and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.  
• The students then responded to the journal prompt at the bottom of page 13 (predictions).
• I then showed them the read in the Utopia Reader, and the awkward page transition from Chapter 3 to Chapter 56.
• We then spent the rest of the period updating portfolios.
• Homework: Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Reader pages 60-77); Complete Chart for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (packet page 1); Complete Questions for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (ppg 14-15); Check Grades Online-Grade Corrections & Make-up Work DUE Thursday April 28

Comp/Lit 9: 4/22/2011

Vocabulary & Spelling #25-26 QUIZ & TKAMB In-Class Essay

Shoot!  It's been a while.  I apologize for being so behind on my blog.   Here is the short version of what happened on Friday.

• QUIZ Vocabulary & Spelling #25-26
• SSR
• Review the Essay Requirements
• To Kill a Mockingbird In-Class Essay
• Discuss the homework assignment: One-Page Primo Levi Response
• Homework:  STAR Tests Next Week-See Special Schedule on the back; Check your Grade Online.  Grade Corrections DUE Thursday April 28; Verified Service Hours Extension DUE Mon May 2; Write the Survivor’s Tale One-Page Essay (about Primo Levi); Bring All Night Materials; Get a Binder for your Night Scrapbook (You can buy one from me for $1.50)
  
  
  

Comp/Lit 10: 4/22/2011

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings & Vocabulary & Spelling #25-26 QUIZ

Shoot!  It's been a while.  I apologize for being so behind on my blog.   Here is the short version of what happened on Friday.

• QUIZ: Vocabulary & Spelling #25-26
• Reading QUIZ: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
• SSR
• Complete Grammar Work for Unit 7: Subject-Verb Agreement.  Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects, page 175-176 (#1-19 odd), and Unit 7 Review, page 177 (ALL).
• Review I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by correcting the quiz, reviewing the article & discussing the chart.
• Review the requirements for the paragraph assignment.
• Homework: Finish ...Caged Bird… Paragraph (packet page 2) & Upload to Turnitin.com; Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Reader pages 60-77)-DUE Thursday April 28; Check Grades OnlineàGrade Corrections & Make-up Work DUE Thursday April 28; Study for Grammar QUIZ-Unit 7 Subject

Comp/Lit 9: 4/20/2011

To Kill a Mockingbird Themes

Shoot!  It's been a while.  I apologize for being so behind on my blog.   Here is the short version of what happened on Wednesday.

• We briefly reviewed the setting and characters in To Kill a Mockingbird
• As we shared information, 5 pieces of binder paper were being passed around.  Each piece of binder paper had a theme written at the top.  The students were expected to add at least one idea/quote/example to at least three different pieces of binder paper.
• After we finished reviewing the setting and characters, I quickly made copies of all of the theme notes for each student to have.  While I was out of the room, the students read through the assignment packet for the In-Class Essay.
• When I returned, we reviewed the assignment requirements.
• We then spent the rest of the period reviewing the topics/themes presented in TKAMB, and discussing possible essay ideas.
• Homework: Study Vocabulary & Spelling #25-26; Bring your Outside Reading Book for SSR; Prepare for the To Kill a Mockingbird In-Class Essay
  
  

Comp/Lit 10: 4/20/2011

Finding Voices, Finding Utopia Introduction (continued)

Shoot!  It's been a while.  I apologize for being so behind on my blog.   Here is the short version of what happened on Wednesday.

• We started with several pages of grammar.  We worked on Unit 7: Subject-Verb Agreement.  The students complete: Inverted Sentences, pages 167-168 (Exercise 1, odd #’s only); Special Subjects, pages 169-170, #1-20 (odd #’s only); Compound Subjects, pages 171-172, #1-20 (odd #’s only)
• We then had the students make posters as a way to review the Immigration Chapters (Chapter I: A Nation of Immigrant;  Chapter II: Irish Immigrant; ChapterVI: Anti-Immigration Movement) .  Each group then presented their poster to the class
• The students then had time to Complete Immigration Questions on packet page 7.  After individual work time, we had a class discussion about the issues presented in the questions.
• At the end of the period, I introduced the  Paragraph Assignment (packet page 2)
• Homework: Read the Maya Angelou Intro in the packet pages 8-12; Finish Reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (page 55-59); Complete Chart for …Caged Bird… (packet page 1); Study Vocabulary & Spelling #25-26; Bring Outside Reading Book; Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Reader pages 60-77)-DUE Thursday April 28.

Comp/Lit 9: 4/18/2011

Finishing To Kill a Mockingbird

• We started the period by reviewing the expectations for the Community Service Project.  I offered an extension to students that could prove to me that they have an appointment set-up to complete the service within the next two weeks.  The verification needs to be to me by Wednesday April 20.
• I passed out the New Course Calendar that lasts for two weeks, and I explained the STAR Testing Schedule for next week.
• I also reviewed the Community Service Reflective Essay requirements (Final Project Packet page 38).  The Reflective Essay is DUE on Wednesday April 20.
• The students then took the final To Kill a Mockingbird QUIZ for Chapters 24-31.  
• After all students had completed the quiz, we corrected it as a class.
• We then spent the rest of the period reviewing the details of TKAMB Chapters 24-31.
• Homework: Complete the Community Service Reflective Essay and Upload it to Turnitin.com; Complete the TKAMB Reading Response Journal's first 8 pages (Setting, Theme, Characters, Symbols).  The themes need to have at least one quote for support.

Comp/Lit 10: 4/18/2011

Finding Voices, Finding Utopia Introduction

• We introduced the next grammar unit - Subject Verb Agreement
• Then the students picked up the Finding Voices, Finding Utopia reader from the textbook office.  While the students were gone, Mr. Leal & myself checked the homework: VFA #25-26 and the Immigration Notes
• When they returned, they worked on three sections of the grammar workbook: Subject-Verb Agreement pages 161-162, Exercise 1; Intervening Prepositional Phrases, pages 163-164, Exercises 1 & 2; and Linking Verbs pages 165, #1-20
• Mr. Leal then reviewed the answers to each of the grammar exercises
• We then read through pages 3-6 of the Finding Voices, Finding Utopias Packet.  This included reading the poems "The New Colossus" and "Unguarded Gates".  We also discussed Xenophobia, Nationalism, Racism and Anti-Immigration, and the students answered some questions with regard to these topics.
• We ended with an explanation of the chart that is to be filled out with each excerpt read.
• Homework: Read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (reader page 55-59) and complete the chart for ...Caged Bird... (packet page 1) by Friday April 22.

Comp/Lit 9: 4/7/2011

Research Paper (Really) DUE & Primo Levi Movie

• At the beginning of the period, the students completed a Final "YES-TEST" and collated their essay parts to turn in (1. Final Draft, 2. Final YES-TEST, 3. Rough Draft, 4. Peer Edit Form, 5. Practice YES-TEST).
• I then reviewed all of the homework for the break (see below)
• We then spent the rest of the period watching Primo Levi's movie.  The students were expected to take notes and draw images based on the video.
• Homework: ALL of the Following is DUE on Monday April 18-
• VFA #25-26; Finish ALL of To Kill a Mockingbird
• complete ALL of the TKAMB Reading Response Journal, including the Character, Setting, Symbol and Theme notes 
• Complete Community (6) Service Hours
• Write a minimum of a 10 line poem about the Primo Levi movie
• The Reflective Service Essay is DUE on Wednesday April 20

Comp/Lit 10: 4/7/2011

Poetry Unit Exam

• We started the period by reviewing Emily Dickinson's poems "712" and "754".  We reviewed the questions in the packet as a class.
• I then answered questions that the students had about items that would be on the test.
• The students then spent the rest of the period completing the Poetry Unit Exam, which consisted of two parts: a 45 question scantron and a 25 point Poem Explication paragraph.
• During the test I collected the Poetry Packet with Poetry Terms.
• After the test, the students picked up the homework for the break, and began to work on it.
• Homework: Finish and Upload your Found Poem to Turnitin.com by Friday April 8 @ 11:59pm; VFA #25-26; Read the Immigration Chapters and complete the Notes Outline.

Comp/Lit 9: 4/5/2011

Research Paper-Peer Edit!

• The students started the period by creating an image on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper of one of the two following ideas: The way Elie using 'night' in Night, or the way Terror was created at Auschwitz.
• I took them through the process of completing the "YES-TEST" for the research paper.  They thought the final draft was due today.  But we found that not a single student passed the "YES-TEST"; therefore, we spent the rest of the period peer editing research papers.
• Homework: Edit/improve your research paper and re-upload it to Turnitin.com by Wednesday April 6 @ 11:59pm.

Comp/Lit 10: 4/5/2011

Poetry

• We started the period by reviewing the requirements for the Found Poem Assignment.  I passed out a student sample so the students could see exactly what needs to be included and how the paper should be laid out.
• The students received a Poetry Calendar for this week.
• I also reviewed the elements that are going to be on the poetry test on Thursday.  The students should complete the Poetry Exam Study guide as a way to study.  They may also bring in a 5x7 card with notes on one side to use during the test.
• We then reviewed the questions about "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers".  The students were expected to add to their notes.
• The students then got into groups based on the Frost poem they read for homework.  Each group discussed the poem in order to prepare for a presentation to the class. 
• Each group presented their poem to the class (either "The Road Not Taken" or "Mending Wall").
• We ran out of time, so we did not discuss the Dickinson poems.  We will discuss them before the test on Thursday.
• Homework: Study for the Poetry Unit Exam, Work on the Found Poem-DUE Friday April 8 @ 11:59pm to Turnitin.com

Comp/Lit 9: 4/1/2011

Vocabulary & Spelling #23-24 and To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapters 16-23

• We started with the Vocabulary & Spelling #23-24 QUIZ.
• The students then took the Reading QUIZ for To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 16-23.
• After both quizzes were complete, the students read silently in their outside reading book
• We then had a brief discussion about the upcoming assignments: Research Paper and Service Project.  The research paper is due on Tuesday April 5 and the RD needed to be submitted to me by the end of the day.  The Service Project is due after the break.  The 6-hours of service are due on Monday April 18 and the Reflective Essay is due on Wednesday APril 20.
• We spent the rest of the period correcting the TKAMB Chapter 16-23 quiz and reviewing the chapters.
• Homework: Complete the Research Paper and upload it to Turnitin.com by Monday April 4 @ 11:59pm. 

Comp/Lit 10: 4/1/2011

Guidance Counselors

• The guidance counselors lead class today.  The students met in the English Computer Lab.
• If you were absent, you should check in with your guidance counselor to see what was missed.
• Homework: Read & Explicate Frost Poems-“The Road Not Taken” OR “ “Mending Wall” packet pg 21-23; Read Answer Questions about Dickinson Poems “712” OR “754”, packet page 24-25; Be sure that you have also read "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" and answered the questions.