Tuesday 10/1

Warm-up Exercise:
     A) The boys always ride to school on (their, they're, there) bikes.
      B) Someone left (his, her, their) skittles in my basket.
      C) A true hero is someone who puts the needs of others 
           before (themselves, herself).

Root Word Practice:
     Give the literal translation (broken down by the roots) for each word:
     Bicentennial  (bi - cent - enn - ial) 
     Biped (bi - ped)
     Chronometer (chono - meter)
     Monogamy (mono - gamy)
     Bigamy (bi - gamy)
     Monogram (mono - gram)
Example of Monograms





















 Carousel Notes
  • Take 20 minutes to rotate around the room, recording any words/definitions that you don't already know. Goal: help yourself become familiar with more words that include these roots.
Ch.2 Vocab - Write a 6-POINT paragraph:
  • Get the Ch.2 Handout from Focus under the Lord of the Flies unit.
  • Write the 6 pt. paragraph and be ready to show Mrs. West at the beginning of class tomorrow.
HW: Ch.2 Vocab 6-POINT paragraph   

Monday 9/30 ~ Roots Post-its

Warm-up: Take a little pre-quiz on Focus under the Grammar unit. It is called "Pronouns...Do you really know?"

LOTF:
  • Turn in only your answer to #7 from Chapter 1 Questions. Copy the answer and paste it to the assignment called, Ch.1 Checkpoint.
  • Discuss Chapter 1
Begin Root Words List #2
  • Say the roots out loud as a class.
  • Each person creates two post-it notes. Each note contains one word using that root, and the definition of that word. Students must put their names on the back of the post-its and post them underneath the root sign on the wall. See example below:


HW: Begin studying definitions from Root Word List #2. Quiz on block day!

Block Day 9/26-27

At the bell....add at least two more vocabulary words to your 7-point paragraph.

Lord of the Flies Chapter 1
  • HW: Ch.1 Qs finished

Finish Percy Jackson (if time)

Wednesday 9/25

How did the day without an adult go?
  • Did any person(s) rise to leadership? Who?
  • Were there any power struggles?
  • Did anyone slack off?
  • Was every member in your group listened to?
  • Did you test for a high chance of survival? If it was initially low, did you retest or accept your death sentence?

Before we begin reading... view my quick intro ppt here.

 


 Start Ch. 1
*Start reading Ch. 1

*Ch.1 Worksheet is on Focus.
    HW: Complete your 7 point vocabulary paragraph by the start of class on Block Day.We will complete Ch.1 reading during class on block day.

    Tuesday 9/24

    Surprise! I'm dead.

    Unfortunately I have died on the way to school. You will have to lead yourself through the class activities on your own. Your grade is at stake by 40 TEST POINTS.


    Please view your assignment in Focus. It is called "Create a TRIBE assignment." You must follow ALL directions to gain full credit.



    Also, a helpful link.

    HW: Submit completed TRIBE document to Focus by the end of class.

    Monday 9/23

    Today we begin preparing to read Lord of the Flies, one of my favorite classics!

    First, get on Subtext and join my group.
    •   In lower, right-hand corner, click on "Join Group."
    •    Enter code: VQXGRSEG
    •    Now you should have a digital copy of the book.

    Second, choose three of the statements below and write a quick explanation of whether or not you agree/disagree. 

    Write your answers in Notability and then copy them to the assignment on Focus called "Stranded Behavior."



    1.      Being stranded on a tropical island would be paradise.

    2.      Children can naturally organize themselves.

    3.      Our environment can greatly impact the course of our lives.

    4.      Leaders rarely dominate weaker people.

    5.      People tend to follow a charismatic leader.

    6.      People often misjudge things they don’t understand.

    7.      Children act differently from grown-ups.

    8.      There is usually a clear-cut winner in most conflicts.

    9.      If I were stranded in a plane crash, I would stay with the group.

    10.   In the same plane crash, if one person was injured with a broken leg, I would help him/her get food.



    HW: Nope. As a general rule, if you should choose to read ahead, do not give away any parts of the book to your classmates.








    Friday 9/20

    Take Quizzie on Root Words List #1 (in Focus)

    Thursday 9/19

    Review for Quiz on Root Words

    Continue watching Percy Jackson and the Lightening Theif

    Wednesday 9/18

    W-up: Give the literal translation for each word.
    • genealogy
    • telegram
    • graphology
    • microbiology
    Finish presentations & notes.

    Begin Movie & Questions: Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief (25 pts. DUE Friday)

    HW: Get the Subtext app & study root words.

    Tuesday 9/17

    Warm-up: Create a Notability file called "Root Words." Take notes including the root, definition and example words. 

    GOAL: Pass root definitions test (on Block Day) AND be able to decipher new words.

    Deciphering Practice: What do these words mean?
    • Misogynist
    • Philanthropic
    • Demographic
    HW: Make sure you have the Subtext app on your i-pad (you must be in the U.S. i-store).

    Monday 9/16

    Yay! Mythology is over, but we are still working with Greek/Latin Roots.

    Teach a Lesson: Today, each person will create a mini lesson on one root.
     Go to focus to get the full List 1.
    You will teach the class.....
    • what the root means,
    • where it came from, and
    • and several words that use the root.

    Take Notes: As your classmates present, you will take notes on each root so that you can study for the test on Block Day. You may want to use Quizlet.com or the app for these notes.

    HW: Study your roots!

    Block Day 9/12-13

    First a Myths Quizzie ~
    ~Go to Focus and take the timed quiz (10 pts.)

    Essay Day!!!!
    ~Use the whole period to write your essay.
    ~You MUST be working on the essay, not other homework etc....
    ~You may listen to music as you work as long as no one else can hear it. 

    Essay is due PRINTED out on Monday in class  

    HW: Nope

    Wednesday 9/11

    Warm-up: Myth Pre-Quiz Review

    Name that Myth....

    "With this gift man was more than a match for all other animals. It enabled him to make weapons to subdue them; tools with which to cultivate the earth; to warm his dwelling, so as to be comparatively independent of climate; and finally to introduce the arts and to coin money, the means of trade and commerce" ( _______ ).

    "In consternation at the unprecedented affliction, he strove to divest himself of his power; he hated the gift he had lately coveted" ( ____ ).

    In this tale, Cupid gets revenge on a prideful god by cursing his love to hate him. "Forthwith the god was seized with love for the maiden, and she abhorred the thought of loving" ( ___ ).

    "She was once a beautiful maiden whose hair was her chief glory, but as she dared to vie in beauty with Minerva, the goddess deprived her of her charms and changed her beautiful ringlets into hissing serpents" ( ___ ).

    "He stooped down to drink and saw his own image in the water; he thought it was some beautiful water spirit living in the fountain" ( ____ ).

    "In the wall that parted the two houses there was a crack caused by some fault in the structure. No one had remarked it before but the lovers discovered it. What will no love discover!" ( ____ ).

    "Immediately a pair of branching stag's horns grew out of his head, his neck gained in length, his ears grew sharp-pointed, his hands became feet, his arms long legs, his body was covered with a hairy spotted hide. Fear took the place of former boldness and the hero fled" [Just then he sees his own hunting dogs] ( ______ ).

    "His hair was sea green, and trailed behind him on the water; his shoulders grew broad, and what had been thighs and legs assumed the form of a fish's tail. the sea-gods complimented hi on the change of his appearance, and he fancied himself a rather good- looking personage" ( ____ ).

    "Your lot is mortal, and you ask what is beyond a mortal's power. In your ignorance you aspire to do that which not even the gods themselves may do. None but myself can drive the flaming car of day" (____).

    "But go; return to your sisters, whose advice you seem to think preferable to mine. I inflict no other punishment on you than to leave you for ever. Love cannot dwell with suspicion" ( ____ ).


    Be ready for a short myths quiz on block day.

    Tomorrow we write the Mythology Essay incorporating the summer reading and ideas from class discussions.  Please see the Rubric and MLA Checklist. (You may also view this file on Focus.)

    A few notes....
    • Please pay specific attention to the format, especially to the double-spacing and heading requirements. 
    • If you cite Bulfinch's Mythology, simply write the name of the myth you are referencing. For example, I enjoyed the one about a mysterious and faceless lover (Cupid and Psyche). 
    • What do I value the most? The evidence that you have an interesting thought relating to the reading AND your ability to prove that thought using textual references. 
    • What counts as plagiarism?

    DUE Monday, September 16.
    100 points
    Please bring it PRINTED OUT to turn in as a hard copy.
    Why? Because I will correct it and allow you to edit and resubmit your paper for more credit.  

     


    Tuesday 9/10

    Essay Prep: Joseph Campbell Videos
    Hero's Journey explained 
    Joseph Campbell interview
    •  How do past and present myths play a role in society's ability to pass wisdom from one generation to the next?
     
    Finish Watching Videos (Short Quiz Friday)

    Go over Essay Requirements. 



     

    Monday 9/9

    Warm-up Journal (Record your answer in Notability)
    • What constitutes a hero in your mind? (Give at least five qualities)
    Weigh-In (answer this question in the online class forum)
    Click here to enter your answer.


    Watch Student Videos & Vote for the best...
    • Actor
    • Actress
    • Humor
    • Overall (best written/directed story)
    • Special Effects   

    Tomorrow we discuss the essay!

    Block Day 9/5&6 Film Day!!!


    1. View Rubric ~ What makes the icing on the cake?
    2. Discuss Where you are allowed to film.
    3. Today's Credit ~ Everyone currently has a 15 point Participation grade today. If I see an individual off task or out of bounds, I will doc points from his/her grade. Please do not go to the bathroom or leave your group without my express permission. 

    NON-NEGOTIABLE RULE: You must be within eye sight of    Mrs. West at all times today. If you can't see me, you need to come back to the group.

    NOTE: Today is an experiment of Trust. If after today, I learn that I can trust you to be on-task self-managers, then I will continue to assign fun things like this in the future, including videos. If trust is not earned, there will be limits to the types of assignments we do in the future. Will you pass the test? 

    Goals Today:
    1. Film all scenes.
    2. Stay on task the whole time.
    3. Stay within sight of Mrs.West.
    4. Don NOT disturb other classes or students.


    Wednesday 9/4 Planning your Video

    Today you will choose and plan out your myth video. 

    Please see this sheet and rubric for specific directions. Click HERE.

    HW: Please have your Playwright member submit the storyboard for grading by the end of today on Focus under the assignment called "Storyboard."

    Tuesday 9/3...Getting Ready for the Essay on Bulfinch

    Warm-up Journal:
    (Continue your notes to help you with your essay.)
    1. What is your favorite myth and why?
    2. Why do you think the Greeks, and people of most every culture, wrote mythological stories?  (Was it a belief system? a disguised history? a disguised philosophy? an allegory for real events? a moral guide? an explanation of natural events? a prescientific exploration? what?
    3. Why do people continue to be interested in them?

    Activity: What is it?

    Read G.K. Chesterton's article, "The Religious Meaning of Myth." (One view point of interpretation)
    • Does Chesterton believe myths are important?
    • According to Chesterton, what needs in man does myth satisfy?
    • What two analogies does Chesterton use to explain or  "show" the relationship between myth and Christianity?
    • What does Chesterton believe is the difference between myth and religion?

    NOTE: The essay will be next week. We will have several conversations to help you think through the deeper issues behind mythology. On the day of the essay test, you will be allowed to bring one note card of notes to help you on the test.

    HW: Tomorrow you and your group will choose one of Bulfinch's myths to film. Consider your favorites and be ready to make a good choice tomorrow.