Block Day, December 14 & 15 ~ Review Day

First, can you please rate our class so far this semester?
Click here for Mrs. Witmer
Click here for Mrs. West


Review Game.

Wednesday, December 13 ~ Short Stories Due

Semester 1 Final ~ Study Guide

I. Roots (35 pts.)
    a. Study your list from the entire semester.

II. Grammar (20 pts.)
      a. Fragments  Practice 1   Practice 2   Practice 3

      b. Comma Splices  Practice 1  Practice 2   Practice 3

      c. Subj. Verb Agreement  Practice 1   Practice 2   Practice 3

III. SAT Vocab (15 pts.)
       a. Journal 17 - Amy Tan
       b. Journal 18 - Edgar Allan Poe

IV. Literary Devices (10 pts.)
      allegory, allusion, atmosphere, climax, conflict, direct/indirect characterization, motif,
      rising action, symbol, theme, tone Definitions are here

V. Short Stories (5 pts.)
      a. Two Kinds
      b. The Masque of the Red Death
      c. Lamb to the Slaughter
      d. The Lottery

VI. CAB Style Thesis (3 pts.)
       Contest
                   Although the Greek heroes were often demigods and quite selfish,
          Assert
                   they do have some major similarities with the typical modern hero
          Because
                    because they share the traits of self-sacrifice, loyalty and courage.

VII. TIED Paragraph Structure (5 pts.)
     

Topic Sentences	T: The topic sentences lets the reader know what your subject is and what you are going to prove.  Never use "I" or talk about the essay/paragraph in this sentence. Always include a key word that correlates to the list in your thesis.
Introduce Evidence	I: After the topic sentence, you should introduce  the context of your evidence (or quote).
Evidence          (this could be a quote           or logical reasoning)	E: In a Literary Response essay this is the quote that demonstrates your point.
Discuss (aka commentary)	D: You must discuss how the evidence is important in proving your assertion from the thesis. Always button up your evidence on the thesis...never let your evidence speak for itself.

     
 The prisoners’ concert is important because it symbolized unity of the tribes. When Courtenay describes the concert, he uses a metaphor of a puzzle being brought together: “all the pieces would be brought together under the magic spell cast by the Tadpole Angel” (319). The spell describes the power of a leader who is viewed as a chosen one. Peekay’s leadership is the key to the unity within the prison.

Merry Christmas and God bless you all.

Monday and Tuesday, December 11-12 ~ Peer Edit

Peer Edit

• Read a short story
• Edit using short story edit form
• Author name on form
• Editor name on form
• Turn in 
• Author receives 10 points
• If you do not have your rough draft Monday, you have Tuesday to bring it in for a peer edit.
• FINAL DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAY 
• THERE IS NO GRACE PERIOD

Block Day, December 7 & 8 ~ Short Stories complete!

Roots Quiz

After you have finished your quiz, copy the vocabulary below. Then you may use the rest of the period to work on your short story. 

SHORT STORY VOCAB:

• Atmosphere - tells us the way a story makes the reader feel
• Tone - tells us the attitude the narrator has toward his subject and us.
• Theme - a central idea or statement that unifies and controls an entire literary work. For our purposes, a theme should be a lesson or insight.
• Motif - a recurring element, such as an image, reference, or even phrase which reveals the theme of the story.
• Foreshadow - a hint within the text about what will happen later. 
• Flashback - a method of narration in which present action is temporarily interrupted so that the reader can witness past events - usually in the form of a character's memories, dreams, narration, or even authorial commentary. 
• Practice: What motifs, theme, and foreshadowing did we see in the stories we read? 
• Would you like to review the rubric? 

West's class click here.

HOMEWORK
West's Class: Rough Drafts are due typed (digital is fine) on Monday 12/11 (20 pts.)
Short story due Wednesday. 
Attention: the "gift" portion of your story is optional for extra credit. 

Be prepared for a peer review on Monday.

Wednesday, December 6 ~ Numbered Heads

Short Story

Today I will be checking in on your short stories. They are due 1 week from today.
If you haven't already brainstormed for ideas, you better get started!

Here is the rubric.

Here are some last tools to help you with your characters:

• Characterization (West's class HW: Create a STEAL chart about your character)
• Dialogue - Makes the story more interesting to read.

HOMEWORK
Rough Drafts due in digital format on Monday, December 11. 
Short Story due as Final Draft December 13
Prepare for Roots Quiz on Block

Tuesday, December 5 - The Lottery (cont.)

Journal Check TODAY! Have your journal out ready for my scrutiny. 

Short Story

• Group up to finish the discussion questions for "The Lottery". 
• Be prepared for the larger class discussion tomorrow. It will be graded.
• West's Class click here.

HOMEWORK

How's your short story coming along?

Monday, December 4 ~ The Lottery

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Click here

Journal 20

• Reading Groups - When your group has finished reading, begin the discussion questions.

• Small Group Discussion -
  In your small groups,discuss the following questions about "The Lottery." Try to get beyond just talking about the plot; use your critical thinking skills to deeply examine this story. All members should be jotting down notes for each of the following questions in order to prepare for our larger class discussion.
  1. How do the commonplace details of life and the folksy language contribute to the impact of the story? Why did Jackson choose common people for her characters? Could she have chosen characters from other levels of sophistication with the same effect? What is the irony of the trite (lacking originality due to overuse) dialogue and casual tone of this story?
  2.  What seems to be the original purpose of the lottery? What do the people believe about it?
  3.  Is it important that the original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost? What do you suppose the original ceremony was like? Why have some of the villages given up the practice? Why hasn't this one?
  4.  What is the significance of Tessie's final scream, "It isn't fair, it isn't right"? What aspect of the lottery does she challenge; what aspect goes unquestioned? 
  5.  What hints are given in the early parts of the story that elude to the seriousness of the occasion? Give evidence of foreshadowing. From which characters do you get the best sense of what is to come?
     
     6.Some critics insist that the story has an added symbolic or allegorical dimension. Do you agree? If so, what is Shirley Jackson trying to tell us about ourselves?
     
     7. Is the lottery a collective act of murder? Is it morally justified? Is tradition sufficient justification for such actions? 
     What are your thoughts on other cultures that perform "strange" rituals?
     
     HOMEWORK
     Journal Check tomorrow, (J16-J20)
      

Block Day, November 30 & December 1 ~ Lamb to the Slaughter

Roots

• vac - empty 
• vert, vers - turn
• viv, vita, vivi - alive, life
• vor - eat greedily

This concludes your list of roots! 
QUIZ next week on Block.
Roots will be a major part of your final, so keep your list handy for review!

Today you have the opportunity to work on J18 (The Masque of the Read Death) located on yesterday's blog.
After J18 is complete, please read Short Story #3 for silent reading and and then complete J19.

Short Story #3 - 


Click here for short story #3 - Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl


Journal 19

•  Ten bullet points about the author, Roald Dahl. Click here 
•  Did you know the late great Dahl has his own dictionary. Check it out. Click here
•  I hope I don't dispunge your short story. Define dispunge. Hint: it's from Dahl's dictionary.
•  Define irony. What are the 3 types of irony? Record these in your journal.

 J19 continued

1. What type of irony is evident in "Lamb to the Slaughter"? Explain your answer. (HINT: All three are in the story.)

2.  What influence does Mary's pregnancy have on the story?

3.  Why is Patrick's profession important?

4.  What is the origin and meaning of the title "Lamb to the Slaughter"?

5.  Why does Mary insist the police eat the leg of lamb?

HOMEWORK

Are your journals caught up?

J16 - Movie Comparison 

J17 - Two Kinds

J18 - Masque of the Red Death

J19 - Lamb to the Slaughter - If you did not read this one in class, please read for homework and complete the journal.

Witmer's class: Journal check next Tuesday, December 5.

Wednesday, November 29 ~ Short Story #2 by Edgar Allan Poe

Roots

• acu - sharp
• ali, allo, alter - other
• am, amor - love, liking
• anni, annu, enni - year

Short Story #2: The Masque of the Red Death 

• EQ: What is allegory?

Journal 18

LIT NOTES ~ Add these definitions to your journals section.

• Symbol
• Allegory

The Text: "The Masque of the Red Death " by Edgar Allan Poe

• Who was Poe? What other works from Poe have you read?

Journal 18

SAT Vocab:

1. profuse - plentiful
2. sagacious - wise
3. voluptuous - characterized with luxury or pleasure
4. contagion - the spreading of disease
5. imperial - majestic
6. emanating - coming forth
7. sedate - calm; quiet
8. pervaded - spread throughout
9. piquancy - a pleasantly sharp or appetizing flavor
10. phantasm - a figment of the imagination; an illusion
11. cessation - ceasing or stopping
12. disapprobation - strong disapproval, usually on moral grounds
13. propriety - quality of being proper
14. tangible - something that can be touched
15. impetuosity - impulsive or rash 

Analysis:
1. The rich and powerful might build walls around their sprawling estates to block out the upsetting parts of life. What realities of life must people face no matter who they are?
2. Google search: What are the symptoms of the pneumonic plague?
3. Consider the Allegory feature. Define as many symbols as you can, bullet-point style. What is the "story below the surface" if you translate each symbol? (Include at least these: Prince Prospero, the abbey, the gate, the masquerade, the ebony clock and TIME, the winding hallway, all the different colors of rooms, & the intruder)

We will finish this together tomorrow. Don't look up the answers to the allegory!!!

HOMEWORK

Are you caught up with your journals?

J16 - Movie comparison

J17 - Short Story #1 - Two Kinds 

Tuesday, November 28 ~ Finish our story by Amy Tan

Roots

Prefix

• utilis - useful
• vide, visibil, vis - see

Root

• dox - opinion, praise 
• dura - lasting

Short Story - #1 Two Kinds

Witmer's class: finish reading Short Story #1 ~ Two Kinds and work on J17.



 

Monday, November 27 ~ Welcome Back

Roots

Prefix

• syn - together, with
• trans - across

Root

• chron - time
• phon - sound 

Short Stories
Discuss the EQ: Why study short stories anyway?

Click here for all you need to know about writing your SHORT STORY! 

• Short Story #1 ~ Two Kinds

Journal 17 -

First, copy the SAT vocab:

• prodigy - child of highly unusual talent or genius
• lamented - said with regret or sorrow
• listlessly - without energy or interest
• discordant - clashing; not in harmony
• dawdled - wasted time; lingered
• stricken - heartbroken
• fiasco - total failure
• nonchalantly - without interest or concern

1) Meet the Author ~Write down 5-10 bullet point notes about the life of Amy Tan.
    *Start here or here.
2) List the internal and external conflicts in Two Kinds.
3) What makes this story engaging? List at least two strengths.
4) How would you describe the narrative style of this story? Is there power in the perspective that the author chose to use in her story telling?
5) What symbolic meaning is carried in the two songs at the end? How do they reflect the change that has occurred in Jing-mei?

HOMEWORK: Nope!

Wednesday & Block, November 15-17 ~ POO Presentations

Let the POO presentations begin!

Witmer's Class: 
Journal 16 - Movie Comparison
First, give at least ten bullet points listing the differences between the book and the movie.
Then, write a brief paragraph explaining your assessment of the director's choices. Were the changes beneficial or distracting from the meaning of the movie?

Monday & Tuesday, November 13-14 ~ Movie Days

I warned you. The movie is vastly different from the book. What major differences have you noticed?

Reminder: 

• POO projects due Wednesday, November 15.
• Think ahead - If there is anyone who will not be here on Block, please be ready to go on Wednesday.

Block, November 9 & 10 ~ The Last Chapter of POO

Read Chapter 15
Watch movie

West Class
Journal 19: Movie Comparison
First, give at least ten bullet points listing the differences between the book and the movie.
Then, write a brief paragraph explaining your assessment of the author's choices. Were the changes beneficial or distracting from the meaning of the movie?

Wedneday, November 8 ~ Chapter 13

Check in on projects. Who's doing what?

The Power of One:
Witmer's class ~ read Chapter 13


HOMEWORK:
Witmer's class ~ read Chapter 14

Tuesday, November 7 ~ POO Projects

Here are your 6 choices for the POO project:

~ Four Letters: Write a series of letters between two main characters in the novel who might have written to one another during the course of the entire novel. (To gain 50 points, you must include at least four one-page letters.)

~ Poetry: select (from an outside source) or write five poems/songs that you feel say something about the theme, mood, characters or settings of the novel.  Explain why you selected or wrote each poem/song.

~ Alternate Ending: Write a new ending for the story, a new adventure for the main character, or the beginning of a sequel. Keep the same first-person narrator. This should be three pages.

~ Bible Theme: Consider what you believe the power of one is. Consider the passage in Ephesians 4:3-6. Then write a two page essay comparing the meaning behind the scripture with the meaning found in several passages in the novel. How are these passages similar or contrasting in meaning? What is the power of one for you?

~ Bio Research: Research the author of the novel. How much of the story is really fiction or autobiographical for Courtenay? What parts of his life could have inspired the themes from our text?  You should also include the names of other books that he has written, what awards/honors he has received. What themes are explored in his other books? Create a power point slideshow to teach us your findings. This must be in your own words. Your presentations should consist of 10 slides with a presentation time of 5 - 7 minutes.

~ Map Art: Draw or create a map of where the story takes place.  Label all of the places that were important in the story.  Write one page about how the places were significant in the novel.

Presentations due Wednesday, November 15.

The Power of One

Rubric

	A	B	C	D
Understanding	This project shows that you really understand the events, characters and deeper themes of the book.	This project shows that you have a clear understanding of the events and ideas in the book	This project shows that you generally understand the events and meaning in the book.	This project shows that you may have misread or were somewhat confused about the story.
Interest Level	This product explicitly reveals an insight that is personally significant that you’ve gained beyond the text.	This product adequately reveals an insight that is meaningful and/or significant from our text.	This product shows that you grasp something interesting or meaningful in the text.	This project is really more of a summary of some part of the novel, rather than an insight.
Quality	This product is beautiful and inspiring.	This product is clean and shows care.	This product has a few problems or errors.	The errors/issues are distracting from the meaning behind the product.
Presentation	You shared this with the class confidently and thoughtfully.	You shared this with the class clearly.	You shared this with the class nervously or without thinking through all the details.	Your presentation was hard to understand or hear.

                   d       c       b       a

50 points    30-34    35-39    40-44   45-50

HOMEWORK: 
Witmer's Class: Finish Reading Chapter 12

  

 

Monday, November 6 ~

Warm Up: 

Prefix

• solus - alone
• subter - under, secret

Roots

• publicus - people
• scope - examine

West's class will get Journal Checks today.

Ch.11 Pop Quiz?????

Witmer's Class ~ As promised, Chapters 9-11 Quiz is today!
The Power of One - Begin Chapter 12 
Any guesses on the significance of cream soda in Chapter 12?

HOMEWORK: Nope! 

Block Day, November 2 & 3 ~ It's a big day! Quizzes all around!

~Roots and Grammar Quiz start 5 minutes after the bell rings. Use Time Wisely. (UTW)

~Journal Check today. Please have your journal out and I will check them while you take your quiz. 

~Read.....Get caught up!

HOMEWORK:

•  Read through Chapter 11. There will be a quiz on Monday. (Chapters 9, 10, 11)

West's Class:

After your quiz, please finish Ch.10 and answer these review questions in your journal.

This can be our Journal 15:

• What do we know now about the wolves?
• Why is Doc so nervous about the concert?
• What pressure and societal significance was riding on the concert? 
• What motif (a recurring image that reveals the theme) has become evident?
• What key quotes would you pull from Ch.10?

HW: Ch. 11 

This can be our Journal 16:

• What do you think it means to be the Tadpole Angel? 
• What do you think of Geel Piet's advice for avoiding bullies?
• What do you think Peekay learns from participating in illegal activity within the prison? 

HW: Get your journals ready for check on Monday.

J10 - Two discussion questions about Hoppie.

J11 - CAB Thesis practice

J11B - Ch. 5 Discussion Questions

J12 - TIE Quote Integration Practice

J13 - Ch. 7 Discussion Questions

J14 - Paragraph Reflection: What are the "vines" in your life?

J15 - Chapter 10 Questions

J16 - Chapter 11 Questions

Wednesday, November 1 ~ Review, review, review!

Warm Up:

Prefix

• pre - before
• pro - before, in favor of 

Root

• ject - throw
• pel, puls - drive, urge

Grammar
Practice SVA


Reminders:

• Roots and Grammar Quiz - Block
• Journal Check - Block

Review:

• Roots Review - Fly Swatter Game
• Practice SVA

Tuesday, October 31 ~ Happy Halloween!

 

Let's take a survey to help Ms. Fenwick's students.

Finish Journal 15: Bedford 21-1 and 21-2

Warm Up: 

Prefix

• port - carry
• post - after

Root 

• tele - far
• grad, gress - step, go

The Power of One

Reminders:

• Roots Quiz - Block
• Grammar Quiz (subject verb agreement) - Block
• Journal Check (J11 - J15) - Block

J11 - Bedford 21 b and c
J12 - Free Write - Doc's Words
J13 - Bedford 21 d through g
J14 - Bedford 21 h and k
J15 - Bedford 21-1 and 21-2