English 11 ~ Cafe

2012 Theme Word

2012-01-08T21:10:00.001-06:00

Assignment: Choose one word that you would like to become or immolate throughout 2012... OR maybe this word represents a goal. Then, explain your choice of the word and the impact you hope this word has on your life.

REMINDER: When you refer to a word or a number as itself, place that word in italics. See first sentence below.

_______________________

Quiet. A quiet mind. Quiet time. As in, Tammy Time.

I chose the word quiet because I want to let some aspects of life go and focus more on others. This year accounts for twenty-one years in the education field, a career I have immensely enjoyed, yet a career that has brought me more stress than any other facet of my life. As I journey back to my original reasons for choosing this career (or did it choose me?!), I need that quiet time to decide the type of teacher I am now and the teacher I want to be become.

At the wise young age of 45, I am learning (yes, that is progressive tense, meaning ongoing, still happening!) that I am still working on the person I am to be. And that work takes time! I need to deliberately have quiet time to let that person develop, to allow me to be me...or is that I?!

Additionally, I am learning that sometimes the loudest voice I can have is a quiet one. Maybe too much in my past, I have voiced my opinions, my convictions when I should have set quietly? I have been testing this theory. So far? One positives of this decision has resulted in a decreased stress level. Cool!

So...shhhh...time to think, to read, to do nothing.

The Effects of Setting

2011-12-05T09:58:00.002-06:00

Author Willa Cather embedded literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, within her writing.

"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of wine-stains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."

"The grave, with its tall red grass that was never mowed, was like a little island."

"Winter comes down savagely over a little town on the prairie. The wind that sweeps in from the open country strips away all the leafy screens that hide one yard from another in summer, and the houses seem to draw closer together. The roofs, that looked so far away across the green treetops, now stare you in the face, and they are so much uglier than when their angles were softened by vines and shrubs.

Chunk #1: Comment the effect of the setting on the characters within the novel.

Chunk #2: discuss the effect a setting on you, including imagery (lots of adjectives) and a simile or a metaphor as you describe the land.

My front porch symbolizes an oasis to me, especially during the Christmas season when the soft Christmas lights help create an atmosphere of quietness and solitude. Gently, in the background, the leaves rustle and whisper to each other their appreciation, too, of this seasonal seclusion, seeming to understand that the holiday should truly be about getting back to the real reason for the season. These tall trees stand as sentinels, much like the toy soldiers we have placed along the entrance to our driveway, guarding, protecting, providing a sense of security. I truly appreciate having my oasis, an oasis from the busy hustle and bustle, an oasis from this materialistic season.

The Red Badge Courage: Essay Assignment

2011-10-13T11:03:00.004-05:00

Topics:

Write a composition in which you explain how you think you would react in a combat situation.
Explain the significance of the title of The Red Badge of Courage.
How does Henry change during the course of the story?
What is the main theme of The Red Badge of Courage?
If The Red Badge of Courage had been written in the first person (if Henry were a narrator and our only source of information), how would that have changed the story and its effect?
Is the story of The Red Badge of Courage believable? Explain why or why not.
The Red Badge of Courage is a short novel. Could anything have been gained by including more scenes from the time before or after the events of the story? If so, what could have been added and for what purpose? If not, explain why not.
Is Henry a hero? Defend your answer.

Prewriting

For your assigned topic, draft three points with your group.
Ponder. What do YOU think about this prompt and evidence.

Drafting

Draft your essay.

Editing

Proof...

Did you use participials as introductory elements?
Did you use participial phrases after nouns to add imagery?
Did you insert appositives after nouns to add detail?
Use commas correctly?
Spellcheck!
Thesis underlined?

Revise.

Have you provided adequate evidence (concrete details from the novel)?
Have you provided adequate commentary (YOUR COMMENTS about the previous evidence?

Publish.

Print or
Email to mrsg.homework@gmail.com

"RUN!": Henry vs. Forrest

2011-09-30T13:19:00.005-05:00

My Inference about Running:

In intense situations, a person's instinctual reaction causes him/her to react for self-preservation, whether that means taking flight or taking a stand.
Concrete Details/Evidence from the novel or movie that support your inference:

Comments ("I say..." statements) on the above CD

Concrete Details/Evidence from the novel or movie that support your inference:

Comments ("I say..." statements) on the above CD

Conclusion

Wounded Warrior Project

2011-09-29T20:49:00.000-05:00

You might consider using the following as a guideline for writing this post. You do NOT have to color-code! :)
___________________________

Introduction: Draw an inference about the Wounded Warrior Project.

Chunk 1: Write a Concrete Detail here...a fact, detail, or reason for your above thoughts = a "they say" statement.

Now, comment on the above CD = your "I say" explanation.

Chunk 2: Write a Concrete Detail here...a fact, detail, or reason for your above thoughts = a "they say" statement.

Now, comment on the above CD = your "I say" explanation.

Chunk 3: Write a Concrete Detail here...a fact, detail, or reason for your above thoughts = a "they say" statement.

Now, comment on the above CD = your "I say" explanation.

Conclusion: Because of the above FDR (facts, details, reasons), I choose or choose not to further support the Wounded Warrior Project.

War Is...

2011-09-26T09:47:00.001-05:00

Assignment: Write a ten-line poem that begins with "War is....", add a verb and a participial phrase.
______________________________

War is needed, protecting our rights.
War is
War is
War is
War is
War is
War is
War is
War is
War is

2B: Blog User Agreement

2011-09-03T22:26:00.000-05:00

Using and maintaining a blog requires your commitment and responsibility as a citizen of the digital world. My ultimate goal is to ensure your safety in this online mode of communication.

Please be aware that you are publishing for the world wide web, for everyone online. Ultimately, this makes us more responsible and, at the same time, better writers.

Your blog will be added to the class blog roll here, so everyone's creations may be accessed from that page. While I encourage you to peruse each others' work and to leave comments, what you submit/publish should be your own work.

Your blog, a part of your education at Batesville City High School, should personify the high expectations I have of you. Remember, any activity on your weblog should be considered a school activity, even if the work is completed outside of school. You should also feel free to create posts that are not school related, but these posts, too, should not include anything that could be considered inappropriate, including inappropriate language and inappropriate comments about peers and those in authority positions here at school (teachers, administrators).

Plagiarism is submitting someone else's work as your own. This can be done in many ways: copying work from Wikipedia, classmates, Sparknotes, etc. If you plagiarize your work, you will receive a zero -- no questions asked.

Please go here to read the Batesville High School Blog Code of Conduct.

THE USER AGREEMENT:

I agree to submit original work to my blog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peers' work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if I choose to plagiarize, I will receive a zero for the work in question with no option to redo the assignment in question.

I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Batesville School. I understand that if inappropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my blog being removed from the class roll.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I, Jane Doe, agree to Mrs. Gillmore's Blog User Agreement.

_______________________________________
Source for inspiration of this User Agreement

3B: Blog User Agreement

2011-09-03T22:22:00.000-05:00

3A: Blog User Agreement

2011-09-03T21:52:00.000-05:00

Using and maintaining a blog requires your commitment and responsibility as a citizen of the digital world. My ultimate goal is to ensure your safety in this online mode of communication.

Please be aware that you are publishing for the world wide web, for everyone online. Ultimately, this makes us more responsible and, at the same time, better writers.

Your blog will be added to the class blog roll here, so everyone's creations may be accessed from that page. While I encourage you to peruse each others' work and to leave comments, what you submit/publish should be your own work.

Your blog, a part of your education at Batesville City High School, should personify the high expectations I have of you. Remember, any activity on your weblog should be considered a school activity, even if the work is completed outside of school. You should also feel free to create posts that are not school related, but these posts, too, should not include anything that could be considered inappropriate, including inappropriate language and inappropriate comments about peers and those in authority positions here at school (teachers, administrators).

Plagiarism is submitting someone else's work as your own. This can be done in many ways: copying work from Wikipedia, classmates, Sparknotes, etc. If you plagiarize your work, you will receive a zero -- no questions asked.

Please go here to read the Batesville High School Blog Code of Conduct.

THE USER AGREEMENT:

I agree to submit original work to my blog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peers' work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if I choose to plagiarize, I will receive a zero for the work in question with no option to redo the assignment in question.

I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Batesville School. I understand that if inappropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my blog being removed from the class roll.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I, Jane Doe, agree to Mrs. Gillmore's Blog User Agreement.

_________________________________________
Source for inspiration of this User Agreement

2A: Blog User Agreement

2011-09-03T21:48:00.000-05:00

Using and maintaining a blog requires your commitment and responsibility as a citizen of the digital world. My ultimate goal is to ensure your safety in this online mode of communication.

Please be aware that you are publishing for the world wide web, for everyone online. Ultimately, this makes us more responsible and, at the same time, better writers.

Your blog will be added to the class blog roll here, so everyone's creations may be accessed from that page. While I encourage you to peruse each others' work and to leave comments, what you submit/publish should be your own work.

Your blog, a part of your education at Batesville City High School, should personify the high expectations I have of you. Remember, any activity on your weblog should be considered a school activity, even if the work is completed outside of school. You should also feel free to create posts that are not school related, but these posts, too, should not include anything that could be considered inappropriate, including inappropriate language and inappropriate comments about peers and those in authority positions here at school (teachers, administrators).

Plagiarism is submitting someone else's work as your own. This can be done in many ways: copying work from Wikipedia, classmates, Sparknotes, etc. If you plagiarize your work, you will receive a zero -- no questions asked.

Please go here to read the Batesville High School Blog Code of Conduct.

THE USER AGREEMENT:

I agree to submit original work to my blog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peers' work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if I choose to plagiarize, I will receive a zero for the work in question with no option to redo the assignment in question.

I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Batesville School. I understand that if inappropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my blog being removed from the class roll.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I, Jane Doe, agree to Mrs. Gillmore's Blog User Agreement.

_________________________________________
Source for inspiration of this User Agreement

1A: Blog User Agreement

2011-09-03T21:17:00.000-05:00

I agree to submit original work to my blog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peers' work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if I choose to plagiarize, I will receive a zero for the work in question with no option to redo the assignment in question.
I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Batesville School. I understand that if inappropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my blog being removed from the class roll.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I, Jane Doe, agree to Mrs. Gillmore's Blog User Agreement.

_________________________________________
Source for inspiration of this User Agreement

Metaphor Essay

2011-08-16T23:05:00.000-05:00

Assignment: In an essay, create a metaphor for your writing process.

Mrs. Gillmore's Comparison to "The Story of the Ugly Duckling."
Drafted below is Mrs. Gillmore's very rough paper comparing her writing process to the creation of a curriculum unit or lesson plans.

________________________

Introduction (minimum of three sentences)

As a teacher of English and as a teacher in a 1:1 classroom, fortunately, for me, two tasks that I truly enjoy are writing and creating lesson plans. As I pondered on this, I realized that each mimics the other in the multiple steps that I must climb in order to create the final products. A nerd I may be, but, also fortunately for me, being a nerd remains quite the cool status!

Body
Paragraph 1 - Prewriting
When I initially begin planning a unit for my English 11 classes, I attempt to begin with what we call "the end in mind." This means that I plan backwards, laying out the big picture of what I hope to cover in a nine-week's time span. Using sticky notes, charts, boxes, pens, pencils, sketches, the ideas begin to develop. In much the same, I plan all papers that I am asked to write, whether for a college class, for my personal blog, or for my model papers for English 11.

Paragraph 2 - Drafting
Once I determine the "big picture" for my curriculum units or for a paper that I need to write, I sit down with my mini laptop and begin to tap-tap-tap out the creation. I take brief mental pauses to gather my thoughts, then back to typing I go. Here, I misspell many words, leave out parts and segments in my race see the words in black and white.

Paragraph 3 - Editing/Revising
When I have created the curriculum unit or completed the assigned essay, I let it rest. I leave it alone. I walk away and allow it go to cold. For after working with the creations this intensely, I find that I have become blind to my own mistakes. I no long see the misspelled or omitted words. While my gut instinct may be to place the seal of approval on the paper, I know this is not wise, for I do know that I am not perfect...at least not yet. Not until, I have proofed several more times and made those necessary additions and corrections. For example, in my curriculum units, I may add a song, create another logo, find a video on YouTube, finding and including, what I hope, will be the "hooks" that make these curriculum units interesting for my students.

Paragraph 4 - Publishing
Finally, when I have proofed...and then proofed one more time, I publish my new curriculum unit for all to see on my our class wiki, or I hit the submit button and post my latest thoughts on my blog. Then I wait anxiously for the comments to follow on the creations I have posted.

Conclusion
As one may now realize, the process of creating a curriculum unit and the writing process are very similar. The most important lesson here? Do NOT skip the editing and revising steps, for during these steps, steps where my brain must often streeeettccchhh itself, here I find that some of my best creativity comes into play.

Argument: Year-Round School

2010-11-09T22:16:00.004-06:00

Assertion/Claim (Topic Sentence) = Main Idea

School should be held year-round.

Evidence -Concrete Detail:

Having year-round school would permit teachers to plan more meaningful lessons through which to engage their students in topics that might capture and hold their attentions.

Commentary 1: Within my classes, the percentage of boys exceeds that of girls, so I need to utilize topics that would capture the attention of females and an abundance of males.
Commentary 2: With the extra time built in between the terms (six-week, nine-week terms), teachers could share resources and ideas, such as videos, songs, and topics of interests.

Students would retain more....Year-round school would also increase student retention of the skills needed to succeed in "real life."

Commentary 1: Because of the shorter breaks between terms, students will retain more of the skills being taught as teachers continue to reinforce or re-teach the Arkansas Frameworks to ensure their students' mastery of such skills.

Commentary 2: Such retention would also ensure enhanced academic success as students' grades should now reflect what they know and not what they have forgotten.

Opposing Claims/They Say:

The BHS 11th Grade argues that this idea is a "horrible," "should-never-be-spoken-of-again" proposal.
Some of them think that going to school year-around "is more stressful" than the traditional current school calendar.

My Rebuttal/I Say:

Although I agree with these students up to a point, I cannot accept their overall conclusion that this new arrangement of the days would cause them such trauma.

My Paragraph
School should be held year around. Having year-round school would permit teachers to plan more meaningful lessons through which to engage their students in topics that might capture and hold their attentions. Within my classes, the percentage of boys exceeds that of girls, so I need to utilize topics that would capture the attention of females and an abundance of males. With the extra time built in between the terms (six-week, nine-week terms), teachers could share resources and ideas, such as videos, songs, and topics of interests. Another reason to support year-round school is that this type of school calendar would also increase student retention of the skills needed to succeed in "real life." Because of the shorter breaks between terms, students will retain more of the skills being taught as teachers continue to reinforce or re-teach the Arkansas Frameworks to ensure their students' mastery of such skills. Such retention would also ensure enhanced academic success as students' grades should now reflect what they know and not what they have forgotten. Not everyone supports such a move. For example, the BHS 11th Grade argues that this idea is a "horrible," "should-never-be-spoken-of-again" proposal. Some of them even think that going to school year-around "is more stressful" than the traditional current school calendar. Although I agree with these students up to a point, I cannot accept their overall conclusion that this new arrangement of the days would cause them such trauma. Thus, the positives far outweigh the negative outcomes of such a school calendar.

My Thinking:
This paragraph is based mainly deductive thinking because of the facts and quotes that are presented.

Source:

Year Around Schools: Pros and Cons

Book Review: My Antonia

2010-11-03T22:59:00.000-05:00

Note that each chunk below responds to one of the points and that each response contains three examples or explanation for support.
__________________________

A pioneer never quits, and Antonia, the main character in the novel Willa Cather's My Antonia, lives up to this theme studied in our English 11 class during the first nine weeks of the Fall 2010.

As the theme states, Antonia never quits. Not even when she becomes pregnant by a man who she thought she loved. Not even when her father died. Not even when faced with having to feed and care for so many children.

Another character that Cather develops in this novel, written in the early 1900's, include the narrator Jim...or does she? Jim seems to have a "crush" on Antonia throughout the entire novel, even when he visits her and her family twenty-plus years after having last seen her. The infatuation he seemingly had as a youth does not seem to diminish, even though both go different directions in life. Thus, the my in the title...My Antonia.

The novel's setting itself becomes a character within the novel as we see its impact on several of the characters. Nebraska in the early 1900's was hard on the people, resulting in Antonia having to "work like a man" in the fields in an attempt to help provide food for her family. On the other hand, the land seemed to embrace and bless Jim and his family in a much kinder fashion, as their gardens were productive and food was ample, both in the summer and throughout the winter. Winter, though, dealt all characters a harsh blow, shutting the families in while the storms howled through.

A fairly quick read, I would recommend this novel for such a study as ours, a read meant to be held in the hands of its readers. That's right, I would not recommend an online read of this novel. Besides, doesn't reading this novel online contradict the very setting of the novel itself? No computers in the early 1900's!

Book Review: Before I Fall

2010-09-12T08:42:00.000-05:00

Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall intrigued me. From page one, the main character Samantha announces she will die. Therefore, you assume that you will spend one day with her. And you do, or do you?

For most of this read, I wanted to close the cover and not pick it back up, for I did not like the main character, nor her friends. If they are typical high school girls, then, well...oh, my.

So why did I keep reading it? Two reasons: 1) Peer Lisa Huff had loaned me the novel, and I was reading it based on her recommendation. 2) I am reading along with my students, and I had a novel due last Tuesday! Had to keep reading!

Within our class, we are currently reading novels that support or thematic unit A Pioneer Never Quits. This one definitely fits within that category as Samantha pioneers to the betterment of all.

This novel reminded me of Jay Asher's Th1rteen R3asons Why and Khaled Housseni's A Thousand Splendid Suns, two of my favorite novels. Not because I liked them, for the content was harsh, but because of the impact of the novel on who I am...or was. Novels such as these change the reader. You close the back cover thinking I grew as a person; my awareness grew of the conditions surrounding these three main characters. I am not the person I was before I began the novel.

Therein, lies the success of the novel. Read Before I Fall, knowing that you will fall with the main character several times but that in the end, you will stand a stronger character for having read the pages of the journey.

480 Pages = 2 books

Today's Menu: August 23-24

2010-08-22T22:23:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements:

Lyon College Proudly Presents Secondhand Serenade Live in Concert August 23, 2010 8: p.m. Free for Students and Guests.
STUDENT ALL SPORTS PASSES are on sale in the office for $40.00. This will get you into ALL sports. See Ms. Teonia.
Students logging in for the first time use Pioneer1 as the password. Then you will be prompted to change. See Ms. James if you have trouble or need an account.

Please go here for today's agenda!

Today's Menu: August 19 - 20

2010-08-17T23:25:00.001-05:00

Welcome back and welcome to English 11...and 2010-2011!

Today's Announcements.

Informal Luau Welcome Back to School Dance after the Pep Rally on Friday in the BHS cafeteria from 9:00-12:00 pm for grades 10-12. The cost is $5.00 per student. Matthew's Photography will be there taking pics...beach/sand scene!
STUDENT ALL SPORTS PASSES are on sale in the office for $40.00. This will get you into ALL sports. See Ms. Teonia.
Students logging in for the first time use Pioneer1 as the password. Then you will be prompted to change. See Ms. James if you have trouble or need an account.

Introductions (20 minutes)

Who Am I?
Who Are You? Using your index card, identify the eight parts of speech...your first quiz!

Paperwork...and such (15 minutes)

Handbook
Handouts

Enjoying Your eee (5 minutes)

Before we utilize the mini laptops, let's review the edit written by Mrs. Huff and supported by all the English Department.

Today's Vocabulary Word (5 minutes)

Anthropology: First, break the word into its parts.
Using this site, determine what anthropology means. We will add this word to your vocabulary section of your three-ring binder next week.
This word begins our first thematic unit: A Pioneer Never Quits.

Today's Grammar Tip (5 minutes)

Should one end a sentence with a preposition? The answer.

Time for Fun! (20 minutes)

Literary Scavenger Hunt: the competition begins! In your group, work to complete the hunt.

Homework (10 minutes)

Create a Google Account. May refer to this Creating Your Digital Identity PowerPoint for step-by-step instructions. This will create your gmail account also. PLEASE, please! Create a professional-sounding email! No other will be accepted. REMINDER: this email account is for this class; thus, you will be required to share log-ins and passwords with me (and me only!).
Please keep up with your login/passwords on this Digital Identify form.
Ponder on this: to what would your compare your writing process? Here's mine. Please have your WHAT determined by the next class time...that is all that is due!
Five Steps in the Writing Process: Prewriting, Drafting, Editing, Revising, Publishing.

Exit Slip:

On your second notecard, please ask question(s) that you wish I had answered.

Today's Menu ~ May 28

2010-05-28T08:18:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

Research Process Test...today!

Work on blog post(s) and resume. See previous post for guidelines.

Night Vocab...choose 15 works. See comment below. Turn in your vocab list.

Review for semester test: see previous post.

Today's Menu ~ May 27

2010-05-27T08:53:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

Research Paper Process TEST!

Review for Semester TEST:

Night - content of novel
Night - vocabulary (See comment below.)
Blog post topics...definition of holocaust, symbolism...author information...theme
Research Process: see previous posts or go here to review (I update the mrsginfo page with more links)...or think about test (hint!).
Resume...must be completed! Check Google Docs, might put on a "page" on your blog, Check out Microsoft Word....do a search online...other options?

FINAL BLOG: topics due next week

Meaning of the term Holocaust.
Introduce the author...your thoughts.
Darkness as a symbol in Night.
Prove (or disprove) this theme: Courage: Taking Responsibility As We Make Choices

Today's Menu ~ May 26

2010-05-26T09:09:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

PLEASE return Cafe 16 library books!

Resume:

Research Paper: See the previous post for information. REMINDER...TEST on research process on FRIDAY! Please study!

BLOG post...final installment:

Today's Menu ~ May 24-25

2010-05-24T08:25:00.000-05:00

Quiz today!

Discussion:

Describe the father/son relationship so far.
What, within a person, allows them to treat people in such a manner?
Describe the novel's effect on you thus far? What has created this effect? Descriptions? Emotional appeals? Language? Yours and Elie's ages?

Today's Blog Topic:

Using darkness as a symbol, find a passage that best illustrates this symbol and explain its significance. What images does this bring to mind? How is this passage important to the overall story? How would you represent this symbol in an image? Using Paint, create this image. Place the image within your blog post.

Research

"Pretend" you have been assigned to format a paper in MLA format. Find two reputable sites that you could utilize when formatting your paper.
TEST on Thursday: Know how to create title information, parenthetical citation, a works cited entry, and general page set-up. Also know the steps in the research process. May refer to the April 7 post for this list.

Today's Menu ~ May 20-21

2010-05-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

Research:

Share your intro/conclusions with me.
Select the MOST effective introduction and conclusion for our class final research paper.

Night:

Blog continues. Last time you commented about your thoughts about the term Holocaust. UPDATE: to that part of the post add a heading The Term Holocaust add a picture that you believe best sums up your thoughts on The Holocaust (meaning the one referring the content of this novel). BE SURE AND SITE WHERE YOU BORROWED YOUR PHOTO! You may add this info at the bottom of your post or add the link to site to your picture.
Today we add a new heading The Author. Explore this site. Add your initial thoughts/comments about the author to your blog post.
Google Maps: In your Google account, click on more...maps. Find the setting of this novel.

Today's Menu ~ May 18 - 19

2010-05-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

The Great Gatsby Vocab TEST today...over chapters 1-6.

Complete your group's research paper today...final due!

NOTE to 1B: Uh, oh! You are behind! When you walk in class on Thursday, your intro/conclusion must be written. Only those with the body paragraphs inserted today, receive a grade for today.

Night:

Quiz/discuss Chapter 1, pages 3-22. Read page vii...how important is this novel to the author? Who is the author?
New Blog Topic: Initial thoughts on the term holocaust. Why does the term holocaust need to be italicized?
Find one picture that symbolizes a holocaust or The Holocaust as you know it; insert into your blog post.
New vocab list for the novel Night...you create the list of 26 terms. See directions here.
Assign 2-3, pages 23-46.

Today's Menu ~ May 14-17

2010-05-14T08:42:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

Research Paper:

How to cite a survey.
Finalize paper. Due today.
Steps to complete...1) proof your paper, especially for plagiarism! 2) insert your paper under the class outline in the order it appears in the outline. 3) Insert your works cited entries into the list in alphabetical order. 4) Read the paper and create transitions from the previous topic to yours. 5) Your group now needs to write an introduction with an effective hook and a grand conclusion (remember these are you last words to your audience).

Homework:

The Great Gatsby vocabulary exam on Wednesday.
Read chapters 1-2 in Night.
Check out book here.

Today's Menu ~ May 13

2010-05-13T08:47:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

The Great Gatsby...test today!

Edit/revise/insert your part of the research paper.

Hand in your rough draft when finished.

The Great Gatsby vocab test...next time!

Today's Menu ~ May 12

2010-05-10T08:27:00.000-05:00

The Great Gatsby Test.

Read Bound by Law.

Complete research paper!

When your corrections are completed, post your paper into the outline document.

Today's Menu ~ May 4

2010-05-03T20:36:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

Please read this article...then develop an answer to the question, "Why?"

Now refer to last Friday's blog post...

Today's Menu ~ May 3-4

2010-05-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

Happy May! Four 1/2 weeks left! Wow!

Here are today's announcements.

Ready: Pledge!

Your NON-Materialistic Person:

Who is your chosen person?

Draft your storyboard, plan your interview questions, select your song...now interview!

Click here to see a sample storyboard.

Today's Menu ~ April 29

2010-04-29T04:10:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

Let's say "The Pledge of Allegiance."

Watch today's SchoolTube video (if absent, you may view the video here). After watching this video, ponder on someone who you know who has NOT been affected by material things due to whatever circumstances in his life. (Yes, see the connection to our thematic unit?) NOW for your next project:

Blog about this person.
Draft interview questions for this person.
Plan your storyboard.
Interview and record your interview.
Create your production in MovieMaker or PhotoStory.
Rubric for this project is here.

The Great Gatsby

Hand in chapter four handout.
Quiz over chapters 5-6.

RESEARCH Paper CONTINUES today!

Re-read your paper.
Create a Google form (click here for an instruction how-to) for your classmates that includes two questions. Create a page on your blog for your form. Embed your form on that page. Then post a link on the class wiki to your page/Google Form. Gather the data! Insert this data into your paper.
Create a poster on your 1920's topic on Glogster. Needs to include minimum of your topic in a larger font, one image (with url included), a video of you discussing your topic. Think about factors makes a poster interesting...including white space, clean lines.

Your DUCK said WHAT?!

What literary piece are planning to include in our anthology?
Have a title you would like to submit to the competition?

Homework:

Read chapter 6 and study chapter 6 vocab.
Draft your storyboard for production.
Create form and place on a "page" on your blog.

Today's Menu ~ April 28

2010-04-28T08:20:00.001-05:00

Today's Announcements.

The Great Gatsby.

Chapter 4: What's in a Name?...email this document to mrsg.homework@gmail.com
Chapter 4-5 quiz.
Discuss metaphors on pages 39 and 61. Find a metaphor in your next reading assignment.
Sign up for a scene enactment! Plan, practice, perform ~ today!
HOMEWORK: Read Chapter 6 and study vocabulary chapters 6-7.

For TUESDAY:

Finish The Great Gatsby.

Barnett Chemistry

2010-04-27T09:36:00.000-05:00

Let's try and watch these TeacherTube

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=60117&title=The_Gas_Lawstitle=Kinetic_Molecular_Theoryachertube.com/videoList.php?pg=uservideolist&user_id=163403

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=85486&title=Introduction_to_Gases_Day_1

http://www.tehttp://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=60122&&

Today's Menu ~ April 27

2010-04-27T08:10:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

The Great Gatsby.

Chapter 4: What's in a Name?...email this document to mrsg.homework@gmail.com
Discuss metaphors on pages 39 and 61. Find a metaphor in your next reading assignment.
Read Chapters 5-6. Sign up for a scene enactment!

Today's Menu ~ April 26

2010-04-25T21:35:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

I am here today...for just a short time. My mother, who has been in the hospital here, is going home today! I am taking her home...we are both excited about this!

While I am gone...

8:15 - 8:45 Read chapter four of The Great Gatsby.
8:45 - 9:10 Work in groups to complete this activity. Yes, you may use your mini's. Research the meaning of Fitzgerald's characters; then research the meaning of your name and discuss with your people why you were given your name. For example, Tammy means "perfection" (I know! My desk contradicts this!). My parents named me this because of the Tammy movies (starring Debbie Reynolds) that had been so popular.
9:10 Read Chapter 5 for Wednesday. Quiz on Wednesday!

REMINDER: Poetry Slam today ~ during lunch ~ free COFFEE!

Today's Menu ~ April 23

2010-04-23T08:08:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

Please see yesterday's post for National Poetry Month focus!

Monday is the Poetry Slam! Please join us during lunch for poetic readings and coffee and snacks!

Today and The Great Gatsby...

Please read this biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Choose one detail about his life to relate...might choose two in case someone chooses yours.
Read Chapter 4. Complete this activity (within your group) researching the meaning of names.

Today's Menu ~ April 22

2010-04-22T08:19:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

In honor of this month being National Poetry Month and today being Earth Day and tomorrow being William Shakespeare's birthday...time for poetry!

For Earth Day..."Mending Wall" by Robert Frost.

Happy birthday, Mr. Shakespeare! In honor of his birthday...Sonnet 18.

The Great Gatsby:

Quiz over Chapter 3.
Quiz over chapters 6-7 vocabulary.
Meet and greet F. Scott Fitzgerald here.
Discuss maps...check here and here..
Characterize Gatsby.

Today's Menu ~ April 21

2010-04-21T08:12:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

The Great Gatsby:

Meet and greet F. Scott Fitzgerald here.
Chapter 3 quiz.
Maps due....check this site for more information.
Vocab quiz.
Assign chapter 4.

Today's Menu ~ April 19

2010-04-20T06:16:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

National Poetry Month continues..."I Can Dance."

POETry SLAM! Next Monday during lunch in the library! Choose a poem to read and join us for coffee!

REMINDER: You have two blog posts due by Wednesday at 8:00 AM...one of them might be about dancing!

Time for a little grammar of sorts:

Today we need to work on synthesizing information and sentence combining.
First, define synthesizing.
Now complete handout.

The Great Gatsby:

Group presentations are today: your characters and colors.
Check out your maps.
Assign Chapter 3-4.
Assign vocabulary chapters 6-7.

Homework:

Read chapters 3-4 and study vocab chapters 6-7.

Today's Menu ~ April 19

2010-04-19T08:31:00.001-05:00

Today's Announcements.

Group Presentations:

Your assigned character.
Your assigned colors.

Assignment:

Read chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby and create a map of these places.
Study chapters 6-7 vocabulary.

Today's Menu ~ April 15

2010-04-15T08:06:00.000-05:00

Tax Day!

Today's announcements.

"IT's All in YOUR Presentation!" ~ Today!

Your character.
Your color(s).

Today's Menu ~ April 13-14

2010-04-11T20:37:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

Please read this: Six Career Killing Facebook Mistakes.

TWO New Blog Post Assignment:

Based on what you have learned about the 1920's, would you have liked living during that decade? Provide a link to at least one of your sources or to one of the sources one of your peers utilized.

This is PROM week! Plan a post either anticipating what that night will be like or post following Prom and reflect on your night.

DUCKS Galore RETURNS!

Choose or create a selection for our class anthology.

Enter one of two contests:

Enter a title for our anthology.

Create a cover for our anthology.

The Great Gatsby....continues...

While I grade your research paper drafts...
Project 1: Prepare your presentation for your character. (See April 9 post for more information.)
Project 2: Organize your color project presentation. (See April 9 post for more information.)

Homework:

Work on blog posts.
Study chapter 5 vocabulary.
Projects due next time!

Today's Menu ~ April 9 and 12

2010-04-09T07:47:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

Research...continues...

Proof/finalize your draft.

Vocabulary:

Chapter 3 quiz today!
Chapter 4 next time.

The Great Gatsby:

Group Work: Chapter 1 Characterization. For your assigned character(s), complete the document I shared with you. I shared this document as an "edit" only. You will need to "save as" into your documents and then share with your group members...should you decided to.
Work on group color presentation. Please go to Mrs. G's Info Page here (then scroll down to the color project info) to find out more about this topic.

HOMEWORK:

Read chapter 2 and gather color evidence on this chart.
1A: Study chapter 4 vocabulary.
2B: Study chapters 3-4 vocabulary.

Today's Menu ~ April 7

2010-04-07T08:09:00.001-05:00

Today's Announcements.

STEPS in the RESEARCH Process:

Select a topic.
Research that topic.
Draft Preliminary Thesis/Outline
Research.
Draft final outline.
Draft paper (using parenthetical citation).
Create "Works Cited" entries.
In our case, draft introduction and conclusion.
Edit/Revise
Publish.

Research...continues...

Complete letters "B" and "C."
Create "Works Cited" entries here. For now, copy/paste them at the end of your drafted paper.

The Great Gatsby

Read chapter one for next time.
Chapter three vocabulary quiz next time.

Today's Menu ~ April 6

2010-04-06T08:03:00.001-05:00

Today's Announcements.

Share your research paper draft with me today!

Ready for The Sound of Music?

On the glorious ride to the auditorium, please note the gold on the trees!

Today's Menu ~ April 5

2010-04-04T21:59:00.000-05:00

Today's Announcements.

"Nature's first green is gold."

Please tell you noticed this change in nature over the weekend!

Check out this poem "The Student Theme."

Research Paper:

Letter "A" due today!
Check parenthetical citation...no plagiarism allowed!
Draft letters "B" and "C."
Create your "Works Cited" entries here. Then copy/paste them into the Google Doc in alphebetical order with your name in parenthesis at the end of each of your entries.

The Great Gatsby:

1A: I will distribute your novels on Wednesday.
Discuss chapter 1 of the novel.
No reading assignment...draft your paper!

Vocabulary:

Chapter 2 quiz today!
Chapter 3 quiz next time!

Homework:

Draft your paper and create "Works Cited" entries.
Study vocab.
Blog posts due today!

Today's Menu ~ April 2 and 5

2010-04-02T08:11:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

I completed Day 1 of 30 Challenge to write a poem-a-day! Here's my literary creation.

Please read this feel-good story...

In your group, practice a read-aloud of this poem:

Giggle Poem

Giggle giggle
Grin grin.
Let it out.
Don't hold it in.

Chuckle chuckle
Tee hee.
Louder now,
Set it free!

Ha-ha,
ha-ha,
ha-ha,
HA!

-Stephanie Calmenson

Research continues...

Define paraphrasing...practice here.
Discuss "A."
Assignment: draft "B" and "C."

Vocabulary:

Quiz: Chapter 2 today!
Assign: Chapter 3 quiz next time!

NOVEL: Please read chapter one (only!...no more than chapter one) in The Great Gatsby.

Today's Menu ~ March 31 and April 1

2010-03-30T21:28:00.000-05:00

Today's announcements.

Notice any gold on the trees yet?

"Nothing Gold Can Stay"
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

BLOG Topics...so far:

St. Patrick's Day...or Spring Break
"Nature's first green is gold."
Book review for your out-of-class read.

Read these articles:

Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
Paraphrasing
How to Recognize Plagiarism...oh, yes, teachers have this unique ability!

RESEARCH PAPER...continues.

Print your sources so that you may annotate them.
Develop a preliminary outline for your part of the class' research paper outline. This means further breaking down your assigned Roman numeral into A's and B's. Click here for information on outlines and click here to see a sample of an outline (refer to page one of the link only).
When you have determined your subheadings, go into the Google Doc and insert/type them under your assigned Roman numeral.
HOMEWORK: Draft letter "A" of your Roman numeral for the next class time.
Parenthetical Citation: Check here for examples and here for a short sample paper.

Vocabulary:

Chapter 1 quiz today!
Study chapter 2 for next time.

HOMEWORK:

Draft "A" of your assigned Roman numeral.
Study chapter two vocabulary.

Like the new look of our blog? You too can update your blog by selecting a new "designer template."

First, be logged into your blog.
Then follow the directions here.

Today's Menu ~ March 29-30

2010-03-28T08:17:00.001-05:00

Welcome Back!

Today's Announcements.

April is National Poetry Month...check out the challenge I have accepted! Will you join me?

New Blog Topic #2: Read this poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay." Then for the next two weeks observe nature, reflect on the meaning of this poem in regards to nature and yourself, and then compose your thoughts in your blog.

Materialism Unit...continues.

Research Paper

Remember, you, as a class, are writing one research paper. You, individually, are responsible for writing one Roman numeral of this paper/outline.
Today choose your topic and add to the Google Doc that I have shared with you. Click here and here to begin researching your topics. Only one person per topic!
Reminder: Your Roman numerals must be parallel.
Once you have chosen your topic, research your selected topic. REMEMBER: your sources must be VALID. Define valid.
Now tag a minimum of three sources in Delicious as Eng11Research1A or Eng11Research1B. By tagging your sources in this manner, all the sources for this paper will be located in one place.
May need to refer to your Digital Fingerprint handout for login/password info to your Delicious account.
MUST have your three/four sources when you come to class next time!

Vocabulary

List of words and definitions here.
Study chapter one for next class.

Homework:

Sources due next time!
Quiz on chapter 1 words next time!

Today's Menu ~ March 17 -18

2010-03-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today's Announcements.

NEW Blog Assignment: Today's is St. Patrick's Day...reflect on what this holiday means to you.

Check out a book for your out-of-class read!

Happy Spring Break! Enjoy!

Where Are Your Blog Posts?

2010-03-15T00:25:00.001-05:00

Please click here to take the BHS Student Survey and click here to take Survey 2...thanks!

You should have had five blog posts this nine weeks! The most I can find on anyone's blog are three!

HELP!

Topics: More on these topics may be found in on the blog posts on which they were assigned.

Olympic-size commitment
Topic of choice with link to another source
In-class read: The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, or Silas Marner
Civil Wars
Out-of-class read (second half of the third nine weeks)

Congratulations to the Newspaper Staff and Yearbook members and broadcasting class for representing BHS at the Journalism and Broadcasting Day at ASU on Saturday! Two first-place wins, four third-place wins, and two honorable mentions! Congratulations, Sara Elgin, Hannah Sturch, and Keri Rogers!

TODAY's Menu ~ March 15-16

Today's Announcements
Work on your blog posts until 8:45 - then put up the minis. DO NOT COPY/PASTE...do not waste my time. If your book reviews even sound like someone else wrote them, I will NOT grade them. Thanks!
Finish the movie. Turn on the LCD for Mrs. Staggs; the movie is in my computer. May turn the movie on by going to "My Computer" and right clicking on "D" drive. Select play. They should have no more than 30 minutes left of the movie to watch today. Need to finish the movie today, for we will NOT have time to watch it during the next class time!
NEWS about our class-size research paper; the class will write one research paper on the Rip Roarin' 1920's...you will be assigned one Roman numeral on this research paper. Begin to brainstorm and research what aspect of the 1920's you would be most interested in learning more: cars, fashion, music, technology, economy, governmental isssues...remember you may only choose one subtopic to research (I will have a list of topics in class next time). Each of you will need four sources.
READ: you will be required to read four out-of-class reads this nine weeks! Please have a novel chosen by next class time!

Today's Menu ~ March 11

2010-03-11T08:03:00.000-06:00

Here are today's announcements.

THANK YOU!

You made me so proud the last two days....you worked hard, and I appreciate it!

Today...

Music video
Movie!

Today's Menu ~ March 5 and 8

2010-03-05T09:41:00.000-06:00

Today's announcements.

Literary term review...continues.

Review Grammar/Writing terms. Create four multiple-choice questions.

In groups, create an outline for an EOL writing prompt.

Homework assignment: Get plenty of sleep on Monday night! Think positive. Do your very best on the test!

Today's Menu ~ March 3-4

2010-03-03T08:06:00.000-06:00

Today's announcements...here!

Literary Terms...daily quizzes continue.

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday yesterday:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent.
~Dr. Seuss

What figurative language term in used within these quotes?

Your inference example...due!

You have submitted your essay...yes? Cover/outline/essay past due!

Review clauses.

Review this PowerPoint on clauses and take this quiz.
Adverb, Noun, and Adjective Clauses
Remember a variety of sentence types is needed on your essays on the EOL!

Further review:

What mood is this sentence? I wish I were able to score 4's on all your tests for you!
How might we put this sentence in active voice? The scores were released by the testing company.

Check out these writing prompt responses...what does it take to score a 4?

Menu for Tuesday and Wednesday? So far...

Tuesday: Chili Cheese Dip/Chips, Cheesecake, No-Bake Cookies...and?
Wednesday: Little Smokies....and?

Today's Menu ~ March 1-2

2010-02-28T22:59:00.000-06:00

Happy March!

Click here to read today's announcements.

Literary Terms...part 3.

Read this article. Make one inference for each of the following: Jerome, his coaches, and his mother. Find one piece of evidence to support each.

GRAMMAR TIME:

Active/Passive Voice
Indicative/Subjuncive Mood
Fluency, style, and diction
Continue clauses.

Homework:

Find an article online. Read it. Make two inferences. Underline or bold your support. Email to mrsg.homework@gmail.com.
READ your out-of-class read!

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 26

2010-02-26T08:14:00.000-06:00

Check the grammar exercises.

Review literature terms...next part of test today!

Grammar:

Discuss adverb clauses. Check here for examples. Click here for a quiz.

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."
(Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture, 2008)

Essays due.

Cover Page
Outline
Essay
Formatted MLA page numbers.

HOMEWORK:

Continue to study your terms.
READ!

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 24-25

2010-02-24T08:11:00.000-06:00

Today's announcements.

Literary Terms:

Test ~ part 1 ~ Today!
Test ~ part 2 ~ Friday!

GRAMMAR TIME...complete the following and turn in today!

Diagnostic tests on pages 698-99, 726-27, 764-65.

Type your essay! Edit, revise...get ready to publish!

Today's Menu ~2/19 and 2/22

2010-02-19T08:14:00.001-06:00

Today's announcements.

If you are reading this and did not re-start your computer, please do so now! Cross your fingers...our Internet connectivity issues are supposed to be cured!

Grammar:

Writing multiple choice questions.
Sentence types. Click here to see definitions and examples. Click here for lists of various conjunctions.

TEST on literary terms next time! (HINT: are all your slides completed?!)

READ! You must have two out-of-class reads for your blog this nine weeks!

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 15

2010-02-14T20:54:00.000-06:00

Todays Announcements.

Writer's Notebook/Blog Topic: The Winter Olympics have arrived. Think about the commitment, the determination, the pressure, the privilege, the reward...that each will receive, whether the representatives come home with medals or not. Now ponder on this question:

For what would you make such a commitment? Compare this commitment to someone else who has made such a pledge.
Turn this question into a statement and reflect on it in your Writer's Notebook in preparation for placing an entry on this topic on your blog.
Yes, you may draft on your blog!

GRAMMAR:

When do you use who and whom? Click here to watch a video...I hope!
Define passive sentence.

MORE GRAMMAR:

Today, we take Part 1 of the Phrase test...look over your notes!

NOVEL:

Thus far, we have responded to three constructed response items and written two writing prompts on your assigned novel. Today, we we need to answer some multiple choice questions...yes, part three to the exam on this novel.
YES! Just as on the EOL, you may use your novel to answer your questions! Good luck!

HOMEWORK: Study your literary terms...test on definitions next time!

OUT-OF-Class Read: Please check out a book of your choice and be reading!

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 12

2010-02-12T20:50:00.000-06:00

Phrases: Part 1 Test today.

Novel: Part 2 test today...create two writing prompts.

To-Do:

Complete handout/review for phrase part 2 test.
Complete blog post.
Complete terms/definitions on Google Presentation.

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 11

2010-02-11T08:41:00.000-06:00

EOL Review

Writing Prompts...underline important info. Create mini outlines for three.

Your Novel:

Now create three EOL Writing Prompts for your assigned novel.
Multiple choice questions next time!

GRAMMAR:

Review phrases.
Test, Part 1: next time!

To-Do List:

Finish your literary terms on Google Presentation
Work on new blog post.

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 10

2010-02-09T23:01:00.000-06:00

Shhh...Silent Sustained Reading in progress.

Today's Announcements.

YOUR NOVEL: Test Part 1

TO-DO List

Definitions/examples due on Google Presenation by Friday!
Combine all parts of your essay (intro/body/conclusion), copy/paste into the body of your email, and send to mrsg.homework@gmail.com.
New Blog Post Topic: Topic of choice...must contain at least one hyperlink. Please bold one of each type of phrase (preposition, appositive, participial, infinitive, gerund).Here's a topic that's been on my mind...resumes and Facebook!

GRAMMAR TIME:

Review! See previous post for quizzes.
Phrase test on Friday!

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 4

2010-02-05T08:12:00.000-06:00

READ ~ test over novel today!

Today's announcements.

See previous post for new blog post assignment!

Grammar

Gerunds.
Watch this presentation on comma errors.

Essay! Draft due today! Email to mrsg.homework@gmail.com.

Your To-Do list:

Are all your terms defined on the Google Presentation?
Work on your new blog post assignment.
Be reading an out-of-class read.

1A Homework for Feb. 8

2010-02-04T09:35:00.000-06:00

Draft conclusion of essay.
Gerunds, pg 36, exercise 1, identify type of noun.
Test on content of novel.

New blog post due...Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 4-5

2010-02-03T21:17:00.001-06:00

Shhhhh...Silent Sustained Reading.

Today's announcements.

Review previous post...

Have you posted your civil war post?

Have you completed your definitions/examples of literary terms on Google Presentation?

NEW BLOG POST: Topic of choice...must contain at least one hyperlink. Here's a topic that's been on my mind...resumes and Facebook!

Last week was School Board Appreciation Week! Please go here and leave a note of thanks and then I will share this link with the School Board...a digital thank you!

Grammar:

Review gerunds.
Assign page 35.
Review phrases...take quiz...for practice for upcoming test! Quiz 1 Quiz 2 Quiz 3

Novel ~ Draft due last time!

Test on content next time! READ!
Discuss essay format...and content. Critique a sample essay.
Revise essay and draft conclusion for next class.

End-of-Level Reading Passage

Help! No one is including enough detail in the constructed responses!
Prepare for a constructed response on your novel test!

Today's Menu ~ Feb. 3

2010-02-03T08:16:00.000-06:00

Shhh...Silent Sustained Reading.

Today's Announcements.

BLOG POST PAST DUE...assigned January 12! NOW with this in mind, begin drafting in your blog a post on the topic of civil wars...could be about friends or family who do not get along, might be about the differences amongst political parties, or...you choose the topic! Intentionally include sentences formatted much like Hosseini's.

Literary Terms: post "duck" examples...work on for 10 minutes. Please be studying/learning these terms. Test next Tuesday!

Class Novel:

Test on content on Friday!
Essay: Body drafts due today. Let's discuss your content...then copy/paste your essay into the an email and send to mrsg.homework.com
Revise body and write your conclusion for Friday.

Grammar Time

Review participials.
Infinitives and Gerunds...assign...

Today's Menu ~ Jan.28

2010-01-28T08:11:00.000-06:00

Thursday...Mrs. Gillmore is not here = No minis today.

Essay drafts are due today! If typed, they may log into the journalism computers along the wall and email the essay to mrsg.homework@gmail.com
Get an orange grammar book...in the shelf in front of my desk. Complete the exercises in Chapter 19 (I think) on Phrases. Do one exercise on the following types of phrases: prepositional, appositive, participial, and infinitive. Hand in today!
Spend the rest of the class reading their assigned novels....must have them read by next class time!

Today's Menu ~ January 26

2010-01-26T07:56:00.001-06:00

Read!

Loading...

Today's announcements...click here to read.

If you chose to revise your introduction for your deportation essay, please email to me at mrsg.homework@gmail.com. Otherwise, I will grade your previous submission as your final. DUE next time: draft of the body of your essay.

Check your email for a Google Presentation that I shared with you on which you may add your ducky examples of your assigned literary terms.

GRAMMAR TIME:

Check out those infinitives!

Any predictions on the weather?

Today's Menu - Jan. 22 &25

2010-01-22T08:19:00.001-06:00

Click here to read today's announcements.

Check your email. Read your peer's introductions. Comment on three positive aspects and three changes you think need to be made. Then save the document and re-send to me. Thanks!

Check your email...again! I have shared a Google Presentation with you on which I would like for you to create examples of these literary terms.

Today's Menu ~ Jan. 20-21

2010-01-19T20:59:00.000-06:00

Click here to read today's announcements.

Finish "Wounded Wolf."

GRAMMAR TIME.

Participials

Infinitives

WRITING PROMPT FORMAT.

Draft introduction. Email to mrsg.homework@gmail.com
Draft body for next class.

Today's Menu

2010-01-13T08:32:00.001-06:00

Shhhh...Silent Sustained Reading in progress.

Click here to read today's announcements.

WRITER's Notebook:

Develop a theme for this photo. List two details from your life to support this theme.

TODAY's LITERARY TERMS:

Acrostic: Create an acrostic for your novel's main character and email to me at mrsg.homework@gmail.com
From the EOL Released Item: mood, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, nonfiction, biography, narrative, limerick.

GRAMMAR TIME:

Review Hosseini's syntacital style. Now, go here. Open the blog after yours on this list. Check to determine of this author mocked Hosseini's style: short sentence followed by a series of participials or phrases.

Participials: Let's get even more descriptive!

HOMEWORK: Read, read, and read! AND be sure your civil war blog post is posted by Monday evening!

Have a great three-day weekend!

Today's Menu

2010-01-12T14:30:00.001-06:00

Shhhh...Silent Sustained Reading is happening!

MORE LITERARY TERMS:

King of the Mountain (photo by em'n'm): What is personified in this photo? To speak directly to this king would be an example of an apostrophe. (Click here for the definition.) Create an apostrophe with while also using the punctuation mark called the apostrophe! Email your example of this to me...please!

NEXT ACTIVITY:

Reread "John Chapman" and let's review the answers. No term terms from this passage!

GRAMMAR TIME!

Participials....

Check out Khaled Hosseini's syntax (add this definition to your literary terms):

The Kite Runner, Chapter Two, Paragraph 1
When we were children, Hassan and I used to climb the poplar trees in the driveway of my father’s house and annoy our neighbors by reflecting sunlight into their homes with a shard of mirror.

We would sit across from each other on a pair of high branches, our naked feet dangling, our trouser pockets filled with dried mulberries and walnuts.

We took turns with the mirror as we ate mulberries, pelted each other with them, giggling, laughing.

I can still see Hassan up on that tree, sunlight flickering through the leaves on his almost perfectly round face, a face like a Chinese doll chiseled from hardwood: his flat, broad nose and slanting, narrow eyes like bamboo leaves, eyes that looked, depending on the light, gold, green, even sapphire.

I can still see his tiny low-set ears and that pointed stub of a chin, a meaty appendage that looked like it was added as a mere afterthought. And the cleft lip, just left of midline, where the Chinese doll maker’s instrument may have slipped, or perhaps he had simply grown tired and careless.

NOW with this in mind, begin drafting in your blog a post on the topic of civil wars...could be about friends or family who do not get along, might be about the differences amongst political parties, or...you choose the topic! Intentionally include sentences formatted much like Hosseini's.
Homework:

Finalize your blog post.

Read for Friday, January 15:

The Kite Runner: thru page 142
A Thousand Splendid Suns: thru page
Silas Marner: thru page 52

Today's Menu...

2010-01-11T08:12:00.000-06:00

Click here to read today's announcements.

Today's Literary Terms:

Snow Cap (photo by Ivly): Discuss the pun intended and create one using the word cap or another word of choice. Check here at Pun of the Day for more examples.

Lit Circle Time:

Gather in your circles and discuss the main events of today's reading. Then, individually complete the next bullet.
According to dictionary.com, prediction means "something foretold or predicted; a prophecy." Click here and complete this form and email to me at mrsg.homework@gmail.com. That's right...no answer is wrong as long as you base it on the text.

EOL Format Review: Add these terms to your lit term list - irony, personification, and theme.

Grammar Time!

Look over today's packet.
Click here to learn more about prepositional, appositive, and participial phrases.

Grammar Time!

2010-01-06T19:09:00.000-06:00

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TWO NOTEBOOK ASSIGNMENTS:

In your LITERARY TERMS Section, define symbolism (the use of objects to represent something else. For example, a red rose might symbolize love). Then check out this photo...Snow Train Express Winter (photo by Mieke Photos): Discuss what the color red might symbolize in this picture.
Then in your WRITER'S NOTEBOOK Section, define cinquain (A five-line stanza of syllabic verse. The five lines have, respectively two, four, six, eight, and two syllables.) Then create a cinquain about your duck. Click here to review Ducks Galore project and here to read my cinquain.

As time permits, please place a photo of your duck on the class wikispace at Cafe English 11.

Now let's hand back papers, so we can get them all filed away!

Today, you will need a set of earphones...box by the door.

APPOSTIVES:

Then click here to listen to a podcast reviewing appostives.

Homework: Read! Due Monday...

The Kite Runner: page 48
A Thousand Splendid Suns: page 56
Silas Marner: page 30

Have a great weekend!

Welcome Back!

2010-01-04T21:18:00.000-06:00

Click here to read today's announcements.

Over the next two-to-three weeks, we are going to be reviewing and studying phrases, clauses, and sentence structure. While we are doing this, please check out one of the following novels at Cafe 16 Library.

A Thousand Splendid Suns (all checked out!)
The Kite Runner
Silas Marner