A week in review...

This week we:
1) delivered our literary analysis presentations on Monday and Tuesday
2) brainstormed possible themes to explore in our literary analysis paper on Monday
3) began filling out the literary analysis outline on Tuesday
4) spent all of Wednesday and Thursday looking at sample outlines and working on them in class.

The outline was due on Thursday, although students who were not yet finished were encouraged to finish it over break.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Presentation prep

Today we took a quiz over the end of Speak.

Yesterday we had time to work in our literary terms presentation groups. That was our last chance to prepare in class -- presentations begin on Monday. Any handouts to be copies must be in no later than 11 a.m. the day of the presentation.

Remember that your handout must define your term, tell why author's use it, give 10 examples of it, and then 3 paragraphs of analyzing quotes (e.g. quote sandwiches)

Catch-up day

Since some of our classtime was used up by outside events, we used today as a "catch-up" day. Work was passed back and everyone got a list of what assignments they were missing. Tomorrow there will be a binder/neatness check and we'll have our last chance for groups to prepare for their presenations.

Friday there will be a quiz over the end of the book -- so keep reading!

Discussions & More Quote Sandwiches...

Today we used our discussion questions to have (gasp) discussions, and then we turned in the questions.

Then we reviewed some samples of good quote sandwiches and discussed the importance of them. During the last 15 minutes of class, everyone was to write one quote sandwich for the lit. terms presentation and turn it in.

How to...

Today we journaled and then we took notes on how to write good (high-level) discussion questions. Everyone must write 8 discussion questions for tomorrow and at least 3 of the questions must be over events that happen after page 150 in the book.

Lit. presentation prep

On Thursday we had an oral quiz over the pages 95-125 of Speak.

Today we journaled and then reviewed the requirements for the literary terms presentations. Everyone had time to work with their partner/group to get their quotes together for this presentation and 10 quotes were to be turned in by the end of the period.

We wrapped up with some open-mic time.

Symbolism part 2

Today, after journaling, we took a look at the symbolic art from another class and wrote them letters about what we think their art symbolizes.

We wrapped up the hour with some reading aloud.

Tomorrow you should be through page 125 and prepared to participate in an oral quiz.

Symbolic art

Today we tried creating modern art, just like Melinda in Speak. Then we talked about Symbolism and practiced analyzing it in writing.

Don't forget to do your writing & reading for tomorrow!

Speak sandwiches

Today, in groups, we discussed questions about the reading from Speak. Then, individually, we had to write up our answer in quote-sandwich form. Our homework: to write up an answer to another question (of our choice, from the list) in quote-sandwich form.

Homework will be due Wednesday. By Thursday, you should be through page 125 of Speak in time for a quiz.