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.

Quiz day!

Today we reviewed test-taking tips from our last test.

Then we took a quiz on Speak, pp.1-65.

Homework:
1) Take your book home in case we have a snow day. By Monday: pp. 66-92.
2) Bring two objects to class that you are willing to donate (permanently) to the class. Make sure they're appropriate, legal, and not food or a biohazard. Within those limits, the stranger the better. EC for extra objects or extra weirdness.

Time to do some work

Today we journaled for 10 minutes.

Then we completed the exercise "Left Out" on page 24 of "Writer's Choice."

Then we had time to begin the reading for tomorrow through p. 65 -- We have a quiz tomorrow!

Quote sandwiches

Today we began class by discussing Speak (for points) and then we had time to get in our literary technique groups and find more examples of our assigned literary technique.

Then we got a handout to review how to make a quote-analysis sandwich, or, in otherwords, how to write a really good paragraph of analyzing a quote.

Our homework is to practice analyzing one of our literary techniques using the sandwich organizer.

Isn't it ironic?

Today we learned about irony. We added the definitions of situational, verbal and dramatic irony to our cheatsheets and then (for points) pulled out examples from Speak. We also turned in the homework reading guide from over the weekend.

Homework was a small slip with 4 questions for tonight's reading: pp.36-46 of Speak

Make-up Opportunity

Today we began class by journaling.

Then we reviewed how to earn back points for wrong answers on a test. Students need to write out why the right answer is right and why the wrong answers are specifically wrong. Everyone divided into pairs to do this for one of the questions of the test.

We will share these answers and continue to earn back points as time permits. 4th block did not use their time wisely and did not get to share any, but 6th hour did get to start the sharing.

The reading for the weekend is pp.13-36 in Speak and there was a worksheet that you should have picked up to go along with the reading. It will be due when you walk in the room on Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Creatively thinking about Speak

Students turned in their homework (the guided reading worksheet).

Then we did a creative activity where students could choose to write, draw, talk or graph about ideas in Speak. This activity was due after 15 minutes.

Finally, Mrs. Gilbert modeled what our "big" project will be for this book: a literary style presentation. Students got in groups of 1-3 and signed up for which term they will be responsible for presenting on. The presentations are not due until we're finished with the book, but the homework for this evening was to find one example from last night's reading.

A new beginning

Today we began class by organizing our 3-ring binders. Students who were not prepared with a binder were temporarily given one and must either 1) pay $1.25, 2) work off the binder with a 15 minute detention, or 3) bring in their own binder and return Mrs. Gilbert's in reusable condition.

Then we did a pre-reading worksheet for our new novel, Speak, and shared our answers. We also picked up a reading schedule for Speak (there is homework reading every Monday, Wednesday, and weekend).

Finally, we got a reading guide for tonight's reading of Speak, pp.3-13.

Complex sentences!

Today we took notes on and practiced complex sentences. Students were to take home the worksheet we completed in class over the last two days and use it to find samples of compound and complex sentences in books, magazines, newspapers or the internet. Everyone needs to bring in 3 of each pattern (#2, 3, and 4) that we went over. This is due Monday.

Don't forget to have a 3-ring binder and journal by Monday as well!

From Malcolm to beyond

Yesterday we turned in our Malcolm X projects and our books as we wrapped up that unit. We also discussed some changes in the class structure:
1) 3-ring binders are a requirement, and will be checked regularly.
2) journals are a requirement, and we'll be writing in them regularly.
3) participation when sticks are pulled will be required to get full participation points for the week.
4) disruption of others working will be result in removal from the room after two warnings and may result in future seating chart changes (e.g. getting to work in a corner by yourself)

Today we began a worksheet on writing compound sentences. We took notes today and ended by writing practice compound sentences. Tomorrow we'll go on to complex sentences.

Testing

Yesterday and today we took a common assessment (test) for Sophomore English.

At home, you should be reading the last chapter of Malcolm X and wrapping up the little project on it. They are due tomorrow.

The end of Malcolm X

Today we finished the Malcolm X movie and we received the final assignment for Malcolm X.

Homework (due Wednesday of next week): Read all of chapter 19 (pp.398-418) and complete one of the project choices (and the project will be loaded onto the website by Saturday if you lost the instructions).

Next week Monday and Tuesday we'll be doing a test over the skills and terms we learned this past quarter so be here and be prepared!!!