Periods 5 & 6 Home Learning for Break

During the holiday break, you must read the following:

• A letter from Abigail Adams to her husband, John Adams - Click HERE for Abigail's letter to John
• The response John Adams writes to his wife. Click HERE for his letter.
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton's "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions." It is on page 400 of the 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology book. If you don't have it, you can run a search online.
• You must also look at the following cartoon by clicking HERE.

As you read the above passages and look at the cartoon, be sure to draw parallels (and, possibly, note the contrasts) between ALL the author's messages, the cartoon, as well as Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Bring in these notes, the readings, and the novel when you return from break.

You must also answer the following questions:

1. What ethos does Abigail Adams establish in the opening paragraph? How do the questions contribute to the persona she presents?

2. What are some of the generalizations she makes about men and women (use quotes), and how does she make these statements without sounding accusatory or alienating her husband?

3. Based on the details John provides in his letter to Abigail, what can you conclude about his attitude toward her?

4. What do you think about when John tells Abigail the he "cannot but laugh"? Do you feel that is dismissing her suggestions for laws? Is he disrespectful to her? Explain.

5. Describe the overall tone of each of these letters. Based on the tone and the information in the letters, describe the relationahsip between John and Abigail Adams. If there is any, what evidence of intimacy do you find in each letter?

6. What is the analogy that Stanton sets up between Revolution-era Americans and women of her time?

7. Read Stanton's argument through her title: Why does she declare sentiments and resolutions? (Start by defining both terms.) How does she get from the former to the latter?

8. Look for three literary devices in Stanton's reading. What are they? Explain.

9. Create a diagram, table, or chart that shows the parallels and differences in the various readings, the novel, and the cartoon.

SMILE! I WILL MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Periods 3 & 4

Hey there, guys and gals! Over the break, I need you to pick up a copy of this book (The Freedom Writers Diary). It ranges from $10-$12 at most book stores, or you can borrow one from your local library or our very own media center. I am buying a class set of the Diary of Anne Frank, which we will use in conjunction with this novel. I know this will be an amazing experience for all of us!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BARNES & NOBLE SITE TO BUY ONE ONLINE.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO SEARCH FOR THE BOOK IN THE CATALOG OF YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY.

CLICK HERE TO SEE IF THE BOOK IS AT ANY OF THE LOCAL SCHOOLS, OR HERE AT HGHS.

Periods 5 & 6 - Due THIS FRIDAY!

For your homework tonight, you will create a 4-3-2-1 chart for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Create a chart that compares and contrasts the movie with the novel. You will need to address the following: 4 aspects of the movie that were not in the novel; 3 aspects in the book that should've been included in the movie ; 2 aspects of the movie you enjoyed; and 1 aspect of the movie you did not enjoy

Be sure to explain your answers. This is due on Friday, 12/18 when you walk in the door. This is likely to be the last of the grades you will get for this quarter. SMILE!

Periods 3 & 4

Here you go, guys. Sections I, II, V, VI must be completed by THIS Friday (the rest will need to be completed by January 4/5). Naturally, it will be for a grade (both times). I hope this helps you in your preparation. Be advised that I may add to it when we return from break! I love you!

Midterm Study Guide - English II Honors

PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE MAKING UP A TEST TOMORROW.

Some of you are coming in tomorrow to make up tests, but your absences are UNEXCUSED; therefore, you will not be able to make them up.

The following students requested a make-up test and have been approved to take it:
Chapter 5 & 6 - Rick, Maribel, Blanca
Chapters 7 -9 - Esther
Chapters 10-12 - Jessica

All others, you are out of luck; I'm sorry. I love you, but that is my final decision.

Periods 3 & 4

Click HERE to print the "There, Their, They're" worksheet. Please bring it to class COMPLETED on Monday and Tuesday. You write it out by hand (include the notes, questions and answers), or print it from the computer and just fill in the answers. Love you!

My students are the best. They're always trying their hardest in school and in their homes. There is a place in my heart for each one of them. (LOL!)

By the way, if you make a mistake with any of these three homophones when we return from break, you will write it out the notes portion of the handout 50 times. Therefore, be careful.

Periods 5 & 6

For those of you numbskulls (wink, wink) who have a quiz to make up for Their Eyes Were Watching God, the time to do so is at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, 12/15. If you are one minute late, you can forget it! Be advised that you can only take the missed quiz if your absence is EXCUSED...and you MUST post which quiz you're missing, so I know how many of you will be here. The post needs to be up by Monday at 11 p.m. This is your last shot to make up quizzes, or it's a ZERO, baby! I love you all!

Period 6 - Tests

Click HERE to access your vocab test.

Click HERE to access the chapter test for Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Some Words to Ponder - 5th & 6th period

Hey, guys and gals. I want you to read the quote below then write a carefully reasoned, persuasive paragraph (or two) that either defends, challenges, or qualifies the quote’s position. Use evidence from your observations, experiences, and/or readings to develop your position.

"Most humans [don't] love one another nohow, and this mislove is so strong that even common blood can't overcome it all the time." ~ Zora Neale Hurston

Try and limit yourself to 10 minutes, and be sure that it's grammatically correct and that your spelling is PERFECT! You must post your response by Monday night at eleven.

Good luck, and I really look forward to your responses. I want to be inspired!!!

LOVE YOU!

1960s Playlist - Periods 3 & 4

That's righteous, man! Here is a 1960's playlist just for you! If you want to listen, pause the playlist at the bottom of the blog. As you work on your 1960's projects and assignments, pull this up for a little inspiration. Totally rad! We are going to go ape for this lesson!

Periods 5 & 6 - Woohoo!

Here is your Their Eyes Were Watching God "blog task" for the week. For chapters 5 - 8, find one example from each of the tiers of syntax (way of organizing words, phrases and sentences):

Tier One - paradox, aphorism, cumulative, juxtaposition
Tier Two - antithesis, triadic, parataxis, freight-train
Tier Three - segregating, balanced, chiasmus, passive

You can use the Style and Rhetorical Appeals handout to the left for a review. This is due by THIS Tuesday by 11 p.m. for period 6; Wednesday at the same time for period 5. Remember to indicate the page number for each of your examples, and don't use the same one someone else has used. I look forward to your responses!!!

I'm out today :o(

Sorry, guys, but dad needs me today. He had a rough weekend, and I need to be with him to make sure he is OK. I will miss you terribly, that's for sure. Below is the work for the day that I want you to complete. Even though I am not there, I want your best! I will see you Tuesday. Until then, hugs and besitos! Love you all!

Period 2 – Turn to page 184 of your textbook, and use these definitions to complete pgs 70 & 71 in your workbook. Do all activities. (20 minutes)

Turn to page 72 in your workbook. Do all activities for pages 72 & 73. (20 minutes) Then turn to page 186 of your textbook. Read pages 186-197 (you can use the CDs that accompany the reading, which is in an Edge CD case next to my computer. (30 minutes)

After reading, the kids will work in groups. There should be 5 groups of 3 or 4, and each group will complete the following pages: Group 1 – Pages188 & 189; Group 2 – Pages 190 & 191; Group 3 – Pages 192-194; Group 4 – Pages 195-197

The task is that each group create a summary for their section. I want a new title for the assigned section, a one-sentence summary for their section, as well as three to five main points. Write it on a nice, white sheet of computer paper, add a graphic, and organize the info in a unique way. All work is due at the end of the period for a grade.

Period 4 – Students will work in groups to create a 4-3-2-1 chart for New Moon. Using the big paper (behind the bookshelf by the counter), create a chart that compares and contrasts the movie with the novel. On the chart paper, they will address the following:
4 aspects of the movie that were not in the novel
3 aspects in the book that should have been included in the movie
2 aspects of the movie you enjoyed
1 aspect of the movie you did not enjoy

Once they are done, they can share with the class, or they can wait until I return. After that, it’s Scrabble time (they MUST ALL play).

Period 6 – Turn in all vocab cards at the beginning of class. Be sure to include your name on the back of at least one of the cards.

In groups of four, the teams will complete the following tasks:
1. If chapters 1-4 were one chapter, what would the chapter’s title be?
2. Create a chart of 6 events from chapters 1-4
3. Write a nice, white sheet of computer paper, add a graphic, and organize the info in a unique way.
4. On another sheet, create a characterization chart for Janie, Nanny, and Logan Killicks. I want the physical description (quoted from the text); their mental, physical and psychological state; and their main motivation (so far). Again, make it unique!

Once you are finished, read QUIETLY! Your homework for chapters 5 & 6 will be on the blog, and you should expect a quiz on chapters 1-6 on Wednesday.

THANKS!!!!

New Moon Field Trip

Click here to see highlights from our New Moon field trip!

Thanks to Ms. Parra for making this Smilebox

and to all of the students and teachers who attended.

I am so proud of your outstanding behavior!

Periods 5 & 6

Here is your Their Eyes Were Watching God "blog task" for the week. For chapters 1-4, find one example from each of the tiers of literary tools:

Tier One - metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, oxymoron
Tier Two - personification, paradox, hyperbole, allusion
Tier Three - apostrophe, metonymy, pun, or irony (verbal, situational or dramatic)

You can use the Style and Rhetorical Appeals handout to the left for a review. This is due by THIS Sunday at 11 p.m. Remember to indicate the page number for each of your examples, and don't use the same one someone else has used. I look forward to your responses!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to wish my sweeties a very Happy Thanksgiving. Let's start an Attitude of Gratitude chain right here on our blog.

Click on "comments" below and state three things for which you are thankful (be different)! I already know you are grateful for your parents and family, your friends, and your AMAZING teachers (try not to laugh), but I want some original things. I will go first so you can see what I mean (mine may be longer since I talk a lot)! Be sure to read the various comments that are posted, and you will see that we have so MUCH to be thankful for, even the small things we take for granted!

I hope your day and weekend is filled with all the love and happiness your heart can handle, and all the food your tummies can take! Remember, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips! haha!

LOVE YOU ALL! Thanks for being the great kids you are! I am blessed!

New Moon Poem - Periods 3 & 4

I bet you can guess from the title of this post that you are going to write a poem for New Moon. Well, you guessed right...being the amazingly bright students you are. Here are the requirements:

• It must be a minimum of 14 lines.
• You will write your poem from the point of view of one of the characters.
• There must be a rhyme scheme (either ABBA, ABAB, or AABB).
• You must use at least five different literary tools (see our current list on the left).
• You must include the quote you are painting onto your shirt for our field trip.
• Proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization is REQUIRED!
  
• Your rough drafts are due Nov. 12 (period 4); Nov. 13 (period 3).
  
• Final drafts are due on Nov. 16 (period 4); Nov. 17 (period 3).
• Your final draft must include some graphic that relates to your poem

You may type your final draft and glue it on posterboard (or construction paper), or you can write it by hand NICELY and NEATLY on posterboard.

I truly look forward to seeing your work! I know it will be AMAZING!

HOMECOMING 2009

It's Homecoming Time! This year's theme is Mardi Gras, and it promises to be TONS of fun!

Monday - Flashback day (Wear clothes from your favorite decade.)

Tuesday - Cartoon Day (Wear clothing of your favorite cartoon character.) The faculty talent show is after school, and yours truly will be performing!

Wednesday - Pajama Day (There is no school that day, so you can sit at home all day in your jammies. LOL)

Thursday - Gladiator Day (Wear your favorite Gladiator shirt, or your green and black WITH your uniform pants.) The game is on this day at 7:30 at Traz Powell Stadium

Friday - Sports Day (Wear a jersey or tshirt of your favorite sports team. Jason Taylor, here I come!) Our Homecoming Dance is this day. Come out and have some fun!

When you dress up on a dress up day, I will give you Mardi Gras beads.

Periods 3 & 4 Reflections

In your literature circles today, you each had a role and you had meaningful conversations about quotes from New Moon, the characters, how this relates to our own lives and the human experience, among other topics. What I want you to do here is reflect on what you discussed. You can write about your role and how your circle members responded to your question(s), or you can reflect on the questions that were asked of you (or you can do both - LOL).

• Please be sure that your reflections are grammatically correct and that you use ALIVE words!!!!!
  
  
• Period 3's responses are due by Tuesday at 11:00 p.m.; Period 4's is due Wednesday at 11 p.m.

Periods 3 & 4 - This is for you!

Make sure you are caught up with your reading. You should have read up to the end of chapter 17 by next class (Monday for 3rd; Tuesday for 4th). Our activity this week is dependent on you having already read these chapters!!!!

I know you can do it! Nineteen days until we go see New Moon!!!!!

Periods 3-6: Trick or Treat Activity

As you walked into class today, you picked a piece of candy from the candy bowl. Did you know that what you picked says quite a bit about you? I know, SHOCKER!

Well, now that you’ve gotten the treat, you are going to do a trick and POST IT HERE.

Periods 3 & 4: In one paragraph, explain how the personality description of your selected candy bar resembles your personality. Explain with specific examples why this description is accurate or not. Use ALIVE words! In another paragraph, you will do the same for your favorite New Moon character. If he or she went trick-or-treating, which candy would he/she choose based on their actions, behavior, or powers? (You only get to pick one.) To support your answer, you will need to cite specific examples from the novel. Use ALIVE words! This is due Sunday by 11:00 p.m.

Periods 5 & 6: You are going to write a well-reasoned paragraph that challenges or defends the following quote: "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Remember to use examples from your experiences, observations or readings to support your answer. In another paragraph, explain how the personality description of your selected candy bar resembles your personality. Explain with specific examples why this description is accurate or not. (For 6th, this is due by Sunday at 11:00 p.m.; 5th period's is due by Monday at 11 p.m.)

BABY RUTH - Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm fuzzy items. You are a little nutty, but you are interesting to talk to!
3 MUSKETEERS - You are adventurous, love new ideas, are a champion of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up, you whip out your saber.
BUTTER FINGERS - Smooth and articulate, you are an excellent after-dinner speaker and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time.
SNICKERS – You are fun-loving, sassy, humorous. Everyone enjoys being around you. But you are a practical joker!
MILKY WAY - You are romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people and can be counted on in a pinch. You tend to melt in romantic situations. TWIX – You are sexy, always ready to give, very energetic, and you really like to get the most out of life. The opposite sex is always attracted to you. M & M’s - You are a very fun loving person who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you because you are a very warm-hearted person.
CRUNCH – You are happy-go-lucky. In a crunch, you are a person who is reliable and resilient. You persevere under stressful situations, but you can have fun at the same time.

Happy Halloween! Make smart choices this weekend, please!