The Fish Bowl

Today we sat in a circle (the fish bowl) and practiced response groups. We will have actual response groups tomorrow, so make sure you bring your papers.

Getting the Measure of the Autoethnography

Today after the announcements, I gave out a brief chart to use while reading As I Lay Dying. We moved on to a brief Q & A about the autoethnography, finished up our discussion of "Reapers" and wrapped up taking some notes on meter in poetry.

Remember, paper drafts should be in class tomorrow.

Welcome to the World of Poetry

Today we began our first poetry unit with an introduction/review of terms. The notes are here.

Faulkner Intro

Today we talked a bit about Faulkner and As I Lay Dying. Bring Sound and Sense tomorrow.

New Due Dates:
As I Lay Dying

• through section 31 11/3
• finish 11/10
• Post to GC 11/3 and 11/10

Autoethnography

• Draft 1 w/ cover sheet 10/30
• Final draft w/ cover sheet 11/7

Friday=Homecoming Madness

Friday we finished the prewriting activity for the autoethnography (now up at GC with other resources). Then we did a bit of Free Rice.

The Autoethnography

Today we went a got our poetry textbook, Sound and Sense. We will need this next week starting Tuesday.
We spent the rest of the day talking about our first formal essay, the autoethnography. Check GC tomorrow for details.

Complete drafts due in class Thursday, 10/30.

Ceremonial PC

We began the day with some brief topics: controversial issues on the discussion board, PC revision extra credit, among them. I collected study guides and warm-ups and then we wrote the Ceremony PC.

The Final Ceremony... Discussion That Is

Today we wrapped up the Ceremony presentations and discussion. PC and SG tomorrow.

Let's Talk About Culture

So we began the day with the goal of wrapping up the Ceremony presentations today but were blind-sided by culture and spent the whole period discussing one question. Tomorrow we will finish the presentations. Really.

Pressure comp and study guide Wednesday.

More culture on Thursday.

Ceremony Presentations Begin

Today we circled up and talked about some of the Ceremony questions from Thursday and Friday. We'll finish presentations Monday and wrap up Ceremony on Tuesday. The PC and SG look like they will be Wednesday of next week.

Question Time

After the warm up (more figurative language), groups finished the Ceremony questions we started yesterday in class. Presentations will happen tomorrow.

Ceremony Groups

After a short warm-up today, we spent the rest of the day working in groups on some discussion questions (available at the handouts page). Groups got through about the first two questions. We will continue this tomorrow.

All About the Warm Up

Today we warmed up with a little quotation analysis from Ceremony. Then class was over. Crazy.

Ceremonial Quiz

We began the day with a short quiz on the second half of Silko's Ceremony, spent the bulk of class discussing the novel, and wrapped up the period looking at the last of the "Eleven" essays we scored Friday. I collected the "Eleven" essay plans and extra-credit essays.

"Eleven" Essay Norming

Today, after a short discussion of language appropriateness at GC, we read and scored three responses to the "Eleven" prompt we've been working with this week. We began discussing our scores and will continue this discussion Monday after the Ceremony quiz.

Cisneros was alluding to what?!

Today we finished picking apart "Eleven" and got down to the task of planning the essay.

HW Actually write the "Eleven" pressure comp you planned in class today. Spend no more than 30 minutes. Extra Credit.

More "Eleven"

Today we wrapped up the open sharing we began yesterday and began an unfeelingly analytical deconstruction of Cisneros' text, marking and identifying (if possible) every figurative and stylistic technique she employs in "Eleven." We will continue listing these on the board tomorrow.

When I was eleven...

Today, after adjudicating the tightly contested figurative language game and awarding prizes, we began our work with Sandra Cisneros' short story, "Eleven." After a quick-write (in warm-ups) about students' own experiences at eleven, we read the story together and began to share our thoughts about it.

Ceremony Quiz 1

We began the day with our first of two Ceremony quizzes. We spent the rest of the shortened period discussing the book in general.

Bingo?

Today we completed our wheel of figurative devices and moved on to figurative language bingo. Winners will be adjudicated Monday. Also, be prepared for a quiz on the first half of Ceremony.

More Fun with Figurative Language

We opened the day by analyzing an example of figurative language from Ceremony, and then spent the day filling in (and rather loudly discussing) the wheel of figurative devices.

New Assignment: Post at least once to the figurative language discussion board at GC (with a correct citation) by next Friday 10/10.

Figuratively Speaking

After wrapping up our introduction to Ceremony (held over from yesterday), we began what will be a multi-day activity to review/introduce major types of figurative language. Today we began playing with the "Wheel of Figurative Devices" handout.

Evolution and Ceremony

We began the day by reading and discussing Sherman Alexie's poem, "Evolution." We then transitioned into a short introduction to the novel Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko.

New Due Dates:

• Post to the Ceremony discussion board at GC at least once by 10/6 and twice by 10/13.
• Read roughly half of Ceremony by 10/6
• Finish Ceremony by 10/13

Antigone PC

After examining a few thesis statements from the prior pressure comp, we talked a bit about today's prompt and spend the rest of the period writing.

HW: Bring Ceremony tomorrow.

The End of Antigone

Friday we did a bit of writing about allusions from Antigone and wrapped up our discussion of the play with several quick-writes and subsequent discussion.

Pressure Comp and Study Guide Monday.

Stichomythia and Allusion

Today's warm up asked students to respond to the following: Examine the passage of stichomythia you chose for HW. To what effect does Sophocles employ stichomythia in this case? Explain in some detail, citing the passage as appropriate.

After discussing several of these examples, we defined the term "allusion" and set to work finding and examining an example of allusion in one of Antigone's choral odes.

Stichoma-what?

Today we began the day with a discussion of irony in Robinson's "Richard Cory." We then had a lively, yet moderated discussion of theme and introduced the term "stichomythia."

HW: Be prepared with your favorite example of stichomythic dialogue from Antigone.

More Irony

We began the day discussing irony with vague references to Swift's "Modest Proposal." Students then shared examples of irony gleaned from Antigone with the rest of the class.

For homework, students should simply consider the main themes of the play and how a 2500 year-old tragedy might apply in today's world.

Our 1st Quiz: Without a Trace of Irony

We began the day with a quiz on Antigone, talked a bit about the quiz and the relative merit (or lack thereof) of Wikipedia as a source, and then spent the remainder of the day discussing irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic.

HW: Find, in Antigone, an example of each type of irony. Quote and cite them on a separate sheet. Due 9/23.

@ GC: Find an example of any of the three types of irony in modern pop culture and post it to the appropriate discussion thread with a correct MLA works cited entry. Due Friday.

Introducing... The Greeks

Today we spent the period on an introduction to Greek drama, Sophocles, and Antigone.

HW Read Antigone. Yes, the whole thing.

The First Pressure Comp

After handing in study guides and dissecting the prompt a bit, we had the first timed writing test of the year today. It's over. Let it go.

We start the Greeks tomorrow.

Wrapping Up Wuthering Heights

We spent the bulk of today working on page two of the study guide, introducing several new terms, including framing, syntax, diction, register, and en medias res.

Study guides are due tomorrow followed by our first timed writing of the year.

Finally the Study Guide

Today we set the schedule for the rest of the week, wrapped up notes on the "Reading and Responding to Literature" article, and I finally handed out study guides. After talking about the first page, we worked on #6 as a group.
Tomorrow we wrap up Wuthering Heights and the study guide.

New Due Dates:

• Revised CRA 9/17
• Wuthering Heights Study Guide and PC 9/18
• Own Antigone 9/19
• Finish Antigone 9/22

Our First Quiz

We began the day with a quiz, and I checked the "Reading and Responding to Literature" notes (a double whammy for those of you who didn't manage to do the reading). WE spend the rest of the period taking notes and reacting to the article. Notes will continue tomorrow.

Defining Lit and the CRA Continues

We began the day reviewing the definitions of literature and literary merit that you researched for homework. This engendered a fairly heated discussion that we will continue on Monday after you have read "Reading and Responding to Literature" (posted at Global Classroom).
Next we presented a few more CRA paragraphs.

HW:

• Read and take notes on "Reading and Responding to Literature." Be prepared for a quiz. Due 9/15.
• Revise one of your two CRA paragraphs. Type it and hand it in with both roughs and your prewriting. Due 9/16.

Clear as a Foggy Day on the Heights

We began the day with a stimulating and potentially illuminating discussion of the distinctions among theme, thesis, and motif. Following this, groups met again and worked CRA #2, choosing one to present. Presentations will begin tomorrow.

The CRAs Continue

We finished sharing CRA #1 today, and then groups chose a passage for their second CRA. Draft CRA paragraphs with prewriting are due in class tomorrow.

CRA #1

Today we did some work in groups on the CRA paragraphs that were finished for HW. Groups then chose a spokesperson to share out the group's favorite paragraph. We will finish this sharing out tomorrow and begin CRA #2.

CRA #1

Today, after the course description quiz, we did a close reading of a paragraph of Wuthering Heights, following essentially the same three steps we did with Newton on day one.

1. Make a list of features of the paragraph that stand out.
2. Choose three that seem particularly interesting or significant.
3. Explain, briefly, why these features stand out to you.
4. Choose one feature and write a paragraph, quoting liberally from the passage, explaining how ONE of the features of the paragraph contributes to the overall message of Bronte's work, the tone of the passage, etc. In other words, Bronte chose to write this way. So what? Why does it matter.

Have draft of this paragraph in class tomorrow.

HW: Find credible definitions of the terms "literature" and "literary merit" and post them to Global Classroom. Be sure to cite your source or sources in correct MLA style. Due 9/12.

It's All About Character

Today we spent most of the day in what turned out to be a rather lively discussion of minor characters.
Expect a quiz on the course description Monday.

Wuthering Heights... Finally

We began the day with a warm-up about the title of the novel, and then, after the daily "stuff," moved on to a lively discussion of the title and the novel in general.

HW Read and contemplate the course description (available at GC). Expect a short quiz. Honor statements are also due if you have not yet submitted them.

Wrapping Up Newton

Today, after some first week business, we finished our discussion of Blake's Newton. We then discussed the summer assignment and I returned your projects.

Back to School packets from the office (given out today) are due Monday, please.

And so it begins...

We began the year writing about a painting. We will finish our work with said painting tomorrow.

Be sure to bring your Wuthering Heights materials.

HW: Find, Print, Read, and Sign the AP Honor Statement available at Global Classroom. Due 9/5.

Presentations Begin

Today we started final presentations.

Thus Endeth the Lit Circles

Today we had our final lit circles and I collected lit circle packets (all the day-to-day work from the project including warm-ups). The rest of the period was spent working on the final project. Due Monday.

Nearly the Last Lit Circle

Today we had our second-to-last lit circle.

Don't forget to hand in Sound and Sense.

Revisiting the 8th Grade

Today we spent the day reading and responding to 8th grade writing. The air was thick with nostalgia.

Some News

Today we talked about a few things to start the day, including a change in the lit circle schedule. Tomorrow we will not meet in lit circle groups. Instead, we will be responding to essays sent over by Mr. Feldstein's 8th graders. As a result, though you must still do your reading, you are responsible for one fewer lit circle HW assignment.

Other HW: Bring or return Sound and Sense.

Theme & Lit Circles

Today we began with a warm-up about theme and then went on to lit circles.

Let the Circles Begin

Today we had our first literature circles. All went well.

A Day to Debrief

We talked about various things today, from the AP test to the portfolio to Senior Class Night.

Bring your books for the final project on Wednesday.

Let the Testing Begin

Today we did a bit of question 1 essay practice in class, but as so many people were absent taking the government final, that's about all we did.

I did talk a bit about the book project in period six. More information to come later in the week.

Remember: AP Lit Test on Thursday!

Practice & Portfolio Numbers

Today we did a bit more MC practice and I handed out portfolio numbers. We spent the last 15 minutes of out short period in open workshop time.

Saying Goodbye to Mrs. D... Almost

More multiple choice practice.

Followed by Mrs. Dalloway discussion.

Followed by some question 3 practice with Mrs. D.

I collected study guides. There was no PC.

MC Practice & Mrs. D

We started preparing for the AP exam in earnest today with the first of several multiple choice sections (remember, if you want more, I have tons!). We spent the rest of the long period discussing Mrs. Dalloway.

Use This in Revision

"The poet uses…"

A challenge: Try to rewrite sentences without the word "uses." The poet doesn't really "use" diction and syntax or even imagery. Rather, the poet writes a poem and these elements help us to uncover the poem's meaning. The choice of "uses" or “utilizes” (as in "Dickinson's use of imagery" or "these poets use structure") is clunky at best and self-evident at worst ("uses diction”—we all do that). Think about the hundreds of papers AP readers read that begin with some variation of: "These poems use imagery, structure, and syntax to." BORING and not really an effective way to describe what poets do.

What to say instead?
"Dickinson's use of structure suggests that…" becomes "Dickinson's structure suggests…"
"These poets use point of view, imagery, and structure," can become "Through contrasts in point of view, these poets demonstrate..."

As you revise for the portfolio and prepare for the AP test, I challenge you to take every sentence containing "use" and re-craft it. Your writing will become sharper, stronger, more focused.

Welcome Back

Today I collected Mrs. Dalloway Journals and we had a brief quiz. We spent the rest of the time working on a short Mrs. Dalloway assignment (available here).

Keep working on those portfolios!

Dalloway PC and SG this Friday (4/25)

Enjoy the Break... Well the Revison/Study Time

Today we had the final poetry presentations, and I collected a rather intimidating pile of stuff to grade.

Priorities for Break:

1. Finish Mrs. Dalloway
2. Revise Portfolio Drafts & Begin Cover Letter
3. Study for the AP Test (Practice Test at GC)

The Big Poetry Test

I collected Mrs Dalloway journals today, unfortunately proving that most of you have put off reading the novel until break. After that, we took a practice poetry PC and talked a bit about active vs passive voice.

Friday's (Final) Poems:
p4: : "Mirror" by Sylvia Plath
P6: "i like my body when it is with your" by e. e. cummings

Lots due tomorrow:

• Poetry Annotations and Analyses
• Poetry CRAs
• Essay #3 w/ rough draft and cover sheet
  

Introducing the Introduction

We started the day with a poetry presentation of course, and then moved on to a discussion and analysis of the introductory paragraph(s).

Please read the portfolio handouts you were given Monday and bring any questions to class tomorrow.

Wednesday's Poems:
p4: : "you shall above all things be glad and young" by e.e. cummings
P6: "Morning Song" by Sylvia Plath

Poetry, Paragraphs & the Portfolio

Today we began with a poetry presentation and moved on to the colorful CRA paragraphs. Some groups finished. Near the end of the period, I handed out portfolio handouts. We'll go over them in some detail over the next few days.

HW: Bring thematic essays #s 1 and 2 to class for revision.

Tuesday's Poems:
p4: : "I Let Him Take Me" by Sandra Cisneros
P6: "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks

Paper Response

Today, after the poetry presentations, we used the remaining time for essay response.

Monday's Poems:
p4: : "Poetics" by Kleinzahler
P6: "The Dream Keeper" by Langston Hughes

Hysterical Little Clown...

Today, after the poetry presentations, we continued work on the CRA paragraphs from yesterday.

Essay roughs due tomorrow!

Tomorrow's Poems:
p4: : "Down, Wanton, Down" by Robert Graves
P6: "The Joy of Cooking" by Elaine Magarrell

Maggots, Evolution, and the CRA Paragraph

Today, after the poetry presentations, we took another look at the CRA paragraph. This look at the CRA will continue tomorrow.

Tomorrow's Poems:
p4: "Hysteria" by TS Eliot (see below)
P6: "Little Clown, My Heart" by Sandra Cisneros

Period 4 Poem for 4/3

"Hysteria"

By: T.S. Eliot

As she laughed I was aware of becoming involved
In her laughter and being part of it, until her
Teeth were only accidental stars with a talent
For squad-drill. I was drawn in by short gasps,
Inhaled at each momentary recovery, lost finally
In the dark caverns of her throat, bruised by
The ripple of unseen muscles. An elderly waiter
With trembling hands was hurriedly spreading
A pink and white checked cloth over the rusty
Green iron table, saying: “If the lady and
Gentleman wish to take their tea I the garden,
If the lady and gentleman wish to take their
Tea in the garden…” I decided that if the
Shaking of her breasts could be stopped, some of
The fragments of the afternoon might be collected,
And I concentrated my attention with careful
Subtlety to this end.

The Poetry Presentations Begin!

Today we started poetry presentations (they were fantastic!). We spent the remaining time walking around and responding to topics.

Don't forget your poetry HW tonight:

1. Paraphrase the plot of this poem. Briefly, what is it about?
2. What is the overall tone of the poem?
3. Note a few literary techniques stand out in this poem.

Period 4: "Ode to the Maggot" by Yusef Komunyakaa
Period 6: "Evolution" by Sherman Alexie

Final Poetry Work Day

Today we worked on projects and drew presentation order out of the sorting hat (complete presentation is available at the handouts page).

Essay Topics Due Tomorrow!

Don't forget your poetry HW tonight:

1. Paraphrase the plot of this poem. Briefly, what is it about?
2. What is the overall tone of the poem?
3. Note a few literary techniques stand out in this poem.

Period 4: "Woman" by Nikki Giovanni
Period 6: "Richard Cory" by E. A. Robinson

Work Time

Today we worked on the poetry project and I checked journals.

Monday is the last work day.

Essays and Work Time

Today we talked a bit about the next essay. The remainder of the period was spent working on the project.

Essay Dates:

• Topics Due 4/1
• Drafts in Class 4/4
• Final Drafts 4/11

Contemporary Poetry

Project assigned. Handouts online.

Introducing Mrs Dalloway

Today I gave an introductory lecture on Mrs. Dalloway. Notes are available at the handouts page.

New Due Dates:

• Dialectical Journal Daily
• 2/3rds of Dalloway 4/11
• Dalloway Finished 4/21

The Wait is Over

Today we wrapped up our always too brief look at Godot with a pressure comp. Study guides were collected as well.

Wrapping up Godot

Today we wrapped Godot, a bit hurriedly, but wrapped nonetheless. PC Monday.

Godot Finally Arrives.

Excellent and entertaining presentations today!

Preparing to Present Godot

Today we started by discussing the act one worksheet (though we applied it to the whole play. The class wrapped up with me assigning the Waiting for Godot presentation. Due Thursday.

Still Waiting...

Today we talked a bit about the second act of Godot, after a short quiz of course, and then spent a moment or two on the handout we started Friday.

HW: Please finish at least the chart part of the handout for tomorrow's class.

They do not move.

Today we had a short quiz, talked about hanging and mandrakes, and had a brief visit from Mr. Bressoud in period 6. We then started some questions on act 1.

Due Dates:

• Godot Act 2 due 3/17
• "Hollow Men" GC due 3/18

Nothing to be Done

We talked a bit about the Theater of the Absurd today, and, after the intro PowerPoint (available at the handouts page), we spend a bit of time reading Godot out loud and even watched a bit of the film.

Due Dates:

• Act 1 due Friday, 3/14
• Act 2 due Monday, 3/17
• Two Part GC assignment on "The Hollow Men" due 3/18 (evening)

Existential Essay Time

Today we finally took the long-awaited "No Exit" PC.

Bring Godot tomorrow. If he doesn't show up, at least bring the play.

A Day for Talking

Rather than write the pressure comp today, we spent the day in discussion. In fourth we talked through the powerful and thought-provoking themes of Bang, Bang, You're Dead. In sixth we talked more specifically about the symbols and motifs in Sartre's play.

Wrapping up Sartre

Today we did a bit of writing and a bit of talking about some key issue in "No Exit." Be ready for the pressure comp tomorrow.

Visions of Earth & the Food Motif

Today we finished our look at the three portfolio papers we examined yesterday, as well as talking a bit more about Sartre. More "No Exit" on Monday. PC Tuesday probably.

No Exit for Garcin & More Norming

We spent the first part of the period writing about and then discussing Garcin's inability to leave the room in "No Exit." The remainder of the period was spent reading and scoring three portfolio papers. We will discuss these scores tomorrow. Feel free to drop by and read the papers between now and then.

Entering "No Exit"

We started the day with a brief but fruitful discussion of Sartre's play. We then moved on to a short essay scoring activity where we examined a successful portfolio essay from a previous year. After scoring and norming, I returned papers (to everyone but four unlucky soul in period 6. Sorry.).

Tomorrow. More Sartre and more norming!

The Void Continued

Today we finished our discussion of existentialism and had a brief, but exceedingly pleasant visit from Cherie Z.

Looking into the Void

Today we began our look at Sartre, Existentialism, and "No Exit" with an introductory lecture.

New Due Dates:

• Read "No Exit" 3/5
• Global Classroom Assignment 3/7

Low-Pressure Pressure Comp.

Today we wrote about The Metamorphosis.

No Exit on Monday!

The Bug's Last Day

Today we looked explicitly at some of the study guide items, especially theme. We then examined the actual prompt in preparation for tomorrow's essay. It is:

Choose an implausible or strikingly unrealistic incident or character in a work of fiction or drama of recognized literary merit. Write an essay that explains how the incident or character is related to the more realistic or plausible elements in the rest of the work.

A Little Rock Opera & Free-Writing

Today we started with a bit of rock opera and transitioned into a discussion around these two free-writes (5 minutes each; collected at the end of class).

1) The Metamorphosis (or at least parts of it) has been called darkly humorous. Explore the possibility of humor in the novella.

2) Read this excerpt from a letter Kafka wrote to his father. How does it influence or inform your reading of The Metamorphosis?

"There is only one episode in the early years of which I have a direct memory. You may remember it, too. One night I kept on whimpering for water, not, I am certain, because I was thirsty, but probably partly to be annoying, partly to amuse myself. After several vigorous threats had failed to have any effect, you took me out of bed, carried me out onto the [balcony], and left me there alone for a while in my nightshirt, outside the shut door. I am not going to say that this was wrong—perhaps there was really no other way of getting peace and quiet that night—but I mention it as typical of your methods of bringing up a child and their effect on me. I dare say I was quite obedient afterward at that period, but it did me inner harm. What was for me a matter of course, that senseless asking for water, and then the extraordinary terror of being carried outside were Two things that I, my nature being what it was, could never properly connect with each other. Even years afterward I suffered from the tormenting fancy that the huge man, my father, the ultimate authority, would come almost for no reason at all and take me out of bed in the night and carry me out onto the [balcony], and that consequently I meant absolutely nothing as far as he was concerned."

Talking About the Bug

Today we had a long, open, and wide-ranging discussion about The Metamorphosis.

Plan for the PC and SG on Friday.

Welcome Back... with Bugs!

Today we to a beetle-infested quiz and talked about The Metamorphosis among other things.

Presidents' Week Assignment

Over the break:

1. Access and take notes on the introduction to Kafka's The Metamorphosis available at Global Classroom as a PowerPoint or at the Handouts page as a PDF file.
2. Read the novella.
3. Respond to the forum assignment at Global Classroom by class time on the 25th.
4. You may also respond to the optional forum as you read, and I have posted the complete text at GC as well.

Have a good break!

Thus Endeth Lear and the Play

Today we finished up act 5 and I collected character analyses and CRAs (w/ attached annotations).

Pressure comp and study guides tomorrow, and don't forget essay final drafts!

Storm Still

Today we finished Act 3 and went on to Act 4. Act five and a general Lear wrap up tomorrow!

Presentations Continue

We began act three in both periods today, thus, altered due dates:

• CAs & CRAs 2/14
• PC & SG 2/15
• Essay Final Drafts still 2/15

Keep the humor coming!

Today we started presentations nearly completing act 1 in 4th period and completing it with time to spare in period 6. Acts 2 and 3 should be ready for tomorrow.

Continuation of Work Time

The rest of the week will be devoted to the King Lear project. Presentations begin Monday.

Other Due Dates:

• Essay Workshop Responses 2/8, 11:55 pm
• Character Analysis & Passage CRAs 2/13
• Pressure Comp and Study Guide 2/14 (Tentatively)

Crazy Work Time

Today we worked on the project.

The Lear Project

Today I assigned the major group project on King Lear. Groups will have all week to work on projects. Presentations begin Monday (2/11), first thing. Groups have chosen acts and individuals should be choosing monologues tonight.

Groups:
P4
I~Travis, Russ, Val, Christina, Alyssa
II~Thomas, Teal, Drew, Shianne, Jaci
III~Matt, Julie, Kate, Hans
IV~Everyone Else
V~James, Coral, Morgan, Josef, Allison

P6
MaiLia, Marianne, Camille
Leann, Maia, Brandon
Orion, PahChia, Kavon, Elizabeth
Tessa, Sandy, Kelsey
Holly, Ethan, Betsy

Paper Response and PC Work

Today we wrapped up the PC work from yesterday and spent the remainder of the period responding to early drafts of paper #2.