Thus Endeth Candide

Today we wrapped up our discussion of Candide, I collected study guides and Candide questions, and then we had the pressure comp.

Bring King Lear tomorrow.

But What About the Garden?!

Today I gave you the rest of the information for the HSU form and collected some of them (they are due Friday). We finished up the Candide satire CRA discussions and moved on to some final questions. We discussed some of these and I will collect them with study guides tomorrow before the PC.

HSU... Finally

We began the day by filling out HSU forms for concurrent enrollment. Completed forms are due Friday, please.

For the rest of the period, we continued our discussion of various satirical passages in Candide.

On Translation and International Law

Today we spent a few moments in groups and then circled up and began informal presentations of the CRA passages. These will continue tomorrow.

SG & PC 1/15

The Fine Distinction Between a 5 & a 6

Today we finished the norming activity and spent a few moments at the end of class working on the CRAs in groups.

HW CRA paragraphs are due Monday.

Fun with Norming

Today, after a brief discussion about upcoming books and missing poetry project assignments, we spend the period reviewing the HSU Portfolio Scoring Guide and reading three example portfolio papers.

Voltaire's Satire

Today we talked a bit more about Candide in general and then I assigned the Candide Satire CRA. Students worked on this for the rest of the period.

HW Students should be through #3 on the CRA handout.

Today we reviewed the uses of the apostrophe (sadly, it seemed we needed it). We talked about the essays at some length and then turned our focus to Candide.

Apostrophes, Paper Talk, & Candide

Today we reviewed the uses of the apostrophe (sadly, it seemed we needed it). We talked about the essays at some length and then turned our focus to Candide.

Welcome Back. Here's Your Quiz.

We began the day with a quiz on Candide, old-school style. Then, after going over the quiz, I briefly mentioned the essays (which will be returned tomorrow) and we talked a bit about satire.

Goodbye to the Monster

Today we wrapped up Frankenstein with a pressure comp.

We finished the period by talking a bit about our next book: Candide.

HW: Read Candide (all of it) and post twice to GC before January 5th.

Have a good break and a happy holiday!

Essay Analysis

After one final poetry presentation, we spent the day working on essay analysis. We didn't finish, but the assignments is at the handouts page (here).

PC & SG tomorrow!

More CRA Work & New Due Dates

Today we had two more poetry presentations and then continued work on the CRA paragraphs. These should be finished in some form by tomorrow's class.

New Due Dates:

• Frankenstein PC and SG 12/19
• Essay Final Drafts preferably 12/19 or 12/24 via GC drop box

CRAs Continued

Today we had two more poetry presentations and students began working on their CRA paragraphs. More tomorrow.

Two For One

Thursday:
Today we had two more romantic poetry presentations, had an impromptu lecture on essay structure, and got started on a CRA for Frankenstein (I doubt most folks got farther than choosing a passage of 8 to 16 lines to analyze).

Friday:
Today was spent entirely in paper response. Remember, now would be the time to post revised papers to GC if you want my feedback.

Poetry Presentations

Today we began poetry presentations and spent the rest of the day talking about Frankenstein as an example of romantic-era writing.

Frankenstein Begins

Today we began with a brief quiz, followed by an open discussion of Frankenstein.

Poetry presentations begin tomorrow.

Final Work Day

Today we talked a bit about our May trip to Ashland and then spent the rest of the period working on poetry presentations. Poetry presentations begin Wednesday.
Expect a Frankenstein quiz tomorrow.

Work Time

Today we spent the period working on the romantic poetry project.
Essay topics are due tomorrow in class.

Essays, Essays and Romantic Poetry

Today we talked a bit about the returned autoethnographies, especially regarding the rubric (available at GC) and grading. I then assigned the next essay and the Romantic poetry project (both handouts at GC), which we will spend the next few days working on in class.

The Sonnet: A Review

Today we briefly ran through the characteristics of the sonnet (Italian and English). I also briefly mentioned the next major paper (more on that tomorrow).

Essay #2 Due Dates:

• Topic/Thesis 12/5
• Complete, typed draft in class (with cover) 12/12
• Final draft (with cover) 12/19

Final Faulkner Freakiness

A remarkable amount of stuff happened in the first few minutes of class today. Then we wrote about Faulkner for forty minutes.

HW: Read the first half of Frankenstein (through chapter 11) and post at least once at GC by 12/1

Final Faulkner Discussion

As usual, we have run out of time with much more to say, but such is life. I collected Faulkner worksheets and and the Faulkner questions.
PC and study guide tomorrow.

Poetry with Tim'm West

Today we wrote a bit of poetry with our special guest Tim'm T West. We will revisit the work we did after Thanksgiving break.

Tomorrow: Back to Faulkner

A Plethora of Poems

Today we finished up the poetry presentations and spent a bit of time on Faulkner.

New dates:
11/19 Tim'm West
11/20 More Faulkner & Some PC Review (Questions and Faulkner Worksheet Collected)
11/21 Faulkner PC & SG

Poor Anse

After three more poetry presentations, we spent the rest of our short period discussing the Faulkner discussion questions. More tomorrow.

More Poetry and Faulkner Discussion Qs

We began the day with three poetry presentations and then spent the rest of the period working on some Faulkner discussion questions (available here).

HW Faulkner questions due Monday.

Poetry Presentations & Going to Town

Today we had our first three poetry presentations (way to set the bar high!), and then spend the rest of the time on Faulkner.

Dewey Dell, Darl, and Poetry Projects

After spending roughly half the period discussing Dewey Dell today, we spent the rest of the period finishing up poetry projects, which begin tomorrow.

MLA Madness

Today we spent entirely too long gathering and collecting final draft essays. By the time we did that and had the Faulkner quiz, the period was over.

MLA format revisions are due Wednesday if you need to make them.

More Work Time

Today groups moved to computers and continued work on the project. We will carve out a bit more time to finish these next week.

Poetry Work Time

Students spent the period working on the poetry project.

Washington DC folks: You may certainly have an extension (which, I gathered from your rather rambling, but endearing, phone message, is what you want). I do worry that you will become buried under a ridiculous pile of work if you are not able to do some of it while you are absent, but, ultimately, this is your choice and your problem. ;-)

The Poetry Project Begins

Today we reviewed poetic meter a bit and then I introduced the poetry project (available here). Those of you in DC should form your own groups and do what you can. If you don't have PowerPoint access, you may simply do a more "old school" visual aid that fulfills the same purpose.

Metrical Madness

We started the day by actually reading the announcements, and then continued our discussion of As I Lay Dying for a few minutes. The rest of the period we practiced some mnemonic devices to help students remember the different metrical feet. Expect a short quiz on these tomorrow.

Flurry of Faulkner Fury

Today we began with a warm up, finished response groups and then spent the period in a lively discussion about As I Lay Dying.

Response Groups

We spent the whole period in response groups today. Students who didn't get to read will read their papers Monday.

Final drafts will now be due 10/17.

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