Thursday, May 31, 2012

Senior English--6/1/2012 & 6/4/2012


Jump Off
—Open up your vocabulary book to pg. 117.  We will begin class today by going over the word list (our final unit of the school year!).  As we read through, you should be considering any tips/tricks for sharing.  Don't forget about our class competition for the quiz on Thursday/Friday!
—If you have not handed in your mini-research paper/if you did not present last class, YOU MUST SEE ME before the end of the day today.

S. the C. – agenda/rationale/HW, review sheet handed out/gone over

Transition – pick up the sheet entitled “The Three Questions” from the front table—read the directions and respond accordingly.

ActivityThe Three Questions
—share responses
—move desks—sit on floor for “story time”!
—read the back of the sheet
—read-aloud of The Three Questions—students respond to the three questions as directed
Transition – re-row desks, pick up sheet entitled “Discussion—up to page 272” from the front table, respond to final two questions

DiscussionThe Kite Runner up to page 272
—prior to forming a circle, read through discussion sheet and peruse the novel accordingly
Transition – form a circle
To discuss:
—back of the activity sheet
—items from “Discussion—up to page 272” sheet
—themes and reading notes
—Mr. Martin will be assessing discussion contributions

DEARTKR up to page 326

HW
—BRING YOUR VOCABULARY BOOK AGAIN NEXT CLASS for review purposes--the quiz will take place on 6/7 (6/8)--don't forget about our class competition!
—Prepare for the final exam—the end of the school year will sneak up on you!
—Read TKR up to 326 and complete Post-its/notes as per the directions sheet.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

English 10 Honors--5/31/2012


Jump Off – Pick up the grammar sheet about possessive apostrophes from the front table.  Quietly and independently read the instructions and complete the practice.

S. the C. – agenda/rationale/HW, “S” rules/go over J.O.

Transition
—Pick up the sheet entitled “Psychoanalytic Theory—Examining the Novel for Clues to Martel’s View of Religion”.  Read through the sheet prior to Mr. Martin assigning religions.

Discussion Preparation – Psychoanalytic Theory—Examining the Novel for Clues to Martel’s View of Religion
—assign religions
—independent work time (point out list entitled “Pay special attention to:” on the front board)—peruse the book/answer questions
—group work time—compare sheets/continue perusing the book and answering questions

Transition – form a circle

DiscussionLife of Pi up to page 239
—discuss Martel’s view of religion based on earlier class work
—continue discussing the novel through the lenses of different critical perspectives (Mythological/Archetypal Approach, Psychoanalytic Theory, and Formalist Approach)

Oral Reading OR DEAR OR Final Assessment Work Time

HW
—Continue working on the final assessment—the end of the school year will sneak up on you!
—Prepare for possessive apostrophe quiz next class.
—Read up to page 279 (end of CHAPTER 79) of Life of Pi and take notes for discussion as per your critical perspective.
—BRING YOUR VOCABULARY BOOK NEXT CLASS!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Senior English--5/30/2012 & 5/31/2012

Jump Off -- Take out your finalized mini-research paper and place it in the black basket on the front table.  Then, spend a few minutes looking back through your presentation notes prior to presentations beginning.  In scoring the presentations, I will be taking into consideration presentation length, content, and delivery.

S. the C. -- agenda/rationale/HW, establish presentation order

Presentations -- The Kite Runner Mini-Research
--point out information on front board about the final exam--review sheet next class

Discussion OR Oral Reading OR DEAR -- The Kite Runner up to page 272

HW
--Read TKR up to page 272 and complete Post-its/notes as per the directions sheet.
--BRING YOUR VOCABULARY BOOK NEXT CLASS!

Friday, May 25, 2012

English 10 Honors--5/29/2012

Jump Off -- Pick up and complete the Unit #9 vocabulary quiz.  Good luck!

S. the C. -- agenda/rationale/HW, trade and grade (quizzes collected)

Transition – take out materials for discussion, form a circle

DiscussionLife of Pi up to page 184
--continue discussing the novel through the lenses of different critical perspectives (Mythological/Archetypal Approach, Psychoanalytic Theory, and Formalist Approach)

Transition – re-row desks

Hooked on BooksLife of Pi up to page 239 (end of CHAPTER 62)
--Engage in independent reading.  Continue taking notes as per your critical perspective (Post-its, notebooks, etc. [you know the drill!]).

HW
--Continue working on the final assessment—the end of the school year will sneak up on you!
--Read up to page 239 (end of CHAPTER 62) of Life of Pi and take notes for discussion as per your critical perspective.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Senior English--5/25/2012 & 5/29/2012

Jump Off -- Five-minute study sesh followed by the quiz--Happy Friday!

S. the C. -- agenda/rationale/HW, trade and grade

Looking Ahead -- Mini-Research Paper/Presentation
--share what next class "will look like"
--quick review of MLA format, Works Cited, and parenthetical references
--show students grading chart for letter grades
--sample presentation (Afghans in San Francisco)--review C, M, A, P, P-S, and A--no more than 3 minutes per speech!
--mini-research papers are due for presentation to the class next time

Transition -- discuss common errors/notations, take back papers from manila folders, look through notations on previous writing assignment

Hooked on Books -- The Kite Runner up to page 223
--enjoy!

HW
--Mini-research papers are due for presentation to the class next time.
--Read TKR up to page 223 and complete Post-its/notes as per the directions sheet.

Monday, May 21, 2012

English 10 Honors--5/22/2012

Jump Off
-–Take out the final copy of the culminating assignment and turn it in by placing it in the black basket on the front table. 
--Take out your vocabulary book and open it to page 98.  Look through the word list and star any words that you think you know already.
--Pick up the “Final Examination 2012—Alternative Assessment Assignment Sheet” from the front table.

S. the C. – agenda/rationale/HW, go over word list, go through final assessment packet

Transition – group up based on critical perspectives

Group Discussions/Shares – Critical Perspectives (Mythological/Archetypal Approach, Psychoanalytic Theory, and Formalist Approach)
--go through close reading notes (HW from two classes ago) together to deepen understanding of critical perspective and prepare a share for peers (your goal is for everyone in class to have a general understanding of your critical perspective)
--deliver “shares”

Transition – take out materials for discussion, form a circle

DiscussionLife of Pi up to page 62
--Mr. Martin will be assessing discussion contributions

Oral ReadingLife of Pi up to page 184 (end of CHAPTER 52)
--continue taking notes as per your critical perspective (Post-its, notebooks, etc. [you know the drill!])

HW
--Unit #9 vocabulary quiz will take place on 5/29
--continue brainstorming for final assessment—the end of the school year will sneak up on you!
--by 5/29, read up to page 184 (end of CHAPTER 52) of Life of Pi and take notes for discussion as per your critical perspective

Senior English--5/23/2012 & 5/24/2012

WILL ONLY COMPLETE BOLDED ITEMS IN BLOCK 1 BDF/BLOCK 2 BDF

Jump Off -- Pick up the sheet entitled "Personal Connection Review--Unit #9" from the front table.  Complete the sheet quietly and independently.  We will go over these in a little bit as review via a drawing of cards.

S. the C. -- agenda/rationale/HW

Review -- Unit #9 Vocabulary
--go over some of the Unit #9 vocabulary words by drawing cards and sharing out

Transitions
--Pick up a reading from Mr. Martin at the front table and prepare for discussion via active reading
--Take out your copy of The Kite Runner and discussion notes/form a circle.

Discussion -- TKR up to page 100
--themes, reading notes, Essential Question applied to the novel, readings from transition, etc.
--Mr. Martin will be assessing discussion contributions

Oral Reading -- TKR up to page 165
 --re-row desks before class ends

Miscellaneous:
--"Let's Keep This Straight!" sheet
--Khaled Hosseini background
--Kite fighting video clip

HW
--The Unit #9 vocabulary quiz will take place next class--don't forget about our class competition!
--Mini-research papers are due for presentation to the class on 5/30 (5/31).
--Read TKR up to page 165 and complete Post-its/notes as per the directions sheet.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Senior English--5/21/2012 & 5/22/2012

Jump Off -- Open up your vocabulary book to pg. 98.  We will begin class today by going over the word list.  As we read through, you should be considering any tips/tricks for sharing.  Don't forget about our class competition for the quiz on Friday/Tuesday!

S. the C. -- agenda/rationale/HW

Transition -- take out "Illumination Paper--Mini-Research" assignment sheet/pick up aid and exemplar from front table

Looking Ahead -- Illumination Paper--Mini-Research
--revisit assignment sheet
--read through "Mini-Research Aid--Determining Source Credibility/Validity"--share UC Berkeley website (www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html)
--read exemplar
--talk about letter grading

Transition -- take out your copy of The Kite Runner and discussion notes/form a circle

Discussion -- TKR up to page 34
--themes, reading notes, Essential Question applied to the novel, etc.
--Mr. Martin will be assessing discussion contributions

Oral Reading -- TKR up to page 100
 --re-row desks before class ends

Miscellaneous:
--"Let's Keep This Straight!" sheet
--Khaled Hosseini background
--Kite fighting video clip

HW
--BRING YOUR VOCABULARY BOOK AGAIN NEXT CLASS for review purposes--the quiz will take place on 5/25 (5/29)--don't forget about our class competition!
--Mini-research papers are due for presentation to the class on 5/30 (5/31).
--Read TKR up to page 100 and complete Post-its/notes as per the directions sheet.

English 10 Honors--5/18/2012


Jump Off
-–Take out your rough draft work for the culminating assignment.  Re-read your work and make any necessary adjustments.
--We will reconvene in groups today, but before we do so, let’s talk about goals for the work block.

S. the C. – agenda/rationale/HW

Writing WorkshopThe Count of Monte Cristo Unit Culminating Assignment
--group work time—the final piece is due at the beginning of next class

Brain Break – Mum Ball

Transition – group up based on critical perspectives

Group Discussions – Critical Perspectives (Mythological/Archetypal Approach, Psychoanalytic Theory, and Formalist Approach)
--go through close reading notes together to deepen understanding of critical perspective and prepare a share for peers (your goal is for everyone in class to have a general understanding of your critical perspective)
--deliver “shares”

Transition – books and “Questions to Guide Reading” sheets up, read through questions to mentally align yourself with the lens through which you will read the novel, Mr. Martin clarifies (if necessary)

Oral ReadingLife of Pi up to page 62 (end of CHAPTER 16)
--during the reading of this novel, you must take notes (Post-its, notebooks, etc. [you know the drill!])

Closure – First Impressions

HW
--continue brainstorming for final examination—the end of the school year will sneak up on you!
--the final draft of the Culminating Assignment is due at the beginning of class next time
--read up to page 62 of Life of Pi and take notes for discussion as per your critical perspective

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Senior English--5/17/2012 & 5/18/2012

Jump Off -- Hand in your typed-in-MLA format writing assignment by placing it in the black basket on the front table.  I am looking forward to reading these!  While you are up at the front table, pick up the sheet entitled "Illumination Paper Research Topics."  Look through the sheet and put an asterisk next to any topic that seems interesting to you.

S. the C. -- agenda/rationale/HW

Activity #1 -- What Would You Do?
--while viewing the video clip, jot down answers to this question--what significant factors come into play in instances where individuals must decide whether to stand their ground or walk away?
--share the Essential Question for our final unit--jot down significant factors on the front board based on What Would You Do?

Transition -- materials up (copy of novel, Post-its, Post-it directions, and mini-research assignment sheet)

Oral Reading -- The Kite Runner
--"set the table" for our work with the novel:
*read Post-it directions sheet aloud
*read mini-research assignment sheet--topics selected via drawing of cards
*mini-research exemplar shared
--idea of "dipping in our toes"
--read-aloud:
*complete Post-its during/after reading

Closure -- Stop and Jot (for future discussion)/First Impressions

HW
--Read TKR up to page 34 and complete Post-its/notes as per the directions sheet.
--Feeling ambitious?  If so, get started on your mini-research!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Senior English--Theme Statements for Use in Writing Assignment

1.)  Revenge—In life, one’s want for revenge can lead to impulsive actions most often followed by negative consequences creating a cycle full of revenge.
2.)  Deception—The “truth” is not always true.  Often, when a person lies about something, the truth eventually emerges and negative consequences result.
3.)  Life and Death—Life and death are not always as simple as they sound.  Both are often corrupted by personal agendas and lies.
4.)  Infidelity—Infidelity appears in many situations and often causes a person to lose trust in another and therefore seek revenge.
5.)  Madness—A life filled with madness can often lead to horrible chaos and destruction due to impulsive decisions.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.)  Revenge—Many people feel the need to seek revenge.  A person may seek revenge due to wrongdoings to oneself or a loved one.  Additionally, a person may become obsessed with the need for revenge.  Yet, this yearning may cause a person to drive him or herself mad.

2.)  Deception—People often act deceptive to “get what they want.”  Since people tend to be deceiving, we should be aware of this fact so that we don’t fall victim to the consequences.

3.)  Life and Death—Death is an inevitable part of life; everyone dies eventually.  Although death is a great tragedy that causes much grief and sorrow, life must move on.
4.)  Infidelity—Infidelity appears in many situations and often causes a person to lose trust in another and therefore seek revenge.
5.)  Madness—A life filled with madness can often lead to horrible chaos and destruction due to impulsive decisions.