9/29 English 9HP

We continued our discussion of Kindred: Dana's fear sends her back to 1976, and she and Kevin discuss the whole issue of survival. They debate whether Dana is equipped to survive that era. Kevin says, "Your ancestors survived that era--survived it with fewer advantages than you have. You are no less than they are" (51). Dana thinks "[her] ancestors had to put up with more than [she] ever could" (51). We discussed whether a modern person, like Dana, is in fact advantaged when traveling to this era. I read an interview with Octavia Butler in which she echoes Dana's perspective and discusses her reasons for writing Kindred: Would a character who has knowledge of the present survive so very well in the antebellum South?

(Due 10/1)

Homework: Reread pages 52-57 of "The Fall." Read your independent book!

9/29 English 10HP

After checking out copies of Oedipus from the textbook room, we had our first agree/disagree discussion, using the statement: "The unexamined life is not worth living." I told you the story of Teiresias, the blind prophet, and we thought about what the story says about the value of finding the truth. His story parallels Oedipus' story in some ways. Oedipus thought he could see, but he was blind to his internal self.

Homework: Read your independent book!

9/26 English 9HP

We continued our discussion of Kindred, discussing the character chart, what we learn from the conversation between Dana and Rufus, the scene Dana witnesses at Alice's cabin, and some characteristics of slave life.

(Due 9/29)

Homework:
Write one full paragraph describing Dana and Kevin's conversation about "survival" (51). What are their ideas?
Write another paragraph on the following: If you traveled back to 1815, what would life be like for you? How would you survive?

Obtain your independent reading book and begin reading!

9/26 English 10HP

I introduced your two-part Independent Reading Project, due on Halloween.

To begin our study of Oedipus and Things Fall Apart, I defined tragedy in classic literary terms. We discussed how almost everyone uses the term "tragedy" loosely. After I presented you with several scenarios, you determined whether each was a tragedy by our definition or a catastrophe, a horrible event that does not fit the classical definition. Finally, we read a newspaper article that explained one of the real-life tragic scenarios.

Homework: Obtain your independent book and begin reading. And don't forget to bring your id card on Monday!

9/25 English 9HP

I introduced your two-part Independent Reading Project, due on Halloween.

We discussed Kindred, its attention-grabbing Prologue and the section entitled "The River," where we get a few hints about Dana's time travel. I noted that much of the book is a flashback; we feel compelled to discover "the truth" about how Dana lost her arm. You recorded an historical timeline in your notes, and you completed a chart, identifying characteristics of some of the book's main characters: Rufus, his mother, and his father.

Homework: Review "The Fire." Finish the chart if you didn't already finish it in class. And if you didn't check out an independent book from the library yesterday, please obtain one no later than Monday. Finally, begin reading!

9/25 English 10HP

Using The Three Simple Steps of Literary Analysis, we determined themes of The Chosen. Afterward, you worked in small groups to develop high interest thesis statements on ideas raised in the article we read about Chaim Potok.

Homework: If you didn't check out a book from the library yesterday, obtain an independent reading book no later than Monday. And if you have one, begin reading!

Independent Reading

I am out ill today with some sort of virus (sigh). I hope to be back tomorrow.

Ms. Bart-Bell, the school librarian, gave a book talk today and helped you select your first independent reading books. For 10HP'ers, these books are tragedies to correspond with our study of Oedipus the King and Things Fall Apart. For 9HP'ers, the books are similar in genre to Kindred, science fiction books that involve time travel or historical fiction. Kindred technically falls into both categories.

Your independent reading assignment will be two-fold: a synopsis of the book and an extension of the material that shows your understanding of its key concepts and themes (more on this to come!). The deadline is Oct. 31, Halloween. So yes, you should begin reading!

Please bring both the core text we are currently studying and your independent book to class with you daily.

P.S. If you did not submit the extra credit, but you showed me a signature to indicate you attended Sonia Nazario's presentation last Thursday, you may still submit your review if you do so by Friday. Otherwise, you won't get any points, and that would be a shame.

Preparing for Back to School Night

You wrote a letter to your parent(s) or guardian, explaining what you are excited / apprehensive about in English class and what they can do to help you succeed this year.

In addition, we found a place in the classroom for your "old" portfolios.

No Homework...I can't wait to meet the important adults in your lives at Back to School Night!

9/22 English 9HP

We had our first agree/disagree-style discussion on the following statement: All (wo)men are created equal. You debated the issue, and we noted two distinct interpretations of the statement.

I introduced the setting of Kindred which is two-fold: Los Angeles during America's Bicentennial (hence the discussion) and the antebellum South, specifically Talbot County, Maryland, where the young Frederick Douglass once lived.

Homework: Bring last year's portfolio if you have it!

9/22 English 10HP

Ms. Wax-Gellis visited our class to inform you about the school's discipline code. You asked clarifying questions about school policy.

9/19 English 9HP

You worked in small groups, reading your baseline essays aloud and reflecting upon three questions:

1.) How did others solve the problems you faced as a writer?
2.) How are their essays similar to / different from yours?
3.) Do the differences make their essays stronger / weaker than yours, and why?

You evaluated your essay, using the SAT rubric, and you set one or two writing goals for the semester.

Reminders: Submit Sonia Nazario presentation review (extra credit) on Monday.
Bring your copy of Kindred on Monday!

9/19 English 10HP

I introduced The Bidlack/Thompson/Anderson Three Simple Steps of Literary Analysis, a tool for discovering the theme of a work:

1. Figure out who the protagonist is, using the four requirements of the protagonist and the PCAM diagram.
2. Figure out how the protagonist changes mentally.
3. From the mental change, figure out the themes.

We practiced the steps with the popular Dr. Seuss story, The Sneetches.

(Due 9/22)

Homework: Do The Three Simple Steps for The Chosen.
Reminders: Submit Sonia Nazario presentation review (extra credit) on Monday.
Bring your copy of The Chosen on Monday!

9/18 English 9HP

Ms. Wax-Gellis visited our class to inform you about the school's discipline code. You asked clarifying questions about school policy.

9/18 English 10HP

You worked in small groups, reading your baseline essays aloud and reflecting upon three questions:

1.) How did others solve the problems you faced as a writer?
2.) How are their essays similar to / different from yours?
3.) Do the differences make their essays stronger / weaker than yours, and why?

You evaluated your essay, using the SAT rubric, and you set one or two writing goals for the semester.

Making Connections

Calvin is ill, so I am home today. I hope to return tomorrow.

Today you made connections between Enrique's Journey and your other summer reading book, The Chosen (10HP'ers) or Kindred (9HP'ers).

Don't forget about the extra credit opportunity: Sonia Nazario speaks tomorrow night at Barnum!

Baseline Essay Preparation

Today I introduced "the gradesheet," an on-going record of assignments you have completed and points you have received in this class. Maintaining your gradesheet is not only your way of keeping track, but it is also your way of communicating with me about any potential discrepancies with my gradebook.

In addition, we had our second fishbowl discussion; everyone has played the "fish" and "researcher" roles.

Due 9/16

Homework: Prepare for tomorrow's baseline essay. You may use your two informal responses to the prompts, your copy of Enrique's Journey, and a prepared thesis and topic sentences. When I collect your essays, I will also collect these items (except for the book, of course!).

Playing Teacher

You scored and evaluated the SAT writing samples. After a lively discussion, I revealed their "real" scores. Our discovery: you are harsh graders!

Due 9/15

Homework: Write one page on each of the baseline essay topics (this an informal exercise to get you thinking about the two topics). Be prepared to discuss your ideas on Monday.

How Is My Thesis True?

After a short lesson, you created topic sentences for one of your revised thesis statements.

Due 9/12

Homework: Read and evaluate the four sample essays on the SAT writing prompt. Write one paragraph (four to six sentences), explaining the numerical grade you assigned each essay. Be prepared to discuss your conclusions tomorrow!

Using the Continuum

Today you worked on revising your thesis statements, using the thesis-opinion continuum. I modeled revision, using our beautiful Elmo! You noted the difficulty of creating a "high interest" thesis statement. On the first try, many of your creations were "opinions," stating the obvious or stating your opinion too generally or too specifically. But we made progress!

The Good News: You will not write the baseline essay until next week. More information to come!

The Plan for the Week

We attended Ms. Grande's book talk today. You asked great questions! Her story may come in handy for your baseline essay, which you will write on Friday. The baseline essay will be modeled after the SAT writing prompts, so after tomorrow's work (on thesis, topic sentences, and the structure of a body paragraph) we'll take a look at a sample prompt with accompanying essays.

Reminder: Tardy sweeps begin tomorrow, so be on time.

The Thesis-Opinion Continuum

Today I introduced the thesis-opinion continuum, a handy framework for evaluating and improving thesis statements (that my former colleague, Stan Bidlack, created). You created "high interest" thesis statements on topics and themes related to Enrique's Journey that we will evaluate in class on Wednesday.

Don't forget to meet in Barnum Hall tomorrow for Reyna Grande's visit. You may purchase a copy of Ms. Grande's book, Across a Hundred Mountains, for $13. To read a little about her book, take a look at her website (click on the link under helpful sites).

Our First Text-based Discussion

Today we had our first text-based discussion, using the "fishbowl" protocol. The "fish" set goals for subsequent text-based discussions.

Due 9/8

Homework: If you are reading this blog, you have already completed part of your assignment. Now take the poll on summer reading. And please don't forget to bring your required course materials on Monday.

The Real Work Begins

You learned a new reading strategy called "CAP." I tried out the Elmo!

Due 9/5
Homework: CAP the three articles on immigration and write a one-page response that explores the following question:

What do the texts (including Enrique's Journey) imply about immigration policy in the U.S.?

Day Two

In class, you composed letters, introducing yourselves to me. It is my first peek at your writing. I introduced myself to you, too, playing a little game called four facts and one lie.

Due 9/4

The homework: Compose your very own four facts and one lie. Shh! Keep the lie a secret.
Bring your copy of Enrique's Journey tomorrow. We'll have a short reading quiz.

Your First Homework Assignments

Due 9/8

Your first homework assignment is to obtain supplies for the course. You will need the following materials:

Required
composition book (reader’s-writer’s notebook)
binder or pocket notebook for handouts
a binder reminder
loose leaf paper, pens, and pencils

Recommended
calculator (for grade sheet)
highlighters

Due 9/5

Remember to bring your completed and signed contact sheet.