English 9HP

I introduced your next independent reading book options; all deal with the theme: Science in the Service of Evil. I presented several scenarios to the class, and you determined whether each constituted an "evil" act. Then we visited the textbook room and picked up Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Homework:
Think about which of the three books interests you most. Talk with your parents, and make a decision by Monday.

English 10HP

We viewed three film versions of The Banquet Scene. You recorded your observations.

Homework: Literary Research Paper (due May 15)

English 9HP

Bookseller's "Day" Presentations

English 10HP

We continued our discussion of Act III, and I returned your thesis statements.

Homework: Work on your Literary Research Paper (due May 15).

English 9HP

5th Period: Bookseller's "Day" Presentations
6th Period: Child Soldier Guest Speakers

English 10HP

We read, interpreted, and discussed The Banquet Scene (Act III, scene iv).

Homework: Work on your Literary Research Paper.

English 9HP

Bookseller's "Day" presentations

English 10HP

We read and discussed four examples of Literary Research Papers. Afterward, you read and revised your thesis statements before submitting them to me.

English 9HP

I introduced the presentation grading rubric, and you spent the remainder of the period preparing your presentations.

Homework:
Prepare and practice your Bookseller's "Day" presentations (4/27-4/29).

English 10HP

You worked in small groups, editing Act III, scene ii. Then we debriefed as a class.

Homework:
Plow through your research and compose a thesis for your Literary Research Paper (due Monday).

English 9HP

I informed everyone of their assigned presentation days, and you spent the bulk of the period preparing those presentations.

Presentation Days: 4/27, 4/28, & 4/29

English 10HP

We spent the period in the library finding biographical information and literary criticism.

Homework:
Read Act III, scenes ii and iii of Macbeth (due tomorrow).
Write a thesis for your Literary Research Paper (due Monday).

English 9HP

We celebrated Earth Day by viewing The Story of Stuff in Barnum Hall.

Homework:
Prepare your Bookseller's "Day" presentations.

English 10HP

We met in the library. Ms. Bart-Bell gave us a short spiel on finding biographical information on your author and literary criticism. Try the library database, Proquest, before venturing into Google land. And if you must, use the "site:org" trick to limit your search to more credible sites.

Homework:
Read Act III, scenes ii and iii.

English 9HP

Before submitting your essay, you wrote a reflective letter to me in which you discuss the process of writing your persuasive essay and evaluating its quality. Afterward, you worked on your independent "Bookseller's Day" presentation.

Homework:
*Prepare your presentation (presentation days: 4/27 and 4/28).

English 10HP

We finished interpreting and discussing Act III, scene i.

Homework:
*Read Act III, scenes ii and iii (due Friday).
*Bring your independent books and all the handouts for your Literary Research Paper tomorrow. We're headed to the library!

English 9HP

I delivered the independent reading project instructions and an example presentation on the movie Fuel . The directions are as follows:

Bookseller’s “Day”

After you read your independent book, you will “sell” your book. Your “pitch” should incorporate persuasive techniques, including logos, pathos, and ethos. On the day of your presentation, you will set up a display and present your sales pitch to the class.

Your display must include one visual aide that reinforces your message. Potential displays might include:
Handouts with quotes, synopsis, reviews from book
Web designs / power point presentations
Short DVD advertisements
Advertisements (posters, magazine ads, etc.)
Bookmarks
Something I didn’t mention???

In your pitch, you must include the following:
• A 3-part introduction (a hook, a word that signals change, and an affirming transition followed by a thesis which captures why your book is a must-have)
• Claims (two clearly-stated reasons to support why your book is a must-have)
• Strong evidence (i.e., at least two short passages from the book) and a brief explanation to support your claims
• A powerful conclusion that includes a call for action, a sense of urgency, and / or how this book is relevant to society (and the class). You may even consider using anaphora or epistrophe.

Through writing, the class will decide on the most effective displays and pitches. And of course, I will evaluate them, too!

You will be graded on both the content of your pitch (see above) and the quality of your delivery. Be persuasive! And whatever you do, don’t read! However, I suggest using note cards with a few key points.

Presentations must be no longer than 5 minutes in length.

Presentation Days: Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28

Homework: Your final persuasive essay is due tomorrow. Don't forget to attach the rubric!

English 10HP

We read an edited excerpt of Act III, scene i. With a partner, you discussed how Banquo and Macbeth's lines should be delivered. Using our ideas, volunteers acted out the edited scene.

Homework: Paraphrase Macbeth's soliloquy (due tomorrow). Please type it.

Happy Spring Break!

English 9HP: If you were not in class on Friday, be sure to have at least two people provide feedback on your essay. Your final persuasive essay will be due on the Tuesday after we return from break. Don't forget to read your indie book (due Monday, April 20).

English 10HP: We watched Act II of Polanski's Macbeth on Friday. Don't forget to finish reading your 500 pages (of a single author) by Monday, April 20!

English 9HP

I presented several ideas for the conclusion of your persuasive essay, including calling your audience to action, providing a sense of urgency, addressing and refuting a counterargument, and explaining how this issue relates to today's society. In addition, we discussed two very useful techniques, anaphora and epistrophe. Repetition affirms the urgency of your idea.

Homework:
Using your essay planner, write a complete rough draft of your persuasive essay (due tomorrow).
Read your independent book (due April 20).

Englist 10HP

We finished reading, interpreting, and discussing the remainder of Act II.

Homework:
Read your independent books - 500 pages of a single author (due April 20).

English 9HP

I introduced a 4-part body paragraph structure for persuasive essays, and using the claims you already created, you began planning the other three parts of your body paragraphs.

Homework:
Finish the body paragraph sections on your essay planner (due tomorrow). A complete rough draft (including the conclusion) is due Friday.
Read your independent book (due April 20).

English 10HP

We read, interpreted, and discussed Act II, scene ii of Macbeth, focusing on superstitions, the biblical allusion of hand-washing, and the joint criminal mind of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. We noted the significance of the drunken porter's knock-knock jokes.

Homework:
Read your independent reading books (due April 20).