- Winter break reading conferences are underway. Remember to bring your book and your discussion question.
- Shakespeare background video project
- MLA Resources:
- Poster
- How to format sources
- Visual citation chart (includes digital images and videos)
- How to cite music sources
- Sample list of sources
- Upcoming:
- Sat. 1/20/18: Project due by 12 midnight
- Hamlet
- Notes on dramatic structure
- In-class reading of Act I, scene 1
- If you were absent, you can get a copy of Act I from me. In the meantime, you can use the online text here.
January 18, 2018
Thursday
January 16, 2018
Tuesday
- Winter break reading conferences are underway. Remember to bring your book and your discussion question.
- Overview of MLA for source list. MLA Resources:
- Poster
- How to format sources
- Visual citation chart (includes digital images and videos)
- How to cite music sources
- Sample list of sources
- Group work on Shakespeare background video project
- Assignment turned in today: Script and list of sources
- Upcoming:
- due at the end of class.
- Thurs. 1/18/18: You will be given 30 minutes of class to discuss progress with your group
- Sat. 1/20/18: Project due by 12 midnight
January 11, 2018
Friday
- Winter break reading conferences are underway. Remember to bring your book and your discussion question.
- Overview of MLA for source list. MLA Resources:
- Poster
- How to format sources
- Visual citation chart (includes digital images and videos)
- How to cite music sources
- Sample list of sources
- Group work on Shakespeare background video project
- Assignment turned in today: List of all responsibilities for each group member
- Upcoming:
- Tues. 1/16/18: In-class work on development of project; Script and list of sources due at the end of class.
- Thurs. 1/18/18: You will be given 30 minutes of class to discuss progress with your group
- Sat. 1/20/18: Project due by 12 midnight
January 10, 2018
Wednesday
😊 WELCOME TO YOUR LAST SEMESTER OF HIGH SCHOOL! 🎓
- Discussion of semester exam; Check your answers
- Discussion of winter break reading assignment (sign up for conferences this Thurs. in class.)
- Shakespeare Basics Video Project
- Timeline:
- Wed. 1/10/18: Project introduction & research
- Fri. 1/12/18: Research; List of group member responsibilities due at the end of the period
- Tues. 1/16/18: In-class work on development of project; Script and list of sources due at the end of class.
- Thurs. 1/18/18: You will be given 30 minutes of class to discuss progress with your group
- Sat. 1/20/18: Project due by 12 midnight
- MLA Format for list of sources:
December 20, 2017
Christmas Break Reading
Here are some resources to help you with your reading assignment:
- The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- The Awakening by Kate Chopin
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Grendel by John Gardner
December 14, 2017
Thursday
1B
📚Semester Exam Study Guide📚 (PDF)
🤓Semester Exam Study Guide 🤓(Google Doc)
4B
📚Semester Exam Study Guide📚 (PDF)
🤓Semester Exam Study Guide 🤓(Google Doc)
- 1B Exam = Wed. 12/20/17
- Practice test w/ answers
- Review activity: Multiple choice question writing
- How to write good test questions
- In-class assignment: Write 10 good questions using the short stories we have read this semester and the terminology on the semester exam study guide.
- HW due Mon. 12/18/17: Download this template and type your 10 questions in the 2nd (purple) column. Share it with me by class time on Monday.
- BYOM Party! - Monday
4B
- 4B Exam = Mon. 12/18/17
- Practice test w/ answers
- Review activity: Multiple choice question writing
- How to write good test questions
- In-class assignment: Today you will share the questions you wrote for homework with a classmate so they can answer them for practice for the exam on Monday. Please follow these steps:
- Open the doc you made with your ten questions. You should have used this template to list your questions.
- Share the doc with me if you haven't already.
- Choose a partner and share the document with them.
- You will receive two grades today-- one for the quality of the questions you wrote on your doc and another grade for the quality of your answers/justification on your partner's questions.
- When you receive someone else's questions, put your name at the top and fill in the blue third column, "Answer with Justification". Enter your answer for each question and type in a reason why you chose that answer. When you're done, let your partner know.
- When your partner says they are done, use your key to check their answers in the last, red column.
- If there is time left in class, STUDY! I put a practice test above that you can look at, but there is also the study guide.
- HW due Mon. 12/18/17: STUDY A LOT FOR YOUR TEST! I want everyone to get an A!
- See you on Monday-- don't forget the 🎁 exchange!
December 12, 2017
Tuesday
1B
- SHORT FICTION
- Discussion of fiction terms #38-55
- "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Discussion of setting and figurative language for the story
- Viewing / discussion of video representations of the story
- "Why I Wrote the Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- EXAM REVIEW
- 📚Semester Exam Study Guide📚 (PDF)
- 🤓Semester Exam Study Guide 🤓(Google Doc)
- 1B Exam: Wed. 12/20/17
- Practice Test w/ answers
- Notes: How to write good multiple choice questions. We will use these ideas for our review activity on Thursday.
4B
- SHORT FICTION
- Discussion of fiction terms #38-55
- "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Discussion of setting and figurative language for the story
- Viewing / discussion of video representations of the story
- "Why I Wrote the Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- EXAM REVIEW
- 📚Semester Exam Study Guide📚 (PDF)
- 🤓Semester Exam Study Guide 🤓(Google Doc)
- 4B Exam: Mon. 12/18/17
- Practice Test w/ answers
December 8, 2017
Friday
![]() |
| Click image to see semester exam schedule. |
- Winter Break Reading: Make sure you are working on making a selection and procuring your text for the assignment.
- Short Fiction Analysis: In-class assignment below
- IN PAIRS:
- Discuss the annotations from your homework with "The Yellow Wallpaper" with a partner. Add any ideas that you learn from your partner.
- The sections of the plot that you identified and justified
- The sections you identified as key for characterization of the narrator.
- Make notes in the margin of the text about possible conflicts in the story.
2. INDEPENDENTLY:
- Add the definitions for Setting, Figurative Language, and Theme (#38-55) to your list of terminology. Use examples from "The Yellow Wallpaper" where possible, but you might need to include some of the other stories we have read in order to get good examples in your notes with the definitions.
- Think of a good interpretive question for "The Yellow Wallpaper". Post it on Google Classroom. Then, respond to two classmates' questions. I'm expecting that the responses will be a few sentences to a paragraph in length.
December 6, 2017
Wednesday
- Short Fiction
- HW due Fri. 12/8/17: Read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Annotate for the following:
- Plot sections (justify the shifts)
- Characterization of the narrator
December 4, 2017
Monday
1B
- Class will not meet on Wednesday 12/6/17 because I will be testing. You will come to 143 for breakfast then I will send you to the gym for the class period. There are assignments due on Friday.
- Christmas Break Reading Assignment
- Over the break, you will read one of the books listed below. Your assignment will be to have a one-on-one, 10-15 minute conversation with me about the deep elements of the text in January. You can listen to me give an overview of each book here.
- The Awakening by Kate Chopin (see me for free copies)
- Grendel by John Gardner (check out in library or order on your own)
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (see me for free copies)
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (check out in library or order on your own)
- The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (check out in library or order on your own)
- Short Fiction: "A Day's Wait" by Ernest Hemingway
- Assignment: We continued with Discussion Questions in groups. I collected the group papers. You are responsible for completing the questions you did not complete in class and turn them in on Fri. 12/8/17.
- HW due Fri. 12/8/17: Read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Annotate for the following:
- Plot sections (justify the shifts)
- Characterization of the narrator
In class on Friday we will discuss setting, theme and symbol.
4B
- Class WILL meet on Wednesday 12/6/17.
- Christmas Break Reading Assignment
- Over the break, you will read one of the books listed below. Your assignment will be to have a one-on-one, 10-15 minute conversation with me about the deep elements of the text in January. You can listen to me give an overview of each book here.
- The Awakening by Kate Chopin (see me for free copies)
- Grendel by John Gardner (check out in library or order on your own)
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (see me for free copies)
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (check out in library or order on your own)
- The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (check out in library or order on your own)
- Short Fiction: "A Day's Wait" by Ernest Hemingway
- Assignment: We continued with Discussion Questions in groups. I collected the group papers. You are responsible for completing the questions you did not complete in class and turn them in on Wed. 12/6/17.
November 30, 2017
Thursday
- POW:
- Discussion/notes on Italian sonnet form and how it helps us understand this week's poem.
- Short Fiction: "A Day's Wait" by Ernest Hemingway
- Assignment: On a sheet of paper, write your response to these two questions and turn in. (I'm expecting a paragraph for each.)
- Which conflict patterns are used in "A Day's Wait" and how are they evident in the story?
- What is the point of view in "A Day's Wait" and why is that significant?
- Assignment: Discussion Questions (Most groups got to question 5 or 6. We will continue with these on Monday.)
November 28, 2017
Tuesday
- POW:
- HW due Thurs. 11/30/17:
- 1B: "The World is Too Much With Us" by William Wordsworth
- 4B: "My Cathedral" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- Research the form for Italian / Petrarchan sonnet. How does this differ from the Shakespearean / English sonnet form? Apply what you learned about Italian sonnet form to this week's poem.
- Analyze your assigned poem including: vocabulary, poet's use of figurative language, topic, poetic idea.
- Short Fiction Analysis
- "A Day's Wait" by Ernest Hemingway
- Read the story carefully.
- Mark the five sections of plot and make notes
- Make marginal notes for characterization of the narrator and "Schatz".
- HW due Thurs. 11/30/17: Define and give examples from the stories we have read in your notes of the fiction terms for "conflict" and "point of view", #21-37.
November 17, 2017
Friday
- We shared main points from the articles on Sonnet 29
- Gratitude letters
- Due Tues. 11/28/17: ZERO. ZIP. NADA. Enjoy your break!
November 15, 2017
Wednesday
- Character analysis papers turned in:
- 1st draft with peer review pages turned in during class
- Final draft shared on Google by class time
- Poetry Analysis: Sonnet 29
- Group assignment
- Work together to create a paraphrase of the sonnet.
- NOTE: A paraphrase is not a summary. A summary is a shortened statement of something written. A paraphrase is a "translation" of the original text, so it should be about as long as the original.
- Read one of the assigned articles and agree upon a summary of the main points.
- Present the main points to the class.
- If you were absent, complete the paraphrase and read the articles.
- Due Fri. 11/17/17: Make sure your group is ready to present the main points of your assigned article.
November 13, 2017
Monday
- Fiction Analysis: "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde
- Discussion of Fiction terms: Characterization
- Character Analysis Essay: Today we did a peer review activity to gain feedback from each other on the first drafts of the character analysis on "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde.
- Due Wed. 11/15/17 at class time: Make a final draft of your character analysis of the nightingale or the student. Share the typed final version online via Google. Turn in your first draft with the peer review sheets when you come to class.
- Resources for completing the final draft:
- Template for final in Google Docs
- Grammarly for proofreading
- Double check for the following since points will be taken off for each occurrence of these errors:
- Capitalization errors of any sort
- Not indenting the beginning of paragraphs
- Using contractions (didn’t, won’t, isn’t…)
- Not using quotation marks to indicate material taken from a source
- Run-on sentence
- Resources for writing character analysis:
- Character analysis tutorial page using "We Show What We Have Learned"
- How to Write a Character Analysis - Dr. Davis
- How to Write a College Character Analysis Essay (See also the references at the bottom of the page.)
November 9, 2017
Thursday
- Poetry Analysis
- In-class assignment: Read and analyze a new Shakepearean sonnet in order to answer an AP-style essay question. 45 minutes. If you were absent, see me for a time to make this up.
- Fiction Analysis: "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde
- Discussion of Fiction terms: Characterization
- HW due Mon. 11/13/17: Write the 1st draft of a character analysis on either the student or the nightingale from "The Nightingale and the Rose". Bring a physical copy of your draft to class on Monday (handwritten is fine).
- Character analysis tutorial page using "We Show What We Have Learned"
- How to Write a Character Analysis - Dr. Davis
- How to Write a College Character Analysis Essay (See also the references at the bottom of the page.)
November 8, 2017
November 7, 2017
Tuesday
- Fiction Analysis: "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde
- Discussion of plot and interpretive questions from homework
- Due Thurs. 11/9/17: Define Fiction terms: Characterization in your notes
- College Admissions Essay:
- TO TURN IN YOUR DRAFT: You must email me in a separate email that a draft is ready in your folder. I will not be notified by Google Docs that you have added a document to the folder or that you are ready for me to look at it.
- I believe I am up to date with looking at 3rd drafts. If you turned in a new draft since our conference, check to see if you have comments in the doc and an email. If you don't, send me an email that your draft is ready so I know to look for it in your folder.
- All college admissions essays must be finalized (final draft graded) by Friday, Nov. 10 so the last day I will accept them is Wed. Nov. 8.
November 3, 2017
Friday
- Fiction Analysis
- NOTE: I am keeping a running list of terms you are responsible for knowing and being able to apply. You can check that list here.
- "We Show What We Have Learned" by Clare Beams
- Discussion of the discussion thread topics that were completed for homework.
- In-class assignment- Discussion thread question on Google Classroom: Write an interpretive question and answer two others'. If you were absent, you need to contribute to this thread.
- HW due Tues. 11/7/17: Read "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde. Mark the story for the following:
- Identify the location of the five parts of plot and justify your choices.
- Characterize the nightingale and the student by:
- identifying descriptive passages about the characters AND
- making notes in the margin that interpret the passages you select.
- FYI: Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard
- College Admissions Essay:
- TO TURN IN YOUR DRAFT: You must email me in a separate email that a draft is ready in your folder. I will not be notified by Google Docs that you have added a document to the folder or that you are ready for me to look at it.
- I believe I am up to date with looking at 3rd drafts. If you turned in a new draft since our conference, check to see if you have comments in the doc and an email. If you don't, send me an email that your draft is ready so I know to look for it in your folder.
- All college admissions essays must be finalized (final draft graded) by Friday, Nov. 10 so the last day I will accept them is Wed. Nov. 8.
- POW: Shakespearean Sonnet- Discussion of the how the elements of a Shakespearean (English) sonnet help us find meaning in the poem. We will need to use these ideas next week because I will give you the poem to work out and write about in class.
November 1, 2017
Wednesday
1B:
- College Admissions Essay:
- TO TURN IN YOUR DRAFT: You must email me in a separate email that a draft is ready in your folder. I will not be notified by Google Docs that you have added a document to the folder or that you are ready for me to look at it.
- I believe I am up to date with looking at 3rd drafts. If you turned in a new draft since our conference, check to see if you have comments in the doc and an email. If you don't, send me an email that your draft is ready so I know to look for it in your folder.
- All college admissions essays must be finalized (final draft graded) by Friday, Nov. 10 so the last day I will accept them is Wed. Nov. 8.
- POW: Shakespearean Sonnet- Discussion of the elements of a Shakespearean (English) sonnet
- "Sonnet LV" by William Shakespeare
- For Fri. 11/3/17: Analyze your assigned poem:
- topic- general subject of the poem; one word or a short phrase
- poetic idea- what the poet is trying to communicate about the topic; theme
- figurative language- identify and explain how poetic devices (metaphor, imagery, etc.) contribute to the poetic idea.
- NEW UNIT: Fiction Analysis
- NOTE: I am keeping a running list of terms you are responsible for knowing and being able to apply. You can check that list here.
- "We Show What We Have Learned" by Clare Beams
- In-class assignment- Discussion Threads DUE AT 11pm THURS. 11/2/17
- Go to the Google Classroom for our class. You should already be enrolled, but in case there is a problem logging in, here are the class code = bn32a9
- I have listed two topics for your response. For each one, you will need to enter a short paragraph response AND comment with a complete thought on two of your classmates' entries. You will be graded on your response and your comments.
4B:
- I'm sorry I couldn't be in class today. I'm in Ms. Krink's office in the 300 wing with the other English 4 teachers. If you have any questions, send someone to get me. In class today, please complete the assignments I have highlighted in green.
- POW: Shakespearean Sonnet- "Sonnet XCVII" by William Shakespeare
- As a class, review and discuss your notes on the qualities of a Shakespearean sonnet.
- Go to THIS GOOGLE DOCUMENT and have everyone contribute to making a list for me of the sonnet qualities. Everyone in class today should add something to the document. If someone already wrote your idea, find out more information about one of the qualities (what does "iambic" mean??)
- For Fri. 11/3/17: Analyze your assigned poem:
- topic- general subject of the poem; one word or a short phrase
- poetic idea- what the poet is trying to communicate about the topic; theme
- figurative language- identify and explain how poetic devices (metaphor, imagery, etc.) contribute to the poetic idea.
- NEW UNIT: Fiction Analysis
- NOTE: I am keeping a running list of terms you are responsible for knowing and being able to apply. You can check that list here.
- "We Show What We Have Learned" by Clare Beams
- In-class assignment- Discussion Threads
- Go to the Google Classroom for our class. You should already be enrolled, but in case there is a problem logging in, here is the class code = nw4v05e
- I have listed two topics for your response. For each one, you will need to enter a short paragraph response AND comment with a complete thought on two of your classmates' entries. You will be graded on your response and your comments.
- College Admissions Essay:
- I believe I am up to date with looking at 3rd drafts. If you turned in a new draft since our conference, check to see if you have comments in the doc and an email. If you don't, send me an email that your draft is ready so I know to look for it in your folder.
- All college admissions essays must be finalized (final draft graded) by Friday, Nov. 10 so the last day I will accept them is Wed. Nov. 8.
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