Well, here we are at the end. It was hard to say goodbye to the seniors, but you guys are off to bigger and better things. Good luck Class of 07! I know all of you will go far.
And to my juniors, you're the new seniors. I hope you have a wonderful summer and we will see you back at school next year!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
The Final Stretch is here!
5/7/07
Juniors:
Today we continued on our poetry journals. We’re going to be presenting our journals about halfway through the hour on Wednesday. You must choose a single poem out of the five you wrote about to present. Make sure you enjoy the poem!
On a personal note, today Mrs. Webster took back the English 3 classes. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching here and hope that everyone finishes up the year happy, healthy, and has a ton of fun over the summer.
Senior Speech:
Today we wrapped up our Radio spots. Good job, everyone! There’s only four more days left for you guys, so we’re ending things on a somewhat poignant note—We’re going to prepare goodbye speeches. Who from CHS will you miss the most? Who would you like to say thank you too? What crazy memory sticks out in your head the most? Now’s the time to get all of that off of your chest!
Senior English:
Today was the second day of presentations. Tomorrow, we will finish up our presentations and then Wednesday we will start our final. Good luck! You’ve all been working exceptionally hard and I’m proud of you guys!
Juniors:
Today we continued on our poetry journals. We’re going to be presenting our journals about halfway through the hour on Wednesday. You must choose a single poem out of the five you wrote about to present. Make sure you enjoy the poem!
On a personal note, today Mrs. Webster took back the English 3 classes. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching here and hope that everyone finishes up the year happy, healthy, and has a ton of fun over the summer.
Senior Speech:
Today we wrapped up our Radio spots. Good job, everyone! There’s only four more days left for you guys, so we’re ending things on a somewhat poignant note—We’re going to prepare goodbye speeches. Who from CHS will you miss the most? Who would you like to say thank you too? What crazy memory sticks out in your head the most? Now’s the time to get all of that off of your chest!
Senior English:
Today was the second day of presentations. Tomorrow, we will finish up our presentations and then Wednesday we will start our final. Good luck! You’ve all been working exceptionally hard and I’m proud of you guys!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Goodbye Friday, Hello Weekend!
5/4/07
Next week will be my last week here at CHS. I want to thank everyone here for teaching me so much about the education field and for welcoming me as a member of the community. Look for Mrs. Webster to start taking back classes sometime next week. I will miss all of my students. Be good!
Juniors:
Today we worked on our poetry packets again. We will have Monday and at least some of Tuesday to work on them. This is your last big grade before the final so make sure you do well!
If you have not turned in your Great Gatsby book, make sure you do so immediately!
Senior Speech:
We started our radio spots today. They were awesome! I can’t wait to hear the rest tomorrow. After these spots, we’re done! We’re going to spend the rest of next week preparing our goodbye speeches and reminiscing about all the good times at Christopher.
Senior English:
Your research paper was DUE at 3PM today. IF YOU HAVE NOT TURNED IT IN, IT IS LATE! It will be a ZERO for college credit, and late for high school credit.
Next week will be my last week here at CHS. I want to thank everyone here for teaching me so much about the education field and for welcoming me as a member of the community. Look for Mrs. Webster to start taking back classes sometime next week. I will miss all of my students. Be good!
Juniors:
Today we worked on our poetry packets again. We will have Monday and at least some of Tuesday to work on them. This is your last big grade before the final so make sure you do well!
If you have not turned in your Great Gatsby book, make sure you do so immediately!
Senior Speech:
We started our radio spots today. They were awesome! I can’t wait to hear the rest tomorrow. After these spots, we’re done! We’re going to spend the rest of next week preparing our goodbye speeches and reminiscing about all the good times at Christopher.
Senior English:
Your research paper was DUE at 3PM today. IF YOU HAVE NOT TURNED IT IN, IT IS LATE! It will be a ZERO for college credit, and late for high school credit.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
5/3/07
Juniors:
Today we began work on our poetry packets. Using the internet, students must find 10 poems that are interesting to them and have been published in book form at some time or another. Students must list these 10 poems along with their author and the website URL from which they found them.
Students will then select 5 of those 10 poems and write more in-depth about them. Assess their meaning; analyze technical components that we reviewed in the poetry PowerPoint. These 5 entries must be 150 words each.
Lastly, students will choose 1 of these 5 poems and present it to the class. They must read this poem and go over the different technical aspects of the poem. We will begin presentations on Tuesday.
This is a very important project! It’s your last grade before the final exam!
Senior Speech:
Tomorrow we begin our radio spots, though some people will still be recording. Since Mrs. Webster was not able to come to class today, we will only have those groups that volunteered to go give their spots today. Everyone else will go on Monday.
Senior English:
Tomorrow your paper is due! IF YOU TURN IN YOUR PAPER AFTER 3:00 IT WILL BE GIVEN NO COLLEGE CREDIT!! Make sure you post your paper to Rend Lake College’s blackboard. Do not attach your paper, send it. Otherwise, Mrs. Webster will not be able to view it and grade it—and you will get a zero. We will also start our presentations tomorrow. This is the final hurdle for everyone! It’s go time.
Juniors:
Today we began work on our poetry packets. Using the internet, students must find 10 poems that are interesting to them and have been published in book form at some time or another. Students must list these 10 poems along with their author and the website URL from which they found them.
Students will then select 5 of those 10 poems and write more in-depth about them. Assess their meaning; analyze technical components that we reviewed in the poetry PowerPoint. These 5 entries must be 150 words each.
Lastly, students will choose 1 of these 5 poems and present it to the class. They must read this poem and go over the different technical aspects of the poem. We will begin presentations on Tuesday.
This is a very important project! It’s your last grade before the final exam!
Senior Speech:
Tomorrow we begin our radio spots, though some people will still be recording. Since Mrs. Webster was not able to come to class today, we will only have those groups that volunteered to go give their spots today. Everyone else will go on Monday.
Senior English:
Tomorrow your paper is due! IF YOU TURN IN YOUR PAPER AFTER 3:00 IT WILL BE GIVEN NO COLLEGE CREDIT!! Make sure you post your paper to Rend Lake College’s blackboard. Do not attach your paper, send it. Otherwise, Mrs. Webster will not be able to view it and grade it—and you will get a zero. We will also start our presentations tomorrow. This is the final hurdle for everyone! It’s go time.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Wednesday Is Over!
5/2/07
Juniors:
Today we finished our poetry presentation and began working on our poetry journals. We will be working on our poetry journals for the remainder of the week. If you were not here today, be sure to get the notes on the poetry presentation from someone in class. Have your cheat sheet filled out so you know what to talk about in your poetry journal!!
Senior Speech:
Today we worked on our radio spots. The scripts are due tomorrow!! Make sure you have the turned in and that they are school appropriate. I don’t need to remind everyone again that if a presentation is deemed school inappropriate by either Mrs. Webster or myself you will receive a zero and be sent to Mr. Miller’s office. I don’t want to do this—I’d rather have fun this last week with some creative radio spots!
Senior English:
This is it! This is the home stretch. Today we all had class time to work on our final papers or presentation. We begin presentations on Friday, the same day that papers are due. If you are sick or cannot be here on Friday then you must post your paper online! It has to be posted by 3pm or it is a zero!
Juniors:
Today we finished our poetry presentation and began working on our poetry journals. We will be working on our poetry journals for the remainder of the week. If you were not here today, be sure to get the notes on the poetry presentation from someone in class. Have your cheat sheet filled out so you know what to talk about in your poetry journal!!
Senior Speech:
Today we worked on our radio spots. The scripts are due tomorrow!! Make sure you have the turned in and that they are school appropriate. I don’t need to remind everyone again that if a presentation is deemed school inappropriate by either Mrs. Webster or myself you will receive a zero and be sent to Mr. Miller’s office. I don’t want to do this—I’d rather have fun this last week with some creative radio spots!
Senior English:
This is it! This is the home stretch. Today we all had class time to work on our final papers or presentation. We begin presentations on Friday, the same day that papers are due. If you are sick or cannot be here on Friday then you must post your paper online! It has to be posted by 3pm or it is a zero!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Happy May!
5/1/07
Juniors:
Today we started off the month by continuing our work on poetry. We discussed forms of imagery, meter, and verse in class today. If you missed class, please get the notes from another student or view the slide show online.
Senior Speech:
Today we worked on our radio spots. A few groups are finishing theirs up, and a few still have a lot of work ahead of them! Remember that your scripts are due Thursday!
Senior English:
Today we took our poetry quiz. We also went over what will be expected of you in your final presentations. If you did not get a rubric for the final presentation, please see me. We’re almost done! 9 more days!
Juniors:
Today we started off the month by continuing our work on poetry. We discussed forms of imagery, meter, and verse in class today. If you missed class, please get the notes from another student or view the slide show online.
Senior Speech:
Today we worked on our radio spots. A few groups are finishing theirs up, and a few still have a lot of work ahead of them! Remember that your scripts are due Thursday!
Senior English:
Today we took our poetry quiz. We also went over what will be expected of you in your final presentations. If you did not get a rubric for the final presentation, please see me. We’re almost done! 9 more days!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Goodbye April, Hello Poetry!
4/30/07
Juniors:
Today we began our poetry PowerPoint. I handed out a cheat sheet for everyone to copy down their poetry terms. Make sure you bring this to class and diligently fill out all the terms. You will need to know these things for our Poetry Journal and the final exam.
Tomorrow we will continue on our poetry PowerPoint. Come ready to talk about poetry and prepared with your cheat sheet!
Senior Speech:
We continued writing and getting ready for our radio spots. Today was the first day that you could sign your group up for audio recording. If you want to record your radio spot but do not have the equipment to do so, Mrs. Webster has let us use her audio recorder. You may sign up for this. We will start recording on Thursday. I cannot guarantee that every group will have time to record with Mrs. Webster. This is a fist-come first-serve opportunity.
Senior English:Today our rough drafts were due for peer evaluation. Evaluate them tonight, because we will give you a participation grade tomorrow in class. Tomorrow we will also begin discussion on our final presentations and our final in the class. Lastly, tomorrow we will also have a poetry quiz. Study those questions!!
Nine more days, Seniors! Can you believe it’s May already?
Juniors:
Today we began our poetry PowerPoint. I handed out a cheat sheet for everyone to copy down their poetry terms. Make sure you bring this to class and diligently fill out all the terms. You will need to know these things for our Poetry Journal and the final exam.
Tomorrow we will continue on our poetry PowerPoint. Come ready to talk about poetry and prepared with your cheat sheet!
Senior Speech:
We continued writing and getting ready for our radio spots. Today was the first day that you could sign your group up for audio recording. If you want to record your radio spot but do not have the equipment to do so, Mrs. Webster has let us use her audio recorder. You may sign up for this. We will start recording on Thursday. I cannot guarantee that every group will have time to record with Mrs. Webster. This is a fist-come first-serve opportunity.
Senior English:Today our rough drafts were due for peer evaluation. Evaluate them tonight, because we will give you a participation grade tomorrow in class. Tomorrow we will also begin discussion on our final presentations and our final in the class. Lastly, tomorrow we will also have a poetry quiz. Study those questions!!
Nine more days, Seniors! Can you believe it’s May already?
Thursday, April 26, 2007
4/27/07
Juniors:
We lost first hour again today due to the PSAEs. Sixth and Seventh hours played a Jeopardy! Review game in preparation for our Qu-Est tomorrow.
Senior Speech:
Today we worked on our radio spots. By tomorrow, I expect a working outline and at least one point from the hand out filled out.
Senior English:
Today we gave poetry presentations. Tomorrow, we will finish up the presentations. Make sure to get notes from someone in the class should you miss.
Juniors:
We lost first hour again today due to the PSAEs. Sixth and Seventh hours played a Jeopardy! Review game in preparation for our Qu-Est tomorrow.
Senior Speech:
Today we worked on our radio spots. By tomorrow, I expect a working outline and at least one point from the hand out filled out.
Senior English:
Today we gave poetry presentations. Tomorrow, we will finish up the presentations. Make sure to get notes from someone in the class should you miss.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
ACTs!
4/24/07
Juniors:
Today, we lost first and sixth hour due to the ACT test. We took a bit of a breather seventh hour and we previewed poetry. We went over one of my favorite poems, “Nobody” by Shel Silverstein. We discussed how poems are different for each person and what exactly defines a poem.
Tomorrow, we’re going to loose first hour due to the PSAE’s, so we’re going to play a review game.
Senior Speech:
Today we wrapped up our dramatic interpretations. We got a handout on our radio spot project, WCHS. We’ll be working on this for the next week. A workable script is due a week from Thursday and if all goes as planned, we’ll be giving these the next day.
English 4:
Today we began our poetry presentations. Make sure you are ready to present tomorrow if you did not go today. Students need to bring their book and something to write with.
Juniors:
Today, we lost first and sixth hour due to the ACT test. We took a bit of a breather seventh hour and we previewed poetry. We went over one of my favorite poems, “Nobody” by Shel Silverstein. We discussed how poems are different for each person and what exactly defines a poem.
Tomorrow, we’re going to loose first hour due to the PSAE’s, so we’re going to play a review game.
Senior Speech:
Today we wrapped up our dramatic interpretations. We got a handout on our radio spot project, WCHS. We’ll be working on this for the next week. A workable script is due a week from Thursday and if all goes as planned, we’ll be giving these the next day.
English 4:
Today we began our poetry presentations. Make sure you are ready to present tomorrow if you did not go today. Students need to bring their book and something to write with.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
ACT!
4/24/07
Juniors:
Today we concluded our discussion on the ACTs. If you weren’t in class, you have to bring your ACT practice test for me to give you a completion grade on. Tomorrow, you’re going to take the ACT! Don’t worry, be calm—you’ll do fine.
We’ll have a poetry exercise to bone up on literature tomorrow for seventh hour because we won’t be in class first or sixth. Thursday we will miss first and sixth again. Seventh will play a review game for the Qu-Est on Friday. Then it’s time for the weekend!
Senior Speech:
Today, most everyone was gone on a field trip. We were still able to get through two dramatic interpretations which leaves 4 for tomorrow. When we were done with our dramatic interpretations we had a practice debate. We debated whether flying cars are an effective means of speedy transportation. In the end, the pro team took the day. Tomorrow, we will wrap up dramatic interpretations and get working on our radio spots!
Senior English:
Everyone worked on their poetry packets today. We will begin our poetry presentations tomorrow. Make sure you are ready!
Juniors:
Today we concluded our discussion on the ACTs. If you weren’t in class, you have to bring your ACT practice test for me to give you a completion grade on. Tomorrow, you’re going to take the ACT! Don’t worry, be calm—you’ll do fine.
We’ll have a poetry exercise to bone up on literature tomorrow for seventh hour because we won’t be in class first or sixth. Thursday we will miss first and sixth again. Seventh will play a review game for the Qu-Est on Friday. Then it’s time for the weekend!
Senior Speech:
Today, most everyone was gone on a field trip. We were still able to get through two dramatic interpretations which leaves 4 for tomorrow. When we were done with our dramatic interpretations we had a practice debate. We debated whether flying cars are an effective means of speedy transportation. In the end, the pro team took the day. Tomorrow, we will wrap up dramatic interpretations and get working on our radio spots!
Senior English:
Everyone worked on their poetry packets today. We will begin our poetry presentations tomorrow. Make sure you are ready!
Monday, April 23, 2007
4/23/07
Junior English:
Today we continued our preparations for the ACT. We took a practice exam for the Reading test on the ACT in class. You were supposed to finish the exam. Tomorrow we will grade the exam and go over any questions that you have about the exam. If you’re unsure why you got something wrong, this is the time to ask! Make sure you complete your ACT reading test and show it to me for a completion grade.
Wednesday and Thursday we’re testing. This means all juniors will loose their morning classes. We’ll be doing review games in my sixth and seventh hour classes those days because we have our Gatsby Qu-est (Not quite a quiz, not nearly a test) coming up on Friday. Your extra credit assignments are due on Monday. Once we finish up the ACTs and Gatsby, we can start poetry!
Senior Speech:
Our Dramatic Interpretations continue. Tomorrow, if there are enough people in the class, we’ll continue giving our dramatic interpretations. However, if that field trip takes too many students away, then we’ll get some practice debating done. We’re almost done with the year, we just have our Dramatic Interpretations, Radio Spots, and then it’s time for our farewell speech.
English 4:
Today we finished our poetry presentation and received information about our poetry presentation. You will have tomorrow in-class to work on your poetry presentation and then we will begin our presentations on Wednesday. If you have any problems, please see me! I’m available during lunch, before school, and after school. Mrs. Webster was also nice enough to put the powerpoint about poetry up on her website. It’s available at www.bearcatenglish.com. Click on the English IV/Dual Credit link to find it.
There also appears to be some confusion about sources for the research paper. You must have a minimum of five sources. Of those five, one source must be from a non-traditional area. Interviews, television shows, and surveys are great examples of non-traditional sources. Online sources, magazines, and books are traditional sources and do not count for this requirement!
Junior English:
Today we continued our preparations for the ACT. We took a practice exam for the Reading test on the ACT in class. You were supposed to finish the exam. Tomorrow we will grade the exam and go over any questions that you have about the exam. If you’re unsure why you got something wrong, this is the time to ask! Make sure you complete your ACT reading test and show it to me for a completion grade.
Wednesday and Thursday we’re testing. This means all juniors will loose their morning classes. We’ll be doing review games in my sixth and seventh hour classes those days because we have our Gatsby Qu-est (Not quite a quiz, not nearly a test) coming up on Friday. Your extra credit assignments are due on Monday. Once we finish up the ACTs and Gatsby, we can start poetry!
Senior Speech:
Our Dramatic Interpretations continue. Tomorrow, if there are enough people in the class, we’ll continue giving our dramatic interpretations. However, if that field trip takes too many students away, then we’ll get some practice debating done. We’re almost done with the year, we just have our Dramatic Interpretations, Radio Spots, and then it’s time for our farewell speech.
English 4:
Today we finished our poetry presentation and received information about our poetry presentation. You will have tomorrow in-class to work on your poetry presentation and then we will begin our presentations on Wednesday. If you have any problems, please see me! I’m available during lunch, before school, and after school. Mrs. Webster was also nice enough to put the powerpoint about poetry up on her website. It’s available at www.bearcatenglish.com. Click on the English IV/Dual Credit link to find it.
There also appears to be some confusion about sources for the research paper. You must have a minimum of five sources. Of those five, one source must be from a non-traditional area. Interviews, television shows, and surveys are great examples of non-traditional sources. Online sources, magazines, and books are traditional sources and do not count for this requirement!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Finally, it's Friday!
4/20/07
Juniors:
Today we finished up working on the winCS curriculum. If you decide to work ahead at home, please let me know so that I can ensure that you get credit for your work. Our Gatsby essays were due at 4pm today, and if you have not turned it in; it is late! I will gladly accept late papers and you can turn in a passcard with it to get your credit back.
Monday and most of next week will be eaten up by the ACTs and PSAEs. We will also have a small Gatsby ‘Quest’ (Not quit a quiz, not quite a test. Get it?) on Friday. This is more a review than anything to ensure that you’re ready for the final. We’re almost done with school, don’t let finals sneak up on you!!
Senior Speech:
Today we continued on with our dramatic interpretations. They were awesome! We’re over halfway through, and I expect to finish up next week. Once we’re done, we can start on our television spots! When we finish television spots, if we have time remaining we’ll use it to remember CHS and our time here. It’s already nearly time to say goodbye. How sad!
Senior English:
We’re wrapping up poetry shortly, and you’ll each be choosing poems to present to the class. So make sure you know your poetry terms and the way to analyze poems.
Juniors:
Today we finished up working on the winCS curriculum. If you decide to work ahead at home, please let me know so that I can ensure that you get credit for your work. Our Gatsby essays were due at 4pm today, and if you have not turned it in; it is late! I will gladly accept late papers and you can turn in a passcard with it to get your credit back.
Monday and most of next week will be eaten up by the ACTs and PSAEs. We will also have a small Gatsby ‘Quest’ (Not quit a quiz, not quite a test. Get it?) on Friday. This is more a review than anything to ensure that you’re ready for the final. We’re almost done with school, don’t let finals sneak up on you!!
Senior Speech:
Today we continued on with our dramatic interpretations. They were awesome! We’re over halfway through, and I expect to finish up next week. Once we’re done, we can start on our television spots! When we finish television spots, if we have time remaining we’ll use it to remember CHS and our time here. It’s already nearly time to say goodbye. How sad!
Senior English:
We’re wrapping up poetry shortly, and you’ll each be choosing poems to present to the class. So make sure you know your poetry terms and the way to analyze poems.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Poetry, Papers, and Extra Credit
4/19/07
Juniors:
Today in class we continued on the winCS curriculum. You need to make sure that you have completed the posttests. Also, today, we went over the various forms of extra credit that are being offered in this last quarter.
I am going to give you extra credit if you aid Mr. Kinser in his clean up Christopher program. You will receive 10 extra credit points. Mr. Kinser will give me a list of all the participants. If you go, you can do a good deed and get rewarded for it too!
I am also assigning you two extra credit projects that you may choose to undertake. Originally, we were going to make a movie out of The Great Gatsby as an assignment, but time constraints have forced me to cut that. Instead, you may do this project but it will be for extra credit. You are not limited to assigned groups. You may work with a group of your own choosing. No more than 4 Juniors are allowed in a group. Movies must relate to the novel and cover a chapter of the novel. Also, the original extra credit attached to the movie project, designing a movie poster, is still available. You may create a movie poster for The Great Gatsby. Make sure your poster relates to the book.
You also need to have your paper ready to give to me tomorrow. Your Great Gatsby analysis paper is due at 4pm! I will be in the classroom until then. After then, it is late!
Senior English:
Today we practiced analyzing poems. The last couple days we learned how to analyze a poem, and since many students were away at W.Y.S.E., today was a perfect day to relax and look at how poetry can be analyzed. Students got some good practice in for their future poetry analysis paper. If you were not able to make it to class today, don't worry. We'll be analyzing poems again at a later date when more students are here.
Senior Speech:
The dramatic oral readings continue! Today we got through four readings, and tomorrow I expect to get through four more. When we finish with these, we can begin our television spots!
Juniors:
Today in class we continued on the winCS curriculum. You need to make sure that you have completed the posttests. Also, today, we went over the various forms of extra credit that are being offered in this last quarter.
I am going to give you extra credit if you aid Mr. Kinser in his clean up Christopher program. You will receive 10 extra credit points. Mr. Kinser will give me a list of all the participants. If you go, you can do a good deed and get rewarded for it too!
I am also assigning you two extra credit projects that you may choose to undertake. Originally, we were going to make a movie out of The Great Gatsby as an assignment, but time constraints have forced me to cut that. Instead, you may do this project but it will be for extra credit. You are not limited to assigned groups. You may work with a group of your own choosing. No more than 4 Juniors are allowed in a group. Movies must relate to the novel and cover a chapter of the novel. Also, the original extra credit attached to the movie project, designing a movie poster, is still available. You may create a movie poster for The Great Gatsby. Make sure your poster relates to the book.
You also need to have your paper ready to give to me tomorrow. Your Great Gatsby analysis paper is due at 4pm! I will be in the classroom until then. After then, it is late!
Senior English:
Today we practiced analyzing poems. The last couple days we learned how to analyze a poem, and since many students were away at W.Y.S.E., today was a perfect day to relax and look at how poetry can be analyzed. Students got some good practice in for their future poetry analysis paper. If you were not able to make it to class today, don't worry. We'll be analyzing poems again at a later date when more students are here.
Senior Speech:
The dramatic oral readings continue! Today we got through four readings, and tomorrow I expect to get through four more. When we finish with these, we can begin our television spots!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
WinCS and Poetry
4/17/07
Juniors:
Today in class we began working on the WinCS curriculum. These activities are designed to practice skills that will be used in the ACT and other standardized tests. Hopefully, since you’ll have encountered these activities before in my classroom when you go to take the tests, you won’t be as nervous. The activities will be graded, so make sure to do them carefully. If you want to work on them at home, go to http://roe.wincshost.com
The program will ask you for your first name and your last name as well as a pin number. Your pin number is your student ID number.
Remember to work slowly and carefully (Just like on the real tests!) because you cannot go back!
Senior Speech:
We finally got started on our oral interpretations! I have to say, they were astounding today! I can’t wait to see more tomorrow. If you haven’t already turned in your script to me, do so IMMEDIATELY!!! They are late and you may not give your oral interpretation unless I have had a chance to look over your script—So I need them a day in advance.
Senior English:
Today we began poetry. I went over the forms of poetry and how to analyze poetry. You need to be familiar with poetry terms, such as ‘stanza’, ‘verse’, ‘meter’ and ‘septet’. In the future, you will choose a poem and describe it to the class using literary poetic terminology. If you have forgotten the literary terms, find them from a friend!
Juniors:
Today in class we began working on the WinCS curriculum. These activities are designed to practice skills that will be used in the ACT and other standardized tests. Hopefully, since you’ll have encountered these activities before in my classroom when you go to take the tests, you won’t be as nervous. The activities will be graded, so make sure to do them carefully. If you want to work on them at home, go to http://roe.wincshost.com
The program will ask you for your first name and your last name as well as a pin number. Your pin number is your student ID number.
Remember to work slowly and carefully (Just like on the real tests!) because you cannot go back!
Senior Speech:
We finally got started on our oral interpretations! I have to say, they were astounding today! I can’t wait to see more tomorrow. If you haven’t already turned in your script to me, do so IMMEDIATELY!!! They are late and you may not give your oral interpretation unless I have had a chance to look over your script—So I need them a day in advance.
Senior English:
Today we began poetry. I went over the forms of poetry and how to analyze poetry. You need to be familiar with poetry terms, such as ‘stanza’, ‘verse’, ‘meter’ and ‘septet’. In the future, you will choose a poem and describe it to the class using literary poetic terminology. If you have forgotten the literary terms, find them from a friend!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Welcome Back!
4/16/07
Welcome back, everyone. Spring Break has come and gone already, leaving us with this final stretch before the school year is over. I was glad to see everyone back, happy, energetic, and hopefully well rested. I have some fun stuff planned in these last weeks, so don’t get ready for summer yet! There’s still plenty we’re going to do.
Juniors
Today in class we worked on our essays. Today was the only day that students will have to write their essays in class.
Essays are to be two pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman font and formatted with 1-inch margins. The acceptable topics and the prompt is available if you scroll down in this blog. It is the second prompt posted in the post titled ‘Prompts’.
English 4
Today in class we all worked on our research papers. A rough draft of the paper is due in two weeks on the 30th so be prepared. Due dates have a nasty tendency of sneaking up on us. We’re going to be working on poetry for the remainder of this week.
Speech
Tomorrow we start our oral interpretations. If you have not turned in your outline/scripts for your oral interpretation do so IMMEDIATELY!! You’re already late, don’t make your speech late too!
Welcome back, everyone. Spring Break has come and gone already, leaving us with this final stretch before the school year is over. I was glad to see everyone back, happy, energetic, and hopefully well rested. I have some fun stuff planned in these last weeks, so don’t get ready for summer yet! There’s still plenty we’re going to do.
Juniors
Today in class we worked on our essays. Today was the only day that students will have to write their essays in class.
Essays are to be two pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman font and formatted with 1-inch margins. The acceptable topics and the prompt is available if you scroll down in this blog. It is the second prompt posted in the post titled ‘Prompts’.
English 4
Today in class we all worked on our research papers. A rough draft of the paper is due in two weeks on the 30th so be prepared. Due dates have a nasty tendency of sneaking up on us. We’re going to be working on poetry for the remainder of this week.
Speech
Tomorrow we start our oral interpretations. If you have not turned in your outline/scripts for your oral interpretation do so IMMEDIATELY!! You’re already late, don’t make your speech late too!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Bearcat Break Time!
Well, we're almost there! I didn't make a blog yesterday, and I'm sorry about that. All of the Juniors were busy signing up for the ACTs and the seniors spent the day diligently researching either their speech oral interpretations or their English 4 paper.
Today, thanks to the shortened schedule yesterday and today, will be spent catching up with most of the Juniors. First hour did not meet yesterday, so they'll finish up their bubbling. Sixth and Seventh hours are done with bubbling, but Seventh is being dropped today. So, sadly, they miss out on some group time to work on their Gatsby movies. Sixth, however, will meet and will be given time to work on their movies in their groups. Hopefully after break we can squeeze some more class time in on this.
Our seniors today will have a nice and light day. I think it's best to slide into Spring Break, right? We've had a busy week already, English 4 students completed a Literary Analysis paper and the Speech students have chosen their dramatic readings, created an introduction to it, answered the questions in their oral interpretation packet and turned the whole thing in to me. So I think a day spent playing English 4 Survivor (For the English 4 students only) and fine-tuning our dramatic readings (For the Speech students) is in order.
I hope that everyone has a safe and fun Spring Break. I want to see everyone back here, happy, healthy, and full of energy when we get back. I will make sure to have all the grades in my gradebook up and posted online by the end of the day today. That means that you can check them out any time! (This could help those of you who are getting unhappy midterm report cards)
Today, thanks to the shortened schedule yesterday and today, will be spent catching up with most of the Juniors. First hour did not meet yesterday, so they'll finish up their bubbling. Sixth and Seventh hours are done with bubbling, but Seventh is being dropped today. So, sadly, they miss out on some group time to work on their Gatsby movies. Sixth, however, will meet and will be given time to work on their movies in their groups. Hopefully after break we can squeeze some more class time in on this.
Our seniors today will have a nice and light day. I think it's best to slide into Spring Break, right? We've had a busy week already, English 4 students completed a Literary Analysis paper and the Speech students have chosen their dramatic readings, created an introduction to it, answered the questions in their oral interpretation packet and turned the whole thing in to me. So I think a day spent playing English 4 Survivor (For the English 4 students only) and fine-tuning our dramatic readings (For the Speech students) is in order.
I hope that everyone has a safe and fun Spring Break. I want to see everyone back here, happy, healthy, and full of energy when we get back. I will make sure to have all the grades in my gradebook up and posted online by the end of the day today. That means that you can check them out any time! (This could help those of you who are getting unhappy midterm report cards)
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
A Windy Day!
4/3/06
Except for the weather, today was a quiet day for all my classes. We were visited by Tom, who is with the Art Institute of Chicago. He discussed how students could pursue a career in the arts-- be they culinary arts, graphic design, or even video game layouts. If you were interested in hearing more from the school, but forgot to get a form here's the school's website: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago/
In English 3 news, our paper has had to be pushed back. There simply isn't enough time before break to allow you guys to write a paper. I also did promise a break (relatively) free from homework. So I am pushing the due date back to the week after Spring Break. I'm certain everyone is crushed. In a similar vein, our test has had to be cancelled too. We need to sign everyone up for ACTs. Don't worry, though, there will be other tests in the limited future we have before summer.
Tomorrow, in speech, if it isn't too wet we will be going outside to practice our oral presentations. Hopefully all the rain has passed us by and tomorrow will be a lovely day. If it turns out to be too cold, too wet, or storming tomorrow then we'll have to cancel this. Hopefully things will go off without a hitch.
Lastly, in English 4, we'll continue working on our research papers. You've got plenty of time now, but after break we'll have to get back into literature. Soon we'll be working on poetry and poetry analysis. It's twice as much fun as literature.
Except for the weather, today was a quiet day for all my classes. We were visited by Tom, who is with the Art Institute of Chicago. He discussed how students could pursue a career in the arts-- be they culinary arts, graphic design, or even video game layouts. If you were interested in hearing more from the school, but forgot to get a form here's the school's website: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago/
In English 3 news, our paper has had to be pushed back. There simply isn't enough time before break to allow you guys to write a paper. I also did promise a break (relatively) free from homework. So I am pushing the due date back to the week after Spring Break. I'm certain everyone is crushed. In a similar vein, our test has had to be cancelled too. We need to sign everyone up for ACTs. Don't worry, though, there will be other tests in the limited future we have before summer.
Tomorrow, in speech, if it isn't too wet we will be going outside to practice our oral presentations. Hopefully all the rain has passed us by and tomorrow will be a lovely day. If it turns out to be too cold, too wet, or storming tomorrow then we'll have to cancel this. Hopefully things will go off without a hitch.
Lastly, in English 4, we'll continue working on our research papers. You've got plenty of time now, but after break we'll have to get back into literature. Soon we'll be working on poetry and poetry analysis. It's twice as much fun as literature.
Monday, April 2, 2007
4/2/07
Well, today I was gone on a field trip with the Speech class. We went to the WSIL broadcasting station in Marion, and then on to the Clearchannel radio station. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did! I especially enjoyed announcing the song on TAO. Who knew we could all be DJs for a day?
While I was gone, everyone in English 3 took some time to sign up for the ACT tests. We're not quite done with that, but we will be by the end of the week. Unfortunately, this means that we loose time to work on our essays. Please keep working on them on your own. Otherwise you will wake up on Thursday with no paper!!
Tomorrow, we will have a guest visiting our classroom. He will be giving us a lecture on futures in art. It ought to be a fun day.
I also have groups set up for our Gatsby movie. Hopefully I can announce them along with a small surprise.
For the seniors, keep up the research. You're almost done! How cool is that?
Friday, March 30, 2007
Prompts!
3/30/07
Engl 3:
Today we discussed chapter 9. We talked about the ending and tried hard to make some sense of it. We also went over the projects that we’ll be working on dealing with this book. I handed out the prompt for the movie that we will be making and went over it. I also handed out a prompt for an analysis paper over The Great Gatsby.
There should (if all technology works correctly) be a copy of the prompts attached to this post. You may print them out yourself. Do not loose them! You will be using them for your essay and movie. The essay is due on Thursday. I will give you in class time to work on it, but I highly recommend against doing it all in class. Write it out in a journal or write out an outline so that you aren’t rushed in the end.
Engl 4:
Research, research, research! It's all we seem to do lately, but it's what's on the menu. You have your literary analysis essay due MONDAY!! You will post a copy of your paper on blackboard as well as hand in a hard copy to me. Those of you who have not handed in your rough draft (And you know who you are!) must have it turned in on Monday along with a final draft.
Speech:
We're continuing our work on our oral presentations. Most everyone has a work chosen now. You need to hand in a copy of your work to me. I will not let you perform if I do not get a script of what you are going to say. This script has to include your introduction. I also need your questions that were included in the oral performance packet. Remember, you must perform these dramatic readings alone. You may choose something with two parts, but it will be difficult to pull off.
Well, it's Friday, we're all done with another week. I hope it feels good. We can almost taste spring break, we're so close. Less than a week to go. And seniors! Only 24 more senior days left. Huzzah!
Engl 3 Prompts:
Gatsby Movie Prompt:
It’s your turn to create something! For this book, we’re going to do an extended project: We’re going to make a movie! Each class will be divided into three groups, and assigned one of the nine chapters in The Great Gatsby.
You and your group will be responsible for creating a script from the chapter. You will have to turn your chapter into a 5-10 minute mini-movie. When every group has turned their project in, we will put them all together into one large movie and watch our very own Great Gatsby movie!
What am I looking for in your movie?
Engl 3:
Today we discussed chapter 9. We talked about the ending and tried hard to make some sense of it. We also went over the projects that we’ll be working on dealing with this book. I handed out the prompt for the movie that we will be making and went over it. I also handed out a prompt for an analysis paper over The Great Gatsby.
There should (if all technology works correctly) be a copy of the prompts attached to this post. You may print them out yourself. Do not loose them! You will be using them for your essay and movie. The essay is due on Thursday. I will give you in class time to work on it, but I highly recommend against doing it all in class. Write it out in a journal or write out an outline so that you aren’t rushed in the end.
Engl 4:
Research, research, research! It's all we seem to do lately, but it's what's on the menu. You have your literary analysis essay due MONDAY!! You will post a copy of your paper on blackboard as well as hand in a hard copy to me. Those of you who have not handed in your rough draft (And you know who you are!) must have it turned in on Monday along with a final draft.
Speech:
We're continuing our work on our oral presentations. Most everyone has a work chosen now. You need to hand in a copy of your work to me. I will not let you perform if I do not get a script of what you are going to say. This script has to include your introduction. I also need your questions that were included in the oral performance packet. Remember, you must perform these dramatic readings alone. You may choose something with two parts, but it will be difficult to pull off.
Well, it's Friday, we're all done with another week. I hope it feels good. We can almost taste spring break, we're so close. Less than a week to go. And seniors! Only 24 more senior days left. Huzzah!
Engl 3 Prompts:
Gatsby Movie Prompt:
It’s your turn to create something! For this book, we’re going to do an extended project: We’re going to make a movie! Each class will be divided into three groups, and assigned one of the nine chapters in The Great Gatsby.
You and your group will be responsible for creating a script from the chapter. You will have to turn your chapter into a 5-10 minute mini-movie. When every group has turned their project in, we will put them all together into one large movie and watch our very own Great Gatsby movie!
What am I looking for in your movie?
- Creativity— This does not mean making Gatsby a jive-talking gangster. Being creative is about solving problems and presenting in a unique way. Like filming the scene in the restaurant in an actual restaurant.
- Plot— Make sure that your scene accurately follows the plot of the novel. Where it starts, the major points in between, and the ending are all intact. You don’t have to have a novel length script, just enough to show that you read the book and know what the major plot points are.
- Acting— This project still concerns a movie. Make sure your acting is believable. I do not expect a movie star performance, but I do expect a professional performance. This means no giggling during your lines, no flubbing your lines, and do not simply deliver script deadpan. If you have friends or siblings helping you, make sure they know their lines too. Make sure they pronounce character’s names correctly. You are responsible for all of your actors and their quality of work, regardless of if they are in this class!!
I hope we will all be able to make a fun, interesting movie. We will get to watch the final product in class and compare certain sections to the Hollywood movie. There will also be an election for Best Scene, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Script, Best Props, and Most Creative. Those who win will receive a trip down the red carpet during the Gatsbys (Like the Oscars. Get it?)
Gatsby Paper:
Now that we've read The Great Gatsby, I want you to write a shrot, two page analytical essay about the novel. You will choose one of the following topics to write your essay over. Remember that essays should be properly formatted with 1-inch margins, 12 point font, a clear introduction, argument, and conclusion. I recommend completing an outline first so you know where your thoughts are going. Remember, this is an analysis essay! Do not simply summarize the plot. You need to apply analytical thought. (Remember level 4, Analysis?)
The essay will be due on Thursday, Aprith 5th, by the end of school.
Essay topics:
- Analyze a character. Choose one of the following characers, Daisy, Gatsby, or Tom and write an essay describing how they change over the course of the novel. Focus on who they were when the novel started and who they were when the novel ended. What secrets of theirs were revealed to us? Why did they hide them?
- Choose a color from one of the six colors we discussed in class. Discuss its meaning in the novel and instances where the color occurs. How does the color's meaning affect the plot and mood of the novel? How is it important to the rest of the story?
- Compare and contrast either Tom and George or Daisy and Myrtle. How are they similar? How are they different? How do they approach the same situation in life differently?
- What do you think was the most significant moment of the novel? Why? How did it affect the outcome of the novel? (Remember for this topic you have to defend your choice. Give some evidence from the book as to why the scene you choose was the most important.)
You may elect to choose your own topic. If you do so, please clear your topic with me first. This will make sure that you don't create a topic that isn't an analysis after all, and just focuses on summarizing the plot.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
3/29/07
English 3:
Today we created a timeline for chapter 8. This timeline will be on the test (Which is Monday!) so it will be important that you get it from a classmate. Your homework was to finish the novel and write two discussion questions.
We have lots of exciting events planned for next week, so don’t punch out of here early! There’s still lots of stuff to be done.
Speech:
Today I handed out directions for our big dramatic reading! It is very important that you see me and get these directions from me. Otherwise, you will have a lot of trouble completing this assignment. You were given in class time today to work on this and select a reading. Remember, all readings must be performed solo. That does not mean that you have to choose a solo performance, it just means that you will be the only person speaking. If the part has two characters, you need to figure out how to stage it with one. You also may not perform a part written by yourself or another student.
English 4:
Today you got your rough draft of your literary analysis back. This paper is due on Monday!
English 3:
Today we created a timeline for chapter 8. This timeline will be on the test (Which is Monday!) so it will be important that you get it from a classmate. Your homework was to finish the novel and write two discussion questions.
We have lots of exciting events planned for next week, so don’t punch out of here early! There’s still lots of stuff to be done.
Speech:
Today I handed out directions for our big dramatic reading! It is very important that you see me and get these directions from me. Otherwise, you will have a lot of trouble completing this assignment. You were given in class time today to work on this and select a reading. Remember, all readings must be performed solo. That does not mean that you have to choose a solo performance, it just means that you will be the only person speaking. If the part has two characters, you need to figure out how to stage it with one. You also may not perform a part written by yourself or another student.
English 4:
Today you got your rough draft of your literary analysis back. This paper is due on Monday!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
3/28/07
English 3
Today we gave our color presentation. It’s important that you make it up on your own time. Remember, you need to give me three instances of color acting as a symbol in the novel. We also discussed chapter 8. Make sure you understand chapter 8.
Tomorrow, continue reading The Great Gatsby. We will finish the book on Friday. Can you believe we’re all done with it already? On Monday, we will have a test over Gatsby. Be prepared!
Speech
Today we moved around our seating chart. We talked about our minor oral presentations, and wrapped up most of them. Tomorrow, we will give the last presentation and get information on the big oral presentations! Make sure to either be present for class tomorrow, come into school to get this information, or get it from a reliable friend.
English 4
We had a small research day today. We lost our 8th hour class, so we just worked on our papers. You guys in 8th hour will have to do this work on your own time. Don't forget, literary analysis papers are due Monday!!
English 3
Today we gave our color presentation. It’s important that you make it up on your own time. Remember, you need to give me three instances of color acting as a symbol in the novel. We also discussed chapter 8. Make sure you understand chapter 8.
Tomorrow, continue reading The Great Gatsby. We will finish the book on Friday. Can you believe we’re all done with it already? On Monday, we will have a test over Gatsby. Be prepared!
Speech
Today we moved around our seating chart. We talked about our minor oral presentations, and wrapped up most of them. Tomorrow, we will give the last presentation and get information on the big oral presentations! Make sure to either be present for class tomorrow, come into school to get this information, or get it from a reliable friend.
English 4
We had a small research day today. We lost our 8th hour class, so we just worked on our papers. You guys in 8th hour will have to do this work on your own time. Don't forget, literary analysis papers are due Monday!!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
3/27/06
Juniors:
Today we posted a reply to the blogs that we made yesterday. If you were not here, you have to post a reply to a blog in another class. Reply to their post predicting what will occur in the final chapter. Do you agree or disagree with them? Why or why not? Make sure to include your name so that I know who is posting.
Tomorrow you need to read chapter 8 and have two discussion questions.
Future homework assignments will also be posted on the whiteboard in class. If they’re not up, it means something has happened to the assignment and you are to ask me! A blank white board does NOT mean no homework!
Seniors:
In speech we continued our dramatic readings. Tomorrow is the last day to read. If you do not go tomorrow, you will have to see me either before or after school to get your reading in. We will be starting a larger project on Thursday that will take us up to Spring Break!
In English 4, our rough drafts for our literary analysis papers were due today. If you haven't turned it in, then the paper is late! You may use your pass card, but only for High School credit. If you're taking the class for college credit, it's 20% off. Please remember to submit one rough draft to me and another to a student in your class to proofread. Your classmate's comments will be more valuable than mine as they will be more in-depth. They only have one paper to read, I have thirty. The final drafts of your literary analysis paper is due on Monday.
Keep working on your research papers, too. You will have the rest of these two weeks before spring break to work on your research paper and literary analysis. You're almost there!!
Juniors:
Today we posted a reply to the blogs that we made yesterday. If you were not here, you have to post a reply to a blog in another class. Reply to their post predicting what will occur in the final chapter. Do you agree or disagree with them? Why or why not? Make sure to include your name so that I know who is posting.
Tomorrow you need to read chapter 8 and have two discussion questions.
Future homework assignments will also be posted on the whiteboard in class. If they’re not up, it means something has happened to the assignment and you are to ask me! A blank white board does NOT mean no homework!
Seniors:
In speech we continued our dramatic readings. Tomorrow is the last day to read. If you do not go tomorrow, you will have to see me either before or after school to get your reading in. We will be starting a larger project on Thursday that will take us up to Spring Break!
In English 4, our rough drafts for our literary analysis papers were due today. If you haven't turned it in, then the paper is late! You may use your pass card, but only for High School credit. If you're taking the class for college credit, it's 20% off. Please remember to submit one rough draft to me and another to a student in your class to proofread. Your classmate's comments will be more valuable than mine as they will be more in-depth. They only have one paper to read, I have thirty. The final drafts of your literary analysis paper is due on Monday.
Keep working on your research papers, too. You will have the rest of these two weeks before spring break to work on your research paper and literary analysis. You're almost there!!
Monday, March 26, 2007
A lot of you have said that you're missing blogs, so I thought I'd post a list of what should be in your blog. Remember, this isn't a final list. In fact, we'll be blogging again tomorrow.
English 3 Blogging
This list is accurate as of 3/26/07
You ought to have the following in your blog:
3 Blogs on Of Mice and Men
English 3 Blogging
This list is accurate as of 3/26/07
You ought to have the following in your blog:
3 Blogs on Of Mice and Men
- Reaction to first chapter. Relate to one of the five themes: Loneliness, Dreams, Animals, Fate, and Barriers.
- Reaction to Chapter 3. What is the significance of Animals in this chapter?
- Reaction to the end of the book. How did it make you feel?
You should also have replied to two classmate’s blogs. The first reply belongs on the reaction to the first chapter. The second reply belongs on the discussion of chapter 3. React to what the person has said. Do you disagree with it? Do you agree with them?
Four blogs on The Great Gatsby
- One on one of the ten questions handed out in class.
- One where you type out and then answer one of your chapter 2 discussion questions.
- One where you discuss Gatsby’s character. With all the rumors flying around, is Gatsby a good person? Do rumors and the company someone keeps (IE: their friends) affect your judgment.
- One where you predict what will happen in the final chapter, with a focus on Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom after Myrtle’s accident.
Up and Running!
Howdy! This is Mr. O'Hara's English 3 blog. If you ever need to find out what we did in class or what our homework will be, check in here. There will still be hard copies of assignments in the filing cabnet near my desk for students who are absent.
Today we added another post to our blog, bringing to the total number of posts up to seven. We thoroughly discussed chapter 7 and the symbolism in it. Prepare for another round of discussion and blogging tomorrow! The next chapter is due on Wednesday, and we will finish the book on Friday. Once we’re done with Gatsby, we’re done with books in English 3; and its on to poems.
Today we added another post to our blog, bringing to the total number of posts up to seven. We thoroughly discussed chapter 7 and the symbolism in it. Prepare for another round of discussion and blogging tomorrow! The next chapter is due on Wednesday, and we will finish the book on Friday. Once we’re done with Gatsby, we’re done with books in English 3; and its on to poems.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)