dwalker

It’s another CAPT week, so our schedule is a bit odd. We meet Monday and then Thursday and Friday. Characterization is going to be very important as we begin our reading of Animal Farm. Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer are central. Be aware of what sets them apart from the other animals and from each other. The author, George Orwell, is careful to be succinct. He uses carefully chosen words to make his point, and he is also suggestive rather than direct. Napoleon, for example, has a reputation for getting what he wants. What does this mean? Keep your eyes open for other suggestions of character as you read. Molly, Boxer, Clover, and Benjamin will be important too.

Now, here is what the week looks like:

Mon. 3/12

1. Read ch. 3 in Animal Farm. Don’t forget to read the considerations before you begin.

2. Please complete the vocabulary for ch. 3.

We drop Tuesday and Wednesday we drop.

Thurs. 3/15

1. Please read ch. 4 in Animal Farm

2. Please do the vocabulary for ch. 4.

Friday 3/16

1. Please read ch. 5 in Animal Farm.

2. Please do ch. 5 vocabulary.

Holden shows us pretty clearly that he has a particular set of beliefs that are really important to him. He believes that movies are rubbish. He believes that phoney people are annoying. He believes in books. And he believes that the young and the innocent need the protection of the strong and determined. His most crucial moments come when he is sticking up for what he believes - his fights with Stradlater and Maurice, his decision not to leave so that he can be sure that Phoebe remains safe.

As you are revising your crucial moment, ask yourself if your story shows reveals something in which you believe. Sticking up for what you believe in makes a really good story. We’ll talk more about this on Thurs.

Antigone is another character in literature who is determined to stick by what she believes, no matter what the consequences. As we read and watch the film, try to put yourself in her shoes. Would you do what she does in breaking the law and standing up to Creon? What are your reasons for standing up to authority figures? Is your defiance worth it, as Antigone believes hers is? As you can see, there are many questions. Let’s take a look at how the week will shape up.

Monday 1/29:

1. In class writing: How do you define independence? In what ways have you acted independently?

2. Revision work with your crucial moment - what needs development? what can be removed? what surprised you? what part do you like most?

3. introduction to Antigone.

hmwk: the second draft of your crucial moment is due Thurs. 2/1

Tuesday 1/30:

1. In class writing: how do you define truth? What are your most important truths?

2. revision practice: start your crucial moment at the end. When you do your revision, perhaps you would like to use this as your lead.

3. continue introduction to Antigone

hmwk: remember that your revision is due on Thurs.

Wednesday 1/31:

We drop.

Thursday 2/1:

1. in class writing - what is justice? do you see yourself as a just person? how so?

2. peer editing conference - paragraphs, commas, dialogue

3. introduction to Antigone completed; we begin reading.

hmwk: crucial moment is due Monday 2/5.

Friday 2/2:

You guys have no school!!!

It is English 122. You are officially second semester freshmen. It’s a big deal to make it through the first semester of high school. Congratulations!! So here is the plan. We will finish The Catcher in the Rye this week and begin writing your first personal narrative about a crucial moment you have had in your life. We will talk! Take a look.

Monday 1/22

In class: We need to do some binder organization, and we will consider where Holden has been since we last visited.

hmwk: Please read ch. 22-23 in The Catcher in the Rye

 Tues. 1/23

 In Class, we will talk about Holden as a tragic hero.

hmwk: read ch. 24-25 The Catcher in the Rye

Weds. 1/24

 In class we will read ch. 26 and discuss

 hmwk: none

Thurs. 1/25

We drop.

Friday 1/26

In class we will conclude our discussion of The Catcher in the Rye, and we will begin planning the first personal narrative, a Crucial moment.

hmwk: please write the first draft of your crucial moment.

BLOCK 7 EXAM IS ON THURSDAY 1/18 AT 9:45 IN RM. 117

BLOCK  8 EXAM IS ON FRIDAY 1/19 AT 9:45 IN RM. 117

 It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of the first semeseter. I must tell you that I am excited by your focus and attention in The Catcher in the Rye! Keep up the good work.

There are two things we must do this week. First, we must continue with the reading. Second, we  will prepare for the exam, for the most part in class. There is some work, however, that you must do  outside of class, primarily reviewing your notes on literary terms and the hero.  Here is what the week will look like.

Monday 1/8: We drop.

Tues 1/9:

In class, we will discuss the exam - what it will look like and what we will do to prepare.

hmwk: Please read chapters 18 & 19 in The Catcher in the Rye and review your notes on characterization. There may be a quiz tomorrow!!!???

Weds. 1/10:

In class we will discuss “The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry” and how it is illustrated in Of Mice and Men and The Catcher in the Rye.

hmwk: Please read ch. 20 and 21 in The Catcher in the Rye and review your notes on conflict and turning point

Thurs 1/11:

In class, we will talk about the hero’s journey in The Catcher in the Rye as well as the themes of friendship and sacrifice in both novels.

hmwk: Get ready for the exam. Good Luck!!!

Friday 12: We drop.

During this week we will see Holden lose it with Stradlater and decide to leave Pency early. We will also see him lie extravagently and begin to feel quite sad and alone. Here is what the week’s reading looks like.

Monday 12/18:

read ch. 6 & 7

Tuesday 12/19:

We drop

Wednesday 12/20:

read ch. 8 & 9

Thursday  12/21:

read 10 & 11

We are nearing the end of our work with Of Mice and Men. We are going to use our discussion of character to retell part of the story from a particular character’s point of view. We will also finish up our work with vocabulary. Here is what the week looks like:

Monday:

For homework:

Choose a character who interests you or that you like. You will imagine yourself as that character and retell part of the story from his or her point of view.

Tuesday:

In class we will talk about the vocabulary and begin working a plans for your story.

For homework:

1. Complete the story plan begun in class.

2. There is a vocabulary quiz on ch. 4 and 5 on Friday

Wednesday:

In class we will finish talking about vocabulary and begin writing the first draft in class. Get as much done as you can.

For homework:

1. Practice for the vocabulary quiz. Remember the usage of each word, and practice writing sentences that include context clues.

Thursday:

We drop

Friday:

In class, we will begin with the quiz and then finish writing the first draft.

For homework, please type the second draft of your story making any changes that you think will improve your story.

This week we are going to be working on vocabulary. It is important that you be able to use the words in your writing as well as your reading, and we will work on how to use context clues in your sentence construction. We will also spend time with chapter 3 of Of Mice and Men. In it we learn more about how these men spend their time away from work. Some play cards. Others try to get their own way. Still others look for trouble. In the middle of it all, George and Lennie remind themselves to stick with their dream, a dream it turns out is contagious.

Here is the homework:

Tuesday Night, 11/14 - read p. 42-the bottom of p. 53

Wednesday Night, 11/15 - read the bottom of p. 53-the bottom of p. 63

Thursday Night, 11/16 - finish ch. 3 over the weekend

Please be ready to write in class about what you have read, either in a short paragraph or a 4 question quiz. Remember to use “introductions and considerations” to help guide your reading.

Hi, Everyone! I’ve missed you. I hope you found Stand by Me exciting and thought-provoking. We will continue to use the film in our discussion of the hero, but for now, let’s get a look at what is happening this week.

Monday Night:

Please finish reading chapter 2 in Of Mice and Men. Please be sure to use “Considerations” to guide you through the reading.

Tuesday

No School.

Wednesday Night:

Read to the bottom of p. 55 in Of Mice and Men

Thursday

No school

Friday night

Finish ch. 3 in Of Mice and Men

This week you will be working on your original hero story. Here is what you need to do:

1. Your first draft is due on Wednesday. In class we will work on partner conferences and discusses editing your draft.

2. Your revision is due in class on Friday, at which time I will collect it.

On Thursday and Friday we will begin our study of Of Mice and Men. You will get your book, and we will talk about the questions we will use the book to try and answer. More to follow.