Friday, 12/11/15

Due Today
Moby Dick: Madness/Insanity Questions

Agenda

Final Exam Review
Today, I passed out study guides to help the students review for the final exam. I also went over a PowerPoint presentation for further review. You can find the PowerPoint here: http://www.slideshare.net/secret/9wUUyKscym4uIZ

Thursday, 12/10/15

Due Today
Moby Dick: Fate & Free Will Questions

Agenda

Moby Dick Theme #3 - Madness/Insanity
Today, we discussed the theme of madness and insanity as it applies to Moby Dick. Then, students were to answer the following questions about madness/insanity:

(1) Why does Melville specifically emphasize that Ahab’s madness is a form of "monomania" (obsession with a single thing)?
(2) In what respects is Ahab sane? In what respects is he insane?
(3) How does Ahab’s monomania interact with his status as a tragic hero? Does it make him more heroic or more tragic, or less of either?
(4) Would we understand Ahab’s character differently if he had had a straightforward psychotic break rather than a madness that develops slowly, over a long period of time, after his encounter with Moby Dick?

Homework
Finish the madness/insanity questions due tomorrow, 12/11/15.

Wednesday, 12/9/15

Due Today
Moby Dick: Revenge Questions

Agenda

Moby Dick Theme #2 - Fate & Free Will
Discuss the theme of fate and free will as it applies to Moby Dick. Then, students are to answer the following questions about fate and free will:

(1) Do the characters in Moby-Dick have unavoidable destinies? Consider especially (a) Ahab, (b) Ishmael, and (c) Starbuck.
(2) Why does Ishmael alone escape the wreck of the Pequod? Is there something that marks him out as different from the rest of the crew, or is it simply blind chance?

Homework
Finish the fate and free will questions due tomorrow, 12/10/15.

Tuesday, 12/8/15

Agenda

Moby Dick Theme #1 - Revenge
Today, we will discuss the theme of revenge as it applies to Moby Dick. Then, students are to answer the following questions about revenge:

(1) Why are the characters in this novel, including Ishmael, so easily caught up in Captain Ahab’s revenge quest?
(2) Can a person take a revenge upon an element of nature?
(3) Is Captain Ahab’s quest for revenge on the White Whale doomed to failure from the start?
(4) What is Ahab actually taking revenge for—the loss of his leg, his suffering, his anger, something else, all of the above?
(5) How do Starbuck’s objections to Captain Ahab help us gain perspective on the revenge quest?

Homework
Finish the revenge questions due tomorrow, 12/9/15.

Monday, 12/7/15 - Minimum Day

Due Today
Moby Dick Debate Questions (due at the end of the period after the debate)

Agenda

Moby Dick - Class Debate
Students were split into two groups and had debate whether or not Captain Ahab is a tragic hero.

Friday, 12/4/15

Due Today
Moby Dick Summary (p. 36-370)

Agenda

Moby Dick - Discussion
Today, we discussed p. 366-70.

Moby Dick - Class Debate
Have students answer (in writing) and review the following questions to prepare for Monday’s debate:

• Pro Tragic Hero Questions
• What was Captain Ahab’s tragic flaw?
• How does he display hubris?
• What brings about his downfall?

• Anti Tragic Hero Questions
• Why do you think Captain Ahab does not have a tragic flaw?
• Why do you think he does not display hubris?
• What kind of man do you think Captain Ahab was?

Homework

Debate questions due Monday, 12/7/15

Thursday, 12/3/15

Due Today
Moby Dick Summary (p. 361-365)

Agenda

Moby Dick
Today, we discussed the previous day’s reading. Then, students were to read p. 366-370.

Homework
Write a short summary of p. 366-370.  Be sure to include characters and setting in your summary. Due tomorrow, 12/4/15.

Wednesday, 12/2/15

Due Today
Moby Dick Summary (p. 354-360)

Agenda

Moby Dick
Today, we discussed the previous day’s reading. Then, students were to read p. 361-365.

Homework
Write a short summary of p. 361-365.  Be sure to include characters and setting in your summary. Due tomorrow, 12/3/15.

Tuesday, 12/1/15

Agenda

Moby Dick
Students were to read p. 354-360 in class.

Homework
Write a short summary of p. 354-360.  Be sure to include characters and setting in your summary. Due tomorrow, 12/2/15.

Monday, 11/30/15

Agenda

Herman Melville
As an introduction to Moby Dick, students were tasked with finding 10 facts about Herman Melville using their textbooks (p. 352) or the Internet. To be turned in at the end of the period with tragic hero notes.

Tragic Hero Notes
Students took notes from the Tragic Hero ppt. To be turned in at the end of the period with the Herman Melville Facts.

Tragic Hero Exercise
Students were given a list of modern day tragic heroes.  If they saw a name on the list that they were familiar with, they were to explain why they thought that person was a tragic hero.

Week Sixteen (11/23/15-11/27/15)

NO SCHOOL!  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Friday, 11/20/15

Due TodayPoetry Project final draft (due at the end of the class period).

Agenda

Poetry Project
Finish up your final drafts!  They are due at the end of the period!

Thursday, 11/19/15

Due Today
Sonnet Rough Draft

Agenda

Poetry Project
Students should have completed all of their rough drafts.  If you haven’t shown them to me, do so now so I can give you credit!

Students should begin to put their final drafts together today in class.  Remember, each poem must be accompanied by a graphic or an illustration.  Final drafts are due tomorrow, 11/20/15 at the end of the class period.

Homework
Poetry Project final draft due tomorrow, 11/20/15.

Wednesday, 11/18/15

Due Today
(1) I Am Poem Rough Draft
(2) Haiku Rough Draft

Agenda

Sonnet

Today, I went over the sonnet form in class.  I explained what each quatrain should contain and elaborated a little more on the rhyme scheme.  I also went over Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 as an example. Students were to spend the rest of the class period working on their sonnets.

Homework
(1) Sonnet rough draft due tomorrow, 11/19/15.
(2) Poetry Project final draft due Friday, 11/20/15.

Tuesday, 11/17/15

Agenda

Poetry Project
Today, I distributed the Poetry Project handout. The handout has complete instructions for the entire project.  The final draft of the project is due Friday, 11/20/15.

I Am Poem and Haiku
I went over how to do the I Am Poem and Haiku in class.  Students spent the rest of the class period working on their I Am poems and haikus. Please refer to the handout if you were absent. Rough drafts of these poems are due by tomorrow, 11/18/15.

Homework
(1) I Am Poem rough draft due tomorrow, 11/18/15.
(2) Haiku rough draft due tomorrow, 11/18/15.
(3) Poetry Project final draft due Friday, 11/20/15.

Monday, 11/16/15 - Minimum Day

Due Today
Rap Lyric Analysis worksheet (due at the end of the class period).

Agenda

Rap Lyric Analysis
Finish up the Rap Lyric Analysis worksheet. Turn it in by the end of the period.

Friday, 11/13/15

Due Today
Name Poem Rough Draft

Agenda

Rap Lyric Analysis
Today, we went over nine different literary elements often found in rap music with examples for each.  Then, students were tasked with completing a Rap Lyric Analysis worksheet.
Worksheet will be due Monday, 11/16/15, by the end of the class period.

Homework
Rap Lyric Analysis due at the end of class on Monday, 11/16/15.

Thursday, 11/12/15

Agenda

Poetry Project
Today, I introduced the Poetry Project. I will give a handout re: the assignment early next week. For today, however, students should complete the Name Poem. Rough draft is due tomorrow.

Name Poem
Students are to write a Name Poem.  See the guidelines below for additional details.

Line 1 - Your first name.
Line 2 - “It means” then 3 adjectives that describe you.
Line 3 - “It is the number” then any number you choose.
Line 4 - “It is like” then describe a color but don’t name it.
Line 5 - “It is” then name something you remember experiencing with family or friends that  makes you smile to recall.
Line 6 - “It is the memory of” and name a person who is or has been significant to you.
Line 7 - “Who taught me” then 2 abstract concepts (such as “honesty”).
Line 8 - “When he/she” then refer to something that person did that displayed the qualities in line seven.
Line 9 - “My name is” and then your first name.
Line 10 - “It means” and in 1-2 brief sentences state something important you believe about life.

Homework
Name Poem rough draft, due tomorrow, 11/13/15.

Wednesday, 11/11/15 - NO SCHOOL!

NO SCHOOL!  Happy Veterans Day!

Tuesday, 11/10/15

Due Today
“The Poets” Analysis

Agenda

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Analyze “Weariness” (see below).  Be specific!  Tell me what images you see, meaning of capitalization and punctuation, metaphors, allusions, etc. If you don’t finish this in class, it becomes your homework. We will begin our poetry projects on Thursday!

Homework
“Weariness” analysis due Thursday, 11/12/15.

Weariness

O little feet! that such long years

Must wander on through hopes and fears,

Must ache and bleed beneath your load;

I, nearer to the wayside inn

Where toil shall cease and rest begin,

Am weary, thinking of your road!

O little hands! that, weak or strong,

Have still to serve or rule so long,

Have still so long to give or ask;

I, who so much with book and pen

Have toiled among my fellow-men,  (toil: work hard)

Am weary, thinking of your task.      (weary: feeling or showing tiredness;worn out)

O little hearts! that throb and beat

With such impatient, feverish heat,

Such limitless and strong desires;

Mine that so long has glowed and burned,

With passions into ashes turned

Now covers and conceals its fires.

O little souls! as pure and white

And crystalline as rays of light

Direct from heaven, their source divine;

Refracted through the mist of years,        (refracted: change of direction)

How red my setting sun appears,

How lurid looks this soul of mine!     (lurid: very vivid in color)

Hint: The color red is a symbol of???

Monday, 11/9/15

Agenda

Return To Longfellow
Look up information about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  Write down 10 facts you find.

Next, analyze “The Poets” (see below).  Be specific!  Tell me what images you see, meaning of capitalization and punctuation, metaphors, allusions, etc. If you don’t finish this in class, it becomes your homework.

Homework
“The Poets” analysis due Tuesday, 11/10/15.

The Poets

O ye dead Poets, who are living still

Immortal in your verse, though life be fled,

And ye, O living Poets, who are dead

Though ye are living, if neglect can kill,

Tell me if in the darkest hours of ill,

With drops of anguish falling fast and red

From the sharp crown of thorns upon your head,

Ye were not glad your errand to fulfill?

Yes; for the gift and ministry of Song

Have something in them so divinely sweet,

It can assuage the bitterness of wrong;      (assuage: make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

Not in the clamor of the crowded street,

Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,  (plaudits: praise) (throng: large crowd of people)

But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.

Friday, 11/6/15

Agenda

Emily Dickinson
Analyze two more of Emily Dickinson's poems from the textbook (p. 420-427).  They must be different from the one you analyzed on Tuesday.  Due at the end of the class period.

Thursday, 11/5/15

Due Today
“I cannot live with YOU” Analysis

Agenda

Emily Dickinson Unscramble Contest
Do NOT use the Internet to complete this assignment. Student(s) who get the closes to the original wins 10 points extra credit on the next unit test. Don’t think that you don’t have to do the assignment - I will be giving points for completing it. Turn in by the end of the period if you want to be eligible to win the prize!

Wednesday, 11/4/15

Due Today
Analysis of one Emily Dickinson poem (p. 420-427).

Agenda

Emily Dickinson
Today, students analyzed “I cannot live with You” with a partner. We will go over the analysis together as a class tomorrow.

Tuesday, 11/3/15

Agenda

Emily Dickinson
Today we read and analyzed “I measure every Grief I meet” together as a class.
Students were given the rest of the class period to analyze one of Emily Dickinson’s poems in the textbook (p. 420-427), just like the example we went over together.

Homework
(1) Analyze one of Emily Dickinson’s poems from the textbook (p. 420-427) due tomorrow, Wednesday 11/4/15.

Monday, 11/2/15

Agenda
Emily Dickinson
Today we went over notes on a PowerPoint presentation that focused on Emily Dickinson's life and work.  If you were absent, please ask a friend for the notes.

Friday, 10/31/15 - Minimum Day

Due Today
“The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls” and Comparing Literary Works Questions

Agenda

Extra Credit Opportunities
(1) Illustrate something out of Poe’s poetry that we have studied.  Make sure to include at least 5 lines of poetry that describes what you just drew.

(2) Draw a Halloween monster and write 5 lines of poetry telling me about where it lives, what it eats, and what it looks like.

All extra credit is due at the end of the period!

Thursday, 10/29/15

Due Today
“A Psalm of Life” Questions

Agenda

Guest Speaker

Mrs. Santoyo came into class to talk to the students about preparing for college.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - “The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls”

We went over some background information about the poem (p. 258). Students were then instructed to read the poem on p. 260 and answer the following questions:

1. Which event occurs in the first stanza?  Which details suggest that the traveler is nearing death?  Which details suggest that he has died?
2. Which line does the speaker repeat throughout the poem?  What effect does repetition have on the message of the poem?
3. What do you think Longfellow’s outlook on life and death was when he wrote the poem? Explain.

Comparing Literary Works
Students were also instructed to answer the following questions, comparing Longfellow’s two poems:

1. Describe the overall mood in “A Psalm of Life.” Describe the overall mood in “The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls.”
2. In what ways, if any, does Longfellow’s attitude toward life change between the first poem (“Psalm”) and the one he wrote forty years later (“Tide”)?
3. In what ways do the images in each poem and the moods they evoke connect with the circumstances of Longfellow’s life?  Explain.

Homework
“The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls” and Comparing Literary Works questions due tomorrow, 10/30/15.

Wednesday, 10/28/15

Due Today
“Raven” Questions

Agenda

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - “A Psalm of Life”
Today we went over some background information regarding Longfellow, stanza form, and the poem itself (p.256-258). We read the poem on p. 258 together in class, and students were to answer the following questions:

1. What attitude or ideas does the speaker challenge in the first two stanzas?  Is this attitude positive or negative?
2. In the third stanza, what does the speaker warn against?  What is the speaker’s attitude concerning individually and self-reliance?
3. According to the poem, how can our lives influence future generations?  What is the poet calling the readers to do?
4. Summarize the speaker’s view of life.
5. What is the message of this poem?  Do you agree with the poet’s ideas?

Homework

"A Psalm of Life" questions due tomorrow, 10/29/15.

Tuesday, 10/27/15

Due Today
“Raven” Plot Charts

Agenda

Poe - “The Raven”
We talked about the poem, emphasizing detail, single effect, tragic theme, Biblical allusions, Classical allusions, symbolism, anaphora, and tone.

“The Raven” Questions
Students were given the following questions to answer about the poem (p. 326) due tomorrow, 10/28/15.

1. List three verbs that show what the poem’s narrator is doing in the first stanza.
2. What fills the narrator’s heart with terror in stanza 3? 1 quote
3. What does the narrator see when he first opens the chamber door (stanza 4)?
4. In stanza 7, the raven flies into the narrator’s chamber. Where does the raven perch?  What might it symbolize?
5. Edgar Allan Poe is famous for using symbolism in his stories and poetry. How could the raven be a symbol in this poem?  What clues does Poe give you to imply that the raven is a symbol rather than a literal creature? 1 quote
6. How would you describe the atmosphere created by the setting?  Which images in the beginning of the poem create this atmosphere?  2 quotes
7. In stanza 12, the narrator sits down in front of the raven.  What is the narrator thinking as he looks at the bird? 2 quotes
8. As the poem progresses, the narrator becomes more and more furious with the raven.  Why does he become so angry? 2 quotes

9. Where is the raven at the end of the poem (stanza 18)?  What does the raven’s presence tell the reader about the narrator’s grief? 1 quote

10. Tell me two ways this is a gothic poem.  2 quotes
11. Write an example (from the poem) of the following literary devices: (a) alliteration, (b) imagery, (c) metaphor, (d) end rhyme, (e) mood/atmosphere, (f) anaphora, and (g) setting.

Homework
“The Raven” Questions due tomorrow, 10/28/15.

Monday, 10/26/15

Agenda

Poe - “The Raven” (p. 326)
Today, we watched two videos about Poe and "The Raven" (see links below). Afterwards, students were to write one paragraph about what they saw. Each paragraph should include (1) five facts about Poe or “The Raven” that they learned from the videos and (2) commentary re: the Simpsons video’s use of satire and what it means (due at the end of the class period).

Bio video about Poe:

http://www.biography.com/people/edgar-allan-poe-9443160/videos/edgar-allan-poe-nevermore-2080054356

Simpsons parody of “The Raven”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLiXjaPqSyY
Afterwards, students were to begin reading “The Raven” in class. If the students do not finish reading it, it becomes homework (along with the plot chart).

Homework
(1) Finish reading “The Raven” (p. 326).
(2) Create a plot chart for “The Raven” including: (a) exposition, (b) conflict, (c) rising action, (d) climax, (e) falling action, and (f) resolution due tomorrow, 10/27/15.

Friday, 10/23/15

Agenda

Poe - “Alone"

Students read the poem "Alone" and completed the questions at the end of the worksheet. It was due at the end of the class period.

Thursday, 10/22/15

Agenda

Poe - “Annabel Lee"

Today we went over the poem "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe stanza by stanza. Students took notes about setting, characters, theme, alliteration, and imagery.

Poe - More About The Author

Students spent the last 15 minutes of the period looking up information about Poe and sharing what they found with the class.

Wednesday, 10/21/15

Agenda

Introduction to Romanticism
Today, we will begin our Romanticism Unit. Students will take notes from the PowerPoint presentation.

Homework
Persuasive Essay Final Draft due tomorrow, 10/22/15.
*Remember to also turn in your rough draft and peer editing sheet.

Tuesday, 10/20/15.

Agenda

Persuasive Essay Peer Editing
Students need to have two other students read their persuasive essay rough drafts.  Peer editors must fill out the corresponding form which will provide feedback to the author.

Persuasive Essay Final Draft
Your final draft is due on Thursday.  Make sure: your essay is typed, you use 12 point font (Times New Roman), you use 1-inch margins, the essay is double-spaced, your heading is to the left, your title is centered, and you have a header (last name and page #).

*You will also need to turn in your rough draft and peer editing sheet.

Homework
Persuasive Essay Final Draft due Thursday, 10/22/15.

Monday, 10/19/15 - Minimum Day

Agenda

Make Up Work

Since we had a Fire Drill during 3rd period English 3, my 7th period class will have a free day to work on make up work, etc.  We will do persuasive essay peer editing tomorrow.

Homework

Persuasive Essay Final Draft due Thursday, 10/22/15.

Friday, 10/16/15 - Rally Schedule

Due Today
Persuasive Essay Rough Draft

***Due at the end of the period.

Agenda

Persuasive Essay Writing
Please write your conclusions today.  I will be collecting all rough drafts at the end of the period.

Thursday, 10/15/15

Agenda

Persuasive Essay Writing
Continue working on your body paragraphs today in class. Try and finish them by the end of the period so you have all of class tomorrow to work on your conclusion.

Remember, the rough draft of your essay is due Friday, 10/16/15.

Wednesday, 10/14/15

Agenda

Persuasive Essay Writing
If you have finished working on your introduction, please begin working on your body paragraphs.  We will spend the rest of the class period writing.

Remember, the rough draft of your essay is due Friday, 10/16/15.