English 10

Today in class, I handed back the paragraphs on "The Doll's House".  Then, we read "Harrison Bergeron" (pg. 175).  Find and define five good academic words from the story. If you don't know the words, great!  If you know all the words in the story, just choose the best five.  Then, write three open-ended questions (that could spark discussion) about the story.  Tomorrow, we'll have a socratic seminar using your questions.

English 8

P3:
Make sure to complete the parts of speech sentences (#s 2-3) that were given in class.  Also, on the flip side of that sheet is "Harlem".  Answer question #4 about the poem.

P4:
Try your best to assign an emotion to each sensory image of the poem. (Question #5).

English 8

P3:
Complete the vocabulary sheet on "A Secret for Two" and "The Dog of Pompeii".  Also, finish the 7 questions on page 10 about "The Dog of Pompeii".

P4:
Your homework is the same as Period 3.

English 10

Your paragraphs on how Edgar Allan Poe creates mood in his short story "The Telltale Heart" is due on Monday.  Today, we discussed the theme of the story and how to incorporate quotations into literary compositions.  When you proofread your paragraphs, be sure to do the following:
1. Read your paragraph out loud to check for word omissions and proper tense useage.
2. Check your punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.
3. Correct any contractions.  For example, separate "doesn't" to "does not", "he's" to "he is", etc. Contractions are informal, and literary compositions need to be formal.

English Lit

Today, we finished watching Beowulf and students worked on their cue cards for next day's discussion.  The questions we discussed can be found on the blog post for Friday, Sept. 20th.  We will have our final discussion of the Anglo-Saxon period next Tuesday.
The test is scheduled for next Thursday, October 3rd. The test will consist of 7 vocabulary questions, 12 multiple choice questions, a short answer question on the poetry of Anglo-Saxon literature, and three paragraph questions.  One of the paragraphs will relate to a quotation.
Here are the vocabulary words you should study:

1. hosts
2. moors
3. gabled
4. reparation
5. solace
6. ravaged
7. scabbard
8. bolted
9. taut
10. writhing
11. blunted
12. pilgrimage
13. affliction
14. reprisal
15. kinsmen

English 10

Today, we finished looking at the questions on "The Telltale Heart".  Tonight, write a rough copy of a paragraph that explains how Edgar Allan Poe creates mood in his story.  Make sure to use at least one quotation (with page number). 

English 8

Period 3:

Complete the first page of the vocabulary sheet for homework tonight.  Do not finish reading the class story.  Also, complete the parts of speech sentences for tomorrow.

Period 4:
Answer questions 1-3 on page 10 and make sure the first page of the vocabulary sheet is finished.

English Lit

Today, we continued watching Beowulf.  Students handed in their pink vocabulary sheets.  Questions and readings are due on Thursday in preparation for next Thursday's Anglo-Saxon test.

English 10

Today, we read "The Telltale Heart" (page 56).  Students came up with the following questions.  Everyone in class was assigned one of these.  If you were not in class, choose one and answer it. The questions are as follows:
1. What is the relationship between the protagonist and the old man?
2. DON'T ANSWER THIS ONE BECAUSE WE DID IT IN CLASS (Is the old man blind? Yes, he has a cataract)
3. Why does the protagonist go crazy?
4. Why/how does the protagonist hear the old man's heartbeat after the murder?
5. Why did the protagonist murder the old man in such an inefficient manner? (smothering)
6. What is the "disease" that heightens the protagonist's senses?
7. What are two prominent symbols in this story?  Explain what you think they mean.

English 8

P3 and P4:

If you didn't hand in your journal today in class, finish it tonight and submit it tomorrow.
The topics were as follows:
1. The best pet ever! (real or imagined)
2. Superstitions
3. The most awesome thing I've ever seen in nature.

English Lit

The Anglo-Saxon test will be on October 3nd.  With this in mind, please bring your completed vocabulary sheet to class on Tuesday (the 24th). Also, read and take notes on page 32 (the Venerable Bede) and pages 41-42 (the development of the English language) as these will relate to the test.  In terms of Beowulf, by next Thursday, you should answer the "For Study and Discussion" section of page 30, questions 1-8.  Finally, last class, students were assigned to answer one of the following questions:
1. Why is the battle between Beowulf and Grendel described in such long, gory detail?  Also consider the symbolic meaning of Herot.
2.  What is the greater message of Beowulf? What does Grendel symbolize?  How is Beowulf an ideal hero?
3. It seems unimportant for Beowulf to have an heir.  Why might this be so?  Also, why is Grendel's body never fully described?
4. How important is glory to the Anglo-Saxons?  Would Beowulf have undertaken his deeds anonymously?

If for any reason you were not assigned one of the above 4 questions, please pick one and answer it.

English 10

Make sure that your final questions on "The Doll's House" are complete.  Question #11 is a paragraph question; please write this response on a separate piece of paper.  Everything  is due Monday.

English 8

P3:
Make sure to complete the questions on the short story that you'll find on the very back page.  DO NOT DO THE "TAKING A CLOSER LOOK" OR "LET'S GET INVOLVED" QUESTIONS.  Also, bring a 5-sentence MadLib (that you have written yourself) to class on Monday.  Make sure that each sentence has one or two banks to be filled in. Use your Parts of Speech Quick Chart to help you.

P4:
Complete both sides of the handout on expressions that you received on Friday.

English 10

We read part of  "The Doll's House" to the middle of pg. 168 today in class.  We'll finish reading the story tomorrow.

English 8

Tomorrow, your vocabulary sheet is due.

English Lit

Draw your vision of Grendel and bring your masterpiece to class on Tuesday.  Write two conversation-worthy questions about Beowulf, select two quotes from the work and explain why they are significant, and note two literary devices.  You do not have to provide an answer for your questions...yet.

English 10

Complete the questions on "The Inheritor".

English 8

P3
This weekend, complete the vocabulary sheet.

P4
Complete the paragraph on the similarities OR differences between the story, "The Golden Pants", by Roger Lemelin and the video, "The Sweater", by Roch Carrier.  You will have an extra day to complete the vocabulary sheet.

English 8

Period 3:
List the similarities and differences between the short story and the video.

Period 4:
Complete your paragraph that makes an argument.  You will hand this in at the start of class tomorrow.

English 10

Today, we read most of "The Inheritor".  Tonight, write a short paragraph explaining why the protagonist made the choice he did.  In the last couple of sentences, evaluate his choice--was it a good or bad one?

English Lit

Find good definitions for a caesura in poetry and for a kenning.  Then, find four examples of a kenning in "The Coming of Grendel".

English 8

Period 3:
Answer questions 1-5 on the short story.

Period 4:
List the similarities and differences between the short story and the video.

English 10

There is no homework tonight.

English Lit

Today, I gave students a vocabulary sheet to keep track of new words found in our readings.  If you didn't get the sheet, I will give one to you when next we meet.

We didn't go over the answers to the questions on page 9 (last Thursday's homework), but we will on Wednesday.  Students took some notes on Anglo-Saxon society and values; then, we read the first section of Beowulf (pp. 12-16).

For homework, students need to select a quote they think is important from that section (and state why they think it's so), note down an example of a literary device from anywhere in the section, and pose a good question on the reading, too.  They should provide an answer to their question, but it need not be completely fleshed out.

English 10

Tonight, make sure to finish the questions on "Lamb to the Slaughter" (complete sentences and full answers, please).  There will be a homework check tomorrow.

English 8

Today, we went over some vocabulary words for the short story we'll read tomorrow.  Then, we looked at some more tricky words.  You can see them all here on the following list (the new ones are bolded):
1. they're, there, their
2. to, too, two
3. loose, lose
4. allot, a lot
5. beginning
6. business
7. independent
8. it's, its
9. you're, your
10. we're, were

Then, students had time to work on their posters.  Period 3 will have some more time next class.  Period 4 will not have any more class time for this, but will have access to my room at lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday.

English Lit 12

For Monday, read pagest 2-9.  Take about 3-4 notes per section, and then answer the questions on page 9.

English 10

Your only homework is to review these vocabulary words:

1. placid (adj):  peaceful; calm 
2. punctually (adv):  to be done on time; to be done promptly
3. bewildered (adj): confused 
4. congeal (verb): to clot; to solidify; to coagulate 
5. console (verb): to comfort someone who is sad or upset 
6. trifle (noun): an item of little value or importance 
7. luxuriate (verb): to enjoy a self-indulgent delight 
8. well (verb): (of a liquid) to rise to the surface and spill; (of an emotion) to become more intense 
9. hysterically (adv): done with wild, uncontrolled laughter or crying for an extended period of time
10. exasperated (adj): irritated intensely; frustrated; to be "at  one's wit's end"