Thursday, January 31, 2013
Important Announcement
As we near the end of our study of The Odyssey, we must begin looking ahead toward our next major work, Romeo and Juliet. Please purchase your student's copy of Romeo and Juliet by Friday, February 8th! Let me know if you have any questions! (jlray@tcss.net)
Thursday, January 31st
Pre-AP English 9
Students took the second test on The Odyssey in class today.
Homework: Students need to read books 3-5 of Runemarks by Tuesday, February 5th.
English 10
We began a discussion of propaganda in class today, stressing its presence in almost every media outlet in our society.
ASHGE Reading Review
We continued discussing allegory in class today, reading through selections from Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Students took the second test on The Odyssey in class today.
Homework: Students need to read books 3-5 of Runemarks by Tuesday, February 5th.
English 10
We began a discussion of propaganda in class today, stressing its presence in almost every media outlet in our society.
ASHGE Reading Review
We continued discussing allegory in class today, reading through selections from Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Severe weather announcement
For anyone checking the blog tonight, the county board has delayed the opening of school tomorrow by three hours. This means we will not be able to have our pre-ap test as scheduled tomorrow. The test will now be on Thursday, January 31st.
Tuesday, January 29th
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we completed an activity that helped us determine how diction can affect the tone and mood of a piece. Then, we finished chunking the third part of The Odyssey.
Homework: Students need to study for the test that will be given tomorrow, which will cover:
-- Words of the Day
-- Capitalization
-- Parts 2 and 3 of The Odyssey
-- Norse Cosmology
-- Books 1 and 2 of Runemarks
English 10
Students took the "Puritans' Beliefs Test" in class today.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we continued discussing the American Romantic and Dark Romantic movement.
In today's class, we completed an activity that helped us determine how diction can affect the tone and mood of a piece. Then, we finished chunking the third part of The Odyssey.
Homework: Students need to study for the test that will be given tomorrow, which will cover:
-- Words of the Day
-- Capitalization
-- Parts 2 and 3 of The Odyssey
-- Norse Cosmology
-- Books 1 and 2 of Runemarks
English 10
Students took the "Puritans' Beliefs Test" in class today.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we continued discussing the American Romantic and Dark Romantic movement.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Monday, January 28th
Pre-AP English 9
After discussing sentence combining, we began a comparative analysis between Homer's The Odyssey and the movie August Rush.
Homework: Students need to finish reading the first two books of Runemarks. Also, the test that was going to be given tomorrow will now be given on Wednesday, January 30th. The test will cover Words of the Day, capitalzation, parts two and three of The Odyssey, and the Norse Cosmology.
English 10
Today's class centered around Puritans, Pilgrims, and the beliefs that set them apart from that Catholic counterparts.
To download a copy of the Purtian PowerPoint, click here.
Homework: Students need to study for the Pilgrim and Puritan test that will be given in class tomorrow.
AHSGE Reading Review
After a Word of the Day quiz, we continued our discussion of genres, discussing American Romanticism and Dark Romanticism in class today.
After discussing sentence combining, we began a comparative analysis between Homer's The Odyssey and the movie August Rush.
Homework: Students need to finish reading the first two books of Runemarks. Also, the test that was going to be given tomorrow will now be given on Wednesday, January 30th. The test will cover Words of the Day, capitalzation, parts two and three of The Odyssey, and the Norse Cosmology.
English 10
Today's class centered around Puritans, Pilgrims, and the beliefs that set them apart from that Catholic counterparts.
To download a copy of the Purtian PowerPoint, click here.
Homework: Students need to study for the Pilgrim and Puritan test that will be given in class tomorrow.
AHSGE Reading Review
After a Word of the Day quiz, we continued our discussion of genres, discussing American Romanticism and Dark Romanticism in class today.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday, January 25th
Pre-AP English 9
After discussing the rules of capitalization, we started reading through part 3 of The Odyssey.
For extra capitalization practice, click here.
Homework: Students should read the first two books of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 29th. They should also prepare for the next Odyssey test that will be given on Tuesday, January 29th.
English 10
We practiced with our capitalization today, before turning to a further discussion of the Puritans and Pilgrims.
AHSGE Reading Review
After taking a test on propaganda, we discussed capitalization rules in class today.
After discussing the rules of capitalization, we started reading through part 3 of The Odyssey.
For extra capitalization practice, click here.
Homework: Students should read the first two books of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 29th. They should also prepare for the next Odyssey test that will be given on Tuesday, January 29th.
English 10
We practiced with our capitalization today, before turning to a further discussion of the Puritans and Pilgrims.
AHSGE Reading Review
After taking a test on propaganda, we discussed capitalization rules in class today.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thursday, January 24th
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we finished reading Part 2 of The Odyssey, making sure to make special emphasis on Odysseus' waning hubris and his increased devotion to the gods.
Homework: Students need to make sure to read books 1 and 2 of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 29th.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we discussed figurative language and Freytag's triangle.
In today's class, we finished reading Part 2 of The Odyssey, making sure to make special emphasis on Odysseus' waning hubris and his increased devotion to the gods.
Homework: Students need to make sure to read books 1 and 2 of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 29th.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we discussed figurative language and Freytag's triangle.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wednesday, January 23rd
Pre-AP English 9
Students took their first Odyssey test in today's class.
Homework: Students need to read the first two books of Runemarks by next Tuesday, January 29th.
English 10
After spending some time on capitalization in today's class, we began talking about the Puritans and their way of life in the New World.
If your student needs extra practice with capitalization, please click here. (Hint: the word whose capitalization is in question is the word BEFORE the box.)
AHSGE Reading Review
Students completed the Romeo and Juliet comparative analysis in today's class.
Students took their first Odyssey test in today's class.
Homework: Students need to read the first two books of Runemarks by next Tuesday, January 29th.
English 10
After spending some time on capitalization in today's class, we began talking about the Puritans and their way of life in the New World.
If your student needs extra practice with capitalization, please click here. (Hint: the word whose capitalization is in question is the word BEFORE the box.)
AHSGE Reading Review
Students completed the Romeo and Juliet comparative analysis in today's class.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tuesday, January 22nd
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we read over Part 1 of Homer's The Odyssey, paying special attention to examples of Odysseus' hubris.
Homework: Students need to continue studying for tomorrow's test. The test will cover Words of the Day, parts of speech, formal vs. informal writing, Part 1 of The Odyssey, and the Greek Pantheon notes.
Students also need to read the first two books of Joanne Harris' Runemarks by next Tuesday, January 29th.
English 10
Students took the unit test on the Oral Tradition and Native American folklore.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, students started writing a comparative analysis between Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and the movie Simon Birch.
In today's class, we read over Part 1 of Homer's The Odyssey, paying special attention to examples of Odysseus' hubris.
Homework: Students need to continue studying for tomorrow's test. The test will cover Words of the Day, parts of speech, formal vs. informal writing, Part 1 of The Odyssey, and the Greek Pantheon notes.
Students also need to read the first two books of Joanne Harris' Runemarks by next Tuesday, January 29th.
English 10
Students took the unit test on the Oral Tradition and Native American folklore.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, students started writing a comparative analysis between Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and the movie Simon Birch.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Friday, January 18th
I hope you all have a safe and fun MLK Jr. Weekend!
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we began reading Homer's The Odyssey, and, as we did, we also began to discuss epic and heroic literary conventions.
Homework: Students need to make sure and have their copy of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 22nd.
English 10
Today, we continued our comparative analysis of Pocahontas.
AHSGE Reading Review
Propaganda was the continued topic of conversation today, as we learned about fallacious thinking and fact vs. opinion.
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we began reading Homer's The Odyssey, and, as we did, we also began to discuss epic and heroic literary conventions.
Homework: Students need to make sure and have their copy of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 22nd.
English 10
Today, we continued our comparative analysis of Pocahontas.
AHSGE Reading Review
Propaganda was the continued topic of conversation today, as we learned about fallacious thinking and fact vs. opinion.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thursday, January 17th
Happy Snow Day!
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we finished discussing Norse mythology and began our character analysis of the characters in The Odyssey.
Homework: Students need to make sure to obtain their copies of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 22nd.
English 10
We read the real account of Pocahontas' encounter with John Smith in class today, after we reviewed parts of speech in preparation for the test tomorrow.
Homework: Students need to study for the oral traditions test that will be given tomorrow.
AHSGE Reading Review
After taking a test on the oral tradition, we continued our discussion of propaganda and its uses in popular culture.
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we finished discussing Norse mythology and began our character analysis of the characters in The Odyssey.
Homework: Students need to make sure to obtain their copies of Runemarks by Tuesday, January 22nd.
English 10
We read the real account of Pocahontas' encounter with John Smith in class today, after we reviewed parts of speech in preparation for the test tomorrow.
Homework: Students need to study for the oral traditions test that will be given tomorrow.
AHSGE Reading Review
After taking a test on the oral tradition, we continued our discussion of propaganda and its uses in popular culture.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Wednesday, January 16th
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we continued our discussion of the Greek Pantheon and its use as the backdrop of The Odyssey. We also began discussing the advent and common practices of Norse mythology as a backdrop to the students' reading of Runemarks. It is VERY important that students download and print a copy of these notes to study, as our time in class covering them will be VERY limited!
To download a copy of the Norse mythological notes, please click here.
Homework: Students need to have their copies of Joanne Harris' Runemarks by Tuesday, January 22nd!
English 10
We continued talking about Native American life and folklore in today's class, and we read several examples of origin and creation myths.
Homework: Students need to study these stories and all notes taken in class in preparation for the Oral Tradition test.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we finished our analysis of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and began a discussion about propaganda.
In today's class, we continued our discussion of the Greek Pantheon and its use as the backdrop of The Odyssey. We also began discussing the advent and common practices of Norse mythology as a backdrop to the students' reading of Runemarks. It is VERY important that students download and print a copy of these notes to study, as our time in class covering them will be VERY limited!
To download a copy of the Norse mythological notes, please click here.
Homework: Students need to have their copies of Joanne Harris' Runemarks by Tuesday, January 22nd!
English 10
We continued talking about Native American life and folklore in today's class, and we read several examples of origin and creation myths.
Homework: Students need to study these stories and all notes taken in class in preparation for the Oral Tradition test.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we finished our analysis of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and began a discussion about propaganda.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monday, January 14th
Pre-AP English 9
Today, we discussed the different parts of speech and had a little practice with the concept. Afterwards, we began to discuss the Greek Pantheon and its relation to Homer's The Odyssey.
Homework: Students need to study over their notes and make sure that they understand everything discussed in class today. They also need to make sure and have their copies of Joanne Harris' Runemarks by Monday, January 21st.
For a copy of the Greek Pantheon notes, please click here.
For extra help with parts of speech, you can click here.
English 10
After finishing our comparative analysis of Cinderella, we began discussing the different parts of speech.
For extra help with parts of speech, click here.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we studied main ideas and how you can find main ideas in different types of texts. Then, we read through three stories, "The New Teacher," "The Burlington Northern, Southbound," and "The Boarded Window" and analyzed them to find the main ideas of the stories.
Today, we discussed the different parts of speech and had a little practice with the concept. Afterwards, we began to discuss the Greek Pantheon and its relation to Homer's The Odyssey.
Homework: Students need to study over their notes and make sure that they understand everything discussed in class today. They also need to make sure and have their copies of Joanne Harris' Runemarks by Monday, January 21st.
For a copy of the Greek Pantheon notes, please click here.
For extra help with parts of speech, you can click here.
English 10
After finishing our comparative analysis of Cinderella, we began discussing the different parts of speech.
For extra help with parts of speech, click here.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we studied main ideas and how you can find main ideas in different types of texts. Then, we read through three stories, "The New Teacher," "The Burlington Northern, Southbound," and "The Boarded Window" and analyzed them to find the main ideas of the stories.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Friday, January 11th
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we discussed several ways that author's can create rhetorical effects, including diction and syntax. Afterwards, we finished our "Fairy tales and Folklore" PowerPoint.
For a copy of the Folklore PowerPoint, please see yesterday's blog post.
Homework: Students need to finish their Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes essay. It is due on Monday, January 14th.
English 10
In today's class, we finished the "Fairy tales and Folklore" PowerPoint. Afterwards, we read through several of the original versions of the most famous fairy tales, including "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella."
AHSGE Reading Review
Today, we performed a comparative analysis between Grimm's "Cinderella" and Disney's Cinderella.
In today's class, we discussed several ways that author's can create rhetorical effects, including diction and syntax. Afterwards, we finished our "Fairy tales and Folklore" PowerPoint.
For a copy of the Folklore PowerPoint, please see yesterday's blog post.
Homework: Students need to finish their Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes essay. It is due on Monday, January 14th.
English 10
In today's class, we finished the "Fairy tales and Folklore" PowerPoint. Afterwards, we read through several of the original versions of the most famous fairy tales, including "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella."
AHSGE Reading Review
Today, we performed a comparative analysis between Grimm's "Cinderella" and Disney's Cinderella.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Thursday, January 10th
Pre-AP English 9
After taking the test on The Hobbit, students continued to learn about fairy tales and folklore conventions.
Homework: Students need to write the essay on their other summer reading book, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. The essay prompt is as follows:
"Write a five-paragraph essay in which you discuss the sources of the parental conflict in Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, and explain how the conflict between parent and child adds to the meaning of the work. Make sure to AVOID PLOT SUMMARY!!"
Also, students need to make sure to procure a copy of Runemarks by Joanne Harris by January 21st.
To download a copy of the "Folklore and Fairy tales" PowerPoint, please click here.
English 10
After taking the 13 Reasons Why test, students continued to learn about fairy tales and folklore conventions.
To download a copy of the "Folklore and Fairy tales" PowerPoint, please click here.
AHSGE Reading Review
Students continued to learn about fairy tales and folklore traditions and then read through the original version of some fairy tales such as "Cinderella" and "The Little Mermaid."
To download a copy of the "Folklore and Fairy tales" PowerPoint, please click here.
After taking the test on The Hobbit, students continued to learn about fairy tales and folklore conventions.
Homework: Students need to write the essay on their other summer reading book, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. The essay prompt is as follows:
"Write a five-paragraph essay in which you discuss the sources of the parental conflict in Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, and explain how the conflict between parent and child adds to the meaning of the work. Make sure to AVOID PLOT SUMMARY!!"
Also, students need to make sure to procure a copy of Runemarks by Joanne Harris by January 21st.
To download a copy of the "Folklore and Fairy tales" PowerPoint, please click here.
English 10
After taking the 13 Reasons Why test, students continued to learn about fairy tales and folklore conventions.
To download a copy of the "Folklore and Fairy tales" PowerPoint, please click here.
AHSGE Reading Review
Students continued to learn about fairy tales and folklore traditions and then read through the original version of some fairy tales such as "Cinderella" and "The Little Mermaid."
To download a copy of the "Folklore and Fairy tales" PowerPoint, please click here.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Wednesday, January 9th
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, we began discussing the importance of the oral tradition. Specifically, we discussed folktales and fairytales and how these coventions are important to the analysis of these types of work.
Homework: Students need to finish their notecards for their summer reading, and they also need to study for The Hobbit test that will be given tomorrow.
Also, students need to make sure to procure their copy of Runemarks by Joanne Harris by January, 21st.
English 10
In today's class, we began discussing the importance of the oral tradition. Specifically, we discussed folktales and fairytales and how these coventions are important to the analysis of these types of work.
Homework: Students need to finish their notecards for their summer reading, and they also need to study for the 13 Reasons Why test that will be given tomorrow.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we began discussing the importance of the oral tradition. Specifically, we discussed folktales and fairytales and how these coventions are important to the analysis of these types of work.
In today's class, we began discussing the importance of the oral tradition. Specifically, we discussed folktales and fairytales and how these coventions are important to the analysis of these types of work.
Homework: Students need to finish their notecards for their summer reading, and they also need to study for The Hobbit test that will be given tomorrow.
Also, students need to make sure to procure their copy of Runemarks by Joanne Harris by January, 21st.
English 10
In today's class, we began discussing the importance of the oral tradition. Specifically, we discussed folktales and fairytales and how these coventions are important to the analysis of these types of work.
Homework: Students need to finish their notecards for their summer reading, and they also need to study for the 13 Reasons Why test that will be given tomorrow.
AHSGE Reading Review
In today's class, we began discussing the importance of the oral tradition. Specifically, we discussed folktales and fairytales and how these coventions are important to the analysis of these types of work.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Tuesday, January 8th
Welcome back to a new year and a new semester! I look forward to the academic strides we will make together this semester.
Pre-AP English 9
We spent time in class today going over the syllabus in detail and outlining what our class will look like for the semester.
Homework: Students need to finish their summer reading note cards and have them ready to turn in on Thursday, January 10th. This is also the day that the students will be tested on The Hobbit. Students also need to go ahead and order a copy of Joanne Harris' Runemarks. They need to have it no later than Monday, January 21st.
Finally, students need to bring back their signed info form and plagiarism contract by Thursday, January 10th.
English 10
In today's class, we spent time going over the class syllabus and going over yesterday's writing assignment.
Homework: Students need to finish their summer reading note cards and have them ready to turn in on Thursday, January 10th. This is also the day that the students will be tested on 13 Reasons Why.
Finally, students need to bring back their signed info form and plagiarism contract by Thursday, January 10th.
AHSGE Reading Review
Today, we spent time covering the syllabus and discussing the easiest ways to pass the graduation exam.
Homework: Students need to bring back their signed info form by Thursday, January 10th.
Pre-AP English 9
We spent time in class today going over the syllabus in detail and outlining what our class will look like for the semester.
Homework: Students need to finish their summer reading note cards and have them ready to turn in on Thursday, January 10th. This is also the day that the students will be tested on The Hobbit. Students also need to go ahead and order a copy of Joanne Harris' Runemarks. They need to have it no later than Monday, January 21st.
Finally, students need to bring back their signed info form and plagiarism contract by Thursday, January 10th.
English 10
In today's class, we spent time going over the class syllabus and going over yesterday's writing assignment.
Homework: Students need to finish their summer reading note cards and have them ready to turn in on Thursday, January 10th. This is also the day that the students will be tested on 13 Reasons Why.
Finally, students need to bring back their signed info form and plagiarism contract by Thursday, January 10th.
AHSGE Reading Review
Today, we spent time covering the syllabus and discussing the easiest ways to pass the graduation exam.
Homework: Students need to bring back their signed info form by Thursday, January 10th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)