Thursday, February 27, 2014

Thursday, February 27

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote a synthesis essay in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading The Things They Carried by Monday, March 5.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We continued our analysis of The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We finished discussing fairy tales and folklore in class today, before moving on to classical literary archetypes.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading A Separate Peace by tomorrow (Friday, February 28).

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Wednesday, February 26

AP Language and Composition
In today's class we watched a lecture given by Tim O'Brien as he explains his purposes in writing The Things They Carried.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading The Things They Carried by Monday, March 3.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
Today, we finished reading The Glass Menagerie in class.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
In today's class, we read several selections of classic fairytales and local folklore.

Homework: Students need to finish reading A Separate Peace by Friday, February 28.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tuesday, February 25

AP Language and Composition
In today's class, we studied the political effects that Nelson Mandela had on the cultural climate of South Africa.

Homework: Students need to read the rest of The Things They Carried by Monday, March 3.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We continued reading The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We began studying folklore and fairy tales in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading A Separate Peace by Friday, February 28.  The second part of their research project is also due on Friday.

Monday, February 24, 2014

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of February 24

Read the following article:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/20/cruz-to-cnn-global-warming-not-supported-by-data/

Answer the following questions:

1. Why is Ted Cruz announcing his opinions on climate change?  What agenda is he trying to press in this news release?
2. When Cruz talks about Secretary of State John Kerry's recent remarks regarding climate change, what type of logical fallacy is he employing?  (There is a possibility of two different types.)
3. What types of energy reforms does Cruz's energy proposal include?
4. Do you agree with Cruz's stance on climate change?  Explain your stance.

Ninth Grade Current Events Blog for Week of February 24

Read the following news article:

http://news.yahoo.com/opposition-pro-govt-rallies-grip-venezuela-193430918.html;_ylt=AwrTWfyEXAlTqFkAEWLQtDMD

Answer the following questions:
1. Who is Henrique Capriles?
2. Who is Leopoldo Lopez?  What does he have to do with the current protests happening in Venezuela?
3. When did the current political turmoil begin? (What date?)
4. The article states that many of the protestors, especially the ones taking the brunt of the violence, are students from local universities.  It seems to be a pattern that students, especially college students, are at the center of many revolutions around the world.  Why do you think that this is so?

Monday, February 24

AP Language and Composition
After taking the word of the day quiz, students also took the reading quiz for The Things They Carried.

Homework: Students need to continue reading The Things They Carried.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
After taking the word of the day quiz, we continued reading and analyzing The Glass Menagerie.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
After taking the word of the day quiz, we began discussing fairy tales and folklore in today's class.






For a copy of the PowerPoint notes, click here.



Homework:  Students need to finish reading A Separate Peace by Friday, February 28.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Friday, February 21

AP Language and Composition
In today's class, we studied the political effects that Nelson Mandela had on the cultural climate of South Africa.

Homework:  Students need to study for the Word of the Day quiz, which will be given on Monday, February 24.  They also need to finish reading the assigned selections in The Things They Carried.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We studied examples of tone and mood in class today, before continuing our study of The Glass Menagerie.

Homework:  Students need to study for the Word of the Day quiz, which will be given on Monday, February 24.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
After taking the second A Separate Peace reading quiz, students finished presenting their research projects.

Homework:  Students need to study for the Word of the Day quiz, which will be given on Monday, February 24.  They also need to finish reading A Separate Peace by Friday, February 28.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Wednesday, February 19

AP Language and Composition
We read through an article written by Tim O'Brien in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read the assigned chapters in The Things They Carried by Monday, February 24.  They also need to study for their Word of the Day, which will be given on Friday.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We continued reading The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework: Students need to study for their Word of the Day, which will be given on Friday.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We continued presenting research projects in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 5-8 in A Separate Peace by Friday, February 21.  They also need to study for their Word of the Day, which will be given on Friday.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Tuesday, February 18

AP Language and Composition
The AP classes did not meet today because of the half-day.  Please make sure that students are reading the assigned chapters in The Things They Carried that are due on Monday, February 24.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We continued studying Tennessee Williams in class today, and we began reading The Glass Menagerie.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We began our research presentations in class today.

Homework:  Students need finish reading chapters 5-8 in A Separate Peace by Friday, February 21.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Monday, February 17

AP Language and Composition
In today's class, we read several articles in preparation for reading Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried.

Homework:  Students need to read the chapters entitled "The Things They Carried" through "Style" by Monday, February 24.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We began discussing Tennessee Williams and The Glass Menagerie in class today.

To download a copy of the Tennessee Williams PowerPoint Presentation, please click here.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
In today's class, we analyzed Atticus Finch's closing speech from the Tom Robinson trial in the cinematic version of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 5-8 in A Separate Peace by Friday, February 21.  They also need to put the finishing touches on their research presentation, which they will begin presenting in class tomorrow.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Friday, February 14

Happy Valentine's Day!

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote their first synthesis essay in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read pages 1-136 in The Things They Carried (chapters entitled "The Things They Carried" through "Style") by Monday, February 24.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
Students finished their preparation for their comparative analyses in class today.

Homework:  Students need to type their comparative analysis this weekend.  It is due Monday.  It must be 600 words long.  They also need to have their copy of The Glass Menagerie in class with them on Monday.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
After taking their A Separate Peace reading quiz, students finished their research for the research projects in class today.

Homework:  Students need to put the finishing touches on their research projects over the weekend.  Projects are due on Monday.  They also need to continue reading A Separate Peace.  Chapters 5-8 should be read by Friday, February 21.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Thursday, February 13

AP Language and Composition
Today, students deconstructed several synthesis prompts in preparation for a synthesis essay tomorrow.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of The Things They Carried by tomorrow (the 14th).

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We continued our comparative analysis in class today between Simon Birch and Romeo and Juliet.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copies of The Glass Menagerie by tomorrow (the 14th).

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
Students continued watching the cinematic version of To Kill a Mockingbird in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading chapters 1-4 in A Separate Peace by tomorrow (the 14th).

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Wednesday, February 12

AP Language and Composition
Students received their mock exam scores in class today before practicing several prompt deconstructions.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copies of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien by Friday, February 14.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
Students continued their comparative analysis of Simon Birch and Romeo and Juliet in class today.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copies of The Glass Menagerie by Friday, February 14.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
Students continued their research project in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 1-4 in A Separate Peace by Friday, February 14.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of February 10

Read the following article:

http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/ap_ca2280e951cf462fbf8e308fd52b7a9b

Answer the following questions:

1. Who is Anwar al-Awlaki?
2. When was the Authorization for Use of Military Force resolution passed in Congress?
3. Up until this point, what three institutions could authorize a drone strike?
4. Is it right for President Obama to have the authority to command these strikes?  Why or why not?

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of February 10

Read the following article:

http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/ap_ca2280e951cf462fbf8e308fd52b7a9b

Answer the following questions:

1. Who is Anwar al-Awlaki?
2. When was the Authorization for Use of Military Force resolution passed in Congress?
3. Up until this point, what three institutions could authorize a drone strike?
4. Is it right for President Obama to have the authority to command these strikes?
5. Considering what you read a few weeks ago about Google's purchase of a drone-making company, discuss the ethics of Google having the capability of making drones that will serve this purpose.

Monday, February 10

AP Language and Composition
Students took their Columbine test in class today.

Homework:  Students need to get their copy of The Things They Carried by this Friday, February 14.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We began a comparative analysis between Romeo and Juliet and Simon Birch in class today.

Homework:  Students need to get their copy of The Glass Menagerie by Thursday, February 13.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
Students began their second research project in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read the first four chapters in A Separate Peace by Thursday, February 13.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Thursday, February 6

AP Language and Composition
After taking their Word of the Day quiz, we deconstructed several AP prompts.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading Columbine by Monday, February 10.  They also need to obtain their copy of Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried by Friday, February 14.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We finished reading and analyzing Romeo and Juliet in class today.

Homework: Students need to study for the Romeo and Juliet test, which will be given tomorrow.  They also need to obtain their copy of The Glass Menagerie as quickly as they can.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We began watching the cinematic version of To Kill a Mockingbird in class today.

Homework:  Students need to study for the TKAM test, which will be given tomorrow.  The words of the day will also be included on this test.  They also need to obtain their copies of A Separate Peace and Of Mice and Men as quickly as they can.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Wednesday, February 5

AP Language and Composition
We spent time in today's class discussing authorial purpose and rhetorical perception.  We discussed how Dave Cullen represents Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.  We then read an article by Dylan's mother, Susan Klebold, and discussed how she represents her son.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading Columbine by Monday, February 10.  They also need to buy The Things They Carried by Friday, February 14.  Finally, they also need to study for the Word of the Day quiz, which will be given tomorrow.


Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
Today, we continued reading Romeo and Juliet.

Homework: Students need to study for their Romeo and Juliet test, which will be given on Friday.  They also need to study for the Word of the Day quiz, which will be given tomorrow.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We finished reading "The Scarlet Ibis" in class today.

Homework:  Students need to study for their To Kill a Mockingbird test, which will be given on Friday.  They also need to obtain their copies of A Separate Peace and Of Mice and Men.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Tuesday, February 4

AP Language and Composition
We finished our discussion of the media's influence over society in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading Columbine by Monday, February 10.  They also need to obtain their copy of The Things They Carried by Friday, February 14.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
We began reading Act III of Romeo and Juliet in class today.

Homework: Students need to finish reading Act III of the play.  They also need to finish their research project revisions and study for their word of the day quiz, which will be given on Thursday.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We finished reading "The Scarlet Ibis" in class today and analyzing it for the vivid imagery that James Hurst uses therein.

Homework:  Students need to study their words of the day and their notes and the action of To Kill a Mockingbird for the test that will be given on Friday.  They also need to obtain their copies of A Separate Peace and Of Mice and Men.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Monday, February 3

I hope that everyone stayed safe during the ice storm last week.  Let's get back to our routine and continue the semester strongly!

AP Language and Composition
We continued discussing the media's influence on the public's perception of current events in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading Columbine by Monday, February 10.  They also need to obtain their copies of The Things They Carried by Friday, February 14.  They also need to study for their Word of the Day quiz, which will be given on Thursday, February 6.

Pre-AP English 9 (1st)
Students took time to peer-edit their research projects in class today.  They have the chance to revise them and turn them in by Wednesday, February 5.  We also continued reading Romeo and Juliet.

Homework:  Students need to revise their research project and finish their current events blog if they did not complete it last week.  They also need to study for their Word of the Day quiz, which will be given on Thursday, February 6.

Pre-AP English 9 (5th)
We continued our study of literary devices and rhetorical choices in class today.  We re-read Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and began reading "The Scarlet Ibis."

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copies of A Separate Peace and Of Mice and Men.  They also need to study for their Word of the Day quiz and their To Kill a Mockingbird test, both of which will be given on Friday. February 7.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of February 3

Read the following article:


Answer the following questions:

1. How funny is it that the commander's last name is Salami?
2. What is his threat against the US?
3. Why is he making this threat?
4. Why is Geneva significant to this situation?
5. In your opinion, how should the US respond to the threats of the Revolutionary Islamic Regime and General Salami?

Ninth Grade Current Events Blog for a Week of February 3

Read the following article:

http://rt.com/news/iss-coldest-spot-universe-544/


(Copy and paste the link into your browser)


Answer the following questions:


1. What is a pico-Kelvin?

2. Why does the lab have to be in space?

3. What is Quantum Mechanics?

4. Why would NASA spend time and money on this project?  What is its value?

5. Why do you think NASA would announce this experiment?  Why not just do the experiment without the publicity?