Incorporating feedback

Today we got back the c/c r.d. #2, and we had time to incorporate the feedback from Mrs. Gilbert. That was our only assignment, and the r.d. #3 is DUE when we walk in the room tomorrow.

In conclusion...

Today we reviewed how to write better conclusions for our c/c papers, and then we had writing time to work on our papers before we turned them in to Mrs. Gilbert for feedback.

We had a bit of open mic time (on the conclusions) and we shared some allusions.

NO HOMEWORK FOR THIS WEEKEND.

Wow... how wierd is that?

An extra credit (optional) assignment was passed out.

Mrs. Gilbert's absent...

In her absence, we shared the extra credit posters and worked on our papers -- the second rough draft is due tomorrow.

Revising C/C intros

Today we did some more Bible poster presentations.

Then Mrs. Gilbert shared ways to revise our c/c intros to be better and we had time to work on them.

Cleaning up our c/c

Today we started by sharing some of our Bible-lit. posters. Students who were unfamiliar with the stories were encouraged to take notes.

Then we took some notes about how to best revise our c/c drafts. Students then spent time actually making the revisions. Be sure to turn in your notes with your process work at the end of this paper!

Homework: Finish revising your paper to add details, figurative language, and connections. Tomorrow we'll work on introductions and conclusions.

Bible as literature

Today we divided up into pairs (or trios) to read and summarize certain key Bible stories. Each story needed to be summarized on a poster (with a visual element) and it had to be compared to a Greek or Norse myth. These posters are due tomorrow, and students will share them with their classmates.

NOTE: We are reading these stories for the same reason we read Greek mythology -- they form an important part of an "educated" person's background knowledge. We are reading these stories as literature, and while we respect that for some these stories are more than that... in school we can not and do not endorse one religion over another and so we will not be discussing the religious aspects of these stories.

Our next paper

Today we shared our c/c charts with Mrs. Gilbert in order to get feedback on how to do them better.

We also got the guidelines for our next paper (which is a compare/contrast paper) and reviewed expectations (available online at www.cjgilbert.net).

Remaining time was given over to working on this paper -- either starting a draft or creating a new c/c chart as pre-work for our paper.

Rough Draft #1 is due next Tuesday

Myths: Our own and our world

Yesterday we turned in our myths and and wrote a reflection on them (what did we like about our myth, what could still be improved or changed with more time, what were some parts that were especially well written -- be sure to quote and explain them!)

Then we had an opportunity to read and comment on one another's myths.

Today, we'll be in the library computer lab to complete this activity:
http://www.cjgilbert.net/ASE/Mythology/Mythology-C-C.htm

And we beginning our next paper tomorrow:
http://www.cjgilbert.net/ASE/Mythology/Mythology-C-C-Essay.htm

Norse vs. Greek

Today we had an oral quiz on Norse mythology and then group discussions comparing it to
Greek mythology.

Tomorrow the myth final drafts are due.

Proofreading and Comparing...

Today we worked on proofreading our Myth stories. The final draft (including visual) is due on Wednesday.

We also began discussing the Norse mythology readings. Tomorrow we'll be having a discussion comparing the two, so come prepared with questions that will lead to those comparisons.

Wrapping up Greek

Today we did the last part of the Greek mythology test -- a discusison quiz.

We also got back our myth drafts. They are to be revised and brought to class next week Monday.

Homework reading for this weekend (on to Norse! mythology): pp. 443-463

Note the following names/stories/items:
Aesir
Odin
Loki
Thor
Freya
Balder
Asgard
Valhalla
Valkyries
Creation
Signy & Sigurd
Brynhild & Siegfried
runes, mead, well of wisdom
*Note their beliefs about life, good and evil.

Testing

Yesterday and today we worked on the mythology allusions test.

Today the take-home essay was due.

Tonight we took home a poem and novel excerpt to read, analyze and annotate. Tomorrow we'll have a discussion quiz over them (the last part of the mythology test!!!)

Sliding down in the world

Today the groups on chapters 6 and 7 of Malcolm X presented. The class earned participation points for being a respectful audience. There may be a quiz coming and, since quizzes are open-note, students should be taking notes on these presentations.

How to compare and contrast

Today we went over the take-home essay prompt for the mythology test. We also reviewed how to use a graphic organizer to set up a compare/contrast essay (like the myth test) in a way that shows higher-level thinking. Students are strongly encouraged to use the graphic organizer to help their essays be more clear.

We wrapped up class by sharing allusions.

Homework: Work on the essay and come prepared to class tomorrow with all of your notes organized for the allusions portion of the test AND the Olympians part (with no notes)

Review

Today we did lots and lots of review for the test.

Tomorrow we'll begin the essay portion of the test (which will be take-home, due on Thursday). Wednesday we'll work on the allusions portion of the test.

The only homework? Study, study, study...

Homecoming!

Today we spent time in committees, reviewed some allusions on film, and listened to the P.A. interrupt class over and over again.

We also turned in our Rough Drafts #2 to Mrs. Gilbert

Your only homework for the weekend: Study for the test.

Reviewing myths

Today we wrote discussion questions and then discussed the myths of 6.1, 6.2 and themes across the entire book.

We also reviewed a little bit of what the test will be about (more at www.cjgilbert.net)

Revising myths

Today we worked on revising our myths to add detail, dialogue and more action/conflict.

Rough Draft #2 is due Friday to Mrs. Gilbert

Read 6.1 & 6.2 for tomorrow

Cannibalism, yum!

Today we began by doing some vivid writing about the Trojan War -- students were to describe either the experience of being in the horse and the battle that followed OR the experience of a Trojan mother when the Greeks overrun Troy.

We wrapped up reviewing the Trojan War and discussed what was significant about this story.

Then we participated in the House of Atreus presentation -- Que. 1, 3 &4 of their worksheet is due by tomorrow.

Homework: RD#1 of your Create-a-Myth is due tomorrow.

Readings for Thursday include the following sections of 6.1 and 6.2:

The Trojan War!

Today we acted out the trojan war with puppets.

Tomorrow we'll wrap up discussing the war and then participate in the House of Atreus presentation.

Make sure you read their chapter tonight.