Sophomore Advance English 1-31-04

Get a poem packet from Mrs. Gilbert
Read all poems
Respond to the first poem, plus four others of your choose in your journal. Respond to one personally, one based on style, one critically about the world, etc.
Create 3-4 rough poems of your own (also in your journal) on a variety of topics/forms.
Begin rough draft of writing assignment (schedule time ASAP with Mrs. G. to make it up)

By: Mario B.

Freaky Friday -- open mic time, quiz

Today we took a little time to write in our journals (free choice on topic; optional prompt: "This is what I want you to see...") and then we had some "open mic" time where students could read pieces of writing from the week for feedback or just applause.

We finished the block with the quiz over procedures, policies, rules and names.

Homework:
Read for 15 minutes some poetry, fiction or non-fiction and then write for 10 minutes about the reading you completed
AND
Write for 20 minutes where you either describe something happening a.k.a. narrative writting (You can write fiction, non-fiction, or poetry)

Metaphors & Procedures, Children's Lit. & Journals

Today we reviewed class procedures and policies by comparing them to objects we brought from home. There will be a quiz on procedures and policies and the names of other students in class tomorrow.

We also read a variety of children's literature and practiced writing about the literature in different ways in our journals: personal reactions, stylistic analysis (using the definitions we put in our journals yesterday), and critical comparison to real life.

Homework: Choose a story, book of poetry, etc. to read for fifteen minutes tonight. Then journal about it for ten minutes. Refer back to the scoring guide passed out in class today.

Potatoes, tasty language, and metaphors

Today we wrote for approximately 30 minutes (in short 10-minute bursts) in our journal. We started with potatos as our inspiration, but could ultimately write about whatever we want. This is one of the first purposes of our journal: to serve as a writer's notebook where we can experiment with the topics, forms, techniques of our choice.

After writing, we shared the examples of "tasty" language that we brought in today (and Mrs. Gilbert checked them off for points). We then compiled a list of what makes a piece of language "tasty" -- You should copy these notes from a classmate because we will be using them in the future. They include the definitions of imagery, figurative language, metaphor, simile, personification, repetition, and diction (as well as some other stuff).

We also read some more interviews.

Finally, the homework has two parts: First, find an object to bring to class that can metaphorically represent one of the class procedures (students were each assigned a particular procedure). Second, try writing 10-15 similes or metaphors in your journal -- they can be silly or serious but don't be boring or cliched.

Rules, respect & "tasty" language

Today we read many of our interviews and began learning each other's names. We also discussed the results of the class survey and, in groups, listed the respectful behaviors we would like to see from one another during class time (and which behaviors we don't want to see!). We also discussed a variety of class-related issues about grading, procedures, books to be read, papers to be written, etc.

We turned in our partner interviews, the grading sheet (with reflection questions) and the syllabus-parent-signature sheet.

As homework, each student should find a variety of examples of "tasty" language -- memorable excerpts from songs, poems, books, movies, etc. that showcase words or phrases that are vivid, that create some sparks when rubbed against one another. A "variety" of examples should be somewhere between 5-20 examples.

Welcome to Advanced Sophomore English!

This blog is where we'll be posting the record of each day's activities and assignments. You'll learn more about being "blogger-for-a-day" later this week.

Don't forget to read the syllabus over with your parents tonight and get their signature on it. Also don't forget to do a final draft of your fascinating, compelling, exciting partner interview.

Waiting for the next semester

This blog will probably be inactive until January 2004, when I am next scheduled to teach Advanced Sophomore English.

Until then, please feel free to visit our class website for Sophomore English at www.cjgilbert.net

End of the Power of One.

Today we watched the last half hour of The Power of One. We had an in class discussion about the film. We also revised our 2nd rough drafts to lit analysis. Please have final tomorrow 5-28-04 and be ready for the reflection portion of the final exam.

Power of One Movie vs. Book, RD of Lit. Analysis

We will continue watching The Power of One movie in order to compare it to the book. We will also revise our rough drafts of our final exam/literary analysis paper.

R.D. #2 due tomorrow

RESEARCH PAPERS DUE

Bellwork: We had 30 Min to write our Self-Evaluation paper & turn in our research papers.

Class Activities:
* We had 20 min to read in our books.
* Finish note cards on literary terms and turned them in.

Homework:
Read book and do jobs

Recorded by: Cameron M.

Title pages & lit. terms

Bellwork: 25 minutes to make a creative/colorful title page for your research report

Class Activities:
*Work time – literary circle jobs or self-evaluation (for people that turned in finals today)
* Find 5 literary terms in your assigned chapter and cite on index cards including author in upper right hand corner and page number. Also in the upper left hand corner write the literary technique you found. Be sure your name is on the front too.

Homework: Final Due Tomorrow! Reading and assigned literary circle jobs

Reminders: Final Due Tomorrow!


Recorded by: *Jaime H.

Proofreading & Lit. Circles

Bellwork: Review research paper handout

Class Activities:
* Literary circles
* Proofreading research papers (get at least 2 signatures)

Homework: Work on research paper and read chapter 17/do job.

Reminders:
* Research paper due Wednesday
* Citation exam Friday and you may use notes
* Extra Credit and make-up deadline Wednesday 26
* Turn in all books (except Things Fall Apart and current novel) by Friday


Recorded by: Alex K.

Sentence Variety

Bellwork: Changed the dates of the last two due dates for the draft to 5/17 for RD #3 and 5/19 for FD

Class Activities:
* Took notes on sentence length. Underline short, medium, and long sentences in our papers and revise to increase variety.
* Worked on our research papers and read out books

Homework: J Read your book and do the jobs and work on your research papers

Reminders: Next draft is due on May 17th


Recorded by: Matt E.

Figurative language in the novel & your paper

Bellwork: On a sheet of paper find five examples of Imagery and five examples of Figurative language (metaphors/similes/hyperbole) out of your book either the Power Of One or Nervous Conditions.

Class Activities:
* Revise Rough draft #2 to have imagery and or figurative language. Have a partner go over your paper someone you have not already worked with on this paper. Get feedback & have them sign off! (I statements)
* Work time

Homework: J Reading, jobs and writing.

Reminders Lit. circle jobs due tomorrow.


Recorded by: Tynesha G.

Quiz & Revise draft #1

Class Activities:
* We took the Quiz on The Power Of One #1
* We worked on our rough drafts. We had a partner go through it mark it up according to the directions. We also filled out a paper for Mrs. Gilbert

Homework: For homework you have to read chapter 8 through chapter 10.5 and do jobs. Work on Rough Draft #2

Reminders: Rough Draft #2 Due on Tuesday.

Recorded by: Chris E.

Novel characters & prep for RD tomorrow

Bellwork:
The Power Of One character activity: Pick a character, draw a picture, give 3 quotes to describe them (from the book), and describe their personality in your own words. Post around the classroom and discuss. (Be ready for a quiz tomorrow)

Class Activities:
* Review rough draft requirements.
* Work Time

Homework: Reading, Jobs, and finish rough draft #1

Recorded by: Mary LaF.

Using quotes (and not smelly fish) in your papers

Bellwork:
On a scrap piece of paper write 1-2 sentences about an actor/singer/band/something you REALLY dislike. Be emphatic in your language but not profane. Underneath it, make up a works cited entry for it with yourself as the author. We’ll use these “quotes” for practice during class.

Class Activities:
* Took notes, and worked on putting quotes in your research paper. Talk to a classmate to get notes. Talk to Mrs. Gilbert about any questions you have!
* Work time

Homework:
Reading, Jobs, and Rough Draft!

Reminders:
Rough Draft #1 is due Friday

Recorded by: Stephanie C.

Revisit your Thesis

BW: Time to finish jobs for novel & then get in lit. circles to discuss.

Class Activities:
*Revise thesis & share.
*Work on rough draft and/or reading.

Homwork: Read next chapter, do job & continue work on RD due Friday.

Reminder: Expect pop quizzes in the future!

More on citation, masks

Bellwork: Citation, take notes on what a quote looks like vs. what paraphrasing looks like. Also take notes on how to do your research notes on index cards. You will need at least 100 index cards for your research next week.

Class Activities:
* Took a look at different articles including magazine, Internet, and book articles. Then did 4 note cards on quotes and two paraphrases. Also used a blank sheet of paper for cites work rough draft.
* Worked on Masks

Homework: Get caught up on the reading of Things Fall Apart and do your jobs.

Reminders: Masks are due by tomorrow

Recorded by: Nick J.

Day of Silence, Day of Masks

Bellwork
Read the excerpt from Howard's Zinn's history textbook, pick a quote from it and write a short paragraph in reaction. Be sure to have the in-text citation and works cited entry at the end.

Class Activities
*Lit. Circles on chapters 11-15
*Mask Activity: Pick an important character from TFA. DO NOT TELL ANYONE WHO YOU PICKED. You will have 30 minutes today and 40 minutes tomorrow to create a mask that represents that character's spirit. Be sure to use colors, textures, shapes that you can justify by explaining how they tie in to the character.

Homework
Chapters 16-17 & jobs