STUDENTS & PARENTS: I UPDATE THIS PAGE REGULARY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT ADDRESSED HERE, PLEASE SEE ME.
ONLINE LEARNING BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 6. CHECK YOUR STUDENT EMAIL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. MISS YOU GUYS!
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND YOUR FAMILIES OVER OUR EXTENDED BREAK. 
WHEN WE RETURN TO SCHOOL, PLEASE BRING YOUR GREEN BOOK (SHORT STORIES).
IF POSSIBLE, I SUGGEST YOU USE THE EXTENDED BREAK TO READ AHEAD:
"The Fly in the Ointment" by V.S. Pritchett (pages 112-118)
"Sandpiper" by Ahdaf Soueif (pages 370-76)
"The Door in the Wall" by H.G. Wells (pages 84-95)
"The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde (pages 28-33)
"The Custody of the Pumpkin" by P.G. Wodehouse (pages 119-33)
"The Lady in the Looking-Glass: A Reflection" by Virginia Woolf (pages 108-11)
Monday - Wednesday, 3/9-3/11 - On 3/9, we reviewed the terms most frequently used in poetry; next, students composed poems.
Students will complete their original poems this week, before Spring Break. See list of requirements.
NOTE: Your last quiz on Small Island will be on pages 394-438 on Tuesday, March 10. FINISH STRONG!
Thursday, 3/5 & Friday, 3/6 - Students researched the remaining four poems: "Waterfall," by Lauris Edmond, "When We Two Parted," by Lord Byron,
"When You are Old" by W.B. Yeats, and "Written Near a Port on a Dark Evening" by Charlotte Smith.
Bring your Stories of Ourselves (green book) to class on Friday if you think you will have time to begin reading "The Fly in the Ointment" (pages 112-118).
Wednesday, 3/4 - We took the 30-point quiz today on Small Island, pages 349-393 (6 questions and one Extra Credit). You must be present to do the EC.
Period 1 and 5: We also annotated Lenrie Peters' "Homecoming" and Ivor Gurney's "First March."
Tuesday, 3/3 - Today we discussed dialectical journals; Period 1 had class time to work on the DJ for Queenie and/or Bernard. Period 5 annotated poetry.
Monday, 3/2 - Today, after completing graduation cards, we annotated poetry. Periods 1 and 5 are working at different paces. Check with Mrs. Yeh.
Students: Bring your POETRY - ALL OF IT - AND YOUR NOVEL SMALL ISLAND to class ALL WEEK.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Please note that I am deducting 4 pts. of employability per UNEXCUSED absence in Q3.
I will "true up" again at the end of Q3 for 2/10 through the end of the quarter. Some of you have a LOT of unexcused absences. 
If you are absent, it is your responsiblity to get your absence excused. "Seniortitis" is a real affliction; let's curb it.
Friday, 2/28 - We took the quiz today (postponed from Wednesday). We also kept annotating our poetry (Period 1).
Wednesday & Thursday, 2/26 & 2/27 - Sub Days. Please follow the sub instructions; we will take the quiz on the day I return.
Tuesday, 2/25 - Today we annotated two new poems: "The Death-Bed" by Siegfried Sassoon and "The Mountain" by Elizabeth Bishop.
Monday, 2/24 - Today students finished their group work and submitted it. Please make sure that, going forward, you study the poems strategically.
In other words, ask yourself how, thematically, a poem "fits" with other poems; start to review "favorite" poems regularly. Be prepared to discuss on an exam.
Friday, 2/21 - Today students worked in groups categorizing all their poetry by theme. They chose favorites and anticipated exam prompts.
Thursday, 2/20 - Today students worked on their dialectical journals: the analysis only journal (due today) and the beginning of Queenie.
Wednesday, 2/19 - Today, after the quiz, students watched three short video clips about Small Island and began a dialectical journal.
YOUR NEXT READING QUIZ IS ON WEDNESDAY, 2/19: PAGES 257-278. We will be finished with Small Island BEFORE Spring Break.
Tuesday, 2/18 - Today students saw a special performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) about the Harlem Renaissance.
Period 1 students who missed today's performance will be required to submit a typed one-page document. See specs below:
- Research the Harlem Renaissance: When did it occur? Where did it occur? What were its characteristics? Who were its leading contributors?
- In particular, focus on the literary aspect of the Harlem Renaissance, and which famous authors/poets emerged, and the pieces they wrote.
- Do not plagiarize. Cite at least two sources.
- Due by 2/25 or 10 point deduction in employability. I will not accept it late.
Period 5 students annotated "The Cry of the Children" (poem) by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. They also read for their reading quiz tomorrow.
On Tuesday, 2/18, Period 1 should report directly to the Tel Lab (4-201) for a special presentation on the Harlem Renaissance.
Thursday, 2/13 - Today students attended a scholarship presentation in the Student Success Center by Mrs. Thiel.
Wednesday, 2/12 - Today we took the reading quiz and watched two video clips about the novel Small Island.
In Period 1, we also analyzed the poem "The Cry of the Children" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Tuesday, 2/11 - Today in class we closely examined two poems: "The Song of the Shirt" by Thomas Hood and "Sonnet 19" by Shakespeare.
If you were absent today, it is your responsibility to research these two poems on your own; I am holding you accountable for the knowledge.
Please also note that, effective immediately, I will be deducting 4 employability points for every unexcused absence in Q3. See syllabus.
Monday, 2/10 - In Period 1, we reviewed some general pointers for AICE poetry examinations.
In both periods, we annotated "Song" by the Renaissance "pioneer poet" Lady Mary Wroth.
We also listened to a recitation of "The Song of the Shirt" by Thomas Hood.
We will continue to focus on poetry this week.
STUDENTS: I really hope that you will try the one-column, two-word note-taking technique I shared with you in class!
For Monday, 2/10, please bring your novel AND your poetry to class.
YOUR READING QUIZ IS WEDNESDAY, 2/12: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ PAGES 195-254 IN SMALL ISLAND.
Friday, 2/7 - Today students read and ANNOTATED their Small Island handouts, applying the 2-word annotation technique.
Thursday, 2/6 - Today students took a reading quiz and we discussed, at length, the poem "Sleep" by Kenneth Slessor.
YOUR READING QUIZ IS THURSDAY, 2/6: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ PAGES 181-191 IN SMALL ISLAND.
Wednesday, 2/5 - Today students added the finishing touches to their "Hortense" graphic organizer and started or finished "Gilbert."
Both graphic organizers are due on Thursday, 2/6. Please write legibly and approach your entries as true analysis, and not simply interpretation.
NOTE: We discussed the importance of "rounding out" your analysis: finding both positive and negative attributes of these complex, literary characters.
Tuesday, 2/4 - (Most) students finsihed BEFORE: Hortense, Chapters 3-8, and began a new graphic organizer on Gilbert, Chapters 11-19.
Monday, 2/3 - Students reviewed BEFORE: Hortense, Chapters 3-8, and completed a graphic organizer.
BRING SMALL ISLAND AND YOUR BINDERS WITH POETRY ON MONDAY, 2/3.
Thursday & Friday, 1/30 & 1/31 - Students took AICE Exam Writing Practice #9/POETRY. We will continue to focus on poetry in February.
If you are absent on one or both days, it is your responsiblity to get the exam from me and to complete/submit the exam in a timely manner.
Wednesday, 1/29 - Students took their quiz today; after the quiz, we discussed, in depth, the poem "On This Day I Complete My Thirty-Sixth Year."
If you missed today's class, you should get the notes from me or one of your peers - or research the poem yourself online.
Please come prepared tomorrow - 1/30 - for your practice exam. Bring your annotated poems with you.
Tuesday, 1/28 - Today we discussed "Shirt" by Robert Pinsky. If you were absent today, you will need to research this poem thoroughly, please.
REVIEW ALL 15 POEMS (10 FROM SEMESTER 1 AND 5 FROM THE NEW PACKET) FOR YOUR POETRY EXAM ON THURS/FRI, JAN 30 & 31.
Monday, 1/27 - HAPPY LITERACY WEEK! YOU WILL BE READING ON MONDAY DURING CLASS!
Students read either Small Island, their poems (old and new), and/or any other literature we have read or will read this year.
UPCOMING QUIZ DATE: Wed, 1/29: Small Island, pages 105-178
Friday, 1/24 - We discussed the poem "On the Day of Judgement" by Jonathan Swift.
Students will be expected to complete a summary, annotation, and analysis (find two items per poem) for each of the 5 poems in the new packet.
This work will be due on Thursday, January 30; I will allow you to use your notes during the exam. I will collect them and return them to you on Friday, 1/31.
REVIEW ALL 15 POEMS (10 FROM SEMESTER 1 AND 5 FROM THE NEW PACKET) FOR YOUR POETRY EXAM ON THURS/FRI, JAN 30 & 31.
Thursday, 1/23 - Students took a quiz on Small Island, pages 93-102; next, we discussed the poem "If Thou must Love Me."
Students, begin reviewing the poems we discussed Semester 1, as well as the new poems in the new poety packet (5 total) that you received today.
Your next AICE Writing Practice Exam #9 / POETRY will be on Thursday and Friday, 1/30 and 1/31. Be prepared.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 1/21 & 1/22 - On Monday, students took a quiz on pages 31-89 of Small Island; on Wednesday, we finished our discussion.
PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT READING QUIZ ON TUESDAY 1/21 ON PAGES 31-89 OF THE NOVEL SMALL ISLAND.
SOCRATIC SEMINAR SAME DAY! YOUR DISCUSSION WILL COVER PAGES 1-89. PLEASE COME PREPARED.
YOUR FINAL CHARACTER MAP FOR SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY, 1/15.
YOUR FINAL TIMELEINE FOR SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH IS DUE ON FRIDAY, 1/17.
Thursday and Friday, 1/16 & 1/17 - Today students worked on finalizing their Timeline on Sweet Bird of Youth.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 1/14 & 1/15 - Today students worked on finalizing their Character Map on Sweet Bird of Youth.
Follow the rubric and you can't go wrong!
Monday, 1/13 - After the quiz on Small Island, we reviewed the "Thematic Thread" assignment on Sweet Bird of Youth.
Friday, 1/10 - Today we briefly discussed the STRUCTURE of Small Island, and students received a handout about its structure.
PREPARE FOR A QUIZ ON MONDAY 1/13 ON PAGES 1-27 OF THE NOVEL SMALL ISLAND.
YOUR FINAL CHARACTER MAP FOR SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY, 1/15.
YOUR FINAL TIMELEINE FOR SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH IS DUE ON FRIDAY, 1/17.
This includes the Prologue and Chapters One and Two: Hortense and Gilbert.
REMINDER: Bring your Sweet Bird of Youth book to class until further notice. On Friday, 1/10, you should also bring Small Island.
Wednesday and Thursday, 1/8 &1/9 - Students worked on an exercise to locate all the references to God or religion in the play Sweet Bird of Youth.
You may work independently or in groups; we will discuss your findings on Friday, at the end of class.
If you scored a Level 3 or below on the AICE Literature Midterm, please arrange to meet with me before/after school or during lunch (4th) to discuss.
Tuesday, 1/7 - Today students wrote SMART goals: one academic goal tied to this course and one additional academic or personal goal.
NOTE: Some of you will need to redo your SMART goals to meet the requirements discussed in class:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Achievable
R = Relevant
T = Trackable (or Time-Bound)
FINAL GOALS are due on Thursday, 1/9. (Some of you will not need to redo them.)
REMINDER: Bring your Sweet Bird of Youth book on Wednesday, 1/8.
WELCOME BACK, SENIORS! And happy new year!
QUARTER 2 / SEMESTER 1 GRADES HAVE BEEN FINALIZED.
YOU SHOULD BE COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY BETWEEN NOW AND YOUR MIDTERM!
Midterms are fast approaching. Here is what you should be doing:
-Complete and study from your One-Pagers for all of the short stories.
-Review your dialectical journals. You should know these stories inside and out.
-Review your character map and timeline for Much Ado About Nothing. Who is Dogberry again? What happens in 3.1?
-Reread ALL 10 poems. Mentally analyze them. Review the poetic terms enjambment and caesura.
-Be VERY familiar with both plays. Reread parts or all of Sweet Bird of Youth. We will be creating a character map and timeline in class.
-Know titles, authors, poets, and playwrights - by heart.
-Know the conventional terms for each of the genres (poetry, short stories, and drama) and HOW TO USE THEM CORRECTLY.
-Be ready for a POETRY, PROSE, OR DRAMA prompt. You will only get one, but you won't know which one until exam day.
Wednesday, 12/18 - Today we discussed context in Much Ado About Nothing - and the abundance of Shakespeare.
Period 1: Your midterm is tomorrow beginning at 7:30. It is mandatory. Do your best!
Tuesday, 12/17 - Students in Period 5 took their midterm; students in Period 1 annotated an article.
Monday, 12/16 - Today we played a review game to help you prepare for this week's Midterm.
Period 5: Your midterm is tomorrow from 10:15-11:55. It is mandatory. Do your best!
Period 1: Please bring Sweet Bird of Youth and your binder (you should always bring your binder).
Friday, 12/13 - Students, on Monday you do not need any books. You should be preparing daily for your midterm.
Thursday, 12/12 - Students used today to finish reviewing Sweet Bird of Youth. Tomorrow you do not need any of your books.
Wednesday, 12/11 - Today students either finished their character map or began their draft of a timeline.
Tuesday, 12/10 - Students created a DRAFT of a character map for the play Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams.
YOU WILL NEED YOUR SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH text on Tuesday, 12/10, Wednesday, 12/11 AND Thursday, 12/12.
Please don't forget it. I do not have extras.
Monday, 12/9 - Students reviewed how to prepare for the Poetry and Prose exam on Friday, May 15.
As part of the review, we took another look at "The Destructors" and discussed its STRUCTURE.
STRUCTURE is an important aspect of a strong AICE Literature response.
Please bring your GREEN BOOK again on Monday, 12/9.
YOU SHOULD BE COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY BETWEEN NOW AND YOUR MIDTERM!
Please do not underestimate the rigor of a closed-book, closed-note timed exam worth 20% of your Semester 1 grade.
Midterms are fast approaching. Here is what you should be doing:
-Complete and study from your One-Pagers for all of the short stories.
-Review your dialectical journals. You should know these stories inside and out.
-Review your character map and timeline for Much Ado About Nothing. Who is Dogberry again? What happens in 3.1?
-Reread ALL 10 poems. Mentally analyze them. Review the poetic terms enjambment and caesura.
-Be VERY familiar with both plays. Reread parts or all of Sweet Bird of Youth. We will be creating a character map and timeline in class.
-Know titles, authors, poets, and playwrights - by heart.
-Know the conventional terms for each of the genres (poetry, short stories, and drama) and HOW TO USE THEM CORRECTLY.
-Be ready for a POETRY, PROSE, OR DRAMA prompt. You will only get one, but you won't know which one until exam day.
AICE LITERATURE PERIOD 5 ONLY: OUR CLASS WILL BE MEETING IN 4-115 ON WEDNESDAY, 12/4. PREPARE TO WORK ON YOUR ONE-PAGERS.
Week of Monday, 12/2 - BRING YOUR GREEN BOOKS ALL WEEK; we are finishing One-Pagers and preparing for the midterm!
DO YOU HAVE YOUR LINES MEMORIZED YET? DON'T BE TURKEY; GET TO WORK!
LINES RECITATION WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, 11/21 & FRIDAY, 11/22. MEMORIZATION IS JUST ONE COMPONENT OF YOUR GRADE.
Tuesday, 11/19 and Wednesday, 11/20 - Students worked on AICE Exam Writing Practice #7/DRAMA. It's due on Thursday.
Monday, 11/18 - Today students focused on either Boss Finley or the Princess from the play Sweet Bird of Youth.
In addition to physically describing the character, students were to have identified which Act/s and Scene/s that character appears in. . .
. . . what they say, what they do, and, ultimately, what they believe that character is motivated by.
I modeled George Scudder as an example. Ideally, you should also be analyzing how Tennessee Williams portrays the character in the play.
Bring Sweet Bird of Youth to class on Monday 11/18; we will be reviewing for Tuesday and Wednesday's AICE Exam Writing Practice #7/DRAMA.
Thursday and Friday, 11/14 & 11/15 - Today students worked on their One-Pagers.
On Friday, 11/15, we took the quiz on Act 3 of Sweet Bird of Youth, and Mrs. Fusco came to our class to discuss important dates.
Bring Sweet Bird of Youth and your Green Book to class on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (11/13-11/15).
Wednesday, 11/13 - Today we took the quiz on Act 2, Scene 2 (Yikes! The scores were lousy 
); please prepare well for Friday's quiz on Act 3.
Students also worked on their One-Pager for "How It Happened" by Arthur Conan Doyle. (The story begins on page 100 of the GREEN BOOK.)
Tuesday, 11/12 - Today we discussed the historical context of Sweet Bird of Youth, and Period 1 started their One-Pager for "How It Happened."
Monday, 11/11 - Today students evaluated their own AICE Exam Writing Practice #6/Poetry.
If you "Level"-ed your paper the same way I did, you will earn an additional 5 points.
Our next reading quizzes are Wednesday, 11/13 (2.2), and Friday, 11/15 (Act 3). Please be prepared.
You will be writing your next practice exam (NEXT WEEK) on the play, so you will need to be very familiar with it.
Prepare for your Reading Quiz on Monday, 11/11, on Sweet Bird of Youth, Act II, Scene 1.
Friday, 11/8 - Wow! I was so impressed by the quality of your discussion today on Sweet Bird of Youth.
You guys did AWESOME! 
You quoted text evidence, proposed arguments, and asked insightful questions.
You also listened respectfully to each other and built upon your peers' ideas. Really, I am IMPRESSED!
Thursday, 11/7 - Today, a Sub Day, students completed AICE Exam Writing Practice #6 (Poetry).
Wednesday, 11/6 - Today students began AICE Exam Writing Practice #6 (Poetry).
Fifth period convinced me that students should have the option, if they want, to submit the completed paper on Friday at the beginning of class.
Okay, you win, Collin...
AIM FOR A LEVEL 6 PAPER. REMEMBER TO ANALYZE; DON'T SIMPLY INTERPRET. YOU CAN DO IT!
BRING YOUR PURPLE BOOK TO CLASS ON WEDNESDAY, 11/6, AND THURSDAY, 11/7.
Tuesday, 11/5 - Today we closely annotated the poem "Futility" by Wilfred Owen, a famous World War I poet.
Students also received hard copies of three other, additional poems - a total of 10 to be familiar with for tomorrow's practice exam.
You may also want to put sticky notes on the pages of the 10 poems you have received hard copies of, so far.
Monday, 11/4 - Students read and annotated two poems: "ANZAC Parade" and "Farewell, Ungrateful Traitor."
We will discuss these and four additional poems tomorrow in class. We are preparing for Wednesday and Thursday's practice exam.
Friday, 11/1 - Students submitted their interpretation and analysis, using the terms caesura and enjambment, on the poem "Darkness."
Next week, we will primarily focus on poetry, until our Socratic discussion on Sweet Bird of Youth on Friday. Please come prepared.
Thursday, 10/31 - Today after the quiz, we discussed the difference between interpreting and analyzing text.
The One-Pager for "The Taste of Watermelon" will be due on Tuesday, 11/5. (By ONE page, I do mean front and back, printed.)
On Friday, 11/8, we have an Accountable Talk/Socratic Seminar on Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2, of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth.
Begin preparing now for our discussion. The expectations for meaningful verbal contributions will be higher in Quarter 2.
Wednesday, 10/30 - Come prepared tomorrow for our READING QUIZ on Act 1, Scene 1, of Sweet Bird of Youth.
Today in class students worked on completing their One-Pager for "The Taste of Watermelon." It will be due next week (day TBD).
Tuesday, 10/29 - Students were given a rubric for the required One-Pager for "The Taste of Watermelon."
I have not announced a due date yet, but my intention is to give you class time to complete it (within reason).
Your next reading quiz on Act 1, Scene 1, of Tennessee Williams' play Sweet Bird of Youth is Thursday, 10/31.
On Friday, 11/1, you will take a quiz on Act 1, Scene 2.
Monday, 10/28 - Students annotated the poem "Darkness" by George Gordon, Lord Byron.
We also discussed two upcoming quizzes on Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth.
Finally, we discussed the rubric for and I shared a model of the short story One-Pagers we we will be creating.
Friday, 10/25 - Students finished and submitted their AICE Exam Writing Practice #5/Poetry & Prose.
Thursday, 10/24 - Today students completed Day 1 of a 2-day exam: AICE Exam Writing Practice #5/Poetry & Prose.
All students were busy writing and analyzing! Can't wait to read your papers!
Wednesday, 10/23 - Today we listened to and took notes on a deep analysis of the poem "A Wife in London." Whew! Good stuff!
HOMEWORK: Apply the same analysis to the poem "A Song of Faith Forsworn." Use highlighters, if possible, and ANNOTATE.
You may use your annotated page (and any notes you cram onto it) during the AICE Exam Writing Practice #5 tomorrow, Thursday, 10/24.
You will also have Friday, 10/25, to finish the exam.
DUE TOMORROW, 10/23: YOUR TIMELINE FOR MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Follow the rubric!
Tuesday, 10/22 - Today we finished an analysis of "A Complaint" and began an analysis of "A Wife in London."
Please be prepared for a closed-book, closed-note AICE Exam Writing Practice (#5/Poetry) on Thursday and Friday.
This will count as a 100-point exam grade for Quarter 2. Make sure you know what a caesura is, as well as how to idenitfy and analyze enjambment.
Monday, 10/21 - Guidance visited our class today to clarify confusion about the college application process.
We began analyzing the poem "A Complaint" by William Wordsworth.
We will take a poetry exam on Thursday and Friday. It will be closed book. Prepare for it!
Friday, 10/18 - We viewed several clips from the Branagh adaptation. Binders were due today. Please keep them organized.
DUE FRIDAY: YOUR CHARACTER MAP FOR MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
Follow the rubric! Please take "note" - We are beginning the Poetry unit on Monday. Bring your purple book to class.
Thursday, 10/17 - Students wrote down definitions for the following dramatic terms:
foil, soliloquy, aside, dramatic irony, comic relief, blank verse, iambic pentameter, allusion, and pun
IF YOU WERE ABSENT TODAY, MAKE SURE I KNOW TOMORROW WHICH 10 CONSECUTIVE LINES YOU WILL BE MEMORIZING FROM THE PLAY.
Wednesday, 10/16 - Students worked on their character maps (due Friday) and their Timelines (due Wednesday, 10/23).
Tuesday, 10/15 - Students worked on their character maps for the play Much Ado About Nothing. They are due on Friday.
On Wednesday, 10/16, due to campus-wide PSAT testing, Period 1 will be displaced to Room 8-216 (computer lab).
QUARTER 1 GRADES HAVE BEEN FINALIZED. I WILL SHARE THE DATA WITH YOU ON TUESDAY.
Friday, 10/11 - Today we examined Shakespeare's most famous soliloquy: To be or not to be (from The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark).
Students were given a list of important dramatic terms, including soliloquy, dramatic irony, pun, etc. You are responsible for knowing these terms!
Also, students were given three rubrics for Quarter 2: A Character Map rubric, a Timeline rubric, and a Line memorization rubric.
Let me know by Tuesday, 10/15, which 10 consecutive lines from Much Ado About Nothing that you will be delivering to the class on either November 21 or 22.
Thursday, 10/10 - Sub Day (Mrs. Yeh in mandatory training elsewhere on campus).
Students completed and some submitted AICE Exam Writing Practice #4/DRAMA.
The finished product is due no later than when you walk into class on Friday.
Wednesday, 10/9 - Students took a reading quiz on Act 5, Scenes 1-4, of Much Ado About Nothing.
Students also began AICE Exam Writing Practice #4/DRAMA. The completed exam will be due when you walk into class on Friday (last day of Q1).
Tuesday, 10/8 - Students took a reading quiz on Act 4, Scenes 1-2, of Much Ado About Nothing.
Beatrice and Benedick were discussed, as well as several important themes and motifs from the play.
We also watched three scenes from Branagh's adaptation.
Monday, 10/7 - Students were given information about two upcoming Quarter 2 assignments: a Character Map and a Timeline.
Friday, 10/4 - Students took their reading quiz on Act 3 of Much Ado About Nothing. We watched more scenes from Branagh's adaptation.
Thursday, 10/3 - Students viewed several scenes from Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing.
Students absent on Thursday, 10/3: See me immediately upon your return for your make-up work. I will not come to you.
Wednesday, 10/2 - Students volunteered and, together, we read all or parts of Act 2, Scenes 1-3. Period 5 students attended the play Romeo & Juliet.
Tuesday, 10/1 - Today students defined some literary terms helpful to know for the study of poetry, prose and drama.
The next reading quiz (DRAMA Quiz #3) will be on Friday, October 4. Read Act 3 of Much Ado About Nothing.
Monday, 9/30 - Today Period 5 finished reading Act I of Much Ado About Nothing, and Period 1 read through line 257.
EXCITING NEWS! I have made arrangements for you to see an Asolo production of Romeo & Juliet in the PAC on Wednesday during Periods 7 & 8.
YOU MUST HAVE YOUR 7th and 8th PERIOD TEACHERS' SIGNED PERMISSION.
SEE ME ON MONDAY FOR THE PERMISSION SLIP. (I am crossing my fingers you can make it!)
Plan ahead: Read Act 2, Scenes 1-3, of Much Ado About Nothing, and prepare for a reading quiz on Monday, 9/30.
Friday, 9/27 (& Thursday, 9/26) - Students finished their AICE Exam Writing Practice #3. Bring your orange books on Monday.
SENIORS and PARENTS: FINANCIAL AID NIGHT is Wednesday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the PAC.
Wednesday, 9/25 - Students began planning and writing their response to one of two prompts for AICE Exam Writing Practice #3.
Tuesday, 9/24 - We read aloud Act 1 of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Thank you, volunteer readers! You did GREAT!
Monday, 9/23 - Today students took notes about William Shakespeare, the playwright who wrote Much Ado About Nothing.
I collected "The Rain Horse" dialectical journal and a 3-2-1 exit card on Shakespeare.
Plan ahead: Read Act 2, Scenes 1-3, of Much Ado About Nothing, and prepare for a reading quiz on Monday, 9/30 (I postponed it).
REMINDER: Bring your orange Much Ado About Nothing books next week. I do NOT have extras to lend!
Friday, 9/20 - Today we took our first DRAMA quiz on Much Ado About Nothing, Act 1, Scenes 1-3.
We also had a discussion on the short story "The Rain Horse."
Students absent on Friday, 9/20: Submit a 1-page, double-spaced, Internet-researched paper on "The Rain Horse." Due in 1 week.
REMINDER: Parents,there will be a Senior Parent Night on September 19, at 6:00 p.m., in the PAC.
Thursday, 9/19 - Students completed their DJs and should be prepared for our Socratic Seminar tomorrow.
Wednesday, 9/18 - Students worked on their Dialectical Journals for "The Rain Horse" by Ted Hughes. The DJ is due on Monday.
I also had brief 1:1 conferences with students about their AICE Exam Writing Practice #2.
Remember what Margaret Atwood taught us: Craft is "king" (or "queen")! We must acknowledge and explicitly address the "HOW" in our introductions!
Tuesday, 9/17 - Today we had a Socratic Seminar/discussion on the short story "The Hollow of the Three Hills."
Students were expected to make a minimum of two meaningful contributions to our discussion.
Students absent on Tuesday, 9/17: Submit a 1-page, double-spaced, Internet-researched paper on "The Hollow of the Three Hills." Due in 1 week.
Monday, 9/16 - Students worked on their Dialectical Journal for the short story "The Hollow of the Three Hills." It is due tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/17.
Also, we will be having a Socratic Seminar tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/17. If a student misses this class, there will be makeup work.
Friday, 9/13 - Students completed and submitted AICE Exam Writing Practice #2. If you were absent, please see me immediately upon your return.
Thursday, 9/12 - Students took Reading Quiz #6 on "The Rain Horse" and began AICE Exam Writing Practice #2, which they will complete tomorrow.
Note: There is a rubric for AICE Exam Writing Practice #2. Please follow it to earn the full 100 points!
Wednesday, 9/11 - Mrs. Brandenberger, AICE Coordinator, visited our class today and shared important information regarding the AICE diploma.
Other information, including how to find out which colleges accept AICE credit, etc., was discussed.
Prepare ahead for TOMORROW'S Reading Quiz #6 on the short story "The Rain Horse" by Ted Hughes (pp. 271-77).
Please attend Senior Parent Night with your family to ensure you keep up-to-date on all the important requirements/deadlines for your senior year.
Tuesday, 9/10 - Students finished the group exercise today and presenters and leaders briefly shared their plans.
Reminder: Mrs. Brandenberger, AICE Coordinator, visits our class tomorrow. Bring your questions.
Monday, 9/9 - After taking a quiz on "The Hollow of the Three Hills" (scary ), students worked in groups planning a response to a prompt.
Groups will be evaluated on the quality of their ideas and presentation of material, including a one-page, one-sided planning sheet due Tuesday.
Friday, 9/6 - We had an excellent discussion today on the short story "The Destructors" by Graham Greene. Is it just me, or are your literary analysis skills improving?
I'll be nominating a few of you for a BOBCAT PRIDE award for your thoughtful and enthusiastic contributions to our discussion. Everyone, keep up the excellent work!
Prepare ahead for Monday, 9/9, Reading Quiz #5 on the short story "The Hollow of the Three Hills" by Nathaniel Hawthorne (pp. 1-4).
Prepare ahead for Thursday, 9/12, Reading Quiz #6 on the short story "The Rain Horse" by Ted Hughes (pp. 271-77).
Students who were absent on Friday, 9/6: Submit a 1-page, double-spaced, Internet-researched commentary on "The Destructors." Due in 1 week.
Thursday, 9/5 - Today students took a quiz on "The Destructors." We discussed the historical context of the story and worked on the DJ due tomorrow.
Students should prepare for an open-book, open-note graded Socratic Seminar on "The Destructors" tomorrow in class.
Wednesday, 9/4 - Today we looked at student samples and discussed the importance of having a clear introduction that explicitly addresses the prompt.
Tuesday, 9/3 - Students participated in an open-note, open-book discussion on the short story "How It Happened."
I heard plenty of evidence of a close, analytical read. Well done!
Students who were absent on Tuesday, 9/3: Submit a 1-page, double-spaced, Internet-researched commentary on "How It Happened." Due in 1 week.
Prepare for Thursday, 9/5, Reading Quiz #4 on the short story "The Destructors" by Graham Greene (pp. 160-70).
Prepare ahead for Monday, 9/9, Reading Quiz #5 on the short story "The Hollow of the Three Hills" by Nathaniel Hawthorne (pp. 1-4).
Prepare ahead for Thursday, 9/12, Reading Quiz #6 on the short story "The Rain Horse" by Ted Hughes (pp. 271-77)
Friday, 8/30 - Woo-hoo! We completed Practice Exam #1.
Due Tuesday, 9/3: Ten "DJ" entries for the short story "How It Happened" by Arthur Conan Dyle (pp. 100-02). You should also prepare for an in-class, open-note, open-book graded Socratic Seminar on Tuesday on "How It Happened."
OPEN HOUSE IS THURSDAY, 8/29, FROM 6:00-7:30 P.M.
Thursday, 8/29 - Students began Day 1 of our 2-day AICE Literature Practice Exam #1. We will have practice exams approximately every other week.
Wednesday, 8/28 - Students worked on their dialectical journals (due tomorrow) for "The Taste of Watermelon."
Tuesday, 8/27 - Mr. Thomas, Guidance Department Chair, and Mrs. Thomas, Guidance Counselor, visited our class today and shared a ton of information!
Parents, if you want to know what was discussed, there will be a Senior Parent Night on September 19, at 6:00 p.m., in the PAC.
Monday, 8/26 - I returned students' "Elephant" dialectical journal (DJ) entries with feedback. We looked at several student exemplars of DJ entries in class, and students received a detailed rubric for the next DJ entries due Thursday.
We also discussed Section 3 of the Exam Prep Guide.
Bring a BLACK pen to class on Thursday and Friday of this week (8/29 & 8/30). We will have our first in-class practice exam.
Due Thursday: Ten Dialectical Journal (DJ) entries for the short story "The Taste of Watermelon" by Borden Deal (pp. 310-19). Follow the rubric to earn an 'A.'
Due Tuesday, 9/3: Ten "DJ" entries for the short story "How It Happened" by Arthur Conan Dyle (pp. 100-02). You should also prepare for an in-class, open-note, open-book graded Socratic Seminar on Tuesday on "How It Happened."
Friday, 8/23 - Students received a Study Guide for the AICE exams in May. We reviewed and began annotating the guide together; on Monday, we will resume looking at the guide.
Thursday, 8/22 - Students wrapped up their discussion of Deal's story today; however, as we will be studying from a rather short, prescribed list of literary works, we will be returning to "The Taste of Watermelon" and "Elephant" in more depth in the future.
Wednesday, 8/21 - Students did an outstanding job today during our first Socratic-style discussion on the short story "The Taste of Watermelon." We'll resume our discussion tomorrow.
For Friday's quiz, read "How It Happened" by Arthur Conan Doyle (pp. 100-02).
Tuesday, 8/20 - Working in small groups, students in Period 1 discussed their dialectical journal entries; students in Period 5 started their journal entries (they are due when you arrive tomorrow).
Reminder: Binders are due Friday. Please have the tabbed sections labeled before you arrive to class. Consult your course syllabus for specifics.
Monday, 8/19 - Students took a short reading quiz, and, using the short story "Elephant," we began discussing how to read and analyze fiction.
Period 1 ONLY: Your 10 Dialectical Journals on the short story "Elephant" are due tomorrow.
For Wednesday's quiz, everyone should read "The Taste of Watermelon" by Borden Deal (pp. 310-19).
Students received the AICE Honor Code. The signed AICE "Points to Remember" form is due Wednesday.
Students were also offered an AICE Retake Request Form, which they should complete if they want to re-take an AICE exam.
Friday, 8/16 - Students went to the Media Center to pick up 5 books. For Monday's quiz, in Stories of Ourselves, read "Elephant," by Raymond Carver (pp. 360-369).
Thursday, 8/15 - Students worked in groups. Every student had a role. Groups analyzed and discussed the 2019 Paper 3 or Paper 4 examination.
Wednesday, 8/14 - AICE scores are accessible beginning today. We discussed Growth vs. Fixed mindset, and students completed an in-class writing.
Tuesday, 8/13 - Students took a short assessment on Growth vs. Fixed mindset and provided information about themselves on index cards.
Monday, 8/12 - Students received the course syllabus and Acknowledgment Form that they are to sign and have filled out/signed by a Parent. It's due Friday.