Thursday, December 18, 2008

Grade 10 - A Separate Peace

Grade 10- A Separate Peace- Read Chapters 3 & 4-Complete a one page reflection on these two chapters. What thoughts, questions and ideas did you have while reading? Support w/ direct quotes.

"I Believe" essay revisions are due the Tuesday after break! (DATE CHANGE)

Grade 11- To Kill a Mockingbird- Due Monday

Read Chapters 3-5. Reflect on your impressions of the characters thus far. (1 page)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Grade 11- To Kill a Mockingbird

Read Chapters 1& 2 (you may skip the history section)
Write a 4 paragraph response:
Paragraph 1: Character Impressions
Paragraph 2: Predictions
Paragraph 3: Song that connects to the readings
Paragraph 4: Questions

Grade 10- A Separate Peace - Chapter One

In your notebooks, reflect on Chapter One.
Consider:
*Your impressions of the charcters (esp. Gene & Phineas)
*Examples of foreshadowing/ "red herrings."
*Importance of the setting
*Important quotes
*Sections that were confusing
*Aspects that you would like to discuss with the class
*A song that reminds you of a feeling, character, place in the chapter

Monday, December 08, 2008

Grade 11- To Kill a Mockingbird

In class: Vocabulary preassessment
Review of the first 30 important words from the novel

Section One (Chapters 1-8):
1. Assuaged
2. Impudent
3. Repertoire
4. Vapid
5. Condescend
6. Entailment
7. Indigenous
8. Contemptuous
9. Diminutive
10. Discernable
11. Erratic
12. Gravely
13. Irked
14. Monosyllabic
15. Concession
16. Tranquility
17. Quell
18. Benevolence
19. Benign
20. Chameleon (adj.)
21. Gape
22. Inquisitive
23. Morbid
24. Placidly
25. Dismember
26. Ensuing
27. Malignant
28. palate
29. Vigil
30. Caricatures

Section Two- (Chapters 9-31)
31. Cordial
32. Perpetrated
33. Procured
34. Unfathomable
35. Donned
36. Doused
37. Indecisive
38. Furtive
39. Tentative
40. Inconspicuous
41. Commence
42. Decree
43. Livid
44. Passe'
45. Caste system
46. Devoid
47. Tactful
48. Begrudge
49. Dispel
50. Eccentric
51. Stifle
52. Succinct
53. Subpoena
54. Subtle
55. Ambidextrous
56. Congenital
57. Acquit
58. Perpetual
59. Candid
60. Indicted

Homework:Definition Diagram for each word:
Word: Assuaged
What it is: To lessen or calm (such as one's fears, guilt, etc...)
What it is like: Someone helping to calm someone...a coach, friend, parent
Example: A coach helping you through your fear of playing a sport
Nonexample: Coach yelling at a player

Grade 10- A Separate Peace

Tuesday: Final Drafts Due- "I Believe"- Stay tuned for a podcast update...
In class: Vocabulary preassessment
Review of 30 important words from the novel
1. salient
2. barbaric
3. latent
4. impinge
5. accolade
6. infraction
7. inane
8. foreboding
9. groveling
10. abstract
11. delirious
12. solicited
13. conjured
14. precarious
15. insinuated
16. innate
17. reverberate
18. insidious
19. vindicated
20. reticent
21. decipher
22. reprieve
23. poignant
24. inanimate
25. encroaching
26. immersion
27. abashed
28. austere
29. disconcerting
30. enamored
Homework:
Definition Diagram for each word:
Word: Groveling
What it is: Someone behavong in a way to receive something that he or she wants, especially forgiveness
What it is like: Pleading on my knees
Example: A homeless person begging for money
Nonexample: A bully

Friday, December 05, 2008

Grade 11- Lecture (Essay) Rubric

*is 3-5 pages in length (10)
*is organized (20)
*is free of errors in grammar, mechanics and spelling (10)
*conveys at least one key piece of wisdom (20)
* illustrates life lessons with personal stories (20)
*engages the audience (20)

Grade 11- Lecture Rubric

The lecture:

*conveys at least one key piece of wisdom (20)

* illustrates life lessons with personal stories (20)

*incorporates visuals/ audio (pictures, slides, music, props, etc…) (10)

*engages the audience (20)

*is about 5-10 minutes in length (10)

*is organized (20)

Grade 10- This I Believe...

Today (Friday), we were missing several students due to the Model Congress trip. We listened to the following podcasts off of the NPR website.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97320958
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97088865
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95726758

We discussed what we liked about the essays. We also met in small groups to offer feedback. Final drafts are due on Monday. Keep in mind the following:
*Tell a Story
*Be Brief
*Name your belief
*Be positive
*Be personal

In the works...
*I'm looking to record you reading aloud you essays (podcasts). I could use a student assistant with this. Please let me know if you are interested.
*Next novel: A Separate Peace