Thanks to all classes for doing a wonderful job listening to the visiting writer, Sara Tracey, yesterday. Sara speaks highly of her day here. She reminded me how lucky I am to be here working with you.

For today and tomorrow, our goal in Honors is to finish the movie, "A Raisin in the Sun." I look forward to reading your stories that you turned in yesterday.

Our Cp goal is to finish The Road. Those who don't finish will have to finish over break.

Today & tomorrow we are reading, discussing, and analyzing Sara Tracey's chapbook, Flood Year. Sara will be visiting and working with each class this Wednesday.

Just a reminder to honors classes, your "A Raisin in the Sun" creative "10 years later" story is due Wednesday.

Cp classes-I am very proud of your dedication to The Road. Keep up the commitment.

Honors
-Discussion of Ten Years Later (after "A Raisin in the Sun") paper.
due Wednesday
typed
2 pages
If you will be on a field trip next Thursday & Friday when we are finishing the movie, your paper should be a minimum of 3 pages to make up for missing the movie.
-Start the movie

CP
-2nd period worked on The Road
-7th period worked with the IACP speakers

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11th

Honors
-Watch first part of "A Raisin in the Sun"

CP
-You should be up to page 100 in The Road



THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10th

Honors
-Read 125-end of play
-Discuss the writing assignment for the end of the book.

CP
-Get to at least page 80

THIS IS THE AGENDA FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Honors
-Keep on trucking through "A Raisin in the Sun"

Cp
-Keep on reading The Road
-Organize notes into 3 categories

Honors
-Discussion of "A Raisin in the Sun"
-Continue reading

Setting drawing/design due Wednesday

CP
-Discussion of 1-20 The Road
-Continue reading

TODAY:Guest speakers for Individual Academic Career Planning

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1st

CLASSROOM NOTEBOOK

Epigraph: An epigraph is a phrase, quotation, or poem that is set at the beginning of a document.

Elegy: An elegy (traditionally)is a poem of mourning.

Honors
-Free Write
-Raisin in the Sun¨ quiz
-Discuss epigraph to play and Scene 1
-Copy Hughes´ poem into classroom notebook and write three of your own similes about putting a dream on hold


CP
-Free Write
-Begin reading The Road
-Discuss Reader Response Notebooks

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY, November 23-25

Honors
-We will spend this week presenting our papers that we wrote on a song representative of American culture.
-On Wednesday I will give you a short reading assignment to complete for Tuesday.

CP
-We will spend this week watching "Raisin in the Sun."
-Due on Wednesday is the following: Pick two characters. For each character, write a one page character sketch/story that takes place 10 years from where and when the play ended.
-Over break, you absolutely must read The Road packet that I give you. You will have a quiz on Tuesday.

Honors
-Using a business letter format, write a personal letter of thanks to someone. Make sure you have the letter and the address with you on Monday. I will provide you with an envelope. We will take five minutes to address and stuff the envelopes. I will then mail the letters. I can't wait to hear your music presentations on Monday and read your critical papers. What a nerd I am!

CP
-We finished "A Raisin in the Sun." If you were absent, you will need to finish the play and write a summary of pages 125-150. We will watch the movie next week. Please feel free to bring snacks to class. It will be an enjoyable week.

HONORS CLASSES

SHARE YOUR BOOK REVIEW PARAGRAPH

HONORS
-Discuss Miss Sullivan's book review
-Write one paragraph of a book review
-Work on short stories

CP
-Review last scene
-Design the Younger's apartment
-Share bio-poems

Monday & Tuesday

Copy the critical paper assignment from a classmate. All honors students must complete the assignment. It is extra credit in CP.

Honors
-You will be busy at home working on your critical paper. In class you will choose three short stories from Great American Stories. Read the stories and write an evaluation on each. Our in class reading days will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The written evaluations are due on Friday. Your critical song analysis is due on Monday.

CP
-We are continuing with "A Raisin in the Sun." Roughly, we are on page 95.
-Choose two characters and write bio-poems about them. You can find the bio-poem format in the beginning of your classroom notebook

Classroom Notebook-CP

1. How does Mama feel about Ruth considering an abortion? Find a line to support your answer.

2. Mama says, "It's dangerous when a man goes outside his home to look for peace." Describe the context in which this line took place. What does it mean?

Honors
-Find 5 quotes from the book you are going to review
-Begin survey of American Short Stories

CP
-Discussion of classroom notebook questions
-Read "Raisin..." 76-86

Classroom Notebook-CP

Draw a family tree of the Younger family. By each name write an adjective that describes that character.

Honors
-See yesterday's post

CP
-Reread 44-53
-Discuss & take notes
-Read 54-60

Classroom Notebook for Honors

Copy presentation reflection guidelines from a classmate

Short Story evaluation
1. Title, author
2. Main characters
3. Plot summary
4. How were the characters developed?
5. Conflict
6. Theme statement
7. Explain your thoughts on the story

CP Classroom Notebook

Utilizing direct quotes, describe at least two parts of the play where Walter attempts to use humor.

Honors
3rd period-Pick five Soto stories to read and analyze (Due Thursday)
4th period-Read The Giver
6th period-presentations

CP
-Read 32-53 in "A Raisin in the Sun"
-Write a short summary

Honors
-Presentations

CP
-Free write
-Begin "A Raisin in the Sun"

Question for honors classes

Reflecting on the presentations, what book are you interested in reading and why?

Honors
-Presentations

CP
-Continue yesterday's work

Classroom Notebook
(I gave a list of possible ways to earn bonus points. If you were absent, borrow a notebook to copy the list)

Honors
-Presentations
-Homework: Write a reflection about the presentations. Explore and restate what you have learned from these fantastic presentations. This reflection is due on Friday.

CP
-Read and discuss Franklin and his aphorisms on page 172
-Illustrate the aphorism you relate to most. Make sure you write a paragraph explaining why you choose the one you have illustrated.
-Type struggles essay

What are your thoughts on the censorship of books?

We had a fantastic discussion the other day in 6th period. Please, 6th period students reiterate what you said in class so that other classes can hear your voices.

And other classes, share your opinion. Is there any value to the censoring of books? Do you think books such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Slaughterhouse-five, and/or The Things They Carried should be banned? Explain your reasoning.

The first 15 students to leave insightful comments will receive bonus points.

Honors
-Presentations
-Homework for Wednesday: Read Ben Franklin's work, 166-172
-Select an aphorism from page 172 and illustrate it.

CP
-Discuss Puritan and Revolutionary time periods
-Read Franklin's list of virtues on page 169
-In your classroom notebook list one or two virtues that you think are the most important. Explain why. Also, list one or two virtues that you think are the least important. Explain why.
Homework: Write a non-fiction essay that details one struggle that has been an obstacle in your life. This essay must be a minimum of four paragraphs.

Honors
-Presentations

CP
-Halloween "Raven Simpsons"

Honors
-Turn in Edwards homework
-presentations

CP
-Use the following words in a writing prompt: wishbone, hollow, owl, blush, and playground

Share a few lines of what you wrote or are writing in your letter to Edwards regarding his sermon.

Honors
-Presentations
-Edwards homework due tomorrow

CP
-Listen to "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" 107-111
-Answer 1-3, 6, page 112
-Write a letter to Edwards

Honors
-Presentations
Homework: Please read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," on pages 104-111. Write a one page letter to Jonathan Edwards in response to his sermon. Due Thursday.

CP
-Read the play "Hole in my Life"

Honors
-Slaughterhouse-Five presentations
If you are absent from class, please make sure you see the presenter to get hand-outs. You will be assessed on all books.

CP
-Symbolic representation of "Harrison Bergeron" (Last time to work on it in class)

Book Review Example

New Zealand writer Helen Rickerby’s second book, My Iron Spine, is poignant, witty, tender, fun, and moving.

Rickerby has organized the book into three sections. The first section, Flashes of déjà vu, is compiled mostly of autobiographical pieces. A charming voice waltzes through the narrative, saying things like, I was playing hungry / hungry hippos / when my grandmother died or I wonder / if the Kingdom of Heaven / is like the Titanic- / not enough lifeboats.

A striking poem in this section is Eleven Fragments of God. Rickerby poetically meanders through questions, stories, and dialogue, pertaining not only to metaphysics, but also to personal grief. Corsets and comforts titles the second section of My Iron Spine. The poet writes in the persona of several women, including Artemisia Gentileschi, Mary Shelley, and Sylvia Plath.

In the third and final section, Laughing at Ophelia, the poet invents a world where she imaginatively spends time with an array of historical women. Check out a few of the titles: Burning with Joan of Arc, Swimming Lessons with Virginia Woolf, Housework with Linda and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Kate Sheppard and I go for a Ride. In the final poem, Rickerby hangs out with New Zealand born writer Katherine Mansfield. The poem, titled Partying with Katherine Mansfield starts out ‘Don’t be a bore,” says Katie / as she pulls me up by my arm / to the dance floor.

At times My Iron Spine is akin to Anne Carson’s The Glass Essay. Rickerby seamlessly layers her work with research, autobiography, and imagination. What more could a reader want from a book of poetry? Rickerby is a poet who celebrates women and their lives. Most of all, she celebrates their voices.

My Iron Spine is available at Amazon.com.

I had anticipated grading classroom notebooks tomorrow (Saturday) while I was proctoring the ACT in my classroom. Unfortunately, I had to rush home from school today and take Edith, my youngest dog, to the vet. She will be fine. However, I will be staying home with her tonight and tomorrow. Because I rushed home from school anticipating that I would be there tomorrow for the ACT, I did not bring home my gradebook or the notebooks. I do apologize, but I will update grades as as soon as possible next week.

Also, I would like to say that I am especially proud of my 7th period class for listening to me, respecting what I have to say, and working on becoming accountable young adults. Keep it up. You too, Kevin:)

Honors
-"Harrison Bergeron" Symbolic Representation

CP
-"Harrison Bergeron" study guide group work

Classroom Notebook

Are you a Harrison or a George/Hazel? Explain.

Honors
-"Harrison Bergeron" discussion

CP
-Read "Harrison Bergeron"
-Complete study guide with selected group

Classroom Notebook

1. What do you think O'Brien is attempting to accomplish in "Lives of the Dead?" Does this ending satisfy the book? Explain.

2. Discuss Kathleen's role in the novel.

3. Play editor. You must remove three sections/stories from the book. Which stories do you think could be removed without altering the integrity of the book? Explain.

4. Play editor some more. Choose five sections/parts of the book to create a novella. Which sections would you choose? Why? What would be the title of this novella?

Honors
-Work on presentation (last work day)
"Harrison Bergeron" is to be read, study guide completed...for tomorrow

CP
-work on book review & classroom notebook questions

Writer's Notebook

Write about a world where everyone is equal. How would you set up this world? Analyze the world you have created. What are the positives? Negatives?

Honors & CP
-Finish The Things They Carried
-Write a three paragraph informal book review. You may use first person. You must include a minimum of one quote. Remember, a good review includes what works and doesn't work in a book. This review should be written in your classroom notebook.

Honors homework-Read "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut and complete the study guide for Thursday.

Dear Tyler...We hope your surgery went well. We are thinking about you.

CLASSROOM NOTEBOOK

Which character are you most like and why?

Honors
-"Night Life" quiz
-"Lives of the Dead"
-Homework: active/passive hand-out

CP
-"The Lives of the Dead"

Honors
-Presentation work day

CP
-"Night Life" quiz

CLASSROOM NOTEBOOK

Active voice-subject of the sentence performs the action
Example: The teacher writes on the chalkboard

Passive voice-
Example: The chalkboard is written on by the teacher

Honors
-Continue reading "The Ghost Soldiers" & "Night Life"
-Pantoum or ghazal due tomorrow

CP
-Active/passive hand-out
-Read "Night Life"

HONORS
-Project presentation work day

CP
-Read "Good Form" 179-180
-Answer the following questions
1. What does O'Brien mean by the terms "story truth" and "happening truth?"
2.Did O'Brien kill a man? Explain.
3. Explain, in detail, why stories are important to O'Brien.
-Read "Field Trip"

Writer's Notebook

"Life is a growing expedition through the tangled unfilled-in parts. What happens after age nine? Because of the fear we don't trust our own life? Our story? Our colors? To be afraid and leap regardless- there is so much power in that. We must show up for our own life. Be brave. Be messy. Be loud. Be strong. Trust yourself."
-Sabrina Ward Harrison

HONORS & CP

Guided free write and discussion concerning the application of this quote to our own lives.

Honors
-presentation work day

CP
-pep rally

CLASSROOM NOTEBOOK

Sullivan's ghazal notes
1. pronounced guzzle
2. Persian form of poetry
3. written in couplets
4. often, the couplets can stand alone
5. the same word is used at the end of the 1st and 2nd line of the first couplet and then at the end of each 2nd line
6. poet signs his/her name in the last line

HONORS
-discuss ghazals & pantoums
-continue "The Ghost Soldiers"

CP
-read "In the Field"
-O'Brien's diary entry

Honors
-Discuss presentation guidelines
-Read "The Ghost Soldiers"

CP
-"Speaking of Courage" writing assessment
-Read "Notes"

All classes

Found poem share day (We will go from desk to desk and read each other's work)


MONDAY, OCTOBER 5

Classroom notebook

Pantoum
1. each stanza is four lines long
2. poem must begin and end with the same line
3. second and fourth quatrain become the first and third lines of the next, and so on with succeeding quatrains
4. the final quatrain changes this pattern
in the final quatrain the unrepeated first and third lines are used in reverse as second and fourth lines

Honors
-discuss "story truth" & "happening truth"
-O'Brien diary entry due tomorrow.

CP
-free write
-share writing

Honors
-Free write
-"I remember" work & share time
-"Style" & "Speaking of Courage" discussion
PRESENTATION PROPOSALS DUE TOMORROW

CP
-Work on found poem
-Read "Speaking of Courage"

Classroom Notebook

"Style"

1. Attempt to explain why the little girl is dancing.

"Speaking of Courage"

1. Describe Norman Bowker's typical day.
2. What do you think Norman Bowker needs?
3. What is/are the conflict/conflicts in the story? Are they resolved?

Honors
-Read "Notes" & "In the Field"
-Found poem due tomorrow

CP
-Work on found poem

Classroom Notebook

Copy the following six stanza format. Then, use the format to write poem based on the images from O'Brien's"The Man I killed."

I remember poem

I remember...

(Images)

(Images)

(Images)

(Question)

(Indirect answer)

Honors
-discuss found poem guidelines (due Thursday)
-discuss presentation proposal (due Friday)
-"The Man I Killed poem

CP
-"Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" writing assessment
-"The Man I Killed" poem

Monday, September 28th

Honors & Cp
-Read up to "Speaking of Courage"

If you are bored tonight....
http://www.ohiocenterforthebook.org/index.php?q=node/4267

Classwork for today...

Continuing with O'Brien interview....

9. ordering
10. readjustment from Vietnam
11-15. Write 5 questions for Tim O'Brien

Honors
-Read "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong"
-Finish interview & response

CP
-Finish "How To Tell a True War Story"
-Read "The Dentist"
-Curt Lemon writing (Compare Rat Kiley's Curt Lemon to the Curt Lemon revealed in "The Dentist"

Classroom Notebook

According to the first half of the interview we are studying, what does Tim O'Brien have to say about....
1. courage
2. substance
3. what makes a good story
4. love
5. stories saving our lives
6.imagination
7. the world of magic
8. stories and truth

Honors
-Finish "How To Tell a True War Story"
-Read the first half of the Mars Hill Review Tim O'Brien interview

CP
-Begin "How To Tell a True War Story"
-Begin working on O' Brien interview

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 23rd

Classroom Notebook

Metafiction is a term given to fictional writing which self-consciously and systematically draws attention to its status as an artifact in order to pose questions about the relationship between fiction and reality. In providing a critique on their own methods of construction, such writings not only examine the fundamental structures of narrative fiction, they also explore the fictionality of the world outside the literary fictional text.

Honors
-Free write about painting
Begin reading "How To Tell a True War Story" 67-77

Cp
-Read "Spin"
-Select two quotes from the section and write a response to the quotes.

Honors
-TTTC in class writing
-Read "Spin" 31-38
-Write down two quotes from the reading
Read "Enemies" & "Friends" 62-67

CP
-TTTC in class writing
-Read "Enemies" & "Friends"
-Complete study guide


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th

Honors

Ekphrastic story assignment
-Due Wednesday, September 23rd
-Pick a painting that has humans in it. Write a story. Be creative and have fun. Make sure you title your story. It should be typed, double-spaced, 12pt, Times New Roman, and 300-750 words. You may use any painting, but one that would work really well for this assignment is Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks."

Honors & CP

-Discussion of book
-Review of agreement hand-outs

and WEDNESDAY

CP & Honors

Read "On The Rainy River"
Using specific textual examples, explain how and why Elroy Berdahl is the hero of Tim"s life.

CLASSROOM NOTEBOOK

1. Describe and give an example of O'Brien's unique use of characterization.

2. What are some specific statements, images, or details that O'Brien repeats? What function or functions does this repetition serve?

Honors
-Discussion
-Share "I carry"
-Read "Love" 27-30
-Write short response
-Both Agreement hand-outs due tomorrow

CP
-Share "I Carry"
-Finish "The Things They Carried"

Honors
-Finish "The Things They Carried"
-Complete study guide
-Quick guided free write..."I carry..."
-Agreement hand-out DUE WEDNESDAY

CP
-Continue "The Things They Carried"
-Character discussion
-Guided free write..."I carry"

Classroom Notebook

Tangible-something that can be perceived by the senses
Intangible-something that can't be perceived by the senses

Honors
-share photo writing
-Read "What We Carry" by Dorianne Laux
-Complete study guide

CP
-work on photo writing and/or "I'm From" poem (both due tomorrow)



Wednesday, September 9th

Honors & CP
-free write about Vietnam photo
-choose a genre and complete a first draft writing about photograph

CP & Honors

-Discussion of college access program
-Free write
-Introduction to The Things They Carried
-Select a Vietnam photo

"I'm From" poem dues dates: Wednesday for honors, Friday for CP

Honors & CP

T-shirt presentations

Have a great three day weekend.

Honors & CP

-T-shirt work day

MAKE SURE YOU FINISH YOUR SHIRT FOR CLASS TOMORROW

Writer's Notebook

Copy the following free-write triggers into your notebook.
I remember
I need
I am
I can
I hope
I dream
I wish
I regret
I love
I'm from
I like
I detest

BRING MATERIALS TO WORK ON YOUR T-SHIRT PROJECT

Honors
-Quick read and discussion of "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke
-Read and discuss "Where I'm From"
-Begin copy-change (Typed draft due (9/9)

Homework: Bring in at least 10 items for your t-shirt. Finish your time period booklet.

CP
-I'm From free-write
-Read and discuss "Where I'm From"
-Write a copy-change

Homework: Bring at least 10 items for your t-shirt. Finish your "Twenty questions for__________ assignment"

Writer's Notebook

Copy the following.

The Seven Rules of Writing Practice
-Natalie Goldberg

1. Keep your hand moving
2. Don't think
3. Be specific
4. Lose control
5. Don't worry about spelling, punctuation, and grammar
6. You are free to write the worst junk in America
7. Go for the jugular

Honors
-"The Seven Rules of Writing Practice" discussion
-Free write
-"I'm from" free write

CP
-"The Seven Rules of Writing Practice" discussion
-Free write
-Write "Twenty Questions for_______" (due Thursday)

Classroom Notebook

Copy the following format. We will be using this periodically throughout the year with a variety of characters.

Bio-poem

(first name)
Who is (four adjectives)
Mother/father/sister/brother/friend/husband/wife of ( )
Who loves (three things or people)
Who feels (three things...)
Who needs (three things)
Who gives (three things...)
Who fears (three things...)
Who would like to see (three things...)
Resident of (some place)
(last name)


Honors

-Time period notes
-Time period booklet instructions
-Character bio-poem

YOUR TWENTY QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE TOMORROW.

CP

-"Twenty Questions for Robbie Dunkle" study guide discussion
-Bio-poem

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR BINDER AND TWO NOTEBOOKS. THIS MONDAY YOU WILL HAVE A CLASSROOM NOTEBOOK ENTRY ON THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF THE BOARD.

Honors

-Study guide over "Twenty Questions for Robbie Dunkle"
-Discussion

HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY, September 1: After spending some time with Scala's chapbook, we are ready to write an outline for our own. Write twenty questions for _____________. Who or what are you going to write twenty questions for? Remember, your questions should be for someone or something that can't quite answer you back.

Today's discussions were incredible. I was impressed with your ability to analyze an entire chapbook of poetry. We talked about form, narrative, confession, repetition, intent, and theme (just to name a few things).

CP

-We started a study guide, but due to grade level meetings and the pep rally, class was cut short. We will finish the study guide on Monday and discuss the book.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

Honors & CP

-Turn in surveys
-course description & classroom procedures
-"Twenty Questions for Robbie Dunkle" by J. Gabriel Scala
-Study Guide

Excerpted from the Wick Poetry Center website

J. Gabriel Scala's poems and reviews have appeared in Lullwater Review, Beacon Street Review, Poems & Plays, and Mid-American Review. "Inspired by the story of Secundus the Silent Philosopher and the twenty vital questions posed to him by Emperor Hadrian, J. Gabriel Scala's Twenty Questions for Robbie Dunkle moves swiftly and deftly into the essence of human existence—memory. Imbued with that ancient consideration, Robbie Dunkle emerges as a chance metaphor for the poet's own past, the dead past, which becomes our past, with all of its wonders and wastes, which only brilliant poetry can revive this powerfully."—Larissa Szporluk

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

Honors
-Essay Assessment over one summer reading book
-First day of class survey for Miss Sullivan

I collected your summer reading response notebooks and will have those back to you next week. Before class many of you were raving about one of the books you read for summer reading. It was refreshing to listen to your positive experiences. This was the first year that I allowed students to choose their books from a list. Hearing you share your excitement over your books is evidence that providing students with choice guarantees more students will be successful.

CP
-Introductions
-First day of class survey for Miss Sullivan

If you didn't finish your survey during class, please finish it at home and bring it back to me tomorrow.