Note to self: Today is payday. Be sure to use your minor ducats to pay the rent today.
Note to students: Disregard note to self.
Agenda
AP Literature: Quick-quiz on the nature of human failure and despair. (Great way to start a morning!) Then launch into a deeply meaningful discussion of Oedipus Rex, or, to use the name of a website about this play, Oedipus the Wreck.
Gifted English IV: Assign Chaucer memorization; read a graphic-novel version of the life of Becket, prepare for film session.
Gifted English II: Share informal responses; review 120 literary terms. Homework tonight: grammar review questions. Our Author of the Day today is Shel Silverstein--yes, that Shel Silverstein (RIP).
AFTER SCHOOL: If you have any questions about the ESW trip, the Florence option, or Paris '07, come see Russ Russell of Art Events Orlando in my room after school. I have to leave by 2:40, so we only have about an hour to address any questions or concerns you might have, but good times all around. (I have a critically important off-campus meeting at Starbucks at 3.)
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
What a beautiful morning for us--and what a wretched morning for New Orleans. :-( Katrina did her damage, once again reminding us of the fragility of our roles on this planet.
On to the academic day. . .
AP Literature: Today we are going to look at Oedipus Rex through the lens of a supplemental text on oracles. I've prepared four thought questions to guide small-group discussion before we launch back into the whole-class environment. Your homework tonight is to read the essay on Aristotilean tragedy featured in your lit book, beginning on page 1252. You need to really understand the text from 1252-1258 before tomorrow's discussion.
Gifted English IV: Middle Ages study guide and introduction to Thomas a Becket. You can work in groups to finish the guide; pay particular attention to the mini-essay "A Worm in a Terrible Cocoon" to really understand how horrendous the lives of medieval knights were. (Chaucer is a hoot, though.)
Gifted English II: Our Author of the Day today is Anne Rice, vampiric novelist (well, at least in her mind.) Her writing is a throwback to the baroque era and is reminiscent of Gothic literature in many ways, as well. After that, we are going to do a syntactical analysis of "The Storyteller" and/or "The Pedestrian" before shifting gears into Heinrich Boll's "My Melancholy Face." Your homework tonight is to generate an informal personal response to ANY of the short selections we've done in the past two weeks.
The meeting after school today has been rescheduled for tomorrow immediately after sixth period. I'm sorry about any inconvenience, but Russ and I got our wires crossed. The world is an imperfect place, and I am an imperfect creature. Forgive! Forgive!!
On to the academic day. . .
AP Literature: Today we are going to look at Oedipus Rex through the lens of a supplemental text on oracles. I've prepared four thought questions to guide small-group discussion before we launch back into the whole-class environment. Your homework tonight is to read the essay on Aristotilean tragedy featured in your lit book, beginning on page 1252. You need to really understand the text from 1252-1258 before tomorrow's discussion.
Gifted English IV: Middle Ages study guide and introduction to Thomas a Becket. You can work in groups to finish the guide; pay particular attention to the mini-essay "A Worm in a Terrible Cocoon" to really understand how horrendous the lives of medieval knights were. (Chaucer is a hoot, though.)
Gifted English II: Our Author of the Day today is Anne Rice, vampiric novelist (well, at least in her mind.) Her writing is a throwback to the baroque era and is reminiscent of Gothic literature in many ways, as well. After that, we are going to do a syntactical analysis of "The Storyteller" and/or "The Pedestrian" before shifting gears into Heinrich Boll's "My Melancholy Face." Your homework tonight is to generate an informal personal response to ANY of the short selections we've done in the past two weeks.
The meeting after school today has been rescheduled for tomorrow immediately after sixth period. I'm sorry about any inconvenience, but Russ and I got our wires crossed. The world is an imperfect place, and I am an imperfect creature. Forgive! Forgive!!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Updating a bit late this time; sorry! Crazy weekend.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. All seniors--your Guidance appointment with your counselor is Wednesday, 9/7--a week from tomorrow. On that day, you will report directly to Guidance and be guided. I'll remind you on Tuesday.
2. Anyone interested in any of the foreign travel opportunities need to see me ASAP for info. This spring break trip is sold out.
3. No school on Monday! Enjoy your Labor Day, and please be careful on the roads. Florida is notorious for poor road safety stats during the Labor Day weekend.
AP Lit--Reading day for Oedipus Rex; double-entry for selected lines. I have a half-sheet handout detailing how to take double-entry notes (it's a lot like Cornell Notes) to optimize your active reading experience and help you in class discussion later this week.
Gifted English IV--Take the quiz we forgot to take on Friday; watch two more sequences of Python's version of the Middle Ages. Bring your lit book tomorrow for the Middle Ages introduction session.
Gifted English II--Third period had story time before we launched into Saki's "The Storyteller," and soxth caught up with "The Pedestrian." Once I give the make-up quizzes I'll give back the graded ones from last week preparatory to this week's mastery test of figurative terms.
Planning Ahead: APees will have an Oediquiz later this week; Gifted IIs will have a mastery test on Friday for all 120 literary terms.
Anyone who needs assistance filling out college applications can see me during A or B lunch today or next Tuesday.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. All seniors--your Guidance appointment with your counselor is Wednesday, 9/7--a week from tomorrow. On that day, you will report directly to Guidance and be guided. I'll remind you on Tuesday.
2. Anyone interested in any of the foreign travel opportunities need to see me ASAP for info. This spring break trip is sold out.
3. No school on Monday! Enjoy your Labor Day, and please be careful on the roads. Florida is notorious for poor road safety stats during the Labor Day weekend.
AP Lit--Reading day for Oedipus Rex; double-entry for selected lines. I have a half-sheet handout detailing how to take double-entry notes (it's a lot like Cornell Notes) to optimize your active reading experience and help you in class discussion later this week.
Gifted English IV--Take the quiz we forgot to take on Friday; watch two more sequences of Python's version of the Middle Ages. Bring your lit book tomorrow for the Middle Ages introduction session.
Gifted English II--Third period had story time before we launched into Saki's "The Storyteller," and soxth caught up with "The Pedestrian." Once I give the make-up quizzes I'll give back the graded ones from last week preparatory to this week's mastery test of figurative terms.
Planning Ahead: APees will have an Oediquiz later this week; Gifted IIs will have a mastery test on Friday for all 120 literary terms.
Anyone who needs assistance filling out college applications can see me during A or B lunch today or next Tuesday.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Welcome to Florida, Tropical Storm/Hurricane-Wannabe Katrina! Please do no harm and leave quietly.
AP Literature: 1st period focus papers are due; in both classes, discuss dominant themes to look for in Oedipus Rex and go over Sophoclean biography. I have a critical essay I'd like you to read, too, that (hopefully) can give you a focal point for your reading this weekend. (You may disagree vehemently with the thesis of this particular critic--in fact, I kind of hope you do--but it is helpful to see a well-articulated vantage point that can find themes of modernity in ancient Greek texts.)
Gifted English IV: Make-up A/S Unit Test for a few select learners; hand back graded work; Introduction to the Middle Ages notes and then. . .dun dun dun. . .a few moments of Python. . .
Gifted English II: Vocab quiz; discuss "The Pedestrian;" STORY TIME for 3rd period!!!
What a beautiful day. Let's hope it is so for South Florida, as well.
AP Literature: 1st period focus papers are due; in both classes, discuss dominant themes to look for in Oedipus Rex and go over Sophoclean biography. I have a critical essay I'd like you to read, too, that (hopefully) can give you a focal point for your reading this weekend. (You may disagree vehemently with the thesis of this particular critic--in fact, I kind of hope you do--but it is helpful to see a well-articulated vantage point that can find themes of modernity in ancient Greek texts.)
Gifted English IV: Make-up A/S Unit Test for a few select learners; hand back graded work; Introduction to the Middle Ages notes and then. . .dun dun dun. . .a few moments of Python. . .
Gifted English II: Vocab quiz; discuss "The Pedestrian;" STORY TIME for 3rd period!!!
What a beautiful day. Let's hope it is so for South Florida, as well.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
AP Literature: Begin the transition into Oedipus Rex. Your focus papers are due today by 3 p.m.
Gifted English IV: Anglo-Saxon Unit Test, followed by an introduction to the Middle Ages. We're going to get medieval now. . .
Gifted English II: Ray Bradbury as Author of the Day, followed by a reading of "The Pedestrian."
Gifted English IV: Anglo-Saxon Unit Test, followed by an introduction to the Middle Ages. We're going to get medieval now. . .
Gifted English II: Ray Bradbury as Author of the Day, followed by a reading of "The Pedestrian."
Monday, August 22, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Short day!!!
Advanced Placement Literature: Eliot again--"Preludes." Connections across the board with all three poems.
Gifted IV: Further review for the A/S Unit Test, and transitional information leading into the Middle Ages.
Gifted II: Last of the literary vocabulary: #81-120. Author of the Day: Vladimir Nabakov.
Advanced Placement Literature: Eliot again--"Preludes." Connections across the board with all three poems.
Gifted IV: Further review for the A/S Unit Test, and transitional information leading into the Middle Ages.
Gifted II: Last of the literary vocabulary: #81-120. Author of the Day: Vladimir Nabakov.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
RESUBMITS DUE TODAY, SENIORS.
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: More analysis of "Prufrock."
Gifted English IV: Go over "The Seafarer" and begin reviewing for A/S Unit Test. Class vote: Do we want to do Anglo-Saxon Study Guide Part II, for further grade insulation, or would you rather skip it and just study independently?
Gifted English II: UNDERCLASS PICTURE DAY. We'll meet here, and then proceed together as a happy learning family to the auditorium.
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: More analysis of "Prufrock."
Gifted English IV: Go over "The Seafarer" and begin reviewing for A/S Unit Test. Class vote: Do we want to do Anglo-Saxon Study Guide Part II, for further grade insulation, or would you rather skip it and just study independently?
Gifted English II: UNDERCLASS PICTURE DAY. We'll meet here, and then proceed together as a happy learning family to the auditorium.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Third week! Wow!!!
No hurricanes yet! (Quick--knock on wood.)
AP Literature: Please bring your lit book today. We will be going over "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot.
Gifted IV: Two British Mysteries and "The Seafarer" as translated by Burton Raffel.
Gifted II: Post-It Note Quiz on "Charming Billy" and Author of the Day as Yukio Mishima.
No hurricanes yet! (Quick--knock on wood.)
AP Literature: Please bring your lit book today. We will be going over "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot.
Gifted IV: Two British Mysteries and "The Seafarer" as translated by Burton Raffel.
Gifted II: Post-It Note Quiz on "Charming Billy" and Author of the Day as Yukio Mishima.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
The end of our second week together. . .my, how time flies.
AP Literature: Go over the requirements for Focus Paper #2 and discuss in class. Also, I will give you the FRQs for the past twenty-something years from College Board.
Gifted IV: Anglo-Saxon riddles.
Gifted II: Literary vocabulary quiz and introduction to the ironic Tim O'Brien tale "Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?" No author today--we'll talk more about O'Brien on Monday.
Have a good, safe weekend!
Looking ahead:
APees need to acquire Oedipus Rex by Sophocles ASAP. We will begin the transition into Greek tragedy next week. Gifted IIs need to get a hold of The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, and Gifted IVs need Huxley's Brave New World for their second outside reading. If you cannot get these books due to personal problems, see me quietly and I will loan you mine.
AP Literature: Go over the requirements for Focus Paper #2 and discuss in class. Also, I will give you the FRQs for the past twenty-something years from College Board.
Gifted IV: Anglo-Saxon riddles.
Gifted II: Literary vocabulary quiz and introduction to the ironic Tim O'Brien tale "Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?" No author today--we'll talk more about O'Brien on Monday.
Have a good, safe weekend!
Looking ahead:
APees need to acquire Oedipus Rex by Sophocles ASAP. We will begin the transition into Greek tragedy next week. Gifted IIs need to get a hold of The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, and Gifted IVs need Huxley's Brave New World for their second outside reading. If you cannot get these books due to personal problems, see me quietly and I will loan you mine.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Wheeee--I am 34 today! It's just another day, really, but in honor of it here are some celebrities who share this birthday: Robert Redford and El Debarge. Well, that's kind of sad. And me!
Does it matter that I was due on June 29?
On to more academic matters:
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Go over multiple choice session and look at the different genres explored--sonnet, mock heroic epic, Victorian novel excerpt, and postwar British novel. If I can get the copies generated, distribute second focus paper assignment. Zero draft if time.
Gifted English IV: Finish Beowulf and distribute second focus paper assignment. This paper is due next Thursday, so you have a week to find your muse. See me if you have any questions. Also, I was hoping to get you the packet called "Two British Mysteries," but it doesn't look like that's happening any time soon. Hang in there. All will be well.
Gifted English II: After discussing our Author of the Day, my all-time favorite novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez of Colombia, we will rapidly finish the last of our literary terms preparatory to our exciting test tomorrow. We are also going to finish going over genre and parts of speech as a review.
What a great day. I can feel the positive energy already!
Does it matter that I was due on June 29?
On to more academic matters:
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Go over multiple choice session and look at the different genres explored--sonnet, mock heroic epic, Victorian novel excerpt, and postwar British novel. If I can get the copies generated, distribute second focus paper assignment. Zero draft if time.
Gifted English IV: Finish Beowulf and distribute second focus paper assignment. This paper is due next Thursday, so you have a week to find your muse. See me if you have any questions. Also, I was hoping to get you the packet called "Two British Mysteries," but it doesn't look like that's happening any time soon. Hang in there. All will be well.
Gifted English II: After discussing our Author of the Day, my all-time favorite novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez of Colombia, we will rapidly finish the last of our literary terms preparatory to our exciting test tomorrow. We are also going to finish going over genre and parts of speech as a review.
What a great day. I can feel the positive energy already!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Happy Birthday to my student assistant, Lauren!
Agenda for the day:
AP Lit: Go over prose and poetry passages in the CLIFF book--notably Dickens and Orwell. 1st period also needs to go over the Guidelines for Solid Writing with me. Whoot to all.
Gifted IV: Journal entry on Beowulf and the role of the hero; quick-quiz on the battle with Grendel's dam. Hopefully we can finish this puppy today--and read a scintillating passage from John Gardner's Grendel to boot.
Gifted II: Reminder that your revisions are due by 3 p.m. today. As I will be ensconced in a charming faculty meeting after school, you may leave your papers A) in my unlocked classroom, B) in the Main Office, after you sweetly give it to Mrs. Roberson, C) faxed to BHS, attn. Hilley at 407.897.2466, or D) e-mailed to me for a ten-poiint deduction for the horrible hassle of having to print the darn thing.
Whew. In Gifted II today, we will have Toni Morrison as our Author of the Day, and we will continue going over the nuances of non-fiction and other genres. Plan to start reviewing the new literary vocab terms as well today. Busy day in short-day land!!!
Agenda for the day:
AP Lit: Go over prose and poetry passages in the CLIFF book--notably Dickens and Orwell. 1st period also needs to go over the Guidelines for Solid Writing with me. Whoot to all.
Gifted IV: Journal entry on Beowulf and the role of the hero; quick-quiz on the battle with Grendel's dam. Hopefully we can finish this puppy today--and read a scintillating passage from John Gardner's Grendel to boot.
Gifted II: Reminder that your revisions are due by 3 p.m. today. As I will be ensconced in a charming faculty meeting after school, you may leave your papers A) in my unlocked classroom, B) in the Main Office, after you sweetly give it to Mrs. Roberson, C) faxed to BHS, attn. Hilley at 407.897.2466, or D) e-mailed to me for a ten-poiint deduction for the horrible hassle of having to print the darn thing.
Whew. In Gifted II today, we will have Toni Morrison as our Author of the Day, and we will continue going over the nuances of non-fiction and other genres. Plan to start reviewing the new literary vocab terms as well today. Busy day in short-day land!!!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Oh, what a beautiful morning. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Seniors: You are going to meet with your Guidance counselor about graduation/college requirements next Monday or Thursday, depending on alpha. The list is posted on my board, so if you didn't get the information in class today, check the board and write the appropriate period in your calendar.
Writing Center Consultants/Potential Consultants: If you worked for us last year, or are interested AND have already been through AP Language with Nicoll or Meikle, we are having training sessions Thursday, August 18 in 315. I am doing A lunch and Mrs. Nicoll is doing B lunch. Mrs. Meikle and Mr. Demus are helping us this year, so let the good times roll! Also, see Clayton Abel if you are interested in working in the new Math Center after school this year. If I owe you community service hours for the writing center, see me and I will give you your letter to take to Guidance next week.
AP Literature: 1st period finished the multiple choice session, and 5th also went over the Guidelines for Solid Writing handout. Focus papers went back, to the dismay of some and the thrill of others. Resubmits due next Tuesday by 3 p.m.
Gifted IV: Went over college app requirements and finished the Battle with Grendel in Beowulf. Graded work passed back; eClass is updated so let me know if K12 Planet isn't showing you your grades.
Gifted II: Author of the Day is Nick Bantock, and we took a look at the Griffin and Sabine trilogy. Post-It Note Quiz on "The Cold Equations" and discussion of the story and the author's intent. We discussed theme and reliability, and began going over non-fiction. Class concluded with a rousing performance of "There Was a Turtle by the Name of Bert" from the KnowTV video series.
And the randomness just continues!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Seniors: You are going to meet with your Guidance counselor about graduation/college requirements next Monday or Thursday, depending on alpha. The list is posted on my board, so if you didn't get the information in class today, check the board and write the appropriate period in your calendar.
Writing Center Consultants/Potential Consultants: If you worked for us last year, or are interested AND have already been through AP Language with Nicoll or Meikle, we are having training sessions Thursday, August 18 in 315. I am doing A lunch and Mrs. Nicoll is doing B lunch. Mrs. Meikle and Mr. Demus are helping us this year, so let the good times roll! Also, see Clayton Abel if you are interested in working in the new Math Center after school this year. If I owe you community service hours for the writing center, see me and I will give you your letter to take to Guidance next week.
AP Literature: 1st period finished the multiple choice session, and 5th also went over the Guidelines for Solid Writing handout. Focus papers went back, to the dismay of some and the thrill of others. Resubmits due next Tuesday by 3 p.m.
Gifted IV: Went over college app requirements and finished the Battle with Grendel in Beowulf. Graded work passed back; eClass is updated so let me know if K12 Planet isn't showing you your grades.
Gifted II: Author of the Day is Nick Bantock, and we took a look at the Griffin and Sabine trilogy. Post-It Note Quiz on "The Cold Equations" and discussion of the story and the author's intent. We discussed theme and reliability, and began going over non-fiction. Class concluded with a rousing performance of "There Was a Turtle by the Name of Bert" from the KnowTV video series.
And the randomness just continues!
Monday, August 15, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
Second week! Wow!
AP Literature: Today we are doing Practice Session #2 in the CLIFF book for multiple choice--four passages from writers as diverse as Orwell and Dickens. Good times.
Gifted IV: We are translating Old English, taking an open-notes quiz on the Angl0-Saxon time period, and taking notes on a short film called The Epic Hero.
Gifted II: Our author of the day is Carl Hiaasen; then, we are going over common errors in the Death of a Stranger rough drafts, distributing cool new textbooks, and starting the short story "The Cold Equations." Prepare for a post-it note quiz tomorrow!
I.S. Officer Meeting after school.
Have a good day!
AP Literature: Today we are doing Practice Session #2 in the CLIFF book for multiple choice--four passages from writers as diverse as Orwell and Dickens. Good times.
Gifted IV: We are translating Old English, taking an open-notes quiz on the Angl0-Saxon time period, and taking notes on a short film called The Epic Hero.
Gifted II: Our author of the day is Carl Hiaasen; then, we are going over common errors in the Death of a Stranger rough drafts, distributing cool new textbooks, and starting the short story "The Cold Equations." Prepare for a post-it note quiz tomorrow!
I.S. Officer Meeting after school.
Have a good day!
Friday, August 12, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
FOCUS PAPERS DUE BY 3 P.M.
AP Lit--Distribute literary anthologies; go over additional elements of "Hollow Men." Fifth period reading story by Lorrie Moore in the anthology then seguing into a classy analysis of hollowness in modern culture.
GIV--Begin Beowulf; notes on Mead Hall and societal structures of A/S era.
GII--Lit quiz on first forty figurative language terms; peer review rough drafts for Stranger essays.
Have a good weekend! Be well!
AP Lit--Distribute literary anthologies; go over additional elements of "Hollow Men." Fifth period reading story by Lorrie Moore in the anthology then seguing into a classy analysis of hollowness in modern culture.
GIV--Begin Beowulf; notes on Mead Hall and societal structures of A/S era.
GII--Lit quiz on first forty figurative language terms; peer review rough drafts for Stranger essays.
Have a good weekend! Be well!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Another beautiful day in Florida!
AP Lit--TP-CASTT analysis of "The Hollow Men." Part I of a series. Don't panic if you think this poem is complicated--IT IS.
GIV--Anglo-Saxon Study Guide, Part I, pp. 2-16 in the Elements text. We are beginning a short unit on this time period, which will include Beowulf, The Seafarer, and other examples of Old English writing.
GII--3rd period will be at the Sophomore Assembly; 6th will answer thought questions on The Stranger.
AP Lit--TP-CASTT analysis of "The Hollow Men." Part I of a series. Don't panic if you think this poem is complicated--IT IS.
GIV--Anglo-Saxon Study Guide, Part I, pp. 2-16 in the Elements text. We are beginning a short unit on this time period, which will include Beowulf, The Seafarer, and other examples of Old English writing.
GII--3rd period will be at the Sophomore Assembly; 6th will answer thought questions on The Stranger.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Short Wednesdays are back! Wow!
Today's agenda:
AP Lit: Further discussion of Heart of Darkness with reference to the quote from Achebe. In a 1975 speech at the University of Massachusets, the Nigerian novelist claimed that Conrad is a "bloody racist." Can we find text evidence in H of D to support or refute that assertion, and the further claim that the novel is not a work of art?
GIV: Check-reading test for Orwell's 1984. Essay format; bring a pen and a lot of energy.
GII: We're going to review the first forty literary terms today, and place them in context. Our Author of the Day today will be Mark Leyner.
Today's agenda:
AP Lit: Further discussion of Heart of Darkness with reference to the quote from Achebe. In a 1975 speech at the University of Massachusets, the Nigerian novelist claimed that Conrad is a "bloody racist." Can we find text evidence in H of D to support or refute that assertion, and the further claim that the novel is not a work of art?
GIV: Check-reading test for Orwell's 1984. Essay format; bring a pen and a lot of energy.
GII: We're going to review the first forty literary terms today, and place them in context. Our Author of the Day today will be Mark Leyner.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Tuesday, August 9, 2005
This will be a quick post--
TODAY
Periods 1 and 5--Review literary terms; begin discussion of Gatbsy-Kurtz.
Period 2--Senior Assembly.
Periods 3 and 4--Check-read test for The Stranger/Death of a Salesman OR Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Please, please, please don't shoot the messenger about the locker situation. It's horrible and I'm sorry.
TODAY
Periods 1 and 5--Review literary terms; begin discussion of Gatbsy-Kurtz.
Period 2--Senior Assembly.
Periods 3 and 4--Check-read test for The Stranger/Death of a Salesman OR Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Please, please, please don't shoot the messenger about the locker situation. It's horrible and I'm sorry.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Monday, August 8, 2005
Now that we have met each other. . .
AP Literature: Today we went over the syllabus and talked about the first focus paper. Fifth period also received another copy of the 120 Literary Terms I gave out during (well, for some of you) sophomore year, for review. I will distribute to first period tomorrow.
Tomorrow we will have our first fully fledged discussion of Gatsby and Heart of Darkness. Come prepared!
Gifted IV: Today we went over the syllabus and learned about the basic etymology of the English language. Tomorrow, you will be attending the senior assembly during my class, so your check-reading test on 1984 will be on Wednesday.
Gifted II: Today I gave you a plethora of handouts--the syllabus, the 120 Literary Terms, the Gifted English Style Sheet, the first writing assignment (first draft due Friday) and a handout on existential philosophy. Welcome to class! Tomorrow, we are taking a fabulous check-reading test on your summer reading--if you are a recent emigre from the Magnet program, you will write an informal essay on Something Wicked This Way Comes.
ALL STUDENTS: Thanks for a terrific first day. You are amazing kids with amazing energy, and I am sure that I will learn as much from you as you can learn from me. Have a great evening!
AP Literature: Today we went over the syllabus and talked about the first focus paper. Fifth period also received another copy of the 120 Literary Terms I gave out during (well, for some of you) sophomore year, for review. I will distribute to first period tomorrow.
Tomorrow we will have our first fully fledged discussion of Gatsby and Heart of Darkness. Come prepared!
Gifted IV: Today we went over the syllabus and learned about the basic etymology of the English language. Tomorrow, you will be attending the senior assembly during my class, so your check-reading test on 1984 will be on Wednesday.
Gifted II: Today I gave you a plethora of handouts--the syllabus, the 120 Literary Terms, the Gifted English Style Sheet, the first writing assignment (first draft due Friday) and a handout on existential philosophy. Welcome to class! Tomorrow, we are taking a fabulous check-reading test on your summer reading--if you are a recent emigre from the Magnet program, you will write an informal essay on Something Wicked This Way Comes.
ALL STUDENTS: Thanks for a terrific first day. You are amazing kids with amazing energy, and I am sure that I will learn as much from you as you can learn from me. Have a great evening!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Welcome Back!
Welcome back, students, to the 2005-2006 school year. We have some changes that you will need to be aware of: we have a new principal, Mr. Chris Bernier, and he is very pro-kid and very interested in making Boone an A school. He is very approachable and I think he would appreciate it if you took a minute to stop by and welcome him on board.
Bad news--lockers are at a premium, and you have SIX minutes between classes.
Good news--I am so excited to have you back in class; we are going to learn some amazing things this year.
AP Literature, Periods 1 and 5--Please bring your summer reading packet with you each day this week. We will be discussing the AP exam structure, the role of the unreliable narrator, and the imagery in The Great Gatsby and Heart of Darkness for the first several days. Your first focus paper is due on Friday, August 12, by 3 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Also, I want to recommend a book to you (in addition to The Half-Blood Prince!) called How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Foster. It is a lively and engaging read, and I am considering ordering a set for our class. You can pick it up at Barnes or another local bookseller for 12.95 and I think it is worth it.
Gifted English IV--Period 2--Please bring Orwell's 1984 with you this week, with your discussion questions. You will have an essay due on Friday, August 12 as well, and you will have your check-reading test on Wednesday of this week. Senior Assembly will be second period Tuesday.
Gifted English II--Periods 3 and 6--Please bring The Stranger and Death of a Salesman with you; your check-read test will be on Tuesday. You have a sophomore assembly on Thursday, third period.
ALL STUDENTS--The Writing Center will be open five days a week, during both lunch shifts, in room 315. Both Mrs. Nicoll and I are off fourth period so we can help you with your writing projects during the year. If you are interested in serving as a consultant, please see Mrs. Nicoll or me as soon as possible. We have several on board from last year, but we are looking to bring in new blood as the semester progresses.
WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bad news--lockers are at a premium, and you have SIX minutes between classes.
Good news--I am so excited to have you back in class; we are going to learn some amazing things this year.
AP Literature, Periods 1 and 5--Please bring your summer reading packet with you each day this week. We will be discussing the AP exam structure, the role of the unreliable narrator, and the imagery in The Great Gatsby and Heart of Darkness for the first several days. Your first focus paper is due on Friday, August 12, by 3 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Also, I want to recommend a book to you (in addition to The Half-Blood Prince!) called How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Foster. It is a lively and engaging read, and I am considering ordering a set for our class. You can pick it up at Barnes or another local bookseller for 12.95 and I think it is worth it.
Gifted English IV--Period 2--Please bring Orwell's 1984 with you this week, with your discussion questions. You will have an essay due on Friday, August 12 as well, and you will have your check-reading test on Wednesday of this week. Senior Assembly will be second period Tuesday.
Gifted English II--Periods 3 and 6--Please bring The Stranger and Death of a Salesman with you; your check-read test will be on Tuesday. You have a sophomore assembly on Thursday, third period.
ALL STUDENTS--The Writing Center will be open five days a week, during both lunch shifts, in room 315. Both Mrs. Nicoll and I are off fourth period so we can help you with your writing projects during the year. If you are interested in serving as a consultant, please see Mrs. Nicoll or me as soon as possible. We have several on board from last year, but we are looking to bring in new blood as the semester progresses.
WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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