Friday, January 30, 2009

Happy Friday, peeps!!! I hope everyone is well.

I sent everyone a reminder e-mail this evening about tomorrow's focus paper deadline. If you have questions or seek further clarification, please see me before school or e-mail me this evening (I'll be up until around 11:00 EST) at jennifer.hilley@ocps.net and I will answer whatever questions I can--within reason! "Can you write my paper for me?" is never an acceptable question.

Yet students still ask. . .,

Gifted English II: Collect focus papers on JC, and have a title parade, followed by Othello, Act I and a Lupercal group meeting for second period. If you were absent yesterday, be sure to get the notes from yesterday's lecture from a friend. PLAN AHEAD: We will be starting a grammar unit next Friday using The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Please get a copy of this book--you can even check one out of the library, or bug a junior for their copy, or see me for one of my spares--by that time. This book is life-alteringly good and will reshape the way you look at grammar. Also, while I do have a class set of Othello hidden in the burgundy Sound and Sense anthology, some of you may find it helpful to have your own. I found a No Fear: Shakespeare version on amazon for just over a dollar earlier today, so it can be done. NOT REQUIRED BUT IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL.

APees: After a stirring review of key concepts from "Wind" we are doing "Ozymandias" today, in the poetry paperback, for those who don't know it. Shelley's most genius (pardon the misuse of the adjective there, but I feel really strongly about this) sonnet, like, totally, like, ever. Wait until you see the award-winning cartoon on the board. Then: Quiz Fabulousness, followed by Title Parade for your Shelley Focus Papers. I know you won't wait until 5 p.m. to submit, eh?
PLAN AHEAD: Get Jane Eyre. Really. You won't regret having your own literary magic 8-ball to play with.

Wakko's 50 State Capitols

This is just for fun. Enjoy!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Happy Birthday to Stacey H. in fifth period!

Gifted English II: Introduction to Othello, and review of yesterday's content vocabulary. Also, we need to briefly reconvene our Lupercal groups and check on ideas and progress for our awesome Lupercal Festival. Caley, Savannah, and Thompson: could we get some pictures for posterity?

APees: Follow up with "West Wind" and look at trends that echo Romanticism; distribution of Romanticism creative project; prep for final Frankenquiz; distribution of Jane Eyre copies for any students who need them. For the rest of you: If you have already acquired a copy of this amazing novel, please bring it with you to class tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Mr Bailey will be your sub today, so be super-nice to him!!! He's a Gator!

Gifted English II: Julius Caesar Unit test, and content vocabulary for Othello. Use the dictionaries in the room to identify as many words as you can, although some are archaic and must be defined in context. IF YOU HAVE A COPY OF NO FEAR OTHELLO, BRING IT TOMORROW.

APees: "Ode to the West Wind" and TP-CASTT. Quick reminder (which will be posted on the board, btw): TP-CASTT is a College Board-recommended mnemonic device for analyzing tricky poems. Since "Ode" is in a complicated set of terza rima sonnets, this format will help you deconstruct what Shelley is attempting to convey about autumn, grieving, and the creative process (among other things.)

Title
Paraphrase
Connotation (figurative language, essentially)
Attitude/tone
Shifts
Title, again--symbolic interpretation, perhaps?
THEME

Also, also, also: www.turnitin.com is NOT an option. BOTH CLASSES will need to post their focus papers on this website by Friday, January 30 at midnight, or e-mail it to jennifer.hilley@ocps.net by the same time deadline to receive full credit for the paper. Each late day will cost you five points. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Someone mentioned getting seamonkeys for the class in lieu of the ongoing attempt to keep a Goldfish cracker taped to the board in a cruel world where Goldfish crackers taped to the board are squished by nefarious types. Thoughts? Seamonkeys? A cactus? Some other easy-to-maintain class pet? A Chia Pet? Pet rock?

On to academics:

NOTE: I will not be here Wednesday; Mr. Bailey will be your sub. Be nice to him!! He is my friend and I will be upset with you if he is upset. Also, two of you still need to make up the AP Lit semester test. . .time is ticking. . .

Gifted English II: I just found out that I will be giving the FCAT Writes, but I 'll be using my own classroom to do it. Yay! Some of you will be with me, but I won't have the list until the day before the test.

Today in class: After we complete the peer review of the Julius Caesar paper, which is due Friday, we will have our first meeting fo the Lupercal Festival groups. I tried to accommodate everyone's wishes--everyone got at least their first or second choice!--and I'd encourage you to exchange e-mail addresses and phone numbers to facilitate our progress. The Festival date is Tuesday, February 9--the day before FCAT Writes. Why not?

JULIUS CAESAR UNIT TEST IS TOMORROW. BRING A NUMBER 2 PENCIL.

APees: Peer review for the Shelley paper, followed by an introduction to the poetry of Percy Shelley and John Keats.

Macbeth, Theo, and Cockroach

For the APees: Thsi is what happens when you try to take academic shortcuts! Enjoy.

(You really need to see the whole episode, but this clip is great. And it makes me nostalgic for the 1980's. . .)

The Cosby Show Presents . . . The Julius Caesar Rap!

This is pretty old school, but you can't go wrong with the classic "Cosby Show." Oh, and sophys: Please don't do anything like this for the Lupercal Festival.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Gifted English II: After looking over a cool article about the linguistic and intellectual value of Scrabble, we need to divide into groups and start planning our Lupercal Festival. Don't forget the peer edit assignment due tomorrow--in class, we will be peer-reviewing the Julius Caesar focus paper. Plan ahead: JC test will most likely be Wednesday.

AP Literature: I made enough copies of the Scrabble article FYI, but we're not going to belabor the issue since we have miles to go. You also have a a peer edit in class tomorrow--for the Shelley paper--and we are preparing to transition to the poetry of Shelley and Keats, both of whom have made appearances on past AP exams. Today in class, though--written assessment of "Rime" in journal form. Bring a pen and a full brain.

Iron Maiden Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Part 1)

This is the first part of what we listened to in class the other day. You can click on the video to go to YouTube and find the second part, if you're interested.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge rocks.

Here's the link to the second part:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gj1Y_fE218

Registration, Tax Season, and FCAT Writes!

General Announcements:

1. Registration for upcoming classes will begin soon; the curriculum leaders will receive a calendar next Wednesday, and I'll post the relevant dates for rising juniors (current sophys) as soon as I steal--I mean gather-- the relevant data for you. I have been meeting with sophomores for the past couple of days to help generate ideas for their future schedules; please see me before or after school or in the Writing Center if you feel that you need more than a few minutes to go over your schedule ideas before Guidance meets with you.

2. Tax Season is here! If you are employed and need to file, you can file for free online with any number of services (I use TurboTax, but I am not endorsing them over anyone else. Find a service that is efficient and free, unless you file with your parents.) Some of you don't need to file, but if you qualify for a refund I would take the time to do it. Also, our Academy of Finance students have done tax work in the past--see Mr. Daniel in the Magnet Suite over the gym to find out when/where you can receive tax assistance.

3. FCAT Writes! is on February 10. All sophomores will be excused from their morning classes (typically first and second period only) to participate in this writing test. Unfortunately, this year the FCAT Writes! falls on the same date as the AMC for some of you--see me ASAP so I can add your name to the list of students who need alternative testing arrangements for FCAT Writes! I also want to take this opportunity to clarify: FCAT Writes! will not impact your status at graduation, but the score DOES go on your final transcript and might be a qualifying factor when determining placement in VCC or AP classes. Please, please--especially you sarcatic types--take this test seriously, and write competently, clearly, and well. The topic will probably not be that fabulous, but use it as an opportunity to show off your command of diction and syntax. YOU CAN DO IT.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Good luck to all students participating in the All County Band Competition today.  Please check this space for updates in light of your absence.

Gifted English II:  Screening of specific scenes from Julius Caesar in class, preparatory to the JC Unit Test next week.  Also, you will get your JC scavenger hunts back for studying purposes.

AP Literature:  Conclusion of "Rime" and quiz.  We will be making a transition into John Keats next week, and continuing to work with Frankenstein.  Our next novel is Jane Eyre and we are laying the groundwork for this incredible book as we speak.  

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Today is National Ask Your Cat a Question Day.  While some of my classes celebrated National Hug Day yesterday in school, I think today's revelries would be better served in the privacy of your own home.  Ask your cat a question!  He or she probably won't answer.

Also--we are going to have a visitor today, a gentleman who wants to become a teacher.  Please be nice.  (I'm really only talking to a handful of you--the handful who probably don't check an assignment blog anyway. . .)

On to today's lessons!!!

Gifted English II:  Julius Caesar Scavenger Hunt!  Bring your copy of the play and I will provide the fun.  And if we finish in time, we can go over the upcoming Julius Caesar Focus Paper assignment.  Oh, yeah.   Good times!!!

AP Literature and Composition:  "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" with the graphic organizer I gave you yesterday; if time, a transition to Classic Rock Day with Iron Maiden's classic interpretation of the poem.  Also--Shelley Focus Paper Assignment.  No rest for the wicked.  

  

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Reminder: The lunch shifts have changed, but the Writing Center is still very much open. Bring your writing tasks to room 315 and we can help you with any aspect of the writing process from idea generation to revision.

Reminder Reminder: Some of you still need to make up exams. Three of you, to be exact. See me ASAP.

Reminder Reminder Reminder: Report cards don't go out until Wednesday, January 28.

Gifted English II: Post-It Note Quiz on Act IV, JC; spelling miasma; finish Act V.

AP Literature: Assessment of HW reading; "Rime".

Tuesday, January 20, 2009: Assigments

Gifted English II: Julius Caesar, Act IV, and spelling diagnostic. HW: Read the rest of Act IV and prepare for a post-it note quiz tomorrow on the rest of the Act.

AP Literature: Handouts: "Frankenstein: Questions" and "Frankenstein: The Female Gothic." in class: "Kubla Khan" by Coleridge and the first bit of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner."

President Barack Obama 2009 Inauguration and Address

Earlier today, many classes at Boone had the opportunity to see the inauguration of our new President. My fourth period class caught the end of the speech, but missed the beginning due to a late start of the ceremony in Washington, D.C. Here it is.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Today is Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C. Our 44th President, Mr. Barack H. Obama, will be installed officially at a ceremony that begins at 10:00 a.m. and culminates in a luncheon with his predecessor, Mr. George W. Bush, in the early afternoon. The swearing-in itself takes place at noon EST, which is in the middle of A lunch, and the ceremony featuring Aretha Franklin, Yo Yo Ma, the music of John Williams, and a reading from the poet Elizabeth Alexander will spill into fourth period.

Gov. Crist has sent a letter to all educators requesting that we show the inauguration ceremony to all public school students. In compliance with this, I will have my television on from the beginning of A lunch through fourth period. (I am Tivo'ing it in its entirety at home.) I realize that this throws the AP lessons off a bit, and fourth will be a teeny bit behind fifth, sixth, and seventh, but I do feel that this is an historic moment and watching the coverage together in a thoughtful environment is better than attempting to teach a distracted class with students surreptitiously checking their iPhones for coverage.

I know that many of you supported the other candidate during the hotly-contested election, and that we have had good-natured (I hope) debates about politics, but I hope we can get past our disagreements and look at this for what it is--a moment in American history that we are watching unfold before our eyes. So far, the defining historical moment for your generation seems to be the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and I hope that this can be a positive addition to your generation's memory banks. Therefore, you will have an opportunity to view this in room 313 (and all other rooms!) from 11:30-1:00, EST. I will give the necessary AP Lit-related information to my fourth period students at the start of the class, and if any of you would like to attend a class later in the afternoon to hear the lecture material, you are more than welcome to attend. Conversely, if you are in a class that does not show the inauguration during fourth period and you would like to see it, you are welcome to join us if your teacher gives you a pass. (Personally, when my Governor tells me to do something, and that sentiment is echoed by my Commissioner of Education and my Superintendent and then again by my Principal then I do it.)

Disclaimer: I not only voted for Mr. Obama, but I campaigned for him and volunteered, and I am so excited about this that I can't stand it. Differing opinions are welcome; disrespect to our new President is not. Let's all be adults about this, please.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Today is a federal holiday in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

There will be various celebrations all around Central Florida to commemorate the vision and work of this dynamic civil rights leader. Soapbox moment: I think our culture still has a long way to go in the respect department--respect for each other, regardless of race, gender, etc.--but I can't imagine the disorder and chaos we would have without the Civil Rights Movement of the previous generation. So take a moment today and think about the various freedoms you have, and be grateful to live in a time period and a country in which you can pretty much do and say whatever you want. (Despite our challenges, I can't imagine living anywhere else.) So, a friendly salute to Dr. King.

Now on to academics:

What can YOU do this long weekend to ameliorate your life?

SOPHYS: If you desire a copy of Othello for annotation/simplicity, please go get one this weekend. We will be finishing the film Julius Caesar this week, and planning our Lupercal festival, and working on a focus paper, but you'll need it in a week or so. I have a class set of the play for reading-in-class purposes, but if you desire your own go get it, tiger. ALSO--we will be doing more intensive grammar work this quarter and you will need to get a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White--both books together should be no more than ten bucks. If this is a problem, come find me. Check the syllabus if you need ISBN numbers.

APees: Our next novel is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and I have several copies. If you'd like your own, the Barnes and Noble Classic edition is under four dollars and has nice margins for annotation. We will be working with Frankenstein this week in and out of class, and our next focus paper is Franken-focused, but JE is coming up and is a lengthy read. PLAN AHEAD.

Friday, January 16, 2009

TEACHER WORK DAY

Stay home and enjoy your four-day weekend!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

4^TH PD EXAM

9:30 – 12:14

1^ST PD

LUNCH ROTATION WILL REVOLVE AROUND 1^ST PD

SAME TIME FRAME

SAME BUILDINGS FOR 1^ST AND 2^ND LUNCH

NOTE: All of my students for first period will report to A LUNCH and then come to 313. We will use the period for make-up work and to start watching Julius Caesar on video.

7^TH PD EXAM

1:45 – 4:24

Grades are due by 5 p.m., so please understand if your teachers aren't particularly friendly immediately after school.

Friday, January 16 is a work day for teachers--most of us won't be in, since grades will already be submitted. I do plan to come in and work on lesson plans in the morning for a few hours.

Semester Exams: Wednesday, January 14

2^ND PD EXAM:

9:30 – 11:45

4^TH PD:

NORMAL 4^TH PD AND LUNCH ROTATION

Lesson: Frankenstein and possible film tie-in (depending on time)

6^TH PD EXAM

1:08 – 3:24

Semester Exams: Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Here is the schedule for Tuesday, January 13, 2009:

1^ST PD EXAM:

9:30 – 11:30 AM

5^TH PD: (review)

11:36 – 12:14 Lesson Plan: Frankenstein and The Gothic Novel; final review for semester test

4^th PD:

NORMAL 4^TH PD AND LUNCH ROTATION

5^TH PD EXAM:

1:45 – 3:45

2^ND PD: (review)

3:51 – 4:2

Semester Exam Schedule: Monday, January 12, 2009

Thanks you in advance to my AP Literature students who agreed to take their semester test early, or in another period. The new grade deadline has complicated matters a bit, but together we shall annihilate any obstacle in our path!

Here is the exam schedule for today, with our planned activities written in for your information:

0 PD EXAM:

8:30 AM

(Note: I don't have a zero period, but anyone who needs to make up the JC memorization or needs to make up a quiz, come by. I'll be here.)

3RD PD EXAM:

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM AP Literature and Composition; early test-takers only

Anyone else in need of a place to study needs to go to the Media Center. This room is testing.

2^ND PD:

11:36 – 12:14 Julius Caesar memorizations, part II, and JC review for exam

AP Lit Classes; semi-normal (forty minutes each)

LESSON: "Frankenstein: Birthing the New Female Gothic" and collect Frankenstein reading journals.

4^TH PD:

NORMAL 4^TH PD AND LUNCH ROTATION

5^TH PD:

1:45 – 2:34

6^TH PD:

2:40 – 3:29

7^TH PD:

3:35 – 4:24

Upcoming Schedule

As you know, our final exam schedule is challenging this year for two reasons: A) for the second year in a row, with the laster start time in August, we have had to push exams to after Winter Break, which can pose difficulties for students who need continuous instruction prior to tests of this magnitude, and B) we were not given early release days to test due to the flipped bell schedule. Thus, exams will encompass all of the four-day week beginning on the 12th, and will be sandwiched between "normal" class periods.

I have adjusted the academic schedule as much as possible to incorporate review for the exams into new material. Please see the adjusted schedule for both classes below:

AP Literature and Composition:

Monday, January 5: Frankenstein Reading Journal reminder and suggestions; Introduction to Romanticism and Victorian/Gothic Literature (lecture/discussion, with notes). Bring your lit book tomorrow to class.

Tuesday, January 6: Continue with Romantic ideology and Wordsworth; "The World is Too Much With Us" from literary anthology. BRING YOUR LIT BOOK.

Wednesday, January 7: Final MC Practice Session (ten points, for free!) of the semester. Bring a pencil.

Thursday, January 8: Final Exam Review Session #1--sample questions, review of characters and themes, review of literary terms.

Friday, January 9: Final Exam Review Session #2--review of Shakespearean characters, plot elements, and themes; close review of R and G Are Dead preparatory to test. (Note: There are some questions on the exam about Frankenstein, but they are very general and mostly connected to the context of the notes I gave you before Winter Break.)

During the exam week, we will have class sessions in altered time frames. Be sure to double-check the schedule each day so you know where to land. Your reading journals are due by January 14, regardless of if I see you that day or not. Please note the preposition: by January 14. Earlier submissions will be given kinder consideration, so plan accordingly.

Gifted English II:

Monday, January 5: Review key concepts from Julius Caesar; friendly reminder of JC memorizations due by Friday, the 9th (as above for the APees, earlier completions will be graded a smidge more nicely, so consider coming in early to knock that assignment out), Venn diagram of the two major speeches in Act III, scene ii.

Tuesday, January 6: Distribute exam reviews; make-up work schedules for those of you who have been absent; finish Act III, predictive reading preparatory to a possible quiz Thursday.

Wednesday, January 7: Timed Writing on Julius Caesar. You'll love it. Really.

Thursday, January 8: Little quiz on Julius Caesar, followed by Part I of our exam review. Today: terms and people to know.

Friday, January 9: part II of the exam review; plot points, grammar concepts, possible reading passages to consider.

Welcome to 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

It's 2009 and we're feeling fine! Getting ready for the home stretch, people--for the seniors, we're about to launch headfirst into your FINAL SEMESTER IN HIGH SCHOOL. For the sophys, it's going to go so fast--registration for next year's courses, FKitty Fun, preparation for AP Language next year, and prepping for this spring's AP Exams.

Can we do it?

Yup!

Check this space tomorrow and throughout the week for updates and notes.

2009 is going to be fantastic--a lot of work, but great opportunities for each of you. I really hope that you enjoyed your Winter Break and are ready to hit the ground running on Monday, January 5.

FRIENDLY REMINDER #1: Seniors--Frankenstein! Read it, journal it, love it. Reading Journal is due on the 14th; I'll copy and paste the assignment here on the blog first thing Monday.

FRIENDLY REMINDER #2: Sophys--JC Memorization Assignment due on the 9th. You've had almost a month, but for those of you who Know Who You Are, I anticipate that you will suffer a mild panic attack on the evening of the 8th. Or, God forbid, the morning of the 9th. . .