Tonight is PTSA Parent Night! Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. in the gym, after which parents can follow your schedule and see what you experience each day. Each class session will last seven minutes; I have prepared a handout with contact information, important dates, and further clarifications that can be found here, as well. Please encourage your parents or guardians to come if they can--I will have lollies! Room 313--the place to be.
Sophys: Final quick review for tomorrow's test, then headlong into Antigone and the related questions. We really need to finish this play and move on to Higher Levels of Analysis with Sophocles's language.
APees: MacStuff. Journal entry about Malcolm's duplicity, then discussion of honor and honors as it applies to the men in this play. What kind of commentary is Shakespeare establishing about the role of government in both the medieval world and his? And what kind of statement might he be making about free will and personal responsibility?
Word of the Day: eschatology: (noun) a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind
Today is Name Your Car Day. I have not yet named my vehicle and welcome suggestions; some of your car names as previously discussed are descriptive (Rusty, Shiny, e) and some are typical names (Beth, Stella, Charley) while yet others imply doom (The Dragon, Chuck Norris, The Yellow Monster). If you feel left out, feel free to post here with the ideal name for your car. I have no idea who "invented" this particular holiday, but it's fun. My iPod, or myPod, is alrady named "miss bronte" so that won't do; perhaps I should name my car Owen.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Can you believe it's already October? At least there is a sense of coolness in the air. Autumn is upon us!
Today is National Vegetarian Day, and something about Circles. Many thanks to both Eric K. and Megan B. for providing us with all of the wacky days in October--hilarity will ensue.
Sophys: Count of Monte Cristo Final Reading Day As Voted on Democratically by Most of You. Yes, I know some of you don't like reading in class--it's too quiet, or it's too visually distracting, or you're not in the mood at this hour in the morning. If you'd rather read this amazing critical essay ABOUT CMC you can read that instead. Regardless, Dumas is getting his claws into your psyche this morning, and hopefully this will help all of you catch up.
Planning Ahead, Sophomore-Style:
1. This Friday, October 3: Mastery Test for 120 Literary Terms. Multiple Guess; bring a pencil.
2. Next Thursday, October 9: Count of Monte Cristo Test (essay and short answer format.) Bring a pen.
3. Wednesday, October 15: PSAT. You have all been signed up to take this test, and the 20.00 fee has been covered by school improvement funds. You will be excused from your first three classes that morning for testing, and you will need to bring a pencil. This test is important to you in several ways; as we discussed in class, it's A) the best way to prepare for national merit Qualifying next year; B) a measure by which we can best place you in AP classes next year and the year afterward, and C) terrific practice for the SAT and ACT. Pleas take this seriously. It is a highly respected, nationally recognized exam that is actually interesting in content.
APees: Sixth period needs to take the Act III quiz, due to ongoing delays from last week's Senior Panoramic Picture. Everyone else will forge straightaway into Act IV, scene i analysis, and develop thesis statements for the MacFocus Paper that is due next Tuesday. (You still need to bring your finalized thesis statement and rough materials with you Friday for in-class conferencing.) MacGoodness all around! And more cartoons on the board.
Today is National Vegetarian Day, and something about Circles. Many thanks to both Eric K. and Megan B. for providing us with all of the wacky days in October--hilarity will ensue.
Sophys: Count of Monte Cristo Final Reading Day As Voted on Democratically by Most of You. Yes, I know some of you don't like reading in class--it's too quiet, or it's too visually distracting, or you're not in the mood at this hour in the morning. If you'd rather read this amazing critical essay ABOUT CMC you can read that instead. Regardless, Dumas is getting his claws into your psyche this morning, and hopefully this will help all of you catch up.
Planning Ahead, Sophomore-Style:
1. This Friday, October 3: Mastery Test for 120 Literary Terms. Multiple Guess; bring a pencil.
2. Next Thursday, October 9: Count of Monte Cristo Test (essay and short answer format.) Bring a pen.
3. Wednesday, October 15: PSAT. You have all been signed up to take this test, and the 20.00 fee has been covered by school improvement funds. You will be excused from your first three classes that morning for testing, and you will need to bring a pencil. This test is important to you in several ways; as we discussed in class, it's A) the best way to prepare for national merit Qualifying next year; B) a measure by which we can best place you in AP classes next year and the year afterward, and C) terrific practice for the SAT and ACT. Pleas take this seriously. It is a highly respected, nationally recognized exam that is actually interesting in content.
APees: Sixth period needs to take the Act III quiz, due to ongoing delays from last week's Senior Panoramic Picture. Everyone else will forge straightaway into Act IV, scene i analysis, and develop thesis statements for the MacFocus Paper that is due next Tuesday. (You still need to bring your finalized thesis statement and rough materials with you Friday for in-class conferencing.) MacGoodness all around! And more cartoons on the board.
Monday, September 29, 2008
K12 Woe
NOTE: This post does not reflect the official position of OCPS or any of its subsidiaries. It's all my opinion, and therefore, fault.
NOTE NOTE: It should be working! Please let me know. Mr. Fitz came in and worked on it for a significant period of time today (Tuesday.)
I hate K12 Planet. The idea is terrific, but the execution is less than desirable. At this time last year, 22% of our school's classes were up and running on the program. This year, I suspect it's even worse. We are segueing into ProgressBook in January, I believe, and that program is much more user-friendly and easier to navigate. This is how much I hate K12 Planet: last year, all but one of my classes exported automatically to the K12 portal, with no problems. That one class was just left out in the cold. It caused endless amounts of grief and worry about the inequity of one little class, ostracized by bits and bytes.
This year, our tech people dutifully worked on it and worked on it, and none of the faculty realized that we had to go in manually to the eClass grades program and set up K12 since we'd never, ever done it before.
Flash forward to today during third period. Now, I am the first to admit that I am imperfect. In fact, I'm so stunningly imperfect that if I get through a day without hitting a squirrel with my car or without going completely bonkers it's a personal victory. But I am quite computer-literate, and I dutifully followed the entire prescribed protocol, line by line, for uploading this wretched program to my eClass gradebook. And it failed, repeatedly.
An administrator is coming to my room (for the fifth intervention visit, btw) to "fix" the bugs tomorrow. My prognosis? Not good. So. . .peeps, as always, if you want to see how you're doing gradewise, ask and I will A) print out a grade slip, B) e-mail your parental unit with a version of the gradebook in Courier 10 typeface, C) tell you, or D) write it on one of our classy yellow progress report forms from Student Services. Really.
I have tremendous faith in technology, but K12 Planet is only good if it works. Please be patient with me. I am trying by hook or by crook to be a Team Player, a Tech Wizard, a Grade Guru. I'm all about cooperation, but I need tools that actually work.
NOTE NOTE: It should be working! Please let me know. Mr. Fitz came in and worked on it for a significant period of time today (Tuesday.)
I hate K12 Planet. The idea is terrific, but the execution is less than desirable. At this time last year, 22% of our school's classes were up and running on the program. This year, I suspect it's even worse. We are segueing into ProgressBook in January, I believe, and that program is much more user-friendly and easier to navigate. This is how much I hate K12 Planet: last year, all but one of my classes exported automatically to the K12 portal, with no problems. That one class was just left out in the cold. It caused endless amounts of grief and worry about the inequity of one little class, ostracized by bits and bytes.
This year, our tech people dutifully worked on it and worked on it, and none of the faculty realized that we had to go in manually to the eClass grades program and set up K12 since we'd never, ever done it before.
Flash forward to today during third period. Now, I am the first to admit that I am imperfect. In fact, I'm so stunningly imperfect that if I get through a day without hitting a squirrel with my car or without going completely bonkers it's a personal victory. But I am quite computer-literate, and I dutifully followed the entire prescribed protocol, line by line, for uploading this wretched program to my eClass gradebook. And it failed, repeatedly.
An administrator is coming to my room (for the fifth intervention visit, btw) to "fix" the bugs tomorrow. My prognosis? Not good. So. . .peeps, as always, if you want to see how you're doing gradewise, ask and I will A) print out a grade slip, B) e-mail your parental unit with a version of the gradebook in Courier 10 typeface, C) tell you, or D) write it on one of our classy yellow progress report forms from Student Services. Really.
I have tremendous faith in technology, but K12 Planet is only good if it works. Please be patient with me. I am trying by hook or by crook to be a Team Player, a Tech Wizard, a Grade Guru. I'm all about cooperation, but I need tools that actually work.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Writing Center will be open today during both lunch shifts. Tell your friends! We need clients or we will no longer remain a viable institution of help, support, and love.
Today is a day of recess for those observing Ramadan, and is Rosh Hashanah for those celebrating the Jewish New Year. It's also, apparently, the culmination of Backpack Safety Awareness Month AND Subliminal Awareness Month. Can you subliminally clean out your backpack> Or should we have asked that on Sunday--"Ask a Stupid Question" Day?
Sophys: CMC Q&A session and critical analysis essay on Dumas. Segue back to Antigone--we're almost finished with this play!
APees: MacStuff, again. Bring a pencil tomorrow for MC #2--necessary evil. It shall be done.
Today is a day of recess for those observing Ramadan, and is Rosh Hashanah for those celebrating the Jewish New Year. It's also, apparently, the culmination of Backpack Safety Awareness Month AND Subliminal Awareness Month. Can you subliminally clean out your backpack> Or should we have asked that on Sunday--"Ask a Stupid Question" Day?
Sophys: CMC Q&A session and critical analysis essay on Dumas. Segue back to Antigone--we're almost finished with this play!
APees: MacStuff, again. Bring a pencil tomorrow for MC #2--necessary evil. It shall be done.
PTSA Parent Night: Memo to All
Reminder to All Students and parents: The Boone High School PTSA Parent Night has been moved to Thursday, October 2, 2008 due to a conflict with the Judaic holiday of Rosh Hashanah. PTSA Parent Night will officially begin in the gym at 6:30, but if you are coming directly from work or dinner you can arrive a little later (if you can find a parking space) and proceed directly to the classrooms. I don't have a minute-by-minute schedule approximated yet, but you will have five minutes to get to each class and seven minutes with each teacher. If you are a parent of a senior with early dismissal, feel free to come to ANY of my last four sessions--I have AP Literature classes periods four through seven. In fact, here's my schedule for inquiring minds:
Period One: Sophomores/Gifted English II
Period Two: Sophomores/Gifted English II
Period Three: Theoretical Planning Period
Period Four: AP Lit
Period Five: AP Lit
Period Six: AP Lit
Period Seven: AP Lit
I look forward to meeting you!
Period One: Sophomores/Gifted English II
Period Two: Sophomores/Gifted English II
Period Three: Theoretical Planning Period
Period Four: AP Lit
Period Five: AP Lit
Period Six: AP Lit
Period Seven: AP Lit
I look forward to meeting you!
Monday, September 29
Today is Poisoned Blackberries Day. No, that doesn't mean you SHOULD find and/or eat poisoned blackberries--it's supposedly to commemorate the old Scottish folk tale of the devil spitting on blackberries to signify the arrival of fall and the expiration of summer's fresh blackberry season. And since we are currently entrenched in The Scottish Play in my AP classes, it's strangely poetic that today is PBD.
Sophys: We need to return a pile of graded work before we get started today, and circulate the Author of the Day Presentation sign-up sheet. Then. . .Antigone! And a massive review for the Literary Terms Master Test on Friday!
APees: So the Senior Panoramic Picture completely messed with my reality on Friday, and I forgot to hand back some graded stuff AND forgot to give you the next focus paper assignment. Forty lashes with a wet noodle to me, and delayed presents to you. We are proceeding with MacStuff today and acting out Act III, scene iii with props and great gusto. Much ado about something!
Sophys: We need to return a pile of graded work before we get started today, and circulate the Author of the Day Presentation sign-up sheet. Then. . .Antigone! And a massive review for the Literary Terms Master Test on Friday!
APees: So the Senior Panoramic Picture completely messed with my reality on Friday, and I forgot to hand back some graded stuff AND forgot to give you the next focus paper assignment. Forty lashes with a wet noodle to me, and delayed presents to you. We are proceeding with MacStuff today and acting out Act III, scene iii with props and great gusto. Much ado about something!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Orange and White Day! And National Be a Good Neighbor Day! I'm not entirely sure what that last part means, but it sounds exciting. It probably involves yard work. Or gardening of some kind. Well, just be nice today and everything should be good--eh?
Sophys: Last Literary Terms Quiz, from "simile" to "verisimilitude." And then we jump right back into Antigone and see what's happening there.
APees: MacStuff! And returning a pile of graded work! And going over the new focus paper assignment--the MacPaper. It's not due until next Friday, so you can plan ahead. Sixth period: Senior Panoramic Picture will take up most of the period. You have my condolences, but I hope it's fun anyway!
Sophys: Last Literary Terms Quiz, from "simile" to "verisimilitude." And then we jump right back into Antigone and see what's happening there.
APees: MacStuff! And returning a pile of graded work! And going over the new focus paper assignment--the MacPaper. It's not due until next Friday, so you can plan ahead. Sixth period: Senior Panoramic Picture will take up most of the period. You have my condolences, but I hope it's fun anyway!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
According to Eric K., today is National Comic Book Day. Please don't spend hours regaling me with the advantages Aqua Man has over Batman. Can't do it. Just can't.
Sophys:
1. Reminder that The Count of Monte Cristo is now due on October 9. This is a major extension in my world, so don't take advantage of it--and don't think you can just get the book on tape or see the movie and you''ll be okay. You have had TWO state-sanctioned reading days in class, and a very thorough character list to assist you, and you've had a while for reading. A handful of students are finished already. Please, please, please read this awesome book--we have three assignments related to it and reading this book may impact your future studies! I will remind you again in class AND we'll have a Book Talk Q&A one day next week to clarify any "confusement." Yes, that's not a word; I'm just trying to be funny. Ha ha.
2. Today! Antigone! What will she do next? Goodness--the poor girl. Oh, and some grammar. I love grammar. It is your friend, and you should love it, too.
APees: Finish and review Act II in all of its finery.
Community Service: As you know, I am no longer working with the Orlando Shakespeare Festival due to an ideological parting of the ways. If you are interested in volunteering with them, there are other groups in the Orlando community who usher for them and I'm sure they'd love to have you, or if you're 18 you can volunteer as an individual. There are other opportunities for community service here at Boone, and frankly I could use some help before school with some stuff. It's not particularly challenging work, but a lot of things are still missing from the summer and might be packed into the boxes that line the walls. If you are interested in earning comm serv in or out of my classsroom, see me and I will gratefully A) use you and give you hours directly or B) put you in touch with the right agency.
Sophys:
1. Reminder that The Count of Monte Cristo is now due on October 9. This is a major extension in my world, so don't take advantage of it--and don't think you can just get the book on tape or see the movie and you''ll be okay. You have had TWO state-sanctioned reading days in class, and a very thorough character list to assist you, and you've had a while for reading. A handful of students are finished already. Please, please, please read this awesome book--we have three assignments related to it and reading this book may impact your future studies! I will remind you again in class AND we'll have a Book Talk Q&A one day next week to clarify any "confusement." Yes, that's not a word; I'm just trying to be funny. Ha ha.
2. Today! Antigone! What will she do next? Goodness--the poor girl. Oh, and some grammar. I love grammar. It is your friend, and you should love it, too.
APees: Finish and review Act II in all of its finery.
Community Service: As you know, I am no longer working with the Orlando Shakespeare Festival due to an ideological parting of the ways. If you are interested in volunteering with them, there are other groups in the Orlando community who usher for them and I'm sure they'd love to have you, or if you're 18 you can volunteer as an individual. There are other opportunities for community service here at Boone, and frankly I could use some help before school with some stuff. It's not particularly challenging work, but a lot of things are still missing from the summer and might be packed into the boxes that line the walls. If you are interested in earning comm serv in or out of my classsroom, see me and I will gratefully A) use you and give you hours directly or B) put you in touch with the right agency.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
According to Eric K., today is Novelty Toy Day. We need holidays to celebrate!
Seniors: Senior T-Shirts are in; you can go by Mrs. Creighton's room before or after school, or during either lunch shift, to pick yours up. It would be great if you could get them before the SENIOR PANORAMIC PICTURE which will be taken sixth period on Friday.
Sophys: The final vocabulary list for literary terms is taught today! And it's not merely a list, people--it's also a deeply moving lecture on the value of the sonnet, both Petrarchan and Elizabethan.
APees: Act II of the Macplay--including the totally awesome Porter sequence.
Seniors: Senior T-Shirts are in; you can go by Mrs. Creighton's room before or after school, or during either lunch shift, to pick yours up. It would be great if you could get them before the SENIOR PANORAMIC PICTURE which will be taken sixth period on Friday.
Sophys: The final vocabulary list for literary terms is taught today! And it's not merely a list, people--it's also a deeply moving lecture on the value of the sonnet, both Petrarchan and Elizabethan.
APees: Act II of the Macplay--including the totally awesome Porter sequence.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Note: If you have Ms. S. for American Government, please wish her a happy birthday today. Yes, she's 29--as are we all!
APees: Continuing with Macstuff (reviewing Act I and definitely taking that quiz we all avoided yesterday) and moving into Higher Levels of Meaning. You will have outside reading tonight, so be prepared for HW.
Gifted English II: AUTHOR OF THE DAY QUIZ AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD. Do NOT forget your English notebook today, or you will be seriously out of gas. You are allowed to use your Author Log--consider this quiz a reward for taking daily notes. I expect all of you to make 100%, but as in years past, not all of you will. Truly tragic. After the quiz, more Greek fun!
I will be available before and after school and during lunch for make-up quizzes, college application essay help, or general existential crisis management (within reason.)
APees: Continuing with Macstuff (reviewing Act I and definitely taking that quiz we all avoided yesterday) and moving into Higher Levels of Meaning. You will have outside reading tonight, so be prepared for HW.
Gifted English II: AUTHOR OF THE DAY QUIZ AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD. Do NOT forget your English notebook today, or you will be seriously out of gas. You are allowed to use your Author Log--consider this quiz a reward for taking daily notes. I expect all of you to make 100%, but as in years past, not all of you will. Truly tragic. After the quiz, more Greek fun!
I will be available before and after school and during lunch for make-up quizzes, college application essay help, or general existential crisis management (within reason.)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Congrats to the BHS football team for defeating Winter Park on Friday night!
Reminder: The Writing Center is open Tuesday and Thursday during both lunch shifts for anyone who might need help with college essays. I'm usually available before school each day, too, but I have some parent conferences scheduled this week and you might have to see me in the WC instead.
APees: Finish Act I of the Macplay; content vocabulary for the Macplay; possible quiz if we get to it on Act I. Definitely tomorrow if not today.
Sophys: "Prologue" and "Parados" of Antigone--you need your textbooks! Reminder about CMC and this week's literary vocabulary--our last list! After the 120 Terms mini-unit is complete, we will have an overall mastery test and then shift into PSAT vocabulary.
Reminder: The Writing Center is open Tuesday and Thursday during both lunch shifts for anyone who might need help with college essays. I'm usually available before school each day, too, but I have some parent conferences scheduled this week and you might have to see me in the WC instead.
APees: Finish Act I of the Macplay; content vocabulary for the Macplay; possible quiz if we get to it on Act I. Definitely tomorrow if not today.
Sophys: "Prologue" and "Parados" of Antigone--you need your textbooks! Reminder about CMC and this week's literary vocabulary--our last list! After the 120 Terms mini-unit is complete, we will have an overall mastery test and then shift into PSAT vocabulary.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, 19 Septemb-aaaaaar
Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Yes, you should show your school spirit by wearing orange and white, but you should be as scurvy as a pirate can be for this wonderful pretend holiday. Come by 313 nice and early for your commemorative eye patch and a healthy dose of humor.
But we're still going to be learning today--in English, not Pirate English.
Gifted English II: Fifth vocabulary quiz, in all of its awesomeness, and a new Author of the Day: George Gordon, Lord Byron. And then more ancient Greek theater!!!
APees: Macstuff from A to Z. Actually, we're going to dip our toes in Act I today and revel in all that Shakespeare created. Warning: Act I quiz will probably be Monday. I know that's mean, but it's a nice, short act with a lot of action and witchiness.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tomorrow is International Talk Like a Pirate Day!!! Avast and ahoy, mateys!!!
You can access the web site at http://www.talklikeapirate.com/ if you are curious about pirate-themed things. Warning: The site isn't purely polite, landlubber. Kinda PG. So. . .aaaarrrgghhh!
I will have eyepatches to distribute on a first-come, first-served basis. I have almost three hundred left, but you never know. Some pirates are greedy, you know.
On to serious academic things:
Gifted English II: Our Author of the Day today is Sophocles, the Greek playwright. Why? Because we're going to start studying some Greek tragedy, that's why! I'm so excited. You will need to bring your textbooks with you for a while; after Antigone, you can retire them to your locker or under your bed until further notice. Final review for vocab quiz; discussion of CMC; introduction to Greek Theater complete with classy cartoon/chart on board. I love me some Sphinxie and once I figure out how to scan my "art" I'll be happy to post it here.
APees: After reviewing the poems from yesterday, we are making a transition into the world of Shakespearean tragedy. I have tons of resources for you; today is mostly lecture material and note-taking before we embark on the Macplay. Life-changing stuff, this. Yup. If you haven't acquired your own copy of the Macplay yet, do so; if you don't want to spend the money, I have a plethora of copies on the shelves for your perusal.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
REMINDER: APees--bring your anthology today! Sophys--bring CMC today and your literature book tomorrow!
Gifted English II: Second and final state-sanctioned reading day for CMC. Some of you are woefully behind on your reading; you will have an opportunity to fill out a second progress slip today and we can confer about your reading speed. This novel is due October 1--still two weeks away.
AP Literature and Composition: "On the Road to Delphi" analysis and a poem by Muriel Rukeyser. Tomorrow--lecture fun!
Gifted English II: Second and final state-sanctioned reading day for CMC. Some of you are woefully behind on your reading; you will have an opportunity to fill out a second progress slip today and we can confer about your reading speed. This novel is due October 1--still two weeks away.
AP Literature and Composition: "On the Road to Delphi" analysis and a poem by Muriel Rukeyser. Tomorrow--lecture fun!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
APees: Several of you have requested supplemental material to ameliorate gaps in your reading history. Without engaging in any disrespectful rhetoric towards ANY of my colleagues, we do have to acknowledge that some courses require different reading than others, and some of you have expressed concerns that frequent in-class allusions are flying over your heads. To help, I spent a large part of my weekend compiling two documents for you: a recommended reading list that every AP student should have read by the end of high school in an ideal world, and a summary packet of the titles I teach in my tenth grade English class. Both are optional, and completely voluntary. The goal here is to level the playing field as much as possible before you take that test in May. Please don't think I am teaching to the test--the test is a separate product from the course, and I cannot take moral responsibility for whether you pass that test or not. HOWEVER--let's be realistic. You signed up for this class for a variety of reasons, but I'd assume that one of them was to avoid having to take freshman comp next year. So here is another tool in your arsenal to help you achieve that goal if you feel that you're missing some titles--or if you didn't read them when they were originally assigned. (I did not fall off of a turnip truck and I'm aware that some of my illustrious scholars don't read everything they are supposed to. This is why we have "grade distributions" and "bell curves" and "lousy third quarters.") That's a very long-winded way of saying that the copies are in, and you are welcome to one if you'd like. Once I master the art of imbedding pdf files, you can get it here, too.
Sophys: Field trip to the Media Center! Be sure to bring your ID or five dollars with which to procure another one. Author of the Day is Jane Austen; we will review SOME of the vocab words for our second-to-last literary terms list; fun and frolicsome-ness with new textbooks.
APees again: ORex test; if we finish early, two awesome poems in the literary anthology thematically related to ORex. We will be doing some transitional work with poetry before we launch into the next awesome, awesome unit: Shakespeare!!! Although I don't know if I have the energy to redo my huge chart thing about Henry VIII and the whole Tudor mess. I will say this, though--if you are watching The Tudors on Showmax or HBS or Cineshow or whatever those premium channels are (I'm a teacher, and poor, and therefore don't subscribe) then you are getting a very, very skewed idea of history. Or that wretched movie with Natalie and Scarlett. Pretty dresses; ugly adherence to accuracy. Entertainment rocks, though, eh?
Word of the Day: apotheosis (noun): elevation of an individual to a state of divinity
Sophys: Field trip to the Media Center! Be sure to bring your ID or five dollars with which to procure another one. Author of the Day is Jane Austen; we will review SOME of the vocab words for our second-to-last literary terms list; fun and frolicsome-ness with new textbooks.
APees again: ORex test; if we finish early, two awesome poems in the literary anthology thematically related to ORex. We will be doing some transitional work with poetry before we launch into the next awesome, awesome unit: Shakespeare!!! Although I don't know if I have the energy to redo my huge chart thing about Henry VIII and the whole Tudor mess. I will say this, though--if you are watching The Tudors on Showmax or HBS or Cineshow or whatever those premium channels are (I'm a teacher, and poor, and therefore don't subscribe) then you are getting a very, very skewed idea of history. Or that wretched movie with Natalie and Scarlett. Pretty dresses; ugly adherence to accuracy. Entertainment rocks, though, eh?
Word of the Day: apotheosis (noun): elevation of an individual to a state of divinity
Monday, September 15, 2008
Can you believe that it's halfway through September already?
So much to do today, kids. Tragically, a typical Monday for so many of us. I'll be in 313 early in the morning, preparing for the onslaught and entering grades. Progress reports will go home at the end of this week, so if you think you're missing anything, come see me. I will happily print a grade slip for any student who asks nicely. Before class would be ideal--please don't interrupt one of my award-winning, deeply focused lectures to ask for your grade. (Note sarcasm regarding both descriptors of said lectures--I think my train derails as much as Listort's. I'm working on it, people. ADHD doesn't just affect adolescents.)
Announcements: Writing Center is open tomorrow! And sophys get textbooks tomorrow! and the fire drill that might have been scheduled for first period might have been rescheduled for third period in light of the Florida State counselor coming to speak to seniors in the auditorium. (Seniors, you can still get a pass before school from Mrs. Cadman in College and Career--and I highly recommend going if you are even contemplating attending this school. Relationships with college reps are exempt from "familiarity breeds contempt." Let them know who you are, and see your passion for attending their school. Do not show up and declare that "if I don't get in at my dream school, going to School A might not be too horrible". That happened last year, and it wasn't pretty for that kid.)
Sophys: After sharing our HW (grammar errors found in the public sphere; should be entertaining) we will have Amy Tan as our Author of the Day. We will also take notes on genres and review what we learned about irony--and do some more grammar! It will be a great, informative day.
APees: Two academic focii: (Latin scholars--is that the appropriate plural, or should I just say "focual points" and remove any doubt?) A) Glaysher, part II, and B) review for the super-duper ORex test tomorrow.
Word of the Day: picayune: (adjective) something trivial (oddly, there are several newspapers called "The Picayune"--I do not think it means what they think it means.)
So much to do today, kids. Tragically, a typical Monday for so many of us. I'll be in 313 early in the morning, preparing for the onslaught and entering grades. Progress reports will go home at the end of this week, so if you think you're missing anything, come see me. I will happily print a grade slip for any student who asks nicely. Before class would be ideal--please don't interrupt one of my award-winning, deeply focused lectures to ask for your grade. (Note sarcasm regarding both descriptors of said lectures--I think my train derails as much as Listort's. I'm working on it, people. ADHD doesn't just affect adolescents.)
Announcements: Writing Center is open tomorrow! And sophys get textbooks tomorrow! and the fire drill that might have been scheduled for first period might have been rescheduled for third period in light of the Florida State counselor coming to speak to seniors in the auditorium. (Seniors, you can still get a pass before school from Mrs. Cadman in College and Career--and I highly recommend going if you are even contemplating attending this school. Relationships with college reps are exempt from "familiarity breeds contempt." Let them know who you are, and see your passion for attending their school. Do not show up and declare that "if I don't get in at my dream school, going to School A might not be too horrible". That happened last year, and it wasn't pretty for that kid.)
Sophys: After sharing our HW (grammar errors found in the public sphere; should be entertaining) we will have Amy Tan as our Author of the Day. We will also take notes on genres and review what we learned about irony--and do some more grammar! It will be a great, informative day.
APees: Two academic focii: (Latin scholars--is that the appropriate plural, or should I just say "focual points" and remove any doubt?) A) Glaysher, part II, and B) review for the super-duper ORex test tomorrow.
Word of the Day: picayune: (adjective) something trivial (oddly, there are several newspapers called "The Picayune"--I do not think it means what they think it means.)
R.I.P. David Foster Wallace
(Cross-posted from my personal blog, the address of which I will gladly give you when you graduate.)
One of my favorite novelists, David Foster Wallace, hanged himself on Friday night. It just hit the news in a major way today.
Many of you have never heard of David Foster Wallace, beyond perhaps being one of the Authors of the Day in my sophomore class if you are a former student, or perhaps hearing about John Krasinski's film adaptation of Brief Interviews of Hideous Men. There are several reasons why you should know who this writer was (was sounds so odd, since I was planning to talk about him in a very present-tense sort of way next week to the sophys) and all of them have to do with the brilliance of his work. A part-time writing professor and full-time writer, Wallace exemplified a writing style that to me was simultaneously seductive and elucidating--very, very complicated (more footnotes/endnotes than T.S. Eliot) yet often insightful and very insouciant.
He was 46 years old.
Writing is a lonely profession, even in this age of instant publication and constant interaction with ones readership. (Blogging is a microcosmic adaptation of this relatively new phenomenon.) Wallace certainly had demons--and wrote about them--but I somehow thought that he might be one who could escape those demons enough for a long life of publication and prosperity. Each year, one of my students asks, "Are all writers screwed up?" or some variation on that theme--after you hear about the drug addicts, philanderers, mental patients, and suicides, it does beg the question. Are writers crazy, or do more crazy people write? And how do you mourn for someone you never met, but for whom you felt intimate knowledge due to reading the prose he allowed the public to see?
If you want to dip your toe into the Wallace trough without killing your brain, try A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, a collection of essays he wrote for Harper's. They sent him on a cruise to check out the fun; in typical fashion, he renamed the ship he was on (The Zenith) to something more appropriate to his mood (The Nadir). If you are feeling more ambitious, try The Broom of the System, and if you are feeling positively masochistic, try Infinite Jest, his 1996 masterwork that logs in at over 1,500 pages of complicated hilarity. Somehow it sold well.
I really liked his work, and I'm saddened that those demons brought him down. You never know what's going on in someone else's head--even if that someone repeatedly released information from that head into the mainstream.
And on a completely trivial note, now the sophys will be further convinced that writing is not a profession for the sane.
One of my favorite novelists, David Foster Wallace, hanged himself on Friday night. It just hit the news in a major way today.
Many of you have never heard of David Foster Wallace, beyond perhaps being one of the Authors of the Day in my sophomore class if you are a former student, or perhaps hearing about John Krasinski's film adaptation of Brief Interviews of Hideous Men. There are several reasons why you should know who this writer was (was sounds so odd, since I was planning to talk about him in a very present-tense sort of way next week to the sophys) and all of them have to do with the brilliance of his work. A part-time writing professor and full-time writer, Wallace exemplified a writing style that to me was simultaneously seductive and elucidating--very, very complicated (more footnotes/endnotes than T.S. Eliot) yet often insightful and very insouciant.
He was 46 years old.
Writing is a lonely profession, even in this age of instant publication and constant interaction with ones readership. (Blogging is a microcosmic adaptation of this relatively new phenomenon.) Wallace certainly had demons--and wrote about them--but I somehow thought that he might be one who could escape those demons enough for a long life of publication and prosperity. Each year, one of my students asks, "Are all writers screwed up?" or some variation on that theme--after you hear about the drug addicts, philanderers, mental patients, and suicides, it does beg the question. Are writers crazy, or do more crazy people write? And how do you mourn for someone you never met, but for whom you felt intimate knowledge due to reading the prose he allowed the public to see?
If you want to dip your toe into the Wallace trough without killing your brain, try A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, a collection of essays he wrote for Harper's. They sent him on a cruise to check out the fun; in typical fashion, he renamed the ship he was on (The Zenith) to something more appropriate to his mood (The Nadir). If you are feeling more ambitious, try The Broom of the System, and if you are feeling positively masochistic, try Infinite Jest, his 1996 masterwork that logs in at over 1,500 pages of complicated hilarity. Somehow it sold well.
I really liked his work, and I'm saddened that those demons brought him down. You never know what's going on in someone else's head--even if that someone repeatedly released information from that head into the mainstream.
And on a completely trivial note, now the sophys will be further convinced that writing is not a profession for the sane.
Friday, September 12, 2008
FTW: An Allusion on Television
For The Win: The Simpsons discussed Oedipus Rex on the 7:00 p.m. episode tonight. Yes, it was a rerun, and yes, I should have been at the football game.
Have a good, safe weekend, students!
Sophys: Don't forget your HW! You need to find a grammatical error in the public arena and correct it. Prepare to share Monday.
APees: If you have not already done so, finish ORex completely. Test is Tuesday. And we need to have a friendly class discussion regarding the meaning of the word "deadline."
I'll update the week's assignments tomorrow. Cheers, and congrats on defeating Timber Creek tonight! I followed it on Twitter.
Have a good, safe weekend, students!
Sophys: Don't forget your HW! You need to find a grammatical error in the public arena and correct it. Prepare to share Monday.
APees: If you have not already done so, finish ORex completely. Test is Tuesday. And we need to have a friendly class discussion regarding the meaning of the word "deadline."
I'll update the week's assignments tomorrow. Cheers, and congrats on defeating Timber Creek tonight! I followed it on Twitter.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
This picture if of the train station in Wales next to the town with the huge name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. And you didn't believe me. At least this town isn't as lengthy a name as the village in Thailand named
Krungthepmahanakornamornratanakosinmahintarayutthayamahadilokphop
nopparatrajathaniburiromudomrajaniwesmahasatharn
amornphimarnavatarnsathitsakkattiyavisanukamprasit. Don't even ask me what that means.
Today is Orange and White Day! Dress in our school colors today--I'm going to, complete with orange satin ballroom skirt--and you get to go to lunch ONE MINUTE EARLY! 60 whole seconds! Wheee! Our game tonight is away but I hope the weather plays nicely and ya'll get to go.
Reminder: Wear sneakers on Monday, if you care about the state of your feet. There might be a reason for all of us to dutifully troop out to the practice field during the first portion of first period. Just saying.
College Application Help Sessions before and after school today in my classroom.
Remember that the Writing Center is open next week in room 315 during A and B lunch on Tuesday and Thursday! Consultants can eat lunch in 313 on the off-days.
Sophys: Author of the Day is Louise Erdrich; vocabulary quiz #4 is today, too. First period can move on to Genre Studies (notes will be posted this weekend, btw) and second period still needs to finish the O'Brien tale. We get our textbooks next Tuesday. . .finally!
APees: Focus papers are due today by 4:30 p.m. in person AND on www.turnitin.com by midnight tonight. I'm gratified to see that many of you have already posted by now. Good for you! Today: Sophocles and his attitude towards women; modern implications of the tragedy; review of principal characters and quotations from the play. ORex test is Tuesday.
K12 Planet: I have been dutifully updating my electronic gradebook each day, which is supposed to automatically upload to K12 Planet. Several of you have been telling me that your classes are appearing on the site, but none of the grades are. Last fall, we had some technical problems with this company and 22% of our classes were off-line for weeks; I don't quite know what the deal is now, but we've just hired a new tech guy and I anticipate this is a priority.
So what can we do to ameliorate the woe?
First--if your parents are concerned about your progress, you can always get one of those progress reports and have each teacher fill it out. If you're seeking more instant gratification, I just learned how to e-mail your parents or you through the electr0nic gradebook (score!) so you can see how you're doing. And I am ALWAYS willing to print out a grade slip for you at any time.
Why not just post grades each week on the bulletin board?
I'm sketchy on posting grades with student numbers, as some of my colleagues do--I really think it compromises student privacy. Really--if your last name is Aardvark, everyone is going to know that you are the first student on the list; if your last name is ZZZZZ, everyone will know you're the last. Also, what if you go look at a massive list of grades and see a ton of As and Bs, and you are the sole F? Not that I can envision that happening to YOU, of course. See what I mean?
So please see me if you have questions--I give work back as quickly as possible, so youc an track your progress, and I will happily communicate progress with you between standard report cards and progress reports as you need it. I hope that K12 will get going soon, but we do have options. I will do all I can to help you succeed and learn.
Have a safe and productive weekend!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Today is an anniversary felt very deeply and poignantly by many Americans; seven years ago, terrorists struck on American shores and the sense of complacency felt for so long here was shattered. I hope that none of you are particularly upset today, but I would ask you to take just a moment and consider how lucky we are to live in a country with all of the vast resources and freedoms as America, and if you know someone personally who suffered as a result of the 2001 attacks, you have my empathy.
On the the academic side of things:
Sophys: Thank you for being so focused and intensive with your reading day! Back to business today. Our Author of the Day is Margery Kempe. You have a vocabulary quiz tomorrow on the fourth subset of words; I am NOT reviewing this week (although I will make the distinction between oxymoron and paradox in class) so please be responsible and study diligently. Today: Finish "Billy" and analysis; short writing assignment.
APees: We need to talk about the T-shirt issue each period; there might be a pop quiz on ORex and we need to discuss the Glaysher essay in-depth. Focus papers due tomorrow; let's discuss themes and look at Jocasta's responsibility in all of this mess.
Writing Center training will be during A and B lunch shifts today in room 302. We relocate to 315 next week.
On the the academic side of things:
Sophys: Thank you for being so focused and intensive with your reading day! Back to business today. Our Author of the Day is Margery Kempe. You have a vocabulary quiz tomorrow on the fourth subset of words; I am NOT reviewing this week (although I will make the distinction between oxymoron and paradox in class) so please be responsible and study diligently. Today: Finish "Billy" and analysis; short writing assignment.
APees: We need to talk about the T-shirt issue each period; there might be a pop quiz on ORex and we need to discuss the Glaysher essay in-depth. Focus papers due tomorrow; let's discuss themes and look at Jocasta's responsibility in all of this mess.
Writing Center training will be during A and B lunch shifts today in room 302. We relocate to 315 next week.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Short Wednesday for ya'll; guest speaker after school for me. And, apropos of nothing--Project Runway is on tonight.*
Gifted English II (Sophys): Our first reading day for The Count of Monte-Cristo! After featuring Alexandre Dumas as our A of D, you will have an opportunity to spread out and read. Your first reading quiz is next week, so read. You may bring a beverage, a pillow, or whatever stuffed animal makes you feel comfortable when you read. This book is so, so awesome--not the greatest literature of all time, certainly, but well-plotted and well-paced, and very exciting. Do you like pirates? Revenge? Escapes from horrible traps? Ladies in tight corsets? This novel is what even allowed the revenge genre to flourish, so read, read, read.
APees: More ORex and related concepts. We have intensive reading to do with ORex.
Word of the Day: hegemony (noun): the leadership of one state over its allies. (Even though this is a political definition, can you see its symbolic significance regarding any human relationship?)
NOTE: Derek H. in fifth suggested another word for Word of the Day: Magnanimous: Adjective: lofty and king-like
*A brief commentary regarding Project Runway: I am not a fan of the so-called "reality" genre, but I love Project Runway. Part of my fixation is an ongoing fascination with fashion, but most of it is related to how much of a meritocracy this contest is compared to others where people are voted off of islands or have the audience post votes. Each week, contestants are given ridiculous creative challenges, time limits, and budgets, and have to "make it work" with limited resources. I think it's analagous to the writing process itself--you come up with a concept, sketch it out, fit the concept to your dressmaker's form, work with the fabric, edit, edit, edit, and then sell the final product with a human being sashaying down a catwalk. See the analogy? You come up with a concept, prewrite it in graphic form, mess with the ideas, write, write, rewrite, edit, tinker, submit. . .it's the same thing, but one is on TV and one is just in a classroom. Oh, Project Runway, how I love thee.
Gifted English II (Sophys): Our first reading day for The Count of Monte-Cristo! After featuring Alexandre Dumas as our A of D, you will have an opportunity to spread out and read. Your first reading quiz is next week, so read. You may bring a beverage, a pillow, or whatever stuffed animal makes you feel comfortable when you read. This book is so, so awesome--not the greatest literature of all time, certainly, but well-plotted and well-paced, and very exciting. Do you like pirates? Revenge? Escapes from horrible traps? Ladies in tight corsets? This novel is what even allowed the revenge genre to flourish, so read, read, read.
APees: More ORex and related concepts. We have intensive reading to do with ORex.
Word of the Day: hegemony (noun): the leadership of one state over its allies. (Even though this is a political definition, can you see its symbolic significance regarding any human relationship?)
NOTE: Derek H. in fifth suggested another word for Word of the Day: Magnanimous: Adjective: lofty and king-like
*A brief commentary regarding Project Runway: I am not a fan of the so-called "reality" genre, but I love Project Runway. Part of my fixation is an ongoing fascination with fashion, but most of it is related to how much of a meritocracy this contest is compared to others where people are voted off of islands or have the audience post votes. Each week, contestants are given ridiculous creative challenges, time limits, and budgets, and have to "make it work" with limited resources. I think it's analagous to the writing process itself--you come up with a concept, sketch it out, fit the concept to your dressmaker's form, work with the fabric, edit, edit, edit, and then sell the final product with a human being sashaying down a catwalk. See the analogy? You come up with a concept, prewrite it in graphic form, mess with the ideas, write, write, rewrite, edit, tinker, submit. . .it's the same thing, but one is on TV and one is just in a classroom. Oh, Project Runway, how I love thee.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Tonight at Boone we are having a guest speaker in the auditorium at 7 p.m.--Dr. Something will be talking about a year he spent "as a teenager." Might be interesting, and it's free. Also tonight at BHS in my classroom, at 6:30, is the travel meeting for the spring break trip to Germany. This is probably my last year traveling abroad with students (I've been at it since 2002!) but I'd like to go out with a bang, so to speak. Come if you are interested.
(There are other travel opportunities this year that might interest you, too--the band is apparently doing a spring break trip, and one of the foreign language teachers might be organizing a trip to Italy at some point. I'll post more specifics if I find out for sure.)
SOPHYS (Periods 1 and 2): Today is the day for Edusoft Benchmark Testing. Some of you will finish quickly; others will require the whole period. Bring something to read. Would you like a suggestion? How about. . .oh, I don't know. . .The Count of Monte Cristo? Sounds good to me! Bring a pencil for your testing--I have some but they are of shockingly low quality.
Sadly--no Author of the Day today.
APees: Now that you have done your Guidance thing, I want to clarify what's due for the next focus paper. Here is the contract I'm willing to offer:
IF you turn in your paper on time, both in person and on www.turnitin.com;
IF it is double-spaced and has a cool title; and
IF you made a good-faith effort to address either prompt, then. . .
You get a 100 on this paper.
(I believe in a concept called "The One A Paper." Some of you write one each week, because you are always going to hit the 8 or 9 level on the College Board scale; some of you are so, so talented in other academic areas, but not language arts, and an A is as foreign to you as AP Calculus Success would be to me. So. . .you get a 100, and I mark the HECK out of it. Brutal. Slashy. How the AP readers would grade it. But you can take a risk, jump out on a limb, make outrageous claims, and experiment with your writing without the worry that your grade will die just in time for progress reports. Honestly, who doesn't like a 100?)
Focus paper due Friday--by 4:30 p.m. in my hand, and by midnight that night on www.turnitin.com.
Today in class--Oedipus Rex and oracles! We start with the four questions on the oracle sheet, and work our way into Higher Levels of Meaning.
Word of the Day: mendicancy (noun): the practice of begging for alms or food; related to extreme poverty. (This word occasionally appears in 19th century texts--Dickens, etc.)
(There are other travel opportunities this year that might interest you, too--the band is apparently doing a spring break trip, and one of the foreign language teachers might be organizing a trip to Italy at some point. I'll post more specifics if I find out for sure.)
SOPHYS (Periods 1 and 2): Today is the day for Edusoft Benchmark Testing. Some of you will finish quickly; others will require the whole period. Bring something to read. Would you like a suggestion? How about. . .oh, I don't know. . .The Count of Monte Cristo? Sounds good to me! Bring a pencil for your testing--I have some but they are of shockingly low quality.
Sadly--no Author of the Day today.
APees: Now that you have done your Guidance thing, I want to clarify what's due for the next focus paper. Here is the contract I'm willing to offer:
IF you turn in your paper on time, both in person and on www.turnitin.com;
IF it is double-spaced and has a cool title; and
IF you made a good-faith effort to address either prompt, then. . .
You get a 100 on this paper.
(I believe in a concept called "The One A Paper." Some of you write one each week, because you are always going to hit the 8 or 9 level on the College Board scale; some of you are so, so talented in other academic areas, but not language arts, and an A is as foreign to you as AP Calculus Success would be to me. So. . .you get a 100, and I mark the HECK out of it. Brutal. Slashy. How the AP readers would grade it. But you can take a risk, jump out on a limb, make outrageous claims, and experiment with your writing without the worry that your grade will die just in time for progress reports. Honestly, who doesn't like a 100?)
Focus paper due Friday--by 4:30 p.m. in my hand, and by midnight that night on www.turnitin.com.
Today in class--Oedipus Rex and oracles! We start with the four questions on the oracle sheet, and work our way into Higher Levels of Meaning.
Word of the Day: mendicancy (noun): the practice of begging for alms or food; related to extreme poverty. (This word occasionally appears in 19th century texts--Dickens, etc.)
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
ALL SENIORS: Meet in Guidance; this is your one-on-one opportunity with your counselor to go over your SAIR (student academic involvement report) and plan for college. I'll have a sign on the door in case you forget. If we finish early, back to 313 for more revelry and goodness.
Sophys: Tomorrow is Edusoft Benchmark Testing. Please bring a pencil OR a black-ink pen. It's a reading diagnostic, and I'll give you points for taking it. It will probably take all period and prevent us from Author of the Day. My apologies.
Today, though, is Monday!!! Our Author of the Day is Vladimir Nabakov, who I intended to share with you earlier but then Fay got in the way. He is awesome and he was an amateur lepidopterist. Do you know what that means? It's a person who collects butterflies! Afterwards, finish up Tim O'Brien and prepare for our next Unit: Genre Study. Wheeeeee.
Sophys: Tomorrow is Edusoft Benchmark Testing. Please bring a pencil OR a black-ink pen. It's a reading diagnostic, and I'll give you points for taking it. It will probably take all period and prevent us from Author of the Day. My apologies.
Today, though, is Monday!!! Our Author of the Day is Vladimir Nabakov, who I intended to share with you earlier but then Fay got in the way. He is awesome and he was an amateur lepidopterist. Do you know what that means? It's a person who collects butterflies! Afterwards, finish up Tim O'Brien and prepare for our next Unit: Genre Study. Wheeeeee.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
FRIDAY!!! Glorious, glorious Friday. Please wear ORANGE AND WHITE today to celebrate Boone's awesomeness. We really are pretty awesome, aren't we? And if you wear the aforementioned colors, you get to go to lunch one minute early! ONE WHOLE MINUTE! That's like sixty seconds of tater-tot goodness!
Gifted English II: Vocabulary Quiz #3, which is in a slightly different format than before. We're wrapping up our miniature unit on irony today, too. Author of the Day is Yukio Mishima. Your Art Opportunity today, to celebrate your Giftedness (aka: weirdness) is to draw something that symbolically relates to any of the words on your vocab list this week. Perhaps Odysseus flailing around on his boat? Or Johnny Appleseed chasing a tortoise? Or a better version of my Titanic sketch, complete with a confused Celine Dion on the deck of the doomed ship?
APees: Oedipus Rex!!! Hello, King! I know you know the story, but the play itself is quite readable and very easy to follow. Sophocles was a genius. Today, we will discuss aspects of the tragedy and how the Greek model sets the stage for, well, everything else. You need to READ. Really READ. Another focus paper is imminently approaching. . .
Gifted English II: Vocabulary Quiz #3, which is in a slightly different format than before. We're wrapping up our miniature unit on irony today, too. Author of the Day is Yukio Mishima. Your Art Opportunity today, to celebrate your Giftedness (aka: weirdness) is to draw something that symbolically relates to any of the words on your vocab list this week. Perhaps Odysseus flailing around on his boat? Or Johnny Appleseed chasing a tortoise? Or a better version of my Titanic sketch, complete with a confused Celine Dion on the deck of the doomed ship?
APees: Oedipus Rex!!! Hello, King! I know you know the story, but the play itself is quite readable and very easy to follow. Sophocles was a genius. Today, we will discuss aspects of the tragedy and how the Greek model sets the stage for, well, everything else. You need to READ. Really READ. Another focus paper is imminently approaching. . .
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Announcement: If you are interested in going to Germany this spring break, the informational meeting will be next Tuesday night at 6:30 in my classroom. I have some forms if you would like to share information with your parents and not hit them with sticker-shock at the meeting. Travel, I'm afraid, is not cheap. The only thing I can say with certainty (and a lot of modesty) is that I am fun to travel with. You won't get away with a lot of bad behavior, but we will have fun and there will be much rejoicing!
SENIORS: You will meet with your Guidance Counselor on Monday, September 8. Come to my class first so I can take roll and ascertain your presence on our lovely campus before we sojourn together to the Student Services Centre*.
Gifted English II: Finish O. Henry's tale in second; evaluate it in first. Author of the Day is John Keats, after which we will review the common errors from the first paper and go over Guidelines for Solid Writing. It has clip art! And then, time permitting, we'll look at yet another short piece of ironic fiction--this one set in a war.
APees: Common error review, which won't take long, and then we'll begin introducing the transitional materials to Greek tragedy, a.k.a. Oedipus Rex. You don't need your anthology today, but you will on Friday. Handouts: FRQs and Sophocles Biography (read for homework.)
Word of the Day: mendacious (adjective): dishonest, full of trickery or chicanery
Have you noticed how I try to define words with other SAT words? How mendacious of me, if I didn't just admit that.
*Apropos of nothing: I hate, hate, hate it when American locations appropriate "Britishisms" to class up the diction. For example: Pointe Orlando, which I call "pointy." I know this is just one of my myriad of character flaws, but "centre," "towne," and "colour" drive me "batty" when utilized by Americans. We don't speak English, people! We speak SAE: Standard American English! We don't use "lifts", or live in "flats", or "snog" the "bobby" after he gives us a "brolly" (kiss the cop after he gives us an umbrella, -ella, -ella.) I love England, really really, but dang. The most egregious offender is Seminole Towne Centre Shoppes. I will never patronize such an establishment. Not that you care. I need to drink less coffee.
SENIORS: You will meet with your Guidance Counselor on Monday, September 8. Come to my class first so I can take roll and ascertain your presence on our lovely campus before we sojourn together to the Student Services Centre*.
Gifted English II: Finish O. Henry's tale in second; evaluate it in first. Author of the Day is John Keats, after which we will review the common errors from the first paper and go over Guidelines for Solid Writing. It has clip art! And then, time permitting, we'll look at yet another short piece of ironic fiction--this one set in a war.
APees: Common error review, which won't take long, and then we'll begin introducing the transitional materials to Greek tragedy, a.k.a. Oedipus Rex. You don't need your anthology today, but you will on Friday. Handouts: FRQs and Sophocles Biography (read for homework.)
Word of the Day: mendacious (adjective): dishonest, full of trickery or chicanery
Have you noticed how I try to define words with other SAT words? How mendacious of me, if I didn't just admit that.
*Apropos of nothing: I hate, hate, hate it when American locations appropriate "Britishisms" to class up the diction. For example: Pointe Orlando, which I call "pointy." I know this is just one of my myriad of character flaws, but "centre," "towne," and "colour" drive me "batty" when utilized by Americans. We don't speak English, people! We speak SAE: Standard American English! We don't use "lifts", or live in "flats", or "snog" the "bobby" after he gives us a "brolly" (kiss the cop after he gives us an umbrella, -ella, -ella.) I love England, really really, but dang. The most egregious offender is Seminole Towne Centre Shoppes. I will never patronize such an establishment. Not that you care. I need to drink less coffee.
Common Errors: Focus Paper #1 for APees
If you have read the previous blog entry, you may have noticed that I posted the sophomore errors, as well. These entries are certainly not intended to embarrass anyone, but I think it's good practice to look at trends and see where groups of students are erring. I plan to cover this material in class in an ongoing fashion, but for your reference (and in the event that you lost the half-sheet I gave you today after the Bovary quiz) here are the common errors for the Bovary/Awakening papers.
Common Errors/Focus Paper #1 2008-2009
1. Students tend to write “in the book” instead of in-universe
2. Syntax errors—fragments, run-ons, lengthy sentences with awkward comma splices
3. Their/there
4. You and I: Second and First-person narratives (I believe/I feel/In my summer reading project I had to read two novels/Summer reading is normally boring)
5. Command form: Take Edna, for example. (What if I don’t want to?)
6. Informality in diction: slutty, studly, OMG
7. Accept v. except
8. Transitions (awkward or non-existent)
9. Cannot v. can not
10. Quotes in Space: Many papers featured well-selected text evidence, randomly placed within the text, or not introduced at all. (Review appropriate quotation usage.)
11. It’s v. its
12. Errors in content (infrequent but memorable): Edna and Emma confusions; errors in plot or setting
13. Lack of conclusion or weird conclusion: “Well, they got what they deserved!”
14. TENSE: Stay in present tense when evaluating literature.
That said, the papers were fairly strong overall, and many of you who have already contacted me about revision have good ideas about developing your writing skills with each paper. Bravo to all of you!
Common Errors/Focus Paper #1 2008-2009
1. Students tend to write “in the book” instead of in-universe
2. Syntax errors—fragments, run-ons, lengthy sentences with awkward comma splices
3. Their/there
4. You and I: Second and First-person narratives (I believe/I feel/In my summer reading project I had to read two novels/Summer reading is normally boring)
5. Command form: Take Edna, for example. (What if I don’t want to?)
6. Informality in diction: slutty, studly, OMG
7. Accept v. except
8. Transitions (awkward or non-existent)
9. Cannot v. can not
10. Quotes in Space: Many papers featured well-selected text evidence, randomly placed within the text, or not introduced at all. (Review appropriate quotation usage.)
11. It’s v. its
12. Errors in content (infrequent but memorable): Edna and Emma confusions; errors in plot or setting
13. Lack of conclusion or weird conclusion: “Well, they got what they deserved!”
14. TENSE: Stay in present tense when evaluating literature.
That said, the papers were fairly strong overall, and many of you who have already contacted me about revision have good ideas about developing your writing skills with each paper. Bravo to all of you!
Sophys: Common Errors for Your First Paper
You will get a copy of this in class tomorrow, but in case you're bored or are perusing your paper at home tonight, here are some common errors that manifested themselves on the first paper assignment this year:
Common Errors The Stranger/Death Paper 08-09
1. Stay in present tense when evaluating literature
2. Double space final copies, please!
3. First and second person problems—particularly, opinion statements about the summer reading assignment or “I am going to tell you about this in this essay” issues
4. Play v. novel. They are not both novels.
5. Pronoun-antecedent/Subject-verb disagreements (particularly in who v. that and in number—Meursault and his friends goes to the beach.)
6. No thesis statement in a handful of papers
7. Irrelevant pop-cultural commentary in some papers—and not as analogies, either
8. Quotes in space
9. Avoid the verb “get”
10. Redundancies: Arab Man, suicide death, death of suicide, convicted guilty
11. Odd statements: “Willy is full of it.” “Meursault gets an offer to work in France but is decapitated before he can accept the offer.”
12. Odd words or phrases: womanist, orientated, narrarator, OMG
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Can you believe that we have TWO more storms in the ocean? Ike and Josephine. And we're only up to the letter J. Shades of 2004. . .let's hope these storms stay out at sea.
Sophys: Author of the Day is Angela Shelf Madearis; examples from literary vocabulary #3; finish "Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.
APees: Madame Bovary test. If you didn't check out a literary anthology from the Media Center last week, you need to go before or after school by FRIDAY to get yours. We will be using the anthology in class for Oedipus Rex, our next text. Word of the Day is "prosaic" which is an adjective meaning mundane, ordinary, or normal.
Early Day!!! Thank goodness we kept that with the new schedule. Happy day, everyone!
Sophys: Author of the Day is Angela Shelf Madearis; examples from literary vocabulary #3; finish "Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.
APees: Madame Bovary test. If you didn't check out a literary anthology from the Media Center last week, you need to go before or after school by FRIDAY to get yours. We will be using the anthology in class for Oedipus Rex, our next text. Word of the Day is "prosaic" which is an adjective meaning mundane, ordinary, or normal.
Early Day!!! Thank goodness we kept that with the new schedule. Happy day, everyone!
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