Lesson Schedule: September 20-September 24

My, how time flies.

Here is the tentative schedule for next week, for planning purposes. If my family situation nosedives, I might have to make some changes, but for now this looks like The Deal.

APees:

Monday, September 20: Review for Oedipus Rex test tomorrow; go over multiple choice passages from the practice session you did Friday.

Tuesday, September 21: Oedipus Rex test; work on rough draft for in-class review tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 22: In-class review of ORex focus paper. (NOTE: 3rd period: I had intended to make this due on Thursday, but I was informed after your class last week that Guidance wanted to see you Thursday after all. If you can have it ready today, great. If not, I can look at it during the Writing Center for you Thursday during either lunch shift.)

Thursday, September 23: Guidance visit for transcripts, corrections, and senior graduation check.

Friday, September 24: Introduction to Shakespearean tragedy!

Gifted English II

Monday, September 20: Author of the Day: JG Ballard; Word of the Day: alacrity

I had asked you to read and answer the questions for Scene II and Ode II of Antigone on Friday; today, we are starting with Scene III--now with more metaphors! HW tonight: Define vocabulary words 81-100 and read a chapter in The Count of Monte Cristo.

Tuesday, September 21: Author of the Day: David Foster Wallace. Word of the Day; myriad. Scene IV and Ode IV of Antigone; reminder about reading day tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 22: Second Reading Day for The Count of Monte Cristo! Ten points for reading--be sure to bring your book!

Thursday, September 23: Author of the Day: Emily Dickinson. Word of the Day: perambulate. Antigone, Scene V and Exodos.

Friday, September 24: Vocabulary Quiz #5; concluding thoughts on Antigone; due date assigned for Antigone questions; prep for Antigone test.

in the weeds

It's awfully early in the school year for me to be this far behind, but I am. And here is an explanation; not an excuse, just an explanation. It's 4 in the morning, the air conditioner has broken for the third time this month, the stacks of papers strewn about my dining room mock me daily, and I am in the weeds.

"In the weeds" is an idiomatic expression that means overwhelmed, overdone, stretched to the max. We all hit it at one point or another. I've just never hit it in September before.

I do have a plan, and will be caught up with the grades and recommendation letters by Monday, September 13. But for the record, here is why I am in this sorry state right now, and why you (or your child) is getting a great education in room 313 each day (I think!) but not a heck of a lot of feedback just yet.

1. I missed pre-planning due to tonsillitis, and never quite recovered.

2. Found out I was allergic to penicillin, and never quite recovered.

3. That turned into the cold I currently have.

4. I am still way over class limits right now, and 99% of my students have turned in their work.

5. Due to budget restrictions, teachers are expected to do more and more with less and less.

Yes, this is self-pitying, and ranty, and I need to build a bridge to get over myself. But I just wanted to clarify that while I may be behind in grading, I am totally on top of my lessons, have written 17 college recommendations, graded 84 essays, tutored over a dozen kids, and offered community service hours. Hopefully, in the grand scheme of the universe, this balances out a little bit.

In the meantime, I have become a human weedwhacker and am struggling to get out of the weeds. Have a lovely day, everyone. I'm working on it!

The Eve Before School

Dear Students,

Tonight, August 15, 2010, is the Eve Before School for educators in OCPS. While you have another week to relax (or frantically start/finish summer reading, work in the sweltering heat, clean your room, or prep for a new school year) I have a week of meetings, meetings, and more meetings!

I really feel that this is going to be a good year for all of us. OPTIMISM NOW. This is my last year teaching sophomores--I think--and I want to go out with a bang; Project XMas and The Writing Center will both be active and ready for those of you interested in service learning/community service hours; we have tons of cool new things to learn.

This blog is a tool to help you see what we're doing in class each day, and to keep track of Authors of the Day (for sophys) and other Boone-related details. Please check this at least a couple of times per week to stay on top of things, and definitely use it if you are absent. I update at least every other day, and try to post in advance when I can.

Much love to all of you, Boone Braves. 2010-2011 will be amazing.

~Ms. Hilley