Thursday, November 10, 2005

If you are missing any assignments due to absences, please see me ASAP. Progress report grades need to be exported by next Tuesday so that you can receive an update in print for all six of your classes by Thursday.

NOTE: I am noticing--as are some of my colleagues--a slip in student performance of late. There have been many things conspiring to make us distracted, certainly--between the chaos of Homecoming Week and Halloween, some students get lost in the shuffle. Don't be one of them. Focus in your classes and you will have smooth sailing between now and Winter Break. TIME TO RE-ENERGIZE!!!

AP Literature: Continue with R and G Are Dead, and maybe take a little quiz on it. Just maybe.

Gifted English IV: Continue with Act IV, scene i and its prophecies--A) Beware Macduff! B) None of woman born shall harm Macbeth! C) Till Birnam Wood do come to Dunsinane Hill Macbeth shall rule as king. . . but are the witches telling him the truth? Inquiring minds want to know!

Gifted English II: TWO Author of the Day presentations each period, followed by rambunctiouness as we finish discussing the nature of Horror in Literature. Then. . .brace yourself. . .Edgar. Allan. Poe. "The Pit and the Pendulum" will change your life, or, at least, scar it.

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Hamlet obituaries are due and we'll share! Continue with R and G Are Dead. Anyone have a quarter? Heads. Heads. Heads. (See Act I of this play if this doesn't make sense to you. . .)

Gifted English IV: Macbeth, with the first Macessay assigned to you today.

Gifted English II: Candide check-reading test. Good luck, everyone!

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Our Hamlet unit test is today, followed by our introduction to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.

Gifted English IV: Macbeth Vocabulary Quiz, followed by further reading of the text.

Gifted English II: Continue with the Literature of Horror and a friendly reminder about the Candide check-reading test on 11/9. We will start with Mr. Poe today, too.

Monday, November 7, 2005

Advanced Placement Literature: Read "Gertrude Speaks" by Margaret Atwood and finish Hamlet review for our Amazing Test on Tuesday!

Gifted English IV: Macbeth, Act III.

Gifted English II: Introduction to the Literature of Horror.

Friday, November 4, 2005

AP Literature: Review for Hamlet Unit Test. And try to moderate a fascinating discussion with Shahier about. . .every element of the tragedy.

Gifted English IV: After administering a quiz to see who read Act II, scene ii, we go over vocabulary list, then get through the rest of Act II, including the famous Porter sequence.

Gifted English II: Read Mark Twain's "The Lowest Animal" in the text and pass out the Monty Python writing assignment.

Note: I am updating grades on Monday after grading through a veritable slew of make-up work this weekend. Check K12 Planet if you have any questions.

Thursday, November 4, 2005

I am not here today. Be nice to Stu.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Short day!

AP Lit: Today, we finish Hamlet.

Gifted IV: Quiz on Macbeth, Act I will be tomorrow--today, we will read through that act and start Act II (through Macbeth's soliloquy.)

Gifted II: Satire unit wraps up with a screening of Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail, carefully edited for your delectation.

NOTE: I WILL NOT BE AT SCHOOL TOMORROW. You can reach me by e-mail tomorrow evening, or come find me before school Friday if you are having an existential crisis. Focus papers are still due by 3 p.m. on Friday, seniors.