Monday, March 1, 2010

REMINDERS

1. Registration starts this week for rising seniors; it is online this year. Sophys: Go ahead and look over the curriculum guide on the BHS website and make some pre-selections, as you will be registering online at the end of this month, right before Spring Break. Although we anticipate some glitches, I think this is far better for you and gives you a LOT more control over your schedule.

2. If you are going to Ireland with me this Spring Break, the pre-trip travel meeting is tomorrow night at 7 in my classroom. This is not for people signing up--sorry, that train has sailed. If you can't make it let me know and we will get the info on Euros, weather, travel advisories, and packing directly to you.

FCAT IS NEXT WEEK. On Tuesday and Wednesday, our administration is encouraging seniors who have already passed the FCAT to avail themselves of the opportunity to visit colleges. If you have a note from a parental unit and/or documentation demonstrating a college visit (DBCC, if you know what I mean, ha ha) then it is an EXCUSED ABSENCE.

Now on to curricular things:

Word of the Day: vituperative

Holiday of the Day: Peace Corps Day, Beer Day (not for y'all), National Refired, not Retired Day, Pig Day, and Plan a Solo Vacation Day.

Gifted English II: The Elements of Style, Othello Act III, the final attempt to get Author of the Day off the ground. Goodness. Love to all. . .

APees: Close reading of Jane Eyre suggestions; William Blake.

Gifted English II:

Friday, February 26, 2010

Word of the Day: indefatigable

Today's Holiday: For Pete's Sake Day, Levi Strauss Day, and National Personal Chef's Day.

Gifted English II: The Elements of Style, Rules 1-11 (further review and application); Othello, Act III. Your Act II questions are due today by the end of business. See me if you have any questions. I will be finishing the last of the Julius Caesar papers this weekend and returning them to you Monday; the next paper is Othello-related and is a really intriguing topic. Go team!

APees: Yesterday, I had you construct a timed writing response to a DBQ related to a letter Charlotte Bronte had written to the then-famous poet Robert Southey, and his snarky response to her, and her snarkier response back. (I love the line where she assures him "I try not to think. . .") Today, we are going to look at viable approaches to thesis statements, do a peer review on our writings, and then look at student samples in the guidebook that were scored by College Board as rubrics. This may sound dry, but this is VITAL for success in May. Your reading assignment this weekend for Jane Eyre is through Chapter 5, please. Thanks!

MARY SHELLEY PAPERS ARE DUE BY 3 p.m. I will be in a meeting with Dr. McMillen, so you can either leave it under the door (risky) or drop it at the main office (much more solid option.)

FCAT Announcement

Sophys: On March 9 and March 10, you will be taking the FCAT for at least a long morning session. Some of you qualify for extra time. I will be going over testing destinations and suggestions for preparing over the next week or so.

Seniors: You are being encouraged to visit colleges or go to the college you plan to attend (if it's reasonable) and meet with academic advisement on these two days. THESE ARE EXCUSED ABSENCES IF YOU BRING IN DOCUMENTATION. Share this info with your parents; it's legit.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Be nice to my sub! I have a family ceremony to attend. I might be back, so be good. . .you never know when I will emo into the room expecting greatness.

Word of the Day: filial

Holiday of the Day: National Chili Day!

Gifted English II: Othello; finish the Act II questions. You may then watch Act I and part of Act II on the video, with careful fast-forwarding. I am leaving specific instructions for the sub. (Second period: you have a quiz, remember?)

AP Literature and Composition: Written response to a DBQ; this one is about Charlotte Bronte. AWESOMENESS PERSONIFIED. I love this prompt; love, love, love.

Lupercal

This is the first period entertainment group, completely produced by students for students. No offense was intended by the students and their self-descriptions. Enjoy the video and its epic music.

Again--no animals were harmed in the making of this video. Stephen, however, might have been licked excessively by a dog.

Ancient Roman Entertainment

Thanks to Easah for shooting, editing and adding the soundtrack. No animals were harmed in the making of this film.

This is the second period project for the Lupercal Festival this year.

Congrats to Charles, Jake, Thomas, Easah, and Lee!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Word of the Day: averse

Holiday of the Day: Inconvenience Yourself Day. (Does this mean to avoid 7-11 all day, or take alternate pathways around buildings, or what? I have no idea. Anyone who can shed light on this little mystery will be gratefully acknowledged.)

Gifted English II: The Elements of Style, Rules 1-11. We discussed Webster's definition of grammar yesterday, and today the Real Fun begins. At long last. And then, more Othello-osity. Although some of the choicest lines were uttered yesterday. . .

APees: Now that you have survived Multiple Choice Practice Session Infinity, I'll give you back your scan sheets and you can weep privately. AND we are going to discuss "The Cormorant" by Rosanna Warren (awesome, if sad) and Jane Eyre, chapter one. Nothing like a little old-fashioned explication de texte to get things rolling.

Note: See upcoming post later this evening on registration and FCAT. Importante!!!!

Shelley paper is due by Friday, February 26, oh APees. Although I will take it early and in fact already have a few. . .