Honors+Calendar

= English Honors =

**For a complete list of download-able assignments and texts, please visit the assignment page. I hope this is a little more user friendly than the previous method. I will still post any announcements on this page temporarily. Honors Assignment Page**

= Announcements =

Please be working on your book projects...
= Calendar =

__3/10/10&3/11/10: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we started a discussion about Civil Rights and the Emmett Till case in preparation for //To Kill a Mockingbird.// Turned In: Persuasive Letter

__3/8/10&3/9/10: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we turned in our book projects. We presented one item that we completed from the project and rated our books on a scale of 1-10. Homework: Persuasive Letter

__3/1/10 - 3/4/10: Monday - Thursday__
I was out of town for these days. You worked in the library on your persuasive letters and submitted them to MyAccess. You also read "The Necklace" and completed a plot diagram and theme selection for the story. Homework: Persuasive Letter

__2/24&25/10: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we worked on our book projects. Homework: book project

__2/22&23/10: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we worked on developing a hook and supporting details for persuasive essays. We had a "junk sale," where the various tables developed a sales pitch on random items given to them by me. We then took a vote on which item we would like to buy. We also continued our discussion on themes in literature. Homework: book project turned in: sales pitch

__2/18&19/10: Thursday and Friday__
Today we wrote in our journals and then went to the library to discuss works cited pages, again, and had an opportunity to redo our Elizabethan research paper's works cited page. We also turned in a persuasive essay. Homework: Book project

__2/16&17/10: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we had a party/make-up day. For all those who had their assignments up-to-date, you got to watch a movie and eat food. Those who did not have their assignments turned in worked o n their work for 45 min., or until completed, and then were allowed to join the party. Homework: Persuasive Essay due next time!; book project.

__2/15/10: Monday__
President's Day!

__2/11-12/10: Thursday and Friday__
Today we discussed persuasive essays and took some pretests on UTIPS. Turned In: Persuasive Essay Homework: Book Project

__2/10/10: Wednesday__
We went to the high school: Go Knights and Pioneers!

__2/8-9/10: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we finished powerpoint and symbolic presentations. We also continued learning about the mighty comma! Homework: Persuasive Essay; Book Projects

__2/5/10: Friday__
No school!

__2/3-4/10: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we viewed our presentations. Turned In: powerpoint presentation; pink packet

__2/1-2/10: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we worked in the lab on our powerpoint presentations. Turned In: Nothing Homework: Pink Packet; Powerpoint presentations

__1/28-29/10: Thursday and Friday__
Today we did our symbolic presentations. Turned In: Symbolic Presentation worksheet Homework: Pink Packet

__1/26-27/10: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we worked in the lab on a PowerPoint project, our final Romeo and Juliet assignment. This assignment will be due on Thursday or Friday of next week, along with your pink packet. Turned In: Nothing Homework: Symbolic Presentation; Pink Packet

__1/22&25/10: Friday and Monday__
Today we rewrote a poem that Juliet recited to the Friar about marrying Paris. We also decided to cancel two of your essays in order to get back on our feet and lessen the workload. Turned In: Poem Homework: Symbolic Presentation; Pink Packet

__1/20-21/10: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we turned in our Elizabethan research papers and each of us stood to share something we learned during our research. We also turned in our Chaser and Interloper application homework. We also discussed comma usage in while using dialogue. We also discussed application of symbols in our reading. Turned In: Interloper and Chaser application; Elizabethan Research Homework: Symbolic Presentation; Read Act IV

__1/15&19/10: Friday and Tuesday__
Today we took a quiz on Act III. You were also assigned to apply your SOAPStone, Themes in Literature, and Plot Diagram sheets to "The Interlopers" and "The Chaser." Homework: SOAPSTone, Theme, and Diagram Application; Elizabethan Research

__1/13-14/10: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we discussed the difference between an independent and dependent clause and how they are use with commas. We then went into the computer lab and did some practice quizzes with comma usage. The link is on the left side of this website (Comma Quizzes) and contains an abundance of any type grammar quiz. Feel free to practice anytime. We have done #'s 80-84. Turned In: Nothing Homework: Read Act III; Elizabethan Research

__1/11-12/10: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we watched another scene from //West Side Story// and filled in more answers on our Venn diagram. We also did the Act II Text Frames in groups. Turned in: Act II text frames Homework: Elizabethan research; read "John and Abigail Adams letters"

__1/07-08/10: Thursday and Friday__
Today we discussed "The Interlopers" and "The Chaser" and how they help us answer the question //What makes or breaks relationships?// We also did a creative writing "write and throw," where we chose a prompt and wrote for 10 min. before crumpling up our paper and throwing them to somebody else to continue the story. We did this three times. Edit, revise, and finish your story for homework. Turned In: Nothing Homework: work on Elizabethan research; finish creative writing "write and throw"

__1/05-06/10: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we worked in groups completing some text framing. This will help us remember what the play is all about after our long holiday break. Turned in: Act I Text Frames Homework: Work on Elizabethan research.

__1/04/10: Monday__
Today we viewed various clips from //West Side Story// and compared them to //Romeo and Juliet// using a Venn diagram//.// Turned in: nothing Homework: Work on Elizabethan research.

__12/21-22/09: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we took our semester test and continued our research assignment in the library. Turned In: Sonnets Homework: GMA prompt: spending time with an historical figure...

__12/16/09: Wednesday__
Today we compared //Romeo and Juliet// to the musical //West Side Story//, and we discussed, with a partner and as a class, how "The Chaser" and "Interlopers" applies to our essential question of, "What makes or breaks relationships." Turned In: Act II questions Homework: Essay, sonnets, study for test

__12/15 & 18/09: Tuesday and Friday__
Today we went to the library to begin a research project on the Elizabethan Era, the time when Shakespeare lived. This project will be due sometime after the Christmas break and will be counted on 3rd term's grade. We also reviewed coordinating conjunctions and quotation marks. Turned in: Essay (B-day), Sonnets (B-day) Homework: Work on sonnets and essay; Act II questions; study for test, read "The Chaser"

__12/14 & 17/09: Monday and Thursday__
Today we reviewed coordinating conjunctions and quotation marks, read and watched scene i of Act III, and practiced our Shakespearean insults (beef-wit!). Turned In: Essay (A-day), Act II questions (A-Day) Homework: Finish Act II questions, work on sonnets (due Monday or Friday), essay, read "The Chaser"

__12/10-11/09: Thursday and Friday__
Today we read some of our translated balcony scene papers and continued with //Romeo and Juliet//. We read scene iii of Act II and watched up to that point. You were also assigned the opportunity to write two sonnets, one Petrachan and one Shakespearean. Turned In: Act I Questions, "Making the World a Better Place" Essay, Balcony Scene Rewrite Homework: Sonnets, Finish Reading Act II (Online).

__12/08-09/09: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we finished reading the winners for our superpower essays. Turned In: Nothing Homework: Essay due next time!

__12/04&07/09: Friday and Monday__
Today we did essay winners for our superpower essays. This process gives us an opportunity to gauge where we are at with our writing by listening to others and discussing what makes the winning essays winners. Turned in: Superpower Essay Homework: work on this week's essay

__12/02&03/09: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we read the famous balcony scene from //Romeo and Juliet//. We discussed it, wrote pertinent details in our character packets, and then wrote a translated version of the balcony scene of our own. Turned in: Bday: nothing; Aday: Superpower Essay Homework: Superpower essay due; finish Act I questions; study for quotation marks test next week.

__11/30/09-12/01/09: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we finished Act I of //Romeo and Juliet// and watched portions of the movie. We also continued our study of quotation marks by practicing with the rules we have learned. Turned In: nothing Homework: Superpower Essay

=11/25-29/09: Thanksgiving Break!=

__11/23&24/09: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we turned in our final revisions of our tragic hero papers. We turned in our new copy, the copy I wrote on, the copy your peers wrote on, and the peer editing papers that were used to critique your paper. We discussed the tragic heroes a bit more and put it to rest. We read Act I, scene iii of R&J. We also looked for our quotation mark rules in action in the books we read for SSR. We also received our essay sheet for the quarter (available on the "honors download page"). Turned in: tragic hero revisions Homework: GoMyAccess writing prompt, read "The Interlopers." Keep in mind the question: "What makes or breaks relationships?" How does this apply to this story and //Romeo and Juliet//. Next Time: Discuss "The Interlopers," continue quotation marks, read scenes iv and v from R&J

__11/19&20/09: Thursday and Friday__
Today we read scene ii of //Romeo and Juliet// and started learning about quotation marks. We discussed how to use long quotes in our papers and how to correctly punctuate minor works (articles, short texts/plays). Turned in: nothing Next time: Continue R&J, quotation marks; receive essay assignments for remainder of quarter; turn in revised tragic hero paper

__11/17&18/09: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we discussed our tragic hero paper revisions. We then took a coordinating conjunctions test. For our journals, we wrote about our three school learning outcomes (active inquirer, responsible citizen, and high achiever) and how they can apply to our academics and our personal lives. We then finished Act I, scene i of //Romeo and Juliet// and shortly discussed how the characters were being developed in the play. Turned In: Coordinating Conjunctions Test Next Time: Continue R&J, begin quotation marks study...

__11/14/09 & 11/16/09: Friday and Monday__
Today we watched a movie that introduced //Romeo and Juliet// and started reading the play. We received a packet that we will be using throughout the play. Turned In: nothing Next Time: Character Development in //Romeo and Juliet//

__11/11&12/09: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we began our Shakespeare unit. We watched a short video that explained some of the history of Shakespeare and how he wrote: poetry vs. prose, iambic pentameter, etc. We also completed an assignment where we had to interpret Elizabethan/Shakespearean type compliments into modern day language and then discussed the differences in the language. Homework:Work on Tragic Hero revision Next Time: Coordinating Conjunctions Test; begin //Romeo and Juliet//

__11/9&10/09: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we took pop quiz on coordinating conjunctions. We also did our self evaluations for student led conferences. We ended class by doing a creative writing assignment with several partners. The prompt was: "I have one green eye and one brown eye. The green eye sees truth, but the brown eye sees much, much more..." Homework: Finish Creative Writing Story Next Time: Shakespeare Intro.

__11/5&6/09: Thursday and Friday__
Today we did a peer editing activity with our tragic hero papers. Before we did this, we read "The Emperor's New Clothes," by Hans Christian Andersen, as a reminder that we need to speak up when their is a problem and not let it go unnoticed. When we peer edit, we need to put our feelings aside and tell the person whose paper we are editing the truth. Homework: start minor revisions of tragic hero paper

__11/3&4/09: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we looked through our books and found examples of coordinating conjunctions being used with and without commas. We also received a list of 19 common themes in literature and discussed literary application and real world application. These themes will assist you when doing a literary analysis. I do not have a computer copy available but will soon. Homework: Bring a fresh copy of your tragic hero paper for a peer editing activity. Turned In: Nothing

__10/30/09&11/2/09: Friday and Monday__
Today we read and turned in our scary stories. We took volunteers from the audience to read and randomly selected others to be read. After each one, we discussed what made the story successful. Turned In: Scary Stories Homework: None

__10/28&29/09: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we read "The Cask of Amontillado," by Edgar Allen Poe. We discussed what elements are present in a scary. We tried ro narrow down as a class where the climax of the story was. Turned in: Nothing Homework: Write your scary story that is due next time.

__10/26&27/09: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we finished the movie adaptation of //Of Mice and Men// and discussed differences, likes, and dislikes. We also discussed what the seven coordinating conjunctions are. Assigned: Write a scary story: Due Friday Homework: Scary Story

__10/22&23/09: Thursday and Friday__
Watched //Of Mice and Men//. Turned In: Word Mosaic Homework: None

__10/20&21/09: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we completed a word mosaic sheet that taught how to use the detailed portions of a dictionary. Turned In: Nothing Homework: Finish word mosaic.

__10/19/09: Monday__
Today we presented our picture maps and discussed the "audience" portion of our SOAPSTone.

__10/15-16/Thursday and Friday__
No school! Fall break!

__10/14/09: Wednesday__
Today we presented our picture maps and discussed the "audience" portion of our SOAPSTone.

__10/12&13/09: Monday and Tuesday:__
Today we took our root words test. We also got in our groups and did some picture mapping. Your group was to choose what they thought was the overarching theme from Of Mice and Men and the supporting themes and create symbolic representations to explain it. We will finish this next time. Turned In: Plot Diagrams, SOAPSTone, Tragic Hero Paper (A-day), Root Words test. Homework: work on paper (B-day), None (A-day)

__10/8&9/09: Thursday and Friday:__
Today we discussed //Of Mice and Men// and started compiling information for our tragic hero paper (Due on 13th or 14th). We discussed SOAPStone, finished our plot diagrams for the novel, and discussed how "Tragedy and the Common Man" applies to the book. Turned In: Plot Diagrams Homework: Study root words, work on tragic hero paper, SOAPSTone //Of Mice and Men//

__10/6&7/09: Tuesday and Wednesday__
Today we finished //Of Mice and Men//. We also finished our list of Root Words. There will be a test on these in two class periods (Bday:12th and Aday: 13th). Turned In: Candy's Dog, The Most Dangerous Game Analysis (B-day), Revised "works cited" pages (B-day) Homework: Begin work on tragic hero paper.

__10/5/09: Monday__
No School!

__10/1&2/09: Thursday and Friday__
Today we continued //Of Mice and Men// and filled out a sheet where we took a stand as to whether or not we would vote for Candy's dog to be put to death.
 * Turned In:** 1930's Research
 * Homework:** Read Chapter 4 from //Of Mice and Men:// Consider the pecking order: the weak seek out the weak and create a new hierarchy...; Candy's Dog Worksheet
 * Assigned:** Candy's Dog
 * Due Next TIme:** Candy's Dog Worksheet; "The Most Dangerous Game" Worksheet

__9/30/09: Wednesday__
We continued the discussion about our analysis of "The Most Dangerous Game."
 * Turned In:** Literary analysis worksheet
 * Homework:** Read the article titled "Death of a Salesman a Tragedy of a Common Man;" 1930's Research
 * Due Next TIme:** 1930's Research

__9/28&29/09: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we discussed "The Most Dangerous Game." We discussed where the climax was, identified several instances of foreshadowing, talked about how the trait of "word choice" affects the tone, and used the literary analysis tools of "Speaker" and "Occasion" to analyze the text.
 * Turned In:** Nothing
 * Due Next Time:** "The Most Dangerous Game" literary analysis worksheet and 1930's research (B-day)
 * Homework:** 1930's Research and "The Most Dangerous Game" literary analysis worksheet.

__9/24&25/09: Thursday and Friday__
Today we went to the computer lab and worked on our GoMyAccess writing prompt. If we finished that, we worked on our 1930's research. If you were not with me on Wednesday, you were given two literary analysis handouts (neither of which do I have in electronic form for download yet).
 * Turned In:** Nothing
 * Homework:** read "The Most Dangerous Game" and fill out your plot diagram sheet.

__9/23/09: Wednesday__
Today we read our essays to the class and did picked winners. In addition, we were given two handouts (I do not have either one in electronic form yet for download). One is a review of what a plot diagram looks like and the other is a list of literary tools that we can use to analyze literature. We are starting with two of them and will work our way through the rest for the remainder of the year.
 * Turned In:** Nothing
 * Next Time:** Computer Lab for a GoMyAccess Prompt
 * Homework:** Read "The Most Dangerous Game" and fill out your plot diagram sheet.

__9/21&22/09: Monday and Tuesday__
Today we read the second section from //Of Mice and Men//. We compared chapter one to chapter two, analyzing the setting and the differences between the two worlds in which our main characters have resided so far. We also discussed foreshadowing and one symbolic element that was used in the chapter (Candy's wife wearing red ).
 * Turned In**: None
 * Next Time**: Using plot diagrams and understanding "Speaker" and "Occasion" as literary analysis tools.
 * Homework:** 1930's research (due October 1st and 2nd)

__9/18/09: Friday__
Today we went to the writing lab and took the district benchmark test. We wrote a persuasive essay on GoMyAccess--this did not count for a grade. We also took a quiz on the tragic hero attributes that we have been studying.
 * Turned In**: Essay #4
 * Next time:** Continue //Of Mice and Men//
 * Homework:** Finish Section #1 from //Of Mice and Men,// work on 1930's research assignment.

__9/16&17/09: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we went to the library and started a research assignment on the 1930's. This is the era that //Of Mice and Men// took place. It would be in our benefit to have a rough idea what was going on in the country at the time.
 * Turned in:** Essay (Thursday (B-day) students)
 * Next time:** Continue //Of Mice and Men//
 * Due:** Nothing

__9/15&/09: Tuesday__
Today we went to the writing lab and took the district benchmark test. We wrote a persuasive essay--this did not count for a grade. We also took a quiz on the tragic hero attributes that we have been studying.
 * Turned In**: Quiz on Tragic Hero attributes
 * Next Time**: Research assignment
 * Due (Thursday and Friday)**: Essay #4 (Letter to Grandchildren...)

__9/11&14/09: Friday and Monday__
Today we took a test on the 9th grade core commonly confused words. We also took a pretest on our 9th grade core root words. We then continued //Of Mice and Men//. We also had our first journal check.
 * Turned in:** Essay #3, Journals
 * Next Time:** Quiz on Tragic Hero Attributes**.**

__9/9&10/09: Wednesday and Thursday__
Today we compiled two different lists. We first established a list of traits that a modern tragic hero possesses based off of "Tragedy and the Common Man" and "Death of a Salesman." We then made a list of attributes that a good friend should have, based off of the essays written two weeks ago.
 * Turned In:** Nothing
 * Due Next Time:** Essay #3, Test on Commonly Confused Words
 * Assigned:** Nothing

__9/8/09: Tuesday Only!__
Today we discussed the difference between a traditional tragic hero and a modern tragic hero by reading summaries of both "Death of a Salesman," by Arthur Miller, and "Oedipus is King," by Sophocles. We then discussed the role "Tragedy and the Common Man" plays in the construction of the modern tragic hero.

=9/7/09: Labor Day--No School!=

__9/3&4/09: Thursday and Friday__
Today we had our first essay competitions. The real power in writing is the ability to move people. We read our essays in various groups and picked winners. The winners were given comestible rewards and class praise!
 * Turned In:** Essay #2

__9/2/09: Wednesday Only!__
Today we discussed the difference between a traditional tragic hero and a modern tragic hero by reading summaries of both "Death of a Salesman," by Arthur Miller, and "Oedipus is King," by Sophocles. We then discussed the role "Tragedy and the Common Man" plays in the construction of the modern tragic hero.

__8/31/09-9/1/09 (Revised): Monday and Tuesday.__
Welcome back! I hope you had a great weekend. Today we watched a movie on John Steinbeck. We wrote down several things that we learned that influenced Steinbeck's writing. I would like you all to go read "Tragedy and the Common Man," by Arthur Miller, an online article, and be prepared to talk about it on Wednesday and Thursday. It is a difficult article. You could probably benefit from printing it off and highlighting difficult, profound, and interesting sections. Here is the link: [|"Tragedy and the Common Man"]
 * Turned In**: Things learned about John Steinbeck
 * Due Next Time**: Be ready to discuss the article
 * Assigned**: "Tragedy and the Common Man," by Arthur Miller

__8/27&28/09: Thursday and Friday.__
Today we presented our book talks in front of the class. We also turned in our first essay, which was switched to: //What is true Friendship? Write about a time when somebody either proved their worth as a true friend or surprised you and didn't live up to the title.// In addition, I had one of the due dates wrong on your essay sheet. The essay due next week should be due on September 3rd or 4th.
 * Turned In**: 1st Essay: What makes a true friend?
 * Due Next Time**: Nothing
 * Assigned**:Nothing

__8/25&26/09: Tuesday and Wednesday.__
Today we finished introducing ourselves to the others in the class. We then discussed why reading is important and how it directly benefits us. This will be the last day of talk, talk, talk--be ready to start working. Oh yeah, I assigned you your essays for the quarter, and, that's right, you have one due next time (Sorry)! Assigned: Essays Due Next Time: Book Talk, Disclosure Document, and 1st Essay

__8/21&24/09__
Friday! Or Monday (Blah!) Today we went over the disclosure document and the basic rules and policies of the classroom. We also did an activity where you had to answer some questions and find others in the class that had the same answer. You were assigned a book talk that is due on the 27th (b-day) or 28th (a-day).

**__8/20/09__**
First Day of School! Today we watched an episode of SpongeBob Squarepants and identified at least one literary element and wrote a paragraph on how it could pertain to English.