Room 838

TGIF!!!!  Two weeks left! Are you excited?

Here’s what we did today…

JUNIORS: 1st period only got 20 more minutes to finish your GG Essay. You didn’t have as much time as 3rd, 6th yesterday. But before that, all of you took GG Vocabulary Test #3. The results were not so hot. It’s “A’s” or “F’s” basically, meaning you studied or you didn’t. I am going to give everyone printouts next week so you can see where you stand. Some of you might be surprised. I have several of you whose grades have dropped because of not preparing or studying for quizzes. I heard today that the EOCT results might be in at the end of next week. In third only, we were ahead, so we had a chance to take notes on chapter 5. 

HW: Read Ch. 8

SOPHOMORES: Today, you spent the first 15-20 minutes of class doing an impromptu writing exercise. I asked you to spend 3-4 minutes brainstorming adjectives to describe Esther in chapters 1-8. Then, you were to come up with a controlling idea and write a paragraph or two analyzing Esther. In second period, I had you come up and gave you immediate feedback and a grade. In fourth because there are 32 of you, I couldn’t do that, so I collected them and read some and critiqued them anonymously aloud. Some of you cringed. That’s okay. As you get further up in literature, get used to hearing your writing critiqued. It can be painful, but you do get immediate feedback and hey, if you feel a little embarrassed, maybe you won’t make that mistake again. After you turned in your writing, I reviewed the following schedule: by Monday have chapters 9-11 read, by Tuesday 12-15 and by Wed, 16-20. Be prepared for a reading quiz on Monday.

HW: See above

Good evening!

Here’s what we did today:

JUNIORS: Today, you had a SURPRISE in-class writing assignment. It counted as an .50% of an essay grade. You had all period to write and could use: your GG novel, your notes, your folder, a grammar guide, and a dictionary. If you missed it, see me ASAP. You can come in during your lunch or after school for a make-up appointment. These must be made-up no later than Monday.

HW: Study for your Vocabulary #3 Test tomorrow.

SOPHOMORES: I gave fourth period the LOTF sample The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly sample thesis/topic sentence handout. We corrected these together. Then in fourth, we discussed the difference between “tone” and “mood.” In both classes, we discussed chapters 1-3; Esther’s personality, her relationships with others (Buddy, Doreen), and her writing style.

HW: Read Chapters 7-8

See you tomorrow!!!

Mrs. B

Good evening!

How are you? Stressed? Anxious? , Overwhelmed? If so, that confirms it — you have a case of END OF THE YEAR STRESS. The cure? Make lists, organize yourself and your time. Cut out unnecessary extra things you can put aside right now and dig in. You can do it!

JUNIORS: Today was “Shut-up and Read Day!” You turned in your GG vocab. index cards (81-120) and your GG notebook (#1-10).  You read chapter 7 as I checked these. I warned all of you to be ready for a writing assignment or quiz tomorrow on the reading you’ve done since last week.

HW: Finish reading Ch. 7. review novel that you’ve read thus far

SOPHOMORES: Today, you were given a “pop” in-class writing assignment for The Bell Jar which counted as .25 of a paper grade. You were given ten minutes to discuss anything you didn’t understand with your assigned group.  If you were absent, you will need to set up 35-40 minutes with me during your lunch or after school to complete this by Friday 5/9.

HW: Read chapters 5-6 in The Bell Jar

Have a good night!

Ciao!

Mrs. B

Hi my lovelies….

Thanks for the well-wishes and inquiries about my back. I’m feeling a lot better. Thanks also for all the “I missed you!” It did my heart good.

Here’s what we did:

JUNIORS: 1st/3rd, we reviewed what happened in class the last three days: GG Vocabulary Test #2 (41-80), you read Chapter 5-6, you completed questions from GG Chapters 5-6, then you took 10 annotations per chapters 4-6 for a total of 30 ANALYTICAL observations.  HW: Index cards from words 81-120 due tomorrow and have #1-10 in your notebook completed by tomorrow.

SOPHOMORES: Today, I reviewed all the handouts you received last Thursday — Post-modernism notes, Sylvia Plath…and Ted Hughes Bday letters….in fourth, we just reviewed the post-modernism notes because our discussion ended up being more lengthy. We also reviewed the work you completed while I was gone: read and annotated with at least four annotations each article I gave you, one analytical observation per page in Chapters 1&2, eight annotations in chapter 3 and eight observations in chapter 4. You also wrote one annotation per page in the foreword to The Bell Jar.

HW: Make sure all your reading and annotations are completed.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. B

So sorry I was out today again! I pulled a muscle in my back as I was moving this weekend. I couldn’t do the drive back to Georgia because of it. Luckily, after babying my back, the pain is much better and I’m feeling much betters, so I’ll see you tomorrow.

The word on the street from our two own L.A. teachers that subbed for you first period on Thursday and Friday is that you weren’t very focused. I’m not too pleased with that. You will surely have GG quiz questions on your GG vocabulary Test tomorrow.

Here are the exact sub plans I left for the sub today:

1,3,6 –

During class, you are going to review the chapters you have already read, chapters 1-6. If you didn’t finish reading or did not read thoroughly, you may sit QUIETLY and read and complete the written work for homework. If you feel like you have a good understanding of Chapters 1-6, you may begin this written work:

2. For EACH chapter 4-6; write  10 analytical observations per chapter on post-it notes (NOT SUMMARY – character observations, plot observations, symbol observations, written style observations  – they all have to be original and your own thoughts). YOU MAY NOT work together today. You will have a total of 30 observations by the time you are done. If you finish early, please hand them in, if not hand them into Mrs. Breaux in class the VERY beginning of the period.

2,4 – Students are to read through Chapter 4 in the Bell Jar. They are to take notes in their book on post-it notes as they read. They need eight observations per chapter. They should be through Chapter 1, so they need to be reading 2-4.

HW: Study Chapters 1-4 and all notes given last week for possible quiz on Tuesday.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. B

THURSDAY, May 1

1, 3,6 American Lit –

1. Students are not in a seating chart due to me having to move the room around because of testing. If I have time, I will include a seating chart, if not, let them sit where they want BUT after one warning MOVE a student permanently and make a note of it for me. Tell them if you have to move them, then they will be getting a public detention from me as soon as I get back.

1. Have them clear their desks completely. No water, nothing, should be on their desks.
2. Once everyone has, pass out the Great Gatsby Vocabulary Test #2 and the scantrons.
3. Have them write their Name, Period, GG Vocab Test #2, and the test # in the subject line.
4. Remind everyone to COVER each answer on their scantron as they take it.
5. Please walk around and remind them to cover their answers constantly. Your presence and reminders will prevent cheating.
6. They are to raise their hand when they are done and you are to collect them, paper clip the scantrons from 1. 3.6 together and put them in the folder marked GG Vocab Test 2.
7. As soon as you’ve collected their test, they are to sit quietly and read the Great Gatsby. They have their own copies. Do not lend any out. If they don’t have it, have them get the teal grammar book and complete work from pages 45-55 all exercises and turn that in. If they don’t, then make a note of it.  Tell them they are getting 100 participating points today for reading chapter 5. Only mark the kids that are not reading or don’t have their books for me, please

2,4 –  1. Students are to get the Bell Jarout and read the foreward in the book. They are to take a minimum of five annotations while they are reading – questions, insightful commentary, etc.

2. Then, they are to:

Friday, May 2

1, 3.6

1. Please distribute GG Questions Ch. 1-5. Students may help each other with these. They cannot write their answers on the handout. You have a class set of questions. Because of this, they need to write down each question and then answer it. This will take the majority of the period.

2. After they are done, they need to read Chapter 6. If they need all period, that is fine, but Chapter 6 is homework. Tell them to be prepared for a pop reading quiz on Chapters 4-6 on Monday.

Hope you have a great day! Please leave me notes on each class. Some of my students are a bit rambunctious – so please don’t put up with any disrespect. I find that the best way to prevent issues is to circulate around the room frequently checking work, and letting them know that you won’t put up with any nonsense, and that you expect them to work.

Hi all!

Here’s a summary of what happened during our EOCT testing block.

1,3,6 — You took your EOCT. Results are expected the week of the school’s final exams. Also, reminders — the GG vocabulary test was postponed from this Thursday to Monday, 5/5. You have known about this date for two weeks, so you’re ready to get a 100%, right? You should have read thru Chapter 4 of a GG as of last Frida.

2, 4 - You have now finished Hamlet (on your own). In second period, this week, you acted out V:i and we had our Shakespeare picnic on 4/29. What fun! I will get the pics posted soon from the picnic and your performances. Fourth period, you finished your performances. We’re done!

:)Mrs. B

Good Evening!

For some reason, today felt like a long day and I was very tired when school ended. Tomorrow will be a really long day because we have VIP night in the evening. I am debating whether or not I should go home or just stay at school. We’ll see….all I know is that I came home, took a nap, ate dinner and now I need to pack like crazy. So, on with it..

JUNIORS: 1st and 3rd period — You had a pop quiz over chapters 1-3. Many of you really struggled. I wasn’t sure why — but you did have to think and extract quotes. My idea was that if you have read all three chapters, you would have already been going over the required information in your head, classifying and assessing each character and it would have been easy to find quotes and explain them. Hmmm…..I will ask you tomorrow if it was hard or just time consuming…or maybe it’s because you haven’t read or if you did read you skimmed?  Sixth period you didn’t have a quiz, but boy about three or four of you talked incessantly. I really am frustrated with that — I cut your class a break by not giving you a quiz, and then I gave you the entire period to work on your homework while I finished conferencing with your remaining classmates on their EOCT mid-point check exam. I sent a couple of you outside and then spoke to you after class. If either of you are reading this, please take heed DO NOT RUIN SIXTH period for the rest of the class. Next time, it will be public detention for a couple of days, and after that, a referral. I have been kind, I have been stern, I have cajoled, I have nagged, and now it’s done. You are almost seniors and must get it together. You are not the most important person(s) in your class and by talking incessantly, you take away from your classmates and me.

HW: 1. Print out the EOCT Study guide here: eoctstudyguide3  2. Read Chapter 4     3. Complete index cards for vocabulary words #41-80.

SOPHOMORES: Today you had your first performances. Well done. Some things that need to be improved: more preparation as to who is presenting, more group involement during discussion questions, better group question facilitators — repeat what each classmate says and then call on other people and add to what they’re saying, NO GUM chewing during the performance.

I made an executive decision today about our Hamlet test. We are not going to be having a separate unit test. Instead, the final will be on Hamlet and our last novel of the year, The Bell Jar. Unfortunately, we will not be reading Brave New World  because I am not able to get enough books for the end of the year. I do HIGHLY encourage you to read it, however, as it is a very great book and you’ll learn a lot. I will be issuing The Bell Jar this week and you will start reading it tomorrow night.

HW: If you haven’t presented, practice your presentation, your lines and your blocking.

Have a great night!

Mrs. Breaux

Here is the condensed Georgia Dept. of Education’s American Literature EOCT study guide.

I included the items you NEED to make sure to remember and to know how to do. The last section (grammar, research, and writing) is where the majority of you need the most work.

If you are weak on grammar or unsure of yourself, LOOK IT UP! Google it on the web, and you’ll find definitions and examples.

OKAY, update as of 7:33 pm (and yes, sadly I’m still at school), I can’t link the document I created for you. I will try later tonight. It is about 10 pages, so you will get a copy in class to examine but not to keep. I HIGHLY encourage you to print this link, once I am able to get it posted, and study!

Meanwhile, here’s the EOCT study guide in its entirety:

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_EOCT&SubPageReq=GUIDES

Scroll down and click on both section of the American Literature EOCT.

See you tomorrow. I need to get home!

~Mrs. B

 Happy Earth Day!  It’s odd how trends are cyclical. I remember the publicity surrounding protecting Mother Earth in the early 90s, before that it was the 60’s and now it’s the early 21st Century. I hate how the media has collective ADD — it focuses on one thing and pounds it into the general public’s heads for a while and then forgets, which makes the general public forget or feel like it’s not a big deal anymore. Whether you question the existance of Global Warming or not, everyone has to admit it is wise to conserve. I was watching a PBS show this weekend and the chief water management officer of Las Vegas was speaking about how in 14 or so years, if the water’s main source keeps being taken then Las Vegas will not have any water which in turn will affect the Hoover Dam and electricity. Can you imagine Las Vegas without water or electricity?

Another example of the media making us forget is Georgia’s drought. What happened to it? Are we fine now and out of the crisis? Geesh…inquiring minds would like to know….

Anyhow, onwards and upwards…

JUNIORS: Today we discussed Chapter 2, you took notes, and we read part of Chapter 3. HW: FInish Chapter 3 and review the whole chapter. Remember index cards are due on Thursday (words 41-80).

SOPHOMORES: Today was dress rehearsal day and the final rehersal day in class. Some of you don’t know your lines yet. Yikes. I was observing today and making notes of who did and who didn’t and how things were going in your group. Remember this part is 25% of your total grade.  You also chose a committee for our Shakespeare Picnic next Tuesday.

HW: All written material is due tomorrow. If you misplaced your handout, see yesterday’s post and download and print it.   Also, remember the Hamlet test is on Monday. As soon as I’m done with today’s post, I will post the study guide. Also, go to the sophomore honors handouts page on this website and review the Hamlet Study Guide Wiki.

Have a fabulous Earth Day. Go home and do something to save the planet!

Hi folks.

Here’s what we did today:

JUNIORS: You had your first GG vocabulary Test (words 1-40), and then you “reviewed” Chapter 2 (it should have been read by today). The test results were not as good as I would have liked. Maybe the test format was challenging? The more likely example is because you didn’t study. So, let’s bust a move and study. Capiche? 

SOPHOMORES: Today, I announced the rest of our Hamlet assessment dates. Here’s how it’s going down:

1. Performances:

                                      2nd                             4th

Wed. 4/23                  Hakuna Matata                Ghostbusters

                                  Hamlet Sandwiches          Playas

Thursday 4/24           Polish Pringles                 NV

                                   Hyenas

Friday 4/25              Great Danes                    S’Bloods

Tues. 4/29                                                     Gravediggers

                                                                      Jigmakers

On Wed. 4/23, all written material needs to be handed in per these instructions given in class: downsizing-hamlet-checklist_rubric3.

On Mon. 4/28 — You are taking your Hamlet unit test which will be: matching (characters and setting), multiple choice and quotation identification.

On Tues. 4/29 Shakespeare Extravanganza and picnic

HW: STUDY YOUR LINES and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

Ciao.

Mrs. B

I’m posting the rubric here and under the sophomore honors handouts section of this website.

Downsizing Hamlet Checklist

All written work due: Wed. 4/23. Must be turned in clean manila or three-pronged flat folder with your Hamlet group name, your individual group members’ names,  and your class period. In addition, each person’s name should be on each piece of written work.

The following is a checklist for your folder:

Script Writer                                                                                                                                                        

• Typed, 11 point, TNR font is used
• MLA heading is correct
• In addition, you will need to type up: the group’s costume rationale, setting rationale, and list of the actors in your group, their assigned part and the rationale for their character assignment.

Scene Summarizer

• One page or more summary of original scene
• In your own words
• MLA format is used
• Organized writing
• Free of grammatical/spelling errors
• Turned into www.turnitin.com by Wed. 4/23

Line Rationalizer

• List of all lines cut from the original
• Explanation explaining why the line was cut
• MLA format is used
• Organized writing
• Free of grammatical/spelling errors
• Turned into www.turnitin.com by Wed. 4/23

Question Keeper

• Copy of 5 questions created by the group
• Questions should be  open ended and based on concrete events, not “do you think…”
• Every possible response to each question should be provided. Should be detailed and non-arguable
• Questions are thought provoking and require critical thinking
• Turned into www.turnitin.com by Wed. 4/23

Significance Explainer

• 1 page
• Tells why this scene is significant to the entire play thus far
• Addresses character changes, major themes or ideas, new information conveyed, etc.
• MLA format used
• Organized writing
• Free of grammatical/spelling errors
• Turned into www.turninin.com by Wed. 4/23

Scene Blocker (only if you have six group members)

• Multiple pages – entire script
• Very detailed  – multiple directions for each character, stage directions
• All stage directions are in italics
• Turned into www.turnitin.com by Wed. 4/23

Name of Group:_________________________________________  Class Period:____________

Your name: _____________________________________________ Your written role:___________________________

Your character:__________________________________________

Individual Grade                                                                                                                                 

Group Presentation

Acting:

• Lines memorized – needs no prompting – improvises accordingly if forgets lines - _________/10                                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Acted with enthusiasm and appropriate facial expressions:_______/20

• Props/costumes are very well-designed and fit into scene as a whole:_________/10

Presentation:

• Your contributions were interesting and thought provoking: ___________/5
• You participated equally with your group when required: ____________/5
• You didn’t fidget, articulated and enunciated sufficiently, and looked professional ______________/5

Individual Written work

•  
  • Work is formatted correctly:__________/5
  • Work is superior quality :____________/15

Group Grade                                                                                                                                                                                         __________/25

•  
  • Group interaction during rehearsals – each member contributed meaningfully and positively, no one was sitting doing “nothing” but assisted and gave feedback to the actors during and after their performance
  • Group had lines memorized on Monday, 4/21
  • Group brought all costumes on Tuesday, 4/22
  • Folder turned in on 4/23 with all required material

Total Grade                                                                                                                                                                                           __________/100

Comments:

Hellllloooooooooooooooooo……

Happy Friday! Happy Weekend! Happy good weather! Happy Pollen!

Today was a peaceful, productive Friday. Here’s what we did:

JUNIORS: 1. You took your GG Ch. 1 Quiz. Most grades were good — the average was about a 78.8 which means almost all of you are “getting it.” WTG!  2. Then you read Ch. 2. Finish for HW what you didn’t get a chance to read. HW: Study for your first GG Vocab. Assessment - #1-40.

SOPHOMORES: You took your Hamlet vocabulary test. Great JOB!!!! Very good scores — out of the 48 of you that took today’s test, there were only three c’s and one f and the rest were a’s and b’s. Woohoo!  HW: Rehearse and learn your lines. You must know them by Monday!!

Have a grandtastic weekend! I’ll be packing everything I own in preparation for our move in 12 days. YIKES!

Love,

Mrs. B

Well, today was a very bad Titan first for me. I came to school this morning to find my classroom broken into. Someone had gone all through my drawers in my desk, leaving them open. At first I noticed the LCD projector was missing off of my cart, then I noticed the desk second. I had a gut instinct of alarm when I saw the LCD projector missing, but then I figured another English teacher probably borrowed it. Then, I saw my desk drawers and immediately went to the front door (because I had come in the back) and low and behold, some thug had forced the door open and broke in. LCD projectors run about $700. They got mine, Ms. Repass’, Mr. Hedden’s, and Mr. Rawlin’s. In addition, they took Ms. Repass’ laptop and ipod that was LOCKED in her desk, Mr. Rawlin’s ipod,  and Mr. Hedden’s expensive sunglasses. Incredible. These thugs are professional criminals. That phrase seems like an oxymoron — PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS.  Anyhow, then I get a message from the front office from Mr. Breaux who had stopped at the dumpster to drop off trash and locked his keys in his SUV. Can we say chaotic?  At least the day settled down somewhat.  I’ve been very tired today which is odd since I got enough sleep — I think it’s just the events of the day.

So here’s what we did:

JUNIORS: Today, I collected your index cards for GG Assessment #1 and then we took notes from pages 10-14. HW: Finish reading the GG Ch. 1 Quiz tomorrow. Also, after a bunch of looking and emails, I was able to procure enough GGs for everyone to have one. So, I made a reading schedule after school today. Here it is: the-great-gatsby-reading-schedule-2008

SOPHOMORES:  Today you rehearsed all day. It looks like it’s coming along great! Good work!

HW: Study for your Hamlet vocabulary Test.

Ciao!

Mrs. B

Good evening!

I hope you had a good day today. I had to leave early for a doctor’s appointment, but I only missed sixth period and you guys were lucky enough to have Ms. Gathers as your sub.

Here’s what we did:

SOPHOMORES: Today (yikes!) somehow the Branaugh version of Hamlet jumped out of my purse somewhere between home and school so we had to settled for the Gibson version. Sorry! Before the film, I collected your Shakespeare notebook. I’m grading assignments #6-12 and #1-5 on those of you who I haven’t graded that section, yet.  After the film, you assigned parts/roles and ran through your lines.  HW: STUDY for your Vocabulary Test on Friday.

JUNIORS: Today, you received two handouts — Modernism Notes and GG vocabulary packet with words #1-144. We discussed the notes, I gave you the parts of speech for Monday’s vocabulary quiz. Then we read two pages in GG in first period up to page 14, in third period, we didn’t get to read any, and in sixth period, you read up through 16.  

HW: Vocabulary Index cards due tomorrow. See handout from Monday for specifications.

**Also, please check the American Literature Handouts section of this website for handouts from our Gatsby unit.

Okay! I must get back to making dinner. Pretty sad it’s almost 9 pm and dinner is not done yet. I have a very patient husband.

Have a swell night!

Mrs. B