TGIF - almost Halloween!

Today in class we finished our writing about deep philosophical questions, such as "is there only one God?"

We also reviewed the answers to the multiple choice questions from the quiz on "Dumpster Diving" and "Black Men and Public Space."

In first period Steven Hester began a discussion of iris imaging, on which we will write on Tuesday.

In second period, Feifei Le began a discussion regarding the recently publicized and tragic episodes of teen bullying and suicides.  We will write on this topic on Tuesday.

Monday we will have a quote TEST on the first 146 pages of Zeitoun.  Your next assignment in Zeitoun is to read  and annotate through page 217 for Wednesday. 

The "Invictus" Hall of Fame includes the following:

Ambrose Paige (dramatic gestures, first period)

Sneha Joshi - (juggling - second period)

Matt Pace (one-arm push-ups - 6th period)

Kathryn Kubena (sign language - 6th period)

Dana Felberg, (handstand - 6th period)

Fourth and seventh periods, the ball is in your court.

Have a great weekend - be safe!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Today in class you submitted your first vocabulary list for Zeitoun.

We also discussed a bit more your "commencement" speech.  We read an example of one in class.

We also wrote on your choice of the following topics:

1) Is there only one God?

2) Do circumstances shape our beliefs?

3) Does an author have an obligation to reveal many sides of (i.e., the "whole") story?

4) Does Islam pose a threat to American society?  (Please note that this question is clumsily worded on purpose.)

You will have five minutes tomorrow to finish your writing.

Your NEW and improved due dates are as follows:

Monday, November 1st - Quote test on pages 1-146 of Zeitoun;

Wednesday, October 3rd - QQ and annotations due through page 217 of Zeitoun; 

Monday, November 8th - Commencement speech dues on turnitin.com.  Please note that I am adding two requirements to the speech, which we will discuss next week.

Tuesday, November 9th - Hard copy of speech in class

Wednesday, November 10th - finish Zeitoun 

W.O.D.  Magnanimous - noble and generous; Ms. Seward magnanimously extended our due date for the commencement speech.

Happy Birthday, Bybee!!!!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Today in class we did just what the even people did yesterday.

Tomorrow, we will continue to discuss Zeitoun, and, if we have time, begin to review the scantron tests.

Please recall that your Zeitoun vocabulary sheet is due tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Scholars, today the even classes did the following:

First we discussed yesterday's guest speaker and wrote thank you notes to her.

We also discussed questions regarding the commencement speech you are writing.

We also discuss, in a rousing manner, Zeitoun.  Annotations through 109 are due tomorrow.

Green sheets are due on Thursday.

See all of you odd people tomorrow!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Students,  I apologize for my tardy entry.

Today we hosted a guest speaker from South Africa.

Tomorrow, even classes will discuss the first 109 pages from Zeitoun and submit their annotations; odd classes will do the same on Wednesday.

See you tomorrow or the next day!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Students, so sorry for my tardy entry.

Tomorrow we will host a guest speaker from South Africa.  Bring three written questions for our speaker, and be ready to ask those questions.

Tuesday (even classes) and Wednesday (odd classes) you will need to have read and annotated through page 109 of Zeitoun.  We will have a graded discussion, and you will submit your annotations for a grade.

Have a great Sunday!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Today in first period, we thrilled to Matt Pace reciting "Invictus" while performing one-armed push-ups!  What courage!

First Zeitoun assignment is due Tuesday (26th even) and Wednesday (27th odd).

In all classes, you received a new vocabulary list, which is due October 28th.  The list is included below and printed in black for your ease of reference.

Words from Zeitoun	Definition	P.O.S.
Eschew (151)
Succumb (152)
Ebb (153)
Mélange (155)
Quell (156)
Irrevocably (157)
Nonchalant (163)
Portage (163)
Relish (166)
Lament (175)
Dire (177)
Assuage (180)
Gregarious (193)
Quintessential (193)
Folly (193)
Bode (195)
Totemic (196)

Word	Definition	P.O.S.
Swath (196)
Notion (197)
Promontory (198)
Frivolity; frivolous (198)
Conjure (199)
Folly (200)
Brazen (200)
Exacerbate (208)
Admonition; admonish (212)
Derisive (212)
Amok (212)
Askance (213)
Garish (214)
Instigators; instigate (214)
Tenuous (221)
Glib (222)

Please have this list completed by Thursday, October 28, 2010.

FYI, your writing assignment is due November 1st (turnitin.com) and 2nd (hard copy).

We also analyzed rhetorically "BMPS" with an eye toward the quiz tomorrow on "DD" and "BMPS."  I have your copies of "DD"; please bring your copies of "BMPS."

Early dismissal tomorrow!!

HUMP DAY - 20th of October

Scholars, today in class we took the benchmark!!!  Sadly, we must three more weeks to take the next one. 

We also reviewed a new writing assignment and discussed an opportunity for extra credit.  Actually, I forgot to tell second period about the extra credit, so please remind me to do so tomorrow.

We also began to rhetorically analyze "BMPS." 

Tomorrow, we will finish our rhetorical analysis and discuss ethos, pathos, and logos and maybe, if we are lucky, Paris Hilton.

Friday, we will have a quiz - AP-style multiple choice, on "DD" and "BMPS."

Start reading Zeitoun!  The first 109 pages are due Tuesday (even classes) and Wednesday (odd classes).

Cheers,

Ms. Seward

BIG changes on Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Scholars, if you are in first or second periods, I have changed my mind about our schedule because I think that it will be more user-friendly for you. Please note the following:


Tomorrow, we will take the benchmark test, and we will analyze rhetorically "Black Men in Public Space."  If time, we will begin to analyze rhetorically "Dumpster Diving."  We will also discuss our new writing assignment.


Thursday, we will conclude our rhetorical analysis of "Dumpster Diving" and explore ethos, pathos, logos, with the John Donne poem "The Flea."


Friday, we will take a quiz, multiple choice, AP-style on "Dumpster Diving" and "Black Men."


Monday, we will host a guest speaker from South Africa.  Please come to class with three profound, written questions.


Tuesday (even classes) and Wednesday (odd classes - you know who you are), we will have a graded discussion on pages 1-109 of Zeitoun.  You will submit your annotations on that day as well.


Lots to do, lots to learn, life is good.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Brilliant Scholars:

Today in class you started your synthesis essay on Kaffir Boy.  You will have 15 minutes to finish tomorrow.

Also tomorrow, we will have a scintillating discussion on "Black Men and Public Space."  Your annotations on that article are due tomorrow.

Wednesday we will try some multiple choice questions on "Dumpster Diving" and "Black Men and Public Space."

The first 49 pages of Zeitoun are due on Thursday.

Eighty-three followers; 71 to go.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Students:


Friday in class you submitted your annotations of Kaffir Boy and "Dumpster Diving." 


We also had a quote quiz on "DD," which we also discussed. 

I hope that you read "DD" while pondering profound questions, such as the author's philosophy, and whether you buy into such philosophy, as well as comparisons between the Mathabanes' and Lars Eighner's dumpster diving.

On Monday, you will write a synthesis-like essay on Kaffir Boy, in which you will support you thesis with quotes from K Boy as well as from two outside sources.  To that end please bring all outside sources that you have received in class regarding South Africa.

Also, please note that Kaffir Boy is a work of fiction and, thus, NOT a novel.

Finally, please read, annotate, and be ready to discuss "Black Men and Public Space" on Tuesday.

Enjoy this beautiful day.  If nothing else, study outside.

October 14, 2010

Today in class we took our last quote quiz on Kaffir Boy.  We also discussed the end of the book briefly.

Tomorrow, I will take up your annotations.

We will also have a quote quiz on "Dumpster Diving," which should be read and annotated.

Tonight I hope that you attend the college fair.

Psst! to PSAT- Wednesday, October 13th

PSAT is over!

Tomorrow we will finish K Boy.

Friday, we will discuss "Dumpster Diving."  Please read and annotate by then.

Monday, we will write a synthesis essay on K Boy.

Tuesday, we will discuss "BMPS."  Please read and annotate by then.

Have no idea why I am so beat - you all took the test.  See you tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 12, no mo' PSAT after tomorrow!

Scholars, today we practiced (for the last time!) for the PSAT.

Two websites regarding idioms that you may like:

http://quizlet.com/358/sat-prepositionsidioms-flash-cards/

http://www.testyourenglish.net/english-online/subjects/prepphrase.html

Also, the following link contains copius explanations to the practice PSAT contained in your school-distributed packet: 

www.collegeboard.com/psatpractice

Finally, if you would like an itemized explanation of your Testmasters practice PSAT, please click on the following in this order:  1)  Testmasters website   2)  Access grades  3)  Exam type: PSAT  4)  Detail.

Please do not cram tonight; a good night's sleep (perhaps even DWTS) is probably just the ticket.  Just remember that you are so much more than a test score.

Remember to finish Kaffir Boy by Thursday and "Dumpster Diving" by Friday. 

Monday, October 11, 2010

Brilliant Scholars:

Today in class you took a quote quiz on K Boy through page 313.
We also practiced PSAT questions.

Tomorrow?  PSAT questions.

Wednesday?  PSAT and speed-dating type of class.

Thursday? quote quiz on the rest of K Boy

Friday?  "Dumpster Diving" (read and annotated)

Have a glorious day!

October 9, 2010 Happy Birthday, Henry!

Scholars, I hope that you are enjoying this gorgeous day!

Yesterday your new green sheet was due.  We also reviewed PSAT, which we will continue to do through Tuesday.

Monday, October 11th, you need to have read through 313 in Kaffir Boy; you will have a quote quiz.

Tuesday, October 12th, second period, your Anna Demmler (pride) journals are due.

Wednesday, October 13th, is PSAT day.  In class we will read an article about Desmond Tutu.  (Thanks Zachary Matthew!)

Thursday, October 14th, you need to have finished K Boy; you will have a quote quiz.

Friday, October 15th, please have read and annotated "On Dumpster Diving"; you will have a quote quiz.

Monday, October 18th, you will have a big, whopping test on Kaffir Boy, that will probably mimic the form of a synthesis question from the AP exam.

Tuesday, October 19th, you will have a graded discussion on Kaffir Boy.

Wednesday, October 20th, please have read and annotated "Black Men and Public Space"; you will have a quote quiz.

Friday, October 22nd, your first reading assignment in Zeitoun is due!  The books are in!

My goal:  by Sunday night, I want to have 167 followers.

If you are reading this at 3:32, please go outside immediately, and embrace this stunning day.

Ms. Seward

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Today we discussed Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to ban the purchase of soda with food stamps, reviewed PSAT asnwers, and practiced one more section of the PSAT.  Also, today was the last day to turn in your journal.

Tomorrow, we will do the following:

Submit green vocabulary sheets and review PSAT answers.  Then the following classes will do the following activities:

First, fourth, and sixth periods will have a vocabulary check;

Second Period will discuss Anna Demmler's story and write in journals; and

Seventh will attend the pep rally; please come to the room first.

Thanks!

Hump Day - Wednesday, October 6, 2010

What a gorgeous day!

Today you received a new vocabulary list, which is printed below in red for your ease of reference:

Vocabulary for Kaffir Boy, Part III

WORD	DEFINITION	POS
Expound (218)
Emulate (222)
Effusive (224)
Promulgation (230)
Mire (231)
Foment (231)
Erroneously (232)
Condone (232)
Curtail (240)
Lavish (215)
Embroiled (215)
Disparage (217)
Prerogative (251)
Usurpation (251)
Malignant (258)
Quell (264)
Acquiesce (276)
Impetuosity (269)
Efficacy (269)
Aegis (288)
Oodles (295)
Abstruse (292)
Unremitting (290)
Renege (306)
Entreat (298)
Meandering (314)
Missive (319)
Eke (320)
Ameliorate (348)
Odious (335)

This sheet is due on Friday, October 8, 2010.

Part III (read and annotated) is due on Monday, October 11, 2010.

From now on every word on the first three vocabulary lists is fair game for a quiz at any time.  Your next test will include words from all four lists.

We also reviewed the Second Vocabulary Test.

Finally, you received a PSAT packet, answered several questions, and discussed answers.  We will continue PSAT practice tomorrow.

Your vocabulary sheet is due Friday.

Part III is due Monday.

Have a great day!