TGIF

Today we listened to the remaining presentations, and you took a test on Kaffir Boy and submitted your annotations.  Good stuff! 

Wednesday

Today we listened to presentations on Kaffir Boy.  Friday we will finish our presentations the first 30 minutes of class and then take the quote TEST on the book.

Have a great day!

It was the fourth of December ....

Today in class we did the following:

Revising and editing - you found 10, no 11, (thanks Greneca and Jeremy) errors.

Tomorrow you will present a chapter of Kaffir Boy to the class.  The TEST on Kaffir Boy is Friday.  Annotations are also due on Friday.

Orange Power!

Today in class, you did the following:

Completed two SAT QODs;

Took a quote quiz through page 289 of Kaffir Boy;

Read and discussed portions of Kaffir Boy; and

Wrote in response to a prompt.

Soooo, if you missed class, you missed at least three grades.

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012, we will have a TEST on ALL of Kaffir Boy.  Read, re-read, and annotate that sucker.  BTW, your annotations are also due on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. 

Saturday school is from 10-1 tomorrow morning. 

Have a great weekend!

Hump day

Fourth and fifth periods:

Today in class, you completed two SAT QODs, listened to a TAKS story, and read and annotated a bit in Kaffir Boy.

Please finish the book by the beginning of class on Friday.  You will have a quote quiz and a graded discussion.  You will have a test on the book as well as had in your annotations on Tuesday.

Have a great day!

Tuesday after T'giving

Fourth and Fifth Periods:

Today we completed a revising and editing page, and you wrote a page on the subject matter of your choice.  You perused the contents of your folders and noted, in writing, what you do well and an area in which you could improve.

Finally, we read portions of Kaffir Boy and discussed same. 

Kaffir Boy is due on Friday - it must be read.  We will probably have a quote quiz on the book as well as a graded discussion.  On Tuesday we will have a test on Kaffir Boy.  I will collect your annotations on Tuesday.

Read often; you can get a lot of pages read this way without even knowing it.

TGIT (almost Turket Day)

Today in class you worked on the DLA.  I have graded the multiple choice and the OER, and those scores have been sent to the district.

If you have not yet finished your essay, you must do so by Friday, November 30th, which is also the day that you must finish reading and annotating Kaffir Boy.  If you are behind, this is the time to catch up!  Do NOT skip ahead.  Please read and consider every ... single ... word ... on ... every ... single ... page.

Thank you for being delightful students.  You are capable of great things if you are willing to put forth great effort.

Early Dismissal

Fourth and Fifth Periods:

We had a quote quiz through page 211 of Kaffir Boy today.
Friday you will watch a film, Cry Freedom, which is the story of South African freedom fighter Steve Biko.  You will take notes and write a film review.

Please finish your book by Friday, November 30, 2012.

See you Tuesday!

Not another *(&*$ &** test!!!

Fourth and fifth periods:

Today you turned in a vocabulary paragraph and began a District Level Assessment.  We will finish this test one week from today, Tuesday, November 20th, the last day of school before Thanksgiving Break!!!!

You will have a quote quiz through page 211 of Kaffir Boy tomorrow.  If for some reason you cannot read through page 211, please read as much as you can for partial credit,

You will need to have finished the entire book by Friday, November 30, 2012.

See you tomorrow!

Congratulations, Mr. President

Today, in honor of the election, we worked to become smarter and stronger.

Specifically, you began writing a synthesis essay on which candidate for president is better suited for the job.  You will have 30 minutes to finish your essay on Friday.  After that, you will have a quote quiz on pages 54-119 of Kaffir Boy.  You may also turn in your annotations for a grade.

Have a great day on this beautiful Wednesday!

P.S.  Why did I use the word "better" in the essay prompt instead of "best"?    Give me the answer to this question on Friday for some extra points.

Exam This!

Fourth and Fifth Periods did the following today:

We analyze a New Yorker cover depicting Barack Obama as a terrorist and recalled the power of satire.  If you would like to peruse this cover, please copy and paste the following link:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/covers/slideshow_blittcovers#slide=1

We also read and discussed AP English Language Exam.  To peruse the questions from the 2012 exam, please copy and paste the following link:

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap2012_frq_eng_language.pdf

We also read and discussed an excellent synthesis essay from the 2012 exam.  To peruse this excellent student sample, please copy and paste the following link:

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap12_english_language_q1.pdf

Finally, we read David Brooks's article "The Final Reckoning," the link to which is as follows:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/opinion/brooks-the-final-reckoning.html?_r=0

Tomorrow you will write a synthesis essay using the Obama packet and "The Final Reckoning" as your sources.  Bring these materials to class.

Also, because we will be writing all class period tomorrow, your homework in Kaffir Boy (annotate the first 119 pages) is not due until Friday, November 9, 2012.

Have a great day!

TGIF

Fourth and Fifth periods:

Today we did the following:

Two SAT QODs (what does "aesthete" mean?);

Two OERs on the beloved story "Breakfast in Virginia";

Discussed and analyzed the Obama packet; and

Discussed and analyzed three pieces of cover art from the New Yorker.

Therefore, if you missed class, you missed at least four grades  Please come in and make them up!

Remember that you are writing an essay on Tuesday on the Obama packet and that you must read and annotate through page 119 of Kaffir Boy by the beginning of class on Wednesday.

Remember to encourage every voter you know to vote regardless of their political affiliation.  All Democrats, Republicans, and Independents should vote in this great country of ours.

Have a good weekend!

Copy of "The Flea"

Look below for a copy of "The Flea."

MARK but this flea, and mark in this,
How little that which thou deniest me is ;
It suck'd me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea our two bloods mingled be.
Thou know'st that this cannot be said
A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead ;
    Yet this enjoys before it woo,
    And pamper'd swells with one blood made of two ;
    And this, alas ! is more than we would do.

O stay, three lives in one flea spare,
Where we almost, yea, more than married are.
This flea is you and I, and this
Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is.
Though parents grudge, and you, we're met,
And cloister'd in these living walls of jet.
    Though use make you apt to kill me,
    Let not to that self-murder added be,
    And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.

Cruel and sudden, hast thou since
Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?
Wherein could this flea guilty be,
Except in that drop which it suck'd from thee?
Yet thou triumph'st, and say'st that thou
Find'st not thyself nor me the weaker now.
'Tis true ; then learn how false fears be ;
Just so much honour, when thou yield'st to me,
Will waste, as this flea's death took life from thee.

Boo!

Today in class, we did the following:

You submitted your vocabulary stories or paragraphs.  BTW, I miscopied two definitions.  "Oblivious" means "unaware," and a "pittance" is a small amount.  Thanks to Jasmine Fontenot for that good catch.

We also completed two SAT QODs.  BTW, what does "insolent" mean?

Finally, we read and analyzed the poem "The Flea" written by John Donne, a very famous 17th century British poet.  Thanks to Alicia Macedo for confirming that Donne lived in the 1600s.

Friday, please read and have annotated the packet on President Obama.

Stay safe!

Halloween Eve

Today in class we did the following:

Two SAT QODs.

A reading quiz on the first 53 pages of Kaffir Boy.  We also discussed the reading.

We also discussed upcoming assignments.  Tomorrow you will submit a paragraph with ten vocabulary words.  The words must come from the list I gave you on Friday, October 26, 2012.  A copy of that handout is printed in the previous entry, and it is printed in blue.

You received a packet with several articles, the links to which are copied below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/opinion/sunday/barack-obama-for-president.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204530504578079232194509700.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/opinion/sunday/Bruni-Obamas-Squandered-Advantages.html

You must read and annotate the foregoing articles by the beginning of class on Friday, November 2, 2012.

On Tuesday, November 6, 2012, you will write an essay using your articles as sources for your arguments.

On Wednesday, November 7, 2012, you will have read and annotated through page 119 of Kaffir Boy.  You will have a quote quiz, and I may grade your annotations.

Have fun, work hard, and learn a lot!

Sunday afternoon

Hello, fourth and fifth periods!  Please check all three points below to confirm that you are up to date in class.

First, for those students who missed the notes on South Africa, please peruse the following printed in red for your ready reference:

South Africa - rich in resources, including diamonds and gold
British and Afrikaners (of Dutch descent) fought over South Africa in the Boer Wars.  The Brits won, but the Afrikaners stayed as well and mainly lived in the rural regions.

The South African government was based on apartheid, which keeps the indigenous Africans (the blacks) powerless and fearful.

The Pass Laws required all to carry a pass (a domestic passport) at all times.  If a black was caught without his or her pass, he or she would be sent to prison.

In 1960 in Sharpeville, South African police gunned down blacks who were peacefully protesting the Pass Laws.  This even became known as the Sharpeville Massacre.

The Bantu Education Act required the blacks to attend inferior schools and be trained for menial labor.

In 1976, in Soweto, South African police gunned down blacks were were peacefully protesting the Bantu Education act, particularly the requirement that the blacks had to be taught in Afrikaans, the language of their oppressors.

Steve Biko tried to fight against apartheid.  He was murdered by the South African police.

Nelson Mandela tried to fight against apartheid and was incarcerated for 29 years at Robbins Island.  He was released around 1990 and was elected as the first indigenous president of South Africa. 

Mandela established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, pursuant to which those who had committed crimes during apartheid were allowed to confess their crimes, in exchange for amnesty.

Second, fourth and fifth periods need to read up to chapter 8 for Tuesday, which is on page 53.  Please annotate your pages and be prepared for a reading quiz.  You also have a vocabulary assignment for Wednesday.  If you do not have the handout that I distributed on Friday, I have copied it below for you and printed most of it in blue for your ready reference:

Impassive - expressionless: showing no outward sign of emotion, especially on the face

Dispassionate - calmly objective: not influenced by emotion or personal feelings

Gape, gaping - stare with mouth open: to look at somebody or something in surprise or wonder, usually with an open mouth

Oblivious - stare with mouth open: to look at somebody or something in surprise or wonder, usually with an open mouth

1.    Semblance - trace of something: a small amount of something 2.    look of being something: an outward appearance or imitation of something 3.    copy: a representation, likeness, or copy

Indelible - impossible to remove or alter: physically impossible to rub out, wash out, or alter

Incessant - unceasing: continuing for a long time without stopping

Pittance - unceasing: continuing for a long time without stopping

1.    Precipitous - done rashly: done or acting too quickly and without enough thought 2.    like precipice: very high and steep

1.    Precarious - unsafe: dangerously unstable, unsteady, uncertain, or insecure 2.    not well founded: based on uncertain premises or unwarranted assumptions

Innate - present from birth: relating to qualities that a person or animal is born with integral: forming an integral part of something

1.    Congenital - existing at birth: describes an unusual condition present at birth 2.    ingrained in somebody's character: firmly established as part of somebody's character or beliefs

1.    Deviance, deviant - different from traditional norm: diverging sharply from a customary, traditional, or generally accepted standard, or displaying such divergent behavior 2.    offensive term: an offensive term for somebody whose behavior is different from a customary, traditional, or generally accepted standa

Sporadic - occurring irregularly: occurring at intervals that have no apparent pattern

Homework for Tuesday, October 30, 2012 – Read and ANNOTATE Kaffir Boy through page 53.

 

Homework for Wednesday, Halloween – write a mesmerizing paragraph or two using, in rich context, ten of the words from the foregoing list.

 Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley 

You may recite this poem any time before the Thanksgiving break, in class, spontaneously, and receive up to TEN points of extra credit.  To earn your full ten points, you must do something interesting as you recite the poem OR deliver or perform the poem in an interesting, unique manner.

 

Third, if you missed the handout from last Wednesday with your assignment that was due in class on Friday, I have copied it below in red for your ready reference:

 

Twelve Words

Inaudible – cannot be heard – adj.

Cower – to crouch in fear –v.

Din – a loud noise – n.

Taut – pulled tight, either physically or emotionally – adj. or adv.

Writhe – to twist and turn as if in pain – v.

Impregnable – impossible to break into: too strong to be captured or entered by force

 – adj.

Ominous – threatening – you know the pos

Surly – bad-tempered: bad-tempered, unfriendly, rude, and somewhat threatening – adj.

Unscathed – unharmed or uninjured – adj.

Plaintive – sad and mournful – adj.

Incredulous – describes the state of one being in disbelief – you know the pos

Spent – used up, exhausted – adj.

Homework – write a coherent, artistic, paragraph or two using 10 of the foregoing 12 words.  This is due Friday, October 26, 2012 at the beginning of class.  If you fail to submit your paper timely, you have ONE week to submit it for a late grade.  As I have stated previously, this one week policy is in place for all work and has been since the beginning of the second six weeks.  You may not make up reading quizzes.  As always, please see me if you need help.

 

That's all - have a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early dismissal - Happy Birthday Emma!

On Wednesday, October 24th, we did the following in class:

You turned in your notes on South Africa; you also took a quiz on which you were able to use your notes.  Fifth period turned in a short written piece on the efficacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commision.

You also received the following handout with an assignment that is due on Friday, October 26, 2012.

Twelve Words

Inaudible – cannot be heard – adj.

Cower – to crouch in fear –v.

Din – a loud noise – n.

Taut – pulled tight, either physically or emotionally – adj. or adv.

Writhe – to twist and turn as if in pain – v.

Impregnable – impossible to break into: too strong to be captured or entered by force

 – adj.

Ominous – threatening – you know the pos

Surly – bad-tempered: bad-tempered, unfriendly, rude, and somewhat threatening – adj.

Unscathed – unharmed or uninjured – adj.

Plaintive – sad and mournful – adj.

Incredulous – describes the state of one being in disbelief – you know the pos

Spent – used up, exhausted – adj.

 

Homework – write a coherent, artistic, paragraph or two using 10 of the foregoing 12 words.  This is due Friday, October 26, 2012 at the beginning of class.  If you fail to submit your paper timely, you have ONE week to submit it for a late grade.  As I have stated previously, this one week policy is in place for all work and has been since the beginning of the second six weeks.  You may not make up reading quizzes.  As always, please see me if you need help.

All for now!

Tuesday - all about satire and South Africa

Today fourth and fifth periods published their satires and took notes about South Africa.  Fifth period is writing about 3/4 of a page regarding the efficacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  Please bring your notes on South Africa tomorrow.

Seventh and eighth periods completed a crossword puzzle and read the short story "Telephone Man."  Periods 1, 2, 7, & 8 have homework due tomorrow - sentences with the 15 new vocabulary words.

Have fun learning!

Monday, monday - Periods 1, 2, 7, 8

First and second periods completed a sheet on adjectives and nouns. 

You also defined the following words: bigotry, condone, eccentric, dignity, elegant, ecstatic, repulsed, integrity, partial, precedent, latent, immaculately, bona fide, tarry, grimace. 

Homework for Wednesday is to write context-rich sentences with all of the 15 words.

We also started reading the short story "Telephone Man."

Seventh and eighth periods will define the words, receive their homework assignment, and start to read "Telephone Man."

AP students - sure hope that you are working on that satire!

TGIF

Students, we did the following in class today:

Fourth and fifth periods started drafting satires.  Your 1,000 word satire is due Tuesday, October 23, 2012.  If you need help with your satire, please contact me.

All periods - we finished the CBAs today.  If you have not finished, you must by Tuesday.  This CBA is your first major test grade this six weeks.

See some of you Saturday, 10:00 in my room for SAT review.  If you need help with your satire, or you would like to do some make-up work, please see me between around 11:30.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday (Alicia, are you reading this?)

Students, Tuesday, you all finished your test and submitted your annotated "Dumpster Diving."  At the end of class you wrote creatively - specifically, you wrote a short, short story about trash.

I hope that you watched the presidential debate last night.  I also hope that you are thinking of the subject of your satire that is due October 23, 2012.  Remember that if writing 1,000 words seems like a daunting task to you, COME SEE ME by the end of this week.  I will try to help you.

See you all tomorrow.  No homework is due tomorrow unless you are submitting "Dumpster Diving" for a late grade.

What happened Friday?

Friday you all took a test that some found to be really hard and some found to be okay.  I will give you a few minutes to ask questions in class tomorrow and then 30 minutes in which to finish this test.

I also gave an article, "Dumpster Diving," to read and annotate by the beginning of class on Tuesday.  If you do not have this article for any reason, you may print it from the link below:

http://producer.csi.edu/cdraney/archive-courses/fall07/engl102/e-texts/eighner-dumpster.htm

I also gave you all a writing assignment (a satire!)  (on Phillis Wheatley HIgh School!), which is copied and pasted below for your review.

Out of class (i.e., homework) Essay

 

Write a satire about some aspect of Phillis Wheatley High School that you would like to see improved.  

 Minimum length: 1,000 words.   

Your satire is due October 23, 2012.   

Remember that a satire mocks an ill of society in order to promote societal improvement.   

Remember that your satire may be Horatian or Juvenalian.

 

Be creative and have fun!  Make this a piece of which you can be proud.

 

See you Tuesday!

 

Test Friday!

AP Students:

You submitted your vocabulary sheet today.

Today in class we reviewed for your test on Friday.

You must know the following definitions:
Every word on your orange vocabulary sheet;
Satire, Juvenalian satire, and Horatian satire,
Ethos, Pathos, Logos.

You must bring your copies of "A Modest Proposal," "Me Talk Pretty One Day," "Short People," and "The real Mitt Romney."  You may and should use these copies as you take the test.

If you have any questions, please come see me tomorrow (Thursday).  If not, see you Friday.

Happy Birthday, Henry!

Today in class you answered two SAT QODs.  We also learned that the plural of "analysis" is "analyses."

You also received a vocabulary sheet, which is due tomorrow, and which is copied below:

New Vocabulary!  At Long Last! (List #4)

 

WORD	DEFINITION	P.O.S.
Inaudible
Cower
Din
Taut
Writhe
Impregnable
Ominous
Surly
Spent (adj.)
Unscathed
Flail
Truncheon
Plaintive
Incredulous
Brandish
Contrite, contrition
Impassive
Dispassionate
Gape, gaping
Oblivious
Semblance
Indelible
Incessant
Pittance
Precipitous
Precarious
Innate
Congenital
Deviance, deviant
Sporadic
Wreak
Fulcrum
Curry (verb)
Nemesis
Emaciated
Lethargic
Tenacity, tenacious
Commensurate
Portent, portend
Harbinger
Vigil, vigilant, vigilante
Inexorable
Sumptuous

You also submitted your "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and took a quote quiz on this article.

Finally, we read and discussed David Brooks's "The Real Mitt," the link to which is copied below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/28/opinion/brooks-the-real-romney.html?_r=0

See you tomorrow!