Thursday, February 28, 2012

Do Now: Atticus buys Jem and Scout air-rifles for Christmas. He warns them that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Read Calpurnia's explanation to help you figure out why.

Classwork: Symbolism in the novel
1.Bird references:
Predict why Harper Lee chose this title.
The Finch family:

2. Guns
3. Chapter 10 involves both of these symbols as well as the recurring motif of good versus evil:
    Jem's view of Atticus
    Atticus' perspective on guns
    Tim Johnson
Homework: Test- chapters 1-10 tomorrow! Review your handout and study questions.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Do Now: Based on the things that Boo leaves in the knot-hole, what can you infer about him? 5 line minimum/5 minutes.
Classwork:
1. Compare Scout and Jem's reactions to the plugging up of the knot-hole.
2. Take a closer look at Atticus Finch - Chapter 10:

How do his children describe him?
What is the true version?
What is his position on shooting and mockingbirds?
Homework: Finish all reading questions on this handout. CRQ tomorrow!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Do Now: Skim Chapter 5 to read Miss Maudie's opinion of Boo. List new information about Boo.
Classwork: Boo becomes a three-dimensional character in these chapters.
1. How do the carved figures in the knothole illuminate Boo's character?
2. There are several more gifts left for Jem and Scout. What do they tell you about Boo?
3. Create a brief biography explaining Boo's life before and after the Cunningham  incident.
Homework: Finish all reading questions for today's excerpts. Be sure to include evidence from the text in your answers!
Test - Thursday!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Do Now: Review your notes for a quiz: Chapter 1 and 2.

 
Classwork:  Back to Boo Radley
We will be analyzing  additional evidence from the novel tthat sheds more light on Boo.
Chapter 4
1. Gifts in the tree.
2. The tire incident
3. Miss Maudie's interpretation of Boo.
Homework: Enjoy the weekend.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Do Now: Re-read Excerpt 1 on your handout. How does Miss Caroline embarrass Walter Cunningham? Is this is sign of her lack of expertise as a teacher? Why?
Classwork: Miss Caroline continues to misunderstand her students with the Burris episode.
Is there evidence of internal/ external conflict in this episode? Use evidence from the text to prove your point.
What significant information have you learned about the Cunningham's, the Burris family, and the Finch family?
What have you learned about Maycomb in the 1930's?
Homework: Finish all reading questions for these excerpts. Handouts check tomorrow!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Do Now: Which part of the Boo Radley Legend do you find the most outrageous? Why?
Classwork: Our focus is on Scout's experiences in first grade.

 Four episodes we'll analyze for characterization:
Miss  Caroline deals poorly with Scout's ability to read.
Miss Caroline has no knowledge  of who her students are.
Miss Caroline embarrasses Walter Cunningham.
Scout embarrasses Walter as well.
What can you infer about Miss Caroline's teaching ability? Prove your point with evidence from the text.
What can you infer about Scout by the way she reacts to Miss Caroline and Walter? Prove your point with evidence from the text.
Homework: Test Chapter 1 and 2 Friday. Be prepared to answer a CRQ.

Monday, Februay 11, 2013

Do Now: Read Excerpt 3B on your handout. How did his 'troubles' begin?
Classwork: 
Compare the facts about Boo with the legend.
Scout's first day at school- What can you infer about Miss Caroline based on
1. the story she read to her class
2. the way she handles Scout's reading abiliity
3. the way she handles Walter and his missing lunch.
Homework: Finish annotating these excerpts and answering reading questions.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Do Now: What kind of mood are you in today? Create an image (a word picture that appeals to the five senses) that illustrates your mood. Example: My classroom blooms with vibrant colors and vibrates with excited students ready to learn.
Classwork: Today is CRQ Day! Big drum roll!
We will focus on:
Annotating today's constructed response question
Building our answer with evidence from the text one step at a time
Using a checklist to ensure success.
Homework: Enjoy the snow this weekend!

Thursday, January 7, 2013

Do Now: Harper Lee wrote that "A baseball hit into the Radley yard was a lost ball and no questions asked." What does the sentence mean? What can you infer based on this sentence?

Classwork: We are focusing on setting, plot and characterization
"The misery of the Radley house"
The legend of Boo Radley
Homework: Finish reading and annotating  excerpts 3B and 3C. Answer all reading questions including the chart.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Do Now: The author writes, "The day was twenty-four hours long in Maycomb, but seemed longer." Why? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Classwork: We are focusing on:
Characterization: Calpurnia
Setting of the Radley place
Characterization Mr. Radley:
Characterization Mr. Nathan Radley.
Homework: Finish annotating the text for these sections of your handout.
 

Monday, February 4, 2013

Do Now: Describe the accident that opens the novel. What is Jem's reaction to his injury? What can you infer about his based on this evidence?
Classwork: To Kill A Mockingbird

Here's a gift! You can get a copy of this week's handout on line as well as the complete text of the novel!
Link to  excerpt handout 1 
Link to online text To Kill A Mockingbird
Today's focus: As we finish sections of the novel, answer reading questions about:
1. Setting:  Maycomb and The Radley House.
2. Characterization: Atticus Finch, Calpurnia, Scout, Jem, and Dill
Homework: Excerpts handout: Follow the annotation directions for Excerpts 1 and 2.