Thursday, January 30, 2014

Do Now: Calpurnia says: "... don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty!" What does she mean? Why does she say it?
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? How can you use this information to infer 'social class' in this town?
What have you learned about Maycomb in the 1930's?
Explain Atticus' perspective on Scout's first day at school.
Homework: Test tomorrow - all handouts on TKAM are included.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

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, January 27, 2014

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.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Do Now: You've read  the Jim Crow excerpt. What parts stand out for you? Why?
Classwork: To Kill A Mockingbird:
1. The Historical Connection
2. Chapter 1:
The setting: Maycomb, Alabama 1930

 

Meet the characters: Jem Finch, Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Calpurnia, Dill, Boo Radley and family.
Analyze the legend of Boo Radley: Why is the story called a "legend"?
Homework: Answer the reading questions that we have covered in class.

Tuesday, January 20, 2014

Do Now: What can you imagine life must have been like for a black teenager in Alabama in 1930? (5 lines/5 minutes)

Classwork: Today we start To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee!

Read
1. "The Author's Connection on your handout.
.Underline events in the author's life and in the novel that are similar.
2. Summarize them briefly in the margin.
3. Read the Historical Connection focusing on The Great Depression and four key facts
Homework: Read and follow the annotation directions for "The Jim Crow South".

Thursday, January 16, 2014

 Do Now: Explain one thing you have learned in school that has made life easier or  more difficult for you.
Classwork: Independent Reading: "Shame" - Dick Gregory ( p. 288)
 1. Read the first 3 paragraphs of the essay to identify the context and tone.
       Finish the essay comparing the shift in tone from the introduction to the conclusion.
       Answer reading questions.
2. How does Gregory use language to help the reader understand the magnitude of this episode?
3. Read Beginnings and Endings ( page 145 ) in the text to gather ideas for the introduction and conclusion of your narrative essay.
4. Using Shame as a guide, begin to create the body of your essay.
Homework: Your essay is due tomorrow.  Wiki project!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Do Now: Review your notes for today's test.
Classwork:
1. Test - Cultural Values
2. "The Barrio" - Ramirez
Read the first four paragraphs. Describe the setting. What is the mood? What is the author's tone?
Continue reading looking for additional descriptions, evidence of tone, and figurative language.
Homework:

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Do Now: Prepare for laptops by putting the rough draft of your poem on your desk>
Classwork: Wiki project - directions
Open Safari.
 Go to http://mrswillisenglish3.pbworks.com and log in
Your user name is your firstnamelastname
Password is your student number.
Create a page and title with your initials Poem
Create your poem following the guidelines on your handout.
Once you are satisfied with the format and your images, click spell check and proofread.
The last step is to download a picture from the Internet that enhances your poem.
Homework: This project will be graded Wednesday evening!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Do Now: WHICH IS WHICH?  (Metaphor, Simile, Personification, Alliteration, or Hyperbole) Just write the word, not the sentence.
1. Trying to figure out persuasive appeals drives me insane.
2. Tyranny terrifies too many teenagers tormented by terrible abuse.
3. The gentle waves kissed the the child's feet at the beach.
4. The hoodie was a soft as a puppy's fur.
5. I felt she was a wild tiger when she lost her temper in the hall between classes.
Classwork: "Sympathy" Paul Lawrence Dunbar

1.  Underline imagery.

2.  Circle figurative language examples and identify in margin.

3. Summarize each stanza in the margin.

4.  What is the extended metaphor in this poem?

5. What is the tone? How do you know? Use evidence from the text.

6. What is the theme? How does it relate to "Same Song" and "The Legend"

Writers' Workshop - Review wiki assignment due tomorrow!

Homework: You must be prepared with your poem. No draft, no laptop! This is a one day assignment!