4/8/2013

We will continue working on our research papers on Tuesday and Thursday in class.  By Thursday, students should have the first two pages ready to hand in.  THIS IS NOT YOUR FINAL DRAFT, NOR SHOULD TWO PAGES CONTAIN ALL OF YOUR ARGUMENTS!

On Wednesday and Friday, we will be working on dissecting poetry and writing poetry with strong imagery.  Be prepared to discuss allegory, metaphor, and the importance of symbolism in poetry.  Consider the idea, often touted, that "Less is More."

Finally, we will have a quiz on Count of Monte Cristo, Chapters 41-60.  A study guide for the latest ten chapters will be provided in class.  The quiz will be 20 questions, open book, and timed.  Make sure you read the material several times before the quiz so that you can find your information quickly and efficiently.  Bring an AR book to read in case you finish before I collect the quizzes.

3/26/2013

We will be working on research papers this week during class; the object is to gather as much data as possible about your subject. Leave nothing out, even if it disagrees with your opinion (do take time to identify how credible your source is, though). By the end of the week, you should have a sizable body of research- at least 5-10 pages of typed material- from which to start culling your information into a more manageable form. Students will need to read through Chapter 40 (XL) in Monte Cristo by the end of the week and can expect a test first thing on Monday. Study guides will be provided.

Week 09 - Journals and Homework

10/20 - Free Write

Homework: CMC 297-310

3 Reading Responses

10/21 - Quote: "We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves." -Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Homework: CMC 311-322

3 Reading Responses

10/23 - We approach the season of monsters- compare the Count of Monte Cristo to a traditional monster (ex: Frankenstein, Dracula, the Werewolf). Give as many ways that he is similar to a monster as possible.

Homework: Study for CMC Test II

10/24 - Free write to be completed after the test. In the event that you complete both your test and your journal before the class concludes, you should be prepared to read your A.R. books or take an A.R. test.

Homework: CMC 323-344

3 Reading Responses

DUE: Thesis statement for the expository essay on the relationships in CMC

DUE: Descriptive Papers

DUE: Island Projects

DUE: 6 Reading Responses

Week 08 - Journals and Homework

We will be focusing on how to interact effectively with our texts this week. Plan to spend your time in class reading and thinking about responses; each night you will be writing out your responses, and each day you will have to choose a couple responses to expand upon in your journal. With a little effort, we should be able to make this a nearly automatic process that takes almost no effort on your part, but that helps to vastly improve your understanding of anything that you read.

10/13 - Free Write

Homework: 3 Reading Responses on pp. 267-273

10/14 - Expand on 2 of your reading responses from last night.

Homework: 3 Reading Responses on pp. 273-281

10/15 - Expand on 2 of your reading responses from last night.

Homework: 3 Reading Responses on pp.

10/16 - Expand on 2 of your reading responses from last night.

Homework: 3 Reading Responses on pp.

10/17 - Expand on 2 of your reading responses from last night.

Homework: 3 Extended Reading Responses on pp.

Work on Montecristo Island project for 10/24

Week 07 - Journals and Homework

9/29 - Quote: "There are two kinds of light--the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures." -James Thurber

Homework: CMC pp. 226-244 by Wednesday

3 Reading Responses

9/30 - Make some suggestions- how could your security at school be improved? What went well with the lockdown and what needs to be adjusted or fixed? What other kinds of emergencies could you forsee happening in school and how should they be handled?

Homework: 3 Reading Responses

10/1 - Free Write

Homework: CMC pp. 244-255

3 Reading Responses

10/2 - Imagine you are a biographer. Write a one page precis about the life of a minor character in the Count of Monte Cristo.

Homework: CMC pp. 255-266

3 Reading Responses for journal

10/3 - Reading Response. Pick two of your responses from last night's reading and expand upon them in your journal.

Week 06 - Journals and Homework

Hang 'em High! The trials are this week... In addition, we will be working on writing strategies and note-taking in class. Because of conferences, you can expect that there will be less heavy writing than usual, but there will still be daily journals. Kick back and relax a little- you're doing well. This week should be about regrouping for the big push to get through Monte Cristo and into 1984.





9/22 - Free Write

Homework: CMC pp. 198-209

9/23 - Reading Response: After a brief class discussion, write out three separate responses (different kinds and different events) to things that you read in pp. 198-209.

Homework: CMC pp. 209-214

9/24 - Quote: "You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act." -Barbara Hall, A Summons to New Orleans, 2000

Homework: CMC pp. 214-221

9/25 - Maximilien claims that he believes the Count of Monte Cristo has a good heart. Either support or refute this belief, giving evidence from the text to support your view. Explain your opinion.

Homework: CMC pp. 214-226

9/26 - It has often been said that the sins of the father are visited upon their sons. Discuss whether this is a fair position to take- if sufficient punishment cannot be meted out to the progenitor of a crime, is it then acceptable to inflict the punishment on their children? Think about examples- specific or general- in our current society and culture where this idea is proved.

Week 05 - Journals and Homework

9/15 - Describe a project you would like to design and present based on what you have read thus far in The Count of Monte Cristo. If your project would require more than one participant, be certain to include numbers and (if possible) preferred actors.

Homework: CMC pp 174-179

Rewrite descriptive essays for 9/19

9/16 - Quote: "A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists." -L. Ron Hubbard

Homework: CMC pp 179-198

9/17 - Write a poem and draw a picture illustrating how vengeance can be toxic.

No Homework! Yay!

9/18 - Write a character profile for your favorite character from the class text. Be certain to include Name, Gender, Appearance, History and Personality. You may include a small (2 square inches) portrait if you are do inclined.

Homework: No new homework

Descriptive essays due 9/19

9/19 - Free Write