Peace Little Girl (Daisy)...

Happy Friday!
A couple of reminders for next week - bring your soft cover, orange, Interactive Reader with you to class next week, starting on Monday. Also, continue to bring your novel with you as well, even if you are finished reading it (as you all should be by now.)  If, for some reason, you did not finish reading your novel - KEEP READING!!! Please try to finish it this weekend.

On Monday, we will begin our class with a discussion of the Article of the Week, "The 30 Second Campaign." The article mentioned the first negative campaign add run by Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1964 presidential election. The add is entitled "Peace Little Girl (Daisy)." If you want to view that add (and others from the current election) you can visit the website, The Living Room Candidate.

Have a FANTASTIC weekend!!!

Open House

Hey Guys!
I am looking forward to meeting your parents tonight at Open House! Remember to text your parents your schedule and/or write it down for them so they know where to go : )

If you were absent today here is a link to the screen cast I showed on strong v. weak verbs. You will need to get the rest of the notes from me or a classmate.
STRONG VERBS

Finally, the secret password for tomorrow is... OPEN HOUSE!

Details, details details...

Hello Gang!
This week we are focusing on how authors use DETAILS to enhance their writing. Today's lesson was on sensory details. If you were absent, look up and define imagery and sensory details in your literature textbook or see me tomorrow for notes. Also, you need to read the excerpt of "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" and complete the chart. Copies of those assignments can be found on the PLHS homework page.

ALSO - if you are interested in finding our what happens to the very old man with enormous wings, you can read the entire story by clicking on the PLHS homework page.

Happy Monday!

PS. Don't forget to remind your parents about open house on Thursday!

Happy (Almost) Friday!

Hey Guys!
Guess what I am doing tonight? Grading! I am grading all of your group work that you've turned in so far. I will try to pass it back out to you the next time you meet with your novel groups.
And so, in celebration of the end of another productive week, the secret password for tomorrow is TARGET - because that's where I'm going to stock up on more candy!

Have a GREAT day!

Why English?

Hey Everyone,
Today in class, a student asked me, "Why do we have to do read these novels? When are we ever going to have to analyze a novel?" At the time, I have to admit that I was pretty annoyed by the question and frustrated by my inability to give a sufficient answer. I was flustered and caught off guard and so gave the standard teacher response, "Because it's part of the curriculum... Because you need a grade... Because this is what we're doing!" My failure to provide an adequate and thoughtful response has been bothering me all day. In reality, the question is more than fair - of course you would want to know why you are being forced to read, analyze and discuss novels that may be of little interest to you! Maybe I should be concerned that more of you HAVEN'T asked me this question : )  In any case, I've cleaned up the kitchen, put the baby to bed and finally have some time to sit down, think and write what I hope is a convincing argument for why English is an important and relevant part of your education.
It's true - in your professional lives after high school and (hopefully) college, the majority of you will never be called upon to analyze a work of literature. So why are we spending so much time learning these skills? The important thing is not that you are learning what characterization, setting, mood, figurative language etc. are, but that you are learning to think critically and communicate effectively. What does it mean to think critically? Thinking critically means that you have the ability to look below the surface to discover deeper meaning; you can recognize connections between people/events, causes/effects, actions/consequences; you know when to ask questions and when to be skeptical; you can form well reasoned opinions and express those opinions in an articulate way.  What does it mean to communicate effectively? An effective communicator can explain both simple and complex ideas to others; use logic and reason to make an argument; recognize his/her audience and speak appropriately; and choose his/her words purposefully.  My goal is to develop in all students the ability to think critically and to then clearly and concisely communicate an idea.  These skills are absolutely necessary for success in practically every field and profession - regardless of whether you are a mechanic, a professional athlete, a politician or a neurosurgeon.  You are going to have a very difficult time in life if you cannot think critically and communicate effectively.  We try to teach these skills by showing you examples of good writing (the novels and mentor texts), helping you improve your own communicative abilities (by working in groups, responding to questions) and giving you an opportunity to express yourselves creatively (writing your own novel).   In addition, reading works of literature not only helps to enhance your own vocabulary (thus improving your ability to effectively communicate),  but it also gives you a window into how different people live and think, and provides a model for creative expression.
If you've read this entire post - THANKS!!! I hope it helped clarify the purpose of our class.  I feel better having got all of this off my chest - I think I can finally go to sleep : ) I welcome any comments or questions you have - I'm still waiting for someone to post the first comment on my blog!
See you all bright and early tomorrow morning : ) Good night!!!

Happy Tuesday!

Hi Everyone,
Hope you are all having a good week so far! We had quite a few people absent the last couple of days...  So, here's what you missed:
1) Notes and discussion on Setting and Characterization - ask a friend or see Ms. D during lunch/advisory. (FYI: The notes are pretty short.)
2) We read an except from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and practiced making inferences about the characters based on the setting. Most of you already picked up the handout from me in class today - but, if not, there's a link to the documents on the homework page of the PLHS website. (Sorry I can't upload docs on this site...) PLHS Homework
3) At the end of the period today, we worked in our novel groups to make inferences about the characters in our novels based on the setting. We will be finishing this tomorrow before moving on to setting/mood.

I have had several students ask when I am going to post another secret password.... The answer is not today - but soon... Check back later this week!!!

Where are you going? Again...

Hi All,
A student informed me that the link I provided to the full text of "Where are you going?" did not work. Not sure what happened, but here it is again... Where are you going? She also told me she had found out some interesting background on the story... Turns out that the story was inspired by a real life serial killer from the 1960's. The website www.shmoop.com states:

According to Oates, the story was inspired by a Life magazine story about the serial killer Charles Schmid, who, like the story's villain, was an older man who preyed on adolescent girls. Was Oates struck by the gruesome serial killer? Nope. What stuck with her was "the disturbing fact that a number of teenagers – from 'good' families – aided and abetted his crimes" (source). It wasn't the twisted psychology of serial killers that intrigued Oates, but the abnormal actions of "normal" teenagers who helped Schmid either carry out or conceal his murders.

  Hmmmmm... Interesting don't you think?!?! Read the story, it's REALLY good! Also, as a special Friday treat, here's another secret password: Barney. Again, in honor of my daughter and her favorite T.V. show : ) Happy SHORT Thursday!

If You've Been Absent...

A quick update for those of you who have been absent this week. This week, we've been learning about characterization and how to make inferences about characters in stories/novels. If you have been absent, here's what your need to do:
1) Get the notes about Characterization (Assignment 3) from a classmate or from Ms. D during lunch/advisory.
2) Read the excerpt from the short story, "Where are you going? Where have you been?" and complete the Characterization Chart.
3) See Ms. D. for a characterization chart for your specific novel and complete that ASAP.
4) Keep reading your novel!!!

Visit the HOMEWORK PAGE to get the excerpt and chart.

Where are you going?

Hey Everyone!
An excellent job today in class - especially with the "Do Now." I was VERY impressed with both periods : )  As promised, if you would like to read the full story, "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" you can follow this link: Where are you going?

Let me know what you think of the story by posting a comment! (Remember: Keep it clean and school appropriate! )

Have a great day!

One week down, 35 more to go...

Hey Guys,
Congrats on completing your first week of high school! The first week is never my favorite - it's always a little awkward dealing with schedule changes, text book pick-up and getting to know one another. However, I feel like we have been pretty productive. Here are just a few of the things we accomplished this week in English class:
1) Met a bunch of new people;
2) Wrote a poem;
3) Got our Student Use Agreements signed;
4) Met with our reading groups and selected our novels for the new unit (starting on MONDAY);
5) Picked up our text books;
6) Started our Article of the Week.

Well done!!! Everyone take the next two days off - I think you've earned it ; ) For Monday, please remember to bring a spiral notebook and your novel to class with you.

Have a GREAT weekend!!!

An Awesome day of poetry!

Hi All,
Well, hopefully, I'll get to give out more candy tomorrow than  I did today. Thanks to those of you who checked the blog yesterday!!!  The NEW secret password for tomorrow is, "Baby Love," in honor of my daughter : ) Please remember, WHISPER it to me at the beginning of the period and DO NOT share the secret password with other students - the point is to get everyone to visit the blog!

I really enjoyed hearing all of your poems today! There are so many creative, articulate students in both of my classes - I know this is going to be a GREAT year! A special THANKS to those of you who volunteered to read your poems first - I LOVE when students volunteer to participate!

Again, a couple of reminders:
1) If you haven't already - get your Student Use Agreement signed by your parent/guardian.
2) Make sure you have a spiral notebook and PENS by Monday.
3) DON'T FORGET TO HAVE YOUR STUDENT IDs AND SCHEDULES WITH YOU TOMORROW FOR TEXT BOOK CHECKOUT!!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

And the Secret Password is...

Hi Everyone!
Sorry - I am a little late posting today... OK, here's the deal: Tomorrow, on your way into class WHISPER the secret password, "Boomer," to me and I shall reward you with a little treat : ) Please, DO NOT share the secret password with other students - the point is to get everyone to visit the blog!

Another great day in class today - everyone worked really hard on their poems. Tomorrow, we will be sharing our poems with the class and I will be putting you into your reading groups for our "Reading the Novel" unit.

Again, a couple of reminders:
1) If you haven't already - get your Student Use Agreement signed by your parent/guardian.
2) Make sure you have a spiral notebook and PENS by Monday.
3) Friday we will going to the library to check out our text books - you will need your schedules and student ID cards.

Happy Wednesday!!!

First Day

It was so great to meet everyone today - I think this is going to be a GREAT year! I am busily reading your letters and looking forward to getting to know everyone a little bit better.

A couple of reminders:
1) Get your Student Use Agreement signed tonight!!!
2) Make sure you have a spiral notebook and PENS for class.

Visit the PLHS Homework page for copies of the class syllabus and the Student Use Agreement.

PLUS - If anyone feels like doing a good deed and helping a teacher in need (of supplies), I could really use reams of copy paper, boxes of Kleenex and bottles of hand sanitizer. Thanks!!!

Hope everyone had a great first day!