Thursday, November 29, 2007

AGENDA 11/29

Same as 11/28 - meet in computer lab to continue amassing sources

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

AGENDA 11/28

Meet in computer lab L202 to begin gathering sources for Researched Argument papers
Handout #1--Guidelines: Steps 1, 2, and 3 of Researched Argument papers
Handout #2--Tips for Researched Argument papers

Please bring McGraw-Hill Readers tomorrow! We'll be meeting in L202 again.

HW: Continue reading independent book. Begin gathering your 20 sources for the researched argument paper (due 12/12).

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

AGENDA 11/27

Timed Essay: Argument (quotation from Antigone)

HW: Continue reading independent reading book

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

AGENDA 11/21

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Multiple-choice team practice: Darrow's speech on Leopold and Loeb

Work on multiple-choice passage in groups; go over answers.

HW: Read indie reading book over Thanksgiving--try to be 2/3 to 3/4 of the way finished by Monday!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

AGENDA 11/20

Seminar prep HW check

Billy Budd group discussions

Multiple-choice team competition tomorrow. Should be fun!
HW: Read independent book. Remember to have research question ready for tomorrow!

Monday, November 19, 2007

AGENDA 11/19

Formulating Research Questions
** Changes made to Fall research paper--no partner needed (but you and a partner may still explore the same topic, through different research questions or through opposite perspectives if you wish)

Reading Quiz over Billy Budd.

Answer questions/clarify confusion regarding Billy Budd. Didn't get the answer you needed in class? Email me!

Prepare for tomorrow's seminar

HW: Finish reading Billy Budd.
Prepare for tomorrow's seminar: Craft a well-developed paragraph (approximately 8-10 sentences) in which you refer to Billy Budd directly (incorporate two shorter quotations or one longer one), and explore ONE of the following:
1. What elements of Romanticism or Transcendentalism do you notice in this novella? How do these elements contribute to the book's meaning?
2. What seems to be Melville's position on man-made authority?
3. Select an allusion or an instance of figurative language that is important or compelling. Explore the significance of this allusion or metaphor--how does it enhance the meaning of the work or reveal Melville's perspective on an issue? What significance does it hold?

Research Questions due Wednesday (see handout for guidelines)

Friday, November 16, 2007

AGENDA 11/16

CLUB DAY!!!

Finish watching film: Crime and Punishment in America
Complete response to the two questions posted on Wednesday. Share out responses and discuss. Turn in to the substitute at the end of the period.

HW: Read Billy Budd through Chapter 23 by Monday, 11/19. Expect a reading quiz! Also continue reading indie reading book--you should be halfway through it before Thanksgiving!

P.S. Wish Pust and Kennedy and Louria and Semik luck during first period this morning--we'll be presenting our workshop at the National Council of Teachers of English at 11:00am EST, which is 8am Samo time...we'll be wrapping up right as 2nd period begins! : )

Thursday, November 15, 2007

AGENDA 11/15

Continue watching film: Crime and Punishment in America
Complete response to the two questions posted below--list one prompt on each side of a paper (I recommend jotting notes as you watch, perhaps on a separate sheet before crafting your "official" response):
  1. What do you find surprising / shocking / interesting?
  2. How might the ideas in this film connect to the issues of crime and punishment and the culture of fear in Billy Budd?
If time permits, share out responses and discuss. Turn in to the substitute at the end of the period. You'll get your notes/responses back tomorrow.

HW: Read Billy Budd through Chapter 23 by Monday, 11/19. Expect a reading quiz! Also continue reading indie reading book--you should be halfway through it before Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

AGENDA 11/14

ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to Club Day on Friday (and the shortened periods that will ensue), you lucky ducks will have your timed essay on the argument prompt pushed back to next Tuesday!

Get into groups: discuss Billy Budd questions. Have one student record and another share out with the class as a whole.

Begin watching film: Crime and Punishment in America
Complete response to the two questions posted below--list one prompt on each side of a paper (I recommend jotting notes as you watch, perhaps on a separate sheet before crafting your "official" response):
  1. What do you find surprising / shocking / interesting?
  2. How might the ideas in this film connect to the issues of crime and punishment and the culture of fear in Billy Budd?
If time permits, share out responses and discuss. Turn in to the substitute at the end of the period. You'll get your notes/responses back tomorrow.

HW: Read Billy Budd through Chapter 23 by Monday, 11/19. Expect a reading quiz! Also continue reading indie reading book--you should be halfway through it before Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

AGENDA 11/13

Discuss Scott Russell Sanders prompt on "The Common Life"
Share thesis statements: write on board and compare/discuss
View samples and discuss: "Effective" 8 and "Adequate" 6
Generate tips for argument essays--
  • Acknowledging complexity using transition words (ultimately, despite, although, however, while, etc.)
  • Using specific and relevant evidence (personal experience is ok, but observations from readings--literature, history, science, current events, etc.--are even better!)
HW: Read Billy Budd through Chapter 23 by Monday 11/19. Continue reading indie reading book--be halfway through by a week from tomorrow.

Monday, November 12, 2007

HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL!

Enjoy a safe and happy Veterans' Day.

Friday, November 9, 2007

AGENDA 11/9

Independent Reading Prompts: respond to the topic for your book group
Review Billy Budd: Billy's physical characteristics and personality, the culture of mutiny and fear aboard ships in this time period

Introduce argument prompt: Scott Russell Sanders excerpt from "The Common Life"

HW: Read Billy Budd through chapter 15 for Tuesday. Write a paraphrase of Sanders's claim and your own thesis statement in which you defend or challenge his claim (we'll qualify later, I promise!). Continue reading independent reading book and working on rhetorical terms. Think about pro/con issue for research paper, and potential partner to work with. Have a great weekend!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

AGENDA 11/8

Introduction to Pro/Con Research Topics
Handout: Tips for Narrowing Persuasive Topics
and tips for Selecting a Research Topic

Common Assessment
If you finish early, read Billy Budd or indie reading book

HW: Read Billy Budd (try to get through chapter 5 if possible--be through chapter 3 FOR SURE)...bring independent reading book, which you should be 1/4 of the way through.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

AGENDA 11/7

Introduction to Billy Budd, Sailor
Discuss historical context (impressment), concept of the "Handsome Sailor," name symbolism, and setting--challenges/conflicts of life on ship

HW: Read chapters 1-3 of Billy Budd for Friday; remember to bring independent reading books (1/4 finished) on Friday.

REMINDER: Common assessment tomorrow--bring Billy Budd and/or indie reading book in case you finish early

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

AGENDA 11/6

Seminar: Capital Punishment
Get arranged in a fishbowl (half of class in, half observing) to discuss capital punishment and the texts: "This is Going to Hurt" editorial from NY Times, McGraw-Hill Reader pages 84-89 (H.L. Mencken's "The Penalty of Death" and Coretta Scott King's "The Death Penalty is a Step Back"), and opinions from Justices Blackmun and Scalia regarding the death penalty

Participants complete self-evaluation form
Observers complete "Personal Notes" and "Exit Slip"

Monday, November 5, 2007

AGENDA 11/5

Return TW on Rhetorical Analysis: "The Death of Benny Paret"
Discuss ways to improve rhetorical analysis essays and keys to writing strong analysis
Final comments on "Bartleby" and excerpt from Thoreau's Walden
Distribute texts for tomorrow's seminar on capital punishment
Generate questions for tomorrow's seminar

HW: Read and annotate pages 84-89 of McGraw-Hill Reader, opinions on capital punishment from Supreme Court Justices Blackmun and Scalia, and "This is Going to Hurt," op-ed from The New York Times. Be prepared to discuss comments and questions on capital punishment tomorrow.

REMINDER: Schedule a writing conference to go over your TW essay. If you'd like to rewrite this essay for a higher score, see me for a conference and to set up a rewrite time. :)

Friday, November 2, 2007

AGENDA 11/2

View clip from Joe vs. the Volcano
Quickwrite: Discuss connections between Joe vs. the Volcano, Thoreau's Walden excerpt, and Melville's "Bartleby."

HW: Bring independent reading books Monday.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

AGENDA 11/1

Continue reading and discussing "Bartleby," especially in the context of Thoreau's Walden excerpt

Chart character descriptions of Turkey, Nippers, Ginger Nut, and Bartleby

HW: Finish reading "Bartleby" and bring independent reading book Monday