March 30

Today we completed the Mac Ad analysis tool sheet in groups and discussed the results. Then we watched a clip of Logan's Run to see a different view of a dystopian society. No official homework except to finish Things Fall Apart and to start studying for the Short Story Unit Final Exam which will be Tuesday.

Have a nice weekend.

March 29

Today we wrote and marked the Short Story Review Quiz. We looked at some materials to do with another dystopian vision, the 1984 mac commercial. We watched Steve Job's introduction and the commercial. Sheets that were handed out were the voice over for the commercial, the ad analysis tool. The purpose is to look at indirect characterization. Tomorrow we will do the final dystopia assignment, watch another clip and maybe some review. The Short Story Unit Final will be on Monday or Tuesday of next week. It is a long test so start studying now.
Use the links to go to the commercial sites.

http://www.preinheimer.com/1984macintro.mov
http://www.uiowa.edu/%7Ecommstud/adclass/1984.apple_ad.mov

No Bonus Today.

March 28

Today we reviewed the PEE model and went over some examples in class. Students were all supposed to revise and edit their paragraphs on the "world of the matrix" and hand them in tomorrow. Remember, the paragraph will be marked mostly for structure (using the PEE format effectively) not for content. There is a review quiz tomorrow on short story terms, the names of the stories and the names of main characters.

Bonus: Click on the link below. Complete both activities. Come in with written proof that you completed (successfully) the activities. You figure out how to prove it!!!
http://www.quia.com/pp/60391.html
http://www.quia.com/hm/307187.html

March 27

Today we watched another clip of the Matrix and looked at the characteristics of a Dystopian protagonist. We also discussed evidence of direct and indirect presentation in the film.
Homework: What does the film communicate about the world of the film? What controls the world in this film and the people who live in this world? Use the PEE model to answer the questions. Refer to the definitions and other notes on your worksheets. 3 chains minimum.
There will be a review quiz on short story terms on Thursday. The Short Story final may be Friday or Monday. Things Fall Apart Due date has been changed to Monday April 2.
Please complete the student survey on my website if you have not already done so.

No Bonus Today.

March 26

Today we made some notes on Utopia and Dystopia and watched a bit of the Matrix. Homework is to complete a Venn Diagram comparing aspects of the 2 types of societies. The trick will be to find similarities for the middle section of the Venn. You can do this on paper or use the interactive version on the computer. The link is below. Reminder that Things Fall Apart is due on Friday March 30. There will be a quiz of some sort on Thursday. Topic TBA.
Bonus: See the Short Story Page, new fling the teacher. for details.

Interactive Venn: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/venn/index.html

March 16

How is your spring break going? I am having a great time. I hope you are too.
If you go to the website, there is a new link for a student survey. If you have a minute, please click on it and answer the questions. Also on the Things Fall Apart page, there is a new link for the questions for the last 6 chapters of the novel. My bad! I forgot to load it up with the other part. The essay questions are there now too, if you haven't seen them. Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! Go Green! See you back on the 26th.

March 9

Today we read through the story of "The Portable Phonograph". Afterward we did the quiz. Homework over spring break is to read "Things Fall Apart" and complete the chapter questions and 1 essay. The essay choices will be posted in the next few days. If you have trouble finding the questions or can't open them, please email me and I will try to send them to you or get you a printed copy. Otherwise, catch up on any NHI work.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!!!!

March 8

Today we started with terms quiz #5 and marked it. Then we went to the library and signed out "Things Fall Apart". This is to be read over spring break. You are also to go to the website and try the link for Things fall apart and make sure you can read the pdf study materials. If not let me know tomorrow and I will get you a paper copy. This project is due 1 week after we return from spring break. After this, we had time to work on the Dead Men's Path assignment or read the Portable Phonograph. There will be a quiz on the Portable Phono tomorrow and the paragraph assignment on DMP is also due tomorrow. Some students were given interims today. Please have them signed and returned to me tomorrow. Thanks.

Bonus: Tell me how much cash you won! Write out the hardest synonym.
http://www.quia.com/rr/215859.html

March 7

Today we talked about Harrison Bergeron, had a quiz and marked it. Then we read "Dead Man's Path" by Chinua Achebe. Next we watched a short power point about citing evidence based on this story. The paragraph is due on Friday. The topic is: Explain how the villagers maintain their beliefs and rebel against the school and its new ideas. This paragraph must use the PEE model and have 3 links minimum. Study for tomorrow's terms quiz.

Bonus: Play the game. Tell me how you did. Write down 1 pair of synonyms.
http://www.quia.com/ba/31180.html

March 6

Today we went over some notes about the PEE chains from yesterday. Block A wrote their PEE chain paragraphs about Miss Hancock. Each block was asked 3 questions:

1. Should life be fair?
2. Should everyone be equal?
3. What does equality mean to you?

Assignment:

1. Read Harrison Bergeron.
2. Write a brief answer to the question "Does the story reinforce or change your opinions about fairness and equality?" Why or how" (a few sentences)
   
3. Write about the symbols in the story. Tell me what are the major symbols and what they represent. (can be in sentences or a chart)
   
4. Which is the most effective symbol and why? Please use the PEE chain model to answer this question. A short paragraph 6-8 sentences will be fine.

There will be a little quiz on Harrison Bergeron tomorrow.
No Bonus Today.

March 5

Today we went over terms list #5. Then we looked at the PEE format for writing about literature. Block C handed in a trial paragraph about The Metaphor using this technique. The Metaphor assignments including the extended metaphor were also handed in today. Block A had course planning again today so missed some things. We may have time to watch the Tell Tale Heart in class. If not, look for a link on the website within a few days. No homework.
No Bonus tonight.

March 2

Today Block A marked part of their sentence test. Then we played with Miss Kemp's new projector and looked at the website and games etc. Then there was some time to read The Metaphor. An assignment was handed out which is due on Monday. Answer some questions and write an extended metaphor.

Bonus: Click on the link below. Tell me which was the most challenging part.
http://www.quia.com/cb/199127.html

March 1

Today we did terms quiz #4 and got the terms list for quiz #5. The terms list should be filled in for Monday. We did the sentence test in Block A and revised/marked it Block C. Both blocks have their persuasive/compare/contrast paragraph assignment due tomorrow.

Bonus: Click on the link below. Tell me the following: # of questions; worst question; your score. (This is totally easy!!!!!)

http://www.quia.com/pop/150008.html