AGENDA 11/28

Advisory: Whole class discussion and survey to gather feedback and plan for future lessons


HW: Finish reading Chapter 1 of Richard Wright's Black Boy
Book Check tomorrow! Be sure to bring Black Boy to class
First 14 vocabulary words due for Friday-- complete sheet with synonyms, antonyms, and memory devices

AGENDA 11/27

Quickwrite & response (write in folders): Nature or Nurture?
Handout #1: Black Boy Unit 1 Vocabulary
Handout #2: Vocabulary graphic organizer sheet

HW: Read the rest of Chapter 1 for Thursday
Complete 14 words on the vocabulary sheet for Friday

AGENDA 11/26

Welcome Back!

Go to textbook room to pick up copies of Black Boy
Discuss denotations and connotations of the title & the original title, American Hunger, with partners
Begin reading Chapter 1 aloud


HW: Read through page 17 of Chapter 1 of Black Boy, to where it says "...don't come back here." Images of Race in America visual analysis assignment due tomorrow.

AGENDA 11/21

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Finish discussing images from yesterday--"Drinking Fountain" and "Help Wanted."

Complete and discuss "Alienation" cluster web as a class--what are some synonyms for alienation? What are the causes of alienation? What are the positive and negative effects or results of alienation?

HW: Complete image analysis for Tuesday exploring a perspective on race in America.

AGENDA 11/20

Finish conclusion paragraph for "Dr. Pepper" photograph

Get into groups; analyze new photographs using OPTIC strategy:
"Drinking fountain"
"Help wanted"

HW: Finish conclusion paragraph and any other incomplete portions of OPTIC on the image you received in class today.

AGENDA 11/19

Introducing the historical context of Richard Wright's autobiography, Black Boy
Examine a set of Jim Crow laws from various Southern states--highlight the two or three that seem to be the most egregious or appalling. Generate five questions in the margins of the paper that these laws raise for you--these questions may be specific or general.

Introduce the OPTIC strategy as a way to analyze visual texts. Examine a photograph, complete the OPTIC handout, and discuss what it suggests about the Jim Crow Era and about American society during this time period.

HW: None--come back tomorrow with the laws, photograph and OPTIC handouts, with parts O-P-T-I filled out(we did this in class)--we'll work on the Conclusion paragraph together in class tomorrow.

AGENDA 11/16

CLUB DAY!!!

Finish watching film: Awakenings 1954-1966
Complete Viewing Guide, side 2: jot notes in the graphic organizer as you watch, then complete response at the end of the period (6-8 complete sentences). Share out responses and discuss. Turn in to the substitute at the end of the period.

HW: None--please submit any missing assignments (have you turned in your Advisory Transformation Altar? Independent reading essay? Evidence of progress toward goals?)

P.S. Wish Pust luck as the period begins this morning--she'll be presenting her workshop at the National Council of Teachers of English at 11:00am EST, which is 8am Samo time! : )

AGENDA 11/15

Finish watching film: Without Fear or Shame
Complete Viewing Guide, side 1: jot notes in the graphic organizer as you watch, then complete response at the end of the period (6-8 complete sentences). Share out responses and discuss.

Begin watching Awakenings 1954-1966 and complete Viewing Guide, side 2. Turn in to the substitute at the end of the period even if not finished.

HW: None--please submit any missing assignments (have you turned in your Advisory Transformation Altar? Independent reading essay? Evidence of progress toward goals?)

AGENDA 11/14

Film: Without Fear or Shame
Complete Viewing Guide, side 1: jot notes in the graphic organizer as you watch, then complete response at the end of the period (6-8 complete sentences). Turn in to the substitute at the end of the period--we'll finish the film tomorrow.

HW: None--please submit any missing assignments (have you turned in your Advisory Transformation Altar? Independent reading essay? Evidence of progress toward goals?)

AGENDA 11/13

The Catcher in the Rye Final Test: matching, multiple-choice, and short answer
Turn in independent reading essays (compare/contrast independent reading book with The Catcher in the Rye)

HW: None (unless you haven't turned in your independent reading essay)

REMINDER: Please be on best behavior for the substitute the next three days. Email me if you need help.

AGENDA 11/9

Review for The Catcher in the Rye test on Tuesday: Practice Test
Writing folders: prompts to prepare for Catcher test

HW: Study for The Catcher in the Rye test Tuesday
Finish independent reading essay - 500-800 words, typed and double-spaced, comparing your independent reading book with The Catcher in the Rye

See my sample independent reading compare/contrast essay

AGENDA 11/8

Symbolism Activity: "Nothing Gold Can Stay"
Analyze the poem with a partner using the handout

HW: Finish reading The Catcher in the Rye!

AGENDA 11/7

Discuss Ch. 21 of The Catcher in the Rye
Handout: Symbolism, significance of the title, and themes in Ch. 22
Work through handout as a whole class

HW: Read Ch. 23 of The Catcher in the Rye

AGENDA 11/6

Common Assessment

HW: Read Ch. 21 and 22 of The Catcher in the Rye for Wednesday

AGENDA 11/5

Bag 'o Destiny Discussion of chapters 19 and 20:Focus on Holden's Death Fantasies, Near Falls, and Allie's Grave - be prepared to share thoughts from your post-its!

Homework:Read chapters 21 and 22 for Wednesday--be prepared to discuss. Bring The Catcher in the Rye and your independent reading book to class tomorrow in case you finish the common assessment early. Read independent reading book! - final assignment due next Tuesday

AGENDA 11/2

Grammar Warm-up: Pronoun Ambiguity
Writing prompts--pass out folders and write to one of the prompts

HW: Read Chapter 19 and 20 of Catcher in the Rye. As you read Chapter 20, use post-it notes to track instances of death fantasies and almost-falling, as well as the reason Holden will not visit his brother's grave.

AGENDA 11/1

Group activity: Chart out and discuss symbolic names, objects, and actions in Catcher in the Rye