AGENDA 2/29

Writing Review: Persuasive Essay Introductions and Body Paragraphs
Handout: Persuasive Essay Review
Note: We'll be having an in-class persuasive essay on Tuesday, after we cover counterarguments and conclusions.

Begin seminar on "Leaders"--bring discussion handouts and seminar text packets back for Monday.

HW: Write a 3-step introduction and 2 body paragraphs on "A Moment in History," arguing which moment in history is the most important and explaining its affect on today's world.

AGENDA 2/28

HW Check: Seminar prep handout and highlighted articles on "Leaders"

Vocabulary Quiz over Books IX and X of The Odyssey

AGENDA 2/27

Seminar preparation handout and three articles on leaders:
"Barry Tested Positive for Cocaine Use In the Fall"
"Schwarzenegger sorry for behaving 'badly' toward women"
"Villaraigosa affair may not be one to remember"



HW: Study for vocabulary quiz over Books IX and X of The Odyssey and complete seminar preparation handout and highlight articles.

AGENDA 2/26

Lesson Link #3: Subtext
Given monologues from The Odyssey, identify emotions and subtexts, practice the monologues, and perform them for the class. As we watch each performance, write down the subtexts or character emotions that you see, and decide which interpretation is ultimately more convincing based on what you know of the characters.

AGENDA 2/25

Vocabulary warm-up #2: words from Book IX and X of The Odyssey
Lesson: Subtext
Subtext is the underlying meaning of a text--the character's motivations, emotions, or role. It's what the character is really thinking beneath what he or she actually says.
Scenarios for practicing subtext: pairs leave the room to practice their lines and develop appropriate emotions, gestures, and/or props for their performances. Then the partners return to the room and each performs their scene. After each pair performs, audience discusses: What were their roles? Motivations? Emotions? How do you know?

HW: Study for vocabulary quiz on Thursday over words from Book IX and Book X of The Odyssey. See me for extra help if you still don't understand how to write a 3-step introduction or a body paragraph for persuasive essays--we'll have an in-class timed essay on Friday!

AGENDA 2/22

Vocabulary Warm-up #1: words from Book IX and X of The Odyssey

Complete and turn in handout, using your book as a resource: The Odyssey Book X: Kirke

HW: Study vocabulary for quiz next Thursday.

AGENDA 2/21

Presentation: Ms. Hinojosa
College options
Understanding transcripts
Weighted & unweighted GPA worksheet
Sophomore college standing worksheet

AGENDA 2/20

Review and discuss Book IX (Cyclops) and compare with Book X "The Grace of the Witch" (Kirke)

Pass out handout: Book X of The Odyssey: Kirke
Complete top portion comparing Books IX and X: What kind of leader is Odysseus? What kinds of challenges (physical, mental, emotional) does he face in this book? What weapon(s) does he use? What strengths and/or flaws does he exhibit in these two chapters?

NOTE: Tomorrow you'll have a presentation by Ms. Hinojosa that will last the entire period. Friday you'll need your books as you'll be completing this handout in class.

HW: Read the rest of Book X: "The Grace of the Witch" from The Odyssey for Friday.

AGENDA 2/19

Homework check & collect: 3-step introduction and 2 body paragraphs for "Success & Failure" (lightbulb) prompt

Introduce Book X Vocabulary words

Review Book IX of The Odyssey: "New Coasts and Poseidon's Son"
What does Book IX reveal about Odysseus as a leader? What challenges does he face? What weapon(s) does he use? What strengths and/or flaws as a leader does he display?

Begin viewing next segment of The Odyssey: Aeolus and Kirke
Begin reading Book X of The Odyssey: "The Grace of the Witch"

HW: Begin studying vocabulary. Begin reading Book X of The Odyssey.

AGENDA 2/15

Turn in Book IX posters and Book IX vocabulary sheets if you haven't already

CAHSEE warm-up: multiple-choice "A Day Away"
REMINDER: EXIT EXAM IS MARCH 11th!

CAHSEE practice: Review 3-step introduction and 4-step body paragraphs for persuasive essays
Model and review process with "What is Right is Not Always Popular" prompt; pass out new prompt for work over weekend.

HW: Due Tuesday--Write a 3-step introduction paragraph and 2 body paragraphs for the new prompt "Success and Failure" (lightbulb prompt)

AGENDA 2/14

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Essay practice: Review the 3-step introduction for persuasive essays; practice writing an introduction for "Punishments or Rewards?" prompt

PERSUASIVE ESSAYS: 3-step Introduction Review

Audience: People who disagree with you or are undecided

So...start by making it seem like you're on their side!

1. Hook: write an anecdote (brief story to describe situation), statistic, or startling statement that makes it seem like you agree with the opposite position.
Ex.: Since the tardy policy was established, the number of tardies has decreased.
Ex.: Every day at 1:16, the bell rings and students return to class after lunch. Then it begins. Dozens of seagulls swarm the campus, scavenging over chip bag wrappers, half-eaten chili-cheese fries, spilled soda cans. It may seem like there's nothing

2. Word that signals change: Write a sentence that points out the flaw in the other side's position.
Ex.: however, while, yet, although, even though, but

3. Transition to your thesis: use an affirming transition and explain what you think should be done
Ex.: consequently, therefore, as a result, ultimately

HW: Write an introduction paragraph for the "What is right is not always popular" prompt.

AGENDA 2/13

Advisory guest speaker: Jessica Romero from UCLA.
Turn in vocabulary sheet, Book IX Paraphrase & Respond sheet, and Book IX poster.

AGENDA 2/12

Vocabulary Warm-up: words from Book IX of The Odyssey
Book IX posters: select a quotation from lines 113-600 of Book IX that reveals something about Odysseus as a leader. Then illustrate the quotation, either symbolically or literally--make sure your drawing is neat and in color. Finally, write a body paragraph that includes a claim (describing what kind of a leader Odysseus is), evidence (a shorter quotation from the longer quotation at the top), and analysis (what the evidence reveals about Odysseus' leadership ability).

AGENDA 2/11

HW Check: Vocabulary sheet
Continue reading Book IX of The Odyssey
Watch segment of the film: Cyclops
Pass out Paraphrase and Respond handout for Book IX

HW: Read Book IX, lines 200-400; complete first half of Paraphrase and Respond handout for Book IX (side 1)

AGENDA 2/8

Begin viewing The Odyssey - watch Trojan War segment (covered in The Iliad) and introduce major characters

Begin reading Book IX: New Coasts and Poseidon's Son

Pass out Vocabulary for Book IX and Vocabulary Sheet - due Monday

HW: Complete Vocabulary Sheet for Book IX vocab; bring Odyssey books on Monday

AGENDA 2/7

Debrief yesterday's Advisory Presentation: What other questions do you have about AP classes?

Quickwrite & discussion: What makes a good leader?

Begin watching The Odyssey

HW: Bring The Odyssey books tomorrow!

AGENDA 2/6

Advisory: Presentation by AP Teachers and AP students

HW: Complete reflection slip for AP presentation (3 things you learned from the presentation and 2 questions you still have about AP) and bring Odyssey books tomorrow.

AGENDA 2/5

Lesson: Stressing words to convey emotion
Present Group Scenarios from scripts written yesterday--emphasize particular words in order to convey meaning

HW: Write 2 questions you have about AP classes for our Advisory session tomorrow--we'll be having guest speakers! AP teachers will be visiting our class to tell you more about what AP is like and help you make some decisions about your coursework for next year.

AGENDA 2/4

Present Sample Scenario and script write-up
Handout: Sample Scenario and Script

In groups of approximately four people, write your own dialogue based on one of the four scenarios: A, B, C, or D
Handout: Scenarios for Groups

Due at end of period! We'll be practicing and performing these in class tomorrow.

AGENDA 2/1

Grammar warm-up: Active/Passive voice

Visit textbook room to pick up Fitzgerald translation of The Odyssey

Finish OPTIC group presentations of Thomas Cole's The Voyage of Life paintings.