Junior Honors English

There are lots of things going on. Starters are due, along with a "gut check." Tell me how you are doing in the class and what you need help with.

Get busy on your Fold-a-Book or you will be hating life. Remember that those are due Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

You have a timed write on social commentary and a McQuizzie, too. That's what you do while I'm recording scores. See me if you need to catch up.

Sophomore English

Today was a big day. We handed in our starters - those were worth 150 points, we handed in a "gut check" - a paragraph about how we are doing in the class. We also read "The Battle with Humbaba" in the Epic of Gilgamesh and drew a mural depicting the story. Then, we wrote on whether or not Humbaba should have been spared death. If you missed today, that's what you need to make up. Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday, October 5th. :-)

Junior Honors

You have your materials for the Fold-a-Book now. We are still working on presentations. They will be done by the end of the next class period. The books are due on October 7th and 8th. If you know you won't be there, please make arrangements to make sure your book does show up on time. We will be evaluating them in class that day. Please, no Honors Flu...

Next up, we will be working on a comparison/contrast essay for "The Speech to the Virginia Convention" and Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". Delightful! There won't be any homework until after the FAB is done. I'm sure that will be more than enough to keep you busy.

Just remember, after this, everything else will seem easy! (You're brilliant! You'll be fine as long as you don't put it off!)

Sophomore English

We have started The Epic of Gilgamesh - just a story or two of course. Our theme is discovering what a hero is. We will be doing some writing in class and then working furiously on reading strategies to help make difficult texts more doable. There is a project that will be due with Gilgamesh. When I assign it next week, I will post more information.

Gilgamesh will take a week or two, and then it is Antigone, Classic Greek Theater at its finest. We will talk about having the courage to stand up for what you believe in, along with reading and writing.

Science Fiction/Fantasy Class - a schedule

Today we worked on in our groups. The presentations to the rest of the class will be on September 30th.

We are working on Phillip "Big Dog" Jones' challenge to read the rough draft of his book. We are working to give him feedback on his writing. Shayla S. has already emailed him about a change and he has made it! The final edition of the book will have Shayla's suggestion! Hooray! This is NOT an assignment. No one is required to read the book.

So, here's the schedule for the rest of the quarter for this class:
9/28, The Rules of Magic is due. I have handouts if you need them.You will get the chance to work in your groups to get ready for presentations
9/30, The Once and Future King presentations will be in class.
10/6, you will get your Literature Circle Books
10/8, we are headed to go to the library to research Mythical/Magical Beasts
10/26 Literature Circle Presentations - each group will advertise their book
10/28 We are hoping to have another author come to our class. We're still working on it.
11/2 We start on Science Fiction. I'm not sure where in the universe this quarter will lead us, but I do know that we will be building a rocket ship of some kind.

Junior Honors

I've tried to make sure that you have all the skills you will need for your presentations. Be sure to ask if there is something you don't understand. We will all be happier if you are able to do a good job on your presentations.

SRI's are coming up. Those are the tests that measure your reading power. I will also give you time in class to work with your group to prepare for your presentation.

Just a reminder that group presentations are the 22nd and 23rd, and that the Fold-A-Book is due on October 7th and 8th.

Be looking for a copy of The Scarlet Letter - you need it as soon as we are done with the FAB.

Science Fiction/Fantasy Class

The magic kingdoms were really impressive! Next up, you need to decide on the rules of magic for your kingdom. Those will be due on September 28th.

We will be working on some mythology in class to give you some background knowledge on the 17th, and on Monday, we will be hearing from Phillip Jones, the author.

The Once and Future King is due in class on the 23rd - be sure to get your reading done and the assignment prepared.