April 30 - May 4

Here's what's on the agenda for the week:

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. More about the synthesis-style essay. Go over readings and annotations of Sources 3 and 4 from the Science and Nature Packet. Read Source 2 together and discuss as a class. (5th period will do the Walden warm-up and take the Walden quiz, due to the lockdown last week.) Begin writing outlines 

Due: Please read and annotate Sources 3 and 4 in the Science and Nature Packet.

Homework:  Have a rough thesis ready for Thursday/Friday.  Pick out excerpts from 3 of the sources that you can use to support your argument, or to use as a concession and argue against in the essay. 

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints. Discuss and debate, vote. Outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion. (NOTE: 5th period will write the Monday warm-up and practice with the words from Vocab 22.)

Due: n/a

Homework: (Same as Monday.)

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Vocab #22, grammar, and reading.  Whiparound activity with thesis statements for the food policy essay. Type detailed outlines for food essay  (NOTE: we will have less time on Friday because of an adjusted bell schedule for lip dub.)

Due: n/a

Homework: Full, detailed outline of Food policy essay due to Turnitin.com by Sunday, May 6th at 10:00 p.m., including the 3 required sources.

Walden Week!

Welcome to Walden Week! We'll discuss the short story "Admiral," enjoy excerpts from the highly influential and relevant book by Henry David Thoreau, and then begin working on the articles about U.S. food policy and sustainable foods.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Discuss the short story "Admiral" by T.C. Boyle. Begin reading the Walden excerpt that contains 5 vocabulary words for the week. Listen to excerpts from Walden and enjoy an optional, extra credit coloring activity.

Due: Read "Admiral" by T.C. Boyle in the Science and Nature Packet.

Homework for Thursday/Friday:
Finish reading Walden excerpt (if need be).

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Read sources and debate to what extent the government should require "green" practices.

Due: n/a

Homework: same as Monday.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Walden vocabulary and content. Walden discussion. Synthesis essay basics. Introduction to the Sustainable Foods articles and essay. View Peter Menzel's Hungry Planet photo essay as a class.


Due: Finish reading Walden excerpt from Science and Nature packet.

Homework: In the Science and Nature Packet, please read and annotate Source 3 by Niman, and Source 4 by Specter.

April 16- 20

We just finished Gatsby; it's been a great experience reading this classic American story with you, and I'm looking forward to the discussions on Monday and Tuesday. This week, we'll have a journal check and enjoy the 2013 Gatsby movie. Juniors will take the CAST (Science) exam this Friday.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Gatsby discussion questions. Complete two of the questions by yourself, then share answers in small groups to one of them. Begin Gatsby movie. Turn in journals to the class bin by the end of the period.

Due: Finish Gatsby (the rest of Chapter 8 and Chapter 9). Be prepared to discuss your impression of the ending, and the book as a whole. 

Have journals ready to turn in at the end of the period.

Homework: Please finish the Final Gatsby Questions assignment for Thursday/Friday. 

Please bring the library copy of The Great Gatsby to class to turn in on Thursday/Friday. 

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints. Discuss and debate, vote. Outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion.

Due: n/a

Homework: same as Monday.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Turn in Final Gatsby Questions assignment.  Quiz covering Vocab #21, grammar, and Gatsby. Finish Gatsby movie.  Receive Science and Nature Packet. (Note: for those taking the CAST during 5th period, you'll be excused from taking the quiz and will not need to make it up. Please turn in the Gatsby Questions and pick up a Science and Nature Packet, though.)

Due: Final Gatsby Questions assignment, library copy of The Great Gatsby book.

Homework: In the Science and Nature Packet, please read the modern short story "Admiral" at the end of the packet and be ready to discuss.

April 9 - 13

It's official! We have less than two months of school left before the school year is over, and you'll be seniors.  I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing break and is ready for a productive and lively 8 weeks until finals (!)  I'll go over the basic agenda for this last stretch of school on Monday.  I've been reading through it and thinking about it, and I'm excited to facilitate the discussions, debates, and group activities of these last weeks.

This week, we'll get to read and act out the very dramatic seventh chapter of The Great Gatsby, preview Kiss Me Kate (the school play), and take quiz #20.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Overview of last 8 weeks. Argument: straw man fallacy, induction and deduction definitions and examples. Begin reading and acting out Gatsby, Chapter 7.

Due:
Please finish Gatsby Chapter 5, and read Gatsby Chapter 6.
 

Homework: Finish Chapter 7 of Gatsby. 

WEDNESDAY: Kiss Me Kate play preview. Journal warm-up. Income inequality reading and discussion - read excerpts from Nickel and Dimed. Is the American Dream still within reach for the working poor? What, if anything, should a society do to fight poverty?  

Due: n/a

Homework: same as Monday.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Vocabulary #20, grammar, Gatsby reading.  Read and act out Chapter 8.

Due: Read the rest of Gatsby, Chapter 7.

Homework: Finish The Great Gatsby - please read the rest of Chapter 8 and Chapter 9.  Be ready to discuss the ending and your impressions of the book next week.

Journals will be due at the end of next period, fyi.