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.

March 26 - 30

It's the last week before Spring Break! Here's what's on the agenda:

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Argument: definition of warrants. Review Logical Fallacies, learn 3 new ones, prepare in-class skits. Read Gatbsy, Chapter 4; draw the beginning and act out Gatsby and Nick's car ride. Fill out Nomination Form for Actors for Great Gatsby. Gatsby Character Songs.

Due: 

Final draft of the "Women in the draft" essay to Turnitin.com by the following dates/times:

4th and 6th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

2nd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.

Homework: Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 4 for Thursday/Friday. 

Finish Nomination Form for Actors for Great Gatsby for 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. Quiz covering Vocab #19. Read and act out Gatsby, Chapter 5. Vote on Gatsby actors from the Nomination Forms for each role, per class. Gatsby Character Songs.

Due: Read Gatsby, Chapter 4.

Nomination Form for Actors for The Great Gatsby.

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

Think about which character you might want to play in class when we get back.  The last three chapters have some very dramatic scenes that will be fun to watch in class.

Have a spectacular Spring Break!
I look forward to seeing everyone in April.

March 19-23

Challenge Success Survey link - click here!

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Writing conclusions - PPT with suggestions and then rewrite sample conclusions in pairs, share with the class.  Discuss Chapter 2 of Gatsby and begin reading Chapter 3.  Compare/contrast exercise with the description of a Gatsby party from the book. Listen to clips from Gatsby character songs.

Due: Read Gatsby, Chapter 2 and be ready to discuss what else we learn about Tom Buchanan

Homework: Please read the rest of Chapter 3 of Gatsby for Thursday. Note how Fitzgerald describes Nick's first encounter with Jay Gatsby at his party

Optional:
Look up comments and continue work on essay drafts. We'll have time on Thursday/Friday to work on essays in class. The final drafts are due on:

5th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

3rd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.
 

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. "Generation Z" activism, voting rates for the U.S. Read and analyze 3 articles about mandatory voting.  In small groups, simulate a candidate for governor and a team of advisors. Craft a 2-3 sentence response to the prompt using evidence and examples.

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday) Please read the rest of Chapter 3 of Gatsby for Thursday. Note how Fitzgerald describes Nick's first encounter with Jay Gatsby at his party.  
Optional:
Look up comments and continue work on essay drafts. We'll have time on Thursday/Friday to work on essays in class. The final drafts are due on:  

5th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

3rd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.
 

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocab #18, grammar, Gatsby reading through Chapter 3. View model essay. Challenge Success Survey and time to work on final drafts of essays in class and upload them.

Due: n/a
 

Homework:  Please upload the final draft of your "Women in the draft" essay to Turnitin.com by the following dates/times:

5th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

3rd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.

March 12 - 16

This week, we'll begin The Great Gatsby! I'm looking forward to reading it with you, and I have two flapper dresses ready to go for acting it out in class. :-)

 

We will also be working on the final drafts of the women in the draft essay, and continuing with the argument unit.   

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Pass back Disobedience Argument Outlines and go over results. Introduction to the world of The Great Gatsby. Pick up the book from the library.  Begin reading and acting out Chapter 1.  Describe Gatsby Song Assignment.

Due: n/a

Homework: For Thursday/Friday:

• Finish reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment and be ready to share with the class. 

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)

• Finish reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment and be ready to share with the class. 

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocab #17, grammar, and Gatsby reading. Begin reading and acting out Chapter Two of Gatsby.  After reading, view 3 different interpretations of the introduction of Myrtle and discuss which is the most true to the text and/or best. Feedback about essay drafts and view a model essay. Time to work on essay drafts on laptops and ask for individual help.

Due:

• Finish reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment and be ready to share with the class. 

Homework:  For next class, finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 2 and note what we learn about Tom Buchanon.  

Continue to work on essay drafts. We will go over conclusions in class, and have about 30 more minutes to work on the drafts in class. The due dates for the final draft to Turnitin.com are: 

5th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

3rd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.

March 5 - 9, Supreme Court Week!

Thank you for your hard work last class on the rough drafts of the "women in the draft" essay. I am reading them and giving feedback, and we'll pick them back up next week.

This week, you'll research and present information about landmark Supreme Court cases, analyzing the language used to justify majority and minority opinions. You will work together in groups (with an individual assignment for each person).  In addition to satisfying standards for 11th grade informational reading, these Supreme Court cases are high quality examples that can be used to support positions in relevant argument and synthesis essays.

NOTE: Due to the WASC visit this week, there will be a Tuesday late start schedule, and Wednesday regular bell schedule.

MONDAY/TUESDAY:  Journal warm-up.  Overview of Supreme Court Project. Divide into groups, choose cases. Work with your group on laptops to research and discuss your case, and your individual written assignment in class. 

Due: Research basic facts about the U.S. Supreme Court.

Homework: Finish typing up your individual portion of the written Supreme Court Case Project. Bring a hard copy of the final draft, either neatly written or typed, to class on Thursday/Friday.

WEDNESDAY (no late start): Journal warm-up. Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints about whether or not college athletes should be paid. Discuss and debate, vote. As a whole class, outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion.

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday/Tuesday)

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up.  Supreme Court Case group presentations. Turn in hard copy of individual written Supreme Court assignment. Take notes on other presentations. Take open-note quiz about the cases afterwards. 

Due: Hard copy (paper copy) of the final draft of the Supreme Court Project, either neatly written or typed.

Homework: Study vocab #17 for next week's quiz.