April 8 - 12

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a sensational Spring Break. I ate many good meals, caught up with friends and family, and read a couple of books for pleasure. Unfortunately, I also took my seventeen year-old scruffy tomcat to the animal hospital, but fortunately it looks like we may get a little more time with him.

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

MONDAY: (All period schedule) We will go to the College and Career Center together as a class to hear about the application process and the benefits that are available to you at PVHS. Receive Vocabulary #18.

Due: Read The Great Gatsby, through the end of Chapter 6.

Homework: Please review Gatsby and be caught up. If you need help reading it, come and see me during any lunch, and/or search for a good, free audio version on YouTube. There is an interesting one with Jake Gyllenhaal narrating that many students seem to like. We will use the novel as a basis for a writing assignment and there will be a final quiz after we finish.

Journals will be due in the bin at the end of the week, so be sure your entries have dates at the top and are full pages, except when noted that day.

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: (no late start on Wednesday due to CAASP testing) Journal warm-up. Read and act out the beginning of Chapter 7 of Gatsby. (4th and 6th only: go to the play preview.)

Due: Read The Great Gatsby, through the end of Chapter 6.

Homework: Please read Gatsby through the end of Chapter 8.

Study for the quiz covering Vocab #18, grammar, and reading. 

Have journals ready to turn in next class. 

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocab #18, grammar, reading. Finish Gatsby casting activity, vote as a class. (1st and 3rd only: go to the play preview.)

Due: Finish reading Gatsby through Chapter 8.

Journals in bin by the end of the class period (periods 4 and 6).

Homework: Finish Gatsby, Chapter 9 (finish the book). 

(1st and 3rd period - make sure journals are ready to turn in on Monday.)

March 25 - 29

It's the last week before Spring Break! We will continue with Gatsby, argument, and current events. There is no quiz this week. Please note that we do have a drill on Friday morning.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Go over essay results in detail, rewrite one paragraph in class.

Due:  Before class begins: read Gatsby, Chapter 2.

By the end of the class period: turn in a rewrite of one paragraph of your essay.

Homework: Please read the rest of Gatbsy, Chapter 3 and 4. Why do you think Fitzgerald included the character Meyer Wolfshiem?

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Gatsby Chapter 3 comparison exercise. Write in-class outline in response to argument prompt. Gatsby casting sheets.

Due: Gatsby, Chapters 3 and 4

Homework: Read Gatsby, Chapter 5 for Friday.

THURSDAY: Journal warm-up. Gatsby Chapter 3 comparison exercise. Write in-class outline response to argument prompt. Gatsby casting sheets. Begin reading Chapter 5 of Gatsby.

Due: Gatsby, Chapters 3 and 4.

Homework: Please read Chapters 5 and 6 of Gatsby for April (!)

FRIDAY: (minimum day, drill 4th period) Vocabulary Story Rounds for 6th period.

Due: Gatsby, Chapter 5

Homework: Please read Gatsby, Chapter 6 for April (!)

Have a wonderful and well-deserved break! I'm looking forward to seeing you in April. 

March 18 - 22

Great work on the essays last week, and again many thanks for all of the participation in discussions and debates throughout the gender unit! 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.


MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Read through "The Declaration of Independence" and analyze it as an argument. Review the most famous lines and discuss how to use it as an example or evidence to support claims in arguments. Intro: The Great Gatsby and the American Dream. Is it possible for anyone? Mention how the College Admissions cheating scandal, "Operation Varsity Blues" ties into this theme, (we will have a chance to talk about it further on Friday). Pick up Gatsby, begin reading and acting out Chapter One. Introduce Gatsby Song Assignment.

Due: Read through The Declaration of Independence as an argument. Bring any outstanding library books that you may have to class today to turn in.

Homework: Please finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 1. 

Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment and be ready to share with the class.  

Study for the quiz.

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day - March Madness theme! Read and annotate two opposing viewpoints about whether or not college athletes should be paid. Watch a debate, then  think/pair/share, vote. Outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion with the whole class.

Due: N/A

Homework: (Same as Monday, for Friday.)

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Vocabulary #17, grammar, reading. Collect Gatsby song assignment. Begin reading and acting out Chapter 2. View three film interpretations of the introduction of Myrtle. Discuss the college cheating scandal and analyze arguments for possible solutions.

Due: Read Gatsby Chapter 1. Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment.

Homework: Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 2. Start thinking about who you would cast to play the various parts in a Gatsby movie remake and why.

 

March 11 - 15

Welcome! This week we will finish up the Gender Unit with a debate and in-class argument essay. I've enjoyed hearing all of the different viewpoints from the classes during this unit.

MONDAY: (4th and 6th only) Journal warm-up. Discuss "There is No Unmarked Woman." (Note: moving current event day to Monday for first portion of class.) Read, discuss, debate: should college athletes be paid? Last 20 minutes of class: Gender Debate Prep on laptops in class.

Due: Please read and annotate "There is No Unmarked Woman." Note the types of evidence and examples used to support the argument.

Homework: Please complete the "Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and an article (or annotations and the title, author, publication on a separate page) ready to bring in for next class. 

TUESDAY: (1st and 3rd only). Journal warm-up. Check-off for Debate Prep Worksheet and article (or notes on an article). Debate.

Due: Complete the "Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and an article (or annotations and the title, author, publication on a separate page) ready to bring in for next class. 

Homework: Go through your notes about writing argument essays. Think about the best reasons for and against women registering for the draft that you heard during the debate.

WEDNESDAY: (4th and 6th period) Journal warm-up. Debate day.

Due: Please complete "Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and an article (or annotations and the title, author, publication on a separate page) ready to bring in for next class. 

Homework: Go through your notes about writing argument essays. Think about the best reasons for and against women registering for the draft that you heard during the debate.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm up. Go over outlines from "Why Johnny Won't Read". Go through the steps to write an argument essay. Write the in-class argument essay based on the same "Should women be required to register for the draft" prompt from the debate. You may use actual notes from the debate, but no pre-written essays or outlines. All notes will be turned in. You'll have the rest of the class to finish it.

Due: Go through your notes about writing argument essays. Think about the best reasons for and against women registering for the draft that you heard during the debate.

Homework: Please read and annotate the Declaration of Independence as an argument. How does Thomas Jefferson make the case for the United States to declare its independence from Great Britain?

Bring back any outstanding library books (Grapes, Huck Finn).

Read about the college admissions cheating current event that is dominating the news right now. We'll talk about it next week. 

March 4 - 8

It's March! This week, we'll continue with the Gender Unit, and the work with argument prompts.


MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Outline practice. Discuss the homework passage "Just Walk on By," whole class exercise. "I Want a Wife" passage - read and analyze the argument being made and the methods utilized by the author. Think/pair/share discussion.

Due: Read and annotate "Just Walk on By." Look over the questions at the end, and note how the author draws the reader into his experience. Have you experienced anything like this, either being cautious or watching others react to you?

Homework: For Thursday/Friday, please read "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-27 from National Geographic.  

Study for quiz.

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Go over the reading. Discussion about the complex issue of the gender pay gap and possible underlying reasons, view statistics. Read blog entry from a young professional about what she wishes she'd known about negotiating her salary (beneficial for everyone in class, not just the women). Speaking and listening: small group activity - improve the blogger's suggestions for phrases that could be used during a conversation with a potential employer that are respectful and effective in negotiations of salary, terms, etc. when accepting a position. Whole class discussion/comparison.

Extension: If you have time, click here for a challenging and informative video from the Stanford Business School about negotiation. I learn something new every time I listen to the lecture.

Due: n/a

Homework: Same as Monday.

THURSDAY - 4th and 6th period: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Vocabulary #16, grammar, and reading.  Discuss the homework reading and look at current events involving transgender people.

Due: Read "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-27 from National Geographic. 

Homework: Please read and annotate "There is No Unmarked Woman." Notice the types of evidence and examples the writer uses to support her argument. 

FRIDAY - 1st and 3rd period: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Vocabulary #16, grammar, and reading.  Discuss the homework reading and look at current events involving transgender people. Last 30 minutes: begin research on laptops to gather evidence and examples for the formal debate next class. The topic of the debate is whether or not women should be required to register for the draft the way that men do, and you'll need to be prepared to argue both sides.

Due: Read "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-27 from National Geographic. 

Homework: Please complete the "Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and an article (or annotations and the title, author, publication on a separate page) ready to bring in for next class. 

February 25 - March 1

Welcome! The schedules have been a bit confusing since the scheduling sessions are all on different days. Below is the agenda by class:

Fourth and Sixth Period Schedules: 

MONDAY: Attendance. Junior Guidance Session and register for classes next year.

Due: n/a

Homework:  For Friday, please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'" pages 17-22 in the Gender Unit Packet.

Bring your Huckleberry Finn books to class on Friday, please!

Study for the quiz covering Vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading.

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Go over the reading. Discussion about the complex issue of the gender pay gap and possible underlying reasons, view statistics. Read blog entry from a young professional about what she wishes she'd known about negotiating her salary (beneficial for everyone in class, not just the women). Speaking and listening: small group activity - improve the blogger's suggestions for phrases that could be used during a conversation with a potential employer that are respectful and effective in negotiations of salary, terms, etc. when accepting a position. Whole class discussion/comparison.

Extension: If you have time, click here for a challenging and informative video from the Stanford Business School about negotiation. I learn something new every time I listen to the lecture.

Due: n/a

Homework: For Friday, please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'" pages 17-22 in the Gender Unit Packet.

Bring your Huckleberry Finn books to class on Friday, please!

Study for the quiz covering Vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading.

FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading. Go over outlines for "Why Johnny Won't Read." Video argument: how women are portrayed in the media. Discuss the message and the effectiveness of the argument. Think/pair/share discussion. Return Huckleberry Finn books.

Due: Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'" pages 17-22 in the Gender Unit Packet.

Bring your Huckleberry Finn books to class.

Study for the quiz covering Vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading.

Homework: Please read and annotate "Just Walk on By." Look over the questions at the end, and note how the author draws the reader into his experience. Have you experienced anything like this, either being cautious or watching others react to you?

First Period Schedule: 

TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Go over "Why Johnny Won't Read" homework. Go through all of the steps to write an argument essay response as a whole class and write  individual original outline responses. Turn in the outline responses.

Due: Outline response to "Why Johnny Won't Read".

Homework: For Thursday, please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'" pages 17-22 in the Gender Unit Packet.

Bring your Huckleberry Finn books to class on Thursday, please!

Study for the quiz covering Vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading.

THURSDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading. Go over outlines for "Why Johnny Won't Read." Video argument: how women are portrayed in the media. Discuss the message and the effectiveness of the argument. Think/pair/share discussion. Return Huckleberry Finn books.

Due: Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'" pages 17-22 in the Gender Unit Packet.

Bring your Huckleberry Finn books to class.

Study for the quiz covering Vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading.

Homework: Please read and annotate "Just Walk on By." Look over the questions at the end, and note how the author draws the reader into his experience. Have you experienced anything like this, either being cautious or watching others react to you?

Third Period Schedule: 

TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocabulary #15, grammar, and reading. Check in/collect any remaining outlines for "Why Johnny Won't Read." Video argument: how women are portrayed in the media. Discuss the message and the effectiveness of the argument. Think/pair/share discussion.

Due: Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'" pages 17-22 in the Gender Unit Packet.

Homework: For Thursday, please bring your Huckleberry Finn book to class.

For next Monday, please read and annotate "Just Walk on By." Look over the questions at the end, and note how the author draws the reader into his experience. Have you experienced anything like this, either being cautious or watching others react to you?

THURSDAY: Attendance. Junior Guidance Session and register for classes next year. Bring your Huckleberry Finn books with you to the library to turn in while you're there.

Due: n/a

Homework: (Same as Tuesday's.) Please read and annotate "Just Walk on By." Look over the questions at the end, and note how the author draws the reader into his experience. Have you experienced anything like this, either being cautious or watching others react to you?

February 18 - 22

Welcome to the beginning of the Gender Unit. I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions and debates as we explore different perspectives and the current events in this area. We will also be honing our argument essay skills and getting ready to write the first argument paper of the unit in steps.

Also: due to the Junior Guidance Sessions that take up entire periods but are scattered over the next two weeks, there will be variations for some classes, as noted below. The quiz for Vocab #15 will be next week, with the schedule below at the bottom of this entry.

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Compare results of first exercise. Discuss first two articles in the English 3 Gender Reading Packet. Practice brainstorming evidence and examples in small groups. Present evidence. Produce group thesis and outline.

Due: Read and annotate "Being a Man" and "Many Ways to be a Girl, but One Way to be a Boy...", pages 1-5 in the Gender Unit Packet. What type of evidence and examples is each author using? Do you agree or disagree with their theses and claims? Come to class with your own opinions, ready to discuss.

Homework for periods 4,6: Read "Why Johnny Won't Read" and brainstorm examples and evidence individually. write an original outline response defending, challenging, or qualifying the authors' position about why boys are reading less and less for Friday.

Homework for periods 1,3: Read "Why Johnny Won't Read and have an opinion about their argument. Decide if you would agree, disagree, or qualify in a response.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY (3rd, 4th, and 6th): Journal warm-up. Go over "Why Johnny Won't Read" homework. Go through all of the steps to write an argument essay response as a whole class and write  individual original outline responses. Turn in the outline responses.

Due for periods 4,6: Please finish the original, less-than-one-page outline response to "Why Johnny Won't Read" for Thursday/Friday.

Due for period 3: Read "Why Johnny Won't Read and have an opinion about their argument. Decide if you would agree, disagree, or qualify in a response.

Homework for all periods except period 1: Please read and annotate "Moving Beyond How Do I Look" and the challenging "There is No Unmarked Woman" in the Gender Packet. Be ready to share your opinions next class.

FRIDAY: (1st period only) Come to class for attendance. Junior Guidance Session.

Next week: 
1st period, 4th and 6th - quiz on Thursday/Friday.

3rd period - quiz on Tuesday.