AGENDA 5/14

Finish TPS-FAST analysis of "The Boy Died in My Alley" by Gwendolyn Brooks
Write a poetry journal response (100-300 words) for "The Boy Died in My Alley," remembering to discuss a particular line or part of the poem, and to reflect on the poem both emotionally and as a reader (hint: use sentence starters from both "Engagement" and "Metacognition" sides of handout)

Begin brainstorming or drafting "Neighborhood" poem for Friday

1. Must convey a clear emotion (fear, regret, happiness, frustration, anger, sadness, pride, etc.)
2. Must include one of the rhetorical devices we saw in "The Boy Died in My Alley"

• repetition
• metaphor
• dialogue
• unusual capitalization
• rhyme
• personification
• assonance
• consonance 
• alliteration
• caesura
• enjambment

AGENDA 4/17

Guest Speakers - Transportation Wednesday
Mr. Joe Stitcher, Chief Administrative Officer, Big Blue Bus
Mr. Jay Dinkins, City Traffic Management Division

Pust's Notes from Transportation Wednesday

HW: Turn in creative research response by Friday. Guest speaker notes due Friday or Monday (staple together as one packet).  First section of research paper, typed draft due Monday.

AGENDA 4/16

Guest speaker, Ralph Mechur from SMMUSD Board of Education
Pust's Notes from Mr. Mechur's visit

HW: 

AGENDA 4/15

Watch RSA Animate of Sir Ken Robinson's "Changing Education Paradigms" and note 3-4 key ideas. Discuss with partner
Share PPT presentation to launch Local Issues Project

HW (Period 2 & 5 only): Generate a research question for your topic with built-in tension (see PPT) and craft/design a creative piece to respond initially to your topic (refer to PPT for ideas)
Ideas for responding creatively:

• Write an original poem
• Make a Wordle
• Create a drawing or image collage
• Write a short story from the point of view of another “character” involved in the issue
• Craft a descriptive sketch, using words to “paint the scene”

AGENDA 4/12

Guest speaker, Natasha Guest, senior analyst from City of Santa Monica Human Services Division - focus on homelessness issues within the city
Pust's notes from Ms. Guest's presentation/Q&A
Blank guest speaker notes form for taking notes (the notes you take will be collected next week for credit!)

AGENDA 3/1

Debrief "Fall Canceled After Three Billion Seasons" and "Kitchen-Floor Conflict Intensifies As Rival House Cats Claim Same Empty Bag" - discuss humor devices used and what the author's satirical message is for each article

Watch "Brain-Dead Teen, Only Capable Of Rolling Eyes And Texting, To Be Euthanized"and discuss how this is an example of Juvenalian satire


Explain satire terms assignment: choose one of our unit texts so far, and select a humor device (hyperbole, understatement, jargon, incongruity, detail, timing, or pun) that is at work within that text.  First, define your chosen term. Then, quote the example directly from the text. Create an MLA formatted citation for the text. Finally, write an analysis paragraph exploring how the author uses the humor device to convey his/her satirical message.

Unit texts:
"Fall Canceled After Three Billion Seasons"
"Kitchen-Floor Conflict Intensifies As Rival House Cats Claim Same Empty Bag"
"3'-by-4' Plot of Green Space Rejuvenates Neighborhood"
"Dollar Bill On Floor Sends Wall Street Into Frenzy"

Videos:
"Brain-Dead Teen, Only Capable Of Rolling Eyes And Texting, To Be Euthanized"
"Introducing The Green Housewives - "Greener Than Thou'"
"1-900-976-0TSA" Saturday Night Live sketch
"US Schools Trail World In Child Soldier Aptitude"

Remember, for  the MLA citations, you'll need to provide the additional information found at each of these links! :-)

HW: Draft of first satire terms entry due Monday (handwritten is ok).

AGENDA 1/31

Finish introducing vocabulary from Death of a Salesman. Quiz on 2/12. Know the word's definition, spelling, and how to use it correctly in your own sentence.
Watch final scene of Death of a Salesman and discuss

Answer questions about script annotations.

HW: continue independent reading ~60 pages a week. Complete book check of 400 pages by 2/20/2013.

Finish reading Death of a Salesman and select a monologue or scene to perform (monologues should be a long speech of six lines or more; scenes with multiple characters should be approximately a page long, with approximately six lines or more per character). Annotate the script like I showed in my model: first, write a summary at the top explaining what takes place in the scene; second, for your chosen character, double-underline individual words that you will emphasize to convey emotions when performing and note in the margins why/how you will emphasize those particular words or what you are attempting to convey; and third, write a paragraph at the bottom indicating your character's motivations, goals, obstacles, and emotions in this particular scene or monologue.  Due Monday! You may photocopy the page or type it yourself, and then annotate neatly in ink or type the paragraphs if you prefer.

AGENDA 1/15

Continue to introduce vocabulary from Death of a Salesman
Watch opening scenes of Death of a Salesman and then read to page 33 where Linda says "Diamond mines."

Be prepared to answer the following tomorrow:
What is wrong with Willy at the beginning of the play? Why is his family concerned?
Why is willy unhappy with Biff?
Describe Willy and Linda's relationship--how do they act toward each other?
How are Biff and Happy similar--in what ways are they both "lost"?
Who are "Uncle Charley" and Bernard?
Who is Uncle Ben?

HW: continue independent reading ~60 pages a week
Work interview transcript and reflection due 1/23
Sample work interview and transcript
Read to page 33 for tomorrow and be prepared to discuss answers to the questions above

AGENDA 12/7

Grammar - Comparison Errors #1

Finish reading Ragged Dick aloud
Turn in final Thinking While Reading next Tuesday - chapters 17-27
17, 18, 19 : one quotation and response for each chapter

Ch 20 : Who is Jim Travis? What does suspect about him?

Ch 22 & 23: Quickwrite

In your opinion, have teenagers changed since Dick’s time? Do you know teenagers who work hard, save their money, give to charity or others who need it? Or are many of today’s teenagers selfish and lazy, and if they are, why do you think that might be? What keeps teens “on track” and helps them learn to be responsible and generous?

Ch 24:
1) What does Dick learn in the letter he receives, and why does reading it make him happy/proud?
2) Why does Micky Maguire think that "pride had had a fall," and what does Micky misunderstand?

Chapters 25, 26, 27: How did reading and studying Ragged Dick add to your understanding of TWO of the circles of identity to which you belong? Include two quotations from Ragged Dick with page numbers as part of your response.  See this handout for help.

HW: Complete Thinking While Reading for chapters 17-27, information above, due on TUESDAY.

AGENDA 12/6

Seminar: "Kids These Days": Are today's teens as generous and responsible as Ragged Dick?

HW: Read Ch 24 of Ragged Dick and answer:
1) What does Dick learn in the letter he receives, and why does reading it make him happy/proud?
2) Why does Micky Maguire think that "pride had had a fall," and what does Micky misunderstand?

AGENDA 11/26

Timed essay practice - model two body paragraphs on Topic #3 (Mariano)
Students write a practice body paragraph using A7, A8, and A9 of their FLT sheets applied to Topic #4 (Grant) - check in and coach in class


Read Ragged Dick,  chapters 15 and 16, and complete "Thinking While Reading" questions

Ch 15: What mistake does Dick make restitution for in this chapter? What arrangements does Dick make with Mr. Greyson and with Henry Fosdick?

Ch 16: What contrasts does Alger make between Dick and Henry Fosdick? How does Dick begin to apply himself and turn his weaknesses into strengths?

HW: Finish body paragraph for Topic #4 if not finished in class. Use my sample paragraphs that I wrote on Topic  #3 to help you.  Complete Chapter 15 and 16 "Thinking While Reading" sheets for Wednesday.

NOTE: Timed essay on a new topic in class on Thursday!!! See me soon for extra help if needed!

AGENDA 11/16

Reading Quiz over Ragged Dick, chapters 1-11

Introduction to timed essays - FLT sheets and practice prompts
Continue book checks for independent reading
Read ahead in Ragged Dick, chapter 12, 13, 14

HW: Read Chapter 12, 13, 14 of Ragged Dick and answer the following questions for "Thinking While Reading"
Chapter 12: How is Dick's character changing?
Chapter 13 & 14: Who is Micky Maguire? What do Dick's encounters with Micky Maguire show us about Dick's character?

AGENDA 11/9

Grammar Practice: Misplaced Modifiers #2
Election project reflections
Read Chapter 9, Chapter 10, and Chapter 11 of Ragged Dick on your own; as you finish each chapter, add a quotation and response to your "Thinking While Reading" assignment for chapters 9-11.

HW: Finish reading Chapter 9, Chapter 10, and Chapter 11 of Ragged Dick on your own; as you finish each chapter, add a quotation and response to your "Thinking While Reading" assignment for chapters 9-11. Complete 400 pages of independent reading for a book check no later than Tuesday.

AGENDA 11/8

Read Chapters 7-8, then answer the following questions for your "Thinking While Reading" on notebook paper:

1) Explain why Chapter 7 is called "The Pocket-Book." Why is the pocket-book significant?
2) In Chapter 8, what are some of the things Dick has done in order to survive?
3) What does Frank encourage Dick to do at the end of Chapter 8?

HW: Finish questions from Ch 7 and 8 if needed.  Finish 400 pages of independent reading and be ready for book check tomorrow or Tuesday.

AGENDA 10/23

Computer Lab T110 to experiment with Audacity

Download my sample audio project to import into and work with in Audacity 
Here's my sample audio project for use on Macs

AUDIO RESOURCES:

Link to SoundBible - search for free, downloadable sound effects and music! Public domain - ok to repost on web
Link to Soungle - search for free, downloadable sound effects!
Link to Freeplay Music - search for free, downloadable background music by style or keyword. FOR CLASSROOM USE ONLY.

Link to JewelBeat - search for downloadable music - 99¢ a song gives you licensing permissions to use on web.

Study for Wednesday's quiz over Fallacies and Semicolon Use:

Fallacies Practice #1

Fallacies Practice #2
Understanding Fallacies PowerPoint
Understanding Fallacies PowerPoint Notes

Semicolons Practice #1

Semicolons Practice #2

Semicolons Practice #3

Semicolons Practice #4
Handout on proper semicolon use

AGENDA 10/22

Final call for signups for Election Authentic Audience presentations for PTSA Election Night 10/24 @ 6:30pm in the Cafeteria or to Senior classes at Samohi: - share template to help you plan presentations

Stamp election ads drafts

Work in pairs to paraphrase and provide real-life examples of Benjamin Franklin's "Maxims"
HW: BRING HEADPHONES TO COMPUTER LAB TOMORROW!
Study for Wednesday's quiz over Fallacies and Semicolon Use:

Fallacies Practice #1

Fallacies Practice #2
Understanding Fallacies PowerPoint
Understanding Fallacies PowerPoint Notes

Semicolons Practice #1

Semicolons Practice #2

Semicolons Practice #3

Semicolons Practice #4
Handout on proper semicolon use

AGENDA 10/15

Discuss and analyze rhetorical appeals and techniques (including sound effects) in the following political ads:
Listen to Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "Future"
Transcript of "Future" ad
Discuss narrator - how does the narrator come across as likable, relatable, and credible? What helps the candidate come across as trustworthy, reliable, likable? (appeals to ethos)
What facts are included? (appeals to logos)
What emotions does the ad try to stir in the audience? (appeals to pathos)
How does the ad use repetition?
How does the ad use background sounds/music?
What evidence do we have that suggests this ad was created for young, undecided voters?


Listen to Dino Rossi: "Too Long"
Transcript of "Too Long" ad
Describe how this ad differs in tone and arrangement of ideas
Notice the more specific facts and critical tone
Is this ad targeted to the OPPOSITION or BASE voters? How do you know?



HW: Independent reading - 25 days left in the grading period. You should be halfway through your indie reading by now!  Bring books Wednesday for a little reading time and check-in.  Begin drafting your election ad.

AGENDA 10/12

Grammar Practice: Semicolons #3
Work on annotated bibliography for Election Project
Model formatting using a student bibliography draft - revised and with my reminders/comments
View rubric on Turnitin.com assignment page (icon is picture of "staircase"
Sample for Print source using Official Voter Information Guide

HW: Submit annotated bibliography for Election Project by Sunday before midnight; read indie book - you should have completed 200 pages by Wednesday!

AGENDA 10/10

T110 Computer Lab


Work on annotated bibliography for Election Project

HW: Complete annotated bibliography for Election Project by Sunday; read indie book - you should have completed about 150-200 pages by now!

AGENDA 10/9

T110 Computer Lab


Work on annotated bibliography for Election Project

HW: Complete annotated bibliography for Election Project by Sunday; read indie book - you should have completed about 150-200 pages by now!