12/17/13

Today we read page 461-463.  We then completed Exercise 1 on combing sentences by inserting words, and we then went on to do Exercise 2 as well.  We read page 465 and the top of page 466.

12/18/13

We watched a clip of the song "The Grinch" from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."  Students were to first write, on their paper, 10 adjectives that describe the Grinch.  They were to then use those adjectives to write 10 simple sentences, using one adjective per sentence.  They were then to combine those 10 sentences into 5 compound sentences using the rules on page 457 (1. coordinating conjunction, 2. semi-colon, and 3. Semi-colon + conjunctive adverb followed by a comma).

December 16

Today students were given a few minutes to finish the review exercise on Page 459 of the Elements of Writing book.  They then went on to do the making connections on page 460.

12/12/13

Yesterday we worked on Exercise 5 from the Elements of Writing book on page 455.  We started off reading page 445 and 446 about sentence fragments and incomplete sentences.

Today I had students finish the paragraph and we went on to read pages 456 and 457 about run on sentences.

12/6

Today in class, we watched Channel One News to learn about the passing of Nelson Mandela.  I want my students to be aware of who he was an how he changed the world.
Students were then given time to finish their county-wide essay prompts from the day before, because I had used some of their time at the beginning of class yesterday.  If they had finished, students read for the rest of the class period.

Wednesday and Thursday

Since Wednesday was an early release day, and we only had periods 1, 2, 4, and 6, I showed another powerpoint presentation on Persuasive Writing.  On Thursday we did a county-wide persuasive writing prompt for progress monitoring.

December 2

Today students were given 15 minutes to make corrections to their vocabulary/literary term quizzes and then they turned them back in. We are beginning persuasive writing and will be continuing writing until Christmas break.  I showed part of a powerpoint presentation.  Will finish tomorrow.

Vocabulary and Literary Quiz for Antigone

Today we took the vocabulary and literary term quiz for the plan "Antigone."

Remember, as of tomorrow, I will not be taking any late work, so if you were absent or missed a day of class you need to turn the work in by Friday!  NO EXCEPTIONS!

Antigone Graphic Organizer and Vocabulary Practice

Today we completed a character study on the characters of Antigone.  We then went on to do a vocabulary practice worksheet.  Remember, you have a vocabulary and literary term quiz tomorrow.  Study!!!!!!!  Also, remember that I will not be taking any late work after Friday 11/22.  If you have a zero and do not turn your work in by Friday, it will remain a zero.  No exceptions.

Antigone Worksheets

Today we finished the Antigone worksheets, and if students finished they were given a graphic organizer that analyzed the individual characters of the play.  Remember there is a Vocabulary Quiz and literary term quiz on Thursday.

Antigone Worksheets

Today we finished the Antigone worksheets, and if students finished they were given a graphic organizer that analyzed the individual characters of the play.  Remember there is a Vocabulary Quiz and literary term quiz on Thursday.

Antigone Worksheets

Today we began Antigone worksheets.  Tomorrow students will get a chance to finish them.  On Thursday, you will have a vocabulary and literary term quiz.  Please study for it.

Also, as of Friday, I will not be taking any late papers.  You need to check to see if you have work that you need to make up and get it done and turned in this weekend.  No exceptions.

Friday 11/15

All classes finished reading the play "Antigone."

Antigone

Today we continued reading Antigone.
Here is a link if you would like to reread any scenes from Antigone again. 
http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/antigone.html  

Antigone

Today we summarized what has happened in the story so far, including the story of Oedipus Rex.  We then continued to read.

Antigone

Today we began reading Antigone.  Remember you have homework tomorrow--vocabulary words and literary terms are due.

Greek Tragedies

Today we read background information on Greek tragedies, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone.  Students were given vocabulary words along with literary terms that is their homework assignment.  It is due on Wednesday, 11/13.  Students were given and Anticipation Guide near the end of class, which is homework if they did not finish it and turn it in.    

Wordmaps need to be created for the following words:  

Auspicious

Defiled

Edict

Lithe

Sated

Compulsive

Dirge

Lamentation

Perverse

Transgression

These maps should include, word, definition, antonym/synonym, picture, and original sentence containing the word.  

Students were also give literary terms, which they need just the definition of.  These terms are:

Hamartia

Hubris

Poetic justice

Foil

Parados

Exodus

Tragic hero

Internal conflict

External conflict

I suggest students use dictionary.com to find definitions (the two word definitions will be there).  Again, this is due on Wednesday 11/13.  

Friday 11/8

We finished up Logos, Ethos, and Pathos with a worksheet during period 5.  Period 6 finished the powerpoint presentation.

County-wide Expository Essay

Today we completed the second county-wide expository writing prompt.  If you missed, get the prompt form Mrs. Dewalt.  Please set a date to come after school to make it up.

Finished Propaganda and went on to Persuasive Appeals

Today we finished the notes on propaganda and then we went on to a powerpoint presentation about Persuasive Appeals  We did not finish this presentation and will finish it tomorrow.

Persuasive Appeals

Yesterday we watched a powerpoint presentation on different forms of Propaganda that is used to influence us.  We took notes and discussed the techniques that advertisers and companies use to sway our opinion.  See Mrs. Dewalt if you missed class today to find a time to come to class and view the presentation.

Coding "The Raven" for our CISM

Today students went through The Raven and coded the text.  They were looking for:

            alliteration-  two or more words of a word group start with the same letter, as in apt alliteration's artful aid. These words are not necessarily all together.  There can be several words separating them.  

             

internal rhyme - the rhyming of words within a line of poetry, not just at the end of the lines.

They were to highlight one and underline the other, or highlight each in a different color.  There are many

examples of each in the text.  

Here is a link to the poem: http://www.heise.de/ix/raven/Literature/Lore/TheRaven.html 

10/30 and 10/31

Yesterday--sorry I forgot to post guys

We went over another form of poetry--The Ballad
We read the poem "Bonny Barbra Allan," which was written by an Anonymous author
We also read "Sea Fever" and we read and discussed the author John Masefield.


Today we read two articles about Edgar Allan Poe.

Students answered 7 questions about the article. See Mrs. Dewalt for the articles.

We then discussed some vocabulary words that would be seen in the poem "The Raven," by Edgar Allan Poe. 

Tomorrow, students will finish this CISM lesson by coding the text.

Final Literary Terms

Today we reviewed the final literary terms:  

character sketch- a written piece that is a person's personality and behavior or a theatrical portrayal of a unique character

             

syntax-  Syntax is an order of words and phrases to form proper sentences.

( Ex. “I'm going to the movies" versus "to the movies I'm going."

             

chiasmus –inversion of the second of two parallel phrases, clauses, etc.

(Ex. “She went to Paris”;” To New York went he.”)

             

anaphora- using the same word or words to start two or more sentences or paragraphs that follow one another.

(Ex.  “Because I understand, because I want to, because I love you.”)

epistrophe or epiphora- the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. 

(Ex. “For no government is better than the men who compose it, and I want the best, and we need the best, and we deserve the best."
(Senator John F. Kennedy, speech at Wittenberg College, Oct. 17, 1960)

polysyndeton- The repetition of conjunctions in close succession for rhetorical effect.

(Ex.  here and there and everywhere)

foil - character who provides a contrast to another character, thus emphasizing the other’s traits; a character in a play who sets off the main character or other characters by comparison.

paradox -  a statement which contains seemingly contradictory elements or appears contrary to common sense, yet can be seen as perhaps true when viewed from another angle, such as Alexander Pope's statement that a literary critic would "damn with faint praise" Or “That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me.” (a statement that is seemingly impossible at first, but very logical once it is explained. Ex. The child is father to the man)

parody -  ludicrous imitation, usually for comic effect but sometimes for ridicule, of the style and content of another work.

satire - a piece of literature designed to ridicule the subject of the work. While satire can be funny, its aim is not to amuse, but to arouse contempt. It arouses laughter or scorn as a means of ridicule and derision, with the avowed intention of correcting human faults

Example of Parody:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNBP18nrRdw&list=TLX9ZOll8HUmKyF0wW7QkqedaOjb7f-5M7

Example of Satire:  http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/427310/june-19-2013/cap-n-crunch-scandal

Other examples:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M-KlV5cPUo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuvjDK3mpA0

Thursday 10/24

Today in class we learned how to write a Villanelle.  We learned the structure of the poem and then we wrote one.  If you did not finish your poem in class, it is homework.  I had students put reminders in their phones to do their homework over the weekend, so there should be no excuses.

Finished TPCASTT of Annabell Lee

Today we finished the TPCASTT for Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe.  Students turned in their work at the end of class.  If you still owe me work, I need to have it in my hands tomorrow, or I will not put the grade in for this semester.

TPCASTT for Annabell Lee

Today we did another TPCASTT learning strategy to analyze the poem Anabell Lee by Edgar Allan Poe.  We read about his life and death.   We had a class discussion about his life.  We then read the poem and began analyzing the poem.  Students predicted what they poem would be about simply by observing the poem name.  Then they paraphrased the poem.  They looked for literary elements that we have been discussing and also looked for implied meaning in the poem.  They then will try to decide the tone of the poem and if there is a shift in the poem.  They will then revisit the title to see if their prediction was correct and they will record the meaning behind the title of the poem.  They then have to decide the theme of the poem.  Students did not finish and will have a chance to finish tomorrow.

More literary terms and we analyzed a poem.

Today we had more literary terms:           

  alliteration-  two or more words of a word group start with the same letter, as in apt alliteration's artful aid.

             

            assonance- rhyme in which the same vowel sounds are used with different consonants in the stressed syllables of the rhyming words, as in penitent and reticence.

            connotation– something suggested or implied by a word or thing, rather than being explicitly named or described.

            denotation- a word that names or signifies something specific: “Wind” is the denotation for air in natural motion. “Poodle” is the denotation for a certain breed of dog.

            diction - an author’s choice of words

             

            hyperbole- an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

             

            onomatopoeia- the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss)

             

            rhyme- one of two or more words or phrases that end in the same sounds

Then we used the TPCASTT learning strategy, and together as a class, we analyzed the poem The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur.  

Dialect and extended metaphor

Today we discussed the dialect of the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes.  We discussed how the dialect of the poem makes it so much more meaningful and powerful.

My sixth period class compared the mother in the poem to the woman in the photograph on page 510.

We then wrote our own extended metaphors, comparing life to something else.  It had to be a metaphor about life and had to be at least 5 lines long.  Life actually had to be something else.

Remember--tomorrow we will be PSAT testing in periods one through four!

oops...sorry I forgot to post earlier

Oops, sorry I forgot to post the last couple of days.  On Thursday and Friday, we continued with our literary terms.  Look up definitions for the following words:

foreshadowing
flashback
metaphor
setting
simile
symbol

We discussed each of the terms.  We then began the poetry unit on page 505 of the green literature book.  We read and discussed pages 505-507.

Today, we got new literary terms.  Define the following words:

antagonist
apostrophe (not the punctuation mark, but the literary term)
bildungsroman
cacophony
euphony
characterization

We then read the poem on page 508 of the literature book.  It is called Mother to Son by Langston Hughes.

Mother to Son

BY LANGSTON HUGHES

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

Bare.

But all the time

I’se been a-climbin’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps

’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

Don’t you fall now—

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbin’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

If you were absent--imagine that you are talking to a younger sibling or child, what might you compare life to?  Ex. Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get.  

Create two metaphors that you can compare life to.  

FCAT Practice

Today, since our schedule was off, we just did an FCAT practice.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Since most people chose to not do the homework, the same assignment was for homework last night.  Again, I cannot begin to express my disappointment at your lack of interest in me allowing you to use cool new technologies for your projects.  We will continue on with presentations, and will continue on with the I am From poem.  R

CISM lesson

Today we finished the CISM lesson about personification and imagery used in the story "From the Street" by Ann Petry.  We went over it and discussed the imagery, the personification and how the text was coded.  For homework, students are to create a project showing Lutie Johnson's relationship to the urban setting through the use of literary devices like personification and imagery.  Students may choose a project to do.  They may write an essay about this, they may create a detailed drawing about this (quality should be high), students may create a comic strip about this, they may write a song and video it or record it, or they may create a video.  This will be due on Monday.  Remember that it has to be school appropriate.

Literary terms and CISM Lesson

Today we began our poetry unit by going over some vocabulary terms and their definitions:

Visual imagery
Kinisthetic Imagery
Olfactory imagery
Tactile Imagery
Gustatory Imagery
Auditory Imagery
Allusion
Personification

We also began a CISM lesson with the poem "The Street"

Students will continue marking the text underlining or highlighting examples of imagery and personification in the text.  We will continue with this lesson tomorrow.

FAIR testing tomorrow

Tomorrow we will be reporting to room N61 to finish our FAIR testing.  Please bring something to read, as you may have already finished or you may be very close to finishing.  I will not be there, you will have a sub.  Please be respectful and treat the sub just like you would treat me.  I would like to NOT have any bad reports about behavior.  On Thursday some of you will be making up the grammar test and vocabulary tests. On Thursday we will also begin a CISM lesson (close reading lesson) and we will also begin learning literature terms.  Have a great Wednesday and see you all on Thursday.

Remember 1st period--you will be taking the 2nd vocabulary test on Friday.

Vocabulary 2 quiz and finishing grammar study guides

Today I gave the second vocabulary test using the week 2 words.  Then we will finish up the grammar study guides and students will be allowed to study for their grammar test which will be tomorrow October 1.

Grammar Study Guides

Today we went back to grammar and began our Grammar Study Guides.  We reviewed Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives and we went on to Verbs.  If you missed class today, see Mrs. Dewalt for your study guide.  You will find the answers in the purple Grammar books.  They start on page 514. Vocab Test #2 on Monday!  Don't forget to study!

Test on "Everyday Use"

Today students complete the Selection Test worksheet on "Everyday Use."  Students were allowed to use the text if they had to.  

Finished Everyday Use

Yesterday we finished reading Everyday Use.  We completed characterization webs for each character which were turned in.  Students then had a vocabulary skillbuilder worksheet as homework.

"Everyday Use"

Today we continued reading the story.

"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker

Today we talked about traditions and heirlooms.  Students complete a quick write from page 69 of the literature book.  We then discussed what life was like for African Americans in the 1960s and how things were rapidly changing.  We talked a bit about heritage and the civil rights movement.  We then began to read the story.  Hopefully we will be able to finish the story tomorrow.  There was no homework, unless vocabulary has not been completed.  Then finish the vocabulary and sentences as homework.  Also, if the "unlarding" of their essays was not finished, it should be done as homework as well.

Essay revisions (un-larding activity)

Today, students were given back the first county-wide essay prompt that they were given.  We looked at an "un-larding" worksheet that showed how to cut some of the extra fat (unnecessary information) from essays.  Students were then asked to revise and "cut the fat" from their own essays.  They had the class period to complete this and were allowed to take it home to finish as homework if they had not finished in class.

Tuesday

Because there were many students taking the Algebra EOC, students were allowed to finish their word maps and the sentences that were due for homework. They were also asked to complete any makeup work at this time.

Vocabulary Retake and New Vocabulary

Today we retook the vocabulary test. We then got new vocabulary words:

Cowering

Doctrines

Earnest

Furtive

Mercilessly

Oppress

Organdy

Rifling

Sidle

Tottering

FOR HOMEWORK students are to create a wordmap for each of these words which includes the definition of the word, a synonym or an antonym (they need to label which it is), an original sentence that uses the word, and a picture that reminds them of the word.  Students should then, on a separate piece of paper, copy each of their original sentences to turn in.  This does not mean that they only should complete the sentences because I will be checking on Tuesday to make sure that their wordmaps are complete. V

Two Kinds

Today we finished the story "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan.  We then did two different worksheets on the short story.  See Mrs. Dewalt for the worksheets if you missed class today.  Remember to study for the vocabulary week 1 retest.  

Two Kinds

Today we are reading the story "Two Kinds," by Amy Tan.  See Mrs. Dewalt for a copy or it can also be found on the internet at:  http://olsen-classpage.wikispaces.com/file/view/TwoKindsfulltext.pdf

Two Kinds

Today we complete an Anticipation Guide for the short story "Two Kinds'" by Amy Tan.  We then had a class discussion about our answers.  We watched a short youtube video about the author.  You can find it at the website:  http://www.sanjuan.edu/webpages/rhaak/welcome.cfm?subpage=125929

This is a copy of the Anticipation Guide.  Answer the questions and give reasons why you chose the answer that you chose.


Anticipation Guide for “Two Kinds” and “The Third Level”
If you agree with a statement below put a YES next to that number. If
you disagree with the statement write NO next to that number. Write
a reason why you feel the way you do.


_____ 1. Life for our parents was simpler, more peaceful than life for
               us (teens) today.
_____ 2. Most people yearn to escape their everyday pressures.
_____ 3. Psychiatrists have fewer personal problems than most
               people.
_____ 4. Conflict between children and their parents is inevitable.
_____ 5. Daydreaming is a healthy way to avoid reality.
_____ 6. The world is becoming more dangerous / stressful with
               every decade.
_____ 7. Parents live vicariously through their children, expecting
               them to fulfill the dreams they didn’t achieve.
_____ 8. It is difficult to find your own identity at times.

FAIR Testing on Monday--report to room N18 instead of room 401

We will be FAIR Testing on Monday--report to room N18 instead of room 401.  Please bring headphones or earbuds if you don't want to use school provided headphones.  If you were out and missed the Vocab/Grammar Quiz on Friday, be prepared to take it on Tuesday in class.

FCAT Reading Practice

Today we did an FCAT Reading Practice called "Flying Snakes."  If you were absent, you need to ask Mrs. Dewalt for a copy.  Complete the reading and questions that follow.  Homework:  Study for Vocabulary/Grammar Quiz tomorrow.

County Wide Writing Prompt

Today in class we completed the county-wide writing prompt.  Study your vocabulary words and grammar for the quiz on Friday!!!

County-Wide FCAT Prompt

Tomorrow we will be completing the first of three county-wide writing prompts that will be given throughout the year.  It will be just like the FCAT writes.  Today in class we went over the rubric and discussed elements that should be included in their papers.  We talked about introduction, body paragraphs, conclusions, transition words, and what not to do in their papers.  Students received their vocabulary back and are able to correct the sentences if they do not like the grade they received.  I notified students who have not turned it in yet, that they still need to do so or they will receive a zero for the assignment.  They should all study the grammar and vocabulary as we will be having a quiz on it on Friday!

Today we are doing all of the parts of the writing assignment on page 522--Students should choose an object or animal that they would like to be.  Students should write a list of adjectives that would describe themselves if they were that animal or object, then incorporate them into a paragraph.  Then they will go back and underline the adjectives.  They will then revise the paragraph by closely looking at the adjectives they have chosen, and they should evaluate if there is a more descriptive or better adjective that they could have used in its place.  They should then revise the paragraph using the new adjectives.

6ht period class opted to complete the second paragraph at home for homework.  Be sure that you choose more vivid adjectives in the revised edition of your paragraph.

Today we went over adjectives.  We talked how adjectives are used to modify nouns and pronouns.  We did exercise 4 on page 519.  We discussed definite and indefinite articles and when they should be used (a, an, the).  We talked about how words can sometimes be adjectives and sometimes pronouns.  Remember:  If a word modifies a noun, it is an adjective.  If it replaces a noun, it is a pronoun.  We then completed Exercise 5 on page 520.

Class today--thank you all for being so great today--we are off to a great start and I am so looking forward to being your teacher this year.  Don't forget to do your homework--the parent contact information--and do not forget to have it signed by a parent or guardian.  It is going to be an amazing year!!

Completed Review A on page 516 of Elements of Writing book.  We then went over pronouns and completed exercise 3 on page 518.  We then started to go on to Adjectives.

If you haven't already turned in your vocabulary, then it is homework and due today.

Yesterday in class we completed exercises 1, 2 on page 514-15 in the Elements of Writing book.  5th period completed Review A on page 516 as well.

Checking Vocabulary today

We did the words on Friday.  You were to create Frayer models for each word that contained: the word, the definition, synonym or antonym (label), a picture that helps you remember the word, and an original sentence that uses the VOCABULARY word correctly.

The words for the week are:

Abstruse

Choler

Destitute

Indolent

Misconstrue

Nefarious

Petulance

Recondite

Seditious

I will be grading your original sentences--please create your own sentence.  If you copy someone else's sentence, neither of you will get credit.

5 Types of Nouns

No new homework.  If you haven't brought your parent contact information in already, please bring it tomorrow.  Today we worked on five types of nouns:  common, proper, concrete, abstract, and collective.

No new homework, just bring in the parent contact sheet if you haven't already done so.  Thanks!!

Thanks for making it a great first day of school!  You were all fabulous and I look forward to our upcoming year together.  Please do not forget to bring back your parent contact information which was your homework.  Also--please do not forget to bring back the school forms for your first period teacher.  Thanks for the wonderful day--we are going to have an awesome year!!!

Welcome

Hello all.  Welcome to Mrs. Dewalt's English II Honors Blog. Here, I will post assignments and activities from my class.  This is a great place to check to see if you have homework, when you miss a class, and you can even ask me questions through this site.  I will try to update it everyday.  Thanks and let's have a great year together!