For Thursday's Class

For Thursday's Class:
Vocab Test on Lessons 1-6. Use study bulb resource to help prepare.
We'll hear about books 22 and 23 in class. Prepare for the discussion by reading the books yourself and considering the study guide posted on drop.io. Go to http://drop.io/cgiraud#

Homework for Thursday night--
Read the last book of the Odyssey

Upcoming
Working together to review and prepare for the mid-term. Building the wiki.

Monday, November 7

In Class
Presentations on books 18 and 19

Ariana's podcast linked here. If it doesn't load at the top, type in the search bar.
Melanie gave an in-class presentation on her book, book 19.

All class: Be sure you are getting your questions answered. Your silence in class today makes me wonder how carefully you are reading. Ask questions!

This week
Continuing with our vigorous reading schedule, 2 books per night.
We'll review the books by listening to presentations and answering study guide questions.
Presenters: Be sure you are answering all questions from the study guide, OK?

Vocab test on Thursday. Use the resource posted on study bulb to help you prepare.

Sunday December 6

Homework
You should be reading books 18 and 19 for homework. Study questions are posted on drop.io.

This coming week
--Closing out the Odyssey
--Test on Vocabulary Lessons 1-6 (Thursday 12/10).
--Use this tool to study!

Reviewing for the midterm exam.
Here's a study resource for you at study bulb that covers story elements and lit terms.
Continue to build our class wiki

December 3, Thursday

Lots of fun planned for today!

--Begin by listening to the audio that I posted. Take notes as you listen to make sure you record any aspects of the book that you may have missed in your own reading.

Each book takes about 8 minutes to listen to in completion.

--Work with a partner to consider the order of Odysseus' adventures in books 5-12. Use the information in your preparation for the mid-term exam.

--Look at the slideshow I posted on drop.io. See the Keynote titled "Images for Review." Working alone, as a class, or with a partner, discuss what each image represents. Consider as many details of the image as possible. Add any other information you recall as you discuss the story itself.

HOMEWORK
--Read the next two books, 15 & 16. Alyssa and Nicole will present their stories to you in class on Friday.

--Consider the study questions in your reading and as your classmates present their books.

Upcoming Reading Schedule Posted on Edmodo.

Thursday November 18

In Class
--Reviewed Vocabulary (quiz on Friday)
--Reviewed class-made tests
--Began discussion of Book 11
--Get Book 11 study guide questions from drop.io.

Homework
Study for Vocab
Begin reading book 12, finish for weekend homework

Upcoming
Monday--Detailed discussion of books 9-12
After Thanksgiving break, Quiz on books 9-12 (Thursday after break)
Structured Writing, discussion and practice

Friday November 13

In Class
Short "quest" on books 5-8

Know characters, events, stories, and settings

Here's a good resource I found online. Check it out.

Homework
Prepare for "quest" by reviewing your notes and any books you need help with.

Monday November 9th

In Class
--worked to build wiki site that offers summary information about the Odyssey
--reviewed roles of characters and gods in the story thus far

Homework
--read pages 125-135 (book VII, lines 1-370

Upcoming
test on books 5-8 on Friday

Review Wiki

Here's our class wiki. Let's begin building the site in anticipation of our first semester exam.
The sooner we begin prepping, the better we'll be prepared!

Monday October 19

In Class
--hand backs and review of materials
--reviewed short story test

Homework
--get caught up through Book 2, if needed.
--no new homework if you are caught up.

Upcoming
--review of books 1 & 2
--intro to the unit and characteristics of the epic

Thursday October 15

Hi, 9th graders. Those of you with laptops could perhaps share this post with your classmates.

I will be out today, Thursday, with a sick daughter. I hope you are able to get along OK in my absence. Ms. Segars will be your sub.

Tasks for Class:
1. Today I wanted to review your study questions from the reading on Homer from the Oxford Classical Dictionary. Discuss your answers with the sub who has a key. Hand in your papers to the "in box" on my desk. Some extra readings and study guide questions can be found on the big student workspace near the back of the room. Please leave extras for students who were absent. Don't take another simply b/c you forgot yours. There aren't many extras.

2. Begin your reading of the Odyssey. Please answer the study questions as your proceed. Have "Book 1" read and study questions completed for Friday's class. I will expect your text to be marked with your active reading notes. Don't cherry pick your reading just to answer study guides. Mark parts that will require our attention in class on Friday.

ONE MORE THING!
VOCAB QUIZ on Lesson 4 tomorrow!

Thursday October 1

No Class on Wednesday
No Class on Friday

In Class
Discuss "The Necklace"
Consider narrative structure. How is conflict established? How is character developed?
Note examples of epiphany.
Consider theme. Remember that a theme is generally not stated as a moral or lesson.

Together: Read "The Swimmer"
Consider literary devices of simile and metaphor
How do we understand "time" in the story?

Homework
Finish reading "The Swimmer"
Prep for Vocab quiz and Literature test

Elements of Literature and Short Stories: Tuesday October 6
Vocabulary Lesson 3: Monday October 5

Click on the hyperlink to get to study tools on Study Bulb.

Monday September 28th

In Class
--collected study guide from "Cask of Amontillado"
--discussed irony, frame story, flashback
--began reading "Thomas Edison's Shaggy Dog" in class. Will continue tomorrow, Tuesday.

Homework
--write 1 page on the topic of revenge. Consider and apply your understanding of the role of revenge for Montressor in the Poe story, "Cask of Amontillado." Consider what role it plays. Is revenge in the story something that frees Montressor or entombs him? Apply your personal understanding about the freeing or entombing effects of revenge in your discussion.

Upcoming
Finishing "...Shaggy Dog."
Reading "The Swimmer" and "The Necklace"
Beginning The Odyssey. Find your book. Bring to class starting on Thursday & Friday of this week.

TEST on all short stories on Tuesday October 5th
--know literary devices and examples from our readings.
--be able to apply questions about the elements of literature to our stories.
--

Thursday September 23

In Class
--Continue discussion of symbols
--Symbols in "Dead Man's Path" & "Hills Like White Elephants"
--Reading Hills and looking for meaning.

Homework
Read "Cask of Amontillado"
Complete accompanying handout on irony

Thursday September 15

In Class
--applying elements of fiction
considering character development
conflict
story structure

--modeling active reading.
"What kind of a reader are you?"

--Field of Dreams--elements of fiction and connecting to theme in Catcher

Homework
--due Friday
"Dead Man's Path" should be actively read
study questions at the end of the story should be answered.
You may skip "extended response"

nota bene (Latin for "note well")--
All review re-writes should be handed in/uploaded to library site by now!

Tuesday September 15

In Class
--Continued notes on elements of literature

Homework
For Friday,
--read all of "Dead Man's Path."
--actively read for details of character, setting, and conflict. Mark up your story!
--answer questions at the end of the story. You may hand write your answers. Answers must be complete thoughts. Do questions 1-7. You can skip "Extending."

In discussion we will apply our elements of literature notes to the story. We will also discuss your responses to the questions. Even if a question is difficult, I expect that you attempt a response. Saying "I didn't know the answer, so I left it blank" is not acceptable.

Here's a link to Kevin's cool dog. Kevin says to click on the CNN link on the right. According to him, it's the best video clip.

Monday September 14

In Class
--Reviewed Vocab Lesson 2 (quiz on Friday)
--Began grading grammar assessment quizzes
--handed back library review drafts for revising

Homework
--Revise and repost your library review (must be reposted by Wednesday afternoon at 3:30)

Upcoming
--Continuing elements of literature lecture
--Applying elements to film and Catcher in the Rye

Thursday September 10

In Class
--listened to "Help" and discussed elements of story (conflict, character, tone)
--listened to "Imagine" and discussed character and tone
--worked on writing and posting library reviews for third book

Homework
--handed out a grammar diagnostic test. It is due back in class tomorrow.

Upcoming
--Continuing notes on Elements of Literature
--Note-taking pointers and tools
--discussing lyrics and story-telling

Tuesday September 8

In Class
--discussed study questions from poetry homework
--outlined homework on finding story elements in lyrics

Homework
--due Thursday

Finding Story Elements in Music Lyrics
1. find a song that tells a story
2. In a typed paper (MLA format as discussed in class), respond to the following story elements.
Block each element and write a few sentences for each.
3. Consider characters, conflicts, tone, and resolution (if there is any resolution)

Upcoming
--watching Field of Dreams
--discuss theme (human truth) and connect to Catcher in the Rye
--Grammar Diagnostic Activities

Friday September 4

In Class
Vocab quiz on Lesson 1
Discussed Billy Collins' "The History Teacher"
--finish filling in study question answers for that poem

Homework
--Read "Rites of Passage" by Sharon Olds
--Answer questions that accompany the poem
--Consider Elton John's use of metaphor in his song "Empty Garden."
--Knowing that the song was written after the murder of John Lennon, what do you understand about meaning and metaphor in the song?

Next Week
--"Help" and "Imagine" -- making connections to theme and meaning with Catcher
--Field of Dreams --connecting theme to film

Thursday September 3

In Class
--"I Am" posters are due and will be presented
--Revisit Liebowitz image of Lennon and continue connections to Catcher

Homework
--read Billy Collins' "The History Teacher"
--answer questions that accompany it
--be prepared for some discussion on Friday

Upcoming
Vocab quiz on Friday!
Writing a review and posting on library resource

Monday August 31

In Class
--Checked in and reviewed vocabulary
--discussed expectations and looked at examples for "I Am" posters

Homework
--Autobios due for tomorrow's class
--"I Am" posters are due Thursday

This Week
--discussing themes in Catcher in the Rye
--connections to lyrics and poetry
--continuing getting to know you and getting set up for the year
--quiz on Friday on Lesson 1

Weekend Homework 8/29-8/30

In Class (Friday)
We wrote essays on setting from one of your outside readings from the summer.

Homework
Complete lesson 1 in vocabulary books

Upcoming
Autobio and intros next week--Autobios due Tuesday
"I Am" posters due Thursday
Catcher in the Rye discussions
Vocab discussion
Vocab Quiz on Friday 9/4

Lennon/Ono image for discussion with Catcher

Thursday August 27th

In Class
30 minute essay on Catcher in the Rye.
I will be assessing your ability to apply your knowledge of Catcher to a specific question about the book. While the quality of your writing is important, I will not grade these essays as writing assignments. I want to know that you read and understood the novel. I will be looking at your writing as a way to assess where your collective skill level is so I can best work to help you improve.

Introduce Autobiographical questionnaire activity.
Introduce "I Am" posters.

Homework
Due Monday August 31--chapter 1 from your vocab book. Do all exercises in the chapter in pages 1-6. You do NOT have to write the "extended response" on page 5.

Due Tuesday September 1--Autobio questions

Due Thursday September 3--"I Am" poster

Policies and Expectations

English Class Policies and Expectations
Ms. Giraud, Arts Building Room 938

Classroom

1. Arrive on time, prepared. On time means you are in your seat, ready to go within three minutes of the posted start time of class. Prepared means you have a writing utensil, paper, notebook, charged laptop (10th graders only), and all books or reading materials we are reading. Prepared also means that you have spent time outside of class doing homework or reviewing class notes.

2. Do not speak while others are speaking. That includes teacher or other students. We are in a small space. While you may believe you are being discreet, you are likely distracting others.

3. If you are caught cheating or copying homework, you will receive a zero and will NOT have the opportunity to make up the work. I will also contact the Deans of school and your parents regarding the incident. That is my policy.

4. You are responsible for keeping track of daily assignments. There are some tools in place to help you, but ultimately YOU are responsible for staying informed. On a daily basis, one of your classmates, you, or I will post assignments on the blog. I will also keep an in-class written record on your white board about homework and upcoming assignments. Make physical note of these wherever you are keeping a personal agenda. While we will make every effort to keep a regular, online log of assignments, you are responsible for noting the work while you are in class. If you forget, contact a classmate to get the information. “No one posted the blog in time” is not an acceptable reason for not completing work.

5. Being unable to print something or having your computer crash should never be an excuse for not getting work completed. What are your options? Upload a file to Moodle, email an attachment, create work on Google docs, write by hand, re-do the work! Always print homework from home on the day it is due. Don’t expect to be able to print at school on the day you have homework due. Certainly don't expect to be given class time to print on the day something is due.

6. If you are going to be absent, stay up-to-date using the blog and/or Moodle. Don’t return to school and expect your missed classes to be re-created just for you. If you have questions, be specific about your needs. Demonstrate that you have put forth some effort before you ask me to put forth effort to help you get caught up.

7. I expect that you will be an active member of the class. I expect that you have done the assigned reading, completed written work, actively marked your texts, worked through exercises, and studied for assessments. I take a lot of time to prepare for my classes each day to get a maximum return. I urge you to do the same.

8. We are all human. If you have a personal issue or concern that is affecting your ability to meet any of these expectations, communicate with me. In most cases, I am happy to work with you to find a solution.

FAQs

What supplies do I need for your class?
--Books
You will need to purchase all of your books if you have not already done so.
Please see syllabus for that list. Immediately you will need your vocab book, for Vocabulary Achievement, Sixth Course and Cather in the Rye by JD Salinger
--Computer (10th graders: please bring everyday! 9th grade: laptop optional)
--Pens --ballpoints and highlighters
--A notebook with pockets

How much homework do you give?
Expect that on most nights, you will have approximately 20-30 minutes worth of homework for this class. On weekends, I will only give one night’s worth of work. Don’t leave papers or projects to the last minute. Those assignments will take longer than 20-30 minutes and should be building and improving over a few nights.

When is homework due?
At the start of class.

When can I get extra help?
Morning and afternoon tutorial times have been set up specifically for this purpose. Come to my room and find me! I will be on campus most mornings by 7:00 am and will leave most afternoons by 4:00.

Are you a hard grader?
My grades are mathematical. I just keep the books. So what you need to know is that your collective performance will determine your grade. That said, there are times when I “throw you a bone” as they say. Take advantage of those times. Every term will have some freebies. But you won’t get those easy points, if you don’t follow through with what I am asking you to do. After all, following directions is another skill we all practice throughout life.

OK. You didn’t answer the question. Are you a hard grader?
Papers are the most rigorously graded assignments I give. On the other hand, I believe that high school is time for learning process-writing. That means, I will give you time to draft and work to give you feedback along the way. Often we’ll work through drafts together and have time in class for writing and improving. Remember: revising for a new, improved grade is almost always an option! Revising even when a grade cannot be improved is good practice and excellent effort!

Tests. The feedback I’ve received over the years is that many of my tests are challenging; but if you are staying current with the readings, completing study questions, discussing and contributing to our class study, you will typically do fine. If you are taking short cuts along the way, the tests will be hard. No doubt.

What should I do if I am absent from class? How can I get the work?
Use the website! You will be a master Moodler very soon. You must stay current with what’s happening there. This year I am also experimenting with a class blog. Use the resources available.

What format is acceptable for turning in assignments?
I will speak specifically about length, fonts, headings, margins (MLA rules) as we go. Formatting matters. Craftsmanship matters. Generally, I expect you to turn in a hard copy and a soft copy (uploaded to Moodle). The soft copy is generally back up but on some occasions, I may only request soft copy. I work regularly to become less dependent on paper. It’s a work in progress.

I need help understanding some of the technology you are using in class. What should I do?
Please come and talk to me. I will help you. If we are experimenting with new technology that’s not working for us as a group, we’ll modify our approach. Don’t stress out about it. Come in for extra help and offer feedback and suggestions as appropriate. Remember that we are all learners. One of my on-going goals as a teacher is to continue to explore and adapt technology that encourages communication, creativity, and collaboration. I may not have all the answers, but I will always be willing to hear what your concerns are and will work with you to find solutions.

Do you like me?
I love teaching. I love English—writing, literature, yes, even grammar. Teenagers? You? Yes. I love your energy, optimism, risk-taking, nerve-wracked, voice cracked, experimenting, emerging, learning, teaching, leading, following YOU. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have stayed in teaching for the past 13 years. Never make the assumption that I don’t like you. If we are having trouble communicating, let’s talk, man! Come in and talk.

Welcome

Welcome to High School!

Tuesday:
Orientation

Wednesday:
Introductions
Introduce the Class, Objectives, Expectations
Introduce each other.
Short Test on Catcher in the Rye
Hand out Autobio assignments
HW: Begin Autobios

Thursday:
In-Class Essays on Summer Reading

Friday:
Introduce Catcher in the Rye
Lennon Connections
HW: Vocab Lesson 1