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