Monday, September 7th 
Happy Labor Day!

·       Did you know…

Labor was first celebrated in the US on September 5, 1882. The first celebration was observed only in New York City with a parade of about 10,000 workers. The idea spread quickly and in 1894, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a national holiday.

Tuesday, September 8th

What do you bring to the text?

·     Welcome!

·     Understanding perspectives - the author, the other, and you

·     What determines perspective? How do we interpret texts?

·     What do you "bring" to a text? Write Ms. Ward a letter about what you bring.

·       Select one of your summer reading books and analyze a review of that book.  The directions and links for this assignment can be found HERE. DUE WEDNESDAY.

·       Summer Reading Quiz FRIDAY

·       Signed Syllabus

by FRIDAY

·       Email ward@havsd.net by FRIDAY for 1 point of extra credit 

Wednesday, September 9th

Understanding perspective as a step toward being a critical consumer of texts

·     What is interpretation? Read and discuss "On Interpretation"

·     Using glossing to help form interpretations

·     How do we get clues about an author's perspective?

·     Lit. term review

·     Review syllabus and binder requirements 

·       Complete as much as you can of the literary term crossword puzzle for THURSDAY.

·       Complete the summer reading graphic organizers to help you review for the summer reading quiz on Friday. DUE FRIDAY.

·       Summer Reading Quiz Friday

·       Signed Syllabus by Friday 

Thursday, September 10th

Connecting to themes

·     Finish reviewing syllabus

·     Review of summer reading 

·     Understanding theme

·     Introduction to our summer reading project - breaking into groups

·     Review of MLA citation basics and changes for 2009

·     Work in groups

·       Complete the "Thematic Analysis" graphic organizer in your summer reading project packet for FRIDAY.

·       Complete the summer reading graphic organizers to help you review for the summer reading quiz on Friday.

·       Signed Syllabus by Friday. 

Friday, September 11th

·     Summer Reading Quiz

·     Work in groups

·       Have your binder for Monday!

·       Summer Reading Groups: Work on your presentation materials. Presentations will begin Tuesday following the 4Sight test.

Monday, September 14th 

What are themes?

·     Binder check

·     Understanding Theme and MLA Presentation (in the lower right corner of the page that pops up is an option to make this presentation fullscreen). If the above link does not work correctly, CLICK HERE.

·     Work in groups to complete your Summer Reading Project

·       Summer Reading Projet: Finish your poster, making sure that you have reviewed the rubric to know how it will be graded. Be sure to practice for your group's presentation. Presentations begin TUESDAY.

Tuesday, September 15th

4Sight Test

·     4Sight Reading Test

·     Presentation skills

·     Summer Reading Presentations: Using the presentations to help us understand themes of our summer reading novels.

·       Summer Reading Project: Remaining groups should practice their presentations for WEDNESDAY.

Wednesday, September 16th

• Lailat-Ul-Quadr (Islamic)
• Mexican Independence (Mexico)

Presentation Skills: Understanding the impact of verbal and non-verbal communication

·     Review presentation skills

·     Summer Reading Presentations

·     Introduction to SSR Project

·       SSR Project: Select a non-western memoir to read.  Signed SSR Approval sheet by 9/22. Either borrow or buy a copy of your chosen SSR book for FRIDAY, 9/27.

Thursday, September 18th

What do you believe? How learning about others helps us better understand ourselves.

·     Finish reviewing SSR Project

·     Introduction to Grammar

·     Today’s Poem: “Lines” by Martha Collins

·     What do you believe? Stand on the line activity 

·       What Do You Believe? On a separate sheet of paper, respond in 1-2 paragraphs to one of the prompts on the back of the “What Do You Think?” handout. DUE FRIDAY.

Friday, September 19th

What is a personal narrative?

·     Review parts of speech, nouns, and pronouns

·     This I Believe assignment and drafting

·     Writing a personal narrative

·       This I Believe:

Draft your personal narrative essay about a core belief.  First draft due MONDAY.

·       Review for your first grammar quiz on WEDNESDAY. The quiz will ask you to name the 8 parts of speech and ask you to identify specific types of nouns and pronouns and how they are used. 

Monday, September 21st

• Eid-Al-Fitr (Islamic)
• World Gratitude Day

Understanding types of writing

·   Daily edit: Focus on pronoun problems

·   Grammar Lesson: noun practice, grammar powerpoint, and introduction to remaining pronouns

·   Review SSR Project and decide on groups and books

·   This I Believe essay

o  Listen to an example

o  Think-Pair-Share 1st drafts

o  Review types of writing - what is a personal essay?

o  What is good writing?

·       SSR Project: Signed SSR Approval sheet DUE 9/22. Either borrow or buy a copy of your selected SSR book for FRIDAY, 9/25.

·       What is good writing journal - DUE TUESDAY.

Tuesday, September 22nd

What is voice?

·   Daily edit: Focus on pronoun problems

·   Grammar Lesson: pronoun practice and review for quiz

·   What is good writing

·   Style and voice

·   This I Believe:

o   Return 1st drafts

o   Writing goals

o   Looking at examples for our revision

·   Introduction to our Ning

·       This I Believe: Revise your essay. Post your 2nd copy as a blog to our Ning. Bring in a hard-copy of your 2nd draft to peer revise on THURSDAY.

·       Finish your Writing Goals

Wednesday, September 23rd

• Back to School Night (7:00-8:30 pm)
• Shubun no Hi / Autumnal Equinox Day (Japan)

Critical reading strategies

·   Daily edit: Focus on pronoun problems

·   GRAMMAR QUIZ: 8 parts of speech, nouns and pronouns

·   Learning to read critically - understanding interpretation strategies

·   Glossing as a tool

·   Introduction to Africa - poems of South Africa

·   Introduction to The Power of One

·       This I Believe: Revise your essay. Post your 2nd copy as a blog to our Ning. Bring in a hard-copy of your 2nd draft to peer revise on THURSDAY.

·       EXTRA CREDIT: If your parent/guardian attends tonight's Back to School Night, you receive a point of extra credit. How else can you earn extra credit?  Check this out!

Thursday, September 24th

Making the most of revision

·   Daily edit: Focus on pronoun problems 

·   Grammar Lesson: Introduction to verbs

·   This I Believe: Peer Revision Day

·   Review poetry and vocabulary

·   Introduction to mythology: "The Purpose of Myth"

·       This I Believe: Revise your essay once more using the suggestions you received from peer revision, the sentence grid, and using the grading rubric. You will turn in a final copy of your essay, a peer revised copy, your first draft with teacher comments, and any other drafts and brainstorms on TUES.

Friday, September 25th

Why mythology? How does the hero's cycle connect to modern literature?

·   Daily edit: Focus on pronoun problems 

·   MUG Paragraph Revisions

·   SSR time and reader's journals

·   Defining myth

o   Introduction to the hero's cycle

·       This I Believe: Revise your essay once more using the suggestions you received from peer revision, the sentence grid, and using the grading rubric. You will turn in a final copy of your essay, a peer revised copy, your first draft with teacher comments, and any other drafts and brainstorms on TUES.

·       Use proof reading marks to correct the MUG Paragraph. DUE TUES.

Monday, September 28th

• Yom Kippur (Judaism)

·     No school!

·      This I Believe: Revise your essay once more using the suggestions you received from peer revision, the sentence grid, and using the grading rubric. You will turn in a final copy of your essay, a peer revised copy, your first draft with teacher comments, and any other drafts and brainstorms on TUES.

·      Use proof reading marks to correct the MUG Paragraph. DUE TUES.

Tuesday, September 29th

Understanding apartheid

·   Daily edit (from our own writing): Focus on verb problems

·   Review MUG Paragraph

·   Grammar Lesson: introduction and  practice identifying verbals. Review for quiz

·   This I Believe: Turn in essays and process writing pieces. What comes next?

·   Understanding apartheid - background on The Power of One

o  vocabulary for chapters 1-3 (new extra credit words!)

·   Understanding apartheid through poetry - poems of South Africa

·      Power of One: Read chapters 1-3 (pages 3-51) for Friday. Post a response to the blog portion of our Ning. When you post, answer the following prompt: Why do the Judge and jury hate Pisskop? Where does this hatred come from? How does Pisskop deal with the cruelty? What is the lesson or theme that the author most likely wants readers to learn about the nature of human cruelty and prejudice? The grading criteria for this post is in your packet.

Wednesday, September 30th

How is an essay different from a speech?

·   Daily edit (from our own writing): Focus on verb problems

·   GRAMMAR QUIZ: verbs and verbals

·   This I Believe: Introduction to speech writing and presentation. Understanding verbal and non-verbal communication.

·      This I Believe: Revise your essay into a speech. Mark your script to help you best remember non-verbal cues. Review grading criteria in your packet. Be prepared to present speeches beginning MONDAY.

·      How can you earn extra credit?  Check this out!

Thursday, October 1st

Understanding how verbal and non-verbal communication impacts presentations

·   Daily edit (from our own writing): Focus on verb problems

·   Grammar Lesson: Introduction to adjective and adverbs

·   This I Believe: Practice presentation skills.

·   Power of One

o  Finish vocabulary

o  Discuss blog assignment

o  "Nothing's Changed"

o  Introduction to mythology: "The Purpose of Myth"

- Defining myth

·      Power of One: Read chapters 1-3 (pages 3-51) for Friday. Post a response to the blog portion of our Ning before FRIDAY.

·      Want to learn more about South Africa? Check out this documentary that follows 14 children of various backgrounds growing up in South Africa.

Friday, October 2nd

Why mythology? How does the hero's cycle connect to modern literature?

·   Daily edit (from our own writing): Focus on verb problems

·   Grammar Lesson: MUG Paragraph Revisions, introduction to conjunctions

·   SSR time and reader's journals

·   BINDER CHECK!

·   Introduction to mythology: "The Purpose of Myth"

o  Introduction to the hero's cycle

·      Use proof reading marks to correct the MUG Paragraph. DUE MON.

·      This I Believe: Revise your essay into a speech. Mark your script to help you best remember non-verbal cues. Review grading criteria in your packet. Be prepared to present speeches beginning MONDAY.

·      Power of One: Read chapters 4-6 (pages 52-101) for TUESDAY. Response to the Discussion Forum portion of our Ning. Respond to at least two questions posted for these chapters before class on TUESDAY.

Monday, October 5th

• World Teacher's Day

This I Believe speeches

·    Daily edit: Focus on conjunctions and prepositions

·    Review MUG Paragraph

·    Grammar Lesson: introduction to conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections

·    This I Believe Speeches: Keep track of your favorites! Once you have completed your speech in class, review online and complete self-critique.

·         Grammar: Complete the review for adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions. Review answers ONLINE.

·         This I Believe Speeches: Once you have completed your speech in class, review online and complete self-critique. DUE WED.

·         Power of One: Read chapters 4-6 (pages 52-101) for TUESDAY. Response to the Discussion Forum portion of our Ning. Respond to at least two questions posted for these chapters before class on TUESDAY.

Tuesday, October 6th

This I Believe Speeches

·    Daily edit: Focus on conjunctions and prepositions

·    Grammar Lesson: review adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections

·    This I Believe Speeches: Keep track of your favorites! Once you have completed your speech in class, review online and complete self-critique.

·         Grammar: Complete the review for adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions. Review answers ONLINE.

·         This I Believe Speeches: Once you have completed your speech in class, review online and complete self-critique. DUE WED. 

·         Power of One: Read chapters 7-10 for FRIDAY. Response to the Discussion Forum portion of our Ning. Respond to at least two questions posted for these chapters before class on FRIDAY.

Wednesday, October 7th

Emerging themes in Power of One

·   Daily edit: Focus on conjunctions and prepositions

·   GRAMMAR QUIZ: adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections

·   Power of One

o    Vocabulary for 3-10 (new extra credit words!)

o    Discuss camouflage, adaptation, and emerging themes

o    Introduction to mythology: "The Purpose of Myth"

·         Finish reading and glossing "The Purpose of Myth" for a definition of myth and the significance of the hero. DUE THURS.

·         Power of One: Read chapters 7-10 for FRIDAY. Response to the Discussion Forum portion of our Ning. Respond to at least two questions posted for these chapters before class on FRIDAY.

·         How can you earn extra credit?  Check this out!

Thursday, October 8th

Why is it significant that heroes from various cultures go through similar journeys? What does this cycle show?

·   Daily edit: Focus on verb conjunctions and prepositions

·   Grammar Lesson: Review parts of speech

·   Introduction to mythology: "The Purpose of Myth"

o    Introduction to the hero's cycle

o    Understanding the terminology and how it applies to The Power of One

·         Power of One: Read chapters 7-10 for FRIDAY. Response to the Discussion Forum portion of our Ning. Respond to at least two questions posted for these chapters before class on FRIDAY.

·         Don't forget your SSR book tomorrow!

·         Want to learn more about South Africa? Check out this documentary that follows 14 children of various backgrounds growing up in South Africa.

Friday, October 9th

Why mythology? How does the hero's cycle connect to modern literature?

·    Daily edit (from our own writing): Focus on verb problems

·    Grammar Lesson: MUG Paragraph Revisions, identifying the subject and the verb

·    SSR time and reader's journals

·    The Power of Myth: an interview with Joseph Campbell

·         Use proof reading marks to correct the MUG Paragraph. DUE MON.

·         Power of One: Read chapters 11-15 (to the end of Book 1) for TUESDAY. Post a blog response on our Ning to the following prompt: In these set of chapters Peekay has taken on yet another name.  What’s in a name?  By the close of chapter 15, what names has the main character been called by?  Is it significant that we still do not know his real name? Post your blog before class on TUESDAY.

Monday, October 12th

• Columbus Day

Why is it significant that heroes from various cultures go through similar journeys? What does this cycle show?

• Daily edit: Focus on phrases and clauses
• Review MUG Paragraph
• Grammar Lesson: review parts of speech
• The Power of Myth:
  • Mythic conventions
  • Understanding the hero's cycle and archetypes
  • An interview with Joseph Campbell (Here's a Youtube video link and the conclusion).
• Power of One:
  • Review blog assignment
  • Return pop quiz
  • Writing text-rooted responses: Are people productions of their experiences?

·      Power of One: Read chapters 11-15 (to the end of Book 1) for TUESDAY. Post a blog response on our Ning to the following prompt: In these set of chapters Peekay has taken on yet another name.  What’s in a name?  By the close of chapter 15, what names has the main character been called by?  Is it significant that we still do not know his real name? Post your blog before class on TUESDAY.

Tuesday, October 13th

• Thanksgiving Day (Canada)

Why mythology? How does the hero's cycle connect to modern literature?

• Daily edit: Focus on phrases and clauses
• Grammar Lesson: review phrases and clauses
• Power of One:
  • Writing text rooted responses - Use the Ning to complete group work-Are people products of their environment?
  • Circle discussion: In what ways does this story speak to the human condition?

·      Power of One: Read chapters 16-22 (to the end of Book 2) for FRIDAY. Post at least two responses to questions posted on our Ning. This week's questions will focus on our connection to mythlogy- Do aspects of Peekay’s story fit our definition for myth and hero?  If we think of Peekay as a modern hero, what is the lesson that he teachers readers?

·      Read your SSR book.  You should be finished reading your SSR book by Friday, October 24th.

Wednesday, October 14th

• Petkouden/the feast day of St. Petka (Bulgaria)

How might thinking of the prison as a microcosm help us better understand the events of the story?

• Daily edit: Focus on phrases and clauses
• GRAMMAR QUIZ: review of parts of speech, phrases and clauses
• Power of One:
  • New vocabulary (new extra credit words!)
  • Follow up on yesterday's discussion
  • Understanding microcosm - How might the prison be understood as a microcosm for South Africa?

·      Power of One: Read chapters 16-22 (to the end of Book 2) for FRIDAY. Post at least two responses to questions posted on our Ning.

·      How can you earn extra credit?  Check this out!

Thursday, October 15th

• National Tree Planting Day (Sri Lanka)

So what? What's this story really about?

• Daily edit: Focus on phrases and clauses
• Grammar Lesson: identifying fragments
• Power of One:
  • Review microcosm
  • The power of music - watch scenes from Amandla!
  • Understanding themes emerging in the novel

·      Don't forget your SSR book tomorrow!

·      Power of One: Read chapters 16-22 (to the end of Book 2) for FRIDAY. Post at least two responses to questions posted on our Ning.

·      Want to learn more about South Africa? Check out this documentary that follows 14 children of various backgrounds growing up in South Africa. Write up a reflection for 5 points of extra credit! Got Netflix? You're also able to stream the video through Netflix.

Friday, October 16th

• Dictionary Day (United States)

Connecting text-rooted responses with our thematic analysis

• Daily edit: Focus on phrases and clauses
• Grammar Lesson: MUG paragraph revisions, identifying run-on sentences
• SSR time and reader's journals
• Power of One:
  • Thematic analysis

·      Use proof reading marks to correct the MUG Paragraph. DUE MON.

·      Power of One: Read chapters 23-end of book for WEDNESDAY. Post a blog response on our Ning to the following prompt: So what?  What is the take-home message or theme of the novel?

·      Read your SSR book.  You should be finished reading your SSR book by Friday, October 24th.

Monday, October 19th

• Daily edit: Focus on fragments and run-ons
• Review MUG Paragraph
• Grammar Lesson: sentence types and fragments
• Power of One:
  • Are we products of our environment? Groups present evidence to support their position on assigned character.
  • Class discussion: have you changed position since original free-write?
  • Written response: writing a text-rooted response.
  • Review blog assignment.

• Finish your text-rooted response for TUES.
• Power of One: Post a blog response on our Ning to the following prompt: So what?  What is the take-home message or theme of the novel? DUE WED.
• Read your SSR book.  You should be finished reading your SSR book by Friday, October 24th.

Tuesday, October 20th

• Daily edit: Focus on fragments and run-ons
• Grammar Lesson: run-ons and review. Answers to fragment and run-on exercises. 
• Power of One:
  • Text-rooted paragraphs
  • New vocabulary (new extra credit words!)
  • Understanding microcosm - How might the prison be understood as a microcosm for South Africa?
  • The power of music - watch scenes from Amandla!
  • Understanding themes in the novel

• Power of One: Post a blog response on our Ning to the following prompt: So what?  What is the take-home message or theme of the novel? DUE WED.
• JUST FOR FUN: Help these Ontario, Canada seniors edit their "This I Believe" essays!

Wednesday, October 21st

• Daily edit: Focus on fragments and run-ons
• GRAMMAR QUIZ:sentence types, fragments, and run-ons
• Power of One:
  
  • Thematic analysis and making connections to earlier texts
  • Introduction to final assessment for Power of One

• Read your SSR book.  You should be finished reading your SSR book by Friday, October 24th.
• Begin to study for the Power of One test - FRIDAY.

• Daily edit: Focus on fragments and run-ons
• Power of One:
  • Review for test
  • How has glossing and writing reflective posts and blogs impacted our reading?
• South African Poetry: Connecting the poems of South Africa to our reading of the Power of One
• SSR Project: The presentation and individual essay

• Don't forget your SSR book tomorrow!
• Study for Power of One test
• 2 extra credit events this evening at Swarthmore.  Check 'um out HERE. Submit a one-page reflection on the event along with your ticket or program in order to receive five extra credit points.
  

Friday, October 23rd

• Chulalongkorn Day (Thailand)

• Power of One Assessment
• SSR time and reader's journals
  • Directions for making a movie using Windows Movie Maker
  • or, try using Animoto or Photostory to create a movie. They're both really easy!
  • Here's an example of a movie made for an SSR Presentation. This group also turned in a works cited page with all the information about where they found images, videos, and sound recordings.
  • Need royalty-free music? Try these sites.
  • READ YOUR SSR PACKET

• SSR Project: Work with your group to put together materials for your 20-minute presentation of your novel and a cultural tradition presented in the story. Work assigned by your group.
  
  • Presentations Oct. 28-30
  • Individual research paper DUE Oct. 29
• 2 extra credit events this evening at Swarthmore.  Check 'um out HERE. Submit a one-page reflection on the event along with your ticket or program in order to receive five extra credit points.
  

Monday, October 26th

• St. Demetrius Day (Bulgaria)
  

• Power of One Assessment - finish
• SSR Presentations
  • Directions for making a movie using Windows Movie Maker
  • or, try using Animoto or Photostory to create a movie. They're both really easy!
  • Here's an example of a movie made for an SSR Presentation. This group also turned in a works cited page with all the information about where they found images, videos, and sound recordings.
  • Need royalty-free music? Try these sites.
  • READ YOUR SSR PACKET

• SSR Project: Work with your group to put together materials for your 20-minute presentation of your novel and a cultural tradition presented in the story. Work assigned by your group.
  • Presentations Oct. 28-30
  • Individual research paper DUE Nov. 2nd
    

Tueday, October 27th

• Naming Day (Dem. Rep. of the Congo)

• SSR Project: Presentations
  • Prepared and presented like lesson plans - how will you engage the class?
  • At least 3 types of visual aids
  • Include information on the author, basic plot, themes, and significant information/demonstration of a cultural tradition presented in the text
  • Make sure to review the RUBRIC (back of 13c in your binder)
• SSR Project: Individual Research Essay
  • Review directions in packet (13d in binder)
  • At least one direct quote from SSR book
  • Use credible outside research. Try looking HERE.

• SSR PROJECTS:
  • Presentations Oct. 28-30
  • Individual research paper DUE Nov. 2nd
    

• SSR  Presentations:
  • They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky
  • A Long Way Gone
    

• SSR PROJECTS:
  • Presentations Oct. 28-30
  • Individual research paper DUE Nov. 2nd 
• Attend a cultural event for extra credit. g at Swarthmore. Check 'um out HERE. Submit a one-page reflection on the event along with your ticket or program in order to receive five extra credit points.
  

Thursday, October 29th

• International Internet Day

• SSR Presentations:
  • Chinese Cinderella
  • Ordinary Man
  • Ake
  • Reading Lolita in Tehran
    

• SSR PROJECTS:
  • Presentations Oct. 28-30
  • Individual research paper DUE Nov. 2nd
    

Friday, October 30th

• ACT 80 DAY (1/2 day for students)

• SSR Presentations:
  • Falling Leaves
  • Other Side of the Sky
  • Stolen Lives

• SSR PROJECTS: Individual research paper DUE Nov. 2nd