12/19/11

So, for those of you who weren't at school today (like myself who was mothering a really sick, sniffling, coughing, cranky, achy five-year-old), here it the scoop.

This essay was assigned. All the pertinent info. should be on the handout. As stated, it is due, submitted electronically to cpeterson@reynoldshigh.net, by midnight on January 5th. If you're confused or stuck drop me an email and I'll do my best to help you out.

Also, if you haven't been attending to it, log onto reynoldshigh.net and check out our group page. You have a total of 6 posts and 3 responses to complete by early January, as well. Several of your classmates have been working on this and are nearly finished. If you have been putting it off, carve out some time to read over break and write some posts. As you can see from those of your classmates, they aren't very complicated and really shouldn't take you more than a few minutes each to complete, if you are reading attentively.

Once we get back from break the end of semester will be upon us before you know it, so make sure your big essay (worth a whopping 100 points) gets completed on time, and that your independent novel entries are finished. In addition, we'll be wrapping up the semester with one more novel (Brave New World) and a final exam, so make sure you do what needs to be done to earn the grade you are shooting for.

12/15/11

Hey guys, sorry to miss you again today, but I had to stay home with my little guy. Here's the scoop:

1) You should have worked on and turned in some Candide study questions in class today. If you weren't there either, here they are.
2) Tomorrow, we'll have a vocab quiz and talk about the end of Candide.

Next week, I'll be introducing and explaining the essay you'll be writing about over break. You'll have some class time to work on this. If you know you are going to be gone next week, I'll be posting the essay prompt here tomorrow, so you can write your essay and make sure it is submitted on time for full credit.

12/5 to 12/7

Monday 12/5: I was home sick (again!). The sub gave you the list of vocabulary words for the week, then you were given "A Modest Proposal" to read (or re-read if you were in Walker's class last year.) With this were some study questions to work on. Also, you were given some introductory handouts about Voltaire and Optimism.

Tuesday 12/6: We talked about Swift's "Proposal." Specifically, the discussion was about how IRONY is related to SATIRE and how TONE is so important for satire to create the desired effect. We reviewed the Voltaire/Optimism info and then I sent you down to get books from the bookroom.
HW: Read chapters 1-10 in Candide.

Wednesday 12/7: I gave you some notes on and we discussed some additional terms related to SATIRE. Then I handed out some study questions to consider as you read Candide-- take some notes on these ideas, but you DON'T have to write out formal answers to each of these questions. They are to guide your thinking and reading.
HW: For tomorrow, try to read through chapter 16 in Candide. (That's XVI for all you non-Roman numeral readers.)

Update 11/28 to 12/1

Egad! Sorry I've been out sick and negligent in updating the blog. Somehow, coughing and sleeping have seemed to consume most of my free time lately. Here is the recap of this week, if needed:

Mon. 11/28: (w/ the sub) New vocab words were given, some time was given to wrap up and turn in Timed Essay Self-Assessment #1, then you were given "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" to read and think about in comparison to The Catcher in the Rye.

Tues. 11/29: Given a past timed-essay prompt I asked you create an outline of possible ways you could dig deeper into a comparison of the use of daydreams/imaginary scenarios in Catcher and Mitty.

Wed. 11/30: (w/ the sub, again) You were given some notes on types of Irony and the story "Genesis and Catastrophe" to read and consider regarding, you guessed it, irony.

Thurs. 12/1: Some of you shared your Holden/Mitty ideas, then you handed in your outlines. Then, we had a few minutes to begin identifying all three kinds of irony in "Genesis and Catastrophe".

Tomorrow, you will have a vocab quiz. Study your words.

11/23/11

Today we did a little work with the timed essays you've written so far this year.

For Monday, you need to read and review your essays, then complete this handout.
Here are the essay prompts so you can make sure you stayed on topic.

11/21/11

Today we took a little Catcher in the Rye reading quiz. Surprise! Then, we spent some time discussion Mr. Antolini mostly.  Some of you may have come to some conclusions on whether he is a pervert or not, some may still be undecided. Regardless of what you feel about his head-patting, he is in essence, attempting to be Holden's catcher. Unfortunately, Holden may not be ready to accept that yet.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about a bunch of final ideas related to Catcher.

Wednesday, we'll be working with all those timed essays you've been writing.

11/18/11

Today there was a vocabulary quiz (duh, it was a Friday...) Then, as I told you yesterday, you had some time to write timed essay #4. This dealt with Gorilla, My Love as it compares to The Catcher in the Rye. We'll be finishing up our discussion of Catcher on Monday, so finish reading the novel by then, please. Then, next week we'll also be working with the drafts of your timed essays and the AP Scoring Guide.

11/16/11

Spent some time thinking about and collecting ideas regarding Holden's hunting hat as a motif. We'll share your thoughts tomorrow.

Also, found this article today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catcher_in_the_Rye_in_popular_culture
Catcher in the Rye is seriously everywhere!

11/15/11

Hooray! A full class period, with (almost) all in attendance and no interruptions. How lovely to see you all again!

Today I gave you some new vocabulary words, quiz will be on Friday, and we had a few minutes to catch up on some thoughts regarding Catcher in the Rye.

HW: Be sure you're reading as outlined in the reading schedule. Also, send me your Extended Application essay if you haven't yet, and be reading your outside novel and posting to the class's group page at reynoldshigh.net.

11/7/11

Welcome back to another crazy week and happy Monday!

Today I gave you a Timed Essay writing prompt regarding Chapter 16 of Catcher and gave you the period to think, read, collect your thoughts and come up with an essay that shows what Holden's various interactions with/regarding children show about his character. We'll be working on reviewing, editing and revising these timed essays (and a few yet to come) in the near future. (I know you've been wondering!)

Tomorrow we'll discuss some Catcher specifics.

10/31/11

After having spent all of last week in C-3 working on the "Extended Application" graduation requirement, I'm glad to be back in our actual classroom today. Most of you finished this in class and sent me your final copy already. Hooray! That means you have one less thing to complete before graduation.

If you have not yet submitted your finished essay, you need to get this done soon and submit it to me at Cpeterson@reynoldshigh.net .

In class today we got back to our discussion of Catcher in the Rye. Specifically, we talked about Holden's clear love for Allie and Phoebe and his antagonism of Stradlater.

10/25/11

Day 2 in the computer lab.

10/24/11

Today we went to the computer lab in C-4 to begin working on the "Extended Application" graduation requirement. We will spend the next several days in the same lab, accessing CIS, then typing up a narrative of your findings. If you are here, you should be able to finish it all during class time.

Remember that you also should be reading Catcher in the Rye, and should be through chapter 12 by next Monday. Also, since you have little homework in my class, use this time to begin getting in to your independent novel.

10/20/11

Today I gave you a quick reminder/overview of how to access the online discussion group for the independent novel project. Then, we began talking about your first impressions of Holden.
For tomorrow, read through chapter 4 of Catcher and be ready for your vocab quiz.

10/19/11

Today we had one last short story presentation, then went to the book room and checked out copies of The Catcher in the Rye. I handed out new reading schedules that get us through Thanksgiving.

For tomorrow you should read the first two chapters and be ready to start talking about your first impressions of Holden. As you read, you should be taking notes on:

Holden's likes/dislikes 
Holden's wants/needs 
Motifs (or anything repeated) 
New characters and their interactions 
"Golden lines"-- which are the lines and phrases that they think hold some special significance; lines that are the key to understanding each chapter fully.

Reynoldshigh.net Info

If you have forgotten (or never knew) how to log on to reynoldshigh.net, here is the link to the log-in page:

Reynoldshigh.net Log-in Page

Once you are there, you can login with your email address and password. Your user name is FirstName[dot] LastNameGraduationYear -- ex: John.Doe2012@reynoldshigh.net. If you were set up with an account last year (as most of you were for Walker's class) then you should have changed your password when you began using your account. If you've forgotten your password, come see me and we'll have to figure out how to reset it. If your account was just set up, your default password is your ID number and graduation year with no spaces-- ex: 1111112012.

Once you have logged in successfully, you should already have an invitation to join our class's group in your email box. You need to open this email and accept the invitation. Then, if you click on "Groups" at the top of the page you will be taken to the place you need to go, you will find my instructions and example entries for what you need to do and you will see the posts of your other classmates. When you post to the discussion group, please make sure your entries are labeled clearly.

If you get stuck at any time, please come see me or send me and email and we'll do our best to problem solve as we go. I'm new to using Google groups too, so we'll all be learning as we go.

10/18/11

Groups began presenting on their short stories. Some of your groups obviously took the extra time to plan and practice, some, not so much...

We'll finish up tomorrow and go get copies of The Catcher in the Rye. Bring your ID cards!

10/17/11

Sorry, folks, but I stayed home sick today. Lucky you, though, this means one more day to work with your groups to prepare your presentations. Be ready to go tomorrow. I'm hoping to be breathing better and back with you!

10/10/11

Happy Monday!

Today I numbered you off and assigned you a story to read and begin compiling notes on to analyze. Tomorrow in class you'll get with the other members of your group, who read the same story, and you'll have some time to begin working on your group project/product. Specific instructions will be given in class, so make sure you come having read your story and ready to discuss.

10/6/11

Today we continued our discussion of Young Goodman Brown, and some possible (depressing?) themes of the story. Then we talked for a few minutes about A Hunger Artist, and what it might REALLY be about.

HW: Prepare yourselves for the vocab quiz tomorrow.

10/5/11

Today, Mrs. DeWittie stopped by with some AP Test info. Then, you had a few minutes to begin working on a Symbolism Assignment for Young Goodman Brown.

HW: For tomorrow, be ready to talk about what you think A Hunger Artist is REALLY about...

10/3 and 10/4

Monday: Talked about essay scoring guidelines. Had a few minutes to review your essay and another classmate's, then turned in them in.

Tuesday: Notes and thoughts on symbolism, then we began talking about Young Goodman Brown.

These are just a few...

An interesting little article in light of Banned Books Week last week.

Books You Really Should Have Read in High School

9/30/11

Yesterday we did a 2nd in class essay-- this time about "Hills Like White Elephants."
Today, we read a bit of "Why I Live at the P.O." and I gave you some character terms to know and use. Then I assigned this essay to work on over the weekend.

HW: Write a character analysis essay for Monday.

9/26-9/28/11

Monday: New vocab words, read and discussed general understanding of The Cask of Amontillado together.

Tuesday: Narration and POV terms, and discussed who might be the auditor in Cask.

Wednesday: Cask and Hills Like White Elephants graphic organizer-- preparing to analyze the narration of each story.

9/23/11

We began with our first Vocabulary Quiz. Then, we spent a few more minutes discussing the structure of Sonny's Blues and why it was effective for that particular story. In addition, I gave you some more notes on terms related to PLOT.

HW: Read The Cask of Amontillado for Monday.

9/22/11

Today we reviewed our plot terms and talked about the importance of considering CONFLICT when considering plot. Then, we took a few minutes and began compiling a timeline of events in Sonny's Blues in chronological order. Tomorrow we'll consider why Baldwin didn't structure the story this way. 

HW: Study your vocab. We'll have our first quiz tomorrow!

9/21/11

Today we reviewed and briefly discussed the plot diagrams you created yesterday for The Country Husband.

HW: Read Sonny's Blues for tomorrow and prepare to talk about its very different structural/plot elements.

9/20/11

Sorry I was gone yesterday, but alas, I was under the weather.
Here's a recap, in case you missed it:

Monday-- New vocab words (quiz on Friday over all 10), notes on Plot and its stages.

Tuesday-- In groups, attempt to diagram the plot of The Country Husband that accounts for all of the plot elements. Think about why Cheever would structure the plot in this way. We'll discuss your diagrams in class tomorrow.

For Thursday-- Read Sonny's Blues.

9/15 and 9/16/11

Thursday we finished up our discussion of Cathedral. We discussed the change in the narrator, how all the eating and drinking (communion?) and smoking may have broken down his barriers enough to actually allow a true interaction with Robert in drawing the cathedral-- a place of complexity, and faith and fellowship among humankind.

On Friday, you began writing your first (of what will likely be many) timed literary analysis essays. It was a big topic and many of you didn't "finish", but it was a starting place for me to see your writing and assess what we need to focus on.

For Monday, you should read the pages listed on your reading schedule regarding plot. You might also begin reading The Country Husband-- it's a longish one!

Have a great weekend!

9/14/11

Today we finished up our discussion of Flight Patterns, and began a discussion of Cathedral. We'll continue with Cathedral tomorrow- specifically, what's with the eating, drinking, and smoking. And, of course, why a cathedral?

9/13/11

Today we began our discussion of Flight Patterns, noticing the many ways that contradictions are emphasized. Tomorrow, we will conclude our discussion, attempting to pinpoint the resolution and thematic statement of the story, and begin our discussion of Cathedral.

As you read, specifically consider why Raymond Carver would choose a cathedral-- of all the possible objects he could have selected for the television program to be about, why cathedrals?

9/12/11

We began class by brainstorming a list of terms, ideas, and questions you might look for as you study a text. Then, we briefly looked at 20/20.

HW: If you didn't get it done over the weekend, be sure to read through Flight Patterns and come ready to discuss its intricacies tomorrow. You might also begin reading Cathedral, which we will delve into on Wednesday.

9/9/11

Today we discussed some big ideas related to the introductory pages you were asked to read. Some topics included: why studying literature is a worthwhile endeavor, what is/should be considered "literature," who should decide on the "canon," and what the difference is between reading literature and studying literature. These are all important questions that you should be developing a personal answer to so that you are able to understand this class in terms of its value and usefulness to you.

For homework, (see reading schedule), I have asked that you read the story Flight Patterns by Sherman Alexie and be prepared to begin discussing it on Monday. As you read you will see that it is particularly timely in light of the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11.

In addition, below is a link to an interesting literature related article from last week's Oregonian. Did you know there is a whole group of scholars who think that Shakespeare is a fraud? Well, now you do.
Concordia University becomes hub of conflict over who wrote the works of William Shakespeare

9/8/11

Today we (well, most of us) successfully checked out texts. I handed out a reading schedule that covers the next several weeks and we talked about a few additional "beginning of the year" types of things. Tomorrow, we'll discuss some of the ideas from pages 1 - 10 of the text about why we study literature and the literary "canon."

9/7/11 -- Happy first day!

Welcome to the blog! It was nice to see you all today, I hope you had a lovely time in all of your other classes, as well. Hopefully you enjoyed the tour of the classroom and the quick romp through the syllabus. If you have already lost your syllabus, and need another copy, you can find a link in the column on the right.

Tomorrow, we will hopefully be able to get to the book depository and check out your anthologies. Woo-hoo! See you then.