December 13, 2012

Bring your extra novel tomorrow for our reading day.

Today we are going to the computer lab and  you will be doing three things:
1. Finish your ode poem.  If you don't know how to do it, Google "How to write an ode poem to a girl"
2. Finish your found poem for The Secret Life of Bees.  If you don't know how to do it, Google "How to write a found poem"
3. Finish your essay on The Secret Life of Bees. See the prompt below if you weren't here yesterday.

If you have extra time, write your own test questions for The Secret Life of Bees.  You will have a test on it Monday and I'd like to give you the opportunity to write some of the questions.
Write your questions in this Google Doc: 
Secret Life of Bees Test

On page 211 in The Secret Life of Bees, August tells June that she hasn't been living her life the way she should have been.  She says: "You've been halfway living your life for too long.  May was sayinig that when it's time to die, go ahead and die, and when it's time to live, live.  Don't sort-of-maybe live, but live like you're going all out, like you're not afraid."

What I'd like you to do is to consider that in some ways you haven't been living your life to the fullest, either.  Your assignment is to tell me about a change that you plan on making in your life so that you can live life more fully.  Be sure to emphasize how it will help make your life fuller. 
3/4 page, due tomorrow, 15 points.
Pre-writing:
Write down three times in your life when you don't feel particularly alive (besides school!)
Write down three times in your life when you feel very alive.
For one of the times when you feel especially alive, write a sentence explaining why you feel alive then.

12/12/12

SHORT RESPONSE:

Reread pages 210 and 211 in  The Secret Life of Bees.  Pay particular attention to August's advice to to June:

"You've been halfway living your life for too long. . . don't sort of maybe live, but live like you're going all out, like you're not afraid" (210)

Reflect on your own life and think of ways that you might not be completely living.

Your assignment is to explain to me how you could live "like you're going all out."  Give a specific example and explain how it makes you feel more alive.





Things that make us feel alive

• camping
• dancing
• satisfying work
• music
• climbing to the top of a mountain
• sports
• vacations

Things that make us feel like we're not exactly alive or "awake"

• unsatisfying work
• conflicts with parents
• eating too much
• DMV
• Facebook
• 
  

Write 3/4 page to 1 page.  

12/12/12

On page 211 in The Secret Life of Bees, August tells June that she hasn't been living her life the way she should have been.  She says: "You've been halfway living your life for too long.  May was sayinig that when it's time to die, go ahead and die, and when it's time to live, live.  Don't sort-of-maybe live, but live like you're going all out, like you're not afraid."

What I'd like you to do is to consider that in some ways you haven't been living your life to the fullest, either.  Your assignment is to tell me about a change that you plan on making in your life so that you can live life more fully.  Be sure to emphasize how it will help make your life fuller.
3/4 page, due tomorrow, 15 points.
Pre-writing:
Write down three times in your life when you don't feel particularly alive (besides school!)
Write down three times in your life when you feel very alive.
For one of the times when you feel especially alive, write a sentence explaining why you feel alive then.

December 4th

In a group of 3-5, answer the following questions.  Find at least three specific examples from the book to answer your question. Each person in the group has to write down the page number and part of the quote. You don't have to answer this paragraph form.  We will discuss it first.

1. Why is the novel entitled "The Secret Life of Bees"?

"Most people don't have any idea about the complicated life going on inside the hive.  Bees have a secret life we don't know anything about"(148.)  Lilly, too, has a secret life . . .

"Honeybees require depend not only on physical contact . . require social companionship . . . isolated bees will die" (136.)  Lilly becomes close to Rosaleen and August and even June . . .














Here's a way you could do this if you are having a difficult time:
Figure out what that statement means.  Does it tie into a theme or two in the novel? Josh says you need to look at this in a metaphorical way.  He is right.

2. How does Lily change after she goes to August's house?

December 3rd, 2012

 


Male- Sun, 3, Logic, Aggressive, Red, Intuition

Female- Moon,  4, Imagination, Passive, Blue,

November 15th

Creative Book Report


Today we will play Pictionary to learn our words for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz.  Words are listed in earlier posts.

Watch movie The Secret Life of Bees.

Bring your extra novel tomorrow for reading day.  Remember, your creative book report is due on Tuesday, November 27th

During Thanksgiving week, you will need to do a bit of reading if you're behind.  When we get back you need to be on page 199.

November 13

Here's the Youtube video I showed you last week, the one of Tommy Smith raising his fist on the medals podium

Today we will discuss . . . .

November 9, 2012

You will be making a creative book report for your extra book.  See the following handout for the descriptions of the 10 book report options.  I imagine that you could find examples on the internet of most of them, maybe even YouTube videos.
Book report due Tuesday, November 27th.  30 points.  +10 E.C. to best book report, 5 for 2nd

Creative Book Report
Examples of:
Diorama
Book in a Box
Book Timeline
Book Mobile
Collage for book      Collage 2
Movie Poster
Main Character
Powerpoint
Prezi
Xtranormal


Your homework for this weekend is to read to page 164 in The Secret Life of Bees.

November 7, 2012!

We'll leave our discussion of the election, but let me just say that I think it's amazing that the polls were so accurate.  Wow.  It also blew me away to see how early they were able to predict if a state would go to Obama or Romney.

The Secret Life of Bees--The Black Madonna

Vocabulary for Friday's quiz is found at this Google Doc
I'd like you to read two articles on the Black Madonna for tomorrow
     Black Madonna article 1
The Masthead and Our Lady of Chains article 2

Wikipedia article on Black Power




Assignment:
Write 1 paragraph describing a character from the novel.
Lily, T.Ray, Rosaleen, August, store clerk, Franklin (evil racist), June, May, etc.
1st sentence: state what he or she is like.
2nd sentence: quote a specific example from the book that supports your idea  citing the page number.
3rd sentence: explain what the example reveals about the character

1. Rosaleen loves Lily.
2. We can tell that she loves Lily because she makes her a birthday cake.  We read, "I made this here cake for you so you wouldn't feel alone today" (35).
3. Rosaleen would only go to this much trouble if she loved Lily.








4th sentence: optional sum up of the point you've made
you may give another example
Here's a hilarious Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that has absolutely nothing to do with what we're talking about in here, but, all the same, it's pretty amusing, and don't we all need a bit of that in our lives?
Another Calvin and Hobbes What are you really learning? If you're just striving to learn facts and get by on your tests, are you really learning anything? Strive to learn more,  more than just "facts".

Thursday, November 1

Civil Rights Act of 1964, student presentation

Friday, October 19th

Homework:  Think about all three witnesses from the other side.  You just finished writing cross examination questions for one witness.  Now add questions for the other two witnesses from the other side so that you have a total of 3/4 page by Monday.  Remember, Write 3/4 page telling me what you think are the greatest weaknesses in their case.  

Politics in America

Did you watch the Debate Tuesday night?

I think it's important for all of us to be informed members of society and to make our voice heard.

It's looking like this election could be very close, and as such, it's extra important for all of us in the country to think through issues that will affect our lives.  Not only will the next president guide the country through the next four years, but during those four years it is very likely that he will appoint 1 or 2 Supreme Court justices, and those judges will make decisions that could last your entire lifetimes.  So, in case you're interested in following the polls these last three weeks, here are some that show how President Obama and Governor Romney are doing in the states that matter most:

Current Polls

________________________________________________________________________

Cross-examination

The basic goal of cross-examination is to trip up the witnesses from the other side, to catch them in their lies and exaggeration, if possible.  In many cases, there are no lies, and what you're doing in this case is trying to show that there is reasonable doubt that their side of the story might not be true. Then the jury isn't so convinced that he/she is telling the truth, or at least that their side of the story doesn't seem plausible or believable.

In your groups, you are to come up with cross-examination questions for a witness on the other side.

Cody               Beck

Beck               Cody

Hobbes           Gracian

Gracian           Hobbes

Kripke             Plotnik

Plotnik            Kripke

To do this, you have to look at their written witness statements (affidavits).  Underline things that look fishy.

Then write a question or two for each fishy looking point, questions that will help you trip them up.

The questions you write should only have yes/no answers.

You don't want them to have a chance to talk.  

You just want to incriminate them.

A good question often ends with 

"didn't you?"

"correct?" 

"isn't that right?"

October 9

Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah 

Your homework tonight is to read through the entire case.  You will have a 10 point quiz tomorrow.  Know who says what.  You can find the case here: Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah 

In your lawyer/witness pairs, you need to do the following:
1. Write down what Beck's motive was
2. In a sentence or two, explain how Beck had the opportunity to commit murder
3. In a sentence or two, explain how Beck could have had the means to commit murder (had a weapon, the disposition, the strength, etc.)
4. Now think of your witness.  What does your witness say that supports your theory about motive, opportunity, and means.
5. Underline what your witness says that supports these ideas.
6. Underline anything else your witness says that makes it look like Beck did it.
7. Now, you need to write a series of questions that your attorney will ask the witness so that he can tell his story to the jury and convince them that Beck is guilty
Point 1 about motive:
5-10 questions
Point 2 about opportunity:
5-10 questions
Point 3 about how he could have done it:
5-10 questions

Beck Martin vs. State of Utah

Prosecution Team
Cody--charlee,emma,jessie,sydney
Kripke-- Tasha Richter, Amy Miller, Alexis Hudson, Daisy Ramos, and Danny White
Hobbes-- Bryce, Erik, Bailey Ross

Defense Team
Beck-- Crystol, Kyle, Kayla, April, Megan, Allyson
Gracian-- Kyler Emilio Jill Jordan
Plotnik-- Adam, Austin, Colin, Carlos, Will



1st period
Beck Martin vs. State of Utah

Prosecution Team
Cody--Nichele, Ashley, Cecila, Josh,
Kripke--Jeremy, Gavin, Olivia, Misael, Clifford,
Hobbes-- Antonio, Alyssa, Alice
Defense Team
Beck--Ana, Ana, Miles
Gracian--Hernan, Carter, Darrien
Plotnik-- Jessica

October 3rd

Today we will take part of a PSAT. 

Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah
We need to start getting ready for the actual trial.  To do this, we will learn how to write direct examination questions.
The True Story of the Big Bad Wolf
As you read Al Wolf's side of the story, you will see that his attorneys will have a difficult time convincing the jury that he is not guilty.  To do this, they need to ask him the right kinds of questions to help him tell his story to the jury.
Direct Examination

October 2, 2012

Today's assignments:

1) Determine TIMELINE.  Here's a link of what we came up with:  Timeline
Remember, the prosecution needs to have its witnesses tell the story of what Beck did and when.

2) Today, each one of you will write a 1-page statement about one of the witnesses. This is to be written in essay form--no bullet points

PROSECUTION
1. Cody
2. Officer Kripke
3. Dr. Hobbes

You are to choose one of  your witnesses and write 1 handwritten page explaining what that witness says that leads you to believe that Beck is guilty of murdering Anne Marcus.
*Remember, Beck is charged with manslaughter as well as first-degree murder, so you might write about things that deal with an accidental death.

DEFENSE
1. Beck
2. Ranger Plotnik
3. Dr. Gracian
Each one of you is to choose a witness and write 1 handwritten page explaining what your witness says that leads you to believe that there is reasonable doubt concerning the prosecution's story.

September 28

READ-A-THON
Bring your novel to class (the one you checked out from the library last week)
Fill out the reading log
Answer the following question: "Describe the main character both physically and psychologically

Vocabulary quiz

Homework:
MOCK TRIAL
Over the weekend, print the case and 
re-read the witness statements for your side (Defense or Prosecution)

The main idea of the play Twelve Angry Men is that we need to think before we make big decisions in life. We will continue this unit this week and next as we work on our own mock trial.  Get ready to play the parts of lawyers and witnesses. This is a blast!

Here's the case of Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah

As we read through the case today, I want you to keep track of specific details from the witness statements.  At the end of the week, you will be writing opening statements and cross examination questions, and you can't write effectively without specific details.
(The ,+and here is similar to the grammar sentence we had at the beginning of the period today.  Can you explain why?)

Here's a list of the vocabulary for Friday's quiz.  It is taken from the case we are studying
Vocabulary found in Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah

September 20, 2012

Today we will finish the movie Twelve Angry Men.  The question we are considering today is "Why are the men angry?"
Juror 3 is angry--why?
Juror 10 is angry--why?
Juror 7 gets angry
Juror 11 gets angry at Juror 7
Even juror 9 gets angry once.
It's also interesting to consider why some of the other jurors don't get angy.

If you've been absent, here's an online text of the entire play that you will need to read to catch up:
Twelve Angry Men

In the next few days we will be working on our own mock trial.  Get ready to play the parts of lawyers and witnesses.
Here's the case of Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah

Monday, September 17, 2012

12 Angry Men Vocabulary--test Friday

At the beginning of the trial the judge tells the members of the jury that it is there responsibility to "separate the facts from the fancy."  How does one do that?  Jury 10 says that it's possible to overthink these things and that they all know, deep down, that the boy is guilty.  The point of the play is that we must think through these things if we are to come to just decisions or sometimes innocent people are sent to the electric chair.  And yet, there is a decent chance that if the jury in this play acquits the boy (let's him off), they will be letting a dangerous criminal go.  Tough decision, huh?

The Prosecution's Case

September 13, 2012

12 Angry Men
Vocab sentences
Review OAKS practice test

September 12, 2012

Today's assignment:
List the jurors
And briefly summarize their feelings concerning the accused's guilt.  Give an example from the play
1
2
3

4

5
6
7
8

9
10

11
12

September 11, 2012

Journal Writing Assignment:

Write one paragraph:
In the United States, civil trials  and murder trials have a different standard for determining guilt.
In a civil trial, if the judge is 51% sure you did it, you're guilty.
In a murder trial with a jury, the standard is "beyond reasonable doubt."  In your mind, just what is "reasonable doubt"? 

September 10, 2012

Journal Writing Assignment:

What was your favorite assignment ever in school?
Explain what you liked about it?

Write a minimum of 5 sentences.
Then underline the sentence that you think is the best

September 7

Sample Reading Test

Welcome to Junior English!

It's been a few years since I've taught Junior English, so that will make this year quite a bit of fun for all of us since I'll be bringing a lot of energy to the course.  Since Sophomore English is American Lit, I view this course as World lit, and that means that a lot of the things that we will read come from Britain and some of them from France and Germany (translations, of course!)  We will do a lot of writing in here in preparation for the OAKS Writing Test, which you have to pass to graduate  :~ /

I promise that I'll try my hardest to make the writing relevant so that you won't say, "Man, I'm never going to use any of this stuff I'm learning later in life."  You will be writing throughout your lives--writing resumes, letters to co-workers, love letters (heh, heh), and countless other things.  No one will ever know your great thoughts if you can't express them.  In this class you will learn to express them.

So, the year begins! 

The first thing I'd like you to do is to go to  the "Handouts" tab, open the syllabus, and print it.  Then read it, sign it, and have your parent or guardian sign it.  Detach the part at the bottom (keep the rest) and bring it to class by Friday.  Thanks!