Tonight's Homework: complete both sides of worksheet on "lie, lay, sit, set."

 Link to Youtube videos:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loi3gDeGTwU&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Do you think it’s ok to perform brain surgery in an effort to increase human intelligence?  Explain your answer.

“Flowers for Algernon”

by: Daniel Keyes

setting- March-July 1965 in New York City

Literary Element

Characterization- (The way the character is described)

Words to Know

tangible- (adj.) able to be touched or observed

          Ex. The doctors wanted to see tangible results of the brain operation.

          specter- (noun) a disturbing thought.

          Ex.  Any specter of doubt would have ruined her chances of survival.

refute- (verb) to prove wrong

Scholars often attempt to refute one another’s theories.

vacuous- (adj.) empty; showing a lack of intelligence

          Ex. The mentally challenged man had a vacuous look in his eyes.

obscure- (adj.) hidden; not easily discovered

          Ex. Our knowledge of life on Mars is obscure.

convolutions- (noun) uneven ridges on the brain’s surface

          Ex. Scientists study brain convolutions when treating mental illness.

fissures- (noun) narrow openings; crevices

          Ex. The earthquake produced many deadly fissures in the earth’s crust.

introspective- (adj.) looking inward

          Ex.  Some people keep an introspective journal to record their thoughts.

regression- (verb) to return to a less developed condition

          Ex.  As the athlete got older, his regression was more noticeable.



“Stop the Sun”

by: Gary Paulsen

setting- present day

main character- Terry Erickson

Literature Elements

Theme- the message that an author wishes to get across

Flashback- going back to an earlier time

3^rd person point of view- the narrator of the story is an outsider that is not a character in the story

a.            objective- the narrator only has limited knowledge of the characters

b.           omniscient- the narrator is all knowing

Words to Know

persist (verb)- to continue stubbornly

     ex. At times, students persist at being obnoxious.

dry (adjective)- direct and without emotion

     ex. After winning the World Series, the players seemed dry.  They weren’t even excited.

founder (verb)- to get stuck or to break down

     ex.  Cars that don’t have four-wheel drive often founder in the snow.

inert (adjective)- having no power to move or act; lifeless

     ex.  After being struck by the winning punch, the boxer became inert.

chant (verb)- singing or speaking in monotone.

     ex. One will often hear the crowd chant at a football game.

Tonight's Homework: Complete front and back of worksheet on adjectives and adverbs.

adverb- words that describe:

-a verb

ex. He drove slowly.

-an adjective

ex. He drove a very fast car.

-another adverb

ex.  She moved quite slowly down the street.

**Adverbs often tell when, where, how much, or to what extent something happens or is done.

Directions: Rewrite each sentence, inserting an adverb to describe the underlined words.  Identify the underlined word as a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.

1.           Although their hiding place seemed safe, the boys were anxious.

2.           Cari was pleased that she was able to bring her cat.

Tonight's Homework: Complete pages 61 and 62 that focus on the usage of "its" and "it's."


Welcome Back!  Here are the notes for the literature we are covering this week.  There is also a classwork assignment attached that everyone is responsible for handing in on Thursday.

“The Great Rat Hunt”

By Laurence Yep (p. 107)

      VOCABULARY WORDS

            barricade-           blockade

            brusquely-          abruptly; sharply

            fumigate-            exterminate

            improvise-          to act without a plan

            ineptitude-         clumsiness

            mug-                    the face

            perpetual-          long lasting

            rationalize-         justify; excuse

            ravage-                destruction

            reserve-               unfriendliness

MEMOIR

Definition: A first-person recollection of an experience or event

3 Characteristics

1.             told from 1^st person point of view using       the pronouns I, me, we

2.             are accounts of actual events

3.             include the writer’s feelings and beliefs about his/her family and community

Theme

Definition: The message about life or human nature communicated by a literary work

·    Apply lessons learned by the main characters to ALL of us

◦  Themes of Rat Hunt

We don’t have to be good at everything

Sometimes it’s smart to be scared

Don’t underestimate love

Acceptance

It’s okay to be you

It’s important to try

“The Great Rat Hunt”

By Laurence Yep

(Pages 107-114)

ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

Directions: On your paper, answer each question in a complete sentence.

1.           Identify this literary genre.

2.           Describe Laurence’s conflict.

3.           Do you think Laurence’s father resents him for not being able to keep up?  Why or why not?

4.           On page 108 in the top paragraph of column B, how does Yep use personification in describing the rat?

5.           What situations in Father’s past might explain his brusqueness and reserve? (Hint: see page 111) 

6.           Do you see any relationship between Laurence’s feeling of being an outsider in his own family and his father’s experience as an immigrant?  Explain.

7.           Why was it so important to Father that Eddy and Laurence learn to play American sports? (See page 112, col. A)

8.           Yep uses hyperboles on page 113, bottom of column A to describe the rat.  Write one of them on your paper.

9.           In your opinion, which is worse, being a failure or being a coward?  Why?

10.       Why is it significant to Laurence that his father called it “our” trophy?

11.       What do you think is the theme of this memoir?  (Hint: look in column A on page 114)

Listening Test #1 Today, November 5

-This will be the last graded assignment for the 1st quarter.

We've been working on our first quarter cumulative writing task all week.  Students will be finished on Monday.  have a great weekend!

Extra Credit Opportunity!!

Select one of the following scenes and make a color poster depicting it.  Be sure to include all of the details and characters in the description.  You may work together on this one.

-The scene between Squeaky & Gretchen and her sidekicks.
-The park scene on May Day
-Squeaky's pre-race visualization

Poems are due tomorrow!

Here are the notes for this week.  We'll be reading the short story "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara.  Here's a website with informantion about the author:  http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/index.php/Toni_Cade_Bambara

“Raymond’s Run”

 by: Toni Cade Bambara

setting- Harlem, present day

narrator- Squeaky (also the main character) 1^st person point of view

Words to Know

relay- a race where several team members are used to finish

      Ex. The Unites States lost the 400 meter relay at the track meet.

clutch- to grasp and hold tightly

      Ex. I watched the student nervously clutch the note she had written.

prodigy- a person with great talent

      Ex. Tiger Woods was a child prodigy when it came to golf.

sidekick- a close friend

      Ex.  Many superheroes have a trusty sidekick.

periscope- a device that lets one see beyond the area he/she is in.

      Ex.  To see above the water the captain of the submarine used the periscope.

Literary Element

Conflict- A struggle between two forces

5 Types:

Person vs. Person

Person vs. nature

Person vs. society

Person vs. technology

Person vs. themselves

Today in class, we are reading "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.  This famous poem about choices, seems to give advice about thinking through life altering decisions. 
The classwork becomes homework if not finished.  Follow this link for a text and audio version of the poem.
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717

Write an extended metaphor poem in the same style as Langston Hughes answering the mother in "Mother to Son."  Use a different metaphor (rather than crystal stairs) to describe your own insights about life.  

 

Here's an example:

 

Sample “Mother to Son” Poem

Extended Metaphor

Little Soldier

By Julia L.

Mama,

Life ain’t easy;

I know this now.

You give me the strength to fight the battle.

Life is a battle,

Obstacle after obstacle.

I was once a soldier,

Naïve to the death and hardship of war,

But with your wisdom, I am now commander.

Commander of my own troops,

Me, myself, and I.

I may lose a few battles now and then,

And I will certainly triumph over the war.

Thank you for being my trainer.

Thank you for helping me with my quest.

Thank you for being wise and kind

And revealing the key.

The key to the door.

The key to life.

Life ain’t easy,

But I will fight to the finish.

Fight to the death.

Today, we are reading "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes  http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83.  He is famous as being a Harlem Renaissance poet and writer of short fiction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Renaissance

Langston Hughes'
Mother to Son

---

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Homework: Complete pages 27 and 28 of packet on nouns

Here are the notes for the day:

poetry- words arranged in a rhythm (or not) that express ideas and emotions.

literal language- when speech or writing means exactly what it says.

*figurative Language- speech or writing that is not meant to be taken “literally.”

     simile- comparing two unlike objects using “like” or “as”

          Ex. The crowd roared like a lion.

     metaphor- comparing two unlike objects without using “like” or  “as.”

          Ex. He is a computer.

     personification- giving non-human things or ideas human  characteristics.

          Ex. The basketball danced around the rim.

     hyperbole- an exaggeration

          Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

imagery- mental pictures that are created with words.

tone- the writer’s attitude towards a subject.

mood- the emotion you feel when reading a poem.

alliteration- the repetition of beginning consonant (not vowels) sounds in words.

     Ex. Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

rhythm- the beats in a poem

The 5 week term for the first quarter ends today!

Quiz Tomorrow on the Elements of Fiction

Study these terms from your notes:

plot, setting, protagonist, antagonist, character (primary and secondary), theme, exposition, rising action, falling action, climax, resolution

Scantron Reading Assessment Today and Tomorrow!

It's Yankee Candle Time!!

In an effort to raise some funds for our upcoming field trip to a Broadway show in New York City, we will be participating in a Yankee Candle fundraiser.  Students will receive the fundraising packets, including catalogs and order forms in class today,

October 1. 

**All money is to be collected, documented on the order forms, and handed in to Mr. Manley no later than Wednesday, October 17, 2012.

Happy Friday!

Hi everyone,
   This week, we talked a bit about different elements of reading and understanding fiction.  Yesterday, there was a very important lesson on how to outline and plan for writing an essay.  I've posted a link on the right side of this page that should be helpful for students still having trouble with the process.

Very Important:

Monday and Tuesday of next week, my students will be taking the Scantron Reading Assessment in the computer lab.  The schedule is as follows:

Monday:
Period 3 will be in the lab during periods 3 and 4
Period 7 will be in the lab during periods 7 and 8

Tuesday:
Period 1 will be in the lab during periods 1 and 2
Period 2 will be in the lab during periods 3 and 4
Period 8 will be in the lab during periods 7 and 8

Today in Class:

1. Go over work from "The Velveteen Rabbit."
2. Discuss and practice the rules of dialogue.
3. Reading comprehension activity
    -What you don't finish in class becomes homework!

Extra Credit Opportunity
Answer the following riddle (without cheating).

What demands an answer, but asks no question?

Proverb of the Day:  "Actions speak louder than words."

Today, we will continue our work with plot.  Here are some new definitons that you need to know:

conflict- a struggle or problem that the characters face

protagonist- the main character(s)

antagonist- character or force that oppose the main character(s)

secondary characters- minor or less important characters

setting- time and place

theme- the message or moral that a story teaches

         Image from "The Flight of Daedalus"

Plot-the sequence of events in a story

• Exposition: the beginning of the story, establishment of setting and characters
• Conflict: the problem(s) faced by the characters
• Rising Action: events in the story leading up to the climax
• Climax: the culmination of events in the story, point of highest reader interest
• Falling Action: events leading to the solving of the story’s problems
• Resolution: how events and problems of the story are solved

Happy, Rainy Monday!

Tonight's Homework:
Complete the last page in the packet for "Charles."  It is titled, "Usage and Mechanics Worksheet."


Today, we are discussing the different types of point of view (pov) in literature.  Here's a chart and link to help with your understanding. http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/understanding-point-of-view-in-literature.html

Quiz Today!

Here's your first extra credit opportunity:

Explain why the picture below is ironic.

This week, we'll be studying a short story called, "Charles" written by Shirley Jackson ( http://shirleyjackson.org/index.html).  The main element of focus will be irony.  Here are the notes:

“Charles”

by: Shirley Jackson

Literary Terms

1.                  short story- a short work of fiction that can usually be read in one sitting.  Short stories usually focus on 1 or 2 characters that face a single problem (conflict).

2.                  setting- the time and place of the action of a story

3.                  irony- when there is a difference between what is expected and what actually happens.

Vocabulary Words

renounced- gave up or abandoned

    Ex. For her New Year’s resolution, Carrie renounced chocolate.

swaggering- strutting (walking) confidently

    Ex. On the first day of school, Dan was seen swaggering through the halls.

simultaneously- at the same time

    Ex. Both students answered the question simultaneously.

haggard- tired looking

    Ex. At the end of the day, Mr. Manley had a haggard look on his face.

incredulously- with disbelief

    Ex. Laura stared incredulously at the dog that could talk.

elaborately- doing something with great care.

    Ex. Mark elaborately pieced together his model airplane.

insolently- boldly (very) disrespectful

    Ex. For speaking to the principal insolently, Jessica was suspended.

Happy Monday!

Here are the first set of notes for the year.  Please make sure to keep them in your English notebook.  Don't skip around pages and be sure to date each entry.

Unit 1: Insights and Perspectives

Insight- the ability to understand the inner nature of things, yourself and others.

synonyms: wisdom, intuition, instinct

Perspective- a specific point of view or understanding of things or events

synonyms: point of view, perception, viewpoint, outlook

Welcome Back!

Welcome to our class website for 2012/2013!  I trust everyone had an exciting but restful summer.  Check this site often for any important information, assignments, definitions, or news specific to things going on at JWB or in my classes.  Good luck and have a great year!

Vocabulary quiz tomorrow on the new terms from Act I of
The Diary of Anne Frank.

Over the past two days, classes have been taking the Scantron Reading Test.  For more information on this assessment, please visit the following link:

edperformance.com

Extra Credit Opportunity:

Explain the meaning of the following quote made by Mr. Frank talking to Anne.  Think about the context of the play and the fact that they are in hiding from the Nazis.

"But always remember this, Anneke.  There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind."

The Diary of Anne Frank

Drama by: Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

Drama- a form of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience

Setting- July 1942- August 1944, November 1945 in Amsterdam, Holland

Characters: 

Annex Residents:

              -Anne Frank

              -Margot Frank

              -Mr. Frank

              -Mrs. Frank

              --Mr. Van Daan

              --Mrs. Van Daan

              --Peter Van Daan

              ---Mr. Dussell

Workers (helpers) at Mr. Frank’s Business:

              **Miep Gies

              **Mr. Kraler

Act I Vocabulary

conspicuous (adjective)- easy to notice

loathe (verb)- to hate

vile (adjective)- disgusting

indignantly (adverb)- becoming angry by something unfair

wallow (verb)- to take great pleasure in

zeal (noun)- great enthusiasm

oppression (noun)- keeping someone down unfairly

jubilation (noun)- rejoicing in celebration

ostentatiously (adverb)- with great exaggeration

appalled (adjective)- horrified or shocked