Today, we will be working with the poem, "Incident" by the great Harlem Renaissance poet, Countee Cullen.  If you like the poem, you can click on the following link to learn more about the author.      http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/55

Enrichment/Extra Credit!!

Look up Countee Cullen's poem, "Tableau."  

Here's a link to the poem:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tableau-2/ 

Print out a copy, and do the following:

1. Perform a close reading- read the poem carefully and write down the gist of each stanza.  Make sure to take notes of words and lines that may seem important or stick out in some way.
2. In your own words, write a paragraph summarizing what is going on in the poem.  What is the poem's message?  Make sure to explain the significance of the title, "Tableau."  

Extra Credit Opportunity!

Write either a rap or country/western song based on the events from chapter 8.  It can be to the tune of an existing song, but the words should be changed (or a majority of the words).  

At this point, all classes should be finished with chapter 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird.  

*There will be a short quiz tomorrow for sections 1, 2, and 3.

*The quiz will be on Thursday for sections 4 and 5. 

Please make sure to keep up with your reading.  You will be lost if you let things slide.  

Remember, if you are absent it is your job to come to me to find out what work you missed!!!! 

Hi everyone!  Sorry I haven't updated the site in a while.  The end of the marking period is quickly approaching.  That being said, we still have a lot to.  Here's some of what's coming up.

12/28 and 10/29- Castle Learning assessment on the laptops.

10/30-11/1- Mid-Unit task on Inside Out and Back Again.

11/4-11/8- Cumulative Writing Assignment on Inside Out and Back Again.

Stay posted for more details.

Today, all classes are taking the STAR Literacy Assessment in the computer lab.  This test is taking the place of the Scantron assessment that we have done in previous years.  Beginning tomorrow, all classes will be starting part II of the novel.

Today, we began working on the students' social studies essential question essay. (Yes, social studies.  The way I figure it, writing is writing, no matter what the class)  It is important that they develop a firm understanding of the elements of a good essay.  We went over the introduction as well as an outline for the body of the essay. 

If you need extra help, please refer to the link on the right side of the page, "Help with Writing Essays."  Here's the question, in case parents are interested:

How did the events during the Reconstruction era effect politics, economics, and society as a whole?  Are these effects still evident today? Due Friday, October 11.

Today, blocks 1,2, and 3 finished reading the article, "The Vietnam Wars," by Tod Olson.  It gives a brief history of Vietnam's resistance against several colonial powers, up to its reunification in 1975.

Block 3 has a packet to finish on "plot" and "setting" that is due on Wednesday.