Thursday, January 14, 2010

Today we discussed (and took notes) on the use of subtext in literature , followed by a small group activity in which you practiced using subtext to convey meaning. Click here to download the handout that was given in class. If you were absent, make sure you get the notes from a classmate. We also independently read in class.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Today we finished up our personal writing exercises and had a brief concluding discussion. I handed out the first of several study guides for the play. Click here to download. This contains some important vocabulary information that you will need to know, so don't forget to have a copy on you.

After reading the author's preface, you independently read Scenes I and II. Be ready to discuss these in class tomorrow and to complete a short assignment.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Today we completed some anticipatory activities to get ready for our reading of Doubt. We reviewed some key themes of the play, discussed them, and then you responded to several personal writing prompts. We also discussed how our beliefs and world view are influenced and developed as a result of our age, background, and environment.

Tomorrow we will finish this up, since we ran short of time, and we will also begin reading the play.

If you were absent, please see me for a copy of the writing prompts.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Happy Friday. Today we looked at an introductory power point and a video regarding our first unit this semester: reading and analyzing the 2005 Pulitzer Prize winning play Doubt by John Patrick Shanley. We looked over some backround information regarding the Catholic Church abuse scandal, which influenced the writing of this play, as well as a brief synopsis, some photographs, and part of the PBS Frontline episode "Hand of God." There is no homework this weekend, so enjoy. You're welcome.

Click here to view the PBS Frontline episode "Hand of God"

Thursday Web Fun 1/7/10

Welcome to today's in-class webquest. This is designed to help you practice and become comfortable with using our class website for various assignments and activities. Be sure to read all instructions and complete your work in a saved Word document first.

Part 1. Click here to view a performance by one of my favorite spoken-word poets, Taylor Mali (you will need headphones.) This poem, entitled "Totally Like Whatever," is all about the importance of speaking with conviction and strongly articulating your ideas. Provide a detailed paragraph response to this poem that includes:

*Your opinion of the poem. Do you like this poem? Why or why not?

*Do you agree or disagree with Taylor Mali when he says that we are an inarticulate generation? Why?

*Why do you think that, in general, we have become so accustomed to speaking in the manner that he is describing?

*In your opinion, what should be done in our society to help correct this habit (or do you think that there is nothing we can do, and that it is simply how our language is evolving?) What could YOU do personally to correct this habit?

Part 2. Some creative writing. Browse through the hundreds of photographs available on The Boston Globe's "The Big Picture" site. Select six of your favorite images. For each image, develop, edit and proofread a descriptive paragraph (of at least five sentences.) Your paragraph can take any form you wish - it can be a detailed description of the image, a personal narrative that the image inspires, a fictional snapshot, etc.

Good luck! Post your responses as a comment to this post. This assignment is due at the end of class today. =)

Introduction - Semester 2

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year!!! For you seniors, you are officially in the home stretch. Hang in there! You are almost done! =) I am truly excited for another fun, enlightening, and productive here at Mountain Range and look forward to getting to know all of you.

As an extension of our work in class, you will be regularly asked to consult and contribute to this blog. Learn it, love it. Every day, a summary of the class period along with any relevant links, notes, and homework assignments will be posted to this website. If you are absent or forgot something, this is where you go. Just come here, find the day you missed, and catch up.

In addition, you will be expected to contribute regularly to the blog. Roughly every two weeks, there will be a question, prompt, activity, survey, links to check out, or relevant supplementary materials posted on the website that will require a constructed response from you. In order to do so, you must create an account so that you are able to sign in to the blog and post your responses and assignments. We will spend some time going over how to post to the blog and I will give you further instructions at a later date. Appropriate and respectful use of our class blog is absolutely essential, and it will be continually monitored. There are several important things to remember about using our class blog:

1. Never trust a computer. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE again and then back it up.
2. Always be respectful and appropriate.
3. Always proofread and spellcheck!
4. Avoid “webspeak” – if we continue to abbreviate everything, our language will dwindle and our individuality will suffer.
5. Extra credit to those of you who locate my linguistic errors first.
6. Please label every post fully and formally with your full name.
7. Have fun! =)