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Davis School District

August 21-25, 2006

Monday, August 21: Teacher Prep. Day

  • No School for Students

Tuesday, August 22: Teacher Prep. Day

  • No School for Students

Wednesday, August 23: Welcome Back!

Thursday, August 24

Friday, August 25


August 28- September 1, 2006

Monday, August 28: Materials and Reading Book in Class!

  • Write Something! (10 minutes' worth)
  • Writing Trait #1: Ideas and Content
  • A Timely Example: Zachary Rosenstein for Pres!
  • Specific vs. General: Defining Our Terms
    Non-example: What Does Baby Mickey Find?
  • Evaluate the ideas and content of what you wrote. Turn it in.

Tuesday, August 29: Computer Lab 137

Wednesday, August 30: Back-to-School Night, 6:45 P.M.

  • Journals: Pick one! Write your name on it...everywhere.
Journal Guidelines:
Copy these on the first blank page in the journal.
  • Date every entry and assignment.
  • Number regular journals; title all other assignments.
  • Skip only one or two lines between entries. Do not put each entry on a separate page!
  • Write on only one side of the paper.
  • Do not copy the topic. Just respond with complete sentences.
  • Never remove any pages from your journal, even after they have been scored
  • Journals are to remain in the classroom at all times!
  • Journal Topic #1: How is 9th grade treating you so far? Give examples! Be specific! (80+ words)
  • The Pigman: Chapter 1 (Meet John!) & Chapter 2 (Meet Lorraine!)
  • Pigman Vocabulary List #1

Thursday, August 31

  • Journal #2: Who make the best friends--those of the same sex or those of the opposite sex? Why? What advantages are there to each? (80+ words)
  • The Pigman: Finish Chapter 2 (from page 8..."right in the middle of the living room!")
  • Pigman Study Questions 1 (in journal)
  • Read Chapters 3 & 4

Friday, September 1: Honors English Applications due!


September 4-8, 2006

Monday, September 4

  • Labor Day: No School

Tuesday, September 5: Computer Lab 137

Wednesday, September 6: Independent Reading Contracts due!

  • Journal #4: Are you a good liar? Why or why not? (Give an example of a time you either lied very well and got away with it or lied poorly and got caught.) Is there ever a time when it is right to lie? Explain. (90+ words)
  • The Pigman: Literary Concepts (Copy them onto the "Pigman Pages" in your notebook.)
  • Finish Chapter 5 & 6

Thursday, September 7: Honors English Meeting (3:00 P.M.)

  • Journal #5: Are you afraid to die? Why or why not? What is your attitude about death? Is it a natural part of the life process, or is it something to be avoided at all costs? Discuss. (80+ words)
  • Literary Concepts: Define
  • The Pigman: Read Chapter 7 & Define Vocab. #3

Friday, September 8

  • Journal #6: Do you like to shop? Why or why not? How do you prefer to shop: Online? In a mall? Department stores? Alone? In a group? Discuss your feelings on shopping. (80+ words)
  • The Pigman: Chapter 8
  • Literary Concepts: Begin Worksheet

September 11-15, 2006

Monday, September 11

  • Journal #7: Pigman Personality Profile (Listening Activity)
  • The Pigman
  • Vocabulary #4
  • Read Chapters 9 & 10
  • Homework: Prewrite for Character Sketch (on one of the characters in The Pigman)
  • Tuesday, September 12: Computer Lab 137

    Wednesday, September 13

    Thursday, September 14

    • Journal #9: Copy the following quotations.
      "It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do."
      --John Baptiste Moliére

      "Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility."
      --Albert Einstein

      "When we have begun to take charge of our lives, to own ourselves, there is no longer any need to ask permission of someone."
      --George O'Neil

      "A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and your ultimate success depends on the choices you make."
      --Denis Waitley
      The Pigman
    • Read Chapter 13 & 14

    Friday, September 15: Ms. Threlkeld in the House!


    September 18-22, 2006

    Monday, September 18

    • Journal #10: Look at the quotations you copied in the last journal. Choose one that you think applies to the last chapter of The Pigman. Explain your choice. (90+ words)
    • Score worksheet from Friday.
    • The Pigman: Review Chapter 15
    • Study Questions (Only the 3rd and 6th questions require written responses; do them in your journal.)
    • Themes, Motifs, Lessons (to be completed this week in class)

    Tuesday, September 19: Lab 137

    Wednesday, September 20: Computer Lab 138

    • Using the outline (#1, #2, #3) you created yesterday, write the essay.
    • What's a transition? Try these links: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
    • Save it, but don't print yet.
    • Do not lose your outline! (#1, #2, #3)

    Thursday, September 21

    • (Your journals have now been scored for the first time. After looking at your score, go back to the first page of the journal where you copied the Journal Guidelines. Read them and see if you are still following all of them. If not, start doing so now.)
    • Journal #1: What did you think of your ninth grade picture/ID card that was handed out yesterday? Do you look as good as you'd hoped? Did your parents buy a picture packet, and if so what is going to happen to those photos? What is your philosophy of pictures? Explain. Discuss. Pontificate. Elaborate. (90+ words)
    • Writing Trait #2: Organization Handout (Never Lose!)
    • What does an academic essay look like? /Sample Handout
    • Popsicle Sticks: Let's Color!

    Friday, September 22: Midterm

    • Journal #2: How was the first half of the term? Why? (75+ words)
    • Themes, Motifs, Lessons: Finish in class (not the essay)
    • Silent Reading/AR tests

    September 25-29: Test Week

    Monday, September 25: It's Banned Books Week!

    • Journal #3: This week is parent-teacher conferences. Write the dialogue you think I would have with your parents. (80+ words)
    • Paragraph Structure: pp. 347-355 Massive Blue Text (Language)

    Tuesday, September 26: Explore Testing (30-minute classes)

    • Computer Lab 137
    • Explore Testing
    • Finish/Revise/Self-Evaluate Pigman Essay
    • Does the essay prove the thesis?
    • Does each paragraph meet the requirements we discussed yesterday?

    Wednesday, September 27: Explore Testing (30-minute classes) / Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Essay Requirements:
    • Title the essay (something that relates to thesis)
    • Put the following things in boldface type:
      • Thesis Statement
      • Topic Sentences in Body Paragraphs
      • Restatement of Thesis in Conclusion
    • Underline transitions and clincher statements.
    • Italicize the three main points (mentioned briefly) in the Introduction and Conclusion of the essay.
    • After you print, color code your own essay following the popsicle stick model.

    Thursday, September 28: Parent-Teacher Conferences

    • Journal #4 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
      "If all the year were playing holidays,
      To sport would be as tedious as to work."

      -- Henry IV, Part 2: Act II, Scene 1
    • Intro to The Bard: Shakespeare in the Classroom (Video)

    Friday, September 29

    • Finish Shakespeare in the Classroom (Video)
    • Journal #5 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
      "O, it is excellent
      To have a giant's strength,
      but it is tyrannous
      To use it like a giant."

      --Measure for Measure: Act II, Scene 2
    • Handout Shakespeare Packets: Do Not Lose Them!
    • Shakespeare's Language: A Glossary of Common Terms
    • Write your own Shakespearean dialogue!

    October 2-6, 2006

    Monday, October 2

    • Journal #6 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
      "The sweetest honey
      Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
      And in the taste confounds the apetite."
      --Romeo and Juliet: Act II, Scene 6
    • Begin Romeo and Juliet: The Prologue
      Assignment: Translate The Prologue into Modern English
    • Three Ways to Present The Prologue: Video

    Tuesday, October 3: Computer Lab 137

    Wednesday, October 4

    • Journal #7 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
      "Talkers are no good doers: be assured
      We go to use our hands and not our tongues."
      Richard III, Act I, Scene 3
    • Return Pigman Essay/Outline/Test: Two Main Problems
      • What's a Thesis? (NOT a question, but the answer!)
      • Logical Fallacies about "The Message"
    • Begin Romeo & Juliet Packets/Study Guides
    • Romeo and Juliet: Act I, Scenes 1, 2

    Thursday, October 5

  • Journal #8 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
    "The harder matched, the greater victory."
    Henry VI, Part 3: Act V, Scene 1
  • Queen Mab: Act I, Scenes 3 & 4
  • Term Writing Step 1: "Interesting" People Web
    Identify six "interesting" people you know.

    Friday, October 6


    October 9-13, 2006

    Monday, October 9: Computer Lab 138

    Term Writing Assignment

    Tuesday, October 10

    • Romeo and Juliet: Act I, Scene 5
    • Massive Purple Text, pp. 781-2: How to Read Shakespeare (Aloud)
    • R & J Memorization Assignment: Due October 24th (Sign up ASAP!)
    • Journal #9 -- Copy this passage from Romeo and Juliet; count the syllables in each line and mark the stressed and unstressed syllables.

    Juliet:
    What is this storm that blows so contrary?
    Is Romeo slaughter'd and is Tybalt dead?
    My dear-lov'd cousin, and my dearer lord?
    Then, dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom!
    For who is living if these two are gone?

    Nurse:
    Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banishèd;
    Romeo that kill'd him, he is banishèd.

    Wednesday, October 11

    • Romeo and Juliet: Act II, Scenes 1 & 2
    • "The Balcony Scene" -- Some ways it has been presented (Video)

    Thursday, October 12: UEA

    • No School

    Friday, October 13: UEA

    • No School

    October 16-20, 2006

    Monday, October 16

    Tuesday, October 17: Computer Lab 137

    Wednesday, October 18

    Thursday, October 19

    • Romeo and Juliet: Act III, Scenes 2, 3, & 4
    • Journal #10: Find and copy three lines/passages from Romeo and Juliet that are still true or applicable to people or things in today's world. Explain how each relates to today as well as Shakespeare's time. The friar's long monologue in Scene 3 is a good place to look! (90+ words)

    Friday, October 20: Final Character Sketches Due!

    • Romeo and Juliet: Act III, Scene 5
    • Share Character Sketches

    October 23-27, 2006

    Monday, October 23

    • Romeo and Juliet: Act IV, Scenes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Tuesday, October 24

    • Finish Romeo and Juliet: Act V, Scenes 1, 2, 3
    • Finish Study Guides

    Wednesday, October 25: R & J Memorizations due!

    • Present memorized passages aloud.
      (Review for Test)

    Thursday, October 26: Reading Points due!

    Friday, October 27: Last Day of the First Term

    • The Counselors are Coming! The Counselors are Coming!
      (SEOP Info)

    "Did I miss anything?" This is the most annoying question students who have been absent can ask. My usual sarcastic reply is something like this: "Oh, heck no! We knew you were gone, so we just sat around all day and looked at each other. You don't really think I'm going to assign work on a day you're not here, do you?" So, in order to keep everyone (students and their parents) apprised of what exactly is going on each day in class, I am going to put it here. Check back often!


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    This page is maintained according to the DSD Internet Publishing Guidelines by FFJH Webmasters.

    ©2006 Michael Thompson - All rights reserved.
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