E-Mail Me

9th Grade

Online Textbook

Reading List

Reading Contract

Research Links

English Links

Check Grades

Fairfield Home

Davis School District

March 23-27, 2009: Fourth Term Begins!

Monday, March 23: Q.T. Day -- No School for Students

• Meetings, Meetings, Everywhere!
• How can you have "Quality Teaching" when teachers are in meetings all day?
  

Tuesday, March 24: Fourth Term Begins!

• Welcome to the Beginning of the End!
• Journal #1: Well, this is it! The beginning of the end of junior high. How does it feel? What are your plans for the final term? (100+ words)
• Hall Passes, Reading Practice Contracts, etc.
• Grammar Punk: Review Comma Rules 1 & 3
• Roll the Bones for GPHoF
• Begin Fahrenheit 451: Assign Books (Don't lose 'em!)
  The Fireman & The Girl (pp. 3-11) -- aloud
  Hello Mildred! (pp.11-21) -- homework
  

Wednesday, March 25

• Pop Quiz: F451 (pp. 11-21) Did you do your reading???
• Grammar Punk: Review/Correct yesterday's!
• Fahrenheit 451: The Dandelion (21-22)
  The Mechanical Hound (pp. 22-28)
• Journal #2: Read the cartoon about school. What is the cartoon saying about school? What point is it making. Is this how you perceive school? Why or why not? Give an example. (100+)
• Homework:
  • F 451: Clarisse's Life: The Society of Fahrenheit 451 (pp.28-31)
  • "What They Learn in School" (due Friday!)
    

Thursday, March 26

• Journal #3: Read this article. Have you ever had a similar experience in school? (Do tell.) Do you agree with the writer's conclusion? Discuss the role of conformity in education: How much is necessary? How much is too much? Consider Clarisse's description of her school, the cartoon we read yesterday, and today's article. Discuss. (100+)
• "What They Learn in School": Read aloud together -- Questions due tomorrow!
• Fahrenheit 451:
  Captain Beatty & The History of the Fire Department (pp.31-35)
  The First Alarm (pp. 35-41)
  Montag's Doubts: Mildred & Her "Family" (pp.41-48)
  

Friday, March 27: Computer Lab

• Turn in "What They Learn in School" Questions
• Fahrenheit 451: A Visit from Captain Beatty (pp.48-53) & The Happiness Boys (pp. 53-63)
  • Since we're short on time, here is a Summary of Beatty's Lecture. (Make sure you read the whole thing this weekned! Read and think about everything up to page 63 for Monday!)
    
    
• Lab Assignment: Censorship & F451 Assignment #1
  • Leave this web site open in one window.
  • Open a word processing program as well.
  • Open a new document with two columns.
  • In the first column, complete the Censorship assignment.
  • In the second column, complete F451 Assignment #1.
  • Make sure your name is on the document.
  • Save the document to your own server space.
  • Print.
  • Submit.
    

March 30 - April 3, 2009

Monday, March 30

• Fahrenheit 451: Finish "The Hearth and the Salamander" (pp.63-68)

  Close Reading Log On a page in your notebook, start keeping track of passages that resonate with you for some reason. Make sure to include the page numbers. Vivid sentences: They are full of powerful imagery. Confusing sentences: They are long, complex, or contain difficult vocabulary. Thematic sentences: They reflect the theme of the story. Poetic sentences: They contain a comparison (metaphor, simile, etc.) or figurative language. Intriguing sentences: They are interesting or provocative for any other reason. Profound sentences: They express something in just the right way.

• Begin Part 2: "The Seive and the Sand"
  Montag Thinks...and Remembers (pp.71-75)
  Montag's Dilemma (pp.75-77)
• Journal #4: Montag's Dilemma -- Which book would you save? Why? (100+)
• Fahrenheit 451: The Subway (pp. 77-80)
• Homework: Faber's Lecture (pp. 80-91)
  

Tuesday, March 31

• Reading Quiz (pp. 80-91...this one counts!)
• Close Reading: Find two (2) intriguing passages from your reading assignment last night and copy them into your Close Reading Log.
• Videots: Handout/Discussion
  (Complete Videots handout, including examples that support your views.)
• Journal #5: What's wrong with TV? Use the Videots handout, Faber's "lecture," your response to the journal on January 27, and other examples to support your case. (Shhh! Here's one answer! Here's another!)
  

Wednesday, April 1: SOM Breakfast

• Fahrenheit 451: Mildred's Friends and Family (pp. 91-102)
  (Need extra credit? Try this!)
• Journal #6: Are you a Mildred? Why or why not? (100+)
  Silent Reading: Montag's Last Alarm (pp. 102-110)
• Update Close Reading Log
  

Thursday, April 2

• Fahrenheit 451: "Burning Bright"
  Montag Confronts Beatty (pp.113-121)
  Montag on the Run (pp.121-139)
• Update Close Reading Log
  

Friday, April 3

• Fahrenheit 451: The River and the Tracks (pp. 139-145, aloud)
• Granger and the Books (pp. 145-155)
  Montag Finally Remembers (pp. 155-160)
• Starting Over (pp. 160-165)
• Finish the reading and the study guide over the break!

April 6-10, 2009: Spring Break

Monday, April 6

• No School
• 
  

Tuesday, April 7

• No School
• 
  

Wednesday, April 8

• No School
• 
  

Thursday, April 9

• No School
• 
  

Friday, April 10

• No School
• 
  

April 13-17, 2009

Monday, April 13

• Journal #7: So, how was Spring Break? If you did something exciting, write about it. If you didn't, write about what you wish you would have done. (100+ words)
• F451 "Test"
• Turn in Books, Videots Handout, and Close Reading Logs
• Bradbury's Style and Diction (pp. 496-7)
• How Will Things Work in Thompson's Absence?
  

Tuesday, April 14: Thompson's Surgery

• "A Sound of Thunder" (pp. 499-509)
• Read the story and complete the quiz/worksheet.
  

Wednesday, April 15: Ms. Guess

• Journal #8: Revenge--Describe a time wanted to get back at someone. Why is revenge such a satisfying endeavor? Do you make the punishment fit the crime, or does your payback include "interest"? Discuss vengeance. (100+ words)
• Poe-cabulary Handout
• "The Cask of Amontillado" by E.A. Poe (pp.172-182)
  

Thursday, April 16

• Poe Biography & Study Guide: Terror of the Soul
  

Friday, April 17

• Finish Video & Turn in Study Guide
• MPT Poe: Informational Text (pp. 183-186)
• Make a Timeline for the events described in "Poe's Final Days"; keep it with the biography study guide.
  

April 20-24, 2009

Monday, April 20

• Journal #9: Choose a random object and write about it.
• The Raven: Read & "Translate"
• Study Questions: Due Wednesday!
  

Tuesday, April 21

• Journal #10: What is your greatest fear? Why?
• Present "Translations" of The Raven
  

Wednesday, April 22

• The Raven Study Questions due!
• Finish MPT Poe: Informational Text (pp. 187-190)
• Analyzing Informational Text: Test Practice (pp. 191-192)
• Score/Review Test Practice (MPT, pp. 191-192): Why are the correct answers correct?
  

Thursday, April 23

• "The Tell-Tale Heart" (Audio Only)
• Parody: "Heavy Metal"
• Poe-related CRT Concept Review
  

Friday, April 24: Computer Lab

• Edgar Allan Poetry Assignment
• This link on Poetic Terms may come in handy!
  

April 27-May 1, 2009

Monday, April 27: Pegleg Thompson is Back!

• Journal #11: So, how did it go? Did you miss me?
• Here's what I did on my spring "vacation": A Gruesome Tale
• UTIPS Assignment & Extra Credit Opportunity (The top link is the assignment; you have to do that one. The ones marked "Extra Credit" are extra credit...but only until next Monday.)
• Organizational Patterns: Pages 359-363 in Language Text
• Assignment: Exercise 5 & Review A on pages 362-363
• Special thanks to Alek Johnson for decorating my room!
  

Tuesday, April 28

• Everything today will be done in the journal!
• Journal #12: Write a coherent passage of 100 words that ends with this sentence: "That's how I learned the importance of having a sense of humor."
• CRT Prep: Proofreading #1
• Review Main Ideas and Clincher Statements
• Count/Score Journals
  

Wednesday, April 29

• Journal #1: (Review Organizational Patterns of Writing: Chronological Order) Tell me a story. (100+)
• Elements of Effective Paragraphs
  • Coherence: Organizational Patterns (p. 359)
  • Transitions (p. 364-65)
  • Unity (p. 355)
• CRT Practice: Paragraph Structure Review (multiple-choice, 1-20) -- Use book!
• Homework: Unity/Transitions Worksheet
  

Thursday, April 30

• Turn in/Score Worksheet
• Review the Paragraph Structure Review
• Journal #2 (Review Organizational Patterns of Writing: Order of Importance): Write a paragraph or two in which you discuss the most important characteristics of a true friend. (100+)
• Understanding Paragraph Structure Quiz
  

Friday, May 1: May Day! May Day!

• Journal #3 (Review Organizational Patterns of Writing: Compare and Contrast): Using a logical organizational pattern, write a paragraph that compares the first day of May to the first day of November. (100+)
• Just Fartin' Around: Fun & Practice with Informational Text
  Here's the article. >>> Here's the CRT practice.
• Don't be absent next week!
  

May 4-8, 2009

Monday, May 4: Thompson Computer Lab

• CRT Test
  

Tuesday, May 5: Thompson Computer Lab

• CRT Test
  

Wednesday, May 6: Thompson Computer Lab

• CRT Test
  

Thursday, May 7

• Stargirl: Chapters 1 & 2
• Stargirl Vocabulary Set #1: hoax, nonconformity, saguaro, balk, paleontologist, orate
• Journal #4: If this school had a show like Hot Seat, which three students would you want to see on it? Why? (100+ words)
• Read Chapter 3 (aloud), 4 & 5 (silently)
  

Friday, May 8

• Reading Quiz on Chapters 4 & 5 (if needed)
• Point of View Assignment
  

May 11-15, 2009

Monday, May 11

• Stargirl: Read through Chapter 6
• Journal #5: Describe an adult other than a parent who has been an advisor to you during a difficult or frustrating time. What qualities are necessary in such an advisor? Discuss. (100+ words)
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 7
• Stargirl Study Question (in journal): "Keep looking at her long enough. One day you might see someone you know." Who? Explain this quotation from page 35.
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 8
• Stargirl Study Question (in journal): "But we also gave something to ourselves." What? Explain this quotation from page 39.
• Vocab. Set #1 Quiz
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 9
• Stargirl Vocabulary Set #2: amorphous, inquisition, spiel, impromptu, raucous, ferocity (Copy into notebook.)
  

Tuesday, May 12

• Journal #6: If, like Stargirl, you decided to change your name to something more descriptive of who and what you are, what would your new name be? Why? Explain. (100+ words)
  Stargirl: Read Chapters 10 - 14
  

Wednesday, May 13

• (Finish reading to page 72 & Review Vocab Set #2)
• Stargirl Vocabulary Set #2 Quiz
• Stargirl Vocabulary Set #3: mica, ocotillo, serene (serenity), derelict, rapture, facetious (Copy into notebook.)
• Stargirl: Read Chapters 15 & 16
• Study Question (in journal): "She was the opposite of cool; she held nothing back." Explain this statement from page 78.
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 17
• Journal #7: Make a list of the pros and cons of having Stargirl as a friend. Would you want her as a friend? Why or why not? With which of her qualities are you compatible or incompatible? (100+ words)
  

Thursday, May 14

• "The Way to Start a Day" by Byrd Baylor
• Assignment: "The Way to_____________" -- While out in the desert with Leo (Chapter 17), Stargirl seems to find special insight and inner peace by "erasing herself" through meditation. Consider a simple activity in which you find peace and insight into Life and the world. Write a non-literal poem describing the way to do that simple activity. Instead of just listing the steps involved, describe the process from the inside. Create metaphors to explain the thoughts and emotions that the activity conjures in you. This fill-in-the-blank outline is only for those who aren't creative enough to come up with all the lines on their own. Don't use it if you don't absolutely need to. Then, by Tuesday, create a decorated final draft that is suitable for classroom display. Be creative and artistic! (Due May 19th!)
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 18
• Study Question (in journal): If the events of the novel Stargirl (up to page 99) happened at this school, which of the characters in the story would you be? Explain.
• Read Chapters 19 & 20
• Weekend Assignment: Observe someone closely (and quietly) for at least 15 minutes. Pay attention to the small details that you wouldn't usually notice in the course of your busy life. Remember what you observe and reflect on how focused observation is different than what we usually do.
  

Friday, May 15

• Grammar Punk: The Stargirl Series, Part 1 (Comma Rule #1)
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 21
• Quiz: Vocabulary Set #3
• Read Chapter 22
• "The Way to ____________" poems due Tuesday, May 19!
  

May 18-22, 2009

Monday, May 18

• Journal #8: What interesting things did you notice in your weekend observation? What conclusions can you draw about the person you observed? Were you sympathetic or critical in your observations? Why?
• Grammar Punk: The Stargirl Series, Part 2 (Comma Rule #3)
• Vocab. Set #4: disparage, festooned, moa, jostling, gander, preamble
• Stargirl: Read Chapters 23 & 24
• Study Question (p. 126): "I never realized how much I needed the attention of others to confirm my own presence." Is this true? Do we need such attention? Why? What quality has Leo discovered in himself?
• Read Chapter 25
  

Tuesday, May 19

• Turn in "The Way to __________" Poems
• Journal #9: How many pebbles are in your happy wagon today? Why? Do you have ninth-grade-itis? Are you suffering from schpilkis in your gonechticazoink? Malaise? Ennui? Are you ready for summer? Discuss. (100+ words)
• Grammar Punk: The Stargirl Series, Part 3 (Comma Rule #6)
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 26
• Study Question: Compare/Contrast Stargirl and Susan. Which character do you like more? Why? (100+ words)
• Stargirl: Read Chapters 27-30
  

Wednesday, May 20

• Stargirl: Read Chapter 31
• Vocab. Set #4 Quiz
• Finish Stargirl
• Stargirl Study Question (p.170): "...it came to them in small sensations that they were more alone than she was." How? Explain this.
• Journal #10: Look back to the journal you wrote on Wednesday, January 21st. You copied a poem (from page 315 of the Massive Purple Text) entitled "The Road Not Taken." Read the poem and then answer these questions: What similar themes are shared by Stargirl and the poem? Which road will you take in life?
  

Thursday, May 21

• Finish anything you weren't done with yesterday.
• Grammar Punk: The Stargirl Series, The Final Chapter -- Write a review of Stargirl in which you illustrate Comma Rules 1, 3, 6 and at least one rule for each of the other punctuation marks. (You will need your Grammar Punk packet.)
• Finish/Organize/Score/Turn in Stargirl Packets with the review on top.
• Stargirl Final Exam: Due May 29th
  

Friday, May 22

• Samples of Stargirl Final Exam from last year....
• Which one will you do?
• Start looking for a poem you can present aloud next week!
  

May 25-29, 2009

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day

• No School
  

Tuesday, May 26

• "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins
• Shopping for Poetry: Using the various catalogues, texts, and volumes of poetry scattered about the room, read at least 20 poems and make note of the titles and poets' names on your "shopping list." Rate the poems as you read them, so that when you are finished you know which one was your favorite and which was your least favorite.
• How to Read a Poem Aloud (e.g., "Did I Miss Anything?")
  

Wednesday, May 27: Falcon Finale (7:00 P.M.)

• Poem o' the Day -- "Entrance" by Dana Gioia
• More Poems of the Day: "Gratitude to Old Teachers" by Robert Bly
  "Keeping Things Whole" by Mark Strand
  "For Poets" by Al Young
• Journal #11: Write a short free verse poem.
• Analyze the poem you will present tomorrow. (Knowing these Poetry Terms might help.)
• Return all assignments still piled on back counter and put them in your portfolio.
• Hey! I just found another extra credit opportunity for you poets!
  

Thursday, May 28

• Evaluating the Year's Writing: Portfolio/Journal Review
• MPT: "The Seven Ages of Man": Rewrite the first five lines using your own metaphor. (in journal)
• Journal: Read the journal you wrote on January 16th. What changed? Did you accomplish what you set out to do? Will you miss ninth grade? Write a letter back to the person you were then and tell him/her how it came out. (100+)
• Present Poems Aloud
  

Friday, May 29

• Stargirl Projects due!
• Present Poems Aloud
• Happy Anniversary to the Kardiac Kid! (Last Chance Extra Credit!)
  

June 1-5, 2009

Monday, June 1: Thompson Turns 43!

• Computer Lab: Final Writing Assignment
  

Tuesday, June 2: Reading Points due!

• Computer Lab: Final Writing Assignment
  

Wednesday, June 3: 9th Grade Dance (7:00 P.M.)

• Last Real Day of Class for 9th Graders
• See your journal from March 9th: "George Grey" -- Don't be one!
• The Final Journal: Write a letter to yourself in ten years. Keep the journal until then and read it. Then write me a letter or an e-mail to tell me if things turned out as you planned.
• Gathering Our Things: Journals, Portfolios
• Final Conference with Thompson: Journals, Grades, Tearful Goodbyes...
• Sign my yearbook...again....
  

Thursday, June 4: Lagoon Day

• See you there!
  

Friday, June 5: The End

• Sign My Yearbook...this time the real one!
  School's Out for Summer!