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Davis School District

November 2-6, 2009: Welcome to Term 2!

Monday, November 2: A Day
Tuesday, November 3: B Day

  • Journal #6: The second term is now underway. What did you learn during the first term that you didn't know when school started? What worked well for you and what are you going to do differently this term? What do you think of this block schedule so far? (100+ words)
  • Hall Passes, Reading Contracts (due November 12/13), etc.
  • Grammar Punk: Semicolon Rule #3
    Use a semicolon to separate items in a series that already contain commas.
  • Review of Heroes & Other Significant Characters of Mythology
    (Look for points of comparison with your own research topic!)
  • Discussion: Look over the notes you took on the mythology presentations. What common themes seem to recur in many different stories?
  • Housecleaning:
  • Don't lose or throw away anything that relates to mythology!
  • Word Cells List #3: Vocabulary Activity (due Monday/Tuesday before quiz)

Wednesday, November 4: A Day
Thursday, November 5: B Day

Friday, November 6: A Day (Computer Lab, Last 1/2)

November 9-13, 2009

Monday, November 9: B Day (Computer Lab, Last 1/2)

Tuesday, November 10: A Day (Media Center, First 1/2)
Wednesday, November 11: B Day (Media Center, First 1/2)

  • Media Center: First Half of Period
    • Task: Finish and turn in Reverse Outline.
    • Write down source information (including page numbers!) of the books you use.
  • Continue/Finish Book Walk
  • Background for The Odyssey: Epic and Myth, (MPT, pp. 639-646)
    • I read it aloud.
    • You summarize it:
      One sentence for each subheading (10 sentences total)

Thursday, November 12: A Day (Computer Lab, Last Half)
Friday, November 13: B Day (Computer Lab, Last Half)

  • Background of The Odyssey: The Trojan War (Really Quick Overview!)
  • Begin The Odyssey (MPT, p. 651): Homer's Prayer to the Muse
    • How to read epic poetry: To the punctuation, not line-to-line
    • Do you understand it? Can you summarize it?
    • Why would Homer try to tell a story this long with poetry?
    • If it's poetry, why doesn't it rhyme?
  • The Odyssey:
  • Calypso, The Sweet Nymph (pp. 651-654)
  • Journal #9: Listen to the song "Calypso" by Suzanne Vega (lyrics on page 655). What is the tone of the song? Does it help you understand the story? What does it tell you that the song was inspired by a story that is more than 3000 years old? What timeless themes are addressed? (100+ words)
  • Computer Lab -- Last Half of Period
  • Write (type) research paper draft organzied following your Reverse Outline.
Homework: Finish your draft (handwritten, if necessary). Make sure it includes all the elements on the Reverse Outline. Shoot for 700-1000 words (i.e., lots of supporting examples!). Also, print your Works Cited Page. Turn them in next time.

November 16-20, 2009

Monday, November 16: A Day
Tuesday, November 17: B Day

  • Turn in draft of Research Paper and Works Cited Page.
  • Journal #10: Read page 715 in The Massive Purple Text. Write suitable descriptive epithets for ten people you know, including yourself.
  • The Odyssey: I am Laertes' Son, The Lotus Eaters (pp. 655-659)
  • The Odyssey: The Cyclops (pp. 660-670)
  • Assignment: Group Presentations on The Odyssey
    • Read/Discuss your assigned passage.
    • Turn in an index card with group #/topic, names of group members, and who will do what in your presentation.
    • Make sure all members of group know enough to complete the Summary/Passage Analysis Worksheet for your assigned passage.
    • Resources: Teacher's Edition of MPT, The Adventures of Ulysses, Video

Wednesday, November 18: A Day (Reality Town: Oh Joy!)
Thursday, November 19: B Day

Research Paper Final Draft
Due Tuesday, November 24th
  • Staple these things together in this order:
  • This is the term writing assignment.
  • We have been working on it since October 8th.
  • You have had three sessions in the library and five sessions in the computer lab to complete it.
  • This should be your best work.
  • If you do not turn it in, you cannot pass this class.
  • I don't mean to seem punitive, but, really, if you're not done by now, where have you been?!?

Friday, November 20: A Day (Computer Lab)

  • Research Paper: Final Draft (Last chance in the lab before it is due!)

November 23-27, 2009

Monday, November 23: B Day
Tuesday, November 24: A Day

Research Paper Final Draft
Due Tuesday, November 24th
  • Staple these things together in this order:
  • This is the term writing assignment.
  • We have been working on it since October 8th.
  • You have had three sessions in the library and five sessions in the computer lab to complete it.
  • This should be your best work.
  • If you do not turn it in, you cannot pass this class.
  • I don't mean to seem punitive, but, really, if you're not done by now, where have you been?!?

Wednesday, November 25

  • Thanksgiving Recess: No School
  • TSO!

Thursday, November 26

  • Thanksgiving Recess: No School

Friday, November 27

  • Thanksgiving Recess: No School

November 30 - December 4, 2009

Monday, November 30: B Day
Tuesday, December 1: A Day

  • Finish Odyssey Group Presentations (4-8)
    Turn in one Summary/Passage Analysis Worksheet with all group members' names on it.
  • Journal #12: Copy (parts of) "Ithaca" into your journal. (MPT, p. 711)
  • Grammar Punk (Hey, it's been a while!): Odyssey Review
    • Handout: All the Rules (Don't lose this! There's gonna be a test!)
    • Common Errors:
      Run-ons and Splices and Fragments, Oh My!
    • Commas and because
    • Commas and and
  • Assignment: Using the handout that contains all the Grammar Punk rules we have covered so far, write a sentence about each section of The Odyssey. There are nine in all, and each sentence you write has to illustrate a different rule. (Do this in your writing notebook, directly underneath Journal #12. Writing notebooks will be scored today!)

Wednesday, December 2: B Day (Student of the Month: Trevor Fry)
Thursday, December 3: A Day

  • Word Cells List #4 & Vocabulary Activity: By now, you should be able to figure out many of the "literal definitions" by combining the meanings of the word cells you have learned so far. Example: You already know that -meter- means measure, and on this new list you have the cell -therm-, which means heat; therefore, a thermometer is something that measures heat. Since it is a thing, it must be a noun. Get it? You probably don't even need a dictionary to figure this out, right?
  • Begin Odyssey Video & Study Guide


Friday, December 4: B Day

  • GP Odyssey Review: Did you check it out?
  • (Almost) Finish Odyssey Video & Study Guide
  • Get all Odyssey/mythology notes together and bring them next time!

December 7-11, 2009

Monday, December 7: A Day

  • GP Odyssey Review: Did you check it out?
  • (Almost) Finish Odyssey Video & Study Guide
  • Get all Odyssey/mythology notes together and bring them next time!


Tuesday, December 8: B
Wednesday, December 9: A

  • Finish the last 20 minutes of The Odyssey and Study Guide
  • Mythology Test: Use your notes! (See, that's why I told you to bring 'em!)
  • Extra Credit Opportunity: Mythology
  • (Begin) Journal #1: The Odyssey is a story (the first story, actually) about a journey that involves many adventures. In fact, the word odyssey has come to mean a long series of wanderings filled with remarkable experiences. What is the closest thing you have ever come to an "odyssey" in your own life? Describe your adventure in this double-length journal. Please begin writing at the top of the next clean page in your writing notebook. Title it My Odyssey. (200 +)


Thursday, December 10: B (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
Friday, December 11: A

  • Word Cells List #4 Quiz
  • (Finish) Journal #1: The Odyssey is a story (the first story, actually) about a journey that involves many adventures. In fact, the word odyssey has come to mean a long series of wanderings filled with remarkable experiences. What is the closest thing you have ever come to an "odyssey" in your own life? Describe your adventure in this double-length journal. Please begin writing at the top of the next clean page in your writing notebook. Title it My Odyssey. (200 +)
  • Extra Credit Opportunity: Mythology
  • Grammar Punk: Sentence Types (Handout #2)
  • What's a Bad Sign? Be on the lookout! (It could get you some extra credit!)
  • Voice Lessons:
  • Journal #2: What is your favorite restaurant? Why? Describe the experience of eating a meal there. What is the atmosphere like? The decor? Oh, and don't forget the food: Why is it so good? Be as descriptive as you can. Make my mouth water. (100+)


December 14-18, 2009

Monday, December 14: B
Tuesday, December 15: A

  • Powerful Voice: Restaurant Reviews
  • Journal #3: Now write about your worst experience at a restaurant. Make me feel your pain. Let me hear your "voice." (100+)
  • Share some aloud.
  • Voice/Word Choice Exercise: Connotations of Words (I-You-S/he Combos)
  • Return & Discuss Scored Research Papers
  • Corrections to Grammar Punk Handout (Make 'em!)
  • Bring handouts next time; you can use 'em on the test, which will cover the following:
  • Grammar Punk Rock: Parts of Speech Review
    • Conjunctions
    • Adjectives
    • Interjections
    • Mr. Morton (What is a sentence?)
  • Homework: Clauses/Phrases/Sentence Types Worksheet (Practice for Test!)

Wednesday, December 16: B
Thursday, December 17: A

  • Score/Turn in Homework: Clauses/Phrases/Sentence Types Worksheet
  • Grammar Punk Test: Use your handouts!
  • "A Christmas Memory" (MPT, p. 50)

Friday, December 18: B (Holiday Assembly: 60-minute classes)

  • Writing Notebook Assignment: Write a descriptive holiday memory (like "A Christmas Memory") of your own. Let your "voice" be heard through powerful descriptions and characterizations. This should be significantly longer than a journal entry.
  • Setting/Voice Sentences (The Last Assignment of the Year!)
    • Roll the bones! (Grammar Punk dice).
    • Select a setting (from the list on the board).
    • Write three (3) sentences that take place in that setting and that fulfill the dice requirements, but write each sentence in a different voice.
      (List of voice options is also on the board.)
    • Annotate the sentences to show that you've actually met the dice requirements, and identify which Grammar Punk-tuation rule you've used.
  • Bad Signs: Which Grammar Punk rule does this sign violate? How 'bout this one? This? How 'bout this?
  • Kaitlyn got some extra credit for this!
  • And Bob got some for this!
  • You could be next!
  • Happy Holidays!

    • January 4-8, 2010

    Monday, January 4: A

    • Writing Notebook Assignment: Write a descriptive holiday memory (like "A Christmas Memory") of your own. Let your "voice" be heard through powerful descriptions and characterizations. This should be significantly longer than a journal entry.
    • Setting/Voice Sentences (The First Assignment of the Year!)
      • Roll the bones! (Grammar Punk dice).
      • Select a setting (from the list on the board).
      • Write three (3) sentences that take place in that setting and that fulfill the dice requirements, but write each sentence in a different voice.
        (List of voice options is also on the board.)
      • Annotate the sentences to show that you've actually met the dice requirements, and identify which Grammar Punk-tuation rule you've used.
    • Bad Signs: Which Grammar Punk rule does this sign violate? How 'bout this one? This? How 'bout this?
    • Kaitlyn got some extra credit for this!
    • And Bob got some for this!
    • You could be next!


    Tuesday, January 5: B
    Wednesday, January 6: A

    • Journal #4: So, how was the holiday break? Tell me about it. (100 +)
    • New Year's Reminders:
      • Book Reports due January 8th (None will be accepted past this date!)
      • AR points due January 13th
      • Semester ends January 15th
    • Word Cells List #5 & Vocabulary Activity (Quiz on January 11 & 12)
    • Bad Signs: Apostrophe Abominations!
    • Persuasive Writing: Intro
    • "A Defense of the Jury System" (pp. 308-312, MPT)
      • Keep notes in Writing Notebook
      • Evaluating an Argument: Boldface terms on page 308 (Learn 'em!)
      • Preview Vocabulary list on page 309.
      • Discuss/List the pros and cons of the jury system.
      • Read the essay on pages 310-311.
      • Analyze the argument by making a chart like the one on page 309.
      • Complete the Reading Check and the Test Practice on page 312.
      • Other Persuasive Vocabulary to Know

    Thursday, January 7: B
    Friday, January 8: A -- Book Reports due Today!

    • Journal #5: What are your New Year's Resolutions? Why? (100 +)
      OR
      If you were invisible for one day, what would you do? (100 +)
    • Bad Signs: Ryan got extra credit for this one.
    • Krista, Dennis, and Tori found spelling errors!
    • Grammar Punk: A Quick Game for the Hall of Fame
    • Persuasive Writing (pp. 320-327, MPT)

    January 11-15, 2010

    Monday, January 11: B
    Tuesday, January 12: A

    Wednesday, January 13: B -- AR due Today!
    Thursday, January 14: A

    • Journal # 6: Write a letter to your (future) self as you will be during the last week of this school year. Ask yourself if you accomplished your goals for the last semester of junior high (and name the goals specifically in the process). Amuse yourself. Congratulate yourself for a job well done. (150+)
    • Bad Signs: This one bugs me for many reasons.
    • Persuasive Writing: Suggestions for Solving Common Problems in First Drafts
    • Turn in Planning the First Draft & Annotated First Draft
    • Self-Evaluation of Writing Notebooks/Conferences with Thompson
    • Word Choice Activity: Get Out!

    Friday, January 15: B

    • Last Day of the Semester
    • Finish Get Out!
    • Narrative Point of View: Video
    • Grade Conferences
    "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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    ©2009 Michael Thompson - All rights reserved.
    *<%^)