Wednesday, April 20: A Day (ESL Hell)
Thursday, April 21: B Day

• Book Review of Fahrenheit 451 due Today (posted to Shelfari)!
• Poem o' the Day: "The Hand" by Mary Ruefle
• Writing Style: Finding Yours (pp. 496-7, MPT)
• CRT Practice: "A Sound of Thunder" (pp. 498-509, MPT) + Quiz
• CRT Review Worksheets: Commas (Lotsa Commas!)
• Don't forget to bring your music players and headphones next time!
• Formal Review of Fahrenheit 451 must be posted to Shelfari!
• Turn in F451 books and Burning Bright Study Guide.
• Need extra credit? I'll see you here!
  

Friday, April 22: A Day (Bring Music Players + Headphones!)

• Poem o' the Day: "Cartoon Physics, part 1" by Nick Flynn
• Turn in F451 books and Burning Bright Study Guide.
• Score/Discuss "A Sound of Thurnder" Quiz + Commas, Commas, Everywhere....
• Life Soundtrack Brainstorm/Article of the Week due now!
• Life Soundtrack: Prewriting -- You will have 45 minutes of class time to complete this assignment, and you may wear your headphones and listen to your music as you do so.
• Life Soundtrack: Liner Notes -- Post first draft to your page on the class wiki by May 1st.
• 
  

April 25-29, 2011

Monday, April 25: B Day (Bring Music Players + Headphones!)

• Poem o' the Day: "Cartoon Physics, part 1" by Nick Flynn
• Turn in F451 books and Burning Bright Study Guide.
• Score/Discuss "A Sound of Thurnder" Quiz + Commas, Commas, Everywhere....
• Life Soundtrack Brainstorm/Article of the Week due now!
• Life Soundtrack: Prewriting -- You will have 45 minutes of class time to complete this assignment, and you may wear your headphones and listen to your music as you do so.
• Life Soundtrack: Liner Notes -- Post first draft to your page on the class wiki by May 1st.

Tuesday, April 26: A Day
Wednesday, April 27: B Day
Hunger Games Panel Discussions

• Poem o' the Day: "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver
• Journal #8: First watch the clip of this fellow (Der Trommler) who has practiced a lot. Then copy these quotations on separate lines in your notebook.
• Creativity + Practice = Excellence
• Hard work = Talent
• "Talent is the desire to practice....Kids in school should be separated not by aptitude or intelligence but by how hard they are willing to work." -- Malcolm Gladwell
• "Practice makes perfect."
• Now write: Which of these quotes do you agree with and why? What do you want to be good at and how often do you practice? Why? Does anyone have to remind you to practice? Do you hope to make a living doing what you practice or is it something you do just for personal satisfaction? (100 +)
• Where I'm From: Put the parts together!
  (Refer to Writing Notebook: March 22/23 & March 30/31.)
• Examples from the past.
• Now it's your turn: Blend the two prewrites, throw in a few words from your wordpool, give it a potential title.
• Powerful poems often include the element of surprise/unexpected, a creative metaphor, contrast, strong verbs, specific/descriptive imagery, exact language, unique turns of phrase
• Write! Create!
• Poem!
• 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 May 2nd.)
• Don't forget to post your first draft of your Life Soundtrack to the class wiki by May 1st!
• 
  

Thursday, April 28: A Day
Friday, April 29: B Day

• Poem o' the Day: "Tuesday, 9:00 AM" by Denver Butson
• Journal #9: Today's topic will be brought to you by First Period: If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be and why? (100+)
• Analyze a Free Verse Poem: First you have to find one!
  (I'll have hundreds in class!)
• Grammar Punk Review: Colons (Do 'em in class!)
• Just Fartin' Around: Fun & Practice with Informational Text
  Here's the article. >>> Here's the CRT practice. (We didn't do it.)
• The Eyeball Story: "Why are you wearing glasses today?"
  (Wanna see something gross?)
• Don't forget to post your first draft of your Life Soundtrack to the class wiki by May 1st!
• 
  

May 2-6, 2011

Monday, May 2: A Day

• Poem o' the Day: "Dandelion" by Julie Lechevsky
• Journal #10: Today's topic will be brought to you by Second Period: Describe the perfect murder. (100+)
• A Poetic Soul: Stargirl
  • Chapters 1 & 2
  • Vocabulary Set #1: hoax, nonconformity, saguaro, balk, paleontologist, orate
  • Stargirl Reflection: If this school had a show like Hot Seat, which three students would you want to see on it? Why? (100+ words)
  • Chapter 3 (aloud), 4 & 5 (silently)
  • Stargirl Imagery: Review the first five chapters of Stargirl. Find an image you like. Draw it on the non-sticky side of a sticky note. (No words allowed, only drawing.) Put your name and the page # where you found the image on the back and stick it on the board.
    

Tuesday, May 3: B Day (CRT)
Wednesday, May 4: A Day (CRT)

Thursday, May 5: B Day (CRT Completion & Make up)

• "Where I'm From" Poems: Final Drafts for Mother's Day (See below.)
• Lines That Resonate: Have you filled up those pages yet?
• 
  

Friday, May 6: A Day (CRT Completion & Make up)

• Type "Where I'm From" Poems: Final Drafts for Mother's Day
• Instructions:
  • Organization: Organize the lines in the way that they make the most sense and have the most powerful effect. (Consider what effect you want your poem to have, and work to that end. Remove lines that don’t work; add others that do.)
  • Word choice: Express yourself exactly! Use cool, unique, specific language – not the expected, overused clichés; if it is a common phrase, find a better way to say it. Use strong verbs.
  • Wordpool – Use some of those words, too!
  • The element of surprise/unexpected – Are there some surprises?
  • Spacing – Make it look like a poem on the page. (ONE page only, please!)
  • Title – Give it one. If you like “Where I’m From,” use that; otherwise, something more appropriate.
  • Name of Poet – That’s you. Your name should appear somewhere on the page, but not part of a heading. Under the title or at the end is best. If you include the word "by" before your name, do not capitalize it and do not put a colon after it.
  • Conventional issues: Punctuation (Do you want any? If so, it should be used correctly.); Capitalization (ditto)
  • Neatness: Is the font legible? Is the text big enough to read easily? Does it look like a final draft?
  • Have Mr. T check it.
  • Print it.
• Copy Final Draft of "Where I'm From" Poem onto Class Wiki.
• Make completions/corrections to your Life Soundtrack
• Lines That Resonate: Have you filled up those pages yet?
• Lots to do today! Don't waste time not doing it!
• 
  

May 9-13, 2011

Monday, May 9: B Day

• Poem o' the Day: "Dandelion" by Julie Lechevsky
• Journal #10: Today's topic will be brought to you by Second Period: Describe the perfect murder. (100+)
• A Poetic Soul: Stargirl
  • Chapters 1 & 2
  • Vocabulary Set #1: hoax, nonconformity, saguaro, balk, paleontologist, orate
  • Stargirl Reflection: If this school had a show like Hot Seat, which three students would you want to see on it? Why? (100+ words)
  • Chapter 3 (aloud), 4 & 5 (silently)
  • Stargirl Imagery: Review the first five chapters of Stargirl. Find an image you like. Draw it on the non-sticky side of a sticky note. (No words allowed, only drawing.) Put your name and the page # where you found the image on the back and stick it on the board.
• Reminders and Such: Return Books, Check Instructions for Final Draft of Life Soundtrack, etc.
  

Tuesday, May 10: A Day
Wednesday, May 11: B Day

• Journal #11: Today's journal will be brought to you by Third Period: If this class were a movie, which actors and actresses would play the main parts? Why? Would the movie be a drama? Comedy? Horror movie? What would the main conflict be and how would it get resolved? Would the movie have a happy ending? Discuss/Explain. (100+)
• Life Soundtrack Revisions: Due (on class wiki) by May 14th!
• Stargirl Triptych: In Chapter 3, Leo follows Stargirl into the desert. Since Leo is the first-person narrator, we only know what he is thinking during this scene. Let's examine some of the other possible points of view. Select some cool, poetic words from the wordpool we created last week and write a triptych (three short poems) that represents other points of view in the scene: Stargirl, a third-person omniscient narrator, and one of your choice. (For example, you could write one from the point of view of Cinnamon the rat or from the point of view of the person inside the house where Stargirl delivered the "Congratulations!" card. You could even make up a character or include elements from the scene that aren't in the book. Be creative.) Weave this image into each of the poems to give them something in common even though they are all from different points of view: "She was walking directly into the setting sun, now a great orange perched atop the mountain crests" (p.17). Don't use the same words, but make sure each poem refers to that image of the sun over the desert mountains...like Courtney's picture.
• Stargirl: Chapter 6
• Stargirl Reflection: 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)
• Chapter 7
• Study Question (in WN): "Keep looking at her long enough. One day you might see someone you know." Who? Copy and explain this quotation from page 35.
• Chapter 8
• Study Question (in WN): "But we also gave something to ourselves." What? Copy and explain this quotation from page 39.
• Chapter 9
• 
  

Thursday, May 12: A Day
Friday, May 13: B Day

• Finish Chapter 9 (if not done)
• Journal #12: Today's journal will be brought to you by Fourth Period: Describe your most embarrassing moment. Are you easily embarrassed? Do you hide it well? What kinds of things embarrass you? Discuss. (100+)
• Stargirl Vocabulary Set #2: amorphous, inquisition, spiel, impromptu, raucous, ferocity (Copy into notebook.)
• Quick Review: What should be in the Writing Notebook so far? (It's going to be a massive score at the end of the year, so make sure you have everything in place.) Start back on March 17/18 with Journal #1 and work your way up to now. And don't forget those Lines That Resonate.
• Stargirl Reflection: 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: Chapters 10 - 13
• Vocabulary Set #3: mica, ocotillo, serene (serenity), derelict, rapture, facetious (Copy into notebook, and write a free verse poem that uses at least four of these words.)
• Don't forget: Life Soundtrack Revisions: Due (on class wiki) by May 14th!
  

May 16-20, 2011

Monday, May 16: A Day
Tuesday, May 17: B Day (Choir Concert -- 7:00 P.M.)

• 6
• Journal #13: Today's journal is brought to you by Fifth Period: Option 1) Describe (draw?) the worst teacher you have ever had. What qualities of a good teacher did this person lack? Option 2) If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? What would your costume (draw it?) look like? (100+ for whicher option you choose)
• Stargirl: Chapters 14- 16
• Study Question (in WN): "She was the opposite of cool; she held nothing back." Explain this statement from page 78.
• Stargirl: Chapter 17
• "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. Using some fresh words from your wordpool, 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 create a decorated final draft that is suitable for classroom display. Here's an example. Here's another. Be creative and artistic!
• Stargirl: Chapter 18
• Study Question (in WN): 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.
• 
  

Wednesday, May 18: A Day
Thursday, May 19: B Day

• 5

  ---

  Due Dates:
• Read your assigned poem aloud to class on May 20/23.
  • Here are some pointers! (Listen to the example as well!)
• "The Way to_____________" Final Draft due May 24/25.
• Final Book Talk/Book Report: May 24/25.
• Stargirl Final Project due May 26/27.
• Writing Notebooks due after last entry on May 26/27.
• Final Writing Assignment (Lab): May 31/June 1
• Extra Credit due May 31/June1

  ---

• Journal #14: Today's journal is brought to you by Sixth Period: What bugs you? Why? (100+)
• Stargirl: Chapters 19 - 22
• 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
• Stargirl Reflection: 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. (50+)
• Stargirl: Read Chapter 26
  Study Question: Compare/Contrast Stargirl and Susan. Which character do you like more? Why?
• Stargirl: Read Chapters 27-31
• Stargirl Study Question (p.170): "...it came to them in small sensations that they were more alone than she was." How? Explain this.
• Finish Stargirl
• 
  

Friday, May 20: A Day

• 4
• Journal #15: Today's journal will be brought to you by Seventh Period: Animals -- If you could be or own any animal, what would it be and why? Which animal best represents you? Why?
• Poetry Reading Assignment due: Read the poem you analyzed aloud to the class. (No, you don't have to memorize it!)
• Optional Poetry Writing Assignment: From the various poems you have worked on in recent weeks, choose one to revise a final time (or write a completely new one). When you have a very legible final draft, torture a confession out of it and turn it in.
• Finish Stargirl and this worksheet.
• Stargirl Final Project (due May 26/27): Examples from the Past....
• 
  
  

May 23-27, 2011

Monday, May 23: B Day

• 4
• Journal #15: Today's journal will be brought to you by Seventh Period: Animals -- If you could be or own any animal, what would it be and why? Which animal best represents you? Why?
• Poetry Reading Assignment due: Read the poem you analyzed aloud to the class. (No, you don't have to memorize it!)
• Optional Poetry Writing Assignment: From the various poems you have worked on in recent weeks, choose one to revise a final time (or write a completely new one). When you have a very legible final draft, torture a confession out of it and turn it in.
• Finish Stargirl and this worksheet.
• Stargirl Final Project (due May 26/27): Examples from the Past....
• 
  
  

Tuesday, May 24: A Day (Visit with Bigwigs)
Wednesday, May 25: B Day

• 3
• "The Way to_____________" Poem due!
• Finish Stargirl and these assignments today!
• Silent Reading/Final Book Talk Report (Book of Your Choice)
• 
  

Thursday, May 26: A Day
Friday, May 27: B Day

• 2: Last Real Day of Class for 9th Graders
• Stargirl Projects
• Happy Anniversary to the Kardiac Kid!
  Last Chance Extra Credit
• Writing Notebook: Copy "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 (or whatever the latest communication technology is by then) to tell me if things turned out as you planned.
• Final Score on Writing Notebooks
• Gathering Our Things: Notebooks, Poems, Papers, etc.
• Take Writing Notebooks and keep 'em! You'll be glad later!
• Final Conference with Thompson: Book Talks, Grades, Tearful Goodbyes...
• Sign my yearbook...again....
• 
  

May 30 - June 3, 2011

Monday, May 30: Memorial Day

• No School
• 
  

Tuesday, May 31: A Day
Wednesday, June 1 (9th Grade Dance -7:00 P.M.): B Day

• 1
• Extra Credit due Today!
• Computer Lab: Final Writing Assignment
• 
  

Thursday, June 2 (Lagoon Day): A Day

• Have fun at Lagoon! (See you there!)
• 
  

Friday, June 3 (The End): B Day

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