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 To see all the weeks in the term, scroll ALL THE WAY DOWN...
...and carefully read what you find!

January 18-22, 2016: Welcome to Third Term!

Monday, January 18: MLK Holiday (Human Rights Day)
Tuesday, January 19: Professional Day (No School for Students)

  • This term you will learn...
  • ...to analyze, appreciate, and author poetic epitaphs.
  • ...to close read "Interactive Fiction" to solve a mystery.
  • ...to read and understand epic poetry.
  • ...a bit about Greek mythology.
  • ...how to use semicolons and colons correctly.
  • ...how to write and present a podcast.
  • ...yet more word cells!
  • ...to read.
  • ...to write.
  • ...to repeat.
  • ...and, as always, some surprises!
  • New Term, New Semester, New Reading Schedules, New Classmates, New Seats, New Hall Passes, New (Epic) Poems, New Voices, New Arguments...

Wednesday, January 20: A Day
Thursday, January 21: B Day


Friday, January 22: A Day (Computer Lab)



Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

January 25-29, 2016

Monday, January 25: B Day (Writing Lab)


Tuesday, January 26: A Day
Wednesday, January 27: B Day

  • Literature
  • Poems o' the Day: Spoon River Anthology
  • Spoon River Anthology is a mash-up of poetry, drama, and fiction. Masters presents a series of first-person monologues as they appear on the gravestones in a Midwestern cemetery in the early 1900s. The characters “speak” their own poetic epitaphs from beyond the grave, confessing the true motivations of their lives and uncovering many of the mysteries and secrets of the town. The voices of the former residents of Spoon River often appear in clusters that present all sides of a story that would be incomplete if presented by only a single voice. Each epitaph may be appreciated for its own poetic merits, but by cross-referencing them with each other, the careful reader learns elements of the underlying (get it?) narrative that even the characters themselves do not understand.
  • Introduction to Poetic Epitaphs: Meet Aragog!
  • Welcome to Spoon River: Introduction (22 min.)
  • Travel back a century in time by talking to the sleepers on the hill.
  • Travel back a century in time by talking to some of the the sleepers on The Hill: Elsa Wertman, Hamilton Greene, Richard Bone, Rutherford McDowell, Hortense Robbins, Anne Rutledge, Hannah Armstrong, Knowlt Hoheimer
  • Journal #3: Write a (first-person) poetic epitaph for a fictional character you know. Model yours on the many examples we have looked at today.
  • A Tale of Two Cities: Stay on the Reading Schedule
  • Complete Study Guide.


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


Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

February 1-5, 2016

Monday, February 1: A Day (VOSR)
Tuesday, February 2: B Day (VOSR)


Wednesday, February 3: A Day (VOSR)
Thursday, February 4: B Day (VOSR)


Friday, February 5: A Day


Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

February 8-12, 2016

Monday, Februrary 8: B Day


Tuesday, February 9: A Day
Wednesday, February 10: B Day


Thursday, February 11: A Day (Writing Lab)
Friday, February 12: B Day (Writing Lab)



Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

February 15-19, 2016

Monday, Februrary 15: Day of Presidents (No School)


Tuesday, February 16: A Day
Wednesday, February 17: B Day (Midterm)


Thursday, February 18: A Day
Friday, February 19: B Day



Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

February 22-26, 2016

Monday, February 22: A Day
Tuesday, February 23: B Day


Wednesday, February 24: A Day (Writing Lab)
Thursday, February 25: B Day (Writing Lab) (PT Conferences)

  • Bullying Survey: Follow instructions on the board in the lab.
  • Revise Practice Essay from last time.
  • Be sure to include at least two (2) pieces of textual evidence (with citations and elaboration) in each body paragraph!
  • Resubmit to Utah Compose.
  • Evaluate some of your classmates' essays using the tools in Utah Compose.
  • Wiki: Post a copy of your Word Cell Podcast at the top of your wiki page.
  • Mythology Grid
  • A Tale of Two Cities: Stay on the Reading Schedule
  • Complete Study Guide.


Friday, February 26: A Day




Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

February 29-March 4, 2016

Monday, February 29: B Day


Tuesday, March 1: A/B Day (ACT at high schools)


Wednesday, March 2: A Day (Media Center)
Thursday, March 3: B Day (Media Center)


Friday, March 4: A Day



Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

March 7-11, 2015

Monday, March 7: B Day

  • Vocabulary List #6
  • Journal #2: What does it require for someone to be a hero? What qualities does a hero possess? Tell the story of a heroic act you have witnessed and explain why you thought it was heroic. Can anyone be a hero, or does it require something outside of our control (like size or strength)? Who is your hero? Why? Define and discuss heroes. Fill the page!
  • Word Cells Presentations: Set #8 -- And any leftovers!
  • -syn- / -sym-
  • -hypo-
  • -hyper-
  • -script- / -scrib-
  • Research Writing Prompt/Discussion [Synthesizing/Comparing]
  • Heroes: How does the adventure illustrate the Heroic Cycle (Hero's Journey)? What other heroic adventures are similar? Explain.
  • Gods/Goddesses: Which Common Themes in Greek Mythology does the myth illustrate? What other gods/goddesses or stories are similar? Explain.
  • [Return] Library Research Handout: Finish it by next Thursday -- Library is open during Intervention (first 35 in only) and at lunch.
  • Practice the Elements of Epic Poetry
  • Homeric Similes and Epithets from the Odyssey of [Your Name Here]
  • What is a Homeric simile (epic simile)? Write one of your own.
  • What is an epithet? Write some to describe people you know.
  • The Odyssey Intro -- Invocation to the Muse Assignment
  • What elements of the Heroic Cycle do you see in this introductory prayer?
  • Can you identify an epithet or two?
  • A Tale of Two Cities: Stay on the Reading Schedule
  • Complete Study Guide.


Tuesday, March 8: A Day (Writing Lab)
Wednesday, March 9: B Day (Writing Lab)


Thursday, March 10: A Day (Library/Writing Lab)
Friday, March 11: B Day (Library/Writing Lab)



Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

March 14-18, 2016

Monday, March 14: A Day
Tuesday, March 15: B Day [Watch out, Caesar!]

  • Word Cells Presentations: All the rest!
  • -son-
  • -a-
  • -ver-
  • -nom- / -onym-
  • -ad-
  • -vis- / -vid-
  • -capit- / -cap-
  • -cycl-
  • So this page is all filled in now. Study it! Test is Friday!
  • The Odyssey:
  • Review Homer's Invocation to the Muse (MPT, p. 651)
  • Calypso, The Sweet Nymph (pp. 651-654)
  • Journal #3: SOAPSTone "Calypso" by Suzanne Vega (MPT, p. 665): Listen to the song (lyrics on page 655). How does the song help you understand the character's feelings? 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? Fill the page! [Check off Calypso's island on your map!]
  • "I am Laertes' Son, The Lotus Eaters" (pp. 655-659) -- Quiz?
  • Grammar Punk: Semicolons
  • Semiclon Rule #3


Wednesday, March 16: A Day
Thursday, March 17: B Day

  • A Tale of Two Cities: Test on Book III
  • 20 multiple-choice + 5 passage-based
  • Synthesis Essay Assignment: The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range political, social, and economic causes that contributed to the discontent of the French people, especially the third estate. Using information from the sources you were given in class and your knowledge of A Tale of Two Cities, write a multiparagraph academic essay in which you identify and explain the three primary causes of the French Revolution. Use textual evidence from multiple sources (particularly the text of the novel) and cite the sources when you use them.
  • French Revolution: 8 Quick Sources/Facts
  • French Revolution Overview (PowerPoint)
  • A Tale of Two Cities: A Charles Dickens Website
  • Timeline: French Revolution & AToTC
  • Post final draft of the essay to Utah Compose by 8:00 P.M. on March 22/23.
  • Journal #4: So, what's the big deal about these journals? Why is it so freakin' hard to fill the page?! After you answer those questions, make a list of at least 15 journal topics that you could write about for at least ten minutes. Number them clearly.
  • The Odyssey, continued:
  • The Cyclops (MPT, pp. 660-670)
  • Since everyone seemed to get it, we won't do this today:
  • Assignment -- Passage Analysis
  • The Enchantress Circe
  • Third Term Word Cells: Study 'em all for next time!


Friday, March 18: A Day (JT 19)

  • Third Term Word Cells Final Exam
  • Journal #5: Look at the list of topics you created last time. Fill the page writing about Topic #5.
  • The Odyssey:
  • The Land of the Dead (MPT, pp. 675-677)
  • The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis & The Cattle of the Sun God (MPT, pp. 678-686)
  • Assignment: Passage Analysis -- Use information from the three sections we read today to complete the handout. (Keep the handout with your Odyssey map.)
  • Grammar Punk: Colon Rules 1 & 2



Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions

March 21-25, 2016

Monday, March 21: B Day

  • Third Term Word Cells Final Exam
  • Journal #5: Look at the list of topics you created last time. Fill the page writing about Topic #5.
  • The Odyssey:
  • The Land of the Dead (MPT, pp. 675-677)
  • The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis & The Cattle of the Sun God (MPT, pp. 678-686)
  • Assignment: Passage Analysis -- Use information from the three sections we read today to complete the handout. (Keep the handout with your Odyssey map.)
  • Grammar Punk: Colon Rules 1 & 2
  • Synthesis Essay Assignment due to Utah Compose by March 22 @ 11:59.59 P.M.:
  • The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range political, social, and economic causes that contributed to the discontent of the French people, especially the third estate. Using information from the sources you were given in class and your knowledge of A Tale of Two Cities, write a multiparagraph academic essay in which you identify and explain the three primary causes of the French Revolution. Use textual evidence from multiple sources (particularly the text of the novel) and cite the sources when you use them.
  • French Revolution: 8 Quick Sources/Facts
  • French Revolution Overview (PowerPoint)
  • A Tale of Two Cities: A Charles Dickens Website
  • Timeline: French Revolution & AToTC


Tuesday, March 22: A Day
Wednesday, March 23: B Day

  • For all intents and purposes, this is the absolute last day of the term. No make-up and no excuses after today!
  • Synthesis Essay due on Utah Compose by 11:59.59 P.M.
  • Turn in Extra Credit/Hall Passes
  • Journal #6: Look at the list of topics you created last week. Fill the page writing about Topic #6.
  • Turn in/Score Journals.
  • Mythology Grid : Work on this if you have time left over.
  • The Odyssey:
  • "Coming Home," p. 690
  • The Meeting of Father and Son, pp. 691-694
  • The Beggar and the Faithful Dog, pp 694-695
  • Summary: The Epic Continues
  • The Test of the Great Bow, pp. 698-702
  • Death at the Palace, pp. 703-705
  • Odysseus and Penelope, pp. 706-709


Thursday, March 24: A Day
Officially, this is the last day of the term, but in reality it is the first day of fourth term.

  • Finish The Odyssey:
  • Turn in: Map/Folk Epic + Passage Analysis/Homeric Similes + Mythology Grid + Movie Questions
  • Have a grand break!



Sections of English Binder: Journal, Word Study, Composition, Reading/Literature, Grammar/Conventions
Q: "Did I miss anything?"
A: Yes.
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