October 27th (A day) and 28th (B day)

We looked at the interactive map of Dante's Inferno and completed this worksheet.

Then, we completed part of the reading guide. We wrote the poem and reviewed the introduction material and answered all of those questions.  We also read Canto I and answered those questions.  If you were gone, complete the poem and introduction material.  Then, you can complete the reading you missed during free reading time the next class period.  If you would prefer, you can email me for a login to the online textbooks.

Then we had some advisory time to check grades and catch up on anything that was missed this week.

October 25th (A day) and 26th (B day)

A day classes turned in their book reviews.  Both classes did the following...

We reviewed the principle of cause and effect by discussing Newton's 3rd Law of Motion- To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction.  Then, we read If You Give a Pig a Pancake to see cause and effect in literature.  After a game to review the idea one more time, we started with the background information to Dante's Inferno.

To start with, we read the introduction in our textbook on pg. 656.  After reading, we answered the following questions:

1. Who did T. S. Eliot compare Dante to?

2. Where was Dante from?

3. What happened to Dante in 1302? Why was this even important?

4. What language did people usually write in at this time? What language did Dante use?

5. Define allegory.

Then, we watched a short video about The Inferno.  The video is available online and can be found here.

October 24th (B day)

Today we...

1. Finished our myth responses and turned them in. (Response should be 1/2 pg. and discuss archetypes you saw in your myth, whether or not there was a moral, and which gods played a role in your story.)
2. Turned in and discussed book reviews.
3. Turned in late/hall passes.
4. Read and annotated the article about Color-coded IDs.  Then, we wrote 1/2 pg. in response and described why we thought this was a good or bad system.

Oct. 19th (A day)

Today we took our term final (TMU).  If you missed today, you need to come take your test as soon as possible.  Please remember that you cannot receive a passing grade without passing this test.

We also finished up the Greek myths and then shared them with the class.  Afterwards, we compared Beowulf, a Greek hero, and a hero of your choice. The worksheet for that is available in the assignment sidebar.

Don't forget book reviews are due next time!

Oct. 18th (B day)

Here's what we did today...

• We took our term final/TMU.  If you missed class, you need to come take this test as soon as possible.  Remember that you cannot receive a passing grade if you do not pass the test.
• We watched a short video clip about the Greek gods.  You can find it at youtube.com by searching for "Gallery of the Gods."  It's the 12 minute version.
• Then, we broke into groups and read a Greek myth.
• Finally, we wrote 1/2 pg. responses about the myth we read.
• What archetypes did you see in your myth?
• Was there a moral?
• Which gods were important to the story?
• What did you think of it?

October 17th (A day)

• We reviewed for the test (which is next time).  The review is available under the resource tab in the sidebar.
• Then we watched a short movie clip about the Greek gods.  You can find it on youtube.com by searching for "Gallery of the Gods."  It's the 12 minute version.
• Then, we broke into groups and read some Greek myths.  Next time, you'll be sharing the myth you read with students who read other myths.
• Finally, we wrote a 1/2 pg. response about the myths.  Your response should discuss the archetypes you saw in the myth, if there was a moral, and which gods were part of your myth.

Oct. 14th (B day)

After a test review, we had a lot of advisory time.

Don't forget that the 2nd book reviews are due on Oct. 24th and 25th!  NO late work will be accepted after the 25th.  Don't procrastinate!

Test Review

Remember, our final (TMU) for term one will be next Tuesday/Wednesday.  Here's a powerpoint to help you review.  Please let me know if you won't be in class so we can set up a time for you to take it.

Oct. 13th (A day)

1. Commonly confused words- write one sentence using each of the commonly confused words.

2. Finish reading Beowulf.

3. Respond (1/2 pg.) to one of the following prompts:

• What did you think of the ending of Beowulf?
• How does Beowulf compare to our modern day super heroes?
• Why do you think the story has stayed important after so much time?

Then, we had some advisory time to get caught up on missing work.

Oct. 12th (B day)

Journal: Describe someone from your life that you consider to be a hero. 1/2 pg.

Commonly confused words practice- write 1 sentence using each of the commonly confused words.

Finish reading Beowulf.

Write 1/2 pg. response about:

1. What you like/dislike about the graphic novel format.
   
2. How Beowulf fits the hero archetype.
   

Oct. 11th (A day)

• Silent reading
• Then, we had a review of book review expectations and a few tips (the powerpoint for this can be found in the sidebar).  Remember, the next book review is due on October 25th.
• We reviewed archetypes by listening to the song "O Valencia" by the Decemberists and finding as many archetypes in it as we could.
• Then, we had a short preview to the language and culture of Beowulf. 
• Then we read book 1 of Beowulf (you can make up any missed reading during our silent reading time).  A3 was a little ahead, so they also read book 2.
• Finally, we wrote 1/2 pg. response about reading a graphic novel.  How is it different than a regular book?  Do you like it or dislike it?  Why?

Oct. 10th (B day)

Journal: "Behavior that's admired is the path to power among people everywhere."  Do you agree or disagree with this quote?  Why?  1/2 pg.

Then we briefly reviewed the requirements for book reviews and I gave some tips on how to do really well on the next ones (due two weeks from today).  The powerpoint is available in the sidebar.

Then, we reviewed archetypes by listening to the song "O Valencia" by the Decemberists and finding as many archetypes in it as we could.

Then, after a short introduction, we read book one of Beowulf as a class.

Oct. 7th (A day)

I had a conference, so with the substitute, you did the following things.

Journal: "Behavior that's admired is the path to power among people everywhere."  Do you agree or disagree? 1/2 pg.

Article of the Week (AoW): Read and annotate the article "Many US schools adding iPads, trimming textbooks". Then, write a 1/2 pg. response.

A few of the classes started reading Beowulf.  We'll have time to catch up with that in class, though.

Oct. 6th (B day)

Journal: What makes a hero? What makes a villain? 1/2 pg.

Then, we shared and turned in our 1001 Nights personal narratives.

We reviewed the concept of archetypes by reading comic books and finding archetypes in them.

Then progress report #3 was passed out and we had some advisory time. Remember, progress report #3 is due next Friday along with all missing work.

Oct. 5th (A day)

Journal:  What makes a hero? What makes a villain?  (1/2 pg.)

We shared our 1001 Nights personal narratives in small groups.  If you didn't bring your story today, please be sure to turn it in soon with a late pass.

We did a practice worksheet for commonly confused words (it can be found in the sidebar).

Then, we introduced the idea of archetypes.  If you were gone, or need a review, please refer to the powerpoint under the "resources" tab in the sidebar.  If you have any questions, please come talk to me.

Then, to practice finding archetypes, we broke into groups and each read a comic book and identified 2 archetypes.

Oct. 4th (B day)

For our journal today we read and annotated the article "Many US schools adding iPads, trimming textbooks." Then, we wrote a 1/2 pg. response about it and discussed it in class.

Then, we did a practice activity for commonly confused words (in the sidebar).  For this worksheet, circle the correct word from the commonly confused word set.

Finally, we began learning about archetypes.  The powerpoint that introduces the material is under the resource tab in the sidebar.

Oct. 3rd (A day)

Today was Westlake's college preview day, so we didn't have class. Don't forget to bring your 1001 Nights stories next time!