Winter Break Extra Credit

Write about something interesting you did over winter break. This can include our three snow days! Be descriptive. Tell a story. Use elements of short story studied in class: plot, setting, character, irony, foreshadowing.

Write a complete story - the better your story, the more extra credit you will receive.
Due Monday, January 5, 2009.

My Expectations for High School

A lot is expected of you over the course of your four years in high school. You are expected to pass your classes, do your homework, pass the WASL, complete a Culminating Project, and come to school every day prepared to work and get along with other students and teachers. While all of these expectations are placed on you, you probably have some expectations of your own that may or may not align with those mentioned. 

What do you expect to get out of high school? What expectations do you have for the next four years? What do you expect to gain/learn/experience by the time you graduate? Write two full paragraphs in response. Think carefully. Post and comment by Friday, December 5.

Two Poems by William Carlos Williams

Here are the two poems read in class on Wednesday, on which you should model your free verse poems.

The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends 

upon

a red wheel 

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens

This is Just to Say

I have eaten

the plums

that were in 

the icebox

and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold

Poetry Out Loud

Write about your poem for Poetry Out Loud. Why did you initially choose this poem and how do you feel about it now that you are preparing for the classroom competition. What does this poem mean to you? What personal significance does it hold? Describe your connection with the poem.

Write two paragraphs in which you address your process in preparing for the competition and your personal connections to the poem, including what the poem means to you.

Optional: Write about your thoughts on the upcoming classroom competition - do you think you have a shot at winning or at least making it in the top ten? Why?

Post and comment by Friday, November 21.

Three Poems by Robert Frost

This week we are beginning a poetry unit. Monday we memorized Robert Frost's "Fire and Ice" and later in the week we will study his poems "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" and "The Road Not Taken." Choose one of these three poems and discuss its theme, or meaning. Write two paragraphs: one paragraph should discuss in detail your interpretation of the meaning and the other should include why you chose this poem and how the meaning is important or relevant to your life - compare its theme to something you have experienced or thought about.

Use a quote from the poem in your response. Both "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" and "The Road Not Taken" can be found on the Poetry Out Loud website, which is linked on this blog.

Be sure to write two complete, well-developed paragraphs and comment on a classmate's blog by Friday, November 7.

The Movie

We are watching the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird in class beginning this Wednesday. While you are watching the film, choose a specific scene to write about. This may be a scene that stands out to you because it was exactly how you imagined it while reading or was very different from what you pictured while you were reading. Or maybe the scene stands out because of the acting or set design.

Write two paragraphs on one specific scene from the movie in which you clearly describe the scene in the book and compare/contrast it with what you imagined while reading. Comment on the actors portraying the characters and how they compared with your previous mental image. Also comment on the visual impact of the scene: the setting, costumes, lighting, etc. You do not need to quote the novel on this one, but use specific details from the reading as support for your comparison. Try to write something that reflects your own personal interpretation of the novel - be unique. 

Post and comment on a classmate's blog by Friday, October 31.

This Book Changed My Life

Okay, that may sound like an exaggeration. But the truth is, you've been involved with this book for the past six weeks and over those six weeks, you have changed. How has this book impacted your life? How have you changed since reading To Kill a Mockingbird. What have you learned from the people and events in Maycomb or how have their issues influenced you as you completed one sixth of your freshman year? You can write about personal issues, as long as you tie in the book in some way.

As always, write two complete paragraphs and include at least one embedded quote. Read the blogs of your classmates and be sure to comment on at least one of them. Due Thursday, 10/23.

Life Lessons

As the book nears its close, Scout and Jem continue to learn important life lessons from the adults around them. Write about a lesson Scout or Jem learns in chapters 22-28. Describe who and what teach this lesson and what Scout or Jem learns about life as a result. Also describe why this is an important lesson to learn and relate it to your own experience growing up.

Write two complete paragraphs with at least one embedded quote from the novel. Post and comment by Thursday, October 16.

Extra Credit!

You've been in English for nearly six weeks now. Write two about your reactions to the class. Make it interesting and creative to receive extra credit for your first six weeks grade. 

I want to hear some of your unique personality coming through and I love reading original metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language. 

Write at least two paragraphs, or you can write this in poem form. A series of haiku would be nice, a sonnet lovely, or even some imaginative free verse. 

Wow me. Inspire me to award you extra credit.

Due Friday, October 10.

Themes

Review your list of themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Choose one theme and write about how the characters and their actions reflect this theme in the novel. 

Give 2-3 examples of how the theme is shown throughout the novel. Refer to specific details from the reading and use at least one quote as support. Include both 1)what happens in the novel and 2)your own ideas about the greater meaning behind characters and events.

Write at least two full, well-developed paragraphs. Post and comment by Thursday, 10/9/08.

Atticus as a Father

Discuss Atticus as a father. What type of parent is he? Choose a specific example of his parenting from the novel: describe the situation with Scout and/or Jem and how he dealt with it. What does this tell you about his parenting style? What type of lessons does he teach his children and what qualities and values is he trying to instill in them?

Compare Atticus with your own parents. How is he similar or different? Would you like to have a father like Atticus?

Embed a quote in your writing to support your ideas. This should be at least two full paragraphs in length and reflect a careful reading of the novel. Post and comment by Thursday, 10/2.

Changing Perceptions of Boo Radley

In chapters 4-8, several mysterious occurrences can be traced back to Boo Radley. What are some of these things and how do they change your perception of this mysterious character? How do they give clues as to what Boo Radley is really like, his true nature? 

Also, how does Scout's discussion of Boo Radley with Miss Maudie and the reactions of Atticus to the children's play add to your perception of his character?

Write at least two full paragraphs in response and include your changing perception of Boo Radley. Embed a quote in your writing to enhance your discussion of this topic.

After you post on your blog, comment on a classmate's. Make sure your comment speaks to the original post and is at least a paragraph in length.

Due Thursday, 9/25

First Impressions of Boo Radley

Write about your first impressions of Boo Radley. Are the rumors true? If so, why do you think so? If not, why do the people of Maycomb make up such things? 

The three children react differently to the Boo Radley stories and his house. Who are you the most similar to, Jem, Dill or Scout and why?

Write at least two paragraphs and include a quote (with page number) in your response. Also, comment on someone else's post - your comment must be a full paragraph.

The best thing about English so far.

I was really excited to read the story, "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote. The characterization, figurative language such as simile and personification, and style of first person narration are all perfect in this story and really help me get prepared to read To Kill a Mockingbird. I think memorable phrases from this story will resonate with the upcoming novel. 

Also, it was great to hear everyone read out loud a little bit. I've been reading everyone's letters and feel like I'm getting to know each student through them. We've got a long exciting road ahead of us...it's going to be a great trip!