Monday, January 31, 2011

Dream Essay Peer Review


Have your editing partner, who should write 'reviewed by' and their name at the top, review your paper for the following: 
1.   Examine the definition in the essay. Do you understand it?  Does it need clarification? Comment on the definition.

2.   Examine the dream v. reality explanation.  Does this make sense?  Can you argue against their explanation?  Pose questions to point out weaknesses in argument.

3.   Examine the example dream provided.  Do they concisely describe the dream, but still use interesting language to engage the reader?  Could they clarify or condense description in places?  Provide commentary to aid this.

4.   Does the essay show thoughtful paragraphing?  Could more/different paragraph structuring be suggested?

5.   Examine the essay for GUM issues.  Use proofreader marks.

MND Plot Map

Today we reviewed the plot map for our play.  As noted, there are three different sets of characters who will be interacting with each other: the lovers, the fairies, and the mechanicals.  The plot map below will help you keep them straight.

Monday, January 31


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Understand the plot of MND.
Agenda:
I.       Warm-up
II.    Books in and out
III.  I.ii
IV.  MND Plot

Homework:             
·      Read I.i.
Revise Dream Essay. Bring final copy and marked draft.

Warm-up:             
Take out your dream essay.  Mark it in the following way:
1.       Underline your definition of dream.
2.       Box your explanation of dream v. reality.
3.       Star the specific examples you used to support your dream.
Prepare to exchange essays with a neighbor.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Friday, January 28

Well! Exams are done (Finally!!) and quarter two is coming to a close after a mini break created by the snow days.  We begin our new unit today, and start quarter three.  Here we go!


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Understand the plot of MND.
Agenda:
I.       Warm-up
II.    EC NB Quiz
III.  MND Plot

Homework:             
·      Define Dream.  What is a dream and why do people have them? How can we distinguish between what happens in a dream and what happens in reality? Have you ever had a dream where you thought the events really happened?  Explain.

Warm-up:             
Take out a sheet of paper and head it for your EC NB Quiz.  Last chance to earn credit for quarter two!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Exam Day w/Two Hour Delay

With today's two hour delay, the following schedule will be in effect for exams. Today is a B day, so lunches will run during your 4B class.


TIME
Wed., 1/19/11
9:25-11:00am
PERIOD 1    EXAM
11:00-11:30am
Late Bell 11:35
1ST LUNCH SHIFT
11:30-12:00pm
Late Bell 12:05
2ND LUNCH SHIFT
12:00-12:30pm
Late Bell 12:35
3Rd LUNCH SHIFT
12:35-2:10pm
PERIOD 2   EXAM

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Exam Schedule with Snow Day


So now that we have today as a snow day, what does that mean for exams?  Take a look at the schedule below: 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011        SNOW DAY!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011   Day 1 -   Examinations – Periods 1 & 2
                                                                  Schools close 3 hours early.   
                                                                  No extra curricular activities

Thursday, January 20, 2011      Day 2 -   Examinations – Periods 3 & 4
                                                                   Schools close 3 hours early.
                                                                 No extra curricular activities

Friday, January 21, 2011            Day 3 -   Examinations – Periods 4B & 5
                                                                    Schools close 3 hours early.
                                                                  All extra curricular activities resume at 2:45pm

Monday, January 24, 2011                        Professional Work Day for Teachers                                                                                                                    No School for Students

Tuesday, January 25, 2011        Day 4  -  Examination – Period 6
                                                                   Regular schedule with exam given during 5 and 6 time blocks

It may be a day off, but don't forget to study.  Bring pencils, erasers, review sheets, and paper to your exams.  Good luck and see you on exam day! 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Friday, January 14


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Recall concepts and definitions in order to prepare for midterm.
Agenda:
I.       Warm-up
II.    HSA Practice Test
III.  Midterm Review

Homework:             
·      Prepare for midterm! Study!

Warm-up:             
·      Okay, so the cartoon is gone in cyberspace.  Sad, but that’s the way it is.  And no one can find a copy of it anywhere. Soooo…
o   Take out your answer sheet for the Q2 practice test.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thursday, January 13


 Objective:  SWBAT
·      Apply concepts and skills in order to complete practice test for HSA.
Agenda:
I.       Warm-up
II.    Complete Night Test
III.  HSA Practice Test

Homework:             
·      Where are you on your midterm review sheet and preparation?
·      Be prepared for review tomorrow!

Warm-up:             
·      Take out OR project for collection. You will need:
o   OR Activity #1
o   Poster
o   Write-up stapled to corner

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Wednesday, January 12

**Two Hour Late Arrival For Snow**


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Recall and apply concepts and skills in order to complete test on novel.
Agenda:
I.      Warm-up
II.    Test

Homework:             
·      OR Project! Due Tomorrow!
·      Where are you on your midterm review sheet and preparation?

Warm-up:             
·      Take out pencil.
·      Move quickly and quietly.  We don’t have a lot of time due to the late arrival.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Fact vs. Fiction

Question:  Why is there fiction in a factual account?

Fact
  1. Can be proven true using scientific method.
  2. Is an absolute
  3. Generally accepted or agreed upon.
Fiction
Not true, although it could be an extension of fact.

Reasons for fiction in factual accounts:
  1. Addition of literary element for story cohesion.
  2. Add interest.
  3. Biased perspective.
  4. Exaggeration of events.
  5. Loss of Memory
Can you identify areas in our novel where there may have been fiction added to the factual account?  How would you support your choice? 

Tuesday, January 11


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Review material from unit in preparation for test.
Agenda:
I.      Warm-up
II.    Fact v. Fiction
III.  Test Review

Homework:             
·      OR Project! Due Thursday! This is a correction from yesterday.  I apparently thought the 13th was Wednesday, not Thursday.  Sorry!
·      Night Test Wednesday!

Warm-up:             
·      One or two volunteers return material from outbox please.
·      One volunteer collect yellow scheduling sheets so that I can sign them.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow states that humans function based on a predictable scale of basic needs.  Each of these needs must be met in a certain order to experience true happiness.  This hierarchy shows the necessity of each level both in vertical arrangement and width of level.  See below:

Basic Needs include items such as the ability to breathe, eat, drink, and perform basic biological functions.  Safety Needs include freedom from terror, threat, and oppression, Psychological Needs refer to relationships with family, friends, and lovers, Self-Actualization refers to a persons ability to find pleasure through the application of their talents and interests.  Peak Experiences are those experiences where a person feels 100% satisfaction with life.

As we read through our novel, where does Elie fall in Maslow's hierarchy?  How does the level we place him on affect his humanity?  When he is finally liberated at Buchenwald, where are he and the other prisoners on the hierarchy?

Monday, January 10


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Analyze elements of fiction in factual accounts to determine why they exist.
Agenda:
I.      Warm-up
II.    Complete chapter presentations
III.  Fact v. Fiction

Homework:             
·      OR Project! Due Wednesday!
·      Night Test Wednesday!

Warm-up:             
·      Take and complete Book Critique worksheet.

Virtual Tour Assignment

The Holocaust Virtual Tour allowed you to see images of various concentration camps and react to them.  Wiesel's original manuscript for Night was over 600 pages long.  He pared that down to the slim novel you have in your possession.  Necessarily, with this reduction of text, many descriptions of the concentration camp experience were eliminated.  Our virtual tour provides a 'fill in the blank' view of these experiences that Wiesel glosses over.

What were the most shocking images for you after viewing the virtual tour?  What were you surprised about? What was different than you expected?

Didn't finish viewing the PowerPoint in class?  Use the link below to access it.  The PowerPoint is hosted by Screencast.  When you arrive at the page, click 'download media' link at the top.

Virtual Tour PowerPoint

Friday, January 7 - 2 Hour Snow Delay

Two Hour Delay! For a tiny bit of Snow! Wow, you lucky kids!


Objective:  SWBAT
·      React to visual elements in order to connect to the experiences of Elie Wiesel in novel.
Agenda:
I.      Warm-up
II.    Virtual Tour
III.  OR Read

Homework:             
·      OR Project! Don’t forget!

Warm-up:             
·      Take and complete Theme worksheet.
·      Then, get back with partner and complete virtual tour.

Thursday, January 6


Objective:  SWBAT
·      React to visual elements in order to connect to the experiences of Elie Wiesel in novel.
Agenda:
I.      Warm-up
II.    Virtual Tour

Homework:             
·      OR Project! Don’t forget!

Warm-up:             
·      Find a partner.
·      Take a Virtual Tour worksheet.
·      Choose a computer and log in.
·      Enter the Hand out folder and select my name.
·      Open the Holocaust Virtual Tour PowerPoint and complete worksheet.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Wednesday, January 5


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Analyze character and theme in order to present information in class.

Agenda:
I.      Warm-up
II.    Presentations
III.  OR Read

Homework:             
·      OR Project
 
Warm-up:             
·      Get in Chapter Expert Groups to complete preparation for presentation.  You have 10 minutes.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Concluding Chapter Analysis

Examine the following focus questions in preparation for the end of the novel.  Many of the themes are developed.  Be prepared to present your group's analysis to the class tomorrow.

Chapter 6
  1. How does the language of the chapter contribute to the realism of the book?
  2. Throughout the chapter, how does Wiesel create a sense of movement/motion?
  3. Death is personified during this chapter. What characteristics are given to death?
  4. Describe the relationship that Elie has with his father at this point in the story.
  5. Describe the relationship Elie has with God at this point in the story.
Chapter 7
  1. Describe Elie's feelings at this point in the novel. What has caused them?
  2. Describe the conditions of the prisoners during this section.
  3. Describe and analyze the comparison Elie makes of 'charity' in this chapter.
  4. Compare Elie's relationship with his father compared to the relationship of Meir and his father.
  5. At the end of the chapter, Meir Katz groans, "Why don't they shoot us all right away?"  Discuss your opinion on the answer to this question.
Chapter 8
  1. What is important to Wiesel as the chapter opens? What role has indifference played thus far in his camp experiences?
  2. Again death is personified.  What 'face' does death have at this point?  How does death influence Elie's father?
  3. Analyze the crisis that Elie has in this chapter.  What has caused it and how does it influence his actions?
  4. Explain the relevance of the following: "Listen to me boy. Don't forget that you're in a concentration camp. Here every man has to fight for himself and not think of anyone else.  Even of his father."
  5. Describe the situation surrounding the death of Elie's father.  What is his reaction to this event? What does this say about his humanity?
Chapter 9
  1. How has Elie's attitude of indifference been strengthened? Is this attitude a hindrance or a benefit to him? Explain.
  2. Describe the liberation of Buchenwald.  What is ironic about it?
  3. What do the first acts of the prisoners as free men show about human nature? How does this show the importance of Maslow's hierarchy of needs? (you may need to do additional research here).
  4. Elie ends the book with a powerful description of his first look at himself in the mirror.  How has he changed physically, mentally, and spiritually from the person he was before he entered the camps?
  5. Elie was fortunate to survive. What do you think he needed to survive? How was his situation impacted by his father? Explain.

Tuesday, January 4


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Analyze character and theme in order to present information in class.

Agenda:
I.       Warm-up
II.    Confusing Characters Completion
III.  Small Group Activity

Homework:             
·      Bring OR book on Tomorrow
·      OR Project

Warm-up:             
·      Take out and complete Character Worksheet.  You have 7 minutes.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Midterm Review Topics


Unit One:  Introduction and Basic Skills
1.     Parts of a thesis paper, ECR format
            Introduction, thesis statement, control overview, assertion, control, conclusion,   
            restatement of thesis and controls, concluding idea
2.     Writing and citing quotations
3.     Argument structure, evidence, BCR format
4.     Grammar skills
            Parts of speech, plurals, possessives, non-sentences, 4 types of sentences, comma usage,
            colons, semi-colons
Unit Two:  Writers Create Character and Point of View
1.     Plotline structure – exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, denoument
2.     Types of Conflict — internal and external, person vs. (many types)
3.     Setting – tone, mood, and atmosphere
4.     Point of view – first person, second person, and third person; limited, omniscient; participant, observer
5.     Theme structure, and morals
6.     Types of characters – round, flat, static, dynamic
7.     Five methods of characterization
Unit Three:  Writers Record Experience
1.     Types of narrative – autobiography, biography, diary, journal, monologue
2.     Reasons for recording experiences, author’s purpose
3.     Fact vs. fiction in real accounts
4.     Figurative language in narration
            Simile, metaphor, imagery, personification
5.     Types of irony – verbal, situational, dramatic
6.  Themes for WRE:  Search for Self, Loss of Innocence, Rite of Passage, Coming of Age

Foreshadowing and Confusing Characters

Foreshadowing - a literary technique where events are hinted at before they happen.

In our novel, Wiesel uses this technique to create suspense, anticipation, drama, and to prepare for future emotional turmoil, both for the reader and for the characters.  How well does Wiesel employ this technique? Is it done with craft, or is it heavy-handed?

Characterization - There are many characters in our novel that share similar names, which can be confusing.  In addition, they are not all static characters, but frequently change their attitudes and actions throughout the novel.  Examine the characters put in charge of the camp prisoners, including Franek, Idek, the Head of the Block, and the dentist.  Identify who they are as characters as they are introduced.  Then consider the following:
  • What is their initial attitude towards the Jewish prisoners in the camp, and ultimately Elie and his father? 
  • Does this attitude change as time moves forward? Why?  
  • How do these characters show how the camp has changed the prisoners' abilities to experience normal human emotions?

Monday, January 3


Objective:  SWBAT
·      Analyze the use of foreshadowing and dynamic characterization.

Agenda:
I.       Warm-up
II.    Elements of Foreshadowing
III. Confusing Characters

Homework:             
·      Did you finish reading Night over break?
·      OR Project
·      Bring OR book on Wednesday

Warm-up:             
·      Take and complete foreshadowing worksheet.