Wednesday, 12/19

Freshmen:

• For Thursday 12/20: Submit your Personal Narrative to Turnitin.com.

• Short story due Friday 12/21

• Nonfiction book due Friday 12/21 

Creative Writing: 

•  4 pages of new writing due Thursday 12/20

 

 

 

Tuesday 12/18

Freshmen:

• For Wednesday 12/19:

Using your main character, identify five scenarios in which your character would encounter a transaction.

For each of those scenarios, write a "What If" question that would explore the character's opportunity for change.

• Short story due Friday 12/21

• Nonfiction book due Friday 12/21 

 
Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due Thursday, 12/20

Monday, 12/17

Freshmen:

• Personal narrative final draft due Tuesday 12/18

• For Tuesday 12/18:

By now, you should have an idea for a main character and that character's story. Write out a character study for that person. In the study, determine: 

• Name  
• Gender
• Age  
• Favorite way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon  
• Finish this sentence:
•  "He/She is the sort of person who..."

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due Thursday, 12/20

Thursday, 12/13

Freshmen:  

• Personal Narrative rough draft due Friday, 12/14
• Plagiarism sheets due Friday, 12/14
•  For Monday 12/17:
• Write ten possible first lines
• Choose three lines that have potential to become stories.  
• For each one, write the next 2-3 sentences of that story. 

• Personal narrative final draft due Tuesday 12/18

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due Thursday, 12/20

 

Monday, 12/10

Freshmen:  

• Personal Narrative draft due Friday, 12/14

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due Thursday, 12/13

Tuesday, 12/4

Freshmen:  

• Personal Narrative draft due Friday, 12/14

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due: 
• G block: Friday, 12/7
• A block: Monday, 12/10 

Monday, 12/3

Freshmen:  

For this writing (due 12/4) you have two choices:

1. Begin a narrative with the line "This is a true story." Continue with a story that uses hyperbole to enhance its craziness or ridiculousness. Have fun with it, as Reichl does!

2. Write a commentary on an issue that has been important to you lately. You could consider, among others:

- An issue or behavior you have observed at school

- A generalization about your generation or teenagers

- A perspective on a current event that is unfolding in the news

In either writing, try not to simply summarize the situation and state your response. Instead, use a conversational tone, specific details, and thoughtful development to highlight your story or message.

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due: 
• G block: Friday, 12/7
• A block: Monday, 12/10 

Wednesday, 11/28

Freshmen:  

• "Us and Them" Socratic Seminar on Thursday 11/29
• Neighbor writing due Friday 11/30

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due Thursday 11/29

Tuesday, 11/27

Freshmen:   
Choose a member of your family and identify an item that you closely associate with that person. Although Bryan uses a number of objects, keep yourself focused on just one.

Keeping Bryan's style in mind, you will write a piece that uses the item to illustrate something profound about the person, your relationship with the person, or your view of the person.

Try to avoid stating outright the significance of the item to the personality. Rather, use sensory details to show the relationship. Meanwhile, the writing should also show something about your connection to the individual.

Your piece must not exceed one page of double-spaced typed writing.

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due Thursday 11/29

 

Monday, 11/26

Freshmen:   
Think of something that you know how to do well, or with which you are intimately familiar. It should be something that carries some level of personal significance, like Santiago's connection to the guava.  
You will write a piece entitled "How to..." (and you'll complete the phrase). Your piece should include descriptive details about the act itself, as well as some level of explanation about the larger significance.

 However, note that Santiago does not explicitly state her meaning. Rather, she uses time, detail, and structure to help make that point clear.

Your piece must not exceed one page of double-spaced typed writing.

Creative Writing:

• 4 pages due Thursday 11/29

Monday 11/19

Freshmen: 

• Antigone projects due Tuesday 11/20

Creative Writing:

• Cycle proposals due Tuesday 11/20

Wednesday, 11/7

Freshmen: 

• Antigone test on Tuesday 11/13

Creative Writing:

• Cycle thumbnails due Thursday 11/8
• Q1 Portfolio due Thursday 11/15

Tuesday, 11/6

Freshmen: 

• Review the Exodos and respond to the following questions: 

1. Why does Antigone choose to commit suicide?
2. Creon's wife is only on stage momentarily, yet she plays a key role in Creon's disaster. What does her suicide mean to him?
3. Is Creon a tragic figure? Do you feel sympathy for him at the end as someone who initially tried to do good yet was overwhelmed by circumstance, or do you believe that he is bullying, mysogynistic control freak who gets what he deserves?
4. Conversely, what makes Antigone a tragic figure? Think about what, exactly, you mean by such words as "tragedy" and "tragic."
5. Why is the play titled "Antigone" rather than "Creon"?

Creative Writing:

• Crash permission slips due Wednesday 11/7
• Cycle thumbnails due Thursday 11/8
• Q1 Portfolio due Thursday 11/15

Monday, 11/5

Freshmen: 

• Review Scenes IV and V and respond to the following questions: 

Scene IV

1. Is it fair for the Chorus and Antigone herself to blame Oedipus's curse for her actions? Why or why not?
2.  Do you think Antigone is brave in accepting her fate? Why or why not?

 

Scene V

1. What does the failure of Teiresias's sacrifice have to do with Polyneices and Antigone?
2. What, specificially, in Teiresias's warning causes Creon to change his mind?
3. To what extent does Creon agree with his own decision? Recall the line where he states: "It is hard to deny the heart! But I / Will do it: I will not fight with destiny" (235).

Creative Writing:

• Haircut story due Tuesday, 11/6.

Friday, 11/2

Freshmen: 

• Review Scene III and respond to the following questions:

1. Is Creon more focused on justice or power? How do you know?
2. To what extent is Creon's reaction based on the fact that Antigone is a woman?
3. Do you agree with Haimon when he says the following?:
"In flood time you can see how some trees bend,
And because they bend, even their twigs are safe,
While stubborn trees are torn up, roots and all" (219)
4. What is anarchy? Why does Creon keep using this word to describe the situation? Do you agree with his description?
5. How does Creon plan to punish Antigone? (223) How does he plan to avoid guilt in her death?

Creative Writing:

• Haircut story due Tuesday, 11/6.

Thursday, 11/1

Freshmen:

• Review Scene II and respond to the following questions:

1. Do you admire Antigone's actions? Why or why not?
2. Should Creon hold Antigone responsible for the "crime"? Or is there the possibility for forgiveness? What does Creon risk if he forgives Antigone? What does he fear?
3. Should Ismene be held to the same punishment as Antigone? Why does Ismene turn herself in?

Creative Writing:

• Fiction Outside Reading Project due:  
• G block: Friday, 11/2 

•  Haircut story due Tuesday, 11/6.

Wednesday, 10/31

Freshmen:

• Review Scene I and respond to the following questions:

1. Review Creon's speech at the beginning of Scene I. What are his beliefs as a ruler? How should a ruler behave? Do you agree with his perspective?
2. What is Creon's perspective about "the gods" and their possible desire to see Polyneices buried?
3. What does the sentry mean when he says "How dreadful it is when the right judge judges wrong!" (203)? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Creative Writing:

• Fiction Outside Reading Project due: 
• A block: Thursday, 11/1
• G block: Friday, 11/2

Friday, 10/26

Freshmen:

• None!

Creative Writing:

• Fiction Outside Reading Project due: 
• A block: Thursday, 11/1
• G block: Friday, 11/2

Thursday, 10/25

Freshmen:

• Review the Prologue to Antigone, then respond the following questions:

1. What does Antigone want to do? Why is she barred from doing it? What is her plan?
2. What two issues does Ismene raise as arguments against Antigone's plan?
3. Do you agree with Ismene or Antigone? Explain your choice.

Creative Writing:

• Fiction Outside Reading Project due: 
• A block: Thursday, 11/1
• G block: Friday, 11/2 

 

Wednesday, 10/24

Freshmen:

• Upload your TKAM research writing to Turnitin.com.

Creative Writing:

•  Monosyllabic story revision due Thursday, 10/25. Revision includes: Your original, my essential text, your revision, and your comments on the new draft.

• Fiction Outside Reading Project due: 
• A block: Thursday, 11/1
• G block: Friday, 11/2

Tuesday, 10/23

Freshmen:

• TKAM research writing due Wednesday, 10/24. I will also collect your BOOKS!
  

Creative Writing:

• Car story, parts 1 & 2 due Wednesday, 10/24.

•  Monosyllabic story revision due Thursday, 10/25. Revision includes: Your original, my essential text, your revision, and your comments on the new draft.

• Fiction Outside Reading Project due: 
• A block: Thursday, 11/1
• G block: Friday, 11/2

Friday, 10/19

Freshmen:

• Reflections Extra Credit submissions due Monday, 10/22.

• Antigone presentations on Tuesday, 10/23.

• TKAM research writing due Wednesday, 10/24.

Creative Writing:

• A block: Car story, part 1 due Monday, 10/22.

• Both classes: Car story, parts 1 & 2 due Wednesday, 10/24.

•  Monosyllabic story revision due Thursday, 10/25. Revision includes: Your original, my essential text, your revision, and your comments on the new draft.

Thursday, 10/18

Freshmen:

• Reflections Extra Credit submissions due Monday, 10/22.

• Antigone presentations on Tuesday, 10/23!

• TKAM research writing due Wednesday, 10/24.

Creative Writing:

• G block: Car story, part 1 due Friday, 10/19.

• A block: Car story, part 1 due Monday, 10/22.

• Both classes: Car story, parts 1 & 2 due Wednesday, 10/24.

•  Monosyllabic story revision due Thursday, 10/25. Revision includes: Your original, my essential text, your revision, and your comments on the new draft!

Wednesday, 10/17

Freshmen:

• TKAM research writing due Wednesday, 10/24.

Creative Writing:

• A block: Car story, part 1 due Monday, 10/22.

• G block: Car story, part 1 due Friday, 10/19.

• Both classes: Car story, parts 1 & 2 due Wednesday, 10/24.

Tuesday, 10/16

Freshmen:

• Bring an electronically-accessible copy of your TKAM essay to class on Wednesday, 10/17.

• The TKAM film extra credit is due on Wednesday, 10/17.

Creative Writing:

•  Extra credit opportunity due Wednesday, 10/17.

Monday, 10/15

Freshmen:

• Your TKAM essay is due on Tuesday, 10/16. Bring a hard copy AND an electronically-accessible copy to class.

• The TKAM film extra credit is due on Wednesday, 10/17.

Creative Writing:

•  Mono-syllabic prompt due Tuesday, 10/16

• Bring in your selected book for the Fiction Project on Tuesday, 10/16

Thursday, 10/11

Freshmen:

• Bring in a rough draft of your TKAM essay on Monday, 10/15. It should be typed and double-spaced!
• Your composition books will be collected on Monday, 10/15.
• The TKAM film extra credit is due on Tuesday, 10/16.

Creative Writing:

•  Mono-syllabic prompt due Tuesday, 10/16
• Bring in your selected book for the Fiction Project on Tuesday, 10/16

Wednesday, 10/10

Freshmen:

• Bring in your TKAM essay introduction and first body paragraph for Thursday, 10/11. It should be typed and double-spaced!

Creative Writing:

•  Read "Little Things" and be ready to discuss it in class on Thursday, 10/11.
• Write ten "first lines" that could potentially begin short stories.

Tuesday, 10/9

Freshmen:

• Bring in your TKAM essay introduction for Wednesday, 10/10. It should be typed and double-spaced!

Creative Writing:

•  Your Gallery poem is due on Wednesday, 10/10. It must be typed, and it should include the title and artist for the piece you wrote about.

Wednesday, 10/3

Freshmen:

• Due Thursday, 10/4: Read TKAM Chapters 29-31 and respond to the question below:

1. What do you think happened on the way home from the pageant?

Creative Writing:

• Due Thursday, 10/4: Revision:

1.  Choose one poem you have written in this class. (You may use either a new poem or the one you already revised once)
2. Type it out (even if it's a rough draft!)
3. Revise and rework the poem and type the revised version (on the same page as the original or a separate sheet)
4. Write a brief explanation of your goals in revision. What do you love about the poem? What are you still struggling with? Help guide my focus in reading your revision!
5. Turn in: The original, the revision, and the explanation. I will not accept partial work!

** This assignment should be typed and proofread! 

Tuesday, 10/2

Freshmen:

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: Read TKAM Chapters 26-28 and respond to the questions below:

1. Review Scout and Miss Gates's explanation of democracy on page 245. According to this description, is Maycomb a democracy? Why or why not?
2. What is Jem trying to "sort out" that causes him to lash out at Scout at the end of Chapter 27?

Creative Writing:

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: 2 comments on 2 people's imitation poems. (Comments # 9 and 10)

Monday, 10/1

Freshmen:

• Due Tuesday, 10/2: Read TKAM Chapters 23-25 and respond to the questions below:

1. How do Jem and Scout differ on the issue of "background"? Review pages 226-227.
2. What is hypocritical about the conversation at the missionary tea?
3. How does this section demonstrate growth for Scout?

Creative Writing:

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: 2 comments on 2 people's imitation poems. (Comments # 9 and 10)

Friday, 9/28

Freshmen:

• Due Monday, 10/1: Read TKAM Chapters 20-22 and respond to the questions below:

1. Do you accept Dolphus Raymond's explanation for his actions? Should he be responsible for "giving folks a reason" (200) for his behavior? Why or why not?

2. When Jem explains "It's like bein' a caterpillar in a cocoon..." (215), what does he mean?


Creative Writing:

• Due Monday, 10/1: Your imitation poem and explanation paragraph

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: 2 comments on 2 people's imitation poems. (Comments # 9 and 10)

Thursday, 9/27

Freshmen:

• Due Friday, 9/28: Read TKAM Chapters 18-19 and respond to the questions below:

1. Do you agree with Scout that Mayella is "the loneliest person in the world" (191), even more so than Boo Radley? Explain your response.
2. Do you feel pity for Mayella Ewell, or do you hold her responsible for the trial?

Creative Writing:

• Due Friday, 9/28: Your fifth poem response

• Due Friday, 9/28: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses. (Comments # 7 and 8)

• Due Monday, 10/1: Your imitation poem

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: 2 comments on 2 people's imitation poems. (Comments # 9 and 10)

Wednesday, 9/26

Freshmen:

•  Due Thursday, 9/27: Read TKAM Chapters 16-17 and respond to the question below:

1. Review the courthouse description on page 162 that begins "The Maycomb county courthouse was faintly reminiscent of Arlington in one respect..." How does the description illustrate important aspects of Maycomb itself?

• Due Friday, 9/28: Read TKAM Chapters 18-19 and respond to the questions below:

1. Do you agree with Scout that Mayella is "the loneliest person in the world" (191), even more so than Boo Radley? Explain your response.
2. Do you feel pity for Mayella Ewell, or do you hold her responsible for the trial?
   

Creative Writing:

• Due Friday, 9/28: Your fifth poem response

• Due Friday, 9/28: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses. (Comments # 7 and 8)

• Due Monday, 10/1: Your imitation poem

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: 2 comments on 2 people's imitation poems. (Comments # 9 and 10)

Tuesday, 9/25

Freshmen:

•  Due Thursday, 9/27: Read TKAM Chapters 16-17 and respond to the question below:

1. Review the courthouse description on page 162 that begins "The Maycomb county courthouse was faintly reminiscent of Arlington in one respect..." How does the description illustrate important aspects of Maycomb itself?

Creative Writing:

• Due Friday, 9/28: Your fifth poem response

• Due Friday, 9/28: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses. (Comments # 7 and 8)

• Due Monday, 10/1: Your imitation poem

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: 2 comments on 2 people's imitation poems. (Comments # 9 and 10)

Monday, 9/24

Freshmen:

•  Due Tuesday, 9/25: Read TKAM Chapters 14-15 and respond to the questions below:

1. For what purpose do the men go to the jail? What makes them leave? How does the experience connect to Atticus's central morality?
2. Write your own discussion or clarification question.

Creative Writing:

• Due Tuesday, 9/25: Your fourth poem response

• Due Tuesday, 9/25: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses. (Comments # 5 and 6)

• Due Friday, 9/28: Your fifth poem response

• Due Friday, 9/28: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses. (Comments # 7 and 8)

• Due Monday, 10/1: Your imitation poem

• Due Wednesday, 10/3: 2 comments on 2 people's imitation poems. (Comments # 9 and 10)

Friday, 9/21

Freshmen:

•  Due Monday, 9/24: Read TKAM Chapters 12-13 and respond to the question below:

1. Are there ways in which you live a "modest double-life" like Calpurnia? Explain.

• Select one passage from TKAM (any page up to the end of Chapter 13). The passage should speak to you somehow, either through the way it is written, or through its content, or because it has relevance to your life. Be ready to use the passage in class. You do NOT need to write anything about the passage!

Creative Writing:

• Due Tuesday, 9.25: Your fourth poem response

• Due Tuesday, 9/25: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses.

• Due Friday, 9/28: Your fifth poem response

• Due Monday, 10/1: Your imitation poem AND explanation

Thursday, 9/20

Freshmen:

•  Due Monday, 9/24: Read TKAM Chapters 12-13 and respond to the questions below:

1. Are there ways in which you live a "modest double-life" like Calpurnia? Explain.

Creative Writing:

• Due Friday, 9/21: Your third poem response

• Due Tuesday, 9.25: Your fourth poem response

• Due Tuesday, 9/25: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses.

• Due Friday, 9/28: Your fifth poem response

• Due Monday, 10/1: Your imitation poem AND explanation

Wednesday, 9/19

Freshmen:

•  Due Thursday, 9/20: Read TKAM Chapter 11 and respond to the questions below:

1. How is Atticus's lesson about courage and Mrs. Dubose related to his own experience of preparing to defend Tom Robinson? Refer to the first pages of Chapter 9 for his discussion of the trial.

Creative Writing:

• Due Thursday, 9/20: 2 new comments on 2 new people's poem responses.

• Due Friday, 9/21: Your third poem response

Tuesday, 9/18

Freshmen:

•  Due Wednesday, 9/19: Read TKAM Chapters 9-10, and respond to the questions below:

1. Is Atticus a good father? Why or why not?

Creative Writing:

• Due Wednesday, 9/19: Your second poem response

• Due Wednesday, 9/19: Revision:

1.  Choose one poem you have written in this class
2. Type it out (even if it's a rough draft!)
3. Revise and rework the poem and type the revised version (on the same page as the original or a separate sheet)
4. Write a brief explanation of your goals in revision. What do you love about the poem? What are you still struggling with? Help guide my focus in reading your revision!
5. Turn in: The original, the revision, and the explanation

** This assignment should be typed and proofread! 

Monday, 9/17

Freshmen:

• Due Tuesday, 9/18: Read TKAM Chapters 7-8, and respond to the questions below:

1. In what ways have Jem and Scout "parted company" in Chapter 7? What is Jem experiencing that is different from Scout?
2. Write your own discussion question to share in class. 

•  Due Wednesday, 9/19: Read TKAM Chapters 9-10, and respond to the questions below:

1. Is Atticus a good father? Why or why not?

Creative Writing:

• Due Wednesday, 9/19: Your second poem response

• Due Wednesday, 9/19: Revision:

1.  Choose one poem you have written in this class
2. Type it out (even if it's a rough draft!)
3. Revise and rework the poem and type the revised version (on the same page as the original or a separate sheet)
4. Write a brief explanation of your goals in revision. What do you love about the poem? What are you still struggling with? Help guide my focus in reading your revision!
5. Turn in: The original, the revision, and the explanation

** This assignment should be typed and proofread! 

Friday, 9/14

Freshmen:

• Due Tuesday, 9/18: Read TKAM Chapters 7-8, and respond to the questions below:

1. In what ways have Jem and Scout "parted company" in Chapter 7? What is Jem experiencing that is different from Scout?
2. Write your own discussion question to share in class.

Creative Writing:

• Due Monday, 9/17: Comment on two different classmates' poem responses.

• Due Wednesday, 9/19: Your second poem response

• Due Wednesday, 9/19: Revision:

1.  Choose one poem you have written in this class
2. Type it out (even if it's a rough draft!)
3. Revise and rework the poem and type the revised version (on the same page as the original or a separate sheet)
4. Write a brief explanation of your goals in revision. What do you love about the poem? What are you still struggling with? Help guide my focus in reading your revision!
5. Turn in: The original, the revision, and the explanation

** This assignment should be typed and proofread! 

Thursday, 9/13

Freshmen:

• Read TKAM Chapters 5-6, and answer the following questions:

1. Why do you think Jem and Dill are so interested in Boo Radley? How does their interest differ from Scout's perspective of Boo?
2. What makes Scout realize, "It was then, I suppose, that Jem and I first began to part company" (page 56)? What does she mean when she says this? ** Note: Your page numbers may differ from mine!

• Letter to self is due tomorrow

Creative Writing:

•  Due tomorrow: First poem response on your Google doc

• Due Monday: Comment on two classmates' poem responses

• Due Wednesday: 

1. Choose one poem you have written in this class
2. Type it out (even if it's a rough draft!)
3. Revise and rework the poem and type the revised version (on the same page as the original or a separate sheet)
4. Write a brief explanation of your goals in revision. What do you love about the poem? What are you still struggling with? Help guide my focus in reading your revision!
5. Turn in: The original, the revision, and the explanation

** This assignment should be typed and proofread!

Wednesday, 9/12

Freshmen:

- Read TKAM Chapters 3-4 ** Please note the change!! **

- Respond to the following questions in your composition book:

1. How is Scout's reaction to Walter at lunch similar to Miss Caroline's reaction to both Walter and Scout at school?
2. What important lesson does Cal teach Scout during lunch that is echoed by Atticus in the evening?
3. Walter and Burris are both poor country folk. But in what ways are they different?
4. What is changing about the relationship between Boo Radley and the children?
5. Write your own question for discussion in class.

- Letters due Friday


Creative Writing: 

- Poet response #1 due Friday

Tuesday, 9/11

Freshmen:
- Read Chapters 1-2 in TKAM
- Letters due Friday


Creative Writing:
- First poem response due Friday

Monday, 9/10

Freshmen:
- Prepare for Socratic Seminar on To Kill a Mockingbird

- "A Letter Home" due Friday


Creative Writing:
- Select your poet for the outside reading project

Weekend 9/7-9

Freshmen:
- None!


Creative Writing:
A block:
- Choose one or two lines from your favorite poem, and artfully write out the line(s) on a sheet of paper to be hung in the classroom
- Finish, type, and turn in your "I Am" poem

G block:
- Choose your poet for the outside reading project

Freshmen:
- Create your own 5-question True/False quiz

Creative Writing:
- Read and annotate the packet of poems

Welcome to the blog site! This is where I will post your homework assignments every day. Please check regularly!

Freshmen: 
- Read Course Expectations
- Write quotation analysis

Creative Writing:
- Read Course Expectations