Rekkas.Gifted.LA - Assignments

Legacy - Blocks 3 and 4

Mystery

Our last pull-out unit of the year begins 5/16. Please report to Ms. Rekkas's room for class.

Week of 5/27/08

5/30: Reading contract due Monday 6/2; Continue screenplay development outside of class (due ~Thursday 6/5)

5/29: Continue screenplay development outside of class (due ~Thursday 6/5)

5/27: Complete exit slip for class on Thursday 5/29; be prepared to perform debate/monologues on Thursday 5/29; continue independent reading for contract due Monday 6/2

Week of 5/19/08

5/22-5/23: Continue independent reading for contract (due 6/2)

5/21: Finish reading "Vengeance is Ours" if you did not finish during class today; continue working on independent reading for contract (due Monday 6/2)

5/20: Continue working on independent reading for contract (due Monday 6/2)

5/19: Continue working on independent reading for contract (due Monday 6/2)

Week of 5/12/08

5/16: If you did not complete individual response questions from today's activity on Martin Luther King and nonviolence, please turn them in on Monday 5/19 (Block 3) or Tuesday 5/20 (Block 4)

Week of 5/5/08

5/9: Mega Review Test 1-5 on Tuesday 5/13 (Block 3); Mega Word Cell 1-9 Test on Wednesday 5/15 (Block 4). Final drafts of G/E POV supplement with completed self-assessment attached due Tuesday 5/13 (Block 3) or Wednesday 5/14 (Block 4).

5/7: Next literature circle chunk is due Thursday 5/8. Final drafts of G/E POV supplement extended due date is Tuesday 5/13 (Block 3) or Wednesday 5/14 (Block 4). The rationale for extension is that students will give their projects the polish they need to communicate point of view effectively.

5/5 and 5/6: Final draft of mystery story (and self-assessment on rubric & all drafts/organizer attached) due Tuesday 5/6 (Block 3) or Tuesday 5/7 (Block 4). Next literature circle chunk is due Thursday 5/8. Drafts of G/E POV supplement due Wednesday 5/7. Its final draft is due Friday 5/9.

Week of 4/28/08

5/2: Final draft of mystery story (and self-assessment on rubric & all drafts/organizer attached) due Monday 5/5 or Tuesday 5/6. Next literature circle chunk is due Monday 5/5 or Tuesday 5/6.

4/28: Next literature circle chunk is due Thursday 5/1. Word Cell 9 quiz or Word List #5 quiz on Friday 5/2. Students received POV packets today to assist in their G/E supplement, due Friday 5/9. Draft of mystery story due Friday 5/2. Reminder that List #1-5/Word Cell 1-9 test is around the corner!

Week of 4/14/08

4/23: Next literature circle chunk is due Monday 4/28 or Tuesday 4/29 depending on block. Word Cell 9 quiz or Word List #5 quiz on Friday 5/2.

4/22: Continue working on G/E supplement. Next literature circle chunk is due Thursday 4/24.

4/18: G/E Supplement Writing Proposal deadline is due Monday 4/21.

Look at Legacy News for next literature circle chunk due date.

4/16: Individualized grammar homework due Friday 4/18. G/E Supplement Writing Proposal deadline is changed to Monday 4/21.

4/16: Individualized grammar homework due Friday 4/18. Reminder that G/E Supplement Writing Proposal is due Friday 4/18.

4/14: Next chunk/literature circle discussion due on Thursday 4/17. Reminder that G/E Supplement Writing Proposal is due Friday 4/18.

Week of 4/7/08

4/9: Create notecards/complete unit work for Word Cell 8 or Word within the Word 4; quiz on Wednesday 4/16

4/7-4/8: Read next chunk of literature circle book for discussion Thursday 4/9. Begin brainstorming for mystery supplementary writing assignment; proposal due Friday, April 18

Week of 3/31/08

3/31: Blocks 3 & 4: Read first chunk of literature circle book; complete literature circle bookmark; write best question on entry slip; grammar take-home quiz all due Monday 4/7 or Tuesday 4/8

Week of 3/17/08

3/19: UPDATE: Final drafts of Hero's Journey project will be accepted until Monday 3/31 (Block 3) or Tuesday 4/1 (Block 4)! 5 points extra credit with an illustration to accompany your story. Grammar quiz on infinitives, appositives, direct objects, subject complements, simple/compound sentences tentatively scheduled for Friday 4/4

Block 3 only: List #3 quiz on Thursday 3/20.

3/18: UPDATE: Final drafts of Hero's Journey project will be accepted until Monday 3/31!

3/17: Continue working on writing drafts; revise using peer feedback. Final draft due Thursday 3/20!

Week of 3/10/08

3/11, 3/12, 3/13: Continue working on writing drafts; hard copies of works-in-process for peer review are due Monday 3/17. Block 3 only: Study for Friday 3/14's word stem quiz. Block 4 only: Word Cell Unit 7 notecards, unit work, and supplement due Friday 3/14; Word Cell Unit 7 Test on Tuesday 3/18; read and annotate Joseph Epstein op-ed for Wednesday 3/12

3/10: List #2 notecards due Wednesday 3/12; List #2 quiz on Friday 3/14; (Block 3): Read and annotate Joseph Epstein op-ed for Wednesday 3/12. Annotations will be checked in.

Week of 2/25/08

2/27: Blocks 3 and 4: Read excerpt from "Ambiguity and Violence in the Odyssey" at least twice in preparation for Friday's Socratic discussion; review 4-line for grammar quiz (due Friday 2/29)

Block 4: Before reading above excerpt, please complete a journal entry on a sheet of paper that addresses the following questions--What is your reaction to the violence depicted in the Odyssey? Is the violence justified? Is the violence okay? (due Friday 2/29)

2/25-2/26: Blocks 3 and 4: Continue independent reading.(Trimester 3 Reading Contracts Distributed--1400 page goal. (due ~Monday 5/29)

Brainstorm for Hero's Journey project; you will bring in a working draft to class beginning Monday/Tuesday March 3-4.

Reading Logs and Analytical Writing #1 & #2 (if not pursuing creative option) due 2/19

If pursuing creative option to replace Analytical Writing #2, the proposal is due Monday 2/11 and the creative option is due Tuesday 2/19

Week of 2/19/08

2/22: Choose an independent reading book (or continue current book) and read 30 minutes a day over the weekend

2/19: Analytical writing and reading contracts were due today.

Week of 2/11/08

2/11, 2/12, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15: Continue work on analytical writing drafts. Send drafts to me by Monday 2/18 @ 10AM for suggestions on revisions before due date

Week of 2/4/08

2/7: Sentence of grammar to teach to class due Monday 2/11. Block 4: Word Cell (3)-6 Test on Monday 2/11! Also note above deadlines for reading logs.

2/5: Word stem List #2 notecards due Thursday 2/7

2/4: Complete Trojan War guided notes (Block 3: due Tuesday 2/5; Block 4: due Wednesday 2/6). Block 4: Analytical writing due Wednesday 2/6; Athena make-up work due Friday 2/8

Week of 1/28/08

1/31--Block 3: St. Lucy's claim-evidence-warrant paragraph, Notecards for List #1, Rewrites of ISAT extended response #1, and a copy of your current fiction draft are all due Monday 2/4

1/30--Blocks 3 and 4: Work on analytical writing--the draft is due 2/4 or 2/5 depending on block; read 2 "Orpheus and Eurydice" poems from back of class packet (due Friday 2/1)

1/29--Block 4 only: 1) Word Cell Unit 6 Quiz/cards/book work due Wednesday 1/30; 2) Read mythology packet--reading quiz Wednesday 1/30

1/28: 1) Title your paper "Considerations on Creating a Character." List everything a writer of fiction has to do, think about, and remember when inventing a main character. 2) Work on main character questionnaire and fiction draft--final draft is extra credit 3) Read mythology packet; reading quiz Wednesday 4) Continue word stem vocabulary cards 5) Performance (due Wednesday 1/30)

Week of 1/22/08

1/25: Word stem notecards due Wed 1/30; Read "Apollo and Daphne"; classic Words HW and Analogies extra credit due Monday 1/28 (Block 3); Read "Apollo and Daphne" and Word Cell Unit 6 notecards/ assignments due Tuesday 1/29; Word Cell Unit 6 Quiz Wednesday 1/30

1/22: Bring props/costumes to class Friday 1/25; "Demeter/ Persephone" performance scheduled on Monday 1/29; independent reading log's analytical writing assignment due Friday 2/1 (Blocks 3 and 4)

Week of 1/14/08

1/18: Individually develop "Demeter/ Persephone" myth script. Bring all props/costumes necessary to act your script. Bring completed script to group script workshop on Tuesday 1/22

1/16 and 1/17: 1) Study gods/goddesses for quiz (Block 4) 2) Write 1 paragraph response using evidence from poem, "How did fire affect humans in "The Fire Fetched Down"? (Block 3) (due Friday 1/18)

1/14: 1) Read "Game" and determine its poetic form. Write a paragraph describing the process of how you arrived at your answer. 2) Complete character cards for your 2 Greek gods/goddesses (Must have: name/Greek and Roman; Symbols; Job Description; Key Features). Be prepared to present your information to the group on Wednesday. 3) QUIZ on the Greek creation myth 4) Invocation to your muse for extra credit (5 pts.) (Block 3: due Wed 1/16; Block 4: due Thu 1/17)

Genesis - Blocks 2 and 3

Civil War Literature Circles/Writing Workshop: Persuasive

Maya Civilization Enrichment for extra credit will be accepted until Friday 5/30.

Week of 5/27/08

5/29-5/30: Final six pages checkpoint (includes two highly-developed components of memoir and two components of short story) due Friday 5/30 or Monday 6/2 depending on block. Continue independent reading for contract, due Monday 6/2. Remember to return your library books by Friday 5/30, or no yearbook will be distributed to you!

5/28: Final six pages checkpoint (includes two highly-developed components of memoir and two components of short story) due Friday 5/30 or Monday 6/2 depending on block. Continue independent reading for contract, due Monday 6/2.

Persuasive final draft rewrites are accepted until Thursday 5/22.

Week of 5/19/08

5/22:Word Stem List #10 quiz (our last one!) on Wednesday 5/28. Final six pages checkpoint (includes two components of memoir and two components of short story) due Friday 5/30 or Monday 6/2 depending on block.

5/20-5/21: Continue drafting six pages checkpoint for Thursday 5/22. Ensure you have two components from the checklist to share with Ms. Rekkas (this checklist was given during today's writing workshop lesson).

5/19: Complete Ancient Maya packet for Tuesday 5/20 (Block 3) or Wednesday 5/21 (Block 2). Continue drafting six pages checkpoint for Thursday 5/22.

Week of 5/12/08

5/16: Complete six pages draft checkpoint by Thursday 5/22. Word Stem List #10 quiz TBA due to push-in scheduling.

5/15: Word Stem List #9 quiz on Friday 5/16. For writing workshop, six draft pages checkpoint due Friday 5/16.

5/14: Literature Circle Discussion #11 is due Thursday 5/15. Word Stem List #9 quiz on Friday 5/16. For writing workshop, six draft pages checkpoint due Friday 5/16.

5/12-5/13: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #10 is due Wednesday 5/14. Word Stem List #9 quiz on Friday 5/16. For writing workshop, six draft pages checkpoint due Friday 5/16.

Week of 5/5/08

5/9: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #9 is due Monday 5/12 (Block 3) or Tuesday 5/13 (Block 2). Incidents from the Life of a Slave Girl RAFT due Monday 5/12 (Block 3) or Tuesday 5/13. Word Stem List #9 quiz on Friday 5/16. For writing workshop, six draft pages checkpoint due Friday 5/16.

5/8: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #8 is due Friday, May 9. Word Stem List #8 quiz on Friday, May 9. Incidents from the Life of a Slave Girl RAFT due Monday, May 12.

5/5: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #7 is due Wednesday, May 7 (Block 2) or Tuesday, May 6 (Block 3). Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #8 is due Friday, May 9. Incidents from the Life of a Slave Girl RAFT due Friday, May 9. Word Stem List #8 quiz on Friday, May 9.

Week of 4/28/08

5/1 and 5/2: Incidents from the Life of a Slave Girl RAFT due Friday, May 9. Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #7 is due Wednesday, May 7 (Block 2) or Tuesday, May 6 (Block 3).

4/28: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #7 will be postponed to the week of 5/5. No word stem test this week.

Week of 4/21/08

4/25: Persuasive Essays are due Monday 4/28. Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #7 due Friday 5/2. No word stem test next week.

4/22 and 4/23: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #6 due Friday 4/25 (complete tonight for no homework on Thursday). Word List #7 notecards and test on Thursday 4/24. Continue working on persuasive writing draft for Monday's deadline.

4/21: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #5 due Tuesday 4/22. Word List #7 notecards and test on Thursday 4/24.

Week of 4/14/08

4/18: Bring all writing workshop materials--Lifebook and drafts--to class workshop on Monday 4/21. Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #5 due Tuesday 4/22. Word List #7 notecards and test on Thursday 4/24.

4/17: Ms. Rekkas's Log #1 is due on Friday 4/18. Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #4 due Friday 4/18. Word List #6 notecards and test on Friday 4/18.

4/14: Literature Circle Discussion and Bookmark #3 due Tuesday 4/15 (Block 2) or Wednesday 4/16 (Block 3). Word List #6 notecards and test on Friday 4/18. Reminder that Ms. Rekkas's Log #1 is due on Friday 4/18. Upcoming persuasive essay deadline is Friday 4/25.

Week of 4/7/08

4/10: Study for WWW List #5 quiz (and bring your notecards) Friday 4/11. Keep working on draft of persuasive essay to share for peer review on Monday4/14.

4/8 - 4/9: Create notecards for List #5 word stems; notecards and quiz due Friday 4/11. Literature Circle Bookmark and Session #2 due Wednesday 4/9.

4/7: Literature Circle Bookmark for Session #1 and first section of Letters from a Slave Girl reading due Tuesday 4/8 or Wednesday 4/9. Continue working on Log #1 from Ms. Rekkas (we will also have class time for this during the week) and your persuasive essay, which is due Monday, April 11.

Week of 3/31/08

Students will work on their three-week literature circle unit in Ms. Rekkas's classroom beginning Monday 4/7.

4/4: Work on persuasive essay draft over the weekend--students should minimally have most of their first draft completed; the final draft is due Friday 4/18. Those students whom have not yet presented their Ancient Egypt projects must be prepared to present on Monday 4/7

Week of 3/17/08

Ancient Civilizations Product and Presentation due Monday 3/31 (Block 2) or Tuesday 4/1 (Block 3)!

3/18: Bring Persuasive Essay Preparation Sheet to class Wednesday 3/19; Block 3: those whom have conferenced with Ms. Rekkas make revisions to their writing by Wednesday. List #4 Notecards due Thursday 3/20; Test for List #4 on Monday 3/31.

3/17: Block 2: Bring Persuasive Essay Preparation Sheet to class Tuesday 3/18; those whom have conferenced with Ms. Rekkas make revisions to their writing by Tuesday. List #4 Notecards due Thursday 3/20; Test for List #4 on Monday 3/31.

Week of 3/10/08

3/13: Study for Monday 3/17's word stem quiz. Continue independent study research. Complete Persuasive Essay preparation sheet for Monday 3/17. Independent Study Plans are due Friday 3/14. Independent Study projects and presentations are due by Monday 3/31.

3/12: Independent Study Plans are due Friday 3/14.

3/11: Read Newsweek article and complete Section 5 Egypt questions for Wednesday 3/12; continue independent study research and double-entry notetaking

3/10: List #3 notecards due Wednesday 3/12; List #3 quiz (cumulative) on Monday 3/17. *Bring your lifebook/writing folder and flash drive to class on Tuesday 3/11!

Week of 3/3/08 - Our next pull-out begins 3/10/08.

3/5: Study for cumulative Word within the Word quiz on Monday 3/10. Don't forget to bring your notecards!

3/3: Cumulative Word within the Word Quiz (study Lists #1 and #2 on Monday 3/10; List #2 Notecards due Wednesday 3/5

Week of 2/25/08

2/29: Ms. Rekkas's Persuasive Language paragraph rewrite due Monday 3/3

2/27: Repost of today's homework:

Visit the Griffith Institute:
http://www.ashmolean.museum/gri/9sn.html

and browse the readings. Write a paragraph about what you thought was the most interesting thing you learned from the web site pages, and what you would like to research further about that particular topic. (Blocks 2 & 3: due Friday 2/29)

2/26: Word within the Word Quiz (Block 2: Wednesday, 2/27; Block 3: Thursday, 2/28); remaining Egypt questions (Block 2: due Wednesday 2/27; Block 3: due Thursday 2/28))

2/25: Word within the Word questions (one from each category) Blocks 2 & 3: due Tuesday 2/26 (notecards and questions will be checked in)

Blocks 2 & 3: In your lifebook, brainstorm 5 things that you would change at Springman Middle School. Blocks 2 & 3: due Tuesday 2/26

Block 2: Egypt questions #1-5 due Tuesday 2/26

Block 3: Egypt questions #1-2 due Tuesday 2/26

Genesis students will receive their Ancient Egypt supplement to class material during their block tomorrow.

Science Fiction Literature Circles/Writing Workshop

Week of 2/19/08

2/22: Word within the Word Notecards Homework: On one side of 1/2 notecards, write the word stem; on the other side, write the stem's meaning. Study and begin memorizing the stems. (Block 2: notecards due Monday; Block 3: notecards due Tuesday)

2/20: For next class session, complete Literature Circle Bookmark #11--and any late work from the trimester is due by Thursday 2/21!

2/19: Analytical writing and reading contracts were due today. For tomorrow, complete Literature Circle Bookmark #10/reading and the multiple choice ISAT prep test (due Wednesday 2/20)

Week of 2/11/08

2/15: Continue reading literature circle book for next class discussion; complete multiple choice questions and graphic organizer for ISAT extended reader response (due Tuesday 2/19)

2/14: Continue reading literature circle book for next class discussion

2/13: Continue reading literature circle book for next class discussion

2/12: Continue reading literature circle book for next class discussion (Block 2: due Thursday 2/14; Block 3: due Wednesday 2/13) (Progress Reports were sent home today)

2/11: Continue reading literature circle book for next class discussion (Block 2 and 3: due Tuesday 2/12)

Week of 2/4/08

2/6: Continue reading literature circle book for next class discussion (due Thursday 2/7)

2/4: Continue reading literature circle book for next class discussion (Block 2: due Tuesday 2/5; Block 3: due Wednesday 2/6)

Week of 1/28/08

1/31: Begin reading your literature circle book for tomorrow's first circle meeting; Draft of Analytical Writing #1 for independent reading logs is due Friday 2/8

1/28: Please complete the science fiction literature circle preference sheet. Check all of the books you have previously read. I recommendWar of the Worlds, Ender's Game, and The Giver to G/E LA students. (due Tuesday 1/29/Wednesday 1/30, depending on block)

Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia

Week of 1/14/08

1/14: Read the "Origins" section from "Excerpted from Gilgamesh" and annotate in the margins (make connections and ask questions) (due Tuesday 1/14)

Week of 1/7/08

1/7: Students received their reading enrichment project packets today. We are cross-referencing our reading with the unit on Mesopotamia in Mr. Strilich's class and developing reading strategies related to schema (making connections) and questioning. We will be discussing the article and the experience of uncovering meaning of a challenging nonfiction text as a small group on Friday (due 1/11)

Week of 12/17/07

12/20: Fiction extra credit assignment (Blocks 2 and 3--due 1/7

12/18: Poetry exercise (writing "biography" secret) (Blocks 2 and 3--due 12/20)

12/17: Create a list of strategies from Lee Gutkind's article that creative nonfiction writers use. Explain why you want to use a particular strategy in your personal essay revision (Block 3--due 12/18; Block 2--due 12/19)

Week of 12/10/07

I distributed "missing work" progress reports to Block 2 students today. Late work can be turned in for feedback but no grade, and the zero will be removed from my grade book. (See Course Expectations for more information on my class policies.) Thank you for your support.

12/12: 1) Complete "Homework" response questions, begun during class; 2) First draft of analytical writing on an independent reading book, the independent reading contract project for this trimester. This is turned in for a 10-point homework grade, in order for students to receive feedback on their drafts and pace their own writing in a timely manner. They will receive feedback from me, and will turn in their revision for an actual grade . The guidelines for the writing assignment can be found on the back of the independent reading contract. (due Monday 12/17)

Week of 12/3/07

12/7: Personal narrative and personal essay drafts begun today in class are due Monday 12/10.

12/6: Revise both drafts if incomplete; write a brief "index" summary of each draft as copy of hyperlink for publishing on web site (due Friday 12/7)

12/4-12/5: Students should bring working drafts of "The Squonk" imitation and "Appetite" imitation to class for writing workshop. A working draft = a first draft. Drafts must be hard copy = paper, not electronic. Students should complete as much of the narrative as possible for tomorrow's class. We will share selections from our drafts in writing workshop. Please click on "Course Documents" at the top of this page to download what you have worked on during class time. (due Thursday 12/6)

12/3: Students received independent reading contracts and analytical writing descriptions. These writing assignments can be submitted before the end of the trimester for feedback at a suggested pace of one per month.

Week of 11/26/07

11/28: Complete reading of book by Thursday 11/29

11/27: Complete reading of book by Thursday 11/29

11/26: Complete reading of book by Thursday 11/29

Week of 11/19/07

11/19: Block 3: Read Ch. 15-16 (due Tuesday 11/20); Block 2: Read Ch. 15-17 (due Wednesday 11/21)

Explorers - Blocks 1 and 3

Memoir

Week of 5/27/08

5/29: Continue working on memoir draft in writer's notebook; bring draft and 4 completed leads to class on Monday 6/2. Continue independent reading for contract (due Tuesday 6/3)

5/27: Continue working on writing draft in writer's notebook; bring notebook and draft to class on Thursday 5/29

Week of 5/19/08

5/21-5/23: Continue independent reading for contract

5/20: Continue studying for cumulative word stem quiz on Thursday 5/22 or Friday 5/23 depending on block.

5/19: Continue studying for cumulative word stem quiz on Thursday 5/22 or Friday 5/23 depending on block.

Week of 5/12/08

5/16: Congratulations to those whom have completed book talks! We have one more day devoted to completing book talks. Our cumulative word stem quiz (#1-11--and worth 100 points!) is scheduled for Thursday 5/22 or Friday 5/23 depending on block.

5/12: Continue working on book talks. Reminder of this week's word stem test (#11) on Thursday 5/15 (Block 1) or Friday 5/16 (Block 2).

Week of 5/5/08

5/8: Great job on those group presentations! Continue working on your book talks, which will begin on Monday 5/12.

5/5: Students are developing their group presentation on the memoir they have been assigned. They will present Tuesday 5/6 (Block 1) or Wednesday 5/7 (Block 2).

Book Talks will be given the week of 5/12.

Week of 4/28/08

5/1: Finish reading and annotating your group's story by Monday 5/5. You should have all stories read (no annotating necessary) by Wednesday 5/7.

4/28: Be prepared to discuss annotations of James Howe story tomorrow, 4/29. Word Stem Quiz #9 on Thursday 5/1. Book Talks will be given the week of 5/12.

Week of 4/14/08

4/14: Word Stem Quiz #7 on Thursday 4/17 (Block 1) or Monday 4/21

Week of 4/7/08

4/8: All online discussion postings must be completed by Friday 4/18

4/7: Block 1 Journal #4 entries due Tuesday 4/8; complete this week's online discussion posting, due Friday 4/11; Journal #5 due Thursday 4/10; Word stem quiz on Thursday 4/10

Week of 3/31/08

4/4: Blocks 1 & 2: create notecards for new WWW word stem list; post response to new online question on Moodle by Friday 4/11; Block 1's Journal #4 entries are due Monday 4/7

4/3: Word within the Word Quiz this Friday 4/4; notecards/notecard system will be checked in

4/2: Block 2's Journal #4 entries are due Friday 4/4

Week of 3/17/08

3/18: Journal #3 due Wednesday 3/19. Students have received their current posting count, and can make up missed entries online.

3/17: Week #3 of discussion postings due Monday 3/31. Journal #3 due Wednesday 3/19 (you will have additional class time on Tuesday to work on this.) List #5 notecards due Wednesday 3/19. List #5 Test tentatively scheduled for Thursday 4/2 or Friday 4/3.

Week of 3/10/08

3/10: List #4 notecards due Wednesday 3/12 (Block 1) or Thursday 3/13 (Block 2). List #4 quiz (cumulative) on Monday 3/17. Week #2 of discussion thread postings due Monday 3/17.

You must post on our discussion board on Moodle!

Students received instructions on how to log in and post on Wednesday 3/5.

Week of 3/3/08

3/5: Students in Block 1 received our online class discussion board's User Guide today; Block 2 students will receive this tomorrow. (It's also available here.) Students must have 2 online postings completed by Monday 3/10 at 8:20AM!

3/3: Journal Entry #2 (due Wednesday 3/5); List #3 notecards (due Wednesday 3/5 or Thursday 3/6 depending on block); Word within the Word Test #3 (tests are cumulative) on Monday 3/10

Week of 2/25/08

2/26: Read and annotate "Bear" parable for Wednesday 2/27's Socratic Discussion; Word within the Word stem quiz, Block 1: Wednesday 2/27; Block 3: Thursday 2/28

2/25: Complete identity chart (nouns and adjectives describing who you are, arranged in a conceptual map) Blocks 1 & 3: due Tuesday 2/26

Word within the Word notecards & questions

Block 1 due Wednesday 2/26; Block 2 due Thursday 2/28

Word within the Word will be individually differentiated for students following an assessment this week.

Explorers students will soon be extending their whole class discussions through an online forum, Moodle.

Week of 2/19/08

2/22: Journal Entry #1--typed, double-spaced,, including heading and title "Journal Entry #1" (due Monday 2/25)

2/20: For next class session, continue independent reading for Trimester 2 contract; basic background on Socratic Circle/ISAT article for Mrs. Franks

2/19: Continue independent reading for Trimester 2 contract

Week of 2/11/08

2/12 & 2/13: Continue work on fiction draft; complete fiction self-assessment

2/11: Continue work on fiction draft

Week of 2/4/08

2/5: Word stem List #2 notecards due Friday 2/8

2/4--Block 3: Continue working on fiction draft (Final fiction draft due Friday 2/15)

Week of 1/28/08

1/30--Block 3 Only: 1) Continue developing fiction draft; 2) After reading packet, complete an ISAT-style extended reader response for the following question: What is the most important change the narrator experiences during the course of "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves"? (due Friday 2/1). Optional ISAT extended reader response #1 rewrite is due Monday 2/4.

1/29--Block 1 Only: 1) Bring draft/ideas in progress to class Thursday 1/31; 2) ISAT extended response #2 due Thursday 1/31; 3) Word stem List #1 notecards, Classic Words HW and Analogies extra credit due Monday 2/4; 4) "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" claim-evidence-warrant paragraph due Monday 2/4

1/28: 1) Title your paper "Considerations on Creating a Character." List everything a writer of fiction has to do, think about, and remember when inventing a main character. 2) Work on main character questionnaire and fiction draft 3) Note independent reading contract/book review deadlines (due 1/29 or 1/30, depending on block)

Week of 1/22/08

1/25: Word stem notecards due Wednesday 1/30; Classic Words HW and Analogies extra credit due Monday 1/28 (Block 3)

1/22: Reminder: Final independent study presentations Tuesday 1/23--no exceptions (Block 1)

Week of 1/14/08

1/17 and 1/18: Choose one piece from our pairs reading/discussion (from Woolf or Eliot). Write a well-developed paragraph, using claim-evidence-warrant, to address "What mood has the author created in the piece?" (Blocks 1 and 3: due Tuesday 1/22)

1/15 and 1/16: 1) Read and annotate Alan Lightman excerpt 2) Locate and print an article concerned with the subject of time (Block 1: due Thursday 1/17; Block 3: due Friday 1/18)

1/14: 1) Reread Marcel Proust excerpt and write paragraph on the author's understanding of memory. Your paragraph should follow claim, evidence, warrant argumentative structure. 2) 20-line poem on earlier sense memory scene set in family kitchen (Block 1: due Tue 1/15; Block 3: due Wed 1/16)

Week of 1/7/08

1/10: Independent Study (FAQs and product) and Book Review #1 are due Monday 1/14!

1/9: Bring independent study materials (flash drives, resources, etc.) to class on Thursday 1/10!

1/7: Students received model FAQs page today; continue working on book review and independent study

Week of 12/17/0712/21: Download independent study rubrics and checklists from Course Documents

12/18: Continue research for independent study; think about product parts/attributes for rubric

12/17: Continue research for independent study

Week of 12/10/07

I distributed "missing work" progress reports to students today. The progress reports do not include their Character Portfolio Assignment. Late work can be turned in for feedback but no grade, and the zero will be removed from my grade book. (See Course Expectations for more information on my class policies.) Thank you for your support.

12/12: 1) Complete "In Defense of Curiosity" response questions, begun in class today. 2) Continue research on question of independent study. I can be reached via email for conferences before next week. (due Monday 12/17)

Week of 12/3/07

12/6: Independent study packets for Steps 1 and 2 of the study were distributed today. Students need to filter their topic through the questions in Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, or Group 4. The intent is to think about and develop a particularized domain for research and study. Students also need to locate a preliminary source for background information on the topic (use the Independent Study Plan sheet for research ideas) and bring it to school on Monday, as it will be required for an in-class assignment. (due Monday 12/10)

12/3: A brief paragraph on your independent study topic and why this is a topic of interest for you (due Tuesday 12/4)

Week of 11/26/07

11/28: Continue working on Character Porfolio assignment and presentation [students received performance rubric today; they have portfolio rubric] (due Monday 12/3)

11/27: Continue working on Character Porfolio assignment (due Monday 12/3)

11/26: Continue working on Character Porfolio assignment (due Monday 12/3)

Week of 11/19/07

11/19: Begin working on Character Porfolio assignment (due Monday 12/3)