Read Around

First read...
You are going to read someone else's story/journal write. At the end, make a comment. Write about what you are thinking. Positive comment could add (details, questions, or comments)? Or things you liked? Or questions you have about the event?


Second read...
You are going to read someone else's paper. What do you wish you knew? What do you wish they had included? What do you wish they would add? Be kind in you questions, but ask new questions. What details do you wish they would include?


Last the best of all...
Tell me the best things you saw as you read. What do your classmates do well? What compliments can you give your classmates? What do you see your fellow writers doing? What is one compliment you can give someone?

Honors English Thursday

Today, we read a chapter on Mark Twain from Lives of the Writers and discussed how Samuel Clemen's life affected his writing. Then we watched part of this movie called Mark Twain. (Look them up at Amazon)

Homework: Students should pick a book from the AP reading list. (Look them up at Amazon if you need to). They should have this book by April 8th. Next time in class, we will be reading an excerpt from The Autobiography of Mark Twain.

HOMEWORK: for April 7th

Find a best seller!! It can be ANY best seller ever. Must be fiction. Must be on a 10th grade level. See here.
Spring break starts after school on April 8th... It lasts until school starts April 18th!

Free Write

Today, you are going to write about anything you want. However, I want you to REALLY WRITE.
Choose something that interests you. Write about something important to you. It might be a person, place, or thing, but it should be something you care about. It can be yourself. It can be school. It can be against school. It can be about work. Or against work. :o) Choose something. Anything. Imagine you want points. Imagine you want a LOT of them.


Write 3 good paragraphs. You can write 3 separate topics if you wish.

What book should you choose?

Top mystery writers?
James Patterson
Mary Higgins Clark
Kathy Reich's http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671011367/$%7B0%7D
Tess Gerritsen (Rizzoli & Isles)
Lisa Scottoline

Drama
Jodi Picolt
Nicholas Sparks
Romance writer: Nora Roberts


Horror/Thriller
Stephen King
John Saul
Dean Kootz


SciFi Fantasy
Stephenie Meyer (The Host)
Brandon Sanderson
Ender's Game Orson Scott Card
Ender's Shadow Orson Scott Card

New Book for 4th Term

Choosing a New Book... AP list link (with colors)
You need to have this chosen by April 8th!
We also discussed your tests, your book writes, and your late work... Remember not to procrastinate.

Musical Quiz

• Why are numbers MAGIC??
• You should identify the number in the song
• Then explain why the number matters? Why would the number be significant?
• What could it symbolize?

Regular Sophomore English NEW BOOK

It's that time -- AGAIN! You need to choose a new book, and you have

until April 7th (for A Days) & April 8th (for B Days) to choose. Here's the scoop for 4th quarter...

You need to choose a book that

• Is on a 10th grade to adult reading level
• Has a good, 300+ pages, standard sized (not plus sized) font
• Is published by a reputable, normal publishing house
• Is interesting to you (you MUST be the intended audience for this book)
• Is new to you (you can NOT have read it before; you may NOT have reported on it before)
• You MUST choose a FICTION novel.
• NO short story compilations.

Here's the catch:

Your book must be chosen by industry standard. It needs to be an Industry Standard Bestseller.

The book you choose must be written by an award winning author, and the book must be enormously popular. It needs to have appeared on best selling lists, and it needs to be considered by many people a "hit."

How do you find a book like this?

Look on this list: New York Times bestseller list @Amazon.com

or here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/ref=sv_b_3

What will you turn in?

Your book must be physically present in class for you to receive credit. I also wish to see a print out of the first page from Amazon.com showing the reviews and the reading level of the book. It will also have the publishing/copyright information of the book. You will turn in the Amazon.com page with your book write April 7/8. The book write information will be handed out to you in class next time (Wednesday, March 29th).

Repeating Elements of Literature

Today we talked about how people see patterns in literature, and we talked about "phi" (fee) and we looked at things like this:

We also talked about how certain numbers have more repetition than others based on their association with the body (like hands/toes) like 5 and 10.

Some numbers are magical/mystical and have come from Judeo-Christian traditions because of their Biblical heritage. Days of the week and clocks are like this. We have 7 days of the week, 12 hours in a day.

12 is found in feet, dozens, apostles, and other things like midnight (which is said to be the "witching" hour). It's the time the clock rolls over. Things are "cheaper" by the dozen. 

In review, we talked about these numbers:

2: Couples, opposites (black/white), you have 2 of everything

3: (see below)

4: "perfect," squares, 1,2,3,4

5: you learned to count by these, you have them on both hands, Prime

7: Prime/Biblical/Hebrew

9: Dante's Hell had this

10: You have 10 of these.

12: Apostles, hours, dozens

We'll talk about which numbers are UNlucky and have negative connotations but still regularly show up in literature!

Magically Delicious

Three is a magic number 
Ya it is, it's a magic number 
Somewhere in that ancient mystic trinity 
You'll get three 
As a magic number 
The past, the present, the future, 
Faith, and hope, and charity, 
The heart, the brain, the body, 
Will give you three, 
It's a magic number 

It takes three legs to make a tripod or to make a table stand, 
And it takes three wheels to make a vehicle called a tricycle 
And every triangle has three corners, 
Every triangle has three sides, 
No more, no less, 
You don't have to guess 
That it's three 
Can't you see? 
It's a magic number 

A man and a woman had a little baby 
Yeah they did 
And there were three in the family 
And that's a magic number 

3, 6, 9, 
12, 15, 18, 
21, 24, 27, 
30 

Now multiply backwards from 3x10 
3x10 is 30 
3x9 is 27 
3x8 is 24 
3x7 is 21 
3x6 is 18 
3x5 is 15 
3x4 is 12 
And 3x3 is 9 
And 3x2 is 6 
And 3x1 is 3 of course 
(now dig the pattern once more!) 

3, 6, 9, 
12, 15, 18 
Oh yeah 

3x10 is 30 
3x9 is 27 
3x8 is 24 
3x7 is 21 
3x6 is 18 
3x5 is 15 
3x4 is 12 
And 3x3 is 9 
And 3x2 is 6 
And 3x1 
What is it? 
3 

A man and a woman had a little baby 
There were three in the family 
And that's a magic number

Turn EVERYTHING in...

Check your GRADES.
Turn in EVERYTHING you want credit for. If you are missing credit, you may want to include a grade print out, and EXPRESSLY highlight what you are turning in.

I think I have graded everything and handed everything back!

The last day I am taking ANY work is WEDNESDAY because I can't grade anything more and get it into the computer.

FLEX UPDATE!!

     There is no Flex FRIDAY or WEDNESDAY next week.
That means if you need to make up a book report, you need to come at lunch or after school next week or on Thursday during flex, during lunch, or after school.
     You need to have your grades taken care of, late work all turned in, and everything recorded before Thursday.
     Friday is for errors only!
I want to take care of all of the errors I have made so your grades are perfect before I leave here on Friday ❥because I love you❣

Write a Letter of Appreciation

Take a note and write a letter of appreciation to any teacher, secretary, or principal in the building. I'll deliver them this week! Thanks.

This will go into the computer as "Dream Big."

Book Report Summary Term 3

✐     Now that we are finished, what could you have done to be more successful this term with your book/reading?
✐     What kind of book do you wish you had read this quarter? Are you completely satisfied with the book you chose? Did you have another book you had originally picked or anticipated reading for this term?
✐     What kind of book do you hope I'll assign for term 4?
✐    What is the best BOOK WRITE? What book write prompt do you like writing?
     Give me "sample" book write prompts. You know there will be FIVE of them. Here's your chance for input.
✐     What was the best book report you've ever done? Here's your chance to tell me about it. Remember, book reports... they're going to happen. Asking that they don't is like asking for the sun not to shine, rain not to fall, or whatever.

FLEX Sample Test Questions for Twelfth Night

The test is March 17th for B Day and March 18th for A Day
❦Of the 3 marriages in the play, which do you think will be most successful and why? List each marriage (1 point) and why you think it will be successful (1 point) based on what you know about the characters (3 points) 15 points total for this question.
❦There is much said about fools, wisdom, and being foolish, wise, and being crazy. Who are the fools in this play and why? (worth 5 points) Who is actually foolish and why? (Worth 5 points) You must use specific examples from the play and be detailed. Is anyone in the play actually crazy? Why or why not? Be specific. (5 points). 15 points total.
❦Olivia and Viola have many similarities, but they also have many differences, Compare them completely. Organize a good essay. Create an outline first (worth 5 points). Then write at least 2 good paragraphs. (Worth 10 points).
❦Do you feel sorry for Malvolio, or did he get what was coming to him, why or why not? Have at least 3 good reasons. Worth 15 points.
❦Malvolio acts contrary to his nature. Which other characters act contrary to their nature? Is there a difference between disguise and acting "out of character"? Why or why not? Worth 15 points.
❦Orsino and Viola discuss the difference between how men and women love. Do you believe there's a difference? Has it changed since Shakespeare's time? If so, how? Compare. Give examples, details, quotes if possible. Use at least 2 paragraphs. 3-4 strong details. 15 points.
❦Trace how the Duke changes his opinion and understanding of love. What, if anything, does he learn? If Viola schools him in love, when does it occur, and what/where/when does it suggest the Duke has matured in his ideas of love? Worth 15 points. Give examples, details, quotes if possible. Use at least 2 paragraphs. 3-4 strong details. 15 points.
❦3 characters are in love with Olivia: Malvolio, Orsino, and Sir Andrew. How are their feelings and methods of courtship similar/different? Compare. Give examples, details, quotes if possible. Use at least 2 paragraphs. 3-4 strong details. 15 points.
❦Orsino and Viola discuss the difference between how men and women love. Do you believe there's a difference? Has it changed since Shakespeare's time? If so, how? Compare. Give examples, details, quotes if possible. Use at least 2 paragraphs. 3-4 strong details. 15 points.

Book Reports

When you stand up:
1. What book did you read?
2. Who wrote it?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. Would you choose it again?
5. What would you rank it (Amazon.com scale)
6. What project did you do? Tell us how/why you created it.

Every Day FLEX

What are the 2 predominant images  we see at the beginning of the video? Why?

You could've bowed out gracefully
But you didn't
You knew enough to know
To leave well enough alone
But you wouldn't
I drive myself crazy
Tryin' to stay out of my own way
The messes that I make
But my secrets are so safe
The only one who gets me
Yeah, you get me
It's amazing to me
[CHORUS]
How every day
Every day, every day
You save my life

Who are the "saviors" or the heroes?

I come around all broken down and
Crowded out
And you're comfort
Sometimes the place I go 
Is so deep and dark and desperate
I don't know, I don't know

What is this figurative language called?

[Repeat Chorus]

Sometimes I swear, I don't know if 
I'm comin' or goin'
But you always say something
Without even knowin'
That I'm hangin' on to your words
With all of my might and it's alright
Yeah, I'm alright for one more night-
Every day
Every day, every day, every day
Every day, every day
You save me, you save me, oh, oh, oh
Every day
Every, every, every day-

In this scene, who are the rescuers, the saviors, the heroes?

Every day you save my life 

What is the figurative language/technique used here?

What is the THEME of this song?

Who are the people on the scaffold? Why are there 1, 2 or 3 people on each area?

How do they relate to the people in this room, to you?

The Music of 12th Night

Turn in Book Write #5. Put it in the basket!

You and a partner will take the dark pink study guide and fill out the front side... then flipping it over, choose songs (they don't have to be love songs) to represent the characters. Remember, they need to represent the characters. Why these songs??


With Olivia/Maria's study guide, you are preparing for an essay... How did their characters develop inside and out during the play? What did their actions show you about their characters' personalities? You may want to write small enough to make it all fit.


Be sure you can fill out the character chart. It will probably be on the test.


Your homework is your BOOK REPORT: Due NEXT TIME!!

Flex: Katy Perry's Firework

What is a simile and how does it differ from a metaphor?

The FIREWORK in the song is an extended, implied metaphor. How?

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting throught the wind
Wanting to start again

What is anaphora?

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in

How is the house of cards represented as a metaphor?

Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you
Cause there's a spark in you

Where does the spark come from? Where is the soul?

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

What is assonance?

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

The video shows evidence of very specific bullying. It makes reference to bullying going on today. 

What is Perry addressing?

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

What does "your original" mean?

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Where is the LITERAL shift? 

What is the difference between literal and metaphorical?

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe"

What is onomatopoeia?

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

How is  assonance different?

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on slet your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon