English 10: Characterization

Internal vs external characterization
Direct vs indirect characterizations
We filled out a character form. You WILL need to make this up if you missed it!

H English Monday

First, we discussed your draft of Thought Exercise #1 on your book. YOU NEED TO REVISE THIS! MLA style guide
Then, we did a portfolio check. See this link: Portfolio Check
Next time, we will have a poster quiz on Binary Opposition. :)

So, what did I miss?

If you are missing an assignment, this post is for you. Here's a list of links for you to explore:
Directions for "Letter to Me"
Story "There Will Come Soft Rains"
Study Guide for "There Will Come Soft Rains"
Character Map (internal/external; direct/indirect)

Write About Your Book

Put your name on this paper.
Put your class period on the paper.
You will write about the book you chose for your book report.

Paragraph 1: Write about the book you chose and it's title and author. 

• Sample: Clockwork by Elle Strauss is set in the modern world and is about a girl who randomly travels in time.
• What kind of a book is it? GENRE
• Who wrote your book? Male/female, age, where are they from?
• When was it written? Why does that matter?

Paragraph 2: Write about WHY you chose your book.  Sample: I chose to read Clockwork because it was free on my Kindle. It was short, and that is often what I want right before I go to bed.

• What will happen to the characters?
• Where is it set or does that matter? SAMPLE:  I know my book is science fiction/fantasy because my character travels randomly in time. That means I expect to learn about 1860 and what happens when the character goes there. I also know that the Civil War starts and impacts the book.
• What other book do you think this one is like? What might the rules be for this KIND of book?SAMPLE: I know my book is science fiction because they explain how she travels in time, but it's really fantasy because time travel is impossible. This means it's following fantasy rules, which means there is a hero on a quest, and she must save the world (or at least her boyfriend). It's also a bit of a romance, so I know by the end, the RIGHT boy and girl will end up together. There MUST be a HEA in a romance.
• Paragraph 3: What is your plan?
• How long will it take to read your book?
• How many pages will you have to read per night?
• When is the book report?

This Week...

"Regular" sophomore English will

• Finish "There Will Come Soft Rains" as an assignment, grade it, and turn it in.
• Write about their outside reading book in class.
• Read "Grover Dill & the Tasmanian Devil"
• and review these grammatical concepts: 

1. Independent Clause (IC)
2. Dependent Clause (DC) -- fragments, run-ons
3. Semi-colons
4. FANBOYS
5. Compound sentences

Honors English 10 will

• Discover the Schaffer Model (chunking)
• Explore binary opposition & chiaroscuro
• Review the same grammatical constructs as above
• Portfolio check

Flex this week:

• Oreos & independent clauses (FANBOYS)
• Post-apocalyptic literature discussion

"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury can be downloaded here (audio).
We did an assignment.
Then we watched a video. :)

Quick Write: Honors

Today, we read Tom Wayman's "Did I Miss Anything"--

• What was your initial impression of the poem?
• Do you agree or disagree with what the author said?
• How do YOU feel as a student (NOT the teacher) about what happens in classes (either when you ARE there or when you are NOT there).

We talked about 

Bias

Death of the Author

and inference.

      We reviewed "IC" and "DC"--independent and dependent clauses and combined a few of them.

      We also discussed why NOT to use "you" in writing (or any of the BE verbs).

What did we do today (A) 8/29? (B) 8/30?

1. I called roll & reviewed what I had from students (and what I didn't have). Your grades should be *mostly* correct. CHECK SKYWARD!!
2. IC vs DC (independent clauses & dependent clauses). You should have stuck this in your binder (grammar).
3. Homework reminder: You need a BOOK. It is due NEXT TIME when you come to class. BRING IT WITH YOU!!!
4. AUP: Yes. You NEED it.
5. Inference & bias discussion.
6. Snowman activity
7. Inference & bias with "Jar of Hearts" 

"Regular" English 10

On Monday and Tuesday, we

1. First had a quiz on critical vs casual reading. It was worth 7 points. The purpose was to review the lesson from last time, discuss reading technique/strategy, and reinforce the difference between casually reading (without purpose) and critically reading using good strategy.

2. Then, we reported on whether or not you BROUGHT YOUR BINDER with you to class.

3. When you had your binder, I gave a book chat about books you *might* choose for your reports. 

4. You MUST have your book chosen by

A day: August 31 (This Friday)

B day: September 4th (next Tuesday)
You will have a book report on October 9th (A) 10th (B)

5. Finally, we addressed envelopes and put your "letters to me" inside them.