SAT Vocabulary Test

31 May, Tuesday: List 11 (7 words List 11; 3 words List 10) You will turn-in your List 11 Flash-cards as you enter the classroom-make sure you have written your name on the cards.

Romeo and Juliet

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/romeojuliet/

Shakespearean text /Everyday language for ease of understanding.

The Odyssey Evaluation

23 May 2011, Monday: End of book Evaluation: Essay Format

24 May 2011, Tuesday: Sat Vocabulary List 10 Test (5 minutes-7 words List 10 and 3 words from List 9.

SAT Vocabulary Tests

NOTE: Your SAT Vocabulary Tests will NOW be worth 15% of your grade for this marking period NOT the previous 10% of your grade. Many of you are not studying or are waiting until the night/day before to examine the list of words. PARENTS: Ask your child to show you their results for the previous SAT Vocabulary Tests (List 1-9).

Monday, 16 May: SAT Vocabulary Test List 9 (Same format as previous tests-3 words from List 8 and 7 words from List 9)

The Odyssey Reading Assignment

Over the weekend, Read Books 15 and 16 for a ten question quiz on Monday, 2 May. You will have the option to answer any 10 questions (short answer) out of 20 questions (most of the responses will require only a 3 to 5 word response).

SAT Vocabulary Test: List 7 on Monday, 2 May (same format as previous tests). Maximum Time: 5 Minutes

We will discuss Books 15 and 16 on Monday, 2 May and continue discussion on Tuesday, 3 May- if necessary. As a class we will examine Book 17 on Tuesday, 3 May.

You will Read Books 18 and 19 in preparation for Thursday's class on 5 May. You may OR may not have a quiz, but you will have a homework assignment TBA on Monday or Tuesday.

We will continue our discussion of The Odyssey on Thursday and Friday.

The Internet Public Library

http://www.ipl.org/ "I wonder why Diedrich is providing this link? Perhaps, it is related to the mandatory research project?"

Documentation Styles

http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocMLA.html

Snapshot Memoir Assignment

DUE DATE: Upon viewing this slide-show, you will discover when the assignment is due. FYI: The Memoir" is our next unit of study.

http://kdiedrich.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/memoir-rubric1.docx

http://kdiedrich.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/memoir-snapshot-assignment-overview.docx

http://kdiedrich.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/memoirorganizerpdf.pdf

I realize some of you are asking, "What in the world is a "universal truth"? The answer to your question is what I desire for you to discover on your own... After all, this is part of your assgnment. However, we will discuss "universal truths" in class. Perhaps, we have already done so-by reading and discussing The Odyssey...

Writing Assignment Resource

Follow the guidelines in this powerpoint for correctly integrating quotations for your writing assignment for Books 9-12 of The Odyssey. Disregard the reference to the Pocket Style Manual, a resource we do not have at LMGHS.

Writing Assignment

Just a Reminder: Your response for Books 9-12 of The Odyssey is due when you return to class on Thursday, 28 April. Parents Please Take Note: I mentioned to the class that this would be your child's assignment over the break during the week of 4 April. Your child was aware of this assignment and therefore, I will not accept any late assignments. Thursday, 28 April: We will read and discuss Book 13 as a class. For Friday, 29 April: Read Book 14 in preparation for a 5 question quiz. Friday, 29 April: SAT Vocabulary List 6 (7 words from List 6 and 3 words from List 5) Start studying these words immediately-do not wait until Wednesday or Thursday to do so. (You were advised that your next quiz would occur on this day on 11 April.)

SMART GOALS

Recall earlier in the year you completed two copies-one to maintain in your binder and one to turn-in. I am requesting that you "search" for your copy and move-it to the front of your binder. You might be asked for this by the Quality Review Team who will visit classrooms on Thursday, 14 April. I will ask to see your completed sheet on Monday, 11 April. (You should have one for each subject.)

For the week of 11 April

Bring The Odyssey (The Fitzgerald Text) to class everyday this week. Just a Reminder: You are to turn-in the Analyzing Quotations Chart for Book 9 immediately upon entering the classroom on Monday, 11 April. (A one-sentence response will NOT suffice.)

The Odyssey Reading Assignment

You were told that you would have to read Book 10 from the Fitzgerald text for a multiple-choice test on Monday, 11 April. I noticed that when I make announcements about upcoming assignments,only about one-third of the class will jot down what they are expected to do. This concerns me especially when you have your three-ring binders open and/or your student planners on your desk. Parents-Please take note of this.

SAT List 5 Vocabulary Test

Monday, 11 April-No time will be allocated for you to prepare. By now, you know what you have to study.

A Note about Vocabulary Quizzes

Effectively immediately, actually beginning with SAT Vocabulary Words for List 5, I will no longer permit you to review the words for 5 minutes at the beginning of the Band. You will start the quiz when the Band is scheduled to begin. Also, some of you need to re-read my post about how you were required to make-up your flash-cards! Throughout the world, students make-up flash-cards with the ONE vocabulary word on one side of the card and one definition for the vocabulary word on the reverse side of the card. When I check your cards on Monday, 11 April, this is what I expect to see-if you do not comply with my directive-you will receive a "ZERO."

The Odyssey Book Quizzes

Even with the correct responses for students to select (Book 7 and 8), too many students selected responses so obscure that they could not possibly answer the question. An inference that can be made is that students are not reading the text, or perhaps, if they are-not "carefully" enough. Hence, we will approach the reading of Book 9 as a class-using a variety of reading strategies to enhance our understanding of the text.

SAT Vocabulary Test

Monday, 4 April: List 4 (3 words from List 3). Recall what you were told last week: I should not have to remind you about the vocabulary test-every Monday! Study ahead of time-do not wait until the weekend to do so. Be Advised: I will flip through your cards to determine if you actually made-up words for List 4.

The Odyssey RAP Lyrics

http://www.flocabulary.com/odyssey.html

One Look Dictionary

http://www.onelook.com/?w=lament&ls=a If you would like to "hear" the pronunciation of your SAT words, click on this link and enter a word. Not all have the audio icon-start with Merriam-and search for others.

Quiz: Books 7 and 8

Date of test changed to Friday, 1 April. Format will remain the same; however, you will have a "list" of possible answers-please note that some answers are intended to "trick" you or simply do not apply to any of the "TEN" questions.

Make-up Policy

Effectively immediately, if you miss a quiz/test-you will have 48 hours to make-up that quiz/test during 37 1/2 minutes. I am not pleased with those students who missed the SAT List 3 Vocabulary Test on Monday, 28 March and have yet to show-up to take it. Your last day to do so will be Thursday, 31 March. This is unfair to your class mates since you are actually having additional time to study.

Play The Odyssey Game

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/odchoice.htm

Joseph Campbell's Concept of the Monomyth and Epic Hero

KNOW THIS INFORMATION! "Yes, you will be tested on it. More importantly, your English 10 teacher will query you on this."

Mythweb

All the stories of Greek Mythology, including The Odyssey. http://www.mythweb.com/ When you open this page, click on the words below the title, "Gods"-"Heroes"-etc.- Do not forget about the other resource links on this site.

Throughout the Week of 28 March, we will view this power-point (ppt), I suggest that you view and take notes on this ppt on your own since we will not have time in class to wait for everyone to take notes while advancing from slide to slide. If desired, print a copy of this ppt (3 slides/page). On Tuesday (5 April), you will take a "Quiz" on the content of this ppt.

The Odyssey Assignment

Read Books 3 and 4 for a 10 question QUIZ on Monday, 28 March (5 minutes only)

Read Books 7 and 8 for a 10 question QUIZ on Thursday, 31 March (5 minutes only)

If necessary, use the links for the resources I have provided on this blog to assist you with your reading and understanding of this text. Jot down the line numbers of anything that confuses you and/or that you would like to discuss in class.

Homework Assignment

Just a Reminder: Study List 3 Vocabulary Words for a test on Monday, 28 March (7 words from List 3 and 3 words from List 2) "Oh, Yes, I almost forgot..." Beginning with List 3, You must record the words on flash-cards, one word per card/meaning on reverse side. Use 3x5 index cards-you may desire to cut the card in half. Write your initials and/or name on each card. I recommend that you "store" the cards in a shoebox for a resource that you will continually refer to in preparation for the PSAT in October of this year and for the SAT that you will take in your junior year. This is a HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT and will be graded as such.

The Odyssey Study Guide

http://www.leasttern.com/HighSchool/odyssey/OdysseySG.html

The Odyssey

Clicking on this link will take you to Butler's translation-you may desire to read our text translated by Fitzpatrick and this one side-by-side.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/manybooks_pdf/homeretext99dyssy10?AWSAccessKeyId=17359FS6G622SA3TH7R2&Expires=1300459193&Signature=hUrleXjmfPdaPc3dybcF3%2BJk0O4%3D

Butler's Audio Brought To You By LibriVox (follow along as you read):
http://librivox.org/the-odyssey-by-homer/

Check-out the Power-points (videos)

Two power-points have been recently posted in preparation for our reading of The Odyssey. We will view them in class, but since will do not have the time for everyone to take notes in a "timely" fashion, I am suggesting that you view them as soon as possible (prior to Tuesday, 22 March) and take notes while viewing the slides.

Fagles Interview Test

Read the Fagle's Interview posted below for a test on Thursday, 24 March. I suggest that you download and print this resource so that you can annotate information of interest.

List 2 Vocabulary Test

Monday, 21 March: Study words 1-30 for a "Matching" Test. You will be tested on "seven" of the words and on "three" of the words from List 1. Beginning with List 3 words, I am requiring everyone to create flash-cards for each word list as a HOMEWORK assignment. Naturally, I will check to determine if you have completed this task. To prevent the sharing of the flash-cards with a friend in another class, I am directing you to record either your first and/or last name in the upper-right hand corner of EACH card. These cards will become a "valuable" resource as you prepare for the SAT in your junior year.

Immortal Tale

Read this interview of Robert Fagles, who translated The Odyssey, in preparation for a quiz-the date will be announced soon.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/jan-june97/odyssey_3-3.html

Prepare Yourself for the Journey

Side-by-Side with ODYSSEUS. Please note that our text will be considerably more complex than the text provided on this link.
http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/

Your Journey Begins Soon…

Your Journey Will Begin Soon...

SAT Vocabulary Test

List 2 Words (1-30) will be given on Monday, 21 March. Note: 3 words from List 1 will appear on this test (7 words List 2 and 3 words from List 1)

Vocabulary Lists

http://kdiedrich.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/vocabulary-list.pdf

Study Vocabulary for List 1 (ALL 30). On Friday, 11 March, you will be tested on 10 of the words-I will make-up 3 versions of the quiz. For each subsequent week, you will be tested on 7 words from the targeted list and 3 words from the previous week's list. Test Format: Matching (I am considering changing the test to a format that will require you to write-out the definition..I am quite certain that everyone would prefer this format.)

Characterization

Schedule of Week of 28 February 2011

Monday, 28 February: Turn in Reader Response (Reaction) for Raymond's Run. You were informed of this assignment prior to the break. Make sure that you begin your reaction with a quote from the narrator or a character (recall how I informed you about this previously). Also, make sure that you are indeed fulfilling the 1 1/2 page requirement. If you word-process, use 12pt font; if you hand-write it, make sure your writing is legible. There is a difference between "Retelling and Reacting." Unfortunately, several students have been "retelling". This puzzles me since our class discussions have focused on "reacting." Expect a "short" quiz over this story.
Bring your text to class.

Tuesday, 1 March 2011: Periodic Assessment #3 (All English 9 classes will be doing the same throughout this week.)

Thursday, 3 March 2011: Turn-in reader response for The Fever Tree. This story was assigned for you to read over the break. We will discuss your Literary Device Song Project due Tuesday, 8 March (I may change the due date to Thursday, 10 March.) Bring your text to class.

Friday, 4 March 2011: Meaningful Word Part Quiz on remaining prefixes and suffixes. I will select another short story not in your anthology-so there is no need to bring the text to class today.

Do Not Take The Time

to send me an inquiry via email about The Fever Tree. I clearly indicated on Thursday, 17 February that you would HAVE to take the anthology home since I was unable to locate it on line to post a link.

See assignment post below for the Due Date.

Lamb to the Slaughter

"Yes, this is one of my favorite short stories." We will read and discuss it today (Thursday, 17 February) in class. I waited until now to inform you of this because I did not want anyone to read it prior to class. You will have to write a 1 1/2 page reader response-beginning with a "quote' (character or narrator). You should also integrate at least three other quotes in the body of your response. Most of you have been doing well-unfortunately, others are not! This response will be due on Monday, 28 February. BUT THAT IS NOT ALL...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmpY9cpe6g8
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Lamb to the Slaughter

Also, DUE on Monday, 28 February is a reader response for Raymond's Run by Toni Cade Babbara (pages 428-436)
http://www.culturalagents.org/int/images/pdf/texts/Bambara-RaymondsRun.pdf
(Expect a Quiz.)

Read The Fever Tree by Ruth Rendel (pages 122-138) for Thursday, 3 March-Turn-in a 1 1/2 page reader response-you may OR may not have a quiz.

Good News:

DO NOT STUDY FOR A "MEANINGFUL WORD PART QUIZ." We will resume with the quizzes during the week of 1 March. Also, there is no need to bring your short story text to class on Thursday/Friday-I will introduce one of my favorites...

Schedule for Week of 14 February

Monday, 14 February: Turn-in Reader Response for "A Piece of Steak." A reminder-you were told on Friday, 11 February to begin your response with a quote (either from a character or from the narrator). Since you were assigned the reading for The Most Dangerous Game over the weekend, you will take a quiz immediately upon entering the classroom (only five short answer questions-be prepared for "trick" questions).

http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/danger.html

I have provided the link to the story just in case you have not located it yourself. I will provide copies for the Collaborative Group Activity that you will engage in on Monday and Tuesday. Please be advised that you if you are absent on Monday and/or Tuesday, you must complete the activity (question sheet) independently. You may not join a group on Tuesday if absent on Monday-this is only fair-"Why should you receive credit for work others have done?"

For this activity, I have made-up the group assignments.

Thursday, 17 February: Discussion of Literary Device Song Project. In-class reading of one of my favorite short stories (not in your text). You will have to take notes for the reader response that will be due on Friday, 18 February.

A Note About the Literary Device Song Project: Several students have inquired about using a "Cleaned-Up" version of a song. This concerns me and I am sure your parents as well. Recall my "warning": You may not use lyrics containing profanities, vulgarities, anything that could be interpreted as obscene, the denigration of females, etc. If this is detected during your presentation of your project, you will be referred to the Dean's Office, your parents will be contacted, and you will receive a failing grade for the project which will most likely result in a failing grade for the first-marking period. If in doubt, consult with your parents-I am sure they can be of assistance in selecting an appropriate song.
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/B4C3EAD9-AA61-4430-A6C3-D389F6238700/89553/DiscCode2011.pdf

The above link will take you to the NYC DOE Code of Conduct Handbook.

Friday, 18 February: Reading and discussion of The Monkey's Paw.

This slide show will assist you in writing your reader's response. Keep in mind that if I had had shown this in class, I would not have shown and discussed each of the slides. You decide on the specific information you find "interesting" enough to incorporate into your reactions. Remember: You are not writing a "summary" but rather a reader's reaction!

Textbook Policy

Please be advised that you are to bring your Short Story Anthology (Textbook) to class everyday unless directed otherwise. DO NOT ASK TO GO TO YOUR LOCKER TO DO SO! Too many students neglected to bring their text to class on Friday. Effective immediately-if you enter my classroom without the required text-YOU WILL RECEIVE A "0' for being unprepared for class. Furthermore, I have noticed that these very same students did not enter the class with their 3-ring binder ; therefore, I will be checking your loose-leaf binder on Monday, 7 February-you should have all handouts-since September -neatly arranged/organized.

Schedule for Week of 7 February

Monday, 7 February: Quiz on The Lottery/We will then engage in a discussion/reaction to what took place. You will complete the reader response in class-I will try to meet briefly with everyone, providing guidance as needed.
For Tuesday, 8 February-Read Jack London's A Piece of Steak (308-326). Immediately, upon entering the classroom, you will take a quiz.
http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/steak.html
STORY TEXT

http://librivox.org/short-story-collection-vol-041-by-various/
AUDIO

Tuesday, 8 February-Discuss A Piece of Steak (Cooperative Learning Activity)

Thursday, 10 February-Discuss Literary Device Song Project. Begin reading/discussion of The Most Dangerous Game.

Friday, 11 February-Meaningful Word Part Quiz (in to pre)
Continue discussion/activity for The Most Dangerous Game.

Literary Song Project ppt Example

The Lottery

F and G Bands: Complete the reading of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and write a reader response (you know the length). Due Monday, 02/07/11

Reader Response

http://www.kkyco.org/e/litlink/TB/text.htm
The Blanket : Homework: Reader Response (Reaction)-1 1/2 pages. Due: Friday-4 February. Do not forget about the prefix quiz-see earlier post.

Room Change for: F Band

F-Band: Yes, it is "official"- we will now meet in Room 406 effective Tuesday, 1 February. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Schedule for Week of 1 February

Meaningful Word Part Quiz: Friday, 4 February (de-down/away to in-not)

Tuesday 1 February: Complete Poetry Unit (Finish discussion of To My Coy Mistress and conclude with If.

Thursday 3 February: Begin Short Story Unit. You will receive an Anthology of Short Stories-if you have not returned AMND you must do so in order to receive a text. Please note that the stories assigned can be found on line in addition to links I have provided on nicenet.org. Why is Diedrich informing us of this? He does not want to hear that you could not do the assigned reading because you left the text in your locker.

The following short stories are mandated for this unit (Diedrich will certainly add some of his favorites-perhaps the favorites of your parents as well):

The Fever Tree Ruth Rendell
The Blanket Floyd Dell
A Piece of Steak Jack London
The Necklace Guy de Maupassant
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty J. Thurber
The Lady, or the Tiger Frank R. Stockton
The Lottery Shirley Jackson
Raymond's Run Toni Cade Bambara
The Monkey's Paw W.W. Jacobs
The Most Dangerous Game R. Connell

NOTE: THE ABOVE LISTING DOES NOT INDICATE THE ORDER IN WHICH THE SELECTIONS WILL BE READ.

Friday, 4 February: We will read together a short story-with Diedrich modelling-Read Aloud/Think Aloud Strategies-applying literary devices and techniques used by the author.

Now for the most exciting part of this unit-I can no longer delay: Your Project:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/70424805/Literary-Device-Song-Project

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/70417142/Literay-Devices-for-song-project

Naturally, we will discuss this in class-I expect to meet with many of you during the 371/2 minute tutorial. Why do you think this project is not due immediately upon your retun on Monday, 28 February?

Literary Devices: Song Project

Literary Devices: Song Project

Schedule for Week of 3 January

Monday(1/3) and Tuesday(1/4): Dead Poets Society Presentations - I will first ask for volunteers. Then, I will select names that have been written on index cards. If you are unprepared, you will receive a "0." No Excuses!

Thursday(1/5): Poetry Unit continued: Poems about Death (Because I Could Not Stop For Death and Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night and To An Athlete Dying Young)

Friday(1/6): Complete reading and discussion of the above poems. HW: TBA
Root Word Quiz: siphon to theo

Friday(1/13):Root Word Quiz (Ten Remaining): therm to zoo
Prefix Quiz #1: a, an to contra (15)