A Reminder: When you are absent when an assignment is due (Book XVI Annotation Assignment, Wednesday-June 4) you are required to turn in that assignment on the very next day that you return to school-even though your class may not meet on that day- I observed several of these students in school on Friday, 6 June). Furthermore, I was NOT pleased with the quality of the annotations-you were supplied with the "annotations" to locate in the text and then write-out that annotation next to the related line that appeared on the page. Lately, several students have not exerted too much effort on the most recent assignments, causing their average to drop...

ANOTHER REMINDER:

The Odyssey: Who's who TEST on Monday, 9 June-Study your handout... Just in case you have misplaced your handout that you received-with the holes punched so that it could be placed in your loose-leaf binder... (click on "Who's who above...)

NOTE: Diedrich is disappointed by the results on your QUIZ for Books 15 and 16. He can not believe how students can perform so poorly when he provided the possible answers to the questions where students only had to answer TEN questions out of TWENTY (or FIVE questions out of TEN for each of the Books.) By the answers selected, Diedrich suspected that a reading of the actual "Book" was not conducted and that students may have referred to a "summary/analysis" of the Books found by simply a "Google" search.

(Dear Parents: Your child was aware of this QUIZ on Monday, 2 June and was told to engage in a "close-reading" of Book 16 for the QUIZ on Wednesday.)

Your score will be entered on Jupiter! 

He is also disappointed with the quality of the ANNOTATIONS submitted for Book 16.

Just a reminder, you were directed on Wednesday, 4 June to read Book 19 for Monday, 9 June. See link below for the Fagle's translation. You will be administered a QUIZ-without any answer choices-immediately upon entering the classroom!

Essay Assignment: The Odyssey-Books 9-12
Must be posted to turnitin.com by Tuesday 3 June 1159 PM-You will turn in a "hard-copy" of this assignment on Wednesday, 4 June as you enter the classroom. Follow the instructions specified on the handout you received in class-DO NOT DEVIATE! 

"Who is Who" Quiz on Monday, 9 June (since we will only meet on Monday and Wednesday during the week of 2 June).

Just a Reminder: The Odyssey Vocabulary List 3 (Words 41-60)
on Thursday, 22 May

Check this out: The Odyssey Interactive Experience

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

Please be advised that Diedrich is considering "voiding" your most recent Vocabulary Quiz (Thursday, 1 May) since he found on the floor- in a specific location-between two tables (perpendicular to each other)-a "study/cheat" sheet-that had been reduced to a mush smaller size to accommodate the 20 words that would appear on the quiz! Recall how he directed everyone to put the lists away-out of sight-prior to the start of the quiz? Diedrich has his suspicions... Unless someone admits to this egregious misdeed, he may have no other choice...

Please bring to class your Short Story Anthology-do not ask for permission to go to your locker to retrieve it-permission to do so will be DENIED! You will return it and obtain a copy of The Odyssey  in return.

Your English 10 teacher will question you on Joseph Campbell-perhaps, to determine whether or not your English 9 teacher introduced him to you. Everyone will enthusiastically respond that your favorite teacher-Diedrich-or perhaps-you will not even remember his name-did indeed to do this-AND in fact-he even administered a QUIZ over the content of this presentation... (TBA)

NOTE: This presentation-as well as what follows-will prepare you for our reading of The Odyssey-an "epic" read by all throughout the world-a  literary work you will remember for decades...
Also, not that I have deliberately included information that is redundant-you will soon discover the why...

Watch The Odyssey (Sorry, this is only a presentation, providing you with essential background information...)

                        View this introductory power-point-you may OR may not be quizzed on its contents...

Schedule for Week of 7 April:

Just a Reminder (even though no one needs to be reminded): You were directed to read Bambara's Raymond's Run for Monday, 7 April. Be prepared for a QUIZ-by now you should be fully aware of the routine...

We will not engage in a Socratic Seminar for The Bet until Tuesday, 8 April. I would first like to read over your "reaction/reflection" homework assignment that you will turn-in on Monday, 7 April.

Just in case you neglected to bring your short story anthology home (even though Diedrich directed you to do so), here is the link for a pdf of the story:

Raymond's Run

Schedule for Week of 31 March:
You are required to bring your Short Story Anthology to class EVERYDAY! Failure to do so will result in a "0" for entering 404 unprepared-without this assigned text. Do NOT ask me for permission to go to your locker to retrieve it-permission to do so will be denied! 

We will continue with the short story unit.

On Monday, 31 March you will "randomly" be assigned to a "collaborative" learning group to work on critical thinking questions for The Lottery. You must complete ALL of the questions prior to the end of the BAND.

On Tuesday, 1 April-you may OR may not be administered a QUIZ for The Lottery.

Specific readings will be announced on Monday-as well as-the related HOMEWORK assignments that will be due this week.

Schedule for Week of 24 March

Just a reminder: You must read A Piece of Steak in preparation for Monday's class (3/24) Just in case you neglected to bring your anthology home, click on the title for this selection.
You may desire to listen to the story as you read along in your text: https://librivox.org/short-story-collection-vol-041-by-various/


Remind your folks about the Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday and Friday of this week.

Our Short Story Unit Begins...
Just in case you neglect to bring your short story anthology home to complete a homework assignment and/or you prefer to annotate/mark-up the text, I have included the following links to many of the stories that are part of our unit for study:


http://americanliterature.com/100-great-short-stories
http://www.classicshorts.com/
http://www.springwood-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/library/resources/e-resources/short-stories

Please read "The Fever Tree" on page 122 in your Short Story Anthology for Wednesday, 19 March. (You may or may NOT have a QUIZ on this short story.)

SAT Vocabulary QUIZ List 17 on Thursday, 20 March.

Schedule for Week of 10 March

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
You must bring in your copy Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men on Monday, 10 March. Diedrich blundered when he assumed that ALL groups had finished the Chapter 5 group activity. This must be completed so a grade can be given-they are too incomplete to be graded fairly.


SAT Vocabulary QUIZ (List 17) on Thursday, 13 March.
You will soon be quizzed on "meaningful word-parts".

Why would Diedrich desire that everyone read this essay? He is looking forward to hearing your reactions on Monday, 24 February. (Girl Moved to Tears by Of Mice and Men Cliff Notes)


Diedrich also expects that EVERYONE has completed the reading of OMM by Monday, 24 February. NO EXCUSES!

A "Preview" of Coming Attractions:
Research and Synthesis Essay: Social Networking
We will "gradually" approach all the "tasks" that are indicated for your MAJOR project involving research and synthesis. (Mini-lessons will be presented for most of the requirements.) Surely, many of you will begin to read and or view the resources I have provided. If you have any questions, jot them down so that they can be presented in class on Monday, 24 February.


Resources to assist you with your "Mini-argumentative" Research Paper:
The Synthesis Essay: The Basics

The Synthesis Essay: Explaining the Sources


The Synthesis Essay: Planning and Pre-writing


The Synthesis Essay


The Synthesis Essay: PODCAST


The Synthesis Essay (power-point/video)

ATTENTION: I am particularly concerned that several students in the class do NOT contribute to the "collaboration" of answers when engaged in our cooperative learning activities. Amazingly, they simply "copy" down the answers generated by others expecting to receive the same grade even though these group "members" sat passively while others shared meaningful, insightful responses to what was being asked. Beginning with the Chapter 4 study guide/group activity, I began to take note of those who were NOT contributing for the purpose of determining a grade "appropriate" based on their lack of participation to the critical/analytical questions being asked. Even though groups have changed, the same individuals are NOT actively engaging in the "collaborative" process. In all actuality, BLAME can and should be placed on all group members for NOT encouraging those who are sitting passively to participate. (YOUR GRADE INDICATED ON JUPITER FOR CHAPTERS 2 AND 3 MAY NOT REFLECT WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED BASED UPON YOUR LACK OF PARICIPATION/EFFORT AND/OR "OFF-TASK' BEHAVIOR.) 

Schedule for Week of 10 February:


SAT Vocabulary QUIZ List 16 on Thursday, 13 February


Just a reminder: You must read Chapter 3 in OMM for Monday, 10 February. Recall that you were directed to do so on Friday, 7 February. You may or may NOT have to take a FIVE question QUIZ on this chapter.


NOTE: Rather than simply handing-in your Advertising Leaflet Assignment, I will ask students to "SHOWCASE" their work. I know that I will be "WOWED" by your work, I have yet to be disappointed.


Monday, 10 February: After the "Showcasing" of your assignment, you will continue to engage in the cooperative learning activity for Chapter 3 with your same group members. Later in the week, "new" groups will form-all with different class members.


Tuesday, 11 February: CLA for Chapter 3 continued...during our time together today, I will randomly ask groups to share their responses-with other groups having the opportunity to add their response to the question being discussed, everyone may not agree with the response being discussed-this is a "good" thing...


Wednesday, 12 February: Read Chapter 4 in preparation for today's  today's whole-class discussion.


Thursday, 13 February: SAT Vocabulary QUIZ List 16. Continued discussion of the novella...along with a "table-mate" activity. 

ATTENTION! Diedrich has finally revised the seating charts for the first-marking period of the Spring Semester. No "table-mates" will be sitting anywhere near each other. Under no circumstances will he make any changes as you walk into the classroom on Tuesday, 4 February. You had the opportunity to inform him of  on-going conflicts with any class members so that he would not make him/her your "table-mate".

A Photo Essay on the Great Depression

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/photoessay.htm

 

Please Note: You will have an assignment related to one and/or a combination of these photos.
DUE DATE: TBA

 

You should review the content of this presentation for an upcoming unannounced quiz (probably on 10 February...).

Schedule for Week of 03 February 2014

SAT Vocabulary Quiz List 15 on Thursday, 06 February.

We will begin the semester reading- Of Mice and Men, supplemented with historical essays and articles for the time period of this text. I am looking forward to your enthusiasm as we discuss this classic.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

NOTE: The procedure cited below is to be followed if you experience difficulties “uploading” your assignments to www.turnitin.com. Please create an account ASAP: Class ID: 6924308/Password: Aristotle

(Please be advised that this information appears on your class outline you received on Day 1 of class-re-read this resource.)

Synthesis Essay 2007 Question/Sources

https://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4004500304285347/Synthesis_Essay_2007.pdf

Synthesis Essay 2007 Sample Student Essays w/scorer’s commentary

https://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4025606483459816/Synthesis_Essay_2007_Sample_student_Essa.pdf

Synthesis Essay Annotated 2007

 Carefully, read the synthesis question and accompanying sources, exam the annotations (perhaps, a bit too much-but...), and the students' written responses, noting what the students did well, prior to reading the AP Reader's Commentary.

For Tuesday, 21 January: You will submit your introductory paragraph for the assigned synthesis essay topic (American Dream/Equality). Please bring to class TWO copies of your introduction. Feel free to exam other synthesis essays on the AP Language and Composition homepage. Naturally, on Tuesday, I will be asking for your observations and reactions.

A Reminder: You MUST use textual evidence-quotes-concrete details-along with your commentary when responding to a question based on a narrative and/or expository passage (too many students neglected to do this in their most recent assignment:" Satire in Literature").
How is it possible for some students to engage us all with their meaningful insights- using textual citations when responding during our class discussions-yet, when submitting written work-the responses are incomplete, lacking in textual evidence and in commentary? We will discuss how this can be prevented during our next class meeting.

Please do not worry too much about the most recent postings/ references to "MLA" (Modern Language Association). We will take "baby" steps initially in the writing of a "mini-argumentative research paper (Specific topic will be announced soon, although, if you recall I have been giving you hints since we first met in September..."social media...") To make it "easier" for you, I will actually be providing the links to the resources-you must use these-certainly not "all" of them-but ONLY the resources that I provide... The reason for this will become clear soon. By the way, upon completion, you will present your paper in front of the class (this does not mean reading it, but rather, creating a power-point or other visual aid depicting your findings supporting your position).

Prior to this MAJOR project, we will first work on writing a paper using the resources that appear below related to the "Harrison Bergeron" short story. For now, you should probably familiarize yourself with the MLA documentation resources.

SAT Vocabulary Quiz: List 14 on Thursday, 16 January 2014.

Mini-Argumentative Research Essay: Equality and the American Dream
(I will distribute these sources in class on Monday, 13 January)

Claims, Claims, Claims

Synthesis Essay: Citing Sources

Organizing Your Argument (Claims, Data, Warrant)

DUE DATE: TBA

MLA In-text documentation/citation
(Click the "DOWNLOAD" tab.)

MLA FORMAT WORKS CITED

https://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4003018166560403/MLA_Format_MLA_Works_Cited.docx

MODEL MLA RESEARCH PAPER

MLA Research Paper (Daly)

A Call to Action: Regulate the Use of Cell Phones on the Road

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dianahacker.com%2Fpdfs%2Fhacker-daly-mla.pdf&ei=FW24UKnHIIKm9ATu8IHwCw&usg=AFQjCNGD7akbU_HTojYSSiYFY6GjU8qzpQ

MLA Research Paper (Levi)

Cell Phones in the Hands of Drivers

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdianahacker.com%2Fpdfs%2Fhacker-levi-mla.pdf&ei=FW24UKnHIIKm9ATu8IHwCw&usg=AFQjCNFY7HGAyYVZDyjmIaNGmvftcgq9IA

 

MLA Research Paper (Orlov)

 

Online Surveillance

 

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/pdf/Hacker-Orlov-MLA.pdf

  

Please bring your copy of Romeo and Juliet to class on Monday, 6 January so that it can be returned to the Book Room.

SAT VOCABULARY QUIZ: LIST 13 on Thursday, 9 January

Purdue Online Writing Lab: MLA Formatting and Style Guide
I wonder why Diedrich, our favorite teacher, has posted this link? I suspect this resource has something to do with the readings related to Harrison Bergeron posted below, although with this guy- one never knows what he has planned for us...

Satire in Literature: Homework Assignment (Distributed in class on Thursday, 2 January)-Due on Monday, 6 January. I have included the link for this assignment just in case you may have left it in school or if you were absent on Thursday.

 

Harrison Bergeron: Power-points

https://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4079695782755051/Harrison_Bergeron_Powerpoint_cc_2.pptx

https://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4071661738218449/Harrison_Bergeron_Powerpoint_cccc_2.pptx

Harrison Bergeron: Related Resources

Several essays/articles/readings that will be used for an upcoming assignment (TBA):

https://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4012663692507330/Harrison_Bergeron_Related_Resources.docx

Equality: Harrison Bergeron: What So Proudly We Hail (Video)

http://vimeo.com/37781337

 Sit back and watch this fascinating video...