Dec 5

Classwork

Today I forgot my laptop at home and we went 'old school'!  There was no powerpoint used for today's notes on similes and epic similes, but if you need a refresher check out the post for Dec 8.  In class we created our own similes and compared our understanding of what a simile is to examples of epic similes in The Odyssey.  We also started to work through a four step process to help us deeply analyze a simile or epic simile.

Homework

Epithets for Books 13, 16, and 17 due Monday.

Unit 7 Vocabulary Test is Monday

Nov 6

Classwork

In class we reviewed how the literary terms in medias res and epithet apply to The Odyssey.  We also learned a new, after reading strategy to help us keep track of each book's plot, setting, and characters.  Click here to view today's powerpoint or scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Notes and Summary Graphic Organizer

Need a refresher on today's instructions about how to use this graphic organizer after you're done reading?  Check out the materials that are listed below.

1. Blank Notes and Summary Graphic Organizer
2. Instructions for the Notes and Summary Graphic Organizer
3. Example of a completed Notes and Summary Graphic Organizer for Book 1

Homework

1. Vocabulary Worksheet due 11/7
2. Finish Notes and Summary Graphic Organizer for Books 1 and 2
3. Study for Friday's Vocabulary test

Today's PowerPoint

Nov. 5

Classwork

Today we learned the literary term epithet and looked for good examples of epithets in books 1-2 of The Odyssey.  Click here to see today's powerpoint, or scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Homework

1. Vocabulary Worksheet
2. Odyssey Paragraph
3. Study for Friday's Vocabulary Test

Today's PowerPoint

Nov 4

Classwork

Today in class we learned about how the literary term in medias res applies to The Odyssey.  We also began analyzing Books 1-2 of The Odyssey.  We focused on answering the question, "Is Telemachus a good son or a bad son?"  Click here for today's powerpoint, or scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Homework

1. Revised Works Cited due 11/5
2. Vocabulary Worksheet due 11/5
3. Vocab Test on 11/7
4. PERIOD 1 ONLY: MLA Citation Worksheet due 11/5

Today's PowerPoint

November 3

Classwork

Today was part two of our focus on MLA citations for Works Cited Pages.  Our warm-up and class work focused on all the minute details that are needed to create a correct citation.  To see today's powerpoint click here or scroll down to the bottom of the page.

We also began The Odyssey by listening to a hiphop song created by Flocabulary.

Homework

1. Revised Works Cited are due 11/5.  They MUST be typed.
2. Vocab Worksheet due 11/4
3. MLA Citation Worksheet due 11/4

Today's PowerPoint

MLA Citation Worksheet due 11/4

Vocab Worksheet due 11/4

October 23

Classwork

Today many of my classes got a visit from the most amazing librarian - Regina Townsend, from the Forest Park Public Library.  Regina, is an Illinois Library Association Young Adult Librarian of the Year Award Winner.  She shared sooooooo much information about the amazing things going on in the Young Adults Department at the Forest Park Library.  Including (but not limited to) the clubs and events listed below.  Want to know more?  Check out www.teenterritory.org or fppl.org.

• Physics Tutoring and Help every Tuesday and Thursday
• Service Club meets every Tuesday
• Young Women's Council - next meeting on November 13
• Recently Returned (Guys' book club) meets last Monday of each Month
• Writer's Group meets every Wednesday
• Humans vs. Zombies on Halloween, October 31 starting at 6pm

We also took notes on MLA citations for Works Cited pages and created some of our own citations by hand.  We also got another handout with information about how to create citations, called "MLA Citation Style Guide Sheets."  You can also check out today's powerpoint at the bottom of this post!

Homework

1. Complete the "Practice Creating Source Cards for Books and Online Sources" Worksheet. Due tomorrow.
2. Create a HANDWRITTEN works cited page using the sources from the worksheet. Due tomorrow.
3. Study for tomorrow's vocabulary test
4. Visual Aid for presentation due MONDAY
5. Group Works Cited page due MONDAY

Today's Powerpoint Presentation

MLA Citation Style Guide Sheets

Notes from and Homework Assigned on October 6

In Class Notes

Click here to view a PDF of today's notes or you can view the prezi, by clicking here.

Homework

Completed vocabulary and Odyssey worksheets due tomorrow, Tuesday, October 7.

Important Dates

• October 9 - Midterm Day 1
• October 10 - Midterm Day 2 and end of Quarter 1
• October 13 - No School - Columbus Day!

Midterm Information

The midterm will include the following:

• Units 1-3 Vocabulary
• Grammar- comma usage, especially commas in a series
• Grammar- end punctuation.  Can you determine where and what kind of end punctuation is needed based on the clues in a text?
• House on Mango Street
• If you read the book and paid attention in class, you will be fine.
• Read Passage with multiple choice questions
• Short, constructed responses about the reading passage.

Today's Notes

Vocabulary Worksheet

Odyssey Worksheet