Dec 10

Classwork

Today was an action packed day.  We started off with a warm-up that forced us to go back and use vocabulary from Units 1-6.  After reviewing some of our work on the warm-up, students began analyzing epic similes on their own.  Then we dove into excerpts from Book 13, looking for their connection to themes present in The Odyssey.  For today's powerpoint, click here.

Homework

Finish Levels 1-4 for your epic simile analysis (see powerpoint or notes from class)

Works on Book 13 excerpt theme analysis (see powerpoint or below)

Book 23 due Friday

Study Vocabulary Units 1-6 for next week's final

Today's Powerpoint

Dec 8

Classwork

Today in class we continued our work with similes and epic similes.  Using the definition of epic simile we transformed our own similes in to epic similes by adding more details and points of comparison.  We also reviewed the plot of book 13.  Click here for today's power point, so scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Homework

The Book 22 Handout is due Wednesday, Dec. 10

Study Units 1-6 Vocabulary to prepare for our final next week

Today's Powerpoint

Dec 3 & 4

Classwork

Wednesday and Thursday were mostly spent taking a 132 question test on Books 1-12 of the Odyssey.  On Thursday, once we were done with the test, we took sometime to analyze the mistakes we made on our Unit 7 vocabulary homework.  We pushed ourselves to think metacognitively - asking, "What about the definition of the word and the sentence would have made someone pick this word instead of the correct one," "What clues are there in the sentence that could help point me to the correct word," and "What do my incorrect answers show me about how I can better study for Monday's Test?"

Homework

• Epithets in Books 13, 16, and 17 worksheet due Friday, 12/5
• Unit 7 Vocabulary Test on Monday, 12/8

Dec 1

Classwork

Today in class we focused on irregular verbs and Book 11 of the Odyssey.  Our warm-up was Irregular Verbs Exercise 2.  We also got a list of (almost) all the irregular verbs in the English language.  

After working with irregular verbs, we focused on how Odysseus interacted with two different ghosts - his mother Anticlea and a crew-mate Elpenor.  We asked ourselves what Odysseus's treatment of these two ghosts revealed about his character.  Click here to see today's powerpoint or scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Homework and Important Dates

• Irregular Verbs Exercise 3 due 12/2
• Unit 7 Vocabulary Worksheet due 12/3
• Odyssey Test on 12/3
• Unit 7 Vocabulary Test on 12/8
• Irregular Verbs List

Today's PowerPoint

Nov 19

Classwork

Today in class we reviewed the work we did on our Unit 6 Vocabulary Packets.  As we corrected our vocabulary work, we looked for evidence showing words we understood really well and words we didn't know well.  After reviewing our vocabulary work, we assessed Odysseus's epic hero status.  We gave Odysseus a grade for his overall performance in each of our 4 epic hero categories: superhuman strength and craftiness, emerges victorious from perilous situations, helped and harmed by gods, and embodies ideals that a his/her culture considers admirable.  Click here to view today's powerpoint or scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Homework

1. Read Books 11 & 12
2. Complete pages in Odyssey Packet for Books 11 & 12 by Monday, 11/24
3. Unit 6 Vocabulary Test on Monday, 11/24
4. Test on Books 1, 2, 5, 9-12 of The Odyssey on Tuesday, 11/25
5. Odyssey Books 11-13 Packet due 12/1

Today's PowerPoint

Nov 17

Classwork

I was out sick today :(  In class you were given questions about Book 10 to answer.  If you didn't finish them in class, you needed to complete them for homework.

Homework

Unit 6 Vocabulary Packet due Wednesday

Book X Questions due Tuesday

Book X Graphic Organizer due Tuesday (bonus day since I wasn't here to collect this)

Nov 14

Classwork

Today we took notes on the basic ingredients of an epic and then focused on what it takes to be considered an epic hero.  We made from action films, comic books, and cartoons to various traits/qualities of an epic hero.   Click here to see today's powerpoint, or scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Homework

Read Book X (10)

Complete Book X Graphic Organizer due Monday

Unit 6 Vocabulary Packet due Wednesday

Today's PowerPoint

Nov 13

Classwork

Today class was back in the LRC/310 for our second ACT Aspire practice day.  In class we took the Practice English ACT Aspire test.

Homework

Unit 6 Vocabulary Packet due Wednesday, Nov 19

Books 5 and 9 Questions due tomorrow, Nov. 14

Study for the Unit 6 Vocabulary Test

Nov 12

Classwork

Today in class we talked about Book 5 and tried to figure out the very complicated relationship between Calypso and Odysseus.  Click here for today's powerpoint or scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Homework

Book 5 and 9 questions due Friday, November 14

Study for the Unit 6 Vocabulary Test

Today's PowerPoint

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

Wednesday, October 22

Classwork

Today we worked on our unit 4 vocabulary words and on our presentations.  Today was the last day that we will have the laptops in class to work on our Odyssey Research Project Presentations.

Homework

1. Vocabulary Worksheet due tomorrow 10/23
2. Study for Friday's Unit 4 Vocab Test
3. Work on your Odyssey Research Project
4. Visual Aid for Presentation due Monday, 10/27
5. Works Cited for Group Presentation due Monday 10/27
6. Presentations on 10/28 and 10/29

October 15 Classwork and Homework

Classwork

Today we were in the LRC learning about creating Works Cited and Bibliography Pages.  We also had a quick tutorial on using databases in our research.  Students found out their groups and topics for our Odyssey Research Project.  Scroll to the bottom of this post for the 5 handouts that we got today: Group Assignments, MLA FAQs, Saving a Document to Your ID#, Easy Bib for Works Cited, LRC Bookmark.

Homework

Study Unit 4 Vocabulary Words - Test next Friday, October 24.

Continue researching your topic for your Odyssey Research Project.

Odyssey Research Project Group Assignments

MLA FAQs

Saving a Document to Your ID#


Easy Bib for Works Cited

LRC Bookmark
Odyssey Research Project Overview

Homework Assigned on 10/1

Homework

1. Narrative Essay Second Draft is due tomorrow - 10/2.  It needs to be typed, 2.5-3 pages long, and follow all formatting guidelines.
2. Vocabulary in Context Worksheet is due tomorrow.
3. Study for Friday's vocabulary test on Unit 3 words.

Important Dates

• October 2 - Second Draft Due
• October 3 - Unit 3 Vocabulary Test
• October 6 - Final Draft Due

Vocabulary in Context Worksheet

Narrative Essay Assignment

Homework Assigned on 9/30 and Important Dates

Homework

**Scroll to the bottom of the post to see today's vocabulary worksheet.

1. Vocabulary Worksheet due tomorrow, Oct. 1
2. Edit first draft of narrative essay for work in LRC tomorrow
3. Study for Friday's Vocabulary Test

Important Dates

• Oct. 1 - Bring your Parent to School Day, class is being held in the LRC
• Oct. 2 - Narrative Essay Second Draft due (It must be typed, following all formatting guidelines, and be 2.5-3 pages long.)
• Oct. 3 - Unit 3 Vocabulary Test
• Oct. 6 - Narrative Essay Final Draft is due (Brainstorming, first draft, and second drafts must be stapled behind the final draft.)

Vocabulary Worksheet

Homework Assigned on Monday, Sept 29

Homework due Tuesday

**All the materials can be viewed at the bottom of this post.

1. Vocabulary Worksheet
2. Read all the excerpts from Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood
3. Complete the Worksheet for Sickened: The Memoir of a  Munchausen by Proxy Childhood

Important Dates

1. Oct 1 - Bring your parent to school day AND class will be held in the LRC
2. Oct 2 - Second Draft of your narrative essay is due
3. Oct 3 - Unit 3 Vocabulary Test

Vocabulary Worksheet

Excerpts from Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood

Worksheet for Sickened: The Memoir of a  Munchausen by Proxy Childhood

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