Monday, November 30, 2015

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe break with their friends and family.  You should come back feeling recharged and ready to work hard the next few weeks before we have our next 2 week break.

Polinsky Center Holiday Drive
The A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children's Center is a 24-hour facility for the temporary emergency shelter of children who must be separated from their families for their own safety, or when parents cannot provide care. Each month more than 300 children ages birth to 18 years old are admitted to the Polinsky Children's Center.  

The freshman class will be participating in a toy drive for children ages 5-7 at the Polinsky Center.  Please bring items such as fashion dolls, superhero toys, legos, trucks, board games, etc.  You do not need to spend more than 5-10 dollars, or you can get something with a group of friends.  Lets give some children a happy holiday!

Items will be picked up for delivery on December 16th

Writing Assignment
For today's writing assignment please choose one of the following questions to answer:
  1. Describe Hemingway's portrayal of Santiago's relationship with the sea.  How does this relate to the conflict/theme of man versus nature?  Does Santiago seem to be fighting against nature, a part of nature, or somewhere in between?
  2. How does Santiago embody Hemingway's ideals of manhood?  How does he show traits such as heroism, honor, and dignity?  Think back to his discussion of the sea being male or female.
  3. In your opinion is Santiago a successful fisherman?  Why or why not?  Is there a difference between material and spiritual success?  Which does Santiago have?
Your response must be one full paragraph typed.  Take care and make sure to proofread.  You will be graded on the structure of your paragraph as well as spelling and grammar.

Some tips to consider when writing:
  1. Must be 5-8 complete sentences
  2. Begin with topic sentence which introduces reader to what you will explain
  3. Then write 3 things which prove or discuss your main point
  4. Make sure the 3 flow and follow a logical order
  5. Finish with concluding sentence to wrap up your response
  6. Include quotes if necessary
  7. Proofread by reading aloud or to a partner in class
Your response will be due Friday (12/4) at the beginning of class

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Friday Meetings

We will have one on one meetings today to discuss performance in all classes, future plans, strengths and weaknesses, and any other concerns you may have.  Please do not interrupt individually meetings and respect each others privacy.  Here is the schedule:

9:35-9:40
Angel
9:40-9:45
Sandy
9:45-9:50
Daisy
9:50-9:55
Mariana
10:05-10:10
Lisette
10:10-10:15
Magali
10:15-10:20
Nathanael
10:20-10:25
Kimberly
10:25-10:30
Aaron
10:30-10:35
Kyle
10:35-10:40
Isaias
10:40-10:45
Delphinia
10:45-10:50
Carson
10:50-10:55
Elliott
11:00-11:05
Karina
11:05-11:10
Gray

Monday, November 16, 2015

Book Review Presentations Today

Today we will have book review presentations.  Remember, your presentation must be e-mailed to me before lunch or it will be considered late.  The presentations will be given in the following order:

Carson
Sandy
Nathanael
Isaias
Gray
Angel
Daisy
Magali
Elliott
Mariana
Aaron
Kyle
Kimberly
Delphinia
Lisette
Karina

Friday, November 13, 2015

Old Man and the Sea Art

Quiz Today
Quiz today on reading of pgs. 25-52.  Your next quiz will be Wednesday (11/18) on pgs. 53-82.

Old Man and the Sea Art Project
Choose a scene from your reading and paint a picture (using water color, colored pencil, markers, or other supplies from home) of that scene.  Your art must include a quote from the novel that represents the scene you have chosen.  Your art must cover the entire page, with ADA heading on the back.  Art will be due Next Friday (11/20).

Fall Break Potluck
Sign ups for the potluck are on the board.  Please sign up for something you would like to contribute to the festivities.  You may sign up in pairs if necessary.

Zoo Bus Pass
If you need  bus pass for the zoo please bring $1.50 to pay for your day ticket.  If you would like to you may give $2 and donate the extra 50 cents to another student or the school.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Characterization

Old Man and the Sea Characterization
Characterization is the process by which the author reveals personality or character.  Characterization is revealed through direct and indirect characterization.  Direct characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is, while indirect characterization shows things that reveal personality. 

Today we will look at the characteristics of our protagonist Santiago, and how author Ernest Hemingway reveals these characteristics.  We will begin by discussing his most important traits and what describes the main character.

We will discuss indirect characterization of the main character and how his personality is revealed through: speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and look.  Please fill out the following indirect characterization chart with specific examples from the book and an explanation of what this reveals about the character.

Once you have completed the chart I want you to write a paragraph about what you think is Santiago's most important trait.  Your paragraph must include a quote from the novel.  Here is an example and a template to help you work on your paragraph.

Please staple your paragraph to the back of your chart and turn them both in on Friday (11/13).

CPK Fundraiser
Please go out to eat at CPK in Fashion Valley this Wednesday and support our school!

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Writing Practice & Announcements

Fall Break Potluck
On Friday, November 20th before we leave for fall break will will have an early out day.  This will include fun activities and an all school potluck in the afternoon.  The school wide potluck will be an opportunity for students to bring different types of food and supplies for all students to share.  Each grade level has a theme and our grade level will be providing Mexican dishes.  We will do an official sign up as the date gets closer but think about dishes you may want to bring.  Those who are cannot bring cooked meals can provide other items like chips and salsa, drinks, or plates/cups/napkins.

Zoo Trip
On Friday December 18th, the day before winter break, we will take an all school field trip to the zoo.  I need a head count off how many students want to attend (students who do not wish to attend will be forced to stay at school and do homework).  I also need a count of how many students already have bus passes, as we will all take the city bus.

Internship Time Cards
Remember to get your time cards filled out by your mentor and track your hours every day.

School Fundraiser at CPK
On Veterans day our school is having a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen in Fashion Valley.  Please get a flyer to give to your waiter/waitress for the school to receive money.  Please support our school!!!

Book Reviews
Please look over the instructions and the rubric for the presentations of your independent reading book.  It's also time to start thinking about which book you want to read for the next 6 weeks.  Take a look at the reading list and start making plans to get your next book.  There will be a book check on Monday November 30th.
Book Review Instructions
Book Review Rubric

Today's Assignment
Today we will start to talk about some character traits, specifically honor, courage, and perseverance.  Think about what these words mean to you.  For your assignment please write a one page story describing a time that you demonstrated honor, courage, or perseverance.  It can be any single trait, and any event big or small, but must be true and about you personally.  Your 1 page typed paper will be due on Friday (11/6)

 

Monday, November 2, 2015

Hemingway Intro & Summary Writing

Our reading of Old Man and the Sea begins today with an introduction to Ernest Hemingway.  We will also use today's lesson to go over summary writing.

First we will detail how to write an effective summary and some of the rules that go along with summary writing.  Review this Summary Writing Powerpoint.  Then we will practice in groups.

You will get in groups of 3 to research and summarize major parts of Hemingway's life.  Groups will be divided into 5 different places Hemingway lived and explain the importance of the place to his life and writing.  Groups are as follows:


Italy
Angel, Isaias, Daisy
Paris
Sandy, Kyle, Carson
Spain
Mariana, Aaron, Gray
Africa
Magali, Nathanael, Lisette
Cuba
Kimberly, Delphinia, Elliott


Use the following websites and/or do your own research to create your summary:
Ernest Hemingway Collection
Poetry Foundation
Ernest Hemingway Biography 
Hemingway Adventure

Work with your group to research then summarize your assigned portion which your group will read for the class.  Please use this summary template, which contains an example, for help on creating your summary.

Once all groups have presented you will work on your own summary individually.  Please choose one of the following articles to read and summarize:
Classic Works of Literature Still Have a Place in Today's Classrooms
Reading Literature Makes Us Smarter and Nicer
Turn in your typed summary by Wednesday (11/4)