February 27

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Netflix or YouTube? State your claim with reasons and evidence!

Students completed a notebook check form on Classroom and handed in their notebooks to be checked.

We resumed reading Oedipus Rex--Parados and part of Scene 1. I revealed some important information about King Laios and Queen Iocaste that helped answer some questions about who killed Laios and maybe raised even more questions about who Oedipus really is. We will finish reading Scene 1 tomorrow, and we should finish the play by Friday.

Today's Board + answers to Parados #6

Week-at-a-Glance

February 24

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Choose a character from the book you're currently reading. How would that character fit in at HHS? Be sure to include the title and author of your book. If you're reading a nonfiction book, use a character from the last book you read.

We watched an interesting video clip about the Theatre of Epidarus, one of the seven wonders of ancient Greece. This connects to the notes we took yesterday.

We began reading Oedipus Rex. We completed the Prologue (pages 3-10) and answered questions in the packet (omit the sketch on #15 and #16--check answers with your group members).

I moved the writer's notebook check to Monday. Students should be sure that the currently reading page is up to date and all entries are complete.

The flyer next to the agenda on "Today's Board" has information about the North Texas Teen Book Festival happening next weekend. We are organizing a bus to take students to the event and bring them back to Hebron when it's over. If you'd like to ride the bus, see Mrs. Russell in 1110!

Today's Board

"the line of Kadmos" mentioned in today's reading

February 23

IRT: We spent the first 15-20 minutes in the library checking out new books, rechecking current books, and reading.
WNB: "There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting." - Buddha
Is there ever a time when the truth should not be pursued? Why is it so important to humans to know the truth?

We discussed what we already know about the ancient Greeks before taking notes over Greek drama. We'll use our new knowledge tomorrow as we begin reading Oedipus Rex. Today's notes are available on Classroom, and I've also posted a PDF version of the book we're using in class.

Coming Up:
Tomorrow, 2/24 - Writer's Notebook Check (I'm probably going to change this to Monday...)

Today's Board

February 22

IRT: 20 minutes
WNB: What's the difference between what is right and what is fair?

Don't forget to finish and hand in Tuesday's article of the week!

We completed a modified gallery walk to view other groups' humanity projects. Students submitted responses on the SpeakUp platform and voted on the presentation they thought was the best. You can see all of the presentations here!

Coming Up
TODAY, 2/22 - Summer reading essay revision due; type and turn in on Classroom, and hand in original + rubric in class
Thursday, 2/23 - Library!
Friday, 2/24 - Writer's Notebook Check

Today's Board

February 21

WNB: Article of the Week - "TV's Callous Neglect of Working-Class America"

We had much to do today!

We went over the lit terms test from last week. Students had the opportunity to add up to 5 points by submitting a scored article of the week.

With the remaining class time, students worked with their groups to finish the humanity triptych presentation. This part of the project was due before the end of the class period.

Students whose groups were finished could work on a number of other things: the humanity essay (turn in on Classroom by 11:59pm tonight), the summer reading essay revision (turn in on Classroom by 11:59pm Wednesday), and the article of the week and notebook entry (notebook check Friday).

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

February 16

Students completed the literary terms test today. Students who finished before the end of class had time to work on their humanity essay or summer reading essay revision.

We will be experimenting with the Recap app next week. Please download it this weekend!

Coming Up:
Tuesday, 2/21 - Humanity Triptych Project & Essay due
Wednesday, 2/22 - Summer Reading Essay Revision due (turn in on Classroom)
Friday, 2/24 - Writer's Notebook Check

Today's Board

Tutorial Schedule

February 15

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside entry - Check Classroom if you need ideas!

We determined our reading rate today during independent reading time and wrote our calculations on the "Reading Goals" page of the writer's notebook. Here's the formula:

How to calculate reading rate

Students can use the reading rate to figure out how long it will take to complete a particular book. Reading rates will be different for each book depending on genre, interest, and level. The point of calculating reading rate is to show students how important it is to read outside of class in addition to independent reading time during class.

Students used the remaining class time to work on their humanity projects and essays, all due Tuesday, 2/21.

Coming Up:
TOMORROW: Lit Terms Test
Tuesday, 2/21: Humanity Triptych & Essay due
Wednesday, 2/22: Summer Reading Essay Revision due
Friday, 2/24: Writer's Notebook Check

Today's Board

February 14

After reading, annotating, and responding to today's article ("The filth they breathe in China"), students read their independent reading books.

I provided them with some reminders about their humanity project, then students used the remaining class time to work on the project.

Coming Up:
Thursday, 2/16 - Lit Terms Test
Tuesday, 2/21 - Humanity Triptych and Essay due
Wednesday, 2/22 - Summer Reading Essay Revision due
Friday, 2/24 - Writer's Notebook check

Today's Board

Updated tutorial schedule (due to eliminated block lunch)

February 13

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Students responded to this quote in their notebooks: "To read a poem is to hear it with our eyes; to hear it is to see it with our ears." - Octavio Paz

I reminded students to be sure that their notebook entries are complete and currently reading pages are up to date because we will have a notebook check on Friday, 2/24.

I passed back the summer reading essays. Students may revise this essay for up to half the points back. Tutorials are strongly encouraged! Details on the board (note upcoming due dates in red):

We discussed two poems, "Fifteen" by William Stafford and "Fourth of July Night" by Carl Sandburg. (Both are in the blue book, pages 805 & 897.)

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

Coming Up:
Thursday, 2/16 - Lit Terms Test
Tuesday, 2/21 - Humanity Triptych Project and Essay
Wednesday, 2/22 - Summer Reading Essay Revision
Friday, 2/24 - Notebook Check

February 10

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "The Huge Misconception about Reading" - Before watching the video, students talked in their groups about what they thought the misconception might be. After viewing, they responded in their notebooks to these questions: Did you predict correctly? Do you agree with the video?

We learned about gerunds and infinitives and how they're used in writing. There will be a few questions on Thursday's test about gerunds and infinitives.

Students used the remaining time to work on the humanity project. I visited with each group to check on their progress. Students should be working on their individual parts of the project outside of class. I have posted a template for the essay on Classroom. All parts of the project are due Tuesday, 2/21, by the end of the class period. We will have class time next week.

I apologize for not posting to the blog for the 3 days I was gone. Students received an agenda in class each day, so I'm linking those here.

Tuesday's agenda
Wednesday's agenda
Thursday's agenda

Coming up:
Monday, 2/13 - Poetry
Tuesday, 2/14 - Project Time
Wednesday, 2/15 - Project Time
Thursday, 2/16 - Literary Terms Test
Friday & Monday, 2/17 & 20 - No School!
Tuesday, 2/21 - Humanity Project Due

Open House

It was great to meet so many parents at open house tonight!

Here are the slides I went over during the very brief presentation.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns!

Need a book recommendation?

February 6

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Can ordinary people be heroic? If so, what could motivate them?

Students received a review sheet for the literary terms test that is scheduled for February 16 (also posted on Classroom).

We applied the TWISTT strategy to "Courage" by Anne Sexton. We will look at a few more poems before the test.

I introduced the humanity project that students will be working on this week (also posted on Classroom). Students shared folders with their group members, and I provided some tips on how to keep materials organized. We will determine the due date for the project when I return on Friday.

I'll be attending TCEA Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so students will be working on the project. I'll answer questions and concerns on Classroom and via email.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

Analysis of "Courage" by Anne Sexton

February 3

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: What does it mean to be human?

We continued our TWISTT analysis of two more short pieces. Students took notes over the SOAPSTone analysis process then applied that acronym to a speech. All notes are available on Classroom. Absent students can pick up handouts when they return.

Today's Board

Imagery + Diction = tone (analysis of The Hobbit)

February 2

IRT: We visited the library to recheck books and discover new titles.
WNB: How do you feel about bats? Are there any animals that you're frightened of or freaked out by? (This entry connects to a piece we read in class today.)

We took notes over the TWISTT literary analysis strategy (notes will be on Classroom tomorrow). Students applied this to the excerpt from Speak and the short passage "Life in Caves." We will continue working with more passages tomorrow.

Today's Board

February 1

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

We had just a few presentations to finish up today.

We began discussing literary analysis with the three excerpts (Anderson Cooper, Esme Raji Codell, & Laurie Halse Anderson). We will continue this work tomorrow!

We will also go to the library tomorrow to recheck our books!

Today's Board