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