October 7/8, 2008

English 1 -- Today in class, students turned in the personal narratives that they have worked so hard on for the past few weeks. But before we dismissed the narratives, students had to rewrite their narratives...from the point of view of the person who made their decision for them. So parents, most of your students stepped into your shoes for a little while today -- it was their job to attempt to get inside the heads of the authority figures in their lives and figure out why those tough, sometimes unpopular decisions are made. Next we read chapter 11 of TKAM, and worked on filling out "character blocks" for some of the main characters. These blocks are a tool to aid students in keeping track of who's who in the novel, which will help them on the test as well.

English 1 Homework
Read chapters 12&13 of TKAM
Finish the reverse point of view of your narrative

Chapter 12

1. Who is Zeebo?
2. Why do the children feel that Calpurnia leads a double life after they go to church with her?
3. How did Cal learn to read?

Chapter 13

1. Who comes to stay with Scout and Jem?
2. Why does Scout feel it wouldn't make much of a difference if Uncle Jimmy?
3. What does Atticus try to talk to the children about? What is their reaction?

English 2 -- Today in class, students reviewed and discussed the stories they read on Friday during my absence, "Everyday Use" and "Two Kinds". After reviewing the questions students completed for homework, we engaged in a fun dialogue activity in which students wrote fictional conversations between two animals. During this activity students also learned the two rules for creating writing dialogue. Next, students learned about the four elements of fiction while creating fictional scenarios using plot, setting, character, and theme.

English 2 Homework
add dialogue to personal narratives