English 2

Today in class, students finished the film The Power of One and discussed the five major themes that are found in the movie. They then chose one of themes as the topic of a literary analysis essay. Students were provided with a formatting guide for the short essay since it is the first literary analysis they will complete this year. During class students also read for 20 minutes from their choice novels in preparation for writing a compare/contrast essay that will be due next week. To end the period, students read the poem Dolce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen, and discussed the speaker's view of war and dying for one's country.

Homework

• Finish rough draft of theme essay
• Read choice novel

English 1

Today in class, students saw a presentation from students in the Journalism and Yearbook classes at Oakville in order to let them know about options they have for their schedules next year. Next students learned about the types of indirect and direct characterization found in literature, and they read the story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes. After reading, students found examples of the 6 types of characterization in the story, and they completed a heuristics activity that helped them to develop and characterize the protagonist in the short story they are beginning to write.

Homework

• Read "The Sniper" (remember you will have a quiz too!)
• Begin writing your story -- write the exposition where you introduce your character and the conflict (the motivation for going on the journey)

English 1

Today in class, students read the story "The Necklace" which showed them what can happen when people want more than they can have. While reading the story, students learned about the third person limited point of view, and they examined the roles of women in nineteenth century France in comparison with the roles of women today.

Homework

• Finish the Point of View worksheet
• Write your compare and contrast paragraph -- use your Roles of Women chart from class

English 2

Today in class, students reviewed the myth of Oedipus and the Greek word roots they learned last week. They will have their originally scheduled quiz next class. Next they learned about Aristotle's characteristics of a tragic hero (since Antigone is full of them). The rest of the class period was spent preparing for the production of Antigone that the students will be putting on Wednesday.

Homework

• Study for Greek Drama and Word Root Quiz
• Finish work for Antigone presentation

English 2

Welcome back kiddos! Today on our first day back, we learned Greek! Well, we learned all about the history and important elements of Greek drama, and we also learned some common Greek word roots that we use in our speaking and writing everyday. Students will have a quiz over this new information to begin next class. Today students also learned the famous Greek myth of Oedipus (it's a pretty crazy, twisted story) so that they have the background information necessary for understanding Sophocles' play Antigone, which we will be practicing and performing as a class very soon. Each student has a specific role in the play, whether it is reading a part, making traditional Greek masks for the characters, making scenery, or preparing discussion questions for the class to answer after the play is performed. It should be a fun experience...maybe I will even bring in the Flip Cam!

Homework

• Study for quiz over Greek drama and Greek word roots