Friday, December 8th

Happy birthday, Cody!

• We'll begin with WORK TIME to get your genres 3 & 4 rough drafts turned in. 
• As soon as you all have the genres turned in, we'll start a Friday movie, complete with aliens -- but no Tralfamodorians. 

Thursday, December 7th

• Discussion and Notes: We'll review the expectations and goals for your Multi-Genre Project. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Vocabulary Page: Ch. 9-10 (Due Today)
• Multi-Genre Project: Genres 3 & 4 1st Drafts (Due Tomorrow)
• One-on-One Check-Ins Regarding the Following:
• Any Needed Missing Work/Corrections (Remember that Monday, 12/11 is the last day to turn any of these in!)
• Multi-Genre Project Progress
• Returning Slaughterhouse-Five to the Library

Wednesday, December 6th

You'll have WORK TIME today for the following:

• Multi-Genre Project Pieces 1 & 2 (first drafts due today)
• Vocabulary Page: Ch. 9-10 (due tomorrow, 12/7)
• Multi-Genre Project Pieces 3 & 4 (due Friday, 12/8)

We'll also do one-on-one check-ins on your grade and progress in this class, as the quarter is drawing to a close. Remember that the last day to turn in any corrections and/or missing work in Monday, 12/11. After that, I'll be busy grading final projects and papers. 

Tuesday, December 5th

• Reading and Notes: We'll finish reading and discussing Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. 
• We'll briefly review the expectations for your multi-genre project.
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Conference with me about your topic selection and genre list (Due Today)
• Notebook Response: Write a one paragraph response, explaining how the final line of Slaughterhouse-Five relates to Vonnegut's purpose for writing the book.
• 1st and 2nd Genre Rough Drafts (Due Tomorrow)

Monday, December 4th

There are only two weeks left in this quarter, folks!

• Reading and Notes: We'll read and discuss Ch. 9 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• Review: We'll briefly review expectations for your multi-genre final project.
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Vocabulary Page: Ch. 7-8 (Due Today)
• Multi-Genre Topic and Genre List Conference with Teacher (Due Tomorrow)
• Rough Drafts of 1st and 2nd Genres (Due Wednesday, 12/6)

The LAST DAY to turn in any corrections or missing work for this class is Monday, 12/11. After that, I'll be busy grading final papers and projects. 

Friday, December 1st

Welcome to December! It's the last month of the year, so let's rally for a strong finish.

• You'll begin by taking the Ch. 8 Reading Quiz. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Ch. 7-8 Vocabulary Page (Due Monday)
• Multi-Genre Project Conference -- Topic and Genre Ideas (Due Tuesday)
• Genre #1 Rough Draft (Due Wednesday)

Thursday, November 30th

• Reading and Notes: We'll read and discuss Ch. 8 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• You'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Moral Courage Essay Final Draft (Due Today)
• Multi-Genre Project
• Topic Selection and Teacher Conference (Due by 12/5)

Wednesday, November 29th

• We'll formulate a master-genre list for our class final project, including genres we've studied and genres you'd like to see as part of the final projects. 
• We'll go over requirements for your multi-genre project: 
• Table of Contents (at the beginning of the project)
• Writer's Memo (at the end of the project)
• 2 Citations of Scholarly Sources (anywhere within the project)
• Choice of 5 Genres
• Turned in and Presented by 12/14
• Finally, you'll have work time for the following:
• Moral Courage Essay Final Draft (Due Tomorrow)
• Multi-Genre Project topic selection and conference with me about the topic.

Tuesday, November 28th

• You'll take the Ch. 6-7 Reading Quiz. 
• Notes: As a class, we'll review the concept of abstraction and then brainstorm a list of compelling abstractions. This list will become your list of options for your English 8 Multi-Genre Research Project.
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Continue revising and editing your essay final draft essay. (Due Thursday)
• Narrow down our class list of abstractions to select one of them (or two that closely relate to each other) for your Multi-Genre Research Project. Once you've selected a topic, spend some time writing about it in your notebook to brainstorm ideas for writing about this topic. Specifically, list reasons why this particular abstraction interests you. 

Monday, November 27th

Reading and Notes: We'll continue reading and discussing Ch. 6-7 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 

Focus Lesson: Together, we'll get MLA formatted Works Cited pages added to your essays, and I'll share some tips about formatting and adding entries.

• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Essay Final Draft (Due Thursday)

Friday, November 17th

We'll continue viewing and discussing Arrival, making connections to Vonnegut's use of science fiction to tell a difficult story.

Thursday, November 16th

• We'll begin viewing and discussing a science fiction film that deals with difficulties of the human experience, much as Vonnegut uses science fiction to process the trauma and grief of war.
• You'll turn in your Notebook for a Notebook Check.

Wednesday, November 15th

• Reading and Notes: We'll begin reading and discussing Ch. 6-7 of Slaughterhouse-Five.
• Writing Focus Lesson: You'll log in to your computer and pull up your essay document. Then we'll work together to create a Works Cited Page and MLA formatted Works Cited entries for each of your sources. This is a requirement for your final draft. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Create your own Works Cited Page with correctly formatted entries for each source you used to write your paper. 
• I'll pass back your essays (assuming I've finished grading them!) and you'll begin working on revisions. Your final draft is due in class this Friday, November 17th.

Tuesday, November 14th

• Reading and Notes: We'll finish reading and discussing Ch. 5 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• You'll take the Ch. 5 Reading Quiz.
• Genre Study Notes: We'll study examples of each of the following genres, making note of key elements as we do. 
• Receipt Story (Nonfiction)
• IKEA Instructions (Visual Genre)
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Ch. 6 Vocabulary Page (Due Today)
• Fill a notebook page with a draft of the genre of your choice from today's genre study. 

Monday, November 13th

• Reading and Notes: We'll continue reading and discussing Ch. 5 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Finish and print your essay draft. (Due Today)
• Ch. 6 Vocabulary Page (Due Tomorrow)

Friday, November 10th

• Reading and Notes: We'll continue reading and discussing Ch. 5 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• Notes/Review: We'll revisit citation and source expectations for your essay.
• Finally, you'll have a solid chunk of WORK TIME for your essays, which are due Monday, 11/13 in class. 

Thursday, November 9th

Writing Day!

• Notes: You'll take a few notes about structure and key elements to include in this essay. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME to get this essay written. During this time, I'll check in with you one-on-one about your essay and your grade in my class.

Wednesday, November 8th

• Reading and Notes: We'll continue reading and discussing Ch. 5 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Essay (Due Monday, 11/13)
• Conferences: 
• Topic
• Sources

Tuesday, November 7th

• Reading and Notes: We'll continue reading and discussing Ch. 5 of Slaughterhouse-Five. We left off yesterday at the bottom of page 91.
• Notes: We'll go over how to cite quotations in your papers, using quotation marks, lead-ins, and parenthetical citations. Then we'll all work together to set up formatting and works cited pages for your papers. 
• WORK TIME:
• You'll work on researching for and writing your essay. (Due Monday, 11/13)
• Blitz Conferences: I'll check in for two-three minute conferences with each of you, at which time you'll share your selected topic and sources. If needed, I'll make some suggestions to help you along. 

Monday, November 6th

• We'll begin with a Ch. 3-4 reading quiz for Slaughterhouse-Five, only this reading quiz will be a bit different than previous quizzes. You'll be able to use your book and your notes. For this quiz, you must identify and write down a key quote, not more than 2-3 lines long from within Ch. 3-4. Then you must write a paragraph, explaining how the quotation relates to a major theme of the book. 
• Hint: Be sure to explain what the major theme is.
• Hint: Make sure you correctly cite your quotation, using quote marks and a parenthetical citation with page number.
• Reading and Notes: We'll read and discuss the first few pages of Ch. 5 together.
• Finally, I'll introduce your first major essay topic: Describe a person who acted with moral courage. What can be learned from his or her actions and how do the lessons relate to you?
• You'll complete and turn in a Pre-Writing Reflection Sheet.
• We'll go over the specific guidelines for the paper.
• You'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Vocabulary Page: Ch. 5 (Due Today)
• Work on your Moral Courage paper.

Friday, November 3rd

• Reading and Notes: We'll read and discuss Ch. 4 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• Notes: We'll take a closer look at the Backwards Story in the beginning of the chapter as a possible genre for your final project. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following: 
• Draft a Backwards Story in your class notebook about something you either wish hadn't happened or something you just think would be cool to see in reverse. 
• Finish and turn in "A Modest Proposal" annotations. (Due TODAY)
• Vocabulary Ch. 5 (Due Monday)
• Check your grade, as I'm posting progress grades and calling home if you're not passing!

Thursday, November 2nd

• Reading and Notes: We'll finish reading and paraphrasing "A Modest Proposal." 
• Genre Study Notes: We'll discuss parody, a sort of mega-genre in that it can encompass many other genres. 
• We'll view an example of a rock music parody. 
• Finally, you'll do some research and locate parodies of other sorts, sharing and discussing them with your group.

Wednesday, November 1st

• Reading and Notes: We'll begin with a quick review of yesterday's reading followed by reading and discussing the rest of Ch. 3 of Slaughterhouse-Five.
• Notes: We'll talk about how to write a summary. 
• Then you'll visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's website and locate the "Rescue and Resistance" section of the site. You'll choose at least three of the six listed pages and read them carefully. 
• Response: Finally, you'll write a one paragraph summary of what you read about in your notebook.
• Notes: Genre study -- Parody. We'll discuss parodies, how they work, the many forms they can take, and then we'll view an example of a musical parody by Weird Al Yankovic.

Tuesday, October 31st

Here's our plan for this spooky Tuesday:

• We'll finish viewing and discussing "Courage Under Fire."
• Response: You'll write a well-organized, one page response in your notebook that addresses the following prompt -- Explain some of the differences or similarities in how the news reporters and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. or Jonathan Swift tell difficult stories.
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Read Ch. 3 of Slaughterhouse-Five to the prayer on page 60. You may read this on your own or aloud with a partner. 
• Read and paraphrase six more paragraphs of "A Modest Proposal." (Stop at "Fourthly.") You may do this on your own or with a partner, but you need to write your own paraphrasing on your own paper. 
• Catch up time! Check your grade with me and complete any missing work!

Monday, October 30th

Happy last Monday of October!

Today we'll view and discuss a selection of Walter Cronkite Vietnam coverage called "Courage Under Fire," making connections to our course reading.

Wednesday, October 25th

This is your last day before a FOUR DAY WEEKEND!

• Reading and Notes: We'll begin by continuing to read Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal." We'll focus our discussion on differentiating between the speaker -- a reasonable businessman -- and the author -- a sarcastic reformer. 
• We'll view and discuss a satirical music video "Sue Ya" from Weird Al Yankovic.  
• Reading and Notes: Then we'll begin reading and discussing Ch. 3 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Vocabulary Ch. 3-4 (Due Today)
• Turn in Class Notebook (Due Today)

Tuesday, October 24th

Remember to have your parents or guardians schedule Parent/Teacher/Student conferences for this Wednesday and Thursday. No school for you on Thursday and Friday!

• You'll begin by taking the Ch. 2 reading quiz. 
• Reading and Notes: Then we'll read and discuss several examples of our next genre: the obituary. You'll take notes on the characteristics of this genre. 
• Reading and Notes: Finally, we'll begin reading and discussing Jonathan Swift's scandalous 1729 essay, "A Modest Proposal."

Monday, October 23rd

Happy Monday Fun Day, everybody!

• Reading and Notes: We'll continue reading and discussing Ch. 2 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Finish reading Ch. 2 to Yourself
• Complete Vocabulary Ch. 3-4 (Due Wednesday)
• Finish Writing/Editing Your Recipe Poem (In Your Notebook)
• Complete Any Missing Work (I'll do 1-on-1 Check Ins)
• Finally, use the computer to look up and read actual examples of our next genre: Obituary. 

Friday, October 20th

Happy Friday, folks!

• If you haven't turned in your signed syllabus yet, you'll have one more chance to do that for full credit today. 
• We'll begin reading and discussing Ch. 2 of Slaughterhouse-Five. 
• You'll take the Ch. 1 Reading Quiz then carefully read two poems: Kenneth Fearing's "AD" and Janice Mirikitani's "Recipe." 
• We'll discuss and analyze the poems, considering the intersections between genre and meaning in these two pieces.
• Notes: Concrete vs. Abstract and Choosing and Abstraction for Your Own Recipe Poem
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:

• Vocabulary Ch. 1-2 Due Today
• Limerick Due Today
• Choose an abstraction and craft a recipe poem of your own in your Writer's Notebook. 

Thursday, October 19th

Here's what we'll be doing in class today:

• Reading and Notes: We'll finish reading and discussing Ch. 1 of Slaughterhouse Five. (Rdg. Quiz: Ch. 1 Tomorrow)
• Genre Study: We'll go in depth on our genre study of the limerick. 
• I'll distribute your vocabulary packet and go over the directions. 
• WORK TIME: Then you'll have work time for the following:
• Vocabulary Ch. 1 (Due Tomorrow)
• Limerick (Due Tomorrow)

Wednesday, October 18th

Happy Wednesday. Here are our plans for today:

• We'll go to the library and check out copies of Slaughterhouse Five. 
• You'll turn in your signed syllabus. 
• Notes: You'll take some notes as we discuss a key theme for our work together this quarter -- fate versus free will. Then you'll write a few sentences in response, sharing your own beliefs about this theme.
• Reading and Notes: We'll read and discuss Vonnegut's introductory Chapter One, taking notes on key elements as we read. 
• Response: You'll craft a "Peaks and Valleys" map of pivotal moments in your notebook. 
• WORK TIME: You'll begin work on genre #1 -- The Limerick

Tuesday, October 17th

Welcome to English Eight! Here's what we'll cover today:

• Seating Chart
• Syllabus (Attendance, Grades, Phones, Extra Credit, Plagiarism, Class Website, Materials)
• Writer's Notebooks
• Class Folders
• Notes: You'll take some notes over the fire-bombing of Dresden, and we'll talk about how this event influenced the creation of our book this quarter. 
• Notes and Discussion: We'll discuss the definition of obscenity and whether or not it can serve a meaningful purpose in a work of literature.