Friday, November 21, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 21, 2014

Focus: How can we augment our reading skills and vocabulary?

1. Warming up with our final round of book talks

2. Playing our final round of Scattegories

3. Enjoying a Thanksgiving-themed vocabulary quiz on Kite Runner, Chapters 15-20

4. Relaxing into your independent reading books; finishing up any last-minute annotations

HW:
1. If you have any make-up work from our Kite Runner unit, such as journal entries/sticky notes, missing vocabulary quizzes, and missed fishbowl blogs, the break is great time to work on those (when you return, you will have only two weeks left, and they're going to be busy).

2. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 20, 2014

Focus: What does it mean to "enter the belly of the whale"?

1. Warming up by "entering the belly of the whale"

Offering you a broad definition

Exploring how it works in Finding Nemo (1:08:12)

  • What is Marlin’s attitude at the beginning of this scene?  At the end?  What changes it?
  • What internal and external battles is he facing? How does the external reflect the internal?
  • What might the different elements this scene symbolize?
  • Why is this an important step in the hero’s journey?


Considering how it works in The Kite Runner

Find a specific scene from a chapter you've read this week in The Kite Runner where you see Amir "entering the belly of the whale."  Reread that scene.

  • What is Amir's attitude at the beginning of this scene? At the end? What changes it?
  • What internal and external battles is Amir facing?  How does the external reflect the internal?
  • What might the different elements of this scene symbolize?
  • Why is this an important step in his hero's journey?


2. Enjoying our final fishbowl discussion of The Kite Runner

3. Wrapping up: Is Amir a hero?  Did he find a way to be "good again"?

HW:
1. Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz over KR, Chapters 15-20.

2. Bring your journal/sticky notes for our final annotation check.

2. Prepare your book talk if you haven't given it yet.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 19, 2014

Focus: How can improve our writing and augment our vocabulary?

1. Warming up by trying out Turnitin.com with our writing assessments

  • Step One: Delete everything on your timed writing document except for the essay itself.
  • Step Two: Type an MLA heading at the top of your document.
  • Step Three: Read through the Turn It In letter and fill in the following information:
    • Our class ID: 9074074
    • Our class enrollment password: english10
  • Step Four: Set up a Turn It In account by following the directions in the letter
  • Step Five: Submit your timed writing to Turn It In and read your originality report


2. Browsing your Kite Runner vocabulary for the week (Chapters 15-20) and making flashcards using your favorite app

3. Playing Scattegories to learn some of this week's tougher words

Round 1

1. A garrulous teacher or coach you've had

2. A habit that a pragmatic student might have

3. Something an affable student would say to another student

4. A rotund object

5. Something a first hour student would do to exude exhaustion

Round 2

1. An event that would leave you feeling disoriented

2. Something you would say to reconcile your relationship with your parents

3. A comment Ms. Leclaire might write on your essay if you had given it only a cursory proofreading

4. A statement that a rueful English 10 student might make

5. A subject worthy of your rumination

Round 3

1. A contemptuous gesture that a student might make in the hallway

2. A subject/topic that stupefies you

3. Something generous you could do to help out a destitute population during the holidays

4. A food that is unadulterated (pure; not contaminated by inferior substances)

5. Something we have an ample supply of here in English 10

HW:
1. Please read and annotate the final chapters of The Kite Runner for our last fishbowl discussion on Thursday; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

2. Start making flashcards for the next vocabulary list, which covers Chapters 15-20.

3. If you are giving your book talk this Friday, please prepare and rehearse it.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 18, 2014

Focus: What is the climax of The Kite Runner, and what change does it bring about?

1. Warming back up with your in-class writing assessment

2. Enjoying a fishbowl discussion of The Kite Runner, Chapters 22 and 23

3. Wrapping up

HW:
1. Please read and annotate the final chapters of The Kite Runner for our last fishbowl discussion on Thursday; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

2. Start making flashcards for the next vocabulary list, which covers Chapters 15-20.

3. If you are giving your book talk this Friday, please prepare and rehearse it.

Monday, November 17, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 17, 2014

Focus: How can we improve our writing skills?

1. Warming up with our penultimate round of book talks!

2. Taking your in-class writing assessment

Please start a new document, call it "_____________ (your last name) Kite Runner Timed Writing," and share it with me directly.


HW:
1. Please read and annotate Chapters 22 and 23 for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

2. Start making flashcards for the next vocabulary list, which covers Chapters 15-20.

3. If you are giving your book talk this Friday, please prepare and rehearse it.

Friday, November 14, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 14, 2014

Focus: How can we augment our vocabularies and reading skills?

1. Warming up with a rousing round of book talks!

2. Looking over your words from Chapters 11-14 and dominating the vocabulary quiz

(Optional: Retaking any grammar quizzes from the past seven weeks)

3. Relaxing into your independent reading books (or catching up with The Kite Runner)


HW:
1. Please read and annotate Chapters 22 and 23 for next Tuesday's fishbowl discussion.

2. Just a quick heads-up: On Monday, we have a timed writing based on a passage from The Kite Runner.  You don't need to study for it, but you may wish to look over the two essays you've written so far (your pre-assessment on the Icarus poem and the Of Mice and Men summary-response).

Thursday, November 13, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 13, 2014

Focus: What is the significance of the Taliban in The Kite Runner?


1. Warming up: Considering life under Taliban rule by reading some statements made by the Taliban

2. Enjoying a fishbowl discussion of The Kite Runner, Chapter 21

3. Wrapping up

HW:
1. Study for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz over words from Chapters 11-14.  Also prepare for any make-up grammar quizzes from the last seven weeks.

2. Prepare your book talk if you haven't given yours yet.

3. Be sure to bring in your annotations/journal entries tomorrow, as well as your independent reading book or your copy of The Kite Runner.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 12, 2014

Focus: How can we augment our vocabularies?

PLC: Shortened Class Today

Please have out your journals/sticky notes so I can have a look.

1. Warming up: Taking ten minutes to start making your vocabulary flashcards for the week

2. Enjoying a little contest: Who can create the most entertaining and fair vocabulary quiz for the week?

  • Look at your previous two quizzes for ideas.
  • You need a fill-in-the-blank section, preferably with 10 questions (and preferably one that tells a story).
  • You need a creative section with about 5 questions.


HW:
1. Read and annotate Chapter 21 by tomorrow; leaders should prepare their fishbowl syllabus.

2. Finish making your vocabulary flashcards (Chapters 11-14); start studying for Friday's quiz.  Remember that if you want to retake any grammar quizzes from the past 7 weeks, Friday is your day.

Monday, November 10, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 11, 2014

Focus: How is the will to act/answer the call essential to Amir's journey?

1. Warming up by applying the call to action to Amir's journey in The Kite Runner:

Hello, students!  I've got a sick little Henry at home, so I won't have the pleasure of joining you today.  On the hero's journey document you started yesterday, please take a full 15 minutes to individually freewrite on the questions below. Make sure the document is properly shared with me, because I will be giving you credit for your in-class work today.
  • Whose fault is the rape of Hassan? Try to come up with as many possibilities as you can and explain each one.
  • What is Amir's blue pill, and what is his red pill?
    • What misconceptions does Amir hold in the world of the blue pill?
    • What does Amir have to believe in order to enter the world of the red pill?
    • What does he have to lose on this journey? 
    • What does he have to gain?
  • Reread the last two pages of Chapter 18 (p.226-227).  What has specifically given him the will to act/to answer the call to action?  Offer at least one specific quotation to support your thoughts.
2. Enjoying an enlightening fishbowl discussion of Chapters 19 and 20

3. Wrapping up

HW:
1. Please read and annotate Chapter 21 for Thursday's fishbowl discussion; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

2. Start making flashcards for Kite Runner, Chapters 11-14; we will have our next vocabulary quiz this Friday, along with any make-up grammar quizzes from the past seven weeks.

3. Continue preparing your book talk if you have not delivered yours yet.

All Boys, All Blogged: November 10, 2014


Focus: What is the call to action, and why is it important to the hero's journey?

1. Warming up with a rousing round of book talks!

2. Understanding the call to action and its larger important in a few heroic film clips:

  • What inner demons are tormenting the hero in this clip?
  • What is the will to act, and why is it important?
  • Listen for one or two lines you like: Write them down as precisely as possible.


  • What symbolic choices are you noticing in this scene?  Consider color, weather, and any other possible images that might carry symbolic weight.
  • How does the mentor in this scene define what the red pill and blue pill each represent?
  • In our daily lives, what might the red pill and the blue pill represent?


Why is answering the call to action a crucial part of any hero's journey? What does it prove?


3. Applying the call to action to Amir's journey in The Kite Runner:
  • What are Amir's specific inner demons, and what will it take to defeat them?
  • What is Amir's blue pill, and what is his red pill?
  • Reread the last two pages of Chapter 18 (p.226-227).  What has specifically given him the will to act/to answer the call to action?  Offer at least one specific quotation to support your thoughts.


HW:
1. Please read and annotate Chapters 19 and 20 for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion; leaders should prepare their syllabus.

2. Start making flashcards for Kite Runner, Chapters 11-14; we will have our next vocabulary quiz this Friday, along with any make-up grammar quizzes from the past seven weeks.

3. Continue preparing your book talk if you have not delivered yours yet.

Friday, November 7, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 7, 2014

Focus: What's starting to shift in The Kite Runner, and why are these shifts important?

1. Warming up with a rousing round of book talks!

2. Enjoying an intellectually stimulating discussion of The Kite Runner, Chapters 17 and 18

3. Wrapping up: Reflect on an important shift or make a prediction

HW:
1. Read and annotate Chapters 19 and 20 for Tuesday's fishbowl discussion; leaders should prepare the syllabus.

2. If you have an upcoming book talk, please prepare and rehearse it.  Think about the very first thing you're going to say to us, and try to grab our attention.

3. Bring The Kite Runner, your hero's journey chart, and your sticky notes/blue journals to class on Monday.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 6, 2014

Focus: How's it going?

Very shortened class today: CMAS

1. Dear Ms. Leclaire,

  • What's going well for you?
  • What's not going well for you?
  • What can I do to help you succeed?
  • What's going on outside of class?
  • What are the next two months going to look like for you?
  • Anything else?

HW:
1. Read and annotate Chapters 17 and 18 for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion; leaders should prepare the syllabus.

2. If you have an upcoming book talk, please prepare and rehearse it.  Think about the very first thing you're going to say to us, and try to grab our attention.

3. Remember that this Friday marks the end of the 12 week period.  All make-up work, late work, and redos/retakes must be completed by this Friday for credit.

Exception: Make-up grammar quizzes will have to wait until next Friday because of book talks and fishbowl tomorrow.



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 4, 2014

Focus: Do I need to make up work for this class? What Level 2 and Level 3 questions do I have regarding The Kite Runner so far?

1. Warming up: Since this Friday marks the end of 12 weeks, I would like you to take a moment to look carefully at your grades for this class, keeping in mind the following:
  • All make-up work, late work, and redos/retakes must be completed by this Friday for credit.  This includes missed fishbowl blogs, retakes on quizzes, Kite Runner annotations/journal entries, grammar assignments, and any other work collected over the past six weeks.
  • Remember that if you missed an outer circle day on the fishbowl, you must make up the blog by e-mailing me an extended response that includes at least one quotation from the assigned chapters.  
  • If you are planning to make up any grades, please speak with me or e-mail me right now to develop a plan to ensure it gets taken care of by this Friday.
  • If your grades in this class are fine, then use this time to look up the two goals that you sent me a few weeks ago after our conference (one reading goal, one writing goal).  Are you working towards those goals right now? If not, what do you need to do?

2. Fishbowl #3: Discussing Chapters 14, 15, and 16 in The Kite Runner


3. Wrapping up fishbowl with take-aways and questions

HW:
1. Start reading and annotating Chapters 17 and 18 for Friday's fishbowl discussion; leaders should start preparing the syllabus.

2. If you have an upcoming book talk, please prepare and rehearse it.  


3. Remember that this Friday marks the end of the 12 week period.  All make-up work, late work, and redos/retakes must be completed by this Friday for credit.

Monday, November 3, 2014

All Boys, All Blogged: November 3, 2014

Focus: What larger patterns are you starting to find in The Kite Runner, and why are they important?

1. Warming up with a rousing round of book talks!

2. Brainstorming motifs from The Kite Runner together on the board, then drawing them together to form good discussion questions.  Each of you should post your best one on today's blog and then pick one to reply to.

For example, let's say that one of the motifs on the board is violence, and that another is redemption

You could ask a question like this: Is violence a way of achieving redemption? 

Or, you could ask something like this: Can Amir ever find redemption for the violence he allowed to happen to Hassan?

Again, once you've posted your question on the blog, please reply to someone else's question.

3. Returning to the hero's journey: Look over the first page of the Joseph Campbell's hero's journey chart given in class today.  With a partner, fill out as much of the first page as you can for The Kite Runner:
  • Think "outside the box" a little.  For example, there may not be any actual dragon battles in The Kite Runner, but there are battles with monster-like people and ideas.
  • Be as specific as possible, citing quotations or at least page numbers whenever possible.
  • Stay in the middle column (the column on the right will be used later).
  • Don't worry if every single step doesn't apply; you can leave a couple of boxes blank if they don't work.

3. Starting Chapter 14 together, if time allows

HW:
1. Finish reading and annotating Chapters 14, 15, and 16 in The Kite Runner.
2. Leaders and discussers need to be prepared for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion.
3. No vocabulary this week.