All Boys, All Blogged: May 18, 2015

Focus: What can we learn about our society through each other's films?

1. Warming up with a few final thoughts:

• Take out/Google share your Works Cited page (unless your Works Cited is part of your film).  

• Keep it on the quiet side...tests could be happening on the other side of the wall.

• No late work will be accepted at this point; make-up work and revisions were due yesterday.

• Final grades for this class will be posted by noon the day after your English final.

• An 89.4% = B+; an 89.5 = A-. Grades are non-negotiable, so please don't e-mail me.

• Watch each other's mockumentaries respectfully, and enjoy!

2. Presenting our films!

3. Clicking HERE to complete the online course evaluation.

HW:
Have a fantastic summer, and please stop by next year to say hello!

All Boys, All Blogged: May 15, 2015

Focus: What can we learn about our society through each other's films?

NOW is the time to e-mail me your film link and to turn in that F451 book if you haven't yet.

1. Warming up with a few final thoughts:

• Take out/Google share your Works Cited page (unless your Works Cited is part of your film).  

• Keep it on the quiet side...tests could be happening on the other side of the wall.

• No late work will be accepted at this point; make-up work and revisions were due yesterday.

• Final grades for this class will be posted by noon the day after your English final.

• An 89.4% = B+; an 89.5 = A-. Grades are non-negotiable, so please don't e-mail me.

• Watch each other's mockumentaries respectfully, and enjoy!

2. Presenting our films!

HW:
See you Monday, and good luck with the rest of your finals!

All Boys, All Blogged: May 14, 2015

Focus: What final editing does our film need?

1. Warming up with Ms. Leclaire's final mini lesson on publishing:

Be sure your film is finalized and shared BEFORE class tomorrow (it can take some time, so don't wait until class).

• You will likely click "Publish," and/or "Exports" and/or "Upload to Youtube"; you don't have to convert to a youtube video, but you need to have a link you can share with me and simply click "play." 

• Check to make sure it works.

• E-mail your link to me at kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us OR share it with me by placing it in your English 10 folder in Google Drive.

• You want it in a place where you won't have to sign in on my computer.

2. Working on your films for the final time!

3. Looking through the rubric one last time; make sure you have a copy for me to use tomorrow. Remember also that your Works Cited page must either be part of your film or printed; it cannot just be shared with me via Google Drive.

Do you know when your English final is?

(If you are not present at your final, your film will be counted as late and receive half credit.)

1st hour: Monday, 7:15 am

3rd hour: Tuesday, 8:56 am

HW:
1. Mockumentaries are due at the beginning of class tomorrow, Friday, May 13. 

2. Please print your Works Cited page or include it in your film. 

All Boys, All Blogged: May 13, 2015

Focus: How can we edit and polish our films?

1. Warming up with a mini lesson on Works Cited pages: Try easybib.com

Your two Works Cited options:

Include a Works Cited slide in your film.

OR

PRINT a hard copy of a Works Cited page and hand it in BEFORE you present your film.  Please do not just Google share it with me because I will be grading your films on the spot.

Remember to include all sites on your Works Cited page.

2. Working on your mockumentary films and checking out the rubric

3. Reminding you of your work habits grades

You start off with 50 points in the Growth category (5 work days left, 10 points each).

You lose a point each time you...

• Distract or are distracted by someone sitting near you
• Play on your cell phone
• Do other homework
• Use language inappropriate to class
• Pack up early or start late

HW:
1. All make-up work and revisions are due Thursday, May 14; remember that you can only make up or revise work from the most recent 6-week grading period. This also includes any preparatory work from your mockumentary I have not yet seen.

2. Mockumentaries are due at the beginning of class this Friday, May 15. Any late work will be penalized by 10 points, and our finals period on Monday will be the last day you can present your film. No exceptions will be granted as this your final exam.

3. I will start grading your websites this Friday.

All Boys, All Blogged: May 12, 2015

Focus: What can we take away from our book club novels?

1. Warming up by perusing the book-film club website rubric (click HERE)

2. Understanding the final task of your book clubs: THEME

3. Extending your learning and earning some bonus points (optional, not required): Synthesizing the book and film

HW:
1. Mockumentaries are due by the beginning of class this Friday. Late mockumentaries are penalized ten points a day, and Monday is the final day they may be presented for credit.

2. Narration should be recorded before you walk in on Wednesday. You need Wednesday and Thursday to synthesize your work into a polished film.

3. Book club websites will be graded on Friday; if you have anything to add to your website, please do so by Friday morning (I'll start grading them around 9:30 am).

All Boys, All Blogged: May 11, 2015

Focus: How do we turn our preparatory work into a film?

1. Warming up with happy Monday thoughts and self-editing your script

2. Offering you a few film-making options:

• If your film will be five minutes or less (or you're willing to pay), try wevideo.com

• If you have a Mac, use iMovie.

• If you have a laptop with Windows and your film will be longer than five minutes, try Movie Maker.

3. Giving you time to gather images, music, and videos

Here are the helpful conversion websites I had on yesterday's blog:

Click HERE  for a website that converts youtube music videos to MP3s (this is an easy way to get music for your film).

Click HERE for a website that converts youtube videos into videos (MP4s) you can use in your film.

KEEP TRACK OF ALL WEBSITES USED.

HW:
1. Record your narration at home.
2. Assigned book club reading and activities (characterization, setting, motifs).
3. MAY 14 is the final deadline for revisions, make-up work, etc.
4. MAY 15 is the final deadline for mockumentaries; late work will result in half credit only.

All Boys, All Blogged: May 8, 2015

Focus: How can we assess your reading skills?

1. Warming up with and explanation of what platform you'll use to make your video:

• If your film will be five minutes or less (or you're willing to pay), try wevideo.com

• If you have a Mac, use iMovie.

• If you have a laptop with Windows and your film will be longer than five minutes, try Movie Maker.

2. Enjoying MAP testing


HW:
1. Script should be finished at this point; record your narration at home.
2. Assigned book club reading and activities (characterization, setting, motifs).
3. MAY 14 is the final deadline for revisions, make-up work, etc.
4. MAY 15 is the final deadline for mockumentaries; late work will result in half credit only.

All Boys, All Blogged: May 7, 2015

Focus: What motifs are starting to emerge in our book club novels?

1. Warming up: Taking 15 minutes to read your book-film club novel

2. Checking your website to make sure your characterization and setting activities are there

3. Developing ideas about your novels through a motif activity and publishing it on your website

HW:
1. Finish today's motif activity by Tuesday if you did not finish in class; assigned book club reading for Tuesday.

2. Catch up with your mockumentary work; scripts should be done by Friday (otherwise, next week will be painful).

3. All mockumentaries are due by the beginning of class on Friday, May 15.

All Boys, All Blogged: May 6, 2015

Focus: How do we write a script to develop real and imagined events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences? (Common Core Writing 3)

1. Warming up: Listening to an opening clip from a "real" documentary

What do you notice about the script itself (powerful words and phrases)?

How does the script turn this into a movie about us? In other words, how does it capture human interest?

What ideas can you steal for your mockumentary?

2. Looking at a sample script and developing/editing the script for your mockumentary

3. Please make sure that by the end of class, you have shown me your annotated research and your timeline as an absolute minimum; hopefully, you can show me your script as well. Please note that we have only FOUR days of work time left.

HW: 
1. Bring your book club novel to class tomorrow; make sure you have completed the reading assignment (as determined by your book club).

2. Your characterization and setting activities from Tuesday should be finished by tomorrow.

3. Mockumentary script should be complete and edited by Friday so that you can start making your film.

4. We start presenting the mockumentaries on Friday, May 15.

All Boys, All Blogged: May 5, 2015

Focus: How and why do individuals, time and place develop and interact in a text's early chapters? (Common Core Reading Standard 3)

1. Warming up with characters from your book-club novels (30 min)

a. Click HERE for Characterization Option #1

b. Click HERE for Characterization Option #2

Feel free to mix and match Options 1 and 2; be sure to publish your work on your website!

2. Interpreting and discussing setting with your book-film clubs: Please click HERE for instructions.

3. Publishing your characterization and setting activities on your website

HW: 
1. Assigned book club reading for Thursday; finish the characterization and setting activities.

2. Timeline should be finished by now and the script should be in motion (only four days left of in-class work time left, as mockumentaries are due at the start of class on Friday, May 15.

3. Script should be done by the end of class on Wednesday, May 6.

All Boys, All Blogged: May 4, 2015

Focus: How can we turn the timeline into a powerful script?

1. Warming up: Listening to the openings from two "real" mock/documentaries:

Example #1: Remember Epic?
Example #2: Supersize Me

Your task: As you listen, describe the opening of each script, typing up powerful words, phrases, and tactics.

2. Showing me your timeline if you have not yet done so

3. Composing a rough draft of your script with a focus on the following aspects:

It should have a powerful opening and closing.

It needs smooth transitions between years/events.

This is a great place to show off your creative voice; choose your words carefully.

You need to have it written out EXACTLY as it will be narrated.

***Click HERE for a sample script from last year.***

4. Explaining how your work habits for this project are being graded:

You start off with 50 points in the Growth category (5 work days left, 10 points each).

You lose a point each time you...

• Distract or are distracted by someone sitting near you
• Play on your cell phone
• Do other homework
• Use language inappropriate to class
• Pack up early

HW: 
1. You must have a rough draft of your script completed before the start of class Wednesday.

2. Assigned book film club reading for tomorrow; be sure to bring your book to class.

3. ALL REVISIONS AND MAKE-UP WORK ARE DUE THURSDAY, MAY 14.

All Boys, All Blogged: May 1, 2015

Focus: How can we combine our ability to invent with our ability analyze history?

1.Warming up: Which projection into the future is stronger and why?

Projection #1: In the year 2021, Apple releases a new version of iPod that is smaller, comes in various colors and patterns, and can be worn as jewelry.

Projection #2: In the year 2021, Apple releases iChip 1, an iPod that measures one millimeter by one millimeter and can be implanted directly into the tympanic cavity of the ear. Although the iChip has to be surgically implanted, it is an outpatient procedure costing less than a typical professional teeth whitening session. Many recipients of the iChip 1, however, complain about the inability to turn the iChip off, finding themselves tormented by constant noise and unable to think or concentrate.

2. Offering you an overview of the timeline (click here for an example)

3. Finishing your annotated research and creating your timeline

HW:
1. Please finish your timeline before class on Monday. You will need a completed timeline before you can compose your script.

2. Assigned book club reading for Tuesday; make sure you bring your books to class on Tuesday.

3. Please make sure your book-film club website address is shared with me. Don't worry about the characterization activity yet.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 29, 2015

Focus: How do we start discussing our books?

1. Warming up: What are the three rules that your book club abides by?

2. Creating websites for your book clubs:

Two possible web applications for your website: www.wikispaces.com and Google sites

Criteria for your website:
Remember that this website will be how you share all of your book club work with me. Your website grade will be your culminating grade for this unit.

First names of group members (no last names, please).
Title and author of book club book

You will need separate links/pages within your website for the following items:

1. Welcome page with statement of purpose: Who are you, and why are you creating this site?
2. Your three group rules
3. Characterization activity (description of assignment and link to it and the product you created, whether it was a series of brains or a discussion)
4. Setting activity
5. Motif activity
6. Theme activity
7. Book-film comparison

CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE WEBSITE ON THE BLIND SIDE.
CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE WEBSITE ON SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.

Please e-mail your website link before the end of class.

3. Discussing CHARACTERS!

a. Click HERE for Option #1

b. Click HERE for Option #2

Feel free to mix and match Options 1 and 2; be sure to publish your work on your website!

HW:

1. Finish any work not finished in class today (website, characterization, expectations/rules).

2. Annotated mockumentary research due by the end of class tomorrow.

3. Assigned book-film club reading for Tuesday, May 5.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 28, 2015

Focus: How we can we establish a strong, academic background for our mockumentaries?

ACT: Very shortened class

1. Warming up: Introducing the timeline

2. Finishing your five annotated articles; please show me your research as soon as you finish.

• Remember that you need to annotate each article with your brainstorming and questions.
• Keep track of your sources and start a Works Cited page.

3. Starting the timeline and creating your projections into the future

HW:
1. If you have not yet finished your five annotated articles, please finish BEFORE class tomorrow.

2. Assigned book club reading for tomorrow. Make sure you bring your books with you on book-film club days.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 27, 2015

Focus: How do we read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently? (Common Core Reading Standard 10)

1. Warming up with a quick overview of tomorrow (annotated research)

2. MAP testing  / Ms. Leclaire's reading assessment

HW:
1. If you didn't finish your how/why chart, please finish for tomorrow.

2. Assigned book club reading for Wednesday (if you were absent last Friday, touch base with your group so you know what you're supposed to read).

All Boys, All Blogged: April 24, 2015

Focus: What groundwork do we need to establish to make our book clubs successful?

Spring Assembly: Shortened Class

1. Warming up with our final round of banned book speeches!

Diego

Blake

Zach

Harrison

2. Taking 10-15 minutes to sample your book-film club books

3. Meeting with your book-film clubs to establish the following:

a. Your reading schedule (make sure you record precise assignments in your student calendars)

Wednesday, April 29

Tuesday, May 5

Thursday, May 7

Finish book and watch film by Tuesday, May 12

b. Your club rules (please Google share them with me)

HW:
1. Assigned book club reading.

2. Essays due in "Final Draft" folder by 3:00 pm today.

3. If you did not finish your How/Why Chart in class yesterday, finish over the weekend.

4. We will have MAP testing on Monday. If your parents wish to opt you out, you will need a written note or an e-mail. 

All Boys, All Blogged: April 23, 2015

Focus: How do we start creating our mockumentaries?

1. Warming up. Testing your topic by brainstorming: The How/Why Chart

Pencils vs. cell phones

2. Working on your How/Why Chart; aim to finish in class, and show me so that I can give you credit on your rubric and get you started on your annotated research.

3. Starting on your annotated research if time allows (keep the C.R.A.P. test in mind)

HW:
1. If you parent approved your book film club novel, then you may go ahead and purchase that novel.  You must have a hard copy of your book in your hands this Friday, April 24.

2. Prepare for your banned book speech this Friday if you haven't given yours yet.

3. Final draft of your synthesis essay due this Friday; please submit it to www.turnitin.com. There is a "rough draft folder" if you'd like to check your essay before you turn it in for real, which I highly recommend. There is a "final draft folder" for your final draft.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 22, 2015

Focus: What is our final project in English 10?

Please turn in your signed book film club proposals if you have not done so.  They were due yesterday.  If I do not receive your signed proposal by Friday, you will be reading A Separate Peace.

1. Warming up: Viewing a few sample mockumentaries

Austin and Graham
Boring History Lesson on Music
iPods

2. Figuring out the purpose and process of creating a mockumentary

3. Brainstorming possible topics

HW:
1. If you parent approved your book film club novel, then you may go ahead and purchase that novel.  You must have a hard copy of your book in your hands this Friday, April 24.

2. Prepare for your banned book speech this Friday if you haven't given yours yet.

3. Final draft of your synthesis essay due this Friday; please submit it to www.turnitin.com. There is a "rough draft folder" if you'd like to check your essay before you turn it in for real, which I highly recommend. There is a "final draft folder" for your final draft.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 21, 2015

Focus: How can make our essays stylistically strong?

1.  Enjoying a brief mini lesson on verbs with Ms. Leclaire:

Look through your essay for this verb construction: is/are/were/was ___________-ing

Examples:

Truman is trying...
Montag is thinking...
Christof and his crew were deceiving...

Try to eliminate the "to be" verb and the "ing."

Fixed Examples:

Truman tries
Montag thinks
Christof deceived

Try fixing this one: 
She is trying to change Truman's mind, reassuring him that everything is fine. But she is also frustrating Truman, who wants only to escape.


Look through your essay and make sure all verbs are in the present tense.

Example:
Montag started his heroic journey when he killed Beatty.

Fixed Example:
Montag starts his heroic journey when he kills Beatty.

Example:
Truman had disregarded the fallen light in the opening scene, but he later saw its significance.

Fixed Example:
Truman has disregarded the fallen light in the opening scene, but he later sees its significance.

2. Giving your essays a final, thorough edit with the slides linked here 

3. Peer editing with the official rubric

HW:
1. Please revise your essays based on today's editing lessons.

2. If you do not turn in your parents' signatures for the book-film clubs proposals by Friday, you will be reading a district-approved book selected by Ms. Leclaire.

3. You need a physical copy of your book by this Friday.

4. Final, final drafts of your essays due this Friday. Feel free to e-mail me or stop in for a conference if you need some advice.

5. If you have not yet presented your banned book speech, you will do so this Friday.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 20, 2015

Focus: How can we develop and strengthen our writing by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach? (Common Core Writing Standard 4)

1. Warming up with happy Monday thoughts

2. My apologies to today's presenters...I left you off the schedule. If you'd like to present today, you're welcome to. Otherwise, you may present this Friday.

3. Editing your body paragraphs for content

Today, I'm going to become a better writer by...

Click HERE for today's editing slides.

HW:
1. Please revise your essays based on today's editing lessons; tomorrow, we will have our final day of editing in which we will focus on style.

2. If you have not yet gotten your parents' signatures for the book-film clubs proposals, please do so by tomorrow.

3. You need a physical copy of your book by this Friday.

4. Final, final drafts of your essays due this Friday. Feel free to e-mail me or stop in for a conference if you need some advice.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 17, 2015

Focus: What can we do to prepare for next year and beyond?

1. Warming up: Submit your book-film club proposal

2. Traveling to the Forum together to figure out our futures

3. Returning to the classroom and enjoying one of three options:

• Working on your schedules

• Visiting https://www.collegeboard.org/ to learn about the PSAT and SAT and/or http://www.actstudent.org/ to learn about the ACT

• Drafting your essays

HW:
1. Finish your conclusion paragraph by Monday (at that point, your rough draft should be complete).

2. Final, final drafts due Friday, April 24.

3. Please get your book-film club proposals signed by Tuesday, April 21; you will need an actual copy of your book no later than Friday, April 24 (if you're ordering one online, order it this weekend).

All Boys, All Blogged: April 16, 2015

Focus: How can we develop and strengthen our writing by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach? (Common Core Writing Standard 4)

1. Warming up: Reading my feedback and setting some goals for today

Today, I'm going to become a better writer by...

2. Revising your first body paragraph

3. Using the feedback on your first body paragraph to form an effective second body paragraph

4. Offering you a few thoughts about conclusions

Your goal: To finish the second body paragraph before you leave class today and to meet the goal you set for yourself at the beginning of class.

HW:
1. Finish your second body paragraph if you did not finish in class today.

2. Compose your conclusion paragraph by Monday.

3. Final, final drafts due Friday, April 24.

4. Book-film club proposals due tomorrow as you walk in the door.

(Meet in here tomorrow first, then we'll travel to the Forum to hear the counselors.)

All Boys, All Blogged: April 15, 2015

Focus: How can we develop and strengthen our writing by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach? (Common Core Writing Standard 4)

1. Warming up with your future book clubs and finalizing your choices

NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE SURE YOUR INTRO AND FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH ARE IN A CLEAN DOCUMENT (NOT IN THE OUTLINE).

TITLE THE DOCUMENT "___________ (your last name) F451 ESSAY" AND SHARE IT WITH ME RIGHT NOW.

2. Engaging in a self-help round of admitting our weaknesses

"Hi. My name is________________, and I ___________________ (admit your writing weakness)."

"Hi, ________________. I can help."


2. Peer editing each other's body paragraphs

Round 1: Give feedback on the weakness your partner just identified

Round 2: Follow along with Ms. Leclaire's presentation (help me help you, kids)

3. Offering you some time to revise your first body paragraph and start composing your second

HW:
1. A heads-up: I will be giving you feedback and a completion grade today (you should have an intro and one body paragraph at least).

2. Please finish revising your first body paragraph; write about half of your second body paragraph (your goal will be to finish it by the end of class tomorrow).

3. Book-film club proposals due this Friday (no signatures required yet)

4. Final drafts due Friday, April 24.  Late essays are penalized five points a day.

5. Turn in your school copies of F451 as soon as you're done with them.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 14, 2015

Focus: How can we develop and strengthen our writing by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach? (Common Core Writing Standard 4)

1. Warming up with a sample introduction from a brave volunteer

No one ever suspects it, but the average person in a society can sometimes become a inspirational hero throughout the world. Both Montag from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Truman from The Truman Show prove this is possible for any unlikely hero. Guy Montag is content with his job burning books until he meets his new neighbor, Clarisse who inspires him to make a change from his dystopian society. He becomes heavily influenced by guilt from destroying books, which have recently become a treasure to him. Truman Burbank is just an average man who discovers his entire life is staged and he decides he will stop at nothing to break free and create an actual life for himself. Both Guy from F451 and Truman from The Truman Show prove that the desires to escape your confinement in society and to break free cannot be repressed, suggesting that humans are naturally rebellious.

2. Peer editing using the official rubric

3. Breaking down the body paragraph, old school style

4. Revising your introductions and composing your body paragraphs/finishing your outlines, which were terrifyingly unfinished as of yesterday morning

5. Taking five minutes to touch base with book clubs and (hopefully) finalize decisions

HW:
1. Complete your first body paragraph before class tomorrow.

2. Finish revising your introduction based on today's feedback.

3. Book-film club proposal due this Friday at the beginning of class.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 13, 2015

Focus: How do we lay the organizational groundwork for book clubs and the synthesis essay?

1. Warming up: Introducing you to book clubs!  Overview, letter, and time to browse

Click here for a list of upstanding books made into upstanding films.
Click here for a student-generated list.
Click here for a list of books recently made into films.

2. . Warming up your reader: What differentiates an "A" introduction from a "D" introduction? Writing your own "A" quality introductions

3. Breaking down the anatomy of a body paragraph, old-school style and starting to draft your own

HW:
1. Finish your introduction and first body paragraph before class tomorrow.

2. Work on your book club proposals, due Friday, April 17.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 10, 2015

Focus: Why do books get banned?

1.  Enjoying our penultimate round of persuasive banned book speeches

Justin

Tom

Joey

Griffin

Corey

Andrew

Camden

Evan

Kaleb?

2. Taking a few minutes to review your vocabulary

3. Acing your last vocabulary quiz of the semester: The final group of F451 words

4. Working on your synthesis essay outlines (due Monday)

HW:
1. Outline should be as complete before class on Monday. It's a lot of work, but it makes writing your essay a piece of cake.

2. If you have yet to deliver your banned book speech, start preparing and rehearsing (remember that your speeches will take place Monday, April 20).

3. If you're interested in applying for Honors American Lit or A.P. Language, attend the informational meeting on Tuesday, April 14 in E-9 at 6:45 am or 2:30 pm.

Click on the link below for the online application:

(Honors American Lit) https://docs.google.com/a/lps.k12.co.us/forms/d/1ZJ6hBd5iTA7jdGr_RcTUhy9zjwEmzjl8rnomSkmkfy0/viewform 

 (AP Lang/Lit) https://docs.google.com/a/lps.k12.co.us/forms/d/1_4qJewGpkCGBr5tmhAldXb_jJW1F7Fbx6LTP0jj1HsM/viewform

All Boys, All Blogged: April 9, 2015

Focus: How do I effectively structure my synthesis essay?

1. Warming up with a little F451 vocabulary review

2. Breaking down your thesis into two body paragraphs: Two tricks

Both Clarisse from F451 and Sylvia from The Truman Show spark the main characters to reject their societies' false "truths" and to embrace their individuality, showing that the human desire for truth conquers the allure of lies.

1. First body paragraph: How Clarisse and Sylvia inspire Montag and Truman to reject their societies' false truths

2. Second body paragraph: How Clarisse and Sylvia inspire Montag and Truman to embrace their individuality

What if my thesis looks like this?

Water in F451 represents freedom, while water in The Truman Show symbolizes fear.

My trick: Try to find something problematic/negative that water represents in both, then try to find something helpful/positive that water represents in both.

Water in F451 and The Truman Show initially presents the characters with a fearful boundary, but it ultimately offers both characters an opportunity to free themselves.

What if my thesis looks like this?

Both Montag in F451 and Truman in The Truman Show reveal the significance of escaping repressive societies.

My trick: Turn this into a problem-solution essay, in which you dedicate one body paragraph to developing the problem and one body paragraph to developing the solution.

Both Montag in F451 and Truman in The Truman Show reveal that repressive societies create ignorance, but escaping these societies fosters intellectual and emotional growth.

3. Finalizing your topics sentences and gathering examples; finish your entire outline by Monday at the latest so that we can start drafting.

HW:
1. Prepare for your final vocabulary quiz tomorrow on the last group of words from F451.

2. Continue working hard on your outline; should be completed by Monday at the latest.

3. If you're delivering your banned book persuasive speech tomorrow, prepare and rehearse.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 8, 2015

Focus: How can use The Truman Show to help us better understand F451?

1. Warming up: Using your notes to think about The Truman Show more deeply (2 min/each)

a. Take a look at your character descriptions.  Which minor character (any character besides Truman) was the most important to Truman's heroic journey and why?

b. Take a look at your symbols/motifs.  Which object carried the most symbolic weight and why? What does it symbolize to Truman? To Cristoff? How did its meaning shift a little throughout the film?

c. Reread your questions.  Pick two questions that seem important to understanding the film as a whole and respond to them thoroughly.

d. Examine the connections you made to Fahrenheit 451. Which one is the most revealing/intriguing/important?  Type a few sentences in which you really explore and expand upon this connection; be as specific as possible.

2. Using Team Shake to shake up your editing: Google sharing your thesis statements and getting peer feedback:

• Is it clear (well-worded and easy to understand)?
• Is it specific (mentions specific characters, symbols, titles, and problems/solutions)?
• Is it debatable (makes an argument instead of merely summarizing what happens)?
• Is it provable (can be backed up by examples from both texts)?

• Which one is the overall strongest?

3. Putting your thesis to work: Forming your outline and composing topic sentences

Click HERE for the outline and make a copy for yourself (you must be signed in to do this). Once you have chosen your favorite thesis and revised it, please copy it into the thesis section of the outline.

HW:
1. If you have not yet put those remaining F451 words into quizlet, now is the time! Review tomorrow, quiz on Friday.

2. Finish revising your thesis and forming your topic sentences before class tomorrow; start filling in the rest of the outline, which must be complete before class on Friday.

3. If you're delivering your banned book speech on Friday, prepare and rehearse.

Interested in applying for Honors American Literature, A.P. Language, or A.P. Literature?

Information meeting on Tuesday, April 14 before (6:45 am) and after school (2:45 pm) in room E-9

Click on the link below for the online application:

(Honors American Lit) https://docs.google.com/a/lps.k12.co.us/forms/d/1ZJ6hBd5iTA7jdGr_RcTUhy9zjwEmzjl8rnomSkmkfy0/viewform 

 (AP Lang/Lit) https://docs.google.com/a/lps.k12.co.us/forms/d/1_4qJewGpkCGBr5tmhAldXb_jJW1F7Fbx6LTP0jj1HsM/viewform

All Boys, All Blogged: April 7, 2015

Focus: How do we close read a film, and what larger meanings can we take from The Truman Show?

1. Warm-up: Close reading two scenes from The Truman Show

Some close reading questions to jump start your thinking...

Why is Truman looking a mirror?
How are his drawing and speech symbolic?
How is this moment significant to the film as a whole?

What might the water (and the storm) symbolize?
What might the boat symbolize?
How does this scene reflect an important change in Truman?
What do you think is the most significant moment in this scene and why?
What does Christof represent?

Why do you think the writer of this film named the protagonist "Truman"?
Why do you think Bradbury named his protagonist "Guy"?

2. New grid group discussions of The Truman Show (15-20 min)

3. Composing a rough thesis that draws together The Truman Show and Fahrenheit 451

Some samples...

Character analysis:
Both Guy from F451 and Truman from The Truman Show share the heroic traits of ________ and _________, revealing that a true hero must ___________________________.

Both Guy from F451 and Truman from The Truman Show prove that the desires to ____________________ and ____________________cannot be repressed, suggesting that humans are naturally ________________________.

Both Clarisse from F451 and Sylvia from The Truman Show spark the main characters to realize ________________ and _______________, showing that _________________________.

Cristoff and Beatty?

Mildred/friends and the people watching The Truman Show?

Problem - Solution:
In both F451 and The Truman Show, the societies suffer from _________________, but they ultimately _______________________, revealing that _____________________________.

In both F451 and The Truman Show, the protagonists struggle to ____________________, but they eventually succeed in _________________________, revealing that _______________________.

Symbols:
The ____________ from F451 symbolizes _______________________, while the ___________ from The Truman Show represents _______________________, both symbols suggesting that _______________________________.


HW:
1. Form three different versions of a thesis statement using Google docs and share them with me by 10 pm tonight.

2. Bring F451 to class tomorrow so that you can start gathering quotations.

3. Study the remaining vocabulary words for Friday's final vocab. quiz.

4. If you're presenting a banned book speech this Friday, prepare and rehearse.


Helpful website for spelling the director's and the characters' names correctly: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120382/fullcredits

All Boys, All Blogged: April 6, 2015

Focus: What symbols and patterns are emerging in The Truman Show?

1. Warming up with happy Monday thoughts

2. Questioning the film in grid groups: what are you wondering so far? How many images of dead-ends can you think of from last week? What might they suggest?

3. Watching The Truman Show and focusing on the following in your notes:

This document will eventually be worth 40 points in the growth category.

Include the following categories in your notes:

a. Characters: Names, personality traits, clothes, things they say

b. Motifs/symbols: Specific objects that seem symbolic, what they might represent, and how they change throughout the film

c. Questions: Level 1, 2, and 3 questions; try to answer them at the end of the film

d. Connections to Fahrenheit 451: Be specific and original (these will form the backbone of your essay)

4. Wrapping up: Post one specific connection you've discovered between The Truman Show and F451

HW:
1. Study the remaining words in your F451 vocabulary packets; quiz Friday.

2. If you're delivering your banned book speech Friday, prepare and rehearse.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 3, 2015

Focus: Why do books get banned?

1. Warming up with a few interesting tidbits on why F451 was banned

2. Enjoying our second round of banned book presentations

3. Taking your second F451 vocabulary quiz

4. Continuing The Truman Show if time allows

HW:
1. Before Monday morning, please respond to the blog entitled, "Connect the Dots." Nope.

2. If you have not yet delivered your banned book presentation, work on it over the weekend.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 2, 2015

Focus: What symbols and patterns are emerging in The Truman Show?

1. Warming up by testing your vocab prowess: a quick close-eyed review of vocabulary words 16-30

2. Questioning the film: what are you wondering so far?

3. Starting to think about the film on a symbolic level: how many images of dead-ends can you think of from yesterday? What might they suggest?

4. Watching The Truman Show and focusing on the following in your notes:

Make sure you have a document called "___________ (your last name) Truman Show Notes" and share it with me directly at kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us

This document will eventually be worth 40 points in the growth category.

Include the following categories in your notes:

a. Characters: Names, personality traits, clothes, things they say

b. Motifs/symbols: Specific objects that seem symbolic, what they might represent, and how they change throughout the film

c. Questions: Level 1, 2, and 3 questions; try to answer them at the end of the film

d. Connections to Fahrenheit 451: Be specific and original (these will form the backbone of your essay)

HW:
1. Study words 16-30 in your F451 vocabulary packets; quiz tomorrow.

2. If you're delivering your banned book speech tomorrow, prepare and rehearse.

3. Remember that tomorrow marks the end of the second six-week grading period; if you have any makeup work (missed fishbowl blogs, reading journals that you need to revise/do for the first time, etc), it must be completed by this Friday.

All Boys, All Blogged: April 1, 2015

Focus: What are Bradbury's themes, and how did he use symbolism to construct them?

Happy April, everybody!

1. Warming up with F451's central symbols

With your partners, explore the symbol you've been given using these steps:

a. Draw/cut out what your symbol looks like. The more detailed, the better. 

b. Find one or two good quotations from the book that describes your symbol. Write it on your symbol.

c. Brainstorm all the larger ideas your symbol represents in this book; try to find variation (it represents _______, but it also reveals ______). Be prepared to defend your thinking.


2. Finding patterns among the symbols to form larger themes

On our class blog, try one (or more) of these:

Bradbury uses the symbols of ____________ and ___________ to warn us that...

Bradbury uses the symbols of ____________ and ___________ to criticize our society for...

Bradbury uses the symbols of ____________ and ___________ to encourage people to...



2. Explaining how to set up your notes for The Truman Show (click HERE for a trailer)

Please start a new document called "___________ (your last name) Truman Show Notes" and share it with me directly at kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us

This document will eventually be worth 40 points in the growth category.

Include the following categories in your notes:

a. Characters: Names, personality traits, clothes, things they say

b. Motifs/symbols: Specific objects that seem symbolic, what they might represent, and how they change throughout the film

c. Questions: Level 1, 2, and 3 questions; try to answer them at the end of the film

d. Connections to Fahrenheit 451: Be specific and original (these will form the backbone of your essay)


3. Starting The Truman Show

HW:
1. Start studying words 16-30 in your F451 vocabulary packets; quiz this Friday.

2. If you're delivering your banned book speech this Friday, start preparing and rehearsing.

3. Remember that this Friday marks the end of the second six-week grading period; if you have any makeup work (missed fishbowl blogs, reading journals that you need to revise/do for the first time, etc), it must be completed by this Friday.

All Boys, All Blogged: March 31, 2015

Focus: What aspects of our society is Bradbury warning us about?

1. Warming up: Questioning so called "reality" TV

Viewing a quick clip on The Hunger Games and how "reality" TV affects our lives

Brainstorming a few concepts together...

a. What is reality TV?

b. What types/genres of reality TV have you noticed?

c. To what extent is reality TV real, and to what extent is it fake?

d. Why do you think reality TV has become so popular? Why do we watch it?

e. In Fahrenheit 451, how does TV fictionalize the end of Montag's chase?  Why?

For ideas, please peruse this article on reality TV.


2. Enjoying our final fishbowl together: The ending of Fahrenheit 451

3. Wrapping up: What is your big takeaway from this novel?

HW:
1. Start studying words 16-30 in your F451 vocabulary packets; quiz this Friday.

2. If you're delivering your banned book speech this Friday, start preparing and rehearsing.

All Boys, All Blogged: March 20, 2015

Focus: What makes a speech effective? And why do books get banned?

1. Warming up with a quick round of circle story time using our new vocabulary words

2. Enjoying our first banned book persuasive speeches:

Anthony C.

Reid C.

Colin F.

Max M.

Will R.

Will H.

Connor D.

3. Tackling your final F451 reading assignment (green journals due Tuesday)

HW:
1. Finish F451 and your final journal entries by Tuesday; prepare for our last fishbowl, also Tuesday.

2. Have a great spring break!

All Boys, All Blogged: March 30, 2015

Focus: What larger patterns are coming clear in F451?

1. Designing your ideal playground, comparing it to today's vanilla playgrounds, and reading about "The Overprotected Kid"

Before you read...

• Design your ideal playground (sketch it or describe it in words).  Create it from bottom to top, starting with what the ground would be made of, what the playground itself would be made of, what equipment it would have (if any equipment at all), how tall it would be, what colors it would have, etc.

• How do think your playground compares to playgrounds today?

As you read the article, please respond to these questions in your F451 notes (feel free to watch the videos, but please use earbuds or turn the volume off)...

• What is "The Land," and what makes it unique?

• What's happened to our playgrounds over the years and why?

• What is problematic about today's playgrounds?

After you read, please get together with the "I Like People/Grid" groups to which you have been previously assigned and discuss the following topics: 

BE SURE TO TAKE NOTES AND TURN IN YOUR SHEET AT THE END OF CLASS.

• Does "The Land" appeal to you? Why don't we have playgrounds like this in the U.S.?

• In your opinion, can playgrounds affect the kind of people we become? How so (or not)?

• What connections can you make between this article and F451?

2. Finishing F451 and your reading journals for tomorrow; this part of class should be quiet and independent.

HW:
1. Finish reading F451 and completing your reading journal; you will turn in your journal tomorrow, and it should be finished by this point. Our final discussers and leaders need to be ready to go tomorrow.

2. Prepare your banned book persuasive speech if you're delivering it this Friday.

3. This Friday marks the end of a 6-week grading period; all revisions, missed work (including missed fishbowl blogs), and late work from the past six weeks must be submitted by Friday in order to receive credit.

All Boys, All Blogged: March 19, 2015

Focus: Is Montag becoming a hero?

1. Warming up with some thoughts on your upcoming banned book speeches

a. What's the first thing you're going to say to us?
b. How are you going to use the glowing screen behind you?

A sample bad presentation
A sample good presentation

2. Offering you a few types of heroes...does Montag fit any of these categories?

3. Enjoying our penultimate fishbowl discussion: F451, pages 102-129

HW:
1. Finish putting words 16-30, "incessant" through "prattle" into www.quizlet.com; we will do a little review of the words after spring break to prepare you for the quiz on Friday. (Quiz is postponed until after spring break).

2. Prepare for our final fishbowl discussion on Tuesday, March 31 on F451 and completing your final green reading journal/observation chart. Reading charts will be collected for the final time on Tuesday.

3. Work on your banned book speech. If you are absent or not ready to go on the day you signed up for, you automatically lose 10 points on your presentation.

All Boys, All Blogged: March 18, 2015

Focus: What turning point are we approaching in F451?

1. Warming up with some thoughts on your upcoming banned book speeches

a. What's the first thing you're going to say to us?
b. How are you going to use the glowing screen behind you?

A sample bad presentation
A sample good presentation

2. Asking a Level 2 question about page 110 (final page of Part 2)

3. Entering Part 3 of F451 together, reading and journaling

HW:
1. Finish putting words 16-20, "incessant" through "prattle" into www.quizlet.com; we will do a little review of the words in class tomorrow to prepare you for the quiz on Friday. (Quiz is postponed until after spring break).

2. Prepare for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion by reading through page 139 in F451 and completing at least one side of a green reading journal/observation chart.

3. Work on your banned book speech. If you are absent or not ready to go on the day you signed up for, you automatically lose 10 points on your presentation.

All Boys, All Blogged: March 17, 2015

Focus: What are Montag and Faber fighting for?

1. Warming up with a poetry contest: Unraveling the poem Bradbury includes in  F451: "Dover Beach"

a. Tell me the story of each stanza. In other words, put each stanza into your own words (look up any vocab you don't know).

b. Tell me everything you know about the poem's speaker.

c. Find an important metaphor and explain it to me carefully (what is being compared to what and why?).

d. Find three images, each appealing to a different sense, and explain what they contribute to the poem.

e. Describe what you think is the poem's tone. Defend your response with two details from the poem.

f. Identify what you see as an important shift in the poem, and explain the nature of the shift.

g. Find one important allusion in the poem. Look up that allusion, and explain why the poem might make this particular allusion. In other words, what does it contribute to the poem.

h. What do you think its the poem's theme? In other words, what lesson is it trying to teach us?

i. Of all the poems in the entire world, why might Bradbury include this one in F451? (You will be coming across it in tonight's reading). In other words, how does this theme of this poem overlap with the ideas in F451?

j. Ask one good level 3 question that pertains to this poem.

(P.S. This is a contest.  The best poetry explication gets a prize.)

2. Enjoying Fishbowl #5: F451, pages 80-102

3. Wrapping up by responding to the focus question

HW:
1. Read through the end of Part 2 (page 110); tomorrow, we will start reading Part 3 together so that you can be prepared for Fishbowl discussion on Thursday, which will cover reading through page 139.

2. Start putting your F451 words 16-25, "incessant" through "prattle" in www.quizlet.com (quiz this Friday).

All Boys, All Blogged: March 16, 2015

Focus: What are the components of the society in Fahrenheit 451?

1. Warming up: Creating a recipe for the society of Fahrenheit 451; click HERE for directions.

2. Cleverly unraveling the poem you're about to meet in F451: "Dover Beach"

a. Tell me the story of each stanza. In other words, put each stanza into your own words.

b. Tell me everything you know about the poem's speaker.

c. Find an important metaphor and explain it to me carefully (what is being compared to what and why?).

d. Find three images, each appealing to a different sense, and explain what they contribute to the poem.

e. Describe what you think is the poem's tone. Defend your response with two details from the poem.

f. Identify what you see as an important shift in the poem, and explain the nature of the shift.

g. Find one important allusion in the poem. Look up that allusion, and explain why the poem might make this particular allusion. In other words, what does it contribute to the poem.

h. Explain one of the poem's motifs, supporting your response with two details from the poem.

i. Explore two sound devices in this poem and explain what larger idea they help reveal (ex: alliteration, assonance, rhyme, euphony, cacophony, etc.).

j. What do you think its the poem's theme? In other words, what lesson is it trying to teach us?

k. Of all the poems in the entire world, why might Bradbury include this one in F451? (You will be coming across it in tonight's reading). In other words, how does this theme of this poem overlap with the ideas in F451?

l. Ask one good level 3 question that pertains to this poem.

(P.S. This is a contest.  The best poetry explication gets a prize.)

3. If time allows, reading Fahrenheit 451

HW:
1. Prepare for tomorrow's fishbowl discussion by reading pages 80-102; fill out one side of your new observation chart.

2. Work on your banned book persuasive speech.

All Boys, All Blogged: March 13, 2015

Focus: What shifts are happening in F451?

1. Warming up with a rousing round of pictionary to get your ready for your vocabulary quiz!

2. Enjoying a vocabulary quiz on F451 words 1-15

3. Catching up/getting ahead in F451 and your observation charts until everyone finishes the quiz

4. Participating in Fishbowl #4: F451, pages 63-80

HW:
1. Work on your banned book speech; they begin next Friday. 

2. To prepare for next Tuesday's fishbowl discussion, please read pages 80-102 in F451 and complete one side of your observation chart (due Tuesday, not Monday). 

All Boys, All Blogged: March 11, 2015

Focus: Are we on the path that Bradbury is projecting in Fahrenheit 451?

PARCC: Shortened class today

1. As you watch each commercial, consider what it reflects about our society and/or how it connects our society to that of F451.  Type your reflections for any THREE of these commercials.

Netflix
More Netflix
Tide Pods
Jimmy John's 
Radio Shack
iPad
Best Buy 
Wii
Gogurt
Campbell's
Abilify

2. Reading back through pages 54-57: Do you see elements of those commercials/our society in these pages? What happened to the society in F451?

3. Reviewing the first 15 words in your F451  packet

HW:

1. Please read pages 63-80 in F451 and complete one side of your green observation chart/reading journal by this Friday. I will likely collect your observation charts on Friday.

2. Work on your book talk and be ready to go on your presentation date.

3. This Friday we will have a vocabulary quiz over F451 words 1 through 15 ("abstracted" through "fold").