Students finished watching the film version of Homer's Odyssey today.
Students will complete a worksheet as they watch the movie. The worksheet is basically a fill-in-the-blank summary of the movie's story. The worksheet was due at the end of class today.
Students should also continue to consider their upcoming essays on the Odyssey. This essay is due upon their return from Spring Break, but I am willing to look at any essay early and give tips or advice on how to improve it.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thursday, March 24
Students watched a film version of Homer's Odyssey today. This will actually take two days, because the film is nearly three hours long.
Students will complete a worksheet as they watch the movie. The worksheet is basically a fill-in-the-blank summary of the movie's story.
Students should also continue to consider their upcoming essays on the Odyssey. This essay is due upon their return from Spring Break, but I am willing to look at any essay early and give tips or advice on how to improve it.
Students will complete a worksheet as they watch the movie. The worksheet is basically a fill-in-the-blank summary of the movie's story.
Students should also continue to consider their upcoming essays on the Odyssey. This essay is due upon their return from Spring Break, but I am willing to look at any essay early and give tips or advice on how to improve it.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 23
Students took a test on epic poetry today. I was interested to see student's reading skills, so I gave them an excerpt from Homer's Iliad (an epic poem that we haven't read before in class), and asked them to answer a series of multiple choice questions about it.
After the test, students had time to work on their essays. I was available for 1-on-1help for any student who needed it.
Tomorrow and Friday, we will be watching a film version of the Odyssey, made in 1997.
After the test, students had time to work on their essays. I was available for 1-on-1help for any student who needed it.
Tomorrow and Friday, we will be watching a film version of the Odyssey, made in 1997.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 22
We accomplished three things in class today:
*We finished reading Homer's Odyssey. The final sections were on pages 651-3.
*Students completed a daily log activity. This activity had parts of grammar, vocabulary, and writing.
*Students began work on their essays. I did a progress check for a daily grade. Students needed to complete, at minimum, an organizational pre-write and find supporting evidence and quotations from the text.
*We finished reading Homer's Odyssey. The final sections were on pages 651-3.
*Students completed a daily log activity. This activity had parts of grammar, vocabulary, and writing.
*Students began work on their essays. I did a progress check for a daily grade. Students needed to complete, at minimum, an organizational pre-write and find supporting evidence and quotations from the text.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, March 21
We continued our reading of Homer's Odyssey. We read “Penelope”, “The Challenge”, and “Odysseus’ Revenge” (p.641-650).
We also discussed a writing assignment based upon the story. Basically, students will choose a character from the story and write about them, using quotes and evidence from the book to back up their ideas.
If you were absent today, you should make up the reading and find out about the requirements for the essay.
We also discussed a writing assignment based upon the story. Basically, students will choose a character from the story and write about them, using quotes and evidence from the book to back up their ideas.
If you were absent today, you should make up the reading and find out about the requirements for the essay.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday, March 18
We started today off by having a short quiz on part one of Homer's Odyssey. As we used the CPS remotes to take the quiz, students learned of their scores immediately following the quiz.
After that, we cast parts and read a bunch of Part Two:
"Father and Son", "Argos", and "The Suitors" (page 631-640)
In today's reading, Odysseus returns home to Ithaca after 20 years away. He meets his son and his dog, Argos. Argos still recognizes Odysseus, even after 20 years. I felt that, in this way, the story relates to a recent story coming out of Japan after the tsunami:
Dog Will Not Abandon His Companion
It's so touching...
Have a great weekend, everyone!
After that, we cast parts and read a bunch of Part Two:
"Father and Son", "Argos", and "The Suitors" (page 631-640)
In today's reading, Odysseus returns home to Ithaca after 20 years away. He meets his son and his dog, Argos. Argos still recognizes Odysseus, even after 20 years. I felt that, in this way, the story relates to a recent story coming out of Japan after the tsunami:
Dog Will Not Abandon His Companion
It's so touching...
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 17
Today is the last of part one of the Odyssey. In today's adventure, Odysseus visits the land of Helios, the sun god. This adventure is from 624-629.
We also reviewed for the quiz tomorrow. Students should know the various adventures of Odysseus: the land of the Ciccones, the Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops, the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, and the Cattle of the Sun God.
We discussed "epithets." Students defined the term epithet and found epithets from the book. This work is in the class binder.
Students who missed school today should prepare for the quiz, read the required section, do the "Reading Check" questions, and complete the epithet work.
BONUS POINTS: Students can read the poem "The Lotus Eaters", on page 656. It's by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It's about Odysseus' adventure in the land of the Lotus Eaters. Read the poem and paraphrase (summarize) it in everyday language.
Students who need a review for the quiz: I found a good summary of the Odyssey online.
http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/
When you go to this site, you can choose between a short version or a detailed version. When you read the summary, please remember that our textbook does not have the whole story. We are only reading excerpts in class. For the quiz, you should focus on Books 9-12 of this summary.
We also reviewed for the quiz tomorrow. Students should know the various adventures of Odysseus: the land of the Ciccones, the Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops, the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, and the Cattle of the Sun God.
We discussed "epithets." Students defined the term epithet and found epithets from the book. This work is in the class binder.
Students who missed school today should prepare for the quiz, read the required section, do the "Reading Check" questions, and complete the epithet work.
BONUS POINTS: Students can read the poem "The Lotus Eaters", on page 656. It's by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It's about Odysseus' adventure in the land of the Lotus Eaters. Read the poem and paraphrase (summarize) it in everyday language.
Students who need a review for the quiz: I found a good summary of the Odyssey online.
http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/
When you go to this site, you can choose between a short version or a detailed version. When you read the summary, please remember that our textbook does not have the whole story. We are only reading excerpts in class. For the quiz, you should focus on Books 9-12 of this summary.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 16
What does it mean to be stuck between a rock and a hard place? "Between a rock and a hard place" is an English idiom that means you are in a difficult situation with no easy way out. This expression actually comes from Homer's "Odyssey". It comes from the story "Scylla and Charybdis", which we are reading today in class.
We continued our reading of Homer's "Odyssey" today. We read the adventures involving "The Sirens" (p.617-620) and "Scylla and Charybdis" (p621-624).
We also talked about some common mistakes that people make when writing. Today, in the day of text messages and the Internet, there are many common mistakes, such as substituting the letter "u" for the word "you" or forgetting to capitalize words or use correct punctuation.
To emphasize this point, I shared with the students a funny blog where the author pokes fun of these mistakes:
The Alot is Better than You at Everything
We continued our reading of Homer's "Odyssey" today. We read the adventures involving "The Sirens" (p.617-620) and "Scylla and Charybdis" (p621-624).
We also talked about some common mistakes that people make when writing. Today, in the day of text messages and the Internet, there are many common mistakes, such as substituting the letter "u" for the word "you" or forgetting to capitalize words or use correct punctuation.
To emphasize this point, I shared with the students a funny blog where the author pokes fun of these mistakes:
The Alot is Better than You at Everything
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 15
We continued our reading of "The Odyssey" today. We finished the adventure with the Cyclops, which took us up to page 616 in the textbook. Students did the "Reading Check" questions on page 616.
We also watched a short video clip of Odysseus fighting the Cyclops, taken from a 1997 TV movie.
Students who need to make up today's work should make sure they've read up to page 616. They should also do the "Reading Check" and "Study and Discussion" questions.
We also watched a short video clip of Odysseus fighting the Cyclops, taken from a 1997 TV movie.
Students who need to make up today's work should make sure they've read up to page 616. They should also do the "Reading Check" and "Study and Discussion" questions.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 14
Today we started our reading of "The Odyssey", by Homer. We'll be reading from "The Odyssey" all this week. We'll finish it next week.
"The Odyssey" is an epic poem about the great hero Odysseus and his journey home after the Trojan War. It’s an extremely long poem, over 400 pages long, so we’ll only be reading parts of it in class, out of our textbook. Please pay attention, as we will have a quiz on Friday and a writing assignment next week, both based upon this reading.
First we reviewed the background to "The Odyssey" (the Judgment of Paris and the Trojan War), which we covered last Wednesday. Following this, we read the following part:
“I Am Odysseus”, “The Lotus Eaters”, “The Cyclops” (pages 599-607, up to line 247)
"The Odyssey" is an epic poem about the great hero Odysseus and his journey home after the Trojan War. It’s an extremely long poem, over 400 pages long, so we’ll only be reading parts of it in class, out of our textbook. Please pay attention, as we will have a quiz on Friday and a writing assignment next week, both based upon this reading.
First we reviewed the background to "The Odyssey" (the Judgment of Paris and the Trojan War), which we covered last Wednesday. Following this, we read the following part:
“I Am Odysseus”, “The Lotus Eaters”, “The Cyclops” (pages 599-607, up to line 247)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 9
Today, we got all the background information on the Odyssey.
We read a play called "The Judgment of Paris". Students played parts in the play. This play is the story of the Golden Apple of Discord, which eventually caused the 10 year Trojan War. Full text of this play can be found online at:
http://trickledownolympus.blogspot.com/2008/03/judgment-of-paris-sample-play.html
We also watched two YouTube videos that described the happenings of the Trojan War and how clever Odysseus figured out a way to win the war. These videos can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K6_ovmilgw (Part One)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSNnz-SXiCQ&feature=related (Part Two)
Or, to find the videos, you can just type "Ulysses and the Trojan horse" into YouTube's search bar.
Finally, we did some work on Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes.
This activity can be found online at:
http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/vocabulary.cfm?str=vocabulary&num=1&act=1
Or just type "prefixes say plenty" into Google's search bar and click on the first result. It should be "TV 411- Prefixes Say Plenty."
We read a play called "The Judgment of Paris". Students played parts in the play. This play is the story of the Golden Apple of Discord, which eventually caused the 10 year Trojan War. Full text of this play can be found online at:
http://trickledownolympus.blogspot.com/2008/03/judgment-of-paris-sample-play.html
We also watched two YouTube videos that described the happenings of the Trojan War and how clever Odysseus figured out a way to win the war. These videos can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K6_ovmilgw (Part One)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSNnz-SXiCQ&feature=related (Part Two)
Or, to find the videos, you can just type "Ulysses and the Trojan horse" into YouTube's search bar.
Finally, we did some work on Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes.
This activity can be found online at:
http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/vocabulary.cfm?str=vocabulary&num=1&act=1
Or just type "prefixes say plenty" into Google's search bar and click on the first result. It should be "TV 411- Prefixes Say Plenty."
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday, March 8
Students took a test on poetry today. This is probably the final grade for this marking period, which ends tomorrow.
After the poetry test, we discussed Greek and Latin prefixes. If students can learn these prefixes, they will increase their vocabulary dramatically. Students did some work using the worksheet on Greek and Latin prefixes.
We also read about Homer's Odyssey in the textbook, p. 590-593.
After the poetry test, we discussed Greek and Latin prefixes. If students can learn these prefixes, they will increase their vocabulary dramatically. Students did some work using the worksheet on Greek and Latin prefixes.
We also read about Homer's Odyssey in the textbook, p. 590-593.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday, March 7
We're gearing up for our Poetry test!
Today, we conducted a Jeopardy! style review of poetry. This will help students to understand what they do and don't know, so they can study for the exam tomorrow.
Also, I presented some notes on "epic poetry." We will be starting a short unit on Homer's Odyssey. It's an epic poem about the great warrior Odysseus and his ten year journey to return home after the Trojan war.
Today, we conducted a Jeopardy! style review of poetry. This will help students to understand what they do and don't know, so they can study for the exam tomorrow.
Also, I presented some notes on "epic poetry." We will be starting a short unit on Homer's Odyssey. It's an epic poem about the great warrior Odysseus and his ten year journey to return home after the Trojan war.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday, March 4
Unfortunately, I had to take a sick day today to deal with a medical problem.
Students in my class today watched the classic 1931 film "Frankenstein." Even though this film is a bit old, its themes are still very relevant today. "Frankenstein" explores ideas about the ethics of scientific experimentation and how we should treat people who are different. On top of that, it's an amazing movie.
Students had a worksheet to fill out as they watched the movie. The worksheet had a series of questions about the film.
Students in my class today watched the classic 1931 film "Frankenstein." Even though this film is a bit old, its themes are still very relevant today. "Frankenstein" explores ideas about the ethics of scientific experimentation and how we should treat people who are different. On top of that, it's an amazing movie.
Students had a worksheet to fill out as they watched the movie. The worksheet had a series of questions about the film.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, March 3
Students took a third diagnostic exam today. The point of these exams, given at four week intervals, is to see if students are progressing in the required skills.
After the benchmark exam, Blocks 1 & 3 wrote five paragraph essays about "What I Like to Do in My Free Time."
Block 4 read poetry from their poetry book projects and completed an activity about word choice.
After the benchmark exam, Blocks 1 & 3 wrote five paragraph essays about "What I Like to Do in My Free Time."
Block 4 read poetry from their poetry book projects and completed an activity about word choice.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wednesday, March 2
Today is a student work day. Students will be in the computer lab all block, working on their poetry books.
Students should remember:
*poetry books are due on March 3.
*each poem should be accompanied by some design or picture.
*the requirements for each poem (for example, the metaphor or internal rhyme) should be underlined so I can easily give credit for it.
Tomorrow we will have another benchmark exam.
Students should remember:
*poetry books are due on March 3.
*each poem should be accompanied by some design or picture.
*the requirements for each poem (for example, the metaphor or internal rhyme) should be underlined so I can easily give credit for it.
Tomorrow we will have another benchmark exam.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 1
This is a student work day. Students will complete a variety of activities.
1. Grammar Worksheet—On this worksheet, there are two sentences. For each of the sentences, students need to answer a series of multiple choice questions identifying things like the parts of speech, sentence parts, etc.
2. Poetry Scavenger Hunt—Students were given a sheet with a list of poetry vocabulary words on it, like narrative poem or metaphor. Students needed to hunt through their textbook for examples of that term and write it on a sheet of paper. This is a good review of poetry terms.
3. Poetry Book—Students were given time to work on poems for their poetry books.
POETRY SCAVENGER HUNT REQUIREMENTS
Find 15 things minimum!
You know what a scavenger hunt is, right? It’s where people are challenged to search for various things on a list of items. Since we’re currently doing poetry, let’s have a scavenger hunt for poetry things as a way to review everything we’ve learned.
Below is a list of 25 terms and poetry techniques. You are to go through your textbook, find examples of these different things, and write down the examples on a separate sheet of paper. You also may need to explain the example. At the end of the block, turn this paper in to the teacher.
For example, maybe you decided to look for “personification.” You find a good example of personification in the poem “Moon Tiger” (p. 324). On your paper, you should write:
Personification “Moon Tiger”, by Denise Levertov (p.324)
In this poem, Levertov compares the moon to a tiger. It prowls sleekly around the room. When the moonlight comes through the blinds, it looks like stripes.
Here’s the list of items!!
Personification
Figurative language
Imagery
Metaphor
Simile
Synecdoche
Hyperbole
Symbolism
Alliteration
End rhyme
Rhyme scheme
Refrain
Internal rhyme
Assonance
Consonance
Diction
Lyric poem
Narrative Poem
Dramatic Poem
Sonnet
Ballad
Haiku
Limerick
Concrete/shape poem
Free verse
1. Grammar Worksheet—On this worksheet, there are two sentences. For each of the sentences, students need to answer a series of multiple choice questions identifying things like the parts of speech, sentence parts, etc.
2. Poetry Scavenger Hunt—Students were given a sheet with a list of poetry vocabulary words on it, like narrative poem or metaphor. Students needed to hunt through their textbook for examples of that term and write it on a sheet of paper. This is a good review of poetry terms.
3. Poetry Book—Students were given time to work on poems for their poetry books.
POETRY SCAVENGER HUNT REQUIREMENTS
Find 15 things minimum!
You know what a scavenger hunt is, right? It’s where people are challenged to search for various things on a list of items. Since we’re currently doing poetry, let’s have a scavenger hunt for poetry things as a way to review everything we’ve learned.
Below is a list of 25 terms and poetry techniques. You are to go through your textbook, find examples of these different things, and write down the examples on a separate sheet of paper. You also may need to explain the example. At the end of the block, turn this paper in to the teacher.
For example, maybe you decided to look for “personification.” You find a good example of personification in the poem “Moon Tiger” (p. 324). On your paper, you should write:
Personification “Moon Tiger”, by Denise Levertov (p.324)
In this poem, Levertov compares the moon to a tiger. It prowls sleekly around the room. When the moonlight comes through the blinds, it looks like stripes.
Here’s the list of items!!
Personification
Figurative language
Imagery
Metaphor
Simile
Synecdoche
Hyperbole
Symbolism
Alliteration
End rhyme
Rhyme scheme
Refrain
Internal rhyme
Assonance
Consonance
Diction
Lyric poem
Narrative Poem
Dramatic Poem
Sonnet
Ballad
Haiku
Limerick
Concrete/shape poem
Free verse
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