TFA Discussion Chs 20-21/DEJ 9

By the way, if we don't talk about these questions in class, you can write about them at home to finish the second half of the DEJ.

1. What does Obierika think about the white man's presence and his actions?

2. How is Mr. Brown gaining importance in Ibo society? What is his approach (what personal strategies does he use to accomplish it)?

3. How is Okonkwo's return to Umoufia a disappointment?

4. What do you predict will happen with Okonkwo and his plans?

Over break:
1. Finish reading TFA and do DEJ 10
2. Select a topic for the soph speech and write a page explaining it to me.
3. Honors: continue reading Purple Hibiscus
4. Work on missing work in preparation for English Amnesty Day

any questions? email--jscozzaro@gmail.com

Happy Holidays!

TFA Discussion Chs 14-16/ DEJ 8

1. Why is "mother supreme" in Ibo culture?

2. What is Uchendu's message to Okonko?

3. What problems are causing things to fall apart in Ibo society? according to Uchendu? according to Obierika?

4. What news does Obierika bring in Ch. 15?


5. What is interesting about the interaction between the white missionary and the people in Ch. 10?

6. Why is Nwoye captivated by the Christian theology?

7. What are we supposed to think about all this?

Additional HW for week of 12/19

1. Keep up w reading & DEJ schedule

2. Complete the "Civil Peace" Study Guide (I & II: Vocab and Comprehension; Honors: Vocab, Comprehension & Discussion/Writing) due Thursday. If you need a copy of it, email me at: jscozzaro@gmail.com

3. Sophomore Speech HW for over break:

The purpose of the sophomore speech is to persuade people to do something or to think about something in a new way. You can write the speech about a topic of your choice. For homework, select your topic and write me a one page description of the topic. You don't have to tell me what you will argue in your speech; rather, just explain the topic, what you know about it, and why you're interested in it.

4. Amnesty Day--Wed. Jan. 4th 2012. If you are missing any work this term, have it with you (completed, of course) to hand in that day for partial credit.

5. Looking ahead to after break, everyone will have to select one story that we haven't read yet from "African Short Stories," and read it.

TFA Discussion Chs 12-13/ DEJ 7

1. Why did Okonkwo get no sleep the night before Obierika's daughter's betrothal ceremony?

2. What happens when Ezelagbo's husband's cow gets loose?

3. How many pots of wine were brought by the groom's family? What was the reaction to this number?

4. Describe the funeral ceremony for Ezeudu.

5. Why was Okonkwo banished for 7 years? Where did he have to go for that time?

6. Why did Obierika and "men from Ezeudu's quarter" destroy Okonkwo's compound?

Chapters 8-9 Discussion

Discuss the significance of the following quotations to the themes of resistance and respect for women:

1. "You know very well, Okonkwo, that I am not afraid of blood; and if anyone tells you that I am, he is telling a lie. And let me tell you one thing, my friend. If I were you I would have stayed home" (67).

2. "'It was always said that Ndulue and Ozeomena had one mind,' said Obierika...'I did not know that,' said Okonkwo. 'I thought he was a strong man in his youth'" (68).

3. "'But the law of the land must be obeyed.' 'I don't know how we got that law,' said Obierika" (69").

4. "All their customs are upside-down. They do not decide bride-price as we do, with sticks. They haggle and bargain as if they were buying a goat or a cow in the market" (73).

5. "The relationship between them was not only that of mother and child. There was something in it like a companionship of equals..." (77).

6. "Ekwefi had nothing but good wishes for he. But she had grown so bitter about her own chi that she could not rejoice with others over their good fortune" (79).

7. "'Bring me a low stool for Enzinma,' he said, ' and a thick mat'" (86).

Chapters 6-7 Discussion

In small groups of 3-4, answer all of the following. Each group member should have the answers written in notes.

1. In what ways has Ikemefuna become an important member of Okonkwo's family? find 2-3 quotes as support.

2. Who is Chielo? What does she do for a living? What's her relationship with Ekwefi? find quotes to support your answers.


3. Why does Okonkwo not listen to Ogbuefi Ezeudu's advice?


4. How does Ikmefuna's death affect Nwoye? find 2-3 quotes as support.

Outside Reading/ additional work week of 12/12/11

C1 & C2, read "Civil Peace" in African Short Stories. Due next Mon/Tues.

Honors, read "Civil Peace" due Wed 12/14.

Due Friday 12/17:
Complete body paragraph on following:
What do Okonkwo's relationships with his wives & children reveal about his character? Do his wives/kids passively acquiesce (yield or give in) to his will?

Must have at least one direct quotation & a topic sentence that answers question above.

Honors due 12/23:
Read pp 1-109 of "Purple Hibiscus"
Writing prompt to follow.

The Apprentice Study Guide

Honors English: Do the SG tonight in addition to the TFA reading and DEJ.

C1 & 2, just review the SG but it will not be collected.

1984 Test--check!

For doing such an excellent job keeping up w the 1984 schedule, tonight's HW is to relax!
Bring TFA to class from now on. New reading schedule to follow...

Finishing 1984

finish DJ 10 of your trusted classmate and bring to class.

Be sure to bring all 10 DJs to class tomorrow (Thurs) and make sure they are all complete.

All DJs will be due on Friday 12/2

The 1984 Test will be on Monday 12/5 during F block.

The test will have multiple choice, quotation IDs and an open-response.

Things to do when you get bored on Thanksgiving weekend:

1. Read Pt. 3 Chs 1-2 (up to page 260) in 1984
2. Do DJ 8

We will spend extra time in class next week on DJ exchanges for 6, 7 & 8

3. Review 1984 Vocab words (75-100 on the list)-->There will be a quiz on Wednesday 11/30.

HONORS:
4. Break down Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language" into it's key parts (Intro, Thesis, Body Paragraphs with: Topics, Support, & Analysis, Conclusion. For each key part, paraphrase (put it in your own words) what Orwell argues. Then evaluate Orwell's argument an explain what you think of it. 1-2 pages in length, typed. This is due Wednesday 11/30.

Also, please remember to get your copy of "Purple Hibiscus"

Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Vocabulary from 1984

Due Wednesday 11/23:
Write a sentence using each of the 25 vocab words. Honors: write a paragraph using all 25 words (all sentences relate to same subject).

The Quiz will be on Monday 11/28 (ice) / Tues 11/29 (fire)

HW in addition to reading:

Due Wednesday 11/16:
1. Make flashcards for words 75-100 (orifice to conceivably) with word, definition & synonyms from http://www.vocabulary.com/lists/24210

We will meet briefly all together on Wednesday to discuss the expectations for the fishbowl on Friday 11/18 during G block. Everyone, not just honors students, will have a task during the fishbowl.

For English Honors students:
1. Read "Politics and the English Language" (Handout) by Friday 11/18.
2. Check the link to the left for Term 2 Outside Reading: Purple Hibiscus. Obtain this book by end of November. Read it by January 13th, 2011.
3. The Fishbowl for "The Kingdom of This World" will be on Friday 11/18 during G block combined.

1984 Vocabulary

check out this site if you find yourself needing help with vocabulary while reading 1985.

http://www.vocabulary.com/lists/24210

1984 Reading & Double Entry Journal Schedule

11/7/11 (Ice)
HW: Pt 1 Chs. 1-3 (37); DJ 1

11/8/11 (Fire)
HW: Pt 1 Chs. 1-3 (37); DJ 1

11/9 (Fire&Ice)
HW: Ch 4 (48)
DJ 2

11/10 (F&I)
HW: Chs. 5-6 (69)
DJ 3

11/11
No School

11/14 (Ice)
Chs. 7-8 (104)
DJ 4

11/15 (Fire)
Chs. 7-8 (104)
DJ 4

11/16 (F&I)
Pt 2 Chs 1-2 (126)
DJ 5

11/17 (F&I)
Chs 3-4 (147)
DJ 6

11/18 (F&I)
Chs 5-8 (179)
DJ 7

11/21 (Ice)
Chs 9-10 (224)

11/22 (Fire)
Chs 9-10 (224)

11/23 (half-day)
Pt 3 Chs 1-2 (260)
DJ 8

11/24
No School

11/25
No School

11/28 (Ice)
Pt 3 Chs 3-4 (282)
DJ 9

11/29 (Fire)
Pt 3 Chs 3-4 (282)
DJ 9

11/30
Chs 5-6
DJ 10

12/1 (half-day)
HW: Review SG

12/2
DJs Due
HW: Review SG

12/5 (Ice)
Test on 1984

12/6 (Fire)
Test on 1984

ICC Trial Reflection

Term 1 Project Reflection
Due: Friday 11/4/11 by F block.

At the end of every major unit this year, we will ask you to think back upon the work you have done and take stock of what you learned from it. In this paper, try to think deeply into the questions and respond honestly. We hope that by writing this paper, you will be in a better position to learn and perform well the next term. We will evaluate this paper on how much detail you provide, (meaning that your write about specifics) and how much you take responsibility for what went well and not so well. Please respond appropriately to each of the following questions. Length minimum requirement: C2: 2 pages; C1: 3 pages; H: 4 pages

1. Once you are informed of a violation of basic human rights, how do you, as a global citizen, carry out your responsibility? Think about your trial in particular—can being an active, capable and compassionate global citizen have an impact? How?

2. Evaluate your experience working in your project group. Who was particularly helpful? What worked? What didn’t? What do you need to do to get better at this?

3. What are your thoughts on the course content in English and History class this term?

4. In what ways were you challenged by this project and/or by other aspects of global in term 1?

5. What could we do differently to make term 2 go more smoothly? What could we improve upon?

6. C2: Describe how Ender from Ender’s Game is an active global citizen?
C1: Explain how the concept universal human right plays into Ender’s Game
H: Discuss a theme or themes in Ender’s Game and explore how it relates specifically to Merchant of Venice and Antigone (for English Honors) and/or to Revolutions in History.

7. In sum, evaluate your experience in global thus far.

Group work groundrules

1. Pull your own weight. If you hit a roadblock, ask for help.
2. Be open to help.
3. Do all group work in class. Do individual work at home & post it to group. Please no group meetings outside of school.
4. Share the workload. Resist the urge to do everything yourself.

Letter of introduction

Ice will get penpals 2mrw. All letters are due on friday.

Project Timeline

Wed. 10/26 computer lab for research

Thur 10/27 G block-->History Test; F block-->Goldrick & Science Lab work in groups

Fri 10/28 G block-->Cutler & Science computer labs F block-->combined in LECTURE
HALL to rehearse your trial.

Mon. 10/31 F block-->combine in LECTURE HALL for presentations 1 & 2 (groups TBD)

Tues 11/1 G block-->combine in LECTURE HALL for presentations 3 & 4

Wed 11/2 Regular G and F blocks for History (isms) and English (1984); meet from 11:40-12:15 in LECTURE HALL for presentation 5

Thur 11/3 Regular G and F blocks for History and English

Fri 11/4 Regular G and F blocks for History and English: REFLECTION PAPER DUE in English class

Wednesday 10/26

Henceforth, my G block will be known as FIRE and my F block will be known as ICE.

On Wednesday 10/26:
10:00-10:55 FIRE goes to 2211 for test review with KR; ICE goes to Goldrick Lab with JS

11:00--12:15 AFRICA and ASIA->Science Lab with KR; MID EAST, EUROPE & AMERICAS-->Goldrick with JS

During F block in the labs, you will do the following:

1. set up ning account
2. join the regional group under the group tab on ning
3. set up a gmail account, unless you already have one.
4. group leader sets up a google document that lists the roles of all group members
5. begin your research
6. go into your group google doc and update what you learned during step 5.
7. group leader invites me (jscozzaro@gmail.com) and Doc (kirstenrussell@gmail.com) to view your google doc.

MOV Thesis Essay Due Sunday 11:59 PM

Please submit your MOV Thesis paper to turnitin.com by Sunday night.

If you did not get a scoring guide today in class, please email me at: jscozzaro@gmail.com and I will send you a copy.

I apologize for not having your Antigone papers back to you by now! I appreciate your patience!

MOV Test tomorrow

Quotation ID. From regular study guide.
C2 choose 10 out of 20
C1 choose 12 out of 20
H choose 15 out of 20.

During g block tomorrow

Due Wednesday 10/19

Review the essay questions for the MOV essay
II: Is Shylock worthy of mercy?
I: Is Portia just?
H: To what extent is Portia protecting Antonio’s rights? To what extent is Portia’s treatment of Shylock and appropriate response to Shylock’s violation of human rights?

1. Write 1.5-2 pages (handwritten) freewriting on the question appropriate to your level. Explore your thoughts on the question, discussing episodes that you might use as support.

2. Find 3-5 quotations that you think pertain to your topic. Write them down, noting the Act, Scene and line numbers.

For Monday 10/17

1. Study for the Vocabulary Quiz

2. Catch up on any missing work (Antigone Notes, SG, vocab; MOV Notes)-->Monday J block is the last chance to hand in missing assignments for partial credit.

Quiz on MGC Vocab List 1-->Monday 10/17 C --Tuesday 10/18 G

The Quiz is hereby moved to early next week!

C2-->15 words
C1-->25 words
H-->35 words

Here's a site with flashcards for the MOV vocabulary words on this week's vocab list:
Merchant of Venice Vocabulary

For Tuesday 10/4/11

1. Both groups will meet me in the LECTURE HALL at 8:40 tomorrow for a combined English class.

2. Finish Reading Notes #2 for MOV--2.1-2.3

3. Do questions 1-3 on Act 2 Study Guide

Merchant of Venice Unit

There are a few key handouts that we will use as guides throughout the next 3 weeks, so I will not be posting the agenda and HW every day.

Here's the reading/notes schedule as outlined in the handout:

9/26F--9/27G HW: 1. Read 1.2 2. Do Notes #1

9/28G&F HW: review 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3. NO NOTES
9/30 G&F HW: 1. (add 2.1) 2.2-2.3 2. Do Reading Notes #2
10/3F—10/4G: 1. Read 2.6-2.7 2. Do Reading Notes #3
10/5 G&F: 1. Read 2.9 2. Do Reading notes #4
10/6 G&F: 1. Read 3.2 2. Do Reading notes #5
10/7 G&F: 1. Read (add 3.3)&3.4 2. Do Reading notes #6 (F BLOCK: read also 4.1 for Wednesday)
10/11 G: 1. Read 4.1 2. Catch up on notes
10/12: 1. Catch up on reading & notes & study guides
10/13: 1. finish reading 5.1 2. Reading notes #7

You will have a thesis paper that will be due during the week of 10/17.

The same length requirements for notes on Antigone are in effect for MOV.

Agenda week of 9/19/11 to 9/23/11

Monday (F)/Tuesday (G)
1. Brief Q/Q about Reading Notes 4; Hand in Antigone Reading notes 4
2. Get final version of the Antigone Study Guide (Due Thursday)
3. Go over Antigone Essay (handout)
4. Go to computer lab to set up turnitin.com accounts.

HW:
1. Finish Antigone Study Guide + Definitions of Vocab words (due Thursday)
2. Work on Antigone Essay thesis & Planner
3. Make your Peace Rock (see links in top-right of this page for details)

Wednesday
1. go to computer lab to work on Antigone essay--Bring your Antigone Essay Planner & Study Guide!
HW: finish a complete rough draft of essay; finish complete study guide + vocab

Thursday
1. Antigone Study Guide & vocab due
2. peer review rough drafts--G block-->Goldrick Lab; F block-->Cutler Lab
2.a once in lab go click on link to turnitin.com, upload your rough draft, get a rubric and give feedback to peers.
HW:
1. Submit your final version of Antigone essay to Turnitin.com by Sunday.

Friday
2 Schools/1 Book event.

HW:
1. Submit your Antigone Essay to turnitin.com (G block can do PeerMark on turnitin on Monday.)
2. Get your copies of "Ender's Game" and "Merchant of Venice" and bring MOV to class on Monday.

Agenda 9/16/11

1. Add the following questions to Antigone Study Guide:
a. What advice does the Chorus give Creon (p. 24)?
b. What does Creon want to know from Haemon (p 25) and what does Haemon answer?
c. What are Creon's reasons for killing Antigone?
d. Describe Haemon's attitude toward Creon (pp 26-27)? What is his counsel to Creon?
e. How does Creon take Haemon's counsel? Give evidence.
f. Explain Creon's hubris.

2. Everyone handed in Reading Notes for Antigone readings 2 + 3.

HW:
1. Finish the play
2. Do reading notes for last 15 or so pages.
3. Look over the study guide questions and use them for review purposes.

Agenda 9/15/11

1. RL #5 "Happy the man whose cup of life is free from taste of evil! If Heaven's influence shake them, no ill but follow, till it overtake them, all generations of his family." Sophocles p 23

2. Go over Reading notes for pp 1-21

3. Read from "Antigone"

HW:
1. Read up to "Exuent Antigone" on p 35
2. Do Reading Notes

Note: You do not have to do the Study Guide or the Vocabulary sheets that were handed out in class today. At least not tonight. Bring both to class tomorrow. We will do the study guides in small groups. The Vocab sheet (parts 1 & 2) will be homework over the weekend.

Agenda 9/14/11

1. RL #3: (9/14/11)--"And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forbears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God." John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address.

2. Big discussion about natural rights, personal responsibility, freedoms and being a good citizen.

HW: (amendment to "Antigone" assignment sheet)
1. From Antigone, read pp. 10-22
2. Do Reading Notes #2

Don't forget: You must get your own copy of Shakespeare's Merchant of Veniceand Card's Ender's Game by next week.

Agenda for Antigone Unit (9/12/11-9/19/11)

Antigone Overview

Essential questions:
• Is it ever ok to break the law? If so, when?
• What is a stalemate and how does it happen?
• What attitudes can help disagreeing parties achieve compromise?


We will read this play in one week. For each reading assignment, you are required to take Reading Notes. Here is a template for your reading notes:

Title:
Pages read: date:

Main characters Description Defining characteristics





Plot Summary:




Key Quotations: (we will add more to this section in class, so leave space)



Tricky Vocabulary:



Questions that you have:




The length of your Reading Notes should be in the following ballpark:
Curriculum 2: half a page handwritten on college ruled 8.5 x 11” paper
Curriculum 1: one page
Honors: one-and-a-half to two pages.


9/12F--9/13G HW: 1. Watch Antigone video (http://vimeo.com/3919645) 2. Read pp. 1-9 in Dover edition of Antigone 3. Do Reading Notes

9/14G&F HW: 1. Read Antigone pp. 23-29 2. Do Reading Notes

9/15G&F HW: 1. Read pp. 42-52 2. Do Reading Notes


Small group discussion will take place on Friday 9/16. Your small group will discuss one (or more) of the essential questions. You will formulate a consensus answer for the question, give evidence from the play to support your answer and present to class.

The Essay:
Everyone will write an essay for one of the essential questions. Honors students should answer at least two of the essential questions. You must devise an original thesis statement that insightfully answers the question(s). We will meet in the computer lab next week to work on the essay together. We will also set up our accounts for using Turnitin.com.

Monday 9/19 F block to Cutler Computer Lab
Tuesday 9/20 G block to Cutler
Wednesday 9/21 G block to Cutler; F block to Goldrick

The essay will be submitted online to Turnitin.com. The due date is Thursday 9/22 at 11 pm.

HW for 9/9/11

1. Prepare your graphic organizer for the Zeitoun in-class essay, which will happen on Monday for F and Tuesday for G.  You can use your graphic organizer and your copy of Zeitoun in class.  You can not use any other notes.  Honors students should plan on writing 2-3 pages, CI students should write about 1.5-2 pages, & CII students should write at least 1 page.  Here are the prompts that you can choose from: 

• What kind of injustice happens to Zeitoun? What impact does it have on him? 
• Which of the following labels apply to Zeitoun: upstander, bystander, target, aggressor. Use all four while explaining which apply to him. What can an individual do to stop injustice from happening? 
• How can something positive be made of injustice? Explain how Zeitoun suffers injustice and how he responds to injustice while he is incarcerated and after he is released. 

2.  You all have to obtain your own copy of Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card by Monday 9/19/11.  Talk to me on Monday if this is a problem.

1. Hand in HW. 2. RL#2 If Nademah Zeitoun were in this class, how would you feel? How would you approach her and make her feel comfortable? 3. Discuss & tie in to yesterday's RL--take notes on discussion in your RL 4. Note cards: (write your info on the note card given--see yesterday's agenda) 5. Discussion. (TAKE NOTES) What is "injustice?", Describe an example of injustice in the book, "Zeitoun", How does it make you feel to hear about it happening to someone?, How does injustice affect Abdulrahman, Kathy and/or his children? HW: 1. What is injustice? Give an example of when have faced injustice in your life and write about what each of us can do to help make sure that injustice doesn't happen in our school.

Agenda for Wednesday 9/7/11: 1. Rl#1 "Be Yourself. All others are taken." Oscar Wilde Take 5 minutes to respond to this quotation. What does it mean to you. Write your response in your RL notebook. 2. Notecards: (we will do this on Thursday) Write your name, advisory, advisor, email address, parents' names & email addresses, and your interests on the card and return it to me. 3. Materials 4. Zeitoun Discussion #1 Respond (in writing) to quotations given in class. HW: 1. Find a passage that deals with injustice. Find a quotation, write it down with page # and write a 1-page analysis

Welcome to Modern Global Communities! Dr. Russell and I look forward to getting to know each of you and having a great experience together. Please look over the syllabus and feel free to email me any questions. Please become a member of this site by clicking "Become a Member" under Followers in the bottom right-hand section of this page. If you are former student from last year, please move on with your life and stop following me!

Final Reflections

Great job on the Globalization Projects this morning! I was impressed not only with the presentations, but also with the thoughtful questions and discussions at the end of each presentation. You are a thoughtful and engaged bunch and I think you are going to really soar next year together.

Below I will copy and paste the questions for the reflection paper:
For the final reflection, answer the following questions in as much detail as possible:
1. How effective a speaker were you in your presentation?
2. If you had the project to do all over again, what would you do differently?
3. What will you take away from this project in terms of learning?
4. How did the English readings (all terms) influence your thinking in this project?
5. What does it mean to be an informed, compassionate, and capable global citizen?
6. How did MGC help you get closer to becoming an informed, compassionate and capable global citizen?
7. What, in your view, has been the most valuable aspect of your membership in MGC this year?

CII: 1-2 pages, CI: 2-3 pages, H: 3-4

Papers are due Monday. Put them in the basket in room 1204, in my mailbox in Goldrick House, or with Dr. Russell. I will be in after 10 am on Monday to collect them.

I look forward to seeing you all on the last day of school!

Globalization Project

Important Dates to Remember:

Final Project Exam: Friday June 17th, 2011 Location: LECTURE HALL

7:40-8:00 AM return your History textbook to Dr. Russell & any English book to Mr. Scozzaro
8:15-9:05 first group INDIA 2
9:10-10:00 second group INDIA 1

10:00-10:45 coffee break

10:50-11:40 third group CHINA 2
11:45-12:35 fourth group CHINA 1

12:35-1:00 community lunch?

At the end of each group presentation, the class will vote on the most compelling argument. Your group will get this feedback for the reflection.

Reflection Paper is Due Monday June 20th before your Math final exam. Bring it to me in room 1204.

For the final reflection, answer the following questions in as much detail as possible:
1. How effective a speaker were you in your presentation?
2. If you had the project to do all over again, what would you do differently?
3. What will you take away from this project in terms of learning?
4. How did the English readings (all terms) influence your thinking in this project?
5. What does it mean to be an informed, compassionate, and capable global citizen?
6. How did MGC help you get closer to becoming an informed, compassionate and capable global citizen?
7. What, in your view, has been the most valuable aspect of your membership in MGC this year?

CII: 1-2 pages, CI: 2-3 pages, H: 3-4


As of now, the in-class essay on BLCS has been shelved indefinitely.

For your presentations, please use Google Presentation in the Google Docs suite.

Week of May 31

Tuesday
Book Jacket due. HW-->#9 read pp. 145-162
I was extremely disappointed in the behavior of Lightning today. As a result, I will plan on giving you in class assessments in order to limit any down time. Please come to class prepared.
Wednesday
Quiz on Vocab 8. HW-->#10 pp. 163-end

Thursday
G block: fishbowl discussions--to prepare, bring in a couple discussion questions, interesting quotations suggesting themes, and/or notes on what you found surprising about the book.

Friday
G block: combined to begin project
C block: fishbowl discussions--to prepare, bring in a couple discussion questions, interesting quotations suggesting themes, and/or notes on what you found surprising about the book.

HW for Memorial Day Weekend

1. Read pp 109-144 of BLCS
2. Finish outside reading
3. Do your book jacket for your outside reading book.

Week of 5/23-5/27

Monday(C)/Tuesday(G)
BLCS Reading #4: pp. 55-72

Tuesday(C)/Wednesday(G)
BLCS Reading #5: pp. 73-90

Wed(C)/Thurs(G)
BLCS Reading #6: pp. 91-108

Friday
BLCS Reading #7: pp. 109-126

Other notable due dates:
Vocab Unit 8: all exercises due by 5/27
Outside Reading should be done by 5/31
Book Jackets (see handout) are due by 5/31

Week of 5/16-2/20

The letters from our penpals in The Netherlands have arrived! Be sure to pick yours up (if you signed up way back when). I would like to send a packet of replies back ASAP, since their letters were dated at least a month ago. So, please write your reply to your penpal and bring it to me on Friday and I will mail all of them together on Saturday.

This week, we will start reading "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress". We will use Literature Circles in class.

On Friday there is a Quiz on Vocab Unit 7.

Also on Friday, Dr. R and I will present you with the Globalization Project that will be the final exam. The groups for that project are on the whiteboard in my room (unless a proctor erased it during MCAS!)

Book Jackets for outside reading are due on May 31st. You should finish your outside reading by then. We will do brief book talks and/or fishbowl discussions on the books the week of 5/31.

Isn't it good to be global?

in class essay on TFRY on Friday

Hello everyone!
I will give an in-class essay on TFRY on Friday during G block (for both sections). Please bring:
1. RRs 1-20 (I have a few to give back)
2. your copy of the book
3. paper and pen
I will give you a variety of prompts to choose from, but I will not give these prompts to you in advance. The prompts will come from the discussions we have had in class, so you will be able to choose the one that you feel most confident about.

Also Vocab Unit 7 is due on Friday.

I will have mid-term grade reports for you on Friday.

Beijing street map

check out this street map of Beijing!

Vocab Quiz 6 on Tuesday 5/3!

Just a reminder that there is a quiz on vocab unit 6 for both thunder and lightning tomorrow, Tuesday 5/3. Please be prepared!

also,if you haven't already, get your calendar by clicking below:
Lightning
Thunder

For Friday 4/29!

1. Complete all exercises of Unit 6 in the vocab book
2. Read thru Fragment 6
3. Complete RRs 5+6
4. Do some reading in your outside reading book & bring the book to class.

Tomorrow: G block we will be attending the lecture on the Armenian Genocide

Term 4 Reading Schedule

Day 1 (4/25C-4/26G)--Read Fragment #1 in class, do Ravenous Revelation #1 (take notes on revelations, or surprising moments, in the reading, which could be questions or notes that you later do some research on and have the "light bulb moment")
HW: Read Fragment #2, Do Ravenous Revelation #2

Lightning: download calendar at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rkg4zpVOHnONMd5aKW5oJTpnhQlq4UUsc-LnWZru06Y/edit?hl=en&authkey=CN_m9akI

Thunder: download calendar at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a3xrvcRU5FQgMcXQPaBbQoeFw7GM2SVSDOH35JMU4Wo/edit?hl=en&authkey=CMbuj-wG

HW for Spring Break

If you weren't in class to get the handout that talks about the reflection paper and T4 reading, you can access it here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gMQ-SfcyjAB7dqLpNyN541C--QY6cnIdU06UHuymr18/edit?hl=en&authkey=CK2vk4kL

Friday April, 8

Your only HW for the weekend is to finish your second book, if you haven't already done so (Zach, Jared, and others.....).

Cafe Project Groups

Turkey--Alona, Lili, Jessie, Chelsea, Joe, Eliza, Tiger, James, Laura, Jules, Dan, Anders, Conrad

Afghanistan--Zach, Lucian, Sophie, Lydia, Josh, Annie O, Amelia, Ami, Rena, Lev, Mina, Leah, Jared, Brian

Iran--Ben, Jenny, Sarah, Annie K, Suzy, Noah, Evan, Adam, Cate, Juliana, Sam, Matt, Liana

HW for weekend (due 3/28-29)

1. Review Vocabulary Unit 5 (quiz on Wednesday)
2. Read at least 100 pages of your new book.

HW due Friday 3/25

1. Vocabulary Unit 5 (all exercises)
2. Start reading your new book (or continue if you've already started.)

We will have a quiz on Vocab. Unit 5 next Wednesday 3/30.

HW for weekend 3/18

Your HW for the weekend is:

1. to carefully review the 2010 10th grade ELA MCAS, which I have posted as a Google Doc here:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B3_PeJmIBuwwNDBkMzZkMzUtMTdmYS00NWIwLTlkMGItZmNkYjJkOTFjZDcz&hl=en&authkey=CKCykEk

if you can't cut and paste this link, then try checking your email, as I have sent you all an invitation to view the document.

2. get yourself a copy of your choice of BOI, ATSS, or 1984 and begin reading.

Upcoming Assignments T3

1. Dialogue Journals--12 due on Monday 3/14
2. Essay--3-5 pages on Why is memory important to an individual and/or society? Outline & thesis due Friday 3/11. Final version due Wed. 3/16
3. Reading Group Study Guide due Wed. 3/16
4. Choose & obtain new book by 3/18

HW for weekend 3/4

1. Keep reading & doing Dialogue Journals (you should be on 8 & 9)--PLEASE SAVE ALL YOUR JOURNALS, YOU WILL HAND THEM ALL IN NEXT FRIDAY.
2. 1-2 page (handwritten) freewrite about your choice of essay topic, possible thesis & examples. The essay is described on the Middle East Unit sheet and is pasted below:
Essay
Choose one of the quotations below and use it as a lens through which to analyze the book you are reading with your group. We will talk more about how to do this essay down the line, but you should talk about the following quotations in your groups and explore how they apply to your book.

1.“A liar should have a good memory” Quintillian
2.“History, with all her volumes vast, / Hath but one page” George Gordon, Lord Byron
3.“Only the spirit of rebellion craves for happiness in this life. What right have we human beings to happiness?” Henrik Ibsen
4.“There is no greater sorrow / Than to be mindful of the happy time / In misery.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
5.“The best prophets of the future is the past.” Lord Byron
6.“Remember that man’s life lies all within this present, as ‘t were but a hair’s breadth of time; as for the rest, the past is gone, the future unseen. Short, therefore, is man’s life, and narrow is the corner of the earth wherein he dwells.” Marcus Aurelius

Agenda for week 2/28--3/4

Monday (C)/ Tuesday (G)
1. Announce: Quiz on Vocab Unit 4 will be on Friday (3/4)
2. Talk about Book Group Projects: "Study Guide"-->this week your group should hammer out a plan for what your study guide will look like and what it will consist of. I will bring the laptop cart to class two days this week so you can begin working on that. The tentative due date for this will be during the week of March 14th.
3. Book Groups & Journals--Be aware that I will/might collect a journal entry at the end of class when I give time to work on journals. Pay attention to details like date, journal #, page #s, signature of the person doing your 2nd half. We are aiming to finish the books and all journals by March 11th.
4. For the essay (tentative due date is also March 11th), you will create your own interpretation of the quotation and use the book to explain/support it. What question do you have about the book? What has been troubling to about a theme in the book? Your thesis will be your answer to your driving question about the book.

Wednesday
1. talk about registration for next year--have conferences
2. work in groups--dialogue journal + study guide
3. read silently
4. hand in DJ (C block-5+6) (G block-4+5)

for hw-keep reading & doing your Djs

Thursday
1. (lightning will combine with thunder from 10:50-11:20) Meet in groups and do double entry journals.
2. use laptops to work on study guide

HW: study for Quiz on Vocab Unit 4 + keep reading and doing DJs

Global HW

Due Friday 2/18:
1. unit 4 of vocabulary

Over break:
Continue reading & following your group reading/journal schedule.

Friday's Plan + Weekend (2/11) HW

Friday G block:
Meet in groups and finish up Africa project

C block:
before lunch--prepare your presentation
after lunch--do presentations

HW:
review Vocab Unit 3 words:

Quiz on Monday(C)/Tuesday(G)

Week of 2/7--2/11/11

We will be finishing the speeches this week, in addition to finishing the group projects.

I am still working on the book groups and will have those ready for when we finish the speeches, either Tuesday or Wednesday. Once I post the groups, you will have till Monday 2/14 to get your copy of the book. I will have copies of 1984 and Bastard of Istanbul to lend.

Monday's & Tuesday's HW is to do all exercises in the orange vocabulary book for Unit 3. Check out the words at:
This is due on Wednesday, so remember to bring your book. There will be a quiz next week.

There will also be a journal entry (1.5-H; 1-I; .5-II) due by Friday. In this journal entry, you will reflect upon your experience with choosing, writing, and performing your soph speech. What did you find challenging? What did you learn?

Memorize!

Please set aside 30 minutes or so a day to say your speech aloud from start to finish. Recording or filming yourself doing it can also be helpful.

For Friday, please bring a bagged lunch, snacks and drinks as we are meeting together to watch "Lumumba" on the new rug. To prepare, please click the "Times Op-Ed" Link to the left and read that article about Congo. If you would like to read some current events in Africa, follow the feed at the bottom, especially "Uganda Gay Rights Activist is Beaten to Death."

Please try to bring in $3 for Lydia for the rug, if you haven't already done so.

Enjoy the snow day!

Coming soon: We will begin sophomore speeches in class on Tuesday (C)/Wed (G). We plan on giving you more time to work on projects next week during a couple of History blocks.

Speech Update

I hope you all are enjoying the snow day! I took the opportunity to read the rest of the drafts.

The following people need to email me (jscozzaro@gmail.com) with their drafts if you want feedback: LC, AM & BS.

If you have any questions, please email me over the weekend. If you want me to look at a new version, please highlight one paragraph in particular, as I can't possibly read a new draft from everyone over the weekend. (I learned this lesson this week!)

Now, we are ready to move to the memorization phase! So start committing your speech to memory by reading it aloud from start to beginning several times.

If you get a chance, read the NY Times Op-ed linked in the left-hand corner of this page. It will definitely prepare you for watching "Lumumba" next Friday.

Don't worry about the projects. We will push that back so it doesn't interfere with the speech contest.

Have a good weekend!

Speech Drafts

Due to the snow day yesterday, I am going to extend the deadline for the speech draft until Friday midnight via email to: jscozzaro@gmail.com

I will have the laptop cart in class tomorrow for G and C blocks so you can plan on having class time to write.

If you think you might need the weekend, just ask me for an extension, and I will grant you one.

Questions?
1. How do I cite my source in my Bibliography?
check out: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/NSHS/library/Bibliography/BibliographicFormats.htm

Week of 1/10-1/14

All week, work on your rough draft. Save it to a flashdrive and bring flashdrive to class each day.

Before you begin your draft, you need to identify what your central purpose is. This is slightly different than your topic & call to action. The purpose is why people should pay attention to your speech.

For example from class today: to recognize the unsung heroes, to be nicer, to make you a better person, to save lives, to focus on what makes you happy, not to judge people too hastily, to rediscover the thrill of learning, to not waste your life, etc.

Once you have the central purpose identified, you can think of a good opener to get people interested in this central purpose. From there you can transition into your pros and cons for your argument.

Email me (jscozzaro@gmail.com) any questions.

Also, check out 350.org & worldlearning.org if you enjoyed the co-opera in the auditorium today, or if you were unable to attend and wanted to know what you missed. Click on the links to the left of this posting.

Fishbowl Discussion Notes 1/7/11

Sophie, Eliza, Jules, James, Brian, Joe, Lucian

Who is fighting in "A Long Way Gone"?
There's a rebel group and the Sierra Leone Army.
Is he fighting for the rebels?
No he's so against the rebels.
The people who are not in the Army form militias to resist the rebels but they're not part of the government forces.
I don't get why the rebels are destroying the villages.
They are killing to kill, because they want to exterminate those who don't help him.

Ishmael realizes that living and staying alive is a resistance.
There was the time he was on his knees by the river with his brother and the rebels are distracted and he escapes and hides and begins his resistance.

How old is he during the war?
He's a couple years younger than us.

There were a couple of times he felt like he was totally alone.
When he found out about the rebels killing his family.
When he was with the kid who ate the bird and died.
When he was getting recruited he felt like he had a home again and then later he snapped out of it.
When he was playing soccer in the village and he remembered his childhood, but he realized they were using soccer to try to recruit the boys.
When he was on the run and people he met along the way were suspicious of him because he was a young man and they thought he was a soldier.

I was enjoying it the whole book because he went in depth, but the ending felt abrupt. It felt like it just ended it and didn't explain how he got from the big village to New York.

When they burned his cassettes and they were trying to brainwash him, you expected him to resist more, but ...

Well there's only so much you can take. When he finally has the realization that he's going to kill someone.
He also realizes the power that comes with having a gun and he's afraid of that power.

He's afraid he's going to turn into a killer like the rebels.

I don't feel like he's motivated by revenge. When he gets so used to killing and seeing blood, he seems to become one of them.

When he can't run away he feels trapped.

It definitely made me feel like my problems were small compared to his.

HW for week 1/3-1/7

Monday (C)/ Tuesday (G)
1. Do some freewriting about your speech topic: summarize your position in favor of your topic and try to jot down at least 2 opposing views on your position. (1 page handwritten)

2. keep reading outside reading book

Tuesday (C)/Wednesday (G)
1. Phrase your topic in the form of a yes/no question and fill out a pro/con chart that will help you figure out what you need to research in class tomorrow. (Like the one we did in class on Is Harry Potter important to our generation?)
2. keep reading outside reading

Wednesday (C)/Thursday (G)
1. Watch a few sample speeches (which are all exceptional, but no pressure!): Copy & paste the link--- http://bcove.me/qi8zbznm
2. Work on your research for your speech
3. Read

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,
Just a quick note to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year! I hope your break was fun and restful.

For tomorrow, write the following down on an index card or piece of paper, filling in the blanks accordingly:

"I am thinking that my sophomore speech will focus on _____________________ (fill in your topic). I want my audience to ________________ (fill in what you want your audience to know or to do at the end of the speech).

As far as the outside reading is concerned, please try to finish your book(s) by the end of term 2.

See you soon.