Objectives: 26 February

Today in class:

1. Vocab Quiz 8
2. Act 1, scene 2

Homework: Complete study guide questions 1-11 EXCEPT 6 and 10.

Coming up next week:

• Vocab Test (lessons 7-8) Wednesday.
• Quiz on Act 1 Friday.
• Act 1 Test Tuesday, March 9.

 Thought for the weekend:

"Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

and seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?"

 

Northeast covered in snow

Have an enjoyable, warm weekend!
-Mrs. Kristoff

Objectives: 25 February

Today in class:

1. Checked Vocab homework.
2. Returned/Reviewed Shakespeare Introduction Quiz.
3. Finished Act 1, scene 1 and study guide.

Homework:

• Study for your Vocab Quiz tomorrow!

-Mrs. Kristoff

Objectives: 24 February

Today in class:

1. Notes Quiz.
2. Vocab 8 Crossword (finish for homework if you didn't finish in class).

Tomorow, we will continue our reading of Julius Caesar, Act I, scene 1.

Thought for today:
"Seek first to understand, then to be understood."

Objectives: 23 February

Today in class:

1. Turn in trivia questions!
2. Trivia--review for quiz.
3. Act 1, scene 1 and study guide.

Homework: Study for notes quiz tomorrow!

Objectives: 22 February

Today in class:

1. You answered trivia questions about Shakespeare's life and times (this is preparation for your quiz Wednesday!).
2. We finished discussing our first impressions of Caesar and Brutus through quotes from the first few scenes of the play.
3. We began reading Act 1, scene 1. We'll pick up tomorrow with the witty cobbler schooling the tribunes Marcellus and Flavius.

• Homework: Write 3 trivia questions and their answers on the index cards provided in class. You will turn in all three; tomorrow's trivia questions will come from this stack! You may consult your notes packet, the Shakespearean theater sheet, and your "Who's Who" character list to help you brainstorm questions.

Thought for today:
You may read this intriguing article, but no, you may not sleep in class! :)

See you tomorrow.
-Mrs. Kristoff

Objectives: 19 February

Today in class, we:

1. Checked Vocab homework and went over 8C. We'll review 8A-B Monday morning.
2. Learned about theater in Shakespeare's time.
3. Met characters in Julius Caesar and formed some first impressions based on what others said about them.

Homework:

• You will have a Notes Quiz on the Shakespeare packet from this week on Wednesday. Begin studying so that you can be a trivia winner!
• Vocab Quiz next Friday--start studying now!

Have a great weekend, review your notes, and I'll see you Monday!
-Mrs. Kristoff

Objectives: 18 February

Today in class, we:

1. turned in the Friendship Challenge and Shakespeare KWL sheets.
2. finished our notes on Julius Caesar.
3. introduced Lesson 8 Vocabulary words.

Tonight's homework:

• Lesson 8 Exercises A and B.

A Notes Quiz on the introductory notes (finished today) will be next Wednesday, February 24.
Your Vocab Quiz will be on Friday, February 26 (next Friday).

Thought for today:
We talked today about why Shakespeare chose to write this play about Caesar and the Roman civilization, despite their distance in age. We said that it's often easier to figure out others' problems than it is to identify our own. Do you see any similar examples in our culture today? Can you think of books or movies that teach us about our problems in indirect ways?

Objectives: 17 February

Today in class, we:

1. Changed seats. Start fresh, everyone.
2. Began notes on Julius Caesar. Bring this packet tomorrow.

Today's homework:

• You have a last shot to fill in the KWL chart using your brain and your book. Take this opportunity to do your best work. Please be prepared to hand that in, as well as the Friendship Challenge sheet from Tuesday.

Food for thought:
Do you know about the Trash Gyre? This is interesting.

Objectives: 16 February

Today in class, we:

1. Took a Vocab Quiz on Lesson 7. We will start Lesson 8 this week; the next quiz will be next Friday.
2. Began thinking about qualities of good friends. Finish this sheet for homework!

I was not pleased with overall behavior in class today. You will find a new seating chart tomorrow morning. Let this be a new start for all of you.

Thought of the day:
The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.  ~William Safire

Objectives: 8 February

Today in class, we:

• discussed how to incorporate quotes into our papers in the form of in-text citations
• explored how to create Works Cited entries in MLA form using resources like EasyBib.com

Don't lose that packet of notes from today--it will be helpful!

Upcoming due dates:

1. Due tomorrow, 2/9: Vocab 7 worksheet.
2. Wednesday, 2/10: Fascinating Person Mixer (dress up like your character and do a short 1-2 minute presentation).
3. Thursday, 2/11: Final draft.
4. Tuesday, 2/16: Vocab quiz 7.

Thought for today:
"When God wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years, but when he wants to make a mushroom, he does it overnight" (Rick Warren). No offense to mushrooms, but a "giant oak" is much greater than fragile fungus.
What is God making of your life?
Have you felt that you've been working or waiting patiently for something that has yet to arrive, something that is yet to be achieved?
Keep faith: maybe the roots that are digging into the soft February soil will soon bloom into vibrant green leaves soaking up the summer sun.

Objectives: 5 February

Today in class, we:

1. Checked Vocab 7A and 7B; completed 7C.
2. Did another exercise on correcting fragments.

I will have your drafts back Monday! Come in with your materials, ready to work.
-Mrs. Kristoff

Thought for the weekend:

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

- Martin Luther

Homework: Due 2/5

Was Due Today:
Your first draft. Remember that I deduct 10 points for every day your paper is late!

Due tomorrow: 
Vocab Lesson 7 exercises A and B.


Upcoming due dates:
"Fascinating Person" Mixer--Wednesday, Feb. 10
Final Draft Due--Thursday, Feb. 11
Vocabulary Quiz 7--Tuesday, Feb. 16

I hope to have your first drafts returned to you Monday so that you can get going on that final draft!

Objectives: 2 February

Today is our first day of writing workshop. I expect you to use this time wisely in class to work and to ask me questions as needed.

Here are some things to consider as you write:

1. Does the beginning capture the reader’s attention?
2. Does the introductory paragraph lead into the thesis statement?
3. Does the thesis statement list your what your paper will talk about?
4. Do the examples support the ideas in your paragraph?
5. Is the writing focused & clear?
6. Is the writing organized in a logical order?
7. Do the details fit the chosen topic?
8. Are the details sufficiently described?
9. Did you delete details that do not relate to the topic?
10. Are there any details that should be added to make the writing clearer?
11. Are ideas and details connected to each other? Do you transition between paragraphs?
12. Is the choice of words fresh, colorful, & interesting?
13. Have any words been unnecessarily repeated?
14. Have weak, general words been replaced with detailed terms?

adapted from Suite101: Editing & Revision Essay Checklist: High School Students Can Revise and Edit Essays for Better Grades

Thought for the day:
Have you ever wondered why popcorn is so expensive at the movies? Check out the reason why your Mike and Ikes are $9, plus eight other "American rip-offs" (text messages are marked up 6,500%!).

Outlines

Outlines are due tomorrow!
We will be working on drafting and peer review for the next several days, so be sure that you have your outline plus your source materials in your possession at the beginning of class.

If you do not use time wisely, you will show me that you have more than enough time to complete the task on your own; therefore, I will create more work for you.

Other reminders:

• First Draft due this Thursday, February 4.
• Fascinating Person Mixer coming up soon!
• Final Draft due Thursday, February 11.

Thought for the Day:
These four qualify as fascinating in my book. Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Woolworth Sit-In by checking out these photos from Time.com. Can you imagine a time when doing your homework at a lunch counter qualified as nonviolent protest? Think of all you have to be grateful for.
A Brief History of the Sit-In Movement