October 31

Students used the first 30 minutes to read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week, and then read independently.

Today's article: "California Becomes First State in the Country To Push Back School Start Times" - Many of our articles mention California because the person who curates them lives there.

We recapped Scenes 2 & 3 of Antigone and filled in the literary devices page through #8. Students then worked with their groups to continue reading and analyzing the play. Students should finish the play today or tomorrow and complete the packet before Tuesday.

Today's Board

Happy Halloween!

October 30

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Some people believe that there's no such thing as a truly unselfish act, that even when we do something to help others, we're still seeking glory and satisfaction for ourselves. What do you think?

We went over a few of the literary devices from the first page of the packet. Students used the remaining time to read and analyze Antigone with their groups. Most groups are on track to complete the reading by Friday.

Today's Board

October 29

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Are there any present-day rules or laws that you feel are unjust? What laws would you like to see changed and why? What are some ways to protest an unjust law?

I recapped Scene 1 of Antigone and answered any questions students had. Students worked in their groups to continue reading and analyzing the play. Students also responded to a question about Ode 1 on Canvas.

A test over this material is scheduled for Thursday, November 7.

Today's Board

October 28

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

Writer's Notebook for 10/28

I recapped the Prologue and Parados from Antigone with students. Students continued working with their groups to read and analyze the play. Students should have read the Parados and Scene 1 (and possibly Ode 1) and completed the corresponding work today.

I reminded students that they should select and read and AP book this 9 weeks. The book should be completed by Monday, December 2, so we can use it for an assignment that week.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

October 25

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Of these 5 values, which do you believe is most important? Explain your response

• loyalty to family 
• obedience to local and national laws
• observance of religious beliefs and customs
• following your own conscience
• achieving respect and recognition

Students worked with their groups and began reading Antigone and completing an analysis packet. Students should follow the suggested reading schedule in order to complete the reading and work in time for the test on Thursday, 11/7. The play is available on the Greek Drama page under Unit 2 on Canvas.

Reading Schedule

Today's Board

October 24

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week in their writer's notebooks. They used the remaining time to read independently.

Today's article: "High Schools to TikTok: We're Catching Feelings" (Can I add that I never thought I'd ever write a sentence like that in my teaching career?)

We wrapped up our reading of Oedipus Rex and clarified any remaining questions. Students worked in groups to complete questions 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, & 18 on the "Messenger from Corinth" handout and questions 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, & 15 on the "Unraveling the Mystery" handout.

I introduced the next play, Antigone, with an explanation of the battle of Thebes that was the catalyst for Antigone's actions in the play.

Final Visual Notes

Today's Board

October 23

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: What is the difference between what is right and what is fair?

We recapped yesterday's reading of Oedipus Rex and resumed Scene 2. We discussed Odes 2 & 3 and read Scenes 3 & 4, answering questions in our packets and filling in the timeline as we worked.

Updated visual notes

Today's Board

October 22

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: October 19th was the National Day on Writing. Students wrote about why they write.

Students took a quiz over Greek roots.

We recapped our reading from yesterday then continued reading Oedipus Rex, answering questions and adding details to the visual notes along the way. Today we read Ode 1 and the first half of Scene 2.

Today's Board

October 21

WNB:

Students read the first pages of several titles from the AP reading list. We discussed the required read for this 9 weeks--students should read a book from the AP reading list and be prepared to write about it on the final exam. The list is available on the My Resources page on Canvas.

We reviewed Greek roots and discussed the format of the quiz that students will take tomorrow. The review slides are available on the Greek Drama page on Canvas. Students will need their iPads to take the quiz.

We recapped our reading of Oedipus Rex from Friday and continued reading and answering questions. Today, we read the Parados and Scene 1.

Updated visual notes

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

October 18

IRT: ~15 minutes
WNB: Book Snap

Students created a book snap with their independent reading books today. Some chose to share with the class.

We began reading Oedipus Rex. We read the Prologue, answered questions, and started some visual notes to help us keep events in order. A PDF of the play is available on the Greek Drama page in the Unit 2 Module on Canvas.

Today's Visual Notes

Today's Board

October 17

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Students guessed at answers to ancient riddles.

We wrapped up our Greek drama notes and prepared to read Oedipus Rex. Students worked in groups to discover words with Greek roots. We will have a quiz over roots on Tuesday, 10/22.

Today's Board

October 16

Students took the PSAT test this morning. The internet went down right before lunch, so we weren't able to finish Greek Drama notes today. We will wrap those up tomorrow.

Maybe we should invite Alex to fix our internet...

October 15

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: After participating in a four corners activity, students chose one of the statements they strongly agreed with and wrote an explanation. Statements: The actions of one person can have widespread effects. // Leaders who rely on intimidation will ultimately fail. // A guilty person cannot escape justice. // What a person strives for may bring more sorrow than success. // Suffering helps a person gain knowledge. // It's always better to know the truth.

We began taking notes over Greek Drama as we prepare to read Oedipus Rex and Antigone over the next few weeks.

Tomorrow, all sophomores will take the PSAT. Students should bring a calculator and report to their testing rooms before 8:20am. Testing will last approximately 3 1/2 hours.

Tomorrow's schedule. PSAT testing will be done during the 1st period timeslot.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

October 11

Students took their midterm exams today. All grades for the 9 weeks have been entered.

All sophomores will take the PSAT test on Wednesday, 10/16.

Enjoy your 3 day weekend! See you Tuesday!

Nothing interesting on the board today, so here's a cartoon.

October 10

Students worked on the Midterm Reading Reflection assignment and submitted it for grading before the end of class.

Students received a sample revising and editing section to help review for the midterm exam.

Students will take the midterm exam tomorrow!

Today's Board

October 9

IRT: ~20 minutes

We reviewed the argument and persuasion test in preparation for the midterm exam.

Students used the remaining class time to work on the Midterm Reading Reflection assignment. Students will have class time tomorrow to finish and submit the assignment.

Coming Up

• Thursday, 10/10: Review revising and editing section of midterm
• Friday, 10/11: Midterm Exams; early release at 12:20pm
• Tuesday, 10/15: 2nd 9 weeks begins
• Wednesday, 10/16: All sophomores take the PSAT test.

Today's Board

October 8

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Reflect on your sophomore year so far. What has gone well? What would you change?

Students received their scored rubrics for the Performance Task 1 assignment.

We wrapped up our work with Julius Caesar with a practice SAT reading passage. I reminded students that the midterm will only include questions about the speeches in Act III Scene 2.

Students completed a brief questionnaire about their writer's notebooks for the notebook check. I'll be checking notebooks through tomorrow.

Students began working on the Midterm Reading Reflection assignment. This is due by the end of class Wednesday. Students will have class time to work on Wednesday as well.

Coming Up:

• Wednesday, 10/9: Review argument and persuasion test; Midterm Reading Reflection (major grade) due by end of class
• Thursday, 10/10: Review revising and editing section of midterm
• Friday, 10/11: Midterm Exams; early release at 12:20pm

Today's Board

October 7

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: If you had to spend the whole day and night in one place, would you spend it at the mall, the library, or Six Flags? Explain your choice.

Students had the opportunity to add up to 5 points on the Performance Task #1 assignment by handing in a scored article of the week.

We finished reading and watching Act III Scene 2 of Julius Caesar and began analyzing Brutus and Antony's speeches. We will wrap up this work tomorrow.

Coming Up

• Tuesday, 10/8: Writer's Notebook Check (minor grade); Midterm Reading Reflection (major grade)
• Wednesday, 10/9: Midterm Reading Reflection due (major grade); review Argument & Persuasion Test
• Thursday, 10/10: Review revising and editing section of midterm
• Friday, 10/11: Midterm Exam; early release at 12:20pm

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

October 4

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Students received a midterm review today. Both classes will take their midterm on Friday, October 11.

We reviewed Act II of Julius Caesar and read and watched Act III. We will analyze Brutus and Antony's funeral speeches on Monday.

Students who were absent should check their Inbox on Canvas for information they'll need so they can be prepared for Monday's work.

Coming Up
Tuesday, 10/8 - Writer's Notebook Check (minor grade); begin Midterm Reading Reflection (major grade, due Wednesday)
Wednesday, 10/9 - Midterm Reading Reflection due (major grade); review argument and persuasion test
Thursday, 10/10 - midterm review
Friday, 10/11 - Midterm Exam; early release @ 12:20 pm

Today's Board

October 3

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Select 1 abstract noun and explain how it applies to the book you are currently reading. (If none apply, come up with your own.) Include the title and author of your book and a quote that supports your choice. // fear, love, joy, anger, betrayal, hope

We recapped our work with Act I of Julius Caesar and began reading and viewing Act II.

Coming Up

• Tuesday, 10/8 - Writer's Notebook Check (minor grade); begin Midterm Reading Reflection (major grade)
• Wednesday, 10/9 - Midterm Reading Reflection due (major grade); review argument and persuasion test
• Thursday, 10/10 - midterm review
• Friday, 10/11 - Midterm Exams; early release @ 12:20pm

Today's Board

October 2

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Choose one statement that you strongly agree or disagree with and explain: Too much ambition inevitably leads to disaster. // Politicians are more concerned with power than with issues that affect people's lives. // Violence leads to more violence. // Crowds can be easily manipulated and moved to violence.

We learned about the real Julius Caesar through a KWL chart and short biography. We began reading and viewing Act I of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. We will continue this work tomorrow.

Today's Board

October 1

WNB: Choose one statement that you strongly agree or disagree with and explain: There is never, ever a good reason to betray a friend. // Advice from family members is more valuable than advice from friends. // People are 100% responsible for their own fate.

Students read and took notes over background information on William Shakespeare and Shakespearean drama and tragedy. This work will be important as we begin the play this week.

Students had the last 30 minutes of class to complete the reflection for Performance Task 1. Those who were finished used the time for independent reading time and notebook catch-up.

Today's Board (the rhetorical triangle is part of the reflection assignment)