Activities for week five 2/28 - 3/4 - 2011

Greek philosopher Aristotle observed, We become what we are as persons by the decisions that we ourselves make." Each time you make a responsible decision, you become a more responsible person. Even if your track record has not been good up to now, you can change. Oprah Winfrey stated, "My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." Let's get the job done this week so that you will be ready for what is a head of you. You did a great job on your last vocabulary test - keep the ball rolling. Please check Aeries and if there is a problem or you don't like your grade see me before school.

This week we will be in the library from Tuesday through Friday working on your research project. Your project is your homework as well this week.

Monday 2/28
1. Review Vocabulary Test
2. "The Wreck of the Hesperus" Essay due
3. Pick Person for Research Project

Tuesday 3/1 - Friday 3/4
1. Meet in Library and Work on Research Project
2. Research Project Due Monday

Activities for week four - 2/22 - 2/25 - 2011

Harvard professor of psychiatry George E. Vaillant, in his book Aging Well, identifies resiliency as a significant characteristic of people who navigate the many transitions of life from birth to old age. He writes, "Resilience reflects individuals who metaphorically resemble a twig with a fresh, green living core. When twisted out of shape, such a twig bends but it does not break; instead it springs back and continues growing." That is an description of how you need to be to persevere and make the most of your talents here at El Dorado. You must not become dry, brittle, and inflexible. You would be wise to follow the words of Jerry West: "You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good." So as we move to the end of the school year let's do the most we can with what we have. Finally do you have all of your S.S.Reading points - you could bounce back there, if you come in and make up your time reading.

Tuesday 2/22
1. Review Tests
2. Peer Edit Introduction and Body Paragraphs and Revise them (retype)
3. Start Vocabulary 13 - 14 (homework)

Wednesday 2/23
1. Second Copy of Essay Due
2. Discuss Conclusion of Essay and Type One (homework)
3. Finish Vocabulary (homework)

Thursday 2/24
1. Review Vocabulary (70 points)
2. Edit and Revise Conclusion (retype)
3. Read and Do Analysis of “She Sweeps with Many Colored Brooms” (homework)

Friday 2/25
1. Vocabulary 13 – 14 Test (100 points)
2. Review Poem
3. Edit and Revise Whole Essay – Type Final Copy (homework - Final Due Monday)

Each edited copy of "The Wreck of the Hesperus" essay is worth points. Please make sure you do every step in this project.

Bounce back time!

Activites for week three 2/14 - 2/18 - 2011

What you start, finish. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who do and those who might. Responsible people follow through. If they make a commitment, they see it through. They finish. And that is how others evaluate them. Are they dependable or not? Can I rely on them? Writer Ben Ames Williams observed, "Life is the acceptance of responsibilities or their evasion; it is a business of meeting obligations or avoiding them. To every man the choice is continually being offered, and by the manner of his choosing you may fairly measure him." As we move into the second semester how are you measure up in responsibility? This week you have three opportunities for extra credit points to raise your grade. First, you may bring a box of Kleenex for 25 homework points (due by Tuesday), and second, if your notebook is perfect 10 extra test points. Finally, you may type an explanation of Williams's quote and also tell me how you would measure yourself (? points). (due by Thursday)

Monday 2/14
1. Grade Spiral Notebook
2. Review Vocabulary Test
3. Work On Vocabulary 11-12 (homework)
4. Work On “The Wreck of the Hesperus” (homework)

Tuesday 2/15
1. Idiom 1 – 11 Test
2. Read and Journal “The Wreck of the Hesperus”
3. Finish All Homework (homework)

Wednesday 2/16
1. Grade Vocabulary 11 – 12 (60 points)
2. Grade “Wreck” Packet (75 points)
3. Start “Hesperus” Essay (homework) (100 points)

Thursday 2/17
1. Vocabulary Bingo and Pretest
2. Discuss and Work on Essay and "The Comma"
3. Write Thesis and Cluster (homework)
4. Review Vocabulary for Test (homework)

Friday 2/18
1. SSR points (100 points) if you are caught up on your pleasure reading
2. Vocabulary 11 – 12 Test (100 points)
3. Work on Essay
4. Type Introduction and Body Paragraphs for “The Wreck…” Essay (homework)

This is a big week to get on top of your grade.
Do it!

Activities for week two 2/7 - 2/11 - 2011

Jonas Salk said, "There are two lasting things we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings." I hope from this class you have both. You are a part of El Dorado and also a part of me; I look forward to you doing many great thing, here and in the future. Let's take it to the next level. I will still be here every morning, break, and the beginning of lunch to help you with questions or problems you may have. Finally, do not forget the President Obama extra credit project with your parents is due Monday before class only.

Monday 2/7
1. Review Vocabulary Test
2. Final Edit of Poetry Journal
3. Finish Poetry Lecture
4. “O What Is That Sound” Worksheet (homework)

Tuesday 2/8
1. Poetry Journal Due
2. Review Homework
3. Test on “O What Is That Sound”
4. Worksheet on “Roads” Poems (homework)

Wednesday 2/9
1. Review “O What…” Test
2. Review Homework
3. Test on “Roads” Poems
4. Review All Idioms and Vocabulary (homework)

Thursday 2/10
1. Idiom Review Test (1 – 9)
2. Review “Roads” Test
3. Vocabulary Bee
4. Read “The Wreck of the Hesperus” pages 124 - 130 (homework)

Friday 2/11
1. Vocabulary Review Test
2. Review Idiom Review Test
3. See “The Last Lecture”
4. Start “The Wreck of the Hesperus” Packet (homework)

Believe in your dreams!