We finished our vocab stories for unit 9 and read a little from Huck Finn.  We reviewed the vocab exercises for unit 9.

HOMEWORK:  Read up through Chapter 31 in Huck Finn.  Prepare for quiz on Friday.

WHAT’S NEXT:  Finish the novel.

We spent the period setting up Google accounts so we can use their Documents application for our next essay assignment.  Check it out at http://docs.google.com.

HOMEWORK:  Continue reading in your novel.

WHAT’S NEXT:  Finishing the novel and reviewing vocabulary.

We spent the period setting up Google accounts so that we can use the Documents application for our articles.  Check out http://docs.google.com.

HOMEWORK:  Work on articles due on Friday.

WHAT’S NEXT:  Article revisions on Friday on Google.

We discussed the Brobdingnag section of “Gulliver” and how it applied to the essay assignment.  We spent the remainder of the period revising the essays.

HOMEWORK:  Revise the essays for Thursday.

WHAT’S NEXT:  “A Modest Proposal”

We reviewed chapters 19-31 and took the quiz on those chapters.

HOMEWORK:  Do unit 9 (pp. 98-103) in vocab book.  Continue reading in novel (finish by Monday).

WHAT’S NEXT:  Finish the novel and discuss the symbolism of the river.

We took the quiz on Chapters 19-31 in Huck Finn today.

HOMEWORK:  Do all exercises for Vocabulary Unit 9, pages 101-103.

WHAT’S NEXT:  Finishing the novel.

We talked about column writing today.  We read some handouts on what makes an effective column and read an example about gum stuck underneath desks.  Students made a list of the things which annoyed them about other people and we talked about developing columns from those lists. 

HOMEWORK:  Write a column (1.5 to 2 pages word processed)

WHAT’S NEXT:  Revising columns.

We began with a Huck Finn A to Z type I to review what has happened in the novel thus far.  We went over the lists as a class.

Following the break, students returned with their vocabulary books and we began work on unit 9.   The students wrote stories using at least 15 of the vocabulary words.

HOMEWORK:  Do 101-103 in Vocabulary book.  Finish reading up through Chapter 31.

WHAT’S NEXT: Quiz on Chapters 19-31 on Friday.

We began with a quick look at the confusing aspect of the English language (words which are spelled the same but mean different things).

We reviewed the middle section of Huck Finn, and discussed the different things Huck experiences on land as opposed to what he experiences on the river. We noted all the human weaknesses Huck sees on the land and the strengths he experiences on the river. We talked about how Twain believes that humans are basically good until tainted (Josh’s word) by society. We contrasted Twain’s attitude with that of William Golding, who wrote The Lord of the Flies.

HOMEWORK: Prepare for quiz tomorrow.

WHAT’S NEXT: Finishing the novel.

We began with a type II writing (20 lines) asking what is the biggest issue facing high school students today. As expected, we had many different responses, but the majority chose drugs/alcohol. I encouraged the students to develop these ideas into editorials/columns.

Following that, we brainstormed ideas for our next round of articles. I collected story generators at the end of the period.

HOMEWORK: Continue working on new articles for March 2 deadline.

WHAT’S NEXT: Writing columns