The date indicates the due date for the reading selection.
Nov. 2: pp. 1-30
Nov. 3: pp. 31-59
Nov. 4: pp. 60-96
Nov. 5: pp. 97-124
Nov. 6: pp. 125-151
Nov. 9: pp. 152-180
Nov. 10: pp. 181-217
Nov. 11: pp. 218-251
Nov. 12: pp. 251-276
Nov. 13: pp. 277-302
We will also be reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road so that you can compare and contrast his style and themes for an in-depth author study. However, if you become a McCarthy fan, consider reading the entire border trilogy someday--All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing and Cities of the Plain.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Peer Review
Writer: Tell your responder what you need from them. (For example, “I am most concerned that my thesis isn’t strong.”
Responder:
1. Read introductory paragraph, circle Homer and The Odyssey, and bracket the thesis statement.
2. Circle the words in the thesis that indicate compare and contrast.
3. Before continuing your reading, check the topic sentences of each body paragraph – does each correspond to an idea mentioned in the thesis? Circle the words that clearly show the connection between the thesis statement and paragraph topic sentences.
4. Read the body paragraphs and identify the Points (P from PIE) and put a P by each point.
5. Identify the Illustrations and quotations and mark with an I.
6. Evaluate each Explanation – does the writer clearly explain how each illustration proves the topic sentence of the paragraph? Does the writer say some extension of the Point? Write + or - in the margin next to each E marked. A + is for E's that fit both criteria just mentioned.
7. Read the conclusion. Circle the section wherein the author explains the “So what?” of her/his argument. Does the author show how this topic connects to life?
8. Check that the paper is in proper MLA format with correct internal documentation and a works cited entry.
9. Review the paper for active voice and proper punctuation.
10. Go back to the essay to help the writer with her/his particular question or concern. Talk together about it, and come up with a plan for the writer.
Responder:
1. Read introductory paragraph, circle Homer and The Odyssey, and bracket the thesis statement.
2. Circle the words in the thesis that indicate compare and contrast.
3. Before continuing your reading, check the topic sentences of each body paragraph – does each correspond to an idea mentioned in the thesis? Circle the words that clearly show the connection between the thesis statement and paragraph topic sentences.
4. Read the body paragraphs and identify the Points (P from PIE) and put a P by each point.
5. Identify the Illustrations and quotations and mark with an I.
6. Evaluate each Explanation – does the writer clearly explain how each illustration proves the topic sentence of the paragraph? Does the writer say some extension of the Point? Write + or - in the margin next to each E marked. A + is for E's that fit both criteria just mentioned.
7. Read the conclusion. Circle the section wherein the author explains the “So what?” of her/his argument. Does the author show how this topic connects to life?
8. Check that the paper is in proper MLA format with correct internal documentation and a works cited entry.
9. Review the paper for active voice and proper punctuation.
10. Go back to the essay to help the writer with her/his particular question or concern. Talk together about it, and come up with a plan for the writer.
Active Voice
Avoid weak structures like there is and it is at all costs!
There is another videotape that tells the story of Charles Darwin.
Rewrite: Another videotape tells the story of Charles Darwin.
It is important that hikers remain inside the park boundaries.
Rewrite: Hikers must remain inside the park boundaries.
Avoid weak to be verbs!
Escaping into the world of drugs, Gogol was rebellious about many rules set down by his parents. Rewrite: Escaping into the world of drugs, Gogol rebelled against many rules set down by his parents.
The subject of the sentence should do the action!
The fly ball was caught by Hernando.
Rewrite: Hernando caught the fly ball.
Revise the following sentences into active voice:
1. The tree was hit by a car.
2. These planes are flown by experienced pilots.
3. There are five students studying Japanese.
4. The car was washed by us.
There is another videotape that tells the story of Charles Darwin.
Rewrite: Another videotape tells the story of Charles Darwin.
It is important that hikers remain inside the park boundaries.
Rewrite: Hikers must remain inside the park boundaries.
Avoid weak to be verbs!
Escaping into the world of drugs, Gogol was rebellious about many rules set down by his parents. Rewrite: Escaping into the world of drugs, Gogol rebelled against many rules set down by his parents.
The subject of the sentence should do the action!
The fly ball was caught by Hernando.
Rewrite: Hernando caught the fly ball.
Revise the following sentences into active voice:
1. The tree was hit by a car.
2. These planes are flown by experienced pilots.
3. There are five students studying Japanese.
4. The car was washed by us.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Book 22 Characters
We'll do an in-class dramatic reading of Book 22 with some students taking character parts for the dialogue while others storyboard the slaughter of the suitors scene.
I will read the narrator section, and students should sign up for these characters. Everyone would benefit from adding these characters to their character list.
Here are the characters needed in this epic battle (listed by sides):
Odysseus
Telemachus
Eumaeus--Swineherd
Philoetius--Cowherd
Athena/Mentor
Eurycleia
The Suitors
Eurymachus
Agelaus
Melanthius--Goatherd
Leodes
Phemius, the bard
Herald Medon
I will read the narrator section, and students should sign up for these characters. Everyone would benefit from adding these characters to their character list.
Here are the characters needed in this epic battle (listed by sides):
Odysseus
Telemachus
Eumaeus--Swineherd
Philoetius--Cowherd
Athena/Mentor
Eurycleia
The Suitors
Eurymachus
Agelaus
Melanthius--Goatherd
Leodes
Phemius, the bard
Herald Medon
Monday, October 19, 2009
Upcoming Activities
Wednesday, Oct. 21
1 1/2 to 2-page essay assigned that compares and contrasts Siddhartha and The Odyssey in terms of one aspect of the monomyth.
Monday, Oct. 26
Final multiple choice test on characters and plot of The Odyssey.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Rough draft of monomyth essay due for peer review
Thursday, Oct. 29
The Odyssey Vocab Test
Monday, Nov. 2
Window closes for final monomyth essay.
1 1/2 to 2-page essay assigned that compares and contrasts Siddhartha and The Odyssey in terms of one aspect of the monomyth.
Monday, Oct. 26
Final multiple choice test on characters and plot of The Odyssey.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Rough draft of monomyth essay due for peer review
Thursday, Oct. 29
The Odyssey Vocab Test
Monday, Nov. 2
Window closes for final monomyth essay.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sorry I've been sick
My fever is still over 100 degrees, and school policy for H1N1 precautions does not allow me to return to school until my fever drops below 100 degrees for 24 hours.
I am sorry that I have been missing discussions on The Odyssey; however, we can catch up on what's been happening in the epic when I return. And Ms. West, our neighboring Enriched 10 teacher, has been helping my subs with the lesson plans.
Keep reading the books as assigned on the bookmark, and if you want a quick summary of each book, remember to check out the bulletin board in class. You can also keep adding major characters to your character list. A character list will ultimately provide a basic plot summary if you list actions for the characters. In addition, following Odysseus's journey on Google Earth (see post below) will be a nice way to enhance your understanding of the setting and plot.
Here are the major characters in books 1-10:
Odysseus
Telemachus
Penelope
Poseidon
Zeus
Athena
Hermes
The Suitors
Eurycleia
King Nestor
King Menelaus
Helen
Calypso
Nausicaa
King Alcinous
Polyphemus
Aeolus
Circe
I am sorry that I have been missing discussions on The Odyssey; however, we can catch up on what's been happening in the epic when I return. And Ms. West, our neighboring Enriched 10 teacher, has been helping my subs with the lesson plans.
Keep reading the books as assigned on the bookmark, and if you want a quick summary of each book, remember to check out the bulletin board in class. You can also keep adding major characters to your character list. A character list will ultimately provide a basic plot summary if you list actions for the characters. In addition, following Odysseus's journey on Google Earth (see post below) will be a nice way to enhance your understanding of the setting and plot.
Here are the major characters in books 1-10:
Odysseus
Telemachus
Penelope
Poseidon
Zeus
Athena
Hermes
The Suitors
Eurycleia
King Nestor
King Menelaus
Helen
Calypso
Nausicaa
King Alcinous
Polyphemus
Aeolus
Circe
The Odyssey on Google Earth
Now that you are getting into the epic with Odysseus trying to get home from Troy to Ithaca, you may enjoy charting our hero's course. Click here to see Odysseus's journey on google earth.
Odyssey Reading Schedule
Reading Due Dates
Oct. 7: Books 1 & 2, pp. 77-106
Oct. 8: Books 3 & 4, pp. 107-151
Oct. 9: Books 5 to 7, pp. 152-190
Oct. 12: Books 8 to 10, pp. 191-248
Oct. 13: Books 11 & 12, pp. 249-285
Oct. 14: Book 13 & 14, pp. 286-318
Oct. 19: Books 15 to 18, pp. 319-389
Oct. 20: Books 19 to 21, pp. 390-438
Oct. 21: Books 22-24, pp. 439-485
Oct. 7: Books 1 & 2, pp. 77-106
Oct. 8: Books 3 & 4, pp. 107-151
Oct. 9: Books 5 to 7, pp. 152-190
Oct. 12: Books 8 to 10, pp. 191-248
Oct. 13: Books 11 & 12, pp. 249-285
Oct. 14: Book 13 & 14, pp. 286-318
Oct. 19: Books 15 to 18, pp. 319-389
Oct. 20: Books 19 to 21, pp. 390-438
Oct. 21: Books 22-24, pp. 439-485
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