Hope Poem Assignment
Now that we’ve read “Hope is the Thing With Feathers,” and written about it in class, create your own Hope Poem. This criteria for the assignment are:
1. The poem must begin with the words “Hope is”
2. The poem should explore the many ways your metaphor can represent hope
3. Use vivid imagery and simile
4. Include at least three stanzas, each focusing on a different aspect of your metaphor
First Drafts Due Wednesday, 11/4
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Homework for Week of 11/2
TRIPLETS
Tuesday, 11/3
- CATCHER Chapters 21-4 & Blog Post
- Short Story Essay Proposal Due Via Email
Thursday, 11/5
- CATCHER: Finish Book & Blog Post
7th Grade Writing
Wednesday, 11/4
- Hope Poems Draft
Thursday, 11/5
- Wordly Wise 4 Exercises
8th Grade Writing
Monday, 11/2
- Farm Essay Revision
Wednesday, 11/4
- Wordly Wise 4
UPCOMING: Monday, November 9th is 1950's Day
Tuesday, 11/3
- CATCHER Chapters 21-4 & Blog Post
- Short Story Essay Proposal Due Via Email
Thursday, 11/5
- CATCHER: Finish Book & Blog Post
7th Grade Writing
Wednesday, 11/4
- Hope Poems Draft
Thursday, 11/5
- Wordly Wise 4 Exercises
8th Grade Writing
Monday, 11/2
- Farm Essay Revision
Wednesday, 11/4
- Wordly Wise 4
UPCOMING: Monday, November 9th is 1950's Day
Friday, October 23, 2009
The English Portfolio - Part 1
The English Portfolio
As part of English class this year, you will create an end-of-year portfolio. This portfolio will consist of four pieces of writing you complete over the course of the year, pieces you consider your best, most polished work. Each portfolio will include the following:
• 2 Analytical Pieces (Literature Essays, MLK Speeches, Persuasive Essay, Etc)
• 1 Creative Piece (Monologue, Memoir, Short Story)
• 1 Writing Piece of Your Choice
Be sure to hold on to all final, graded written work this year. You will revise four of those final pieces so that they represent your best work. In the winter, you will begin to make choices as to which four pieces you will include in your portfolio. At the end of the year, on our last day of triplets, students will hand in and read excerpts from their final portfolios to celebrate all of accomplished writing you completed this year!
More information to follow shortly!
As part of English class this year, you will create an end-of-year portfolio. This portfolio will consist of four pieces of writing you complete over the course of the year, pieces you consider your best, most polished work. Each portfolio will include the following:
• 2 Analytical Pieces (Literature Essays, MLK Speeches, Persuasive Essay, Etc)
• 1 Creative Piece (Monologue, Memoir, Short Story)
• 1 Writing Piece of Your Choice
Be sure to hold on to all final, graded written work this year. You will revise four of those final pieces so that they represent your best work. In the winter, you will begin to make choices as to which four pieces you will include in your portfolio. At the end of the year, on our last day of triplets, students will hand in and read excerpts from their final portfolios to celebrate all of accomplished writing you completed this year!
More information to follow shortly!
CATCHER IN THE RYE, Blog Post #3 (Chapters 15-17)
In Chapter 16, Holden states:
"The best thing, though, in that museum, was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody'd move...Nobody'd be different."
What does this quote reveal about Holden? What is the significance of this observation?
"The best thing, though, in that museum, was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody'd move...Nobody'd be different."
What does this quote reveal about Holden? What is the significance of this observation?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Questions for CATCHER QUIZ 1 CORRECTIONS
The Catcher in the Rye Quiz 1
Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph. Include detail in your answers.
1. Why does Holden get so upset with Stradlater in Chapter 6? What does Holden do when he gets angry with him? What does this show about Holden’s character?
2. Holden agrees to write a composition for Stradlater. What does he write about? What significant information do we learn about him through this composition?
3. Holden makes repeated references to his red hunting hat. Why is it significant to him? What might it symbolize?
Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph. Include detail in your answers.
1. Why does Holden get so upset with Stradlater in Chapter 6? What does Holden do when he gets angry with him? What does this show about Holden’s character?
2. Holden agrees to write a composition for Stradlater. What does he write about? What significant information do we learn about him through this composition?
3. Holden makes repeated references to his red hunting hat. Why is it significant to him? What might it symbolize?
Homework for Week of 10/26
TRIPLETS
Monday, 10/26
- Memoir Revision- Be Sure to Bring Both First and Final Draft!!
- CATCHER QUIZ 1 Corrections
Tuesday, 10/27
- CATCHER Chaps 15-17 and Blog Post
Thursday, 10/29
- CATCHER 18-20
- CATCHER QUIZ #2
Friday, 10/30
- Essay Brainstorm #2
8th GRADE
Wednesday, 10/28
- Wordly Wise 3 Quiz
Friday, 10/30
- Farm Essay Revisions
7th GRADE
Friday
- Wordly Wise 3 Quiz
Monday, 10/26
- Memoir Revision- Be Sure to Bring Both First and Final Draft!!
- CATCHER QUIZ 1 Corrections
Tuesday, 10/27
- CATCHER Chaps 15-17 and Blog Post
Thursday, 10/29
- CATCHER 18-20
- CATCHER QUIZ #2
Friday, 10/30
- Essay Brainstorm #2
8th GRADE
Wednesday, 10/28
- Wordly Wise 3 Quiz
Friday, 10/30
- Farm Essay Revisions
7th GRADE
Friday
- Wordly Wise 3 Quiz
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Independent Reading Overview
Independent Reading Overview
This year, in addition to the books, plays and stories we’ll be reading as a class, you will be required to read at least 6 books independently. These will be books of your choosing, each a minimum of 150 pages in length. These books can be either fiction or nonfiction. Of these eight books, you must read one of each of the following:
• A classic novel
• A nonfiction book
• A book from our classroom library
Please check with me before you begin reading your classic, nonfiction and classroom library books so I know what you’ve chosen. Students can also choose up to two graphic novels as independent reading options.
For three of the books, you will write a short response to the book (one or two paragraphs). These responses will answer one of the following questions:
• Pick one quote from the book that stayed with you. What was that quote? Why did it stick with you?
• What was your favorite aspect of this book (characters, writing style, plot, etc)?
• How did the main character(s) change?
For each of the other three books, you will write a book review to go in the class independent reading binder. Your classmates, as well as future 7th and 8th graders, will use these reviews to help them choose their own independent books.
Review Format
A review gives a reader a sense of whether this book might be right for him or her. Your review needs to include specific examples and direct quotes from the book. In order to help you organize this review, I’ve broken down the steps for completing this assignment. You can think of each step as a paragraph.
1. Context
The first step is to give the reader the background they need to understand the book. So, in your opening paragraph you should include the basic background information. What kind of book is it? Does it take place in a particular time in history? Is it part of a series? Think of any information the reader of your review needs to know in order to understand it.
2. Description
A short description (but not a summary) should be given so that the reader will have some understanding of the book’s overall plot. In a detailed paragraph, include an overview of the story. What events set the story in motion? If, for example, the book is about a journey, what leads the main character(s) to begin it? Knowing what gets the story going is especially important because it will give the reader of your review a sense as to whether they might be interested in the book without giving away too many of its secrets.
3. Evaluation
In this section, discuss what you think the author was trying to get across in the
book. Was it supposed to be funny? Sad? A nail-biter? This is also the place
where you get to give your review, writing first about what you think the author was trying to accomplish, then sharing how successful the author was in doing so. The evaluation section is also a good place to recommend this book to a particular reader. “If you love _________ books, ________ might be the one for you.”
4. Conclusion
Finally, sum up your main points about the book. Do you recommend it? Why or why not? Who seems to be its intended audience? Restate the major points you had about the book.
Submitting a Review
All book reviews must be submitted electronically. Please email it to me at tgrattan@manhattancountryschool.org when you have completed your book review. If it is a complete and carefully written, it will be added to the binder. Those needing more detail, evaluation or proofreading will be returned to you with editing suggestions, so that you can revise and resubmit.
Important Dates
December 7: At least two books read; one review completed
February 24: At least four books read; two reviews completed
May 3: At least six books read; three reviews completed
This year, in addition to the books, plays and stories we’ll be reading as a class, you will be required to read at least 6 books independently. These will be books of your choosing, each a minimum of 150 pages in length. These books can be either fiction or nonfiction. Of these eight books, you must read one of each of the following:
• A classic novel
• A nonfiction book
• A book from our classroom library
Please check with me before you begin reading your classic, nonfiction and classroom library books so I know what you’ve chosen. Students can also choose up to two graphic novels as independent reading options.
For three of the books, you will write a short response to the book (one or two paragraphs). These responses will answer one of the following questions:
• Pick one quote from the book that stayed with you. What was that quote? Why did it stick with you?
• What was your favorite aspect of this book (characters, writing style, plot, etc)?
• How did the main character(s) change?
For each of the other three books, you will write a book review to go in the class independent reading binder. Your classmates, as well as future 7th and 8th graders, will use these reviews to help them choose their own independent books.
Review Format
A review gives a reader a sense of whether this book might be right for him or her. Your review needs to include specific examples and direct quotes from the book. In order to help you organize this review, I’ve broken down the steps for completing this assignment. You can think of each step as a paragraph.
1. Context
The first step is to give the reader the background they need to understand the book. So, in your opening paragraph you should include the basic background information. What kind of book is it? Does it take place in a particular time in history? Is it part of a series? Think of any information the reader of your review needs to know in order to understand it.
2. Description
A short description (but not a summary) should be given so that the reader will have some understanding of the book’s overall plot. In a detailed paragraph, include an overview of the story. What events set the story in motion? If, for example, the book is about a journey, what leads the main character(s) to begin it? Knowing what gets the story going is especially important because it will give the reader of your review a sense as to whether they might be interested in the book without giving away too many of its secrets.
3. Evaluation
In this section, discuss what you think the author was trying to get across in the
book. Was it supposed to be funny? Sad? A nail-biter? This is also the place
where you get to give your review, writing first about what you think the author was trying to accomplish, then sharing how successful the author was in doing so. The evaluation section is also a good place to recommend this book to a particular reader. “If you love _________ books, ________ might be the one for you.”
4. Conclusion
Finally, sum up your main points about the book. Do you recommend it? Why or why not? Who seems to be its intended audience? Restate the major points you had about the book.
Submitting a Review
All book reviews must be submitted electronically. Please email it to me at tgrattan@manhattancountryschool.org when you have completed your book review. If it is a complete and carefully written, it will be added to the binder. Those needing more detail, evaluation or proofreading will be returned to you with editing suggestions, so that you can revise and resubmit.
Important Dates
December 7: At least two books read; one review completed
February 24: At least four books read; two reviews completed
May 3: At least six books read; three reviews completed
Friday, October 16, 2009
CATCHER IN THE RYE, Blog Post #2
In chapter 10, we learn about Holden's sister. Earlier in the book, we learned about his younger brother, Allie. What are Holden's feelings about each of his younger siblings? What do they represent for Holden?
DUE MONDAY, 10/19
DUE MONDAY, 10/19
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Homework for Week of 10/19
TRIPLETS
Monday, 10/19
- CATCHER chapters 8-10 and blog
- Description of Holden
Write a one-page description of Holden from either the perspective of Stradlater or Ackley
Tuesday, 10/20
- CATCHER chapter 11
Thursday, 10/22
- CATCHER chapters 12-14, bring in 2 thought-provoking discussion questions
- Short Story Essay Brainstorm #1
Wednesday - 8th Grade, 10/21
- Wordly Wise 3 Exercises
Wednesday - 7th Grade
- Wordly Wise 3 Exercises
- Revised Poems
************REMINDER- REVISED MEMOIR PIECES ARE DUE ON MONDAY, 10/26********************
Monday, 10/19
- CATCHER chapters 8-10 and blog
- Description of Holden
Write a one-page description of Holden from either the perspective of Stradlater or Ackley
Tuesday, 10/20
- CATCHER chapter 11
Thursday, 10/22
- CATCHER chapters 12-14, bring in 2 thought-provoking discussion questions
- Short Story Essay Brainstorm #1
Wednesday - 8th Grade, 10/21
- Wordly Wise 3 Exercises
Wednesday - 7th Grade
- Wordly Wise 3 Exercises
- Revised Poems
************REMINDER- REVISED MEMOIR PIECES ARE DUE ON MONDAY, 10/26********************
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Homework for Week of 10/13
Triplets
- "Catcher" Chapter 6-7. DUE THURSDAY, 10/15
- Description of Holden. DUE MONDAY, 10/19
Write a one-page description of Holden from either the perspective of Stradlater or Ackley
8th Grade
- Greek and Latin Roots Quiz, WEDNESDAY, 10/14
- "Catcher" Chapter 6-7. DUE THURSDAY, 10/15
- Description of Holden. DUE MONDAY, 10/19
Write a one-page description of Holden from either the perspective of Stradlater or Ackley
8th Grade
- Greek and Latin Roots Quiz, WEDNESDAY, 10/14
Monday, October 12, 2009
"Catcher" Post #1
Who is Holden? After reading the first five chapters of the novel, how would you describe him? What kind of person is he? Include a quote in your post.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Homework for Week of 10/5
Triplets
- Life and Timeline of Holden Caulfield Project - DUE THURS, 10/8
- The Catcher in the Rye, Chapters 1-5 and blog post - DUE TUES, 10/13
8th Writing
- Wordly Wise Quiz #2 - WED, 10/7
7th Writing
- Wordly Wise Quiz #2 - WED, 10/7
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