1. District Benchmark Assessment - we went to the computer lab and completed this district test. If absent, you will be making this up during the class you return. You are responsible for the work you miss due to make up testing.

1. We finished the CRA - questions 5-9 found below:

5. Rewrite the dialogue between Charles and his mother, exchanging proper grammar for dialect. Then, in one or two sentences, describe how rewriting the dialogue affects the impact of their words.

6. Make a list of the emotions that dominate the verbal exchange between Charles and his mother. Beside each emotion on your list, cite textual evidence for support.

7. Make a list of specific accusations Charles makes to prove that his mother favored GL.

8. “Being fair does not always mean being equal.” Discuss the validity of this statement with a partner. Then write two to three sentences explaining the mother’s rationale for her treatment of her sons.

9. Daniel Eckstein and his colleagues argue in “A Review of 200 Birth-Order Studies: Lifestyle Characteristics” that birth-order affects the personality of an individual as well as his prospects for the future. After reading “A Visit to Grandmother” and examining the family dynamic in the story, decide whether the characters and relationships in the short story support or refute the findings in the birth-order study. Write two paragraphs stating your choice, including specific textual evidence to support your choice.

2. HOMEWORK - Vocabulary Flashcards - Non-Fiction Vocabulary #2 - due next class.

3. Midterm scheduling and review guides were distributed. Notebook check announced for next Thursday, Dec. 13. If you know you are going to be absent for the midterm, I will allow you to take it early, AND turn in your notebook early. All notebooks must be turned in no later than January 4.

1.      Using a web (if absent, see the one in your make up work as the website will not allow me to recreate),  write the name of someone (real or fictitious) whom you consider a hero. Then, in each of the four outer circles, write a word or phrase identifying an important characteristic of your hero- a quality that makes the person admirable in your eyes. Alongside each of the circles, jot down something your hero has done that illustrates the characteristic written in each circle.

a.       Below the web, answer the following

i.      Which of the characteristics that you included above do you think is most important for a hero to have? Why?

ii.      Which characteristic would be most needed if the hero were involved in a life-or-death situation? Why?

2.      Read “The Man in the Water”. You may read this before or after school in my classroom from the workbook page 151, or follow this link

a.       After reading, use the same web format as your “journal”, preplan an essay about The Man in the Water, who remained anonymous for some time.

Is this man a hero? Use evidence from the text to support your thesis.

3.      From youtube, we watched 4 videos based on the Air Florida Flight 90 tragedy, which included information on the Man in the Water (the person himself, not the essay). Watch these videos:

Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, and Video 4.

a.       Following the videos, respond on the same sheet of paper as your essay planning – Do you still believe the man is a hero? Did the videos change your perception? Why or why not?

b.      Title this paper “Man in the Water” put a #10 on it and put it in your notebook.

1. Vocabulary Test - this must be made up ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 14!!!

2. Question Words handout

3. Discussion of notebook requirements:

1. New table of contents - no TOC, no grade

2. Name and period on table of contents

3. ALL pages numbered and titled according to the table of contents.

4. Pages must be in order of table of contents - out of order notebooks will not be graded.

5. Handouts, worksheets and assignments must be completed

4. Midterm exam discussion - the midterm will be on Thursday, December 13.

5. Notebooks are due December 13. Late notebooks will be accepted no later than January 4 at a deduction of 10% per day that it is late.

1. Midterm exam and notebooks due!!!!

2. Movie - students will not be able to cash in on their points due to my departure, so they will get a movie on this day instead.

Test on Tuesday, December 11.

Vocabulary Nonfiction Part II

1.   Exile – banishment or expulsion, a person forced to leave his or her native land

2.   Degenerate - to fall below a desirable level in moral quality; deteriorate

3.   Dignity - bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect

4.   Inextricably – not able to be escaped from

5.   Righteousness – being characterized by uprightness or morality

6.   Tribulations – severe trial or suffering

7.   Exalted - noble or elevated, raised in rank or character

8.   Discords – lack of harmony, disagreements

9.   Symphony - a harmonious combination, usually referring to instruments

10.                     Staunch – steadfast, loyal

11.                     Lucrative – producing wealth; profitable

12.                     Debut – first public appearance

13.                     Canopied – covered by a cloth suspended from poles or a framework

14.                     Irretrievable – impossible to regain or recover

1. Crossword puzzles about Marian Anderson/MLK were due IF it became homework.

2.Newspaper Log - after completion, this should be the second newspaper log in your notebook.

3. Following the newspaper log, students did the first part of the CRA for quarter 2. If absent, you must get the text from me.

The questions for part one are listed below. If you are unsure how to do these, come see me before or after school.

1. Look at the list of adjectives used to describe a first-born child. Based on that description, explain why first-born children would be more likely to “assume leadership roles” and “to affiliate under stress.”

2. Look at the list of adjectives used to describe latter-born children. Separate the words into two columns using the headings “cooperative” and “unconventional.” Explain your choices.

3. Choose one example from the text that the authors use to support the idea that birth order does affect personality. Paraphrase that example.

4. How is Sulloway’s information validated? Explain the types of support that are used in the article.

Full day today! We accomplished a great deal - see me for make up work if you were absent!

1. Updated the literary terms glossary (#4) to include terms 18-24, listed below. For a full list, click here.

18.      Static Characters - characters that remain the same, usually serve a purpose or make the dynamic characters stand out

19.      Dynamic Characters - characters that develop and change during the course of a story

20.      Personification – object, idea or animal is spoken of as if it were human; non-human things given human-like characteristics

21.      Parallelism – repetition of grammatical structure (words will not be completely identical, but phrasing may be repetitive)

22.      Diction – word choice, usually for emphasis on a theme or idea

23.      Syntax – arrangement of words in a sentence; can be considered as simple or complex

24.      Symbol – character, place or thing that stands for a larger idea (ex: dog=loyalty; desk=learning)

2. We read "Marian Anderson: Famous Concert Singer" on page 98 of the textbook.

Watch Anderson perform 

3. Following "Marian Anderson", we read/watched Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream Speech"

Watch King's speech

4. After these we did a crossword puzzle that related to information found in both works. Some extra help can be found here, since some of the clues are a little vague. This was due at the end of the period - see me for a crossword if absent.

1. Demand Writing - if absent, see me ASAP for paper and topic.

2. Notebook Restructuring - see new TOC below:

1. Table of Contents (old)

2. Syllabus (old)

3. Procedures (old)

4. Literary Terms Glossary (old)

5. Writing Essays Notes (old)

6. Non-Fiction Intro (notes - old)

7. Non-Fiction Vocabulary Part 2 (added 11/14)

1. 1/2 of the class went to Mrs. Lipphardt's room. The other half stayed behind to watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

2. On Tuesday, students needed to write a newspaper log and add it to their notebooks as #8.

In a newspaper log students must include the title of the article, date of the article, page of the article and a 1 paragraph discussion (not just summary) of the article.