8/28/08

Brit Lit:

I hope that the sound effects and mood music added to our reading of Beowulf. Block A is starting to feel like my soundcheck class- with me trying new things to see if they will work. I will try and be much more polished in the next few weeks. I just looked over your drawings and creature descriptions. Not bad.... But nothing near to the real Grendel that we will meet next week! Play in the sunshine....

Soph Lit:

It surprised me that you all like Holden in chapter 1. Kudos to Michelle for being brave enough to tell the teacher that she did not like the character in her teachers fav book. :-)

Next Friday, you will have your 1st vocab quiz on the ten words that I gave you. If you have time and want to get ahead, please define each of them. Other than that.... think about the diff. levels of mental illness. We will begin to examine Holden and talk about some of bad choices that he is starting to make.

General Note:

I would like to thank all of you for making my 1st few days at Tantasqua memorable. It is true what everyone told me: there are great kids at Tantasqua. Thank you for the warm and kind welcome!

August 27, 2008

Brit Lit:

For tonight please read the intro history on pgs 1-10 in most of your anthologies. Please expect a real short quiz on your reading.

Your "skits" today, made my day. I know that it is early in the year, but it was nice to see some of you having fun while you were learning. Both classes proved that the oral tradition of storytelling still does not preserve a story....

Thursday we will begin Beowulf, and start class by taking some intro notes, and examining what it means to be a hero. Get ready for some bloody good monster reading.... and some sound effects to set the mood as we plunge into fear.

We will also be trying to create our own original monsters, and talk about what triggers our fear of the unknown, and how fear played a large part in early British Literature. Grendel is coming....... and he is hungry.... and mad........

Sophmore Lit.:

Tonight you will meet Holden. What are your first impressions? Remember to ask those around you for their experiences. Were they allowed to read it?

We will begin talking about vocab this year, and you will be given your first set of words. Remember, new words give us great power.....

Cover your book- you know who you are....

4 days where we can pretend that it is still Summer, and be grateful that we will get out almost a week before those who go back to school next Tuesday. Enjoy the great weather- but don't forget your Summer reading. If you have not read yet, there is still plenty of time- it is an easy read- so find a good tree and read!

First Day

It was nice meeting all of you today. Just a reminder to cover your books. Block C: please finish you "what if...." questions, as we will be talking about them Wed.

Blocks A & B Please think about:

What makes a hero?

Block C:

Should books ever be banned? Please share with those around you that you are reading Catcher, and report back to class their reactions. :-)

I am real excited about this year, and working with you. Get ready to do some fun things......

Quote of the week:

"There can be no rtrue learning without some element of fun." Emerson