Grade 8: Theme Thesis Statement (due by midnight, Sunday, October 24th)

Please post your theme thesis statement. Below the thesis statement, list out the three things (events, characters, conflicts, etc.) that prove your theme to be correct.

Make sure that you either print this out or write it in your notebook for class on Monday as well. If you forget it, you will need to redo it!

Grade 12 IB: Interactive Oral Resources (Due before Wednesday, October 20th)

Please post a link to one of the four resources you are using for your presentation. Include a brief summary of the resource.

Grade 10: War Poem (due by midnight Wednesday, October 13th)

Not To Keep
By Robert Frost (1917--during World War I)

They sent him back to her. The letter came
Saying… And she could have him. And before
She could be sure there was no hidden ill
Under the formal writing, he was in her sight,
Living. They gave him back to her alive—
How else? They are not known to send the dead—
And not disfigured visibly. His face?
His hands? She had to look, and ask,
“What was it, dear?” And she had given all
And still she had all—they had—they the lucky!
Wasn’t she glad now? Everything seemed won,
And all the rest for them permissible ease.
She had to ask, “What was it, dear?”
“Enough,
Yet not enough. A bullet through and through,
High in the breast. Nothing but what good care
And medicine and rest, and you a week,
Can cure me of to go again.” The same
Grim giving to do over for them both.
She dared no more than ask him with her eyes
How was it with him for a second trial.
And with his eyes he asked her not to ask.
They had given him back to her, but not to keep.


Think about the poem and answer the following questions:

1. What has the man just returned from?
2. What is the relationship between the woman and the man in the poem?
3. Who has given the man "back to her"? Why can she not keep him?
4. How do you imagine the man and the woman are feeling? Why?

Grade 8: "Thank You, M'am" (Due by midnight Wednesday, October 13th; Part 2 Due by midnight Monday, October 18th--Ms. Soteres will explain in class!)

Make sure you have finished reading "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes. Make sure that you have also underlined any conflicts that occur and if you can, label them as either "I" for internal or "E" for external.

Respond to the following questions:
1. Do you think Mrs. Jones agrees with the proverb we wrote about in class today? Why or why not?

2. Read the poem "If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking" by Emily Dickinson at the end of the story. How might the speaker of this poem be similar to Mrs. Jones?

3. Lastly, post your best THICK question that you asked while reading.

If you forgot the story at school, here is a link to an online version: http://acasiday.wiki.hoover.k12.al.us/file/view/Thank+You+Ma

Also, if you're interested in learning more about Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance, here is a short (3 minutes, 37 seconds) video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCbBn_X87Xw&feature=related

Grade 12 IB (Due before Wednesday, October 13th)

Finish reading Act I of Death of a Salesman. Come up with and post three discussion questions to present to the class about the first act.

Grade 8: Weekend Homework (due by midnight Monday, October 11th)

First of all, how was the quiz? Was it what you expected? Harder? Easier?

Now, I would like each of you to think very hard about how our class has gone so far (many of you began this activity at the end of class today). What are some things you really like about our class? What are some things you wish would change? Do you feel like it is challenging enough or too challenging? What would you like to happen in our class over the next month?

Answering these types of questions honestly will help to make our classroom a better place! Remember, be honest!

Grade 10: Preparing for your presentation (Due by midnight Thursday, October 7th)

Write one paragraph explaining your section of your group's presentation. In this paragraph, include your group's argument/thesis statement (that's the theme you will be proving!) and your particular analysis of it. This paragraph will reflect your portion of the presentation.

Grade 8: Quiz Preparation (Due by midnight Thursday, October 7th)

Complete one of the following in at least 5 sentences:

1. Summarize the plot of either "I Just Kept on Smiling" or "Harrison Bergeron."

2. Identify at least one character trait for any of the characters in either "I Just Kept on Smiling" or "Harrison Bergeron."

Whichever you choose, you must use details or examples from the text in your response. You must also use at least three of our vocabulary words from this week.

Study hard! Read and respond to one another's responses!

Grade 12 IB: Death of a Salesman (Due before Thursday, October 7th)

Read through page 33 in Death of a Salesman. Choose the lines (1-3 sentences) that you think is the most important in the first 33 pages. Then in 250 words, explain why you feel those lines are most important? What do they reveal?

If you have not yet posted for the last blog assignment, you must complete that also.

Grade 10: "2026: There will come soft rains" (due by midnight Tuesday, October 4th)

Write one cohesive, organized paragraph (with opening sentence, closing sentence, and details/examples from the text) comparing and contrasting on of the following:

–Bradbury vs. Teasdale on the aftermath of war
–Bradbury vs. Teasdale in their characterization of nature
–YOU MUST INCLUDE THE IMAGERY WE DISCUSSED AS PART OF YOUR PROOF!
–YOU MUST ALSO INCLUDE AT LEAST THREE TRANSITIONS.

Don't forget to complete Part 1, Unit 2 Vocabulary