Grade 10: Poetry (Due before Monday, January 17th)

Browse some poetry sites online. Find a poem that you find interesting. Copy and paste that poem onto the blog (don't forget to include the title and poet's name!). Then, write a brief paragraph explaining who the speaker is, what's going on in the poem, and what you find unusual about the poem. Finally, pose a question to the rest of the class about the poem you found.

Not sure where to start looking? Check out these websites!
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/
http://www.poetry-online.org/
http://www.poetry.org/
http://www.poetrysoup.com/

All Grades: Winter Break Book Reports (Due before class on January 10th, 2011)

Happy New Year! All grades, please post your book report here.

Grade 8: Good Night, Mr. Tom Book Report (due before midnight, Monday December 13th)

Please post your book report on Good Night, Mr. Tom here! If you are unsure of the guidelines, check Edline under "News."

Grade 10: Lord of the Flies Thesis Statement (Due by midnight Monday, December 6th)

Please post your thesis statement here.

Grade 8: Good Night, Mr. Tom (due before midnight Thursday, December 2nd)

Explain one theme from the book Good Night, Mr. Tom. Be prepared to discuss this theme tomorrow in class.

Grade 8: Plot Map link

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/graphicmap/

Grade 10: Lord of the Flies Final Question (Due before midnight Thursday, December 2nd)

Consider the book Lord of the Flies. Is evil inherent (or born in, natural to) in humankind? Please write a thoughtful, complete paragraph for your response.

Grade 12 IB: Ernest Hemingway Short Stories (due before class Tuesday, November 30th)

Ernest Hemingway said

"If a writer of prose knows enough about what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of the iceberg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water. The writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing."

Knowing that Hemingway purposefully omits certain parts from his stories, complete one of the following in at least 400 words:

• Consider the short story "Cat in the Rain." Write the ending that you think Hemingway might have intended.
• Consider the short story "Out of Season." Write the ending that you think Hemingway might have intended.
• Consider the short story "Hills Like White Elephants." Write the beginning that you think Hemingway might have intended.

Be sure that your writing not only reflects the elements of a short story, but also reflects the style of the story that you have chosen. For example, "Hills Like White Elephants" is mostly a dialogue between two characters. It would not make sense stylistically if you wrote the beginning of the story in rich prose. Think about it!

If you need to, feel free to send me a copy to look over before posting.

Grade 10: Lord of the Flies Chapters 10, 11, and 12 (Parts 1, 2, and 3)

Finish the book! Blog posts due before midnight on the 25th, the 27th, and the 28th. Remember these blog posts are not only grades, but are designed to create discussions for you! Use the blog wisely!

For each post, write a reaction (minimum 250 words) to the chapter and three questions. Then, make sure that you answer at least one other classmate's question. I will be posting, too!

Grade 8: Good Night, Mr. Tom (Part 1 due by midnight, November 22nd; Part 2 due by midnight, November 24th; Part 3 due by midnight, November 28th)

Since we won't be in class to have a discussion, we will be having a discussion here online! You may post any time throughout this next week, but you MUST post by the three dates listed here and on Edline.

Part 1: Post three THICK questions.

Part 2: Respond to at least two other students' questions. Please write a minimum of five sentences to answer.

Part 3: Respond to two other students. You may answer a question, write a reaction, clarify an idea, agree, or disagree. These responses must be at least five sentences.

Remember, be thoughtful about what you post! This online discussion is here to help you and generate interesting ideas. I am excited to read what you have to say!