Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Life of Pi - Day 2

Today we'll talk about our names - their origin, their importance, their meaning, who made them, which names we prefer, and why. We'll then turn our attention to the book, read chapter 5, and discuss the name(s) of the main character.

Tonight's homework is to read chapter 4, and then 6-8. We will have time to start that in class.

Here is a link to the themes you named in the author's note yesterday - keep track of them as we go through the novel.

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Monday, January 30, 2017

Life of Pi - Day 1

Today we'll start reading Yann Martel's Life of Pi.
You'll read the Author's Note at the start of the book. When you are finished, you'll name / identify three themes / key questions / main ideas, and describe what Martel says about them. You'll do this on a sheet of paper you'll turn in.
We'll discuss your responses as a way of getting us started in the book.

Tonight, please read through chapter 3.


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Writing poetry

Today we wrote three different poems:

  • one based on words we collected on the board
  • one based on those same words, plus a second set, using the rhythm and structure of a first verse of a song you like
  • one as an "Ode" to one of the things on the brainstormed list we made of your favorite things / important people & places

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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Contemporary Poetry

Poetry choices - 1st period
  1. Hamilton - (any song)
  2. J. Cole -  “Crooked Smile” / “False Prophets”
  3. Black-Eyed Peas - “Where is the Love”
  4. Train - “Drops of Jupiter”
  5. Get Lit Organization - “Somewhere in America”
  6. Megadeth - “Holy Wars - The Punishment Due”
  7. Cobie Callait - “Try”
  8. Maya Angelou - “Still I Rise”
  9. Chance the Rapper - “Same Drugs”
  10. Drake - “Back to Back (Freestyle)
    1. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/drake/backtobackfreestyle.html


Poetry choices - 2nd period

  1. Hamilton (any song)
  2. Black-Eyed Peas - “Where is the Love”
  3. Macklemore - “Same Love”
  4. Get Lit Organization - “Somewhere in America”
  5. Tim McGraw - “Humble and Kind”
  6. Maya Angelou - “Caged Bird”
  7. Lauren Alania - “Road Less Traveled”
  8. Kendrick Lamar - “HiiiPoWer”
  9. Jamila Woods - “beverly, huh”
  10. Shane Koyzcan - “To This Day”
    1. https://genius.com/Shane-koyczan-to-this-day-annotated

  • Read through / watch through the song / poem
  • Which parts of it speak to you? Why?
  • What is happening poetically that is different from writing / talking about these ideas in another form? Where do you see that happening?
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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

STAR testing and a quick survey

Greetings!
We'll start the day by completing the next STAR test.
Please do your best on this reading comprehension test. Again, this is so I can understand how you read and learn. Do your best.       
  • Click here to go to the link for the test.
  • For your username, use the same name you are logging into the Chromebooks and computers with.
  • Your password is your student ID number - but ONLY the number  - i.e. 120XXXX - if you are unable to gain access after TWO tries, please ask for help before trying a third time.
  • You will be presented with two choices - select STAR Reading
  • Sometimes, the system will request a “Monitor Password.” If this happens to you, the password is “admin”
  • If you are presented with a list of teachers, please select “Rigler”
  • Take the test! Do the best you can! 
When you are finished, please take the time to complete this quick survey:


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Monday, January 23, 2017

Welcome to Second Semester!

Greetings! Woohoo! Here it is - second semester of senior year! Very exciting!

Got your countdown going yet?

We'll start next week with Life of Pi - please pick up a copy of it and have it in class on Monday.

This week? Some poetry...



Yeah you need to see the lyrics to that - check 'em out here.
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