10/29/10

Friday, October 29

Writing Prompt:
What does Antonio’s dream mean? Why does he feel torn between his parents and their dreams for him? Write a paragraph about Antonio’s dream and about his feeling of being torn between the dreams of his parents. Have you ever felt torn between two sides? Is
it possible to satisfy both sides?

Today:
    1. Vocabulary
    2. Review worksheet and discuss chapter 11
    3. Is Ultima a bruja?


Last day to make up Vocab Test is Monday, 11/1:
Robin, Tarron, Jasmine H., Ryan, Young Kobe, Mike Villa,
Corrie, Miguel, Jessie

Homework: 
  1. Read chapter 13 for Monday, 11/1
  2. Complete worksheet (both sides - write out your response!)
  3. Word Maps - Follow regular format for vocabulary words. For the Common Roots, define two of the words listed after each root and explain how the roots relate to the meaning of the words.
    • Period 2: Word maps due Monday, 11/1
    • Period 4: Word maps due Thursday, 11/4 - if you don't turn your word maps in, you don't take the test!

Thursday, October 28: Benchmark exam. No Writing Prompt. This will count as a test grade! Make sure you see me to make it up!

10/27/10

Wednesday, October 27

Writing Prompt:
Antonio is learning that there may be more than one belief or answer in life. For example, Antonio questions his religion when Ultima is able to save Lucas and not the priest, and when he learns about the golden carp. Write about a time in your life when you realized there may be more than one option or that things were not as they seemed.

Today's Agenda
1. Vocabulary
2. Discuss chapter 11
3. Close Reading Activity

Tomorrow is Benchmark Day!!!

Homework: 
  1. Read chapter 12 and dialectical notes for Friday, 10/29
  2. Word Maps - Follow regular format for vocabulary words. For the Common Roots, define two of the words listed after each root and explain how the roots relate to the meaning of the words.
    • Period 2: Word maps due Monday, 11/1
    • Period 4: Word maps due Thursday, 11/4 - if you don't turn your word maps in, you don't take the test!
 Vocabulary Test - Thursday, 11/4
Tuesday, October 26

Writing Prompt: On page 98, Ultima tells Antonio that she is not afraid because “good is always stronger than evil… The smallest bit of good can stand against all the powers of evil in the world and it will emerge triumphant.” Do you agree or disagree with Ultima's statement? How has this statement been proven (or disproved) in the book, in real life, or in your life? Explain.

Today's Agenda

1. New Vocabulary!
2. Review yesterday's work
3. Review reading

Homework:
Read chapter 11 and dialectical notes for Wednesday, 10/27.
Word Maps - Follow regular format for vocabulary words. For the Common Roots, define two of the words listed after each root and explain how the roots relate to the meaning of the words.
Period 2: Word maps due Monday, 11/1
Period 4: Word maps due Thursday, 11/4 - if you don't turn your word maps in, you don't take the test!
Vocabulary Test - Thursday, 11/4



Monday, October 25

Writing Prompt: Choose a character from Bless Me Ultima other than Antonio. Pretend to be that character and write from his/her point of view. What would he/she think about some of the events that have occurred? How does this character feel about some of the essential questions we have asked? Write in the first person point of view. 

Read chapter 11 and dialectical notes for Wednesday, 10/27.
Word Maps - Follow regular format for vocabulary words. For the Common Roots, define two of the words listed after each root and explain how the roots relate to the meaning of the words.
Period 2: Word maps due Monday, 11/1
Period 4: Word maps due Thursday, 11/4 - if you don't turn your word maps in, you don't take the test!
Vocabulary Test - Thursday, 11/4

10/19/10

"This class is dry even though it's raining outside!"

Tuesday, October 19

Writing Prompt:
What was the worst day of school you ever had? Why? What happened? Retell your dayin the first-person point of view.

Today:
1. Review vocabulary
2. Scary story presentations
3. Review chapter 6

With a partner, create the following types of questions about chapter 6. (Examples are in italics)

    3 comprehension questions (facts from the reading)
        (In chapter 5, where does Antonio go? Why?)
    3 interpretation questions (deeper meaning)
        (What does Uncle Juan mean when he says, "In
        that one, there is hope"?)

    2 personal response question
        (Do you think Antonio looks more to his mother or
        to Ultima and her owl for comfort? Explain.)


Homework:
Read chapter 7&8 and take notes for Thursday, 10/21
60 word vocabulary test on Friday, 10/22

10/18/10

Vocab Set #2 - Best Sentences

  1. The rapper Twista raps incessantly. - Keyana
  2. My breath has an acrid smell after I eat Doritos. - Jasmine Hardy
  3. Rosa Parks was tenacious. - Rich
  4. We all knew the girls were about to be killed in the movie when the ominous music began to play. -Channell
  5. Sometimes the school bathroom has an acrid smell. - Robin
  6. My sister had the audacity to borrow my clothes without asking. - Katyra
  7. I am glad that my mom decided to beget me. - Alex
  8. Love is an ambiguous word. - Jordan
  9. When I'm not wearing glasses, my vision becomes nebulous. - Jordan
  10. My friend was stoic when she got her first tattoo. - Mary
  11. I never want to be a vagabond. That is not a good look for my life. - Tynisha
  12. The Snuggie is a contrivance that changes many lives for the better. - Brittany
  13. Ms. McCartney is a tenacious person. She never gave up dancing even after being told that she danced like a cat trapped in a washing machine. - Brittany
  14. Husbands are very stoic to the complaining of their wives. - Eric
  15. O.J. was relieved when he was absolved by the jury. - Lauren
  16. To be direct, I am candid. I tell it like it is. - Lauren
  17. Dr. Davidson is too loquacious. - Shayana
  18. Nicki Minaj's personalities are ambiguous. - Khadijah
  19. My teacher's face was turgid because she tried to stop a fight and got socked. - Sarah
  20. You can identify a vampire by his pallor. - Trey
  21. Some people call me a dare devil because I'm so audacious. - Marcus
  22. Jimmy Neutron is precocious
  23. The fight finally subsided and the students started heading to class. - Andrea
  24. Why I have Carp for three years is an enigma! -Andrea
  25. Uggs are ubiquitous. - Fajion

Monday, October 18

Writing Prompt: In chapter 6, Tony will start school. Based on your own experiences, give him advice. What should he do or not do? What are the positives and negatives about school? Friends? Explain. 

Today: 
1. Review reading
2. Character Log
3. Read chapter 5

Assignments:
Scary Story Assignment due tomorrow! 
Chapter 6 and notes due tomorrow
60 word vocabulary test on Friday, 10/22

10/14/10

Thursday, October 14

Writing Prompt: After Lupito’s death, Antonio dreams about La Llorona, an “old witch who cries along the river banks and seeks the blood of boys and men to drink!” What is a scary story or legend you remember from when you were younger? Briefly summarize the story and write about what frightened you.

Today:
1. La Llorona & Scary Story Assignment
2. Review chapters 2 & 3
3. Begin reading chapter 4

Assignments:
Chapter 4 & notes due Friday!
Word Maps due Monday, 10/18
Scary Story due Tuesday, 10/19

10/5/10

"Where is Faith?"

Writing Prompt: Write a brief summary of what you read yesterday in class and last night. Use at least six vocabulary words in your summary.

Today's Agenda:
1. Review vocabulary
2. Review homework and reading
3. Finish "Young Goodman Brown"


Homework:
Period 2: Finish story and complete notes
Period 4: Finish handout for Thursday

Vocabulary Quiz on Thursday!
Project due in class on Friday!

10/4/10

Discovering Symbols

Writing Prompt: We often put people we admire so high on a pedestal that we forget they’re human. Describe a time when you realized that someone you admired was imperfect. 

Today's Agenda:
1. Review vocabulary
2. Important Dates: project due Friday, vocabulary quiz on Thursday
3. Symbolism and Allegory
4. Begin reading "Young Goodman Brown"

Homework: Complete dialectical notes.

Important Dates:
Project due Friday
Vocabulary Quiz on Thursday

10/1/10

Friday Wrap-Up

Today, we had an in-class essay! If you missed class today, please see me about making up this assignment.

Founding Ideas Project - due October 8. Not late projects accepted!
Vocabulary Set 1 - Word Maps were due today! If you didn't finish them, please get them to me on Monday for half credit.

I will be afterschool on Monday in the IMC for extra help or anything else you need!

Vocabulary Sentence - Greatest Hits!


When I gave an answer in class, the teacher said it was an apt answer. – Corrie
The classroom was filled with mirth after my dancing. – Lauren
I have a multitude of girlfriends. – John
The bride had scruples as she walked down the aisle. – Andrea
The solace Sookie received from Bill was given after the death of her grandmother. – Briana
I always try to reach my zenith and I always fall on the stars. – Eric
Connotation for abash: Ms. McCartney and Ms. Kandi – Eric
I am a fervid cheerleader! – Jordan
Rainbows can be very lurid. – Sierra
Many people are sneaky and move in insidious ways. – Sierra
I avert my eyes when I see people kissing. – Stephanie
I was abashed when I fell flat on my face in front of the class. – Kayla
I am vigilant when I walk to school because weirdos might try to steal me away. – Kayla
Ms. McCartney had a sad visage when she heard bad news about her boo Willy. – Marcus
I felt abashed when I realized I left the house in my boxers. – Marcus
9th grade social studies  classes have a discourse about slavery. – Shayana
My boyfriend gave me a fervid kiss. - Shayana
A tempest is what wiped out Sri Lanka in the tsunami. – Katyra
People show me reverence when I’m mean and they are fronting. – Katyra
There is a multitude of chicken at KFC! – Rich
Ms. McCartney told a snoop dog joke that gave us mirth. – Rich
Everyone knows junior year will be arduous. – Rich
The gravity of my household reminds me of a prison. – Cabrecca
Chris Brown caused his fans to lament when he hit Rihanna. – Channell
Shaquille Harrison sometimes speaks in a fake, deep, pious voice. – Channell
The teacher lamented praising the students after she found out they cheated. – Khadijah
Addiction is insidious. – Maggie
A tempest of emotion stormed through her mind. – Maggie
People on Proactive commercials have a multitude of pimples. – Keyana
I have reverence for Meek Millz because he is a good rapper. – Keyana
The boy’s place of solace is playing basketball. – Saffronia
There are five tempests a month in Ft. Lauderdale. – Jazmine