The Cruicble CQT

Eeek! You have a test on The Crucible and a short response-- that you must answer in CQT format? Man, your teacher's mean. Oh wait--that's me. Yes, you must answer one of the four prompts for your Crucible exam and describe how it relates to The Crucible. The prompts are:

1. Confessing to a crime you didn't commit in order to avoid punishment is wise.
2 It is better to die for what you believe in rather than to lie to save your life.
3. That which doesn't destroy us only makes us stronger.
4. Courage means doing something even though it can be difficult and fearsome.

First, choose your prompt. Which one do you think you can write about comfortably? Next, think about which character or characters are directly related to that prompt. Additionally, find the part in the play where your character displays this particular characteristic/trait or belief. For example, if you choose #4 both John and Rebecca fit this prompt, but you might have more to say about John than Rebecca. Also, use your CQT graphic organizer to put your thoughts on paper. Lastly, write or type it out (if your fancy) in proper MLA format on a separate paper so it looks like a 'regular' paragraph and not like a fill in the blank organizer.

Unsure of what your finished CQT should look like? Well, click here: Crucible SAMPLE CQT short response paragraph. Obviously, this is an example, but it should help you to see a finished product.

Hopefully this will help you figure out the silly CQT part of the exam that is only worth twenty-three points. Now, you just have worry about the other seventy-seven questions.

Oedipus: I love you best mommy

If Oedipus were really a Rex



Okay, so the title of this post probably was a little low brow, but well--it's funny. I know many of you are having difficulty with Oedipus, most likely due to the fact that there are two versions we are either reading or listening to in class. Understand that this play is ancient, not just old, but a survived text from ancient Greece. I have found an online version of the text just click on the link Oedipus Rex (the play) and you should be able to access it.
I know some of you are stressed, but you are making yourself worry more than necessary. The story or this part of the trilogy is quite easy to understand if you allow yourself to think that it is possible that someone would murder their father and marry their mother. If you need help on the summary of this play click on this link: Oedipus Rex (summary).  I don't want anyone to ever feel that they don't understand what it is that we are reading in class. It is  never my goal to see how many kids fail a test because I didn't explain it well enough or their was too much confusion. If you weren't listening, or you were playing around or just plain a no show for days on end then it's on you. Asking me questions in order to gain a better understanding is something a college thinker would do; asking me questions so you have an answer on your paper is something a freshmen would do.

Take out what is acceptable in society--typically we don't see a whole lot of 'mother loving' happening on the Oedipal level and think like an ancient Greek. Their gods were incestuous, fair weathered in their loyalty to humanity and like to prove just how powerful they really were. Remember, fate vs. free will was something the ancient Greeks dealt with on a daily basis.

Which Witch was Accused of Witchery?

The Salem Witch Trials.  A bloody beginning to an unformed country. Ironically it was the Puritans who left England because they couldn't deal with the persecution and diluted aspects of the Anglican/Catholic church. Unfortunately---they were still your average human beings that felt jealousy, contempt and the need for revenge. On Monday {since I will be in a meeting at the District Office ALL stinkin' day long}

Giles Corey actual memorial stone

I am sending you to the library with the sub to work on a web scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt is titled Witch Hunt: A Web Scavenger Hunt for The Crucible. Click on the link and open a separate word document to type out your answers. Yes, you will type out and print your answers in the library. You will get points for whatever you finish in the time allotted.
Please, don't forget to format you paper in the MLA fashion and most importantly---put your name on your paper and please, please for the love of fonts---use Times New Roman 12 pt.


That is all.

The College Essay

Hey, hey you kid...what do you want to be when you grow up? Are you going to college... UC, Cal state or community college? Well, English 12 can be of help--if you let it

The UC system requires that you write a personal statement....have you started? Are you stuck? Click here for ---> Personal Statement Help. Essentially you are asked to write an essay of about 1,000 words that addresses two prompts.  Remember, this essay is NOT a war story, but shows how you have overcome adversity in some way. You are essentially selling yourself. You want the college to see you as an asset to their college rather than a liability.

The UC Prompt:

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family,  

     community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped  your dreams and aspirations.

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is   

      important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment

The Cal State does not require you to write an essay, but there is an essay portion on their placement test. Even though the essay we will write in class does not specifically address the Cal State prompt it can help formulate a possible response. 

Community Colleges also do not require an essay for entry, but you will have to take a placement test just the same. Writing an essay will not hurt you; it might make you miserable for the length of time it takes to complete the essay, but won't hurt you.

So, how would you approach the topics? Let me first mention what you should NOT do:

• Do not just list a resume of accomplishments.
• Do not create a fictional self and write what you think the reader would want to hear.
• Do not write an unfocused mess.
• Do not speak in vague generalities.
• Do not try to include all your memorized SAT words.
• Do not turn in an essay that has not been carefully reviewed, edited, and proofread.

Instead, follow these guidelines:

• Focus your essay. If it’s too broad and all-inclusive, it will sound like a list.
• Prove your overall thesis with evidence, such as detailed events, examples, facts, quotations. Convey your personality by giving your reader some insight about what your world and experience have been.
• Be specific with this evidence. Don’t just keep saying vague generalities, such as “I am a leader, because I know how to lead people . . . blah, blah, blah . . . .” Instead, here’s a great example that got one girl into UC Berkeley: “Over the last two years as S Club president, I learned that leadership responsibilities include making others accountable. When several members who had committed to the Relay for Life said they couldn’t attend the Relay, I told them, ‘That’s okay, but you will have to get someone to take your place instead.’ That was the year our team expanded from eight members to fourteen, and we raised over $1,500 to donate to the American Cancer Society.” Notice how Bethany used details to develop her claim about leadership.
• Follow all instructions.
• Allow the prompt itself to be a mini-outline. Include all the parts requested in the prompt.
• Be yourself, but be the best of yourself there is. Show your humor. Use imagery and creative language.
• Be accurate. If you don’t fully remember details about a historical figure or fictional character, do research before you write. This is NOT first draft writing — the reader will expect time and care put into this essay.

Article of the Week #3 {English 11} Turn off that Phone

We live in a society where it is very rare that our phones can't keep us connected to the rest of the world. At our fingertips is not just a way to reach out and talk to someone, to hear their voice to be reassured that all is well, but rather a world of information awaiting the twitch of our finger. We use our phones to find out information to correct our peers, family or even {gasp} the teacher. We consume information at speeds so quickly that it is second nature to grab our phones in order to access all that is out in the internet ether. There was a time though when our phones used to connect us to each other.

However, the phones of 2012 aren't just devices that ease parents' fears; they are devices that can connect us to the other side of the planet allowing contact within in seconds without actually affixing the users together.  At what point do we just put those devices away and relate to each other? Is it okay to have your phone out on a date? At a dance? At a funeral? When is too much too much? This week's article discusses when we should Turn Off the Phone (and the Tension).  I know that I too am guilty of reaching for my phone when a conversation is just as easily had. Are we becoming a society where we only want to be social as long as it is not face to face?

The Saxons--no,they're not playing Coachella {Eng. 12}

The Anglo-Saxons--a burly bunch they were! The Anglo-Saxons that crazy marauding society! What's a scop to do, but sing the tales of those heroes who slayed dragons, saved the village and married the girl? The Anglo-Saxon's bring us Beowulf, the first epic poem ever. I mean first as in original. Beowulf , written in Old English sometime before the tenth century A.D., describes the adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of the sixth century. A rich fabric of fact and fancy, Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic in British literature.

Beowulf exists in only one manuscript. This copy survived both the wholesale destruction of religious artifacts during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII (the king who enjoyed torturing his wives either by killing them, divorcing them leaving them penniless or threatening death...what a catch)  and a disastrous fire which destroyed the library of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1571-1631).

The poem still bears the scars of the fire, visible at the upper left corner of the photograph. The Beowulf manuscript is now housed in the British Library, London.

Some fun facts about the Anglo-Saxon culture {which connect our time with theirs}:  Four Anglo-Saxon gods gave their names to days of the week: Tiw/Tuesday; Woden/Wednesday; Thunor/Thursday and Frige/Friday. Imagine, all this time we've said Thank Goodness it's Frige day!  Anglo-Saxons were superstitious. They believed in lucky charms. They thought 'magic' rhymes, potions, stones or jewels would protect them from evil spirits or sickness. Thank you www.bbc.co.uk for the fun facts.

Calling All Mockingjays-ATW #2 {English 11}

Following the success of the Hunger Games trilogy--we {as in society} might wonder: How much of this "new society" is fiction and what could actually happen? I don't mean in terms of a capitol taking over carving out strategic pieces of society to meet the needs of the capitol. What about the government or rogue scientists that have the mindset and ability to engineer a new species? What about them? This week you will read the article: D.I.Y. Biology, on the Wings of the Mockingjay.

 Your job: Read the ENTIRE article, write a Context Quote Tie-In style paragraph. Submitt your paragraph to Turnitin.com by Friday, September 14th 8 a.m..  If you are unsure what a CQT paragraph is, don't be absent this week--we will review the components and practice in class.  This will be your first writing "test" if you will. I want to see how you express your thoughts while using eveidence from an article to support your opinion.

It's September and Back to School

To my seniors, I hope to make this year memorable. I love literature and the act of discovering new meanings especially when I am able to discuss a variety of ideas with you. I look forward to the conversations we will have in class this year.

First Day of School Outfits 1890

I'm very excited to get to know all of you. I know many of you aren't in love {sigh} with English, but I hope that by the end of the year you will develop a soft spot for the written word.


We will use Turnitin.com this year and you will need the following information in order to enroll in the class to submit your work electronically.

English 12 period one: Class Id: 5491758  Password: dhssenior13 (all lower case)
English 12 period two: Class Id: 5491764  Password: dhssenior13 (all lower case)

English 11 period three: Class Id: 5491779  Password: dhsjunior14 (all lower case)
English 11 period five  : Class Id: 5491814  Password: dhsjunior14 (all lower case)
English 11 period six: Class Id: 5491835  Password: dhsjunior14 (all lower case)

Make sure you are signing up for the right class otherwise your assignments will end up in the wrong class.

English 11 students, we will start disucssing and writing about a different article of the week starting this week.  This week will be a discussion only and we will discuss  the article of Friday, September 7th during your class period. This is considered an assignment and you will receive Credit or No Credit depending on you participation.  This week's article is: One School Girl's Protest of Seventeen Magazine. Click on the link read the article, make notes on what you think is interesting, concerning and what you agree or disagree with. This is just one way that I am able to gage your ability to comprehend information and understand not only the big picture idea, but the details that help bring that 'big picture' to life.

A Little Thing Called Jazz

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Welcome to the age of excess. Jazz. Wild reckless abandon and the ability to break hearts regardless of the bottom line in your bank account.

A time where the newly wealthy wanted to have a good time and prove they were no longer the people they use to be. We've just started the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald,  and reviewed the two class distinctions of  old money and new money.  I also shared the fabulous power point that Ms. Cara Cleek created a few years back and adding a few updated tidbits. Miss the power point? I must really like, because I added it here: Old Money vs. New Money.

Review the information so that you can familiarize yourself with the expectations and issues each class dealt with. Also, later this week {probably Thursday} you will receive your first study guide for Gatsby. I've decided that since time is of the essence we will not complete a study guide for each chapter, but rather do "check-ins" and discussions and a study guide for every third chapter (1,3,6 & 9).  These study guides will be worth more points than a regular study guide you would've  received each week.

Holden Caulfield....obnoxious?

You read it right...is Holden Caulfield dare I say....obnoxious? *gasp* Has his teenage angst gone to the point that even teenagers tire of his endless ranting of who is and isn't a phony? Flavorwire online has the very article you should read since you're trying to get into Holden's head read: The Most Divisive Characters in Literary History .One might propose to say that he is an obnoxious phony pick out obnoxiously obnoxious songs to reiterate the point, but not you oh wise English 11 participant-- not you.

Instead of taking a long pretentious test {I'm saving that for Gatsby} I'm asking you to create a music project for Holden Caulfield--what would be in his ipod? What would his play list be? How would music define his time at Pencey, out in New York, going home to Phoebe and his time out in California? Besides determining the right mix of music and teenage angst you must write an essay {minimum 5 paragraphs} where you follow the basic Context Quote Tie-In format {CQT}.

What the what?

Yes, you must use at least three quotes or citations supporting your music choices.  Think of a part of the novel you are trying to represent musically find a passage that supports your choice and tie-it in to your topic. Oh, and don't forget to have a topic. What are you trying to prove about Holden through the music? Is he lonely and trying to find his way home? Is he looking for love? Is he trying to save the world from corruption and possible one of those evil villains that are appearing in the Avengers ?  Well, probably not the last one, but you get my meaning here.

The CSTs are coming! Hooray!

So, perhaps you aren't super excited to take the California State Tests (CSTs), but I know that y'all are very smart. You prove it to me on a daily basis when you point out my mistakes.

Well, I hope with this little CST review it will help jog some old memories and point out somethings that we have yet to really study, but are items that are easily understood. 

I will being going over the CST English 11 review in class tomorrow, but feel free to look it over on your own too. Hey, it couldn't hurt--right?

Remember, 5% may not seem like a lot right now, but when it comes to your end of the second semester grade {we still have to read Gatsby you know} it may be the difference between passing and failing.

Here's to the CSTs! Let the state hear you roar---I guess that more like a bear quality huh? Okay, then pillage---pillage the heck out of that CST---there that's more Vikingish.

Hamlet--The Characters {English 12}

Happy Friday {almost}---just in case you were absent or didn't finish your notes on the Hamlet characters here it is: Hamlet Characters Powerpoint. Enjoy!

The Great Chain of Being {English 12}

     

Oh Hamlet! We haven't even started the play and just from background information I already fear for his sanity.  During the Renaissance they had something called: The Chain of Being. What is that you ask? Well, the Reader's Digest version is that the Chain of Being is the hierarchy of the world, humanity, animal kingdom and flora/fauna of the world--with some twists and turns.

The power point will go over in class is about fifty-one slides. I know--I know, but it's pertinent information. Hamlet really believes in the hierarchy of  this--which why it drives him crazy that his mother has turned to his uncle before his father's corpse is cold. If I lose you in class today, feel free to peruse the Great Chain of Being power point at your leisure. 

Figure out where you fit in the "Great Chain of Being" or do you think it has drastically changed?

So, There was this kid who did some stuff {Catcher in the Rye} Chap. 5-8

Yay! We're on chapter five of The Catcher in the Rye. Aren't you excited? Me too! If you were absent when I handed out the study guide for chapters 5-8 <----here it is.  So far, we have read chapters five and six finding out that Holden has lost his younger brother Allie to leukemia, destroyed all the windows in his garage and took a swing at Stradlater because he worried about him giving Jane Galleghar "the time" in Ed Banky's car.

We also went over the literary terms for chapters five thru eight. You can click on the link:  Literary Terms powerpoint. Yes, there are terms from chapters one thru four, but keep clicking away until you see the information you need.

Hamlet- Hey Pops why are you translucent? I have to avenge what !?!



This will be funny, eventually. You'll see.
 It'll be corny, but funny.



We are starting Shakespeare's tragic play Hamlet. Think family duty, vengeance, madness and unrequited love all rolled into a murder sandwich.  Sounds tasty, um maybe disturbing is more fitting.

During today's class we briefly discussed the logs you will be required to keep--remember you must write three entries per scene.

In order to build background I will present a Hamlet PowerPoint to the class-- which you will have a quiz on Friday, February 10th. Yup. I said QUIZ. In case you missed something just follow the Hamlet ppt link in order to add to your notes.

They're All Phonies--at least to Holden. Catcher in the Rye Chapters 1-4

Holden Caufield

Ahhh seventeen. Breathe in the teenage angst. The "nobody understands me" and "I'm the only real person here" attitude viola! you have Holden Caufiled; the protagonist of one the greatest novels of modern literature {in my humble opinion} The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

In class today I handed out the first study guide for Catcher in the Rye . We will do a majority of the reading in class, but you should be prepared to read at home as well as work on your study guides.

I hope you enjoy peering into the life of Holden Caufield and being able to find pieces of yourself.

Article of the Week #3 "The Kids Are More Than All Right"

Okay---so,  originally I was going to post an article discussing when to tell when you saw a crime--of any type. Then I saw the new article, "The Kids Are More Than All Right" written by Tara Parker-Pope  from  The New York Times Magazine.  Insert "A-Ha" moment here.

Clearly, in my humble opinion this is the article to read. Why? Well, I think teenagers are tired of being told how bad they are. Besides it's uplifting to read that many of you are making the right choices. So, yay for you.

Directions:  Read the article--write down points you either agree or disagree with. Be prepared to share your thoughts in class during the discussion. Our class is not the moment to share your deepest darkest secrets, but rather your general overview of the subject.

Let's hear it for teenagers-- they're 20% less troublesome than their parents.  You apparently rock.

Words We Love {English 12}

The following words will appear on your vocabulary final. The words with with an asterisk (*) are from week eight or nine---we did not test on these weeks I know, but you do have the definitions so study them as well.

accolade        affable     affinity      brusque     apocryphal      assuage *      brevity      brusque      appall

cacophony*   coalesce  clemency  blasphemy*  commiserate   diatribe*    duplicity   edifice*   equivocal  

garbled     gravity*     heretic*    incite*     infraction*   irascible   kindle    ludicrous  peruse*  recapitulate

recluse*   renounce   rescind  scrutinize   untenable   vilify    censure*   clamor   cognizant   contract  

desultory  enmity*  erroneous  expedient  garner hindrance  irresolute   languish*   lavish  loquacious

negligent  obtuse    opaque   paucity  profane*  somber*   stagnant  uniform  copious  dearth

dispassionate   effervescent      exuberance   frivolous  hackneyed     insolvent    meander

morose    opulence     parsimonious    peripheral  prodigal   proximity   sagacious    surreptitious

 torpor   unassailable   unobtrusive   unscathed  voluminous    decade   eloquent   exemplary

fledgling   heist incessant  incidental  substantiate  supplant  vacillate   voracious writhe

indefatigable    jargon   lampoon   levity   misanthrope  nonchalance   progeny   querulous    reproach

respite    stoic

Article of the Week #2: Literary Artifacts: the quixotic serach for Cervantes's bones



Miguel Cervantes



It turns out that even in death if you are {or in this case were} a celebrity many people won't leave your bones alone--literally, figuratively or  metaphorically. This is the case with Miguel Cervantes--you should know this name even if you haven't read one of the greatest stories ever. Mr. Cervantes wrote Don Quixote the first modern novel...like 400 years ago. That's right I said 400.




Don Quixote and Sancho Panza



You may wonder how modern society is still influenced by Don Quixote, but would you be surprised to find out that the main characters of the novel appear in It's a Small World at our very own Disneyland? Go ahead Google it if you don't trust my picture.   I'll wait. 

So, AOTW #2 is about how far one person will go to uncover the bones {literally} of one of the greatest authors in order to unearth hypothetical theories about how the man may or may not have lived and died.
Please enjoy the following blog article: Literary Artifacts: the quixotic search for Cervantes's bones.

Directions: Read the blog article and write a one page reflection about why people {in your opinion} feel the need to unearth details about people of importance. Also, include how you feel about how this type of behavior contributes or destroys modern society. Lastly, would you opt to leave Cervantes's bones alone or would you continue to search them?

Please post your papers to Turnitin.com under the assignment title "Article of the Week #2".

Periods one and three due: Wednesday, January 25th by 8 a.m
Periods: two, four and six due: Thursday, January 26th, by 8 a.m.

Please, be prepared to discuss the article in class on the day your papers are due. You will NOT turn in a hard copy of your reflection. Your grade will be posted on TII.com by Friday, January 27th.

Happy Reading

Article of the Week: Five Myths About Healthy Eating {English 11 & 12}

In order to increase understanding of the textbook/novel readings in our class we need to continuously build background knowledge. We will do this by reading current event articles. The first article is entitled  "Five Myths About Eating Healthy"; from the Washington Post. Be prepared to share your response to this article on Tuesday, January 17th.

Directions:

1.  Show evidence of a close reading. Print out and mark up the text with questions and/or comments.
2. Mark your confusion. {what was unclear or not easily explained in the article}

3. Write a one-page reflection on your own sheet of paper.

When writing your one-page reflection consider the following:
 What prevents you from eating a healthier diet? Do you agree with all points made by this writer? Are there points in which you Evaluate the healthiness of the school’s food. What do you eat? What should you eat?

disagree? What is left unsaid?

Goodbye Mr. Chaucer--Hello Renaissance Period {Eng. 12}

Saying goodbye is sometimes hard to do especially when  you love the middle ages and those that lived during that time period. I know as teenagers you'll never admit that Mr. Chaucer {original TMZ reporter} was one of your favorites, but we must say goodbye. I know you'll be sad, but work through your pain just pretend you're tearing off a band-aid quickly so the pain isn't too bad.

What? You weren't sad to see the middle ages go? Hmmm. I'm flummoxed, perplexed even.

Together we will travel through the Renaissance period looking at different significant literary works reading, discussing and writing responses in and out of class.  I started the Renaissance period off by sharing a Renaissance power point, but we stopped at the summary of the Renaissance. Also, you will be responsible for taking notes at the beginning of chapter two {pp 192-211}. There will be a quiz on Friday, January 6th on the introduction of chapter two.