Class Notes: Nov. 30, 2009

B-block

AGENDA :
1. Shakespeare scavenger hunt

HOMEWORK: 1. Complete Shakespeare research for homework

C-block (Honors)

AGENDA :
1. Journal: What do you think about the amount of violence on TV?
2. Go over answers to Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt.

HOMEWORK: Read Shakespeare's sonnets: #18, 116, 130


D-block

AGENDA :
1. Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt

HOMEWORK: 1. Complete Shakespeare research

Class Notes: Nov. 16, 2009

B-block

AGENDA :
Working on final project for TKMB and one-on-one in-class essay work.

HOMEWORK : T-sheets and gathering quotes and images for poster

C-block (Honors)

AGENDA :
Working on final project for Black Boy and one-on-one in-class essay work.

HOMEWORK: T-sheets and gathering quotes and images for poster

In-class essay will be on Wednesday, Nov. 18th

Class Notes: Nov. 6, 2009

C-block (Honors)

AGENDA :
1. Groups work on theses and on separating them out into 3 strong body paragraphs. Check-in with Ms. Rich about theses and body paragraph ideas.
2. Explanation of T-sheets

HOMEWORK: 1. Complete one T-sheet. Remember the following:

• Commentary should be 100% opinion.
  
• You need 2-3 sentences of commentary for sentence of example.
  
• Your examples can either be a direct quotation or an incident that you put into your own words.
  
• In completing the commentary, it may help to begin it with "This shows that..." You can always take this phrase out later when you write your actual essay.

2. Begin to compile quotations/events/images that you will use on your poster. Also, each group should get a posterboard on which to complete their project.

D-block

AGENDA :
1. Return quizzes.
2. Watch the end of the trial part of the film.

HOMEWORK: 1. Read chapters 25 and 26.
2. DUE TUESDAY: Rewrite trial from another perspective.

Class Notes: Nov. 5, 2009

B-block

AGENDA :
1. Journal: If you could star in a TV show, what role would you play. Describe the title, events, and setting of the show. Who would play the other characters?
2. Quiz
3. Finish watching trial segment of film.
4. Discuss theme statements.

HOMEWORK: 1. Read chapter 24
2. Rewrite your theme statement.
3. DUE MONDAY: Rewritten version of trial

ABOUT THEME STATEMENTS: First of all, a theme is not the same as a subject. A subject of TKMB is racism, but in order to talk about it as a theme, we must write a sentence that explains the book's take on racism. For example: Racism is a disease that interferes with the ability of people to deliver justice.

Here are some more examples of theme statements (unrelated to our book):

• True beauty comes from within.
• When torn between two worlds, individuals must come to their own conclusions about their beliefs.
• Poverty transforms honest people into criminals.
• Being alienated from society causes a person to become alienated from himself.
• Excessive ambition can cause a person's downfall.
• Reckless decisions lead to violence and destruction.
• The desire to acquire too much knowledge can be destructive.
  

C-block (Honors)

AGENDA :
1. Group work on final projects and essays.

HOMEWORK: Write a thesis for your group.


D-block

AGENDA :
1. Quiz
2. Discuss theme statements and practice writing them together.
3. Watch trial part of film.

HOMEWORK: 1. Read chapter 24.
2. DUE TUESDAY: Rewrite trial from another perspective.

Class Notes: Nov. 4, 2009

B-block

AGENDA :
1. Journal: Imagine you are twenty feet tall. Describe, in detail, what life would be like.
2. Figurative language handouts - discussion of symbols in book.
3. Watch film clip of trial. Stop and discuss the testimony of various witnesses.

HOMEWORK: 1. Read chapter 23.
2. Write about trial from perspective of someone present (DUE MONDAY)

C-block (Honors)

AGENDA :
1. Presentations of race-related articles. Discussion of racial issues in book vs. now.
Interesting note: Check out this article which shows that racial issues are alive and quite contentious for us still.
2. Groups meet to work on poster project.

HOMEWORK: Work on group poster project.

Class Notes: Nov. 3, 2009

B-block

AGENDA :
1. Finish figurative language presentations
2. Chapter summaries

HOMEWORK: 1. Read chapter 22
2. Complete 'Tracking Themes' handout


D-block

AGENDA :
1. Finish figurative language presentations

HOMEWORK: 1. Read chapters 22 & 23