11/29: You'll be working with "Scratch and Dent Dreams" today. A.J. recommended this poem, so I thought you should spend a little time reading, writing and talking about the poem together. Here's a link to the performance. Please try to watch it twice.
Pull out three lines that you particularly like, write them down and explain why you like them. Be specific – say something more than “it sounds good” or “it creates a picture.” Instead, describe what the line is doing – look at the word choice, , alliteration, the repetition, the word play, metaphors, etc. and explain why it’s effective.
Then, return to the poem (a copy is attached below) – try to summarize each stanza (think about it this way – write down what you would tell me that each stanza is talking about). If you are having trouble, tell me (in writing) what is confusing you and why.
Return to the title – what do you think he means by “scratch and dent dreams”? Why do you think that? How does thinking about the title help you to think more specifically about the poem? Write me a paragraph about the title and about how it connects to at least three ideas in the poem. GRADE.
11/27: . Please start class by writing on the front of the notecard about your weekend and about two goals you are setting for this week. Then, please read until 2:00 (AJ, I left the Gaiman book in front for you and Allyson, I left two books – Horse Whisperer and Animals in Translation – for you to choose from).
At 2:00, stop reading, and on the back of the notecard, tell me what you read today. Tell me the plot (2-3 sentences) then tell mw three things that you think were important from the reading (and tell me why) OR tell me three things you predict will happen based on today’s reading and tell me why. Please hand the notecards in to Ms Marshall. GRADE.
11/17: Student choice: read or work on the poetry comparison (opposite choice on Monday).
We looked at the lyrics for "Can We Auto-Correct Humanity? (attached below) and re-watched this poem (hard copy attached below). See"Eng 11 poetry comparison Ea + Touchscreen" attached below for the work). GRADE.
11/16: We read in class for half the period and looked at Prince EA's video "Can We Auto-Correct Humanity?"
11/15: We read in class today.
11/13: Please read in class today. With 15 minutes left in the period, please tell me about what you read. On a piece of white lined paper, please tell me the title of the book, the page you are on and then tell me what is happening in the book (3-4 sentences about the plot) and what you are thinking about what’s happening 96-8 sentences). Make connections to your life, to other books you have read, movies you’ve seen, etc. GRADE.
11/7: We read and we explored poetry and music. I shared this
11/6: read your choice book today. Read for ½ an hour. Then, pull out three ideas or three things that happened in the story and write about them for me on white lined paper. Write down each point, tell me a little about it (like – explain what’s happening in the story, or explain the statistic or the rule) and about why you chose it (please write 4-6 sentences for each. GRADE.
Homework: We are sharing pomes and/or quotes on Wednesday, so make sure to bring those in. If what you are sharing is a video, please send me the link at cathy_nicastro@wrsd.net.11/3 We read.
11/2: We finished "Suffer The Little Children." ON a piece of white lined paper: write me a meaty paragraph about the last page - why does Stephen King include that last page? Why take us to the mental hospital, introduce us to Buddy Jenkins and put Ms. Sidley in with more kids? What does this last page suggest about Ms Sidley? About the kids? About the mystery of whether or not they are changing? WHY? - write at least 1/3 of the page. Then, what what would you say if I told you that Ms. Sidley is my hero? GRADE