Homework

Math homework will be assigned most days and is to be completed by the next day. Students should record the assigned math homework in their planners daily. Absent students must complete their missing assignments and show the TA in order to receive credit for that assignment.

Most history assignments will be considered classwork; accordingly, students will be given time to work on their assignments during class. If your student is unable to finish the assignment within the allotted time, they will need to complete the assignment at home and turn it in the next morning. Occasionally homework may be assigned. Your student should record this assignment in their planner.

Literature Discussion: In order make the wisest use of class time, students must read the assigned readings at home and show up to class prepared to participate in class discussion. Your student should record their assigned reading in their planner as well as the questions that will be asked the next day for them to think about as they read.

Poetry: One of the best ways to develop love for Good, True, and Beautiful things is to learn these things by heart. Your student will memorize a selection of poems throughout this year. Class time will not be used for memorization, your student needs to do this on their own. The poems to be memorized and the due dates are listed below.

November Poem due Thursday November 30

Book Reports: In addition to the assigned books for literature class, students will be required to read at least four books of their own choosing and to complete a report on each one. Parents must approve their student's book.

Due Dates:

Book Report 1:  Friday November 17

Book Report 2: Wednesday January 31

Book Report 3:  

Specifications

Paragraph One:

 Identify the name of the book, the author, how many pages are in the book, and whether or not you've read this book before.  Use this as your topic sentence.  Include information about the setting (where it takes place) and the main characters in this paragraph.

Paragraph Two:

Identify the major plot points in order of how they happened in the book.  Example:  Susan left her home in search of her missing horse.  She encountered many frightening adventures during her journey.  The first frightening experience was when she got stuck in an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere.  Her second experience made her wonder if she was cut out for this sort of thing.  

Remember, you are telling a story and your reader needs to be able to follow your story.  Everything in this paragraph should be a part of the rising action that leads you to the climax of the story.

Paragraph Three:

Utilize the Story Arc we have discussed in class as you tell your story.  In this paragraph, you will focus on the climax (and in order to know this you must identify the conflict that is needing to be solved).  

Paragraph Four:

After the climax, what events form the denouement (dA-nu-ma):  French word meaning "the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved".  What parts of the story need to be wrapped up before the ending?.  

Paragraph Five

What happens at the end of the story or what forms the conclusion?  This information should be included in paragraph five.  In paragraph five, you should also tell me what you liked most about the book.  Was it the way the author told the story, the drama and intrigue, the emphasis on action and adventure, or did the book just make you want to dream your afternoon away, imaginging yourself on a similar magical adventure?  I want to know why you enjoyed reading this book.  Tell me if you think this book was worth reading, and possibly even re-reading.  The best books are all worth rereading many, many times.  Did you choose a book that falls into the category of "the best" books?  If not, then perhaps you will need to do some serious thinking before you choose your next book.

Remember to:

Title your book report from the final line in your report.  Use your IEW skills to do this.

Identify in a separate space on your report any new words you encountered.  Are they words you can use regularly now because you paused to look them up?  Growing your vocabulary is an important part of growing your brain, and we all know how important growing your brain is to your academic development.

Finally, remember that this report must be submitted in neat cursive or it must be typed.  I will not accept any hand-printed book reports, neither will I accept any book reports I cannot read.  You're all fully capable of using neat cursive or typing your papers.  Show me how beautifully you can write and how beautifully you can present reports of what you have read. Book reports may be turned in early. I can't wait to read each one of them!!!

Final Project: Details about the literature final project will be communicated when we begin our unit on The Count of Monte Cristo.

Study the Greek and Latin roots from the previous week. Quiz Wednesday.