Thursday, April 6, 2017 (Day #146)

Post date: Apr 7, 2017 1:46:11 PM

I have the best group of ITED takers! They seem to be really concerned with how they are doing. They are focused and diligent. Many of them are using their entire time. I was also excited to see that some of the junior level reading was something that we had discussed in class. Score one for me!

In Literature 9 (5th Hour) we discussed themes, symbols and motifs found in our novel's first half. We had some good discussions about Calpurnia and her life outside the Finch home. We took our reading check, which is a longer one - 18 questions rather than the usual 11 - but it seems that everyone did well. That's what I'm so excited about - everyone seems to be reading and enjoying the novel. It makes teaching it so much easier than trudging through something people dislike. For tomorrow everyone is to read Chapter 13. Warning - this chapter is NOT so interesting.

In English 10 we reviewed the conversation between Romeo and Juliet. We then discussed analogy and imagery and the importance of description in this play. Since Shakespeare didn't have sets or lighting, the actors had to provide the description to help the audience with their imagination. We then went to the auditorium and put a volunteer "Juliet" up on a ladder, a "Romeo" on the floor, and they read the remainder of the balcony scene - with me interrupting several times :-) We will take a check over the first two scenes tomorrow and then move onto Friar Lawrence and his important role in the play.

In American Literature, we only had fourth hour for a half an hour. So I hit record on the SMART board and created a video for the third hour class. Hopefully they checked their emails and watched the video. We discussed Hester Prynne's appearance on the scaffold, Reverend Dimmesdale's persuasion to give up the father's name, and the entrance of Roger Chillingworth. We will continue tomorrow as we will have most of fourth hour again. I will again make a video and send it to the third hour class. That way they will have the resources and explanations.

No Law class due to ITED's.

I hope everyone has plans to be outside for the next few days! The weather is supposed to be awesome!