Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Post date: Oct 15, 2013 2:51:34 PM

Yesterday just got away from me, and it wasn't until this morning that I realized that I forgot to post. I'm truly sorry. It's getting to that time of year for me - the time when I seem to be running in thirty directions at once. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to simplify my life (remember our happiness goals Juniors), but I've got to do something.

In Literature 9 we're focusing on reviewing those key concepts studied during our nonfiction unit. We've read a variety of literature - autobiographies, biographies, memoirs, essays (narrative, historic), and speeches (graduation and inauguration). We learned a lot of concepts as well - rhetorical devices, imagery, anecdotes. There's a lot to cover. We worked on a study guide today in class, and hopefully that will prepare us for the test tomorrow.

In English 10, we finished up our literary programs. Some students really excelled, and I'm definitely going on a "hunt" for future speech competitors. We also have a test over the material covered in Vocal Personality. We need to develop a vocal and physical personality as it is the one aspect of speech we bring to all our communication endeavors. We need to be aware of our rate, articulation, volume, eye contact, etc.

In American Government we reviewed our tests and quizzes. Then we tried to get to our project about "Find the Person Who," but unfortunately we ran out of time. We will pick that up again on Wednesday. I love teaching about the Constitutional Convention because these men were so futuristic in their thinking. Just think of it - they wrote a document that we still use as the foundation of our government today. What other country can say that!?

In American Literature today we presented a two-minute summary of our books. We then had a randomizer that asked us a key question. We will return to discussing rhetorical devices and persuasion on Thursday. Also the next book assigned will be a nonfiction book. This can be a challenge to some readers as we tend to navigate towards fiction. This is an opportunity to read something we're not used to.