Embedded Files
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Click on a mask for drama class news.
Keep those 4th of July compositions coming!
June 16, 2011
Francisco Jimenez wrote to thank us for letters some of us sent to him after reading his story The Circuit.
Dear Mr. Wright and students:
You cannot imagine how pleased I was to receive your letters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and sharing them with my family.
Thank you, Mr. Wright for introducing "The Circuit" to your students and for sending their letters to me. I never tire of hearing from readers who have enjoyed my work. And thank you, students, for your positive reaction to my stories, which form part of my autobiographical book titled The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child. The experiences I describe in "The Circuit" are the experiences of many migrant families of yesterday and today. Unfortunately, many families in our country, especially in California, continue to harvest our crops at very low wages and to work in the fields under terrible conditions. Their hard and noble work is the foundation of our agricultural economy and their experiences are an important part of the story of our nation.
I am sorry I am unable to answer each of your questions individually but you will find answers for many of them on my web site at www.scu.edu/fjimenez. You also may be interested in viewing an interview with me posted on You Tube.
Students, you are fortunate to be attending Morrill Middle School and to have a wonderful teacher like Mr. Wright. As you now know, my experience has taught me that the best way to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be is through education. For this reason I encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities that your school and teachers have to offer.
Thank you, Mr. Wright for being a teacher. Were it not for the guidance and encouragement that I received from my own teachers, I would not have had the preparation or the courage necessary to pursue my academic aspirations. I have no doubt that you are playing the same crucial role in your students' lives that my teachers played in mine.
Online Extra Credit Opportunities
Take the appositives test and get extra credit!
Take the subject/object test and get extra credit!
Take the parts of speech test and get extra credit!
Take the complete subject and predicate test and get extra credit!
Take the test on direct and indirect objects an get extra credit!
Hey! Subscribe to the email list! Get a daily email from Mr. Wright about homwork and other stuff by clicking here.
Reading Log instructions
Reading Log template as a jpeg..
Reading Log as a pdf you can print out and use.
Bookmarker Sample and instructions.
(Index cards are kept by the TV.)
Again, thank you for your interest in my work. I am grateful to all of you.
Francisco Jimenez
June 15, 2011
I was on my way to San Jose Metals a couple weeks ago but I forgot to clip the coupon from PennySavers. That's a mistake I made once and I'm not going to repeat it. But I had to wait because the PennySavers got thrown away with the junk mail.
Ah, but with coupon in hand I drove over there today and got my hands nice and sticky from some last minute sorting. We had 4 pounds of cans and 20 pounds of plastic bottles. That came out to $26.60. Added to the $8.50 we already have, our new balance comes to $35.10.
That puts us exactly $84.90 away from Goat Number Four.
Save your cans and bottles over the summer and maybe we can getGoat Number Four during the first week of school.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Today in class we read the story, Bridge over Troubled Water by Linda Barry. The worksheet on it was collected during class.
Your homework for the summer is to write about your 4th of July.
It can be fiction, nonfiction, or a combination of both.
I expect it to be at least 200 words in length.
You may email it to me or hand me a copy the first week of school.
(Some emailed copies might be posted on this website.)
(Tell me about your summer and I might post that too.)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Your homework is to answer the questions on The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse by William Saroyan.
Questions
1. Who is honest in this story and who is not? What are the reasons for the dishonesty?
2. Describe the personalities of Aram and Mourad. How are they alike? How are they different?
3. Describe the kind of person that John Byro turns out to be. Is he completely honest?
4. Why did John Byro bring the horse to the Garoghlanian's house?
5. "It is simply that he is homesick and such a large man." By this remark, Aram's mother tries to explain two of Uncle Khosrove's ways of behaving. What are they? Does Uncle Khosrove put a high value on material possessions? Defend your answer. In what ways is Uncle Khosrove similar to Mourad?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Your homework is to answer the seven questions on Luke Baldwin's Vow.
Luke Baldwin's Vow
1. What reasons does Uncle Henry give for wanting to get rid of Dan?
2. What does Luke do to save Dan from drowning?
3. Why does Luke go to see Mr. Kemp and what advice does Mr. Kemp give to him?
4. What vow does Luke make at the end of the story?
5. What kind of person is Uncle Henry? On what basis does he decided whether or not something is valuable?
6. Why does Luke build up his "secret life" with Dan?
7. What does Luke know about life that Uncle Henry doesn't?
Monday, June 6, 2011
Today most of you went to Santa Cruz. Tomorrow your reading log is due. It's OK to have it folded since you can't bring your backpacks.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Today in class we read The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez.
Your homework for the weekend is to complete any makeup work you might have plus your reading log.
For extra credit, you may write a letter to Francisco Jimenez which I will forward to him. It must be typed and given to me by Tuesday or sent to me via email.
Goats for Peace <--click here for the latest info on the goats.
Sample Idioms
A Chip On Your Shoulder:
Being upset for something that happened in the past.
A Dime A Dozen:
Anything that is common and easy to get.
A Drop in the Bucket:
A very small part of something big or whole.
A Piece of Cake:
A task that can be accomplished very easily.
A Slap on the Wrist:
A very mild punishment.
A Taste Of Your Own Medicine:
When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.
All In The Same Boat:
When everyone is facing the same challenges.
An Arm And A Leg:
Very expensive. A large amount of money.
At The Drop Of A Hat:
Willing to do something immediately.
Bend Over Backwards:
Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.
Between A Rock And A Hard Place:
Stuck between two very bad options.
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
To take on a task that is way to big.
Cry Over Spilt Milk:
When you complain about a loss from the past.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch:
Don't rely on it until your sure of it.
Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket:
Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
Drive someone up the wall:
To irritate and/or annoy very much.
Elvis has left the building:
The show has come to an end. It's all over.
Excuse my French:
Please forgive me for cussing.
Foam at the Mouth:
To be enraged and show it.
Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed:
Someone who is having a horrible day.
Go Out On A Limb:
Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/something.
Go The Extra Mile:
Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand.
He Lost His Head:
Angry and overcome by emotions.
Head Over Heels:
Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love.
Hit The Books:
To study, especially for a test or exam.
Hold Your Horses:
Be patient.
In Your Face:
An aggressive and bold confrontation.
It Takes Two To Tango:
A two person conflict where both people are at fault.
Keep An Eye On Him:
You should carefully watch him.
Keep your chin up:
To remain joyful in a tough situation.
Kick The Bucket:
Die.
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:
To share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared.
Not Playing With a Full Deck:
Someone who lacks intelligence.
On The Same Page:
When multiple people all agree on the same thing.
Out Of The Blue:
Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.
Out On A Limb:
When someone puts themself in a risky situation.
Over My Dead Body:
When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.
Pig Out :
To eat alot and eat it quickly.
Put a sock in it:
To tell noisy person or a group to be quiet.
Run out of steam:
To be completely out of energy.
Saved By The Bell:
Saved at the last possible moment.
Smell Something Fishy:
Detecting that something isn't right and there might be a reason for it.
The Ball Is In Your Court:
It is your decision this time.
Tie the knot:
To get married.
Under the weather:
Feeling ill or sick.
Water Under The Bridge:
Anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore.
On The Fence:
Undecided.
Mr Jolly at my house during Thanksgiving:
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Today in class we read After You My Dear Alfonse.
Your homework is the set of 14 questions:
1. How did we learn about Mrs. Wilson? What method did the author use?
2. What does this story tell us about putting labels on people?
3. What are assumptions that Mrs. Wilson made? Why did she make them? Were they true? How did she feel when she found out they weren’t true? Did she change herself or blame another person?
4. Is Mrs. Wilson a nice person? Explain.
5. She offered Boyd all he could eat but she _________.
6. Is it true she was nice because she felt like patting him on the head?
7. Do you think Johnny will grow up and have the same attitude as his mother? Why or why not?
8. If Shirley Jackson (the author) wanted to tell us about racism, why didn’t she just state her opinion instead of writing a story about it?
9. Why are we learning about racism in literature class instead of history class?
10. Are there different kinds of racism? Explain.
11. Can you be nice to a person and not respect him or is respect necessary in order to treat a person the right way?
12. Can you respect a person without trying to understand who he really is?
13. What is another story written by Shirley Jackson?
14. Make up your own question about the story and answer it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Today in class we read The Lady or the Tiger? and watched part of a video on it.
Tonight's homework is to write a persuasive essay. State your opinion on which door was opened and give your opinion support. Try to convince your reader that your opinion is correct.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Today we watched a video of Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. You homework is to write about the experiment and what it proved. Also, describe the personality of the characters. To see the video again, click here.
Monday, May 30, 2011
No school today. Memorial Day
Friday, May 27, 2011
Today we read the true story called Faithful Elephants.
Your homework for the weekend: the four white grammar sheets
Determining Parts of Speech
Commas A
Quotations Marks and Other Punctiona A
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
and your reading log plus any make-up work you might have.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Today you had a sub, Mr. Lara, who gave you four white grammar sheets.
Determining Parts of Speech
Commas A
Quotations Marks and Other Punctiona A
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
You will have extra time on these. They will be due on Tuesday along with your reading log.
If you have have make-up work to do, be sure you turn it on on Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 25, 2001
Today we worked on our 16 Orange Grammar assignments and we did some silent sustained reading of our A.R. books.
Tonight's homework is Grammar Sheet 302.
Nothing was collected today and nothing will be collected tomorrow but a whole bunch of stuff will be collected on Friday.
Here's what will be collected on Friday:
1. The Children's Story Questions 1-40.
2. "Literature p. 403, #1-4"
3. Grammar Sheet 302
4. Four white grammar sheets that you will be given tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 24, 2001
Your homework for tonight is to finish the 40 questions on The Children's Story and to do "Literature p. 403, #1-4."
Monday, May 23, 2001
Today in class we watched A Children's Story by James Clavell.
Your homework for tonight is to answer the first 20 questions from the list of 40. Tuesday night's homework will be to answer the last 20. Be sure your answers are in complete sentences.
The Children's Story--40 Questions
1. What would it be like if another country conquered the U.S.?
2. What would they do with our country?
3. How would they control everybody?
4. How would they get people to cooperate?
5. Why do people pledge allegiance to the flag?
6. Why do we say the pledge every day instead of just once like marriage vows?
7. The new teacher said, "The principal just wants to talk to you." Who did she say that to? Was it true?
8. Why does the old teacher call the enemy monsters?
9. Describe their regular teacher.
10. Why did they put young, pretty teachers in the new classes?
11. Why did the first teacher call Johnny "Tommy?"
12. Why wouldn't the second teacher mistake one of the children's names?
13. What do the children think about the teacher knowing all their names?
14. Why did the new teacher memorize all the students' names?
15. The new teacher says it's not right for students to have memorize long words they don't understand. Do you agree? Why or why not? What are a couple of those long words?
16. One of the boys refers to "our real teacher." (Our real teacher Mrs. Warden didn't say anything about it.) The new teacher rephrases his question by using the words, "your old teacher." Why doesn't she just say, "I'm your real teacher?"
17. The new teacher asks, "How can a flag be more important than a real live person?" How would you answer that question?
18. And she says, "But we don't need a sign to remember we love our country." How would you respond to that statement?
19. She says, "Yes, it's a very pretty flag. I wish I could have a piece of it. If it's so important, I think we should all have a piece of it." Explain why she says this and how it isn't logical.
20. One of the students objects and says, "I don't think we should cut up the flag." What is the very next thing the new teacher says?
21. Who is selected to be the first person to cut the flag? How and why was that selection made?
22. How does the new teacher make destroying the flag a fun activity?
23. The new teacher said, "You can ask me anything you like" but she won't say what her name is. Why?
24. The new teacher said, "She was crying because she needed a rest. She's going to have a long rest....We think teachers should be young." What's going to happen to the old teacher?
25. When a student asks who won the war, what is her answer?
26. She says, "Your dad is at school for having wrong thoughts. He'll have a vacation soon. Everyone who goes to school has a vacation. That's fair?" What do you think is truth about his dad?
27. What do you think those wrong thoughts could have been?
28. She says, "I have a lovely surprise. You're all going to stay overnight with us. You'll be in lovely room and we'll tell stories." Why are they keeping them overnight?
29. How does she get the children to like Our Leader more than God?
30. How does she explain why she put the candy on the desks instead of Our Leader?
31. If she put the candy on the desks instead of Our Leader, then why does one of the girls still call it "Our Leader's candy?"
32. How does she get Johnny on her side?
33. How does she get Fitz on her side?
34. How does she get Leslie on her side?
35. How does she get the students to start distrusting things their parents tell them?
36. Do you think she intended to get caught putting the candy on the table? Do you think she was trained to say what she said if she got caught?
37. Why does she tell the children they can still pray if their parents want them to? Why doesn't she say, "Don't pray. It's stupid. There is no God?"
38. In your opinion, what is realistic about this story? And, what is not realistic?
39. In your opinion, what is the author trying to tell us by writing this story?
40. Why do we say the Pledge in school? What's the purpose?
Friday, May 20, 2011
Your homework for the weekend is to complete your reading log.
If you would like to improve your grade on the Jabberwocky assignment. There is a grade bump opportunity. Memorize the poem and present it to the class and your grade will be raised one level. You may also submit a memorized recitation of the poem on video providing you have a Media Release Form on file.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Today we compared answers on our Jabberwocky questions.
Tonight's homework is "Literature p. 395, #1-3, 6-7"
Also, you have one more day on the Jabberwocky questions and the green slip of paper will be due with it.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Today in class we finished up the district writing test.
Tonight's homework is "Jabberwocky--42 Questions"
Jabberwocky -- 42 questions
(First read the poem on page 391 between 152 and 168 times.)
1. What part of speech Jabberwocky?
2. Is a Jabberwock a good thing or a bad thing?
3. What part of speech is brillig?
4. What part of speech is slithy?
5. What word does slithy modify?
6. What part of speech is toves?
7. Is it singular or plural?
8. What part of speech is gyre?
9. What part of speech is gimble?
10. Can something gyre and gimble simultaneously?
11. What part of speech is wabe?
12. What is the object of the preposition in the first sentence?
13. What is the simple subject before the semicolon?
14. What is the simple predicate before the semicolon?
15. What is the preposition of the first sentence?
16. What part of speech is mimsy?
17. What does mimsy modify?
18. What part of speech is borogroves?
19. Is it singular or plural?
20. What part of speech is frumious?
21. What does frumious modify?
22. What part of speech is vorpal?
23. Why might vorpal mean sharp?
24. What part of speech is manxome?
25. What does manxome modify?
26. What part of speech is uffish?
27. What does uffish modify?
28. What is the simple subject of the sentence that begins with And, as in uffish? (One word.)
29. What is the simple predicate of that sentence? (Two words.)
30. What kind of participle is whiffling?
31. What part of speech is tulgey?
32. What does tulgey modify?
33. What part of speech is burbled?
34. What tense is burbled?
35. What kind of participle is galumphing?
36. What is a synonym for slain?
37. What part of speech is beamish?
38. What word does beamish modify?
39. What part of speech is frabjous?
40. Does frabjous have a positive or a negative connotation?
41. What word in the poem means to snort with laughter?
42. What else did Lewis Carroll write?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Today and tomorrow we are having the district writing test.
Tonight's homework is proofreading half-sheet 29B.
Clues:
line corrections
1 3
2 0
3 2
4 1
5 1
6 5
7 3
8 2
9 2
10 0
-----
19
cap. 4
apost. 1
comma 9
period 2
word 2
take-out 1 (And it will take out an apostrophe.)
---------
19
Monday, May 16, 2011
Today I have a sub because I need to go to the federal building to renew my status in the Witness Protection Program.
On Tuesday, I'll collect three items for homework: The assignments on Fish Cheeks, Barrio Boy and your reading log.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Today was Junior Achievement Day. Class didn't meet.
Thursday, May, 12, 2011
Some students didn't turn in the homework today for Barrio Boy. These students must turn in the work on Monday, May 16.
For everybody, homework to be turned in on Monday is the reading log and the homework on Amy Tan's piece, "Literature p. 355, #2-8."
Tomorrow is Junior Achievement Day and our regular classes won't meet.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Homework for tonight is based on Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza. The story begins on page. 324 of the literature book.
"Literature p. 329, #1-5, 7-9"
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
We had math testing during homeroom today.
Homework for English: Proofreading Half Sheet
Line Corrrections
1 1 caps 3
2 2 commas 8
3 3 periods 1
4 2 quotation marks 2
5 1 word 2
6 1 ---------
7 2 16
8 4
9 0
-------
16
Monday, May 9, 2011
Every class had a sub today except for F period.
During class we worked on the Orange Grammar assignments and the newest proofreading half-sheet.
Due tomorrow:
1. Reading Log (it wasn't collected today).
2. Proofreading half-sheet 27B.
line corrections
1 3
2 0
3 2
4 2
5 2
6 2
7 2
8 2
9 1
10 2
---------
18
caps 9
apostrophes 2
commas 2
period 1
word 1
take-out 2
question mark 1
-----------
18
The take-out symbol will take out two apostrophes.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Your homework for the weekend is to complete your reading log.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Your homework for tonight is PRHS27A.
line corrections
1 3
2 1
3 2
4 1
5 0
6 1
7 5
8 2
9 1
10 1
-------
17
Cap 4
Comma 4
Period 3
Word 5
Hyphen 1
-------
17
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Three items for homework tonight:
1. PRHS 25B
2. "Five Perfect Sentences"
3. "Eleven Perfect Sentences"
1. Alliteration
2. Personification
3. 1st person
4. 2nd person
5. 3rd person
6. iambic pentameter
7. exterrnal rhyme
8. internal rhyme
9. idiom
10. simile
11. metaphor
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
You have three assignments for homework tonight:
1. "Grammar p. 19-20" (We've done this before but it will be good review.)
2. "Grammar p. 324-325"
3. "Six Perfect Sentences"
This time, each sentence has to be at least 6 words in length.
The first two sentences are to have similes, the next two, metaphors, and the final two, idioms. A good sources of information about idioms can be found on page 197 of your literature book and also at
The two items that were originally due today, PRHS 25B and "Five Perfect Sentences" will not be collected until Thursday.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Today in class we corrected the proofreading half sheet 25A and the Simple Grammar Questions sheet.
Tonight's homework is
1. PRHS25B
2. "Five Perfect Sentences."
For the proofreading half-sheet, the clues are:
Line Number of corrrections
1 3
2 0
3 2
4 2
5 1
6 0
7 2
8 4
9 2
---------
16
Types of corrections:
caps 5
apostrophe 1
comma 5
period 3
take-out 1
hyphen 1
----------
16
(The take-out symbol will take out an apostrophe.)
For the "Five Perfect Sentences," which is to be done on a half-sheet, the first two sentences need to have similes, the next two sentences need to have metaphors, and the last sentence needs to have an idiom. The language arts text book is a good source of information on these terms. Detailed information on idiom can be found on p. 197. Each sentence must be at least 8 words in length.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Today in class we had a grammar lecture.
Students wrote their notes on a blue half-sheet of paper titlted, "Three Sentences."
The three sentences were:
1. The little boy hit the red ball.
2. Matt, my favorite friend, laughed at my joke.
3. The police gave Granny a ticket.
Questions about these three sentences included identification of simple and complete subjects and predicates, adjectives, direct objects, indirect objects, appositives and antecendents.
The weekend homework is:
1. Complete the reading log.
2. Finish proofreading half-sheet 25A. (You have more time on it.)
3. Complete the sheet titled "Simple Grammar Questions." (Questions 11 and 14 are the same so your answers should be the same.)
During our work period today, we had time to work on Orange Grammar assignments.
Simple Grammar Questions
A. The silly boy slowly hit the green ball.
1. Write the two nouns __________ ____________.
2. Write the subject. _____________.
3. Write the verb. ________________.
4. Write the simple predicate. _______________.
5. Write the complete predicate. _______________.
6. Write the object. ________________.
7. Is there a direct object or an indirect object? _______________
8. What are the two adjectives? ____________.
9. What is the adverb? ____________.
B. The smart doctor gave the patient some powerful medicine.
10. What is the simple subject? ____________.
11. What is the simple predicate? ____________.
12. What is the direct object? ____________.
13. What is the indirect object? ____________.
14. What is the simple predicate? ____________.
C. The nice teacher, Mr. Jones, assigned us a lot of homework.
15. What is the simple subject? ____________.
16. What is the simple predicate? ____________.
17. What is the direct object? ____________.
18. What is the indirect object? ____________.
19. What is the first adjective? ____________.
20. What is the appositive? ____________.
21. What is the antecedent of the appositive? ____________.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Today we corrected in class the proofreading half-sheet 23B and we got a new one for homework, 25A.
The clues for 25A:
Line Number of corrections
1 2
2 4
3 4
4 3
5 1
6 0
7 2
8 3
----------------
19
More clues:
There will be one take-out symbol and it will take out a period..
There will be two word corrections to be made, eight capital letter corrections and three commas to insert. There will be one quotation mark to insert and three commas to insert.
Today we also had a work period to concentrate on the sixteen Orange Grammar assignments.
Free answers for the first assignment are:
1. her second cousin
3. a slow-growing tree
5 a Japanese model
7. our principal
9. Tomás
10. an antibiotic
11. the tallest girl in school
13. our substitute teacher
14. the new boy at school
17. the leafy kind
20. A talented man
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Today we read Hunger by Richard Wright and I didn't collect the homework that was due today.
Your homework for tonight is to check over and complete PRHS 23B and to finish your questions on Hunger.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Today in class several students gave monologues.
The homework for tonight is PRHS 23B.
Here are some clues:
Per line:
1 2
2 2
3 2
4 3
5 2
6 1
7 2
8 0
9 6
10 1
-------------
21 corrections to be made
Per type:
caps 7
commas 4
periods 4
Quotation Mark 1
word 3
Take Out 1
Underline 1
------------------
21 correction to be made
Monday, April 25, 2011
No school today. It's a furlough day. That means teachers don't teach for a day so what they would normally earn goes back to the district. We have furlough days because our taxes are not covering expenses.
What about the future? I'm not sure anybody knows.
There's been talk about not needing furlough days soon and there's also been talk that instead of two furlough days, we might have 20 of them before long.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Did you start your orange grammar on Friday? If so, here are some free answers you can compare with your own.
Check Some Answers
Orange Grammar p. 70 on Appositives
1. her second cousin
3. a slow-growing tree
5 a Japanese model
7. our principal
9. Tomás
10. an antibiotic
11. the tallest girl in school
13. our substitute teacher
14. the new boy at school
17. the leafy kind
20. A talented man
Friday, April 15, 2011
Today in class we went over the 16 assignments that we'll be doing out of the orange grammar book (listed in the 2nd column) and we also looked at the choices for the "in-class novel."
Your only homework for the weekend is to complete one reading log. It you do two, you'll get extra credit.
Take the Appositives Test, pass it, and get extra credit.
Check back during break for more online grammar tests.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tonight's homework is proofreading half-sheet 23A.
line number of errors
1 5
2 3
3 2
4 2
5 0
6 3
7 3
8 0
9 4
10 2
------------
24
Types of errors:
10 Caps (one is a slash)
5 Commas
4 Periods
1 Underline
2 Take-outs (you'll take out a question mark and a period)
2 WORD
-----
24
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tonight's homework is proofreading half-sheet 21B.
Line Number of corrections
1 1
2 2
3 2
4 1
5 0
6 3
7 1
8 2
9 1
10 1
_____
14 corrections
Types of corrections:
4 caps
2 apostrophes
3 commas
2 periods
1 quotation mark
1 word
1 underline
----
14 total
Today in class we had a Seven Minute Writing and we corrected the proofreading half sheet 21A:
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
You have two items for homework tonight:
1. "Of Missing Persons Questions 1-15."
2. Proofreading half-sheet 21A.
For the proofreading half-sheet, there are 23 corrections to be made.
Line Number of corrections
1 5
2 4
3 3
4 0
5 3
6 3
7 2
8 1
9 2
-------
23
Monday, April 11, 2011
Today in class we read the first part of the story called Of Missing Persons by Jack Finney.
Your homework is summarize what we read today.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Your homework for the weekend is to complete your reading log and to answer the rest of questions about All Summer In A Day, 11-23.
11. What do the children do to Margot just before the rain stops?
12. What do the children do during the two hours that they are outdoors?
13. How do you thing the other children feel about their prank at the end of the story? How do you know?
14. What happens to Margot at the very end?
15. What point is made about Margot when the story says that the rain had washed the blue form her eyes and the red from her mouth and the yellow from her hair?
16. What does this story suggest about the problems individuals face if their backgrounds or experiences make them different from other people?
Decide whether each quote is an example of a simile or a metaphor.
17. “The children pressed to each other like so many roses, so many weeds intermixed.”
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18. “They were remembering gold or a yellow crayon or a coin large enough to build the world with.”
____________________________________________________
19 “They always awoke to the tatting drum, the endless snaking of clear bead necklaces upon the roof.”
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20. “They turned on themselves, like a feverish wheel, all fumbling spokes.”
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21. “She was an old photograph dusted from an album, whitened away and if she spoke at all her voice would be a ghost.”
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22. “It’s like a penny.”
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23. “The great jungle that covered Venus, that grew and never stopped growing, tumultuously, even as you watched it. It was a nest of octopi, clustering up great arms of fleshlike weed, wavering, flowering in this brief spring.”
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Thursday, April 7, 2011
Today we read in class the short story called
All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury. (You may also use that link to see a video version.)
Your homework is
"All Summer in a Day Questions 1-10"
1. According to the story, what is the weather usually like on Venus? What does the landscape look like and why?
2. At the start of the story, why are all the children excited?
3. For how long will the sunshine? When will it appear again?
4. Why does Margot miss the appearance of the sun?
5. In what way is Margot’s experience of the sun different from the experience of
all the other children on Venus?
6. How does this difference affect the way Margot gets along with her classmates?
7. Why is it "vital" that she return to Earth?
8. What evidence is given in the story that Margot is sensitive and creative?
9. Why do the other children dislike Margot?
10. How do they show their negative feelings toward her?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tonight's homework is to answer questions 21 through 34.
21. What was wrong with Bartleby's eyes?
22. When Bartleby first comes to apply for the job, what does the boss talk about?
23. What does the grubman say to the boss?
24. What does the boss say to Bartleby when he visits him in prison and how does this show that the boss doesn't understand Bartleby?
25. List the hasty conclusions that the boss makes about Bartleby.
26. The boss tells Bartleby he is a friend. Isn't a friend a good listener? Did the boss listen to Bartleby or did he put words in his mouth? When does the boss talk to Bartleby as a child and when does he talk to him as an adult? When did he raise his voice? When was he sarcastic? Does a friend talk to another friend this way?
27. What are two reasons that the boss's job is better than Bartleby's job?
28. What are Bartleby's co-workers names and why does this matter?
29. Why does the boss quote the Bible and the commandment that we are to love one another? What practical reason does he offer for following this commandment?
30. Did Bartleby flat out refuse to go home and live with the boss or did he just say he didn't want to do it right at the moment? What did the boss do or say to Bartleby right before the invitation? In light of that, was it reasonable or unreasonable for Bartleby to decline immediate acceptance of the offer?
31. Who is blind? Bartleby or the boss? Why?
32. List all the walls that appear in the story. Which ones are significant?
33. Does Bartleby refuse to do anything?
34. Does Bartleby's co-workers express any preferences? Why?
Click here to see the video again.
Here is another place to see the video.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tonight's homework is to answer, with complete sentences, questions 10 through 20.
10. How is the grubman different from the boss?
11. How is the grubman like the boss?
11.5 . How could the boss have treated Bartleby better?
12. What does the the setting have to tell us about the story?
13. What is the significance of the characters' names?
14. What hasty conclusions did the boss make about Bartleby?
15. What is a scrivener?
16. Who wrote this story?
17. What is the writer most famous for?
18. Where was the office located and why is this significant?
19. What was the color of the the screen that Bartleby worked behind and why is this signifcant?
20. What did the policeman think about the boss? Why did he think that? And why was that a part of the story?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Today in class we listened to Charles Van Doren express his theory on the meaning of Bartleby.
Tonight's homework is, "Bartleby Questions 1-9."
1. Describe the two main characters and one minor character.
2. Summarize the plot.
3. Describe the setting.
4. What's wrong with Bartleby's eyes? Is he blind or is the boss blind?
5. How does the boss treat Bartleby? Is he concerned about Bartleby or mostly concerned about money? What do you base your opinion on?
6. How does the grubman treat Bartleby? What does he say to him? Why?
7. How is Bartleby's job like his previous one?
8. Why didn't Bartleby accept the boss's offer to come home with him?
9. Did the boss really care about Bartleby or did just try to get rid of a problem?
Answers must be in complete questions.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Today in class we watched the entire film of Bartleby and we looked at 34 questions about it.
We talked about all the walls that are in the the story: Wall Street and the walls between people who don't listen to each other or who for other reasons, just don't understand each other.
Your homework for the weekend is to complete your reading log and to write a half summary of how the story ends.
The 34 questions we looked at today are:
1. Describe the two main characters and one minor character.
2. Summarize the plot.
3. Describe the setting.
4. What's wrong with Bartleby's eyes? Is he blind or is the boss blind?
5. How does the boss treat Bartleby? Is he concerned about Bartleby or mostly concerned about money? What do you base your opinion on?
6. How does the grubman treat Bartleby? What does he say to him? Why?
7. How is Bartleby's job like his previous one?
8. Why didn't Bartleby accept the boss's offer to come home with him?
9. Did the boss really care about Bartleby or did just try to get rid of a problem?
10. How is the grubman different from the boss?
11. How is the grubman like the boss?
11. How could the boss have treated Bartleby better?
12. What does the the setting have to tell us about the story?
13. What is the significance of the characters' names?
14. What hasty conclusions did the boss make about Bartleby?
15. What is a scrivener?
16. Who wrote this story?
17. What is the writer most famous for?
18. Where was the office located and why is this significant?
19. What was the color of the the screen that Bartleby worked behind and why is this signifcant?
20. What did the policeman think about the boss? Why did he think that? And why was that a part of the story?
21. What was wrong with Bartleby's eyes?
22. When Bartleby first comes to apply for the job, what does the boss talk about?
23. What does the grubman say to the boss?
24. What does the boss say to Bartleby when he visits him in prison and how does this show that the boss doesn't understand Bartleby?
25. List the hasty conclusions that the boss makes about Bartleby.
26. The boss tells Bartleby he is a friend. Isn't a friend a good listener? Did the boss listen to Bartleby or did he put words in his mouth? When does the boss talk to Bartleby as a child and when does he talk to him as an adult? When did he raise his voice? When was he sarcastic? Does a friend talk to another friend this way?
27. What are two reasons that the boss's job is better than Bartleby's job?
28. What are Bartleby's co-workers names and why does this matter?
29. Why does the boss quote the Bible and the commandment that we are to love one another? What practical reason does he offer for following this commandment?
30. Did Bartleby flat out refuse to go home and live with the boss or did he just say he didn't want to do it right at the moment? What did the boss do or say to Bartleby right before the invitation? In light of that, was it reasonable or unreasonable for Bartleby to decline immediate acceptance of the offer?
31. Who is blind? Bartleby or the boss? Why?
32. List all the walls that appear in the story. Which ones are significant?
33. Does Bartleby refuse to do anything?
34. Does Bartleby's co-workers express any preferences? Why?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Your homework for tonight is to summarize and to reflect upon the video you saw today on Bartleby by Herman Melville.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tonight's homework is:
"Literature p. 319, bottom right; p. 322, #1-5"
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Today we read and listened to another story by Saki, The Open Window.
Your homework is to answer these ten questions:
1. Who is the most interesting person in the story? Why?
2. Who is the least interesting person in the story? Why?
3. Who seems to be the most admirable person in the story? Why?
4. What kind of person is the "target" of this story?
5. Do the characters in this story remind you of anyone you know? If so, without naming real names, explain how so.
6. Do you know anyone who makes up stories about themselves and people they know and then pretends these stories are true when they meet new people? Do you think this has anything to do with what they think is heroic or makes someone an impressive person?
7. Think of someone that you do not know personally, but think is an excellent person or heroic (or a terrible person!) How have stories you've heard about this person influenced your determination that this person is excellent, heroic, or terrible?
8. From what point of view is this story told?
9. Explain how humor is used in this story.
10. Express your opinion on this story. Do you think it was good? Did you like it? Why or why not?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tonight's homework is:
"Literature p. 277, 281, 297, 299-300"
Remember to do both the top and bottom of page 281 and remember you need to read the material before the questions.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Today in class we read The Storyteller by H. H. Munro.
Your homework is to do a good job on answering the questions and also compare the story with another we read in class called "Super Dooper Jezebel" by Tony Ross.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Your homework for tonight is to finish "The Lottery" questions.
The full, written text of The Lottery can be found on line. Here is one place I found it.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tonight's homework is to take an extra day on your Irish Song Lyrics Part Two questions and The Lottery Questions.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Today in class we saw the video of the English professor who discussed the possible meanings of The Lottery and then we discussed it ourselves.
Tonight's homework is the new set of questions on the Irish Song Lyrics which were given to you on Monday
Monday, March 21, 2011
Today in class we watched Shirley Jackson's The Lottery and we got a green sheet of paper for the second set questions on the Irish Song Lyrics.
For homework, you are to write about The Lottery, what you thought about ti.
The new set of Irish Song Lyrics is due on Wednesday.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Your homework for the weekend is to complete your reading log and to finish the Irish Song questions. See Irish Song Lyrics.
if you lost your packet.
If you'd like to hear the songs again, go to the Irish Song Lyrics page.
Thursday, St. Patrick's Day, 2011
Your homework for tonight is to spend about 30 minutes or more answering some of the questions from the sheet about Irish Song Lyrics.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Your homework for tonight is to read your A.R. book for at least 30 minutes. Have a parent sign it and show it to me tomorrow.
Tuesday, The Ides of March, 2011
Read p. 270-275 of your literature book.
Do "Literature p. 276, #2-5." Also on this paper, use each of the five vocabulary words on p. 270 in original sentences.
For extra credit, interview somebody who lived during the Viet Nam war. Have the person tell you what it was like. Put what they say in your own words. You may turn in this extra credit up until Friday.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Today in class we worked on the 100 Romeo and Juliet Questions. All answers must be with complete sentences.
Your homework for tonight is to read your A.R. book for at least 30 minutes. Have a parent sign it and show it to me tomorrow.
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You can send email to me at Mr.Wright followed by the "at" symbol, which we all know is @, followed by RoomC6, which is our room, followed by dot com, and by dot we mean a period, which of course you know, but a bot might not.
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