ENGLISH 9

1. Quick overview of the Independent Novel Study.  Criteria for picking out a novel: find a "just write" novel (not too hard or easy, not too long or short, high-interest).
2. To the library to pick out a book.
3. Back to class and review the handout on the Independent Novel Study + time to start reading/working on your project (before reading questions, etc.).

ENGLISH 9

-watch TED Talk by Adora Svitak (http://www.ted.com/talks/adora_svitak.html). Class discussion following.
-Review of short story terminology and devices (yellow sheet)
-Review of "Charles" (basic plot, themes, questions?)
-Review of "The Sniper" (basic plot, themes, questions?)
-Begin reading "All Summer in a Day" (on your own) (I'll read it out loud later)

ENGLISH 9

This is what we did today:
1.) We watched a lecture by JJ Abrams (http://www.ted.com/talks/j_j_abrams_mystery_box.html) about how stories of all kinds have mysteries or questions. These mysteries create suspense and intrigue, and keep us thinking and guessing, which makes us active participants vs. passive "lumps" as we read/view.
2.) Review and worked on questions for the short story "The Sniper."  Questions due next block (Tuesday, September 27, 2011)

ENGLISH 9

Nice work today, class. I really appreciated the high level of cooperation and listening. We covered:

-Restitution Lesson 4
-Read "Charles" as a class with group discussion based on questions from question sheet
-Read "The Sniper" out loud, with time to work on questions next class

**Reminder to hand in "Charles" Questions + Before/During/After Reading page (due today)

ENGLISH 9

What we did today:
-Restitution Lesson 3 (Tootsie Pop Brain)
-Students read "SpongeBob may make kids hyper: study."
-Think/Pair/Share: How can we link this article to the Tootsie Pop Brain?
-How can we link this article to the Tootsie Pop Brain? (class discussion)?
-Students read "Charles" and completed the "Before, During, and After Reading Questions" worksheet and then moved on to answer a question sheet, all of which is due Tuesday the 20th.

ENGLISH 9

Today we completed the second lesson in our Restitution Field Guide (page 3) on what resources we have around us if we need help and then we moved on to how to read a short story (see handout).  Within this, we read a story called "Mr. Blink" about a person who wakes one day to realize he's been nominated to run for Prime Minister. The short story "Charles" was handed out at the end of class.  Please start reading to prepare for tomorrow's lesson.

ENGLISH 9

Interesting class today . . . a bit of "get to know you" with a bingo game (helping to create a community of learners) and some time to work on your freewrite (1 page, 2-3 paragraphs; reminder: it was due at the end of the block so hand it in as soon as possible as it is now late).  Next class we're going to dive into our short story unit, which I'm really excited about starting.

ENGLISH 9

Welcome to English 9! Today was our first full-length class and we did some interesting things, including: reviewing the course outline, created a My Job/Your Job list for myself and students, started our "macbook" profile class project, and began a free-writing prompt (one page single spaced , 2-3 paragraphs) on either: 1.) This summer, I . . . or 2.) My fondest memory is . . .

Homework: finish "macbook" profile (with a picture of yourself, if you have one).