Rules for Sustained Silent Reading

In order to help things run smoothly, consider the following rules for sustained silent reading days:

1. No talking.
2. No sleeping. If you get a little dozy, get up and move to another seat. Ask to get a drink of water.
3. Double Entry Journal: I'm going to ask that you keep your double entry journal in your spiral notebook. You may have it out on SSR days in order to work on this aspect of your reading project.
4. No talking. Yes, I've already said that.
5. Unpreparedness - You're losing your points. For the purpose of this class, grab a book of short stories, Rolling Stone magazine, or one of my other browse-able books.

Independent Reading Project #1

Greasy Lake Discussion

Here's a link to the quotations we discussed regarding "Greasy Lake."

Binder Sections

Today we will be setting up our binder. Here are the sections you need:

1. Reference
2. Voice Lessons
3. Finished Writing Pieces
4. Drafts and Planning
5. Quizzes and Tests

Greasy Lake Discussion

So, you've finished T. Coraghessan Boyle's short story "Greasy Lake." I'd like to put our heads together and create a resource for our class discussion. Here goes...

Directions

We're going to assemble a quotation database from your double entry journals.

1. Look over your double entry journal for a quotation that stands out. Once you find one, copy it into the comment section of the post. After copying the quotation, add your commentary.
2. If you someone else typed in your quotation, feel free to add your commentary to theirs.
3. If you check back later, feel free to add your thoughts about other people's quotations. Discuss discuss discuss.
   
4. After your commentary, put your first name, last initial, and period # in parenthesis (ex. Jake M., Per. 4/5)

Here are a few possible topics

1. Setting - Greasy Lake
2. Setting - Time Period
3. Digby

4. Jeff
5. The Victim
6. The Victim's Girlfriend
7. The Corpse (Al)
8. Frat Boys

9. 
   
10. Al's Girl Friends
11. The Fight

T.C. Boyle's "Greasy Lake"

Over the next three days we'll be taking a look at T. C. Boyle's "Greasy Lake" out of the textbook. I'd love to link to a full version online, but due to copyright no one has reposted it. Google books has a large part of the story, and if you'd like, you can find it here.

I also recorded the book if you'd like to listen in class. Unfortunately, I cannot publish this recording due to copyright. However, feel free to take advantage of it in class.

Here's the Assignment:
Read Boyle's story, starting at page 143. While reading, keep a double entry journal of quotations that you find noteworthy. In one column, copy the quotation. The other is for your commentary. Write four to five sentences explaining why you felt that quotation was noteworthy. Remember, be a color commentator, a la John Madden, rather than a play by play announcer. I want to here your thoughts.

Voice Lessons #1 - Diction

On Friday we took notes about diction, which led up to today's activity. I'd like to see some examples of your work. In the comments section of this post, write down the sentence you developed from the activity. Underneath your sentence, put your first name, last initial, and period.

In case you forgot, here's the prompt:

Brainstorm with the class and develop a list of medical terms, then write a sentence using a medical term to characterize art.

Don't forget your name and period.

Icebreaker Videos

Again, great job working on the films this week. I'm impressed with your shots and your preparedness. Enjoy your weekend, and remember...summer reading extension is due Thursday.

Period One



Period 4/5



Perid 6/7


Period 9

Edit Blogger Profile

Congratulations on finishing A&P. We'll be discussing the story in class tomorrow. Since most people read at different speeds, I'm giving the class the entire period today to finish up the story.

Now that you've finished, I'd like you to edit your Blogger Profile. Look to the upper right hand corner of this page and sign in to blogger. Once signed in, you'll be brought to your main page. When you are there, the "edit profile" is at the top of the page at the right hand side. Click on it, and fill out the information.



IMPORTANT: YOUR LOGIN ID IS AN EMAIL ADDRESS. IF YOU TRY EVERYTHING YOU CAN, AND CANNOT REMEMBER THE EMAIL ADDRESS OR PASSWORD, THEN SIGN UP FOR A NEW ACCOUNT. THIS TIME WRITE IT DOWN!

Double Entry Journal

The double entry journal is designed to help further the development of your observational skills. It is a chance for a reader to say, "hey, this quote is important, and I'm going to elaborate on why I feel this way." However, this is not a contest to identify the top ten most important lines from a story. There are no wrong answers, just unsupported answers. As each reader brings a different background to a piece of writing, so each reader will also probably find importance in different quotes.

If you get stuck, try to identify quotations that do one of the following:

• say something about society or life as you know it
• show something about a character's motivation or nature
• show something about the setting of the the story
• illustrate the mood of the piece or tone of the author
• illustrate the voice of the narrator
• are humorous
• are insightful
• are confusing

John Updike's A&P

Today in class you are to begin to read John Updike's classic short story A&P. In order to prepare for discussion, you are to fill out a double entry journal sheet for a grade. These have been provided to you in class.

Google Account

Primary Task: Finish your work on your piece of the film. We are looking to finish today.

Secondary Task: Sign up for a Google/Blogger account and answer the following question in the comment section:

Steps:
1. Click on the "Comments" link in this post.

2. Under "Username/Password" click on "Sign Up Here"



3. Fill out the required information


4. Post your comments

Here's the question:
You're going to be given a good amount of choice in the literature you read this year. What novels, nonfiction, or poetry have you read in the past that you've enjoyed. What about this particular work(s) have you enjoyed? Share a bit about the experience.

Put your first name and last initial after your comments.

(75-150 word range)

Welcome AP

Writing Prompt: You are in Advanced Placement Literature because you have chosen to be. What has helped you develop an appreciation for literature. What were those factors? Was there an important book(s)? Important people? Momentous experiences? What has made you like books to such a degree that you are willing to do extra work during your senior year for an opportunity to study at an advanced level?

Be truthful, be poignant. We're going to end up making this into a film.

Welcome Back!

I'm very excited to start a new school year and work with you folks. Today, most of the classes are shortened and we'll be a little rushed for time, but I want to accomplish a few things:

1. Summer Reading
2. Supplies
3. Complete Informational Handout
4. Introductory Film Project