6/1-8 Classnotes

6/8/11	INTRO: Check-in “x” tomorrow and make-up work time.  Friday, we well go to computer room to do class evaluations.  We will get Part I of the final exam in class tomorrow, as a take-home section of the exam. NOTES: Billy, Ryan, and Dash gave their creative presentation.  So did Taylor. HOMEWORK: Quiz on Monday, Persepolis.
6/7/11	INTRO:  We will have a final quiz on Persepolis. (maybe on Friday for Seniors) There will also be questions on the final exam about Persepolis. NOTES:  In groups, we answered the following questions and presented our findings to the rest of the class: Team 1: Who is our protagonist and how is the protagonist depicted? Marji pale with dark hair large eyes curious childish wants to be a prophet Team 2: Is the protagonist rebellious?  Yes, or no?  Support with text. yes, doesn’t want to convert yes, doesn’t want to wear veil Team 3: What has Satrapi chosen to emphasize in her childhood?  How is the passage of time presented? growing up- revolution fear examples: fire in theatre, guy tortured and killed, burn iron on back, urinated on, cut him into pieces Team 4: Describe Satrapi’s drawings.  How do the drawings add to the narrative of the story? adds emotion adds childish effects- she’s a child memory not too detailed- she’s portrayed as a child devil=former Shah of Iran foreshadowing in picture of serpent- even it had a childish quality Team 5: What information goes Satrapi give us in the introduction?  Is this introduction important?  Why or why not? explains background of Iran- oil- rich the “entire nation should not be judged by wrongdoings of a few extremists”- try to avoid classic judgements We then saw creative presentations by Eben, and by Max. HOMEWORK:  Finish Persepolis, if you haven’t.
6/6/11	INTRO: Thursday, we will have an “x” and make-up day.  Friday, we will go to the computer lab, in shifts, to do course evaluations.  Seniors will take final exam from 8-10, next Monday.  Average of 90 or above gets you a modified exam.  Underclass review will be next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Friday will be the final exam. NOTES: In our journals, we had to answer the following questions: responses also follow: 1.  Which aspect of Marji’s character do you identify with, or like the most?  The least? she doesn’t follow the rules sassy survives and flourishes in tough environment questions authority 2.  Why did Satrapi choose the comic medium to tell her story?  What is the effect? more efficient - like kids’ thought processes like a prisoner’s wall, it feels dark and crude images of butchery We then saw creative presentations by Lauren, and by Joe and Jay. Homework: Read pages 118-153, Persepolis.
6/3/11	NOTES:  In our journals, we answered the following 3 questions: 1.  What was your first experience with a comic book, or comic strip? 2.  If you can, explain the difference between a comic book and a graphic novel. comic book:                              graphic novel:                shorter                                        longer lots of shorts-similar to               connected story- like a novel short stories                                                    comedy or entertainment            more serious Marvel, DC (made by...)             smaller publishers ? both comic books and graphic novels: pictures element of narrative 3.  What is the difference between a graphic novel/comic book, or comic strip, and a regular novel?  Why are those differences important? graphic novel:                           regular novel: pics instead of words                  uses words for detail for detail                              like a play with pics We saw a short slide show entitles “What’s a medium of communication?” (different types of pipes in which information flows).  Captain America came out of WWII. We then did a chalk talk activity with the following questions and responses: What was happening in your world in 2002? sports camp confusion about what was going on in the world- fear as well because not fully understanding what had happened was in 2nd grade can’t remember What was happening in the world in 2002? war debate about war- to retaliate violently or not after 9/11 invading Iraq- shock and awe hated anyone of Arabic descent fear mongering conformity Bush approval rating 80% Twin Towers had fallen 3 months ago We finished the class with Vaughn’s creative project presentation. HOMEWORK: Read pages 94-117, Persepolis.
6/2/11	“x” day, and make-up work day HOMEWORK: Read pages 72-93, Persepolis.  Creative projects due Friday.
6/1/11	INTRO: There will be an “x” on Thursday, but a lot of people will be doing make-up work. NOTES: We finished watching Cool Hand Luke and talked about it.  Also worked on the “quiz” questions about the movie. Comments: no real character development other than Luke no other story plots simple, uncomplicated plot it’s a drama, rather than an action flick that would have tense action sequence at the beginning s l o w, but that sort of mirrored their daily lives now Any parallels with life in the military?  Definition of complete institution: an institution that has all components necessary to operate independently-  The military is a “travelling complete institution” HOMEWORK: Read pages 47-71, Persepolis.  Creative project is now due on Friday, seniors presenting first.  Finish the “quiz” questions on the movie.

5/20-5/31 classnotes

5/31/11	INTRO: Each student filled out an “Assessment Portfolio Entry Slip”, the purpose of which was to write about the process of writing the essay due today. The creative projects are now due on Friday.  We will have x” on Thursday. NOTES: We continued watching Cool Hand Luke. HOMEWORK:  Read pages 26-46, Persepolis.
5/27/11	NOTES:  The Chocolate War essay due today.  Peer editing in class.  As we peer edited, we kept in mind: What’s the thesis sentence?  What is the one sentence that tells what the whole paper is about?    Topic sentence: There should be a thesis sentence for each paragraph.  We underlined the thesis sentence twice, and the topic sentences once. We continued watching Cool Hand Luke. HOMEWORK:  Final draft of essay is now due Tuesday.  Read to page 25, Persepolis.
5/25/11	INTRO: There will be an “x” tomorrow.  It will be used as a make-up day.  We will also watch more of the movie. NOTES: Did loop writing in journals, given the following prompts: (2 minutes each) Think of a time when you and some friends wanted to keep something a secret;  to what lengths did you go to keep it a secret? When you and friends have disagreed on something, how did that affect your relationship?  Why? What are the chances that Jerry would be able to reintegrate into Trinity School?  Why, or why not? Continued watching Cool Hand Luke.  Important scenes so far: Luke cuts meters won’t conform to inmate gang the box-solitary confinement the infamous car wash setting: South/Texas when? early-mid 60’s- still had inmates doing manual labor, hand mowing- more technology now- Civil Rights?? HANDOUT: “Cool Hand Luke Quiz Assignment #9”- These are questions to think about.  Quiz probably on Friday. HOMEWORK: Rough draft due tomorrow for The Chocolate War essay.
5/24/11	NOTES: In journals, we responded to one of two quotations from the book: 1. “That’s why it works, Carter, we’re all bastards.” p. 241 2. “And yet it was hard to tell about teachers- they were mysterious.” p. 224 We discussed the second quote.  Teachers have to act in a professional manner at school, so it’s hard to really get to know them.  There aren’t that many teachers who are actually trying to “do kids wrong”.  Most are just doing their jobs.  Sometimes it seems like they are picking on you.  It seems like some don’t always set a good example.  Some swear outside of school, but will write you up for it in school. We started to watch the movie, Cool Hand Luke, starring Paul Newman. HOMEWORK: Outline for final assessment, The Chocolate War, due tomorrow.  You may choose to fill in the 4 blank spaces on the front of the assignment sheet instead.  You may choose to do a regular essay instead, but you still need an outline with quotes.
5/23/11	NOTES: Chalk talk activity today: How do we tell a good rebel from a bad? a bad rebel hurts innocent people; good rebel is working to help people a good rebel fights for a cause; a bad rebel uses random acts of violence a good rebel understands what they are rebelling against and are not too extreme; a bad rebel doesn’t understand what they are rebelling against and are extreme a good rebel wants to make positive change by living a certain lifestyle (or are willing to sacrifice a lifestyle), like Jerry in the book; a bad rebel revolts to fulfil whims and to “improve” their self-image (like Charles Manson, Jim Jones, or Archie in our book) a good rebel is fighting for something they also believe in; a bad rebel is not (but this is all still your point of view) some wonder if morals, or the difference between right and wrong, enter into this. Who’s more twisted: Archie or Emile? Archie is, because he is less predictable. Archie is, because he pretends to have the picture of Emile on the toilet, but he doesn’t.  He is so manipulative, it’s creepy. Archie and Emile are twisted in different ways, and should not be compared. Archie is, because he is a psychopath- someone without a moral compass. Archie is, because he specializes in being twisted- puts a lot of thought into it. HOMEWORK: Finish reading The Chocolate War.
5/20/11	INTRO: First, we had reading/vocab quiz.  The final assessment for The Chocolate War is due on Friday, May 27.  The outline for it will be due Wednesday, May 25.  The rough draft will be due on Thursday, May 26.  Tuesday, we will watch a movie, Road Warrior.  The creative project is due on June 1. NOTES: We discussed conflicts in the book.  The initial conflict was: Will Jerry make the football team?  This is not the central conflict, and while resolved when Jerry makes the team as a QB, once on the team, Jerry is harassed by members of the team.  They beat on him, intentionally drop his passes, and refuse to block. The major conflict in the book is non-conformity vs conformity.  Will Jerry be pressured into selling chocolates?  (not yet resolved)  Minor conflicts include the attraction to the girl he has seen at the bus stop.  When he calls her, she thinks he’s a pervert, and he hangs up.  It resolves the conflict, since he strikes out with the girl.  There is also a minor conflict between Archie and Carter.  Carter is into physical violence, while Archie is into psychological violence.  Yet another minor conflict is the relationship between Jerry and his Dad. Made a Venn diagram of bullying vs hazing: Bullying: personal satisfaction wants to provoke subject Hazing: acceptance to group rite of passage perpetuated in a group Both bullying and hazing: physical violence mental harassment We also briefly touched on secular rites of passage, which would include baptism, and non-secular rites of passage, which would include getting to vote when you turn 18. HOMEWORK: see yesterday

Classnotes 5/3-5/19

5/19/11	“x” today HOMEWORK: Read pages 221-238, The Chocolate War.  Reading/vocab quiz tomorrow.
5/18/11	INTRO: It was announced the the summer reading will be The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. NOTES: Vocabulary words and sentences using them: litany: spiritual prayer- The Reverend led the congregation in a litany. concede: give in, or admit to- I conceded that my error was in duct taping Mr. Smith to his chair. embalm: to preserve a dead body by removing the blood, and replacing it with chemicals- A body which is ready to be viewed has already been embalmed. exaggerated: overstated a case- We may have exaggerated a bit when we said that we ran for five hours without stopping. reluctant: feeling or showing hesitation or aversion- I was reluctant to admit my age. masterpiece: work done with extraordinary skill- The oil painting was a masterpiece. apathy: suppression or absence of emotion, lack of energy- He approached the essay assignment with a great deal of apathy. mutinied:overthrew- The first mate mutinied against the Captain. ponder: contemplate- When he asked his parents if his curfew could be extended, he was told that they would have to ponder the question. swagger: cocky walk- The tall, handsome, athlete swaggered over to the pretty blond girl, after he won MVP of the game. perennial: comes up every year- Peonies are perennial flowers. tumultuous: turbulent, stormy- The seas were tumultuous during the hurricane. HANDOUT: “The Chocolate War Essay Assignment #5” HOMEWORK: Read pages 202-220, The Chocolate War.  Reading/vocab quiz on Friday.
5/17/11	NOTES:  We responded to the following questions in our journals, with the following responses: What do Jerry and “I” have in common? clumsy, ugly, will act without thinking of the consequences, persistent, stubborn, small build, “everyman”(average “Joe” - anyone could have, but he did), takes small task but goes all out, punctual, cynical How does Jerry represent a threat to all power structures in his school?  (The Vigils, and teachers) As a single person, he caused a major turmoil. What is the significance of “Do I dare disturb the universe?” It was on poster in his locker- meaning?  Would a common person have the courage to go against the universe? (in this case, The Vigils and teachers) We also added a few notes to yesterday’s sharing of who they would cast for the characters in the book.  See yesterday’s notes. HOMEWORK:  Read pages 177-201, The Chocolate War, and find 1 vocab word.
5/16/11	INTRO: We took a reading quiz through page 118.  Pass in RWR if you haven’t.  By Wednesday, if you still owe the essay on Rule of the Bone, you will be scheduled up. NOTES: In small groups, we had to decide who we would cast for characters in the book.  You had to begin by identifying the main characters.  You also had to give reasons why you cast who you cast for each part.  Results: For Jerry: Sarah Palin, because she is annoying and persistent Sam, from Lord of the Rings Zach Effron, because he’s young, good-hearted, and nice like Jerry Harry Potter, because he’s a kid rebelling against an organization Jake Gyllenhal, who starred in The Day After Tomorrow, because he’s very average For Brother Leon: Charlie Sheen, because he has flipped out, is nuts, arrogant, twisted, on drugs, quirky, and perhaps mentally ill nurse Ratched, because she’s totalitarian, devil-like Jack Nicholson, because he plays a good twisted person with a psychotic edge Snape (Alan Rickman), because he played a malicious teacher ironman (Robert Downey, Jr.) For Archie: mix of Oprah, and Gollum from Lord of the Rings The Joker (Heath Ledger), because he enjoys others’ pain Alex, from A Clockwork Orange, because he’s a sadist, thinks he’s a rebel, and beats people up (he’s the quintessential, or perfect example, of a sadist, who beats people for pleasure) Satin because he’s pure evil and gets satisfaction from hurting people For Obie: (the “fixer” in The Vigils) Jim Carey because he was mischievous Jeff Dunham because he’s mischievous and funny Matthew from The Disreputable History... Al Pacino because he makes things happen, while someone else gets noticed For Goober: Usain Bolt because he’s a fast runner Hermes because he also is fast HOMEWORK: Read pages 156-177, The Chocolate War.
5/13/11	HOMEWORK: : Read pages131-155, The Chocolate War.
5/11/11	INTRO: Seniors have to take a final exam in English class, as per policy of the English Department.  Seniors who have an 89.5 or higher average, going into it, can take a modified exam, however. NOTES: Talked about the handout. (Creative Project)  You can work by yourself, or with a peer.  5-minute max per person for presentation.  Due Monday, June 1. HANDOUT: “Culminating Creative Project Assignment #7” HOMEWORK: Read pages 107-130, The Chocolate War.
5/10/11	NOTES: Answered the following questions, or responded to the quotations, in journals: 1.   “There was nothing more beautiful in the world than the sight of a teacher getting upset.” Observations: True, if teacher treated students unfairly.  How? overworking them talking down to them lack of respect, disregard for opinions, hitting them 2.   “Jerry nodded automatically.  Was this all there was to life, after all?  You finished school, found an occupation, got married, became a father, watched your wife die, and lived through days and nights that seemed to have no sunrises, no dawns and no dusks; nothing but a gray drabness.  Or was he being fair to his father?” Observations:  Jerry is questioning the way his father has lived his life. 3.  When did you first question the way your parents do things? Observations:  “haven’t gotten very far with it”, and questioned existence of santa claus Back to the major elements in a story. The point of view is the perspective from which the story is told.  This story is told from third person omnicient who jumps around. Why does Jerry feel bad?  Because he feels guilty for looking at porn.  Masturbation is a sin in the Catholic Church, and this is a Catholic school. Why did Goober feel bad?  He felt depressed because he had tortured a teacher by unscrewing screws on the desks in room 19.  The teacher ended up having a mental breakdown. A plot needs to have conflict.  Conflicts in this book: refusing to sell chocolates is central one Jerry is a “square boy”, and is questioning himself Trinity is running out of money teacher/student relations HOMEWORK: Read pages 87-106, The Chocolate War.  Find vocab word(s) and do mandatory RWR for Wednesday.
5/9/11	NOTES: Worked on the handout.  First, we made up a “right there” question about The Chocolate War.  Example: What sport did Jerry play? Then we made up a question for either “think and search” or author and you”.  Example of “think and search” would be: Why does Brother Leon accuse Bailey of cheating?  Example of “author and you” would be: Why does the author write so much about masturbation?   Talked again about the 6 major elements in a story: characterization, tone, setting, point of view, plot, and theme. What is the setting in our book?  A Christian Boys’ School, a Catholic parochial school in Eastern Massachusetts.  The story takes place in the early 1970’s.  We know that because of the hippie character who called people “man”, and calls Jerry “square boy”.  Square, which is not in common usage now, means boring, totally mainstream, they don’t think for themselves.  Jerry’s dad is square.  He is in the mainstream with no passions.  He is part of the establishment; an anti-rebel. Characters in the book include good characters like: Jerry Renault- the protagonist, slender, not tall, a freshman, tries out for quarterback Goober- tall, tries to please everyone, his main passion is running Characters in the book include bad characters like: Archie- second-in-command of the Vigils, “the assigner”, creative but a loose cannon, makes his own rules instead of playing by the rules, enjoys “playing” with the kids and bullying, sadistic, humiliates others, toys with them Brother Leon- humiliates students, teacher, on a power trip, assistant headmaster, a bully, sadistic, may have been abused Carter- figurehead leader of the Vigils HANDOUT: “Question-Answer Relationships” HOMEWORK: Read pages 67-86, The Chocolate War.  Get vocab word(s) by Wednesday.  Do RWR for Wednesday.  (It’s required this time.  The RWR helps you reflect on the material and helps you become a “deeper reader”.)
5/6/11	NOTES: In small groups, we responded to the following questions and got the following responses: 1.  What does courage look like in a high school student and give examples: sports: like a team captain who has power over peers, has to be assertive one who stands up for what he/she believes, like standing up to upperclassmen faces obstacles not giving into peer pressure (which can be subtle) being yourself in any situation not being a by-stander social leader who stands up to peers, and to authority figures overcomes fear doing what’s right, and not just what’s in your own best interest 2.  What is a bully?   someone who believes it’s better to abuse than be abused someone who enjoys bullying someone who is/was abused and now abuses others overgeneralizes things and puts people into categories 3.  Can a bully be a group or organization? Nazis political parties (like the speaker of the NH House pressuring the moderates to vote a certain way) Taliban KKK 4.  What’s your definition of a modern rebel? HOMEWORK: Read pages 48-66, The Chocolate War.
5/5/11	x-today HOMEWORK:  same as yesterday
5/4/11	NOTES: Did chalk talk activity on the board.  Prompt: “How do adolescents have an effect on, or control, our local society?” we don’t At 18, we will start to, when we can vote gives teachers/cops something to do create sporting events which build the community parents and the law limit us sometime they rebel economy- small businesses, summer employment, buying power shows the wealth of the city/town, makes real estate more desirable entertainment council works to make changes keeps drug traffic going (not accurate) young people try to make changes- older people categorically dismiss open campus We read some of The Chocolate War out loud.  The first paragraph is very descriptive.  Jerry is getting pounded on at football tryouts.  On page 3, there is an allusion to Peter from the Bible.  (This takes place at a private, Catholic, parochial school.) HOMEWORK: Read pages 22-47, The Chocolate War.
5/3/11	INTRO:  Today students turned in their Rule of the Bone Assessment essays, or worked in class to finish them. HOMEWORK:  Read pages 1-21, The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier.