Book Talk

Since you are supposed to be reading at least two books a nine weeks, we are going to start sharing them in class. When we finish our research project, we will have a day of book talk. Everyone will talk about the books that they read and then choose a section that is interesting to read aloud to others. I'll also share some of the books that I've read recently. This will be a great chance to check out what others are reading. But it will only work if you cooperate. If you are really nice, then maybe we can have snack time during book talk time. But you have to really earn that! ;)

First research paper due date!

As we begin our research paper project, I will establish due dates based on the pace with which we work. While we will be working on research in class, there will be drafts, etc. to complete at home.

First due date:
You will complete an annotated bibliography from the research that you collect in class. I will give you notes Wednesday, as well as handouts and samples. You can access extra information at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_annotatedbib.html. Your annotated bib will be due next Tuesday, October 4!

Merlin

Cinema can be considered a form of literature--it is definitely an art form. How did the movie, "Merlin", help you better understand the Arthurian legend? Did you like watching to movie before dealing with the legend? What questions were left post-viewing that you are interested in learning more about?

Canterbury Tales Projects

I must admit that I was overall pleasantly surprised with your projects. You really took them seriously and did a good job. My one complaint is how you present things. A majority of you are not comfortable speaking to a group. I understand that. I was a freshman when I had to give my first speech and right before my turn I had to leave the room to vomit. To this day, I hate public speaking. Its a natural reaction. But its coming...you are just going to have to do a lot of that this year so I can get your ready for other things.

Do you have any suggestions for other fun projects that we could do this year? What would YOU like to do to prove your mastery of the literature that we are reading? I am totally up for cool suggestions!

Thought for the day...

Promise me you will always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

~ A. A. Milne, Christopher Robin to Pooh


As a high school senior, how do insecurities affect your personal life as well as your academic life?

Making you a reader...

I want to make each of you a reader. I've read posts on why you don't have time to read. Now tell me what I can do to make you a reader!

I have recently read research on read-alouds in the secondary classroom. These articles tell me that I can help encourage you to read more by exposing you to more literature through read-alouds. I can choose novels, poetry, articles, essays, etc. that interest me and share them with you. What do you think about this? Should I try it?