Friday, 10/31/08 - Happy Halloween!

Composition & World Literature
none - Have a happy, fun, safe weekend!

Happy Halloween!














*remember, click here to check out our creepy class Halloween stories & poems.

Thursday, 10/30/08.

Composition
1. Study for the vocabulary test tomorrow (lesson 3).
2. Question to be answered on looseleaf: What did you think of the ending of "The Monkey's Paw"? Was it satisfying? If you could change it, how would you? If you wouldn't, why not?
Click here to find the entire story written online so you can look over it.
Click here to listen to the audio of John Lithgow reading the story. You'll have to let it load and then fast-forward to 29:33 when he starts reading "The Monkey's Paw".

World Literature
1. Question on your class notes: What is the theme of "Masque of the Red Death"? How do you know? Use your symbol notes from class to help you answer. Click here to find the entire story written online so you can look over it.
2. VPP lesson 4 ex. IV inferences p. 40.

Wednesday, 10/29/08.

Composition
1. VPP lesson 3 "inferences" ex. IV p. 34.
2. Finish the Irony Essay introduction sheet.

World Literature
1. Finish the Prince Prospero's Palace Project. Due tomorrow (Thursday). See details below.
2. VPP lesson 4 sentence completion - p. 39.

Prince Prospero's Palace Project: After reading the first part of "The Masque of the Red Death" (p. 419 in the Holt textbook), you are to visually recreate the Prince's palace rooms. You may create:
-a model
-blueprints
-a complex illustration
Be sure to include all of the rooms listed in the story. Most of the description can be found on p. 421. You will be graded on the creativity and accuracy of your creation. You must include:
*color (very important to the symbolism of the story!)
*2 CDs from the story (remember to use MLA format) on the project somewhere
It is due on Thursday, 10/30.

Tuesday, 10/28/08.

Composition
1. VPP lesson 3 sentence completion p. 33.

World Literature
1. Finish Prince Prospero's Palace project. Now due Thursday...
Details:
Prince Prospero's Palace Project: After reading the first part of "The Masque of the Red Death" (p. 419 in the Holt textbook), you are to visually recreate the Prince's palace rooms. You may create:
-a model
-blueprints
-a complex illustration
Be sure to include all of the rooms listed in the story. Most of the description can be found on p. 421. You will be graded on the creativity and accuracy of your creation. You must include:
*color (very important to the symbolism of the story!)
*2 CDs from the story (remember to use MLA format) on the project somewhere
It is due on Thursday, 10/30.

Monday, 10/27/08.

Composition
1. VPP lesson 3 paragraphs fill-in and copy p. 32.

World Literature
1. VPP lesson 4 paragraphs fill-in and copy p. 38.
2. Prince Prospero's Palace Project: After reading the first part of "The Masque of the Red Death" (p. 419 in the Holt textbook), you are to visually recreate the Prince's palace rooms. You may create:
-a model
-blueprints
-a complex illustration
Be sure to include all of the rooms listed in the story. Most of the description can be found on p. 421. You will be graded on the creativity and accuracy of your creation. You must include:
*color (very important to the symbolism of the story!)
*2 CDs from the story (remember to use MLA format) on the project somewhere
It is due on Wednesday, 10/29.

Halloween Story Links

Follow the link below to read the full text of the short story "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs. It's a perfect Halloween story!
You can also click on the link below to read Edgar Allen Poe's classic poem "The Raven" or his short story "The Masque of the Red Death," both great selections for Halloween.

"The Monkey's Paw" 1
"The Monkey's Paw" 2

"The Masque of the Red Death" 1
"The Masque of the Red Death" 2

"The Raven" 1
"The Raven" 2

For those who missed it, another creepy tale of horror by Edgar Allen Poe (the guy who invented the horror story!) is "The Cask of Amontillado." Click below to check it out.

"The Cask of Amontillado" 1
"The Cask of Amontillado" 2

And finally, a story you've either read or at least heard of before: The haunting tale of guilt and insanity titled "The Tell-Tale Heart."

"The Tell-Tale Heart"

Happy Halloween!

Friday, 10/24/08.

Composition
1. VPP lesson 3 p. 31: Write the word on the left side of the Cornell notes. Write the definition and draw a picture representing the definition on the right side. You may work ahead in your vocab books if you'd like.

World Literature
1. VPP lesson 4 p. 37: Write the word on the left side of the Cornell notes. Write the definition and draw a picture representing the definition on the right side. You may work ahead in your vocab books if you'd like.

Thursday, 10/23/08.

Composition
1. VPP lesson 2 p. 26 ex. IV - inferences. Complete the sentences just like you did on the sentence completion section.
2. Study vocab lesson 2 words to prepare for the quiz on Friday.

World Literature
1. VPP lesson 3 p. 32 ex. IV - inferences. Complete the sentences just like you did on the sentence completion section.
2. Study vocab lesson 3 words to prepare for the quiz on Friday.

Wednesday, 10/22/08.

Composition
1. Finish reading "The Necklace" in the Holt textbook (p. 160).
2. Copy down four CDs from the text that show the protagonist's characterization (what she says/thinks, what she does, how she looks, how she affects others around her). Then write about what kind of person you think she is.
2. VPP p. 25 copy and complete the sentences that use the vocabulary words.

World Literature
1. Finish the foreshadowing boxes sheet (in-class) by filling in two examples of foreshadowing (CDs) into the boxes on the left from the story "The Landlady."
2. Write an 8-sentence essay-style body paragraph using CDs and CMs on the story "The Landlady." Here is the prompt:
How does Dahl use foreshadowing in the story “The Landlady?”
You may use this sentence as your first (topic) sentence in the paragraph:
Dahl uses many odd and out-of-place things in his story “The Landlady” to foreshadow what will happen after the story ends.
3. VPP p. 25 copy and complete the sentences that use the vocabulary words.

Tuesday, 10/21/08.

Composition
1. VPP lesson 2 p. 24 ex. 1 paragraph 2 copy and fill in. Remember to underline the vocab word.
2. Answer the "Gift of the Magi" question:
Why does O. Henry say that Jim and Della are "magi?" Explain your answer.

World Literature
1. VPP lesson 3 p. 30 ex. 1 paragraphs A & B fill in. Remember to underline the vocab word.
2. Foreshadowing sheet rows # 1 and 2. For #1, use a CD from "The Leap." For #2, use a CD from "Beware of the Dog."

Monday, 10/20/08.

Composition
1. VPP (Vocabulary Power Plus) lesson 2 p. 24 paragraph 1 copy and fill-in on looseleaf paper.

World Literature
1. Complete the thematic essay "final" draft. Look at your peer reviewed rubric to see what things you should fix up tonight.

Friday, 10/17/08.

Composition
1. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 2 p. 23 - Write the word on the left side of Cornell notes, and write the definition and draw a picture that represents the definition on the right side.
2. "The Sniper" irony notes.
3. Answer this question, and explain your answer: Is life easy or tough?

World Literature
1. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 3 p. 29 - Write the word on the left side of Cornell notes, and write the definition and draw a picture that represents the definition on the right side.
2. "Beware of the Dog" story beginning: Find the foreshadowing and fill in the boxes sheet from class. Then finish the story on your own by fulfilling the foreshadowing.

Thursday, 10/16/08.

Composition
1. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 2 ex. 2 p. 17 - sentence completion - copy the first half of each sentence and then complete it with words that show you know the meaning of the word. Also, study for the test tomorrow.
2. "Ironic" verse: Create a new verse for the song "Ironic" by Alanis Morisette that we heard in class. It should be 3-6 lines long and written on the same lyrics sheet passed out in class. Extra credit if it rhymes!

World Literature
1. Take your finished essay organizer packet and type all of the sentences in the packet into paragraph form. Remember, each page is one paragraph. Take a look at the rubric to see exactly how you will be graded. Typed papers should be in 12 point Times New Roman font and should be double-spaced.
2. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 2 ex. 2 p. 23 - sentence completion. Also, study for the test tomorrow.

Wednesday, 10/15/08.

Both classes: Finish the work from yesterday.

Good luck and God Bless with the PSAT tests!

-Mr. Power

Tuesday, 10/14/08.

Composition
1. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 1 ex. 1 paragraph #2 copy onto looseleaf and fill in the vocab words. Be sure to underline the vocab words.
2. "The Cask of Amontillado" spooky Halloween picture - do your best to include detail. At the bottom, include the copied line from the text where you got the image in your head. Put the line in MLA format. Due Thursday.
3. Montresor trial verdict: What was the verdict? In your opinion, was it fair? Explain your answer.

World Literature
1. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 2 ex. 1 paragraph B copy onto looseleaf and fill in the vocab words. Be sure to underline the vocab words.
2. Fill in the essay organizer completely. Don't worry about getting the conclusion paragraph right. Due Thursday.

Body paragraph format example

Here's the example body paragraph we did in class for the thematic essay.

BODY #1

Topic Sentence (what is this body paragraph about?):

The message that technology can cause people to become braindead is shown in the way the setting is written in Ray Bradbury’s “The Pedestrian.”

CD1:

“On his way he would see the cottages and homes with their dark windows, and it was not unequal to walking through a graveyard”(47).

CM1 (explains CD1):

The protagonist walks through the land where people are plugged in to their televisions, and it is compared to the dead waste of a graveyard.

CM2 (explains how CD1 proves the thesis):

Bradbury’s comparison of the empty street to a graveyard suggests that the people inside the homes are dead, silent in their homes because of their TVs.

CD2:

“They passed one house…in an entire city of houses that were dark, but this one particular house had all of its electric lights brightly lit, every window a loud yellow illumination, square and warm in the cool darkness”(51).

CM1 (explains CD2):

The house of Mead, the protagonist, is the only one bright and warm.

CM2 (explains how CD2proves the thesis):

Since Mead is the only person not addicted to the mindless entertainment of the TV, the setting of his house reflects this and is warm and alive while the houses around are cold and dead because their inhabitants have been “killed” inside.

Anchor: The contrast between the empty grave-like homes of the TV-addicted and the warm and lifelike home of the individualistic Mead show that technology, in the form of television, can cause people who succumb to it to become braindead and lifeless.

Monday, 10/13/08.

Composition
1. VPP (Vocabulary Power Plus) lesson 1, ex. A (p. 16) - copy the paragraph onto looseleaf and fill in the correct word. Be sure to underline the vocab word.
2. Montresor on Trial! Fill in the whole sheet with CDs and your opinion at the bottom.

World Literature
1. Finish the CD sheet for your essay.
2. VPP lesson 2 ex. A - copy the paragraph onto looseleaf and fill in the correct word.

Friday, 10/10/08.

Composition
1. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 1 p. 15 words - put into Cornell notes. Words and parts of speech go on the left. Definitions and pictures go on the right.
2. Answer "The Cask of Amontillado" (p. 172 in Holt textbooks) questions:
-How do you think Montresor will try to get revenge on Fortunato?
-How does Montresor get Fortunato to go with him into the catacombs (underground chambers)?
-Fortunato thinks he knows more about wine than what other character we never meet?
-Montresor pretends to want to go back up above ground. Why does he say he wants to?
-Why does Montresor give Fortunato more wine after Fortunato is already sort of drunk?
-What is the Montresor Coat of Arms motto? How does it connect to the story?

World Literature
1. Get CDs for essays. Put them on the CD sheet into the appropriate body-paragraph box.
2. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 2 p. 21 words - put into Cornell notes. Words and parts of speech go on the left. Definitions and pictures go on the right.

Thursday, 10/9/08.

Composition
1. Improve your characterization narrative based on your Peer Review grade. Tomorrow the typed 4th draft is due.
2. Get your progress report signed.

World Literature
1. Study VPP (Vocab Power Plus) lesson 1 vocab for the test tomorrow!
2. Fix up your essay introduction sheet paragraph based on Mr. Power's comments. Look over the 'CD' sheet.

Wednesday, 10/8/08.

Composition
1. Finish "The Interlopers" starting on page 82 in the Interactive Reader. Underline 3 lines that give hints about the Point of View in the story (1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person) and the type of Narrator (limited or omniscient).
2. Improve your characterization narrative by writing another draft. Make sure that it is still typed.

World Literature
1. Vocabulary lesson 1 p. 16 ex. II write out onto paper.
2. Finish "Lamb to the Slaughter" (Holt textbook), and write out 3 MLA quotes from the story: One that shows each type of irony that is in the story (verbal, situational, dramatic).
3. Get progress reports signed.

Tuesday, 10/7/08.

Composition
1. "Practice" on p. 149 in the Holt textbook - from the dog's point of view as a 1st person unreliable limited narrator.

World Literature
1. Study the vocabulary list in preparation for the test (finish any homework that is incomplete).
2. Finish the other side of the theme introduction paragraph worksheet.

Monday, 10/6/08.

Composition
1. Create a typed draft of your characterization mini-narrative. Add in the figurative language we worked on in class. Be sure to underline the examples of figurative language.

World Literature
1. VPP (Vocab Power Plus) ex. 1 A & B fill-in paragraphs: Copy the paragraphs, filling in the vocab word from the list. Underline the vocab words.
2. Finish our practice essay intro sheet on the "sports" essay question. We will fill in the back side for our essays tomorrow.

Friday, 10/3/08.

Composition
1. Finish your characterization mini-narrative (put all of the stuff from the characterization box sheet into a story format with sentences).

World Literature
1. Vocab Power Plus (VPP) lesson 1 words, definitions, and pictures in Cornell notes format. The word list (10 total) starts on p. 13 of the VPP book. Words and parts of speech go on the left, definitions and pictures go on the right.
2. Answer, in 1-3 sentences, the thematic question/prompt on looseleaf. The prompt is:
Authors often use literature to convey some sort of “truth” about life. What message about life does the author communicate through one of the short stories we have read in class? List at least three parts or ways the author communicates this theme.

The texts you can use:
“Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”
“Catch the Moon”
“And of Clay Are We Created”
Other text with Mr. Power’s permission

Here's my response so you can see what yours might look like:
In works of literature authors often communicate messages about life. Ray Bradbury, in his short story “The Pedestrian,” communicates the message that a person is only truly alive and human if he or she is an individual who does not conform to the braindead ways of society. This is shown through the character Leonard Mead’s walks, the way the setting is described, and the comments Mead makes about those people around him.

Thursday, 10/2/08.

Composition
1. Finish YOUR character's characterization boxes sheet.
2. Pick the setting for your characterization mini-narrative, and use the characterization boxes sheet to start writing the mini-narrative.

World Literature
1. Finish reading "And of Clay Are We Created" by Isabel Allende.
2. Finish "Catch the Moon" and "And of Clay" theme sheet, both sides.

Wednesday, 10/1/08.

Composition
1. Finish up and fix up last night's homework (characterization boxes sheet).
2. Complete the Character Sketch (sheet).

World Literature
1. Finish the "Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets" Finding Theme sheet.
2. "And Of Clay" by Isabelle Allende (p. 257 in the Holt textbook) - illustrate a scene from the story with a line from the text as the caption at the bottom (put the text in MLA format). Try to read at least half of the story.