So long, Vikings!

Dear St. Bernard Viking students and families:

It was with some sadness that I made the difficult decision to leave the Viking family this summer in order to follow an awesome teaching opportunity that was presented to me. Since this new career path was presented to me so late in the summer, I was unfortunately unable to give advance warning to the rest of the amazing SBHS faculty and have not, in the busy hustle-bustle of the new school year, been able to wish my students and families a proper goodbye and well-wishing.

The last five years have been the best of my teaching career, and I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching at St. Bernard High School. I have had unbelievable experiences in the classroom, on the field, in the courtyard, at dances, at games, and everywhere in between. I have grown as a teacher and have learned so much from my amazing students. I wish I could speak individually to each and every Viking student still on campus and give a personal blessing in this new year -- you will have an amazing year and will continue to grow into the fantastic scholars that you are. Thank you for the many unique personalities and all of the times you have made me laugh and made me feel that special tingly teacher-feeling; the feeling teachers get when their students have those "a-ha!" moments that make all the work worthwhile.

Thank you so much to all of the incredibly supportive, helpful, and dynamic parents and guardians of my students. My job would be impossible without you.

Have a wonderful Autumn, and go Vikings!

Sincerely,

Mr. Robin Power

Happy Summer Reading!

Have a Great Summer, Everyone!

Remember that you have SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS due the first day of school in the Fall. You can download these assignments below.

If you are going to be a JUNIOR next year, this is your assignment.

If you are going to be a SOPHOMORE next year, this is your assignment.

_______________________________________________

If you are going to be a SENIOR next year, this is your assignment.

If you are going to be a FRESHMAN next year, this is your assignment.

Friday, 05/31/13

Surprise! Today was the last day of school.

Mr. Power's Monday schedule:

8:00am-12:00pm

8-8:45 ~ 10th grade English Honors

9-12 ~ tutoring and help for anyone who wants to come by

Composition
1. Finish the Research Paper! Don't forget a Works Cited page and a Title Page. All the help you need can be found in the back section of the Class Reader. Good luck! (and bring your notecards to class next week)
2. Be ready for THE FINAL EXAM. You can get the exam here. You can get the rubric here and the study guide here. Remember to bring pens and paper, and any notes or books you would like to bring to help you out. You can download the essay organizer here.

English H I
1. Finish the Research Paper! Don't forget a Works Cited page and a Title Page. All the help you need can be found in the Research Paper Packet. Good luck! (and bring your notecards to class next week)
2. Be ready for THE FINAL EXAM. You can get the exam here. Remember to bring pens and paper, and any notes or books you would like to bring to help you out. You can download the essay organizer here.

English H II
1. Catcher in the Rye chapters 14-20. Be ready for the circle discussion.
2. Be in class at 8:00 am on Monday.
3. If you want to check out the Final Writing Responses, here it is.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 05/28-29/13

Composition
1. Start writing the rough draft of the body paragraphs of your research paper.
2. Read Of Mice and Men chapter 4 and do the chapter 4 questions.

English H I
1. Read and annotate Fahrenheit 451 section 7 "The Books and the Phoenix" - finish the book!
2. Then/Now Future stuff project predictions project due Monday.
3. Do the book jacket project and the censorship article project.
4. Start writing the rough draft of the body paragraphs of your research paper.

English H II
1. Turn in your 321Go! Gatsby journal early tomorrow morning if you didn't turn it in today.
2. Gatsby essay - due Friday. Prompt:
F. Scott Fitzgerald is believed to have said, “Show me a hero and I’ll show you a tragedy.” At the same time he also wrote, “You mustn't confuse a single failure with a final defeat.” Examine the character of Gatsby. Is Gatsby’s life a story of success or tragedy? As you plan your response, consider the role of time, wealth and the pursuit of dreams. 
3. Read Catcher in the Rye chapters 2-7 as per the Catcher Project Sheet, and be ready for the class discussion.

Friday, 05/24/13

Composition
1. Research paper - write the introduction after your outline is finished, and maybe start writing your rough draft if you want to get ahead! It explains how in the Class Reader. We're going to check the 90 notecards next week, and it would be a good week to bring your headphones and music players!
2. Finish chapter 3 of Of Mice and Men. We will have an open-note quiz on chapter 3.

English H I
1. Read and annotate section 6, "Don't Face A Problem, Burn It", 107-130, in Fahrenheit 451.
2. Finish your censored news article and allusions list.
3. Research paper - write the introduction after your outline is finished, and maybe start writing your rough draft if you want to get ahead!

English H II
1. Research paper - write the introduction after your outline is finished, and maybe start writing your rough draft if you want to get ahead!
2. Bring Catcher in the Rye on Tuesday!
3. Gatsby essay:
F. Scott Fitzgerald is believed to have said, “Show me a hero and I’ll show you a tragedy.” At the same time he also wrote, “You mustn't confuse a single failure with a final defeat.” Examine the character of Gatsby. Is Gatsby’s life a story of success or tragedy? As you plan your response, consider the role of time, wealth and the pursuit of dreams. 
The essay isn't due on Tuesday, but you should at least write your thesis and outline.
See today's quote and question session here.

Thursday, 05/23/13

Composition
1.Work on your research paper outline (put your cards into piles).
2. Start the introduction for your research paper.
3. Read Of Mice and Men chapter 3 pages 38-51 and write three CDs that show something about George. Then, next to them, explain what those CDs show about him.

English H I
1. Read and annotate section 5, "Millie," pages 89-106 (finish the second part), of Fahrenheit 451.
2. Look up three allusions in today's reading section and explain them in your own words. You can use this allusion guide to help you.

English H II

1. 3..2..1..Go! Gatsby Journal on chapter IX of The Great Gatsby.

*If you'd like to check out our on-screen class texts from today, go here.
2. Work on your research paper outline (put your cards into piles, etc).
3. Check out The Great Gatsby Game if you'd like.

Tuesday-Wednesday, 05/21/13

Composition

1. Mythology essay - finish on your own! Due Monday/Tues for extra credit, Thursday last chance.
2. 90 notecards by Thursday -- finish them all up!!!
3. Read Of Mice and Men ch 2 and draw 5 of the characters from the chapter. Use color.

English H I

1. Read and annotate section 4 (the beginning of part 2, "The Sieve and the Sand"), "Faber," pages 67-88 in the white book.
2. 90 notecards by Thursday -- finish them all up!!!
3. Continue the Fahrenheit 451 predictions project.

English H II

1. 3..2..1..Go! Gatsby Journal on chapter VIII of The Great Gatsby.

*If you'd like to check out our on-screen class texts from today, go here.
3. Research Paper notecards! Continue!!!

Monday, 05/20/13

Composition

1. Mythology essay - finish on your own! Due Monday/Tues for extra credit, Thursday last chance.
2. 70 notecards by tomorrow!!!
3. Complete the Of Mice and Men ch 1 thought questions (below). If you didn't do it over the weekend, read the first chapter of Of Mice and Mice and write a summary using key words.

Qs:

1. Who are the protagonists of the book?

2. Where are they going? Why are they going there?

3. What is their dream? Describe in detail.

English H I

1. Read and annotate section 3, "The Happiness Boys," pages 45-65 in the white book (up to the end of part I).
2. 70 notecards by tomorrow!!!
3. Continue the Fahrenheit 451 predictions project.

English H II

1.  3..2..1..Go! Gatsby Journal on chapter VII of The Great Gatsby.
*If you'd like to check out our on-screen class texts from today, go here.
3. Research Paper notecards! Continue!!!

Friday, 05/17/13

Composition
1. Mythology essay - finish on your own! Due Monday/Tues for extra credit, Thursday last chance.
2. Continue taking notes on your research paper! 5 more...at least 50 total by Monday...
3. Read the first chapter of Of Mice and Mice and write a summary using key words.

English H I
1. Read and annotate section 2, "Burning," pages 21-45 in the white book (up to "He had chills and fever in the morning").
2. Finish getting your RP sources, and continue taking RP notes on notecards! Get up to 50 cards by Monday...
3. Start the Fahrenheit 451 predictions project.

English H II
1.  3..2..1..Go! Gatsby Journal on chapter VI of The Great Gatsby.
*If you'd like to check out our on-screen class texts from today, go here.
3. Research Paper notecards - up to 40 by next week.

Thursday, 05/16/13

Composition
1. Mythology essay - finish on your own! Due Monday/Tues for extra credit, Thursday last chance.
2. Continue taking notes on your research paper! 5 more...at least 45 total...
3. Keep bringing Of Mice and Men to class.

English H I
1. Read and annotate section 2, "Burning," pages 21-45 in the white book (up to "He had chills and fever in the morning").
2. Finish getting your RP sources, and continue taking RP notes on notecards! Get up to 40 cards...

English H II
1. Siddhartha essay due by tomorrow.
2.  3..2..1..Go! Gatsby Journal on chapter V of The Great Gatsby.
*If you'd like to check out our on-screen class texts from today, go here.
3. RP sources - finish your source cards and continue making notecards with facts about your person. Get up to around 40 cards...