Mrs. Condra's Blog

English I Honors~May 27

Cara — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:11:00 GMT

We are officially in the last week of school! The A block class will meet Wednesday and Friday, and the F block classes will meet Tuseday, Thursday, and Monday. Students were given thorough exam review sheets with the instructions to complete the review by Monday of next week. I will be available for individual or small group tutoring all week during Skinny 1.

Day 1: We reviewed Act III of the play today. The students were assessed on Acts 1--3. We will conclude with the viewing and discussion of Acts IV & V. The students will study the death scene.
Students have no homework this week other than preparing for the exams.

I have so enjoyed working with this fine group of 9th graders and wish them much luck next year!

English I CP~May 27

Cara — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:55:00 GMT

We are officially in the last week of school! The CP classes will meet Tuseday, Thursday, and Monday. Students were given thorough exam review sheets with the instructions to complete the review by Monday of next week. I will be available for individual or small group tutoring all week during Skinny 1.

We reviewed Act III of the play today. Students were still having some difficulty with comprehension, so I have postponed their assessment to Thursday. I want them well-prepared as the quiz/test is worth 50 points. I have instructed students that if they are absent on Thursday, they must see me no later than Friday to make up the work as averages are due Friday so that exemptions may be determined.

Students have no homework this week other than preparing for the assessment on Thursday and for the exams.

I have so enjoyed working with this fine group of 9th graders and wish them much luck next year!

English I CP~ May 19

Cara — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:32:00 GMT

We are approaching our second to last week. Masks were due today, and they look great. They are displayed in the classroom. This week we have an abreviated schedule on Monday and Friday. I will be available for extra help during either skinny.

Day 1: Students will have completed the Making Meanings questions to Act II (1-7). We will review the questions and begin our discussion of Act III. We will study relevant lines and discuss plot points and view portions of the Zeffirelli film. Students will be given a test review on Acts I--III. They should also complete a review handout. A final test will be given next Tuesday. Students should read Acts I--III again and study all notes.

Day 2: Students will ask questions about Act III. We will discuss answers from the handout and conclude watching Act III. Students will take a short test on the play through Act III. Students will be able to respond to plot questions through multiple choice, matching, and true/false. Students should also be able to identify the speaker of a few selected quotations from the play. I will have the exam study guide prepared early next week.

Websites of interest:

Freerice.com
http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/

English I Honors~May 19

Cara — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:22:00 GMT

We are approaching our second to last week. Masks were due today, and they look great. They are displayed in the classroom. This week we have an abreviated schedule on Monday and Friday. I will be available for extra help during either skinny.

Day 1: Questions to Act II are due in class Tues/Wed. We will review the questions and begin our discussion of Act III. We will study relevant lines and discuss plot points and view portions of the Zeffirelli film. Students will be given a test review on Acts I--III. A final test will be given next Tues./Wed. Students should read Acts I--III again and study all notes.

Day 2: Students will ask questions about Act III. We will review the test handout. We will conclude viewing and discussing Act III and the turning point. We will examine who we feel is to blame for the tragedy,

Test Review. Students will be able to identify quotations, determine the usage of poetic devices as employed in the play, and complete a scansion section. I will have the exam study guide prepared early next week.

Freerice.com--Keep building that vocabulary!
http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/ Check out this site on Shakespeare's world!

English I Honors~May 12

Cara — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:11:00 GMT

This week, we are plunging into Romeo and Juliet Act I. Day One: Students should have read all of Act I. scenes 1--5 prior to class. We will discuss the Top 10 surprising facts from Act 1. We will cover Act I scenes 1--4 today. Students will view a PowerPoint, and we will discuss each scene. Students will find pertinent quotes Students should take notes. We will then watch a portion of Franco Zeffirelli's film. For hw, students will read all of Act II and write down questions. Day 2: We will finish scene 5 of Act 1. Students will dance the "palming dance" (I. v. lines 95--100). Next, we will listen to the audio tape of Act II. scenes 1-3. We will take notes and discuss the scenes. HW for Wednesday night: students need to write a summary of Act II. scenes 4, 5, and 6. Day 3: Students will share their summaries (15 points). We will discuss and take notes. We will then view Act III of the play (Zeffirelli). We will discuss the "Fortune's fool" passage.If time permits, we will discuss Act III. ii and look for light/ dark imagery. For hw, students will complete a double-sided journal from Act II.ii. Students will write down all quotes dealing with the sun, light, day or brightness. On the other side, students will document quotes dealing with the moon, night, dark, or night. A bonus assignment will involve the making of a creative mask for the masquerade ball which occurs in Act I. Masks will be judged on neatness, originality, and composition. A handout was sent home on 5/12. Masks must be submitted by 5/19 and are worth 50 points. Check out the website below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masquerade_ball Keep building vocabulary at freerice.com Check out the performance of The Three Musketeers under the stars at Finley Park--this is as close to the Globe Theater as we have locally! http://www.scshakespeare.org/

English I CP~May 12

Cara — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:32:00 GMT

This week, we are plunging into Romeo and Juliet Act I. Day One: Students will get an overview of hw, which is due Wed. Students will complete Making Meanings page 762, questions 1--6. Students need to use complete sentences and give thorough answers. Some responses require charts or graphs. We will cover Act I scenes 1--4 today. Students will get handouts from the PowerPoint, and we will discuss each scene. Students should take notes. We will then watch a portion of the Franco Zeffirelli's film. Day 2: We will check over homework (12 points). We will finish scene 5 of Act 1. Students will dance the "palming dance" (I. v. lines 95--100). Next, we will listen to the audio tape of Act II. scenes 1-3. We will take notes and discuss the scenes. HW for Wednesday night: students need to write a summary of Act II. scenes 4, 5, and 6. Day 3: Students will share their summaries (15 points). We will discuss and take notes. We will then view Act III of the play (Zeffirelli). We will discuss the "Fortune's fool" passage.If time permits, we will discuss Act III. ii and look for light/ dark imagery. Students will complete Making Meanings page 788 1--7 for hw. A bonus assignment will involve the making of a creative mask for the masquerade ball which occurs in Act I. Masks will be judged on neatness, originality, and composition. A handout was sent home on 5/12. Masks must be submitted by 5/19 and are worth 50 points. Check out the website below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masquerade_ball Keep building vocabulary at freerice.com Check out the performance of The Three Musketeers under the stars at Finley Park--this is as close to the Globe Theater as we have locally! http://www.scshakespeare.org/

English I CP~ May 5

Cara — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:29:00 GMT

This week, we will continue our study of Shakespeare.

HW for Block G and Block H (due Tuesday)~ Students will read pages 732-733 for homework and take notes. They will create a festive bookmark which includes the cast of characters from the play (pg 734) and includes symbolism and art. Students should be studying notes from the handouts, text, and PowerPoint.

We will continue with notes and lecture. Students will practice scansion and identifying end-stopped and run-on lines.

We will discuss the language in the play. Students will "decipher" meaning from The Prologue. We will both listen to and watch clips from a film version of the play as students become acclimated to the language.

A test on the introduction to Shakespeare (biography, stage design, dramatic pattern, and literary terminology) will be given on Thursday.

Extra help will be offered all week at lunch during either skinny. Remember that paper revisions (grammar only) are due at the end of the week. These are revisions are not required but will be counted as a bonus assignment.

A sound website for researching Shakespeare is http://www.folger.edu/

To increase those SAT test scores, go to www.freerice.com

English I Honors~ May 5

Cara — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:53:00 GMT

This week, we will continue our study of Shakespeare.

HW for Block F (due Tuesday) and Block A (due Wednesday)~ Students will read pages 732-733 for homework and take notes. They will create a festive bookmark which includes the cast of characters from the play (pg 734) and includes symbolism and art. Students will also read The Prologue and Act I. scene 1. Students should be studying notes from the handouts, text, and PowerPoint.

We will continue with notes and lecture. Students will practice scansion and identifying end-stopped and run-on lines.

A test on the introduction to Shakespeare (biography, stage design, dramatic pattern, and literary terminology) will be given at the end of the week. (Block A=Friday and Block F=Thursday).

Extra help will be offered all week at lunch during either skinny. Remember that paper revisions (grammar only) are due at the end of the week.

A sound website for researching Shakespeare is http://www.folger.edu/

To increase those SAT test scores, go to www.freerice.com

English I H~April 28

Cara — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:17:00 GMT

Block F: Students will share their persuasive pieces aloud in class for an oral grade.
Block A: Students will view last 10 minutes of the film, and respond to the work. Bring vocabulary books so that we may discuss the unit on Wednesday.

All Honors Classes:
We will discuss the reading from the text, pages 726--730. Students should have taken notes in notebooks on all important terms/concepts.

Students will be given a PowerPoint on Reading a Dramatic Work and Dramatic Devices in Romeo and Juliet.

Students will make a bookmark from an index card with all the characters' names.

We will be reading the prologue and Act I this week. Students will have a test on the introductory notes and the readings completed next week.

I will return analytical Bakers-Keyhole essay papers this week. Students will make mandatory revisions. The papers were well-done. Great job, class!

I am available for extra help during skinny 2 all week.

Check out the following website and help combat world hunger: www.freerice.com

English I CP~ April 28

Cara — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:06:00 GMT

Students will have a quiz on the reading from The Odyssey. This will include information from Odysseus' return to Ithaca to Odysseus' reinstatement as King of Ithaca.

We will discuss the reading from the text, pages 726--730. Students should have highlighted all important terms.

Students will be given a PowerPoint on Reading a Dramatic Work and Dramatic Devices in Romeo and Juliet.

Students will make a bookmark from an index card with all the characters' names.

We will be reading the prologue and Act I this week. Students will have a test on the introductory notes and the readings completed next week.

The Epis papers have been graded and will be returned Tuesday. Great job, class!

I am available for extra help during skinny 2 all week.

Check out the following website and help combat world hunger: www.freerice.com

Here is a good website on The Odyssey http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/

English I CP~April 21

Cara — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:12:00 GMT

Students should bring their vocabulary books to class on Tuesday. The homework, which is due Tuesday, includes completing the sentence completion in the workbook and completing flashcards with the word, definition, and a unique sentence.

This week, we will complete our viewing and discussion of The Odyssey film. We will also read aloud and discuss the end of the epic. Students should pay attention and take notes as we will have a quiz on this on Thursday.

Students will begin the study of the dramatic pattern, life in the Renaissance, and Shakespeare's life. A test will follow in the next two weeks. We will conclude the year with a thorough study of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. We will take notes and complete reading in the literature book on pages 726--730. Students should take notes as we read, and we will highlight the important elements during class.

Check out the following website and help combat world hunger: www.freerice.com

Here is a good website on The Odyssey http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/

This week is National Turn off the TV week. Try it and see how you spend your time when not glued to the tube!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Condra

Reminder--Parent conferences are this Thursday.

English I Honors~April 21

Cara — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Students will be at the zoo Monday, and Block A will miss English class. Block A students should bring their Joy of Vocabulary books to class on Wednesday.

Block F students should have completed The Joy of Vocabulary unit on Words of Concealment and Deception.

This week, we will complete our viewing and discussion of The Scarlet Pimpernel film and will contrast the characters between film and novel.

Students will begin the study of the dramatic pattern, life in the Renaissance, and Shakespeare's life. A test will follow next week. We will conclude the year with a thorough study of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Students will take notes and complete reading in the literature book on pages 726--730. Students should take notes as they read, and we will highlight the important elements in class.

Check out the following website and help combat world hunger: www.freerice.com

To learn about everything Pimpernel, go to www.blakeney manor.com

This week is National Turn off the TV week. Try it and see how you spend your time when not glued to the tube!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Condra

Reminder--Parent conferences are this Thursday.

English I Honors

Cara — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The Honors' students have successfully completed the
historical unit on the French Revolution and The Scarlet
Pimpernel. Students have completed a Baker's-Keyhole essay
as we conclude our study.

We are currently viewing the film The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Students should bring The Joy of Vocabulary workbooks to
class on Friday. We will continue with the next unit of
vocabulary.

The next unit to come...

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

Interesting websites:
www.freerice.com--an innovative site to build one's vocabulary and feed the hungry

www.blakeneymanor.com-- a fun site about everything Pimpernel!

I hope to see you on April 24th for Parent/Student conferences!

Thanks,


Mrs. Condra

English I College Prep

Cara — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:11:00 GMT

English I College Prep for the week of April 13:

Students have worked diligently on their Comparing Epics papers. The seven paragraph final paper and peer review sheet are due on Wednesday, April 16. Students will view the film The Odyssey and will also read the last excerpts of the epic.

Students should bring vocabulary workbooks to class on Friday. We will discuss the new words in Lesson 7 (pg. 27), and students should complete the sentence completion unit and flashcards with the definition and part of speech. These will be due on Tuesday, April 22.

The next unit will revolve around the introduction of the dramatic structure and the study of Romeo and Juliet. The play is located in the Elements of Literature textbook. Students may also want to purchase Barron's Shakespeare Made Easy: Romeo and Juliet as the original text is paired with a modern translation.

]Check out this innovative website to help build vocabulary and end world hunger: www.freerice.com

I hope to see you at Parent/Teacher conferences on April 24th.

Thanks,

Mrs. Condra