Homework: Tuesday, 2/9

1. Revise journals for properly including quotes from the text(s).

2. Read “The Man in the Water” and highlight at least 3 parts (sections/phrases/words) that you think are important to the theme of survival.

Special Note: The grammar rules for properly using evidence from the text is a bit long for a blog (I didn’t realize that until I went to post it).  So, I’ll make copies of my handout and distribute in class on Thursday.  In the meantime, please refer to your MMS student handbook.

Homework: Monday, 2/8

1. Discovery Journal Entry #3

A reversal is a dramatic change from one state to another.  Reversals may be positive or negative.  Although I am just generalizing, usually when someone experiences a life of death situation and survives, their life is changed.  For example, a rich and happy man may lose his fortune after a dramatic event.  Or, a lonely miser like Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol may discover the value of friendships and generosity.

 How did Tom Benecke change in “Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets”?  What reversal did he experience?  Do you think it was positive or negative and why?  Please explain your answer using evidence from the text!

 In addition, did you experience a reversal while reading about Tom?  Did you opinion of him change?  Why or why not?  What made your opinion of him change or stay the same?

2. Bring in your journal entries to class tomorrow for a revision activity.

UPCOMING: Comma Quiz on 2/12

Homework: Thursday, 2/4

All of today’s homework is not due until Monday, 2/8!  Although I’ll see you all tomorrow, we won’t have English class because of Latin America Day.

By Monday, 2/8

1. Finish the comma worksheet (just adding commas where necessary).

2. Read “Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket”.

3. Complete the active reading handout while reading (you do not need to post or write on the actual story because of the active reading handout).

Homework: Wednesday, 2/3

1.  Revise journal entries (#’s 1 and 2).

2. Vocabulary sentences due tomorrow

Homework: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010

1. Please complete journal entry #2.

Thinking about the hypothesis that you developed in class, expand your statement about why people take risks to include your own personal experiences.  If you have not been faced with the opportunity to take a risk, think about another person in your life, your community, or our world, and expand your statement your statement to include the reasons why they took a risk.  Discuss your theory on why people take risks through what you have discovered in texts, your own experiences or the experiences of others.

2.  Bring in one of your journal entries to class tomorrow to learn what to revise.

3.  Write sentences (your own) for 10 of the vocabulary words you were just quizzed on by Thursday, 2/4.  In parentheses, please include the part of speech (you should already have this from when you were given the word at the beginning of this unit).  Also, please underline the vocabulary word.  Here is an example:

Erin didn’t have to pack more than a medium sized backpack and small duffel bag for her three week sojourn (NOUN) in the backcountry.

Please note my correction.  I accidently put “verb” after the word sojourn when I really meant to put “noun”.  Glad I caught it!  This will teach me to slow down when doing my work – a good lesson for all

Homework: Monday, Feb. 1, 2010

1.  Please write your first journal entry (Journal Entry #1).  Although the question is on the packet handed out in class, here it is again just in case…

What does the poem Allen Greshner say to you about taking risks?  Should you take them?  If yes, please explain why.  If no, please explain why not.  Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

In addition, compare Allen in Allen Greshner to a character in one of the Joan Bauer novels.  Were the two characters both risk takers?  If so, explain.  If not, explain. Did both characters work up the courage to do something they were afraid of doing? Please explain your answer.

Homework: Friday, January 29, 2010

1. Read “Allen Greshner” (on the back of the “Wilding” packet).

2. Remember to add to your writer’s notebook!

Homework: Thursday, January 28, 2010

Remember, vocabulary quiz on survival literature words tomorrow!  If you come to class with notecards, you will earn an extra point.

Also, your book review is due tomorrow as well.  Please fill out the rubric!

Homework: Wednesday, 1/27

1.  Book Review due on Friday, 1/29

2. Vocabulary quiz on Friday, 1/29

Homework: Tuesday, January 26, 2010

1.  Vocabulary definitions due tomorrow!  Quiz will be on Friday, 1/29.

2.  Read (and “post-it”) Wilding by tomorrow.

3.  Book Review (final copy) due Friday, 1/29 (I’ve extended the due date because of the science and social studies projects that are coming up – I hope that helps!).