Friday, December 23, 2016

Friday, December 23

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
Short block due to Winter Concert/Reindeer Games schedule.

Clarified expectations around deadlines and due dates.
Checked in around tests and projects.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, January 3: Special Vacation Reading Logs due.
WEDNESDAY, January 4: Last essays for incomplete tests must be completed on the Medieval Unit Test.
WEDNESDAY, January 4: Canterbury Tales performances due. 

Thursday, December 23

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
This lesson taught by Mrs. Bidwell in Ms. Bishop's absence. 

Groups continued working on Canterbury Tales projects.
(Those still working on tests will have another chance to finish the essays upon Ms. Bishop's return.)

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, January 3: Special Vacation Reading Logs due.
WEDNESDAY, January 4: Last essays for incomplete tests must be completed on the Medieval Unit Test.
WEDNESDAY, January 4: Canterbury Tales performances due. 

Wednesday, December 21

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
This lesson taught by Mrs. Bidwell in Ms. Bishop's absence. 

Groups continued working on Canterbury Tales projects.
(Those still working on tests will have another chance to finish the essays upon Ms. Bishop's return.)

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, January 3: Special Vacation Reading Logs due.
WEDNESDAY, January 4: Last essays for incomplete tests must be completed on the Medieval Unit Test.
WEDNESDAY, January 4: Canterbury Tales performances due. 

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Tuesday, December 20

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Medieval Literature Unit Test.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, December 20: MEDIEVAL LITERATURE UNIT TEST

WEDNESDAY, January 4: Canterbury Tales performances due. 

Monday, December 19, 2016

Monday, December 19

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Reviewed what to study, Wife of Bath's Tale organizer for Medieval Literature Unit Test (tomorrow).

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, December 20: MEDIEVAL LITERATURE UNIT TEST

TUESDAY, January 3: Canterbury Tales performances due. (Tentatively)

Friday, December 16, 2016

Friday, December 16

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Short classes today due to two hour delay schedule.
Quick review of elements of Medieval/Arthurian romance.
Groups reviewed the Wife of Bath's Tale, using Medieval Romance DEJs to look for examples of elements of Medieval Romance, perhaps with a twist, in the tale, and to discuss possible theories about why the Wife of Bath's Tale shows those elements, but with a note of irony.

Groups checked in, continued planning in Canterbury Tales performance groups.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 16: Blizzard Bag Lesson #1 is due.
TUESDAY, December 20: MEDIEVAL UNIT TEST

TUESDAY, January 3: Canterbury Tales performances due. (Tentatively)

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Thursday, December 15

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Groups checked in, continued planning in Canterbury Tales performance groups.

Finished reading the Wife of Bath's Tale (181--188).

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 16: Blizzard Bag Lesson #1 is due.
TUESDAY, December 20: Medieval unit test.

TUESDAY, January 3: Canterbury Tales performances due. (Tentatively)

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Wednesday, December 14

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Groups checked in, continued planning in Canterbury Tales performance groups.

Began reading the Wife of Bath's Tale (178--181).

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 16: Blizzard Bag Lesson #1 is due.
TUESDAY, December 20: Medieval unit test.
TUESDAY, January 3: Canterbury Tales performances due. (Tentatively)

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Tuesday, December 13

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

No school Monday, December 12 due to snow day. 
Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Distributed texts to Canterbury Tales performance groups; groups read tales and began planning performances.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, December 20: Canterbury Tales performances due. (Tentatively)
FRIDAY, December 16: Blizzard Bag Lesson #1 is due.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Monday, December 12 Blizzard Bag Lesson #1: Microfiction

In the event of a snow day on Monday, December 12, please complete this lesson at home.  It should take you about 45--50 minutes to complete.

Tansy Undercrypt is a prominent writer of the new genre sometimes known as microfiction.  Your assignment today will be to read and study several pieces of microfiction, create a definition of what microfiction is, and to write a piece of your own to submit for a grade.

Don't be surprised if you find microfiction, and especially Tansy Undercrypt's microfiction, to be completely addicting.  (I do.)


  1. Make your way to Tansy Undercrypt's web page.
  2. Select any six pieces of her work.  (Don't worry--that's less than it sounds like!)
  3. Write a VERY brief summary of each piece that you read. (One sentence should do it.)
  4. Write an original definition of microfiction.  (Don't Google it--I will be checking!  Use your own fine mind on this one.)
  5. Write one piece of microfiction of your very own, and revise it to hand in to me.


You may want to use Google Docs to write your definition and microfiction.  You can then "hand it in" simply by sharing it with me at cbishop@grsd.org.

Your work will be due no later than Friday of this coming week.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Friday, December 9

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Groups shared Canterbury Tales character posters; selected favorites.
All posters shared inside or outside the classroom.

Finished reading "The Pardoner's Tale" (172--175).
Watched animated short of "The Pardoner's Tale."

Introduced Canterbury Tales performance project; groups signed up for specific tales.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, December 20: Canterbury Tales performances due.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Thursday, December 8

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading, catching up on Canterbury Tales notes OR wrap-up work on Campfire Quizzes.
HOMEWORK CHECK: checked character notes for The Host.

Reviewed the character of The Host; discussed the terms of the story-telling game and the concept of the frame tale.
Began reading The Pardoner's Tale (168--172).


DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 9: Canterbury Tales posters due. (Extra credit is possible for particularly well-executed posters.)

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Wednesday, December 7

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
Silent reading OR wrap-up work on Campfire Quizzes.

Reviewed the character of The Miller.
Read and discussed The Manciple, The Reeve, The Summoner and The Pardoner, and added them to character notes.

HOMEWORK: Finish the Prolog and complete a character note for The Host (162--164).

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 9: Last of the Campfire Quizzes are due. Canterbury Tales posters due.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Tuesday, December 6

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary Quiz.
Silent reading OR wrap-up work on Campfire Quizzes.

Wrapped up discussion of the Wife of Bath.
Read and discussed The Parson and The Plowman and added them to character notes.
Discussed the historical context for the stereotype of a miller--dishonest, greedy, akin to a used car salesman today.

HOMEWORK: Read and complete a character note for The Miller (157--158).

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, December 6: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Monday, December 5

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
This class period short due to late start schedule.

Silent reading OR wrap-up work on Campfire Quizzes.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Began discussion of the Wife of Bath.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary. POSTPONED due to Ms. Bishop's illness.
TUESDAY, December 6: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Friday, December 2

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
This class taught by a sub in Ms. Bishop's absence.
Watched film version of Nicholas Nickleby.


DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary. POSTPONED due to Ms. Bishop's illness.
TUESDAY, December 6: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Thursday, December 1

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

HOMEWORK CHECK: Character notes for"The Doctor" and "The Wife of Bath" (154--155).

Individuals continued work on the Campfire Quiz. Those who finished read or studied vocabulary.

Discussed "The Doctor" and began discussion of "The Wife of Bath."

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Wednesday, November 30

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

HOMEWORK: Read "The Doctor" and "The Wife of Bath" (154--155) and add to character and DEJ notes.

Individuals began writing the Campfire Quiz, on the characters from The Oxford Cleric through The Skipper, then began discussion and organizing their ideas around the series of four questions for the quiz.

Students will continue work on their individual answers on the questions in class tomorrow.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Tuesday, November 29

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Groups continued work on the Campfire Quiz, reading together 151--154 our textbook, on The Oxford Cleric through The Skipper, then began discussion and organizing their ideas around the series of four questions for the quiz.

Students will write their individual answers on the questions in class tomorrow.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Monday, November 28

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

As Part 1 of a Campfire Quiz, groups read together 151--154 our textbook, on The Oxford Cleric through The Skipper.
Groups discussed the passages, and added notes to character logs and DEJs.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Wednesday, November 23

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
This class short due to half day schedule.

Listened to Arlo Guthrie's 1967 performance of "Alice's Restaurant."

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Tuesday, November 22

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Introduced Canterbury Tales Part 2 vocabulary.
Choice of reading or vocabulary work.

Reminder of the writing assignment at the end of the Tales: students should focus in depth on one of three areas from the DEJ notes, to use in an in-class essay on:
  • Elements of Medieval Romance forms--ironic and not ironic
  • Corrupt clergy and/or versions of Christianity vs. sincere practices of Christianity
  • Chaucer and negative depictions of women (or are they?)
Continued reading The Canterbury Tales.  Finished reading The Friar; discussed and added notes to character logs and DEJs.

Read The Oxford Cleric and asked students to work with a partner to

  • Identify how Chaucer regards this character
  • Answer the question in the margin on page 151
  • Complete the character description notes and DEJ on this character


DUE DATES

FRIDAY, December 2: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Part 2 Vocabulary.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Monday, November 22

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

This class short due to Two Hour Delay schedule.

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Reminder of the writing assignment at the end of the Tales: students should focus in depth on one of three areas from the DEJ notes, to use in an in-class essay on:

  • Elements of Medieval Romance forms--ironic and not ironic
  • Corrupt clergy and/or versions of Christianity vs. sincere practices of Christianity
  • Chaucer and negative depictions of women (or are they?)

Continued reading The Canterbury Tales.  Began reading The Friar.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Friday, November 18, 2016

Friday, November 18

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Canterbury Tales Vocabulary Quiz.

Reviewed the use of Character Notes and Double Entry Journal notes on The Canterbury Tales; students are to find one example of each element listed (except characterization through physical description) by the end of the poem.

Introduced the writing assignment at the end of the Tales: students should focus in depth on one of three areas from the DEJ notes, to use in an in-class essay on:

  • Elements of Medieval Romance forms--ironic and not ironic
  • Corrupt clergy and/or versions of Christianity vs. sincere practices of Christianity
  • Chaucer and negative depictions of women (or are they?)

Continued reading The Canterbury Tales.  Read The Squire, The Yeoman, The Nun (aka The Prioress) and The Monk.  Discussed characters and added them to notes.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Thursday, November 17

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Short class due to today's fire drill.

Choice of reading or vocabulary work.

Introduced Character Notes forms.  Students added their notes and a representative quote for The Knight to their forms.
Reviewed the Double Entry Journal notes on The Canterbury Tales; students are to find one example of each element listed (except characterization through physical description) by the end of the poem.


DUE DATES

FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Wednesday, November 16

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Check in re: those choosing to resubmit essays for a second quarter grade.
Choice of reading or vocabulary work.

Finished notes on The Canterbury Tales.
Listened to the beginning of the Prolog in Middle English (141).
Reviewed the Double Entry Journal notes on The Canterbury Tales.
Began reading the Prolog in translation; read through The Knight (143).  Discussed his character as revealed by the text.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Tuesday, November 15

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Short class due to parent-teacher conferences.
Choice of reading or vocabulary work.  (Last touches to essay test for those who needed it.)

Continued notes on The Canterbury Tales.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.
FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Monday, November 14, 2016

Monday, November 14

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Short class due to parent-teacher conferences.
Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.
FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Friday, November 11

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
No school due to Veterans' Day.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.
FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Thursday, November 10

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Guidance presentation on College Week.

Reading quiz on pages 123--129 and 135--140 in our textbook.
Choice of silent reading or vocabulary work on Quizlet.
Continued introductory notes for the Canterbury Tales.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.
FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Wednesday, November 9

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Last touches for open-book essay test on Arthurian Romance; silent reading.
Introduced Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).
Began introductory notes for the Canterbury Tales.

DUE DATES

HOMEWORK: Read pages 123--129 and 135--140 in our textbook.  Be prepared for a reading quiz.
TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.
FRIDAY, November 18: Quiz on Canterbury Tales Vocabulary (Prolog through Doctor).

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Tuesday, November 8

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Students took open-book essay test on the Arthurian Romance.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Monday, November 7

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Navigated to an online translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Students added their notes on elements of a Medieval Romance AND of actions showing particular chivalry from the second half of the poem.

Discussed students' observations on the poem.
Introduced prompt for tomorrow's open-book test on the Arthurian Romance.

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Friday, November 4

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Navigated to an online translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Students completed their notes on elements of a Medieval Romance AND of actions showing particular chivalry from the first half of the poem.

Discussed students' observations on the poem.
Continued reading the poem from line 191; finished reading the poem.
(We will finish noting examples of chivalry and elements of Medieval Romance on Monday.)

DUE DATES

TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Thursday, November 3

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

COLLECTED the brief character write-ups from The Lion in Winter. 

Students took notes on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Navigated to an online translation of the poem.
Read the introductory material, and noted the meaning of trawthe, the essential nature of a chivalrous knight.
Began reading the poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Read to line 191; students began noting examples from the poem of the elements of a Medieval Romance AND of actions showing particular chivalry. (We will finish this exercise and discuss it tomorrow.)

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, November 2: End of Quarter 1
TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Tuesday, November 1

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Finished watching The Lion in Winter. 

Referring to their notes, students wrote up descriptions in 1--2 sentences of some way each of the main characters (Henry II, Eleanor, Richard, Geoffrey, and John) behave in a manner contrary to the ideals of chivalry. DUE AS HOMEWORK TOMORROW.

DUE DATES

WEDNESDAY, November 2: End of Quarter 1
TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Monday, October 31

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

This lesson taught by a substitute in Ms. Bishop's absence. 

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.





Continued watching the film version of The Lion in Winter.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Friday, October 28

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Arthurian vocabulary unit quiz.

Continued watching The Lion in Winter. (Now at -1:34.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.
WEDNESDAY, November 2: End of Quarter 1
TUESDAY, November 15: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Thursday, October 27

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Check ins re: college recommendations.
Silent reading or vocabulary study.

Continued watching The Lion in Winter. (Now at -2:04.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.
WEDNESDAY, November 2: End of Quarter 1
FRIDAY, November 11: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Wednesday, October 26

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Homework check.
Silent reading or vocabulary study.

Discussed elements of Medieval Romance found in "The Day of Destiny" (216--222).

Discussed idealized figure of ruling class (nobles) from the King Arthur stories, desire by Henry II and Queen Eleanor to associate themselves with it.

Distributed handout on characters in The Lion in Winter, and assigned at least four double-entry journal observations of each of Henry II's family to be made over the course of the movie: How does this family fail to measure up to the idealized figure of an Arthurian family?

Historical background; introduced film.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.
WEDNESDAY, November 2: End of Quarter 1
FRIDAY, November 11: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Tuesday, October 25

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Reading quiz on the King Arthur packet, last night's homework.
Students read the introductory material for "The Day of Destiny" on page 215 of our textbooks.

Discussed elements of Medieval Romance found in the remaining stories in the King Arthur packet.
Read "The Day of Destiny" (216--222).

HOMEWORK: Mark with Post-it notes and/or DEJ forms examples of Medieval Romance elements in "The Day of Destiny," in preparation for tomorrow's class.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.
WEDNESDAY, November 2: End of Quarter 1
FRIDAY, November 11: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Monday, October 24

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Pairs annotated "The Drawing of the Sword" to note elements of Medieval Romance.
Discussed elements of Medieval Romance found in the story.

HOMEWORK: Finish reading the King Arthur packet, looking for examples of Medieval Romance and either noting them in the margins or on the DEJ form, in preparation for tomorrow's class.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.
WEDNESDAY, November 2: End of Quarter 1
FRIDAY, November 11: Optional revised college essays due for a grade.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Friday, October 21

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Choice of silent reading, vocabulary, or essay revision work.

Pairs annotated the ballad of "Robin and the Bishop of Hereford" to analyze the ballad for what contemporary literary features it has in common with the Medieval Romance.

Read "The Drawing of the Sword" from the Lang King Arthur packet, pencil in hand to note elements of Medieval Romance.  (Will finish exercise on Monday.)

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Thursday, October 20

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Choice of silent reading, vocabulary, or essay revision work.

Finished PowerPoint notes on Medieval literature, including the Medieval Romance and its role in politics of the time.
Listened to a performance of the ballad of "Robin and the Bishop of Hereford."

Prepared to analyze the ballad for what contemporary literary features it has in common with the Medieval Romance.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Wednesday, October 19

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Introduced the King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary unit on Quizlet; quiz Friday, October 28.

Quick review of the relationship of the Robin Hood stories to the Norman conquest of England.

PowerPoint notes on background information for the earliest Robin Hood ballads.
Read the ballad of "Robin and the Bishop of Hereford," and checked for understanding.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 28: King Arthur and Gawain vocabulary quiz.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Tuesday, October 18

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

This class short due to early release schedule.

Finished watching the film version of Robin Hood.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Monday, October 17

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Continued watching the film version of Robin Hood.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Friday, October 14

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Review of relationship of the Robin Hood stories to the transition from Anglo-Saxon language, rule and traditions to those imposed by the Normans.

Continued watching the film version of Robin Hood.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Thursday, October 13

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Reviewed milestone of the historical transition from Anglo Saxon period after the Norman Invasion in 1066.

Watched the Open University short film "The History of English, in Ten Minutes."

Began watching the film version of Robin Hood.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Wednesday, October 12

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Reading quiz on intro to the Middle Ages (116--123).

Reviewed how fatalism is reflected in "The Seafarer," and how it reflects a basic orientation of the time.
Reviewed and discussed the Anglo-Saxon poem "The Wanderer."
Listened to a musical performance of the poem.
Students took notes on the historical transition from Anglo Saxon period to the Norman Invasion in 1066.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Tuesday, October 11

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
HOMEWORK: Read pages 116--123 in our textbooks, on the Middle Ages. Expect a reading quiz!

Students finished and handed in the Campfire Quiz on "The Seafarer."


Friday, October 7, 2016

Friday, October 7

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Students chose to work on the college essay or the Campfire Quiz, depending on where they felt they needed the most attention.

Checked that Ms. Bishop has received each students Google Docs share of the college essay.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade. Share by midnight!
TUESDAY, October 11: Individual Campfire Quiz responses due.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Thursday, October 6

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Warm up: choice of time to continue work on the Common App essay, the Campfire Quiz, or independent reading.

Groups continued discussions for the Campfire Quiz on the poem "The Seafarer."
Individuals began/continued work on their answers to Questions 1--5 on the poem.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade. Share by midnight!
FRIDAY, October 7: Individual Campfire Quiz responses due (tentatively).

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Wednesday, October 5

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
Bring textbooks to class!

Groups continued discussions for the Campfire Quiz on the poem "The Seafarer."

  • Groups will read the background information and the poem (87--91) and discuss the questions under Critical Thinking on page 91, requesting help from the teacher as needed.
  • Then individual students will write short paragraph open responses to questions 1--5, and submit for a quiz grade.
DUE DATES

FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade.
FRIDAY, October 7: Individual Campfire Quiz responses due (tentatively).

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Tuesday, October 4

ENGLISH 4, HONORS
Bring textbooks to class!

Writers' workshop: students continued revising and editing their drafts for Friday's due date.
Quick review of some of the shifting values in Anglo-Saxon life after the advent of Christianity.  Introduced concept of an allegory.

Began Campfire Quiz on the poem "The Seafarer."

  • Groups will read the background information and the poem (87--91) and discuss the questions under Critical Thinking on page 91, requesting help from the teacher as needed.
  • Then individual students will write short paragraph open responses to questions 1--5, and submit for a quiz grade.


DUE DATES


FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Monday, October 3

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Writers Groups wrapped up discussing essay drafts.
Students began revising and editing their drafts for Friday's due date.

DUE DATES


FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Friday, September 30

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Writers Groups met to discuss drafts. (Will conclude on Monday.)

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.
FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Thursday, September 29

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Students continued brainstorming and drafting their Common App essays.
All students responsible to have shared their work with their writers' groups by the time class begins tomorrow!

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.
FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Wednesday, September 28

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Short class due to Club Day schedule.

Small groups exchanged email addresses.
Reviewed the convention for titles before sharing with me next week: Save as Lastname CommonApp (or something similar).
Reminder: Use MLA formatting (double space, your name in the upper right corner of the page, and a plain 12 point font) and post word counts before sharing the completed rough draft with me next Friday.

Students continued brainstorming and drafting their Common App essays.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.
FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade.

Tuesday, September 27

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Students continued brainstorming and drafting their Common App essays.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.
FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due to Ms. Bishop for a grade.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Monday, September 26

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Students continued brainstorming and drafting their Common App essays.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.
FRIDAY, October 7: Rough drafts due with Ms. Bishop for a grade.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Friday, September 23

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Briefly examined another sample essay for effective use of sensory detail.
Reviewed a 1-2-3 "formula" for writing a personal memoir.
Students continued brainstorming and drafting their Common App essays.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Thursday, September 22

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Reviewed a possible "formula" for writing a personal memoir.
Students began brainstorming and drafting their Common App essays.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Wednesday, September 21

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Groups presented the results of their discussion of sample Common App essays; continued listing what features in them contributed to their success.Reviewed Common App prompts.
Introduced 1-2-3 approach to writing a reflective essay.
Brainstorming session.

DUE DATES

THURSDAY, September 29: Share rough drafts with small group members via Google Docs by the end of the block today.

Tuesday, September 20

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Short class due to early release day schedule + picture day.This class taught by a sub in Ms. Bishop's absence.


Monday, September 19, 2016

Monday, September 19

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.

Small writing groups wrapped up their discussion of two more sample Common App essays and listing what features in them contributed to their success.
Distributed Johns Hopkins admissions officers' responses to the essays and introduced the Common App writing prompts for this year.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY September 16: Quiz on Anglo-Saxon vocabulary.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Friday, September 16

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Anglo-Saxon vocabulary quiz.
Read and discussed the successful Johns Hopkins college application essay "Temper."
Began listing elements of a successful college application essay.
Small writing groups read two more sample Common App essays; began discussion of what features in them contributed to their success.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY September 16: Quiz on Anglo-Saxon vocabulary.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Thursday, September 15

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Guidance visit; college planning and the introduction to the Common App and the Common App essay.

DUE DATES

FRIDAY September 16: Quiz on Anglo-Saxon vocabulary.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Wednesday, September 14

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Warm Up: Choice of transcribing the Double Entry Journal notes on Caedmon from yesterday, studying the Anglo-Saxon vocabulary unit for Friday's quiz, or silent reading.

Reviewed the DEJ notes on elements of Old English culture and poetry from "Caedmon of Whitby" (84--86).
COLLECTED the notes.
Watched short clip of Professor Sam Newton, performing Caedmon's hymn and explaining its significance in Old English poetry.

DUE DATES
FRIDAY, September 16: Anglo-Saxon Vocabulary quiz.



Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Tuesday, September 13

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Introduced Anglo-Saxon vocabulary unit on Quizlet. Quiz Friday!
COLLECTED illustrations for Beowulf.
Completed notes set, "The Lowly Raised Up," on motifs in Anglo-Saxon literature that reflect the rise of Christianity.
Distributed DEJ forms for "Caedmon of Whitby" and discussed elements we are seeking: quotes to reflect how the rise of Christianity and new motifs and values are reflected in this story.
Read "Caedmon of Whitby" (84--86).
Students marked quotes with Post-It notes for 2 DEJ entries; began transcribing DEJ entries to share tomorrow.

HOMEWORK: Read "Reflecting on the Literary Period" (83).

DUE DATES
FRIDAY, September 16: Anglo-Saxon Vocabulary quiz.



Monday, September 12, 2016

Monday, September 12

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Brief prep time for artwork; finish as homework as needed.

Discussed what cultural values Beowulf reflects, how it contrasts with our own time.
Began note set, "The Lowly Raised Up," on the rise of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon society.



Friday, September 9, 2016

Friday, September 9

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Reading quiz on Beowulf Part 1.
Beowulf vocabulary quiz.

Finished reading Part 2 of Beowulf; began an illustration from the second part of the poem.


Thursday, September 8, 2016

Thursday, September 8

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

10 minutes for independent reading or vocabulary review.

Reviewed and discussed the Double Entry Journal (DEJ) passages on Old English life and poetry in Beowulf entered by individuals yesterday.
COLLECTED DEJs for a grade.

Continued reading the poem up to page 34, line 517.
Homework: finish reading Part 1 (through page 38) on your own; be prepared for a reading quiz.

DUE DATES

First vocabulary quiz Friday, September 9
Signed syllabus and movie form due Friday, September 9.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Wednesday, September 7

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Reviewed and discussed the Double Entry Journal (DEJ) passages on Old English life and poetry in Beowulf entered by pairs yesterday.
Continued reading the poem; students individually found two more DEJ entries.  (Due tomorrow at the start of class.)
Now on page 28, line 291.

DUE DATES

First reading log due Tuesday, September 6.
First vocabulary quiz Friday, September 9
Signed syllabus and movie form due Friday, September 9.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Tuesday, September 6

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

20 minutes silent reading.
COLLECTED weekly reading logs.
Reviewed the Double Entry Journal (DEJ) forms for what elements of Old English life and poetry in Beowulf we are tracking.
Began reading the poem; pairs worked to find a second DEJ entry.
Now on page 23, line 79.

DUE DATES

First reading log due Tuesday, September 6.
First vocabulary quiz Friday, September 9
Signed syllabus and movie form due Friday, September 9.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Friday, September 2

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Reading quiz on pages 9--17 in Holt.

Finished intro to English notes.
Watched introduction to In Search of Beowulf, commenting on aspects of Old English life it reflected.
Students took notes on Old English Life and Poetry.
Introduced Double Entry Journal (DEJ) forms for tracking elements of Old English life and poetry in Beowulf.


DUE DATES

First reading log due Tuesday, September 6.
First vocabulary quiz Friday, September 9
Signed syllabus and movie form due Friday, September 9.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Thursday, September 1

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

This class short due to fire drill.

Students began notes on the beginnings of English.
Reminder about homework, reading logs and reading materials for Tuesday.

DUE DATES

HOMEWORK for Friday, September 2: Read pages 9--17 in your textbook.  Be prepared for a reading quiz.

First reading log due Tuesday, September 6.
First vocabulary quiz Friday, September 9
Signed syllabus and movie form due Friday, September 9.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Wednesday, August 31

ENGLISH 4, HONORS

Signed out textbooks.
Introduced current vocabulary unit on Quizlet.
Discussed some central questions for thinking about any literature:
  • Whose stories are being told?
  • Who is telling those stories?
  • Whose stories are not being told?

DUE DATES
HOMEWORK for Friday, September 2: Read pages 9--17 in your textbook.  Be prepared for a reading quiz.

First reading log due Tuesday, September 6.
First vocabulary quiz Friday, September 9
Signed syllabus and movie form due Friday, September 9.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Tuesday, August 30

Created folders, reviewed syllabus for the course.
Distributed weekly reading log forms; explained the role of independent reading in the course.
Students took Honors English 4 survey, discussed with a partner.
Students introduced their partners and submitted their survey forms.

DUE DATES
First reading log due Tuesday, September 6.
First vocabulary quiz Friday, September 9
Signed syllabus and movie form due Friday, September 9.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Syllabus and Movie Permissions

You may download a copy of the syllabus here.
You may download a copy of the movie letter here.

Friday, August 19, 2016

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To find this class on Quizlet, click here.