We completed "The Birthmark," "Story of an Hour," and started on "The Wife's Story" in class!

Dear Juniors,

Welcome back from Fall Break; I hope you had an enjoyable vacation.

What did we do in class, Crampton?
1. We completed reading and discussing "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
2. We read another short story entitled "Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin.
       While we read the story, students worked on Journal #8 entitled "Inference within Story of an  Hour." As I read the story, we made "educated predictions" about what was going to happen and why certain events took place.
3. We then started another short story entitled "The Wife's Story." We did not complete this in class, but I ask that you DON'T read it home, as it is better to review it together.

HOMEWORK:
1. Revision for your Five Paragraph Essay is due on Monday, October 26th. I returned the essays today in class.
2. Article of the Week #7 is due on Monday, October 26th. Please annotate/notate (5-8/page) using BLUE and PURPLE. The article is entitled "Why Boys don't read Chick Books."

NOTE:
Please DO NOT miss class on Thursday, as I will explain your final exam to you!

We completed (well, almost) "The Birthmark" today in class!

Dear Juniors,

I sincerely hope you have a relaxing "Fall Break." Remember that upon your return, you only have TWO WEEKS prior to the end of first term. WOW! Time flies when one is having fun!

 This is what we accomplished in class (October 13, 2010):

Journal #7: "CLONING vs. "THE BIRTHMARK"
                Please return to the green sheet that we worked on together last class period. Refer to the themes that we discussed. Choose one of the themes, and justify why "Article #6" relates to that particular theme. In addition, share your insights regarding cloning.  Answer the article's question, "Is cloning good or bad?"

2. We reviewed and submitted the vocabulary words that students identified as needing clarification. Well done, I am proud of you!

3. We then continued with "The Birthmark." Hawthorne uses elevated language and themes, so we started reading page 6 and then stopped on page 9 (for A1). I ask that you don't finish at home, but read up to where your class ended. We will complete the story together in class.

Enjoy your holiday, my young friends.

Cheers,
Crampton

Themes, Irony and Symbols found in "The Birthmark"

Dear Juniors,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. We discussed "Article of the Week #5." Students then submitted the article to me.
2. We then worked in our groups to develop a list of themes, symbols and aspects of irony associated with"The Birthmark." I gave each student a green handout where they recorded this information and then filed in in their notebook. Well done, everyone, as this was an effective way to obtain a significant amount of information in a short amount of time.

HOMEWORK:
1. Please read 1/2 of "The Birthmark" (read to the bottom of page five). The page ends with the following text "".....a race as ephemeral as itself."
2. As you read the first 1/2 of the short story please annotate for VOCABULARY. Make a list of the words that you do not understand, and then please define the words. I ask that you type your list and include the definitions with the list. This is due on Wed. I ask that you identify a minimum of 2-3 words/page.
3. Please annotate/notate "Article of the Week" #6 entitled "Is Cloning Good or Bad?" This is due on Wed. I have placed several copies of the article outside the room.

Hang in there, cute kids, as your "Fall Break" is almost here.
Cheers.
Crampton

THE BIRTHMARK was introduced to you today, October 7th, 2010

Dear Juniors,

Today we started our introduction on "The Birthmark," a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

1. We obtained information about Hawthorne and then I shared a Power Point Presentation concerning "The Short Story." Please obtain this information from someone else in class.

2. We then went to the lab in order to complete some research. Each student had one of the following words assigned to them: IRONY, SYMBOLISM. and THEME.

If you missed class, PLEASE see me BEFORE Monday, so that I can give you one of the words.

Your assignment is to research irony, symbolism and theme in association with "THE BIRTHMARK." You are to locate an Internet source that pertains to one of the three elements, annotate it concerning irony, theme or symbolism, and then create a list detailing the irony, aspects of symbolism and the themes found within "The Birthmark." I have included a student example below:

Phillip Johns                                                                                                                  John 1

Mrs. Crampton

Junior English

10/02/2001

Themes found within “The Birthmark”

1. Theme: Man should not attempt to change or alter what God has created.
2. Theme: The desire for perfection can lead to imperfection
3. Theme: Flaws give mankind a reason to seek for growth. If mankind possesses no flaws then they can not progress.
4. Theme:  Science does not have a place in creation.

  Please remember to include a Works Cited page indicating your source.

HOMEWORK:

1. Don't forget to complete Article of the Week #5 for Monday.

2. Please locate an Internet source detailing THEME, SYMBOLISM and IRONY for Monday.

3. From that information, please create a list of the Themes, Symbols and aspect of Irony associated with "The Birthmark." Please note the example above.

"The Landlandy" was our focus for today!

Dear Juniors,

I hope you enjoyed "The Landlady" by Roald Dahl. If you missed class, please make sure you collect a copy of this short story located outside the room.

WHAT DID WE DO IN CLASS TODAY, CRAMPTON?

1. We took a reading quiz over "The Interlopers."
2. We then learned a little more about Roald Dahl, the author of "The Land Lady" and "Beware of the Dog," your reading assignment for Thursday.
3. We read "The Land Lady" in class.  IT IS SUCH AN AMAZING SHORT STORY!

HOMEWORK:
1. Please read, annotate and notate the Article of the Week #5 for Monday, October 11th. Please annotate using ALL THE COLORS, my young friends.
2. Please read "Beware of the Dog" for Thursday. Plan on a reading quiz.

Cheers,
Crampton

Hi, Juniors!

Dear Juniors,
I hope you enjoy your weekend! I am sure you're wondering what we did in class today? We completed the following:

1. We watched a Madonna music video entitled "Oh, Father" for Journal Entry #5
As you watch the video , please list everything you consider a symbol. In addition, define what you think that symbol represents.

NOTE: If you missed class, then you can come during a Flex session to make up the entry.

2. We reviewed "The Open Window" by Saki
3. We recorded some information regarding Saki's past on the "Author's Corner" sheet.
4. We took the quiz covering "The Open Window" and started grading it in class (we completed grading it for A4).

HOMEWORK:
1. Remember that your Article of the Week #4 is due on Tuesday.
2. Please read "The Interlopers" by Saki for Tuesday. Copies are available for you outside the room.
3. Plan on a reading quiz over the short story.

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.
Cheers,
Crampton