Monday, March 11th

Dear Juniors,

1. If you missed class last week, please make sure you are prepared for class on TUESDAY.

" What does "prepared" actually mean, Crampton?"

"Well, you have a quiz covering the introductory information surrounding the 1920's. It is incredibly thorough."

" Will I need to be familiar with all the information on the note-taking page?"

"YES! So make sure yo communicate with a student that was in class. Don't forget to familiarize yourself with the art forms from the 1920's."


2. We also went to the lab and started working on our power points regarding your 1920's  You will have part of the period on Tuesday to continue working on the presentation. Remember that the presentation and the handout are both due on Thursday. YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED!

3. Everyone present showed me their book report text. Those that were not in class, MUST HAVE IT WITH YOU ON TUESDAY. I NEED to see it, cute kids.

Cheers,
Crampton

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Dear Juniors,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

EVERYONE SUBMITTED THEIR "OUT, OUT" POEM  Extra-Credit was given for those that felt comfortable in sharing their piece with the class.

1. Crampton returned the poetry analysis for the piece that you worked on together in groups. Half of you did well with this assignment, and the other half STRUGGLED. We looked at a poor example together, and discussed ways that we could improve the analysis.

POOR EXAMPLE:
                This poem is explaining about a little boy that just found out that Santa is not really real.
The simile says "he feels as if a monster's fist has grabbed his heart and won't stop squeezing." He is telling us that Santa is dying from a heart attack. Another simile says "Rudolph's nose blinks like an ambulance's light." Ambulance lights are bright colored, just like Rudolph's nose. This poem is really sad because everyone believed in Santa when they were little, and when you found that Santa was fake, you felt like you were having a heart attack. This poem is sad, but really true.

2. We then continued by looking at three new poems.

HOMEWORK:
1.  Select one of the piece that we did not discuss in class and complete an analysis for it.
2. Final Exam for poetry is quickly approaching.

If you missed Friday, February 1st....

Dear Juniors,

REMEMBER TO WEAR WARM CLOTHES on TUESDAY; we will spend some time OUTSIDE, and I don't want you to "catch a cold."

STOP MISSING CLASS, cute kids! I don't have an extra 80 minutes to assist you in "catching up!" Visit with someone that was in class, so you can returned prepared.

1. We completed identifying the elements for TPCASTT. The meaning for each letter is easily accessible on-line; you can "Google" TPCASTT. You will need to do this before completing your homework assignment.

2. We then practiced evaluating a poem entitled "We Real Cool; Seven at the Golden Shovel" using the TPCASTT method. Everyone that was in class, received participation points for this poem.  You will need to use flex time in order to make up the missing participation points.

We real cool; Seven at the Golden Shovel
by Gwendolyn Brooks

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon. 

3. Students were then given a copy of the following poem, and asked to evaluate it using the TPCASTT method.

On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High,” by D.C. Berry

Before
I opened my mouth
I noticed them sitting there
as orderly as frozen fish
in a package. 

 Slowly water began to fill the room
though I did not notice it
till it reached
my ears

and then I heard the sounds
of fish in a aquarium
and I knew that though I had
tried to drown them
with my words
that they had only opened up
like gills for them
and let me in.

Together we swam around the room
like thirty tails whacking words
till the bell rang
puncturing
a hole in the door

where we all leaked out

They went to another class
I suppose 

and I home
where Queen Elizabeth
my cat met me
and licked my fins
till they were hands again.

Homework:
1. Complete the evaluation of "On Reading a Poem to Seniors at South High" for Tuesday. Use the TPCASTT method. Record your ideas for each letter (TPCASTT) on the right hand side of the poem.
2. Wear a jacket to class for Tuesday.

Cheers,
Crampton

Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

Dear Juniors,

If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. Viewed Act 4 of The Crucible....SO POWERFUL!
2. Completed Journal  #10 entitled "The Power of My Name

           Your journal entry involves thinking about what your name means to you. I don't mean your actual name, but rather your name in a figurative sense, or rather your REPUTATION. What does your reputation mean to you? When people hear your name, what do you want them to perceive? What adjectives do you want associated with your name? How would you feel if your reputation was ruined? Maybe you've already had your reputation challenged. How did that feel? What will you do to make sure it never happens again? Consider John Proctor's reasons for not signing his confession statement. Do you agree with any of those reasons?
          
3. We then continued by reviewing the quotes for Act 4

Friday, December 14th, 2012

Dear Juniors,

STOP MISSING CLASS, my young friends!

This is what we completed on Friday!

1. Everyone worked in their "Memoir Groups" discussing the second third of their memoir. Each student submitted their corresponding yellow handout. If you missed class, in order to receive credit, you will need to complete the assignment on your own.

2. We then "performed" ACT 3 with the use of some costumes and props. It was so much fun, and I appreciate those that participated!

HOMEWORK:

Sorry, guys, Friday is some what of a blur to me. I remember going through ACT 3 with you in class, but the rest is vague in my memory. DRUGS....I can't decide if I love or hate them! I appreciate your patience.

1. You must be ready for a quiz covering ACT 3! Let me explain how the quiz will be structured. Each student will randomly pull one of the following quotes:

• "No." (Elizabeth speaking to Danforth)
• "You are the Devil's man." (Mary Warren speaking to Proctor)
• "I say God is dead." (Proctor speaking to the congregation)

Depending on the quote that you select, you will need to defend that quote as the climax within the play. You will write a body paragraph justifying why your quote acts as the climax. Each section has merit for representing the climax. One is stronger than the others, but each one possesses merit.

EXTRA-CREDIT QUIZ:
If you would like some extra-credit for the actual quiz on Tuesday, then you can complete the following:

• Take each quote and explain WHY it could represent the climax....that's it for your extra-credit!

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Dear Juniors,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. Journal #4: Crucible: "Paying the price for her silence"
This article should have affected you! What emotions did you experience? What is your opinion regarding the young lady focused in the article? How can fear cause someone to compromise their integrity? How could she have watched the attack upon the counselor and DONE NOTHING to stop it? Why do people choose NOT TO ACT in times when ACTION is needed most? Consider your own character. Would you sit back and watch or would you act? Don't tell me that it depends on the situation. Are you a "doer" or a "watcher?" In addition, how does the concept of bullying connect to the article that you read for today. Feel free to return to your previous article to support this question. How do BOTH articles relate to events within The Crucible?

2. Students took their Act 2 Vocabulary Quiz and we corrected it.

3. Students were given the vocabulary words for Act 3

4. We started reading Act 3.


HOMEWORK:
1. Remember that your "Memoir" session is set of Friday! If you haven't read your second third of your book, then you need to work on this asap.
2. Students were asked to read  up to page       in The Crucible.