Monday, Sept.18 ~ A Myth Retold Film Day

WORD PARTS
Prefixes

• corpus - body

Suffixes

• ess - female
• et, ette - small one, group
• cracy - rule

Root

• dem - people

GRAMMAR

• Practice sentence structure by deciding where the sentence should be split: Comma Splice Exercise 1.  (Quiz on Wednesday)

MYTHOLOGY
Today you have the rest of the period to work on your Myths Retold. Your goal today should be the filming your skit. Projects are due block day, but may receive a bit of extra credit for presentation on Wednesday.

HOMEWORK:

• Prepare for your Grammar QUIZ scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 20. 

Block Day, Sept.14 & 15 ~ A Myth Retold

Prefix

• circum - around
• constitus - stand

Suffix

• cide - kill
• esis, osis - action, process, condition

Root

• germ - vital part

Assignment: A Myth Retold

• Click here to claim your partner(s) and myth. (You may work alone or with up to three/group.)
• Here are a couple of fun examples:
• Echo and Narcissus
• King Midas
• Pyramus and Thisbee
• Jason and the Argonauts
• Remember, your myth should be no longer than 8 minutes, should retell the story in an updated setting from today's world, and is due block day!
• Grade: 50 pts. based on creativity, clarity, detail, and individual effort.

• Prometheus and Pandora
• King Midas
• Cupid and Psyche 
• Hades and Persephone 
• Pyramus and Thisbe 
• Echo and Narcissus
• Jason and the Golden Fleece
• Orpheus and Eurydice
• Theseus and the Minotaur
• And many more....

• To get an A, your project should clearly tell the story in a memorable and creative way. The audience should enjoy it and possibly even be able to interact. It should be technically clean, easy to watch and hear. It should be clear what each member of the group was responsible for. Lastly, maybe I should mention the obvious that it should be school appropriate! 

Today's Goal: Plan what/how you will complete this project. Next week should be a day of action and crafting!

Wednesday, Sept. 13 ~ Mythology in Advertising

Prefix

• bio - life
• caco - bad

Suffix

• escent - in the process of 
• ese - native of, language of 

 Root

• voc - call

NOTE: Journal checks today during independent work.


Journal #9 ~ Allusions to Mythology in Advertising:

*First copy the definition of allusion

ALLUSION: A casual reference in literature to a person, place, event, or another passage of literature, often without explicit identification. Allusions can originate in mythology, biblical references, historical events, legends, geography, or earlier literary works. Authors often use allusion to establish a tone, create an implied association.

We all know that companies create identity by the power of association. They can use association by name or image. What identity did Honda intend on giving their van by giving the name, Odyssey, to this model?

Continuing J9... Identify the Allusion: Using your knowledge of Greek mythology and some internet research, figure out why your assigned company or product is named or branded as it is.

• In your journal, record the name and a brief description to explain why they chose that name/logo. To see all images, click here.

HW: Finish all company/description entries in Journal #9 and complete Journal #10.

Journal #10 ~ Chesterton on Mythology: Read this Chesterton article .
1. Chesterton says that "he who has no sympathy with the myths has no sympathy with men" (361). What does he mean and do you agree?
2. According to Chesterton, where does the need for sacrifice come from? What does it satisfy? Do you think people today still feel that need?
3. According to Chesterton, why is Greek Mythology worth studying?

Tuesday, Sept. 12 ~ What's in your Cave?

Prefix

• bene - well, favorable
• bible - book

Suffix

• ence, ency - action, state of, quality
• er, or - one who, that which

Root

• cred - believe

Mythology

• J8: Joseph Campbell once said, "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." How is this true in life? Explain. What is your "cave" and what could you gain by entering it?
• How would you relate this psychological concept to the creation of the Greek/Roman gods and their stories?
• Heads up...Journal check tomorrow (Journals 1-8).

Grammar:

• Take Sentence Structure Notes: I know it sounds basic, but please, begin your grammar notes with the definition of a sentence. 
• "A complete sentence must have ________, __________ and ____________________.
• Take notes from this page and this page.
• Then use this one to test your knowledge. 

HW: Prepare for Journal Check #1 tomorrow.

Monday, Sept. 11 ~ Why do we so often tell this story?

Prefix                                                           

• auto - self                                           
• bi - two

Suffix

• ee - one who receives the action
• en - made of, to make

 Root

• vict, vinc - conquer

EQ: What does the hero's journey have to do with Greek mythology?
  
Hero's Journey

• Activity: What story am I telling?
• Video Clip: What is the Hero's Journey?
• Application: In small groups, use this chart to figure out how common hero stories fit the pattern. Your group will choose a movie or book to work on together. Some stories may include The Hunger games, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Divergent, Back to the Future, The Hobbit!!! (basically any good hero story you all know).

HW: Finish up a rough sketch of the chart on whatever movie/story you decided upon.

Continue looking over posters if time.

Block Day, Sept. 7 & 8 ~ Poster Walk

Roots Quiz today! When you finish, work on Journal 6.

EQ: Why should we study Greek mythology if they are just false idols anyway? 

Considering our essential question. C.S. Lewis has a pretty cool answer:

In one way, of course, God has given us the Morning Star already: you can go and enjoy the gift on many fine mornings if  you get up early enough. What more, you may ask, do we want? Ah, but we want so much more -- something the books on aesthetics take little notice of. But the poets and the mythologies know all about it. We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words--to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it. That is why we have peopled air and earth and water with gods and goddesses and nymphs and elves--that, though we cannot, yet these projections can enjoy in themselves that beauty, grace, and power of which Nature is the image. That is why the poets tell us such lovely falsehoods. They talk as if the west wind could really sweep into a human soul; but it can't. They tell us that "beauty born of murmuring sound" will pass into a human face; but it won't. Or not yet. For if we take the imagery of scripture seriously, if we believe that God will one day give us the Morning Star and cause us to put on the splendour of the sun, then we may surmise that both the ancient myths and the modern poetry, so false as history, may be very near the truth as prophecy. At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door.... but all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get in. (from The Weight of Glory).

Journal #6: Lewis Quote: Summarize this Lewis quote in 3-6 sentences. Then answer a few questions: How does it answer the E.Q.? What is he saying Greek stories really are? What were the Greeks actually hoping for in their own stories?



Poster Walk

• Take notes on the posters in order to prepare for a future quiz. You may put these notes in with your journals, or use this chart as a digital format. (If you use the chart, you will have to add a few more boxes at the bottom to get the ones that were added this year.)

HW: This weekend, please complete Journal #7 by listening to this podcast  [It is an interview of Rick Riordan (author of the Percy Jackson series) by Sean Hemingway (Associate curator in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the Metropolitan Museum of Art).] 

Journal #7 Questions:

• What is the appeal of mythology according to Riordan? What does Hemingway mean by the "mutability" of myths? Give your own example of "mutability".
• Why did Riordan make Percy the son of Poseidon rather than Zeus? 
• Give examples of the influence of Greek or Roman mytnology in the present day world.
• Why did Riordan set the first scene in his novel at the Metropolitan Museum?
• What connection does Riordan draw between Greek gods, comic book superheroes and today's teenagers? 

Wednesday, Sept. 6 ~ Finish posters today!!!

Reminder: Word Parts Quiz on Block Day!!!!

Prefix

• archos - first, leader, chief
• audio - hear

Suffix

• cule, ling - very small
• dom - quality, realm

Root

• ridi, risi, ri - laughter

EQ: Does your poster meet all the requirements? Is it legible and easy to learn from for your fellow students? 

Finish up posters today!

Tuesday, Sept. 5 ~ Greek Posters

Prefixes

• aqua - water 
• archaios - ancient 

Suffixes

• cian - processing a specific skill or art
• cy - action, function

Root

• phys - body

Greek/Roman Posters

• Due at the end of class on Wednesday. 
• Please make them in a vertical design.

Heads up, Word Parts Quiz on Block this week. 

HW: Manage your poster work to be complete by the end of the class on Wednesday please. 

Block Day, 8/31-9/1 ~ It's all Greek to Me!

FYI: No school on Monday! It's Labor Day 

Prefixes

• anthro - man
• anti - against

Suffixes

• ance, ancy - action, process, state
• ary, ery, ory - relating to, quality, place where

Root

• luc, lum, lus, lun - light

Essays & Quizzes Back 

Journal 4

After looking over your essay, use the rubric and feedback to write down at least two strengths from your essay and two goals for your future writing in this class. Especially, what would it take to get top scores on the top two rows from the SAT rubric? How about ways to push your score with the vocab, sentence structure and overall grammar?

Let's preview our next unit: Greek Mythology!

EQ: Why should we study Greek mythology if they are just false idols anyway? What do you already know about Greek gods/myths? Is there anything that especially peaks your interest on this topic? 

Mythology Posters are coming. Here are some of the possible subjects for your group (You may chose 2-3 partners). 

Gods

1. Zeus (Jupiter, Jove)
2. Hera (Juno)
3. Poseidon (Neptune)
4. Dionysus (Bacchus)
5. Apollo (Apollo)
6. Artemis (Diana)
7. Hermes (Mercury)
8. Athena (Minerva)
9. Ares (Mars)
10. Aphrodite (Venus)
11. Hephaestus (Vulcan)
12. Demeter (Ceres) 

 Characters

1. Phaethon
2. Medusa
3. Atlas
4. Nike
5. Hydra
6. Python
7. Oracle
8. Amazon

If we have time, you may claim your god/character.

HW: Nope, but you will need a poster board next week if ya happen to be at the store this weekend.


For future reference:

Poster Assignment Description

You will be making a poster of your god or goddess. You will have class time today and Monday to complete the poster. Posters will be displayed to teach others.  

• One person needs to get your poster board
• Don't forget to put your names and period on it!
• Everyone needs to bring colored pens and pencils.
• You will need to incorporate text and drawings. 

Poster Requirements 
~ Please record your notes as Journal #5

• What is the basic origin and history of this Olympian? Don't forget to include both Greek and Roman names of your god.
• What is this god or goddess associated with (wine, fertility, war, death, grain, a certain planet, an occupation, etc.)? 
• What symbols usually attend this god or goddess (eagle, thunderbolt, winged shoes, etc.)? 
• Explain a favorite story in which this god or goddess chiefly figures.
• Note at least one reference or allusion one may find in arts and culture (music, painting, ads, etc.). 
• Search the Scriptures: Find a verse, passage, or story from the Bible that relates to a story from your god or goddess (perhaps the moral is similar; perhaps it is opposite; perhaps the story appears to be a modified reflection of a story in the Bible)
• Lastly, find at least one modern word (or word root) that is derived from your god or goddess.  Include that word or root and its definition on your poster.

Back to School Night 2017

amberwest@mvcs.org

SCHEDULE

6:30-6:40 PM Period 1

6:45-6:55 PM Period 2

7:00-7:10 PM Period 3

7:15-7:25 PM Period 4

7:30-7:40 PM Period 5

7:45-7:55 PM Period 6

8:00-8:10 PM Period 7

Wednesday, August 30 ~ Teacher Colors

EQ: Are your parents coming to Back-to-School Night tonight?

Prefixes

• ad - toward
• agere - act

Suffixes

• age - act of, state of, result of
• al - relating to

Root

• mit, miss - send

True Colors Part 2
EQ: How do your colors interact with those of your teachers and classmates?

• Do you think it is more beneficial to have a teacher whose colors match yours or whose colors balance yours?

The second part of this concept is that we can think about the people we are learning with in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. If we know each other better, then we can value them and communicate better. Even teachers are part of that consideration.
TC Part 2: click here to view this power point.

• Add to J2: Take notes on how your colors might interact with what you guess are your most challenging teacher's colors. How will you survive this year?

Due Block Day: Journal #3 ~ True Colors Assessment Journal 

• Write a 1-page reflection to describe a real example or two of how your personality type is true in your own life and how it interacts with others. Please include some reflection of how your personality traits can be a strength or weakness when it comes to school. What are your keep survival strategies to working well with both teachers and students who are often so different from you in thinking style? 

Grammar if time: Comma Splice vs. Fused Sentences

Tuesday, August 29 ~ Can we jive?

Word Parts: In your Prefixes/Suffixes section of the notebook, please record the beginning of all three lists and brainstorm at least two words for each part. BONUS! Can you create a word that uses a part from all three lists?

Prefixes
a, an - without or not
ab, abs, a - apart, away from

Suffixes
able, ible - able, capable
ade - result of action

Root Review
duc, duct ~ lead


Finish PPT and Discuss J1 Are these colors true for you?

True Colors Part 2
EQ: How do your colors interact with those of your teachers and classmates?

• Do you think it is more beneficial to have a teacher whose colors match yours or whose colors balance yours?

The second part of this concept is that we can think about the people we are learning with in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. If we know each other better, then we can value them and communicate better. Even teachers are part of that consideration.
TC Part 2: click here to view this power point.

• Add to J2: Take notes on how your colors might interact with what you guess are your most challenging teacher's colors. How will you survive this year?

Due Block Day: Journal #3 ~ True Colors Assessment Journal 

• Write a 1-page reflection to describe a real example or two of how your personality type is true in your own life and how it interacts with others. Please include some reflection of how your personality traits can be a strength or weakness when it comes to school. What are your keep survival strategies to working well with both teachers and students who are often so different from you in thinking style? 

Picture Schedule

Period 1  9:06 am
Period 2 9:56 am
Period 3 10:56 am
Period 5 1:16 pm
Period 6 1:58 pm

Monday, August 28 ~ I see you....

DUE: Hobbit Write and True Colors Worksheets
*Note, I realize that one of the three posts on the blog contained a typo error that it is due on Wednesday and that Focus did not save my assignment due date. My deepest apologies for all the confusion. I will take the essay as on-time credit at the latest by Wednesday morning before school so that I can frantically grade them before block day.

REMINDER: Don't forget to get that Hobbit Write uploaded to turnitin.com please!



WARM UP: True Colors

• Hopefully you were honest in your self-assessment when you completed the True Colors questionnaire. Now it's time to share your top two colors here.

True Colors Part 1

Psalm 139: 13-14 tells it best.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

EQ: So what do these colors mean?
Journal Entry #1: True Colors
As we go through the power point, take notes on three things:

• What words or ideas from your top color describe your personal strengths and weaknesses?
• What words or ideas from your second color match you the most?

HW: Double check these items...

• Have you printed your Hobbit Write?
• Have you uploaded the Hobbit Write to Turnitin.com?
• Did you complete today's journal?
• Did you turn in your colors to the Google form linked above? 

Also a heads up! Tomorrow is picture day and back to school night is Wednesday evening.

Wednesday-Friday 8/23-25 ~ Let's watch The Hobbit

First, a spot of grammar practice:
For Wednesday...Fragment Practice
For Thursday...Fragment Practice

For Friday...Fragment Practice

Please enjoy The Hobbit as you gather your ideas and quotes for the essay (due hard copy Monday 8/28. See Moodle).

And won't you also make this a most hospitable time for our sub? 

Hobbit Write

Assignment: After reading the novel and viewing the film, compose a well-written 2-3 page essay discussing one of the prompts below. Please use at least three quotes from the novel and eliminate as many grammatical errors as possible. You are welcome to use your annotated copy of the novel; don’t forget to include page numbers with your quotes. All essays due typed and printed on Wednesday (August 30). We will also turn them in to turnitin.com that day in class. Print ahead of time. Do NOT come late to class.

Prompts:

• Music: Discuss the role that music plays in the development of musical beings. Compare the songs sung by the dwarves (pp. 14-15), the elves (pp. 48-49), and goblins (pp. 60-61). How do the songs differ in tone, content and structure? What do the tone, content and structure of the songs reveal about the creatures who sing them? 
• Technology: What is Tolkien suggesting by linking his fantasy world to the reader’s modern world? What commentary is he making about the use of technology? Consider the following quote: “It is not unlikely that they [goblins] invented some of the machines that have since troubled the world, especially the ingenious devices for killing large numbers of people at once” (62). 
• Fancy Weapons: Why is it significant for Tolkien to have given the elves named swords? What message do you think is conveyed by the names given to the swords and the hands they fall into? 
• Adventure Sensitive: What do you think Tolkien is trying to say about the purpose of trials and tribulations in a person’s life? Consider that from the very beginning, Bilbo has assumed that the climax of the adventure would be the recovery of the treasure. Then he realizes that Smaug must also be dealt with. Now he finds that even Smaug’s death does not end the adventure. Bilbo never would have agreed to the adventure, knowing what it lead him to. What is Tolkien saying about adventure and trials? 
• Greed: Trace Thorin’s moral degeneration. What causes him to change? In what ways does he end up being similar to Smaug? Why do you think he is so easily corrupted? 
• Gandalf: What is the role of Gandalf in The Hobbit? Pay particular attention to his presence in terms of the way the book is structured. What is particularly significant about his presence at the beginning and end of the story? At what points does he leave? At what points does he return? How powerful is Gandalf? 
• Racial Tension: Examine the treatment of race in The Hobbit. Is it fair to suggest that all members of a certain group (dwarves, trolls, goblins, elves, etc.) share the same characteristics? How does this treatment of ethnic groups reflect the cultural perspective of past times? How might this book be different if it were written today? 

Tuesday 822 ~ Hobbit Quiz!

Today we will take The Hobbit Quiz, but first, let's review the essay that is due on Monday, 8/28.



After the quiz, please choose a prompt and begin the writing process.


Please note, I will be gone Wednesday 8/23 - Friday 8/25. If you have questions, feel free to email me. Printed Essays will be due Monday 8/28.

Monday 8/21 ~ Hobbit Talk in the Flesh

Due: Hobbit Annotations and Two Forum Posts

EQ: Are you ready for The Hobbit Quiz tomorrow?

Review The Hobbit Forum and whatever else the conversation leads us to.

Do we really have a test next class? 

It might be worth discussing how to organize that lovely journal eh?

HW: Grammar ~ Fragment Notes ~ Journal #1

Take notes on:
Finding and Fixing Fragments
Fragment Practice

Block Day 8/17-18 ~ Cut the Fluff...No Raise it

A few things I must say...

• Moodle vs. the blog vs. Focus
• Plagiarism/Cheating
• Emergency Drills
• Late Work
• Absent/Tardies (mine and yours)
• Grading
• Homework/Journals
• Communication
• Respect

Now for the fun stuff!

Warm-up: Introduce yourself to the people sitting next to you. You will need to create groups of three.

The Marshmallow Challenge

Let's face it, we'd all give a pretty penny to spend just one more summer night around a campfire roasting s'mores and not worrying about school tomorrow morning, but....since summer is over we'll do the next best thing.

The Marshmallow Experiment ~ Directions

• The winning team is the one that has the tallest structure measured from the table top surface to the top of the freestanding marshmallow. That means the structure cannot be suspended from a higher structure, like a hand, chair, ceiling or chandelier. 

EQ: What does a marshmallow challenge have to do with English? 


Homework: Annotations and Two Forum Responses due Monday! Bring your journals too.
This weekend, look over your annotations in The Hobbit. Use these thoughts to create posts on our Moodle classroom. Just go to our class, then to the "Beginning of the Year" unit, and click on "Hobbit Talk." For full credit, please post at least twice under any topic you like. Due Sunday night by midnight (20 points for two considerate and detailed responses). More detailed directions are in Moodle.

Welcome!

Good morning!

What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?

Have you finished The Hobbit yet?


1. Info Card

• On the front please write your preferred name (Write big to fill the card! It has to show up in the picture:)
• On the back...

• Where are you from?
• What is your passion?
• What is your pet peeve?
• What is one thing you want people to know or understand about who you are? 
• What should I know about you as a student to help me teach you better this year?

2. Blog: Please add the blog to your home screen. 

3. Moodle: Please enroll in our Moodle course 

• Course: English II Hon - Amber West
• Password: Period1#, Period2#, Period3#, etc....

4. Syllabus: Here is a basic syllabus to get us going, but please click here for the extended version of our syllabus or click here for the Parent Student Handbook.

HW: Add the blog to your home screen and get ready for The Hobbit Quiz!