october 31

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Happy Halloween! If you could BE someone/something else for a day, instead of just dressing up, who/what would you choose? Why?


AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Elements of a good story
3. Read 180
4. R book
5. Tangerine

POST:
Write about what you think makes a story compelling (title: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?)

october 30

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Honesty comes up more as a topic when something may make someone uncomfortable.  (Think about it: if she looks fantastic in that dress, honesty is no problem.  If she looks like an elephant seal, however...)  Describe a time you felt challenged in being honest.  Was it because you risked embarrassment or getting in trouble?  Were you protecting someone else's feelings (or yours, if they got upset with you)?  What was it that made you think twice about telling the truth?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180
3. R Book
4. $50M business plan deck
5. Tangerine

october 29

JOURNAL TOPIC:
We know that dinosaurs and other species lived on Earth and then became extinct. Can you imagine a time when humans are extinct? What might cause this, and what might take our place? Describe in detail.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180
3. R book
4. $50M business deck
5. Tangerine

october 26

JOURNAL TOPIC:

You thought you wanted to do this, but now you're not sure.  The small plane doesn't feel like anything you've ever experienced.  There is just a thin sheet of metal between your feet... and nothing.  Just thousands of feet of empty space to the Earth below.  You stand up as the experienced skydiver next to you yells, "You're next!"  Every bump makes your knees week.  Your stomach feels like it wants to live in your throat.  You're numb, but you move toward the open door.  Suddenly the wind whips at your hand and this is all suddenly too real.

What do you do next?  Will you sit back down or will you take the leap?  Describe your actions in detail.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180
3. R books
[*OR* Your $50M business]
4. Tangerine

october 25

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Remember that fortune you won yesterday? Easy come, easy go. Due to a computer error, 24,999,999 other people also won. That means your winnings total $2 (actually, more like $1.35 after taxes). How do you react? What thoughts and feelings do you experience? How will your plans change?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. ...about that $50M... (link to SBA business plan advice HERE)
3. Tangerine

october 24

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Today is your day! You find a lottery ticket-- THE lottery ticket. After Dr. Preston cashes it for you (you're too young and smart to play the lottery), you have $50 million. What will you do with it?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180
3. R book
4. Tangerine

october 23

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Why is it legal for businesses to put up all sorts of ugly signs, but graffiti is illegal?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Writer's Conferences
3. Read 180
4. R books
5. Tangerine

october 22

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe a time you thought of just the right thing to say to someone-- after the conversation was already over.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Essay (prompt/instructions below)
3. Read 180
4. R book
5. Tangerine

ESSAY:

Please write a 5-paragraph essay in response to the following prompt.

In the book Tangerine, Paul is a unique character.  Describe three qualities that make Paul different from the other characters in the book (such as his brother Erik, his mother, Coach Warner, or any other character you choose).  Please remember to organize your essay with an introduction and a conclusion, and also remember to proofread. 

october 16-19

Remember our conversation on Monday-- this week is a practice in independent work.  It isn't going to be easy, but it will be rewarding.  Each day, follow the formula:

• Write in your journal (topics below)
• Read180
• R books to p. 59
• Read your books and work on your literature analysis
• Tangerine (follow Ms. Anderson's pace and answer daily questions)

JOURNAL TOPICS:

(Tuesday)

Describe a time you found yourself in a strange situation.

(Wednesday)

Your favorite food is on trial.  If the court finds it guilty, no one will ever be able to eat it again.  What will you say in its defense?  Why should you be allowed to eat it?

(Thursday)

Describe your favorite memory of a meal (I'm in a food mood this week :).  Was it with family?  On a date?  At a fancy restaurant?  At home?  What made it special?  Was it the taste?  The company?  The emotions you felt?

(Friday)

Now that we know football causes all sorts of brain injuries and other medical problems, why do we still let fine young people play this stupid sport?

october 15

AGENDA:
(period 3)
1. Checking in and planning the week
2. Notes/review on symbolism
3. Journal
(period 4)
4. Tangerine/review & extend: p.112-
5. Read 180 (if time)

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Happy Birthday"]

As an expert in symbolism, please explain the relatively new trend of throwing flour and eggs on people to "celebrate" their birthdays. Older people may regard this behavior as assault or a desperate plea for attention; is there a deeper significance to this practice, or is it as dumb as it looks?

COMMENT to this post with the fiction novel you're reading.  Please include the title, the author, and the reason you chose it.

WRITE
(1) about your thoughts on working independently (title: I'M IN CHARGE/ 1st sentences: "Some high school students need to be told what to do all the time and reminded or threatened when they don't get the job done.  Independent work can be challenging, but I like it because...") 


(2) In the book Tangerine, Paul is aware that the other kids make fun of him.  Describe a time that people made fun of you or someone you know.  How did it make you feel?  How did you react?

october 12-13

NOTE: Dr. Preston will be out Thursday and Friday.  Please work independently on:

• Completing your journals (please turn in on Friday)
• Completing Literature Analysis #2 (due Friday)
• Read 180
• Completing the R books (section on China)

JOURNAL TOPICS:

(Thursday 10/12)

What is the first thing you think about when you pick up a new book?

(Friday 10/13)

In the book Tangerine, Paul is aware that the other kids make fun of him.  Describe a time that people made fun of you or someone you know.  How did it make you feel?  How did you react?

october 11

Please write about something important to you.  If you can't think of something, think of a person who is important to you, and write about something you think is important to him/her.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
(period 3)
2. Read 180/ Literature Analysis (due Friday)

(period 4)
1. Discuss the vocab terms with a friend.  Do you have the same understanding of the terms?  Did you represent them differently?

WRITE at least two things you learned from the conversation (title: SAME WORDS DIFFERENT PEOPLE)

2. Read "The Art of Hosting Good Conversations Online"

Take notes and WRITE a summary of the main points (title: THE ART OF HOSTING GOOD CONVERSATIONS ONLINE)

**Please turn in your vocab and summary notes to the sub at the end of the period.

october 10

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine that you are sitting at home one evening when you see a big spider walk across the floor in front of you. Do you ignore it, take it outside, smash it, or do something else? What information do you consider before you decide? Explain.

AGENDA:
(3rd period)
1. Journal
2. Read 180/ Read/ Literature Analysis

(4th period)
*Since I'm out, and our Wednesdays are promised to life beyond high school, please use the period to define and post about the following terms.  Copy the dictionary definition, use the words in sentences, and memorize them.  Please hand your paper to the substitute teacher before you leave class.

meme
virus
viral
blog
wiki
URL
website
www
Internet
2.0
open source

october 9

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine: you go home today and your family tells you that you have to pack because you're moving.  How would this make you feel?  Why?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180/ Read/ Literature analysis work
3. Tangerine
4. Preview for the rest of the week

october 8

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Meeting of the Minds" by Bad Religion]

Today I will attend a(nother) meeting about teaching English, and this gets me to thinking: Why do any of you care about learning English? What will you gain from being a better reader/writer/listener/speaker?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Your work portfolios
3. Read 180/ Literature Analysis (reminder: Literature Analysis #2 is due by Friday 10/12)
4. Tangerine: reading & questions

october 5

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Celluloid Heroes" by The Kinks]

Advertisements and reviews often say that a book or movie will "change your life"--describe a time when one actually did.  (If you can't think of a time when that actually happened, imagine what it would take for a book or a movie to make that much of an impact on your thinking or your way of looking at the world.)

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180/ work on literature analysis #2
3. Choices
4. Tangerine

teaching that stands the test of time

Sometimes I'll get an email from a student years after they take my class.  I just got another one last week:

Good teaching -- teaching that really makes a difference and helps us LEARN -- is priceless.  And it follows us throughout our lives.  Consider this story.  Take 10 minutes and watch the video.  Share it with your family.  And, if you haven't yet had a teacher who made an impact like this, start looking for one.  As I look back on my life so far I realize how important these people really are.

Link: 

FULL STORY HERE

october 4

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "The Bug" by Dire Straits]

Tell the story of a bug getting mashed on the windshield of a truck driving down the 101. You may tell the story from the point of view of the bug, the windshield, the driver, or an omniscient third person. (Choose with an idea in mind.)

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read 180 / READ (and start answering literature analysis questions for #2)
3. Résumé feedback and revisions

4. Tangerine: correct quiz together & and continue reading

october 3

JOURNAL TOPIC: 

 

If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead, real or fictional), who would you choose? Why? What would you talk about? Describe in detail.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Checking in: résumés, time investment portfolios
3. Résumé feedback and revisions

4. How to hunt for money

5. Tangerine: quiz feedback and comprehension

6. Read 180

POST:
How are you going to start fundraising for your life after high school?  (title: INVESTING IN ME)

tangerine quiz pp. 53-65

Please number your paper as follows, and answer each question with a complete sentence.

1. Why did Paul's mother think school should be canceled on September 6?
2. Where did Paul stand to watch the soccer practice?
3. Who held the ball for Erik to kick?
4. Are Paul's parents getting along?  Why/why not?
5. How does Paul imagine he might feel if his brother died?
6. Who is Mr. Bridges?
7. Why does Mr. Bridges call Paul's father?
8. Describe the parent meeting at Paul's house.  Who was there?  What did they discuss?
9. What did Paul's mother and Coach Warner argue about?
10. Who is Bill Donnelly?  Where does he live and what is his opinion about the argument?
11. What does Coach Walski tell Paul?  How does Paul react?
12. What does Paul think to himself about the osprey?
13. What does Paul's Dad offer as a solution for the soccer team?  Does Paul agree?
14. What does Paul's mother tell him about her feelings?

october 2

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Save it for Later" by The English Beat; "Procrastination" by Amy Winehouse]

Why do people procrastinate? How does it affect your life? What can you do about it?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. R-books/China pp. 38-41
3. Read 180
4. Tangerine 

Did you pick your next book to read?

october 1

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Words" by the Bee Gees]
People believe that words have so much power that we've declared some words "bad". George Carlin, on the other hand, said, "There are no bad words-- there are bad people, bad intentions, and words." What do you think?

AGENDA:
1. Journal/return work
2. Read 180
3. Read/ R Book pp. 34 - 37
4. Grammar/using quotation marks
5. Tangerine

HW:
1. Literature analysis #2 due Friday, October 14