Wednesday, October 28, 2009

DAY 02 - CYCLE 08 - SEMESTER 01: 10-28-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Catie was our leader for the day (see? I CAN spell it!).

IN CLASS TODAY:
We discussed 179-205 in Watership Down. Catie was our leader, and had us work on two small group projects before re-convening into a larger group.

The new activities were quite welcome.

Overall, there still needs to be closer interpretation of the text itself, but you were definitely headed in that direction by the end of class. 

Are you getting better at this? What are your thoughts about how the classroom leadership experiments are going? Is it easier than you thought? Harder than you thought? How has this changed you as a student?  Post a comment and let us know your thoughts!


CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
1. Read 205-229. PREPARE. Ali will be our next leader.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

DAY 01 - CYCLE 08 - SEMESTER 02: 10-28-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Kelly was our leader for the day.

IN CLASS TODAY:
We discussed 150-178 in Watership Down. Kelly was our leader and worked well to keep us on task and focused in our efforts.

Your conversations generated some good ideas for an exam essay. Be sure to check the notes.

Others arrived unprepared, unwilling or unable to participate. That's a problem, and we spoke about possible solutions.  Success depends on your communication, and much on your preparedness.

Conversation was MUCH, MUCH better when you dove into the text and let a specific passage drive the main ideas.

Listen to each other more carefully.
  • Ask, "Were your questions answered?"
  • Clarify, "I think you are saying... Am I right?"
You are skipping ahead to what you want to talk about and not necessarily always taking in what others have to say.


CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
1. Read 178-205. PREPARE. Catie will be our next leader, and man, she's got plans for YOU!

Monday, October 26, 2009

DAY 05 - CYCLE 07 - SEMESTER 01: 10-26-09

No one was really in a position to discuss rabbits or vocabulary today. Class has been pushed back a day.  Tomorrow, we will pick up where we would have today.  Kelly will be our leader, and we will help each other through the rocky spots in the days ahead.  For now, I offer a poem that is a favorite of mine.  A dear friend gave it to me when my mom passed away, and it teaches me often.

A Poem
in time of daffodils(who know

in time of daffodils(who know

the goal of living is to grow)

forgetting why,remember how


in time of lilacs who proclaim

the aim of waking is to dream,

remember so(forgetting seem)


in time of roses(who amaze

our now and here with paradise)

forgetting if,remember yes


in time of all sweet things beyond

whatever mind may comprehend,

remember seek(forgetting find)



and in a mystery to be

(when time from time shall set us free)

forgetting me,remember me
 
e.e. cummings

DAY 04 - CYCLE 07 - SEMESTER 01: 10-23-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Forrest was our leader for the day.

IN CLASS TODAY:
We finished the word for Unit 3 vocabulary.  Your quiz qill be late next week.

We discussed 121-149 in Watership Down.

You decided that simply using the study guide as a basis was not particularly satisfying, and wanted a debate, but had a hard time moving in that direction.  However, by the end of class, you had discussed which rabbit should have MVP status (a debatable point) and had created a football analogy that worked pretty well.

CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
1. Read 150-178. Complete ONE of the journal entries found at the end of the study guide for 121-149 OR 150-178.  Be ready to turn it in.  Kelly will be our next leader.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

DAY 03 - CYCLE 07 - SEMESTER 01: 10-21-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Ellie was our leader for the day.

IN CLASS TODAY:
You locked me out of the room and hid under the table.  Alarming at first glance, the act had me nonetheless charmed to see the community spirit forming!

We went over the next 5 words of vocabulary in Unit 3 of the vocabulary book.

We discussed pages 93-118.

Debates are developing and that is good to see.  More folks are bringing the book into discussion.  I'd like to see references to specific pages start making it into the notes.

CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
1. Read 121-149 and complete the totally mislabeled study guide.  Forrest will be our next leader.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

DAY 02 - CYCLE 07 - SEMESTER 01: 10-20-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Claire was our leader for the day.

IN CLASS TODAY:
We went over the next 5 words of vocabulary in Unit 3 of the vocabulary book.

We discussed pages 70-92.

Getting sick of simply discussing the study guides? Leaders, here are some ideas:
- Dissect a particular passage for deeper meaning.
- Develop a debate topic an assign people to a side.
- Bring in an outside poem or reading that connects to the reading and discuss it.
- Break folks up into small groups and give them tasks to report back to the larger group
CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
1. Read 93-118 and complete the totally mislabeled study guide.  The one linked to above is correct!  Ellie will be our next leader.

Monday, October 19, 2009

DAY 01 - CYCLE 07 - SEMESTER 01: 10-19-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Margot was our leader for the day.

IN CLASS TODAY:
We went over the first 5 words of vocabulary in Unit 3 of the vocabulary book.

We discussed pages 45-70.
We started making more overt connections to our own behavior as a group and that of the Watership Down rabbits.  Please see class notes for assessments of the novel.

Please consider:
  • You are annoyed by Fiver's unwillingness to go along with the group when it is clear that the group is headed in a particular direction.  You fault him for having a bad attitude or simply not pulling his weight. To what extent do you contribute to the class dynamic? Are you a Hazel, a Bigwig, a Fiver or Pipkin?
  • What help do leaders need to be successful? Are you providing it?
  • What traits must a leader exhibit to find success?
  • What common goals are the rabbits working toward?
  • What common goals should WE be working toward?
Such considerations should be a part of our discussions.

CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
1. Read 71-92 in the book and be prepared for class by doing the study guide. 
2. Claire will be our next leader.

Leaders are not required to use the study guide as the basis of their activities.  They may come up with other activities and questions.  However, leaders should be able to rely on the fact that everyone will be as prepared as possible with the help of the studyguide.

Friday, October 16, 2009

DAY 05 - CYCLE 06 - SEMESTER 01: 10-16-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Alex was our leader for the day.

IN CLASS TODAY:
You took a vocabulary quiz on Unit II.

We discussed pages 22-44.

Those who were unprepared (I know, lots of tests today), be aware of your effect on the dynamic. 

CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
1. Read 45-70

2. Your homework for the weekend is a journal: Type a 12-sentence paragraph that answers either of the questions: Is Hazel a good leader? Or, is Fiver a good team member? You should type and double space it, edit carefully, use MLA format, and be prepared to hand it in. Remember, check for use of literary present tense, and any other issues peculiar to your writing. If you have questions, see me or contact me via email.

3. Your completed homework will form the basis for our discussion in the next class, where we will focus on what it means to be a good leader and a good follower. (You yourselves are trying to form a better team in discussing this book!) First, let’s review the first 75 pages and cite specific examples of the following:
a. Good teamwork
b. Good leadership
c. Challenges to both
d. Ways those challenges are addressed



3. Please write your own question Margo will be our next leader.

DAY 04 - CYCLE 06 - SEMESTER 01: 10-15-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there. Chris was our leader for the day.

IN CLASS TODAY:
REMINDER: YOUR QUIZ ON UNIT II WORDS WILL BE TOMORROW.  IT WILL INCLUDE WORDS FROM UNIT I. There will be 15 sentence matching questions.

We discussed pages 1-22.

CLASS NOTES:
Notes for today's class may be found here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
This information is also in the study guide.  Read pages 22-44 in Watership Down and use the study guide.  Prepare for discussion. Alex will be our next leader.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

DAY 03 - CYCLE 06 - SEMESTER 01: 10-13-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

Today's handout was the full study guide for Watership DownThe reading schedule, leader assignments, and all study guides are in there.

IN CLASS TODAY:
REMINDER: YOUR QUIZ ON UNIT II WORDS WILL BE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15th.  IT WILL INCLUDE WORDS FROM UNIT I.

We discussed the large study guide packet and the roles.  Maddie, you'll want to make an appointment to come in so I can explain it to you, too.

You turned in your journal entries.

You started reading pages 1-22 in Watership Down.  You may also find it helpful to scan the introduction.

Chris will be the class leader for Thursday.

CLASS NOTES:
There were no notes for today

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
This information is also in the study guide.  Read pages 1-22 in Watership Down and use the study guide.  Prepare for discussion.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

DAY 02 - CYCLE 06 - SEMESTER 01: 10-09-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

I gave you discussion questions for today, which are available by clicking on the class notes for today.

IN CLASS TODAY:
We covered words 15-20 in Unit II of the vocabulary book: sacrilege, summarily, suppliant, talisman and undulate.

I ANNOUNCED THAT YOUR QUIZ ON UNIT II WORDS WILL BE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15th.  IT WILL INCLUDE WORDS FROM UNIT I.

We discussed 107-128 in Antigone.

Conversation is improving.  Four or five of you are still holding back. Two or three of you need to limit yourselves so that others may speak.

CLASS NOTES:
You may download the notes for today's class by clicking here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
HOMEWORK: Due Tuesday!

CHOOSE ONE:
  • In a minimum 12 sentences (you may write more), explain how the closing lines of the play apply to Whale Rider.
  • In a minimum 12 sentences (you may write more), compare/contrast Pai to Antigone.

 Toward this end, you might find the following scenes helpful to re-watch:




 

Thursday, October 8, 2009

DAY 01 - CYCLE 06 - SEMESTER 01: 10-08-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

I gave you discussion questions for today, which are available by clicking on the class notes for today.

IN CLASS TODAY:
We covered words 11-15 in Unit II of the vocabulary book: maelstrom, myopic, overt, pejorative, and propriety.

We discussed 85-107 in Antigone.

Here is the Odeipus family tree:



I was impressed by what many of you had to say in class.  Clearly, you are reading in a more engaged fashion.  Delightful!  Please, keep it up.  Those of you who really stepped it up today, it showed, I noticed, and we're all the better for it.  Those who didn't, keep trying.  I've read enough of your writing to know you all can reach a high standard.

CLASS NOTES:
You may download the notes for today's class by clicking here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
Please complete the play (up through page 128).  The discussion format simply works better, so we'll stick with that.  You'll have a writing assignment over the weekend, drawing comparisons between Whale Rider and Antigone.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

DAY 05 - CYCLE 05 - SEMESTER 01:10-07-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

There were no handouts today

IN CLASS TODAY:
You took an open book reading quiz.

We covered words 6-10 in Unit II of the vocabulary book: devious, gambit, halcyon, histrionic, and incendiary.

We dug a lot deeper into 60-86 in Antigone.

Clearly, many of you were better prepared.  Others, you're still being far too passive.
CLASS NOTES:
You may download the notes for today's class by clicking here.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
Read from where we stopped on the middle of page 85 through the end of 107.  Your pages should be well-annotated, unfamiliar words should be researched, motives and actions questioned, indirect characterizations carefully considered, etc.  Please come ready to discuss these pages in depth, to listen carefully to what your peers are saying, and to join in the conversation.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

DAY 04 - CYCLE 02 - SEMESTER 01: 10-06-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

There were no handouts today

IN CLASS TODAY:
We barely scratched the surface of 60-86 in Antigone.

What was obvious:
  • Few readers had practiced.
  • Were you reading this for the first time? It showed.
  • No one had looked up words they did not know.
  • People settled for vague familiarity in place of genuine understanding.
I blame Homecoming and the Packer game.

CLASS NOTES:
There were no notes taken in class, except for those which you took in your book as we read aloud. Tomorrow will be a notes intensive day.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
Reread 60-86.  Look up words.  Figure out what people are talking about.  DO THE READING AND STRUGGLE WITH IT A BIT. Mere familiarity simply will not cut it in this class. I am deeply concerned about the signals of passivity I am seeing.  You're all clearly very smart, but that shouldn't be a motivation to wing it.  You should expect a quiz tomorrow, and you should bring your vocabulary book.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

DAY 03 - CYCLE 05 - SEMESTER 01: 10-02-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

You received a handout describing two options to approaching Antigone in class: as reader and as writer.  Both require astute attention, thoughtful reflection, and careful articulation of insights.

IN CLASS TODAY:
We read sample sentences for the first five words of Unit 2 in the vocabulary book.  Remember that providing adequate context is critical!

We finished watching Whale Rider and discussed why Paikea was able to be so tolerant of her Grandfather Koro's intolerance of her.  If you cannot explain why to yourself now, you should remember to ask again when class resumes on Tuesday (we don't meet on Monday).

We began Antigone in class with a conversation between Antigone and Ismene.  Questions you should be able to answer before moving on are these (these are the very same questions with which we will begin on Tuesday, so you should all be able to answer them!):
  • Where are they?
  • What recent circumstances are affecting them?
  • What are their attitudes toward Creon's decree?
  • What does Antigone want to do?
  • What is Ismene's response?
  • Why do they want to pursue the actions they do?
  • What are the emotional states of each character?

We selected readers for Tuesday's class. 

Students who are not readers were also asked to read and develop questions for Tuesday's discussion.

CLASS NOTES:
There were no notes taken in class, except for those which you were to write down on your study guide.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
Those who want to demonstrate better engagement in class will read the above post in full. If you cannot answer the above questions, re-read 59-60.

Read pages 61-86 (up until Ismene enters) in Antigone.  

Readers, you will be performing your parts on Tuesday.  Read all of 61-86 and work to understand how all of the characters interact.  Then, go back and decide who you are within that context. You should give very careful thought to what words you will emphasize, where you will pause, what your volume of voice will be, where you will speak rapidly, what gestures and facial expressions will accompany your reading, and why your choices make sense.  Remember that all characters experience more than one emotion, even if only one value drives their choices.

Students who are not reading aloud, you should develop questions for each of the characters about why they are the way they are, why they act as they do, how the demonstrate their traits through speech and action.  Remember the value of indirect characterization in determining the essence of a character.  Have an idea about how you think the parts should be performed.  Think of larger questions you would like the characters to speak to, e.g. Why is ____X_____ such a priority for you?  Readers, as their characters, will need to be able to answer these questions.  Your questions should demonstrate that you have given careful thought to the characters, the issues they raise, and the choices your peers make in their interpretations of those characters.

Your level of engagement in these tasks will have a direct correlation to how engaging class is over the next week.  Take your work seriously.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

DAY 02 - CYCLE 05 - SEMESTER 02: 10-01-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:

There were no handouts today

IN CLASS TODAY:
I looked at your notes about the introduction to Antigone.

Dismayed, I explained my expectations and grading scale.
A: Pushing personal limits to achieve mastery
C: Treading water, doing enough to be left alone, remaining passive/silent
F: Everything from body language to quality of work, when it's even done, clearly demonstrates disdain.

We moved on, still friends.

We continued to watch the film and take notes on our study guides.

CLASS NOTES: There were no notes taken in class, except for those which you were to write down on your study guide.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
READ THE DARN INTRODUCTION IF YOU HAVEN'T! Write a sample sentence for each of the first five words in unit two of the vocabulary book. No, we have not covered them in class. Yes, you should write out your sentences.  Yes, they should be ORIGINAL, not taken from any other source. Yes, I will be checking them.