4th Term

Note: If missed class, usually need to read and annotate paperwork or watch any films or powerpoints and write notes in order to make up credit.  Some of the paperwork will be found through links below; some will need to be obtained from teacher directly.

Tues., March 25^th 

Reminded students to turn in blue articles on Star Wars if didn't turn in last time.  B3 finished reading yellow articles; B4 turned in their annotations on yellow articles and discussed.  Reviewed some more on blue article (my research/follow-up).  Read from Star Wars: The Magic of Myth (B3 read through pg. 12; B4 read through half of pg. 10).  B3 given notes to fill out while watching the movie and began watching Star Wars: A New Hope and got to part where R2-D2 is taken by Jawas.  Note: If missed reading or viewing of the film, need to make it up. 

Homework: Be ready to show me, on paper, that you have started your research or writing for the project/paper.

Thurs., March 27^th 

Read from the Star Wars: The Magic of Myth (B3 read 16-29; B4 read 10-20).  B4 received notes to fill out while watching the movie.  Watched more of Star Wars: A New Hope, pausing to discuss archetypes and fill out notes.  (B3 got to part just after Greedo; B3 is at the point where Luke meets Ben and they go to Ben's home.)  I checked students notes/starts to make sure that they had started the project/paper.  Note: If missed reading or viewing of the film, need to make it up. 

Homework: If didn't show me check-off for paper/project start, get it done and show it to me.  A rough draft on the paper will likely be due next Friday. 

Mon., March 31^st (short day)  

B3 played brain game.  Went over April Fool's information.  If missed, need to read and annotate it.  Read from the Star Wars: The Magic of Myth (B3 read 30-44; B4 read 22-39, halfway down 39).  B4 watched 10 minutes of film.  If gone last time, students showed me their "check-off" on paper.  Announced rough draft (or at least 1/2) due by Friday.  

Homework: A rough draft on the paper (or at least 1/2) will be due Friday.

Wed., April 2^nd  

Went over "Han Shot First" clips.  Both classes watched film the entire time (and took notes); stopped film in places to discuss archetypes or point out some trivia.  B3 got to rebel base; B4 got to part where they took off from the Death Star.  (If gone, need to make up.) 

Homework: A rough draft on the paper (or at least 1/2) will be due Friday.  A finished draft will be due Mon., April 21st.

Fri., April 4^th  

Went over prank stories.  Showed video clips to advertise "Speak For Yourself" (school poetry slam, April 24th)--extra credit if attend.  Finished watching Star Wars.  (If gone, need to make up.)  Checked students' work (1/2 rough draft due).  If students didn't have, turn in by April 18th for part credit.  After that, too late.

Homework:  No homework.  A finished draft is due Mon., April 21st.

Happy Spring Break (April 5^th - 13^th) 

I will be out of the country April 14 ^th - 18 ^th

Tues., April 15^th (sub. here)

Planned: Students will read from Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, be quizzed on their reading, and watching a documentary on the Star Wars saga, adding to their Star Wars notes. 

Homework:  Students will read a blue article about the archetypes in Star Wars and annotate it.  If students didn't turn in half a draft on April 4th, they should turn it in this week for late credit.  After that, too late.  A finished draft is due Mon., April 21st.

Thurs., April 17^th (sub. here)

Planned: Students will discuss and turn in their annotated articles.  Students will read more from Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, watch more from the documentary on the Star Wars saga, adding to their Star Wars notes.   If time remains, students will read and annotate another article. 

Homework:  A finished draft is due Mon., April 21st.

Mon., April 21^st (sub. here)

Students read from Star Wars: The Magic of Myth book, up to page 101.  Sub. showed a few minutes of the documentary.  Sub. handed out rubrics for students to help with their papers (Click here for "love and affection" rubric, here for "biography" or "3-generational story" rubric, and here for "media evaluation" rubric.) 

Homework:  Read white Star Wars article ("Star Wars: A Myth for Our Time") and annotate it (few notes per page).  Sub. forgot to assign the homework to B3. 

Wed., April 23^rd

I briefly talked about my trip and went over what had occurred while I was gone.  Students were asked to fill out scholarship forms for the counselors.  Students got into small groups and brainstormed a list of what makes for good writing, which we discussed.  Reminded students of "Speak for Yourself," extra credit opportunity to be held Thurs. at 7 PM, for free, in the school auditorium. 

Homework:  Read white Star Wars article ("Star Wars: A Myth for Our Time") and annotate it (few notes per page).  If don't have a copy, can find it online here.  Sub. forgot to assign the homework to B3.  Bring paper back, ready for peer-editing.

Fri., April 25^th
Students turned in annotated white articles.  We read from Star Wars book (B3 got through 142; B4 got to 140).  If gone, need to make up.  In addition to reading and discussing, students needed to summarize and come up with symbols or drawings for the "good vs. evil" chapter.  If gone, need to make up.  Next time, we'll finish off the paper peer feedback. 

Homework:  Bring paper back, ready for peer-editing.

Tues., April 29^th
We discussed the six traits of writing.  Students analyzed "Chez Panisse" for the six traits of writing.  If gone, need to make up.  We ran out of time to discuss the other articles and for students to do peer feedback; we'll do peer feedback next time.  (If absent, need to review the 6 traits and annotate "Chez Panisse"--get papers from me.)   

Homework:  Read two articles (one on Iditarod and one on Roger Federer); annotate them for 6 traits of writing (or could annotate one heavier and not other if prefer).  Bring paper back, ready for peer-editing.

Thurs., May 1 ^st

We discussed the annotated articles and students turned them in.  Students gave feedback to each other on their papers.

Homework: Turn in finished paper and rough draft next time.

Mon., May 5 ^th

Students turned in their papers, rough drafts, and rubrics.  B3 students gave honesty declarations on receiving and offering peer feedback last time.  I read some trivia about Star Wars (that could show up on the test, this Friday).  We read more from the book (pg. 142 on). 

Homework: No homework but Star Wars notes due Friday and test on Friday. 

Wed., May 7^th (sub)

 Students finished reading the Star Wars book and working on their notes.  Students filled out a pre-quiz on urban legends.  (B3 did two, I believe, and B4 did one).  In B3, sub. shared college urban legends (and perhaps shared overview information).  If gone, need to skim the end of the book and fill out the urban legend pre-quizzes.

Homework: No homework but Star Wars notes due Friday and test on Friday.  Late work is due Wed., May 14th (or Tues., May 13th).

Fri., May 9^th 

 Since there was some confusion/frustration about the test with me being gone last time, I let the students choose (as a class) if they wanted to take it today or next time.  B3 took the test (with a quick hint or two first) and some turned in their Star Wars notes (if didn't turn them in, turn them in next time).  B4 moved forward with urban legends, hearing more about the key (such as Chief Seattle speech), going over the picture questions, going over the overview, and hearing the college stories.  Both classes received "Neiman-Marcus cookie" recipes--an extra credit opportunity.

Homework: B4 needs to fill out a second urban legend pre-quiz.  B4 also should study for the test and finish their Star Wars notes.  Late work is due Wed., May 14th (or Tues., May 13th).

Tues., May 13^th 

Went over announcements about finals and attendance school.  Passed out grades.  B4 received second urban legend pre-quiz to fill out.  B3 graded the test.  B4 took the test (with a quick hint or two first) and some turned in their Star Wars notes (if didn't turn them in, turn them in next time).  B4 will have 15 minutes next time to complete the essay portion of the test.  B3 briefly discussed what makes an urban legend and heard story of South American couple.  Both classes received "Neiman-Marcus cookie" recipes--an extra credit opportunity.

Homework: Late work due next time (I extended it); final papers and in-class participation work can come in Friday (for late credit or with a freebie late pass).  Read "Puss and Boots" and "Godfather Death" for next time.  No annotations needed, but there will be a quiz.  "Tell a Tale" due Wed., May 21st.  Bring textbooks for all classes to turn in next time. 

Thurs., May 13^th 

Students turned in textbooks and turned in late work.  Both classes heard about the Neiman-Marcus cookie recipe/urban legend and sampled some.  B4 had 25 minutes to work on their test essays that they didn't finish.  B3 saw the urban legend photos and heard more about Chief Seattle's speech; we also started to grade the second urban legend sheet.  We took the quiz on "Puss and Boots" and "Godfather Death" in both classes.  (Make it up if absent.)  We began grading the Star Wars tests in B4. 

We discussed options for the final.  The classes voted for the banquet.  Students will need to do 3 of the following 4 (or may do 4 if prefer): 1) be able to tell (briefly) a little-known fairy tale, folktale, or legend or a different variation (preferably historical/older) that the one we might be familiar with; 2) write a letter, card, invitation, etc. from your character that shows an awareness of story and personality and that also shows some creativity/artsy effort; 3) dress up as the character (could be more symbolic); and 4) bring a food or drink that fits the story, character, or region from which the story came.

Homework: Read "Fitcher Bird" and "The Frog King" and be ready for a quiz.  "Tell a Tale" due Wed., May 21st (in two class periods). 

Mon., May 19^th (short day)

B4 went over Star Wars test; B3 looked at Star Wars essays.  Both received grades (not yet complete).  B3 took and graded quiz on fairy tales ("Fitcher Bird" and "The Frog King").  B4 ran out of time and will take next time.  We discussed the final banquet,worth 60-80 points.  I reminded students of the "Tell a Tale" due next time and optional fairy tales.  I reminded students to turn in their Star Wars notes (worth 92 points and due a few times ago).  I also told students if they are missing their final papers, they should turn them in for reduced credit to increase their chances of passing the class.  I told the story "The Hand with the Knife" and "The Children Who Played Butcher."

Homework: Complete "Tell a Tale."  Can read "Mother Holle" and "The Twelve Brothers" for an optional score.