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March 28, 2008
Hope everyone is enjoying their vacation and using their time wisely!
Seniors;
12C- Since we did not have class on Tuesday or Wednesday before Easter vacation "The Streetcar Named Desire" composition, which was due on Wednesday March 19, will count for the fourth marking period. It will be due on Tuesday, April 1. Seven students made the extra effort to hand it in on time. They will all receive some extra points for their efforts.
All seniors:
When we return we will watch the "Streetcar Named Desire" movie. Then there will be a composition on the movie.
The fourth marking period is very short for the seniors. We will try to get in a vocabulary list. We will definitely read "The View from the Bridge" by Arthur Miller. Then we will supplement grades with some essays and short stories as needed (depending on how much time we have), but this marking period is always the shortest for the seniors.
Important announcement for juniors.
We had no class on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Easter vacation started. Therefore, I am going to make some big changes to the schedule.
The final copy of the research paper will be due on Monday, April 7. Everyone will have the weekend to finish their papers. This means there will be less excuse for not doing the paper or handing it in late. Rough drafts will be returned on Monday, 3/31.
We will discuss research paper problems next week.
Next week we will also have a new vocabulary list. Vocabulary test will be on Friday, April 4. The words will be distributed on Monday.
The next vocabulary list is:
cryptic
cursory
curtail
decorum
deference
degradation
delineate
denounce
deplore
depravity
deprecate
deride
derivative
despondent
detached
deterrent
detrimental
devious
devise
diffuse
March 17, 2008
Important announcement for the Juniors. I have decided to have mercy on the juniors and extend the due date for the research papers until Friday, April 4, 2008. This way they can work on their papers and if they have questions, they can ask me when we return from Easter vacation. Please make sure that your students use the time during vacation to work on their papers. They can email me questions at dboyce@bssg.net. Please email me directly as I have been having trouble getting email from schoolnotes. I will check my email periodically during vacation. Have a Happy Easter.
March 6, 2008
Seniors:
A couple of important annmouncements.
1."A Streetcar Named Desire" test next week. Next week we will also be doing compositions on "Streetcar" and Writing of the Month. These will be the last grades for the seniors' third marking period. The Marking period will end when Easter vacation begins. This is because the seniors finish class well before the underclassmen. In order to insure that we have a fair amount of work for the fourth marking period I end the third one early for the seniors.
The seniors have been informed of this fact and also been told that any extra work or make-up work they wish to hand in must be done by Easter break.
I have also sent home letters about the seniors who owe me a research paper from last marking period. There are eleven seniors who still have not done their paper. There can be no passing and no graduation until the paper is done. If necessary it will have to be handed in by the end of summer school!
Juniors:
11a and 11b have a literature test tomorrow, Friday March 7. The test is on "Self Reliance," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Raven" and "An Appetite for Fright." We reviewed today in class. They will have a composition on the literature which they will do in class next week. Then we will also have Writing of he Month next week.
11c will continue reading literature. We will read "Self Reliance" by Ralph Walso Emerson tomorrow and next week we will read "The Declaration of Women's Rights" by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Next week we will also stop for Writing of the Month. But we will have a test before Easter break. This schedule is tentative and we will do as much as we can.
February 22, 2008
Junior research assignment time is here. the assignment below will be given to all of he juniors on Monday.
English 11 Writing Across the Curriculum
All juniors must do a research paper for English class. You must research and write about an American author, both life and work. It would be best to choose an author whose work you have read either in class or on your own. You must have a minimum of five sources and the paper must be at least five pages long. The breakdown is below.
The standards for the research paper are not suggestions; they are requirements. If you do not write your paper according to the standards below you will fail.
The paper is to be written in three sections:
I. Biography- A biographical summary of the author’s life and career as it pertains to his writing. This section should only include important facts about the author’s life and it must include extensive, specific detail. It should be no less than one page and no more than two pages in length. The information should come from at least two sources. This section is worth 35% of your paper.
II. Published works- You must include a comprehensive list of the author’s published works. Each major work should have a brief summary of two or three sentences. For authors with an extended list of publications, you must see me to find out which ones you need to summarize. This section should be as long as it takes, depending on the extent of the author’s output. All of this information may come from one source. This section is worth 15% of your paper.
III. Analysis- You must include a critical analysis of the author’s work, either an individual work or an overview of the author’s entire career. Your analysis should include such topics as style, themes, common characteristics, etc. that show up in the author’s writing. Or you can do a critical analysis of one work of the author’s that you have read. This section should be two to three pages in length and must come from at least two sources. This means you must find two critical writings about your author and compare and contrast them. You should use book reviews, essays, Cliff notes, etc. for this information. This section is worth 50% of your paper.
The final copy of the paper must be typed, double- spaced, black ink on white paper, font of 12, Times New Roman print. There must be a cover page, at least five pages of text and a bibliography of your sources. Neatness and correct format count in the evaluation of your paper.
You must quote from all of your sources in your paper. When you do, you must use in-text documentation. Any references to your sources must be credited in the text. Any quote from a critic, fact or statistic must be documented. If you do not quote from a source that is listed in your bibliography, you will not get credit for having used that source in your paper. Credit to your sources will be by parenthetical documentation (Boyce, 2003). Again, there must be at least one reference to each source listed in your bibliography.
The bibliography format will be standard. You must have the title, author, publisher and date for each source that you use. If you use an internet source, you must include the entire web address in your bibliography.
Warning! There are many websites available to teachers that will match a research paper to literally billions of websites to compare for plagiarism. If I think you cheated on your paper, you will get a zero.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear:
IF I THINK YOU CHEATED, YOU WILL HAVE TO PROVE TO ME THAT YOU DIDN’T. I DO NOT HAVE TO PROVE THAT YOU DID.
Any further questions, see me. I will be available to help, but this is your work. Do not tell me that as a junior in high school you do not know how to write a research paper. You should use the research paper book that you had to buy in freshman or sophomore year.
If you want a good grade you must be prepared to spend some time and do some work. If you do not wish to put in the effort, your grade will reflect that.
If you do not hand in a research paper, you will automatically fail English and will have to do the paper eventually anyway, even if that means in summer school.
Calendar: You will receive points for each step in the paper.
Friday, February 29- author’s name- 5 points- everyone should be working on a different author. No two people in the same class may do the same author.
Friday, March 7- List of sources- 10 points- You must hand in a list of possible sources for your paper. You do not have to use these sources, but you must start looking for information that you can use for your paper.
Friday, March 14- rough draft- 15 points A rough draft is the majority of your paper, so that I can judge if you are doing your paper correctly.
Monday, March 31- final copy- 50 points- five points off for each day late
February 13, 2008
Dear Junior parents:
I just wanted to let everyone know that the students have only had to bring in their textbooks for about one week, and I have four books in lost and found already for 11A and 11B. Yesterday, eight students in 11C did not bring their textbooks to class. I think that really says something about the junior class. Please talk to your student and make sure they have their textbook. By the way, to replace a lost book costs $100! If it was me, I would be making sure that my son or daughter had their book. Mr. Boyce
February 11, 2008
Reminder: Many seniors still owe me Writing Across the Curriculum papers from last semester. Seniors cannot pass for the marking period, or for the year, if they have not completed their papers.
Parents: Please speak to your senior about how they are doing in class. Too many seniors seem to feel that the school year is over and they are finished. Way too many seniors are going to go to summer school unless this attitude changes.
Weekly schedules:
Seniors:
Tuesday, Feb. 12- test on "Marty"
Wednesday and Thursday, Feb 13 & 14- Writing of the Month
Friday, Feb. 15- 12B gym class
12C
Juniors:
11A & 11B- Tuesday- "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson- define genius (according to Emerson) and nonconformist. Questions 1, 2, 3
Wednesday- all juniors- vocabulary test (words are posted below) compliance to criterion
Thursday and Friday- Writing of the Month
February 5, 2008
Junior vocabulary words:
Vocabulary test on Wednesday 2/13
compliance
composure
comprehensive
concede
conciliatory
concise
concur
condone
conflagration
confound
consensus
constraint
contend
contentious
contract (v)
conviction
cordial
corroborate
credulity
criterion
January 29, 2008
Welcome back to a new semester.
Seniors:
too many seniors did not do their Writing Across the Curriculum paper. There are ten students who have not handed their paper in. This means an automatic failure for the second marking period. It also means that the student will keep failing until the paper is handed in. Ultimately, the student will have to complete his/her paper in summer school. This is not a situation that a senior should be dealing with. I also told the classes that they had their chance to hand in a bad paper just to get it done. Now they must do the paper conrrectly: I will have no problem making a senior do their paper over if it is not done properly.
For this week, we will be watching the movie "Dracula" and the classes will write a composition on the movie. If we cannot get a copy of the movie, we will start reading "Marty."
Juniors
We were very happy with the junior's Regents results! Overall the class exceeded expectations. There are still some students who will have to retake the test in June, but for the most part the results were very gratifying. Congratulations!
This week we will be watching the movie version of "The Crucible." The students will also have to write a review/composition of the movie.
Next week, we will have a new vocabulary list and finally start our study of literature.
January 3, 2008
Happy New Year, Everybody!
Seniors:
We will be reading the play "Dracula" and that will take us right up to Mid-term exams.
Speaking of Mid-terms, the seniors mid-term review will consist of the work below.
Literature:
Oedipus the King
Macbeth
The Allegory of the Cave
The Man Who Skiied Down Everest
The Fatalist
The Chaser
Something That Begins With L
Third From the Sun
Vocabulary:
nonchalance notoriety novelty
nurture obliterate oblivion
obscure obstinate ominous
opaque opportunist optimist
opulence orator ostentatious
pacifist partisan peripheral
perpetuate pervasive
Composition:
1.Macbeth/Oedipus
2.Literature
3.General topic
Juniors:
We will still be reviewing for the English Regents.
New Vocabulary list:
augment
austere
authoritarian
autonomous
aversion
belie
benevolent
bolster
braggart
brevity
cajole
calcualted
candor
capricious
censorious
censure
coercion
commemorate
compile
complacency
the test will be on Friday, January 11
December 17, 2007
Seniors:
This week we will have a test on Thursday, December 20. The test will be on three stories: "The Chaser," " Something that Begins with L," and "Third from the Sun." Pay close attention to the literary terms such as allusion, foreshadowing, irony, etc.
Juniors:
We will continue to practice for the Regents.
Monday: The students will finish their compositions. Those who are not done will have a writing practice exercise to do.
Tuesday: We will go over the writing practice exercise from Monday.
Wednesday and Thursday: There will be another composition for Part three of the Regents.
Friday: Only 11c will have class on Friday, so we will have an exercise to do.
Over vacation there is no formal assignment. It would be a good opportunity for the students to do make-up work and extra credit.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
December 10, 2007
Seniors:
Back to literature! This week and next we will be reading some short stories to take us into Christmas vacation.
First, "The Chaser," a well- known story of the "macabre" and also a famous Twilight Zone episode. After that, "Something that Begins with L," another strange and mysterious story. If we have time, there will be a third story added, but I haven't decided which one yet. The students must get the stories from me, since we do not use a literature book.
There will be a test or composition before break.
Also, the seniors should have chosen their topics for their research papers and should be looking for sources of information. Their list of six sources is due on Friday, 12/14. Then they should be writing their rough drafts over Christmas vacation.
Juniors:
Back to the English Regents. We will be studying part III of the Regents for the next two weeks.
In this section of the Regents, the students must compare or contrast two literary selections. They must also show how the authors use literary elements and techniques to mke their points. It is not as hard as it sounds. We will be writing two compositions in the next two weeks to get ready for the test.
December3, 2007
Easy week.
Seniors
Monday-go over vocabulary words
Tuesday and wednesday-Writing of the month
Thursday-vocabulary test
vocabulary words:
nonchalance
notoriety
novelty
nurture
obliterate
oblivion
obscure (v)
obstinate
ominous
opaque
opportunist
optimist
opulence
orator
ostentatious
pacifist
partisan
peripheral
perpetuate
pervasive
Juniors
Monday- go over vocabulary words
Tuesday and Wednesday- Writing of the Month
Thursday- Vocabulary test
vocabulary words
(first word is banned from schoolnotes- the students know what it is)
anecdote
animosity
antagonism
antidote
antiquated
apathy
appease
apprehension
arbitrary
archaic
arrogance
articulate
artifact
artisan
ascendancy
ascetic
aspire
astute
attribute (v)
November 20, 2007
No homework over the Thanksgiving weekend. Something to be thankful for!
Senior change in schedule:
The final test on "Macbeth" has been rescheduled for after the Thanksgiving weekend due to excessive absences. Way too many students would have to take make-up tests if we had the test tomorrow as originally scheduled.
So we will watch the movie for today and tomorrow.
Next week we will review on Monday and then have the test on Wednesday (12b has gym on Tuesday)
We will be doing some vocabulary and discussing the senior research paper also.
Juniors
11A and 11b will begin the third section of the English Regents after the Thanksgiving weekend.
We will have some more vocabulary then, also.
11C will review "The Crucible" and then have their test after Thanksgiving. They are a few days behind the other classes because they have gym on Day five.
We will review on Monday and then test on Tuesday.
November 14, 2007
Sorry I have not been keeping up lately. I will do better in the future.
All classes have their Writing of the Month due by Friday, November 16. They may also do an extra credit Writing of the Month essay by Friday, also.
Seniors:
We are finishing up "Macbeth." I want to have the test on the play before Thanksgiving. 12B has gym tomorrow, which is messing up our schedule. We are almost finished with Act 4. We will finish Act 4 on Friday and then listen to Act 5. Then we have Monday and Tuesday to go over Act 5 and review Acts three and four. So it looks like the test for Acts 3, 4, 5 will be on Wednesday.
12C is going faster than 12B because they have class every day. Their test could be Tuesday or even Monday.
After Thanksgiving we will do some vocabulary, which we have neglected and senior research projects (Writing across the curriculum) will begin.
Juniors:
We are finishing "The Crucible." 11A and 11b will have their tests on Friday or Monday. We are discussing the final act now.
11C has gym once a cycle, so their test will not be until next week at the earliest. I would prefer to have it before Thanksgiving, but if it has to be later, that would be no big deal.
After Thanksgiving, all juniors will do some more vocabulary and we will review parts three and four of the English Regents. We will try to go back and review all four parts of the English Regents before the students have to take the test in January.
October 31, 2007
Big changes!!!
1) Both tests have been changed to Friday, November 2.
12B and 12c's test on Shakespeare's life, Elizabethan culture and Acts one and two of "Macbeth" was changed because 12c did not have class today.
11A and 11B's test on witchcraft, and Acts one and two of "The Crucible" was changed, so we could give the material the time and attention it deserved. This way we do not have to rush through it to meet the test schedule.
11C's test is tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 5. It could be changed to Tuesday if necessary.
2)All Students- All make-up work, extra credit and anything else that needs to be handed in is still due on Friday, November 2. No exceptions for any reason! I am one of the few teachers who allows students to make up homework, so I will not deviate from my schedule. No excuses, no exceptions, no mercy!
October 29, 2007
Everyone please note!
All make-up work, extra credit, extra work, whatever work is due on Friday, November 2. Nothing will be accepted after that date. No exceptions, no excuses, no mercy. If you are absent on Friday, do better next marking period.
Seniors:
We have just read Act Two of Macbeth. There will be a test on Shakespeare's life, Elizabethan culture, and Acts one and two on Thursday for 12B. The test will probably be on Friday for 12C due to the Holloween movie for Seniors on Wednesday, it all depends on how far we get.
Juniors:
Test on Acts one and two of the Crucible and the filmstrip on Witchcraft on Thursday for 11A and 11B. The test will be Friday or Monday for 11C, due to gym class tomorrow. This is a big test and the last chance to get a major grade before the end of the marking period.
October 26, 2007
Seniors
We have read Acts One and Two. The students have study questions to help them understand the play. Next week, we will have a big test on Thursday, most likely. The test will be on Acts one and two and the introductory material on Shakespeare's life and Elizabethan culture.
Juniors
We are finishing Act One of the Crucible. Some of the classes are finishing Act Two. There will be tests next week on Acts One and Two and the introductory material on witches.
October 22, 2007
Seniors:
Start "Macbeth." We have finished our introduction and we will begin reading the play on Tuesday. We have study questions for each act, and there will be a test on the introduction and acts one and two. The test will probably be next week or the week after.
I have told the students that to read and understand Shakespeare will take some effort on their part. If they choose not to make the effort, their grades will reflect that. I have successfully taught "Macbeth" for years and the students who make the effort always do well.
Juniors:
We will start reading "The Crucible." We are finishing the introduction and will begin reading the play by the end of the week.
We will listen to the play and the students will answer study questions. There will be a test on the introduction and acts one and two sometime next week or the week after.
11C is a little behind the other two classes because they have gym instead of English once every cycle. They will still cover the same material.
There has been some question concerning extra credit. IEP students received a letter detailing their extra work. All other students may do extra credit IF their homework is caught up. They must do their homework first and then we can discuss extra work. Also, everyone should know that extra credit cannot replace classwork or homework in order for you to pass.
October 15, 2007
Seniors:
Monday and Tuesday: Writing of the Month- students may always do a second essay for extra credit
Wednesday- no school for seniors
Thursday and Friday: Begin Macbeth
Juniors:
Monday and Tuesday: PSAT practice
Wednesday: PSAT test
Thursday and Friday: Writing of the Month
Next Week: back to "The Crucible"
October 11, 2007
Seniors:
Test tomorrow on "The Allegory of the Cave," "The Man Who Skied Down Everest," and "The Fatalist."
Pay special attention to the symbolism, the themes, the treatment of fate and the plotlines.
Next week, more compositions and Writing of the Month. Then Macbeth!
Juniors
We are starting "The Crucible" and have been doing the introduction for the past week.
Next week, PSAT practice for the PSAT test on Wednesday and Writing of the Month. Then we will return to "the Crucible" the week after.
October 5
Seniors
The senior tour of the University of Binghamton has been cancelled because it is prohibitively expensive. The bus company has to pay a driver for a 12 hour day and it is a 400 mile round trip. We are considering other possibilities for a more local college trip next month.
We have just finished "The Allegory of the Cave" and are going to read and discuss "The Man Who Skied Down Everest," which is about the first person to make that attempt. But the story is really about pushing your limits, doing your best (something the seniors should think about) and meeting challenges. After "Everest" we will read "The Fatalist" by Isaac Bashevis Singer. So, we are looking at a possible literature test for Friday, October 12. (?) Then we will move on to Macbeth.
The tests on "Oedipus" are to be returned today. Too many of them were not good. Last year many of our current seniors did not do any work until the second senester. That will not do it for senior year. I would hope graduation would be motivation to do well.
Juniors
We are finishing our essays on Part Two of the English Regents and then we are going to move on to "The Crucible." This is a good play to use on the Regents also. It has very strong universal themes that come up on the Regents a lot.
Students with IEP's who did not do well on the vocabulary test should be handing in vocabulary compositions by Tuesday October 9. No late compositions will be accepted.
Also, students who wish to do extra credit must be all caught up on their homework before extra credit will be considered. Extra credit work is not a substitute for classwork.
October 1
Seniors
Finish "Oedipus" composition.
There is Oedipus extra credit available to those with IEP's and to people who behave themselves in class.
Also, if you owe me work, do not ask for extra credit. Do all of your classwork first and then we will talk about extra work.
Next: "the Allegory of the Cave" by Plato
Juniors:
Finish session one, part b of the Regents
Homework tonight:11a and 11b (11c has gynm tomorrow) two lists-
One- what people "need to know" about teenage work-related injuries
Two- suggestions for employers on ways to prevent teenage work-related injuries
Your son or daughter knows what this means. If they do not, it means they were not paying attention in class today.
9/25
Senior homework; bring in ten examples of irony from the play "Oedipus."
Oedipus test on Thursday. Oedipus compositions done in class on Friday and Monday.
Juniors: vocabulary test Friday. words are posted below.
Start Regents part two: the students must read an article that includes an infographic. It could be a map, chart, etc. The students must read, answer some multiple choice questions and write a response. We will be doing a couple of examples in class over the next two weeks or so. Then the students will have to write a composition for points.
9/24
Seniors:
"Oedipus" finish the play and do all questions. We will have a test on the play "Oedipus" on either Wednesday or Thursday. Then we will do a composition on the major themes of the play and then hopefully we will see the movie.
Juniors:
Vocabulary test on Friday, 9/28. The second list of words is:
advocate
aesthetic
affable
affirmation
alleviate
aloof
altruistic
ambiguous
ambivalence
analogous
the previous ten words were:
abridge
abstemious
abstract
abstruse
accessible
acclaim
acknowledge
adulation
adversary
adversity
The test on Friday will be on all twenty-fill-ins, sentences and definitions.
9/20
REMINDER- summer reading tests will be given on Friday, September 21 to all students
Seniors:
Finish reading "Oedipus" and finish all the questions up to #32.
Juniors are finishing their first regents practice compositions.
9/18
Seniors
Homework for tonight: "Oedipus" questions 14-21 on loose leaf
Wed.- go over questions
Thurs.- finish reading entire play
Fri.- summer reading tests
Juniors
See below for weekly schedule.
9/17
This week:
Seniors-continue reading "Oedipus"
do questions 1-21, for now, the rest will be due as we read the play
We may finish reading "Oedipus" by the end of the week, in which case all of the answers for the discussion questions would be due.
Friday- summer reading tests
Juniors:
Monday- second speech "Pompeii"
Tuesday- go over vocabulary
go over "Pompeii" speech- check notes
Wednesday- rough drafts of first composition, either "The Birth of the Internet" or "Pompeii"
Thursday- good copies on loose leaf of first composition, either "Internet" or "Pompeii."
Friday- summer reading tests
9/14
Updates for everyone.
Seniors
Read "Oedipus Rex" pg. 1-27 "Exit Tiresias"
Do questions 1-13
We will be reading Oedipus for the next couple of weeks.
* Next Friday for all students- Summer Reading tests. All students must register in advance for the tests.
Juniors
Vocabulary list #1
abridge
abstemious
abstract
abstruse
accessible
acclaim
acknowledge
adulation
adversary
adversity
Homework- for each word (11a & 11B done in class)
a. definition
b. use in a complete, original sentence
c. fill in the blank exercise
Vocabulary test will be in two weeks, after we have a second vocabulary list.
For the next couple of weeks, juniors will be continuing to practice for the Regents. First composition assignment will be next week.
9/11
Homework for Juniors;
Multiple choice questions, 1-20, for first speech about the internet. Use your notes from the speech to answer the questions. You do not need to write the questions out; just write the number and the letter of the correct answer.
Seniors:
Questions from Sophocles tape- background for "Oedipus Rex.".
12B- gym tomorrow
9/10/07
Welcome back, everyone!
I hope everyone had a good summer. We are back and ready to get to work.
Today was spent just introducing the students to classroom policies and rules. I told the students I anticipate a good year and I hope they feel the same way. We have a lot of intelligent students in BSSGHS, and we want them to use their abilities to succeed.
I will do my best to update my schoolnotes as often as possible. Please check for homework and classroom schedule. If any parents would like to contact me, it is always best to email me at dboyce@bssg.net. I check my email every day and will respond as soon as I can to any questions.
SENIORS
Seniors will be starting "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles right away.
First homework assignment is for the seniors to find "The Riddle of the Sphinx," both the riddle and the answer.
Tomorrow we will be listening to a tape of Sophocles speaking about classical tragedy and the Golden Age of Greece. There will be study questions.
JUNIORS
We will start with the first section of the English Regents. We will begin with the writing prompt and how it can help the student to write correctly. We will listen to the first speech and do the multiple choice questions for homework.
Have a nice summer, everybody!
6/1/07
We are going to have a literature test next week on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Then we will review for the final.
Final exam review:
The following material will be on the final exam. The students will get a more detailed review in class.
I. Vocabulary- all classes
compliance cryptic digression document
composure cursory diligence dogmatic
comprehensive curtail diminution dubious
concede decorum discerning duplicity
conciliatory deference disclose eclectic
concise degradation discordant egotism
concur delineate discount elated
condone denounce discrepancy eloquence
conflagration deplore discriminating elusive
confound depravity disdain embellish
consensus deprecate disinclination emulate
constraint deride dismiss endorse
contend derivative disparage enhance
contentious despondent disparity enigma
contract detached disperse enmity
conviction deterrent disputatious ephemeral
cordial detrimental disseminate equivocal
corroborate devious dissent erroneous
credulity devise divergent erudite
criterion diffuse doctrine esoteric
II. Literature- listed by class
11A & 11B
Self- reliance
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Raven
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Because I Could Not Stop for Death
Sympathy
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
The Uprising of Women
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Ma Rainey
The Life You Save May be Your Own
Everyday Use
The Woman Warrior
Life After Television
Teenage Wasteland
Salvador, Late or Early
Mother Tongue
The Way We Will Be
11C
Self- reliance
The Tell-Tale Heart
The Raven
Annabel Lee
Declaration of Woman's Rights
Fame is a Bee
Because I Could Not Stop for Death
Rain in the Face
Black Boy
Stelmark
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Silent Spring
Sympathy
The Possibility of Evil
Time in Thy Flight
The Far and the Near
Life after Television
The Way We Will Be
III. Composition
There will be two compositions. One will be related to the literature we have done this semester. The second composition will be on general topic and graded on grammar, structure, etc.
5/24/07
We are winding down!
Final vocabulary test will be Wednesday, May 30 for all juniors.
document (verb)
dogmatic
dubious
duplicity
eclectic
egotism
elated
eloquence
elusive
embellish
emulate
endorse
enhance
enigma
enmity
ephemeral
equivocal
erroneous
erudite
esoteric
Final literature test will be on Tuesday, June 5
11A & 11B
Teenage Wasteland
Slavador late or early
Mother Tongue
The Way We Will Be
11c
The Possibility of Evil
Time in Thy Flight
The Far and the Near (if time)
One Shot Finch (if time)
The Way We Will Be
Regents review sessions have been very poorly attended. There will be only one more on Thursday, June 7.
5/14/07
Note to parents:
Way too many students have lost their textbooks. The cost to replace an English textbook is $100! That is the price to replace each book.
I have spoken to the classes about this. Every book is numbered and I have the list of numbers. Your son/daughter is responsible for the book they were given last fall. I have told them to start searching through the lost and found, and all of their classrooms for their textbooks. Please talk to your student about this and make sure they have their book.
Seniors:
Exam Friday for 12C 8:30, Room 206
Juniors:
11A & 11B- new literature unit
Teenage Wasteland
Mother Tongue
Salvador- late or early
There will be more.
11C
A Possibility of Evil
Time in thy Flight
One Shot Finch
The Far and the Near
The Old Man at the Bridge
All juniors will also have a new vocabulary list soon.
5/7/07
Seniors
"A View from the Bridge" test on Tuesday, 5/8. Monday 5/7 (today) we will review for the final and for the "view" test.
12B Final Exam is Thursday, May 10 at 8:30 in room 206.
12C Final Exam is Friday, May 18 at 8:30 in room 206.
Good Luck!
Juniors
Compositions on Monday and Tuesday. Then we shall see for the rest of the week.
5/2/07
Seniors
All seniors will have a test on "A View from the Bridge" before the end of the semester. It may be a take-home test for 12B because they miss a day for gym class. 12C will probably have the test on Friday, May 4 or Tuesday, May 8.
Juniors
Literature test on Friday, May 5
11A and 11B
The Life You Save May Be Your Own
Everyday Use
The Woman Warrior
Life After Television
11C
Black Boy
Stelmark
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Sympathy
Silent Spring
4/27/07
Seniors
Finish Act one "A view from the Bridge" and do all of he questions for act one.
We will continue to go over act one next Monday and Tuesday, and then act two must be read at home. There will be a test on the play before the end of the marking period. This will be the last big grade of the year.
Juniors
Still reading literature:
11A and 11B Read "The Woman Warrior" an do questions 2-5 at the end of the story.
11C Read "I Know Why the CAged Bird Sings" and do the questions at the end of the story.
Junior literature tests either late next week or early the following week.
4/24/07
vocabulary words for test on Friday, 4/27
Seniors
seclusion
servile
skeptic
sluggish
somber
sporadic
squander
stagnant
static (adj)
submissive
subordinate (adj)
subside
substantiate
succinct
superficial
superfluous
surpass
surreptitious
susceptible
sustain
Juniors
digression
diligence
diminution
discerning
disclose
discordant
discount
discrepancy
discriminating
disdain
disinclination
dismiss
disparage
disparity
disperse
disputatious
disseminate
dissent
divergent
doctrine
4/18/07
English 12
First ten vocabulary words for the test on Friday, April 27
seclusion
servile
skeptic
sluggish
somber
sporadic
squander
stagnant
static (adj.)
submissive
English 11
First ten vocabulary words for vocabulary test on Friday, April 27
digression
diligence
diminution
discerning
disclose
discordant
discount
discrepancy
discriminating
disdain
The next ten words will be posted next week.
4/17/07
Hello. First let me apologize for not keeping up to date. I will do better. Sorry.
Seniors
We are winding down. Seniors should be making sure they are graduating which means they must pass English. Check you report card to make sure that the first and second semesters are going to average out to a 65. Do not ask for last second "breaks" in order to pass.
Basically the last marking period is going to be pretty busy.
We will have a vocabulary test on Friday, April 27. I will post the words soon.
We will read the play "A View from the Bridge" by Arthur Miller. Most of the reading will be done at home. There will be a test on that.
This week, we are watching the movie version of "A Streetcar named Desire." The students will write a review of the movie.
There will not be too much more work on which to base a grade.
Every grade is going to count that much more now that there is so little time in the fourth marking period.
Juniors
This is a short week for the juniors due to the rain out Monday and Ring Day on Friday.
They will have a vocabulary test on Friday, April 27.
I will post the words soon.
This week, we will do Writing of the Month on Wednesday and Thursday (good chance for extra credit).
Next week, we will go bck to the literature books for some Robert Frost, Flannery O'Connor and others. (11A & 11B)
11C will be reading some autobiographies of Maya Angelou, Richard Wright and others.
3/26/07
English 12
Just a warning: many seniors are on the border of passing/failing and to mess up in the fourth marking period could guarantee a trip to summer school. Very few students are totally safe. This time of year many seniors like to relax and act like school is over. Unfortunately, for many of my students, that will not be an option
Test before Easter on "A Streetcar named Desire." The test could be this Friday, but more likely it will be next week on Tuesday. This will be the first grade of the fourth marking period.
English 11
For the most part, we had an excellent trip to SUNY Albany. The tour guides commented on the intelligent questions our students asked and were impressed. Overall it was a good day.
We are still in a little bit of a state of flux. With the college trip, basketball trips, snow days and illness, we have to spend the next day or two regrouping. We will spend Monday and Tuesday getting back lon track and reviewing the work for the test on Friday. Whether we add any new material depends on how far we get this week.
All junior research papers are due on Monday, April 2. Therefore, we will have literature tests on Friday so the students can have the weekend to perfect their papers.
11A & 11B
Test Friday on literature. We are going over the work in class. As of right now, the test will include the following:
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain
The Wild West/Native Anericans- Ghost Dance and Sun Dance
The Uprising of Women
We will probably include some poetry, specifically Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen
11C
Test Friday on literature:
Declaration of the Rights of Women
Emily Dickinson
Rain in the Face
Native Americans-Sun Dance and Ghost Dance
There may be more, especially poetry, it all depends on how far we get with this work.
3/7/07
English 12
Vocabulary test on Friday, March 9. The is will be the last test of the third marking period for the seniors. Since the fourth marking period for the seniors is very short, we will end the third marking period early to make sure we get enough grades to get a fair representation for the second semester. A good grade on this test is highly recommended.
The words are:
reprove
repudiate
reserve
resigned
resolution
resolve
restraint
reticence
retract
reverent
rhetorical
rigor
robust
sage
sanction
satirical
saturate
scanty
scrupulous
scrutinize
We have just started to read "A Streetcar Named Desire" "STELLA!!!!"
English 11
vocabulary test on Friday, March 9
the words are:
cryptic
cursory
curtail
decorum
deference
degradation
delineate
denounce
deplore
depravity
deprecate
deride
derivative
despondent
detached
deterrent
detrimental
devious
devise
diffuse
Otherwise, we are continuing with various literature.
Also, due Friday is the potential bibliography for the research papers. The students must hand in three possible sources for their research papers.
2/27/07
Update:
English 12
This week we are watching the 1931 movie version of "Dracula," starring Bela Lugosi. The seniors have a composition assignment for after we are finished watching the movie. If anyone misses any of the movie, they should rent the film and watch it on their own. The composition is due on Monday, March 5.
We have a vocabulary test on Friday, March 9. I will post the words soon. The students have already gotten the first ten.
English 11
The students received their research paper assignment today. We will be going over the assignment for the next day or two. They also got the first list of words for the vocabulary test which will be on Friday, March 9. They will get the rest of the words next Monday. I will post all of the words next week.
2/5/07
ATTENTION Junior parents!
We have scheduled a college tour for SUNY Albany for Wednesday, 3/21. We are asking if any parents would be interested in chaperoning the group with us. We need to bring one chaperone for every ten students, so we will need four chaperones. Ms. Emaner, the junior guidance counselor, and I will definitely be attending. We need two more volunteers. We will leave BSSGHS at about 8:30 in the morning and return at about 6:30 at night. It may sound like a long day, however, these tours are a lot of fun and very interesting. If you volunteer to chaperone, your child will be guaranteed a place on the tour. (we can only bring 40 students). If you can come, and would like to join us, please contact Mr. Boyce by email at dboyce@bssg.net. We need two people and I hope to hear from you!
Seniors:
Continue reading "Dracula" Test is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, 2/14 (Happy Valentine's Day)
Vocabulary test for this Friday, 2/9
provincial
proximity
prudent
qualified
quandary
ramble
rancor
ratify
rebuttal
recluse
recount
rectify
redundant
refute
relegate
remorse
renounce
repel
reprehensible
reprimand
Juniors:
Continue literature. Test is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/14 (Happy Valentine's Day!)
Vocabulary test for Friday, 2/9
compliance
composure
comprehensive
concede
conciliatory
concise
concur
condone
conflagration
confound
consensus
constraint
contend
contentious
contract
conviction
cordial
corroborate
credulity
criterion
2/2/07
11A and 11B update:
The schedule given yesterday has been revised. We are going to skip around in the textbook more. After "Self reliance" by Emerson, we will move on to Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum" and probably "The Raven.". From Poe, we will go to "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and then Mark Twain. Hopefully we will cover all of this by mid-winter break!
2/1/07
Just an update:
Seniors will be reading the play of "Dracula" next week. We still have a vocabulary test scheduled for Friday. Writing of the month is also on the agenda for the next week or two.
Dracula is very short and easy to read. The reading will be assigned for home. So, everyone will see a lot of reading from their students in the next week or so. There will also be study questions as well.
Juniors: 11A and 11B: We are also studying literature. We have read the transcendentalist essay "Self- reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. We are going to move on to Edgar Alan Poe, Sojourner Truth and, possibly, Washington Irving. We will also be reading an essay about horror stories by Stephen King and another essay about the appeal of horror. All this is, of course, subject to time constraints, and we want to have a literature test before mid-winter break.
We still have a vocabulary test for next Friday and Writing of the Month coming up, along with a literature test, all before Mid-winter break.
11C also has the vocabulary test and Writing of the Month. We have just read "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven" by Poe. We are also going to read "Annabel Lee" by Poe. After that we plan on reading "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the "Declaration of the Rights of Women," an early feminist manifesto. There will be a literature test before mid-winter break.
1/29/07
Welcome to the new semester!
We had another big talk about handing in work. Last year this was a terrible problem with the current seniors. First marking period was pretty good, but the second marking period did not go quite as well. Some people reverted to old, bad habits. Many, many students do not hand in work. I explained to them again that anything that is assigned, they are responsible for. I don't care if they are on the space shuttle! Any work that is not handed in receives a zero. Another problem is the number of students who claim they emailed an assignment to me. I reiterate that the students are responsible for handing in their work. If I do not get it, I cannot give it a grade. So, hopefully, this will not be a problem in the second semester.
Seniors
Vocabulary test on Friday, 2/9
provincial
proximity
prudent
qualified
quandary
ramble
rancor
ratify
rebuttal
recluse
ten more words next week
for the next week or two we will be reading "Dracula" and studying the supernatural, especially vampires.
Juniors
Vocabulary test on Friday, 2/9
compliance
composure
comprehensive
concede
conciliatory
concise
concur
condone
conflagration
confound
There will be ten more words next week.
We are going to start our study of literature for the next two or three weeks.
1/12/07
All students! All extra work, make-up work, etc. is due by Thursday. Nothing will be accepted after Thursday. No exceptions, no excuses, no mercy.
Juniors:
Mid-term make-ups will be during class on Tuesday and Thursday, and after school on Wednesday. If you were absent you must make up the missed test as soon as you get back.
Remember! Vocabulary test on Wednesday!
Seniors:
Regents review must be rescheduled for Wednesday and Thursday after school.
Final copy of research paper due on Monday. Five points off for each day late. After Thursday-zero!
"Allegory of the Cave" paper due on Thursday. Points deducted for lateness.
1/7/07
RED ALERT! RED ALERT!
Juniors:
Due to conflicts beyond anyone's control, we have a whole new schedule.
The Junior in class, mid-term exam will be on Thursday, January 11 and Friday, January 12 of this week.
Thursday will be on "The Crucible." There will be approximately 35-40 blanks. The questions will be very similar to the questions on the old tests. The students have their old tests and the question sheets to study from.
Friday will be on vocabulary. Twenty-five of the forty words listed below. There will be fifteen words for which the students will give me the definitions and ten words for which the students will write a complete sentence that shows they know the definition.
abridge advocate anarchist archaic
abstemious aesthetic anecdote arrogance
abstract affable animosity articulate
abstruse affirmation antagonism artifact
accessible alleviate antidote artisan
acclaim aloof antiquated ascendancy
acknowledge altruistic apathy ascetic
adulation ambiguous appease aspire
adversary ambivalence apprehension astute
adversity analogous arbitrary attribute
We will review for the mid-term this week. the vocabulary test that was originally scheduled for Friday, January 12, will be rescheduled for Wednesday, January 17. Those words will not be on the MId-term exam.
Seniors:
Any senior who has to retake the English regents exam, I will review after school on Tuesday and Thursday, January 16 and 18, after school in Room 206. Review is optional.
1/3/07
Happy New Year and Welcome Back!
Seniors:
Vocabulary test on Thursday, 1/11
pessimism
phenomena
philanthropist
piety
placate
ponderous
pragmatic
preclude
precocious
predator
predecessor
presumptuous
pretentious
prevalent
prodigal
profane
profound
profusion
proliferation
prolific
The rough draft for the research paper will now be due on Monday, January 8.
We are reading "The Allegory of the Cave" by Plato. It is an early graduation present. It may be difficult, but I have studied it with many classes and they are as capable as anyone.
Juniors:
Vocabulary test on Friday, January 12
augment
austere
authoritarian
autonomous
aversion
belie
benevolent
bolster
braggart
brevity
cajole
calculated
candor
capricious
censorious
censure
coercion
commemorate
compile
complacency
We will be continuing parcticing for the English Regents for the rest of the semester.
12/20/06
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.
Seniors: Research paper rough drafts are due on the Friday after we get back from vacation. The seniors have the requirements. Also, some seniors are doing make-up work over vacation. Don't forget to hand it in when we return.
Juniors: There is no homework, so this would be a good time to read a book (or two) for extra credit. I will have the extra credit work ready when we return from vacation.
You may also do an extra credit movie review for any films you see over vacation. See me when we get back for the format.
Otherwise, enjoy the time off!
December 13, 2006
Parents: Just to keep you informed. I had a talk with the students about handing in work. First marking period was pretty good overall as far as most students doing all of the required work. However, recently some, not many but enough, students have not been handing in the required assignments. I told the students that there is no excuse for not handing in work. If the student is absent they must make up the assigned work. Anything that is not handed in will get a zero. Hopefully, this trend will now reverse itself.
Seniors: Macbeth test on Friday, December 15. This is a big one. Be ready. Next week, Macbeth composition and Writing of the Month if there is time.
Juniors: Vocabulary test on Friday. This test will be included on the progress report.
Vocabulary words:
one word has been removed. see Mr. Boyce for it
anecdote
animosity
antagonism
antidote
antiquated
apathy
appease
apprehension
arbitrary
archaic
arrogance
articulate (adjective)
artifact
artisan
ascendancy
ascetic
aspire
astute
attribute (verb)
December 5, 2006
Seniors: We are still studying Macbeth. There will be a final Macbeth test before Christmas break. Be ready. Topics for the research paper are due on Thursday. The students just have to give me a tentative topic for their paper. Hand in the topic, get five points. No topic, no points.
Juniors: There will be a vocabulary test before Christmas break, probably on Friday, December 15. I will post the words soon. We have finished "The Crucible," and now we will return to preparing for the English Regents, which the students will take next month.
November 30
Seniors:
Homework tonight.
Scenes 1, 2, 3 from Act Three of Macbeth.
12C did scene 1 in class so they only have to do scenes two and three.
Parents: Just to keep you informed. Many of the seniors are not bringing their Macbeth books to class, or not paying attention when we read the play or watch the video. These same students, who do not have their books or don't pay attention, then tell me that they don't understand the play. I wonder why? Next month when they want extra credit, the answer will be no. I have told them that they do not have to totally understand the play, but they do have to make the effort. I will not have any sympathy for students who do not even try to do the work. I have taught Macbeth many times and the kids who make the effort always do well. This year will be no exception.
November 27
Seniors
The test for the first part of "Macbeth" will now be on Tuesday, November 28, due to many unforeseen circumstances. Then we will continue with Act three of "Macbeth." We are gong to finish "Macbeth" before Christmas, so we have time, but not a lot to spare.
Juniors
We will spend this week watching the movie version of "The Crucible" and writing a review of the film. If students are absent, they must rent the movie and watch it on their own.
Next week, we will go back to Regents review.
November 20
Seniors:
Test on "Macbeth," Acts one and two and Shakespeare's life is scheduled for Wednesday.
After Thanksginving we will be preparing to write our research papers for the third marking period. The seniors will be writing on "The Crucible," "Oedipus the King" or "Macbeth." They will be given an outline and lists of possible topics soon after Thanksgiving. The research paper will be the major grade of the second marking period, and for seniors who plan on attending college next year it is an important assignment and experience.
Juniors
We will finish our Writing of the Month compositions this week, and we will also be writing "The Crucible" compositions.
Next week we will be watching the movie version of "The Crucible" in class. The students will be required to write a review of the movie.
November 13
Seniors:
There will be a "Macbeth" test before Thanksgiving. The test will cover Acts one and two of the play and the details of Shakespeare's life. Right now it is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, but that could be changed depending on how quickly we cover the material.
Friday, November 17 will be the senior trip to Stony Brook. The seniors all received a sheet concerning behavior, dress code, etc. for the trip. Please see that your student complies with the rules. It will make for a happier, stress-free trip.
Also, November Writing of the Month will be this week.
Updates will be forthcoming.
Juniors:
There will be a test on "The Crucible" this week, mostly likely on Thursday; but it could be on Wednesday, if we cover the material quickly.
Writing of the Month for November will be this week, also.
November 8
Weekend homework for juniors-
The Crucible
Act four
All questions up to number six.
11A did it in class.
11B & 11C did questions 1 and 2 in class. They must finish 3-6 for homework.
Juniors-
Reminder-Crucible poster is due tomorrow, Wednesday, November 8. This is not an optional assignment.
November 6,7,8
Seniors
Finish Act One of Macbeth- answer all questions and the important lines at the end of the study sheet for Act One.
We will try to listen to Act Two by the end of the week. If we don't get that far, we will listen to Act Two next week.
Juniors
Finish questions for Act Three of "The Crucible." We will try to listen to Act Four by the end of the week.
Weekend of November 4 and 5
Seniors:
Homework for the weekend: Macbeth Scenes 1, 2, 3- all questions.
Juniors have no homework this weekend.
Week of November 1-3
Seniors:
We are about to start reading "Macbeth." We will read in class and the students will get study questions for each act. We will stop after Act Two and have a test, whenever that may be.
Juniors:
This week we are going to read and discuss Act Three of "The Crucible."
Homework for Wednesday, November 1 is Act Three, questions 1-6.
There will probably be homework questions on Thursday also; they will depend on what questions we finish on Thursday in class.
Quick note:
Junior test on the introduction and Acts one and two of the Crucible will be on Friday, October 27. We will have some time to review in class on Thursday.
Quick update for all parents:
Seniors:
Vocabulary test on Wednesday, October 25. See below for the lists of the words.
opportunist to pervasive and nonchalance to opaque)
After the vocabulary test, we will begin our study of Shakespeare and "Macbeth."
Juniors:
Today we read Act Two of "The Crucible." The students have study questions to answer.
Tonight, questions 1-7 for homework.
We will have a test on Acts One and Two of the Crucible and the introductory material on witches and witchcraft either later this week or early next week. Tentatively I have scheduled the test for Friday, October 27, but it could be easily postponed until next week.
All Students:
All extra credit, make-up work, extra work, etc. must be turned in next week! Students will get a zero on any assignment they do not hand in.
October 17 Update:
Seniors: We have finished watching the movie version of "Oedipus Rex," and the senior reviews of the movie are due on Thursday. Thursday and Friday, the 19 and 20 of October, will be for Writing of the Month. As always, the students will be able to do two Writing of the Month compositions; the extra composition will be for extra credit.
Next week, we will start the introduction to "Macbeth" and the life and times of Shakespeare.
Vocabulary test on Wednesday, October 25.
vocabulary list #2:
opportunist
optimist
opulence
orator
ostentatious
pacifist
partisan
peripheral
perpetuate
pervasive
vocabulary list number 1 is on last week's update (nonchalance to opaque)
Juniors:
Tuesday and Thursday will be set aside for Writing of the Month for October.
Friday will be our vocabulary test. The words are listed on last week's update. (abridge to analogous)
Next week we will return to "The Crucible." We will read Act Two on Monday, and then discuss the play for the rest of the week. Tentatively, we will have a test on the first part of the Crucible (Acts one and two and the introductory material on witches) on Friday, October 27.
October 10
Update for parents:
Seniors: We will be watching the Masterpiece Theatre version of "Oedipus Rex." The students will have to write a composition analyzing some aspect of the production. They already have the assignment sheets. The movie should take until Friday, and then they will get two days to write the compositions. After that we will start "Macbeth."
Vocabulary list #1
nonchalance
notoriety
novelty
nurture
obliterate
oblivion
obscure (v)
obstinate
ominous
opaque
Vocabulary test will be on Friday, October 20. There will be another list next week.
Juniors: Tomorrow we will begin to read "The Crucible" in class. We will listen to a tape of each act and the students will read along. There will be study questions for each act.
Vocabulary test on Friday, October 20.
Vocabulary lists 1 & 2
abridge
abstemious
abstract
abstruse
accessible
acclaim
acknowledge
adulation
adversary
adversity
advocate
aesthetic
affable
affirmation
alleviate
aloof
altruistic
ambiguous
ambivalence
analogous
October 2
Just an update:
Seniors: Test on Oedipus is tomorrow! The next few days will be for writing an Oedipus composition. Next week, we hope we will have the movie, and then we will watch that in class. Of course, the students will be required to write a review of the movie in class. That should take us up to the middle of the month. Then we will go right into "Macbeth" and Shakespeare.
Juniors: The first vocabulary list has been distributed and must be done for homework tonight. There will be another list next week and then a vocabulary test the following week.
Tonight for extra credit, the students may look up Devil Worship/Satanism, witchcraft and/or the tests and tortures that were used to discover witches in the Middle Ages. This is in preparation for our study of the play "The Crucible." They should write up whatever information they find and hand in about a page of detail.
September 26
Homework for 11B and 11C:
Due on Thursday, September 28.
A. Finish reading the essay on "Hurricane Mitch"
B. Take notes on the essay and the chart.
C. Answer the multiple choice questions on loose leaf to be handed in.
D. Make two lists from the article (on loose leaf to be handed in):
1.Conditions that made the hurricane one of the worst disasters of the twentieth century
2. effects of the hurricane
September 25
Summer reading tests have been corrected, so check how your students did. They were pretty good for the most part. There were many students with 100's on both tests and many with at least one 100.
Seniors;
Oedipus test is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3. The test will cover the play and the introductory material about the "Golden Age of Athens."
Juniors:
We will continue to practice for the English Regents. First vocabulary words will be distributed tomorrow.
Correction: Itis seventh period, 12C who is reading "Oedipus" at home, on their own. 12B, first period, will be, for the most part, reading the play out loud in class.
SEptember 18, 2006
Reminder; Summer Reading tests on Thursday! The students will take two tests, and then write an evaluation of one book as their Writing of the Month. It will add up to a lot of points. The students have been warned that if they get two zeroes (that is, if they get a zero on each of the tests), they will find it extremely difficult to pass the first marking period. Also, if they have some kind of "Summer Reading problem," they better tell me now. I have little patience for someone who comes up to me during the test and tells me that they can't take it for some reason. If there is a problem, they better tell me now.
This week's work:
Seniors: "Oedipus" pages 1-60 and questions 1-21. 12B has said that they prefer to read the play on their own instead of reading it in class. That is fine, but here is no excuse for not doing the reading and keeping up with the questions.
Juniors: Regents part one compositions. Rough drafts will be written in class, collected and then returned for good copies the next day. Then we will move on to Regents Part Two, probably by the end of the week.
September 14, 2006
Homework
12B- "Oedipus" Study questions 1-8. If anybody from 12C reads this notice, you might as well do the assignment also. You will have to do it eventually anyway. The bell rang before I could assign the homework. (talk about "saved by the bell!")
All juniors- multiple choice, 1-8 for the Regents part One assignment about "Pompeii."
September 13, 2006
Seniors:
Tomorrow we will start reading "Oedipus Rex" in class. There will be study questions to answer as we go along.
Juniors:
Homework for 11b and 11c-They are to answer all of the multiple choice questions, 1-20, that go along with the Regents part one assignment, "A History of the Internet."
We are going to listen to one more speech before the students will be allowed to choose one of the two regents practice assignments to write their first composition. The writing (rough draft) will be either Friday or Monday, with the good copy on loose leaf due the next day.
September 12, 2006
Hello to all parents; Welcome Back! We look forward to a successful school year.
Week of 9/11- 915
Seniors;
Start "Oedipus Rex."
Juniors:
Regents Practice, Part one.
All Students- Summer Reading Tests will be administered on Thursday, September 21. If a student should receive zeroes on both of his/her summer reading tests, it will be mathematically impossible to pass the first marking period. If you did not do your summer reading, you now have nine days.
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July 17, 2006
Summer School - week 3
Hello parents,
Here are the spelling and vocabulary words for week 3. Keep in mind that the first summer school report card will be distributed on Thursday. If your student does not do well, there is plenty of time to raise their grade before summer school ends. Extra credit will be made available to those who may want it.
English 1-4, 8:00 class
vocabulary
suppress- crush, subdue
surpass- exceed
susceptible- having little resistance
taciturn- speaking little
taint- contaminate
tedious- boring, tiring
temper- moderate, soften
tentative- not final
termination- end
thwart- frustrate someone's plans
toxic- poisonous
transgression- violation of a law
transient- temporary
trepidation- fear, nervousness
tivial- unimportant
spelling
mystery
amazing
insurance
carried
changeable
easily
thinness
dissatisfied
cooperate
relieve
English 3,4- 9:00 class
vocabulary
phenomena- observable facts or events
philanthropist- someone who does good
plagiarize- steal someone else's ideas; copy
potency- strength
pragmatic- practical
precedent- first principle
predator- one who hunts
premise- assumption
premonition- forewarning of the future (feeling)
presumptuous- overstepping bounds
prevail- triumph
prey- target of a hunt
profound- deep
proliferation- rapid growth
prolific- abundantly fruitful
spelling
accidentally
amateur
appearance
attendance
calendar
compulsory
disappear
etiquette
foreign
infinite
English 1,2 - 10:00 class
vocabulary
banal- lacking originality, stupid, boring
beneficial- helpful
benign- kiindly, avorable
betray- be unfaithful
brittle- easily broken
buoyant- able to float
candor- open honesty
captivate- charm, fascinate
caricature- distorted picture/drawing
censor- person who cuts out the bad things
chronicle- report of events
circumspect- prudent, cautious
cite- quote, refer to
cliche- overused expression
coalesce- combine, fuse into one
spelling
lieutenant
mortgage
occasionally
particularly
probably
rehearse
schedule
specifically
symptom
unanimous
July 10, 2006
Summer school- week 2
Hello parents,
Here are the words for week 2, both spelling and vocabulary. Week one went well. If a student did not do so well on the first two tests, we will see how they do this week before making any changes. Now the students know what to expect, so the grades should improve. The lists go according to the time that the class meets.
English 1-4, 8:00 class
Vocabulary words
severity- harshness
singular-unique, one of a kind
skeptical- doubting
sluggish- slow, lazy
somber- gloomy
speculate- theorize, guess for the future
sporadic- occurring irregularly
squander- waste
stagnant- motionless, stale
steadfast- loyal, unswerving
stoic- impassive
strident- loud and harsh
succinct- brief, terse
superficial- shallow, only concerned with the surface
superfluous- extra, unnecessary
Spelling words
occurrence accidentally incredible
maintenance humorous specifically
necessary disappearance athletic
privilege
English 3 & 4- 9:00 class
Vocabulary words
opaque- not transparent
optimist- person who looks on the bright side
orator- public speaker
ostentatious- showy, pretentious
outmoded- out of date
pacifist- one opposed to force
pacify- to make calm or quiet
paradox- something apparently contradictory
patronize- to be a customer of
pedantic- showing off learning
perjury- lying under oath
perpetual- everlasting
pervasive- spread throughout something
pessimist- person who looks on the bad side
petulant- easily annoyed or irritated
Spelling words
absence acquaintance apologize
arrangement business complexion
cylinder environment fascinating
indefinitely
English 1 & 2- 10:00 class
Vocabulary words
ambivalence- contradictory feelings
amenable- agreeable, submissive, easy going
ample- abundant, more than enough
antagonism- hostility
apathy- lack of caring
apprehension- nervousnessm, fear
apprenticeship- period of learning
appropriate (verb)- to acquire or gather
aristocracy- ruling class
aspire- to long for something
assert- state strongly
assumption- something taken for granted
authentic- genuine
autonomous- self- governing
aversion- strong dislike
spelling words
leisure mischievous nuisance
parallel privilege realize
ridiculous souvenir syllable
tyranny
July 5
Welcome to summer school.
Each week the English classes will have a vocabulary list and a spelling list. The test for both lists will be on Friday. Each week the list will be posted here, so there is no excuse for a student to be unprepared for Friday's test.
Engish 3 & 4: Week one, test on Friday, July 7
Vocabulary:
meticulous-excessively careful
misconception- misinterpretation
misrepresent- give a false impression
mock- ridicule
monarchy- government ruled by a king
monotony- sameness leading to boredom
mutability- ability to change form
naivete- artlessness
nocturnal- at night
nonchalance- lack of concern
nostalgia- longing for the past
notorious- disreputable, famous in a bad way
nurture- raise (especially a child)
obnoxious- offensive, objectionable
obscure- make unclear
Spelling:
abbreviate
acknowledge
anonymous
argument
bureau
committed
courteous
emphasize
familiar
inconvenience
English 1 & 2
Week one: Test on Friday, July 7
Vocabulary:
absolve- pardon, free from blame
abstract- not concrete
accessible-easy to approach
acclaim- applaud, praise
accommodate- oblige or help someone
acknowledge- recognize, admit
acrimony- bitterness, hostility
adversary- opponent
adverse- unfavorable, hostile
aesthetic- artistic
affable- friendly
affinity- attraction to or feeling for
alleviate- to relieve
altruistic- unselfishly generous
ambiguous- unclear in meaning
Spelling:
laboratory
miniature
nuclear
outrageous
pneumonia
questionnaire
rhythm
similar
sufficient
tragedy
Posted Wednesday, June 7
Important dates:
Due to the Senior Pictures being taken, the vocbjulary test has been move to Thursday, June 8
All textbooks must be turned in by Friday, June 9. Lost textbooks must be paid for.
English 11, Final exam is Wednesday, June 14 at 8:30
English Regents is Thursday and Friday, June 15 and 16
RCT in Reading is Friday, June 16
RCT in Writing is Monday, June 19
For 11A and 11B:
LIterature for the final exam is as follows:
Self- Reliance - Genius, Non- conformist, Transcendentalism
Ain't I A Woman? - Allusion
The Pit and the Pendulum - Gothic Literature
The Raven- Symbolism, Narrator, Internal Rhyme
Annabel Lee
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge- Foreshadowing, Surprise ending, Flashback
Because I Could Not Stop for Death- Symbolism, Extended metaphor
Sympathy
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County- Dialect, Local Color
Everyday Use- theme
The Life You Save May Be Your Own - Irony, Symbolism
The Woman Warrior- Irony, Culture clash, Symbolism
Life After Television
The Way We Will Be
11C and 11D
Self- Reliance- genius, transcendentalism
The Tell- Tale Heart- Gothic Literature, irony
The Raven- symbolism, internal rhyme
Annabel Lee
The Declaration of Women's Rights
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge- foreshadowing, surprise ending, flashback
Fame is a Bee- symbolism, metaphor
Rain in the Face- ghost dance, sun dance
Black Boy- conflict- internal, external
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings-title
Stelmark- symbolism
LIfe After Television
The Way We Will Be
Posted: Monday, June 5
Dear parents:
Here are the words for the final exam. (Please forgive the lack of order in the columns;it was difficult to fit them all in.) These are all the words we studied for the second semester. The format has not been worked out yet. It will probably be multiple choice, but I have not yet decided how many words will be on the test.
Also on the test will be questions about all of the literature we read this semester. Those lists will be posted in the next few days. There will also be a couple of compositions. There will be a more precise explanation of the final exam posted by the end of the week.
English 11 Final Exam Vocabulary
Disinterested dismiss disparage disparate
Dispatch dispel disperse dissent
Dissipate distinction divulge docile
Doctrine dogmatic eclectic eclipse
Elated elicit elusive embellish
Endorse enhance enigma entice
Enumerate ephemeral erode erratic
Erroneous esoteric espouse esteem
Excerpt exemplary exonerate expedite
Exploit facilitate fallacious farce
Fastidious fawning feasible fervor
Flippant forthright frail frivolous
Garrulous generate genre gluttonous
Gratify gregarious hackneyed hamper
Hindrance hostility hypocritical hypothetical
Iconoclastic immutable impede imperceptible
Implacable implement implication impromptu
Incarcerate incongruity inconsequential inconsistency
Incorporate indict indifferent induce
Industrious inept infallible ingenious
Ingenuous ingrate inherent initiate
Innate innocuous inscrutable insightful
Intangible integrity intricacy introspective
Irony judicious languid larceny
Lethargic loathe malice meek
Posted Tuesday, May 30
Last vocabulary list for the year. Test on Wednesday, June 7.
ingenuous
ingrate
inherent
initiate
innate
innocuous
inscrutable
insightful
intangible
integrity
intricacy
introspective
irony
judicious
languid
larceny
lethargic
loathe
malice
meek
There will be some end of the school year literature. titles will be posted soon.
Friday, May 19
Juniors: vocabulary test is today. Sorry for the late notice, parents.
On Wednesday, May 24,
All juniors will be taking a literature test.
11A and 11B:
Everyday Use
The Woman Warrior
The Life you Save May Be Your Own
Life After Television
11C and 11D
Black Boy
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Stelmark
Life After Television
Pay particularly close attention to literary terms like theme, symbolism, irony, etc., as well as the plots and motivations of the characters.
There are two issues that parents should be aware of:
1. Some juniors still have not turned in their research paper. Today is the last day. After today, the paper will automatically get a zero.
2. Too many juniors have lost their textbooks. The textbooks cost around $35 or more. Every book is numbered and the numbers are recorded. If you do not have your book, you will have to pay.
Reminders:
Seniors-all extra credit, make-up work, etc., etc. is due on Monday. No excuses, no exceptions, no mercy!
Juniors- Research paper is due on Monday. The juniors will have two tests in the near future. There will be a test on Friday, May 19 and another one on Wednesday, May 24. One will be a literature test and one will be a vocabulary test. The final schedule will be determined next week when we see how far we get in the literature. If the literature has all been covered, that test will be on Friday. If the literature is not finished, we will have the vocabulary test that day. the final decision will be made by Wednesday.
date: May 11, 2006
Reminder to parents and students: Junior research papers are due on Monday, May 15. The students have the format for the final draft. The final copy is worth 50 points. Five points will be deducted for each day it is late. If the paper is not handed in by Friday, May 19, the grade will be an automatic zero.
Also, no paper will be accepted without a rough draft first handed in. So far, about five juniors have still not handed in their rough drafts. No rough draft at all and the student will have no chance of passing.
Just a little note to parents:
I am giving notice to the seniors who are most in danger of failing (however, if they don't get a notice, they are still not totally in the clear! Don't get lazy!).
All extra credit, make-up work, etc., etc. is due on Monday, May 15. If not handed in by then, summer school. NO exceptions, no excuses, no mercy!
One little addition for the seniors: On the "View from the Bridge" test, as far as length of answer goes, think one sentence for every point the question is worth. For example, if the question is worth eight points, your answer should be eight sentences. If the question is four points, your answer should be four sentences, and so on.
Seniors
Last grade of senior year
Test on "A View from the Bridge" due Monday. The students may use their book and their notes. The more detail they have, the higher their grade will be.
1. Explain the significance of the line, "All the law is not in a book." Who says it? What is the situation? How does it relate to the themes of the play? (8 points)
2.How is Eddie overprotective of Catherine? Give four detailed examples. Why is he like this? (ten points)
3. Give a detailed explanation of Alfieri's role in the play? What does he do? How does he participate in the action and how does he illuminate the actions of the other characters? Be sure to include his part in explaining how the conflict relates to ancient Sicily and how he sees the "inevitibility" of the ending. (ten points)
4. What happened during the fight between Eddie, Catherine and Rodolpho? How did it start? What did Eddie do? What did Eddie say it proved? How or why did it prove something to Eddie? (six points)
5.Who was Vinny Bolzano? Tell his story in detail. How does his story fit into the themes of the rest of the play? (six points)
6. Why does Eddie hate Rodolpho so much? Explain four things about Rodolpho that Eddie doesn't like? (ten points)
Remember: details!!!
Juniors
Rough drafts for the research papers willl be returned tomorrow, May 5. The final copies will then be due on Monday, May 15. This gives the students plenty of time to get their papers typed. There will be five points deducted for each day the paper is late.
For now, the juniors will be doing some more literature.
11A & B
Everyday Use by Alice Walker
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
The Life You Save May be Your Own by Flannery O'Connor
Television- an essay in the text book about the impact of television on our culture
11C & D
Autobiography
Black Boy (excerpt)by Richard Wright
Stelmark by Harry Dean Petrakis
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (excerpt) by Maya Angelou
The same essay on television from the 11A textbook
LIterature tests for juniors will be some time during the week of 5/15-5/19
Seniors
Final Exam
Schedule
12C-Wednesday, May 10 , 8:30- 10:30, Room 206
12B- Monday, May 15 , 8:30- 10:30, Room 206
Literature: fifty points- eight to ten short answer questions on the plays below.
Dracula
A Streetcar Named Desire
A View from the Bridge
Vocabulary: sixty points
Thirty of these forty words- fifteen sentences that show you know the definition and fifteen words that you must give me the correct definition.
Document emulate eulogy expedient
dogmatic endorse euphemism expedite
dubious enhance exacerbate explicit
duplicity enigma exalt exploit
eclectic enmity execute extol
egotism ephemeral exemplary extraneous
elated equivocal exemplify extricate
eloquence erroneous exhaustive exuberance
elusive erudite exhilarating facilitate
embellish esoteric exonerate fallacious
Composition: forty points
Two compositions-one related to the literature and one on a general topic
April 27, 2006
Quick update:
Seniors will be reading "A View from the Bridge," for the next week or so. This will be the last assignment for the year. We will have a test on the play on Friday, May 5. After that, we will review for the final exam and that will finish the year.
Juniors:
The rough drafts for the research papers will be due on Monday, May 1. These should be most of your paper completed. I will do a quick evaluation of the papers and then they will be returned to the students for their final drafts. There is a misprint on the assignment sheets. The summaries for the author's most important works should be "one sentence" not "one page"! Sorry about that.
Junior research paper dates:
a. the juniors have until tomorrow (April 11) to hand in their research topics and three possible sources. We went over it in class today, so there should be no problems.
B. the rough draft of the paper is due the Friday after we return from Easter vacation, which is April 28.
c. after the rough draft is returned to the students, they will get approximately one week to finalize it and type it. The final paper is due on Monday, May 8.
Just a reminder-vocabulary test tomorow, April 11 for all juniors.
Enjoy the break!
SENIOR SCHEDULE CHANGE:
The senior vocabulary test has been rescheduled for
Monday, April 10 (due to excessive absence and much unattractive begging)
Tuesday, April 11, movie reviews for "A Streetcar Named Desire" are due. Reviews will be finished in class on loose leaf. This is a change from the assignment the students were given last week. The assignment stays the same; the only change is that the students now do not have to type it.
Reminder for seniors: The fourth marking period is very short. Every assignment becomes more important. One missed assignment or one failed test can sink the whole marking period. You have been warned!
Posted April 6:
This is the junior research paper assignment. They should be writing their rough drafts over Easter vacation. The rough draft will be due the Friday after we get back from Easter break. I will look them over for a few days and then they will type them. Precise dates will be posted very soon.
English 11
Research paper
Writing Across the Curriculum
All juniors must do a research paper for English class. You must write on an American author, both life and work. You must have a minimum of five sources and the paper must be at least five pages long.
The paper is to be in three sections:
l.Biography- A biographical summary of the author's life, especially as it pertains to his/her writing. This section should only include important facts about the author's life and it must include extensive, specific detail. It should be at least two pages in length, and no more than three pages. The information should come from at least two sources.
II.Bibliography- Y ou must include a comprehensive list of the author's published works. Each work should have a one-sentence summary. For authors with an extended list of publications, you must see me to find out which ones you need to summarize. The section should be as long as it takes, depending on the extent of the author's publishing. All of this information may come from one source.
IIl.Analysis- Y ou must include a critical analysis of the author's work; either an individual piece or an overview of the author's entire career. Your analysis may discuss style, themes, common characteristics, etc., that show up in the author's writings. Or you can do a critical analysis of one work of the author's that you have read. This section should be two or three pages and the information should come from at least two sources. You must find at least two critical writings about your author and compare and contrast them.
The final copy of the paper must be typed, double spaced, black ink on white paper, font of 12, Times New Roman print.
You must quote from all of your sources in your paper. When you do, you must use in-text documentation for all of your sources. Any references to your sources must be credited. Any quote, fact, statistic, etc. must be documented. If you do not quote from a source, you will not get credit for having used that source for your paper. Credit is by parenthetical documentation (Boyce, pg. 89). There must be at least one reference to each source listed in your bibliography.
The final copy of your paper must have a cover page, at least five pages of text and a bibliography. Neatness and format count in the evaluation of your paper.
Bibliography format is standard. You must have the title, author, and date for each source you use for your paper. If you use an internet source, you must include the entire web address in your bibliography.
There are many web sites available to teachers that will match a research' paper to literally billions of websites to compare for plagiarism. If I think you cheated, you will get a zero.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear:
IF I THINK YOU CHEATED, YOU WILL HAVE TO PROVE TO ME THAT YOU DIDN'T. I DO NOT HAVE TO PROVE THAT YOU DID.
Any further questions, you should see me. You should use the research paper book that you had to purchase in freshman or sophomore year. I do not have a lot of patience with a junior who tells me that he does not know how to write a research paper at this point in his/heracademic career. If you want a good grade you must be prepared to spend some time and do some work. I will be available for assistance, but this is your work. If you do not wish to put in the effort, your grade will reflect that.
Posted Wednesday, April 5:
This assignment was given to the juniors on Wednesday, April 5. Due Monday, April 10, no excuses, no exceptions, no mercy...
English 11 Research Paper
All juniors must do a research paper in the next few weeks. You must research certain aspects of the life and career of an American author. The full details will be discussed in class next week. The first steps in your paper are due Monday, April 10.
1. You must bring in the name of the author you wish to write about. The only criterion is that the author must be American. If you are not sure if the author is American, go to their website, or any website concerning authors, and you should be able to find out. If you are not sure, or if they were born in another country, you must choose a different author. You get five points when you give me the name of the author on Monday.
2. You must also bring in three possible sources for your paper on Monday, April 10. These may be websites or other sources from the internet. However, for each source, you must have a title, an author, and a date of publication. If you do not have the above information, you may not use that source. If you cannot find three sources for your paper, then you must change your topic. These are potential sources, you may not actually use any of them in your final paper; however, this way you will see if there is enough information available about your author to justify a research paper. You will get an automatic ten points when you bring in the list of sources on Monday.
There will be a limit on how many students may research each author. If too many students choose a particular writer, then their names will be put into a hat and drawn out at random. That is the fairest way to decide. So, every student should have more than one choice for their topic.
The points for the above sections of the paper are automatic. If the students bring in their topics and sources on Monday, April 10, then they will receive the points. If they do not, they will get a zero, but they will still have to bring in the information anyway. So, you may as well do it on time and get credit for it.
On Monday, we will discuss the rest of the paper in class, so that you will have the time over Easter vacation to write your rough drafts.
April 3-taking us up to Easter vacation
Seniors
Vocabulary test- Friday, April 7
Lists 15 & 16
eulogy expedient
euphemism expedite
exalt explicit
execute exploit
exemplary extol
exemplify extraneous
exhaustive extricate
exhilarating exuberance
exonerate facilitate
exacerbate fallacious
Seniors will also have their reviews of the movie "A Streetcar Named Desire" due next week. They have the format and assignment sheet.
Juniors
Literature test on Thursday, April 6
Stories posted tomorrow
Vocabulary test for Tuesday, April 11
Lists 14 & 15
fastidious genre
fawning gluttonous
feasible gratify
fervor gregarious
flippant hackneyed
forthright hamper
frail hindrance
frivolous hostility
garrulous hypocritical
generate hypothetical
Posted April 1:
For all juniors, here are the topics for the Native American report.
All students must do a short paragraph, about five to seven sentences on the Ghost Dance and the Sun Dance.
Of the twenty people and tribes listed below, the students must write a short paragraph of two to three sentences about ten in any combination.
Tribes:
Cherokee Cheyenne Sioux Mohican Iroquois
Navajo Apache Aztec Inca Maya
For each, the students must find out the geographical area the tribe lived in and some interesting facts about them.
Poeple:
Geronimo Ishi Crazy Horse Sitting Bull Wovoka
Tecumseh Sequoia Montezuma Altahualpa Squanto
For each person, you must tell who they were and why they were important in about two to three sentences.
There may be minor variations in spelling for both the tribes and the people. It should not matter.
Posted March 30:
Seniors: Just a reminder that since the fourth marking period is so short, every grade becomes that much more important!
For the next few days the seniors will be watching the movie version of "A Streetcar Named Desire." They will be required to write a formal, typed review of the movie. They will be given a format for their review, and will probably be given at least one day to get started on their rough drafts.
Next week we will have a vocabulary test. I will give them the list of twenty words on Monday. I will post the words next week.
Juniors: Our trip to SUNY Albany was very successful. The students were well-behaved, polite and cooperative. Both of our tour guides commented on how "great" our students were! That is always good to hear.
We are going to continue our literature unit. There will be a literature test before Easter vacation. W | |
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