Why I Want A Wife By Judy Brady.

In her essay, Why I Want A Wife, Judy Brady defines (at least what she feels) what it means to be a wife.  Reflect on her definition.  What does being a wife mean to her? To what extent to you agree or disagree? How has what it means to be a wife changed? Has it? Might it be different in your culture? What parts of the essay (in terms of style or structure) did you like or appreciate or see yourself using in your essay?

Literature Circle Meeting #1 Rating

Complete the form linked here: https://goo.gl/forms/hFbqFO1IZSS27fF52 regarding your first weeks meeting and your reading thus far.

AP English Literature

Today, we discussed the Anticipation Guide, and then we worked individually to construct a 16 question Multiple Choice mini-quiz on Act I, scene i of King Lear.
Homework: Read the essay under Classroom handouts, "Is Your Family Dysfunctional?" Complete a SOAPS. No summary is needed--BUT write a reflection in which you: Identify which elements from the author's numbered list to you find happening in your family? How do these make you feel, act or how do they impact you? Write a full page reaction, reflection, and feel free to include questions as well!

Expository Composition period 2

Today in class we read an example of an essay of Definition in our Patterns of College Writing text. The essay, entitled, "Tortillas" by Jose Antonio Burciaga on page 507. We read the twice and then working with a partner, we went through EACH paragraph to identify if the author uses: Narration; Exemplification (examples); Description; Process; Negation; or any other methods for that paragraph.  Then, after doing this, we answer ALL of the questions under Style and Structure, plus questions 1, & 3 under Comprehension on page 509; and Purpose and Audience 1 and 4.  (so we will have a total of 8 questions). WE DID NOT DO A SOAPS!

Expository Composition Period 2

1.  Begin reading your non-fiction Literature Circle Text.
2. Read in our online text, Patterns For College Writing beginning on page 489-up to page 496. Take notes and understand the various ways to write an Essay of Definition.
3. Bring "What is Poverty?" and be ready to look for the techniques outlined from our reading in Parkers essay.

H. World Lit period 6

1. Finish reading Chapters 20 and 21 of The Kite Runner. Based on the reading in class as well as your reading, compose a total of 4 Dialectical Journal Entries based on the reading. Your entries can be two pages (paper folded the hot dog way) and include your reactions and feelings based on the events unfolding in the novel .
2. Write a series of tankas and/or haikus in honor of or to eulogize Hassan. It is PERFECTLY OKAY to need to write a rough draft or two. Then, create your poems about an aspect of Hassans life or spirit or energy.  You may write your final poems on note cards or type, or decorate.

H. World Literature period 6

After reading Chapter 16, please begin answering the following study questions in class. If you finish, turn in to Mr. Webster. Otherwise, complete and submit tomorrow.
1. What disappointment do Soraya and Amir face? Do you think Amir should have told Soraya about his betrayal of Hassan before they were married? Why or why not? What does this do to a relationship? 2. In 1989, what is going on in Afghanistan? Who are the Mujahedin? Who is in charge? 3. Chapter 14 brings us back to the opening of the book: the telephone call from Rahim Khan. What is Rahim asking Amir to do?
4. In Chapter 15, Amir meets with the dying Rahim Khan. Where are they? 5. What does Amir say about clichés? Why does Amir use the cliché about "an elephant in the room" to describe his meeting with Rahim Khan? 6. Afghanistan has been seized by what political group in Chapter 15? 7. In Chapter 16, Rahim tells us what happened to Hassan. What has happened? Where is he living? 8. Who is Farzana? Sohrab?

Expository Composition Non-Fiction Literature Circles

As part of the Course Outline to read 2 million words, we will engage in Non-Fiction Literature Circles.  Literature Circles are essentially reading groups, in which everyone agrees upon the same title; obtains the text, and reads independently and comes together to discuss their text.  The first set of texts, which we will "taste" today, will be from my classroom library. (Include Stiff by Mary Roach; Full-Frontal Feminism; The Outliers).The second set of texts, you will self select based on:
1. Non-Fiction. Text must be non-fiction
2. Must be at least 250 pages
3. Must be about an idea or issue impacting you, your community, our community at large.
I will provide additional title suggestions later!

King Lear

Reading Quiz Link Here: https://goo.gl/forms/ceJmhjFubWe0eMRU2

Expository Composition: Analyzing What is Poverty???

In her essay, "What Is Poverty?" Jo Goodwin Parker never defines poverty using a dictionary definition.  Rather, she uses a series of examples and experiences. 
(Discuss) 1. Which experience/example was most moving or vivid or disturbing to you and why?
2. Parker uses an array of literary devices: metaphor, similes, imagery.  Select one of each that is effective.  Why do you think each is effective?
3. Parker also presents her experiences in a lens that is uniquely female. Select 2 compelling images that point to a woman's particular experience of being poor. Why was each effective.
4. Write a paragraph or two on What is Poverty, but from the experience of a Latina/Latino; or a teenager; or a male; or an elderly person; or a member of another group.
5. With a partner, complete a SOAPS Analysis of the essay (this way we wont have to do two).
6. What would you like to define?

H. World Literature Period 6

Be sure to read The Kite Runner up to the stated page in Class!

AP English Literature period 1

1. Take your practice AP Lit Exam. Please annotate it and write your answer choices on a sheet of paper. Also annotate and do a SOAPS for the two passages (the poem and prose passage). Check back tomorrow when Act one scene one of Lear will hopefully be uploaded! Update: Read Act 1 Scene 1 of King Lear. Be ready for some sort of quiz on the Act. DO NOT GO TO SPARK NOTES or any of those places. The quiz will be different from whatever you are thinking. 

What is Poverty?

Today we read, "What is Poetry?" an essay of definition by Jo Goodwin Parker.  The essay was written in the 1970's in a time we were not around (nope, not even me) in state that we have little experience with. Click the links to learn more about Oklahoma's history of poverty. Then complete a Reflective Journal
5 Reasons Poverty Exists in Oklahoma
Why Oklahoma is being compared to a Third World Nation
A Portrait of Oklahoma 50 Years After The War on Poverty
NPR News Podcast: Why is it Okay to Trash Poor White People?
400 Years of Poor "White Trash" in America
Images of Poor Whites

Expository Composition period 2

Re-read and mull over BOTH your "What is Love?" Definition Paragraph and your poem modeled after one of the hyperlinked poem. Read and revise and come ready to share tomorrow! Print if possible.

Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni

Today, after writing a paragraph of definition, you will read two times, then model a poem from Nikki Giovanni's Love Poems (or another poem). Here are links to the poems:
Nikki Rosa
KidNap Poem
Beautiful Black Men
I Wrote A Good Omelet

Advanced Placement Period 1

1. Click the link and join our FlipGrid Class. Link to join here: https://flipgrid.com/kobvbid
2. Read the brief Flip Grid Student User Guide and also watch the brief tutorial. 
3. Write your opening paragraph that addresses the prompt from the Zora Neal Hurston passage.

H. World Literature Period 6: Join Our Flip Grid Community

Please follow the link and join our Flip Grid Community. Once you join, you will record the poem that you modeled after "Girl In DoorWay" by Dorriane Laux.

Exposition Period 2

Homework--I let you get away without submitting your Writing Agenda!!!! be sure to turn in tomorrow!  Remember, writing agenda is a listing of ideas that you care about that you will write about using the various modes of expository writing. 
2. Complete your SOAPS for your Article of the Week on Soft Skills.
3. Complete a Reflection of what resonated with you in the article. Which skills have you developed? Which soft skills do you need?

AP English Literature Period 1

1. Carefully read, Are Families Dangerous.  Then complete a SOAPS on the article and a summary.
2. Page Reflection: Our first play cycle Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone is in part about families.  In a page, explore all of the different ups and downs that are illustrated about our families from the texts.  You may choose to discuss rivalry, love, loyalty, faithfulness, care.  Why are families so important? What do the texts tell us about them?

Reflection on Strategies to Help Cultivate Soft Skills

1 Page Reflections on "Helping Students Cultivate Soft Skills". what aspects of the article resonated with you? Which soft skills have you identified as strengths of yours? How might you have you developed these skills? Which soft skills do you need to develop?
2. What are other soft skills that you think are important but are not listed in THIS particular article? Identify five more soft skills that YOU thought of (not consulted the internet) that are important. Why are these important--write a sentence justification.
3. Are minorities (racial or gender) sometimes at risk for not having some, or having some soft skills? Which soft skills might be cultural, and sometimes a risk and sometimes a liability? Discuss.

Advanced Placement Literature period 1

1. Finish your essay. Be sure t include apt support/evidence; textual details and references. Although your original essay was a Micro-Essay, your final draft may be as long as needed.

H. World Literature period 6

Carefully and closely read two more chapters of The Kite Runner. Then make 2 entries (while reading) in your journal.  You must have four entires.