January 31st

1. Discussion of the indirect characterization of the four major characters in The Iliad. 

2. Review of the Epic Hero Characteristics. Examples of how Achilles and Hector function as an epic hero.

3. For Friday: Response to the prompt... Is Hector or Achilles a better example of an Epic Hero and why? Submit to Google Classroom.

After your exploration of both Achilles and Hector's function as an Epic Hero, you will be making the argument that either Achilles or Hector are a better example of the traditional Epic Hero. Using the characteristics as your guide, make the argument with examples that ONE character represents this character type more than the other. Neither character are a clean sweep... so you will need to acknowledge the counter-claim for the other character in your argument.

Remember the thesis/claim structure: Subject + attitude/belief + blueprint.
Sample:
"Although Achilles (shows this specific trait.. etc.), Hector represents the Epic Hero character type more comprehensively because ..... "

MLA Formatting
2 pages.
Textual evidence cited correctly.

January 30th

1. For today, you should have notes on characterization on 4 major characters of the books of The Iliad that we have read so far- Achilles, Hector, Andromache, and Priam.
2. Using the STEAL process of determining indirect characterization, you will need to work with a partner and identify each step of the “STEAL” process with each of the characters. This information need to be added to your notes.
3. For WEDNESDAY- You will need to have IN your notes how both Achilles and Hector function as an EPIC HERO… utilizing the characteristics of an Epic Hero given to you on Monday. You will need specific examples from the text.  I will be checking these notes on Wednesday.

I am in the building, but have a professional meeting during the first part of the day. If you have any questions, I will be here after 4th hour.

January 29th

We have examined literary theme and in conjunction to The Iliad. You know the process of recognizing a literary theme.

Class Today:

1. Taking 3 books you have read in a classroom setting over the last 2 years, you will identify a literary theme for each and provide one specific example. You will submit this on Google Classroom.

2. Characterization: The techniques an author uses to develop a character. (Notice that it is a study of the techniques or the strategies... it is not the result of these strategies)

Direct Characterization: Tells the audience what the character's personality/purpose is
Indirect Characterization: Shows the audience things that reveal the personality of the character.

Techniques an author uses for INDIRECT Characterization: STEAL
S: Speech- What does the character say? How does the character speak?
T: Thoughts-What is revealed through the character’s private thought s and feelings?
E: Effect- on others toward the character. What is revealed through the character’s effect on
     other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
A: Actions- What does the character do? How does the character behave?
L: Looks-What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Imagery: Words and phrases that invoke the senses (Think of the five major types of imagery)

Allusion: Indirect reference to a notable person, event, book in history/literature/art, etc. Provides added meaning with the reference.

Please get the Characteristics of an Epic Hero in your notes: 

Characteristics of an Epic Hero

For TUESDAY:
1. Start generating character notes on ACHILLES, HECTOR, ANDROMACHE, and PRIAM.

Teacher of the Year Nomination Form
Due by Wednesday, January 31st
Send to Laura.Maxwell@lsr7.net 

January 26th

1. Your 4 themes and textual evidence in The Iliad are due today.  In Google classroom, please post your 4th developed theme in the comment section so your classmates can read them. You do not need to add the evidence you have gathered... just the thematic statement.

2. Once your classmates have posted their themes, you need to pick 3 themes from your class list. Add these to your notes, and add evidence from Books 1, 6, and 22 to support these themes.

3. Add evidence to your other 4 themes from examples from Book 22.

4. For Monday, January 29th, please read the Book 24. Take good notes.

January 24th/25th

The KC Star did a feature on the actor who is the lead in Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Check it out! KC Rep- Actor with Tourette's

As I referenced in class, here is the story on Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. Please turn your notes into me. KC Star- Shawnee Mission Northwest

1. Today we will be having small group discussions over The Iliad books 1 and 6. These questions are to guide your discussion, but to also help supplement your notes. You don't need to write down "the answers" but bullet point ideas that develop in your conversations. In your conversation, you need to reference/cite specific examples in the text, not broad general comments. 

2. As a group, you will complete a collaborative Google Slide Show that addresses EACH BOOK with:

• Books' summaries
• Character descriptions
• Important findings
• Critical literary devices
• Carry over between the two books. 
• Differences between two books.  
• Student impressions/quotes on The Iliad. 

Book 1

Summarize Book 1 of The Iliad. 

1. What emotion identified in the first line is central to the entire Iliad?
2. What two gods are angry at the Greeks and why?
3. Try to think of ways in which the opening lines of the Iliad and the Odyssey are similar, and also different.  (Ignore this question in classes in which we have not read both of these works.)
4. Explain in what way the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon and its results are the equivalent of the plague.
5. Does the response of Achilles to the disrespect of Agamemnon seem to you out of proportion?  Or, to put it another way, do you think that T. S. Eliot was right to call Achilles “little more than a superhuman adolescent”?
6. How do the conflicts between mortals compare and contrast to the conflicts between the gods in Book 1 of The Iliad?
7. In what ways are Achilles's and Agamemnon's characterizations of each other in Book 1 of The Iliad justified?

Book 6

Summarize Book 1 of The Iliad.  

1. What reasons does Andromache give for asking Hector not to return to the battlefield?  Do you think Andromache ever believed Hector will stay away from the battlefield?  Explain.
2. Hector’s conflict between home and the battlefield brings to light the role of men in the ancient society.  Hector loves his family, but leaves them for the battlefield.  What does this say about Hector and about his culture?  
3. This is Hector's book. Here we see who, what and why he is. How does the narrator seem to feel about Hector? Compare and contrast his heroism with Achilles. Consider his relations with women. Note his self-consciousness about the inevitable fate of Troy and his family (520). What, exactly, motivates him to keep fighting? Do you see anything potentially wrong or self-contradictory with his reasoning? Don't sentimentalize his hopes for his son too much.

General Questions: 

1. What similarities and differences do you see between Books 1 and 6? - Plot, characterization, tone, imagery? 
2. What role does the narrator/poet play in The Iliad? When is he evident in the action? Why at that point? Why does he shrink away at other parts of story? 
3. What figures of speech do you see being utilized? Similes, metaphors, epithets? 
4. What is the author's attitude towards his world? Towards fate? Towards the gods?  

For FRIDAY:

1. Your 4 themes and textual evidence are due IN YOUR NOTES... with textual evidence. 

2. Read Book 22 of The Iliad.  Page: 201

January 23rd

For today, you have read part of the first book of The Iliad.  You should have taken notes on 2 things. First, basic plot conventions, tracking what is happening. Second, examples of the epic conventions and epic literary style.

Today, we will be examining theme: definition, thematic issues, and the method of determining theme.

Once we go over this we will be looking for evidence of three specific themes (given in class) in The Iliad. After you have found examples, you will be developing your own theme that you see developing in the Iliad as the 4th theme.

For Wednesday/Thursday:
1. Read from Book 6 of The Iliad. 195-200
2. Continue theme work- all 4 themes with evidence are due Friday.

January 22nd

Happy Monday!

1. Quiz over historical context of The Iliad. 

2. You have read the background on the Ancient Greeks for today. We are diving into the quintessential Ancient Greek text today, The Illiad. 

Terms/concepts to know:
1. Epic
2. Epithets
3. Epic simile
4. Theme
5. Epic conventions.

Make sure that these terms/concepts and definitions are in your notes.

For Tuesday, please read 178-194. Make sure to read the italicized section on 182. It will help as a preview of the plot.

In your notes balance the following:
1. Plot events.
2. Evidence of the Epic Conventions/Stylistic techniques.

January 19th

1. You will have two people review, annotate, and score your Blended Writing sample today. Turn into Mrs. Cole once the paper has been scored twice.

Readers:

• You will mark the techniques of Argument (red), Expository (blue), and Narrative (green) writing with colored pencils. 
• Not only mark that it is the specific type of writing, but the techniques used in the side margins. 
• You will need to CIRCLE transitions.
• When you are done you are going to use the scoring guide to score your partner's paper. Start in between the 3 and the 2. Do you need to move UP to three or down to two? Look at the distinguishing components in the differences of scores. Write the score at the top of the paper.
• Return to your partner. 

For Monday:

Read and TAKE NOTES on pages 162-73 and 176-177 in your literature book! Here come the GREEKS! Be ready for a quiz! 

Wednesday/Thursday January 17th/18th

1. We will be writing a practice Blended Writing sample today. You will need the following papers:

• Blended Writing handout
• Transitions sheet
• Blended Writing scoring guide
• 2 secondary sources (from me). 

2. Construct a rough outline answering the prompt. Look through two secondary sources and consider where they will be integrated. We will be utilizing a basic 5-paragraph essay format for this standardized EOC writing assignment.

3. Start writing the body of your paper, remembering to integrate expository and narrative to support your argument. Use the checklists on the blended writing handout to help you. Remember to integrate your direct quotes and paraphrases correctly.

4. Write your introduction and conclusion integrating a narrative anecdote in your introduction and revisit it in your conclusion.

Submit your finished paper to Google Classroom AND print off for class on Friday.

FYI-
I will be handing out permission slips on Friday for Curious Incident. Please indicate your interest in tickets on the Google classroom survey.

Snow Day announcement

Happy Snow Day!
Your reflection papers are due by the end of the day on Monday. I realize that we don't have school on Monday, but they need to be done. This gives you a 3-day extension.
Submit these to Google Classroom.

Please bring your lit textbooks to use on TUESDAY.

Wednesday/Thursday, January 10th/11th... now Friday, January 12th

1. Today is our final literary circle. You will be going through your final discussion led by the different roles you filled for this class period.

2. When you are done with your general discussion, you will go through the discussion cards as a group. These questions can help guide you to what you can discuss in your final reflection paper.

3. Turn in your Group project sheet with role sheets.. and your last journal entry.

4. Log in to USATESTPREP. Do writing review questions that are addressing intros/conclusions, transitions, research, etc.

5. Remember: Final reflection papers on literature circle experience/book are due by the end of FRIDAY, January 15th to Google Classroom.

FYI- Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night group.
The KC REP is performing the play January 26th-February 18th.
If we are interested in getting a group together to see the play, let me know.
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- KC REP

January 9th

1. Take out your example of blended writing that has been annotated with the specific techniques of each type of writing.

2. You will be gathering in groups of 3. As a group you will be discussing the following questions. Please take individual notes on YOUR article's points. You will need to discuss specific examples with your groups. Turn in by the end of the hour.

• How does the author specifically utilize narrative techniques? Which techniques?
• What is the impact of these narrative techniques on the writing? The reading of the text?
• How do the narrative techniques support the article's purpose? 
• How does the author specifically utilize expository techniques? Which techniques?
• What is the impact of these expository techniques on the writing? The reading of the text?
• How do the expository techniques support the article's purpose? 
• How does the author specifically utilize argument techniques? Which techniques?
• What is the impact of these argument techniques on the writing? The reading of the text?
• How do the argument techniques support the article's purpose? 
• Of the three types of writing, which type of writing is the most predominant? Why? Effect?
• What role do transitions play in the effectiveness of the writing? 
• How well are the 3 types of writing blended? Talk about specific examples. 
• How is introduction and citation of evidence addressed in the article? 

3.  When you are done discussing these questions, please take out the scoring guide for the EOC Writing. Obviously, these are professional writing samples,  but I want you, as a group, to discuss the highest score point (4) requirements. How do these samples score high on this scale? Why? Speak specifics.

4. By Wednesday/Thursday, go to Google Classroom and answer in a private comment a question posted about Blended Writing.

5. When you are done, you will need to finish your literature circle books and 2 requirements for Wednesday/Thursday (journal entry/role sheet).  Remember that your reflection paper is due this Friday!

January 8th

EOC Writing... "Blended Writing" Instruction.

1. Review over three major types of writing. Techniques.
2. Review the EOC Writing Samples.
3. Review the EOC Writing Scoring Guide.

Homework-
1. Bring in an example of "Blended Writing". Annotate examples of narrative, expository, argument techniques.  Have done BEFORE CLASS.  Be ready to discuss.

Here are some great locations to find "Blended Writing":  Opinion Editorial section of newspapers.

NY Times Editorials
Washington Post Editorials
Kansas City Start Opinion

2. Remember your last literature circle meeting is this Wednesday/Thursday. Your final journal entry and role sheet is due... PLUS have the book finished.  Your final reflection paper is due this Friday.

January 5th

Happy Friday!

1. We will be taking a practice EOC test today to establish a baseline score. You will receive your log in information to USATESTPREP. Please keep track of this information.

USATESTPREP

Do your very best!

2. Remember that your lit circle book is to be finished by Wednesday/Thursday of next week. This will be your last lit circle meeting. Have your journal and group report for this day.

Your individual reflection paper will be due on Friday, January 12th to Google Classroom.

Reflection Paper: At the end of the Literature Circle, each person must write a typed, 2-3 page response about the overall Lit. Circle process.  What were your likes/dislikes?  How was the process beneficial? What would you change?  What did each group member do to help or not help—especially during discussion and with their preparation?  Use 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, and proper mechanics/conventions.

January 5th

1. Turn in the WSQ sheet to the sub from the Duckworth Ted Talk.

2. Read the article by James Clear: The Importance of Grit and Perseverance

3. Thinking about the definition, KC Star article, Clear's article, and Duckworth's video, your score on the Grit quiz, please respond to the following three prompts. Be thoughtful... be thorough... be critical in your thoughts and writing. Bring in examples and evidence from the article/video/life.

SUBMIT THESE TO GOOGLE CLASSROOM BEFORE CLASS ON FRIDAY!

What have you learned about the importance of grit in the classroom, and in life? 

How do you already exhibit characteristics of grit... or have exhibited characteristics of grit in your life thus far? 

In what areas of life do you want to improve on your grittiness? How? Why? 

On a side note, I am so sorry to miss you all the first few days of the semester! I have the flu, and I am totally miserable.

January 3rd! Happy New YEAR!

1. Write the above term and definition in your first page of notes for the start of the new semester. 

2. Read the following article from the January 3rd Kansas City Star: "Got Grit?". 

As you are reading, with your notes open, and pen in hand, jot down the following. 

• Article name, author, and date 
• Major warrants that the author makes (remember how warrants function)
• Pertinent specific examples that emphasize the argument. 
• Specific terms that are defined
• When done reading, write a one sentence summary of the article. 

3. Watch Angela Lee Duckworth's Ted Talk, "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance"

For Thursday: 

4. Take the following survey on GRIT: Grit Survey

You will receive a 1-5 score on your "Grittiness".  1 being not very gritty... 5 being extremely gritty. Keep track of this score in your notes. Jot down some ideas about your results for class on Thursday.