10/23/2012

You will need to see me about today's group assignment to make it up, but it's important because it's on the author Catullus, who will be on the Roman Lit quiz Friday.

Three important Power Points for upcoming quizzes Friday; you may use your grammar notes for the grammar quiz on semicolons and colons.

Spell Words 2

Semicolons

Colons

See you tomorrow!

Johnson

10/23/2012

In Class Today:

• We read about Catullus in Tan Books
• Tomorrow we will complete the Catullus assignment in groups in the tan books. If you were absent, see me to make up the assignment.

Things no longer accepted:

• DBQ paragraph
• Saphho assignment

Window closing by Thursday on the following assignments/quizzes:

• Spell Quiz 1
• "Gods Return to Olympus" paragraph
• Cornell Notes on Roman Literature terms and summary

***If you haven't already, please find a classic novel to read and start reading it!
***Roman Literature Quiz Friday
***Roman Literature Study Guide on web blog

Johnson

10/19/2012

Today in class:

We finished Roman Cornell Lit Notes: Summary Due Tuesday: Roman Lit PP
Gods Return to Olympus paragraph due Monday: Click here for assignment
Burning of Rome assignment due Monday:
DBQ Paragraph no longer accepted after Tuesday.

10/17/2012

Today in class:

• During PSAT time, we took writing notes and students were assigned a practice DBQ prompt. This paragraph is due tomorrow and will be graded specifically on MLA (quotations/transitions).
• In actual Humanities class, we took notes on Roman Literary Devices; we did not finish these notes. You need to take Cornell Notes on these, eventually write a summary, and I'll give you the due date once we finish the Power Point. 
• I couldn't edit the Spelling Words Power Point, so definition is still misspelled:)

Roman Literature Power Point Notes (Do not take notes on anything but the Roman literature words
Roman Literature Quiz Study Guide
Spelling Words (study for quiz Friday)

10/11/2012

Today in class:

• We took the Grammar Assessment: Subjects and Verbs. You have until Wednesday to complete it before it becomes a zero.
• You will find a link to the "Letters from Greece: Gods Return to Olympus" article below. Please read the article and find five quotes that support the main argument of the article (which you need to determine obviously) and bring those quotes with you on a separate sheet of paper as well as the article to class on Tuesday.
• Don't forget to complete the Epic Hero Paragraph, also due Tuesday.

Have a great extended weekend,

Mrs. Johnson

10/11/2012

Don't forget to complete your Epic Hero Paragraph!
Gods Return to Olympus article Letters from Greece: The Gods Return from Olympus

10/08/2012

Today in class, we:

• Took the Odyssey Test

Homework: Work on Epic Hero Paragraph

Due: October 16th

***Mr. Masten wanted me to remind you that you need to remember to include transitions in your Pax Romana paragraph. Below are great words and phrases to help with transitions. Some are better suited for compare and contrast essays, but you can save those for later.

***Your rough draft Pax Romana paragraph is due tomorrow!

Transitions

Also

Again

As well as,

Besides

Coupled with,

Furthermore,

In addition

Not only . . . but also

Likewise

Moreover

Similarly

Accordingly

As a result,

For this purpose,

Hence

Otherwise

Subsequently,

;therefore,

Thus,

On one hand,

On the other hand,

Nevertheless,

In essence,

In other words,

Namely

In short,

In brief,

Using Transition Words in Your Paper

Transitional Devices
Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your paper. They are cues that help the reader to interpret ideas a paper develops. Transitional devices are words or phrases that help carry a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another. And finally, transitional devices link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.
There are several types of transitional devices, and each category leads readers to make certain connections or assumptions. Some lead readers forward and imply the building of an idea or thought, while others make readers compare ideas or draw conclusions from the preceding thoughts.
Here is a list of some common transitional words or phrases:

To Add:

and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)

To Compare:

whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true

To Prove:

because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is

To Show Exception:

yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes

To Show Time:

immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then

To Repeat:

in brief, as said, as noted, as has been noted

To Emphasize:

definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation

To Show Sequence:

first, second, third, next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon

To Give an Example:

for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate

To Summarize or Conclude:

in brief, on the whole, as shown, as stated, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, on the whole

10/05/2012

Odyssey Study Guide:

• Characters from your character sheet
• Literary Terms from the same sheet as above
• Be able to place all the events in chronological order--where Odysseus and his men go--The Odyssey is told in flashback mode and occurs in the middle of things or in medias res, so it's crucial to know what happens first etc. ***MANY QUESTIONS ON THIS-THUS MANY POINTS!!!
• The Homeric Conventions
• Customs and beliefs of the Greeks
• Qualities of an Epic Hero

Whoops here is the Review Power Point

Odyssey Review

10/05/2012

We reviewed today for the Odyssey test. Here is the Power Point review; it helps in studying the characters and remembering events--the key is on the last three slides, so you can check your work! Congratulations 100% practice test takers!!!

Mrs. Johnson

Good luck studying!

Get lots of rest Sunday night--eat a good breakfast Monday morning... review at lunch for the test!

Study Guide

The Odyssey Study Guide:

Test Format:

• Multiple Choice
• Short Answer

I. Be able to identify all the characters and terms from your character sheet

II. Be able to define and identify key Homeric conventions.

III. Know key events from the story

Multiple Choice Items Covering: Application of terms from green sheet.

For Example:

• Not only be able to define what personification is, but also be able to identify a line that illustrates personification in The Odyssey.
• Multiple themes found in the adventure
• Odysseus’ primary objective
• The role of flashback in the epic

Reading Passages:

·        Be able to read key passages and choose the best interpretation based on your knowledge of the story.

Short Answer: You will choose one of the following themes and write on it:

·        Qualities/characteristics of an epic hero

·        Obedience and laws of the gods

·        Values and beliefs of Greek Civilization

10/04/2012

Epic Hero Paragraph Final Draft Due: October 16th:
Odyssey Test Monday: Multiple Choice and a few short answer
Look for the Study Guide on the "Study Guides" link online tonight.
Study for the review and prizes tomorrow!

Highlights from today's discussion:

Cool Connections to History:

Students discussed that each city-state possessed their own temple to their designated god, and each city-state practiced one religion. 
Additionally, students discussed Greek customs and beliefs; these are the things important to the Greeks:

• proper burials
• after life
• respect for the dead
• burnt offerings
• hospitality
• devotion
• polytheism

****The best question asked today: How did Odysseus not hate the Gods? 

What students will appreciate about the Odyssey:

• The elevated language: epithets, epic similes, style
• The characters have many layers to them.
• It's a classic love story.
• It's a story about loyalty.
• The names are interesting.

What's challenging about the story?

• It's not the kinda thing you can read in front of the t.v.!
• It contains challenging language.
• The names are confusing.
• The vocabulary is difficult.

What are some morals that you will walk away with from the Odyssey?

• Don't stop persevering!
• Don't climb ladders while drunk!
• You always have room to improve.
• Stay loyal to what you believe in.
• Don't be arrogant.
• Accept your flaws.
• Don't kick a man while he's down.
• Remember where you came from.
• Don't move a man's bed!
• Don't give up.
• When you become committed to someone, don't lose respect for them.
• Don't stop believing; hold onto that feeling! (I added that one because everyone appreciates a little Journey in their life)

10/02/2012

Today in class, we:

• Completed the Peer Edit Session for the Epic Hero Rough Drafts.
• If you were absent, you can have a parent/sibling read your paper and do the Peer Edit for you to catch up or find a student.
• Here are the questions below:

Peer Edit Directions:

To receive full credit, do a thorough job on today’s peer edit.

·          Write your name on a separate piece of paper.

·          Below your name, write the writer’s name.

·          Answer the following questions thoroughly, thoughtfully, and noiselessly:

1.        Examine the writer’s thesis statement and explain if it is clear, direct, and includes all of the POA points.

2.        Go through each (this will take awhile) body paragraph and examine the following for clarity:

·          Topic sentence: Does it include the POA point and does it tie to the thesis statement?

·          Did the writer include a quote from the text that related to their POA point?

·          Did the writer thoroughly explain the quote in a fluid way? This means that they didn’t just pop a quote in their paper with no set up and no follow through. The formula for introducing a quote is: set up the quote through explanation, give the quote, and summarize the quote.

·          Is the writer’s analysis of the quote and of their POA point thorough enough? Did they go in depth enough with their argument?

3.        Transitions: How are the writer’s transitions from paragraph to paragraph: offer suggestions on how to make them smoother if necessary.

4.        Conclusion: Does the concluding sentence for section D restate the thesis and all the POA points. You should not have to go back and re-read what those points were.

5.        How do you like the writer’s title? Did they do an effective job of tying it to their argument-why or why not?

6.        Finally, offer the writer three points of constructive criticism or things to work on for their final draft and three compliments/things they did well.

***Staple your peer edit sheet to the back of their rough draft and turn it in to the WHUM ENGLISH BOX; if you did not finish the peer edit, then take the writer’s paper home and finish it and bring it back tomorrow.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Johnson

10/01/2012

Epic Hero Paragraph Rough Draft Due Date moved to tomorrow


Mrs. Johnson