Homework: December 19

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful week.

For Homework: Listen to the NPR Podcast

The Strange Story Of The Man Behind 'Strange Fruit'

Share your thoughts.

Homework: December 18

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all having a wonderful week. 

Today we finished To Kill A Mockingbird.

For Homework:  Answer the following questions.

1.) What happened to Jem and Scout on their way home from the pageant?
2.) Who saved them?
3.) How has Scout grown (how has she changed from the beginning of the book to the end of the book)?

Use your own experiences and examples from the text to support your answer.

Homework: December 17

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all having a great middle of the week!

For Homework: Answer the following questions.

1.) How does Atticus treat Tom Robinson?  How is this different from the other people in Maycomb?

2.) How does Atticus prove Tom didn't beat Mayella?

3.) Do you think Atticus should win his case?  Why?

homework: December 16

Hello everyone,

Today our debate team will be competing against a school in Queens!! Lets wish them luck!

For homework: Answer the following questions

1. How does Attics view Calpurnia?
2. How did Scout help Attics?
3. Which character do you think is going to change the most by the end of the book?

Homework: December 15

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

For Homework: Today we discussed mob (herd) mentality.

Answer the following questions:

1.) What is mob mentality?
2.) How is it seen in To Kill A Mockingbird?
3.) Give a modern day example of mob mentality.

Homework: December 12

Hello Folks,

Today we read reviewed chapter 15 and played a review game.

Here is the link to THE GAME if you would like to play at home.


For Homework: Answer the following questions.

1.) Who is someone that is important to you?
2.) Why did Atticus protect Tom Robinson?
3.) What did Scout and Jem learn about Atticus?

Homework: Decmber 11

Hello Everyone.

Today we discussed Atticus Finch and his family.

For homework:
Aunt Alexandra cares a lot about their family name and their reputation.

What is something you and your family care a lot about?  Why is it so important?

**Relate this back to why the family name is so important to Aunt Alexandra.

Homework: December 10

Hello Everyone!

I hope you stayed dry and warm yesterday.

Today we continued our conversation on compassion.  We read chapter 11 from To Kill A Mockingbird.

Click here to hear an audio version of the book: To Kill A Mockingbird

For Homework:
Answer the following questions:
1.) Why does Atticus say that Mrs. Dubose was the bravest person he ever knew.
2.) Why does Atticus want Jem to know what courage is?

Homework: Dec 9

Hello Everyone,

Today and tomorrow we will be discussing compassion.

Compassion - sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

For homework: Answer the following question. Use evidence from the text and your own experiences to support your answer.

Which character from the book do you have compassion for?  Why?



Extra:  For another look at compassion listen to:

Twelve Concrete Ways To Live A 'Compassionate Life'

Homework: Dec 8

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend.

Tomorrow it is going to be cold and wet. Please dress warm.

Homework: Why do you think Jem kept secrets from Atticus?  Why do you think he finally shared his secrets with Atticus about the fire at Miss Maudie's?

Homework: Dec 4

Hello Everyone!

Today we discussed Empathy and the famous line from To Kill A Mockingbird:

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

For Homework:  Answer the following questions.

1.) Define Empathy
2.) Why is it important to have empathy?
3.) Describe a time that Scout had empathy?
4.) Describe a time you showed empathy

Homework: Dec 3

Hello Everyone!

Today we discussed Arthur Radley.  Many of us have found ourselves hanging out with people who do not always make the best choices.  In Arthur's case, he was with a group that locked a police officer in an outhouse.  Instead of being sent to an industrial school, Arthur's father promises to keep in the house and out of trouble.

For Homework:  Do you think Arthur's punishment fit the crime?  If you were the judge, what would have been Arthur's punishment?

Homework: December 2

Hello everyone!

Today we discussed the life of Harper Lee.  Yesterday I asked you to tell me one interesting fact about her life.  The more you learn about her life, the more you realize how intricate she is as a writer.

For homework:  Compare and contrast Harper Lee (as an author) to another author we have read so far. 

You may choose from:

Sherman Alexis (The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian)
John Steinbeck (Of Mice and Men)
Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart)

Homework: Dec 1

Hello Everyone!  

I hope you all enjoyed your time off and are ready to start To Kill A Mockingbird.

You may still get a reward for telling me who Harper Lee is.

For Homework:  Tell me one fact about Harper Lee and how it connects the her novel To Kill A Mockingbird.

For Example:  In real life Harper Lee's father is a lawyer.  In To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout's father is a lawyer and defends Tom Robinson.

Homework: November 26

Hello Everyone! 

I hope you all have a wonderful break and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For Homework:  Answer the following question.

Who is Harper Lee?

You may use any resource tool to find the answer to this question.

A reward will be given to who ever can tell me who that person is.

Homwork: Nov 25

Hello Everyone!

I hope your week is off to a great start.  

Last night the Ferguson verdict was announced. 

 For Homework:  Answer the following questions.  What are your thoughts about the verdict?  Do you agree or disagree with the grand jury's decision?  Why?

For more information:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/11/24/366370100/grand-jury-reaches-decision-in-michael-brown-case

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2844491/Ferguson-Missouri-Police-officer-Darren-Wilson-NOT-face-charges-shooting-unarmed-black-teen-Michael-Brown.html

http://nypost.com/2014/11/25/ferguson-protesters-take-to-new-york-city-streets/

Homework: November 24

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

For Homework:  The Michael Brown verdict is said to be announced later tonight.  What do you think it will be?  (Google Michael Brown, Ferguson if you need more information).

Homework: November 19

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for coming to Parent Teacher Conferences!  It was wonderful to see all of you. Please call or email if you ever have any questions.

For Homework:  Work with someone at home to generate a list.

Make a list of happy memories.  It can be friend memories, family memories, trip memories, school memories, any memory can make the list as long as it is a happy one.

Homework: November 17 and 18

Happy Monday everyone!!

Parent/Teacher Conferences TONIGHT and TOMORROW AFTERNOON

For Homework: What is a saying your family uses?  What does it mean?

Homework: November 14

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a great week.

Reminder: Parent Teacher Conferences are Monday (11/17)  night and Tuesday (11/18) afternoon.

For Homework: Which character from Things Fall Apart are you the least like?  Why?  Provide examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Homework: November 13

Hello!

Just a reminder: Parent/Teacher Conferences are on Monday, November 17 and Tuesday, November 18.

On a side note: here is a link to the rest of the video we watched in class
http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en

For Homework:

Why is it good to have more than one story?

Homework: November 12

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a great day off.

For Homework: Talk to your folks at home and write down a family saying.  Be ready to share your family saying.

Homework: Nov 10

Hello!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!

Reminder:  There is NO SCHOOL tomorrow.  I will see you all on WEDNESDAY

For Homework:  Which character from Things Fall Apart do you think you are most like?
This can change as we read and get to know the characters better.

Homework: November 6

Hello everyone,

Reminders: Parent/Teacher conferences are on Nov 17 and 18.

For Homework:  What is a movie or book that has a surprise ending?  What makes it a surprise?

Homework: November 5

Hello Everyone!

I hope we are all having a great week!

For Homework:  Find out three pieces of information about your family.  Please learn something NEW.

Homework: November 3

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to the week!

For Homework:  Find three pieces of information about Chinua Achebe (different from what we discussed in class).

Homework: October 31

Hello Everyone and Happy Halloween!

Please be safe tonight!

For Homework:  What makes something scary?  What is a scary element of Of Mice and Men?

Homework: October 30

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all having a great week so far!

Just a Reminder: You can not wear a mask tomorrow if you plan on dressing up for Halloween.

For homework:  Why is it important to edit our work? Give me at least three reason and provide a real life example for at least one reason.

Homework: October 29

Hello everyone!

For Homework:
1.) Define Point of View 
2.) Name 3 out of the 5 Point of Views and give an example.

Homework: October 28

Hello everyone,

In class today we discussed tips for creating a successful short story.  Our final project for this class will be to adapt John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men into a short story.

For homework:  Which tip do you think is the most useful and why?  Give an example of how Steinbeck used that tip in his own writing.

Homework: October 27

Happy Monday Everyone!

For Homework:  Copy the sentence structure of a piece of writing either from a book, a magazine, or newspaper in order to write a three sentence summary of an event from Of Mice and Men.

Homework: October 24

Hello Everyone! 

Happy Friday!

Please have a safe and happy weekend.


For Homework:  Use friends, family, newspapers, magazines and the internet to find one current event to share on Monday.

** You can continue to report on the Ebola patient.

Homework: October 23

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all having a good Thursday!

For Homework:  Use family, friends, and internet to look up information on the new Ebola patient.

Homework: Oct 22

Hello everyone!

Today we talked about the nameless characters from Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.

For Homework:  Name the three nameless characters from Of Mice and Men.  Why did you give the character the name you gave them?

Homework: Oct 21

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all having a great start of the week!

For Homework: Compare and contrast reading from a script to reading a novel.

If possible, please use a Venn Diagram.

Homework: October 20

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!

Please make sure you are taking care of yourselves and are washing your hands whenever possible.

For Homework:  If you could change any part of the book Of Mice and Men, what would you change and why?

Homework: October 17

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday!

Just a reminder: If you would like to join the Debate Team please let me know MONDAY.  We will be starting to hold practice next week.

For Homework:  Please answer the following questions.

1.) What is a good deed?

2.) Can a crime be a good deed, why or why not?

3.) Did George do a good deed by shooting Lennie?  Why or why not?

Homework: October 16

Hello Everyone!

For Homework:  Answer the following questions.  Ask someone at home for their help.

1.) What is the American Dream


2.) Do you believe in the American Dream, why or why not?


3.) What was George and Lennie's dream?  Did it come true?

Homework: October 15

Hello everyone!

We are finishing the final chapters of Of Mice and Men.  Throughout the next few weeks we will discuss the rights and needs of those with special needs, like Lennie.

For Homework: Listen to the podcast from This American Life. You just need to listen to the first few minutes (the prologue) of the podcast, but please listen to the whole thing if you have time!


Answer the following questions:

1.) What did Edward think it meant to be Special Ed?

2.) When did this change?

Homework: October 14

Hello everyone!!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend and enjoyed your day off.

For homework:  Read the article

Seattle Swaps Columbus Day For 'Indigenous Peoples' Day' 

 Answer the following questions:

1.) Why are cities changing the name of the holiday?

2.) What cities have changed the name

3.) Do you think they should change the name?  Why or why not?

Homework: October 10

Hello Everyone!

Just a few reminders!  There is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY.
Also, if you would like to sign up for the Debate team, please come see me on Tuesday.

Today and yesterday we discussed how we can use the events of a story to make a prediction.

For Homework:  Write a summary about Of Mice and Men using NO  MORE than three (3) sentences.  Choose wisely.  Make sure you include only the best details.

Homework: Oct 9

Good morning everyone!

Today we talked about how a plot unfolds within a story through a series of events.

For Homework:  Tell me three events from a book, TV show, or a movie and how they relate to the resolution (conclusion) of the story.

Homework: October 8

Good afternoon everyone!

I am sorry I missed all of you today, but I know you all had a great day!


For Homework: Please answer the following questions

1.) What is dialogue?
2.) Why do authors use it?
3.) Give an example of a piece of dialogue (either made up or borrowed from a book).

Homework: October 6-7

Good afternoon,

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!  

For homework:  Please answer the following questions.

Monday, October 6, 2014:  How can we use the information we gather from the beginning of the story to figure out the problem of the story?  Why do we need to know the problem?


Tuesday, October 7, 2014:  Create a dialogue using a conversation you have had in the past week.   Be sure you make it is at least three to five sentences long (per speaker) and that you use correct punctuation. 

For Example:  

"I want cake," said Sam.
"No, you have to eat dinner first," said his mother.

Homework: October 3

Good Morning.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week.
 George won't Lennie talk when they first meet their new boos.  He tells Lennie the boss has to see him work before he hears him talk, otherwise they won't get the job (page 6 OMM).

For Homework:

Has your opinion of someone changed because of something she/he said?  Should we judge a person by what they say?  Connect your experience to Of Mice and Men.

Homework: October 2

Good morning,

I hope you are all enjoying Of Mice and Men so far!

Just a reminder:  If you are missing any homework, please check past homework blog post or check the homework folder in my room.


For homework:  Please answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1.) What kind of person is Lennie (what does he look like, how does he think)?

2.)What kind of person is George (what does he look like, how does he think)?

3.) Why do you think they travel together?

Homework: Oct 1

Good morning.

Today we started  Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (click the title for a video summary of the book).

For Homework:  Besides fiction be fake and non fiction being real, what other differences do the two genres have?

Homework: September 30

Good morning everyone!

I hope you are all having a great start to the week.

It is our final day of The Absolutely True-Diary of a Part-Time Indian. 

Starting tomorrow, we will be reading Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

For Homework:  Make a prediction on what you think Of Mice and Men is about.  Please write at least THREE sentences.

Homework: September 29

Good morning everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed your four day weekend.

For homework:  Pick someone in your life.  Answer the following questions.

1.) Who are they
2.) How do you know them?
3.) What is something they have done you agreed with?
4.) What is something they have done you disagree with?

Homework: Sept 24

Good morning everyone!


Just a reminder!  There is no school THURSDAY AND FRIDAY!


For homework:  Arnold says that he is never going to surrender.  What is something you think you will always fight for?  Why?

Homework; Spet 23

Good morning everyone!

I hope your week is off to a great start!  

For Homework: Please answer the following questions.
1.) What is the United Nation and what does it do?

2.) What happened to Eugene?

3.) Write new list.  Pick a topic from the list below.

The topic can be : Things that make me angry,  Things that make me think, Things I want to know.

Homework: September 22

Welcome back everyone!!! 

I hope you are all rested and ready to start the week!

Just a reminder:  There is NO SCHOOL on Thursday and Friday (September 25 and 26)

For homework:  answer the following questions

1.) What is People's Climate?

2.) What is something you feel strongly about?  Why?

Homework: Sept 19

Hello Everyone!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

For Homework:  Continuing with our conversation from class, ask some one from home what groups they belong to.  With the person from home, answer the following questions.

1.) What does it mean to be part of a group?

2.) Do you think we are the same in each group?

Homework: September 18

Good afternoon everyone!!

I hope everyone is having a great day!  Today we talking about belonging to groups.  Arnold states that is multi-tribal, that he belongs to many tribes.

Gordy says that we belong with communities because we need to be protected.  There is a struggle in ourselves between wanting to be an individual and wanting to be a member of a community.

Homework: For homework.  Answer one of the following questions.

1.) Why do we struggle between being an individual and being a member of a community.

2.) Do you think on group you belong to is more important than another?  Why or why not?

Homework: Sept 17

Hello everyone!

Below is your homework for tonight.  Please Please Please do not hesitate to  ask for help or express any concerns.

Homework:  Answer the one question (one you have not answered in class) 

1. Why does Arnold draw cartoons? Why does Rowdy like comic books? 

2. What is the relationship between words and text in this novel? What do Arnold's cartoons tell us that his words don't? 

3. How is Mary's relationship to reading and writing different from Arnold's? Why does she hide her stories? Why do you think she likes romance novels so much?

Homework: Sept 16

Good afternoon!

I hope everyone is having a great start to the week. 

For homework: What are some of the ways we can add details to make our writing more memorable?

Give at least two examples.

Homework: September 15

Good morning,

I hope you all have an amazing weekend! 

For homework:  Listen to the podcast Sherman Alexie Targets Young Adults

(You can also answer this question based on class discussions)

1.) Why do you think Mr. P told Arnold to leave the reservation?  Do you think Mr. P was right, why or why not?

Homework: Septmber 11

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great day.

Today we talked about 9/11.  We mostly focused on what it means to be a teen in a post 9/11 world.

For Homework: Interview one person from home. Ask them the following questions.

1.) Where were you for 9/11/2001
2.) How has the attack changed your life?
3.) How is your life the same?
4.) What do you hope to see in the future?

Homework: September 10

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

Today we talked about being vulnerable. 

Today I asked you to write a true/false story about a time you felt vulnerable.  


For Homework:  When do you think Arnold felt the most vulnerable.  Why?

Homework: September 9

Hello everyone!

I hope you had a great first Tuesday. 

Today in class we talked about events and how they move the story forward. Each of you stated what you thought was the most important event in Arnold's life.  Some of you stated that you thought it was Arnold going to Reardan.  Others of you thought it was more important that he joined the basketball team.  

For homework:  What do you think is the most important event in your life so far.  Why?

Homework: Sept 8

Hello folks!!

I hope you all had a  wonderful weekend!  I am looking forward to our first full week together.

For Homework:

Rowdy is Junior's best friend.  They tell each other their dreams and fears.  Who is someone you would consider your best friend?  Why?  

Homework September 5

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I am so glad I got the chance to meet you all!  I hope you had a great start of the school year.

Folks at home: Again, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.


Homework:  Friday

Answer TWO of the questions below. 

1.) Why does Arnold draw?

2.) Does Arnold has high or low self esteem?  Why?

3.) If Arnold went to our school, would you be friends with him?

Homework: Sept 4

Hello Everyone!!

Welcome back! I hope you all had an amazing SUMMER!

I look forward to catching up with old students and getting to know the new.

Homework: Welcome to the my homework blog.  I will post homework for everyday school day.  Students can submit their work in class or in the comment section below.  

Folks at home: Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.  Many of the homework assignments ask students to discuss topics taught in class at home.

Thursday:  Please pick three pieces of writing (a magazine articles, a newspaper article, email, book...) and determine their purpose.  Why did the writer write the piece of writing?

Homework: June 23

Hello Everyone

Happy Final Week.

For homework:  Why is it important to make a  good first impression?  What are some ways you can make a good first impression?

Homework: June 16-June 20

Good morning everyone!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!  Below is your homework for the week.  i

If you have any questions, please ask!

Folks at home:  This week we are focusing on what makes someone a good leader and the qualities we look for in a leader.  We are also discussing the importance of being a leader but also letting others take charge sometimes.  Please give your child examples from your life when you took on a leadership role.  


Homework:

Monday:  Current Event. 
Please select one current event (either a new cast, newspaper article, a headline from the internet, a viral video on Facebook, a Tweet going viral).  Use the event to answer the following questions
1.) Who wrote it
2.) The date
3.) Main idea (one sentence to explain what it is)
4.) Why did you pick it?


Tuesday: There are many political cartoons about Obama and the type of leader he is. 
Pick one political cartoon about a former President.  Use the political cartoon to answer the following questions.
1.) Which president is in the cartoon
2.) What does the cartoon say?
3.) What are the people doing in the cartoon?
4.) Does what they are saying match what you see them doing?
Extra: What does this cartoon mean?


Wednesday: George Washington warns us to stay neutral, to be sure we do not align ourselves with one country over another.  Watch the video and answer the following questions.
1.) Which former president is doing the interview?
2.) Why is asked to give an interview?
3.) What is his reasoning for being "against" invasion?
EXTRA: Do you agree or disagree with him, why?


Thursday: Explain the following quote
“The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government.” 


Friday:Name one time you were a good leader.  Name one time you could have been a better leader.  Explain the difference in the two experiences.

Homework: June 12-13

Good morning folks!

You homework for Thursday and Friday are posted below.

If you have any questions please ask!



Homework

Thursday:  Who in your life do you consider to be a leader?  Why? Please write at least three sentence.

Friday:  Name one leader from the past you think did a good job.  Name one leader you think did a poor job.  Explain your reasoning.

Homework: June 9- June 11

Good morning everyone!!

Below is your homework for the week.

You can turn in homework either in the comment section below and turn in at the beginning of class.


Monday: Current Event.
Pick one current event from this past week.  Use it to answer the following questions:
1.) Title, Date and Author of the article.
2.) Summarize the article in two-three sentences
3.) How does this article affect your life?


Tuesday: What are the three main points of George Washington's Farewell Address?


Wednesday: What are three events of George Washington's life?  How do you think these events affected him as our first president?