Wednesday, December 19, 2012

"Do whatcha gotta do, so you can do whatcha wanna do!"
                                                ----Reverend Run

Period 1
English 12AP

We enjoyed a productive three days of preparing coats of arms and the essays to accompany them.  All is due on Friday, 12-21-12.  

Periods 3 and 4
English 12CP

We have left the Middle Ages behind and are now acquainting ourselves with the Renaissance world view.  There was a quiz today on the introductory information.  Tomorrow, there is a word quiz.  Be familiar with words from exhume to propinquity.  Finally, all final drafts of thesis statements, outlines, and works cited pages must be in to me.  NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO HAND IN A ROUGH DRAFT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER UNTIL ALL PREVIOUS STEPS HAVE BEEN TURNED IN!!

That being said, have a great night; I hope to see you all tomorrow!

Monday, December 17, 2012

“It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.” 
― William Carlos Williams

English 12 CP/Periods 3 and 4

Here are the vocabulary words you will need to be familiar with for the quiz on Thursday, 12-20-12.

exhume (v):  to remove from a grave; to bring to light
intractable (adj):  hard to manage; stubborn; not responsive to discipline
adumbrate (v):  to foreshadow vaguely; to give a sketchy outline or to disclose partially
verdant (adj):  green in tint or color; immature in experience or judgment
nefarious (adj):  wicked, depraved, devoid of moral standards
murky (adj):  dark, gloomy, obscure; lacking in clarity and precision
viscous (adj):  having a gelatinous or glory quality; lacking in easy movement or fluidity
piquant (adj):  stimulating to the taste or mind; spicy, pungent; appealingly provocative
primordial (adj):  developed or created at the very beginning; going back to the most ancient times or earliest stage
unwonted (adj):  not usual or expected; not in character
utopian (adj):  founded upon or involving a visionary view of an ideal world; impractical
propinquity (n):  nearness in place or time; kinship

Also, to ensure that everyone is up-to-date with their daily words, the following are from 12-10-12 to today, 12-17-12:

atrophy (n):  the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure
bastion (n):  a fortified place; a stronghold
verbiage (n):  language that is too wordy or inflated in proportion to the sense or content
asseverate (v):  to affirm earnestly and with emphasis
concord (n):  state of agreement, harmony
grouse (v):  to complain or grumble
disarray (n):  disorder and confusion
flotsam (n):  floating debris; homeless, impoverished people
consummate (adj):  complete or perfect in the highest degree
glean (v):  to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left by reapers
exigency (n):  urgency; pressure or a pressing need
frenetic (adj):  frantic, frenzied, highly agitated

WHEW!! I guess there will be another quiz after our Christmas break.  Anyway, stay warm and cozy and study well.  See you all tomorrow.

Monday, December 3, 2012













WORDS OF THE DAY:  

11-27-12> distraught (adj):  very much agitated or upset as a result of emotional or mental conflict
11-28-12> dissemble (v):  to disguise or conceal; deliberately give a false impression
11-29-12> exhume (v):  to remove from a grave; to bring to light
11-30-12> intractable (adj):  hard to manage; not responsive to discipline; stubborn
12-3-12> adumbrate (v):  to foreshadow vaguely; to give a sketchy outline or to disclose partially
            > verdant (adj):  green in tint or color; immature in experience or judgment

Period 1
English 12AP

We are solidly entrenched in the alliterative poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  Tomorrow, we begin reading Fitt 3 as a class.  Today, students received copies of an excerpt from Joseph Campbell's Thou Art That in which he relates a connection between Sir Gawain's journey and the universal idea of an individual's responsibility to seek his own, unique path.  In addition, I distributed the remainder of the study guide questions for the poem.

Homework:  Continue independent reading and work on the character analysis essay due on Wednesday, 12-12-12.  Also, study for the word quiz scheduled for Friday, 12-7-12.  

Periods 3 & 4
English 12CP

Today, students worked in groups with other students who are writing a research paper on the same book.  I hope that this activity provides an opportunity to learn from one another and share ideas about their books.

Homework:  Rough drafts of thesis/outline/works cited page are due on Thursday, 12-6-12.  Also, study for word quiz scheduled for Friday, 12-7-12.



Monday, November 26, 2012

"You will be transformed by what you read."
                                    ---Deepak Chopra

WORDS OF THE DAY>
11-13-12  articulate (v):  to express well in words/articulate (adj):  employing language clearly and forcefully
11-14-12  credence (n):  belief; mental acceptance
11-15-12  evince (v):  to display clearly; to make evident (example:  "did not evince any sign of panic")
11-16-12  feckless (adj):  lacking in spirit and strength; ineffective, weak, irresponsible, unreliable
11-19-12  cavort (v):  to romp or prance around exuberantly
11-20-12  derogatory (adj):  designed to belittle or degrade; disparaging
11-21-12  eulogy (n):  a formal statement of praise usually at the time of a person's death
11-26-12  decry (v):  to condemn; to express strong disapproval of

Period 1
Grade 12 English AP

Today, as part of the SLO process, students wrote a 3-paragraph response to informational text, i.e., a Wall Street Journal article entitled "The Power of the Powerless:  A Brother's Lesson."

Tomorrow, we shall complete the class code of chivalry.  Also, be prepared to tell me the title of the book you plan to read for the second quarter.  A writing assignment will follow!

Period 3
Grade 12 English CP

I collected the outlining assignment/deconstructing a critical essay.  I explained the outline structure I require for step two of the research paper process.  Please remember the due date for the next step which is Thursday, December 6th!

Tomorrow, I look forward to your "Cranstonbury Tales"!

Period 4
Grade 12 English CP

Class dropped today, E-day.  Do not forget, however, your outlines and your "Cranstonbury Tales".

Have a good night.  I hope to see you all tomorrow!

Monday, November 12, 2012

WORDS OF THE DAY:  
11-5-12  overt (adj):  open, not hidden; expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized

11-7-12  pejorative (adj):  tending to belittle; having negative connotations (ex:  a pejorative reply)

11-8-12  sacrilege (n):  improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred

11-9-12  talisman (n):  an object that serves as a charm or is believed to confer magical powers

Period 1
English 12AP

Is chivalry dead?  We have begun reading Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory and agree rather unanimously that the first chapter ("The Tale of King Arthur") is laborious as it lists numerous, un-memorizeable names!  Homework, nevertheless, is to carry on and read pages 59-94.

There is a word quiz on Thursday, 11-15-12 from propound to talisman

Period 3
English 12CP

Be sure to study Chaucer's "Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales.  There is a quiz tomorrow on the characters and their descriptions.

Period 4
English 12CP

No class tomorrow, but be sure to study Chaucer's "Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales.  There is a quiz on Wednesday, 11-14-12 on the characters and their descriptions.

I hope your week-end was fun!  Hope to see you all tomorrow!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Wow!  It's amazing how quickly the days go by and how easily I forego my promise to keep this blog up-to-date.

Let's begin with the words of the day since Tuesday, 10-23-12.

propound (v):  to put forward, offer, or suggest for consideration (example>propound a startling new hypothesis)

maelstrom (n):  a whirlpool of great size and violence; a situation resembling such a whirlpool

suppliant (n):  one who makes a request humbly and earnestly

undulate (v):  to move in waves or in a wave-like motion (example>The highway sank at so many points, that its surface began to undulate like a roller coaster.)

myopic (adj):  nearsighted; lacking a broad, realistic view of a situation; lacking foresight

propriety (n):  the state of being proper; appropriateness; standards of what is proper or socially acceptable

summarily (adv):  without delay or formality; briefly; concisely

overt (adj):  open; not hidden; expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized

pejorative (adj):  tending to belittle; having negative connotations

Period 1
Grade 12AP

On Monday, the class finished up their in-class essays on Beowulf.  Today, period 1 dropped.  Tomorrow, we'll begin Arthurian Romances with introductory information on life in Medieval Times.

Period 3
Grade 12CP

Today, we finished reading the "Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales.  I distributed an assignment in which you will write 10 characterizations of 4 lines each in the style of Chaucer.  The project is due Tuesday, 11-27-12.  Dates to remember:  Tuesday, 11-13-12>test on Chaucer's pilgrims; Thursday, 11-15-12>word quiz from propound to talisman; Monday and Tuesday, 11-19 and 11-20>to the Library to begin research for the research paper.

Period 4
Grade 12CP

We continue our reading of the "Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales.  Dates to remember:  Tuesday, 11-13-12>test on Chaucer's pilgrims; Thursday, 11-15-12>word quiz from propound to talisman; Monday and Tuesday, 11-19 and 11-20>to the Library to begin research for the research paper.

Have a good night, everyone!  See you tomorrow!



Thursday, October 25, 2012

“The final weapon is the brain, all else is supplemental.”
John Steinbeck, The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights 

 WORD OF THE DAY>>suppliant (n):  one who makes a request humbly and earnestly

Period 1
English 12AP

Group work today, focusing on specific elements of Beowulf such a weaponry, role of women, motifs of old age...

Homework:  Modern Beowulf essays due Monday, 10-29-12.

Period 3
English 12CP

Test today on Medieval Romances.

Homework:  Don't forget your research paper books -- you should be re-reading and taking detailed notes.

Period 4
English 12CP

 
Test today on Medieval Romances.

Homework:  Don't forget your research paper books -- you should be re-reading and taking detailed notes.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

WORD OF THE DAY>>maelstrom (n):  a whirlpool of great size and force (example:  caught in the maelstrom of revolution)

Period 1
English 12AP

Today we discussed the conclusion to Beowulf.  Tomorrow, in groups, students will focus more closely on one of six individual aspects of the poem and create an oral presentation for the class.  Also, there will be a vocabulary quiz.

Period 3
English 12CP

Vocabulary quiz today.  Afterwards, we began an introduction to Chaucer.

HW:  Study for the test on Medieval/Arthurian romances.

Period 4
English 12CP

Vocabulary quiz today. Afterwards, we finished up Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and discussed one of the themes of the poem in relation to Joseph Campbell's quotation.

HW:  Study for the test on Medieval/Arthurian romances.

Have a great night...See you tomorrow!!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

WORD OF THE DAY>>propound (v):  to put forward, to offer, to suggest for consideration (ex:  propound a startling new hypothesis)

Period 1
English 12AP

We had a reading check today (aka "pop quiz") on last night's reading.  Then we discussed pages 120-165.

Homework:  Finish Beowulf.  Please do not forget the vocabulary quiz on Thursday, 10-25 and the writing assignment due on Monday, 10-29.

Period 3
English 12CP

Today we wrapped up "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" with a discussion of the Joseph Campbell quotation:  "We must die one way or another to the self-hood already achieved...I am not the final form of my being."  We also reviewed what you need to know for the "Medieval (Arthurian) Romance" test on Thursday.  Study guide includes:  be familiar with the definitions for medieval romance, chivalry; know the key players in the excerpt from Mort d'Arthur and from "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"; know the names of people in King Arthur's court like Lady Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Morgan le Fay, Uther Pendragon, Merlin...

Homework:  Study for word quiz tomorrow and the literature test on Thursday.

Period 4
English 12CP

We are almost through with "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."  There will be a word quiz tomorrow and a test on medieval romances on Thursday.  Please note a brief study guide above.

Have a great evening...see you tomorrow!!

Monday, October 22, 2012

"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls."
----Joseph Campbell 


WORD OF THE DAY>>incendiary (adj):  deliberately setting or causing fires; tending to stir up strife or rebellion (example:  Thomas Paine wrote incendiary treatises to foment revolution.)

Period 1
English 12AP

I returned your responses to the Sally Kempton article.  We discussed the homework reading from Thursday night.  

HW:  Read to page 164 in Beowulf.  Also, the modern writing assignment for Beowulf now has a definite due date:  Monday, 10-29-12.

Period 3
English 12CP

I collected your research paper book projects.  We reviewed the symbolism of Sir Gawain's pentangle and completed the poem.

HW:  Study for vocabulary quiz which will be given on Wednesday, 10-24-12.  There will also be a Medieval Romance quiz on Thursday, 10-25-12.  

Period 4
English 12CP

Class dropped today.  For homework, please see period 3 above.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

WORD OF THE DAY>>halcyon (adj):  calm, peaceful, happy (as in "halcyon days of my childhood")

Period 1
English 12AP

Discussed Thursday night's homework reading.  Do not neglect your research paper books.  If you have completed them, it is time to revisit them for a closer reading in preparation for your critical analysis.

Period 3
English 12CP

Class dropped today (D-day).

Period 4
English 12CP

Began Sir Gawain and the Green Night."  Familiarized ourselves with Sir Gawain's symbolic pentangle on his shield.

HW:  Reading projects due on Tuesday, 10-23-12.  Word quiz on Wednesday, 10-24-12 from words "accost" to "incendiary".

The following are the instructions for the "Theme Tracking Booklet Assignment":

Identify a significant theme in the novel
Develop a thesis statement about this theme
Compose three topic sentences that clearly support your thesis statement (in other words, create three sentences that you could use to begin three separate paragraphs in a critical essay)
Locate three passages that demonstrate the theme your thesis statement address (three significant quotations that point directly to your thesis)

Booklet should be 6 pages total (a front cover, a thesis statement page, 3 topic sentence pages, and a final page with a proper MLA heading/title and author of novel/thesis statement re-typed here/topic sentences re-typed here/passages (quotations) with page numbers re-copied here/one paragraph (7-10 sentences) explanation of how novel clearly demonstrates the theme that you have identified in your thesis/and a proper MLA Works Cited entry for the novel.

Hope everyone had a great week-end!  See you tomorrow...

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson 



WORD OF THE DAY>>covenant (n):  a solemn agreement
WORD OF THE DAY for Wednesday, 10-17-2>>brackish (adj):  having a salty taste or something with a high salt content

Period 1
English 12AP

We had quite a spirited discussion of the Kempton article "Brave Heart" and its connections with Beowulf.

HW:  Read to page 120.

Period 3
English 12CP

We completed part I of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."

HW:  study for word quiz on Wednesday, 10-24-12.  Continue working on book projects due on Monday, 10-22-12.

Period 4
English 12CP

We finished reading "Mort d'Arthur."


HW:  study for word quiz on Wednesday, 10-24-12.  Continue working on book projects due on Tuesday, 10-23-12.



Tuesday, October 16, 2012

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. 
Dalai Lama  

WORD>celerity (n):  swiftness; rapidity of motion or action (Example:  reacted with surprising celerity)
Period 1
English 12AP

Discussed last night's reading.  For homework, read Yoga Journal article "Brave Heart" and write a 2-3 page response in which you compare the ideas in the article to what you know of Beowulf thus far.  Due on Thursday; will count for a quiz grade

Period 3
English 12CP

Began Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Reminded students that they have a project due next week on their research paper book.  Also, there is a word quiz on Wednesday, 10-24-12.

Period 4
English 12CP

Test on Beowulf today.  Reminded students about their reading projects due next week.  Also, there is a word quiz on Wednesday, 10-24-12.  Homework:  Read "Mort d'Arthur" and answer the five questions that were on the board.

Have a great night, everybody!!

Monday, October 15, 2012

WORD OF THE DAY>histrionic (adj):  pertaining to actors and their techniques; theatrical, artificial, melodramatic

The words in this second cycle so far are:  accost, animadversion, devious, avid, gambit (a noun...in chess, an opening move that involves the risk or sacrifice of a minor piece in order to gain a later advantage; any opening move of this type), and histrionic

Period 1
English 12AP

Discussed our reading of Beowulf up to page 41 which included the topics of the tension between paganism and Christianity and characters exemplifying Anglo-Saxon ethic.  For homework, read to page 81 (the battle with Grendel and the "poem within a poem").

Period 3
English 12CP

I collected revised college essays today.  We continued with Mort d'Arthur and reviewed terms and names of Arthurian legends.

Period 4
English 12CP

I collected revised college essays today.  We reviewed for the Beowulf test tomorrow, then went over terms and names of Arthurian legends.  For the test, be sure to know:

main characters
the importance of a mead-hall in Anglo-Saxon society
Beowulf's battles with the three monsters
details of Shield's funeral and Beowulf's funeral
definitions for epic poem/epic hero/epic conventions

Have a great night...see you tomorrow!!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

"We are all a paradoxical bundle of rich potential that consists of both neurosis and wisdom."  --Pema Chodron

WORD OF THE DAY>>avid (adj):  desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager

Period 1
English 12AP

Discussed salient points presented by Heaney in his introduction.  Distributed a "modern day Beowulf" writing assignment.  Homework:  read to page 41.

Period 3
English 12CP

Reviewed for Beowulf test tomorrow; began unit on Arthurian legends.  Homework:  study for test.  Be familiar with main characters, plot details, definition of an epic poem, definition of an epic hero, and epic conventions.

Also, don't neglect your research paper books and the reading project due the week of 10-22-12!

Period 4
English 12CP

Class dropped today due to NECAP testing.

Have a great night...see you tomorrow!!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

WORD OF THE DAY>>animadversion (n):  a comment indicating strong criticism or disaproval

Period 1
English 12AP

Distributed Beowulf books today (Heaney translation).  Introduced the 8 steps of the mythological hero's journey (first proposed by Joseph Campbell).  As a class, we began reading the Heaney's introduction.  For homework, work on revisions of college essays/study for word quiz tomorrow/and read the rest of introduction.

Period 3
English 12CP

I returned the corrected rough drafts of your college essays.  Your revisions are due no later than Monday, 10-15-12.  We reviewed the ending of Beowulf.  There will be a test on the epic poem on Friday, 10-12-12.  Also, do not forget your book projects!

Period 4
English 12CP

I returned the corrected rough drafts of your college essays.  Your revisions are due no later than Monday, 10-15-12. Be sure to finish reading Beowulf on your own.  We will review for test on the epic on Friday, 10-12-12, and the test will be on Monday, 10-15-12.  Do not forget your book projects!

Have a great night...see you tomorrow!!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain."
                                                                                               --Anonymous

WORD OF THE DAY>>tenable (adj):  capable of being held or defended

Period 1
English 12AP

Reviewed words for quiz next week.  I returned corrected college essays and discussed edits with students.

Period 3
English 12CP

Students with Mr. Bucci today while I proctored NECAP exams.  Vocabulary quiz tomorrow!

Period 4
English 12CP

Re-commenced Beowulf, picking up with the Unferth passage.  Then, we went on to "The Battle With Grendel."
Study for vocabulary quiz tomorrow!


Have a good night, everybody!!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

"Let the streams of life flow in peace.
Turn from violence.
Learn to think for a long time how to change the world
How to make it better to live in."
                      --Quetzalcoatl

word of the day>>temporize (v):  to stall or act evasively in order to gain time, avoid a confrontation, or postpone a decision.

Previous words that I did not post earlier:  9/25>>reconnaissance; 9/27>>substantiate; 9/28>>intransigent; 10/1>>invidious; 10/2>>taciturn  (You can obtain definitions from other classmates, from me, or a dictionary.)

Period 1
English 12AP

Class dropped today due to NECAP testing.  Tomorrow, we begin Beowulf.  I continue to work on your college essays.

Period 3
English 12CP

We played "catch-up" today.  I also distributed a book project -- a theme tracking booklet.  Due date is Monday, October 22.  Tomorrow, the class will meet in Mr. Bucci's room (#805).  Your assignment is to complete Beowulf in your anthologies, study the words for your quiz on Friday, 10-5, and work on your projects.  You have much to keep you busy!

Period 4
English 12CP

We played "catch-up" today.  I also distributed a book project -- a theme tracking booklet.  Due date is Tuesday, October 23.  Tomorrow, we will pick up where we left off with Beowulf.  Be sure to study your words for the quiz on Friday, 10-5.

Just a brief note to thank all of you, my wonderful students, for your kind understanding during this time of sadness for my family and me.  My brother was a really cool guy; you would have liked him a lot.  I hope you will continue to be patient with me as I try to regain my equilibrium.  See you tomorrow!!




Monday, September 24, 2012

WORD OF THE DAY -- insatiable (adj):  a hunger or desire so great it can not be satisfied

Period 1
English 12AP

Finished our discussion of "The Seafarer" and began work on "The Wanderer."  

Homework:  finish reading "The Wanderer" and read also "The Wife's Lament."  There will be an in-class essay on Friday, 9/28 on the theme of exile in the three poems.

Period 3
English 12CP

Together as a class we read "The Coming of Beowulf" and discussed the passages that demonstrate epic conventions.  

Homework:  read the hand-out -- the Unferth passage -- and also "Battle with Grendel" in your literature books.

Period 4
English 12CP

Discussed the meaning of the Prologue that students read for homework.  Also read the introduction to Beowulf written by B. Raffel (the translator of the poem).  Together as a class, we read "The Wrath of Grendel" in our literature books.

Keep up with your outside reading and don't forget your vocabulary words.  Twenty words and the quiz is just around the corner!! 

Have a great night everybody!  See you tomorrow...