SENIORS: In your notebook, create a positive spin for the following negative words: (example: gossip/chatty  The negative word "gossip" gets the positive spin "chatty.") lousy, garbage, filthy, fat, stupid, crisis, drunk, miserable, fanatic, polluted, freak, & nosy.  Next, create a negative spin for the following positive words: (example: slender/bony  The positive word "slender" gets the negative spin "bony.") sweet, unique, dignified, popular, young-at-heart, humorous, stoic, glamorous, wise, open-minded, devoted, tidy, & elderly.
      Also, we did some story starters. First, write down 10 things that have happened to you since school started.  You can write them as bullet points; just 10 random things.  Then circle the one thing that resonates with you the most.  Follow that with (in bullet points) listing possible story elements based on what you circled. List things like where could this take place (setting)?  Who else is involved (characters)?  What could be a conflict?  When did it happen (past, present, or future)?  What genre could it fit into (science fiction, romance, western, etc.)
      Make sure you bring your Independent Reading Book with you on Monday.

SOPHOMORES: In your notebook, respond to the following: Describe a time when you did something that caused someone else either physical or emotional pain.  It could be something that you did on purpose or it could be something that was an accident.  Tell who was involved, where it happened, what happened, how you felt, how they felt, what happened afterwards, and anything else you can think of that connects to the event.
     Also, we read the short story "The Sniper" and answered the following questions on a separate sheet of paper: 
1. Pick out the 5 elements of plot
2. Was there any irony in the short story:  If so, which type?  How do you know?  Why was it ironic?
3. What is the theme of this story? How do you know?
4. Was there any symbolism? What was it, and what did it represent?
5. What type of characterization was used to develop the character? Give an example.
6. Was there flashback?  If so, how did it enhance the story?
7. What was the overall mood of the story?
     Lastly, make sure you bring your Independent Reading Book on Monday.