SENIORS: The grammar review dealt with the difference between "its" and "it's."  Its: the possessive form; It's: the contraction of it is.  We also saw the difference between "there," "their," and "they're."
There: indicates place.  Their: the plural possessive. They're: the contraction of they are.  See me for the worksheet of these grammar problems.  Also, finish the Unleash Your Inner Editor packet.

SOPHOMORES: Today we had a Socratic Seminar on the judicial system and the knowledge we gained from 12 Angry Men.  Tomorrow, bring your notebook for a notebook check and your Independent Reading Book.  Here is what I will be looking for in the notebook check: 
Prior Knowledge Plays: Have you ever read a play? If yes, what was it?  How did you feel about it? Was is confusing or not?  Were you able to mentally "see" the characters and "hear" their voices?
Characterization: How do we learn about characters in novels? Think about a character from you IRB or the short stories we read, and then give an example of what you learned about that character based on something they said or did.  How do we learn about characters in plays?  What is different?
Convince: Think about a time when you had to convince someone to see your point of view. What was the situation (was is something you wanted; were you in an argument)? List the reasons you gave that they should consider changing their view and the facts that you presented to support your view.  What was the outcome?
Point of View: When other people have a point of view that is different from mine, how do I deal with it? Give an example with details. 
Obstacles: The protagonist in this play takes a stand against eleven others.  Write about the obstacles s/he faces and the opposition s/he feels from other characters.
Deeper Thinking: why did the author choose not to name the jurors?  Why do some people need to be forced to recognize their own vices/prejudices/weaknesses in order to treat others fairly?  Is it possible to feel any sympathy for Juror #3?  What is the theme of the play?
Guilty or Not Guilty?: The playwright, Reginald Rose, never does reveal the truth behind the case.  did the jurors save an innocent man from the death penalty or did a guilty man go free?  The audience members are left to decide for themselves.  So, now, YOU decide: guilty or not guilty?  Tell me why, and give me at least 3 reasons why you feel that way.
Stubborn: Near the end of Act III, Juror #3 is sticking to his vote of "guilty" out of stubbornness.  Describe a situation in which stubbornness can be harmful and one in which it can be helpful. 

SENIORS: Today we went over the difference between "your" and "you're."  YOUR shows ownership--it belongs to you: Your book is on the table. What is your name?  YOU'RE is the contraction of you are: I think you're lying.  You're going to be late.
     Also, have your (belonging to you) Unleash Your Inner Editor packet done for check-off tomorrow.

SOPHOMORES: We worked on the words from the A-Z chart, regrouping them to find connections and added meanings.  Tomorrow will be a Socratic Seminar based on 12 Angry Men (both the play and the movie) and the ideas and concepts we learned about the judicial system as a whole.  For your ENTRY SLIP, have 2 questions, ideas, or concepts ready for discussion.

SENIORS: We went over the "this,then" relationship in sentence (If the door is open, then that's how the dog got away.  If I had been tossed down blindfold on that red prairie, I should have known that it was spring. (The word "then" is implied)  We also went over the difference between to, too, and two. I'm going to the store. Can I go too?  You walk too fast.  We walked two blocks.

SOPHOMORES: There were 3 areas of focus: 1)Finishing the jury questions (internet work done in notebook, 2)Finishing the alphabet boxes handout (make sure you have that in class tomorrow), and 3)Updating the notebook for a notebook check.

SENIORS: Today we worked on sentence structure and the information we get from that structure.  Your HW is to apply the same things we did in class today to the one page hard copy of your novel.  This will be due tomorrow (Tuesday).

SOPHOMORES: We finished the chart work, focusing on how the jurors changed between the play and the movie and how that change might have influenced they way they voted.