Sophomores: 1) CAHSEE practice titled The First Kindergarten, 2) Finish extended ending on The Interlopers, 3) Handout of Vocabulary Warm-up Exercises for our next short story, War.

Seniors: Today's notebook entry deals with the following: Think of a normal action in which a child might participate, then list all the possible things that could happen to make that situation not work or go horribly wrong.  Be as normal or outrageous as you like.  However, always remember your audience.
Also, we continued work on the Character Bible for your main protagonist.
TAKE NOTE: I will do a notebook check on Friday, Feb. 10.

Sophomores: 1) CAHSEE practice titled A Word in the Hand, 2) The Interlopers Selection Test Handout, 3) Finish the partner writing assignment, creating a stronger finish to The Interlopers.

Seniors: New notebook response: Describe the bedtime routine of a child.  You determine the age.  What difficulties might exist; what might be easy? Then try writing about the morning routine.  Also, we began writing a Character Bible for the protagonist of your children's book.

Sophomores: Today the class did a CAHSEE practice titled The Piano Lesson.  Also, we started a writing assignment.  Here are the parameters: 1) get a partner, 2) create a final ending to The Interlopers, 3) must be at least one page in length, 4) must have action and dialogue, and 5) must be realistic (no aliens from another planet, no magic, etc.)
Remember to bring your Lit. book on Tuesday.

Seniors: There was a new writing prompt for your notebook: Think about a time when you were a little kid.  What was important to you then? What things did you like to do?  What were your favorite toys and games?  What did your room look like?  Try writing about different ages in your life. What changes (if any) do you notice?
The class also had time to catch up on old prompts, research children's books, and get started brainstorming their own ideas for their children's book.  Don't forget, if you want the 50 bonus points, bring a photo of you as a child and share those memories with the class.

Sophomores: Today some time was spent on Netbooks writing your first thoughts about the new independent book you are reading.  There is also a new handout for The Interlopers titled "Question Support."  This handout focuses on the literary devices of Conflict, Climax, and Irony.
Don't forget to bring your Lit book on Monday.

Seniors: We enjoyed a guest speaker from ITT Tech Institute.  Make sure you have your notebooks with you on Monday as we will continue working on your children's book.

The following information is from Wed., Feb.1.
Seniors: In your notebook, please write a response to the following: What kind of pets did you have?  What were your responsibilities with those pets?  Did you enjoy those responsibilities or were they chores?  Did you get along with your pets or not?  If you didn't have pets, why not?
     Also in your notebook, we continued with book analysis questions.

Sophomores: We read the short story The Interlopers, which starts on page 396 of your Literature book.  Handouts to be completed by Friday, Feb. 3 are The Anticipation Guide, The Vocabulary Study (both sides), and The Literary Analysis.  We also did a CAHSEE practice titled Pet Hospital.
Remember to bring both your Lit book and your independent reading book to class every day.

The following information is from today, Thur., Feb.2.
Seniors: In your notebook, please write a response to the following: think of your relative, neighbors, teachers, friends, and enemies.  What did they look like?  How did they speak (loud, stutter, accent)?  What kinds of things did they do?  What was unique about any of them or why do they stand out in your mind?  How did you relate to them?
     Several students have taken advantage of the 50 bonus points by sharing an old family photo with the class.  Also, we continued with the book analysis questions.

Sophomores: We did a CAHSEE practice titled Shower Radio-Warranty and Directions.  We continued to work on the handouts to be completed by Friday, Feb.3.  Please remember to bring your Lit book and your independent reading book tomorrow.

Sophomores: Today we did a CAHSEE warm-up titled The Art of the Sandwich; we also front-loaded some plot ideas, some character traits, and some vocabulary words for the story The Interlopers.  You will need the handouts Vocabulary Study and Anticipation Guide. 
     Remember to bring your Literature book and your independent reading book with you to class all week.


Seniors: There was a new notebook response: What books did you read as a child?  Did you read them over and over?  Did someone read them to you? What do you remember about them?  Why did you like them so much?  Did they have illustrations?
     Also, you will get 50 bonus points if you bring a family photograph and share your memories with the class.  Otherwise, you still need to do that in your notebook (it'll be one of the things I look for when I do a notebook check).
     Lastly, groups continued to research  children's books and writing their findings in their notebooks.

Sophomores: In your notebook, write about a time when you held a grudge or someone held a grudge against you. To "hold a grudge" means to hang on to angry feelings.  Give details: Who was involved?  What happened?  How did it start?  Was it ever resolved?
     We also went over the answers to the midterm.
     HW: Find your Literature book and bring it to class tomorrow.

Seniors: In your notebook, write about childhood memories: worries, pleasures, surprises, trips, games, etc.  Give specific details such as: Who else was involved (what did they look like, sound like, mannerisms)?  Where was it (use sensory detail)? How did you feel?  Does the family still talk about it now?
     We also began our new unit on writing a children's book.  Begin researching children's books for age group, word choice and length, sentence length, tone, theme, rhythm, rhyme, illustrations, characters (animals, humans, anthropomorphic things)?
     HW: Look through family photo albums or tapes/dvds.  Write about the memories they bring up.