SENIORS: Focus on the rough draft of your slam poem; it is due 5/29.  I'm giving it a point value of 500, and it's all or nothing; meaning, I get a complete rough draft and you get 500 points--I don't get a complete rough draft and you get nothing.

SOPHOMORES: We began the research paper by writing the introductory paragraph as listed in the Research Paper Outline Handout.  Make sure you write it in Googledocs and share it with me today.

SENIORS: We are now focusing exclusively on the slam poem; I am no longer accepting any other work.  You should have 3 webs completed (3 Things I Know to be True).  From those webs, one should stand out to you as the subject matter for your slam poem.  This assignment is going to be worth a LOT of points, so don't procrastinate.  Here is the rubric: written-100 points; 3 literary devices present and identified-100 points; at least 30 seconds long-100 points; presented with feeling-100 points; EXTRA CREDIT memorized- 100 points.  Presentations will be begin on June 5 and carry on through June 7.  I will ask for volunteers and then randomly pick names.  If you tell me you're not ready, you will receive an F.

SOPHOMORES: Besides Grammar 25, you had some time to browse careers; at the end of the period, you were to tell me what career you planned to research for your paper.  I also collected notebooks for a notebook check.

SENIORS: Today is the LAST DAY I will look at your resume and/or cover letter.  If you want feedback, if you want these documents to look good for your portfolio, then share them with me (or give me a hard copy) TODAY!  If you are done with portfolio work, find your song lyrics (if you haven't given them to me already), and finish the webs on "3 Things I Know to be True" so I can collect them on Tuesday.

SOPHOMORES: We've resumed the Grammar exercises (today's is number 24) and began work on our last unit for the year, a research paper about a career you'd like to have.  Start off by answering the following questions in your notebook: 1. What does it mean to have a dream job?  2. Is a dream job realistic? (If yes, say why; if no, say why).  3. What jobs does society value and how do you know?  4. Does it matter to you if society doesn't value your dream job?  5. What if you don't get your dream job?

SENIORS: We finished Louder Than a Bomb.  Make sure you write in your notebook which poet resonated with you the most and why.  Also, for Monday, bring your webs on Three Things I know Are True.
I'm still missing resumes and cover letters from many of you.  PLEASE don't wait until the last minute do get these done!

SOPHOMORES: Debates are over!  Make sure you bring your notebook to class on Monday as I will be doing a notebook check.

SENIORS: We're watching Louder Than a Bomb.  The purpose is to connect with one of the students and write about why that student resonated with you; was it their background, the subject matter of their poems, their style?  What did they write that was memorable?  Why was it memorable?
Homework: Resume, Cover Letter, Song Lyrics, and a complete web for each one of the Three Things I Know to be True that you began in your notebook.

SOPHOMORES: Debates are still in session, so make sure you show up with all of your research and your completed index cards.

SENIORS: We're catching up on missing work, whether it's for your portfolio presentation or for class.  You can check your grade on Student Connect to see what you are missing.  Please be aware that time is running out on the portfolio work, so don't procrastinate.  I need time to look at your work and make comments; you need time to make corrections, and all this needs to be done before May 24.

SOPHOMORES: We are continuing with our debates.  Make sure you show up with all of your paperwork and note cards.  Take the time tonight to practice what you're going to say so you can speak with confidence.

SENIORS: We concentrated on two slampoems presented by Rudy Franscisco, Immortality and Big Saturday Night.  For the latter, the focus was on observations (written in your notebook) of how his physicality (his actions) help or hinder the meaning of his words.  For the former, there was a handout in which 2 sets of observations were made: what did you notice when you saw Rudy present, and what did you notice that was different when all you could do was hear him speak.
Also, many of you still haven't turned in your song lyrics.  You can print them out or write them by hand, but turn them in!

SOPHOMORES: We spent the class period putting the finishing touches on the debate paperwork.  Tomorrow we debate!