Sonnet Timed Writing, Take 2! October 31, 2019

Focus: How can we improve our understanding of poetry through high velocity writing?

1. Warming up with connections between sonnet structure and timed writing structure

2. Composing your in-class writing (Q1)

3. Turning in your timed writing; PLEASE TURN THIS IN EVEN IF YOU'D PREFER THAT I GRADE YOUR "ECHO SONNET" ESSAY INSTEAD OF THIS ONE. We will workshop this essay on Monday.

HW: 
1. You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 6 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

2. For FRIDAY, Nov 1: Read through Chapter 44 and prepare your Socratic ticket. EVERYONE NEEDS TO SUBMIT A SOCRATIC TICKET. Please make sure you are caught up with the reading.

(Click HERE if you need the revised East of Eden bookmark.)

Poetry Out Loud: October 29, 2019

Focus: How can Mr. Jovan Mays help you connect to poetry?

Please meet in the THEATER and join me in the front row!



HW: FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE EVEN IF WE HAVE SNOW DELAYS.

1. You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

2. For FRIDAY, Nov 1: Read Chapters 40 through 44 and prepare your Socratic ticket. EVERYONE NEEDS TO SUBMIT A SOCRATIC TICKET.

(Click HERE if you need the revised East of Eden bookmark.)

Snowball Socratic! November 1, 2019

Focus: What patterns are shifting in East of Eden?

1. Warming up with Socratic ticket musical chairs

2. Enjoying a Socratic on East of Eden, Chapters 35 through 44

3. Wrapping up with your kudos, questions, and epiphanies

HW:

1. You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 6 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

2. For TUESDAY, Nov 5: Read Chapters 45 through 50 and prepare your Socratic ticket. We have only two Socratic seminars left, so you must stay caught up with the reading.

(Click HERE if you need the revised East of Eden bookmark.)

3.  BEFORE NOVEMBER 15: REGISTER FOR YOUR AP TESTS. Click here for the link with instructions.

Sonnet Essay Workshop: October 28, 2019

Focus: How can the process of peer workshopping help us improve our sonnet essays?

1. Warming up with three good things

2. Filling out the top of your Peer Workshop sheet by considering what aspect of your sonnet essay you'd like the most help with.

• Click HERE if you need an online version of the Peer Workshop sheet.

3. Exchanging essays (follow the three-step directions on your sheet) and workshopping them

• Note: I strongly suggest exchanging your essay with someone who is analyzing your same sonnet.

4. Wrapping up with a five-minute out-loud conference with your partner

HW: FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE EVEN IF WE HAVE SNOW DELAYS.

1. For TUESDAY, Oct 29: Read Chapters 35 through 40 and prepare your Socratic ticket (we'll be back on the regular ticket schedule for the last two weeks of East of Eden).

You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

2. For FRIDAY, Nov 1: Read Chapters 40 through 44 and prepare your Socratic ticket.

(Click HERE if you need the revised East of Eden bookmark.)

You Gotta Work, Work, Work, Work: October 25, 2019

Focus: What do you need to get yourself back on track (or to stay on track) in A.P. Literature?

1. Warming up by e-mailing me your plan for today's class:

• What will you get done by the end of 5th hour today? 

• What can I do to help you?

2. Taking 30 minutes of silent work time (though you're welcome to listen to music)

3. Enjoying a productive and mostly quiet work period; you may continue reading or writing silently, but you may also peer edit during this time as well


HW:
1. For MONDAY, Oct 28: Complete rough draft of sonnet essay. We will peer edit this day.

2. For TUESDAY, Oct 29: Read Chapters 35 through 40 and prepare your Socratic ticket (we'll be back on the regular ticket schedule for the last two weeks of East of Eden).

You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

Thursday Workshop: October 24, 209

Focus: How do we strengthen our poetry timed writing skills?

1. Warming up with the caesura

2. Reading "The Echo Sonnet" aloud with two readers; discussing how to read the poem

• What is an echo?
• What role does the caesura play?
• Why is "To an Empty Page" important to the poem?

3. Understanding the poetic devices; discussing how to write about the poem

• Which poetic devices (literary terms) seemed important or interesting to you?
• Where did you get stuck?

4. Exploring sample released essays together as a class and the AP readers' comments; leaving comments on each other's timed writings

HW:
1. Friday, Oct 25 will be a drafting day and/or a reading day. Chapters 35-38 will be added to the Socratic on Tuesday (along with Chapters 39 and 40). We will return to the normal reading ticket schedule on Tuesday.

2. For MONDAY, Oct 28: Complete rough draft of sonnet essay. We will peer edit this day.

3. For TUESDAY, Oct 29: Read Chapters 35 through 40 and prepare your Socratic ticket (we'll be back on the regular ticket schedule for the last two weeks of East of Eden).

You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

Sharing the Same Story: October 23, 2019

Focus: How do we all share the same story?

1. Warming up with a revised bookmark and a close reading of Chapter 34

2. Enjoying a fishbowl-style discussion of Chapters 27-34

3. Wrapping up with remaining questions, epiphanies, and kudos

HW:
1. ASAP: Make sure you have e-mailed me your sonnet essay thesis and any outlining you have completed.

2. Friday, Oct 25 will be a drafting day and/or a reading day. Chapters 35-38 will be added to the Socratic on Tuesday (along with Chapters 39 and 40). We will return to the normal reading ticket schedule on Tuesday.

3. For MONDAY, Oct 28: Complete rough draft of sonnet essay. We will peer edit this day.

You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

Mental Health Day: October 22, 2019

Focus: How are you doing today

1. Warming up with a letter

2. Taking a walk

3. Feeling better

HW:
1. ASAP: Make sure you have e-mailed me your sonnet essay thesis and any outlining you have completed.

(Remember that TOMORROW is a reading day.)

2. Friday, Oct 25 will be a drafting day. In lieu of having a Socratic seminar on Chapters 35-38, you will have a short written reflection that will take the first 10 minutes of class.

3. For MONDAY, Oct 28: Complete rough draft of sonnet essay. We will peer edit this day.

You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

The Echo Sonnet: October 21, 2019

Focus: How can we understand poetry through high velocity writing?

1. Warming up with three good things

2. Writing about "The Echo Sonnet" (Q1)

HW:
1. Before you go to bed tonight: E-mail me your sonnet essay thesis and any outlining you have completed.

• Click HERE for the overview of the sonnet essay.
• Click HERE for the sample sonnet essay.

2. For TUESDAY, Oct 22: Read Chapters 27 through 34 and prepare your next reading ticket. If you average about 11 pages today, you'll easily finish this assignment.

3. Friday, Oct 25 will be a drafting day. In lieu of having a Socratic seminar on Chapters 35-38, you will have a short written reflection that will take the first 10 minutes of class.

4. For MONDAY, Oct 28: Complete rough draft of sonnet essay. We will peer edit this day.

You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

Sonnet Recitals: October 15, 2019

Focus: How does memorizing (and listening to) a sonnet change your understanding of it?

1. Warming up with your small group sonnet recitals and self-reflections

2. Offering you a quick recap of the sonnet essay's structure and a sample essay from last year

3. Discussing Chapters 25 and 26 in East of Eden, "save the last line" style

HW:
1. For MONDAY, Oct 21: E-mail me your sonnet essay thesis and any outlining you have completed.

• Click HERE for the overview of the sonnet essay.
• Click HERE for the sample sonnet essay.

2. For TUESDAY, Oct 22: Read Chapters 27 through 34 and prepare your next reading ticket. If you average about 11 pages today, you'll easily finish this assignment.

3. Friday, Oct 25 will be a drafting day.

4. For MONDAY, Oct 28: Complete rough draft of sonnet essay. We will peer edit this day.

You will have a window for submitting your final draft: Oct 30-Nov 4 by 4:00 pm. They will be graded in the order that they are turned in.

Timshel: October 14, 2019

Focus: What is timshel?

1. Warming up with a quick three good things and an MMM reading of the ending of Chapter 24

2. Enjoying a Socratic seminar on Chapters 23 and 24

3. Wrapping up with epiphanies, kudos, and questions

HW:
1. For TUESDAY:

• Read Chapters 25 and 26. If you did not prepare a ticket for today, please prepare one for tomorrow.

• By TUESDAY, October 15, you must MEMORIZE your sonnet

2. Ongoing: Please let your parents know that I will only be at conferences next Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:30 pm because I am part-time.

Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica: October 11, 2019

Focus: Why is the black bear the best kind of bear?

1. Warming up with my a little Friday Fun: My favorite alliteration of the letter "B"

2. Exploring the alliteration of "W" in "The Whipporwill in the Woods," taking inventory of question types, and talking through three of the most confusing questions

3. Relaxing into East of Eden

HW (PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES):

1. For TOMORROW: Bring East of Eden to class for some reading time. We also be rounding up some literary terms using Quizlet Live.

2. For MONDAY: Please read Chapters 23 and 24 for a formal Socratic; for TUESDAY, read Chapters 25 and 26. You may prepare a ticket for either day, but I highly recommend making one for Monday.

3. By TUESDAY, October 15, you must MEMORIZE your sonnet.

4. Ongoing: Please let your parents know that I will only be at conferences next Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:30 pm because I am part-time.

The Call of the Whipporwill: October 10, 2019

Focus: How do our lessons on sound devices and extended metaphors help  us answer questions about poetry?

1. Warming up with a Quizlet review of sound devices

• Click HERE for the Quizlet link to join the class.

• Find "Literary Terms Weeks 7-13."

2. Reading "The Call of the Whipporwill" with an ear for sound devices and an eye for extended metaphors

3. Trying out the multiple choice questions and comparing answers

HW (PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES):

1. For TOMORROW: Bring East of Eden to class for some reading time. We also be rounding up some literary terms using Quizlet Live.

2. For MONDAY: Please read Chapters 23 and 24 for a formal Socratic; for TUESDAY, read Chapters 25 and 26. You may prepare a ticket for either day, but I highly recommend making one for Monday.

3. By TUESDAY, October 15, you must MEMORIZE your sonnet.

4. Ongoing: Please let your parents know that I will only be at conferences next Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:30 pm because I am part-time.

Stabilizing Your Reading: October 9, 2019

Focus: How can we get on more stable ground in our reading of East of Eden?

1. Warming up with a revisitation of our reading schedule, signing the Sparknotes Oath, and asking clarification questions

2. Reading East of Eden

3. Wrapping up by making sure you're registered for the A.P. test

HW:
1. For Friday, Oct 11: Read Chapters 24, 25, and 26; create your next Socratic ticket.

2. By Monday, October 14, you must MEMORIZE your sonnet.

3. Thursday, October 17 will be our next timed writing (it will be a Q1: Poetry).

Isolating the Essence: October 8, 2019

Focus: How can we isolate what's most important in East of Eden?

1. Warming up with blackout poetry of Chapters 20, 21, and 22



2. Enjoying our first Silent Socratic Seminar and signing the Sparknotes Oath

3. Wrapping up (out loud) with kudos, epiphanies, and lingering questions

HW:
1. For Friday, Oct 11: Read Chapters (23), 24, 25, and 26; create your next Socratic ticket.

2. By Monday, October 14, you must MEMORIZE your sonnet.

Sound and Sense: October 7, 2019

Focus: How can sound devices help us unlock poetry?

1. Warming up with three good things

2. Describing two different scenes using only your sense of sound

3. Offering you some of my favorite poetic sound devices

Euphony: Pleasing to the ear, harmonious

Cacophony: Harsh, discordant, unpleasant sounds

Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words (the snake slithered silently)

Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds (or, as Eminem refers to it, "Word Bending")


4. Enjoying several poems together using only our ears

• What sounds are you noticing?

• How do the sounds contribute to/create the larger meanings of the poems?

HW:
1. For Tuesday, Oct 8: Read Chapters 20, 21, 22 and 23; create your next Socratic ticket.

2. For Friday, Oct 11: Read Chapters 24, 25, and 26; create your next Socratic ticket.

3. By Monday, October 14 (over a week away), you must MEMORIZE your sonnet.

The Elusive Eden: October 4, 2019

Focus: How is Steinbeck using natural imagery, and to what end?

Do I have your metacognitive?

1. Warming up with a close readings of "flowery" language:

• As a class: What's up with the flowers? (page 75 and 85)

• On your own: How does Steinbeck allude to the Garden of Eden? (Use the green close reading questions below to help). How does this relate to the flowers we were just discussing?

• Identify significant diction, imagery, figurative language, symbols, etc.
• Brainstorm the connotations of the ones that strike you the most.
• Use the connotations to make a statement about what Steinbeck might be up to.

2. Enjoying Socratic seminar: Chapters 15 through 19

3. Wrapping up with epiphanies, kudos, and lingering questions

HW:
1. For Tuesday, Oct 8: Read Chapters 20, 21, 22 and 23; create your next Socratic ticket.

2. For Friday, Oct 11: Read Chapters 24, 25, and 26; create your next Socratic ticket.

3. By Monday, October 14 (over a week away), you must MEMORIZE your sonnet.

Listening to Your Sonnet with a Stethoscope: October 3, 2019

Focus: How can a poem's rhythm contribute to its meaning?

1. Warming up by listening to the heartbeats of three songs:

In each song, how does the rhythm reflect meaning?

Song #1: "Stressed Out" (twenty one pilots)
Song #2: "Critical Mistakes" (888)
Song #3: "Modern Man" (Arcade Fire)

2. Introducing you to scansion with Shel Silverstein and Robert Frost; examining scansion's larger purpose in Shakespeare's "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day" and "My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun"

• What different types of poetic rhythm should we be listening for when there's no music?
• How does the rhythm in each poem reflect the poem's larger meaning?

3. Listening for the rhythm in your sonnets (small groups) and adding to your metacognitives

HW:
1.  For Friday, Oct 4: Read Chapters 16 through 19 and prepare your next Socratic ticket. Remember your oath: NO SPARKNOTES.

2. By Monday, Oct 14: Memorize your sonnet (stay tuned for tips on this).

"One Book to a Man": October 2, 2019

Focus: What are you uncovering about Steinbeck's intent in writing East of Eden?

1. Warming up with the first page Steinbeck's East of Eden journal

• Read the letter aloud.

• Which parts of the letter unlock some aspect of Steinbeck's authorial intent? How so?

2. Reading Chapters 16 through 19 with an eye on authorial intent

HW:
1. For TOMORROW: Make sure your sonnet metacognitive is finished (and shared with me if you typed it).

2. For Friday, Oct 4: Read Chapters 16 through 19 and prepare your next Socratic ticket.