Monday, Sept 30

Read Huck Finn chapters. Finish 17 for Tuesday.
Huck Finn on Tape

People who haven't handed in the college application essay on a meaningful extra-curricular activity (there are two other prompts. See below 

Today's assignment:
Write a vocabulary story using 5 of this week's words. Make it fun! Extra +1 pt. if you use 9 or 10 words.
Use the words in context. That means that I'll be able to tell what the word means based on the other words in the sentence and paragraph that more or less define the word.

Vocabulary for Friday: 21-30
Huck Finn Vocab

Thor's Day

Read Huck Finn chapters. Finish 15 for Friday.
Huck Finn on Tape
Vocabulary for tomorrow: 11-20
Huck Finn Vocab
People who haven't handed in the college application essay on a meaningful extra-curricular activity (there are two other prompts. See below 

Journal: Today you will write a paragraph arguing that Pap Finn should not have his parental rights taken away.
Typical arguments:

Journal yesterday: In modern-day Oregon, if a parent is considered by the court to be unfit, parental rights are terminated and the child becomes a ward of the state and enters the foster parent system, or arrangements are made for the child to live with a relative. Your journal assignment is to explain why Pap's parental rights should be terminated. Base your argument on the bullet points in the following document that lists grounds for termination of parental rights: Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights. Focus your argument on just ONE of the things that make a parent unfit, as the court sees it. 

Write a minimum of 4 sentences

1. Topic sentence--your idea stating why Pap shouldn't be Huck's legal father anymore

2. Example from Huck Finn

3. Explanation

4. Concluding sentence (which should transition to the next point 

Example 1--Physical abuse
Focus on ONE idea (either abuse, OR abandonment, OR alcolholism)
When you do this you must have four sentences that explain why Pap's rights should be terminated. In expository writing you must support your argument with evidence.

In groups of four, you will revise one another's paragraphs. Be sure that your paragraph focuses just on one point. 

• [topic sentence] A parent is considered unfit when the child is severely abused, and Pap Finn has clearly abused Huck. 
• [example] For example, in the cabin Pap gets the delirium tremens and beats Huck, finally taking out a knife and trying to kill Huck.
• [explanation]Any parent who physically abuses his child to this extent is unfit to be a parent because children need to be safe.  
• [conclusion]The court has the responsibility to protect the child by terminating parental rights.

Example 2
Pap is unable to take care of Huck because of his long term mental illness from alcohol. Pap drunk alcohol way too much which caused him to get delirium tremens that almost made him kill Huck.It made him go crazy which would make him

Example 2 focusing on three ideas:
A parent is considered unfit when the child is severly abused. Pap Finn is clearly an unfit parent. He has repeatedly negleted his child, not allowing Huck to go to school. Abandoning his child by locking him in the cabin for days at a time. Excessive use of alcohol, Pap goes into a psychotic state and tries to kill poor Huck. These are just some of the reasons Pap Finn is an unfit parent  
Friday you will have a vocab quiz covering this weeks words.
Essay prompts:

1. 1. Northwestern--James Joyce wrote in "Dubliners," "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." Describe a mistake or mistaken idea of your own that led to a discovery (a growing experience).

2. USC--The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, “Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.” Describe one of your passions and reflect on how it has contributed to your personal growth. Think about what you really like to do and how it has made you a better person. For this essay you’ll be writing about something you feel strongly about. For the next essay you’ll be writing about something you have done

3. Harvard--Please describe which of your activities (extracurricular and personal activities or work experience) has been most meaningful and why.

Tuesday, September 24

Read Huck Finn chapters 11, 12, 13 for tomorrow. Finish 14 for Wednesday.
Huck Finn on Tape

Journal: In modern-day Oregon, if a parent is considered by the court to be unfit, parental rights are terminated and the child becomes a ward of the state and enters the foster parent system, or arrangements are made for the child to live with a relative. Your journal assignment is to explain why Pap's parental rights should be terminated. Base your argument on the bullet points in the following document that lists grounds for termination of parental rights: Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights. Focus your argument on two of the things that make a parent unfit, as the court sees it. If you don't feel that Pap's rights should be terminated, explain why (in court, one of the attorney's would have to try to argue this).

Write two paragraphs. For each paragraph:
Write a minimum of 4 sentences

1. Topic sentence that refers to one of the bullet points

2. Example from Huck Finn

3. Explanation

4. Concluding sentence (which should transition to the next point 

Example 1--Physical abuse
Focus on ONE idea (either abuse, OR abandonment, OR alcolholism)
When you do this you must have four sentences that explain why Pap's rights should be terminated. In expository writing you must support your argument with evidence.

• [topic sentence] A parent is considered unfit when the child is severely abused, and Pap Finn has clearly abused Huck. 
• [example] For example, in the cabin Pap gets the delirium tremens and beats Huck, finally taking out a knife and trying to kill Huck.
• [explanation]Any parent who does physically abuses his child to this extent is unfit to be a parent because children need to be safe.  
• [conclusion]The court has the responsibility to protect the child by terminating parental rights.

Example 2 focusing on three ideas:
A parent is considered unfit when the child is severly abused. Pap Finn is clearly an unfit parent. He has repeatedly negleted his child, not allowing Huck to go to school. Abandoning his child by locking him in the cabin for days at a time. Excessive use of alcohol, Pap goes into a psychotic state and tries to kill poor Huck. These are just some of the reasons Pap Finn is an unfit parent  
Friday you will have a vocab quiz covering this weeks words.

Monday

1. Write down vocabulary from Huckleberry Finn--words 1-10
Huck Finn Vocab

People with Smartphones find example sentences.
yourdictionary.com

2. Memorize names for quiz tomorrow

3. Read Huck Finn chapters 2-3 for tomorrow
Huck Finn on Tape

Friday you will have a vocab quiz covering this weeks wordsFind example sentences for your words at 

Friday, September 20, 2013

Reading Day.

You will be reading a book of your own choosing today for the majority of the period.
Fill in the Reading Response Journal and then keep it in your notebook for next week.

Vocab Quiz
Huck Finn Vocab

Bring your Huck Finn books Monday

Throughout the year various colleges visit South. Even though you're not juniors or seniors, it's never too early to start thinking about schools you might want to attend after you graduate.
College Visit Calendar
Sept. 25 Gonzaga (Spokane). Gonzaga  is a popular college choice among South graduates and is a school that some of you might want to consider. It's not terribly difficult to get into Gonzaga.
Sept. 25 Reed (Portland). Reed is known as the place on the West Coast for very brainy, self-avowed weird students (they pride themselves on being weird). Some Reed students didn't have great grades because they hate jumping through hoops, but they all have very impressive credentials and high SAT scores. Reed has the highest number of Rhodes Scholars of any University.

Thursday

We will be going to the library today to check out books for Friday Reading Days.

Book Report ideas

Pap Finn's Rights as a Parent

When should courts terminate parental rights?
Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights
Rights of Child vs Rights of Parent
Florida case

Monday, September 16

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

1. Write down vocabulary from Huckleberry Finn--words 1-10
Huck Finn Vocab

2. Memorize names for quiz tomorrow

3. Read Huck Finn chapters 2-3 for tomorrow
Huck Finn on Tape

Friday you will have a vocab quiz covering this weeks words

Sept 10

Tomorrow we will read the story The Day I Got Lost. Here's the online text:
The Day I Got Lost

Vocabulary, The Crucible
Crucible 1-47

Friday, September 6

We'll be doing two things today:

1. 1. Northwestern--James Joyce wrote in "Dubliners," "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." Describe a mistake or mistaken idea of your own that led to a discovery (a growing experience).

2. USC--The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, “Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.” Describe one of your passions and reflect on how it has contributed to your personal growth. Think about what you really like to do and how it has made you a better person. For this essay you’ll be writing about something you feel strongly about. For the next essay you’ll be writing about something you have done

3. Harvard--Please describe which of your activities (extracurricular and personal activities or work experience) has been most meaningful and why.

Let the Games Begin, and May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor

I couldn't resist the Hunger Games quote there!

Yes, let high school begin. Many of the best years of my life were spent here in these halls (I graduated in 1980). It's a formative time and a time during which you will make decisions that will affect the rest of your life. I'm here to help you develop a sense of curiosity about the world. That's the main reason I became a teacher. During the 180 days (or so) we have together I think that you'll find that learning is interesting and that the thinking and writing skills you learn here will help you feel more engaged in life. So, it's time to begin . . .

To find the syllabus for the course, check this link which will take you to a Google Doc:
2013/2014 American Lit Syllabus

If you read the syllabus tonight, we can just start right in today doing some learning, right? I know that you guys don't really want to just sit around all day listening to teacher after teacher tell you the class rules.  That wouldn't be a whole lot of fun. And as I said earlier, learning is supposed to be fun.

Today:

Journal:
My All-time Favorite . . .

In your notebook, date today's journal entry (Tuesday, September 3) and write "My All-time Favorite" at the top.
Then answer the following 5 questions:
1. My favorite book is ________________ and I like it because ___(2-3 sentences) _____
2. My favorite movie is ________________ and I like it because ___(2-3 sentences) _____
3.  My favorite poem is ________________ and I like it because ___(2-3 sentences) _____
4.  My favorite song is _____________ and I like it because ___(2-3 sentences discussing the lyrics)
5. My favorite thing about myself is ____________________________________________

Books: Remember, you can always just do a Google search to help you find the answer to anything. For example, search for "awesome books that teenagers like" or "cool books"
Poems: Poemhunter.com
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15433
Lyrics to songs: lyricstraining.com
Movies: IMDB.com

"I saw a man pursuing the horizon"

BY STEPHEN CRANE

I saw a man pursuing the horizon;

Round and round they sped.

I was disturbed at this;   

I accosted (approach intending to talk to) the man.

“It is futile,”(pointless to resist) I said,

“You can never —”

“You lie,” he cried,   

And ran on.

See "Resources" tab for how to set  up your class notebook, which has a journal section

Tomorrow we will discuss the poem I Saw a Man: Matisse website
And we'll start off the year with a fun writing assignment: Garbage Man Essay

: Icarus
Vocabulary, The Crucible
Crucible 1-47
Extra credit words (not required) Set 1
Extra credit words (not required) Set 2

Let the Games Begin, and May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor!

I couldn't resist the Hunger Games quote there!

Yes, let high school begin. Many of the best years of my life were spent here in these halls (I graduated in 1980). It's a formative time and a time during which you will make decisions that will affect the rest of your life. I'm here to help you develop a sense of curiosity about the world. That's the main reason I became a teacher. During the 180 days (or so) we have together I think that you'll find that learning is interesting and that the thinking and writing skills you learn here will help you feel more engaged in life. So, it's time to begin . . .

To find the syllabus for the course, check this link which will take you to a Google Doc:
2013/2014 English 9 Syllabus

If you read the syllabus tonight, we can just start right in today doing some learning, right? I know that you guys don't really want to just sit around all day listening to teacher after teacher tell you the class rules.  That wouldn't be a whole lot of fun. And as I said earlier, learning is supposed to be fun.

Today:

Journal:
I am . . .
In your notebook, date today's journal entry (Tuesday, September 3) and write "I am . . ." at the top.
Then answer the following 5 questions:
1. a character from a book, movie, poem, or song who is similar to me
2. something most people don't know about me
3. how most people see me
4. the part of myself I feel most proud of
5. an adjective that describes me (pick a word other than "fun," "cool," or other common words)


See "Resources" tab for how to set  up your class notebook, which has a journal section

Tomorrow we will discuss the cool artist Matisse: Matisse website
And the Icarus myth from Greek mythology: Icarus
Vocabulary, Odyssey
Set 1: Odyssey 1-50
Extra credit words (not required) Set 1
Extra credit words (not required) Set 2