The Philologists

In class:   new vocabulary- Task 1 words- quiz on Monday, February 110 (class handout / copy below); introducing a poetry unit. Our first topic is diction. The first literary device we will review is personification. (class handout) Coming up : tomorrow we will be reading A September Night by George Marion McClellan, our focus being on diction and personification. Diction refers to the author’s choice of words. Words are the writer’s basic tools: they create the color and texture of the written work; they both reflect and determine the level of formality; they shape the reader’s perceptions. When studying serious literature, students should rarely skip words they do not know. That is tantamount to wearing earplugs to a symphony. To understand voice, students must both “hear” the words and “feel” their effects. Diction reflects the writer’s vision and steers the reader’s thought. Effective voice is shaped by words that are clear, concrete, and exact. Good writer...

At this point I should have everyone's essays!   In class: today and tomorrow you are practicing task 1 of the ELA Regents Exam, which you must pass in order to graduate. This involves three reading passages with accompanying multiple choice questions. To complete all three readings, usually takes an hour, which allows you adequate time to complete the two essays that follow. Hence, we have two days allocated for this practice.  When you have finished you may use your chromebook or read. YOU MAY NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ANYONE. What is challenging for some folks is that the multiple choice questions often involve inferences; that is the response is implied and not directly stated in the text. You have 24 multiple choice questions in total. In order for everyone to take this practice seriously, these will be graded.  We need to maintain a test atmosphere these two days. Those having difficulty will receive a zero; the reason will be noted on your grade report under ...

EUGENE  JEROME   BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS Learning standard:  11-12W1: Write arguments to support claims that analyze substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. REMINDER: IF YOU WERE ABSENT ON MONDAY, MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ON THE BLOG IN YOUR NOTEBOOK. I HAVE ZEROS IN AS A HOLD SPOT. Coming up: Thursday and Friday, you are working on the Task 1 part of the ELA exam. This involves reading and multiple choice questions.  The responses will be graded in the homework category of 10%.  In class:  Collect a text and turn to page 118. We will begin by finishing up the play. Once we have finished, open your chromebook and create a document. This is due at the close of class tomorrow. See specific directions below. *Wednesday note:  if you do not finish the writing assignment, please send along by midnight. The expectation is that the class is quiet, and you are working inde...

   Learning Targets: 11-12R3: I can analyze the impact of author’s choices. 11-12R5: I can analyze how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. In informational texts, analyze the impact and evaluate the effect structure has on exposition or argument in terms of clarity, persuasive/rhetorical technique, and audience appeal. Annual Shakespeare competition: SOTA will hold its in-school Shakespeare Contest on Monday, Feb. 3, after school in Room A238.  Competing students must be available for the February 29 Rochester competition should they win our school competition.  In order to compete, students should perform an approved 20 line Shakespearean monologue.  Prizes will be awarded to all students who participate.  So, in order to get more folks to participate, I am offering up a trade. Anyone who participates next Monday has the option of trading this for a writing assignment during the third quarter. Please understand that...

Learning Targets: 11-12R3: I can analyze the impact of author’s choices. 11-12R5: I can analyze how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. In informational texts, analyze the impact and evaluate the effect structure has on exposition or argument in terms of clarity, persuasive/rhetorical technique, and audience appeal. Today and tomorrow we are finishing up the play.. Depending upon our pacing, we will have a bonus assignment on Friday. All work from Monday, January 27 onward will go into the 3rd marking quarter.

Learning Targets: 11-12R3: I can analyze the impact of author’s choices. 11-12R5: I can analyze how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. In informational texts, analyze the impact and evaluate the effect structure has on exposition or argument in terms of clarity, persuasive/rhetorical technique, and audience appeal. 11-12W2b: I can develop a topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, direct quotations and paraphrased information or other examples, appropriate to the audience’s knowledge. IMPORTANT: all my grades are up-to-date, including your notebooks.  Check on line!. If you did not turn in an assignment, deal with it. For a writing grade, even at a late grade of 50 points, your bottom line will increase 5 points.  In class: content quiz on Brighton Beach Memoirs so far...              continuing to read from page 54 for period 3   ...

Learning Targets: 11-12R3: I can analyze the impact of author’s choices. 11-12R5: I can analyze how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. In informational texts, analyze the impact and evaluate the effect structure has on exposition or argument in terms of clarity, persuasive/rhetorical technique, and audience appeal. 11-12W2b: I can develop a topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, direct quotations and paraphrased information or other examples, appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the In class: we are continuing reading the play. As has been stated previously, if you are absent or intend to be out, you will need to check out your own copy of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS fro the library. We only have a class set in the room COMING UP: ON WEDNESDAY, YOU HAVE A CONTENT QUIZ ON THE MATERIAL WE READ..

As you can see,  there are two things happening in class today:  1) your psat scores are being returned 2) you are making your choices for your classes next year Brighton Beach Memoir by Neil Simon We will be continuing the play tomorrow. We ended at the bottom of page 26 on Friday. If you were absent - or anticipate being out- please make sure you collect a copy of the play from the library. We have a class set that stays here. You'll need to get your own copy to catch up. On Wednesday, there will be a content-based quiz on the reading material. Make sure you have read! This will cover what we read in class tomorrow.

Learning Targets: 11-12R3: I can analyze the impact of author’s choices. 11-12R5: I can analyze how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. In informational texts, analyze the impact and evaluate the effect structure has on exposition or argument in terms of clarity, persuasive/rhetorical technique, and audience appeal. I n class: collect your notebooks. Quick write of 8-10 sentences.  MLA heading, Title: growth Question: How to we know when we reach adulthood? To what extent do others participate in this process? Continuing with the play...we are picking up on page 16. If you were absent yesterday, you'll need to catch up. You may collect your own copy from the library.         

Learning Targets: 11-12R3: I can analyze the impact of author’s choices. 11-12R5: I can analyze how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. In informational texts, analyze the impact and evaluate the effect structure has on exposition or argument in terms of clarity, persuasive/rhetorical technique, and audience appeal. 11-12W2b: I can develop a topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, direct quotations and paraphrased information or other examples, appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic In class: beginning to read the play Brighton Beach Memoirs  by Neil Simon genre:  play first performed:  1982 setting:  Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, NY; 1937 at the height of the Great Depression. The action takes place within the Jerome home. a bit of history:   The years just before and following the  Great Depression  brought with them a neighborhood con...

Welcome Back.  All grades are up-to-date. I am handing out grade reports for your benefit. Any missing material may be turned in for 50% until Monday, January 27, after which all new work will be in the 3rd quarter. If you find that you have something that I missed, please share it with me by the end of the day. **************************************************** Learning Targets: 11-12R3: I can analyze the impact of author’s choices. 11-12R5: I can analyze how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. In informational texts, analyze the impact and evaluate the effect structure has on exposition or argument in terms of clarity, persuasive/rhetorical technique, and audience appeal. 11-12W2b: I can develop a topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, direct quotations and paraphrased information or other examples, appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic In our next unit, we are...