Circle time!

So today we talked about the chapters from yesterday and worked through "Smart Cookie," "What Sally Said," and "Monkey Garden." No new homework.

Catching Up a Bit

Today we finished the tear art assignment from Friday, and individual students worked on three more HMS chapters, "Minerva Writes Poems" through "Beautiful & Cruel."

HW: Personal Narrative #7

• first love or crush
• something that makes you happy when you are sad
• your definition of home

Thursday & Friday

On Thursday and Friday, we worked through a few more chapters of HMS, taking us through "Sally." We spent much of the period on Friday working on a short art project (see below). Many people finished in class, but we will have a few moments on Monday to wrap it up.

1. Choose one example of figurative language from the book so far.
2. Present it artistically--literally or figuratively--in tear art. (This means you may use only your hands, paper, and glue. You may NOT use scissors or writing impliments of any kind.)
3. Include the quotations neatly on the front (you MAY use pen for this).
4. Include your name, date, etc. on the back (you may use pen for this).

"Geraldo" to "Sire"

Today we skipped the warm-up, and students worked in small groups on questions for four chapters of HMS. We discussed these briefly at the end.

HW Personal Narrative #6 Due 3/26 (options blow)

• beliefs about luck and the future
• someone you met briefly who made an impression on you
• someone like Geraldo, Ruthie, or Earl

Monday and Tuesday

Monday and Tuesday we worked on a two phase warm-up. Monday was a standard SOS which today we marked up, looking for phrases, clauses, subjects, verbs, etc.
We spent the rest of the period working on HMS, specifically "The First Job" through "Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water."

Monday's HW Options:

• embarrassing or disappointing incident
• death and/or funeral
• someone who was teased or taunted

Of Clouds, High Heels, & Boring Lunches

Today we started with SOS and then continued our discussion of "And Some More" before moving on to "Family of Little Feet" and "A Rice Sandwich."

Mrs. Nystrom will be collecting warm-ups, journals and homework tomorrow.

HW Options:

• somebody like the Vargas kids
• someone who reminds you of Alicia or Darius
• playing at being grown up

No New Homework!

After a short sentence on steroid warm-up, we shared and collected the homework and continued our discussion from yesterday. We then read "Darius..." and "And Some More." There is no new homework tonight.

HMS in Small Groups

Today we got new seats and worked with neighbors on dialectical journals for "Marin" through "Alicia Who Sees Mice."

HW Narrative #3

• dare or contest
• trouble with the law
• someone older you used to look up to (or still do)
• fear of strangers

Happy Monday

Today we started with a sentence on steroids warm-up and then read "Meme Ortiz" and "Louie..."

HW Options:

• crazy or unusual neighbor
• bike story
• thought sharing story
• something magical in a store

"Our Good Day" through "Gil's..."

Today we warmed up with some SOS (sentences on steroids), shared last nights homework and then continued with HMS.

The journals for the week are available here.

"Hairs" through "Cathy Queen of Cats"

We began the day with a sentence building warm-up (sentences on steroids) and shared and collected last night's name homework. We continued our in-class reading of HMS, adding several chapters to the dialectical journal.

Homework
Write a short personal narrative (one page minimum [use paragraphs!], heavy on descriptive language and detail, reread for grammar and spelling).

Tonight's Options:

• description of a place you’ve lived
• memory connected with a smell
• how boys and girls "live in separate worlds"
• sibling story

"The House on Mango Street"

At the beginning of the period, as students worked on a warm-up journal about their names, I collected the nature writing portfolios. Following this, we shared some of the name journals and I collected the "Sonrisas" homework.
After a brief introduction to the style and theme of The House on Mango Street, we began our dialectical journals and read the book's first chapter.

HW: Write about your name following the prompts on the handout (and the example of chapter 4 of HMS).

"Sonrisas"

We spent today looking at Pat Mora's poem "Sonrisas." We annotated it, discussed it and then answered the questions below on the back of the annotation. Finish these for homework if needed.

Sonrisas

I live in a doorway
between two rooms. I hear
quiet clicks, cups of black
coffee, click, click like facts
budgets, tenure, curriculum,
from careful women in crisp beige
suits, quick beige smiles
that seldom sneak into their eyes.

I peek
in the other room señoras
in faded dresses stir sweet
milk coffee, laughter whirls
with steam from fresh tamales
sh, sh, mucho ruido,*
they scold one another,
press their lips, trap smiles
in their dark, Mexican eyes.

1. On the back of your annotation, do the following:

Sketch (draw) the poem in some way, either literally or symbolically. Be prepared to explain your sketch.

2. On a separate sheet of paper, answer these questions.

In what way might you live in a doorway between two rooms? What would the two “rooms” be? What would be happening in them? Explain.

Nature Writing Conclusion

Today we wrapped up the nature writing unit. Students responded to each others' work and then responded to their own. Finally students were given a chance to begin revising (or finishing in some cases).

Final, revised portfolios are due Wednesday.

Registration

Though we had a bit of work time, the bulk of the period was spent on next year's registration. Remember to see me if you are interested in Sophomore Accelerated English for next year.

HW Finish your nature writing portfolio.

The Portfolio

Today Mrs. Nystrom went over the nuts and bolts of the Nature Writing unit portfolio. The notes are available on the handout page.

Here Comes the Essay!

Today, Mrs. Nystrom started students on the task of actually writing the essay we've been working on for the past two weeks. The introduction is due tomorrow. For details, see her blog: http://nystrom9.blogspot.com/

Welcome A116

Today we moved into our new home in the annex where Mrs. Nystrom led us further down the nature writing trail without skipping a beat. For details, see her blog: http://nystrom9.blogspot.com/