Practice, Practice, Practice.

Tomorrow is our class presentation of "The Raven." Be ready! Be dramatic!

   

Important Information for Class on Wednesday, 10/30

Ask Finn to show you the photo of the pumpkin he carved! He sent me a picture, but it hasn't come through yet. It's amazing.

Tomorrow in class, we'll be having a quiz on poetic devices in "The Raven" and comprehension of the poem, as well.  If you can answer these questions and provide examples from the text, you'll do fine on the quiz.

You can use JE 19/left and right on the quiz.

Be able to find provide two examples of each of these poetic devices from the poem.

So, find two examples of alliteration. Find one in any stanza 1-9, and another from any stanza 10-18 (total of two).

Do the same for assonance and internal rhyme.

You'll have a total of six examples.


Make sure to annotate your poem so you locate them tomorrow on the quiz.

Use this link:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/raven/start-fl.cfm

• Alliteration  (Stanza 1-9)  
• Alliteration (stanza 10-18) 
• Assonance (stanza 1-9) 
• Assonance (stanza 10-18) 
• Internal rhyme (stanza 1-9) 
• Internal rhyme  (stanza 10-18) 

Be able to answer the following questions. The link won't help you here. 

1. In the opening stanza, what's the mood the author creates? Specifically, how does he 

create it? 

2. Is there any indication that the narrator may have dreamt the entire episode? 

3. What is he hoping the Raven can tell him? 

4.  Do you trust the speaker? Do you think he gives us an accurate version of reality, or is it possible that he is making up or distorting some of these things?

Review your notes from the Introduction on "The Raven" tab.

Email me after 6 PM if you have questions, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I won't email you after 9 PM, though.

"The Raven" HW

Raven HW =

• Please click on "The Raven" tab at the top of the page and follow instructions.
• Then, come back to this page ("Home") and find out which stanza you're responsible for from the chart below.
• Copy your stanza on an index card.

Period 2: Raven Partners

• Please copy your stanza EXACTLY as it is in the poem.
• Make sure your line breaks are the same as Poe's.
• Come to class on Thursday familiar with your stanza; have it memorized by Friday, please.

Stanza	Partners
1	Jon and Riley
2	Maddy B. and Natalia
3	Victor and Ben
4.	Cole and Liam
5	Elias and Lucy
6	Nathan and Maggie
7	Finn and Kayla
8	Luc and Maya
9	Tannor and Taylor J.
10.	Ezri and Lily
11.	Ryan and Morgan
12	Jesse and Jo Jo
13	Conor and Raegan
14	Haiden and Shaina
15	Killian and Jaxson
16	Jake and Sidney
17	If you want extra credit, memorize this stanza, too.
18	Maddie and Susanna (!!!!!)

Period 3: Raven Partners

Please copy your stanza EXACTLY as it is in the poem.

Make sure your line breaks are the same as Poe's.

Come to class on Thursday familiar with your stanza; have it memorized by Friday, please.

Stanza	Partners
1	Abby A. and Sophie
2	Abby B. and Katie
3	Conrad and Aeddon
4.	Sarathi and Connell
5	Julia and Amaya
6	Alexa and Annie
7	Megan and Tomas
8	Will and Lucy
9	Max and Keon
10.	Brenna and Ian
11.	Emily P. and Emily H.
12	Sophie R. and China
13	Kaelyn and Trevor
14	Kambria and Eli
15	Patrick and Archer
16	Adrielle and Scout
17	Lauren and Brenna (EC for Brenna)
18	Memorize this one if you want extra credit.

FD Checklist

Before submitting your FD, make sure you can answer "yes" to each of these questions:

1. Have you given your piece an original title?
2. Have you double spaced?
3. Have you fixed any run-ons, fragments, or comma splices?
4. Have you paragraphed?
5. Have you written with the best showing language you're capable of?
6. Do you feel pride of ownership with this piece?
7. Have you had someone else proofread it (in addition to your peer editor)?
8. Have you looked at the previous blog post and considered the suggestions?
9. Is your FD a revised version of your RD, not merely a copy?

TTH Police Report; HW Tab

New feature: 

Click the tab at the top of the page that says HW for the Week to see your HW. I'll be adding to it daily.

No! No! Don't make me write a police report!

Assume the perspective of one of the police officers who arrested the narrator, and write up  your police report.  Keep all of the facts and details of the story basically the same. Police officers, by training, are keen observers of people, so note the details and clues you recall from your experience with the narrator. What may have tipped you off that the narrator was the murder--or that a murder had occurred at all?

• Be true to the basic facts of the story.
• Include your own "creative" observations (you can embellish). 
• It's ok to change the time period of the story, but make sure you have continuity with historical details. Example: Don't use a personal computer in a story that takes place before 1985. 
• Write in first person POV.
• Your piece should be 350 words long--at least.
• Focus on using SHOWING vs. TELLING language (see below). 
• Decide on the personality of your police person, and stay true to it throughout the piece. 
• Make your report sound as authentic as possible.

SHOWING VS. TELLING

Since this is creative writing, focus on showing your characters, not just telling about them. Telling language is pretty boring. Showing language is vivid, exciting, and invites the reader into the story.

Example #1:

Telling:

He was nervous.

vs.

Showing:

Sweat poured down his ashen face in tiny rivulets, causing him to blink in rapid succession.

Example #2:

Telling:

The house was scary.

vs.

Showing:

A prime example of the Gothic tradition, the ancient structure exuded centuries of whispered horrors

and untimely deaths.

Make sure your report covers at least the following information:

• Synopsis (brief summary)  of the complaint.
• What you observed at the crime scene
• Record what any witnesses said.
• Case status: How was the incident resolved?

Helpful links:

"How to Write a Police Report"

http://www.ehow.com/how_4441251_write-police-report.html

"How to Write a Great Police Report"

http://www.ehow.com/how_5461354_write-great-police-report.html

"How to Write a Police Report Narrative"

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6063691_write-police-report-narrative.html

Student Example:

Notice that the police person's interior observations (thoughts, not dialogue) are in italics. That's a clear way for your reader to get a sense of what's going on inside his/her head. There may be dialogue in other places in the story, so this technique differentiates thoughts vs. spoken words.

Please note that this is only part of the report. 

Admitting the Deed
by Andie Wyatt (former student)

Tip tap tip tap. I could hear and see the harsh raindrops fall down upon the cold, car window besideme. There was a dull, slow melody in the background coming from an old radio. I picked up my chocolate twist donut and chewed with small, intense bites. My police scanner caught me by surprise; there was a concerned and anxious voice notifying me of a suspicious scream had taken place at 1738 Monroe Ave.

Police report:

It was 4:00 a.m. as we pulled up to 1738 Monroe Avenue. My two partners (Jordan Kilps and Ronald Peterson) and I approached the door. The neighbor, who went by the name of Martha Bettingsfield, reported that there was a loud screech next door. I rang the door bell. There’s always a slight chill that comes over me as I anticipate what's indeed is behind that door. 

A man--tall, dark and somewhat hunched over--had a welcoming smile yet was very suspicious. Pearls of perspiration were taking form on his forehead. His gaze darted from here to there anxiously, avoiding our faces nervously. We'd dealt with some wackos before, but this one was winning the prize for weirdness.

When asked for his name,  he quickly responded,”Jack. Jack Fember.” He put up no fight whatsoever and led us through his chamber. He explained to us that the screech heard was his own in a dream. He informed my partners and me that an elderly man by the name of Ernest Williams lived in this house. He was, in fact, the owner. Mr. Fember said the old man was presently absent, vacationing in the country.  Mr. F. explained he was watching the house for Mr. W.

I produced a search warrant and Mr. F. feigned nonchalance, inviting us to search as we pleased. We checked every corner, searched every closet, every drawer and still nothing was found. Mr. Fember directed us to old man’s bedroom, and I noticed a severe twitch commencing in Mr. F's left eye. That's a tell-tale sign if I've ever seen one...

"Tell-Tale Heart"

For Friday's test, please know:

• spelling
• part of speech
• definition

  

"Tell-Tale Heart" Cartoon (1953) 

This animated version of the story was very controversial, deemed by some as too frightening for children at the time it premiered. If you're interested in developing your animation skills and want some extra credit, consider making your own animated version. See me if you're interested.


 

E.A. Poe Webquest: Due Thursday, Oc.t 17

In JE #14 right & left (skip #13/right for now), answer the questiosn by using the sites below. Write in complete sentences.

You don't have to upload anything to anywhere; just write in your journal!


Use these websites to answer the questions. 

1. The Edgar Allan Poe Museum Website: 
2. The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore Website
3. Poestories.com
4. The Knowing Poe Website

Webquest Questions

1. Provide the following biographical information: birthdate; birthplace; death date.
2. What tragic childhood events influenced his writing?
3. There are 13 theories on what caused Poe's death. List five of them.
4. According to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, what state did Poe call home?
5. What does the Poe Society of Baltimore think about this claim in #4?
6. What famous military academy expelled Poe in 1831?
7. Who did Poe marry? How old was she?
8. What do you think about the marriage?
9.  "Murders in the Rue Morgue" is considered to be the first of which genre of story? 
10. When were "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Black Cat" written?
11. When was "The Raven" published?
12. Check out the Poe photo gallery. Which picture looks most like the Poe you envision while reading his stories? Draw it!
13. Which Edgar Allen Poe story or poem are you most interested in reading? Why--give three reasons.
14. Write two names in the guestbook at Poestories.com.
15. Summarize at least two Poe short stories you have never read.
16. Listen to the audio version of the Raven. What do you think of it?
17. Who is the Poe Toaster?
18. List five examples of "Poe in Your Life."

Hooks for Introductory Paragraphs

In order to avoid the trite, overused method of using a question as a hook, consider using one of these options instead:

Dramatic Statement (can be a fact or not)	The dramatic statement about your topic is designed to elicit  an emotional response from the reader. Take care to keep it connected to your topic; don't just use this for shock value. Example: Twenty years from now, artificial intelligence could dominate human intelligence.
Definition	Open with a definition of a word strongly related to the topic you are discussing. It can be your own or come from a dictionary or textbook. If you take it from a dictionary or textbook, be sure to use quotation marks and give credit to the source. Example: According to Webster's Dictionary, a government is the authority that serves the people and acts on their behalf. .
Well Known Quotation or Quotation from a Famous Person	Open with a quotation that is well known or from a famous person. Be sure to put quotations around the quotation and give credit to the person who said it. Of course, the quotation must be directly related to your topic. Example: President John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
Figurative Language	Begin with one of these that relates to your topic: ·        metaphor                      ·        simile ·        hyperbole ·        personification ·        idiom ·        alliteration

Tonight's HW

Tonight, please complete your explanation to a seventh grader about how to write an solid five-paragraph essay. You can write it in any format you like, but if you choose to write in five paragraph essay form yourself, remember not to use "I' or "you."

Please do not write a FD yet!

Journal #1 Grading Information and "Flowers for Algernon" Socratic Seminar Info

Journal #1 Grading:

We'll be grading journals in class on Thursday.

• Make sure all work is 100% complete. Journal work is "all or nothing." If I ask for a list of 10 and you only put 9, you won't get any credit.
• Make sure your T. of C. is 100% neat, complete and accurate.
• Every single JE should be numbered: 1L/1R, 2L/2R, etc.
• Items should be exactly where the T. of C. says they are. Don't invent your own order for JE's.
• Flippy in every handout.
• If there's no handout in a JE, make sure you give it a title.
• All corrections/editing should be in a bright color (not regular pencil or blue or black ink).
• Work toward Pride of Ownership. In other words, be proud to have your name on your journal!
• Period 2 only : Write "Edmodo" for items you did online.

Journal #1 Table of Contents

Who was Socrates, anyway?

Extra Credit:

Email me and give me a bit of information about him (25 words or fewer!). Paraphrase; don't plagiarize.

Next week, we'll have our first Socratic Seminar. Our topic will be "Flowers for Algernon." Socratic Seminar is an opportunity for you to discuss the story as a class as dialogue, not debate. It's not about right answers; it's about
having an open mind, tentacling out beyond the book, and exploring ways of looking at the text you might not otherwise have considered.

You will be asked to prepare for Socratic Seminar by considering these four questions very thoroughly. I'll be asking you to do some writing about them, but that writing will form your notes for the seminar. It's not writing you'll be turning in to me. The better prepared you are for Socratic Seminar, the more you'll have to offer. 

We'll go into more detail soon, but I wanted to give you a heads up about what we're doing. Don't hesitate to get started thinking about these questions even though I haven't officially assigned them yet.


Socratic Seminar Questions

1. Is it morally right or wrong to experiment with altering intelligence or personalitiy through artificial means (experimental operations, etc.)? Make sure to support your opinion well. Anticipate the challenges of those who disagree with you.

2. In the writing of the story, some of Daniel Keyes's editors wanted him to make it have a happy ending with Charly and Miss Kinnian getting married and living "happily ever after." In what ways would this have changed Keyes's message?

3. Is ignorance bliss? Was it harder for Charly to find out what he used to be like, or would he have been better off never knowing?

4. What other movies, books, or stories have you read or heard about which deal with this theme of altering the mind? Why do you think it's a prevalent theme in science fiction?