Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Essay due Tuesday: Part Two: Look beyond this blog entry, there is much more after this blog entry.

1. You may use my Introduction and Setting Paragraphs, or you may write your own. 

 2. Make your Character and Theme paragraphs one paragraph each. In other words, synthesize them better.

3. Also, make my Thesis more clear by a) identifying the attitudes of the characters and b) actually stating the theme. For example: "Though these stories are set in different places and times, both characters are... (state the attitude they share), and show how....(state the theme). "

4) Concluding Paragraph is 5 sentences, including the Thesis Reworded.

There is more below.  Cheers!!

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Monday, March 3:

1. Booktalk: Come with your novel and your Booktalk write-up (following the format of my handouts). You will be sharing your novel with another student, using your write-up and your novel.  The written-notes you will hand in after you have finished.

2. Synthesis Essay: Have this essay finished for Tuesday (March 4).  Word-process in 12 point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, and indent your paragraphs using the Tab key. Underline the following and nothing else: Thesis in the introduction, Topic Sentences of your Body Paragraphs, Concluding Sentences of your Body Paragraphs, and the Thesis-reworded, the first sentence of your Conclusion paragraph.

Your Introductory Paragraph, and your Setting Paragraph(s) are my exemplars, but if you want to, you could write your own. But it is not mandatory.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Monday, March 3:

1. "Old Man" Essay: Work carefully on your Essay Outline following the instructions. 

You will hand in both edited Essay Drafts on Monday before you write. Don't forget them.

Alert!! Be sure to look on the back of the Acceptable Outline Example. You may have your "direct references (quotes)" listed on your outline after the bullets for your Conclusion Paragraph.  Be sure that they are the quotes only, not integrated yet, but a just a list of quotes with the citation. You will integrate them into your essay as you write it in class.

ex. "looked more like a huge decrepit hen among the fascinated chickens" (270) 

"dungheap stench that still hung everywhere like a ghost" (273)

Your citations are just the page numbers. Do not use pg. When you have written your sentences with integrated references in them, please put the citation at the end of the sentence and put the period AFTER the citation.

Example of an integrated reference in a sentence in your essay:  The "angel" is described as having "huge buzzard wings, dirty and half-plucked" that are "entangled in the mud"(269).

 

 

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Thurs. Feb. 27:

1. Please reread the 3 articles I gave you Tuesday:  1) Please finish the vocabulary tonight, and 2) Write a thesis statement - the main point - for each article, in one to three sentences. It's a mini precis!

Example: The article, "The Internet May Be Rewiring Our Brains," by Kevin Horrigan of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, looks at a Stanford University research report, and a book by writer Nicholas Carr, who argue that the Internet is rewiring our brains and making us less attentive and more unable to think in a sustained and deep way.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Thurs. Feb.27:

1. Synthesis Essay: Please revise your Character and Theme paragraphs for tomorrow's class.  The Theme paragraph should be one paragraph: at most 3/4 of a page. 

Reread every sentence you write and read the paragraphs several times, checking for expression and sentence error,  before you print.

2. You are working on your Booktalk ideas and write-up for Monday's class.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Wed. Feb 26:

1. "The Sniper" and "Sentry" essay: Your are to revise your Character paragraph, by improving your sentence structures, vocabulary, and ideas. This is not due tomorrow, but you should be working on it. You should also try to integrate a quotation in your Character paragraph.

Your Theme paragraph is due tomorrow. This is the last Body Paragraph and discusses the common theme these stories share. You need to show and explain in this paragraph also.

Please bring your Theme paragraph with you tomorrow, preferably word-processed in the usual style.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Wed. Feb 25:

1. Working on "Old Man" Essay: You are revising your First Draft to improve it.  Please use 12 point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced. Check your sentence structures, and check that the content can be understood by a stranger. Let your mother/father/brother etc. read it!   Bring both your First and Second Drafts.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Tues. Feb. 25:

1. Be working on your 2nd Draft of "Old Man" over the next two days at home, and we will have a second edit on Wednesday. 

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Tues. Feb. 25:

1. Revise Body Paragraph #2: Please improve your discussion in this paragraph, by rewriting it where needed and developing your ideas by showing examples.  A body paragraph should be approximately 2/3rds of a page double-spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman.  

Also, please underline your TS and CS, and making sure that they set up and conclude the paragraph without adding new details. They are the main point of the paragraph. 

2. You may also be working (or reworking) your Theme paragraph. You can begin in point form if you want. 

Please bring all your work tomorrow. 

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Monday, Feb. 24:

1. First Draft Essay: You are completing your First Draft this weekend.  You need to word-process this draft, as this will allow you to write a better one, because you can change whatever you want to, as often as you want to, very easily. Give yourself the time to do a good First Draft, so that you have less to do Monday Evening. 

**Your Thesis directs your essay; it needs to substantial, powerful and clear, as it directs everything you write. It does not have to have three points in it. It has to say something concrete, not something vague and unformed. It doesn't make the reader ask any questions or wonder what it means, because it is the clear point and direction of your essay.

All three Body Paragraphs have a Topic Sentence and a Concluding Sentence. All paragraphs have examples/explanations/ and integrated direct references.  Do not wallpaper your essay with these quotations, but choose them wisely and explain them. You might use one or two per Body Paragraph.  Please use my "Peer and Self-Editing Package" for help.

We will edit together on Monday. Cheers!

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Monday, Feb. 24:

1. Synthesis Essay: You are doing a first draft of the second Body Paragraph, which is about characters and their attitudes. B Block came up with some adjectives and phrases that could be used for character description: merciless, determined, fanatic, narrow-minded, close-minded, zealot, racist, countrymen (noun)- and there are many more you could use. Use the handouts you have on Character etc. Do not use a word that you do not know the definition of. Always look a word up so you feel confident using it. 

This second body paragraph should be well-developed like the 1st one, but if you want to re-paragraph and make it two, you may.  Use my Setting Paragraph example to help you.

You can do it!!  See you Monday.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Fri. Feb. 21:

1. Synthesis Essay in Progress: You should be working on your second Body Paragraph that focuses on the similar themes in these two stories.  Start by putting down points or use a mind-map - whatever helps you generate ideas. Then you should flesh them out into fully developed ideas.  Also have examples from each text that shows the similar theme. I expect you to show contrast in the this paragraph also.  

Work through this second Body Paragraph as you worked through the first one, today. Remember you need a Topic Sentence that expresses that the themes of the stories are similar. In the body of the paragraph you show this and discuss it. Then write the Concluding Sentence of this Body Paragraph.

We will try to finish the Concluding Paragraph tomorrow also.  

See you tomorrow!!

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Fri. Feb. 21:

1. Essay Work: Bring all the work you have done so far on this assignment, tomorrow, so you can continue working on developing your ideas and formatting of paragraphs for those ideas. Make sure you are integrating one or two direct references from the story. This will end up being your first draft. 

I expect to see a thesis statement from each of you tomorrow that I will approve or give you advise on. Your first draft of the fully-developed essay is due Monday.

Happy Writing!

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Thurs. Feb. 20:

1. "Old Man" Essay: you are to have a full outline for your essay tomorrow.  You can then begin to flesh out your main points and your examples and explanation.

This is an individual essay that requires you to think on your own.  How does the Old Man expose the true nature of the society he has landed in? The "magic" of Magic Realism is to illuminate the relationship between the  "self" and the "other", and in doing so, to expose the truth or reality of that relationship in a society. The Old Man has a dangerous encounter with these people. Think about who is ethical in this story. How? Show it. What does this show about the society and perhaps their need to improve their moral growth.  Who are dominant, who is repressed? Why?  

Magic Realism (by landing the Old Man in their midst) destabilizes the society, and allows us to explore it.  That is your mission!

**You must do an outline first that is point form. You will get an Acceptable Outline format tomorrow.  If you do not have an outline you will lose marks on the assignment. In other words -  follow the process. You will do better.

You may work on fleshing out your essay tomorrow, and if you have already written a fully developed paragraph or two with you tomorrow, you should have another student peer edit using my Peer and Self Editing Handout.  This handout is your instructions for writing an essay. Please use it. 

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework due Thurs. Feb. 20th:

1. Synthesis Essay: Have a complete outline in point form for tomorrow, so that you can continue working on the full sentence draft tomorrow in class, that will be due Monday. 

Tomorrow you will practice working on your Body Paragraphs.

The essay is practice so that you can learn the format and process.  Relax. You are learning.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Wed. Feb. 19:

1. Short Stories Chart: The 3 stories should  be completed on your chart. 

2. Ideas for Synthesis (Compare and Contrast) for "The Sniper" and "Sentry": You worked on this today in class, and you are to have all your points developed tonight for tomorrow's class. You may use point form for your thinking,  but tomorrow, you must write them up fully, developing explanations and examples from the stories, for each point. 

3. Booktalk: please be reading your novel and working on the Booktalk components. You will be sharing these on Monday, March 3.     

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Wed. Feb. 19:

1. "Old Man": applying the insights you worked on today, start mapping out an essay outline for this short story.  I have given you a working thesis: Marquez's story is really a story of the villagers. You need to make this thesis your own by extending it and strengthening it with insights of your own. You are also to use your understanding of the literary concept of magic realism in your discussion. 

The ideas and discussion you worked on today are possibilities for your essay, but this is only one approach.  You are to write an individual essay, not the same one.

You should be working on your Essay Outline: ideas, structure, references from the story, and the explanations that support them etc. You will be writing the essay Monday or Tuesday of next week. 

Work on this in class tomorrow, and review essay structure. 

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Tues. Feb. 18:

1. "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" : Have well-developed ideas and concrete examples to support those ideas, for the thesis that "Marquez's short story is really a portrait of the villagers." Include in this discussion both the real (human) qualities and the magic qualities of the Old Man

2. Please review your Magic Realism Handout. Start thinking about how "magical"elements in a story can reveal a deeper truer reality than the one we are used to.

English 9 link to a better Mood/Tone Handout. Please print this multi-page handout. 

Here's the link:

 http://www.fallriverschools.org/Tone%20and%20Mood%20words%20%28unedited%29.pdf

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Tuesday, Feb. 18:

1. Short Stories Chart: For tomorrow's class, you should have "Sentry" and "The Weapon" elements completed on your Chart.  You should also have "The Sniper" elements fully written on regular paper, and we will go over these tomorrow so you can fill in the chart.

If you were away today, you should phone your buddy and be sure to get notes etc. from them so that you do not fall too far behind.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Monday, Feb. 17:

1. Imagery in "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings." Find the 2 strongest examples for each of the 5 kinds of imagery in this short story. Imagery is an important in our understanding of the story, so when you explain each image you are also showing and explaining how each image contributes to our understanding of the story in one or more of the following elements: setting, characer, mood, irony, point of view and theme.  

Use the grid on the front of the Handout, and create another on the back so that you have the room you need. You will be sharing your ideas with the class.

Ms. Tyre's First Entry for English 9 Homework for Monday, Feb. 17:

1. "Strategies": If you are revising your "Strategies for Successful Students," please have them done by Monday, and have your original stapled underneath your revised one.

2. Before you read the Second Entry below, know that you do not have to do a Freytag plotline for the Short Stories Chart. Just identify and write out the conflict.

             Now you can read the rest below!

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Monday, Feb. 17:

1. "The Weapon": Finish all elements of literature on the chart.

2. "Sentry": Finish all elements of literature on a separate piece of paper. 

3. "The Sniper": Get started on the elements of literature for this story as well, but you do not need to finish it all.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Fri. Feb. 14:

1. Short Stories: Work on your Short Story Elements for your Chart. You should be working on "The Weapon." A Block has written the Setting for this story (just as B Block wrote the setting for "The Sniper": 

• Dr. Graham, a scientist, in the early 1950s, is working to build the ultimate weapon. A reporter named Niemand challenges the Doctor's desire to create this weapon of mass destruction for mankind.

  Please work on "The Weapon"- the Elements of Literature for the Chart, but do them on separate paper tonight.

  2. Rewrites of Revisions for Strategies: Be working on these is I have suggested it, or if you want to.  The rewrites are not due until Monday.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Fri. Feb. 14:

1. Study for your Vocabulary Test tomorrow. 

2. Start the Imagery Assignment for "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings": Be working directly on the Imagery Handout. 1) Try to find two examples for each kind of image if you can, and then 2) determine if the image is a positive or negative one, and then 3) explain the effect of the imagery on the story.

Read the two sets of instructions above the grid very carefully, especially the "Four main effects imagery has on a story, and try to include these four effects in your "Effect of Imagery on the Story" box.

These assignment does not have to be finished; but you could choose the best images for your grid.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Thurs. Feb. 13:

1. "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings": 1) Finish reading the story. Then read it all again without interruption.  

2) Create a Glossary of Words and definitions for this story.  I will be giving you a vocabulary test on this story, so do this quickly and review it.

3) Make sure all the notes you are taking in class are titled, organized, thorough and legible. You will need these for review, also.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Thurs. Feb.  13:

1. "The Sniper": Please finish all questions for the short story "The Sniper."  Have answers that incorporate the question or include the question. 

 

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Wed. Feb. 12:

1. Precis Revisions: Please have your final revisions for the three Precis assignments you have done. They are each word-processed, 12pt. font, Times New Roman and formatted in an easy to read 1. 5 spacing.

2. Research and Vocabulary: 1) Know the basic biblical story of God's banishment of Lucifer (Satan) from Heaven. 2) What is an "archetype"? Have a few examples.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Wed. Feb. 12:

1. Strategies for Successful Students: These paragraphs are due tomorrow. Please format as I showed you.

2. If you have the time to start "The Sniper" questions, you may, but it not required.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Tues. Feb. 11:

1. Revise the Anna Toth Precis: Word-Process in 12 point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, and print it out. Do the same with the first Precis "The Thin Line..." and bring them both on Tuesday.

2. Finish your first draft Precis for "Arks Can't Save Aardvarks":     

• Please create a Glossary of words and their definitions for this article first. 

• Then draft your precis to be one-third to one-quarter of the original, making sure to start with the main idea of the article. 

• Then, reduce the passage to an outline of the argument Rowe is making - in a well written paragraph that is word-processed and double spaced.

  Then go play in the snow on Monday!!

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Tues. Feb. 11:

1. "Sentry": Finish your analysis of this story- discussing setting, showing plot, describing characters (especially attitudes), identifying imagery, irony and point of view, and determining Theme in a two or three sentence explanation.

2. Strategies: try to do two or three more paragraphs on this self-reflection assignment. Remember it is due on Wednesday.

3. Glossary: Keep this up to date. Any words that you need to look up in the stories we read should be added to your Glossary in the format I have shown you.  I am not asking you to do this for your novel, however, you should look up words that you think you understand in order to enjoy the novel.

Keep reading your novel, also.  And enjoy your long weekend and a possibly snowing Family Day!  See you Tuesday.

English 9: Read today's entry below, but I forgot to tell you to do your Strategies paragraphs using the font, Time New Roman, in a 12 point font.  Thank you!!

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Fri. Feb. 7:

1. Make sure you have your Binders properly set up, Overview information handed in, Surveys done and novel registered.

2. Strategies for Successful Students: Your reflections on the first four or five areas should be completed and written in paragraph form with thoughtfulness and with examples of how you can improve. I want to see how you are doing.

3. "The Weapon": You should finish the story analysis- Setting (2-4 sentences), Plot: Freytag pyramid with the main plot points, Characters: identified and described, Imagery: identify any vivid description, Irony: identify the situational irony and explain it, Point of View: identify the point of view of the story (who's perspective is it from?) and of course Theme: write 2-5 sentences that identify and explain the theme of the story.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Fri. Feb.7:

1. Revise the Precis you had edited today: Improve it in as many ways as you need to. Please word-process this 2nd draft and double-space it.  Look it over thoroughly before you print it.

2. Finish the first draft of the Anna Toth article: Please double-space this for your Editor tomorrow. 

3. Binder Dividers/Parent Info: be sure to hand in any outstanding information, and have your binder dividers set up so I can check them when you come to class.

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Thurs. Feb. 6:

1. The Precis: Finish your first draft tonight and bring it tomorrow. Would you please word-process this paragraph, revising where you need to.  Please double-space the paragraph, also, so we can do a peer-edit. If you are unable to word-process, please write it out by hand neatly, editing as you go, and double-space.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework For Thurs. Feb. 6:

1. Strategies for Successful Students: Be working on the first 4 or 5 strategies, reflecting on your abilities and attitudes now, and what improvements you can make. Include concrete examples.  I would like to see these on Friday. You need to edit your writing carefully and revise before you print these out.  Remember, this assignment is in the first person, as it is you reflecting on the kind of student you are and want to become.

2. "The Weapon":  you should be working on the elements of literature (from your notes that I put on the board) and finish them tomorrow in class. I would like this finished by mid-block so we can start the next story. Also make sure your notes from today are complete as far as we have gone. We will add to these tomorrow.

3. Novel: relax after all your hard work and enjoy a few chapters of your novel!

Ms. Tyre's English 9 Homework for Wed. Feb. 5:

1. Personal Novel: Choose a novel that you want to read bring it with you Wed.

2. Strategies For Successful Students: This is your homework for the next three days. You should finish your personal reflections on the first 4 or 5 areas for Friday and bring them to class with you. You are to assess yourself in each of these areas and make a plan for improvement for each.  I highly recommend that you word-process your work - and you edit it carefully before you print it out. 

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Tues. Feb 5:

1. Precis: You are working on your precis tonight and in class tomorrow.  Follow the handout I gave you. Paragraph by paragraph is a good strategy.

2. Other: Overviews read and signed by your parents, Binder Dividers,  by Friday. Bring your Agendas regularly also. 

Ms. Tyre's English 11 Homework for Tues. Feb. 4:

1. Reread the Maclean's article, "The Thin Line Between Love and Hate Clicks." Make a list of the vocabulary you do not know and find the appropriate definition for each one.  Be thorough.

Please read the Blog below for other things that are due this week.

Ms. Tyre's English 9 and 11 Homework for this week:

1. Survey: have this completed by tomorrow: Tuesday. English 9 only.

2. Bring your Agendas daily. If you do not have one, get one that works for you.

3. Personal Novel: choose a novel that you would like to read and start reading it. Bring it with you on Wednesday. English 9 only.

4. Overview Shared with your Parent or Guardian: go over Expectations and Parent Information. Have your parent fill in the information I am asking for and return it to me by Thursday for English 9 and for Friday for English 11.

5. Binder Dividers: Have your set of 8 dividers labeled and in your binders by Thursday for English 9's and Friday for English 12.