Preparing for grade 11

A few students may be grumbling this weekend as I am now starting to transition from grade 10 expectations to grade 11 expectations. Since we are all thinking about our courses for next year, now is a good time to do it. So I sent the students home with 12 questions to complete on a chapter they must read themselves. Instead of me reading every page with them, they must think for themselves this weekend. In grade 11, most teachers expect independent work. Any questions they have I will answer on Monday, but the reading must be complete and all questions attempted.
Have a good weekend!

Midterms coming up, then Parent Teacher

Midterms start Thursday, March 30. Yes, next week. They run for five days with period one writing Thursday, period 2 on Friday, etc.

Parent teacher is the evening of April 6th and the morning of April 7. Hope to see lots of parents (gushing about how well their son or daughter is doing).

Of Mice and Men chapter 3 due Monday

All students are to read the next chapter and complete the questions below for Monday.

Chapter Three

1 What type of relationship is developing between Slim and George?
2 What secret does George tell Slim?
3 In what way is Lennie like a kid rather then an adult? Give an example.
4 Who is Crooks? b) How did he get his name?
5 Who shoots Candy's dog?
6 How was Slim like a judge? How did his pass verdict on the dog?
7 There is symbolism in Candy's dog being shot. Tell how this incident is symbolic of Candy's own life on the ranch.
8 State what the atmosphere is like in the bunk house just before the gun shot rang out in the air.
9 How much money does Candy have saved?
10 How did Curley hurt his hand?
11 What story did he promise to tell about his injury? Why would he agree to go along with this lie?
12 Write a paragraph explaining the scene where Lennie and Curley fought. Tell what or who started the fight, 13 what happened, who stopped it, etc. Don't forget to include the lead-up.

Novel Study/Book Report All Classes

All students have been reading their own novels since we came back from exams February 1st. They get 15 minutes every class to read and they have to read on their own time to complete their novels. The due date is April 18th (the day after the 4 day weekend). The specifications follow:

book reports

The book reports have a desired and required format to follow.

It is to be one flowing essay with no subtitles or sections. No “I”--third person only. It is the facts of your book.

There are four required sections:

1) introduction—name of book, author, setting, main characters, general impression of book
2) character sketches of main characters=each main character needs one 5 paragraph sketch consisting of: introduction, physical description (sex, strengths, abilities, disabilities, anything about the body), mental/emotional description (smart, disabled, bubbly, personality, depression, anything about inner self), social life (status, popular/loner, relationships, jobs, etc., anything relating to outside interactions), and conclusion.
3) Plot summary-a few paragraphs telling me the main plot points. I insist on a detailed description of any and all conflicts, not just saying “man vs. man”, etc. Also there must be a mention of the climax.
4) Conclusion (which includes your recommendation for the book). There should be no use of the first person. It should be a short judgement of the book. “This novel was exciting and the author captured my interest from the start…” or “ This novel was too young for teens and the events were not very interesting” for example.

Typed, 12 font- no larger
Times New Roman
1 inch margins
double spaced
Title page

Of Mice and Men Project All Classes

Hurray! A project that can be fun and enjoyable and informative, too, while not being too taxing since you will have just finished midterms. This project will be a combination of research writing and artistic display on bristle board.
DUE APRIL 10.

When is it due? APRIL 10!

You are to research one of the following topics, enough to have a one- page (or equivalent) report that will appear on your FULL-SIZED bristle board.
It should be 10 or 12 font, double spaced, and be written in your own words.
Have a works cited or bibliography area on the back of the bristle board. This is very important.
The bristle board should be completely covered in your pictures and explanations.
This project will go towards the 35% projects mark for the semester.


When is it due? APRIL 10!

TOPICS

The Dust Bowl
The Great Depression
Migrant Workers (of the 30’s)
John Steinbeck OR
You may create a “Cover” for the novel consisting of a collage of important events, settings, characters, the title, author, etc. (NOT AS EASY AS YOU MIGHT THINK)

The projects will be presented in class. It will consist of a few minutes telling us what you learned, why you chose the pictures, etc., while pointing to your poster. You should “know” your topic instead of “read” your topic.

VALUE 10 (quite a bit when your entire semester is 100%)