Extra Credit for 10th grade

Period 1: National Security
Period 4: Taxes
Period 6: A topic of your choice.

Please submit a short (1 page) written reflection to Turnitin.com by 5pm on Friday 10/31. Some prompts are listed below to guide you.

• What was the main point of the initial presentation about "Why are we here?"
• What was one question posed during the debate you saw? Why do you think this is an important issue?
• Which side handled the questions better, in your opinion? McCain or Obama.
• If you had the opportunity to ask a question, what would you have asked?

If you have already signed up for turnitin and submitted your Inherit the Wind essay to me, the information below is NOT for you:

If you have not signed up for a turnitin.com account, you MUST do so. All you need is a valid e-mail address, the class ID, and the enrollment password.

Class ID: 2470888
Enrollment password: proverbs

I will NOT submit handwritten work. If you have trouble signing up for an account, see me in class on Friday.

A Writing Contest:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fine Arts and Essay Display

New York State schools are invited to submit student artwork based on Dr. King's Six Principles of Nonviolence and essays on celebrating his birthday throughout the year. The categories are writing, painting, drawing, sculpting and photography. All entries must be postmarked by December 5, 2008 and will be placed on display for viewing one week prior to the King Holiday January 19, 2009 in Albany, New York. This event is co-sponsored by the New York State Education Department and the NYS Office of General Services.

For more information visit:
http://www.oms.nysed.gov/hr/MLK08Arts_EssayMemo.html, and http://www.oms.nysed.gov/hr/2009mlk.pdf (pdf), http://www.oms.nysed.gov/hr/2009mlk.htm (html

Freshmen: Read Books 13-18 online. Complete Frayer Models for 5 vocabulary words of your choice.

Sophomores: tips for your essay

A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. The thesis statement makes a general statement about the essay's topic a little more specific. The thesis is usually one or two sentences long, and it's always a statement, not a question. The thesis statement may be a concise and general summary of the main points of the essay, or it may be the logical conclusion to the argument made in the essay.

THE REVISION PROCESS – HAVING A WRITING CONFERENCE WITH YOURSELF

Read your draft to yourself, at least once but probably several times. The best writers spend a lot of time reading over and thinking about what they have written.
Your next job is to make some decisions about what’s down there in that paper: the weaknesses of the piece – the parts that need more work – and its strengths – those parts that work so well you want to do more with them. In other words, your next job is to have a writing conference with yourself.

A writer’s biggest question is always, “What is it I’m trying to say here?” The questions below may help you find and shape what you’re trying to say.

QUESTIONS ABOUT INFORMATION

1. Have I completely answered the question asked of me? (Take apart the essay question and take a look!)
2. Does my introduction follow the correct format?
3. Does my thesis statement clearly show the reader what my paper will be about? If not, how can I change it?
4. Have I shown (not told) by using examples? Do I cite my examples correctly?
5. Is there any part that might confuse a reader? Have I explained each part well enough that a reader will know what I mean?
6. Do I have too much information? What parts aren’t needed – don’t add to my point or story? Can I delete them?

QUESTIONS ABOUT QUALITY

1. Generally – my essay should be free from opinions. Do I include words such as “I think, I believe, etc.?”
2. Each body paragraph should contain a new argument – are these arguments strong? Do I have a solid case here or does it sound like I’m just straining for information?
3. Do I use proper sentence structure or are my paragraphs littered with sentence fragments?
4. What don’t I like? Chances are if I don’t feel comfortable with a certain aspect of my writing, it needs to be changed.

HELPFUL TIPS

1. Be sure to properly cite quotes. Here is an example of how to do so …

“They didn’t give us anything…they said that if we were ill we should die soon anyway and it would be a pity to waste the food” (Wiesel 102).

· Notice how the author's last name and the page number are listed in parenthesis with a period after the parenthesis!

2. Avoid juvenile language such as the following:
· (introduction) In my paper I will discuss…
· (conclusion) This was my essay about…

Sophomores: Check out the links for essay choice #2

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2005/2005_04_1084/
Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao Do Vegetal - 2006

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2001/2001_00_1737/
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York v. Village of Stratton - 2002

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1991/1991_90_1014/
Lee v. Weisman - 1992

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2004/2004_03_1693/
McCreary County v. ACLU - 2005

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1999/1999_99_62/
Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe - 2000

http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2004/2004_03_1500/
Van Orden v. Perry - 2005

Sophomores:

You may access today's PowerPoint presentation by visiting the link below:

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/msdonnellyenglish

Freshmen:
1. Why does Odysseus offer the Cyclops the liquor he brought from the ship?
2. What might Odysseus be planning (lines 274-275)
3. What do the other Cyclopes assume to be the source of Polyphemus’ pain?
4. Why do you think he reveals so much about himself (lines 415-419)
5. Read page 914 & answer questions 3 & 4

Sophomores: There is no homework tonight, however, you should be engaging in the pre-writing process for your unit essay.

Freshmen: Tomorrow's quiz will cover Books 1-8 of The Odyssey, with a little snippit of Book 9 that we discussed in class.

Read Book 9 (pgs. 896 – 903 line 210)
Answer:
1. How are the Lotus Eaters a threat to Odysseus and his men?
2. Why doesn’t Odysseus respect the Cyclopes?
3. What does Odysseus’ metaphor imply about the Cyclops?
4. Why does Odysseus refuse his men’s “sound” request?
5. What is the Cyclops’ attitude toward the gods?
6. Why do you think Odysseus lies about his ship?Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops at this time?

Sophomores: There will be a test on Acts II and III of Inherit the Wind and the related vocabulary TOMORROW!

Freshmen: click http://www.mythweb.com/ for access to the online version of The Odyssey. Click through the link labled "Heroes" and look for "Odysseus." Remember to read the detailed version.

Sophomores: There will be an Inherit the Wind test on Thursday.

Happy Monday/Wednesday!

9th grade: There is no formal homework tonight. We will continue reading the excerpt from "The Iliad" in class tomorrow.

10th grade: Please complete questions #6 & 7 from the study guide. Find an example of ABOMINATION in the Bible for extra credit (look online on a search engine). Bring it to class & make sure you cite your source!

9th grade: You do not have any "formal" homework tonight, but I encourage you to preview the excerpt of The Iliad that you recieved in class today.

10th grade: Please complete the blue Act II and Act III study guide up to question 6 for Act II Scene 2.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Happy Mid-Week Break

9th Grade: Prepare for a quiz on Thursday. It will cover what we have read for Oedipus Rex thus far, including relevant background information.

10th Grade: Please see me if you missed class today, as you will need to take a make-up test for Act I of Inherit the Wind ASAP. Tonight's homework is to define the Section II vocabulary words in your notebook. You do not need to complete Frayer Models for these words, you just need to define them. As well, begin reading Act II Scene 1.

I have a new website! Check it out at http://teacher2.smithtown.k12.ny.us/mdonnelly

Rainy Weekend News

Hello everyone!

Freshmen: You have no homework this weekend! However, make sure all of the questions from Oedipus Rex play packets #1 and #2 are answered. You will be quizzed on them at some point!

Sophomores: You have a test on Act I of Inherit the Wind on Monday. It will also include vocabulary terms (Section 1 only) and The Creation and the Fall.

WEB Bonus: Just for checking the blog this weekend, I'm going to give you a hint about one of the test questions. For five points, I will ask you to create a Frayer Model for one of the vocabulary words. It will either be heretic, chautauqua, or eternity. Good luck!

For homework tonight...

Sophomores: Please read Inherit the Wind to almost the end of Scene 1. Answer questions 7-9 for homework tonight. The definitions for Section 1 vocabulary words are due in class on Wednesday.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Freshmen: See the post below about preparing for Monday's quiz. It will be all multiple choice. Finish reading Play Packet 1 over the weekend.

Sophomores: Please read to page 22 of Inherit the Wind and answer questions 4 - 6 for homework. There will be a quiz on Monday about the John T. Scopes trial and its connection to the play. Review your notes from class or consult the hyperlinks from the webquest.

Homework information

Freshmen: Prepare for a Greek Mythology quiz on Monday that will include the Creation Myth, the stories of Zeus, Poseidon & Athena, related vocabulary terms, and the introduction to Oedipus Rex. Please check the bin for "Play Packet 1" if you missed class today. We will start reading in class tomorrow.

Sophomores: If you missed class today, please begin reading Act I, Scene I of Inherit the Wind. In class we stopped on page 9 right where Rachel leaves Bert Cates at the courthouse. Questions 1-3 on the study guide were assigned and will be checked in class.

There will be a quiz on Monday. Details to follow.

WebQuest for English 10R - Inherit The Wind

Answer each of these questions to get background information about Inherit the Wind. You must type your answers in Microsoft Word or on looseleaf paper, and they must be in your own words and in full sentences. In other words, you may not just cut and paste answers from websites. You may work individually or in pairs. If you do not finish the webquest in class, it becomes homework. Good luck and happy learning!

Group 1 = Charles Darwin & Evolution
Group 2 = The Scopes Trial
Group 3 = William Jennings Bryan
Group 4 = Clarence Darrow
Group 5 = ACLU
Group 6 = John T. Scopes

Charles Darwin and Evolution - The case in the play is based off of the findings of naturalist Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution.

1. When and where was Darwin born?
2. What was the purpose of Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle?
3. What four theories did Darwin concoct about evolution?
4. According to Darwin, what determines a species survival or extinction?
5. What is the title of Darwin's famous book, published in 1859?
6. Why did many people oppose evolution?
7. What did Darwin supposedly do on his deathbed?

The Scopes Trial - The trial in Inherit the Wind is very loosely based on the famous Scopes Trial.
1. What is the nickname of this trial?
2. In what year did the trial take place?
3. What was the Butler Act?
4. What did the ACLU do in order to challenge the Butler Act?
5. Why did George Rappleyea want to bring a trial to Dayton?
6. Who was John T. Scopes?
7. As the trial began, what did the defense choose as their major argument?
8. What did Malone argue in terms of the Bible?
9. Bryan agreed to be questioned by Darrow. On what subject did Darrow question his adversary?
10. What verdict did the jury deliver?

William Jennings Bryan - The fictional character Matthew Harrison Brady is loosely based on this famous attorney.
1. When was Bryan born?
2. What are some of Bryan's accomplishments?
3. Why did Bryan oppose the theory of evolution?
4. From what illness did Bryan suffer?
5. When (specifically) did Bryan die?

Clarence Seward Darrow - The fictional character Henry Drummond is loosely based on this famous attorney.
1. When was Darrow born?
2. What kinds of people did Darrow tend to defend?
3. What controversy nearly ruined Darrow's career?
4. Why did Darrow decide to take the Scopes Trial?
5. When did Darrow die?

American Civil Liberties Union
Part 1
1. What is the mission of the ACLU?
2. The ACLU works to extend the right of what kinds of groups?
3. When was the ACLU founded?

Part 2
1. What did the ACLU's newspaper ad say?
2. Why did the ACLU attack the anti-evolution law?
3. Which ACLU attorney was the defense's mastermind?
4. What was the ACLU's plan for defense?

John T. Scopes - The fictional character Bertram T. Cates is loosely based on John Scopes.
1. What job did Scopes hold before the trial?
2. Where was Scopes called to discuss his involvement in the trial?
3. What couldn't Scopes remember doing? How does this change the trial?
4. After the trial, what did Scopes do with his life?

Attention Freshmen:

Please check the blog if you are out this week because of a science field trip. Daily updates will be posted.

In class today we met with our groups and decided which of the three myths we wanted to write about. Your job tonight is to continue researching the one myth and start to formulate ideas for a 1 page story-like synposis of what happens. Your group will meet briefly tomorrow to start crafting the story. The myth share will occur at a later date.

A) Phaeton
B) Eros & Psyche
C) Midas
D) Minotaur

It's Wednesday already!

Freshmen: No homework tonight. Enjoy!

Sophomores: Please finish reading "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury (p. 87 text). You do not need to answer any questions, but make sure you have completed the reading in case there is a quiz!

SENIORS:

Notes for Joyce Carol Oates – “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”

Website referencing dedication to Bob Dylan: http://jco.usfca.edu/ondylan.html

Today's updates

Have you signed up for LiveJournal yet? Visit www.livejournal.com

Freshmen: Please don't forget that your summer reading essay is due at the start of the class period tomorrow. It should be typed and double spaced. Please be sure to follow general MLA formatting guidelines. Please note: I am not requiring you to set your margins at 1" all around (the Microsoft Word default is just fine), nor do I expect you to put your last name and a page number in the header. Please just make sure you have a proper heading, and that your essay uses 12 point TNR font, is double spaced, and free from unneccesary spaces between paragraphs.

You are not required to submit a rough draft with this essay.

Sophomores: You will likely have a short story quiz on Friday. It will cover Harrison Bergeron, By the Waters of Babylon, and There Will Come Soft Rains.

Click here to visit the website for Newsday's "The Katie Trebing Story."

Weekend Update

Hello, all! Sorry for the late update this weekend.

Freshman - You should be working on creating a first draft of your literary essay.

Sophomores - Please read the short story "By The Waters of Babylon" in the textbook. For homework, please complete questions 3, 6 & 8 on page 53.