Day 6!

We get to start reading The Great Gatsby today!! Yay!!

First, we will share what each group learned from the articles that they read yesterday. While each group is sharing, the other groups should take notes on what is important to remember about F. Scott Fitzgerald's life, writing, and era.

Then you'll have the rest of the period to begin reading!! Your assignment for tomorrow is to read chapter one pages 1-21. Pay special attention to Fitzgerald's use of figurative language and imagery.

Day 5!

We get to start The Great Gatsby (unit) today!!

We'll start with some background information about F. Scott Fitzgerald (the author) today, and will start reading Chapter 1 tomorrow! We'll start by listening to a podcast about Fitzgerald's life, and then do a short activity in small groups!

Can't wait!

Day 4!!

4 days have come...only 176 to go!

Today, we will share our TWIST work that you did with Langston Hughes' poems. We will keep track of the topics he covers, and then see what his main focus was.

If we get time, we will TWIST "A Dream Deferred", one of his most famous poems, together and analyze what he was actually saying.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Day 3!

Friday! Today we will spend some time talking about the research you did yesterday, and go over your answers. Then, we will spend some time discussing The Roaring Twenties and what the country looked like at that time. 

Then, I will have you pick two Langston Hughes poems from this site. As you read the poems, use the TWIST method to analyze each. Be prepared to share your findings with the class on Monday! 

TWIST Method of Poetry Analysis 

T= Title Read the title and stop. Predict what the poem will be about. Consider connotations of the wording. 

W= What is it about? Paraphrase each LINE of the poem. Tell it in your own words

I= Imagery Look for any imagery, symbolism, metaphors, similes, personifications, irony, understatement, allusions, the tone shift, poet's attitude toward the subject, etc. These will help you understand the poem

S= Structure Look for tone shift, punctuation, stanza division, layout of poem, capitalized words. Discuss how these elements relate to the meaning of the poem

T= Theme Look at the title again from an interpretive level. Do you see anything new? What is the subject of the poem? Then determine what the poet is saying about each of the subjects which is your theme. 

Thursday, August 15!

And we're to day 2!

Today we will be taking a look at some of your essays from last year. You will spend some time re-reading what you wrote so that you can get a closer look at your writing. After you have read your essay and the comments that I made on it, I will have you complete a short written reflection about your writing skills. This reflection will help me get a better idea of where you think you stand with your writing, and what you aim to accomplish before you leave class this year.

THEN, we will go ahead and jump into our learning! You will spend some time researching background information on the Harlem Renaissance (What it is, where/ when it happened, who it involved, etc). If we get some time, we will talk about what you found, if not, we'll pick it up there tomorrow!

I CANNOT WAIT!!!

Wednesday, August 14. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

Welcome back to school! I hope you all had great summers and that you are excited to be back to classes! I am so pumped to see you in class today!

Today, we'll just take care of some basic house keeping things. It's going to be super entertaining!
We'll talk about the class syllabus and expectations, our class blog, and then we'll spend some time getting to know each other!

See you soon!