All Classes-- Final Grades

English 9 grades are posted, both for the final six weeks and for the semester.  Semester breakdowns can be found in the "Fourth Term" grading period.  Students who need to retake the EOC will have updated grades once retake scores are in (and the exam grade will be the higher of the two).  Remember, if you have not passed the EOC, you are required to come to remediation on Thursday and retesting on Friday.

HN English 10 grades will be posted by noon tomorrow, Thursday.  This includes exam scores.  Any work you would like to pick up will also be available at that time.  I will hold onto all graded work until next Wednesday (6/13) and then it will be recycled.

HN English 10 - All Quiet: The End

Finish reading All Quiet on the Western Front tonight.  You should come to class with an answer to the following question prepared regarding the author's purpose and the conclusion of the novel: 

• Why do you think the author ends the book this way?
• Is it sympathy?  Is it a cop out?  
• How might it relate to his statement of purpose at the beginning of the novel? 

HN English 10 - All Quiet Chapter 10 & Poems

For homework tonight, you should read both "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "Flanders Field," answering the four questions provided with each poem. 

You should also complete Chapter 10 in All Quiet on the Western Front. 

You got back your final two vocabulary quizzes of the semester today: All Quiet Voc List 2 & 3.  You have until next Tuesday, May 29 to retake either of those quizzes if you failed with an actual F. 

Your All Quiet test will also be next Tuesday.  A basic study guide was distributed in class today. 

HN English 10 - Research Notecards DUE

All research notecards are due tomorrow for a quiz grade: 5 (min) sourcecards and 40 (min) notecards, all following the format we went over in class. 

Chapter 10 of All Quiet on the Western Front, as per your reading schedule, is due on Wednesday. 

We picked up Night books from the library today, so you may begin that whenever you like, but it is due next Wednesday, the day after your All Quiet test. 

HN English 10 - All Quiet Symbolism

You should interpret the potential symbolic meaning of the following images in Paul's daydream on page 119-20:

1. monk's cemetery in the cloister garden
2. Stations of the Cross (look this general reference up for cultural literacy and this assignment)
3. the poplar avenue
4. the uniform and the rifle

Remember that symbolism doesn't have to be remote and "deep"-- it can be simple or representative (hence the "symbol" in symbolism).  Some symbols in this passage are more complex than others.

Chapter 7 is due on Friday.  

HN English 10 - All Quiet 4-5 & First Sourcecard

As per the reading schedule, you should have Chapters 4 and 5 read by Monday.  Expect a reading check. 

You should also complete your first green soucecard (as discussed in class).  It needs to be reliable (based on the parameters discussed in class) and an article-style source.  I will collect them on Monday. 

HN English 10 - All Quiet Chapter 1

Students should read Chapter 1 of All Quiet on the Western Front.  Your vocabulary notecards are also due.

Tenth graders will all be taking the English 10 Field Test tomorrow morning.  Students should report to the library to find out where they are testing in the morning. 

HN English 10 - Siddhartha Essay Preparation

Tomorrow you will write an in-class essay answering the following question:  For Siddhartha, is solitude necessary for him to find himself? 

The structure of your essay will be as follows:

• The introduction should define your terms--What do you consider solitude?  What does "finding himself" look like for Siddhartha?  How do the two terms relate?  You should then answer the question posed for your thesis-- Solitude, ultimately, [is / is not] necessary for Siddhartha's self-discovery because [broad assessment of why that you will argue in your third body paragraph].
• The first and second body paragraphs should each explore one side of the argument: one should focus on how solitude was necessary; the other why it was unnecessary.  Use specific examples from the story, including quotations, and analysis to prove your point.
• The third body paragraph should solidly state why whichever side you've chosen is the stronger argument, utilizing more specific examples and analysis to develop the argument you posited in your earlier body paragraph.
• The conclusion should conclude, restating why this is a question that could be debated and your ultimate conclusion.  

You should prepare for your essay tonight.  You will be able to use notes and quotes you have collected, but you will not be able to use your computer.

I handed out the reading schedule for the remainder of the semester today in class-- the first All Quiet reading assignment is due on Wednesday, so prep yo'self.   Books are available in the library for you to check out, though you may pick up your own at a thrift store for about $.50 if you would like to be able to mark important quotations. 

HN English 10 - Siddhartha (The End)

Finish Siddhartha over the weekend.  As far as I know, that is all. 

HN English 10- Gilgamesh Test & Siddhartha

You have a Gilgamesh test tomorrow.  I am anticipating it only taking the first half of the class.

You should also read Chapters 5-7 in Siddhartha.  Reading check and discussion to be expected. 

Gilgamesh - Mortality Quotations

Tomorrow is Wednesday.  Vocabulary notecards all around!

Complete your Gilgamesh quote worksheet regarding his varying attitudes about mortality throughout the novel. Remember to complete the added section regarding Shiduri and Utnapishtim's attitudes as well.

Gilgamesh test will be on Thursday, May 3.  It will only last for the first half of class.

You also have Chapters 5-7 in Siddhartha due on Thursday for discussion after the test.  Be prepared for a quick reading check. 

HN English 10 - Gilgamesh: The Completion

Finish reading the Gilgamesh packet.  You should complete your Quest chart, including the three parts of the Dilmun episode: arrival, story of the flood (no challenges Gilgamesh faces here), and then the sleep/bread event.  More accurately name the snake/flower episode in the next box. 

You may use the study guide distributed in class to guide your reading and there will be a reading check tomorrow. 

Siddhartha Part I (Chapters 1-4) is due on Monday.  Be aware.

HN English 10 - Siddhartha Background Research

Look up the following list of terms (Wikipedia is fine for this assignment, though if you do not understand the definition given on Wikipedia, you should consult other sources).  Remember that all definitions should pertain to that word as it relates to Hinduism:

1. varna & the 4 castes within this system (NOT the larger social hierarchy in Indian society)
2. Four Noble Truths
3. Noble Eightfold Path
4. Nirvana
5. Self
6. dharma
7. the Buddha
8. ablutions
9. Atman
10. the cycle of rebirth
11. karma
12. maya
13. Upanishads

These definitions are due tomorrow.  Part I of Siddhartha (Chapters 1-4) are due on Monday.  You may use the study guide to help structure your reading, but I will not collect it. 

If you did not finish your quest chart that goes along with Books IX-X of Gilgamesh, you should have it done by tomorrow.

Oh, and Wednesday is notecard day.  Behave accordingly.  

HN English 10 - Gilgamesh Books III and V

For homework tonight, you should complete any late notecards (50 > 0) and read Books III and V in your Gilgamesh packet-- Book IV is mostly omitted, but read the note about its contents. 

Be prepared for a reading check tomorrow.  We will finish our Genesis Creation and Creation of Enkidu comparison tomorrow. 

HN English 10 - Gilgamesh Books I-II

Today in class we read Books I-II in the Gilgamesh packet and answered corresponding study guide questions, including two additions:

           16.  What does humanity mean in the context of Enkidu's development in the story?
           17.  How does Enkidu help Gilgamesh develop humanity?  (What does Gilgamesh lack at first?  
           What does Gilgamesh gain through his interactions with Enkidu?)

Work on your quotation paper/project tonight-- we have a consulting day on Friday, so prepare yourself.

Notecards due tomorrow. 

HN English 10 - Mortality, Legacy, and the beginning of Gilgamesh

Define the terms "legacy" and "mortality."  Explain how the two are related.

Based on the viewing in class, what do legacy and mortality seem to have with the episode?

Read the prologue and background (p. "68" to 70) of The Epic of Gilgamesh in the packet distributed in class today-- how do the ideas of legacy and mortality appear in that part of the story?

Be sure to write your answers on something that can be turned in if I choose to collect it. 

HN English 10 - Ismene & The Choral Interludes

For homework over the weekend, you should answer the following two questions using the metaphoric information provided in the Choral Interludes on pages 136 and 142:

1. Why does Ismene live?  Explain based on the interludes.
2. How is the curse lifted?  Explain based on the interludes. 

You should use specific examples to prove your answers.

Your Antigone test will be on Wednesday, April 4.

Over the weekend, you should also be reading your independent reading novel.  Distributed in class yesterday were assignment sheets for your independent reading project.  It will be due on Tuesday, April 24 at the beginning of class.  Your characterization quotation chart template can be found HERE.  We will have an in-class conferencing day on Friday, April 20.

Your books are due the Monday we return from spring break and you will be responsible for a reading quiz specific to your novel (as discussed in class, know characters, plot, main themes and conflicts). 

HN English 10 - Antigone Conclusion

Read the final scene of Antigone tonight.  As you read, fill in the blanks on the final scene comprehension check sheet distributed in class (and under the previous link).  You should also be sure to answer the final question regarding the final lines of the Chorus. 

Study for your vocabulary quiz.

Your Antigone test will be on Wednesday, April 4.

Distributed in class today were assignment sheets for your independent reading project.  It will be due on Tuesday, April 24 at the beginning of class.  Your characterization quotation chart template can be found HERE.  We will have an in-class conferencing day on Friday, April 20. 

Your books are due the Monday we return from spring break and you will be responsible for a reading quiz specific to your novel (as discussed in class, know characters, plot, main themes and conflicts). 

HN English 10 - Antigone Curses & Prophecies (Background & Scene VI)

Complete the following assignment on the same page that you answered the two Interlude V questions from class. 

Read Scene VI.  Expect a reading check (as usual).

For both the background information and the information from Scene VI, you should list the following (be specific):

• 3 curses that have occurred to the city of Thebes: 2 prior, 1 current
• what is the curse?  what is going on when the curse is occurring?
• 2 prophecies that are relevant to this myth: 1 delivered twice, 1 current prophecy
• to whom?  what is it?
• 3 attempts to avoid a given prophecy:2 prior, 1 current (Creon at the end of the scene)
• who is trying to avoid it?  how do they try to avoid it?
• 2 previous results of trying to avoid a prophecy
• who did it?  what did they try to do?

HN English 10 - Antigone Interlude IV, Scene V

Tomorrow is Wednesday.  Your vocabulary notecards are due. 

You should read pages 147 (the bottom) to 151 in your packet.  Prepare for a reading check.

On a sheet of paper that I reserve the right to collect, you should do the following two things:

1. Summarize the Choral Interlude in seven words or less, focusing on the main idea.  I can do it in three.  Make it a sentence, but make it short and direct.
2. Using specific examples throughout the play, identify the qualities that Antigone and Creon separately posses that would potentially qualify them for the title of "tragic hero."  You may create a chart, a paragraph, or a list, but I should see specific examples to support your arguments.