Monday, January 31, 2011

English 10 (All Classes): January 31-February 4

Hello Sophomores,

February is all but upon us. The year is drawing to a close. And we have much to do this month. As you know, graduation exams begin the last day of the month, and we need to prepare. We need to bone up on our reading skills and our grammar. But we also need to work on our research and writing skills, so this week and those to come will be exceedingly busy.

This week in grammar expect to review the rules for punctuation, parallel structure, sentence structure and active vs. passive voice.

In reading we will look for main ideas and logical order. We'll also be reading and discussing some more Puritan texts and writing responses to The Crucible.

We'll also include some lab time for you to complete your note cards and outlines for your research papers. Don't forget to consult the handout on my Moodle page for due dates.

So much to do...so little time!

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Thursday, January 27, 2011

English Literature 12: January 31-February 4, 2011

Greeting Seniors!

Graduation is fast approaching, and the time to learn all we have to learn is running short. But we will endeavor to do what we can. As you are aware, we are in the throes of research paper writing, and we will continue with that task. I have planned for you to spend some time in the lab this week. Please make wise use of that time and work towards completing your notes and outlines. Check my Moodle class for due dates and be sure to upload your works consulted sheet.

APEnglish Literature and Composition: January 24-February 4, 2011

Greetings APE's,

This week we have been exploring and analyzing poetry. If you had not yet guessed, poetry is my favorite form of literature (not that I don't appreciate others). Poetry is so compact and so paradoxically precisely imprecise that unraveling its mystery can be both challenging and, for me, exciting, especially when you get to sink your teeth into a good Donne poem, or one that's well done ;-).

On Friday, I will not be in class since I will be taking our school's winner to POL coaching for the state competition in February. Mr. Goodman will be your substitute, and you will work on some AP MC questions based on passages from Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

I know we need to discuss the aforementioned novel in class, and we will; however, I feel compelled to spend one more week on poetry, since it is so rich and writing about it can be challenging. Bring your Perinne's text on Tuesday (the smaller brown book), and we will look at a few sets of comparative poetry. On Friday of next week, I will expect you to complete an in-class timed essay on a poem or pair of comparative poems, so be mentally prepared for that task.

I am looking forward to seeing you all again!

Mrs. SO

Monday, January 24, 2011

English 12: January 24-28

Greetings Seniors!

This year is flying by! It's hard to believe how little time remains before graduation, and we still have so much to do.

This week we will be meeting twice, and both days we will spend part of that time in the computer lab. While in the lab, I want you to gather research materials and create a works consulted sheet for your research topic, which you should have already uploaded to my moodle class.

Next week we will be taking those sources and making note cards. I know some of you are questioning the usefulness of this step, but I assure you, note cards are helpful, and I will demonstrate how to make them and how to use them as an organizational tool and a way to avoid plagiarism in class on Thursday. Feel free to start working on the note cards at home, and don't expect to be able to finish them in lab time alone.

 We will also continue our study of Renaissance literature. On Tuesday we will read and discuss the chorus of Dr. Faustus, and Thursday we will read and discuss the first two scenes, or more if time allows.

See you in Class!

Mrs. SO

English 10: Jan 24-28

Greetings Sophomores,
Since we have missed so much time with weather issues, it's important that we not waste any time for the next few weeks. I expect you to come to class prepared and ready to work.
This week we will begin gathering sources for our research papers. As you know, your topic were due on the 24, and some of you have yet to submit them.

It is imparative that you have a topic if you are to finish your works consulted sheet in a timely fashion. I will be reviewing with you the instructions and requirements for the works consulted sheet and notecards. Don't forget to consult my Moodle for due dates and to upload completed assignments. I have added a place to upload your completed works consulted sheet, which is due Feb. 3/4.

We will also begin a rigourous preparation for the AHSGE. Grammar topics to be reviewed include the following:
  1. Parallel Stucture
  2. Active and Passive Voice
  3. Agreement (Subject/Verb and Pronoun/Antecedent)
  4. Fragments and Runons
  5. Commonly Confused Words
Expect more grammar review over the next few weeks.
Reading review will include the following:
  1. Finding the Main Idea
  2. Reading for Details, Patters, and Meaning
  3. Making Inferences
  4. Drawing Conclusions
  5. Making Generalizations, Predictions and Summaries
  6. Fact vs. Opinion
  7. and Analyzing Literature
We will also continue our literature study of the Puritans' poetry, sermons, and historical significance.

See you in class,

Mrs. SO

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

English 10 (All classes): Jan. 18-21

Welcome back Sophomores!

Hope you enjoyed your unexpected holiday. I know I did. Since you saw me last, I have a new, precious granddaughter.



For that reason, I will not be in Tues. and Wed. of this week. I'll be helping my daughter out while she recovers from surgery.



  • On Tues. you'll review the play The Crucible. Pay close attention to the theme of the play. It is not historically accurate, but was written to make a point. What do you think that point is? We'll talk about these things on Friday.
  • Speaking of Friday, I have several things planned. For starters, we'll finish and The Crucible. We'll read and discuss a couple of poems by the Puritan poet Edward Taylor and talk about metaphysical conceits. We'll also discuss the common themes in those poems
  • Over the next few weeks we'll be writing research papers. Don't forget to upload your topic to my Moodle. Here are instructions for registration.
 See you soon!

Mrs. SO

English 12: Jan. 18-21

Welcome back Seniors!

Hope you enjoyed your unexpected holiday. I know I did. Since you saw me last, I have a new, precious granddaughter.



For that reason, I will not be in Tues. and Wed. of this week. I'll be helping my daughter out while she recovers from surgery.


  • On Tues. you'll review the play Wit. Pay close attention to the theme of the play and to the references to Donne and his philosophy and metaphysical poetry. Also note the conversation between the protagonist and her professor. What important point about syntax is discussed? We'll talk about these things on Friday.
  • Speaking of Friday, I have several things planned. For starters, we'll discuss Wit. We'll read and discuss a couple of poems and texts by John Donne and talk about metaphysical conceits. We'll also read the opening chorus for Dr. Faustus
  • Over the next few weeks we'll be writing research papers. Don't forget to upload your topic to my Moodle. Here are instructions for registration.
 See you soon!

Mrs. SO

APEnglish Literature 12: Jan. 18-21

Welcome back APEs!

Hope you enjoyed your unexpected holiday. I know I did. Since you saw me last, I have a new, precious granddaughter.



For that reason, I will not be in Tues. and Wed. of this week. I'll be helping my daughter out while she recovers from surgery.

  • On Tues. you'll review the play Wit. Pay close attention to the theme of the play and to the references to Donne and his philosophy and metaphysical poetry. Also note the conversation between the protagonist and her professor. What important point about syntax is discussed? We'll talk about these things on Friday.
  • Speaking of Friday, I have more poetry planned. We will review the answers from the poetry questions on your midterm, fully analyze that mind-boggling ice-cream poem that had you all pulling out your hair, and of course, discuss Wit and Donne.
  • Don't forget that you need to read for homework. Expect a class discussion of an paper on Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man next week.

See you soon!

Mrs. SO

Saturday, January 8, 2011

English 12: Jan 10-14

Greetings Seniors!

I hope you are ready for another week of great literature. The British Renaissance produced some of the world's greatest works, and we are going to read as many of them as possible.  Because I will be out on Thursday, I've decided to put off our foray into Faustus until my return. Instead, we'll be reading more poetry and short excepts from Francis Bacon and Margaret Cavendish on Monday (if it doesn't snow) and on Thursday you'll have a test on the things we have read so far from the Renaissance period.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12: Jan 10-14

Greetings APES,

As you know, this Saturday was the mock exam. I'm sure it will prove helpful for those few who showed up to take it.

This coming week we will continue with our study of poetry. Please refer to the list I posted last week and read through those poems. Also, continue reading Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, as we will be discussing it in class soon. I expect to to complete a major works data sheet for the novel, so I have posted a blank one on my Moodle page. I have also made links for you to upload your MWDS and Socratic discussion questions for PotAaaYM.

I really enjoyed our poetry discussions on Friday, and I want to continue with our analysis of "The Emperor of Ice-Cream." Let me caution you against reading more into a text than can be supported. Also, let me encourage you to delve into those interpretations that can be supported with gusto. Don't be afraid to say what you think, but do be prepared to prove it.

On Tuesday, we will briefly visit the lab to register for Moodle and enroll in my classes. The remainder of the week (and a goodly portion of the next) will be spent reading and discussing poetry, reviewing the MC questions from your midterms and on other poetry, and writing timed essays on poetry prompts. 

I am looking forward to our joint endeavors.

See you in the 223,

Mrs. SO

How to Enroll in my Moodle Classes

1.    Go to HCS MOODLE site:  http://moodle.hsv.k12.al.us/
2.    Choose login at the top left-hand side of the page.
3.    Login in your username and password
       ·    Student  username is made up of firstname.lastnameMMDD
       ·    First name=your first name as entered in STI, not necessarily what you are called
       ·    Last name=your last name as entered in STI
       ·    MMDD=two digit month and day on which you were born
       ·    Example:
            Ø    Bill Hill is a student in a Huntsville City School, born on Jan. 6, 1994.
            Ø    Bill Hill is entered in STI as William Hill.
            Ø    Bill’s username in HCS Moodle is william.hill0106.  Usernames are not case sensitive.
            Ø    Bill’s password the first time he logs into HCS Moodle will be changeme.  This is typed in   lowercase letters as one word.
            Ø    When Bill logs in, he must immediately change his password.
            Ø    Under Current Password, Bill will type changeme.
            Ø    Under New Password, Bill will type in his lunch code. 
            Ø    If Bill’s lunch code is 1125, he will type 1125 next to New Password and New password (again).
           Ø    Click “Save Changes”

            
Enroll in a Moodle Course
1.    If you are not already logged in to the HCS Moodle server, open your Internet browser and go to moodle.hsv.k12.al.us or go to the HCS webpage and click the Moodle link: http://www.hsv.k12.al.us/hcs.php .
2.    Click on the Course Category in which your course is located.   Your Course Category should be the name of  your school.
3.    Click on the Course title in which you wish to enroll.
4.    A box will appear asking you to login to Moodle.  Use your HCS Moodle login name (firstname.lastnameMMDD) and password (should have been changed from changeme to your lunch code), and click “Login.”
5.    When a box appears asking for the enrollment key, type in the enrollment key supplied by your instructor: ncths223 is the code for all Mrs. Savage-Owens' classes
6.    Click on "Enroll me in this course."

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

English 12: January 4-7

Welcome back Seniors!

I trust you had a restful and enjoyable holiday. Now that you are thus refreshed, we will really start to work! We have much to do this semester, so let's not allow senioritis to set in too soon. This month we will begin our study of the British Renaissance period, including a healthy dose of poetry and some much awaited Shakespeare.

To get us started on the right path, I now have the tools to make turn-ins easier to make and keep track of. I will expect each of you to enroll in my Moodle class and check it each week, along with this blog, for assignments and to upload papers.

Bring your books everyday, and also bring your vocabulary workbooks so that we can review for this weeks quiz on lesson 11.

To begin with, we will study the historical background of the Renaissance period. Then we will delve into some of the challenging texts, including poetry by Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh and the play Dr. Faustus. Be sure to read over the Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights link.

As I said, we will also have a vocabulary quiz on lesson 11 this week, and we will review the rules of agreement.

See you soon!

Mrs. SO

Pre APEnglish 10: January 4-7

Welcome back, Sophomores!

I hope you had a fun and relaxing holiday. Now the time has come to really kick into gear and do some serious learning. This semester promises a bevy of hard work, and a proportionate reward for those who are determined to do their best and learn. We'll soon begin writing research papers, readying for graduation exams, and honing our reading and writing skills even further.

To get us started on the right path, I now have the tools to make turn-ins easier to make and keep track of. I will expect each of you to enroll in my Moodle class and check it each week, along with this blog, for assignments and to upload papers.

This week we will begin a study of Puritan literature. We'll look at poetry by Anne Bradstreet (and compare it to that of Sor Juana) and Edward Taylor, read excerpts from Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," and look at the history and the causes of the Salem Witch Trials.

We will discuss topics for your up-coming research papers.

And we will review the rules for agreement and parallel structure.

I'm excited to see you all again!

Mrs. SO

English 10: January 4-7

Welcome back, Sophomores!

I hope you had a fun and relaxing holiday. Now the time has come to really kick into gear and do some serious learning. This semester promises a bevy of hard work, and a proportionate reward for those who are determined to do their best and learn. We'll soon begin writing research papers, readying for graduation exams, and honing our reading and writing skills even further.

To get us started on the right path, I now have the tools to make turn-ins easier to make and keep track of. I will expect each of you to enroll in my Moodle class and check it each week, along with this blog, for assignments and to upload papers.

This week we will begin a study of Puritan literature. We'll look at poetry by Anne Bradstreet (and compare it to that of Sor Juana) and Edward Taylor, read excerpts from Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," and look at the history and the causes of the Salem Witch Trials.

We will discuss topics for your up-coming research papers.

And we will review the rules for agreement and parallel structure.

I'm excited to see you all again!

Mrs. SO

Monday, January 3, 2011

APEnglish Literature and Compostion: Jan. 4-7

Welcome back everyone!

I hope you had a restful and fun holiday. Now it's time to hit the books and papers (and computers) again.
You were supposed to have read Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man over the holiday. Since I really want to do more poetry anaysis this week, you'll have one more week to finish reading before we have our Socratic Seminar. Check my Moodle page for assignments on this novel. Also, expect to do some MC practice and at least one timed essay on this text.

We will review some of the MC passages from your midterms this week, so be prepared to discuss the passages in small groups.

Bring your Perrine's books to class. We will be reading and analyzing various poems over the next few days including the following:

"The Whipping" pg. 569
"The Computation" pg. 570
"Terence, this is stupid stuff" pg. 574
"The Man He Killed" pg. 580
"When in Rome" pg. 589
"The Mill" pg. 591
"When my love swears that she is made of truth" pg. 597
"One Art" pg. 606
"Those Winter Sundays" pg. 615
"Metaphors" pg 630
"A Valediction Forbidding Mourning" pg. 633
"To His Coy Mistress" pg 634
"To the Virgins to Make Much of Time" pg. 646
"Incident" pg. 662
"Ozymandias" pg. 667
"Southern Cop" pg. 676
"My Last Duchess" pg. 677
"Out, Out--" pg. 681
"in Just-" pg. 684
"Miniver Cheevy" pg. 686
"Leda and the Swan" pg. 687
"Leda's Sister and the Geese" pg. 688
"To the Mercy Killers" pg. 699
"How Annadale Went Out" pg. 700
"Dover Beach" pg. 715
"We Real Cool" 728
"To a Daughter Leaving Home" pg. 755
"I heard a fly buzz when I died" pg. 769
"Death, be not proud" pg. 789
"On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High" pg. 831
"Snow White and the Seven Deadly Sins" pg. 853

AND MORE!

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Happy New Year!

Welcome back, students!

I trust you all had a pleasant holiday. Mine was too short. But, despite my, and probably your desire to spend a few more days away, the time has come for us to begin again. I'm looking forward to a fun and busy few months ahead. We have lots to accomplish, and if we all work hard, I have no doubt we will achieve our goals.

I've added MOODLE to our resources, so we will all be registering and uploading some of our assignments there. Be sure to check my Moodle page as well as my blog each week.

See you in class,

Mrs. SO