SENIOR FINAL WRITING

On Sunday, you will walk the stage in a ceremonial send off to adulthood.  Congratulations!

Reflect on your past few years.

Write a letter to your SELF four years ago and tell her/him what you know now that you wish the 9^th grade you knew. 

Then, imagine what your next few decades hold and write, write, write…do not edit yourself, do not place any limitations on your dreams and imagination.

Tell us where or what you think/hope/plan to be five years from now, ten years from now, fifteen years from now, and twenty years from now when you’ll almost be forty and hitting what is, for many people, midlife.  Be as detailed as you can…where are you working? What type of job? What kinds of people do you surround yourself with?  Where are you living? What lifestyle are you leading?  Are you married? Single? Children? Pets? Education? Car? Bicycle?etc...

Close with your favorite aphorism, quote or some wise words of wisdom.

Let me know if what you’ve written is okay to share online on our blog.  If not, just share the document with me as a google doc file.

The Arrival - respond to the prompt

If you were absent for any of our reading of Shaun Tan's The Arrival, please make sure to respond to the prompt found on page 337 of your SpringBoard book.

All posts must be done by 5/19 for credit.

Othello response

Analyze a theme, a character, or a symbol in Othello.

Between 300-500 words.

Othello Act III scene 1 - 3 ~ IRONIC quotes

Find at least three quotes that can be interpreted as VERBAL IRONY.  Indicate who says it, the scene number, and WHY it's ironic.

Enter your comments below.

Othello Act II ~ Evidence of Iago's treachery

If you missed Act II because of an excused absence, please read it on your own then choose a few quotes from Iago that show that he is plotting against Othello.  Write the entire quote in the comments below, indicate the scene and the page number.

OTHELLO -- Act 1

If you were absent on Tuesday 4/7, you missed reading Othello, Act I.  Please do this and post a brief analysis (not a summary...we all know what happened) of one of the characters whom you encounter in Act I.

Rear Window ~ analyzing the views

If you missed our discussion today (4/9) or you'd like to augment your presentation or include a comment that you didn't get a chance to mention in class, please do so in the comment section below.  Refer to p. 149 in your SB book for detailed instructions if necessary.

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner

Post your immediate response to the story.  I expect to read a several thoughtful sentences about your response to the story.  CITE specific textual detail to support what you're stating. 

DUE:  3/27 ~ FRIDAY ~  END OF PERIOD

SESQUIPEDALIAN WORDS ~ April Challenge

A sesquipedalian word challenge is issued for April.

STEPS:
1.  Choose multiple choice, TERMS, 100 words (it will randomly choose the words from the list)

2.  Practice as much as you wish outside of class.

3.  You will get four Friday opportunities to take the test in class.

4.  Your highest score by the end of the month will be the one that stands

5.  Have fun!!

Springboard ~ REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

After reading the piece on p. 126, WRITE your response to prompt on page 128 in the comments below.

Vocabulary ~ STORY due 3/13/15

Use at least 3 of the most recent words you were given and another 5 from any previous list this semester (check out the list on quizlet if you've forgotten or look over your list).  Write a story or an essay where the words are used correctly in context and where it is evident that you understand the meaning of the word itself.  Please do not cram all words in one sentence and do not include the definition of the word in the sentence.  BTW, a list of words with their definitions does not count as a story.   CAPITALIZE the letters of the vocabulary choice you've made. 

Enjoy!  Post your story under comments below.  I recommend writing it out on paper or on a word document first before posting on the comments or else you risk losing all the work if there's a posting glitch.  If you have a blog, you can write it on your blog and provide a link to your blog in the comments.  I must be able to access that blog entry.

DUE:  end of third period 3/13/2015

FILM CRITIQUE

Over break, you and a partner (or just you on your own) will find one film to critique using primarily a marxist lens and another film reviewed through a feminist lens.   You may also choose to use any other professionally created video clip instead of a film clip to critique.

You will choose no more than a ten minute clip to share with the class and give a brief critique thereafter.  We will share your clips when we return from break on Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th.

Sharpen your critical lens and enjoy this assignment!

In TEN YEARS -- POST RESPONSE IF ABSENT FROM CLASS

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  How do you plan to get there?  (minimum 200 words)

Au Revoir- College Essay Writing Prompts -- MAKE UP CH 30-38

If you were absent, have a legitimate excuse, and missed the final reading and discussion of Au Revoir Crazy European Chick post your response to one of the prompts here. (minimum word count: 200 words).

Marxist perspective: Evaluating Pygmalion or My Fair Lady

Write a brief essay in response to either Pygmalion or the film My Fair Lady.  The response will be written from a Marxist interpretation.

Consider wealth, class, economic power, economic inequities and how these affect the character, their situation and how they are perceived as well as how we perceive them.

You are allowed to pair up with another person to write this.  Please write it on google drive and share the document with me: karina.reyes@juneauschools.org by Monday.

If you're stuck,  use p 118 as a template/guide for your paragraphs.  The instructions for writing the essay are on page 120:

 Write a reflection that explains how looking through another critical lens changes or enhances your

 understanding of the play. Be sure to:

• Explain what new insights, if any, you have gained through using Marxist

 Criticism.

• Cite textual evidence to support your understanding of Marxist Criticism.

• Include commentary that explains your understanding.

EXTRA CREDIT - vocab story

Using any EIGHT words from any list (mix and match as you wish), write a story that uses the words you've learned in their proper context.  CAPITALIZE the words you chose to use.

Have fun!!

A story using impeccable vocabulary

Use at least 3 of the most recent words you were given and another 5 from any previous list this semester (check out the list on quizlet if you've forgotten or look over your list).  Write a story or an essay where the words are used correctly in context and where it is evident that you understand the meaning of the word itself.  Please do not cram all words in one sentence and do not include the definition of the word in the sentence.  BTW, a list of words with their definitions does not count as a story.  Underline, or bold or CAPITALIZE the vocabulary choice you've made. 

Enjoy!  Post your story under comments below.  I recommend writing it out on paper or on a word document first before posting on the comments or else you risk losing all the work if there's a posting glitch.  If you have a blog, you can write it on your blog and provide a link to your blog in the comments.  I must be able to access that blog entry.

DUE:  end of third period 2/20

Timed Writing prompt ~ another thinking prompt

If you could be a "fly on the wall" in any situation -- historical, personal, or otherwise -- describe what you would choose to observe and why.  What would you hope to learn and how would it benefit you? (University of Pittsburgh).

Tell us about the best conversations you've had. (Stanford U)

What are the responsibilities of an educated person? (Yale)

If you were to look back on your high school years, what advice would you give someone beginning his or her high school career? (Simmons)

Choose ONE.  Think, draft, write a response.
Post your comment below (minimum 150 words)
DUE 2/20 @ 11:59pm, Friday

Another Goodbye Essay

Using any of the prompts below, write a response that eloquently addresses the question.  (150-word minimum).  DUE: 2/3/2015

Ch 16:  Describe an impossible scenario, real or hypothetical, and how would you respond to it. (Brandeis)
Ch 17: In a moment of crisis you have one phone call.  Whom do you call? (Grinnell College)
Ch 18: What invention would the world be better off and why? (Kalamazoo College)

IRP for Semester 2 --READ THIS!!!

This semester, you should read at least two novels that capture your interest.  Ideally, one per quarter.  And, yes, you must finish reading the novels. Enter the title(s) of the book(s) you plan to read below under "post a comment". 

Instead of presenting your novel to the entire class, you will schedule a five - ten minute discussion with me about your book.  You may schedule that as soon as you are finished with your novel.

Bring your book to class daily (you get work habit points for this) and read it whenever we have SSR (silent sustained reading) sessions.

YOUR TASK:
Pick your book (choose wisely!); read it in its entirety; take notes so that you can remember highlights of what you want to share during our meeting.
Schedule your book meeting with me.
Bring your novel to our meeting.
In addition to our discussion, I will ask you questions directly from your novel.  It is best to meet with me while the story is fresh on your mind.

Once you've completed two novels, you are done with this requirement for the semester!  Whew!  No follow-up tests, quiz, or presentation required.