Jennifer Holzhausen's Homework Blog

March 31, 2017 (Gold)

G1 - Students completed a half-page journal today on the subject of “Family Drama” as a segway into the god/goddess Family Tree (full of drama).  I then shared a children's book about the Greek gods and goddesses.  For most of the block, students took notes over the Greek god and goddess family tree.  Students then drew the name of a god or goddess out of a hat for their research papers. Assignment: None! We will start discussing the research paper next time.

G3 - Students worked on their research for Day #2.  Students were required to find two articles and take notes on their worksheets again today.  Assignment: Wrap up the notes over the second set of articles for next time.

G4 - Four groups gave their "Cinderella" presentations in class today.  Assignment: We will wrap up presentations on Tuesday. In addition, please read Jacqueline Schectman's article, "'Cinderella' and the Loss of Father-Love" (p. 289+). Do a double-entry notebook assignment and submit it through Google Classroom. Please take your time with this article. It is lengthy and challenging, and it will provide excellent support for your paper later.  I highly recommend that you focus your notes for the right side of the DEN on the 14 variants and label the information as such.

March 30, 2017 (Blue)

B1 - Quiz: "Homer's World."  Students had several minutes to review or study at the beginning of the block before they took the quiz.  For the rest of the block, students took notes as we went through and discussed the elements of an Epic and the qualities of an Epic Hero.  Assignment:  None!  If you were absent, you will need to make-up the quiz as soon as possible and make sure that your notes have been completed.  The Google Slides presentation, “What is an Epic?,” is posted on Moodle.

B3/B4 - At the beginning of the block, I passed back Topic and Thesis worksheets (as needed). We briefly flew through two packets of information on Bibliography Entries and Taking Notes as well as an additional Tips Sheet.  For the remainder of the block, students worked on their research for Subtopic #1.  Students were required to find two articles for the first subtopic, document the source information, and take notes on their worksheets today.  Assignment: Wrap up the notes over the first two articles for next time.

March 29, 2017 (Gold)

G1 - Quiz: "Homer's World."  Students had several minutes to review or study at the beginning of the block before they took the quiz.  For the rest of the block, students took notes as we went through and discussed the elements of an Epic and the qualities of an Epic Hero.  Assignment:  None!  If you were absent, you will need to make-up the quiz as soon as possible and make sure that your notes have been completed.  The Google Slides presentation, “What is an Epic?,” is posted on Moodle.

G3 - At the beginning of the block, I passed back Topic and Thesis worksheets (as needed). We briefly flew through two packets of information on Bibliography Entries and Taking Notes as well as an additional Tips Sheet.  For the remainder of the block, students worked on their research for Subtopic #1.  Students were required to find two articles for the first subtopic, document the source information, and take notes on their worksheets today.  Assignment: Wrap up the notes over the first two articles for next time.

G4 - For the entire block, students worked on their small group “Cinderella” presentations and handouts.  Assignment: Get your handouts to me by 3:30 pm tomorrow (on Google Classroom) so I can make photocopies. Presentations will be given in class next time.

March 28, 2017 (Blue)

B1 - We began a new unit today, and the new homework calendar has been posted on Google Classroom. I am still working out a few details later in the semester, but we will soon be starting the Research Paper Project.  In class today, I shared a movie trailer (link on Moodle), and we discussed a little bit about “The Hero’s Journey.”  Students completed a half-page journal today on the following prompt: What heroic qualities do YOU possess that younger children might be watching and paying attention to? What journey might you be on right now, and what obstacles are in your way? After a few students shared their journals, we began reading and discussing a handout titled "Homer's World" (copy posted on Moodle). Students read through the packet with me and highlighted the important material they will need to review for the quiz next time.  Assignment: You will have a quiz over the highlighted material from "Homer's World" next time.  Please re-read and review this material before your quiz. If you need pictures of the highlighted parts, please email me to request them.

B3/B4 - At the beginning of the block, students were asked to complete the Topic Worksheet for the research paper. Those were due in class right away. After checking their topics, we discussed the requirements of the research paper, then we went through a short Powerpoint presentation over Thesis Statements.  Students completed a worksheet on which they wrote their thesis statements and turned them in.  For the remainder of the block, I gave them a handout on Source Information, and we walked through how to document the appropriate information for each of the sources they will use in their papers. We walked through a sample online article to find the information needed, then students started looking for two good articles on their first subtopic. Assignment: If you were absent, you will need to complete the Topic Sheet and Thesis Worksheet. For the rest of you, have two sources picked out for your first subtopic. Be sure to pick good, QUALITY sources! Right now, you just need to find them.

March 27, 2017 (Gold)

G1 - We began a new unit today, and the new homework calendar has been posted on Google Classroom. I am still working out a few details later in the semester, but we will soon be starting the Research Paper Project.  In class today, I shared a movie trailer (link on Moodle), and we discussed a little bit about “The Hero’s Journey.”  Students completed a half-page journal today on the following prompt: What heroic qualities do YOU possess that younger children might be watching and paying attention to? What journey might you be on right now, and what obstacles are in your way? After a few students shared their journals, we began reading and discussing a handout titled "Homer's World" (copy posted on Moodle). Students read through the packet with me and highlighted the important material they will need to review for the quiz next time.  Assignment: You will have a quiz over the highlighted material from "Homer's World" next time.  Please re-read and review this material before your quiz. If you need pictures of the highlighted parts, please email me to request them.

G3 - At the beginning of the block, students were asked to complete the Topic Worksheet for the research paper. Those were due in class right away. After checking their topics, we discussed the requirements of the research paper, then we went through a short Powerpoint presentation over Thesis Statements.  Students completed a worksheet on which they wrote their thesis statements and turned them in.  For the remainder of the block, I gave them a handout on Source Information, and we walked through how to document the appropriate information for each of the sources they will use in their papers. We walked through a sample online article to find the information needed, then students started looking for two good articles on their first subtopic. Assignment: If you were absent, you will need to complete the Topic Sheet and Thesis Worksheet. For the rest of you, have two sources picked out for your first subtopic. Be sure to pick good, QUALITY sources! Right now, you just need to find them.  

G4 - Comparative Critique Draft #4 due (Official Rough Draft).  “Universality of a Folk Tale” DEN’s DUE for an extra check. I passed back Final Drafts of the Summary and the Critique today as well as a few stray binders.  There was time for some group discussion of "Universality of a Folktale," by Stith Thompson (p. 267+). We spoke about today’s folk tales and stereotypes about what it means to be a “princess” in today’s culture. I then distributed the "14 Variants of Cinderella" handout, which we read and discussed in class together.  At the end of the block, I placed students into new, temporary presentation groups and assigned their presentations for Friday. Assignment: Presentations will be given on Friday. On Wednesday, you will work in your groups to plan the presentation. Handouts are due to me by 4pm on Thursday (if I am printing copies for you).  

March 10, 2017 (Blue) - End of 1st 9 Weeks!

B1 - Journals DUE. Test Review Sheets DUE. If you had any Station Activities to complete, these were DUE. Students took the second portion of the Honors 9 Common Quarterly Assessment in class today. I collected copies of To Kill a Mockingbird. By the end of the day today, everything will be graded, and all grades will be current. No Assignment! Have a great Spring Break!

B3/B4 - Students took the English 10 Common Quarterly Assessment in class today. I passed back all graded work.  By the end of the day today, everything will be graded, and all grades will be current.  Assignment: As soon as we come back from Spring Break, please be prepared to commit to ONE Bucket List topic and know what your three subtopics will be.  Other than that, have a great Spring Break!

March 9, 2017 (Gold) - End of 1st 9 Weeks!

G1 - Journals DUE. Test Review Sheets DUE. If you had any Station Activities to complete, these were DUE. Students took the second portion of the Honors 9 Common Quarterly Assessment in class today. I collected copies of To Kill a Mockingbird. As of 5:30 pm, everything has been graded, and all grades are current. No Assignment! Have a great Spring Break!

G3 - Students took the English 10 Common Quarterly Assessment in class today. I passed back all graded work. Everything has been graded, and all grades are current.  Assignment: As soon as we come back from Spring Break, please be prepared to commit to ONE Bucket List topic and know what your three subtopics will be.  Other than that, have a great Spring Break!

G4 - Final Critiques DUE (unless an extension was formally requested for tomorrow). Comparative Critique Draft #3 DUE. Documentary DEN's DUE. Binders DUE. What a whirlwind! In class today, students peer-edited the Comparative Critique drafts and worked on their binders. I collected and checked assignments for almost the entire block. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR HARD WORK THIS WEEK! I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS CLASS!  Assignments: Comparative Critique Draft #4 (Official Rough Draft) due on Monday when we return from Spring Break. In addition, please read "Universality of a Folktale" (p. 267+) and be ready for discussion. We will begin our fourth unit at that time.  If you would like to complete a double-entry over the article, you may submit that for an "extra" check toward participation.  PLEASE HAVE A RESTFUL SPRING BREAK!

March 8, 2017 (Blue)

B1 - Students went to the library and completed Station Activities for the entire block. We were able to get through 4 stations. At the end of the block, I distributed Test Review Sheets for the Common Quarterly Assessment, which is a test over the novel. Assignments: Journals are due on Friday. Complete all 4 of the Station Activities you started but might not have been able to finish and submit them on Google Classroom (as needed). Be prepared to show everything to me, along with your Station Ticket next time. Complete the Test Review Sheet and study it for your test. Bring your novel with you to class on Friday to turn in.

B3/B4 - At the beginning of the block, we watched and discussed a TED Talk on the subject of Bucket Lists and navigated through a website created by the speaker. We continued to brainstorm some topics. For the rest of the block, we talked about narrowing the topic down, and students were asked to put 2-3 stars next to the topics they were most interested in pursuing for the research paper. Bucket List Brainstorming Sheets (10 Ideas) were DUE by the end of the block today.  I passed back some graded work and a simple review sheet for the Common Quarterly Assessment for Friday. Assignment: Review the items on the Common Quarterly Assessment Review Sheet. Continue to think about your topic for the research paper. Be ready to commit to a topic and three subtopics when we return from Spring Break.

March 7, 2017 (Gold)

G1 - Students went to the library and completed Station Activities for the entire block. We were able to get through 4 stations. At the end of the block, I distributed Test Review Sheets for the Common Quarterly Assessment, which is a test over the novel. Assignments: Journals are due on Thursday. Complete all 4 of the Station Activities you started but might not have been able to finish and submit them on Google Classroom (as needed). Be prepared to show everything to me, along with your Station Ticket next time. Complete the Test Review Sheet and study it for your test. Bring your novel with you to class on Thursday to turn in.

G3 - At the beginning of the block, we watched and discussed a TED Talk on the subject of Bucket Lists and navigated through a website created by the speaker. We continued to brainstorm some topics. For the rest of the block, we talked about narrowing the topic down, and students were asked to put 2-3 stars next to the topics they were most interested in pursuing for the research paper. Bucket List Brainstorming Sheets (10 Ideas) were DUE by the end of the block today.  I passed back some graded work and a simple review sheet for the Common Quarterly Assessment for Thursday. Assignment: Review the items on the Common Quarterly Assessment Review Sheet. Continue to think about your topic for the research paper. Be ready to commit to a topic and three subtopics when we return from Spring Break.

G4 - Comparative Critique Draft #2 (3 paragraphs) DUE for peer-editing. We had a guest speaker for the entire block today. Assignments: 1. Peer-edit the drafts for your groups. 2. Documentary DEN's are due on Thursday. 3. Binders are due on Thursday for a preliminary check. 4. Draft #3 (a whole draft) of the Comparative Critique is due for peer-editing. 5. Final Drafts of the Critique are due (unless you need an extension until 4pm on Friday, and, if so, please email me to ask.

March 6, 2017 (Blue)

B1 - Film Analysis Assignment DUE.  For the rest of the block, students took the Essay portion of their Common Quarterly Assessment. Assignment: Work on completing your journal (as needed). Those will be due on Friday.

B3/B4 - I shared a music video, then students watched about 30 minutes of clips from the movie, The Bucket List.  This movie serves as the inspiration for our research paper project.  I showed students the new homework calendar on Google Classroom today and then walked through a Google Slides Presentation which outlines the details and requirements of the paper.  By the end of the block, students were asked to start generating a list of 10 things they want to accomplish before they die. Next time, we will start trying to narrow the list to one researchable topic for their paper.  Assignment: Complete the List of 10 things for next time.  Be ready to commit to one main topic and three subtopics for this research paper when you walk in the door after Spring Break.