All Quiet on the Western Front

Greetings! I'll start with some tough news to share. As you know, I've missed several days this year because of my mother's illness. I went out to be with her last weekend and late Sunday night, she passed away. I will be here in Philadelphia for the week for the funeral and sitting shiva. I know it is a challenge for you to get started on a new book but I'm sure you'll not only be fine but also do a great job with it.

I'll keep it simple this week with a lot of reading time. If you'd like, you can use the link to listen to the audiobook - it's not excellent, and there are noises and ads, but I know many of you will find it to be helpful.

• Link to audiobook on YouTube

Also, here are links to the new calendar, although only the first week is filled in:

• All Quiet on the Western Front - 1st period calendar
• All Quiet on the Western Front - 3rd period calendar

Today you'll spend the first part of class sharing some of the research you did yesterday. 

Then, you'll have the rest of the period to read (and listen, if you'd like).

The goal is to complete reading pages 1-50, chapters 1-3, by class on Thursday / Friday.

Homework over the next night depends on how much reading you get done during class today and tomorrow (you'll have most of the period tomorrow).

Enjoy the start of the book!

Introduction to All Quiet on the Western Front

Happy Monday! Congratulations on completing your essay!

As I mentioned last week, unfortunately I will not be there today to personally congratulate you, but I am proud of the work you did - and hope that you are, too!

Today you'll work with a partner or two, or work alone, to gather some basic information about World War I to prepare us to read our next - and final! - book together.

• Here is a link to your work for today - WWI background

A Tale of Two Cities - Peer Review of Rough Draft

You made it to rough draft / peer review day! Congratulations!

The goal of today is simple - to have someone else review your essay and give you constructive feedback on how to make it excellent.  Here are the steps we'll use:

1. Open your rough draft document
1. Highlight the title (make one now if you haven't yet!)
2. Write a 3-4 sentence comment
1. What do you need from the reader?
2. What will help you the most as you finish your paper?
3. Any specific questions you have?
3. Share your draft with one other person
1. Read partner’s work carefully and slowly
2. Provide feedback about these questions:
1. Thesis
1. Is it focused on a character’s personality traits?
2. Does it name a change and the reason for it?
3. Does it specify the outcome?
4. Is it debatable? Is it compelling?
2. Body Paragraphs
1. 2 things s/he is doing well
2. 2 things s/he needs to consider
3. Introduction / Conclusion
1. What is working / what isn't working?
4. Other thoughts / suggestion?
4. Review work with partner
5. Make a 3 point revision plan: what will you address this weekend? Write this out!
6. Submit the draft, including these notes and the name of the reviewer, to turnitin.com

A Tale of Two Cities - Introduction and Conclusion

Today's focus is on the introduction and conclusion of your essay. We'll spend some time talking through this handout about some suggestions for how to make those paragraphs excellent. Then, you will have the rest of the time to work.

• A Tale of Two Cities - essay introduction and conclusion

The goal for tomorrow is to have a draft of your essay. Another student in the class will read it and give you feedback on it - and you will do that for them.

**Also - don't forget to buy a copy of our last book - All Quiet on the Western Front - by 4/30. The bookstore has copies for $6.

A Tale of Two Cities - building your essay

Today our focus is building your essay - taking that thesis statement and evidence and turning into thoughtful and powerful paragraphs. We'll look at an example together and then you will have the rest of the period to work on your own. There is no specific assignment due tomorrow. Instead, continue writing your essay with the goal of having a draft ready for class on Thursday. Happy writing!

Here is a link to our work for today

**Also - don't forget to buy a copy of our last book - All Quiet on the Western Front - by 4/30. The bookstore has copies for $6.

A Tale of Two Cities - Gathering Evidence

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend!

Last time we met you worked on your thesis statement. Today you'll continue to refine it and push forward with the gathering of the evidence you'll need to make your point.

We'll talk about what we mean by evidence, and then we'll make a list of what we mean by "good evidence."  I'll add that to the handout.

Here are the worksheets you'll use to keep track of your evidence collection:

• 1st period evidence worksheet
• 3rd period evidence worksheet

Remember to submit your work to turnitin.com by the start of class tomorrow!

**Also - don't forget to buy a copy of our last book - All Quiet on the Western Front - by 4/30. The bookstore has copies for $6.

A Tale of Two Cities - Thesis Development

Today the focus is your thesis statement.

Start here, with this worksheet to help you develop your initial working thesis.

Next, you'll work with a partner (potentially 2) to give and receive feedback on your thesis. Here is a link to the worksheet you'll use for this process.


**Also - don't forget to buy a copy of our last book - All Quiet on the Western Front - by 4/30. The bookstore has copies for $6.

A Tale of Two Cities - Essay Assignment

Here is a link to the essay assignment for A Tale of Two Cities.

Here is a link to the brainstorming activity you will start in class today and complete for homework. Don't forget to submit it to turnitin.com before the start of class tomorrow!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 34!

You finished! Congratulations!

We'll spend the day in conversation about the end of the novel, along with some writing to focus our thoughts and interpretations.

Tonight for homework, please write a short journal response - half a page - focusing on a character of your choice - a person who changes over the course of the novel. This will help you to focus on the essay assignment I'll give you tomorrow!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 33

Happy Monday!

After some group work using this document, we'll have a discussion about how all of these different mysteries get solved by the end of the book, and what role they play in the story overall.

Tonight you are finishing the book!  Here are links to the audio for chapter 15:

• Chapter 15, part 1
• Chapter 15, part 2
• Chapter 15, part 3

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 32

Over the weekend your reading is chapter 14 - here are links to the audio:

• Chapter 14, part 1
• Chapter 14, part 2
• Chapter 14, part 3
• Chapter 14, part 4
• Chapter 14, part 5
• Chapter 14, part 6

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 31

Happy 100 day! Last night you read chapter 9, following the development and mysterious actions of Sydney Carton. The chapter ended with a trial and the shocking revelation that the 3rd accuser of Charles Darnay is Dr. Manette! In class today we will listen to the letter written by Dr. Manette when he was a prisoner in 105 North Tower in the Bastille - a letter discovered by Monsieur Defarge. That letter is chapter 10.

Tonight you will be reading chapters 11 and 12. Tomorrow we will listen to chapter 13 in class. We are getting close to the end - lots of things happen in these chapters! Pay close attention! Here are the links to the audiobook:

• Chapter 11, part 1
• Chapter 11, part 2
• Chapter 12, part 1
• Chapter 12, part 2
• Chapter 12, part 3
• Chapter 12, part 4

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 30

Welcome to the day with the shortest classes of the year! I hope you enjoyed your sleep in!

After a short reading check, we'll briefly discuss chapter 8.  We'll get to more of it tomorrow as well.

For tonight you are reading chapter 9 - then we will listen to chapter 10 in class together. Here are the audio links to chapter 9:

• Chapter 9, part 1
• Chapter 9, part 2
• Chapter 9, part 3
• Chapter 9, part 4
• Chapter 9, part 5
• Chapter 9, part 6

Welcome back from spring break!

and how about that snow?! I hope you had a fantastic break!

Today you will be taking the next STAR test. Remember that the score will go into IC but it does not count towards your grade. I do use the scores to help plan classes and individual help.

Here are the STAR test instructions:

• Click here to go to the link for the test.
• For your username, use the same name you are logging into the Chromebooks and computers with.
• Your password is your student ID number - but ONLY the number - i.e. 121XXXX - if you are unable to gain access after TWO tries, please ask for help before trying a third time.
• You will be presented with two choices - select STAR Reading
• Sometimes, the system will request a “Monitor Password.” If this happens to you, the password is “admin”
• If you are presented with a list of teachers, please select “Rigler”
• Take the test! Do the best you can!

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Remember A Tale of Two Cities? It is a book we were reading last month. For Wednesday, you will be reading the next chapter - chapter 8 of book 3. Here are links to the audio:

• Chapter 8, part 1
• Chapter 8, part 2
• Chapter 8, part 3
• Chapter 8, part 4
• Chapter 8, part 5
• Chapter 8, part 6
• Chapter 8, part 7