All Quiet on the Western Front - Day 6

Happy rainy Wednesday morning!

Today you'll have time to read - you'll need to have finished chapter 6 by tomorrow.

Before we get to that we'll spend some time looking at some details from the start of chapter 5, including the men picking lice from their bodies and clothes. We'll also re-read pages 55-56 to continue to think about the changing lives of the soldiers.

For tonight, please finish reading chapter 6.

All Quiet on the Western Front - Day 5

Happy Tuesday!
Last night you read the battle scene at the end of chapter 4. Today we'll take a close look at it and compare it with a description of battle we saw earlier in the year.

We'll look at this collection of statistics together to help us frame our work.

Then you'll go to this link this excerpt from An Iliad. Read it and then in a new document respond to these questions:

1. How is the battle described? Think about people, weapons, places, and death. Use a quotation in your response.
2. What perspective is used to describe this scene? A narrator? A specific character? How does that impact your sense of what is happening? Use a quotation in your response.
3. What feelings are you, as a reader, left with after reading this scene?

Next, re-read the battle scene from last night - pages 65-70.  Answer the same three questions in the same document.

Lastly, respond to these questions:

1. How do these descriptions of battle compare? How are they similar / different?
2. How has war changed from the time of the Greeks to WWI?

Submit your work to turnitin. We'll follow that with a short discussion and some reading time.

For tomorrow, please read chapter 5.

All Quiet on the Western Front - Day 4

Happy Monday! Happy May! It is great to be back - I missed you last week. Thank you for your messages of caring and support - I really appreciate it.

Today we'll get back into the book with a little bit of writing.

For tomorrow, please finish chapter 4, pages 62-74.

I'll post full calendars later this week.

All Quiet on the Western Front - Day 3

Greetings!
Today you will work with a group - here are the new groups:

1st period

Brendan Jenna Luke Erin	Paige Israel Ariel Blake	Jennifer Sean Max Morgan
Kyla Mickael Grace	Eli Jordyn Asher	Bailey Warner Emmy Sam

3rd period

Cate Rayan Emily Jocelyn	Megan Alex Isaac	Elijah Bree Lindsey Tommy
Boris Shira Ava Josh	Sofia Nick Joey Logan	Sydney Brett Anabel

Here is the link to the work for today.

Over the weekend, read pages 51-62 of chapter 4.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday!!

All Quiet on the Western Front - Day 2

Greetings!
Today is a reading day - with a little time for some writing. At some point during the period, whenever you want, you need to stop and write in your journal (paper notebook, not digitally) for 10 minutes or so. You can do this at the start or end or at any point during the period. The topic is up to you, but here are some suggestions:

• Focus on a character
• Focus on an event
• First impressions
• Questions
• Connections to other events outside the world of the book
• Personal reactions

Remember you need to have finished reading chapters 1-3 for class tomorrow. Whatever you do not finish during class today, please read for homework.

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.