A Tale of Two Cities - Day 14

At the start of class today I'll return the quizzes you took yesterday. If you'd like to revise your quiz, you can turn it in to me (Thursday for 1st period, Friday for 3rd) with new responses and you'll earn the higher grade.

I'll talk you through chapter 6, mentioning places where I think it would be good for you to have annotations. Hopefully by now you have a good system you are using. If not, this is the time to get it going!

Then we will listen to the recording of chapter 7. We'll talk about it tomorrow, along with chapter 8, which you are reading for homework tonight. Here are links to the recordings:

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

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 13

After a short piece of writing about Carton and Darnay, we'll get to some group work.

Today, you'll be making a "found poem" about Sydney Carton. What does that mean?

1. Gather words and phrases, either said by or about him, from chapters 4 and 5 - you need at least 5 from each chapter.
2. Assemble these into a poem about him. It can be said from his perspective or be a description of his character and personality.
1. You can only alter the words you find in the book (make them plural, past tense, things like that) - don't add any new words
2. Find a way to structure your poem - maybe there is a phrase that repeats, like in a song. Maybe there is a rhyming structure. Maybe you use the same word at the start or end of a line.
3. We'll share these out loud.

If there is time remaining, we will start listening to chapter 6, the chapter you are reading for homework tonight. Here are links to the audio files:

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

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 12

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend!

For today you read chapter 4 (of book 2), but our work will go back to the trial scene you listened to on Friday. Use this document for your group work today.

For tonight, you are reading / listening to + annotating chapter 5. Here are the links to the audio recording:

• Chapter 5, part 1
• Chapter 5, part 2

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 11

Happy Friday! I will not be in class today - I am downtown leading a conference (I can tell you more about it if you really want to know).

By the way, did you know that over there on the right-hand side of the blog there are links to a glossary (dictionary of words found in the book) and other resources to help you better understand the novel? Check 'em out!

The plan for today is for the sub to play you the recording of chapter 3. In case you are not in class, or if you want to listen to it again, here are the links to it:

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

Over the weekend, you are to read and annotate chapter 4. Here are the links to the recording:

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

Have a great weekend!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 10

Happy Thursday!
We'll start today in groups, with a few minutes to finish your work from yesterday. Then, we'll share your creations as we get to know the Cruncher family!

Create a Google Doc - title it "Tale of Two Cities - Group Work." Please make sure the names of your group members are on the first page. Insert whatever work you did with chapter 1 and be sure it is labeled.

After that, you'll stay with your group as we turn our attention to chapter 2.  Here are the questions you'll answer with your group. Keep your answers in the same Google Doc (it is the one I will use to give you credit at the end of the unit).

1. What is Jerry Cruncher asked to do by the old clerk at Tellson’s Bank?
2. How is the Old Bailey described? What is happening there today?
3. We see two characters (other than Lorry) at the Old Bailey whom we know already. Who are they? Why are they there?
4. A new character is described. What is his name? How is he described? Why is he there?

For tonight, there is no homework - we will listen to chapter 3 in class tomorrow.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 9

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the long weekend! We have just a quick few days before the next weekend kicks in - lots to do!

For today, you read chapter 1 of book 2, "Five Years Later." To help us think about what happened, you will work with your group on this activity:

• Getting to know the Crunchers

Tonight's homework is to read chapter 2. Here are the links to the audio recording, if you find that to be helpful:

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

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 8

Happy Thursday / Friday!

Today you'll work with your groups for a little while before you take an individual quiz (open book and notebook, but not Chromebook).

Over the weekend your homework is to read and annotate chapter 1 of book 2. If you want to listen to the recording while you are reading, here are links to it:

• Chapter 2 - part 1
• Chapter 2 - part 2
• Chapter 3 - part 3

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 7

Happy Wednesday! Happy Valentine's Day!

Today we will listen to the last chapter in book 1 - chapter 6, "The Shoemaker"

Before that you will have some time to meet with your group to review a few questions from chapters 4 and 5, using the sheet from yesterday.

Tonight there is no reading homework, but there is a written journal response. It needs to be approximately one page, uploaded to turnitin.com before the start of class. Here are the guidelines:

• Questions to consider: 
• What key ideas have you noticed? What is most striking about the setting or characters
• Is there a particular scene you find important? Why? 
• Is there a particular character that has drawn your interest? Why? 
• Are there any symbols or themes that you find striking? Explore your interpretation of it/them. 

• Traits of a strong journal response: 
• Lead with your ideas / Don’t summarize the plot 
• Use multiple quotes 
• Explain how the quotes connect to your ideas 
• Make connections to larger ideas and the world around us 
• Be ready to share your work, both out loud and in writing

Ch. 5

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 6

Today we'll listen to chapter 5.  Then, you'll work with your group to answer these questions:

• TTC - questions for chapters 4 & 5

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 5

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed the snow day and the long weekend!

Today, 1st period will listen to chapter 4.  Here is another map to give you a sense of where things are taking place:

and here is a picture of the white cliffs of Dover:

3rd period will listen to chapter 3 and then start chapter 4, to make up for the lost day.

Again, there is no homework, but you should be in the habit of reviewing the reading - you never know when a quiz might appear!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 4

Here are the calendars for the next three weeks:

• Calendar 1 - 1st period
• Calendar 1 - 3rd period

Today our focus is on chapter 3 of book 1: "The Night Shadows"

Please sit with your groups at the start of the period.

The Mail (chapter 2)

A Tale of Two Cities - Days 2 & 3

On Tuesday we listened to two different recordings of the first chapter of the novel. We discussed some basics about annotating, including keeping track of unfamiliar words and allusions Dickens makes.  We also talked about tone and we looked for examples of sarcasm in the initial descriptions of France and England.

On Wednesday we'll work in small groups to explore some of the contrasting ideas - paradoxes - of the time period. We'll compare them with some reflections on life today.

Before we listen to chapter 2 we'll discuss some annotating strategies. Then, we'll listen to the recording. Your group will have time to discuss some of the annotations you make and questions you have.

• TTC opening - paradoxes
• TTC annotation guide

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 1!

Happy Monday!
Today we will start our work with A Tale of Two Cities (I often abbreviate it as TTC) but not be reading it just yet. First, we have a mystery to solve!

*Please be sure to have your book with you every day of this unit.