5.21.2012



Hey ladies and gentlemen. Finals week has finally arrived. Now, we all reviewed the material that would be on our final this past Friday, and I supplied you all with a study guide. However, if you're needing another copy, clearer answers, or the study guide because you were absent, it's attached below! Use it, read it, study it, know it, keep it under your pillow while you sleep, dream about it, and then come in here and rock the final!

 

5.17.2012




Hey guys! Pat yourself on the back. You've made it to the end of your freshmen year of high school! While this has certainly been a long time coming, don't forget to appreciate how important this is. Your first year of high school is nearly (five days away) from being over, and you made it!

I'm so proud of you all, and the way that you knocked out your Ninth Literature EOCT! Your scores were awesome, and so well deserved! Congratuations to all of you!

Finals are just around the corner, but don't panic. Or don't panic for this class! :)

You can find your study guide under the list of attachments, and we'll be going over it today and Monday so that you will be more than prepared for your final. If you have questions, now is the time to ask! Your final will be on a scantron, so make sure that you are prepped with a pencil on the appropriate day!

You all are awesome! Let's end the year with a bang!

 

4.12.2012

Hey guys and dolls! I hope that you're all caught up on our novel, and that you've used the time given to you to finish up and utilize your study guide for our Novel Unit. Our test is today, and based on the quality of discussions that we've had over the past few weeks, you guys are ready for it! You all have made such excellent connections and have had such great ideas that I haven't even considered, and I'm really impressed.

I've attached your study guide, and all of the answers to it can be found on the powerpoints that we discussed in class.

Take a special look at the powerpoints on Conflict, Character Types, Plot, Dystopia/Utopia, and the ones on the various themes that we discussed in class. None of the test material should surprise you as we thoroughly discussed every bit of it in class, and we reviewed it yesterday!

Make sure you have a pencil, and be ready to go when the bell rings!

Good luck, and have a great rest of the week!

 

3.23.2012



It's finally happened! The day that we've all been waiting for! As of 12:00 this morning, The Hunger Games movie was released in theaters everywhere, and all of our patience was finally rewarded. For those of you that caught the midnight showing, don't spoil it for the rest of us (and don't fall asleep in class)! For those of you going to see it this weekend, have a great time! I'm so beyond excited to see how you've all taken to the novel, and the discussions that we've had about it have been really great. I'm proud of you guys!

If you're missing assignments for me, start getting all of it taken care of because your grades are due the week that you get back from Spring Break.

Remember! Your body biographies/facebook pages are due on Monday (3.26.2012) as are your study guides for chapters seven through eleven.

I'm working on grading your personal narratives, and I'm enjoying getting to know you all better.

Keep up the great work. And if the work that you're doing isn't so great, then get it to that point! :)

 

3.13.2012

Hola friends. You've made it to the tenth week of the second semester of your freshman year of high school! Congrats. You guys are flying through The Hunger Games, and it's so awesome to see how excited you are about the novel. I've got some fun stuff planned for this unit, and once the weather gets better, we'll be taking this book outside! Tonight, you all should read through chapter six, and since we don't have vocabulary this week, that is the only big thing that you need to be keeping up with for class. 

I've uploaded the facebook template for those of you that have decided to do that project, and for the rest of you, we'll discuss the body biographies tomorrow in class.

If you haven't begun reading yet, you are quickly falling behind, and you don't want to begin doing that so close to the beginning of the novel. With twenty seven chapters total, it can be very easy to bury yourself in reading if you don't keep up with it. So if you need them, take advantage of the first five audio chapters that I've recorded and uploaded on here. 

See you in class tomorrow, and have a wonderful rest of the week.

 

 

3.5.2012




Hey guys and gals. So we've finally begun our novel unit, and it is great to see how excited you all are about reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. You all have done great over the past few days as we discuss utopias and dystopias, and you've done a great job connecting the things that we talk about to other novels you've read and films that you've watched. As we talked about in class again today, try your best to purchase your own copy of the novel because it will help you to keep up your own pace, and it will also give you a space to mark up your book should you feel like doing that. Tonight's homework is simply to read chapter one, but several of you have already gone well past that! In the event that you can't get your hands on a copy tonight or tomorrow, I'm uploading chapters one through five of the audiobook that I recorded for our class use. It's very similar to the ones that I created for Homer's The Odyssey. 

Happy reading friends!

2.27.2012

Hola friends. Your test over Homer's The Odyssey is today! You guys have consistently impressed me with how well you've comprehended the epic poem, and so I'm sure that you all will do great on the test. You received your study guides last week, and we spent all of Friday reviewing for the test. So if you're still unclear on anything, now is the time to clear it up. If you look down on the bottom of the page, you will see the study guide that was distributed to you last week, but I've included the answers so that you are as prepared as you can be. Make sure you bring a pencil as the test will be scantron!

Tomorrow, we'll be back in the lab/media center to finish typing up your personal narratives, and I'm so looking forward to reading them!

Have a great rest of the week!

 

2.18.2012

Hola friends. You did it! You said it couldn't be done, but you did it! You made it through Homer's The Odyssey. 

Along the way, we've run across lazy Lotus Eaters, man-eating Laestrygonians, ram-lovin' cyclopes, and man-lovin' sea nymphs. It's taken our hero twenty years to make it home, and now that he's home, all is right with the world! Or at least with Odysseus.

Your test over this epic poem is set for February 27th. You've been given handouts to help you navigate through the story, and if you've done as you've been instructed, you've kept up with all of them. However, in case you haven't, you can find them all below. I've also included some of the audio files in the event that you need to re-hear some of the story.

Continue working on your personal odyssey narratives, and begin your artistic piece to go along with it. 

I'm proud of you guys for doing so well with the story. Keep track of any and all questions that pop up between now and the test.

 

2.5.2012



Hey guys and dolls. I hope you all are keeping your head above the water, and are pressing on as we enter the fifth week of this semester! Keep an eye out for your god/goddess paper and grade as I am in the process of getting them all graded. I've enjoyed what I've read so far, and I'm very impressed by the level of creativity that you all employed in the papers! So pat yourself on the back.

This coming week, we'll be doing some more EOCT practice, so be prepared for that. We'll also be jumping into Part Two of Homer's The Odyssey. You all have done excellantly so far, and so I expect for Part Two to be handled as well as Part One. Odysseus has finally made it home, but we'll see what happens when he gets there. Don't worry. He's not out of the woods just yet!

This week, you'll also be receiving your assignments for you paper and project for The Odyssey, and I think that you will enjoy both of them. 

If you're needing a bit of a review for the story, check out these websites:

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey

http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/

Keep up the great work, and keep on keeping on!




1.30.2012

Hey ladies and gentlemen. Today is the start of the fourth week of this semester, and you guys are doing great. Fourth period, your god/goddess papers were due this past Thursday, and from what I've read so far, I'm very impressed. Some of you wrote wonderful pieces, and did such an amazing job creating original characters! Sixth period, your papers will be due tomorrow (1.31.2012), and I look forward to reading them as you all have been working on them very diligently. This week, we'll be finishing part one of Homer's The Odyssey. As of right now, the test over part one will be February 6, 2012. But you will be plenty prepared for it!

Have a GREAT week!

 

1.23.2012

Hey guys and dolls. These first two weeks have flown by, and you all are doing such a great job at trekking through The Odyssey. I'm so impressed by how easily you all are comprehending it!

Big reminder!! Make sure that you've given me some portion of the rough draft of your god/goddess paper, so that I can submit a grade for you. Writing assignments are extremely important because they weigh so much in terms of your grades, and an "A" can easily drop to an "F" with one zero for a writing assignment.

So if I haven't seen one from you, and you don't have a grade for it on Pinnacle, bring me one ASAP!

We're journeying to the Underworld tomorrow! Brace yourself!

 

This course is primarily focused on genre, and we will be spending our time sinking our teeth into novels, short stories, nonfiction works, poetry, and drama. The course will also includes an important End of Course Test (EOCT) which will require practice and focus. 

If you should find yourself in need of any extra help, there are tutoring sessions available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the English Writing Lab from 3:45- 5:00pm. Don't hesitate to drop by!

"While thoughts exist, words are alive and literature becomes an escape, not from, but into living."

-Cyril Connolly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S9a5V9ODuY

5.21.2012



Hey ladies and gentlemen.  Finals week has finally arrived. Now, we all reviewed the material that would be on our final this past Friday, and I supplied you all with a study guide. However, if you're needing another copy, clearer answers, or the study guide because you were absent, it's attached below! Use it, read it, study it, know it, keep it under your pillow while you sleep, dream about it, and then come in here and rock the final!

5.17.2012

 

Hey guys! You made it! It's the end of the year! You've got a whoppin' five days left, so take a deep breath, and keep on keeping on. I'm so proud of the way that some of you have really turned it around this semester. I have seen 'Fs' morph into 'Cs', 'Bs', and 'As', and I'm so exceedingly proud of you!

Finals begin next week, and we'll begin reviewing tomorrow. I'll be providing you all with a study guide that will ask exactly what you need to know for the final, and you'll also be able to find it under the list of attachments for our class. If you complete the study guides, I will add five points to your final exam grade! Now, that's a bargain!

If you have any questions about the final, your standing in the class, or why I think 'The Avengers' is the best movie ever, please come talk to me! Now is definitely the time.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

3.23.2012



It's finally happened! The day that we've all been waiting for! You all began reading this novel months ago, and back then, we thought that March 23rd seemed so far away! And here it is! As of 12:00 this morning, The Hunger Games movie is out in theaters everywhere. We've talked about it, debated about it, cried and laughed while reading it, and fought over which guy was better suited for Katniss- Peeta or Gale (Peeta all the way). I know that some of you caught the midnight premiere! You better not ruin it for the rest of us. You also better not fall asleep in class after having stayed out past 3am on a school night. :)

Remember! Your multigenre research projects are due on Monday. We've spent weeks and weeks working on these, and I'm pleased with the work that I've seen so far! But Monday is go-day. When you arrive in class, your project needs to be completed and put together. We won't be taking up class time for it.

We'll be wrapping up our nonfiction unit in the next week or two, and hopefully, we'll be able to do so before your grades go in. If you have any missing assignments, get them to me sooner rather than later. If your grades aren't looking too great, then do whatever you need to in order to repair that!

Have a great weekend! If you're planning to see the movie, have a great time!

3.13.2012

Hey guys and dolls. We're ten weeks into this semester, and you all are doing really great. So keep it up! I'm really impressed by what I've seen and read so far of your multigenre research project, and you're coming up with such great artifacts to submit with your project. In case you didn't write it, make note of the change in due dates for the assignment. Instead of 3.21.2012, it is now due on the 26th of this month. That falls on a Monday, and come that Monday, it is presentation time, so make sure that your project is ready to go and show. And with the extra time that I'm (gracious cough cough) giving you, make sure that you use the time wisely, and rock this assignment.

If you find yourself with any questions along the way, make sure to talk to me about it in class, or shoot me an email. See you all tomorrow in class, and have a great rest of the week!

 

3.5.2012



Hello all! You guys have been really awesome as we push our way through the necessary introductory stuff for our Nonfiction unit, and you really wow'ed me today with the quality of your discussions as prompted by the NY Times article on bullying. I was really impressed, and very much encouraged. As the rest of the week progresses, you guys and girls will have the opportunity to consider what you look for in a great article, and to try your hand at doing what the hot shots at top papers do every week. Investigate a story, gather the nitty gritty data, and put together a top knotch article under the stress of an impending deadline. 

Remember to keep working on your MGRP (Multi Genre Research Project). We'll be in the writing lab on Wednesday, so that you all can get with your groups and begin gathering your information. Use your time wisely!

Have a great rest of the week!

 

2.27.2012

Hey guys and dolls. Hope you all had a great weekend. With our 'Novel Unit' behind us, we press on, and we're diving right into Nonfiction. Now, I know what you may be thinking because it was the same thing that I thougtht when I was in high school, and the teacher announced the start of the Nonfiction Unit: Boring! But I've got some stuff planned that I think you will enjoy. We're going to continue watching the documentary The Human Experience in class today, and as you may have gathered from our discussion before the film, the big question that I want all of you to consider as we move through this unit is What does it mean to be a person? Where do we find our value? What does it mean to be one out of billions?

I'll be getting your novel unit test grades to you at some point this week, and keep an eye out for your essay grades as well.

Hope you all have a great week!

 

2.18.2012

Hola friends. Hope you're enjoying your three day weekend, and that you're using your time to finish reading your novel whether it is The Hunger Games, Unwind, The Giver, or Night. 

We begin presentations of your body biographies on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we'll be following it up with our Novel Unit test on Thursday (February 23rd). 

I've uploaded the audio file of chapter twenty five of the novel to help you along with your reading. In chapter twenty five, we find out just who wins the games. It's the moment that we've been waiting for! Take a listen, and admire my fabulous 'Peeta' voice!

Be reviewing your notes and handouts on plot, character, and theme as well as everything else that we've done and talked about regarding the various books we've been reading. 

Remember to check Pinnacle regularly. Report cards are just around the corner, and so now is the time to bring me any concerns or questions regarding your grades.

Have a great weekend!

2.5.2012



Hola amigos! You've made it through the first month of this semester, and we are pressing onward. Most of you are doing great, and if you aren't, now is definitely the time to fix it. Check your grades regularly, and talk to me if you have ANY questions or concerns. I'm here to help you! 

In Hunger Games news, Katniss has officially started the games, and is in the race for survival. Last we heard, Peeta has joined sides with the Career Tributes. Totally didn't see that one coming, did you. Make sure to keep up with your readings whether or not you are reading The Hunger Games. We are slowly reaching the end of our novel unit, and whatever book you are reading, you need to be done by the appropriate time. 

Your papers are due this coming Thursday (2.9.2012) at the beginning of class, and you will have both Tuesday and Wednesday to type them as we will be spending both those days in the lab. Use your time wisely, and bring a flashdrive if you have one. 

Keep up keeping on, and talk to me if anything should come up!

Have an awesome week!

 

1.30.2012

Hey guys and dolls. Today marks the beginning of the fourth week of this semester, and I'm so proud of all of you for getting your things together in terms of selecting and getting a copy of a novel. For the purposes of our unit on the 'novel', we have students reading The Hunger Games, Unwind, Farenheit 451, The Hobbit, Night, and The Giver. You may be asking yourself 'How in the world is Mrs. V. going to pull off teaching six different books', but you just wait. I've got a few tricks up my sleeves. We'll be starting on our novel essays this week, and the plan is to hit the computer lab to type them up next Tuesday and Wednesday (January 7th and 8th). However, that may change depending on our much work we are able to get done on our papers. Thank you all for your hard work so far!

Have a GREAT week.

 

1.23.2012

Hey guys and gals. You all have been doing such a great job over the first few weeks of this semester, and I'm so excited with how much you all are enjoying The Hunger Games. I told you that you would. :)

Make sure that you are getting a head start on your Hunger Games essay. We looked over the handout today in class, and you all seemed pretty clear on the directions. Remember. We'll have two weeks to get them in perfect condition before we head to the lab to type them. Two weeks is a fair bit of time, but don't let it go, or else, you will fall behind with it.

Big Reminder!! If you haven't purchased a copy of the book yet, then I need to see a copy of the book in the next day or so, OR I need to see a parent note explaining that you won't be getting one. That way, I can arrange for you to read something else! But no more getting by without a copy of the book. We are starting chapter five tomorrow.

Great job everyone!

 

As a genre based literature class, we will have the opportunity to crack open great pieces of fiction, poetry, drama, short stories, and nonfiction, and see what comes spilling out. We will also spend time preparing for the eventual Georgia State Writing Test (Eleventh grade) as well as the upcoming SATs. 

"Stories are for eternity, when memory is erased, when there is nothing to remember but the story."

-Tim O'Brien

Kell High School
Adriana Vanderheyden