The Kite Runner Journal Question

After Hassan's rape incident and Amir's guilt for not doing anything about it, some thought keeps reappearing in discussion, which bear the questions: Do you betray someone without warning, or do small betrayals lead up to a larger one? How can you redeem yourself after you've betrayed a friend, or is it that once the sin has been committed, you instead have to learn to deal with the repercussions?

Write AT LEAST 8 sentences chronicling your thoughts. Use quotes form the book, your own thoughts, and classroom discussions to fuel your journal response.

Post as a comment to this post. Be sure to include your name, either through the use of your school gmail account or include it in your post. 20 points – Due 12/13/12

If Only Oedipus and Friends had Facebook

Students in English IV did some character analysis activities with the main characters from Oedipus the King. Students created Facebook profiles to highlight information we know about the characters, as well as making some predictions about what the character might enjoy or be like, based on a thorough examination of the character's traits.

Students samples can be seen by clicking on the links below.

Jocasta #1

Jocasta #2

Oedipus #1

The Epic of Gilgamesh Music Videos

The English IV classes created music videos that retell the evens of The Epic of Gilgamesh and highlight the traditions and vocabulary from oral poetry. The students were very creative in their productions. I've included a few in this post. Enjoy!

Seventh Period Composition: SIX-Word Memoir

Clayton Ridge High School's Sophomores in Ms. Shaw's seventh period composition class each wrote a six-word memoir to explain or highlight a part of their lives or personalities they feel shapes them and provides identity. Watch the video to see how awesome and diverse this class is!

Composition: The Masque of the Red Death Vocabulary Quiz

Click here to access the vocabulary quiz over The Masque of the Red Death. Good luck!

English IV Vocabulary Quiz: Oedipus Part II

Click here to access the vocabulary quiz for Oedipus the King: Part II. Good luck!

The Nerdy Teacher: Evernote for Collaboration #EdChat

The Nerdy Teacher: Evernote for Collaboration #EdChat: My students are working on their first project this year. I'm a big fan of Project Based Learning and have my students multiple projects...

Dramatic Irony Journal Prompt

After reading the prompt below, respond using the comments button. You will need to use your Google account in order to do so. Also, please make sure to use your first name AND last initial so that I can give you credit.

What purpose does using Dramatic Irony serve? Why did Sophocles use it (what does it do for him and/or his audience) in Oedipus the King? Why might current writers (such as movie directors – like in Scream or other horror movies) choose to use Dramatic Irony?

First Period Compositon Class SIX-Word Memoirs

Clayton Ridge High School's Sophomores in Ms. Shaw's first period composition class each wrote a six-word memoir to explain or highlight a part of their lives or personalities they feel shapes them and provides identity. Watch the video to see how awesome and diverse this class is!

"Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" Vocab Quiz

Click HERE to take the quiz. Remember the academic honesty policy you agreed to upon the start of the course.

CR Composition Tries Its Hand at Hint Fiction

After examining the relatively new genre "Hint Fiction," students in the sophomore composition class will try their hands at creating their own stories. Hint Fiction uses a title as sort of the framework for a story, while hinting at a much larger and complex story using 25 words or less.

In this activity, students will use the title "Coming Home" to create individual hint fiction stories. After a brainstorming session, students will write the story. Using a peer sharing process, students will then trim the story to 25 words or less, while still hinting at that much larger story. Students will be graded on the effectiveness of the words chosen, as well as the process by which they arrive at the "hint" of the story.

Please post stories in the comments of this post.

Composition Vocabulary Quiz: Swimming to Antarctica

Before you enter the quiz, let this serve as a reminder of the academic honesty policy you agreed to upon the start of the course. Any suspicion of cheating on this quiz will result in a "0" and a report to the office, with stiffer consequences possible based upon prior offenses. Remember spelling counts, so it may behoove you to copy and paste answers from the word bank. Good luck!

Click HERE to enter the quiz.

Video for "Swimming to Antarctica"

A video of Lynne Cox from a documentary entitled Haunts of the Black Masseur, in which she provides insight on her 1.06 mile swim to Antarctica in 32 degree water. As you view the clip, consider the personal strength Cox exhibits, as well as the support she received from her team. How does a challenge faced alone hold more importance than one faced with a team? Consider Lynne Cox's swim, your personal experiences, and any other feats or challenges you can think of. Add details and support for your argument. Post your reflection on the Wallwisher by clicking here.

Speech: Fundamentals of Speech QUIZ

After reviewing the handout and having several classroom discussions, you are now being quizzed on the Fundamentals of Speech packet. Click here to enter the quiz. Remember you are being held to an academic honesty policy as agreed upon in the syllabus. Any report of suspicion of cheating will be dealt with accordingly, dependent upon number of offenses with the lost consequence being a "0" on this quiz.

Composition Vocabulary Quiz: "The Leap"

Click here to access the vocabulary quiz from "The Leap". Remember you are on the honor system for the quiz. You should not access any resources on the web or use the dictionary widget on your laptop. Failure to comply with the honor code will result in a report of breaking the Academic Honesty policy and will bring dire consequences such as a ZERO on the quiz, a failing grade for the grading period, or expulsion, dependent upon frequency. Please be aware that you will be monitored. Good luck!

English IV: Vocab Quiz--The Epic of Gilgamesh

Click here to access the vocabulary quiz from The Epic of Gilgamesh. Remember you are on the honor system for the quiz. You should not access any resources on the web or use the dictionary widget on your laptop. Failure to comply with the honor code will result in a report of breaking the Academic Honesty policy and will bring dire consequences such as a ZERO on the quiz, a failing grade for the grading period, or expulsion, dependent upon frequency. Please be aware that you will be monitored. Good luck!

Goals for 2012-13 School Year at Clayton Ridge High School

Over the summer, I made the transition back to my roots. After obtaining my Master's in Education and earning my Iowa teaching certification, I left my hometown of Marquette, Iowa to further pursue that which I had worked so diligently towards. The move took me out of my comfort zone, but also allowed me to meet some fantastic colleagues and students and to grow exponentially professionally, and for those experiences, I will be forever grateful.

I taught high school English, Advanced Placement Language and Composition, and journalism in Wapello, Iowa for two years before moving to Latimer, Iowa to teach high school English and journalism classes, as well as Composition I and II for North Iowa Area Community College. I also had the opportunity to advise the yearbooks, direct a play and co-direct a musical, as well as coach large group speech.

After four years, I can happily say I have followed my passion and it has allowed me to come back "home". At the end of May, I moved back to the area that is nearest and dearest to my heart: the Mighty Mississippi river country of NE Iowa and SW Wisconsin. I am now living in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and have begun teaching at Clayton Ridge High School in Guttenberg, Iowa. I am currently teaching Composition, Speech, and English IV, as well as Composition I and II for Northeast Iowa Community College. I will also be coaching both large group and individual speech.

I am planning to continue to use this blog to showcase student work, to demonstrate ideas and technologies, and to provide some insight into the passion that drives my career.

English III: "We Didn't Start the Fire" Remixes

The English III class examined Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire". They first did collaborative research projects based on the original lyrics using Google Docs and Presentations. They then brainstormed, researched, and collaboratively rewrote the lyrics to cover the people, events, and fads from 1990 through 2012. Some of the finished videos can be viewed below.

Freshmen:

Select one of the following writing prompts for your short story writing assignment.

You’re digging in your garden and find a fist-sized nugget of gold.

The detective saw his opportunity. He grabbed the waitress’s arm and said…

And you thought dragons didn’t exist…

You walk into your house and it’s completely different — furniture, decor, all changed. And nobody’s home. 

A magic talisman that allows its keeper to read minds. It falls into the hands of a ...

Battle Bars Presentation Samples

Students in Composition II practiced their understanding of Toulmin's Model for Argumentation using the Battle Bars assignment. Students were able to select a candy bar from several different varieties. Their task was to then distinguish why the chosen bar was the best of any other option. Students developed five claims, then chose two of those claims to build their argument for the candy bar.


The arguments, while supported by real data, are humorous in nature and are merely demonstrating the understanding of the processes by which constructive and effective arguments should be developed.

Below are samples from the 2010-11 Composition II class. Presentations from this year's class will be uploaded soon.

KitKats make you stronger and boost your energy throughout the day!

KitKats bring the world together while helping people with math problems.

Skittles are part of a well-balanced diet and help to prevent dietary diseases, like scurvy.

Critical Thinking Activity - English 9

Please respond to the following critical thinking prompt in the comments.  Your reflective respond need to be at least 6-8 sentences.

You have entered a country searching for a cure for a new disease that is only found in one country but is spreading rapidly. After investigating thoroughly, you realize the cure is only found in the wing feathers of the native people’s holiest, sacred icon – the scarlet ibis,  which is also an endangered species.

However, if you don’t harvest these wings and manufacture this drug, the bacterial scourge now contained in only one country may infect the entire world.

Convince the natives that you must have these wings.

Be thoughtful, creative, and practical in your persuasion. Apply all conventions and mechanics, as your writing style and usage will account for a portion of your grade. Begin the writing with "Dear Natives,".

Senior Spotlight Survey

SENIORS: The Cadet Gazette needs your help. Please click HERE to take the survey for the Senior Spotlight 2012.

Links to English III British Novel Multi-Genre Project Blogs, Wikis, and More

The juniors at CAL Community High School each selected a novel from selected British works. The students then read independently, focusing on 10 areas for a comprehensive novel study: Author, Character, Setting, Conflict, Symbolism, Theme, Language, Applicability, Literary Theory and Criticism, and Impact on the Reader. Students then had to create 10 projects according to descriptions and multiple genres. The students completed the work as an independent study, furthering their abilities to research, think critically, and be resourceful. The final component of the multi-genre novel study was to present the projects through some form of electronic medium: a blog, a web site, a wiki, LiveBinders, or any other media they were able to access. Some projects are visual, some have a solid researched backgrounds, some are creative venues, and some are very strictly formatted.

Some of the sites can be found through the links below.

The Picture of Dorian Gray #1

The Picture of Dorian Gray #2

The Picture of Dorian Gray #3

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Frankenstein

1984

Animal Farm #1

The Metamorphosis

Jane Eyre

Use the form attached to submit the URL to your Digital MG Project for your independent novel study.
Click HERE.

The only thing you have to fear is...

What is so great about fear anyway?

How do you feel in moments of terror?  Do you hold your breath?  Do you laugh?  Why do you react as you do?

How do you explain the desire of people to be terrified?

As children, we delight in ghost stories told in the dark.  As adults, we read books or see movies that we know will scare us.  Why?


The Freshman English class will be beginning a study of language and suspense through short stories. Authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Jack London, and Shirley Jackson will be looked at, with students analyzing:
1) How do suspense and fear build upon the entertainment factor of reading?
2) What can we learn about people and human nature by locating the fears of characters?
3) How does setting build suspense and move the plot forward?
4) What does each main character fear the most?
5) What separates the suspenseful short stories we've experienced in class from the traditional horror movies we might enjoy watching? How did the authors build suspense and fear?

Students will experience suspense stories in a multitude of ways in class. As a closing activity, students will be writing their own suspense stories building upon the five elements of a short story. Then, students will perform their stories using any of the mediums demonstrated in class (a reading, a recording, a short film, a skit, etc.).

The Five Elements: A Rap

Setting, that's like where it's going down,
Could be the train compartment, a castle or a town,
Could be the Arctic winter - like To Build a Fire,
The temperature's dropping, excitement is getting higher,
Setting sets the scene so the scene seems set,
Could be the Italian restaurant where we met,
Setting gives us the where and the when,
Could be modern day, the future, or way back when.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting. (x2) 

Plot is the action, the quest for satisfaction,
What's going down, what's going to happen.
Four men at sea in an open boat,
Rowing and hoping that they can stay afloat. The plot:
They have to make it to the beach,
But the waves are big, and the shore seems out of reach,
Plot is a series of events... like Lemoney Snicket,
It could be crazy, wild or straight wicked.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting. (x2) 

Knock knock, who's there? Oh, it's the characters,
The people in the story who carry out the action.
Characters can be pretty, tiny or clean,
Characters can be silly, whiney or mean,
Juliet is a character, and so is Romeo,
Pokemon has characters and so does Yu-gi-oh,
Characters could be dogs, lions, or hippos,
JK Rowling chose Harry Potter. "Why?" Who knows!

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting. (x2)

Uh-uh! Put your snack back in your backpack we're not finished!
Something gone wrong! That's the conflict kids,
A struggle in the plot, now who's on top,
Could be a fight for money, like some robbers and cops,
Could be an internal conflict - a struggle inside,
Like I don't want to tell the truth but I don't ever want to lie,
Flick something in your eye, now you're conflicted,
What created drama? The conflict did.

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting. (x2)

The theme of the story is the main idea,
The central belief or the topic that's in there,
It's usually something abstract like sacrifice, 
Isolation or resurrection: we're back to life,
Like don't lie, don't practice libel,
The theme of To Build a Fire is survival,
Survival on your own like Fievel Moskowitz,
Flocabulary's something that you HAVE TO GET...

Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme,
Setting, yes these are the 5 things
That you're going to be needing
When you're reading or writing
A short story that's mad exciting. (x2) 

FINAL Vocabulary Quiz: Composition II

Remember the Academic Honesty Policy. Copy and paste words from the list on the Google Form. Spelling errors will result in answers being counted incorrect.

Click HERE for the quiz.

Sneak Peak at English III's Multi-Genre Projects

As the 3rd quarter comes to an end, students in English III presented two of their ten multi-genre projects on their independent British novels for the quarter project. Students could choose from ten different categories for the presentation: 1) Author Analysis, 2) Character Analysis, 3) Setting Analysis, 4) Conflict Analysis, 5) Symbolism Analysis, 6) Theme Analysis, 7) Language Analysis, 8) Applicability Analysis (Compare/Contrast & Inference on a Current Event), 9) Major Literary Theory Application & Analysis, and/or 10) Demonstration of Impact on Readers.

Students will be finishing the projects on March 26, and creating some form of digital medium to display their efforts and achievements by March 31.

As a sneak peak, some of the projects presented can be viewed below.

An Interview with George Orwell (1984) – Author Analysis
Britain's Book Talks

Jane Austen Eulogy Speech – Author Analysis (Emma)

Gregor Samsa's Facebook Profile – Character Analysis (The Metamorphosis) 





Frankenstein's Travels Brochure – Setting Analysis (Frankenstein)

English III: Vocab Quiz #7

Click here to take vocabulary quiz #7. Good Luck!

Create a Holiday Project

Seniors in Composition II are working on a large project in which they will be creating a holiday, marketing ideas to our Hallmark board (their peers in the Composition class as well as me), and creating a presentation and greeting card.

After watching the "Festivus" episode of Seinfeld, students assume the role of independent contractors for Hallmark.

Students are encouraged to consider the following questions as they develop their holidays:
What is the purpose of your holiday?
What is the background of your holiday?
Who are the founders of your holiday?
What is/are the dates of your holiday?
What decorations and/or colors are associated with your holiday?
What foods are associated with your holiday?
What symbol(s) might represent your holiday?
Will your holiday be a U.S. holiday? International?
Is any other information relevant to your holiday?


As you work through this creation process and presentation/marketing development, let your mid flow. Creativity is a major component of the assignment, as well as organization, persuasion, and presentation.

Creating a presentation for the "Hallmark Board" and at least one greeting card for your holiday. These are the only "requirements" of the Create a Holiday project, though you are free to develop more to help "sell" your idea to your panel. The more effort you put forth, the more likely it is the panel will buy your idea and get it out to the mass market of holiday consumers.

Past Holiday Examples (CAL Community School - Class of 2011)

Hero Day

Best Friends Day

Cancer Survivor Day


Cancer Survivor Day Presentation

Glitter in the Air Day


Glitter in the Air Presentation

Bake a Treat Day

Forgotten Christmas Season

Forgotten Christmas Presentation

English 11: Vocab Quiz #6 (March 2)

Remember the Academic Honesty Policy. Good Luck!


Click here for the quiz.

Composition II: Vocab Quiz #6 (March 2)

Remember the Academic Honesty Policy. Good luck!

Click here to access the quiz.

English 11: Vocab Quiz (Feb. 24)

Remember the Academic Honesty policy and its repercussions.

Vocab Quiz #5

Composition II Vocab Quiz #5 (Feb 24)

Remember the Academic Honesty policy and its repercussions.

Vocab Quiz #5

Online Thesis Builders

Building a strong, well-developed thesis is one of the most difficult aspects of writing a solid, supportive essay. Without this sentence or two, your paper has little direction, and your argument gets lost in seemingly unguided rambling. The use of an online thesis builder can help to at least get a start on an effective thesis, though you may have to work with it to make it your own. After some practice in writing these statements, students usually have no problem stating what it is they are trying to prove, and the whole process becomes that much easier.

Click here for an effective online thesis builder.

English I: Romeo and Juliet Blog

The students from Ms. Shaw's English I class will be blogging from the perspective of chosen Romeo and Juliet characters, as well as doing some compare and contrast with the times of the setting and today's world, some analysis of major scenes and how those ideas could be conveyed today, and some application of the tragic love story into today's world of pop culture.

Join the students from English I on their journey by visiting Romeo and Juliet 21st Century Blog.

English 10 Experiments with Storybird

Students in English II developed short stories complete with illustrations based only upon the title of "A Day in the Life." Students were walked through the process of how to build their own Storybird, were shown a couple examples, and were given the task of creating a short story of at least fifteen pages. Below are some examples.

Amber Z.'s "A Day in the Life"
A Day in the Life on Storybird

Robby O.'s "Just a Day in the Life: Solutions
Just a Day in the Life: Solutions on Storybird

Karter M.'s "A Day in the Life"
•A Day in the Life• on Storybird

Hunter S.'s "A Day in the Life"
A Day in The Life on Storybird

Tyler F.'s "A Day in the Life"
A Day In The Life on Storybird

Jenna J.'s "A Day in the Life"
A Day in the Life on Storybird

Visual Analysis Writing Prompt: Composition II

Please think about the message in the following political cartoon. After considering the point the cartoonist is trying to make, apply what you know about the Occupy Wall Street Movement and our own financial discussion. Write an informed free-write on financial constraints felt by Americans today.

Bell-Ringer: Another Life Poetry

As a bell-ringer, students wrote poems based on the following prompt from The Daily Spark: Poetry.

Another Life

Write a poem from the point of view of a homeless person or a billionaire. Remember to be responsible and respectful. 

FIFTEEN LINES MINIMUM!

Add your poem as a comment.

When you are finished, you can read your peers' poems quietly.

COMPOSITION II Vocab. Quiz (Feb. 10)

Remember the Academic Honesty Policy and the repercussions for breaking it. Good Luck!

Click HERE for the quiz.

English III: Vocab Quiz #3 (Feb 10)

Remember the Academic Honesty Policy and the repercussions for cheating. Good Luck!

Click HERE for the quiz!

Multi-Genre Research Project

Universal themes in literature help us make sense of ourselves and the world around us.

After reading and discussing F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, students in English II used the following question to guide their research for a multi-genre research project as a culminating project for the novel study.


How does a specific aspect presented in The Great Gatsby have relevance in today’s culture, political scene, society, etc?

Multi-genre projects put a new spin on the traditional research paper. Students were given some free reign in regards to topic choice and were able to use creativity and higher-order thinking skills in choosing the different genres for the presentations.

Themes chosen for the multi-genre research projects included:
The Development of Fashion and the Impact of "The Roaring 20's" 
The Great Depression of Yesterday vs. The Great Recession of Today
Organized Crime and Its Impact on Today's Politics and Culture
Rural Lifestyles vs. Urban Lifestyles
The American Dream: Then and Now
Is The American Dream Still Attainable?
Human Attraction: The Science Behind Our Feelings
Prohibition and Bootlegging of the 1920's and the Modern Day Drug War

Access Codes for The LiveBinders presentations are: 12345

English 11: Vocab Quiz #2 (Feb 3)

Click here to access the vocabulary quiz for the week of February 3. Remember you are on the honor system for the quiz. You should not access any resources on the web or use the dictionary widget on your laptop. Failure to comply with the honor code will result in a report of breaking the Academic Honesty policy and will bring dire consequences such as a ZERO on the quiz, a failing grade for the period, or expulsion, dependent upon frequency. Please be aware that you will be monitored. Good luck!

COMPOSITION II Vocab. Quiz (Feb. 3)

Click here to access the vocabulary quiz for the week of February 3. Remember you are on the honor system for the quiz. You should not access any resources on the web or use the dictionary widget on your laptop. Failure to comply with the honor code will result in a report of breaking the Academic Honesty policy and will bring dire consequences such as a ZERO on the quiz, a failing grade for the period, or expulsion, dependent upon frequency. Please be aware that you will be monitored. Good luck!

ESL Help Site

Some ESL Practice can be found here.

English 11: Vocab Quiz

In attempt to promote a paperless classroom, students in English 11 will be taking their first vocabulary quiz of the semester using Google Forms.

Click on the following link to be taken to the quiz.

Loading...Vocab Quiz #1

English 9: Flash Fiction Bell Ringer

English 9 students wrote creative stories in the style of Flash-Fiction (100 words or less) based upon the following title:

"We Were Learning to Make Fire"

Students were to pay special attention to the development of plot and characters. 

Please see the comments for  the students' stories.

Macbeth Soliloquies in a Modern Dialect

Students in English 11, in an effort to demonstrate an understanding for Shakespeare's language and the importance of soliloquies to the infamous tragedy of Macbeth, created modernized scripts and employed a modern dialect of their choice. Students had fun with the assignment. Some snapshots, videos, and word documents can be seen below.