Now in its 6th edition

It's a date...

Friday, December 18, 2015

Friday, December 18, 2015

ENGLISH – Day 17

If you have finished your homework, watch Odyssey video (1:33 – 2:59/end of video)… https://vimeo.com/104506614
If you have NOT finished your homework, on Schoology, complete last set of questions on The Odyssey…“Odyssey Questions – Part 2 – Coming Home” (28 questions)

ENGLISH homework:

Enjoy your break.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Thursday, December 17, 2015

ENGLISH - Day 16

ADD TO YOUR NOTES:
Antagonist – the opposer of the action; anyone or anything that tries to get in the protagonist’s way or stop him in any way

A good antagonist is: A strong villain, A loved one, Fate – “a god”, Society, Weather, Chance, luck, circumstance – a random act, Oneself
Using your book, (pg. 1100 – lines 1379-1384) draw a picture of Odysseus and Penelope’s bed…showing why it is impossible to move into the hallway.

Watch The Odyssey video (43:00 – 1:46)
ENGLISH homework:

DUE FRIDAY: On Schoology, complete last set of questions on The Odyssey “Odyssey Questions – Part 2 – Coming Home” (28 questions)

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

ENGLISH – Day 15

To be collected: Using your book, answer the following:
1. Pg. 1079 What 2 things are bring compared in the Homeric simile found on this page?

2. Pg. 1081 What is the dramatic irony on this page?
3. Pg. 1082 Telemachus goes through 3 distinct emotional stages upon learning that the beggar is his father. List them, in order.

4. Pg. 1088 What is significant about the lines 1142-1145?
5. Pg. 1090 What 2 things are being compared in the Homeric simile found on this page?

6. Explain the test that Penelope made for Odysseus at the end of the epic.
Watch SPARKNOTES video (which reviews past Odyssey stories)… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fwoTWlrfYg

ENGLISH homework
DUE FRIDAY: On Schoology, complete last set of questions on The Odyssey…

“Odyssey Questions – Part 2 – Coming Home” (28 questions)**
**Remember, to sign onto Schoology from home, you must go to https://rockford.schoology.com

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

ENGLISH – Day 14

1. Write down epithets for each of the following:
a. One of your parents

b. Mr. Van Bragt
c. You

d. (a celebrity of your choice)
2. If your evening, yesterday, was written into a story, what would be the THEME of it? In other words, what LIFE LESSON would a person learn after reading about your evening?

NEXT: Read page 1078
Read pgs. 1079-1091

ENGLISH homework:
For tomorrow, read pgs. 1092 – 1101.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Monday, December 14, 2015

ENGLISH – Day 13           

Sign onto Schoology…take “Introduction to The Odyssey” test (28 questions)
After you finish and SUBMIT your test…

ON PAPER: Add these 5 KEY THEMES from The Odyssey to your notebook:
1. Loyalty, devotion, and fortitude (courage; strength of mind)

2. The Greek ideal of strong mind and body
3. Wandering hero who weeps for home and family

4. Triumph of good over evil
5. Obedience to the laws of the gods

Next, using the notes above…Choose any 3 of the 5 and FOR EACH OF THE 3, briefly explain what would happen in a fictional story if it were based on that theme. (2 - 3 sentences each)
COMPLETE Odyssey questions (set 2)- 20 questions total – in Schoology.

ENGLISH homework:
None

Friday, December 11, 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

ENGLISH – Day 12

Using your books, ADD the following TO YOUR NOTEBOOK…these 3 definitions:
1.            epithet (pg. 1076),

2.            Homeric simile/epic simile (pg. 1077),
3.            the Greek law of hospitality (pg. 1049 at the top)

Next, read lines 822 – 827 (found on pgs. 1070 – 1071) and decide which of the 3 it is an example of…
Announce test on Monday…over introductory pages (pgs. 1025 – 1036)…return students’ handmade tests on same pages.

Study pgs. 1025-1036 – TEST on Monday
REVIEW pages read yesterday by watching my new video lecture…”Recap of The Odyssey Part 1”)…which includes a reading of the last book of Part 1: “The Cattle of the Sun God” (pg. 1071 – 1074)

Play Kahoot “The Odyssey Intro review”
ENGLISH homework:

Read over and study for Monday’s test - pages 1025 – 1036.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thursday, December 10, 2015

ENGLISH – HOURS -  Day 11

On Schoology, answer “Odyssey questions”: Complete #1-22 using your books (and notes).
By yourself, or with a partner, read the next several books of The Odyssey (pgs. 1059 – 1074 – “The Enchantress Circe” and “The Land of the Dead” and “The Sirens and Scylla and Charybdis” and “The Cattle of the Sun God”

ENGLISH homework:
Read pgs. 1059-1074 for tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

ENGLISH – HOURS – Day 10

COLLECT: yesterday’s classwork…if not already submitted on Schoology

To be collected….using your books, answer the following 5 questions:

Tell the Story (pgs. 1037-1038)
1.                  How did myths become so popular in a mostly illiterate society?
2.                  What is a Muse?

Calypso, the Sweet Nymph / I am Laertes’ Son (pgs. 1038-1046)
3.                  Why did Zeus send a storm cloud against Odysseus’ ships? (179-183).
The Lotus Eaters (pgs. 1046-1047)
4.                  Why did Odysseus have to tie his men to the benches? 
The Cyclops (pg. 1047-58) 

  1. Why does Odysseus expect Polyphemus to help him in lines 249-261?
Watch the first 43 minutes of The Odyssey video… 

ENGLISH homework: 

None

Monday, December 7, 2015

Monday, December 7, 2015

ENGLISH – 2nd trimester – Day 8

1. Collect 2 charts homework (from Friday)
2. Name 6 pretty big problems that some teenagers face that some parents (adults) don’t always realize.

3. Sign onto Schoology and begin the assignment found there: “Classwork – Monday, December 7”
ENGLISH homework:

None

Friday, December 4, 2015

Friday, December 4, 2015

ENGLISH – HOURS 1, 2, 5 – Day 7

Use your phone (or a dictionary): Write your answers to the following…
1.            What is the difference between tangible and intangible?

a.            Name 2 examples of each.
2.            What is an epithet?

a.            Name 2 examples (not from The Odyssey)
NEXT:

As you read pages 1038 - 1059…fill out the 2 charts below…
Create a chart (like the one below): DIRECTIONS: list 2 tangibles and 2 intangibles from each story:

                                                                                2 TANGIBLES                      2 INTANGIBLES

             Tell the Story
             Calypso, the Sweet Nymph

             “I am Laertes’ son…”
             The Lotus Eaters

             The Cyclops
************************************************************************

CHARACTER/THING                                        EPITHET
                Example: Odysseus                                         the man skilled in all ways of contending

                                Odysseus                                                            the wanderer

ENGLISH homework:
Finish reading and charts (see above).

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Thursday, December 3, 2015

ENGLISH – 2nd trimester – Day 6
 
"Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become your character. And watch your character for it becomes your destiny. What we think, we become."  – Margaret Thatcher
 
Collect 32 drawings from pgs. 1032/33…then…
 
Watched videos that helped REVIEW pgs. 1025 – 1036 from our Literature book…Helen of Troy, the Trojan War, Odysseus, Laertes, Penelope, Telemachus, Athena, Hermes, Poseidon…
 
Watch 60-second recap video: “Odyssey – The Plot Overview”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK2IbQ6JCzI
 
Read the first 2 pages of The Odyssey (pages 1037-1038)
(This is Homer beginning with a prayer for help.)
 
Watch video: A Long and Difficult Journey, or The Odyssey - Crash Course : http://nicertube.com/2r8fypwb

ENGLISH homework: 
 
None

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

ENGLISH – 2nd trimester – Day 5

Finish classwork: test questions and answer key…and SHARE it with me at tvanbragt@rockfordschools.org - Re: Pg. 1012, 1013, 1025-1036 = 2 questions per page
Drawing assignment. The GOAL is for you to make a rough drawing with enough detail that someone could look at your drawing and match it each character listed.

a.         See “The illustrated Odyssey” for inspiration:
http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/Odyssey.pdf

b.         Using the character list on pages 1032 and 1033, create a MATCHING test that has 2 columns. In the left-hand column, copy the list of characters…from the information on pages 1032 and 1033...in the right-hand column, draw something that represents each of the descriptions from the first column. 
1.         Aeaea

 
2.         Alcinous
 

3.         Calypso          

ENGLISH homework:
Finish chart above for homework.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

ENGLISH – 2nd trimester – Day 4

If you didn’t send it to me in Schoology, collect Hero’s Journey assignment from yesterday…
Click Chrome icon… …then to sign in to GOOGLE, use your same username@rockfordschools.org,

BUT your password is RPS (then your student ID).
In your PURPLE Literature book, read pgs. 1012 and 1013 – create 4 test questions (and an answer key) for any of the information on those 2 pages.

NEXT, skip ahead to pages pgs. 1025 – 1036. As you read these pages, pretend you are a teacher and create 2 test questions and ANSWER KEY for each of the 12 pages (plus the 4 from above). Starting with page 1025 and ending on page 1036.
For example, using the information on page 1025, write up 2 test questions (and a separate answer key)

Do the same for page 1026
Again for 1027…until you have 14 questions (and answers) total.

NOTE: You must use a variety of question styles… multiple choice, short answer, and NO fill-in-the-blank style questions.
ENGLISH homework:

none

Monday, November 30, 2015

ENGLISH – 2nd trimester – Day 3

Sign on to Schoology: https://rockford.schoology.com
Complete “Monday warmup” (ROOM NAME = VANBRAGT) and “Hero Journey” assignments
Use the information on Schoology to create and TYPE UP your own hero’s journey.

Simply follow the directions for the activity on page 2 and 3 of the handout on Schoology.

Type and print your answers.

FINISH with pen or pencil for tomorrow.

ENGLISH homework:
FINISH above (with pen or pencil) for tomorrow…or submit your work to me through messages at https://rockford.schoology.com

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

ENGLISH – 2nd trimester – Day 2

Take out a blank piece of paper.
List as many heroic traits as you can.

List as many non-heroic traits as you can.
Explain what makes a trait heroic; or non-heroic.

Name heroes—historical, contemporary, and fictional. (3 total)
Name some villains—historical, contemporary, and fictional. (3 total)

Answer the following questions:
Name a hero who some would consider a villain or name a villain who some would consider a hero.

Why would some people disagree about whether someone is a hero? On what grounds do we disagree?
What makes the heroes, heroes?

And what makes the villains, villains?
Brainstorm a list of  4 ways in which an author can develop the character of a hero other than what he DOES…

Hero’s Journey/Monomyth explained
Watch 2 videos about Hero’s Journey including:
NEW VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/140767141

ENGLISH homework:
none

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

ENGLISH - 1st trimester – Day 55

Use this padlet (and your study guide) to study for exam:

http://padlet.com/tvanbragt/tztpzrab5w1n

Friday, November 13, 2015

Friday, November 13, 2015

ENGLISH - 1st trimester – Day 52

Take vocabulary test #5.
Complete study guide to review for exam.

ENGLISH homework:
Use study guide to review for exam.

For online practice, try these links:
             Parts of speech: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/215.html

             Most Dangerous Game: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=most-dangerous-game_1
             Apostrophe practice: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/39.html

             Cask of Amontillado: http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/9555-the-cask-of-amontillado
             Plural practice: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/288.html

·                     And http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/391.html

·                     http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/71.html

·                     http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/356.html
             Author’s Purpose: http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/practicetest?TUAG7034

             The Scarlet Ibis: http://www.quia.com/quiz/326362.html?AP_rand=1710972736
             Fact or Opinion: http://cuip.uchicago.edu/www4teach/97/jlyman/default/quiz/factopquiz.html

             Possessive and reflexive pronouns: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/62.html

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Thursday, November 12, 2015

ENGLISH – 1ST TRIMESTER- Day 51

Complete the handout (dangling and misplaced modifiers)
Work on Exam Review Guide

For online practice, try these links:
             Parts of speech: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/215.html

             Most Dangerous Game: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=most-dangerous-game_1
             Apostrophe practice: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/39.html

             Cask of Amontillado: http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/9555-the-cask-of-amontillado
             Plural practice: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/288.html

·                     And http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/391.html

·                     http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/71.html

·                     http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/356.html
             Author’s Purpose: http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/practicetest?TUAG7034

             The Scarlet Ibis: http://www.quia.com/quiz/326362.html?AP_rand=1710972736
             Fact or Opinion: http://cuip.uchicago.edu/www4teach/97/jlyman/default/quiz/factopquiz.html

             Possessive and reflexive pronouns: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/62.html
ENGLISH homework:

Study for Friday’s vocabulary test #5.
Use study guide (and links above) to review for exam.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

ENGLISH - 1ST TRIMESTER- Day 50

Checked homework (completed backside of vocabulary #5)…begin the following:
DIRECTIONS: Read each description and decide whether it best fits Madame Loisel, Monsieur Loisel, or Madame Forestier. Write the name of the character the description best fits.

1.            A person used to being rich and comfortable with privilege is _________________
2.            A considerate person willing to make sacrifices to please someone else  ____________

3.            A vain person filled with envy for those who are better off ____________________
4.            A person comfortable with his/her station in life_____________________________

5.            A self-centered person who thinks little of anyone else’s happiness_____________
6.            A person who suggests lying as a way to buy time __________________________

Practiced assembling a well-organized paragraph
Using a printed copy of your PMR/google form (re: Processed Meat response) from the other day….sign on to Schoology and complete the assignment “4-paragraph follow-up”

Work on exam review guide
ENGLISH homework

Study for Friday’s vocabulary test #5.
If you didn’t already SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENT in Schoology, Using a printed copy of your PMR/google form (re: Processed Meat response) from the other day….sign on to Schoology and complete the assignment “4-paragraph follow-up”

Work on study guide to review for exam.
Also, for online practice, try these links:

Parts of speech: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/215.html

Most Dangerous Game: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=most-dangerous-game_1

Apostrophe practice: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/39.html

Cask of Amontillado: http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/9555-the-cask-of-amontillado

Plural practice: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/288.html
And http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/391.html
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/71.html
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/356.html

Author’s Purpose: http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/practicetest?TUAG7034

The Scarlet Ibis: http://www.quia.com/quiz/326362.html?AP_rand=1710972736

Fact or Opinion: http://cuip.uchicago.edu/www4teach/97/jlyman/default/quiz/factopquiz.html

Possessive and reflexive pronouns: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/62.html
 
 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

ENGLISH - 1ST TRIMESTER- Day 49

Read definitions for Direct and Indirect Characterization…(in your Literary Terms packet)
Using your book, look through “Thank You, M’am” (Literature book pgs. 134 – 140) and make a chart for the 2 characters that lists 5 direct and 5 indirect characterizations for each. 20 ITEMS TOTAL

           Roger                                                                     Mrs. L.B.W. Jones

DIRECT:

INDIRECT:


Took notes on modifiers…

Practiced fixing sentences with misplaced and dangling modifiers
Considered the placement of adjectives

Rewrite the following 6 sentences so that the meaning is clear:
1.            He saw the deer using his binoculars.
2.            Walking along the beach, a rock scraped my foot.
3.            Juana only has algebra three days this week.
4.            In a tiny cage at the dog pound, we felt very sorry for the little bulldog.
5.            I saw her make a thrilling slalom run on my cousin’s television set.
6.            The governor agreed to punish every driver who endangers the lives of others without delay.

ENGLISH homework:
FINISH FOR HOMEWORK: Open book to page 348 and read “The Necklace” from Literature book (pages 348 – 358)
Complete backside of vocabulary handout #5 for Wednesday...remember to use CLAUSES to finish the sentences.
Study for Friday's vocabulary test. Use this quizlet: https://quizlet.com/_1l73o6

Use study guide to review for exam.


For online practice, try these links:
Parts of speech: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/215.html

Most Dangerous Game: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=most-dangerous-game_1

Cask of Amontillado: http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/9555-the-cask-of-amontillado

And http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/391.html

http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/356.html

The Scarlet Ibis: http://www.quia.com/quiz/326362.html?AP_rand=1710972736

Possessive and reflexive pronouns: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/62.html

Monday, November 9, 2015

Monday, November 9, 2015

ENGLISH - 1ST TRIMESTER- Day 48

REMEMBER: To show joint possession, use ’s with the last noun only, if two people SHARE the same thing, they also SHARE an APOSTROPHE.
Have you seen Jennifer and Jackie’s new camper?
Jennifer’s and Jackie’s expectations were quite different.


Pickup vocabulary #5
Completed more practice on (singular, singular possessive, plural, plural possessive…)

Pick up “Exam Review Guide”
Completed work on “Apostrophes in Contractions”

Return Scarlet Ibis review questions 1-9 – begin making poster
ENGLISH homework:

Study for Friday's vocabulary test #5. Use this Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/_1l73o6

Use study guide to review for exam.
For online practice, try these links:

Parts of speech: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/215.html


Most Dangerous Game: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=most-dangerous-game_1

Cask of Amontillado: http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/9555-the-cask-of-amontillado

And http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/391.html

http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/356.html

The Scarlet Ibis: http://www.quia.com/quiz/326362.html?AP_rand=1710972736

Possessive and reflexive pronouns: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/62.html

Friday, November 6, 2015

Friday, November 6, 2015

ENGLISH - 1ST TRIMESTER- Day 47

             Collect homework: 17 questions on “Thank You, Ma’am”
             Take prefix test #4
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following...
i.              What is a word that proves something is written in
             1st person
             2nd person
             3rd person
ii.             Name 4 school subjects that get capitalized?
iii.            Rewrite, then properly punctuate this sentence:

             his girlfriend said you’re in big trouble

iv.           How would you properly write out these book titles:
             the blue moon
             nutty zombie of terror
v.            Write a sentence that needs a direction (north, south, east, west) to be capitalized and another sentence that doesn’t need to be capitalized.
vi.           We make words plural by adding –s or –ies to words.
             List 4 exceptions?
             How do we make these two words plural?         
a.            “brother-in-law” and “attorney-at-law”
vii.          We add apostrophes to words to show possession.
             What if a car belongs to both Carol and Sue?
a.            Carol and Sue car got a flat tire.
             Hand out 44 possessives sheet
             TRY THESE:
Singular                                singular possessive                         plural                     plural possessive

1.            Igloo
2.            Mouse
3.            Echo
4.            Butterfly
5.            Deer
6.            Child
ENGLISH homework:
None

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Thursday, November 5, 2015

ENGLISH - 1ST TRIMESTER- Day 46

 In  3 sentences minimum, besides “thank you” what does Roger wish he would have said to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones?

Reviewed short story “Thank You, M’am” in Literature book pgs. 134 – 140

ANSWER QUESTIONS ON A SEPARATE PAPER:

  1. Explain how the following quote relates to “Thank You, M’am”:
    1. “There is within me (and it is with sadness I have watched it in others) a knot of cruelty”
  2. 2 PICTURES AND 2 PARAGRAPHS:
    1. Draw and explain: What might have happened to Roger that created his knot? (in his past)
                                                               i.      What did he do with his knot?

                                                              ii.      What was the outcome of this?

    1. Draw and explain: What’s another choice Roger could have made given the same past/background, same situation, but a different choice?
                                                               i.      What might the outcome of that have been?

  1. From what point-of-view is this story told? (1st, 2nd, 3rdomniscient, 3rd limited, 3rd objective)
  2. What was Mrs. Jones’s motive in leaving the door open when she dragged Roger to her room?
  3. Why does Mrs. Jones not watch Roger or watch her purse?
  4. Roger decides something in the story that marks the story’s turning point.  What did he decide to do?
  5. Using the text, list the details that are mentioned about the setting of Mrs. Jones’s home.
  6. What does the setting of Mrs. Jones’s home tell us about the kind of person she probably is?
  7. Using the text, list the details that are mentioned about Roger’s home life?
  8. From what Roger tells Mrs. Jones, what can you infer about his home life?
  9. Using the text, directly quote Mrs. Jones when she says something that surprises Roger.
  10. What characters don’t say can be as important as what they do say.  List two points in the story when Mrs. Jones and Roger are silent
  11. Using the information in question #12, explain why you think each character chose not to speak.
  12. Give a specific example of an action done by Mrs. Jones that reveals one of her character traits.
  13. What do you think Roger learned from the way Mrs. Jones treated him?
  14. What overall impression do you have of Roger by the end of the story?
  15. What is the theme of this story?
    1. List three important events or details that support your choice for the story’s theme.
ENGLISH homework:

Finish 17 questions for tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

ENGLISH – 1ST TRIMESTER– Day 45

Collected homework: “The Scarlet Ibis” review sheet (Q’s 1 - 9)

Find the 26 errors in this paragraph: 

It’s legs were crossed and it’s claw-like feet we’re delicately curved at rest.  even death did not mare it’s grace. For it laid on the earth like a brokin vase of red flower’s and we stood around it; awed by it’s exotic beautey. “Its dead. mama said.”  “what is it,” Doodle repeated?

Next, write down

1. as many PRONOUNS as you can think of…and

2. list of 7 school subjects (could be the name of a college course)…only capitalize the ones that NEED capitalization

Introduce ANTECEDENT

Create a sentence with 3 different pronouns and 3 different antecedents

Completed handout: identifying pronouns and antecedents and me vs. I

WATCH this INCREDIBLE video J about “me or I”:


§  Learned “trick” to identify which pronoun to use in sentences using “I” and “me” –

·        Read “Thank You, M’am” which takes place in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan (Literature book pgs. 134 – 140)

·        In 3 sentences minimum, besides “thank you” what does Roger wish he would have said to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones?

ENGLISH homework:

Study for Friday's prefix test...dict to therm (#34-44).

You say goodbye, and I say hello