New layout brought to you by: Annie! =)
How do I get kids to comment on my blog? I haven’t the faintest idea…
Perspectives
October 2nd, 2007 by mskrobinson · 1 Comment · Seniors
This year we will be focusing on the following perspectives according to the California State Standards in English for Grade 12:
- Psychological
- Historical
- Philosophical
- Religious
- Historical
Choose one or more of these perspectives to focus on this year while reading and writing.
Attitude is everything
October 2nd, 2007 by mskrobinson · No Comments · Seniors
Attitude is everything in this class. Bring in with you a great attitude, and you will walk out successful.
Remember to arrive on time every day, work in class, complete homework, and to think for yourselves!
A huge emphasis will be placed on in-class timed writings. To succeed, avoid summarizing (see tips on analyzing). Think beyond the obvious, and continually ask yourself the questions “What do I think?”, “Why do I think it?”, and “Is there enough evidence to prove it?”
Supplemental Reading
October 2nd, 2007 by mskrobinson · No Comments · The Pearl
Make sure that you have a copy of “The Great Chain of Being”. Gain a working knowledge of this piece so that you can synthesize it with The Pearl.
Think outside the box and read between the lines
October 2nd, 2007 by mskrobinson · No Comments · Analysis
When analyzing DO:
- Use a dictionary to look up common words in the quote to find a deeper meaning behind them. Use the definition to help you analyze the quote.
- Pay attention to metaphors, similes, italics, punctuation, misplaced capitalization, and colors.
- Look for symbolic meaning behind the simplest of details. Remember in The Pearl how, “The ants were busy on the ground, big black ones with shiny bodies, and little dusty quick ants” (Steinbeck 3,) represent a social hierarchy?
- Visualize details to help you find a deeper meaning. Picture in your mind what happens when, “A late moth bluster[s] in to find the fire” (Steinbeck 2). Use that visual to ascertain that foreshadowing is taking place because a moth flying into a fire means certain death.
- Constantly ask yourself the question “what does this MEAN?”
- When writing analysis, make sure that your analysis is TWICE THE LENGTH OF THE QUOTE — AT LEAST!
- Analyze every obvious word or phrase in the quote. If you have cited the quote, then you must analyze every part of it.
When analyzing DON’T:
- Define a word as part of your analysis. Rather, USE the definition for your own knowledge to HELP you analyze the word.
- SUMMARIZE — Under any circumstances!!!
- Ignore words in the quote. You must analyze each pertinent word.
- Cry. Help is on the way. Just ask.
Link to turnitin.com
September 28th, 2007 by mskrobinson · No Comments · Uncategorized
All take-home essays must be submitted to turnitin.com
Powered by ScribeFire.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Freshman Honors – First Semester Reading List
September 14th, 2007 by mskrobinson · 2 Comments · Freshman Honors, Home, Turnitin.com
This semester we will be reading:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Pearl by John Steinbeck.
In addition to these two books, we will read and analyze supplemental literature which will be synthesized with the books.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Think on the Edge
June 13th, 2007 by mskrobinson · 2 Comments · Home
To be successful in English, begin by contemplating this quote from Albert Einstein who said, “There are two distinct classes of what are called thoughts: those that we produce in ourselves by reflection and the act of thinking and those that bolt into the mind of their own accord.”
