Back in Class!

So the field trip was cancelled today, but has been rescheduled for next Monday.

Today we started the test in class, and will have 10-15 minutes of class time tomorrow to finish.  Prepare yourselves properly!

Homework:  none

No play tomorrow

I just got word from the theater, and they report that they do not anticipate getting the power back on for tomorrow.  We will try to reschedule it.

Test Postponed until Monday

Hi folks,

I realized that we really need another day to discuss the book before we take the test.  The test will be on Monday.

Finishing the Book and Studying

You need to finish the book by the end of class today.

I'll also be passing out the study guide and showing you how to make your own Flashcard set on Quizlet.com

Finally, I'll show you our discussion forums on Edmodo.  It is where you can get help/discuss the book and the study guide questions.

Homework:

Edmodo: reply to Mr. Stowell's post on Edmodo with question you have about the book.  It can be with regards to anything: motif, symbolism, theme, or even plot...feel free to respond to any of your classmates as well.  Due TONIGHT (before midnight).

Study flashcards.  Vocab quiz (through Quizlet) will be taken in class on Wednesday.  Book test is on Friday.

Study Guide Questions

The Pearl Test Study Guide

There will be several short-answer questions based off of the following areas.  For each question, you will be expected to provide a good passage from the book as evidence to back you up AND you will have to explain how that passage is evidence.  INCLUDE PAGE NUMBERS of passages as well.

Characterization of Kino:

passage (and page #):

explanation of what passage shows about Kino:

Characterization of Juana:

passage (and page #):

explanation of what passage shows about Juana:

Characterization of some other significant character(s):

passage that describes character (and page #):

explanation of what passage shows about that char.(s):

Describe an important aspect of one of the settings:

passage describing setting (and page #):

explanation of how that setting is important to the story:

Describe the central conflict:

passage showing that conflict (and page #):

explanation of why that conflict is the central one:

   

 Describe the symbolism:

passage showing that setting (and page #):

description of that conflict setting and what it means:

  Describe a motif:

passage showing a motif (and page #):

explanation of that motif and why you think it shows up again and again:

Describe the theme:

         passage showing the theme (and page #):

explanation of what you think the theme is, and what the author is trying to show the reader:

Studying for the Book Test

There will be a book test on Friday, 10/26.

There are two parts to the test:

1) (20 points) Multiple-choice plot questions.  These are questions about what happened.  If you read the book, you should be fine.  This part will be on Edmodo.

     -a practice set of multiple-choice questions are online here....check them out and practice!

2) (80 points) Short responses with passages from the book.  These involve finding good passages from the book, and explaining the significance of them.  This part will be handwritten.

    -a study guide will be passed out to you on Monday.

Day 37 and 38: More Vocab and Finish Reading

Periods 1 and 2 did not meet Thursday, 6 and 7 will not meet on Friday.

We continued reading, and I showed you the master list of vocabulary (see below post).

You should have finished the book by the end of class on Monday.

Homework:

Have your list of words chosen, and checked with the vocabulary flashcards by the end of class tomorrow.
Vocabulary quiz on Wednesday.
Book test on Friday, 10/26.

Huge Flashcard Set of The Pearl vocabulary

Applying for PEA or some other private school?

It's about that time of year.  I have just checked my inbox and found a couple applications for private schools.  I fill out about 30 of these a year for students (unpaid), and it takes a great deal of my time.  However, I'm happy to help you pursue your dreams.

If you want me to write more personalized and therefor better recommendations for you, it would help if you could send me an email answering a few questions:

• what do you want to be or do when you grow up?
• what are some of your personal goals, academically, and in life?
• what clubs or organizations, or community service have you done?
• what kinds of sports or activities do you participate in?
• how have you contributed to our school community, and our team community?
• what have been some of your achievements and things you are proud about in life?
• what's your favorite book?
• do you consider yourself a strong writer?
• what kind of writing do you like to do?
• any hobbies?
• finally...why do you want to go to private school?

Answering as many of these questions as you can helps me see you as a more rounded individual and helps me brag a bit more about you.  You want your recommendation to stand out amongst the thousands...so the more personal, the better.

Also, not to be a downer...but even though I write really awesome recommendations, typically only 1-3 of the students on each team get accepted to PEA for their freshmen year.  Two were accepted last year.  It's tough competition out there.

Day 35: The Pearl Vocab

Okay folks!  Along with reading, you are taking dibs on the available vocab from the book.  We will use this to create a master list.  Check back here for the entire list.

Once you have that list, you will be creating your own flashcards on Quizelet.com.  I'll show you how to do that later this week.

Homework: 

Due tonight: post the definition and sentence for your assigned word on the blog in class, or from home, due tonight.

Your vocab list needs to be approved by Mr. Stowell by Friday.

Quizlet flashcards due Monday.

Vocab quiz on Wednesday.

Class Activity: Master Pearl Vocab List

Do this in class ONLY!

It is your job to write help the pod grow a master vocabulary list for us to create flashcards from.  You will be assigned a word, first come, first served.  It's your job to search for that word within the book, and use what you find to fill out this form!  Fill it out in class!

Day 34: Early Birds

Hello folks,

Most of the class is in the 70's for the book, but a few of you have flown through the book.  You lucky ducks.  You get to get a jump on the activities.

1)  Make sure you have all your vocab words with sentences and definitions.
           -remember, standard = 15 words, CP = 25 words, and Honors = 35 words.
           -you must have your words approved by Mr. Stowell

2)  Scroll through the book to find the three best passages for each of the following categories.  Record which page you found them on...and make sure they are highlighted.

           -passages that describe Kino
           -passages that describe Juana
           -that describe some other character(s)
           -that describe the Central Conflict
           -that describe the Setting(s)
           -that show Symbolism
           -that show the Theme
           -that show a Motif

This is also a great time to see if there are any passages that shouldn't be highlighted.

Day 33

Today we are continuing to read The Pearl.  You should be at least in the 60s by the end of class today.

Are you behind?  You can...

• read the book online here.

• download the book onto your own iDevice

• ask Mr. Stowell to borrow an iPad during a study period or lunch, or even stay after school.

Homework:  none.

Day 32: Vocab Picture

Here is an example of what I'm asking you you to created today, either in class, or at home.  It may be digital, like the picture above, or it can be hand-drawn.

I used the app, Skitch (free), to create the example above, but there are other apps out there that do the same thing.

Your picture needs to have the following:

• word
• definition with part of speech (noun, verb, adjective)
• the example sentence from the book
• a full-color example picture
• the page number you found it on.

You can hand it in physically, or if it's digital, pass it in through Edmodo.

Homework:  vocab picture due Monday.

Huge list of possible The Pearl vocabulary words

word	page (landscape)
pulque	23
fiesta
crevices	24
plaintively	24
rigidity	24
lymphatic	28
procession	31
shawl
rutted
strenuous
flanks
bougainvillaea	32
outskirts
consolation	33
ignorance	34
avarice
alms
indigent
indigene	35
humbly
discontent	37
stout
hoarse
furnishings	38
mistress	38
trifle
ulcers	40
suppliant	41
estuary	42
Nayarit
lateen
botete	43
mirage	44
clarities
optical
mangroves
undulating	50
hummock	53
writhed	55
subsided
incandescence	56
almsgiver	61
semblance
capital	62
precipitated
speculations
lucent	66
disparagement	67
transfigured	70
reluctant	71
benediction	72
solemnly	73
threshed	74
shrilling	75
subjugation	77
curtly
deftly	81
dissembling	84
taut	90
furtive	94
inaudible
consecrated	96
cozened	99
countenanced	103
freshet	109
ramparts	112
stalwart	113
benign	114
ceremonious	115
hibiscus
legerdemain	116
perplexed	120
contrary	120
appraiser
coagulating	122
contemptuously	124
monstrosity	124
clamber	129
lethargy	132
entranced	133
herring	143
conceived	148
edifice	150
lament	152
forestalled	155
leprosy
fondled	157
waning	163
lumbered	164
covert	165
resinous	166
sentinel	170
guttural	170
goading	177
monolithic	178
irresolution	183
cleft	184
foliage
escarpment	186
pampas grass
amulet	196
intercession	197
rouse	198
germane	198
cicadas
malignant	209

Day 31: Necaps and Reading

Due to NECAP testing, we have no homework, and it is a straight-up reading day.  Get caught up!

Topic Sentence for Exit Card #10

You can all have different topic sentences for tonight's summary, but based off of your responses in class today, most of you agreed that it goes something like this...

The book, The Pearl, is a story about Kino and how his life is changed by discovering a giant pearl.

Day 28: The Pearl Symbolism and Conflict

Today we had a shortened schedule, and so had a little time to read and search for two things:

1)  Find a passage that shows an example of symbolism.  There are two obvious ones, but there are smaller ones as well.

2)  Describe in your own words what you think is the major problem - Primary Conflict, of the story.

Homework:  Answer those two questions for Exit Card #9 on Edmodo, due Tuesday.

Want to download the a free copy of The Pearl

Take your iPod or iPad, or even your computer and go to this website:

http://www.epubbud.com/book.php?g=QU7NAE2P

There you can download a free copy of the book...even onto the iPad.

Day 27: Symbolism and Conflict

Today we spoke about symbolism and primary conflict in class.

Symbolism = an object, color, season, weather event, even a sound that has some "deeper significance."

Conflict = the big problem that story revolves around.

Homework: none.

Day 26: More reading of The Pearl

Today we are continuing to read The Pearl.  You should be in the mid-20's page-wise by today.

We discussed characterization and motif, and found the best examples of each using Socrative.

Motif: a repeating image or idea that occurs throughout a story.  In today's class, we noted how the village's songs keep repeating throughout.  When Kino is thinking about his family, The Song of Family plays in his head, when something threatening or bad happens, The Song of Evil plays in his head.


Homework:  none.

Day 25: Characterization

Today, your job is to look for a passage that characterizes either Juana or Kino.

Characterization:  the description of a character's physical appearance or personality.

Any characterization passage, you will highlight in BLUE.

Read as much as you can in class, highlighting appropriately, and especially looking for a characterization passage.  The passage can either be dialog or narration, but you will most likely find it in narration.

Homework:  Exit card 8 on Edmodo, due tonight.  Guess what it asks for?  Yup, a characterization quote.

Day 24: Introducing iBooks and The Pearl

Hi Folks,

So we're introducing the basic functionalities of iBooks and how to use them to get the most out of the book we're reading, The Pearl by John Steinbeck.

Highlight colors you will use:

Green:  Anything that describes the setting.  Look for good sensory details and specific description.

Blue: Characterization.  Anything that describes a character physically or emotionally or personality.

Underline:  Vocab words.  You'll have a daily vocab list.  There are 11 spaces.  Find as many words as you can.

Purple:  For now, highlight anything else you think is important with this color.  We'll be going over more specifically later what that entails (theme, motif, and symbolism).


Summary Worksheet:  You were handed a blue summary worksheet.  Every time you finish a page, jot down a quick summary of what happened on the page.  This will come in handy when you have a test on the book (at the end) and when I have you write larger summaries.  BRING THIS TO CLASS EVERY DAY.

Daily Vocab Sheet:  Every day you you need to grab a new vocab sheet.  Fill out as much as you see fit.  I found 101 vocab words out of the entire book...you might finds less.  You will be responsible for collecting as much vocabulary as possible.  At the finish of the book, you will have a vocabulary quiz.  There are three levels:

Standard:  You need to choose your best 15 words to be quizzed on.
CP:   You need to choose your best 25 words to be quizzed on.
Honors:    You need to choose your best 35 words to be quizzed on.


Homework:  none