All Classes: The Gift of Extra Credit

In the need of some holiday cheer? Then grab yourself a book and photograph yourself reading it (do not photograph yourself reading it using the bathroom mirror). E-mail me the picture to me (cmikesell -at- dallasisd -dot- org -- be sure to change the -at- and -dot- ) and Santa will stick some extra-credit in your stocking (metaphorically-speaking).

Classroom-appropriate books. Classroom-appropriate pictures. Actually reading the book is highly encouraged.

Please spread the word to your classmates.

Cut-off: January 2, 2012.

English II (on-level): "Abolishing the Penny" Test Preview

To prepare for the test, please review today's Jeopardy game.

Also, the full text of the article may be found here.

Pre-AP English II: "Fish Cheeks" Test Preview

You may pre-read the story "Fish Cheeks," if you choose to. The story ends with just before the "Questions on Meaning."

You should know the following literary devices:

• Alliteration
• Allusion
• Anaphora
• Apostrophe
• Flashback
• Foreshadowing
• Hyperbole
• Imagery
• Metaphorv
• Metonymy
• Onomatopoeia
• Oxymoronv
• Paradox
• Personification
• Simile

You should know the three types of irony:

• Dramatic
• Situational
• Verbal

In addition to any vocabulary words you don't know in the story, you should know the following tone/mood words:

• Agitated
• Appreciative
• Curious
• Jubilant
• Melancholy
• Morose
• Satisfied
• Shocked

English II (on-level): "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" Test Preview

Review for tomorrow's test by replaying today's Jeopardy game!

Don't forget to reread the story if there are things you need to review.

Pre-AP English II: Timed Writing Preview for 12/9

Tomorrow in class you will receive a copy of the poem "Digging" by Seamus Heaney. You will be asked to use the text of the poem to address the following prompt:

Texts often reveal how subjects like traditions may change on the surface but still keep a link to the past. Using the text of the poem “Digging,” discuss how the poet Seamus Heaney uses imagery and diction to provide a link between his life and those of his father and grandfather.

You will have all class period and be allowed to use dictionaries and any dialectical journal entries you care to write about the poem this evening.

English I (Pre-AP): TKaM Test Preview

Tomorrow's test will be over one of the chapters assigned for reading tonight (28-31). In addition to knowing what occurs in the story, I'd recommend knowing these words that appear on the test (either in a question or as a possible answer).

(There will also be a four-question quiz on the events in chapters 28-31.)

Do not infer that any of these words indicates a correct answer simply because I'm suggesting you know it prior to the test.

• Anticipation


• Conjecture


• Contradict


• Defer


• Disorientation


• Introspection


• Latent


• Oblige


• Reticence


• Scornful


• Sentimentality


• Syntax

Pre-AP English II: Christmas Carol Socratic Seminar (Staves 1 & 2)

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Thursday, December 8, 2011. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.



WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
If you work with someone who has a bad attitude, what can you do about it? --S.N. (6th)

How do you treat people who approach you to give to charity? --A.C. (7th)

Do you believe in ghosts? Explain. --Mikesell


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
How are Scrooge and Fred related --S.P. (1st)

According to Marley, how did he obtain the chain he carries? --M.R. (6th)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why does Marley's ghost come to Scrooge? --M.R. (1st)

Why does the Ghost of Christmas Past show Scrooge scenes from his youth? --C.A. (6th)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What does holding a grudge against others do to a person? --J.S. (1st)

Do you agree with Marley’s ghost, that “humanity should [be our] business”? Explain. --Mikesell


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Why does Dickens use the simile, "the sound resounded through the house like thunder"? --M.O. (1st)

In Stave One, why does Dickens repeat that Marley is actually dead. --V.M. (7th)

Why is it important to the story that Dickens characterizes Scrooge the way he does at the beginning? --M.M. (7th)