SEMESTER TEST MAKE-UP!

Below are the questions for the semester test make-up.  Each question is worth 10 points:

2 - grammar/usage/mechanics (one error -1; two or more errors -2)

2 - thesis (one point for clarity, one point for directly answering the prompt)

3 - evidence supporting the thesis (three textual examples support thesis; quotes optional)

3 - commentary on evidence presented (your ideas supporting each piece of evidence)

I expect at least half a page typed on each question (250 words; in other words, about as long as this post).  Address all parts and plan/organize your ideas and paragraphs before you write.  This is a take-home test, and each question should take you at least 15 minutes to plan and write.

This can replace your original semester test grade.

Good luck!

1. Explain how the epic form of the Odyssey has caused its impact to be felt thousands of years later.

2. We've read a lot of stories with very bleak themes.  Explain the theme of a book or movie you feel best exemplifies positivity and hope. Obviously this does not have to be something we've read (or viewed) in class.

3. Compare and contrast Odysseus and Achilles.  Then explain which hero you admire more, and why.

4. Animal Farm ends without a real denoument.  Describe what you feel it should be.

5. Think about the texts we've studied.  Describe your top three examples of symbolism.  Explain what each symbol meant, its impact on the story, and why it stuck with you.

SNOW DAY

Happy vacation, everyone!
If you need to turn in your independent projects, just email them to:
dennisj@waterlooschools.org
I will be back at school January 3, and grades are due January 4.  If your projects cannot be emailed, you can either bring it to school the third or fourth, or email me a description and turn it in on January 7.

 As far as the poetry questions, we will just count that assignment towards next quarter.  Your poetry collection independent projects need to include one of each of the following forms:
Narrative
Ode
Elegy
Haiku/senryu
Lyric
Sonnet
Limerick
Free verse
Either Catalog or Concrete, your choice.
This counts as an independent project! So if you still need one for QT2, email me the poems with title and author along with a one-paragraph analysis of why the poem is a good example of its form, or analyze the theme, tone, or mood.  We will talk about the poetic devices more the first week in January.

So get done whatever you need to do, have fun, and enjoy your break.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

p.s. I'll put an alternate final together for people who want to retake it. Look for it later this evening.

:/

Sorry for the confusion today, folks.  A few students seemed overwhelmed so I tried to alleviate stress by taking some of the things I had planned off your plate.  Apologies for not being more clear about the poetry packet expectations earlier.  The poetry questions I handed out today will be due before break.  You will also create your own collection of literary or original poetry.  This will count as an independent project. 

If you have completed two independent projects for books you have read on your own this quarter, good job!  Your poetry collection will count as your first independent project of QT3  Technically you don't have to hand it in until we get back, but we're going to work on it next week in class. 

If you do not have two actual independent projects finished, you need to finish your poetry collection, as well as the questions, before break. 

Here's a quick run-down of what's happening next week:

Monday - Final career research papers are due along with any notes you took and sources used.  Late papers will receive -10%.  Monday in class we will discuss narrative, odes, elegies, concrete, and catalog poetry.  We will also look at examples of the types of figurative language you need to know (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole).

Tuesday - Finish the sample poems packet (haiku/senryu, sonnet, acrostic, lyric, limerick, free verse) and go over sound devices (alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, repetition, rhyme).

Wednesday - FINALS!  GAK!  Actually, it shouldn' be too bad.  15 words fill-in-the-blank, 15 words matching.  Plus categorize 20 poetry terms according to structure, form, figurative language, or sound device.  Anybody getting less than 45 can retake it Thursday (and/or) Friday.

Thursday - Time to work on poetry collections or listen to music on youtube (with poetic lyrics!)

Friday - Time to work on poetry collections or listen to music on youtube (with poetic lyrics!)

TL;DR: Don't panic! It's only an acorn.  Career paper due Monday, Finals Wednesday, independent projects, poetry questions, and poetry collections by Friday.  Your collections of poetry do not need analysis; we'll work on that after break (I'll need the time to read through 110+ poems).

POETRY RESOURCES

List of literary poets, bios, etc.

Quizlet bank for poetry terms you need to know, find, and identify.

More Career Resources

Check out Mrs Hartwig's links for more information on careers:
http://www.waterloo.k12.ia.us/schoolsites/central/career-pathfinder/