Extra Credit Challenge (ALL CLASSES)

This extra credit opportunity will require a bit of web-based research, but it is worth a FREE TEST GRADE of 100 POINTS to the first student from *EACH* class section to successfully complete the challenge as outlined below.

GOOD LUCK!

The Assignment:
On Sunday, October 2, 2011, Mr. Meehan will be running in a half marathon race somewhere in Prince George's County. Where is the race? You'll have to figure that out for yourself. (Hint: try conducting an internet search on key words from this paragraph, or ask a parent/guardian/etc. to take a look at this photo to help give you an idea of where the race will take place). Once you've figured out where the race is happening, you should be able to locate the website for the race itself in no time.

Your extra credit challenge will be to keep your eyes peeled for the race results (which should be posted on the race website some time late on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning!!!).

The first student from each class to post on THIS BLOG ENTRY with:

1) Your Name
2) Your Class Section, and 
3) Mr. Meehan's official completed race time (a.k.a. "how long did it take him to finish the race?") 

will receive a free extra credit test grade of 100 points.

Thematic Analysis - Sept. 28 (4A)

Today's Objective:

Students will review first quarter texts in order to determine thematic similarities and prepare for first quarter novel study.

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Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

None.

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Today's Lesson Notes:

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Tonight's Homework:

"I think banning books is a very, very dangerous thing. It takes away an important freedom. Any time there is an attempt to ban a book, you should fight it as hard as you can. It’s okay for a parent to say, ‘I don’t want my child to read this book.’ But it is not okay for anyone to try to make that decision for other people."

How do you feel about this statement? Do you agree or disagree with it? DEFEND YOUR OPINION. Post your comments in a five-sentence-BCR by the start of next class!

(BCRs must contain five complete sentences. No partial credit is awarded)

Thematic Analysis - Sept. 28 (2A)

Today's Objective:

Students will review first quarter texts in order to determine thematic similarities and prepare for first quarter novel study.

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Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

None.

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Today's Lesson Notes:

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Tonight's Homework:

"I think banning books is a very, very dangerous thing. It takes away an important freedom. Any time there is an attempt to ban a book, you should fight it as hard as you can. It’s okay for a parent to say, ‘I don’t want my child to read this book.’ But it is not okay for anyone to try to make that decision for other people."

How do you feel about this statement? Do you agree or disagree with it? DEFEND YOUR OPINION. Post your comments in a five-sentence-BCR by the start of next class!

(BCRs must contain five complete sentences. No partial credit is awarded)

Thematic Analysis - Sept. 28 (1A)

Today's Objective:

Students will review first quarter texts in order to determine thematic similarities and prepare for first quarter novel study.

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Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

None.

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Today's Lesson Notes:

---

Tonight's Homework:

"I think banning books is a very, very dangerous thing. It takes away an important freedom. Any time there is an attempt to ban a book, you should fight it as hard as you can. It’s okay for a parent to say, ‘I don’t want my child to read this book.’ But it is not okay for anyone to try to make that decision for other people."

How do you feel about this statement? Do you agree or disagree with it? DEFEND YOUR OPINION. Post your comments in a five-sentence-BCR by the start of next class!

(BCRs must contain five complete sentences. No partial credit is awarded)

"Harrison Bergeron" - Sept. 27 (4B)

Today's Objective:


Students will read and analyze Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" in order to interpret theme and determine author's purpose.

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Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:


"Harrison Bergeron," by Kurt Vonnegut
Click here to read this text online

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Today's Lesson Notes:

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Tonight's Homework:

Click here to visit your class VoiceThread

You will have to create a username and password for the site.
You will need to respond either as a:

1) Written message
2) Phone call (the number is posted on the VoiceThread)
3) Audio File (you will need a built-in computer microphone)
4) Video (you will need a built-in computer camera)

THIS WILL COUNT AS A TEST GRADE.

"Harrison Bergeron" - Sept. 27 (3B)

Today's Objective:

Students will read and analyze Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" in order to interpret theme and determine author's purpose.

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Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

"Harrison Bergeron," by Kurt Vonnegut
Click here to read this text online

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Today's Lesson Notes:

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Tonight's Homework:

Click here to visit your class VoiceThread

You will have to create a username and password for the site.
You will need to respond either as a:

1) Written message
2) Phone call (the number is posted on the VoiceThread)
3) Audio File (you will need a built-in computer microphone)
4) Video (you will need a built-in computer camera)

THIS WILL COUNT AS A TEST GRADE.

"A Sound of Thunder" - Sept. 27 (1B)

Today's Objective:

Students will read and analyze Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" in order to explore how word choice can reveal author's purpose.

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Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

"A Sound of Thunder," by Ray Bradbury
Click here to read this text online

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Today's Lesson Notes:

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Tonight's Homework:

Today, we discussed how word choice can provide powerful hints into revealing a work's theme(s) and an author's purpose.

What is your opinion of Eckles? Why do you feel this way about him? Do you know anyone like this character in your real life? Post your comments in a BCR at the foot of this blog entry in a five-sentence BCR by the start of next class.

(BCRs must contain five complete sentences. No partial credit is awarded)

"Harrison Bergeron" - Sept. 26 (4A)

Today's Objective:

Students will read and analyze Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" in order to interpret theme and determine author's purpose.

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Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

"Harrison Bergeron," by Kurt Vonnegut
Click here to read this text online

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Today's Lesson Notes:

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Tonight's Homework:

Today, we discussed a number of questions dealing with the author's purpose.

Click here to visit your class VoiceThread

You will have to create a username and password for the site.
You will need to respond either as a:

1) Written message
2) Phone call (the number is posted on the VoiceThread)
3) Audio File (you will need a built-in computer microphone)
4) Video (you will need a built-in computer camera)

THIS WILL COUNT AS A TEST GRADE.

"Harrison Bergeron" - Sept. 26 (2A)

Today's Objective:

Students will read and analyze Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" in order to interpret theme and determine author's purpose.

---

Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

"Harrison Bergeron," by Kurt Vonnegut
Click here to read this text online

---

Today's Lesson Notes:

---

Tonight's Homework:

Click here to visit your class VoiceThread

You will have to create a username and password for the site.
You will need to respond either as a:

1) Written message
2) Phone call (the number is posted on the VoiceThread)
3) Audio File (you will need a built-in computer microphone)
4) Video (you will need a built-in computer camera)

THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL COUNT FOR A TEST GRADE.

"Harrison Bergeron" - Sept. 26 (1A)

Today's Objective:

Students will read and analyze Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" in order to interpret theme and determine author's purpose.

---

Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

"Harrison Bergeron," by Kurt Vonnegut
Click here to read this text online

---

Today's Lesson Notes:

---

Tonight's Homework:

Click here to visit your class VoiceThread

You will have to create a username and password for the site.
You will need to respond either as a:

1) Written message
2) Phone call (the number is posted on the VoiceThread)
3) Audio File (you will need a built-in computer microphone)
4) Video (you will need a built-in computer camera)

THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL COUNT FOR A TEST GRADE.