After Winter Break, I mean SPRING Break...

Juniors:  DO YOU HAVE YOUR INDEPENDENT READING BOOK IN YOUR POSSESSION YET? If so, for 5 bonus points, post the title and author of your independent reading novel here before midnight on Sunday, April 3rd. You need to bring your book to class on Monday!


Seniors:  Tomorrow is April 1st.  Many scholarship applications are due this month.  What are you doing now to put yourself in a position to be prepared for life after graduation?  There are many scholarship opportunities on JVS's website.  Check them out!!!

Lit and Film:  Every time I saw a group of birds this week, I thought of you. Now I bet all these birds wish they hadn't flown back north so soon - someone forgot to tell Mother Nature we flipped the calendar to Spring!

Anyone going to the Indians home opener tomorrow?  See you all on Monday.

For My Number One Fan...

Hello Mrs. Pluta!  Nice to see you here.  I wonder if anyone else will stop by to say hi today!

Seniors 2011 - Last Lectures

Here's the array of historic characters we met Wednesday for our Last Lecture Presentations. Bravo!

Did You Start Your Hourly Countdown To Spring Break Yet???

One more day, one more day, one more day.... We can do this!

Seniors:  Did you return your biography library books from our project?  Also, if you will have no use for the costume articles that you picked up on our field trip, please donate them to the classroom.  I'm sure I can put them to good use!  Reminder - your Shakespeare background packet is due tomorrow.  Be ready to start my favorite Shakespearean tragedy after break:  Macbeth!

Juniors:  What did you think of the decision of the elderly couple in today's story, "A Summer Tragedy?"  What would cause them to go to such drastic measures?  What would you do if you were in their situation?  5 bonus points for a thoughtful comment under this post! 

Lit and Film:  I'm not gonna lie...those birds give me the creeps!  Scanning your faces as you were watching today's segment with the bird attacks at the birthday party and fireplace, some of you are also a little affected by these birds!  This classic film used nearly 300 camera trick shots and was revolutionary for its sound effects and editing. As we continue to watch The Birds, pay special attention to the sounds in the film, especially the bird scenes.  What do you think the sounds add to the mood of the film and/or the characters and why?  5 bonus points for a thoughtful comment under this post! 

Bravo Seniors!!

You did a fabulous job with your Last Lecture Presentations today!  Many of you were well-prepared for this big day.  So many costumes were solid representations of the historic figures you represented and you really characterized your subject well.  Mrs. Pluta and I were impressed.  Many of you had good insight into your figures and put together meaningful words of advice.  While the presentations lasted longer than we had anticipated, you were flexible with the schedule change.  From that crazy Mongolian's opening yell, to George Washington's powdery hair and Dodge Charger, so many of you stepped up to this challenge by overcoming nervousness, stepping out of yourselves and into the life of someone you've never met, and taking chances in front of a big group.  Hopefully, for some of you, this project is proof that you can accomplish anything you want with a little thought and effort!

A special thanks to our IMT juniors, Chris and Victoria, for filming the presentations.  Can't wait to see how that came out!

Darth Vader = Tragic Hero? and other stuff.

Seniors:  ARE YOU READY FOR TOMORROW?  GOOD LUCK!

Juniors:  Today's story, "The Storyteller" dealt with often overused literary stereotypes, referred to as archetypes.  These are predictable kinds of characters, plots, themes or conflicts.  We see these a lot in many film plots too.  The movies in the double-trilogy (???)   of Star Wars contains nearly every possible archetyped character and plot that exists in storytelling and writing.  What are some of the kinds of characters or plots that we see often in literature or film?  Can you name any?

Lit and Film:  It's Spring!  The Birds are arriving in our area!  Take cover!

Follow This Blog!!

Attention All Students:  Sign up to follow this blog for a bonus 10 points!! Do it now, while you're here!

Ready to Spring for Spring Break!

Finally!  Spring Break is on the horizon.  By this time next week, you may be lounging around without a care in the world, playing an intense game of Mario Party, or working as many hours as you can fit into a week.  Whichever is the case, remember to stay focused until 2:14 on Friday!

English 12: The big day is upon us!  Last Lecture presentations are this Wednesday.  It is crucial that you are prepared for your presentation.  Remember all of the costumes and props that you will need, have your presentation rehearsed, and be ready when it is your turn to deliver your presentation.  It is crucial that you are in school for this special day.

English 11:  We are continuing our unit of short stories.  Remember there will be a quiz on Friday over literary terms given to you in class.  Remember, you must have a fiction book by April 4th for independent reading.  It needs to be at least 200 pages and bring it to school with you when we return from break.

Lit and Film:  We are continuing to study the oldies.  I know many of you had mixed reactions about the very earliest of film shorts that we watched.  I, for one, am very appreciative for the advances in cinema since the 1800's!