We continue poetry this week with slam poetry.  Students will continue to analyze poetry and finish the week by creating and performing their own slam poem.  Each student, either as part of a group or on their own, will create five lines of original poetry that they will memorize and perform in front of the class.  The lines should contain at least two instances of figurative language from among the 12 we have studied, and the lines should use vivid, compelling, and exact language that can be performed with enthusiasm.  See the grading rubric below for details.  This assignment will be counted as a major exam grade.

Monday the 19th of October kicks off a two-week poetry unit.  Students will be graded at the end of the first week (Thursday and Friday, the 22nd and 23rd) on group projects they will present.  The project requires students to analyze a song lyric of their choosing and identify at least five of the poetry terms we're studying.  Below are links to the poetry terms and to the group project instructions and rubric.  Next week:  Poetry Slam.

I'm accepting select coursework for regrade through this week, as discussed in class and as indicated on the whiteboard.  Specifically:

• You may still resubmit your "Drummer Boy of Shiloh" essays for a better grade.  If you improve your essay, I'll improve your grade.  Go to the Peg Writing link below.
• A number of you either failed to submit or submitted woefully incomplete "Monkey's Paw" Reflections Worksheets.  I'll accept a "redo" from you through noon on Saturday, 17 OCT.  Go to the link below.
• The vocabulary retest for "Monkey's Paw" is Thursday.  If you choose to retest, your retest grade will replace your current grade (even if you score lower).  The retest link will be active during class time on Thursday.

Here's how it falls out:
Tuesday - Benchmark Testing
Wednesday - Benchmark Testing
Thursday - Library Day and Monkey's Paw Vocabulary Retest
Friday - Complete Tone and Mood Group Project  / Begin Intro to Poetry

This worksheet is due no later than Thursday, 8 October, 2015 and should be completed and submitted as a Google form by following this link:  

Follow the link below for the in-class vocabulary quiz Thursday.  You should click on this link in class, or as otherwise directed by me.  The form will only allow you to submit it once.

This week, we're exploring mood and tone while reading the story "The Monkey's Paw," the text of which, along with pertinent parts from the textbook, you'll find below.  Also included is the audio file of the story.  Vocabulary quiz on Friday.