Poetry Quarter Project
Written on February 17, 2009 – 1:22 pm | by gescovar
Here is the assignment instructions for our first project of the second semester. Please email me (gescovar@bishopamat.org) if you have any questions.
Written on February 17, 2009 – 1:22 pm | by gescovar
Vocabulary 5 & 6 (for final exam)
Written on January 21, 2009 – 3:45 pm | by gescovar
Study these words!
Final Exam (study guide questions)
Written on January 19, 2009 – 9:44 am | by gescovar
The most important thing you can do for the Final Exam is to memorize the Vocabulary Words for Units 5 & 6. However – these questions will also guide you in right directions in terms of studying the text. Please remember that the Exam will include only information from The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and Farewell to Manzanar. Let me know by email if you have any questions. To access the study guide – click on the link below.
Midterm (Study Questions)
Written on November 3, 2008 – 10:35 am | by gescovar
Short Stories:
CONTENTS OF THE DEAD MAN’S POCKET (PG. 17-28)
What is the conflict in the story?
How does the reader know Tom has been changed by his experience?
What does he do at the end of the story?
THE MONKEY’S PAW (pg. 31-40)
What happened to the first man who made wishes with the monkey’s paw?
In what way is Mr. White’s first wish fulfilled?
What, in your opinion, is the moral of this story?
A VISIT TO GRANDMOTHER (pg. 69-74)
What does Chig see in his father’s eyes at the beginning of the story?
How does Charles describe his brother, GL? How does grandmother describe her son, GL?
Who is standing in the doorway at the end of the story?
THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS (pg. 121-124)
Why is the story titled THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS?
THE OPEN WINDOW (pg. 177-180)
Where is Vera’s uncle?
Vera’s tone is best described as…?
THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (pg. 167-172)
What is the “seal” of the Red Death?
How does Prince Prospero try to escape the plague?
Symbols to know: Prince Prospero, abbey, 7 apartments, ebony clock, masked figure, the “utterly lost” at the masquerade.
LITERARY TERMS TO KNOW
Plot, Exposition, Conflict (Internal and External), Complication, Climax, Resolution, Setting, Foreshadowing, Symbolism, Suspense, Mood/Atmosphere, Tone, Direct and Indirect Characterization, Allegory.
Extra Curricular Enrichment Opportunity (JULIUS CAESAR)
Written on November 3, 2008 – 10:12 am | by gescovar
Caesar: Life of a Colossus
British historian Adrian Goldsworthy recently published a critically acclaimed new biography of Julius Caesar. He was interviewed by Tom Ashbrook on Boston’s NPR affiliate.
Please follow this link and listen to the 48 minute interview. To start the interview, click the button at the top of the page that says “Listen To This Show.” While listening to the interview, take notes on the parts that you find interesting. For full credit, students will need to hand in at least one page of notes AND a writing response that details 5 new things that they learned about Julius Caesar (this should be about 150-200 words).
This enrichment opportunity is intended to take about 80 minutes to complete (equal to a single class period). If you have any questions, email gescovar@bishopamat.org and I will get back to you. This opportunity can be completed any time BEFORE THANKSGIVING.
MIDTERM!
Written on October 30, 2008 – 10:14 am | by gescovar
ENGLISH 2 Students – Please be aware that your Midterm Exam will take place on Wednesday, November 5th. The exam is extremely important for your second progress report grade. We will review in class – but be aware that the following will be on the test…
VOCABULARY! Units 1, 2, and 3 will be covered. 15 words will be selected – you will be given the definition of the word and four choices to match. I will give you an idea as to which words are most important to study.
LITERARY TERMS! About 13 matching questions will concern the literary terms that we covered at the beginning of each short story. All of the plot elements, and devices like allegory, theme, and setting should be reviewed.
SHORT STORIES! Approximately 30 multiple choice questions will be asked for the Short Stories studied in class. Some of the questions should look pretty familiar, but others will be new.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD! 10 Character identification matching questions will also be on the test. You have match the character with a description. In addition, 5-7 multiple choice questions will ask you about the novel.
WRITING SECTION! The writing section of the exam will require you to respond to a prompt based on one of the 8 Short Stories. Remember those paragraphs you wrote in preparation for the Short Story Test? I wouldn’t be surprised if those were useful yet again in preparing for the Midterm.
Students, GOOD LUCK. Please know that you MUST study to be successful on this exam. I feel that too many of you expected to succeed without studying for the Short Story Test. Do not fall into the same trap for the Midterm. This is a great opportunity for you to cement your grade in English. Study hard! Read the stories again! Know the vocab backwards and forwards! You can do it.
Short Story Test (Coming Soon!)
Written on October 23, 2008 – 5:41 pm | by gescovar
English II students should be aware that the Short Story test is quickly approaching.
Period 4 students will be taking the test on Tuesday, October 28th.
Period 5 students will be taking the test on Wednesday, October 29th.
The following short stories will be reprsented on the test.
CONTENTS OF A DEAD MAN’S POCKET
THE MONKEY’S PAW
LEININGEN VERSUS THE ANTS
A VISIT TO GRANDMOTHER
THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS
MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH
THE OPEN WINDOW
A CIVIL PEACE
Please remember that the test will consist of 40 multiple choice questions (approximately 5 per story) and two short answer responses. Students are also reminded that the lectures present on blog postings below are good study tools for the test.
Open Window – by SAKI (wordle)
Written on October 20, 2008 – 11:48 am | by gescovar
This is the image used for today’s pre-writing activity. If you were absent, and would like to make up the assignment, please let me know.
Essay Contest (George Washington)
Written on October 8, 2008 – 12:45 pm | by gescovar
If you are interested, and I certainly think some of you should try for this, www.isi.org is hosting an essay writing contest. Click here for more information. Although I would suggest that this opportunity is more for my senior IB class – sophomores are also encouraged to check it out if they want.
An example of last year’s winner can be read here. Please see me if you have any questions.
GRADES
Written on October 7, 2008 – 5:50 pm | by gescovar
STUDENTS: grades have been updated on STS and I encourage all of you to see where you stand.
As of right now – I am slightly concerned because of the amount of assignments that have not been submitted. Please be reminded that the 6 Week Progress report happens THIS FRIDAY. By the end of the weekend, I will have finished updating the grades (including the Summer Assignment, and Summer Exam).
I hope that all of you take the time to note your progress and make any necessary adjustments before the Progress Reports are mailed. Please email me or talk to me in class if you have any questions about the grades.
