Tuesday, September 6, 2005

English 3 -- We will finish reading Act I today in class. You will then need to write the following in your blog: Write a journal entry of either Betty, Abigail, or Reverend Parris that clearly shows his/her thinking so far in Act I. Include elements of the plot so far. Here's an example for Reverend Hale (not a choice for this assignment):


Salem, 1692
Well, here I am. I have been called from my hometown of Beverly by the Reverend Parris to determine what ails his daughter, Betty. They say she lies inert in her bed and has attempted to fly out her window. Apparently, Betty and some other girls danced in the woods and Goody Putnam has confessed to me that she sent her daughter Ruth to the woods to talk to her seven dead babies. The girls danced around a kettle with a frog inside. Additionally, Giles has now mentioned that his wife reads mysterious books and when she does, he cannot pray. However, after she puts away her books, he can again resume his prayers. Very suspicious. Since I am a learned man who has dealt with this situation just recently, I feel I am the one to solve their problems. Parris has agreed to abide by my decision as to whether witchcraft is or is not involved.

For homework, begin learning the definitions of the vocabulary words from Act I that I will give you today. They are words that often appear on ACT and SAT exams.

English 4 -- We will discuss your rough drafts today. I will ask you to look for weaknesses in vivid details, weak verbs, lack of similes and metaphors. Final drafts will be due Thursday by the end of the day. However, tomorrow is the last class day to work on them.

Speech -- We will continue discussing Chapter 3. We may try to get the following sites to work:
http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/advertisingtricks/whatsinanad.html

http://www.coke.com/usa/tvcommercials/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/30secondcandidate/tricks_of_the_trade

Reading Lab -- I hope we will finish our book this week. We will continue working on asking questions and learn a new technique this week called "Say Something." We will also continue our Bookworm competition.