A day without Mrs. R.

Good morning,
I am not here of course. Ms G. is your sub and I am at a workshop for American Lit teachers over at Mission Bay High. You still need to read Gatsby though. Ms. G is going to play the CD and you still get to take the quiz at the end of chapter 6 and start chapter 7. Ms. G will put up the tinyurl for the quiz when you finish chapter 6.

Chapter 7 is very interesting and some things happen there that I don't want you to know about yet, so I'm only giving you the first four questions for the chapter. You may not even get to all of those.

1. What is Gatsby's reaction to Daisy's child?
2. What did George Wilson do to Myrtle? Why?
3. Why do the five of them drive into the city on such a hot afternoon?
4. What does Gatsby think about Daisy's relationship with Tom?

Good morning,
Thanks to the Healthy Kids survey that 4th period had to take on Friday my American Lit classes are in different places. That drives me up the wall, so this week we are working to get everyone back to the same place.

Today period 3 starts Gatsby chapter 6. Period 4 needs to finish chapter 5 and take the quiz and then start chapter 6.

Chapter 6 questions:
1. What is Gatsby's real history? Where is he from and what is his name?
2. What did Dan Cody do for Gatsby?
3. What is Daisy's opinion of Gatsby's party? How does this affect him?
4. What does Gatsby want from Daisy?

PS I'll add the chapter 5 quiz to the list at right after period 4 takes it today.

It's Friday

Good morning,
Third period today will read the rest of chapter 5 and take the quiz. Fourth period will be taking the CA Healthy Kids Survey. (We were 'randomly' selected.) That means 4th period won't even see this blog post because they won't get computers because the survey is on a scantron. Sorry 4th period. I can't believe scantron isn't even a real word according to this dictionary built into this editor. Happy Friday everyone.

"Don't bring Tom."

Good morning,
Yesterday we finished chapter 4 and took the quiz. (If you were absent make sure you take the quiz using the link to the right.) Today we begin chapter 5. Nick is going to help Gatsby see Daisy again and...well, I don't want to ruin it for you.

Chapter 5 starts here...

Chapter 5 questions. Put them in your English Journal.

1. Describe the meeting between Daisy and Gatsby.
2. How long did it take Gatsby to make the money to buy the mansion?
3. Why did Gatsby want Daisy to see his house and his clothes?
4. What had the green light on the dock meant to Gatsby?
5. What had Gatsby turned Daisy into in his own mind?

Finishing Chapter Four

Good morning,
Yesterday many of you told me that you really wanted to finish chapter 4 because you expected it would give you a much better understanding of the questions I asked you at the start of the book. Today we will see if that is true. Open chapter 4 and do a control-F for 'October'. Open your English Journal too.

When we finish we will take the quiz today or tomorrow.

Revisiting The Questions

Good morning,
If you haven't done it already, get in your groups. When you get there take a look at the questions on the back wall. All of them relate to The Great Gatsby in some way. Now that we have read a few chapters of the book it is time to go back to those questions.

With your group I want you to try to figure out WHY each question relates to the book. Which characters are involved in that question? Make predictions about the plot from what you know about the questions. In other words, why did I ask you these questions and how do they relate to the book.
This is a discussion, but you will also be writing about the discussion in your English Journal.

Also, if you were absent Monday you need to make up the chapter 3 quiz over there on the right.

Beginning Chapter 4

Good morning,
On Friday we finished, (or nearly finished) chapter 3. Today we will take the quiz quickly and move on to chapter 4, wherein we will learn much more about Mr. Gatsby. You will need to comprehension questions below to help you follow the story.

1. Who is Klipspringer?
2. What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself?
3. What "matter" did Gatsby have Jordan Baker discuss with Nick?
4. Who is Mr. Wolfshiem? What does Gatsby say he did?
5. What does Mr. Wolfshiem tell Nick about Gatsby?
6. What does Jordan tell Nick about Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom?

Link to Chapter 4

Let the party continue...

Good morning,
Today we go back to the party. The party in chapter 3 of Gatsby that is. There are some things to discuss in this chapter that I want you to be able to talk about. Move into your groups and open the chapter (see link in yesterday's post) and your English Journal. We will probably get to the chapter 3 quiz today. I'll give you a URL for that in class, but later it will be listed with the other Gatsby quizzes on the right.

Gatsby Ch 3

Good morning,

Questions for chapter 3. Copy them into your English Journal and answer them as you read.

1. Describe Gatsby's wealth. List some of the things that represent his wealth.
2. What kinds of people come to Gatsby's parties?
3. Why did Nick Carraway go to the party?
4. How does Nick meet Gatsby?
5. What are some of the stories about Gatsby?
6. Is Gatsby a "phony"
7. Describe Nick's relationship with Jordan?

Link to Chapter 3

CAHSEE Day 2

Good morning,
Today is CAHSEE Math and that means even more of you will be out testing. Someone pointed out to me that I have this list way down there on the right of 'Movies I would show you if I had time' and because of the CAHSEE we have a little time. So I was looking on Netflix to see if any of them were available as watch it now titles, a few are, but I also found a documentary about Jazz by Ken Burns. It will fit well with Gatsby. So, for those of you who are here, we get to watch that.

CAHSEE Day 1

Good morning,
With so many of our classmates out taking the CAHSEE we can't move forward with our reading. Instead we will work in class on a variety of things. Some of you are still missing work that would help your grade. A few of you need to make up the EAP test we took yesterday. You should check out twitter.com. If you decide to create an account for yourself you can follow my tweets by searching for jenroberts1.

EAP Test is coming...

Gatsby quiz links are now on the right side of the blog. If you miss one go there to take it.

Monday we have to take a writing test. It's called the EAP. It stands for Early Assessment Program. It is an essay test to assess your writing skills. It's important. It helps to determine if you are ready for college writing and to place you in the right English classes when you get to college.

I'd rather read Gatsby too, but we have to get this over with. And if you're reading this spread the word because the computers will be locked on Monday morning.

Have a great weekend.

Finishing chapter 2

Good morning,
Yesterday we read through most of chapter two. Today we will finish it and take the quiz. Since I don't want you to take the quiz before we finish the chapter I am not posting a link to it here. I will give you the URL in class when we are ready. Later I will post a link here for those of you taking the quiz from home. Make sure you have the questions from yesterday's post in your English Journal. You can look at your notes there while you take the quiz.

Chapter 1 quiz and starting chapter 2

Good morning,
Yesterday we finished with chapter 1 and so we have a quiz to take today. Click here to take the chapter 1 quiz.

Following the quiz we will begin chapter 2. You will need to copy (control-c) and paste (control-v) these questions into your English Journal.

1. What is the valley of ashes?
2. What are the "eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg"?
3. Who did Tom take Nick to meet?
4. Who are George and Myrtle Wilson?
5. What did Mrs. Wilson buy while she was out with Nick and Tom?
6. Where did they go? What was at 158th Street?
7. Who are Catherine and Mr. and Mrs. McKee?
8. What does Mr. McKee tell Nick about Gatsby?
9. What reason does Myrtle give for marrying George Wilson?
10. What did Tom do to Myrtle when she mentioned Daisy's name?

Oops, I almost forgot to give you a link to chapter 2.
Check out this site of great photographs from the Jazz Age.

Gatsby Chapter 1 Continued

Good morning,
Today we continue with Chapter 1. I have more questions for you. Copy and paste them into your English Journal. If you were absent yesterday go read the two posts below this one and catch up on reading the beginning of chapter 1 tonight.

7. What kind of person is Daisy?
8. What did Miss Baker tell Nick about Tom?
9. When asked about her daughter what does Daisy say?
10. How is Gatsby introduced in the novel?

Obama's Words

Did you hear what President Obama said today?

"Of course, no matter how innovative our schools or how effective our teachers, America cannot succeed unless our students take responsibility for their own education. That means showing up for school on time, paying attention in class, seeking out extra tutoring if it’s needed, and staying out of trouble. And to any student who’s watching, I say this: don’t even think about dropping out of school. As I said a couple of weeks ago, dropping out is quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country, and it is not an option – not anymore. Not when our high school dropout rate has tripled in the past thirty years. Not when high school dropouts earn about half as much as college graduates. And not when Latino students are dropping out faster than just about anyone else. It is time for all of us, no matter what our backgrounds, to come together and solve this epidemic."

The Great Gatsby, Chapter 1

BETTER VERSION OF THIS MAP AVAILABLE HERE!
PS. 2/28/10
      A word to my random visitors: If you found this post through a Google search I would love to know more about you.  If you are a teacher teaching The Great Gatsby please post a comment or follow me on Twitter. I have many other Great Gatsby resources and teaching suggestions I am willing to share.
     If you are a student looking for easy answers you won't find them here. Sorry.

Good morning,

Today we begin reading The Great Gatsby. You have explored key questions related to the novel, you have learned more about the 1920s and you have even found many symbols of wealth in our society. You are ready.

We will start with Chapter 1. This link goes directly to it, but the Critical Links list on the right also has a link to the whole book. When you are absent you need to use that to catch up on your reading.

Open your English Journal now and copy and paste the questions below into it. We will answer them as we read chapter one.

1. How does the narrator describe Gatsby?
2. From where does the narrator come and why?
3. Describe the narrator's house.
4. Describe the Buchannans' house.
5. How does Nick know Tom and Daisy?
6. Describe Tom. What is our impression of him in chapter 1?

Gatsby Pre-Test

Good morning,

The blog is the boss of you, but Ms. G is in charge. She's a friend of mine so be nice to her. As I have been shouting from the rooftops all week you have an assessment today. It's really just a longer than normal quiz and it does require you to write several answers in paragraph form.

Click HERE to take the Gatsby Pre-Test

After you are done with your test please examine your options carefully and use your time well.

1. Many of you still need work on your Nature Writing assignment.
2. Some of you need to finish the write-up that goes with your collage.
3. You could also get on Naviance and do some of the thing Mrs. Eurich has asked you to do there.
4. Perhaps your English journal is lacking.
5. Maybe you even have some work to do for another class.
6. Is there a quiz you haven't taken this semester?
7. This may even be the perfect time to start your own blog.
8. If all else fails donate some rice.

Don't forget that because of the pep-rally schedule you will need to shut down at a different time than normal.
Monday we go to see counselors about classes for next year. Make sure you turn in your orange card or bring it on Monday.

To prepare you to read The Great Gatsby there are some things you need to know more about. I've included the list below with some links to some of the resources I'd like you to look at. You should look at the links I've included but then you also need to search out additional information on your own. You need to know about all of these things before our quiz on Friday. I suggest you work as a group. Ask each person to become an expert on one or two areas and then have them teach the rest. But, do not rely on a group member to teach you everything. You should also at least look at all the links yourself.

Women of the 1920's
Women's fashion and (for some) behavior in the 1920's was very different than earlier times. Start with this letter from a 'flapper' http://faculty.pittstate.edu/%7Eknichols/flapperappeal.html

World War One.
Focus your WWI learning about the experiences of American soldiers in Europe. Start with this letter from Paris. http://www.firstworldwar.com/diaries/normington.htm

Prohibition.
During prohibition the manufacture and sale of alcohol was banned in the United States. Which amendment to the constitution made this the law? What was the effect of prohibition on society? http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1085.html

1919 World Series.
Something stunning happened at a baseball game in 1919. What was it? Who was involved? What happened?

Music of the 20's.
The 20's are also sometimes known as "The Jazz Age". Why? What was happening to music? Who were the musicians involved? Was the music a reflection of other social changes or a motivator for social change? http://www.whro.org/home/html/liveradio/1920s_wma.html

Fitzgerald.
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the book we are about to read. Who was he? What was his life like? When and where did he write The Great Gatsby? take a look at his biography. http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald/biography.html

This site has some useful links for most of these topics and general background about the 1920's
http://www.sbhsd.k12.ca.us/sbhslib/social/twenties.htm

Thinking Deeper

Good morning,

Today I would like you to think more deeply about ONE of the questions we explored yesterday. They are posted in the back of the room.

1. Choose one question that you have something to say about.
2. Open your English Journal.
3. Write a three paragraph answer to the question you chose. (200+ words)
   
4. Include examples, elaborate on your thinking.
5. If the question you are answering has more than one 'side' write about why the other 'side' is wrong.

Also note the Homework Alert on the right. And you may want to read the post below that I wrote yesterday afternoon.

Link to School Board Page in case you want to take the budget survey.

Monday Afternoon

Alright I'm playing catch up. As most of you know I had to be out on Friday because my son was very sick. Your nature writing papers were due Friday and you went to the Invisible Children assembly.

Today, Monday, you wrote about and discussed questions with your writing group. We will be seeing many of those questions again during our next reading, so keep them in mind.

You have some artistic homework to complete this week. This is an easy way to add some points to your grade so get it done. See Homework Alert at right.