Wednesday, April 29

Class Instructions for Wednesday, April 29th.

10-15 minutes - Students should discuss their initial impressions of The Great Gatsby as one large group. Do they enjoy Fitzgerald's writing style? Are they interested in the plot so far? Who is their favorite character and why? Who is their least favorite character and why?

20 minutes - Break up into 2 groups (7 a piece) to go over character worksheet from homework. Share personal impressions of each of the characters and see if you agree or disagree with other members in your group. Are there any universal impressions that arise in your group?

10 minutes - Share your group impressions of the characters with the entire class. Who are the strongest/most fully developed characters in the book thus far? What information about the characters has Fitzgerald given you in order to come to this conclusion?

HW - Write 1 paragraph response to the following prompt: What techniques (literary and language-based) does Fitzgerald utilize in order to suspend the reader's impression of Jay Gatsby in the opening 60 pages of the book which bears Gatsby's name?

Monday, March 23

In class, students completed Vocab Unit 9 Quiz, submitted diaries from Paradox of Choice and page long responses to The Tipping Point. Class discussion on ideas and articles that have 'tipped.' To be continued tomorrow. Made to Stick handout distributed in class.

Traveling students: please read Made to Stick handout while traveling. An assignment on all three nonfiction pieces due after our return from Spring Break will be posted shortly.

**Fri, Mar 13**

CHANGE IN SCHEDULE!!

Class WILL meet on Monday, March 16th. Vocab Quiz Unit 9 will be on Monday, March 16th instead of old schedule for the 23rd.

Students should have all Paradox of Choice work completed for Monday's class. Students will receive new assignments for March 16-19th in class on Monday.

Mon March 9 - Fri March 13

Class will not meet Mon, Tues, Thurs due to student travel. However, I am on campus all week and am available to meet one-on-one if anyone needs assistance. Email at cfeehan at burkemtnacademy dot org with any questions if you are traveling.

All students should have The Paradox of Choice packet fully read along with a hypothesis on whether or not increased choices lead to increased happiness.

HW this week: Complete 3 journal entries of 1 paragraph length each evaluating your hypothesis on happiness. What choices are you confronting and do they lead to increased happiness in your life? Complete Vocab Unit 9. Quiz on Monday, March 16.

Class WILL meet on Monday, March 16th.

Fri, Feb 27

In class on Thursday, students evaluated themselves as decision-makers. They also discussed the choices they face on a daily basis.

Class will not meet Mon, March 2 or Tues, March 3.

HW due Thursday, March 5: Complete reading packet. In bullet points, outline your personal position on whether or not increased choices lead to increased happiness.

Mon, Feb 9

In class, students went over SAT prep work.

HW due Tues: Study for Vocab Quiz Unit 7. We will also review "Monkey's Paw" work in Tues's class.

Thurs, Jan 29

HW due Mon: First draft of 5-paragraph essay due (2-3 pages max). Please see me Sat afternoon if you have any questions; make an appt. with me during Brunch between 11:30-12:30.