Mr. Nast's Corner

June 1 - June 4

2010-05-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

English 11

All that remains is the exam when you return and then a morning picnic and a morning awards assembly. I’ve enjoyed working with each of you this year. Have a great summer and focus on your college choices. Now is the time to choose. You are all capable of college, so seek out the one you desire and nail it down.

HS Bible

It’s time for exams and then fun on the last two mornings of the week. I hope you have learned some things this year that will last your entire life. That has been my intention throughout the year. The most important thing to remember from this year was our study of Revelation: Jesus is coming back sometime; we don’t know when, but it could be at any time; be ready by not only believing but by persevering in what God expects from you as a believer; always be eager to share your relationship with others who don’t know about your Savior. That was John’s message for the early churches and it still is ours today.

May 24 - 28

2010-05-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

English 11

This will be an abbreviated week. On Monday you will be on your canoe trip and on Thursday and Friday you will be at Cedar Point. On Tuesday you will be presenting your culminating author activity at our “tea party.” I hope you have had fun preparing for it. On Wednesday we’ll complete the presentations if need be and then finish off the year with a writing assignment. As you can see it will be a very easy week.

HS Bible

I will be working with the ninth grade students on Monday and then on Tuesday the final presentation will be made. Remember to work on you map. There will be time on Monday for the ninth grade students and probably some on Tuesday for the entire class. Remember to submit your community service forms by no later than Tuesday, June 1. After that it won’t be considered in the grade.

May 17-21

2010-05-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

English 11

You will have Monday and Tuesday to work on your culminating activity. You should have by now chosen your author and be familiar with his/her works. Your presentation will be a week from Tuesday. We will be reading some of Frost’s works as well as another interesting short story this week, incorporating vocabulary from the selections. Thursday is scheduled for your canoe trip and if we don’t get any more rain it may still come together. Otherwise, we’ll find a substitute activity for that day.

HS Bible

Your Colossians group project is due this Tuesday and you’ll have Monday to work on it. Once your presentations are complete we’ll review the second chapter of Colossians in preparation for a test. There will not be any verse test this week. Don’t forget to work on your community service projects. Time is running down on those.

May 10-14

2010-05-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

English 11

Now that we’ve finished reading the unusual story about the yellow wallpaper, we’ll discuss it in depth on Monday. You also have your Old Man map due on Monday. Throughout the week you’ll be working on the year-end culminating activity, which I’ll distribute on Monday or Tuesday. We’ll have more vocabulary words this week with a test probably on Thursday. You’ll be on your canoe trip on Friday so we have only four days with which to work. I’ll watch the workload between now and the end of the year so you don’t get bogged down.

HS Bible

Now that you have your group assignment you’ll need to work intensely on it. I will provide class time on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday we should be able to get into the lab. I originally scheduled the presentations for Thursday but I’m going to put it back till next Monday. We’ll have a test on the latter part of the first chapter of Colossians probably on Thursday. There will be no memory verse this week. Your grades today were much better than last week. Thank you for studying.

May 3-7

2010-05-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

English 11

Welcome back to our two missionaries. We hope you had a great experience, one that will be valuable for the rest of your lives. We will be winding down on our “Old Man” exercises early this week and we’ll take a test on Wednesday on the book content. We have one more short story to read in the current textbook unit. We’ll also have a vocabulary responsibility this week. Writing has been a major impetus for us lately, and it will continue to be so the rest of the year.

HS Bible

The memory tests were pretty good last Friday but the Colossians recap test was not exemplary. Beginning Monday we’ll begin the last part of chapter one, which I hope to complete by Thursday. Remember to submit your Colossians 1:1-14 map on Monday. We’ll attack chapter 2 in a different mode, in groups. Our memory passage this week includes through verse 18.

April 26-30

2010-04-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

English 11

Monday through Thursday you will be taking your Stanford tests during English class time. On Friday we will review The "Old Man and the Sea" reading your were assigned last Friday. There will be numerous activities we will do in connection with OM including several short writing assignments. I trust you have enjoyed the novella even though it generates a feeling of despair at times.

HS Bible

Now that we are into Colossians we’ll be moving relatively quickly between now and the end of the year. We’ll take the verse test on Monday that was to be taken last Friday, and there will be an additional memory test this Friday. I will likely give you a short quiz on Tuesday, covering what we’ve discusses up to that time. We’ll also be developing idea maps for each chapter of Colossians. Be sure to memorize the key verse in Colossians. Remember to get going on your community service requirement.

April 19-23

2010-04-17T07:03:00.000-07:00

English 11

We’ll complete the brief study of poetry on Monday or Tuesday. Then we’ll begin work on Hemmingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, a novella that will move quickly and which you’ll find interesting. We’ll probably finish our work on the novella by Friday. There will be several writing assignments this week, some of which will be related to the book. Let me again thank you for the excellent job you did on your Mark Twain presentations. They were the highlight of the year for me. It’s enormously rewarding for a teacher to see students demonstrate their skills in such a manner as that. We’ll also be looking at some vocabulary work this week. Next week is Stanford test week so we may not be meeting for English on one of more days that week.

HS Bible

Well, we finally started our study of Colossians, although it was only an introduction. We’re going to find it is a defense of the sufficiency of Christ alone for salvation. On Monday you’ll make your presentations on Revelation and then we’ll get back into Colossians. We’ll add two more verses to the memorization passage this week. We’ll also go back to idea mapping in Colossians so get your colored pencils or pens ready. Please don’t forget to start working toward your community service requirement. The end of the year will come much faster than you imagine.

April 12 - 16

2010-04-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

English 11

I hope you have all enjoyed your Easter break. We have several items to complete that we began prior to the break. You have your storytelling project to present as well as your group skit based on Twain’s style. We’ll begin a new novel; actually a novella entitled The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. Because it is brief we’ll complete it in one week. There will be several activities associated with it. We’ll also get back to grammar and vocabulary building. This week you’ll have at least two entries to make in your writing logs. The last week of the month will be devoted to Stanford testing and because of that we may not be meeting on those days.

HS Bible

On Monday you’ll be given time to put the finishing touches on your presentations. They will be given on either Tuesday or Thursday. We will begin the book of Colossians on Tuesday with additional verses added to your memory passage. That test will be on Friday. Get working on your community service requirement so it doesn’t come down to the last moment. This quarter will go quickly so I’ll be moving rapidly through Colossians. Note taking will be a must if you’re going to remember what we study.

March 29 - April 1

2010-03-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

English 11

On Monday you will be working on your two projects. We may devote Tuesday to this activity, as well. We’ll begin a new unit in the literature book this week by reading a few selections. There will be no vocabulary test this week, but we’ll do one or two entries in our logs. Grammar is never far off so I’m sure we’ll be focusing on that, as well.

HS Bible

It’s never too early to work on your community service requirement so give some thought to joining in the cemetery clean-up. On Monday and Tuesday you will be given time to work on your culminating activity on Revelation. On Wednesday and Thursday we’ll either spend time studying Easter-specific passages or watching an Easter related video. There will be no memory requirement this week. Have a good Easter break and get ready for our last quarter.

March 22-26

2010-03-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

English 11

On Monday we’ll correct your questions from Wagner. On Monday we’ll take a vocabulary test on the words from Wagner, on Tuesday we’ll take a vocabulary test on the three stories from the unit, and on Wednesday we’ll take an open book test on the three stories. We’ll also be writing in our logs at least two days this week. You’ll be given time to work on the two projects that will complete the unit.

HS Bible

Now that we’ve completed Revelation you’ll be given time to work on the two group projects that will complete the study. I’ll assign groups on Monday and get you going on your culminating activity. On Friday we’ll take our next memory test on Colossians. By Thursday you will need to turn in any community service forms to receive credit this quarter. Next week I’ll spend a little time in some passages relating to Easter and we may see a video, as well.

March 15 - 19

2010-03-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

English 11

It was a good tournament played by our guys’ basketball team. Thank you for providing a gun season for all of us to watch. Hopefully we’ll have everyone back in class on Monday so we can move forward together as we conclude this unit based on authors of the mid-late nineteenth century. Twain is a master of tales and we’ve enjoyed him, but now we move on to a new author and a very different stile. We’ll begin a new writing project this week and review the unit’s vocabulary and test on it. We have only two weeks left in the quarter so make sure things are completed on time. On Monday we’ll have another journal entry to write.

HS Bible

We really are closing in on the completion of our Revelation study. We’ll pick up with the end of chapter 21 and then finish chapter 22 this week. We also have the model of the Holy City to create in pairs so plan on working in class on that at least one or two days this week. On Monday I’ll announce a new memory passage from the book of Colossians. That test will be given on Friday. I’m not yet sure when we’ll take our chapters 21-22 test but it will most likely occur next week. Remember you need to submit your community service hours by the middle of next week.

Maarch 8-12

2010-03-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

English 11

Twain is quite a writer, isn’t he! His subtle and sometimes not so subtle humor made many poignant observations during his time and ours as well. We still have some time to spend on his last work in the book, one which is very widely read. We’ll complete our work on Twain this week and culminate our study of him with a project that we’ll work on in pairs. There will be a vocabulary test on all of his works, probably on Friday. Remember you have your paper due on Monday, too. With the MME this week I’ll try to lay low on homework so you can spend time preparing for that.

HS Bible

Tommee Profitt was a great inspiration for us last week. Spiritual Life Week is always such an encouragement to the teachers as well as the students. This week we return to Revelation 21-22. We will also have a memory test on Friday through verse 27. One of the projects you’ll undertake is constructing a replica of heaven based on its description in Revelation. I think you’ll really enjoy it. You’ll be working in pairs or groups. Progress reports go out Monday. Remember to get going on community service if you haven’t yet done so. This quarter is down to three weeks.

March 1-5

2010-02-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

English 11

We’ll have a vocabulary test on Tuesday and we’ll begin reading Mark Twain Monday or Tuesday. Your new writing assignment is due next week on Tuesday so start working on it. Soon we’ll begin reading The Old Man and the Sea, a novel used in most high schools. Grammar will continue, as usual. Hope you had a good fun night and sledding day on Saturday.

HS Bible

Because of spiritual life week we will not hold any Bible classes this week. There are no assignments due.

February 22-26

2010-02-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

English 11

On Monday your short story is due so please bring it to class. There will also be a vocabulary test on Monday. We’ll continue with literature in the Civil War era for a week or slightly more, spending much of our time on Mark Twain. We’ll be writing in our logs 2-3 times each week. We’ll also be focusing on several specific grammar applications that seem to be areas of struggle for you. By the end of the week we’ll have begun a new writing project. In a couple of weeks we’ll begin a new novel that will occupy out literature time.

HS Bible

This week we’ll begin discussing chapters 21 and 22 of Revelation. They represent the best description of heaven we have and what our spiritual beings will do for eternity. No boredom in heaven is what we’ll find. Our study will take at least one week and possibly more. You will need to create an idea map for the chapters so it would be wise to work on that while we move through the chapters. After completion of the book you will be involved in a culminating activity, which is still up for discussion. At this time I’m thinking of breaking the class into four groups, each of which will write a play from Revelation and then perform it for the class. However, there may be other options you’d prefer doing. Come up with a suggestion that you’d like to use for this activity and we’ll consider it as a class.

February 15-19

2010-02-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

English 11

I hope you had a good winter break and are ready to begin a long stretch without a break until Easter. I think Easter falls in June this year. On Tuesday you will take vocabulary tests on “Usher” and “Heiddeger” as well as a test on the three Poe pieces we’ve studied. We’ll also make our first entry into the writing log, which we’ll be using consistently for much of the remainder of the year. Your next writing, the short story, will be due next Monday. Our last story in this unit is “A Rose for Emily.” We’ll read and discuss it by mid-week. As we move through the week we’ll begin a new literature section, one that I think you’ll enjoy. By the end of the week we’ll take a vocabulary test on “Emily.”

HS Bible

On Tuesday I’ll complete the notes on chapter 20 and on Thursday we’ll take a test on the material. Focus on the notes you’ve taken and you’ll do fine. We’ll also complete watching the Apocalypse video we’ve been trudging through for more than a week. Next up are chapters 21 and 22. They go together so we’ll study them that way. Spiritual Life week is coming up in the first week of March so I’d like to complete Revelation prior to that. We’ll see how quickly we can cover the chapters thoroughly.

February 8-12

2010-02-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

English 11

I trust you had a fun-filled extra day last weekend. You get another one next weekend, too. Please complete your reading of “Usher” prior to Tuesday and be ready to discuss the remainder of the story. On Thursday we’ll take a test on the three writings of Poe so please review “ Mask, Raven, Usher.” On Friday we’ll take a vocabulary test on “Usher.” Wednesday will bring our next writing assignment as well as the next literature piece.

HS Bible

Now that your presentations have been made I will provide an overview of the chapter and fill in some blanks. The chapter test will be on Friday along with your next memory test. We’ll begin chapters 21 and 22 the following Tuesday. Our goal is to complete the book of Revelation within two weeks after that.

February 1-5

2010-01-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

English 11

With the speech presentations due on Tuesday I will give you about 25 minutes to do your last minute rehearsals on Monday and we’ll spend the remainder of the time on the “Red Death.” Tuesday will be speech day so we won’t have a regular class. Do your best while I cheer for you. Wednesday through Friday we’ll go back to our literature and complete the “Red Death” as well as one or two other stories. Remember to work on your paper, which is now due on Wednesday. You can expect a vocabulary test on Friday on at least the words from “Red Death” and probably “The Raven.”

HS Bible

Monday will be devoted to your last day in the lab for research on chapter 20. Tuesday will be available for wrap-up and Thursday you’ll make you presentations. Remember, reading from a PP slide will only detract, so know your material and be prepared to present it conversationally. On Friday you’ll have a memory test and I’ll begin an overview of chapter 20 on matters you may not have uncovered. We should complete the chapter by Monday and test on Tuesday of next week.

January 25-29

2010-01-23T09:18:00.001-08:00

English 11

Now that semester exams are over we’re ready to move into the demands of our next quarter. We’ll continue in the literature of the romantic period, reading three of Poe’s well known writings. I hope to share a few more of e.e. cummings works since you enjoyed his first so much. On Monday we’ll begin our first major writing task. We’ll be doing more writing throughout the second semester in an effort to help you prepare for college entrance requirements. We’ll also continue with vocabulary and grammar improvement.

HS Bible

I was proud of the way you performed your skits at chapel. Thank you for the good job you did. Starting Monday we’ll be back at your group work on chapter 20 in Revelation. You’ll have until Thursday or Friday to prepare it and present it. We have our memory work to do again so get a good head start on that. We may attempt another elementary chapel later in the year but we’ll discuss that before making a decision.

January 18-22

2010-01-16T07:20:00.000-08:00

Speech

This is our final week together. Next week you will begin Word in the computer lab. Monday you will be on your field trip so we won’t meet for class. On Tuesday you will be given approx. 20 minutes to ready your selves for your presentation and then we’ll begin with the first skit. Work on your memorization and think about how you can best interpret your character. We’ll finish the presentations on Wednesday. For those who need to take the exam that will occur on Thursday or Friday. The exam will include a reading from Scripture and a short impromptu performance. You will receive progress reports on Monday that show your semester grades as of last Friday. Have a good weekend.

English 11

On Friday I assigned Walden for you to read and on Monday we’ll discuss that piece. We’ll also acquire some vocabulary from it and then move on in the unit. By Wednesday I’ll have assigned a writing task. Thursday and Friday are exam days. For those who will be taking the exam, it will include vocabulary, grammar, and writing facets, all of which you should be able to do well. You will receive progress reports on Monday that show your semester grades as of last Friday.

HS Bible

On Monday and Tuesday we’ll work on preparing the skits for chapel on Wednesday morning. We have a long way to go in these but if you work on memorizing your parts we can pull them together the last two days. You have made good progress but we still need to add some interpretative touches. Wednesday is chapel and Thursday and Friday are exams. I will let you know on Monday what will be on the exam. There will be no memory assignment this week. You will receive progress reports on Monday that show your semester grades as of last Friday.

January 11-15

2010-01-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

Speech

We have spent a lot of time on the Shakespeare readings and now it’s time to see if you are ready to perform. On Monday we’ll take a few minutes for you to determine if you are ready to go or if you need another day preparing. Based on that we’ll either perform on Monday or we’ll begin on Tuesday. The readings last approximately 25 minutes so we may be able to do only one per class. When we perform we’ll go to the library where there is more room. Once we complete the two readings we’ll either go on to another Shakespeare play or I’ll provide you a play to perform, non-Shakespearian. You will have the rest of the week to work on memorizing the play and then next week we’ll have you perform it.

English 11

It was a productive student council meeting on Friday. On Monday we’ll go back to finish Tom Walker and see how he fares against the devil. Remember to bring in your ACSI creative writing paper, which is due Monday. You also need to have tacked down your speech by the end of the week. I will provide class time for working on it but only if you have your material already. We can’t waste time looking for material during class. We’ll continue in our literature book as well as mix in some grammar work throughout the week. This unit has some really good stories in it. Most likely we’ll take a vocabulary test by Friday based on words from the stories we’ve read. Another paper is on the horizon and will be assigned by Friday. Enjoy your weekend.

Bible HS

We spent a lot of time on the skits last week and we’ll devote another one or two days this week to them. Remember, one or both of them will be performed next Wednesday. On Monday we’ll begin working on Revelation 20 in groups. I still hope to wrap that up prior to exams. If you still need to submit community service hours please get them in by 1/20. We’ll talk some about the exam this week so you can be thinking about what to study.

January 4-8

2009-12-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

Speech

I hope all of you had a good vacation and are ready to get back to work for our last three weeks of the class. On Monday we’ll get our new scripts and begin working on them. By late Tuesday or Wednesday we’ll be ready to perform. Next up is Shakespeare in reader’s theater style. We’ll begin one of his plays on Wednesday or Thursday.

English 11

I had hoped to complete PP before the break but it didn’t work out that way so we’ll complete it this week. On Monday I’ll distribute your last set of vocabulary words from the book and we’ll probably test on Wednesday. On Tuesday we’ll either have you present your event line and use your presentation as a final assessment for the book or I’ll give you a test covering the book. Remember you need to get working seriously on your ACSI writing, which is due on January 10. You also need to pick your speech for the competition and begin working on it. We’ll be returning to the literature book by Thursday. We’ll stay in it for a few weeks before working on another novel. The semester exams are only three weeks off so if you want to become exempt you know what you need to do.

HS Bible

We’re off to chapters 20-22 in the next three weeks. The goal is to finish before the end of the semester, but it will be close. This week you’ll be back to chapter 21: 9-13 for memory. We’ll also be working on your skits for chapels sometime this week. It’s going to be a busy week in Bible. Remember to work on your community service requirement. Time is running out.

December 21-22

2009-12-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

Speech

We will complete the current round of group readings on Monday and begin our next reading, which will be longer and require more expression. They will not be presented until we return from Christmas break.

English 11

Your event lines are due on Tuesday so make sure you get with your group to organize their completions. We’ll finish watching the PP video on Monday and then you’ll have some time to work on your event lines. On Tuesday we may take the last vocabulary test on PP as well as an overall test on Pilgrim.

HS Bible

You did a great job on your chapter 19 games. I really enjoyed your concepts and work. I hope you enjoyed playing them on Friday. We will not be meeting this week as a class because of the overlap of Health on Monday and the party on Tuesday. Have a good Christmas break. Remember the Child we celebrate at Christmas returns as a King to claim His own. My prayer is that each of us will be ready.

December 14-18

2009-12-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

Speech

On Friday we completed our first “reader’s forum” presentations. You also received your next script on which we’ll continue working Monday. A couple of them should be able to be memorized but the other two are too long. If you memorize them they become much more interesting for the audience. We’ll continue working on this format throughout the week. I’ll add additional scripts, which will become more complex as we move along.

English 11

You have due the Pilgrim questions on which we began on Friday. We’ll discuss those on Monday and then move further in the book, completing it on Wednesday. Our next task will be to create an event line and begin writing your play based on a portion of Pilgrim. There may be a vocabulary test toward the end of the week. Remember to begin working on your speech and ASCI writing project. If you wait until after Christmas you’re going to run into a lot of major projects coming due at one time.

HS Bible

With the completion of chapter 19 we have seen the return of Christ. In the next three short chapters we’ll see what the kingdom will look like and then we’ll see the destruction of all God made as He creates again new heavens and earth. We probably won’t begin chapter twenty until the end of the week. Remember you need to work in your groups to devise a game based mostly on chapter nineteen but may include some questions from the previous two chapters. We will take a test on Tuesday or Thursday. We’ll discuss that on Monday. Remember to study for your memory test on Friday. We’ll also name the people for the skit we’ll be doing for the elementary chapel. That will be coming up quickly once we return from Christmas break.

December 7-11

2009-12-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

On Monday we’ll finish the last of our storytelling presentations and begin working on short group skits that you will need to memorize and perform by Thursday or Friday. They are mostly humorous and you will enjoy working on them and watching others perform.

English 11

Remember to read the “Pilgrim” portion over the weekend and complete the questions from Friday if you didn’t do so in class. We’ll be taking a vocabulary test on Monday so remember to study for that, as well. We’ll hopefully wrap up “Pilgrim” by Wednesday or Thursday and then begin on the “idea map” as well as your next writing project. Remember to determine what your ACSI writing project will be and let me know on Monday. We’ll probably take another vocabulary test on Friday on the second portion of words.

Bible HS

We will have a memory test on 21:9-10 on Friday so begin working on them. We’ll expect to complete the lecture presentation on chapter 19 by Tuesday. I suspect there will be an assignment for you upon completion of our discussion. In addition, there will be a chapter test by the end of the week or the following Monday. We need to tie down the skit characters this week so they can begin memorizing their parts. If you are in the selection group please bring your suggestions in on Monday.

November 30 - December 4

2009-11-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

Speech

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving break. This week we’ll complete the two storytelling presentations previously assigned. Then you’ll work on a final storytelling project in which you will either compose a story or you may choose a favorite story you’ve read or heard that you can present. Presentations will be either Wednesday or Thursday. We’ll do a little choral reading during the week, as well. Next up is Readers Theater. You’re going to enjoy that. If you speak with your English teacher about picking your ACSI competition speech we can work on that, as well.

English 11

You should have completed reading through pp108 in “Pilgrim.” On Monday we’ll discuss the remainder of that portion and I’ll provide you with a list of vocabulary words through that portion. You can expect a vocabulary test some time this week. We will also begin working on your event map of the book as well as your script of one of the scenes. Those assignments will be in groups.

Bible HS

You did a pretty nice job on your chapter maps of 17 and 18. I enjoyed your work. This week we begin chapter 19, which we’ll complete by Friday or earlier. You will be acting out a scene from the chapter as a culminating activity. On Friday we’ll take a verse test on Rev. 21:1-8. We may take a test on chapter 19, as well. Remember to think about getting your community service hours in early this quarter. Some of you were hurt last marking because that wasn’t done.

November 23-25

2009-11-22T17:57:00.000-08:00

Speech

Because this is a short week we will probably only have time to have your two presentations, one on the folktale and the other on your choice of a Scripture story. I hope everyone is prepared and does well.

English 11

We will discuss Pilgrim’s Progress through pp100 on Monday and then go back to look at the various scenes we witnessed thus far. We’ll also review the characters we’ve encountered so far and attempt to understand what is meant by each of them. We have much to do with grammar and sentence structure so we’ll work on some of that each day. Please begin nailing down your topic for the ACSI writing submittal. We will not likely have any tests this week. On Wednesday we’ll conduct a student council meeting during class.

Bible HS

We didn’t quite finish the contest last Friday so we may need to complete that prior to taking a test on chapter 18. Tuesday will be devoted to chapter 19 and on Wednesday we’ll go back to considering a script for our elementary chapel presentation. On Thursday we’ll all have turkey.

November 16-20

2009-11-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

Speech

We’ve completed one quarter and there has been a lot of memory work involved in your presentations. For the next several days there will be no need for memory because we’ll be working on readings of various kinds. On Monday we’ll complete our poetry presentations and move on to choral readings through Tuesday or Wednesday. We’ll then work on myths and tall tales from a storytelling perspective. You’ll enjoy the next group of presentations.

English 11

We will focus heavily on Pilgrim’s Progress this week while continuing with daily doses of grammar. Our next writing project will be assigned toward the end of the week. You did well on the persuasive papers. Vocablary will continue to be collected from PP as well as a separate assignment this week from the vocabulary book.

Bible HS

Now that we’ve completed chapter 18 we will divide the class into four teams on Monday and each team will compile 20-30 questions that are pertinent to chapters 17 and 18. You will then compete against the other three teams in answering questions until one team is crowned the winner. That team will win some kind of delectable treat on Thursday. On Friday we’ll test on chapter 18 and Rev. 21:1-6.

November 9-13

2009-11-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

Speech

On Monday we will complete our second humorous poem presentation and I’ll pass out one additional for performance on Tuesday or Wednesday. We will then begin working on other forms of poetry, most of which will not require memorization. I hope that by the end of the week we will have completed our poetry portion of speech and then we’ll move into telling stories – fables and myths. Remember that you do not have school next Friday because of conferences. Report cards will be sent home on Wednesday.

English 11

Your persuasive rhetoric paper is due on Thursday so work on it over the weekend to get a good start. We will start reading “Pilgrim’s Progress” on Monday and it will become our literature function for the next few weeks. We’ll draw our vocabulary from the book. In the interim, we’ll continue to work on grammar and writing skills throughout the week. Report cards will be sent home on Wednesday.

HS Bible

With the completion of the group powerpoint presentations we are ready to attach the chapter together. You did a nice job with your group work and that will make it easier for us to understand the chapter as I cover it with you. I hope to finish it this week and if possible take a test on Thursday. However, it may need to wait until the following week. Also, remember you have Rev. 21:1-4 for memory this week. That test will be on Thursday. There will be no school on Friday due to conferences. Report cards will be sent home on Wednesday.

October 26-30

2009-10-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Speech

We are continuing our monologues this week and will hopefully do a dialogue, as well before Friday. For those who haven’t yet completed their first two monologues please be prepared on Tuesday. The presentations have been very good so far so keep it up. I know it takes time to memorize these, but it will pay off in the end. Have a good Monday off and I’ll see you on Tuesday.

English 11

This week we’ll attempt to complete our readings on persuasive rhetoric from our country’s Fathers. On Wednesday we’ll take a vocabulary test on the words from “Virginia” and the “Declaration.” Next week we’ll start our allegorical journey.

HS Bible

Now that we’ve completed our study of chapter 17 we’ll begin working on chapter 18, which discusses the outcome of the “beast.” It was the supporter of the “woman” who rode it in the first three and a half years of the Tribulation. We’ll take a test on chapter 17 on Thursday and you will need to submit your map on the same day. Remember to submit your community service hours soon. Time is running out. We also will take our verse test on Friday this week. It will be only on the first two verses. Have a good Monday off.

October 19-23

2009-10-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

Speech

We discussed monologs last Friday and you received your first assignment. Some are longer than others but all are interesting and will be a good challenge to get you going. We’ll work on them in class on Monday and then begin presenting them on Tuesday, at least the shorter ones. The most difficult part is memorizing the script but I feel you are up to the challenge. I hope to show you some more monologs on video on Monday so you get a better feeling for hand and facial involvement. We’ll begin a second monolog on Wednesday or Thursday, depending on when we finish our first round. You’re going to enjoy these once you get working on them.

English 11

You have two short writing assignments due on Monday, each of 100-300 words. We’ll be working on more period literature this week along with continuing to sharpen your grammatical skills. We’ll also be working toward a vocabulary test, probably on Friday. I hope to assign your next significant writing by the end of the week. Thank you for the cookies and lovely balloons on Friday. You did a nice job of handling the chairs and I appreciate that. Hope you have a good weekend. Go Blue!

Bible HS

Friday was not a very productive day, but beginning Monday we’ll be back at chapter 17, looking at the ecumenical church called “the Harlot.” We should be able to complete this chapter by Tuesday or Thursday and therefore, we’ll likely take a test on Friday. We will also have a new passage to begin memorizing. I’ll distribute it on Monday. We need to begin thinking about what we’d like to do for our elementary school chapel. During November we will take two chapel hours to work specifically on it, but we need to decide earlier what you’d like to prepare.

October 12-16

2009-10-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Speech

We almost completed our individual pantomimes (speaking without sound) last Friday. Only a couple of student presentations remain in that category. On Monday we’ll finish those and then begin working on group pantomimes, which will take most of the week before we launch into monologues. You’ve done a nice job so far so keep up the good work.

English 11

The second writing assignment is due on Monday (eyewitness account). We’ll continue with our newest literature piece on Monday, focusing on early American writing and its parallels with Scripture. We’ll see how early America was directly linked to God’s Word and contrast that with today’s culture. We’ll continue, as well, with more analogies and context clue work. By Wednesday we’ll have begun the next writing assignment. I will attempt to be considerate of your volleyball schedule so as not to overburden you with homework on game nights.

Bible HS

We’ll complete chapter 16 on Monday and then review the entire chapter prior to a test on Tuesday or Thursday. A chapter 16 concept map will be due by Wednesday as well as a pictorial representation of chapter 16. I’ll provide time in class to do much of that work but some may need to be done out of class. Expect a research project some time this week, our first written project. On Friday we’ll have our Scripture memory test on Rev. 19:11-20. By Thursday we’ll have begun chapter 17, a move away from the chronological narrative we’ve seen thus far. It will examine the false religion that will dominate the Beast’s world.

October 5-9

2009-10-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

Speech

Now that we’ve tried a few solo pantomimes we’re ready to do some for grades. This week we’ll be doing two or more solo pantomimes as well as one or more group pantomimes. Remember back to how Marcel Morceau did his and how actions need to be exaggerated for the audience to be able to follow our intent. This week we’ll watch a few more examples of pantomime to help us visualize how it can be done. You did very well with your testimonies. Thank you. Progress reports will go home on Monday so be sure to take them to your parents.

English 11

You have a short revision piece due on Monday. Also, please read the three papers: best, good, needs improvement I provided you so you can see what makes for the best writing of this type. On Monday I will assign you a full length “first hand account” paper that will be due on Friday. We’ll also take our vocabulary test on Monday. In literature we’ll be moving forward in American history to writing done in the colonies. It will continue to show the influence of Christianity in that time. Progress reports go home on Monday.

Bible HS

On Friday you were assigned a concept map for chapter 15. It is due on Monday. We’re well on our way through chapter 16 and I expect we’ll finish it by Tuesday at the latest. Expect a test by Friday of this week. We’ll also expand the Scripture memorization two more verses this week. Don’t let down. Most everyone is doing great so keep it up. Bring drawing materials to class on Tuesday as we’ll be doing a pictorial presentation of chapter 16. Progress reports go home on Monday.

September 28-October 2

2009-09-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Speech

Your first impromptu speeches were generally well done. Now we’re working on our second speech, in which you have only 30 seconds to respond to the topic. We will finish them on Monday and then begin working on our testimony presentations. By Wednesday or Thursday you will begin presenting them. Next up will be some additional study on speaking without words followed by your first pantomime. You’re going to enjoy doing those.

English 11

Your first major writing, a myth, is due on Monday. We’ll move on in our literature book to examine a different period of early writing. It will be of from the period of the colonies expanding and beginning to look toward independence. We’ll find a strong “spiritual” influence in this period that doesn’t represent God. In grammar we’ll be focusing on complements early in the week. We’ll also formulate a group of words for vocabulary emphasis. A vocabulary test will be given on Friday.

Bible HS

We completed our discussion of chapter 15 last Friday and we’ll take a test on Tuesday regarding that content. Chapter 16 brings us the seven bowl judgments and the return of Jesus to claim the earth as His. Our next task is to understand that chapter and understand the ramifications of it. On Friday we’ll take a memory test on the first six verses of our memory text. You have two concept maps due on Tuesday, one of the seven seals and the other of the seven trumpets. They will be graded as a test.

September 21-25

2009-09-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

Speech

We completed two of the extemporaneous speech formats last week and we’ll continue with the other two on Monday. Next up are a couple of “impromptu” speeches, which you will enjoy. When they are finished we will begin work on presenting our testimony. I will demonstrate the two basic methods of this form of speech and then you will construct yours for presentation. Progress reports go home on Monday so make sure you get them to your parents.

English 11

On Monday we’ll take the first grammar test. You have continued to improve steadily so far and I expect you to do well on the test. We will discuss “Marco Polo” on Monday and then read William Bradford’s Pilgrim writings in the book. You will find these more interesting than the earlier American writings. Your myth is due on Friday and we’ll most likely have a vocabulary test on Friday, as well. This week we’ll be looking at complements and their usage. Progress reports will be provided on Monday.

Bible HS

We took our first tests on Friday and most students did well with the memory test. The content, Revelation 6-10, proved to be difficult for many of you. We will have an additional test on Revelation 11-14 by midweek so begin working on that as soon as I provide you with notes. On Monday we’ll begin studying chapter 15, the shortest chapter in the book. It’s a chapter of transition, often felt to be a defense of God’s wrath. As we’ll see, God needs no defense for anything He does. The Scripture memory test will be on Friday, as it will be on most Fridays. Progress reports will be provided on Monday.

September 14-18

2009-09-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Speech

On Monday we’ll complete your presentations of speeches based on the newspaper article. Thus far they have been very well done. I’m sure the remaining students will continue with that trend. This week we’ll focus on extemporaneous speeches including an introduction speech, a welcome speech, a presentation speech, and an acceptance speech. This will be a “speech-filled” week.

English

Monday we’ll correct the materials from “Turtle” and read “The Man to Send Rain Clouds.” This will complete the first section of unit 1. Following that we’ll begin our first writing assignment in which we’ll be writing a modern day myth. Our focus will be cause and effect and incorporating a trickster. We’ll also continue working on parts of speech and identifying errors in sentences so as to emulate ACT questions.

Bible

We will continue with the group presentations of the chapters 1-14 and then begin studying chapter 15, which is an introduction to the seven bowl judgments. This will also be our first week of memorizing passages from Revelation. Our first portion is chapter 19:11-12. We’ll test on that passage on Friday this week.

September 8-11

2009-09-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to a great year with all of you in learning together in Bible, English 11, and Speech 6. Each week I’ll try to hit the high points for the week so parents and students alike can get a general overview of what will transpire that week in each class. In some cases I may list specific assignments that will be due soon or test may be announced. My goal is to communicate weekly what we’re studying and what requirements the students have for the week. If you have any questions regarding any of the classes please contact me immediately. I make myself available for parents at their convenience.

Speech 6

One of the classes most feared by students is speech and yet we speak daily more than any other function in life. A letter will be sent home on Tuesday to parents so as to provide an overview of the year’s general goals. In our first week we’ll be getting acquainted with several types of speech, specifically impromptu and extemporaneous. Students will be presenting speeches each week, some memorized and some “off the cuff.” There is very little written work and few if any tests. It will be a fun class, one that will impact students' confidence and enjoyment of life. I’m looking forward to meeting each of you.

English 11

This course is titled, "American literature." We’ll follow a literature timeline from the early days of America to present times, examining the ways literature reflected the era in which it was written. In addition to literature, we’ll also be writing consistently and working regularly on grammatical acuity. These are critical for ACT/SAT performances. It’s a great course and we’ll jump immediately into the literature arena by studying the earliest American compositions.

Bible HS

Last year we began studying the book of Revelation and we will continue that study during the first semester. It’s a fascinating book in many ways, only some of which involve the understanding of prophecy. We’ll begin our study by reviewing, in groups, what we learned last year. The review will occupy at least the first week and maybe some of week two and then we will move forward in the book beginning with chapter 15. Each week we will have a Bible passage to memorize from Revelation. That will begin in week two. Be sure to bring your Bible because it is our textbook.