Fourth period English I Honors took the next step in their jigsaw activity by breaking into their smaller groups to share with their coworkers the fruits of the larger groups’ efforts. We’ll continue this Tuesday, with students finalizing their understanding of the author’s rather complicated argument.

Sixth period English I Honors students finished up the second discipline overview with which they will be examining Lord of the Flies. We’ll be using sociology to look at the nature of the boys’ predicament for the next couple of days. We finished by returning to a quote that I promised would give students chills when they understand it fully:

Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law.

English 8 Strategies had their second writing and conferencing day of the week, always a Tuesday and a Friday. Both classes did excellent work today, with students all working on their various drafts and staying focused through the whole period.

It was, in short, a great day to be a teacher.

Homework

• English I Honors: 
  • fourth period: prepare an outline of your Emmett Till article for turn in Tuesday;
  • sixth period students: begin assessing the first Lord of the Flies paragraph;
  • all students: complete and turn in the rough draft of all three songs for the soundtrack project by Tuesday.