Welcome Ms. Smith!

We are fortunate to have Ms. Smith through the month of May.

Hello students and families! I am very happy to be joining you all at Olympia High School this spring. I will be teaching in Mrs. Gilman's classroom through May. During this time I will be teaching The Things They Carried, a story about the Vietnam War. 

A little bit more about myself:

• I graduate with my Master's in Teaching Degree this June
• My favorite color is red
• I love writing 
• I don't have any pets, but I will be getting a cat soon. 
• I have lived in Australia
• My favorite food is Pad Thai :)
• I'm from Portland, OR
• I have been learning about education and working with youth for 10 years (Yikes!)
• I went skydiving to help get over my fear of heights....sadly, this made it worse. 
• I go to musicals whenever I get the change (Wicked is one of my favorites!)
• Someday I want to teach high school sociology (If you don't know what that is, come ask me.)
• I'm a lefty...see the constant pencil/marker/chalk stain on my left hand
• When I was 13, I had back surgery for scoliosis, and now I have a metal rod on my spine....don't worry, I only rarely set of metal detectors. :) 
• I love teaching!

 Alright, enough about me. I want to know more about you. I look forward to being in your community this spring!

The Great Gatsby: What does it all mean?

For your final writing assignment on The Great Gatsby, choose one aspect of the novel that you found meaningful or relevant to your life, and write several paragraphs on its impact on both the characters and events in the book and how you derived meaning from it.

The reason why we read literature is to help us understand human nature and the world around us. When you connect with a character and his/her struggles and emotions, it makes you consider your life and the lives of those around you. How did the fictional characters in The Great Gatsby and their struggles and actions resonate with you?

Identify one aspect of the novel that was meaningful to you. Identify its impact on the novel and on your own life in a multi-paragraph essay. Use at least two quotations from the novel as support for your ideas. Be sure to write a clear introduction that identifies this aspect of the novel's impact (your thesis) and a conclusion that wraps up your ideas and leaves your reader with a lasting impression on the relevance to your life.

This assignment is 50 points. Due Friday, March 4.

The Great Gatsby: Symbolism in Chapters 1-4

1. What is the most interesting idea, concept or character in the first four chapters of the novel? Write about whatever is sparking your interest. Write a full paragraph in which you identify the idea, concept, or character and describe why it appeals to you.
2. Identify how this idea, concept or character is connected with symbolism in the novel. You will be required to analyze symbolism in chapter 5 as part of your final exam. Practice doing so here! Write a full paragraph.

Symbols discussed in class include:
colors
light
eyes or glasses
ashes

Due Tuesday, February 1.

The Great Gatsby: Characters in Chapter 1

Most of the major characters in the novel are introduced in the first chapter of The Great Gatsby. React to each of the following characters: Nick Carraway (the narrator), Daisy Buchanon, Tom Buchanon, and Jordan Baker. Many details are given about the narrator's background and personality, but the other characters are mainly developed through physical descriptions.

Include in your post:

• Write about each of the aforementioned characters: Nick, Daisy, Tom and Jordan. 
• What can you tell about each of the characters based on the details given in chapter 1? 
• Use a quote for each character as support for your statements.

Also:

• What are your first impressions of the novel? 
• What do you think of the writing style?
• Which colors/symbols from the "symbolism preview" activity have been mentioned so far and which characters are they mentioned in reference to?

Due Tuesday, 1/18.

Anticipating The Great Gatsby

While researching the time period and author of The Great Gatsby you're sure to be thinking about what the next few weeks reading the novel will be like. What type of novel do you anticipate The Great Gatsby to be based on your research. Make some educated guesses and predictions in a full paragraph.

Also, write another paragraph on the most interesting information from your research. What do you particularly want to talk about in our research based question and answer discussion?

Due Sunday, January 10.

What I'm Doing This Winter Break

Use descriptive language and imagery to write about what you'll be doing over winter break. You have 16 days off from school - how will you fill those days? Write to entertain. Be creative.

Due Sunday, December 19.

Also, don't forget your outside reading project is due Monday, January 3.

Remaining Poetry Out Loud performances will also be Monday, January 3.

Poetry Out Loud: My Poem

Poetry Out Loud is about taking a well-known poem and making it your own. When you commit a poem to memory, you let every word become a part of you. The words and images in the poem are now ingrained in your brain - connections are formed between your memory of the poem and memories of your own life experiences. This is why choosing a poem that you feel strongly about is crucial to a successful performance.

Write several paragraphs about your poem selection. Include the title and poet and discuss its meaning and its relevance to your own life. Discuss how you intend to convey the meaning of the poem with your voice, face, and gestures. Be specific and detailed in your writing - demonstrate and in-depth knowledge and passion for the poem you have chosen.

Due Tuesday, December 14.