A Message from Ms. Nims

"People ask me to predict the future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it. Predicting the future is much too easy, anyway. You look at the people around you, the street you stand on, the visible air you breathe, and predict more of the same. To hell with more. I want better."

- Ray Bradbury

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Weekly Agenda: 11/28 - 12/2

Monday 11/28 - Early Release (6, 7, 1, 2, 3)
no class

Tuesday 11/29 - Day 5
- What do we know about society in Fahrenheit 451?
- How did it get to be this way?
Homework: Fahrenheit 451 Part 1 Open Response

Wednesday 11/30 - Day 4
- Tracing themes, motifs and symbols
Homework: Bring in a news story (no older than 2010) about your assigned issue:
Work on I.R./blogging! Check out P.O.L. options.

Thursday 12/1 - Day 3
- Discuss articles
Homework: Fahrenheit 451 Part 2 "The Seive and the Sand" due Monday 12/5
Bring your Independent Reading book to class tomorrow. You will have time to read.

Friday 12/2 - Day 2
- Independent Reading
- "Burning a Book" TPCASTT
- Poetry Out Loud information
Homework: Fahrenheit 451 Part 2 "The Seive and the Sand" due Monday.
Work on I.R./blogging! I will give you a homework grade for a post for this week (11/28 - 12/4).
Check out Poetry Out Loud options.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Thanksgiving Message

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is my favorite holiday of the year. I love it for the simple things - family, food, and laughter - as well as for the opportunity the holiday presents for reflecting on the things for which we are most grateful.

As you enjoy the break from school, I hope you, too, will take some time to give thanks, in any way that is meaningful to you.

As part of this, I invite you to participate in StoryCorps' National Day of Listening, which takes place on Friday, November 25 - the day after Thanksgiving.

This year, StoryCorps is asking everyone to take a few minutes to say thanks to a very special person: their favorite teacher. The following information is from the organization's website:

Whether posting a memory to Facebook (@storycorps), thanking them on Twitter (@storycorps, #thankateacher), taping a tribute on YouTube or sending a 'thank you' card, the 2011 National Day of Listening will send a powerful and necessary message to teachers across the nation: they matter, and we as a nation are grateful for the impact they have on our lives.

If you take the time to thank a teacher, you may bring in (or email) evidence of your "thank you" and receive 5 points of extra credit in the major assessment category. To receive credit, your thank you must be public and, ideally, shared with the teacher you're thanking.

Check the website for more information: http://nationaldayoflistening.org/.

Gobble Gobble!

- Ms. Nims

Spirit Week Agenda

Monday 11/21 - Early Release (7, 1, 2, 3, 4)
no class

Tuesday 11/22 - Day 7
- Watch film clip: Fahrenheit 451
Homework: Fahrenheit 451 Part 1 due Tuesday 11/29. You must be taking active reading notes on post-its (or on a separate sheet of paper, noting page numbers). Remember to use the information on your bookmarks to guide your reading! You should also be keeping up with your 2nd Quarter blogging!

Wednesday 11/23 - Early Release (6, 7)
no class

Thursday 11/24 - Thanksgiving Day
no school

Friday 11/25 - Thanskgiving Break
no school

Monday, November 14, 2011

Weekly Agenda

Monday 11/14 - Late Entry (2, 3, 4, 5)
- Discuss In Time
- Film Circles
Homework: Film Analysis due tomorrow (one per group). Bring your Independent Reading book to class tomorrow.

Tuesday 11/5 - Day 5
- Work on Glogs & presentations
Homework: Read I.R. book. Don't forget to Blog! Work on Glog as necessary.

Wednesday 11/6 - Day 4
- Work on Glogs & presentations
Homework: Final Glog / Presentation due tomorrow!

Thursday 11/7 - Day 3
- Film Circle Presentations
Homework: Read I.R. book. Work on blog.

Friday 11/8 - Day 2
- Introducing.... Fahrenheit 451
Homework: Fahrenheit 451 Part 1 (pages 3-68) due after Thanksgiving (Tues 11/29).
Continue to read your I.R. book(s) and use your blog as your Reader's Notebook. A minimum of one post per week is expected. Honors students: you will need to do more than one per week to finish two books on time.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Weekly Agenda: 11/7 - 11/11

Monday 11/7 - Early Release (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- Meet in Computer Loft
- Phase Two Blog Info
- Film Circle Info
- "The Pedestrian" Crocodoc

Homework: Phase 2 Topic Proposal (Finish "The Pedestrian" if necessary)

Tuesday 11/8 - Day 1
- Film Circle check-in
- Discuss "The Pedestrian" and identify Dystopian Elements
Homework: Watch your film! Work on Film Circle assignment.

Wednesday 11/9 - Day 7
- Scene Analysis Practice
Homework: Work on Film Circle Assignment - Scene Analysis and Motion Picture Analysis due Monday. Don't forget to bring money for field trip!

Thursday 11/10 - Day 6
- Field Trip!!
Homework: (See Wednesday)

Friday 11/11 - Veteran's Day
no school


Field Trip

This Thursday, our class, along with Ms. Alexis's senior classes, will be heading to AMC Loews Boston Common Theater to see the new dystopian film In Time. After the film, we will have lunch and then head back to Malden.

On Thursday morning, you will attend your first class (Period 6). After class, we will all meet up and take the subway into Boston. Please bring your own T fare, as well as money (or food) for lunch.

Permission slips and money must be handed in by Wednesday.

A preview and more information is available here:
http://www.intimemovie.com/