Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

I was alarmed that 5 of you did not have your work due for today. That is, of course, not good. I'm not sure if it's because the year is winding down and some folks don't feel they have to put in the time, energy and focus into their work that I am expecting or what. So it's time for a little pep talk.

I have given you more work periods in the last couple of weeks but as you know, many of you have chosen to socialize and enjoy the free time. Because of those extra work periods, I expect work to be completed on time and of high quality.

Here is my expectations for work due the rest of the week:

WEDNESDAY

Poem revisions (for everyone except Luke and Jason): I'd like these to be significant revisions which reflect a considerable degree of hard work. I would spend at least an hour creating, experimenting, reading out loud, editing and polishing.

Revised points and quotes for TKAM essay: Unless I have OK'ed your work, I need to see these revisions. Some have already turned it in today, but if I have not OK'd your work, please send again. With all the incomplete work and with some of you turning in by mistake what you had already turned in (really???), I don't know what I have or don't have.

THURSDAY

Introductory paragraphs for TKAM essay: These paragraphs need to be proofread, edited, polished, read out loud, checked for the dreaded passive voice, checked for errant "I"s and "you"s. This will take considerable time -- at least an hour. You have two nights to do this assignment and I expect you to work on it tonight and tomorrow night (a half hour each night -- or during study halls). I did give you time to work on in school today but as you remember, some of you chose to talk instead. I strongly suggest that you get feedback from a parent or trusted editor before you turn this in. I will return the paragraphs to you without grading if I notice any grammatical errors. The better these paragraphs are now, the easier you'll find writing the essay. These need to be typed, of course, and delivered to me either Wednesday night by email or first thing Thursday morning. Do not wait to do this in study hall. I mean, come on, do people -- in general -- ever use these study halls? Please...

FRIDAY

TKAM Documentaries Due (for Lucy/Juliet, Luke/Max, Felicia/Megan/Danielle): I have given you over a month (maybe even two months?) to do these projects. Therefore, I am expecting great things. For those whose documentaries are due Friday, I need to see what you have tomorrow (Wednesday) 7th period. I also want all technical issued worked out by the time you present your projects on Friday.

NEXT WEEK

2nd Draft Stories: Do not leave these 2nd draft stories to the last minute. I will expect these drafts to be feature significant revisions. I will be able to tell if you rushed through this stage in the process and/or done things at the last minute. You have also had nearly a month to work on these.