For Monday April 10, 2017

English 12
Totally forgot that we are going to hear poetry in the theatre on Monday in block B. Please come to class without your books and we will go directly to the theatre.

Bring your independent novel for Monday's class. We will be reading and we will be working on our double-sided journals.
Book club meeting is for Tuesday. You will be handing in your journals every week.

English 8
Type your 2nd draft of your poem for Monday. Please print it or have it on your phone for editing on Monday. You need to think about your line length, your use of imagery, metaphor, simile, or personification. The final version will be due on Wednesday. We are all looking forward to sharing them. Remember to take out all the extra words. Focus on the images when you are writing. Less is more.

Also: Highlight the sheet that I handed out in class about character types. We will discuss this in class.

Read this one:

The Dogs at Live Oak Beach, Santa Cruz A
Alicia Ostriker

As if there could be a world
Of absolute innocence
In which we forget ourselves
 The owners throw sticks
 And half-bald tennis balls
Toward the surf
 And the happy dogs leap after them
 As if catapulted—
 Black dogs, tan dogs,
Tubes of glorious muscle— Pursuing pleasure
 More than obedience
They race, skid to a halt in the wet sand,
 Sometimes they’ll plunge straight into
The foaming breakers
Like diving birds, letting the green turbulence
Toss them, until they snap and sink
Teeth into floating wood
Then bound back to their owners
 Shining wet, with passionate speed
For nothing, For absolutely nothing but joy.

Notice how the poet has used imagery that creates a gorgeous sense of movement. The scene is described brilliantly. The words are simple, yet vivid.


Creative Writing
Our monologues should be ready for Monday's tea party. Remember what you are bringing for class. You need to come prepared to be your character.
Your Wish List poem is due on Tuesday. We will be reading them in class.