Taylor and I continued our study of the novel. We finished reading chapter two. We stopped frequently to discuss the plot, characters and the author's significant use of imagery. We used the accompanying study guide questions as a springboard for our discussion.

Today, Olivia and I read and discussed a Common Lit article - The Roaring Twenties which offered a background on the time period that The Great Gatsby was written and set in. We stopped and discussed as we went along. We started the discussion questions and had a very insightful discussion about our government, humanity, civil rights and policies both a century ago and today. What a fabulous lesson! Olivia is a pleasure to teach!

Olivia and I finished our "WHERE I'M FROM" poems. Olivia did a very nice job! Olivia then took a Literary Terms pre-test so that I could see which terms we needed to discuss. She did very well on that. There were only a few that required explanation. We talked a little bit about the 1920's in preparation for our reading of THE GREAT GATSBY.

Olivia and I got to know each other. We read the George Ella Lyon poem "Where I'm From" and then we brainstormed/listed to write our own. Olivia began creating her own poem. We will begin our study of THE GREAT GATSBY tomorrow.

Taylor and I continued our study of the novel. We used the accompanying study guide questions as a springboard for our discussion. We discussed the characters and Fitzgerald's portrayal of them; we talked extensively about the setting of the novel. We began to read Chapter two. I introduced the new vocabulary for the chapter. Taylor will finish reading the chapter for homework.

Taylor and I began our study of the novel. We began reading Chapter One. We stopped frequently as new characters were introduced. We discussed the author's development of the characters and the characters' relationships to each other. We will move to further our discussion by referring to the accompanying study guide.

Taylor and I discussed the informational text article as an introduction to THE GREAT GATSBY.
We discussed the text dependent questions and validated which answers were correct and why.
We also discussed how understanding the time period will also help with the understanding of the novel. Taylor will begin reading Chapter one of THE GREAT GATSBY.

Taylor and I finished writing her analytical essay. Taylor is a very good writer, and her paper is well developed and very well written. We completed the third body paragraph and the conclusion today. We then proceeded to read an informational text about the 1920's. Taylor needs to finish reading the articles and answer the text dependent questions following the article.
This is an introduction to THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald, our next book.

Taylor and I brainstormed to plan the body paragraphs of her literary analysis. We searched the novel and the informational text article for valid textual evidence to support her thesis. We then began composing her body paragraphs. We are almost finished with the third body paragraph. We also discussed the correct way to use MLA format. Taylor is an outstanding writer!

Taylor and I continued writing her synthesis essay. We reviewed proper MLA citation and format. We talked about using active rather than passive voice. We discussed always writing in present tense when writing about Literature. We reviewed the introduction, and she wrote the first body paragraph using quotes from both pieces of literature. We blended quotes, and she did a very good job explaining her analysis.