river oaks [english]

Sophomores It's been a crazy week, but we should be back on track tomorrow. We will discuss the two stories, and you should be prepared for a test next Tuesday on the period. Seniors We are currently studying artificial intelligence - its role in our society and pop culture, as well as predictions for the future of AI. This began with discussion of Aldiss's " Super-Toys Last All Summer Long " and continues with the ideas outlined in the presentation, linked below: Artificial Intelligence

Sophomores Below is a list of the work that should be completed by the end of class Wednesday. We have already covered the set of poems, and we will  of course discuss the short stories. First, staple all of this together: Matthew Arnold #1-4 (943), CC and #2-3 and 5 (945) Gerard Manly Hopkins #1-4 (948), CC and #2-4 (950) Thomas Hardy #1-3 (955), #1-4 (957), CC and 2-3 and 5 (961) A.E. Housman #1-4 (964), CC and 2-3 and 5 (967) Read "Mark of the Beast" (handout) and answer all questions following the text. Read "The King is Dead, Long Live the King" (888-87) and answer CC & #3-8. Seniors Read "Super-Toys Last All Summer Long" (665-71) and answer the questions following the story. Remember to write complete sentences and to cite from the text.

Seniors Thursday and Friday, you will be working on an essay involving your research on robotics.  You have chosen a sub-topic, or focus, and you have found at least two recent articles discussing (a) the current use of robotics, and (b) the projected use and/or evolution of this same technology. Your goal is to accurately and coherently summarize the past, present, and future of this specific technology, much  like a journalist would. In fact, I want to you to imagine your audience to be readers of a highly credible news source. Use MLA format for citation and share with me as "lastname-robots" by the end of class Friday. Sophomores On Thursday, you will be answering questions in class on the poems discussed this week. If you have not read them, here is your chance. On Friday, you will a story provided via handout, and Monday you will read a story from your textbook. Both will include a set of questions to be completed by the end of class. ALL HOMEWORK IS REQUIRED.

Seniors We are discussing the latest in robotics technologies this week. Typically, we tend to merge the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence, but I'd like to start with the ways we have already integrated robotics into our world before we move on to advanced software. The results are staggering. Generally speaking, we are investigating some of the ways we are using robotics to make our lives easier and more productive.  I would like you to think about what differentiates "machines" from "robots" as we use the terms. Also consider Asimov's three laws of robotics as it applies to these devices. Finally, in what ways might robotics be used in the near future?  You might focus your research in one of the following general categories: Domestic - Cleaning , Personal Health, and Comfort Industrial - Health , Production, Delivery , Service, and Maintenance Military - Military Strikes, Law and Order, Exploration , Defense, Aide Below is a chart w...

Sophomores Please read "A Warning Against Passion," a letter by Charlotte Bronte, and answer the following questions for homework. This is required: CC, #1-3.

Seniors Please read your article (you can choose a new one) and come prepared to explain the ideas to the class. Your goal for Friday is to summarize your article(s), recognizing the limitations of the ideas presented, and adding your own thoughts. Sophomores Please read the poems from Tennyson (839-853) and answer the following questions: #1-5 on 845 #1-3 on 847 #1-4 on 850 cc and #2-4

Sophomores Your homework (required), due Wednesday, is to outline the introduction to the Victorian Period. Your outline should follow the standard form (I - A - 1 - a). This will be worth 30 points and is required for everyone. Please do not type. Put your name and date at the top of the page. Seniors Find and bring (and read) one credible article discussing the future of education. This could include predictions in the decade or decades. Our goal is to get a sense of the current thinking on the future, including what role technology will serve. NOTE: Please do not bring the same article as someone else in your class.

Descriptive Writing Assignment

Seniors Your essay tomorrow will be on education in the U.S., specifically at River Oaks. As seniors, you have a unique insight into what works and doesn't. However, because you haven't yet learned how prepared you are, we have also looked at national trends and international solutions. Using the articles and videos discussed, along with your own observations and experience, construct an argument around a three-point plan for improving education at River Oaks. Consider both the positives and negatives from your notes, as well as those from your sources, citing when appropriate. Your essay will be around 500 words and will be typed and shared on Docs with the filename "lastname - education." Sophomores I will introduce the Victorian Period tomorrow. Honors students have an extension through the weekend to finish reading Frankenstein . Be prepared to take an objective exam and to write a short essay using the novel.

Please read Amanda Ripley's " What America Can Learn From Smart Schools in Other Countries ," a report on the findings from the latest results of the worldwide PISA exam. Below is her TED talk from 2012 on what the world's best schools are doing:

Congratulations to the following River Oaks students, who all qualified for the state rally at LSU on April 1st: Tech Rally Results

Sophomores English II students have a quiz on Tuesday (2nd generation Romantics) and an exam Thursday on the entire period. Honors students will have their Frankenstein exam on Friday. Seniors This week (and perhaps next) we are talking about the U.S. education system. We will examine several selections in the book and online and write an in-class essay on Friday. The basic question is this: How can we improve schools to better prepare students for the future? Please refer to the following to get started: Digital Nation: Learning Re-Thinking High School Education Is Not The Answer XQ: The Super School Project  TED: Re-Imagining School

Sophomores Your homework for tonight is to answer the following questions concerning the selections from Lord Byron: #1-3 on 775 #2-4, 7 and 8 on 779 Seniors We will watch a documentary in class tomorrow that will set up the next few weeks of material. The link is below if you'd like to catch up before class: Digital Nation (we watched to :35 on Wednesday)

Sophomore Please read the sections on Jane Austen (768-69) and Mary Shelley (808-09) to reinforce the notes. Also, look over the terms on "Form and Meaning in Poetry" (771-72) in preparation for this week's lectures on the 2nd generation of Romantic poets. Seniors We are working on your Little Brother essays this week. Here's another look at the prompts in case you've lost yours. Remember that all essays should be shared with me via email as "lastname - little brother." The essay must be finished by the end of class Tuesday.

Sophomores First, I've changed the date for your reflection paper. It is now due Friday before 8am. Also on Friday, you will have a quiz on the "first generation" poets - Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Burns. Tonight, read (or listen to) "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (745-765) and answer the following: CC and #2-6 and 8. The version below is by Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf/Magneto):

Seniors You are all required to create a short presentation on a topic related to the study of Little Brother . Your presentations are due by the beginning of class Wednesday, shared via Google Slides (lastname-tech), and you will present to the class. The requirements are outlined in the assignment: Tech Presentation The exam for the book is on Thursday, and we will write in class on Friday.

Sophomores For Tuesday, answer the following questions: #1-4 on 731 (when it says "sketch," please describe) #1-3 on 733 #1-3 on 737 #2-5 on 738 For Wednesday, you all have an assignment - to spend an hour OUTSIDE without your phone, by yourself, and to record your observations and thoughts. Use your senses. Afterwards, type up a 250-word reflection on the experience and share with me via Google Docs. Use the filename "lastname-reflection." Include your opinion on whether or not the experience is valuable to your state of mind.The assignment is due by 8am Wednesday.

Sophomores Answer questions #1-3 on 711 and #1-5 on 715. Seniors Your assignment is to finish reading the book and to come up with a topic for your Tech Presentation . I will discuss the assignment in class Friday, but for now, look for a topic that is related to the book or the ideas presented. This can include allusions to other works of literature, organizations, people, controversies, products or hacks. The bibliography in the back of the book is a good place to start.

Sophomores Read the handout on William Blake, and answer #1-10 in complete sentences. Seniors Your goal is to finish reading Little Brother by Friday and to have chosen a topic for your presentation. Topics should be related to the topics covered in the book. You may choose something from the bibliography or come up with your own, more recent or relevant, topic.

Sophomores Read the introduction to the Romantic Period (696-708), and be prepared to take an open notes/book quiz on Wednesday. Seniors Please read through chapter 16 of Little Brother , and be prepared for a comprehension quiz on Wednesday.