Ms. Cronk's English Class
  • Home
    • The Tools I use
  • Ninth Grade
    • 9th Grade Calendar
    • Wicked Good 'Gods' Sites
    • Ning Set Up
  • Tenth Grade
    • Julius Caesar Re-Cap
    • Research Paper Videos
    • Research From Home
    • Allusions to O.M.&M.
  • Contact Me
  • For Parents
    • Research Paper
    • Blog
  • RCT Practice
  • About Me
  • New Page
  • Search
  • Photos
  • New Page
  • New Page

Thank you...An open letter to my students.

9/4/2012

10 Comments

 
Hey kids,

I wanted to inform you earlier that I will not be returning this year to Valhalla.  I wanted to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for a fantastic school year.

Your classes were the highlight of my day, I laughed more with all of you than I thought possible.  All of you made the transition from Mrs. Griffin to myself easily and with great flexibility.  During one of the most difficult periods of my life you were all very understanding and I saved all of your cards.

For the classes individually-
Period B-I will miss the late humor of period B, hopefully you have all gotten better about getting to your classes on time! I will miss the banter of your class, and the deep but funny observations you made.

Period C- I loved the intellectual debates you would have and the discussions we would have over current books.  I sensed a nice fellowship among the students in this class. You all helped each other. Keep doing that,  you can sometimes learn more from a friend.

Period D- Ahhh Period D, Thank you for keeping me on my toes, you were all funny and  great thinkers.  If there were any holes in any  lessons, one of you were sure to point it out. I know you will be great 10th graders. Don't stop asking questions. Keep writing creatively, you are all amazing.

Period G- I don't even know what to say.  The chemistry of this class was just awesome, your class was the first time I laughed after my sister's death.  I couldn't wait to hear Mark and Mrs. Redmond continue reading Julius Caesar!  You are all wonderful kids. Work hard, and have fun in class. (yes you can have fun in class, our class was large proof of that)

Period H- This was a great class to have at the end of the day! You always made point on observations about our readings and lessons.  The debates (discussions) we had in class were meaningful and displayed the wonderful thinkers you all are.  I was so proud of the poetry out of this class!

I had a great opportunity to help teachers and administrators in Clarkstown with technology. The hardest part of leaving was the fear of the unknown and not seeing your faces in the hallway or stopping in my room during study halls (you know who you are).

Work hard, be safe online PLEASE!  If you ever need help with technology or English I will always be here to help you.  You can email me jenn.cronk@gmail.com.  Feel free to leave comments if you like.

You will all go far in life, I know it!

Ms. Cronk

10 Comments

Quick Greek Gods Review

6/12/2012

0 Comments

 
Good Luck on the Final tomorrow kids!

Quick Reference from Wikipedia
Aphrodite/ Venus -Goddess of love, beauty, and desire. She was married to Hephaestus.     
  Ares is her lover and she loves him as well. Eros is her son.


Apollo-God of the Sun, music, archery, poetry, healing, and prophecy. He is Artemis' twin brother, and Son to Zeus.

Ares/Mars-God of war, murder and bloodshed. Brother to Hephaestus, and is the lover of Aphrodite and son of Zeus.

Artemis/Diana-Goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals,especially deer and fawns, night, and the moon. Apollo is her twin brother. Artemis is the virgin goddess and is also protector of maidens.

Athena/Minerva-Goddess of wisdom, weaving, the arts, warfare and reason. She is the favourite daughter of Zeus. 

Demeter/Ceres-Goddess of fertility, grain and harvest. Demeter is a sister of Zeus. Her daughter is Persephone, Hades' wife.

Dionysus/Bacchus-God of wine, parties/festivals, madness and merriment. He is a son of Zeus.

Hades/Pluto-God of the Underworld. Brother of Poseidon and Zeus.

Hephaestus/Vulcan-God of fire and the forge. Ugly son of Hera and Zeus is his father in some accounts. Married to Aphrodite, but she does not love him because he is deformed and as a result is cheating on him with Ares.

Hera/Juno-Goddess of marriage, women and childbirth. Zeus' wife and sister.Ερμής 

Hermes/MercuryGod of flight, thieves, commerce and travellers. Messenger of the gods. Zeus's son by Titanness.

Poseidon/Neptune-God of the sea, . His sons are the Heavenly Tripplets, Polyphemus and Triton and the Cyclops. His weapon is a trident by which he can stir up the seas, wreck ships and drown sailors.

Zeus/Jupiter-The father of all fathers, the wisdom and light. The king of the gods after killing his father, Kronos, who ate Zeus's siblings but their mother managed to save baby Zeus. When Zeus grew up, he fed Kronos a mixture of wine and mustard to make him vomit his immortal siblings who had grown up in Kronos's stomach. Zeus is the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky, thunder and lightning. Though he is married more than once, his real queen is Hera. Zeus is the father of Hermes, Hephaestus, Hercules, Dionysus, Athena, Ares, Apollo, Artemis and Persephone.
0 Comments

What's happening now...

6/1/2012

0 Comments

 
Well Students we are all beginning to wind down and wrap up current projects:

All Classes-
Homework and class work is now focused on reviewing key elements of this year's works that were read and discussed in class.  These reviews will help you with your final and your critical lens essay.


9th Grade- You will apply the following to The Most Dangerous Game & The Scarlet Ibis.

10th Grade- You will apply the following to The Monkey's Paw & Contents of a Dead Man's Pockets.

For both stories fill out the following:

You need to-
Map out the plot to each story- exposition, rising action, climax, falling action & resolution

Literary Elements
How are these important for the stories we have read?

Setting
Symbolism
Characterization
Conflict


Characterization
Techniques for all major characters, and identify the following as well.  Explain WHY they fit the following criteria
Static
Dynamic
Round
Flat

0 Comments

If you need help...

5/6/2012

0 Comments

 
I have some time this afternoon while planning to offer "Office hours".  Contact me via email or search for my Google hang-out. I will probably be available until 4 PM so please do not wait until tonight if you have questions.

I look forward to reading your work tomorrow.

0 Comments

Just incase.... The Julius Caesar study guide & 9th Grade Project guide

4/12/2012

0 Comments

 
10th Grade:
Here are both pages in picture format.  For periods B & C do not forget you will have a test on Acts 3 & 4 of Julius Caesar Monday when we return to class.
9th Grade:
 Here is the file for the project details. I am hoping that by now the majority of your projects are done.  Please do not wait until Saturday or Sunday to email me with questions because I may not get them.  Email jenn.cronk@gmail.com with any concerns. Good luck!
project.doc
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

0 Comments

Critical Lens- 9th Grade

3/26/2012

1 Comment

 
Hi Students-

Just a reminder of what we discussed in class:

1. First state the quote "If they give you lined paper, write the other way"-Juan Ramon Jimenez
2. Next, interpret this quote, what does it mean to you?  In class we came up with "Not letting others define your life "  *Remember -do not use the word "you" in an academic essay.
3. Agree or disagree with the quote.
4. State two works that support your opinion (Romeo and Juliet and Fahrenheit 451)
5. Name the ways these works prove or disprove the quote (literary elements)

Have your introductory paragraph in class tomorrow for homework.   

I found a great slide show that itemizes the steps that we took today in class. Below is the slide show created by Lauren Mucaria.  I also attached notes below to further guide you in this process.
critical_lens_notes.docx
File Size: 123 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

1 Comment

9th Grade Project

3/22/2012

0 Comments

 
My classes requested that I post the project details on my site.  If students want to do the soundtrack or the movie they should speak with me first about it.

project.doc
File Size: 16 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

projectrubric.doc
File Size: 27 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

0 Comments

Vocabulary for the 10th Grade

3/7/2012

0 Comments

 
Hi Students!

This post is for the 10th grade only, here is a quizlet that will help you prepare for a vocabulary test in two weeks.


For more fun you can use the "learn" or "Scatter" function on the bottom right.
Quizlet.com, home of free online educational games Study these flash cards
0 Comments

3/1 Homework

3/1/2012

0 Comments

 
9th Grade:

Vocab:
hearth- the floor of a fireplace
salamander- a mythical being, esp. a lizard or other reptile, thought to be able to live in fire


Answer the following questions on Symbols based on what you already know and the definitions above.
1.     Part One of the book is called “The Hearth and the Salamander.”  The “Salamander” is also the name of the fire truck, and Montag wears the symbol of a salamander on his uniform.  What do you think could be the symbolism behind the title of Part One?

2.    Guy also wears the symbol of a Phoenix on his uniform—the Phoenix was a bird that burned itself, then was reborn from the ashes.  What could the Phoenix symbolize in this book.

3.    What do you think the Mechanical Hound could symbolize?  Remember that it is programmed to attack whatever a person wants it to attack!


10th Grade:

Use the packet given to you in class, develop questions on your topic and write them down on the fourth page of the book.  Remember what we covered in class.Problem topics:


Problem Topics
1. Are too general - like racism, prejudice 

2. Can not be argued (too obvious) - 
like "To Kill a Mockingbird deals with racism". We know this already.  But what about -"Harper Lee uses To Kill a Mockingbird as a call to action, addressing, racism in the American judicial system."

3. Compare but makes no claim- 
"Steinbeck and Lee both address the lack of presence women have in American society." This topic compares but does not argue anything.  I would suggest something along the lines of  "Steinbeck perpetuates female subjugation while Lee's book seeks to break the confines of femininity."  This is not a finely honed thesis, but it is a good starting point for research.


Solutions

1. Is your topic obvious?  (Racism in to Kill A Mockingbird?)
2.What does the author want to show, or teach the reader?
3. What personal motivations might the author have?  

Below are the pictures of the notes we took in class.  

HW: 5 probing questions about your topic.

Extra Credit- Use the mindmap template or complete your mindmap on your research topic.  Extra Credit is due Monday. 

mind_map_template_mulit_rounded.pdf
File Size: 3 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

0 Comments

Research Topics for the 10th Grade

2/28/2012

0 Comments

 
Hi kids, this weekends you will need to continue your research to finish the research worksheet  given to you today.  Please click on the "TENTH GRADE" link and continue to "Research from home".

There is a brief tutorial reviewing what we learned toda 
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    Ms. Cronk

    This site is dedicated to supporting my students and their parents.

    A note about this site:
    It is a work in process, I do revising and editing whenever possible. My goal is to get important information up quickly. If there is an error, trust I will see to it shortly.

    Archives

    September 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

    Categories

    All
    Active And Passive Voice
    Active Voice
    Allusions
    Antigone
    Bubbl.us
    Calendars
    Conclusion
    Conclusions
    Critical Lens
    Eminem
    Essay
    Essays
    Fahrenheit
    Fahrenheit 541
    Fahrenheit Project
    Foot
    Gods
    Google Docs
    Greek Mythology
    Hercules
    Heroes
    Homework
    Iambic Pentameter
    Julius Caesar
    Julius Casear
    Mindmap
    Mind Mapping
    Norse Mythos
    Paragraphs
    Pyramus And Thisbe
    Research Topics
    Rome
    Romeo And Juliet
    Shakespeare
    Thesis
    Thesis Statement
    To Kill A Mockingbird
    Topic Sentence
    Topic Sentences
    Venn Diagram
    Vocabulary
    Words

    RSS Feed

Photo used under Creative Commons from pelican