Ms. Leamon's Manila Site: Read and Learn!

Grammar Gorillas (Review Parts of Speech)

Also: GL syllabus is posted! Click away. . .

New syllabus is posted under GL Syllabus. . . :)

What a lovely day--a great opportunity to correct AP term papers! And go out to lunch! And read! And realize I hadn't posted the GL exam question yet. Hope it will work. Click on the syllabus link.

See you Thursday. What a speedy week!

Where has the time gone? One of my goals for second semester is to figure out how to use iweb so the technical glitches of Manila (the host of this webpage) won't be such a problem. Sorry about the gaps in info.

AP Seniors: You're working on your literary research paper. I have been checking things off as I've seen them completed/acceptably done, so the check marks should be mounting up. On Thursday I might ask you to write for 1/2 hour on a paragraph, just to scare out any issues you should work out before The Big Weekend. You DO know it's a Big Weekend, don't you?

Email drafts to me up to Friday night. I'll try to get them back to you by Saturday noonish and then: look at Tuesday!

Barring other issues that would seriously affect due dates, your exam will be two parts: one prep-in-advance essay on your independent reading/coming of age novel, and one "sight unseen" on-demand. Boom. That's it.

GL Students: your progress on your modern issues research is going well. We'll give you a checklist on Thursday so you can edit your work. Your exam will include a DOL section, some content questions (more on that to come), and a prep-in-advance essay presenting your modern issues research in thesis paper form.

There. That's better. Now I hope I can post this!!!

With some snow forecast, the cookie contest looming, and vacation only two school days away! Here's part of what I accomplished today:



Fingerless gloves for my Secret Angel at school, and, in the background, homemade donuts to celebrate a Saturday when none of us had to be anywhere at any set time--what a rarity!

The penny drive for Pennies for Peace is winding down, and as I am reading Mortenson's new book, Stones into Schools, I'm even more fired up about the importance of the work that CAI is doing. Thanks to everyone who participated!

And, in closing. . . since most holiday seasons are about light in some form, a warm wish to everyone for safe, happy, warm holidays in whatever form you celebrate!

New syllabi are up for BOTH classes.

This week marks the end of our penny drive for Pennies for Peace. I'm currently reading Stones into Schools, Mortenson's sequel to Three Cups of Tea, and it's much easier reading so far, though much longer. The book is incredibly inspirational, however--bring in those pennies so we can support CAI as much as possible!

Annnnnnnd the info meetings for The Big Read are on Wed. the 16th at 7:30 OR 2:30. Stop by and get a book!

I've been trying to take some time to notice during this busy time: sometimes I plug in the tree lights and sit with my coffee in the morning for few minutes, and just listen and breathe and enjoy; sometimes I just try to enjoy the view out of my window as I drive to or from work. Yesterday I was ambushed and overcome by a perfect teacher moment: I told the AP class to choose three passages from our reading and then share them with someone they didn't usually work with. We were quiet for a few minutes, and then people started reading their passages to each other, and the room filled with a buzz of conversation. It was completely focused: everyone had his or her book open, each partner was completely involved in listening and responding, each pair involved in sharing ideas and responses. I was completely secondary to the situation, able simply to listen to the rising hum of students talking about literature, about their response to writing. They were absorbed by their reading and their ideas, off on their own.

It was, I realized, a perfect moment. What a gift.

GL: Complete reading journal entries for your second reading assignment. If you're behind, try to get caught up.
ALSO: Field trip is tentatively rescheduled for Thursday, 8 - 11 am. If you think of it, please get your parent/guardian to send in a note extending the permission to Thursday; if you didn't have a perm. form before, get one soon!

AP: how's the baking?

First things first: GL, you should read reading assignment #2 and post four sticky notes on significant passages. If you did NOT finish at least one of your reading journals for assignment #1, you should do that. Don't worry about your reading journals for #2 yet.

AP: your info is laboriously posted. You know this.

And in honor of the lovely cup of tea and cookie I just had while cleaning up the kitchen, I am going to share yet another family recipe with you (AP, this is NOT a recipe I am entering in the contest, so don't think I'm giving anything away). These are simply the best cookies ever. And my mother used to let us have one for lunch if we had cheese and apple on it, and we often did.

Joe Froggers--this makes a LOT; can be frozen

--Cream 1 c. br sugar with 3/4 c. shortening
Mix together 5 cups of flour, 1 tsp bak soda and 1 tsp bak powder, 1/4 tsp allspice, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1/2 nutmeg, 1 1/2 tsps ginger, AND a pinch of salt.
Add to the sugar mixture alternately with 1 c. molasses and 1/2 c. water.

Chill for a while or not; roll out (we like 'em about 1/4" thick)with plenty of flour and cut into festive shapes or just circles. Can decorate before baking or ice after; we like them all ways. Bake ~ 18 mins at 350.

Brew a cup of tea and enjoy!

And do your homework. Check this out, too! The Big Read!