All Students: Half Price Books Coupon Week

Half Price Books is running a series of special offers this week. If you sign up for their mailing list you'll receive a set of coupons that lower their already low prices.

On Monday and Tuesday you'll save 40% on the most expensive item you buy either day.

Wednesday and Thursday the savings is 30%. Friday and Saturday it's 20%.

Sunday's the biggest savings (though on the least inventory): 50%.

Incoming Pre-AP English II students, consider getting any of these books: The Pearl by John Steinbeck, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, or Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

English I (Pre-AP) students, pick up The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, or Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

English students, if you haven't already acquired the current novel, don't wait for the big coupon on Sunday. Use the 40% coupon now and pick up a second book later on.

Here's a list of local stores.

All Students: Half Price Books' Labor Day Sale

Half Price Books stores are selling everything for an extra 20% off this weekend. It's a great opportunity to get your texts at a low price -- while they last.

Sale runs from the August 28th through September 4th (Monday).

Here's a list of stores in the Metroplex.

All Students: Analyze Class Expectations

Below are the expectations I have for my students every day:

• Be Prepared


• Be Positive


• Be Polite


• Be Participational <-- that's not a word!


• Be Participators

On a separate sheet of paper, list three things for each expectation that describes what a student who meets that expectation looks like and/or does.

Brainstorm why I included the fourth bullet point even though it was wrong, and add it to your analysis of the expectations.

At the bottom of your page of analysis include your expectation(s) of the class you're enrolled in as well as your expectation(s) of me as your teacher. Write these in complete sentences.

All Students: Pablo Neruda's "Poetry"

After reading the poem, below, find a word or phrase that describes how you feel now, at the beginning of this school year. Copy down that word or phrase and then write why it applies to your life.

Poetry
by Pablo Neruda

And it was at that age… Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don't know, I don't know where
it came from, from winter or a river.
I don't know how or when,
no they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a street I was summoned,
from the branches of night,
abruptly from the others,
among violent fires
or returning alone,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.

I did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names,
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my soul,
fever or forgotten wings,
and I made my own way,
deciphering
that fire,
and I wrote the first faint line,
faint, without substance, pure
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows nothing,
and suddenly I saw
the heavens
unfastened
and open,
planets,
palpitating plantations,
shadow perforated,
riddled
with arrows, fire and flowers,
the winding night, the universe.

And I, infinitesimal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind.

(From: 'Memorial de Isla Negra')

You must write in complete sentences. Do not just write down the word/phrase and then write a statement beginning with Because. Those aren't sentences and won't be accepted.

If you missed this assignment on the first day of class: Grades of 85% will be given for written-only responses. Grades of 100% will be given for presenting orally, in front of the class.

All Students: Hail and Farewell!

Incoming Pre-AP II students: Welcome. Thanks for coming by. Bookmark this page so you can visit it again (and often).

The Summer Assignment is posted immediately below.

Also, be sure to click the Facebook "Like" button to the right. This will keep you up-to-date on new posts to this blog. There's a link to the summer assignment under the Facebook button, as well.

If you would like to know how you did on the EOC, please ask your Pre-AP I teacher first. (My students, email me at cmikesell-at-dallasisd-dot-org)

To my 2011/2012 Students: Have yourselves an awesome summer. You've earned it. Pre-AP II's, please get next year off to a better start than you did last year -- do the AP III Summer Assignment! I will miss each and every one of you, so please come by my room next year to keep me updated on your many successes.

If you would like to "unfriend" the class Facebook page, I won't take it personally.

Thanks again for a memorable (and outstanding!) year. Take care of each other.

--Mr. Mikesell