GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTES REGARDING HOMEWORK
"Harvesting" vocabulary words: I will ask you to "harvest" unfamiliar words that appear in reading assignments or in the verbal or reading sections of practice tests that you have taken. How do you "harvest" words? Circle (or highlight) words whose meaning you are not 100% sure of and write them down (in a Word document or on a piece of 3-hole-punched paper). Next to each word, write or type the abbreviated part(s) of speech (e.g., adj.), definition(s), and a sentence in which you use the word correctly and demonstrate its meaning. (Feel free to copy and paste definitions from an online dictionary.) Some weeks, we will have a vocabulary quiz. For each word on the quiz, you will need to supply the part of speech and a sentence in which you use the word correctly and demonstrate its meaning. I will not ask you to write definitions on any vocabulary quiz -- I want to see that you know how to use the word, not just what it means.
Homework log: Every week, you must print the assignment from this web page (I recommend copying and pasting just that week’s assignment into a blank Word document) and place a check mark next to items as you complete them (do not check them off frantically during the first few minutes of class!). Bring the printout (your “homework log”) to class. If your printer is not working, you may e-mail me your homework log before class.
Prioritizing: I will list the homework items in order of importance each week. If you don't have enough time to complete all the homework in a given week, just do as many items as you can, in the order listed, and catch up the following week if possible. I suggest that you develop a weekly homework plan every Friday: print the homework log, look at your daily planner, note the days on which you have less school homework (or more free time), and decide which items of Advanced Core Skills homework you will do on particular days that week. Do not wait until Wednesday to start your Advanced Core Skills homework! Vocabulary assignments and other memorization work, for example, can be completed in small chunks of time -- 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there -- throughout the week.
Due Thu 4/29
- Complete a rough draft of your Greek mythology essay, or at least a very detailed (one page minimum) bullet-point outline that includes your thesis statement and specific points and examples in support of your thesis.
- Catch up as needed (see below).
- Be sure to bring Kaplan to class. If you didn't bring it last time, complete the first section of Practice Test A at home; score yourself and review answer explanations.
Due Thu 4/22
I will be performing about 45 minutes' worth of gorgeous piano trios on Sat 4/24 at 7:30 PM at the Unitarian Church in Evanston (1330 Ridge Avenue, at Dempster). Please see the Evite that I e-mailed you for further details, or click here.
- Devise a topic for your Greek mythology essay. E-mail a brief description of your topic to me by Wednesday. Here are some possibilities: analysis of one or more poems; analysis of a myth (e.g., what that myth shows about the relationships between mortals and gods, or about the tension between two principles or values); comparison of two poems or two myths; which love myth/story best exemplifies ideal love and why; the use of symbolism (e.g., light vs. darkness) in a particular myth. Any topic that draws on what you have learned and read so far in the Hamilton and D'Aulaires' books is potentially appropriate. I must approve your topic before you can start working on your essay, however. The topic must be deep enough for you to spend 3-5 pages exploring it.
We will analyze more poems on 4/22. E-mail me if you would like to request a poem on a specific character or myth (e.g., the one you want to write your essay about).
- Truss -- through p. 204 (the end).
- Hamilton pp. 224-251, 411-440.
- Kaplan: you have completed Ch. 1-7 by now. This week, do Ch. 8, 9, 10, and 11.
- Start thinking about your own Greek myth. We'll talk more about this on 4/22.
We will do a sample SAT math section on 4/22.
Due Thu 4/15
- Truss -- through p. 167.
- Hamilton pp. 180-194, 197-223.
- Kaplan Ch. 7.
Due Thu 4/8
- Further reading in Truss and Hamilton, as described in the text I sent you all.
NO CLASS ON THU 4/1, AS INDICATED ON THE REGISTRATION FORM.
NO CLASS ON SUN 3/28. THOSE WHO PAID FOR THE CLASS WILL RECEIVE A REFUND/CREDIT.
Due Thu 3/25
- Truss pp. 68-102. This is the most important reading for Thu 3/25.
- Hamilton pp. 158-179.
- Kaplan Ch. 4, 5, 6. Go on to 7 if you have time.
Due Sun 3/14
I believe that Lily, Wyatt, Sarah, Bella M., and Nathaniel will be attending class this Sunday. (Maybe Bella Y.?) Class will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
- Finish catching up.
- Hamilton pp. 120-134, 3-18.
- Truss pp. 35-67.
- Kaplan Ch. 1, 2, 3.
- 8th graders (mandatory) and other students (optional but recommended): sign up for the June 5 SAT; e-mail me to let me know that you have registered for the test, and tell me which test center you are taking it at.
Due Thu 3/11
- Catch up (see below).
- NOTE: I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THIS SUNDAY'S (3/14) CLASS TIME. CAN YOU ALL MEET FROM 2:30 TO 4:30 PM (INSTEAD OF MEETING FROM 1:30 TO 3:30 PM)? PLEASE E-MAIL ME ASAP TO LET ME KNOW EITHER WAY. THANKS.
Due Thu 3/4
- E-mail me as soon as you receive any of your books (Hamilton, Truss, Kaplan), so I know how many of you have which books.
- Hamilton pp. 135-158. Read carefully, making sure to underline and annotate. Harvest all unfamiliar words and prepare for a quiz or game on those words. Decide which tale of lovers is your favorite, and think about why you prefer that tale to the others.
- Truss pp. xi-34. Read carefully, making sure to underline and annotate. Harvest all unfamiliar words and prepare for a quiz or game on those words.
- If you are not buying the Kossman book, you could try to check it out of the public library.
- Review your recent class notes on advanced math (especially algebra).
- Make sure you can recite the Greek alphabet from memory, without any pauses or hesitation.
Due Thu 2/25
- How well do you know all the Greek myths in the D'Aulaires' book? Look at pp. 186-187 and make sure you've memorized the names of the Greek and Roman gods (note: Hades is Pluto). I may quiz you on these names. Review the other myths and prepare for a quiz or in-class writing assignment on the myths that appear through p. 127.
- Review HW 1-12, RS 1-4. Prepare to play the vocabulary game.
Due Thu 2/18
- Make sure you've finished reading D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and have harvested all unfamiliar words; we'll have a vocabulary quiz or game on the challenging words in the book. Bring the book to class.
- Review HW 1-10, RS 1-2.
Due Thu 2/11
- Make sure you own D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and read (or re-read) all of it -- or as much of it as you can by 2/11. (You should finish at least half of the book by 2/11.) Harvest words as needed.
- Review the algebra/exponents material we covered in class on 2/4.
- Finish your essays on the Orpheus and Eurydice poem(s) if you took your draft home with you. Continue to think about the meaning of each poem (even the poem you are not writing about).
- Review HW 5-10.
Due Thu 2/4
- There was no additional homework due on 2/4.
Due Thu 1/28 (first class of the spring term)
I will e-mail spring-term registration forms shortly. The spring term (which will focus on advanced Greek & Roman mythology, including plenty of critical reading and analytical writing, in addition to test prep and math) will begin on 1/28.
Note: Together with Tatyana Stepanova, piano, and Brian Hoffman, cello, I will be performing Schubert's gorgeous B-flat major piano trio next Fri 1/29 and Sat 1/30 in Northbrook and in downtown Chicago. Both concerts are free and will last about 40 minutes. See details here. Let me know if you plan to attend -- I hope to see you there!
- Catch up as needed. Make sure you have completed all assignments listed below.
Due Thu 1/21
- We will focus on reading and math on 1/21. Bring your 12/21 practice test to class.
- Complete pp. 26-50 in the SSAT study guide.
- 8th graders taking the CPS test this Sat 1/23: look over the upper-level math questions (in the upper-level Practice Tests I & II) in the SSAT study guide. If there is anything you don't know how to do, flag it and ask me to review it at the beginning of class on 1/21.
- Review HW Ch. 20-23 and RS songs 11-13.
Due Thu 1/14
- Complete the percents worksheet I handed out on 1/10.
Due Sun 1/10
- If you participated in the practice test on 12/21 and the test review on 12/22, go over the questions you missed in the math sections especially; complete your CE and LOU analysis if you have not already done so. We will review additional math questions (from the math procedures test in particular) on 1/10.
- Here are the answers to all 75 questions in the ACT English test, for those of you who took the test on 12/21-12/22. Print and check the answers after you have completed all 75 questions.
- If you participated in the practice test on 12/21 and the test review on 12/22, send me an e-mail in which you provide details on how you did, as follows:
Test 1: score (number right / total number of questions); ___ CE's; ___ LOU's; ___ LOV's; _____ LOT's
[use the same format to record your performance on all 7 tests]
Score on the other 53 questions from the ACT English test (for Test 7, you did 22 questions in class on 12/21; I now want to know how you did on the 53 remaining questions that you worked on at home)
A short paragraph explaining what you need to work on the most, based on how you did on 12/21.
- If you took the 12/21 test, you know what you need to study during winter break, based on how you performed on the different sections of the test.
- If you feel you need one or two (or more) private tutoring sessions over winter break, please e-mail me and I'll refer you to a friend of mine, an excellent tutor who specializes in preparing my students for 7th and 8th grade exams.
- Go over any portions of CS that you have not yet read, reviewed, or completed. You should be done with the book by 1/10.
- Go to the official ACT website and work through all 5 English grammar "passages" (75 questions total). Pay close attention to the answer explanations for each question.
- Intensively review HW Ch. 1-23, focusing on Ch. 15-23, and RS songs 1-13, focusing on songs 10-13. You must do some vocabulary study EVERY DAY, even if it is only for 3-5 minutes (e.g., on a day when you are exhausted). Normally, you should spend at least 5-10 minutes a day on vocabulary.
- Review fractions, decimals, percents, and squares. Practice mental math on your own or with a parent or sibling. We will do the percents/decimals and squares quizzes (timed) on 1/10.
- Prepare to do a timed 12x12 times-table in class. You should be able to complete it perfectly in 3-4 minutes or less.
Due Thu 12/17
- Make sure you now have the SSAT study guide; bring it to class. Read pp. 25-64.
- If you still do not have the SSAT study guide by Wed 12/16, please e-mail me to let me know.
- Make sure to bring all books and handouts (including your printouts of the NYT articles) to class.
- CS Ch. 17. This is more important than the homework items below; do this first, and get to the rest of the homework if you have time.
- Intensively review HW Ch. 1-21, focusing on Ch. 15-21, and RS songs 1-13, focusing on songs 10-13. You must do some vocabulary study EVERY DAY, even if it is only for 3-5 minutes (e.g., on a day when you are exhausted). Normally, you should spend at least 5-10 minutes a day on vocabulary.
- If you have not already done the lower-level SSAT practice test at CS p. 403, do it in one sitting if possible, and in less than the allotted time if possible (as fast as you can do it without making careless errors). Score yourself and analyze your errors.
- If you have already done the lower-level SSAT practice test in the book, do the lower-level ISEE practice test at p. 687, in one sitting if possible, and in less than the allotted time if possible (as fast as you can do it without making careless errors). Score yourself and analyze your errors.
Due Thu 12/10
- Catch up as needed! Too many of you did not complete your assignments the past few weeks.
- Bring the SSAT study guide to class.
- CS Ch. 7, 15, 16. Underline or highlight important points as you read. Do all the sample problems in Ch. 7, both multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
- Intensively review HW Ch. 1-20, focusing on Ch. 14-20, and RS songs 1-13, focusing on songs 10-13. You must do some vocabulary study EVERY DAY, even if it is only for 3-5 minutes (e.g., on a day when you are exhausted). Normally, you should spend at least 5-10 minutes a day on vocabulary.
- Print (click on the "PRINT" link on the right side of the NYT page, near the top) and read the following articles, making sure to harvest words, underline important content, and annotate as needed:
We may have a vocabulary quiz on some words from these articles. We will discuss the articles in class, and there may be a short (one-paragraph) in-class writing exercise on the articles.
Due Thu 12/3
This assignment represents 10 days' worth of homework.
- Catch up as needed. Carefully review the list of assignments below and make sure you have completed all of them. NO ONE SHOULD STILL BE BEHIND AS OF 12/3.
- CS Ch. 5, 6, 8. Underline or highlight important points as you read. Do sample multiple-choice problems; you may skip exercises that require longhand (written-out) answers.
- Intensively review HW Ch. 1-18, focusing on Ch. 12-18, and RS songs 1-13, focusing on songs 8-13. You must do some vocabulary study EVERY DAY, even if it is only for 3-5 minutes (e.g., on a day when you are exhausted). Normally, you should spend at least 5-10 minutes a day on vocabulary.
- Vocabulary wallpaper: Photocopy a few pages from HW and/or RS and tape them to the wall in strategic locations: next to your bathroom mirror, above your desk, next to your bed, etc. Once you have learned the words on those pages, photocopy a few more pages and repeat this process.
- Ask your parents, siblings, relatives, or friends to quiz you on vocabulary.
- A few of you are still not totally secure on fractions/decimals/percents and squares. Review as needed.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Due Sun 11/22
- Skim CS Ch. 18-19, focusing on material that is difficult or problematic for you.
- Set aside 2.5 hours, preferably in the morning on Sat 11/21 or Sun 11/22. Using the bubble sheet provided (check the back of the book if the bubble sheet is not located at the beginning of the test), take the practice upper-level ISEE at CS p. 613 in ONE sitting, giving yourself a 5-minute break after the second section. Make sure to complete the essay too. SCORE YOURSELF (AND ANALYZE YOUR ERRORS) BEFORE ARRIVING FOR CLASS.
- Figure out what material in EEG you need help with. Flag anything that was confusing. We'll go over that material in class.
- Review HW Ch. 1-15 (focus on Ch. 12-15) and RS songs 1-11 (focus on songs 8-11). Learn the words (spelling, pronunciation, definition, part of speech). I may administer an oral or written vocabulary quiz on some of these words, and we may play the vocabulary game (in which case I will allow notes and homemade flashcards, but not books or dictionaries).
Due Sun 11/15 (class meets from 3 to 5 PM)
- Catch up as needed. (Meg, have you taken the middle-level practice test yet? Sarah, have you caught up in EEG?) Review the complete list of homework assignments below and make sure you have finished all of them. Turn in any homework logs you have not yet turned in.
- Review HW Ch. 1-12 and RS songs 1-9. Learn the words (spelling, pronunciation, definition, part of speech). I may administer an oral or written vocabulary quiz on some of these words, and we may play the vocabulary game (in which case I will allow notes and homemade flashcards, but not books or dictionaries).
- Review your notes on percent problems; review fractions, decimals, and percents.
- Figure out which questions from the middle-level test you recently took you need help with. We'll go over those questions in class.
Due Thu 11/12
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 29-32 in EEG. Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter. You should now be DONE with EEG!
- Review HW Ch. 1-11 and RS songs 1-8. Learn the words (spelling, pronunciation, definition, part of speech). I may administer an oral or written vocabulary quiz on some of these words, and we may play the vocabulary game (in which case I will allow notes and homemade flashcards, but not books or dictionaries).
- Catch up as needed.
Due Sun 11/8 (3-5 PM)
[Thank you for your patience. I have finally recovered from my illness and posted the homework. 11/3/09]
- Set aside 2.5 hours, preferably in the morning on Sat 11/7 or Sun 11/8. Using the bubble sheet provided (check the back of the book if the bubble sheet is not located at the beginning of the test), take the practice middle-level ISEE at CS p. 651 in ONE sitting, giving yourself a 5-minute break after the second section. Make sure to complete the essay too.
- Then score yourself using the answer key provided. Analyze your errors (CE, LOU, LOV, LOT). Make a list of the questions you still don't understand in each section, and prepare to ask me about those questions in class. (Note: 8th graders should find this test easy and should aim to achieve a perfect or near-perfect score, with no careless errors.)
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 24-28 in EEG (or as much of it as you can do -- feel free to keep going in the book if you have extra time). Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter.
- Review HW Ch. 1-10 and RS songs 1-8. Learn the words (spelling, pronunciation, definition, part of speech). I may administer an oral or written vocabulary quiz on some of these words.
E-mail me if you have any questions. I am traveling with limited e-mail access but will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Due Sun 10/25
Note: I will be performing in a choral concert at St James Cathedral downtown (Huron & Wabash) on Sun 10/25 at 3:00 PM. (I am a soprano in the St James Cathedral Choir.) See http://www.saintjamescathedral.org/NewsDetail.asp?id=206 for details (free admission for children under 12; $5 suggested donation for students; $10 for adults). The concert will be preceded by a free jazz brunch from 12:30 to 2:30 PM on the Cathedral plaza at Huron & Rush; all are welcome. The concert will end by 4:15 PM.
- CS pp. 318-342 (including all exercises).
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 21-23 in EEG (or as much of it as you can do -- feel free to keep going in the book if you have extra time). Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter.
- Review HW Ch. 1-10 and RS songs 1-3. Learn the words (spelling, pronunciation, definition, part of speech). I may administer an oral or written vocabulary quiz on some of these words.
Due Thu 10/22
- CS pp. 98-136 (including all exercises).
- Bring CS to class. We will review the reading test you took on 10/15.
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 18-20 in EEG (or as much of it as you can do -- feel free to keep going in the book if you have extra time). Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter.
- HW 1-10. Review these lessons as carefully as possible, pronouncing all words out loud as you study.
- Review squares and fractions/decimals/percents.
Due Thu 10/15
- CS pp. 62-98 (do all practice drills).
- Turn in homework logs.
- Bring your planner or assignment notebook to class if you did not show it to me on 10/8. This may involve moving it from your school bag (or your desk at home) to your "Sara Su" bag. Please remember to do so.
- Bring CS to class. We will do a reading test in class on 10/15.
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 15-17 in EEG (or as much of it as you can do). Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter.
- HW 1-9. Review these lessons as carefully as possible, pronouncing all words out loud as you study.
- Review squares and fractions/decimals/percents.
- Harvest all words as you can from the verbal section of the upper-level practice SSAT that you took on 9/24. (You started doing this in class on 10/8.) All words on every page of the verbal section are candidates for harvesting, not just the words in all caps.
Class on 10/22 will include the vocabulary game, focusing on harvested SSAT verbal words as well as words from HW.
Due Thu 10/8
(I apologize for the delay in posting the homework for 10/8. I was ill the past several days.)
- Bella Y., Bella M., and Wyatt: make up the in-class CS test at home (the upper-level practice SSAT, section 1 (verbal) and section 2 (math)). Do it in one sitting, timed, using the bubble sheet provided. Use the techniques I've taught you.
- Turn in homework logs.
- Bring your planner or assignment notebook to class. This may involve moving it from your school bag to your "Sara Su" bag. Please remember to do so.
- Bring CS to class. When you don't bring your book to class, you slow down the entire class as I have to find a practice test in another book for you.
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 12-14 in EEG (or as much of it as you can do). Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter.
- HW 1-8. Review these lessons as carefully as possible, pronouncing all words out loud as you study.
- Review squares and fractions/decimals/percents.
- Harvest as many words as you can from the verbal section of the upper-level practice SSAT that you took on 9/24.
This Thursday, we will carefully review the verbal and math sections of the upper-level practice SSAT that you took on 9/24. Vocabulary is clearly a major development need for most of you, and we also need to review advanced math.
Due Thu 10/1
- Catch up as needed.
- Turn in homework logs.
- Bring your planner or assignment notebook to class.
- Bring CS to class.
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 8-11 in EEG. Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter.
- Prepare to play the vocabulary game, focusing on HW 1-7 and RS 1-7. You may use notes during the game.
Due Thu 9/24
- Go through the to-do list you compiled in class on 9/20.
- Bring your planner or assignment notebook to class on 9/24.
- Prepare to play the vocabulary game, focusing on HW 1-5 and RS 1-5. You may use notes during the game.
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 5-7 in EEG. Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter.
- Catch up as needed.
Congratulations to Meg, who achieved the only double-perfect score in math on 9/20!
Due Sun 9/20 (no class on Thu 9/17)
- Carefully read everything that appears on this web page. Don't forget to bring your homework log to class on 9/20. See the book list I e-mailed you for the abbreviations of book titles that I will use on this course web page.
- Bring your daily planner or assignment notebook (the one you use for school) to class so that we can briefly discuss time management, organization, and study skills.
- Study HW Lessons 1-3 and RS songs 1-3.
- Read (and underline/annotate) Ch. 1-4 in EEG. Do the exercises IN PENCIL at the end of each chapter. Then check your answers against those in the back of the book. If you already did this in a previous course, carefully re-read and review the material, taking time to re-think each question/exercise at the end of each chapter. If you are unable to obtain EEG in time, just catch up on this assignment for the following class (9/24).
- Bring CS to class.