Monday, January 31st (first day of term):

Introductions

Lecture on literary elements (foreshadowing/suspense/mood/conflict/character/etc.)

Start reading Edgar Allan Poe's "A Cask of Amontillado"

Homework:

Find a novel to bring to class for Independent Reading

 

Tuesday, February 1st:

Take Direct Writing Assessment practice test

Homework:

None

 

Wednesday, February 2nd:

Finish reading "A Cask of Amontillado" in class.

Continue discussion on literary elements.

Homework:

Read Shirley Jackson's "The Possibility of Evil"

 

Thursday, February 3rd:

Take "Cask of Amontillado" quiz

Read Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" in class

Homework:

Define vocabulary words

 

Friday, February 4th:

Independent Reading Program check-in

Distribute handout of literary elements

Begin reading Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"

Homework:

Finish reading "The Most Dangerous Game"

Root for the PATRIOTS!!!

 

Monday, February 7th:

Quiz on "The Most Dangerous Game"

Lecture on literal/figurative descriptions

Homework:

study for vocabulary quiz (Tuesday)

Literal/Figurative Description T-charts (three images/five descriptions)

 

Tuesday, February 8th:

Vocabulary Quiz

Distribute Of Mice and Men

War Simulation

Discussion on adjusting to a new set of rules (immigration/developmental disability)

Begin reading Of Mice and Men

Homework:

Finish reading Chapter One

 

Wednesday, February 9th:

Discuss Personal Narratives

Share samples of Personal Narratives

Brainstorm Personal Narrative topic

Homework:

Read Chapter Two

 

Thursday, February 10th:

Of Mice and Men Quiz (Chpts. 1, 2)

Discussion of first two chapters

View excerpt from Gary Senise's "Of Mice and Men"

Homework:

Read Chapter Three

Continue work on Personal Narrative

 

Friday, February 11th:

Straws/Tape Simulation

Discussion on disabilities

View "Of Mice and Men"

Independent reading

Homework:

Stay dry and have a great weekend

 

Monday, February 14th:

Read Chapter Four in class

Of Mice and Men Quiz (Chpts. 3, 4)

View "Of Mice and Men"

review on Personal Narrative Essays

Homework:

Read Chapter Five

Personal Narrative Essay due tomorrow

 

Tuesday, February 15th:

IRP

Turn in Personal Narrative Essay

View "Of Mice and Men"

Introduction to rhetorical precis

Read David Holcberg's article "U.S. Government Should Not Help Tsunami Victims"

Write a precis for the article as a class

Finish reading Of Mice and Men

Homework:

None

 

Wednesday, February 16th:

IRP

Of Mice and Men Quiz (Chpts. 5, 6)

Finish viewing "Of Mice and Men"

Discuss symbolism/theme in the novel

Read and write a rhetorical precis for Dave Barry's article "The Ugly Truth About Beauty"

Homework:

Complete eight questions on Barry's argument and finish precis of the article

 

Thursday, February 17th:

IRP

Discussion on expectations

Begin reading/discussing "The Scarlet Ibis"

Homework:

Have a safe and dry President's Weekend

 

Tuesday, February 22nd:

Finish reading "The Scarlet Ibis" and answer questions in textbook

Complete the argument questionnaire for Holcberg's article

Homework:

Complete questionnaire

 

Wednesday, February 23rd:

Discuss on mob mentality (Why do humans behave one way in a group and another as individuals?)

Discuss Abraham Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs

Collect Of Mice and Men books

Distribute Lord of the Flies books

Begin Chapter One from Lord of the Flies

Homework:

Finish reading Chapter One

 

Thursday, February 24th:

IRP

Chapter One Quiz

Discuss Chapter One

Survival Test: "Would you survive if stranded on an island?"

Homework:

Read Chapter Two

 

Friday, February 25th:

IRP

Chapter Two Quiz

Discuss Chapter Two

Read William Golding's article "Why Boys Become Vicious"

Homework:

Read Chapters Two/Three

Write a precis/thesis statement in response to "Why Boys Become Vicious"

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, February 28th:

IRP

Discuss Chapter Three

Begin work on PowerPoint Portfolios in computer lab (20 slides in all)

• Title page
• About me
• Analysis of two short stories (two slides each)
  • first slide--brief summary
  • second slide--analysis of literary elements
    • theme
    • irony
    • conflict
    • etc
• Analyis of each novel/play we've read (two slides each)
  • Lord of the Flies
  • Of Mice and Men
  • Black Boy
  • The Odyssey
  • Antigone
  • Romeo & Juliet
• Shakespearean sonnet
• Wildcard slide (your choice)

Click here for a student sample of a PowerPoint Portfolio

Click here for a student sample of a Macromedia Flash Presentation

Homework:

Read Chapter Four

Define vocabulary words (Quiz Friday)

 

Tuesday, March 1st:

IRP

Chapter Three/Four Quiz

Discuss Chapter Four

Continue PowerPoint Portfolios in computer lab

Homework:

Read Chapter Five

 

Wednesday, March 2nd:

IRP

Return and re-collect Personal Narrative Essays

Talk about essays (what worked/what needs improvement/etc.)

Grammar Day

Homework:

Read Chapter Six

 

Thursday, March 3rd:

IRP

Discuss Chapter Five

Chapter Six Quiz

Discuss Chapter Six

View excerpts from Peter Brooks' "Lord of the Flies"

Homework:

Read Chapter Seven

Study for Vocabulary Test (tomorrow)

 

Friday, March 4th:

IRP

Work on PowerPoint Portfolios in computer lab

Vocabulary Quiz (LOTF)

Discuss Chapter Seven

View excerpt from "Lord of the Flies"

Homework:

Read Chapter Eight

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, March 7th:

Work on PowerPoint Portfolios in computer lab

Chapter Eight Quiz

Discuss Chapter Eight

Discuss Independent Reading Literary Essay (due at quarter's end)

Homework:

Read Chapter Nine

 

Tuesday, March 8th:

IRP

Discuss Chapter Nine

Work on Response to Non-Fiction Essay ("Why Boys Become Vicious") in computer lab

View "Lord of the Flies"

Homework:

Read Chapter Ten

 

Wednesday, March 9th:

Read/discuss Chapter Eleven as a class

View "Lord of the Flies"

IRP

Homework:

Finish the novel

 

Thursday, March 10th:

Define vocabulary words

Work on Independent Reading Essay in computer lab

Take Quiz on Chapters 10-12

Discuss the final three chapters

Homework:

None

 

Friday, March 11th:

Work on one of the following in the computer lab:

• define vocabulary
• PowerPoint Presentations
• Non-Fiction Analysis Essay
• Independent Reading Literary Analysis Essay

Discuss end of Lord of the Flies

View Peter Brook's commentary on "Lord of the Flies"

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, March 14th:

IRP

Lord of the Flies Jeopardy

Discussion on mythology

Homework:

None

 

Tuesday, March 15th:

IRP

Mythology pretest

Continue discussion on mythology

Should Roger be tried as an adult? (assign roles for Lord of the Flies group project)

Continue discussion on mythology (What is a hero/heroine?)

Homework:

Study for vocabulary test (tomorrow)

 

Wednesday, March 16th:

IRP

Vocabulary Test

Discuss Jim Crow laws as prelude to Black Boy

Begin reading Chapter One of Black Boy

Homework:

Finish reading Chapter One

 

Thursday, March 17th:

IRP

Work on PowerPoints or Roger's trial in computer lab

Chapter One quiz

Homework:

Read Chapter Two

 

Friday, March 18th:

IRP

Sign-up for FAQ assignments and Group Mythology Performances

Work on researching either project in computer lab

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, March 21st:

IRP

Work on projects in computer lab

Break into groups and rehearse Mythology Skits or Roger's trial

Homework:

Read Chapter Three

 

Tuesday, March 22nd:

IRP

Rehearsal time for Roger's trial

Conduct Roger's trial

Homework:

Go see Opening Night of Ionesco's Tales!!!

 

Wednesday, March 23rd:

IRP

Reflect on Roger's trial

Rehearsal time for Mythology Skits

Perform Mythology Skits

Homework:

Go see Ionesco's Tales again!!!

 

Thursday, March24th:

IRP

Discuss the epic and the heroic tradition in mythology

Begin reading The Odyssey (Invocation/Book 9)

Homework:

Go see Closing Night of Ionesco's Tales!!!

 

Friday, March 25th:

IRP

Continue reading/discussing The Odyssey (Book 9)

Show excerpt from "The Princess Bride" as example of hero's journey

Homework:

Read Chapter Four from Black Boy

Work on analytical essay of Golding's "Why Boys Become Vicious" (due Tuesday)

 

Monday, March 28th:

IRP

View excerpt from "Princess Bride"

Go to computer lab to work on vocabulary/PowerPoints/analysis essay

Homework:

Complete analytical essay (due tomorrow)

 

Tuesday, March 29th:

IRP

Chapter Three/Four Quiz

Collect analysis essays

Continue reading/discussing The Odyssey

Homework:

None

 

Wednesday, March 30th:

IRP

Continue reading/discussing The Odyssey

Discuss the epic simile

Begin brainstorming additional adventure for Odysseus

Homework:

Read Chapter Five

 

Thursday, March 31st:

IRP

Computer lab for PowerPoints/literary analyis essays (due April 13th)

Continue reading/discussing The Odyssey

Homework:

Read Chapter Six

 

Friday, April 1st:

IRP

Test

Moving Day!!!

Homework:

Have a safe and terrific Spring Break

 

Monday, April 11th:

IRP

Work in computer lab on essays/PowerPoints

View excerpt from "The Odyssey"

Homework:

None

 

Tuesday, April 12th:

IRP

Read/discuss "The Odyssey"

View "The Odyssey"

Homework:

Literary Analysis essay due tomorrow

 

Wednesday, April 13th:

Right brain/left brain exercise

Read/discuss "The Odyssey"

Homework:

Read Book 21 from "The Odyssey"

 

Thursday, April 14th:

IRP

Read/discuss "The Odyssey"

View "The Odyssey"

Homework:

None

 

Friday, April 15th:

IRP

"The Odyssey" Quiz

"The Odyssey" puzzle competition

View conclusion of "The Odyssey"

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, April 18th:

IRP

View excerpt from "O Brother, Where Art Thou" (connection to "The Odyssey")

Discuss parameters for Odyssean adventure stories

• title
• include at least one character (other than Odysseus) from "The Odyssey"
• create at least one new character
• Odysseus must receive help along the way
• he must use his wits/intellect to overcome an obstacle
• he must use his physical attributes as well
• include two epic similes
• include two epithets

Homework:

None

 

Tuesday, April 19th:

IRP

Introduction to Shakespeare

Discuss the language of Shakespeare

Perform Shakespearean skits based on hypothetical situations

Homework:

Read through Chapter 14 of Black Boy by next Tuesday

 

Wednesday, April 20th:

IRP

View "O Brother, Where Art Thou"

Introduce Sophocles' Antigone

Homework:

Read summaries of "Oedipus the King" and "Oedipus at Colonus"

 

Thursday, April 21st:

IRP

Prepare scripts for Oedipus performances

Rehearse

Perform "Oedipus the King" and "Oedipus at Colonus"

Homework:

Read Black Boy

 

Friday, April 22nd:

IRP

Perform Oedipus performances

Start reading Antigone

Homework:

Finish reading Black Boy, and have a great weekend

 

Monday, April 25th:

IRP

Continue Antigone

Discuss concepts of anarchy and civil disobedience

Work on PowerPoints in computer lab

Homework:

Odyssean Adventure story due tomorrow

 

Tuesday, April 26th:

IRP

Share Odyssean Adventures

Continue Antigone

Discuss feminism/gender roles/youth as teachers

Homework:

Finish reading Antigone

 

Wednesday, April 27th:

IRP

Distribute "Romeo and Juliet"

Discuss notion of fate vs. free will

Begin reading "Romeo and Juliet"

Homework:

None

 

Thursday, April 28th:

IRP

Continue reading Act I from "Romeo and Juliet"

Discuss social norms of the time, gender roles, etc.

Work on PowerPoints in computer lab

Homework:

None

 

Friday, April 29th:

IRP

Read/discuss "Romeo and Juliet"

View excerpt from Act I of Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet"

Brainstorm ideas for your Shakespearean sonnet (due next Friday)

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, May 2nd:

IRP

Read/discuss "Romeo and Juliet"

View excerpt from "Romeo and Juliet"

Quiz on Act I

Homework:

None

 

Tuesday, May 3rd:

IRP

STAR Test Prep

Read/discuss "Romeo and Juliet"

Work on sonnets (due Friday)

Homework:

None

 

Wednesday, May 4th:

IRP

Read/discuss "Romeo and Juliet"

Work on sonnets

Homework:

None

 

Thursday, May 5th:

IRP

STAR Test Prep

Read/discuss "Romeo and Juliet"

View excerpt from "Romeo and Juliet"

Homework:

Complete Shakespearean sonnet (due tomorrow)

 

Friday, May 6th:

IRP

STAR Test Prep

Share Shakespearean sonnets

Quiz on Act II

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, May 9th:

STAR Test Prep

Choose roles for Act III

IRP

Homework:

None

 

Tuesday, May 10th:

IRP

STAR Test Prep in computer lab

View excerpt of Baz Luhrman's "Romeo & Juliet"

Homework:

None

 

Wednesday, May 11th:

IRP

Grade checks

Read/discuss Act III (scenes i, ii)

Homework:

None

 

Thursday, May 12th:

IRP

STAR Test Prep

Read/discuss Act III (scenes iii, iv)

Homework:

None

 

Friday, May 13th:

IRP

Finish reading/discuss Act III (scene v)

Show excerpt of Zeffirelli's "Romeo & Juliet"

Act III Quiz

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, May 16th:

IRP

STAR Test prep in computer lab

Read/discuss Act IV (scenes i, ii)

Homework:

Get a good nights sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast in the morning!

 

Tuesday, May 17th: Happy STAR Testing!!!

Read/discuss Act IV (scenes iii-v)

View excerpt of Zeffirelli's "Romeo & Juliet"

Homework:

Get a good nights sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast in the morning!

 

Wednesday, May 18th: Happy STAR Testing!!!

IRP

Read/discuss Act V (scenes i-ii)

Homework:

Get a good nights sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast in the morning!

 

Thursday, May 19th: Happy STAR Testing!!!

IRP

Read/discuss Act V (scene iii)

View conclusion of Zeffirelli's "Romeo & Juliet"

Quiz on Acts IV/V

Homework:

Get a good nights sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast in the morning!

 

Friday, May 20th: Last day of STAR Testing!!!

IRP

Watch excerpt from Baz Luhrman's "Romeo & Juliet"

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Monday, May 23rd:

IRP

Discuss conclusion of "Romeo & Juliet" and differences in Zeffirelli/Luhrman versions

Work in computer lab on Promotional Poster/movie trailer for "Romeo & Juliet"

Homework:

None

 

Tuesday, May 24th:

IRP

Discuss conclusion of "Romeo & Juliet"

Work in computer lab on movie poster/trailer

Read Roger Ebert's review of Baz Luhrman's "Romeo & Juliet"

Homework:

Write a precis for Ebert's article

 

Wednesday, May 25th:

IRP

Work in computer lab on movie poster/trailer/book cover

Read/discuss O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"

Homework:

What was the greatest gift you've ever received? The greatest you've ever given?

 

Thursday, May 26th:

IRP

Reflection on year-to-date

Discussion: When have you been The Magi? When were you the recipient of The Magi's generosity?

Begin preparations for Shakespearean Translation Skits

Homework:

Work on book covers/Shakespearean Translation Skits

 

Friday, May 27th:

IRP

Work in computer lab on movie poster/trailer/book cover

Discuss Direct Writing Assessment (next Thursday)

Homework:

Have a great weekend

 

Tuesday, May 31st:

IRP

Work in computer lab on movie poster/trailer/book cover

Rehearse translation skits

Perform translation skits

Homework:

None

 

Wednesday, June 1st:

IRP

Read/discuss "I Am A Quitter" and "Overscheduling is Like Running in Circles"

Compose outlines for 5-paragraph essay

Discuss tomorrow's Direct Writing Assessment

Homework:

Know the format for the rhetorical precis and 5-paragraph essay

 

Thursday, June 2nd:

Direct Writing Assessment

Homework:

Complete "Romeo and Juliet" trailers/posters