8/25/10

(A; Noon)

Welcome to English I!

Fill out index card, telling me the following:

1. where you went to school last year

2. what you might want to study in college and do for a living

3. favorite books, movies, and music

Review class syllabus.

Write me a letter that describes yourself as a writer.  Please tell me:

1. What kinds of writing you have done in school.

2. What kinds of writing do you do outside of school (such as journals, diaries, letters, email, poetry, songs, stories, texting, etc.).

3. What are your hopes, fears
and concerns about this class?

Due Friday, Aug. 27, at the start of class.

Please bring your literature
textbook to class on Friday.

8/27/10

(C; 1:10)

Read the short story "Checkouts" by Cynthia Rylant and discuss it. 

In -class writing to reflect on the story and make connections with your life.  Share your writing in small groups.

Learn timed free-writing teachnique.

8/31/10

(E)

Introduction to genres.

Learn these literary terms: genre, fiction, nonfiction, short story, novel,

plot, setting, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution (denouement), and conflict.

Apply terms to the short stories,

"Checkouts" and "The Girl Who Can."

Study for tomorrow's summer reading exam.  You will take the exam in homeroom, which will be extended, first thing in the morning.

Please bring your literature book to class on Thursday.

9/2/10

(A)

Learn new literary terms: point of view; first-person narrator or p.o.v.; third-person omniscient narrator or p.o.v.; third-person limited narrator or p.o.v..

Apply these terms to the short stories "Checkouts" and "The Girl Who Can." Answer the questions on page 85 ("Comparing Points of View" and "Writing to Compare Literary Woks"). You may finish these for homework if you need more time.

1. Finish answering the questions on page 85 that you began in class.

Due at the start of class on Tuesday.

2. Read pages 4 and 5 in your literature textbook to review some of the terms we learned this week.

3. Please remember to bring your vocabulary textbook to class on Tuesday.

9/7/10

(C)

Begin vocabulary unit 1.

Bring 20 index cards (or small pieces of paper) to class on Thursday.

Complete the unit 1 exercises. Checked Thursday for homework points. 

9/9/10

(E)

Study skills for vocabulary: review

exercises,, make flashcards, write sentences for comprehension, do skits.

Study for Monday's vocabulary quiz.

Bring your literature book to class on Monday.

9/13/10

(A)

Begin reading and discussing the short story "The Most Dangerous Game."

1. Vocabulary unit 2: do all exercises. Checked Wednesday for 10 homework points.

2. Bring voc. workbook and literature book to class Wednesday.

9/15/10

(C; Advisee Meeting)

Check voc. unit 2.

New literary terms related to character: character; protagonist; antagonist; characterization; direct characterization; indirect characterization.

Continue reading and discussing the short story "The Most Dangerous Game." Apply literary terms.

1. Study for the voc. unit 2 quiz, next Wednesday.

2. Finish "The Most Dangerous Game" and answer questions 1 through 5 on page 236. Hand in on Tuesday at the start of class.

9/20/10

(E)

Discuss "The Most Dangerous Game" and its climax and resolution.

Creative writing connection to the short story: a letter from Rainsford after the events of the story.  Reflect on how the events would change him.

New literary terms: internal conflict and external conflict.

Apply new terms to the short story.  Working in small groups, answer questions 6,7, 9 and 10 about the story on page 236.  Hand in answers.

2. Please bring literature book to class next time.

9/22/10

(A)

Voc. unit 2 quiz.

New literary terms: static character,

dynamic character, flat character, round character; apply to stories.

Begin "The Gift of the Magi."

Do unit 3 exercises; checked Friday; quiz Tuesday.

Bring in signed permission form for the writing contest.

Please bring your vocabulary book and lit. text to class on Friday.

9/24/10

(C; Mid-Quarter Reports)

New terms: mood and theme.

Finish "The Gift of the Magi." Discuss.

Study for voc. 3 quiz, Tuesday.

Bring literature textbooks to class on Tuesday.

9/28/10

(E)

New literary terms: irony; situational irony; dramatic irony.

independently, answer questions 1 through 5a on page 252 about "The Gift of the Magi." Hand in.

With a partner, answer questions 5b through 9 on the short story and hand in.

Do voc. unit 4 exercises, checked Thursday; quiz Monday.

Bring your lit. book and voc. book to class on Thursday.

9/30/10

(A)

Read "The Necklace."

Study for voc. unit 4 quiz.

Bring lit book to class on Monday.

10/4/10

(C)

Discuss the short story "The Necklace" with a partner.  Together, answer questions 1 through 7 on page 302 and hand in.

Do voc. unit 5, all exercises. Checked Wednesday; quiz Friday.

Begin reviewing for the 10/13 literature test on the short stories and literary terms.

10/6/10

(E; Class Mtg)

Begin review for the literature test. Discuss specific parts of the test and the material that will be covered.

In small groups, do the following for your group's story: write a plot summary; write down the top 5 to 8 most important lines of dialogue; discuss and determine the theme of the story; tell about the character: protagonist/antagonist, flat or round, and dynamic or static.

Each group will report its results to the class and all students will take notes.

Study for voc. unit 5 quiz.

Study for the literature test on 10/13.

10/8/10

(A)

Continue review for the literature test.

Study for the literature test on 10/13.

STUDY TIPS:

1. Know major characters' full names and how to spell them correctly. Know the major changes each character goes through and the lessons they learn.

2. Know major plot events.

3. Know the important dialogue.

4. Understand the major theme of each story.

5. Understand how to apply the literary terms to each story.

6. Know the difference between direct and indirect characterization.

7. Take notes on concrete details that will help you support your points in the essay.

Bring a #2 pencil to class and a pen for the essay if you want to write it in pen.  You do not need to bring any books to class; just be well-prepared for the test! Good luck!

10/13/10

(C; Noon)

Literature test.

Bring your grammar book to class on Friday.

10/15/10

(E)

Exercises on pages 2, 3 and 4 of the grammar book. Check together.

Bring your grammar book to class on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

10/19/10

(A)

Exercises on pages 5, 6, 7 and 8. of the grammar book. Check together.

OPTIONAL extra credit assignment for Quarter 1: read the short story "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind" by Ray Bradbury (literature book pages 362 through 366) and answer the questions 1 through 3 on page 366. Answer thoroughly. Due at the start of class on Thursday.  This will be worth 5 points as a major assignment.

Bring your grammar book to class on Thursday.

10/21/10

(C)

Do grammar book practice pages 10 through 13.

Bring your copy of _To Kill a Mockingbird_ (_TKM_) and you grammar book to class on Monday.

10/25/10

(E)

Begin discussing _TKM_.

Read chapters 2 and 3 in _TKM_,

10/27/10

(A)

Read chapters 4 and 5 of _TKM_ and write a summary to hand in.

Study for the QUIZ on chapters 2 and 3 and 6 and 7 of _TKM_.

10/29/10

(C)

Discussion of the novel's first 4 chapters.

Read chapters 8 through 9. Quiz Tuesday.

11/2/10

(E)

Discuss chapters 5 through 9. Take notes.

Do voc. unit 6 exercises. Checked Thursday; quiz Monday.

Bring voc. book, grammar book, and _TKM_ to class on Thursday.

11/4/10

(A)

Continue reading _TKM_ with notes and discussion.

Study for voc 6 quiz.

11/8/10

(C)

Continue reading _TKM_ with notes and discussion.

Finish reading chapter 11 and read chapter 12. Quiz Wednesday on these two chapters.

11/10/10

(E; Class Meeting)

Continue _TKM_, with notes and discussion.

No homework.

Bring _TKM_ and grammar book to class on Monday.

11/15/10

(A; 90-Minute Delay)

Continue _TKM_ with notes and discussion (finish ch. 14; read 15 and begin 16).

Do unit 7 voc. all exercises.

Checked Wednesday; quiz Friday.

Bring voc. book and _TKM_ to class on Wednesday.

11/17/10

(C; 1:10)

Read, take notes on and discuss _TKM_ chapters 16 and 17.

Study for Friday's quiz on voc. unit 7.

Bring _TKM_ to class Friday.

11/19/10

(E)

Write first draft of LAL letter.  Hand it in.

If you did not finish your LAL letter in class, please finish it at home and email it to me by Sunday evening. It must be no less than 500 words and no more than 800 words.

You may also choose to work on your first draft at home, even if it is complete.

11/23/10

(A; Thanksgiving Prayer Service)

Write the second, final draft of your LAL letter and hand it in.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

11/29/10

(C)

No school.

12/1/10

(E; Class Meetings)

Read _TKM_ chapters 19 and 20; quiz Friday on these 2 chapters.

12/3/10

(A; First Friday)

Read, take notes on and discuss chapter 21 of _TKM_.

Do voc. unit 8 exercises. Checked Tuesday; quiz Thursday.

12/7/10

(C)

Continue reading _TKM_ chapters 22 and 23, with notes and discussion.

1. Study for Thursday's vocabulary quiz on unit 8.

2. Read _TKM_: the end of chapter 23 and all of  chapter 24. Writing assignment in class on chapter 24 on Thursday.

3. We will have an exam on _TKM_ next Friday, Dec. 17.

12/8/10

(D; Immaculate Conception Liturgy)

12/9/10

(E)

Read, with discussion and notes, chapter 25.

Read chapters 26 and 27 in _TKM_.

Bring _TKM_ to class on Monday.

12/13/10

(A)

Read, with notes and discussion, chapters 28, 29 and 30.

Study for Friday's test on _TKM_.

12/15/10

(C; Noon)

Technological tool: Using Quizlet to help you study.

Study for Friday's test on _To Kill a Mockingbird_.

Focus on the following when you review:

1. character names and roles in the plot, including family relationships

2. plot events and their importance

3. important quotes (who says what, to whom, and why the words are important)

4. themes: walking in someone else's shoes; growing up; justice and integrity

5. Possible essay topics: 1. the role of minor characters and how they influence Jem and Scout or, 2. integrity and compromise.  How are each a part of the novel?  What does Atticus teach the children about these two things?

12/17/10

(E)

Test on _To Kill a Mockingbird_.

Review for the final exam.  Use the study guide, below, and if you have any questions, you may email me over the break.

English I Midterm Review Guide

The English I Midterm Exam will consist of scantron (multiple choice and matching) questions, short answer questions and a five-paragraph essay.  The multiple choice questions will cover vocabulary, grammar, and literature. The short answer questions will cover all of the literary terms and texts you have read (the short stories and the novel). The essay will ask you to respond to a major question about the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. 

Part I: Vocabulary:

 All the words in this section have been covered in units 1 through 8 of your vocabulary text. You will be tested on the following fifty words: 

From unit 1: augment, dour, guise, opulent, verbatim, warily

From unit 2: belligerent, feasible, impervious, impetus, quintessence, scrutinize

From unit 3: adversary, coerce, demise, muse, perpetuate, urbane

From unit 4: ascertain, finite, invulnerable, nonchalant, uncanny, venial

From unit 5: dearth, discrepancy, temerity, unfeigned, virulent

From unit 6: destitute, explicit, ironic, pinnacle, solace, supple

From unit 7: amend, corrosive, discern, extant, implicate, martinet, vociferous, voluminous

From unit 8: commend, consecrate, multifarious, obsolete, parsimonious, quandary, revel 

STUDY TIPS: You need to know both the definitions and how to use the words correctly in a sentence. So:

1. Make flashcards to study the definitions for each word.
2. Re-read the sample sentences in your vocabulary book and from our quizzes to understand how they are used in sentences.

 Part II: Grammar:  

A.     Parts of speech (know correct definition and usage): noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection.

 B.     Correct punctuation of titles for various genres: short stories, poems, novels, essays, etc.

 STUDY TIP: Re-read your grammar book lessons and review your grammar class notes and homework.

 Part III: Literature:

1. Know these literary terms, both their definitions and how to apply them to works of literature: genre, fiction, nonfiction, short story, novel, plot, exposition,

conflict (internal and external), rising action, climax, falling action, resolution/denouement, character (flat, round, dynamic, static), protagonist, antagonist, characterization (direct and indirect), irony (situational and dramatic), setting, theme, suspense, mood, motivation, point of view, narrator (first-, second- and third-person; omniscient and limited third-person).

 STUDY TIPS:

1. Make flashcards to review definitions. 2. Study your class notes and tests to remember how the terms are applied to texts. 

2. Know these texts.  The midterm exam will require you to know the title, author, genre and information from the text about plot events, characters, and important themes:
   • “Checkouts” by Cynthia Rylant
   • “The Girl Who Can” by Ama Ata Aidoo
   • “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
   • “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
   • “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
   • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

 STUDY TIPS:

1. Re-read your class notes, quizzes, exams, and the texts themselves (as much as time allows) to review.
2. Make a chart that shows the title, author, genre and other information for each text.

 Please note that there will also be a short reading comprehension section.  You will read a very short passage from a novel we have not read in class and then answer a few multiple choice questions about the passage.

Have a happy Christmas and New Year!

Discuss webquest assignment.

Punctuation and grammar lesson.

Study for the Midterm Exam.

Work on webquest assignment, due Monday, Jan. 10.

Review for midterm.

Study for the Midterm Exam.

Work on webquest assignment, due Monday, Jan. 10.

Review for the midterm.

Study for the Midterm Exam.