This Week at a Glance

(April 23-27)

Objectives

To demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary appropriate to grade level

To read close reading passages and answer higher-level thinking questions

To identify and between syntactical and literary terms and techniques

To distinguish between literal and figurative devices

To analyze the characteristics of a Shakespearean tragedy

To interpret quotations, soliloques, and monologues

Themes

Hate leads to a tragic end; love teaches peace, loyalty, and devotion.

Love can cause enemies to forget their differences.

Fate seems to guide people toward their destinies.

Lack of moderation can lead to tragedy.

Each individual must contribute to public order.

Monday

Vocabulary Quiz #3

Homework - Study the close reading terms; there will be a quiz mid-week.

Tuesday - Friday

close reading (a practice test)

Continue listening, annotating, and filling in the plot sheet.

Homework (Tuesday) Lesson IV

Write the word, the part(s) of speech, and a synonym or definition.  If you do not fully understand a write, try to write a sentence using the word.  Period 3 - Complete Words 1-20; Periods 2,5,6, and 7 -Complete Words 1-25.

The due date for Vocabulary IV is Wednesday and Thursday, April 25 and 26.

The due date for Vocabulary V is Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Lesson IV

haste, immoderate, inundation, slander, arouse, arbitrate, commission,vial, peevish, prostrate, provision, behoove, conceit, shroud, obscure, lamentable, heir, pilgrimage, rejoice, solace, ordain, melancholy, dirge, doleful, oppress

Lesson V

kindred, defy, cull, apothecary, pestilence, tread, behold, inexorable, prosperous, detestable, cram, apprehend, mercy, provoke, sunder, paramour, inauspicious, engross, bliss, discern, sepulcher, conspire, ambiguity, impeach, tedious

Reminders

Bring a copy of Romeo and Juliet to class everyday.

See me if you do not understand any part(s) of Romeo and Juliet; I am available to assist you.

There will be a major test (Romeo and Juliet) on Monday, May 8, 2012.

Next Week at a Glance

(April 16-20)

Objectives

See objectives and themes dated April 2-5.

Monday
Vocabulary Quiz II
Homework - Review the LTF packet and study the close reading terms; the terms will be covered/discussed in class.

Tuesday - Friday
LTF activities
Romeo and Juliet

Reminders
Vocabulary III will be posted on the blog on  April 16, 2012, and it is due on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.
Vocabulary Quiz III will be given on Monday, April 23, 2012.
Study the close reading terms daily.
Review the Romeo and Juliet plot notes daily.

Romeo and Juliet Act III
addle, plaque, dexterity, exile, amorous, garnish, dismal, banish, chide, beguile, enamor, crave, tiding, purgatory, validity, carrion, absolve, decree, ascend, sojourn, jocund, discord, fickle, conduit, counterfeit

Next Week at a Glance

(April 9-13)

Objectives

See last week's objectives and themes.

Homework (Monday)

Vocabulary Act II

Follow last week's instructions.

adjacent, invocation, jest, embed, retain, peril, perjury, perverse, cunning, orb, idolatry, beseech, bondage, wanton, virtue, intercession, brine, rancor, afflict, constrain,exposition, gross, feign, consume, incorporate

Reminder

Bring a copy of Romeo and Juliet and a highlighter to class everyday.

There will be a vocabulary quiz (Romeo and Juliet Act II) on Monday, April 16, 2012.

Unannounced reading and highlighting checks will be given; please be prepared.

This Week at a Glance

(April 2-5)

Objectives

To demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary appropriate to grade level

To read (close reading passages) and answer higher-level thinking questions

To distinguish between literal and figurative devices

To analyze the characteristics of a Shakespearean tragedy

To interpret quotations, soliloquies, and monologues

To analyze the actors

Themes

Hate leads to a tragic end; love teaches peace, loyalty, and devotion.

Love can cause enemies to forget their differences.

Fate seems to guide people toward their destinies.

Lack of moderation can lead to tragedy.

Each individual must contribute to public order.

Vocabulary Lesson 1

Make or purchase flashcards and do the following:

Write the word and the part(s) of speech on the front side of the card.

Write the definiton or synonym on the back of the card.  If you do not understand the meaning of the word, try writing an original sentence using the word. Period 3 - Complete Words 1-20; Periods 2, 5, 6, and 7 - Complete Words 1-25.

 mutiny, choler, foe, brawl, canker, forfeit, defiance, scorn, pursue, shun, augment, portentous, importune, envious, shrift, transgression, propagate, assail, languish, splendor,  21. warrant, idle, vain,solemnity, loathe

Monday - Thursday

Romeo and Juliet (background)

Periods 2, 5, 6, and 7  (Laying the Foundation)

Homework (all classes)

Complete Vocabulary Lesson 1

Reminders

Bring a copy of Romeo and Juliet daily.

Bring Monday's homework to class on Tuesday.

See me if you do not understand any part(s) of Romeo and Juliet; I am available to help you.

If you are interested in being Romeo or Juliet in your class period, let me know.

If you play the violin, cello, or any other string instrument, please let me know.
There will be a vocabulary quiz (Romeo and Juliet) Act I on Monday, April 09, 2012.

 

This Week at a Glance

(March 26-30)

Objectives

To demonstrate mastery of the STAAR objectives

To view A Tale of Two Cities

To identify and demonstate an understanding of syntactical and literary techniques/devices

To participate in close reading activities (Laying the Foundation)

To view and learn about the world of William Shakespeare

Monday

STAAR testing

Tuesday

STAAR testing

Wednesday and Thursday

Review close reading terms. 

Read close reading passages, complete multiple choice questions, and discuss the answers.

Friday

video - William Shakespeare

Reminders

Progress reports will be issued on Wednesday, March 28, 2012.

Review syntactical/literary terms daily.

Monday, April 02, 2012 -  Begin the study of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

This Week at a Glance

(March 5-9)

Objectives

See objectives dated February 13-17.

Reminders

Bring the novel and summaries to class everyday.

Review the themes for A Tale of Two Cities; the entry is dated February 13-17.

There are three pervasive themes that can be found in all of Charles Dickens' novels:

injustice

inequality

human suffering

Chapter 3 "A Disappointment"

Dickens' uses a simile to compare the blood-thirsty spectators to blueflies.

Bring an essay (the finished product) to class on Wednesday, March 7, 2012; use one of the prompts from the STAAR packet.
If you encounter problems or concerns with the novel, please let me know immediately.
There will be a major test (A Tale of Two Cities) on Monday, March 19, 2012.

This Week at a Glance

(February 27-March 2)

Objectives

See objectives and reminders dated February 13 - 17.

Monday - Friday

discussion - A Tale of Two Cities

Additional Reminder

Unannounced reading and summary checks will be given; come prepared daily.

This Week at a Glance

(February 20-24)

Objectives

See objectives dated February 13 - 17.

Monday - Friday

A Tale of a Two Cities (discussion)

STAAR practice continued

Reminders

Continue reading and summarizing the novel.

Unannounced reading and summary checks will be given.

This Week at a Glance

(February 13-17)

Objectives

To demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary appropriate to grade level

To demonstrate an understanding of background information, setting, point of view, and plot in A Tale of Two Cities

To identify the main characters

To draw conclusions based on evidence presented

To make predictions

To summarize important details in the novel

Themes

The power of love can heal and redeem.

Oppression often leads to revolution, which itself  often leads to injustice and abuse.

Individuals' lives are often shaped by events over which they have no control.

Individuals' lives are often shaped by events that occur or people that they meet.

Monday

STAAR (multiple choice and writing practice)

Tuesday

STAAR and the Life of Charles Dickens

Homework

See the reading schedule.  Begin reading and summarizing the chapters.

Wednesday - Friday

A Tale of Two Cities
Continue reading and summarizing the chapters.  Refer to the reading schedule daily.

Reminders

Bring the novels and summaries to class everyday; you will not be able to go another classroom or the locker to retrieve them.

See me immediately if you do not understand any part of the novel; I want to help.

This Week at a Glance

(February 6-10)

Objectives

To demonstrate mastery of sentence structure (simple, compoun and, complex, and compound-complex

To read passages and identify literary and syntactical devices/techniques

To annotate diction, syntax, imagery, figurative language, and details in Chapters 26 and 27 of Jane Eyre

To demonstrate an understanding of the writing process while incorporating literary and syntactical devices

Monday

major test - sentence structure

Homework

Review the close reading literary and syntactical devices packet and bring it to class everyday. 

Tuesday - Friday

close reading actitities, literary and syntactical devices, and the writing process

Homework

See the blog daily for updates.  The homework assignments are dependent upon how much we progress during the class period each day.

Reminders

Bring the close reading packet to class everyday.

Check the blog daily.

This Week at a Glance

(January 30-February 3)

Bring your annotated copy of Jane Eyre to class on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Objectives

To identify and distinguish between simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex

To view Jane Eyre

To read Jane Eyre (applied practice) passages and answer reading comprehension questions

To read Laying the Foundation close reading passages and answer questions

To view and learn about the life of Charles Dickens

Monday

major test - Jane Eyre

Homework

none

Tuesday - Wednesday

Jane Eyre - the video

Homework - Tuesday

Read Jane Eyre  Reading Passage VIII and answer the questions.

Homework - Wednesday

Laying the Foundation (a close reading passage)

Thursday and Friday

Jane Eyre - the video

Homework  (Thursday and Friday)

sentence structure (worksheet)

Reminders

There will be a major test on Monday, February 6, 2012; the test will include sentence structure only.

We will begin our study of Charles Dickens and A Tale of Two Cities at the beginning of the fifth six weeks.

Students will be expected to be prepared each day to discuss any chapter; chapters will not be assigned to students.

Additionally, students are expected to write a summary for each chapter; a reading schedule will be distributed next week.

This Week at a Glance

(January 23-27)

Objectives

See objectives dated January 3-6, 2012.

To identify and distinguish between simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences

Monday

Vocabulary Quiz III

Homework

See the reading schedule (Jane Eyre); read and annotate the appropriate chapters.

Complete the sentence structure worksheet (complex and compound-complex sentences).

Tuesday - Friday

Jane Eyre continued

simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences

STAAR practice

Laying the Foundation practice

Homework

Study the syntactical terms. (Wednesday)  anaphora etc.

Homework

Study Jane Eyre. (Friday)

Reminders

There will be a major test (Jane Eyre) on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Check gradespeed for spaces that reflect msg or spaces that are blank, complete the assignments, and bring the assignments to class on Friday, January 27, 2012.  

There will be a major test (sentence structure) on Monday, February 6, 2012.

Week Twenty-one

This Week at a Glance

(January 17-20)

Objectives

See objectives and themes dated January 3-6.

To identify and distinguish between simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences

Monday

Holiday

Tuesday

Vocabulary Quiz #2

Homework 

Annotate "Tule Lake" and complete the writing portion of the STAAR packet.

Contine reading and annotating Jane Eyre.

                    

Wednesday

Jane Eyre (student presentations)

"Tule Lake" (discussion)

STAAR - the writing portion  (discussion)

sentence structure

Homework 

Review sentence structure. (handout)

Complete Vocabulary List III.  Write the word, the part(s) of speech, a synonym or definition, and a sentence for each even or odd numbered word.  Ladies = the even numbered words.  Gentlemen = the odd numbered words.

Thursday and Friday

vocabulary check and review (Thursday)

Jane Eyre (student presentations)Thursday and Friday

sentence structure

Homework

Study Vocabulary List III. (Friday)

Reminders

Follow the reading schedule daily. (Jane Eyre)

Bring the GUM book to class on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Check the blog daily for additions, deletions, and/or adjustments.

                    

Week Twenty

This Week at a Glance

(January 9-13)

Objectives

See last week's objectives and themes.

Monday

Vocabulary Quiz #1 (Jane Eyre)

Tuesday - Friday

discussion of Jane Eyre

Tuesday's Homework - Complete Vocabulary Lesson II; it is not optional.  Write the word, the part(s) of speech, a synonym, and a practice sentence if you do not understand the meaning after writing the synonym.

Wednesday - The close reading terms are due.

Jane Eyre discussion continued

STAAR practice

"Tule Lake" (This activity incorporates the close reading terms.)

Thursday and Friday

Jane Eyre discussion continued

Thursday - Review vocabulary (Lesson II)

Friday's Homework - Study Vocabulary Lesson II.

Reminders

Vocabulary Quiz #2 will be given on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.
Be prepared for unannounced reading and annotation checks.
Read and annotate each chapter carefully and thoroughly.
Bring the novel, handout(s), and any handwritten notes that you have written to class everyday; you will not be allowed to retrieve materials from the locker or other classrooms.
I am available every Friday during lunch to assist with make up work and tutorials; if you need additional help, please schedule a time with me.

Week Nineteen

This Week at a Glance

(January 3-6)

Objectives

To use context clues to demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary appropriate to grade level

To identify the main characters and their relationships with each other in Jane Eyre

To draw conclusions based on the evidence that is presented

To identify literary devices and techniques

To make predictions

To annotate and/or summarize important details in the novel

Themes

One must be true to the inner-self first and foremost.

A person should judge oneself by one's own conscience and not according to the opinions of others.

Abuse or unfair treatment makes a person angry and bitter.

It is possible to rise above bad circumstances.

The mark of maturity is the ability to forgive others for the wrong that they have done to you.

Only when we love ourselves can we truly love others.

Tuesday

STAAR warm-up

Homework - Peruse and annotate Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of Jane Eyre; I will present the first three chapters.

Wednesday

Read and annotate Jane Eyre.  See the reading schedule.

Complete Vocabulary List #1.  Write each word, write the part(s) of speech, write a synonym, and write a sentence for each word that you do not understand.

Thursday and Friday

discussion (Jane Eyre)

Homework

Follow the reading schedule.

Study the Vocabulary List I. (Friday's homework)

Reminders

Be prepared for unannounced reading and annotation checks.

List and define the following words by Wednesday, January 11, 2012:

anaphora, parallelism, asynedton, hyperbole, anecdotes, logical appeal, ethical appeal, emotional appeal, antithesis, polysyndeton, allusion, tone, simile, theme, oxymoron, and metaphor.

Read and annotate each chapter carefully.

Bring the novel, handout(s), and any handwritten notes that you have written to class everyday; you will not be allowed to leave the classroom to retrieve materials.

I am available every Friday during lunch to assist with make up work and tutorials; if you need additional help, please schedule a time with me.

Vocabulary Quiz #1 will be given on Monday, January 9, 2012.