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Sophomore English
 * Welcome to Sophomore English! **


 * This year you will explore literature through three different lenses: historical (events), cultural (the things), and social (people). You will examine how and why an author chose to write what he or she did, you will explore both expository and creative writing, and you will open your mind to think critically and evaluate what you read and how you react to it. You will study poetry and drama as well as compare films to text. This is a full year! Be ready to have a great time, and to work hard! **

Meagan and Cleora--Great job with the Peeps Photo! Good luck, girls!!! = Anyone interested in extra credit? If you want to earn extra points, turn the novel we are currently reading (1984 or Animal Farm) into a photograph tableau using Peeps. Send your photo to The Day for their Peeps competition and let me know that you've done this. Talk to me for more information. Mike S. and Adam D. I FULLY expect you to come up with something! :) [|Peeps Contest] =

Vocab quizzes: Blocks 5 and 8--Friday, April 30 Block 3--Thursday, April 29
 * English 121

__Short Stories__ In this unit, you will need to accept your creativity and give up the notion that for every assignment there is a right and a wrong way. I will NOT answer any questions that have to do with HOW something is SUPPOSED to be done. You're the artist. //Let your mind flourish.//

__OTHELLO__

Independent Reading

__1984__ || ===Due June 4: Annotate the story "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury for figurative language.=== ===Original short story. Choose a style of writing from one of the three short stories you read. Imitate the style of writing in a short original piece of fiction. Bring all writing pieces to class for workshop.===

===Due: June 2: Comparison Essay. Read the short story "A Piece of Steak" by Jack London. Compare the writing styles between this story and "A Rose of Emily." Use literary terms and remember to write about the action in the present tense. While you may choose to use the pronoun /I/ on occasion, NEVER use /you/. This is NOT a review. I really don't care whether or not you would recommend either story to anybody. You will be discussing things like language, cadence (how it moves, flows, sounds), tone and mood NOT whether or not either or is good literature. Trust me, both pieces are masterful--even though you personally may not like them. Due May 28: read "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner. Annotate with comments, questions and reactions.=== Past Assignments: Read Anne LaMott's excerpt from __Bird by Bird__. In her style, write an essay entitled "On Writing" Read "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan. In her style, write a story about yourself. = = = = = = = = = = = = =Due May 4: finish reading Act II.= = = =No further reading. For those on the field trip today (Wed), we discussed Act 1 and will begin with the film and discussion on Friday. Work on your book covers.= =Finish Act I by April 28= = = = = =Due ANY day next week (4-26 through 4-30) Book Cover Project= You received your materials on 4/20. In case you did not write down the expectations: __**Cover**__: on the cover please illustrate one of the themes of the book you chose to read. On the back of this (inside front cover), please write what the theme is, explain your illustration, and how you arrived at the theme. 25 points Write a summary of your book. Don't worry about spoiling the ending. For this purpose, I want you to! Space this 1.5, use point 11 font (if you need to). Put in a column format. Do NOT exceed the space on the flap. 25 points __**Inside back flap**__: WITHOUT plagiarizing, write a brief bio of your author. 25 points __**Back Cover**__: Write a review of your book. Make sure you include evidence from the actual text. 25 points
 * __Inside front flap:__**

Spelling and grammar will count. Artistic ability will not be considered, but I will look at how deeply you thought about the theme of your book.

Spring break reading!!! Shoot for reading your book 20 minutes per day. I'll post the assignment when we get back to school.
=Make sure you bring your book to class on Wednesday. A few of you chose books that need parental permission to read. Bring either the book to return, or the note with the book to read. You can bring comfy beach chairs, cushions, etc. Make sure your feet aren't stinky if you plan on taking off your shoes! ;)= = = = = = = =Next week you'll pick your book for independent reading! Have a great long weekend...see you Monday!= = = =Due 3/30: Have the novel finished. You will have an oral quiz on Thursday.= 

Due 3/24: Chapter Three
Due: 3/22: First two chapters of Book 3. Annotate. ======Due: 3/2: Chapter 5 (V) of Book 2. Annotate. ======

Continue reading. Please complete Book 2 by the end of CAPT testing.
Great job everyone on getting your essays in today!!! ======Due: 2/25 (If you didn't complete this in class): Write: ======

1. Observe: Write a brief summary of Book II through chapter 4 (IV). Approx. 1/2 page.
2. Analyze: Tell me what you think the purpose of these chapters are. Why do the characters behave the way they do? What do you believe it all means? 3. Reflect: How do these chapters relate to your life or your world? 4. Assess: What do you think Orwell hoped to accomplish? Was he successful? Steps 2-4 should be approx. 1 page in length. If you write legibly, you do not have to type this--but if I can't read it, you will be handed the essay back to be typed.

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Due: 2/23 DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR PERMISSION SLIPS FOR THE FILMS. REMEMBER, NOT HAVING ONE IS THE SAME AS YOUR PARENT REQUESTING YOU NOT VIEW ONE OR MORE OF THE FILMS. ====== Chapter IV (4) of Book II. Annotate. Be prepared to write in class.

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Due: 2/19: The first three chapters of Book II. Annotate for questions, comments, concerns, connections and beliefs. Be prepared for a graded fishbowl discussion. ======

Due: 2/9
Chapter 8--annotate with QUESTIONS!

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Due: 2/3/10:
<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 6--annotate for ideas, theories, questions and/or reflections on language.

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<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MAY participate in the Poetry Out Loud class competition. You will receive extra credit. This is optional and open to all 121 students. ======

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Due 1/28/10:
<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. Read Chapter 4 2. Write a quick reaction (no need to type). 3. Reread chapter 4--annotate for meaning (what you think the chapter is about) 4. Write (type) a one page essay: "I think chapter 4 is about...). Include references to any paradoxes, symbolism, or figurative language that affects you, the reader. || =Due ANY day next week (4-26 through 4-30) Book Cover Project= You received your materials on 4/20. In case you did not write down the expectations: __**Cover**__: on the cover please illustrate one of the themes of the book you chose to read. On the back of this (inside front cover), please write what the theme is, explain your illustration, and how you arrived at the theme. 25 points Write a summary of your book. Don't worry about spoiling the ending. For this purpose, I want you to! Space this 1.5, use point 11 font (if you need to). Put in a column format. Do NOT exceed the space on the flap. 25 points __**Inside back flap**__: WITHOUT plagiarizing, write a brief bio of your author. 25 points __**Back Cover**__: Write a review of your book. Make sure you include evidence from the actual text. 25 points
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">English 122 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">=<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Due: =
 * __Inside front flap:__**

Spelling and grammar will count. Artistic ability will not be considered, but I will look at how deeply you thought about the theme of your book.

Independent Book Choice: Shoot for reading your book 20 per day. I'll give you the assignment after break. Make sure you bring your book to class when we return!

April 8: Finish __Animal Farm__. Many of you did not read over the weekend and are now behind. Be ready to choose a quote and write about its significance to the theme in class.

Due April 6: Read through chapter 9 (IX) of __Animal Farm__. We will finish the book in class today, and do the final project on Thursday before break.

Due 3/31: Finish chapter 6

Due 3/29: Chapters 4 and 5 of Animal Farm. You will have a quiz on chapters 2-5.
Due 3/23: quiz on chapter 1 of __Animal Farm__. Know the characters, and which animals they are. Vocab quiz on lessons 15 and 16 on 3/25 Allegories due 3/25: You must have at least three characters. Turn humans into animals. Illustrate one of the characters. You must have a setting. Where and when does the story take place? Illustrate the setting. You must have a conflict. What is the problem that the character(s) have? You must have a resolution. How do your characters fix the conflict? How does it end? Illustrate one scene from your story. =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3/3: Vocab Quiz on lessons 13 and 14. = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You will be finishing your essays on the novel in class this week, as well as watching the film. = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Week of 2/22-2/26 = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Four page essay based on the response to literature questions for the novel __Their Eyes Were Watching God__. As in all responses, make sure you cite specific examples from the novel to support your ideas. = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week (2/2 - 2/5) = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Life Stories = =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1) Reflect on your life = =2) Choose an event that somehow changed you, shaped you in some way, or moved you.= =3) Using imagery and figurative language, write about this event (about 1-2 pages, typed, double spaced).= ||

= = = English 121: __1984__ by George Orwell Block 5--I didn't say this in class, but please read the Newspeak Afterword starting on page 299. Block 8--I did remember to tell you, so NO EXCUSES! _ English 122: Life stories. Begin a rough draft of your life story. These should be 2-3 pages long and contain figurative language and be rich in imagery (just like Their Eyes Were Watching God). Next week, you will need to bring these in to class for peer revision. Spelling and grammar count. You should type these. You will be working on your responses to the novel in class, so if you are absent, please schedule time to do a 10 minute write, or to pick up your response to edit and revise. =

= I've noticed that you are not using your first and last name to post your responses. Remember, if someone chooses the same response name as you, the last response is saved. Make the title of your response unique. = = How to create a journal for Their Eyes Were Watching God__. (click on the title of the book for directions).__= = TESTS AND QUIZZES: = =ENGLISH 121: You are required to participate in the Poetry Out Loud competition. To choose a poem, go to poetryoutloud.org. If you want something under 25 lines, click on "25 Lines and Under" tab. Remember, this is a poem you will memorize and perform. You will also (eventually) be responsible for an analysis...but don't get ahead of yourself on this. = =English 122: Vocabulary quiz: If you would like to participate in the Poetry Out Loud competition, please do. You may choose a poem from the site poetryoutloud.org. See me for more details and to set up times to practice your recitation.=

=English 121:=

=ARGGGHHHH!!!! I forgot to post this last night!!!! Sorry!!!= I know some of you have a concert tonight. I will allow for plenty of time in class tomorrow to work on finding evidence since it was my fault this was not posted in a timely fashion.

Look for text evidence for the following prompts: 1. What are your thoughts and questions about the story? You might reflect upon the characters, their problems, the title, or other ideas about the story.

2. How does the main character change from the beginning of the story to the end? What do you think causes this change?

3. What does this story say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? You may also write about stories or books you have read, or movies, works of art, or television programs you have seen. Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.

4. How successful was the author in creating a good piece of literature? Use exapmles from the story to explain your thinking. =First class after Thanksgiving, 11/29: Found poetry project= =Monday, November 23: Have chapters 6-7 read and annotated.=

Wednesday, November 18: Read chapters 2 and 3 (remember, get that Southern thing going!) Also, read the section "historical context" on the following site: []

November 16. Their Eyes Were Watching God__. Read the first sentence of chapter 1 (not the forward). On wiki, briefly tell me what you think it means. Read chapter 1, go back and write about that first line again. We will be looking at these in class, so please be prepared to discuss your ideas.__ =English 122 and 121: Essay for Lord of the Flies/ based on the essay you heard in class by Susan Klebold.=


 * You are to take on the role of either the father or the mother of Jack Merridew or Roger (from LOTF).
 * From their point of view, write about your son's experience on the island, how he lost his innocence, and your reaction to the news that your son is responsible for the deaths of several young boys.
 * Imagine this: You are a parent in England during WWII. You receive a telegraph that your son, who you believe to be at boarding school, has been evacuated to another country. Shortly after this, you receive another telegram stating that the plane your child was in has been shot down, and has yet to be located. You grieve, and a few months later, two naval officers show up at your door and give you this news: "Mr. and Mrs. Merridew (or Roger's parents), we are happy to report that your child has been found alive on a deserted Pacific Island. Most of the children are safe, and your child is doing well. Unfortunately, some of the boys have reported that your son and a friend are responsible for the malicious treatment of several children, and in fact may be responsible for the deaths of at least two. One young man reported that he was literally being hunted by your child and his friend." Using this scenario, write an essay explaining your son's behavior on the island, and your reaction to it. You may take creative licence with facts about your son's past and about his future, but you must also use specific details from the novel.

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= = = RUBRICS: =

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Writing and Reading Rubrics:
= = = ASSIGNMENTS: Unit 2: Lord of the Flies__, by William Golding= You will compare the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes to the theme of the novel. You will look at the historical impact that WWI had on Golding, and discuss the relevance of the novel to today's culture and society.

English 121 Assignments English 122 Assignments

Day 1: Read the essay on Thomas Hobbes. Answer the RFI questions. , Journal response #1: What is your opinion on humanity? Are we born with hearts of darkness, basically evil, or are we born pure? What do you base this opinion on? Day 2: The symbolism of the shell, the island, and fire. English 121: Socratic discussion English 122: read aloud--students will take notes on connections, reactions and questions

Day 3: Be prepared for a quiz on what you've read. English 121: dialogical discussion English 122: Listening with a pen

Day 4: Student led discussions English 121: Socratic Discussion on chapters 1-5 English 122: dialogical discussion

Day 5: "See" the book--illustrating the important scenes. English 121: Be prepared for a quiz on what you've read, chapters 4,5,6.

English 122: Be prepared for a quiz on chapters 1-4. Day 6: Day 7:

Day 8:

Day 9:

=Unit 1: Non-fiction= (click on highlighted links for assignments, descriptions, and expectations)

Day 1 : preassessment--what do you actually know about reading and evaluating non-fiction? Day 2 : The purpose. How does society and culture impact writers and readers? PRE-reading strategies. Title, graphics and illustrations, italicized captions, questions--what are you reading for? Day 3 (9/8 and 9/9) : Applying strategies WHILE reading. Main idea, highlighting for evidence and answers. Choose a nonfiction book for independent reading. Create schedule for reading. Stick to it! Day 4 : Creating understanding and making inferences AFTER reading. Summarizing in your own words--one paragraph or less. Apply before, during and after strategies to your book choice. Day 5 : Connect your book to history, society and culture. Write connections using quotes and ideas from the text. MLA citations necessary. Day 6 : Continue reading your book Day 7: Read your book, keeping in mind and taking notes on why you think the author wrote the book. What were his or her intentions? Why did the author choose the format that he or she did? Were there pictures or illustrations included? If so, why did the author choose the ones he or she did? If there weren't pictures, why do you think the author chose not to have them.

Day 8: Finish reading your book. It should be completely read, with notes taken, by Monday, September 28th.

Day 9: English 121, nonfiction essay assignment English 122, nonfiction essay assignment

All essays are due by October 2 (Friday). Anything handed in after this time will recieve a penalty of a loss of 5 points per day (not per class).