Monday, January 28, 2013

January 28-February 1

Greetings Students!

I was so glad to be back with you Friday after my several days of training! Congratulations, Sophomores, on your fantastic job on the PLAN test! I am immensely proud of you.

As for the STAR test, we'll all need to take it seriously. I will associate the next STAR reading test with a grade no matter which class you are in.

Now for this week's plans:

Pre-APEnglish 10

This week we will continue our study of Puritan Literature and review the play The Crucible. I have posted several important links on Edmodo. One is a psychological theory, KOHLBERG'S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT, which we will use as a lens through which to examine the play. Another is a list of topics for an essay on the play, many of which contain the aforementioned theory as a point of discussion. The rough drafts of these essays will be due on Monday, February 4. I've also posted and excerpt from The Wonders of the Invisible World, which is a court document from the Salem Witch Trials.

I have also uploaded your vocabulary for this week to Edmodo. Be sure to study lesson 11 for next Monday, by request, since several will be out on Friday.

English 12 

This week we will review the play Macbeth and see which elements classify it as a Shakespearean Tragedy. We will also begin reading the play Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. This play is the namesake for all subsequent Faustian tales.

I have uploaded your lesson 11 vocabulary for Friday. We will review your words this week.

UPDATE: I need you all to be more cooperative in class. I am sorely disappointed in the lack of participation and lack of attention, particularly during fifth period. I will assign seats and call parents if necessary.

APEnglish Literature and Composition

This week we will read and discuss as much of Hamlet as possible. On Tuesday you will have a guest speaker from a college, so give her your undivided attention. I have posted lesson 56 vocabulary on Edmodo; your quiz will be on Friday.



Saturday, January 12, 2013

January 14-18, 2013

Greetings Students!

I hope you all had a restful weekend. We have so much to learn in the next few days, so with no further ado, I shall post this week's tentative plans.

Pre-APEnglish 10

This week we will continue our study of early American literature by completing our reading of the excerpts from Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation and Byrd's History of the Dividing Line. Remember the Byrd excerpts are NOT in your Pearson text, so I have posted them on Edmodo. I especially want to compare and contrast the writing styles of the two, but I also want to look at the essential questions: What makes American literature American? and How does literature reflect AND shape society? I think you will enjoy the satire in Byrd's writing. Remember, satire is writing that criticizes in order to effect CHANGE. Consider this definition while reading and pondering the question about literature's ability to shape society.

I have also assigned some early Puritan poetry from your Successnet text. We will look at how these poems reflect the Puritan society. I will be linking you to a few more examples on Edmodo: "Upon the Burning of Our House..." and "Upon a Wasp Chilled with Cold" are not in your text, but you should be familiar with them to have a well-rounded understanding of Puritan Poetry. I will also link to "The Author to Her Book."

Don't forget the STAR Reading test is this week.

I will not be here Friday because I have a Poetry Out Loud coaching session to attend, so I will forgo vocabulary for this week. Expect, however, on Friday to write a timed essay. I will leave the topic with the substitute. I may ask you to revise your initial rough drafts (written in class), type your essays, and upload them to Edomodo for the final grade.  Your turning in a complete rough draft will count as a quiz grade.

English 12

This week we will continue our study of Renaissance and Reformation literature. Be sure to check your Pearson "to do" list for assignments. We will be reading and discussing excerpts from the King James version of the Bible and tracing the changes in drama by Comparing Literary Works: from Oedipus the King / from Faust. I hope to start reading Marlowe's Dr. Faustus this week as well.

I will not be here Friday because of a Poetry Out Loud workshop, so we will forgo vocabulary for this week. On Friday, you should expect Pearson online quizzes over the reading we have done this week, so pay close attention in class.

Don't forget we have Star Reading tests this week, so do your very best.

APEnglish Literature and Composition

This week we will read and discuss as much of Hamlet as possible. Since I will not be here Friday, your vocabulary quiz, for which the words are posted on Edmodo, will be Thursday. Friday you will have a timed essay either on an excerpt from Hamlet or a poetry passage. 

Don't forget, we have STAR Reading this week. Please try your hardest.




Sunday, January 6, 2013

January 7-11, 2013

Greetings Students,

Thank you for all your words of concern and encouragement over my husband's illness. They are much appreciated. Below you will find the lesson plans for this week. 

Pre-APEnglish 10

We will be beginning a whole new phase in literature. Make sure you check your Pearson Successnet page for assignments. This week you will review the earliest of American literature: Native American Myths.

Then we will read excerpts from two "histories" from early colonists, William Bradford and William Byrd. We will look at these two texts comparatively and discuss the differences between Puritan and non Puritan writing. The former text is on Successnet, and the latter I have uploaded to Edmodo.


Check Edmodo for your vocabulary lesson 10 words.


English 12

This week you will continue your study of the British Renaissance and Reformation period. Be sure to check your successnet page for reading assignments, particularly if you miss class.

This unit will focus on excerpts from the King James Bible, Shakespearean drama, sonnets and Christopher Marlowe. We will also learn some about the historical background and how literature is shaped by society and the writer's relationship to literature.

In particular this week, we will review poetry from Marlowe, Raleigh, John Donne, and of course, Shakespearean sonnets.  I will, as I stated, post your reading assignments on Successnet.


See Edmodo for your vocabulary lesson 10.

APEnglish Literature and Composition

Your vocabulary lesson 57 has been uploaded to Edmodo. Don't forget to upload your major works data sheet to Edmodo. It is due before school on the 11th.

This week we will first review the MC questions you did last Friday, then we will continue our study of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Come prepared to read and discuss.
You will have more MC questions and an essay to write on this text in addition to a Shakespeare in Six project. Start thinking about creative ways to complete your Sin6.

Side by side text

Thursday, January 3, 2013

January 3-4, 2013

Greetings Students:

Welcome Back!

I hope you all had a great holiday. It's the new year, and we should all resolve to learn as much as possible and perform to our best abilities (and, yes, that includes you senioritis sufferers.)

Pre-APEnglish 10

We will be beginning a whole new phase in literature. Make sure you check your Pearson Successnet page for assignments. This week you will be introduced to the earliest of American literature: Native American Myths. No vocabulary this week.

English 12

This week you will be introduced to the British Rennaissance and Reformation period. Be sure to check your successnet page for reading assignments, particularly if you miss class.

This unit will focus on excerpts from the King James Bible, Shakespearean drama, sonnets and Christopher Marlowe. We will also learn some about the historical background and how literature is shaped by society and the writer's relationship to literature.

No vocabulary this week.

APEnglish Literature and Composition

No vocabulary this week. Don't forget to upload your major works data sheet to Edmodo. It is due before school on the 11th.

This week we will begin a study of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Come prepared to read and discuss.
You will have both MC questions and an essay to write on this text in addition to a Shakespeare in Six project. Start thinking about creative ways to complete your Sin6.

Side by side text