American Literature Fall 2009
The information presented below is subject to revision on a daily basis. Please check the webpage frequently for updates and accurate details.
| Date | Assignment |
| 8/14 | group activity 1) 10 signif. Amer. authors; 2) 10 signif. pieces of Amer. literature; 3) How does history influence literature? 4) What was the role of religion in colonial America? What is its role in modern America? (write names of group members at top of page) |
| 8/17 | DOLs #1&2; Navajo Origin Myth--read p. 22-23; word association for Native Amer./Indian; answer: p. 23 #4ab 5ab; p. 28 writing application---label compound sentences |
| 8/18 | "Earth on Turtle's Back"--read p. 14-18; answer p. 18 #1-5 & p. 27 #8 ; read/discuss articles about modern Native Americans |
| 8/19&20 | DOLs #3&4; read and take notes on Unit One intro p. 4-12; group vocab activity--visuals and sentences with context clues for list on p.43 |
| 8/21 | finish group vocab activity as necessary and present to class; go over notes taken Thur.; find DOL errors in email--discuss corrections and importance of accurate business letters; announce that webpage is now functioning; everyone should read class policies posted via index page, print out third page and get parent to sign; return signature sheet next week for hw points |
| Date | Assignment |
| 8/24 | Equiano's slave narrative-read p.42-43 aloud; read p. 45-48 on your own; answer: p. 48 #2ac 3b 4a 6; p.49 #2,3,6,7; p.50 Syn/Ant.1-6; active/passive voice #1,3,5 |
| 8/25 | DOLs #5&6--brief review of appositives and prepositions; compare/contrast painting p.44 and narrative read Mon.; go over Equiano study questions--collect work; read Columbus' journal p.61-64; discuss study questions--no new written work today; REMINDER: parent signature slips due by the end of this week for hw points!! |
| 8/26 | John Smith-- read p.70-77; discuss; answer p.77 #2ab 4ab 5 |
| 8/27 | William Bradford--read p.78-84; answer: p.84 #2a 3ab 4a 6; p.85 #2ab; p.86 Syn/Ant 1-8; on a separate piece of paper draw a double bubble map to compare/contrast Smith (VA) and Bradford (MA)--use info on p. 71,85,87 to get ideas for what to write inside bubbles |
| 8/28 | DOLs #7&8; Puritan poetry-read p. 98-102; write paragraph about challenges of Puritan life; discuss : p. 101 #2ab 3a; p.102 #3ab 4ab ; p.103 #2 ; LAST day to submit parent signature slip for points |
| Date | Assignment |
| 8/31 | "Sinners in the Hands...." read aloud/discuss p.106-112; make list of vocabulary words to study for test on Wed.---see p.43,71,99,107 |
| 9/1 | review for test |
| 9/2 | TEST on Unit One, notes, vocabulary p.43,71,99,107 |
| 9/3 | (minimum day) discuss timed writing to be completed in class on Friday; look at sample essays for what to do and what not to do; grade update |
| 9/4 | timed writing |
| Date | Assignment |
| 9/7 | NO SCHOOL (Labor Day) |
| 9/8 | read and take notes on the following introductory info related to Crucible: p.1230 (author bio); p.1231 (witch trials); p.1232 (lit.terms); p.1234-37 background info (stop when italics begin on 1237); p.1265 vocab (context) #1-7--please COPY sentence and add vocab word so context clues will help you learn the new word; write a paragraph of 6-8 sentences minimum discussing TWO of the primary motivations for many of the actions in your own life. See the list on p.1232 for suggestions, but you may write about motivations not listed there; finish makeup tests and makeup timed writings as necessary; distribute handout about Crucible oral report topics/small group activity |
| 9/9 | DOLs #9&10; discuss Crucible research project; assign groups; finish notes, etc. from Crucible intro info (see details above at 9/8) |
| 9/10 | Salem Witch Trials video--take notes |
| 9/11 | (rally schedule) computer lab for research on group project re: Crucible |
| Date | Assignment |
| 9/14 | go to Library to finalize research project with group |
| 9/15 | (minimum day; Back to School Night) begin oral reports |
| 9/16 | finish oral reports |
| 9/17 | begin reading/discussing Act I of Crucible |
| 9/18 | (end of first grading period) finish reading/discussing Act I of Crucible; begin answering the following questions (ok to finish Monday during the video): p.1263 #2c 3ab 4c 5ab 6a 7; p.1264 #1 (NO chart needed--just answer), also #2, 9; p.1265 grammar/pronouns #1-5 |
| Date | Assignment |
| 9/21 | (teacher submits grades this afternoon) watch video of Act I of Crucible; finish Friday's assignment during video as necessary NOTE TO PARENTS re: progress report comment codes---Students receive a score for participation each grading period. If their score is especially high, they receive comment code #102; if it is low, they get comment code #110. These codes refer to "attitude" and participation; however, I am only indicating a low participation score, NOT a poor attitude. Parents should also be aware that there are relatively few scores in the gradebook this early in the semester, so a low/high test score or one missed assignment could skew a grade rather significantly at this point. The 10-week report card is often a more solid indicator of how the semester grade might turn out since it reflects more assessments. |
| 9/22 | read/discuss Act II; collect Crucible intro notes |
| 9/23 | video of Act II; review for test; answer: p. 1287 #2b 4ab 5a 7; p.1288 #1,3,4,8; p.1289 Fluency (vocab) #1-10--must explain WHY answer is t/f to earn points---finish tonight as necessary to help prepare for test tomorrow; |
| 9/24 | (grades mailed home today) TEST on Acts I&II--including vocab p.1232&1266 and notes on p.1230-37 (no chance to take a makeup test until 10/2 so please be in class today!!!!); distribute permission slips for 10/8 field trip???? |
| 9/25 | guest speaker Dan Williams re: school to career (no class work today) |
| Date | Assignment |
| 9/28 | NO SCHOOL |
| 9/29 | NO SCHOOL |
| 9/30 | read Act III of Crucible |
| 10/1 | (minimum day) brief review of key events from reading done on 9/30 answer Act III questions: p.1315 #2,3,4,6 (all parts); p.1316 #2,3,4,9(tell WHY); please draw a double bubble map to answer #7 on p.1316; p.1317 vocab (conc. dev.) #1-10--ok to just write syn/ant to answer; grammar/inverted sentences #1-5--ok to just write verb choice (don't copy sentence) |
| 10/2 | read Act IV of Crucible; answer: p.1334 #2,3,4,6 (all parts) & #7---short essay (4-5 sent.); p.1335 #2,6,7--COMBINE into ONE short essay (5-7 sent. min.); p.1336 Synonyms #1-10 |
| Date | Assignment |
| 10/5 | watch video of Acts III&IV; finish any incomplete work from Thur. or Fri. while watching if necessary |
| 10/6 | begin discussion of Ben F. virtues essay; brief review for test tomorrow |
| 10/7 | TEST on Acts III&IV; show essay outline to teacher for comments/feedback |
| 10/8 | Connecting to Success Conference (off campus)----no class work today |
| 10/9 | begin watching Culture Shock video (Huck Finn)--take notes; absentees show essay outlines to teacher for comments; pick up Huck Finn novels from library |
| Date | Assignment |
| 10/12 | take notes on Huck Finn background info, themes, etc. and essay topics; receive handouts about novel study, reading schedule and chapter presentation project |
| 10/13 | rough draft of Franklin's virtues essay due TYPED for peer editing (easy chance to earn points if HW done); assign chp.# for presentation next week---discuss orange handout info re: presentation |
| 10/14 | Chp. 1-5 of Huck Finn due---class discussion---earn participation points |
| 10/15 | continue Culture Shock video (Huck Finn)---take notes |
| 10/16 | (end of grading period) Franklin's virtues ESSAY DUE TODAY (typed) for chance at full credit; bring outline, rough, & peer edit half sheets along with final draft; finish watching Culture Shock video |
| Date | Assignment |
| 10/19 | (teacher submits grades this afternoon) Chp. 6-8 due --student chapter presentations and class discussions of novel begin (NOTE--any day chapters are due there is a chance of a QUIZ) |
| 10/20 | Chp. 9-13 |
| 10/21 | Chp. 14-16--discuss significant quotes found in these chapters that can be used as supporting evidence in your Huck essay in a couple of weeks; REMINDER: Test on Friday covers reading from Chp.1-18 AND notes taken in class on Monday, 10/12, as well as notes taken during Culture Shock video on 10/9, 10/15, and 10/16; any student absent on any of those days should find a classmate from whom to copy those notes---absence is not an excuse for failing to get the material. |
| 10/22 | (minimum day) (grades mailed home today) (college tour field trip) Chp. 17-18 |
| 10/23 | (rally schedule)TEST on Chp. 1-18 and Culture Shock video notes (taken over 3 days of viewing) and introductory lecture notes from 10/12; after today's test there should be some time to start reading Chp.19-21 due Monday |
| Date | Assignment |
| 10/26 | Chp. 19-21 |
| 10/27 | Chp. 22-25 |
| 10/28 | Chp. 26-28 |
| 10/29 | (college tour field trip) Chp. 29-31 (disaster drill eliminates Per.4 and 5 today) |
| 10/30 | Chp. 32-35 |
| Date | Assignment |
| 11/2 | Chp. 36-39 (make up quiz today at lunch on Chp.36-43 regardless of which quiz was missed--if you missed more than one quiz, you must show up today or keep the zero for your missed quiz) |
| 11/3 | (high school exit exam repeat test for those who did not take/pass it in 10th grade) Chp.40-43 due; begin discussion of Huck essay--distribute peer editing half sheets; update due dates |
| 11/4 | (HS exit exam repeat/day 2) TEST on Chp.19-43; receive Huck final worksheet-- DUE FRIDAY |
| 11/5 | (Every 15 Min. program disrupts regular schedule all day--Per. 4&5 go to special activity) students actually attending class today may begin/complete the worksheet due Friday |
| 11/6 | (Every 15 Min. program disrupts regular schedule---Per.4 & 5 go to special activity) final Huck worksheet due today for chance at full credit (late work will lose points---students in Per.4&5 must deliver the work to 502 on their own time since they won't be coming to class today; students attending class may work on OPTIONAL essay outline to get feedback on Monday |
| Date | Assignment |
| 11/9 | Great Books video--ok to work on rough draft during video; show optional outline to teacher to get feedback before writing rough draft |
| 11/10 | rough draft of Huck essay due TYPED (if work is not double spaced, you will not get full credit); peer editing (easy chance to earn points if HW is done)--you must bring your beige half sheet to earn full points; discuss final worksheet questions??? |
| 11/11 | NO SCHOOL (Veteran's Day) |
| 11/12 | (minimum day) (ASVAB testing if you signed up for it) discussion activity |
| 11/13 | (end of grading period) finish discussion activity; check thesis statements |
| Date | Assignment |
| 11/16 | (teacher submits grades this afternoon) Huck ESSAY DUE TODAY typed for chance at full credit; UPDATE---Huck essay deadline postponed until Tuesday the 17th return to literature textbook/Unit 2: read p.202-210; answer on binder paper: p.207 #2b 3b 4b 6; p.210 #1 3a 4ab 5c 6; p.211 #3 4a; p.212--Fluency #1-6; Semicolons #1-5; Writing Application---4 sent. w/semicolon; Double Bubble Map for Adams and Crevecoeur (use info on p.202-203 and in letters to complete map effectively); there will be some time in class on Tuesday to complete today's work; after tomorrow, finishing these items will be homework due no later than Wed. |
| 11/17 | Huck essay deadline postponed one more day; finish any remaining work from 11/16; complete for homework as necessary; read aloud and take notes: p.128 Age of Reason; finish on your own: p.131-134 Lit. of Period (stop at top of 134 before "Culture and Art" section); REMINDER--proofread essay carefully looking for awk, frag, run-on, rep. & bring rough and peer edit sheets tomorrow |
| 11/18 | ***UPDATE****turn in Huck essay, rough draft, and peer edit half sheets; finish/turn in work from Monday (Adams & Creve); finish notes from Tues.; read and take notes: p.136 & p.152-3 |
| 11/19 | (grades mailed home today) finish notes from Wed. as necessary (p.136 & 152-3); read Franklin aphorisms intro info aloud; read p.147-8; answer: p.148 #4ab 5c 6& 7abc; p.149 #5--TWO examples and explanations & #8ac; p.150 analogies #1-8 & pronouns #1-5; there will be a little time in class to finish tomorrow IF you got to p. 149 or 150 today; collect late/missing essays and work from Mon. |
| 11/20 | finish Thursday work as necessary and turn in; brief discussion of current event article about new dictionary words and college essay topics; discuss work from this week to earn participation points |
| Date | Assignment |
| 11/23 | read Hawthorne intro info p. 334-35; discuss Literature Circle activity for tomorrow; listen to CD/read "Minister's Black Veil" p. 336-342 only--will finish reading tomorrow; jot down a few notes/ideas in preparation for group activity; |
| 11/24 | finish reading (CD) p. 342-348; begin working in Lit. Circle groups |
| 11/25 | timed writing; finish Lit. Circle activity as necessary |
| 11/26 | NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving) |
| 11/27 | NO SCHOOL |
| Date | Assignment |
| 11/30 | make up timed writing as necessary; read and take notes on the following pages in preparation for test on 12/10: p. 233-237; 384-387; 400-401---finish for homework if necessary; |
| 12/1 | read "Devil and Tom Walker" p. 241-252; go over study questions together; complete adjective clause exercise p. 254 in preparation for test next week; reminder---finish notes from 11/30 for homework as necessary---no more class time for this--info will be included on test next week |
| 12/2 | Whitman poetry--read aloud & discuss p.432-435; 440; 442; 448-49; 451 |
| 12/3 | read and discuss Emerson and Thoreau p.388-392 and p. 401-411 |
| 12/4 | read and discuss--Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" & Poe's "Raven" |
| Date | Assignment |
| 12/7 | small group activity with remaining Unit 2&3 poems p.172,175-6, 267-9, 272, 393, 395-6---present to class after answering all study questions for group's assigned poem |
| 12/8 | small group activity with vocabulary from Units 2&3---present to class on Fri. |
| 12/9 | review for test on Thur.; receive handout/topic for final oral presentation next week |
| 12/10 | (minimum day)TEST on Units 2&3 and notes from unit intros |
| 12/11 | (rally schedule???)present vocab grp. work??? Emily D group activity???? |
| Date | Assignment |
| 12/14 | read/discuss Emily D. poetry---last day for participation points |
| 12/15 | Final oral presentations Per. 3&5 |
| 12/16 | Final oral presentations Per. 4&6 |
| 12/17 | Final oral presentations Per. 2&7-----winter break begins after school today |
| 12/18 | no classes today; teacher submits semester grades this afternoon |