Literature & Composition II - D and E Block





TO EARN FULL CREDIT FOR YOUR FINAL PROJECT YOU HAVE UNTIL 6:00 PM TUESDAY, JUNE 14 TO SUBMIT YOUR PODCAST 

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Link to Vocaroo

Podcast Focus Areas

1)    What aspect of Lexington High School do you know a little about, but you might be interested in learning more

2)    Is there any assumption the LHS culture embraces that you might challenge?

3)    What are some of the voices that go unheard at LHS?
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Prelude to Podcast Final Project

Your podcast assignment will be to explore a topic that integrates a focus from this year’s literature and writing (including poem project and monthly writing) with your own understanding of “This Lexington High School Life”. 

We will first listen to some examples of podcasts from “This American Life”, an NPR production you can access on-line at http://www.thisamericanlife.org/.   For each segment please note the elements that contribute to the effective presentation (* see below).

Working in assigned groups of 3-4 students, you will create your own 10-15 minute podcast that demonstrates how an aspect of life in Lexington High School illustrates a particular focus of interest to you.  Using three primary genres, PERSONAL NARRATION, INTERVIEW SHORT FICTION, ANALYSIS OF LITERATURE, SONG, POEM, OPINION PIECE, CLOSE OBSERVATION OF A PLACE, student contributes an individual segment between 3-5 minutes maximum, convey your thematic intent in a way that establishes a powerful interpretation of how life in and around Lexington High School relates to an aspect of this year’s English class.

When constructing your podcast, keep these elements in mind:

Add music, sound effects (i.e. voices in the hallways, sounds of sports practice, a child crying, etc.), and additional narration (explanation, analysis, synthesis).
Questions to ask when editing:
·       Where do you cut the piece (and possibly return to it) or transition into another section?
·       How is your theme expressed/woven throughout the variety of pieces?
·       Have you created an appropriate mood or tone?
Project Requirements:

  Podcast length: *Maximum* 5 minutes per student. Part of the challenge is being concise.

  Group recording: The final product will be a combination of each member’s written pieces, and all group members’ voices must be recorded.

  Multiple genres: You must have at least three different genres represented in your podcast.

  Commentary: You must have a verbal introduction and conclusion to your podcast as well as transitions between each segment.  Further, you must introduce all group members by name at some point.

  Sound: Background music (at least one song) and sound effects (at least two) must be included
PODCAST EXAMPLES
Title of Podcast:_________________________________________________
1)    Identify theme and its relation to this year’s literature and composition



2)    Identify primary genres




3) Identify how music, sound effects, and additional narration underscore thematic intent.


Rubrics:

Individual Segments: 75% of grade

Exemplary
Proficient
Developing
Beginning
Theme
  • Theme is developed with sophistication and creative risk taking




  • Theme is developed with some creative risk taking




  • Theme is somewhat developed; content is repetitive




  • Theme is unclear, undeveloped with no risk taking
  •   Content
    • Develops content that clearly supports theme
    • Compelling details enrich the narrative
    • Displays a strong relationship between content and medium




  • Develops content that mostly supports theme
  • Employs adequate detail to support purpose
  • Displays a relationship between content and medium
    • Develops content that barely supports theme
    • Employs some details that are insufficient or redundant
    • Content and medium are not related




  • Does not develop genre-specific content that supports theme
  • Details are either absent or irrelevant
  • Content and medium clash
  • Style
    • Creates an appropriate, engaging tone that shows awareness of audience and purpose
    • Author displays a personal connection to theme through diction and voice quality
    • Creates an appropriate tone that often shows an awareness of audience and purpose
    • Author displays personal connection to theme through diction or voice quality
    • Tone shows a limited awareness of audience and purpose
    • Author displays limited connection to theme
    • Tone shows no awareness of audience and purpose
    • Author does not display connection to theme


    Group Audio Project: 25% of grade

    Exemplary
    Proficient
    Developing
    Beginning
    Structure
    • Develops a coherent structure that support theme while flowing smoothly
    • Provides a strong reflective sense of closure




  • Develops a logical and coherent structure to support theme
  • Provides a sense of closure




  • Develops a structure that is confusing
  • Provides a limited sense of closure




  • Neglects to develop a structure that supports theme
  • Provides no closure




  • Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments
    May 23 – June 6

    Wednesday, May 25
    Preliminary outline for Great Expectations Final Essay
    (To be turned in with final draft)   

    Friday, May 27
    First preliminary draft of Great Expectations Final Essay
    (To be turned in with final draft)

    Tuesday, May 31
    Class time devoted to essay writing – computer cart available

    Wednesday, June 1
    Revised preliminary draft of Great Expectations Final Essay
    Please make three copies for peer-editing workshop
    (To be turned in with final draft)

    Friday, June 3
    Final Draft Great Expectations Essay

    Monday, June 6
    June Monthly Writing
    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments



    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Great Expectations – Final Essay Options

    After reviewing the comments on your Residence Essay and thinking about your experience of closely examining the text, consider the focus of your final essay that gives you an opportunity to:

    1)     Improve particular aspects of your writing




    2)     Addresses what you most want to say or think about when considering your experience examining the text





    Suggested Focus Areas:

    A.     Consider your criteria for what makes a satisfying ending of a novel.  Based upon your standards, make a case for your preference for either the original or revised ending
    B.     Consider your criteria for a successful film interpretation of a particular feature of the novel.  Based on your standards, evaluate the film’s portrayal of your focus
    C.    Consider what makes studying literature worthwhile.  Based upon your standards, make a case for or against studying Great Expectations during sophomore year in high school
    D.    Consider the questions you posed as we began the final part of Pip’s expectations.  Taking your inspiration from your response to one of the questions, write a thesis-centered response
    E.      Write about a connection (ie theme, motif, motto)  with the text in life or in literature that you find compelling

    Writing Requirements:

    o   ~ Space and a half and 1” margins, underlining thesis that makes an authoritative claim.
    o   ~ Coherent organization that includes smooth content-related transitions that provide support for your thesis.
    o   ~ Smooth integration of at least three text references

    Help I Received:








    Student/Teacher Comments:












    May 3 – 16


    Reading Great Expectations  ~ For each reading assignment jot down any questions that you would like us to discuss/clarify in class)

    Wednesday, May 4
    Read Chapters XXXVIII and XXXIX to The end of the second stage of pip’s expectations (In-class written response)

    Friday, May 6
    Read Chapters XLI, and XLII You may use your notes on a reading quiz

    Monday, May 9
    Read Chapters XLIV, XLV, and XLVI.  (In-class written response)

    Tuesday, May10
    Read Chapters XLVIII and XLIX. Compare Miss Havisham’s words at the end of chapter XLIX to Mrs. Joe’s final words to Pip.  What do you make of the parallel?

    Wednesday, May 11
    Read Chapters LI, LII, and LIII.  Write down a key excerpt (1-2 sentences from each chapter)

    Friday, May 13
    Read Chapters LIV, LV, and LVI.  You may use your notes on a reading quiz

    Monday, May 16
    Finish reading Great Expectations (In-class written response)





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    Tuesday, April 5
    Childhood memoir

    Wednesday April 6

    Finish reading THE FIRST STAGE OF PIP’S EXPECTATIONS (up to Chapter XX)

    Friday, April 8
    Read chapters XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV 
    Quiz with identification of quotations that may link to earlier chapters.  You may use your class and homework notes

    Monday, April 11
    Read chapters XXV and XXVI, filling out the accompanying Residence Details chart

    Wednesday, April 13
    Preliminary Draft - Residence Essay

    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition                           Name:
    Great Expectations – Jaggers’ and Wemmick’s Residences

    Due Dates
    Preliminary – Wednesday, April 13
    Final – Friday, April 15

    Topic:  Taking the “opportunity of comparing [Pip’s] guardian’s establishment with that of his cashier and clerk.” (187).  Consider how the comparison of the two residences serves to underscore thematic intent

    Writing Requirements:
    o   Completed cover sheet, thoughtful title, 1 ½ spacing,  and residence chart
    o   Clearly stated and underlined thesis that asserts a thoughtful, focused idea
    o   Quality of analysis
    o   Consistent organization (shuttle J-W, J-W, J-W or block JJJ-WWW)
    o   At least three parallel examples using six specific text references
    o   Preference for active voice expressing your ideas in positive, complex rather than negative, compound sentence (watch those “and’s”!)
    o   Conclusion that indicates a thoughtful insight about your thesis based upon what you have learned in the process of writing
    o   Careful proofreading for succinct expression and mechanics

    Help I Received:



    Student/Teacher Comments:





    Friday, April 15
    Final Draft – Residence Essay

    Tuesday, April 26
    Read Chapters XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX

    For each chapter note specific text example of
    1)    Character
    2)    Motif
    3)    Clarifying or quiz question

    Friday, April 29
    Read Chapters XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV, XXXVI, XXXVII.  At the end of each chapter, write a quick note to Pip indicating your reader’s response to his perceptions and behavior

    Monday, May 2

    May Monthly Writing

    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments  ~ Great Expectations
    March 28-April 4

    Tuesday, March 29
    Identify the definitions of your five assigned words from Chapters 9-26.  Write each in a sentence about one of the novel’s characters, providing an understanding of the affinity between vocabulary and character.

    Wednesday, March 30
    Read Chapters 9, 10 and 11.  Write down a specific observation and a text-based question for each chapter, noting the page number to which you refer.

    Friday, April 1
    April Monthly writing

    Monday, April 4
    Read Chapters 12, 13, 14,15, and 16.  Note the appearance of a motif in each chapter






    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments  ~ Great Expectations
    March 28-April 4

    Tuesday, March 29
    Identify the definitions of your five assigned words from Chapters 9-26.  Write each in a sentence about one of the novel’s characters, providing an understanding of the affinity between vocabulary and character.

    Wednesday, March 30
    Read Chapters 9, 10 and 11.  Write down a specific observation and a text-based question for each chapter, noting the page number to which you refer.

    Friday, April 1
    April Monthly writing

    Monday, April 4
    Read Chapters 12, 13, 14,15, and 16.  Note the appearance of a motif in each chapter

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    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments
    March 15 – 21

    Tuesday, March 15
    Victorian Child introduction

    Wednesday, March 16
    Read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of Great Expectations.
    Provide specific text details that identifiy the following.  Follow with either a comment or a question:

    1.    Comic misconceptions

    2.    A file and wittles

    3.    The young man

    4.    Chains motif

    5.    Hulks

    6.    Cattle motif

    7.    The irony of home as a battery and the battery as home


    Friday, March 18

    Read Chapters 4, 5, and 6 of Great Expectations
    Provide a detailed reader’s response to your choice of the following characters.  Include at least three text references:

    Pip, Joe, Mrs. Joe, the convict, the young man, Mr. Pumblechook, Wopsle

    Monday, March 21
    Read Chapters 8 and 9 of Great Expectations and Walt Whitman’s “There Was a Child Went Forth” 
    Write a poem from Pip’s point of view:
    1st stanza – Whitman’s first four lines
    2nd stanza – The first objects
    3rd stanza – The people at home
    4th stanza – Wider surroundings, finishing with Whitman’s final line




     
    +++
    Monday, March 14
    Submit your poem and obtain on-line parent permission to The Sophomore Poetry Project website:
    student.LHSpoem.org

    Tuesday, March 15

    Great Expectations  Pre-Reading Assignment
    Due Date:  Tuesday, March 15

    Write a journal entry  from the point of view of a Victorian child of the 1830’s.  Incoorporating what you discover in at least three cited sources, give an account of your day, choosing to include at least five telling details that provide a window to what your life is like now as well as what you might expect life to hold.  Provide yourself with a name, an age and a personality. 

    Choose to be from one of the following family circumstances:

    ·      orphan / country
    ·      orphan / city
    ·      working class /country
    ·      working class/city
    ·      wealthy class/country
    ·      wealthy class/city



    Details
    5 originally and smoothly incorporated
    5 clearly expressed
    More detail needed
    Voice
    An engaging personality
    A realistic depiction
    Unclear sense of character
    Mechanics
    Evidence of careful proofreading
    A few minor errors
    More attention to proofreading needed






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    Wednesday, March 9

    Provide hard copy of poem that you will submit to on-line website.  Include your writing workshop responses and fill out the cover sheet:




    Writer’s Name_______________________________


    Title of Poem________________________________




    Introduction to poem (include process and any revisions):




    Response to Writer’s Workshop feedback:

                           



    Any questions or focus areas for proofreading?


    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments
    Sophomore Poetry Project
    February 29-March 8
    *  You always have the option of writing a poem of your choice
    Tuesday, March 1
    March monthly writing
    Preliminary ideas:





    Wednesday, March 2
    *Poem about or from the perspective of a particular age
    Preliminary ideas:





    Friday, March 4
    *Painterly poem / Fake Apology poem
    Preliminary ideas:





    Monday, March 7
    *Poem about standing up
    Preliminary ideas:





    Tuesday March 8
    *Animal poem
    Preliminary ideas:

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    Introduction to Lexington High School Poetry Website:

    To be completed by Monday, February 29

    Access online:
    LHS.StudentPublishingProgram.org


    1)     How is the online magazine organized?  Include at least three features.







    2)     Browse through last year’s edition (Class of 2017) and choose a poem that you particularly admire.  Write down the poem title and author as well as three or four sentences about what you like about the poem.











    3)     Browse through the archives and choose a poem that you particularly admire.  Write down the poem title, author and year of graduation as well as three or four sentences about what you like about the poem.







    4)     Choose one of the two poems to print out and read to the class as an exemplar. Circle the one you have chosen.



    5) Browse through the advice and inspiration section.  Identify a piece of advice you found valuable (reference writer) and a poem you enjoyed hearing. (Cite poem, poet and one or two ways in which the poem inspires you).


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    Monday, February 8
    Read Macbeth Act V scenes i, ii, and iii.  Write at least a ten line poem from the perspective of The Doctor with the last two lines:

    Were I from Dunsinane away and clear
    Profit again shall hardly draw me here

    Tuesday, February 9
    Read Macbeth Act V scenes iv and v and William Maxwell’s essay “Nearing Ninety”
    Make a list of at least five parallel comparisons and contrasts with Macbeth’s and Maxwell’s perspectives on life.

    Wednesday, February 10
    Choose to respond to one of the two writing options in response to Macbeth’s and Maxwell’s perspectives on life. Macbeth project. 

    Friday, February 12
    Write a statement that specifies your choice of the options for the final Include whether you are working individually or list the name(s) of the students with whom you are working (limit to three other students)

    Friday, February 27 Macbeth Project

    ++++++++

    Upcoming Assignments

    January 26- February 5



    For Friday, January 29

    Read Macbeth Act IV – scene i. Fill in the blanks for items 1-10 on the worksheet for Macbeth Act IV scene i



    In-class Friday, January, 29

    Working with a partner (one group of three if necessary) complete the back of the worksheet for Macbeth IV i.  On a separate piece of paper continue to work together to respond to the following:



    1)   Point out three text references that you would highlight as critical to your understanding of the concerns of the play, particularly in terms of motifs and character development.

    2)   Pose two questions about anything you would like further explanation about.

    3)   Pose one class discussion question for the class to address. Consider posing a question that provokes students to take and defend a stand.





    When completed, begin the homework for Tuesday:



    Tuesday, February 2

    Read Act IV scene ii.  Complete the remainder of the worksheet (IV ii)



    Keeping in mind the other two murders that Macbeth has committed/ ordered, write an approximately 300 word journal entry that addresses at least two reasons why this is the most despicable action Macbeth has taken and at least two ways Shakespeare depicts the scene to underscore the horror of that action.



    Wednesday, February 3
    Finish reading Macbeth Act IV.  Complete the worksheet (front and back) MOTIVES AND DECISIONS

    Friday, February 5
    February Monthly Writing
     

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    This week you will be working on memorizing and reciting at least 12 lines of a poem that holds special significance to you.  Feel free to find a poem that you especially enjoy or choose from the Poetry Out Loud website: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems-and-performance/find-poems
    The purpose of this assignment is to help you appreciate the sound , rhythm, tone and meaningful nuances of poetry through a careful examination that results in a performance that expresses your particular interpretation of and connection with a poem.  Additionally, you will be honing your public speaking skills, building self-confidence, and depending upon your choice, learning about your literary and cultural heritage.+
    Tips for Memorizing Your Poem:
    o Rewrite your poem by hand several times. Each time, try to write more and more of it from memory.
    o Read your poem aloud before going to sleep at night, and repeat it when you wake up.
    o Carry around a copy of your poem in your pocket. You’ll find moments throughout the day to read it.
    o Practice your poem by reciting it to family and friends.
    Your recitation will be graded on:
    o Physical Presence
    o Voice and Articulation
    o Dramatic Appropriateness
    o Level of Difficulty
    o Evidence of Understanding
    o Overall Performance 

    Friday, January 22 –Bring a copy of your chosen poem to class.  During class:
    1)     Write out the poem designating the tone that each line or group of lines expresses to you
    2)     Write a 200-300 word discussion of its literary elements  
    3)     Write a personal response about why this poem is meaningful to you

    Monday, January 25 Work on your own or with a partner in continuing to memorize and perform your poem

    Tuesday, January 26 Be prepared to perform your poem – or at least 12 lines of a longer poem (if competing in the Poetry Out Loud contest the whole poem must be memorized).

    ++++++

    Tuesday, January 5
    January Monthly Writing


    Wednesday, January 6
    Locate first seven vocabulary words (all from Act III) in the text then find definition that best suits the context.

    Friday, January 8
    Read Act III scenes i and ii. Complete the guided worksheet, front and back

    Monday, January 11
    Read Act III scene iii
    Write a one-two page dialogue between the first two murderers as they head back to the castle.  Show how the murderers review the events as well as what their reaction is to them.  Include their speculations about who the third murderer might be. Are they happy with the way things went?  What are they going to do now?

    Tuesday, January 12
    Read Act III scene iv
    Write down as many parallel comparisons and contrasts (at least four) of the appearance of the Act II dagger and the appearance of the Act III ghost.

    Wednesday, January 13
    Write a detailed outline with a preliminary thesis that advances a claim about Lady Macbeth’s observation to Macbeth:  “O proper stuff!/ This is the very painting of your fear./ this is the air-drawn dagger which you said/Led you to Duncan…”

    Friday, January 15
    Rough draft of Dagger/Ghost Essay

    Wednesday, January, 20
    Final draft of Dagger/Ghost Essay

    Sophomore Honors Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments
    Macbeth

    Tuesday, December 14
    Find context and define 5-7 Vocabulary words on Act II Vocabulary Sheet

    Wednesday, December 15
    Read  Act II scene i (pages 49-53)  Complete the worksheet, both sides, and read and respond to the question about Macbeth’s reference to “Habakkuk”

    Friday, December 17
    Read Act II scene ii (pages 55-61)
    1)     Identify at least three specific elements that make this scene suspenseful. 
    2)     Identify an instance of an ingenious reversal of status
    3)     Identify all of the occurrences of “Sleep”.  What do you make of them?
    4)     Use language of the text to indicate where Macbeth or Lady Macbeth is on the spectrum of FEAR – COURAGE – RASHNESS  in three separate instances in the scene.
    5)     Identify at least one or more motifs and explain the significance

    Monday, December 21
    Read Act II scene iii  Include the following key words and phrases in either clarifying questions or a text-based observation:
    1.    The Porter
    2.    The night
    3.    “What, in our house?”
    4.    Macbeth’s initial reaction vs. Malcolm’s
    5.    “Help me, hence, ho!”
    6.    A motif
    7.    Donaldbain’s observation

    Tuesday, December 22
    Finish reading Act II – Write and respond to a significant quiz question for Act II scene iv.
    Reading and vocabulary quiz for ACTS I and II
    +++++
    Friday, December 11

    Construct an argument map that addresses whether or not Macbeth is a sympathetic character at the end of Act I.

    Include: 

    1) Your claim

    2) Your working definition of or sufficient condition for deserving sympathy

    3) Two reasons that support your claim

    4) Text evidence that corroborates your reasons.  You must use a least one text reference per reason
    Monday, December 14 (End of Class)
    Working from your argument map, write a one-two paragraph argument claiming whether or not Macbeth is a sympathetic character at the end of Act I. Include your interpretation of each piece of text evidence you employ.


    COVER SHEET FOR WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE MONDAY, DECEMBER 14


    Honors Literature and Composition II
    Macbeth Act I – Writing from an Argument Map

    Due Dates:
    Argument Map – Friday, December 11
    Essay – Monday, December 14

    Assert and defend a claim that states your position about whether or not Macbeth elicits your sympathy at the end of Act I.  Include conditions that you contend are necessary and/or sufficient to elicit your sympathy, the reasons you find for demonstrating the condition(s) exist(s) or fails to exist, and the carefully examined text evidence that supports your reasons.

                                 Exemplary                 Proficient          Developing         Beginning  
    Argument Map
    All visual and content elements present and complete



    Most visual and content elements present and complete
    Significant aspects of Argument Map missing or unclear
    Missing Argument Map

    Conditions and Reasons
    Conditions are convincing and clearly related to at least two reasons.  Organization is clear.

    Greater clarity or number of conditions/reasons
    needed.  Organization is present.
    Some reasons do not relate to the conditions. Organization needs improvement.
    Stated conditions not present.  Organization is lacking.






    Text Evidence





    Appropriately chosen and insightfully interpreted text corroborates each reason and is smoothly incorporated into the analysis.  Interpretation makes clear both what is going on in the specific text and why it matters.

    Appropriately chosen text corroborates each reason and is incorporated into the analysis. Interpretation lacks some detail about either what is going on in the specific text or why it matters.  
    Needs more convincing text to corroborate one of the reasons. Interpretation of the text needs more detail to make argument convincing.
    Missing key text evidence to corroborate one or both reasons with little or no interpretation attempted.
    Writing Process
    Consistently careful proofreading


    Generally careful proofreading
    Inconsistent proofreading
    Several evident proofreading errors


    Help I Received:


    Student/Teacher Comments:









    Friday, December 4

    Read up to Act I scene iv.

    Write a letter from Macbeth to Lady Macbeth catching her up on the extraordinary events of the last few days, THEN put yourself in Lady Macbeth’s place, the wife of a powerful thane.  Write down your thoughts upon hearing this news.



    Monday, December 7

    Read Act I scene vii to line 28.  Complete the worksheet on Macbeth’s soliloquy.

    Optional re-take on pronoun case



    Tuesday, December 8

    Finish reading Act I

    Copy down Macbeth’s last lines of Act I.  Write a journal entry that explains the power of these lines.  Identify how three word choices specifically echo earlier moments in the play, and then consider the effect this resonance creates.


    Wednesday, December 9
     Student sentence examples from Macbeth Act I - circle improved sentence; make notations on paper

    Upcoming Assignments
    +++
     (End of class)

    Friday, November 20
    December 2-14
    Researching Shakespeare's primary patron
    Provide 3-5 basic facts about King James I of England

    Provide 3-5 facts that make him an interesting figure
    Put yourself in Shakespeare's place in 1606.  Based on the proclivities of the king of less than two year, what elements might you incorporate in your play that would particularly please him?

    Monday, November 23
    1) Write about *a performance you have seen (film, tv show, play) that "ingeniously reverses the status between characters."  You might want to watch the Modern Family episode entitled "Lifetime Supply" (Season 3) which presents three concurrent storylines of characters who either wrestle with or are confused by their relative status.  If you choose this as your example,*outline the narrative thread of your choice, explaining the issue around the notion of status and how it does or does not create "a good play."
    2) Find your two assigned words in the text.  Write down the context the corresponding dictionary definition, and put each in a sentence that makes its meaning clear.  Have the words read to present to the class at the time we are preparing to read the scene in which they appear.

    Tuesday, November 24
    Find at least one example of equivocation in your everyday experience, or from the media contemporary politics, history,comedy or literature.  Explain both the nature and the purpose of the equivocation. 

    Tuesday, December 1
    1) Complete the guided outline of Macbeth Characters in the Play
    2) Complete (on the other side ) the responses for Macbeth Act I scene i


    Macbeth  Act I scene i (page 7)

    Before reading:

    1.   Where are the witches in the Great Chain of Being?  What makes them equivocal creatures?







    2.   What is the witches’ “job description”?





    3.   Where is Macbeth in the Great Chain of Being?  Why might the witches want to meet with Macbeth rather than with Duncan?









    4.   Explain the paradox of the witches’ desire to elevate Macbeth in status.







    Read the scene:

    1.    Give evidence from the text that the witches are acting and speaking in ways that reverse their rightful status with Macbeth.











    2.    Give evidence from the text that the witches are acting and speaking in ways that underscore their equivocal nature.
     
    +++++
    Friday, November 13
    Revised Draft of Final Fahrenheit 451 Essay

    Monday, November 16 or Tuesday, November 17
    Final Draft of Final Fahrenheit 451 Essay


    Final Fahrenheit 451 Essay

    Writing Assignment:
    Choose one of your journal or homework assignments to revise and extend to provide coherent, concise, text-based analysis for the entire novel

    Writing Focus Areas:

        T - Clearly expressed and specific thesis claim, underlined
       PR - Correct and consistent use of pronouns
       AV - Effective use of active voice
       PE - Expressed in positive form (what something is, not what it isn’t)
        S  - Smooth integration of at least three text quotations
       CP - Careful proofreading

    Please include :
    Argument Map on Active voice
    Student Sentences to Revise

    Wednesday, November 18
    Pronoun Case Test


    +++++++++
    Wednesday, October 28
    Read Fahrenheit 451 Pages 130-160 (“The sound of its death came after”).   
    Written response:
    1)   Choose your favorite motif and run with it (speed is definitely a motif) by noting any occurrences in this section and explaining why you’re a fan.

    Friday, October 30
    Review Fahrenheit 451 pages 144 from “Montag was alone in the wilderness” - break in 145. Then Read “Direction” by E. B. White.  Write a text specific response of how these two narratives resonate with each other in character and thematic intent.

    Monday, November 2
    Read “Tricked” by David Sedaris
    Written responses:
    EITHER:
    1)   Consider why the title is appropriate in at least three ways
    2)   Highlight three sentences that make this recollection particularly entertaining and/or meaningful to read.
    3)   In what ways is the narrator like Montag?  Mention at least three text-based similarities.  Remember Sedaris is looking back upon his childhood with an awareness of his foolishness.
     OR:

    Either on your own, or with another student through the magic of google docs, imagine that Ray Bradbury and David Sedaris find themselves sitting next to each other on an airplane.  After the first 15 minutes when Bradbury has read “Tricked” and Sedaris has finished the last few pages of Fahrenheit 451, they discover what each has been reading and begin a conversation about the two works.  Write at least a page of dialogue between them making sure to reference particular quotations from each work that impress each man about the other’s writing.

    Tuesday, November 3
    Choose one of the quotations compiled from The Sun Magazine.  In an approximately 300 word response relate your choice to both a character or situation in Fahrenheit 451bas well as to your own perception or experience.

    Wednesday, November 4
    Re-read  Verses 50 + 52 “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman.  Choose one line or stanza to incorporate anywhere within your own 15+ line pome about who you are from the inside out.

    Friday, November 5
    Read “Common Notes” by Pat Ruane  and “November Cotton Flower” by Jean Toomer
    **November Monthly Writing**






    +++
    Tuesday, October 20

    Finish reading Part I of Fahrenheit 451, “The Hearth and the Salamander” (page 68) Be prepared for a quiz by focusing on:

    1.   Motifs, especially, mirrors, remembering, happiness and fire

    2.   Context of vocabulary and application of literary elements including synecdoche, figurative language and allusion



    Wednesday, October 21

    Read Fahrenheit 451 pages 71- 93 (to “The moon rose in the sky as Montag walked, his lips moving just a trifle”) Write two questions:  1) a clarifying question and two text-based discussion questions that you respond to in 3-5 sentences or two text-based discussion questions, both of which you respond to in 3-5 sentences.



    Friday, October 23

    Finish reading “The Sieve and the Sand”  (pg. 110) Write down your responses to the following before you begin the final part of the story, “Burning Bright”

    1.    Predict two or three ways in which the concept of “Burning Bright” might figure into the narrative.  Be specific about to whom or what the image may refer.  Consider the literal and figurative possibilities.

    2.    Pose one specific question that you hope the story will answer using the phrase “burning bright”.

    3.    Knowing Mildred as you do, write a line for her to say as she runs from her house at the end of “The Sand and the Sieve”.



    Monday, October 26

    Read pages 113-30 (to “Good night, Mrs. Black, he thought.”  Write down your responses to the following:

    1.    What does Mildred say as she runs from her house? Identify a pervious text reference that aligns with her words.  What is the effect of considering these two text references together?

    2.    Write sentences about three separate events that all fit within the framework of the plot that occurs on these pages: “It’s awful that…, but at least…”

    3.    Identify at least three instances in which the motif of burning appears (cite page numbers).  Choose one on which to comment.
     
    +++++
    Comparing Clarisse and Mildred
    Collaborative Essay
    Due Date – End of class October 14

    Objectives:
    +Closely examine Ray Bradbury’s introductions of Clarisse and Mildred to determine how these contrasting characters depict the values of the Fahrenheit 451 society.
    +Identify how Bradbury uses motifs and parallel imagery to create contrast

    Reading Scope:  Up to page 32 (“and the arrival of his train put a stop to his plan)

    Writing Requirements: 
    Graphic outline
    Engaging introduction
    Three points of text-based parallel contrast
    -       smoothly incorporated
    -       effectively organized
    Thoughtful conclusion

    ++++++++++
    Honors Sophomore Literature and Composition
    Upcoming Assignments
    September 21- October 6

    Tuesday, September 22
    Incorporating from 8-10 Fahrenheit 451 vocabulary words, write separate sentences or imaginative narrative that contains all of the functions of the noun. (Please consult:
    http://www.iscribe.org/english/noun.html for helpful explanations).
     Write the vocabulary words in bold fond ; underline the nouns and indicate their functions.
                                                                                                          
    Sample sentence: The trajectory (S)of the wind carried the whiffle ball (DO) over my neighbor’s fence (OP).

    Friday, September 25
    Completing the graphic organizer on the second side of your cover sheet, begin to plan out your comparison/contrast essay.  Below the organizer write a sentence or two about what point(s) you would like your essay to convey.

    Monday, September 28
    Vocabulary Test on the 26 Fahrenheit 451 words.  Know the definitions and be able to use the words in sentences that make their meanings clear.

    Tuesday, September 29
    Three copies of your preliminary draft of your comparison/ contrast essay.

    Friday, October 2
    Final Draft of your comparison/contrast essay

    Monday, October 5
    Functions of the Noun Test  - Identify the functions of specified nouns and demonstrate your ability to create sentences that include them.

    Tuesday, October 6
    October monthly writing

    ++++++++++++++++++++

    Honors Literature and Composition II
    Upcoming Assignments
    September 8 - 18

    Friday, September 11
    Choose one specific passage from The Other Wes Moore. Copy at least the first and last sentence, citing the page number.  Write a 3-5 sentence discussion of how your own experience relates to the passage.  Conclude with your understanding of the point the author is making in the text. (20 points)

    Extra Credit Option – Write a poem about your experience in reading or writing (3-5 points)

    Tuesday, September 15
    Review the conversation Tony and Wes have about school in which Tony gives Wes advice.  Either choose to write advice to someone younger than you, to yourself at a younger age, or to yourself beginning sophomore year OR recount some good advice you have once received and do well to remember. (20 points)
    If you would like some model advice letters to browse you may find them here:
    http://ellynspragins.com/ (Letters to My Younger Self)
    Wednesday, September 16
    Write a Found Poem* for one of the Wes Moores.  Include at least six pieces of the text, choosing and ordering the lines of the poem in a way that creates an empathetic understanding you take from his story.
    (20 points)


    *Defined by The Academy of American Poets, “Found poems take existing texts and refashion them, reorder them, and present them as poems. The literary equivalent of a collage, … a pure found poem consists exclusively of outside texts: the words of the poem remain as they were found, with few additions or omissions. Decisions of form, such as where to break a line, are left to the poet.”

    Friday, September 18
    Read the three student comparison/contrast essays, “Soccer: Nigeria and U.S.” by K.C. Osuji, “My Two Mashooganas” by Nicole Schwartzberg and “Twilight” by Gowri Vijayakumar.  For the first two write down your responses to the questions at the end of the essays.  For “Twilight” pose your own three questions: One about form, one about a specific word choice or literary element and one about a key idea. (20 points)

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