September 26, 2016 - September 30, 2016 Weekly Agenda for 9th Grade English: The Most Dangerous Game

Monday, September 26th:
Silent Sustained Reading

Complete the reading log entry on what you have read in your AR book

Pass out the Parent Accelerated Reader Program Letter – due Friday!

Read “The Most Dangerous Game”
Pages 216 - 218
Reading log:
Vocabulary
Summary Prediction

Tuesday, September 27th:
  

Period 3:

Silent Sustained Reading

Reading log:

Date, pages read, summary, comment, prediction

“The Most Dangerous Game”

Page 18; bottom of the left column

Vocabulary:

Rowels: wheel with sharp spurs worn by cowboys to make their horses go faster.

Futile: pointless, destined to fail,

Tapestry: a thick, heavy carpet or drape, usually with a design or scenes woven into the pattern.

Questions over pages 18 to 19:

Do not copy the questions but incorporate the questions in your answers:

1.     What did Rainsford do to try to elude Zaroff? “He executed  a series of intricate loops; in this way, he tried to lay down an impossible trail to follow. (Onyx)

2.     Where did Rainsford hide out after trying to elude Zaroff? Rainsford hid in the crotch of a tree high above ground, behind heavy foliage. (Carolina)

3.     Describe General Zaroff as he was intently walking down the trail? You may use quotations from the story to support your answer. Zaroff was smoking, and his eyes were fixed in concentration as he was following the trail. (Shianne)

4.     Describe General Zaroff’s response as he scans the tree. His eyes stopped right below the branch where Rainsford is lying!!!!!! (Carolina)

5.     What is  Zaroff’s response when his eyes stop just below Rainsford’s hiding place? He smiles and walks away. (Shianne)

6.     What does this say about Zaroff? He easily figured out the trail! And it would be too easy to kill Rainsford and he wants to prolong the game…..(Shianne)

7.     Why does this deeply frighten Rainsford? It seems to Rainsford that General Zaroff is not completely human. The trail Rainsford laid down was impossible to follow, yet Zaroff easily found him.

Vocabulary:

Elude: to avoid getting caught, avoid being seen.

Malia: To steal the Queen’s crown, the thief has to elude her guards.

Wednesday, September 28th:

Silent Sustained Reading

Reading log: Summary, Comment, Prediction

Pass out the Vocabulary Packet for “The Most Dangerous Game”

Read “The Most Dangerous Game”

Page 18 – 19

Reread and then write a brief description of what happened:

1.     What is the Malay Man-Catcher? A larger dead tree was propped precariously against a smaller living tree. Rainsford made a small cut on a bough (branch) causing it to stick out or protrude. When Zaroff stepped on the bough, the old dead tree came crashing down. However, it only delivered a glancing blow on Zaroff’s shoulder, but did not, unfortunately, kill him.

2.     Describe what it is.

3.     What happened to General Zaroff?

Vocabulary:

Precariously:  describing something that is unsteady or unstable, as if it is about to fall.

Sheath: a holster which is where one places a knife when not in use.

Protruding: sticking out

Bough: a tree branch

Sapling: a small tree

Reread pages 19 – 20 and describe what Rainsford does next:

Rainsford digs a pit or a trench or a hole to make the “Tiger Pit”.

He then cuts down some saplings and sharpens them into deadly spikes which he then plants at the bottom of the pit. Next, Rainsford gathers leaves and grasses together in a sort of carpet and then covers the hole of the pit to camoflage it. Then he then hides behind a log and waited…..

Thursday, September 29th: 
 

Class uncooperative today

Read “The Most Dangerous Game” silently

Answer questions 1 – 8 at end of story

Turn in as test

Friday, September 30th: 
Pass out the Freytag Plot Pyramid
Show the class the youtube video on plot
The students take notes on the video
The students are then to go through "The Most Dangerous Game" and place the  plot points on the Freytag Pyramid.

Elements of Plot:

Plot is the organized sequence of events that make up the story.

Exposition:

Sets up the story

Includes the setting, which is time and place

Includes the central characters’ back story or history

Sets up the events or situation that occurred before the story begins

Rising Action:

A series of events of increasing tension and conflict, which builds to the climax.

Climax:

The point of greatest tension

The point at which the fate of the protagonist turns to victory or defeat.

Falling Action:

The events that occur after the climax and after the conflict has been resolved.

Resolution:

The final tying up of all loose ends of the story.

 

Letter to Parents About the Accelerated Reader Program

Accelerated Reader Program

What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?

AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor students’ independent reading practice. Students select books at their own levels and read them at their own pace. When finished, the students take a short book quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that the student understood what was read.) AR gives both students and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help the students set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.

Students using AR choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.

I will help the students choose books at appropriate reading levels that are challenging without being frustrating, ensuring they can pass the quizzes and experience success.

How much will the students read each day?

According to research, students who read at least 30 minutes a day with an 85% comprehension rate (average percent correct) on AR quizzes see the greatest gains. I am requiring that students read at home for at least 20 minutes five times a week. I will provide some time in the classroom for SSR (Sustained Silent Reading). 

ZPD and Point Goals

Students received a ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) range after taking the STAR Reading test.  Attached is their ZPD range as well as the number of points they need to have read prior to winter break, December 15, 2017). Students must pass each book quiz with a score of 85% in order to be given full credit for reading the book. However, students do get some points when they pass with 70% or higher. In addition, students may read as many books as they like in order to reach their point goal. The following chart indicates the dates I will check the point goal progress.

The student must read two AR books this semester. They may check the books out of the school library, the neighborhood library, or they may buy the book.  By the due dates below, the students must have finished the books, written a reading log, and taken the AR test for their books. 

The student must keep a reading log for each book s/he read, and a minimum of five entries on their reading logs. The reading log must have the dates and the pages s/he read, a five line summary of what s/he read, a brief comment, and a prediction. The student will turn the reading log for their AR book at the same time s/he turns in the test. 

The student can take the AR test in the library. The student cannot access the test from home. The test may be taken in the school library before school, during nutrition, lunch, and after school. 

Last Day to Turn in AR Reading Log and Test: 

October 20, 2017 - date by which the student must finish the first book, and turn in the reading log, and the test results.

November 1, 2017 - date by which the student must finish the second book, and turn in the reading log, and the test results.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at jkatbridge@aol.com or bridges@lausd.net; contact the librarian Sherri Whitham at slw9414@lausd.net or visit the Accelerated Reader website at www.renlearn.com/ar.

Kind regards,

Kate Bridges, HHS, English Teacher 

Sherri Whitham, HHS, Teacher Librarian

Please sign and return this slip to indicate you are aware of your son’s or daughter’s responsibility regarding the AR program.

Student Name: _________________________________   

Student Signature: ______________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature: _____________________________________

Letter to Parents About the Accelerated Reader Program

Accelerated Reader Program

What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?

AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor students’ independent reading practice. Students select books at their own levels and read them at their own pace. When finished, the students take a short book quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that the student understood what was read.) AR gives both students and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help the students set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.

Students using AR choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.

I will help the students choose books at appropriate reading levels that are challenging without being frustrating, ensuring they can pass the quizzes and experience success.

How much will the students read each day?

According to research, students who read at least 30 minutes a day with an 85% comprehension rate (average percent correct) on AR quizzes see the greatest gains. I am requiring that students read at home for at least 20 minutes five times a week. I will provide at least 20 minutes twice a week in the classroom for SSR (Sustained Silent Reading). 

ZPD and Point Goals

Students received a ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) range after taking the STAR Reading test.  Attached is their ZPD range as well as the number of points they need to have read prior to winter break, December 16, 2016). Students must pass each book quiz with a score of 85% in order to be given full credit for reading the book. However, students do get some points when they pass with 70% or higher. In addition, students may read as many books as they like in order to reach their point goal. The following chart indicates the dates I will check the point goal progress.

The student must read three AR books this semester. They may check the books out of the school library, the neighborhood library, or they may buy the book.  By the due dates below, the students must have finished the books, written a reading log, and taken the AR test for their books. 

The student must keep a reading log for each book s/he read, and  a minimum of five entries on their reading logs. The reading log must have the dates and the pages s/he read, a five line summary of what s/he read, a brief comment, and a prediction. The student will turn the reading log for their AR book at the same time s/he turns in the test. 

The student can only take the AR test in the library. The student cannot access the test from home. The test may be taken in the school library before school, during nutrition, lunch, and after school. 

Last Day to Turn in AR Reading Log and Test: 

October 17, 2016 - date by which the student must finish the first book, and turn in the reading log, and the test results.

November 18, 2016 - date by which the student must finish the second book, and turn in the  reading log, and the test results.

December 9, 2016  - date by which the student must finish the third book, and turn in the reading log, and the test results.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at jkatbridge@aol.com or bridges@lausd.net; contact the librarian Sherri Whitham at slw9414@lausd.net or visit the Accelerated Reader website at www.renlearn.com/ar.

Kind regards,

Kate Bridges, HHS, English Teacher 

Sherri Whitham, HHS, Teacher Librarian

Please sign and return this slip to indicate you are aware of your son’s or daughter’s responsibility regarding the AR program.

Student Name: _________________________________   

Student Signature: ______________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature: _____________________________________