October 9th Weekly Schedule
for
9th Grade

Monday, October 9th:

1st Period:

Please bring your ENGLISH WORKSHOP to class on Monday. It seems we need to do a little review on verbs. Pages 105 - 110; exercises 10 - 16 will be assigned and will be due on Thursday, October 12th.

We will also finish the plot graph for “Most Dangerous Game”.


3rd Period:

We will also finish the plot graph for “Most Dangerous Game”.

1st, 2nd and 3rd:

Your “Most Dangerous Game” packet will be due on Wednesday, October 11th.

We will begin working on the Persuasive Essay. We will read an article on the Ottawa Convention which prohibits the use of land mines (page 2-15). We will then read and compare two persuasive essays on this topic - one essay is for the ban; the other is against the ban (2-16). We will then answer multiple choice questions over the excerpts (page 2-17).

Tuesday, October 10th:

2nd and 3rd Periods:

Please bring your ENGLISH WORKSHOP today; we will review run-on and sentence fragments; “Review; exercises A and B; pages 75 - 76.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Periods:

Analyze pro and con arguments on the signing of the Land Mine Treaty (page 2-20). Analyze the “Short Constructed Response” (page 2-21). Analyze the SAMPLE EXTENDED CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE (pages 2-22) and read the essay, “Saving the Children” (page 2-25). We will then cite reasons and evidence given by the author supporting his/her position in “Save the Children” (pages 2-34 and 2-36).


Wednesday, October 11th:

We will go over “Recognizing Persuasive Techniques” today (pages 2-37) and “Weighing an Argument” (pages 2-38 and 2-39).

For your homework tonight, watch television! Yippee! Yes, you can tell your parents that your homework assignment is to watch t.v.! Write down some of the techniques advertisers and politicians use to get your vote or get your money!

Thursday, October 12th:

Today we will work on “Planning Your Essay” (pages 2-40, 2-41, 2-42 and 2-43) in preparation for writing your essay which you will do in class on Friday.

Friday, October 13th:

Write the first draft of your essay which you will turn in at the end of the period.

October 2nd Weekly Schedule
for
9th Grade English


Monday, October 2nd:

I hope you had a fun-filled yet restful weekend! Now, here's a little something that will tire you out.

Today “The Sniper” handout is due.

Journal: Write a short story using ten of your vocabulary words found on the pages 18 through 26 in VOCABULARY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.

We will finish up “The Most Dangerous Game” and discuss plot, theme and character.

For extra credit, you may create a board game based on “The Most Dangerous Game.” The board game must follow the basic plot of the story. You may work with a partner or partners on this. This will be due on October 12th. Be creative! Have fun!


Tuesday, October 3rd:

Today we will have a brief vocabulary test over the words on pages 18 through 26 in VOCABULARY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.

Please bring your grammar book, ENGLISH WORKSHOP, today.

For 1st Period:

We will go over “Subordinate Clause Fragments”; pages 65 and 66. This will be due on Thursday, October 5th.

For 2nd and 3rd Periods:

We will go over “ Run-On Sentences”; ex. 6; pages 73 - 74. This assignment will be due on Thursday, October 5th.

A packet over the vocabulary, grammar and literary concepts of “The Most Dangerous Game” will be handed out.

We will continue our review of “The Most Dangerous Game”.


Wednesday, October 5th:


We will continue our review of “The Most Dangerous Game”.

Today we will begin work on a new and very important unit, which is in preparation for the district mandated assessment on persuasive writing. We will begin learning about how to write a persuasive essay - which some of you may already know. The topic that we will analyze is whether land mines should be banned by the international community. We will read and analyze information from various sources (newspaper articles, statistics from governmental and international aide agencies, etc.) and then synthesize (which means put together different things to create something new) this information about land mines. Based on this information we will arrive at our own beliefs about the subject (and no, you don’t have to agree with me) and write a persuasive essay which will try to persuade the reader of the correctness of your position.


Thursday, October 6th:

Your grammar homework is due today.

We will have a test over “The Most Dangerous Game” which will include vocabulary, plot, and the plot graph.

Your “The Most Dangerous Game” packet will be due today. This packet is the one you worked on in your groups in which you summarized each section, created your own vocabulary words and questions.

We will continue working on our “Persuasive Essay Writing Unit”.


Friday, October 7th:

We will continue working on our “Persuasive Essay Writing Unit.”

September 25, 2006
Weekly Schedule
for
9th English


Monday, September 25th:

Hello, scholars and artists, I hope you had a great weekend.

Journal Entry: Saturday, September 23rd, was the first day of autumn. Imagine that summer and autumn are humans. Describe their personalities. Describe how they look. Imagine that they are in a forest clearing and describe Summer’s leave-taking. How does s/he pass the “mantle” to Autumn?

Today, please bring your vocabulary book. The next section will be assigned. Pages 18 - 21, exercises 11 - 14; and pages 23 - 26, exercises 16 - 19. This will be due on Friday, September the 29th.

We will also go over a vocabulary, grammar and literary packet for “The Sniper”.

We will begin presenting our rewrites of “The Sniper” today. The assignment is to rewrite the story from the perspective (point of view) of one of the other characters in the story and then present it. For extra credit, you may act it out.


Tuesday, September 26th:

Today is a shortened day.

We will finish our Sniper rewrites.

Please bring your grammar book, English Workshop.

1st Period: We will go over “Run-On Sentences”. exercise 4; pages 67 and 68. This will be due on Thursday, September 28th.

2nd and 3rd Periods: We will go over “Subordinate Clause Fragments”; exercises 4 and 5; pages 71 and 72. This will be due on Thursday, September 28th.


Wednesday, September 27th:

Journal: Write a short story using ten of your vocabulary words from pages 18 - 23 in your vocabulary book.

We will begin reading “The Most Dangerous Game” and creating our reading logs for “Most Dangerous Game”.


Thursday, September 28th:

Improv! We’re going to do a game of improvs using our vocabulary words!

Your grammar homework from your English Workshop is due today.

First Period:

Pages 65 - 66 are due.

2nd and 3rd Periods:

Pages 71 and 72 are due.

Continue reading “Most Dangerous Game” plus of course, working on our reading logs!

Tonight from 6 to 8 I will meet your lovely parents in room 509 and I WILL GET TO TELL THEM ALL ABOUT YOU!

Friday, September 29th:

Your vocabulary homework is due today.

We will finish up with “The Most Dangerous Game”.

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to read your outside book and to keep a reading log on it!

September 18th Weekly Schedule
for
9th Grade English

Monday, September 18, 2006:

We are going to start with Six-Way Paragraph this morning.

Your Cat’s Eye packet will be due today.

We will then finish reading “The Sniper” by Liam Flaherty. (Don’t forget your reading logs!) Then we are going to break into groups with each group choosing a character and rewriting the story from that character’s point of view. We will present the rewrites on Wednesday.

Tuesday, September 19th, 2006:

Today IS a shortened day!

We will have a small vocabulary test today over the words from pages 4 - 15 in your vocabulary book, Vocabulary for the High School Student.

Please bring your English Workshop book today.

For 1st Period: English Workshop: Third Course; pages 64 - 65: “Sentence Fragments”.

For 2nd and 3rd Periods: English Workshop: Fourth Course; “Phrasal Fragments”: pages 69 - 70.

The grammar homework will be due on Friday, September 22nd.

After the test you will break into groups and begin working on the rewrites.


Wednesday, September 20th, 2006:

We will start with Six-Way Paragraph.

Today we will break into groups and work on our rewrites of “The Sniper”.


Thursday, September 21st, 2006:

We will begin presenting our rewrites today!


Friday, September 22nd, 2006:

Your grammar homework will be due today!

First Period: English Workshop; “Sentence Fragments”: pages 64 - 65.

2nd and 3rd Period: English Workshop: “Phrasal Fragments”; pages 69 - 70. We will start reading The Most Dangerous Game.

September 18th Weekly Schedule
for
9th Grade English

Monday, September 18, 2006:

We are going to start with Six-Way Paragraph this morning.

Your Cat’s Eye packet will be due today.

We will then finish reading “The Sniper” by Liam Flaherty. (Don’t forget your reading logs!) Then we are going to break into groups with each group choosing a character and rewriting the story from that character’s point of view. We will present the rewrites on Wednesday.

Tuesday, September 19th, 2006:

Today IS a shortened day!

We will have a small vocabulary test today over the words from pages 4 - 15 in your vocabulary book, Vocabulary for the High School Student.

Please bring your English Workshop book today.

For 1st Period: English Workshop: Third Course; pages 64 - 65: “Sentence Fragments”.

For 2nd and 3rd Periods: English Workshop: Fourth Course; “Phrasal Fragments”: pages 69 - 70.

The grammar homework will be due on Friday, September 22nd.

After the test you will break into groups and begin working on the rewrites.


Wednesday, September 20th, 2006:

We will start with Six-Way Paragraph.

Today we will break into groups and work on our rewrites of “The Sniper”.


Thursday, September 21st, 2006:

We will begin presenting our rewrites today!


Friday, September 22nd, 2006:

Your grammar homework will be due today!

First Period: English Workshop; “Sentence Fragments”: pages 64 - 65.

2nd and 3rd Period: English Workshop: “Phrasal Fragments”; pages 69 - 70. We will start reading The Most Dangerous Game.

Weekly Schedule for
9th Grade English

Monday, September 11, 2006:

Six-Way Paragraph assignment for journal.

Please bring your vocabulary book to class today. We will go over pages 8 - 15 in your vocabulary book. This will be due on Thursday, September 14th.

Do the contrast and compare chart in your packet for the characters Elaine, Cordelia and Carol from Margaret Atwood’s novel, Cat’s Eye.

Begin working on a rough draft of your essay. The essay will be about a situation you experienceed that changed you.


Tuesday, September 12, 2006:

Today is not a shortened day today!

Six-Way Paragraph assignment for journal entry.

Please bring your grammar book, English Workshop.

For first period: pages 141-142; exercises 1 and 2; "prepositional phrases" will be assigned.
This will be due on Friday, September 15th.

For second and third period: pages 67 - 68; exercises 1 and 2; "Sentence Fragments" will be assigned. This will be due on Friday, September 15th.

Continue working on your essay.

You must have your outside book selected and ready to give me the title and author.


Wednesday, September 13, 2006:

Your essay will be due today.


Thursday, September 14, 2006:

Your vocabulary homework is due today; pages 8 - 15.

We will begin reading “The Sniper”.


Friday, September 15, 2006:

We will continue reading “The Sniper” and working on our reading logs.

Week of September 4th, 2006

9th Grade English


Welcome back from your three day weekend! I hope it was relaxing! Now, back to work!

Tuesday, September 5th:

Today you should have the title of the book that you are going to read for your literary analysis.

We will share the paragraph we wrote about a person we know who reminds us of a character in Margaret Atwood’s Cat’s Eye.

Then we are going to read the second installment from Margaret Atwood’s Cat’s Eye. We will then break into groups and do a chart on how Elaine has changed, which we will discuss. The chart is on page 149 in your handout. Then we will do a point of view exercise on page 151 in your handout in which you will write an interpretation of the three events from each character’s viewpoint.

Wednesday, September 6th:

Today we will begin working on an individual assignment which will be a three paragraph essay about an event in your life which changed you. This essay must have a rough draft. This will be due on Thursday, September 7th.

Thursday, September 7th:

If our books arrive this week, I will assign some work out of the class set, Six Way Paragraphs, and some vocabulary out of your vocabulary book which you will get to take home with you (pages 4 - 17). This will be due on Tuesday, September 12th.

We will begin reading “The Sniper” - a cool story with a twist - from the anthology, Elements of Literature, and begin working on our reading logs!


Friday, September 8th:

Journal: Choose ten words from your vocabulary and write a short story.

Continue reading and working on “The Sniper”. We may break into groups and rewrite the story from the different characters’ points of view.

NINTH GRADE CLASS REQUIREMENTS
Fall Semester


TEXTBOOKS: ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE
VOCABULARY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
ENGLISH WORKSHOP

During the course of this semester, we will read short stories, poetry, essays and The Odyssey. As part of the requirements of this class the student will be required to do the following:

I. Independent reading in a book of her/his choice; however, the book must be approved by the teacher. The book must be at least 200 pages and be of high literary quality. The student must keep a reading log which will be explained later. Near the end of October, the student will turn in a three to four page literary analysis, the specifics of which will be explained in greater detail.

2. The student will also be required to keep a separate notebook for English. (Be sure to get a small, light weight notebook - your notebook is going to get heavy!) Most importantly: KEEP ALL HANDOUTS AND RETURNED WORK, CLASSWORK, HOMEWORK AND TESTS IN THIS NOTEBOOK! At the end of the semester, the notebook will be checked for organization and completeness and creativity. This is a major grade. I really appreciate creativity so feel free to put your drawings, your poetry in your notebook. Let it express who you are.

3.The student is also expected to start each class period with a journal, the topic of which may either be the student’s choice or she/he may use the suggested topic on the board. The journals should be kept in the student’s notebook.

4. Approximately every six weeks there will be a district mandated reading assignment, an essay assigned to the reading, and a multiple choice test. This is an in-class assignment and the student will have one class period for the reading assignment and the essay, and another class period for the multiple choice test.

5. Homework will be assigned Monday - Thursday. No homework will be given on Friday.

6. Tests will be given about every two weeks and ample warning will be given for each test.

7. Students are responsible for make-up work. No make-up work will be given for truancies. The student will be allowed one day after her/his return from a nontruant absence to turn in the late work. The prior day’s assignments will be posted in the classroom and it is the student’s responsibility to keep track of the work and to turn it in the day after her/his return.

8. Fifteen absences per semester may result in an “F” in the class, or may lower the grade and/or result in less than adequate marks in cooperation and work habits.


Tests are worth approximately 20%
Classwork is worth approximately 20%
The literary analysis is worth about 20%
The notebook is worth about 15%
Journals are worth about 15%
Participation is worth about 10%


90% -100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = FAIL


Extra points will be given for creativity. Class participation is a must and will be factored into the grading. Being alert and participating in class could be the deciding factor in determining a borderline grade.

If there are any questions please feel free to call me at 323-461-3891 or better yet, e-mail me at jkatbridge@aol.com. You may also keep track of agendas by going to hollywoodhighschool.net and click on “weblogs”, click on “teachers”, click on “J. Bridges” and that will direct you to my class weblog.

Sincerely,

Judith “Kate” Bridges



I HAVE READ THIS WITH MY CHILD AND UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CLASS:

PARENTS’ SIGNATURE:______________________________
STUDENT’S SIGNATURE:_____________________________

Essay Topics
for 9th Grade Honors
Spring 06

1. Discuss the use of theme in your book and show how the writer uses the characters to convey his/her world view.

2. Choose two characters in the book you are reading and compare and contrast them. How are they similar? How are they different? Be sure to use specific quotations and examples from the book to give a clear idea of what kind of people they are. Do these characters reflect the world view or theme of the author?

3. Choose a scene from the book that best illustrates the theme of the book. By using examples from the book show how this scene illustrates the theme the best.

4. Discuss the conflict in the book. By giving specific details from the story (quotations and examples) show how the author uses the conflict to illustrate the theme.

5. Choose one aspect of the novel that you find the most intriguing and discuss it. It can be character, conflict, point of view, or figurative language. Be sure to give examples to show why you find that aspect of the novel so intriguing.

6. Discuss the author’s use of setting in the novel. Could the novel work if the setting were changed? Does the novel’s success depend entirely on the setting or could the story work if placed in a different time or place?

NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION
FOR 9TH GRADE HONORS
SPRING 2006

1. Title page with name, date and period
2. Syllabus
3. Notebook Organization Guide for Table of Contents
4. VOCABULARY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT homework
a. pages 30 - 37
b. pages 35 - 39
c. pages 61 - 68
d. vocabulary test
e. vocabulary corrections
f. vocabulary journals.

5. ENGLISH WORKSHOP homework

a. pages 139 - 140; complements
b. pages 149 - 150; prepositional phrases
d. pages 151 - 152; adjective phrase
e. pages 153; verbals
f. pages 155 - 156; participial phrases
g. pages 157 - 158; gerunds
h. pages 159 - 160; gerund phrases
i. pages 165 - 166; appositives
j. pages 169; clauses
k. pages 171 - 172; adjective clauses
l. pages 173 - 174; adverbial clauses
m. Any other grammar handout

6. ESSAYS

a. Memory
b. Vacation
c. Bullying Essay
d. Literary Analysis: “A Woman Too Soon” and A DEFENSELESS WOMAN
e. ROMEO AND JULIET essay
f. Essay writing handouts:
1. Format for Writing a Five Paragraph Essay
2. Graphic Organizers

7. Literature

a. “Paula” by Isabel Allende
b. “We Bad”
c. “Tips on Reading Difficult Poetry”
d. “How to Find the Theme”





8. ROMEO AND JULIET

a. Shakespeare Handout 1- 9; “Words from Shakespeare”
b. Shakespeare Handout 1- 10; “Phrases from Shakespeare”
c. Shakespearean Insults
d. Oxymoron Handout
e. “Queen Mab” Handout
f. “Love Connections”
g. Acts 1 - 5 Packets
h. Acts 1 - 5 Tests plus corrections
i. Reading logs for ROMEO AND JULIET
j. Notes or any other extraneous thing I forgot to list which you have
found buried in your notebook or laundry hamper that pertains to
ROMEO AND JULIET



9. MISCELLANEOUS

a. Cool stuff you would like to show or things I have forgotten to put in but you have found and would like to put it in
your notebook to make it look fatter than it really is so you can get that "A".

Your notebooks are due on Friday, June 23rd.

Your packets for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD or your outside reading will be due on Monday, June 26th.

Your essay and your reading log for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD or your outside reading will be due on the day of the final, Wednesday, June 28th.
You will not be given time in class to work on the essay; it must be com-
pleted before the final. You will be working with your group on your
project which will be presented during the second
hour of the final.

Agenda for 9th Grade
Weeks of June 12th - June 30th


Monday, June 12th:

1st and 2nd Period:

7:40 - 8:00 am: Work on vocabulary worksheets: Activity #4 ; Chapters 1 - 4 in Ender’s game.

Break into our “platoons” and read, summarize, work on vocabulary and character relationships in Chapters 6 and 7 in Ender’s Game.

Turn in pages 151 and 152. gerund phrases in English Workshop.


Tuesday, June 13th:

7:40 - 8:00 am: Work on vocabulary worksheets: Activity #5; Chapters 5 - 6 in Ender’s Game.

Climb aboard our spaceships and read, summarize, work on vocabulary and character relationships in Chapter 7 in Ender’s Game.

For homework: Answer questions for Chapters 1 - 6 in Ender’s Game.


Wednesday, June 14th:

7:40 - 8:00 am: Work on vocabulary worksheets: Activity #6; Chapter 7.

Don our space suits, climb aboard our spaceships and read, summarize, work on vocabulary and character relationships in Chapter 8 in Ender’s Game.

For homework: Answer questions for Chapter 7.


Thursday, June 15th:

Please bring your English Workshop. We will quickly dispatch pages 157 - 158; “appositives”; exercises 15 - 16. This will be due on Monday, June 19th.

We will read Chapter 9 in Ender’s Game. We will go over a “Foreshadowing Chart”; activity #13 for Ender’s Game and of course, don’t forget your “captain’s log.”

We will also learn who John Locke and Demosthenes were and why Peter and Valentine may have chosen those pseudonyms.

For homework: work on answers for Chapter 9 in Ender’s Game.





Friday, June 16th:

Thanks to Torie Henry who came up with a cool little teaching game to help us understand “appositives”. It’s sort of a cross between an acting exercise (where you have to start your sentence with the last letter of the last sentence spoken by your partner) and a grammar game (where you and your partner can only speak to each other using appositives).

Today we will read Chapter 10.

For homework please read Chapter 11 and 12 and answer questions on your handout.


Monday, June 19th:

7:40 - 8:00 am: Work on vocabulary handouts for Chapter 10. Activity #8; Chapter 11; Activity #9 and Chapters 12 - 13; Activity #10.

Quickly dispatch English Workshop homework: “appositives”; pages 157 - 158.

Read Chapter 13 and of course, do our “captain’s log”!

For homework answer questions for Chapter 13.


Tuesday, June 20th:

Please bring your grammar book for today we will work on “clauses”; pages 161 - 162; exercise 1 will be assigned today. This will be due on Wednesday, June 21st.

7:40 - 8:00 am: Work on character handouts, “Conflict”; Activity #14 for Ender’s Game.

Read Chapter 14 and of course, do “Captain’s Log”!


Wednesday, June 21st:

7:40 - 8:00 am: Work on the “Venn Diagram” for Ender and Peter and answer questions for Chapter 14.

We will quickly go over our grammar homework: pages 161 - 162; exercise 1; “clauses”.

We will then don our space suits and and read Chapter 15 in Ender’s Game. We will have a discussion and go over questions for Chapter 15.


Thursday, June 22nd:

Please bring your grammar book today. We will go over pages 163 - 164; exercises 2 - 3; “adjective clauses”. This will be due on Friday, June 23rd.

Work on Activity #16; “Sociogram”; and Activity #17; “Character Charts” for Ender’s Game.


Friday, June 23rd:

Your notebooks are due today. Please turn them in at the top of the hour.

We will quickly go over your grammar homework; “adjective clauses”; and then jsut as quickly go over pages 165 - 166; exercise 4; “adverbial clauses”. This will be due on Monday, June 26th.

You will be given time to work with your group on the culminating assignment for Ender’s Game.



Monday, June 26th:

We will go over today’s homework; English Workshop; pages 165 - 166; exercise 4; “adverbial clauses”.

For 1st Period: Your final will be at 7:40 on Thursday, June 29th.

For 2nd Period: Your final will be at 7:40 on Tuesday, June 27th.

Your final will consist of an essay on Ender’s Game which will be due at the top of the hour on the day of the final. You and your group will present to the class on the day of the final:

A board game

Or written and drawn instructions for a video game based on Ender’s Game.

Or a screenplay for a scene from Ender’s Game.

Or a videotaped scene from Ender’s Game (with an accompanying script).

NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION
FOR 9TH GRADE SPRING SEMESTER
DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2006

1. Title page with name, period and date
2. Syllabus
3. Table of Contents

4. Vocabulary for the High School Student
a. Vocabulary homework pages 30 - 33
b. Vocabulary test over pages 30 - 33
c. Vocabulary test corrections
d. Vocabulary homework pages 35 - 39
e. Vocabulary homework pages 61 - 68
f. Vocabulary journals

5. GRAMMAR
a. English Workshop; pages 107 - 108
b. English Workshop; pages 109 - 110; Verb phrases
c. Daily work; Misplaced Modifiers
d. English Workshop; pages 141 - 142; Prepositional phrases
e. English Workshop; pages 115 - 116; Prepositions
f. English Workshop; pages 143 - 144; Adjective/Adverbial phrases
g. English Workshop; pages 147 - 148; Participial phrases
h. English Workshop; pages 149 - 150; Gerunds
i. English Workshop; pages 150 - 151; Gerund phrases
j. English Workshop; pages 157 - 158; Appositives
k. English Workshop; pages 161 - 162; Clauses
l. English Workshop; pages 163 - 164; Adjective clauses
m. English Workshop; pages 165 - 166; Adverbial clauses










6. Essays
a. Vacation
b. Memory Essay
c. Bullying Essay
d. A Defenseless Creature and “A Woman Too Soon”
e. Romeo and Juliet essay
f. Essay writing handouts:
1. Format for Writing a Five Paragraph Essay
2. Graphic organizers


7. Literature
a. “Paula” by Isabel Allende handout
b. “Tips on Reading Difficult Poetry”
c. “How to Find the Theme”

8. ROMEO AND JULIET
a. 1-9 Shakespeare Handout; “Words from Shakespeare”
b. 1-10 Shakespeare Handout; “Phrases from Shakespeare”
c. Shakespearean Insults
d. Oxymoron Handout
e. “Queen Mab” Handout
f. “Love Connections”
g. Iambic pentameter Handout
h. Acts 1 - 5 Packets
i. Acts 1 - 5 Tests plus corrections
j. Reading logs for Romeo and Juliet
k. Notes

9. ENDER’S GAME
a. Vocabulary handouts
b. Chapters 1 - 15 Questions
c. Character/Conflict/Theme handouts from Ender’s Game
d. “Summaries, Vocabulary, Questions, and Character Packets
e. Reading logs
f. Demosthenes and Locke handouts

10. MISCELLANEOUS
a. Cool stuff you want to put in your notebook to show who you are!

June 5, 2006
Weekly Schedule for
9th Grade


Monday, June 5th:

First and Second Periods:

Please bring your English Workshop book today. Gerunds, pages 149 - 150; exercises 9 and 10 will be assigned today. It will be due tomorrow, Tuesday, June 6th.

We will begin reading Ender’s Game today! And of course, we will also begin our “Captain’s Log” (reading log) to chart our journey to a galaxy far, far away.

Fourth Period:

Please bring your English Workshop today. Gerunds; pages 157 - 158; exercises 8 - 9 will be due tomorrow, Tuesday, June 6th.

We will begin reading To Kill a Mockingbird today and of course, we will begin our reading log.


Tuesday, June 6th:

First and Second Periods:

Turn in English Workshop grammar homework today; pages 149 - 150; exercises 9 and 10.

Vocabulary handout (Activity #4; page 6) and Study Guide Questions; Chapters
1 - 2; pp. 1 - 15.

Continue reading Ender’s Game and do your “Captain’s Log”.


Fourth Period:

Turn in English Workshop grammar homework today; pages 157 - 158; exercises 8 - 9.

Continue reading To Kill a Mockingbird and doing your reading log.


Wednesday, June 7th:

First and Second Periods:

Grammar game!

Continue reading! Vocabulary handout; “Word Map”; Activity #5; Chapters 5 - 6;
Fourth Periods:

Grammar game!

Continue reading! Because we have only three weeks left of school, it will be necessary for you to read about fifteen pages a night on your own.


Thursday, June 8th:

Please bring your English grammar book; “Gerund Phrases”; pages 151 - 152; exercises 11 and 12 will be assigned today and will be due on Monday, June 12th.

Continue reading Ender’s Game and working on your “Captain’s Log”.
Work on your study guide questions for chapters 3 - 4; pp. 16 - 36.

Fourth Period:

Please bring your English grammar book today. “Gerund Phrases”; pages 159 - 160; exercises 10 - 11 will be assigned today. It will be due on Monday, June 12th.

Continue reading To Kill a Mockingbird and working on your reading logs. Please read the next fifteen pages of To Kill a Mockingbird for homework tonight.


Friday, June 9th:

Grammar game!

Continue reading Ender’s Game and working on your “Captain’s Log”. Work on your study guide questions for chapters 5 - 6; pp. 37 - 65.

Fourth Period:

Grammar game!

Continue reading To Kill a Mockingbird and working on your reading logs. Please read the next fifteen pages of To Kill a Mockingbird over the weekend.

MAY 29TH WEEKLY SCHEDULE
FOR
9TH GRADE HONORS


Tuesday, May 30th:

I hope we are all refreshed from our wonderful three day weekend. Today you will be given some time to work together in your groups on your Romeo and Juliet rewrites.

I changed the due date for your reading log for Romeo and Juliet - surprise! It’s due today! But if you’ve been doing all along what I have suggested, it shouldn’t be a problem. You’ve been working on it every day we’ve been reading the play so it should be finished. Right? Right! So turn in your reading log today.

Today I will check out Ender’s Game to first and second period. Please read the first chapter tonight.

To Kill a Mockingbird will be checked out to fourth period today. Please read the first chapter tonight.


Wednesday, May 31:

Today we will begin presenting our scenes. After you do your scene you will turn your script into me - one per group.

We will begin reading and working on our new books - Enders Game for first and second period, and To Kill a Mockingbird for fourth period.


Thursday, June 1st:

Finish up the scenes today. Your Romeo and Juliet essay and Acts 1 - 5 packets will be due today.

Continue reading our books plus do our reading logs!


Friday, June 2nd:

First and Second Period:

Please bring your English Workshop; we will go over gerunds; pages 149 - 150; exercises 9 and 10. This will be due on Tuesday, June 6th.

Continue reading Ender’s Game

Fourth Period:

We will go over gerunds; pages 157 - 158; exercises 8 - 9 in English Workshop;
this will be due on Tuesday, June 6th.

ESSAY TOPICS
FOR
ROMEO AND JULIET

1. Does Romeo have a death wish? Be sure to reference all the things he
says in Act 1, Scenes 1 - 4 (particularly Scene 4 between Romeo and
Mercutio) and again Romeo’s soliloquy at the beginning of Act 5, Scene
1 before Balthasar enters.

2. Discuss Shakespeare’s use of light and dark in Romeo and Juliet. Be sure to
provide supporting evidence from the play. Be sure to include
quotations from Act 1, Scene 1, in which Benvolio and Lord Montague use
references of darkness to describe Romeo’s mood; quotations from Act,
Scene 4 in which Romeo uses metaphors of light/heaviness and light/darkness
to describe his emotional state. Please be sure to reference Romeo’s famous
lines from Act 2, Scene 2, in which he sees Juliet on the balcony (“What light
through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Juliet is the sun!”) Be sure
to look through the rest of the play and find other examples to support your
thesis.

3. Discuss the lack of parental involvement in the lives of Romeo and Juliet. Be
sure to include the observation that the Nurse and the Friar serve as parental
substitutes. Show that the lack of parental involvement is one of the reasons
for the tragic outcome of the story.

4. Discuss how Juliet’s decision at the end of Act 3 not to include the Nurse in
her confidences leads to her death.

5. Discuss how Shakespeare uses metaphor to convey time and place in
Romeo and Juliet.

6. Compare and contrast the Friar and the apothecary in Romeo and Juliet and
show how the apothecary is the foil of the Friar. A foil is a character who
is the opposite of another in order to show the characteristics of both
characters. Sometimes the best way to understand a character is to
show what the character is not and the writer does this by creating another
character who is his/her opposite. By seeing this contrast, the reader or
audience can more clearly see and understand the characters.

7. Discuss the relationship between Lord and Lady Capulet. Discuss the
scenes in which they appear and create an arc that traces their relationship.
You need to take a position regarding their relationship and support your
thesis by using evidence from the play that shows they have a loving,
respectful relationship or an unhealthy, abusive relationship.

8. Discuss Lord Capulet’s personality in the play. Be sure to include all the
scenes in which Lord Capulet appears and trace the arc of his personality
throughout the play. Be sure to take a position regarding his personality and
use evidence from the play to support your position.

9. Discuss whether or not the lovers’ fate was written in the stars or if their
“fate” was the result of bad choices and judgments by the parties involved.
Again, use evidence from the play to prove your thesis.

10. Discuss Shakespeare’s many references to both the wedding bed and to
death. You may also wish to include the many instances of foreshadowing
in the play. Be sure to include evidence from the play to support your thesis.

May 22, 2006
Weekly Schedule
for
9th Grade English

Monday, May 22nd:

District Assessment for Literary Analysis

(Ye gads! More testing!)

We are going to briefly go over a cool little lesson plan on how to find the theme of a story, a play or novel.

We will go over the short constructed response and then we will quickly go over the rudiments of how to write an essay in preparation for - yes, you’re right - for writing a five paragraph essay on the theme(s) for “Too Soon A Woman” and Neil Simon’s A Defenseless Creature.

You wll also be given a list of Romeo and Juliet essay topics to choose from to write your essay. The ROMEO AND JULIET essay will be due on Friday, May 26th.


Tuesday, May 23rd:

You will be given time in class to write the district mandated literary analysis of "Too Soon a Woman" and Neil Simon's A DEFENSELESS CREATURE. The window for the grading of the essay closes on May 29th; and grades are due on Tuesday, May 30th. Due to the time constraints, the district mandated essay will be due at the end of the period on Tuesday, May 23rd.


Wednesday, May 24th:

Today we can have some fun! Break into groups, choose an event from Romeo and Juliet and rewrite it in modern American English. We will start presenting these on Friday!


Thursday, May 25th:

Continue working on your scenes.


Friday, May 26th:

Begin presenting your scenes. Don’t forget that you have to have a script with your presentation!

TODAY YOUR ESSAY, YOUR READING LOGS AND YOUR ACTS ONE - FIVE PACKETS FROM ROMEO AND JULIET WILL BE DUE ON FRIDAY, MAY 26TH.


Next week first and second period will begin reading Ender’s Game and fourth period will begin reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Next week we will also return to grammar and vocabulary homework

Weekly Schedule
for
May 15, 2006
9th Grade English

Monday, May 15th:

First and Second Periods:

Review for Act 5 test!

Fourth Period:

Act 5 Test!


Tuesday, May 16th:

CST TODAY!

No second period today!

First Period:

Act 5 Test!

Fourth Period:

Break into groups and rewrite scenes into modern day American.


Wednesday, May 17th:

CST TODAY!

First Period:

Break into groups and work on rewrites of Romeo and Juliet.

Second Period:

Act 5 test today!

No Fourth Period today!









Thursday, May 18th:

First Period:

Break into groups and work on rewrites of Romeo and Juliet.

Second Period:

Break into groups and work on rewrites of Romeo and Juliet.


Friday, May 19th:

First Period:

Present scripts and rewrites of your scenes.

Fourth Period:

Present scripts and rewrites of your scenes.



Your essay, your packets, and your reading log will be due on Monday, May 22nd.

Weekly Schedule
for
May 8, 2006
for 9th Grade English

Monday, May 8th:

We need to finish reading Romeo and Juliet before we begin testing for the CST. So this week we will be concentrating on finishing the play.

First and Second Periods:

Today we will review Act 4, in preparation for the test on Tuesday, May 9th. Please be sure to bring your Act 4 packet. We will go over the vocabulary, the comprehension, the literary terms and the grammar for the test tomorrow.

Fourth Period:

We will have the test over Act 4 today.


Tuesday, May 9th:

First and Second Periods:

Today we will have a test over Act 4.

Fourth Period:

We will begin Act 5 today of Romeo and Juliet. Don’t forget your reading logs!


Wednesday, May 10th:

Read Act 5 today in Romeo and Juliet. Don’t forget your reading logs! Remember, your reading logs will be due when we finish reading the play. It is a major part of your grade!


Thursday, May 11th:

Continue reading Romeo and Juliet today.


Friday, May 12th:

Continue reading Romeo and Juliet.

When we are finished, we will have a final and a major essay over the play. The culminating assignment will be for the class to break into groups, choose an event from the play (the street fight in Act 1, Scene 1 or in Act 3, Scene 2 for example), rewrite it and act it out. You will be graded on the script and the final
presentation of the scene.

May 1st Weekly Schedule for 9th Grade English

May 1st
Weekly Schedule
for
9th Grade English

Monday, May 1st:

Review for Act lll test; go over vocabulary and suspense packet.



Tuesday, May 2nd:

Romeo and Juliet Act lll test
Bring your English Workshop

1st and 2nd Period:

Assign English Workshop; pages 147 - 148; exercises 7 and 8; “Participial
Phrase”; will be due on Thursday, May 4th.

4th Period:

Assign English Workshop; pages 157 - 158; exercises 8 and 9; “Gerunds”. This will be due on Thursday, May 5th.


Wednesday, May 3rd:

Read Romeo and Juliet; Act lV; reading log.

1st and 2nd Period:

Journal: Write ten sentences using ten of your vocabulary words from your vocabulary book; pages 61 - 68, and using participles and participial phrase.

4th Period:

Same but write five sentences with participial phrases and five sentences with gerunds.


Thursday, May 4th:

Shortened day!

Read Romeo and Juliet and work on reading logs.
Collect English Workshop homework.


Friday, May 5th:

Read Romeo and Juliet and work on reading logs.

April 24th Weekly Schedule
for
9th Grade English

Monday, April 24th:

Journal: Write a short story using your vocabulary words on pages 61 - 68 from Vocabulary For High School.

We are going to be reading, acting out, running around with swords and swashbuckling through Act lll of Romeo and Juliet.
And of course, we will do our reading logs!

Vocabulary homework is due today! Vocabulary for the High School Student; pages 61 - 68.

Tuesday, April 25th:

Continue reading, acting out, running around with swords and swashbuckling through Act lll of Romeo and Juliet.
And of course, we will do our reading logs!

First and Second Period:
English Workshop; pages 145 - 146; exercises 5 and 6; “Verbals and Verb Phrases” will be assigned today. The homework will be due on Thursday, April 25th.

Fourth Period:
English Workshop; pages 155 - 156; exercise 7; “Participial Phrases” will be due on Thursday, April 25th.

Wednesday, April 26th:

Work on Act lll Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension packet. When we are finished with Act lll, we will have a test over reading comprehension, vocabulary, and figurative language found in Act lll.

Fun little grammar and vocabulary game today (vocabulary from Vocabulary for the High School Student; pages 61 - 62.)


Thursday, April 27th:

Test over Act lll!

Your grammar is due today!

First and Second Period:

English Workshop; pages 145 - 146; exercises 5 and 6;"Verbals and Verb Phrases" are due today.

Fourth Period:

English Workshop; pages 155 - 156; exercise 7; "Participial Phrases" are due today.

Friday, April 28th:

We will then proceed into Act lV of Romeo and Juliet.