We have read and completed questions and vocabulary for the novel, "The Great Gatsby"  (all 9 chapters). We have identified elements of short story in relation to the novel (plot, character, conflict, theme, setting) and are writing a narrative in regards to the novel.  In addition, we are editing, revising, and re-writing.  We are analyzing diverse formats of the source and determining similarities and differences between the different media sources. We will complete the unit on Gatsby by the end of the week and take our unit test. 

We are working on our career portfolio.  They have been given an informational text describing College and Career ready and wrote a short essay in response to a writing prompt.  Students have identified their strengths and weaknesses for career purposes.  We have looked at how to create a resume and an application cover letter and are finalizing both documents this week.  In addition students have been given a list of 50 most commonly asked interview questions in preparation for a mock interview.  

Students complete the rough draft of their paper, individual proofing and editing, peer editing, and submission of paper.  Continuing career focus, students will begin their career portfolios as I proof rough drafts in prep for final paper submission.  

Continuing with the novel: The Great Gatsby...focus on vocab, theme, character development, and analyzing text to provide textual evidence in response to interpretation and inferences.

Weather has extended our readings into this week...We are continuing to analyze and draw inferences from fiction text.  The Great Gatsby is an awesome read to enforce numerous themes and character development.  The author uses great techniques and word selection to reinforce suspense, create mood and tone.  Also working on time period vocabulary.

Due to weather we extended our paper throughout this week.  We are working on our research in the computer lab.  Title page, outline and rough draft are due Monday the 29th.  

Students will be provided informational text from concerning the 1920's...cultural foundation will be laid to establish setting leading up to the fictional text The Great Gatsby.  Students will be exposed to background information and vocabulary as a preliminary step prior to reading Chapter 1.  By Friday we will have necessary foundation information and will begin reading the novel.

We are writing our research paper:  We will begin with the rough draft and final of the cover page and outline.  By Friday we will have those completed and begin the rough draft of the introductory paragraph.

We are beginning the planning stages of our research paper this week.  We will address topic, plagiarism, and how to paraphrase to avoid plagiarism.  We will also address MLA citations.

We are finishing up The Crucible this week by reading Act 4.  We are continuing to address critical reading skills as well as increase vocabulary.  We are expanding the theme from the 1600s, through the 1950s with McCarthyism, and into the present with current events which may develop into the same hysteria as the two previously mentioned events.

We are reading The Crucible and continuing to address critical thinking skills in reading in a play format, character development, writing skills, as well as language, vocabulary, and listening skills. We continue to link this literary play to the historical event itself as well as to the McCarthy event in the 1950s that motivated the author to write the play.  We are also evaluating how the hysteria of these two historical events could be replaying in today's world as it is linked to the social and political response to more recent events like 9-11 or current terrorist events as seen on news feeds...how has the emotional response of society to recent terrorist activity motivated change over the course of the student's life time? How is it continuing to do so?

 

We will complete Act II  this week.

 

We have completed the Canterbury Tales Prologue and have linked this literary work to informational text regarding the Black Plague.  We are reading two tales from this frame story and are focusing on direct and indirect characterization, identifying theme, as well as grammar, listening, and vocabulary.  We will complete The Pardoner's Tale this week and introduce the theme for the Wife of Bath's Tale.

Hope everyone had a great Fall Break!

This week we will review some World History and the middle ages:  including the Hundred Year's War, The Crusades, and The Black Death.  This will set the stage for The Canterbury Tales.  As we read we will look at Characterization:  indirect and direct, analyze complex sentences, look at past and past perfect tenses.

Hope everyone had a great Fall Break!

This week we will discuss a brief history of the motivation behind Arthur Miller's reasoning for writing The Crucible.  We will assign parts and begin reading the play.  As we read we will address motivations, character development and complex readings.

Hope everyone had a great Fall Break!

This week we will discuss a brief history of the motivation behind Arthur Miller's reasoning for writing The Crucible.  We will assign parts and begin reading the play.  As we read we will address motivations, character development and complex readings.