|
|
| Syllabus
| First Quarter's Assignments | Revised:
Sept. 2, 2010 | |
Week
of August 16 to 20 (Beginning of first quarter and first semester) |
| Mon | First
day of class: Class introductions. English I as part of the Prep English sequence
and the NAD Curriculum
Guide (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing). What experience
do you already have with these processes? Distribute copies of course
syllabus. Begin Assignment #1: - [Appropriate
salutation] Mrs. Dibben, You need to know . . .
- In
order for me to be successful in English class, I need . . .
- I
think this class would be extra fun if we could . . .
Turn
in Assignment #1 if complete. Otherwise, file in "In Progress" section
of English binder.
Hmwk:
Finish reading course syllabus before class tomorrow.
By Wednesday, send to Mrs. Dibben (PrepEnglish@yahoo.com)
a photo of yourself doing something fun this summer. Also by Wednesday, organize
English binder--using instructions in course syllabus.
|
| Tues | Complete
Assignment #1 and submit. Intro
to writing journal entries, rationale for journal writing, and journaling as part
of the writing process. Journal Writing #1 (Be prepared to share answers
to items #1 & 2 with classmates by way of introduction.): - What
was the BEST part of your summer?
- Brag
on yourself about something you've done in the last 12 months of which you are
very proud.
- What I need
to accomplish this school year . . .
- This
year will be the same . . .
- This
year will be different . . .
Share
and introduce selves. Writing
sample: person you admire, story, or description of your favorite place.
Hmwk:
Finish organizing English class notebooks. (These will be left in the English
classroom on Wednesday for their initial check.) Finish writing sample before
class tomorrow. Also, send to Mrs. Dibben (PrepEnglish@yahoo.com)
a photo of yourself doing something fun this summer (if you haven't already done
so). |
| Wed | Collect
writing samples finished as hmwk. Intro English
website. Learning
styles resources: Introduction,
Survey,
Four
Learning Styles.
(Print out results to file in English binder.) No hmwk.
Leave
notebooks in classroom for initial check. (For
full credit, you need to have a notebook, five tabs--correctly labelled and in
right order, a syllabus in "Handouts" section, Writing #1 in the "Journal"
section, and your name on the front cover and/or spine.) |
| Fri | No
Class: Whole-School Fine Arts Field Trip to SF |
| Week
of August 23 to 27 |
| Mon | [Shortened
class period for Week of Prayer] Intro to spelling
list. Spelling pre-test. Syllabus
quiz (open syllabus). Learning
styles resources: Introduction,
Survey,
Four Learning Styles
Hmwk:
Follow links to Spelling
guidelines and spelling
strategies. Print out the pages (you might not want to print
the background on the second one) and put them into the "Notes" section
of your binder. As you read, mark (underline? highlight? draw arrows?) on the
printout to help you remember the best strategies for you. Put the results of
your Learning
Style Survey in the "Handouts" section of your binder.
(I can print out copies for students who have difficulty accessing a computer
and/or printer. Just ask.) |
| Tues | [Shortened
class period for Week of Prayer] Finish
syllabus quiz (started yesterday). Complete Learning Styles survey (and
print out results). Distibute
handouts for those who experienced difficulties accessing a computer and/or printer
last night. Distribute and read Backpack
Basics. Read Spelling
guidelines and spelling
strategies--if your haven't already done so. Grammar and mechanics
pre-test.
Hmwk:
Study for spelling
quiz (Friday). Finish reading--if not completed in class. |
| Wed | No
Class: Whole-School Field Trip to Ball Game
Hmwk:
Study for spelling
quiz (Friday). |
| Fri | [Shortened
class period for Week of Prayer] Spelling
quiz. Complete grammar and mechanics pre-test. Journal
Writing #2 (Untimed: What are your hopes for your experience at Prep this year?
Write a prayer for yourself, for Prep). Read aloud Rudyard Kipling's "How
the Rhinocerous Got His Skin." (Students who want to may draw quietly
during the reading.) No hmwk. |
| Week
of August 30 to September 3 |
| Mon | Spelling
pre-test. Investigate
strategies. Discuss/describe strategies for success that are appropriate
for different learning styles. Option: Partner with a classmate who shares your
learning style (if this is helpful for your learning style). Journal Writing #3
(In a format that is appropriate to your learning style, prepare a collection
of strategies that can help you be successful in English class.
Hmwk: Complete
Journal Writing #3, if not completed in class. |
| Tues | Notes
on board reviewing how to write a pragraph. Intro writing assignment about your
favorite book. Why is this book your favorite? Write a paragraph about your favorite
book. Start with an interesting topic sentence, continue with examples, illustrations,
explanations, and/or stories to support your topic sentence. End with an appropriate
capping sentence.
Hmwk: Finish handwriting your favorite-book paragraph.
|
| Wed | Due:
Handwritten paragraph on your favorite book. Analyze your paragraph for the revision
stage of the writing process. Does it: - Start
with an interesting topic sentence?
- Contain
supporting examples, illustrations, explanations, and/or stories that support
the topic sentence?
-
End with an appropriate capping sentence?
Revise
your paragraph to fix any structural and/or content issues. Word
process the paragraph. Due Friday at the end of class. (Save all previous drafts
to submit with latest draft.) Make sure your computer draft is accessible in class
Friday.
Hmwk: Study for spelling
quiz. |
| Fri | Spelling
quiz. Proofreading
stage of the writing process: techniques and tricks. Now is the time to check
for spelling, punctuation, grammatical, and word choice glitches. Do your sentences
communicate as you want them to? Also, at the proofreading stage, we take care
of final writing format (double spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman; name, course,
assignment, and date single-spaced in the upper-left corner--NOT in the margin).
After you have proofread your paragraph and made all changes, print out the final
draft AND save it as a NEW Pages file (with a NEW file name) on your USB drive
or in your web-based email inbox (so that you can access this final draft in class
next time we meet. Turn final draft in with all previous drafts (behind final
draft). No hmwk. |
| Week
of September 6 to 10 |
| Mon | No
School: Labor Day |
| Tues | Review
with students how to check grades on RENweb. Intro RENweb assignment (for next
week). Pass back papers. File returned papers in "Returned Papers" section
of notebook. Go over paragraph writing assignment. Revisit the revision
stage of the writing process: - Does
your paragraph have a clear, general topic sentence--that can be supported by
evidence from the book? (Ex: "This book makes me feel good" canNOT be
supported from evidence within a book.)
- Are
your examples really strong and as detailed as needed to get your main point across?
- Are you showing--rather
than just telling?
Revise
paragraphs to include more/better/stronger examples. Really make the REASON you
love this book OBVIOUS to the reader by SHOWING, not just telling.
Journal
Writing #3 (Untimed/group: Underdogs. Definition, Bible story example/s,
sports story, story from your own life, fairytale/myth, movie, novel). Intro unit
of stories about underdogs (those expected to lose but who end up as winners).
Hmwk:
Read
"The Brave Little
Tailor." |
| Wed | Reading
quiz: "The Brave
Little Tailor."
Journal Writing #4 (What about the tailor's life would lead you to expect him
to lose--be an underdog? What are the circumstances of the story that allow the
tailor to be successful? What has to happen for him to be successful at each turn?
What about the tailor himself makes him successful?) Discuss "The
Brave Little Tailor."
Continue revision stage of the paragraph writing assignment. Make sure
you have a clear, general topic sentence--that can be supported by evidence from
the book. Then, go for really strong, detailed examples that illustrate your topic
sentence. (See revision questions above.) Word process a new draft of your paragraph--if
you haven't already. Turn in new final draft by end of class on Friday.
Hmwk:
Study for spelling quiz. |
| Fri | [Publication
Workshop] Spelling quiz. Due: New final
draft of favorite-book paragraph. Intro Turnitin.com.
Join English 9 at Turnitin.com. Follow student
instructions handout. Finish proofreading, and save final draft of paragraph.
Convert to a Word doc, and submit final draft of favorite-book paragraph to Turnitin.com
by end of class. No hmwk. |
| Week
of September 13 to 17 (Midterm) |
| Mon | NB:
Bring Bibles to class. Spelling
pre-test. Intro RENweb and grade printout assignment (due Friday). Read story
of David and Goliath from I Samuel 16 & 17. Journal Writing #5 (Reflect on
David's story as an example of an underdog story. What evidence supports this
idea? What are the circumstances of this Bible story that allow David to be successful?
What about David would lead you to expect him to lose against the giant? What
do David's brothers think of his abilities? Compare this story to "The Brave
Little Tailor.") Discuss story. No hmwk.
Hmwk: Complete Journal
Writing #5. |
| Tues | *
* * * * * * * Not accurate below this line * * * * * * * * * Underdog
stories. Read aloud Jacobs
version of "Jack and the Beanstalk." Journal #6 (Draw while you
are listing to the story to help you focus on details). Begin reading Lang
version of "Jack and the Beanstalk."
Hmwk: Finish reading
Lang version of "Jack
and the Beanstalk." Notice differences between the two stories. Underdog
stories. Reading quiz. Journal Writing #7 (Note differences between versions of
"Jack and the Beanstalk." What purpose do variations serve? What is
the moral/lesson of each version. Are the morals of the stories different? How?)
Discuss differences between two versions of the "Jack and the Beanstalk"
story.
Hmwk:
Hmwk: Finish
proofreading paragraphs. Export Pages file as a Word doc to prepare final drafts.
Save on USB drive and/or in email inbox so that you can access the file tomorrow
in class. Underdog stories.
Read "Lazy
Jack" (an Appalachian Jack tale). Read "Wonder
Tales in Appalachia."
Hmwk:
Finish reading "Lazy
Jack" (an Appalachian Jack tale) and "Wonder
Tales in Appalachia." Print out your English 9 grades from RENweb. (If
you don't know how to access your grades on RENweb, see Miss Smith in the office.
She can help.) Bring printout to class by Friday. No printout? No credit! |
| Wed | Reading
quiz. Begin notes on the underdog stories that we have read so far: For
each story, identify: - Why
the protagonist is considered an underdog and
- Why/how
the underdog ends up being successful. Note whether the success is because of
his/her own abilities or because of external forces.
Keep
these notes in the "Notes" section of your notebook.
Hmwk:
Finish up notes started in class today--for all the stories we've read so far.
Print out your English 9 grades from RENweb--if you haven't done this already.
The final day for credit for this assignment is Friday, this week. Study for spelling
quiz. |
| Fri | Spelling
pre-test (for next week). Due:
RENweb printout of English grade. Spelling
quiz. Check off completed notes (started in class on Wed). Begin reading Esther
(the Bible's Cinderella story). No hmwk. |
| Week
of September 20 to 24 |
| Mon | No
Class: Standardized Tests. |
| Tues | No
Class: Standardized Tests. |
| Wed | No
Class: Standardized Tests. |
| Fri | Spelling
quiz. Reading quiz: Esther
1-4. Continue with Esther. Work
on Esther
Reading Comprehension Questions. (Answers should be filed in "In Progress"
section of binder.)
Hmwk: Complete Esther
Reading Comprehension Questions through Chpt. 4. Check
off hmwk (through Chpt. 4). Underdog stories. Bring Bibles to class. Story of
Esther. Continue reading Esther. Continue working on Esther
Reading Comprehension Questions. (Answers should be filed in "In Progress"
section of binder.) Complete Chpts. 5-6 in class today. Continue writing underdog
notes started last week.
Hmwk:
Continue reading Esther. Continue working on Esther
Reading Comprehension Questions. Have Esther
Reading Comprehension Questions completed before beginning of class tomorrow. Check
off completed answers for Esther
Reading Comprehension Questions. Introduce other "Cinderella" tales.
Read the Charles
Perrault version of the Cinderella tale, "Cinderella; or, The Little Glass
Slipper." Continue writing underdog notes started earlier. (Include notes
on a Disney version of the story--your choice which one).
Hmwk:
Study for spelling quiz. Finish reading
"Cinderella;
or, The Little Glass Slipper" --if you didn't finish in class. Read
aloud another version of the Cinderella tale: Princess Furball, by Charlotte
Huck. (Students may draw while listening--if this helps focus.) Discuss various
morals/messages of different Cinderella stories. Journal Writing #8 (Untimed:
What do you think the Cinderella tale is really about? Is it about bravery? Rags-to-riches
success? Beauty? Goodness? Nobility of spirit? Grace in the face of adversity?
Do different versions have different moral/themes? Why might a society want its
children to understand the story of Cinderella?) Add Princess Furball to
underdog notes in your binder. No hmwk. |
| Week
of September 27 to October 1 |
| Mon | Spelling
pre-test. Questions for discussion about the "odd" messages of best-known
Cinderella tale (Perrault):
- Are only beautiful
people good and vice versa?
- Is
every woman's supreme ambition to marry a prince/king?
- Can/should
one pick a spouse by appearances?
- Does
"goodness" mean being a doormat for unpleasant people?
Read
aloud another version of the Cinderella tale: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters,
by John Steptoe (an African version of the Cinderella tale). Continue working
on underdog notes. Add latest
stories to notes.
Hmwk: Finish updating underdog notes. |
| Tues | Begin
reading individually: "Fair,
Brown, and Trembling," an Irish Cinderella tale. Add info to your underdog
notes. Read aloud Sleeping Ugly, by Jane Yolen--a tale in which the ugly
girl gets the prince and the beautiful princess gets just what she deserves. Is
this a parody of the Cinderella story?
Hmwk: Study for spelling
quiz. Finish reading "Fair,
Brown, and Trembling." (Reading quiz tomorrow). Add info to your underdog
notes if you didn't finish doing so in class. |
| Wed | Spelling
quiz. Reading quiz: "Fair,
Brown, and Trembling." Discuss "Fair,
Brown, and Trembling." as a Cinderella tale. Begin test
review questions about underdog stories.
Hmwk: Complete reading
of any underdog stories that you haven't finished. Add latest stories to your
underdog notes. Continue working on test
review questions about underdog stories. |
| Fri |
[Rio Football Tournament] Read aloud The King's Equal, by Katherine Anne
Patterson. No hmwk. |
| Week
of October 4 to 8 |
| Mon | Spelling
pre-test. Go over returned quiz and remind students about common standard English
spelling and rules of capitalization that need to be used in all public writing.
Go over paragraph writing assignment. Optional re-write--with graded draft--due
Wednesday (at the beginning of class). Test
review questions about underdog stories. (Due just before test. No review
with you in class? No credit.)
Hmwk: Finish studying for underdog stories
test. (Accepted ONLY just before you take the test.) If you have time, you could
work on the optional re-write of your paragraph. (Due Wednesday, at the beginning
of class). |
| Tues | Due:
Test review. (Accepted only
just before the test.) Test: Underdog stories.
Optional hmwk:
Finish up the optional re-write of your book paragraph. (Due at the beginning
of class on Wednesday. Include graded draft.) |
| Wed | Due:
Optional re-write of book paragraph (include graded draft). Begin reading "The
Necklace," Guy de Maupassant (pp. 169-175). Journal Writing #9 (Untimed:
"Honesty is the best policy." Why do some people ignore this good advice?)
Chose response option: do qstns #3-10 & 14 (p. 176) OR "Personal Writing"
(p. 177). Pass back papers.
Hmwk: Study for spelling
quiz. Finish reading "The
Necklace," Guy de Maupassant (pp. 169-175). (Grace abounds! Complete
paragraph re-write.) |
| Fri | Due
(grace!): Paragraph re-write. Spelling
quiz. Reading quiz. Continue with "The Necklace" response option started
in class on Wednesday. Read "Symbol" (p. 176), and do qstns. #1-3. No
hmwk. |
| Week
of October 11 to 15 (End of first quarter) |
| Mon | Spelling
pre-test. (Students who didn't finish Friday's work should do so now.) Journal
Writing #10 (Daydreams). Begin "The
Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (pp. 116-120).
Hmwk: Finish Journal
#10 (Daydreams) and finish reading "The
Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (pp. 116-120). |
| Tues | Reading
quiz: "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (pp. 116-120). "Walter
Mitty" Daydream Story Assignment. Work on writing assignment: thinking/planning
stage of the writing process. Begin drafting.
Hmwk: Complete rough draft
of "Walter Mitty"
Daydream Story Assignment. |
| Wed | Check
off rough draft. Continue "The
Secret Life of Walter Mitty" Circle the daydreams in your story. (What
is not circled is the frame story, or frame narrative.) Have you developed the
daydreams sufficiently? Can your reader "see" the action--as in the
Walter Mitty daydream sequences? Distibute Walter
Mitty Self-Critique form.
Hmwk: Study for spelling
quiz. Complete word-processed draft of your daydream writing. Print out a hard
copy and have it in class on Friday. Also, make sure you can access the current
file of your writing in class. (Bring it on your USB drive or send the file to
yourself by email so it's in your email inbox.) |
| Fri | Spelling
quiz. Check off word-processed hard copy of daydream writing. Continue with "Walter
Mitty" Daydream Story Assignment. Peer reviewing. [Walter
Mitty Peer-Review Form]
Hmwk (only if you didn't finish in class):
Make a hard copy of your daydream writing--incorporating the suggestions of your
peer reviewer (if you think they are helpful. Don't incorporate changes that you
know are wrong!). Print out hard copy of revised-revised draft, and bring it to
class on Monday. Be able to access the latest version of the computer file. (Save
it to your USB drive and/or put it in your email inbox). This should be a REVISED
version of the writing you had checked off at the beginning of class today. |