January 2014

The Odyssey

The Odyssey Essay (40 Points) is due on Thursday, January 9, 2014 by 11:59 PM.  The assignment is listed below.

You will choose one of the topics to use as an essay topic.  Your response must be typed in MLA format and should  be approximately three pages in length.  You must have a Works Cited page as the last page of your document – This is not part of the three page limit.  The paper is to be submitted to turnitin.com.  Please attempt to upload your document in order to keep the MLA formatting.  If you use the cut and paste option, you must also print out a copy of your paper. 

• Some readers contend that Odysseus is not truly heroic because of the ample assistance he receives from the Gods, especially from Athena.  In a well-developed essay, be prepared to write about whether or not you agree or disagree with this assertion.  Use specific evidence from the epic to support your position.

• The hero Odysseus often relies on duplicity, guile, and deceit to achieve his ends.  Thus, a message of The Odyssey is that tactics which involve dishonesty are valuable if used to achieve desirable outcomes.  In a well-developed essay, be prepared to defend, challenge, or qualify the validity of this message.  Use evidence from your reading, observation, and experience to support your position. 

• Some works of literature present a clear picture of the values and attitudes of culture.  From reading of The Odyssey, what can you infer about the personality traits that were admired and valued in ancient Greek culture as embodied in the hero, Odysseus?  In a well-developed essay, write about at least two of these traits, and explain how they contribute to an understanding of the Greek culture of Homer’s time. 

Format:

• 12 Font, Times New Roman, Double-Spaced
• Your Name, My Name, Period, Date in upper left-hand corner
• Approximately 3 pages in length
• 1 inch margins
• Formal Language – No “You,” No Contractions, No Conversational Tone
• Examples from The Odyssey must be used to support your thesis statement! Remember the proper documentation format! Yes…that means quotes are to be used in the response.  If you paraphrase a scene in your own words, you must also properly document.  
• Always have an appropriate blend of quotes, paraphrased material, and analysis/commentary.   
• Documentation format for this poetic form of the epic is as follows:  (Homer Book. Line #) à (Homer X. 10-15).

Vocabulary

 

Unit 3 Vocabulary Test (20 Points) will be given on Tuesday, January 14.  Please prepare for it by studying the words.  This includes synonyms, antonyms,  definitions, etc. 

http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/iwords.cfm?sp=student&level=D

http://quizlet.com/206838/sadlier-oxford-vocabulary-workshop-level-d-unit-3-flash-cards/

 

World Mythology Presentation

 

Instructions for this project will be given to you upon your return from break.  You will be working on this presentation during the week of January 6th and will begin presenting during the week of January 13th.  This presentation will  be the last grade of the marking period. 

 

Exam Preparation

 

I will be giving you a review sheet on Friday, January 17.  In the meantime, you should begin to gather your notes and PowerPoint presentations from the first two marking periods.  I will be returning old tests and quizzes in order for you to use them for studying purposes. 

The Odyssey

PUNCTUATION FOCUS
Please review the rules of when to use commas and try some of the exercises.  Use the websites below:

Rules:  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/1/ 

Exercises:  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/3/5/

THE ODYSSEY

Due Friday, December 13:  Practice AP Multiple Choice Test for Book V

The following are the due dates for the reading of The Odyssey:

Due Thursday, Dec. 5:  Book I --  "A Goddess Intervenes" (Pages 1-15)
Due Monday, Dec. 9:  Book V -- "Sweet Nymph and Open Sea" (Pages 81-95)
Due Wednesday, Dec. 11:  Book IX -- "New Coasts and Poseidon's Son" (Pages 145-161)
Due Friday, Dec. 13:  Book X -- "The Grace of the Witch"  (Pages 165-182)
Due Monday, Dec. 16:  Book XI -- "A Gathering of Shades"  (Pages 185-206)
Due Wednesday, Dec. 18:  Book XII -- "Sea Perils and Defeat" (Pages 209-225)

The Odyssey Test will be on Friday, December 20, 2013. 

The Odyssey Resources:

Use this website to get a short version or a longer version of what happens in the books that you are finding difficult to understand and also to get a brief summary of the books we will not be reading in The Odyssey:
  http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/index.html 

Use this website to gain a better understanding of the epic, the important themes and events found in each book, and some significant quotes from the epic:
 http://www.leasttern.com/HighSchool/odyssey/OdysseySG.html 

Learn about ancient Greece (Great Interactive Website):
 http://carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/GREECE/home.html

War Horse Viewing:  Thursday, November 21-Tuesday, November 26

Final Research Paper -- Monday, November 25: 

Post your research paper with the works cited page to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM.  You must bring a printed copy of the final paper with the works cited page to class on Tuesday, November 26.  In order for your paper not to be considered late, the turnitin.com due date and the printed copy due date both must be followed.

Vocabulary (Level D Workbook):  Unit 2 Test -- Tuesday, November 26

Links to help study the words:

http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/levels_a2h.cfm

http://quizlet.com/1250541/sadlier-oxford-vocabulary-workshop-level-d-unit-2-flash-cards/

Wednesday, November 27:  A Day of Laughter!

So...enough about war...Bring in a joke, an appropriate YouTube clip, or anything to make us laugh!  Make sure it is school appropriate! 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Plagiarism Test:
Try and complete the on-line plagiarism test by Friday, November 15.
Bring in the certificate and the signed handout provided in class.

Research Paper --
Rough Draft:  Tuesday, November 19 *note change in due date
Final Draft:  Monday, November 25

Quiz --
Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz:  Tuesday, November 26

Enjoy your four day weekend.  Rest, relax, and enjoy!

October/November

Vocabulary:  Unit 1

Vocabulary Test will be on Monday, November 4. 

You will be responsible to learn the vocabulary words in Unit 1.  The unit starts on page 21 of your Vocabulary Workshop Level D Vocabulary book.  You may use the exercises in the book for practice or you may want to create notecards to learn the words.  Do not just study the definitions of each word; you must also know parts of speech, synonyms, and antonyms.  Remember, do not write in the book. 

Vocabulary Websites for creating notecards, playing vocabulary games, and taking pre-tests:

http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/levels_a2h.cfm

http://quizlet.com/12900108/unit-1-sadlier-oxford-vocabulary-workshop-level-d-flash-cards/

Night:  Socratic Seminar

Please review the handout provided in class.  Come to class on Wednesday, November 6 to have a discussion on Night.  You must have your books and notes with you.  Please inform me if you will not be here on November 6 for this discussion. 

 

Research Process and Paper: 

Please review the handout provided in class on what is expected of you during the research paper process.  You will have four days in the library to prepare.  The first due date is listed below:

Friday, November 1:  Notes, Works Cited, Thesis Statement, and Organizational Outline. 

All Quiet on the Western Front

Reading Due Dates:

Due Tuesday, Oct. 8:  Chapters 1-4
Due Friday, Oct. 11:  Chapter 5 & 6
Due Tuesday, Oct. 15:  Chapters 7 & 8
*Due Monday, Oct. 21:  Finish Novel

*note change in due date

End Test for All Quiet on the Western Front:

Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23

Quote Analysis Section
True/False Section
Character Matching Section
Multiple Choice Section
In-class Writing Prompt

This is a major test.  Please make sure you have read and understand the entire novel, you review your notes and handouts, and review the outside resource website listed below. 

Computer Lab #438 Dates for Webquest:

Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16

World War I Website
http://www.worldwar1.com/reflib.htm

The Christmas Truce
http://www.fylde.demon.co.uk/xmas.htm

Outside Resource:

 http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/suss97677  
(The above link is for the Gale On-Line database Mrs. Fenlon shared with you.  Look in your planner for the password you must use.  Once you have access to it, Click on The Gale Virtual Reference Library only.  Once you get into the Reference Library, type in All Quiet on the Western Front in the Search box.)

 http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/all_quiet.pdf 

The Effect of War Unit

Due Wednesday, Oct. 2:  Have "War" read for class.

Homework:

• Finish reading "Marriage is a Private Affair" and do the questions:  Due Monday, Sept. 16!  This assignment will be given to you on Friday, September 13.  You will have the period to work on it.  

• Literature Circle Book - Part I Reading and Assignment:  Due Tuesday, Sept. 17!
• Literature Circle Book - Part II Reading and Assignment:  Due Wednesday, Sept. 25!

**********************************

Unit 1 of 9 Honors World Literature:  Below is a brief synopsis of what we will be doing during the first few weeks of school.

As 9^th grade English students, you will be exposed to many different cultures this year through films, literary works, and nonfiction.  What can we learn from reading articles and stories and from viewing films about different cultures?   Why is it so important for young students in today’s society to be exposed to these different cultures?  Although both of these questions will be revisited throughout the year, it is how I would like to begin your first marking period of 9^th grade English.

You will be using the film we will be watching, the articles we will be reviewing, and the short stories and novel we will be reading this marking period to help answer the above questions.  Eventually, you will answer the question in a formal thesis paper.  All of the tools you will need to be a successful high school English student will be given to you during the first marking period.

The following are the items we will be working on over the next marking period:

·         Quote Analyss

·         Critical Thinking Skills

·         Writing Skills (Thesis Statements, Paragraph Organization, MLA format, Citations, Works Cited Page, etc.)

To learn and strengthen these skills we will use the following for our discussions:

·         Summer Reading Choice

·         The Sirens of Baghdad, The Swallows of Kabul, or The Attack by Yasmina Khadra

·         “Marriage is a Private Affair” (http://peopleandstories.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/marriage-is-a-private-affair.pdf) and other selections from World Literature: An Anthology of Great Short Stories, Drama, and Poetry

·         Osama

·         2012 summer and fall current event articles from around the world

·         Nonfiction Sample

TAKING NOTES...

You are required to take notes while reading and viewing films.  During the first unit, your notes should focus on the essential questions listed above. 

The following will help you when it comes time to write our first thesis paper and therefore should also be a part of your notes: 

·         Where does the story take place? 

·         What culture is being discussed?

·         What is the conflict involved in the work?

·         Who are the main characters?  (spell the names correctly)

·         List the most important things you have learned about the country and culture being discussed. Include author and page number after each example.

·         Write down quotes you can use in a thesis paper to support new information you have learned about the culture being studied and quotes that will help support why it is important to study World Literature, foreign films, nonfiction pieces, and current events. Make sure the quotes you choose are significant.   It can be something someone says or it can be part of the narration.  Include author and page numbers. 

 

Final Exam Review Sheet

You must review all notes, powerpoints, webquests, tests, etc. from the second semester. The exam will include a literary term section, important contributors to World Literature and Drama section, vocabulary section, quote analysis section, and a writing prompt. The following information will be very helpful for studying:

Terms:

Vignette

Imagery

Metaphor

Simile

Synesthesia

Sonnet

Blank Verse

Flat Character

Round Character

Dynamic Character

Stock Character

Static Character

Foil

Oxymoron

Malapropism

Allusion

Anachronism

Rhetoric

Couplet

Magical Realism

Soliloquy

Aside

Concealment

Syntax

Diction

Prose

Allegory

People:

Niki Caro

Aeschylus

William Shakespeare

Thespis

Paulo Coelho

Henrik Ibsen

Sophocles

Sandra Cisneros

Works:

Hedda Gabler

A Doll’s House

Romeo and Juliet

Julius Caesar

The House on Mango Street

Oedipus

Antigone

The Alchemist

The Whale Rider

Rabbit Proof Fence

Minority Report

Vocabulary:

Units 4,5,6, and 7

Shakespeare and Elizabethan Theater Background Test -- Thursday, May 30
(You must study for this test!   Review PowerPoint handout, How William Became Shakespeare (CD) notes*,  and the Computer Scavenger Hunt, as well as the Globe Theater handouts.)

*If you missed the How William Became Shakespeare CD, I will be happy to stay after school on Tuesday, May 28 for you to listen to the CD.  It is about 40 minutes in length.  If that doesn't work for you, please see me during your lunch period between now and May 28.  I will let you borrow the CD for the period.  You may go to the library and listen to it on a computer.  You will need your headphones.

Julius Caesar:  Acts IV and V --Monday, June 3 (*notice the due date has changed from Friday, May 31 to June 3)

Romeo and Juliet:  End Test-- Tuesday, June 4 (*notice the date has changed from Friday, May 31 to Tuesday, June 4)
This will include an objective section and an essay section. 

Julius Caesar End Test -- TBD
This will include an objective section and an essay section.

Romeo and Juliet Skit:  "Save Romeo and Juliet..."  -- TBD

Literature Circle Books:  Depending on our time, I would like to end the year with you being part of a literature circle group.  Possible works include:  The Stranger, Animal Farm, Purple Hibiscus, Nectar in a Sieve, Walkabout, or a Yasmina Khadra novel you did not read yet.

Online texts:
http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/

http://shakespeare.mit.edu/julius_caesar/index.html

Study guides:
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/romeoscenes.html

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/juliusscenes.html

Romeo and Juliet & Julius Caesar

Listed below are due dates and upcoming tests/quizzes.

Vocabulary:  Unit 7 Quiz -- Thursday, May 23  (study definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, antonyms, and spelling)

Julius Caesar:  Acts II and III -- Thursday, May 23

Shakespeare and Elizabethan Theater Background Test -- Thursday, May 30
(You must study for this test!   Review PowerPoint handout, How William Became Shakespeare (CD) notes*,  and the Computer Scavenger Hunt, as well as the Globe Theater handouts.)

*If you missed the How William Became Shakespeare CD, I will be happy to stay after school on Tuesday, May 28 for you to listen to the CD.  It is about 40 minutes in length.  If that doesn't work for you, please see me during your lunch period between now and May 28.  I will let you borrow the CD for the period.  You may go to the library and listen to it on a computer.  You will need your headphones.

 Julius Caesar:  Acts IV and V --  TBD

Romeo and Juliet & Julius Caesar End Test -- TBD
This will include an objective section and an essay section.

Romeo and Juliet Skit:  "Save Romeo and Juliet..."  -- TBD

Literature Circle Books:  Depending on our time, I would like to end the year with you being part of a literature circle group.  Possible works include:  The Stranger, Animal Farm, Purple Hibiscus, Nectar in a Sieve, Walkabout, or a Yasmina Khadra novel you did not read yet.

Online texts:
http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/

http://shakespeare.mit.edu/julius_caesar/index.html

Study guides:
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/romeoscenes.html

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/juliusscenes.html

Shakespeare Unit

Romeo and Juliet:  We will begin viewing Romeo and Juliet this week.  If you miss a day of the film Romeo and Juliet, you will be responsible for reading the scenes you missed in class. I will provide you a copy of the play.

Julius Caesar:  Act I and the study guide are due on Wednesday.  Please use the study guide sheet to take notes for our discussion on Wednesday. 

May is the month for many exciting trips for 9th grade students.  Please remember you are responsible for any work you miss in class.  Please remind me a day in advance if you will be missing class. 

Shakespeare Unit

End Test on A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler will take place on Monday, May 6.

The following websites will be used for the webquest you will be completing in class on Monday and Tuesday for our Shakespeare Unit:   

Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare Background Webquest

http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/

http://www.renfaire.com/   

http://elizabethan.org 

http://www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-theatre-facts.htm 

http://www.william-shakespeare.info/site-map.htm

 

Julius Caesar Webquest:

http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html

A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler

Act II of A Doll's House - due Monday, April 29
Act III of A Doll's House - due Wednesday, May 1
A Doll's House Socratic Seminar and Diction Assignment - due Thursday, May 2 (Bring book to class, too!)
Hedda Gabler and A Doll's House End Test - Monday, May 6 (Review the Background PowerPoint given to you at the beginning of the unit)

The House on Mango Street

Vignette Project:  Your completed project is due Monday, April 22.  Please review the directions given to you in class.  You will be penalized a letter grade lower for each day it is late.  Below is the rubric I will be using to grade these projects:

Cover Page
Title/Name/Date/Period/Appearance/Creativity -- 5 Points

Vignettes
Creativity/Appearance/Titles -- 10 points
Content:  Details/Development/Format -- 15 Points
Understanding Author's Style:  Syntax/Diction/Figurative --  15 Points

Overall Content 
Typing Errors/Spelling issues/Other -- 10 Points

************************

 The women on Mango Street vignettes and chart need to be completed by Wednesday, April 17. 

Vignette Project Due Dates

We will have a writing workshop day on Friday, April 12.  This will allow you to work on vignettes, edit vignettes, ask questions, peer evaluate, etc.  Feel free to bring in your headphones.  All five rough drafts are due on Monday, April 15.  Final vignette project will be due Monday, April 22. 

• "The House on __________________" similar to "The House on Mango Street"  (page 3)

• Family vignette similar to "Hairs" (page 6)

• Name vignette similar to "My Name" (page 10)

• Neighborhood vignette similar to "Cathy Queen of Cats,"  "Louie, His Cousin...," and "The Earl of Tennessee" OR  create a vignette similar to "Those Who Don't" vignette found on page 28.

• "A House of My Own" copy change similar to the one found on page 108. 

The House on Mango Street Vignettes

Due Thursday, April 11:

• A rough draft of your "My Name" vignette
• Read "The House on Mango Street" vignette on pages 3-5.
• Create a rough draft of your own "The House on _______Street"  (Review the requirements found on the assignment sheet I gave you on Monday.)
• Read the "Hairs" vignette on page 6 and come into class with an idea for your own vignette on your family (Review the requirements for this vignette. You will not be allowed to use hairs as your metaphor.)

The House on Mango Street

The House on Mango Street Assignments:

• Please complete the handout on My Name in preparation for our class discussion on Thursday, March 28.
• Please have the Women on Mango Street handout completed before we go on break.  It should be done by the end of the class on Thursday! You must read the assigned vignettes on the handout in order to complete the chart.
• Although you are not required to read this book over break, some of you may want to read The House on Mango Street from start to finish.  Eventually, you will have to do this upon our return to school.

Vocabulary Unit 6:
Test Tuesday, April 9

Due Dates

Quote Book:  
A Guide to One's Personal Legend due Friday, March 22 (If needed, you can use the weekend to finish it up and turn it in to me by Monday, March 25)

Essay-Fate vs. Free-will Essay:

• The Minority Report, The Alchemist, Oedipus compared to your thoughts on Fate vs. Free-Will
• Include a works cited page as the last page of the document
• Use turnitin.com to upload the paper by Tuesday, March 26 by 11:59PM.
• Each day late - a letter grade lower! 

 The Instructions for Fate vs. Free-will Essay:

Winston Churchill once said, “I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and this trial.”  Presumably, Churchill alludes to some belief in destiny.  Take time to ponder your thoughts on the topic of destiny.  Is there such a thing as fate or destiny that predetermines the actions of our lives?  Or are we free to choose our own course in life?  Either way, you are to formulate your opinion on the topic of fate vs. free-will.  Show how your opinion is different or similar to the views being expressed in the Oedipus the King, Minority Report, The Alchemist, and if possible “DNA as Destiny.” Organize your thoughts before you begin writing.  This is to be a formal response in MLA format.  All formal paper rules apply.  Do include a works cited page as the last page of your document.  Please use turnitin.com to submit your paper.  The paper should be approximately 2-3 pages in length.  Late papers will be penalized a letter grade for each day that it is late.  

 

Unit 6 Vocabulary Quiz:
Study vocabulary words for quiz on Tuesday, April 9

The House on Mango Street:
The reading of this novel will begin on Monday, March 25.  I will provide you with reading and writing assignments in class.  This work and the assignments for this work will be included in your fourth marking period grade.

The Alchemist Webquest Websites

Answer the questions on the handout by using the websites listed below.  I do not want you doing a google search. You are not allowed to copy and paste information into a Word Document.  Instead, take handwritten notes (in your own words) on the handout or on white-lined notebook paper.  I have also provided the questions found on the handout below these links.  Therefore, no excuses as to why you have not been able to complete the webquest. Please stay focused.  If you do not completed the webquest today, we do have the lab again for tomorrow. 

http://www.crystalinks.com/alchemyindex.html  (Check out the index of this website)

http://www.crystalinks.com/alchemy.html   (Background information on alchemy)

http://www.crystalinks.com/philosopherstone.html  (Philosopher’s Stone information)

http://www.crystalinks.com/alchemists.html   (Famous Alchemists)

http://www.alchemylab.com/directory.htm  (Check out the index of this website-famous alchemists, emerald tablet, etc.)

http://www.alchemylab.com/what_is_alchemy.htm  (More information on alchemy-connections)

http://www.alchemylab.com/AJ1-1.htm   (More information on alchemy)

http://www.necronomi.com/magic/hermeticism/ALCHEMY1.txt  (More information on alchemy)

http://www.levity.com/alchemy/alchem-a.html  (Alchemy laboratories in art)

http://www.levity.com/alchemy/alchlab.html (Alchemy laboratory picture)

 Questions:

I.             Define the Craft (What is Alchemy?  What does an alchemist do?)

II.           Making Connections (Alchemy is a subject, a field of study.  List and discuss two other subjects to which alchemy is related or similar.)

III.          Describe an Alchemist’s Laboratory (What things can be found in the laboratory based off of pictures and paintings you see on the Internet?)

IV.         Famous Alchemists (List two famous alchemists and what they have done.)

V.           Philosopher’s Stone (What is the Philosopher’s stone?  The Philosopher’s Stone has been mentioned in novels, comics, films, and even video games – Can you think of any specific examples?)

VI.         Personal Legend Connection

After doing all other parts of the webquest, answer the following questions in complete sentences: 

What does Alchemy have to do with finding one’s personal legend?

Why would Paulo Coelho call a book about following one’s dream The Alchemist?