The Odyssey

Final Research Paper - Due Monday, December 15.

The following are the books we will be reading from The Odyssey.  The reading due dates will be announced in class.

Book I --  "A Goddess Intervenes" (Pages 1-15)  Book I is due on Thursday, December 11 
Book V -- "Sweet Nymph and Open Sea" (Pages 81-95) Book V is due on Tuesday, December 16
Book IX -- "New Coasts and Poseidon's Son" (Pages 145-161) Book IX is due on Thursday, December 18
Book X -- "The Grace of the Witch"  (Pages 165-182) Book X is due on Monday, December 22
Book XI -- "A Gathering of Shades"  (Pages 185-206)
Book XII -- "Sea Perils and Defeat" (Pages 209-225)

Take notes as you are reading and complete any study guides provided to you in class.

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 

The following website also provides a summary of what happens in each book.  It provides a chronology of The Odyssey and a thematic structure of Odysseus' wanderings:

http://www.temple.edu/classics/odysseyho/index.html


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

The Research Paper

We will continue to work on the research paper the week of November 24 and the week of December 1. A rough draft will be completed during the week of December 1.  Once the rough draft is completed, you will have a week to work on editing and revising the rough draft in preparation for turning in your final draft to www.turnitin.com.  The due date for the final draft will be announced in class.

The week of December 8 we will begin studying Homer and The Odyssey.

The Research Paper

Please refer to our Google Classroom for all of the handouts and information pertaining to the research paper and research paper process.  We will be working on the research paper until Thanksgiving break.

WAR HORSE

This week we will begin the movie War Horse.

Do not forget the following due dates:

Articles and summary/connection paragraphs for Khadra novel are due Monday, Oct. 27.
Cultural Analysis for Khadra novel due Wednesday, Oct. 29.

All Quiet on the Western Front End Test -- Wednesday, October 15 (Quote Section) and Thursday, October 16 (Objective Section)

Yasmina Khadra novel -- We will discuss the project portion of the marking period end assessment during the week of October 20.  However, make sure you have been reading the novel!  Note the new due dates for the marking period assessment -- articles with paragraphs are due Monday, Oct. 27 and cultural analysis is due Wed., Oct. 29.

We will be doing some war poetry and viewing the film War Horse.  As this will close our unit of war literature, you will be writing a thesis paper focusing on the works studied this marking period.  However, we will most likely not begin this paper until the end of October/the beginning of November.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Finish All Quiet on the Western Front for Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Once you are done reading the novel, you should have a bit of "free-time" at home to work on reading and completing the project for your Yasmina Khadra novel.  The assignment and final due date is posted under the ABOUT section of google classroom.

All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front
Read Chapters 7 & 8 for Tuesday, September 30
Read Chapter 9 for Friday, October 3

Computer Lab #438 -- Webquest:

We will meet in the lab on Thursday, October 2 and Friday, October 3.

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

The Christmas Truce
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/christmastruce.htm

Outside Resources/Study Guides:

 http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/suss97677  
(The above link is for the Gale On-Line database from the High Point On-line Resources .  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  

All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front
Due Wednesday, September 24:  Chapters 1-4
Due Friday, September 26:  Chapters 5 & 6

The Week of September 15, 2014

Time to share your summer reading books!  On Monday, September 15, you will be asked to share your summer reading book with the rest of the class.  You may use your computer-generated project (which is due on the 15th!) to help you through your discussion.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the 9th grade guidance counselor will come into your class to share with you all that High Point has to offer!

On Wednesday, September 17, we will have our summer book discussion, "Marriage is a Private and begin discussing our first novel of the year...All Quiet on the Western Front.  Before we begin the actual reading of the novel, we will start by reading Luis Pirandello's "War." An in-class writing prompt pertaining to "War" will be given in class on Thursday and Friday (9/18 & 9/19).

You will also be assigned your independent reading for the first marking period.  This will be a Yasmina Khadra novel.  You will be given the books and the assignment on Friday, September 23. Due dates for the independent reading assignment and project will be given in class.

The Week of September 8-September 12

This week you will be learning about and discussing a few of the literary terms we will be using throughout the year.  The short story "Marriage is a Private Affair" and questions pertaining to the short story will be used in the discussion of literary terms. The homework questions will be assigned in class and a due date will be given.  A zero will be placed in the gradebook if the assignment is not competed by the due date.

Here is a link to the short story "Marriage is a Private Affair" --
http://peopleandstories.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/marriage-is-a-private-affair.pdf


Please study for the following quiz -- 
Thursday, September 11:  Literary Term Quiz (based off of PowerPoint presented in class on 9/8)

Do not forget to also be working on your summer reading project.  I handed the assignment to you in class and have also placed a copy of it in https://classroom.google.com .  The summer reading project is due Monday, September 15.  You will be penalized a letter grade for each day it is handed in late.

September 2014

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? 

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 Analysis

·         Critical Thinking Skills

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

The works we will be focusing on during marking period 1 include:

·         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

·         2014 summer and fall current event articles from around the world

TAKING NOTES...

You are required to take notes while reading and viewing films.  

·       

Welcome to 9 Honors

Summer Assignment

I hope you are enjoying the book you had chosen for your summer reading assignment.  The first assignment of the year includes sharing what you have read with the rest of the class.  I will go over your written assignment during the first week of school in order to prepare you for your informal presentation.   I will share with you past examples and discuss the Honors level expectations before you begin the written assignment.  Make sure you have your chosen work read before the start of the school year! 

EXAM REVIEW

Section I:     Vocabulary

Units 1-6 from the vocabulary book will be on this section.  This will include definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and meaning based on context clues.

Section II:    Literary Terms, Dramatic Conventions, Poetic Devices

vignette, round character, flat character, dynamic character, static character, stock character, Assonance, alliteration, consonance, simile, metaphor, protagonist, antagonist, foil, couplet, sonnet, iambic pentameter, situational irony, dramatic irony, soliloquy, concealment, blank verse, prose, diction, syntax, hyperbole, symbol, imagery, allusion, synesthesia, oxymoron, malapropism, onomatopoeia, and aside…

Section III:  Authors/Directors/Playwrights

Hedda Gabler & A Doll’s House

Antigone & Oedipus

The Alchemist

Romeo and Juliet

Whale Rider

Minority Report

The House on Mango Street

Section IV:  Quote Identification

Know the significant themes/events of the above works and the important characters within each work in order to be successful on the quote identification section of the exam.

Section V:  Writing Prompt

You will be able to choose between a creative writing prompt and a more formal writing prompt.  In any case, specifics from the works listed above must be used for either writing choice.  Therefore, review each work and know the plot, theme, characters, etc. for this section of the exam. 

The House on Mango Street & Whale Rider

UPDATE 5/30:  COMPLETE THE ROUGH DRAFTS OF YOUR FIRST THREE VIGNETTES AND BRING THEM TO CLASS ON MONDAY, JUNE 2. 


The House on Mango Street Assignments --


The Vignette Writing Project: 

• The completed booklet must be turned in by Monday, June 9, 2014 (This is the last grade of the marking period...worth 50 points)
• Individual due dates for rough drafts of each vignette will be provided in class

Reading Assignment: 

• 9 Honors students must read the entire book by Friday, June 6. 
• The following vignettes, however, are to be read by Wednesday, June 4:
• "A Smart Cookie" - page 90
• "Sally" - page 81
• "What Sally Said" - page 92
• "Linoleum Roses" - page 101
• "Marin" - page 26
• "There was an Old Woman..." - page 29
• "Alicia Who Sees Mice" - page 31
• "No Speak English" - page 76
• "Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice..." - page 79
• "Minerva Writes Poems" - page 84

Whale Rider --


We will be viewing The Whale Rider the week of June 9.  Our discussion will connect this film to The House on Mango Street.


Exam --


I will be providing you with an exam review sheet during the week of June 2. 

Upcoming Events

Friday, May 23 -- End Test for Ibsen's Hedda Gabler and A Doll's House.  Don't forget to review the Ibsen PowerPoint!


The Weeks of May 26  and June 2-- We will begin reading and doing a creative writing project for The House on Mango Street.  Due dates for individual vignettes will be discussed in class.


The Week of June 9th -- Whale Rider


* I will be providing each class with a review sheet during the first week of June. 

A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler

Starting on Monday, May 5 we will begin to study Henrik Ibsen's plays.  As you are reading and analyzing Hedda Gabler independently, we will focus on A Doll's House in class. 

The following assignments must be completed for Hedda Gabler:

• Taking notes (see handout) while reading Hedda Gabler in preparation for a Socratic Seminar on Thursday, May 15.
• Writing an essay based on one of the two writing prompts provided in class (see handout) by Wednesday, May 14 at 11:59PM (use turnitin.com to submit the essay).

A Doll's House assignments:

• Assignments and due dates for this play will be provided to you during class.

End test for Hedda Gabler and A Doll's House:

• To be determined at a later date.

Shakespeare Unit

Wednesday, April 30:  End Test  for Shakespeare, Elizabethan Theater, and Romeo and Juliet

• Review the PowerPoint I provided prior to studying Romeo and Juliet
• Review the webquest you completed in class on Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Theater
• Review your notes from the How William Became Shakespeare CD
• Review all handouts and notes provided before, during, and after the reading of Romeo and Juliet
• Review the entire play of Romeo and Juliet

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

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

Romeo and Juliet Skits: 
Upon our return from the break, you will begin preparing a modern version of Romeo and Juliet.  The assignment and due dates will be provided in class on Wednesday, April 23. 


Upcoming Reading and Assignments:
You will be independently analyzing and reading Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler.  As you are completing Hedda Gabler at home, we will be studying Ibsen's A Doll's House as a class. 

Vocabulary and Shakespeare Resources

Writing Prompt:  Read "The Sniper" over the weekend in preparation for an in-class writing on Monday, April 7.  Please meet in computer lab #438  on Monday and Tuesday (April 7 & 8).


Vocabulary Quiz:  Unit 6 on April 9, 2014.




Shakespeare Resources:


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

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

SHAKESPEARE UNIT & PRO/CON ESSAY INFORMATION

SHAKESPEARE SCAVENGER HUNT


We will meet in the computer lab (room 438) on Monday and Tuesday (3/24 and 3/25).  Complete the handout provided in class by using the websites listed below.  The websites are listed in the order of how they appear on the handout. 


www.bardweb.net  (Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/shake_rule.html (Section 7)
www.renfaire.com/Costume/index.html (Section 8)
http://elizabethan.org (Section 9)
http://www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-theatre-facts.htm (Section 10)




PRO/CON Essay:This formal essay will be in MLA format and will maintain a formal tone throughout.  A Works Cited page is required.  The essay will be turned in to turnitin.com.  The due date for the final paper will be Wednesday, March 26 by 11:59 PM.  A penalty of a letter grade lower for each day the paper is late. You must provide quotes for both "DNA as Destiny" and Oedipus the King. If you do not have any quotes for Minority Report, you must then provide specific examples.


Works Cited Information for PRO/CON Paper:
DVD/Film - Minority Report directed by Steven Spielberg for DreamWorks in Universal City, California (original release date is 2002 and it came out on DVD in 2003). 
Magazine  - The magazine article "DNA as Destiny" was written by David Ewing Duncan.  It first appeared in Wired magazine November of 2002. 
Anthology - Sophocles is the author of Oedipus the King (keep the original date of print blank).  This work appears on pages 433-471 in the following Anthology:  Literature World Masterpieces which was published in 1995 in Englewood Cliffs by Prentice Hall Publishing Company. 

March 2014

Reminder:
Due Tuesday, March 18: Complete the Magical Realism handout for homework. 
Due Wednesday, March 19:  Complete the front side of the personal legend handout provided in class on Tuesday.
Due Wednesday, March 26 by 11:59 PM: The essay for Oedipus, "DNA as Destiny," and Minority Report.

The Alchemist Webquest

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? 

March Assignments

The Alchemist Assignments:
Part I reading due on Monday, March 10
Notes for Part I due on Monday, March 10
Practice AP Multiple Choice Questions due on Monday, March 10


Pages 51-112 due on Thursday, March 13
Pages 112-end due on Monday, March 17


PRO/CON Essay:
You will receive the requirements for the Pro/Con Essay during the week of March 10.  This essay will include examples from Minority Report, "DNA as Destiny," The Alchemist, and Oedipus the King. This formal essay will be in MLA format and will maintain a formal tone throughout.  A Works Cited page is required.  The essay will be turned in to turnitin.com.  The due date for the final paper will be Wednesday, March 26 by 11:59 PM.  A penalty of a letter grade lower for each day the paper is late.


Works Cited Information for PRO/CON Paper:
DVD/Film - The Minority Report directed by Steven Spielberg for DreamWorks in Universal City, California (original release date is 2002 and it came out on DVD in 2003). 
Magazine  - The magazine article "DNA as Destiny" was written by David Ewing Duncan.  It first appeared in Wired magazine November of 2002. 
Anthology - Sophocles is the author of Oedipus the King (keep the original date of print blank).  This work appears on pages 433-471 in the following Anthology:  Literature World Masterpieces which was published in 1995 in Englewood Cliffs by Prentice Hall Publishing Company. 




Vocabulary Test (note change in date):  Unit 5 Vocabulary test will be on Thursday, March 13.

February Assignments

UPDATE:  Due to the recent snow days, the following changes have been made:


*Unit 4 Vocabulary Test will be on Friday, Feb. 21. 
*Antigone Creative Writing Assignment (20 Points) and the Antigone Socratic Seminar (20 Points)  will be moved to Thursday, February 27.  See the information below on both items. 
*End test for Antigone (40 Points) will be on Friday, February 28.  This will include True/False, Multiple Choice, and matching.  The test will conclude with a short essay prompt. 
*End test for Oedipus and Greek Theater Background (50 Points) will be on Monday, March 3.  You must review your PowerPoints - Greek Theater Background and Greek Masks.


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


We will be doing a dramatic reading of Oedipus the King in class and you will be reading and completing assignments for Antigone independently.  If you miss any part of the dramatic reading of  Oedipus the King, it is your responsibility to read the part you missed at home.  Please notice the assignments and due dates for Antigone listed below.  I have also provided outside sources to help guide you through both Oedipus the King and Antigone. On top of Antigone and Oedipus, you will need to prepare for the Unit 4 Vocabulary Quiz (Friday, February 14). 

ANTIGONE ASSIGNMENTS:


CREATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT (20 Points) -- Due Thursday, February 20, 2014: 

Choose one of the following creative writing assignments listed below.  The response must show originality and creativity.  However, it must also stay true to what you have learned about the characters in the play.  You must use MLA format.  At this point, you should know what I mean by MLA format and if not, refer to my blog to find out where you can access this information.  Your response should not exceed two typed pages. Bring in a printed copy of the assignment to class on Thursday, February 20, but it also must be posted to turnitin.com prior to coming to class on February 20.  Late papers will be penalized a letter grade lower for every day it is late. 

       1.  An epilogue is a speech delivered by one of the actors after the conclusion of the play.  Write an epilogue for Antigone that describes the fates of Creon, Ismene, and Tiresias after the play ends.  Then write a brief explanation of WHY you believe your version of the future to be the best ending for the story. 

  2. An elegy is a song or poem that expresses sorrow for one who has died.  Write a separate elegy for TWO out of the three characters:  Antigone, Haemon, and/or Eurydice.  Use these elegies to sum up your feelings and opinions about the characters’ lives and actions. 

  3. Write a eulogy for Antigone.  A eulogy is a speech written in praise of a person after his or her death; it is spoken during funeral rites to honor the deceased.  Select an appropriate character to deliver the eulogy.  Write from that characters point of view. 


SOCRATIC SEMINAR PREPARATION (20 POINTS) -- Due Thursday, February 20, 2014:    

    Prepare for your Socratic Seminar by taking notes as you are reading Antigone.  These notes will be checked at the beginning of class and will be turned in at the conclusion of the Socratic Seminar.  All students must participate in the discussion.  Please have your book with you on this day.  The following topics will need to be discussed during the Socratic Seminar:

*Do you think people should be obliged to obey laws even if they don’t agree with  them?  Why or why not? Link your response to Antigone.  

*Connect our discussion last week on pride in terms of Antigone.  Think about each character in the play that possessed this quality.  Was it an admirable quality or not in terms of these characters? 

*From your experience, do most people find it easy or difficult to admit they’ve made a mistake?  Is admitting to a mistake a sign of strength or weakness in contemporary society?  Explain. Link your response to Antigone.  

*How responsible do you feel for your family members?  Do you think family members should risk danger or even death for one another?  Explain your responses. Link your response to Antigone.  

*Refer to your PowerPoint on Greek drama and discuss how Antigone fits the definition of a Sophoclean Tragedy.  Who do you think is the tragic character of this play—the title character or Creon?  Why?  

*Do you think there was a single “correct” solution to the political problem of the play:  whether or not to bury the body of Polynices?  Consider both Antigone’s and Creon’s sides of the argument.
*In a single sentence, state what you think Sophocles was trying to tell his audience in     Antigone.  Then discuss whether you agree or disagree with his viewpoint.

OUTSIDE RESOURCES FOR ANTIGONE AND OEDIPUS:

 Greek Theater Glossary

http://www.whitman.edu/theatre/theatretour/glossary/glossary.htm

Study Guides – Oedipus

http://www.temple.edu/classics/oedipus/index.html
http://northandoverpublicschools.com/faculty/DowneyM/OedipusRexSG.pdf 
Study Guides -- Antigone
 http://www.temple.edu/classics/antigone/index.html
 http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/netshots/antigone.htm

Oedipus - Background Animated Movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX34LKPOMxs

Oedipus Audiobook:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9WOQT7qD7w

Antigone Audiobook:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU5sxyzzPlo 
Oedipus Review Game:
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/oedipus/oedipusindex.htm