Week of December 17, 2012

9th Grade English: Students will be reading, interpreting, and analyzing the novel.  They will be responsible for identifying and applying literary elements and devices.  The goal is to have students reading proficiently on grade level. 

9th Grade Academic: The analysis of Poe's short story will be applied to creating a movie trailer for it.  They will need to modernize the story, applying theme, including elements/devices of the horror story, and the necessary elements needed to create the trailer.  Students will need to create a storyboard which will include dialogue, transitions, camera angles/shots, time, characters, and costumes.  The students will be working in groups.  They will film, edit, and produce the movie trailer using technology.  All projects will need to be completed by the break.

Public Speaking:  Students  will begin work on the Persuasive Speech next week.  The Persuasive Speech will be due the week they come back from break.  There will be a Final Exam the week of January 10th. 

Week of December 10, 2012

9th Grade English & 9th Grade Academic:   Students will read "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe.  They will begin by focusing on the structure of the story and reading in context (sentence structure and vocabulary).  They will be responsible for identifying elements of the short story and applying them.  Students will be required to analyze the literature and apply literary elements and devices to Poe's short story.    Their analysis will then be applied to creating a movie trailer for it.  They will need to modernize the story, applying theme, including elements/devices of the horror story, and the necessary elements needed to create the trailer.  Students will need to create a storyboard which will include dialogue, transitions, camera angles/shots, time, characters, and costumes.  The students will be working in groups.  They will film, edit, and produce the movie trailer using Movie Maker.  All projects will need to be completed by the break.

Public Speaking: Using the IPads, the students will complete research, edit, and revise their speeches.  They will be responsible for including an outline, podium cards, hard copy, and MLA citation page.  Informational Speeches will commence on Wednesday, December 12th.  They will begin work on the Persuasive Speech next week.  The Persuasive Speech will be due the week they come back from break.  There will be a Final Exam the week of January 10th.

Week of December 3, 2012

9th Grade English & 9th Grade Academic:   Students will continue working on Vocabulary Unit 4 with correct word application while reading in context and Grammar, Usage, and mechanics.  The goal is to have students become effective communicators.  There will be a Vocabulary Test on Wednesday, December 5th.  The test will include word usage and the application of grammar.  On Thursday, the students will start the unit on the Short Story.  They will be responsible for identifying and applying elements of the short story as well as focusing on literary elements and devices.  Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" uses convoluted sentence structure, therefore, their work in vocabulary dissection and  on sentences will help them to comprehend and analyze the story.  The assessment for the story will be to create a modern "trailer" for the movie version of the short story.  It will assess their analysis of the short story and demonstrate their critical thinking skills.  Each pair will be responsible for a cell production (scene, time, transitions,lighting, costume, dialogue) and a 2 minute video. 

Public Speaking: Students will be responsible for finalizing their Informational Speeches.  Speeches will commence on Thursday.  Students will then begin preparations for the Persuasive Speech.  Persuasive Speech topics need to be reflective of the student and will need to be approved by the teacher.  All speeches will need to include an MLA citation page, an outline, podium cards, a visual aid, and a hard copy.