Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Week of January 30th, 2017

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively. 

Practical English 11:
What is the meaning of freedom?

Students will read, analyze, discuss, and respond to the Declaration of Independence.  They will reword the Preamble and the Statement of Beliefs.  Students will demonstrate comprehension of the List of Grievances by identifying each as for all people or for only groups of people.  As a whole group, the class will discuss the appeal to the British, the Justification, and the oath.  Students will then be given the First Draft of the Declaration and identify why the changes needed to be made.  They will be responsible for completing worksheets, participating in discussion, and making connections to culture (Age of Reason) and the need for popular support.  Students will begin to read, analyze and discuss The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

English 12:  Why are both vision and disillusion necessary?

Students will continue to read, respond, and analyze The Lord of the Flies.  They are responsible for identifying direct and indirect characterization, responding to questions on symbols, and themes.  Students will complete Chapters 1 & 2 and Chapters 3 & 4 quizzes.  They will participate in discussions on individualism, society, leadership, and human nature.
Public Speaking:

Keystone Literature Remediation:  Why is reflection and self-assessment necessary?

Students will continue work on Key 1 in their Keystone Literature Workbooks.  They will identify a goal and chart their progress in Vocabulary.  Word dissection and Vocabulary in context will be the areas of study.  They will be given affixes charts to aid them in the word analysis.  Students will also complete work on Key 2 in their Keystone Literature Workbooks.  Students will use each key to focus their work on the online apps.  They will complete assignments and chart their progress.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Week of January 23rd, 2017

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively. 

Practical English 11: What is the meaning of Freedom?

Students will begin working on Unit 1.  They will be required to respond to informational articles on the historical perspectives that led to America's independence.  Students will highlight, annotate, and make connections to the informational literature.  They will utilize vocabulary in context, identify tone and perspective.  Students will create a T Chart and apply the ideas in a written response. They will identify the ideas/concepts of the time period and apply them to the analysis of the Declaration of Independence.  Students will complete worksheets, participate in discussion, and write a response. They will be required to compare the First Draft of the Declaration and the Final Draft.

English12:  Why are both vision and disillusion necessary?

Students will read, analyze, and respond to the novel, Lord of the Flies.  They will identify and apply literary devices, interpret meaning, and apply relevancy.  Students have received Chapter Study Guides.  They will participate in discussions of morality through Kohlberg's theory and discussions of leadership through the use of propaganda techniques.  Students will identify and apply elements of the Newspaper in a culminating assessment.  

Public Speaking:  Why is communication a skill?

Students will review the curriculum and requirements of the class. They will read and respond to Chapter 1 in their texts.  Students should be prepared to engage in a discussion on elements of Speech Communication.  They will discuss the importance of preparation, presentation, and the audience. They will begin work on their first speech, the Introductory Speech.  Students have been given due dates.  

Keystone Literature Remediation:  Why is self-reflection and assessment necessary?

Students will begin work on Key 1 in their Keystone Literature Workbooks.  They will identify a goal and chart their progress in Vocabulary.  Word dissection and Vocabulary in context will be the areas of study.  They will be given affixes charts to aid them in the word analysis.  Students will use each key to focus their work on the online apps.  They will complete assignments and chart their progress.


Monday, January 16, 2017

Weeks of January 10th-16th, 2017

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively. 

English 12:  How do our attitudes toward the past and future shape our actions?

Students will continue and complete viewing The Tragedy of Macbeth.  They will be responsible for participating in group and whole class discussions on each Act.  Students will complete 4 Square Worksheets asking them to identify and apply 4 literary devices for the 5 Acts in the play.  They will view Video Summaries for each Act.  There will be a review for the Midterm on Friday 1/13.  The English Midterm will be on Wednesday, 1/18.  The Review will identify the elements, devices, and structures applied in the epic poem, the satire, and the Shakespearean tragedy.  Students will be required to identify and apply these elements, devices, and structures to several cold reads.

Literature Keystone Remediation:  Why is critical thinking necessary?

Why is reflection and self-assessment important for communication?
Students will work on Study Island and Open Ed app to complete any unfinished assignments.  These assignments will help them with critical thinking skills.  These skills are necessary to improve reading comprehension and produce problem solvers.

Public Speaking:  Why is reflection and self-assessment important? 

Students will present Reflective speeches with a visual aid.  They will be responsible for identifying an organization, podium cards, and a final copy.  Students need to make a true connection with their audience.  Learning through experiences is necessary in life,  and sharing those experiences creates a sense of respect and rapport.  Vulnerability is key to good speech presentation. They will be graded according to the Final Speech Rubric.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Week of January 3rd, 2017

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

The goal of this English class is to produce critical thinkers. Students are not only reading for comprehension but for meaning and relevancy of the work as a whole. Literature is also an example of good writing. The writing improves when a student reads. Vocabulary also improves because the student is learning to read in context. We want successful students who can think critically and communicate effectively. 

English 12: How do our attitudes toward the past and future shape our actions?

Students will be identifying and analyzing the dramatic tragedy, Macbeth.  They will view video summaries before viewing each Act.  They will use the Parallel text as a resource.  Discussion questions and 4 Square response questions will focus on the literary and poetic elements and devices applied in Macbeth.  The play asks students to critically think about their own past and future and who they want to become.

Public Speaking:  How can a speaker influence change and/or motivate action?

Students will present speeches with a visual aid.  They will be required to hand in an outline, hard copy, and podium cards.  Students will use persuasive devices to sway an audience towards an issue on  a policy, value, or fact.  They will be required to complete Chapter 18 in their textbook.  They will begin work on a Reflective Speech due next week.

Keystone Literature Remediation:  Why is reflection and self-assessment important?

Students will work on Study Island and Open Ed app to complete any unfinished assignments.  These assignments will help them with critical thinking skills.  These skills are necessary to improve reading comprehension and produce problem solvers.