Week of 13 November 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 does literature influence our lives? Does humanity exist?

Students will continue to read, interpret, and analyze Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. There will be a notebook check on Tuesday, November 21st. Students will complete the novel before break (Tuesday) and be required to take a short answer response quiz.  Students will be asked to create a literary analysis.  The class will be responsible for the agreed upon assessment.  They may use any form (essay, Google Slides, PowerPoint, Prezi, Powtoon, etc...) necessary to show their knowledge and application of the story and meaning of the  novel, Frankenstein.  Students will be required to show how Shelley's novel has influenced the 21st century.  They will identify and explain a minimum of 5 influences.

English 11:  What role does individualism play in American society?  How do I fit in?

Students will be introduced to the works of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson.  They will be given informational articles on each poet.  Students will ultimately be asked to analyze the poetry through a Compare/Contrast analysis. They will identify speakers, interpret figurative language, identify poetic devices, and respond to the poetry. Students will complete a Diagnostic Test which helps them exercise skills to improve critical thinking skills.  Through the taking of the test, students are utilizing annotative skills, vocabulary dissection and vocabulary in context, making connections, and responding to literature.

Public Speaking:  How do basic speaking and listening skills help us to communicate?

Students will continue to conference.  They are required to pick a topic, create a purpose statement, a thesis statement find 4-6 valid sources(MLA format), organize the speech, produce podium cards, create a hard copy, and practice the Informational Speech.  Speeches will commence the Wednesday after Thanksgiving Break.

Keystone Literature Workshop:  How does my interaction with the text provoke thinking and
                                                      response?

Students will continue to learn word dissection and analysis.  They will be working on advanced root word development.  Over the next semester, they will work on a variety of ways to improve skills to improve reading, interpreting, and analyzing texts.  Students need to join the Opened classroom, create accounts for the College Board site, and download the Practice Question of the Day app.  These online sites and apps will help students work on reading comprehension, sentence structure, vocabulary in context, types of writing, writing organization, and interpretation.