Weeks of 19 March 2018 and 26 March 2018

"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 can we use narratives to understand ourselves, others, and the world?

Over the next marking period, students will read and respond to fiction.  Students will read a variety of short stories.  They will be required to identify and apply short story elements and literary devices through note-taking, annotations, and a plotline for each story.  Students will research the author and the works.  They will complete annotated bibliographies for valid analyses that support their findings.  Students will write analytical literary essays which will require an outline, a rough draft, and a final copy.  This unit is the culmination of yearlong work.  Through the completion of this writing assignment, students will apply the critical thinking skills they have been asked to practice throughout the year.


English 11:  Can one (apparently) have all the right information and make the wrong decisions?

Students will dive into the world of Hamlet.  They will read, view, analyze, and respond to the famous tragedy by William Shakespeare.  Students will be required to collaborate, create, present and teach an Act analysis of the drama.  They will be required to share ideas, work cooperatively, summarize plot, identify and apply literary elements and devices, analyze characters, and interpret meaning.  Students will be given Rubrics for the PowerPoint Presentation, the Oral Presentation, and for Collaboration.

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

Students will begin work on the Panel Discussion.  This collaborative presentation requires students to research, share, and present perspectives/ideas on both a local topic and on a national topic. They must become “experts” in their fields, sharing their expertise in front of the class.  Student should support information with examples, facts, and statistics, integrating research into the speech. They should comment on other students’ comments and make transitions to their comments.  Students will be required to create Visual Aids.

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.

Week of 5 March 2018

"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 towards the past and future shape our actions?
                      Do we learn from our mistakes? Responsibility and Blame

Students will respond to the Tragedy of Macbeth by identifying and analyzing  philosophies on fate/chance, ambition/power, and gender roles. They will answer, discuss, and collaborate on questions that focus on literary elements and devices for each Act.  Students will be able to apply the relevance of Shakespeare's work as a classic to modern life. Students will begin The Macbeth Video Game Project.  They will be required to discuss, collaborate, and create The Macbeth Video Game Walkthrough and PowerPoint. Students will apply literary elements and devices to a 21st century application.  Projects are due on 8 March 2018.  Mid-Year Diagnostic Tests will be due on Monday, March 12th.  Macbeth Test will be given on Monday, March 12th.


English 11:  How do we respond when challenged by fear?
                     Why do we allow ourselves to become victims?

Students will view The Crucible and then be required to create a soundtrack for the play.  Students will write paragraphs analyzing the connections between song choices and the chosen scene.  They should be able to identify messages of abuse of power, censorship, revenge, forgiveness, sacrifice, and other themes found in the play.  Students should also be able to identify character motivation, the reason for the use of symbols, and/or how imagery is used through their analysis. The Soundtrack Project, including lyrics, images and a cover, will demonstrate knowledge and analysis of the play.  Students will be required to create strong expository paragraphs for each song choice.  They will be given rubrics for the overall project and for paragraph writing. Projects will be due no later than March 8th.  Mid-Year Diagnostic Tests will be due on Monday, March 12th.  The Crucible Test will be given on Monday, March 12th.

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

Students will analyze two sample Introductory Speeches. They will engage in substantial, thought- provoking discussion which will help gauge  topic choices, enhance critical thinking skills, and promote confidence. Textbook Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 4 will be due no later than February 23rd.  Topics for the Introductory Speech will be due on Monday, February 19th.  Outlines for the Introductory speech will be due by February 23rd.  Hard Copies and podium cards will be due at the beginning of Speech Day, 5 March 2018.  Speeches will continue until Monday March 12th. 

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.