Week of 29 January 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. They will begin discussion for their group projects.  Students will begin The Macbeth Video Game Project.


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.  The Soundtrack Project, including lyrics, images and a cover, will demonstrate knowledge and analysis of the play.

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

Students will begin reading and discussing the basics of beneficial speech habits.  They will be asked to read, analyze, and discuss The State of the Union Address and the Rebuttal.  Students will be given a transcript of each speech. They will engage in substantial, thought provoking discussion. Textbook Chapters 1, 2, and 3 will be due on Friday, February 2nd.

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 22 January 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?

Students will respond to informational literature on the Renaissance and the Reformation, Elizabethan England, Shakespeare, and his works.  Perspectives on culture, attitude, the playwright, and the audience are necessary for the enjoyment of Shakespeare's plays.  Video clips with summaries will be played before each Act.  Study guides for the play will be distributed. Students will be asked to analyze philosophies on fate/chance, ambition/power, and gender roles.


English 11:  How do we respond when challenged by fear?

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.  The Soundtrack Project, including lyrics, images and a cover, will demonstrate knowledge and analysis of the play.

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

Students have been introduced to the course requirements.  This class creates confidence, improves critical thinking and writing skills, and produces students with an increased awareness of self.  A positive, respectful environment that welcomes constructive criticism to strengthen speech skills is necessary for each student's success.  Students will begin reading and discussing the basics of beneficial speech habits.

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 1 January 2018 and 8 January 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 people come to have different views of society?

Students will create a satirical poem using the direct and indirect characterizations of their assigned pilgrim(s) which identify criticisms of substance and a need for reform.  Students will be given a packet that contains Rubric requirements, examples of a poem, and a list of requirements for the satirical poem.  The poem will be due no later than Wednesday, 10 January 2018.  There will be a Chaucer Test on Friday, 12 January 2018


English 11:  How do we respond when challenged by fear?

Students will be asked to read, analyze, and respond to informational articles on the History of the Period.  They will pick a topic to research for discussion on the 1950's.  They will be asked to pick at least 2 articles, highlight, and analyze the articles for discussion.  Interest, insight, and relevancy for the upcoming unit on The Crucible are several of  the reasons for the research.  Discussion is a life skill necessary for success. Discussions will begin on Thursday/Friday during the week of the 8 January 2018.

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

Logic and reason are necessary tools for the success of the Persuasive/Argumentative speech.  Students will need to find 6-8 valid resources.  They will need to organize their information in an outline.  Students will be required to write a hard copy of their speech.  Podium cards are necessary.  A PowerPoint is the required visual aid.

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.  Literature Keystones will be given on January 11th and 12th.

Weeks of 11 December 2017 and 18 December 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 people come to have different views of society?

Students have begun reading their assigned characters from "The Prologue" to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.  They will be required to identify the direct and indirect characterization for each assigned pilgrim(s). Students will create a character wall as they share the characterizations of their pilgrim on a character walk.  They will then each need to create a satirical poem using the direct and indirect characterizations of their assigned pilgrim(s) which identify criticisms of substance and a need for reform.  Students will be given a packet that contains Rubric requirements, examples of a poem, and a list of requirements for the satirical poem.


English 11:  Does the American Dream exist?

Students will be asked to read, analyze, and respond to the novella, Of Mice and Men as a work of Modernism and Realism.  They will be required to complete worksheets and study guides. Students will apply literary devices (characters, settings, and symbols) towards themes of justice, vision, power, and friendship.  The students should be prepared to participate in discussions on the novel and to respond to the critical thinking questions.

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

Students will complete worksheets to help them prepare for the Persuasive Speech.  Logic and reason are necessary tools for the success of this speech.  Students will need to find 6-8 valid resources.  They will need to organize their information in an outline.  Students will be required to write a hard copy of their speech.  Podium cards are necessary.  A PowerPoint is the required visual aid.  Students will be required to watch and critique JFK's Inaugural address.  They will identify key rhetoric devices used in his speech.  Hopefully, students will seize upon the opportunity to utilize several of these skills in their last researched speech.

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 4 December 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 complete watching a visual interpretation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.  They will be required to answer 4 short answer response questions on Tuesday, December 5th.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of the question by creating a thesis.  They will fill out organizational charts that make connections to the idea in the thesis and show evidence/examples from the literature.  The questions will focus on themes and devices discussed throughout the reading of the novel.  The focus of the short answer questions is the application of meaning using organizational skills to show inference.

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

Students will read philosophical essays on the role of the individual in society.  They will read a passage from "Self Reliance" and a passage from "Civil Disobedience".  Emerson and Thoreau, teacher and student, leaders in the "The American Renaissance" teach students the importance of self-knowledge and stewardship.  Students will complete an assessment at the end of the unit.  Students will need to identify today's individualists and stewards in the 21st Century.  They will be required to show the characteristics, beliefs, and actions of the men and women through discussion.

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

Students will complete worksheets to help them prepare for the Persuasive Speech.  Logic and reason are necessary tools for the success of this speech.  Students will need to find 6-8 valid resources.  They will need to organize their information in an outline.  Students will be required to write a hard copy of their speech.  Podium cards are necessary.  A PowerPoint is the required visual aid.  Students will be required to watch and critique JFK's Inaugural address.  They will identify key rhetoric devices used in his speech.  Hopefully, students will seize upon the opportunity to utilize several of these skills in their last researched speech. 

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.

Weeks of 20 November 2017 and 27 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. 

Enjoy time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving Break!

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 the Tuesday we return from Thanksgiving Break.  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 have immersed themselves into the works of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson.  They have read and responded to 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 take a test on these poets on the Wednesday they return from Thanksgiving Break.

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

Students will continue to research their topic.  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.

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.