English 9A Syllabus 9/30 – 10/9
English 9A Syllabus
Jane Belton
Mon., Wed., Th., Fri.
Syllabus: September – October 2009
https://blog.lrei.org/jbelton
Wednesday 9/30
In Class: Writing activity on key issues of Antigone, including: loyalty, resistance to authority, law, conviction, and family. Share. Discuss Antigone pp. 59-66 and connections to our writing: Antigone vs. Ismene: what fuels their actions and decisions? What would you do? Discuss martial law vs. divine law, the Chorus’s speech.
Homework: Read and annotate Antigone pp. 67-77. As you read think about how you would characterize Creon as a leader. Mark/flag passages and specific lines that support your ideas. Then, how do the Chorus’s words on pp. 76-77 connect to themes of the play so far? As you read, make sure to place a box around at least three vocabulary words you do not know. Then find the vocabulary word(s) from the vocabulary list I handed out in tonight’s reading selection. For each word, write the part of speech, definition, and context in your notebook.
Thursday 10/1
In Class: Discuss Antigone pp 67-77. Defining justice and punishment; Creon’s leadership and principles.
Homework: Review Creon’s speech on pp. 73-74 carefully. Then mark significant lines in his speech that you find revealing in terms of his leadership and perception of the Theban people. Monday you will be given an in-class writing assignment on this speech. Use your flags to mark specific lines you will want to refer to in your writing.
Friday 10/2
In Class: Graded Writing Assignment: write two organized paragraphs on Creon (see handout)
Homework: Read and annotate Antigone pp. 78-92. As you read, think about what Creon’s principles are and how they differ from Antigone’s. Also consider the following question: Who do you side with and why? Mark/flag passages or lines that support your ideas. As always, make sure to place a box around at least three vocabulary words you do not know. Then find the vocabulary word(s) from the vocabulary list I handed out in tonight’s reading selection. For each word, write the part of speech, definition, and context in your notebook.
Monday 10/5
In Class: Discuss Antigone pp. 78-92.
Homework: Read and annotate your assigned article. Mark moments that are particularly striking to you or that surprise you, intrigue you, and make you think or question your assumptions. Think about the following question: what is the article’s relevance to the play? Be prepared to share your article and your thoughts with the class.
Tuesday 10/6 – No Class
Wednesday 10/7
In Class: Discuss articles; other ways of seeing the issues of the play.
Homework: Read and annotate Antigone pp. 93-106 (for FRIDAY). As you read, pay particular attention to the character of Haemon. How does he respond to forces of authority? How is he similar to/different from Antigone? How does he approach his father? How is that different from how Antigone approached Creon? As always, make sure to place a box around at least three vocabulary words you do not know. Then find the vocabulary word(s) from the vocabulary list I handed out in tonight’s reading selection. For each word, write the part of speech, definition, and context in your notebook.
Thursday 10/8
In Class: Introduce Read Write Recommend (RWR) Project
Homework: Read and annotate Antigone pp. 93-106 (for FRIDAY). As you read, pay particular attention to the character of Haemon. How does he respond to forces of authority? How is he similar to/different from Antigone? How does he approach his father? How is that different from how Antigone approached Creon? What is his criticism of his father? As always, make sure to place a box around at least three vocabulary words you do not know. Then find the vocabulary word(s) from the vocabulary list I handed out in tonight’s reading selection. For each word, write the part of speech, definition, and context in your notebook.
Friday 10/9
In Class: Discuss Antigone pp 93-106. The character of Haemon, his tactics for approaching Creon.
Homework: Read and annotate Antigone pp. 107 – 117. As always, make sure to place a box around at least three vocabulary words you do not know. Then find the vocabulary word(s) from the vocabulary list I handed out in tonight’s reading selection. For each word, write the part of speech, definition, and context in your notebook. Complete Creative Writing Assignment (due Wednesday 10/14): Which character(s) in the play you would like to meet in the modern world? What would a modern day Creon, Antigone, or Ismene, for instance look like? What issues would they be dealing with? First spend some time describing who the modern characters are, then write a short story inspired by one of the characters you find most interesting in the play. In your short story, you should explore a central conflict or issue that character faces (perhaps the character must deal with conflicting loyalties, or is haunted by stories of the past, or must decide between what he/she feels is right and what his/her parents or the law says is right). Do not retell the plot of Antigone up to this point! (2-3 pages, typed, Times New Roman font, double or 1.5 spaced).