English 9B Syllabus 5/13-6/9
English 9B
Jane Belton
Syllabus May 13 – June 9 2010
Thursday 5/13
In Class: “Two Countries” poem due. Sharing/pointing to key themes and ideas to explore further. Writing: Final Project Freewrite # 1: Choose one of the themes that has emerged from a specific text or set of texts we have read this year. This should be a theme that you find personally rich and interesting. Consult your class notes and final project handout for ideas. Once you have chosen your “theme” or set of themes, scan your memory for specific stories, scenes from you life, and moments that come to mind when you think of that particular theme. Then, begin to narrate one specific story or scene from the list of stories you generated. In your writing, focus on getting specific details on the page and on bringing your reader into the scenes of your story.
Homework: Continue Final Project Freewrite # 1 we began in class. You should write for at least 40 minutes. Review for vocabulary quiz on Wednesday 5/19.
Friday 5/14 – No Class
Monday 5/17
In Class: Highlight moments or ideas in Freewrite # 1 you might want to explore further in your final narrative, moments or ideas you feel are rich and full of potential for further exploration. How might the themes and content of your freewrite inform your final narrative? Then begin Final Project Freewrite #2: Generate a list of specific texts (songs, books, poems) or objects (childhood toys, personal possessions) that come to mind when you think of the theme you wrote about last night. Then freewrite about that text or object, “mining” or “excavating” your memory for specific stories, memories, snippets of dialogue it brings to mind.
Homework: 1) Continue Freewrite #2. Then select one of the pieces you have begun this week to use as a springboard for your final personal narrative. Bring in at least 3 pages of writing to class on Tuesday. 2) Review for vocab quiz 2. 3) Read RWR book 5
Tuesday 5/18
In Class: Writing workshop: 1) How might you use Journey from the Land of No to inform the shape and content of your personal narrative? What lessons can you learn from the memoir and/or from Beah’s memoir about how to write an engaging personal narrative? Writing from passages. 2) How might you use Freewrite # 2 to inform your personal narrative?
Homework: 1) Study for vocabulary quiz on Wednesday 5/19. 2) Work on personal narrative; bring in your writing to class on Wednesday. 3) Read RWR book # 5
Wednesday 5/19
In Class: Vocab Quiz 2. Work on drafts of personal narratives in class/peer feedback
Homework: 1) Read RWR book # 5; 2) develop your narrative, according to feedback/discussion in class. Bring in TWO COPIES OF YOUR DRAFT (at least 4-6 pages long), printed out to submit to me and to a peer editor.
Thursday 5/20
In Class: FIRST FULL DRAFT OF NARRATIVE DUE (Two copies!). Peer editing in class.
Homework: 1) Revise your piece according to peer feedback; you may want to schedule a meeting with me to discuss your personal narrative. 2) Complete worksheet 1 for RWR project.
Friday 5/21 – No Class
Monday 5/24
In Class: Work on RWR project in Library
Homework: Work on RWR Project: Complete worksheet 2 and write a first draft of your synopsis. Bring in a copy of your synopsis to class on Tuesday.
Tuesday 5/25
In Class: Work period RWR project: Workshop synopses.
Homework: 1) Work on RWR project: Revise synopses according to class workshop today. 2) Continue revising your personal narrative. Bring in an electronic copy to work on in class on Wednesday 5/26.
Wednesday 5/26
In Class: Hand back first drafts of personal narratives. Read/digest feedback; writing workshop.
Homework: Revise personal narratives according to feedback you’ve received. You may want to schedule a meeting with me to discuss your writing further. 2) Complete RWR project for Wednesday 6/2. Prepare for RWR presentations.
Thursday 5/27 – No Class, Friday Schedule
Friday 5/28 – No Classes
Monday 5/31 – No School
Tuesday 6/1
In Class: Work period on drafts of personal narratives or RWR project
Homework: Complete RWR project for Wednesday 6/2. Prepare for RWR presentations.
Wednesday 6/2
In Class: RWR Project Presentations
Homework: Continue to work on final personal narrative.
Thursday 6/3
In Class: Summer Reading discussion; preparation for final personal narrative sharing. Mini workshop on public speaking/reading aloud your work.
Homework: Complete your final project folder for the scheduled exam time. Prepare to read your piece at the scheduled exam time. You will be reading your final piece for about 7 minutes in small groups.
Friday 6/4 – Reading Day
EXAMS: Monday 6/7 — Wednesday 6/9