9B Syllabus 1/5-1/15
English 9B
Jane Belton
Syllabus – Trimester II
Tuesday 1/5
In Class: Freewriting on “ambition”: first thoughts, questions, and portraits.
Homework: Write a poem or a short scene between 2-3 characters or that explores different aspects of ambition that emerged in class and in your writing today (at least 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced; more if it is a poem or a series of poems).
Wednesday 1/6
In Class: Write down book/author for RWR book choice # 2. Image explosion of Macbeth speech. Discuss Shakespeare and relevant background for the play. Begin Macbeth together (Act I Scene 1)
Homework: Read and annotate Macbeth Act I Scenes 2-3. In Scene 3, examine and annotate carefully Macbeth’s speech (“Two truths are told…”). Choose one or two specific lines from the speech to respond to in your notebook. What questions do you have about the line? What images or words strike you in the line? What does the line make you think of? What does the line reveal to you about the character of Macbeth? Make sure to bring your writing to class to share.
Thursday 1/7 – No Class
Friday 1/8
In Class: Discuss Macbeth Act I, Scenes 2-3
Homework: 1) Read and annotate Macbeth Act I, scenes 4-6. In Scene 4, pay particular attention to the character of Macbeth and how he interacts with Duncan. How does his conversation with Duncan on page 27 compare with his “aside” on page 29? 2) Work on vocabulary list for Act I (define and find “context” for words 1-5)
Monday 1/11
In Class: Act I, scenes 4-6, Macbeth.
Homework: 1) Read and annotate Macbeth Act I, scenes 7. 2) Work on vocabulary list for Act I (define and find “context” for words 6-10). REMEMBER: You should be reading your RWR book # 2 by this point!
Tuesday 1/12
In Class: Discuss Macbeth Act I, scenes 7.
Homework: 1) Study for close reading quiz #1 on Act I for Monday. Re-read and review significant passages and scenes from Act I. Review annotations and notes carefully. 2) Work on vocabulary list for Act I (define and find “context” for words 11-16). 3) Read your RWR book # 2!
Wednesday 1/13
In Class: Act I Close Reading Quiz.
Homework: 1) Read and annotate Macbeth Act II, scenes 1-2. As you read Scene 2, trace how power and control shift in the scene between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
2) Begin vocabulary list for Act II (define and find “context” for words 17-20)
Thursday 1/14—No Class
Friday 1/15
In Class: Discuss Macbeth Act II, scenes 1-2.
Homework: 1) Read and annotate Macbeth Act II, scenes 3-4. 2) Read your RWR book; you should finish it by late January so that you can begin your 3rd book! 3) Work on vocabulary list for Act II (define and find “context” for words 21-25)