Category: English 9A

English 9A Syllabus April 5-13 2010

English 9A

Jane Belton

Syllabus April 5 – April 13 2010

Monday 4/5

In Class: Sign up for RWR book # 4. Begin reading Journey from the Land of No; dedication and introductory poem.

Homework: Read and annotate “Historical Note” (pp 5-8) and Chapter 1 (pp 9-18). As you read, mark moments, lines, and passages that strike you or interest you most. Make sure to write notes or questions next to each passage you annotate. In Chapter 1, make note particularly of Roya’s feelings about telling/sharing her story. What is behind these feelings?

Tuesday 4/6 – No Class


Wednesday 4/7

In Class: Discuss Journey from the Land of No, Chapter 1. Framework for the memoir, “bearing a story never told”, and decisions about language (English vs. Persian).

Homework: Read and annotate pp 19-31 (to the break at the bottom of the page); fill out definitions, parts of speech, and context for vocab words 1-5.

Thursday 4/8

In Class: Discuss Journey from the Land of No pp. 19-31: Roya’s Iran; central characters and family.

Homework: Read and annotate Journey from the Land of No pp. 31-43; fill out definitions, parts of speech, and context for vocab words 6-10.

Friday 4/9

In Class: Discuss Journey from the Land of No pp 31-43; function of Little Black Fish story; discoveries about Albert, power of stories/writing/language.

Homework: Read and annotate Journey from the Land of No pp. 44-66. Fill out definitions, parts of speech, and context for vocab words 11-15.

Monday 4/12

In Class: Discuss Journey from the Land of No. Religion; Uncle Ardi and Neela.

Homework: Journey from the Land of No pp. 67-77 (to bottom of the page). Complete a written close reading: Select one short passage from pages 67-77 (a short paragraph, or 6-8 sentences within a paragraph) that strike you most and that you feel are rich (in character development, theme, important issues/questions raised in the memoir thus far). Write a 1 page close analysis of the passage in which you discuss why the passage is important. For instance, you might want to discuss of significance the passage reveals about Roya or her society/world.  To perform your close analysis, you must zoom in to discuss the significance of specific word choice, language, and imagery that strikes you in the passage and why those choices are important to your understanding of the meaning/significance of the passage.  You may want to make connections between this passage and other moments in the text thus far, if it is important to your discussion. You are required to weave in short pieces of evidence into your analysis (with correct parenthetical citations!).  Do not use “I” or “me” in this analytical assignment.  Please title this assignment “Close Reading pp 67-77.”

Tuesday 4/13 – No Class

Macbeth Essay Process Piece, due March 5

English 9 Macbeth Essay Process Piece
Due in your essay folder, Friday March 5

When you finish your essay, write a one page process piece (typed, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font) in which you reflect on your experience reading Macbeth and writing and revising your close reading essay. Please answer all of the following questions, and be specific in your responses!

What did you learn about yourself as a reader? What did you learn about yourself as a writer? What did you struggle with in brainstorming for, writing, and revising the essay? What are you most proud of in your essay? How have your writing skills improved over the course of the year? What do you think you still need to work on as an analytical writer?

English 9A Syllabus 3/1 – 3/11

English 9A
Jane Belton

Syllabus – Trimester II

Monday 3/1
In Class: FIRST FULL DRAFT DUE TODAY. Peer editing.
Homework:  Continue to revise your first draft, according to feedback you received.  Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work further. Your final essay (and complete folder) is due Friday, March 5 by 12:30.

Tuesday 3/2
In Class:  Hand back RWR grades. Meet in groups to rehearse your scene.
Homework: 1) Prepare for performance (find props, costumes, rehearse your lines and blocking). You should be meeting outside of school to your scenes more fully 2) Revise essay. Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work further. 3) read your RWR book # 3.

Wednesday 3/3
In Class:  Meet in groups to rehearse your scene.
Assignment: 1) Prepare for performance (find props, costumes, rehearse your lines and blocking). I encourage you to meet outside of school to rehearse your scenes more fully. 2) Complete final draft of your essay. The complete folder is due Friday March 5 in class. 3) Read your RWR book # 3!

Thursday 3/4
In Class:  Meet in groups to rehearse your scene.
Homework: 1) Your ESSAY and FOLDER ARE DUE TOMORROW! 2) Prepare for performance (find props, costumes, rehearse your lines and blocking). I encourage you to meet outside of school to rehearse your scenes more fully. 3) Finish your RWR book review (#3) for Tuesday, March 9. You must post your book review by 12 noon. (NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME).

Friday 3/5  — Final Macbeth essay folder due by 12:30

Monday 3/8: Reading Day.
Office hours 9:30-12: You may schedule an appointment to get feedback/notes on your group performance from me, if you like.  I strongly encourage you to do so! You may also want to meet with me to discuss your book review draft.

Tuesday 3/9: Book reviews due to goodreads by 12 noon.

Tuesday 3/9 – Thursday 3/11: Performance Day: Bring all props and costumes as well as your text for your performance.  GOOD LUCK!

English 9A Syllabus 2/18-3/1

English 9A/Jane Belton

Syllabus – Trimester II

Thursday 2/18: Book Review due to goodreads by 9am

In Class: Macbeth Project Worksheet # 1 due. Go over essay assignment. Group work: Discuss your assigned act, important shifts, character developments, and significant themes.  Select one scene from the assigned act that your group will perform and that you will write about for your essay.

Homework:  1) Review/reannotate your scene and complete Macbeth Project Worksheet # 2. 2) Read your next RWR book 3) Review for vocabulary quiz on Thursday 2/25.

Friday 2/19: No Class

Monday 2/22

In Class: Macbeth Project Worksheet # 2 due. Close Reading Workshop—thesis statements and organization of ideas.

Homework: 1) Draft the introduction of your essay. The introduction should establish the context for your ideas, include the major points you plan to make in the body of your essay, and culminate with a “working” thesis statement at the very end. Use your ideas from Worksheet # 2, our discussion and rough outline in class, and your group’s discussions as guidance.  Bring in a printed version of this introduction to turn in to me tomorrow. Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work/ideas further. 2) Read your RWR book # 3 3) Study for vocabulary quiz on Thursday 2/25.

Tuesday 2/23

In Class: Typed introductions due. Close reading workshop: Body paragraphs: topic sentences and incorporation and analysis of evidence, citations review. Begin first body paragraph in class.

Homework: 1) Write your essay’s first body paragraph and bring it to class on Wednesday. Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work/ideas further. 2) Read your RWR book # 3. 3) Study vocabulary for a quiz on Thursday 2/25.

Wednesday 2/24

In Class: Hand back introductions. One body paragraph due today. 35 minutes: Close reading workshop on body paragraphs.  15 minutes: Meet in groups to discuss performance of your scene.

Homework:  1) Revise your introduction and body paragraph according to feedback/workshop. Write at least one more body paragraph for Thursday. Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work/ideas further. 2) Study vocabulary for a quiz on Thursday 2/25.

Thursday 2/25

In Class: Revised intro and at least TWO body paragraphs due. Discuss conclusions (15 minutes); vocabulary quiz (30 minutes)

Homework:  1) Write the full draft of your essay, due Monday, March 1. Bring in a printed full draft to class on Monday. Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work/ideas further. 2) Read your RWR book # 3. The RWR written assignment for book # 3 will be due on Reading Day, Monday March 8, by 12 noon.

Friday 2/26 – No Class

Monday 3/1

In Class: FIRST FULL DRAFT DUE TODAY. Peer editing. In-class conferences.

Homework: Continue to revise the first draft of your essay.  Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work further.  The final draft will be due Thursday March 4, in class.