English 9B

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

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.

Wednesday 4/7

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.

Thursday 4/8

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.

Friday 4/9 – No class

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

In Class: Discuss Journey from the Land of No. Share close reading passages; discuss visions of motherhood/womanhood.

Homework: Read and annotate Journey from the Land of No pp 78-89.

English 9B
Jane Belton

Syllabus – Trimester II

Monday 3/1
In Class: FIRST FULL DRAFT DUE TODAY. Vocab quiz. 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 in class.

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—No Class

Friday 3/5 Review Day
In Class:  Final Macbeth essay folder due. Meet in groups to rehearse your scene.
Homework: 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) Finish your RWR book review (#3) for Tuesday, March 9. You must post your book review by 12 noon. (NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME)

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!

1. Your first full drafts of your essays are still due Monday March 1st, printed out for class.

2. Be prepared to take the vocabulary quiz on Monday March 1st (15 minutes!)

3. You should be reading your next RWR book! Bookreviews on that book will be due Monday, March 8 (that’s a week from Monday!)

4. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday classes of next week will be entirely devoted to working on your scenes with your group. You should plan to meet outside of class MANY TIMES for read throughs, rehearsals, and planning sessions with your group.

English 9B/Jane Belton

Syllabus – Trimester II

Friday 2/19

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 your scene, re-annotate, and complete Macbeth Project Worksheet # 2.

2) Read your next RWR book 3) Review for vocabulary quiz on Friday 2/26.

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 culmintate 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 Friday 2/26.

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.

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 Friday 2/26.

Wednesday 2/24

In Class: Hand back introductions. One body paragraph due today. 30 minutes: Close reading workshop on body paragraphs.  20 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 Friday. Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work/ideas further. 2) Study vocabulary for a quiz on Friday 2/26.

Thursday 2/25 – No Class

Friday 2/26

In Class: Revised intro and TWO 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 will be due on Reading Day, Monday March 8, by 12 noon.

Monday 3/1

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

Homework: Continue to revise your first draft.  Set up a meeting with me to discuss your work further. Your final essay is due Friday, March 5 in class.

Macbeth Final Project9B 2009