For a day to day update of what is going on in class - or to find make up work, the best place to see that is on my Blog in the menu bar.
Here you will find an overview of what is planned for out class this year. Assignments can be found on iTunesU and uploaded to either iTunesU or Turnitin.
Unit 1: Process in Writing (duration 6 weeks...we will likely do our research paper early if we can).
We will discuss the processes going into the various forms of writing we will do throughout the year. The assignments will include:
Unit 2: Anglo-Saxon Period (duration 1 1/2 weeks)
We will read one or possibly two versions of Beowulf and discuss the beginnings of British Literature. This will include activities to aid the understanding of the Journey of the Hero.
Unit 3: Medieval Period (duration 2 - 2 1/2 weeks)
We will read The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. Together we will read the Prologue and introduce the pilgrims no their way to Canterbury.
Unit 4: The Renaissance / Elizabethan Period (5 - 5 1/2 weeks)
We will read a Shakespearean play. During the 2nd 6 weeks there will be an extra credit opportunity to see Macbeth in the theater....and an outing that students may join me at San Jacinto Mall to see it together and discuss afterwards in the food court.
We will read Much Ado About Nothing in class together. This will be in preparation for a media comparison of the two movies: Kenneth Branagh's and Joss Whedon's versions. This will show how directorial choices effect the meaning or understanding of the play.
This concludes the Fall Semester.
Unit 5: Process Writing (1 1/2 - 2 weeks)
We will use the first couple of weeks to complete a Curriculum Vitae and an Educational Foundation Letter. These are documents that students will be able to see the immediate impact or usage. Teachers use these to complete college and work recommendations. The letters will be use to nominate a teacher and reflect on students' experiences in Goose Creek.
Unit 6: The Romantic / Gothic Romance Period (4 1/2 - 5 weeks)
We will break up into groups. Students will be allowed to choose from one of two classic monster tales or combination of two other tales: Frankenstein, Dracula or the The Invisible Man / Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (approximately the same number of pages) to read this six weeks. They will work and discuss their book in their groups. There will be assignments specific to their novel. We will ultimately compare how the authors use the genre of Gothic Romance and which they feel are more effective.
Unit 7: Poetry (2 - 3 weeks)
Students will be introduced to poetry beyond the beginnings of British Literature. We will evaluate a poem together, after which students will choose their poet and their own poem to evaluate. They will then have a project to complete and present to the class. They will need to have their iPads and certain apps in order to complete this project.
Unit 8: The Victorian Period (3 - 4 weeks)
We will read a piece of Victorian satire, The Importance of Being Ernest. We will discuss the purpose of satire and why it is so important to Oscar Wilde's text. We will also discuss what it is he is making fun of and what the goal he wishes to achieve with his satire.
Unit 9: Literature Circles (5 weeks)
We will end the year with literature circles and this time students will have a choice of two Victorian novels...or a Modern novel. Their choices are A Tale of Two Cities, Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice for the Victorian novels...or The Fellowship of the Ring. There will again be time to talk about their novels with their groups.
Unit 10: Short pieces
At the end of the year we will revise and update our C.V. if time permits. We will also read short pieces, such as commencement address and reflect on our year. Students will be able to write their own reflection on their year and what high school has meant to them.
This concludes the Spring Semester...
Now on to Graduation...and the next chapter.
Here you will find an overview of what is planned for out class this year. Assignments can be found on iTunesU and uploaded to either iTunesU or Turnitin.
Unit 1: Process in Writing (duration 6 weeks...we will likely do our research paper early if we can).
We will discuss the processes going into the various forms of writing we will do throughout the year. The assignments will include:
- letter structure and writing
- personal response essay
- expository essay
- persuasive essay
- synthesis essay or research paper
Unit 2: Anglo-Saxon Period (duration 1 1/2 weeks)
We will read one or possibly two versions of Beowulf and discuss the beginnings of British Literature. This will include activities to aid the understanding of the Journey of the Hero.
Unit 3: Medieval Period (duration 2 - 2 1/2 weeks)
We will read The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. Together we will read the Prologue and introduce the pilgrims no their way to Canterbury.
Unit 4: The Renaissance / Elizabethan Period (5 - 5 1/2 weeks)
We will read a Shakespearean play. During the 2nd 6 weeks there will be an extra credit opportunity to see Macbeth in the theater....and an outing that students may join me at San Jacinto Mall to see it together and discuss afterwards in the food court.
We will read Much Ado About Nothing in class together. This will be in preparation for a media comparison of the two movies: Kenneth Branagh's and Joss Whedon's versions. This will show how directorial choices effect the meaning or understanding of the play.
- argumentative essay
- rebuttal or refutation essay
This concludes the Fall Semester.
Unit 5: Process Writing (1 1/2 - 2 weeks)
We will use the first couple of weeks to complete a Curriculum Vitae and an Educational Foundation Letter. These are documents that students will be able to see the immediate impact or usage. Teachers use these to complete college and work recommendations. The letters will be use to nominate a teacher and reflect on students' experiences in Goose Creek.
Unit 6: The Romantic / Gothic Romance Period (4 1/2 - 5 weeks)
We will break up into groups. Students will be allowed to choose from one of two classic monster tales or combination of two other tales: Frankenstein, Dracula or the The Invisible Man / Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (approximately the same number of pages) to read this six weeks. They will work and discuss their book in their groups. There will be assignments specific to their novel. We will ultimately compare how the authors use the genre of Gothic Romance and which they feel are more effective.
Unit 7: Poetry (2 - 3 weeks)
Students will be introduced to poetry beyond the beginnings of British Literature. We will evaluate a poem together, after which students will choose their poet and their own poem to evaluate. They will then have a project to complete and present to the class. They will need to have their iPads and certain apps in order to complete this project.
Unit 8: The Victorian Period (3 - 4 weeks)
We will read a piece of Victorian satire, The Importance of Being Ernest. We will discuss the purpose of satire and why it is so important to Oscar Wilde's text. We will also discuss what it is he is making fun of and what the goal he wishes to achieve with his satire.
Unit 9: Literature Circles (5 weeks)
We will end the year with literature circles and this time students will have a choice of two Victorian novels...or a Modern novel. Their choices are A Tale of Two Cities, Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice for the Victorian novels...or The Fellowship of the Ring. There will again be time to talk about their novels with their groups.
Unit 10: Short pieces
At the end of the year we will revise and update our C.V. if time permits. We will also read short pieces, such as commencement address and reflect on our year. Students will be able to write their own reflection on their year and what high school has meant to them.
This concludes the Spring Semester...
Now on to Graduation...and the next chapter.