SUMMER READING: Scarlet Letter questions can be posted to Turnitin.com (see sidebar for login info) for 10 extra credit points. There will be questions on the Week 2 quiz covering Where You Go is Not Who You Are, the other summer reading book.
MONDAY: (minimum day - all classes, 35 minutes per class) Find seats, welcome and introduction, journals passed out and started, share. Receive syllabus, begin work on Interest Inventory Worksheet.
Due: First journal entry, completed in class.
Homework: Bring the Interest Inventory Worksheet for next class - you will have time to work on it in class, but you can start on it before Wednesday if you think you'll need more time.
Read through the syllabus and ask parents/guardians to read, sign and return the signature page by September 6.
TUESDAY: Journal, share. Discuss summer reading. Interest Inventory Worksheet activity. The "dark side" of 11th grade (cheating, meltdowns, drugs). Overview of the specific units we'll cover to prepare you for the writing you'll be expected to do during the year. Go over Independent Reading Project in detail. Discuss syllabus, procedures and routines. Write one-page letter to yourself as a freshman.
Due: Interest Inventory Worksheet
Homework:
- Finish Letter to My Freshman Self for next class.
- Study classroom rules/procedures from notes and syllabus for first quiz.
- Go over the syllabus with your parents/guardians and before September 6th, bring the signature page of the syllabus to class
- Research books on the Independent Reading Project Sheet and narrow down your choices. You'll turn in your decision next week on Tuesday, September 6.
- Work on gathering supplies (binder with tabs, per syllabus) for next week.
THURSDAY: Journal, share. Review procedures and routines. First quiz covering procedures, classroom rules. Turn in Letter to Freshman Self. Receive Vocab/Grammar for next week. Gallery Walk. Grapes of Wrath introduction including anticipation guide, video of Dust Bowl, Depression PPT. Pick up a copy of The Grapes of Wrath for next week.
Due: Letter to Freshman Self
Homework:
- Signature page of syllabus due by Tuesday, September 6.
- Turnitin.com permission form due back signed by September 7.
- Sign up for TheWeek.com weekly e-mail blast (see sidebar for instructions).
- Get supplies for class (notebook with tabs per syllabus).
- Due Tuesday, September 6: read Chapter One of The Grapes of Wrath and answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper: 1. Why does Steinbeck spend so much time talking about the wind? What impression are we supposed to have of the conditions the people lived in? 2. Do men and women still handle setbacks differently? Explain your answer with an example (from history, current events, science, a personal example - something specific and concrete).
- Choose one of the ten themes from the Independent Reading Project list - choice due Tuesday.
- Independent Reading: read the first 10 pages or so of the first book listed under the category you chose to get a feel for the book. Be ready to talk about first impressions on Tuesday.
Enjoy the three-day weekend! I look forward to seeing you next week in class.
