March 26-30

It's the last week before Spring Break! Here's what's on the agenda:

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Argument: definition of warrants. Review Logical Fallacies, learn 3 new ones, prepare in-class skits. Read Gatbsy, Chapter 4; draw the beginning and act out Gatsby and Nick's car ride. Fill out Nomination Form for Actors for Great Gatsby. Gatsby Character Songs.

Due: 

Final draft of the "Women in the draft" essay to Turnitin.com by the following dates/times:

4th and 6th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

2nd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.

Please read another 20 pages of the independent reading book, up to page 150.

Homework: Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 4 for Thursday/Friday. 

Finish Nomination Form for Actors for Great Gatsby for Thursday/Friday.


WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints. Discuss and debate, vote. Outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion.

Due: n/a

Homework: same as Monday.


THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering Vocab #19. Read and act out Gatsby, Chapter 5. Vote on Gatsby actors from the Nomination Forms for each role, per class. Gatsby Character Songs.

Due: Read Gatsby, Chapter 4.

Nomination Form for Actors for The Great Gatsby.

Homework: Please finish Gatsby Chapter 5, and read Gatsby Chapter 6.

Read 25 more pages of your independent reading book, up to page 175. If you're not caught up with independent reading, take the opportunity this week to relax and read a bit. We'll be working with the books, and writing about them after break.

Have a spectacular Spring Break!
I look forward to seeing everyone in April.

March 19-23

Challenge Success Survey link - click here!

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Writing conclusions - PPT with suggestions and then rewrite sample conclusions in pairs, share with the class.  Discuss Chapter 2 of Gatsby and begin reading Chapter 3.  Compare/contrast exercise with the description of a Gatsby party from the book. Listen to clips from Gatsby character songs.

Due: Read Gatsby, Chapter 2 and be ready to discuss what else we learn about Tom Buchanan

Read another 10 pages in your Independent Reading book.

Homework: Please read the rest of Chapter 3 of Gatsby for Thursday. Note how Fitzgerald describes Nick's first encounter with Jay Gatsby at his party

Optional:
Look up comments and continue work on essay drafts. We'll have time on Thursday/Friday to work on essays in class. The final drafts are due on:

4th and 6th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

2nd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.
 

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. "Generation Z" activism, voting rates for the U.S. Read and analyze 3 articles about mandatory voting.  In small groups, simulate a candidate for governor and a team of advisors. Craft a 2-3 sentence response to the prompt using evidence and examples.

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday) Please read the rest of Chapter 3 of Gatsby for Thursday. Note how Fitzgerald describes Nick's first encounter with Jay Gatsby at his party.  
Optional:
Look up comments and continue work on essay drafts. We'll have time on Thursday/Friday to work on essays in class. The final drafts are due on:  

4th and 6th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

2nd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.

 

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocab #18, grammar, Gatsby reading through Chapter 3. View model essay. Challenge Success Survey and time to work on final drafts of essays in class and upload them.

Due: n/a
 

Homework:  Please upload the final draft of your "Women in the draft" essay to Turnitin.com by the following dates/times:

4th and 6th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

2nd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.

Please read another 20 pages of the independent reading book, up to page 150.

March 12 - 16

This week, we'll begin The Great Gatsby! I'm looking forward to reading it with you, and I have two flapper dresses ready to go for acting it out in class. :-)

 

We will also be working on the final drafts of the women in the draft essay, and continuing with the argument unit.   

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Pass back Disobedience Argument Outlines and go over results. Introduction to the world of The Great Gatsby. Pick up the book from the library.  Begin reading and acting out Chapter 1.  Describe Gatsby Song Assignment.

Due:  Read 25 more pages in the Independent Reading Book. You should be up to approximately page 115.

Homework: For Thursday/Friday:

• Finish reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment and be ready to share with the class. 

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints. Discuss and debate, vote. Outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion.

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday)

• Finish reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment and be ready to share with the class. 

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocab #17, grammar, and Gatsby reading. Begin reading and acting out Chapter Two of Gatsby.  After reading, view 3 different interpretations of the introduction of Myrtle and discuss which is the most true to the text and/or best. Feedback about essay drafts and view a model essay. Time to work on essay drafts on laptops and ask for individual help.

Due:

• Finish reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete the Gatsby Song Assignment and be ready to share with the class. 

Homework:  For next class: 

 

1. Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter 2 and note what we learn about Tom Buchanon.  

2. Please read 10 pages of your Independent Reading book, up to page 125. 

Optional  - Continue to work on essay drafts. We will go over conclusions in class next week, and have about 30 more minutes to work on the drafts in class. The due dates for the final draft to Turnitin.com are: 

4th and 6th period: Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m.

2nd period: Friday, March 23 at 11:00 p.m.

March 5 - 9, Supreme Court Week!

Thank you for your hard work last class on the rough drafts of the "women in the draft" essay. I am reading them and giving feedback, and we'll pick them back up next week.

This week, you'll research and present information about landmark Supreme Court cases, analyzing the language used to justify majority and minority opinions. You will work together in groups (with an individual assignment for each person).  In addition to satisfying standards for 11th grade informational reading, these Supreme Court cases are high quality examples that can be used to support positions in relevant argument and synthesis essays.

NOTE: Due to the WASC visit this week, there will be a Tuesday late start schedule, and Wednesday regular bell schedule.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Overview of Supreme Court Project. Divide into groups, choose cases. Work with your group on laptops to research and discuss your case, and your individual written assignment in class. 

Due: Research basic facts about the U.S. Supreme Court.

Homework: Finish typing up your individual portion of the written Supreme Court case project. Bring a hard copy of the final draft, either neatly written or typed, to class on Thursday/Friday. 

 

WEDNESDAY (no late start): Journal warm-up. Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints about whether or not college athletes should be paid. Discuss and debate, vote. As a whole class, outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion.

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday/Tuesday)

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up.  Supreme Court Case group presentations. Turn in hard copy of individual written Supreme Court assignment. Take notes on other presentations. Take open-note quiz about the cases afterwards.

Due: Hard copy (paper copy) of the final draft of the Supreme Court Project, either neatly written or typed.

Homework: Study vocab #17 for next week's quiz.

Read 25 pages of your independent reading book, up to at least page 115.
 

February 26 - March 2

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up.  Draw cards to find out which side of the debate you'll be arguing for (defend or challenge). Structured gender debate: should women be required to sign up for Selective Service (the draft) the same way that men do at age eighteen?

Due: Structured Gender Debate Prep Worksheet

Homework: Think about the debate and discussion, and prepare to write an essay taking a position (defend, challenge, or qualify) on Thursday/Friday. How did you do? What were the best examples and evidence supporting each side? Did you hear any logical fallacies during the debate? Do you personally agree, disagree, or agree/disagree with qualifications?


WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day - read and annotate two opposing viewpoints. Discuss and debate, vote. Outline the majority opinion in a synthesis/ACT-style outline response based on the discussion.

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday/Tuesday)

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Go through the steps of writing an argument essay. Write an outline and type a draft of an argument essay using the same prompt. Upload to turnitin.com.

Due: draft of argument essay uploaded to Turnitin.com by the end of the period.

Homework: 25 pages of independent reading book, (up to at least page 85). 

February 20 - 23

This is a very short week for us in English, due to the President's Day holiday and Junior Guidance Sessions. There will be no quiz this week.

The class will look at the latest debates about gender and then will begin researching evidence and examples for a formal debate next week.  The topic is whether women should be required to sign up for Selective Services (the draft), like all eighteen year-old American males do.

MONDAY: President's Day holiday.  Enjoy!

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: All classes will come to English class for attendance, turn in homework, then go to the library for Junior Guidance Sessions.

Due: Outline response to argument prompt about disobedience and rebellion.

Read 20 pages of your independent reading book, up to approximately page 45-50.

Homework: n/a

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Latest debates about gender. How to find evidence and examples from quality sources. Last part of class: laptops to research evidence and examples for debate about the draft.

Due: n/a

Homework: Please complete the Honors Gender Debate Worksheet and bring it with you next class. You will turn this in for credit and will use these during the formal debate next week. If you're having trouble finding credible sources, check out this reference sheet.

Read 10 pages of your independent reading book. 

February 12 - 16

Happy Valentine's Day!

Whether or not you have romance in your life right now  - I didn't at your age, unless you count secret, painful, unrequited crushes - I hope you feel loved and supported. We will celebrate Valentine's Day with a little candy and something from an American poet, in addition to continuing the argument unit, and the reading and discussions about gender.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Valentine's Day poem. Discuss assigned reading as pairs, then with the whole group. "I Want a Wife" reading, analysis. Notes: fallacies in arguments (next 3). Small group challenge with the fallacies.

Due: Read and annotate "Professions for Women" (challenging) and "There is No Unmarked Woman," from the Gender Packet.

Read the next 10 pages of your independent reading book (up to page 25). 

Homework: Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond How Do I Look?" page 24-29 in the Gender Packet. Think about your own personal experiences and experiences with friends and family.

Study for the quiz on Thursday/Friday.

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Look at some of the complex reasons that might help explain the gender pay gap. Explore some possible solutions put forth in the U.S. and other countries. Read article about negotiating pay, group activity with wording for negotiating a salary offer.

Due: n/a

Homework: (same as Monday) Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond How Do I Look?" page 24-29 in the Gender Packet. Think about your own personal experiences and experiences with friends and family.

Study for the quiz.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering vocab 16, grammar, fallacies, reading. Female body images in popular culture over time, depictions in current popular media - video and links, whole class discussion.

Due: Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond How Do I Look?" page 24-29 in the Gender Packet. 

Please leave journals in the bin at the end of the period for points. Be sure you've either answered all of the warm-up questions, or marked the date and "absent" for each day. 

Homework: Please read another 20 pages in your independent reading book. 

For next class, please write an outline (not the whole essay) to answer the following prompt. When brainstorming evidence and examples for your position, go for quality and variety if possible.  I handed out a piece of paper with this prompt in class, but writing it on a separate piece of paper is fine:

In 1891, Irish author Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) observed, “Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion.”

 

Wilde claims that disobedience is a valuable human trait and that it promotes social progress. Write an essay that argues your position on the extent to which Wilde’s claims are valid. Use appropriate examples from your reading, experience, or observations to support your argument. 

 

Enjoy the three-day weekend!