American Literature & Composition
Spring Semester 2013
*Please note that this is a tentative schedule and that I reserve the right to make changes whenever necessary.
Unit 3: Self-Reliance and Nonconformity (a study of Romanticism, Transcendentalism, and Gothic Literature)
Anchor Texts: an overview of the American Romantics and Transcendentalists
Unit 4: The Power of Gender, Culture, and Language: A look at the Harlem-Renaissance, the Feminist Movement, and a peak into Modernism/Post-Modernism Themes: The Aftermath of Destruction: Reconstructing the American Dream; is the American Dream an illusion or a reality?
Anchor Texts:
A Raisin in The Sun
The Great Gatsby
Literary terms to know:
-allegory*
-act (in a play)
-alliteration
- allusion
-antagonist
-aphorism*
-aside
-assonance*
-audience
-autobiography
-biography
-conflict (internal and external)
-comedy
-connotation (versus denotation)
-consonance*
-characterization
-creation myth
-dialogue
-diction
-direct quote
-drama
-end rhyme*
-fiction (fake)
-figurative Language (versus literal language)
-foil (character)
-folk tale
-imagery
-internal rhyme*
-irony (situational, dramatic, and verbal)
-metaphor (and extended metaphor)
-mood
-monologue
-motif*
-myth
-narrative
-nonfiction (not fake)
-onomatopoeia*
-oral tradition
-oxymoron
-paradox
-parallelism (parallel structure)
-paraphrase
-personification
-persuasion
-playwright
- plot
-primary source
-protagonist
-repetition
-rhetoric
-rhetorical questions
-satire
-scene
-setting
-simile
-slave narrative
-soliloquy
-stage directions
-structure
-style
-symbolism
-tragedy
-tragic hero
-theme
-tone
-Trickster Tale
Instructions for How to "Share" Google Docs:
All essays should be "shared" with me via Google Docs. As a reminder for how to "share" documents, please following these instructions:
1) When looking at the Google doc, please select the blue "share" button in the upper-right hand corner of the document.
2)Then where it says, "Add people", type in my email address: [email protected]
3) When the screen asks you if you are sure that you want to share the document, select "Yes".
4) Select the "done" button when finished.
5) Double check with me to ensure I received the document in my email.
Week 1: January 7-11
Monday:*Activity Bell Schedule today. IF starts January 14th.* (First period is long today.)
-Go over classroom expectations (PowerPoint)
and syllabus. Get syllabus signed by Friday for credit. (It will be half credit Monday only.)
-Watch overview of American Literature second semester YouTube clip.
-Begin Unit 1 Vocabulary
You will need to write five words and their definitions every day; then, every two weeks you will have a quiz over words/definitions.
-Take PowerPoint notes and discuss Romanticism and Transcendentalism.
Tuesday:
-Unit 1 Vocabulary: #6-10
-Examine the painting of The Wanderer and quote by Thoreau and analyze how it is characteristic of Romanticism/Transcendentalism and the "Age of Individualism" .
1st Period: Discuss the role of nature in accordance to humanity. Read "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson and discuss the essay (pg. 363 in textbook).
2nd Period: Finish taking notes on Romanticism and Transcendentalism. Read "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson and discuss the essay (pg. 363 in textbook).
Homework: Work on quote analysis for "Self-Reliance".
Wednesday:
-Unit 1 Vocabulary: #11-15
-Read excerpt from Thoreau's Walden and take notes pp. 281-391.
-Find examples of figurative language (and write examples on board with accompanying line numbers).
-Complete quote analysis for “Self-Reliance” and for Walden.
-Quote analyses due tomorrow. (½ credit Friday only)
Quote Analysis for Emerson & Thoreau
Thursday:
-Unit 1 Vocabulary: #16-20
-Quote analyses due.
-Begin viewing Dead Poet's Society and answer corresponding questions.
Background for DPS
Viewing guide for DPS
Friday:
-Vocabulary practice
-Syllabus due.
-Continue watching Dead Poet's Society and answer corresponding questions.
-First vocabulary quiz will be next Friday, 1/18.
Week 2: January 14-18
Monday:
*IF begins today.*
-Syllabus = 1/2 credit
Unit 2 Vocabulary
-Finish DPS.
-Viewing guide is due tomorrow.
Tuesday:
-Begin writing in class essay (test grade).
Wednesday:
-Finish writing in class essay (test grade).
Thursday:
-Introduction to Gothic Romanticism
-Read “Psalm of Life” by Longfellow (pg. 345-346 in textbook) to provide a contrast in ideals among Romanticists.
-Read Historical Background: The Dark Side of Individualism: American Gothic (pg. 446 in textbook) & take notes on characteristics of Gothic Romanticism.
-Watch A&E Edgar Allan Poe - The Mystery (1994) [Biography A&E] and take notes on Edgar Allen Poe.
-Vocabulary Quiz #1 over Units 1 & 2 tomorrow!
Friday:
-Vocabulary Quiz #1 (over Units 1 & 2)
-Finish film on Poe.
-Take notes on motifs in Poe's works.
Poes Recurring Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Week 3: January 21-25
Monday: MLK/No school!
Tuesday:
-Begin Unit 3 Vocabulary: #1-5
1st Period: Take notes on Poe's Recurring Themes, Symbols, and Motifs. (PowerPoint is attached above.) Begin reading Poe's short story, "The Black Cat".
2nd Period: Begin reading Poe's short story, "The Black Cat" and discuss motifs within the story. To listen to the story, you may use this link:
Listen to "The Black Cat"
"The Black Cat"
Motifs Chart
Directions: Choose 8 of the 10 motifs and find 3 quotes for each including parenthetical documentation for each quote. This will help you begin to narrow your idea for your research topic.
Wednesday:
-Unit 3 Vocabulary: #6-15
1st Period: Finish reading "The Black Cat", and record motifs on your charts. Again, this is the initial step for your research analysis, so work diligently!
2nd Period: Watch the "Poetry Out Loud" performance!
-Motif chart for "The Black Cat" is due Friday, 1/25.
Directions: Choose 8 of the 10 motifs and find 3 quotes for each including parenthetical documentation for each quote. This will help you begin to narrow your idea for your research topic.
Thursday:
-Motif chart for "The Black Cat" is due tomorrow, Friday, 1/25.
-Read & discuss Poe's short story, "The Masque of the Red Death" pp. 454-461 (including the "Build Background"). Begin filling out the other side of the motif chart for this story. The same directions apply for this story. (Directions are listen in italics below.)
Directions: Choose 8 of the 10 motifs and find 3 quotes for each including parenthetical documentation for each quote. This will help you begin to narrow your idea for your research topic.
Friday:
-1st & 2nd Period health screening
-Motif chart for "The Black Cat" due today.
Listen to "The Masque of the Red Death"
as you read along with the story.
-Complete motif chart for Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death". Both motif charts are due on Monday, 1/28.
Week 4: January 28-February 1
Monday:
-1st Period: motif charts are due at the end of class.
Unit 4 Vocabulary: #1-5
-Vocabulary Quiz #2 this Friday, 2/1.
-Read Poe's “Fall of the House of Usher” pp. 473-494 in textbook, and begin filling out another motif chart + parenthetical documentation.
Listen to "The Fall of the House of Usher" as you read along with the story.
Tuesday:
-motif charts = 1/2 credit today only
Unit 4 Vocabulary: #6-10
-Begin/continue
Tuesday:
-motif charts = 1/2 credit today only
Unit 4 Vocabulary: #6-10
-Begin/continue reading "Fall of the House of Usher". Motif chart for "Fall of the House of Usher" due Thursday, 1/31.
Wednesday:
Unit 4 Vocabulary:#11-15
1st Period: Finish reading "Fall of the House of Usher".
-Take notes on poetry terms/devices.
Poetic Devices
-Read some of Poe's poetry. . .
-Motif chart for "Fall of the House of Usher" due tomorrow.
-Test over Poe's works Monday.
Thursday:
Unit 4 Vocabulary: #16-20
Unit 3 & 4 Quiz #2 tomorrow (Friday)!
-Motif charts for "Fall of the House of Usher" due today.
-Go over research requirements. Get form signed by a parent/guardian, and decide on topic for research. Topics due tomorrow.
Research Paper Packet
(Book sources are available in my room. Feel free to peruse them in the morning before school!)
-Read and analyze Poe's poems "The Bells" and "Annabel Lee". Answer corresponding questions with a partner.
2nd Period: handout for "The Bells" due tomorrow.
"Annabel Lee" and "The Bells"
handout for "The Bells"
Friday:
Vocabulary Quiz #2 (over Units 3 & 4) today*Notecards are extra credit towards the quiz!*
1st Period: Catch up. . . Read "The Raven" and "The Bells". Work on motif chart for "The Raven" and handout for "The Bells". Develop thesis statement.
2nd Period: handout for "The Bells" due today. Complete chart for "The Raven" today. Develop thesis statement.
Research: parent form & topic due today.
-Thesis statement due Monday.
-Test over Poe's works this Monday, 1/4/13.
Week 5: February 4-February 8
Monday:
-Test over Poe's works today!
2nd Period: Thesis is due tomorrow.
Tuesday:
Unit 5 Vocabulary#1-10; the next quiz over Units 5 and 6 will be Friday, 2/15.
1st Period: Go over "The Bells" and answer handout.Thesis is due tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/6.
2nd Period: Thesis statement due today. Work on revised thesis statement, examine book sources, and work on documented sentence outline.
Wednesday:
Unit 5 Vocabulary: #11-15
1st Period: Thesis statement due.
2nd Period: Revised thesis statement due.
-Continue working on research: 1) Gather scholarly secondary sources and 2) write documented sentence outlines.
Thursday:
1st Period: Revised thesis statements are due.
-Continue working on documented sentence outlines. They are due tomorrow, Friday 2/8 at the end of class and should be submitted via Google Docs or printed.
Friday:
Documented Sentence Outline for Lab
-documented sentence outlines are due by the end of class.
Week 6: February 11-February 15
Monday:
Media Center:
-4 1/2 Progress Reports are issued in IF. Return them by Thursday for extra credit.
-Find two secondary sources. Begin typing rough drafts & Works Cited page. They will be due this Friday, 2/15 at the end of class.
The vocabulary quiz for this week has been postponed until after Winter Break. . .
Tuesday:
Media Center:
-Continue typing rough drafts & Works Cited.
-Go over MLA & short story citations.
-Find secondary sources.
-Share document with Ms. Server.
Wednesday:
Lab 703:
-Continue writing rough drafts & Works Cited.
-Works Cited for Poe's Short Stories
-For more questions about MLA formatting, visit this site: The Owl/Purdue MLA
Thursday:
Lab 703:
-Edit/revise paper & Works Cited.
-Your paper is due by the end of class tomorrow; please remember that there is a ten point deduction for every day the paper is turned in late.
-Progress reports due for extra credit.
Friday:
Media Center:
-Finish revising rough draft. It is due at the end of class today. Remember that there will be a ten point deduction for every day it's late. Unit 5 & 6 Vocabulary Quiz #3 POSTPONED until after the break.
Week 7: February 18-February 22
Monday: PRESIDENT'S DAY/WINTER BREAK
Tuesday: WINTER BREAK
Wednesday: WINTER BREAK
Thursday: WINTER BREAK
Friday: WINTER BREAK
Week 8: February 25-March 1
Monday:
-No vocabulary this week (Vocabulary will resume next week.)
-Final drafts of your literary analyses are due this Friday, 3/1 by the end of class, along with your self-assessments and hard-copy materials.
-What is "The American Dream"? Read Historical Background pp. 820-822 in textbook and take notes.
-Watch Just The Facts: The Emergence of Modern America The Roaring Twenties , and take notes.
Tuesday
Lab 703: Begin typing final drafts of your literary analyses. These should be in a new document, in which you copy and paste your rough draft into the new document, and make all changes and revisions here. Then you need to share it with me. Your final draft is due this Friday, March 1st at the end of class. You also need to turn in your self-assessments and hard copy materials. See packet for details.
Wednesday:
Lab 703: Continue typing/revising final drafts.
Thursday:
-Continue examining historical background for the novel.
-Read Scott Fitzgerald's biography pg. in textbook.
Link to the novel, The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby Character Map
-Begin reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby.
1st Period: 1-12
2nd Period: 1-
Reading Guide Questions for The Great Gatsby
Friday:
Lab 703: Final drafts are due by the end of class. There is a ten point deduction every day they are late.
Week 9: March 4-8
Monday:
Unit 6 Vocabulary
Unit 6 Vocabulary Quiz Friday, 3/8/13.
-Issue novels.
-Which literary terms (out of the 16) do you know well, struggle with, or not know at all?
-Finish reading Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby in class.
-Work on reading guides.
Tuesday:
-Vocabulary: #6-10
-Examine the modern "American Dream" via New YorkTimes. . . Class Matters: The Story of Two Immigrants and Class Matters: Class & Marriage
-Read "Prohibition" article in class.
-Quote Project (Mark five or more important passages in The Great Gatsby with sticky notes; this will help you with your project/paper when we finish the novel.)
-Read Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby; whatever you don't finish is homework.
Wednesday:
The Pursuit of Happiness (according to the Danish)
-WAC (Writing Across Curriculum): Write a 1/2 pg. summary and a 1/2 pg. personal response to the news broadcast. This is due to me by the end of class.
-Read Chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby and continue answering your reading guide questions.
Thursday:
-“WAC’s” (Writing Across the Curriculum) 1/2 page summaries and ½ page responses = 1/2 credit today only.
-Copy the last 5 vocabulary words & definitions for this week’s list.
-Read Chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby. (If you do not finish in class, it's homework.)
-Continue working on reading guide questions. For Chapters 1-5, I will collect these answers Monday, March 11th at the beginning of class.
-Review vocabulary for the quiz tomorrow (Friday, 3-8-13), and expect a pop quiz over Gatsby!
Friday:
-Unit 6 Vocabulary Quiz today
-"Pop quiz" over Chapters 1-4
-Read Chapter 5 of The Great Gat-Esby.
-Reading guide Chapters 1-5 due Monday, 3/11.
Week 10: March 11-15
Monday:
Unit 7 Vocabulary
-Unit 7 Vocabulary: #1-5
-Reading guide: Chaps 1-5 due today
-Write a [full page] journal entry from either Daisy or Gatsby’s perspective after reading Chapter 5. Describe the thoughts, feelings, doubts, regrets etc. of her first encounter after five years of separation. Extra credit: If you appropriately incorporate up to 5 vocab words throughout your entry. This is due by the end of class.
-Classwork/Homework: Read Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby.
Tuesday:
-Unit 7 Vocabulary: #6-10
Ekphrastic Poetry
Wednesday:
-Unit 7 Vocabulary: #11-15
-Ekphrastic poems due at the beginning of class.
-Read Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby in class, and finish for homework.
-Continue working on reading guides.
*I will collect the second round of reading guides after we finish Chapter 9. Continue marking important passages with sticky notes!*
Thursday:
-Unit 7 Vocabulary: #16-20
-Review Gatsby so far. . . Discuss characterization.
-Begin Chapter 8 in class, and finish for homework.
Friday:
-Write biopoem on one of the characters from the novel, and share with the class!
Biopoem
Week 11: March 18-22
Monday:
Social Studies Graduation Test today for all juniors (1st-3rd periods)
Tuesday:
Unit 8 Vocabulary
-Finish novel; read Chapter 9. Expect a "pop" quiz tomorrow!
-Reading guides for Chapters 6-9 are due Friday, 3/22. Answer questions in complete sentences for full credit!
-Quote project due one week from today (Tuesday, 3/26 by midnight). There will be a ten point deduction for every day it's submitted late.
Quote Project Requirements
-Finish sharing biopoems aloud.
-Test over The Great Gatsby is Friday, 3/22. The vocabulary quiz has been postponed until Monday, 3/25 over lists 7 & 8.
Wednesday:
-"Pop" quiz today
-Found poetry assignment. . . Note/Change: This is assignment is due Friday, 3/22, not Thursday, 3/21.
Found Poetry with The Great Gatsby
Thursday:
-Found poems are due tomorrow.
-Reading guides for Chapters 6-9 are due tomorrow.
-Review for test over The Great Gatsby. The test is tomorrow, (Friday, 3/22).
Friday:
-The Great Gatsby test today.
-Vocabulary quiz over lists 7 & 8 Monday. Notecards for each list = extra credit
-Tuesday, 3/26 the quotes project which counts as a test grade is due. These papers should be submitted using Google Docs and should be shared with me. Directions for how to share a Google Doc are at the top of this page. My email: [email protected]
Week 12: March 25-29
Monday:
-Reading guides for Chaps 6-9 = 1/2 credit today only.
-Vocabulary quiz over lists 7 & 8 due today. Notecards for each list = extra credit.
-"Writing Workshop Day": Work on quote projects which are due Tuesday at midnight. There will be a ten point deduction for every day they are submitted/edited late.
-No "new" vocabulary this week!
-9 Week Progress reports are issued in IF. Return them by Thursday for extra credit.
Tuesday:
-Quote projects are due by 11:59 tonight. There will be a ten point deduction for every day they are submitted/edited late.
-Get progress report signed!
-Return copies of The Great Gatsby!
-Begin watching the film version of The Great Gatsby.
Wednesday:
-Progress reports due tomorrow!
-Return copies of The Great Gatsby!
-Finish viewing the film.
Thursday: Progress reports due for extra credit! Return novels!
Tone Words
-Look at slideshow of different ideas concerning the "American Dream".
-Watch music clip, "America" from West Side Story.
-Read "American and I"by Anzia Yezierska pg. 863 in textbook, and complete corresponding questions.
Questions for "America and I"
-Homework: Finish questions for "America and I"; they are due the Monday you return from spring break (April 8th).
Friday:
-Finish Thursday's schedule. . .
-Homework: Finish questions for "America and I"; they are due the Monday you return from spring break (April 8th).
HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!! :)
Week 13: April 1-5
Monday: SPRING BREAK
Tuesday: SPRING BREAK
Wednesday: SPRING BREAK
Thursday: SPRING BREAK
Friday: SPRING BREAK
Week 14: April 8-12
Monday:
-Questions for "America and I" are due today.
-Review logical fallacies/persuasive appeals (EOCT Prep)
Logical Fallacies PowerPoint
-Begin reading "In The American Society" by Gish Jen (pg. 876 in your textbook), and answer accompanying questions.
Reading questions for "In The American Society"
Tuesday:
-Questions for "American and I" = 1/2 credit today only.
-What are the four types of writing?
EOCT exercise
-Finish reading "In The American Society", and complete reading questions. Questions are due tomorrow, and I will not take them late since I've given you time in class to complete them.
Wednesday:
-Questions/answers for "In The American Society" are due today; I will not take them late.
-Read background notes on the Harlem Renaissance pp. 917-918 in textbook. (*Note: Renaissance means "rebirth".)
-How do you analyze poetry? What is a TPCASTT?
-Analyze the poem, "Harlem" by Langston Hughes using a TPCASTT.
"Harlem"
Thursday:
-Make your prom promise!
-Read the short story "Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston.
-Answer reading questions. You may work with a partner, but you should still have your own answers.
"Sweat" questions
Friday:
-Lab 703: USA TEST PREP/EOCT review day
-Questions for "Sweat" are due today.
Instructions:
1. Log into USA TEST PREP.
2. Register for my class (Server).
3. Type in benchmark code for your class; the codes are listed below.
4. Retake missed questions.
5. Verify that I've received your scores via email.
1st Period: Benchmark Code: DAPORURUCA
2nd Period: Benchmark Code: LOTOPUFAKA
Week 15: April 15-19
Monday:
-EOCT prep/Literary Period Eras Review Practice Answers
Background for A Raisin in The Sun
A Raisin in The Sun full text
-Assign characters.
Tuesday:
Reading Guide Questions
*Important change: The reading guide questions are worth a test grade.
-Begin reading Act I of A Raisin in The Sun.
Wednesday:
-Copy down Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" Theory and the Younger Family in Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.-Continue reading Act I of A Raisin in The Sun.
Thursday:
-Review instructions for how to TPCASTT a poem; (the handout is labeled "TPCASTT, Strategy for Analyzing Poetry", and it should be in your notebook).
-With a partner, analyze the poem, "Dreams" by Langston Hughes using TPCASTT to do so. You should still turn in your own copy though!
These are due by the end of class!
"Dreams" with TPCASTT
Friday:
-poetry analysis of "Dreams" = 1/2 credit today only
-Watch Act I Scene I of A Raisin in The Sun (newer film version).
*Important change: The reading questions are worth a test grade.
Week 16: April 22-26
Monday:
-EOCT's are next week!
-Finish reading Act I of A Raisin in The Sun.
Tuesday:
-Pop quiz over Act I
-Begin reading Act II.
Wednesday:
-Read & watch Act II of A Raisin in The Sun.
Thursday:
-Read & watch Act II Scene III of A Raisin in The Sun.
Friday:
Media Center Lab
Instructions:
1. Log on to USA TEST PREP
2. Type in the benchmark code: KOCUWOWOGA
3. Retake missed questions, and I will give you an average of the two scores.
*Review this weekend for the EOCT! There's a practice test under the "EOCT tab" on my website, and you can also review/play corresponding games on USA TEST PREP!
Week 17: April 29-May 3
Monday:
-Read & discuss Act II of A Raisin in The Sun.
-13 1/2 Progress Reports go out in IF. Return them by Monday, 5/6 for extra credit.
Tuesday: EOCT's
1st period EOCT, 2nd period, 4th period EOCT
Wednesday: EOCT's
2nd period EOCT, 3rd period, 5th period EOCT
Thursday: EOCT's
3rd period EOCT, 4th period, 6th period EOCT
Friday:
-Progress reports are due by Monday, 5/6 for extra credit!
Week 18: May 6-May 10
Monday:
-13 1/2 progress reports are due today for extra credit.
-Finish Act III of A Raisin in The Sun.
-Test over A Raisin in The Sun this Thursday, 5/9.
Tuesday:
Lab 703:
-Set up paper in MLA format, and go ahead and share the document with me. Sample MLA Template My email address:
[email protected]
-Review the RUBRIC for the reading guide!
-Work on answering your reading guide questions for A Raisin in The Sun; remember this is worth a test grade! These are due by the beginning of class on Friday, 5/10 and should be shared using Google Docs. There will be a 10 point deduction for every edit/day it's turned in late.
-Test over A Raisin in The Sun Thursday, 5/9.
Wednesday:
Lab 703:
-Work on answering your reading guide questions for A Raisin in The Sun; remember this is worth a test grade! These are due by the beginning of class on Friday, 5/10 and should be shared using Google Docs.
-Test over A Raisin in The Sun tomorrow!
Thursday:
-Test over A Raisin in The Sun today
-Reading guide analysis due by the beginning of class tomorrow!
Friday:
-Reading guide analysis due by the beginning of class today!
-Begin watching The Pursuit of Happyness. You will have one more major writing assignment (worth a test grade) that will deal with an aspect of "the American Dream" in which you will need to implement and compare some of the writings we have read this semester.
Week 19: May 13-17
Monday:
-Continue watching The Pursuit of Happyness.
Tuesday:
-Finish The Pursuit of Happyness.
-Read "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" (pp. 1025-1029 in textbook). Think: Based on Prufrock's thoughts, what do you think his "overwhelming question" is? How is it representative of the human condition; (how can we as humanity relate to his plight)?
Wednesday:
-Begin in-class writing (test grade)
Thursday:
-Continue in-class writing (test grade)
Friday:
-Finish in- class writing (test grade)
Week 20: May 20-24
Monday:
Tuesday:
*Remember, the EOCT replaces your final final exam grade!
Wednesday: EXAMS
Thursday: EXAMS
Friday: EXAMS & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Week 21: May 27-29*
Monday: MEMORIAL DAY
Tuesday: Post-planning
Wednesday: Post-planning
Thursday:
Friday: