new username for online book: ruthmcdonald
the password is the same.
5/14 - 5/18
Epic Hero: "The Odyssey"
5/18 - Odyssey Test
5/7 - 5/11
Epic Hero
Apply Elements of Epic Hero to "The Princess Bride"
5/11 - Quiz over Elements of Epic Hero
The Art of Argument
4/30 Brainstorming for argument/persuasion letter
5/1 & 2 Computer lab to write letter
5/3 persuasive letter due
5/3 & 4 Epic Hero notes
4/23
Review : Argument and Persuasion p. 654
MLK “I Have a Dream” p. 661
Questions 1-7, p. 668
Michael J Fox, p. 671
Questions 1-9, p. 677
4/24 & 25
Watch "Twelve Angry Men"
4/26 or 27
Argument quiz
Assign persuasive letter
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
4/16 - 4/20
4/16 Review TKAM
4/17 TKAM test
4/18 Argument: MLK "I Have a Dream"
4/9-4/13
Read TKAM chapters 24-28
9/10 quiz ch. 21-23
9/11 study questions 22-25 due
9/13 quiz ch. 24-25
4/2-4/5
TKAM chapter 20-23
Quiz chapters 17-20
Study questions due chapters 18-21
Analyze Atticus's remarks to the jury-persuasive speaking
3/26 & 3/27
STAAR testing - Reading and Writing
3/28-3/30
Read "TKAM" chapters 17-19
Study questions for chapters 15-17 due Thursday
Quiz Friday chapters 15 & 16
3/19-3/23
Read "TKAM" chapters 12-16
Study questions for chapters 12-14 due Thursday
Quiz Friday over chapters 12-14
3/5
Read chapter 10
Step 1
Choose a quote that stands out to you. Copy the quote down word for word and
put it in quotations marks. After the quote, write the author’s last name and
the page number in parentheses. Like this: “But her cooking made up for
everything: three kinds of meat summer vegetables from her pantry shelves;
peach pickles, two kinds of cake and ambrosia constituted a modest Christmas
dinner.”(Lee 66)
Step 2
Write a paragraph summarizing the quote’s place in the text. Like this:
Scout does not like her Aunt Alexandria, because she is so different from her
father. Her aunt does not approve of her wearing overalls, nor does she
approve of the case Atticus has taken. She also will not allow Scout to sit
at the big table, but makes her sit at the children’s table with her cousin
Francis. Scout resents the way she is treated. She says, “the cooking made up
for everything” that she does not like about going to Finch’s landing for the
holiday. The rest of the sentence tells us why she likes it: the food is
delicious and plentiful.
Step 3
Write a paragraph where you make a personal connection to the quote,
something it reminds you of. Like this: The description of the southern
cooked meal reminds me of my grandmother. She grew up during this time period
and cooked similar dishes like chicken and dumplings, cabbage rolls, and
banana pudding. She also retained some of the same prejudices that Aunt
Alexandra shows. It was the one thing my father and my grandmother fought
about. He too was a lawyer that represented everyone and did not like some of
the language my grandmother used sometimes to speak of other races, but he
loved her for other reasons. We often have to make allowances for differences
among family members and accept them for the way that they are.
3/6
Read chapter 11
Repeat yesterdays exercise of expanding on quotes. See insturctions for 3/5.
3/7
Short answer question practice
Study questions due for chapters 8-11
3/8
Quiz: Chapters 8-11, includes short answer questions
3/9
Watch first part of movie
2/27
Jim Crow laws
Quiz tomorrow: chapters 1-3
Read: chapter 5
Study questions for chapters 4-7 due Thursday
Quiz Friday: Chapters 4-7
2/28
Quiz today(need scantron): chapters 1-3
Read: chapter 6
Study questions for chapters 4-7 due Thursday
Quiz Friday: Chapters 4-7
2/29
Read chapter 7
Practice short answer questions
Study questions for chapters 4-7 due Thursday
Quiz Friday: Chapters 4-7
3/1
Study questions for chapters 4-7 due
Read: chapter 8
3/2
Quiz : Chapters 4-7
Read: chapter 9
2/21
Chapter 1
2/22
Chapter 2
Vocabulary 4 notecards due
2/23
chapter 3
2/24
Chapter 1-3 study questions due
Quizzes: Subject /Verb agreeement
Vocabulary 4
Read: Chapter 4
2/6
Review Right Word packet - quiz Friday
Watch Mercutio/Tybalt Romeo fight
2/7
Discuss different views on marriage presented in R & J.
Write:What are the differing views on marriage? How have marriage views
changed? What do you think about marriage?
2/8
Read 30 minute R & J
2/9
Watch Nightingale Lark scene to desperate Juliet
2/10
quiz Right word
S/V agreement
Compare death scenes
R & J quiz Tuesday
1/30
Romeo and Juliet
Prologue paraphrase
Insults
1/31
Watch Act I
2/1
Read 30 minute version
2/2
Start Love Connection
Watch clip from "Shakepeare in Love"
2/3
Finish Love connections
Compare Balcony scenes
January 22-26 Poetry
Monday 1/22
Go over quiz 2
Work on poetry assignment.
Review for Test.
Tuesday 1/23
Poetry Test
HW-Using the Right Word
Wednesday 1/24
Go over Benchmark
Work on poetry
Thursday 1/25
Poems due
Select one poem to read in class
Friday 1/26
In lab to type poetry
January 17 - 20 Poetry
Friday 1/20
Poetry quiz 2
Thursday 1/19
Read 774-783, questions 1-5 on page 784 - today
Read 764-768 , questions 1-5 on page 769 –yesterday
Questions due Friday
Poetry quiz 2 on Friday
Return poetry quiz 1 today
Assignment – Write a poem about a sport or activity
Write an ode
Write a poem describing a place
Wenesday 1/18
Read 764-768 , questions 1-5 on page 769 - today
Read 774-783, questions 1-5 on page 784 - tomorrow
Questions due Friday
Poetry quiz 2 on Friday
Proofreading Review due today. Please turn in to basket if you did not finish
yesterday in class.
Assignment – Write a poem about a sport or activity
Write an ode
Tuesday 1/18
Read 764-768 , questions 1-5 on page 769
Read 774-783, questions 1-5 on page 784
Questions due Thursday
Poetry quiz 2 on Friday
Proofreading Review due today. Please turn in to basket if you did not finish
yesterday in class.
Assignment – Write a concrete, shape, or picture poem
Mon 1/17
Poetry quiz 1
Review: Punctuating Activities
Assignments:
Write a poem about a memory
Write a poem about an object, animal, thing
Questions 1-5, p. 754; 1-3,5-6, p. 763: due today
Review: Proofreading Activities
Poetry quiz 1 today
After quiz do Review: Proofreading Activities (Homework if not finished)
Poetry quiz 2 Friday
Poetry Test: Tuesday, 1/24
Monday 1/9
Complete practice STAAR test
Tuesday 1/10 - Friday 1/27
Begin poetry unit
Students will read poetry, write poetry, analyze and write about poetry
January 12
Analyzing Poetry p. 746
Memory Poems p. 748
My Papa’s Waltz by Thodore Roethke
I ask My Mother to Sing by Li-Young Lee
Grape Sherbet by Rita Dove
Assignments:
Write a poem about a memory
Questions 1-5, p. 754
Poetry quiz Tuesday 1/17
January 13
Poetry
Spring is like a perhaps hand by EE Cummings
Elegy for the Giant Tortoise by Margaret Atwood
Today by Billy Collins
Assignments:
Write a poem about a memory
Write a poem about an object, animal, thing
Questions 1-5, p. 754; 1-5, p. 763: due Tuesday
Poetry Quiz Tuesday
Poems are due on 1/26: Major Grade
Poems must have at least one sound device (alliteration, repetition,
consonance, assonance) AND one example of figurative language (simile,
metaphor, personification, hyperbole)
Wednesday, January 3 - 5, 6
English Benchmark/Released STAAR test
Part 1 – Reading
Part 2 - Writing
Friday 12/9
Punctuation quiz
Thursday 12/8
Set 3: Revising and editing- focus on punctuation
Subordinating conjunction: connects two clauses that are not equally
important, thereby showing the relationship between them. A subordinating
conjunction connects a dependant clause to an independent clause in order to
complete the meaning of the dependent clause.
WEdnesday 12/7
Punctuation in math and other forms of punctuation
Check Set 2
Tuesday 12/6
Stems quiz
After quiz, work on quotations packet
Punctuation quiz – Friday, 12/9
Monday 12/5
Set 2 revising and editing (this one counts!)
Relative pronouns: what, whose, whom, which, that
Apostrophes!
Stems #3(w/ list #1 &2) – quiz Tomorrow 12/6
New login for www.flashcardmachine.com
ruthimcd
mustangs
Punctuation quiz – Friday, 12/9
Friday 12/2
Fun with Hyphens and Dashes!
Check Revising and Editing Set 1
Be ready for Set 2 on Monday!
Stems #1 & 2 review
Thursday 12/1
Read “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, p. 338
Wednesday 11/30
Turn in: HW- Review-Commas (p.20 only!)
Remember to put your name on it!
Set 1 check – homework grade
Relative pronouns: what, whose, whom, which, that
Semicolons and Colons
Stems #3 – quiz Tuesday 12/6
New login for www.flashcardmachine.com
ruthimcd
mustangs
Punctuation quiz – Friday, 12/9
Tuesday 11/29
More Commas(how to use ‘em, where to put ‘em)!
Read “The Gift of the Magi” p. 100
HW- Review-Commas (p.20)
Stems #3 – quiz Tuesday 12/6
New login for www.flashcardmachine.com
ruthimcd
mustangs
Punctuation quiz – Friday, 12/9
Monday 11/28
Stems #3 review – quiz Tuesday 12/6
End punctuation review
Using commas correctly
Monday 11/14
Rosa Parks essay due (quiz grade)
Major Grade: Analytical Essay: Comparison/Contrast (student choice of topic)
See handout page for complete description of assignment. Due Friday.
planning, prewriting, and drafting of essay
Stems List #3 assigned, quiz 12/6. Go to www.flashcardmachine.com to study
online. Username: ruthmcdon password: mustangs
Tuesday 11/15
Quiz over readings: Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, and the two memory poems
Continue to pland, prewrite and draft Comparison/contrast essay
We will be in the downstairs computer lab on Wed & Thurs.
Wednesday 11/16
Computer lab (downstairs) to type and revise/edit essay.
Thursday 11/17
Computer lab (downstairs) to type and revise/edit essay.
Friday 11/18
Unit 2 Test - Character, revising and editing a comparison/contrast essay
Friday 11/11
Comparison Essay: Rosa Parks(quiz grade) Due Monday.
Thursday 11/10
CN-What exemplifies dignity? Think of a person who is an example of dignity
and write a short description of them. Remember to include their appearance,
how they behave, what they say, and what other's impression is of them in
your description.
Read the biography "Rosa parks" on p. 294 and the poem "Rosa" on p. 298.
Complete the "Comparing Across Genres" chart in preparation for writing a
Comparison/Contrast essay on the two pieces.
Quiz Tuesday 11/15 over the character pieces we read this week.
Wednesday 11/9
CN- What makes a memory? Recall a vivid memory from your life and write a
short description in your notebook. Remember to use all five senses to
describe your experience.
Literary Analysis - Speaker p. 287
Read the two memory poems "A Voice"on page 289 and "My Father's Song" on page
290.
Answer questions 1-7 on page 291.
Tuesday 11/8
Finish "Caged Bird"
Expository writing p. 136 Write Source
Monday 11/7
CN - What is a teacher? Think of a person who has shared wisdom with you,
helped you to see things in a new way, or pushed you when you needed
encouragement. Write a description of this person in your CN. Remember to
include their appearance, things they said, their actions, and your own
response to them in your description
Read - "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou on p. 256
Answer questions 1-8 on page 265
Fri 11/4
Unit 1 Test
Thurs 11/3
Revising practice
Wed 11/2
"Sorry, Right Number" by Stephen King
Tuesday 11/1
Poe quiz
Need scantron
Read “Sorry, Right Number” by Stephen King on page 156
Monday 10/31
Questions 1-10(p. 381) “The Cask of Amontillado” due today.
Watch film clip from “The Cask of Amontillado”
Read Poe’s “The Raven”
Quiz tomorrow over Poe’s two works
Friday 10/28
Stems quiz
Poe research essay due.
Read “The story behind The Cask of Amontillado”
Finish questions 1-10(p. 381) “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe
Poe quiz Tuesday.
Thursday 10/27
Is revenge ever justified? Answer in you CN.
Stems: cede – miss – centri – biblio – anthropo
Quiz tomorrow.
Brushstrokes – participle brushstoke
Write in your CN.
In your CN, paraphrase the opening paragraph of “The Cask of Amontillado” by
Edgar Allen Poe on p. 372
Discuss story
Answer questions 1-10(p. 381) on notebook paper.
Wednesday 10/25
In writing lab for research on Edgar Allen Poe. See handouts page for
instructions.
Tuesday 10/25
Stems: scrib – logy – dict – cred – cent – neo- ad
Quiz Friday
Necklace quiz
Need scantron
After quiz, read “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe on p. 370
Tomorrow we will be in the writing lab (802) to research Edgar Allen Poe.
Monday 10/24
Stems : aqua - audi - bell – cap – cise – bio – auto – port
Quiz Friday
Brushstrokes
Absolute brushstroke
Do not write in packet.
Practice writing brushstrokes in your CN
Necklace triplet
Read Spending Spree p. 237
Answer the three short answer questions on p. 239 on notebook paper
If you have not finished “The Necklace” questions 1-10 on p. 234 and
Vocabulary p. 235 on notebook paper do these first. Due today. Please turn in
to basket.
Tomorrow: Necklace quiz
Friday 10/21
Turn in Parts of Sentence packet to basket
Test today – parts of the sentence
After test, finish “The Necklace” questions 1-10 on p. 234 and Vocabulary p.
235 on notebook paper. Due today. Please turn in to basket.
Notebook check – 6th period. Put CN in pink crate.
Thursday 10/20
Grammar
Check Review
Unit 2 Grammar packet due Friday.
Test tomorrow – Parts of the Sentence
Literature
Read “The Necklace” p. 222-233
Answer questions 1-10 on p. 234 and Vocabulary p. 235 on notebook paper. Due
Friday.
Wednesday 10/19
Stems – archy – ard – cide – ician - itis
Stem quiz #2, Friday 10/28
Check HW – Lessons 16 & 17
Grammar review:
Read p. 510-511
Do exercises 5 & 6, p. 513
HW – Unit 2 Review and Cumulative review
Parts of the sentence Test on Friday.
Read: “The Necklace” p. 222-233
Tuesday 10/18
. Pick up Stems #2 packet.
Quiz today!” Pancakes” w/ vocabulary
Questions 1-8 due, turn in to basket
After quiz, get green Writer’s Choice book.
Read p. 506, object Complements
Do exercises 17 & 18 in CN
Read p. 507, Subject Complements
Do Exercises, 19, 20, & 21 in CN
Check Lesson 16 – DO and IO
HW – Lesson 17
Test Friday – Parts of the Sentence
Monday 10/17
Quiz tomorrow!” Pancakes” w/ vocabulary
Finish reading “Pancakes” p. 210-218
Answer questions 1-8, p. 219 on notebook paper. Due tomorrow.
Vocabulary
condiments, crass, degenerate, benign, steel, rabid
Grammar: Direct and Indirect Objects.
Use the green Writer’s Choice books.
Read Lesson 11.5 p. 504 - 505 Complements: Direct and Indirect Objects.
Do Exercises 15 & 16 in your composition notebook.
HW – Lesson 16 in your Unit 2 grammar packet
Friday 10/14
Quiz – How perfect is too perfect?
(Answer True or False or Sometimes in your CN)
I won’t even attempt to do something unless I know that I will be able to do
it without a mistake.
I am so competitive that my best friends won’t play sports with me.
I know what I will be wearing every day for the next week.
I won’t eat food unless it’s prepared exactly the way I like it.
I can’t sleep if my bookshelf is not correctly categorized and in
alphabetical order.
Grammar
Check lessons 14 & 15
Literature
Finish reading/taking notes p. 202-207
Read “Pancakes” p. 210-218
Answer questions 1-8, p. 219 on notebook paper
Vocabulary
condiments, crass, degenerate, benign, steel, rabid
Thursday 10/13
Grammar
Check Lessons 12 & 13
HW – Lessons 14 (Compound Subjects and Compound Predicates) & 15 (Order of
Subject and Predicate)
Literature
Character and Point of View p. 202-207
Read and take notes in CN.
Answer close read questions in CN.
Looking Ahead
Please make up any quizzes by Friday. I will not be here Monday.
I will be checking CN next week.
Wednesday 10/12
In computer lab (802) to type revisions to personal narrative essay. Major
grade! Due at end of period.
Tuesday 10/11
Parts of the sentence
HW- Lessons 12 & 13, due Thursday.
A sentence must always have a subject and a verb
Revising
Watch out for overlong sentences –
My father told be to finish my homework, and I tried to work on it, but I was
really tired, and I couldn’t seem to concentrate.
My father told be to finish my homework. I tried to work on it, but I was
really tired. I couldn’t seem to concentrate.
Computer lab Wednesday to type final revisions.
Personal narrative essay due at end of period Wednesday – Major grade.
You must have your typed first draft with revisions to turn in with your
final copy.
Friday 10/7
Stems Quiz
Revising personal narrative
We will be back in the computer lab on Wednesday to complete revisions.
2nd period - If you are taking the PSAT on Wednesday, you must do your
revisions and type your final essay on your own time.
Personal Narrative is due on Wednesday. Major grade.
No school Monday.
Thursday 10/6
In computer lab to type rough draft of personal narrative #2.
Wednesday 10/5
Stems #1 Practice Quiz
Personal Narrative – Major grade
Use pp. 174 – 182 as a guide to assist in your writing.
Planning and Prewriting steps should be completed in your CN.
Begin writing rough draft. Due tomorrow.
We will be in the writing lab on Thursday (tomorrow!) 10/6 to type first
draft.
Parts of Speech retake
Tutorials after school
Re-take test by Friday 10/7
Tuesday 10/4
Quiz on Friday over stems. 10/7
Extra credit (10 points) for flashcards.
super – over
syn – together
sym – together
tri – three
un - not
Sentences #1 – write the meaning of the stem used in the bolded word
Personal Narrative – Major grade
Use pp. 174 – 182 as a guide to assist in your writing.
Begin Planning and Prewriting
Begin writing rough draft
We will be in the writing lab on Thursday 10/6 to type first draft.
Parts of Speech retake
Tutorials after school
Re-take test by Friday 10/7
10/3 Monday
Quiz on Friday over stems. 10/7
Extra credit (10 points) for flashcards.
non – not
post – after
pre – before
semi – half
sub - under
Personal Narrative – Major grade
Use pp. 174 – 182 as a guide to assist in your writing.
Begin Planning and Prewriting
We will be in the writing lab on Thursday 10/6 to type first draft.
Parts of Speech retake
Tutorials after school
Re-take test by Friday 10/7
Friday 9/30
McDonald out for a conference.
Watch "A Sound of Thunder"
Thursday 9/29
McDonald out for a conference.
Watch "A Sound of Thunder"
Wednesday 9/28
Vocabulary stems (quiz Friday 10/7)
inter – between intra – within
intro – into mal – bad
mis – bad
Finish (and turn in to basket):
On notebook paper, use the strategies on p. 57 to answer the three questions
on that page. You must write at least three complete sentences to answer each
question and you must include textual evidence in each answer.
A Answer the question
B Back up your answer with textual evidence
C Connect your answer to the textual evidence
p. 436 discusses how to find the theme of a story.
Read “Daughter of Invention” p. 86-96
Tuesday 9/27
Quiz today “A Sound of Thunder” with vocabulary
Need green scantron and pencil
Due: Questions 1-9, on page 52 AND vocabulary practice 1-10 on page 53 on
notebook paper.
Stems: con – together de – down
dis – away equi – equal
extra - beyond
Stem quiz #1 will be on Friday 10/7
After quiz, finish (and turn in to basket):
Read “The Physics of Time Travel” p. 55 and examine the poster on p. 56
(answer the questions in the margin in your CN)
On notebook paper, use the strategies on p. 57 to answer the three questions
on that page. You must write at least three complete sentences to answer each
question and you must include textual evidence in each answer.
A Answer the question
B Back up your answer with textual evidence
C Connect your answer to the textual evidence
p. 436 discusses how to find the theme of a story.
9/26 Monday
Vocabulary stems
ante - before
anti - against
bi - two
circum - around
com - together
Quiz: Friday, 10/7
Finish reading “A Sound of Thunder” p 38-51
Finish answering questions 1-9, on page 52 AND vocabulary practice 1-10 on
page 53 on notebook paper. Due Tuesday. Turn in to basket when finished
Read “The Physics of Time Travel” p. 55 and examine the poster on p. 56
(answer the questions in the margin in your CN)
On notebook paper, use the strategies on p. 57 to answer the three questions
on that page. You must write at least three complete sentences to answer each
question and you must include textual evidence in each answer.
A Answer the question
B Back up your answer with textual evidence
C Connect your answer to the textual evidence
p. 436 discusses how to find the theme of a story.
Quiz tomorrow: “A Sound of Thunder” with vocabulary
9/23 Friday
Turn in Unit 1 grammar packet
Test today – Parts of Speech
Need pencil
Need big, green scantron
Do not write on test; bubble in your answers on the scantron.
After test, finish reading “A Sound of Thunder” p. 38.
Answer questions 1-9, on page 52 AND vocabulary practice 1-10 on page 53 on
notebook paper. This assignment will be due Tuesday.
9/22 Thursday
Check – Lessons 10 & 11: Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections
HW-Unit 1: Review and Cumulative Review
Read: “A Sound of Thunder” p. 36-51 (This story is not available online. You
must read in class or check out a book from the library.) As you read, make
note of the following items in your CN:
Examples of foreshadowing
Time sequence
Vocabulary words
Looking Ahead to tomorrow:
Test Friday: Parts of Speech
Completed Grammar Packet due Friday
Wed 9/21
Adverbs – go over Lesson 9.
HW – Lessons 10 & 11: Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections
Looking Ahead:
Test Friday: Parts of Speech
Completed Grammar Packet due Friday
Tues 9/20
Go over Literary Elements Test and re-test policy.
Adverbs – Lesson 9, due Wednesday
Looking Ahead:
Test Friday: Parts of Speech
Completed Grammar Packet due Friday
Mon 9/19
Writing lab: Revise and edit Personal Narrative. Due at end of period.
Due: “The Rights to the Streets of Memphis” questions 1-10 on p. 123. Write
complete sentences on notebook paper. Make sure you answer the questions
fully.
Quiz: “The Rights to the Streets of Memphis.”
Peer editing of Personal Narrative essay.
Thursday 9/15
In computer lab (room 802) to type rough draft of personal narrative essay.
Wednesday 9/14
Read p. 180 on revising. Read your first rough draft and use the chart to
help you revise it. You will have 20 minutes to work. Remember we will be in
the Writing Lab tomorrow (rm 802, upstairs next to the library). You must
have a good rough draft ready to type in the lab.
Check HW-Lesson 8: Adjectives. You will be turning in your grammar packet
today for a homework grade. If you do not have it, standard late penalties
will apply.
Discuss the personal narrative “The Rights to the Streets of Memphis.”
Answer questions 1-10 on p. 123 on notebook paper. Due Friday.
Tuesday 9/13
Read p. 177 in your literature book and begin writing your rough draft in
your CN. You will have 20 minutes to work. You must have a solid rough draft
by Thursday.
HW check-Verbs: Lessons 5,6,7
HW- Adjectives: Lesson 8
Read: “The Rights to the Streets of Memphis” p. 118.
Monday 9/12
Read p. 174-176 – Writing a Personal Narrative: Planning/Prewriting. This
week you will be drafting a Personal Narrative Essay.
20 minutes writing time. Follow the instructions on p. 174-176 to plan and
pre-write your Personal Narrative Essay in you CN.
Grammar: Verbs! Lessons 5,6, & 7 due tomorrow.
Looking Ahead:
Thursday: Writing lab. Must have solid rough draft of essay.
Friday: Literature quiz “The Rights to the Streets of Memphis” p. 118.
Friday 9/9
Test today!
Literary Elements, “The Most Dangerous Game”, “ The Sniper”
After you finish your test, you can work on VERBS, so that you don’t have so
much homework on Monday night! Lessons 5, 6, & 7 will be due on Tuesday!
Thursday 9/8
“Sniper” questions due.
Look back at your writing from Tuesday about the obstacles in your life that
you have yet to overcome. Choose one to elaborate on in writing. Describe the
problem. What causes the obstacle? What do you need to do to overcome this
obstacle? What resources are available to you to help you transcend the
problem?
Check HW- Lessons 3 & 4, Pronouns
Notes: Review of Literary Elements
Test tomorrow: Literary Elements, “The Most Dangerous Game”, “ The Sniper”
Wenesday 9/7
Look back at what you wrote yesterday about overcoming obstacles. Choose a
specific time you overcame an obstacle. What happened? What resources did you
use to meet the challenge?
Read: “The Sniper” , p. 437
Answer the “Close Read” questions (1-9) in the right margin on notebook paper
Parts of speech- Pronouns, Lessons 3 & 4
Tuesday 9/6
In Seabisquit on p. 128, the horse and rider have obstacles (or conflicts) to
overcome. The jockey hides a visual impairment that costs the race. Everyone
has some kind of impairment or adversity that they must overcome before they
can be successful. What kind of obstacles have you overcome in your life?
What kind of problems do you still need to work on transcending?
Read: Theme and Symbol, p. 434- 436
Parts of Speech packet – Nouns, Lessons 1 & 2
Monday 9/5 HOLIDAY!
Friday 9/2
Quiz "The Most Dangerous Game" and plot structure
Due: Letter to teacher
"Most Dangerous Game" questions 1-10 on page 81
Thursday 9/1
Your letter is due on Friday. It should be typed or printed neatly. Please
attach a picture of yourself. I will return the picture to you next week.
Your “Most Dangerous Game” questions are also due on Friday. Write complete
sentences on notebook paper. Write your full name at the top of the paper and
the class period.
Wednesday 8/31
Read p. 72-80
Answer questions 1-10 on p.81 on notebook paper. You do not have to write the
question, please write complete sentences. Remember that a sentence must
contain a noun and a verb. You will be turning this in for a homework grade.
It will be due on Friday.
Continue to work on your rough draft in your composition notebook. Your final
copy is due on Friday. It should be typed or neatly printed on notebook paper.
Tuesday 8/30
Read p. 64-72(to line 430) Rising action
1.Describe the new setting that Rainsford finds himself in when he awakes.
2.What senses does he use to assess his surroundings?
3.Who or what is the antagonist in this story? Write a short description
using vivid verbs, adjectives, and other quotes from the story to describe.
4.What does Zaroff want Rainsford to do for him? How does Rainsford react?
5.Predict. What do you think might happen next?
If you finish before the end of the period, use this time to work on a rough
draft of your letter. Write your rough draft in your CN. Your final draft of
the letter will be due on Friday and should be typed or neatly written on
notebook paper.
Monday 8/29
Writing assignment - pre-writing letter to teacher
Lit - Read "The Most Dangerous Game", p. 60-63
Answer the following questions in your CN.
1.What characters are introduced in the exposition of the story? Write a
description of each character, using adjectives, vivid verbs, and other
quotes from the text.
2.Who do you think is the main character?Why?
3.What is the setting of the story? Describe the setting using adjectives,
vivid verbs and other quotes from the text.
4.What is the conflict at the beginning? (p. 60-62)
5.What is the major conflict of the exposition? (p. 63)
Grading policy
20% Daily work
30% Quizzes
50% Test/Project
Basic rubric
90-100 Exceeds expectations. Student went above and beyond assignment.
Excellent work
80-90
Beyond the minimum requirement for the assignment. It is obvious the
70-80
Meets the minimum requirement for the assignment. Student did
50-70
Some requirements are missing. Work may seem incomplete
0-50
Work is sketchy. Student barely attempted or did not attempt work. Not
acceptable work.
supplies needed:
1 composition notebook
1 folder
1 package computer paper
kleenex
black/blue pens
pencils
The best way to contact me is through email: rmcdonald@fisdk12.net
Textbook available online at www.thinkcentral.com
1. Logon to thinkcentral.com
2. Choose the “Reading and Language Arts” link on the top right of the
page.
3. Select “Holt McDougal Literature Texas” (bottom left corner)
4. You will now need to log in
a. Username: friendswood
b. Password: mustangs
5. Find your textbook and then click on “Go to the Online Textbook”
link
next to the correct literature book. The grade 9 textbook is the last one.
The book icon is purple.
Textbooks will be available for checkout on request only.
Tuesday 8/23
Parts of Speech - Nouns
"Shake the Dust"
Read: Checkouts, p. 32; reflect on the story in your compostion notebook
Wednesday 8/24
Parts of Speech - Adjectives
Checkouts, P. 32
1. Write the word “checkout” in your composition notebook. What different
meanings can you think of for the word?
2. Imagery – words that paint pictures. Find an example or two of imagery and
copy the words in your CP.
3. Simile/Metaphor - a comparison of two unlike things made to illustrate
an image. Find an example or two of similes or metaphors and copy into your
CP.
4. Choose one character in the story and write a short description in your CP.
Thursday 8/25
Parts of Speech - Verbs
Plot and conflict, p. 28
Friday 8/26
Parts of Speech Adverbs
Assignment - Plot triangle for "Checkouts"
Writing assignment - prewriting/brainstorming for letter to teacher