Why do we read (and write) poetry? (English 10)

Good Question! Here are some reasons which will serve as the focuses for our 10th grade poetry unit.

* Communication
* Learning from different perspectives
* Expression of feelings and thoughts
* Enjoyment

Intro Notes
Poetry Puzzle
Words for Poetry Puzzle
"On Turning Ten": See Miss Smalley
Song Essay: Due Thursday, 12-2 in class and to turnitin.com by 11:59pm
Stone Mason Perspective Poem
Ode Directions
Sonnet Examples and Assignment

Independent Novel (English 10)

Students must pick a novel they are interested in reading as an independent project. Books are due in class for points by Monday, November 15th. Download the file for more information.
Presentations begin Monday, December 13th and continue through Thursday, December 16th. A handout version of your PowerPoint and the Works Cited page are due on Monday, December 13th regardless of which day you give your presentation!

Independent Novel Assignment
Rubric

Revoluntionary Literature / The Enlightenment (English 11)

Our 3rd unit of the year is rather short but focuses on an essential piece of our nation's history - the Revolutionary War. We will look closely at famous persuasive literature written / spoken prior to and during the time of the Revolution to understand the climate, logic, and wishes of our ancestors. Ultimately, we will connect these to our current society. Check the October and November calendars to view homework, readings, and activities associated with this 2 week unit of study.

Goals for the Unit
PowerPoint Introduction
"Speech at the Vir. Convention" Worksheet: Due Wednesday, 10-27
"Dec. of Ind." Handout for paraphrases: Due Thursday, 10-28
Teenage Dec. of Ind. Requirements: Due Wednesday, 11-3
Ben Franklin's Autobiography (See Miss Smalley)
Ben Franklin's Autobiography Questions
Aphorisms Chart: Due Thursday, 11-4
"What is an American" 2 Paragraph Response: Due Friday, 11-12
Self-Improvement Project Requirements

Technology Speech (English 10)

Speech Requirements - This includes a time line of the entire speech project.
Outline Info: Due Friday, 10-22
PowerPoint
Visual Aid and Index Card Info
Rubric

Speeches will be presented Wednesday, 11-3 --> Friday, 11-5
Be sure to practice in front of people prior to giving your speech in class!

Cleveland Rocks Research Article (English 11)

The first research project of the year for English 11 students will be promoting a hidden treasure of our closest major city, Cleveland. With all the current negativity surrounding us from the media and athletes, this project is meant to show our teens that Cleveland is a city in which they can be proud to live. The project will allow students to become a journalist and explore various research types including an actual visit to the research topic. They will take pictures of the topic and if possible, attend an event where they can become a primary source. The results will include an article about the topic which will be "published" on their blog spot and a presentation to the class.

Project Details and Checklist
Source Information
Research Aid
Outlines are due Tuesday, 10-26 at the beginning of class!
Peer Editing and Self Editing Checklist for the Rough Draft
Presentation Information
Presentation Rubric

Colonial Literature (English 11)

Our second unit of American Literature looks at the arrival of Pilgrims to North American and the lives of Puritans. We will be reading Arthur Miller's play about the Salem Witch Trials titled The Crucible to finish up this area of study. Focuses of this entire unit will be persuasion, how to build an argument, and how to identity fallacies. For more details on what we will be covering you can view the Goals for the Unit, the September and October Calendars, or any of the files below!

Goals for the Unit
Insight into the Puritan Mindset
Persuasive Rhetoric Chart
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Scene Pictures: Due Monday, 9-20
Persuasive Questions for "Sinners..."
Persuasive Writing Assignment: Due Friday, 9-24
~ Rubric for Essay
~ Rubric for Pamphlet
~ Rubric for Flyer

The Crucible
Character Chart
Character Weaknesses
Small Group Discussion of Themes
Faulty Reasoning Handout
Faulty Reasoning Chart: Due Thursday, 10-7
Act 1 Study Guide
Act 2 Study Guide

The Crucible Socratic Seminar is on Tuesday, October 19th. Be prepared prior to coming to class!
Socratic Seminar Requirements
Practice Example
Link 1: Find more info about Socratic Seminars here. [Do not use the close-ended question format!]
Link 2: Contains some good questions to give you ideas. Your questions should be slightly more specific though!
Link 3: Bloom's Taxonomy provides words to incorporate into your questions which will prompt discussion. [Do not use words from the 'remembering' stage as those will most likely lead to close-ended questions.]