Week at a glance December 9-13, 2013

During this last full week before finals, our focus will be on finishing the Junior Research Essay.  Students should be able to access comments and scores by the time they return to class on Tuesday.  We will then have two days to make final revisions and put together a single-slide presentation to be done on Thursday and Friday.

• Mon: JRE - discuss essays and presentation.  Continue reviewing for the Semester Final.
• Tues: JRE - meet in Lab B to make final revisions and create the Presentation.
• Wed: JRE - meet in Lab B. Final Draft due.  Send the presentation to ritchjoh@usd437.net
• Thurs: JRE - presentations
• Fri: JRE - presentations

Week at a glance December 2 - 6, 2013

This week we'll start off by doing some review for the Semester Final.  Students will get their first look at what type of questions and sections will appear on the Final.  At mid-week, we'll return to the computer lab to make some early revisions to the Junior Research Essay and print copies of the rough draft.  We'll wrap up the last two days of the week analyzing expectations for the final draft and completing peer review.

• Mon: Semester Final review
• Tues: Semester Final review
• Wed: Meet in Lab B to make revisions to the JRE and print a copy for Peer Review
• Thurs: JRE Peer Review
• Fri: JRE Peer Review

Week at a glance November 18 - 22, 2013

This week we are jumping into our Junior Research Essay.  Details for each step of the essay are posted to the left under the Course Materials section.  The steps are also there for students who lose their research packet so that they may print off additional copies on their own.  Our focus for this week is research.  Librarian Mrs. Sandberg will visit us on Monday.  Tuesday - Thursday we will be in the computer lab gathering notes and completing the Annotated Bibliography.  We'll wrap up the week by starting in on the shaping packet, which will serve as a general outline for the essay.

• Mon: Turn in Topic Questions.  Research Notes with Librarian Mrs. Sandberg
• Tues: JRE - Meet in the computer lab to begin searching for sources and information for the Annotated Bibliography.
• Wed: JRE - Meet in the computer lab to continue searching for sources and information for the Annotated Bibliography.
• Thurs: JRE - Meet in the computer lab to print off sources. Begin shaping packet.  Annotated Bibliography due by the end of the hour.
• Fri: JRE - Meet in the classroom and fill in the shaping packet.

Week at a glance November 11-15, 2013

This week we will complete the unit exam for Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Students will spend the first two days reviewing for the exam.  We'll complete the multiple choice portion on Wednesday, followed by a short essay on Thursday.  On Thursday we'll also begin work on our major essay assignment of the semester: the Junior Research Essay.  Details and the complete assignment will be posted online later this week.

• Mon: Huck Finn - discuss and begin reviewing for the exam.
• Tues: Huck Finn - answer remaining questions about the exam.  Pass back and discuss current grades.
• Wed: Huck Finn - Multiple Choice Unit Exam.  Begin gathering quotes for the short essay.
• Thurs: Huck Finn - Short Essay Exam.  Pass out and discuss Junior Research Essay assignment.
• Fri: Junior Research Essay - integrating and citing quotes.  For Monday: create a short paragraph identifying the topic and why it interests you.

Week at a glance November 4 - 8, 2013

This week we will wrap up our readings over Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Huck's personal conscience has multiple dilemmas this week.  We'll read several more adventures between Huck, Jim, the King, and the Duke.  We will also finally reach the climax of the story as Huck makes a critical choice.

Although students are not able to check out books for Huck Finn, students have free access to a copy of the book online at http://www.feedbooks.com/book/71/the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn.  Students may also download a free copy of the book to their computers and/or smartphones through the iTunes and Google Play stores.

• Mon:Close Read #10 assigned - due Friday.  Huck Finn - read 157-170
• Tues: Huck Finn - discuss 157-170.  Read 171-185.
• Wed: Huck Finn - discuss 171-185.  Read 185-205.  Begin working on the Ch XIX - Ch XXXI packet.
• Thurs: Huck Finn - discuss 185-205.  Read 205-218.
• Fri: Close Read #10 due.  Huck Finn packet due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance October 28 - November 1, 2013

This week we will continue reading and discussing section from Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Our goal for this week is to read pages 117-156.  During this section Huck and Jim fall under the influence of two con men.  We'll read and analyze their adventures as the group of four make their way through the ante-bellum South.  Be on the lookout for Twain's very subtle use of satire and sarcasm to make some sharp points about society.

Although students are not able to check out books for Huck Finn, students have free access to a copy of the book online at http://www.feedbooks.com/book/71/the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn.  Students may also download a free copy of the book to their computers and/or smartphones through the iTunes and Google Play stores.

• Mon:Close Read #9 assigned - due Friday.  Huck Finn - read 117-125
• Tues: Huck Finn - discuss 117-125.  Read 126-135.
• Wed: Huck Finn - discuss 126-135.  Read 135-145.  Begin working on the Ch XIX - Ch XXXI packet.
• Thurs: Huck Finn - discuss 135-145.  Read 145-156.
• Fri: Close Read #9 due.  Discuss.  Huck Finn - discuss 145-156.  Continue working on the Ch XIX - Ch XXXI packet.

Week at a glance October 21 - 25, 2013

Parent/Teacher Conferences at WRHS

Wed 4pm - 8pm (find me in the library)

Thurs 8am-4pm (classroom) and 4pm - 8pm (find me in the library)

During this short week we'll focus on a short story scene in The Adventures in Huckleberry Finn in which Huck comes between two feuding families.  We'll compare this short story with real history as we investigate the Hatfields and the McCoys and discuss the similarities in a Socratic Seminar on Wednesday.

Although students are not able to check out books for Huck Finn, students have free access to a copy of the book online at http://www.feedbooks.com/book/71/the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn.  Students may also download a free copy of the book to their computers and/or smartphones through the iTunes and Google Play stores.

• Mon: Huck Finn - read pages 95-116 (chapters 17 & 18) and be prepared for a reading quiz.
• Tues: Huck Finn - reading quiz.  The Hatfields and the McCoys -- Close Read 8 due Wednesday.
• Wed: Huck Finn - The Hatfields and the McCoys Socratic Seminar.  Close Read 8 due.
• Thurs: No school - P/T Conferences
• Fri: No school

Week at a glance October 14 - 18, 2013

This week we will start a unit over Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  We will not be reading the entire book from cover to cover.  Instead, we will be doing multiple close reads with the novel as we read short sections and tie them to informative and argumentative texts we pick up as we read.  Students will check out their books on Monday.  We'll spend the rest of the week reading the first few chapters to get an idea of the context and setting for the novel.

• Mon: Assign and briefly discuss Close Read #7, due Thursday.  Check out Huck Finn books.  Intro to Mark Twain.  For Tuesday, read Chapters I-IV, pages 1-18.
• Tues: Huck Finn - discuss Chapters I-III.  Complete the study guide through chapter IV.
• Wed: Huck Finn - read Chapters V-VIII, pages 18-47.  Be prepared for a possible quiz on Thursday.  Discuss Crucible Exam results and current 1st Quarter grades.
• Thurs: Close Read #7 due.  Huck Finn - finish the 1-47 study guide and turn in by the end of the hour. Optional reading - pages 48-94.
• Fri: No school - End of the 1st quarter work day

Week at a glance October 7 - 11, 2013

We are doing several major assessments this week.  We'll start the week wrapping up and turning in The Crucible Compare/Contrast Essay.  We'll then move on to study for and take The Crucible Unit Exam.  We'll wrap up the week with presentations for the 1st Quarter Book Project.

• Mon: Meet in the computer lab.  The Crucible Compare/Contrast Essay due by the end of the hour to turnitin.com
• Tues: Review for The Crucible Unit Exam
• Wed: The Crucible Unit Exam.  1st Quarter Independent Book Project written portion due by the end of the day to turnitin.com
• Thurs: Start 1st Quarter Independent Book Project presentations
• Fri: Finish 1st Quarter Independent Book Project presentations

Week at a glance September 30 - October 4, 2013

This week we will make our first moves toward wrapping up our unit over Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  First we'll complete the Act IV study guide.  Our next step will be to study for the unit exam by creating an essay comparing/contrasting The Crucible with another potential witch hunt in history.  Students will need to have a completed written draft to earn their way onto a computer on Thursday.  We will wrap up the week with a work day over the 1st Quarter Independent Book Project.

Since we are completing both The Crucible unit and the 1st Quarter IBP, we will not be completing a Close Read or Active Read this week.

• Mon: The Crucible - review the end of Act IV.  Act IV study guide due by the end of the hour.
• Tues: The Crucible Essay - assignment and expectations.  Select a topic and article to use in the essay.
• Wed: The Crucible Essay - complete a written rough draft of the essay, due at the beginning of the hour on Thursday.
• Thurs: Meet in the computer lab to type The Crucible Essay.  We will return to the computer lab on Monday.
• Fri: 1st Quarter Independent Book Project work day.

1st Quarter Independent Book Project

Typed report due to turnitin.com by 11:59pm on Wednesday, Oct 9

Week at a glance September 23 - 27, 2013

When we last visited 1692 Salem, we were looking for hope that the truth would be discovered and the Witch Trials would end.  Sadly, that was not quite the case.  Act IV begins a few weeks later with Salem in chaos and depression.  Although we noted that the climax occurred in Act III, Act IV builds toward its own intense climax that will be the first critical crack in the foundation of the Witch Trials.  We'll also continue with another Close read and another Active Read for the week.

Students are welcome to complete the 1st Quarter Independent Book project at any time.  Students must submit the written portion through turnitin.com.  Students must have their project submitted through turnitin.com by Wednesday, Oct 9.

• Mon: Close Read 6 assigned - due Thursday.  The Crucible - review Acts I - III.  Act III study guide due Tuesday.
• Tues: The Crucible - Act III study guide due.  Determine parts for Act IV.  Begin reading/discussing Act IV.  Complete the Act IV study guide as we read.
• Wed: The Crucible - continue reading/discussing Act IV.  Complete the Act IV study guide as we read.
• Thurs: Close Read 6 due. Independent Reading Project - active reading assignment due by the end of the hour.
• Fri: No school - Teacher In-Service

Week at a glance September 16 - 20, 2013

We'll start this week with a quick review over Acts I and II of Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  After turning in the Act II study guide at the beginning of the hour on Tuesday, we'll move on to reading and discussing Act III.  Our Close Read for the week will be over two Puritan poems of the time period.  If students have been paying attention to our discussion over Puritan culture and values, the poems should have more than a few oddities within them.  We will have a Socratic Seminar over the two poems in class on Thursday.

• Mon: Close Read 5 and Socratic Seminar assigned.  The Crucible - review Acts I and II.  Act II study guide due at the beginning of the hour on Tuesday.
• Tues: The Crucible - Act II study guide due.  Determine parts for Act III.  Begin reading and discussing Act III.
• Wed: The Crucible - continue reading and discussing Act III.
• Thurs: Socratic Seminar over Close Read 5 - discussion and reflection.
• Fri: Close Read 5 due. Independent Reading Project - active reading assignment due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance September 9 - 13, 2013

This week we will continue reading and discussing Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  The climax of Act I showed the accusations beginning in the infamous Salem Witch Trials.  Act II begins much quieter at the home of John and Elizabeth Proctor, but will end with a major turning point in the play.  We will also finally return to the computer lab to wrap up final revisions and turn in a final draft of the Personal Narrative Essay.  Students who have not turned in a rough draft will not have any opportunity for feedback prior to a final draft.  The final draft must be turned in to our class site at turnitin.com.  We'll wrap up the week with a discussion over Close Read 4 and another active reading assignment.

• Mon: Close Read 4 assigned - due Friday. The Crucible - determine parts for Act II.  Begin reading and discussing Act II.
• Tues: The Crucible - continue reading, discussing, and working on the study guide for Act II.
• Wed: The Crucible - pause to discuss Act I and Act II.  Discuss results of the Personal Narrative.
• Thurs: Meet in the computer lab to complete final revisions and editing for the Personal Narrative Essay.  Final draft due to turnitin.com.  Copies will not be accepted unless turned in to the class site on turnitin.com.
• Fri: Close Read 4 due. Independent Reading Project - active reading assignment due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance September 2 - 6, 2013

This week we will wrap up Act I of Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  Students should have a good idea of the characters behind the Salem Witch Trials and their motives.  As Act I ends, we'll see the hysteria hit Salem and the Trials will begin.  We'll also continue our work with Close Reads and the 1st Quarter Independent Reading Project.  Students will need to be able to identify the book they are working with this quarter by Friday.

• Mon: Labor Day - no school
• Tues: Pass out and discuss progress reports.  Close Read 3 assigned - due Friday.  The Crucible - continue reading and discussing Act I.
• Wed: The Crucible - finish reading and discussing Act I.  Complete the Act I study guide.
• Thurs: The Crucible - Act I review.  Act I study guide due by the end of the hour.
• Fri: Close Read 3 due. Independent Reading Project - active reading assignment due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance August 26 - 30, 2013

This week we will begin reading, discussing, and analyzing Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  To help us understand the perspective of the Salem villagers, we'll start the week with a discussion of a famous sermon of the time, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (an unabridged copy of the sermon is posted to the right under the Recommended Links section).  We'll then get into the actual reading.  Since The Crucible is a play, we'll look for volunteers to read the parts so that we can hopefully hear the play with voice.  We'll wrap up the week with a bit of class time to wrap up this week's Close Read and time to complete the IRP active reading assignment.

• Mon: Close Read 2 assigned - due on Friday.  The Crucible: pre-reading - Read, analyze, and discuss Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."  Edwards response due Tuesday.  Determine parts for Act I.
• Tues: The Crucible: begin reading/discussing Act I.  Complete the study guide as we read.
• Wed: The Crucible: continue reading/discussing Act I.  Complete the study guide as we read.
• Thurs: The Crucible: reading/discussing Act I.  Complete the study guide as we read.
• Fri: Close Read 2 due. Independent Reading Project - active reading assignment due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance August 19 - 23, 2013

WRHS Open House

Wednesday, Aug 21 -- 6:00-9:00 pm

Having spent last week getting to know one another and the expectations of the class, this week we'll jump right into the English 11 curriculum.  We'll start the week with checking out textbooks, handing out and briefly discussing this week's Close Read, and shaping our first essay of the semester: the Personal Narrative.  Students will then have two days in the computer lab to shape and create a rough draft of the essay.  On Thursday we'll take some time to preview our first play of the semester as we consider the history behind Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  We'll wrap up the week with students doing an Active Reading activity for the 1st Quarter Independent Book Project (IBP).

• Mon: Practice CR due.  Check out textbooks.  Pass out and briefly discuss CR1 - due Friday.  Assign and discuss the Personal Narrative.  Come back to class with a topic and completed outline.
• Tues: Meet in Library Lab C - shape and create the Personal Narrative.
• Wed: Meet in Library Lab C - finish shaping a rough draft of the Personal Narrative.  Print 2 copies and upload a copy to turnitin.com
• Thurs: The Crucible pre-reading -- history notes and video
• Fri: IBP Active Reading - turn in before the end of the hour.  CR1 due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance August 12 - 16, 2013

Welcome!

On this site you'll find a breakdown of each week's lesson plans and activities for English 11.  Assignments and due dates will always be listed in red.  You can access class handouts through the "Course Materials" section located on the top right of this site.  If you have any questions or comments regarding the things you'd like to see on this site, call me at WRHS or e-mail me at ritchjoh@usd437.net

This week is a chance for us to get to know one another, as well as to discuss the policies, procedures, and expectations of the class.  Each quarter we will do an Independent Reading Project.  This quarterly project will require students to read a book throughout the quarter.  The final product for the project will be a short essay identifying and analyzing the book's theme.  We'll wrap up the week with a trip to the library and a discussion of the IRP.

• Mon: teacher work day
• Tues: New student orientation
• Wed: Introductions and getting to know one another.
• Thurs: Finish introductions.  Discuss syllabus and expectations. Syllabus quiz at the end of the hour.
• Fri: 1st Quarter Independent Reading Project (IRP) -- book talk, check out a book, procedures,  expectations, and due dates. Present introductions and hand in by the end of the hour.