December 16, 2013 - December 20, 2013

12/16/13 – 12/20/13

Monday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – Students will continue reading “Who Can Replace a Man?” together as a class. They will use the talking to text strategy as they read to answer guided questions. They will also complete post-reading questions when finished reading the story.

·         Reading 7 – As a class, we will continue reading Act 1 of “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley.” We will discuss the guided reading questions together for scenes 1 and 2. We will then read scene 3 together.  

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will read the Shakespeare play, “Julius Caesar” together. As we read, students will complete study guide questions for Act 1 of the play.

Tuesday

·         Reading 8 (Odd) – Students will continue reading “Who Can Replace a Man?” together as a class. They will use the talking to text strategy as they read to answer guided questions. They will also complete post-reading questions when finished reading the story.

·         Reading 7 – Students will finish reading Act 1 of the play, “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley.” As a class, we will discuss the guided reading questions and students will complete the post-reading questions for Act 1 to analyze the elements of drama.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will continue reading “Julius Caesar” (Act 1) and completing the study guide questions for Act 1. We will discuss these together. Students will also view the film version of Act 1 of the play to compare and contrast with the written play.

Wednesday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – As a class, we will discuss the guided reading questions and post-reading questions for the short story, “Who Can Replace a Man?” Students will then begin reading the second short story for the unit: “Thank You Ma’am” (p. 388). Students will respond to the guided reading questions as they read the story.

·         Reading 7 – Students will watch the film version of “A Christmas Carol” and compare/contrast the film to the written play.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will read Act 2 of “Julius Caesar” together as a class. As we read, students will complete the study guide questions for Act 2.

Thursday

 Reading 8 (Odd) – As a class, we will discuss the guided reading questions and post-reading questions for the short story, “Who Can Replace a Man?” Students will then begin reading the second short story for the unit: “Thank You Ma’am” (p. 388). Students will respond to the guided reading questions as they read the story.

·         Reading 7 – Students will watch the film version of “A Christmas Carol” and compare/contrast the film to the written play.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will continue reading Act 2 of “Julius Caesar” together as a class. Students will complete the study guide questions for Act 2 as we read. As a class, we will discuss these questions together.

Friday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – Students will finish reading, “Thank You Ma’am” in the textbook. They will then complete the post-reading questions for the short story and we will discuss these together as a class.

·         Reading 7 – Students will watch the film version of “A Christmas Carol” and compare/contrast the film to the written play.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will watch the film version of “Julius Caesar” to compare and contrast Act 2 to the written play.

December 9, 2013 - December 13, 2013

12/09/13 – 12/13/13

Monday

·         Reading 8 (Odd) – Make up tests (Nonfiction test); Students will also finish copying down the notes in their notebook on short stories from the textbook on pages 234-235. They will also complete a plot diagram sheet to label the parts of plot correctly.

·         Reading 7 – Students will be introduced to a short stories writing assignment (LDC task). They must write a review of one short story that we read. They can choose the story they wish to discuss in their essay. Essays are due on Friday, Dec. 13^th. They will work on writing their essay today during class.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will read 3 poems from the textbook and analyze each one by completing the discussion questions for each. We will discuss these as a class analyzing the elements of each poem, such as rhyme scheme, poetic devices, form, etc.

Tuesday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – Make up tests (Nonfiction test); Students will also finish copying down the notes in their notebook on short stories from the textbook on pages 234-235. They will also complete a plot diagram sheet to label the parts of plot correctly.

·         Reading 7 – Students will take a test on short stories. After the test, students will take down notes from the textbook on drama. We will then begin reading the play, “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley” together as a class.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will read two poems (Metaphor and A Pace Like That) and analyze each one with a partner. They will complete questions for each poem and identify poetic devices used in each.

Wednesday

·         Reading 8 (Odd) – As a class, we will discuss the notes on fiction (short stories) together, including the plot diagram that was labeled for today. Students will also complete a short writing activity to explore how setting affects the mood of a story. Students will then begin reading the first short story of the unit, “Who Can Replace a Man?” (p. 248)

·         Reading 7 – As a class, we will read the play, “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley” (Act 1). We will discuss the play as we read and students will complete discussion questions for Act 1.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will read two poems (The Wind – Tapped Like a Tired Man and La Belle Dame sans Merci). Students will analyze each poem with a partner and we will discuss findings together as a class. Students will identify elements such as meter, rhyme, figurative language, etc.

Thursday

  Reading 8 (Even) – As a class, we will discuss the notes on fiction (short stories) together, including the plot diagram that was labeled for today. Students will also complete a short writing activity to explore how setting affects the mood of a story. Students will then begin reading the first short story of the unit, “Who Can Replace a Man?” (p. 248)

·         Reading 7 – Students will continue reading Act 1 of “A Christmas Carol” in the textbook. Students will read their parts out loud for Act 1. As a class, we will discuss each scene and the discussion questions.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will explore Limericks together by reading a sample Limerick and analyzing it together. Students will then write their own Limerick.

Friday

·         Reading 8 (Odd) – Students will continue reading “Who Can Replace a Man?” together as a class. They will use the talking to text strategy as they read to answer guided questions. They will also complete post-reading questions when finished reading the story.

·         Reading 7 – Students will continue reading Act 1 of the play. We will analyze each scene in Act 1 by discussing and answering questions for each scene.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will work on writing their own Limericks and poems. They will write a Limerick and another poem following the structure of their choice. They also have the option of including artwork along with their poems.

December 2, 2013 - December 6, 2013

12/02/13 – 12/06/13

Monday – No School

Tuesday

·          Reading 8 (Odd) – As a class, we will discuss the nonfiction quiz and examine answers. We will then review together for the nonfiction unit test. The test will be on Thursday for Odd day classes.

·         Reading 7 – Students will complete a PSSA lesson on analyzing characterization. They will use a RACERS sheet to complete the open-ended question in the packet. Students will also complete a test practice section in the textbook on pages 280-281.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will begin notes on poetry. They will be introduced to poetic devices and terms that will be discussed throughout the unit.

Wednesday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – As a class, we will discuss the nonfiction quiz and examine answers. We will then review together for the nonfiction unit test. The test will be on Friday for Even day classes.

·         Reading 7 – As a class, we will discuss the PSSA lesson on characterization that was completed for today. Students will share their responses to questions in the packet and we will examine sample responses on the RACERS sheet. Students will then begin reading the next short story in this unit, “Letters from Rifka.”

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will finish notes on poetry today. Students will then begin reading a poem in the textbook using the poetic analysis instruction sheet and poetic devices checklist.

Thursday

·         Reading 8 (Odd) – Students will take the unit test on nonfiction. When finished, students will begin the notes on fiction from the textbook and we will review the plot diagram and notes together.

·         Reading 7 – Students will continue reading “Letters from Rifka” with a partner and they will complete the guided reading questions as they read as well as the post reading questions for the story. We will discuss predictions and character analysis within this story.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will continue to analyze several poems from the textbook using the analysis sheet and poetic devices checklist. We will discuss findings together. Students will also complete a worksheet on similes and metaphors.

Friday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – Students will take the unit test on nonfiction. When finished, students will begin the notes on fiction from the textbook and we will review the plot diagram and notes together.

·         Reading 7 – Students will begin reading the next short story, “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan. Students will work independently to read and analyze this story using the talking to text strategy. They will also work on completing the post reading questions for this story.

·         Practical Literature 10 – As a class, we will discuss the similes and metaphors that students found within the poems and we will read another selection together. Students will analyze the poem out loud by using the checklist.

November 25, 2013 - November 29, 2013

11/25/13 - 11/29/13

Monday

• Reading 8 (Even) - Students will read an editorial and speech in the textbook on pages 592-596. As they read, students will use the talking to text strategy to analyze these two selections. When finished reading, students will answer several questions connecting these pieces to our "big question" for the unit.

• Reading 7 - As a class, we will discuss the short story, "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" together. We will analyze the plot sequence of the story and examine predictions that were made while reading. Students will also begin working on a PSSA lesson on plot structure. 
• Practical Literature 10 - Review for a quiz on part 3 of Fahrenheit 451. Students will also begin working on a writing assignment based on the novel. They must choose one main character in the book to write their essay on.

Tuesday

•  Reading 8 (Odd) - As a class, we will discuss the editorial and speech together. We will examine student examples of talking to text notes and discuss the questions that were completed for today. Students will also read their AR books for the remainder of time today.
• Reading 7 - Students will complete PSSA lessons on analyzing plot and characterization. They will work independently to complete these lessons during class today. If they are not finished, they must finish these lessons for homework for tomorrow.
• Practical Literature 10 - Students will take a quiz on part 3 of the book. When finished, they will work on their essays for the remainder of class. Essays are due on December 3rd. 

Wednesday

• Reading 8 (Even) - As a class, we will discuss the editorial and speech together. We will examine student examples of talking to text notes and discuss the questions that were completed for today. Students will also read their AR books for the remainder of time today.
• Reading 7 - Students must turn in their PSSA lesson packets today. Library for AR books and independent reading. Students will complete a reading log for today's reading.
• Practical Literature 10 - Students will begin notes on poetry. They will be introduced to poetic devices and terms that will be discussed throughout the unit.

Thursday - No School

Friday - No School

November 18, 2013 - November 22, 2013

11/18/13 – 11/22/13

Monday – Parent-Teacher Conferences (12:00 – 6:00)

Tuesday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – Students will finish the guided reading and critical thinking questions for “Sharing an American Dream” (persuasive speech) from the textbook. They will also complete the After You Read questions on fact and opinion and “word choice” on page 579 in the book.

·         Reading 7 – As a class, we will discuss the questions from the short story, “The Treasure of Lemon Brown.” We will discuss student responses and analyze parts of the plot as well as literary devices found within the story. Students will turn in their packets today.

·         Practical Literature 10 – Students will continue reading part 3 of Fahrenheit 451. They will also complete the discussion questions for part 3.

Wednesday

·         Reading 8 (Odd) – Students will finish the guided reading and critical thinking questions for “Sharing an American Dream” (persuasive speech) from the textbook. They will also complete the After You Read questions on fact and opinion and “word choice” on page 579 in the book.

·         Reading 7 – As a class, we will read the next short story, “The Bear Boy,” together. Students will respond to guided reading questions as we read and they will work with a partner to complete discussion questions after reading the story.

·         Practical Literature 10 – As a class, we will continue to read part 3 of Fahrenheit 451. Students will complete the active reading guide as they read.

Thursday

·         Reading 8 (Even) – As a class, we will discuss the persuasive speech from last class together. Students will share responses to questions and we will examine student examples of the denotation and connotation chart that they created for key words in the speech. Students will turn in their work from this speech today and they will begin working on the second persuasive piece in the textbook (cell phone editorial).

·         Reading 7 – As a class, we will finish reading the short story, “The Bear Boy.” Students will complete the guided reading questions that accompany the story and the discussion questions after reading. As a class, we will discuss student responses to these together.

·         Practical Literature 10 – As a class, we will continue to read part 3 of Fahrenheit 451. Students will complete the active reading guide as they read.

Friday

·         Reading 8 (Odd) – As a class, we will discuss the persuasive speech from last class together. Students will share responses to questions and we will examine student examples of the denotation and connotation chart that they created for key words in the speech. Students will turn in their work from this speech today and they will begin working on the second persuasive piece in the textbook (cell phone editorial).

·         Reading 7 – As a class, we will finish discussing responses to discussion questions for “The Bear Boy,” if necessary. Students will turn in their work for this short story. Students will then begin reading the next story, “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.” Students will read the short story while completing the guided reading questions on making predictions, plot, and conflict. Students will finish reading the story and complete the questions for homework.

·         Practical Literature 10 - As a class, we will continue to read part 3 of Fahrenheit 451. Students will complete the active reading guide as they read. Students will also complete a worksheet analyzing “Granger’s speech” during part 3 of the novel. We will discuss this worksheet together.