Period 6 Junior Assignments--Mr. Sipkin, Fall 2009

Period 6 Junior Assignments (Mr. Sipkin)
Fall 2009

DateAgendaAIMHomework Assignment
Monday, January 25th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Review grades, teacher comments and helpful strategies for ALL essays.

2. Regents Strategies Game!

How can we become successful on the English Regents? Best of luck, everyone! It was a pleasure to teach you.

Review ALL Regents materials provided this semester! Use these Essay Outlines to guide you in your writing and to understand the structure/format for each essay on the Regents--Task I Essay Outline, Task II Essay Outline, Task III essay outline, Task IV Critical Lens Essay Outline.

Prepare for the Regents. Review all notes, exams and strategies for success on the English Regents. DON'T FORGET--THE ENGLISH REGENTS IS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 12:15PM AND WEDNESDAY AT 12:15PM (DON'T BE LATE!!!!! SLEEP WELL, EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST AND BRING MULTIPLE PENS AND PENCILS, ALONG WITH YOUR SCHOOL ID). Review all Regents materials. Best of luck! REMEMBER, THIS IS A TWO-DAY EXAM. BOTH DAYS BEGIN AT 12:15PM. BRING PLENTY OF PENS. WRITE A MINIMUM OF TWO FULL PAGES FOR EACH ESSAY, AND 6-8 SENTENCES PER PARAGRAPH. THERE ARE FOUR ESSAYS (TOTAL). If you have any questions, email me at hconn28@yahoo.com. THIS MONDAY WILL BE MORE REVIEW, SO MAKE SURE YOU ATTEND CLASS.

Friday, January 22nd, 2010: 1. Do Now: Review grades, teacher comments and helpful strategies for Task I and Task II essays.

2. Work Period: Take two crosswords created by your classmates and see if you can provide the correct answers!

How can we become successful on the English Regents? Review ALL Regents materials provided this semester! Use these Essay Outlines to guide you in your writing and to understand the structure/format for each essay on the Regents--Task I Essay Outline, Task II Essay Outline, Task III essay outline, Task IV Critical Lens Essay Outline.

Prepare for the Regents. Review all notes, exams and strategies for success on the English Regents. DON'T FORGET--THE ENGLISH REGENTS IS ON TUESDAY AT 12:15PM AND WEDNESDAY AT 12:15PM (DON'T BE LATE!!!!! SLEEP WELL, EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST AND BRING MULTIPLE PENS AND PENCILS, ALONG WITH YOUR SCHOOL ID). Review all Regents materials. Best of luck! REMEMBER, THIS IS A TWO-DAY EXAM. BOTH DAYS BEGIN AT 12:15PM. BRING PLENTY OF PENS. WRITE A MINIMUM OF TWO FULL PAGES FOR EACH ESSAY, AND 6-8 SENTENCES PER PARAGRAPH. THERE ARE FOUR ESSAYS (TOTAL). If you have any questions, email me at hconn28@yahoo.com. THIS MONDAY WILL BE MORE REVIEW, SO MAKE SURE YOU ATTEND CLASS.

Thursday, January 21st, 2010: 1. Do Now: Vocabulary Skill Building--if necessary, finish creating your vocabulary crossword puzzle.

2. Work Period: Create an English Regents Review Crossword Puzzle! When completed, exchange with classmates and see if you can provide the correct answers!

3. Discuss/Share: Review the Task II essays, grading rubric and teacher comments.

How can we become successful on the English Regents? ALL OWED HW DUE TOMORROW, FRIDAY: MAKE UP ALL HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks I, II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Vocabulary Skill Building--add to the word wall and create a vocabulary crossword puzzle.

2. Work Period: Create an English Regents Review Crossword Puzzle!

How can we become successful on the English Regents? ALL OWED HW DUE THIS FRIDAY: MAKE UP ALL HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks I, II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010: 1. Do Now: In your group, share your Top Ten List for the task you are assigned (Task I, II, III or IV of the Regents!). Take notes on each Top Ten List.

2. Work Period: Vocabulary Skill Building--add to the word wall and review vocabulary learned.

How can we become successful on the English Regents? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks I, II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Friday, January 15th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Get into groups (numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4) of four-five people. In your group, you will write a Top Ten list for the task you are assigned (Task I, II, III or IV of the Regents!).

2. Discuss/Share: Share your Top Ten List!

How can we become successful on the English Regents? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks I, II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Thursday, January 14th, 2010: Work Period: FInish writing the Task I essay; use the Task I Essay Outline as a guide. Make sure you stay focused on the task! Don't include extraneous information (details that aren't relevant to the task). How can we become successful on Task I? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Task I Essay Outline introduced. 3. Work Period: Write the Task I Essay. Use the outline (above), your abundant notes and the multiple-choice questions and answers to help you write the essay that addresses the task. How can we become successful on Task I? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Task I Instructions/Note-Taking

2. Task I Listening and Note-Taking

3. Work Period: Work on the multiple-choice questions.

4. Discuss/Analyze: Analyze the answers.

How can we become successful on Task I? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Monday, January 11th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Turn in your Task II Essay HW. Listen to a review/reflection of your Task III essays (in general, students need to work on maintaining focus on the controlling idea throughout their essays, connecting the literary elements and narrator's tone to the controlling idea at all times and including more evidence from the passages in your essays).

2. Peer Review: Review classmates' story maps and calculate scores.

3. HW Reminders.

How can we become successful on Tasks II and III? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map, Tasks II, III and IV essays--these are all GRADED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!).
Friday, January 8th, 2010: Work Period: Using the Task II Essay Outline, write your Task II Essay. How can we become successful on Task II? Due THIS Monday, January 11th:
  • Finish the Task II Essay and use the Task II Essay Outline to guide you in your writing. Each paragraph MUST be 6-8 sentences (at the minimum). You MUST use direct quotes from the passage and the table. You MUST stay focused on the task throughout your essay. This will be GRADED!!!

    MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map; remember, it's -10 points each day it's late).

    • Thursday, January 7th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Review the Task II passages, summary notes and multiple-choice answers.

    2. Discuss/Share: Introduce the Task II Essay Outline.

    3. Work Period: Begin working on the Task II essay.

    		How can we become successful on Task II? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map; remember, it's -10 points each day it's late).
    Wednesday, January 6th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Continue the summary notes for Task II. Answer the multiple-choice questions.

    2. Discuss/Share: Review the summary notes and multiple-choice answers.

    		How can we become successful on Task II? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map; remember, it's -10 points each day it's late).
    Tuesday, January 5th, 2010: 1. Do Now: Reading Quiz on your independent novel. Turn in your Story Map when called to see Ms. Conn.

    2. Begin the introduction to Task II.

    		How can we become successful on the Story Map (which will enable our success on Task IV)? MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (including the Story Map; remember, it's -10 points each day it's late).
    Monday, January 4th, 2010: Welcome back and welcome to a new decade!

    1. Do Now: Review the contents of the Story Map requirements. Reminders: Story Map due tomorrow! Reading quiz on your independent reading novel TOMORROW.

    2. Discuss/Share: Critical Lens Practice

    		How can we become successful on the Task III essay and the Story Map (which will enable our success on Task IV)? Due TOMORROW, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5th:
  • Finish the reading of your independent reading novel (chosen in class or independently, which MUST be approved by the teacher). Reading Quiz!
  • STORY MAP! Follow this GUIDE TO WRITE THE STORY MAP. You can write the Story Map on your independent novel or Julius Caesar.
    • Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009: 1. Do Now: Finish writing the Task III Essay, if necessary (which will be graded!).

    2. Gift-giving activity! We will give each other gifts of flattery!

    		How can we become successful on the Task III essay? Have a wonderful holiday and restful vacation! Due MONDAY, JANUARY 4th:
  • TURN IN YOUR COMPLETED TASK III ESSAY (using the fable on the stone and passage on lessons from Vietnam; remember, the controlling idea is lessons learned)

    Due TUESDAY, JANUARY 5th:

  • Read your independent reading novel (chosen in class or independently, which MUST be approved by the teacher). Take notes as you read to prepare you for the Story Map and for the reading quiz you will be given!
  • STORY MAP! Follow this GUIDE TO WRITE THE STORY MAP. You can write the Story Map on your independent novel or Julius Caesar.
    • Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009: 1. Do Now: Begin writing the Task III essay, using the Task III Essay Outline as a guide for your writing.

    2. Choose an independent reading novel for the vacation HW.

    		How can we apply strategies for success for Task III essay writing? Due TUESDAY, JANUARY 5th:
  • Read your independent reading novel (chosen in class or independently, which MUST be approved by the teacher). Take notes as you read to prepare you for the Story Map and for the reading quiz you will be given!
  • STORY MAP! Follow this GUIDE TO WRITE THE STORY MAP. You can write the Story Map on your independent novel or Julius Caesar.
    • Monday, December 21st, 2009: 1. Do Now: Discuss the easiest literary elements to use for both Tasks III and IV. They are the following: characterization, setting, theme, mood and point of view.

    2. Discuss/Share: Share the Task III Essay Outline. Use this as a guide for your upcoming essay.

    		How can we apply strategies for success for Task III?
  • Make-up HW owed! See previous days for HW.
    • Friday, December 18th, 2009: 1. Do Now: Students divide into those who did the HW (summary notes and identification of literary elements) and those who didn't. Those who did the HW will review the work and discuss how to prepare to write the essay. Those who didn't do the HW will do it at this time.

    2. Discuss/Share: Review Passages I and II of the June 2007 Task III. How do these two passages support the controlling idea of lessons learned? Answers discussed: both of the passages contain the theme of parenting and passage I has a negative mood and passage II has a positive/uplifting mood.

    		How can we apply strategies for success for Task III? Due Monday, December 21st:
  • Make-up HW owed! See previous days for HW.
    • Thursday, December 17th, 2009: 1. Do Now: Compare and contrast your parents and your teachers. Create a Venn Diagram, identifying similarities and differences.

    2. Discuss/Share: Discuss the Do Now brainstorming. Review Passage I of the June 2007 Task III.

    		How can we understand the components of Task III? Due TOMORROW, Friday, December 18th:
  • Make-up HW: Finish reading the in-class Task III passages. You should read both Passages I and II. You MUST practice the strategies for both passages – summary notes in margin, circling literary devices, and answering the multiple choice questions.
    • Wednesday, December 16th, 2009: 1. Do Now: Explain the meaning of the word ‘unified’. List any other words with the prefix ‘uni-‘ that have a similar meaning. Teacher can compile list on the board, with the goal of explaining how many of those words have a meaning of ‘sameness’ or ‘bring together’. unify, unified, uniformity, unison, unisex, united.

    2. Discuss/Share: Note-Taking on Task III of the English Regents – The Unified Essay

  • Key terms: Unify (bring together), Controlling idea
  • Components of Task III: Task III is the first part of Session Two of the test. You will read two separate passages, usually an excerpt from a book or article, and a poem. The two passages are written by different authors, and have different meanings, tone, point of view, etc, BUT, the two do have similar overall themes. Your task is to write an essay which UNIFIES the two passages. Using a CONTROLLING IDEA – a thesis about the main theme which constantly holds your essay together – you will write an essay highlighting the individual aspects of each passage, as well as the similarities between the two. Like the Critical Lens essay, you need to use the literary devices (elements from each passage) to show your understanding of the meaning.
  • Strategies: Take notes in the margin as you read, which will summarize each paragraph and give yourself reminders of important facts and circle literary devices (characterization-characters' personality traits, actions, thoughts/feelings, other people's points of view, setting, similes, personification, foreshadowing, etc.). Write next to the literary devices how they support the controlling idea. Create a Venn Diagram to help you prepare to write the essay which identifies similarities and differences.

    3. Work Period: Begin working on the June 2007 Task III passages. Passage I is shorter and can be used in class. Practice the strategies for this one passage – notes in margin, circling literary devices, etc. For HW, and complete the strategy exercises for both passages and answer the multiple-choice questions.

    		• How can we compose a successful Task III Unified Essay? Due TOMORROW, Thursday, December 17th:
  • Finish reading the in-class Task III passages. You should read both Passages I and II. You MUST practice the strategies for both passages – summary notes in margin, circling literary devices, and answering the multiple choice questions.
    • Tuesday, December 15th, 2009: CRITICAL LENS ESSAY EXAM How can we compose a successful Critical Lens Essay? Make up any owed HW!!
    Monday, December 14th, 2009: 1. Do Now: Introduce the B-REAL formula. B: Write a big statement about the topic revealed in the following quote that relates to you and people in society today. R: Restate the quote. E: Explain the quote in your own words. A: Agree or disagree (agreeing is easier!) with the quote and explain why. L: Introduce two works of literature and Literary Elements that support your opinion of the quote.

    2. Work Period: Practice the B-REAL formula with a Critical Lens quote: "For what does it mean to be a hero? It requires you to be prepared to deal with forces larger than yourself."--Norman Mailer

    		How can we create an easier way to compose the introduction of the Critical Lens Essay? DUE TOMORROW, DECEMBER 15th:
  • EXAM: CRITICAL LENS ESSAY EXAM. Review all of your materials on writing a successful critical lens essay (including a successful sample essay). Review your notes on Julius Caesar and "The Gift of the Magi" since you MUST write about both of these works of literature on the exam tomorrow! You should also be prepared to follow the B-REAL formula in your introduction--B: Write a big statement about the topic revealed in the following quote that relates to you and people in society today. R: Restate the quote. E: Explain the quote in your own words. A: Agree or disagree (agreeing is easier!) with the quote and explain why. L: Introduce two works of literature and Literary Elements that support your opinion of the quote.
    • Friday, December 11th, 2009: 1. Do Now: List three themes found in “The Gift of the Magi”. (If the class is higher level, two stories can be added to this, and subsequently to the work period). Compile list on the board. Themes may include:
  • Sacrifice
  • Love
  • Poverty

    2. Discussion/Analysis: Discuss the Do Now findings.

    3. Work Period: Students will choose one of the themes and write a paragraph of 5-7 sentences which relates that theme to the meaning of the quotation: “You must take what comes at you in life and make the best of it.” When finished writing this paragraph on theme, use another literary element (like irony).

  • Here's an example paragraph starter on the literary element, climax: The story’s climax comes when Jim and Della realize they have sold the very possessions which the other bought gifts for. Jim realizes this, and rather than being upset or angry – as Della feared he would be – he kicked back and smiled, and said let’s have our dinner.
    		• How can we simplify writing the Critical Lens Essay? DUE THIS MONDAY, DECEMBER 14th:
  • MAKE UP ANY HW OWED (see previous days for all homework!)
    • Thursday, December 10th, 2009: 1. Do Now: Write the introductory paragraph for a Critical Lens Essay on this quote: “You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it.” —Yann Martel. Make sure to interpret the meaning of the quote, agree with the quote and explain why, and introduce two works of literature that support your opinion of the quote.

    2. Discussion/Analysis: Review and share out your introductory paragraph.

    3. Work Period: Work on writing the body paragraphs for this new Critical Lens Essay.

    		What steps are needed to properly write an EFFECTIVE and LONG Critical Lens Essay? DUE TOMORROW, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11th:
  • ESSAY--Finish today's Critical Lens Essay on this quote: “You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it.” —Yann Martel.
    • Wednesday, December 9th, 2009: 1. Do Now: Explain the details of the Critical Lens Essay in your own words.

    2. Discussion/Analysis: Take notes and analyze the components of the Critical Lens Essay:
    1. Restate the quote
    2. Agree or Disagree--always agree; it's just easier
    3. Interpret the quote
    4. Say which literary works show the meaning of the quote
    5. Give examples through the use of literary elements from the literary works

    3. Critical Lens Analysis: Share the students' strengths (good job interpreting the quote) and weaknesses (too much plot retelling; don't write a book report; don't tell the reader what happened).

    		What steps are needed to properly write a Critical Lens Essay? DUE TOMORROW, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10th:
  • ESSAY--Write a critical lens essay (you can use any two works of literature) using this quote: "Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right using of strength..."--Henry Ward Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858. Write a LONG essay (a minimum of 5 paragraphs!). You may use Julius Caesar and "The Gift of the Magi" but you don't have to use them.
    • Tuesday, December 8th, 2009: 1. Do Now: Introduce the Critical Lens writing assignment

    2. Work Period: Interpret the following quote--"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly." Connect it to "The Gift of the Magi" using literary elements to support your connection. As a challenge, use Julius Caesar to support your interpretation of the quote, too. You should write a minimum of five paragraphs.

    		How can we effectively write a basic critical lens essay using "The Gift of the Magi"? Make up any HW owed!
    Monday, December 7th, 2009: 1. Read-Aloud/Analysis: Read aloud and analyze "The Gift of the Magi"--analyzing literary elements and identifying their importance.

    2. HW reminders.

    		How can we strengthen our recognition of literary elements by reading "The Gift of the Magi"? SEE MS. CONN'S HW (CHARACTER JOURNAL HW AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLE AND RESPONSE--details back at www.msconn.net--click on "junior assignments" link).
    Friday, December 4th, 2009: SEE MS. CONN'S LESSONS. How can we strengthen our recognition of literary elements by reading "The Gift of the Magi"? SEE MS. CONN'S HW.
    Thursday, December 3rd, 2009: 1. Do Now: Using context clues, try to define three unfamiliar vocabulary words from the story.

    2. Discuss/Share: Discuss the Do Now.

    3. Read-Aloud/Analysis: Read aloud and analyze the rest of the first page of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Examine the literary elements (characterization of Della, setting, mood, and imagery) and unknown vocabulary.

    		How can we strengthen our recognition of literary elements by reading "The Gift of the Magi"?
  • Make up any HW owed (including vocabulary story and recitation)!
    • Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009: 1. Do Now: To what extent would you sacrifice yourself for a loved one?

    2. Discuss/Share: Discuss the Do Now.

    3. Read-Aloud/Analysis: Read aloud and analyze the first four paragraphs of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Examine the literary elements (characterization of Della, setting, mood, and imagery) and unknown vocabulary.

    		How can we practice recognition of literary elements by reading "The Gift of the Magi"?
  • Make up any HW owed (including vocabulary story and recitation)!
    • Tuesday, December 1st, 2009: 1. Do Now: Julius Caesar Vocabulary Quiz. Describe the last time you made a sacrifice for something or someone.

    2. Discuss/Share: What does the word 'sacrifice' mean? Students will offer answers, leading to an interactive class discussion. Class will also provide examples of different sacrifices and discuss. What kind of connotation does 'sacrifice' have? Definition of the verb form (www.m-w.com): to suffer loss of, give up, renounce, injure or destroy, especially for an ideal, belief or end.

    3. Work Period: Table Groups--randomly pick a situation which presents the subject with a difficult decision. The goal is for the group to discuss and decide if they'd be willing to make the sacrifice necessary in the given situation.

    4. Discuss/Share: Students will discuss and decide if they'd be willing to make the sacrifice necessary in the given situation (see work period). Discuss how they felt and ideally reach the conclusion that sacrifice is related to 'internal conflict.'

    		How can we relate the concept of 'sacrifice' to literary elements? Due TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd:
  • Make up any HW owed!
    • Monday, November 30th, 2009: 1. Do Now: What pseudonym would you use to hide your true identity as an author? Explain why you chose that name. (Bonus points to anyone who knows the meaning of pseudonym)

    2. Discuss/Share: Share your Do Now answers aloud, and be sure to explain your reasons for your choices.

    3. Work Period: Each table group will be randomly assigned one of the literary elements. The group will then show their understanding of the literary element by describing how it relates to their lives at this point. For example: If a group is given theme, education may apply to them.

    4. Discuss/Share: Share your work period answers.

    		How can we strengthen our understanding of basic literary elements by connecting them to our own lives? Due TOMORROW, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1st:
  • Julius Caesar Vocabulary Quiz
  • Julius Caesar Vocabulary Story