Wednesday, December 19th

Lesson Objectives - Students will identify and practice writing various sentence styles.  They will then continue writing their test essay rough draft.

Homework - Students will finish writing their rough draft about the following topic:Compare and contrast the settings, characters, and plots of O. Henry's two short stories "After 20 Years" and "A Retrieved Reformation." Students are encouraged to use one of the formats provided below.

OPTION A
Introduction: a)Mention the author/titles of the short stories with BRIEF descriptions. b) provide a thesis Statement - Explain the purpose of your essay.

Body one: Explain the similarities/differences in settings, characters, and plots in "After 20 Years"

Body two: Explain the similarities/differences in settings, characters, and plots in "A Retrieved Reformation"

Conclusion: Remind the reader the purpose of the essay

or

OPTION B
Introduction: a)Mention the author/titles of the short stories with BRIEF descriptions. b) provide a thesis Statement - Explain the purpose of your essay.

Body one: Explain the similarities/differences in settings

Body two: Explain the similarities/differences in characters

Body three: Explain the similarities/differences in plots

Conclusion: Remind the reader the purpose of the essay

Tuesday, December 18th

Lesson Objectives - Students will be able to apply elements of O. Henry's biography to his short story, "A Retrieved Reformation."  They will then construct examples of the compare/contrast essay outlines based on personal knowledge and interest.  Students will adapt these outlines to explain the similarities/differences found in two of O. Henry's short stories.

Homework - Students will begin writing their test essay rough draft: Compare/contrast O. Henry's stories "After Twenty Years" and "A Retrieved Reformation."  The completed rough draft is due at the beginning of class on Thursday.

Monday, December 17th

Lesson Objectives - Students will take their Vocabulary Unit VII quiz today.  They will then complete Thursday's objective: apply the story elements (exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action) to other media sources.  Students will present their findings to the class.

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph with an introduction: Both of O. Henry's stories we have read deal with police officers who had to make difficult decisions.  Do you agree with these decisions?  Explain why or why not using details from the story.

Thursday, December 13th

Lesson Objectives - Students will finish the exercises in Vocabulary Unit VII.  They will then start the next story, "A Retrieved Reformation," where they will analyze its structure (exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action.)  Students will then apply these story elements to other media sources.

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph response: "Would you forgive your significant other if their entire personal history was a lie?  Explain."

Wednesday, December 12th

Lesson Objectives - Students will practice using their vocabulary words in a few exercises.  They will then start the next story, "A Retrieved Reformation," where they will analyze its structure (exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action.)  Students will then apply these story elements to other media sources.

Homework - Interview Question: Should people who have been convicted of multiple past crimes be given another chance if they served their punishments?  Explain.

Monday, December 10th

Lesson Objectives -Students will start Vocabulary Unit VII.  They will then do a final evaluation of the "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" test essay before they finish their packet on sentence construction techniques.  We will also review for tomorrow's test.

Homework - The test on "After 20 Years" is tomorrow

Friday, December 7th

Lesson Objectives - Students will examine and practice writing samples of sentences where the subjects are in an unusual order.  They will then continue with yesterday's presentations.

Homework - These are the first two homework assignments of the last half of the second marking period: Students are to get yesterday's vocabulary quiz and their SDR signed by a parent or guardian.

Thursday, December 6th

Lesson Objectives - Students will take their quiz for Vocabulary Unit VI.  They will then continue yesterday's project where they were listing examples of foreshadowing in media sources such as movies, books, and TV shows.  They will present their findings to the class.

Homework - This is the last homework for the first half of the second marking period!  Answer the following in a paragraph: "What would you do if you faced the same decision that Jimmy had to make?  Use details from the story in your response."

Wednesday, December 5th

Lesson Objectives - Students will continue looking at the elements of foreshadowing that reveal the surprise ending of O. Henry's "After 20 Years."  Students will then examine the story elements such as exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution.  They will then apply these ideas to other media sources.

Homework - There is a quiz on Vocabulary Unit VI tomorrow.  Interview Question: "Over the past 20 years, what are some things which you have done that make you the most proud?  Explain with examples."

Tuesday, December 4th

Lesson Objectives - Students will finish the exercises in Vocabulary Unit IV.  They will then practice monitoring their reading as they listen to O. Henry's "After 20 Years."

Homework - Answer the following in a paragraph: "Where do you see yourself in 20 years?  What do you need to do to get there?"