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Monday, 09/18/2017
To extend student learning about Appalachian culture and memoirs, we will read an excerpt from the novel October Sky, by Homer Hickam. Homer Hickam is from the small coal-mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. Like Lyons, he grew up in rural Appalachia. He is a Vietnam Veteran, an author, and a former NASA engineer. His novel Rocket Boys / October Sky tells the story of he and his friends being inspired by the launch of Sputnik to begin designing and launching rockets against all odds. Students will read the following excerpt of Chapter 1, titled Coalwood and complete discussion questions for the chapter. For homework, students should look up Homer Hickam and write a two paragraph response explaining how his background and culture influenced his writing. Tuesday, 09/18/2017 Using their excerpt, students will identify sensory language/imagery in Hickam's writing. With this imagery, students will design a travel poster for Coalwood. This creative project asks students to 1) identify sensory language 2) understand how sensory language is used by author's to create a visual picture for readers. Posters will be due at the end of class. During the last 15 minutes of class, we will begin viewing the film October Sky, which is rated PG. This film provides unique cross-curricular insights into history, science, and literature. Learn more about this film HERE. Wednesday, 09/20/17 Students will begin the class discussing October Sky. Does the film accurately reflect the image written by Homer Hickam in his novel? How can screenwriters and directors use the sensory language written by authors like Hickam to develop a vivid and accurate setting in a film? What inspires "the rocket boys" of Coalwood? What obstacles do they face? How does the culture of Coalwood (and mining towns in rural Appalachia in general) affect the boys and their dreams of working for NASA? Continue film viewing. Thursday, 09/21/17 SUBSTITUTE. Students will read the excerpt of the memoir Funny in Farsi in their SpringBoard texts on pg. 119. They will analyze the narrative and identify key narrative components, as well as identify and analyze aspects of culture presented in literature. Funny in Farsi is the memoir of Firoozeh Dumas, an Iranian writer. Growing up the daughter of a Fulbright scholar, she lived in both Iran and America and has written several books about the experience of growing up in Middle-Eastern culture. Students will complete questions 1-6 following the text, and also will complete a chart comparing and contrasting the memoirs "Coalwood" and "Funny in Farsi." All work is due at the end of class. Friday, 09/22/2017 Students will take the Week 3 VFL quiz and complete all viewing and activities for the film October Sky.
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Monday, 09/11/2017
School Canceled - Inclement Weather Tuesday, 09/12/2017 School Canceled - Inclement Weather Wednesday, 09/13/2017 At the beginning of class, students will have 10 minutes to study for their Week 2 VFL Quiz. After the quiz, students will copy and define the Week 3 words. After the successful completion of Unit 1 in SpringBoard, we will move on to Unit 2: Cultural Perspectives. This unit focuses on elements of narrative writing, such as dialogue, and cultural experiences. To prepare, students will complete a narrative activity that teaches them to identify elements of narrative including characterization, dialogue, and point-of-view. Students will read an excerpt from the Washington Irving story "The Devil and Tom Walker." They will complete a chart identifying key narrative elements and then begin planning how they will complete or finish the story. Students should use proper narrative elements and include dialogue in their story. Thursday, 09/14/2017 Students will continue their narrative writing for the fictional story "The Devil and Tom Walker." Completed narratives are due by the end of the class period. Friday, 09/15/2017 We will review the Week 3 VFL words and go over correct definitions to prepare for the quiz next week. After review, students will complete 20 minutes of independent reading. To begin Unit 2, we will read the poem "Where I'm From" by George Ella Lyons. Lyons is an award-winning author of children's books who grew up in the small Appalachian community of Harlan, Kentucky. Students will analyze the poem to identify sensory language, structure, and technique. Learn more about sensory language (also called imagery) by clicking HERE. Monday 09/04/2017
School Holiday - Labor Day Tuesday 09/05/2017 Embedded Assessment #2 (SpringBoard text pg. 107-108) Students have spent unit 1 learning about the elements of argument and persuasive writing as well as reading texts that highlight expression of various cultures. To wrap up the unit, students will work on a collaborative essay, called a synthesis essay. To learn more about a synthesis essay, click HERE. Your assignment is to collaborate with your peers to write an essay that responds to the following synthesis prompt: To what extent does one's culture inform the way one views others and the world? Be sure to support your claim with evidence from at least three different texts and/or media that we have read/viewed this unit, as well as with personal experience and insights. The goal of the synthesis essay is for students to 1) work in groups 2) synthesize, or bring together evidence, from multiple sources to form a thoughtful opinion on a single topic (how your culture can impact how you respond to the world and other people). Wednesday, 09/06/2017 Embedded Assessment #2 Continued... Thursday, 09/07/2017 Students should complete the EA #2 in class today and turn it in by the end of the period. Today also marks the end of the grading period. The class policy on late work is that no matter when turned in after the due date, the highest possible grade is a 70. Friday, 09/08/2017 Unit 1 Summative - Students will test over the information they have learned in unit 1 with a 20 question test. The test includes a reading passage, 10 reading comprehension/inferences questions, 5 literary device questions, and 5 academic vocabulary questions. After the test is completed, students will participate in a unique program hosted by the Wheeler HS Library, called speed dating a book. Students will have the opportunity to view books of different genres including romance, historical fiction, mystery, comedy, and more. At the end of the speed dating, students will have a chance to check out a book they liked. Students will also learn more about the policies of the library. |
DR. MEGHAN CONLEY
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