Using your in-class pre-writing activity, write an essay that responds to the DANCER picture prompt. DUE: Wednesday, January 25.
Choose one of the three pre-writing methods provided in today's handouts to complete pre-writing for the "giraffe" picture prompt. DUE: Friday, January 27.
Research the following five topics: James Frey, A Million Little Pieces, Oprah Winfrey, thesmokinggun.com, and Non-Fiction. Be prepares to discuss and write about what these topics have to do with each other. DUE: Tuesday, January 31.
Read and be prepared to discuss and write a persuasuve essay about the New York Times article distributed in class. DUE: Thursday, February 2.
Complete your persuasive essay "A Letter to James Frey." DUE: Monday, February 6.
Complete persuasive prewriting packet. Focus on how you can organize your argument before you start writing. DUE: Wednesday, February 8.
Complete your persuasive essay "School Uniforms." DUE: Friday, February 10.
Complete revisions of the essay handed back today. Refer to the suggestions and comments on the attached NJ Holistic Scoring rubric. TYPE YOUR ESSAY. (double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman, no name on front) Attach that revision to your returned essay. DUE: Tuesday, February 14.
Complete READING AND RESPONDING to a PERSUASIVE PASSAGE packet. Remember to note how long it took you to read through the passage. Answer the ten multiple choice questions as well as the short answer prompts. DUE: Thursday, February 16.
NO CLASS FEBRUARY 17 - 26: WINTER RECESS
Use this time to review the HSPA Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric and the Writer's Checklist we've been using in class. These documents will acquaint you with the standards that will earn a superior score on your essays and revise/edit sections of the exam.
Complete READING: PERSUASIVE packet, including multiple choice questions 1 - 10. DUE: Wednesday, March 1.
Review REVISING AND EDITING packet. Study symbols used to mark up essay example that will appear on the HSPA. DUE: Friday, March 3.
Review TIPS TO TAKING THE TEST over the weekend. Be sure you get a good night's sleep and breakfast in the morning before each day of testing.
Read and complete answers corresponding to the poem "Reapers." DUE: Thursday, March 9.
Read The Catcher in the Rye, chapters 1 and 2. Make notes as you read. Follow examples on handout. DUE: Monday, March 13.
Read The Catcher in the Rye, chapters 3 and 4. Continue to make notes, focusing on Salinger's methods of characterizing the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as well as the other students he introduces. DUE: Wednesday, March 15.
Read The Catcher in the Rye, chapters 5 - 8. Be ready for a quiz. DUE: Friday, March 17.
Read The Catcher in the Rye, chapters 9 -13. DUE: Tuesday, March 21.
Read The Catcher in the Rye, chapters 14 - 17. DUE: Thursday, March 23.
Read The Catcher in the Rye, chapters 18 - 21. DUE: Monday, March 27.
Read The Catcher in the Rye, chapters 22 - 26 (the end). DUE: Wednesday, March 29.
MARCH 29: TODAY WE WILL FORMULATE A THESIS STATEMENT IN CLASS. You will write an essay defending your thesis: DUE APRIL 4.
ESSAY: 500 words; typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font. You may use your own thesis developed in class or respond to the following:
In J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, the author uses symbols to reinforce the theme.
OR
In J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, the author uses direct and indirect characterization to reveal Holden Caulfield's true identity.
OR
In J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, the author uses foreshadowing to slowly reveal Holden Caulfield's troubled mental state.
TEST ON The Catcher in the Rye TUESDAY, APRIL 4.
FOR YOUR TEST:
-be able to identify major and minor characters who affect Holden, especially Stradtlater, Ackley, Jane, Sally, Sunny, Maurice, Allie, Phoebe, D.B., James, Mr. Spencer, and Mr. Antolini...
-be able to explain the abstract concepts represented by SYMBOLS, especially the hunting hat, the ducks, the museum, the carousel...
-be able to identify the methods of characterization J.D. Salinger uses to build Holden's identity
Complete handout on the short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" by J.D. Salinger. DUE: Monday, April 10.
Complete Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Blanche and Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire. DUE: Wednesday, April 12.
Read A Streetcar Named Desire scenes 1 - 4. DUE: Monday, April 17.
Complete handout ALLUSIONS and SYMBOLS in STREETCAR. DUE: Wednesday, April 19.
Read A Streetcar Named Desire scenes 5 - 7. BE PREPARED FOR A QUIZ ON SCENES 1 - 7. DUE: Friday, April 21.
Complete reading A Street Car Named Desire. DUE: Tuesday, May 2.
Complete character analysis table of Blanche. DUE: Thursday, May 4.
TEST ON STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE on Monday, May 8.
Complete reflection of CRITICAL ESSAY on A Streetcar Named Desire. DUE: Wednesday, May 10.
Read ACT ONE, SCENES 1 and 2 of Fences. Be ready for a quiz. DUE: Friday, May 12.
Read ACT ONE, SCENES 3 and 4 of Fences. DUE: Tuesday, May 16.
Complete reading the play Fences. Complete explanation of the abstract meaning behind symbols discussed in class today. DUE: Thursday, May 18.
Review notes on FENCES. Study for Friday's test.
Complete THE STUDY OF DRAMA outline begun in class. Use it to study for your test on Fences on FRIDAY, May 26.
NO HOMEWORK 5/26. HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!
Complete poem from class: imitation of Shel Silverstein's Sick or a CONCRETE POEM. Due Friday, June 2.
Complete poem from class: THE VILLANELLE. Due Teusday, June 6.
Complete poem from class: THE SESTINA. Due Thursday, June 8.
FINAL EXAM REVIEW CLASS: MONDAY, JUNE 12.
YOUR FINAL EXAM IS ON MONDAY, JUNE 19.
PLEASE RETURN ALL BOOKS TO MRS. MELNYK ASAP. The replacement fee for a soft cover book is $8. Hard cover books are $12.
