Go for 100 extra Credit points
get speaker/s to sign as evidence that your attended.
A year long course that focuses on the myriad voices reflecting the experiences that make up the American Nation each of which evokes a strong "Sense of Place". Literary Analysis and Composition are key elements of the course.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
SAY MEAN MATTER
SAY-MEAN-MATTER
Say-Mean-Matter is the name for a strategy that helps students question the text, search for deeper meanings, and make connections between text and their lives. It’s effective for all student levels from language learners to honors and AP students. It can be used with academic texts, with fiction, and with non-verbal material as well.
The strategy uses a three-column chart. This can be on an overhead, chart paper, chalkboard or whatever is handy. Once students have learned the method, they can quickly draw the graphic organizer and use it to find meaning and significance. SAY, MEAN, and MATTER are the 3 column titles on the chart. When initially teaching the strategy, explain what each means using age-appropriate directions and suggestions.
SAY | MEAN | MATTER |
| What does the text say? What happened? Cite text (quotation) or paraphrase. | What does the author mean? How do I interpret this? Read “between the lines.” | Why does it matter to me or others? Why is this important? What is the significance? What are the implications? |
1. For each item on the SAY list, students write what they believe the statement means. Ask questions, such as, “What makes you think that?” “How do you know that?”
3. The third column is the most abstract and may prove to be difficult at first. . Ask yourself : “So what?” “What is the theme of the piece?” “How does this piece connect to your own life?” “What does it matter to you?” Or, “What questions does this piece raise?” “What implications does it hold for a given group of people, or for people in general?” In this column you find the meaning and depth of the piece.
4. Use the ideas recorded on the chart to create your thesis and body paragraphs. One way to do this is to start with a statement from the “MATTER” column as a topic or thesis statement, and then draw on the “SAY” and “MEAN” columns for supporting details. The first column provides “text proof,” (what the text says), while the second column provides student interpretation.
Week Seven American Literature ( Print by Tuesday class time for 100 extra credit points)
| | Class Work | Homework | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Monday Print syllabus for 100 extra credit points by beginning of Class on Tuesday | Review Exam Read Significant Passages of Act II and III. Complete Say, Mean, Matter Table
| In your Reader’s Writer’s Notebooks answer the following questions: What is the effect of Mary’s Story on John Proctor? Why does Proctor forbid Mary to go to the Courtroom? What are Mary’s Feelings about the courtroom proceedings? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuesday | College Prep Day Read Significant Passages of Act II and III. | Complete Act III Questions in Crucible Packet Study Guide | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday | Read Significant Passages of Act II and III. | Study for Exam on Act II and III. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday | Library Day | Study for Exam on Act II and III. Take Home Short Constructed Response Essay Exam on ACTS II and III. Due FRiday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday | Library Day Google Docs Submit your Short Constructed Response Exam Via Google Docs. | RE Read Act IV Answers Questions 1-8 Page 134 And the Questions in your Study Guide Completed Study Guide packets Due Monday. Write in complete sentences and write neatly. Legibility counts! Grade Window opens 11/8 for Mid-Term Marks |
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Week Six American Literature ( Print by Tuesday Class time for 100 extra Credit points)
Class Work | Homework | |
Monday Print syllabus for 100 extra credit points by beginning of Class on Tuesday. Not accepted for credit after Tuesday. | Finish significant Scenes in Act 1 Unit Packet Study Guide Complete Page 1 in pairs Review character Analysis via STEAL | Complete Character Analysis table in Crucible Study Packet |
Tuesday | Review/correct Act I questions | Study for Exam On Act I |
Wednesday | Correct Study Packet Character Analysis In pairs | Study for Exam on Act 1 |
Thursday Mr. Genut will be the guest teacher | In class Exam On Act I | Complete study questions for Act II. |
Friday | Read Significant Passages of Act Two. | Read ACT III Pp. 104- 121 Answer Questions 1-7 page 121 |
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Crucible Unit Study Guide
The Crucible
By: Arthur Miller
Unit overview
- Vocabulary study: Look up definitions for twenty words (due when packet is due). Small glossary other words given. Background notes: students are expected to take notes in the space given.
- Character study: For the main characters, tell as much as you can about each.
- Study questions: Answer these questions as we read. These are due when the packet is due.
- Dramatic reading: It is expected that each student participate in the reading of this play. There are twenty-two roles, but we will share larger roles so everyone has a part.
- Test: To be completed at the end of the reading and discussion.
- Essay: To be completed at the end of the unit(Rough Draft 1, Peer review in-class), Draft 2, Final Draft) 400 points
- Unit packet: 400 points
Background Notes
Author:
Drama:
A crucible is:
Puritans believed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Why was the idea of possession accepted?
Themes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
McCarthy Hearings During the McCarthy hearings (1950s) many innocent people were accused of being traitors (communists, mainly) to our country and, while they were not physically harmed, their professional and personal lives were ruined by this adverse publicity, which was often untrue. During this period also (as in Salem) many supposed “good people” participated in the accusations against other because they were afraid that if they refused to do so their own lives would be ruined. Miller is thus drawing a parallel between two periods of hysteria in our country, though far apart in time, that are dangerously close in ideology.
Write down the names of five famous people who were blacklisted for their ties (real or not) to communism.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fill out the chart, by writing down the similarities and differences between the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthy hearings.


Vocabulary study Glossary: these words are defined for you.
- theocracy: governed by religion
- providence: God’s will; God’s intervention in human affairs
- Puritanical: strict in morality and religion; this term has come about since the reign of the Puritans
- inculcation: impress with insistent urging; convince
- propitiation: win good will
- ameliorate: improve
- theology: the study of religious doctrine; what a particular sect believes
- vestry: the room in the church where the robes are kept
- apparition: ghost
- trafficked: have dealings with
- blink: tolerate
Vocabulary study You need to define the following twenty words.
- dissembling
- conjure
- vindictive
- propriety
- diametrically
- defamation
- malign
- fiend
- iniquity
- malevolence
- contempt
- prosecutor
- deposition
- plaintiff
- guile
- reprieve
- indictment
- conspiracy
- purged
- penitence
Character study For each of the following characters, write who s/he is, what relationship to other characters, any important character or personality traits and any other important information.
| | Who is s/he? | Relationship to whom? | Problem? Acts of courage/cowardice? |
| Rev. Samuel Parris | | | |
| Betty Parris | | | |
| Abigail Williams | | | |
| Tituba | | | |
| Mrs. Ann Putnam | | | |
| Thomas Putnam | | | |
| John Proctor | | | |
| Elizabeth Proctor | | | |
| Rebecca Nurse | | | |
| Rev. John Hale | | | |
Think of what you mean when you use the words “honor”, “truth”, “justice”, or “courage.” Choose one character that exemplifies your idea of one of these ideals and explain how s/he lives up to your standards (or do the reverse: fails to live up to your standards).
Study Questions Answer each fully (sometimes in sentences, sometimes the answer is just a word or two). Keep these questions out and fill in your answers as we read and not when we finish. Answers to some of the questions might be found in the exposition sections.
ACT I
- What was Samuel Parris’s attitude toward children?
- Why do you think Rev. Parris has many enemies?
- After Parris begins to believe his daughter to afflicted by witchcraft, what is Thomas Putnam’s advice to him?
- What truths come out when the adults leave the girls alone?
- What’s going on between Abigail and John Proctor?
- Why does Betty start screaming?
- Why are some people, including John Proctor, inclined to stay away from the Sabbath meeting?
- Why does Hale believe the Devil would strike Rev. Parris’s house?
- Though Rev. Hale is trying to get Tituba to name her accomplices, who is the first person to mention names?
- Why isn’t it difficult for Ann Putnam to believe that Goody Osburn is a witch?
- Give two examples that Proctor, Putnam and Corey give for why Parris is an ineffective minister.
- Describe Giles Corey in one sentence.
- How does Hale confuse Tituba? What is the significance of this conversation?
- How and by whom are the other villagers accused of witchcraft? What is the motivation of the girls’ accusations? How many people are accused on the last page of Act I?
ACT II
- What do you know about the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor from the stage action and opening dialogue of Act II?
- Describe the power Abigail has in the court room.
- Though Mary Warren cannot say who accused Elizabeth Proctor, who do you believe accused her and why?
- Ironically, which commandment can John not remember?
- John Proctor seems to the only voice of reason in the confusing end of Act II. What are some examples to support this idea?
- Why is Mary Warren afraid of telling the truth about Abigail, for herself and for John?
- How are these two ideas connected: 1. Walcott buying a pig. 2. Martha Corey being accused of witchcraft.
- Explain the allusion that Proctor makes to Pontius Pilate.
ACT III
- Over and over, Danforth says that the good have nothing to fear. What evidence can you give to show that the opposite is true?
- Danforth gives the premise for judging a witch. Summarize his guidelines.
- Mary Warren’s testimony is destroyed in the end because she cannot do something. What? How does she explain the problem?
- Finally, Proctor admits that he and Abigail have been lovers. The truth could be the end of Abigail’s control. Why isn’t it?
- What is the importance of John Proctor’s last speech in Act III?
ACT IV
- What time of day does Act IV open?
- What is Hale’s mission in Act IV?
- Parris tells Danforth, “You cannot hang this sort.” What does he mean?
- Why doesn’t Danforth pardon the prisoners?
- Do you think Elizabeth Proctor would confess if she were in her husband’s place? Explain.
- Give two reasons why Giles Corey was smart for not admitting or denying the charges against him?
- What were Giles Corey’s dying words, and how did he die?
- What does John Proctor admit to?
- What will Proctor not sign?
- Why would Proctor admit, but not sign, a confession of guilt?
- What finally happens to Proctor’s confession?
- In the end, what is it that is of utmost importance to John Proctor?
- List the fate of these characters:
- Rev. Parris
- Tituba
- Abigail Williams
- John Proctor
- Rebecca Nurse
- Giles Corey
- Martha Corey
- Rev. Hale
- Elizabeth Proctor
41. Reflection: Did you like “The Crucible”? Why or why not?
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