Week 4 (English 1)

WORD OF THE DAY: http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwwod.pl
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WARM UP Journal Entry (Autobiographical narrative)

Mon: You're never as witty and smart in the midle of a confrontation as you are after it's over, when suddenly you can think of a million things you could have said. Imagine you are back in the thick of an argument you once had, and write out the eloquent, intelligent remerks you should have made at that time.

Tue: Do you think you are more like your mother or more like your father? Or do you think you resemble one in looks, and the other in personality? Whom would you rather resemble?

Wed: Technology has led to the discovery of vaccines and medical treatments. It has brought computers and televisions into people's homes, and it has provided us with electricity, the internet, phones, cars, planes, and much more. But an argument can be made that technology has largely worsened the quality of our lives, polluting the air, making our lives needlessly stressful, and dampening our enthusiasm for books.

If you had to give up one technological advantage that you use all the time, what would it be? Do you think you'd better off without it?

Thu: Some people might look for friends who are wild, aggressive, and daring; others might look for friends who are smart, funny, and loyal. List at least ten qualities you think the perfect friend should possess, ranked in order from most to least important. Do you know anyone who comes close to being the "perfect" friend?

Fri: When you're a little kid, the professional world seems pretty appealing: firefighter, doctor, nurse, and astonaut are among the high-profile gigs you're aware of. As you get older, you realize that the mere desire to be an NBA star or a famous painter doesn't guarantee success. What was your ideal job when you were little? What do you imagine yourself doing now?

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LESSON

Vocabulary Development

C8: The Blue jar - HR: Vocabulary Development, p 241; EOL: Vocabulary Development, pg 525, 540

C9: American History - HR: Read and Discuss Academic Vocabulary, pg 249; Vocabulary Development, pg 251; EOL - Vocabulary Development, pg 576

Reading

C8: The Blue Jar - HR: Before You Read, pg 240; Read, discuss and respond to the text, pg 242-244; Skills Practice, pg 245-247

C9: American History - HR: Read, discuss and respond to the text, pg 252-262, Skills Practice, pg 263-265, End of Selection Quiz (One Stop Planner)

WRITING WORKSHOP:

Bring out your materials for your poster for your oral presentation. Plan out for your 6-minute oral presentation.

• on poster board (bigger than 8 1/2” x 11”)

• include the title and author (make words visible to audience)

• make it colorful and eye-catching

• portray a key element of the plot and/or any major characters

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Your six minute long oral report should include:

• a brief introduction of the book’s plot

• a brief description of the key characters and their roles

• a glimpse of the climax

• no give-away of the resolution!

• a thoughtful discussion of how one of the following contributes to the novel:

(a) setting, (b) conflict, (c) characterization (Refer to short story packet for definitions, such as indirect/direct characterization, flat, round, etc.) For this portion of your report, you should read one passage from the book aloud to prove your point. Follow up your reading with an explanation of how it illustrates the term you have identified.

• a discussion of theme (What is the lesson that the book teaches readers? How does the book show this theme?)

• your evaluation of the book and why you like/dislike it (Be sure to give specific reasons for your “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.”)

We will have the presentations next week.

* Throw dice on who will go first.

** Distribute a copy of the rubric that will be used in grading this activity.

HOMEWORK:

Answer briefly these burning issues about the novel "El Bronx Remembered":

Mon: If you had to pick a single character in these stories that you cared about the most, who would it be, and why?

Tue: Which of the stories seems the most realistic to you? Explain your response.

Wed: What are some of the ways Mohr creates a distinctly Puerto Rican atmosphere, or flavor, in these stories? How did you react to this flavor?

Thu: In almost all of these stories, characters face intense conflicts, either external or internal. Which conflict captured your interest the most? Why?

Fri: In some of the stories, such as "Herman and Alice" and "Love with Aleluya", Mohr brings together characters who are alike in some ways but very different in others. How are these similarities and differences important in defining the characters and in revealing the stories' central conflicts?

Fri: Think about the futures of the young characters in these stories. What will happen to them? Will they leave Bronx? Discuss a sequel to one of the stories in the book. For example, you might consider whether Hector will complete his education, or discuss a career for Judy. Keep the characters' traits in mind as you sketch future lives for them.

STANDARDS: 8.LT-S.10* 10.LD-V.9* 9.LD-V.8* 9.LD-V.7* 11.LT-C.1* 11.LT-LNF.6* 8.LT-C.1* 9.LD-V.8* 9.LD-V.7

DCPS English 1 Pacing Guide