First Quarter Unit Plan English I Pre-AP – Ms. Spence Overarching Questions: What defines a family? What is worth fighting for? How do writers use the “hero’s journey” to enhance plot, character development, and theme? Where do I see archetypes in literature, as well in modern culture? How do I use text evidence to support a claim? Major Readings: Summer selection - A Long Way Gone (or alternative novel) The Odyssey by Homer Thematically linked short stories, non-fiction texts, and poetry Writing Focus: Short answer (single selection and crossover) Grammar/Vocabulary: Parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, dependent/independent clauses, prepositional phrases (mini-lessons through warm-ups) Summatives: 1.) Summer Reading Test 2.) Odyssey Webquest 3.) Odyssey Test 4.) Grammar test Date Weekly Agenda Objectives (TEKS) Assessments 8/25 Monday – Course introduction, reading questions due, 6 Word Memoir assigned Tuesday –Music’s influence in ALWG, Literary devices handout Block Day – Discussion groups for ALWG Friday – Grammar Diagnostic, HW: Read “The Sniper” Theme analysis (6) Textual support (Fig. 19B) Cross-genre connections (2A) Parts of speech (17) Summer reading questions 9/1 Monday – No School (Labor Day) Tuesday – 6 Word Memoirs due, Reading check and “The Sniper” analysis, discussion of the memoir’s conclusion Block Day – Summer Reading Test Friday –Test analysis and corrections Author’s purpose (6) Cross-cultural connections (8) Point-of-view (5C) Parts of speech (17) “The Sniper” reading check 6 Word Memoir Summer Reading Test 9/8 Monday – Elements of a story booklet, begin “The Most Dangerous Game” (finish for homework) Tuesday – “Most Dangerous Game” analysis, short answer practice Block Day – Short answer practice continued, “The Most Dangerous Game” wrap up Friday – Introduction to mythology, HW: complete gods and goddesses playing cards Plot development (5A) Conflict (5) Characterization (5B) Vocabulary development (1A) Subject/verb agreement (17) Short answer practice “The Most Dangerous Game” booklet
9/15 Monday – Gods and Goddesses family tree Tuesday – Greek Mythology / short answer practice Block Day – Greek Mythology / short answer practice Friday - Begin Hero’s Journey notes, connection to modern storytelling and A Long Way Gone Library orientation this week Literary devices (3A) Thesis statement (13A) Plot development Subject/verb agreement (17) Mythic influence (2B) Gods and Goddesses Playing Card Short answer practice 9/22 Monday – Continue Hero’s Journey notes Tuesday – Research review and assignment of Odyssey Webquest, plagiarism contract Block Day – Library for Webquest Friday – Library for Webquest Identifying quality research sources (22) Documentation (23) Multimedia use (15D) Grammar (17) Hero’s Journey quick write Research daily grade(s) 9/29 Monday – Webquest due on TurnItIn by 4:00pm, read “Invocation to the Muses” and “Calypso” Tuesday –Odyssey Part I (Cicones, Cyclops – finish for homework) Block Day – Odyssey Part I (discussion of Odysseus’ heroism and hubris, Circe, Underworld, Sirens – finish for homework) Friday – Vocab PP quiz + Odyssey Part I (finish Part I for homework) Non-linear plot (5A) Narration (5B) Character motivation (5B) Theme (5) Grammar (17) Odyssey Webquest Vocab PP Quiz 10/6 Monday – Review Part I, possible reading check, Odyssey Part II (Reunion with son, Argos) Tuesday – Odyssey Part II (Test of the Great Bow) Block Day – Odyssey Part II (Battle in the Great Hall and Penelope reunion) + analysis Friday – Crossover practice with Odyssey and “Ithaca” poem under document camera Character change (5B) Literary devices (3A) Grammar (17) Odyssey daily grade Reading check 10/13 Monday – No school (Columbus Day) Tuesday – Odyssey review Block Day – Odyssey Test Friday – Vocab PP quiz Cross-genre connections (2A) Thesis (13A) Textual evidence (Fig. 19B) Support evidence with analysis (Fig. 19B) Odyssey Test Vocab PP Quiz 10/20 Monday – Review Odyssey test scores, Odyssey video clips + why is this story still relevant today? What does this have to do with me? Tuesday – Grammar review Block Day – Grammar Test Friday – Grammar test corrections and analysis Parts of speech (17) Subject/verb agreement (17) Grammar (17) Grammar Test