Cycle 1:  September 8 - 15

Wed, Sept 8

A

Assignment: Writing:  one page:  If you define yourself as an American, what quality do you have in mind? 

                      Native American legends:  Text pg.22-23, The Earth on Turtle's Back, and handout

 Thurs, Sept 9

B

Summer reading due
Discussion:  Based on last night's writings, what qualities do we generally consider part of the American "identity?"
Native American legends:  How are they different?  How are they similar?  What characteristics/qualities mark these stories?
How do these qualities mesh with our list of "American qualities" ?

Assignment:  http://www.indianlegend.com/  Choose a legend and be able to tell what quality/characteristic/commonality of Native American identity you found in the story.

                       Read pg. 64, "Literary Focus" on pg. 65 and "The General History of Virginia," pp 66 - 70.
                       Bring to class a list of "subjective" details and a list of "objective" details.  Think about how "point of view" is used in this narrative.

Mon, Sept 13 

D

Assignment: Read "Of Plymouth Plantation" pp 71 - 75 and answer study guide (to be handed out on Monday)

                             Vocabulary 1

Cycle 2:  Sept 16 - 23

Thurs, Sept 16

A

Assignment: Essay #1:  Write a 2/4 essay using the following thesis statement:  The personal narratives of John Smith and William Bradford reveal behaviors and attitudes that  would become ingrained in American society.  Due date: Monday, September 20. 
                      Bring in ideas for the development of your body paragraphs - topics sentences and support.

 Fri, Sept 17

B

Continuation of A day lesson.
Review of the principles of effective essay writing

Assignment:  To My Dear and Loving Husband, pp 88 - 90
                       Work on essays for submission

 Tues, Sept 21

D

Assignment: Prepare for test

Cycle 3:  September 24 - October 1

Friday, Sept 24

A

Assignment: Write your own list of virtues for success in 2010 with some kind of explanatory note.  BF used 12 - you can use 10!

Mon, Sept 27

B

Vocabulary Quiz 1 - 4
Poor Richard's Almanack  - applying the virtues to common sense aphorisms

Assignment:  Review the Declaration of Independence for structural analysis in class. Identify persuasive elements.
                       Text pp 144 - 145, Paine's The Crisis, Number 1   

Wed, Sept 29

D

Assignment:  Text pp 169 - 171, Henry's Speech in the Virginia Convention

Cycle 4:  October 4 - 12

Monday, Oct 4

A

Assignment: Outline a persuasive speech on a current issue of interest to you: Guidelines/specifications to come
                      PSAT review:  Complete Sections 1 and  5

Tuesday, Oct 5

B

PSAT reviews:  Critical reading and Writing (Sections 1 and 5) 

Assignment:  PSAT review Section 3
                       Vocab units 5 & 6
                       Develop essays - bring in introductory paragraphs

Thurs, Oct 7

D

Assignment:  Continue to refine speech outlines
                       Read Letters From an American Farmer, Text p 197-198 (Outline 5 essential points in your notebooks)

Cycle 6:  October 22 - 29

Friday, Oct 22

A

Assignment: Review Devil for discussion
                      Re-read Fireside poets, text:  248 - 253, 262 - 265 - Formulate your own notes on 1. theme  2. form (stanzas, rhyme scheme)  3. imagery  4. poetic
                      devices (metaphor, simile, alliteration, internal rhyme, word play/order)

Mon, Oct 25

B

The Devil and Tom Walker:  Short story elements, themes, influences

                                              Critical questions
Group collaboration:  The Fireside Poets
How do these poets link to the changes in America that we discussed?

Assignment:  Closely read "Thanatopsis" text pp 259 - 261

Wed, Oct 27

D

Assignment:  Edgar Allen Poe,  pp 294 - 295, The Raven pp 309 - 313