English 9 Quarter 1 Week 4

Monday 9/13 - Shortened Period: 1 Hour Late Start

1. Journal/Bell-Ringer: What is the "American Dream?" How do you know that? (If you aren't sure, just take a guess.) What is your "American Dream?" In other words, what will your life look like as an adult if you do achieve your dream? (family, job, personal life, hobbies/activities, etc.)
2. Business
    a. Organization Checks - Class Notebook/Folder - in Period 1 Friday.
    c. Turn in any late work.
3. Reader's Workshop
    a. Discuss journal: The American Dream - Target Focus: Theme
    b. Background to novel: Migrant workers, state of economy, nature of work & relationships.
    c. Assign: Begin reading Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men.
        1) Literacy Strategy 1 - annotate
        2) Literacy Strategy 2 - mark all unknown or unsure vocabulary
4. HW: Reading & annotation Ch. 1 OMM - no more than 20 mins.

Tuesday 9/14

1. Journal/Bell-Ringer: Simple one today: What are your first reactions to OMM? What do you like? What do you dislike? Any problems reading it? Predict: What do you think will happen to George and Lennie? To their dreams?
2. Business
    a. Reminder: Class Notebook/Folder check F, per 1.
    b. Assign: If you didn't finish annotating & marking vocab in Ch. 1, finish tonight.
3. Reader's Workshop
    a. Discuss journal - emphasis on what will happen to George and Lennie & their dream.
    b. Looking at the big picture:
        1) Theme - keep your eye on the Hope and Dreams idea throughout.
        2) Characterization - Character Analysis Essay at end so we have to really track our characters.
    c. Paired Character Analysis Activity
        1) Receive Worksheet.
        2) Complete Day 1 tasks.
        3) If time, share paragraphs. We can finish tomorrow if needed.
4. HW: Reading & annotation Ch. 1 OMM - if needed.

Wednesday 9/15

1. Journal/Bell-Ringer: What character traits in George and/or Lennie do you think will help them achieve their dreams? What traits do you think will prevent them from achieving their dreams? Explain.
2. Business
    a. Reminder: Class Notebook/Folder check F, per 1.
3. Reader's Workshop
    a. Finish Paired Character Analysis Activity if needed.
        *Report out.
    b. Mini-Lesson: The five methods of characterization.
        *Get notes from classmate if you are absent.
    c. Assign: With your partner from the previous activity, label the examples you found about George and Lennie with the type of characterization being used. Have entire worksheet checked when you are done.
4. HW: Finish Paired Character Analysis worksheet if needed.

Thursday 9/16

1. Journal/Bell-Ringer: Think-Pair-Share - What is the central conflict of the book right now at the end of chapter one? Is that an internal or external conflict? Name at least one sub-conflict. Now a really interesting question: If George and Lennie are the protagonists, who/what would you say is or will be the antagonist?
2. Business
    a. Reminder: Class Notebook/Folder check tomorrow, per 1.
    b. Have Paired Character Analysis worksheet checked while in workshop.
3. Reader's Workshop
    a. Mini-Lesson: Plot Curve
        *Get notes from classmate if you are absent.
    b. Assign: Fill in Plot Tracker Graphic Organizer for Chapter 1.
        1) Graphic Organizer can only be had in class.
        2) Keep tracker to fill in as we go.
    c. Prepare to read Chapter 2
        1) Share annotation techniques / literacy strategies - questioning, predicting, visualizing, making inferences, using graphic organizers, etc.
        2) Remember the goals: Understand the book, including vocabulary, Hopes and Dreams theme, Analyzing Characters.
        3) Make notes on what methods you think would work best for you as you read the rest of the book. (Teacher will help with ideas.)
        4) If time, come up with a definitive plan for how you think you should study at least Chapter 2 if not the rest of the book.
4. HW: none

Friday 9/17

1. Journal/Bell-Ringer: On a separate piece of paper, formally write out what your plan is for further reading. Be specific. Turn in.
2. Business: Nothing new.
3. Reader's Workshop - SSR
    a. Reading "In the Zone."
    b. Go get lost in the zone - you may read past Chapter 2 if you get that far.
    c. If appropriate, debrief from the zone - journal 2.
4. HW: none