Week at a glance Sept 13 - 17, 2010

Curriculum focus: determines word meanings through knowledge of word structure: Greek and Latin roots and prefixes and suffixes (11.1.3.k3), uses information from the text to make inferences and draw conclusions (11.1.4.K5), identifies persuasive techniques (11.1.4.K14a-f), distinguishes between fact and opinion and recognizes propaganda (11.1.4.K15a), analyzes how the author’s use of irony contributes to his/her purpose (11.1.4.K11c), identifies the protagonist (11.2.1.K1a), contextual aspects of setting: how history, society, and culture influence events in the text (11.2.1.K2), and analyzes how the problem or conflict advances the plot of a narrative (11.2.1.K3a).

Root words for this week (root - definition - examples):

1. contra/counter - against or opposite - contradict, counteract
   
2. dif/dis/dys - away or badly - different, disperse, dysfunctional
   
3. mal - poorly - malice, malpractice, malfunction
   
4. poin/pugn/punc - pierce or sting - punch, impugn, point
   
5. pseudo - false - pseudonym, pseudoscience
   
6. sol/soli - one or alone - isolated, desolate, solitary
   

This we continue reading and discussing Arthur Miller's The Crucible. We completed Act I last week. Using a volcano as an analogy for the Salem community, we discussed how the various factions and personal grudges were building and creating pressure just waiting for a chance to explode. Salem erupted with the first of the witchcraft accusations. As we read Acts II and III this week, students will analyze the effects of the witch trials on Salem's community and compare/contrast how each character responds to the trials.

• Mon: The Crucible - New root words. Review Act I in class. Begin reading and discussing Act II.
  
• Tues: The Crucible - Act I quiz. Continue reading and discussing Act II.
  
• Wed: The Crucible - Finish reading and discussing Act II. Act II study guide responses due by the end of the hour.
  
• Thurs: The Crucible - Review Act II in class. Act II quiz.
  
• Fri: Root words quiz. The Crucible - Begin reading and discussing Act III.