Week at a glance May 9 - 13, 2011

Curriculum focus: identifies, interprets, and analyzes figurative language including: idiom, imagery, and symbolism (11.1.2.K4), uses information from the text to make inferences and draw conclusions (11.1.4.K5), compares/contrasts textual aspects: character traits, themes, character motives, and author's purpose (11.1.4.K7), analyzes and evaluates how the author's style (word choice and sentence structure) and use of literary devices work together to achieve his/her purpose by using tone, mood, and imagery (11.1.4.K11d, e, and h), and analyzes contextual aspects of setting and their influence on characters and events in the story including the contexts of history, society, and culture (11.2.1.K2a-c).

Root Words Exam this Friday - students will receive a study guide on Monday. We'll review throughout the week.

During this last full week of school before finals, we'll apply we've read from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and begin creating an essay. The essay will be done entirely in class. Students will receive topic choices on Monday. By Wednesday, they will complete an informal outline of their essay. A handwritten rough draft of the Gatsby essay will be due by the end of the hour on Friday. This essay is the last writing assessment of the school year. The grade on the final draft will count as half of the student's 2nd Semester Final Exam.

• Mon: Pass back papers and current grades. Root Words Review handed out. The Great Gatsby Essay - discuss assignment, parameters, timeline, and potential topics.
• Tues: The Great Gatsby Essay - brainstorming and shaping the essay. Shaping packet checked in class on Wednesday.
  
• Wed: The Great Gatsby Essay - Shaping packet checked and graded. Pass out and discuss guidelines for the rough draft.
  
• Thurs: The Great Gatsby Essay - Continue writing and shaping the rough draft.
  
• Fri: Root Words Exam. The Great Gatsby Essay - handwritten rough draft due by the end of the hour.