TKAM analysis essay:  The rough draft was due Monday.  We swopped papers, read them, and completed the checklist.  Not everyone had his or her draft on Monday; however, EVERYONE must get SOMEONE to read the paper and check for items on the checklist.  We also reviewed the rules for formal writing.  In addition, we dicussed how to write the “Works Cited” page, listing the source information used in the essay.  The following is a list of what is due on Thursday, October 2nd (major grade– 200 points!):

• the final copy, typed and formatted correctly, complete with Works Cited page
• the rough draft
• the outline
• the Rough Draft Checklist filled out by the student and at least one other person
• the grading rubric

SAT vocabulary #7 this week:  sentences due Thursday; quiz, Friday.

Short Stories:  we’re finally delving into the textbook.  We’ve started reading the story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell.  We’ll continue to read stories and discuss them in terms of the literary termnolology.  See the “Short Story” unit page for more information and handouts.

SAT vocabulary #6 this week:  go over definitons on Monday; sentences due Thursday; quiz Fri.

This week we’ll be finishing up talking about how to write the 5-paragraph literary analysis paper on To Kill A Mockingbird.  You’ll be writing the introductory paragraph and starting an outline of the body paragraphs.  Then we’ll be talking about how to incorporate direct quotations from the novel within your paper.  The rough draft of this paper is due on Monday, 9/29.

We’ll begin a short story unit in class, probably Wed. or Thursday.  You’ll have to start bringing your TEXTBOOKS to class every day!

We’re a little behind my plans and we’ve got a lot going on this week, so there will be NO SAT vocabulary for this week.  We’ll pick back up with vocab. #5 next week.

Monday:  A Raisin in the Sun test.  The test is 10 short-answer questions.  You can use your books and notes;  you just have to support your answers.

Also on Monday, you’ll be choosing your character to “BE” for the TKAM Tea Party and receiving a critical article to read and highlight about TKAM. In addition, you’ll be receiving topics for the TKAM essay.

This week:

• We’ll be discussing how to cite and create an annotated bibliography for the TKAM critical article.  This is Part 2 of the research page (You’ve already completed Part1.)  The entire research page is due on Thursday (9/18).
• We’ll be creating a “found poem,” using the words from the page you choose from TKAM.  This should be a fun, creative, different way to begin writing your own poetry.
• We’ll begin discussing the structure of a literary analysis essay about TKAM.  We’ll be going through this process this week and into next week.  A rough draft of the paper will be due toward the end of next week.  We’ll discuss how to write a thesis statement, introductory paragraph, conclusion, body paragraphs using specific details, transitions, direct quotations, etc. The various parts of the paper– thesis statement, introduction, outline of body paragraphs– will be due as assigned along the way.
• We’ll watch the TKAM movie part of each day, starting on Wed.
• The Tea Party is Friday!  That’s when you’ll “be” your character for the class period.  Come to class dressed and acting like your character.  Also, bring a “prop” and be prepared to tell how it represents your character.  Don’t forget your character analysis (the written portion) since it’s half of your project grade.  Instructions for this can be found on the TKAM page on this blog.  Finally, bring a southern “dish” that we can all share during class. (There are 13 students in class.)  We’ll be signing up for who will bring what earlier in the week.  Be sure to consult your parents on  this.

SAT vocabulary 5 is this week: Get definitions on Monday; sentences due Thursday; quiz, Friday.

We’ll continue our study of the play A Raisin in the Sun and poetry with similar themes as the play. The test over this will be Monday.  It will be mainly an essay test. 

TKAM :  Quiz over the final chapters is postponed one day, to Thursday, 9/12.  We won’t have a test because we’ll be writing a literary analysis essay instead.  This will begin in class next week.  The study questions will be due instead of a test on Friday.  That’s when we’ll discuss themes, symbolism, and other elements of the novel to prepare for writing.  You will also find a critical article about TKAM, and you will read, summarize, and cite the article as the second part of the TKAM Research Page.  The entire research page will be due next week.

 We will also write a poem based on TKAM and we will be preparing for a TKAM “Tea Party” project where you will become one of the characters from the novel.  The Tea Party is tentatively planned for Wednesday next week.  Whew! We’ve got a lot to do, so we’ll probably take a little break and watch the TKAM movie– it’s a classic!– and we’ll call it getting ready for the Tea Party, which should be lots of fun!