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Davis School District

November 5-9, 2007: Esteem & Dream Week

Monday, November 5

• "Quality Teaching" Day: No School for Students
  

Tuesday, November 6

• Journal #4: The second term is now underway. What did you learn during the first term that you didn't know when school started? What worked well for you and what are you going to do differently this term? (90+ words)
• Hall Passes, Idependent Reading Contracts, etc.
• Finish Mythology Presentations
• Begin Research Paper: Essential Questions/Thesis Statements & Areas of Focus (Refer to Mythology Research Worksheet for ideas.)
  

Wednesday, November 7: Reality Town

• All 9th Graders: Employment Skills Seminar (8:45 A.M. - 12:35 P.M.)
• 6th & 7th periods only: Journal -- How was the employment skills seminar?
• Finish Mythology Presentations
  

Thursday, November 8: Seminar Day (30-minute classes)

• Journal: Most of you have been through it three times now. What do you think of Seminar Day? Why? Give examples of the best and worst of Seminar Day. (90+)
• 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th: Grammar Punk
• 5th: Finish Mythology Presentations
• Begin Research Paper: Essential Questions/Thesis Statements & Areas of Focus (Refer to Mythology Research Worksheet for ideas.)
  • How is this different than the character sketch? It is informative rather than descriptive. You are sythesizing information and proving a point.
    

Friday, November 9

• Journal: Copy this into your journal in your neatest handwriting: "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog." Describe your handwriting? Do you think it is a reflection of your abilities or intelligence? Is handwriting important in a world in which keyboards and keypads seem to be the predominant forms of text generation? What good does it do to have legible or very fancy handwriting? Discuss handwriting. (90+)
• Review Heroes & Other Significant Characters of Mythology (Add those you don't yet have to your notes!)
• Finish Mythology Grid: Keep it with all other mythology notes!
  (You can use them all on the final mythology exam! You'd be an idiot to lose them!)
  

November 12-16, 2007

Monday, November 12

• Journal: Review/Rewrite Essential Questions
• Greek and Latin Word "Cells" List #3
• Finish Review of Heroes & Other Significant Characters of Mythology
• Background of The Odyssey: The Trojan War (Add this to your notes!)
  

Tuesday, November 13: Computer Lab 137

• Research & Writing: Research Paper: Answering the Essential Question
• Use Citation Machine!
• Capitalize Works Cited Entries Correctly!
• Google is not a source; it's a search engine to find sources!
  

Wednesday, November 14: Computer Lab 137

• Draft Research Paper: Task List
  1. Write (type) research paper first draft organzied in the standard format.
  2. Intro Paragraph captures attention, retells (briefly) your myth, and states thesis statement (i.e., the answer to your essential question).
  3. Body Paragraphs contain clear topic sentences and supporting details and examples to prove your thesis statement.
  4. Conclusion Paragraph restates thesis and main points, concludes with a memorable final sentence.
  5. Title your paper following this format: Topic: Descriptive phrase (not a complete sentence)
     Example: Orpheus: Downfallen Lover
  6. Save and print research paper draft.
  7. Update Works Cited Page to include all the sources you've used.
  8. Save and print Works Cited Page.
  9. Turn them in.
     

Thursday, November 15

• Epic and Myth: Background for The Odyssey (MPT, pp. 643-645)
• Begin The Odyssey: Calypso, The Sweet Nymph (pp. 651-654)
  Journal: Listen to the song "Calypso" by Suzanne Vega (lyrics on page 655). What is the tone of the song? Does it help you understand the story? What does it tell you that the song was inspired by a story that is more than 3000 years old? What timeless themes are addressed? (90+ words)
  The Odyssey: I am Laertes' Son, The Lotus Eaters (pp. 655-659)
  

Friday, November 16

• Quiz: Word "Cells" List #3
• Journal: Read page 715 in The Massive Purple Text. Write suitable descriptive epithets for ten people you know.
  The Odyssey: The Cyclops (pp. 660-670)
  

November 19-23, 2007

Monday, November 19: Computer Lab 138

• Return Draft of Research Paper
  • Finish/Revise Essay
  • Include Parenthetical Documentation
  • Update/Format (MLA) Your Works Cited Page
    (Alphabetize entries! Use Citation Machine!)
• Final Draft due November 27th: Here is how it will be scored!
  (Here's an example of a research paper and works cited page that got an A.)
  

Tuesday, November 20

• Journal: What is a hero? What qualities are heroic? Who is your hero? Why? Discuss and give examples.(90+)
• The Odyssey: Circe the Enchantress, The Land of the Dead
• Odyssey Passage Summaries Worksheet: The Sirens, Scylla and Charibdis (pp. 673-684)
• Happy Thanksgiving!
  

Wednesday, November 21

• Thanksgiving Recess: No School

Thursday, November 22

• Thanksgiving Recess: No School
  

Friday, November 25

• Thanksgiving Recess: No School
  

November 26-30, 2007

Monday, November 26

Tuesday, November 27

• Final Draft of Research Paper due!
• Grammar Punk: Comma Rules 8 & 9
• The Odyssey: The Beggar and the Faithful Dog (pp.694-696)
• Odyssey Passage Summaries Worksheet: The Test of the Great Bow, Death in the Palace (pp. 698-705)
  

Wednesday, November 28

• Grammar Punk: Comma Rules 10 & 11
• Finish The Odyssey: Odysseus and Penelope (pp.698-709)
• Quiz: The Odyssey Review (open book)
• Bring completed Mythology Grid & all mythology presentation notes tomorrow!
  

Thursday, November 29

• Final Mythology Test (Open notes!)
• Turn in all mythology-related materials & notes.
  

Friday, November 30

• Grammar Punk: All Three (3) Rules for the Parentheses
• Begin Odyssey Movie & Study Guide
  

December 3-7, 2007

Monday, December 3

• Grammar Punk: Question Mark (?) Rule 1
• Odyssey Movie & Study Guide
  

Tuesday, December 4

• Grammar Punk: Question Mark (?) Rule 2
• Odyssey Movie
  

Wednesday, December 5

• Grammar Punk: Question Mark (?) Rule 3
• Odyssey Movie
  

Thursday, December 6

• Finish Odyssey Movie & Study Guide (Turn in)
• Scored Research Papers Returned
  

Friday, December 7

• The Day of the Hero: All of today's work is to be completed in your journal under the heading HEROES.
• MPT: 718-725
• Answer (in writing) the Questions on page 724 of the Massive PurpleText.
• "Nobody's Hero" Discussion Questions:
  According to the lyrics, what are the heroic qualities?
  What sorts of people are not heroes?
  Why are the characters whose deaths cause a shadow to cross the narrator's heart "nobody's heroes"?
  Why are the characters that the narrator describes as not heroic also called "nobody's heroes"?
  What statement does the song make about society and our choice of heroes?
• Journal #1: After analyzing the song "Nobody's Hero," go back and read what you wrote in your journal on November 20. Compare the song's definition of a hero to your own. (100+)
  

December 10-14, 2007

Monday, December 10

• Journal #2 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
  "If all the year were playing holidays,
  To sport would be as tedious as to work."
  -- Henry IV, Part 2: Act II, Scene 1
• Grammar Punk: Quotation Marks -- Rules 1-3
• Intro to The Bard: Shakespeare in the Classroom (Video)
• Greek & Latin Word Cells List #4
  

Tuesday, December 11

• Journal #3 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
  "O, it is excellent
  To have a giant's strength,
  but it is tyrannous
  To use it like a giant."
  --Measure for Measure: Act II, Scene 2
• Grammar Punk: Semicolons -- Rules 1 & 2
• Finish Shakespeare in the Classroom (Video)
  

Wednesday, December 12: Comptuer Lab 137

• Shakespeare Web Quest
  

Thursday, December 13: P-T Conferences (3:45 - 7:15 P.M.)

• Journal #4 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
  "The sweetest honey
  Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
  And in the taste confounds the apetite."
  --Romeo and Juliet: Act II, Scene 6
• Grammar Punk: Semicolons -- Rule 3
• Begin Romeo and Juliet: The Prologue
  Assignment: Translate The Prologue into Modern English
• Why is Shakespeare Hard?
• Three Ways to Present The Prologue: Audio/Video

Friday, December 14

• Word Cells List #4 Quiz
• Journal #5 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
  "Talkers are no good doers: be assured
  We go to use our hands and not our tongues."
  Richard III, Act I, Scene 3
• Shakespeare's Language: A Glossary of Common Terms
• Begin Romeo and Juliet: Act I, Scene 1 -- Sampson & Gregory (audio)
• Write your own Shakespearean dialogue! (in journal)
  

December 17-21, 2007

Monday, December 17: A.M. Assembly

• Turn in Shakespeare Web Quest
• Word Cells List #5
• Journal #6 -- Copy and discuss this quote:
  "The harder matched, the greater victory."
  Henry VI, Part 3: Act V, Scene 1
• Shakespeare Packets: Do Not Lose Them!
• Romeo and Juliet: Act I, Scenes 1, 2
• Begin Romeo & Juliet Packets/Study Guides

Tuesday, December 18

• Queen Mab: Act I, Scenes 3 & 4
• Two Ways to Present Queen Mab: Video
  R & J Memorization Assignment: Due January 8th (Sign up ASAP!)
  

Wednesday, December 19

• Romeo and Juliet: Act I, Scene 5
• Massive Purple Text, pp. 781-2: How to Read Shakespeare (Aloud)
• Journal #7: Copy this passage from Romeo and Juliet; count the syllables in each line; mark the stressed and unstressed syllables.
  

  Juliet: What is this storm that blows so contrary? Is Romeo slaughter'd and is Tybalt dead? My dear-lov'd cousin, and my dearer lord? Then, dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom! For who is living if these two are gone? Nurse: Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banishèd; Romeo that kill'd him, he is banishèd.

• R & J Memorization Assignment: Due January 8th (Sign up ASAP!)
  

Thursday, December 20

• Journal #8: Within 14 lines of dialogue and two quick kisses, Romeo and Juliet fall passionately in love. Can this actually happen? Do you believe in "love at first sight"? Why or why not? Is there a difference between the sort of love Romeo and Juliet seem to feel and the kind of love that will result in a happy, long-lasting marriage? Discuss. (90+)
• Romeo and Juliet: Act II, Scenes 1 & 2 ("The balcony scene")
• R & J Memorization Assignments: Get copies of your speech (written & audio)
  

Friday, December 21

• Word Cells List #5 Quiz
• "The Balcony Scene" -- Some ways it has been presented (Video)
• Update R & J Study Guide
• Happy Holidays!
  

December 31, 2007-January 4, 2008

Monday, December 31

• New Year's Eve: No School
  

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

• New Year's Day: No School
  

Wednesday, January 2

• Journal #9: What are your New Year's Resolutions? Why? (100+)
• Romeo and Juliet: Act II, Scenes 3-6
  

Thursday, January 3

• Romeo and Juliet: Act III, Scene 1
  Die Mercutio Die! (One version on video)
  

Friday, January 4

• Romeo and Juliet: Act III, Scenes 2, 3, & 4
• Journal #10: Find and copy three lines/passages from Romeo and Juliet that are still true or applicable to people or things in today's world. Explain how each relates to today as well as Shakespeare's time. The friar's long monologue in Scene 3 is a good place to look! (100+ words)
  

January 7-11, 2008

Monday, January 7

• Word Cells Review List
• Romeo and Juliet: Act III, Scene 5
• Romeo and Juliet: Act IV, Scenes 1, 2, & 3
  

Tuesday, January 8

• Romeo and Juliet: Act IV, Scenes 4 & 5; Act V, Scenes 1 & 2
• Paraphrasing & Context Clues: MPT, p. 894 (in journal)
  

Wednesday, January 9

• Finish Romeo and Juliet: Act V, Scene 3
• Finish Study Guides
• Paraphrase memorized passages (in writing)
  

Thursday, January 10: Book reports due today!

• Present memorized passages aloud. Turn in paraphrased version of speech.
  (Review for Test)
  

Friday, January 11: Computer Lab 138

• Word Cells Review List Quiz
• Romeo and Juliet Final Test: AR & Literary Skills
• Lookin' for Extra Credit? One last chance: pp. 926-933 in MPT (due 1/17)
  

January 14-18, 2008

Monday, January 14

• Journal #11: So, what did you think of Romeo and Juliet? Was this your first experience with Shakespeare? Could you understand him? Why do you think he is still a best-selling author so many years after his death? Do you think it is at all entertaining? Educational? Discuss. (100+)
• Romeo & Juliet in Mayberry (audio)
• A Bit of Shakespearean Humor: Romeo and Juliet Redux
• Grammar Punk -- Parts of Speech: Adjectives
• Grammar Rock: "Unpack Your Adjectives"
  

Tuesday, January 15

• Grammar Punk -- Parts of Speech: Adverbs, Conjunctions
• Grammar Rock: "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here!"
  "Conjunction Junction"
• Journal: What is your favorite restaurant? Why? Describe the experience of eating a meal there. What is the atmosphere like? The decor? Oh, and don't forget the food: Why is it so good? Be as descriptive as you can. Make my mouth water. (100+)
• Voice: Handout (Never lose!)
  

Wednesday, January 16: All Independent Reading Points Due!

• Grammar Punk: Parts of Speech -- Interjections, Pronouns, Verbs
• Grammar Rock: "Interjections!"
  "Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla"
  "Verb: That's What's Happening"
• Analyze Examples of Powerful Voice: Restaurant Reviews
• Journal: Now write about your worst experience at a restaurant; focus on developing your writing "voice." Make me feel your pain.
  

Thursday, January 17

• Grammar Punk: Parts of Speech -- Nouns, Prepositions
• Grammar Rock: "A Noun is a Person, Place, or Thing"
  "Busy Prepositions"
• Word Choice: Handout (Never lose!)
• Journal: Connotations (I-You-S/He Combos)
  

Friday, January 18: Last Day of the Second Term

• Journal: Write a letter to your (future) self as you will be during the last week of this school year. Ask yourself if you accomplished your goals for the last semester of junior high (and name the goals specifically in the process.). Amuse yourself. Congratulate yourself for a job well done. (100+)
• Word Choice: "Get Out!"
• Final Term Grade Conferences