IT'S THE LAST FULL WEEK OF SCHOOL!

This week students will work on their last multiple-choice and Text-Analysis practices.

The English Regents will be on Wednesday, June 15th, at 8 am.

ALL MISSING ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, 6/10.

This week students will work on their Writing From Sources essay about Year-Round Schooling. It is due June 2nd by 11:59 pm.

The English Regents will be on Wednesday, June 15th, at 8 am.

This week students will finish their Poetry Text-Analysis Response; it will be due by the end of class on Tuesday, 5/17.

The remainder of the week- and the school year- will focus on Regents Prep. This week's focus will be multiple-choice.

Homework:

• Tues., 5/17: Poetry TAR by end of class

• Thurs., 5/19: Multiple Choice Practice by end of class

This week students will participate in their Junior Job Shadow on Tuesday, May 10th, and when they return, they will continue to work on their Poetry Text-Analysis Response.

Homework:

• Fri., 5/6: Poetry TAR Graphic Organizer by 11:59 pm

• Thurs., 5/12: Junior Job Shadow Report (due in class)

This week we will analyze Emma Lazarus' "The New Colossus" and then read and analyze William Blake's "A Poison Tree." After finishing "A Poison Tree," our last poem of the unit, students will write a Text-Analysis Response using one of the poems from the unit.

Homework:

• Tues., 5/3: "A Poison Tree" Multiple-Choice and Short-Answer Questions by 11:59 pm

We will finish analyzing William Stafford's "Burning a Book" on Monday, 4/25, and then we will move on to Robert Frost's "Mending Wall" and Emma Lazarus' "The New Colossus."

Homework:

• Tues., 4/26: "Mending Wall" Multiple-Choice and Short-Answer Questions by 11:59 pm

• Thurs,. 4/28: "The New Colossus" Multiple-Choice and Short-Answer Questions by 11:59 pm

We are beginning our Poetry Unit this week, and we are starting with A.E. Housman's "To an Athlete Dying Young."

We will read and analyze each poem, and then students will need to complete multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The due dates for those assignments will depend on what we are able to complete in class.

We have started working on our WFS Argument essay, and students will write their essay in class Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It will be due Wednesday by 11:59 pm.

We are going to continue to work on the Writing from Sources Argument. Students have completed their reading of the articles, and now they are going to work on the graphic organizer. Our goal for the week is to complete the graphic organizer, read and discuss a sample essay, and begin writing the essay. We'll see how this plan goes!

On Monday, students are going to finish up watching The Book Thief, and then the remainder of the week will be spent on our first Writing from Sources essay. Writing from Sources is the second task on the New York State English Regents and is an argument essay. This specific WFS essay will be about whether or not challenged books should be removed from public schools.

Students will read the four articles on Tuesday and Wednesday and will begin the graphic organizer on Thursday.

Students are going to finish "The Perils of Indifference" Text-Analysis Response in class on Monday, 3/14.

To finish The Book Thief unit, we will be watching its film adaptation in class. It'll be a great way to end the unit!

Students are going to be writing a Text-Analysis Response using Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel's speech "The Perils of Indifference."

Their graphic organizer will be due by the end of class on Tuesday, 3/8, and they should finish their essay by the end of class on Thursday, 3/10.

Students will turn in their reading flags and take their quiz for The Book Thief Part 9 on Monday, 2/14.

After discussing Part 9, we will finish our reading and analysis of "The Word Shaker" from Part 8. There will be a Google Classroom Question that students will need to answer, and it is due on Wednesday, 2/16.

In Part 9, Death points out the contradictory nature of humans: our capacity to love and to hate. In order to connect that idea to the real world and history, we are going to watch Elie Wiesel's speech "The Perils of Indifference." We will then analyze his speech, and students will complete multiple-choice and short-answer questions that go along with the speech and our discussion.

Homework this week:

• Wed., 2/15: The Word Shaker GC Question

• Thurs., 2/17: The Book Thief Part 10 Vocabulary

• Mon., 2/28: The Book Thief Part 10 Reading Flags

Part 10 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss the power of words.

2. Discuss humanity’s inherent contradictions: capable of both great beauty and ugliness, both suffering and healing.

3. Notes of choice.

For example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 10 & The Epilogue

• The End of the World Part I- 1

• The Ninety-Eighth Day- 1

• The War Maker-1

• Way of the Words- 1

• Confessions- 1

• Ilsa Hermann’s Little Black Book- 1

• The Rib-Cage Planes- 1

• The End of the World Part II- 2

• Death and Liesel- 1

• Wood in the Afternoon- 1

• Max- 1

• The Handover Man- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 10 is due on Monday, 2/28.

Students will work on a multiple-choice assignment on Monday, which may carry over to Tuesday. We will also learn about the death marches and camps that the Nazis utilized throughout the war.

Students will take their quiz for The Book Thief Part 8 on Thursday, 2/3, and then we will discuss the section.

Homework this week:

• Friday, 1/28: The Book Thief Part 8 Vocabulary

• Thursday, 2/3: The Book Thief Part 8 Reading Flags

Part 8 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss how the war infiltrates and affects the lives of the Hubermanns and Steiners.

2. Identify and explain important lessons from The Word Shaker.

3. Notes of choice

For example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 8

• Dominoes and Darkness- 1

• The Thought of Rudy Naked- 1

• Punishment- 1

• The Promise Keeper's Wife- 2

• The Collector- 1

• The Bread Eaters- 1

• The Hidden Sketchbook- 2

• The Anarchist's Suit Collection- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 8 is due on Thursday, 2/3.

Students will continue to work on a Jigsaw activity they began on Wednesday, 1/19. The goal is to finish this activity on Tuesday, 1/25. Each group will then have the opportunity to share what they learned from the article their group read with the rest of the class.

Students will take their quiz for The Book Thief Part 7 on Wednesday, 1/26, and will complete a multiple-choice practice on Thursday, 1/27.

Homework this week:

• Tuesday, 1/25: All missing work from Marking Period 2

• Wednesday, 1/26: The Book Thief Part 7 Reading Flags

Part 7 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss the significance of Liesel continuing to steal books from Ilsa Hermann.

2. Identify and explain instances that depict Liesel’s growth.Discuss the impact and

consequences of the Jews’ march through Molching to Dachau.

For example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 7

• Champagne and Accordions- 1

• The Trilogy- 2

• The Sound of Sirens- 1

• The Sky Stealer- 1

• Frau Holtzaphfel's Offer- 1

• The Long Walk to Dachau- 2

• Peace- 1

• The Idiot and the Coat Men- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 7 is due on Wednesday, 1/26.

This week we will discuss the events that occurred in Part 6, and we will also complete a Jigsaw activity about the bombings of German cities.

Mr. Tastor will be coming in on Thursday, 1/20, to discuss the ASVABs.

Homework this week:

• Tuesday, 1/18: The Book Thief Part 7 Vocabulary

• Wednesday, 1/26: The Book Thief Part 7 Reading Flags

Part 7 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss the significance of Liesel continuing to steal books from Ilsa Hermann.

2. Identify and explain instances that depict Liesel’s growth.Discuss the impact and consequences of the Jews’ march through Molching to Dachau.

For example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 7

• Champagne and Accordions- 1

• The Trilogy- 2

• The Sound of Sirens- 1

• The Sky Stealer- 1

• Frau Holtzaphfel's Offer- 1

• The Long Walk to Dachau- 2

• Peace- 1

• The Idiot and the Coat Men- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 7 is due on Wednesday, 1/26.

This week we will discuss the events that occurred in Part 5, and we will also discuss the impact of the Hitler Youth and various resistance groups that emerged in Nazi Germany.

Homework this week:

• Tuesday, 1/11: "How the Hitler Youth Turned a Generation of Kids Into Nazis" Google Form by 11:59 pm

• Thursday, 1/13: The Book Thief Part 6 Reading Flags

Part 6 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss HOW Max’s illness affects Liesel and the Hubermanns.

2. Discuss Death’s observations and experiences and their significance.

Flag Example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 6

• Death’s Diary: 1942- 1

• The Snowman- 1

• Thirteen Presents- 1

• Fresh Air, An Old Nightmare, and What to Do With a Jewish Corpse- 2

• Death’s Diary: Cologne- 1

• The Visitor- 1

• The Schmunzeler- 1

• Death’s Diary: The Parisians- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 6 is due on Tuesday, 1/13.

This week we will discuss the events that occurred in Part 4, including the risks the Hubermans are taking harboring Max and the developing bond between Liesel and Max.

Homework this week:

• Thursday, 12/23: The Book Thief Part 5 Vocabulary

• Tuesday, 1/4: The Book Thief Part 5 Reading Flags

Part 5 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss how the war affects the lives of Liesel and her community.

2. Characterize Rudy (consider his words, actions, and Death’s observations/commentary).

Flag Example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 5

• The Floating Book, Part I- 1

• The Gamblers- 4

• Rudy’s Youth- 1

• The Losers- 1

• Sketches- 1

• The Whistler and the Shoes- 2

• Three Acts of Stupidity by Rudy Steiner- 1

• The Floating Book, Part II - 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 5 is due on Tuesday, 1/4.

This week we will discuss the events that occurred in Part 3, including the role Mein Kampf plays in the lives of our characters, Max's journey to safety, and Liesel's interactions with Ilsa Hermann. We will also read and analyze Emily Dickinson's poem "'Hope' is the thing with feathers-".

Homework this week:

• Tuesday, 12/14: The Book Thief Part 4 Vocabulary

• Tuesday, 12/21: The Book Thief Part 4 Reading Flags

Part 4 Reading Flags:

1. Characterize Max and discuss how his presence changes the Hubermanns and Liesel.

2. Discuss Zusak’s use of symbols/symbolism throughout the section. Pay particular attention to Hans’ accordion and Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

Flag Example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 4

• The Accordionist- 2

• A Good Girl- 1

• A Short History of the Jewish Fist Fighter- 2

• The Wrath of Rosa- 1

• Liesel’s Lecture- 1

• The Sleeper- 1

• The Swapping of Nightmares- 2

• Pages from the Basement- 2

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 4 is due on Tuesday, 12/21.

Our focus this week will be how governments and cultures have used censorship throughout history to oppress people and promote their own ideologies.

Homework this week:

• Thursday, 12/9: The Book Thief Part 3

Part 3 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss the role grief plays in the actions of the characters.

2. Discuss instances of stealing. What is stolen? By whom? What is the significance?

3. Characterize new characters who are introduced throughout the section.

Flag Example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 3

• The Way Home- 1

• The Mayor’s Library- 2

• Enter the Struggler- 1

• The Attributes of Summer- 2

• The Aryan Shopkeeper- 1

• The Struggler, Continued- 1

• Tricksters- 1

• The Struggler, Concluded- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 3 is due on Thursday, 12/9.

The Book Thief Part 2 Reading Flags are due at the beginning of class on Monday, 11/29. Students will take a reading quiz and participate in class discussion.

Our focus this week will be how the Nazis used propaganda to manipulate the country and target minority groups, specifically the Jewish community.

Homework this week:

• Monday, 11/29: The Book Thief Part 2

• Friday, 12/3: The Book Thief Part 3 Vocab

• Thursday, 12/9: The Book Thief Part 3

Part 3 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss the role grief plays in the actions of the characters.

2. Discuss instances of stealing. What is stolen? By whom? What is the significance?

3. Characterize new characters who are introduced throughout the section.

Flag Example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 3

• The Way Home- 1

• The Mayor’s Library- 2

• Enter the Struggler- 1

• The Attributes of Summer- 2

• The Aryan Shopkeeper- 1

• The Struggler, Continued- 1

• Tricksters- 1

• The Struggler, Concluded- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 3 is due on Thursday, 12/9.

On Monday, we will continue our analysis of Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death." After our analysis, we will take some time to compare and contrast how Death is personified in the poem and The Book Thief.

The Book Thief Prologue and Part 1 Reading Flags are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, 11/16. Students will take a reading quiz and participate in class discussion.

We will also take a day to discuss the signifcance of the 1936 Olympics and American athlete Jesse Owens.

Homework this week:

• Monday, 11/15: Grammar Quiz in class

• Tuesday, 11/16: The Book Thief Prologue and Part 1 Reading Flags

• Wednesday, 11/17: Google Form MCs for "Because I could not stop for Death"

• Friday, 11/19: The Book Thief Part 2 Vocabulary

Part 2 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss the influence of Hitler and the Nazis in the lives of the residents of Himmel Street.

2. Assess the role of books and language in Liesel’s life.

3. Discuss Liesel’s evolving relationships with Mama and Papa.

Flag Example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Part 2

• A Girl Made of Darkness - 1

• The Joy of Cigarettes - 1

• The Town Walker- 1

• Dead Letters - 1

• Hitler's Birthday, 1940 - 1

• 100 Percent Pure German Sweat - 1

• The Gates of Thievery - 1

• Book of Fire- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Part 2 is due on Monday, 11/29.

Students received their first novel last week: Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. The Book Thief is narrated by Death, and he tells the story of a young German girl named Liesel and her experiences growing up in Nazi Germany.

Throughout the unit we will read and analyze informational texts relating to World War II, compare and contrast poetry, and watch Crash Crouse segments featuring John Green.

The book is divided into ten parts (plus a prologue and epilogue), and students will have to read one part per week (maybe a week and a half) as homework. While they read, they will have to complete reading flags on their post-it notes.

Prologue and Part 1 Reading Flags:

1. Discuss Death’s role as a narrator (consider his characterization, use of irony and foreshadowing, and descriptions of events and characters).

2. Discuss and assess Liesel’s relationships (including- but not limited to- Papa, Mama, and Rudy).

3. Discuss the role the setting plays in the characters’ lives. Consider all aspects of setting (time, place, and historical context).

Flag Example:

#1- I like how Death is used as the narrator. When I typically think about how Death is portrayed, it is as a scary Grim Reaper figure. This portrayal seems more personable and empathetic.

Number of stickies needed per chapter:

Prologue

• Death and Chocolate - 1

• Beside the Railway Line - 1

• The Eclipse - 1

• The Flag - 1

Part 1

• Arrival on Himmel Street - 2

• Growing Up Saumensch - 1

• The Woman With The Iron Fist - 2

• The Kiss - 2

• The Jesse Owens Incident - 1

• The Other Side of Sandpaper - 1

• The Smell of Friendship - 1

• The Heavyweight Champion of the School-Yard- 1

Rules Attached to Flags: The flags must include the number of the flag being addressed. All flags must be addressed in order to receive full credit (and should be addressed throughout the section). There are to be no large gaps between post-it notes in books (five pages). Therefore, students will have to include post-its of choice that follow the plot if they cannot address a reading flag within the span of five pages.

The Book Thief Prologue and Part 1 are due on Tuesday, 11/16.

Students are currently writing their Text-Analysis Response using "The Cask of Amontillado." As stated last week, all parts of the writing process will be completed in class, and the tenative due date for this assignment is by the end of class on Wednesday, November 3rd.

This week we analyze "The Cask of Amontillado" using the technique PPSSTC. This analysis- along with previous discussions- will help students with their first Regents prep writing assignment. After discussing and breaking down a sample Text-Analysis Response, students will write their own. All parts of the writing process will be completed in class, and the tenative due date for this assignment is by the end of class on Wednesday, November 3rd.

We will continue to work with Poe's suspenseful short story "The Cask of Amontillado." After students finish reading the story, they will complete a multiple-choice and short-answer question assignment and participate in small group discussions.

We will continue to work with Poe's suspenseful short story "The Cask of Amontillado." After students finish reading the story, they will complete a multiple-choice and short-answer question assignment and participate in small group discussions.

**The PSATs will be on Wednesday, 10/13.**

This week we will begin Edgar Allan Poe's suspenseful short story "The Cask of Amontillado." Our focus for this story will be Poe's use of an unreliable narrator, irony, and setting to establish mood.

As we will not have school on Friday, 10/8, Free Read Friday will be on Thursday, 10/7.

We will continue our work with Kurt Vonnegut's "2BR02B." Students will complete a multiple-choice and short answer assignment, and then they will particpate in small group discussions using Task Cards.

If we have time this week, we will begin Edgar Allan Poe's suspenseful short story "The Cask of Amontillado."

We will begin our fiction unit this week! Throughout the unit, we will read and analyze five short stories. In addition to annotating and discussing each story, students will complete a multiple-choice and writing assignment (all of which will be completed in class).

Our first short story will be Kurt Vonnegut's "2BR02B," and our focus will be on how the values of the story's society affect the characters and their attitudes toward life. As the story's title is inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet and Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" soliloquy, we will examine how the soliloquy's message is reflected in the story.

This week students will be taking their preassessment, which will be a NYS ELA Regents. This preassessment will be used to measure an individual student's growth throughout the year. While students are encouraged to try their best and will receive a participation grade, they will NOT be given a test grade for the preassessment.

Every Friday will be Free Read Friday! FRF will provide students the opportunity to read books of their choosing and explore the many genres that are out there... or just read more of their preferred genre. While each student will need to read 100 pages per quarter, they are not required to read their FRF book outside of class, but they can if they want to.