6.1 Harlem Renaissance

Tuesday January 20

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Write for at least 10 minutes in response to a literature-based prompt.

• Define and discuss the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance. 

Agenda Items

• Harlem Renaissance 

Assignments

• 6.1 Harlem Renaissance Notes

_______________________________________________________

6.2 Intro to Their Eyes Were Watching God: Historical, Social & Biographical Context

Wednesday January 21

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Write for at least 10 minutes in response to a literature-based prompt.

• Describe common characteristics and themes in 20th century African American women’s literature.

• Record notes on the historical, cultural, and biographical context related to the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

Agenda Items

• Overview of Historical, Social & Biographical Context --> take notes

Assignments

• 6.2 Reading Notes - read and take notes on Chapter 1-5, due Tuesday January 14 

_______________________________________________________

6.3 Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapter 1

Thursday January 22

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify and explain examples of metaphor and personification in the novel.

• Describe narrative voice in the opening chapter.

• Explain how specific details that reflect characterization, setting, plot events, and context influence your interpretation of the story.

• Identify and discuss themes in the novel.

• Use text evidence to support your claims, and explain your thinking by providing context (narrative and historical/social) and reasoning.

Agenda Items

• Characterization & Contrasts

  • First Impressions, Characterization, Setting & Situation

  • similarities & differences between characters

Assignments

• Character List, Traits and Quotes (one sheet per group)

_______________________________________________________

6.5 Reading Notes: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapter 1-5

Tuesday January 27

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify and explain examples of metaphors and personification in the novel.

• Identify and discuss themes, motifs and symbols in the novel.

• Identify and explain examples of external conflict and internal conflict in the story.

• Use text evidence to support your claims, and explain your thinking by providing context (narrative and historical/social) and reasoning.

• Describe the protagonist's perceptions, values, motivations, and development.

Agenda Items

• Characterization & Contrasts

• Plot Timeline - Significant Events (on Canva or Google Slides)

• Small Group

• Group Discussion: First Impressions, Characterization, Setting & Situation

Assignments

• 6.5 Character List, Traits and Quotes (one sheet per group)

• 6.6 Reading Notes - read and take notes on Chapter 1-5 due today

_______________________________________________________

6.6 Intersectional Reading Notes

Wednesday January 28 & Thursday January 29

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Discuss your observations, questions, and insights inspired by quotes and passages from the text.

• Discuss the characters in your book with your small group.  

  • List words to describe a character and identify text evidence to support your claim. 

  • Identify and discuss contradictions and contrasts within and between characters.

• Intersectional Reading

Agenda Items

• Discussion Preparation

• Socratic Seminar Discussion

Assignments

• 6.5 Literature Discussion - rubric | discussion notes & peer evaluation form

_______________________________________________________

6.7 Literature Seminar Discussion

Friday January 30

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Discuss your observations, questions, and insights inspired by quotes and passages from the text.

• Explain how specific details that reflect characterization, setting, plot events, and context influence your interpretation of the story.

• Use text evidence to support your claims, and explain your thinking by providing context (narrative and historical/social) and reasoning.

Agenda Items

• Discussion Preparation

• Socratic Seminar Discussion

Assignments

• 6.7 Literature Discussion - rubric | discussion notes & peer evaluation form

_______________________________________________________

6.8 Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapter 6-10

Tuesday February 3

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify and discuss nuance, complexity, and depth in our interpretations of the story.

• Use text evidence to support your claims, and explain your thinking by providing context (narrative and historical/social) and reasoning.

• Collaborate with group members to share your interpretation of a story.

Agenda Items

• Overview of nuance, complexity & depth

• Small group discussions

• Small group mini-lectures

Assignments

• 6.9 Their Eyes Were Watching God Chapter 6-10 student mini-lectures

_______________________________________________________

6.9 Student Lectures: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapter 6-10

Thursday February 5

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify and discuss nuance, complexity, and depth in our interpretations of the story.

• Use text evidence to support your claims, and explain your thinking by providing context (narrative and historical/social) and reasoning.

• Collaborate with group members to share your interpretation of a story.

Agenda Items

• Overview of nuance, complexity & depth

• Small group discussions

• Small group mini-lectures

Assignments

• 6.9 Their Eyes Were Watching God Chapter 6-10 student mini-lectures

_______________________________________________________

6.10 Literary Interpretation FRQ Practice - Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapter 11-15

Wednesday February 11 - Friday February 13

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Analyze a prompt to determine the task and components required for a complete response. 

• Write a 4-5 paragraph literary interpretation essay that presents a defensible thesis and presents a clear line of reasoning that includes a relevant claim, evidence and commentary.

• Write commentary that provides relevant context and explains the relationship between the evidence and the claim.

• Write a 4-5 paragraph literary interpretation that reflects nuance, complexity, and depth in response to a prompt.

Agenda Items

• Literary Interpretation Flowchart & Success Criteria Worksheet

  • Unpack the prompt

  • Gather evidence & commentary

  • Write the essay

  • Craft the thesis statement

  • Revise

Assignments

• 6.11 Literature Interpretation FRQ Practice - grading criteria & rubric

_______________________________________________________

6.11 Plot Timeline: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapter 16-20

Wednesday February 18 - Friday February 20

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Create a timeline of the novel’s major events and explain the significance of each event and how it contributes to meaning in the whole work.

• Identify and explain examples of how significant plot events represent competing value systems, which contributes to conflict in the story.

• Identify and explain contrasts in the novel.

• Identify and explain examples of how diction, imagery, details, and syntax contribute to a narrator or speaker’s tone.

Agenda Items

• Plot Timeline

• Discussion Questions

  • What are some striking contrasts in the text? What ideas, traits, or values are highlighted in the contrast? How does the contrast contribute to complexity and meaning in the text?

  • In Chapter 16 Janie muses about the pious Mrs. Turner’s idols and altars. The narrator says that “Half gods are worshipped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood.” What does this mean?

  • How does Pheoby respond at the end of Janie’s story? What is Janie’s final advice to her best friend?

  • What might be the meaning of the novel’s title? In what ways do the characters see and hear God? Does He answer their questioning? Why do you think Hurston chose her title? If you were required to change it, what title would you choose? What themes does your title suggest?

  • The novel is framed by Janie returning to Eatonville and telling her story to Phoebe. Why do you think Hurston decided to structure the novel in this way? What does this narrative choice allow Hurston to convey?

  • What is a narrator’s or speaker’s tone toward a particular subject, and which diction, imagery, details, and syntax in the text contribute to that tone?

• themes

• symbols

• significance of plot events 

• metaphor

Assignments

• 6.11 TEWWG Plot Timeline: Create a timeline of the novel’s major events. Define the beginning, middle, and end of the novel, and note significant events and moments. 

  • For each event on your timeline, what makes that event significant? What ideas are revealed or explored? How is conflict advanced?  What is the event’s relationship to a character, conflict, another event, or thematic idea?

  • How is the event the cause or effect of another event?

  • How do these events cause, develop or resolve a conflict?

  • How does the event represent competing value systems?

  • How does it create anticipation or suspense in a reader?

  • How does it contribute to meaning in the whole work?

• 6.12 TEWWG Reading Notes 

_______________________________________________________

Metonymy, Symbolism & Motifs

Wednesday February 4

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify and explain an example of metonymy in your reading.

Agenda Items

• Metonymy Overview

• Silent Reading & Note-Taking

• Small Group Discussion / Whole Class Share

Assignments

• Reading Notes

_______________________________________________________

6.16 Unit 6 Progress Check MCQ

Tuesday February 24

Welcome back! My plan for this unit is to guide you to:

• Analyze an author's use of literary techniques in a poem or short fiction passage.

Agenda Items

• Unit 6 Progress Check MCQ

  • 1st Period

  • 7th Period

Assignments

• 6.16 Unit 6 Progress Check MCQ

Style & Structure Draft

TBD

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Freewrite for at least 10 minutes.

• Use your journal writing and mentor text(s) to help you experiment with structure, style, and themes in your writing.

• Apply the creative writing process to write a first draft of a literary piece in the genre of your choice.

Agenda Items

• Freewriting

• Using Your Journal Writing:

  • Reviewing Your Work

  • Finding the "center of gravity" - write one sentence statement of the "center of gravity" in your work 

• Drafting - "My Note to the World" 9th Annual Narrative Writing Contest

Assignments

• 6.10 Style & Structure Draft - My Note to the World creative writing 600 word narrative or 10-50 line poem - due Sunday January 28 

_______________________________________________________

Style & Structure: Revising & Editing

TBD

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Revise and edit your writing to add imagery and details, augment themes, incorporate literary elements and techniques, improve word choice, adjust syntax as needed, and strengthen structure.

• Write two paragraphs of author's commentary explaining themes and ideas, choices in narrative structure and writing style, choices in literary techniques, and your inspiration and literary influences for your writing.

Agenda Items

• Revising & Editing

  • structure

  • imagery - sensory language

  • details - Depth charging & Prove Its

  • themes

  • literary elements & techniques

  • syntax

  • word choice

• Individual Conferences - schedule conferences with students for today and Tuesday

• Submission - Literary Magazine(s) or Contest

Assignments

• 6.10 Style & Structure Draft - My Note to the World - due Sunday January 28 

_______________________________________________________

Author's Commentary & Writing Conferences

TBD

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Write two paragraphs of author's commentary explaining themes and ideas, choices in narrative structure and writing style, choices in literary techniques, and your inspiration and literary influences for your writing.

Agenda Items

• Editing

• Individual Conferences - schedule conferences with students for today and tomorrow

• Submission - Literary Magazine(s) or Contest

Assignments

• Editing Your Work

• Submitting Your Work

_______________________________________________________

Revising, Editing and Submitting Your Work

TBD

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

Agenda Items

• Revising & Editing - Differentiated Groups

  • Specific Details

  • Imagery / Sensory Language

  • Form & Structure

  • Removing unnecessary words

  • Submitting to Literary Magazine or Contest

• Individual Conferences - schedule conferences with students for today and tomorrow

Assignments

• Revising & Editing Your Work

• Submitting Your Work

_______________________________________________________

Themes, Motifs & Symbols 

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Brainstorm and discuss themes and motifs in the novel.

Agenda Items

• Themes - Small group discussions

• Whole Class discussion & anchor charts

Assignments

• Practice: Anchor charts listing themes, motifs and symbols in the novel

_______________________________________________________

Novel Study Guide

TBD

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Create a study guide for your novel.

• Identify and discuss significant quotes, themes, motifs and symbols in our novel.

• Discuss how the protagonist has changed from the beginning of the novel to the end.

• Rank and justify the five most significant characters and plot events in the novel.

Agenda Items

• Character List

• Setting Description

• Significant Plot Events

• Significant Quotes

• Themes, Motifs & Symbols

• Character Change

Assignments

• 6.15 Novel Study Guide

_______________________________________________________

Novel Interpretation Essay

TBD

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Write a 4-5 paragraph literary interpretation essay that includes a defensible thesis statement and presents a clear line of reasoning that includes a relevant claim, evidence and commentary.

• Write commentary that explains the relationship between the evidence and the claim.

• Use relevant literary terminology in a literary interpretation essay.

• Write using appropriate capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and transition phrases.

Agenda 

• Novel Interpretation Essay

Assignments

• 6.16 Novel Interpretation Essay

_______________________________________________________

Essay Scoring

Wednesday February 14

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify and evaluate the thesis statement, line of reasoning, claims, evidence and commentary in a literary interpretation essay.

• Use a rubric to annotate and evaluate your own literary interpretation essay to determine the score your essay should receive based on the thesis, line of reasoning (including claim, evidence and commentary), and sophistication.

Agenda 

• Essay Annotation & Scoring 

Assignments

• 6.17 FRQ Essay Scoring Form & Annotation

_______________________________________________________

Literary Interpretation: Thesis & Line of Reasoning

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Write a prompt for a literary interpretation essay related to a particular theme, motif or symbol in the novel.

• Write a one-sentence thesis statement that addresses the prompt and presents a defensible interpretation of the novel.

• Write an outline that clearly presents your line of reasoning, including relevant claims and text evidence.

Agenda Items

• Outline & Thesis Statement 

• Book Notes Turn-in

Assignments

• Book Notes including Outline & Thesis

_______________________________________________________

Thesis & Outline Revision 

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Revise your thesis statement and outline: 

  • Thesis should be one or two sentences (one is better, but no more than two).

  • Thesis should respond to the prompt and present a defensible interpretation of the novel

  • Outline should clearly present your line of reasoning, including relevant claims and text evidence.

Agenda Items

• Revise thesis & outline for literary interpretation essay

Assignments

• Outline & Thesis Revision

_______________________________________________________

Literary Interpretation Essay

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Write a 4-5 paragraph literary interpretation essay that includes a defensible thesis statement and presents a clear line of reasoning that includes a relevant claim, evidence and commentary.

• Write commentary that explains the relationship between the evidence and the claim.

• Use relevant literary terminology in a literary interpretation essay.

• Write using appropriate capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and transition phrases.

• Identify and evaluate the thesis statement, line of reasoning, claims, evidence and commentary in a literary interpretation essay.

• Use a rubric to discuss and evaluate your own literary interpretation essay to determine the score your essay should receive based on the thesis, line of reasoning (including claim, evidence and commentary), and sophistication.

Agenda 

• Draft Literary Interpretation Essay

• Essay Annotation & Scoring 

Assignments

• Literary Interpretation Essay

• FRQ Essay Scoring Form & Annotation

_______________________________________________________

MCQ Practice & Reflection

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Apply literary knowledge and skills in answering multiple choice questions.

• Evaluate and discuss responses to determine which answers are most accurate.

• Reflect on your work in English class these past few weeks. 

Agenda 

• MCQ Practice #1 - on AP Classroom

• Reflection

Assignments

• MCQ Practice #1

  • 2nd Period

  • 4th Period

• Reflection - What did you struggle with the most? - thesis, line of reasoning, claims, evidence, commentary

_______________________________________________________

Setting, Plot & Suspense

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Describe the setting of the novel.

• Discuss the concepts of plot and narrative structure and consider ways in which suspense and tension are developed.

• Use literary terminology when describing narrative structure.

• Read independently for at least 15 minutes. 

• While you read, write down words you don't know (and page number) on an index card, and note (flag) and label examples of flashbacks, foreshadowing, in medias res, stream of consciousness, suspense  and tension.  Look up the definitions of words you don't know. 

• Reflect on your work in English class this week.

Agenda Items

• Plot, Narrative Structure & Suspense

• Silent Reading (20 minutes)

• Narrative Structure & Suspense Notes

Assignments

• Narrative Structure & Suspense Notes

_______________________________________________________

6.X Themes, Motifs and Symbols

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Use precise language to identify and describe emotions.

• Identify and discuss themes, motifs and symbols in our novels.

• Choose a theme, motif or symbol for a literary interpretation essay on your novel.

• List and discuss themes, motifs and symbols in your novel.

• Identify and record text evidence and commentary related to a theme, motif or symbol in your novel. 

• Analyze and discuss literary elements within the context of a theme, motif or symbol.

• Apply a critical lens related to a theme, motif or symbol in your novel.

Agenda Items

• Silent Reading

• Small Group Discussion & Share - Themes, Motifs & Symbols

• Book Notes - your theme, motif or symbol

Assignments

• Anchor chart share - Themes, Motifs & Symbols in your novel

• Book notes - your theme, motif or symbol

_______________________________________________________

Discussing Literature: Characterization, Setting, Plot & Suspense

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Read independently for at least 15 minutes.

• Discuss and take notes on characters, setting, plot and suspense in your novel.

• Use literary terminology when describing narrative structure.

Agenda Items

• Silent reading & book notes (15 minutes)

• Small Group Literature Discussion

• Personal Goal

Assignments

• Book Notes: Character List, Setting, Plot, Suspense - due Friday January 20

• Read your book

_______________________________________________________

Writing Workshop: Character Sketch

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Read and discuss an example of a character sketch in literature. Identify details related to characterization, context and setting. Distinguish between direct characterization and indirect characterization. 

• Invent your own character for a story, and write a three-paragraph detailed character sketch using your 10 vocabulary words. Include details related to characterization, context and setting, and try to use mostly indirect characterization.

Agenda Items

• Silent Reading (20 minutes)

• Indirect Characterization & Mosaic of Details

• Draft Character Sketch

Assignments

• Character Sketch

_______________________________________________________

Writing Workshop: Drafting & Sharing

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Draft a story, poem or essay using genre characteristics.

• Explain at least one literary element or technique you used in your writing.

• Share your writing and give specific, positive feedback on a partner's writing. 

Agenda Items

• Silent reading (20 minutes)

• Workshop share discussion board

• Small Group Literature Discussion

• Reflection

Assignments

• Read your book

• Comment on writing workshop character sketch discussion board

• Reflection

_______________________________________________________

Author's Writing Style: Diction, Syntax, Tone & Perspective

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Discuss the concepts of diction and syntax and consider ways in which authors use diction and syntax to create a narrative voice.

• Read independently for at least 10 minutes. 

  • While you read, write down words you don't know (and page number) on an index card, and note (flag) examples of figurative language and other words and sentences that stand out to you.  Look up the definitions of words you don't know. 

• Identify and discuss examples of how diction (word choice) and syntax (sentence structure) affect mood, tone and interpretation.

Agenda Items

• Silent Reading (20 minutes)

• Small Group Discussion

• Diction, Syntax & Tone Notes

Assignments

• Diction, Syntax & Tone Notes (see slides) - examples

_______________________________________________________

Diction, Syntax & Literary Devices

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Discuss the concepts of diction and syntax and consider ways in which authors use diction and syntax to create a narrative voice.

• Read independently for at least 15 minutes. 

• While you read, write down words you don't know (and page number) on an index card, and note (flag) examples of figurative language and other words and sentences that stand out to you.  Look up the definitions of words you don't know. 

• Identify and discuss examples of 

  • figurative language including metaphor, simile, personification

  • literary devices including anaphora, epizeuxis, and allusion 

  • how syntax (sentence structure) affects meaning and interpretation  

  • how diction (word choice) affects mood, tone and interpretation 

• Continue working on your story, making choices in diction, syntax, and literary devices that develop the intended narrative voice and meaning.

Agenda Items

• Silent Reading (20 minutes)

• Identifying literary techniques

Assignments

_______________________________________________________

Literary Terminology

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Match the terms and definitions of common literary elements and devices. 

• Identify and discuss themes, motifs and symbols in our novels.

Agenda Items

• Join AP Literature on Quizlet

• Study Literary Terminology on Quizlet

Assignments

• Literary Terminology Quizlet Test

_______________________________________________________

Creative Writing Workshop

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Continue drafting your short story, developing the plot and narrative structure and building suspense and tension.

• Write using at least 5 literary techniques and 5 vocabulary words.

Agenda Items

• Using Literary Techniques in Your Writing

• Short Story Draft

Assignments

• Short Story Draft & Annotations - example

_______________________________________________________

Annotation & Literary Techniques

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify each literary technique you used in your creative writing, provide text evidence, and explain the impact it has on meaning and/or interpretation of the text.

Agenda Items

• Annotating - Literary Techniques

Assignments

• Short Story Draft & Annotations - example

_______________________________________________________

Annotating Your Literary Interpretation Essay

DATE

Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:

• Identify and evaluate the thesis, claims, evidence and commentary in your literary interpretation essay.

• Note revisions you can make to improve the clarity and organization of your essay.

Agenda Items

• Annotating - Literary Interpretation Essay

Assignments

• Novel Interpretation Essay Annotations & Revisions

_______________________________________________________