Advanced Sophomore English calendar

Click here to view the calendar for the first quarter. Keep in mind I will modify this occasionally as things change over the quarter.

Siddhartha calendar

Click here.

The Joy Luck Club calendar

Click here.

Like Water for Chocolate calendar

Click here.

Things Fall Apart Calendar

Starting today, I will no longer put up the daily agenda on the blog. Instead, you can just view the whole calendar for the unit by clicking the link below. Keep in mind that information on future dates on the calendar are always subject to change.

Things Fall Apart Calendar

Othello Calendar

Starting today, I will no longer put up the daily agenda on the blog. Instead, you can just view the whole calendar for the unit by clicking the link below. Keep in mind that information on future dates on the calendar are always subject to change.

Othello Calendar

Mon 5/3

Sophomores
vocab warm up
Review journal 4
Act 4 aloud
HW: journal 5

Seniors
vocab quiz
TFA Ch 5-7: Ekwefi, Ezinma, Ogbuefi Ezeuda, Feast of the New Yam, Wrestling, the demise of Ikemefuna
NB questions for 5-7
HW: complete freshmen proverb
HW: read TFA ch 8-10

Fri 4/30

Sophomores
Vocab warm up
Finish act 3
Desdemona story circle
Magic in the web
HW: Journal 4


Seniors
Turn in speech drafts
vocab warm up
TFA ch 3-4: Agbala, Week of Peace, Yams, marriage and family, Okonkwo's character, Ikemefuna's role
Freshman proverb: due Monday for 10 points
HW: read ch 5-7, complete speech draft

Thur 4/29

Sophomores
Vocab warm up
Lit terms:foil, paradox, comic relief, symbolism
Review Journal #3
Act 3 round robin—finish tomorrow


Seniors
vocab warm up
TFA names to remember: Okonkwo, Amalinze the Cat, Unoka, Umuofia, Mbiano, Ikemefuna, Nwoye, Ibo
Okonkwo's character, Ibo culture
Advice to freshman brainstorm
proverbs
HW: read ch 3-4-- possible quiz tomorrow

Tue 4/27

Sophomores
Vocab warm up
Finish act 2
Picture this: Divinity of Hell plus
Lit term: comic relief
HW: read to page 88 line 89

Seniors
vocab warm up
Things Fall Apart anticipation questions
TFA background reading
read TFA ch 1-2
HW: work on speech

Mon 4/26

Sophomores
Vocab quiz, new list
Journal review
2.1.175-?
HW: get to page 76 line 252

Seniors
Vocab warm up
Speech workshop
Get new book: Things Fall Apart
HW: work on speech—10 pts for draft due Friday, no late work

Fri 4/23

Sophomores
Vocab warm up
Journal discussion
“Ring the changes”
Iago story circle
2.1 to line 175
HW: journal 3


Seniors
Conventions quiz
Stranger twiz
Introduce speech assignment: typed draft due next Friday

Thur 4/22

Sophomores
Vocab warm up
Journal discussion
Choral: Othello love story
Review details of 1.3 to line 125
1.3.47 to end
HW: Othello journal 2

Seniors
Conventions: review
Quickwrite: Why do we fear death? Should we or shouldn’t we?
Complete all NB questions
Camus’ afterword
HW: study for conventions quiz and Stranger twiz

Wed 4/22

Sophomores
Vocab warm up
Review details of slightly cut script
Begin lit terms chart
1.1-1.2 in class
Othello journal 1
HW: read 1.3 to line 125


Seniors
Conventions: pro/ant agreement
Existentialism notes
Stranger p 2 ch 3 questions in class
Sysyphus and absurdism
HW: finish book

Tue 4/20

Sophomores
complete state writing test

Seniors
1. Stranger p 2 ch 1-2 questions in class
2. Ethics survey
3. The Card Game
3. Existentialism: What is it?
HW: p 2. ch 3-4 and NB quest

Mon 4/19

Sophomores
1. Othello vocab-- look up words for Wednesday
2. Grammar pre-test
3. begin state writing test

Seniors

1. 3^rd quarter grades, extra credit draft

2. Conventions: sub/verb agreement

3. Stranger ch 5-6 questions in class

4. HW: part 2 ch 3-4 and do NB questions

Thur 4/15

Sophomores
1. grammar retake
2. the Lover, girlfriend and buddy continued-- details
3. slightly cut script
4. Next week: Writing test on Monday and Tuesday

Wed 4/14

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. The Lover, The Girlfriend, The Buddy improv
3. get books--- Othello

Seniors
1. conventions: apostrophes
2. ch 1 plus questions discussion
3. Charlie Brown and the meaning of life
4. more philosophy reading
5. HW: read to page 39 and do questions 4-14

Mon 4/13

Sophomores
1. grammar review
2. Bardology slideshow
3. extra credit
4. line tossing improvs--- perform

Seniors
1. turnitin.com class ID and password
2. conventions: capitalization
3. philosophy quickwrite 2: What is good and what is bad? How can you tell the difference between the two?
4. more philosophy reading
5. HW: read The Stranger ch 1 and do NB questions

Mon 4/12

Sophomores
1. counseling info session
2. grammar 12
3. begin grammar review: apostrophes
4. Bardology 101
5. Line tossing

Seniors
1. RD peer review
2. philosophy quickwrite
3. philosophy reading (part 1)
4. get The Stranger books

Wed 4/7

Sophomores
1. grammar
2. finish film
3. essay topics
4. HW: freewrite one page on one essay topic, grammar 11

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. Ch 11-12 questions passages
3. check NBs
4. essay structure, conventions, quotations
5. Workshop: do essay prep sheet 1 and 2

Tue 4/6

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar
3. last questions
4. continue film
5. HW: grammar 10

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. ch 10 passages and questions
3. sample essay: hospital battleground
4. HW: complete reading, complete ch questions

Mon 1/5

Sophomores
1. vocab/ grammar
2. discuss 30-32
3. begin film
4. HW: finish book, do NB questions 4-6, grammar 9, review vocab for quiz

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. ch 8-9 passages, and review, complete ch questions
3. HW: read ch 10

Fri 4/2

Sophomores
1. vocab
2. grammar
3. last discussion on Book II
4. HW: read ch 30-32

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. Reflections: "The Hurt Locker" and "Here Bullet"
3. ch 7 questions, passages
4. HW: read ch 8-9

Thur 4/1

Sophomores
1. vocab
2. grammar
3. share NB response
4. Journal 8
5. HW: finish Book II and questions
6. HW: grammar 7

Seniors
1. vocab
2. Reflections: "My Son" and "Clusters"
3. finish ch 7

Wed 3/31

Sophomores
1. vocab
2. grammar
3. NB questions
4. journal 7: What are some methods for changing an unjust society? What is the most effective method?
5. HW: ch 24-26 plus questions
6. HW: grammar 6

Seniors
1. vocab
2. ch 6 passages
3. Reflections: Gen K and "My Son"
4. read to page 162

Tue 3/30

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. grammar
3. NB responses
4. Journal 6/ debate
5. HW: read ch 20-23 and do NB questions for one chapter
6. HW: grammar 5

Mon 3/29

Sophomores
1. vocab, grammar
2. review ch 12-17 in CTBC
3. Journal #5: Who are the rich in your community? Where do they live? How do they live?
HW: grammar 4, read ch 18-19 and do NB questions

Seniors
1. vocab-- quiz Friday
2. AQWF: ch 2-4 review, key passages
3. essay topics
4. HW: read ch 5 and do questions, look up all vocab words

Fri 3/19

Sophomores
1. vocab/grammar warmup
2. review 10-11
3. journal #4 - what causes crime?
4. Chp. 12 & art response: draw one scene from chapter 12, and include the key sentence/phrase from that scene. Answer the question: Is this view on crime valid? What are its causes and effects?
HW: Read 12-17, Grammar 3

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. Hamlet RD peer review-- FD due Wednesday 3/31
3. Reflections on War part 2: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and Knolt Holheimer
4. Ch 1 study questions
5. WWI background and numbers
6. HW: ch 2-4 plus study questions

Thur 3/18

Sophomores
1. vocab/ grammar warm up
2. character web/ chapters review
3. journal #3: Who are the poor in your community? Where do they live? How do they live?
4. Ch 9 aloud
5. HW: ch 9 art response-- sketch it in your NB
6. HW: ch 10-11
7. HW: grammar 2

Seniors
1. vocab review-- quiz tomorrow
2. Reflections on War: Henry V and Johnny Got His Gun-- What does the speaker/ writer hope to express about the experience of war?
3. optional reading: WWI background
4. HW: All Quiet ch 1
5. HW: complete RD of Hamlet essay

Wed 3/17

Sophomores
1. Vocab warmup
2. Chp 2. exposition
3. Journal #2: What makes a place beloved?
4. HW: read chapters 3-8, grammar 1

Seniors
1. Hamlet test
2. Essay workshop
3. HW: bring student ID tomorrow

Tue 3/16

Sophomores
1. books and vocab list
2. CTBC journal 1: Describe the United States if it were 75% Native American.
3. SA background info
4. chapter one art response, implied metaphor
5. HW: look up all vocab words, read chapter 2

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. act 5 wrap up
3. Hamlet essay topics
4. test review
5. watch 5.2
6. HW: study for tomorrow's Hamlet test, begin drafting Hamlet essay

Mon 3/15

Sophomores
1. Project gallery walk
2. In-class write

Seniors
1. Vocab
2. 5.2
3. Complete all Hamlet work by tomorrow
4. Test Wednesday

Wed 3/10

Sophomores
1. sample visuals
2. last day to work on Piano projects

Seniors
1. vocab
2. act 4 questions (3-7), review plot details
3. clips: Ophelia's madness
4. listen to 5.1
5. cast 5.2
6. HW: prepare performances

Tue 3/9

Sophomores
1. return essays
2. work on Piano projects

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. act 3 review (questions, cause and effect)
3. 4.5-4.7 review
4. listen to rest of act 4
5. HW: read act 4 study guide

Mon 3/8

Sophomores
1. finish film
2. sample thesis
3. work on projects

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. view mousetraps
3. aloud: King's prayer, Hamlet's soliloquy
4. listen to 3.4
5. complete strategic reading, act 3 questions in NB
6. HW: read pages 115-128

Fri 3/5

Sophomores
film day

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "To be" close reading
3. free write on one "to be" topic
4. "The Mouse Trap"-- read and view
5. HW: read to page 104

Thur 3/4

Sophomores
1. NB check
2. exorcism
3. journal #4 review
4. finish play
5. project intro: pick teams and topics

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. act 2 discussion questions, rocketnotes review for acts 1 and 2
3. listen to 3.1
4. watch "To be" X3 plus nunnery scene
5. HW: read 3.2 to page 88

Wed 3/3

Sophomores
1. Turn in essays.
2. Preamble to the Constitution
3. Review journal #3
4. Act 2, Scene 5 (p. 85-94)
5. Journal #4 -- Choose one of the following four questions: 1) How do Boy Willie's objectives reflect the time period? 2) How do Berniece's objectives reflect the time period? 3) What effect does haunting have on the characters? 4) What does August Wilson want us to believe about the American Dream?
HW: Upload your essay to turnitin.com by 11:59 pm tonight!!

Seniors
1. Collect essays/stories
2. Vocab words
3. Crazy Hamlet film clips
4. Rest of 2.2
5. Rogue soliloquy close reading
HW: complete strategic reading, act 2 notebook Q's

Tue 3/2

Sophomores
1. presentation prep
2. character presentations
3. cartoons
4. read scene 4 (81-85)
5. essay turn in info
6. journal #3
7. HW: FD of LOF essay

Seniors
1. vocab quiz
2. new vocab words
3. strategic reading for acts 1 and 2
4. review 2.1-2.2
5. allusion, pun, double entendre
6. read more of 2.2 to page 65
7. HW: complete FD of essay/ story

Mon 3/1

Sophomores
1. read act 2 scenes 2 and 3
2. character jigsaw
3. HW: work on FD of essay due on Wednesday

Seniors
1. vocab warm up
2. key lines 1.3 to 1.5
3. ghosts film clips
4. HW: read 2.1 and 2.2 to page 33
5. HW: FD of story/essay due Wednesday

Sophomores - Article about Farmers

Here is the link to the article I mentioned in class:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-24-black-farmers-usda-settlement_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Tell me something interesting about it for a participation point!

Fri 2/26

Sophomores
1. review journal #2
2. read act 2 scene 1 (56-65)
3. peer review
Final draft is due on WED. 3/3/10.

Seniors
1. vocab/ conventions warm up
2. peer review for essays/ story-- FD due next Wednesday
3. jigsaw Hamlet's first soliloquy
4. read/ listen: 1.4-1.5
5. HW: read act 1 FYI and highlight key details

Thur 2/25

Sophomores
1. Watch "Berta, Berta" clip from The Piano Lesson (lyrics on p. 39-40): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32WzZqlN1h4
2. Review reading
3. Story of the Piano
4. Review journal #1
5. Read p. 46-54 (finish Act One)
6. Journal #2: What does the piano symbolize?
HW: Rough draft due tomorrow! We will be doing peer editing -- make it useful for yourself by bringing your best quality work.

Seniors
1. Vocab
2. Conventions
3. Hamlet - finish 1.1, read 1.2, first soliloquy
4. HW: complete rough draft of essay/story
5. HW: read 1.3

Wed, 2/24

Seniors
1. more essay/story instructions
2. Hamlet vocab-- look up 10 words
3. Hamlet story circle: Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark
4. cold reading of first four pages-- words, phrases, questions
5. HW: work on RD of essay/story

Sophomores
1. Ghosts
2. Lit terms - symbol, motif, foreshadowing
3. Read TPL p. 12-28 aloud
4. Journal #1: What haunts the Charles family literally? What haunts them metaphorically?
HW: Read p. 28-40 and work on essay

Tue 2/22

Sophomores
1. Listen to "Illinois Blues" (here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f67_CPSB4d4)
2. Discuss The Piano Lesson epigraph
3. TPL background information
4. Check out TPL books - make sure you get a book from the library!
5. Begin reading - pg's 1-12.
HW: Work on your essay. Rough draft due Fri, 2/26.

Seniors
1. Canterbury Tales test
2. essay/story instructions
3. student samples
4. begin pre-writing, drafting
5. HW: complete rough draft of essay/story by Friday

Mon 2/22

Sophomores
1. Unity & Coherence
2. Textbook tools
3. Notebook and Homework check
4. Workshop& appointment time.
Rough draft due Friday! Remember, you can start over at any point in Mr. Wilson's "writing cycle" if you get stuck. If you can't find evidence to support your thesis or if you find evidence that contradicts your thesis, chances are you need to rewrite your thesis.

Seniors
1. The Wife of Bath's Tale
2. Test review

Fri 2/19

Sophomores
1. essay topics
2. free write on one topic: ten minutes
3. essay process, expectations
4. tools: graphic organizer and and outline
5. HW: complete either a graphic organizer or outline for Monday

Seniors
1. "The Pardoner's Tale"-- complete study questions
2. be sure to have all study guides completed before the Canterbury Tales test on Tuesday.

Thur, 2/18

Sophomores
1. Key Passages (140, 143, 155)
2. Survivor Film Clip
3. Key Passages (178 & 200)
Notebook check on Monday!

Seniors
1. Last characters
2. Last graphics
3. Wrap up prologue
4. Tomorrow: The Pardoner's Tale, Begin writing assignment
Test on Tuesday!

Wed, 2/17

Sophomores
1. Debate
2. Notebook Questions:
View #3 - What is your own view?
View #4 - What is Golding's view?

Seniors
1. Joe Sixpack
2. Last graphics
3. Review all part 4 characters (highlight doctor, parson, and plowmen)
4. Complete part 5

Tue 2/16

Sophomores
1. Finish Symbolism presentations
2. Review key passages
3. Debate intro & prep
HW: Read key passages on pgs 140, 143, 155. Choose one: "What makes this passage key?"

Seniors
1. complete character graphics: 3 key sentences/ phrases, 3 perfect adjectives, one symbol
2. review all parts 2/3 characters
3. complete all of part 4 study questions

Fri 2/12

Sophomores
1. HW check/signatures
2. Review key passages (62 & 63)
3. Symbolism
4. Symbolism presentations (to be continued...)
HW: Read the next three passages, choose one and write: "Why is this passage key?"

Seniors
1. Pilgrimage slideshow
2. Complete parts 2 & 3 of study guide

Thur 2/11

Sophomores
1. Collect signatures/check homework
2. Review
3. New lit terms: allegory, symbol, microcosm
4. Key Passage on p. 60
HW: Read the next two key passages (62, 63). Choose one and answer the question, "What makes this passage key?"

Seniors
1. Satire clips
2. Review opening paragraph of prologue
3. Read part 2 in study guide

Wed 2/10

Sophomores
1. Learn names
2. Sentence workshop (3&4)
3. Key passages intro
4. Key passage #1 (p. 31)
HW: Notebook questions (1 page total) -- What is causing the pause? How does this inform an important theme in the novel?


Seniors
1. Collect social conventions
2. Read background
3. Notes on key topics
4. Chaucer and the story (p. 137-140 in textbook)
5. Begin prologue

Tues 2/9

Sophomores
1. Collect signatures
2. Grammar Pre-test
3. Sentence Workshop (review HW)
4. Book Talk
5. LOF "gut reaction" discussion
HW: 3&4 in the sentence packet

Seniors
1. Seating chart
2. Freewrites: Part C
3. Defining satire
4. Seven deadly sins
5. Brainstorm satire topics
HW: Background reading - highlight 10 sentences

Mon 2/8

Sophomores
1. Seating Assignments
2. Lord of the Flies test
3. Go over the syllabus
4. Introduce Sentence Workshop

HW:
- Signatures/information on syllabus and parent letter
- Grammar worksheets 1 & 2 (large number in the corner)

Seniors
1. course description
2. intro to Canterbury Tales: satire, pilgrimage, art of description
3. brainstorm list of people you would like to describe
4. free write on a real or imagined person: A: physical appearance, actions and routines
5. HW: B: three perfect adjectives

Thur 2/4

Sophomores
Othello presentations

Juniors
TBL gallery walk
share and turn in memoirs

Wed 2/3

Sophomores
work on Othello projects

Juniors
work on TBL final, complete FD of memoir

Mon 2/1

Sophomores
Work on Othello projects

Juniors
begin TBL final project

Fri 1/29

Sophomores
1. finish state writing test
2. plan Othello project

Juniors
1. vocab warm up-- quiz Monday
2. TBL twiz
3. NB check for all TBL work
4. memoir peer review: FD due on Thursday

Thur 1/28

Sophomores
complete state writing test

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. "The Amen Corner" question review
3. complete DER #5
4. HW: complete RD of memoir
5. HW: finish reading TBL

Wed 1/27

Sophomores
1. pick teams and topics for Othello projects
2. begin state writing test

Juniors
1. share key sentences from key passages
2. complete four questions on last night's reading and turn ini
3. read TBL to page 268

Tue 1/26

Sophomores
1. Othello
2. finish film

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. two key passages: answer three questions and turn in
3. workshop: draft memoirs, read to page 252

Mon 1/26

Sophomores
continue Othello film

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. discuss last night's passages
3. workshop in library: draft memoirs or read books
4. HW: no new pages to read-- catch up!

Fri 1/22

Sophomores
1. notebook check
2. test study guide
3. Othello project topics
4. film

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. TBL: episodes as models
3. Citizenship in the School-- look for passages
4. memoir instructions: drafting
5. workshop in library
HW: read to page 228

Thur 1/21

Sophomores
1. Othello act 5
2. Othello slideshow
3. intro searchable Shakespeare
4. clip of Othello monologue

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. reminder on powerpoints
3. DER #3 on Citizenship in the Home, and share
4. HW: pick one memoir topic, to a pre write on sensory details
5. HW: read to page 191

Wed 1/20

Sophomores
1. finish act 4
2. paraphrase Emelia's speech
3. Othello journal #7
4. cast act 5

Juniors
1. vocab quiz
2. warm up new vocab words
3. review last night's reading, key passages
4. memoir instructions
5. HW: read TBL to page 168, complete list of 10 possible memoirs topics

Tue 1/19

Sophomores
1. journal #5 review
2. magic in the web
3. act 4
4. HW: read to page 149, do journal #6

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. check DER #2
3. read aloud "A Whole New Deal"
4. intro to memoir writing
5. HW: list three possible topics for your memoir, read pages 95-144

Thur 1/14

Sophomores
1. review Othello journal #3
2. Picture this: "divinity of hell"
3. lit term: comic relief
4. Acting: act 3 scenes 1-3

Juniors
1. complete powerpoints in computer lab
2. Journal: cool, uncool
3. get to page 56 in This Boy's Life by Friday

Wed 1/13

Sophomores
1. cast act 2
2. Acting! Perform rest of Act 2
3. HW: journal #3

Juniors
1. vocab warm up
2. names
3. notes on last night's reading
4. read pages 22-33
5. DER #1
6. HW: read 37-56

Tue 1/12

Sophomores
1. finish state reading test
2. review end of act 2 scene 2

Juniors
1. TBL vocab warm up
2. epigraph predictions
3. Journal: transformation
4. HW: read to page 22 of This Boy's Life

Mon 1/11

Sophomores
State reading test

Juniors
Workshop time for powerpoints

Fri 1/8

Sophomores
1. vocab quiz
2. review journal #2
3. review last night's reading
4. HW: read to page 65 end of scene
5. Monday meet in Libaray lab for reading test

Juniors
1. poem, eulogy peer review-typed final draft due Monday
2. choice book assignment- 50 pts
3. workshop
4. Monday meet in Libaray lab to design webpage/ powerpoint

Thur 1/7

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. lit terms: aside, soliloquy
3. act 1 scene 3-- complete
4. HW: Othello journal #2
5. HW: read pp 52-60 (trumpets)

Juniors
1. grade update
2. workshop: RD of eulogy or poem due tomorrow

Wed 1/6

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. review Othello journal #1
3. more lit terms: imagery, pun, double entendre
4. choral reading: Othello love story
5. HW: read pages 35-48

Juniors
1. finish Raisin film
2. Act III discussion
3. more instructions on poem, eulogy
4. HW: complete poem, eulogy by Friday

Tue 1/5

Sophomores
1. vocab warm up
2. Othello scenes 1 and 2
3. begin Othello lit terms: paradox, dramatic irony
4. HW: Othello journal #1

Juniors
finish A Raisin in the Sun film

Monday 1/4

Sophomores
1. January letter
2. vocab warm up
3. review Othello details, Act one slightly cut script
4. begin Othello scene 1
5. HW: look up first four vocab words

Juniors
1. January letter
2. return essays: extra credit draft due next Monday
3. introduce Raisin final assessment
4. continue Raisin film

To B or not to B