9th Grade Lit


	4th Quarter Mar-May


	The Short Story and informational Texts (see ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course, pg 16).


	Week 1: "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant, page 221, 5 1/2 pages Link


	Monday: Labor Day: No School


	Wed: Write a series of letters between the two friends in "The Necklace". The topic of discussion in the letters is the importance of money in a relationship. You must show your understanding of the personalities of these two characters. You must create a graphic organizer to help you think about these two characters, specifically how they are similar and how they are different. Once you have done this, letters written by Della should be clearly different than those by Mme. Loisel. You must choose when the letters were sent. It may have been written before the party, after Della has experienced poverty, or even before Della's wedding.


	Thursday: We will study the literary element of irony (See English Terms). We will also use the article on pgs 212-213 of our textbook. We will read and discuss the article "How to Read a Short Story" (A PDF from EnglishCompanion.com). The state of Michigan has identified this article as an "Anchor Text" (see ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course, Pg 17). It was assigned at the state level.


	Tuesday: Read and discuss "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant, pg 220 in our text. The State of Michigan has identified this story as an "Anchor Text" (see ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course, Pg 17). It was assigned at the state level.


	Focus for 1st Quarter: From ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, pg 16. Big Ideas: XX survival XX chance rules XX sacrifice XX chasing after status and wealth XX status for sale XX true wisdom XX value of material possessions Themes Seven human emotions: flattery, fear, greed, anger, guilt, exclusivity, and salvation Learning from texts Focus Questions: How do emotions, wants, and needs make these characters vulnerable? What change is seen in how each character perceives what is valuable? What sacrifices do these characters make? How do characters gain true wisdom? How are the characters' strengths and weaknesses alike or different from my own? Essential Questions How do my emotions, wants, and needs make me vulnerable? How do I read to gain skills, knowledge, and wisdom? What do I need to learn in high school to be prepared for college or work? What generalizations or principles have I discovered about my own reading? How do I learn best? How do my skills and talents define who I am? As per ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, page 16


	Friday: We will take our first literary quiz. I will walk students through this. See "Taking a Quiz".


	Week 2: "The Washerwoman" by Isaac Bashevis Singer, page 188, about 3 1/2 pages Copy and paste this Link: http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Holt_ElementsofLit-3/Collection%204/Collection%202/The%20Washwoman%20p1.htm


	Monday: Each student will find an Internet picture that exemplifies each word's meaning. The student must then copy and paste the pictures into a PowerPoint show prepared by the teacher. Beginning this week, this assignment will also include finding synonyms and antonyms for words. Vocabulary affront gentile gnarled obstinacy premonition peasant rancor shard unwieldy vagrant


	Tues-Wed: We will read and discuss "The Washerwoman" by Isaac Bashevis Singer, page 188, about 3 1/2 pages This story can be found on-line (see colored bar above). We will also study the literary element of theme (See English Terms). The State of Michigan considers this story to be a "Linking Text", because it was assigned at the district level.


	Wed-Thurs: Writing for this week: Look at the seven human motivations listed at right. Which of these motivations do you consider the most powerful? Give an answer in an essay. Paragraph 1: Define your chosen emotion. Show the importance of this emotion. Give a clear thesis (answer) at the end of the first paragraph Paragraphs 2-4: In each of these paragraphs give a different examples. The best source of examples will be from the short stories we have read or the novel you have selected. Your essay must demonstrate evidence that the characters were motivated by your chosen emotion. Provide reasons, examples, or quotes. Paragraphs 5: Write a short conclusion reinforcing your main idea.


	Fri: Quiz--See "Taking a Quiz". Remaining time can be used to work on the essay.


	Week 3: "A Man Called Horse" by Dorothy Johnson, page 167, about 10 pages


	Monday: Each student will find an Internet picture that exemplifies each word's meaning. The student must then copy and paste the pictures into a PowerPoint show prepared by the teacher. Beginning this week, this assignment will also include finding synonyms and antonyms for words. Vocabulary forestalled detractor piteously crone discontent brooding rancid restive regalia discontent


	Tues-Wed: "A Man Called Horse" by Dorothy Johnson, page 167, about 10 pages We will also study the literary element of setting (See English Terms). The State of Michigan considers this story to be a "Linking Text", because it was assigned at the district level.


	Wed-Thurs: Writing for this week: Examine the focus questions at right. Choose one and write an essay with examples from the three stories we have read in class and the novel you are reading on your own. Paragraph 1: Briefly tell why your question is important. Clearly state the answer to your chosen question at the end of the first paragraph Paragraphs 2-4: In each of these paragraphs give a different examples. Use examples from the short stories we have read or the novel you have selected. Your examples must demonstrate the correctness of the answer you gave at the end of the first paragraph. Using quotes is a great idea. Paragraphs 5: Write a short conclusion reinforcing your main idea. EZ Print instructions


	Fri: Quiz See "Taking a Quiz".


	Week 4: "The Trap of Gold" by Louis L'Amour, page 249 in the Green book, About 5 pages


	Monday: Each student will find an Internet picture that exemplifies each word's meaning. The student must then copy and paste the pictures into a PowerPoint show prepared by the teacher. The student will also have to find synonyms and antonyms. Vocabulary abrasive alleviated cache contemplative deluded foreboding impediment inevitable portals untenable Review vocabulary here.


	Tues-Wed: We will read and discuss the article "Risk" and the short story "The Trap of Gold" by Louis L'Amour, page 249 in the Green book, about 5 pages We will also study the literary element of setting (See English Terms). The State of Michigan considers this story to be a "Linking Text", because it was assigned at the district level.


	Wed-Thur: Writing for this Week: Write an essay on the theme of risk-taking. Ideas: 1) Explain why some types of risks are acceptable (unacceptable) to take. 2) Explain what types of benefits should be possible before taking risks. 3) Explain why some risks which are always too hazardous to take 4) Explain why the illusion of control encourages people to take risks. 5) Explain what lessons can be learned from risk-taking EZ Print instructions


	Fri: Quiz See "Taking a Quiz".


	Week 5: "Haven't I Made a Difference!" by James Herriot, page 407, 6 1/2 pages


	Monday: Each student will find an Internet picture that exemplifies each word's meaning. The student must then copy and paste the pictures into a PowerPoint show prepared by the teacher. The student will also have to find synonyms and antonyms. Vocabulary callous desolation diligent dispersing implicit interminably luxuriant remonstrance stupefying uncanny


	Tues-Wed: We will read and discuss "Haven't I Made a Difference!" by James Herriot, page 407, about 6 1/2 pages . We will also study the literary element of non-fiction narrative (article pg 406 of our textbook). (See English Terms). The State of Michigan considers this story to be a "Linking Text", because it was assigned at the district level.


	Wed-Thur: Writing for this Week: Compose three poems. The poem's type must be labeled. Choose two or three of the following types: XXX Free Verse XXX Couplets XXX Quatrains XXX Sonnet (for advanced poets only) Look over the poems written by other students. You'll find them in the three-ring binder under the senior's novels.


	Fri: Quiz See "Taking a Quiz".


	Alternative writing assignment: Write an essay on the theme of values. Remember--this is assignment is an essay--not a story. You must use these paper instructions.


	Tues: This week we will read and discuss the article "Reading Expository Text" from englishcompanion.com The state of Michigan has identified this article as an "Anchor Text" (see ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course, Pg 17)