9th Grade Lit


	4th Quarter Mar-May


	Week 6: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, page 202, 3 or 3 1/2 pages Link


	Mon: 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: ardent cascade covet depreciate instigate laborious Magi ransack scrutiny vestibule Review


	Tues: We will read and discuss "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry (pg 202, 3 or 3 1/2 pages). We will also study the literary element of theme (See English Terms). We will use the article on pg 264-265 of our textbook. The State of Michigan has identified this story as an "Anchor Text" (see ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course, Pg 17). Wed: ACT-style writing prompt: It has been said that the relationship between Della and Jim in "The Gift of the Magi" is a truly unselfish love relationship. Many people aspire to that kind or relationship for themselves. Others say that people as poor as Della and Jim have no business spending money on such frivolous and unnecessary things like they did. Instead, the couple should be saving for a home or a "rainy day." In your essay, take a position on this relationship. You may write about either one of the two points of view given. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. You must use these paper instructions.


	Have the students find examples of figurative language: simile, personification, allusion, irony, and foreshadowing. Read three short excerpts of literary criticism. Most of these are positive. QuickWrite assignment: if the story had been written today, would the reviews have been more critical? Thurs: Read "How do I Love Thee?" by Eliz. Barrett Browning. QuickWrite assignment: What is the story behind the poem? How can the poem be applied to life? The extremely short story exercise. Review discussion about taking quizzes Each student must review vocabulary pps (on the G drive and on room computers) for tomorrow's quiz. If they are done, they must use the remaining time to read their novels. Fri 26 Sept: Quiz See "Taking a Quiz".


	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


	Week 7: "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell, pg 13, 12 1/2 pgs Link


	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. As the quarter progresses, this assignment will also include finding synonyms and antonyms for words. Vocabulary: amenities deplorable disarming imprudent indolent opiate palpable precariously scruples solicitous review it


	Tues: Break into two groups. Each group will read an article about Social Darwinism. After reading, each group will explain their article to the other group. Article one Article two video


	Thur: essay: Why did Rainsford kill General Zaroff? The General said, "You have won the game." Were there any alternatives to killing him? You MUST use evidence from the story to back up your ideas. Fri Quiz See "Taking a Quiz".


	Wed: We will read and discuss "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell (pg 13, about 12 1/2 pgs, Link). We will also study the literary elements of plot and conflict (See English Terms). We will also use the article on pgs 32-33 of our textbook. The State of Michigan has identified this story as an "Anchor Text" (see ELA 9 MMC, Pg 17). The Eliminator


	Week 8: "Distillations" by Hugo Martinez-Serros, page 133 in the Green Book.


	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. As the quarter progresses, this assignment will also include finding synonyms and antonyms for words. Vocabulary: abate eclipsed galvanized glower livid myriad spoils (noun) taut tentative zenith


	Tues-Wed: We will read and discuss "Distillations" by Hugo Martinez-Serros, page 133 in the Green Book. A boy finds out about his father when the family takes a trip to the dump. Tied for 3rd favorite story during 2006-2007. we will study the literary elements of character development (article pg 130-131 of our textbook) and point of view (article pg 218-219). See also English Terms. We will examine texts from science class, math class, and social studies class. We will ask such question as "How can learning the structure and purpose of texts support me in using them more effectively?" and "What are the roles of subtitles, headings, bullets, illustrations, sidebars, and other text features?" See the ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum: "Essential Questions", pg 16, "Texts" on pg 17, "Features", pg 18, and Strategies for Approaching Textbook Reading", pg 19.


	Fri 17 Oct Quiz See "Taking a Quiz".


	Writing for this Week: The American Film Institute has created a list of what they think are the 100 Greatest Movies. Look at the list, and then choose one of the below for an essay. 1) Explain why a film should be added to the list. 2) Explain why a film should be removed from the list. 3) Explain why you agree with the inclusion of a film already on the list. You must use these paper instructions.


	Week 8-9 Elements of Poetry


	Free verse Meter Refrain Rhyme Scheme Speaker Stanza Rhythm


	Tone Alliteration Ballad Lyric


	Assignment for 7th Week: Poetry PowerPoint Presentation Rubric (47k doc ) WARNING: Presentations are due at the beginning of the hour Friday. There will be no preparation time allowed--NONE! There will be no make-up!


	Weeks 8 & 9 Elements of the Novel No vocabulary The State Of Michigan requires that students read several books during the 9th grade year and demonstrate understanding (ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, Page 14 ).


	Students will write about their novels using the literary elements we have been studying this quarter, namely: setting pg 164165 of our textbook. plot and conflict pgs 32-33 of our textbook. character development pg 130-131 of our textbook foreshadowing. pg 46 of our textbook theme pg 264-265 of our textbook.


	Assignments for Week 8 & 9: First Literary Paper Each student will spend the next two weeks writing a paper (or a series of short papers) about the novel he or she has been reading. Novel Papers See "Literary Elements" in the ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, pg 17.


	1st Quarter Exam Review Checklist Characteristics of short story, poetry, essay As per ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, Page 37-38 Glossary Link 1: Meyer Literature Site or Glossary Link 2: U of N C, Pembroke Our glossary is on pgs 967-978

Narrative Text

Literary Elements
xxx plot and conflict pgs 32-33 of our textbook.
xxx setting pg 164-165 of our textbook.
xxx theme pg 264-265 of our textbook.
xxx character development pg 130-131 of our textbook
xxx foreshadowing. pg 46 of our textbook
xxx mood, tone, style--pg 586-587
xxx author's purpose

Literary Devices
xxx narration/point of view--pg 218-219
xxx author's use of time
xxx figurative language, imagery, simile, metaphor 520
xxx symbolism 978, motif, allusion 967
xxx repetition
xxx implied meanings
xxx onomatopoeia
xxx suspense 978
xxx structural conventions

Historical/Cultural
xxx understanding human nature
xxx stereotypes

Critical Perspectives
xxx quotable lines
xxx different time period
xxx Connect to self--own perspective on issues of sacrifice and status

as per ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, Page 17-18

Informational Text

Range of Genre
author information
biographies
editorials - pros and cons
essays
historical accounts
instructions
letters
links to resources
news articles
outlines, lists
scientific research reports

Elements
main ideas or topic sentences, details, examples
facts and opinions
editorial perspective
writer's tone

as per ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, Page 17-18

Informational Text

Organizational Patterns
categorization
cause-effect
compare-contrast
definition
description
enumeration/process
fact-opinion
problem-solution
sequence

Features
table of contents
unit and chapter structures
titles, subtitles, headings
illustrations, charts, maps
bullets, sidebars (margin notes)
captions, footnotes
appendices
bibliographies
personal vs. business letter formats

as per ELA 9 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, Page 17-18