Over the next few weeks, we will be reading three short stories. We will work on our annotating skills, crafting reading responses that demonstrate our understanding of the text, discussion skills, and understanding of theme. Below, you will find readings and handouts.
- In what ways do our experiences shape our identities?
- To whom do we have responsibility: ourselves; our family; our community; our society; or humanity?
- How do we remain authentic to ourselves while managing the expectations of others?
What you should be able to do as a result of this unit:
- Demonstrate an exceptional ability to annotate by utilizing all types of margin notes
- Articulate an understanding of the text as a whole, using examples from the text to support your understanding
- Understand “theme” and identify a theme in a piece of literature
- Discuss and support ideas about a character’s change
- Identify literary elements, such as figurative metaphor, simile, and allusion, and discuss an author’s purpose in using literary elements
Final Assignment
- Literary analysis essay about one of the short stories
Texts
“The Dungeon Master” by Sam Lipsyte
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates
Mon 9/17
*Who Are You? Essays Due
Overview of unit and essential questions
Annotation expectations
During the course of the story, the narrator undergoes a transformation. What evidence best supports the notion that the character changes? What is the nature of that change, and what are the key catalysts for this change?
Reading and annotating “The Dungeon Master” to the break in page 7
- What is the narrator like in the beginning?
- Find and analyze three quotes to support
- What is the Dungeon Master like in the beginning?
- Find and anlayze three quotes to support
HW: finish reading and annotating “The Dungeon Master.” Use the questions below to help guide your thinking
- How does the narrator and Dungeon Master develop? Who are they in the middle? Who are they at the end?
- Where are there moments of change?
- What are the catalysts for change?
Tues 9/18
Drop
Wed 9/19
No School
Thurs 9/20
QW: Write about a time you felt like an outsider. Describe the situation, the other people, setting, and your emotional state at the time.
Overview of the response
- Statement about change
- 3 pieces of evidence
- Analyzing evidence
Transformation of a major character
- During the course of the story, the narrator undergoes a transformation. What evidence best supports the notion that the character changes? What is the nature of that change, and what are the key catalysts for this change?
HW: Reading the Pied Piper and answering questions on google classroom
Mon 9/24
What is a theme in the story? Analyze how Oates uses literary elements such as metaphor, imagery, motif, and/or symbolism to effectively develop that theme?
- Identifying patterns of similes
- What do the similes lead you to understand about Arnold?
- Discussing the relationships found with the similes used
HW: finish reading and annotating “Where are you going…”
Tues 9/25
Looking at characterization and patterns
What is the theme of the short story? How does Oates use literary elements such as allusion, metaphor, imagery, motif, and/or symbolism to effectively develop the theme of the story?
- Thesis should contain literary element & statement about theme
- Use quotes from the text to show how theme is developed
HW: Finish the handout on characterization and patterns AND create 3 open-ended discussion questions and find 1 passage you want to discuss with the group. You can use the following sentence frames to create your questions:
- What do you think about when Oates…
- How do you think the description of…
- What did you think about this use of metaphor, simile, or allusion on p.____ (provide example)
- What are alternate ways of looking at (provide example)
- What does it mean when….
Wed 9/26
Socratic Seminar
HW: Socratic Seminar Reflection
Thurs 9/27
Outlining the response on theme
What is the theme of the short story? How does Oates use literary elements such as allusion, metaphor, imagery, motif, and/or symbolism to effectively develop the theme of the story?
- Thesis should contain literary element & statement about theme
- Use quotes from the text to show how theme is developed
Fri 9/28
Reviewing the theme response
HW: Read independent books
Mon 10/1
Drop
Tues 10/2
Drop Sophomore Reading Benchmark Prep – Multiple Choice
HW: Amy Tan’s “Rules of the Game”
- Character Change
- Theme
- Author’s Craft
Wed 10/3
Sophomore Reading Benchmark
Thurs 10/4
Sophomore Reading Benchmark
HW: Reading and annotating “War Years”
Fri 10/5
Reviewing “War Years”
Mon 10/8
Reviewing “Rules of the Game” and “War Years”
HW: Final draft of “Who Are You?” due Tuesday
Tues 10/9
Overview of Revising
HW: continue revision
Wed 10/10
Continue revision
HW: Revision of “Who Are You?” Essay due Friday at beginning of class
Thurs 10/11
Drop
Fri 10/12
Essay Assignment for Short Stories
Notes on types of essays and thesis statements
Types of Lit-based Essays
Thesis Statements
HW: Essay steps that should be completed for tomorrow’s class
- Short story & topic selection
- Notes on types of lit essays, thesis, and TS
- Working thesis
Mon 10/15
Topic Sentences
Drafting Topic Sentences and Body 1 evidence
Tues 10/16
Body 2 & 3 Evidence
Wed 10/17
Outlining the intro and conclusion
HW: Start Drafting
Thurs 10/18
Drafting Day
HW: Bring a printed copy of your draft for tomorrow’s class
Fri 10/19
Peer Review
HW: Revise based on feedback and submit final on classroom
Mon 10/22
Essay Due
Monday 10/15
In class work day – Drafting bodies
Bring in a printed copy your draft for Tuesday’s class *Draft must have thesis and three body paragraphs
Tues 10/16
Peer review-What does effective feedback look like?
HW: keep drafting! Essay due at 2.05 tomorrow.
Wed 10/17
Essay Due
