English I A
English I A will focus on literature from all over the world with close readings and discussions on a variety of poetic forms, myths, the novel The Alchemist, and informative texts. Along with analyzing literature and expository texts, students will be writing their own creative pieces, informative essays and practicing the ability to present information clearly and logically.
Course Assignments
Week 1
Week 2
Poems to AnalyzeIntroduction to Poetry- Billy Collins
The Road Not Taken- Robert Frost We Wear the Mask- Paul Laurence Dunbar The Names- Billy Collins Jabberwocky- Lewis Carroll Daddy- Sylvia Plath
Week 3
The Blues to Analyze- type of stanza-The Blues- Langston Hughes
-Homesick Blues- Langston Hughes -Young Gal's Blues- Langston Hughes
Ballads to AnalyzeThe White Knight's Song- Lewis Carroll
I Many Times Thought Peace Had Come- Emily Dickinson I Traveled Among Unknown Men- William Wordsworth Oh, When I was With You- A.E. Housman
Week 4
Slam Poetry
Emily Orellana "Intolerance"Ego Trippin'Work it OutWeek Five
Week Six
Vocabulary 1Define each of the following words:
1. allegory 2. awe 3. infidel 4. lament 5. narcissus 6. omen 7. quest 8. teem 9. tinge 10. trajectory 11. yearn 12. zenith IntroductionRead the introduction to The Alchemist. Then conduct an interview with an adult:
1) First, explain to your interviewee the four obstacles we face when pursuing our dreams. 2) Ask your interviewee if he/she has ever experienced these obstacles. (Take them one at a time.) 3) Turn in a copy of the interview, including your questions and the interviewee's answers. (Try to be as accurate as possible, but don't worry about copying the responses verbatim.) PrologueRead the prologue and explain why the Alchemist thinks it is a "lovely story."
Pages 3-101. The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence? How might the sheep symbolize the way some people live their lives? How does his observation that
they “have forgotten to rely on their own instincts” foreshadow what might be coming in the novel? 2. To what degree is Santiago’s father’s observation about travelers (page 9) true about Santiago? 3. From what point of view is the story told? Week Seven
Pages 10 (after asterisk) to 25 (stop at asterisk)1. Why does the old fortune teller say that Santiago’s dream is difficult to interpret? Why is Santiago suspicious of her?
2. The old man tells Santiago a story about a miner and an emerald. How does it connect to Santiago’s situation? What does the old man mean when he says that “treasure is uncovered by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by the same currents?” What does this quote have to do with the story of the miner and the emerald? Drops of Oil Parable: 30-32Santiago learns a valuable lesson from the King of Salem: the Drops of Oil parable, pg. 30-32. In this parable, what does the shopkeeper's son symbolize, what does the palace and everything in it symbolize, and what do the drops of oil symbolize? Be prepared to write on this during class.
Research TopicsOn your own Weebly page, you are going to write about the following three topics. Each topic should include the website you used to find your information, a picture, answers to the questions written in essay format and a paragraph reflection (your thoughts on the topic). 50 POINTS
1. Who is Melchizedek? What role does he play in the Old Testament? 2. What are the Five Pillars of Islam? What is the Koran? 3. Explore the concept of Soul of the World as different religions and philosophies define it
Week EightNarrative Writing/The AlchemistChoose one of the following to respond to. Your response should be at least a page in length, double spaced, typed. Revisions should be evident.
1.Coelho states that “simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them.” Produce a written which depicts something that is “simple” yet valuable to you and explain why it is so important. 2.The alchemist (in the form of Melchizedek) says to Santiago, “When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true.” Write or create a response which captures a time in your own life when you had a wish, and you felt that the whole universe conspired for OR against you. What happened to make you feel that way? Did your wish come true? 3.Santiago is guided by his dreams and by omens which appear to him throughout his journey. Write about a noteworthy dream you have had, or about an omen which guided you somehow during the course of your life thus far. How did you interpret the dream or omen, and how did it influence your life?
Caravan: 65-85Read pages 65-86 and be prepared to answer the following questions in class:
What does Santiago learn from the desert? What does Santiago learn from the books? What does Santiago learn from the camel driver? The Future: 87-104On a piece of notebook paper, explain in your own words what the seer believes about the future.
Apply this principle to your own life using a specific example. Week Nine
The Alchemist:109-121Using indirect characterization, come up with five character traits for The Alchemist. Include your supporting evidence as well (e.g., what he says, what he does, how Santiago reacts to him, etc...).
The Wind/Hand of God: 143-167Be prepared to answer the following question on the final:
What does Santiago fully realizes as he turns into the wind? |
Week 10 & Week 11Totem ProjectPart 1: Questions for Research:
Part 2: What Are Totem Poles?
An Exploration: http://users.imag.net/~sry.jkramer/nativetotems/ A Brief Introduction: http://www.evergreen-washelli.com/text/qa73153147.htm Totem Poles of the North American Northwest Coast Indians: http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/guides/1985/6/85.06.01.x.html Types of Totem Designs: http://www.nativewoodart.com/totem.html Part 3: Finding Your Animal Spirits
Week 12American FolkloreSAS Curriculum Pathways' Assignments-Creation Myths Around the World
-Strategies for Reading Mythology -Folktales: Versions of Little Red Riding hood -Folktales: Versions of Cinderella Week 13Myth- (noun) ancient story: a traditional story about heroes or supernatural beings, often attempting to explain the origins of natural phenomena or aspects of human behavior
Week 14
The Constellations by Alice Low1. Do the gods create constellations for Andromeda, Castor, Pollux and Orion as punishment or reward? Explain.
2. What is Cassiopeia's greatest fault? 3. How does this fault contribute to her downfall? 4. What does Orion do to anger Apollo? Quetzalcoatl1. Why does Quetzalcoatl go to the mountains?
2. Who or what is Tezcatlipoca and why was he tracking Quetzalcoatl? 3. Why do you suppose Quetzlcoatl throws himself upon the fire? 4. Research the ruler named King Topiltzin and write a few (10) facts about him. Week 15Mythology Research: Powerpoint Presentation
In order to better understand mythology, students will complete individual research projects on a select god or goddess. Students will include their findings in a PowerPoint presentation that they will deliver in front of their peers. General Guidelines (Basic Parameters for the Project):
Week 16
Myth OutlineAspect of nature being described:
Setting: Main Characters: Main Idea: Problem: Solution: Sequence of Events: Beginning: Middle: End: Week 17Typed rough Draft Due- Peer edit
Week 18Typed final draft Due- Begin creating book, along with appropriate drawings
Week 19Completed myth book Due- Myth in book format with pictures
Weebly Addresses |