Mr. Smith's English Class

Overview: The objective of this assignment is to develop your own understanding and interpretation of each of the four poem selections we will analyze and discuss in class.

Please follow each of these steps for each poem:

1.)  Follow the links to read / listen to each of the four poems

2.)  Determine what the poem is about based purely on your own opinion (perhaps a stanza-by-stanza annotation would help).

3.)  On a separate sheet of paper, complete the evidence sentence frames as sampled below for each poem:

I think this poem is about…_____________________________________________.

The reasons I think that this is what the author is writing about are based on evidence found in the poem such as…(fill in the blanks).

1. In stanza #______ the author says___________________________________, which is likely a reference to____________________________________________________.

2. In stanza #______ the author says___________________________________, which is likely a reference to____________________________________________________.

3. In stanza #______ the author says___________________________________, which is likely a reference to____________________________________________________.

4.)  Use your sentence frames to: 1.) develop a short (half page) statement about what each poem is about, 2.) explain the reasons you think this poem is a good or bad poem, and; 3.) how you can relate to the poem, or why you think the author might have written this poem (aka ‘author’s purpose’).

Links: 

The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost

Annabel Lee – Edgar Allen Poe

If – Rudyard Kipling

Phenomenal Woman – Maya Angelou

Deadlines:  All analytical statements must be complete by Wednesday, December 21st as we will spend our time in class on Thursday discussing your responses as a class.

DEADLINES ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! DON’T MISS…

Book selections are due  October 5th

Annotations every five pages due October 31th

Final Essay is due November 4th

For Independent Reading Project Essay Requirements Click Here: Independent Reading Project

Please complete the following aptitude (skills) test to figure out what potential careers might be a good choice for you after high school.  Complete each test in order (1-3) and compare the results you get from each.

This is the first step in a multi-step portfolio, so please print out your results!

Test 1 – Do this one first

Test 2 – Do this test second

Test 3 – Do this one last (including clerical drills)

Overview: The objective of this assignment is to develop your own understanding and interpretation of each of the four poem selections we will analyze and discuss in class.

Please follow each of these steps for each poem:

1.)  Follow the links to read / listen to each of the four poems

2.)  Determine what the poem is about based purely on your own opinion (perhaps a stanza-by-stanza annotation would help).

3.)  On a separate sheet of paper, complete three evidence sentence frames for each poem similar to the ones we did for the ‘Brandy’ poem ( ex. “In stanza number___the author says_____________, which is likely a reference to_____________.  )

4.)  Use your sentence frames to: 1.) develop a short (half page) statement about what each poem is about, 2.) explain the reasons you think this poem is a good or bad poem, and; 3.) how you can relate to the poem, or why you think the author might have written this poem (aka ‘author’s purpose’).

Links: 

The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost

Annabel Lee – Edgar Allen Poe

If – Rudyard Kipling

Phenomenal Woman – Maya Angelou

Deadlines:  All analytical statements must be complete by Wednesday, June 8th as we will spend the second half of next week discussing your responses as a class.

Kid Lit Projects will take place in stages over the next couple of weeks.  Please see the project details for a more specific explanation of requirements within each step:

Kid Lit Unit: Project Details

Deadlines for each stage of this project will remain somewhat flexible as the creative process does not always neatly align itself with specific dates, however, it is expected that you remain reasonably in-step with your classmates (within a day or two).  Frequent check-ins and communication will be critical to your success.

Overall, final project presentations will occur on May 25th.

DEADLINES ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! DON’T MISS…

Book selections are due  May 5th

Annotations every five pages due May 20th

Final Essay is due May 25th

For Independent Reading Project Essay Requirements Click Here: Independent Reading Project

Overview: Consider the examples of slam poetry we have explored and discussed as a class, and create your own slam poem.

Assignment: Create a slam poem about a topic you are passionate about. While you will not be required to “perform” your poem for the class, you should create your poem in a way that demonstrates your understanding of what makes a good slam poem. Your poem should satisfy the following criteria:

• Topic of poem should cast light on a hot-button topic or bring-to-bare a topic not often discussed for one reason or another.
• The topic should be something you care deeply about / or want others to care deeply about.
• Your poem should attempt to include literary devices such as figurative language (similes, metaphors, hyperbole, alliteration, etc.)
• Your poem should be designed to be presented (though not required) for a least one-minute.

Assessment:  Your poem will be graded on your ability to meet the criteria above, as well as you use of class time during the next few days.  This includes your ability to respect the creative process of other poets each day, as well as your ability to appropriately use the time you have been allotted.

Please follow this link to the project details for the 5-10 minute “Teach the Class” presentations: TEACH THE CLASS PROJECT

DEADLINES ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! DON’T MISS…

Book selections are due  January 5th

Annotations every five pages due January 25th

Final Essay is due January 29th

For Independent Reading Project Essay Requirements Click Here: Independent Reading Project

Over the next three days we will be working primarily on portfolio prompts nine and ten.  Please keep in mind that all previous prompts for the second quarter should be completed by now and located in your binder for review soon after the winter break.

Also, final essays for Of Mice and Men are now overdue, as are any illustrative journals you are missing.  Get them done asap!

Lastly, concrete / shape poems are also overdue, and should be submitted immediately.