First 6 Weeks Unit Plan / Syllabus

English I Pre-AP–Jenny Ryan

Overarching Questions: What makes a family? What is worth fighting for? How do writers use the “hero’s journey” pattern to enhance plot, character development, theme, etc? How are ancient fables and myths relevant today? Where do I see archetypes in literature, as well in modern culture?

Major Readings: *A Long Way Gone

*“The Flowers” short story by Alice Walker

*“The Things They Carried” passages

*Passages about Sierra Leone/child soldiers

*Various fables/myths from around the world

*The Odyssey (Part One)

Writing Component:*CBA (timed writing) over A Long Way Gone

*Additional in class writing assignments

*Creating a fable

Grammar/Vocabulary:*Vocabulary Workshop

*Capitalization Rules

Week of / Week at a Glance / Assessment
August 22 / Monday – Policies and Procedures, lots of handouts Intro to course
Tuesday – Literary terms packet, “The Flowers,” “Charming Billy” for homework (in textbook)
Block –A Long Way Gone Quiz!In class reading “The Man I Killed,” and “Charming Billy” Discussion
Friday –A Long Way GoneSierra Leone background, news clips and interviews
I can…
*Describe the expectations and procedures for the classroom
*Define the literary terms in the packet
*Explain basic plot points from A Long Way Gone / A Long Way Gone Quiz
August 29 / Monday – Music Monday, A Long Way Gone analysis and discussion
Tuesday – A Long Way Gone analysis and discussion
Block Day – Socratic Seminar over the memoir
Friday - A Long Way Gone/ Lit Terms Test, Assign V.W. Unit 1
I Can…
*Discuss with my classmates the themes, symbols, character development, and plot of A Long Way Gone
* Analyze the influence of the following topics in A Long Way Gone…
Family, music, literature/education, drug use in the military, hope / Lit Terms Quiz
A Long Way Gone Test
September 5 / Monday – Labor Day
Tuesday – CBA (timed writing), introduction to folk tales
Block Day – Plagiarism video/quiz, multicultural myths, HW: read assigned myths from packet at home
Friday – Vocabulary Workshop Quiz, Assign Unit 2, discuss readings
I Can…
*Construct a well thought out essay over a theme in A Long Way Gonewith a thesis statement, body paragraphs and a conclusion.
*Explain the definition, consequences and examples of plagiarism.
*Compare and contrast myths from around the world
*Evaluate the lessons of these myths and discuss the application of these stories to today’s society. / CBA
Plagiarism Quiz
Vocabulary Workshop Quiz
September 12 / Monday – Capitalization warm-up, timed writing corrections, mythology cont.
Tuesday – Capitalization warm-up, mythology cont.
Block Day – Capitalization warm-up, Greek mythology
Friday – Quiz over capitalization + Vocab workshop week 2,
Assign Greek roots (for test), Greek mythology

I Can…
*Compare and contrast myths from around the world
*Evaluate the lessons of these myths and discuss the application of these stories to today’s society.
*Outline the relationships between the Greek gods, and summarize some of the most famous Greek myths.
*Apply the Greek root stems to words I already know and use these stems to figure out words I am not familiar with. / Capitalization / Vocabulary Workshop Quiz
September
19 / Monday – Hero’s Journey Notes, Odyssey background
Tuesday –.Finish notes, begin Odyssey
Block Day –Odyssey Part One
Friday – Odyssey Part One

I Can…
*Discuss the traits of an epic hero
*Compare an epic poem to a “regular” poem
*Walk through the steps of the Hero’s Journey
*Explain the background to Homer’s Odyssey and the Trojan War / In Class Participation, discussion
September 27 / Monday – Music Monday, Odyssey Part One
Tuesday – Odyssey Part One
Block Day – Complete Part One of Odyssey, Review for test
Friday – Hero’s Journey /Odyssey Part One / Greek Roots Test

I Can…
*Summarize the following scenes in Homer’s Odyssey…
Calypso, Polyphemus, Lotus Eaters, Circe, The Underworld, The Sirens, Scylla and Chrybdis, The Island of the Sun God, King Alcinious
*Analyze how Odysseus’ hubris leads to his downfall in Part One
*Define linear versus non linear storytelling
*Connect how The Odyssey, as well as A Long Way Gone, falls into the Hero’s Journey pattern.
*Identify Greek root words and how they affect meaning / Odyssey Test

*This syllabus is subject to change due to a variance in pacing / unexpected events. Students will be informed well in advance if any due dates or test days are moved.