Second Quarter Unit Plan
English I Pre-AP – Ms. Spence
Major Readings: Of Mice and Men
Dust Bowl and Great Depression poetry / non-fiction
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
Sold excerpts
Assorted non-fiction and poetry (social action focus)
Grammar/Vocabulary: Vocabulary Workshop
Grammar (TBA)
Summative Grades: Of Mice and Men test (MC)
Volunteer Project (essay)
Grammar and Vocab Test (MC)
Social Action Cold Read Test (Final Exam)
Essential Questions:
· What strategies do writers use within expository texts to establish purpose and develop content?
· How does Steinbeck reinforce theme and characterization using literary devices in Of Mice and Men?
· How does Steinbeck address different social issues through the development of his characters?
· What strategies do authors use to develop empathy? What impact do visuals have on empathy?
· What do global tragedies (human trafficking, poverty, the water crisis, etc.) have to do with me?
· What can I do to make a difference in the world on both a local level and a global scale?
Extra Credit AP Novels: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini OR Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (timed writing to be completed in tutoring prior to the end of the nine weeks)
Date / Weekly Agenda / Objectives / Assessments10/26 / Monday – Expository introduction; prompt analysis and thesis statements; HW: Grammar handout
Tuesday – Body paragraph writing workshop (topic sentence, evidence, analysis, concluding sentence)
Block Day – Practice essay timed writing
Friday – Grammar HW due; essay reflection and critique, OMAM assigned (finish book by 11/9) / ÿ Organizational style
ÿ Main idea
ÿ Thesis development
ÿ Supporting details
ÿ Subtle Inferences
ÿ Grammar / Practice Essay
Grammar Homework
11/2 / Monday – Sample essay scoring with STAAR rubric
Tuesday – Revising and editing practice
Block Day – “Checkpoint” assessment #2 (expository essay)
Friday – – Vocabulary Unit 4 activities due and Vocab 4 Mini Quiz; Dust Bowl and Great Depression expository and poetry rotations / ÿ Organizational style
ÿ Main idea
ÿ Thesis development
ÿ Supporting details
ÿ Subtle Inferences
ÿ Grammar / Benchmark (Checkpoint #2)
Vocab Unit 4 Mini Quiz
Dust Bowl / Great Depression Rotations
11/9 / Monday – Reading check quiz, plot and characterization focus in Of Mice and Men
Tuesday – Literary devices in Of Mice and Men
Block Day – Marginalization and social issues in Of Mice and Men; test review
Friday – Of Mice and Men Test (MC)
**End of 1st Progress Report** / ÿ Author’s Purpose
ÿ Characterization
ÿ Foreshadowing
ÿ Symbolism
ÿ Contemporary connections / Reading Check Quiz
Of Mice and Men Test
11/16 / Monday – Social Action introduction, “What’s in a Name?” “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
Tuesday – Kevin Carter photo analysis, “Omelas” wrap up, assign Volunteer Project, HW: Room appraisal handout
Block Day – Poverty silent conversation with expository articles and graphics
Friday – Vocabulary Unit 5 activities due and Vocab 5 Quiz; wrap up poverty focus / ÿ Author’s purpose
ÿ Tone
ÿ Mood
ÿ Organizational patterns
ÿ Contemporary connections
ÿ Vocabulary development / Poverty Silent Conversation
Vocabulary Activities
Vocab Unit 5 Quiz
11/23 / Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday!
Count your blessings! / /
11/30 / Monday – Factory Farming introduction and analysis of media, HW: Grammar handout
Tuesday – Factory farming expository articles
Block Day – Human trafficking focus, Sold passages + analysis
Friday – Volunteer Project due; human trafficking debrief; grammar homework due / ÿ Bias
ÿ Rhetorical appeals
ÿ Author’s purpose
ÿ Tone
ÿ Mood
ÿ Characterization / Factory farming articles
Grammar Homework
Volunteer Project
12/7 / Monday – Refugees and victims of war (news articles and poetry)
Tuesday – The water crisis, analysis of a graphic, Model UN introduction
Block Day – Model UN prep and activity; grammar review
Friday – –Vocabulary Unit 6 / Grammar Test (Vocabulary Unit 6 activities due)
**End of Progress Report / ÿ Organizational patterns
ÿ Analysis of a graphic
ÿ Collaboration
ÿ Sentence types
ÿ Parts of speech
ÿ Vocabulary / Model UN
Vocabulary Activities
Grammar and Vocab Test
12/14 / Finals Week!!
Monday – Cold read practice
Tuesday – Social action test review
Block Day – Friday – Final Exams
**End of 9 Weeks – Report Card / ÿ Author’s purpose
ÿ Organizational patterns
ÿ Tone
ÿ Mood
ÿ Characterization
ÿ Literary devices / Cold read practice
Final Exam
*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.