Ongoing Tasks
Readings and Reading Quizzes: Please pace yourself to keep up with the reading. Reading always means active reading with notes/annotations. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. Sometimes they are open-notes or open-book. If you have kept up with the active reading, youre all set.
Writing Folder: Please continue to put your writing into your Writing Folder. You NEED to save your work in the folder; otherwise, you will not be able to do the future assignments based on those writing pieces. Consider this your "Greatest Hits Collection."
Vocabulary: One chapter is due approximately every 2 weeks. Because you have ample time to complete the exercises--and because we give the answers in class--vocabulary is NOT accepted late unless you have an excused illness. Vocabulary quizzes take place about twice a month--usually every other Thursday--and the exercises are due alternating weeks in between. You know your vocab is due in this pattern until the end of the school year. Therefore, if you have a field trip, turn in your vocab the day before. Feel free to go ahead in your book if you don't want to worry about falling behind.
Six Essential Questions for Grade 9
As we write, we'll be exploring the following questions:
-
How does a thesis drive an essay?
-
How do a writer’s choices affect the reader’s understanding and interpretation of the piece?
-
How do the writing process and reflection help foster growth in writing?
As we read different pieces of literature, well be exploring the following questions:
-
How do life experiences affect the growth and change of individuals?
How does one’s environment and culture shape his or her identity?
How do authors’ choices convey meaning and shape the readers’ understanding?
Know RICE inside out! RICE is what good readers do!
R = React
What is your first reaction to the text? Write down any thoughts, opinions, theories, observations, or questions you may have. You might reflect on the title, the characters, their problems, or other ideas in the text. TIP: Don't just ask questions. Remember to answer the questions you ask, too!
I = Interpret
Explain what you think the quotation means as it relates to elements of the text, such as characters or theme. Make inferences, draw conclusions, etc. You may also be asked to explain how and why a character grows and changes from the beginning of the story to the end. TIPS: (1) Interpret is just a fancy word that means create meaning. (2) Don’t forget to provide evidence to support your ideas.
C = Connect
What does this piece of literature say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? You may also write about stories or books you have read, movies or television programs you have seen, music you have heard, or history and current events, which relate to the text. TIP: Don’t forget to link your ideas back to the text!
E = Evaluate
How successful was the author in creating a good piece of literature? TIPS: Evaluating is also referred to as "taking a critical stance." Think beyond your individual preferences. Instead, consider what makes literature "good" universally. For example, you might state what you think the author's purpose is, and then argue whether the text achieves that purpose or not. Don't forget to provide evidence to support your ideas.
