HE 10 Homework for 9-1-05

In at least one sentence, say what you think the theme of To Kill a Mockingbird is. Due 7th period. Remember, also, there were two PBQs given today.

See you tomorrow.

Ries

Good Job, Guys!

I had a good first day and hope all of you did, too.

I have a feeling this is going to be a great year. Good luck and good learning to all of you.

I am posting each of your syllabi first and then posting your homework assignments given today.

See you, Ries

English IV

Bring pen, college-ruled paper, your syllabus, and a clip folder.

Ries

Academic English IV

Bring college-ruled paper and a pen (you must always bring your syllabus and Ries's Rules on Writing to every class, but I don't have to tell you that because you are seniors, right?)


Ries

Honors English 10 Homework for 8-30-05

Bring pens, college-ruled paper, clip folder, To Kill a Mockingbird, your syllabus, and your Ries's Rules on Writing.

Ries

English IV Syllabus

1st 9 Weeks

Writing Lab

Materials Needed:

Blue, black, or purple ink pens.

Liquid Paper

A paperback dictionary (optional)

Pack of college-ruled notebook paper.

Your brain.

Five clip folders.

Ries’s Class Resource (www.mrries.blogspot.com) : I have a website for my classes. Everyday, I will post whatever homework is assigned, so now you will have a place to double check your assignments. You may also send me emails at the following address: mr.ries@gmail.com .

Activities:
I
n-class Journal: On any given day, I will require you to write a journal entry on a particular topic of my choosing. It will be due at the end of the period. Fridays will most likely be journal days.


News Writing: You will write learn the techniques of news writing and write several news articles of varying types.

Essay Writing: You will write an in-class essay on a topic of my choosing. The essay will be written in stages. This assignment will be broken down over several days; each day involving another part of the essay. Then we will write one or two drafts depending on need until it is time to write up a final draft.

Toast: You will write a three-five minute toast to your best friend and deliver it to the class as if your friend were here.


2nd Nine Weeks

Poetry: We will study the following works of poetry from British origins with a focus on meaning and the elements of poetry:

“To the Virgins to Make Much of Time” Robert Herrick
“The Tyger” William Blake
“When I Have Fears” John Keats
“Sonnet 30” William Shakespeare
“Sonnet 116” William Shakespeare
“Holy Sonnet X” John Donne
“I Wandered As Lonely as a Cloud” William Wordsworth
“Porphyria’s Lover” Robert Browning

Beowulf by Anonymous
Rime of the Ancient Mariner Samuel Taylor Colerige

I may add and subtract from this list as I deem necessary. You will keep an in class notebook on the poetry and our discussions. There will be several writing assignments, quizzes, and tests on the material, including the elements of literature.

3rd Nine Weeks

Film As Literature: In the first half of the nine weeks, we will study four films. After viewing each film, you may have a quiz or have to write a paragraph about the movie. We will explore elements of literature that exist in the films. Then we will spend three days discussing the film. On Thursday, you will have to write an essay or take a test on some aspect of the film or class discussion. The films chosen to watch are as follows:

· Class Choice (okayed by me)
· The Matrix
· Unbreakable
· The Green Mile

You will also keep a notebook on our discussions of the movies. It must follow the usual format.

Exploring Shakespeare: In the second half of the nine weeks, we will study the life of William Shakespeare and Macbeth, all of which is in your textbook. We will read it aloud in class, and you will keep a notebook on our studying of the text. When we complete our exploration of the text, you will be required to write an essay and take a test. Details on both of these assessments will be forthcoming.

4th Nine Weeks

In this nine weeks, we will study several short stories and finish by reading the novel, Lord of the Flies.

Short Stories:
“Sredni Vashtar” Saki
“Araby” James Joyce
“Rocking Horse Winner” D.H. Lawrence
“The Destructors” Graham Greene

We will focus on the authors’ biographies and the elements of short stories. You will keep a short story notebook. In addition to the notebook, graded assignments will include quizzes, essays, journal entries, and tests.

Lord of the Flies: We will read the novel, and you will keep a notebook. You will be given a study packet from which I will take several quizzes. At various times, you will be assigned journal entries that address the themes of the book. The final assessment will be a test.

Attendance and Grading:

Ries Points: Each day you are in my class, you will receive +1 Ries Point just for showing up. If you come to class unprepared, however, (no pen or paper or book) your Ries Point will not be awarded that day. At the end of the nine weeks, Ries Points will be added to your grade total as bonus points. If you have a medical absence, you will still receive your points. You will also receive Ries Points on the days I am absent. Ries Points cannot be made up.

In-class Writings: For each in-class writing component, you will receive a 25 point grade as a bonus. If you are absent and not medically excused, you will lose the 25 point bonus though you will be able to make up the assignment.

Make-up Work: If you are absent, you are responsible for your work. You must come to me upon the day of your return and ask about what you missed. I will give you your assignment and tell you when it is due. If you come to me two or more days after your return for your assignment, you will not be able to make up the work.

Bonus Points: At various times throughout the 9-week period, you will have opportunities to gain bonus points above and beyond Ries Points. However, remember, bonus points are a privilege and may be taken away at any time if I find it necessary.

Vent Day: Every two weeks, Friday will be Vent Day. We will have a guided discussion about what is on your mind. On those days, you will receive Ries Points and a 25 point grade as a bonus. You must be here to reap the rewards of this opportunity.

Words, Words, Words: In any writing you do in this class, if you use a word I believe to be exceptional, I will reward you with 1 bonus point on its grade.

The contents of this syllabus are not set and may change at any time at my discretion.

Academic English IV Syllabus

Materials Needed:

8 clip folders

A packet of college-ruled notebook paper

Blue, black, or purple ink pens (several of them)

Liquid paper or other form of writing correction

Ries’s Class Resource (www.mrries.blogspot.com) : I have a website for my classes. Everyday, I will post whatever homework is assigned, so now you will have a place to double check your assignments. You may also send me emails at the following address: mr.ries@gmail.com .

The First Nine Weeks:

You will participate in the following assignments:

You will write three essays in class; you will then choose your favorite of those three, your peers will review it, and you will revise it out of class and hand it in to be graded. The essays will be based on prompts provided by me.

You will learn, review, and be tested on grammar rules and constructs.

We will read and discuss Night by Elie Wiesel. You will keep notes on your reading and our discussions in a clip folder that will be collected at the end of the unit and graded.

You will write a literary analysis paper on Night out of class.

You will research and write a persuasive essay on a socially relevant topic using MLA style for the citation of sources.

The Second Nine Weeks:

You will participate in the following assignments:

You will write three essays in class; you will then choose your favorite of those three, your peers will review it, and you will revise it out of class and hand it in to be graded. The essays will be based on prompts provided by me.

We will read and discuss the novel, 1984 by George Orwell. You will keep notes on your reading and our discussions in a clip folder that will be collected at the end of the unit and graded.

You will write a literary analysis paper on 1984.

We will read and discuss the novel, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. You will keep notes on your reading and our discussions in a clip folder that will be collected at the end of the unit and graded.

You will write a literary analysis paper on The Catcher in the Rye.

The Third Nine Weeks:

You will participate in the following assignments:

You will review the elements of poetry and take a test on those elements.

We will read and study several works of British poetry; they are listed below:

“Nature That Washed Her Hands in Milk” Sir Walter Raleigh
“Sonnet 29” William Shakespeare
“Sonnet 30” William Shakespeare
“Sonnet 116” William Shakespeare
“Holy Sonnet X” John Donne
“To the Virgins to Make Much of Time” Robert Herrick
“On His Blindness” John Milton
“Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” Thomas Gray
“The Tyger” William Blake
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” William Wordsworth
“When I Have Fears” John Keats
“Porphyria’s Lover” Robert Browning
“The Hollow Men” T.S. Eliot

You will keep notes on our discussions of these poems in a clip folder. That folder will be collected at the end of the unit and will be graded.

You will take a test on poetry and its elements at the end of the unit.

You will also write an essay on the poems. Details of this assignment will be forthcoming.

We will read and discuss the following British narrative poems:

Beowulf Anonymous
Rime of the Ancient Mariner Samuel Taylor Coleridge

You will write analysis essays on each of these works. Both will be in-class writing.

You will read the Canterbury Tales and participate in the group project known as The Chaucer Files. Details on that assignment will be on a need-to-know basis.
You will read the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley out of class and write a reaction essay on it.


The Fourth Nine Weeks:

You will participate in the following assignments:

We will review the elements of a short story and the importance of satire.

We will read and discuss the following short stories and non-fiction:

“Araby” James Joyce
“The Rocking Horse Winner” D.H. Lawrence
“A Modest Proposal” Johnathan Swift
“Meditation 17” John Donne

You will write a comparison/contrast paper on the two short stories and a literary analysis essay on each of the essays.

We will read and discuss the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. You will keep notes on your reading and our discussions in a clip folder that will be collected at the end of the unit and graded.

You will write a literary analysis essay on the play.

You will read the play Othello by William Shakespeare out of class and write a reaction essay to the play. You may also read Macbeth or King Lear and write an essay for extra credit.

We will read and discuss the novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding. You will keep notes on your reading and our discussions in a clip folder that will be collected at the end of the unit and graded.

You will write a literary analysis paper on Lord of the Flies.

Quizzes: Quizzes on readings or discussions may come at any time. Be prepared at all times. The point value of quizzes will vary depending on the magnitude of the quiz.

Ries Points: Each day you are in my class, you will receive +1 Ries Point just for showing up. If you come to class unprepared, however, (no pen or paper or book) your Ries Point will not be awarded that day. At the end of the nine weeks, Ries Points will be added to your grade total as bonus points. If you have a medical absence, you will still receive your points. You will also receive Ries Points on the days I am absent. Ries Points cannot be made up.

Final Note: This course includes very few bonus points. Bonus points are a gift from me to you. If you prove unworthy of this gift, you may have all or some bonus points taken away at my discretion.

***The contents of this syllabus are subject to change at my discretion.***

HE 10 2005-2006

Hi, all,

Just a little prompter to keep you working on your summer project: 10 days until school starts.

You need to have your HE 10 work read and written.

See you soon.

Ries

Summer Assignment

For those of you who managed to misplace your summer assignment, here it is. I would advise you to not misplace things in the upcoming school year...that could prove disastrous.

Summer Assignment for Honors English 10

Requirements: You are to acquire and read Lord of the Flies by William Golding and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Assignment: You must write an essay for both novels. Each essay must follow the format at the bottom of this sheet.

Directions: In the essay, you must make an argument for the theme of the novel and support your argument with examples from the text, or you may do a character analysis of a character from the novel, exploring the symbolism surrounding the character, examining the character’s role in the theme of the novel, or arguing a comparison to another character from literature. The essay must be in the classic five-paragraph format. It must contain a thesis statement, and the topic sentences must refer back to the thesis. *DO NOT SUMMARIZE THE NOVEL.* Summarizing is the fastest way to earning no credit for this assignment. Committing plagiarism on either of these essays will result in expulsion from the Honors English program. Also, if you have internet access, you may check out my blog site at http://www.mrries.blogspot.com/; this assignment will be posted there as well as updates and announcements throughout the summer. You may also contact me through the following email: mr.ries@gmail.com.

***** 100 POINTS FOR EACH ESSAY*****

You must have this assignment completed on the first day of class or you will immediately be removed from the Honors English 10 class.

Name

Honors English 10

Novel’s Title Literary Analysis Essay







Creative Title


Start writing your essay here. Your essay must be hand written and double-spaced. Use

college-ruled paper only. For margins, use the vertical. Do not write on the back of the paper.

lines on typical notebook paper; leave three to four lines at the bottom of the page. Do not

number the first page but number every page after in the middle of the top-right corner of the

paper . You must use blue, black, or purple ink.

Honors English 10 Syllabus for 2005-2006 School Year

Honors English10 Syllabus

Materials Needed:
· Materials for first week:
o 2 clip Folders
o 3” ring binder
o a packet of college-ruled notebook paper
o several pens of blue, black, or purple ink
o liquid paper

Materials for first nine weeks:
o a packet of 3” x 5” lined note cards
o a packet of 4” x 6” lined note cards


The First Nine Weeks:

You will re-assess your summer literary analysis essays based upon our discussion of Lord of the Flies and To Kill a Mockingbird, choose one and revise it for grading. You will be graded on clarity of thought and presentation of ideas as well as Ries’s Rules on Writing.

We will discuss writing techniques and style.

You will learn about and take notes on several grammatical items and have a test on them. You will also use them in your essay assignments below.

You will write a definition essay using assigned grammatical items.

In the second four and a half weeks, you will begin to research, and write. A five-minute oration on a socially relevant topic. Focus will be on organization of ideas, grammar, writing skills, and speaking skills. You will use MLA style and the Landmark Citation Project at http://citationmachine.net/ for the citation of sources.

The Second Nine Weeks:

The first weeks will be focused on the delivery of the oration.

We will read and discuss several poems and short stories. We will discuss all aspects of poems and short stories thoroughly. For the poems you will be keeping an analysis journal, and for the short stories you will be leading the discussion. You will be doing several in-class essays on both poems and short stories. You will also be tested on selected writings and the form and structure of both poems and short stories.

You will also write original poems and an original short story to better understand the creative process involved in the creation of written works.

Poems

“Barbie Doll” Marge Piercy
“Mother to Son” Langston Hughes
“Mid-Term Break” Seamus Heaney
“One Art” Elizabeth Bishop
“Neutral Tones” Thomas Hardy
“All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace” Richard Brautigan
“Theme for English B” Langston Hughes
And two more poems of my choice.

Short Stories

“Barn Burning” William Faulkner
“A Good Man is Hard to Find” Flannery O‘Connor
“Hills Like White Elephants” Ernest Hemingway
“The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” Ambrose Bierce
“The Rocking-Horse Winner” D.H. Lawrence
And one more short story of your choice (okayed by me).

The Third Nine Weeks:

You will also participate in a group presentation project. You will be divided into groups and will be asked to choose a legend or a figure in Greek/Roman or Norse mythology and prepare a presentation for the class. You will be graded on the written and presentation portions of the assignment. As this project grows closer, you will be given the specifics as to what will be expected of you.

We will read and discuss the following plays. You will complete notes and essay assignments—both in-class and out of class—on the material covered. You will take a multiple-choice test on one of the plays. Also, you will read the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn out of class. You will take a multiple-choice test on the book.

Hamlet William Shakespeare
Macbeth William Shakespeare
Antigone Sophocles

The Fourth Nine Weeks:

We will read the following novels and discuss them in class. You will have to write an essay on one of the novels and be tested on one of the other two.

Beowulf Anonymous
Catcher in the Rye J.D Salinger
Ordinary People Judith Guest


Extra Credit:

Throughout the year, you will have several opportunities to gain extra credit points. Those opportunities will vary. Once a nine weeks, you may also choose to read one of the following novels and write an analysis essay on the book: After the First Death Robert Cormier, Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte, Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller or Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte. The essay must be hand-written in blue, black or purple ink and submitted in a clip folder. You will receive up to 25 extra credit points for completing this assignment each nine weeks.

**The contents of this syllabus are subject to change at my discretion**

--Mr. Ries

Welcome Honors English 10 of the 2005-2006 School Year

Hey, folks,

Hope you are having a great summer and staying cool. I know probably the last thing you want to think about is going back to school, but it will be here before you know it. That being said, I will be posting the syllabus for the coming year within the next two weeks right here on this blog. That way, you can start gathering your school supplies required for my class and mentally prepare yourself for what is to come...

Make sure you are keeping up with my summer assignments. Don't leave it for the last minute, it is more work than you think. ;)

As a little reward, I will give the first person to respond to this post 10 bonus points on your summer assignments and each subsequent person to reply 5 bonus points. Send your replies to mr.ries@gmail.com.

Feel free to leave comments on this blog as well.

That's all for now, hope to hear from you all soon.

Mr. Ries