August 25 - 29, 2014

Within each unit or Collection in our textbook is what we call an "anchor text."  The anchor text serves as the foundation for the themes and the skills that tie together the entire collection.  It is also usually the most challenging text of the collection, so we'll take our time and work together when we read such a text. This week we'll focus our efforts on reading and analyzing the Collection 1 anchor text, "from Of Plymouth Plantation," by Puritan colonist William Bradford.

• Mon: "from Of Plymouth Plantation" - finish Context Clues exercises. Preview the text. Complete the vocabulary words exercise. Vocab quiz on Friday.
• Tues: "from Of Plymouth Plantation" - read and analyze pgs 5-8.
• Wed: "from Of Plymouth Plantation" - read and analyze pgs 9-13.
• Thurs: "from Of Plymouth Plantation" - read and analyze pgs 14-18.  Complete a close read over lines 323-345 on pages 15 and 16.
• Fri: "from Of Plymouth Plantation" - Vocab quiz.  Review notes for the week.

August 18 - 22, 2014

WRHS Open House

Thursday, 6:30pm - 9:00pm

This week we will ease ourselves into our new textbook and resources.  We'll preview and analyze the structure of the textbook to get an idea of how the book presents our texts and why it does it this way.  We'll then set up Collection 1: "Coming to America."  The title alone tells us that, since the focus for English 11 is American literature, the texts throughout our year will be related to texts and events important to American history.  This week we will also complete a practice close reading exercise, followed by a more intensive close read from our textbook.  These exercises will encourage us to be active readers with all texts throughout the year.  We'll wrap up the week with a preview of our anchor text: an excerpt from William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation.

• Mon: Finish introductions.  Tech survey results.  Preview the textbook, Collection 1.  For Tuesday - create a paragraph analysis response.
• Tues:  Response due.   "Exploration and Settlement," pages 3 - 4: analyze the structure and author's order.  Close read practice and analysis: "Explorer Says He Found Columbus' Ship."
• Wed: Close Reader: "from The General History of Virginia"
• Thurs: Finish and turn in Close Reader: "from The General History of Virginia."
• Fri: Anchor text preview for "from Of Plymouth Plantation." Begin reading/discussing the first two pages.

August 11 - 15, 2014

Welcome!

On this site you'll find a breakdown of each week's lesson plans and activities for English 11.  Assignments and due dates will always be listed in red.  You can access class handouts through the "Course Materials" section located on the top right of this site.  If you have any questions or comments regarding the things you'd like to see on this site, call me at WRHS or e-mail me at ritchjoh@usd437.net

This year is an exciting one for us as we are rolling out a new English/Language Arts curriculum and textbook adoption throughout all of USD 437.  The English 11 curriculum offers more opportunities for integrating technology with reading and writing activities.  Students, for example, will have 24/7 access to their digital textbook that will allow them to read, highlight, take notes, and complete assignments from any online device.  This site is also linked under the Course Materials section.  All of us will be adapting to and discovering how to make the most of these opportunities throughout the year.

This first short week is a chance for us to get to know one another, as well as to discuss the policies, procedures, and expectations of the class.

• Mon: Teacher work day
• Tues: Teacher work day
• Wed: New student orientation
• Thurs: Introductions and getting to know one another
• Fri: Finish introductions.  Course overview, expectations, and procedures discussion.  Complete the technology survey online by Monday.