LAST WEEK: Students completed the first writing assignment, a two paragraph analysis of When the Emperor was Divine (one paragraph about the story, one about what it means). We used George Takai's speech about his life experience as a model for that essay (a combination of storytelling and analysis). We completed the academic integrity policy, took pictures for my gradebook, and ended the week with library orientation.

Monday

In class assessment: Should WEWD be re-assigned as summer reading, and why/why not? Timed writing assessment.
HW: No homework.

Tuesday

Introduction to our short story unit. Students will listen to the story "Tank," and take notes on how the author provides textual clues about the story's meaning. During class discussion, we will discuss a) what happens in the story, and b) what meaning does the author want his audience to get from what happens in the story. We discussed the disconnect between American's perception of war, and the reality of war as experienced on the battlefield.
HW: Print out and read the short story, "The Lie," by Kurt Vonnegut. While reading, annotate by: a) circling vocabulary, b) writing your questions in the margins, and c) noting any part of the narrative that deals with morality.

Wednesday

Small group practice in annotating. I will review our method of working in groups, how to annotate. Students will then work through a close reading of "The Lie" in small groups.
HW: Again, no homework for Jewish holiday. If you had not read the Vonnegut story all the way through, you should do so.

Thursday

Starting with a review of short-story terms as they apply to our story, "The Lie." Finishing our small group annotation of the Vonnegut. Time permitting, we will also spend more time completing the vocabulary from WEWD.
HW: You should have read our next short story, "The Landlady" (By Roald Dahl of James & the Giant Peach and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory fame) by class on Tuesday.

Friday

Analysis of "The Lie," due by the end of the period (50 minute class due to early dismissal). No class on Monday.
HW: You should have finished reading an annotating "The Landlady," by class on Tuesday. As always, circle vocabulary, write questions, and look for this theme: appearances can be deceiving...