Week at a glance Aug 29 - Sept 1, 2011

Curriculum focus: determines word meanings through knowledge of word structure: Greek and Latin roots and prefixes and suffixes (11.1.3.k3), uses information from the text to make inferences and draw conclusions (11.1.4.K5), identifies persuasive techniques (11.1.4.K14a-f), distinguishes between fact and opinion and recognizes propaganda (11.1.4.K15a), analyzes how the author’s use of irony contributes to his/her purpose (11.1.4.K11c), identifies the protagonist (11.2.1.K1a), contextual aspects of setting: how history, society, and culture influence events in the text (11.2.1.K2), and analyzes how the problem or conflict advances the plot of a narrative (11.2.1.K3a).

Root words for this week (root - definition - examples):

1. ced / cede / ceed - go - proceed, concede, succeed
2. hyper - over or above - hyperactive, hyperventilate, hyperbole
3. inter / intra / intro - between, within, into - international, introduction
4. mega - great - megaphone, megaton, megalopolis
5. ortho - correct - orthodox, orthodontist, orthopedic
6. trans - across - transport, transition, transatlantic

This week we'll start our pre-reading unit for Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  The play covers the events of the Salem Witch Trials, which resulted in the deaths of 20 people.  On the surface, their crime was witchcraft; however, Miller and other historians have suggested there was much more to it than that.  We start the week with a quick history of witchcraft to explain why it was so feared in the late 1600s.  We'll then look at ways crowds of people are pushed one way and another as we explore honest and dishonest persuasive techniques.  On Wednesday we'll hear the Puritans' own words and see how they viewed their society.  Finally, on Friday we'll preview the play itself so we have an idea of the setting, major characters, and opening conflicts.  Students will revise, edit, and finish their Personal Narrative Essay in the computer lab on Thursday.

• Mon: New root words; quiz on Friday.  A Brief History of Witchcraft - discussion and notes.  Root words quiz over last week's roots.
• Tues: Swaying the Mob: Persuasive Techniques - discussion and notes.
• Wed: The Puritans, in-class readings and assignment due by the end of the hour
• Thurs: Meet in Library Lab D to revise, edit, and print a copy of the Personal Narrative Final Draft, due by the end of the hour.
• Fri: Root words quiz.  The Crucible - preview setting, major characters, and opening conflicts.