Week at a glance Sept 12 - 16, 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. -hood - condition of - adulthood, childhood, neighborhood
2. -ic - pertaining to - logic, music, electric, pandemic
3. -ify / -ize /-yze - act upon or make - purify, terrorize, paralyze
4. -ism - characteristic of - terrorism, pacifism, heroism, racism
5. -ive - tending to be - active, inquisitive, positive, negative
6. -ure - result of - literature, nature, scripture, torture

This we continue reading and discussing Arthur Miller's The Crucible. We completed Act I last week. Using a volcano as an analogy for the Salem community, we discussed how the various factions and personal grudges were building and creating pressure just waiting for a chance to explode. Salem erupted with the first of the witchcraft accusations. As we read Act II this week, students will analyze the effects of the witch trials on Salem's community and compare/contrast how each character responds to the trials.  We'll wrap up the week with an analysis of Arthur Miller's intent behind writing the play.  Miller's play is an allegory -- an extended metaphor that uses events in the narrative to represent points the author wishes to make about society.  We'll study the play as allegory by looking at the accusers and the accused: in Salem, in Miller's time period of the 1950s, and now.

• Mon: The Crucible - New root words. Review Act I in class. Begin reading and discussing Act II.
• Tues: The Crucible - Act I quiz. Continue reading and discussing Act II.
• Wed: The Crucible - Finish reading and discussing Act II. Act II study guide responses due by the end of the hour.
• Thurs: The Crucible - Review Acts I and II.  The Crucible as Allegory - The Accusers and the Accused - in Salem, in the 1950s, and now.  Notes and discussion.
• Fri: Root words quiz. The Crucible as Allegory - The Accusers and the Accused - in Salem, in the 1950s, and now.  Wrap up notes and discussion.  Response due by the end of the hour.