Tier III - Block 2 - Fall 2025 Assignments
- Instructor
- Jennifer Williams
- Term
- 25-26 School Year
- Department
- English Department
- Description
-
This course is designed to build a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and strategies that will be refined, applied, and extended as students engage in more complex ideas, texts, and tasks. Students will be enhancing their grammar and writing skills.
Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
Due:
Monday, December 8, 2025 - Friday, December 12, 2025
Monday, December 8, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 15
1. buffet - a piece of dining room furniture with cupboards and drawers, a meal set out so that people may serve themselves
2. facilitate - to make easier or more convenient; to aid or assist in
3. steppes - a vast, almost treeless plain in southeastern Europe or Asia
4. succulent - juicy; not dry or dull; having fleshy plant tissue that conserves moisture
5. palatable - acceptable to the mind; fit to be eaten; pleasant-tasting
6. lapse - to fall from a higher level (as of manners) to a lower; to pass gradually; to come to an end; a slight, temporary error or slip; a fall from a better to a worse condition
7. expedient - suitable; advantageous; based on self-interest
8. delectable - very pleasing; delightful; delicious
9. hors d'oeuvre - a food served either before a meal or with drinks
10. ensue - to come next or follow; to happen as a consequence
We will listen to lines 204-402 of the story "The Most Dangerous Game"
You will begin working on the handout for these lines
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Friday, December 12, 2025
Due:
Monday, December 1, 2025 - Friday, December 5, 2025
Monday, December 1, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 14
1. evict - to force a person by law to leave a building the person has leased or rented; to force out; to reject
2. incompatible - unable to agree or get along; conflicting; mismatched
3. subsequent - later; coming after; following in time
4. solvent - able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance; a liquid capable of dissolving another substance
5. ostracize - to shut out or exclude from a group; to banish
6. addicted - given up to a habit or compassion
7. defraud - to take away or deprive of a right or property by deceit; to swindle
8. lax - loose or slack; relaxed; careless; not strict
9. formidable - hard to overcome or deal with; causing fear; awe-inspiring
10. radical - fundamental or basic; favoring basic or drastic change (especially in the social structure); extreme departure from the usual; someone holding radical views
Finish working on "The Monkey's Paw" TIDE questions
Remember you are typing your answers and you are answering the highlighted questions in TIDE format. All other questions should just be answered.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Lesson 14 - Exercise 2
Wrap up any of "Monkey's Paw" work you have left to complete.
We will test over the story before you leave me today.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Lesson 14 - Exercise 3
You will complete and discuss the pre-reading handout for "The Most Dangerous Game" story
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Lesson 14 - Exercise 4
We will begin listening to and discussing "The Most Dangerous Game" story.
We will stop at 15:00 minutes into the story and you will begin the handout for lines 1-203.
Friday, December 5, 2025
Lesson 14 - Exercise 5
Due:
Monday, November 17, 2025 - Friday, November 21, 2025
Monday, November 17, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 13
1. wrangle - a noisy quarrel or brawl; to quarrel or bicker; to win or obtain by argument; to herd (livestock)
2. implement - tool; instrument; to carry out; accomplish; fulfill
3. adversary - an opponent; an enemy
4. exploit - a bold or brilliant act; to use to full advantage; to make unfair use of
5. elude - to escape from or avoid; to escape the understanding of
6. acknowledge - to admit; to recognize the rights or authority of; to express thanks for
7. objective - real, true; concerned with realities and not the thinking of the person; detached and without prejudice; a purpose, something aimed for
8. precedent - an act that serves as an example for later acts
9. homage - something done or given to show respect or honor; an act of allegiance
10. surmount - to overcome (a difficulty); to rise above; to be above or on top of
When your vocabulary is finished, you will complete "The Monkey's Paw" crossword puzzle handout.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Lesson 13 - Exercise 2
You will get the Monkey's Paw Pre-Reading Handout to complete.
We will discuss the handout after everyone finishes it.
We will listen to "The Monkey's Paw" and begin the review handout that goes with it.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Lesson 13 - Exercise 3
You will finish "The Monkey's Paw" Reading for Meaning handout.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Lesson 13 - Exercise 4
Begin the TIDE questions for the story.
This is the answer for #1...be sure to follow the example provided here!
Mr. White was “amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.” This tells the reader that Mr. White knows that he has made a terrible mistake while playing chess with his son, but he doesn’t want his son to see it. Therefore, Mr. White thinks that he may not lose the chess match against Herbert if Herbert doesn’t see the terrible move he made.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Lesson 13 - Exercise 5
Continue working on the TIDE questions for "The Monkey's Paw" until the last 35-40 minutes of class.
I will let you watch the short movie that goes with this story if you choose to watch it.
"The Monkey's Paw" movie
Due:
Monday, November 10, 2025 - Friday, November 14, 2025
Monday, November 10, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 12
1. extrovert - a person who is outgoing and interested in others
2. congeniality - compatibility; friendliness; agreeable; pleasantness
3. jovial- full of playful good humor; genial and jolly
4. abhor - to feel hatred or disgust toward something; to loathe; to reject vehemently
5. tycoon - a powerful business person or industrialist; magnate
6. gaudy - tastelessly cheap and showy; flashy
7. intimate - characterizing one's deepest nature; very close association; close personal friend
8. cynic - a person who believes that people act only from selfish motives; a scornful person
9. dupe - a person easily tricked or deceived; to deceive someone
10. quota - an allotment; a proportional share; a maximum number
We will go over the video notes you all took last week on writing a thesis, introductory paragraphs, and conclusion.
We will brainstorm together as a class and write your introductory paragraph together.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Lesson 12 - Exercise 2
We are ready to begin writing our informative essay today. Your essay will need to be formatted in the following ways:
Times New Roman
12 font
Double spaced
Name at the top
Title centered after name and before essay begins
Remember your introductory paragraph should have:
1. Hook
2. Background Information
3. Thesis - Restate the prompt and list the three things you will talk about in your essay.
You will need to remember what TIDIDE means:
Topic Sentence
Important Evidence
Detailed Analysis
Important Evidence
Detailed Analysis
Ending Statement
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Lesson 12 - Exercise 3
You will work on writing your essay.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Lesson 12 - Exercise 4
You will work on writing your essay.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Lesson 12 - Exercise 5
You will work on writing your essay and be ready to submit by the end of the class.
Due:
Monday, November 3, 2025 - Friday, November 7, 2025
Monday, November 3, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 11
1. bland - soothing; mild; dull
2. contemptible - despicable; hateful; low
3. chronic - lasting a long time; constant; habitual
4. incomprehensible - impossible to understand; obscure
5. malicious - harmful; mean; spiteful
6. obtuse - not sharp-edged or pointed; blunt; dull; slow to understand
7. diligent - hardworking; painstaking
8. impertinent -disrespectful; rude and impolite; unrelated to a given topic
9. pessimistic - expecting things to turn out badly; gloomy
10. ideally - perfectly; in theory
If you did not finish the questions that go with "The Landlady," please do that first.
If that is complete, begin working on the remainder of what you need to do to finish "The Tell-Tale Heart." I am going to repost the work from last Wednesday so you can determine what you still need to complete:
Take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraph 11...
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Breakdown number 1:
"But even yet I refrained and kept still" through "so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror."
10. Why does the narrator hold the lantern motionless?
11. What explanation does the narrator give for his "uncontrollable terror"?
Breakdown number 2:
"Yet, for some minutes longer, I refrained and stood still," through "His eye would trouble me no more."
12. What does the narrator mean when he says the "old man's hour had come!"?
13. Why would the old man's eye no longer "trouble" the narrator?
14. Consider the story's pacing in paragraphs 8-10. How does Poe use text structure and time in paragraph 11?
15. What do you notice about the development of the central idea in the excerpt?
Take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraphs 12-13
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
16. What are the "wise precautions" the narrator takes?
17. Why does he refer to the "precautions" as "wise"?
18. What structural choice is Poe making throughout these paragraphs?
Quick Write:
How do Poe's structural choices contribute to the development and refinement of a central idea?
Add the following vocabulary to your notes:
reposed - rested
dissemble - to give a false or misleading appearance
deed - something that is done, performed, or accomplished
fatigues - weariness from bodily or mental exertion
gesticulations - animated or excited gestures
audacity - boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions
vehemently - emotionally, passionately, intensely
mockery - ridicule, contempt, or derision
hypocritical - the pretense of having virtues, beliefs, or principles that one does not actually possess
Take a couple of minutes and annotate paragraphs 14-15...
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Answer the following questions:
1. Why does the narrator have a "light heart"?
2. In paragraphs 14 and 15, what is the effect of the narrator's question "What had I to fear?"
3. What does the narrator do in the "enthusiasm of [his] confidence"?
4. What is the narrator's "perfect triumph"?
5. What does the narrator do with "wild audacity"?
Now take a couple of minutes and read and annotate paragraph 16.
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Answer the following questions:
6. What does the narrator mean by "I found that the noise was not within my ears"?
7. What is happening to the narrator in this paragraph?
Take a couple of minutes and annotate paragraphs 17-18...
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
8. Describe the narrator's way of speaking in the beginning of this excerpt.
9. What effect is the "noise" having on the narrator?
10. How do the police react to the narrator's behavior?
11. Why does the narrator think the police were "making a mockery" of his horror?
12. Why does the narrator call the police officers' smiles hypocritical?
13. Who does the narrator call "Villains"?
14. What does the command, "dissemble no more" reveal about the narrator?
15. What drives the narrator to "admit the deed"?
16. What is the effect of Poe's use of punctuation in paragraphs 17 and 18?
Quick Write:
Where does a new central idea emerge? How does Poe develop this idea in the conclusion of the story?
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Lesson 11-Exercise 2
If you did not get finished with the work for "The Tell-Tale Heart" you will finish that first.
Make sure you turn in your story after you have annotated the entire thing
If/When you finish that you should turn in your story and your work.
Then begin with this:
You MUST take complete notes over all videos!!!
When you take notes, you will need to write down the important things you see written down.
Title each video before writing the notes for them.
How to Write a Thesis Statement
Shmoop: Thesis Statement vs Topic Sentence
How to Write an Introductory Paragraph
Now you will watch these last two videos and take notes over them as well.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Lesson 11-Exercise 3
Then begin with this:
You MUST take complete notes over all videos!!!
When you take notes, you will need to write down the important things you see written down.
Title each video before writing the notes for them.
How to Write a Thesis Statement
Shmoop: Thesis Statement vs Topic Sentence
How to Write an Introductory Paragraph
Now you will watch these last two videos and take notes over them as well.
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Lesson 11-Exercise 4
Finish the work from yesterday using the following:
You MUST take complete notes over all videos!!!
When you take notes, you will need to write down the important things you see written down.
Title each video before writing the notes for them.
How to Write a Thesis Statement
Shmoop: Thesis Statement vs Topic Sentence
How to Write an Introductory Paragraph
Now you will watch these last two videos and take notes over them as well.
If time allows, we will go over the notes you've taken to make sure you have all the information from the videos that you will need.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Lesson 11-Exercise 5
We will go over the notes you took from the videos.
We will begin reading the articles about Ernest Shackleton and begin discussing information for your essay.
Due:
Monday, October 27, 2025 - Friday, October 31, 2025
Monday, October 27, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 10
1. credentials - written evidence showing that a person has a right to a certain position or authority
2. genial - favorable to growth or human comfort; kindly and friendly
3. morbid - having an abnormal interest in the unwholesome; gruesome
4. cumbersome - clumsy; unweildy; hard to handle
5. hoax - an act that is intended to fool or deceive; something that has been established by fraudulent means
6. plaintiff - a person who initiates a lawsuit; the complaining party
7. larceny - theft; unlawful taking and carrying away of another's property
8. prospective - probable; expected in the future
9. quorum - the minimum number of members needed at a meeting to make official decisions
10. superfluous - more than is needed; excessive; surplus
Add the following vocabulary to your sheet:
sagacity - the ability to make good judgments or to plan ahead
suppositions - assumptions or hypotheses
vain - baseless or worthless
Today we are going to look at paragraphs 4-7...
Our goal and quick write for today will be:
How does the narrator's point of view continue to develop a central idea?
Take a couple of minutes to read paragraph 4 and annotate the paragraph according to the following:
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Now take a couple of minutes and come up with the answers to the following questions about paragraph 4:
1. Why does the narrator experience "feelings of triumph"?
2. What does the use of "chuckled" reveal about the narrator's feelings in this paragraph?
3. How does the narrator respond to the old man's sudden movements?
Now take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraphs 5-6 according to the following:
Box or circle unfamiliar words or phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Take a couple of minutes to answer the following questions:
4. How does the narrator respond to the old man "crying out"?
5. Why does the narrator not "move a muscle" for a "whole hour"?
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Lesson 10 - Exercise 2
Now take a couple of minutes to read an annotate paragraph 7...
Box or circle unfamiliar words or phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
We are going to break paragraph 7 down into two parts:
Breakdown number one:
"Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan" through "I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart."
6. Why does the narrator pity the old man?
7. Explain the narrator's feelings in the following sentence "I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart." What is the purpose of the word "although" in this sentence"?
Breakdown number 2:
"I knew that he had been lying awake ever since" through "--to feel the presence of my head within the room."
8. What are the old man's suppositions?
9. Why are the old man's suppositions in vain?
10. What does in vain mean in this context?
11. What is the "unperceived shadow" in the last sentence?
Quick Write:
How does the narrator's point of view contribute to the reader's understanding of the central idea?
Vocabulary:
scantlings - rafters or timbers that compose a house frame
planks - a long, flat piece of timber
cease - to stop
stealthily - slowly, deliberately, secretly
Today we are going to look at paragraphs 8-13...
Our goal is to understand how Poe's structural choices contribute to the development and refinement of a central idea.
Take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraph 8 based on the following:
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
1. How does the narrator describe his movements in this paragraph?
2. Why does the narrator move in these ways?
3. What is the effect of Poe's use of repetition in this excerpt?
4. What do you notice about the development of the central idea in this excerpt?
Now take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraphs 9-10...
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
We need to discuss these questions before we move on to the next section...
5. How does the old man's eye affect the narrator?
6. What does the narrator mean when he states that he had directed the ray of light "as if by instinct"?
7. Where has the narrator previously discussed his acute senses? Why does he remind the reader of this in paragraph 10?
8. What action is happening in paragraphs 8, 9, and 10?
9. What do you notice about the development of central idea in this excerpt?
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Lesson 10 - Exercise 3
Take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraph 11...
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Breakdown number 1:
"But even yet I refrained and kept still" through "so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror."
10. Why does the narrator hold the lantern motionless?
11. What explanation does the narrator give for his "uncontrollable terror"?
Breakdown number 2:
"Yet, for some minutes longer, I refrained and stood still," through "His eye would trouble me no more."
12. What does the narrator mean when he says the "old man's hour had come!"?
13. Why would the old man's eye no longer "trouble" the narrator?
14. Consider the story's pacing in paragraphs 8-10. How does Poe use text structure and time in paragraph 11?
15. What do you notice about the development of the central idea in the excerpt?
Take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraphs 12-13
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
16. What are the "wise precautions" the narrator takes?
17. Why does he refer to the "precautions" as "wise"?
18. What structural choice is Poe making throughout these paragraphs?
Quick Write:
How do Poe's structural choices contribute to the development and refinement of a central idea?
Add the following vocabulary to your notes:
reposed - rested
dissemble - to give a false or misleading appearance
deed - something that is done, performed, or accomplished
fatigues - weariness from bodily or mental exertion
gesticulations - animated or excited gestures
audacity - boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions
vehemently - emotionally, passionately, intensely
mockery - ridicule, contempt, or derision
hypocritical - the pretense of having virtues, beliefs, or principles that one does not actually possess
Take a couple of minutes and annotate paragraphs 14-15...
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Answer the following questions:
1. Why does the narrator have a "light heart"?
2. In paragraphs 14 and 15, what is the effect of the narrator's question "What had I to fear?"
3. What does the narrator do in the "enthusiasm of [his] confidence"?
4. What is the narrator's "perfect triumph"?
5. What does the narrator do with "wild audacity"?
Now take a couple of minutes and read and annotate paragraph 16.
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Answer the following questions:
6. What does the narrator mean by "I found that the noise was not within my ears"?
7. What is happening to the narrator in this paragraph?
Take a couple of minutes and annotate paragraphs 17-18...
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for areas that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
8. Describe the narrator's way of speaking in the beginning of this excerpt.
9. What effect is the "noise" having on the narrator?
10. How do the police react to the narrator's behavior?
11. Why does the narrator think the police were "making a mockery" of his horror?
12. Why does the narrator call the police officers' smiles hypocritical?
13. Who does the narrator call "Villains"?
14. What does the command, "dissemble no more" reveal about the narrator?
15. What drives the narrator to "admit the deed"?
16. What is the effect of Poe's use of punctuation in paragraphs 17 and 18?
Quick Write:
Where does a new central idea emerge? How does Poe develop this idea in the conclusion of the story?
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Lesson 10 - Exercise 4
We will listen to the short story "The Landlady" and discuss the story as we listen.
You will complete the questions that go with the story.
You will also complete the writing assignment that goes with the story.
Notes for the story:
Foreshadowing in "The Landlady" Warning Signs Billy Misse
dThe Bed and Breakfast sign The empty streets and lack of guests
The landlady's peculiar behavior The landlady's overeagerness
The guestbook Familiar names in the guestbook
The stuffed pets The stuffed dog and parrot
The tea The taste of the tea The landlady's strange
Friday, October 31, 2025
Lesson 10 - Exercise 5
Halloween is full of schoolwide activities so we will not have class today.
Due:
Monday, October 20, 2025 - Friday, October 24, 2025
Monday, October 20, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 9
1. alleged - to claim or state without proof; unproven; questionable; so-called
2. misconstrue - to misinterpret; misunderstand
3. culmination - the peak; the highest point; the climax; the end result
4. lethal - deadly; causing or capable of causing death
5. manipulate - to operate or control with the hands; to handle; to control or influence dishonestly, unfairly, or shrewdly; to trick
6. uncanny - mysterious; strange; weird
7. ominous - threatening; foreboding; sinister
8. conspiracy - secret planning (usually unlawful or harmful); a plot or secret plan
9. preposterous - contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; foolish
10. advocate - one who argues for a cause; a defender; to support; recommend
We will finish discussing the following questions
1. What information does the narrator reveal about himself in this first paragraph?
2. Who is the narrator speaking to?
**3. What does Poe's use of punctuation in the first sentence reveal about the narrator?
4. During what part of the action does Poe begin his story?
5. What is the effect of Poe's choice to begin the story after the action has taken place?
Quick Write:
What is the narrator's purpose in asking the two questions in paragraph 1? Be sure to include textual evidence...
Get one sheet of paper and write "Vocabulary" at the top, and then add the following to your vocabulary:
hearken - listen; give heed to what is said
vulture - a bird of prey
acute - extremely sensitive even to slight details or impressions.
Our goal is to determine how Poe begins to develop central ideas in paragraphs 1-2.
As we break down what the author is saying, please feel free to add to your notes.
We will break down the first paragraph into three readings and answer a couple of questions about each reading as a class.
This is the first breakdown:
"True!!--nervous--very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?"
1. What is "True!"?
2. What distinction is the narrator making between nervous and mad?
This is the second breakdown:
"The disease had sharpened my senses--not destroyed--not dulled them" through "How, then, am I mad?"
3. What has happened to the narrator's senses?
4. What evidence does the narrator give to show his hearing was acute?
5. What words (synonyms) could replace acute in this context?
6. What does his acute hearing reveal about the narrator?
This is the third breakdown:
"Hearken! and observe how healthily--how calmly I can tell you the whole story."
7. What is the narrator telling the reader to do?
8. How does the narrator speak to the reader in this excerpt?
9. Why does the narrator choose the words calmly and healthily when describing how he is going to tell the story?
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Lesson 9 - Exercise 2
Based on paragraph 1, what are a few of the central ideas beginning to develop in this first paragraph? Jot down a few ideas...
Now take a couple of minutes to read and annotate paragraph 2 based on the following:
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
We will discuss the following questions, but before we discuss take a minute and answer the questions.
1. What "haunted" the narrator?
2. Why does the narrator decide to "take the life of the old man"?
3. How does the narrator feel about the old man?
4. How does the narrator describe the old man's eye?
5. Are any of these ideas similar to those determined in paragraph 1?
Quick Write:
What central ideas emerge in paragraphs 1 and 2? Include specific details from the text in your response...break the question down and discuss each paragraph separately.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
TEACHER ADMIN DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Lesson 9 - Exercise 3
Add the following vocabulary to your list:
lantern - a transparent, usually portable, case for enclosing a light and protecting it from the wind or rain
hinges - movable joints or mechanism on which a door or lid swings as it opens and closes
foresight - knowledge of what will be needed in the future
cunningly - cleverly or skillfully
vexed - annoyed
Take a few minutes to read and annotate paragraph 3 based on the following:
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) for a read that reminds you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
Now we are going to break the paragraph down to look at how this paragraph contributes to the central idea of the text and to help answer the following question:
How does Poe manipulate (use) time in paragraph 3? What is the effect of Poe's
manipulation (use) of time?
We are going to break paragraph 3 down into four sections...remember to add to your notes as necessary...
Breakdown number 1:
"Now this is the point. You fancy me mad" through "I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him."
1. How does the narrator distinguish himself from "madmen"?
2. How does the narrator demonstrate his foresight?
3. In addition to context clues, which words do you recognize in foresight that help you to make meaning of this word?
4. What do you notice about the development of central ideas in this excerpt?
Breakdown number 2:
"And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door" through "I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye."
5. Where does the narrator go "every night, about midnight" What does the narrator see?
6. How does the narrator explain what he does with the lantern?
7. How does the narrator describe his movements in this excerpt?
8. Consider the words that describe the narrator's movements. Based on the meanings of these words, what might be some synonyms for cunningly?
9. Why does the narrator move in these ways?
10. What is the effect of Poe's use of repetition in this excerpt?
11. What do you notice about the development of the central idea in this excerpt?
Friday, October 24, 2025
Lesson 9 - Exercise 4
Breakdown number 3:
"And this I did for seven long nights" through "it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye."
12. What action takes place up to this point in paragraph 3?
13. What is "the work"? Why is it "impossible" for the narrator to "do the work"?
14. What do you notice about the development of the central idea in this excerpt?
Breakdown number 4:
"And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber" to "just at twelve, I looked upon him while he slept."
15. How does the narrator describe his actions during the day?
16. Why does the narrator inquire "how (the old man) has passed the night"? What does this reveal about the narrator and his relationship with the old man?
17. What is the pace of the narrator's actions at night?
18. What is the pace of the narrator's actions during the day?
19. What do you notice about how Poe uses the text to explain the narrator's actions at night and during the day?
20. What do you notice about the development of the central idea in this excerpt?
Quick Write:
How does Poe manipulate (use) time in paragraph 3? What is the effect of Poe's manipulation (use) of time?
Due:
Monday, October 13, 2025 - Friday, October 17, 2025
Monday, October 13, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 8
1. attribute - to think of as belonging to or coming from a particular person or thing; a characteristic or quality of a person or thing
2. infest - to spread or swarm in or over; to live in or on as a parasite
3. bizarre - odd; fantastic; grotesque; unusual
4. predatory - preying on others; tending to victimize or destroy others for one' own gain
5. humanoid - resembling a human in appearance and behavior; a being that resembles a human
6. tolerate - to permit; to put up with; to recognize and respect
7. horde - a crowd; a swarm; a wandering group or tribe; to swarm or gather in a crowd
8. relevant - related to the matter at hand; pertinent
9. irony - a way of implying (often sarcastically) the opposite of what words literally mean; a result that contrasts with what one would expect
10. humanitarian - concerned with human welfare; a person devoted to helping humanity
You will finish your research on Poe and complete your poster on the research.
When the poster is finished, you will get the Poe Vocabulary Handout and begin working on it
On the front side, you will find a word search and 50 partial words and their definitions listed below.
On the back side you will find a list of 50 words.
Use the list of words and the clues given to you to make a complete word.
Then find the words you have completed in the word search at the top.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Lesson 8 - Exercise 2
Continue working on the Poe Vocabulary Handout
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Lesson 8 - Exercise 3
Continue working on the Poe Vocabulary Handout
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Lesson 8 - Exercise 4
Finish working on the Poe Vocabulary Handout
Friday, October 17, 2025
Lesson 8 - Exercise 5
You will share out and we will discuss your research on Poe.
We will listen to a masterful reading of the story "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.
Spend about 5 minutes writing down any thoughts or questions you may have about the story.
We will re-read paragraph 1 and annotate it based on the following:
Box or circle unfamiliar words and phrases
Star (*) important or repeating ideas
Put a question mark (?) next to a section you are questioning or confused about
Use an exclamation point (!) that remind you of another text or ideas that strike you or surprise you in some way.
We will discuss the following questions, but before we discuss take a minute and answer the questions. Be sure you put today's date at the top of your paper!!!
1. What information does the narrator reveal about himself in this first paragraph?
2. Who is the narrator speaking to?
3. What does Poe's use of punctuation in the first sentence reveal about the narrator?
4. During what part of the action does Poe begin his story?
5. What is the effect of Poe's choice to begin the story after the action has taken place?
Due:
Monday, September 29, 2025 - Friday, October 3, 2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 7
1. carnivorous - flesh-eating
2. upheaval - a sudden violent change; a forceful lifting up from underneath
3. fauna - animals collectively, especially those of a particular region or period
4. flora - plants collectively, especially those of a particular region or period; a treatise describing the plants of a region or time
5. granular - containing grains or granules; grainy
6. metamorphosis - a transformation achieved by magic; a dramatic change; change in the form or function as a result of development
7. stagnant - not flowing; foul from standing still; stale; sluggish
8. sparse - thinly spread; not crowded; scanty
9. centrifugal - moving away from a center or axis
10. sector - a part or division of something; the portion of a circle bound by two radii and one of the intercepted arcs; to divide into sectors
Watch "Lifted" or "Piper" or "Presto" and then write a narrative story for the silent film you choose to do the assignment over.
Your goal is to put a written story to the movie.
I want to have background information for the story and I want dialogue in the story.
There is not a limit on how long it should be, but it should encompass the whole story.
You will work on writing your narrative essay.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Bell Work - Lesson 7 - Exercise 2 handout
You will work on writing your narrative essay.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Bell Work - Lesson 7 - Exercise 3 handout
We are beginning the Edgar Allan Poe unit and to introduce it to you, you are going to do a research project so that you get a little about his background before we begin reading the story we will read...
I am going to give you a paper telling you what information you need about him and you will fill it out. Then we will get into groups and you will create a full body poster of your information.
Here is a little explanation of the information you will find for Edgar Allan Poe:
(Make sure you are looking at Edgar Allan Poe and not someone else and you may NOT use Wikipedia)
1. Direct Quotes - Find two quotes that he has said and write them down
2. Inspired by Others - What is an example of how the success of others provided motivation to put forth good effort into a task?
3. Passionate About - What is his feeling of intense enthusiasm towards or strong desire for something. Passion can be an interest in or admiration for an idea, proposal, or cause; shows an enthusiastic enjoyment of an interest or plan
4. Results - What were the final results that came about as an effect or end? Was there a triumphant moment? Did he earn notoriety for anything specific?
5. Obstacles - What is an example of an obstacle he faced and what steps did they take to overcome it?
6. Life Events - What are some major things that happened to him throughout his life?
7. Talent and Intelligence Developed Over Time - What is some evidence that his learning and intelligence developed with time and experience?
8. Effort - His ability to mentally or physically deliver a vigorous or determined attempt at completing a goal
9. Empathy - What is an example of how he exhibited:
A. Active listening and learning from others
B. Finding similarities between oneself and others.
C. Seeing the world from another's perspective.
D. Identifying the emotions of another.
10. Challenges - Select the most noteworthy task or situation that tested his abilities
11. Stands for and Believes In - What is one thing he believed wholeheartedly
12. Lesson You Learned
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Bell Work - Lesson 7 - Exercise 4 handout
Friday, October 3, 2025
HAWK WALK - NO CLASSES TODAY!!!
Due:
Monday, September 22, 2025 - Friday, September 26, 2026
Monday, September 22, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 6
1. sinister - threatening trouble or bad luck; evil; disastrous
2. smug - overly satisfied with one's own goodness or achievements; self-satisfied
3. kindle - to ignite; to arouse or excite; to set on fire
4.unscrupulous - dishonest; having no principals of right and wrong
5. seethe - to boil; to bubble and foam; to be excited or disturbed
6. docile - gentle; easy to manage; obedient
7. arrogance - overbearing pride; a lack of regard for others
8. spurn - to turn down; to reject with scorn and contempt
9. frivolous - silly; unimportant
10. yearn - to long for or desire
Have a lesson on quotation marks…give handout with two comic strips on it.
The first comic has been put on a sheet of chart paper in dialogue form. Point out that the quotation marks represent the speech bubbles (circle the speaking parts to show).
Having speech bubbles in a story wouldn’t be feasible so we use quotation marks instead.
You will now create your own story based on the comic strip on the handout. You will put your story on a sheet of chart paper to hang around the room.
If you are absent and do not participate in this activity, please find the Comic Strip attachment and create the dialogue for the bottom comic strip only.
You will go to each poster and mark anything you feel needs to be corrected. Initial your changes!
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Lesson 6 - Exercise 2
Set up your Word document with the following:
Times New Roman
12 font
Double spaced
Then follow my document
Watch "Lifted" or "Piper" or "Presto" and then write a narrative story for the silent film you choose to do the assignment over.
Your goal is to put a written story to the movie.
I want to have background information for the story and I want dialogue in the story.
There is not a limit on how long it should be, but it should encompass the whole story.
We will set up your Word document before you begin writing.
During Excel you will take a CFA for me
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
OSHA - You will not be in my class today
Thursday, September 25, 2025
OSHA - You will not be in my class today
Friday, September 26, 2025
Lesson 6 - Exercise 3
You will take the CFA
Due:
Monday, September 15, 2025 - Friday, September 19, 2025
Monday, September 15, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 5
1. agitation - a violent shaking; an emotional disturbance or excitement; the arousal of public interest in social or political issues
2. genealogy - an account of the descent of a person or family from ancestors; lineage
3. obsession - a preoccupation; an idea, feeling, or impulse that a person cannot escape
4. palatial - like a palace; magnificent and grand
5. apparition - a ghost; a phantom; an appearance seen suddenly
6. benefactor - a person who has given help; a patron
7. moor - a large, open area of land, often marshy with heather growing on it; to keep a boat in place with ropes or cables fastened to the shore; to fasten
8. cope - to deal with; to handle problems or difficulties
9. aloof - cool or distant in relationships with others; indifferent
10. plaintive - mournful; melancholy; sad; sorrowful
Find your textbook and tear out pages 152-158 and staple them together.
Find the following words in the margins of the story and write the definitions on a sheet of paper:
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burden
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culpability
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conscience
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remorse
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entrusted
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empathic
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perfidy - deceitfulness; untrustworthiness
Use these definitions to complete the top half of the “Moral Logic Concept Vocab” handout
Staple the definitions to the front of the handout and turn it in
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Teacher - Admin Day - No School for Students!
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Lesson 5 - Exercise 2 handout
We are going to listen to the text “The Moral Logic of Survivor Guilt” as a class and discuss as we read.
Answer questions 1-4 on page 157. When you get to question 4, you need to write at least two paragraphs as a summary of the reading. Include one example of Survival Guilt that is mentioned in the reading.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Lesson 5 - Exercise 3 handout
Finish writing your summary for question 4 from yesterday.
Use the information in paragraphs 3-4 to answer these questions:
Who?
What?
Why?
How?
Create an expanded sentence by combining the information above into one sentence.
Use the information in paragraphs 12-14
Who?
What?
Why?
Create an expanded sentence by combining the information above into one sentence.
Friday, September 19, 2025
Lesson 5 - Exercise 4 handout
We will discuss the "Because, but, so"
Complete the "Because, but, so" statements on the handout
Complete the "Moral Logic of Survival Guilt - Short Response Questions"
CFA Part 1
CFA Part 2
Due:
Monday, September 8, 2025 - Friday, September 12, 2025
Monday, September 8, 2025
Bell Work - write the complete definition for each word listed below on its own sheet of paper. You MUST copy the entire definition in order to receive full credit.
Lesson 4
1. herald - someone who carries messages or announces things to come; someone who designs banners and colors for knights; to announce; to foretell
2. emissary - a person sent on a mission to represent another's interest; an agent or messenger
3. citadel - a fortress overlooking a city; a stronghold; a place of fortification
4. defile - to make filthy; to corrupt; to damage a reputation5. entice - to attract; to tempt; to lure
6. garb - clothing; outfit; to dress
7. retrieve - to get again; to recover; to find and bring back
8. undergo - to endure; to experience
9. omen - a sign of what will happen in the future; a warning
10. meditate - to think quietly and deeply; to make a plan
Complete the “Seventh Man Order of Events” handout(s) as a class
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Lesson 4 - Exercise 2
If time allows, we will take the test over this story.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Lesson 4 - Exercise 3
We will begin listening to the story "The Sniper"
We will answer the questions embedded into the story as we read.
We need to discuss the following elements of a story:
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Setting
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Plot
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Conflict
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Characterization
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Point of View
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Theme
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Irony
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Lesson 4 - Exercise 4
Complete "The Sniper" Study Guide - Answer all questions completely to get full credit
Friday, September 12, 2025
Lesson 4 - Exercise 5
Make up work for those who have been absent this week
Take the test on "The Sniper" story
Due:
Monday, September 1, 2025 - Friday, September 5, 2025
Monday, September 1, 2025
Labor Day - No School!!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Bell Work - Write the following words and definitions. You must write the entire definition in order to get full credit for the assignment.
Lesson 3 Vocabulary
1. sovereign - a ruler; king; queen; emperor; highest in power or rank.
2. amity - friendship; peaceful relations as between countries.
3. potion - liquid with special powers, especially one used as poison, medicine, or magic.
4. prowess - bravery; daring; strength; unusual skill or ability.
5. quest - a hunt or search; a journey in search of; seek.
6. medieval - belonging to the Middle Ages; characteristic of the Middle Ages; gothic.
7. hereditary - of or passed down by inheritance from an ancestor; transmitted from parent to child
8. devout - deeply religious; sincere; earnest; heartfelt
9. chivalry - a medieval code of knighthood; a code of honor and courtesy
10. venerable - deserving respect because of age, dignity, or character; honored above others.
I will give you a handout to complete using the words and definitions you wrote from the story on Thursday.
We will begin listening to the story "The Seventh Man" and discuss it as we follow along.
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Lesson 3 - Exercise 2 handout
We will finish listening to the story "The Seventh Man"
Go to page 145 in your packet and complete the first 6 questions on that page. You will answer the five text based questions using TIDE so you can write on your own paper.
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Lesson 3 - Exercise 3 handout
Continue working on the review questions for "The Seventh Man"
Friday, September 5, 2025
Lesson 3 - Exercise 4 handout
We will complete the "Seventh Man Critical Review" handout
Discuss the Framing Device
Then show the following scene from Forrest Gump (framing device example)
Discuss a flashback and show this scene from Forrest Gump (flashback example)
Due:
Monday, August 25, 2029 - Friday, August 29, 2025
Monday, August 25, 2025
Bell Work
Lesson 2 Vocabulary - Write all words and the complete definitions.
1. meander - to follow a twisting, turning course; to wander without direction
2. hideous - horrible; disgusting; repulsive; ugly
3. belligerent - aggressive; warlike
4. inflammation - redness, heat, and painfulness as a result of injury or infection; the act of inflaming or arousing strong passion; the state of being inflamed
5. manifest - easy to see; obvious; to show; to reveal
6. recede - to move back; to move away; to lessen or fade
7. fervent - having or showing great emotion; passionate; fierce; strongly devoted
8. havoc - destruction; devestation
9. dexterity - skillfulness; expertness; talent
10. eradicate - to pull up or tear up; to eliminate or destroy completely
We are going to take notes on TIDE using the "Pandas" article…
You will need to write ALL the notes you see.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Lesson 2 - Exercise 2 handout
Get your TIDE notes back
We will read the article "Fireworks" together as a class
Answer the questions found after the article.
Question #4 should be answered on the last page of the handout in TIDE format.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Lesson 2 - Exercise 3 handout
We will go over the TIDE paragraph you wrote yesterday and you will make corrections to it.
You will resubmit for a grade.
Read the article "Funny Money" and annotate as we read.
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Lesson 2 - Exercise 4 handout
You will write a TIDE paragraph on your own.
The TIDE paragraph will be based on the article "Funny Money" and the question is:
"How does the U.S. Treasury keep people from making their own money?"
Get your textbook and put your name in two places...the front cover and the spine of the book.
Find and tear out pages 132-146 and staple them together.
On a sheet of paper, write the definitions to the following words (you will find the definitions in the margins of the story):
1. desperate
2. entranced
3. hallucination
4. premonition
5. profound
6. meditative
Friday, August 29, 2025
Lesson 2 - Exercise 5 handout
You will read "The Scarlet Ibis" together as a class
You will complete the review questions that go with the story (on your own paper).
Due:
Monday, August 18, 2025 - Friday, August 22, 2025
Monday, August 18, 2025
Bell Work – Copy the following vocabulary onto your own paper. You MUST include the vocabulary word and ALL meanings provided here. You may NOT type them…they must be hand written. The definitions should be on a sheet of paper by themselves.
Lesson 1 Vocabulary
1. epic – a long poem about the adventures of a great hero; impressive; grand in scope
2. intact – whole, with no missing parts; undamaged
3. inconspicuous – attracting little attention; not readily noticeable; ordinary
4. disperse – to break up and scatter; to cause to vanish or disappear; to spread or distribute widely
5. landlocked – surrounded by land; cut off from the sea
6. demoralize – to undermine the confidence of a person or group; discourage; dishearten
7. replenish – to refill or resupply; restore; nourish
8. negotiate – to settle by discussing; to arrange an agreement
9. extremity – the farthest or outermost point or part; the greatest degree; grave danger, necessity, or distress; an extreme measure
10. annals – chronological records; historical accounts
Finish Pre-Test
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Lesson 1 - Exercise 2 handout
We will go over the Survivor Island PowerPoint together as class and discuss the assignment.
I will give you the packet with the information for you to fill out and create your island.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Lesson 1 - Exercise 3 handout
We are going to go through the Survivor Island - Did You Survive? PowerPoint and see who made it out alive.
On a separate sheet of paper, you are going to do a little research (Google) and find the answers to the following questions…answer each question in complete sentences and be complete in your answers. Do your OWN work!!!
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What is a typhoon?
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What causes a typhoon to form?
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How are typhoons ranked?
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What damage can a typhoon cause?
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Can the sea empty during a typhoon?
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What is a tsunami?
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Can a typhoon cause a tsunami?
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Watch this video from Hurricane Irma here in the US and watch what it looked like when the hurricane took water from several bays. After watching a video or two, write a paragraph telling how you think you would feel if you saw something like that in real life. What would be one fear about that situation?
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Now write a paragraph to give your thoughts on the following: Should people in life-or-death situations be held accountable for their actions? Why or why not?