English Language Arts 2009

November 2, 2009 CW: Chapter sign up The Outsiders: Chapter One Character Social Activity Part One HW: Reading and recording on bookmark

Chapter Experts Several students are assigned to be an expert for a chapter from the book. During the class that we read your assigned chapter take notes. Make sure you can address: Who What Where When Why You will need to write or type up a summary of the chapter using the format above.

Announcements Vignette Portfolios were due on Wednesday. If you haven’t turned yours in, please hand it in as soon as possible. If you need to make up the elements of style test, please see me to set up a time this week.

Announcements I will be giving extra credit to the students who read from their vignette portfolio at the Barnes and Noble Takeover next week. If you are interested please sign your name, class period, and what time works best for you.

Announcements Vignette Portfolio I am going to make an eighth grade English Language Arts Identity Vignette Portfolio. To submit you need to choose one of your vignettes and bring me a printed copy. If you bring your flashdrive I can print for you. Deadline is this Friday.

Character Social One of our focuses this unit is on characterization. Characterization is the method used by the writer to describe a character. In chapter one we were introduced to the characters. The narrator tells the reader their ages, appearances, backgrounds, personalities and things that are important to them in life.

Character Social During this activity you will use the chapter to fill out a character charts for each of the following characters: Ponyboy, Two-Bit Matthews, Sodapop, Darry, Steve Randle, Dally and Johnny Cade.

Character Chart Each person in the group will fill out their own character chart. You will keep these in the reading notebook section of your binders, and add details to them as we read the novel. In the character you chart you will record observations and information for the following categories: age and background, appearance, important things in his life and personality

November 3, 2009 CW: Each set of desks has a list of group members. Find your name, and take a seat. Character Biographical Entries HW: Bookmark #6 is due tomorrow at the beginning of class. Also due is your Post-It Handout. Make sure to use a different reading strategy for each Post-It.

Characterization In chapter one the characters were introduced; it is important to know who the characters are. The narrator (Ponyboy) tells the reader their ages, appearances, backgrounds, personalities and things that are important to them in life. When we read we need to gather evidence that we can use during the writing process. An important part of that evidence is information about the characters.

Directions You are seated with your group. The card on your table indicates which character you are responsible for. Each group member will get out his or her character chart for your assigned character. You will compare notes, and the notetaker will record the information that you gathered yesterday in class.

Directions You will have twenty minutes to take the information from your notes and write an introduction for this person that could be used in a biographical entry in a book of fictional characters. You should write your entry on your poster board along with the name of your character.

Directions You will choose a speaker to present the biographical introduction for your character. After the introduction, the class will discuss the information that you presented and assess whether or not the information presented was complete and accurate.

Directions We will post these introductions in the class, and you can refer to them as you read the novel and gather evidence for your essays. Each member in the group should choose a different role from the following list: speaker notetaker editor time keeper facilitator

What is an introduction to a character? Esperenza is a young Chicana woman living in the urban landscape of Chicago. She hasn’t always lived here, and she is not afraid to admit that it doesn’t live up to her expectations. She has ideas about her life, and who she wants to be. She is a writer. Writing, and looking at the trees outside her window is how she copes and recognizes herself. She has a younger sister named Nenny who drives her crazy, but also makes her laugh. She has two brothers who only talk to her when she is in the house. It is like they live in a different world. Esperenza and her mother are close, and her father works hard to support the family. She is thirteen-years-old and recently wore high heels for the first time. She has long dark hair, skin the color of caramel, and eyes that long for what’s to come.

What do I need to include in my introduction? Name Age Family (does the character have brothers and sisters? What is the characters relationship to his parents?) Likes and Dislikes (what does the character do for fun? What does the character enjoy? What doesn’t the character enjoy) A physical description of the character What is important to the character? (family, love, friendship, etc.) Personality (Is the character funny? Shy? Outgoing?)

November 4, 2009 CW: Conflict Presentation Reading in Class: Chapter Two HW: Reading and recording/Post-It Handout, due November 12th

Conflict In this novel, the narrator, Ponyboy has several conflicts. These conflicts are internal and external. Conflict is the struggle that propels the action in a story. There are three types of conflicts: -man versus man -man versus nature -man versus himself

Three Types of Conflict Man versus Man Example: A typical Western, in which the sheriff confronts the outlaws. Lebron James and Kobe Bryant are in conflict with each other over who is the best basketball player in the NBA.

Man versus Nature Example: The novel Hatchet, where Brian must survive after being stranded in a deserted area after a plane crash.

Man versus Himself Example: The main character of a story fighting his or her own addiction to drugs.

Conflict in novels Most novels include all three types on conflicts. It is possible to have more than one type of conflict in a story.

Conflict in the Outsiders The external conflict in The Outsiders, is the conflict between two different social groups, The Socs and The Greasers. In order to understand this conflict, we need to gather information about what differences separate one group from the other.

Your Task… Using your copy of the text and the conflict chart, gather specific textual evidence (quotes, page numbers, and phrases) to Describe the problem( why the Socs and The Greasers) don’t get along or agree. Include a quotation from our narrator, Ponyboy, about the conflict Reasons the conflict exists

Ms. Freese’s Example Details that describe the problem: The Socs are the “socials, the jet=set, the west-side rich kids”(2). A quotation from Ponyboy about the conflict “I’m not saying either Socs or greasers are better; that’s just the way things are”(3).

Ms. Freese’s Example Reasons the conflict exists: “the warfare between the social classes”

External and Internal Conflict Complete the same charts for the following conflicts in chapter one: Darry versus Ponyboy(external) Ponyboy versus himself (feeling hurt about Darry)

November 5 CW: Recognizing Stereotypes in The Outsiders Four Corners Debate HW: Reading and Recording

On a piece of paper… On a piece of paper write the following: Your name The date Survey Write down the following statements, and next to each statement write down true or false based on whether or not you agree with the statement or not.

Survey In any area, tension exists between the wealthy and the poor. Gangs are necessary for protection. Teenagers should stay with their own kind. People should be judged, in part, by their appearance. The way to stop violence is revenge.

The activity For each topic we will divide into two groups. One group for the students who wrote down true, and one group for the students who wrote down false. Once in your group plan your argument, select a speaker and prepare to debate the issue.

November 6, 2009 CW: Freewrite # 1 Chapter Three Finish debates (if needed) HW: Reading and Recording on bookmark and Post-It Handout

Freewrite # 1 Assume that you have just met Ponyboy. Write a letter to a friend or family member describing him. Include what you like about him, what you don’t like about him, and why you would or would not want him to be your friend.

November 9, 2009 CW: Reading in class: Chapter Three Statements that Reflect Viewpoints on Life Activity HW: Prepare speech, bookmark and Post-Its

Characterization As the story progresses, Ponyboy, as narrator makes several comments about what things mean. He interprets and explains events. Some of his explanations reflect his view of the world and life. The comments of some of the other characters are expresses their views of life.

You Task… Select a statement from the following list and think about its meaning. What ideas come to your mind when you read the statement? What view of life is being expressed? Do you agree or disagree? Explain Next, using these questions as a guide, write notes on your reaction statement.

You Task Tomorrow in class I will ask several students to share their speeches. Regardless of whether or not you share, you are required to hand in a written copy. After students share out their speeches, we will discuss our reactions as a class.

November 10, 2009(Tuesdsay) No School

November 11, 2009 No School