Honors English 9 (Period 1,3,5) Assignments

Vocabulary paragraphs are due at the beginning of class.

The outline for the Boethian Style Dialogue is due at the beginning of class. Make sure it is typed and adheres to MLA guidelines.

Complete the Vocabulary Guide for the following words:

1) Intrinsic, 2) Staunch, 3) Inherent, 4) Diminution, 5) Sybarite, 6) Fortuitous, 7) Ephemeral, 8) Extremity, 9) Efficacious, 10) Imperious

Each student must submit the name of his or her prospective teacher for the Boethian dialogue, and the teacher must be approved by Ms. Snider. Students cannot submit dialogues written about teachers that have not been approved.

In your notes, write responses to the following questions for the appropriate sections in Book I of The Consolation:

Prose II:

1. What are the arms Lady Philosophy gave to protect and strengthen Boethius?
2. How or why did he throw away these arms?

Prose III:

1. Who tore Lady Philosophy’s dress, and what do the shreds of her dress represent?
2. Why has Lady Philosophy come to Boethius?
3. Why does Lady Philosophy care about him?
4. How does Philosophy plan to care for Boethius and restore him to health?

Poem IV:

1. What allusions appear in the poem?
2. When are we safe from evil people?
3. Why are we safe from them at that time?

Prose IV:

1. Why must Boethius speak before he can identify the wound?
2. Why did he enter public office?
3. Why didn't anyone help him when he was in trouble?
4. What is his main question in this section? What does he want to know?

The vocabulary paragraphs for last Friday's vocabulary guide words are due at the beginning of class.

Boethius Reflection Paper III is due at the beginning of class. The paper should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, doublespaced, with one-inch margins and a correct header. Make sure you revised the original draft, corrected grammatical errors, developed your answers, and incorporated objections and replies.

The paper needs to address the following questions:

1. What is your purpose in life?
2. Is your purpose to know and love God, to pursue the truth, to study, or to do something else?
3. Is there some order to your life that suggests that God guides events?
4. What is evil, and how do the bad actions you perform affect you?
5. Does evil damage your soul?
6. Does evil make you less human?

Complete the vocabulary guide for the following words:

1) Pliant
2) Latent
3) Augment
4) Clamorous
5) Wanton
6) Surmise
7) Animate
8) Disperse
9) Propagate
10) Clemency

The revised version of the reflection you wrote in class Tuesday is due Friday, at the beginning of class. Make sure the revised draft is typed, doublespaced, in 12-point Times New Roman, with a correct header. The revision should incorporate objections and replies to them. Make sure the original draft and objections are attached to the revision.

1) Margin notes for Book V in The Consolation of Philosophy are due at the beginning of class. This means you don't have to read Boethius during spring break!

2) Vocabulary paragraphs are also due at the beginning of class.

Principal Evaluation Survey:

Please click http://www.alemany.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=91455&id=0&rn=3478395 to fill out student and parent evaluations for Mr. Ferry's performance as principal this school year. The survey will only be available until Thursday, April 9, so please do so as soon as possible!

Results are confidential. Print a confirmation sheet, if you can, so I know you did this. If you cannot print confirmation, just have your parent or guardian write and sign a note saying you completed the survey. This is for both parents and students!

Thank you!

Complete the Vocabulary Guide for the following words:

1) Prostrate, 2) Depravity, 3) Fruition, 4) Impunity, 5) Torrid, 6) Vehemence, 7) Infiltrate, 8) Disarray, 9) Despondency, 10) Querulous

Read and complete the margin notes and underlining for Book IV in The Consolation of Philosophy.

Vocabulary paragraphs are due at the beginning of class.

Complete the margin notes and underlining for Book III in The Consolation of Philosophy.

Read Chapter 5 in the Grammar Handbook and complete the worksheets distributed in class.

1) The margin notes for The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II are due at the beginning of class.

2) The vocabulary guide for the following words is due at the beginning of class:
a. Eclectic, b. Allege, c. Debase, d. Precocious, e. Laborious, f. Emanate, g. Schism, h. Ineffable, i. Tenet, j. Temporal

The image of Lady Philosophy is due at the beginning of class. See the instructions below:

1) Reread pages 3-4 in Book I and pay close attention to Boethius’ description of Lady Philosophy’s physical traits and attire; then, on an 8 x 10 sheet of paper, produce an image of Lady Philosophy.
a. You may draw and color the entire picture, cut and paste images, or trace images and color them, or create an image in Adobe Photoshop.
b. Be sure that your image accurately represents Boethius’ detailed description of Lady Philosophy.
c. Your image should also be tasteful and creative.
d. Write your name, class and period, teacher’s name, and the date on the back of the assignment.

1) Vocabulary Paragraphs are due at the beginning of class, using the words from the February 20 Vocabulary Guide.

2) Read Book I in The Consolation of Philosophy and complete margin notes for it. Your notes should state the main idea of the passages and identify symbolism, metaphors, similes, allusions, dialogue, monologue, and soliloquies.

1) Complete the grammar worksheet "Editing to Improve Syntax and Grammar. Make sure you reveal your grammar notes before starting the exercise.

1) Begin working on your grammar worksheet that is due on Wednesday.

2) Begin reading Book I in The Consolation of Philosophy and writing margin notes.

3) Do not wait until the last minute to begin either project.

1) The vocabulary guide for the following words is due at the beginning of class:

a) onerous, b) concord, c) rectitude, d) dormant, e) fallible, f) assimilate, g) introspection, h) rapacious, i) impeachable, j) idiom

Read the introduction to The Consolation of Philosophy and complete margin notes for it.

Read Lesson 2.5, pages 137 - 141, Chapter 6, pages 215 - 227 in the Grammar and Composition Handbook. You do not need to complete the practice exercises.

Complete the worksheets on linking and action verbs, predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives, and subject-verb agreement, which were distributed in class on Monday.

The sections of the Roman timeline are due at the beginning of class on Monday. For your time period, make sure you identify important leaders, political and governmental achievements, battles and military victories and defeats, Roman expansion, and literary, philosophical and artistic achievements, as well as any developments in the Latin language.

Type your timeline, list the year of each event, and organize the events in chronological order.

Students will take the short answer and essay portion of The Pearl unit exam on Wednesday. Each student should come to class with pens or pencils and sheets of paper.

1) Students will take the multiple choice section of The Pearl unit exam on Tuesday. The exam covers Steinbeck's autobiographical information, The Pearl plot and analysis, writing and peer editing guidelines, MLA format, and vocabulary.

1) Write your set of vocabulary paragraphs using the words given in class on Monday, February 2.

2) There will be a book check for The Consolation of Philosophy.

1) Buy The Consolation of Philosophy and bring it to class with you.

1) Buy a folder and write your name, class, and period on the front of it.
2) Complete the final draft of your MLA essay, with a title page and works cited page.
3) Inside your folder, place your final essay, your list of themes and quotes, your practice thesis statements and introduction written in class, and each draft of your paragraphs.

1) Based on your editing and your peer editor's comments, revise your introduction and two body paragraphs.
2) Write your third body paragraph and conclusion.
3) Type your work.
4) Write your vocabulary guide for the following words: arbitrary, fickle, capricious, equanimity, insatiable, querulous, rapacious, petulant, beguile, and transient.

1) Based on your editing and your peer editor's comments, revise your introduction for your essay about The Pearl.
2) Write the first two body paragraphs for your essay. Adhere to the format given in class and analyze two quotes within each body paragraph.
3) All of your work must be typed.

1) Write an MLA title page for your essay analyzing The Pearl.
2) Choose one theme from The Pearl that you will discuss throughout your essay.
3) Write the introduction paragraph for your essay about The Pearl.
4) Type everything and adhere to MLA format and the instructions given in class.

1) Song of the Family Short Story is due at the beginning of class.

Short Story Format:
1. 4 pages typed
2. Doublespaced
3. One-inch margins
4. 12-point Times New Roman font
5. Paragraph indentation for each quote in the characters’ dialogue
6. The upper left hand corner should list the student’s first and last name, teacher’s name, class and period, and the date.
7. You should give the story an original title, which should be centered.

Short Story Content and Literary Techniques: The story must include the following things:

1. Setting: the San Fernando Valley during the 2008 – 2009 school year
2. Characters: You and your family
3. Imagery: You must describe the Valley’s sounds, odors, vegetation, geography, houses, and buildings.
4. Personification: Give the Valley human characteristics.
5. Conflict: You may choose whether your story contains man vs. man, man vs. nature, or man vs. the gods conflict, etc.
6. Tone: Your story must have an overall mood, and the Valley should also have a mood. You should also express a certain tone or attitude toward your family, religion, and education.
7. Song of the Family: you must describe the song of your family by describing the sounds of your family’s daily activities, speech, actions, and the objects in the house.
8. Point of view: Third-person
9. Sentence structure: Imitate Steinbeck’s simple language, clear syntax, and his variation of sentence length and paragraph length.

1) Complete margin notes for chapters 5 and 6 in "The Pearl."

2) Complete the vocabulary prereading guide for the following words: Plaintive, avarice, indigent, suppliant, undulate, adhere, writhe, subjugate, semblance, and dissemble.

Complete margin notes for chapter 4 in "The Pearl."

Complete the grammar exercise entitled "Editing Sentences for Correct Placement of Prepositions," distributed in class on Friday.

1) Complete the grammar exercise on revising sentences and choosing prepositions, which was distributed in class.

2) Read and complete margin notes and underlining for pages 3-39 (chapters 1-3) in The Pearl. Your notes should:
a. Summarize the main points in the paragraphs
b. Identify imagery, motifs, tone, and conflicts
c. Identify Steinbeck's sentence structure (make a note of how he begins sentences, i.e., with a subject, prepositional phrase, or a conjunction, etc., and how he varies the length and complexity of the sentences)

Study for the final exam! You should review all of your lecture notes, including grammar and literature and your vocabulary words. You should also review the midterm exam study guide and questions.

There is a binder check on Monday. Your notes should be complete and all handouts, notes, and divisions should be organized appropriately.

The third study guide for Oedipus Rex is due on Friday at the beginning of class. Make sure you type the assignment, answer each question fully, and staple the questions to the front of the assignment.

If you were absent on Wednesday, you need to answer the following questions, based on the introduction to Oedipus Rex and the choral odes. Your answers should be detailed.

Introduction:

1. What is the problem of fate and free will that Oedipus Rex addresses, according to the introduction written by Bernard Knox?

2. How does fate affect a person's responsibility?

3. What is the "right way" of dealing with the conflict between fate and freedom, and what is the "left way"? What are the consequences of each view?

4. Is Oedipus a "free agent"? What freedom, if any, does he possess?

Choral odes:

1. What moral lesson does the chorus teach us about fate and freedom?

2. How does the chorus view the gods? Does the chorus think the gods and seers should be respected more than the average man? Why or why not?

3. How does the chorus think prophecies should influence people's decisions?

4. What view of fate does Tiresias represent in lines 388 - 389 and 428 - 430?

1) There is a prereading guide due for the following words:

a. Fanatic
b. Insoluble
c. Indifferent
d. Extol
e. Disdain
f. Oblivious
g. Attentive
h. Illusion
i. Eloquent
j. Pretense

2) The Oedipus Rex Study Guide 2 is also due at the beginning of class on Friday.

1) Read Chapter 5: Verb Tenses and Voice in the Grammar and Composition Handbook

2) Complete the pretest, practice exercises, and post-test in Chapter 5.

1) Vocabulary Paragraphs are due at the beginning of class.

The paragraphs should use the following words:
a. Wane b. Berth c. Ordain d. Harrowing e. Frenzy f. Spawn g. Frantic h. Loathsome i. Obscene j. Blaspheme

2) Read Oedipus Rex lines 1215 - 1680; write margin notes and underline key passages.

Students will take a midterm exam consisting of multiple choice, true or false, and short answer questions about grammar and Greek mythology, culture, and literature.

Students should know how to answer questions about the following characters, concepts, and topics:

Grammar:

1) Prepositions
2) Subjects
3) Verbs: action, linking and state of being
4) Direct objects
5) Moods of sentences

Mythology:

1) Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes, Demeter, Dionysus, Persephone, The Furies, Pandora, Prometheus, The House of Atreus, and the House of Thebes

2) Demigod, attribute, mythology, and the role and purpose of myths

Greek culture, philosophy and literature:

1) Greek religion
2) Philosophical ideals
3) Greek theater
4) Eleusinian Mysteries
5) Arete
6) The Golden Mean
7) Ideal of beauty

Literary terms and concepts:

1) Action
2) Pathos
3) Tragic action
4) Tragic hero
5) Hamartia
6) Exposition
7) Tone
8) Imagery
9) Symbol
10) Metaphor

1) Grammar worksheets about direct objects and irregular verbs are due at the beginning of class.

2) Study for the midterm exam!

1) The Oedipus Rex Study Guide 1 is due at the beginning of class on November 7.

2) The vocabulary guide for the following words is due at the beginning of class on November 7:

a. Wane
b. Berth
c. Ordain
d. Harrowing
e. Frenzy
f. Spawn
g. Frantic
h. Loathsome
i. Obscene
j. Blaspheme

1) Read lines 998 - 1214 in Oedipus Rex.

2) Complete margin notes for lines 998 - 1214.

3) Underline key phrases, ideas, and lines in the reading assignment.

The grammar worksheets distributed in class on Friday, October 24 are due on Friday, October 31. Remember that the first two sheets will be completed in class. Review the relevant chapters in the Grammar Handbook if you have difficulty choosing the correct verbs on the worksheets.

There is no vocabulary assignment due this week! The regular vocabulary schedule resumes on Friday, November 7.

1) Read "Oedipus Rex," lines 527 - 997.
2) Complete margin notes for the reading assignment.
3) Underline important passages in the reading assignment.

Complete your notes and underlining in pencil!

4) Each chorus group should bring its trifold poster and any art supplies needed to complete the poster.

1) Each chorus group should bring its background music and mask coloring sheet to class. You may also bring colored pencils, crayons, or markers and scissors.

2) Vocabulary paragraphs are due at the beginning of class.

1) Read "Oedipus Rex," lines 1 -526.
2) Complete margin notes for the reading assignment.
3) Underline important passages in the reading assignment.

1) Read pages 105-110 in the Grammar and Composition Handbook.
2) Complete the practice exercises on pages 107 and 109.

1) Read the Introduction to "Oedipus Rex" in "The Three Theban Plays" on pages 131 - 153.
2) Complete margin notes for each paragraph in the reading assignment.
3) Underline the key passages and phrases in each paragraph.

A vocabulary guide is due for the following ten words:

1. Edifice
2. Hubris
3. Temperance
4. Mantic
5. Ambiguous
6. Precarious
7. Secular
8. Primeval
9. Ominous
10. Culpable

There is no grammar homework due this Tuesday!

Read the chapter entitled "Greece and the Theater" from The Three Theban Plays, on pages 13 - 30, and complete margin notes for the reading assignment.

a. Underline important passages.
b. In the page margins, write the main points of each paragraph.

The vocabulary paragraphs using the following ten words are due at the beginning of class on Friday:

1. Lethargic
2. Tantalize
3. Herculean
4. Labyrinth
5. Mercurial
6. Olympian
7. Narcissism
8. Infuriate
9. Promethean
10. Titanic

Remember that each paragraph must be 150 words, typed, doublespaced, with one-inch margins.

The grammar worksheets on contractions and auxiliary and main verbs are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday.

The reading outline for Part V in "Mythology" is due at the beginning of class. The outline should be 3 pages, typed (approximately one page for each of the great families in mythology).

The vocabulary prereading guide is due for the following words:

1. Lethargic
2. Tantalize
3. Herculean
4. Labyrinth
5. Mercurial
6. Olympian
7. Narcissism
8. Infuriate
9. Promethean
10. Titanic

The short story retelling an ancient myth is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday. Make sure you write about the hero or heroine that you were assigned in class and follow all of the guidelines listed below:

Short Story Format:
1. 5 pages typed
2. Doublespaced
3. One-inch margins
4. 12-point Times New Roman font
5. Paragraph indentation for each quote in the characters’ dialogue
6. The upper left hand corner should list the student’s first and last name, teacher’s name, class and period, the date, and the assignment (Ancient Myth Short Story).
7. You should give the story an original title, which should be centered.


Short Story Literary Techniques: The story must include the following literary techniques:

1. Exposition: the background information that the reader needs to know before reading the literary work. The information is usually dealt with at the beginning of the story.
2. Setting: when and where the short story, play, or novel takes place.
3. Plot: the pattern of events in a literary work; what happens.
4. Dialogue: the conversation between two or more characters.
5. Prose: the ordinary form of written or spoken language, without rhyme or meter; speech or writing that is not poetry.
6. First-person point of view: The position from which the events of the story are observed and presented to us. In the first-person, the narrator’s point of view is restricted to her partial knowledge and experience. Thus, she will not give us access to other characters’ hidden thoughts.

Content: the story must explain:
1. The deed for which the character is famous
2. The outcome of the character’s deeds
3. Any special skills or character traits the he or she possesses
4. The gods and other characters associated with him or her
5. The natural or social phenomenon associated with the character
6. The moral lesson of the story

Bring Mythology and The Three Theban Plays to class with you.

Students have reading outlines due for Part II - Part IV in Mythology.

The outlines should include summaries of each of the myths presented in Part II - Part IV, and the summary of each myth should describe the character and his skills, personality traits, the important actions he performed, the geographical region in which he lived (if it is mentioned), and the other characters involved in his story.

The outline may be typed or handwritten. If handwritten, the outline should be at least five pages. If typed, the outline should be at least four pages.

You have a Prereading Guide due at the beginning of class on Friday, September 19. Complete the word bank, three exercises, and answer key for the following words:

1. Dionysian (adjective)
2. Nestor (noun)
3. Odyssey (noun)
4. Stentorian (adjective)
5. Delphic (adjective)
6. Apollonian (adjective)
7. Bacchanalian (adjective)
8. Procrustean (adjective)
9. Jovial (adjective)
10. Protean (adjective)

The grammar worksheets distributed in class on Friday are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, September 16. Remember to consult your list of prepositions and helping verbs before completing the worksheets.

Bring both Sophie's World and Mythology to class on Monday, September 15.

Reread Part I, Chapters 1-4 in Mythology before coming to class.

For homework, you must also find a picture of a painting that you think depicts beauty and holiness. You must bring a copy of the picture, with your name on it, to class on Monday.

Your two 150-word vocabulary paragraphs are due at the beginning of class on Friday. Remember to type your paragraphs and use five words from the September 5 prereading guide in one paragraph, and five different words from the guide in the second paragraph.

The reading questions for Sophie's World, Chapters 24-28 are due at the beginning of class on Friday, September 12. Remember to attach the questions to your typed assignment.

The reading questions for Sophie's World, Chapters 19 - 21, are due at the beginning of class on Wednesday. Make sure that your answers are typed and the questions are attached to your assignment.

Your grammar worksheets identifying prepositional phrases, subjects, and verbs are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday.

Your Prereading Vocabulary Guide is due for the following words:

1. attire
2. envisage
3. interplay
4. inevitable
5. immutable
6. constituent
7. impermeable
8. ascribe
9.malign
10. vengeance

Make sure you refer to the vocabulary assignment instructions and the example guide distributed in class.

Your reading comprehension and analysis questions for Sophie's World: Chapters 17 and 18 are due at the beginning of class. Remember that your answers must be typed!

You have a few assignments due on Tuesday, September 2:

1. Tuesday is the last day to turn in the flashcards for the list of Latin, Greek, and Native English prefixes that I distributed in class. (This list is also online). Make sure your name is on the card on the top of your stack, and attach the cards using a rubber band, paper clip, or ring.

2. The reading questions for Sophie's World, Chapters 15 and 16, are due at the beginning of class. Make sure you refer to this guidelines on the handout, which is also posted online.

3. You must have your binder with you in class, and it should be organized according to the following guidelines:

1. Three-ring binder with lots of room, lots of loose-leaf paper, and dividers.
2. Your name should be on the cover and inside the binder.
3. The syllabus should be inside the binder, in the front. It should be signed and dated by both you and your parents.
4. Divisions:
I. Literature: Lectures and handouts
II. Writing: Lectures, handouts, and in-class writing assignments
III. Grammar: Lectures and handouts
IV. Vocabulary and Spelling: Lectures, exercises, and handouts

Throughout the year, we will expand our vocabulary by defining words that arise in the literature we read. We will also memorize Greek, Latin, and Native English prefixes, suffixes, and roots, and study words that are formed using those components.

In preparation for our vocabulary assignments, you need to make flash cards of the Latin, Greek, and Native English prefixes. They are listed on the document posted here. (You should download the document so you have the list from which to make your cards; however, you don't need to print it - I will distribute hard copies in class this week).

Your flash cards are due at the beginning of class on Wednesday!

If you did not complete the Sophie's World reading questions in class on Friday, then you must complete them as homework, which is due on Monday. For this assignment, your answers may be either handwritten or typed.

Your complete answers should be 2-3 pages. Some questions ask you to describe specific details from the text, whereas others are opinion based (and, of course, they require serious reflection and reasoning).

Make sure you list your name, the date, your teacher's name, and the class period on your assignment. Entitle the assignment "Sophie's World Reading Questions: Chapter 1, The Garden of Eden."

Chapter 1: The Garden of Eden:

1. How do Sophie’s friends and her mother react to her thoughts, statements, and behavior when she begins studying philosophy? Why do they react in that way?

2. The first chapter discusses the concept of beginnings and origins. How did you first respond to the initial questions, “Who are you?” and “Where does the world come from?” How did your answers change by the time you reached the end of the novel?

3. In the book’s opening scene, Sophie and Joanna are discussing robots and the structure of the human brain. What is a human being, in your opinion? In what sense is the human brain like an advanced computer? In what sense is a person more than a piece of hardware?

4. Sophie is initially puzzled when she asks herself who she is, and she wonders if she would be someone else if she had a different name. What do you think determines a person’s identity? Would you be the same person if you had a different name?

5. What identity do we possess at birth? Are we born with certain personality traits, tendencies, and temperaments?

6. Sophie says, “She could choose her own friends, but she certainly hadn’t chosen herself” (6). How much control do you think we have over who we are? Do we choose who we are or who we are going to become? What things can we not control? If we don’t control who we are, who or what does control us?

7. What happens when Sophie thinks about being alive or dying at some point? What are “the two sides of the coin she turns over and over”? (This question requires that you explain what Sophie says, rather than giving your opinion).

8. Why does Sophie think it is important to ask about the origin of the world?

Bring paper, pens, Sophie's World, and Mythology to class with you!