ENG 9 (P.6)-Period 6 Assignments

After finishing Steinbeck’s novel, we are left with many questions, a major one being - was George justified in killing Lennie? Steinbeck asks us to reflect on issues of mortality and life and death with his novel’s ending. Are we ever justified in taking the life of another? Was this an act of mercy and compassion, or an unfair murder?
With your group, you are going to act as either the prosecution or the defense in a mock trial. You and your group members will either argue that George is guilty of murder, in cold blood, or that George was acting as a way of protecting Lennie, and should be exonerated of his crime. Each group will be presenting their findings in class next week! After each group has presented their evidence, as a class we will vote to see who had a more compelling argument - the defense or the prosecution.

Title Slide: Group members, if you are working for the defense or the prosecution.
Slide 1: Opening statements - a 6+ sentence paragraph where you summarize either what your client, George Milton, should be exonerated from, or what the defendant, George Milton should be found guilty of.
Slide 2: This slide should focus on Lennie - if you are on the defense, you are going to want to portray Lennie as a character who is out of control and needed to be stopped. If you are on the prosecution side, you will want to portray Lennie as a gentle giant, someone who was misunderstood and unfairly murdered. (7 sentences)
Slide 3: This slide should focus on George. If you are on the defense you are going to want to portray George as someone who has dedicated his life towards helping Lennie. If you are on the prosecution, you will want to portray George as someone who just wanted to get rid of Lennie. (7 sentences)
Slide 4: This will be your evidence slide. You will compile evidence from the entire novel in the form of quotes to show that George saved Lennie from an even worse outcome by ending his life, or that George acted ruthlessly and unjustly. This slide needs to have at least 4 quotes from the novel - these quote need to include page numbers!!!! For each quote, you need a 2-3 sentence explanation of how that quote serves as evidence to support your argument. 
Slide 5: Closing Statements - a 6+ sentence paragraph where you summarize your major points and make one final compelling argument to support your position.

Step One: Write one paragraph (of at least 5 sentences) where you explain your opinion of Curley’s Wife prior to your knowledge of what happens in Chapter 5. Don’t just say you like her or you don’t - go into detail! Provide specific examples of her actions/ behaviors in the text that support your opinion of her.
Step Two: Go to the end of page 87 in your PDF, starting with “Her face grew angry.” Read onto page 89, stopping after the first paragraph.
Step Three: After reading about Curley’s Wife and the fact that she had dreams and aspirations beyond being Curley’s Wife, as well as knowing what you know about her violent demise, does your opinion of her change? Why or why not? Be detailed here!! Provide one quote from pages 87-89 that ties into your answer. This paragraph response should be at least 7-8 sentences!

This assignment is due to Google Classroom by the end of your block period next week!!!

You and your group members will be assigned one major character that we have been introduced to in the novel so far. With your group, you will be responsible for creating a slides presentation that covers the following about your character:
Slide #1 - A 5 sentence description of your character, both physically and emotionally/ mentally. You should also include an image on this slide of a person you think your character looks like/ who could play them in a film adaptation.
Slide #2 - A quote from chapter two that either your assigned character said or a quote that was said about your character. You should also include a brief 5 sentence paragraph where you explain the significance of your chosen quote, and how it contributes to your view of that character as a whole.
Slide #3 - A brief 5 sentence paragraph regarding their role on the ranch - how do they fit in on the ranch? Do they seem to belong there/ do they seem cut out for ranch life?
Slide #4 - Your group’s own personal opinion of this character. Do you like this character? Are you rooting for them to succeed on the ranch? Do you have a more complicated view of them? This should also be done as a 5 sentence paragraph!

When you finish reading chapter 1, find a partner to work on the attached questions with. Each partner needs to turn in their own copy of the questions! These are due by the end of the day today!

You will be placed into groups, and your group will be assigned a specific character from R&J to find guilty of causing the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet. You and your group will be making a slides presentation where you provide compelling evidence to support your guilty claim! Your presentation should be organized as so:
Title Slide - Include the character you are finding guilty and your group members’ names.
Introduction Slide - Provide a paragraph (4-5 sentences) where you state your claim and provide a brief summary of why your assigned character should be found guilty.
Evidence Slide #1 - Provide one example from the text that supports your claim. This can be something your character did or said. Be sure to include a quote from the play to serve as evidence! Cite your quote by putting the act, scene, and line numbers of the quote - for example: “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun”(2.1.5-6). Include a 4-5 sentence paragraph where you explain why this example proves your assigned character’s guilt.
Evidence Slide #2 - Provide another example of something your assigned character said or did, again including a cited quote from the play. Again, include a 4-5 sentence paragraph where you explain why this example proves your assigned character’s guilt.
Evidence Slide #3 - Provide a third example of something your assigned character said or did, again including a cited quote from the play. Again, include a 4-5 sentence paragraph where you explain why this example proves your assigned character’s guilt.
Conclusion Slide - Use this final slide to summarize your main points and make one final compelling argument for your character’s guilt! This should be another 4-5 sentence paragraph.
Your first priority should be your writing and evidence finding! When you have the content of your slides completed, you may use any additional time to add images that relate to/ enhance your overall presentation!

After reading Act III, Scenes i-ii, it is clear to us that Juliet is in quite a predicament. While it becomes clear in scene ii she is deciding to stand by her husband despite his murderous behavior, I am asking you today to imagine you have the ability to intervene before Juliet makes her decision and advise her on her best choice moving forward. Remember, she has three options, these being:
1. Stick with her husband Romeo and run away with him.
2. Pretend her marriage to Romeo never happened and marry Paris (who, if we remember, is rich and handsome and a relative to the Prince but also is a little creepy with his “younger than she are happy mothers made” quote).
3. Beg her parents to remain a single 13 year old and enjoy her childhood without the stressors of marriage.
With your partner, you are going to draft a 2 paragraph letter (ENG 9 - 7-8 sentences per paragraph, Honors - 9-10 sentences per paragraph) where you and your partner persuade Juliet to make the choice that you feel will be the best one for her! 
Your letter should be structured as so:
Paragraph 1 - Critique the two choices that you are not choosing for her - tell her what is wrong with these choices! 
Paragraph 2 - Focus on the choice you and your partner are advocating for! Tell her why your plan for her is the best option!
For each paragraph, use one quote from the play to serve as evidence to support your argument! Remember, we have an online version of the play posted to Google Classroom!

With a partner today, you are going to respond to the following questions in short answers of at least 3 sentences! Your assignment is to imagine you are in charge of casting and directing a film adaptation of Act II, Scene ii (the famous balcony scene). Answer the questions below to create your own vision for the scene! We will be comparing your responses to actual film versions, which we will watch in class tomorrow!Who would you cast as Romeo, and who would you cast as Juliet? Why are you making these casting choices?Let’s talk about setting - are you keeping your version in Shakespeare’s time, do you want to bring it into the present day, or do you want to pick a different historical setting all together? How will your chosen setting reflect the overall mood of the scene?If you are choosing to change the setting, would you change the language as well? Meaning, would you modernize the language for a more modern setting, or would you keep the original Shakespearean English that the play is written in? Why? What would Juliet’s balcony look like and how would it be staged? Why are you choosing to create your setting in this way?


Use the Slides Template posted to Google Classroom to turn your assignment into a slides presentation! Use images to support your responses and create a better understanding of your overall vision! Make your presentation look nice and put together using images and your own creative spin!

Romeo and Juliet is set in a time where family loyalty was more important than almost anything. During this same time, families competed for power and land, creating rivalries. Rival families did not mix, and held great contempt for one another. Using what we learn about the Montague and Capulet families today, you will be creating a family shield based on which family from Romeo and Juliet (the Montagues or the Capulets) you identify the most with. Follow the instructions below to receive full credit.In the upper left corner, place an image of you. You can use any photo you have of yourself that you feel best captures your identity, or you may draw a self-portrait if you would like (no stick figures).In the upper right corner, place a favorite quote or expression that identifies you as a person.In the lower left corner, list five hobbies or enjoyments (things you do for fun).In the lower right corner, draw a decorative C (for Capulet) or M (for Montague) based on which family you best identify with.Color your shield when you are done! Both families have family colors. If you chose the Capulet family, use red and orange. If you chose the Montagues, use blue and purple.

For your Family Shields Assignment (due tomorrow), you were instructed to choose a family that you identified most with (the Montagues or the Capulets) and create your shield accordingly. For today's beginning of class assignment, you are to complete a paragraph reflection explaining why you chose to align yourself with either the Montagues or the Capulets. 

In a paragraph of at least 7-8 sentences, you will answer the following questions…
Which family did you choose to identify with, and why? Be specific here by citing examples of characteristics we learned about each family today!
Based on what we have learned about the Montagues and Capulets, what are some predictions you have about how the play will unfold? Do you think that the play will be rife with conflict, or do you think the two families will be able to set aside their differences? Why or why not? Take into consideration how the play opens!
Knowing that we have a family feud at the center of our play, what do you think some possible themes of Romeo and Juliet may be? Remember, a theme is a complete sentence/ thought!

In our reading of Romeo and Juliet Act I, Scene i, we met a heartbroken Romeo who swears that he will never find love again. We obviously know that this is not true, as Juliet has yet to enter the play. Based on our initial meeting of Romeo, make some predictions for how the meeting of Romeo and Juliet will occur. Do you think it will be love at first sight? How do you think Romeo will act around Juliet? What are your thoughts on Romeo as a character so far?


Respond to the questions above in a paragraph of at least 7 sentences!

We are about to start William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet - a play that centers on two teenagers (Juliet is 13 - yikes, and Romeo is 17) meeting and immediately falling in love. As the play unfolds, we will follow these two individuals make unthinkable sacrifices for each other and put each other before all else. 
In your opinion, do you believe in the concept of “love at first sight?” Also, do you feel that people your age can fall in love? Do you feel as though and your peers know what love is at this age? How do you know if you’re in love? Explain your answers in a well-developed paragraph of 8-10 sentences!

If you complete this assignment, I will add seven points to your lowest poetry quiz score OR I can split up those seven points between your two poetry quiz scores.
You can not get higher than the max amount of points on your quiz score! So, for example, if you received a 17/20 and do the extra credit assignment, you cannot get higher than a 20/20.
Your extra credit assignment is to create a poem of at least 7 lines! In your poem, you must use at least 3 poetic devices and identify them. In addition to this, you must have at least one example of end rhyme! This will need to be turned into Google Classroom by the end of the day on Wednesday of next week! If you choose to do the extra credit, be sure to attach your poem as a doc to this assignment. Highlight your examples of three devices, and be sure to label what they are!


This is optional! I will also not be accepting late work for this extra credit opportunity, so if you want to do this, be sure to submit your poem by the due date! After Wednesday, I will go into PowerSchool and add those points to one or both of your poetry quiz scores.

For your assignment today, you are going to write a poem in honor of Valentine’s Day! Your poem should cover the general topic of love, however, your poem can have a positive or negative tone towards the subject! Here are the requirements for your poem:
At least 15 lines
At least one simile and one metaphor (highlight these in yellow)
One example of clear imagery (highlight this in blue)
A rhyme scheme - does not have to be specific, you can choose this as long as there is one.
One example of either a paradox OR an oxymoron (highlight this in pink)
An example of refrain OR repetition (highlight this in orange)
A clearly established tone
When you finish writing your poem, go through and highlight your examples of poetic devices in the colors listed! Include a brief (4-5 sentence) explanation of your poem's tone (your attitude towards the subject of love). What tone were you trying to take on, and how did you create your tone?

Follow the instructions on the attached document to complete the assignment with your group in class today!

Follow the instructions on the attached document to complete the assignment after we read and discuss the poem in class!

When you are watching a television show or movie, or reading a book, do you prefer for the ending of whatever you are watching/ reading to be clearly defined, or do you prefer more of a cliffhanger ending/ an ending that is open to your own interpretation? Explain your answer in a brief paragraph response of at least 6-7 sentences! Include specific examples of any films, tv shows, or books that have an ending you thought was interesting/ well done!

Follow the instructions on the attached document to complete this assignment in class today!

Follow the instructions step by step to complete the following assignment! We will have plenty of time to work on this in our block period and in class on Thursday as well!

We are going to start a new unit on poetry - some people absolutely love poetry, some find it difficult and confusing, and some don’t have too defined of an opinion of it. One way to help us find an appreciation for poetry (even if it’s not our favorite subject) is to compare it to the music that we enjoy listening to.
So, for today’s writing warm up, I would like for you to tell me what kind of music you most enjoy listening to - any specific genres, artists, albums, etc. What is it about this music that you enjoy? What do you notice about the lyrics of the songs that you tend to enjoy? Meaning, do the songs you like discuss/ explore specific topics, do the words rhythmically flow? If you look at the lyrics of any specific songs you like, could they read as a poem?
Explore your own musical opinions in a well-developed response of 8-10 sentences!

On a doc, you will be responsible for providing examples of Direct and Indirect characterization for your assigned character. You will need to include specific quotes and the page numbers you found them on. Type your character’s name at the top of your paper, and number your paper 1-4. For each quote, you will need to include a 2-3 sentence explanation of how your quote shows direct or indirect characterization. You will need 4 quotes (you can choose how many direct and indirect there are based on what is easiest to find!).

On Friday of last week, we did some brainstorming to help us prepare for writing our own vignettes. Today, we are going to continue that processes! You are going to take what you wrote on Friday and turn it into a typed, MLA formatted vignette, similar to the ones we have read in THoMS. Here are the requirements for your vignette:

Must be at least a page and a half long with MLA formatting, (double spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial font).
Must have a creative title.
Must include at least one simile, one metaphor, and at least three examples of vivid imagery. 
Must read as a creative story as opposed to a summary of your memory.
Remember - a vignette is defined as a short scene that captures a single moment or a defining detail about a character, idea, or other element of the story. Vignettes are mostly descriptive; in fact, they often include little or no plot detail. 


You will be graded on your use of MLA formatting, meeting the page length requirement, meeting the literary devices requirement, and how your vignette reads overall. These are due by the end of the day on Wednesday, 11/17!!


DO NOT TURN IN YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO GOOGLE CLASSROOM BEFORE WEDNESDAY!!! - We will be going over MLA formatting next week, and I will have you go through and highlight your examples of your literary devices in class on your block day as well!

Complete the attached study guide in class today to prepare for your quiz on Monday 11/15! These are due by the end of the day on Monday, so use your class time today wisely!

In today’s reading, we are going to begin to see Esperanza’s journey from childhood to young adulthood. At what age did you feel that you had left your early childhood behind? When did you feel that you were becoming an adult? Have you felt that? How would you describe growing up?

Respond to the above questions in a well developed paragraph of 6-8 sentences!

With a partner, you will be creating a 2 slide presentation where you compare and contrast Marin from “Marin” and Alicia from “Alicia Who Sees Mice.”
Slide #1: A Venn Diagram! Using the slide template, you will compare and contrast these two characters - how are they similar? How are they different? You do not need to use complete sentences in your venn diagram, however, you should be putting down well-developed thoughts! For each character, you should have at least 5 major character traits that you are listing and at least 3 similarities in your center area of your venn diagram.
Slide #2: A reflection! Answer the questions on your slide in complete sentences! Each question should have a response of at least 3 well-developed sentences!


Use the attached template to complete your assignment!

Reflect on how you believe your family, your friends, and your peers perceive you. What do you think other people think of you and why - how would the people in your life characterize you? Do you think that people stereotype you in any way?


Now, think about how you would describe yourself? Do you believe that the people in your life see you for who you really are, or do you think there is a big difference in how you are perceived versus how you actually are?

7-10 Sentence response please!

Complete the assignments on each slide for full credit on today's halloween assignment!!

We will be getting to know our narrator, Esperanza, in bits and pieces as we work our way through THoMS. Eventually, we will be making an “identity chart” for her character, where we compile key information on her in regards to her character, how she views herself, and how others see her.

Today, you are going to be making your own identity chart for yourself! Follow my example on the attached slides presentation to complete your own version of this assignment on the attached template. Your chart will be worth 20 points and is due by 11:59 PM on Thursday to Google Classroom. You will be graded on how detailed yours is, if you followed instructions correctly, and the effort you put into it!

The first line of the first vignette you will read today, entitled “Boys and Girls” is this: “The boys and girls live in separate worlds.” In your own opinion, explain the significance of this quote and what it could mean. Do you feel as though you live in an entirely different world than your peers of the opposite gender? Do you think that there are many differences between you and your peers of the opposite gender? Why or why not? 
Explain your thoughts in a well-developed paragraph of 7-8 sentences!

Follow the instructions on the attached document to complete the extra credit opportunity! It is not mandatory, however, I would highly encourage you to take advantage of this if you want to boost your grade by the end of the quarter!

As we close up our unit on short stories and prepare for our short story exam tomorrow, take this time to reflection all five that we read - “Valediction,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Necklace,” and “The Lottery.” Out of all five of these stories, which one was your favorite to read, and why? Was it the characterization that stood out to you? Did one story have a theme that resonated with you? Did a specific author’s use of tone make any of these stories more engaging than the others? In a paragraph response of at least 8-10 sentences, tell me about your favorite one, and why you enjoyed it the most!

Your study guide is attached here! Fill in the required information for each story we have worked with this unit as a way to prepare for both your quiz (on Thursday, 10/7) and your exam (on Tuesday, 10/12). Remember - your short story quiz will be multiple choice questions, while your exam will be short written responses!


Submit your completed study guide to Google Classroom by Thursday, 10/7)!!

After watching the short film version of "The Lottery" in class, answer the questions on the attached document! 


If you are absent for your block day, the link to the short film can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQQoMCaUz5Y

Complete the attached assignment and submit it to Google Classroom by the end of the day on Wednesday!

Just before the final meeting between Mathilde Loisel and Madame Forestier, the narrator of “The Necklace” ponders what might have happened to Mathilde in other circumstances: “How would things have turned out if she hadn’t lost that necklace? Who could tell? How strange and fickle life is! How little it takes to make or break you!”
 
Adopt the perspective of Mathilde Loisel (using 1st person narration), and write a diary entry in which you explain how your life changed after the party. Use elements in the story, but also feel free to add new elements from your own imagination. Pay particular attention to the role that poverty and hardship begin to play in Mathilde’s life. Be sure to mention the contributions Mathilde’s husband makes. Your diary entry should be at least 8-10 detailed sentences.


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In a paragraph response of at least 8-10 sentences, compare and contrast the narrators of both “The Tell-Tale Heart’ and “The Cask of Amontillado.” Do you find both narrators to be criminally insane, or were these stories involving two narrators who were, quite simply, evil and violent people? Use specific examples from the stories to support your answers! Your examples do not need to be direct quotes, you may paraphrase events from each story to support your claims.

In today’s story, Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace,” one of the characters strives to be a part of a societal class that is above the one she currently is part of. For your writing warm up, reflect upon the idea of social status and wealth in our society today. Where do we see examples of excessive wealth in our society? What is your opinion on wealth and excess in our society? Have you ever personally felt jealous of someone who had possessions that you wanted? Write one well-developed paragraph (of at least 7 sentences) for your response.

With the end of class today, you will respond to the following questions regarding your opinions on the narrator of "The Tell-Tale Heart." 


Each question must have a response of at least 3 sentences!!! Submit your answers to Google Classroom by the end of the day on Thursday, 9/16!!


1. What stance was your group given (guilty or innocent by plea of insanity), and did you agree with that stance? Did you find it easy or difficult to argue your assigned stance? Why or why not?
2. If you agreed with the stance that your group was assigned, why did you agree with it? If you disagreed, why was that?
3. Did hearing the arguments of your classmates change or waiver your initial views of the narrator’s guilt or innocence? Why or why not?
4. Is the narrator of “The Tell-Tale Heart" reliable or unreliable? Support and defend your answer!

Respond to the following prompt in class today, either on a google doc or on a lined sheet of paper that you can take a picture of and submit to Google Classroom! This is due by the end of the day today!


The definition for the word insane (adj.) is:
--In a state of mind that prevents normal perception, behavior, or social interaction.
In your opinion, how might someone act who is considered “insane”? Additionally, how can you tell when someone is lying? Have you experienced catching someone in a lie before, or have you ever been caught in a lie? Explain your answers in a detailed paragraph of at least 7-8 sentences!

With your groups in class today, answer the questions on the attached document. Remember - each response should be at least 4 detailed sentences!!


*Note - even though you are working with your groups, each student should submit their own copy of this assignment to Google Classroom!

*Note - you do not need to turn in a submission to Google Classroom! Use this post to refer back to our instructions!


Develop a six-word phrase about the experience or aspect of yourself that the word reminds you of. Your six-word phrase should reflect something about you in a creative way (for example, if I am doing this assignment, I cannot just say “My name is Ms. Hanley, yeah”).
Once you have your six word memoir, you are going to copy it down on the half sheet of paper I give you, and decorate it in an artistic way! Your assignment will be graded on if you kept your memoir to six words exactly, the creativity of your memoir, and how it looks!

You will turn this in to me in person at the beginning of class on Tuesday, 9/7!!!

This week’s short story has to do with coming of age, finding one’s own identity, facing consequences for your actions, and growing apart from people you were once close with. We will follow a friendship that dissolves between two high school seniors who have been friends for the entirety of their high school experiences. 
Reflect on the position you are in now at the beginning of your high school career. What values define you as an individual? What friendships in your life do you value? Do you believe that the friendships you have now will stand the test of time? Where do you see yourself at the end of your senior year, and what are your goals that you hope to have accomplished by the end of high school?
Answer these questions in a well-thought out reflection of 8-10 sentences.

We will be completing this assignment today in class together! You will need to submit this to Google Classroom by Friday at 11:59 PM!

In your groups, you will be responsible for providing examples of Static OR Dynamic characterization for your assigned character. You will need to include specific quotes and the page numbers you found them on. Type your character’s name at the top of your doc, and determine if your assigned character is a static character OR a dynamic character. You will need 4 quotes that support your determination of if your character is static or dynamic. For each quote you choose, you will have to write an explanation of at least 3-4 sentences regarding how your quote proves that your character is static or dynamic. You will submit this as an assignment to Google Classroom!

In your groups, you will be responsible for providing examples of Static OR Dynamic characterization for your assigned character. You will need to include specific quotes and the page numbers you found them on. Type your character’s name at the top of your doc, and determine if your assigned character is a static character OR a dynamic character. You will need 4 quotes that support your determination of if your character is static or dynamic. For each quote you choose, you will have to write an explanation of at least 3-4 sentences regarding how your quote proves that your character is static or dynamic. You will submit this as an assignment to Google Classroom!

Follow the instructions on the attached document to complete your assignment! This will need to be submitted to Google Classroom by Wednesday evening at 11:59 PM! We will have a lot of time in class to work on it today!

Please submit your completed summer reading assignment here no later than 2:30 PM on Monday, 8/23! Remember - if you are a student who recently enrolled in Mary Star, please complete the alternative assignment (which we will discuss in class on Wednesday, 8/18).

Your assignment is to send me an email! Email me at [email protected].  Your email must follow all of these guidelines:
Must have a clear subject line
Must be addressed to me with an appropriate salutation (Example: Dear Ms. Hanley,)
Must be formatted correctly
Must have an appropriate closing (Example - Sincerely, “Your Name”)
Must be free of spelling and grammar errors.
Must be 5-6 sentences long.
Must be sent from your Mary Star Email Address!!!
You can email me about anything regarding our class, something you would like me to know about you, any questions or concerns you have about your grade, or any other information you think I should know about you and your experience so far at Mary Star. This is due by the end of the day on Monday, 8/23!!! - you will have the rest of the class period to work on this!



NOTE - You do not have to submit an assignment to this assignment posting - this is just for you to be able to refer back to the instructions and due date if you need to!

Submit a photograph of your signed Course Policy Statement to this assignment posting by Monday, 8/23 at 2:30 PM.

With your groups, you are going to be completing the following tasks...


1. Choose a major topic that you would like to focus on. It can be one that we discussed in class today or it can be something different!
2. Come up with a theme statement for The Secret Life of Bees that you could easily defend in an essay. Remember, your theme must be a complete, well-developed thought!

I will be checking in with each group and providing assistance as needed! We will come back as a class and share our themes as a big group! Even though you are working in groups, each student must submit a completed theme statement to this post for full credit.