Mrs. Stubbs's English Blog: Welcome Back!

I know we started back last Tuesday, but somehow it didn't quite feel like we were fully back. At this point, everyone is back, so now it feels real. And of course, all the busy schedules kicked up again, so this is going to be fairly short and sweet.

Last week we finished Module 2, Unit 1. For their assessment they completed an analytical chart on a Central Idea between two different pieces (Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" and Dickinson's "I felt a Funeral in my Brain") and looked at how the two developed the same idea; then they wrote a paragraph explaining it in sentence form. After that, they began an online project intended to introduce them to topics that are helpful to know as we jump into Module 2, Unit 2. This unit will be for Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Because the text is not just about the travesty that occurred in 1690's Massachusetts, they're getting an overview of five topics: McCarthyism, Arthur Miller, the Cold War, Puritan Culture and History, and the Salem Witch Trials. Please note: there is no witchcraft in this play. Instead of me lecturing to them, they are on Google Classroom. Last week they took notes on all five topics, keeping track of the source information. This coming week, they'll pick one topic and delve a bit deeper, then create a small project to present to the class on Friday. They will not need to stand up and present; they'll have their project sitting on their desk and we'll walk around and share what each student learned. So here's the plan:

Monday, 1/9 - they have the hour to pick their topic and then use Google Classroom to more thoroughly investigate the topic online through websites, encylopedia articles, and video; they will also create Works Cited entries with their sources. We will also be going to the library to check out The Crucible texts.
Tuesday, 1/10 - they will use their notes to create a project. They have three options: a brochure, a timeline, or a Google Slide presentation. Obviously the Google Slide presentation will be online; the brochures and timelines can either be created online and printed, or done old-school with craft materials. The project is due Friday.
Wednesday, 1/11 - academic advisory - we will start Verb Packet #2; then we'll jump into The Crucible.
Thursday, 1/12 - career advisory - we will do a page of verbs, then we'll continue The Crucible.
Friday, 1/13 - 1/2 Day - we'll share our projects and take notes on the information we learn. End of Semester 1!