S+Trautvetter+Jennifer

** E-mail: ** Jennifer.Trautvetter@maine.edu =Summary of Unit= Students will be reading Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson. The unit will focus on applying literary texts to real life situations. Students will acquire new vocabulary and incorporate it into their writing. Students will learn how to analyze texts using concepts such as theme, symbol, plot and characterization. Students will make projects to be presented in and out of the classroom. Students will work on their verbal communication skills by holding exhibitions and events for the school community.
 * Teacher:** Ms. Trautvetter
 * Office:** Go up the stairway to heaven and bang a right. My door is the first on the left, after the closet full of halos.
 * Office Phone:** 207-867-5309
 * Office Hours:** Never! (2:30-3:45 Daily)

A1: Interconnected Elements: Comprehension, vocabulary, alphabetics, fluency. Grades 9-Diploma: //Speak// by Laurie Halse Anderson Students read and evaluate texts within a grade appropriate span of text complexity, by applying their knowledge and strategies of comprehension, vocabulary, alphabetics, and fluency. b: Demonstrate ownership of appropriate vocabulary effectively using a word in different contexts and for different purposes. ||
 * **Establish Goals:** **(G)** ||
 * Maine Learning Results: English Language Arts A. Reading

//What understandings are desired?//
• close readings of the text lead to a deeper understanding of the author's message. • verbal competence is necessary for effective and efficient communication. ||
 * //Students will understand that:// **(U)** ||
 * • a strong vocabulary is essential to communicate effectively and efficiently.

//What essential questions will be considered?//
• How do close readings lead to a deeper understanding of the author's message? • Why is verbal competence necessary for effective and efficient communication? ||
 * **Essential Questions:** **(Q)** ||
 * • Why is vocabulary essential to communicate effectively and efficiently?

//What key knowledge and skills will students acquire as a result of this unit?//
• Formula; How to analyze unknown words by deciphering meaning through context and knowledge of word parts and their meanings. • Vocabulary; Know proper spelling, use, and definition of age-appropriate vocabulary. || • (b) demonstrate ownership of appropriate vocabulary by effectively using a word in different contexts and for different purposes. •make sense of new vocabulary words using previous defined roots. • exhibit skills in reading text using appropriate pacing, phrasing, intonation, and expression. • criticize reading strategies to optimize understanding of author's message. •relate new vocabulary words to real life people and situations. • reflect of how reading can and has enriched your life. ||
 * //Students will know:// **(K)** || //Students will be able to:// **(S)** ||
 * • Critical details; How to perform a close reading.

**Performance Task Overview** You have just started volunteering for a local crisis center. Right now you're just learning the ropes, getting to know the staff, training to work the crisis hot line by researching and finding resources. So far, everything has been going okay, but then you are told by the director of the center, that they will be short staffed tonight and they need you to help answer calls. This is your big chance to prove to the staff that you've been researching how to handle any crisis. You still have a little time to keep researching what kinds of calls you might receive and how best to help the caller. You're confident that by tonight, no matter what the problem, you will be able to help any person who calls. The director, staff, and callers are counting on you!

=Expectations= Show up to class. I'll be there, you should be too. In the event that you are not, I will give you one full week to come to me to get caught up. After that, you will lose points from your participation grade (dun dun dun). I understand emergencies; life happens. I have a life too (no, really I do), and I understand that you can't control everything no matter how hard you try.

Finish assignments in a timely manner. I'm not going to chase you down. It will be posted to the wiki, written on the board, and you'll be reminded every class of what you should be working on. This is the first step on a very long journey to adulthood. Some of you will stumble, some will fall flat on your face, but I promise there will always be chances to stand back up and keep on truckin'. Every student who gives 100%, is going to get 100%.

I will not tolerate derogatory language of any kind, so please keep it to yourself. It's disrespectful, hurtful, and rude.

Besides that, the usually rules apply. Respect me. Respect others. Respect the classroom. Respect yourselves.

=Benchmarks= This classed will be based on a point total of 2000 points.


 * ( 300 points) Classroom Attendance and Participation** - This portion of the grade will be determined by your attendance in class and your involvement in classroom discussion and activities. Attendance is crucial for the most learning to occur in the classroom. Although I will not deduct points for missing class, you MUST meet with for within one week in order to keep from losing points. Participation also effects your point values; participation in the class will ensure your points. Not participating in class will be a deduction of points at my discretion.

= =
 * (350 points) Blog Bank** - This blog will be used all year. We will be using this for reflections on homework, projects, discussions, and just about anything else we would want to blog about. This is a space where you can write what ever you feel like. They will be graded for completion more than content.

=

 * ( 250 points) iDictionary** - This project was created to help you familiarize yourselves with commonly used roots. You will all receive a copy of the final DVD, at the end of the year, containing all of our vocabulary words. You will be given two full days in class to record your pages.=====

=

 * ( 250 points) Comic Life** - My cooking is abysmal, my hair is sublime, but my conversation is redundant. Tell what you're like? Are you jubilant? Demonic? Intuitive? Superficial? Whimsical? Facetious? In this story you create, you can be anything you want.=====

=

 * ( 250 points) Author in the studio** - Here's your chance to ask your favorite (or maybe future favorite) author as many questions as you want. Why is a certain character so grumpy? Why is there so many bells in this book?=====

**( 300 points) WebQuest** -
A = 95 - 93 A- = 92 - 90 B+ = 89 - 87 B = 87- 84 B- = 83 - 80 C+ = 79 - 76 C = 75 - 73 C- = 73 - 70 D = 70 - 65 F = 65 - 0 ||
 * =Grading Scale= ||
 * A+ = 100 - 96