S+Martel+Elizabeth

=Summary of Unit= Hello and Welcome to Ms. Martel's English Class! This unit will focus on the ability to understand and analyze the different themes and literary devices within this text. You will be able to evaluate these themes, whether explicitly stated or implied, in a literary text and be able to show and describe the lives of the characters within "The Great Gatsby". By the end of the unit, you will be familiar with terms such as setting, conflict, symbolism, imagery, the landscape, theme, and historical content. All of you will have analyzed characters themselves and conflicts among them as well as demonstrate a clear understanding of the content of the book. You will also illustrate how the setting and tone can affect the plot and the characters. You will be able to compare and contract main ideas and characters throughout the book as well as define new and unfamiliar vocabulary. You will have assumed the role of an actor and writer and create a new chapter for this text. Through this project you will be able to relate fictional social and emotional issues to not only your personal life but others as well. The final product of the unit will be a performance task in which you will write a script as a guide for their multimedia presentation, portraying their new alternate ending to the book. We will cover a lot of material but don't feel discouraged! We will have lots of fun! =Establish Goals= A2 Literary Texts Grades 9-Diploma  //** Students read text, within a grade appropriate span of text complexity, and present analyzes of fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry using excepts from the text to defend their assertions. **// d. Evaluate the theme or themes, whether explicitly stated or implied, in a literary text. = = =Students will understand that= •every piece of literature has multiple meanings allowing for many different interpretations. •novelists will often relate the lives of their characters to real life experiences and events. •a good reader will navigate through the piece of literature with an open mind and be open to new styles of writing. = = =Essential Questions= •How many meanings or different interpretations can be found within this piece of literature? •What real life experiences or scenarios can be found within this text? •How can different styles of writing, including the ones within this text, affect the overall tone of the text? = = =Students will know= •Key Facts and Details: tone, author's information, time period of events, location, writing style, and character roles •Strong Vocabulary and Definition: setting, theme, conflict, climax, symbols, character analysis, and tone •Sequence: a timeline of events and character development = = =Students will be able to= • describe the multiple writing styles used within the text. • evaluate the theme or themes whether explicitly stated or implied in a literary text. • produce a new interpretation of the main character within this text. • contrast the life experiences within the text to their own. • imagine an alternate ending to the text. • recognize and define new vocabulary creating a new chapter for the text.
 * Teacher:** Ms. Elizabeth Martel
 * Office:** 1616 Wonderfull Hall
 * Office Phone:**123-1616
 * Office Hours:** Mon., Wed., Fri.- 3:00-5:00pm; Tues. and Thurs 2:00-4:00pm
 * E-mail:** elizabeth.martel@maine.edu
 * Maine Learning Result: English Language Arts- //A. Reading //**

**Performance Task Overview** You have read "The Great Gatsby", discussed it in class, analyzed the text, and have heard what other classmates had to say about these topics. Now you must combine all of your knowledge into this multimedia project/presentation. You must take on the role of not only a writer and actor but either a director, a cinematographer, or a manager as well as a contestant. Fox TV wants to create a new TV show inspired by "The Great Gatsby". However they do not like the ending of the book as written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fox and F. Scott Fitzgerald have decided to hold a contest for submissions as to ideas about the new TV show. You will take on the role of a contestant and create an alternate ending to the book as your contest entry. You must work with your group to illustrate and continue the themes, plot and setting from the book. However how the book ends and even continues from there is in your own hands. Through your role of a writer you will write a script for this TV show/ alternate ending of the book and then demonstrate this script through a performance, this will be your contest entry. Then as a director, cinematographer, or manager you will work with your group to compile a multimedia presentation, you will film this final product. You need to convince not just the class but more importantly Fox TV and F. Scott Fitzgerald that not only is your ending and idea for the TV show the best choice but the winner. Good Luck!

=Expectations= All of the work done in this class will require a lot of time and effort. Although numerous times for in class work will be provided, the bulk of the assignments and work must be completed outside of class. You will be expected to come to class prepared and on time each day. Participation is required so not only you but your classmates can learn from each other. We will be spending a lot of time focusing on details and really understanding the material therefore missing a class will significantly hurt your ability to stay on task.

All of the assignments to be handed in are expected to be typed, double-spaced, using 12-point Times New Roman font. If you are absent, you must make an appointment to meet with me to discuss missed work and material. If you are absent work must be turned in at the next class meeting. No other late work will be accepted and if turned in any later than the date approved by me, due to an absence, it will receive a zero. When it is time for presentations numbers will be randomly drawn so it is important to always be prepared, even on the first day. Aside from my policies all school policies are still applied within my classroom


 * ATTENTION ** ** Students **: Plagiarism is not and will not be tolerated. It is not acceptable in my class or in any other class within this school. Plagiarism is harmful not only to your understanding of the material and of your grade but it is unfair to the original author of the work. If a student is caught plagiarizing, the assignment will be counted as a zero, and the proper consequences will be taken in each case. If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please consult your handbook or simply ask me.

=Benchmarks= The following is the point value for each assignment and project. Your grade will be based on the percent of points earned from the total points of 200.

You need to be present and continuously active in all parts of the classroom and the course. You must be prepared for class and contribute to class discussions and group work among other activities and work in the class. Being present and engaged in the classroom and your fellow classmates contributes not just to a better learning experience but a fun and educational classroom environment.
 * Attendance and Participation - (50 points)**

Throughout the class you will be asked to post to a blog you will create as well as the class wiki. Keeping up with the course material as well as reflecting upon this material in these postings is important to the overall understanding in this course and material involved.
 * Blog and Wiki Postings- (40 points)**

The worksheets and handouts that will be used within this course add to the understanding of the material/ text at hand. Completing these and handing them in on time is important not just for your individual understanding but for the benefit of the class during group work and discussions.
 * Worksheets/ Handouts- (30 points)**

The quizzes used within this class will be a helpful way to understand the vocabulary and terms used within not only the pieces of text at hand but in understanding the material overall.
 * Quizzes- (20 points)**

The PowerPoint presentation will be used to help your understanding of the characters within the pieces of text. You will be creating a story about one of your own personal life experiences, similar to a character in the book. This story will be turned into a digital presentation and presented to the class.
 * PowerPoint/ Digital Presentation- (30 points)**

You will be asked to create a script/skit that is an alternate to a major event or scene within the book (choosing from a list of scenes and events given). You will then use all of the information learned and your script to create a ComicLife presentation. This will then be presented to the class. =Grading Scale= A (93-100), A- (90-92), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62), F (0-59)
 * ComicLife- (30 Points)**