S+Cole+Sara

** E-mail: ** sara.cole@maine.edu
 * Teacher:** Ms. Cole
 * Office:** Room 317
 * Office Phone:** 778-7648
 * Office Hours:** 2:30-4:30

=Summary of Unit= In this unit students will be able to identify and discuss recurring themes and conflicts in a novel. The novel we will use is //Wicked// by Gregory Maguire. Students will work on identifying and discussing common and recurring conflicts and symbols. Students will be able to support their assertions concerning themes and conflicts by using textual evidence. By the end of the unit students will be able to appropriately acknowledge textual complexity, and be able to analyze and discuss the text and site proper evidence for assertions. The unit will conclude with an i-movie presention that utilizes their knowledge of themes, conflicts, and symbols. The presentation will require a deeper understanding of underlying aspects of the novel and the use of textual evidence.

=Establish Goals= Maine Learning Results: English Language Arts- A. Reading A2: Literary Texts Grade 9-Diploma: //Wicked// Students read text within a grade appropriate span of text complexity and present analysis of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry using excerpts from text to defend their assertions. d. Evaluate the theme or themes whether explicitly stated or implied in a literary text.

= = =Students will understand that= •there are different symbols and characterizations that are key to the themes of the novel. •there are multiple interwoven themes and conflicts found in: //Wicked//. •the text can be used to support assertions concerning: themes, conflicts, and symbols, found in the novel.

= = =Essential Questions= •How does Maguire illustrate key themes and conflicts and how does this present a classic tale from a new angle? •Why does Maguire tell a classic tale from this angle? What are key concepts he addresses through this retelling? •How can the text be used to support assertions concerning the meaning of the novel?

= = =Students will know= •vocabulary: tone, symbolism, metaphor, point of view, stream of consciousness, theme, motif. •critical details: How to analyze and recognize important textual details. •important events and people: Key characters, events, and conflicts present in the novel.

= = =Students will be able to= •explain how the author uses writing style, symbolism, and literary devices to convey thematic meaning. •(b) evaluate the theme or themes, whether explicitly stated or implied in a literary text. •use text to support assertions •analyze symbols present in the novel. •consider recurring themes and conflicts. •recognize important textual nuances and details needed to support assertions.

**Performance Task Overview** You have been selected by Gregory Maguire to create an engaging film version of //Wicked// for a cable network. The cable network can only air the most critical parts of the novel, so you must convince them that you are able to identify the key facets of the novel. You must pick what you feel is the MOST important scene in Wicked and present your **interpretation** of that scene. This is not an ordinary "shoot" and "edit". You need to do your best to show the network that you can use art, and even words to present your angle. They want to see your creativity and originality! You need to justify to the powers that be you reasoning for your scene selection. Top independant film makers from all over the country have been approached with the task and you must stand out above the rest! Your team of three film makers (including yourself) will also be chronicling its journey on the team blog. This will include your factual evidence, your reasons behind your selection and the story of your teams collaboration (this could be juicier then the "Hills." You and your production team have a large task ahead of you, but with your knowledge and skill you are guaranteed the job, or are you?

=Expectations= The main goal of this class is to get students exicted and thinking about reading in a different way. You will be asked to do things with your reading that you have never done before, come to class with an open mind and an open book and you will succeed. The work you submit should be something that you are proud of, it should reflect hard work and deeper thinking and it should reflect YOUR thinking! Plagarism is not going to be tolerated! Group work will play a large role in this class, you should come to class ready to work with your fellow classmates and always give constructive USEFUL and polite feedback. I am always available for questions, you can come see me before or after class for any help you may need! All class assignments are posted on the class wiki make sure to check the wiki often! If you miss class please check on the class wiki and do any individual assignments and reading (all handouts will be available on the wiki). You need to come see me before our next class meeting to get any group information. You will have one week to complete missed assignments after one week points will be deducted from your class participation grade for every class meeting day you are late! Please take responsibility and check the wiki! Read, Create, and have FUN! = = =Benchmarks= This class will be based on a point total of 350. While some assignments are worth more points then others each and every assignment is important and each assignment should be turned in on time and of a quality that shows hard work and deeper thinking.


 * Podcasts** (20 points each) You will have the opportunity to create podcasts and radio shows using garage band! Podcasts and radio shows are great ways to present your ideas, and they are fun to create! This grade will be based upon collaboration, planning, and the final products.


 * Comic Life Projects** (20 points) You will be creating comics this unit using comic life. Comic lives should be graphically pleasing, textually sound, colorful, and informative. This grade will be based upon collaboration, planning, and final products.


 * Quizzes** (20 point) You will have short quizzes about every 5 chapters. Quizzes will be true/false and or short answer questions pertaining to the content of assigned readings.


 * Blogs** (40 points) You will be keeping a blog throughout this unit. Your blog will contain answers to 'leading' questions, short chapter responses, group blog enteries. You will also be expected to comment constructively on fellow classmates' blogs.


 * GoogleEarth** (40 points) You will be constructing a tour of an 'earth' version of Oz. This project requires you to extend your thinking outside of the novel, and bring it to the real world. You will be on a team and it is your teams assignment to create a fun and interesting rendition of oz. This grade will be based upon collaboration, planning, and final product.


 * Exam** (50 points) There will be a test at the end of the novel. The test will have a short answer, t/f, and essay section all questions will be based upon readings and key terminology.


 * Class Participation** (60 points) A large portion of your grade is based upon your attendance and contribution to the class. Large and small group discussions, graphic organizers, attendance, and attitude are all figured into this portion of your grade. Lack of classroom participation, poor behavior, and disrespect will result in the deduction of points at my discretion. You will also keep a classroom journal. 10 minutes will be set aside each class to write in your journal. Your entries can be a commentary about class, self assessment, or even a personal entry unrelated to class. Be creative, use different dorms of writting. Only I will see your journal, and it will not be graded or judged, however your classparticipation grade will be affected if you fail to write in your journal on a regular basis.

This grade is based upon your i-movie product and its creativity and content, your oral presentation, collaboration, and team blog.
 * I-movie** (100 points) This is your final unit project, it will be a culmination of all you learned through out the unit. The task is this: You have been selected by Gregory Maguire to create an engaging trailer for the film version of //Wicked// for a cable network. The cable network can only air the most critical parts of the novel, so you must convince them that you are able to identify the key facets of the novel. You must pick what you feel is the MOST important scene in Wicked and present your **interpretation** of that scene inside the trailer.

=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)