Voice Recognition
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Ninth Grade

Welcome to Mrs. Thomas' Ninth Grade English!

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit.

--Aristotle

 
The ninth grade curriculum map is not a fixed document, but it is the basic outline of what we will be doing week to week. The map includes skills students will be practicing, the main content and instructional resources that will be used, the ways students will be assessed, and the shifts (at bottom of document) and the Common Core Learning Standards that are addressed each week.   
 
Research Unit
Slide #9 has the directions for the central idea writing assignment
Slide #10 at the bottom has the Topic Reflection assignment 
 
Romeo and Juliet

And the Note Taking Handout Here   

We are in the midst of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  Students are working on a balcony scene compare and contrast essay.

Task
After examining Act II Scene II of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and various renditions of the balcony scene on film, develop an essay that compares and contrasts two adaptations to the original text

Romeo and Juliet directed by Franco Zeffirelli (1968)
Romeo + Juliet directed by Baz Luhrmann (1996) This is the best link to the scene.  Start at minute 5:01.  It is a bit distorted and not in its entirety.  You may come in during collaborative to watch the full version with me again. 
Romeo and Juliet directed by Carlo Carlei (2013) You will need to see this again with me if you want to review further.
West Side Story directed by Jerome Robbins (1961) Not the whole scene, but close.

 

 

Study Skills Notebook

All 9th grade ELA students are required to have a 1.5-2 inch 3-Ring notebook with dividers. Click on the hyperlink above to review a copy of the Study Skills Notebook handout.

Staying in Touch

This year I am trying a new way to keep in touch with parents and students; it is a free service to teachers called Remind. It will allow me to either text or e-mail those who sign-up about due dates and assignments. Rest assured it keeps your information completely private. My intention is to use is sparingly to keep you informed.

If you would like to receive the reminders via text then send a text to 607-281-6822 and message @97014.

If you would like to receive the reminders via e-mail then send an e-mail to [email protected]. You may leave the subject blank.

Students over 13 may sign up as well!

As always, you may reach me at [email protected].

Why Read?

"The more you read
the better you write
The more you read
the more you know
The better you write
and the more you know,
the more money you make!"
(Reading Reasons, Kelly Gallagher 2003)

Tips for Reading

1. Read at your own speed. Plan accordingly.

2. Use post-it notes to follow the theme or subject matter. Underline key information or interesting passages.

3. Keep reading even if something is difficult. You don’t have to understand every word.

4. Figure out what environment is best for you to read (quiet, comfortable, at a table, etc.)

Vocabulary Skills

Attached are our the vocabulary slides from class. If you forget your notebook or are absent you can still access your words! You also may enjoy studying using the following websites: