Literature

Instructor:  Marc Costanza

Content:
Prentice Hall Literature as a text will be occasionally used. This is supplemented by handouts in the Oral Tradition Unit, the Myth Unit, and the American Short Story Unit. We will do at least two novels.

Poetry Book:
Neighborhood Odes by Gary Soto, a collection of Chicano poetry
You Come Too by Robert Frost, a collection of his best nature and eastern states poetry

In February, we begin Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” with various scenes performed.

Book Log:
Weekly worksheet will be through Forms on Office.  Due at the end of every week.

Book reports:  Due approximately every 3 weeks.   Choose 1 of the options below, see me if you choose creative.

Oral—
Same format as standard except presented in front of class orally.

Creative—
Choose a book and present one scene to the class:  puppet show, theater, etc.  Must OK with me.

Flow Chart—
What happened?  Illustrate and explain the sequence of events and (if any) sub-stages.  Minimum of three events, maximum of five.   Illustrate three panels/boxes.

Edible (may only do once per semester)—
 Was there a food prominently featured in your story?  Make it and explain its significance.

Standard–
Head a paper as you would for class.
Where assignment goes, put genre.
Under that, the first line of your paper, in center, put Title and author.
Write a two paragraph summary of book.  3-5 sentences per paragraph
Skip two lines.
Write a one paragraph opinion of book.
Skip two lines
Write two or so sentences on your favorite character.

Shadow Box/Diorama—
Illustrate one scene of your book using paper, clay, salt dough, etc.
Attach a 3/5 card to top with title(underlined), author, and your name followed by a description of illustrated scene.

Interview
Interview a character from your book.  See me for further instructions (up to plus 5 EC)

Extra Credit—extra book report, on a book you have not done one on but have journaled on.  Must be in standard form; up to 10 pts.

First Semester
Book Report #1—Fiction (science fiction, fantasy, dystopian…)
Book Report #2—Horror or mystery
Book Report #3—Non-fiction (true story, biography, autobiography)
Book Report #4—Tuck Everlasting, The Breadwinner, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Miracle’s Boys, Taste of Salt, Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights

Second Semester
Book Report #1—Historical Fiction
Book Report #2—Classic fiction
Book Report #3—Fiction
Book Report #4—Shadow Spinner, HUSH, Framed in Fire, Bridges to Terabithia, Parvana’s Journey, Beardance, Stuck in Neutral, If You Come Softly, The Skin I’m In

I will read books and poetry aloud to you also.

Grading:
Book Reports                                                     50%
Journal/log                                                          20%
Classwork                                                            20%
Participation                                                      10%

Death of Caesar

Gary Soto Poem Presentation, Ode to Pinata

Sharing Family Stories