MILKEN TIFERET H English 10: World Lit

Macbeth
13-15 class meetings
1st Topic Rationale
The topic involves multiple aspects of William Shakespeare's Tragedy, Macbeth. Students will explore
multiple thematic elements including the supernatural, gender roles, symbols, fate and free will, ambition,
violence and appearance versus reality. Prior understanding of the tragic hero will be applied to Macbeth,
which will be contrasted with the previously studied Greek tragedies. Students will also study the use of
theatrical elements used in the performance aspect of the play.
1st Topic Performance Standards
1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
2. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
3. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 910 topics, texts, and issues, building on
others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
4. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
5. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on
grades 910 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
6. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
7. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
8. Identify aspects of a text that reveal an authors point of view or purpose.
1st Topic Essential Questions
1. How is Shakespeare reinforce the cultural values of his time?
2. How have cultural values changed over the past 400 years?
3. How is Macbeth relevant to my life?
1st Topic Assessment(s)
Students may be assessed in the following methods:
1. Essays - Each semester students will write in-class essays, as well as substantive, thesis-driven,
research essays of 3-5 pages in length. All drafts of process papers are submitted online. Details
will follow about how this functions.
2. In-Class Work - You will be required to do a variety of activities in class, including but not limited
to, journal writing, small group activity, research, worksheets, etc. This work must be completed in
a timely manner and handed in or submitted at the end of class.
3. Quizzes - Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced. Tests will be given throughout the
semester to assess mastery of the reading, writing, and grammar lessons.
4. Homework - Regular homework assignments will be given for reading, writing, grammar, and
vocabulary; all must be completed on time.
5. Reader response - Occasionally, the books are supplemented with scholarly articles. We usually
work on these in class. You complete a Reader Response following the directions on the
handout. The purpose of the activity is to see our authors and their books through various lenses.
They also help provide the foundation of our discussions. It is key preparation for work at the
college level.
6. Annotations and presentations -These will be uploaded to MyMilken. You will occasionally be
asked to intensely annotate a passage and present your views to the class. Some annotations
may require teacher-students meetings during Lishma or another time outside of class.

7. Project - Depending on the course of affairs, you may be assigned a project that demands
creativity and basically presenting your views on a book that break away from traditional essays.
8. Test and quizzes - You can expect daily reading comprehension quizzes. Vocabulary and
grammar quizzes will be spaced approximately 5-8 classes apart.
9. Participation - To earn a high grade in class participation, you must arrive having read and
understood the previous nights reading, contribute thoughtfully to class discussion, and take an
active role in small group work. (Note: if you read but did not understand the previous nights
readings, it is your responsibility to come to class with specific questions. Remember, what is
unclear to you is bound to have been unclear to others in the class as well).
10. Topic Assessment - At the end of the Topic, you will be required to sit a full class assessment. It
is critical that you hold on to ALL of your handouts, lecture notes, homework assignments, tests,
and quizzes from throughout the term as you will need these to prepare for the Assessment. After
we have finished a unit, you may file papers in a separate folder to be kept at home or in your
locker.

The Romantics
8-10 class meetings
nd

2 Topic Rationale
The topic involves multiple aspects of Romantic tradition. Students will Romanticism as largely a reaction
against the ideology of the Enlightenment period that dominated much of European philosophy, politics,
and art from the mid-17th century until the close of the 18th century. Whereas Enlightenment thinkers
value logic, reason, and rationality, Romantics value emotion, passion, and individuality. Prior
understanding of literary devices and poetic forms will be applied to the Romantics.
nd

Topic Performance Standards

1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
2. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
3. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 910 topics, texts, and issues, building on
others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
4. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
5. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on
grades 910 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
6. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
7. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
8. Identify aspects of a text that reveal an authors point of view or purpose.

nd

Topic Essential Questions

1. How do the Romantics challenge the cultural values of their time?
2. How are the Romantic relevant to my life?
3. How contemporary artists challenge or reinforce the cultural values of our time?

2nd Topic List of Subtopics (if applicable)

Generation 1: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Blake, & Burns
Generation 2: Byron, Shelley, & Keats
2nd Topic Assessment(s)
Students may be assessed in the following methods:

1. Essays - Each semester students will write in-class essays, as well as substantive, thesis-driven,
research essays of 3-5 pages in length. All drafts of process papers are submitted online. Details
will follow about how this functions.
2. In-Class Work - You will be required to do a variety of activities in class, including but not limited
to, journal writing, small group activity, research, worksheets, etc. This work must be completed in
a timely manner and handed in or submitted at the end of class.
3. Quizzes - Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced. Tests will be given throughout the
semester to assess mastery of the reading, writing, and grammar lessons.
4. Homework - Regular homework assignments will be given for reading, writing, grammar, and
vocabulary; all must be completed on time.
5. Reader Response - Occasionally, the books are supplemented with scholarly articles. We
usually work on these in class. You complete a Reader Response following the directions on the
handout. The purpose of the activity is to see our authors and their books through various lenses.
They also help provide the foundation of our discussions. It is key preparation for work at the
college level.
6. Annotations and presentations -These will be uploaded to MyMilken. You will occasionally be
asked to intensely annotate a passage and present your views to the class. Some annotations
may require teacher-students meetings during Lishma or another time outside of class.
7. Project - Depending on the course of affairs, you may be assigned a project that demands
creativity and basically presenting your views on a book that break away from traditional essays.
8. Test and quizzes - You can expect daily reading comprehension quizzes. Vocabulary and
grammar quizzes will be spaced approximately 5-8 classes apart.
9. Participation - To earn a high grade in class participation, you must arrive having read and
understood the previous nights reading, contribute thoughtfully to class discussion, and take an
active role in small group work. (Note: if you read but did not understand the previous nights
readings, it is your responsibility to come to class with specific questions. Remember, what is
unclear to you is bound to have been unclear to others in the class as well).
10. Topic Assessment - At the end of the Topic, you will be required to sit a full class assessment. It
is critical that you hold on to ALL of your handouts, lecture notes, homework assignments, tests,
and quizzes from throughout the term as you will need these to prepare for the Assessment. After
we have finished a unit, you may file papers in a separate folder to be kept at home or in your
locker.

Paradise Lost
3-4 weeks.
rd

3 Topic Rationale
Students build upon their knowledge of the Epic and Tragic hero to compare these concepts to Milton's
Romantic hero. We also continue our exploration of gender issues as seen in Adam and Eve's downfall,
the struggle humans have with fate vs. free will, and the use of literature to comment on the contemporary
world.
rd

3 Topic Performance Standards

1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
2. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
3. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 910 topics, texts, and issues, building on
others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
4. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
5. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on
grades 910 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
6. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

7. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
8. Identify aspects of a text that reveal an authors point of view or purpose.
rd

3 Topic Essential Questions

1. What purpose does Milton's Satan serve for the reader? Is he a villain, a fallen hero, a mix of
both? Is his type of heroism a modern example, even after 400 years?
2. What gender issues are defined through Adam and Eve's interactions? Are these relevant to the
twenty-first century?
3. Considering Aristotle's Poetics, do his dramatic concepts apply to this poem?
4. How does this epic poem differ from The Odyssey? What similarities do you note?
rd

3 Topic Texts
1. The Life of John Milton, pages xv-xxvii of the Norton Critical Edition.
2. C.S. Lewis From Satan, pages 401-407 of the Norton Critical Edition.
3. C.S. Lewis From the conclusion to A Preface to Paradise Lost, pages 437-439 of the Norton
Critical Edition.
rd

3 Topic Assessment(s)
Students may be assessed in the following methods:
1. Essays - Each semester students will write in-class essays, as well as substantive, thesis-driven,
research essays of 3-5 pages in length. All drafts of process papers are submitted online. Details
will follow about how this functions.
2. In-Class Work - You will be required to do a variety of activities in class, including but not limited
to, journal writing, small group activity, research, worksheets, etc. This work must be completed in
a timely manner and handed in or submitted at the end of class.
3. Quizzes - Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced. Tests will be given throughout the
semester to assess mastery of the reading, writing, and grammar lessons.
4. Homework - Regular homework assignments will be given for reading, writing, grammar, and
vocabulary; all must be completed on time.
5. Reader Response - Occasionally, the books are supplemented with scholarly articles. We
usually work on these in class. You complete a Reader Response following the directions on the
handout. The purpose of the activity is to see our authors and their books through various lenses.
They also help provide the foundation of our discussions. It is key preparation for work at the
college level.
6. Annotations and presentations -These will be uploaded to MyMilken. You will occasionally be
asked to intensely annotate a passage and present your views to the class. Some annotations
may require teacher-students meetings during Lishma or another time outside of class.
7. Project - Depending on the course of affairs, you may be assigned a project that demands
creativity and basically presenting your views on a book that break away from traditional essays.
8. Test and quizzes - You can expect daily reading comprehension quizzes. Vocabulary and
grammar quizzes will be spaced approximately 5-8 classes apart.
9. Participation - To earn a high grade in class participation, you must arrive having read and
understood the previous nights reading, contribute thoughtfully to class discussion, and take an
active role in small group work. (Note: if you read but did not understand the previous nights
readings, it is your responsibility to come to class with specific questions. Remember, what is
unclear to you is bound to have been unclear to others in the class as well).
10. Topic Assessment - At the end of the Topic, you will be required to sit a full class assessment. It
is critical that you hold on to ALL of your handouts, lecture notes, homework assignments, tests,
and quizzes from throughout the term as you will need these to prepare for the Assessment. After
we have finished a unit, you may file papers in a separate folder to be kept at home or in your
locker.

A Doll's House
A week.
th

4 Topic Rationale
A Doll's House allows students to study a play written in a more modern language and discuss the
concepts of Naturalism. Also, the play raises questions of gender and power, which are, of course, at the
forefront of literary conversations in the twenty-first century.
th

4 Topic Performance Standards

1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
2. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
3. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 910 topics, texts, and issues, building on
others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
4. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
5. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on
grades 910 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
6. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
7. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
8. Identify aspects of a text that reveal an authors point of view or purpose.
th

4 Topic Essential Questions

1. Why does Ibsen write the dialogue of his characters in such a realistic fashion?
2. What effect does he want this to have on the audience?
th

4 Topic Assessment(s)
Students may be assessed in the following methods:
1. Essays - Each semester students will write in-class essays, as well as substantive, thesis-driven,
research essays of 3-5 pages in length. All drafts of process papers are submitted online. Details
will follow about how this functions.
2. In-Class Work - You will be required to do a variety of activities in class, including but not limited
to, journal writing, small group activity, research, worksheets, etc. This work must be completed in
a timely manner and handed in or submitted at the end of class.
3. Quizzes - Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced. Tests will be given throughout the
semester to assess mastery of the reading, writing, and grammar lessons.
4. Homework - Regular homework assignments will be given for reading, writing, grammar, and
vocabulary; all must be completed on time.
5. Reader Response - Occasionally, the books are supplemented with scholarly articles. We
usually work on these in class. You complete a Reader Response following the directions on the
handout. The purpose of the activity is to see our authors and their books through various lenses.
They also help provide the foundation of our discussions. It is key preparation for work at the
college level.
6. Annotations and presentations -These will be uploaded to MyMilken. You will occasionally be
asked to intensely annotate a passage and present your views to the class. Some annotations
may require teacher-students meetings during Lishma or another time outside of class.
7. Project - Depending on the course of affairs, you may be assigned a project that demands
creativity and basically presenting your views on a book that break away from traditional essays.
8. Test and quizzes - You can expect daily reading comprehension quizzes. Vocabulary and
grammar quizzes will be spaced approximately 5-8 classes apart.
9. Participation - To earn a high grade in class participation, you must arrive having read and
understood the previous nights reading, contribute thoughtfully to class discussion, and take an

active role in small group work. (Note: if you read but did not understand the previous nights
readings, it is your responsibility to come to class with specific questions. Remember, what is
unclear to you is bound to have been unclear to others in the class as well).
10. Topic Assessment - At the end of the Topic, you will be required to sit a full class assessment. It
is critical that you hold on to ALL of your handouts, lecture notes, homework assignments, tests,
and quizzes from throughout the term as you will need these to prepare for the Assessment. After
we have finished a unit, you may file papers in a separate folder to be kept at home or in your
locker.