The Crucible Research Project

This project will have three main parts.

Part 1
A two page (typed, double spaced) report and analysis of one of these topics:

• Hollywood Blacklist
• Senator Joseph McCarthy
• House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Part 2
A visually appealing poster that contains a summary of your written report, pictures and one of the following items:

• A brief newspaper story about the appearance of witchcraft in Salem that includes interviews with characters from the play.
• An arrest warrant for Elizabeth Proctor, Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse.
• A tabloid-style story about the affair between Abigail and John Proctor and how the truth is revealed in the courtroom in Act Three.

Part 3
A 5 minute oral presentation of your report and poster.

Read 180 Syllabus

Read 180 Course Syllabus


Teacher: Heather Whiteside
Room: 126A
Phone: (323) 993-1700 ext. 275
Email: heather.whiteside@lausd.net


“READ 180 is an intensive reading intervention program that helps educators confront the problem of adolescent illiteracy and special needs reading on multiple fronts, using technology, print, and professional development. READ 180 is proven to meet the needs of struggling readers whose reading achievement is below proficient level. The program directly addresses individual needs through differentiated instruction, adaptive and instructional software, high-interest literature, and direct instruction in reading, writing, and vocabulary skills.” – Scholastic.com

Daily Class Routine

10 Minutes: Warm-up/attendance
25 Minutes: Whole Group Instruction
75 Minutes: Small Group Rotations
10 Minutes: Whole Group follow-up

Small Group Rotations

During small group rotations, students visit three centers set up in designated areas of the classroom.

Rotation 1: Computer
§ Students use interactive software that improves spelling, vocabulary, reading comprehension and fluency. § The software is interactive so that each student can progress at his or her own pace.

Rotation 2: Modeled and Independent Reading
§ Students choose a book at their reading level and read independently.
§ Students may also choose to read along with an audio book.
§ After reading a book, students take a 15 question quiz that they must pass with 70% accuracy.

Rotation 3: Small Group Instruction
§ Students use their rBook text and supplemental materials to receive target instruction in skills they need to be successful readers.

Classroom Materials

Materials Provided
§ Read 180 rBook text (stays in classroom)
§ Read 180 Paperback books (stay in classroom)

Materials needed
§ Pen or pencil
§ Positive attitude

Class Rules

Be Safe
· Remain Seated at all times
· Listen carefully to directions
Be Respectful
· Do not talk while others are talking
· Do not write on desks, computers or other school property
Be Responsible
· Come to class on time – points are deducted from class participation when students are tardy.
· Ask for make-up assignments when you are absent


Grading Procedures

Grades will be weighted based on the following percentages:

20% Class Participation and Attendance (Including additional writing activities)
20% Whole Group Activities
20% Computer Activities
20% Independent Reading Quizzes
20% Small Group Activities

Grading Scale

100 – 90 A
89 – 80 B
79 – 67 C
67 – 60 D
59 – 0 F

American Lit Syllabus

Fall 2007 Course Syllabus
English 11A: American Literature prior to 1900

Teacher: Heather Whiteside
Room: 126A
Phone: (323) 993-1700 ext. 275
Email: heather.whiteside@lausd.net

Course Description

English 11A begins with literature from the arrival of Europeans in America and with the start of the 20th century. This class will be structured according to the workshop model and will provide ample opportunities for literature discussion, analysis and reflection. Assessments will consist of exams and written projects.

Class Materials

ScottForesman Literature and Integrated Studies
Composition or spiral bound notebook
Pen or pencil

Unit Outline

These units correspond to the Hollywood High School English Department pacing plan. Texts have been chosen to correspond with the United States History curriculum.

July 2 – July 13: Academic Vocabulary
· “I Have Killed the Deer”
· “Of Plymouth Plantation” by William Bradford
· Excerpt from “The Diary of Samuel Sewall”
· Excerpt from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards

July 16 – August 10: Speaking and Listening
· The Crucible by Arthur Miller

August 13 – September 7: Persuasion
· Excerpt from “The Iroquois Constitution” by Dekanawidah
· The Declaration of Independence
· “The American Crisis” by Thomas Paine
· Excerpt from “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
· Excerpt from “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau
· “Ain’t I a Woman” by Sojourner Truth
· “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving

September 10 – October 12: Expository
· “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe
· “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
· “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln
· Selected poems by Emily Dickinson
· Selected poems by Walt Whitman
· “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

October 15 – October 19: Cumulative Review and Final Semester Projects


Class Rules

Be Safe
· Remain Seated at all times
· Listen carefully to directions
Be Respectful
· Do not talk while others are talking
· Do not write on desks, computers or other school property
Be Responsible
· Come to class on time
· Ask for make-up assignments when you are absent


Grading Procedures

Grades will be weighted based on the following percentages:

10% Participation and Attendance (Points will be deducted for tardiness.)
20% Classwork
30% Homework
40% Tests and Writing Projects


Grading Scale

100 – 90 A
89 – 80 B
79 – 67 C
67 – 60 D
59 – 0 F