October 28-November 1

Get ready for a week of testing in American Literature!

We are finishing up Unit 2: Revolutionary Literature this week and the students will be reviewing for the exam on Tuesday and taking the exam on Wednesday. 

On Thursday, the students will be quizzed on set #4 of their vocabulary lists.  I have included that list below.

Also, I wanted to inform you that I exdended the due date of the students' documentary film/paper to Monday, November 4.  Hopefully, your child is working diligently on this very important project.

Have a great week!

Don Erickson

Set #4

autonomous (adj):  independent; self-governing

celibacy (n):  abstinence from sex; pure

ascetic (adj):  monk-like; practicing self-denial

reclusive (adj):  withdrawn from society

sequester (v):  to set or keep apart

polarize (v):  to break into opposing factions or groups

chasm (n):  a deep, gaping hole; a gorge

complacent (adj):  self-satisfied; overly contented with oneself

collusion (n):  conspiracy; secret cooperation

complement (n):  to complete; to be the perfect counterpart

October 21-25, 2013

Today, the students will be taking their American Literature mid-term exam in class.  The grades should be posted on ParentConnect by Wednesday. 

The students' group projects for The Scarlet Letter, a documentary film and short research paper, are due on Monday, October 28.  Hopefully, your child has almost completed this assignment and will be putting on the finishing touches throughout this week.

We will be continuing our study of Revolutionary literature and will take the unit exam next week.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me at derickson@d220.org.



Have a great week,

Don Erickson

October 7, 2013

For the next few weeks, we will be utilizing the videos from learnzillion.com to help develop close reading and writing skills.  Your son/daughter signed up to the site today and he/she will be viewing videos for homework a few times per week.  Please encourage your child to do so. 

Last week we completed the novel The Scarlet Letter and the students will begin their final project/paper on the book.  This week we will also begin Unit 2: The Age of Reason.  The students will be studying literature from the Revolutionary Period.

On Thursday we will be taking the vocabulary set #3 quiz.  The words they will be tested on are listed below.  Please help your child study for this important quiz!

Set #3

protract (v):  to lengthen or prolong

abridge (v):  to shorten or condense

copious (adj):  plentiful; abundant

profuse (adj):  flowing; extravagant

sycophant (n):  flatterer; one who sucks up to people in power

ascendant (adj):  superior; dominant

undaunted (adj):  fearless; courageous

supercilious (adj):  scornful superiority; haughty

circuitous (adj):  roundabout; indirect

diffident (adj):  shy; aloof; lacking self-confidence