English 10a Unit 1 Guided Notes

English 10A Guided Notes The Literature of the Americas (Unit 1)
English 10 A Guided Notes

Unit 1: The Literature of the Americas (Unit 1)
● These guided notes will help you focus on the most important concepts in the
lessons and prepare for the assessments in the unit (quick checks, a quiz, and the
test).
● As you take notes using this guide, stories and questions that are asked about on
the test are highlighted.
● You may be able to turn this in for extra credit on your test -- ask your teacher!
Directions:
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Course Resources
● English 10 Message Boards
● PDF Versions of the Textbooks
○ Reading the World Textbook
○ Writing with Power Textbook
● Audio Recordings of English 10A Unit 1 Texts
Outline for Unit 1: The Literature of the Americas

Reading: We are reading literature from the Middle East and South Asia in this
unit. All selections are from your Reading the World textbook.
Portfolio: There is no portfolio for Unit 1.
Lesson # Focus Activity
1 Course Introduction Quick Check
2 Aztec Creation Story Quick Check
3 Emancipation Quick Check
4 The Tourist Center Quick Check

5 Day of the Butterfly Quick Check
6 No Dogs Bark Quick Check
7 Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville Quiz

(Grammar is cumulative
Lessons 1-7)
8 The Literature of the Review

Americas Unit Review
9 The Literature of the Test

Americas Unit Test
**Denotes stories that have a short answer response asked about

them on the Unit 1 test. These questions are marked Unit Test
Question throughout this reading guide.
Unit Test Questions
INSTRUCTIONS: As you read the stories in this unit, think about these test
questions and which texts you might write about in your responses. Note
specific passages and quotes from the text that support your answers.
You will need to write about 10-20 sentences in response to each question.
QUESTION 1. In “The Literature of the Americas,” (the introduction to this unit),

Kimberly Koza writes: “By discovering the literature of our neighbors, we may
also learn about ourselves. ”
Keeping this quote in mind, choose a selection from this unit and write a
paragraph that explains how Koza’s statement applies to the theme of the
selection. Include at least two supporting details (direct quotes from the text).
Be sure to include the title of the selection and indicate whether the author
comes from Canada or Latin America.
TIPS FROM YOUR TEACHERS: Things to think about as you answer this
question:
By “our neighbors,” Koza means Canada and Latin America. Are there any
texts in this unit where someone learns about someone different from
themselves? Or where the characters have similar concerns or experiences to
you? You can talk about how you learned something from a story, or how
someone in one of the stories learned something about someone different
from them.
QUESTION 2. Select a different story or poem from this unit. Identify a literary
element in the chosen selection such as tone, imagery, or symbolism. Explain
how the events and/or ideas in the story or poem exhibit tone, imagery, or
symbolism. Include at least two supporting details or examples. Be sure to
include the title of the selection and the author.
TIPS FROM YOUR TEACHERS: Things to think about as you answer this
question:
As you are completing these lessons, notice when the questions focus on
literary elements such as tone, imagery, or symbolism. Remember that a
symbol is something specific in a story that represents something bigger (for
instance, the moon in “No Dogs Bark” or the ocean in “Two Bodies”). If you
discuss symbolism, you need to identify the SPECIFIC symbol, what you think it
represents, and why.
Unit 1 Lesson 1 Course Introduction Notes:

(click here to return to top of document)
KEY TERM DEFINITION Example

(Reading the
World)
Archetypes
Summary
Translation
World Literature

(Writing with
Power)
Parts of Speech
The Literature the Americas: Reading the World Pages 4-5
● Audio Recording: Lesson 1: The Literature of the Americas
Answer Lesson
Question Page #
What common history do the

Americas share (Canada, the
Caribbean, Latin America, and
the United States)?
Which countries colonized

Canada?
Where did many of the

ancestors of people of the
Caribbean come from?
What languages are primarily

spoken in Latin America?
What is a prominent concern

(or theme) of literature of the
Americas?
Unit Test Question On the Unit Test, you will be asked to choose one text (poem or
story) and explain how it relates to this quote, which is the last line of the introduction
by Kimberly Koza: “By discovering the literature of our neighbors, we may also learn
about ourselves. ”
By “our neighbors,” Koza means Canada, Latin America, and the Carribean (which we
will be reading in Unit 2). As you read the texts in this unit, are there any where
someone learns about someone different from themselves? Or where the characters
have similar concerns or experiences to you?
Grammar: Writing with Power page 546-547
Answer Lesson
Question Page #
How did you do on the parts of

speech pretest on page 547?
Unit 1 Lesson 2 Aztec Creation Story Notes:


(Reading the
World)
Archetypes
Creation Story

(Writing with
Power)
noun
Aztec Creation Story: Reading the World pages 8-15
● Audio recording: Lesson 2: Aztec Creation Story
Question Answer Page #
What made the gods want to

create Earth?
What did Nanahuatzin and

Tecuciztecatl agree to do?
What is the most likely reason

that Nanahuatzin jumped into
the fire first?
Why did one of the gods throw

a rabbit into the moon’s face?
What finally caused the sun

and moon to move?
What are some of the

characteristics of creation
stories?
What does this creation story

tell us about the values of
Aztec society?
Grammar: Writing with Power pages 548-552
Term Definition Example
Noun
Concrete Noun
Abstract Noun
Common Noun (not

capitalized
Proper Noun (always

capitalized!)
Unit 1 Lesson 3 Emancipation Notes:


(Reading the World)
emancipation
theme

(Writing with Power)
Pronoun
Reading, Part 1: Letter From a Birmingham Jail (click for text)

● Audio Recording, Part 1: Letter From a Birmingham Jail
Why is Dr. King in jail?
What reason does Dr. King give

for breaking the law?
What is Dr. King’s purpose for

writing this letter?
In what ways does Dr. King

honor those who have fought
for freedom in his letter?
Reading, Part 2: Gettysburg Address (click for text)

● Audio Recording, Part 2: Gettysburg Address
What is President Lincoln’s

purpose for giving the
Gettysburg address?
In what ways does Lincoln

honor those who have fought
for freedom in this speech?
personal
pronoun
reflective
pronoun
indefinite
pronoun
demonstrative
pronoun
interrogative
pronoun
reciprocal Pronouns that show the Each other

pronoun action is two-way One another
“Sam and Casey like each other.”
Unit 1 Lesson 4: Literature of Canada. “At the Tourist Center in Boston” by

Margaret Atwood Notes:

(Reading the World)
diction
tone

verb
“At the Tourist Center in Boston”: Reading the World pages 30-32
Audio Recordings:
● Lesson 4 Part 1: The Literature of Canada

● Lesson 4 Part 2: “At the Tourist Center in Boston”
What does “country under

glass” refer to (literally)?
Why is the photo of the family

unrealistic?
Why does the author want to

see her country’s “garbage and
slush”?
What lines of the poem have a

mocking tone?
Unit Test Question This poem has many examples of imagery

Select a story or poem from and symbolism. Take some notes about how
this unit. Identify a literary you could answer this test questions using
element in the chosen this poem:
selection such as tone,
imagery, or symbolism. Explain
how the events and /or ideas in
the story and/or poem exhibit
tone, imagery, or symbolism.
Include at least two supporting
details or examples. Be sure to
include the title of the
selection and the author.
verb
Action verb
Transitive verb
Intransitive verb
Verb phrase
Linking verb
Additional reference for linking verbs:

Unit 1 Lesson 5: Literature of Canada. “Day of the Butterfly” by Alice Munro

Notes:

(Reading the
World)
theme
flashback
immigrant
KEY TERM DEFINITION Example Sentence

adjective
Reading: “Day of the Butterfly”. Reading the World pp 33-44:
Audio Recording
● Lesson 5: The Day of the Butterfly
Who is the author of “The Day

of the Butterfly”? Where is she
from?
How do most of the children

treat Myra and her brother?
Why?
How do the narrator and Myra

start to become friends?
In what ways does this story

explore the theme of “the
rewards of kindness”? That is,
what does the narrator learn
about kindness in this story?
In what ways does this story

explore the theme of ”the
intended and unintended

cruelty of others”? What does
the narrator learn in this
story?
What do you think the butterfly

symbolizes?
Unit Test Question You do no have to answer this question, but

On the Unit Test, you will be many students find this story a good fit for
asked to choose one text this question.
(poem or story) and explain
how it relates to this quote, Write you notes and ideas here:
which is the last line of the
introduction by Kimberly Koza:
“By discovering the literature
of our neighbors, we may also
learn about ourselves. ”
Keeping this quote in mind,

choose a selection from this
unit and write a paragraph
that explains how Koza’s
statement applies to the theme
of the selection. Include at
least two supporting details
(direct quotes from the text).
Grammar: Review. Writing with Power pages 568-573
Adjective
Proper Adjective
Compound Adjective
Article
When do you use a comma

between two adjectives?
(page 569)
What are the three words

that are special adjectives
called articles?
When do you uses “a”

versus “an”? (page 370)
Unit 1 Lesson 6: Literature of Mexico: “No Dogs Bark” by Juan Rulfo & “Two
Bodies by Octavio Paz Notes:

(Reading the World)
imagery
metaphor
mood
symbolism

adverb
Reading: “No Dogs Bark.” Reading the World pages 46-50
● Audio Recording: Lesson 6 part 1: “No Dogs Bark”
Who is the author of “No Dogs

Bark” and where is he from?
Why is the Father taking his

son Ignacio to Tonaya?
What is an example of imagery

in this story (provide an exact
quote)? Why does it stand out
to you?
Does the father hate his son,

yes or no? Show evidence.
Dogs have been barking

everywhere, yet Ignacio has not
told his father. Why not?
Reading: “Two Bodies.” Reading the World pages 51-52
● Audio Recording: Lesson 6 part 2: “Two Bodies”
Who is the author of “Two

Bodies” and where is he from?
What is an example of
repetition in the poem “Two
Bodies”?
What are two examples of

metaphors in the poem “Two
Bodies”?
What do you think the author

is trying to say about
relationships in the poem “Two
Bodies”?
Unit Test Question Answer Page #
Select a story or poem from “No Dogs Bark” has strong examples of tone,
this unit. Identify a literary imagery, and symbolism.
element in the chosen
selection such as tone, “Two Bodies” has strong examples of
imagery, or symbolism. Explain symbolism.
how the events and /or ideas in
the story and/or poem exhibit You may want to write about one of these
tone, imagery, or symbolism. texts in your test response. Write your notes
Include at least two supporting here:
details or examples. Be sure to
include the title of the
selection and the author.
Question Answer
What is an adverb?
Write an example sentence

using a “where” adverb.

using a “when” adverb.

using a “how” adverb.
Unit 1 Lesson 7: The Literature of Mexico Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville by

Carlos Solórzano Notes:

(Reading the
World)
Dramatic Irony
Drama

(Writing with
Power)
Preposition
Conjunction
Reading: Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville: Reading the World pages 53-68
● Audio Recording Lesson 7: Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville
Who is the author of the drama

“Crossroads” and where is he
from?
Who are the Characters of the

drama “Crossroads?”
What is the purpose of the

words and phrases in the
parenthesis throughout the
play?
Who is the Man expecting to

meet?
Why did the Woman use a

picture of herself when she was
young?
The man does not think that

the old woman in the veil is the
woman he is waiting for. How is
this an example of dramatic
irony?
What are the parallels to

modern online dating?
What is one theme that you

can find in the drama?
Grammar: Writing with Power pages XX
What is a preposition?
How are prepositional phrases

different from prepositions?
What is the purpose of

conjunctions?
What is an example of an
interjection?
Unit 1 Lesson 8: Unit 1 Test Review.

These Guided Notes are an excellent resource to use as you review for your test! Check
the questions labeled Unit Test Question to help prepare you for the Unit test essay
questions.
The Unit 1 Test Review is also a good way to review and check your understanding in
preparation for the test.
● Standard English Study Guide 10A Unit 1

● Honors English Study Guide 10A Unit 1

English 10a Unit 1 Guided Notes

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English 10A Guided Notes The Literature of the Americas (Unit 1)

English 10 A Guided Notes

Outline for Unit 1: The Literature of the Americas

Portfolio: There is no portfolio for Unit 1.

Lesson # Focus Activity

1 Course Introduction Quick Check

2 Aztec Creation Story Quick Check

3 Emancipation Quick Check

4 The Tourist Center Quick Check

5 Day of the Butterfly Quick Check

6 No Dogs Bark Quick Check

7 Crossroads: A Sad Vaudeville Quiz

8 The Literature of the Review

9 The Literature of the Test

**Denotes stories that have a short answer response asked about

Unit Test Questions

QUESTION 1. In “The Literature of the Americas,” (the introduction to this unit),

Unit 1 Lesson 1 Course Introduction Notes:

KEY TERM DEFINITION Example

KEY TERM DEFINITION Example

The Literature the Americas: Reading the World Pages 4-5

● Audio Recording: Lesson 1: The Literature of the Americas

What common history do the

Which countries colonized

Where did many of the

What languages are primarily

What is a prominent concern

Grammar: Writing with Power page 546-547

How did you do on the parts of

Unit 1 Lesson 2 Aztec Creation Story Notes:

KEY TERM DEFINITION Example

KEY TERM DEFINITION Example

Aztec Creation Story: Reading the World pages 8-15

● Audio recording: Lesson 2: Aztec Creation Story

Question Answer Page #

What made the gods want to

What did Nanahuatzin and

What is the most likely reason

Why did one of the gods throw

What finally caused the sun

What are some of the

What does this creation story

Grammar: Writing with Power pages 548-552

Term Definition Example

Common Noun (not

Proper Noun (always

Unit 1 Lesson 3 Emancipation Notes:

KEY TERM DEFINITION Example

KEY TERM DEFINITION Example

Reading, Part 1: Letter From a Birmingham Jail (click for text)

Question Answer Page #

Why is Dr. King in jail?

What reason does Dr. King give

What is Dr. King’s purpose for

In what ways does Dr. King

Reading, Part 2: Gettysburg Address (click for text)

Question Answer Page #

What is President Lincoln’s

In what ways does Lincoln

Grammar: Writing with Power pages 553-558

Term Definition Example

reciprocal Pronouns that show the Each other

“Sam and Casey like each other.”