April 24

Holden's voice is unique, or at least it was unique in literature in 1951 when The  Catcher in the Rye was published. No doubt you've encountered other similar voices in novels, films, and music that were written after this pivotal novel introduced the disillusioned teen to the world. For example, in the 1955 film Rebel Without  a Cause, James Dean plays a character that is reminiscent of Holden, and more contemporary films like Igby Goes Down do the same.

Here's a familiar story told in the voice of Holden. I think that you'll like it.

The Catch Her in the Oatmeal--Goldilocks, as told by Holden Caulfield

Assignment: In a group of 1-4, write your own story in the voice of Holden. Anything goes. Make it good, though. The top story in class (as judged by you) will receive 10/10, the next two 9/10, and the rest 8/10. Have fun!

Ongoing assignments for The Catcher in the Rye:

1. Jot down examples of the following:

Things Holden Hates               Things That Depress Holden            Things Holden Likes

Brief references are fine, but include page numbers. I'm guessing that you'll end up with about ten things he hates, five things that depress him, and three things that he likes. That's just a guess, though.

2. For the next few days, part of the period will be spent looking into the quesion:
Is Holden a normal teenager? To understand this, we will look into some resources dealing with mental disorders as well as normal teenage rebellion. More or less, what we're doing here is a debate version of the District Writing Assessment (please don't tune me out upon hearing those words!).
Take 1/3 - 1/2 page or so of notes on each of the following sources. You only need to write down important points that might relate to Holden. 

How Do We Define Normal?

In class we will take notes on the following source documents:
Notes 1/3 page: Understanding and Surviving Your Teenager's Rebellion
BPD test: Do I Have Borderline Personality Disorder?
Notes 1/3 page: Bipolar Disorder Overview YouTube video: Bipolar Overview
Notes 1/3 page: Is Holden a Typical Teenager? Holden Caulfield As a Typical Teenager  (Currie (2007)

Your homework for the next three nights is to read three additional articles, two of which are listed below. You will need to find a third article on your own. I'd recommend choosing an article that clarifies just what it is to be a "normal" teenager.
Notes 1/3 page: Is My Teen's Behavior Normal?
Notes 1/3 page: Mental Disorders in America
Your Article or YouTube Video


The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is heavily influenced by Salinger's writing style. We will listen to ten minutes of the book, and as you listen, jot down five examples from the book that seem to you to be influenced by Salinger.
The Fault in Our Stars, read by John Green himself

Songs that Holden might like:
Mad World by Gary Jules (originally by Tears for Fears)
Brick by Boring Brick by Paramore
The End by Mayday Parade
The Kill by 30 Seconds To Mars

April 21

Holden's voice is unique, or at least it was unique in literature in 1951 when The  Catcher in the Rye was published. No doubt you've encountered other similar voices in novels, films, and music that were written after this pivotal novel introduced the disillusioned teen to the world. For example, in the 1955 film Rebel Without  a Cause, James Dean plays a character that is reminiscent of Holden, and more contemporary films like Igby Goes Down do the same.

Here's a familiar story told in the voice of Holden. I think that you'll like it.

The Catch Her in the Oatmeal--Goldilocks, as told by Holden Caulfield

Assignment: In a group of 1-4, write your own story in the voice of Holden. Anything goes. Make it good, though. The top story in class (as judged by you) will receive 10/10, the next two 9/10, and the rest 8/10. Have fun!

Ongoing assignments for The Catcher in the Rye:

1. Jot down examples of the following:

Things Holden Hates               Things That Depress Holden            Things Holden Likes

Brief references are fine, but include page numbers. I'm guessing that you'll end up with about ten things he hates, five things that depress him, and three things that he likes. That's just a guess, though.

2. For the next few days, part of the period will be spent looking into the quesion:
Is Holden a normal teenager? To understand this, we will look into some resources dealing with mental disorders as well as normal teenage rebellion. More or less, what we're doing here is a debate version of the District Writing Assessment (please don't tune me out upon hearing those words!).
Take 1/3 - 1/2 page or so of notes on each of the following sources. You only need to write down important points that might relate to Holden. 

How Do We Define Normal?

In class we will take notes on the following source documents:
Notes 1/3 page: Understanding and Surviving Your Teenager's Rebellion
BPD test: Do I Have Borderline Personality Disorder?
Notes 1/3 page: Bipolar Disorder Overview YouTube video: Bipolar Overview
Notes 1/3 page: Is Holden a Typical Teenager? Holden Caulfield As a Typical Teenager  (Currie (2007)

Your homework for the next three nights is to read three additional articles, two of which are listed below. You will need to find a third article on your own. I'd recommend choosing an article that clarifies just what it is to be a "normal" teenager.
Notes 1/3 page: Is My Teen's Behavior Normal?
Notes 1/3 page: Mental Disorders in America
Your Article or YouTube Video


The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is heavily influenced by Salinger's writing style. We will listen to ten minutes of the book, and as you listen, jot down five examples from the book that seem to you to be influenced by Salinger.
The Fault in Our Stars, read by John Green himself

Songs that Holden might like:
Mad World by Gary Jules (originally by Tears for Fears)
Brick by Boring Brick by Paramore
The End by Mayday Parade
The Kill by 30 Seconds To Mars

Many students say that they can relate to Holden. 

April 17

The Laughing Man

   Write 3/4 page answering the following question: "Why does the Chief kill off the Laughing Man?"

Catcher in the Rye Vocab--memorize all for Friday
Friday's quiz will also cover The Laughing Man 






"Be the change you want to see in the world"--Gandhi
"Teach the change you want to see in the world"--awesome bumper sticker

One of my favorite English teachers on the planet is Pattie Sloan, over at West High. She is very good at getting students to become active citizens helping to bring about change in the world. Her blog, called Teaching it Forward, has something fascinating to read almost every day.
Check it out here: Teaching it Forward

April 16

Salinger was devastated by his experience in the D-Day Invasion and the senseless slaughter of good people whom he knew. To help you understand his perspective on the war (that it destroyed much of what is best in the world), I'd like to share Jacque Prévert's poem "Barbara"
Barbara

And if Barbara didn't make you weep, try this one: In Flanders Field

The Laughing Man
Catcher in the Rye Vocab--memorize all for Friday
Friday's quiz will also cover chapters 1-7 of The Catcher in the Rye (10 points)






"Be the change you want to see in the world"--Gandhi
"Teach the change you want to see in the world"--awesome bumper sticker

One of my favorite English teachers on the planet is Pattie Sloan, over at West High. She is very good at getting students to become active citizens helping to bring about change in the world. Her blog, called Teaching it Forward, has something fascinating to read almost every day.
Check it out here: Teaching it Forward

April 9

Homework: Read to page 46 in The Catcher in the Rye

Today you will begin your District Writing Assessment.
You will be glad to hear that the district has now realized that the old 5-paragraph essay is, well, boring. Here's a very short summary of fairly subtle changes that you'll need to make in your writing from here on out: Moving Beyond 5-Paragraph Form




















































1. Write an interesting intro 
Write an interesting intro that pulls the reader into the topic immediately. No more formulaic, boring intros! There is no "standard" approach to writing an intro.
Here are a few recommended approaches: Writing Introductions--7 Approaches.
When you see these approaches, you might say, "I thought those were what we're supposed to use as a hook." Exactly. Now, however, it's not just a hook. It's a developed idea--an example that in the 5-paragraph form would be saved for a body paragraph. 
What you're doing is writing an interesting body paragraph at the first of the essay.
2. Abandon the standard thesis statement
You don't have to state your thesis in the opening paragraph. Sometimes it's better to leave your thesis implied at the beginning and state it at the end of your essay. You shouldn't write a 3-pronged thesis that gives away everything--that's formulaic and boring and lessens the reader's interest in what you are saying. 
Note: You need to understand your thesis before you start writing, even though you might not state it at the beginning of your essay. The essay must be focused around your controlling idea. 
3. The logic of the essay is to be more natural
If you think about it, when you're discussing an issue with someone in real life, you don't start off with a thesis statement. Often you say things like, "Do you think that we should have an open campus so that students can go out to eat?" And then you add, "I heard something on the news that said they shouldn't. Here's how the argument went: blah, blah, blah." And then you follow with, "I can understand that point. They're saying that blah, blah, blah." Then your friend might say (what would be another paragraph in an essay), "Yeah, but I was talking with the manager at Wendy's and he said, blah blah. I can understand that point, too. What he's saying is blah, blah. That point makes sense because blah."
Real life logic moves from idea to idea like the above conversation and ends with a conclusion. This is a strong way to write an essay.
4. Use body paragraphs
Use body paragraphs with topic sentences, examples, and discussion of your example
You must support your point in the essay. Just because you don't have to start off with a typical thesis statement doesn't mean that you don't have to support what you are saying with examples and reasoning. This means that usually most of your body paragraphs will be the same as they would be in a 5-paragraph essay. Sometimes, however, your writing will follow a different format, such as a letter or a thoughtful reflection. In this case, your main idea is only hinted at as you write and your main idea is stated at the end of the essay (see example 1).
5. Development of your idea (elaboration)
Strong essays develop their point by showing a progression of ideas. This is something that you would do when following 5-paragraph form, too.
6. Write a strong conclusion
You will need to write a strong conclusion for your essay. Because your thesis will not be thoroughly developed at the beginning of the essay, you need to state it at the end. This conclusion will most often follow the same form that it would in a 5-paragraph essay. 

April 7

HEMINGWAY/FITZGERALD REWRITE DUE TOMORROW

When you write your second draft of the essay (you should all do this), ask yourself:
"Am I explaining WHY Fitzgerald (or H) uses elaborate imagery and the like?"
 Be sure to discuss the effect of his word choice and how it influences what he says. More analysis of the quotes is needed in most cases. Considering adding a sentence for each example given (as a rule of thumb for the average writer).

Catcher in the Rye vocabulary:  Catcher

April 3

You guys all know that tomorrow is the 46th anniversary of . . . Right?


Today:
Finish Gatsby movie
Notes: Compare scenes from Redford and DiCaprio

Gatsby TEST tomorrow. Know the quotes