What can I say, I love teaching Honors American Lit where the discussions are lively, the insights keen, and the writing enjoyable to read (keep it that way :~]
Rather than create a website, I've set up this blog for our class and you will be required to view it from time to time. I prefer blogs to websites because they can be updated so easily and they also give you the opportunity to comment on the things that are said here. I think it's important for the class to be a dynamic, organic thing, with each person making contributions. If you want to just sit back, take notes, ace multiple-choice tests--well. . . but who likes that, really?
The first thing I'd like you to do is to go to the "Handouts" tab, open the syllabus, and print it. Then read it, sign it, and have your parent or guardian sign it. Detach the part at the bottom (keep the rest) and bring it to class by Friday. Thanks!
Scarlet Letter Vocabulary List
Test on first 10 Friday, September 13th. Each week we will memorize ten.
Here's what you'll be doing today:
Garbage Man Job Recommendation Letter
Write a well-reasoned letter convincing me to hire Byron or Pete. In a way, it's hard to imagine not hiring either one of these guys. Pick one, though (take a stand--thesis) and do your best to convince me to hire your favorite candidate.
Hand in at the first of the period tomorrow.
Garbage Man Essay
Tomorrow bring your copy of How to Read Literature Like a College Professor (yes, some of you are starting to panic right about now).
Also bring your summer reading book and essay (not actually due until Friday the 13th (a bit a propos, don't you think?). Students who do bring in the essay tomorrow get +2 extra credit points.
How to Mark Literature
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
May 28 -- only 9 days left!
Homework: Read Bean Trees chapters 13 and 14. Finish book over the weekend
In a group of four, write answers (2 paragraphs) to the following discussion questions:
1. Estevan says "This is how Americans think. You believe that is something terrible happens to someone, they must have deserved it." Do many Americans think this way?
a. Explain why American's might view the immigration issue this way.
b. Give an example other than immigration that shows this way of thinking
2. As Estevan is explaining to Taylor that he and Esperanza chose to lose their daughter over revealing the names of 17 rebels. After saying how unimaginably terrible this must have been, she states, "I can't even begin to think about a world where people have to make choices like that." Estevan's response is as much to us as it is to Taylor:
"You live in that world."
a. Explain what he means
b. Give an example of a somewhat similar choice that faces you.
Read for the remainder of the period
Tomorrow we will look at the lyrics to the song "They Dance Alone" by Sting. It is very pertinent to this novel as the revolution and torture that took place in Guatamala was nearly identical to the atrocities that took place in Chile under Pinochet.
Here are the lyrics if you'd like a sneak peak: They Dance Alone
And here's the very moving YouTube video: They Dance Alone--Ellas Dansan solas
In a group of four, write answers (2 paragraphs) to the following discussion questions:
1. Estevan says "This is how Americans think. You believe that is something terrible happens to someone, they must have deserved it." Do many Americans think this way?
a. Explain why American's might view the immigration issue this way.
b. Give an example other than immigration that shows this way of thinking
2. As Estevan is explaining to Taylor that he and Esperanza chose to lose their daughter over revealing the names of 17 rebels. After saying how unimaginably terrible this must have been, she states, "I can't even begin to think about a world where people have to make choices like that." Estevan's response is as much to us as it is to Taylor:
"You live in that world."
a. Explain what he means
b. Give an example of a somewhat similar choice that faces you.
Read for the remainder of the period
Tomorrow we will look at the lyrics to the song "They Dance Alone" by Sting. It is very pertinent to this novel as the revolution and torture that took place in Guatamala was nearly identical to the atrocities that took place in Chile under Pinochet.
Here are the lyrics if you'd like a sneak peak: They Dance Alone
And here's the very moving YouTube video: They Dance Alone--Ellas Dansan solas
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
May 25
I hope you're enjoying reading The Bean Trees. The themes it deals with give us opportunities for some great discussions. As you read, look for the following motifs and themes:
Journal: what is the point of Estevan's story about how they eat in heaven? You might want to focus your comments on a theme or two in the novel.
- Immigration
- Racism
- Ethics--our responsibility to help others
Homework tonight: Read chapter 12
Reading schedule day by day: 5/25 ch 12, Wed ch 13, 14, Thur ch 15 , Finish over the weekend
If anyone is having a tough time getting into the book, mention it to your mom and I'll be she will say she's read it or has always been interested in reading it (62% chance, I'm guessing. Plus or minus 0.5%).
It's a fun one to discuss at home.
Journal: what is the point of Estevan's story about how they eat in heaven? You might want to focus your comments on a theme or two in the novel.
3/4 page. Due today. 10 points
Oral Presentations:
This Friday: Thomas; Brooke; Alah; anyone else who hasn't gone
Monday: Kennedy; Lizbeth
Tuesday: Marisa K; Jasmine
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
May 21
EXTRA CREDIT POSSIBILITY: 7-9 MIN MOVIE
I hope you're enjoying reading The Bean Trees. It's supposed to be a fun read. Even though the novel might not go down in history as a pivotal work, the themes it deals with give us opportunities for some great discussions. As you read, look for the following motifs and themes:
- Immigration
- Racism
- Ethics--our responsibility to help others
Read to the end of chapter 6.
I would like to finish the novel by Monday, June 3. More or less, this means that you'll need to read one chapter per day (three this weekend, two next weekend).
Hustle! It's a fun and easy read. If anyone is having a tough time getting into the book, mention it to your mom and I'll be she will say she's read it or has always been interested in reading it. It's a fun one to discuss at home.
Monday, May 13, 2013
May 12
Today we will work on two things:
1. 15 minutes to start your Salinger-esque writing piece. 20 min to finish tomorrow.
2. Oral presentations
Write your own piece of prose in the style of The Catcher in the Rye.
300-500 words, typed. (30 points)
This piece of writing could be anything from a conversation Holden has with Jane Gallagher, to the essay written about Allie’s baseball glove, to The Three Little Pigs--anything! Let the creative juices flow.
Make it good! We’ve spent a lot of time on this. I’d highly recommend doing the following:
- Review your findings from the colormarked passage
- Review notes you took during the discussion
- Pick an interesting topic
- Write a rough draft
- examine your own writing and find specific wording that corresponds with wording in The Catcher in the Rye.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
May 8
Assignment:
With a partner (or by yourself), write a 300-500 word story in Salinger's style. We will work on this in class Thur, Friday, and Monday. See directions below.
"All that English class stuff is Holden's way into us and our way out of ourselves"
This is John Green's quote directed toward students who gripe about analyzing literature. What does he mean when he says "our way out of ourselves"?
John Green discusses Catcher in the Rye on YouTube:
Catcher, part I
Catcher, part II
And even more: John Green's Crash Course Literature, Catcher in the Rye
And here's the discussion that John Green set up on Ning
Discussion
With a partner (or by yourself), write a 300-500 word story in Salinger's style. We will work on this in class Thur, Friday, and Monday. See directions below.
"All that English class stuff is Holden's way into us and our way out of ourselves"
This is John Green's quote directed toward students who gripe about analyzing literature. What does he mean when he says "our way out of ourselves"?
John Green discusses Catcher in the Rye on YouTube:
Catcher, part I
Catcher, part II
And even more: John Green's Crash Course Literature, Catcher in the Rye
And here's the discussion that John Green set up on Ning
Discussion
Write your own piece of prose in the style of The Catcher in the Rye.
300-500 words, typed. (30 points)
This piece of writing could be anything from a conversation Holden has with Jane Gallagher, to the essay written about Allie’s baseball glove, to The Three Little Pigs--anything! Let the creative juices flow.
Make it good! We’ve spent a lot of time on this. I’d highly recommend doing the following:
- Review your findings from the colormarked passage
- Review notes you took during the discussion
- Pick an interesting topic
- Write a rough draft
- examine your own writing and find specific wording that corresponds with wording in The Catcher in the Rye.
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