Thursday, November 19, 2009

Arthur Miller Blog Post

Sorry this is so late!!!
Read some biographical information about Arthur Miller. What are the subjects of his other writings? What have critics said about his importance in modern drama? In what ways are his experiences reflected in his writings?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Death of a Salesman Unit

English 11 Honors - Mrs. Baker
*Many of the ideas in this unit came from a great site: http://ubdeducators.wikispaces.com/Dana+Death+of+a+Salesman+Unit
Essential Questions:
What is the American Dream? Why do some achieve it while others do not?
What is the importance of being "well liked" and popular?
How do we form our identities?
How do capitalism and modernization affect American workers?
Students will know...
The concepts of the tragic hero.
The plot and themes of Death of a Salesman.
Students will be able to...
Analyze the impact of globalization and modernization on society and compare it to the "outsourcing" of Willy Loman.
Synthesize information about globalization and modernization from various sources.
Determine what skills 21st century workers will need in order to be successful in a global economy.
Evaluate how globalization and modernization will impact the concept of the American Dream, how we form our identities, and how we define success or become successful.
Relate Death of a Salesman's themes and message to American life in the 21st century.
Assignments:

__________Class Notes: dramatic Irony, flashback, tragic hero, Freytag’s triangle
__________Blog Post: Read some biographical information about Arthur Miller. What are the subjects of his other writings? What have critics said about his importance in modern drama? In what ways are his experiences reflected in his writings?
__________Make a sketch of the stage set as you envision it from Miller’s description at the start of the play. (In notebook)
__________Read play and respond in your notebooks to the attached study guide questions.
__________View Film
__________The film version starring Dustin Hoffman differs from the staged version in having numerous sets. Compare the filmed version to the staged version described in your book. Does the film resemble a stage play in any way? Miller says the media of film in itself changes the play. How is this true? (In notebook)
__________Tragedy and The Common Man- Arthur Miller (attached)
__________Blog Post: Who are some tragic heroes from modern day literature, movies, and media? What qualities/flaws do these people/ characters possess?
__________Complete a plot diagram in your notebook
http://www.bard.org/education/studyguides/deathofasalesman/deathclassic.html
__________Watch: "Did You Know 2.0," aka "Shift Happens.” Write a brief reflection on this clip in your notebook.
http://huffenglish.wikispaces.com/Death+of+a+Salesman
__________Watch excerpt from "Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore" episode of The Simpsons. Write a brief reflection on this episode in your notebook.
__________Watch "The Other Side of Outsourcing" Thomas Friedman/Discovery Times. Write a brief reflection on this program in your notebook.
http://huffenglish.wikispaces.com/Death+of+a+Salesman
__________Read Chapter Six "The Untouchables" (278-307) from The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Write a one paragraph response to this chapter in your notebook.
__________Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman: A Celebration By Joyce Carol Oates
http://www.usfca.edu/~southerr/arthurmiller.html
__________SAT In Class Essay
Supplementary Material:
“The Death of a Salesman in a Flat World”
http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/neba/journal/v1n1p17.pdf
Yale Rep. Study Guide:
http://www.yalerep.org/about_rep/willpower/Salesman_Study_Guide.pdf
Arthur Miller’s Missing Act: Arthur Miller’s Son, Daniel:
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=12914210&m=12914213
NPR Weekend Edition
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18607090
Death of a Salesman Vocabulary

1. mercurial-quick and changeable in temperament
2. sentiment- tender, romantic or nostalgic feeling
3. agitation- disturbance- disturbance; annoyance
4. idealist- one who sees the best things in life
5. avidly- enthusiastically; with great interest
6. enthralled- held spellbound; captivated
7. insinuates- becomes introduced gradually
8. incipient- beginning to emerge
9. liable- likely; at risk of experiencing something unpleasant
10. incarnate- personified; given a human form to
11. laconic- using few words
12. trepidation- a state of alarm or dread
13. dispel- to rid one’s mind of
14. philandering- engaging in many casual love affairs
15. remiss- not attending to duty; negligent; careless
16. subdued- made less intense; toned down
17. solidified- made strong, sturdy or stable
18. intent- concentrating; engrossed
19. dictation- to say aloud to be recorded and written by another
20. solitary- existing alone
21. comradeship- friendship; spirit of working together for the common good
22. incredulously- unbelievingly
23. carte blanche- with full permission; unrestricted authority
24. candidly- characterized by openness; frankly
25. raucous- rough-sounding; harsh; boisterous
26. agonized- suffering great anguish
27. gist- main idea
28. clinches- settles something conclusively
29. falters- stumbles; moves unsteadily
30. befuddled- confused
31. overstrung- pushed to one’s emotional limit
32. elegiacally- sadfully or mournfully
33. obstreperous- nosily or unruly
34. reticence- taciturn; reserved or reluctant
35. crestfallen- disheartened; dejected
36. requiem- 1. a. A mass for a deceased person.b. A musical composition for such a mass.
2. A hymn, composition, or service for the dead.
37. scrim-1. A durable, loosely woven cotton or linen fabric used for curtains or upholstery lining or in industry.
2. A transparent fabric used as a drop in the theater to create special effects of lights or atmosphere

Friday, November 13, 2009

Class assignment: November 13, 2009

Good Morning! I am out sick today with a sore throat and laryngitis-not fun! Please use your class time today to find out more about the poetry contest that I briefly discussed in class yesterday. Most of your time should be spent on # 4 below. Have a great day! Mrs. Baker

1. Videos of past winners: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems/video_bestpractices.html
http://www.poetryoutloud.org/2009videos.html
2. Contest FAQ's: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/students/faq.html
3. Evaluation Criteria: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/students/checklist.html
4. Spend most of your time today exploring the poems on the website. By next Friday, you will choose a poem from the site that you will eventually memorize and recite. Begin to make a list of some favorites:
http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems/browsepoems.html
Shorter poems:
http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems/poems.20lines.html

Friday, November 06, 2009

American Literature Nonfiction Unit Overview

Essential Questions:
What does the text reveal about what it means to be an American?
How does the author structure the text and support his/her argument/theme?
What themes are particularly American? Which are universal?
Objectives:
*Critically analyze a piece of non-fiction
*Effectively identify many points of view of a situation
*Recognize the author’s bias/purpose in a piece of non-fiction
*Recognize/Argue the relativity of ‘truth’ found in non-fiction
*Develop effective strategies for reading genres of non-fiction
Unit Plan:
One of the goals of this unit is to provide you with some choice in what you would like to read. You will be given 2-3 days in class to read your text, and you will be required to read for 30 minutes at home each night. There will be a group discussion which will occur in “fishbowl” format at the end of the unit. Your classmates will be able to listen in on your group’s discussion.
Text Choices and Discussion Questions:
Lucky- Alice Siebold
What does this novel reveal about violence in American society?
What role does race play in Alice’s story?
Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman- Jon Krakauer
What does the book reveal about American attitudes toward Afghanistan?
What view does the book present about the American military?
The Blindside: Evolution of a Game- Michael Lewis
What does the text reveal about the following topics?
*College Athletics Recruiting
*College Financial Aid
*Inter-racial adoption
*Public School Education Shortfalls
*School Funding
*The Foster Care System
Beautiful Boy- David Sheff
What does this memoir reveal about the meth epidemic in the United States?
How does the integration of pop culture references—quotes from literature, song lyrics, movie dialogue—contribute to the book? Look particularly at what Sheff used as the epilogues to each section of the book: John Lennon, Kurt Cobain for Part I, Shakespeare for Part II, etc. Why might Sheff have chosen these particular passages? How do they help your understanding of events, and of Sheff’s mindset?
In his suicide note, Kurt Cobain quoted Neil Young and wrote “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” When Sheff interview John Lennon, Lennon said, “I worship the people who survive. I’ll take the living and the healthy” (p. 118). Who do you agree with, Cobain or Lennon? Why does society glamorize those rock stars and other artists who burn out? Nic Sheff’s glamorization of alcoholics and drug-addicted artists ostensibly contributed to his own downfall. How should we counsel children and young adults on the dangers of idolizing such people?
The Devil in the White City- by Erik Larson
In what ways does the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 change America? What lasting inventions and ideas did it introduce into American culture? What important figures were critically influenced by the Fair?

Larson writes, "The juxtaposition of pride and unfathomed evil struck me as offering powerful insights into the nature of men and their ambitions" [p. 393]. What such insights does the book offer? What more recent stories of pride, ambition, and evil parallel those described in The Devil in the White City?

What is the total picture of late nineteenth-century America that emerges from The Devil in the White City? How is that time both like and unlike contemporary America? What are the most significant differences? In what ways does that time mirror the present?

Shooting Stars- LeBron James
"The clock ticks, the suspense tightens, the scrappy kids from hard-luck Akron leave you hanging on every shot. But the wonder of Shooting Stars is that it's hardly about basketball. Instead it is a nuanced coming-of-age drama about American culture and race, about organized sports as redeemer and exploiter, and about the blessing and curse of celebrity. At this book's heart, though, is an uncommon bond forged in youthful innocence and desire, a friendship at least as meaningful as anything LeBron James will ever add to his trophy case." --Steve Lopez, author of The Soloist
What does this memoir reveal about American culture? Race? Organized sports as redeemer and exploiter? The curse of celebrity? Dreams?

Monday, November 02, 2009

Due Wednesday...

PRINT FOR CLASS ON WEDNESDAY! Please copy & paste into a Word file the following posts:

1. Transcendentalism in Popular Culture:What examples can you find in comics, music, movies, television shows, etc…?*This assignment is ongoing. Please use the class blog to post examples at least twice throughout the unit. (20 Points=2 blog entries)

2. As we begin to wrap up our discussion of Nickle and Dimed, please use this forum to comment about ideas that you were unable to share in class or any concluding thoughts. Please reference particular page numbers in the novel where appropriate. (10 Points)

3. Locate pertinent information about John Steinbeck's life that might have influenced his writing in The Grapes of Wrath. What other interesting facts can you find? (10 Points)

4. Comment on your thoughts about Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springstein's lyrics/ Music. Do you notice any thematic parallels? Feel free to comment on other aspects of the music/ lyrics as well. Listen to songs from Bruce Springsteen’s 1995 album The Ghost of Tom Joad. Why would Springsteen use that allusion? (10 Points)

5. What can be learned from photographs from the Dust Bowl era?Link to Dorothea's Lange's, "Migrant Mother? Choose a photograph from the Dust Bowl Era. Include the link in your response/ blog comment. Write about what you believe the image conveys. You may use the following questions to help guide your response:Why would the artist have taken the photograph?Who do you see in the photograph?Where do you think they are?What can you tell about these people based on the photograph?How do you think they feel in this picture? How can you tell?What techniques does the photographer use to draw you into the subject matter or to draw an emotion from you? (10 Points)

Monday, October 26, 2009

Transcendentalism Powerpoint

http://exchange.guhsd.net/details.php?object_id=1781

One more definition...

"Transcendentalists placed great faith in higher, intuitive forms or knowledge, and urged people to have disgust for conformity and praised individuality. Transcendentalists disliked the commercial, financial side of American life. They stressed instead spiritual well-being, achieved through intellectual activity and a close relationship with nature”

Literature. New York: McDougal, Littell, and Co., 1987.

The Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism-Simplified

*Nonconformity/ Individualism
*Self-Reliance
*Civil Disobedience (not supporting law/policy that is contrary to your nature)
*Importance of Nature
*Favoring Intuition over Reason/ Confidence
*Simplify, Simplify, Simplify
*Questioning progress that occurs to the detriment of the human spirit/condition

www.kent.k12.wa.us/.../Transcendentalism%20Final%20Project.doc

Transcendentalism Defined

Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism
Basic Premises:
1. An individual is the spiritual center of the universe - and in an individual can be found the clue to nature, history and, ultimately, the cosmos itself. It is not a rejection of the existence of God, but a preference to explain an individual and the world in terms of an individual.
2. The structure of the universe literally duplicates the structure of the individual self - all knowledge, therefore, begins with self-knowledge. This is similar to Aristotle's dictum "know thyself."
3. Transcendentalists accepted the neo-Platonic conception of nature as a living mystery, full of signs - nature is symbolic.
4. The belief that individual virtue and happiness depend upon self-realization - this depends upon the reconciliation of two universal psychological tendencies:
a. the expansive or self-transcending tendency - a desire to embrace the whole world - to know and become one with the world.
b. the contracting or self-asserting tendency - the desire to withdraw, remain unique and separate - an egotistical existence.

Basic Tenets of American Transcendentalism:
Note : This list must not be considered to be a creed common to all transcendentalists. It is merely a grouping of certain important concepts shared by many of them.
1. Transcendentalism, essentially, is a form of idealism.
2. The transcendentalist "transcends" or rises above the lower animalistic impulses of life (animal drives) and moves from the rational to a spiritual realm.
3. The human soul is part of the Oversoul or universal spirit (or "float" for Whitman) to which it and other souls return at death.
4. Therefore, every individual is to be respected because everyone has a portion of that Oversoul (God).
5. This Oversoul or Life Force or God can be found everywhere - travel to holy places is, therefore, not necessary.6. God can be found in both nature and human nature (Nature, Emerson stated, has spiritual manifestations).
7. Jesus also had part of God in himself - he was divine as everyone is divine - except in that he lived an exemplary and transcendental life and made the best use of that Power which is within each one.
8. "Miracle is monster." The miracles of the Bible are not to be regarded as important as they were to the people of the past. Miracles are all about us - the whole world is a miracle and the smallest creature is one. "A mouse is a miracle enough to stagger quintillions of infidels." - Whitman
9. More important than a concern about the afterlife, should be a concern for this life - "the one thing in the world of value is the active soul." - Emerson
10. Death is never to be feared, for at death the soul merely passes to the oversoul.
11. Emphasis should be placed on the here and now. "Give me one world at a time." - Thoreau
12. Evil is a negative - merely an absence of good. Light is more powerful than darkness because one ray of light penetrates the dark.
13. Power is to be obtained by defying fate or predestination, which seem to work against humans, by exercising one's own spiritual and moral strength. Emphasis on self-reliance.
14. Hence, the emphasis is placed on a human thinking.
15. The transcendentalists see the necessity of examples of great leaders, writers, philosophers, and others, to show what an individual can become through thinking and action.
16. It is foolish to worry about consistency, because what an intelligent person believes tomorrow, if he/she trusts oneself, tomorrow may be completely different from what that person thinks and believes today. "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson
17. The unity of life and universe must be realized. There is a relationship between all things.
18. One must have faith in intuition, for no church or creed can communicate truth.
19. Reform must not be emphasized - true reform comes from within.

www.shs.d211.org/.../Basic%20Tenets%20of%20Transcendentalism.doc


Simplified definitions:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/165625/ten_key_tenets_of_transcendentalism.html?cat=7

http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap4/4intro.html


Dead Poets Society & Transcendentalism
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1589969/dead_poets_society_and_emersons_transcendental_pg2.html?cat=4

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Defining "Transendentalism"

From 1840-1855, literature in America experienced a rebirth called the New England Renaissance. Through their poetry, short stories, novels, and other works, writers during this period established a clear American voice. No longer did they see their work as less influential than that of European authors. Transcendentalism was a part of this “flowering” of American literature. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were important voices in this philosophical movement that sought to have individuals “transcend” to a higher spiritual level. To achieve this goal, the individual had to seek spiritual, not material, greatness and the essential truths of life through intuition. Emerson was the philosopher and teacher. Thoreau was the student and the practitioner.

To learn more about this complex philosophy visit:

http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/



"Transcendentalism is an idealism that encompasses a diverse and sometimes confusing set of beliefs regarding man's role in nature and the universe. Loosely, the doctrine refers to any view which holds that there's an aspect to reality that is higher than (or transcends) our everyday life and world. Emerson was the most notable Transcendentalist-- a great thinker with deep insight, and over time his ideas evolved and grew; however, he was always seeking "To what end is nature?" Transcendentalists eschewed materialism, and advocated a philosophy of self-reliance and self-fulfillment. Living in accordance with nature and a perpetual striving toward cultivation of character were other common attitudes. However, like most philosophies, not all transcendentalists strictly adhered to basis premises, which makes transcendentalism a thought provoking and challenging belief. "Shannon Riley, Virginia Commonwealth University

Helpful Links:

http://womenshistory.about.com/bltranscend.htm

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Ken Kifer's Analysis & Notes on Walden

An excellent site developed by Ken Kifer who was tragically killed by a drunk driver...
"If Ken revered anyone, it was Thoreau. He felt Thoreau's ideas were so valuable and so relevant. He knew that a lot of people had difficulty understanding Thoreau, so he devoted a section of his website to helping them. He thought that if more people lived like Thoreau, then there was hope for the world. "

Helpful Hints: Reading Walden

From "The Walden Express" http://thoreau.eserver.org/waldenxp.html:
"This is not an easy book, especially at the beginning. Usually, it's best not to spend too much time on individual sentences, pondering the meaning of each phrase. Walden is the classic "more than the sum of its parts," and it's easier to pick up the overall meaning if you take care not to get caught in the details — just keep reading. But not too fast! Try to "listen" to the words, to catch the tone, the color, the sound. Henry Thoreau loved words and writing and ideas. He put a lot of his life into developing his ideas and writing them down, and much of the time he never expected to get a lot back, except for the joy of his work. If you listen carefully, the joy is still there."

Excellent advice from Mark Bitman on dealing with the novel's structure and language can be found at:
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/eng372/thorcrit.htm

Walden Annotated Edition Link

Thursday, October 01, 2009

BLOGGING ABOUT: Transcendentalism in Popular Culture

BLOGGING ABOUT: Transcendentalism in Popular Culture:What examples can you find in comics, music, movies, television shows, etc…?*This assignment is ongoing. Please use the class blog to post examples at least twice throughout the unit. (20 Points)

Walden Unit Plan- Mrs. Baker

Walden Unit Plan: Mrs. Baker
Online Text:
http://publicliterature.org/books/walden/xaa.php
Essential Unit Questions:
What are the major tenets of transcendentalism?
Why did Henry David Thoreau live at Walden Pond for two years?
How do the literary characters we’ve met this year fit into the transcendental school of thought?
What aspects of modern day society agree with transcendentalism? What aspects of modern day society are at odds with transcendentalism?
What views have you developed on the subjects of individualism, nature and passive resistance?

Due Date: Assignments:
___________ Walden Vocabulary Quiz 1
___________ Create a list of 12 items you would take if you were setting out to live with nature for a long period of time.
___________ THINK/PAIR/SHARE:
How are you affected by nature? Do you find comfort in it? Do you reflect the moods of nature?
What is the role of nature in your life?
What is meant by an individual’s spiritual side? How to you define it?
Is there a connection between the individual’s spirit and nature? If so, what is that connection?
What does it mean to know something intuitively? For example, has a parent or a sibling ever known something was wrong with you without having talked with or seen you? What do we mean when we say “I just know it”?
How do you demonstrate that you are an individual? Do you think independently of others or do you follow the crowd?
­­___________ Introduction: Lecture by Virginia Commonwealth University Associate Professor Ann Woodlief
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/audio/walden.html
http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/walden/
(Need Real Player)
Take notes on the main points of the lecture.
___________ Thoreau’s Bio:
http://www.biography.com/articles/Henry-David-Thoreau-9506784?part=0
In your notebooks, list 10 interesting things about Thoreau.
___________ Thoreau & Transendialistism & Walden Pond Background: Jill Kaufman Report NPR
http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/walden/index.html#media%20
In your notebooks:
What is an archetypal symbol?
What is the trick for reading Walden?
How did Walden become the “manifesto” of the environmentalist movement?
___________ Walden Vocabulary Quiz 2
___________ “Economy” By far the longest (and most difficult) section in the book, this chapter is essential to read, despite its difficulty, because it explains Thoreau's basic beliefs about how to live, and because he tells us the story of how he got started at Walden.
­___________ “Economy” Quote Assignment:

Look at the page from which your quote was taken. Read what comes before it and directly after it. Then determine what Thoreau is saying in your quote. If you are unfamiliar with some of the vocabulary, look it up. Write down your interpretation of the quote. Be as thorough as possible.
Now that you have “unpacked” the quote and know what Thoreau is saying, consider how what he says relates to you personally or to society today. Write down your thoughts.
Be prepared to share #1 and #2 with your classmates.

___________ “Where I Lived, What I Live For” Thoreau describes the setting of his cabin; then he reflects on the ideas of possession, work, wakeful living, and reality, all in relation to the purpose of his experiment.
In your notebooks:
Thoreau asserts that "we live meanly, like ants." What explanation does Thoreau give for this way of life? Why does he place so much emphasis on simplicity?
Thoreau complains that “Our life is frittered away by detail.” What does he mean? Can you relate to this perspective?

Thoreau advises us to "Simplify, simplify" What modern inventions, new in Thoreau's day, does he question the value of? What inventions new in your day would you question the value of?



___________ “Solitude” This chapter discusses the delights of being alone; solitude, Thoreau says, is his best companion.
In your notebooks:
Thoreau argues that solitude is not created by physical distance between people but by distance between their points of view. He also maintains that solitude in nature brings us closer to the source of all life – and thus to other people. In light of these beliefs, do you think the hours people today spend in front of televisions and computers serve to bring people together or to isolate them?

___________ “The Bean Field” This chapter is a discourse on farming, on using the land, on hearing the town's silly military displays from afar (with special reference to the Mexican War); but mainly it is about beans, their cultivation and care. "I was determined to know beans," he says (reversing the expression: "You don't know beans!)
In your notebooks:
What is the author’s main purpose in this selection?

___________ “Higher Laws” Thoreau comments on fishing, hunting, vegetarianism, and eating. He is exploring a tension between "an animal in us" and a "higher nature" which is pure and therefore at odds with "this slimy beastly life, eating and drinking."
In your notebooks:

What aspects of this section did you agree/ disagree with? Did you find this section enjoyable? Why or why not?
___________ “Conclusion” Thoreau sums up: he tells why he left the lake and what he gained from his experience there. He also has much to say about the individual and society (this chapter contains the famous "different drummer: statement), about living well, about finding the truth. And he ends with the wonderful story, one of his "wake up!" pitches, of "the strong and beautiful bug." We too can enjoy a "beautiful and winged life." But we have to be alert to the possibilities: "Only that day dawns to which we are awake."
In your notebooks:

What one statement in this selection generates the strongest response from you? Rewrite the excerpt and explicate your response.


­­­­­___________ “What would Thoreau do?” Handout
___________ Essayist Tom Schiff's reflections on Walden. From Weekend Edition, May 5, 2002.
http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/walden/
In your notebooks, write a one paragraph response to Shiff’s piece. Be sure to consider Shiff’s tone.



___________ Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”
http://www.nationalcenter.org/SelfReliance.html


Print out Essay & Make marginal notations (i.e., ask questions, express surprise, disagree, elaborate, and/or note any moments of confusion).
Here is one way to structure marginal notations:
(1) Label what the author says in the left-hand margin:
· The introduction
· The issue or problem the author is writing about
· The author’s main arguments
· The author’s examples
· The conclusion

(2) In the right hand margin, write reactions to what the author is saying.

_________ EMERSON ESSAY
“Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you…Great men have always done so and confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age…Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist…To be great is to be misunderstood…”
Explain Emerson’s argument and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with his analysis. Support your position, providing reasons and examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

____________ Civil Disobedience- Thoreau
http://publicliterature.org/exp/music/index.php?prev_url=http://publicliterature.org/books/civil_disobedience/xaa.php&playlist=http://publicliterature.org/books/civil_disobedience/music/playlist.xspf
*I’m not sure what we are going to do with this essay yet.
___________ BLOGGING ABOUT: Transcendentalism in Popular Culture:
What examples can you find in comics, music, movies, television shows, etc…?
*This assignment is ongoing. Please use the class blog to post examples at least twice throughout the unit. (20 Points)


_______________ CHOICE ASSIGNMENT (50 Points)
Please complete ONE of the following:
A Quiet Place Take a walk outdoors. Seek out an area with trees or some other natural setting. Sit quietly, and record in a journal what you see, hear, and smell. Then tell how this setting makes you feel. (Minimum of 3 pages)Simplify! Keep a three-column log for one day. In the left-hand column, note the time. In the middle column, describe your behavior and environment at that time. In the right-hand column, describe what if anything Thoreau might recommend you modify in your behavior or environment to keep it simple. (Minimum of 3 pages)
Your Personal Walden
If you choose, you may act like Henry David Thoreau and create your own "Walden" within the context of your own life. For this assignment, you will need to remove yourself from all of the following, as much as possible:
*other people
*electronic devices, including cell phones, IPods, video game systems, etc.
*electric devices, including TV, computer, hairdryers, curling irons, lights, etc.

You will spend a minimum of 8 hours alone reading, writing, and contemplating life. You must be AWAKE during these hours. This time may be split up; it doesn't all have to be consecutive hours.
You will write a minimum of three pages about your experience--what was it like to be removed from people and devices like this? What thoughts or ideas came to you about your life?

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

English 11 Honors- Post due Thursday

As we begin to wrap up our discussion of Nickle and Dimed, please use this forum to comment about ideas that you were unable to share in class or any concluding thoughts. Please reference particular page numbers in the novel where appropriate. DUE THURSDAY!!!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Blog Assignments Due Thursday

1. Complete all three posts.
2. Print out the picture used for Blog # 1. Please print out your post as well.
3. Read through the comments of your classmates and choose at least one to comment upon. "I like what Joe S. had to say in Per. 3....)j

Monday, August 31, 2009

Grapes of Wrath-Post # 3

Guiding Question:
How does an author's life affect his/her writing?
Task:
Locate pertinent information about John Steinbeck's life that might have influenced his writing in The Grapes of Wrath. What other interesting facts can you find?

Grapes of Wrath-Post # 2

Objectives:
*Recognize thematic parallels between Woody Guthrie’s music and Steinbeck’s novel
*Develop an appreciation for The Grapes of Wrath and the music of Woody Guthrie, as works of art and historical documents
*Explore the idea of the “American spirit"
Task:
Comment on your thoughts about Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springstein's lyrics/ Music. Do you notice any thematic parallels? Feel free to comment on other aspects of the music/ lyrics as well.
Link:
http://www.woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/Tom_Joad.htm
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/107356/review/5940604/dustbowlballads
Listen to songs from Bruce Springsteen’s 1995 album The Ghost of Tom Joad. Why would Springsteen use that allusion?
Link:
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/TheGhostOfTomJoad.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DEtA5fhk4k

Grapes of Wrath- Post # 1

Guiding Question:
What can be learned from photographs from the Dust Bowl era?
Link to Dorothea's Lange's, "Migrant Mother":
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/i?pp/fsaall:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(fsa+8b29516))+@field(COLLID+fsa)):displayType=1:m856sd=fsa:m856sf
Task:

Choose a photograph from the Dust Bowl Era. Include the link in your response/ blog comment. Write about what you believe the image conveys. You may use the following questions to help guide your response:
Why would the artist have taken the photograph?
Who do you see in the photograph?
Where do you think they are?
What can you tell about these people based on the photograph?
How do you think they feel in this picture? How can you tell?
What techniques does the photographer use to draw you into the subject matter or to draw an emotion from you?

Welcome to English 11 Honors!

We will use this forum to periodically respond to literature studied in class. I will also try to post important assignments and interesting links. Check back periodically for updates. If you have ideas as to how to improve the use of this site, or to better incorporate blogging, twittering, etc... into our studies, please share! I am also interested in hearing how your friends/ siblings are using this technology at the college level.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Born Rich by Jamie Johnson

Please post your thoughts/ reactions to this film. If you missed class today, you can watch this film on Google Video. Please put your initials and class period at the end of your post.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Grade 11- "The economics of happiness"

The link above is more information on this very interesting topic. You will need the handout from class to answer the questions below. Please use complete sentences. This assignment will count as 15 points.
1. According to Lane, what is the relationship of income to happiness?
2. How have researchers tried to measure happiness? According to Lane, are these measures accurate? Explain.
3. According to Lane, what is the relationship between materialism/ materialistic individuals and happiness? Explain.
4. According to Lane, what factors contribute to happiness?
5. Economist Adam Smith stated, "happiness is not from economic gain, but from what other people think of you (social esteem). Do you agree/ disagree?
6. What factors of one's job/ work (according to Lane) lead to happiness?
7. Give examples of economic forces (according to Lane) that encourage materialism that is not "fruitful for happiness."
8. Your reaction to this article.

Grade 11- Gatsby

Read pages 1-5. Generate a list of 10 charcteristics of Nick Carraway. Include details about: family, schooling, work, living arrangements, and personality characteristics.

Reminder: Newport trip is May 26th. This trip is open to the entire Junior class on a first come, first-serve basis. Bring in your permission slips!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Of Mice and Men- Period 8

Candy
gossiper
"swamper"-general handyman/sweeper
mellow
old
missing hand
has a dog- shot in head (put out of misery)
really hard for him to put his dog down
hunchback

Boss
Curley's father
"let him answer"-curious about why Lenny doesn' t speak for self
fat-legged man
high-heeled boots w/ spurs (shows his power/ status)
brought gallon of whisky to workers on X-mas

Curley
Bosses son, works for father
Cocky, handy, lightweight, small-stature, fighter
protective of wife
agressive
confrontational
prone to violence
uptight
small
short
high-heeled boots
brown face, eyes
married two weeks earlier
"scraps w/ big guys" (Napolean syndrome)


Curley's Wife
(no name)
only girl on farm
attention seeking
personality: potentially jailbait
body language very affectionate/ flirtatious
no trust-always looking for Curley & vice-versa
"Loo-Loo"- "tart"
small & skinny
red make-up, nails, shoes, dress
"gotta an eye going all around"

Slim
jerk-line skinner
ranch prince
tall
long black straight hair
35-50
big hands
respected
powerful words
seems to stand up for what's right
moved like royalty
all stopped talking when he spoke
drowned the puppies
"I'll do it myself"-tar ex.
Stood up to Curley about his wife
After fight, problem solver
God












Of Mice & Men Characters Period 1

Candy

attached to his dog- couldn't shoot it p.44
sensitive- doesn't want to shoot the dog p.47
occupation-worker on the ranch "swamper" (cleans; sweeps)
350.00 contribution to the "ranch plan"
p.18:
stoop-shouldered, tall
blue jeans
old man
right arm- missing hand


Curley's Wife
Physical:
full, rougged lips
red lips & fingernails
red mules (shoes)
curls like sausages
She'd clear out for 20.00 p.32
"rat trap"p.32
blunt
flirtatious in her posture

Boss
Fatleged man
short, stocky
high-heeled boots w/ spurs
"I've seen wise guys before..." Suspicious (21)
"pretty mad sometimes..." (21)
gave workers gallon of Whisky on Christmas



Curly
Dark-skinned
Dark curly hair
thin
high-heeled boots
brown eyes
glove w/ vaseline on left hand
bosses son
married
handy
lightweight
picks fights w/ bigger guys

Carlson
Skinner
powerful, big-stomached man
humorous: "he ain't very small" (says that about Lenny Small)
put Candy's dog down
he had the idea to give him one of the pups

Slim
Tall, skinny, long black hair
agesless face
jerkline skinner
highly skilled mule driver
"prince of the ranch" (33)
"understanding beyond thought...hands large & lean...(quite skilled) (34)

Of Mice & Men characters Period 1

Carlson
rude
bad jokes
"glad to meet you he ain't very small" p.35
wants to kill puppies
"Why don't you get Candy to shoot his own dog...."p.36
infer that he is some type of ranch hand
powerful, big-stomached man p.35


Curley
Thin young man with a brown face, with brown eyes and a head of tightly curles hair. He wore a work glove on his left hand. Like the boss, he wore high-heeled boots.
Angry
Picks fights w/ bigger guys
recently married
"...like a lot of little guys...picks fights w/ bigger guys" p. 26 (The swamper)

Candy
The swamper
Lost one hand in accident
Old/ Old Dog
Tall, stoop shouldered man
p.60 "I wished somebody shoot me"
"I make a will & leave my share to you" p.59

Slim
Jerk-line skinner
Tall long black straight hair
Moved like royalty/ master craftsmen
All talk stopped when he spoke
Great authority; word was taken on any subject
ageless face
slow-speech; understanding beyond thought
hands large, lean & delicate
p.41 "What did you do in Weed" (acts like he doesn't know)
p.36 "You guys better come in and eat..." (not animalistic; more chill)

Boss
"A little stocky man...blue jeans, flannel...soiled stetson...high-heeled boots (not laboring man)
"pretty nice guy"-
controls who he hires

Curley's Wife
Full roughed lipes
Red fingernails
Voice nasal quality
"body thrown foward" -tease p.34
"married two weeks and got the eye...maybe that's wife Curley's pants got the ants"
tart, lu-lu

Sunday, March 22, 2009

A Raisin in the Sun Essay Rubric

1oo Points

1. Catchy Title (7)
2. Introduction: (hook, background information, thesis) (10)
2. Thesis Statement- clear & concise (10)
3. Body Paragraphs- organized, topic sentence evident (30)
4. 6 Quotes- utilized & incorporated well into body of paper (18)
5. Conclusion: (moves from specific to general/global) (10)
6. Few errors in grammar, mechanics & spelling (10)
7. MLA format (5)

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Grade 11- Memorize Poem for Monday

Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

Langston Hughes

Grade 11- SAT Midterm Essay Sample

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Grade 10 - A Separate Peace Paper Assignment


A Separate Peace Essay


John Knowles’ novel A Separate Peace is the story of Gene Forrester who struggles to come to grips with the guilt over his role in a traumatic event from his childhood. The novel, told as a flashback from the perspective of an adult Gene, looks back at his friendship with a private school classmate and Gene’s destructive feelings of jealousy, fear, and anger.

Assignment:

Write a 3-5 page literary analysis that explores in depth a theme from the novel.

Structure:


You might want to think of a five-paragraph structure, but feel free to expand on that if you need to adequately explore your topic.


Intro:
Include a “hook,” background information, and a thesis statement. It should clearly lay out what you are going to argue.


Body:
Provide analysis and supporting evidence. Mention several key events or moments from the novel. Include at least three carefully chosen quotes (honors option students need to include at least six quotes) to help capture larger ideas from the novel. Blend them in with your own writing. Be sure to relate each body paragraph to your overall point/thesis.


Conclusion:
Wrap up your argument and provide final thoughts or ideas related to your main idea.

Requirements:
*This is a literary essay so there should be no uses of “I” or “you.” Include a title that captures interest.

*A clear argument of opinion and purpose expressed in a thesis statement and introduction


*Numerous accurate supporting details and events from the novel that directly backs up your opinions

*The required number of properly cited quotes from the novel


*Accurate and insightful analysis of the novel

*Generally correct grammar and mechanics.

*HONORS OPTION STUDENTS- SEE HANDOUT!

Blogging about the American Dream

Please summarize your interview. Be sure to mention who you chose to interview, why you picked that person, and what that person's thoughts are about "The American Dream."

*If you did not complete the homework, write your own thoughts for a grade of 70%.

*Once you have completed your write up, read through your classmates interviews and respond to at least one.

*Only use your initials and class period.