Homework for week of December 16

Monday: Read and annotate chapter nine. Due Tuesday. Butterflies Journals 1-5 are due Tuesday as well. To review journal questions, see post below.
Begin to review vocabulary for part three. Quiz will be on Friday.
Guiding Questions for Part Three
Tuesday: Read and annotate chapter 10. Due block day. Review vocabulary for part three. (See link on Monday.) Quiz will be on Friday.
Block day: Read and annotate chapter 11. Due Friday.Review vocabulary for part three. (See link on Monday.) Quiz will be on Friday.
Friday (over vacation): Read chapter 12 and epilogue (In other words, finish novel). If possible, start interviews for biography project.

Homework for week of December 9

Monday: Since I won't see you today, I'll postpone the homework. Please make sure you have studied vocabulary for chapter 6. Chapter 6 will be due on block day, so you may want to start now.
Tuesday: Read and annotate chapter 6.
Block day: Read and annotate chapter 7. Begin to review vocabulary for chapters 7 and 8: Vocabulary Chapters 7 and 8
Friday: Read and annotate chapter 8.
For Monday, 12/16: expect a quiz on part two and vocabulary for chapters 7 and 8.   
For Tuesday, 12/17: Butterflies Journals #1-5 are due.

Homework for week of December 2

See last week's blog post for homework due today. Our work will continue with In the Time of the Butterflies. In addition, you will have to choose a subject for your biography project by Monday, December 9th. We'll discuss more during the block day.
Vocabulary Work:
See vocabulary post for words for Chapter Four: Vocabulary Work. Quiz on Friday.
Monday: Review vocabulary for Chapter Four. Take pre-test.
Tuesday: Read and annotate chapter 4. Study vocabulary. 
Block day: Read and annotate chapter 5. As with Part One, you may find it helpful to complete the chart. If you would like to review questions for Part Two: Guiding Questions Part Two.  Study vocabulary. Quiz on chapter four vocabulary (as well as a few words from Chapter One) on Friday.
Friday: Study vocabulary for chapter six: Vocabulary Work. Biography subject choice (with permission form) due Monday as well.
Quiz for vocabulary on chapter six will be on Monday.

Reading and work over Thanksgiving break

Read chapter 3 of In the Time of the Butterflies. Annotate, thinking about questions or noticings.

Also, if you are interviewing your biography subject over Thanksgiving break, here are some guidelines and possible questions. Choose 15-20 that feel the most relevant or create your own specific questions:
Biography Interview Guidelines

Have a great break!

Vocabulary Work

This post will be our central place for quizlets and vocabulary building. See headers below.

Language of Literary Analysis
Tone Words
A and B words
Vivid Verbs

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Chapter One
Chapter Four 
Chapter Six
Chapters Seven and Eight 
Part Three: Chapters 9-12 and Epilogue

A very generous student compiled all the words into one quizlet and shared it:
http://quizlet.com/33473012/in-the-time-of-the-butterflies-all-vocabulary-words-flash-cards/ 

Poetry terms:
http://quizlet.com/40485745/flashcards   

Journals for In the Time of the Butterflies

Journal #1:

How do you define social justice? Courage?  What cause is worth fighting for in our society? What could this resistance look like? Under what circumstances (and for what cause) would you stand up for your beliefs? What specific action would you take, if any, for this idea? Give specifics in your answer.

Journal #2:
This journal is a free choice. You may write about anything you choose. The idea is it will reflect your voice and insight or paint a picture of a particular scene or moment. Here is the suggested prompt in case you don't have an idea:
Write about the best (worst?) holiday disaster in your family? Try to include details about the place, people (small gestures, physical features) and dialogue.
The standard length (one page double-spaced in Google docs Times New Roman 12 pt) applies.

Journal #3:
Part One:
Complete the following metaphors or similes with the first idea that comes to your mind. These should be brief.


Love is like
Courage is
[Your favorite pastime] is
Our country is like
When I was a freshman I was like
When I was a junior I was
Graduation is
Winter is
School is
Now that I am a senior I am like
Make up your own simile or metaphor

Part Two:
Choose your favorite example from above and free write for 10 minutes, allowing whatever  associations you have to take over. Don't worry about having it make sense right now. Your only job is to keep writing.  Here are two examples of my own free associations. Yours will probably be a bit longer.
 

Love is an anvil, a feather, a wisp of smoky soot that somehow manages to be longing and sweetness intertwined, a perfect soft pillow, a cold snow that shimmers glints of diamonds, a razor wire woven around the majestic oak bark, a cross hatched scar beneath the chin, tired wrinkles beneath a retired ballerina’s soft gaze

leaving is like the curl of a wave before it smashes, like a package which arrives without warning, an email in your inbox or a phone call in the sweet peace of night. I could tell her how it can leave you broken, folded up alone on a corner of your futon, wondering how you will survive. But, I could also tell her leaving can be freedom, like the seconds before takeoff to a land undiscovered, a possibility for a new molted self. 

Part Three: Now, think about a memory you have that connects to one line of part two. Write about this memory, making a conscious effort to use some metaphors, similes, imagery or figurative language (the details do two things at once). If you are one of those people who like concrete tasks, think about incorporating five phrases that use some kind of figurative language. 250-300 words
See example I read here

Journal #4:
Choose two of the sisters. Then choose an event from the novel you have read so far. Write TWO letters which briefly describes the event, but more importantly shows the reactions you believe the character would have to the event. Lastly, include at least one image that could be interpreted on a figurative level, like Alvarez has done (moths, rain, bunny, bird of paradise) or feel free to choose your own motif.

Journal #5: 
Part One: This will involve making a table in Google Drive. You can do it! Make a table with twelve rows and two columns. Then, label rows with the following: Character Name, Wanted (State a problem faced.), But (Explain some forces that worked against the problem.), So (Show how the problem stands now, at this point in the book. There should be some shift from the But line.)
Part Two:

Choose one character above and explain how their desires impacted their actions and those around them. You may use some of the ideas above, but develop this thinking into a complete paragraph.

Homework for week of 11/18

Monday: none
Tuesday: Finish journal #1. (See In the Time of the Butterflies journal post)
Block day: Finish webquest for Friday. Here is the link for the webquest:
http://zunal.com/process.php?w=172951
Friday: Read and annotate chapter one of In the Time of the Butterflies. You may use the questions here, the chart at the end of the document or this chart which I sent you in Google Drive.
Part One Guiding Questions

Homework for week of 11/12

Your work this week is to make your Kite Runner essay beautiful and impressive. This will be done in a few ways:
1.  Read your essay aloud. Yes, I mean it. Listen to the essay for wordiness, fragments or general nonsense. Tweak as necessary.
2. Ask your writing partner questions, so you can get feedback on specific areas.
3. Look at the checklist and rubric I gave you and make sure you have addressed most of the points on it.
4. Make sure each body paragraph has an analytical point AND that point is supported by direct evidence.
5. If you have a question about your essay, email me in First Class and I'll look at a paragraph or two and give you feedback. I am happy to do so.

This revision is due Monday, November 18th. See details on assignment sheet or last week's post.

Homework for week of 11/4

Monday: Finish The Kite Runner and annotate.
Tuesday: Select topic for essay. Write draft of thesis and outline. Here are some suggestions for drafting: Preparing to write
Block day: Complete introduction and first body paragraph for Friday. (250 words)
Friday: Complete full draft for Tuesday. 750-1,000 words.

Homework for week of 10/28

Monday: Read chapters 17 and 18 of The Kite Runner. Due Tuesday.
How does Hosseini continue to lay out his path to redemption for Amir?
How does the relationship between Amir and his father change in these chapters?
See guiding questions for other suggestions for annotations: Guiding Questions chapters 14-22
Tuesday: Read chapters 19 and 20 of The Kite Runner. Due block day.
Block day: Read chapters 21-22 of The Kite Runner. Due Friday.
Guiding Questions chapters 23-25
Friday: Read chapters 23- 24 of The Kite Runner. Due Monday, 11/4.
Finish novel by Tuesday, 11/5.

Homework for week of 10/21

Monday: Read chapter 12 of The Kite Runner and annotate. (See last week's post for questions 8-13). Also, you may want to begin to consider the two potential questions for our essay:
1. How does Hosseini convey redemption in the novel?
2. How does Hosseini convey the concept of the legacy of father and son in this novel?

Tuesday: Read chapters 13 and 14 of The Kite Runner and annotate.
Questions for chapters 14-22 are here: Guiding Questions chapters 14-22
Consider essay questions as you read.

Block day: Read chapters 15-16 of The Kite Runner and annotate. See guiding questions in Tuesday's post. Kite Runner journals are due on Monday, 10/27. Ensure you have met the requirements for each journal and you have reread for clarity and grammar.

Homework for the week of 10/16

Here are the guiding questions for chapters 8-13: Kite Runner Guiding Questions chapters 8-13
Tuesday: Read and annotate chapter 8. In addition, think about these two questions:
How does Hosseini convey the journey of redemption?
How does Hosseini convey the complex relationship between fathers and sons?
Block day: Read and annotate chapters 9 and 10.
Friday:
1. Read and annotate chapter 11.
2. Complete the analytical paragraph which addresses the following questions:
In what ways does the culture and history of Afghanistan impact the first ten chapters of the Kite Runner? Please use at least ten terms from your ABC grid. I'll collect grid and paragraph in paper form on Monday.

Homework for week of 10/7

Monday: Read chapters 1 and 2 of The Kite Runner. Either take notes or annotate on sticky notes and answer these questions:
How is the relationship between Hassan and Amir revealed? (Think specific examples.)
How is relationship between Amir and his father revealed? (Think specific examples.)
Tuesday: 
Read chapters 3 and 4 of The Kite Runner. Annotate, using the guiding questions here.
Guiding Questions for Kite Runner chs. 1-7
Block day: Read chapters 5 and 6 of The Kite Runner. Annotate, using the guiding questions, above.
Friday: Read chapter 7 and annotate, using guiding questions.

The Kite Runner journals

Journal #1:
Write down three things you should apologize for and to whom you should apologize. Then, choose one and write an apology letter (or poem) for something you regret doing. In it, try to think about 3 to 4 factors that made you act the way you did and think about the things in your life at the time which was underlying each factor. In the end, like Espada did, write an imaginary penance. What could be done to "right" the wrong?

Journal #2: When you think of Afghanistan, what images come to mind? How would you describe the country, the people, based on what you know now? What information surprised you about the video? Describe the landscape? How did the information change or add to what you already know about Afghanistan?
Here is the PBS video, in two parts:
Part One
Part Two
In addition, here are two exemplar journals

Journal #3:
Are Baba's expectations for Amir reasonable? Why? Why not? What is his reasoning? How are Baba's expectations shaped by the societal beliefs about becoming a man? How do they compare to those expectations in American society? Be specific with examples when you respond.

How are you shaped by your parents' expectations for you? In what ways do you resist these expectations? In what ways are your parent's expectations shaped by society's beliefs? Give examples.

Journal #4:
Keeping in mind the fact Amir is middle school age, how do you react to his actions in the alley when Hassan is violated? What about his actions following the assault? Do you think most kids in his position would have done the same? Explain.  Thinking honestly, what would you have done in that situation? How would you have addressed Hassan or the situation after the fact?
And for the BIG question, is it possible for Amir to redeem himself? Explain your answer.

Journal #5
Write a letter from the perspective of either Amir or Baba in The Kite Runner. You may decide to whom you would like to address the letter, but have the person be relevant to the novel. In it, address how the character feels about leaving Afghanistan. In addition, write about the character's current state, both in terms of place and state of mind. You could use physical details to express the setting, both current and past. At this point in the novel (through chapter 12), how is this character feeling about himself of the relationships around him? Express those sentiments  as well.

Homework for week of 9/30

Revision Work:
This week, most of your writing work revolves around revising your college essay. This does NOT mean you can take the week off if you have the word count. You should follow this process:
1. Ask your partner 2-3 questions about the piece. Note those questions in Google Drive.
2. You should have 3-4 responses from your partner throughout the essay. If you didn't receive feedback, please let me know. 
3. Review the college essay rubric to see if there are any areas which you would like help.
4. Revise your essay.
5. Turn into Google Drive with rubric attached on Friday.

The Kite Runner pre-reading work will happen in class. You will be expected to complete the work during the period. I'll post the work here each day, if people need it.
Afghanistan Overview

Homework for week of 9/23

Monday and Tuesday:
Write or revise draft of college essay. See questions for Common Application essay. Draft now due on Monday, September 30th.
Due block day. 
2. Also, college essay journals are due Friday, 9/27. Make sure you have developed each entry, according to guidelines. See journal rubric for guidelines: journal rubric
Block day:
1. College essay journals are due Friday. See comments from Monday and Tuesday.
Friday:
Write or revise draft of college essay. See questions for Common Application essay. Draft  due on Monday. Length: 500-650 words.

Homework for week of 9/15

Monday: Review Costello assignment. Begin drafting Rock Around the Clock essay. Due block day.
Have 12 hours and the respective songs chosen for Tuesday.
See exemplar essay here, for ideas. You will be  graded on the following criteria:

75 points for voice: I want to be able to “hear” you through your diction and tone.
15 points for mechanics and clarity: no grammar/spelling issues, and writing is “smooth”
10 points for structure: At least twelve “entries” or time markers are present, woven into the narrative and each recommends at least one piece of music.   
Note: You will submit in Google docs, so you may want to compose there.

Tuesday: Finish drafting Rocking Around the clock essay. Due block day.
Block day: Revise your Rock Around the Clock essay. Due Friday.
Friday: Complete journal #4 and revise other journals. Journals due on Monday.

Amherst College essay link: Exemplar essays 
Consider these questions:
What is the writer's strengths? How does the writer utilize VOICE? Example?
Which is your favorite essay? Why?
What would an admissions officer infer about this candidate? How are you making your decision?

College essay journals

Expectations for journals:
Journals are a place to write a bit more informally about the ideas of a unit or novel. It's a chance to develop your voice. However, these journals are not sloppy. Although you may write down your ideas as fast as you can initially, I expect them to be edited for punctuation, spelling and clarity by the time you turn them in. I give you time in class for these journals because I think this type of writing is an important muscle in your development as a writer.
Here are the specifics:

• You are expected to write during the time allotted, not check your email or surf the internet. If you need more time to finish the journal (the expectation is one page, double-spaced per journal), you need to complete that work at home.  I collect the journals in batches, usually after five. 
• I may check individual journals for completion beforehand.
• The due date for these journals: Friday, September 27. 
• Here is the rubric for these journals: journal rubric

Journal #1:
What is your creed, or belief? Write a poem or a paragraph which clearly states your beliefs. For now, don't worry about offending anyone, just say what you believe as clearly as you are able.
You could use the repetition of "I believe...", as Meg Kearney did in her poem I read in class.

Journal #2: What is your legacy? Using "Portraits of Grief" from the New York Times as a model, write a snapshot that someone might use to represent your life. Write in third person. You can make up quotes, imagining what someone might say about you. Try to bring yourself into focus and avoid cliches if you can. It should be between 200-300 words.
Portraits of Grief link: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/sept-11-reckoning/portraits-of-grief.html#/portraits-of-grief/0

Journal #3:
This should include five mini "flash fiction" pieces based on the snippets of songs you heard in class. Each mini entry should have the emotion or mood each piece of music evoked in you (melancholy, calm, jaunty et al) followed by a description of a scene which this music could serve as the appropriate soundtrack.

Journal #4:
Complete each sentence of sensory detail power point.
Then, choose one and write a descriptive paragraph about that moment in your life. Make sure to include both your self at that age AND a reflective voice which gives us what you think about that kid, now that you have had some time to grow up. REMEMBER: Balance the external small details with your reflection and meditations.

Journal #5:
Think about the "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros. Then write your own reflection (It can be called "Eleven (or Twelve or Fourteen)" Choose a moment when you stepped into adulthood from childhood and focus in on both the small details as well as the feelings you felt in that moment.
I want you to think about language as well as small, sensory  details. You may want to write  this journal in the following format:

Paragraph #1: What they don't understand about _________________ and what they never tell you is that when you are ______________,


Para #2 Scene from this age that says something specific, both about you and about this time period of life for many people.

Para #3: I'm _____________ today. I wish________________
End with image that shows how you felt ("like a runaway balloon, like a tiny o in the sky, so tiny-tiny you have to close your eyes to see it.

Homework for the week of 9/9

Monday: 
Complete journal #1. See guidelines above.

Tuesday:

1. Read “A Pure High Note of Anguish”  by Barbara Kingsolver. Underline lines that you agree or disagree with AND write notes in the margins to show your thinking. We'll discuss in class. Due block day.

This clip may provide context for the dancing children reference in Kingsolver's essay. It was taken from a news clip on the day the Towers fell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrM0dAFsZ8k   

2. Revise your "I am From" poem for block day. I am looking for sensory detail and clear, original voice. 
Due block day.

Block day: 

1. Read "Killing Chickens" (in packet I gave you on Tuesday). Think about the following questions and annotate or write your reflections on a separate piece of paper:
How does the writer draw you into the experience in the first few sentences? What is she doing specifically in terms of writing "moves"?
What images do you notice? How does her imagery change with each chicken? Why does she do this?
What is this essay about, besides killing chickens?
In the end, what have we learned about the writer and the human condition she is considering?
2. Finish journal #2, if you didn't already in class. 

Friday: 
Read and annotate Elvis Costello's "Rocking Around the Clock".
Underline and comment upon lines which show Costello's voice most clearly. Where is his voice most compelling? What is revealed about Costello through his words? Underline his best verbs. How does the structure of the hours change as it gets later in the day? Why? Due Monday, 9/16.

Homework for week of 9/3

Tuesday:
1. Bring picture of yourself and six-word memoir (see last week's post for details and sample memoirs).
2. Review summer book, looking for examples of courage. You can write notes and bring those along. if it would be helpful. In-class essay on block day.
Both assignments are due block day.
Block day: Complete a draft of "I am from" poem, minimum 15 lines. Due Friday. Here is a sample: sample I am from poem
Friday:
Revise "I am From" poems: due block day next week.
For Monday: 
Read the following essays:
http://thisibelieve.org/essay/25569/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94566019
http://thisibelieve.org/essay/11056/

Choose two lines which you feel are effective in showing the writer's voice. Either annotate in margins or on separate sheet of paper, explaining why you find them effective.

Welcome and first assignment of the year

I am so happy you are here!
This blog is the place where you can verify homework and deadlines, both for the week and quarter. Coming Soon: Google calendar will give you deadlines for the quarter and will be embedded below. Also, there will be electronic links to handouts and assignments. Please download when required.

Here is a copy of the syllabus. Please download and read. We'll discuss on Tuesday: 12A Syllabus

There are a few materials you will need:

• Highlighters (three different colors if possible)
• A package of post-it notes
• A folder/binder for poems and  printed documents

For Tuesday, 9/4, I would like TWO things completed:
1. Introduction Letter (2 pages, typed, double-spaced)
This letter will let me know a bit more about you. Here are some of the questions to help guide you:

Tell me what inspires you.
Tell me what important things I need to know about you as a reader, writer and student.
Tell me what you consider your strengths and weaknesses and why you believe this.
Tell me  what kind of risks you would like to take this year as a student.
Tell me what you think you want to do next year. How can I help?
Tell me what (if any) your fears are for this year or this class.
You may add anything you think would  help me know you better.

2. What animal are you? You may have completed a similar test in advisory, but here you have EIGHT potential options. Please complete this quiz and read through your results: http://icould.com/buzz/
We'll discuss how this will impact our work on Tuesday.

2. For Block Day: Picture and six-word memoir

Please bring in a picture of what you consider your "true" self. It can be a picture from recently or when you were young. You may be doing something you love, or it may reflect a state of mind. (I can take a picture of you if you don't have one, just let me know ahead of time. ) In addition, please write a six-word memoir which tells us about an important event in your life or illustrates that true self. Here are some samples from years past: Six word memoir samples

 We'll share these next week and they will go on the bulletin board!