Thursday, April 28, 2016

The Final Essay: April 29, 2016

Focus: How can I write a compelling synthesis essay?

A few reminders:

1. You may compose this essay either at the bottom of your Big Synthesis document, or you may open a new document. If you start a new document, make sure you label it clearly and place in your shared F451 folder.

2. You will want the following:

  • A short of paragraph of introduction that concludes with your thesis.
  • 2-3 body paragraphs, each with a topic sentence, 2-3 quotations/examples, and analysis (the outline lays this out pretty clearly).
  • A short paragraph of conclusion.

3. Please double space and use 12-point font.

4. You may listen to music as you type; if you finish early, work on the research component of your mockumentary. If you finish really early, look back over your essay to figure out where it needs development. This should take you the entire hour.

HW:
1. Make sure your how-why chart (including the larger conclusions) is done by Tuesday. You may also wish to start your annotated research if you have not yet done so.

2. Meet in the Forum for MAP testing on Monday, May 2.

3. If you have not yet presented your banned book speech, you will present on Tuesday, May 3 (sorry that you had to get rescheduled twice).

Exploring Our Society's Past: April 28, 2016

Focus: How do we start creating our mockumentaries?

1. Warming up. Testing your topic by brainstorming its history: The How/Why Chart

Pencils vs. cell phones

Aim to finish this step in class today, and show me so that I can give you credit on your rubric and get you started on your annotated research.

2. Exploring the overview of the mockumentary

3. Starting on your annotated research if time allows; click HERE for an example of annotated research  (keep the C.R.A.P. test in mind)

4. Asking any last-minute questions you have about tomorrow's timed writing

HW:
1. Make sure your laptop is charged, your outline is ready, and you're ready to write your last essay as an English 10 scholar.

2. On Monday, May 2, please meet in the Forum for MAP testing.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Imagining Our Society's Future: April 27, 2016

Focus: What will our imaginations create in the final two weeks of English 10?

PLC: Shortened Class

1. Warming up: Viewing a few sample mockumentaries

Ralph Lauren
Meninism
Boring History Lesson on Music
iPods

2. Figuring out the purpose and process of creating a mockumentary

3. Brainstorming possible topics and starting the how/why chart

HW:
1. Look to your outlines for feedback; if you have immediate questions, please contact me no later than midnight tonight (Wednesday), or ask me during class on Thursday. I am going out of town Thursday afternoon and will be unavailable until Monday morning.

2. Schedules are due today by 2:16 pm in the counseling office.

3. On Monday, May 2, meet in the Forum for MAP testing.


Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Writing with Structure and Freedom: April 26, 2016

Focus: How can we fortify our outlines with creativity and analysis?

1. Warming up by exercising your sensory imagery

a. Find the most intriguing word in your thesis. Look it up in Google images, and find an image that speaks to you and relates somewhat to your essay.

OR...if you're writing about a film, find a screenshot from that film that relates somewhat to the topic of your essay.

b. Write one sentence of plot description. What's this a picture of?

c. Pick three senses this image evokes (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). Write several senses evoking these three senses/using these three senses to describe the picture.

d. Write one sentence explaining how what you just described relates to the topic of your essay.

e. If you can use any of this writing in your introduction or conclusion, add it to your outline now.

2.  Recalling the close reading pyramid

3. Perusing my feedback and finishing your outlines (they're due at the end of class today)

HW:
1. Check your outline for feedback. If you have fallen behind, now is the time to catch up. Our timed writing will be this Friday, April 29.

2. If you are presenting this Thursday or Monday, now is the time to prepare.

3. Schedules are due this Wednesday in the counseling office by 2:16. If you're taking A.P. Language, make sure I sign your schedule.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Finding the Underlying Structure: April 25, 2016

Focus: How do I effectively structure my complex ideas?

1. Warming up with musical chairs: How's my thesis? What do you think my two body paragraphs will be about? Click here for the online version of today's handout.

2. Breaking down your thesis into two body paragraphs: Two tricks

THESIS: People must reject their societies' false "truths" and embrace their individuality, showing that the human desire for truth conquers the allure of lies.

EACH TOPIC SENTENCE TAKES A PIECE OF THE THESIS AND GETS MORE SPECIFIC WITH IT.

1. First body paragraph: Sylvia from The Truman Show and Clarisse from Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 inspire the protagonists to question and ultimately renounce their societies' inauthentic realities.

2. Second body paragraph: In Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, The Truman Show, and Hosseini's The Kite Runner, the protagonists must pursue what makes them unique in order to build a more authentic, fulfilling reality.


What if my thesis is only making one point right now?

People must escape their repressive societies.

My trick: Turn this into a problem-solution essay, in which you dedicate one body paragraph to developing the problem and one body paragraph to developing the solution.

Repressive societies create ignorance, but escaping these societies fosters intellectual and emotional growth.

3. Finalizing your topics sentences and gathering examples; finish your entire outline by the end of class on Tuesday, April 26.

HW: 
1. Outlines are due by the end of class tomorrow (Tuesday, April 26).

2. If you are presenting this week, make sure I talk to you about your presentation date.


3. Schedules are due in the counseling office on April 27 by 2:16 pm.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Finding the Patterns: April 22, 2016

Focus: How do we form complex thesis statements from our brainstorming?

1. Warming up with banned book presentations

2. Offering you some ideas about finding patterns in your brainstorming charts and using them to form a rough thesis

3. Seeking patterns and forming thesis statements

HW: 
1. Finish a strong draft of your thesis BEFORE class on Monday so that it's ready for workshop. 

2. If you are presenting next week, make sure I talk to you about your presentation date.

3. Schedules are due April 27.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Getting Specific: April 20 or 21, 2016

Focus: How do we generate specific, complex support?

1. Warming up with a sample close reading of a scene

  • Why is Truman looking a mirror?
  • How are his drawing and speech symbolic?
  • How is this moment significant to the film as a whole?


2. Completing Step 3 in The Big Synthesis

  • Remember to look for quotations/examples that have a striking word, phrase, symbol, etc....something you can sink your teeth into when you analyze.

3. Seeking patterns with a little color coding (if time allows)

HW: 
1. Complete most of Step 3 before class on Friday if you did not do so in class today.

2. If you are presenting this Friday, April 22, now is the time to practice.

3. Schedules are due in the counseling office by 2:16 on April 27.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Go Big or Go Home: April 19, 2016

Focus: What big ideas this semester interest us the most?

1st hour: 11:35-12:11
3rd hour: 12:57-1:34

1. Warming up with the beginning, the ending, and some big questions

What big questions do you think Peter Weir, the director, wants to talk about after watching his movie?

Ex: Should we accept the reality with which we are presented?

2. Meeting The Big Synthesis (click here and make a copy for yourself inside your F451 folder)

3. Developing your questions and sources (Steps 1 and 2)

HW:
1. If you didn't finish Steps 1 and 2, you need to complete them before class tomorrow. Remember that completing each step on time is essential to this essay; late work will lose three points per assignment. If you're absent, be aggressive about staying caught up.

2. If you're giving your presentation this Friday, April 22, make sure you are prepared.

3. Schedules are due Wednesday, April 27th by 2:16 pm in the counseling office. If you turn in your schedule late, you will be last in arena scheduling. Don't be that guy!

Monday, April 18, 2016

How's It Going To End? April 18, 2016

Focus:


1. Warming up with your Level 1 and 2 questions about The Truman Show

2. Finishing The Truman Show and focusing on the following in your notes:

This document will eventually be worth 40 points in the growth category.

Include the following categories in your notes:

a. Characters: Names, personality traits, clothes, things they say

b. Motifs/symbols: Specific objects that seem symbolic, what they might represent, and how they change throughout the film


c. Questions: Level 1, 2, and 3 questions; try to answer them at the end of the film


d. Connections to Fahrenheit 451: Be specific and original (these will form the backbone of your essay)


3. If time allows, analyzing the film with your grid groups

Topic #1: What specific moments from the ending of the film seemed most important to you? What do you think they meant?

Topic #2: What were the most important symbols and motifs? What larger patterns did they form? And/or, what did you think about the characters' names, especially "Truman" and "Christoff"?

Topic #3: Peter Weir is the director of this film. What big questions do you think Weir wants us to be talking about after watching this film?


HW:
1. Check Infinite Campus for grades (fishbowl, Truman Show notes, journals); if you're handwriting, make sure you bring your sticky notes/journals to class each day until I check them.

2. If you're giving your presentation this Friday, April 22, make sure you are prepared.

3. Schedules are due Wednesday, April 27th by 2:16 pm in the counseling office. If you turn in your schedule late, you will be last in arena scheduling. Don't be that guy!

Friday, April 15, 2016

What Does It Mean To Be a True Man? April 15, 2016

Focus: Is a perfect life a happy life?

1. Warming up with a round of banned book presentations

2. Sharing the best of your notes from The Truman Show

Please start a new document called "___________ (your last name) Truman Show Notes" and place it in your F451 folder. Though I don't often grade notes, I do assess these.

This document will eventually be worth 40 points in the growth category.

Include the following categories in your notes:

a. Characters: Names, personality traits, clothes, things they say

b. Motifs/symbols: Specific objects that seem symbolic, what they might represent, and how they change throughout the film


c. Questions: Level 1, 2, and 3 questions; try to answer them at the end of the film


d. Connections to Fahrenheit 451: Be specific and original (these will form the backbone of your essay)


3. Watching and analyzing The Truman Show: What does Truman want? What's in his way?

HW:
1. Check Infinite Campus for Round 3 of your reading journal grades; if you're handwriting, make sure you bring them to class each day until I check them.

2. If you're giving your presentation next Friday, April 22, make sure you are prepared.

3. Schedules are due Wednesday, April 27th by 2:16 pm in the counseling office. If you turn in your schedule late, you will be last in arena scheduling. Don't be that guy!

Thursday, April 14, 2016

The Perfect Life: April 14, 2016

Focus: Is a perfect life a happy life?

1. Warming up with a preview of The Truman Show  (click HERE for a trailer): Look back to yesterday's statements on the blog...try to reply to one with a possible connection to this film

Ex: AndrewJ2018April 12, 2016 at 6:47 AM
Bradbury uses the symbols of burning and the hound to criticize our society and the superfluous restrictions we place on literature, and to what lengths we go to "protect" our citizens.
My reply: In The Truman Show, the main character seems overly "protected" as well. Though he seems happier than Montag, his society is likely limiting his potential for happiness.

2. Explaining how to set up your notes for The Truman Show

Please start a new document called "___________ (your last name) Truman Show Notes" and place it in your F451 folder. Though I don't often grade notes, I do assess these.

This document will eventually be worth 40 points in the growth category.

Include the following categories in your notes:

a. Characters: Names, personality traits, clothes, things they say

b. Motifs/symbols: Specific objects that seem symbolic, what they might represent, and how they change throughout the film


c. Questions: Level 1, 2, and 3 questions; try to answer them at the end of the film


d. Connections to Fahrenheit 451: Be specific and original (these will form the backbone of your essay)


3. Starting The Truman Show

HW:
1. Check Infinite Campus for Round 3 of your reading journal grades; if you're handwriting, make sure you bring them to class each day until I check them.

2. If you're giving your presentation tomorrow (April 15), make sure you are prepared.

3. Schedules are due Wednesday, April 27th by 2:16 pm in the counseling office. If you turn in your schedule late, you will be last in arena scheduling. Don't be that guy!

4. Click here for next week's testing schedule.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Considering Your Immediate Future: April 13, 2016

Focus: What important things do you need to know to schedule for next year?

PLEASE MEET IN THE FORUM TODAY. COME PREPARED WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU'D LIKE TO ASK THE COUNSELORS.

HW:
1. Make sure your F451 journals are finished. If you're handwriting, you will need to have them in class each day this week.

2. If you're giving your speech this Friday, April 15, now is the time to prepare.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Why Does It End Like This? April 12, 2016

Focus: Why does Bradbury end F451 this way?

1. Warming up with How To Read Literature Like a Professor


"So maybe on some level tossing characters into the river is (a) wish fulfillment, (b) exorcism of primal fear, (c) exploration of the possible, and not just (d) a handy solution to messy plot difficulties...

But back to our soggy character. Is he rescued? Does he swim out? Grab a piece of driftwood? Rise up and walk? Each of those would imply something different on the symbolic level. For instance, rescue might suggest passivity, good fortune, indebtedness. The piece of driftwood raises issues of luck and coincidence, serendipity rather than planning...

...He's not just alive. He's alive all over again...He's reborn." (Foster 153-155)

Reread pages 139-141, and consider the following question in your in-class notes: 

  • Why does Bradbury throw Montag in the river? Use the Foster quotation above to help unravel the symbolic possibilities!
  • How and why does the "news" fictionalize the end of Montag's journey? Think about the articles and clips on reality TV we reflected on yesterday.

2. Finding patterns among the symbols to form larger themes

On our class blog, try one (or more) of these:

Bradbury uses the symbols of ____________ and ___________ to warn us that...

Bradbury uses the symbols of ____________ and ___________ to criticize our society for...

Bradbury uses the symbols of ____________ and ___________ to encourage people to...

3. Diving into our final fishbowl of the year: The ending of F451

HW:
1. Make sure your F451 journals are finished. If you're handwriting, you will need to have them in class each day this week.

2. If you're giving your speech this Friday, April 15, now is the time to prepare.

3. Meet in the Forum this Wednesday, April 13 (tomorrow). Bring your scheduling questions. OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE COUNSELORS, KEEP PHONES AWAY UNLESS ASKED TO TAKE THEM OUT.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Taking the "Real" Out of Reality: April 11, 2016

Focus: What aspects of our society is Bradbury warning us about?

1. Warming up: Reading two opposing articles that may challenge the way you think about reality TV

Why Reality TV Is Good for Us (Times)

Why America Loves Reality TV (Psychology Today)


2. Viewing a quick clip on The Hunger Games and how "reality" TV affects our lives


3. Brainstorming a few concepts together...

Topic #1: What is reality TV? What types/genres of reality TV have you noticed?

Topic #2: To what extent is reality TV real, and to what extent is it fake?

Topic #3:  Why do you think reality TV has become so popular? Why do we watch it?

Topic #4: In Fahrenheit 451, how does TV fictionalize the end of Montag's chase? (Starts on page 133)  Why?

For ideas, please peruse this article on reality TV.


4. Reading the ending of F451 and considering Ray Bradbury's take on reality

HW:
1. Finish F451 and your reading journals for tomorrow's final fishbowl discussion.

2. If you're giving your speech this Friday, April 15, now is the time to prepare.

3. Meet in the Forum this Wednesday, April 13. Bring your scheduling questions.


Friday, April 8, 2016

How Will It End? April 8, 2016

Focus: How does it end, and why does it end this way?

1. Warming up with your PSAT packets and an announcement about 5-day-a-week American Lit

2. Enjoying a round of banned book persuasive speeches

3. Delving into the final section of F451; remember to finish the book and your journal/annotations by next Tuesday to prepare for our final fishbowl discussion (note: this is your final reading assignment of the year)

4. Reminder: If you have any last minute make-up work from the last 6 weeks, today is your final day to get it to me. Feel free to use your reading time to take care of this first.

HW:
1. Please finish the book and your reading journals/annotations by next Tuesday. Remember that you do NOT need to read the Afterword or the Coda.

2. If you're giving your presentation next Friday, April 15, now is the time to prepare.

3. ANY MAKEUP WORK/REVISIONS FROM THE LAST SIX WEEKS ARE DUE TODAY. THIS INCLUDES MISSED FISHBOWLS. If you have any grades that need to be fixed, please e-mail me.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Heroes and Villains: April 7, 2016

Focus: Who are the heroes and villains in F451?

1. Warming up with a few types of heroes...does Montag fit any of these categories?

2. Rereading Beatty's death (starting on page 117): Was it suicide? Are we supposed to feel empathy for him, or is he a villian?

3. Enjoying our penultimate fishbowl discussion: F451, pages 102-129


HW:
1. Please finish the book and your reading journals/annotations by next Tuesday.

2. If you're giving your presentation this Friday, April 8, now is the time to prepare.

3. ANY MAKEUP WORK/REVISIONS FROM THE LAST SIX WEEKS ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY. THIS INCLUDES MISSED FISHBOWLS. If you have any grades that need to be fixed, please e-mail me.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

(Dis)connect: April 6. 2016

Focus: What is the root of these characters' inability to connect? 

1. Warming up with Bradbury's language: Click here for the final set of F451 vocabulary words

As you make your card, please keep in mind the following:

  • Use only words that you DON'T know (why waste your time?)
  • Write the definition of each word in the square.
  • Dedicate one or two squares to Part 1 words.
  • Dedicate one or two squares to Part 2 words.
  • The rest of your squares should be Part 3 words.

2. Exploring an in-depth view of F451 character dynamics via speed dating

Your follow-up questions (to be incorporated into your journals/sticky notes/what have you:

  • What is the greatest cause of DISCONNECT between the characters in F451?
  • What has the potential to CONNECT these characters?


3. Reading and reflecting on F451, through page 139.

HW:
1. Your next reading assignment is due tomorrow (Thursday), and it's the long one: Read through page 139 for Thursday and prepare for our penultimate fishbowl. Make sure your journals/annotations/reflections are up to date.

2. If you're giving your presentation this Friday, April 8, now is the time to prepare.

3. ANY MAKEUP WORK/REVISIONS FROM THE LAST SIX WEEKS ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY. THIS INCLUDES MISSED FISHBOWLS. If you have any grades that need to be fixed, please e-mail me.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Are You Overprotected? April 5, 2016

Focus: What larger patterns are coming clear in F451?

1. Designing your ideal playground, comparing it to today's vanilla playgrounds, and reading about "The Overprotected Kid"

Before you read...
  • Design your ideal playground (sketch it or describe it in words).  Create it from bottom to top, starting with what the ground would be made of, what the playground itself would be made of, what equipment it would have (if any equipment at all), how tall it would be, what colors it would have, etc.
  • On a scale of 1-5, 5 being extremely risky, 1 being extremely safe, how risky is your playground? Please explain.

As you read the article, please respond to these questions in your F451 notes (feel free to watch the videos, but please use earbuds or turn the volume off)...

Summary:
  • What is "The Land," and what makes it unique?
  • What's happened to our playgrounds over the years and why?
  • What is problematic about today's playgrounds?
Response:
  • Does "The Land" appeal to you? Why don't we have playgrounds like this in the U.S.?
  • In your opinion, can playgrounds affect the kind of people we become? How so (or not)? Do you think you (or American teenagers in general) are overprotected?
  • What connections can you make between this article and F451? Please post this one on the class blog.

2. Reading F451 and journaling/reflecting; remember that you need to be through page 139 by Thursday.

3. Checking on my handwritten journals/annotations

HW:
1. Your next reading assignment isn't due until Thursday, but it's the long one: Read through page 139 for Thursday and prepare for our penultimate fishbowl. Make sure your journals/annotations/reflections are up to date.

2. If you're giving your presentation this Friday, April 8, now is the time to prepare.

3. ANY MAKEUP WORK/REVISIONS FROM THE LAST SIX WEEKS ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY. THIS INCLUDES MISSED FISHBOWLS. If you have any grades that need to be fixed, please e-mail me.

Monday, April 4, 2016

One: April 4, 2016

Focus: Can one book/one person really make a difference?

1. Warming up with Kathryn Otoshi's One

2. Thinking about the significance of one book/one person in your think tanks

Topic #1: What do you think was the author's purpose in writing One? In other words, if you think about little kids reading this book, what effects might it have on them? Can you think of any books (children's books, young adult books, or high school books) that helped shape who you are and how you see the world? How so? Had you grown up entirely without books, like the people in F451, would you be different?

Topic #2: In F451, who or what might be "red"? "Blue"? The number 1? The other colors?

Topic #3: Can one person truly effect a change in society? Can you think of examples? What has to happen for Montag to be that person?

3. Enjoying F451 Fishbowl #5: Pages 80-102

HW:
1. Your next reading assignment isn't due until Thursday, but it's the long one: Read through page 139 for Thursday and prepare for our penultimate fishbowl.

2. If you're giving your presentation this Friday, April 8, now is the time to prepare.

3. ANY MAKEUP WORK/REVISIONS FROM THE LAST SIX WEEKS ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY. THIS INCLUDES MISSED FISHBOWLS.

Friday, April 1, 2016

War Getting Ready in the Sky: April 1, 2016

Focus: How does Bradbury build the tension in Part 2?

1. Warming up with a rousing round of persuasive speeches/presentations

2. Trying out a new PSAT-style vocabulary quiz using F451 Part 2 words

3. Reading and reflecting on tonight's reading assignment (it's a good one!); try keeping an eye on today's focus question as you read.

HW:
1. By MONDAY, read through page 102 in F451. Leaders and discussers should prepare for Fishbowl. FISHBOWL IS ON MONDAY NEXT WEEK.

2. If you're giving your presentation next week, Friday, April 8, you might want to start working on it this weekend.

3. Complete Days 5, 6 and 7 of your seven-day challenge. It should be filled out by Monday.