In Class
We discussed the way authors create tone in the poem, through word choice, subject and imagery. We analyzed "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman and "I, too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes.
Homework
Read "I Too Sing America" by Julia Alvarez for tone, form and subject. Notice the details she includes. Then, write your own copy poem in which you give voice to someone (or thing!) whose voice is not often heard in America. You must complete at least the first stanza, but if you are inspired, please keep going. (You'll have to finish it eventually.)
12/22/09
12/21/09
Monday
In Class
We learned how poets use a variety of literary devices to create imagery, and examine imagery in three poems. We discussed how authors convey mood and tone with imagery. Sometimes the emotion is implicit, sometimes it is explicit.
Homework
Create a poem about the snow this weekend, concentrating on imagery. Use simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, and the five senses. Consider using alliteration, assonance, rhyme, and repetition. Start with the imagery, and end with the "punch in the gut," the main purpose or emotion of the poem. Refer, specifically, to Tropics in New York and Filling Station. You can use any structure you like.
**Reminder**
Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have Regents Test Prep at 2:20 and will practice the listening section. This is the LAST time we will practice the listening section after school, so if you want practice I highly suggest you come. Please arrive on time so you don't miss any part of the reading.
12/18/09
Friday
In Class
We had 30 minutes to finish our Controlling Idea essay. We then signed out a book we had previously read (or hadn't, but which we really wanted to read) for our winter break homework.
Homework
In order to best prepare for the Critical Lens essay (and also because reading is fun) you are picking a book which you have read before in a high school class. You are rereading it analytically. Now that you know the plot, you can concentrate on the writing style and analyze how the author develops the themes, characters, setting and conflict. You will read for 30 minutes each day (Yes, you can skip the holidays if you so choose!) and record what you noticed while reading on the sheet. When you've finished, fill out the back of the sheet. This sheet is due on Monday for ALL students.
Note: We'll have single periods from now on AT LEAST until the Regents exam.
We had 30 minutes to finish our Controlling Idea essay. We then signed out a book we had previously read (or hadn't, but which we really wanted to read) for our winter break homework.
Homework
In order to best prepare for the Critical Lens essay (and also because reading is fun) you are picking a book which you have read before in a high school class. You are rereading it analytically. Now that you know the plot, you can concentrate on the writing style and analyze how the author develops the themes, characters, setting and conflict. You will read for 30 minutes each day (Yes, you can skip the holidays if you so choose!) and record what you noticed while reading on the sheet. When you've finished, fill out the back of the sheet. This sheet is due on Monday for ALL students.
Note: We'll have single periods from now on AT LEAST until the Regents exam.
12/16/09
Wednesday/Thursday
In Class
We discussed tips for writing a Controlling Idea essay and started working on one. We had one hour to work on this in class; we handed it in and we have 30 minutes to continue working on it on Friday in class.
Homework
For crying out loud, get some SLEEP! Go to bed before 10 and eat breakfast in the morning.
We discussed tips for writing a Controlling Idea essay and started working on one. We had one hour to work on this in class; we handed it in and we have 30 minutes to continue working on it on Friday in class.
Homework
For crying out loud, get some SLEEP! Go to bed before 10 and eat breakfast in the morning.
12/14/09
Monday/Tuesday
In Class
We discussed how to analyze works of art, and looked at four paintings by Jacob Lawrence, analyzing each for color, form, shape, symbolism, meaning and mood.
Homework:
Using Migration 57 (the women by herself) and Migration 58 (the one with the three girls writing) , write a one page paper TYPED answering the following question:
What is Lawrence revealing in these pieces?
You should look at the pieces both together and separately. Write an intro, with the answer to the question as your thesis. Then, write one body paragraph for each piece. Use your worksheet notes from class to help you. Discuss the paintings colors, subjects, symbols, shapes, mood and finally meaning. Remember, there is no wrong answer. You just need to explain what you think to be the main idea of the painting by supporting that main idea with evidence.
12/9/09
Regents Prep
...will begin at 2:20 on Thursday in Ms. Bryant's room. We will be practicing the listening section.
Wednesday/Thursday
In Class
We discussed chapter 11, and worked in groups to determine the book's themes. We then examined a variety of Critical Lens prompts, and analyzed them to see if we could use Frederick Douglass in our responses.
Homework
Pick one of the Critical Lens quotes and write a Critical Lens Essay (The prompt is below). One novel will be Frederick Douglass, the other is whichever novel you have read in high school which best fits the quote. Remember, this should be six paragraphs: an intro; two body paragraphs about text one; two body paragraphs about text two; and a conclusion paragraph. Follow the directions below carefully. For your intro, feel free to use the quote itself as your hook. BE SURE to refer to specific literary elements throughout.
You will have Friday in class to work on this, plus the entire weekend. This is due on Monday/Tuesday.
We discussed chapter 11, and worked in groups to determine the book's themes. We then examined a variety of Critical Lens prompts, and analyzed them to see if we could use Frederick Douglass in our responses.
Homework
Pick one of the Critical Lens quotes and write a Critical Lens Essay (The prompt is below). One novel will be Frederick Douglass, the other is whichever novel you have read in high school which best fits the quote. Remember, this should be six paragraphs: an intro; two body paragraphs about text one; two body paragraphs about text two; and a conclusion paragraph. Follow the directions below carefully. For your intro, feel free to use the quote itself as your hook. BE SURE to refer to specific literary elements throughout.
You will have Friday in class to work on this, plus the entire weekend. This is due on Monday/Tuesday.
Your Task:
Critical Lens:
Write a critical essay in which you discuss two works of literature you have read from the particular perspective of the statement that is provided for you in the Critical Lens. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the two works.
Critical Lens:
Write a critical essay in which you discuss two works of literature you have read from the particular perspective of the statement that is provided for you in the Critical Lens. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the two works.
Guidelines:
Be sure to
• Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis
• Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it
• Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion
• Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen
• Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis
• Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner
• Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose
• Follow the conventions of standard written English
Be sure to
• Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis
• Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it
• Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion
• Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen
• Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis
• Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner
• Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose
• Follow the conventions of standard written English
12/8/09
A Reminder about Academic Dishonesty
When you use a cheat sheet on a test, clearly that is cheating. When you use the web to find an analysis of a poem and use that analysis as your own, that is also cheating. It doesn't matter if the paper in question is a homework assignment or a take-home final, it's cheating. Students found plagiarizing will receive a zero on their homework, and will be subject to a disciplinary meeting with Ms. Kreisman, regardless of the amount (even just a PHRASE) of work that was plagiarized. By now, I know how each of you writes. It is clear when you steal lines.
12/7/09
Monday/Tuesday
In Class
We discussed chapter 10; read and annotated, and wrote a response.
Homework
Finish the Narrative, keeping in mind whether or not you think this is an effective book and why you feel that way.
We discussed chapter 10; read and annotated, and wrote a response.
Homework
Finish the Narrative, keeping in mind whether or not you think this is an effective book and why you feel that way.
12/4/09
Friday
In Class
We worked on taking notes during a discussion of chapters 7, 8, and 9. We also had a pop quiz. If you were absent, you may take the quiz ONLY if you come to me during lunch on Monday. Otherwise, it will be a zero.
Homework
Periods 2, 7: Read up to page 76. (Finish the first paragraph on that page.) and annotate.
Period 3: Read all of chapter 10. Be sure to annotate and title the chapter.
Keep in Mind!!!! Chapter 10 is long, and introduces us to quite a few new people. I highly suggest you keep track of the new people in your notebook to help you keep track of your reading.
We worked on taking notes during a discussion of chapters 7, 8, and 9. We also had a pop quiz. If you were absent, you may take the quiz ONLY if you come to me during lunch on Monday. Otherwise, it will be a zero.
Homework
Periods 2, 7: Read up to page 76. (Finish the first paragraph on that page.) and annotate.
Period 3: Read all of chapter 10. Be sure to annotate and title the chapter.
Keep in Mind!!!! Chapter 10 is long, and introduces us to quite a few new people. I highly suggest you keep track of the new people in your notebook to help you keep track of your reading.
12/3/09
Wednesday and Thursday
In Class
We charted the people in The Narrative and then discussed how Douglass creates the theme of dehumanization of slavery in chapters 4-6.
Homework
Read, annotate and title chapters for chapters 7-9
NEWS! NEWS!
The school newspaper is now online! It's only in the beginning, but check it out!
We charted the people in The Narrative and then discussed how Douglass creates the theme of dehumanization of slavery in chapters 4-6.
Homework
Read, annotate and title chapters for chapters 7-9
NEWS! NEWS!
The school newspaper is now online! It's only in the beginning, but check it out!
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