Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Eng. 2 - Quarterly Assessment - Jan. 2013


The House on Mango Street


Sophomore Class - Video Project

You will be reenacting one of the vignettes &
each person in the group must play a role in the performance.

This will be your Quarterly Assessment Exam!!!

The following are prohibited
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Moving vehicles
Requirements
  • 5-10 minutes in length
  • Groups of 4-6 students
  • Video must be put on YouTube with signed permission slips from ALL parents/guardians
 You may not select the following vignettes to reenact
  • "Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin”
  • “Red Clown”
Due Date:  Monday, January, 14th

Monday, December 3, 2012

Symbolism in The Crucible

Symbolism in The Crucible


 
The Doll: The doll found on Elizabeth Proctor's shelf is a traditional symbol of voodoo and witchcraft. In The Crucible, the doll (as well as Rebecca Nurse) symbolizes the transformation of good to evil: dolls, in a normal society, represent childhood innocence and bring happiness. In Salem, dolls represent evil. This extends to the Puritan government and church, both being entrusted to protect its citizens, yet both doing the opposite.
The Stones: Giles Corey refuses to make an official plea in court. In order to persuade him to make a plea, officials of the court stack concrete stones on him and eventually crush him. The stones symbolize the weight of Salem's sins that are crushing the good in its society.

Elizabeth Proctor's Pregnancy: Elizabeth's execution is stalled on account of her pregnancy. This represents hope that the future may be different.

The Boiling Cauldron: The controversy begins with Salem girls running wild through the forest around a cauldron of boiling water. This cauldron symbolizes the wildness of the girls, or more specifically, their repressed sexual desire bubbling over.

John Proctor's Leaving the Courtroom: This occurs in the movie. After Proctor is accused of witchcraft, he runs into a small pond and with arms spread shouts, "God is dead." Proctor is in water, symbolic of baptism, and his arms are spread, symbolic of the Biblical Christ on the cross. Proctor sacrifices himself for the good of Salem and to honor those saints (Rebecca and Martha) who refuse to lie.

The Witch Trials: In addition to the similarities between McCarthyism and The Crucible already discussed, the trials symbolize the effect of intolerance, extremism, and hatred.

The Forest: Puritans believed that the forest was the devil's dominion. They failed to recognize, however, that Salem's evil and destruction came from within. The forest, therefore symbolizes the evil present in all humans.


Sunday, November 18, 2012

The House on Mango Street - Ch. 16-21

16 - "And Some More"

  • Eskimos have thirty different names for snow - read Esperanza in a book.
  • There aren't thirty different kinds of snow, Lucy says - just two: clean and dirty.
  • Clouds have ten different names, said Esperanza.  Such as: Cumulus an Nimbus.
  • Fight erupts between Esperanza and Rachel.  Dialogue between them:  "Looks like your fat face.  Whose fat face? Esperanza's fat face, that's who.  Looks like Esperanza's ugly face when she comes to school in the morning.  Who you calling ugly, ugly?  Not you.  Your mama, that's who."
17 - "The Family of Little Feet"

  • Family that was little - arms, hands, height, and feel all little.
  • Esperanza and the girls get a bag of shoes from the "family of little feet".
  • Rachel learns to walk in high heels.
  • We walk to the corner store and the men can't take their eyes off of us (Lucy, Rachel, and Esperanza).
  • "We must be Christmas."
  • Mr. Benny at the corner grocery puts down his cigar and asks, "Your mother know you got shoes like that?" 
  • Mr. Benny tells them to take the shoes off because: "Them are dangerous, he says."
  • Bum talks to Rachel and she tells him her name.
  • He wants a kiss from her and will pay a $1 for it.
  • When they get home they hide the shoes and when Lucy's mom finds them, she throws them away.
18 - "A Rice Sandwich"
  • Kids with keys around their neck go to the canteen to eat (their mothers aren't home or home is too far for them to go for lunch).
  • Esperanza asks her mom to write a note to the principal because she wants to eat in the canteen.
  • Esperanza's siblings want to eat home, but she wants to eat at the canteen.
  • After three days of begging Esperanza's mom agrees to bag her lunch.
  • She will go to school with a rice sandwich.
  • There is a letter for the Sister Superior saying Esperanza lives too far and is very skinny - the mother hopes "to God she does not faint" ~ signed Mrs. E. Cordero
  • The nun knew she actually didn't live far.
  • Esperanza cries.
  • Canteen wasn't special and everyone watched as she cried and "ate my sandwich, the bread already greasy and the rice cold."
19 - "Chanclas"
  • Mama buys Esperanza new clothes - socks, slip, and a dress, but she forgets the shoes.  Everything new, but has to wear old saddle shoes she wears to school.
  • 6:30 and her little cousin's baptism is over.
  • Uncle Nacho is coming in his car to bring us to Precious Blood Church because that's where the baptism party is.
  • Mama dances, laughs, and dances.  All of a sudden she is sick - I think too many tamales, but Uncle Nacho says too many drinks (shows this by tilting his thumb to his lips).
  • Esperanza doesn't dance because of her shoes.  Her feet keep "growing bigger and bigger."
  • Uncle Nacho says she is the pretties girl there and so Esperanza, although at first doesn't want to, does dance with him.
  • As she dances, she forgets about her shoes.
  • At the end, everyone claps for Esperanza and Uncle Nacho and Mrs. Cordero is proud of her daughter.
20 - "Hips"
  • They are playing jump rope.
  • Discussion about signs of maturity.
  • One day you wake up and they are there - hips!
  • They're good for holding a baby as you cook.
  • You need them to dance, says Lucy.
  • Nenny believes if you don't get them, then you'll turn into a man.
  • Hips are scientific, Esperanza says repeating what Alicia already told me - it's the bones that let you know which skeleton was a man's and which a woman's.
  • Hips just open - one day you might decide to have kids.
  • But don't have too many kids or your behind will spread.
  • You have to practice to walk with hips.
21 - "The First Job"
  • Esperanza wanted a job.
  • She went to the social security office the month before to get her number.
  • She needed money because Catholic high school was expensive.
  • Aunt Lala found a job for Esperanza - Peter Pan Photo finishers on North Broadway.
  • Aunt Lala said Esperanza was one year older than she really was and she would start the next day.
  • In her job, she wore white gloves.
  • She needed to match prints with their negatives - a real easy job.
  • During lunch, she ate in the washroom because she was scared to eat in the company lunchroom.
  • During break, she went to the coatroom because there was a bench there.
  • Shifts must have been changing because some people punched in.
  • An older Oriental man said hello and was friendly to Esperanza.
  • He asked if I knew what day it was - it was his birthday and he asked her for a birthday kiss.
  • She was going to kiss him on the cheek to be nice, but he grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her hard on the mouth and didn't let go.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Gatsby Gatsby Assignment - Due Monday!!!

This assignment must be typed.  It is a test grade - due on Monday, November 19, 2012


Part A.  Select five characters and describe them, include their best and worse qualities.

Part B.  Select five symbols and explain them.

Part C. For each chapter choose one meaningful quote, then describe its significance in the novel.


If your assignment is turned in late, you will lose 10% for each day it is late! 

Friday, October 19, 2012

English 3 - Extra Credit

The Great Gatsby

You must hand in a typed product, as well as present your findings to the class.
DUE:  Monday, October 22nd.

  • List chronologically significant events in Gatsby's life, such as his connection with Meyer Wolfshiem, Dan Cody's influence, the list in the Hopalong Cassidy book, promotion to major, the end of his lawn parties, tea at Nick's house, meeting Tom and Daisy at the Plaza Hotel, leaving St. Olaf's College, driving with Nick, having lunch with Meyer and Nick, receiving a medal from Montenegro, and swimming alone in early September.

  • Make a list of scenes from the novel which express contrasting attitudes toward honestly, friendship, optimism, self-esteem, loss, responsibility, fidelity, wealth, prestige, dependence, and compromise.  Next to each, indicate what you think is the author's personal philosophy.

  • Mr. Gatz refers to James J. Hill, an actual historical figure who built a fortune through railroads, mining, and banking.  He was one of a group of forceful businessmen in the late 1800s and early 1900s who were often accused of exploiting the public and using unscrupulous methods, but who achieved enormous wealth.  Write a biographical sketch on one of the following "robber barons":
  1. John D. Rockefeller
  2. Jay Gould
  3. Edward Harriman
  4. James Fisk

  • Write an essay dealing with the 1920s and describing the elements of the contemporary mode of life which are reflected in the novel.

  • Read a biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald and note any influences of the life he lived and the society he observed that are included in The Great Gatsby.

Monday, October 15, 2012

English 3 - Summer Reading Extra Credit

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Write a letter to the author consisting of the following:

  1. 2-3 sentence introduction to the letter to establish purpose, set tone, develop interest.
  2. Discussion of your favorite character: identify him/her; when do we first meet this character? What is likable?
  3. Discussion of the most memorable part: what events lead up to this part?  Why is this part one to remember?
  4. Discussion of what you learned about human beings, their behavior, their motives and reactions.
  5. Overall review of the book: what is likeable?  What is not likeable?
  6. Suggestions of what you would do differently to improve the events, the ending, the characters.
  7. Analysis of why this book is so famous.
  8. 2-3 sentence conclusion to criticize or praise the author, thank him or scold him for creating this to read.
Paragraphs should be fully developed with a topic sentence and 4-5 sentences discussing the topic.

Work must be typed using 12 pt. font and double spacing.  Minimum 500 words is expected.  Once you are done, hand in a printed copy and also e-mail it to me as an attachment or a copy and paste.

Due Date:  Monday, October 29, 2012

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism – a philosophical movement that occurred in the middle of the 19th century (the 1800s) which influenced a great deal of writing of that time period.





Characteristics of Transcendentalism

· Simplicity of life

· A need to live in solitude

· A lack of necessity of material items

· A need to follow your own rules

· More focus on the inner self

· Relying solely on yourself and having the ability to think for yourself

· Breaking free from conformity

· A strong sense of nature

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Characteristics of the Gothic Story

  • Setting is medieval - a caste or dungeon
  • The mood is of mystery or suspense
  • Metaphors of fear, horror, dread (ex. thunder, footsteps, creaks, bells, fog, etc.)
  • Omens,visions, or haunting dreams are mentioned
  • Supernatural, evil, or violent events occur
  • "Mad" characters
  • Merciless villains
  • The Inquisition is mentioned (and their method or torture)
  • Myths or legends are mentioned
  • Wednesday, September 12, 2012

    Individualism vs. Collectivism

    Individualism vs. Collectivism

    The principal political issue in Anthem - and in society at large - is the issue of individualism vs. collectivism.  The society depicted in Anthem is a collectivist society.  "Collectivism," Ayn Rand wrote, "means the subjugation of the individual to the group - whether to a race, class, or state does not matter."  In such a society, the individual is owned by the group; he has no right to a private existence, which means no right to lead his own life, pursue his own happiness, or use his own property.  The individual exists only as part of the group, and his worth is determined by his service to the group.

    The alternative to collectivism is individualism, the view advocated by Ayn Rand.  "Individualism," she wrote, "regards man - every man - as an independent, sovereign entity who possesses an inalienable right to his own life, a right derived from his nature as a rational being."  Individualism does not mean that one can do whatever he feels like doing; it means that every man is an individual and has the same rights.

    Tuesday, May 1, 2012

    Power Point Presentations

    The Five People You Meet in Heaven

    Slide #1 - Introduction

    Slides #2-6 - Each slide must contain the following:
    • A person that you have influneced or who has influenced you
    • A picture of that person
    • The lesson that you have learned through your experience with that person
    Slide #7 - How important are you in this world?

    Slide #8 - What have you learned about yourself through this introspection?

    Thursday, March 29, 2012

    Webquest

    Assignment 1: The Scottsboro Boys Trial Webquest

    Search the Internet to find the answers to the following questions:

    -What was the trial about?
    -Who was on trial?  Why?  When did the trial occur?
    -Why were the "boys" accused?
    -What happened during the trial?  Did they get a fair trial/were they adequately represented?
    -What are the facts of the case?
    -What was the outcome of the trial?  Were there any appeals?  What was learned after the trial?
    -How did this trial affect America?  
    -What was the verdict?  How did America respond?  Explain.
     
    Website Suggestions

    http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htm

    Click on the timeline once you reach this site.

    http://pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/peopleevents/index.html

    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/sfeature/sf_lynching.html

    http://library.thinkquest.org/12111/SG/SG5.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=1103

    http://www.users.bigpond.com/burnside/scottsboro.htm

    Provides good description of trial
    http://www.courttv.com/archive/greatesttrials/scottsboro/trials.html

    Assignment 2: The Great Depression Photography

    Visit the following website and browse the pictures:

    http://history1900s.about.com/od/photographs/tp/greatdepressionpictures.htm

    Choose one photograph and describe what the picture is illustrating, how it relates to what you already know about the Great Depression, and relate it to something current.




    Wednesday, February 15, 2012

    The Catcher in the Rye - Project

    Requirements for the book cover project:
    Front Cover:
    -Illustration
    -Title and Author

    Spine:
    -Title and Author

    Back Cover:
    -Summary
    -Reviews

    Inside Flap:
    -About the Author


    Option #2:
    Create a comic book which tells the whole story of The Catcher in the Rye
    Due 2/28/2012

    Tuesday, January 31, 2012

    Research Paper - Presentation - Eng. 3

    You will be scheduled for a day and must be ready to present on that day.   IF YOU ARE ABSENT THE DAY OF YOUR SCHEDULED PRESENTATION, YOU WILL PRESENT ON THE DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING YOUR RETURN TO SCHOOL.  Additionally, you must have a note from your parent stating why you were absent.

    This presentation should be taken seriously because it is a TEST grade for the 3rd marking period.
     

    POWERPOINT REQUIREMENTS


    • 10 slides
    • 1st slide must be the introduction page or cover page which includes your name and topic
    • the Last slide must be the reference page or a Works Cited page
    • Music and/or sound effects must accompany each slide
    • Each slide must have a heading and all information on the page must stay on topic
    • Appropriate pictures or images should be included on each slide



    OTHER PRESENTATION (if you choose not to do a Powerpoint)

    ·         1 well prepared visual aid must accompany the presentation

    ·         Prepared note cards to help you through the presentation should accompany the presentation

    ·         Since I can not give you an amount of slides that must be included … I can require  this presentation to be at least five minutes in length


    BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRESENTATION

    ·         You will be graded on:

    *  Voice projection

    *  Poise and Posture

    *  Originality

    *  Professionalism

    *  Gesticulation (hand movements)


    EXTRAS … you can receive extra points for any of the following during your presentation

    • Handouts
    • More than 10 slides
    • More than 1 visual aid

    Thursday, January 26, 2012

    Themes - The Catcher in the Rye

    • Youth and Innocence
    • Loneliness and Isolation
    • Sexuality and Sexual Identity
    • Madness, Depression, and Suicide
    • Wisdom, Knowledge, and Academic Success
    • Lies, Deceit, and Phoniness
    *  “Phony” is the most frequently repeated word in this novel. Holden applies “phony” to anything hypocritical, shallow, superficial, inauthentic, or otherwise fake. “Crazy,” “madman,” and “depressed” rank close behind it.