Friday, May 30, 2008

Civilization Arrives

Today we began with the end-of-book questions below and then worked on the symbolism project that is due Monday.
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  1. What is the symbolic importance of the destruction of the conch? Consider the context for its destruction.
  2. How is Piggy’s death like the earlier slaughter of the mother pig?
  3. What happens to the “savages” in the presence of the officer? Why?

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Academic Fair Madness

Today we had a quiz on the end of the book. ;-)

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

A Symbolic Day

Today we began the day with a look at the major symbols in Lord of the Flies. We followed that with an examination of the analytical paragraphs students wrote last week. Finally, I assigned the Symbolism Art Project which will utilize both of these things. The handout is available at the handout page, and the project is due Monday, June 2nd.

HW: Finish Flies and be ready for a quiz.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

A Philosopher Passes...

Today began with a quiz on chapters 9 & 10, and we spent the rest of the period working on a couple of discussion questions (collected).
HW: Read and take notes on the rest of the book. Expect a quiz on Thursday.
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  1. What seems to have been Simon’s symbolic function in the novel? Explain.
  2. How do Ralph, Piggy, Sam and Eric respond to the events at the dance. How does Jack respond? Why do you think their responses are so different?

Friday, May 23, 2008

Students, Meet the Lord of the Flies

Today we annotated a rather dark passage from chapter 8 and then discussed the many mysteries revealed in these two chapters.

HW: Read Chapters 9 & 10 with notes and quotes.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Today we started with some chapter 6 review questions (discussed & collected) and spent the rest of the period finishing maps and revising thematic paragraphs.
HW: Read Chapter 7 & 8 by Friday
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Chapter 6 Questions
  1. Of what do Sam and Eric become frightened when they go to build the fire? Explain in detail.
  2. How do the others react to the story Sam and Eric tell when they return to the beach?
  3. As they head off to explore the island, Simon once again considers the beast. Paraphrase or quote his thoughts.
  4. Compare Jack’s reaction to Castle Rock with Ralph’s. Why are their reactions so different?
  5. Who leads when they leave Castle Rock? Do you think this is significant?

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Practicing Paragraphs

We spent today working on thematic paragraphs centered on quotations from Lord of the Flies. First we looked at and color-coded an example paragraph. Next students used these example paragraphs and quotations from their notes to write their own example paragraphs, which they then color-coded like the example. Most groups finished and handed these paragraphs in.

HW: Read and take notes on chapter 6.

Monday, May 19, 2008

The Island Divides?

Today we began with a short quiz, did some discussion questions, and promptly ran out of time.
Bring colored pencils or highlighters tomorrow if you have them.
HW: Read chapter 6 and take notes (due 5/21)
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Chapter 5 Questions
  1. At the beginning of chapter 5, Golding describes Ralph this way: “The wind pressed his grey shirt against his chest so that he noticed—in this new mood of comprehension—how the folds were stiff like cardboard, and unpleasant; noticed too how the frayed edges of his shorts were making an uncomfortable, pink area on the front of his thighs” (69). Explain the symbolic and thematic importance of this description at this point in the story.
  2. Explain Simon’s theory about the beast and quote the line where he suggests it. Do you agree with him? Why?
  3. What does Ralph almost do at the end of the chapter? Why does he decide not to?

Friday, May 16, 2008

Chapter 3 and 4 & Island Art

Today we started with a warm up and I checked notes. After discussing and collecting the warm up, we moved on to some discussion questions for chapters 3 and 4. These were discussed and collected. We spent the remainder of 6the period working on the island art assignment.

HW: Read and take notes on chapter 5.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Island Art

Today we had a very brief quiz on chapter 2 and continued with a warm-up focused on theme. After we talked about chapter 2 and the warm-up, I explained the new note expectations and we read silently for awhile. We wrapped up the period working on the Lord of the Flies Map assignment (we will continue this on Thursday).

Warm-ups, note expectations, and the map assignment are available at the handouts page.

HW: Read and take notes on chapters 3 & 4.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Chapter Two

After getting new seats and doing a short warm-up about rules in society, we discussed the notes on chapter one (which I checked by the way).

Reading schedules were handed out.

Read chapter 2 and take notes for HW.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

The End of Night

Today we presented Night projects in the first half of the extended period and then spent the second half of the period writing an in-class essay.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Work Time

Today we got a new book, Lord of the Flies, but we will not start it until Thursday night.

We spent the rest of th day working on Night projects. Remember, groups will present projects tomorrow and then will write a final, in class essay on Night.