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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Work Time

Today, after a brief thematic quotation-based warm up, we spent the rest of the period working on the Night project.

The Final Lit Circle

Today we wrapped up literature circles and started on the final project. Students will have work time in class tomorrow, so bring something to work on!

Presentations are 5/6/08

Welcome Back

We started the day talking a bit about the importance of the STAR test (whether we like it or not). We spent the rest of the day working on lit circles.

Remember to bring something to do after the STAR test tomorrow!

Have a Great Break!

Keep up with those lit circles and I'll see you in a week.

Lit Circles Continue

Today as the second day of literature circles and the homework and discussion continues to look good.

HW: Reading and Lit Circle Roles as Decided by the Group

Let the Circles Begin

Today, after a quick quiz on the first 10 pages of Night, lit circle groups met, agreed or the calendar, and assigned homework. The rest of the period was spent reading.

Lit Circles: an Introduction

Today we shared the Shylock rewrites (excellent!) and then chose books for our upcoming lit circles. The entire class chose Night by Elie Wiesel. We spent the rest of the period talking about literature circles. The handouts are available online for your reference.

HW: Read the first 15 pages of your book.

Wrapping up with Shylock

Today we started with another STAR test warm-up and the continued our work with Shylock's monologue.

HW: Rewrite Shylock's Monologue. Handouts are at the handouts page. Due Monday.

Antisemitism and "The Merchant of Venice"

Today we continued our examination of the roots of antisemitism, taking some notes and beginning our look at a short film clip of Shylock's speech.

HW: Do at least #1 on the Shylock's Monologue handout

Prejudice and Stereotypes

Today we spent the day talking and writing about prejudice and stereotypes in preperation for our short unit on antisemitism, and Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.