Cover analysis: March 2
Click on the image above to enlarge and zoom in for a closer look.
Syllabus for 2/5-9
JOHN LEWIS IS AN INTERESTING man with a vibrant history. This week we will begin the process of discovering more about the graphic (auto)biography of Congressman Lewis, and begin our visual analysis of the work March 2. Similar to your study of The Catcher in the Rye, we'll work partly in-class to complete journal style worksheets on this text.
Monday
- Information gathering on Congressman John Lewis. Students will begin by researching his congressional web page. At the end of class, we will begin watching a CNN interview of John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, two of the three collaborators on our text.
- HW: Finish taking notes on the yellow pre-reading worksheet, due tomorrow at start of class. You should also listen to the following interview from NPR.
Tuesday
- Careful analysis of the cover image, and reading of pages 5-7. Reviewing some of the graphic novel techniques we see, and discussing our view of the cover.
- HW: Watch the clip on the Freedom Riders from The Smithsonian, and complete the worksheet on the history of the freedom riders using this map and by watching this video:
Wednesday
- In class analysis of pages 8-16. How does the text create three story lines (the visual, the 1960 poisoning story, and the commentator's narrative)? What techniques/tools does the artist use?
- HW: Making connections: the artist/writers uses President Obama's first inaugural speech as a frame for the historical narrative. Why? Watch this clip on then-Senator Obama's oration skills. What connections do you make to the subject material of March? keep notes on this video:
Thursday
- In-class analysis of pages 17-21. What is the story being told? How is the film industry complicit in the racism exhibited via Jim Crow laws? Reading an in-class essay on racism in film and Hollywood.
- HW: Reading pages 22-30.
Friday
- Discussion of last night's reading. Review of graphic novel techniques within the text. We will also begin a short essay about fighting for justice.
- HW: Writing your 1.5 page long essay on justice, due Monday.
Syllabus for 1/28 - 2/2
THIS SEMESTER IN ENGLISH: We began by reading the second part of John Lewis's story in graphic novel form, March 2. We will also read the novels Ellen Foster and The House on Mango Street. Finally, while reading an independent text, we will study and perform Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Monday
- Nuts and bolts day. Returning the final, lecturing on some common problems in the timed, in-class essay on the short story, "The Wrong Lunch Line."
- HW: No homework tonight.
Tuesday
- Introducing our next text, March 2. We will watch together a Ted-Talk lecture by Michael Chaney, Associate Professor of English, on how to read graphic novels. Students will keep notes. Subsequently, we will read an article that provides more practical guidance and specific terms related to graphic novels.
- HW: Finish reading the article entitled, "How to Read a Graphic Novel or Comic Book" posted on the blog.
Wednesday
- First writing day. I will start by passing back your copies of The Catcher in the Rye. We will review the assignment and how to structure your body paragraphs. I will focus starting your body paragraphs with your IDEA about the plot.
- HW: Working on your comparative essay.
Thursday
- Writing day. in lab 377-N. Today, we will review some quote integration format, as well as cutting indefinite personal pronouns (this, that, they, some, many, people, thing, it).
- HW: The aforementioned writing assignment is due Friday at the end of class. . Meeting in library tomorrow.
Friday
- Last day in 377-N writing the comparative essay. Today you should read your essay aloud: to another student, to yourself, or have another student read it to you. While doing that, you should stop and make final corrections. Once your final draft is done, printed and stapled, you should watch the selection from part one of the documentary, "Eyes on the Prize," linked on the blog. Start at minute 25!
- HW: Finish watching the documentary for class on Monday. We will begin reading March 2 on Monday in class...make sure you have your own copy.
Historical Background on CRM, "eyes on the prize"
Start watching at minute 26:25 seconds. This is the historical background on bus protests in Montgomery, Alabama that officially began in 1955.
Reading a Graphic Novel
Click on the image above from Frank Miller's "Sin City" to read the article "How to Read a Graphic Novel or Comic Strip" by Jonathan Wilson.
Our Final is Monday, Jan. 22
...at noon. We will meet in room W-346. That's in the new building, in the north-east corner of the third floor (above the Cafeteria and the Library).
Bring pens, a charged electronic Ipad or laptop, and earbuds/headphones.
Practice for Final
Why does the father in David Sedaris's story "Cyclops" tell such violent stories, and what does the narrator learn from them?
Post your answer to this question in paragraph form as a comment to this post. Type it into either Word or Google Docs, and then copy and paste it into your comment box. Before submitting it, make sure you a) are logged into your school Google account, b) that you are using Chrome, and c) that you have proofread and made any required changes.
Selections from Dead Poets Society
Click on the image of Todd Anderson to view selected scenes from the film Dead Poets Society. Remember that you are examining his character for three main ideas: a) what type of person is Todd; b) what does Todd think about people in society; c) what is Todd's philosophy?
Syllabus for week of 12/18-22
LAST WEEK: We worked up through and including chapter 22 in The Catcher in the Rye. This week we will finish our reading of the novel. We will also begin watching a film, The Dead Poets Society.
Monday
- Discussion of chapter 23. Why does Holden leave his parents apartment, if--as he says--he is near the sister he loves so much (Phoebe), and if he is finally somewhere warm and safe? We will discuss why Holden cries, the death of James Castle, and the injustice of the world.
- HW: Complete the paragraph assignment posted on the blog. Please remember to include a direct quote. Please type your response on either Word or Pages and copy/paste the paragraph, rather than writing directly onto the web page.
Tuesday
- A circle discussion of chapter 24. Why does Holden leave the apartment so quickly? According to your close reading, what really happened in the apartment with Mr. Antolini?
- HW: Complete a journal worksheet for chapter 24. Use your pre-and-post discussion notes to write your journal question.
Wednesday
- Today we are finishing chapter 25 and 26. Just as yesterday, after listening to the chapters, we will discuss. Why is Holden so happy watching Phoebe riding the carousel? Why doesn't he ride it with her?
- HW: Just as yesterday, use whatever class notes you have to write a journal worksheet for chapter 25-6, combining the two chapters.
Thursday
- Today we will start the film, Dead Poets Society.
- HW: Go back and check your annotations in the book, re-reading them. If you skipped a chapter, work on completing your notes!
Friday
- Continuing the film.
- HW: I will collect and grade annotations after break. If you didn't mark chapters as you read, re-read and annotate those chapters you skipped. Otherwise, NO HOMEWORK OVER BREAK.
Chapter 23 Paragraph
If Holden does want to get caught, and truly needs to get help, then why does he leave home after crying in Phoebe's room? Why leave at all, given that he is there, safe, warm, with the sister he so clearly loves?
Write a one paragraph answer, using a direct quote as evidence. Copy and paste that answer as a comment to this blog.
Remember, use google Chrome as your browser, and you will not have to sign in to post if you are already signed into your New Trier google account.
Syllabus for week of 12/4-8
LAST WEEK: We stopped reading Catcher for a spell to get everyone on board with their reading of the novel. For example, we discussed why Holden seems to be depressed and critical of society, and why Holden talks about girls so much and yet seems unable to do anything about liking them.
Monday
- Finishing our discussion of Legion and why he's one of Holden's favorite people in the Bible. We will discuss vocabulary and questions from chapter 15, and I will collect both the Legion worksheet and the journal worksheet for chapter 15.
- HW: No homework.
Tuesday
- Chapter 16: Holden reminisces about his youth and visiting museums as a kid in grade school. What does Holden like about museums? We will listen to the chapter, list language and questions on a google document. And then we will begin brainstorming for a narrative, wherein you describe a museum that you visited when a child.
- HW: Finish the 16 journal worksheet for homework.
Wednesday
- We will start today by looking at the history of Chicago museums. We look at a few of their web sites, including the Field Museum here. And we will look at the narrative assignment for this novel, wherein you describe a museum memory.
- HW: Describe an important childhood place, ideally a real place that was important to you. Include FOUR different parts to that place. For example, Holden describes the Museum of Natural History, and includes 1) the Auditorium, 2) the hallway with the long canoe and witch doctor, 3) the fishing Indian, and 4) the animals in glass cases.
You should also describe the FEELING you associate with those places, including sensory details so your reader can experience that feeling themselves. Brainstorm information about your chosen place. Just as we did with Holden, write down EVERYTHING and ANYTHING about the place that you can.
Thursday
- Chapter 17: Holden's date with Sally. What is Holden's problem with Hollywood? What is Holden's problem with Sally (and why does he ruin their date)? Print our your own worksheet and use these questions for your journal worksheet.
- HW: Finish your journal worksheet for chapter seventeen. Continue writing your museum narrative. It's due on Monday!
Friday
- Lab day. We are meeting in 377-North. Report there directly.
- HW: Finish your museum narrative. The first draft is due Monday!
Why does Holden invite Sunny to his room?
After making sure you are signed into your NT google account, type your answer to the chapter 13-14 here, as a comment. You should type your answer from your journal worksheet. I WILL collect the worksheets in class tomorrow (on Wednesday):
Syllabus for week of 11/27 - 12/1
LAST WEEK: We've been looking at Holden's inability to form authentic and meaningful relationships, especially with members of the opposite sex. We've seen him as the 3rd wheel with Lilian, a girl with romantic interests in his brother D.B.; we've seen him reflect on Jane, his "ideal girlfriend" and someone he has true affection for; we've seen him with the three Seattle girls whom he insults while asking them to dance; we've seen him cold-calling Faith Cavindish, an awkward ask of girl he has never met, less much dated; and of course we've seen his awkward flirting with Mrs. Morrow, Earnest's mother whom Holden meets on a train. What do we make of all these awkward forays into social relationships? What do you make of Holden, a young man who simultaneously seeks social relationships while criticizing the friendships he seeks?
Monday
- We will pick up where we left off with chapter 13, wherein Holden hires a prostitute, Sunny. We will also listen to chapter 14, and see him fail to defend himself against the Pimp.
- HW: Write your journal answer for chapters 13 and 14: If Holden is so interested in meaningful relationships with girls, why does he invite a prostitute to his hotel room?
Tuesday
- In class discussion of chapters 13 and 14. Why does Holden say one thing about girls, yet do/say another when he is actually with girls?
- HW: Post your answer to yesterday's journal (13/14) as a comment to the blog post. Remember to use Chrome as a browser, and make sure you are signed into your NT Google account before you copy and paste your journal paragraph into the comment space (and remember to proofread BEFORE posting).
Wednesday
- Question and answer with Mrs. Rabin.
- HW: No homework.
Thursday
- Mid book check. What questions do you have about the reading so far?
- HW: Post your answer to the chapter 13 and 14 question to our blog. Read everyone's response!
Friday
- Reviewing chapters 15. We see Holden with two nuns. Here, he also talks about his affection for his two favorite people from The Bible, Jesus and Legion. After reading this chapter, we will work in small groups and learn more about Legion, as depicted in the Bible. Why does Holden admire Legion?
- HW: Complete the journal worksheet for chapter 15, your journal entry question being: Why is it important that Holden's two favorite characters from the Bible are Jesus and Legion? (In other words, what do we learn about Holden by this?)
Blank Journal Sheet
Here's a link to a pdf version of the blank journal entry. Please print these out as needed...
Syllabus for the week of 11/6-10
LAST WEEK: We meet Holden. As you read, I want you to notice two areas. First, recognize that this story is being told in the past tense. Holden is in California telling us about "the madman stuff" that happened a while ago. The story itself covers four days, starting with the evening of his departure from Pency Academy.
Monday
- In library gathering written and visual evidence to answer this question: What was life like for a teenager living in America during the late 40s and early 50s? There are four areas I want you to focus upon (conformity, family, success, and teenagers). What can you tell from the Life magazines and the NT yearbooks, The Echo?
- HW: Review your annotations. Make sure you are: circling words, writing questions, and taking notes on Holden...who is he? Why is he the way he is?
Tuesday
- Continuing the work in the library. Today, make sure you leave with both written examples of what life was like, as well as visual evidence of what life was like in TWO of the four areas.
- HW: No homework.
Wednesday
- Reviewing vocabulary, questions from chapter four of CITR. "We see Ackley as a social misfit who annoys Holden. How does Holden take over Ackley's role, now that he and Stradlater are together in the dorm room? We will listen to chapter five together.
- HW: Begin answering the vocabulary, writing questions, in your chapter 5 journal. We are going to combine chapters 5 and 6 together.
Thursday
- Reviewing vocabulary and questions from chapter five. After discussing your questions, we will turn our attention to chapter six. Journal: What are the many reasons that cause Holden to begin the fight with Stradlater?
- HW: Complete the journal questions mentioned above.
Friday
- After reading chapter seven together, we'll form a circle and review some of the questions you've generated via your annotations, focusing on some of the more important, interpretive questions.
- HW: Holden travels to NYC, the Big Apple. Read chapter 8 for homework. You should use the audio to listen to Holden while you're reading his text. We will work on the journal worksheets in class on Monday. Also, complete the journal entry for chapter seven.
Syllabus for the week of 10/30-11/3
LAST WEEK: This week we will start reading our first novel, Catcher in the Rye. Make sure you bring your copy of the novel to class every day.
Monday
- Collecting the essays that were not turned in on Friday. Today we will pair-and-share read through an essay about Salinger, his life, and his novel The Catcher in the Rye. We will also watch the first in a series of educational films on teenage life in the 1950s.
- HW: Obtain your copy of Catcher.
Tuesday
- First page assignment. What can we tell about Holden by reading the first paragraph in the book? This lecture/discussion will take up most of class.
- HW: Finish reading the first chapter, and finish all the journal questions EXCEPT for the journal entry.
Wednesday
- Review of your vocabulary, questions on chapter one. We will review that journal worksheet, will listen to chapter two, and then finish class by writing the journal for chapter one.
- HW: Re-read and annotate chapter two. Complete all the journal questions (except the written journal) for chapter two.
Thursday
- Starting class with a writing assignment: Why does Holden like Mr. Spencer, his history teacher? We will review the vocabulary and questions that you have for chapter two. We will then move into chapter three.
- HW: Finish reading chapter three and complete the following question for the chapter three journal: Why is Holden friends with Ackley, when he seems to criticize everything about Ackley?
Friday
- Reviewing your vocabulary and questions for chapter three. Listening to chapter four.
- HW: Complete your journal worksheet for chapter four. Your question: In chapter three, we see Ackley as a social misfit who annoys the cooler Holden. How has Holden taken Ackley's role, now that Stradlater is there? On Monday and Tuesday of next week, we are meeting in the Library for a 1950s culture assignment.
Syllabus for the week of 10/23-27
LAST WEEK: We spent last week learning how to closely read a story, and focused upon vocal characterization. We practiced pitch, pace and power, and created a radio play of the story, "Secret Recipe," whereby students learned to pay close attention to detail and think like a reader--two skills that you'll need while drafting the short story essay and while reading our first novel, Catcher in the Rye.
Monday
- Meeting in lab 377-N to work on a first draft of your short story essay. A link to the assignment template can be found here.
- HW: Finish writing one of your body paragraphs. Remember, it should start with your topic/reason sentence, followed by a context/plot-summary sentence, followed by your quote, and ending with your commentary--analysis, discussion of contradictions, other examples IYOW that make up approximately half the paragraph.
Tuesday
- Lab 377-N to write the second paragraph.
- HW: Finish writing your second paragraph. After writing it, go back to your first paragraph and add a transitional sentence that links the ideas of both paragraphs together.
Wednesday
- In lab 377-N to write your conclusion. Students will also print our a hard copy of the essay, and read it aloud to another student.
- HW: Finish proofreading your essay. A double-spaced, 1" margin and stapled copy is due tomorrow. Also, write your title. To do that, you should highlight key words/phrases in your essay (mark those by reading backwards, using a highlighter). Copy that into a list on another sheet of paper, and use that list to write a phrase that captures your main idea ∴ your title.
Thursday
- Introduction to Catcher in the Rye: meeting Holden.
- HW: Professional audio for this novel doesn't exist, because J.D. Salinger was notoriouisly protective of his work, preventing any artists from using it in any capactiy (thus, no audiobook, or film, for the novel). However, you can use this youtube recording if you want/need audio to supplement your visual reading. Do NOT use this in lieu of reading and marking the text, but IN ADDITION to it.
Friday
- Annotating the text: how to read and think about the novel.
- HW: Read chapter one of Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and complete the chapter one worksheet for the chapter.
Syllabus for the week of 10/9-13
LAST WEEK: We're nearly done with the short-story unit! We're dealing with a few of the more complex stories, and thus are spending a bit more time than originally planned. We finished the week by looking at some historical background to Alice Walker's "Flowers," wherein her protagonist Myop (a moniker for myopia) discovers the skeletal corpse of a lynched man. We have been practicing our annotation technique, or what you write while you read. That will cumulate with an analytical essay on one of the stories, and we'll start that essay this week.
Monday
- Close reading and analysis of "Time & Again," a story of a murderer born out of post-traumatic stress disorder that developed when he was a paratrooper during WWII, but has since turned him into a serial killer of hitchhikers (whom he feeds to his pigs).
- HW: Re-read today's story. Write a paragraph that answers this question: Who is the narrator, and what has happened to him?
Tuesday
- Lecture: how should students structure an argument that uses direct evidence from a written source? Reviewing the parts of an argument, and body paragraph structure. What should you include in your essay about "Time & Again"?
- HW: Revising/re-writing your last night's answer. Tonight, write a long paragraph that answers this question: Based upon the story "Time & Again," are humans, at heart, evil or good?
Wednesday
- No class; students are taking the pre-ACT test.
- HW: Type your answer to the question in yesterday's homework. Have a printed copy of your answer in class today.
Thursday
- Sharing your written answers, and checking them for the different parts of argument/body paragraph structure. Subsequently, we'll read, "Secret Recipe." I will teach students a few basic tenants to oral performance and storytelling.
- HW: Read the story. Tomorrow we will be practicing a radio play performance of the story. While you read, remember to: a) circle words, b) write questions, and c) look for hints as to how the wife drives her husband insane.
Friday
- We're closing our unit on short stories by recording a reading of "Secret Recipe."
- HW: Obtain your copy of Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. This will be our first novel.