BEGIN READING YOUR NOVEL, and as you read, remember to circle language and to write questions. For annotation purposes--and I will collect and grade your reading notes--you should answer the following question: What question(s) does the author seek to answer about America, via this novel? Finally, I cannot strongly enough emphasize that you keep to the reading schedule we've created.

MONDAY

We will continue watching the documentary on John Muir, an exceptional American naturalist in that he does not believe man to be the measure of all things. Most Americans--then and now--consider themselves exceptional, and believe that nature is God's give to Americans to use as they best see fit. After watching an additional 30 minutes, I will pass out calendars and we'll create a reading schedule for your independent reading.
HW: Begin reading and annotating your novel. This task will be assigned homework from now until the end of February. Please read every day, even if only a few minutes each day. That habit will serve you immeasurably.

TUESDAY

Finishing the Muir documentary. I will also review how to access documents via WebdavNav.
HW: Having finished the film, write a paragraph answering your core question throughout your notes: Why is John Muir a pivotal figure in the modern American environmental movement? One paragraph, typed, due tomorrow. Do incorporate direct quotes from the film. You can view it from the shared read drive, via the WebdavNav application on your iPad, or anywhere at New Trier via the network.

WEDNESDAY

Quiz on the Muir documentary. Distributing the packets, "Nature & Wilderness." Afterwards, we will look at O'Sullivan;s "The Great Nation of Futurity" and "Purchasing Alaska." What view of nature do these documents put forward?
HW: Reading your novel.

THURSDAY

Viewing Gast's iconic painting "American Progress," and reading Turner's frontier thesis in the context of that painting. Small group analysis and discussion.
HW: Reading your novel.

FRIDAY

Reading Krakauer's chapter "The Alaska Interior" from his non-fiction Into the Wild. Why are Americans attracted to wilderness, despite the obvious risks it threatens?
HW: Reading yoru novel.