NO BLOG DUE MAY 20

Class
Sorry that I did not notify you sooner.  The last blog will be due on May 27th.

The Glass Menagerie - It is all about the light

The task for this blog is to discuss at least two events from The Glass Menagerie that use "light" in some way as a symbol to further explain the mood of the play or to explore the emotions of a character. You should cite short phrases and quotes to help support your discussion.  Your discussion should be thorough and your response to other students should also do more than just affirm their statements - the responses should also expand what your peers have claimed.

The Awakening: A motif

Now that you have finished reading Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, you should now reflect on the various motifs that permeate the story in order to advance the overall theme of the work.  A motif is a recurring subject or theme, especially in a literary work. It is a distinctive and recurring form, shape, symbol, or figure in a design.  It is a dominant idea or feature in that literary work.  You should develop one motif by supporting with at least three quotations from the novel, and show how that motif advances the understanding or interpretation of the novel.

Due Sunday (midnight).  Anyone involved in the play this weekend may submit the blog by Monday (midnight)

THE AWAKENING: Anticipation

As we begin to move into Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, try to focus on the meaning of the title.  What is the significance of an "awakening?"   Discuss an awakening in your life, if you can.  Discuss an awakening in America, if you can reflect on the past.  Finally, what do you anticipate in Chopin's awakening?  Will the protagonist, Edna be awakened?  If so, to what?

MITCHELL, KRISTIN, TAYLOR, RYAN: Week 5: CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

Please wait until the final presentation day to post your blog (due Tuesday, March 20)

In this final group presentation, we have been introduced to an array of new authors and readings that help to depict the nature of literature in the 20th century.  What decade, from the background material did you find the most interesting?  The Cold War of the 50s?  Martin Luther King's famous "I have a dream" speech of the 60s?  The Kent State University riots of the early 70s? John Lennon's murder in the early 80s?  And what about the Clinton era of the 90s or the invasion of Kuwait?  Think about all of the material covered and choose your favorite decade.  Also discuss the value of the week-long presentation and your favorite two pieces of literature covered during the week.

WEEK 4 PRESENTATION: Maria, Morgan, & Laura: THE MODERNS, Part II

What an adventurous week with the Moderns, Part II.  Maria, Morgan, and Laura had everyone dancing the Charleston and drawing pictures of parasites!  What a contrast and what fun!  Your task for this blog is to write an overview of the week, focusing on what you believe to be the most educational moment for you.  Support your moment with evidence.  Then, what is it that you learned from Group 4 that helps you to know and to understand the influences and motivations of the Modern Age as read and discussed this past week? Be sure to show your appreciation and satisfaction in the presenters. 

WEEK 3 PRESENTATION: Elizabeth, Kristy, and Alexandra: THE MODERNS

We’ve been introduced to a variety of authors this past week that help to illustrate the literature of the emerging Modern Era.  Writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck, to name a few, have created a new American voice that has broken away from the British influences on American literature in the past.  Be sure to relate your favorite parts of the week-long presentation and make suggestions that may have been considered for additions to the presentation.  Choose one of your favorite reading assignments from this week’s assignments and relate in greater depth, how the story, along with its author, fits into the Modern era of American literature (you may have to review some background material too). Good Luck.

CONTROVERSIAL NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

This week, you will be responding to a controversial newspaper article (within the last 3-4 days). You can choose one of the local newspapers or a national paper like the New York Times or USA Today (No online newspapers). The method you should use is this:

The title of your blog should be the title of the article itself, followed by the name of the paper and then the date - all listed beneath the title:

"Obama's "Healthcare" Mandate: What Would Reagan Say?"
Ridgway Record
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Page 4
OR
"Difficult cuts expected from Corbett"
Ridgway Record
February 7, 2012
Page 1
Bring a copy of the newspaper article to class on Monday

Let it be clear: YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - NOT ONE OF THE ABOVE


Your task is to read the article thoroughly. Then explain the position and thesis of the article (you'll need to relate key points of the article too). Next, take a position on the thesis of the article. Support your position. You may agree or disagree with the author of the article (often times unknown). You can add additional ideas that develop as a result of your position on the article. Then indicate whether or not you have a bias that causes you to hold your position on this thesis. This is a great opportunity to develop your voice. In your responses to other students, maintain a cordial discussion even when you disagree on a position. Be sure to support your position as best as you can. Good Luck!

CLASS PRESENTATION: Week 2: Abby, Stephanie, and Sophie

THE RISE OF REALISM: With multiple "isms" introduced in this week's presentation, choose ONE and explore it further by explaining how (idealism, realism, regionalism, or naturalism) that particular "ism" has meaning.  Choose one of the readings from this past week to appropriately explain how it fits into one of the four "isms" listed above. Be sure to dig deeper into your reading to illustrate your ideas and show your creativity in being able to read and analyze sections of your assignments.  


Finally, discuss your favorite parts of the week's presentations and offer any suggestions that you believe would have helped the presentation as a whole.

CLASS PRESENTATION - Week 1: Linnea, Laira, Scott, Maura

A whole array of material was presented this past week to depict a cross section of the American Renaissance.  The three collections that were covered were: The Realms of Darkness, The Large Hearts of Heroes, and Tell It Slant.  We were introduced to poets and writers such as Poe, Whitman, and Dickinson. Your task for this blog is four-fold:  1) Discuss your favorite piece of literature that was covered this week and explain why you liked it the best.  2) What techniques were used in the teaching of this unit that you liked the best?  3) What suggestions do you have that would help to make the presentation more interesting or more rewarding as a teaching tool?  4) Now it is time to respond to the whole group: Linnea, Laira, Scott, and Maura (by the way, they do not have to blog this week).  Speak to them direct here - about anything that is not covered in the first three points; but overall, give them a sense of your impression as part of the class.

RESPONSE to QUOTATION

Choose one of the two following quotations.  Then write a one-page creative response to the quotation.  You are not expected to show who said the quote in The Great Gatsby; however, it important to illustrate your reaction to the quote and then to take it to another level with your  discussion.   1. "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known."  2. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."


                                                                                                                             

The Great Gatsby - Quotations

Choose a quotation from The Great Gatsby that you would like to discuss at length. Indicate the chapter and page # along with the quotation (in italics).  Then, explain the significance of the quotation to the novel; additionally, try to relate the quotation to any symbolic or metaphoric sense in general.  Be sure to expand your quotation to illustrate your understanding of its use.  In your response to two peers, be sure to provide additional insights and understanding as you relate your own ideas to your peers' discussion.  Avoid using same quotations as others.  Be creative. 

The Great Gatsby and Symbolism

We have been introduced to various symbols preceding the study of The Great Gatsby.  One of those symbols relates to the decay and desolation of The Valley of Ashes which most often is associated with Myrtle Wilson in the novel.  We know her residence symbolically relates to Myrtle's amoral character; however, let's not just pass this assessment on to the female gender.  What about Tom? Even though he does not reside in The Valley of Ashes, doesn't he spend enough time there?  How might this symbolically relate to Tom's character too?  Discuss the use of symbolism as you complete reading up through Chapter 6.  Discuss your ideas about The Valley of Ashes as a symbol and also choose any one of the other symbols on which to expand your critical response.

TO NEXT YEAR'S ADVANCED ENGLISH III STUDENTS!

Congratulations everyone!  You've finished your research paper!  Now that you have gone through the entire process, I would like you to write a letter for this blog.  Why a letter?  Well, your audience is going to be next year's Advanced English III class.  You are to write a letter for your blog with that audience in mind.  Your task is to create a proper thesis (you know how to do this now).  Your letter will explain to the next class of Advanced English III students what to expect when learning how to write the research paper.  You can use any tone you choose.  The letter can be humorous or serious.  It should, however, show some encouragement to the next students who will face the task of writing an impressive research paper.  Your letter should be about 1-2 pages in length (single space).  You can explain the process or you can discuss the mental stamina that writing the research entails.  It is up to you.  Good Luck - and have fun with this!