In class, students completed the journal entry posted yesterday. Any students who will be missing class on Thursday must view the following Alfred Hitchcock episode (link below). There is no additional homework over Spring Break.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/34680/alfred-hitchcock-hour-the-monkeys-paw----a-retelling
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Mon, March 26
In class today, students discussed alternative endings to short stories. Students who missed class need to submit a short write-up of their alternative ending via email or to my mailbox.
On Tuesday, students will complete an in-class journal entry on the following prompt. Missing students will also need to complete this.
On Tuesday, students will complete an in-class journal entry on the following prompt. Missing students will also need to complete this.
Usually, people look to others
around them—ordinary people—for their heroes. They define heroes as decent
citizens who make sacrifices or try to make a difference. For example, people
name streets after local war veterans, parks after teachers, bridges after
local politicians. Rejecting historical, literary, or national figures as
heroes, people tend to believe that anyone can be a hero. A hero does not have
to be superhuman.
--Adapted from Peter H. Gibbon, A Call to Heroism
Should ordinary people be
considered heroes, or should the term "hero" be reserved for extraordinary
people? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this
issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your
reading, studies, experience, or observations.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 22
In class, students discussed elements of suspense in The Monkey's Paw. Students who missed class must read this story and complete the assignment below.
HW due Monday: If you are in class, you need to have a list of ideas related to the topic below. If you will be missing class on Monday, you must submit either to my box or via email a paragraph on the topic.
Select either "The Lottery" or "The Monkey's Paw" and conceive of an alternative ending to one of the two stories.
HW due Monday: If you are in class, you need to have a list of ideas related to the topic below. If you will be missing class on Monday, you must submit either to my box or via email a paragraph on the topic.
Select either "The Lottery" or "The Monkey's Paw" and conceive of an alternative ending to one of the two stories.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 19
In class, students discussed the elements of suspense in film and writing. Students who missed class must complete homework in time to participate in class tomorrow.
READ: "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson either online or pick up copy from desk in classroom.
Read the story twice. On the first, read solely for entertainment purposes and to follow the plot. On the second, take notes on specific lines from the story or techniques the author uses to establish suspense. After reading the second time and taking notes, write up to 1 paragraph evaluating the effectiveness of the development of suspense in this story.
All work on "The Lottery" due for Tuesday's class. A second story will be distributed in class and posted here Tuesday due in Thursday's class.
READ: "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson either online or pick up copy from desk in classroom.
Read the story twice. On the first, read solely for entertainment purposes and to follow the plot. On the second, take notes on specific lines from the story or techniques the author uses to establish suspense. After reading the second time and taking notes, write up to 1 paragraph evaluating the effectiveness of the development of suspense in this story.
All work on "The Lottery" due for Tuesday's class. A second story will be distributed in class and posted here Tuesday due in Thursday's class.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thurs, March 15
In class, students completed a journal entry on the following prompt:
"A man who waits to believe in action before acting is anything you like, but he is not a man of action. It is as if a tennis player before returning the ball stopped to think about his views of the physical and mental advantages of tennis. You must act as you breathe." -Georges Clemenceau
Is is true that acting quickly and instinctively is the best response to a crisis? Or are there times when an urgent situation requires a more careful consideration and a slower response? Plan your response, and then write an essay.
On Monday, we will begin a unit reading and analyzing short stories. The stories will be posted to this blog on Monday for access if you are traveling. Check back then.
"A man who waits to believe in action before acting is anything you like, but he is not a man of action. It is as if a tennis player before returning the ball stopped to think about his views of the physical and mental advantages of tennis. You must act as you breathe." -Georges Clemenceau
Is is true that acting quickly and instinctively is the best response to a crisis? Or are there times when an urgent situation requires a more careful consideration and a slower response? Plan your response, and then write an essay.
On Monday, we will begin a unit reading and analyzing short stories. The stories will be posted to this blog on Monday for access if you are traveling. Check back then.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tues, March 13
In class, students performed and submitted dialogues between Socrates and Meursault. Performances continue Thursday for any students who are in class with their partners. We will also complete a journal entry on Thursday.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Mon, March 5
In class, students worked on their dialogues between Socrates and Meursault that illuminate understanding of each character's position on at least 3 overlapping themes in Plato's Crito and Camus' The Stranger.
Students will have class time on Tuesday to continue working.
Draft due Thursday for peer review. Final draft due Monday, March 12 for rehearsal with partners. Presentations of dialogues take place March 13th onward as students are present in class.
Students will have class time on Tuesday to continue working.
Draft due Thursday for peer review. Final draft due Monday, March 12 for rehearsal with partners. Presentations of dialogues take place March 13th onward as students are present in class.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thurs, Feb. 16
HW due Mon, Feb 27 - create a list of examples (including direct quote support) in which you compare and contrast Meursault as portrayed in The Stranger with Socrates as portrayed in Crito. In what specific ways are they similar and in what specific ways are they different? Have page numbers with your quotes for easy reference.
Examples--
Each character's relationship to:
The trial
Family
Religion
Reasoning
Morality
Friends
Society
Examples--
Each character's relationship to:
The trial
Family
Religion
Reasoning
Morality
Friends
Society
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thurs, Feb. 9
In class on Monday, students completed Journal Entry #6 on the following topic (traveling students must also complete):
From early childhood, we are encouraged--pressured, even--to be in the company of others: we are urged to belong to this or that group, to join this or that club, to spend time with this or that friend. People do everything to avoid being by themselves, treating solitude as though it were the equivalent of loneliness. And yet it is only when people are by themselves that they can truly achieve their most important goals.
Is solitude--spending time alone--necessary for people to achieve their most important goals? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue.
We will discuss this question in class on Monday, Feb. 13.
HW due Monday, Feb. 13: Students should finish reading The Stranger and must come to class prepared with written answers to the following questions:
1) What do you think of Meursault’s relationship with his mother? Did he love her or care about her? Does it or should it matter to the trial?
2) For what crime do you believe Meursault is on trial?
3) What evidence is there for Meursault and against him? How do the characters judge him?
4) Is Meursault really a threat to his society? Does he deserve the death penalty? Is he more or less dangerous than a criminal who commits a crime with clear motive?
5) What are his last thoughts?
From early childhood, we are encouraged--pressured, even--to be in the company of others: we are urged to belong to this or that group, to join this or that club, to spend time with this or that friend. People do everything to avoid being by themselves, treating solitude as though it were the equivalent of loneliness. And yet it is only when people are by themselves that they can truly achieve their most important goals.
Is solitude--spending time alone--necessary for people to achieve their most important goals? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue.
We will discuss this question in class on Monday, Feb. 13.
HW due Monday, Feb. 13: Students should finish reading The Stranger and must come to class prepared with written answers to the following questions:
1) What do you think of Meursault’s relationship with his mother? Did he love her or care about her? Does it or should it matter to the trial?
2) For what crime do you believe Meursault is on trial?
3) What evidence is there for Meursault and against him? How do the characters judge him?
4) Is Meursault really a threat to his society? Does he deserve the death penalty? Is he more or less dangerous than a criminal who commits a crime with clear motive?
5) What are his last thoughts?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thursday, Feb 2
In class today, students discussed possible explanations for Meursault's interaction with the Arab.
HW: Read The Stranger through pg 71. Come to class on Monday with a list of quotations + the page numbers the appear on which you believe could serve as a justification for Meursault shooting the Arab.
HW: Read The Stranger through pg 71. Come to class on Monday with a list of quotations + the page numbers the appear on which you believe could serve as a justification for Meursault shooting the Arab.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, Jan 30
In class today, students used their books and notes to complete a journal entry on the following discussion question: In Chapters 1-2 of The Stranger, the reader is introduced to the narrator and protagonist, Meursault, through his thoughts, spoken words, and interactions with others. Do you believe that Meursault is emotionally detached, and how does his reaction to his mother's death either confirm or refute this detachment? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue.
HW: Read Chapter 3 of The Stranger and assess if new information provided supports the conclusions in your journal entry. Tuesday's class will be a book discussion on this topic.
HW: Read Chapter 3 of The Stranger and assess if new information provided supports the conclusions in your journal entry. Tuesday's class will be a book discussion on this topic.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thursday, Jan 26
In class today, students considered the framework of existentialism and discussed the premise of whether or not life is absurd.
HW due Monday: Read 'About the Author' in back of book, Translator's Note at beginning, and pgs 3-24. Monday's Journal Prompt will relate to this reading.
Note on Journals: journals will be marked over the weekend. By the end of Thursday, you should have 4 entries. This week's topic below.
Many societies believe that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human right. But it is also true that attainment of happiness remains elusive. Perhaps Bertrand Russell had it right when he said, "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."
What gives us more pleasure and satisfaction: the pursuit of our desires or the attainment of them? Plan your response, then write an essay.
HW due Monday: Read 'About the Author' in back of book, Translator's Note at beginning, and pgs 3-24. Monday's Journal Prompt will relate to this reading.
Note on Journals: journals will be marked over the weekend. By the end of Thursday, you should have 4 entries. This week's topic below.
Many societies believe that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human right. But it is also true that attainment of happiness remains elusive. Perhaps Bertrand Russell had it right when he said, "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."
What gives us more pleasure and satisfaction: the pursuit of our desires or the attainment of them? Plan your response, then write an essay.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday, Jan 17
In class today, students completed journal writing on the following topic:
"Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life." -Dr. David M. Burns
Do people focus so much on doing things right that they fail to learn from their mistakes? Plan and write on this issue for 35 minutes.
Class will NOT meet on Thursday, Jan 19 due to full class travel. Students are expected to complete a draft of their short story, have it peer edited, and finish a final draft for submission in Monday's class.
Due Monday, Jan 23: Both peer edited draft + final draft of short stories due. Class discussion on above journal prompt will also take place.
"Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life." -Dr. David M. Burns
Do people focus so much on doing things right that they fail to learn from their mistakes? Plan and write on this issue for 35 minutes.
Class will NOT meet on Thursday, Jan 19 due to full class travel. Students are expected to complete a draft of their short story, have it peer edited, and finish a final draft for submission in Monday's class.
Due Monday, Jan 23: Both peer edited draft + final draft of short stories due. Class discussion on above journal prompt will also take place.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Thurs, Jan 12
In class, students worked independently on short story writing.
HW due Mon (for all): Come to class with a peer edit worthy draft of your short story. You must be finished with every section of the plot curve within your story, and it must be proofread and spell/grammar checked before coming to class.
HW due Mon (for all): Come to class with a peer edit worthy draft of your short story. You must be finished with every section of the plot curve within your story, and it must be proofread and spell/grammar checked before coming to class.
Tues, Jan 10
In class, students completed a journal entry on the below prompt.
Traveling students should complete this and bring to class for Monday.
I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the
very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite. –G.K.
Chesterton (1874-1936)
Are people held back by their adherence to the beliefs of
the majority or doing things in the conventional way? Plan and write an essay
in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position
with reasoning and examples from your own reading, studies, experiences, or
observations.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thurs, Jan 5
In class, students narrowed down short story plot lines according to the demands of the exposition. HW over weekend: begin to sketch out short story.
On Monday, Jan 9: Alpine athletes travel. Feef will meet with returning Nordics to discuss short story assignment. Nordics should come to class prepared with 3 potential plot lines for short stories.
In class Tuesday, Jan 10: Journal Writing Mondays (on Tuesday!). Traveling students should check blog Tues evening for posted writing topic.
Due Thursday, Jan 12: Short story rough draft (between 1-6 pages, but full plot line must be developed).
On Monday, Jan 9: Alpine athletes travel. Feef will meet with returning Nordics to discuss short story assignment. Nordics should come to class prepared with 3 potential plot lines for short stories.
In class Tuesday, Jan 10: Journal Writing Mondays (on Tuesday!). Traveling students should check blog Tues evening for posted writing topic.
Due Thursday, Jan 12: Short story rough draft (between 1-6 pages, but full plot line must be developed).
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Tues, Jan 3
In class, students reviewed 7 genres of short stories and began the brainstorming process for writing short stories.
HW due Thursday: come to class with 3 ideas for short stories with genre selection, characters, conflict, and setting.
HW due Thursday: come to class with 3 ideas for short stories with genre selection, characters, conflict, and setting.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Mon, Jan 2
In class, students completed a 30-minute handwritten in-class essay on the following topic:
"Each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem." -Henry Kissinger (1923- )
What is your view on the idea that each new success leads to new and more difficult problems? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples from your own reading, studies, experiences, or observations.
Students who missed class should complete the journal assignment for homework.
Due Tues, Jan 3: Final draft of OTR essays.
"Each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem." -Henry Kissinger (1923- )
What is your view on the idea that each new success leads to new and more difficult problems? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples from your own reading, studies, experiences, or observations.
Students who missed class should complete the journal assignment for homework.
Due Tues, Jan 3: Final draft of OTR essays.
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