Tuesday, April 28th

Happy Tuesday!

This will be our last week of working with Things Fall Apart. FYI- After this week, there are only 3 weeks remaining of the semester.

For wrapping up TFA, we will be looking at GENRE (type or category). 

When studying most things in the humanities (art, literature, film, theater, music), recognizing the genre of the text, and knowing the standard practices or techniques of the type of genre, helps us understand it better.

For example:

If I saw this painting, "The Dance Class," by Claude Degas....



I would be able to "say more" or "understand more" about this piece beyond just seeing some dancers. By knowing that this piece is from the artistic movement (category), Impressionism, I can start looking for the techniques or goals of this movement to help me discuss or analyze this piece. Impressionism moved away from fine detailing to focus more upon the feeling or essence of scene captured. In this painting, I now look to the feeling the set up of the instructor's placement in the piece... and I go from there.

Knowledge of the genre helps with comprehension of the work. We know what to look for.. what to anticipate. . . what is important.

Yes, Things Falls Apart, is a fiction work. . . but it also has been considered a literary TRAGEDY. 

Aristotle's definition of TRAGEDY: Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear affecting the proper purgation of these emotions.

This week we are going to look at the 2 TRAGIC FALLS that occur in Things Fall Apart.

- The first tragedy is the fall of Okonkwo    - The second tragedy is the fall of the Igbo Culture

TO DO: 

1. Watch the Tragedy Genre Video. Take notes. Video found here: Why are Tragedies so Alluring?

2. Watch the application of tragedy to Things Fall Apart video. (This will be helpful in your assignment).

Video found here: Tragedy and Things Fall Apart

3. Complete the Tragedy in Things Fall Apart assignment. You will be creating 2, one-pagers. 1 for each tragedy in TFA.  You can draw thing and take a picture to submit, OR complete digitally. I have provided a very low-budget template for you to use, if you would like. Just make a copy for yourself. You can also draw on your own paper.. take a picture of your two, and upload them.

Choose one to be your fabulously fancy one... with pictures, colors, etc.  The second one can be bare bones...

Assignment sheet found here: Tragedy and Things Fall Apart One-Pager Assignment

4. Do the Friday Flipgrid- Wrapping up TFA. (Class links are in Schoology Folder).

Tuesday, April 21st

Happy Tuesday!

We made it to WEEK 5! We are winding down on Things Fall Apart. Next week will be our last week working with this text. So do your best to finish up the book.. or as close as you can.

This week's skill we are going to be focusing on is CLOSE READING of a text.... taking small parts of a text and asking the WHAT, HOW, and WHY questions of it...

Definition: Close reading is thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant details or patterns in order to develop a deep, precise understanding of the text's form, craft, meanings, etc

Here are some good "how to" videos that demonstrate the process of CLOSE READING. They will talk through some strategies... plus show you HOW to perform a close reading on a literary text:

How to do a Close Reading

A Guide to Close Reading-Part 1
A Guide to Close Reading- Part 2

Assignments for this week: 

1. Important quotations assignment- The purpose of this activity is to interact with the text by analyzing significant quotes in order to explore the author’s development of plot, character, or theme, or other literary devices in the literary text. SELECT 4 of the provided quotes in the assignment sheet. Post assignment to Schoology.

HERE IS THE ASSIGNMENT SHEET: Important Quotations

2. The purpose of this activity is to interact with the text by analyzing significant quotes in order to explore the author’s development of plot, character, or theme, or other literary devices in the literary text. As you complete a reading assignment, note significant passages (try using stickies). You will choose one passage to ask questions about, and then you will answer your own questions. Post assignment to Schoology.

HERE IS THE ASSIGNMENT SHEET: Novel Questions Assignment Sheet


3. Extra credit- Friday Flipgrid. Teach ME something.... teach me about your favorite hobby.. sport... movie... song..  Post on Flipgrid- Class links are on Schoology.


Extra help with Part 2-
Here a list of PART 2 comprehension questions. These are OPTIONAL.. and ONLY TO HELP YOU THROUGH PART 2. You can look through these to make sure that you are picking up on the important plot elements in part 2. Part 2 brings about big changes in Okonkwo's life.

Part 2 Comprehension Questions- TFA

Wednesday, April 15th

We are going to be working the literary device of THEME this week.

THEME- A universal issue and the stance or message that an author takes on this issue. 

1. Go through the following question addressing the issue of gender in Things Fall Apart. 
These questions are designed to get you thinking about how gender is addressed by Achebe. It will focus on a few parts in the text that are significant in considering this thematic issue... but there are more examples beyond these. 

Make a copy of this document for yourself. Fill in with ideas.. bulleted points. This is to get you generating ideas and examples from the text, which you will use later.  If you want to write these in your notes, this is fine too. You will not turn this in to me.

Gender and Things Fall Apart Questions

2. Watch the following video on THEME:  Theme Instruction Video
Take good notes.

3. Then, watch the following video on developing a thematic issue into a thematic statement: The Thematic Statement Video

4. Application of theme in Things Fall Apart- Assignment in Schoology.

5. Friday Flipgrid- Post in the correct class hour. (Links found in Schoology folder)
Theme is a universal issue and what an author's stance or message is on that issue. What would you identify as an overarching thematic issue of the last month in reference to our Sheltering in Place? Think.. thematic issues are family, love, loss, fear, anger, good v. evil, friendship, loyalty, etc.   So... what is a major issue that you have seen or witnessed in the last month... and what do you think can be learned from it?  Throw in some examples for good measure...  

The answer.... YES! 

Wednesday, April 8th

Historical Context and Things Fall Apart 
Consider the following like a conversation between you and me about this device and its application. 

Historical Context- The influence of a time period on an author and the creation of their text. 

Why should we consider historical context when we read? 

Think of the art, literature, films, etc. that will be inspired by this experience of world pandemic. Think of the feelings, fears. images, practices that are all a reaction to this history that we are living right at this moment. People write, create to provide their opinion, their take on their worlds. They write and create to provide warnings and advice. They write and create to emphasize what they believe needed to be noticed and not be forgotten.  In 25-50-100 years... what will the art, literature, films, non-fiction be telling us about this time? What symbols might come out of these few months? What thematic issue might be a common thread in these works? Isolation? Suspicion? Community?

SO... acknowledging all of this... thinking from the current time and projecting how a time period WILL impact literature and art... As readers, we can USE THIS CONCEPT to help us see more and understand more of the literature we read.  Historical context can help us identify WHY an author might focus upon what he/she does.  It can help us notice things (symbols, practices, themes, diction, characterization) that we might miss.

How does this apply in Things Fall Apart? 

If I am starting to consider the historical context of this book, I first think about when it was published. Ok... 1958.  Who is writing this book and where?  Well, Chinua Achebe is a Nigerian author from the Igbo village of Ogidi.  Also, while in college, Achebe was very frustrated with the manner in which Nigerian characters were presented in literature....  Might this be important? 

He chooses to set his novel in 1890- WHY? What does he want to show us about this time period? This was a very conscious choice...  So, what does Igbo life look like at this time? What is he trying to teach us?

What does Achebe want us to know about the Igbo people? What practices, events, traditions are important for him to represent in his book?  How did they tell their stories? What can we learn? WHY DOES ACHEBE want us to learn this?

This is just the tip of the iceberg with historical context and its application... but it gives you some questions to ponder as you read.  It can help us to understand why things are happening... what is the purpose... how does this contribute to the big picture. 

Tuesday, April 7th

This week we you have been given the time to make sure that both Weeks 1 and 2 folders are complete in Schoology, PLUS continue reading Things Fall Apart.  If you have questions, or need ANY help on any of the assignments, please let me know.

Please compete the TFA reading survey found HERE: TFA Reading and Device Survey (also in email)

All week I will be posting support for the book here. These are supplemental resources... not assignments.

Things Fall Apart Chapters 1-13 Study Guide
- These are a handful of comprehension questions for each chapter. It would be a good idea to look over the questions, then read the chapter. Go back to the questions to see if you can answer them. This can also help guide what plot events to put into your notes.

New District Schedule... but we are still working on a weekly basis.
I'll still put things out on Mondays/First thing Tuesday .. you will have all week to work on the material.

Monday, April 6th

Week 2 and 3 Online Learning- March 30-April 9th

 Hey My Sweet Kids..   We made it through one week! I am proud of all of us! Because I do not have the ability to see you... your faces... your eyes... it is even more important that y'all keep COMMUNICATING with me. If you are overwhelmed, worried, confused, PLEASE talk to me! I am here to support you. We have email... Schoology conferences.. Google hangouts...  whatever we need.

Just as we worked with characterization last week, the literary device we will be working with this week is HISTORICAL CONTEXT. 

1. Take the First Week online survey for me... just want to make sure you all are doing ok. I am also considering your feedback in planning in upcoming weeks. This is your check in for today (Monday).
LINK FOUND HERE: Online Student Survey

2. Please watch the short video on HISTORICAL CONTEXT and take notes on the definition and questions to ask. This is our skill we are applying this week.  Hit refresh browser if there is a problem moving on to next item.
VIDEO FOUND HERE: Historical Context Video

3.  Because we are working with another culture, it is important to be aware of how we discuss cultural practices that look differently than ours do, please do the reflective assignment: Language and Culture Awareness. Assignment is in Schoology. This is due by Thursday, April 9th.

4. Open and read through the Things Fall Apart and Historical Context Project. You will be constructing a Google Slide presentation demonstrating your knowledge of historical context and its application to Things Fall Apart. Please read through the instructions carefully. I have also given you a slide outline breakdown on this assignment sheet, if you need it.  This presentation is due on Thursday, April 9th  Just try your best.  LINK FOUND HERE: Historical Context Assignment Sheet Link

I have provided you multiple research links on the Igbo society. I have also given you a folder with links reminding you how to do MLA citation. I am available to help you through all of this. Consult the sites. Try your best. If you want to use a citation formulator to help you out, by all means do so. You have done all of this before. YOU CAN DO THIS!
(SEE LINKS ON RIGHT SIDE OF this WEBSITE)

5. Friday Flipgrid Reflection- Please do by Thursday, April 9th.

6. Continue Reading Things Fall Apart.  Just make forward progress. (Note.. no specific point in the book mentioned). Take notes on plot and literary devices to help your comprehension.

Tuesday, March 31st

1. Things Fall Apart 

Monday, March 30th

Things Fall Apart 

Friday, March 27th

TFA

Thursday, March 26th

TFA

Wednesday, March 25th

TFA

Friday, March 13th

Gloria Steinem (1934-): American journalist, political activist, and feminist. Ms. Steinem co-founded Ms. Magazine. In 1969, Steinem published an article, "After Black Power, Women's Liberation." This brought her international attention as a feminist leader. Ms. Steinem is also one of the founding members of the National Women's Political Caucus. From her website: "She is particularly interested in the shared origins of sex and race caste systems, gender roles and child abuse as roots of violence, non-violent conflict resolution, the cultures of indigenous peoples, and organizing across boundaries for peace and justice."
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1. MAPS ARE COOL!

Pre-Colonial Africa
Colonized Africa 1870-1910

- Using the guiding questions below, take notes on both maps of Pre-Colonial Africa and Colonized Africa.

Describe what you see. • What do you notice first? • What size and shape is the map? • What graphical elements do you see? • What on the map looks strange or unfamiliar? • Describe anything that looks like it does not belong on a map. • What place or places does the map show? • What, if any, words do you see?

Why do you think this map was made? • Who do you think the audience was for this map? • How do you think this map was made? • How does it compare to current maps of this place? • What does this map tell you about what the people who made it knew and what they didn’t? • If this map was made today, what would be different? • What would be the same?

Why do Western Maps Shrink Africa?
New World Map- More Accurate



2. Continue reading Things Fall Apart-

Chapters 1-4 Reading Questions- 

 1. Why was Okonkwo famous?
 2. Describe Unoka.
 3. Why had the men of Umuofia called a meeting?
 4. Where does the story take place?
 5. What influence did the oracle have on decisions made in Umuofia?
 6. What were Okonkwo’s greatest fear and greatest passion?
 7. What upset Okonkwo most about his son, Nwoye?
 8. What did Okonkwo bring home from his trip to Mbaino?
 9. How did Okonkwo begin his prosperous career?
10. How did Ikemefuna react to living with Okonkwo’s family?
11. What unheard of thing did Okonkwo do during the Week of Peace?
12. How did the people view yams?

MAKE SURE YOU TAKE YOUR CHROMEBOOK/CHARGER PLUS TFA BOOK HOME OVER SPRING BREAK! 

Remember to keep on READING SCHEDULE-  Things Fall Apart

Thursday, March 12th / Things Fall Apart Reading Schedule

Women's History Month:
"My Year of Reading African Women"- 15 Novels by African Women

Top row (from left): Maaza Mengiste, Laila Lalami, Doreen Baingana, Lola Shoneyin, Ahdaf Soueif, Nawal El Saadawi and Imbolo Mbue. Bottom row: Chibundu Onuzo, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Aminatta Forna, Nadifa Mohamed, NoViolet Bulawayo, Ayobami Adebayo and Yaa Gyasi. 

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1. Start Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (CHIN-wa a-CHE-beh)
TFA Book Check Out

"The last four or five hundred years of European contact with
Africa produced a body of literature that presented Africa in a
very bad light and Africans in very lurid terms. The reason for
this had to do with the need to justify the slave trade and slavery.
… This continued until the Africans themselves, in the middle of
the twentieth century, took into their own hands the telling of
their story." (Chinua Achebe, "An African Voice", The Atlantic)

In your notes consider:
* What information can you pull from this quote about Achebe's purpose for writing?
* What might find its way into Things Fall Apart?

2. Start reading Chapter 1: Double column. Track PLOT and LITERARY DEVICES.

Character pronunciation:
Okonkwo: O-kon-kwo
Unoka: Ou-no-ka
Okoye: Oh-ko-yay
Umuofia– Ou-mwoff-yah
Ikemefuna– ikeh-Meh-fou-nah

Things Fall Apart Reading Schedule

Monday, March 23rd- Through chapter 5. (Page 45)
Thursday, March 26th- Through chapter 7 (Page 62)
Monday, March 30th- Finish Part 1 of Things Fall Apart 
Wednesday, March 31st- Quiz over Part 1. (125)
Monday, April 6th- Through chapter 17 (153)
Thursday, April 9th - Quiz over Part 2 (167)
Tuesday, April 14th - Finish the book. (209)
Thursday, April 16th- Quiz over entire book.

For assistance with the names of Things Fall Apart, use the following guide:
Things Fall Apart Pronunciation Guide

Wednesday, March 11th

Women's History Month
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851): English novelist. Child of famous author, philosopher, Mary Woolstonecraft, and political philosopher, William Godwin. Mary Shelley began a relationship with a then-married, Romantic Poet, Percy Shelley. They traveled together, and famously spent one summer in Switzerland with her husband, and poet, Lord Byron. It was during this time where Mary Shelley developed the idea for her most-famous work, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (1818).
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1. Finish Socratic Seminars today.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

We will finish the 2nd half of our Socratic seminar on The Iliad and An Iliad tomorrow.  Make sure that you have reflected on your first day's performance, and be ready to go tomorrow.

1. Read and Chill-  10 minutes

2. We are getting ready for our next book we will start reading on Thursday. It is called Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. After you have read, please watch the following PowerPoint video and take notes in preparation to read.

Chinua Achebe Introduction Notes

3. Make sure you are ready for the 2nd half of the Socratic seminar tomorrow.

Friday, March 6th

Women's History Month
Jane Austen (1775-1817)- British author known best for her commentary on land owning and class at the end of the eighteenth century. Her famous works often address the issue of marriage as related to economic advancement or land growth. She wrote strong female protagonists who deliver strong opinions on the world in which they were born. Her works include: Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion. 

1. Read and Chill.

2. Seminar prep-

Reminders-
* You must have your 6 questions written BEFORE the seminar begins, or you won't get credit for the seminar.
*  Review the Socratic scoring.
* Prepare your notes so they are easy to read and access.

Thursday, March 5th, 2020

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Margaret Atwood (1939)- A Canadian novelist, poet, essayist, and teacher. She is an author of over 50 works. Her works include: Blind Assassin, Cat's Eye, The Handmaid's Tale, and The Testaments (The critically praised sequel to The Handmaid's Tale). In 2016 ,Atwood published her first graphic novel. Ms. Atwood's works challenge readers to think about politics, gender, and language in their own lives through the dynamic worlds she creates.
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1. Socratic seminar preparation-

Scoring:
A. Number of comments
*No comments   *2 -3      *4 -5     *6+

B. Quality of comments
*Doesn't speak    *repeats others comments     *original ideas    *original, deep meaning comments

C. Text references
*No references   *2 ref. to the text- vague    *3-4 references to the text      *5+ references

D. Literary devices references
*No references    *1 literary device      * 2 literary devices        *3+

E. Demonstrates active listening/ willingness to ask questions
*No questions asked    *Asks 1 question     *Asks 2-3 question/Paraphrases prior statements  
*4 questions/paraphrases

F. Costa's Level of Thinking
*What statements    *What/some Why statements  *What/little how/ little why  *What/How/Why

2. Write 6 QUESTIONS for seminar.
YOU MUST HAVE QUESTIONS TO TAKE PART IN SEMINAR. 
           2 The Iliad questions
           2 An Iliad questions
           2 blended questions- both texts.

Question writing help:
Costa's Question Stems

3. Prepare notes for seminar on MONDAY, March 9th.

TOMORROW: Bring independent reading book. 

Wednesday, March 4th

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (1977)- A Nigerian novelist, short story and non-fiction writer. She moved to the United States to attend college. Her stories often address navigating in the US as a person of color and how race and gender impact daily lives. Her works include: Purple Hibiscus, Americanah, and We Should all be Feminists.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie- "Danger of a Single Story" Ted Talk

25 Must Reads for Women's History Month
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     English 10 fame continues in Twitterverse. 

1. Continue watching An Iliad. 

2 things to consider while while watching- 

First: Lisa Peterson, the director and co-author, said about this play: "This Iliad is more about Homer than the Trojan War." In what ways is this play about the AUTHOR of The Iliad?

Second: What is this play's stance on war? What examples from the play support your ideas.

FIRST DAY OF SOCRATIC SEMINAR will be on MONDAY. 

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Women's History Month
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)- British Modernist author known for her use of stream of consciousness. She was a powerful voice in the women's right's movement and is often credited as an author to inspire feminism. She struggled with mental health from an early age. This would follow her throughout her life and ultimately led to her deathHer works include: Mrs. Dalloway and the short work, "A Room of One's Own."
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1. Continue watching An Iliad.

Focus on THEME- A universal issue and the stance or message that an author takes on this issue.

What is a major theme in The Iliad that is represented in An Iliad?



2. Schoology response:

1. Select ONE universal ISSUE that you feel is in The Iliad. 

2. Think about what you think Homer's STANCE OR MESSAGE is on this universal issue. What does it teach us about life? (What advice is this offering us?) 

3. Write out the theme such as this: Homer believes pride overrides all rational thought. 

4. Now write without "Homer believes".   Pride overrides all rational thought.  THIS IS A THEME! (Make sure that it does not give any specific reference to the text.. it needs to be able to be applied to multiple texts) 

5. Provide one example of how this is demonstrated in Denis O'Hare's An Iliad. 

STRUCTURE LIKE THIS: 

1. Pride

2. Homer believes pride overrides all rational thought. 

3. Pride overrides all rational thought. 

4. Hector returns to battle knowing he faces sure death. 

Monday, March 2nd

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)- American author best known for writing Little Women (1871), based on the Alcott home.  She grew up in a Transcendentalist home and around authors such as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Alcott was a suffragist, abolitionist, and feminist.
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1. Continue watching An Iliad.

To consider in today's viewing:

• What is the toll of telling the story of war, rage, hate on the poet? What does O'Hare do to demonstrate this toll?
• How does the portrayal of Agamemnon, Achilles, etc. compare to your reading of these characters in The Iliad?
• What do you notice about the theatrical presentation? The costuming?The lighting? The set? The music? How is it all complementary to the story that the Poet is telling? 

Thursday, February 27th

1. Review Play/Text Expectations.
2. Start notes with The Iliad review- See picture from board.

• 3 Significant plot points from The Iliad
• 3 Big Thematic Issues in The Iliad
• 8 Key Figures in The Iliad

3. Start watching Denis O'Hare's An Iliad. 

Remember to take notes from the key guiding questions given to you on Wednesday. You will be having a Socratic seminar (for a grade) over both THE Iliad and AN Iliad texts.






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Black History Month- Literary Giants 



More links to lists upon lists of great books by black authors, strong black characters, black history:
1. A Mighty Girl Book Club
2. 31 Young Adult Books by Black Authors
3. Upcoming Books by By Black Authors
4. 20 Black Children's Books By Black Authors

Wednesday, February 26th

1. Quiz- Book 6 The Iliad. 

2. Start watching An Iliad.  Take notes on the questions presented: An Iliad- Questions

We will be doing a Socratic Seminar over The Iliad AND An Iliad when we finish watching An Iliad. You will need ample notes. This Socratic seminar will be for a final grade for this unit.

Remember the guidelines of a Socratic seminar-

• Text driven- citing the text. Referring everything back to the text. 
• Writing questions and responding to questions in an open-ended way. 
• Being prepared with referencing multiple texts. 
• Academic talk. 
• Demonstrating effective listening skills- summarizing what someone has stated before and connecting your ideas to what was previously referenced. 

 

Tuesday, February 25th

PeerMarking- I am aware that some shut a document and could not reopen. We will work with this when I return. Just do your best to finish what you can.

1. Read and Chill- Read first 10 minutes of class.

2. As a table, discuss the following:

Summarize Book 6 of The Iliad.  

1. What reasons does Andromache give for asking Hector not to return to the battlefield?  Do you think Andromache ever believed Hector will stay away from the battlefield?  Explain.
2. Hector’s conflict between home and the battlefield brings to light the role of men in the ancient society.  Hector loves his family, but leaves them for the battlefield.  What does this say about Hector and about his culture?  
3. This is Hector's book. Here we see who, what and why he is. How does the narrator seem to feel about Hector? Compare and contrast his heroism with Achilles. Consider his relations with women. Note his self-consciousness about the inevitable fate of Troy and his family (520). What, exactly, motivates him to keep fighting? Do you see anything potentially wrong or self-contradictory with his reasoning? Don't sentimentalize his hopes for his son too much.

3. Using your characterization notes. . .  In Schoology, respond to the following prompt: Who does Homer appear to empathize more with in Book 6, Andromache or Hector? 

For this response, you will be looking at the way in which Homer writes each character to make your argument. Either character can be a viable answer if supported well. You will need to bring a minimum of two examples in to support your response. Remember the writing techniques and expectations that have become your new normal. MLA. Quote integration. Full explanation. Transitions.

Monday, February 24th

Though she was not a literary giant, she was such a giant that she was the glorious subject of many literary and film works. The brilliant Katherine Johnson was an American hero who made it possible for our country to achieve the impossible with her determination, courage, and unmatched intelligence.

Katherine Johnson- NASA Mathematician Dies at 101
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1. Read and Chill- 10 minutes

Quiz- Book 6- The Iliad on Schoology (WILL BE ON TUESDAY)

2. Characterization study-

Characterization- The manner in which an author develops the character... Addressing HOW and WHY an author develops a character in the manner in which he/she is created.

Method of performing characterization:

1. Carefully pick an adjective that you feel describes the character. Think to the
personality of the character, versus physical. (Often the physical description
supports the personality characterization).

2. Ask yourself why you named this characteristic....

3. What textual evidence supports the conclusion of this adjective. Multiple examples.
2 minimum. Have the quotations and the citation in your notes.)

4. Ask what is the reasoning that the author creates the character with this specific
personality trait? How does it serve the meaning of the text?
How is this character "working" for this text?

5. Rinse and repeat... pick another adjective

We will be doing a Character analysis of both HECTOR and ANDROMACHE.
You will go through this process twice with each character. Put the findings
in your notes.

REMEMBER: All 3 papers must be PeerMarked by Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Friday, February 20th

Black History Month
Ibram X. Kendi (1982-)  Historian and author. Founding director of the AntiRacist Research and Policy Center. He is the author of The Black Campus Movement, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, and How to be an Antiracist.
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PeerMark Assignment- 

1. Open Schoology- Click on "Achilles as Epic Hero" assignment.
2. Beside "Assignment Dashboard" you will see "PeerMark Reviews." Click this tab.
3. You will see three papers listed, one is your own. Click on the "Start Peer Review" link found
under "Review."
4. Once you open the paper, you will see a list of questions with 1-3 or 1-2 options for marking.
Read through the paper thoroughly and mark accurately.

You will be marking 2 papers and your own.
Please have this done by Tuesday, February 25th, 11:59 PM.

For Monday: Finish Book 6 of The Iliad. 
Continue taking notes on plot and literary devices.
QUIZ ON MONDAY. You can use your notes.

Thursday, February 20th

Our own Jazlyn B. reading Rita Dove's "Lady Freedom Among Us" at the NCTE African American Read-In at LSWHS
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Read and Chill-

1. Read Book 6 of The Iliad. Book 6 is often referred to as "Hector's Book."
Take dual notes- Plot and Literary Devices (Just as we did with Book 1)

Look over the Quizlet to reinforce the plot of Book 6: Book 6- The Iliad Review Quizlet

10-2-2 Practice-
10 minutes reading
2 minutes conferring
2 minutes revising notes

   Hector, Andromache, and Astyanax.

Wednesday, February 19th

NCTE African American Read-In- February 18th, 2020

Our own Jayla B. reading "Praise Song for the Day" by Elizabeth Alexander.
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1. Finish Achilles as Epic Hero paper.

Things to focus on:

• Correct integration of quotations. I.C.E. Introduce. Cite. Explain. 
• Use of transitions- within sections and between sections. 
• Expository techniques- fully explaining the HOW and WHY
• Sticking to 3rd person POV throughout your paper. 

2. Paper submission reminders:

• You will need to upload your paper to Schoology by 7:30 AM tomorrow morning (Thursday).
• Because we are going to PeerMark through Turnitin.com (ran through Schoology), please only put your initials on the MLA heading and header.
• If a PDF does not show up in your available docs... To make the document a PDF- go up to File... click "download a copy"... .select "PDF"

3. After you submit your paper, be working on reading Book 6 of The Iliad. 

Tuesday, February 18th

Black History Month 

TONIGHT! LSW Performing Arts Center. 7:00-8:30

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1. Written response- How does Achilles function as an epic hero? 

Sample Achilles Epic Hero Paper

How do I respond proficiently to this prompt? 

1. I briefly discuss what an epic hero is as a character. 
2. I restate the question and answer it as a declaratory topic sentence. 
3. I introduce the first trait of an epic hero that I feel best applies to Achilles. 
4. With my introduction of this trait, I explain what the trait means. 
5. I explain how Achilles represents this trait.
6. Starting off with a transition phrase such as "For example," I, then, introduce a quote that demonstrates this trait. (Use a tag line...  integrate quote correctly) Link here: How to Integrate Quotations
7. I will then explain HOW this quote demonstrates this trait. (How I see the trait and quote connected). 
8. Next, I utilize my additive transitions to introduce a second trait (Furthermore, additionally, etc.)  Link here: Transition words 
9. I repeat steps 3-7. 
10. I will, again, utilize my additive transitions to introduce a third trait (Furthermore, additionally, etc.) 
11. I repeat steps 3-7. 
12. I will wrap up with a concluding statement emphasizing Achilles' role as a epic hero. 

Things I will double check before submitting: 

• I have a MLA formatted paper- heading, header, and title. 
• I have cited my quotations. Usually I would use line numbers, but for this version please write Homer and the section of lines your quote was found. 
• I stay completely in 3rd person POV- no I, we, or YOU. 
• I have capitalized all proper nouns. The Iliad is italicized. 
• I have used transitions. 
• I have introduced, cited, and explained all of my quotations. (I.C.E)
• I have made sure that I have sentence variation- (Try starting a sentence with an introductory clause). 
• I have made sure that all of my sentences are complete sentences- no run ons or comma splices. 

Response due to Schoology Thursday, February 20th by 7:30 AM. 

Book 6 of The Iliad will be due by Thursday. (This has given you 6 days to read it). 

Friday, February 14th- Happy Valentine's Day!

Black History Month
Elizabeth Alexander (1962-): A distinguished scholar and professor. Ms. Alexander is President of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation- one of the largest financial supporter of arts and humanities in higher education. Elizabeth Alexander wrote and delivered "Praise Song for the Day" at President Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Her works include, American Sublime, a book of poetry, and The Light of the World, a memoir.

In reference to a previously mentioned author, Jason Reynolds- 
Eleven Minutes: A Call from Kobe Bryant- An article written by Jason Reynolds.
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Read and Chill-

1. As a table, you will review and discuss the 7 Epic Hero Traits/Characteristics. Add to your notes, further discussion points from your group.

2. After you discuss each of the 7 traits, your group will determine what traits apply to Achilles in Book 1 of The Iliad. 

3. Collectively, find direct quotes to support the Traits of the Epic Hero from Book 1. Most of the traits will be found in Book 1. You will need to think about the trait and how it can be applied.

** You need to use the copy we are working with for class, not the internet. Vast difference in the two skills you are applying- Research (searching)(Costa's Level 1) and Reading (Comprehension and application)(Costa's Level 2 and 3)

4. Receive Book 6 (excerpt). This will need to be read by Wednesday, February 19th. Take notes on plot and literary devices as you did on Book 1.

Wednesday, February 12th

 Black History Month
Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): An abolitionist, civil and women's right's activist. Ms. Truth was born into slavery, but ran away and successfully sued for the return of her son who was sold illegally into slavery. After moving to New York City, Truth was a charismatic preacher. Inspired by Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony, Truth became a powerful voice for the abolitionist and woman's suffrage movement. In 1851, Sojourner Truth delivered her most famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman," addressing the issues of gender and racial inequality.
Read Ms. Truth's speech here: "Ain't I a Woman"- Soujourner Truth's Speech
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1. Turn in 1- Pager- Book 1 of The Iliad.

2. R & C-

3. District reading assessment- Schoology.

EPIC HERO- A larger than life figure that represents the ideals of a culture. 

4. Epic hero notes- Characteristics of an Epic Hero

• Open up the link to "Characteristics of an Epic Hero" (above).
• You will need to have all 7 characteristics in your written notes. 
• Condense and paraphrase each characteristic. Do not copy word for word. 

Tuesday, February 11th

Black History Month

Ta-Nehisi Coates (1975-): American author and journalist. His writings address cultural and social issues and the American experience. Coates' works include: Between the World and Me; Black Panther; The Beautiful Struggle. Mr. Coates is a "Genius Grant" recipient for the MacArthur Foundation.

Here is a link to articles written by Mr. Coates in The Atlantic: The Atlantic Author- Ta-Nehisi Coates

Here is a link to: 50 Amazing Books by Black Authors- Past 5 Years

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1. Independent reading- first 10 minutes.

2. Review Book 1 of The Iliad.
Quizlet review found here: Book 1 of The Iliad Review
Quizlet character review found here: Book 1 Characters- The Iliad

3. Continue the 1-Pager assignment. Work on completing the final draft.
DUE TOMORROW.

Here is the break down of the required elements of the 1-Pager:

Monday, February 10th

 
Black History Month

bell hooks (1952-):  American author, professor, feminist, and social activist wrote her first book, “Ain’t I A Woman: Black Women and Feminism,” in 1981. She took her title from Sojourner Truth's 1851 speech for women's suffrage rights. hooks' books and lectures have inspired empowerment for women of all ages, races, and classes. hooks writes in "Ain't I a Woman," “Without a doubt, the false sense of power black women are encouraged to feel allows us to think that we are not in need of social movements like a women’s movement that would liberate us from sexist oppression. The sad irony is of course that black women are often most victimized by the very sexism we refuse to collectively identify as an oppressive force.”
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1. R&C

2. The Iliad- Book 1 ONE PAGER

• In the upper left-hand corner, draw a key symbol from the reading and choose a related quotation to write down. Then write a sentence in your own words explaining the importance of the symbol.
• In the upper right-hand corner, pick one character in Book 1 of The Iliad.  Use one adjective to describe this character. Provide one quote to support this adjective. 
• Create a border around your paper using three important quotations that show the thematic issue of RAGE from the reading. 
• Include five words or pictures across the middle of the paper that express the author's TONE.
• In the lower left-hand corner, define EPIC and one of the epic conventions that is evident in Book 1 of The Iliad. 
• Somewhere on your paper, write a one-sentence summary of Book 1.  
• Somewhere on your paper, include the book title and author. 
• Please add symbols and images to represent your ideas. 

Monday- Sketch out a rough outline of your One Pager.
Tuesday- Start working on final draft.
Wednesday- Due at the beginning of class.



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