3/3: Here's the works cited for Allitt's principles:
Allitt, Patrick N., Ph.D. "Being American." The Great Courses. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.
Here's the citation for the podcast:
Kurt Anderson, perf. "American Icons: The Great Gatsby." Studio 360. WNYC/PRI, 25 Nov 2010. web. 4 Mar 2014.
3/1: Student paragraph response. I've attached a "Sample Gatsby proof paragraph" below as a sort of model. Please print it out and mark it up so we can talk through the parts of the proof paragraph (just a little) tomorrow.
2/26: Initial draft response (if you were out, you still need to get response). This weekend, work on the projects. Revised due dates - March 3 (complete first draft: please also bring the project sheet and grading criteria). Final draft due on March 9 (coupon extends to March 11). I will be available after school next week on Monday and Thursday and before school on Monday and Friday.
2/23: In class: Please look back over the readings from last night. On the front of the 4x6 notecard: make a list of the ideas that you found most interesting in each excerpt (bullet these and write down title + page). On the back: reflect on the readings, especially on whether and how the information in them helped you to make associations to what you read and what you are thinking about in Gatsby. Have these readings given you new insights? Do they give you a new way of thinking about character, about relationship, about setting, about what Fitzgerald is saying in the novel, etc. Fill both sides of the notecard.
2/22: If you were out today, please loo at the Gatsby conversation some of us had in Google Docs over break. Choose at least one of the ideas to wrestle with - ask questions, go back to your book and find evidence. look for patterns elsewhere, extend the argument, etc.). Homework: Read the excerpt from Quiet and the excerpt (two chapters) from One Summer. Mark these up, thinking particularly about Gatsby.
Here's a link to the Gatsby conversation. You can use this to edit the document (that means add onto it, rather than comment) even if I messed up and did not invite you.
Studio 360 Gatsby link here. And I know you doubted me, but that ice podcast is great. Listen to it here. You're going to love it:)
2/12: Close read the ending - what is Fitzgerald saying about Gatsby, Nick, the American Dream, etc. (close read attached below). I posted the Google Docs idea below as well and handed out chapters (from Quiet and One Summer) to read for Tuesday 2/23. I also changed the due dates for the projects: The initial draft (at least two pages of notes) will be due by the Friday we return. The first complete draft probably by the following Wed (I think that is March 1) and the final drafts by early the next week (Tuesday March 7, I am thinking).
2/11: We talked lots about the eye, about seeing, about Gatsby and his Platonic vision, etc. I gave out questions to ponder about chapter 7 below and two important sections from 8 to make sure you close read.
2/10: More close reading in class around ideas from chapters 5-7: James Gatz's transition and story, Daisy, Tom and Gatsby triangle, Dr Eckleberg's eyes, etc. Read chap 8 for tomorrow.
2/4: Close reading a section (at least a page) in an effort to better understand one of the following: Jordan and Nick and the car accident, the story Gatsby tells Nick, Nick's response to Gatsby's story, Jordan's story about Daisy, Billboard and the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg. HOMEWORK: read through 5-6 and For Monday, build on your understanding of Gatsby’s character (keeping in mind Nick’s line about personality being a series of successful gestures) by close reading either the beginning of chapter 6 (Gatsby’s story) or the end (his plan). The close reading sections are roughly 3 pages so take them slowly after you’ve finished reading the chapters. On the front of the notecard – make notes like you did in class on Thursday and like you did on the close reading paragraph from the beginning (the list of notes should be relatively long). On the back: write about HOW and WHY this helps to shape an understanding of Gatsby, of his motivations, his character, his ideas, etc. Fill both sides
2/3: In class: 1. Walk around the room and look at the visual art. Choose one piece to work with. Write in your blue book for 5 minutes – describe what you see, analyze the art and compare it to more traditional visual art (think about sculptures you’ve seen, about famous paintings like Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, etc.) - if you were absent, I have attached two below. Close reading Nick's introductory paragraph about Gatsby in an effort to develop a strong understudying of Nick, of Gatsby and of Fitzgerald's writing (attache below).
2/2: Homework tonight: Please continue reading (make sure to finish chapter 3). Tonight, please reread and mark up Nick's initial description of Gatsby in an effort to see how he views Gatsby. Make some observations about what you discover in the space below the paragraph. Then. look back through what you've read for a list of Gatsby characteristics, for rumors, for what you see him doing, how you see him interacting, etc. Finally, try to pull all of this together into some more complete understanding of who Gatsby is (Gatsby paragraph 1).
2/1: Please read chapter 3. Please also make lists of questions/confusions/insights, especially ones that build on the discussion today.
1/28: Here's a link to Gatsby online in case your book is missing pages. The work for today is attached below "American Lit Day 3"