Book groups
Final assessment for the book (when you have finished): I've pulled together some materials to extend your thinking beyond the book. Some will have direct connections to the novel you re reading, while some have more general connections to thematic ideas, to the idea of law and order, etc. Choose at least two of these (to start) and read, listen, watch, etc. Take notes and when you are finished, react (on the same sheet of paper as above) to the material, then spend some time writing about the intersections between the information and issues in your novel, think about how this adds to your thinking about issues in our culture now, etc (reflections should be a page long for each of the two extensions - these will count as the assessment).
Going After Cacciato:
"Black and White" soldiers and treatment in Vietnam
"Mercy" by Tyehimba Jess (you can watch him read the poem here
"Thanks" by, Yusef Komunyakaa
EXTRA: Noah Baldino reading "Passing" and a discussion of the poem.
To Kill a Mockingbird:
Here's an article about studies that show that our society views black men as dangerous.
"Why Do We Still Teach To Kill a Mockingbird in Schools"
Malcolm Gladwell on To Kill A Mockingbird
The Round House
Crime and lack of punishment on Indian Reservations
Indian Country Today (browse the site - start with the dropdown menu under "Today").
Defending Jacob
Sue Klebold's TED Talk
The Charles Stuart murders
All American Boys:
"Facing US" by Amanda Johnston
Sterling Brown's arrest (video and discussion of racism)
Recent story that echoes Rashad's arrest
Book check #2:
Book check #1: Start by writing about the book - tell me where you are (page you are on, what's just happened, etc.) and what you are thinking. Move beyond plot (although do write down what's confusing to you, what interests you, etc) and dig into something substantial that interests you and that connects to class. Write about character/setting/emerging thematic ideas that the writer is exploring and wrestle with why they matter (in the book, in connection to your own life/experience, in connection to class, etc.). You can wrestle with moral questions, try to predict where this is going, explore the stylistic choices, etc.