Children of Men

10/6: Test prep materials attached below. Scenes I have shown in class for the test. Power as a thematic idea: chapter 3, chapter 8, chapter 13, chapter 17. Hope/Hopelessness as thematic idea: chapter 5, chapter 6, chapter 7, chapter 8, chapter 12, and the final chapter.

9/30: TWO PART Children of Men assessment next week (Monday and Tuesday). Here’s your task for today: 1. In small groups,share your thematic ideas. Remember what we discussed in terms of theme ideas vs motifs (for it to be a thematic idea, both James and Cuaron have to be exploring the idea in a manner significant enough for you to be able to form an opinion, based on the evidence, of the novel/film’s view of the idea (i.e. a theme statement).2. Hash out what you wrote about and come up with a list of working thematic ideas that are significant in both novel and film (two or three is fine).3. Then – brainstorm places to look for evidence for the thematic ideas in the film (think back over scenes that would be helpful. Write these down (a descriptor s fine – like, scene when Theo first goes to Jasper’s, Julian’s death scene). Do this for two thematic ideas. I will collect this at the end of the period.

9/28: Between now and Wednesday, read back over your blue book entries for the film. On one side of the notecard,. choose one theme common to both novel and film to explore. Write about how the them operates in the novel first (which characters help to develop the them and why, how does setting contribute, symbol, etc.), AND about what you think P.D. James saying about the theme – make an attempt to turn it into a theme statement).

On the other side of the notecard: write about the same theme in the film, answering the same questions, and paying particular attention to at least three changes Cuaron makes that help to advance the theme. Again, make sure to examine what Cuaron’s film is saying about the theme.

week of 9/21: finishing the novel and watching the film (see film sheet "Children of Men 2012 H" attached below for blue book assignments).

9/17: Homework (due Monday): Read chapters 21 and 22 (the excerpt from 21 begins halfway down page 152). Here we see more of the personalities of the conspirators. As you read, remember what we predicted about the characters of Gascoigne, Rolf, Miriam and Luke from their character descriptions (this information should be in your notes). For at least three of these characters find a total of 10 examples of them acting in ways that we predicted they would (i.e. showing traits we thought that they would – confident leadership, strength, insecurity, hotheadedness, etc.) from the descriptions. You can list these – you only need to focus on three characters (but you can use more). You might find 2 examples for Luke, 4 for Rolf and 4 for Miriam, or any like combination. Be specific and clear (you don’t need to quote, but please use page #s if you do. You will probably need to explain quotes). Make sure you demonstrate that you’ve read the whole assignment (your evidence should come from the entire reading). Please do this on a separate piece of paper NOT in the blue book. This will count as a mini assessment, so make sure I can understand your answers. (sample attached below)

9/14: Close reading in class today of character (see Gascoigne description below). Homework: Spend some time thinking about theme ideas in the novel as you read through chapters 9+ 12 for Wednesday. When you’ve finished reading, brainstorm theme ideas on the front of the notecard (ideas like hope, despair, confusion, chaos, etc.). Strive for between 3-5 for the entire novel so far. For each idea bullet an example or two. On the back, choose one (or maybe two) ideas to reflect on more completely. MAKE SURE that as you reflect on them you include evidence for the theme from a variety of chapters, but most importantly, from the chapters you are reading for Wednesday (9&12).

9/9: Close reading today to explore the following topics - find 2 -3 sections in the chapter(s) that we've read to close read and explore your topic (bulleted on one side of a notecard): A. 4 important new discoveries about Theo's character (his moral world view), B. Religious views in the novel (end of chapter 7) and what these tell us about the world, about Theo's attitude toward religion, etc.) C. Xan's rule - what law and order looks like, what people fear and why that might matter (chap 1 and 7), D. Omegas - who they are, how they are viewed, their place in the world and why that might matter. E. Sojourners - who they are, how they are viewed, their place in the world and why that might matter.

9/8: In class, we worked on setting and characterization (COM close read chap 1 attached below). For homework: MAKE SURE to read "What we're skipping" in your folders between chapters).

The Children of Men chapter 5 (for Wed – I know we don’t meet…): After you’ve finished reading this chapter, tell me whether or not you feel sympathy for Theo and why. Fill at least one side of the notecard writing about this – give me specific reasons (from the text) for feeling sympathetic to him or not (you can feel both things for different reasons, just make sure to back them up). Be specific, show me that you’ve read and write at least the minimum and your grade will be at least an 85. Bring this in on Thursday, 9/10.

Read chapter 7 for Thursday and through chapter 8 for Friday (chapter 8 is long – get it started early). Turn this in on Friday, 9/11 (process grade) – NOT in your blue books.

1. Tell me three facts you know about who Jasper is and what his relationship to Theo.

2. Tell me two character traits he possesses and how you know that (evidence)

3, Define: Sojourner and Quietus as they are used in the book.

4. The complaints Julian’s group presents to Theo give you a sense of the political climate in England at the time. Choose at least one of the complaints to write about. Tell me the complaint, what it says about the Warden’s power, what you think of the arguments made by Julian’s group and the counter-argument by Theo, and how you think this might affect the quality of life in England (write me a solid paragraph and be specific about what you read in the text.)

9/4: Blade Runner opening again. We looked to see how Ridley Scott's opening sets us up for the violence that follows. We also worked on filmic techniques (you will find a shot book in the Novel and Film folder in the "Look Here For Missed Work" box in the classroom). We discussed Children of Men, chap 1.

9/3: Homework read chap 1 of Children of Men and complete the worksheet (attached below).