Bread Givers

10/21: Bread Givers final project handout and the proof paragraph assessment are attached below. We are writing the final draft of the proof paragraph in class on Wednesday (you do have the option to write it at home and bring it in on Wednesday. This is a good option for anyone who feels s/he might need extra time.)

10/20: HOMEWORK: Let’s try our hand at writing a proof paragraph that we can use in class to start talking about writing an analytical paper AND work to get ready for an in class assessment next week. For Thursday develop a working thesis, using the sorts of methods to refine the ideas that we talk about in class today (see BreadGivers proof paragraph brainstorming" attached below). Outline the organizing ideas, then choose one and write a draft of a proof paragraph (this is a writing draft so it is an up or down grade: either it is complete or it is not – 100, 50 or 0 and no coupons). We will respond in class so you can get feedback. I would be grateful if a couple of people want to send me theirs by Wednesday night. If you do so, and if I use it in class, you will receive the benefit of a full class discussion, including my input.

10/19: Groups finished BIG PAPER. Homework: Close reading of the end of the novel: Mark up the very end of the reading. Look for words, phrases, etc. that help you to see Sara’s state of mind, Father’s state of mind AND particularly word/image choices Yezierska makes to convey whether or not the ending is positive or negative. After you have done the mark up, answer this question, using specific word choice from this passage AND what you know about Sara, about Father, about their past (and the promise Sara made to her mother) to support your ideas.

10/14: See Thematic Group Assessment attached below.

10/7: On the front of the notecard: tell me which sister you think is worse off at this point in the novel and tell me why. Be specific and clear. Make comparisons between their situations and make the case for why your choice is in the worst position of the four sisters. Fill the front of the card On the back of the notecard: Tell me three ways the close reading exercise and the class discussions over the course of the past two days has changed or deepened your understanding of some aspect of the novel. Number each improvement, tell me briefly what you learned, what change in thinking has occurred , what reading skill was strengthened, etc. AND tell me why it matters (HOW did it improve you as a thinker?)

10/6: Close reading reporting out. Read chapter 6 for tonight. As you read, THINK about what we talked about in class today, especially pay attention to word choice. Remember that Sara is narrating.

10/5: READING SCHEDULE: Chapter 6 for Thursday, chapter 7 for Friday, through chapter 11 for Tuesday 10/13, finish book 2 for Friday 10/16 and finish the novel by Tues 10/20.

Classwork: See "BreadGivers close reading early sections" below.

10/2: On the front of the notecard, react to the novel. Ask questions, tell me what was confusing or difficult and tell me about how long it took to read. On teh back of the notecard: apply two of the American ideal words we came up with to the novel. THINK about the many ways in which the ideals are explored, are met, are critiqued, etc. Fill the back of the notecard.

10/1: Read chapters 1&2 in BreadGivers for Friday. Read through chapter 5 for Tuesday and through chapter 6 for Wednesday.

9/30: Today in class we’ll read the first 4 pages or so of the “Introduction” in Bread Givers (from xvi through the first paragraph on xx). Take notes (you can bullet these – either in your blue book or in your notebook) about the major themes of the book and about the immigrant experience (you will see that this section particularly focuses on women) that Yezierska knew and wrote about. When you are done, choose one quote from the introduction to write on the top of one side of the index card. Then, react to that quote – tell me what you understand it to mean, how it relates to what we’ve been talking about in terms of America, American ideals, our cornerstone quotes, your own experiences, background knowledge, etc. Fill the front of the card. On the back of the notecard, list our American words (vertically) and next to each jot down a little bit about how you understand the word (definition) and how it applies to us as Americans (how we see ourselves, how others see us, etc.).

OUR AMERICAN IDEAL WORDS: 1. Community,2. Unity,3. Progress,4. Opportunity,5. Freedom/Liberty/Independence,

6. Industry, 7. Struggle, 8. Strength, 9. Change, 10. Hard work