Unit II: Division and Analysis: Slicing into Parts

Diversity in the United States Literary Experience

Monday, Oct. 4, 2021

Essential Question: How do I write a prose analysis?

SLO Pre-Test Part 2, Prose Analysis


Read carefully the following passage from Dalton Trumbo’s novel Johnny Got His Gun (1939).

Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how Trumbo uses such techniques as

point of view, selection of detail, and syntax to characterize the relationship between the young man and his father.

In your response you should do the following:

  • Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation that leads to the meaning of the work as a whole (theme).

  • Select and use evidence that supports your line of reasoning.

  • Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.

  • Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

Homework:

  • Read your Independent Book for at least 10 minutes every day.

Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021

Unit II: Diversity in the United States Literary Experience (Methods of Essay Development: Division or Analysis: Slicing into Parts)

American Diversity and The American Dream

Essential Questions: What is the American Dream and What Does it Mean to be American?

These are questions that we will be exploring over the next few days as a prelude to our American Diversity Short Stories Unit.

Today your job is to think about these questions and to reflect about your own answers.

  1. After sharing your vision of the American Dream, examine the following video: What Does America Stand For? By ANNA NORTH | Aug. 23, 2017 | 5:31

Teenagers will shape America's future, so they were asked what they thought about America's values.

2. Which quote comes closest to your vision of the American Dream?

3. Identify the term WASP, p. 3.

4. Independently read pp. 3-5. Follow the directions and answer the questions accordingly. Finish this for homework.

Also for homework:

  • Read your Independent Reading Book for at least10 minutes every day.

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021


Unit II: Diversity in the United States Literary Experience (Method of Essay Development:

Division or Analysis [Slicing into Parts])


Music and The American Dream

Essential Questions:

  1. Is the American Dream still possible?

  2. What does the immigration experience look like?

  3. How does music help to convey the American experience regarding diversity, immigration, and the American Dream?

Agenda:

  • Discuss at first with your neighbor and then with the class which document comes closest to your own view of America. Be sure to turn this assignment in.

  • Examine pictures of The Colossus of Rhodes and the Statue of Liberty: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-S-7TixQEkpAXNu318n_2Z5OJ1y1_oiOSMdtG9TLmo/edit?usp=sharing

The sound of the "American Dream" is steeped in music that's distinctly and historically American, from blues and gospel to classic rock and protest music, to punk and hip-hop. It sounds hopeful, cynical, urgent, and exuberant, often in the same song. It includes songs that are about not getting what you want and persevering anyway. These are songs about understanding your own life through the struggles of others, anthems about your frustrations and fears, and lyrics that speak truth to power. This is music that clings to a vision for a brighter future.

Directions: As you listen to songs about America, the American Dream, and immigration, create a list of the American values, ideas, and experiences that you hear. Add titles of songs that you think depict the American Dream. Attach the list to this assignment and turn it in.

  • "This Land is Your Land" by Woodie Guthrie (Two versions by Bruce Springstein)

  • "The Boxer" by Paul Simon

  • "Deportee" words by Woodie Guthrie; Music by Martin Hoffman

  • "America" by Paul Simon

Homework:

  • Independent Reading: Read your Independent Reading Book for at least 10 minutes every day. Bring your book to class tomorrow.

  • You will also have time in class tomorrow to make your corrections on your College Admissions Essay/Personal Narrative.

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021

Essential Question: What are the benefits of reading?

Read for 10-15 minutes before bed each night to help you achieve your goal.

  • Viewing a screen before bed, such as a television, phone, or e-book, decreases the amount of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and increases the amount of time it takes for you to fall asleep (light emanating from screens activates your brain).

  • Reading a book before bed reduces your cortisol levels, which reduces your stress and tension. Six minutes of reading a book reduces stress by 68%.

  • Regular reading increases empathy.

  • Regular reading ensures that your mind can focus for longer periods of time. And studies have proven that reading improves the cognitive function of your brain.

  • This may be one of your final opportunities to commit to being lifelong readers. If you think not reading is cool, you're wrong. If you think reading isn't important, you're wrong. People who read are better thinkers and communicators. They are better informed and therefore, smarter voters and consumers. The only way to get better at reading, just like anything else, is to practice it. If you are a reluctant reader or you find reading difficult, set small goals for yourself. Start with 10 minutes of reading per night (you can do just about anything for 10 minutes). Build up to 15 and then to 20, etc. Soon you'll be looking forward to that time of day when you can just relax and read. Make this practice a priority. If you miss out on reading, you are missing out on a whole world of thought-provoking information and entertainment. Reading can stimulate your mind, reduce your stress and add tranquility to your life. It can expand your vocabulary, build your knowledge base, improve your memory, your writing skills and your thinking skills. Reading is a habit of highly successful people. Why don't you join them?

Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read More

https://jrelibrary.com/articles/benefits-of-reading-why-you-should-read-more/

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021

Before beginning our discussion of poetry, divide into groups of 3-4 and share your responses to Music and The American Dream. What values, ideas, experiences do the songs espouse? What song(s) convey your idea of the American Dream?


Did you edit/correct your College Admissions Essay/Personal Narrative and resubmit it?


Diversity in the American Literary Experience: Intro to Poetry (Google Doc)


Essential Questions:

  1. How do you define Poetry?

  2. How do you determine the tone of a poem?

  3. What does the tone tell us about the meaning of a poem?

  4. How do we determine a writer's style?

  5. How do these poems evoke the American experience?


  • Poetry Definitions

Directions: Highlight your favorite definition(s) of poetry; then add your own.


Naomi Shihab Nye, a poet, songwriter, and novelist, says that we are all poets; we were all born poets. Listen to her reading of "One Boy Told Me"


Poetry Everywhere: "One Boy Told Me" by Naomi Shihab Nye


  • Examine the lists of words to describe Tone. Highlight a few that you like, did not know before, or that you might find useful. Which ones might describe Nye’s tone in “One Boy Told Me”?

  • Examine the list of words to describe Writing Style. Highlight a few that you like, did not know before, or that you might find useful.

Homework:

  • Read your Independent Reading Book for at least 10 minutes each day.

  • Review School Tool and Google Classroom to make sure that all assigned work has been turned in.


Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021


Diversity in the American Literary Experience: Intro to Poetry (Google Doc)


Essential Questions:

  • How do you define Poetry?

  • How do you determine the tone of a poem?

  • What does the tone tell us about the meaning of a poem?

  • How do we determine a writer's style?

  • What do these American poems teach us about the American experience?


Agenda:

  1. (Note: Period 9 needs to review Tone and Style.) Examine the definitions and examples of Meter.

  2. Enjoy AMERICANS SAYING POEMS THEY LOVE: http://www.favoritepoem.org/

  3. As a class read and discuss “Immigration Anthem" by Sharon Olds (group work)

      • Highlight and annotate examples of figurative language (similes, metaphors, symbols, hyperboles) and imagery.

      • Identify two complementary but different tone words and provide evidence from the poem to support each one.

      • Identify the writer's style and provide evidence from the poem to support your answer.

      • Complete this theme sentence:

In the poem, "Immigration Anthem" Sharon Olds' _______________________ and _________________________________________ (two most important poetic techniques) convey ______________________________________________________ (theme).


Homework:

  • Read your Independent Reading Book for at least 10 minutes each day.


Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021

Flex Day:

Bell Ringer: In order to add style to your own writing, practice writing sentences beginning with a string of at least three prepositional phrases. (Recall how you were supposed to begin your fairy tale when you were in 10th grade. Here is a link for a list of prepositions: https://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/prepositions_list.htm .)

E.g.: Inside the dark cafe, with the help of a good friend, I got over my sadness.

E.g.: In the back seat of the van, behind the privacy of the tinted windows, Cassey brushed his hair, moisturized his face, cleaned his glasses, and basically got ready for school.

Now you try. Provide 2 examples, and highlight each of your prepositional phrases in a different color:

1.

2.

Independent Reading: Next week, you will be writing a letter to me about your independent reading progress. Think about what you'll have to say. Will it be good news? Read right now, and be sure to do the same tomorrow and every day that follows!

Also, be sure that you have completed your homework on "Immigration Anthem." We will be picking up with that tomorrow.

Friday, Oct. 15, 2021


Diversity in the American Literary Experience: Intro to Poetry (Google Doc)


Essential Questions:

  • How do you define Poetry?

  • How do you determine the tone of a poem?

  • What does the tone tell us about the meaning of a poem?

  • How do we determine a writer's style?

  • What do these American poems teach us about the American experience?


Agenda:


  • “I, Too” Langston Hughes (1902-1967) 1945





Monday, Oct. 18 - Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021


Diversity in the American Literary Experience: Intro to Poetry (Google Doc)


Essential Questions:

  • How do you define Poetry?

  • How do you determine the tone of a poem?

  • What does the tone tell us about the meaning of a poem?

  • How do we determine a writer's style?

  • What do these American poems teach us about the American experience?


Agenda:

  • Continue working with four poems (Whitman, Hughes (annotated), Eriksen)

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021

Finish discussion of poems...Eriksen's poem can be done for extra credit and is due on Friday.

Independent Reading Time: Letter to me re: progress. Due on Friday.