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During Coronavirus School Stoppage
During Coronavirus School Stoppage
I have created a set of resources for students and parents who would like to continue activities while school is closed during the Coronavirus crisis. None of these activities are assignments; they do not have due dates, and they are not required activities. They are merely resources that cover the kinds of things we would have addressed in class. You may use these resources as you choose. For myself, I have found that it is useful to plan educational activities for my kids, because they are going a bit stir-crazy after having been shut inside for only a handful of days.
As always, remember that I share this with love and that your health and your family take highest priority during this time.
Hoping this finds you well,
Matthew Watkins
Daily Writing
Daily Writing
The most important thing that you can do on a daily basis is to write for about 10 minutes. What you write about is not the most important thing, but just sit down with some paper and write about whatever you find most interesting at the moment. For example, during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, many people write daily journal entries about their experiences.
Alternatively, I have downloaded a document with 1225 daily writing prompts from The New York Times that deal with a variety of topics. Try using that for a daily writing activity.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M2Qowl2o8gE7d5Ysqu_2g3VTDBfwlVaW/view?usp=sharing
1225 Writing Prompts.pdfOur anchor text for Quarter Four is A Raisin in the Sun. This is a classic play by Lorraine Hansberry. It was subsequently turned into a classic film starring Sidney Poitier, arguably the greatest American film actor. I have included a link which leads to a free online version of this film. Consider watching it during the time off.
Along with A Raisin in the Sun, our fourth quarter covers the civil rights movement during the 1960s. One of our normal activities is to watch Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech in its entirety, and analyze the way that Dr. King uses rhetorical devices such as metaphors, allusions, and anaphora to make his speech more powerful. Consider watching the speech and reading along with the transcript.
https://www.archives.gov/files/press/exhibits/dream-speech.pdf
Redlining
Redlining
In A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family is subjected to the racially discriminatory practice of redlining. In order to explore this subject and better understand the play, it is useful to learn about the history of redlining. Consider watching this video about the history of redlining and then reading about the history of redlining and segregation in West Las Vegas
The Death of the Moth
The Death of the Moth
One of the other major themes of our fourth quarter is the development of Post-Modernism after World War II. The Death of the Moth is a great example of Post-Modernist literature; it is an essay that observes the life of a moth and uses its structure to examine the mortality of human beings. Consider reading the essay and discussing the questions.
The Death of the Moth.pdfA Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
Another strong example of post-modernism is Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings". This story uses the technique of magical realism, and is also one of the classic exemplars of Latinx literature. Consider reading this story, and discussing the way it blends magic with realism, and the way it uses this technique to satirize society.
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.pdfEleven
Eleven
Eleven is a story by Sandra Cisneros that explores the way that Post-Modern stories fracture time and use point of view in order to create complex narratives in a short space. Consider reading Eleven and discussing the ways that our memories shape the people that we become as we get older.
Eleven.pdfNatasha Trethewey
Natasha Trethewey
Natasha Trethewey was the US Poet Laureate from 2012 until 2014. Her poetry draws a bridge between our study of Post-Modernism and the Civil Rights movement, and connects the threads between these stories and modern life. Consider reading these stories and discussing the way that Natasha Trethewey uses poetry to understand her relationship with her father.
Natasha Trethewey.pdfThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Read the story, and then respond to the paragraphs
- Is the mood of this story humorous or tragic? Write a paragraph in which you defend your choice.
- Explain why you think that Walter Mitty spends so much time daydreaming?
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.pdfThe Yellow Wallpaper
The Yellow Wallpaper
- What lessons can be learned from The Yellow Wallpaper?
- How can this be applied to modern times?
Write a one paragraph response for each of the questions.
The Yelow Wallpaper.pdfQ3 - Group Teaching - Individual Essay
Q3 - Group Teaching - Individual Essay
- Write a five paragraph essay that summarizes your research about your group teaching topic.
- This essay should briefly address the goals of the Group Teaching assignment.
- The major assignment for this quarter is the group teaching project; this essay is a small supplementary reflection on the research that you completed.
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
- Read the poems.
- Bring written responses to both questions on Friday.
Langston Hughes.pdfQ3 Group Teaching Assignment
Q3 Group Teaching Assignment
Q3 American Dream Teaching Project.pdfQuarter 3 Research and Precis
Quarter 3 Research and Precis
1. Find an article that is relevant to your group research.
2. Use an MLA citation, find a quote, and write a Precis.
Quarter Three Research and Precis.pdfAmerican Dream Survey
American Dream Survey
- Find people to complete the survey.
- Bring typed responses to class on Friday.
American Dream Survey.pdfStudy Guide
Study Guide
English11HSemesterExamSG2019.docxAmerican Dream Survey Synthesis.pdfQ2 Argumentative Speech
Q2 Argumentative Speech
- Choose a debate topic.
- Develop a persuasive thesis.
- Write a rough draft and participate in peer editing.
- Create a polished final draft for Turnitin.com
- Deliver a 4-5 minute memorized speech to your peers.
Q2 Argumentative Speech Instructions.pdfQuarter 2 Debate Research
Quarter 2 Debate Research
- Craft a debate resolution.
- Choose sides and teams for the resolution.
- Find research about your topic.
- Write critical precis and submit it on Turnitin.com.
Quarter Two Research and Precis.pdf
Annabel Lee
Annabel Lee
- Read the poem.
- Respond to two of the discussion questions with well-developed paragraphs.
- Bring responses to class and be ready for discussion.
Annabel Lee.pdfWhat is the 4th of July
What is the 4th of July
- Read the speech excerpt by Frederick Douglass.
- Respond to the discussion questions with well-developed paragraphs.
- Bring a hard copy to class and be ready for discussion.
What Is the 4th of July.pdfPersonal Declaration of Independence
Personal Declaration of Independence
- Read the Declaration of Independence
- Come up with a topic from which to declare independence
- Write a Declaration using a similar format
- Turn in a hard copy on the due date.
Personal Declaration of Independence.pdf
ACT Prep Prompt
ACT Prep Prompt
1. In-Class timed writing to simulate ACT environment.
2. Convert the in-class writing into a rough draft.
3. Revise and Edit rough draft to produce a final draft.
ACT Preparation Prompt.docxPhillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley
- Read the article.
- Read the poems.
- Respond to the questions with evidence from the text
Phillis Wheatley.pdfCivil Disobedience
Civil Disobedience
- Read the Excerpt
- Choose two of the discussion questions and respond.
- Bring responses to class ready to discuss.
Common Lit Civil Disobedience Text.pdfWitchcraft in Salem
Witchcraft in Salem
- Read the Article
- Choose two of the discussion questions and respond.
- Bring responses to class ready to discuss.
Witchcraft in Salem Student.pdfQuarter One Research and Precis
Quarter One Research and Precis
Quarter One Research and Precis.pdfThe Haudenosaunee
The Haudenosaunee
1. Read the article about the Haudenosaunee (sometimes also known as the Iroquois).
2. Answer the two following questions with a well-developed paragraph:
- The Haudenosaunee government is the oldest extant democracy in the world. What are some connections that you see between the Haudenosaunee's government and that of the United States?
- The Haudenosaunee have a long-standing tradition of using spoken story-telling in order to pass down stories and traditions. What are some ways that a traditional oral story is different from a traditional written story?
3. Bring responses to class ready to discuss.
Haudenosaunee.pdfAmerican Poems
American Poems
Due Friday August 16, 2018
America Poems (1).pdfFinal Exam Study Guide
Final Exam Study Guide
2019 Sem II Study Guide.pdfWhat does it mean to be an American?
What does it mean to be an American?
Answer the following questions with a paragraph.
1. What does it mean to be an American?
2. How has your perspective on what it means to be an American changed in relation to the texts we have read this year?
3. What is the one thing you would like to change about the way American society defines being an American?
Q4 Theme Paper
Q4 Theme Paper
Corrections:
- Due dates are incorrect, use the due date calendar.
- Visual aid for presentation is not required.
- Presentation should last 4 to 5 minutes instead of 7 to 9.
Quarter 4 Theme Paper Requirements.pdfAn Open Statement to the Fans of The Help
An Open Statement to the Fans of The Help
- Read the article.
- Come to class prepared for discussion.
Raisin in the Sun - Analytical Essay Prompt
Raisin in the Sun - Analytical Essay Prompt
Reread the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes from the beginning of the novel. For each of Walter, Mama, Beneatha, and Ruth, compare them to a different one of the images that Langston Hughes creates in the poem Harlem, and explain how the character represents that aspect of a dream deferred.
- Read the story.
- Woolf doesn't explicitly state a thesis for this essay; rather, she implicitly reveals her thesis. How would you state this main idea? Use textual evidence to support your claims.
- Reread the essay paying special attention not to the moth but to the writer. What presence does Woolf establish for herself in the essay? How does the act of writing itself get introduced? What is the significance of the pencil? Can you discover any connection between the essay's subject and its composition?
Q4 Research and Precis
Q4 Research and Precis
- On the day the Precis is due, please bring an artifact to class that represents your topic. The guidelines for which artifact to bring are in the instructions.
- Complete the Research and Precis assignment by finding an article about your research topic and writing the Precis summary.
Eleven
Eleven
- Read the story.
- Write responses to the following two prompts
- Write about an experience you had that was an important part of growing older.
- Why is the sweater so important in this story?
Eleven.pdfQ4 Research Proposal
Q4 Research Proposal
Quarter Four Research Proposal.pdfA Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.pdfQ3 Theme Paper
Q3 Theme Paper
Q3 Theme Paper.pdfnext to of course god america i
next to of course god america i
- Read the poem.
- Write a response to the question "what feelings does the poem express about war?"
- Bring responses to class.
next to of course god america i.pdfThe Story of an Hour
The Story of an Hour
- Read the story.
- Answer two of the discussion questions. (Your choice)
Story of an Hour.pdfThe Open Boat Reading
The Open Boat Reading
- Read parts 1 through 4 for November 29th
- Answer the discussion questions
- Read parts 5 through 7 for December 6th
The Open Boat - Parts 1-4.pdfThe Open Boat Part 5 -7.pdfRalph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Watch this video about Transcendentalism
- Read the essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Answer the discussion questions
Self Reliance.pdfReport abuse