Each student in this class is required to do ongoing reading outside of class. We have given you a choice of books. Make sure you have signed out your book with Sarah.
Assignment for the week of February 6th, DUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th:
a) Read 2 chapters of your book
b) Do the Homework #1 worksheet (available in the classroom, or downloadable from this blog, under "handouts."
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Writing Prompt #4
Read the following quote taken from the story “Dead End.” You do not need to rewrite the quote.
"Did you ever hear the story of La Llorona?" Maria asked....
“I'm going to be different," Maria said softly. Frankie looked puzzled.
She handed the marijuana cigarette back to him. He took it. "Why not?"
"I don't want to drown my children," Maria answered.
In your own words explain what is happening in the quote and how it is significant to the story.
"Did you ever hear the story of La Llorona?" Maria asked....
“I'm going to be different," Maria said softly. Frankie looked puzzled.
She handed the marijuana cigarette back to him. He took it. "Why not?"
"I don't want to drown my children," Maria answered.
In your own words explain what is happening in the quote and how it is significant to the story.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Using the Essay Exercise Template to Write about "Dead End"
Dead End: Maria’s Journey
- Forces in Conflict –
Essay Exercise: Download the Essay Exercise template under "Handouts" on the right side of this blog. Use the template form to complete this assignment.
Here is what we are asking you to do:
This template establishes the structure of a standard essay. It will help you to organize your ideas.
Your Task: Discuss Maria’s struggle between the “dead end” life and her promise to her mother. In the story, Maria has to deal with negative external and internal forces. She is also influenced by positive external and internal forces. Give examples of the forces that affect her, and explain why she makes her final choice.
Step 1: Explain your understanding of why the story is called “Dead End.”
Step 2: Read the Thesis Statement provided.
Step 3: Re-read and choose specific examples from the story. Give specific examples of some of the external and internal forces she faces, describing her challenges IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Step 4: Restate the thesis, and refer to key evidence from the text that backs up your opinion.
Introduction: Explain your understanding of why the story is called “Dead End.” What does the term “Dead End” refer to in the story? What does Maria think is the dead-end life? Explain.
Thesis Statement:
In “Dead End,” by Rudolfo Anaya, Maria faces a struggle between the negative influences of her surroundings, her feelings, and her family. She experiences internal and external conflicts before she chooses her future path in life.
Body Paragraphs:
What negative external forces, such as other people’s opinions, society’s expectations, peer pressures, family obligations, and family problems, have an effect on Maria?
a) What negative external forces, such as other people’s opinions, society’s expectations, peer pressures, family obligations, and family problems, have an effect on Maria?
b) What negative internal forces, such as her thoughts, feelings, and desires influence Maria?
c) What positive external forces, such as other people’s opinions, society’s expectations, peer pressures, family obligations, and family problems, have an effect on Maria?
d) What positive internal forces, such as her thoughts, feelings, and desires influence Maria?
- Forces in Conflict –
Essay Exercise: Download the Essay Exercise template under "Handouts" on the right side of this blog. Use the template form to complete this assignment.
Here is what we are asking you to do:
This template establishes the structure of a standard essay. It will help you to organize your ideas.
Your Task: Discuss Maria’s struggle between the “dead end” life and her promise to her mother. In the story, Maria has to deal with negative external and internal forces. She is also influenced by positive external and internal forces. Give examples of the forces that affect her, and explain why she makes her final choice.
Step 1: Explain your understanding of why the story is called “Dead End.”
Step 2: Read the Thesis Statement provided.
Step 3: Re-read and choose specific examples from the story. Give specific examples of some of the external and internal forces she faces, describing her challenges IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Step 4: Restate the thesis, and refer to key evidence from the text that backs up your opinion.
Introduction: Explain your understanding of why the story is called “Dead End.” What does the term “Dead End” refer to in the story? What does Maria think is the dead-end life? Explain.
Thesis Statement:
In “Dead End,” by Rudolfo Anaya, Maria faces a struggle between the negative influences of her surroundings, her feelings, and her family. She experiences internal and external conflicts before she chooses her future path in life.
Body Paragraphs:
What negative external forces, such as other people’s opinions, society’s expectations, peer pressures, family obligations, and family problems, have an effect on Maria?
a) What negative external forces, such as other people’s opinions, society’s expectations, peer pressures, family obligations, and family problems, have an effect on Maria?
b) What negative internal forces, such as her thoughts, feelings, and desires influence Maria?
c) What positive external forces, such as other people’s opinions, society’s expectations, peer pressures, family obligations, and family problems, have an effect on Maria?
d) What positive internal forces, such as her thoughts, feelings, and desires influence Maria?
Writing Prompt #3 - Feb 6th, 2012
1. Read this Critical Lens Quote: “We are made to persist. That's how we find out who we are.” - Tobias Wolf
Definition: The word “persist” means “to continue to exist, to continue firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure. Synonyms: persevere - insist - continue - last
2. Write a sentence that restates the quote and mentions the author.
For example, you might write something like: According to author Tobias Wolf, “We are made to persevere…” or Tobias Wolf once said, “ We are…”
3. Explain what you think the quote means. Do you think humans “persist” – persevere – in spite of the greatest difficulties?
4. Is this quote true or not true? Agree or disagree with the quote.
5. Give one example from your own experience as to why humans do or do not “persist,” in spite of life’s challenges.
Definition: The word “persist” means “to continue to exist, to continue firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure. Synonyms: persevere - insist - continue - last
2. Write a sentence that restates the quote and mentions the author.
For example, you might write something like: According to author Tobias Wolf, “We are made to persevere…” or Tobias Wolf once said, “ We are…”
3. Explain what you think the quote means. Do you think humans “persist” – persevere – in spite of the greatest difficulties?
4. Is this quote true or not true? Agree or disagree with the quote.
5. Give one example from your own experience as to why humans do or do not “persist,” in spite of life’s challenges.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Writing Prompt #2:
Writing Prompt #2: Choose one of these to write about:
a)Summarize, in a paragraph, what we know about "Dead End," or,
b)"Is the phrase, "Opposites attract" true or not true.
Explain your answer.
a)Summarize, in a paragraph, what we know about "Dead End," or,
b)"Is the phrase, "Opposites attract" true or not true.
Explain your answer.
Internal and External Characteristics
Using the character silhouette graphic organizer record the information we know so far about Maria. Keep in mind: We want to organize our thoughts about Maria into the following categories:
INTERNAL: What are the private thoughts, feelings, and reactions to other characters. How does the character think of themselves? What do we know about their personality traits?
EXTERNAL: How does the author and other characters see this particular character? How do they see themselves? How is the character acting in the story?
INTERNAL: What are the private thoughts, feelings, and reactions to other characters. How does the character think of themselves? What do we know about their personality traits?
EXTERNAL: How does the author and other characters see this particular character? How do they see themselves? How is the character acting in the story?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Do Now Writing Prompt #1
We all know that a “dead end” is a street that you can’t go through. But what does it mean when someone has reached a “dead end” in their life, or when they’ve been trying to figure out a problem, or when they are trying to investigate a crime? In a paragraph, tell us about reaching a dead end. Has it ever happened to you? Has it ever happened to someone you know? Have you ever see a movie or TV show where someone reaches a dead end? Tell us about it!
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