1. How does Paulsen’s text address the theme of adversity?
2. What evidence from the text can you use to support your answer?
3. What is the text about? What is the message of the text?
4. Which of our six literary elements (setting, point of view, characterization, imagery, symbolism, and conflict) can you find in Gary Paulsen's story? Use our graphic organizer (available in class) to help you identify them.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Writing Prompt #12: How has a character from your text encountered and faced adversity?
Writing Prompt #12: How has a character from your text encountered and faced adversity?
Answer the prompt based on the book you are reading for homework.
Otherwise, answer the prompt from a personal perspective.
How has a character from your text encountered and faced adversity?
How did the character handle the situation?
Answer the prompt based on the book you are reading for homework.
Otherwise, answer the prompt from a personal perspective.
How has a character from your text encountered and faced adversity?
How did the character handle the situation?
Tupac Shakur's "The Rose That Grew From Concrete"
Write a paragraph responding to the following questions:
1. What is the poem about? What is the message of the poem?
2. How does the poem address the theme of adversity?
3. What evidence from the poem can you use to support your answer for
question 2?
4. What literary elements can you find in "The Rose That Grew From Concrete"?
1. What is the poem about? What is the message of the poem?
2. How does the poem address the theme of adversity?
3. What evidence from the poem can you use to support your answer for
question 2?
4. What literary elements can you find in "The Rose That Grew From Concrete"?
Writing Prompt # 11: What is Adversity?
Synonyms for Adversity: challenge, obstacle, things that get in your way, hardship, challenge
React to these pictures. How do they express the theme of overcoming adversity?
What is the adversity? What do the arrows mean?
What does this picture say about adversity?
How does this picture express dealing with Adversity?
What does this picture say about one way to deal with Adversity?
React to these pictures. How do they express the theme of overcoming adversity?
What is the adversity? What do the arrows mean?
What does this picture say about one way to deal with Adversity?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Theme of the Week: Adversity, and Six Literary Elements
Writing Prompt #10:
“Look at every obstacle as an opportunity.”
--Dr. Wayne Dyer
1. Read the quote provided.
2. In a well developed paragraph answer the following:
3. Rewrite the quote mentioning the author’s name.
Ex: According to author Dr. Wayne Dyer, “Life is…”
or
Dr. Wayne Dyer said, “Life is…”
4. Explain the meaning of the quote in your own words.
5. State if you believe the quote is true or not and explain your answer.
6. Relate the quote to something you have read, watched or experienced.
We discussed six literary elements to master when reading. You can get the handout here, or under "Handouts" on the right side of this blog.
This week we will be examining the controlling idea of ADVERSITY in the works of literature that we read. Adversity is a main idea or controlling idea that we will be discussing throughout the week.
In addition, today we are launching a few key literary terms or literary elements we will keep coming back to over the coming week and term.
The terms are:
1. Setting
2. Point of view
3. Characterization
4. Imagery
5. Symbolism
6. Conflict
Conflict has five main types:
Individual vs SELF
Individual vs INDIVIDUAL
Individual vs SOCIETY
Individual vs TECHNOLOGY
Individual vs NATURE
There are also two other types:
Individual vs DESTINY
Individual vs THE SUPERNATURAL
“Look at every obstacle as an opportunity.”
--Dr. Wayne Dyer
1. Read the quote provided.
2. In a well developed paragraph answer the following:
3. Rewrite the quote mentioning the author’s name.
Ex: According to author Dr. Wayne Dyer, “Life is…”
or
Dr. Wayne Dyer said, “Life is…”
4. Explain the meaning of the quote in your own words.
5. State if you believe the quote is true or not and explain your answer.
6. Relate the quote to something you have read, watched or experienced.
We discussed six literary elements to master when reading. You can get the handout here, or under "Handouts" on the right side of this blog.
This week we will be examining the controlling idea of ADVERSITY in the works of literature that we read. Adversity is a main idea or controlling idea that we will be discussing throughout the week.
In addition, today we are launching a few key literary terms or literary elements we will keep coming back to over the coming week and term.
The terms are:
1. Setting
2. Point of view
3. Characterization
4. Imagery
5. Symbolism
6. Conflict
Conflict has five main types:
Individual vs SELF
Individual vs INDIVIDUAL
Individual vs SOCIETY
Individual vs TECHNOLOGY
Individual vs NATURE
There are also two other types:
Individual vs DESTINY
Individual vs THE SUPERNATURAL
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Holiday Homework
Make sure to do the Holiday Homework for your book. The packet for your book is available here under "Handouts."
Friday, February 17, 2012
Storyboard of Your Book
Download the link to the blank storyboard here. Using Google Image Search, find six historically accurate pictures that illustrate your story.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Reading Diagnostic
Today you are being given the class period to work on a reading diagnostic.
You will be given two short texts to read.
Read the two passages.
Answer the multiple choice questions.
Complete the additional comprehension questions.
Complete the quote interpretation chart for each passage.
Reminder: Please turn in homework assignment #1. It is due today. If you have not completed it, you may work on it with Sarah or Camilla during lunchtime tutoring.
You will be given two short texts to read.
Read the two passages.
Answer the multiple choice questions.
Complete the additional comprehension questions.
Complete the quote interpretation chart for each passage.
Reminder: Please turn in homework assignment #1. It is due today. If you have not completed it, you may work on it with Sarah or Camilla during lunchtime tutoring.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Choosing Your Book and Doing Your Homework
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."
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."
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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