John Rees
You Are In... Sophomore English B
Sophomore English B
****Assigned on Monday, 5/20****
Draft Part III
~Pick a symbol or a small group of interrelated symbols that help to develop the thematic conflict you're focusing on and do the following.
1. Pick an event from the beginning of the thematic conflict that features the symbol. Free write 100(+) words explaining how the symbolism in the event helps to introduce the conflict.
2. Pick an event from the middle stages of the conflict that features the symbol. Free write 100(+) words explaining how the symbolism in the event helps to further developed the conflict.
3. Pick an event from the resolution stage of the conflict that features the symbol. Free write 100(+) words explaining how the symbolism in the event helps to resolve the conflict.
Submit this to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59 pm on Tuesday evening.
You must have a print copy in class Tuesday in order to get credit.
****Assigned on Friday, 5/17****
Pick one of the following themes for your Catcher in the Rye essay and follow the instructions below.
~Fear of change
~Denial
~Hypocrisy
~Loss of Innocence
~Betrayal
Confusion
Patterns of mind
Pick one of themes and answer the following questions in a single 300+ word free write.
1. Which thematic conflict are
you going to focus on?
(Note: the themes can be intertwined with other themes.)
2. How does it progress
throughout the novel?
3. What does the novel have
to teach us about that
thematic conflict?
Submit this to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59 pm on Sunday evening.
You must have a print copy in class Monday in order to get credit.
****Assigned on Thursday, 5/16****
Catcher in the Rye End of the Book Free Write
In chapter 24, Mr. Antolini tells Holden...
...you're going to start getting closer and closer—that is, if you want to, and if you look for it and wait for it—to the kind of information that will be very, very dear to your heart. Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them—if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry.
The novel itself is one of the records of fear and confusion that Antolini is referring to. Write a 250+ word free write exploring the following questions. Search deeply. Be honest.
~What things did the book teach you? How did it teach them to you? Which events, quotations, symbols helped to convey these lessons to you?
~How will might these lessons affect the way you live? In other words, how might you live differently as a result of reading this book?
Submit this free write to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59 pm tonight and bring a print copy to class tomorrow.
****Assigned on Wednesday, 5/15****
~Catch up and relax. If you can, come to the meeting at Chautauqua tonight from 7-9.
****Assigned on Tuesday, 5/14****
~Catch up and relax.
****Assigned on Monday, 5/13****
~Read Chapters 25 &26 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Tuesday's quiz on chapters 25 & 26.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: I think that every previous symbol will reappear in chapter 25. Read so carefully. Watch for all the symbols and for the ways the link to the progression and resolution of the various conflicts. Several new symbols occur also. Give yourself plenty of time.
****Assigned on Friday, 5/10****
~Read Chapter 24 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Monday's quiz on chapters 24
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Oops! Forgot to post clues. I'll let you fly solo, other than to say: pay attention to what Holden says and why, and what Antolini says. Think about the dialogue's relationship to the thematic conflicts. And notice repetiions, both in the subject matter of the conversation and some small instances of symbolism.
****Assigned on Thursday, 5/9****
~Read Chapter 22-23 carefully.
~Review the ideasof Loss of Innocence, Fall from Grace, Fall of Man before you read. You should see lots of direct connections when you read.
~Take handwritten notes for Friday's quiz on chapters 22-23.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: School, what Holden likes, James Castle, the Catcher in the Rye, dancing, raising the temperature and a lot more that should hop out at you.
****Assigned on Wednesday, 5/8****
~Read Chapter 20-21 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Thursday's quiz on chapters 20-21.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: There are A LOT of symbols and repetitions in 20. Also in 20 pay close attention what/how Holden thinks as he is sitting on the bench. In 21: similarities between Phoebe and other characters, betrayal symbolism, and the general threads of their conversation.
****Assigned on Tuesday, 5/7****
~Read Chapter 18 & 19 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Wednesday's quiz on chapters 18 & 19.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: inferiority complex, Jesus, D.B. & the war, things Holden admits while talking to Carl, a few others that should leap out at you.
****Assigned on Monday, 5/6****
~Read Chapter 17 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Tuesday's quiz on chapters 17.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
AND be ready to write about the symbols you noticed on the walk Monday.
Clues: an almost fall, Holden's criticism of school, and adult life, Sally's responses, Holden's plan, Holden's confusion.
****Assigned on Friday, 5/3****
~Read Chapter 16 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Monday's quiz on chapters 16.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: kids, the title, skates, the museum, the museum, the museum!
****Assigned on Thursday, 5/2****
~Read Chapter 15 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Friday's quiz on chapters 15.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: Sally, suitcases (lots of different things, Ol' J.D. is clevah!), the nuns, Romeo & Juliet, smoke, money.
****Assigned on Wednesday, 5/1****
~Catch up and relax.
****Assigned on Tueday, 4/30****
Study for tomorrow's Catcher in the Rye test for at least an hour tonight. Use the study guide to help plan your study sessions.
Here's a not-so-great and a better thesis statement and a some guidelines.
1. Roger is a symbolic character who is linked
to an important thematic conflict in Lord of the Flies.
2. William Golding uses the character of Roger
as symbol to show the kids descent into anarchy
and how the beast is inside of us, being held back
by the rules of civilization.
Your thesis should:
~answer the prompt (not reword it)
~be specific
~be the idea that everything in your answer is
supporting, explaining and exploring
****Assigned on Monday, 4/29****
~Choose a symbol and write a
full-length practice response.
~It should be at least 200 words long.
~It should have eight sentences.
~It should fit the short answer response
format (thesis, point, example, explain, etc.).
Submit it to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59 pm tonight.
Bring a print copy to class tomorrow.
****Assigned on Friday, 4/26****
Catcher in the Rye Midterm Preparations
Please respond to both of the following prompts with carefully considered paragraphs. Your ideas should reflect your understanding of our class discussions, and build on them.
1. Type at least 150 words exploring the symbol of Holden's hat. What does it represent? In what ways is it linked to significant thematic conflicts? Organize your discussion around a series of three specific moments in which the hat is featured. Include page numbers.
2. Type at least 150 words exploring another important symbol of your choice. What does it represent? In what ways is it linked to significant thematic conflicts? Organize your discussion around a series of three specific moments in which the symbol is featured. Include page numbers.
Submit your responses to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59PM on Sunday (4/28).
Be certain to bring a print copy to class.
****Assigned on Thursday, 4/25****
~Read Chapter 14 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Wednesday's quiz on chapters 14.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: Figure out the free association links in the first two paragraphs. What is Holden doing with his memories? Why? The last two pages are also key. What's he doing with his mind? Why? The repetitions and symbols are part of the whole deal here.
****Assigned on Wednesday, 4/24****
~Read Chapter 13 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Wednesday's quiz on chapters 13.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
No clues today. Try flying solo. What will be on the quiz?
****Assigned on Tuesday, 4/23****
~Read Chapter 11 & 12 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Wednesday's quiz on chapters 10-12.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues for Chapter 11: All things Jane. (It's only four pages.)
Clues for Chapter 12: Thoughts about Ernie, the cab ride, the conversations, why he leaves.
****Assigned on Monday, 4/22****
~Read Chapter 10 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Tuesday's quiz on chapter 10.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues for Chapter 10: Phoebe, mixed emotions about girls in general, the three girls from Seattle.
****Assigned on Friday, 4/19****
~Read chapter 9 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for Monday's quiz on chapters 8-9.
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues for Chapter Nine:
Note: I'm leaving out some things that you should catch fairly readily.
The phone booth, patterns of mind related to what he sees out the window, the conversation Faith Cavendish--not so much what they say but how they say it and why; look for parallels between them.
****Assigned on Thursday, 4/18****
~Read chapter 8 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for quiz
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues: Hat, magazine hypocrisy, suitcases
****Assigned on Wednesday, 4/17****
~Read chapter 7 carefully.
~Take handwritten notes for quiz
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
~Research and take notes on the cultural ideas: "Fall of Man", "Fall from Grace", "Loss of Innocence" (See clues below.)
~ What do they mean? How might they be related to Holden and his conflict? (How might they be related to chapter 7?)
Clues:
Watch for a pair of new symbols to make their appearances. (Not the skates, but those too.)
How many almost falls, thoughts about falls, and implied falls do you see? (Links to research above?)
****Assigned on Tuesday, 4/16****
Read chapters 5 & 6
Take handwritten notes for quiz
The plot
Repetitions
Symbolism
Conflict development
Clues:
What's up with the snowball?
The essay.
After the fight, not just the hat.
****Assigned on Monday, 4/15****
~Read Chapter Four of Catcher in the Rye.
~Then type at least 20 words in response to each of the following four questions. (See below or the handout from class.)
~Submit your responses to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59 pm this evening.
~Bring a print copy to class Tuesday.
Catcher in the Rye Questions for Chapters Three & Four
1. When did Holden buy his hat? Why do you think he bought it then? How are his reasons for buying it also evident in the scene with Ackley? How is this a clue to one of Holden's thought patterns?
2. What does Holden do with the hat in the scene with Stradlater? Why? How is this a clue to a pattern of his mind?
3. Compare and contrast Holden's relationship with Ackley to his relationship with Stradlater? How does he feel about each of them and why? How do they feel about him? What patterns do you notice?
4. What was something else you noticed? Repetitions? Randomness? Why might it be important? How might it connect to Holden's thought patterns?
****Assigned on Friday, 4/12****
For the rest of break: relax.
****Assigned on Friday, 4/5****
Congrats to Fourth Period for winning the First Annual Free Association Competion!
Check back Monday for more about homework.
****Assigned on Thursday, 4/4****
See below for the questions and a clue.
Type up your answers to the six questions.
(Let your answers evolve.)
Twenty words minimum for each answer.
Number them accordingly.
Submit to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59 pm tonight.
Bring a print copy to class tomorrow.
1. Why does Holden “randomly” think of the ducks while “shooting the bull” with Spencer?
2. In what ways is Holden like the ducks?
3. Why does he think in terms of ducks instead of thinking directly about himself?
4. In what ways is he using free association? Why?
5. In what ways does this help us understand the patterns of his mind?
6. In what ways does this help us understand symbolism?
Clue: Psychological projection
****Assigned on Wednesday, 4/3****
Submit the following to http://www.turnitin.com by 11:59 pm this evening.
Make sure to bring have a printed copy at the beginning of class.
Compare and contrast your Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 notes.
Then do the following.
Please number each response accordingly
so that I can easily distinguish them when I look
at your homework online.
1. Type 100 words explaining
in GENERAL what Holden likes.
Think in terms of categories.
What categories of things does he like?
Support yourself with at least four
examples—two from each chapter.
2. Type 50 words discussing your thoughts
about why Holden might like these things.
3. Type 100 words explaining
in GENERAL what Holden dislikes.
Think in terms of categories.
What categories of things does he dislike?
Support yourself with at least four
examples—two from each chapter.
4. Type 50 words discussing your thoughts
about why Holden might dislike these things.
Note: We often defend things we care about.
****Assigned on Tuesday, 4/2****
~Think about the character vs. self, character and society conflicts in your own life.
~Notice that there is a comfort spectrum that they fall onto.
-Some we'd freely admit to strangers or acquaintances.
-Some we'd only admit to friends or confidants.
-Some we'd only admit to ourselves.
-Some we have a hard time admitting or won't admit even to ourselves.
~Take some time to think--gently--about conflicts in your own life from each of these categories.
-What thoughts, sensations and emotions are connected to them?
-Are there patterns to them?
~Tomorrow, I'll ask you to do something with these thoughts in class, though I won't make you share anything you aren't comfortable sharing.
~It will, however, be important to have thought about this, and to have something from each of these categories in mind.
****Assigned on Monday, 4/1****
~Catch up and relax.
****Assigned on Friday, 3/29****
Homework:
1. Join our class on http://www.turnitin.com
2. Type up your answers to :
“Catcher in the Rye Preparation: Denial Story Analysis”
(150+ words for each answer).
Remember that your answer to #2 must include references to two of your classmates' stories.
3. Submit your answers to http://www.turnitin.com
by 11:59pm on Sunday evening and bring a print copy to class.
****Assigned on Thursday, 3/28****
~Finish your comic. No need to answer the questions; just get the final draft done.
****Assigned on Wednesday, 3/27****
~Catch up. Relax.
****Assigned on Tuesday, 3/26****
~Vocabularly quiz moved to Wed: Catcher in the Rye Vocab #1; see notes below.
****Assigned on Monday, 3/25****
~Using Quizlet List: Catcher in the Rye Vocab #1
-Do "Learn" at least twice.
-Play "Scatter", "Space Race" and "Spell" at least two times each.
-Groovy pizes for the top scores by class this Tuesday.
~In-class vocabulary quiz on the list this Tuesday. Know spelling and definition.
~If you want to, buy a copy of Catcher in the Rye so you can take notes in it when we begin reading it next week. I have plenty of copies if you don't want to buy one.
**If you're interested here's, the link to the actual Book of Kells:
http://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/home/index.php?DRIS_ID=MS58_003v
**Here's some information about Pangur Ban:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangur_B%C3%A1n
****Assigned on Friday, 3/22****
~Using Quizlet List: Catcher in the Rye Vocab #1
-Do "Learn" at least twice.
-Play "Scatter", "Space Race" and "Spell" at least two times each.
-Groovy pizes for the top scores by class this Tuesday.
~In-class vocabulary quiz on the list this Tuesday. Know spelling and definition.
~If you want to, buy a copy of Catcher in the Rye so you can take notes in it when we begin reading it next week. I have plenty of copies if you don't want to buy one.
****Assigned on Thursday, 3/21****
~Join the Quizlet class for your period. Remember to make your user name something I will recognize.
~Start learning the first vocabulary list for Catcher in the Rye.
~Groovy prizes for the "Scatter" champions at the beginning of class on Tuesday.
Posted on 12/17 at 04:03 PM in Sophomore English B
;