Busy Week

You all have a busy week coming up. Here's rundown of events for my classes:

Monday--Canterbury Tales projects due. Reading journals and logs due.
Tuesday--Quiz on Declaration of Independence and Phillis Wheatley's poem. Journals and logs due.
Wednesday--Unit One major test.
Thursday--Breaking Free Projects due and stems test.
Friday--Stems test.

Study your stuff! Send me any questions!

Breaking Free Project

Many of you have expressed concern over this project. I am looking for pictures that show your interpretation of the work--not pictures of the actual authors or characters. In this picture, Ashley Judd stands up for what she believes in. You could use this in relation to one of the works that deals with standing up for your beliefs.

Tuesdays with Morrie

I just finished Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. My eyes hurt b/c the end is so moving and emotional. I'll continue to share parts of this book with you throughout the year. I think it has some wonderful lessons to teach.

What book has moved you? What book has changed your life or the way that you think? Are you still looking for that book? I've read some powerful works of literature--A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft; The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran; The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff; The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath...I'll add Mitch Albom's book to the list of books that have influenced me. Tell me about your list.

Today's Lesson

I am currently reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. If you haven't read anything by Mitch, you need to...he's awesome. Here's a lesson from him book that hit me close to home.

"Have I told you about the tension of opposites?" he says.
The tension of opposites?
"Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts yuo, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.
"A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle."
Sounds like a wrestling match, I say.
"A wrestling match." He laughs. "Yes, you could describe it that way."
So which side wins, I ask?
"Which side wins?"
He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.
"Love wins. Love always wins."

English III--Breaking Free

The section that we are reading right now is entitled "Breaking Free." The works all deal with this theme--breaking free from Britain, breaking free from slavery, etc. You will create a booklet to show how the characters represent the theme of the unit.

• Choose several character presented in the selections. You can even choose ones that we don't cover in class. Create a ten-page booklet that shows how the characters represent the theme of breaking free.
• Use a series of hand-drawn illustrations, collages, phots, or computer graphics to depict particular moments of change. You don't have to search for a picture of Thomas Jefferson--you may find a picture of someone who was recently fighting for freedom and you feel that this portrays what Jefferson was arguing for.
• Write a brief paragraph to help explain each visual. How does your picture go with what we read?

Booklets are due September 16 (the same day as your stems test)! E-mail me or post comments with any questions you have.

POST WARNING

I have just finished checking your posts. Some of you are doing great...some, not so good. Here's your only warning--don't post comments on August threads. When I check for September posts, I will only check September threads. If there is something that you want to bring back up, shoot me an e-mail and I'll post a new thread.

Peace out!

The Last Juror by John Grisham

Many of you have read this book--you chose it for your summer reading. First and foremost, thanks for not giving away the end. Secondly, thanks for talking about it so much on this message board. Due to your comments, and the coincidence that it was on my parents' bookshelf, I picked up the book this week and tore through it. And I was very satisfied last night when I finished.

I really enjoy reading about the time period that this book covers. The '60s and '70s fascinate me and I sometimes wish I could have had a part in the massive changes that took place. I think Grisham accurately portrays how integration was for many small towns. It was controversial and scary, but it wasn't met with the violence that the world witnessed in places like Little Rock and Birmingham. However, it saddens me to come in contact with such closed minds as the ones in this book and as the ones that actually existed and still exist in the world.

We have talked in class about the difference between ignorance and hate. We have discussed over and over how ignorance is oftentimes not knowing any better. So, my question to you is this--how do we cure ignorance? What do we do to make the change in the world?

In the words of one of the world's greatest change-makers..."Be the change that you want to see in the world." ~ Mohandas Ghandi

Happy Labor Day weekend!

I hope you are all going to enjoy this weekend, with its extra day of vacation. We all need one. But we have a busy week next week! Here's a rundown of events:

Tuesday--quiz for American Lit.
Wednesday--Lit. Circles Project Due for Brit. Lit.
Thursday night and Friday morning--Parent Conferences

I am off to see the 'Dogs take on Broome. Have a great weekend and stay safe!

ENGLISH III--Give me liberty or give me death!

We read works by Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine today. The common theme running through both works was defense--defense of their homes against the British. What stuck out to you? What thought or phrase relates to you now and how?

ENGLISH IV--Canterbury Tales Project

You have a variety of choices for your Canterbury Tales assessment. Here's a rundown of what you can do and where you can find your information:

1. Ye Olde Advert--Advertise for a trip to Canterbury from Tabard Inn. Follow this link for cool information!

2. A Distant Mirror--Create parallel time lines, one listing important national events and one listing important personal events during Chaucer's life. Your book may be of help with this, and you may also check out this website.

3. The Life of Becket--Reseach Becket and write an essay about his life, accomplishments, and the importance of his place as a pilgrimage. Read his story here and here and here!

4. The Chivalrous Code--Research chivalry and its influence on literature of the Middle Ages. Check out the Catholic Encyclopedia, the Norton Anthology, and Medieval Live.net.

5. Take a Pilgrimage to Canterbury--Create your own character and their story! You will need to research jobs and societal roles.

6. Celebrate Chaucer's Death with a Medieval Feast--There are several websites for you to check out for great recipes. Check out the Boke of Gode Cookery, Medieval Cookery, and this list of links.

7. Explore the Life--Research music, entertainment, jobs, health, architecture, and fashion.

PRESENTATIONS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 13TH!