Final Paper/Test on Fahrenheit 451

Descriptive Essay 

Our final test for Fahrenheit 451 this year will also be our final paper for this class: a descriptive essay. A descriptive essay is similar to the narrative essay we wrote earlier this year - it is an essay where specifics and details are the most important feature for the reader. Just like any five paragraph essay we've written this semester, you need generalization+thesis+three body paragraphs+conclusion. Here is your topic:

TOPIC: Write a descriptive essay about one book that has impacted/changed/had an influence on your life. Give the background, talk about the book, how it influenced your life, etc. 


I. Introduction
   A. Generalization
   B. Thesis

II. First Body Paragraph
     A. Transition Sentence
     B. Give the Background Information on Your Life
          a. How old were you when you read this book?
          b. Describe your life at the time
          c. Were you experiencing a hard time before you read this book? etc.

III. Second Body Paragraph
      A. Transition Sentence
      B. Talk about the Book
           a. Overall describe the book
           b. Author, basic plot, themes, etc.

IV. Third Body Paragraph
       A. Transition Sentence
       B. Explain how the Book Influenced Your Life
            a. Describe your first time reading the book, etc.
            b. Describe how it changed/influenced your life

V. Conclusion 

Interpreting the Raw Data From Your Surveys

You have to use basic math to interpret the raw data from your surveys - fractions and percentages!!!

Here are some examples of what you should be interpreting from your surveys:

* 45% of the teenagers we surveyed answered that they have been bullied at some time 

* 50% of female teenagers said they felt peer pressure while only 35% of male teenagers said 
   they felt peer pressure before

You have to use basic fractions to create your percentages. You put the total number as the bottom of the fraction (the denominator) and the amount that answered a certain way on the top (the numerator); then, you divide the bottom number into the top number.

EXAMPLE:

25 teenagers who answered one question the same way / 50 total teenagers =

50% of teenagers said they were once bullied.

Case Study Poster

The following needs to be on your poster for your case study:

1. The Purpose of Your Case Study
* What was your hypothesis?
* What did you want to find out about it?

2. Background Research
* What was some background research your group discovered about your hypothesis?
* Just include brief summaries/highlights of your group's background research

3. Your Survey
* Have a copy of your survey on the poster
* What were the results of your survey? (should be percentages and statistics)

4. The Final Result of Your Case Study
* What did your group find out about your hypothesis? What did you discover from your survey?
* Was your hypothesis proven right or wrong, etc?

5. Future Study
* What does your group wish that you could've done differently?
* What is some future study you think could be done on your hypothesis?

Case Study on Fahrenheit 45

While we are reading the novel this week for homework, we will be working on a case study in class on the social issues prevalent in the novel. The purpose of this project is to hypothesize and investigate. We want to discover something about a real social issue through interviews and research. Here are the requirements for this group project:

1. Case Study Report
    A. It's up to your group who writes what part in the report.
    B. In section 3.0 Research Background, everyone needs to write one section each (needs an
        authentic source)
    C. Example in Dropbox

2. Survey
    A. Your group needs to create a survey to give out for people to fill out
    B. You need to have at least 50 people surveyed
    C. Example in Dropbox

3. Poster
    A. Present your findings to the class
         * summarize your case study report: what were you trying to find out about your social issue?
         * what did you find out about your hypothesis through your survey?


Social Issues to Study
1. The Potential Dangers of Technology vs Ethics
     A. How far is too far with technology?
     B. What is ethical/right or wrong when it comes to technological advances? 
     C. Does technology hinder/destroy social abilities? Family bonds? 
     D. Weapons of mass destruction? Spying? etc.

2. Censorship/Freedom of Speech and Thought
     A. Internet censorship vs user freedom?
     B. Freedom of speech in press,etc. vs censorship 
     C. Banning certain types of media vs freedom of speech

3. Lack of Morals in Teenagers/Youth
     A. What is the root cause of teenage troubles/problems/suicide/drug use? 

4. Government Control vs Individual Rights
    A. How much control should the government have over an individual's rights?
  

"It was a pleasure to burn..."

Last night we were introduced into a world where firemen did not put out flames - they ignited them. Instead of extinguishing fires, they burned books and houses. And, according to our protagonist Montag, it was done happily. While we may quickly assume it is wrong to destroy all books, is it always wrong? If books are a gateway to knowledge and freedom - especially in the school setting for young minds - is there ever a reason any book should be banned from the public? 

Your task for the next few days is to research a banned or challenged book in the US. It can be a book that was historically banned/challenged or is now currently being banned/challenged. This is an individual test grade. Here are your requirements:

1. Minimum of two authentic sources on the book you choose.

2. One page written report. Parenthetical citation of at least two sources in report. 
   (Use a mixture of summary/direct quotes).

   

   A. The report should explain WHAT the book is about (author, plot, summary, etc.)

   B. The report should explain WHY the book is/was banned or challenged.

   C. The report should explain HOW YOU feel about the book. Give your personal opinion such 

        as: Should it have been banned? Why or why not? etc.

3. A Keynote presentation of your banned book and your opinion. 

Movie Test

Test for Cast Away

For your test on the movie, you will be working with one other classmate to write an in-class five paragraph essay (typed or written). This will be a test grade; here are your requirements:

1. You and your partner need to work together to write a four paragraph essay. It's up to you and your
    partner to decide how you'll write this essay. You can take turns, dictate to each other, etc.

2. Choose one of the following prompts to write an essay on:
    A. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "Effects of Isolation" in the book to the movie.
         1. Think about the need for conversation
         2. Consider the children being stranded together and Chuck having Wilson and the effects
         3. Consider the children's sanity vs Chuck's sanity

    B. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "Savagery of Human Nature" in the book to the movie.
         1. Consider the children's transformation vs Chuck's transformation and the similarities/differences
         2. Think about the age differences
         3. Think about the ending to the children's savagery to the ending for Chuck in the movie

3. Your essay will be graded on the same aspects as your other papers: grammar, formal tone,
     analyzing vs summarizing, etc.

4. Follow this essay guideline for your four paragraphs (6-8 sentences per paragraph):

    I. Introduction
        A. Generalization
        B. Thesis

    II. First Body Paragraph
         A. Compare/Contrast

    III. Second Body Paragraph
          A. Compare/Contrast

 IV. Third Body Paragraph
       A. Compare/Contrast

  V. Conclusion Paragraph
          A. Summarize your thesis and two body paragraphs briefly
          B. End with a lasting statement

Figurative Language in Lord of the Flies

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
- Oscar Wilde 




1. Select an important quotation from our novel.
Choose a quote that contains figurative language of some kind. It could be something a character says or just a description. Try to find an important quotation that you think nobody else will use. 


2. Make a two-sided mask that illustrates the figurative language in your quotation.
A. The front side of the mask needs to have your quote written on it. It needs to show the literal interpretation of your quote.

B. The back side of the mask needs to show the figurative/symbolic interpretation of your quote. 

C. Make the mask hands free wearable (use yarn!)

Grammar Review

Make a poster with the following on it:

1: The Grammar Rule

2: Examples of the Rule

3: Practice Problems of the Rule

Here are the rules the groups will be working on: 

A. Phrase vs Clause / Independent vs Dependent Clauses / Signifier Words

B. Four Types of Sentences: Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex

C. Fragments and Run-on Sentences

D. 9 Comma Rules

Debate Rules and Regulations

I. Presentation of Arguments by One Team

* Each member of the team will take turns reading their debate speech

II. Criticism by the Opposing Team

* The opposing team will listen to the first team's speeches and take notes while listening. They will
   then have time to talk as a group and gather their criticisms together.

* The team will elect one person to read the criticisms to the audience.

III. Rebuttal by the First Team

* The first team will then have time to speak together to answer the criticisms of the second team.

* The first team will elect one person to speak their rebuttals.

IV. Closing Speech

* Each team will then have TWO minutes to share ideas on a closing speech to present to the audience.

* One person one each team will present the closing speech to the audience. The speech should
   summarize the strengths of their argument and point out the weaknesses of the opponent's argument.

Debate Topics

First Topic:

1. Mankind, without civilization and order, becomes an evil savage. He is not innocent by nature.

2. The savage man is pure and innocent by nature because he is uncorrupted by civilization.

Second Topic: 

1. The best government is a pure democracy that is run by the people with no elected leader. 

2. The best government is one where there is an elected leader who governs others. 

Third Topic: 

1. The most important characteristic in a leader is moral character. Any other skill or ability is secondary 

    in importance.

2. There are other characteristic(s) that are more important and necessary in a leader than his moral 

    character.

Fourth Topic:

1. Religion has no place in a government. It can only cause trouble in leadership 

    or the people. 

2. Religion can play an important role in a government. It can lead to good within leadership and the 

    people.

The Debate Speech

Your team should take time to study the claim that you are supposed to prove. Each member of your team will write a debate speech. Each member's debate speech should be a different and unique reason why your claim is true. For example, let's say this was your team's claim:

CLAIM: Smoking is an unhealthy habit that should not be practiced. 

As a team, you want to come up with different reasons each member of your team can have to write a speech on. So, let's say your team comes up with these important reasons:

REASONS: 1) Smoking can cause lung cancer
                     2) Smoking can cause gum disease
                     3) Smoking can harm others who are around by second-hand smoke
                     4) Smoking can harm a baby if a woman is pregnant 

If these are the four most important reasons your group comes up with, then each member on your team would write a speech on one of the four reasons. EACH SPEECH NEEDS TO BE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS. There should be FOUR paragraphs in each debate speech:

I. Introduction/Generalization/Claim 
* Your first paragraph should begin with generalization on your topic to get your audience familiar
* You should end your introduction with your team's CLAIM

II. Your Main Reason/Support for Your Claim
* Here is where you will focus on your unique reason why your team's claim is true
* Need at least ONE authentic sources CITED in your debate speech - either a direct
   quote/summary/paraphrase of each source; look for studies, statistics, definitions, etc.

III. Counter-Argument against Other Team's Claim
* Briefly explain why the other team's claim is wrong

IV. Conclusion
* Summarize your debate speech
* What was your team's claim again? Why is your team's claim correct?

Survival Guide: Surviving in the Wild

Survival in the wild is a key theme in Lord of the Flies. For this project, you will be working in groups on creating a survival guide. This is will be a part research and part creative project. Here are your requirements:

1. A Survival Manual
Your group will write a survival guide manual that will contain appropriate visuals/pictures/covers, etc. Each member of your group will write a chapter in the manual. Your chapter needs to be 350 words and needs to have TWO AUTHENTIC SOURCES. Your group needs to pick an environment and survival situation for the basis of your environment (think jungle, the arctic, the desert, etc.) Here are the chapters:

A. Government
* What would be the best government to set up in your survival situation? Why?
* Explain how it would be set up and how it would work

B. Environment
* What is the environment your group is choosing?
* Describe the environment

C. Essentials/Shelter/Equipment/Food
* What are the essentials/shelter/equipment/food needed in your survival situation?
* This will also be specific to your environment and survival situation

D. Potential Dangers
* What are the potential dangers in your specific survival situation?
* How would you respond?


2. Presentation of Survival Manual
Your group needs to make a presentation of your survival manual. Here are your options:

A. Instructional Survival Guide Video
* Think about the shows Survivor Man or Man vs Wild

B. Show and Tell Presentation
* Bring objects/items and have a show-and-tell type of presentation to the class

C. Survival Guide Tour
* Set up and create your survival situation outside using obstacles, etc. and take the class on an
   instructional, guided tour

The ELEMENTS of Literature

I. Setting - The place or location of the action.  The setting provides the historical and cultural context 
                  for characters. It often can symbolize the emotional state of characters. Example – In Poe’s 
                  The Fall of the House of Usher, the crumbling old mansion reflects the decaying state of 
                  both the family and the narrator’s mind. We also see this type of emphasis on setting in 
                  Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice.

II. Symbolism - When an object is meant to be representative of something or an idea greater than the 

                          object itself.

III. Tone/Mood - The implied attitude towards the subject of the poem. Is it hopeful, pessimistic,  

                             dreary, worried? A poet conveys tone by combining all of the elements listed above 

                             to create a precise impression on the reader.

IV. Character - Representation of a person, place, or thing performing traditionally human activities or  

                           functions in a work of fiction

                          * Protagonist - The character the story revolves around.

                          * Antagonist - A character or force that opposes the protagonist.

                          * Minor character - Often provides support and illuminates the protagonist.

                          * Static character - A character that remains the same.

                          * Dynamic character - A character that changes in some important way.

                          * Characterization - The choices an author makes to reveal a character’s personality,  

                                                             such as appearance, actions, dialogue, and motivations.  

V. Theme - The main idea or underlying meaning of the literary work

VI. Conflict - The struggle within the story between characters, events, etc.

• Man vs Man
• Man vs Society
• Man vs Nature
• Man vs Outside Force
• Man vs Himself 

The Russian Revolution and Animal Farm

Making the Connection: From Fiction to Real Life

As we're finishing up our reading of Animal Farm, we will focus on the real historical connections to this allegory written by George Orwell. Every character and action in the novel can be traced to a person or event that took place during the Russian Revolution - which we will discover this week. Here are your group requirements:

1: 350 word research report. MLA format. Parenthetical citation. TWO authentic 
    sources cited in the paper (Direct Quote/ Paraphrase/ Summary) 

2: Keynote presentation: Essential Question (Opening discussion and Closing discussion) 

3: Connection to the Book - Who/what does each person/action/group represent in the book?


There are two main lessons the class will be teaching. Your group will do one of the following:

I. LESSON ONE:

1: Karl Marx
* Who was Karl Marx?
* What kind of life did he lead?
* His legacy?
* Brief bio
* Connection to the book

2: Leon Trotsky
* Who was Leon Trotsky?
* What kind of leader was he?
* Brief bio
* Connection to the book

3: Joseph Stalin
* Who was Joseph Stalin?
* What is he notorious for?
* Brief bio
* Connection to the book

4: Czar Nicholas II
* Who was Czar Nicholas II?
* Was he a good leader?
* How did he treat the people?
* Brief bio
* Connection to the book

II. LESSON TWO:

1: Russian Propaganda
* What were the techniques of Russian propaganda during the war?
* What were its effects on the people?
* Examples?
* Brief history
* Connection to the book

2: KGB
* What was the KGB?
* How was it a tool in the Russian Revolution?
* Brief history
* Connection to the book

3: Religion
* How did Karl Marx view religion?
* What was the role of religion in the Russian Revolution?
* Connection to the book

4: Russian Revolution
* What are the overall details of the Russian Revolution?
* Why did it start? How did it end?
* Connection to the book

Satire: A Modest Proposal

What is the best way to tackle social/economic/political issues? Is it to protest by picketing or rioting? Is it to give moving speeches? One way that writers throughout history have tackled issues in their lifetime is through satire. In Animal Farm Orwell tackles political issues through satire with the animals on the farm. Similarly, in Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, he tackles the issue of poverty, homelessness, and economic struggles through a terrifying solution. For the next few days, we will read A Modest Proposal in class and then write our own version of a satire.

1. Read A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift: A MODEST PROPOSAL

2: Write your own satire that tackles a social/political/religious/governmental/economic issue

Group Project: The Power of Speech

Create a COMPARE/CONTRAST diagram for Old Major and Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches

Answer these questions in your COMPARE/CONTRAST diagram:

1. Give the specific literary devices used by each speaker. Give as many examples as possible for each literary device found. 
2. For each example you write down, give an explanation. For example, in a metaphor, why did he compare those two objects? etc.
3. What is the purpose of each speech? What did the speaker want to create in the people? 
4. What was the effect created in the people from each speech?
5. What is the enemy of each speech?
6. What was the solution offered in each speech against their enemy?

Dystopian Lyrics

"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan

Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son ?
And where have you been my darling young one ?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what did you see, my blue eyed son ?
And what did you see, my darling young one ?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand takers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son ?
And what did you hear, my darling young one ?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin'
I heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
I heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin'
I heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin'
I heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, who did you meet my blue-eyed son ?
Who did you meet, my darling young one ?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded and hatred
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

And what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son ?
And what'll you do now my darling young one ?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin'
I'll walk to the deepths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are a many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I'll tell and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
But I'll know my songs well before I start singin'
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Utopia: The Perfect Society

Is it possible for a perfect society to exist? Describe what you think would make a perfect society.

Movie Test

Test for Under The Same Moon

For your test on the movie, you will be working with one other classmate to write an in-class four paragraph essay (written). This will be a test grade; here are your requirements:

1. You and your partner need to work together to write a four paragraph essay. It's up to you and your
    partner to decide how you'll write this essay. You can take turns, dictate to each other, etc.

2. Choose one of the following questions to write an essay on:
    A. Compare and Contrast the Theme of Home in the book to the movie.
    B. Compare and Contrast the Theme of Feminism in the book to the movie.
    C. Compare and Contrast the Theme of Family Bond in the book to the movie.
    D. Compare and Contrast the Hispanic culture/women and men in the book to the movie.

3. Your essay will be graded on the same aspects as your other papers: grammar, formal tone,
     analyzing vs summarizing, etc.

4. Follow this essay guideline for your four paragraphs:

    I. Introduction
        A. Generalization
        B. Thesis

    II. First Body Paragraph
         A. What are the aspects that you are comparing between the book and movie that similar?

    III. Second Body Paragraph
          A. What are the aspects that you are contrasting between the book and movie that are different?

    IV. Conclusion Paragraph
          A. Summarize your thesis and two body paragraphs briefly
          B. End with a lasting statement

Vignettes of Your Life

Our book The House on Mango Street is written in the form of a collection of vignettes. It may seem like the chapters have no connection with each other, but every chapter gives us a look - a glimpse - into a certain part of Esperanza's life that is important and meaningful. It's the small things in our life that make the biggest difference. For the next few days in class, you each be making your own vignettes about YOUR life. Here are your requirements:


1. Write FIVE (or more) vignettes about your life. Try to write it like the author is writing The House 
    on Mango Street

2. Come up with a creative chapter title for each vignette.

3. Focus each vignette on ONE specific memory or aspect of your life.

4. Here are some areas to write about in any of your vignettes:
    A. childhood memory about something
    B. a certain family member and something about them that sticks out to you
    C. description of your house or neighborhood
    D. stories about how you met a friend, a time you were playing
    E. scary memories or memories where you learned an important lesson
    F. school or church

5. Make a cover for your book of short vignettes - come up with a creative title

Case Study Poster

For the next few days, you will be working on an individual case study on our book. It will be on a social issue in our book that is present in our world today. Here are your requirements:

1. Choose a character in the book

2. Focus on a social issue in the book that is present in our world today. Here are some to think about:
    A. Growing up too fast (teen pregnancy, toddlers and tiaras, etc.)
    B. Broken homes
    C. Stereotypes/ Racial Stereotyping
    D. Low-Income/ At-risk Children
    E. Neglectful Parents
    F. Sexual Predators
    G. Home Abuse

3. Make a poster. It needs the following info on it:
     A. What are some statistics of your issue? (authentic source)
     B. What are some studies on your issue? (authentic source)
     C. What is the connection to the book?
     D. What are some solutions or answers to the issue? (authentic source)
     E. Interview someone relevant to your study and put your interview on your poster. Make up your
         own questions. 

What is "Home"?

The term "home" can vary according to who you ask. One might see home as a simple place where they grew up, while another may seem home as something entirely different. There is really no one right definition of home. What does "home" mean to you?

Potential Paper Topics

Survival Instincts
Religion (cause and effects, personal identities, etc.)
Family Bond
War
Propaganda
Sacrifice

Propaganda

"Harrison Bergeron" 

Here in the United States, we are founded on principles of equality - but what does it truly mean to be "equal"? Where does personal identity/individuality come in to play? For the next few days, we will be reading a short story about the dangers of propaganda and "complete equality." Here are your requirements:

1.  Read "Harrison Bergeron"

2.  Write a one page report answering the following questions:
      A. What is the propaganda (the lie) in the short story?
      B. How is the propaganda spread in the story?
      C. How does it affect the characters?
      D. Why is the propaganda so effective in the story?

3. Create your own piece of propaganda about an issue in our school. Pretend it will be seen and
    spread throughout the campus. You can:
     A. Write a letter or newspaper article of propaganda
     B. Make a propaganda television ad with an iPad
     C. Make a propaganda poster
 

World Religion

There are many different religions in the world today - with different beliefs, traditions, and practices. Here in the US, religion plays a large factor as well. Regardless of your personal beliefs, what do you think is the purpose of religion?

World behind The Year of Impossible Goodbyes

More Than Just a Story

For the next several days, we will be researching the world behind our novel The Year of Impossible Goodbyes. Your group's job will be to research, write, and present a lesson on your topic. Here are your requirements:

A) 1.5 page research report on your topic; MLA format; two authentic sources with
     parenthetical citation

B) Three part lesson: Activator, Keynote Presentation, and Summarizing Activity

C) An essential question that will be the focus of your lesson and tie everything together

Here are the topics: 
1. NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA 
A. History between North and South Korea
B. Differences between North and South Korea
C. North and South Korea Today

2. WORLD RELIGIONS
For each religion: What is it? Its principles and practices? History of it? Practiced today still?
A. Shintoism
B. Confucianism
C. Buddhism
D. Catholicism

3. THE KOREAN WAR
A. Causes of the War
B. Describe the War
C. Some Effects/Outcomes of the War
D. Describe Three Famous Battles During the Korean War

4. KOREA UNDER JAPANESE RULE
A. Describe Life for Koreans under Japanese Rule
B. No Gun Ri Massacre
C. Describe Life of Korean Refugees in Korean War
D. Biography of Sook Nyul Choi (the author) 

5. COMMUNISM 
A. Describe and Define Communism
B. History of Communism: Who countries have tried it? How has it worked? Why was it 
     important to the Korean War?
C. The Origin of Communism/ Bio of Karl Marx
D. Describe Communism Today in Our World
 

Grammar Review!!!

Today, we want to review the grammar rules we have learned before we move on to new lessons. In your group, you will make the following for a certain grammar rule we've learned:

1. Keynote Presentation
     A. Definition of the rule
      B. Examples of the rule

2. Exercises for Your Group to Do
     A. Come up with practices the group can do for your rule
     B. Go over the answers with your group


I. Independent Clauses vs Dependent Clauses
II. Simple and Compound Sentences
III. Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences
IV. Four Ways to Fix a Run-on Sentence

(If you're a group of three, then II and III are combined)

Here are the groups:

A. Archie, Ashley, Miranda

B. Kayla D, Justin, Rahnilia

C. Deja, Kayla B., Taylor, Josh

D. Summer, Tori, Samala, Cameron

E. Tymara, Anthony, Erin

Potential Topics

Theme
Dehumanization
Relationship with Father
Personal Identity
Surviving

Characters
Elie Wiesel
Father

The Death of the Soul

de·hu·man·ize - to deprive of human qualities or attributes; divest of individuality

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is it that makes us human? Makes us different than an animal? In other words, what qualities separates us and makes us more unique than any other creature on earth?

 

Assignment for Today, 10/5

First Task of Class:
Come up with a potential thesis for your next paper. It will be on Night, obviously. You should still have that handout with a list of verbs that you can use to make sure your thesis is an analyzing statement and not summary/moralizing.

Rest of Class Time:
Many of you are behind in your reading of Night. After you have come up with a potential thesis for the book, actually FINISH reading the book. You should have it all read by next Wednesday!

Writing Your Own Memoir

Historical Fiction 

For the next two days, your job will be to create your own fictional memoir of the Holocaust. You can write as a person who hid Jewish people or a Jewish person suffering during the Holocaust - there is some flexibility up to you. This will be counted as a test grade. Here are your requirements:

1. Fact Sheet
Because this is historical fiction, I want you to use real historical details about the Holocaust in your memoir. Your fact sheet should have at least FIVE HISTORICAL FACTS that you researched and put in your fictional memoir. Think of facts like actual concentration camps, how life was in those camps, what life was for men and for women (how they were treated differently) - you just did a project on this so it should be easy! Also list the online sources where you received your information from.


2. At Least Three Journal/Diary Entries
You need at least three entries in your memoir - treat it like a journal or diary. One entry should be describing your life BEFORE the Nazis took over. Your second entry should describe your life in a concentration camp. Your third entry should describe your life after concentration camp. Of course, you can do more than one entry for each part if you desire. I want at least 450 words (about one and a half pages double spaced) overall.


3. A Parent/Child Relationship 
Just as a father-son relationship is the center of our reading so far, your memoir should reflect a parent/child relationship. The specifics of that relationship is up to you.


4. A Physical Memoir 
You need to also create a physical book for your memoir. Make a front page cover for it and whatever else you want to do. Be creative!

Trial by Fire

Enduring Persecution

How do trials and persecution affect our personal identities? What effects do they have on our beliefs and convictions? If you are completely changed after a serious trial or persecution - you deny or reject your previous beliefs and convictions - does it mean you were never really true to it to begin with?

What It Means To Be a Jew Continued....

Jewish Tradition

What role does tradition play in a person's identity? How important is it to the person they are or become? Do you have any family traditions that are important to you?

The basic definition of tradition is: the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc. from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.

Today, your task is to research some of the traditions of the Jewish people. We want to discover the importance of tradition to one's personal identity. Here are your requirements:


1. In your group, choose one of the following terms to research. Make sure everyone in the group
    has a different term:
             a. Kabbalah/Jewish Mysticism
             b. Rabbi
             c. Zohar
             d. the Passover

2. Each person in your group will write a half page summary on a sheet of paper for the term they
    have. When your group is finished, share what you found.

3. Discuss the following question afterwards and write the answer your group comes up with on your
    sheet of paper: How would these traditions affect a Jewish person's personal identity?

Grading Rubric

I will handout a more detailed grading rubric soon, but for now here is how you will be graded on your assignment:


30%     1 Page Historical Report
             * One page length requirement
                    * MLA format
                    * Two authentic sources and parenthetical citation
                    * Focused on topic
                  
10%     Opening Activity
             * Clear connection to your lesson
                    * Focuses the class' attention and thinking to your topic at hand
                    * Involved and well planned - more than just showing a clip, etc.

30%     Keynote Presentation
             * Contains the information of your group's reports 
                    * Slide design keeps in mind PICTURES vs WORDS
                    * Presentation is prepared, smooth, and well planned
                    * Eye contact with audience, asking questions, etc. 

10%     Summarizing Activity  
             * Summarizes the main points of your lesson
                    * Involves the class in thinking, writing, speaking, etc.
 

20%     Group Accountability 
                   * Your other group members will decide 20 points of your final grade. Any disputes will 
                      be discussed and handled.

Exploring Personal Identities in a Time of Devastation and War

Your first group project will be to research the different personal identities during the Holocaust. The next book we read in class will be Night by Elie Wiesel - a memoir about a young Jewish teenager's experience during the Holocaust. Your group will explore the history of the Holocaust behind our novel:

1. STEP ONE: Written Report
A. Each member of the group needs to write a 1.5 page report
B. Each member will choose one of the sub-topics underneath the major topic given to each group
C. Report needs to be MLA format (Times New Roman, Font 12, Double Spaced)
D. Report needs two authentic sources AND have parenthetical citation throughout

2. STEP TWO: Class Presentation/Lesson
A. There are three parts of your class lesson your group needs to create based on the information in
     your reports:

     * Part One: Activator - You need to come up with an opening activity to do with the class that
                                           prepares them for your lesson. This can involve writing, discussion,
                                           brainstorming, etc. Perhaps there are pictures/clips you want to use to
                                           stimulate the class' thinking. However, it needs to be more than just
                                           showing a video clip.

     * Part Two: Main Lesson - Your main lesson should be a Keynote presentation of your group's
                                                 reports. Work on becoming familiar with your information so you are
                                                 not reading off of your paper the entire time. Keep in mind slide
                                                 design (PICTURES vs WORDS). Practice speaking loudly, clearly,
                                                 and to the audience, maintaining eye contact throughout. Ask
                                                 questions to involve the class throughout.

    * Part Three: Summarizing Activity - After your main lesson, your group should have a follow up
                                                                 with the class that summarizes the important points of your
                                                                 Keynote presentation. This can be involve a handout that the
                                                                 class has to fill out during your main lesson that you
                                                                 follow-up on afterwards, etc.

 1. Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust
 A. Resistance in the Ghettos
      1. Who were these people? What was their plan of resistance? How did they resist? Were they
      successful or unsuccessful? Did they make a difference? Why do you think Elie Wiesel and his
      people did not resist in the same way?

B. Resistance in Nazi Camps
     1. How did these people try to resist in the Nazi camps? Were they successful or unsuccessful?
     What did they try to do? Did they make a difference? Why do you think Elie Wiesel and the other
     prisoners did not resist in the same way?

C. Spiritual Resistance in Nazi Camps
     1. How did these Jews try to overcome the evil of the camps? What was their way of resistance?
     How did they try to survive oppression? Did they make a difference?  Did Elie Wiesel resist the
     same way? Did the others around him?

D. Resistance in Nazi Germany
     1. How did Jews in Nazi Germany try to resist the Nazi oppression? Were they successful or
     unsuccessful? What were some of their tactics? Did they make a difference? Why do you think
     Elie Wiesel and his village did not try similar tactics?

2. Holocaust Survivors
Your group's job is for each member to research three Holocaust survivors. You want to find out about their lives before and after the Holocaust. The three survivors each group members research should be different types of people. (For example, a doctor, a teenage boy, and a mother.) Here are some questions each member need to answer in their reports:

1. Who was this survivor? What was their occupation before the Holocaust? How did they survive the Holocaust? What was their life like after the Holocaust? Is there anyone in our novel that reminds you of this particular survivor? Why? What are some similarities and differences?

3. Life in Concentration Camps
A. Types of Nazi Camps in the Holocaust
     1. What were the different types of camps that the Nazis had during the Holocaust for the Jews?
     What was unique about each one? The purpose for each one? In our novel, what is the type of
     camp that Elie and his family are sent to? What are similarities/differences?

B. Life in the Nazi Camps
    1. What was life like for the Jews in the camps? What did they have to do? How were men and
    women and children treated? The same or differently? What was life like in the different types of
    camps? How does Elie Wiesel's life in the camp compare to what you researched?
    Similarities/differences?

C. Rescue from the Camps
     1. When were Jews finally rescued from the Nazi camps? How were they rescued? What did the
     soldiers find at the camps? What was the condition of the survivors in the camps? What did the
     Nazis do in the camps when they realized they were going to lose the war?

4. Hiding Jews
Your group's job is for each member to research two famous/well-known people who hid Jews during the Holocaust. There are plenty to choose from; if you are having trouble, ask me for help. Here are some questions each member need to answer in their reports:

1. Who was this person who hid Jews? What was their occupation/job/status? Why did they decide to risk their lives and career to hide Jews? How did they hide Jews? Did they get caught? How many people did they save from the Nazis?

5. Hitler / Nazi Ideology / Peoples Targeted 
A. Other Groups of People Targeted by Hitler
     1. What other people groups were targeted by the Nazis? (It wasn't only the Jews) What happened
     to them? How were they treated? Why were they targeted by the Nazis? Were they immediately
     killed by the Nazis? etc.

B. Nazi Ideology / Aryan Race
    1. What did Hitler and the Nazis believe in? What was their mission and goal? What was their
    belief about the "Aryan Race"? What did their beliefs result in?

C. Hitler
    1. Who was Hitler? What type of person was he? How did he create the Nazi belief system? Why
    did he hate other races? Why did the German people follow him so quickly? What made them love
    and worship him? How did he die?

Potential Paper Topics

Theme
Clash of Culture
Cultural Identity
Personal Identity
Colonialism 

Characters
Okonkwo
Nwoye

Analyze, Summarize, Moralize

"Search for My Tongue" by Sujata Bhatt

You ask me what I mean
by saying I have lost my tongue.
I ask you, what would you do
if you had two tongues in your mouth,
and lost the first one, the mother tongue,
and could not really know the other,
the foreign tongue.
You could not use them both together
even if you thought that way.
And if you lived in a place you had to
speak a foreign tongue,
your mother tongue would rot,
rot and die in your mouth
until you had to spit it out.
I thought I spit it out
but overnight I dream,
it grows back, a stump of a shoot
grows longer, grows moist, grows strong veins,
it ties the other tongue in knots,
the bud opens, the bud opens in my mouth,
it pushes the other tongue aside.
Every time I think I've forgotten,
I think I've lost the mother tongue,
it blossoms in my mouth.

Identity Crisis

Children of a Stolen Generation

The change - and death - of culture brought by the white missionaries and government drove Okonkwo to take his own life. Sadly, just as many other aspects of this novel are reflected in our lives today, so does the tragic end to Okonkwos' life. Today, we want to explore a similar tragedy occurring in today's world with the Native Americans:

Native American Youth Suicide Crisis (READ BOTH PAGES OF ARTICLE)

Life or Death: Teen Suicide on American Indian Reservations

Creating Your Own Folktale

The Heart of a Culture

After learning about the importance of folktales and legends to a culture, your job for the next two days is to create your own folktale. Here are your requirements:

1. Choose a culture
The folktale that you create should be reflective of a particular culture around the world.

2. Write a folktale
Your folktale should have some type of moral lesson/value. It should teach us something, just as a real folktale teaches the young of a culture.

3. Make a picture book that illustrates your folktale
Just like a children's book has pictures to illustrate the story, you need to create illustrations for your folktale.

4. Write a one-page, double spaced report (First person okay)
Your report should explain the following questions about your folktale you create:

A. What culture did you choose?
B. Why did you choose that culture?
C. How did your folktale reflect that culture?
D. Explain the folktale you created.
E. What was the lesson/value of your folktale?

Clash of Cultures

Imperialism and Colonization

                                                                     













When does patriotism and nationalism go too far? To what extent should a culture try to reach out and help another? Is it important to try to "change the world" or should every culture be allowed to stay within its own beliefs, way of life, etc.?

Folktales Around the Globe

The Heart of a People

Folktales are simply defined as a tale or legend originating among a people or folk. It forms a large part of the tradition of a culture. A folktale can be a mixture of legends, oral history, proverbs, fairy tales, superstitions, etc. They can provide a picture into a culture's morals and values. Cultures all across the world have their share of folktales. Read each folktale aloud in your group:

1. North America (US) Folktale: The Baker's Dozen

2. European (UK) Folktale: The Old Woman and Her Pig

3. Asian (Chinese) Folktale: The Four Dragons

4. South American (Mayan) Folktale: The Rabbit and the Coyote

5. Australian Folktale: The Bunbundoolooeys

Quick Grading Rubric for Group Assignment

I will handout a more detailed grading rubric soon, but for now here is how you will be graded on your first group assignment:


40%    1.5 Page Written Report
                * At least two authentic and reliable sources used
                * Contains correct parenthetical citation
                 

20%    Keynote Presentation
            * Slide design: balance of information vs visuals


20%    Group Presentation
                  * Presentation is smooth and organized
                  * Not simply reading off of the slide
                  * Familiar with material; eye contact with audience
                  * Speaking loudly and clearly


20%    Group Accountability 
                  * Your other group members will decide 20 points of your final grade. Any disputes will be
                     discussed and handled.

Family Ties

Exploring Personal Identities within the Family

Your first group project will be to explore the different personal identities within the family unit. In our novel so far, we've read about many strained and seemingly dysfunctional relationships in Okonkwo's family. The relational issues in his family are present in our world today. Here are your requirements:

1. Written Report 
    A. Each member of the group needs to write a 1.5 page, double spaced report. Times New Roman,
         font size 12
    B. Each member needs to choose one of the letters under their group's section  to write a report on
        (see below)
    C. You need to find TWO AUTHENTIC SOURCES. The types of sources you want to find are
         STUDIES, STATISTICS, and  EXPERT OPINIONS.
    D. You need to use PARENTHETICAL CITATION

2. Presentation
   A. Your group needs to create a Keynote presentation of your written reports to the class
   B. Remember slide design (main ideas only, just pictures, etc.)
   C. Practice your group's presentation - don't just read off of your reports. Become familiar with
       your information and have a smooth, organized presentation.


Each group will be assigned one of the following familial personal identities to research. Underneath each section are the letters you need to assign to your group. Each member writes their 1.5 page report off of their letter:

1. Child under Abusive/Alcoholic Parents (Nwoye and Okonkwo, Unoka and Okonkwo) 
A. Describe Nwoye and Okonkwo's relationship
     What is life like for a child under abusive/alcoholic parents? (emotionally, physically, mentally)?

B. Describe Unoka and Okonkwo's relationship
     What do children under alcoholic parents grow up to become? Do they become like their parents?

C. Explain what you think Nwoye's future will be like after growing up under Okonkwo's abuse.
     What is the future careers and lives like for children who grew up under abusive/alcoholic
     parents?
     How does their horrible childhood affect their future families?

D. Explain where you think Nwoye could run to if he wanted to leave his abusive father. Could he?
     What happens to children who are rescued from abusive homes?
     Where do they go? What are their lives in their new homes like?
     

2. Problem Child in a Foster Home (Ikemefuna and Okownkwo)
A. Describe how and why Ikemefuna was sent to Okonkwo's home.
     What is the definition of a foster home?
     Why are some kids even in foster homes in the first place?

B. Describe how Ikemefuna felt being sent to Okonkwo's home.
     What is life like for a kid in a foster home?
     Do they become used to the family or feel alienated?
    
C. Describe how Ikemefuna was treated in Okonkwo's home.
    How are foster children treated in their new homes?
    What are the future lives like? How often do trouble kids move from home to home?


3. Child under the Burden of Parent's Success (Nwoye and Okonkwo)
A. Describe how Nwoye did not live up to Okonkwo's expectations.
     What is life like for a child living under their parent's heavy expectations/success?

B. Describe how Okonwkwo's parenting style with Nwoye.
     What are the different parenting styles? (Controlling, etc.)
     Which seems to be the best? Why?

C. Explain how you think Nwoye will grow up living under his father's heavy expectations.
     What is the future life like for a child growing up under their parent's expectations?
      Do they grow up to become happy people? content with their lives?
    
4. Wife in an Abusive Relationship (Okonwkwo and his wives)
A. Describe how Okonkwo treats his wives.
     What is an abusive relationship? What are the different types? (emotional, verbal, physical)

B. Describe how Okonkwo's wives act in his family.
     What is life like for a woman in an abusive relationship? How do they live? (mental, emotional
      state)

C. Explain why you think Okonkwo's wives do not leave his family.
     Why do some women continue to stay in abusive relationships? Why don't they leave?

D. Explain what you think the future of Okonkwo's wives will be.
     What happens to women who refuse to leave an abusive relationship?
     How many women eventually leave? What makes them finally leave their abusive partner?

5. Wife in a Polygamous Marriage (Okonkwo and his wives) 
A. Describe Okonkwo's family with multiple wives. How does that work with more than one wife.
     What is a polygamous marriage? What is the history of it?

B. Explain how Okonkwo's wives must feel being one of many. Does he play favorites?
     How do women end up in a polygamous marriage? Why would they choose this lifestyle?

C. Explain how Okonkwo treats his multiple wives. How does he have a relationship with all of them
    at once?
    How are women in polygamous marriages treated? What is their life like?

Cultural Identity

Exploring the Dark Continent

What role does one's culture play in their identity? How important is it to the person they are? Or the person they become? To the rest of the world in the 19th century, Africa was known by the romantic and mysterious name of "the Dark Continent." Even today, the image of Africa from space gives the impression of a land without lights. Though this title may have reflected the hidden, unexplored regions of the continent in centuries past, ignorance of the peoples and tribes in Africa largely led to crude stereotypes of its indigenous people - an issue that Achebe sought to remedy.

Today, your task is to research the life of a tribe/village located in Africa. Here are your requirements:

1. Use the following link to choose a tribe: African Tribes

2. Write a one-page report of the tribe you choose using PARENTHETICAL CITATION.