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Apr112012
POSTED AT 08:19 PM
Breaking Her Fall Novel Reading and Author Visit Debrief:
For this week's blog, you will reflect on our experience reading and discussing Breaking Her Fall. In your initial post, please give your thoughts on any combination of the following
- response to / connections with the novel
- most interesting aspect of our novel study (activity, discussion, etc.)
- thoughts on the author visit
- thoughts on participation in PEN/Faulkner program
- opinion on whether I should teach the novel to future classes
- other relevant thoughts
Your initial post and comments on other posts are due by 11:59pm on Monday, April 16, 2012. Remember, you must offer at least two comments on other posts.
Mar292012
POSTED AT 02:19 PM
As discussed in class, for this week's blog you will consider rules--not the operational rules that you get detentions for breaking, but the philosophical rules with which we approach life. In Breaking Her Fall, Tucker and his kids establish the following rules for their household:
1. It is what it is.
2. Think for yourself.
3. Show up (on time).
4. Finish what you start.
5. Play hard, play fair.
6. Clear your desk everyday.
7. Don't complain.
8. Be brave, be bold, let not your heart grow cold.
Your blog post should (a) discuss the meaning and importance of at least one of these rules and (b) offer a personal rule of your own. Remember, Tucker's rules have a meaning beyond the surface, so your discussion should delve deeper than just the surface meaning. For your personal rule, you may offer a mantra, philosophy, inspirational quote, or anything else that has meaning for you. Be sure to explain its meaning and importance as well.
Posts and comments are due by 11:59pm on Monday, April 9, 2012. Have a great Spring Break!
Mar202012
POSTED AT 08:36 AM
Here we are at the end of the third quarter (already!) and it's time to reflect on the past weeks and look forward to your last few months in high school. This is an extra-credit blog assignment. Your post should discuss eachof the following:
> a triumph or success from the third quarter
> a failure or disappointment from the third quarter
> something that you are looking forward to in the fourth quarter (other than the usual stuff)
> a personal goal for the fourth quarter
Your comments should offer observations, constructive feedback, advice, or even consolation to your classmates. All posts and comments are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 25, 2012.
Feb152012
POSTED AT 09:04 PM
As discussed, for this week's blog you will select your own song (of literary merit) and post an explication (2 - 3 paragraphs) focusing on one or two literary elements. Remember, your explication should have a clear thesis and employ literary analysis terminology.
Please post a link to the lyrics and/or a recording of your song to facilitate commentary.
Posts and comments are due by 11:59 pm on Monday, February 21, 2012.
Jan172012
POSTED AT 09:04 AM
The end of the first semester is here, so it's time to reflect on the past weeks and look forward to the upcoming advisory. This is an extra-credit blog assignment. Your post should discuss eachof the following:
> a triumph or success from the second quarter/first semester
> a failure or disappointment from the second quarter/first semester
> something that you are looking forward to in the third quarter (through end of March)
> a personal goal for the third quarter
Your comments should offer observations, constructive feedback, advice, or even consolation to your classmates. All posts and comments are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012.
Remember, any make-up or extra-credit posts (other than this one) are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012 as well.
Jan172012
POSTED AT 08:44 AM
For this week's blog, I would like for you to reflect on some aspects of August Wilson's "Two Trains Running" that we seem to have missed as a class. Your initial post should be a thorough discussion of the following questions:
1. To what extent do the main characters of the play reflect differnt aspects of (a) African-American heritage/culture and (b) the experience of African-Americans during the time period in question? Please give a detailed discussion of at least two main characters.
2. How does Hambone function as a symbolic character in the play? Consider his history, his actions, his phsycial condition, and his ultimate fate.
I strongly recommend drafting your answer before you post; it is pretty easy for me to tell whose thoughts are simply regurgitations of other people's ideas. Your initial post is due by 11:59 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Your comments on two other posts are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012.
Jan032012
POSTED AT 06:43 PM
"Much Ado about Nothing" Performance Reflection
For this week's blog entry, I would like for you to write a two- to three-paragraph reflection on the performance of "Much Ado about Nothing." You may discuss any of the following in your reflection:
- things that you liked and/or disliked about the performance
- ways in which the performance matched your expectations
- ways in which the performance surprised you
- thoughts on the director’s vision for the work (particularly the setting in Cuba)
- any additional observations that you would like to make
Please take care to offer mature and appropriate responses. As discussed in the first chapter of the textbook, it is okay to say that you don't like something, but you need to provide real reasons for your opinion. Also, keep in mind that what you are offering is your opinion and should be expressed as such ("I didn't care for X" rather than "X was stupid").
Your initial reflections are due by 11:59pm on Friday, January 6, 2012. Comments (on at least two people's reflections) should be up by 11:59pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012. Those who were not able to attend the performance are excused from this week's blog assignment, although you are more than welcome to join in the conversation.
Dec092011
POSTED AT 07:56 AM
For this week's blog, you will complete a mini-saga summarizing Much Ado About Nothing. A mini-saga is a summary of exactly 50 words, and should include key characters and events.
Your initial post is due by 11:59pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Comments are due by 11:59pm on Friday, December 16, 2011.
Nov302011
POSTED AT 07:54 AM
As discussed in class, for this week's blog you will select a comedic performance (movie, TV show, or play) and analyze it in terms of the elements of comedy covered in Chapter 28. Your analysis should include a plot summary, clear thesis statement, and discussion of at least two of the following concepts:
- traditional comedic elements (e.g. plot of intrigue, blocking agent)
- narrative pattern of comedy (plot analysis)
- comedic characters and language
- type of comedy
Your initial post is due by 11:59pm on Thursday, December 1, 2011. Comments are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, December 4, 2011.
Nov102011
POSTED AT 06:27 PM
As advertised, this week's blog is a chance for you to reflect on our PEN/Faulkner author visit with Emma Donoghue. Your initial post should include any combination of the following
* Expectations for the visit and whether those expectations were met
* Your thoughts on the questions that were asked and Ms. Donoghue's answers
* Questions that you wanted to ask or wished that someone else asked
* Comments from Ms. Donoghue that confirmed your analysis of the novel
* Comments from Ms. Donoghue that offered new insight into the novel
* General reflections on the PEN/Faulkner experience in AP Lit
* Reflections on sharing our visit with the Psychology class (this was new for me, so I'd love feedback)
* Anything else that comes to mind
Again, since I'm posting it so late in the week, this blog assignment is for extra credit. As such, you may post until the end of Quarter 2 (Jan. 20, 2012). That said, it would be great if you could post by Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011.
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