Good Day People- I began "Huck Finn" last night and hope to finish it in a few days. An important point for students- READ THE PREFACE!
Also, as you begin,as you read the dialogue between the characters it helps if you read it out loud. The dialect is quite phonetic and becomes clearer as you say the words. Keep me posted and I will do the same.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sister Carrie - Part II
I have just completed "Sister Carrie". I have also perused the Sparknotes and , as usual, find them to set forth a pretty dry account of the novel. I urge students to read the novel and then check out other scholarship on the Web for back up.
Some possible ideas to focus on for papers:
Carrie's "American Dream"- did she achieve it and at what cost?
View of American women then and now.
I found Carrie to be a lost little thing, personally. I also kept wondering why her , Charles and George never really delved into any deep conversations about their situations.
What was happening in big cities when the novel was written? This topic could shed considerable light on many reactions you may have to the novel.
More to come.
Some possible ideas to focus on for papers:
Carrie's "American Dream"- did she achieve it and at what cost?
View of American women then and now.
I found Carrie to be a lost little thing, personally. I also kept wondering why her , Charles and George never really delved into any deep conversations about their situations.
What was happening in big cities when the novel was written? This topic could shed considerable light on many reactions you may have to the novel.
More to come.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sister Carrie
Honors 11/ American Lit. students will read "Sister Carrie" as part of their summer reading assignment. I am nearly finished with the novel. I will be posting thoughts, themes, and my understanding of the classic as soon as I complete it. The novel was quite controversial when it was written in the early 1900's. There are many moral issues in the book that would have been positively scandalous during the era. My initial impression so far: "When bad things happen to good people"
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Why should I contribute to the blog?
The reasons for the Summer Reading Blog are varied.
When you read books in class you have the opportunity to receive guidance from your teacher and participate in classroom discussions. Summer reading is a mostly solitary assignment.
I created the blog to give you the chance to exchange and read ideas about the novels you are experiencing.
When you have the ability to engage with others about a book you are reading you may find that you overlooked something some one else noticed.
You may also be the one posting the insightful comment that helps someone else see things in a different way.
I will also check the blog daily to help with questions about the novels. I will read all the books with you as well.
If you have me ( Miss Ramirez) as an English teacher you will be required to contribute to our classroom blog during the school year. I encourage you to contribute to this blog so you can learn how to do it- it is very easy.
Summer Reading Blog is not a requirement, yet it may be helpful for you.
Have a great summer- I know I will. :)
PLEASE SEE NEXT POST FOR SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS.
When you read books in class you have the opportunity to receive guidance from your teacher and participate in classroom discussions. Summer reading is a mostly solitary assignment.
I created the blog to give you the chance to exchange and read ideas about the novels you are experiencing.
When you have the ability to engage with others about a book you are reading you may find that you overlooked something some one else noticed.
You may also be the one posting the insightful comment that helps someone else see things in a different way.
I will also check the blog daily to help with questions about the novels. I will read all the books with you as well.
If you have me ( Miss Ramirez) as an English teacher you will be required to contribute to our classroom blog during the school year. I encourage you to contribute to this blog so you can learn how to do it- it is very easy.
Summer Reading Blog is not a requirement, yet it may be helpful for you.
Have a great summer- I know I will. :)
PLEASE SEE NEXT POST FOR SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS.
Summer Reading 2010
Hello Students: I have posted the summer reading assignments for all to see. My advice is to start early. As you can see from the assignment guidelines, all standard classes will take a test the regarding their book selection. I suggest students falling into this category take notes on themes(central idea), characters, and significant events in their novel.
* All standard classes will take a test the first week of school on the assigned readings.
* All honors classes write essays (following the directions below). Turn the essays in during the first full day of school.
* AP classes write essays. Follow the email instructions at the bottom of this page. Turn essays in during the first full day of school.
* Type and staple papers / Times New Roman / 12 pt. size / double spaced.
English 9
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Hoot by Carl Hiassen
Honors English 9
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Write a five paragraph essay in which you explain how and why the main characters, Scout and Jem, change. Include specific references to events in the novel that support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Of central importance to this novel is the theme of survival - physical, emotional or spiritual, and biological. In a five paragraph essay explain how these survival themes play out in this novel. Include specific references to events in the novel that support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
English 10
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Honors English 10
Talking God by Tony Hillerman
Write a two page essay in which you state two major themes in this novel. Explain how the author conveys these themes. Include quotations to support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Three generations are symbolized respectively by Unoka, Okonkwo, and Nwoye. How does society in Umuofia change during their lifetimes? In what ways does the idea of progress shape the novel? Explain Ikemefuna’s importance. Write a two page essay answering this prompt. Include significant quotations to support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
English 11
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Honors English 11
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
In a two page paper analyze and trace the moral maturation of Huck Finn. Discuss events, the coping skills that he learned, his actions, and the circumstances that motivate him. You will have the opportunity to use a summer blog to assist in your work with this novel.
Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser
Write a two page paper. The main focus of the book, the city, greatly impacts all those who are influenced by its magnitude. Explain how it is a beacon of hope and a promised land of wealth and opportunity for some while for others it is a battle against poverty. Support your statements with quotes from the novel. You will have the opportunity to use a summer blog to assist in your work with this novel.
English 12
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
English AP
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Beloved by Toni Morrison
For each novel write a short essay (about two pages) in which you discuss how the author's choice of characters, points of view, style, and plot events cohere to convey clear and significant themes. Do not just summarize the plot. Email a draft of one of your essays to Ms. Kovacs (kovacsm@ths.org) by July 31.
* All standard classes will take a test the first week of school on the assigned readings.
* All honors classes write essays (following the directions below). Turn the essays in during the first full day of school.
* AP classes write essays. Follow the email instructions at the bottom of this page. Turn essays in during the first full day of school.
* Type and staple papers / Times New Roman / 12 pt. size / double spaced.
English 9
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Hoot by Carl Hiassen
Honors English 9
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Write a five paragraph essay in which you explain how and why the main characters, Scout and Jem, change. Include specific references to events in the novel that support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Of central importance to this novel is the theme of survival - physical, emotional or spiritual, and biological. In a five paragraph essay explain how these survival themes play out in this novel. Include specific references to events in the novel that support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
English 10
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Honors English 10
Talking God by Tony Hillerman
Write a two page essay in which you state two major themes in this novel. Explain how the author conveys these themes. Include quotations to support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Three generations are symbolized respectively by Unoka, Okonkwo, and Nwoye. How does society in Umuofia change during their lifetimes? In what ways does the idea of progress shape the novel? Explain Ikemefuna’s importance. Write a two page essay answering this prompt. Include significant quotations to support your statements. Do not just summarize the story.
English 11
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Honors English 11
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
In a two page paper analyze and trace the moral maturation of Huck Finn. Discuss events, the coping skills that he learned, his actions, and the circumstances that motivate him. You will have the opportunity to use a summer blog to assist in your work with this novel.
Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser
Write a two page paper. The main focus of the book, the city, greatly impacts all those who are influenced by its magnitude. Explain how it is a beacon of hope and a promised land of wealth and opportunity for some while for others it is a battle against poverty. Support your statements with quotes from the novel. You will have the opportunity to use a summer blog to assist in your work with this novel.
English 12
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
English AP
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Beloved by Toni Morrison
For each novel write a short essay (about two pages) in which you discuss how the author's choice of characters, points of view, style, and plot events cohere to convey clear and significant themes. Do not just summarize the plot. Email a draft of one of your essays to Ms. Kovacs (kovacsm@ths.org) by July 31.
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