Poetry Out Loud: Evidence of Understanding

One of the criteria for your Poetry Out Loud performance is evidence of understanding. In order to prepare to show you understand the poem, do some research.

First, research any words that are unfamiliar and/or any allusions that might be in the poem. If there are no words that you don't know, this poem is probably too easy for you! But if you still love it and want to recite it, choose a word that is more complex and explore the complexity of the word's connotation and meaning. Write about the words and allusions you researched and how they add to your understanding of the poem.

Second, research your poet and find a reading/performance of your poem on the Internet. Using Wikipedia is okay for this assignment as the goal here is just to find out some information about your poet rather than to do an in-depth research project. Find out about your poet's life: what else did/does he/she do besides write poetry? What kind of education did he/she have? What is his/her family life like? Answer these questions and remark on why you think he/she would've written the poem that you are working on for Poetry Out Loud. How does this add to your understanding of your poem?

Finally, watch someone else read/perform the poem. You can usually find a reading on YouTube or another website. Write about which words/lines were given emphasis and what you think the tone of the speaker's voice conveyed about the poem. If you can't find a reading of your poem, watch a performance of another poem on poetryoutloud.org and write about how the student performing shows the meaning of his/her poem through the performance.

Write three paragraphs for this post. The first paragraph is about the words and allusions that add to the meaning and enhance your understanding. The second paragraph is about how understanding some part of the poet's life helps you understand the poem and the third paragraph is about how watching a performance helps you think about how you can perform your poem in a way that portrays your understanding of its meaning to your audience.

Due Monday, December 19.

TKAM: Great Ideas

This week we've done a ton of discussion in class, including a Socratic Seminar and Jenga. What are some of the best ideas you've heard in class? How did hearing someone else's ideas this week push your thinking or help you think of new ideas about setting, character development, symbolism or theme?

Write two paragraphs for this post. The first paragraph should describe an idea that someone else said that you thought was thought-provoking. Be as specific as you can about what was said and what it made you think.

For the next paragraph, write about how your thinking about the novel has developed this week as a result of discussion. What are your new thoughts about setting, character development, symbolism and/or theme? Be sure to write a full, developed paragraph for this in which you use evidence from the book and clearly explain your thinking.

Due Monday, December 12.

To Kill a Mockingbird: Introduction to Author's Craft

As we read To Kill a Mockingbird we will be focusing our discussion on analysis of author's craft. The back of the book tells us that his is one of the "best loved novels of all time." What did Harper Lee do to achieve this superlative? Use what you know about elements of literature (see the glossary given in class on Tuesday for a list of the elements) to analyze what you notice Lee does well in the novel so far.

For this post, write your first paragraph about what you like about the book at this point. If you've read the novel before or if you're reading ahead, try to limit your response in this paragraph to the first seven chapters of the novel. Use evidence from the novel to specifically describe something you like about the first seven chapters of the book. Be sure to tell why you like this part! You may want to connect it to something from your own life.

For your second paragraph, discuss author's craft for the part of the novel you described in the previous paragarph. How has Lee created the effect of enjoyment in you? Consider the items in the elements of literature glossary to frame your response. Again, use evidence from the novel to support your ideas about author's craft.

Due Monday, December 5.

How Can Words Inspire Change?

Our new unit, which centers on the civil rights movement and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, focuses on the question, "How can words inspire change?"

Think about a book, play or poem you have read that inspired you. How have you been changed by a book, a play or a poem? This can be any book, any play, or any poem you have ever read. Write about how the content of this book, play or poem inspired you and helped you become the person you are today.

Is this a tough one? Think back to those picture books from your childhood that taught you to never give up or appreciate the little things in life.

If you are very stuck, write about the most meaningful book, play or poem you've ever read and explain what it means to you.

Due Monday, November 14.

One More Tim Burton Film!

Choose another live action film by Tim Burton. Watch at least 20 minutes of the film and take notes on cinematic techniques just as you did with Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You will use these notes in your essay next week. After viewing the film (or part of the film), write two paragraphs in response.

In the first paragraph, write about a cinematic technique you noticed and its effects. Use the frame, In ____________, Burton uses ______________ (technique) to _________________ (specific effects). Then include text evidence to support your statement and include reflective commentary to show your thinking.

In the second paragraph, compare this film with one of the films we watched in class. What do they have in common? How are they different?

I hope you have fun watching another film and comparing it! Enjoy! And we'll write the essay in class next week.

Due Monday, October 31

The Link Between Movies and Stories

We are finishing up reading and writing short stories and moving into analyzing style through watching Tim Burton films. For this post, think about how movies tell stories. How is watching a movie like reading a story? How does the style of the movie make it more interesting or entertaining or help you understand the story?

Think of a movie that you think has a unique style and/or a very good story. Give the name of the movie and what you notice about the style. For example, in The Hunger Games, part of the "style" is that the costumes and look of Katniss' home district are gray and gloomy, while the parts in the Capital feature elaborate, bright costumes and hair styles. This helps you understand that Katniss' home is not a happy place and that the Capital is kind of over-the top.

We are going to be watching Tim Burton movies in class. If you want to, choose a Tim Burton movie to write about for this blog post. What do you notice about his style as a director? However, writing about a Tim Burton film is not required. You can write about whatever movie you like!

Write at least two paragraphs for this post. The first paragraph should be about how movies are like stories, and the second paragraph should be about a specific movie and the style of that movie.

Due Monday, October 10.

What it's Like to be a Freshman

As we read the excerpt from Speak in class, we discussed how much of the story was relatable. The author used first person point of view to put us in the head of the narrator and wrote about something everyone has experienced - being a freshman in a high school lunch room on the first day of school.

For this blog post, write about what it's like to be a high school freshman. Employ the narrative techniques listed in the short story assignment to describe your experience so far as a freshman.

Write two paragraphs for this post. In the first paragraph, describe what being a freshman is like. Explain your experience by using narrative techniques such as figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and/or irony. In the second paragraph, tell a brief story of something that has happened to you at school this year. This story should be somewhat representative of the experience of being a freshman. Be sure it's a story that includes conflict!

Due Monday, October 3.

Planning Your Short Story

In a short time you will be working on your first major evaluation assignment for English: writing your own short story! As we read, analyze and discuss short stories in class, you should be planning your story.

For this blog post, write about two ideas you have for a short story. At least one of the two should be based on a real experience. Arguably the most important part of a short story is conflict - what is the conflict in each of your story ideas?

Write two paragraphs for this post. Each paragraph should describe your story idea in detail - including the conflict. Start each paragraph by telling me if this story is based on a real experience of if it's purely imaginary.

Due Monday, September 26.

Introduction to My Blog

Welcome to Honors English! I'm so excited to be your teacher this year. Throughout both semesters, I will post weekly assignments on this blog and you will need to read the assignments and respond to them on your own personal English blog.

The goals for your English blog include:
1. Improve your writing through consistent practice.
2. Develop your writing style and voice by sharing your own personal experiences or opinions and ideas about what we read and discuss in class.

For your first blog post, introduce yourself to your readers. While your main audience will be me (your teacher) other classmates or other literature enthusiasts may be reading your blog periodically. What should your readers know about you? What makes you unique? What do you like to do in your free time? The majority of your blog posts will be responses to the reading we do in class. What type of a reader are you? What types of books do you enjoy? When and where do you like to read? Write at least two paragraphs as an introduction to you, your blog, and yourself as a reader. 

In addition, write one more paragraph about a specific experience that you had this week  - your first week of high school. Tell what happened and how you reacted to this experience.

I hope you enjoy keeping your blog for English. I know I will enjoy reading your posts. Please see me in class or email me if you have any trouble with your personal blog.