Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Hound of the Baskervilles & the curious incident of the dog in the night-time
Questions
1/ Name some of the characteristics of Sherlock Holmes that might suggest that he has Asperger's syndrome.
2/ Take the following quote and relate it to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time: "Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it."
3/ Christopher often notices things that other people take for granted. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle makes a joke of this when Watson asks Holmes how he knew Mortimer had a curly-haired spaniel and the dog is standing at the door. Give an example of something that Christopher notices that others may not.
4/ Based on the following sentence, what conclusion can you draw about the similarity between Sherlock Holmes and Christopher?: "Now is the dramatic moment of fate, Watson, when you hear a step upon the stair which is walking into your life, and you know not whether for good or ill."
5/ Remark on the amount of detail Sherlock Holmes notices when first meeting Mortimer. Compare this to the detail Christopher notices wehn meeting a person.
REMINDER: JOURNALS DUE JUNE 5TH
LAB PERIOD TO WORK ON ISU BOOK FESTIVAL TOMORROW!
HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY -READ UP TO CHAPTER 193
1/ Name some of the characteristics of Sherlock Holmes that might suggest that he has Asperger's syndrome.
2/ Take the following quote and relate it to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time: "Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it."
3/ Christopher often notices things that other people take for granted. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle makes a joke of this when Watson asks Holmes how he knew Mortimer had a curly-haired spaniel and the dog is standing at the door. Give an example of something that Christopher notices that others may not.
4/ Based on the following sentence, what conclusion can you draw about the similarity between Sherlock Holmes and Christopher?: "Now is the dramatic moment of fate, Watson, when you hear a step upon the stair which is walking into your life, and you know not whether for good or ill."
5/ Remark on the amount of detail Sherlock Holmes notices when first meeting Mortimer. Compare this to the detail Christopher notices wehn meeting a person.
REMINDER: JOURNALS DUE JUNE 5TH
LAB PERIOD TO WORK ON ISU BOOK FESTIVAL TOMORROW!
HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY -READ UP TO CHAPTER 193
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, cont'd
To read the full text of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle online, go to www.readprint.com
Please answer the following questions in small groups.
1. How would you characterize the relationship that Christopher has with his father? Re-read chapter 41 (pp. 20-21). Try to see the relationship through Christopher’s eyes, through his father’s eyes, and through your own eyes.
2. When Christopher is told that his mother has died, what is his response (pp. 26-28, chapter 53). In this chapter, as in many other chapters, he intersperses short sentences into his narrative. In fact, some of his paragraphs in this chapter are only 1 sentence long. What kind of information is conveyed in these short paragraphs? What is significant about the beginning of chapter 59, the very next chapter? Where has the discussion of his mother gone, and why?3. Everybody processes the ideas of death and dying differently. Christopher, on pp. 33-34, discusses his rabbit’s death, his mother’s death, and the idea of dying. In what ways does Christopher’s scientific, factual interpretation also end up being a kind of consolation for him or for us?
4. Chapter 67 gives us a wonderful glimpse into the world of non-autistic persons, through the eyes of an autistic person. Examine, for example, the tee-shirt slogan that Christopher quotes on p. 36, and his comments on the idea of “chatting,” on the top of p. 40. When you see bits and pieces of your own world isolated and discussed, in the way that Christopher isolates and discusses them, how does your own world appear to you now? Discuss other pieces of our non-autistic world that Christopher points out for us throughout the novel. (See also p. 184 and lots of other pages!)
5. Christopher lists his “behavioral problems” on pp. 46-7. What do we learn about our own behavioral “problems” by reading Christopher’s list? What do we learn about his parents’ difficulties as well?
6. Mrs. Alexander, a neighbor, ends up being quite conversant with Christopher. Describe their relationship (and check out pp. 56-61 as well). What does Christopher learn not merely about the dog’s murder but about his mother and father as well, from this neighbor?
7. Christopher describes the “Monty Hall” math problem on pp. 64-5 and he provides us with a description of clouds on pp. 67-9. To what extent are these digressions unrelated to the story? What do these digressions tell us about Christopher? Find other digressions that are interesting to you and/or that may be relevant to the rest of the story (pp. 86, 88, etc.).
8. “My memory is like film,” says Christopher (p. 76). He continues to say that he never forgets anything, and from this he derives a great deal of confidence. What other tools does Christopher have to deal with problems, conflicts, uncertainty, and ambiguity?
Please answer the following questions in small groups.
1. How would you characterize the relationship that Christopher has with his father? Re-read chapter 41 (pp. 20-21). Try to see the relationship through Christopher’s eyes, through his father’s eyes, and through your own eyes.
2. When Christopher is told that his mother has died, what is his response (pp. 26-28, chapter 53). In this chapter, as in many other chapters, he intersperses short sentences into his narrative. In fact, some of his paragraphs in this chapter are only 1 sentence long. What kind of information is conveyed in these short paragraphs? What is significant about the beginning of chapter 59, the very next chapter? Where has the discussion of his mother gone, and why?3. Everybody processes the ideas of death and dying differently. Christopher, on pp. 33-34, discusses his rabbit’s death, his mother’s death, and the idea of dying. In what ways does Christopher’s scientific, factual interpretation also end up being a kind of consolation for him or for us?
4. Chapter 67 gives us a wonderful glimpse into the world of non-autistic persons, through the eyes of an autistic person. Examine, for example, the tee-shirt slogan that Christopher quotes on p. 36, and his comments on the idea of “chatting,” on the top of p. 40. When you see bits and pieces of your own world isolated and discussed, in the way that Christopher isolates and discusses them, how does your own world appear to you now? Discuss other pieces of our non-autistic world that Christopher points out for us throughout the novel. (See also p. 184 and lots of other pages!)
5. Christopher lists his “behavioral problems” on pp. 46-7. What do we learn about our own behavioral “problems” by reading Christopher’s list? What do we learn about his parents’ difficulties as well?
6. Mrs. Alexander, a neighbor, ends up being quite conversant with Christopher. Describe their relationship (and check out pp. 56-61 as well). What does Christopher learn not merely about the dog’s murder but about his mother and father as well, from this neighbor?
7. Christopher describes the “Monty Hall” math problem on pp. 64-5 and he provides us with a description of clouds on pp. 67-9. To what extent are these digressions unrelated to the story? What do these digressions tell us about Christopher? Find other digressions that are interesting to you and/or that may be relevant to the rest of the story (pp. 86, 88, etc.).
8. “My memory is like film,” says Christopher (p. 76). He continues to say that he never forgets anything, and from this he derives a great deal of confidence. What other tools does Christopher have to deal with problems, conflicts, uncertainty, and ambiguity?
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
the curious incident of the dog in the night-time
Part One: Read chapters 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31 and 37. Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Read the first paragraph of the novel (p. 1). What do you learn about Christopher by reading this passage? What do you learn about what is important to him? How does he see things? How might he be different from you, or even the same? What kind of narrative style characterizes this passage?2. Why does Christopher tear up the piece of paper that Siobhan has drawn for him (p. 3)?3. Examine the footnote on p. 5 of the book. When does Christopher use footnotes? Page 8 also has an example of numbered lists, and page 53 has an example of boldface. When does Christopher resort to such additions or “flourishes” in his storytelling? What do these font changes, lists, and so on, tell us about this narrator?4. Christopher provides insight into his behavior on p. 7 when he begins to press his forehead on the ground, ignoring the policeman. However, the policeman does not have the vantage point that we have. If we were ignorant about Christopher in the way that the policeman is, what would we think of Christopher? If the policeman had known what we know about this narrator, how might he have approached Christopher differently?5. Chapter 19 (p. 11) provides us with a digression on prime numbers. What do we learn, factually speaking, about such numbers as we read this chapter? What do we learn about this digression on prime numbers vis-a-vis the chapter that precedes it? In other words, how does Chapter 19 shed light on the subject matter of the previous chapter? What philosophy does Christopher extract from his digression on prime numbers (read the end of Chapter 19 for an answer to this question.)
Part Two:
Begin a reader response journal for the novel. You may about any topic or issue arising from the novel that interests you. Make comments about characters, events, themes explored, etc. Below is a sample of what you might wish to write about as you begin the novel. Entries should be approximately ½ to 3/4 of a page. Only one journal is being assigned for today.
Read the first paragraph of the novel (p. 1). What do you learn about Christopher by reading this passage? What do you learn about what is important to him? How does he see things? How might he be different from you, or even the same? What kind of narrative style characterizes this passage?
Part Three:
Make a list of any unknown words as you read the assigned chapters.
Part One: Read chapters 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31 and 37. Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Read the first paragraph of the novel (p. 1). What do you learn about Christopher by reading this passage? What do you learn about what is important to him? How does he see things? How might he be different from you, or even the same? What kind of narrative style characterizes this passage?2. Why does Christopher tear up the piece of paper that Siobhan has drawn for him (p. 3)?3. Examine the footnote on p. 5 of the book. When does Christopher use footnotes? Page 8 also has an example of numbered lists, and page 53 has an example of boldface. When does Christopher resort to such additions or “flourishes” in his storytelling? What do these font changes, lists, and so on, tell us about this narrator?4. Christopher provides insight into his behavior on p. 7 when he begins to press his forehead on the ground, ignoring the policeman. However, the policeman does not have the vantage point that we have. If we were ignorant about Christopher in the way that the policeman is, what would we think of Christopher? If the policeman had known what we know about this narrator, how might he have approached Christopher differently?5. Chapter 19 (p. 11) provides us with a digression on prime numbers. What do we learn, factually speaking, about such numbers as we read this chapter? What do we learn about this digression on prime numbers vis-a-vis the chapter that precedes it? In other words, how does Chapter 19 shed light on the subject matter of the previous chapter? What philosophy does Christopher extract from his digression on prime numbers (read the end of Chapter 19 for an answer to this question.)
Part Two:
Begin a reader response journal for the novel. You may about any topic or issue arising from the novel that interests you. Make comments about characters, events, themes explored, etc. Below is a sample of what you might wish to write about as you begin the novel. Entries should be approximately ½ to 3/4 of a page. Only one journal is being assigned for today.
Read the first paragraph of the novel (p. 1). What do you learn about Christopher by reading this passage? What do you learn about what is important to him? How does he see things? How might he be different from you, or even the same? What kind of narrative style characterizes this passage?
Part Three:
Make a list of any unknown words as you read the assigned chapters.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Novel Study -cont'd
1/ took up questions from last week
2/ Read "The Hound of the Baskervilles" for homework.
2/ Read "The Hound of the Baskervilles" for homework.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thursday -Work on ISU Book Festival
GRADE 9 ISU BOOK FESTIVAL
After you have submitted your Book Review, your book club will give a short oral presentation (approximately 15-20 minutes.)
In your presentation, your group will do the following:
Focus on one aspect of the book that really captured your interest
Create a presentation that will encourage your audience to read the novel too
Your presentation can be anything that gets information about your book across in a creative and unique way (e.g. skit, taped interview with “author,” a book talk, dramatization of a scene, monologue of a character from the novel, a news report, etc.)
Your presentation must include the use of visual/audio aids.
All members of the group must speak during the presentation and clearly demonstrate their contribution to the group. Each group member will be marked individually.
BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!
(Be sure to discuss your idea with the teacher so that materials you may need such as a vcr, dvd or cd player can be arranged.)
Oral Component
· Content (creativity) & Organization /5
· Engages audience/captures interest /5
· Speaks clearly, audible voice, good posture /5
Visual/Audio Component
· Effective/enhances presentation /5
· Creativity /5
· Communicates key points/ideas /5
TOTAL /30
MY PRESENTATION IS ON __First week of June__________________.
After you have submitted your Book Review, your book club will give a short oral presentation (approximately 15-20 minutes.)
In your presentation, your group will do the following:
Focus on one aspect of the book that really captured your interest
Create a presentation that will encourage your audience to read the novel too
Your presentation can be anything that gets information about your book across in a creative and unique way (e.g. skit, taped interview with “author,” a book talk, dramatization of a scene, monologue of a character from the novel, a news report, etc.)
Your presentation must include the use of visual/audio aids.
All members of the group must speak during the presentation and clearly demonstrate their contribution to the group. Each group member will be marked individually.
BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!
(Be sure to discuss your idea with the teacher so that materials you may need such as a vcr, dvd or cd player can be arranged.)
Oral Component
· Content (creativity) & Organization /5
· Engages audience/captures interest /5
· Speaks clearly, audible voice, good posture /5
Visual/Audio Component
· Effective/enhances presentation /5
· Creativity /5
· Communicates key points/ideas /5
TOTAL /30
MY PRESENTATION IS ON __First week of June__________________.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Novels are here!
1/ Novels handed out.
2/ Took up Language Lessons from last week.
3/ Reviewed peer editing checklist for ISU Book review.
2/ Took up Language Lessons from last week.
3/ Reviewed peer editing checklist for ISU Book review.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Friday, May 8th
1/ We wrapped up our study of Romeo and Juliet. See last blog for notes on major themes.
2/ Romeo and Juliet Trivia
3/ WE WON THE GREEN ROOM CHALLENGE! WELL DONE EVERYONE!
REMINDERS
2/ Romeo and Juliet Trivia
3/ WE WON THE GREEN ROOM CHALLENGE! WELL DONE EVERYONE!
REMINDERS
- Creative and Media Task due Monday, May 11th
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Review Major Themes/Elements in R & J
1/ Group Activity -each group assigned a question to respond to
Group #1
LOVE: Look at the types of love in the play. What is Shakespeare saying about love?
Group #1
LOVE: Look at the types of love in the play. What is Shakespeare saying about love?
- Romantic Love -between Romeo and Juliet, willing to die for each other
- Friendshiop -Mercutio and Romeo, Romeo and Benvolio, care about each other, Romeo killed Tybalt to avenge Mercutio's death
- Infatuation -Romeo's infatuation with Rosaline at the beginning of the play, Romeo more in love with being in love at this point in the play
- Parental Love -Nurse and Juliet, Montagues and Romeo -Juliet's parents more concerned with her obedience than her opinions and wishes, Montagues deeply concerned about Romeo's sorrow when he is infatuated with Rosaline, the Nurse is very maternal toward Juliet, Nurse helps Juliet be with Romeo
Group #2
FATE: What role does Fate play in Romeo and Juliet? Is fate responsible for the tragedy?
- Fate is treated like a character in the play
- All characters believe in fate except for Mercutio
- "I am fortune's fool" says Romeo after killing Tybal
- "I defy you stars" says Romeo after Juliet dies
- Romeo believes in fate but tries to go against it, doesn't see himself as responsible for what happens
- Mercutio believes more in free will, making your own choices, only character who blames the ancient feud for his death -"A plague on both your houses."
- Don't believe fate is responsible for the tragedy, Romeo and Juliet were responsible for their own actions
- If fate was a factor, then perhaps Romeo and Juliet were meant to die in order to end their parents' feud
Group #3
CONFLICT: What are the major conflicts in the play? What are the consequences of these conflicts?
- 3 major conflicts are: the ancient feud, forbidden love and control (Capulets control over Juliet)
- Conflict leads to tragedies including death, banishment and Juliet's parents threatening to disown her
Group #4
OPPOSITES/CONTRAST: Who or what is in opposition in the play? What types of contrast occur? Why does Shakespeare do this?
- Light and Dark imagery throughout play, Juliet is the sun, Romeo inconstant like the moon
- Romeo attempts to make night out of day when he must leave Juliet and travel to Mantua
- Juliet is content in the daylight
- Lover versus Hate -Juliet and Romeo love one another despite family name, Montagues versus Capulets, Parents versus Young Love
- Love is bittersweet -produces sweetness and sorrow, is bad and good all at the same time, their love is forbidden and yet is still happening
- Life and Death -references to life and death throughout play, play begins with life/love and ends with death
- Old versus Young -parents believe they are wise and know what's best for their children while the teenagers are young and naive, their love overpowers everything else for them and they act without thinking
- teenagers believe that everything will fall into place and work itself out but Friar Lawrence reminds them that those who run fast, often stumble
2/ Monday, May 11th will be an ISU Work Period, come prepared.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Work Period
Students worked on the following tasks:
ISU Book Review
Creative Component of R &J Portfolio
Media Component of R & J Portfolio
Oral Component of R & J Portfolio cancelled!
ISU Book Review
Creative Component of R &J Portfolio
Media Component of R & J Portfolio
Oral Component of R & J Portfolio cancelled!
Monday, May 4, 2009
ISU Book Review assigned
ISU BOOK REVIEW ASSIGNED & FINAL BOOK CLUB MEETING
(other important due dates listed at bottom of post)
ENG 1D1: ISU CRITICAL REVIEW
Use ideas and insights gained from meetings and your “Club Notes” to generate the content of your critical review.
OUTLINE:
Prepare a detailed outline of your critical review.
Introductory Paragraph:
-topic sentence that captures the reader’s attention
-novel title and author
-state your central thesis (would you recommend this novel or not?)
-provide supporting arguments (these arguments must be based on an analysis of two literary elements ie. character, setting, plot, theme, etc.)
-proper concluding sentence that makes a smooth transition to next paragraph
Body of Critical Review:
-develop thesis using two supporting arguments as outlined in first paragraph
-one paragraph per argument
-use quotations from your novel to illustrate important points
-use parenthetical notation to document quotes
-use smooth transitions between paragraphs to create coherence/unity
-include proper topic sentence and concluding sentence for each body paragraph
Concluding Paragraph:
-include topic sentence
-restate thesis or final assessment of novel
-summarize two main points
-make overall, insightful statement about novel as you conclude review
-do not introduce new material at this point
References:
You must include a Works Cited page, even if the only source used is your novel.
Sample:
Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel. The Fellowship of the Ring. London: Harper Collins, 1999
ROUGH OUTLINE DUE: ____WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th_____________
Peer Editing Workshop: Friday, May 15th
Submit FINAL DRAFT of the following on: ______TUESDAY, MAY 19TH_____
-Title page (your review must have a unique title)
-Good copy of review
-Works Cited pg
-all process work including: brainstorming, outline, rough draft, etc.
EVALUATION OF ISU CRITICAL REVIEW:
Content: /20 marks
-clear thesis
-analysis of two literary elements
-arguments are ample, persuasive, relevant, logical
-quotes used effectively
-logical progression of ideas
-review organized using proper format
Style/Mechanics: /20 marks
-appropriate vocabulary
-ideas are expressed clearly and effectively
-correct spelling, proper sentence/paragraph structure
-effective and accurate punctuation
-quotations are properly documented
Total: /40 marks
Comments:
OTHER IMPORTANT DUE DATES:
Creative and Media Component of R & J Portfolio due Monday, May 11th
Presentations (oral skits) due Friday, May 8th
Work Periods for Presentations are Wednesday, May 6th and Thursday, May 7th
(other important due dates listed at bottom of post)
ENG 1D1: ISU CRITICAL REVIEW
Use ideas and insights gained from meetings and your “Club Notes” to generate the content of your critical review.
OUTLINE:
Prepare a detailed outline of your critical review.
Introductory Paragraph:
-topic sentence that captures the reader’s attention
-novel title and author
-state your central thesis (would you recommend this novel or not?)
-provide supporting arguments (these arguments must be based on an analysis of two literary elements ie. character, setting, plot, theme, etc.)
-proper concluding sentence that makes a smooth transition to next paragraph
Body of Critical Review:
-develop thesis using two supporting arguments as outlined in first paragraph
-one paragraph per argument
-use quotations from your novel to illustrate important points
-use parenthetical notation to document quotes
-use smooth transitions between paragraphs to create coherence/unity
-include proper topic sentence and concluding sentence for each body paragraph
Concluding Paragraph:
-include topic sentence
-restate thesis or final assessment of novel
-summarize two main points
-make overall, insightful statement about novel as you conclude review
-do not introduce new material at this point
References:
You must include a Works Cited page, even if the only source used is your novel.
Sample:
Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel. The Fellowship of the Ring. London: Harper Collins, 1999
ROUGH OUTLINE DUE: ____WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th_____________
Peer Editing Workshop: Friday, May 15th
Submit FINAL DRAFT of the following on: ______TUESDAY, MAY 19TH_____
-Title page (your review must have a unique title)
-Good copy of review
-Works Cited pg
-all process work including: brainstorming, outline, rough draft, etc.
EVALUATION OF ISU CRITICAL REVIEW:
Content: /20 marks
-clear thesis
-analysis of two literary elements
-arguments are ample, persuasive, relevant, logical
-quotes used effectively
-logical progression of ideas
-review organized using proper format
Style/Mechanics: /20 marks
-appropriate vocabulary
-ideas are expressed clearly and effectively
-correct spelling, proper sentence/paragraph structure
-effective and accurate punctuation
-quotations are properly documented
Total: /40 marks
Comments:
OTHER IMPORTANT DUE DATES:
Creative and Media Component of R & J Portfolio due Monday, May 11th
Presentations (oral skits) due Friday, May 8th
Work Periods for Presentations are Wednesday, May 6th and Thursday, May 7th
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