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.
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