Talk to Me

One of the Middle Eastern books is called Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. It is fascinating and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Islamic culture and literature. I have marked so many passages and turned down so many corners because I am just waiting for someone to come along who wants to talk to me about a book. :) (I know, I might be waiting a LONG time.) Anyway, here is the passage that reminded me of you all at this point in your life journeys:

It is written at a point when the author is considering leaving Iran for the United States.

"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place, I told him, like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again."

What do you think?

Time, SLOW DOWN

Ok. I will continue to post the weekly calendar, but I thought as we hurtle headlong into Christmas Break, it might help to sort of lay out a long-range plan for you guys. Soooooo..... Here is where we are heading.

This Thursday and next, whichever group is NOT having Therapeutic Thursday will be looking over your essays in your portfolio and deciding which is the best pick for revision. In addition, you will analyze your writing for strengths and weaknesses and see how your writing has (hopefully) improved this semester. Your final portfolio, complete with a revised essay and a reflective essay (which will be an in-class essay in a couple of weeks) is due to me before you leave for Christmas break.

Remember, Middle Eastern novel panel discussions will take place Tues and Wed.

Journals are due next Friday, 12/7.

Your Unit 2 test is a take home test and it will be due on 12/14.

Last of all, your AP Toolbox is due on 12/18. This should include cards for The Alchemist, Frankenstein, and the Middle Eastern novel. This is a large part of your first semester grade.

Good deal? Laid out this way, it's not so bad, is it? I am debating (with myself) our next book. I want you to read something over December and Christmas break, I just haven't decided what. Any input? A completely independent pick? O'Brien's The Things They Carried? Waiting for Godot?

Week of November 26

This week is entirely independent work over your Middle Eastern books. You will need to bring all of the work I have given you already to class on Monday. On that day, I will hand out your week-long tasks. I really hope you enjoy it and I think you will. :)

Monday-Wednesday, Friday
Independent Novel Work

Thursday, 11/29
PERIODIC SENTENCE STUFF DUE
Group 1- Practice work
Group 2- TT - Justin and David? Or whomever they traded with...

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Well, friends... it's almost over. This semester has FLOWN by and the month after the break will fly by even faster. I would be really sad except....

WE GET ANOTHER ENTIRE SEMESTER!!!

I'm telling you, this year long class idea is the best one somebody has ever had! :) I do just want to say to you (my heart is about to speak so get ready) that I have so enjoyed all of it... Every class, every discussion, every paper, every journal, and every book so far. You are just the best people who care so much and still get excited by education. That's like crack for English teachers. I cannot think of a single one of you about whom I don't have the best things to say and with whom I don't love to talk. I think your futures are so bright and I am so grateful I get to ride this crazy roller coaster all the way to the last big hill in May with you. I hope your Thanksgiving break is peaceful and restful (and productive-- hint, hint!) and that you come back energized and refreshed. :)

[Sidenote: Over break, you will need to make sure to complete 1) the satire homework 2) your Middle Eastern book AND the work required over it-- BRING IT ALL WITH YOU ON MONDAY AFTER BREAK!!! 3) your periodic/loose sentence handout is due the THURSDAY after break, so bring it by Thursday 4) your AP Test Master questions-- if you didn't finish in class, just divide up the work and finish by Tuesday, 11/27.]

Week of November 12... OR, if you prefer, THE LAST WEEK BEFORE A WEEK OFF!!!

You know how I feel about this book. So you know how I feel about this week. And you know how I love my birthday. And you know how close it is. And you know how we all need a week off. And you know it's five days away. So... you know. GREAT WEEK!

Monday, 11/12
Frankenstein work

Tuesday, 11/13
Finish Frank seminar

Wednesday, 11/14
Frankenstein work

Thursday, 11/15
1-TT
2-Writing work

Friday, 11/16
Satire

Homework: READ MIDDLE EASTERN BOOKS!!!

Frankenstein Response

Consider the effects of education.  If reading allows one access to knowledge of the world through the eyes of others, does it make one more sensitive to other points of view?  Does this sensitivity make educated people more humanitarian?  Is this true of Frankenstein?

More Links

Here are two more links for you, one for the AP test (frequency of titles for those of you who are looking for some Christmas break reading) and one to a very interesting article on Hamlet that Mrs. Puckett uses. :)

AP List

Hamlet

Week of November 5

Hopefully you all aced Friday's test and are pumped up to talk about Frankenstein this week! Mind you, according to which days Byrd wants you, our schedule this week could change...

Monday, 11/5
Intro to Unit 2- Nature/Technology/Self

Tuesday, 11/6
Possibly Byrd

Wednesday, 11/7
Frankenstein as a Gothic Novel
Hamlet revised essay DUE

Thursday, 11/8
1-Short Story practice
2-Therapeutic Thursday

Friday, 11/9
Frankenstein Seminar
JOURNALS DUE