Independent Reading Workshop - Book Introduction & Preview

I picked-up a copy of Don DeLillo’s End Zone a little over a year ago after reading a short review of it in a magazine I enjoy (a sure-fire way to get me interested in reading a new book). I have to be honest though; it was the book’s cover that really caught my eye (another sure-fire way to get me interested in reading a new book).

Content-wise, the book’s about West Texas football, and as fan of the sport and the movie and TV series Friday Night Lights (I’ve actually never read the book they’re both based-on), I couldn’t resist.

As an author, DeLillo’s been a tough nut for me to crack. I tried reading both Underworld and White Noise several times, but have never been able to see the greatness that so many others do. Perhaps a simpler story about football during a time of nuclear fear will help me—finally—appreciate his style and voice.

180 Degrees South Reflection

On your blog, please choose 1 of the following quotes from the documentary and compose a post in which you reflect on its meaning in terms of:
1. the film & Jeff Johnson's journey;
2. your own life and what journeys lie ahead beyond high school.

Your response should be at least 75 words--include an image or video to enhance your post.  When you've finished, go read and comment on the posts by your Blog Buddies.

Quotes:
" The end is useless...but I find I learn something along the way....If you take a spiritual journey & you compromise the process you have failed...you are a [jerk] when you start and an [jerk] when you finish."

" The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn't even think to answer."

"Books are a great start, but there is no substitute for just going there."

"Men do not learn from history...that is the most important lesson history teachers us." - A. Huxley

"Work hard. Live simply. Have great respect for the ocean."

"Fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all."

"Growth is inevitable, but can we sustain this pace for long?"

"When you live your life outdoors, you get a sense that you have a responsibility to protect these wild places."

"It's like the quest for the holy grail.  Who gives a [darn] what the grail is, its the journey that counts...its the transformation that is within that is important."

Best Advice Ever?

What's the best advice you've ever received?  Tell me a brief story about who gave the advice and the situation that led to it.  How have you applied this advice to your life since?

Be descriptive in your telling--show, don't tell!

Post your response on your blog.

Graduation Speeches

"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" by Baz Luhrmann



"A Musical Journey Through High School" by Lance Jabr & Jeffrey Herman

Independent Reading Check-in

In a blog post of your own, please respond to ONE of following prompts regarding your Independent Reading book.  You may not use a prompt that you've already responded to.  Each response should be a minimum of 150 words.

    * Tell what you like or dislike about the current chapter or the book and why. Be specific.

    * Tell what you noticed about the characters or people in the chapter or book…such as what made them act as they did or how they changed.

    * Find a “key quote”. Share it with your readers and explain its importance to the book as a whole.

    * Illustrate, through a picture or a symbol, an idea scene, or some part of a chapter or the book. Explain your choice.

Independent Reading Book

Today I want you to spend some time telling me a little about your Independent Reading book.

1. What's it called and who wrote it?  Genre?  What's your book about?

2. How does your book connect one of your passions to a possible career?

3. And finally, what kind of project(s) might your book lend itself to.

If possible, find an image of your book's cover and include it as well.

Thanks!

What is a Hero?

To begin this week, I'd like you to think about heroes.  How do you define a hero?  What are some characteristics of heroes--real or imaginary; past or present?

Give some examples of people you consider to be a hero, idol, or role model.  Explain how this person/people fit your definition of what it means to be a hero.

Write 50 words and be as specific as possible.  Post your response on your blog--but you might want to begin by writing in a Word document.

Road Trip!

At the end of Senior year, if you had the opportunity to take the trip of a lifetime where would you go? What type of transportation would you use to travel to your destination(s)? Who would you take with you as your travel companion(s)?

In a blog post of your own, describe this Road Trip. Post your travel itinerary. Your trip should be at least 2 weeks and include 8-10 destinations of your choosing.  You can use Google Earth or Google Maps to chart your journey.


Be specific and creative!

The Motorcycle Diaries - Preview,Prefaces, and Beck Reflection (Periods 1 & 3)

Reflection...

Based on what you've done (Book Preview), read (the prefaces), and watched (Glenn Beck) over the past 24 hours, what do you expect from The Motorcycle Diaries?  What kind of person, experiences, and events do you think you're going to read about?

Share your thoughts in a post on your blog...please write at least 30 words.

The Motorcycle Diaries - Book Preview Reflection (Periods 2 & 4)

After having completed the Book Preview Activity, what do you expect from The Motorcycle Diaries?  What kind of person, experiences, and events do you think you're going to read about?

Share your thoughts in a post on your blog...please write at least 30 words.

When you're finished, ask your teacher for a copy of the next activity.

Independent Reading - What Gets Your Attention?

Imagine you are walking through a bookstore and are interested in buying a book.  What does it take for a book to get your attention? What are some examples of books that caught your attention?  Why?

Please write 25 words and include specific examples.

When you're finished, close your lid so I know you're finished.

New Semester - Reflection and Resolutions

Today's the first day of the second semester of your SENIOR YEAR!  It's also a good chance for you to reflect on the first half of the year, and set some goals for your final semester of high school. So to begin today, I want you to spend some time reflecting on your performance this past semester (or marking period) and setting some goals for the next. In a post on your blog, please answer the following questions:

1. What went really well for you this past semester/marking period? What was your greatest success? What enabled you to achieve this? Why? What will you do to continue your success in the upcoming semester?

2. Looking back over the first semester, what do you think you could have done differently or better? What will you change in the second semester to improve?

3. Now, take some time and create some resolutions for the second semester. What do you hope to achieve between now and June? Divide your goals into 3 categories: English Class; School in General; and Other. List them below, and for each one create a mini-plan for how you plan to achieve them.

Remember: a goal without a plan is just a wish.

Please take your time with this and really reflect on your successes and some opportunities you have to improve and grow--as a student and as a person.

When you've finished, head to Mr. Yost's Moodle site for the next activity.

Invisible Man - Reflection

Now that you've finished the novel (hooray!), you're ready to answer one key question:

What have the Narrator realized about himself, his identity, and his place in the world?  How do you think these "insights" will affect him as he continues through life?

Please write at least 50 words and include at least one quote from the novel to support your answer.

Invisible Man Reflection

"Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat"(577).

"'Because, Mr. Norton, if you don't know where you are, you probably don't know who you are'"(578).

In a post on your blog, reflect on these statements in regards to:
1. The Narrator, his journey of "self-realization", and "where" he is at the end of the novel
2. Your personal search for self, identity, and "where you are" at this point in your life

Please write at least 50 words, and if appropriate, include an image to enhance your response.

Wired Magazine - "Gone Forever" Reflection

The Wired magazine article we read documented Evan Ratliff's attempts at shedding his identity and becoming 'invisible'. Along the way, the article discussed topics such as the emotional toll and paranoia this brought on, the impact of a 'digital footprint' on a person, and the need to 'become visible' in order to 'become invisible.'

Taking all of this into consideration, compare and contrast the article & these issues to the stories of 2 of the following:

1. Chris McCandless
2. James Gatz/Jay Gatsby
3. the Narrator

Write your response in a Word document, but then post it to your blog. Be prepared to share!

On Freedom's Wings, The Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen

Part 1



Part 2

Reading for Meaning - Poetry

Today we're going to take a look at 2 poems, but before we do, we should take some time to talk about how we read poetry. Here's my question:

How is "reading for meaning" with poetry different than it is with short stories or novels? What types of things should we look for when we read poetry?

Write 30 words in your notes--feel free to make a list of things to look for when reading poetry for meaning.

MP #1 - Reflection and Goal-Setting for MP#2

To begin today, I want you to spend some time reflecting on your performance this past marking period and setting some goals for the next. In a post on your blog, please answer the following questions:

1. What went really well for you this past marking period? What was your greatest success--or your most successful strategy? Why? What will you do to continue your success in MP#2?

2. Looking back over MP#1, what do you think you could have done differently? Was a it a project, assignment, or something more general? What will you change in MP#2 to make sure you don't make the same mistake or display the same behavior twice?

3. Take some time and set some goals for MP#2. What do you hope to achive between now and the end of January? Divide you goals into 3 categories: English Class, School in General, and Other. List them below, and for each one create a mini-plan for how you plan to achieve them.

Please take your time with this and really reflect on what you did well and some opportunities you have to improve and grow--as a student and as a person.

When you've finished, head to Mr. Yost's Moodle site for the next activity.

The Great Gatsby - How Would You End It?

Today I want you to take a creative stab at writing/re-writing the end of The Great Gatsby. Based upon what you've read so far, how would you end the novel? Please be sure your ideas are consistent with the book up to now; in other words, your ending has to be believable.

Write at least 25 words! Have fun!

BEWARE: depending on what you've read, you might need to provide a spoiler alert at the beginning of your post--don't ruin the end of Chapter 8 for those that haven't read.

Gatsby's Characterization

Fitzgerald provides us with an array of direct and indirect characterization of Jay Gatsby. Revisit the following selections about the 'Old Sport':

"Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction...Gatsby turned out all right at the end..." (pg. 2)

"...for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone...he was trembling." (pg. 21)

"Well, they say he's a nephew or cousin of Kaiser Wilhem's...I'm scared of him. I'd hate to have him get anything on me." (pg. 32)

"He smiled understandingly--picking his words with care." (pg 48)

"...endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host, who stood on the porch, his hand up in a formal gesture of farewell." (pg. 55)

"I am the son of some wealthy people in the Middle West--all dead now...I suspected he was pulling my leg..." (pg 65)

"There's the kind of man you'd like to take home and introduce to your mother and sister." (pg. 72)

"The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking....seemed so romantic to me.." (pg. 75)

"Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay." (pg. 78)

What is your impression of Gatsby so far? From the beginning of the novel until now, how has your opinion developed and changed--if at all? Why? reference at least three of the selections above or use 3 of your own to explain your answer. Be sure to include in your explanation examples of what is said about Gatsby, by Gatsby, or the situation in which he is discussed.

Remember, write your post in a Word document and then copy it into your blog post.