That's a Wrap!

Aim: How do we evaluate our collective learning this semester?

Quick Write: What did you learn about yourself as a student this semester? What did you learn about yourself as a person?

What's due by Monday, June 15, 2015*

• Allegories!
• Independent reading projects
• Prose poems!
• Daily Quick Writes and writing activities
• Returned books....................... -50 participation points if unreturned

Please complete the course evaluation. There are copies in the classroom and a link below. This will help me improve my teaching for my next crop of students.

I hope you learned at least half as much from me as I learned from all of you this semester.
I will miss and always remember you.

Carry on,


Ms. Becker


Click here for the course evaluation.


* If for some reason you need an extended deadline on something, please email me or speak to me privately.

Allegory as a Literary Device

Aim: How do authors use allegory to deepen understanding?
Quick Write: Describe a time when you were in a situation in which you expressed your individuality loud and clear. What did you do to express yourself. What challenges did you overcome in doing this? What is one reason it is good for someone to express their individuality? When might it not be such a great idea?

Today's Lesson
Individualism is a belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence. As a philosophy, individualists believe in freedom from government interference to achieve one’s economic goals. The doctrine or philosophy also believes that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of a government or social group.

The United States was founded on a belief in the rights of the individual to live freely. The Bill of Rights was based on the understanding that all people are born equal and have the right to their individual beliefs. Many people believe that no one has the right to tell you how to vote, who to love, and to whom to pray. People express their individuality in the way they dress, their friends, music, dance, what they read, what they say, and what they do for work and fun.

Conformity: As you know, in social psychology, conformity is a social influence involving a change in behavior or belief in order to fit in with a group. It can be the result of something as simple as peer pressure or in some societies, a custom requiring individuals to act or dress a certain way. It also is not hard to understand the need for laws to control certain behaviors in every kind of society. For example, people obviously are not free to kill each other. People also must pay taxes.

In this country, there are laws and regulations covering all aspects of life from how to drive a car to procedures to follow when investing money or buying a house. Some public schools have dress codes that prevent students from wearing what they want to express their personalities. Students might not like these rules, but school officials have their reasons for it. Perhaps they feel dress codes create less of a distraction for students or perhaps they want to make it easier for disadvantaged students who cannot afford to buy expensive clothes that students consider “cool.” People must conform to rules and regulations of all kinds to be part of a peaceful and productive group or society.

In many cases, people actually want to conform so that they can feel part of a group that makes them feel important.

An allegory tells a story with the purpose of teaching about an abstract idea or principle. Allegories make use of symbols, characters and events to make their points. Watch this video that, using allegory, explains to children an aspect of conformity and how it can make people feel important by being part of a group: Dr. Seuss' "The Sneetches"  Consider: what does the star on the belly symbolize for the sneetches?

Your Challenge: Create your own allegory for how people conform to be part of a group and feel important, or how people express their individualism to be different. You may choose to write it, draw it, create a poster or slide presentation. Have fun with it!

Remember independent reading? Now is a good time to start thinking about your reading projects. See the list of suggestions under "Resources" in the right-hand margin. However, other ideas are encouraged. Just run them past me.

***Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress and to review missed assignments.***

Flash Fiction

Aim: How do we analyze the many layers of meaning of "The Story of an Hour" for theme? 
Quick Write: Describe the effect a cloudless, breezy day has on your attitude.

Read "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin

Watch this video.

Close Reading Questions

After you have read the story, answer the following questions. The questions are chronological.

1. We are told that Mrs. Mallard has “heart trouble.” How might that be more than a physical ailment?

2. Mrs. Mallard is given “veiled hints” about her husband’s death. What does this suggest about the way she is viewed/treated by her family?

3. What does her passionate response tell us about her? Notice that this is our first real clue to her character, other than the description of her physical ailments.

4. “There stood facing the open window a comfortable, roomy chair.” What does this description tell us about her ordinary life? Look for other images of open/closed.

5. What time of year is it? Why is this important? What could the time of year symbolize? 

6. “Patches of blue sky [were] showing here and there through the clouds.” How does this relate to her situation? 

7. “She was young, with a fair, calm face.” Are you surprised by her age?  What does her face tell you about her life?

8. “There was something coming to her…” What do you think is coming to her? Why is it arriving from outside, rather than from inside her?

9. She “strives to beat it back with her will.” What is “it”? Could it BE her will?

10. Why does she repeat “Free, free, free”? What is happening to her?  How does she feel this in her body?

11. Why is her joy “monstrous”? Do you agree? What is your perception of her at this point?

12. Is there any doubt that her husband loved her? What can we infer about how he loved her?

13. “There will be no one to live for during these coming years.” What myth about women does this seem to challenge?

14. We do not know her first name until near the end of the story. Why do you think this is?

15. What do you think about her death? What do you think the final lines tell us about Chopin’s view of marriage?

16. How do you think the ending would have been different if Mr. Mallard had been waiting at home and received word of his wife’s death?

17. Choose what you think to be the most important or significant word from this story. Justify your choice.

18. Choose what you think to be the most important or significant phrase from this story. Justify your choice.

Final Reflection
After reading and discussing the short story, answer each of these four questions in well-organized paragraphs:

1. Read the final two one-sentence paragraphs of the story. Then, do a quick write on how you have had to revise meaning and the new interpretations you have formed as the story unfolded. Perhaps it may help by interpreting the final words: “a joy that kills.” Your idea of the theme or big idea has undoubtedly changed.

2. Were you able to relate anything in this story to your own life? Is there a particular lesson you may have learned which you can state as a theme, an insight into human life? Will you think or do something differently as a result of reading this story?

3. Is this story still relevant today? Explain, supporting your opinion with specific and relevant facts and evidence.

4. Finally, explain if and how this story relates to the idea of conformity, again supporting your opinion with specific and relevant evidence.

Remember independent reading books? Now is a good time to start thinking about your reading projects. See the list of suggestions under "Resources" in the right-hand margin. However, other ideas are encouraged. Just run them past me.

***Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress and to review missed assignments.***

Tradition in "The Lottery"

Aim: What exactly is Shirley Jackson saying about tradition and what does this have to do with conformity?

Quick Write: Put your critic's hat on and watch this student-made video of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. Say whether you liked it or not supporting your opinion with specific and relevant details.

Watch this student-made video interpretation of "The Lottery."

Identifying Issues in Literature

Every story and poem we read, movie or TV show we watch and song we listen to deals with issues that people can relate to. For example, many songs deal with issues such as falling in love or falling out of love.

The movie The Lion King deals with the following issues:

• Growing Up
• Family Problems
• Death of a Loved One
• Falling in Love
• Facing Fear

In addition to these five issues, this movie has more issues as well (such as friendship, being a leader, etc.). Most movies and stories deal with many, many issues.

List two issues that characters deal with in “The Lottery.” (Download it here if you need to: THE LOTTERY by Shirley Jackson.)

Defining Theme

Theme is what a work of literature (such as a story, movie, TV show or poem) tells us about a specific issue. When a story, poem, movie, TV show, play or poem deals with an issue, it always tells us something about this issue. For example, one song that deals with love may tell us that love is a beautiful thing. Another song may tell us that love is a struggle. And another song may tell us that love causes pain.

In The Lion King, we can take any of the issues that we identified earlier and turn it into a theme. Each issue can be turned into several different themes.
For example:

• Growing up is a series of tests and struggles that we face.
• Part of growing up is learning to deal with the loss of loved ones.
• Growing up is about facing your fears and overcoming them.
• Family problems can destroy you if you let them.
• The death of a loved one may cause pain, but it can also push you to accomplish great things.
• Falling in love can save someone’s life.
• Facing fear is necessary if you ever want to grow up.

Today's Activity

Step 1: Choose one of the quotes below, interpret it in your own words, say whether you agree or disagree and explain why.

"Just because something is traditional is no reason to do it, of course."
(Lemony Snicket)
"Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay."
(Jiddu Krishnamurti)
"`Tradition': one of those words conservative people use as a shortcut to thinking."
(Warren Ellis)

Step 2: Explain how this quote connects to "The Lottery." Use details from "The Lottery" to support your opinion.

Step 3: Answer today's Aim in a well-organized paragraph.

Discussion Question!!!!
What was the most interesting question or comment you heard today in class? Put your thoughts on the comment section below and earn one extra credit Accountable Talk II point.

What's Due

• Argument essays are overdue!!!! 
• PowerPoint on the human behavior experiments 
• Daily classwork/blog posts 
• Independent reading book 

***Don't forget to complete and turn in your "Six Elements of Engagement Daily Self-Tracker" before leaving class.

****Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress in this class.****

Foreshadowing in "The Lottery"

Aim: How do we identify the literary device known as foreshadowing and why would an author use it? 

Journal Prompt #10: DOK Question
Using the DOK question stems, generate at least one level 3 or 4 question about "The Lottery."

Watch this video until 3:35 and STOP. Predict what is going to happen to the boy. List ALL the reasons you think this.

What is the difference between literary elements and literary techniques or devices?

Foreshadowing is a literary device that some authors choose to use to give you hints or clues about what will happen. In the clip from Jaws, the movie foreshadows that the boy will be eaten by a shark with a variety of hints and clues: ominous music, screams, loud laughter, people blocking views, the main character watching the water intently. When they made Jaws, why do you think they chose to use foreshadowing? Why do you think they give us so many hints as to what will happen?

Why do stories use foreshadowing?     

When stories give hints and clues about what will happen it can build suspense. It can stretch the moment out longer while you sit and wait for something to happen. It can prepare you for something major to happen. Sometimes, when big events happen in a story, if you’re not properly prepared, the big events can seem like they came out of nowhere, which can bring you out of your involvement in the story. Foreshadowing also involves you more in the story because it compels you to actively predict what will happen next.

Foreshadowing in “The Lottery”

Reread the first three paragraphs of the story. (Download it again if you need to: THE LOTTERY by Shirley Jackson.) Then answer the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questions below.

1. What specific details foreshadow the ending?  

2. Can you explain how the foreshadowing affected your understanding of the ending?

3. What is your interpretation of the ending based on Jackson's use of foreshadowing?

4. Write a reflection explaining with a thesis what you think was Shirley Jackson's purpose in foreshadowing the ending to "The Lottery." In what specific ways did the foreshadowing impact your understanding of the story?

Discussion Question!!!!
What was the most interesting question or comment you heard today in class? Put your thoughts on the comment section below and earn one extra credit Accountable Talk II point.

What's Due

• Argument essays are overdue!!!! 
• PowerPoint on the human behavior experiments 
• Daily classwork/blog posts 
• Independent reading book 

***Don't forget to complete and turn in your "Six Elements of Engagement Daily Self-Tracker" before leaving class.

****Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress in this class.****

Reading "The Lottery"

Aim: How do we identify and analyze an important theme in "The Lottery"? 

Quick Write: Describe a tradition or ritual your family follows. Explain how the tradition got started and what the tradition means to your family. For example, there might be a certain tradition your family follows for birthdays, Christmas, or even Sunday mornings.

From Wikipedia: “The Lottery” is a short story by Shirley Jackson, first published in the June 26, 1948, issue of The New Yorker.[1] Written the same month it was published, it is ranked today as “one of the most famous short stories in the history of American literature”.[2]

Response to the story was negative, surprising Jackson and The New Yorker. Readers canceled subscriptions and sent hate mail throughout the summer.[3] The story was banned in the Union of South Africa.[4] Since then, it has been accepted as a classic American short story, subject to critical interpretations and media adaptations, and it has been taught in middle schools and high schools for decades.

“The Lottery” was published after World War II when Americans were trying to forget the horrors of war and genocide and seeking the comfort and security of a steady job and a nice home in the suburbs with a car in the driveway. Why do you think conformity would be so important to people during this time period?

Vocabulary      

Reprimands = criticisms
Civic activities = community or public activities
Paraphernalia = miscellaneous articles, equipment or things
Perfunctory = performed as a routine without interest or care
Interminably = seemingly without stopping; endless

Read “The Lottery” here:
THE LOTTERY by Shirley Jackson

Answer the questions below as they come up in the story.

1. Where does the story take place? How does this setting affect the story? How do you think the story would change if it were to take place in the Bronx?

2. In what ways are the characters different from one another? Why might you think that Tessie Hutchinson is singled out as the “winner”?

3. What is the meaning of the title, “The Lottery”? What does it make you think about before you begin reading the story?

4. Re-read the opening description in the first paragraph. What does this make you think the story will be about?

5. Re-read the description of the black wooden box in paragraph five and the black spot on the “winning” slip of paper. Explain the meaning of these objects.

6. Were you surprised by the ending of the story? Why or why not? If not, at what point did you know what was going to happen? How does Jackson start to foreshadow the ending in paragraphs 2 and 3?

7. Define ritual. Then explain how this relates to conformity.

8. Why do you think people reacted so angrily when the story was first published in The New Yorker?

9. Based on analysis, what would you say is the major theme of "The Lottery"?

10. What do you believe Shirley Jackson was trying to say with this short story? Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint? Why?

Discussion Question!!!!
What was the most interesting question or comment you heard today in class? Put your thoughts on the comment section below and earn one extra credit Accountable Talk II point.

What's Due

• Argument essays are overdue!!!! 
• PowerPoint on the human behavior experiments 
• Daily classwork/blog posts 
• Independent reading book 

***Don't forget to complete and turn in your "Six Elements of Engagement Daily Self-Tracker" before leaving class.

****Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress in this class.****

Creating Our Own Prose Poems

Jamaica Kincaid

Aim: How do we create a prose poem in the vein of "Girl"? 

Quick Write: Write a level 3 or 4 question based on yesterday's close reading of "Girl."

Today after reviewing the questions and discussion that were generated by "Girl," you will create a prose poem of your own. Think about your own family's expectations for you as a boy or a girl. Think about the literary elements of your poem:

• What is the setting?
• From whose point of view is the monologue told?
• What are the characters like?
• What is the message (theme) you want to get across to your readers?
• How should you structure (plot) it?

If you would like support in structuring it, use this prose poem template by making your own copy under "file." 

The poem should be at least one typed page, double-spaced, 12 pt font. It is worth 50 project/test/quiz points. As always, you will be graded on learning outcomes, ideas, writing conventions, and effort. Click here to view the rubric.

Discussion Question!!!!
What was the most interesting question or comment you heard today in class? Put your thoughts on the comment section below and earn one extra credit Accountable Talk II point.

What's Due

• Argument essays are due!!!! 
• PowerPoint on the human behavior experiments 
• Daily classwork/blog posts 
• Independent reading book 

***Don't forget to complete and turn in your "Six Elements of Engagement Daily Self-Tracker" before leaving class.

****Always check Engrade for your up-to-the-minute progress in this class.****

If you read this far, see me privately for the keen observer award. (Day two.)