IB Literature of the Americas

December 11/17

The IB Oral Presentations on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn will begin. Essays due on Dec 18/19.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

Dec 11/17

I introduced Shakespeare's Hamlet, went over themes and motifs and devices of language. We acted out Act One, scene 1 in class. The homework is to read scenes 2 &3.

I gave out the instructions for submitting the IB Comparative Study Essays to turnitin.com. Essays are due on Dec 18/19 and must be submitted online by those dates.

IB Literature of the Americas

December 9/10

Today we read a critical essay on the controversial end of the novel, HThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Students discussed the last few chapters of the novel in small groups and then we had a very stimulating large group discussion.
I conferenced with students who will be giving their IB Oral Presentations on this novel for topic and format. I heard some very excting ideas!

The homework is to read the two critical essays on racism in the novel and to plan and prepare your Oral or your Essay on the novel. Essays due December 18/19.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

December 9/10

Today was the second and last day of writing the rough draft of the IB Comparative Study Essay on the poetry of Akhmatova and Szymborska. I checked rough drafts for completion (40 pts).
The final drafts are due on Dec 18/19. Revise and word-process!

Turnitin.com submissions must be made by the due date for the final draft.

IB Literature of the Americas

December 5/8

Today there was a passage quiz on the reading in Huck Finn. After the quiz, we discussed the reading and some of the moral dilemmas that Huck faces.
I also gave out a packet of supplemental readings related to the novel.

The homework is to read chapters 36-43. Finish the novel.
I posted the IB Oral Presentation schedule in the classroom!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

December 5/8

Outlines for the Akhmatova/Szymborska Comparative Study ESSAYS are due and I conferenced with each student individually about their ideas.

This was the first of two in-class Rough Draft writing days. I collected rough drafts at the end of class. There is no homework....except to dream about your ideas for your essay! Final Drafts are due December 18/19.

IB Literature of the Americas

Dec 3/4

I gave out the objectives for the out-of-class ESSAY on Huck Finn. Essays are due on Dec 18/19.
We discussed chapters 19-22 of Huck Finn, looking closely at the characters of the King and the Duke. We also discussed the difference between romanticism and realism in literature.
The homework is to read ch 23-35 of the novel.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

December 3/4

We finished the presentations on Szymborska's poetry.

I distributed and went over the objectives for the IB Comparative Study ESSAY. We looked closely at the thesis statements and topic sentences of some of the student-written model papers. Students used a venn diagram to start mapping out their outlines for the Comparative Study.
Outlines are due Friday, Dec 5 (Sheldon) and Monday, Dec 8 (South). I will conference with each student as they begin writing the rough draft in class.

IB Literature of the Americas

December 1/2

Students were assigned to one of six acting/analyzing groups to focus on a theme in the first 18 chapters of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

I also gave out the objectives for the IB Oral Presentation on Huckleberry Finn. Half the class will present on this novel, the other half on My Antonia. The student assignments were distributed. Those not presenting orally on Huck Finn will write an out-of-class essay.

The homework is to read chapters 19-22.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

December 1/2

Students were assigned one of 13 of Szymborska's poems to present and analyze for the class. During the class, all students took notes on imagery, speaker, theme and interpretation.
I introduced the objectives for the IB Comparative Study ESSAY. I gave out a packet with sample student essays from seniors last year who scored 7s on the papers.
Final Drafts of the Comparative Study Essays are due December 18/19.
Outlines are due Dec 5/8.
Rough Drafts will be written in class on Dec 5 and Dec 9 at Sheldon. Rough Drafts will be written on Dec 8 and Dec 10 at South.

Your only homework is to start thinking about the poems you will compare in your paper.

IB Literature of the Americas

November 25/26

After announcing the winners of the Walt Whitman Film Festival awards.....(I loved those films!), we discussed the first three chapters of Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and his use of satire.

We also started viewing an important PBS documentary on the controversy surrounding the novel.

The homework is to read chapters 4-18. Happy Thanksgiving!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

November 25/26

Congratulations on finishing your senior paper!
I collected the final drafts of the Memorial poems inspired by Szymborska's "Starvation Camp Near Jaslo" and "Photograph From September 11".
We did a partner comparison activity with Akhmatova's "Lot's Wife" and Szymborska's poem of the same title.
We also read and discussed " An Opinion on the Question of Pornography".

No homework for Thanksgiving Break!

IB Literature of the Americas

November 19/20

The final assessment on the Walt Whitman unit was given today: an in-class passage analysis essay on "Oh Captain, My Captain". Poetry packets were turned in.
The 4th annual film festival is Friday and Monday! I look forward to all the films!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

November 19/20

After briefly discussing Akhmatova's "Poem Without a Hero", I introduced Wislawa Szymborska and we read 4 of her poems.

Memorial poems at Sheldon due: Tuesday. Memorial poems at South due Wednesday.

IB Literature of the Americas

November 17/18

We discussed themes and techniques in "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" . I reviewed the objectives for the in-class passage analysis essay on one of Whitman's poems. Essays will be written on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20. Students will be able to use all Whitman materials. Annotated poetry packets are due on that day as well.

The 4th Annual Walt Whitman Film Festival takes place at Sheldon on Friday....and on Monday at South! Get your films ready for viewing!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

November 17/18

The class was divided into 13 groups....for the 13 sections of "Requiem". After discussing the assigned section of the poem, groups came together in one large circle for a reading of the entire poem and then a presentation by each group on important historical information as well as imagery and themes.

The homework is to read "Poem Without a Hero".

IB Literature of the Americas

November 12/14

We read and discussed Whitman's "A Noiseless Patient Spider".
Students performed sections of "I Sing the Body Electric".
Film groups and poems were finalized for the 4th annual Walt Whitman Film Festival: Nov 21/24.
The homework is to read "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry".

IB 20th C. Global Literature

November 13/14

I collected the final drafts of the IB Detailed/Imaginative Study Essays. I look forward to reading them!
We finished the presentations on Akhmatova's early poems and students did a partner-discussion poster activity on her later poems.

IB Literature of the Americas

November 10/12

We read "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed" and discussed the three main symbols.
We also read and discussed three of Whitman's civil war poems: "Bivouac on a Mountainside", "Calvary Crossing a Ford" and "Come Up From the Fields Father".
It is time to sign up for film groups for the 4th annual Walt Whitman Film Festival: Nov. 21/24!

The homework is to read and take notes on "I Sing the Body Electric".

IB 20th C. Global Literature

November 10/12

We discussed the timeline of Anna Akhmatova's life and how it influenced her poetry. Students presented on her early poems.
The homework is to revise/word process your IB Detailed/Imaginative Study Essay and submit it to turnitin.com. Final drafts due in class on November 13/14.

IB Literature of the Americas

Nov 3/4

I collected the poems inspired by Walt Whitman's "This Compost".
We began a group presentation/poster activity involving 5 different sections of "Song of Myself". The homework is to read "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd".

IB 20th C. Global Literature

Nov 3/4

This is the second and final day of writing the rough draft for the IB Detailed/Imaginative Study. I will do a completion check at the end of class to make sure the rough draft is finished, in MLA format and includes a Works Cited page.

The deadline for submitting the paper to turnitin.com is Nov. 13.

I also handed out the packets for our study of Russian poet, Anna Akhmatova. The homework is to read p. 1-5 of background materials.

IB Literature of the Americas

October 30/31

We discussed "This Compost" in class. Student will write an original poem based on "This Compost". I will collect it next class.
We also read and discussed "I Saw in Louisiana a Live Oak Growing".
I introduced the 4th annual Walt Whitman Film Festival.
For homework read "Song of Myself". Color code and take marginal notes.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

October 30/31

This is the first day of writing rough drafts for the IB Detailed/Imaginative Study. I conferenced with each student about their outline. Drafts were collected at the end of class. We will have one more day of in-class writing.

IB Literature of the Americas

October 28/29

I collected the Transcendental poems.

We discussed Whitman's life, style and themes.

I introduced the Whitman note-taking assignment. We read "I Hear America Singing" in class. Read "This Compost" for homework, color-code and take notes in the margin.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

October 28/29
We discussed the end of All Quiet on the Western Front.

In preparation for the IB Detailed/Imaginative Study, we looked at several examples of student-written essays that scored a 7 from IB last year.
Word processed Outlines are due October 30/31. We will write the rough drafts of this essay in class.

IB Literature of the Americas

October 24/27

We discussed Emerson's "Nature" and Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience". Using notes from the nature walk, students wrote a found poem with passages from Emerson and their own observations of nature.

Part of the homework is to write a Transcendental poem. Remember to word process and start with a quote from one of the essays.

Read and take notes on the biographical essay on Walt Whitman. We will start reading his poetry next class!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

October 24/27

We had a quiz in class on chapters 8 and 9, followed by discussion. The homework is to finish All Quiet on the Western Front (chapters 10-12) and to think about your IB Detailed Study/Imaginative Study Essay. If you plan to write on Like Water for Chocolate or Chronicle of a Death Foretold, please bring a copy to class on Tuesday/Wednesday.

IB Literature of the Americas

October 22/23

Today we discussed the captivity narrative of Elizabeth Hanson as a jeremiad and as Puritan propaganda.
I introduced the Transcendental Unit and explained the precepts of this philosophy. We began reading Emerson's "Self Reliance". The homework is to finish the packet and go on a nature walk...prepared to write a poem inspired by your own observations of nature and Emerson's essay, "Nature".

IB 20th C. Global Literature

October 22/23

Today I introduced the objectives for the IB Detailed/Imaginative Study Essay. The outline is due October 30. Final Drafts are due November 13. Rough Drafts will be written in class.

The style analysis of passages from chapter 6 were due at the end of class.

The homework is to read chapters 8&9 of All Quiet on the Western Front.

IB Literature of the Americas

October 20/21
Groups presented dramatic performances of sections of "The Minister's Black Veil". I introduced another encounter narrative: "The Remarkable Captivity of the Wife and Children of John Hanson" (1725).
For homework, finish the narrative.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

October 20/21
We read and discussed Tim O'Brien's "How to Tell a True War Story". We made connections to All Quiet on the Western Front, especially the disturbing chapter 6.
We started a passage analysis assignment from chapter 6 that we will finish on Wednesday/Thursday.
For homework, read chapter 7.

IB Literature of the Americas

October 16, 17

Students will present on stylistic and thematic aspects of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "Young Goodman Brown". For homework, read "The Minister's Black Veil".

IB 20th C. Global Literature

October 16/17

We discussed chapters 3 and 4 in class. Read chapter 5 of All Quiet on the Western Front for homework. Quiz, anyone?

IB 20th C. Global Literature

Ocober 9/13

We read and discussed the WWI poetry of Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. We also discussed chapters 1 and 2 of All Quiet on the Western Front.
The homework is to read chapters 3 and 4.

IB Literature of the Americas

Oct 6/7
In preparation for the in-class Passage Analysis Essay on The Tempest, students must write an outline that includes a thesis and topic sentences. Choose your passage from the four I gave you and come prepared to write!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

Oct 7/8

We finished the Oral Commentaries on Heart of Darkness and I introduced All Quiet on the Western Front. The reading assignment is chapters one and two.

IB Literature of the Americas

Oct 2/6

We reviewed the objectives for the in-class Passage Analysis essay on The Tempest. Essays will be written on Wednesday and Thursday and must demonstrate an understanding of the techniques of language in the passage....as well as an understanding of the play as a whole.

Tempest character journals are due October 6(South) and October 7(Sheldon). I look forward to seeing your beautiful work!
I also introduced a short dramatic scene presentation which will be performed in class on Tuesday(Sheldon) and Monday(South).

IB 20th C. Global Literature

October 2/6

Today we begin the Oral Commentaries in small groups on Heart of Darkness. This is your final assessment on the novella. Students will demonstrate their skills of style analysis on a passage from the book while making connections to the work as a whole.
This work is one that students may be tested on during the IB Taped Orals in the spring.

IB Literature of the Americas

September 30, October 1

We read an excerpt from Cesaire's Une Tempete in class and discussed comparisons to Shakespeare's The Tempest. We also listened to some of Ariel's songs as performed by the Delllar Consort.
Character relationship charts were collected and the homework is to finish your character journal, due Oct 6.

IB 20th Century Global Literature

September 30/Octobet 1

Today I collected the final drafts of the Personal Essays. I will grade those over the weekend.
I know they will be wonderful!
Oral Commentary presentations for Heart of Darkness begin on Thursday, Oct 2(Sheldon) and Monday October 6(South). Prepare your analysis for a 4-5 minute group presentation.

IB Literature of the Americas

September 24/25

Read Act 4 of The Tempest. Work on your character journal. Journals are due October 6!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

September 24/25

Read the Chinua Achebe critical essay that calls Heart of Darkness racist....and the Alan Watt essay that disputes those claims. Highlight passages that would support either argument.

IB Literature of the Americas

September 22, 2008

Read Act 3 of The Tempest. Work on your character journal.
Remember: journals are due on October 6!

IB 20th C. Global Literature

September 22, 2008

Finish reading Heart of Darkness by completing Part 3.
Revise your Personal Essay based on my feedback and on your own ideas for improvement. Final drafts due on Sept 30 (Sheldon) and October 1(South).

IB Literature of the Americas

September 17/18

Read primary source historical documents relevant to The Tempest. Group presentations on these sources will begin on Mon/Tues.
Work on your Tempest character journal.

IB 20th Century Global Literature

Sept 17: read Part 2 of Heart Of Darkness.

IB 20th C. Global Literature

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Sept. 11 read first half of Part One
Sept 15 finish first half of Part Two, final draft of Personal Essay due Sept. 29

IB Literature of the Americas

The Tempest by William Shakespeare
September 11 read Act One, look for the concept of "the Other"
September 15 read Act Two, begin work on Tempest journal, due: October 6