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.