My Last Day! :(

Today I am giving you first period to finish up your tic-tac-toe assignments.  All three pieces should be printed out and ready by the end of first period.

Sometime during first period, please leave a comment to this post, answering the following question:

• What are your plans after you graduate?

We will be having a discussion about this during second period when we go back to the classroom.  After that, you will be reading one of your tic-tac-toe pieces to the class.  This is mandatory.  It will help you prepare for your coffeehouse performances!

Then we can party!

Tic Tac Toe

Today we will be in the lab working on your Tic-Tac-Toe writing assignment.  Please use the lab time wisely, because you will be reading one of your pieces in class on Wednesday.

Here are some examples of imagery that may help you with revising your LGBT responses.

Here is a list of each different combination you could choose on the tic-tac-toe board:

• Culture essay, Imagery, Story starter prompts
• Tradition essay, Imagery, Character prompts
• Technology essay, Imagery, Setting prompts
• Gender essay, Imagery, Genre prompts

Good luck! I look forward to seeing what you all have come up with!

Assignments

Here is the complete list of assignments that I have collected since I've been with you:

Handmaid's Tale:

• Matching Quiz
• Discussion Questions
• Test

Writing:

• Flashback story
• Perspective Activity (Spoon River)
• Scene Rewrite
• LGBT Creative Response
• Celluloid Closet Questions

Feel free to come to me and see if I am missing anything from you :)

Tic-Tac-Toe Assignment

Using the tic-tac-board I gave you, create three different pieces of writing to get a "three in a row."  You will be working on this in class today and Monday.  They are due at the end of class on Monday, and you will be reading your favorite piece on Wednesday, my last day with you :(

The Celluloid Closet

After watching The Celluloid Closet, research gay and lesbian films after 1996.  How are these characters portrayed in film?  How has the industry grown to incorporate more LGBT themes?  What movies did you find?

Leave a comment to this post on your findings.

LGBT Rights

Today we'll be looking at gay rights (or the lack thereof) in other cultures.  American culture may have more room to grow in this aspect; however, we are much more liberal than many other countries around the world.  After watching each video, take five minutes to write a creative response to each.  Later you will be taking these responses and transforming them into a piece of writing of your choice- a poem, a short story, etc.

Videos:

Gay rights in Africa
Discrimination in Russia
Little Britain: Only Gay in the Village

Here are some examples of coming out stories if you need inspiration for your writing.

HOMEWORK: Finish your creative response to these videos for Friday.

Welcome Back From Break!

I hope all of you had a fun-filled February break :)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Here is the trailer to refresh your memory on the novel.

Were the characters believable?
Were the events believable?
Were you surprised by the ending?

Coming of Age

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a great example of a young adult "coming of age" story.  A coming of age story is a genre that shows the growth of characters from childhood to adulthood.  These characters usually have to overcome a series of challenges in order to learn more about themselves and life in general.  These works of literature are focused mainly on the changes that the characters undergo throughout the story.

How have the main characters in The Perks of Being a Wallflower grown and changed from the beginning of the novel to the end?

CLASSWORK: Do the perspective activity about Spoon River Anthology.  Take the rest of class to create a scene rewrite.  The entire novel of TPOBAW is told from the perspective of the protagonist, Charlie.  The reader never sees the events of the novel from another point of view.  Choose one of the following "scenes" that happen in the novel and rewrite it from the perspective of another character.  The events will naturally remain the same, but you will give more insight on the character's thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc.

Scenes

• October 28th- Charlie's first party (p. 28)
• November 7th- Patrick & Brad's story (p. 42)
• December 21st- Secret Santa exchange (p. 65)
• Any other scene of your choice

Everyone have a wonderful break!

HOMEWORK: Finish The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  As you read, think about how the characters are portrayed.  Is there any stereotyping?  Is it realistic?

Flashback Drafts

Self-assess your draft using this checklist.  Answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper.  It's okay if you don't have every item; this is something you can adjust on your revision.  If something isn't present in your story, comment on how you might revise the draft.

1.) Does the beginning of my story hook the reader? How?

2.) Do I have a smooth transition into the flashback(s), so my reader understands the time change? (Examine the verb tenses.)

3.) Which literary devices did I use during the flashback(s)? (imagery, metaphor, etc.)

4.) How does the flashback(s) further develop my character?
5.) What can I cut from my story? Make sure that everything you have written contributes to the development of your character and plot.  If it doesn't- CUT IT!

HOMEWORK: A revised (finished) draft of this story is due on Thursday.

Queer Theory

Gay & Lesbian Literature

Read your part of the article and highlight sections where you make a connection to your own life, or a connection with what you see in our society today.

HOMEWORK: Read Part 1 of TPOBAW by Thursday.

Handmaid's Tale Wrap-Up

Here's the trailer to the movie (I forgot to show it last class, sorry!)

We'll take the test first period and then go up to the lab to finish your short stories.  You should have a draft for me by the end of class today.

Welcome to Ms. Jordan's blog! We'll be using this for the next few weeks, while I am here with you.  You can get to it from a link on Mr. Craddock's blog.

Today:

- Discuss The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood's writing process.

Writing Assignment: Flashbacks

Re-read the first 6 paragraphs in Chapter 41 (p. 343-344).  Who is she speaking to? Why does she need to tell this story even though she doesn't want to?  Offred calls her narrative "limping and mutilated."  Why does Atwood choose to break up her story the way she does?  Is it successful?

Atwood obviously has a passion for feminism, which is why she chose to write about it in her novel.  What are you passionate about?  Take a few minutes to create a list of themes/topics you feel strongly about.

Assignment: Create a short story (3-5 pages) using flashbacks.  Use your list of themes to guide you toward a topic.

Feeling stuck? Here are some prompts:

• How is life different for your character now, compared to how it used to be?  Did any big, life-changing moments happen?
• Is your character in a dire situation (falling from a tall building, being held at gunpoint, hanging from a tree branch above hungry bears, etc.) and is remembering a moment in his life that he regrets? Wants to remember?
• Create a list of two or three new rules in our society that your character must follow (French fries are illegal, students must wear robes to school, etc.).  Have them reflect on how life used to be or what they've had to give up.

HOMEWORK: Bring at least one page of this story to next class.