School's Out for Summer!

Visual art and literature are very similar. The reason for this is that both literature and art have a message. Often this message concerns what it is to have a meaningful life. At other times, the message is political and the art is commenting on the way things are in the world and is inviting us to do something about it. But most people don't understand visual art. When they look at a painting or a photo,  they simply think of whether or not the picture is realistic or pretty. What I'd like you to do with the following two pieces of art is to ask yourself what the message of the art is. Then you are to pick one of the two pieces and write 1/2 page telling me what you think that message is.

"Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange              "Wheatfield with Crows" by Vincent Van Gogh
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Untitled by Robert Doisneau

Last day of class before your final!

Finish The Book Thief movie

Don't forget to review the book on Sparknotes or some other site to prepare for the test Thursday!

1. What role do books play for Liesel, Hans, Max, and in the novel as a whole?
Write 1 paragraph of at least 6 sentences

2.Discuss the theme of the individual vs. society, and how characters either conform to or rebel against societal expectations.
3. Ask yourself what role books play in the lives of the characters in Fahrenheit 451 and then write 1 paragraph comparing the role of books in Fahrenheit and in Book Thief.
Write 1 paragraph of at least 4 sentences

4.How does the novel explore the idea of family? How is family defined at the beginning of the novel vs. the end?

June 4

The Book Thief Sparknotes summary



Reread  Macavity: The Mystery Cat by T.S. Eliot and answer questions 1-6 page 609

Then read all three of the following poems and answer one question at the end of each--you choose which ones! Your answers should go on the same sheet of paper with the Macavity questions.
"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale (page 652)
"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth (page 628)
"maggie and milly and molly and may" by e.e. cummings (page 653)

You might consider the following, too, if  you have extra time at the end, but you don't have to read them or answer questions:
"Solace"by Dorothy Parker (page 610) ("solace" means "comfort in a time of sadness")
"Ecclesiastes 3:1-8" (page 645)
"A Red, Red Rose" by Robert Burns (page 669)

May 23

GET OUT A SHEET OF PAPER AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING PROMT.

Journal: When do you feel like  you are least wasting your life? Explain. 1/2 page

To help you, we will listen to John Green's discussion of the book. Fahrenheit 451


Then we will take quiz 5 over the book
Interview with Ray Bradbury over the book
Fan made creative trailer that could be made for a new movie of the book















Study Guide Flash Cards

Extra vocabulary from Fahrenheit 451

May 21

Study Guide Flash Cards

Extra vocabulary from Fahrenheit 451

Journal: When do you feel like  you are least wasting your life? Explain. 1/2 page

May 19

* Journal: Find your favorite part of the book and tell me what you like about it.
3/4 page
If you haven't finished the book, read during the time that others write the journal and do it at home

*Vocabulary game
*Finish cartoon

Vocabulary for the week, which you must memorize by Tuesday. 
I will not remind you to study
Copy all definintions and sentences. 5 pts. Do not take a picture with your phone.
1. Complement:  Something that completes makes up a whole or brings to perfection
This vase complements the decor and environment of the kitchen.

2. Homely:

Not attractive or good looking

Don't be mean to that dog simply because he is homely.
3. Invigorate:  To energize or enlighten
I guarantee you that an invigorating walk will make you feel better.
4. Hone: To perfect or make more intense or effective
With practice, you will hone your skills in horseback riding.

5. Torrent

A flood or overwhelming amount

After we broke up, I felt a torrent of emotion.
6. Oracle: A person considered to be a prophet
Odysseus went to the Underworld to see the great oracle Tiresias.
7. Discourse: A formal, lengthy discussion
We had a lengthy discourse concerning the best soccer team in the world.
8. Beatific: Showing or performing great joy
She inhaled deeply and a beatific smile brightened her face
9. Perfunctory: He completed it in a perfunctory manner and did a sloppy job
10. Chaff: worthless material, such as the leaves that must be separated from wheat grains
No real attempt has been made to sift so much chaff, in order to find how much of value may be present.
Now, write a short story using five of the words in context--5 pts. 
When you finish, read Fahrenheit 451.
No talking will be permitted today.
Nobody will use the hall pass.
Bring a water bottle if you think you will ever need a drink
Sit in your assigned seat and do  not get up
Home calls to all students who do not follow directions

May 15, 2014

(15 min )1. Read quietly to the end of the book for Monday. You must finish over the weekend
2. Hand in yesterday's journal, which was to respond to the following quote:  “We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?“  ~Ray Bradbury in Fahrenheit 451 (Note: when responding to a quote you may agree, disagree, argue, discuss, express opinions, provide examples, etc,–whatever the quote brings up in your mind. If it's hard for you to come up with 1/2 page, you should explain to me why it is important to be bothered sometimes. Remember, the characters in the book aren't bothered by anything--but they should be! There is a famous political bumper sticker that says, "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention," which is a similar idea. There are problems in our society and it's too bad when people just sit back and don't feel upset enough to do something about them). Think about problems in our society that we should be bothered about: American
3. Discuss the following issue that relates to being bothered by disturbing things: 
Do you feel that the media in this country should show pictures and video footage of dead American soldiers killed in action? 
4. Using a sheet of printer paper, illustrate a scene from the book. 15 points. You may work with a partner

• Picture--no stick figures
• Two people talking
• Speech bubble
• 10-20 words summariizing the part of the book depicted in your picture

Review vocabulary