agenda Wed/Thurs Apr 30/May 1: intro journals and read

description of journal philosophy and format* (for copy of Inspiration Diagram, see Downloads or Topics section of HIES class page)

time to read toward week’s goal (p.113)

 

 

 * Keeping a Journal

for The Samurai’s Garden

1.      How
2.             at least 3 entries per chapter
3.                   each entry has three parts
4.                            quoted passage that sheds new light on the character
5.                            analysis of passage
6.                             personal response to passage(preferably poetic)
7.                                     reflection
8.                                     connection
9.                                     meaning
11.           hand-made or typed
12.           with a decorated cover
13.           thoughtfully, patiently

2.    Why?
3.         to observe one character under changing light
4.         to record my thoughts over course of whole novel
5.         to force me to observe closely
6.         to appreciate this author’s artistry
7.         to live more deeply in the world of the characters

due Wed/Thurs Apr 30/May 1

read towards the week’s goal of page 113 (thru the end of the chapter called “Winter”)

as you read, mark the margins for passages you can use in your journal; entries for the first two chapters are due by Mon. May 5; we will use some of this week’s block class to design journals and convert marked passages to journal entries (of quoted passages and corresponding comment)

agenda Tues Apr 29: starting a new novel, THE SAMURAI’S GARDEN

Tags

create pictures, forge connections, provide examples

outline for teacher comments given in class

light quote (6)

(multiple) settings and (three main) characters

themes: e.g., sickness/illness/disease and health/healing/recovery

_______

choose a character: Stephen, Matsu or Sachi

keep a journal about the changing light on this person, in order to capture a full portrait (be true to the story of this person); in this journal record occasional passages from each chapter, accompanied by your reflections on what new light the passage sheds on the character

PRIMARY TOPICS FOR OUR READING OF THIS NOVEL: SETTINGS, CHARACTERS, THEMES

 

step one: copy onto today’s “journal” white-board quote (“I wondered if Matsu . . . begin to fill” (13))

 

agenda Mon Apr 28: TEMPEST film

Tags

create pictures, shape meaningful schema

What he said.

blog post of local and international interest: Haiti

Tags

forge connections

Since you have been posting on your personal blogs, and since the “Colors of Haiti” art exhibition happens this week (Thursday from 6-9pm) at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, I thought you might appreciate what this writer does with her blog.  The author, Ms. Holy Chesser, used to teach English at HI.

Although this post is longer than yours, I encourage you to read to the end.  The post shows clear and inspired writing.  Along the way, several of its observations and descriptions may surprise some of you.

 “Haiti and Grit”

agenda Fri Apr 25: complete post-Tempest essay

Tags

express questions, provide examples, shape meaningful schema

Take the time you need in today’s class to complete your essay.  If that includes receiving feedback from a classmate, feel free.   Remember the deadline for submission to TURNITIN is 3:30 today.

If you finish before class ends and want to start reading our last book, a novel called The Samurai’s Garden, bring the book with you.  Though we have no assigned reading in the novel this weekend, it’s a good idea to locate your copy.

agenda Wed/Thurs Apr 23/4: start Tempest essay

Today’s goal: start composing essay on The Tempest

essay deadline: by Friday, Apr 25, submit to TURNITIN

caution: submit on template with pledge-header & acknowledgment-footer

conditions: those who want Friday class to seek feedback from classmate may do so; others may start our next-and-last book–a novel called The Samurai’s Garden

OBSERVATIONS & SUGGESTIONS

Review my feedback on your sentence-outline.  Ask questions, if you have trouble understanding any part of that feedback.

Before starting to compose, make sure that your outline contains a clear main idea and a sentence for each body paragraph that expresses the idea that paragraph will develop.  See my sample outline for examples of such sentences.

As you compose, if you need help with weaving quotes into your essay, check my sample paragraph about Prospero’s magic.

When done composing, proofread by yourself, or seek feedback from a classmate.  If you receive help from a partner, be sure to name that person in your acknowledgment-footer, along with the description of that person’s specific help.

Given the challenging nature of Shakespeare’s language, some people feel the need to consult secondary sources, like Sparknotes or Shmoop.  If ideas or details in your essay owe their appearance to such a secondary source, use the acknowledgment-footer to name the source and the specific help it provided.

 

photo credit: http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1476/239832-w7.jpg

 

 

agenda Tues Apr 22: TEMPEST film

agenda Wed/Thurs Apr 16/17: essay prep & film

1st half: individual essay prep; end product–sentence outline submitted to TURNITIN (see sample below)

2nd half: more film of The Tempest

 

Sample Sentence Outline for Prospero’s-Magic Essay

 

Main idea

Prospero’s magic presents a challenge not only for the characters on the island, but also for readers of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Prospero’s concentration on the magical arts causes his temporary loss of the dukedom and our occasional confusion about the play’s meaning.

 

Body para

With his mysterious power, P can cause large-scale events—like shipwrecks

(1.2.1-2) brief explanation (BE)

 

(1.2.3-5) BE

 

. . .

 

 

Body para

Does he only wear it to perform these magic tricks?

(1.2.24-5) BE

. . .

 

 

 

Body para

How much should we treat him as one of the real people, or how much should we see him as more similar to Ariel and Caliban?

(1.2.320) BE

. . .

 

membean clarification for this week

Although we do not have Friday classes, the same membean expectations for this week.

Anticipate your personal schedule, and plan accordingly.