Assignments for the Week of September 29

The Catcher in the Rye

This week we will be discussing The Catcher in the Rye. This is part of the Narration and Description Unit. Therefore, we will discuss the author's writing style, the development and description of his characters, and how he uses satire as a device for characterization.

I will also be giving you the handout for the 100 point college essay final draft. This final draft will be due Tuesday, Oct. 7. All rough drafts must accompany your final draft.

Reading assignments for The Catcher in the Rye:

Due Tuesday, Sept. 30 -- Chapter 1-7

Due Monday, Oct. 6 -- Chapters 8-15

Assignments for the Week of September 22

We will spend time this week discussing the college essay and writing a rough draft on one of the topics. You should take some time this weekend to look at college websites and print out at least two college essay topics. I will provide the essay topics for the 2008-2009 Common Application Form. Although we will be brainstorming, free-writing, and discussing many topics, you will only be writing a rough draft on one of the topics. The rough draft will be due on Friday, September 26. You will spend Friday doing peer evaluations and having individual conferences with me. The final draft on college essay # 1 will be due on Tuesday, September 30. This will be a developed, revised, and edited typed copy (20 points). We will revisit the college essay again in mid-October. This is when we will write college essay # 2.

This should be an exciting time of the year for you. However, it can also be very stressful. Therefore, we are starting the process early in the fall to take away some of the stress you may feel in November and December when the college applications are due. This also enables you to revisit your college essays to improve them before you send them in with your college applications. I wish you the best of luck in your search for the college that is right for you!

Assignments for the Week of Sept. 15

Monday, Sept. 15 --
Due Today:
1. "The Man I Killed," "Ambush," and "Good Form" (starting pages for each story: 124, 131, 179)
2. Please have Friday's writing activity completed for today -- "Friends" & "Enemies" (Prompt # 1) & "How to Tell a True War Story" (Prompt # 2). Many of you finished it and handed it in on Friday.
Tuesday, Sept. 16 --
Due Today:
1. War Protest Music and Lyrics from 1990-the present
2. Choices or Being Tested Essay (Rough Draft)
Option # 1:
Choices aren’t always easily made. Indeed, sometimes it is hard to know which choice is right and which is wrong. The narrator of The Things They Carried faces a difficult choice on the Rainy River. He is undecided about whether to follow his moral convictions courageously and run to Canada or whether to do the cowardly thing and go to war because he doesn’t want to be embarrassed. Write about a time when you were ambivalent and made a hard choice. How has that choice affected who you are?
Option # 2:
Characters in The Things They Carried are tested – physically, emotionally, and ethically. The draft notice tests the narrator, for instance. Jimmy Cross is tested when he must carry the lives of his men. Norman Bowker, you will read, is tested when he returns to the states after the war. Have you ever faced a test of character? What did you learn about yourself? About others? What influence has that test had on who you are now?
Wednesday, September 17--
Due Today:
1. The following chapters must be read by today: "Speaking of Courage, " Notes," "In the Field," and "Field Trip."
2. You must prepare your Socratic Seminar questions for today's Socratic Seminar on the above chapters.
Thursday, September 18 --
Due Today:
The following chapter must be read for today: "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong."
We will read "The Lives of the Dead" in class today.
Friday, September 19 --
Today will be your in-class writing on the novel. This will connect all we have learned about Tim O'Brien, Happening Truth vs. Story Truth, and the importance of writing. You will be able to use your notes, handouts, and the novel for this writing assignment. Your response must be completed by the end of the class period.
Monday, September 20 --
Due Today:
Think about where you may want to attend college. Research at least two of the schools you are thinking about by viewing the websites. Come to class on Monday with at least two college essay topics. You may print them out or simply write them down. This is the week where we will dedicate the class period to the College Essay.

Assignments for the Week of September 8th

The Things They Carried

This week we will be discussing the beginning chapters of The Things They Carried. Below is a list of all of the assignments for the week and the due dates. Please keep on top of the reading assignments. Our class discussions will be so much more enjoyable if everyone reads and participates.

I hope you all have a great week!

Monday, Sept. 8 --

Due Today: "The Things They Carried" and character monologue and backpack assignment (10 points)

Tuesday, Sept. 9 --

Due Today: "Love" and "Spin"

Wednesday, Sept. 10 --

Due Today: "On the Rainy River"

Thursday, Sept. 11 --

Due Today: "The Things They Carried" Poem/Essay (20 Points)

Friday, Sept. 12 --

Due Today: "Enemies," "Friends," "How to Tell a True War Story," and "Dentist"

Monday, Sept. 15 --

Due Today: "The Man I Killed," "Ambush," and "Good Form" ( starting pages for each story: 124, 131, 179)