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.
