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Christensen - Lit/Comp 1 (Section Wed 7)

Course Description

 

Class Title:

Literature & Composition 1

Code:

MLA350

Text:

See Lit/Comp Scope & Sequence

Rating:

4

Prerequisite:

6th/7th grade reading level

Grade:

7-8

Fees:

None

Max:

15

Can be repeated? Yes

Description: With whole book studies as the starting point, students in this class will explore the key components of literature as well as investigate the historical and cultural context of each core work. Students will develop and refine their reading comprehension strategies and their ability to think critically about literature. Reading selections will also provide a springboard for writing exercises and the development of formal essays, through which students will explore writing techniques, sentence structure, and grammar. Literature selections will be determined at the beginning of the year, selected from our Literature Scope and Sequence at the back of this catalog. Note: This class is designed so that students can take it two years in a row, with alternating book lists each year.

Posts

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1.5

HI everyone! This week we will start work on our final project for the texts we have been reading.Great work on "The Raven" by Poe.
 Please begin working on your Symbolism Google Slide show.  Come next week with at least 6 slides done and we will work on them in class together. I will meet with each of you to answer questions and make sure we are all on track. Here is an example slide show
and the rubric for this final assignment
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MHOagszoKBtH3bIH_lo1H0mnn4WUyfuT6pneWxaligg/edit?usp=sharing. You will present your slide show in class on November 20. Have a great week! Mrs. G

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1.5

HI Students!This week we read "The Raven" by Poe in class. You have the option of either rewriting the poem using the same rhyme scheme, 250 words, or analyzing the poem with these guiding questions: Please answer in complete sentences and share with me when you are finished! Thanks! Mrs. G
  1. The narrator of the poem is sad because his lost love is dead.  What is her name and how does he try to escape his sorrow?
  2. How does the demeanor of the poem's speaker change from the beginning of the poem to the end?
  3. What do you believe the Raven symbolizes or represents?
  4. What do you think is the creepiest or spookiest line of this poem? and why?
  5. What is the effect of the repetition throughout the poem?
  6. If you were going to describe the narrator, how would you do it?

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1.5

Hi Students! WOW! Awesome eco-critical discussion of "The White Heron"! So Deep!  This week look over the unabridged version of "The Scarlet Ibis". Sorry about that! (skip the first two pages) https://daniellmiddle.typepad.com/files/the-scarlet-ibis-textbook-section.pdf
Answer these questions in regard to this version of the story:
1. In what way does the character of Brother change? Do you have different feelings toward him?
2. What new information did you learn about Doodle and his condition?
3. Does Nature play a part in the story in a new way, take on a new form or interact with the characters in this version? 
4. What do you learn about Doodle and Brother's parents? Are they more involved in this version?
5. Overall, how did the story change for you when you read the complete version?
 
Have a great week! Mrs. G

Wednesday: Lit COmp 1

Hi Students! This week I have another bird story for you!
The White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett: 
Read these questions before you start to read the story. After reading the story, answer the questions and share them with me this week.
  • What is the difference between Sylvy's relationship to nature and the young man's relationship to nature?
    • Consider the reasons why Sylvy remains silent about the heron. What does she lose from this decision? What might she gain?

    • Are there any stereotyped characters or any characters breaking stereotypes in this story from 1886?

    • be ready to talk through your ideas and opinions about this story in class. I think we'll be in for a fabulous discussion (as usual!
 
Great job with your close reading of The Pearl by Steinbeck. I know it didn't end on the happiest of notes but you all did a great job with it! I bet every time you see a big pearl you'll think of the book! Have a great week! Take care, Mrs. G

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1

Hi Students! Thank you for your deep thinking in class (although at times, not so deep!) Please finish the novel this week. It is pretty exciting and sad. Answer the questions in this link for ch. 5. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N-bEitM7NESBiQV3pDrTn2JX9oY2I-4NU35efliKkso/edit?usp=sharing
Some of the questions are fill in the blank and others require more writing. Do you best and if you have questions, we will go over them together in class. Do your best! ;)
We will do a scavenger hunt for ch. 6 in class. Have a great week! Mrs. G

Wednesday; Lit Comp1

Hi Students! Great job searching the text for quotes! Awesome discussion as always (I laughed really hard)! Here is a link to this weeks HW questions:
Some of these questions are real thinkers! So please do that....think hard and even get a little philosophical! I want to know how you really feel about some of this stuff! Have fun! Mrs. G 

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1

HI Students! As always, thanks for engaging in a great discussion! This week read ch. 2 of The Pearl and answer the questions on this reading guide For both ch. 1 and 2: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UWzm04_TaC6bkRidNdMM5UC66q1bgNA7lNqWK7paKxs/edit?usp=sharing
Remember to make your own copy of it first and then you can write in that doc. I recommend reading through the reading guide first and then reading the chapter because you'll be able to take notes in the chapter that will make the reading guide go really fast. Have a great week! Mrs. G

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1

Hi Students! Awesome discussion in class today! You all gave some really insightful, thoughtful answers to the topics we explored today. Thank you!
 
This week begin reading The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Please make a copy of the document and comment a minimum of 20 times throughout the chapter.
Annotation is an important part of close reading. Making tons of notes in the margin is basically what annotating means. You can make a note about anything but here are some ideas:
Descriptions that demonstrate imagery, setting, characters
Things that seem like they might be important later i.e., symbolic items like animals, objects, colors
metaphors: when the author compares two unlike things in order to describe something ex: The fog, a chilly blanket of mist, settled on the city.
An aspect of the story you like or have a question about.
Good Luck! Mrs. G
 

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1

Hi Students...One more thing! I believe I handed out a Butterfly Effect worksheet to this class. I forgot to mention that in the previous homework post. Please bring that (completed) to class next week. Thanks! mrs. G

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1

Hi Students, as always thanks for the fun and lively discussion yesterday! We are going to move toward our novel, The Pearl by Steinbeck. Think about the following questions and choose one to dig into. Write 300 words or 1 page double spaced on one of the questions below.
  1. Have you ever received or accomplished something you thought would be great but turned out not so good? Write a narrative explaining what happened. (narrative)
  2. Write about an experience that taught you something about money. (narrative)
  3. What family or cultural traditions have shaped your attitudes or beliefs about money, family, and education? (informative)
  4. Education provides freedom and opportunity. Do you agree?Use an example from your own family, life or experiences. (persuasive)
Write 300 words or 1 page, double spaced on one of the questions above. 
Share this Google Doc with me before the beginning of next class. Thanks! Mrs. G

Wednesday: Lit Comp 1

Hi Students! YAY! WE'RE BACK! 
Here is the link to the short story for this week:

“A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdmEBLbyTjM YouTube Audio

PDF: http://www.astro.sunysb.edu/fwalter/AST389/ASoundofThunder.pdf

Here are the homework Questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lsiQZ9hKlZjsQMnb4Z8DJoQC6kreQhGxGQC38mS1lkk/edit?usp=sharing

Email me with questions if you need to. Be ready to talk about the story!

Thanks! Mrs. G