American Graffiti

Behind the Music: A Research Paper

2009-02-19T13:29:00.018-05:00

In our study of American Literature, we don’t just read the essays, stories, novels, plays, and poems of America, but we look at the history and philosophy surrounding them. Good writers write about what they know, what they see, what they worry about, and what they would like to change in the world around them. In this way, we have learned about what it was like to be living in the late 1800s and early 1900s even though that way of life has long passed. And we have found ways of relating to these people because the struggles they faced, while maybe unique to their time period, are also struggles that are universal and timeless. Years from now, people will read the stories, poems, and books of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s and learn about our hopes, our fears, our concerns, and our problems, and they will learn about us.

Your research paper should be written to help your audience understand what these concerns, problems, hopes, and fears are. You need to analyze some poetry of recent years for meaning, but instead of choosing someone whose poetry is just written down, you will choose a poet whose words are put to music. Choose a musical artist or band that interests you and write a research paper in which you analyze their music for deeper meanings. You need to analyze at least three songs and include this analysis in your research paper.

Your research paper should answer the following questions:
1. What do your chosen songs mean?
2. What larger themes run through this artist's work?
3. What is this artist hoping to express to the world through his/her/their music?
4. In what way does this music reflect the larger concerns, problems, issues of society?
5. How does this artist reflect the specific decade in which he, she, or they is most popular or influential? What is happening in this decade that can be found in these songs?

Full description of the Behind the Music research paper
How to section your paper
Requirements for sources
Basic requirements
Creating a podcast

YOU ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE

2009-02-11T16:50:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for the Reflections on Huck Finn discussion board assignment due during class on Thursday, February 12, you want to go to my teacher page on the high school's website.

Direct link to discussion board

Link to teacher page if the above link doesn't work

Persuasive Essay

2008-11-17T09:24:00.006-05:00

For students in my third and fifth period classes:

Your next big assignment is to write a formal persuasive essay on a topic related to education or technology. Your essay should include an engaging and developed introduction, a strong, focused, and parallel thesis statement, two to four supporting arguments, at least one reference to an outside source, a direct refutation of the opposing side, and a memorable conclusion. Essays must be in MLA style and must be submitted to turnitin.com in order for you to receive any credit.

Common questions I often receive from students:

When is my essay due? Your essay will be due to turnitin.com by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 3 and on paper in class on Friday, December 5. NO EXCEPTIONS. A late paper is a late paper no matter what. If you aren't at school, your paper is still due. Please see my syllabus if you have questions.

How much is my essay worth? Your essay is worth 100 points. This is a defining grade of the quarter. Do not blow off this assignment.

How long does my essay have to be? Most essays will run between five and seven paragraphs. I would guess that an essay that meets the requirements will be about three pages long. I am less concerned with page and word count than I am with developed, clear, and purposeful writing. You should not be writing to fill paper. You are writing to convey an idea in a meaningful way.

How will you grade these? Here is a rubric that I have used in the past.

Where can I get ideas? First and foremost, try your brain. Only you know what you think about and what you have an opinion on. I can't tell you what to write about because I don't know what gets under your skin. Writers write persuasively because they are thinking about something, not because they've been assigned something. CHOOSE SOMETHING THAT INTERESTS YOU, or your paper will not be memorable. Because you have to choose something related to education or technology, your classmates and I have brainstormed the ideas at this link: Education and Technology Ideas for Persuasive Paper. You can choose one of these or you can use the list to brainstorm your own, but don't just choose something just to have a topic and certainly don't just tell me what it is you think I want to hear. More than anything, I want to read YOUR IDEAS, not mine, not some random internet source's, not even your parents'.

Election Day, November 1884

2008-11-04T07:49:00.025-05:00

If I should need to name, O Western World, your powerfulest scene and
show,

'Twould not be you, Niagara--nor you, ye limitless prairies--nor your huge rifts of canyons, Colorado,

Nor you, Yosemite--nor Yellowstone, with all its spasmic geyser-loops ascending to the skies, appearing and disappearing,

Nor Oregon's white cones--nor Huron's belt of mighty lakes--nor Mississippi's stream:

--This seething hemisphere's humanity, as now, I'd name--the still small voice vibrating--America's choosing day,

(The heart of it not in the chosen--the act itself the main, the
quadriennial choosing,)

The stretch of North and South arous'd--sea-board and inland--Texas to Maine--the Prairie States--Vermont, Virginia, California,

The final ballot-shower from East to West--the paradox and conflict,

The countless snow-flakes falling--(a swordless conflict,
Yet more than all Rome's wars of old, or modern Napoleon's:) the
peaceful choice of all,

Or good or ill humanity--welcoming the darker odds, the dross:
--Foams and ferments the wine? it serves to purify--while the heart
pants, life glows:

These stormy gusts and winds waft precious ships,
Swell'd Washington's, Jefferson's, Lincoln's sails.

by Walt Whitman

Salem Witch Trials Webquest and Video Assignment

2008-10-13T08:43:00.004-05:00

I thought you might have an easier time finding your project if I linked to it from my real website.

Salem Witch Trials Webquest and Video Assignment

Keirn-Swanson's Edublogs Page

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" style imitation

2008-10-08T09:42:00.003-05:00

Your task: Think of a sin we humans are committing, whether it be our failure to play rock, papers, scissors or our insistence on assigning self-esteem deflating speeches, and write a sermon ala John Edwards. Deliver your speech to the class with passion. Have fun with language and imagery and don't be afraid to be over-the-top. Speeches should be 2 - 3 minutes long. Index cards are acceptable.

Due for English 11 Honors (periods 1 and 8) Monday, October 13

Rubric I will use to grade you

Who are you? Your first writing assignment!

2008-09-09T06:14:00.007-05:00

Honors 11:

In an effort to look out how content is shaped by style, you are to write the story of your life as if you were running for president. Select the events, moments, and/or people that would sell you to the American people. When choosing your words, think about the connotations those words have and use the connotations to shape your tone and message. Assume that this story of your life will serve as an introduction to your acceptance speech at your party's convention.

This introduction will either be given by a political peer or through video. Your story should be two to three pages long, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font. Make sure to format your paper in MLA.

Due Sunday, September 14 to turnitin.com by 11:59 p.m. Hard copy due in class Monday, September 15.

English 11:

You just read de Crevecouer's essay "What is an American?" In an attempt to answer this question, the writer examines what brings people to America and what responsibilities we have as Americans. He also explores the culture and diversity of America. Your job is to choose one of the following questions to answer:

1. What is a Strongsvillager?

2. What is an Ohioan?

Consider the same questions de Crevecouer consider, but also feel free to examine geography, interests, hobbies, and differences.

Your paper should be 2-3 pages long and in MLA style. Make sure to double-space, use 12 point Times New Roman, and head the paper properly.

Socratic Seminar

2008-09-04T11:35:00.004-05:00

Honors: To prepare for Monday's Socratic seminar, please use the following resources and prepare FIVE discussion questions. Please prepare TWO literary analysis questions, one universal theme/core, one world connection question, and one open-ended question.

Socratic Seminar Instructions

Pre-Socratic Seminar Question-Writing

A Socratic Rubric

* If you have difficulty linking to these, please try Mr. Lackey's Lesson Plan Page and scroll down to the bottom. The links are there as well.

Welcome Back!

2008-09-02T12:08:00.003-05:00

Welcome back to all my students--this year's junior and senior classes! For those of you enrolled in my class this year, remember that you can access my lesson plans through this website. Just look to the left and there they are. Study guides are also available. If you lose the copy I give you, I expect you to print one from my website. Please make sure to check this website when you have major assignments due. The assignment guidelines, rubrics, and helpful links are usually published for you.

Finally, please be aware that I use PASS. I will not post grades in class. I expect you to be responsible for checking your own grade. You were given your username and password on the first day of school. Don't lose them.

College Application Essay

2008-05-15T08:01:00.009-05:00

Check out the following links for help writing your college application essay:

Writing the successful college application essay

Tips for writing essays and sample essays from Princeton, Cornell, Wellesley, Harvard, and Stanford.

College Board

Offers critiques of essays and tips for writing.

College Admission Essay. Com

Offers a variety of student examples, including examples of the vague "personal statement" essay. Samples have interesting opening sentences, a key to writing the college application essay.

If you are having trouble finding an essay prompt, check out this website with 100 prompts that have been used by real colleges in recent years.

AP Beauty Synthesis Speech

2008-05-06T13:37:00.001-05:00

For a sample AP rubric of another synthesis question

Of Mice and Men mini webquest

2008-04-25T08:47:00.016-05:00

With your small group, you will be assigned one of the following topics for research:

Banned books

1930s fashion

1930s music

Migrant farm workers of the 1930s

Mental retardation

The Dust Bowl

John Steinbeck's life

The New Deal

Your job is to research this topic, print pictures if necessary, and prepare a short, informational presentation for your class. Your presentation does not need to be formal. You are just providing us with information that will help us better understand the characters, setting, and issues presented in Of Mice and Men.

For Steinbeck's life, the Dust Bowl, the New Deal, migrant farm workers, mental retardation, and censorship/banned books: Mr. Lettiere's English on the Web

For 1930s music, 1930s fashion, migrant workers, Dust Bowl: Gail Snyder's Of Mice and Men: Back in Time

For banned books: American Library Association Challenged and Banned Books

You're still #1

2008-04-18T17:29:00.004-05:00

Dear Juniors,

The freshmen may have woken up during the frozen t-shirt contest, but we all know who CARRIED THE ENTIRE PEP RALLY. The JUNIORS were AWESOME! I was proud to be wearing yellow.

To all of you -- juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and the seniors who showed up and poured their heart into participating despite being beyond outnumbered (if there can be such a thing)-- thank you for showing all of us who Strongsville can be. I was inspired by all of the positive energy, and I know I am not alone. There are so many reasons to have Mustang Pride, and almost 2000 of those reasons were in the gym today.

Sincerely,
Ms. Keirn-Swanson

Literary Criticism Links

2008-04-02T11:37:00.003-05:00

Media Center recommended literary criticism research starters

7:45 p.m. Gatsby Countdown

2008-03-19T18:42:00.006-05:00

Gatsby essays are looking great! (Get it? Great Gatsby?) I'll be checking in for about another hour if anyone wants to email me their work with specific questions. For those of you who have stopped by and/or emailed me, your hard work is paying off. I am really impressed with your writing.

Honors Author Study Research Paper

2008-03-11T07:48:00.007-05:00

THESIS:

· Choose one of the authors listed on the American authors list.

· Read a full length work by this author. The work you choose cannot be a novel you read for another English class or summer reading, even though some of these authors have been addressed before. You may not choose a novel that is on the AP summer reading list. Reading needs to be completed by the end of Spring Break.

· Evaluate the author’s style and make your own observations. Use your novel to support your observations on style. Include within your paper references to critical sources that support your observations.

· Connect the author’s style and content to the author’s life and the era in which the author lived (or is living).

· How does the author represent the time period?

· In what way has the author’s life impacted his or her style and content?

· What is the literary context of the novel? Who influenced this writer? Who did this writer influence?

TIPS:

1. Read the sample student paper to the left of this post. This was the highest grade awarded last year on a research paper.

2. Use the links at the left to review general MLA guidelines, writing introductions, and writing thesis statements.

3. Choose an author whose work actually interests you.

4. Use your rubric as a sort of checklist prior to submitting your paper to me.

5. Feel free to use the online notecards at Noodletools.com in lieu of index cards.

6. Check out the sidebar links to the left for some places to start looking for literary criticism.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Description/guidelines for research paper

Research paper rubric

List of authors

BASIC INFORMATION:

Length: 5 – 7 pages

Due Dates: First 25 notecards: Friday, April 4

Second 25 notecards: Friday, April 11

Works Cited page: Friday, April 11

Outline: Friday, April 18

To turnitin.com: Wednesday, April 23 by midnight

Paper copy (with Works Cited updated and attached): Friday, April 25

Requirements: Outline, Works Cited page, 50 notecards

Parenthetical Citations: At least one for each source (obviously). MLA style (of course). At least two direct quotes from a critical source.

Points: Paper 200, Outline 30, Works Cited page 20, Notecards 50

Teen Culture Research Paper

2008-02-21T13:23:00.024-05:00

"Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them--if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful, reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry." J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 24.

Since the birth of the “teenager,” teenagers have separated themselves from adults through their music, entertainment, fashion, social concerns, trends, art, and media. Your job is to research a specific aspect of teen culture from a specific decade and discuss how it is a reflection of or response to larger issues or ideology of the time. In addition, you need to research and explain how this aspect of teen culture reflects the ideas of literary Modernism. Your paper should include background information on your topic and the decade, an analysis of how your topic reflects the larger philosophies and/or social changes of the decade, and discussion of how your topic is a reflection of Modernism.

Elements of Modernism

Inspiration

Choose your decade 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s

Choose your area of interest Music Entertainment Fashion Social Concerns Trends Art Media

Break down your topic into a specific type of music, a specific artist or band, a specific type of movie, a specific television show, a specific fashion, etc. Pick something that reflects your interests. A research paper is easier of you actually like reading about your topic.

Source guidelines

Basic requirements

Research starters

You are expected to use Noodletools and Turnitin.Com. See research information on this website's sidebar for help with a variety of research needs, including writing thesis statements, writing introductions, and properly citing sources.

PERIODS: 3 and 5

TURNITIN COPY DUE: Monday, March 17 by 11:59 p.m. Papers submitted after 11:59 p.m. will be considered late and docked accordingly. If you are having trouble submitting your paper, e-mail it to me. There will be no exceptions or excuses for late work.

PAPER COPY DUE: Wednesday, March 19 in class. Papers will be late if they are not in my hands by class time. If you are absent, please make plans to have your paper delivered to me. For each day your paper is late, you will be docked one letter grade. No exceptions!

The War Prayer

2008-01-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

I like to have images to accompany my assignments. I'm under the delusion that an image is more likely to draw you in. I usually look for images on google, and today was no exception. Like most of you, I googled "Iraq War" to find an image to post, but the real images of war, the ones that would best suit Mark Twain's poem, are horrific. They are images of children and other civilians burned, bleeding, maimed, and killed. They are gruesome images of soldiers on both sides of the conflict whose lives were ended in the midst of fear, anger, and confusion. I wanted to post these images so we have to think about what is really happening overseas while we're enjoying our new Christmas iPods or scarfing down a Chipotle burrito. But as a public school teacher, I understand that exposing you to the real violence of war on a school website is something that some might object to. I have a daughter, and I would guess that when she reaches your age, I would want to be there to talk about the realities of the world with her when I feel she is ready. Instead, I chose this image, an image of peace, because I believe all human beings are entitled to the comfort I live in.

The text of "The War Prayer" by Mark Twain
The video of "The War Prayer" that we watched in class

Questions for my English 11 classes
Questions for my English 11 Honors classes

Midterm Exam

2008-01-07T08:46:00.000-05:00

As you know, midterm exams are next week. In order to prepare for exams, it would be a good idea to complete the study guides available through Mr. Lackey's website. Your lit terms and time period study guides are available there, but so is additional practice in reading Thomas Paine.

11th grade midterm review sheets

Romanticism Test

2008-01-07T08:34:00.000-05:00

You will be taking a Romanticism test this Friday, January 11. The test will be the final grade of the quarter and will be worth 100 points. The test will cover your notes on Romanticism (on a handout) and the following works:

"A Psalm of Life" by Longfellow
"Self-Reliance" by Emerson
"Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau
"Walden" by Thoreau
"The Masque of the Red Death" by Poe
"The Raven" by Poe

Your test will be mostly objective, consisting of true/false and multiple choice questions. You should be able to recall the content of the pieces/their main ideas or objectives. You should also be able to explain how these pieces illustrate the ideas of Romanticism.

HEROES in yellow!

2007-12-15T07:28:00.000-05:00

Dear Juniors,

YOU ALL ROCKED! Like literally ... I think the bleachers were rocking. All those voices, all that energy, and ... Dare I say it? Is it possible? All that MUSTANG SPIRIT. Thank you juniors (and sophomores and freshmen and the few seniors who participated in the activities) for the best pep rally SHS has ever seen. I even got a few goose bumps. It only gets better from here because next time, you all will be planning with us. It may seem like a trivial thing at first, but you are changing our community for the better and that is important. Now if you want to change the world too, don't forget O Ambassadors on Thursday. Change in East Africa begins in Strongsville. Again, thanks for yesterday. You all were awesome. You're my heroes in the strife.

Smiles,
Ms. K-S

Scarlet Letter Project Rubric

2007-12-06T12:26:00.000-05:00

If you are from Mrs. McKnight's class and looking for the Scarlet Letter movie project rubric, you have come to the right place. Just click on the link above.

I'm on PASS now

2007-11-27T18:26:00.001-05:00

As you have all heard (over and over and over and ...), my laptop was stolen from my desk at school, but there is a sort of positive side. Bummer for me=benefit for you. Because the last uncorrupted version of my electronic gradebook was stolen along with my computer, I moved to the PASS system. You can log onto to PASS to check your current grade.

See You Thursday!

2007-11-07T09:21:00.000-05:00

A BIG THANK YOU to the STRONGsville COMMUNITY!

English 11 students, if you have any questions over your papers at all, please email them to me today or tonight. Your papers are still due to turnitin.com by midnight despite my unplanned absence.

English 11 Honors students, please note that your sermon assignment is posted.

Sinners in the Hands of Angry God

2007-11-05T10:03:00.000-05:00

Your task: Think of a sin we humans are committing, whether it be our failure to play rock, papers, scissors or our insistence on assigning self-esteem deflating speeches, and write a sermon ala John Edwards. Deliver your speech to the class with passion (and a little yelling). Have fun and don't be afraid to be over-the-top.

Due for English 11 Honors, periods 6 and 8 on Wednesday, November 12.

Revolutionary Ideas

2007-11-05T08:48:00.000-05:00

"An investment in knowledge still yields the best returns."

Ben Franklin

(Here's an example of Ben Franklin's aphorisms. We'll be reading more in class on Thursday and Friday.)

* Please get the facts at strong4schools.org and vote to continue the excellence on Tuesday. Thank you.

What Problems?

2007-10-16T11:01:00.000-05:00

American Literature is the study of literature in the context in which it is written. We read the literature of the time to see how the philosophies, concerns, and events of the time period are reflected in and by what people are writing. Your first formal essay is centered around this idea. Years from now when students are reading the literature of today, they will have to be able to put it in context. Your job is to choose the biggest problem or issue America faces today and explain why it is an important problem or issue. Be sure to support your reasons with facts and explanations.

What do I expect?
· A thesis statement
· A developed introduction with attention-getting technique
· At least three body paragraphs of support
· A conclusion that does not just repeat the thesis and introduction
· MLA style (12 point, Times New Roman, double-space, one-inch margins, proper heading and page numbers, relevant and interesting title, no bold, italics, or graphics in title)

TIPS: Check my sidebar for links to examples of past student thesis statements and introductions. Use these examples as inspiration for your own thesis statements and introductions.

Due for English 11, fifth period:
· Submission to turnitin.com by midnight on October 24
· Paper copy in class on October 25

Due for English 11, third period:
· Submission to turnitin.com by midnight on October 26
· Paper copy in class on October 29

Problem/issue facing American in Word format for printing

Currently Reading and Rereading

2007-10-08T06:56:00.000-05:00

After L.S.'s research paper last year, I decided that I had been remiss in my reading, having never opened a book by Barbara Kingsolver. Like many of my high school students, I chose The Bean Trees because it was the shortest Kingsolver in the store. I have enjoyed this quick read about a girl who grows up in rural Kentucky and wants to escape her hometown and avoid pregnancy. (Could it be growing up in Bellefontaine, Ohio?) Still, she ends up with a child in the most unusual of ways and learns the importance of motherhood (which I dig) and finding your sense of place (but not in a Barry Lopez'ish kind of way).

If you pay any attention to me at all, you know that I am almost obsessed with Sherman Alexie. To celebrate his forthcoming trip to Cleveland, I am rereading a number of his books, starting with the short story collection The Toughest Indian in the World. If you would like to hear Alexie speak, you can attend Cleveland Public Library's Writers and Readers event on November 18 at 2:00. Sherman Alexie is the author featured on that Sunday. I recommend that you read either Flight or The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, both out this year and featuring a young main character.

Why I Wrote The Crucible

2007-10-01T09:52:00.001-05:00

Though centered around the Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible also comments on the atmosphere of the Cold War, specifically the actions of Joseph McCarthy. Read "Why I Wrote the Crucible" by Arthur Miller and complete the response questions.

Due for Honors students on Friday, October 5.

Arthur Miller "Why I Wrote the Crucible"

Questions over "Why I Wrote the Crucible"

* I'm having trouble with the first link opening consistently. If you cannot open the article, visit Mr. Lackey's site, scroll down the page, and access it from there.

26 Things: Americana Pictorial Scavenger Hunt

2007-09-06T07:19:00.000-05:00

INDIVIDUALITY

In class, we viewed one photographer's interpretation of a 26 Things list. You will be constructing the American Lit. version. The list below includes 26 items or ideas that are reflective of America. Your group will photograph each of the following ideas/things based on your own interpretation or definition. Once you have finished taking your photos, you will assemble them, along with an oral explanation, into a presentation for the class. Have fun and be creative!

RULES FOR PROJECT:
1. EQUAL division of labor. Divide photo assignments equally, or if someone is not a good photographer, have that person prepare the speech or PowerPoint. Let me know if anyone is not pulling his/her weight.

2. All pictures must be ORIGINAL. You may not cut and paste pictures from the internet.

Your 26 Things:
1. patriotism 2. success 3. freedom of speech 4. discrimination 5. poverty 6. global warming 7. wealth 8. health and fitness 9. technology 10. charity 11. right to privacy 12. litigation 13. fast food nation 14. identity theft 15. security 16. family 17. media 18. reality television 19. 2007 20. communication 21. fear 22. immigration 23. necessity 24. American Dream 25. choice 26. individuality

Presentations will begin September 26 for Honors 11 students
Worth 50 points

Where We're From

2007-09-04T06:42:00.001-05:00

Your assignment is to write a poem in the style of George Ella Lyon's poem "Where I'm From." Think about the people and events that have shaped your life. Write a poem that is unique to you. Consider where your family is from, what events have shaped your life, what memories you share with those who have influenced you, what foods are passed down, what stories are told time and time again, and what you have in common with those who share your life.

"Where I'm From" formula

Ms. Keirn-Swanson's "Where I'm From" poem

Honors students, you will be presenting your poems in class on Friday, September 7.

Regular 11 students, you will create some sort of display for your poem so I can hang them up in class. Your poems are also due on Friday, September 7.

This assignment is worth 30 points.

Killer Reading

2007-08-21T21:14:00.000-05:00

Inspired to read Truman Capote's In Cold Blood by both the movie Capote and VV's research paper, I have found myself in turn captivated and appalled by Capote's true crime novel. Written in compelling prose that reads like fiction, the novel tells of the murder of a family of four in a small town. The rotation between the points-of-view of the family, townsfolk, and murderers, while well-written and engaging, is what forces me to set the book aside. When I remember that this novel captures real events, I have a hard time reading the point-of-view of the murderers because they are so unconscionable and the family who they murder is so real. When I need a break from Capote's book, I head toward a novel by an unexpected author. You might know him as Dr. House, "hero" of sorts of the best show on television (and virtually one of the only ones I watch). The actor, Hugh Laurie, also the dad in the Stuart Little movies, has written a novel that is apparently a spoof on the old spy novel. I haven't read very far, but what I have read has made me laugh, despite touching on the type of violence I find so horrible in In Cold Blood.

DEPRESSING

2007-08-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

I come downstairs after having finished The Kite Runner, a story detailing lost innocence and childhood in Afghanistan, to find that the levy has most likely failed. I just can't stop crying for the world's children. (I am not even coming close to equating the two, though.) Obviously, I have read many books in my life and even if I enjoyed them at the time, I find that I have trouble remembering the details after I move on to another book. The Kite Runner, however, while making me physically ill at least three times, will forever haunt me. It is both horrible and beautiful. Check out my husband's more detailed review of The Kite Runner.

I am hoping that getting to read Sherman Alexie's new Young Adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian a month BEFORE its actual release will make me feel a little better about the world, but given his last book Flight also made me cry, chances are it won't.

Update: I finished The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian in a day (which would seem a lot more impressive if I didn't know that all of us read the much longer Harry Potter books in a day). At first I was a little disappointed by the short and elementary nature of the writing at the beginning of the book. Alexie, who is a favorite of mine because his wit and depth are conveyed in a more straightforward style, seemed to be struggling with his first attempt at a Young Adult novel. But in a shockingly unfamiliar experience to me, I found that I was wrong. Much to my relief, my Alexie did not disappoint, creating an authentic teenage voice with his simple prose. This will sound both cliche and teachery, but one of the things I most love about reading (and about documentary films too) is that I can learn about lives that are lived quite differently from my own yet come away from the experience feeling a human connection. This is why I think you ought to read one of Alexie's books about life on the reservation or Hosseini's novel detailing not only the horror of life in Afghanistan but the beauty of the country too or even watch The Devil's Playground, a film documenting the Amish custom of rumspringa.

What I've Been Reading, No Surprises (or Spoilers) Here

2007-07-23T07:42:00.001-05:00

I had to read The Half-Blood Prince in preparation, of course. And then I had to wait until Sunday to finish The Deathly Hallows because of Miss Gross's wedding. I had one of my copies by 1:30 a.m. because I left Borders in my purple band and drove to the Berea Giant Eagle where there were plenty of books and absolutely no line. It was fun seeing RS, AZ, KO, and SA at the Borders midnight party though. All I have to say about The Deathly Hallows is that I was both right and wrong and that I was completely satisfied.

Read This Book

2007-07-11T19:27:00.000-05:00

The Book Thief

featuring:

a girl who steals books
a boy with lemon colored hair
a town in Nazi Germany during World War II
a hidden Jewish fist fighter
550 of the fastest pages you'll ever read outside of a Harry Potter book
and Death as the narrator

Check out my husband's Plain Dealer review of this book when I find it.

And you should definitely read Sherman Alexie's Flight because it made me cry. (And it is not really anything like Catcher in the Rye, aside from a teenage narrator who doesn't know what the heck he is doing at the beginning of the book.)

Summer Reading

2007-06-05T16:25:00.000-05:00

Sherman Alexie, the poet the boys in your class were quite fond of due to a certain mushroom poem and, as you are all aware, my favorite author (despite said poem), has written a new book entitled Flight. I selected this book to be my reward for grading all of your research papers and exam essays. Mushrooms and hotel rooms and risque poetry aside, I am sort of recommending Alexie's new book, as it is meeting with much critical acclaim and has garnered comparisons to Catcher in the Rye, which I know you enjoyed. Before I can begin my summer reading though, I have to finish my spring reading. Some of you may be reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, perhaps even while I finish his Love in the Time of Cholera.

Speaking of summer reading ...
Strongsville High School summer reading assignments

Thoughts of summer ...

2007-06-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

Seriously, NO vegetarian Chipotle burritos? Not even one? Well, summer is here, and while a burrito would enhance my good mood, it is not really necessary. Thank you all for entertaining me and letting me learn from you. If you find yourself becoming bored with freedom and sun and friends, drop your old teacher a hello via email. I'll write back, but be prepared, I'm likely to ask you what books you've been reading. (That's me and the spouse last summer. Look how much more relaxed I look.)

THANK YOU to CE for the movie night and to A2 and AB for the Chipotle. Y'all (ha) didn't have to do anything like that (despite my joking), but I really appreciate it.

Tips for Teen Culture Presentations

2007-05-14T10:28:00.000-05:00

1. Everyone in your group must speak. Each group member is responsible for at least one part of the presentation (fashion, music, trends, movies, food, language, etc.)
2. Every group should have an introduction and conclusion for their presentation.
3. Every person should use at least one visual or auditory aid. Using more than one aid is encouraged and preferred.
4. Spoken sections require preparation. DON'T WING IT. You are being graded.
5. Practice your presentation ahead of time.
6. Let me know what kind of equipment you will need--digital projector, ELMO, CD player, DVD player, etc.

Scheduled dates for presentations:
Thursday, May 17: 5th--2000s (group of four), 7th--no presentations
Friday, May 18: 5th--1950s, 7th--2000s
Monday, May 21: 5th--1960s, 7th--1990s
Tuesday, May 22: 5th--1970s, 7th--1980s
Wednesday, May 23: 5th--1980s, 7th--1970s (group of five)
Thursday, May 24: 5th--1990s, 7th--1960s
Friday, May 25: 5th--2000s (group of two), 7th--1970s (group of three) and 1950s

We're Not Gonna Take It: Teen Culture throughout the Decades

2007-04-19T13:08:00.000-05:00

"Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them - if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry." ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 24, spoken by the character Mr. Antolini

A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR GROUP PRESENTATION AND PROJECT

You had better have fun with this.

The (Completed) Great Gatsby Study Guide

2007-02-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

The Great Gatsby study guide is finished. I am certain you are all rejoicing.

The Great Gatsby Honors 11 Study Guide

America in the 1920s and the 1930s--English 11 Research Paper

2007-02-23T13:53:00.000-05:00

The Roaring Twenties brought us the birth of jazz, the artistic revolution of the Harlem Renaissance, and the advancement of women’s rights, among other things. The Great Depression of the 1930s left a lasting impact on generations of Americans. Your job is to research a person, place, institution, form of entertainment, or social change that reflects the time period. Your paper should include background information on your topic, an analysis of how your topic reflects the larger philosophies and/or social changes of the decade, and a reflection on if your topic is a realization of the American Dream.

SOURCES
· You must use at least five DIFFERENT sources in your paper.
· Three sources CANNOT be entirely web-based. This means they should appear in print somewhere. You can use books, reference works, magazines, and newspapers.
· NO WIKIPEDIA—This is not an acceptable source for any reason. Anyone can post here.
· Each source must be identified on a MLA Works Cited page and must be properly cited in the body of the paper.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
· Minimum of 1250 words with MLA citations (at least five—one for each source)
· One direct quote incorporated in the paper (should not quote a fact—needs to offer insight or observation)
· Follows MLA guidelines for formatting.
· 40 notecards—properly formatted
· Thesis statement
· Topic outline
· Submitted to turnitin.com by 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 16
· Paper copy due in class Monday, March 19
· Paper must include an appendix which includes two different artifacts from the time period that illustrate your thesis. These artifacts can include: photograph, illustration, song, advertisement, chart, graph, magazine article, newspaper article, or poem.
· With notecards and an outline, this project will be worth somewhere in the vicinity of 200 points.

TOPIC IDEAS AND RESEARCH STARTERS : Click here for examples of past papers, ideas for thesis statements, and topics to start researching.

Here are some links to get you started on researching the 1920s and the 1930s:

Jazz Age
Flapper culture and style
Jazz Age Culture Part 1
Jazz Age Culture Part 3
Jazz Age Culture Part 2

Harlem Renaissance
Father Ryan: The Harlem Renaissance
Perspectives in American Literature: Chapter 9 The Harlem Renaissance
ArtClyopedia: The Harlem Renaissance
Selected Women Writers of the Harlem Renaissance
Explore: Harlem Renaissance
Circle Association: The Harlem Renaissance

Other 1920s
American Literature Timeline: 1920-1929
Brief Timeline of American Literature, Music, and Movies: 1920 - 1929
The National Archives: The Emergence of Modern America

1930s
America in the 1930s
American Cultural History 1930 - 1939
Modern American Poetry: The Great Depression
PBS The Great Depression
Great Depression Links

Honors Huck Finn Test

2007-02-03T10:55:00.000-05:00

Here's an overview of Monday's Huck Finn test:

Matching characters with appropriate descriptions (10 questions)
Multiple choice over basic plot points (30 questions)
Three extended response -- Huck's growth, Twain's use of satire, Twain's writing style including local color, realism, and regionalism

Midterm Review Sheet

2007-01-11T14:41:00.000-05:00

You were given three midterm review exercises. The first was a chart of literary terms. The second was a chart of time periods and their corresponding works. The third was a set of exercises that allowed you to practice identifying various literary techniques within Huck Finn. The answers for this final review exercise appear below.

Exercise 9, Figurative Language: 1. p 2. o 3. o 4. s 5. s 6. m 7. s 8. s 9. o 10. p 11. o 12. s 13. p 14. o 15. s 16. p 17. s 18. s 19. o 20. m 21. s 22. s 23. m 24. s

Exercise 10, Poetic Devices: 1. d 2. e 3. e 4. c 5. a 6. e 7. a 8. c. 9. b 10. a 11. a 12. d 13. c 14. d 15. c 16. a 17. e 18. d 19. b 20. c 21. c 22. e 23. b 24. d 25. c

Huck Finn Literary Analysis Paper

2007-01-04T13:52:00.000-05:00

Consider the debate surrounding the teaching of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to high school students. Write a two to three page essay in which you determine whether or not Huck Finn should be taught in America's public high schools. Include within your essay a discussion of the overall value of the novel (themes, literary qualities, reflection of time period, etc.), your answer to the question of racism within the novel, and the intention of the author in regard to content and audience. Include specific passages from the text that support your ideas. Refer to at least one outside source within your essay. Sources you might consider: Born to Trouble: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (the Culture Shock video you should have taken notes over)

Teaching Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Shelley Fisher Fishkin

Toni Morrison's Introduction to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Say It Ain't So, Huck by Jane Smiley

Why Huck Finn Belongs in Classrooms by Jocelyn Chadwick in the Harvard Education Letter

Huck Finn Still Pushes Buttons by the Freedom Forum Online

*** This is kind of heavy in defense of Huck, but it's harder to find academic sources promoting censorship.

Assignment for Periods 1 and 3 ONLY.
Turnitin.com due date: Sunday, January 21 by 11:59 p.m.
Typed copy due: Monday, January 22 -- the first day of second semester (*Follow MLA guidelines for formatting and citations)

*** If you are smart enough to be reading my blog this weekend, note the change in the due date. You can thank C.W. for that. I'll accept thanks and vegetarian Chipotle burritos on Monday. (You still have to do the Huck study guide though.)

Romanticism Test

2006-12-18T12:03:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that you have a Romanticism test tomorrow, Tuesday, December 19, two days before break. Here's what you should study:

English 11--your Romanticism notes handout, "Psalm of Life," "The Devil and Tom Walker," "Self-Reliance," "Civil Disobedience," "Walden," "The Raven," and "The Masque of the Red Death"

English 11 Honors--same as above minus "The Devil and Tom Walker"

The test covers your notes in the True/False section and all of the selections in the multiple choice section. If you are in English 11, you should know the use of allegory in "The Masque of the Red Death" (what does everything represent?) and the basic ideas in "Civil Disobedience" for the extended response section. If you are in English 11 Honors, be prepared to discuss how two selections (your choice) illustrate Romanticism and to explain the basic ideas of "Civil Disobedience." (Also, I'd find out what statue sits in the narrator's room in "The Raven" and what it represents.)

An Act of Civil Disobedience

2006-12-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

This law needs to be changed
A persuasive essay assignment in response to Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience"

Think of an unjust law, rule, or policy that needs to be changed. Write a persuasive essay in which you convince an audience of your peers that this law, rule, or policy needs to be changed. Be sure to choose a topic which is a current law, policy, or rule. You can choose a federal, state, local, or school law, rule, or policy. Find a topic by brainstorming controversial laws, policies, or rules or issues that cause debate.

Your paper should be 500 – 700 words long. As always, your paper should be in MLA style. No title page is necessary, but the first page should have a proper heading. You need to include one parenthetical citation and a works cited page. Papers must be turned in to turnitin.com to receive credit.

My grading rubric reflects the peer evaluation guidelines listed below.

Turnitin.com due: Monday, December 11 at 11:59 p.m.

First paper copy due: Tuesday, December 12

Revision due: Friday, December 15

Helpful links:
MLA Guidelines
Noodletools for Works Cited page--Use the subscription service
Submitting to turnitin
Questions for peer or self revision

Turnitin.com ID#:
Fifth period: 1752300
Seventh period: 1752304
Password: mustangs

Spy, the Funny Years

2006-11-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

Check out my husband's latest book review.

You've Got Something to Declare

2006-11-17T10:16:00.000-05:00

Hey look, it's our founding forefathers declaring their independence from a repressive Great Britain, freeing themselves from arbitrary laws and unjust authority figures. Do you know who else has to deal with arbitrary laws and unjust authority figures? You, the innocent teenager. Write your own declaration of independence from adult rule, following the style of Jefferson. (You remember Thomas Jefferson, right?) Include a brief declaration of teen rights, seven to ten complaints (with explanation), and a concluding statement of independence.

Feel free to format your declaration any way you wish. It is, after all, a declaration of independence. For periods 1 and 3, this is due Tuesday before vacation. Periods 5 and 7 have completed this assignment.

If you fail to turn in a declaration of independence, you will be forced to stand in front of the class and give a ten minute dissertation on academic responsibility. Then you will fail the entire year. (I'm only joking, of course. That was an example of an arbitrary law being forced upon you by an unjust authority figure. I'm just trying to provide you with some inspiration.)

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

2006-11-17T10:02:00.000-05:00

Puritan Parody

2006-10-10T09:16:00.000-05:00

Your assignment: Create a chapter on Puritans for a mock history book ala Jon Stewart’s America (available at any library for inspiration). This is parody and satire. It should be both informative and fun. I want you to think, I want you to work, I want you to research, I want you to write, and I want you to laugh.

Requirements:

The text of the chapter—can be broken into subheadings. Your text can reflect what you have learned about Puritan society, lifestyle, philosophy, and religion. Feel free to include historical facts about the founding of Plymouth, the Salem Witch trials, the real life people behind The Crucible, Puritan law, well-known Puritans, and anything else you find while doing research. If you’re looking for guidance as to length, around three double-spaced typed pages seems about right (give or take a little).
Three specialty sidebars—can include charts, quizzes, discussion questions, games, timelines, etc. Feel free to model your sidebars after the examples I gave you in class or create your own.
Cool graphic layout—color, neatness, good fonts—you know, all those girlie things female teachers love
A chapter heading—this seems obvious, but you never know.
A demonstration that you are knowledgeable about your topic and have conducted research outside of class notes and reading The Crucible.
Appropriate presentation of the information. Satire is meant to amuse people, but school assignments are meant to amuse me most of all. Keep your school’s conduct policies in mind when planning your chapter. In other words, do not use bad words or write about things that make this Puritan uncomfortable.

Welcome additions:

Photos and illustrations with witty captions
Random boxes with humorous plays on Puritan facts.
A vegetarian Chipotle burrito with guacamole.

Due date: Tuesday, November 1

Points: 100

Periods: 1 and 3

Hey, would you like some definitions of parody and satire? This is what I borrowed from the internet for you:

Satire

Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary defines satire this way: trenchant wit, irony or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly. Public speakers planning to use satire in their presentations need to tread lightly. Especially if any of the material is aimed at the audience to whom they are speaking. The synonym of satire is wit. We go back to Dr. Jarvis's phrase, "humor pictures, wit punctures". If you have earned the position as a noted and well known commentator on life and satire is your natural weapon, then go for it. Otherwise, in order to uplift your audience and help them remember, use good clean humor and stay away from pointed or critical humor

(In other words, does this mean you can make fun of the Puritans’ flaws? Yes.)

Parody

Esar defines parody as the comic imitation of any well-known writing. There are two general classes of parody, one where satire is dominant and the other where wordplay is more important. Nursery rhymes are the sources of most parodies in jocular literature; most parodies are verse imitations because form is more important in verse than in prose. An example of a parody: Don't worry if your job is small, And your rewards are few; Remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you.

(Or if you like, a simpler definition: to imitate the techniques or the style of some person, place, or thing. In this case, you are imitating your history textbooks. Read them for inspiration too.)

Here are some links to help you understand and appreciate satire. (If you don't need to read them for educational purposes, just read them for fun.):
PBS Info and Links on Satire
Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
The Onion

Here are some links to help you research the Puritans. (I can't promise that these will be as fun.):

Annals of American History (Grades 9-12)
Fire and Ice: History and Biography
Pioneer House
Salem Witch Trials: Documentary Archive and Transcription Project
Salem Witch Trials: The Events and Causes of the Salem Witch Trials

SAT Vocabulary

2006-09-26T07:22:00.000-05:00

Each time we have a vocabulary lesson, you are responsible for two of the lists--that's 50 vocabulary words. There's no need to panic, however. There will be two weeks between the assignment and the quiz. Your assignment is to create a spreadsheet with the definition, a synonym, an antonym, and word parts (prefix, suffix, root).

SAT Vocabulary Lessons 1 - 16

I will be providing you with a printed list of word parts from a reputable source; however, if you are online and want to get started, here's what I found googling. I haven't checked the credibility of the sources, so use them at your own risk.

Source #1

Source #2

#3 of my 26 Things

2006-09-21T07:25:00.000-05:00

TECHNOLOGY

Yellowstone--Nature's pristine beauty, a veritable wilderness (aside from scores of tourists). Here you can hike among towering pines, you can observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat, or you can just set up your digital satellite TV in one of their parking lots like this guy.

Eyewitness Report

2006-09-20T08:06:00.000-05:00

Have you ever observed anything unusual or important? Your assignment is to write an eyewitness report describing an event that has personal or historical significance. You should model your report after Equiano's "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano," Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation," and the student sample on page 120 of your literature book.

Remember, an eyewitness report is a firsthand account of events that are observed and experienced by the writer. Eyewitness reports contain compelling details and sensory language to describe events. You can read eyewitness reports today in newspapers and magazines.

Tips:
1. Choose an event that is either of personal or historical significance. The chances are you haven't directly witnessed events of historical significance, so choose an event that was important to your development. What has shaped you as a person? What have you seen or experienced that has shaped your outlook on life? Do not choose things like 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina unless you were directly involved in some way.
2. The eyewitness report is a type of narrative. There should be a story (or several stories) involved.
3. An eyewitness report is boring if you TELL what happened. SHOW what happened through vivid language choices and sensory details. Don't be afraid to throw in an occasional figure of speech. Just don't overdo it. You're still capturing reality.
4. Your words and images should capture the mood of the event. Don't describe tragedy in over-the-top flowery language. Tears at funerals rarely drop like petals from a rose.
5. Make sure your writing has a point and that your reader knows what that point is. You need to address the significance of the event. You can do this in the conclusion, the intro, or throughout the paper. (It helps if you choose something more important than tripping on the stairs in front of everyone at school--not really a defining moment of your life.)
6. Use dialogue to make your readers feel like they are there.

Points: 50 Here's the rubric
Due date: September 27
Pages: 2 - 4
*Papers must be in MLA format

#2 of my 26 Things

2006-09-19T06:46:00.000-05:00

SUCCESS

Many Americans define success as what you are and what you have, but to me, success is who you are and who you have. This is a picture of my husband and child in the empty spaces of Wyoming. We're together, there's not a trace of human invention in sight (save the dirt path), and we have all day to just be -- total success.

Where I'm From

2006-09-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

26 Things: Americana Pictorial Scavenger Hunt

2006-09-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

INDIVIDUALITY

In class, we viewed one photographer's interpretation of a 26 Things list. This is the American Lit. version. The list below includes 26 items that represent America. Your group will photograph each of the following ideas/things based on your own interpretation or definition. You may not cut and paste pictures from the internet. All pictures must be original. Once you have finished taking your photos, you will assemble them, along with an oral explanation, into a presentation for the class. Have fun and be creative!

1. patriotism
2. success
3. freedom of speech
4. discrimination
5. poverty
6. global warming
7. wealth
8. health and fitness
9. technology
10. charity
11. right to privacy
12. litigation
13. fast food nation
14. identity theft
15. security
16. family
17. media
18. reality television
19. 2006
20. communication
21. fear
22. immigration
23. necessity
24. American Dream
25. choice
26. individuality

Due September 20 for students in first and third periods
Worth 50 points

View the original 26 Things page here:
http://sh1ft.org/26things/
For an example:
http://www.pbase.com/cdsouza/