Thursday, November 29, 2007

If you were absent Thursday, Nov 29

Lord of the Flies Challenge Projects were due today. We presented the projects and then returned to Golding's Nobel Lecture.

The Assignment: Write a reaction to the Lecture. Attach this reaction to the back of the notes you took on the speech and turn it in.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

If you were absent Wednesday, November 28

Today we turned in the Lord of the Flies paper. Then, we continued discussing Golding's Nobel Lecture. Homework for tonight: finish reading the article and finish the challenge project that is due tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

If you were absent Tuesday, November 27

We started reading the lecture Golding gave when he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983.

You can find the article at NobelPrizeorg. Search for under William Golding and then click on his lecture.

Please read the article, highlight the most important points of the speech, and write both the questions and the comments that you have while reading in the margins.

When you finish the article, write a summary of Golding's main points and write a reaction to them.

If you were absent Monday, November 27

Peer Editing day!

If you missed this day, make sure you get your paper checked off with me, a peer editing form, and find two people to edit your paper outside of class.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

If you were absent Tuesday, November 20 or Wednesday November 21

We worked on drafting the Lord of the Flies paper. By the end of the hour Tuesday, you should have completed the thesis statement, the introduction (of which the thesis statement is a part), and half of the body paragraphs.

By the end of the hour on Wednesday, you should have completed the body paragraphs and the conclusion.

Remember, each step needs to be checked off.

The first draft of the paper is due MONDAY. We will be peer editing so it is very important to have your paper completed by Monday.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

If you were absent Monday, November 19

Independent reading day--make sure you turn in a reading log for this day!

Friday, November 16, 2007

If you were absent Friday, November 16

In class, we watched (or in first hour anyway--attempted to watch) a video on characterization in fiction.

We then worked on your paper for Lord of the Flies. Focus on two or three characters that have a CONFLICT in the book, explain what the conflict is and what it causes.

I am checking each step off as you write it. Today, you should have gotten your thesis statement checked off.

Have a great weekend!

If you were absent Thursday, November 15

In class, we discussed Chapters 8, 9, and 10 in the book. We covered Simon, Samneric, and what Piggy's glasses symbolize, among other things.

Please note that your journals for Lord of the Flies are due MONDAY! Also, remember that independent reading has been moved from Friday to next Monday--just for this week.

If you missed the notes on Freud...

• Background info: Sigmund Freud 1856-1939
• Developed techniques of psychoanalysis
• March 12, 1938: German troops marched into Austria and Nazis assumed power
• June 4, allowed through numerous international interventions, to emigrate to London with wife, youngest daughter, and two other people.
• Notes on conscious, preconscious, unconscious
• Conscious: what you are aware of at any particular moment: your present perceptions, memories, thoughts, feelings.
• Preconscious: works closely with conscious, "available memory", anything that can easily be made conscious, the memories you are not at the moment thinking about but can readily bring to mind.
• Unconscious: all things that are not easily available to awareness. Instincts, drives, and things that we can't bear to look at such as memories and emotions associated with trauma. Source of our motivations. We are often driven to deny or resist becoming conscious of these motives, and they are often available to us only in disguised form.
• Notes on id, ego, and superego
• Physical needs as base.
• Id: fully unconscious, full of wishes or instincts, motivational forces. Primary process: need to wish. Pleasure principle: demand to take care of needs immediately.
• Ego: Mostly conscious, problem solving id's desire = secondary process, reason, Reality Principle: take care of what I need when it is appropriate. Mediates Id and superego.
• Superego: Record obstacles and aides in world, rewards and punishments, mom and dad's rules, society and its norms, internal moral judge, pertly conscious, 7 years old (generally) when this is developed, some people it is never completed. Recorded in two parts: 1) Conscience: internalization of punishment and warnings, 2) ego ideal: rewards and positive models. Communication to ego: feelings like pride, shame, guilt, etc.
• Find evidence from the book of how Ralph, Piggy, and Jack represents the Ego, Superego, and Id, respectively.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

If you were absent Wednesday, November 14

Students wrote one question they had for chapter eight, nine, and ten.

We compiled the questions into baskets--one for each chapter--and then discussed each chapter.

Homework: Challenge project proposal due tomorrow!
Also, read chapter 11 and write your journal.

If you were absent Tuesday, November 13

Small groups met to review quotes from chapter. Each small group looked to see what idea or image was repeated in the quotes and then discussed the effect of the repetition and the connotation of the idea or image that was repeated.

Then, each small group presented the quotes, repeated ideas/images, and explained the connotation and effect of repetition.

The quotes have been posted in class.

Monday, November 12, 2007

If you were absent: Monday, November 12

Today we looked at the importance of setting in the book. The class divided into small groups and found all the textual evidence that describes the setting. Each small group focused on one chapter. Then, those quotes are gathered and written on paper to post in class. We will share these quotes tomorrow, talk about how the setting contributes to the meaning of the book, and talk about chapter 9, which is tonight's homework

If you were absent in hour one, you can find the setting information for chapter one or chapter nine.
If you were absent in hour three or hour five, you can find the setting information for chapter nine.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Lord of the Flies Paper Assignment

The Assignment:
Choose two to three characters from the novel Lord of the Flies. Explain the character relationships with each other. Explain the conflicts and why they develop. Use textual evidence to support your ideas.

Follow the steps below to write your paper. After completing each step, get it checked off with Ms. Peifer. You will turn this check in sheet in with your paper so do not lose it!

Step One: Write your thesis __________________________

Step Two: Include your thesis in an introductory paragraph that introduces all the main points of your paper. __________________________

Step Three: Write your paper. Make sure that each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence, states a claim, and then has evidence from the text to support your claim.
__________________________

Step Four: Write your conclusion. __________________________

Step Five: Edit your paper. Correct any spelling errors, punctuation problems, and any other errors. Make sure all first and second person references are taken out. __________________________

Step Six: Draft your final paper. __________________________

Step One: Write your thesis __________________________

Step Two: Include your thesis in an introductory paragraph that introduces all the main points of your paper. __________________________

Step Three: Write your paper. Make sure that each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence, states a claim, and then has evidence from the text to support your claim.
__________________________

Step Four: Write your conclusion. __________________________

Step Five: Edit your paper. Correct any spelling errors, punctuation problems, and any other errors. Make sure all first and second person references are taken out. __________________________

Step Six: Draft your final paper. __________________________

Reading Response Journals

Directions: You should write a reading response journal after each night's reading assignment. Remember to use textual evidence to support your claims. Each journal should be at least one page long.

1. Summary: summarize events you read about. This should be short: about one paragraph long.

2. Characterization:
The creation of imaginary persons so that they seem lifelike.
There are three fundamental methods of characterization: (1) the explicit presentation by the author of the character through direct exposition, either in an introductory block or more often piecemeal throughout the work, illustrated by action; (2) the presentation of the character in action, with little or no explicit comment by the author, in the expectation that the reader can deduce the attributes of the actor from the actions; and (3) the representation from within a character, without comment by the author, of the impact of actions and emotion on the character's inner self. (Holman 80)

• Explain how characterization is used in the novel you are reading.
• For the characters you meet:
• Explain what is said about them through description of the author
• Document what the character does.
• Document how the character thinks.
• Explain how these things influence your understanding of the character(s)?
• Use textual evidence.

3. Literary Devices: Symbolism/Imagery, Metaphors, Similes, Personification, etc. How does the author use literary devices? Cite evidence of these literary devices and explain how these devices are important.

4. Themes: How is personal identity shown through the novel? What other themes do you see in the novel? Cite evidence that supports these themes. This might be difficult for the first few paragraphs but do your best. It will get easier to see this as you progress through the book.

Lord of the Flies Challenge Projects

1. Write a 2-3-page paper exploring the concept of “pig” in several cultures. Compare/contrast those concepts with the use of “pig” in Lord of the Flies.

2. Create a replica of the island in Lord of the Flies based on details from the story. Write a one-page paper explaining the significance of the island and its physical features for the story.

3. Construct a replica of the Lord of the Flies. Write a one-page paper explaining its symbolic significance.

4. Create a topographical map of the island large enough to display in the classroom. Label sites of significance in order of their occurrence in Lord of the Flies. Provide a key, explaining the thematic significance of each site.

5. Compose a musical score, depicting one major event in Lord of the Flies. Perform for the class. Write a one-page paper explaining the event and the reason you chose each musical effect.

6. Create a drawing or painting of one of the characters in Lord of the Flies, expressing his personality. Write a one page paper explaining the artistic techniques used to communicate the character’s personality.

7. Choreograph a ritual dance that could have been used in Lord of the Flies. Perform for the class. Write a one-page paper explaining the relationship of the choreography to the story.

8. Develop masks for the major characters in Lord of the Flies. By changing masks, illustrate the changing of the characters. Demonstrate to the class. Write a one-page paper explaining the symbolic value for the masks in relation to the characters.

9. Investigate the use of ceremonial sounds such as the conch, the trumpet, bells, etc. to begin or end rituals. Demonstrate for the class. Write a one page paper explaining what you learned.

10. Demonstrate the symbolic relationship of clothing and civilization in Lord of the Flies for the class. Do the same for the current civilization. Write a one-page summary of the relationship of clothing and society.

11. Write a 2-3-page paper examining the concepts/images of mysticism in Lord of the Flies.

12. Write a 2-3-page paper analyzing Christina ethics/symbols in Lord of the Flies. Conclude by determining whether Golding believed in Christianity or not.

13. Prepare a recording of island sounds that may have occurred during the Lord of the Flies adventure. Write a one-page paper explaining your sound montage and play your tape for the class.

14. Prepare an island feast for the class, using foods or simulations of foods that were detailed in Lord of the Flies. Explain the significance of each food item in a one-page paper.

15. Choose one major character and psychoanalyze his personality. Use actual psychological terms and support your analysis with evidence from Lord of the Flies in a 2-3-page paper.

16. Videotape interviews with the major surviving characters appearing on a talk show to relate their adventure to the t.v. audience. Use events from the book. Write a one-page paper explaining the significance of the events you choose to share with the t.v. public.

17. Videotape a grand jury preliminary hearing determining whether there is enough evidence to investigate Piggy’s death as a murder. Use actual characters and details from the book, as well as your own characters for your grand jury and court personnel. Write a 2-3-page script for this videotape.

18. Write three conflicting newspaper accounts by three different reporters detailing the vents on the islands as told by to the media by the boys after being rescued.

19. Research William Golding’s life and in a 2-3-page paper, relate any details that could have influenced his writing of Lord of the Flies.

20. There are no female characters in Lord of the Flies. Write a 2-3-page paper, speculating upon how the story would have changed with the introduction of a female character. Also, try to determine why Golding did not include female characters and whether this is a compliment or an insult to women.

Lord of the Flies Reading Schedule

29
Lord of the Flies notes, journal assign, challenge project handout

30
Finish notes, check out books
Read Ch 1

HW: Finish Ch 1 and Journal

31
Early Release Day
HW: Ch 2 and journal

1
HW: Ch 3 and journal

2
Independent Reading—reading log due
HW: Ch 4 and journal

5
HW: Ch 5 and journal

6
HW: Ch 6 and journal

7
HW: Ch 7 and journal

8
HW: Ch 8 and journal

9
Professional Day—No School for Students

12
HW: Ch 9 and journal

13
HW: Ch 10 and journal

14
HW: Ch 11 and journal

15
Challenge project proposal due
HW: Ch 12 and journal

16
Independent Reading—reading log due


19
Journals due
Assign paper and start drafting paper

20
Draft paper

21
Draft paper

22
No School
Thanksgiving

23
No School

26
Draft paper

27
Peer edit

28
Paper due!

29
Challenge projects due—present

30
Independent Reading—reading log due

3
Lord of the Flies Final Test