Archives for September 2017

Due 9/14 (9/15 for 10G): Where Are You Going Discussion

September 13, 2017 By

Hello folks! The first week is almost in the books. If all goes as planned, I will see you on Monday and this class really begins! It is imperative that you have taken care of all responsibilities by then. This includes:

  • Registered for the website
  • Posted a response in the Welcome thread on the class forum
  • Completed the in-class writing assignment
  • Read the course syllabus
  • You should have supplies for the class
  • All handouts: (Literary terms, Where Are You Going, Annotating Guide, Bell Jar Poetry Unit)

Tomorrow, you will do the following:

Day 5: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Discussion

(15-20 minutes) In small groups of four, discuss what you annotated and WHY?

(10-15 minutes) Whole group share.

(10 minutes) Individual Writing: What is the primary theme of the short story and how does Oates use conflict to shape that theme?

(10-15 minutes) Back to small group discussion. Share your thoughts on theme.

HW:

  • The Bell Jar Unit Poetry: As part of The Bell Jar unit, we will read selections from Emily Dickinson, Anne Sexton, and Sylvia Plath. Tonight, print the handout and be sure to bring it to class tomorrow.

Due 9/13 (9/14 for 10G): Where Are You Going…

September 12, 2017 By

Now that the in-class writing assignment is done, let’s read a short story together:

1. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? By Joyce Carol Oates: Print and have in class for Wednesday, Sept. 13th.
2. Annotating Literature: Print and closely read this handout on annotating literature. Keep it in your binder ALL YEAR!

10G, keep in mind that you start each week with me on a Tuesday, so homework assigned to 10F will be due for you a day later. So, while 10F completed the in-class writing assignment today in class, you will do it tomorrow, 9/13. And while 10F will read Where Are You Going… tomorrow in class, you will read it Thursday in class.

Due 9/13: Existentialism is a Humanism

September 12, 2017 By

1. Print and read a little over half of Jean-Paul Sartre’s Existentialism is a Humanism. (Through page 8B)
2. Print this handout on précis.
3. Annotating Literature: Print and closely read this handout on annotating literature. Keep it in your binder ALL TERM!

Due 9/12: In-Class Essay

September 11, 2017 By

Most of you have registered successfully and posted on the class forum! Good start! Those of you who have not, be sure to do it today. If you are having problems, email me at sleon@beaconschool.org. Remember:

Your username should be your Full Name (First and Last). Do not use nicknames and leave A SPACE between your first and last name. Be sure to capitalize the first letter or your first and last name. If you do not register in this way, the system will delete your account. This is a safeguard in place to protect against random spammers from registering for the sight. Take care.

So, to review:

  1. Use your first and last name
  2. Capitalize first letter of each name
  3. Leave a space between the first and last name

Today, you were to prep for the tomorrow’s essay:

You will answer the following question in this essay: Per Man’s Search for Meaning, what is Viktor Frankl’s view of the human condition?

Ultimately your objective for this essay is to craft a thesis reflecting Frankl’s view of the human condition. In doing so, you will demonstrate control of logotherapy (covered in Part II).

The following are major points to consider in his argument:

1. Frankl titles Part II of his text “Logotherapy in a Nutshell.”  Scholars suggest his thesis here can be reduced to the Freidrich Nietzsche quote (Remember, Frankl himself cites it on numerous occasions):

“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.”

2. Inner life/value and spiritual freedom

3. Discovering meaning in life in three different ways:

  • By creating a work or doing a deed
  • By experiencing something or encountering someone (Love)
  • By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering

*These are key elements and they are, frankly, obvious. Certainly, you can discuss them in your essay; however, do not limit yourself to the obvious. Engage the nuances of his argument (i.e. Noo dynamics). The more nuanced your discussion, the more textual control you have and the more interesting your discussion will be. That is what I am looking for. The less nuanced, the more I will call into question your actual reading of the text.

*In this essay do not merely write that Frankl believes we can attain meaning in three different ways. That is a gross simplification of his existential view and logotherapy. While I do not expect to see mastery in this essay, I do expect to see sophisticated control of his argument.

Your essay should demonstrate control/understanding of both Part I and Part II of the text. So both parts of the book should be explored in your essay. This essay is unlike English essays of the past!  Your thesis is actually what you believe to be Frankl’s argument. There should be no critical discussion!

HW: Be ready for in-class writing assignment!

Due 9/12 (9/13 for 10G): In-Class Writing Assignment

September 11, 2017 By

Most of you have registered successfully and posted on the class forum! Good start! Those of you who have not, be sure to do it today. If you are having problems, email me at sleon@beaconschool.org.

10F, you should have completed the following in class today (10G, you will do this tomorrow).

Day 2: In-Class Assignment Prep

For the following, feel free to use your book and any notes you may have taken. Do not use someone else’s work for this assignment. What you complete in class today will be left with the substitute teacher at the end of the period. You are not expected to address the following in paragraph form. You are merely gathering ideas. For each of the following, use evidence when appropriate:

  • List and briefly discuss two of the primary themes in the novella.
  • Describe the narrator
  • List off conflicts in the novella
  • How is conflict related to a discussion of the title?
  • What is the setting? What are the narrator’s general thoughts on the setting?
  • How do the photos help to enhance or detract from the narrative?

HW: Be ready for in-class writing assignment! (10G, your in-class writing assignment will be Wednesday.)

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