2020-2021 Booklist

Below is the booklist for our 2020-2021 class:

They Say/I Say, Graff & Birkenstein, 3rd or 4th edition
The editions are very similar, so either will do. I'd recommend purchasing this used, as it's much less expensive. This is a great little composition book with the basics of rhetorical and academic writing. It's widely used at the college level but accessible.

The Boyhood of Abraham Lincoln
Eastman Johnson, 1868

Up from Slavery, Booker T. Washington
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
A Separate Peace, John Knowles
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury


Feel free to purchase any of these books used as long as the edition is unabridged. I prefer for them to have a physical copy of each book so that they can annotate. Roomier margins and a larger-size text makes for a better reading experience (8" X 5" as opposed to thrift editions with crowded text.) If you are able, please order all the books at the beginning of the year so that they'll have them ready as needed.

I may also add a booklet of short stories and poetry that I will publish at Office Max--one for each student. I'll have more details and the cost for this booklet once classes begin.

Weekly update

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial this Friday at 11:00.  We'll meet in the visitor center.  Admission for this school trip is $2 plus tax.

For the curious, I am still working on your final grades and hope to be finishing up this weekend.   The essays take time, and we were away last weekend visiting family.

Have a lovely summer if I don't see you Friday.

Mrs. Price

Week 16, Semester 2, Work Due May 2nd

Last day of class!

Prepare for your final exam.  Study all of the items suggested on the final review sheet.

You may bring any of your novels to class for reference but not your American Experience.

Bring paper and your favorite pen/pencil.

Here is the link to the Quizlet review  and here's another set that Kelsey, Mary W., and Marytaylor have created.  Be sure to thank them in person--what a help!

I'm looking at either Wednesday, May 9th or Friday, May 11th for our Thomas Wolfe Memorial Field Trip and will let you know the specifics as I know them.

It's been rewarding to guide you through some American classics.  I see so much growth in your work in all areas.  I'm proud of your work and accomplishments this year!

Mrs. Price

Week 15, Semester 2, Work Due April 25th

Weekly Usuals

Reminder: bring your American Experience next week.

A. SAT Grammar Concept: Pronoun Cases

First, please watch this helpful video review of subject and object pronouns.

Then, test your knowledge with these pronoun case drills.  Complete as many of these as needed, until you get most of them correct:

Pronoun Case--Exercise #1

Pronoun Case--Exercise #2

B.  No Poetry Wall or Journal This Week!  Done and Done!  Yes, I will pick a final winning class wall for fun.  I just need time to look at each set carefully.

Second round of  Poetry Presentations next class.  Come prepared!

Other Work

Finish your timelines--they are due next class.

Start reviewing for the final exam--use the review sheet I provided in class to guide you.  We'll play a competitive review game next week, so know your stuff!

Read the short story "The Far and The Near" by Thomas Wolfe.  It's in your American Experience pp. 785-788.  I think an early May field trip to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial sounds perfect!  Details coming soon.

Look up Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks"---Do a bit of research/reading. Why is it a significant piece?  What does it indicate about the 20th century culture and outlook?

Amy Tan, 1952-?

Alice Walker, 1944-?

Week 14, Semester 2, Work Due April 18th

Weekly Usuals

Bring your big textbook, American Experience, to class next week.

A. SAT Grammar Concept: Dangling/Misplaced Modifiers

Here is a quick review exercise on the deadly dangling modifiers.

For those who can't find their sheet---here is a link to SAT exercises #4-8

B. Poetry wall theme of the week:   

Our last week---Maya Angelou

10:00 Maya Angelou Wall

12:15 Maya Angelou Wall

C. Poetry Journal--plan for your recitation and complete the written analysis that will be your final journal entry.  Be sure your poetry journal is thorough and complete.  All journals due next week, so you may wish to make a copy of your poetry project analysis to consult.

Other Work

First round of poetry presentations will be next week.  Know your stuff! ; )

Begin work on your final timeline segments following the instructions given in class. 

Here are some resources to help you learn more about the characteristics of various generations. The dates vary slightly, so go by the dates from class.  Browse the pages I listed in your textbook for information about the Modern & Contemporary Eras.

http://fourhooks.com/marketing/the-generation-guide-millennials-gen-x-y-z-and-baby-boomers-art5910718593/
https://www.cnn.com/2013/11/06/us/baby-boomer-generation-fast-facts/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z    (Who knew? A whole Wikipedia article on your generation!  There are marketers and academicians out there studying YOU!  Note also that there are links to information on the other generations at the top, right sidebar)

Complete the following:

Read this short story:
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, pp 1090-1098, answer the Critical Reading questions #1-6 on p. 1098 and questions #2 and #3 under Literary Analysis on 1099.

Read this essay:
"Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan, answer questions #1-6 on p.1177.

Some of Our "Found" Poetry (for fun and inspiration)

Here are some the "found" poems from this project.  If you'd rather not have me share your's, let me know, but I think each has something to offer that is visually and verbally interesting.

Eva Rush

Mary Walton

Asher Nejezchleb

Catherine Roberts

Marytaylor Bruns

NickOursler

Ellen Reeder

Niko Rush

Ethan Cain

Kelsey Walker

Owen Koppe

Lori Belanger

Susanne Thomas

Tabi Shepson

Week 13, Semester 2, Work Due April 11th

Weekly Usuals

Progress reports went out this week.  Remember to share them with your parents and bring them back signed for a grade.

Reminder: bring A Separate Peace next week.

I'd like to plan our Thomas Wolfe Memorial field trip and realize that no date will suit all.  However, take this quick poll, so I can figure out a time and day that works for most.

A. SAT Grammar Concept #6: Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

Review this concept from class by completing this quiz and checking your answers.

B. Poetry wall theme of the week:  Nature Poetry

Nature Poetry 10:00
Nature Poetry 12:15

C. Poetry Journal 

Write your own poem about some aspect of nature.  Take something small, like a birch tree or a fish, then look and think closely about it.   Use your senses to describe it or tell a narrative about it.  Here is a link if you are looking inspiration to get you started for nature poetry.

Other Work

1. Finish reading A Separate Peace and answer the study guide questions.  These will be due next class.  

2.  Brainstorm possible themes in A Separate Peace.  Use the method I modeled in class.  Here's a quick recap to guide you.

You will turn in your finished introductory paragraph, your outline, and all brainstorming  for a grade.

3. Choose a poet and poem for your 20th century poetry project.   If you need ideas, the Poetry Foundation, Poem Hunter, and Poets.org  are all good online resources.  You could also choose one from a prior wall or from your literature book.  Remember this must be a 20th century poet and poem.  With regard to choice of poem and week of presentation, first come first serve.  No duplicate poems within a class, but there can be duplicate poets.  You must commit to a poem and poet before you can sign up in a slot.

Here is the sign up sheet.

YOU MUST commit to a poem and poet by next class.

Here is the SOAPS handout  you'll need for that section of the poetry project.