For Friday, November 21

Rhetorical/Literary Analysis.  The Things They Carried.

You will write a 500-650 essay in which you analyze O'Brien's use of literary device to communicate his purpose in your selected chapter.  My recommendation is that you write over "The Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong" OR "On the Rainy River" since we have gone over those stories in detail.  However, if you really enjoyed a different chapter, you may write about it.

Due Date:  11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2014.   

You can work on your essay during class on Friday, so bring your device to class.  Rather than starting your essay in class, come in with a quality outline and/or structure.  That way I can help you with details.

:)

For Wednesday, November 19

Going Barefoot

Read in The Things They Carried:

• "Style"
• "Church"
• "The Man I Killed"
• "Ambush"
• "Style"

Think:
What repeated symbols can you find?  How do they inform the text?

Schedule for the week:
Wednesday:  Team Discussion Sheet for "On the Rainy River"
Wednesday's Homework (You can get started early if you like):
        500-600 word essay over either "On the Rainy River" OR "Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong"
        Skill Focus:  Literary Device to Meaning-How does O'Brien communicate his purpose to his                                    readers?
Friday:  
Symbols in Monday Night's Reading-Discussion
Read Aloud:  "In the Field" and "Field Trip"
Discussion:
Homework:  Finish the book

Optional Read:  Turn of the Screw by Henry James
                           
If you read this short novella over Thanksgiving, you can make an appointment with me to discuss the novel for a major grade of 100.  If several of you read the novella, we can discuss as a group over pizza or burgers.  

Review:  "On the Rainy River"

Read "Sweethert of the Song Tra Bong" in The Things They Carried.

Skill Focus:

• Look for imagery and figurative language.  How do these enhance the reader's experience?  Look for the way imagery appeals to the reader's five senses.
• Annotate for:  the topography of Vietnam, the Green Berets, and Mary Anne's transformation.

For Thursday, November 13

PrepPP one quotation Animoto animation for class,
Task 1:  Read the chapters:  "Enemies," "Friends," and "Dentists"

Task 2:  Prepare a Significant Quote Animation using Animoto.

Step 1:  Find a favorite or significant quote from the novel The Things They Carried.  Your quote should be long enough to cover a minimum of 8 images.  Your quote can come from any of the chapters we have read thusfar.
Step 2:  Go to Animoto-Login
Step 3:  Login:  shannon.fox@ccsconroe.org
Step 4:  Password:  shakespeare1
Step 5:  Create Animoto-Steps Below:

• Choose a background
• Add video, images, captions (Your captions come from the significant quote.  Break up the quote in a way that shows planning and confident decision making.)
• Minimum of 8 images (you may use more)
• To change the song selection-click on the song title/music notes in the left hand corner
• To change the speed at which the images are shown click the setting button in the right hand corner
• Preview your video-When you get to preview page, title your video.
• Title your video-Use your name in the title (Fox's War Story)
• Does your video look like you want it to?
• Edit or make changes as necessary.
• Publish your animoto

For Tuesday, November 11

Read:  TTTC Chapter 1-4; “The Things They Carried,” "Love," "Spin," and "On the Rainy River."

For Chapter 1-Make a note of what we will be doing on Tuesday.  You may want to annotate your book accordingly.

Tuesdays Class Work:  Make a list of items carried.  Which items are specific to Vietnam War?  Which items are timeless? Why might Tim O’Brien choose to give each man specific items in addition to the typical soldier’s gear? What do the items tell us about each solder’s duties and personality? What do we learn about their hopes and desires?

For Chapters 2-4-Write:  Choose your favorite of the three stories:  "Love," "Spin," and "On the Rainy River."  For that one story, write a quick analysis in which you discuss O’Brien’s use of literary devices and their connection to meaning.  Think about our discussion today; authors all want to emphasize things and make us feel what is happening.  Be specific about O'Brien's goals from each literary device.  (250 words)

Finally, imagine you have been away from home for an extended period of time.  Write a letter home in which you express to your family member or friend the things you miss most about home.

For Wednesday, November 5

Reread "How to Tell a True War Story."

1)  Identify the emotions communicated in various scenarious.  You should have five (5) different emotions connected to five (5) scenarios. (List)
2)  Design a chart in which you discuss the paradoxical nature of war.  See pages 76-78  Find a couple of pictures on the internet that demonstrate these paradoxes.  Print them out.
3)  Find three (3) literary strategies that O'Brien incorporates into his writing and defend their effectiveness in telling his story.  (List)

If you are interested in perusing the rationale for our study of this novel, you can find it at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GHHEK4vu5NTwCOtrTyDJA0siM_I1aXsCUqSvsEbWuAc/pub

For Monday, November 3

On Monday, we will hear the verdict regarding the Huckleberry Finn trial.

We will have a snack, a video, maybe read outside.

Make sure to bring your copy of The Things They Carried to class with you.  The last time I taught this book it was a class favorite with girls and boys alike.  I am looking forward to our study!