Tuesday/Wednesday

No homework unless you haven't finished the "Say You're One of Them" packet with responses recorded in your notebook.

Homework Periods 2, 5, 6 and 7

Instructions for stories from Say You’re One of Them, by Uwem Akpan.

Due Monday October 28 periods 2,5 and 6. Period 7 due on Wednesday October 30.

You have 2 choices, Basic Criteria or Challenge Criteria. Challenge Criteria does the same thing as Basic Criteria, but it includes and additional story and 2 more questions. Please read the instructions carefully.

Basic Criteria*

1. Finish reading, “An Ex-mas Feast”.

2. Read the interview with Uwem Akpan at the back of the packet.

3. Answer question 1, 2,  and 7. Make sure to answer clearly restating the question and to support your opinion with evidence from the text using quotes around anything you cite.

Challenge Criteria*

1. Finish reading “An Ex-mas Feast”

2. Read “What Language is That?”

3. Read the interview with Uwem Akpan

4. Respond to questions at the back: 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8. Make sure to formulate responses clearly, restating the questions and supporting your opinion with evidence from the text using quotes around anything you cite.

*Basic Criteria meets proficiency for grade-level requirements. Basic criteria is C level work. This level work is complete, accurate, and shows an understanding of the material.

*Challenge Criteria is A/B level work.  Here I am looking for depth of thought, analysis, and exploration of the topic. I expect the work to challenge you. This level work shows ownership of the topic.

Homework Period 2, 5, and 7

Finish Elif Shafak questions and read and annotate the chapter "Sugar" from her book The Bastard of Istanbul, for discussion Thursday.

Finish Questions from Elif Shafak's talk.

Homework due on Monday Periods 2,6,7

Over the weekend write at least one half page (one page is better!) in your journals using vivid character description and dialogue to describe a holiday scene from your life, having to do with food. You should choose a couple of characters to describe in detail. Consider the rules of dialogue as you write.

Period 2, 6, and 7 see below:

Read Alexandr Solzhenitsyn's "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich," and come to class ready to discuss. We will fill in the graphic organizer together. If it helps prepare you do discuss, make notes on a separate sheet of paper about the story.

If you did not finish the Chimamanda Adichie story, "The Thing Around Your Neck,"please do so and complete the accompanying questions (scroll down to see them). Responses should be written in complete sentences, use quotes and offer thoughtful reflection.

Due 10/17-10/18

Homework Questions: Chimamanda Adichie, "That Thing Around Your Neck"

Finish reading "The Thing Around Your Neck" and answer the following questions.

1. List obstacles the protagonist in the story faces.

2. What is "The Thing Around Your Neck"? Explain and offer an example to support.

3. Explain why the relationship between the protagonist and her boyfriend is complicated. Give at least 2 examples and explain the significance of each. (Explanations should be more than 1 sentence long!)

4. What keeps the protagonist from writing to her parents?


Circles of Influence Graphic Organizer: For period 1 or anyone who has yet to complete the assignment.

Create a visual representation of the variety of cultural factors from your brainstormed list that affect you. The visual should be organized, beautiful, and show how you are influenced by being a human, American, Grant student, member of your family, member of your friend group, Oregonian, or Portlander, or member of the human race. Choose at least 4 realms to represent using a combination of drawing and writing. 

For example, if you draw a basketball and you list : "Sports: track, soccer, football, basketball" you should also write 2-3 sentences that say something like, "sports have influenced me as a cultural being by emphasizing the importance of being a team player, of working hard even when it hurts, and by showing me the value of competition--it pushes me to be better and stronger."

If you just want to draw, then there should be a paragraph explaining how the images represent cultural influences in your life.

Due Wed./Thurs. 2 part homework!

Write 1/2 page in your journal about a time when you observed a cultural contrast. This could be a time when you visited a friend's house and observed that they have very different practices/norms/expectations around food or technology, or cleanliness. This could also be a contrast in hour home cultures if you have two houses and your parents "cultures"/expectations, styles of parenting (beliefs and practices), are different. Give examples and vivid detail when possible.

Create a visual representation of the variety of cultural factors from your brainstormed list that affect you. The visual should be organized, beautiful, and show how you are influenced by being a human, American, Grant student, member of your family, member of your friend group, Oregonian, Portlander, etc.

Sophomore English!

You don't have homework over the weekend except to read for joy! Read something and tell us about it when you get back to class.

Your in-class analysis essays need to be finished during tutorial. (Period 6, I am giving you 20 more minutes in class on Monday).

HW: Period 2

Period 2, you should come to class prepared to write your essay on Friday. This may mean that you bring an outline, or a rough draft, anything that will help you write your final draft in class and complete it by the end of the period.