Over Winter Break!

Hello Brilliant Ones,

Over winter break you will be reading through chapter 18 and completing dialogue journals, 1 page per chapter, 3 quotes per page.  Remember that your analysis should follow the CARPE note making strategy. You should be:

C onnecting (text-to-text, text-to-self, text-to-world)
A sking strong, analytical questions
R eviewing what you know or understand
P redicting the significance of an event or action
E valuating the structure, tone, style, and purpose of the author. *This is your highest level thinking.

Topics you should track in your dialogue journals should belong to the following categories: An analysis of cultural codes and customs, the importance and meaning of proverbs (how do they help tell the story and convey both the culture but also the message Achebe is trying convey), Okonkwo's actions / words / characteristics (what they show), and how the arrival of missionaries creates cultural conflict (what does it mean for the culture, the community, and individuals within the society?)/

You may stop when you get to chapter 19. We will finish the book together the week we get back. If you read ahead please don't spoil it for others.

I will be entering grades over the break and pretty much glued to my computer so if you have questions or need help on something, please just email me. You will likely begin to see your grade take shape based on the last set of assignments. By the end of the break I intend to be caught up on grading so you have a sense of what you need to do in the weeks leading up to the end of the semester.

*Remember that the break is a great time to consider and even begin working on your final project for English 3 based on your independent reading book. If you have not read an independent book yet this year, I am expecting you to have a strategy to complete this requirement in time to create your independent project exploring theme and symbolism of your chosen book.
**If this completely panics you, it is your responsibility to contact me for suggestions.

Have a lovely break and don't forget to scroll down to see what you might have missed!!!

Over the Weekend

All Students:

1. Over the weekend read to chapter 13. There will be a test on Monday of chapters 6-12. If you used your time well today, you should be through chapter 8 and have completed dialogue journals for 7 and 8 in the new dialogue journal packet. You may use your dialogue journal and notes on the test.
2. Please remember to put your name on your dialogue journal packets!!!
3. Also, remember your responses to quotes should show not just understanding, but analysis. For example, if you explain what a proverb means, you must also discuss how it is important to the book. Why is it used? What does it illustrate? What is Achebe trying to show?
4. If you have not turned in your "Role of the Writer" essay, please do so ASAP. 
5. Take some time to look over the semester final project and consider which book you will use for your creative project and artist statement.
6. With your family, talk over the option to see an author speak, either Michael Chabon at the Schnitzer downtown (free tickets if you have read the book), or Jay Asher, author of 13 Reasons Why who will be speaking at Grant.

Have a beautiful weekend. You are brilliant, funny, and a joy to work with!

Thursday/Friday

Periods 1 and 2:
Read to chapter 6 and complete the last page of your first packet of dialogue journals.

Your Role of Writer / Role of Storytelling Final Essay is due on Thursday + 5 points if you turn it in early.

Scroll down for a detailed description of how to fill out dialogue journals. Scroll down for other information you may have missed!

Periods 5 and 6:
Read to chapter 6 and complete the last page of your first packet of dialogue journals.

Finish your illustrated proverb and bring to class.

*All: if you have not brought in a Nigerian image, fact, poem, song, statistic or other artifact. Please still bring it in. It's not late, but I want it for the board in class.

Thank you all for being wonderful.