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.

HW: Tues.1/Wed. 2

Period 2/6: Study for your figurative language quiz. If you did not typed up your two poems please scroll down for further instructions.

Period 7: Finish the connotation practice worksheet and bring completed to class on Wednesday. Be prepared for the figurative language quiz.

Summative Assessments for Figurative Language Unit

The following assignments represent the summation of your learning this unit. You will show that you understand and can apply figurative language as well as examine and analyze the effect of purposeful diction in a piece of writing.

1. You should have turned in your vignette and all of its accompanying drafts (was due 9/23)
This assignment shows your ability to apply figurative language to your writing.

2. Two typed, revised poems from your composition notebook. Due Monday 9/30

• Choose from your Alliterative Poem "Happiness Happens" (or other), your Onomatopoeia Poem, your "Ego-Tripping" Poem, or your "Directions" Second-Person Poem. 
• Each poem needs to be on a separate sheet of paper in a font that is legible and suits your poem. On this paper, do not use MLA formatting for you name. 
• Type your name to be on the sheet beneath the poem (no need to place my name or the period on the sheet this time). 
• The poems will be displayed on "Back to School Night" next week!

3. A figurative language quiz 10/1-10/2

4. An in-class essay (beginning (10/1 and 10/2) 

• The essay will examine the use and effect of figurative language on a short story by Gary Soto. In order to show what you know you will make strong notes in the margin, using the CARPE system of note making, followed by the creation of your essay. This will be completed in class.

Next week we move onto a unit entitled, "The Role of the Writer"