Over the Weekend 11/22-23

Period 1-2: Bring in a fact, image, historic anecdote, or piece of data about Nigeria. We will be building a class bulletin board so whatever you bring should have visual appeal. PLEASE don't just scribble something down in your notebook and then hand in a torn piece of paper. That will not help us!

Period 5-6: Come with a rough draft of your Role of Storytelling Personal Essay, or, at the very least, a VERY developed outline. Outline should include the following parts:

1. Hook:
    a. background
        b. thesis (roadmap to your paper/your contract with the reader)
2. Body Paragraph #1
    a. topic sentence
        b. evidence/plan to incorporate quote by which author
            c. analysis--here you will explain, expand or elaborate on your connection to that author.
3. Body Paragraph #2
    a. topic sentence
        b. evidence/plan to incorporate a quote by which author (can be same or different than the author               above.
            c. analysis--connect your idea or experience to this author by analyzing their idea or opinion                       with your own.
4. Body Paragraph #4
    a. topic sentence
        b. evidence/quote.
            c. analysis/connection. (Remember you can agree OR disagree with an author arguing for your                   own opinion.

5. Conclusion: Restate your thesis
     a. bring the reader back to your original idea by addressing the background or big picture.
         b. offer final thoughts /this is a gift you will leave with your reader and should be something you                want them to think about.

Homework for Tuesday/Wednesday

There is no new homework. If you are all caught up, relax and pat yourself on the back. If you are not all caught up, scroll down and see what you need to do to make up missing work!

Questions for Akpan's "Say You're One of Them"

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

Due Thursday November 13 periods 1 and 2/Friday November 14 period 5. Period 6 due on Monday November 17. Period 6, scroll down for "Sugar" questions.

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 1 more question. Please read the instructions carefully.

Basic Criteria*

1. Finish reading, “An Ex-mas Feast”. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE MARGIN NOTES. 

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

3. Answer question 1, 2,  7, and 8. 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.

Questions For "Sugar" by Elif Shafak

“Sugar” Questions for Elif Shafak’s Chapter from The Bastard of Istanbul

1.     Annotate the chapter using the CARPE note making strategy as your guidelines.

2.     In your notebook title the page “Sugar”.

3.     List elements of setting.

4.     Find two examples of direct characterization. Write down the quote and discuss the effectiveness of each description.

5.     Find two examples of indirect characterization. Write down each quote and discuss what the indirect characterization shows about the person.

Due Thursday 11/6 (periods 1, 2) Friday 11/7 (periods 5, 6)

Scroll down for "That Thing Around Your Neck" Questions 

CHALLENGE ASSIGNMENTS
Challenge assignments are available to all students.

A and B seeking students are expected to "extend" their learning at least 3 times per semester in addition to striving for the Exceeds marks on all rubrics.

Challenge assignments represent work that connects to our central curriculum by lending breadth and depth to our subjects.

Challenge Assignments must be turned in during the unit to which they apply. For the current unit, "Culture and Storytelling," students the following challenge assignments are being offered.

• Free Rice [10,000 Grains]--take a photo or make a printout of your score.
• Read the Ms. magazine interview with Chimamanda Adichie. Annotate it and write a written response. I expect clear, professional responses to each challenge assignment in order to receive credit. 
• Challenge Criteria*  for an Ex-mas Feast--this represents the "beyond proficiency requirement and is the equivalent of 25% of your grade.
  
  
  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.

Challenge assignments will not be entered as traditional grades but will be kept in a separate file on my desktop for final evaluation.

I encourage you to take on these challenges!

All Periods!

Scroll down for "That Thing Around Your Neck" questions. Due Tues. (periods 1-2) and Wednesday (periods 5-6) at the beginning of class.

Homework Oops!

First and Second Period!  I gave you Chimamanda Adichie's story but it's missing two pages. This means you don't have to do it this weekend. We will work on it Monday. Sorry about the mistake. Pass the word!

Fifth and Sixth Period!
Your only homeword is SSR and getting caught up if you are behind.

Homework over Halloween Weekend!

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 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 showhow 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.