Great Expectations: Connections

In your weekly journals you have been making text to self or text to text connections in regards to the essential question: what is important in life? However, there are countless ideas in the novel that you can relate to personally or that you can compare to another book you've read.

For this week's blog post, make a meaningful text to self or text to text connection about an important and pervasive idea in the novel. Describe what it is that you're relating to and use a significant quotation from the novel to highlight it. Write at least two paragraphs comparing the idea from Great Expectations to your own life or to another novel. Be sure to show critical reading of Great Expectations through the connections you make.

Since there is no school Friday this post is due Thursday, March 1.

Research Blog: 1800's and Invention

Great Expectations is set in the early 19th century, pre-Victorian era. In order to understand the setting, it's important to consider how vastly different life was during this time period. These were harsh times when having multiple siblings not survive childhood was a common occurrence. Things we take for granted (and suffer without: think back to the recent storm) were unheard of, such as running water, indoor plumbing, and powered heat sources. Even matches had not yet been invented -  Pip says in chapter two as he's searching in the dark for food to take to the convict "for there was no getting at a light by easy friction then" (13).

Do some research into the modern conveniences that were lacking when the novel is set - the first few decades of the 1800's. What was daily life like? What simple modern conveniences did people lack? What conveniences did they enjoy?  Contrast the life that Pip lives with his sister and her husband to your own life.

In addition to discussing daily life during this time period, think of one simple convenience that would have made life easier for people living in the first few decades of Dickens' life. Come up with an original "invention"  to make life easier using things that were available at the time period. Describe what you would invent and why. How is your invention making life easier during this harsh time period? Be sure to show your knowledge of the setting through your invention.

Due Friday, February 24

Happy New Year 2012: Paragraph and Video

Happy New Year! The start of a new year is an excellent time to re-evaluate your goals and reflect on the progress you've made toward them. It's also traditionally the time to make resolutions and think about the new person you'd like to be in the new year.

Think back to the beginning of the school year - how have you changed and developed academically and personally since starting high school?

With the approaching end of the semester comes your first report card  - the grades your earn will determine your GPA (grade point average.)As we near the end of the semester, what goals do you have for yourself?

Write a paragraph in response to the questions above and find or create a video on YouTube that embodies the changes you'd like to make your life this year. Embed the video in this post.

Due Friday, January 13

5 Part Paragraphs: What Makes Them Great?

Great writing is difficult to define, but you know it when you see it. Considering the critiques of the paragraphs in class this week, what makes a great 5 part paragraph? Attempt to answer that question in a paragraph.

In another paragraph, pinpoint the common problems in the paragraphs we read in class. Why are these the problem areas in paragraphs? What have you learned about 5 part paragraphs by critiquing them in class?

Be sure to write two paragraphs - the first paragraph about what makes the paragraphs great and the second about common problems and what you've learned about 5 part paragraphs. Due Friday, December 2.

To Kill a Mockingbird Photo Post

Now that you've finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird, ask yourself, "what is this book really about?" Think beyond the setting, plot and characters and determine what it all means to you. What life lessons does the novel offer? What can you take away from the story and apply to your own life?

Answer these questions and attach a photo to enhance your interpretation of the novel's meaning or message. Your post should include a photo and a paragraph applying it to your ideas about the meaning behind Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. 

Go beyond an obvious, literal interpretation - no pictures of/from the film, please.

Due Friday, November 18.

The Trial

Write two paragraphs about your reaction to the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird. Most people view this as the most exciting part of the book - what were thinking and feeling as you read these 5 chapters?

Here are some ideas to get you started. You do not have to answer these questions, these are just ideas to help you begin writing:

• Did you think Tom Robinson would be convicted?
• What did the trial remind you of or make you think about?
• Did you feel sorry for Mayella Ewell?
• How is Atticus' character developed through his closing argument?
• How is the theme of courage reflected through the trial?
• Could something like this happen today?

This is your chance to give your opinion of this part of the book. Free-write, but be sure to write at least two paragraphs. Due Friday, November 11.

Atticus and Parenting

This week we are analyzing how Harper Lee creates Atticus' character and discussing Atticus' parenting style.  Compare Atticus' parenting style to one or both of your parents. In class we are talking about how the choices Atticus makes as a parent show what kind of person he is. How do the decisions your parent or parents make reveal their inner selves?

Write two paragraphs for this post. The first paragraph should be comparing a specific parenting choice Atticus makes to something your parent or parents did. The second paragraph should be about how your parents' parenting styles determine what type of people they are. You can either write about one parent, both of your parents or your guardian if you live with someone other than your parents.

Due Friday, November 4.