Day 2 Critical Theory

Do Now: How are fairy/folk tales similar to/different from their Disney-fied adaptations?

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to distinguish among different critical lenses and describe the key questions they ask about a text.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can name at least four critical lenses and discuss their different approaches to a text.
-I can apply questions associated with a particular critical lens to a familiar text.

Agenda:

1. Critical Theory
2. Viewing and Notes
3. Exit Ticket: Share one example of how you applied your critical lens to Snow White with a neighbor.

HW: Continue working on TP1 (the rough draft is due Friday, 2 October)

Coming up...
-college essay work

Day 1 Critical Theory

Do Now: What would Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Germaine Greer have to say about The Lion King?

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to distinguish among different critical lenses and describe the key questions they ask about a text.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can name at least four critical lenses and discuss their different approaches to a text.
-I can apply questions associated with a particular critical lens to a familiar text.

Agenda:

1. Introduction to Critical Theory
2. Reading and Notes
3. Application
4. Exit Ticket: A critical theory that I find intriguing is... 

HW: Continue working on TP1. Bring a draft of your argument to Monday's class.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 10

Do Now: Look over the list below. Does your novel do any of these things? Explain.

• expose society's flaws
• critique humanity's weaknesses
• explore and uncover mysteries of the human heart
• challenge preconceived notions or assumptions
• bring out the extraordinary from the ordinary
• suggest what's worth fighting for

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to recall the key elements of a method-to-meaning thesis statement and begin to draft one.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can describe three important aspects of a method-to-meaning thesis statement.
-I can list possible literary devices, big ideas, and tensions to explore from my first primary source.
-I can make one distinction between those pesky criteria for a strong thesis: the "so what?" and the "why/how" inference.

Agenda:

1. Thesis Paper 1
2. Group Work
3. Drafting method-to-meaning arguments
4. Beginning Conferences
5. Exit Ticket: One exciting idea I have for TP1 is...

HW: Continue working on TP1.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 9

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."

Do Now: Please share with a neighbor one of the topics from your PS1 journal entries that you might explore further.

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to recall the key elements of a method-to-meaning thesis statement and begin to draft one.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can describe three important aspects of a method-to-meaning thesis statement.
-I can list possible literary devices, big ideas, and tensions to explore from my first primary source.

Agenda:

1. Thesis Paper 1
2. Method-to-meaning review and sample
3. Drafting method-to-meaning arguments
4. Exit Ticket: One question or concern I have about crafting my argument about PS1 is...

HW: No homework due Thursday.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 8

Do Now: Share an intriguing or confusing idea from Kaplan's essay with your group.

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to contribute to a student-led discussion that challenges my understanding of O'Brien's fiction or Kaplan's essay.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can explain one different perspective I gained about either the story or essay.
-I can describe one way that my peers helped me better understand the story or essay.

Agenda:

1. Socratic Seminar
2. Reflection
3. Exit Ticket: What is a compelling question/idea that you're still thinking about?

HW: Look over your PS1 journal entries and make an informal list of two or three possible topics you could explore further.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 7

Do Now: Please read the opening pages of Joan Didion's essay "The White Album." Discuss the struggle she describes in reconciling reality with a narrative.

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to discuss how perceptions are shaped by experiences and apply my ideas to "Speaking of Courage" (and, possibly, a thesis book).
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can make connections between O'Brien's "Speaking of Courage" and Rosler's "Cleaning the Drapes."
-I can describe how media shape perceptions and influence understandings of issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Agenda:

1. "Speaking of Courage" questions
2. Martha Rosler's "Cleaning the Drapes"
3. Discussion
4. Exit Ticket: What connections can you make between the ideas we discussed today and one of your thesis books?

HW: Reread "How to Tell a True War Story" and read Steven Kaplan's essay (the link is here) on The Things They Carried. Using the guidelines from the handout, prepare your three Socratic Seminar questions.

Coming up...

-"How to Tell a True War Story" Socratic seminar
-story-truth assignment
-introduction to critical theory

Day 6

Agenda:

1. Picture Day!
2. Close Reading Writing Sample

HW: Please review "Speaking of Courage" and respond to the first three questions on the handout.

“Speaking of Courage” Questions

1. How does Norman Bowker describe the war?  How does he describe his hometown?

2. How and why is Norman Bowker struggling to readjust to life in his hometown?  Do you think his struggling is warranted?

3. How does Norman’s perspective on the war differ from the perspective of people in his hometown? Does this difference help or hinder communication? Why?

Coming up...

-"Speaking of Courage" art comparison
-"How to Tell a True War Story" Socratic seminar
-story-truth assignment
-introduction to critical theory

Day 5

Do Now: What stories have immediately hooked you? How so?

Today's Learning Target:

I will learn about the significance of a good novel's first page and how much information is available there.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can point out at least three of the eighteen items described by Foster in one of my thesis novels.
-I can explain how these items connect to a big idea in my novel or a character's development.
Agenda:

1. First Pages
2. Your novels' opening lines
3. Conclusions
4. Exit Ticket: A concern I have about my first blog entry is... 

HW: Continue working on your PS1 entries (all three are due 17 September). Review "Speaking of Courage" for a discussion activity.

Coming up...

-writing sample (in-class close-reading)
-"Speaking of Courage" art comparison
-"How to Tell a True War Story" Socratic seminar
-story-truth assignment
-introduction to critical theory

Day 4

Do Now: Flip open your copy of The Things They Carried to "On the Rainy River." Skim through the story and try to summarize it with your group.

Today's Learning Target(s): 
I will be able to refresh or add to the tools I use for thinking about literature.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can point out key words and/or phrases and explain how they might relate to big ideas.
-I can locate methods the author uses and explain why he/she might have used them.

Agenda:

1. "On the Rainy River"
2. Assembling your literary analysis toolkit 
3. First Pages
4. Exit Ticket: A literary device I'd like to know more about (or review) is...  

HW: Continue working on your PS1 entries (all three are due 17 September).

A link to a nice resource for literary devices!

Day 3

Do Now: What were the most common methods (i.e., literary devices) and meanings (i.e., big ideas) you discussed in your 11th grade English class?

Today's Learning Target(s):
I will be able to closely examine the language of a text and draw conclusions about its significance.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can point out key words and/or phrases and explain how they might relate to big ideas.
-I can locate methods the author uses and explain why he/she might have used them.

Agenda:

1. Method to Meaning 
2. Reviewing Blog Guidelines 
3. Independent Work 
4. Exit Ticket: What about the blogging/journaling makes more sense? What is still confusing? 

HW: Continue working on your thesis blog. 

Please bookmark our class page: reynolds12h.blogspot.com

Please email me (at mreynolds@belmontschools.net) your blog address.

Day 2

Do Now: Do you have a preferred system for annotating a text? Explain.

Today's Learning Target(s):
I will be able to consider the purpose of annotations and what strategies work best for me.
I will be able to explain what the guidelines are for the thesis journal entries.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can discuss types of annotations and reasons for annotating.
-I can select meaningful annotation strategies for myself.
-I can create a journal entry according to the guidelines set out for me.

Agenda:

1. Annotations: strategies and purpose
2. Blogs: Guidelines and Rubric
3. The Things They Carried
4. Exit Ticket: An idea that intrigues me from my first primary source is...

HW: Begin working on your thesis blog. Start entry #1 by composing your paragraph and selecting five quotations.

Day 1

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Washington, D.C.

Do Now: Please complete the survey about your senior thesis reading so far.

Today's Learning Target(s):
I will be able to locate important class resources and begin a discussion about how great literature helps us to discover "the reality that underlies appearances" (Lodge 179).
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can locate the class blog and identify its key features.
-I can discuss how Yusef Komunyakaa's "Facing It" connects to important themes in literature and life.

Agenda:

1. Survey
2. Welcoming Remarks
3. Thesis Introductions
4. Komunyakaa's "Facing It"
5. Setting up the thesis blog
6. Exit ticket: One thing I'll find challenging/fulfilling to face this year is...

Homework: Among the things you carry to school with you Tuesday, please include your copy of The Things They Carried. Please feel free to check out a sample thesis journal entry here: http://pymsamplethesisjournal.blogspot.com/2015/07/ps1-excellent-women-journal-2.html

You will have three entries like this one for each of your primary sources. I will give you the guidelines and rubric next week.