Grade 12 IB: Ernest Hemingway Short Stories (due before class Tuesday, November 30th)

Ernest Hemingway said

"If a writer of prose knows enough about what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of the iceberg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water. The writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing."

Knowing that Hemingway purposefully omits certain parts from his stories, complete one of the following in at least 400 words:

• Consider the short story "Cat in the Rain." Write the ending that you think Hemingway might have intended.
• Consider the short story "Out of Season." Write the ending that you think Hemingway might have intended.
• Consider the short story "Hills Like White Elephants." Write the beginning that you think Hemingway might have intended.

Be sure that your writing not only reflects the elements of a short story, but also reflects the style of the story that you have chosen. For example, "Hills Like White Elephants" is mostly a dialogue between two characters. It would not make sense stylistically if you wrote the beginning of the story in rich prose. Think about it!

If you need to, feel free to send me a copy to look over before posting.

Grade 10: Lord of the Flies Chapters 10, 11, and 12 (Parts 1, 2, and 3)

Finish the book! Blog posts due before midnight on the 25th, the 27th, and the 28th. Remember these blog posts are not only grades, but are designed to create discussions for you! Use the blog wisely!

For each post, write a reaction (minimum 250 words) to the chapter and three questions. Then, make sure that you answer at least one other classmate's question. I will be posting, too!

Grade 8: Good Night, Mr. Tom (Part 1 due by midnight, November 22nd; Part 2 due by midnight, November 24th; Part 3 due by midnight, November 28th)

Since we won't be in class to have a discussion, we will be having a discussion here online! You may post any time throughout this next week, but you MUST post by the three dates listed here and on Edline.

Part 1: Post three THICK questions.

Part 2: Respond to at least two other students' questions. Please write a minimum of five sentences to answer.

Part 3: Respond to two other students. You may answer a question, write a reaction, clarify an idea, agree, or disagree. These responses must be at least five sentences.

Remember, be thoughtful about what you post! This online discussion is here to help you and generate interesting ideas. I am excited to read what you have to say!

Grade 10: Lord of the Flies Chapter 9 (Part 1 due by midnight Sunday, November 21st; Part 2 due by midnight, Monday, November 22nd)

Part 1: Post a one paragraph reaction to the chapter. Then, post three questions you had while reading.

Part 2: Go back and comment twice on two other posts. One of these comments MUST answer a question. The other comment can either respond to a reaction or answer another question.

Grade 12 IB: The Old Man and the Sea (Due before class Wednesday, November 24th)

Choose one of the following tasks and write at least 400 words. Make sure you consider the structure of the text. Please also skip one line between each paragraph.

• Imagine you are Hemingway and are just publishing The Old Man and the Sea. Write your introduction to the book.
  
• Imagine you are a writer for a local newspaper and The Old Man and the Sea has just been published. Write an article about its release.

Grade 8: Good Night, Mr. Tom Chapters 14-15 (Due by midnight Thursday, November 18th)

First, write a reaction to these two chapters. Then, write at least three THICK questions you had while reading.

Grade 10: Lord of the Flies Chapters 4, 5, and 6 (first part due tonight November 17th, second part due tomorrow November 18th by midnight)

Chapter 4: Aini
Why does Ralph want to make basic rules such as keeping the fire going, using the bathroom in a particular place, using the shelters, and keeping water in the coconut shells?
What does Jack feel after he knows that a ship has passed by?

Chapter 5: Giorgio S.
Why is there a big discussion about having a big assembly in the beginning of the chapter?
Why do the boys decide to have an assembly?
Why does Phil tell his dream to everyone? What effect does it have on the boys? (see p. 84-86)


Chapter 6: Valentina
Why does Ralph, without thinking, say yes to searching for the beast instead of turning back with the other kids?
What brings Simon to remain with Jack and Ralph and to continue the search for the beast?

Ms. Gelso: Consider why Simon has trouble communicating with the rest of the boys. It seems that he has important things to say, why can't he say them?

PART 1: Respond to any one of the above questions in a complete paragraph (at LEAST 5 sentences, including text details) by tonight, November 17th. Make sure that you indicate which question you will be answering.

PART 2: Return to the blog tomorrow night, November 18th, and comment on two of your classmates' posts. In your comment, make sure you indicate to whom you are speaking. In your comment, you can agree, disagree, ask a question, or any combination of these. Each comment must be thoughtful and critical. Simply saying "I agree with you" is not enough! I will be posting comments on the 17th as an example for you.

Grade 12 IB: The Old Man and the Sea (due before class Monday, November 15th)

Read through page 62 of The Old Man and the Sea. Either post here, handwrite, or type up a one page response to the following question:

What do you think is the most important or "golden" line/passage in this first part of the novella? Why? Consider carefully our discussion of Hemingway's iceberg theory as you are choosing and analyzing your line/passage.

Grade 8: Good Night, Mr. Tom Response (due before midnight, Monday, November 8th)

First, identify the most interesting, or "golden" line from the beginning of the book (really these lines can be anywhere in the first 7 chapters). Write the line, the page number, and any necessary context.

Then, in a complete and thoughtful paragraph with opening and closing sentences, explain why you think that line is most interesting.

Finally, post three THICK questions you had while reading (Alessandro's question today in class--Why does Willie's mother want him to live near a church if she openly mistreats him so badly?--is a great example of a THICK question!).

Remember to be completing your vocabulary homework, your bookmark, and your post-it notes!

Grade 10: Lord of the Flies Chapter 3 (Due by midnight, Monday, November 8th)

Make sure you have read Chapters 4 and 5 (with book mark and post-its) and completed Unit 3 vocabulary in addition to answering one of the following:

1. Jack seems to be very comfortable in the jungle. What does this say about him?

2. The Beastie (and snakes in general) have become unmentionable (see page 52). Why is naming things so important?

3. Simon is Hebrew for “listener.” Where does Simon go? What role is he starting to take on in the story?

4. How is the jungle different for Simon than it is for Jack? Consider the contrast between the beginning of the chapter and the end.

5. Consider pages 56-57. How does Golding use light in this section?

Grade 8: Good Night, Mr. Tom Chapters 1-3 (Due by midnight before Thursday, November 4th)

Please respond to the following in at least ten sentences.

Imagine you were taken from your home and had to go and live with a stranger. How would you feel? What would you expect? What would you do?

Then, explore this website about WWII: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/world_war2/world_at_war/
What is the most interesting thing you found in the site?

If you want to look at today's video again, go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abLgfmzTO64&feature=fvw

Grade 10: Chapter 2 Response (Due by midnight Thursday, November 4)

Respond to one of the discussion questions in a complete, well-written paragraph.

1. How are Jack and Ralph characterized? Are Jack and Ralph fundamentally different or is the island changing them?

2. Lord of the Flies is full of symbolism. Consider Piggy’s glasses (“specs”), the conch, the beastie, the smoke on the mountain, the fire, the drum-roll, and even the characters themselves. What do these elements represent?

3. Consider the following line: “Piggy glanced nervously into hell and cradled the conch” (p. 44). Explain the importance of this line.

4. How is William Golding creating tension for the reader?

Grade 12: Death of a Salesman Closing Questions (Due before Thursday, November 4)

Please complete the closing activity on the back of today's handout.

Riccardo and Federico G., please explain how Willy and Biff represent different versions of the American Dream. Considering this, what do you think is Miller's comment on the American Dream?

Please remember that vocabulary is due on Thursday and we will be having a test on the American Dream, Death of a Salesman, and vocabulary.