Feb. 23-27

9th Literature/Composition
Weekly Focus: Novel Study "A Bronx Masquerade"

Monday:
1.) Read Sheila Gamberoni on page 133 in the hardback of novel (novel link).  Answer the following discussion questions:
a.) What was Sheila doing at the beginning of the scene that Wes caught her doing?  What does this reveal about her?
b.) What advice does Wes give Sheila? Provide the quote.
c.) What could the title: "Private Puzzle" be referencing in the poem?
d.) Describe the tone of her poem?  Provide words she uses as evidence.
e.) How is a puzzle a metaphor in this poem?  What is the puzzle like in her life?
f.) What does Sheila state as a "moment [where] the puzzle is done?"

2. Read the article "Skin Bleaching" (article link) and answer the following questions
a.) Where the events of this article take place?
b.) What percentage of women bleach their skin in this region of the world?  What does that say about their self image?
c.) What are some of the health effects of using these creams?

3.) Write one paragraph answering the following writing topic:  How is the bleaching of skin done by these models similar to Sheila's issue in the novel?  Provide evidence from the novel and the article in answering this question.

HW TONIGHT: Read Janelle's part and prepare for a class discussion/questions on Tuesday 24th.

Feb. 18-20

9th Literature/Composition
Weekly Focus: Novel Study "A Bronx Masquerade"

Monday: Snow Day

Tuesday: Snow Day

Wednesday: Read "News at Five" in the novel and complete poem analysis.  Take notes on the 5 types of media bias and complete a poem about media bias after watching the news tonight.  Choose a point of view, policy. group that is rarely presented in an accurate and unbiased way in the media (teens, minorities, immigrants, religion, etc).  Write a poem titled "News at Five" to criticize the media's attempt at bias.  Class Agenda (PPT)

Thursday:  Student presented their 4 slide PowerPoint on examples of "Appearance vs. Reality" in the US.  The subjects could be companies, entertainers or musicians, industries, etc.
HW Tonight: Study the vocabulary from Wednesday's notes for the quiz tomorrow, and have a poem to present for Open Mic Fridays. Class Agenda PPT

Friday: Quiz on vocabulary, Open Mic, and Appearance Vs. Reality presentations (day 2).

Feb. 9-13

9th Literature/Composition
Weekly Focus: Novel Study "A Bronx Masquerade"

Monday: Research examples of the fictional theme "appearance vs. reality" on the internet.  Read the directions on how to complete the mini project below. Media Project Link (PPT)


Tuesday: Read Langston Hughes "Let America Be America Again" and complete TPCASTT.  Rewrite one of his "I am..." stanzas to include the struggling groups of people in America today.  Daily Agenda Link (PPT)
Let America Be America Again Link

Wednesday: Read Amy in "Bronx Masquerade" and complete 1-7 discussion questions.  Take notes on complex characters and writing an Ode.  Daily Agenda Link (PPT)

Thurday: Finish your Media Project Link (PPT).  Complete an Ode like the one Amy wrote in the novel by selecting an object in nature (ex: rock ) to compare yourself to.  See notes on Ode
One day at Far Rockaway
  is all it took.
One look at rocks
in water decided me:
I want to be stone.
I want to be marble.
Dressed up limestone
never looked so good.
Let me be granite
and I promise
I’ll show you
how to take a shellacking.
Yes, I’ll risk sunburn.
Just let me be rock
wedged into the earth
or sea tidal waves
crashing over me
while I remain intact—
no split at the core,
more buffed than bruised.
Forget the pillar of salt.
I’ll look back
at the count of three
and you can turn me into stone.
Go on. I’m half rock already.

Feb. 3-7

9th Literature/Composition
Weekly Focus: Novel Study "A Bronx Masquerade"

Monday: Link to "A Bronx Masquerade"

1. Complete discussion questions in notebook section:

a.) what conflict does Jenelle suffer   from?  Is it an internal or external conflict? Explain.

b.) What classmate does Jenelle long to be with?  According to Jenelle what are her chances of getting the attention of the student?

c.) Find a "where the author uses direct characterization to reveal the physical personality traits of Jenelle.

d.) Explain how the theme of appearance versus reality applies to Jenelle in the story.

e.) What has happened in Leslie's life that is the reason for her moving in with her grandmother?

f.) Who does Leslie befriend and what common ground helps them pursue a friendship?

g.) In line 5 of Leslie's poem "Common Groun," she states "We both take a leap into the unknown..."  What is she referring to as the unknown?

h.) Who is the second character in Leslie's poem Common Ground?"

2. Read Lelie's poem "Common Ground" and complete TPCASTT in your notes section.

3. Read about Judianne Alexander and prepare for a discussion in class on Tuesday.

4. Type up your "Bronx Masquerade" poem using Word.  Give it a title and attach clip art or a google pic that symbolizes the subject or tone of your poem.  Save poem to your lunch number.