To Kill a Mockingbird

Ah, banned books - just what sophomores love. As we read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, keep track of your favorite lines. One of mine appears at the end of the trial: "'Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'" (Lee 211). What better tribute could a community make to a man.

Your reading schedule for the week is:
Monday - chapters 1 and 2
Tuesday - chapters 3 and 4
Wednesday - chapters 5 and 6
Thursday - chapter 7
Friday - finish Part I.

Please create seven columns in your notebooks and record examples of each of the following using correct MLA format as you read the novel: family ancestry, euphemisms, ambiguity, regionalism, unspoken rules, traumatic violence, and social/religious decorum.

The video bar on the right has information about Harper Lee. Check out the clips.

Week of September 21, 2009

Here is your homework schedule for the week:

Monday - Finish your Gothic poem and paper
Tuesday - Study for tomorrow's test
Wednesday - Read "That Evening Sun" by William Faulkner and define Jim Crow laws
Thursday - Read "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates
Friday - Read "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor

Look for Poe's influence when you read these short stories. What Gothic elements are present?

Nicenet

Hi. The forum is open! Please post by midnight on Monday. I look forward to reading your responses.

Week of September 14

Oh, the bells, bells, bells.......



This week's readings include "The Bells" and "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe. Your job is to be "the bells" and "the raven." Each group will present its oral interpretation of one of the poems. Please note that all members of your group must participate equally. If you need some creative ideas, visit YouTube.

In addition, analyze the literary devices that Poe used to create each poem, and be prepared to defend your analysis on Wednesday.


Next, you need to compete the following Gothic poetry assignment that is worth 50 points:

Each group will write a Gothic poem. The following requirements must be met in order to successfully complete the project for a grade of “C”:

• twenty lines of poetry;
• two Gothic elements (e.g., death, insanity, nightmares);
• two main images;
• evidence of end rhyme and internal rhyme;
• an allusion; and
• evidence of alliteration.

Your poem must be neatly typed. You may select the font and font size for this project. You should identify end rhyme and internal rhyme through the use of yellow highlighting, and identify an allusion through the use of green highlighting. Underline any alliteration. You will also need to email a copy of your poem to pporter@hpregional.org.

Illustrate your poem.

You must also submit a short paper that explains your application of allusion and imagery as well as any Gothic elements that are found in your poem. Cite exact lines from your poem when you write your paper.

Scoring rubric:
Poem – 15 points
End Rhyme and Internal Rhyme – 5 points
Allusion – 5 points
Alliteration – 5 points
Explanation of images and Gothic elements – 20 points

Total score: 50 points

Week of September 8, 2009

Currently we are tackling Romanticism and Edgar Allan Poe. Tuesday's homework is to read the poetry packet that includes "The Heresy of the Didactic" as well as "Annabel Lee" and "Lenore." You are also responsible for reading "The Pit and the Pendulum" and "The Masque of the Red Death" this week. Pay attention to Poe's diction and his use of literary devices. What can we learn from his writing style?

Welcome to Honors English 10

Welcome back to school!

I hope that everyone is excited to start your sophomore year. We'll begin with a discussion of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and go back in time to cover Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poetry. As always, we will focus on the qualities of a good writer and how you can transfer that information to your work.

I look forward to an exciting journey through American literature with you.

Mrs. Porter