Welcome to the English 10 web page!

You can email Mr. Rice from here

 

On this page you'll find information about what we do every day in class, including the play-by-play of what happens in each class period, homework assignments, and due dates. Here's what to know:

 

• The class activities are listed in reverse date order. That means you may need to scroll down to find the date you are looking for.
• Access older units and lessons through the lesson archives
• If you're curious about me, Mr. Rice, you can read "About Mr. Rice"
• The English Department shares the same Late Work Policy; if that concerns you, then check it out

 

 

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Mon, May 17

 

DUE TODAY: Reading questions at end of class (see below)

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Read the trial chapters through ch 22

FOCUS TODAY: What it means to be a child, the symbolism of the mockingbird

 

Reading questions due @ end of period:

 

3. (long) What is wrong with Dill? What important discovery has he made that troubles him? 4. (long) What part of Dill's revelation has a lesson for us as readers? What should we see?

 

Chapter 20

 

Outside the courthouse, Scout and Dill run into Mr. Dolphus Raymond, the wealthy white citizen who lives with a Black woman and drinks from a bottle hidden inside a paper bag. He reveals why he lives and acts the way he does, and explains why Dill cried at the way Gilmer treated Tom Robinson. The two children go back into the courtroom in time to hear Atticus' closing arguments.

 

Vocab: 204-3, unmitigated temerity

 

IMPORTANT ISSUE: The important lesson occurs within the answers that Mr. Raymond gives Dill and Scout. He reveals to us the innocence of children, and the beauty of being immature enough to cry at injustice, which is exactly what Dill did. Did YOU cry at the way Gilmer treated Tom? Were you angry? Sad? Or did you just read it and not react at all? Do you think that as we age we become more de-sensitized, as Mr. Raymond suggests?

 

 

Chapter 22

 

Reading these next paragraphs will help you prepare for in-class discussion:

 

One of the most important lessons in the book is taught on pgs 212-213 (to where it says "Good night"). Scout is the only child of the three not to cry at the injustice of the Maycomb courts and the local racism. Perhaps she was not mature enough to see what Jem and Dill saw? Still, the important thing for us is to consider the innocence of children. It should be plain that the disease of racism has not yet reached Jem, who is about twelve or thirteen at this point. If it had, he would not have cried at the verdict. Did you notice that Atticus is extremely tired, and Miss Rachel's comment about him is, "if a man like Atticus Finch wants to butt his head against a stone wall it's his head." She compares the stone wall to the racism present in Maycomb, suggesting that the racism is so strong that even a good man like Atticus cannot change it.

 

Next, Miss Maudie presents Jem, Dill, and Scout with small cakes. As they eat she tries to console Jem over the outcome of the trial. Her words reveal her deep respect for Atticus, as well as her view of the residents of Maycomb. When Jem says that Maycomb folks "seemed" like the best folks in the world, she responds with, "We're the safest folks in the world." The word "safest" presents and opportunity for many interpretations. The first is that everyone is "safe" in their shell. Black residents know their place and white residents know their place and as long as no one messes with the balance everything is safe for everyone. As long as the residents do not break out of their habits of racist living they will be "comfortable." This is easy to understand, as people who live in a familiar environment consider themselves "safe," whereas when we are placed in an unfamiliar environment we feel more vulnerable.

 

Dill's comments about being a clown should not be ignored. He is a smart little boy who recognizes the circus-like unreality of the world in which he lives. Remember, he is not from a stable home, but moves from family member to family member throughout the course of the year. Combine this with what he just saw in the courtroom and you have a very cynical young man who feels that becoming a clown is perhaps the only rational act he can take in an irrational world.

 

Thu, May 13

 

DUE TODAY: Reading questions and trial timeline

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Read the last two pages of ch. 19 and all of 20

FOCUS TODAY: Discussion of the testimonies, creating a timeline of events, contributing to dialog

 

In groups, a timeline will be created that combines all testimonies. Finished product: What REALLY happened the day of the alleged crime?

 

Question Types for Large Group Dialog

 

World Connection Question: Connects the topic or text to an issue or situation in life. World connection questions often relate the topic or text personally.

If you were Mayella would you lie on the witness stand to protect yourself?

If you were as lonely as Mayella would you be willing to break the rules of society to gain companionship?

How would you feel for a person if you knew that they were beaten by their parent(s)?

Have you ever been in a situation like Mayella Ewell’s where you had to lie to protect yourself?

If you were put in a situation between a family member or an innocent person on trial, would you lie for your family member like Mayella did for her father or tell the truth?

If you were Mayella would you lie on the witness stand to protect someone else?

What would prompt you to defend someone your society shuns?

 

Close-Ended Style: Poses a question that has an immediate or limited reply rather than spurring discussion.

What did Tom do when he saw Mr. Ewell?

How did Mayella attempt to show affection for Tom?

Had Tom done work for Mayella before the day of the accusation?

 

Open-Ended Style: Poses a question that can be considered from many angles and presents multiple possibilities/opportunities for discussion.

Why does Mayella appear confused and hesitant when she is questioned?

What does Mayella’s reaction towards questions about her father suggest?

Can we excuse Mayella’s actions at her house toward Tom Robinson because of her background?

 

Universal Theme/Core Issue Style: Aims to spur discussion on a central issue in the text that is “larger” than the characters themselves.

Is protection of one’s own reputation important enough to lie for?

Are those in society who are ignored doomed to remain there?

 

Staying Focused:

____            References back to the text (plot, characters, themes, symbols, etc.)

____            References to how the topic relates to “real life”

____            Re-focused the dialog when it drifted far off topic (we were way off base)

 

Helping the Dialog:

____            Summarized the dialog so far (“Up to this point, the main ideas have been …”)

____            Piggybacked onto a previous comment (“Adding to that idea …”)

____            Paraphrased what someone said before adding your own (“What you think is …”)

____            Promoted equality by encouraging others to join in

____            Rescued the dialog when it seemed “dead” (after a long period of silence)

____            Re-directed the dialog when a new topic was needed

____            Relieved tension by joking (appropriately)

 

 

Tue, May 11

 

DUE TODAY: Ch 10-14 reading questions

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Do some reading!

FOCUS TODAY: The trial of Tom Robinson

 

Important questions for today:

1. The men from Sarum aim to lynch Tom Robinson. How is it that Scout is able to disarm a band of violence-seeking men? What happens that causes them to turn and go?
2. What are the conditions like where the Ewells live? We will read 170-171. Is there any sense of order or beauty there? What sort of life is it for Mayella? What is Mr. Ewell like?
3. Use a four-column table to record the facts in the testimonies of Heck Tate, Mr. Ewell, Mayella, and Tom
4. What do we know for sure about the crime? What is the real story?

 

 

Fri, May 7 (early dismissal/evacuation)

 

Wed, May 5

 

DUE TODAY: chs 11-14 are read; one open-ended question based on what's in chs 11-14

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Reading log questions for chs 10-14

FOCUS TODAY: Reading and responding

 

QUIZ on chapters 11-14

 

On your own paper, explain the following:

1. What did Mrs. Dubose do that caused Jem to lash out in anger toward her?
2. What is Jem’s punishment for lashing out in anger toward Mrs. Dubose?
3. What did Jem do to Mrs. Dubose to deserve punishment?
4. There is a clock used to time Jem’s visits at Mrs. Dubose’s house. The amount of time he spends there each day increases until finally the alarm does not sound and Mrs. Dubose simply says, “That’ll do.” What has happened to Mrs. Dubose over this time period, and for what purpose was the clock used?
5. How is Mrs. Dubose both a horrible person yet an inspiring person as well?

 

As Cal and the children return from church services with the local Black population, the children ask her why she uses “Blackspeak” while with the people at church, but “Whitespeak” when she is in the Finch home. Cal says if she used “Whitespeak” at church it would sound out of place and people would think she was acting superior. She goes on to say, “…folks don’t like to have someone around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates ‘em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin’ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut and talk their language.”

6. The chapter questions proposed that this quote foreshadowed how the town would respond to the trial of Tom Robinson. Based on this idea, how do you expect the townspeople will respond to the trial of an upstanding, honorable Black man accused by Bob Ewell, the lowest of trash, of raping his grown daughter Mayella? Link the quote to how you think the folks of Maycomb will respond to the trial.

7. Link the ideas from Calpurnia’s quote to the song lyrics about to be shown.

 

Here is the  SONG LYRIC:

“American Tragedy”

by Tait (partial lyric)

Art is in motion, look around

At the everyday people in the everyday town

Love is an ocean as deep as the sky

Gotta keep our arms open if we’re ever gonna fly

 

CHORUS

It’s a tragedy

All the hate I see

Am I left to be

A slave to history

Love’s our common ground

Yeah, my skin is brown

Ain’t no sweeter sound

Walls are tumblin’ down

 

I can’t deny it overwhelms

That changin’ your world is changin’ yourself

You can’t tell me that you’ve already tried

Cause we’re never gonna shine until we swallow our pride

 

 

Mon, May 3

 

DUE TODAY: News story, if not completed last class; reading of ch 9-10

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Read 11-14 - quiz next class; make one open-ended question for chs 11-14

FOCUS TODAY: Types of Introductory Questions used in discussion

 

Review the news stories from previous class

Story question and answer time - what are you curious about that has not been answered or clarified in the novel?

Large group discussion about questions raised

Types of opening questions

 

Thu, Apr 29

 

DUE TODAY: Reading log Qs for ch 4-7, and reading through ch8

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Read chs 9-10; complete news story if not completed in class

FOCUS TODAY: News writing - headlines and leads

 

QUIZ on chapters 4-8

 

In-class work on a news story for the events in chapter 8, when Miss Maudie Atkinson loses her home.

 

Write a news story, including a headline and appropriate lead, to accompany the events in chapter 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird. Requirements:

• Headline (ten words or less) captures the essential event
• Lead (the opening paragraph that captures the essence of the event)
• Who was involved (read to find who was there, and what they did)
• What happened (read to find out what occurred as time passed during the event)
• Where it happened (give specifics – who was placed where during the event?)
• When it happened
• How it happened (Miss Maudie gives away this one – find her quotes)
• Quotes from at least two witnesses worked into the story (for this requirement, you can lift quotes from characters directly from the book OR make up quotes that characters would likely have said at the event)
• Questions and/or issues raised by the event – long-term concerns or problems (this is all you … after reading about the event, are there any words of

 

Headline:

Headlines provide a quick, engaging phrase without articles “the, a, an” that hook the reader to want to read the whole article

• Mariner hits walk-off homer for win
• 787 Dreamliner approved for further flight testing
• UW President to head NCAA
• Former friend helps bust Olympia councilman

 

The Lead:

A straight news lead should be a single paragraph consisting of a single sentence, should contain no more than 30 words, and should summarize, at minimum, the most newsworthy "what," "where" and "when" of the story. )The “body” of the story afterward is what provides the details.)

• Example: "Fire destroyed a house on Main Street early Monday morning."
• The lead is a single-sentence paragraph. Note, please, that a lead should be written in ordinary English, not the clipped phrasing reserved for headlines like "Main Street home destroyed in early morning fire." (Headlines, which appear in large print above the stories they introduce, are written that way to conserve space.)
• The lead's first verb should express the main "what" of the story and should be placed among the lead's first seven words. The lead's first verb -- the same one that expresses the main "what" of the story -- should be active voice, not passive voice.
• A verb is active voice if the verb's subject did, is doing, or will do something.
• "Destroyed" is the verb.
• "Fire" is the verb's subject.
• The lead should summarize the "why" and "how" of the story, but only if there's room.
• Example: "An elderly Murfreesboro man died early Monday morning when fire sparked by faulty wiring raged through his Main Street home."
• "... fire ... raged through his Main Street home ..." explains why the man died.
• "... sparked by faulty wiring ..." explains how the blaze began.

 

Quotes:

Quote people with unique insights or experience, not just anyone. The reader wants to know the behind-the-scenes stuff. You might consider having a quote from Miss Maudie (since it’s her house), Mr. Avery (since he risked his life to save her belongings), Atticus (since his house was in danger of catching on fire as well), or one of the children

 

 

Tues, Apr 27

 

DUE TODAY: You have read through chapter 6

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Finish the reading log questions for chapters 4-7

FOCUS TODAY: The mystery of the Radleys

 

Feedback on the letters to Dill

Comments on the first batch of reading questions

 

IN CLASS: Today we gather evidence about "Boo" and the Radley family. We will also explore parts of the text that suggests "Boo" is trying to communicate with the children. 

 

DUE BY END OF CLASS: Imagine that Boo Radley keeps a diary and writes in it every few days. Based on what you read from Scout's point of view in chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7, create at least TWO of Boo's diary entries.

 

Chapter 4 Review:

Scout is pushed into the Radley yard, and she reveals that she heard laughing inside the house

Scout, Dill, and Jem make up a drama about the Radleys, and get in trouble from Atticus

 

Chapter 5:

Pay attention to Scout's relationship with and description of the widow Maudie Atkinson

• Hates her house, but loves to work in the yard
• Bakes excellent cakes
• Confirms for Scout that Arthur "Boo" Radley is still alive, because he hasn't been "carried out yet."
• Tells us the Radleys are "foot washing Baptists" = fundamentalists who believe "any pleasure is sin"
• She warns against strict interpretation of the Bible as worse than drunkenness

The children plot to give a note to Boo Radley, but are thwarted by Atticus, who chastises them

 

Chapter 6:

On Dill's last night in town the children make their way into the Radley yard

They incounter a mysterious figure while trying to peer into the house

While escaping, Jem's pants are caught on a fence, and he wriggles out of them

Dill creates a quick excuse for why Jem's pants are missing

Jem decides to go retrieve his pants in the middle of the night, and is disturbed by something

 

Chapter 7:

Jem reveals what troubles him about the night he went to retrieve his pants

Scout and Jem find more "treasures" inside the tree hole

When they prepare to put a note of thanks in the hole, they find it filled

Jem is so disturbed over the filling of the tree hole he weeps

 

Fri, Apr 23

 

DUE TODAY: Ch1-3 reading log prompts; reading thru ch 4

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Read and respond to chs 5-6

FOCUS TODAY: Chapter 4 and voice

 

• QUIZ on chapters 1-4
• Hand in the reading log questions for chapters 1-3 (you can give me more if you desire)
• Small activity
• Imagine both Jem and Scout write letters to Dill during the school months
• Given what happens in chapter four, write a letter from the point of view of Jem or Scout to Dill regarding what they find in the tree at the Radleys. In your letter include:
• A salutation of “Dear Dill,”
• An appropriate intro like, “You won’t believe what happened today” or “I hope your life is exciting, because things are pretty much just same/same around here”
• What you (Jem or Scout) were doing when you found this
• What was found
• What your immediate response was to what was found
• The implications (issues) and guesses you have about what you found  -  what does this all mean for you and your daily lives?
• Last thoughts for Dill
• Closing

HOMEWORK: Read chapters 5-6 and answer the reading questions

 

Wed, Apr 21

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Ch1-3 reading log questions, read ch 4

FOCUS TODAY: Establishing character, tone, setting in TKM

 

Jigsaw reading of chapters 2-3

• You get in a small group and focus on 2-3 pages in the text
• Record what is happening, who's speaking, and what is said or thought
• What do we, the readers, learn from your segment?
• Are there any reading guide questions we can address with the information from your segment?

 

By the end, everyone knows what happens in chs 2-3 and can respond to the reading log questions! Yay!

 

Wed, Mar 31

 

DUE TODAY: Any late work? Submit it.

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Finish Ch7 listening questions AND any late work

FOCUS TODAY: Chapter 7 weather and color symbolism; the climax of the novel

 

Listening questions for chapter 7:

1. Why has Gatsby stopped hosting parties?
2. What’s the weather the day Nick is supposed to meet the Buchanans and Gatsby?
3. Who are “like silver idols”?
4. Daisy tells Gatsby, “You always look so _________.” This reveals to Tom the affair.
5. “Women get these notions in their heads,” says ____________.
6. Whose voice is “full of money”? “The king’s daughter. The golden girl.”
7. Tom oddly demands that Daisy and ______________ share a ride to town in the coupe.
8. At the gas station, Wilson shocks Tom by revealing …
9. How are Tom and Wilson similar?
10. Myrtle looks down jealously – who does she think Jordan is?
11. What is the truth about Gatsby and Oxford?
12. Gatsby insists what about Daisy’s affections for Tom?
13. Daisy’s confesses she never loved Tom, then she shifts and claims what?
14. What is the truth about how Gatsby attained his wealth?
15. What has happened at Wilson’s garage while the group is in the city?
16. What car do Gatsby and Daisy drive back from the city?
17. Why does Myrtle race into the street?
18. Who does Tom think was driving the car that hit Myrtle?
19. Why does Gatsby wait outside the Buchanan house?
20. What does Nick see when he goes back to peer in the window of the Buchanans?

 

Mon, Mar 29

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Revisions to all assignments/quizzes, due WED

FOCUS TODAY: Gatsby Ch7

 

Unfortunately, the handout for "Stick Figure Theater" last class, directed students to write a cartoon for chapter FIVE of Gatsby . The directions should have specified chapter SIX to go along with the CD that was played last class. In the modern parlance, "My bad."

 

We will go over returned work at the start of class, have a brief discussion about grades, and you will select what quizzes and assignments you want to revise for higher credit, if any.

 

CD TODAY: Latter half of chapter 6, plus chapter 7

 

From chapter 6:

1. This chapter outlines how "James Gatz" became "Jay Gatsby." Please write a series of at least five steps in a timeline of Gatsby's life that show how he became Jay Gatsby that Nick describes. Include at least these essential items: details of the Dan Cody parts of his life, the young Daisy, WWI, his mansion, business with Wolfsheim, meeting Nick
2. The novel points out a division between rich and poor, but it also points out a division amont the rich. What social blunder does Gatsby commit when interacting with Tom and the Sloanes?
3. Gatsby is greatly troubled at the failure of his party. Nick tells him, "I wouldn't ask too much of her. You can't repeat the past." What does Gatsby's reaction tell us about what Gatsby really wants?

From chapter 7:

1. Why has Gatsby hired new house help and ceased hosting parties?
2. Talk about how Fitzgerald uses weather in this chapter. What does it reflect this time?
3. What shock does Tom get at the gas station from Wilson, and how does this affect Tom?
4. What happened in the street in front of Wilson's garage? 

 

NOTE: On Monday we had registration for classes, with no Gatsby. The questions above were not assigned. 

 

 

Thu, Mar 25

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Nothing

FOCUS TODAY: Symbol, Gatsby Ch6

 

As announced last class, there is a sub today. Here are the plans as given to the sub:

 

1.      Please note who did NOT bring their own copy of “The Great Gatsby” b/c I asked them all to bring the text today.

2.      Distribute the quiz on chapter 5 – allow ample time to complete it, and you can feel free to correct it in class (key provided)

3.      Distribute the reading activity for chapter 6

4.      Play the CD for chapter 6 (found in the CD case). I would prefer you use the CD player system on top of the file cabinet.

 

 

Tue, Mar 23

 

DUE TODAY: Reading questions for chapter 4 (previous lesson)

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: None

FOCUS TODAY: Symbolism associated with weather in chapter 5

 

There is a handout to use when reading chapter five, in which you will focus on Fitzgerald's use of weather as a literary device. The handout is hard-copy only; please get one from the classroom.

 

BUT FIRST a quiz. Here are the quiz questions, based on chapters 3 and 4:

 

1. What people “came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars”?
2. What is Nick unable to find at his first party at Gatsby’s?
3. What acquaintance of Nick’s is at Gatsby’s party?
4. Who “killed a man once”?
5. Who “was a German spy during the war”?
6. At Gatsby’s party, Nick encounters a strange man in which room?
7. Who is “a regular Belasco”?
8. Name three activities people engaged in at Gatsby’s parties.
9. What surprises the man with “owl eyes” about Gatsby’s books?
10. When Nick first meets Gatsby, what history do they have in common?
11. Who has a private audience with Gatsby for an hour?
12. Describe what event causes a ruckus as guests leave Gatsby’s party.
13. What is it about Jordan’s past that Nick remembers from the papers?

 

and these as well... 

 

1. Gatsby always calls Nick “old _________.”
2. According to Gatsby, he was educated at ________, but some don’t believe it.
3. How did Gatsby get out of the traffic stop w/ the policeman?
4. Besides Nick, who is Gatsby’s dining partner at lunch?
5. Gatsby claims to know the man who fixed the 1919 ___________.
6. While at lunch with Nick, Gatsby becomes extremely embarrassed to meet who?
7. Describe how Daisy and Jordan know one another.
8. What happened to Daisy before she was married to Tom?
9. In Santa Barbara, CA what did Tom do to compromise his marriage?
10. What is the history between Gatsby and Daisy?
11. According to Jordan, why did Gatsby buy his house?
12. What is Gatsby’s request of Nick regarding Daisy?
13. As chapter four closes, what happens between Nick and Jordan?

 

About today's handout on chapter five:

 

Did you notice that the upper left box asks you to draw NICK’s house, and the lower left asks you to draw GATSBY’s? You might check what you drew b/c Nick’s house is merely a small shack, whereas Gatsby’s is gigantic with steeples and gardens.

 

What part of your drawing of the faces shows the difference between the early part of the chapter vs. after the “weather” changes?

 

Fair warning: Next class part of your quiz grade will be if you bring your book. It will count ½ of your quiz grade on Thursday. This is b/c many of you don’t have your book today.

 

There will be a sub on Thurs. ANY negative word from the sub or any other staff member will be met with immediate after-school detention. No excuses – you mess up, you spend an hour with me.

 

 

Thu, Mar 18

 

DUE TODAY: Reading response sheet for chapter 3

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Reading questions on chapter 4

FOCUS TODAY: Color as symbol

 

A look at the chapter 3 response sheet, and the description of Gatsby's car in ch4

• Use of color?

 

The Great Gatsby – Chapter 4   

If you thought the book was slow so far, this is the chapter where all the histories of the characters begin to come together. There are three levels of question today: #2, 5, 7, 9, 10 require you listen and respond; #1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 require you take what you hear and analyze its possible meaning; #11 requires you predict based on what you know. Please have each question answered upon arrival next class.

 

1. Infer: What purpose might it serve to list the many guests at Gatsby’s party? As the author, Fitzgerald chooses to list them, but why? Is it to make us get a broader picture of Gatsby? Of Nick? Of the people who attended the parties? What do your guess?
2. What does Gatsby reveal about himself to Nick?
3. Infer: What kind of image does Gatsby try to “sell” to Nick?
4. Infer: Why would Gatsby need to create an image of himself in Nick’s eyes?
5. What kind of man is Meyer Wolfshiem? What is his business?
6. Infer: What should we “understand” by seeing that Gatsby is involved with a man like Wolfsheim?
7. According to Jordan, what happened leading up to Daisy’s wedding to Tom?
8. Infer: What does Jordan’s story reveal about how Daisy felt about marrying?
9. Why does Gatsby want to have tea with Daisy in Nick’s house particularly?
10. Why doesn’t Gatsby ask for this favor himself?
11. Predict: Now that both Gatsby and Daisy know that they are closer to one another, what will happen when they meet at Nick’s house?

 

 

Tues, Mar 16

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Reading response sheet for chapter 3 (finished in class)

FOCUS TODAY: Gatsby chapter 3

 

Reading along with the CD:

 

ITEMS at Gatsby’s parties

• Oranges, lemons

• Machine in kitchen for juicing
• Canvas, lights, buffet tables
• Lots of food

Orchestra, music, singing

 

RUMORS about Gatsby

• Doesn’t want any trouble – the replacement dress
• He killed a man once *
• A German spy during the war
• Was in the American army
• Lots of whispers and speculation about him
• An “Oxford” man

 

COLORS in the chapter

• Golden food on tables
• Robins-egg blue butler suit
• Yellow dresses
• Blue dress
• Silver (water in the sound)
• Tanned skin
• Inky eyelashes - black

 

KIND OF PEOPLE at the parties

• People like moths to a light

• Heavy drinkers and drunks
• People who forget easily
• Single girls gliding, dancing
• Entertainers – celebrities and wannabes
• Young Englishmen – selling to rich Americans

 

What happens in the library:

Huge library of books, man w/ “owl eyes” drunk says books are real. Thought they’d be fake – surprised they’re all real. If one removed, “the whole library liable to collapse.”

 

NICK’S IMPRESSIONS of Gatsby

 

Appearance: “Elegant young roughneck” – tan skin - trimmed hair

 

Speech: Sounds just short of being absurd – picks words with care – “Old sport.” -

 

Behavior: Smile is reassuring, seems to know you; bows when leaving

 

Overall impression: His story and demeanor don’t “ring true” – even Jordan thinks he’s lying about Oxford – grows more “correct” as the night goes by – gets phone calls from Chicago and Philly = odd? – the emptiness of the house and isolation of Gatsby

 

Thu, Mar 9

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing in writing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: None

FOCUS TODAY: Emptiness in chapter 2

 

We will listen to chapter two on CD. Here are the reading questions to keep people "tuned in:"

Answer these questions as you listen to the audio of the text. The questions are particularly detailed, so follow along carefully.

1. What is the name on the billboard that overlooks the valley of ashes?
2. Why does Tom want to get off the train at the valley of ashes?
3. What is Mr. Wilson hoping Tom will sell him?
4. What does Mrs. Wilson order Mr. Wilson to go get so she can be alone w/ Tom?
5. What is the name of the magazine Mrs. Wilson purchases on arrival in the city?
6. What kind of dog does Mrs. Wilson want?
7. How much does the dog cost?
8. The tapestry scenes on the furniture are of what French royal castle?
9. How many times does Nick claim to have been drunk in his life?
10. What is the name of the book Nick starts reading at the apartment?
11. What does Catherine wear on her arms?
12. What does Mr. McKee do for a living?
13. What color is the dress Mrs. Wilson puts on at the apartment?
14. On what service has Mrs. Wilson wasted money recently?
15. What does Mrs. McKee compliment on Mrs. Wilson?
16. What is Mr. McKee’s first name?
17. What is the invented reason Tom and Daisy can’t get a divorce?
18. Where has Catherine traveled recently?
19. What did Tom Wilson borrow for his wedding?
20. Where did Mrs. Wilson and Tom first meet?
21. Name something Mrs. Wilson says she’s “got to get.”
22. What does Mrs. Wilson do that causes Tom to break her nose?
23. Who was asleep when Tom broke Mrs. Wilson’s nose?
24. Where is Nick at the end of the chapter?

  

Extended Responses (answer w/ more than a word or phrase):

 

A.     How does Mrs. Wilson change when she leaves the garage and settles in to the apartment? Use two details from the story to support your view of her change.

B.     How does Nick feel about the afternoon/evening events? (You might consider why he gets drunk.)

C.     What are the topics discussed at the apartment? Is there any substance to them at all? How are these people “empty?”

 

Here are the class responses to A, B, and C

 

Tue, Mar 7

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing in writing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: None

FOCUS TODAY: Gatsby, chapter 1 - use of color, theme

 

Finish reading chapter 1 - focus on what Nick sees next door at the end of the chapter

 

QUIZ! Here are the questions:

 

1. There are two major land formations mentioned in the first chapter: East Egg and West Egg. What is the difference between the two, with regard to the type of people who live there?

 

2. Describe why the narrator Nick has moved out from the mid-West to New York, and identify what business he is in.

 

3. Provide an adjective to describe the character of Tom Buchanan. What evidence can you draw from chapter 1 to support your adjective? Summarize what happens that leads you to use the word you chose.

 

4. The colors of the Buchanan home are red and white. How might these colors relate symbolically to the characters Tom and Daisy Buchanan?

 

5. How stable is the marriage of Tom and Daisy? Point out one piece of evidence from chapter 1 to support your view.

 

6. “A breeze blew through the room, blew curtains in at one end and out the other like pale flags, twisting them up toward the frosted wedding cake of the ceiling – and then rippled over the wine-colored rug, making a shadow in it as wind does on the sea.” These words describe the room in which Nick finds Daisy and Jordan relaxing when he first enters the Buchanan house. Given the fact that with this book Fitzgerald is trying to make a statement about money, wealth, material goods, what connection do you think there is between the description of the room, Tom and Daisy, and the message of the book?

Hint: Consider the wind.

 

7. Read the final paragraph of the chapter again. Nick sees Gatsby reach out literally toward a green light across the bay. Please explain what Gatsby is really reaching for, and provide two ideas of what the green light could symbolize.

 

And finally, to show you know what's happened in chapter one:

Stick figure theater! (Click the link) 

 

Fri, Mar 5

 

DUE  TODAY:  Late metaphor poems

HOMEWORK  TONIGHT:  None

FOCUS  TODAY:  Introduction to the text "The Great Gatsby"'

 

FIRST: We will go check out a copy of “The Great Gatsby” from the library

 

NEXT: An audio introduction to the text. Please answer these LISTENING QUESTIONS on new paper, which you will submit as part of today’s assignment:

1. How was “The Great Gatsby” first received by critics and the public?
2. What were the effects of how his novel was received?
3. How is the storytelling style in “The Great Gatsby” different from earlier books?
4. How is “The Great Gatsby” seen now, as a piece of literature?
5. Who is the narrator?
6. Why has Gatsby gathered his fortune?
7. What is Fitzgerald’s view of wealth and fame, according to the book?

 

FINALLY: Reading aloud from “The Great Gatsby”

Questions:

1. What sort of person is Tom, according to Nick’s descriptions in Chapter 1?
2. How is the reader supposed to “figure out” that Tom is having an affair?
3. Who are these people? Give a brief descrip. of who they are, what they do, etc.

·        Nick Carraway

·        Tom Buchanan

·        Daisy Buchanan

·        Jay Gatsby

 

We finished before the end of chapter one, and we did not look at question 3 above. We will take up chapter one on Tuesday.

 

Wed, Mar 3

 

DUE TODAY: Metaphor poem

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: None

FOCUS TODAY: Introduction to the time period of "The Great Gatsby"

 

 

1. Grab a blue textbook on your way to a desk
2. Turn to pg 760
3. Get your poem ready to turn in
1. Don’t have it? 10% deduction for 1 day late, 20% deduction for 2 days, and no credit for late past Friday
4. Get out your notebook and date today’s CLASS NOTES
5. Check out the timeline on 760-761 – add these notable events to your notes
1. NAACP creation
2. World War I
3. Charles Lindbergh
4. Great Depression
5. Roosevelt elected President
6. 40 hour work week
6. Read pgs 762-764 – answer these questions in your notes
1. What is your understanding of what “Jim Crow” means?
2. What was the “Harlem Renaissance”? Now that you’ve copied what the textbook says, which is not “learning,” … tell me what your impression of this time was, and why it was important
7. History surrounding “The Great Gatsby” – a POWERPOINT
8. Geographic locations and symbols in “Gatsby” – a POWERPOINT

 

On your own paper, explain the following: 

1. What did Mrs. Dubose do that caused Jem to lash out in anger toward her? 
2. What is Jem’s punishment for lashing out in anger toward Mrs. Dubose? 
3. What did Jem do to Mrs. Dubose to deserve punishment? 
4. There is a clock used to time Jem’s visits at Mrs. Dubose’s house. The amount of time he spends there each day increases until finally the alarm does not sound and Mrs. Dubose simply says, “That’ll do.” What has happened to Mrs. Dubose over this time period, and for what purpose was the clock used? 
5. How is Mrs. Dubose both a horrible person yet an inspiring person as well? 

  

As Cal and the children return from church services with the local Black population, the children ask her why she uses “Blackspeak” while with the people at church, but “Whitespeak” when she is in the Finch home. Cal says if she used “Whitespeak” at church it would sound out of place and people would think she was acting superior. She goes on to say, “…folks don’t like to have someone around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates ‘em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin’ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut and talk their language.” 

1. The chapter questions proposed that this quote foreshadowed how the town would respond to the trial of Tom Robinson. Based on this idea, how do you expect the townspeople will respond to the trial of an upstanding, honorable Black man accused by Bob Ewell, the lowest of trash, of raping his grown daughter Mayella? Link the quote to how you think the folks of Maycomb will respond to the trial. 
2. Link the ideas from Calpurnia’s quote to the song lyrics about to be shown.