British: homework due 1/5

Hey guys!

Do your reading and do a two-page paper on the effects of religion on a character of your choice. (Try to make this a three-point paper if you can.)

Hit me with comments here if you have any questions!

Happy Christmas!!!

Ally

American: homework

Hey guys,

You have no paper over Christmas break. Because I am a wonderful person. But do expect something tricky next time we get to class to make sure you're doing all that reading!

Have a super Christmas!

Ally

American: Party Next Week & Homework

Hey guys!

Why don't we all bring snacks, play DDR, and maybe have a few other activities for our Christmas party?

Could you guys all bring a little something to share? Please leave a comment here to tell me what you'll bring. (Sweet, salty, drinks, cups...)

And don't forget your homework:
Read Ch. 27 – 33
Paper: Discuss the role of Eva in the novel. In what ways does she contribute to the novel's larger messages?

See ya'll Monday!
Ally

British: Movie!

Hey guys!

Guess what?! We're doing the movie next week! Sooooo ... hooray for Pride & Prej!

And instead of me assigning food jobs, can you all sign up for the following (breakfast theme!)?

- Drinks, like OJ, hot chocolate, etc.
- Sweets, like donuts, fruit, etc.
- Savory, like bagels & cream cheese
- Paper stuff, like napkins, cups, small plates

Leave a comment here to tell me what you're bringing!

Ally

British: Important!

HELLO dear British Lit class!!!!

This post is only to say that I haven't forgotten about you on this blog. (The American class must just be really needy... ;)). So a little shout out to my tied-for-favorite MCI class!

:D
Ally

American: Huck Finn

Hey guys,

Please pass this on to your parents. Like right now. This very second. So you don't forget.

Okay. :) We are going to be reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn instead of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. We will start on January 5th, so parents should go ahead and buy the book now lest it gets lost in the shuffle of Christmas to-do items.

ISBN: 978-0192824417
Click here for the direct Amazon link.

Tell me if you have any questions!

Ally

American: Reading Due 12/1

In addition to your oral report, you are to read Chapters 10 - 18 (the rest of Volume 1).

Have a wonderful break!
Ally

American: Report Instructions

Hey guys! Here's the homework info I promised...

THE FIVE CATEGORIES; CHOOSE ONE.
1. The Fugitive Slave Act
2. Antebellum Slavery
3. Pro-Slavery Arguments
4. The Abolition Movement
5. The Woman's Sphere

THE FIRST-HAND DOCUMENTS YOU CAN STUDY.
Fugitive Slave Act (Part of the Compromise of 1850)

1. For an overview of the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." From here, scroll down to Part IV: Westward Expansion, Section A: People and Events. Select "The Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act."
2. Also on PBS's Africans in America website, read "Eric Foner on the Fugitive Slave Act." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865" and then "Resource Bank." Scroll Down to Part IV: Westward Expansion, Section C: Modern Voices. Select "Eric Foner on the Fugitive Slave Act."
3. Advertisements for Runaway Slave (Tom)
4. Advertisements for Runaway Slave (Emily)
5. Caution!! Colored People of Boston

Antebellum Slavery

1. For a map of the emergence of slave and free states in the new republic of America, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Brotherly Love: 1791-1831," and then "Narrative." From here, scroll down to "Next Map: The Growing Nation." Click on this link, explore the map, and read the information that follows it.
2. For information on the southern economy's dependence on slavery, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Brotherly Love: 1791-1831," and then "Narrative." From here, scroll down the page to the list of links at the bottom. Click on "Growth and Entrenchment of Slavery."
3. For an overview of the conditions of slave life, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." From here, scroll down to Part I: Antebellum Slavery, Section A: People and Events. Select "Conditions of American Slavery, 1830-1860."
4. For historian James Horton's description of antebellum slavery, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." From here, scroll down to Part I: Antebellum Slavery, Section C: Modern Voices. Select "James Horton on Antebellum Slavery."
5. Slave Narrative: Excerpt from Harriet Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Go to PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." Scroll down to Part III (Fugitive Slaves and Northern Racism), Category B (Historical Documents). Select Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.

Pro-Slavery Arguments

1. For historian William Scarborough's explanation of slaveowners' views, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." From here, scroll down to Part I: Antebellum Slavery, Section C: Modern Voices. Select "William Scarborough on Antebellum Slavery."
2. George Fitzhugh's Universal Law of Slavery on PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." Scroll down to Part I: Antebellum Slavery, Section B: Historical Documents. Select "George Fitzhugh advocates slavery." After reading the summary of Fitzhugh's argument, click to read the full text.
3. James Henry Hammond's "Mudsill" Theory on PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." Scroll down to Part I: Antebellum Slavery, Section B: Historical Documents. Select "James Henry Hammond advocates slavery." After reading the summary of Hammond's argument, click to read the full text.

The Abolition Movement

1. For an overview of the Abolition Movement, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," then "Narrative," then "Abolitionism."
2. Images from Anti Slavery Almanacs published by the American Antislavery Society. Read the introduction and select 3-5 images from the gallery.
3. Declaration of Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Convention, written by William Lloyd Garrison.
4. Excerpt from Frederick Douglass' The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro
5. For the Northern majority's views of the Abolitionists, see PBS's Africans in America website. Click "Enter." Click on "Judgement Day: 1831-1865," and then "Resource Bank." From here, scroll down to Part II: Abolitionism, Section B: Historical Documents. Select "Abolitionist Samuel J. May confronts a northern merchant."

The Woman's Sphere

1. The Declaration of Sentiments of the first women's rights convention held at Seneca Falls, New York, 1848.
2. Letter from Elizabeth Cady Stanton, read before the 1850 Women's Rights Convention, Worcester
3. Selected Images from Godey's Lady's Book, a popular women's magazine of this era. Read the introduction and select 3-5 images.
4. Excerpts from Mrs. Lydia Sigourney Weaver's Letters to Mothers. Read the Preface and Letter I.

FURTHER DIRECTIONS:
1. This report will be given aloud, but have your paper (from which you read) typed and ready to be turned in.
2. Remember to include introductory information about the movement you chose, so we know that background to it.
3. Choose as many first-hand documents as you like and answer the following questions in your report:
Fill out a different questionnaire for each document that you read or view. Use a separate sheet of paper if you need more space.

1. Who created this document?
   
   
2. When was this document created, and on what occasion?
   
   
3. Who was the audience for this document? Who would have heard or seen it?
   
   
4. What is the main idea of this document? What does it want its audience to know, and what does it want its audience to do?
   
   
5. What does this document tell us about the time period in which it was produced?
   
   
6. What most surprised, offended, or inspired you about this document?
   
   
7. What questions do you have about this document?

Let me know if you have any questions; you can post a comment here or shoot me an email. Happy Thanksgiving break!!! :)

Ally

American: Starbucks?

Hey guys! I'd love to do Starbucks on Monday with ya'll if your parents are okay with it. I can drive. Please leave a comment here letting me know if it's okay. And don't forget to bring your cash!! ;)

Ally

American: Uncle Tom's Cabin Reading

Hey guys - SO SO sorry this post is late. I kept reminding myself yesterday and then, oops, I forgot.

Without further ado:
You must read chapters 1 - 9 in Uncle Tom's Cabin. And tell ya what - don't do the bio. I'll cover Harriet Beecher Stowe's life in class.

Let me know if you have any questions!
Ally

American: homework due 11/10

Hey guys!

I'm sorry this is so late! I haven't been home since Friday, it feels, so I'm just now getting to this.

Homework:
Click this link to go to a compilation of Emily Dickinson's poetry. Read the following:
"Success is counted sweetest..."
"'Hope' is the thing with feathers--..."
"I'm Nobody! Who are you?"
"A Bird came down the Walk--..."
"I died for Beauty--but was scarce..."
"I heard a Fly buzz--when I died--..."
"The Brain--is wider than the Sky--"
Feel free to read more; as you can see there are a ton there!

Click this link to go to a compilation of Edgar Allen Poe's poetry. Read "The Raven." Again, feel free to read others. Most are shorter than "The Raven" and very interesting.

Also, pick one poet on whom to write a 1 - 2 page biography.

See everyone on Monday!

Ally

British: homework due 11/3

Hey all! Sorry I couldn't post last night... internet was down! (Ugh.)

You are to read an excerpt from Gulliver's Travels which you can view here: http://www.enotes.com/gullivers-travels-text/. I want you to read Part IV, chapters 1 - 3. (Not bad, eh?) Also, write a one-page bio on Jonathan Swift.

Ciao!
Ally

American: homework due 11/3

Hey all,

I don't know if everyone heard this after the movie yesterday. Your homework is to read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (a 30-page fun, easy read) and write a one-page bio on Washington Irving. (It can be longer than one page if you like.)

Can everyone pass this on to your buds and post a comment here so I know you got it?

Cheers!
Ally

American: Movie tomorrow!

American students -

I have emailed your parents to get their permission for a little field trip tomorrow! We need internet access to watch our movie, so I'm suggesting watching it at my apartment in Damascus (10 minutes away from the school). Please have them email me or leave a comment here so I know I have their permission.

Thanks!

Ally

British AND American: Movie time!!

Hey everyone!

I'm planning for the movies next week, and I'm gettin' reeeeeeeally excited! This is our reward for our long hard studying of these wonderful books. ;)

So I propose that we bring snacks and drinks for all to share. Can you guys post a comment here and tell what you'd like to bring? Make sure there's a good balance between drinks and snackies! (Cans/bottles would be easier than liters with cups, unless you want to provide cups as well.)

By the way, I'm going to need to rent the videos from Blockbuster because the library doesn't carry them. No worries on covering the charge, though; I'll just use your supply fee for class.

Affectionately,
Ally

British: Assignment due 10/20

Who said that it was allowed to be late October already?! The leaves outside are changing and falling and I love it, but golly it happened quick!

Okay so just a reminder: due on Monday...

Read through "I Call Him Friday"

5-paragraph essay: What statement do you think Defoe is making about materialism (the desire to acquire money and possessions)? Show how Crusoe's attitude toward wealth changes.

Let me know if you have any questions!

American: Uncle Tom's Cabin

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give you the information for Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Ally:

Which version will you be teaching from when the class reads Uncle Tom's Cabin? I would like to be able to get the same one for Justin to make it easier on him.

Karen Sawyer

---

I'll be using the Norton Critical Edition, ISBN 0-393-96303-9.

-Ally

American Assignment 10/13

Hey guys! Just wanted to refresh your memories on the homework, especially my expectations for the vocab list...

You are to read chapters 7 - 12 and to begin a vocabulary list for Scarlet Letter. This means keeping track of words you don't know and recording their definitions (whether right away, once a week, whatever). When we're done studying the book you will turn in your complete vocab list.

Let me know if you have any questions. This might be a great time to practice your blog comments! :)

Ally

American: Assignment for 10/6

Hey all!

You are to read Scarlet Letter, chapters 1 - 6 (my pages 45 - 90) for class next week. ALSO very important: I forgot to assign you your biographies! Everyone needs to do a short 1.5/2 page biography on Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Please leave a comment to let me know you've gotten this...

:)
Ally

British: Class 9/29

Hey everyone!

Please remember to bring the $5 supply fee, if you haven't already. Also, don't forget to have your books in class this week. If you do not have the book or need copies of next week's homework, please leave a comment after this post. :)

Ally

British: Agatha Christie

Dear Brit Lit families,

I told you that we would be reading an Agatha Christie novel in the spring (I'm sorry - I don't have my syllabus in front of me, so I don't remember which week), but as of the start of the school year, I hadn't picked which novel.

I have decided on Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. It's considered by many to be her "masterpiece" work. I look forward to studying it with everyone next semester.

Please consult your syllabus and have the book ordered in time! :)

Ally

American: Reading for 9/29

Hey guys!

I have decided to just hand out the reading in class next week. So please just work on your mini-oral reports and we'll do the reading together. :)

Ally

British: Romeo & Juliet Essay

Just to let ya'll know, I've posted the essay on your Engrade assignment calendar. If you click on it, you will see the larger description which I gave you in class.

I wanted to apologize for not getting a rubric to you last class so you had a more clear picture of how I will be grading that assignment. I intended to do so, then just completely forgot. So, with no further ado...

Grammar: 7
Intro: 8
Content: 30
Conclusion: 5

Grammar - I'll be looking for a high-school level sentence structure and clarity, including good spelling and appropriate commas, periods, capitalization, etc.

Introduction - I'll be looking for an interesting first sentence or two and a clear thesis.

Content - You should have at least three main, clear points broken down into one paragraph each. They should be supported well by your own intelligent thoughts and quotes from the play.

Conclusion - Your conclusion should wrap up your points and confirm your thesis.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Ally

British: Engrade, etc.

Wow -- major outcry with the whole Engrade thing!! :)

I would've answered exactly how Rachel did. The only reason I can think that you can't read it is because it's saved as "docx" - a newer form of Word. I'll try to reattach it as just "doc". Try again tonight and if you still can't get it, email me - ally.loftness@gmail.com. I'll take care of you. :)

In terms of citing lines, it's 1.3.xii. If you put the lines in arabic numerals rather than roman (1.3.12) I'm okay with that. If you're quoting multiple lines it should be 1.3.xii-xiii. (Or 1.3.12-13.)

Any other questions?

Ally

British: Assignment due 9/22

Hey kiddos. :)

Caleb emailed me with a question which I thought would be beneficial to everyone. I'm quoting his email below. My answer follows... (See blue text for the important parts.)

Hey ally, for the lit paper do want us to actually quote the lines or just put down scene,act,line numbers in parentheses, and if you want us to actually quote the lines should we pick only a few to do and should we try to pick the best line from a large dialog section or just use alot of quotes and long sections of dialog that apply?

I prefer "reasonably-lengthed" quotes - one to three lines. If you have a lengthy quote (i.e. dialogue) then it should be supported by equally lengthy personal thoughts/points on your part. Does that make sense?

Please write out the quote and include the reference in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Of course if you're simply referencing a quote, you only need to put the act, scene and line. (For example: "References to Friar Lawrence's ill advise abound [i.e., 7.1.89, 11.4.13].")

Make sense?

Email or leave a comment with other questions.

Ally

American: Class on 9/15

Hey guys,

Can everyone please bring a Bible to class on Monday? PASS THIS ON TO YOUR BUDDIES who might not check the blog! :D

Thanks!
Ally

Supply Fee

Can everyone please remember to bring the $5 supply fee to class on Monday?

Thanks!!
Ally

British: Assignment due 9/15

Hey guys!

...I told you that I'd post here before midnight tonight if your reading assignment is changed at all (phew - I'm cutting it a little close!! :)). Well the answer is, it's not. Please still read the rest of the play. I know it's a lot, but I'm sure none of your other teachers are as mean as I am and assigning this much work! :P

Note: we will probably, however, cut back the Pilgrim's Progress assignment so we can have more time on Robinson Crusoe. ...More on this next week. Stay tuned!

Ally

British: Week 1 Assigment

Hey British lit students!

As you know, Romeo and Juliet is our first work this year. I would like you all to read Act 1 before class so we can be ready to jump right in to discussion. (I'm hoping God miraculously multiplies our time that class! :))

You also need to read pages xiii - xxiii, an excerpt from "Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet." This will give you a great intro to Shakepeare's writing.

Please come to class with the following questions answered (not to be turned in):

1. What do the editors mean by "static," on page xvi?
2. List the 3 ways the editors tell us Shakespeare's language differs from what we're used to.
3. Write a paragraph response on the first three paragraphs from this reading (xiii-xvi). How do you feel about the editors' brief analysis of "young love"? Do you agree or disagree?

And lastly, for your own benefit, please read the Explanatory Notes section on pages l - li. These few paragraphs will help you be better readers of Shakespeare!

Please leave comments or shoot an email if you have questions!

God bless you,
Ally

Four Weeks and Counting!

Hi everyone!

This blog will be used for both my MCI classes - British AND American lit. Please pay careful attention to the post title. That is where I will indicate to whom the post relates. (If there is no specification, it's for everyone.)

Check here regularly for updates, announcements, homework, etc. - your catch-all spot for what's happening in your students' literature world. Please use this tool first to check for information, and then if it's not available here feel free to email me.

As I look forward to this school year, I am filled with anticipation at what God might do in all of us. I am only a servant, asking to be made effective by Him. I trust that He has much in store for us! I can't wait to get to know and befriend all my new students. Thank you SO much for the privilege of teaching them!

Please pass this link (www.iheartlit.blogspot.com) on to your kids so they can check out this page and add it as a favorite. STUDENTS, feel free to leave a comment letting me (us!) know how I (we!) can pray for you as school begins.

So grateful for each one of you!
Ally (...or Mrs. Loftness?! We'll figure that out later... :))