Native American Folktales

Happy Friday!

Bellringer: What do you think the following quote says about the story? How does it change from the previous stories we've read? “Your imagination comes to life, and this, you think, is where Creation was begun.” ~ Page 52

Recap: Today we watched two brief videos to illustrate two additional Native American folktales. I wanted to expose you to as many different folktales as possible, 1.) so you could see the themes that run throughout them, and 2.) to have as much fun with this unit as possible before we move onto the more "practical" writing portion of our class.

"The Raven Who Stole the Moon"

"The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" 

We also visited The Indian Fairy Book, and each group chose a story to read. We then did a compare/contrast between the themes seen in the stories each group read versus the stories we have read in class. (Again, looking at common themes.)

In the textbook, we began reading, "Rainy Mountain," and will finish that on Monday. Your test on this unit will be Tuesday.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the warmer weather! :-) 

Z  

Coyote and Buffalo

I hope you all enjoyed your two days off, and your delay this morning!

Bellringer: What is a folktale?

Recap: We read the story "Coyote and Buffalo" in groups, and then discussed as a class. I want to break up how we do some readings in here in order to meet the different reading styles of everyone in the class. The class then created close reading webs in the groups they worked in, and submitted them for credit. The hyperlink will take you to the web we created as a class.

Tomorrow we will be covering "Rainy Mountain" after we finish folktales. 

Homework: Please be thinking about a place that is important to you.

Quiz on the Native American unit has been moved to Tuesday. 

Bellringer check 1 will now be Wednesday. 

Have a nice evening, and stay safe! Watch out for black ice while the snow is melting and re-freezing!

Z

Friday and Monday Recap

I hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend! 

Friday-Ms.Polson came to speak to the class on Naviance. Everyone took a personality quiz to help them choose a career path, and Ms.Polson discussed scholarship availability, and how to apply. 

Bellringer- What do you think about “The World on the Turtle’s Back” in comparison to other creation myths and stories? (Does it fit in? Stand out? Could it make sense?)



Monday- Today we picked up where we left off last week. 

Bellringer- Using the information from our close reading notes, list one of the devices you noticed in “World on the Turtle’s Back.”

Recap: We were able to create a close reading web using the information from the Power Point last week and the story. I will post the individual class webs under the tab that corresponds to that class at the top of the page.

We also watched a brief video version of "World on the Turtle's Back," as well as the Navajo and Ojibway creation myths. We made comparisons and contrasts between the myths. (This link will take you to 9 different creation myths. You can click on them individually.)

On page 36 in the textbook, we began reading the biography of Morning Dove, and will read "Coyote and the Buffalo" tomorrow.

Students were asked to begin considering a place that is important to them. Later in the week we will begin writing about that place.

Have a great day, and a great week ahead!

Z

"The World on the Turtle's Back"

I hope you are enjoying the Native American and storytelling unit! 

Bellringer: How does the following quote represent the Iroquois who told the story? “Here lived gods who were like people--like Iroquois.”

Recap: Today we began with a short video on Native American storytelling. You can view the video here. I think this clip gives an excellent overview of their style of narration, and an interesting insight into their way of thinking, especially regarding creation.

We read on page 32 in the textbook about the Iroquois way of life, and then read "World on the Turtle's Back." The reading was done as a class, and interjected with discussion about the piece. These are the class notes from today's reading.

Tomorrow we will work on the web for close reading. The first one we will do as a class so that you can see how it should look. After this, you will be asked to create webs on your own, or in groups. 

You are all awesome! Have a great night!

Z

The Native American Story

I hope you enjoyed today's class, and your little room surprise! I try to theme the room for each unit we cover in an attempt to bring the literature alive for you. As stated, I don't want this to be a traditional English class where you read, take tests, repeat. I want you to have an experience! I want this class to be enjoyable, and one you don't dread coming to!

Bellringer: What do you know about Native Americans? 

Recap: We finished highlighting and reviewing the Native American Experience article that I shared with you. Everyone should have the notes for this now. The document and ideas from it will be referenced again, so please be sure you hang on to it. 

I also shared the literary elements list with you. I will let you know later this week when the words will need to be defined. We will have a test on those once they're reviewed in class. Please keep this list handy, as well. We will be referencing it throughout the semester, and adding to it. 

I share The Native American Story Power Point with you. This is the history of Native Americans in this country. The Power Point also discusses their beliefs, customs, and culture. Please be sure to review it if you haven't already. 

Tomorrow we will read "World on the Turtle's Back."

Homework: You need a book for SSR if you haven't brought one in yet. This counts towards class participation. 

Have a nice night! 

Z

Close Reading and Native American Storytelling

Hey Y'All!

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! Today, we got back to the grind!

Bellringer: What is literary analysis?

Recap: We picked up SSR books from the library. If you didn't find one, or you have one at home that you are already reading, please be sure to bring it with you tomorrow. We'll be starting off each day with a few minutes of silent reading. I really believe that this helps you to build your vocabulary and close reading skills.

We also reviewed the Power Point on close reading. There are 6 key ideas that we will cover and identify each time we read a story. This can be found here as well as in your Google Drive.

Also, remember: "What it says, what it means, why it matters." Says. Means. Matters. We will be discussing this in relation to analysis as well.

Sign your syllabus by the end of the day if you haven't already! And, make sure that I have your written assignment!

Have a great day!

Z

Day 2

Bellringer: What are you most looking forward to this semester? Least? Explain in complete sentences.

Recap: Today we worked on the class banner. If you did not finish your square, it is due in class on Tuesday, January 21st. You also must provide 5-8 sentences, typed, about how the square represents you. Please run the writing through spell-check before submitting.

For Tuesday:

1. Finish squares

2. Sign syllabus

3. Have a book for SSR

Enjoy your weekend! :-)

Class Banner

I hope you feel that we're off to a good start so far, and you're excited for your English class!

One thing I like to do is allow students to take ownership of the space where they will be learning. In order to do this, I want you to help design the class so you feel represented here. I think this makes the room more inviting to you, but also allows you to take pride in your classroom. 

In order to do this, we will be creating a class banner. It will be made up of individual squares that you design and create to represent you. We will be working on these in class on Friday, so be sure to bring in any supplies you will need (i.e. markers, glitter, stickers, etc.) I have some materials, but nothing that would be specific to you. I will be providing the square.

I know some of you have done this for me before, but I want you to participate again. This gives you the opportunity to show a different side of yourself, or to change the design that you had for the first one. 

There is also a brief writing assignment attached to the project, which gives you the opportunity to start your semester off well! This assignment will be worth 20 points: 5 for the square itself, 5 for how well it represents you, 5 for meeting the sentence requirement, and 5 for spelling and grammar. 

Consider how you would like to feel represented in the space. It can be as public as a jersey number, or as personal as a picture or quote that you like. 

Day 1

Welcome to English!

I hope you enjoyed your first day of class, and are looking forward to a fun semester!

Click here for a copy of your syllabus that was shared with you today, in case you have trouble locating it on the shared Google Drive. I will be sharing many documents with you through your Google Drive, so be sure you get comfortable with using it.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Review:

1. Bellringer--Finding your seat

Homework:

1. Sign Syllabus
2. Bring in materials for class banner.

Introduction and Syllabus

Welcome to English 3! 

I have designed your course to be a bit different than a traditional American Literature course; this course will be supplemented with virtual field trips, movies, music, and imagination in order to bring literature directly to you. I believe in making it more than words on a page, I want it to be a true experience. All I ask is that you are prepared to work every day, and have a good attitude about completing assignments. 

I will be posting assignments and lesson plans to this blog so that you can find any information you missed during class. If you have any questions, please feel free to check in with me either through this page, or via email.

I look forward to a fun spring with you all, and wish you all well this up-coming semester! 

Please click the link below to electronically sign your course syllabus

Link to sign course syllabus

Z