Huck Finn Chapters 13-18 Part 2

Bellringer: What does Huck do in chapters 19-21 that shows he’s transcendental in thought?

Recap: We continued our discussion and notes from yesterday's class. Please see below post for link to notes.

You were also given your assignments for the Socratic Seminar for Friday. Please see the seminar outline that has been shared with you. Have at least 2 questions or insights per question prepared (4 total). Any quotes that you bring in will be bonus points.

Nice work today. Take a look at your grades. Push hard these next few weeks!

Z

Huck Finn Chapters 13-18

Bellringer: What are the qualities that make a good teacher?


Recap: We continued our discussion today after our quiz on chapters 13-18. Remember, these quizzes are just meant to keep you accountable to your reading assignments.

Period 1/2 Chapters 13-18
Period 7/8 Chapters 13-18

Homework: Read chapters 19-21, and create a close reading web.

Please keep in mind that just because it is the end of the semester does not mean you should be slacking off now. I have seen too many students put themselves into a predicament by slacking off at this point. We still have this book to finish plus The Great Gatsby. If you are not up to at least chapter 20 by this evening, you will need to dedicate some time to getting caught up.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Huck Finn Chapters 7-11

Bellringer: How has the story changed now that Huck is heading down the river?

Recap: We picked up our discussion today with chapter 7, and continued through 11. You've all been bringing such inquisitiveness and insight to the novel! Keep up the good work!

Period 1/2 Chapters 7,8,9
Period 1/2 Chapters 10,11, 12

Period 7/8 Chapters 7,8,9
Period 7/8 Chapters 10,11,12

If you were absent today, we are reading chapters 13-18 tonight for homework. If you are assigned one of these chapters, please have discussion questions ready for tomorrow's class.

Friday will be our Socratic seminar. Topics will be assigned Wednesday. You will need a chromebook or tablet in order to participate.

Have a nice night!

Z

Huck Finn Class Discussion Day 2

Bellringer: What are your initial thoughts of the book, before Huck’s adventure down the river starts?

Recap: We continued our discussion from yesterday, so that we do not fall too far behind. You have all brought some brilliant questions and insight into these discussions, which I am immensely proud of. Keep this up! I think there will be some parts of the book that you don't like, but many parts that you will. Please keep your inquisitiveness alive, just as Huck's is!

Period 1/2 Chapters 7,8,9
Period 7/8 Chapters 7,8,9

We also read two articles about Mark Twain from Time Magazine. The first, "The Seriously Funny Man" shows how Mark Twain was not only the father of the American Novel, but also the father of comedy writing. He was the first man, during a very dry period of writing, to incorporate humor into stories. 

The second article, "Getting Past Black and White," further delves into what we have been discussing regarding the novel and race. The book was never intended to be racist; it was always meant to shed light on, and be the mirror for society, highlighting what was wrong with it. Twain was a firm abolitionist, and did  not support slavery. This comes through in Huck's voice as well, when there will be a few predicaments where Huck must confront the issues of slavery, and it makes him very uncomfortable. Huck really doesn't see color. 

Great discussions! Please remember that for Monday you need to read chapters 10,11 and 12. If you have those for your discussion questions, have the questions ready as well. You'll also need to create a close reading web for those chapters. 

Enjoy prom if you're going, and if not, have a nice weekend!

Z

Huck Finn Class Discussion and Analysis Chapters 4,5

Bellringer: What does Huck’s plan for escaping Pap tell you about his intelligence?

Recap: We spent today getting caught up on the class notes, and taking the time to analyze some of the characters and their actions. These discussions are my FAVORITE part about English literature. We can see one thing from so many different angles, and you all had BRILLIANT insight and opinions on this book!

I also wanted to make sure that we don't fall behind on notes, so you don't get confused. In case you missed it, the links to the notes from today are listed below.

Period 1/2--Chapters 4,5,6

Period 7/8--Chapters 4,5,6

I think it's important to engage with and understand these characters early on, so their motives and changes later are better understood. 

Please come prepared with questions that you come up with during your own reading, as they add to the discussion and make it fun!

There is no reading assignment for tomorrow. I'm going to use this time to make sure we are all on the same page (wink, wink). 

Excellent work today! Have a great night!

Z

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Chapters 4,5,6

Bellringer: What character trait of Huck’s does the following quote show?

“I made up my mind I would fix up some way to leave there” (22).

Recap: We examined through our close reading webs today that the author's purpose behind chapters 4,5 and 6 was to show why Huck has this desire for adventure and escape.

We created our class reading web for these chapters, which is posted below.

We also finished up our notes on Chapter 2, and began Chapter 3. I apologize that we are behind on these. I would rather have a thorough discussion that leaves you with a complete understanding than rush through the discussion, making you confused. 

Please read chapters 7,8 and 9 tomorrow, creating a close reading web for homework. I will collect them in the morning. If you have discussion questions prepared for today, you will go tomorrow. Students with chapters 7,8 or 9 should have discussion prepared for tomorrow. 

Great work today! Keep pushing through to the end of the year! Don't give up now!

Z

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Chapters 1,2,3

Bellringer: What does this quote from Huck reveal about Twain’s personal feelings about the south during this time?

“They get down on a thing when they don’t know nothing about it” (4).

**Remember, this is the author's way of adding his own personal feelings into the text, and questioning the long-held beliefs of people in the south. He disagrees with their lifestyle, and has been questioning why they are so willing to accept these evils.

Recap: We began with making a close reading web for chapters 1,2 and 3.

This will help us to begin discovering the author's purpose. In these first few chapters, it is to establish Huck's need for adventure, and his willingness to questions everything. 

We then held a discussion seminar. The notes for this are posted below, and we will continue with them tomorrow. Nice job!

We will continue this discussion tomorrow. Please be sure to read chapters 4,5,6 tonight for homework. If you are designated to lead the discussion on any of those chapters tomorrow, please come prepared with your discussion questions.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Samuel Clemens AKA Mark Twain

Bellringer: Who is Samuel Clemens?

Recap: As we've discussed before, in order to understand the purpose behind The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we first need to understand the author. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) incorporated many of his own beliefs and opinions into his work. Huck Finn, in particular, provides many of his opinions towards imperialism and slavery in the south. 

We began our exploration into understanding the author by viewing a Mini Bio of Samuel Clemens. This provided a general overview and key ideas that needed to be understood.

We then read through a more in-depth biography on the official web site: The Mark Twain House and Museum. Please read through the Biography, and then, under "the House" take the virtual tour. Clemens became very wealthy in his lifetime, but due to overspending, died a broke man. (This can be seen in his lavish home.) 

Clemens lived through the industrialization of the United States, the Civil War, and an end to slavery. All of these ideas becoming prevalent in his writing. 

Our exploration was rounded out by reading about his time on the Mississippi River as a Riverboat Pilot. In order to truly comprehend Huck and Jim's adventure down the river, it is best to gain an understanding of the river itself, as it takes on its own character in the story. Please read section II about "Old Times on the Mississippi" as presented in the scrapbook by PBS. 

Homework: Please read chapters 1,2 and 3 tonight. We will hold a discussion and seminar tomorrow, so come prepared to take notes. Beginning Wednesday, you will be asked to prepare discussion questions on an assigned chapter and lead a class discussion on your chapter. 

Have a nice evening! I've really missed you all!

Z

Dead Poet's Society

Bellringer: What did you like most/least about the transcendentalism unit?

Happy Spring Break! Have fun! Be safe! 

Walt Whitman and a Nature Walk

Bellringer: How does Walt Whitman’s statement fit into the transcendental movement?

“I exist as I am, that is enough.”~ Walt Whitman

Recap: We took a closer look at Walt Whitman today to help round out our transcendentalist authors. We began with a mini biography from You Tube, which helped to highlight some of the traits that made him such a well-respected writer. Whitman is more noted for his poetry, so we then examined two parts of his poem "Song of Myself." We picked out the transcendental themes as a class. I want you to become more comfortable going back and analyzing writing. There are many of these themes in Huck Finn, so I want you to be able to look for them when we read it after spring break. 

Below is the analysis we came up with as a class. 

 

Following our analysis we took a walk outside by the pond. This was meant to be technology-free, so you could be more in-tune with your surroundings. You all did SUCH a great job with this! I was worried you wouldn't be able to give up your music or phones, but you ALL did with success! Once outside, you were asked to compose a one-paragraph reflection on how you were feeling while out there, or just an observation of your surroundings. You all did so well, I would love for us to do this again when we read Huck Finn.

EXCELLENT work today! You made me so proud! Have a nice night!

Z

Henry David Thoreau

Bellringer: How is the following similar to the views expressed by Emerson?

“Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life? We are determined to be starved before we are hungry.” ~ Thoreau

Recap: We continued our exploration of transcendentalism with Henry David Thoreau, the predecessor and friend of Emerson. His beliefs are very similar to Emerson's, only he puts his writing into a language that is more accessible.

Please read his biography from the World Wide Walden's site, and then to page 375 in your textbook from "Walden."

For tomorrow, remember to wear appropriate footwear. We will be going outside.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bellringer: “In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life.” ~ Emerson

Recap: We began our transcendentalism unit with Ralph Waldo Emerson, the pioneer of the movement. His biography is on page 360 in the textbook, and there is also a biography shared with you. The book focuses more on his involvement with the movement, with the shared biography focuses more on Emerson as a person.

We then read "Nature" and "Self-Reliance" in the textbook, focusing on aphorisms. Please refer back to yesterday's notes if you are unsure of what these are.

Nice work today. Have a nice evening!

Z

Transcendentalism

Bellringer: What is transcendentalism?

Recap: We explored the philosophy of transcendentalism today, discussing the overview of the ideals the writers held, and how those ideals changed American writing.

We viewed two Power Points today. The first one was on The Art of the Essay and the Transcendental Movement.

The other Power Point was a lecture from another teacher called Transcendentalism and the New England Renaissance. 

If you missed class today, please be sure to view both lecture. We will be exploring Transcendentalism this week, and the themes and philosophies are highly present within The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. 

Have a nice evening!

Z

Personal Declaration Speeches

Bellringer: How does your personal declaration reflect rhetoric?

Recap: We presented your personal declarations of independence. Excellent job with these! You really put thought into what you wish to be free from. If you did not present today, for whatever reason, you will present when you return. If you do not wish to present, it is a 20 point deduction.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the weather! I am blessed to have such wonderful students!

Z

Personal Declarations of Independence

Bellringer: If you could declare your independence from an idea, belief, class, activity, etc., what would it be and why?

Recap: After reading the Declaration of Independence yesterday, we began applying this idea of rhetoric to our own, personal declarations of independence today. Due to the altered class schedule, we worked on this writing in class.

1. Decide what you are going to declare your independence from.
2. Follow the writing prompt for your personal declarations that has been shared with you.
3. Double space type your prompt in MLA format.
4. Have your declaration peer edited.
5. Show it to me before the end of class.
6. Print and submit for tomorrow, Friday, April 4th.

Your personal declaration should follow the below format:

I. Preamble that states the general problem. (5-6 sentences).
    -Paragraph format
    - Include ethos, logos, pathos
II. List of offenses this thing has done against you.
     - List
     -At least 10 grievances
III. Conclusion that ties everything together, and states what it is you want. (5-6 sentences).
      -Paragraph form

These declarations will be presented in class beginning tomorrow. If for any reason you are not in class, the paper should be sent to me. It will be marked late if it is not. You must also present the paper. If you are absent when we present, you will be required to present when you return to class.

You may also see the rubric and peer edit check list to make sure all parts of your assignment have been included.

Have a nice evening!

Z

Declaration of Independence

Bellringer: What is important about the preamble to the Declaration of Independence?

Recap: We read the Declaration of Independence, and then each person was assigned one item from the list of offenses the king has imposed on the colonies. The individual class Power Points have been shared with you. If you were not in class today, please request a slide to analyze. 

Nice work with this today! Keep it up! :-)

Z

Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention

Bellringer: What does "Give me liberty or give me death!" mean?

Recap: We reviewed Rhetoric and Rhetorical Analysis today, beginning with a Power Point on what that means. We primarily looked for Ethos, Logos, Pathos, as all 3 elements must be present in order for true persuasion to take place. If any of those 3 is missing, you may still have the chance to persuade, but your argument will be very weak. 

We then read "Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention" where Patrick Henry convinces the delegates of the convention to go to war against England; thus, leading to the Revolutionary War. You'll notice a switch to more practical writing with this unit. After our reading, we split into 10 groups, with each group examining one paragraph in the speech, and looking for Ethos, Logos, Pathos, as well as the rhetorical device being used. 

Have a nice evening! 

Z