Funniest Part—due March 5

What is the funniest part you can find in this novel? Why is it funny? Include the page number. Write 200+ words to explain.

Weirdest Part—due March 4

What is the weirdest part you can find in this novel? Why is it weird? Include the page number. Respond with 200+ words.

Part of the Novel—due March 1

Pick part of the book to read (other than the first pages I read aloud). Include the page numbers you're using. Write 300+ words to react to what you read. Answer these questions if you would like:

1. Does the book "look" like the movie?
2. Is it cool to be inside Chief's head?
3. What literary devices (imagery, symbolism, setting, irony) does the part you pick include?

Pictured here: Chief almost drowning in a foggy milk.

Chief Bromden Quote—due Feb 28

"It's the truth even if it didn't happen." —Chief Bromden

React to this quote with 200+ words.

Book Dedication—due February 28

What might the dedication of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest mean? Answer with 200+ words.

"To Vik Lovell, Who told me dragons did not exist, then led me to their lairs"

Authority in Your Life

What forms of authority exist in your life? Are all forms of authority designed to help/empower you? Why/why not? When does authority change from being helpful to becoming harmful, like Nurse Ratched is depicted? Write 300+ words.

Real/True

How much of this movie is real?

How much of this movie is true?

Write 300+ words.

Beasts of the Southern Wild

What do you think of this film so far?

Prequel or Sequel

Write a 350-word prequel or sequel to Sling Blade.

Karl's Parents

Invent a story Karl's parents made up and said was "from the Bible" (to make Karl believe and obey). Include 500+ words.

Thanks to Mr. Massmann for the great idea.

Your Question

Write four questions about this film that you would like answered during upcoming class discussion.

Recommend this movie?

To whom would you recommend this movie? Friends? Parents? Urban? Rural? Is this movie worth giving two hours of your time? Why? Write 250+ words.

Best part? Favorite character?

1. To you, what is the best part of Sling Blade?

2. Who is your favorite character?

Write 350+ total words to answer these questions.

Good Heart

How can we tell Karl Childers has a good heart to go with good intentions? Write 200+ words.

Also, write about the characters' names. "Karl Childers" is an interesting choice. So is "Doyle Hargraves". Google the other names. Write 50+ words about the names.

Definition of "Normal"

How do we define "normal"? Include 200+ words.

Initial Thoughts

What are your initial thoughts about Sling Blade? Include 200+ words in list or paragraph form.

Something Useful--August 24

Type something useful.

Then later, type something useful to a classmate, about what she/he typed.

Get Low

Write 400+ words about the film Get Low.

You have options.

Research a review of the movie.

Summarize the plot.

Write about the value of land. Or any topic related to the film. Revenge. Guilt. Forgiveness. Generosity. Storytelling. Nature. Funerals (should they happen before death?). Solitude. Happiness. 

You decide what to write on. Use Google Drive to keep your 400+ words safe.

"The Pedestrian" and Other Works

1.) Summarize "The Pedestrian" in 100+ words.

2.) Connect "The Pedestrian" to your life in 100+ words.

3.) Read another short writing in the back of the book. Summarize it in 100+ words.

4.) Connect that selected short writing to your life in 100+ words.

The Giver = Pleasantville

 

Type 300+ words about the novel and the film. What/how you type is entirely up to you.

Poems?

Lists?

Paragraphs?

Math-like equations? Like Jonas + Gabriel = Hope.

Help the rest of us be as smart as you are.

Chapter 2 Blog Task

1.) This is one extremely smart author. Type one excellent sentence (word for word, with exact punctuation) here. Write about Lowry's sentences--how they flow, how they communicate, how they help the reader imagine. Lowry has won many awards for this novel.

2.) Write about one fear you have about graduation. Write about one thrill you have about graduation.

Unforgiven Ending

Write about the (wo)manhood shown in Unforgiven.

Thursday Unforgiven Blog Task

This task must be 20 minutes long. Which means, write for 20 minutes. Due today. Earn credit for writing the whole time and trying.

1. Summarize the film. What has happened so far. Make a list.

2. Write about gender roles. Will women ever become fully equal with men? Will we have a woman president soon? What powers, rights have women gained over the years? Why have gender inequalities existed? What gender roles do you see in the film?

3. Write about authority. What authority exists in our lives? Why do we listen to authority? Why do we sometimes ignore authority? What authority exists in the film?

4. Write about your new predictions (not the same as Tuesday) for the rest of the plot.

5. Write about why people seek revenge. Why are we not good at forgiving?

6. Write about how people make decisions. Why do we decide what we decide?

Tuesday Unforgiven Blog Task

This task must be 20 minutes long. Which means, write for 20 minutes. Due today. Earn credit for writing the whole time and trying.

1. Summarize the film. What has happened so far. Make a list.

2. Write about your favorite character. Open a link to make sure you know their names.

3. Write about your least favorite character.

4. Write about your predictions for the rest of the plot.

5. Write about how events become tall tales or "fish stories" (the fish grows in size over time). How do our versions of what happened become exaggerated? Why?

6. Write about how people can change, for the better and the worse.

Mean Girls Blog Task

1. Research the careers of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Understand what they usually do with/through their art (especially Mean Girls). They're really trying to educate us all while entertaining us.

2. Read two smart reviews online (similar to this link, but not using this exact link) of Mean Girls. Write 300+ words summary and response to these two reviews. Give credit to the writers of these two reviews, as well.

Google search "Mean Girls" with the words "analysis" or "critical review" or "feminism" or "theory" to find smart reviews.

Due Monday, March 30

How are you carrying the fire? For yourself? For others? 

How will you carry the fire in your future?

Type 300+ words.

Due Friday, March 27

Select another student's post on any of the Mad Max blog tasks. Compliment your classmate's ideas in 200+ words.

Due Thursday, March 26

Type 300+ words about the Mad Max trilogy, discussing whatever topic you wish. You may--but you don't have to--select from these options:

1. How did the film-making evolve from one movie to the next?

2. Rank the films from most to least educational/intelligent.

3. Rank the films from most to least entertaining/amusing.

4. Rank the films from most to least realistic.

5. Rank the films from most to least ___________________.

Due Wednesday, March 25

In what ways is Max like a savior figure? Refer to the whole trilogy. In this picture, Max stands in a pose similar to crucifixion. Mention any religion you wish, but you do not have to. Write 300+ words.

Wednesday, March 18

To what extent does apocalyptic fiction make us live better, with more integrity--and with more concern for the well-being of humanity and the Earth? Write 300+ words.