Narratology—due April 12

Type 250+ words about what you see in this narrative. Characters, setting, plot, symbols, imagery. You design your writing direction.

Favorite Narrative—due March 19

What has been your favorite narrative this school year? Why? We've become better narratologists, haven't we?

Include 200+ words in your response.

Richard Parker—due March 18

Google "Richard Parker" and write 200+ words about what you find BEYOND him being the tiger in this novel.

The Island—due March 18

Write about the island for 314+ words.

The Impossible—due March 12

What exists in the world that was once impossible? (Example: a car that can drive 80 mph for six hours straight on its way to Rapid City. Amazing if you think about it.)

What did you doubt existed once, but learned it's actually possible and real? (Example: fish that makes light on its head to attract prey. )

Include 200+ words.

Life of Pi—due March 11

What is best about this narrative so far? Total 200+ words. Stay up.

Sequel/Prequel/Missing Part—due March 7

Create a sequel/prequel/missing part (in the middle of the action) of 300+ words.

Invent the events that would have logically led up to the novel, or the ones that would follow the action (or something that may happen, but Chief doesn't witness, so he cannot tell us about).

For example, what is Nurse Ratched's daily life like at home? (You certainly do not have to answer this question.)

Grow / Shrink—due March 6

How do we help others grow? How do we resist the urge to force others to shrink? Include 300+ words response.

Questions You Have—due March 6

Read part of the novel. What two burning questions do you have? We will discuss in class.

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.