Today in class . . .
Students used their knowledge of figurative language and poetry to analyze "O Captain my Captain" by Walt Whitman. Students finished their group discussions from yesterday and then wrote an argument paragraph about which theme they identified in the poem. See the directions from yesterday if you were not here. Here is some context information that I shared with the class today: The captain in the poem refers to Abraham Lincoln who is the captain of the ship, representing the United States of America. The first line establishes a happy mood as it addresses the captain. The phrase "our fearful trip is done" is talking about the end of the Civil War. The next line references the ship, America, and how it has "weathered every rack", meaning America has braved the tough storm of the Civil War, and "the prize we sought", the end of slavery, "is won". This is no doubt referencing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and Whitman's sorrow for the death of his idol.
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Today in class . . .
Students learned to analyze a poem and use their analysis to support their interpretations. We worked together in groups and followed theses instructions: Directions: Have each member of your group read the lines below out loud while the rest of you follow along. After the readings, go around your group and get a response from each person for each of the following items: a. Which line stands out the most to you? Why? b. What is the best word Whitman used? Why? c. Describe a connection, something the poem makes you think about. d. What’s something about the poem that puzzles you? Ask your question and get everyone’s input. e. What do you think the theme of this poem is? Explain why. As you discuss annotate one poem with your groups thoughts and ideas. Underline favorite lines, circle favorite words, and write down your questions. Afterwards, finishing your discussion and annotation, write a paragraph as a group that explains one of the important themes you found in the poem. Use evidence (lines, phrases, words) to prove that your theme is found in the poem. Explain how your evidence demonstrates your theme. If you missed class, follow the above instructions for this poem: O Captain! My Captain! BY WALT WHITMAN (1819-1892) O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills, For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths-- For you the shores a crowding, For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head! It is some dream that on the deck, You’ve fallen cold and dead. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; Exult O shores, and ring O bells! But I with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. Today in class . . . We took our quiz on Personification and Euphemism. Then we met in groups and analyzed poetry. We focused on figurative language and theme.
Today in class . . .
We played a figurative language review game. Our quiz tomorrow will review all of the elements of language we have studied so far. Then we finished writing our found poems. Today in class . . .
We started writing our found poems. A found poem is a poem that uses someone else's words but is arranged by the author. We used the book "The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton. Students chose an excerpt that was powerful. Then we followed the directions below. If you were absent, write your found poem on your own piece of paper. Found Poem Instructions Step 1: Pick one excerpt from The Outsiders. Write the entire paragraph on you lined piece of paper. Step 2: Read the page two times. Focus on images and pictures that the author shares. Focus on important phrases that characters say. Ask yourself: What is the main point the author is trying to get across? Step 3: On the back of your paper, make a list of the most important words & phrases from your excerpt. If you wrote down the paragraph, cross out everything that’s dull. You should cross out at least HALF of the words in the excerpt. Step 4: Read through the excerpt again. Add any important words you missed. Cross out some of the less-important remaining words. Step 6: On the front of your paper, rewrite your list make a list of all the words and phrases that you did not cross out. Step 7: Arrange the words in your list so they look and sound like a poem. You may want to get rid of a few more words as you are arranging your poem. You may add a few words to the poem so that it makes sense. Today in class . . . We brainstormed figurative language on 12 different topics. Then we chose one to write a poem about. The 12 things and the assignment sheet are attached below. 12 topics to brainstorm for: 1. summer vacation 2. family 3. reading a book 4. junior high 5. chicken noodle soup 6. texting 7. snow 8. running 9. having a pet 10. Thanksgiving 11. chapped lips 12. Christmas vacation
Today in class . . .
We revised our spine poems, analyzed their poetic elements and identified their themes. Today in class . . . We took our quiz on puns & oxymorons. Then we went to the library to create spine poems. For this assignment, students found book titles that could be read together as a poem. In order to get credit for this assignment students must email a picture of their spine poem to Ms. Norr at: [email protected]
Today in class . . . You brought the lyrics of your favorite song to analyze. We practiced together by analyzing the lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song "Stay Gold" which he wrote for The Outsiders movie. After we did that, students analyzed their songs' lyrics and themes individually.
Today in class . . . We discussed what makes poetry. We analyzed the poem "In Flander's Field" and the song "Riding with Private Malone." Both of these poems have themes that revolve around Veterans' Day and war. Then we wrote our own poems.
Today in class . . .
We corrected the multiple choice part of our Elements of Fiction test. Afterwards, we had a silent discussion. Students responded to seven questions about The Outsiders and had the opportunity to comment on their classmates' responses. If you missed class, you will need to get the questions from me so that you can respond to them. Today in class . . . We took our quiz on hyperbole & understatement. If you missed it, use the document below to take it. Bring your answers to me; I will grade them.
Today in class . . .
There was a substitute today because Ms. Norr was at the UCTE conference. The test covered all of the elements of fiction that we discussed as we read The Outsiders. The Self-Starter Quiz is postponed until Monday. Today in class . . . Students filled out a study guide to review for their test tomorrow. They did this while watching the middle part of the movie. We will not watch the resolution of the film in class due to time constraints. STUDY FOR THE TEST TOMORROW.
Today in class . . .
We watched the first 30 min. of the movie for The Outsiders. We also turned in a ton of assignments we had been working on. Those assignments were: -Reading Log #5 -Book Review -Group Character Poster -Group Theme Poster -The Outsiders Plot line Today in class . . . We finished reading The Outsiders. Then we wrote book reviews. The assignment sheet is attached below.
Today in class . . . We took our simile & metaphor quiz. If you missed it, you can find it below or in the sidebar. Then we read our class novel. We will finish it tomorrow!
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