Second Semester Final

Today, Tuesday, May 27th, I introduced your second semester final exam.
Here is a link to it.

We will spend time in the computer lab this week working on it.

Please contact me if you have questions or need further explanation.

The Catcher in the Rye

Our discussions about this book for the past three days of class have been some of the best we've had all year. I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say about the novel, your feelings about it, and your personal reflections in the essay you'll write to day. Here is a link to the handout in case you want to have it on your screen:
The Catcher in the Rye - Essay handout
When you are finished, please upload your essay to turnitin.com. If you'd like extra time over the weekend, that's fine.  There is no additional homework over the weekend.
Happy writing!

The Catcher in the Rye - Discussion and Essay Prep

Today in class we used this handout to prepare for next week's discussion and essay.

Monday and Tuesday will be inner-outer circle discussions about the novel. Thursday and Friday will be time to write the essay during class.

The Catcher in the Rye

For the past week you have been reading J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.
In addition to completing the book for class tomorrow, you need to bring your journal assignments.
Here is a link to the assignment in case you lost that sheet.
After an in-class writing we will start our discussions of the novel.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts about it!

The Things They Carried - Final Project

Today in class we had a powerful discussion about the relationship between fiction and reality, and the ways in which we connect with stories.  This is one of the topics you can continue to explore in your final project.

Here is a link to the handout for the project.

You can work alone or with up to two other people.  We will have time in class on Thursday and Friday to work on the novel.  The project is due Monday, May 5th.

The Things They Carried - Writing #2

Greetings!  I am out of town teaching at a conference today.

Spend the first part of the period (take as long as you need) on this piece of writing. You may use your books or notebook, but not any online resources.

• Link to quiz #2

After that, use the rest of the period to be caught up with your reading. We will be writing an essay on the book next week (after we finish chapter 7 on Monday) and I expect you to be familiar with the entire novel by then.

Have a great weekend!

The Things They Carried - "In the Field"

We generated this list of words - voices heard / implied in this chapter:

Kiowa
Lt. Jimmy Cross
Norman Bowker
Azar
Mitchell Sanders
Boy
Kiowa's father
Billie
Tim O'Brien
Henry Dobbins
Rat Kiley
God
Jesus
Locals
Kiowa's New Testament
Boy's picture
Monk
S**t field
Boots
Song Tra Bong / River
Flashlight
Mud
Rain
Poncho
Kiowa's rucksack
Weapons
Gray mist
Bubbles
lower body
chopper
ammo
C-rations
letter to Kiowa's father
watch
shrapnel
fear
death
sense of humor
blame
guilt
truth
regret
simplicity
sorrow
faith
innocence
ignorance
expectations
friendship
war
irony
USA
Vietnam
bravery
courage
parents
golf
selfishness
anguish