8th Grade Writing--"Aguantando" Blog Post

In what moment in "Aguantando" by Junot Diaz does the narrator experience the most significant change? What details, quotes and insights help you to understand this change? How is it that the author changes?

Greek God Day!

Greek God Day!

As part of our study of Greek Mythology, each of you will create and perform a monologue from the perspective of one of the major gods. This monologue is intended to be a creative take on your god. You’ll be using both info we know about the god while also giving us your creative take on a particular Olympian.

Monologue Information

· Create a 3-5 minute (1½-2 page) monologue from the perspective of your god focusing on one or more of the following topics:

o A way in which he or she is misunderstood

o The psychology of your god (why they do the things they do)

o A contradiction in character and/or roles (Hermes, for example both the god of traders and thieves, while others see themselves as both devoted spouses and unfaithful)

o Something she or he could feel conflicted about

o A take on a famous story about them from his or her perspective

o A regret

o Take on a specific relationship she or he has with a mortal or another god

· You will also spend an entire triplet interacting with everyone (the other gods) as if you are your particular Mount Olympian, so come up with at least five questions to ask different gods in attendance

· On the day you present your monologues, you must not only take on the persona of your god, but the look of them too. This means props and costumes!

· While your monologue need not be memorized, you should be comfortable with the text. Please practice so that your face isn’t buried in the paper as you perform.

· Monologues will be performed in class on Greek God Day, Thursday, 2/10

Grading

For the monologue you will be graded on the following criteria:

• Clarity and organization
• Use of relevant detail
• Creativity
• Proofreading/Editing
• Performance (Including Evidence of Practice & Staying in Character for the Whole Class)
• Costumes & Props

Be creative with this project and have fun!!

Homework for Week of 1/31

Triplets

Thursday, 2/3

- Read "The Birth of Heracles" and "The Choice of Heracles" and answer the following questions on a piece of paper"

1. Describe the complicated conception and infancy of Heracles. What themes that we've explored in previous myths are present in this story as well?

2. Describe Heracles. What were some of his strengths? His weaknesses?

3. Heracles is asked to make a choice about "what kind of life yours in to be." What is he asked to choose between? Which choice does he pick? What lesson is this story meant to show?

Thursday, 2/10

- Greek God Day!

7th Grade Writing

Wednesday, 2/2

- "Hobbies and Passions" Chapter

Wednesday, 2/9

- Parts of Speech and Wordly Wise Double Quiz

8th Grade Writing

Wednesday, 2/2

- "Aguantando" Blog Post

Monday, 2/7

- Wordly Wise 6 Quiz

Homework for Week of 1/24

Triplets

Monday, 1/24

- Read "The Story of Prometheus" and answer questions (posted in a separate post on the blog)

Tuesday, 1/25

- Read "Typhon the Terrible" and bring 2 discussion questions to class (written in notebook)

Thursday, 1/27

- Read "The Loves of Apollo," "Athene's City," "Arachne" and "The Origin of the Seasons"

7th Grade Writing

Wednesday, 1/26

- Revised Personal Action Poem

- Autobiography 1^st Chapter: Family

Friday, 1/28

- WW 6 Exercises Due

8th Grade Writing

Monday, 1/24

- "The Landlady" Questions (Questions and Comments-3,6/Word Study-1,2/Composition-1,2)

Wednesday, 1/26

- WW 6 Exercises

Autobiography Schedule--2011

Autobiography Timeline 2011

Each chapter should be at least 3 pages long, but can be longer. All blank spaces denote free choice chapters. Please keep up with deadlines!!

January 26^th (Wednesday) Revised Personal Action Poem

1^st Chapter: Family

February 2^nd (Wednesday) 2^nd Chapter: Hobbies and Passions

February 10^th (Thursday) 3^rd Chapter: ______________

March 2^nd (Wednesday) REWRITE: Family

March 9^th (Wednesday) 4^th Chapter: A Day in My Life

March 23^rd (Wednesday) REWRITE: Hobbies and Passions

March 25^th (Friday) 5^th Chapter: Lesson Learned

March 30^th (Wednesday) 6^th Chapter: ______________

April 4^th (Monday) 7^th Chapter: ______________

April 13^th (Wednesday) 8^th Chapter: Who Am I?

April 15^th (Friday) REWRITES: Chapter 3, A Day in the Life

April 27^th (Wednesday) REWRITES: Lesson Learned, Chapter 6

May 2^nd (Monday) Six-Word Memoir

REWRITES: Chapter 7, Who Am I?

May 11^th (Wednesday) 9^th Chapter: 20 Years From Now

REWRITE: Six-Word Memoir

Week of May 16^th Final Spanish Autobiography Poems

Beginning layout (Bring book, chapters, photos)

May 18^th (Wednesday) Final Autobiographies Due (Reading Practice)

May 23^rd (Monday) Autobiography Share!!!!!

"The Story of Prometheus" Questions

Answer the following questions in detail. Use specific examples, quotes and analysis to support your thinking.

1. Describe the relationship between Prometheus and mankind.

2. On page 33, Prometheus tells his brother: “I must give Fire to mankind, the last and greatest of gifts. But if I do so, I shall incur the terrible wrath of Zeus…Yet even that I will endure—for it is so ordained.” What does he mean when he tells his brother that it is ordained? What dilemma is Prometheus faced with?

3. In this chapter, we also learn the story of Athena’s birth. What was Prometheus’ role in this story? Why did Zeus choose to deliver Athena the way he did? What do we learn about the origin of Athena’s characteristics?

4. What does Fire symbolize in this story?

5. How was Prometheus punished? What is the lesson of his story?

6. After they are given Fire, how does Zeus punish mankind?

7. What does the story of Pandora show us regarding gender and gender roles in ancient Greece?

8. What role does trickery play in this story?

Homework for Week of 1/18

Triplets

Thursday, 1/20

- Independent Reading Book Review #1

- "The Gods" Vocab

7th Writing

Wednesday

- "Lunch at the Biltmore" Questions

8th Writing

- Final MLK Speech emailed to Tom ASAP

Greek Mythology Blog Post #1

Why did the Greeks create and rely so heavily on myths? What significance did these myths have? Next, find an example of a modern-day myth. How is the myth you've chosen significant in a similar way to Greek myths? How is it different?

Farm Week Work -- Winter Trips 2011

During the farm weeks, you will be responsible for a completing a number of independent assignments. All assignments will be due on Tuesday, January 18^th unless otherwise noted.

Triplets

1. Read the entire Greek Mythology Packet 1. After reading the packet, complete the following work:

· Greek Mythology Blog Post #1

· Formal Notes for “Chapter 1: The Gods” (see the back of this sheet for guidelines on how to take formal notes)

· Answer the following questions about “The Coming of the Immortals” and “Hermes and Apollo” (either loose-leaf or typed)

1. As Greek civilization developed, how and why did their vision of the Gods change?

2. Describe the story of Cronus. What does this story show about life in ancient Greece? What is this story meant to explain?

3. Describe the Golden and Silver ages.

4. Describe the story of Hermes and Apollo. What is the significance of the story?

2. Complete first Independent Reading book and Review by Thursday, January 20^th

8th Grade

- During your non-farm week, you should revise your MLK speech each night until it's completely finished

7th Grade

- Personal Action Poem Draft, due Friday, 1/7 for Center and Friday, 1/14 for Front

- "Lunch at the Biltmore" Questions, due Wednesday, 1/19