Week 6: September 28 - October 2

Thursday/Friday: October 1 - 2

Check exercises and work on practice quiz for vocabulary chapter 3 (final quiz is 10/9); watch video documentary about Patrice Lumumba; read and discuss Poisonwood Bible.

Tuesday/Wednesday: September 29 - 30

Reading in class: The Poisonwood Bible to p. 311;

Note: Bring books to class or be docked participation points;

Reading assessment: 10 identifications (open book);

Vocabulary exercises for chapter 3 (quiz on October 9).

Monday: September 28

We discussed the following:

1. Rudyard Kipling

2. "The White Man's Burden" (poem: handout)

3. Joseph Conrad

4. Heart of Darkness

5. "Apocalypse Now"

6. The Philippines War

7. Imperialism

Also: how could the mistreatment/abuse of a little child be analogous to the development, or lack thereof, of an entire country or nation?

Week 5: September 21 - 25

Thursday/Friday: September 24 - 25

Finish Africa articles; review for vocabulary quiz 2; write two phrases, two simple sentences, two compound sentences, and two complex sentences using at least one chapter-2 vocab word in each of the 8; take quiz on Friday; discuss and write about Africa issues: 1) Why do you think Africa has so many poor people? 2) Are people in rich countries more moral, ethical people than those who live in poor countries? 3) How important is history in explaining why things are the way they are today? (one paragraph each); read and explore questions on The Poisonwood Bible.

Tuesday/Wednesday: September 22 - 23

Read in class: The Poisonwood Bible to p. 240.

Check vocabulary exercises for chapter 2 (accepted till Friday).

(Bring books to class or you will lose participation points.)

Jigsaw collaborative exercise: learning about Africa.

NOTE: CHAPTER TWO VOCABULARY QUIZ IS THIS FRIDAY!

Monday: September 21

Reading assessment: The Poisonwood Bible to p. 160.

Note: this week, according to the syllabus, we are reading to p. 240.

Week 4: September 14 - 18

Thursday/Friday: September 17 - 18

Vocabulary exercises for chapter 2 and narratives of injury and pain.

Tuesday/Wednesday: September 15 - 16

In-class silent reading: Poisonwood Bible to p. 158; a diagnostic essay on the question of conversion; vocabulary work on chapter 2.

Monday: September 14

We watched the conclusion of "Au Revoir Les Enfants" and heard some reactions from members of the class.

Week 3: September 8 - 11

Friday: September 11

Questions about the film.

Thursday: September 10:

We continued watching our film, "Au Revoir Les Enfants."

Tuesday/Wednesday: September 8 - 9

Short blocks....

Today (and Wednesday) was all about vocabulary chapter 1 (a short quiz) and a reading assessment for the first section of The Poisonwood Bible. After that, the class began a discussion of the book, its themes and preoccupations. To be continued....

Week 2: August 31-September 4

Friday: September 4

After working on a practice vocabulary test, we continued watching the film "Au Revoir Les Enfants."

For Tuesday/Wednesday: Reading assessment for The Poisonwood Bible to p. 68; vocabulary test for chapter 1.

The Poisonwood Bible
Study guide for Assessment (to p. 68):
1. Who are the main characters of the novel so far? Orleanna, Leah, Rachel, Adah, The Underdowns, Ruth May, Reverend Price, Eeben Axelroot, Mama Tataba, Brother Fowles, Tata Undo, Mama Mwanza, Methuselah
2. Who are the narrators?
3. What is the main setting of the story?
4. Can you identify these names/references? Genesis, Africa, Congo, Belgium, Sanderling Island, Southern Baptist, Atlanta, Kennedy, Ike, Dr. Livingstone, Bethlehem, Kilanga, Jimmy Crow, Kwilu River, The Mission League, Kikongo, The Verse, Quasimodo
5. Main Incidents (plot/storyline)?

Issues/Themes/Subjects/Ideas:
Africa
Congo
colonialism
missionaries
hemiplegia
poisonwood
agriculture
malapropisms
baptism
palindromes
conversion

Thursday: September 3

Today we watched another section of the film "Au Revoir Les Enfants."

Tuesday/Wednesday: September 1-2
During block period, the class began with a silent-reading session (The Poisonwood Bible to p. 68 for next week; bring books to class). Following this, students were asked to finish the vocabulary exercises for chapter 1; we went around the room and checked all the answers (the chapter 1 vocab test will be next Tues./Wed.) Students then chose different days during the semester to share a prayer/poem/reading/thought-for-the-day; we set up a seating chart as well.
For the final part of the block, we watched another segment of the film "Au Revoir Les Enfants."

Monday: August 31
We checked on book problems/issues and reviewed the reading assignment for next week: The Poisonwood Bible to p. 68.
After a short discussion of teaching and learning styles, we began watching a film called "Au Revoir Les Enfants," which, in theme and subject, is quite similar to the summer reading book Wartime Lies.