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.

Week 1: August 24 - 28

Thursday/Friday: August 27-28

More preliminaries, discussions of Wartime Lies, problems with books, etc.

On Friday, we played a name game, The Great Wind Blows.

On Monday, we'll discuss teaching/learning styles and go on to stories of injury and broken bones....

Remember to begin reading THE POISONWOOD BIBLE; bring the book to class if you can.

Opening prayer/poem/meditation on Thursday: Socrates on the soul. On Friday: "the bolts of the universe," by Salmon Rushdie.

Have a great weekend.

Tuesday/Wednesday: August 25-26

Thanks to those who returned their course outlines/procedures papers (with student and parent/guardian signatures). We need to get everyone to bring those in by next week.

Today we started with an opening poem/meditation: the first stanza of Whitman's "Song of Myself." Think of a day this semester when you would like to share a prayer, poem, reading, or meditation with the rest of the class.

We went through the first set of vocabulary words (Chapter 1, Level E) and did the synonyms and antonyms together. We'll finish all the exercises by next Tuesday/Wednesday. The first vocab test is scheduled for the third week of the quarter.

Students were asked to write their reactions to the summer reading, along with a short statement about themselves and about what they would like to accomplish in English class this semester. All in-class writing will be kept in student folders at school and reviewed each week.

For Thursday, let's continue discussing the two novels you read this summer. Refer to the syllabus for your reading assignments: you should already be working on the first section of The Poisonwood Bible .

See you Thursday.

Monday: August 24
Welcome back, everyone!

Today, in a very short introductory period, we discussed the course outline and syllabus, copies of which were distributed in class. Note: the course outline should be signed by student and parent/guardian, then returned to Mr. Lovett.

We discussed required books for the semester. Please arrange to get your books now if you haven't already done so. Refer to syllabus for upcoming reading assignments.

Course Syllabus

Themes in World Literature: First Semester Schedule
Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to revision as needed.

First Quarter:
Week 1: August 24 - 28
Introduction/Preliminaries and Summer Readings 1:
(Wartime Lies and First They Killed My Father)

Week 2: August 31 – September 4
Introduction/Preliminaries and Summer Readings 2:
(Wartime Lies and First They Killed My Father)

Week 3: September 8 – 11
The Poisonwood Bible to p. 68
Vocabulary Test #1

Week 4: September 14 – 18
The Poisonwood Bible to p. 158
“Cry Freedom”

Week 5: September 21 – 25
The Poisonwood Bible to p. 240
Vocabulary Test #2
“Cry Freedom”

Week 6: September 28 – October 2
The Poisonwood Bible to p. 311

Week 7: October 5 – 9
The Poisonwood Bible to p. 375
Vocabulary Test #3

Week 8: October 12 – 14
The Poisonwood Bible to p. 444
“Bend it Like Beckham”

Week 9: October 19 – 23
The Poisonwood Bible (conclusion)
Vocabulary Test #4
“Bend it Like Beckham”

Week 10: October 26 – 30
Book1Q (25 pages)
Quarter Exam

Second Quarter:
Week 11: November 3 – 6
The Samurai (Chapters 1 and 2)
Vocabulary Test #5

Week 12: November 9 – 13
The Samurai (Chapters 3 and 4)
“To Live”

Week 13: November 16 – 20
The Samurai (Chapters 5 and 6)
Vocabulary Test #6
“To Live”

Week 14: November 23 – 24
The Samurai (Chapters 7, 8, and 9)

Week 15: November 30 – December 4
The Samurai (Chapter 10)
Vocabulary Test #7
“Under the Same Moon”

Week 16: December 7 – 11
Projects
Terra Nostra (TBA)
“Under the Same Moon”

Week 17: December 14 – 18
Projects
Terra Nostra (TBA)
Vocabulary Test #8

Week 18: December 21 – 22
Terra Nostra (TBA)
Quarter Exam

Week 19: January 4 – 8
The BookQ2 (25 pages)

Week 20: January 11 – 14
The BookS1 (50 pages)
Semester Exam


Judge Memorial Catholic High School • LLC Series #107

Course Outline

Sophomore English: Themes in World Literature
Course Outline – Fall/Winter 2009-2010
Instructor: Mr. Lovett (mlovett@judgememorial.com)
Class Website: http://lovettsophs.blogspot.com

Texts:
Vocabulary Book E
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver
The Samurai, by Shusaku Endo
Terra Nostra, by Carlos Fuentes

Course Description:
We will be spending five months reading, sharing, and discussing stories, novels, poems, and essays; writing in several genres; watching and discussing films; and working on a couple of projects in varied media forms.

Class Procedures:
1. The Prime Directive is RESPECT.
2. Please do not ask to go to the bathroom; the answer will be “no.” In an emergency, please quietly take care of yourself.
3. Hydration? Please carry a water bottle and/or stop by the drinking fountain between classes. Please do not ask to get a drink; the response will be “no.”
4. When arriving late for class, please wait at the door until directed to take a seat.
5. Please be responsible when missing class; use the blog, email, etc. Late assignments will ordinarily not be accepted after one week.
6. Extra credit is available throughout the semester.
7. Plagiarism is HEINOUS. This schooling business is about YOUR learning.
8. Read and study the school handbook. We will guide ourselves accordingly.
9. Please avoid dress-code horrors. PLEASE!!!

Grades:
By points as follows: participation/writing files (100 pts. each quarter); four vocabulary tests each quarter (20 pts. each); 25 page multi-genre writing (200 pts. each quarter); one poem/prayer presentation each quarter (20 pts. each); reading assessments (20 points each); one special project for the semester (100 pts.); one mid-term exam each quarter (75 pts. each); one semester exam (20% of semester grade).

Judge Memorial Catholic High School • LLC Series #107

Please return copies of this course outline signed by student and parent or guardian.