Poetry Syllabus March 2011
Poetry Writing Workshop
Jane Belton
Syllabus March 2011
Monday 3/14
In Class: Introduction to course. Overview; defining poetry and course goals; discuss workshop process.
Assignment: 1) Finish reading and annotating the packet of poems. 2) Complete focused freewrite # 1: Please answer all of the following questions thoughtfully and thoroughly: What have been your experiences with reading and writing poetry? Consider your experiences both in and out of school, as well as a young child. What poets have you read? Are there poets/songwriters you love? Hate? Which ones and why? What aspects of reading or writing poetry interest you most? (2 pages, handwritten, or the equivalent typed). You will all share and turn this in on Thursday).
Tuesday 3/15 – No Class
Wednesday 3/16 – No Class (11th Grade Field Trip)
Thursday 3/17
In Class: Freewrite # 1 due. Share. Review procedures/policies and continue to define the term “poetry”. Discuss outside poetry text requirement and possibilities.
Assignment: 1) Read and annotate Linda Gregg’s “The Art of Finding.” Please bring this essay to class on Monday, April 4. 2) Find an outside poetry text and begin reading it over Spring Break.
Friday 3/18 – No Class
English 10 Syllabus March 14-18
English 10C
Jane Belton
Syllabus March 14 – March 18
Monday 3/14
In Class: Final writing on The Great Gatsby: What makes the novel “great”? Examine A. O. Scott’s quote about American Literature. How does The Great Gatsby fit into A.O. Scott’s definition? How is it a “big book”? How is it not? Why is the novel included in so many school curricula? What makes it a “classic”?
Assignment: Complete Writer’s Journal 14: Make a list of American works you’ve read in Middle School and High School (please try to be as complete as possible!) Then, answer the following questions in at least 1-2 pages, typed: What makes these texts distinctly American? What characteristics do they have? What themes do they explore? What do they have in common? Which of these would you consider “great” books and why? Which of them are “classics” and why?
Tuesday 3/15
In Class: WJ 14 due. Define “the canon”; which of the American texts you’ve read in MS and HS do you think are part of the canon? What voices are represented/under represented? Introduce Toni Morrison and her quote about the canon.
Assignment: Writer’s Journal 15: Reflect and write on the following quotation:
“Canon building is empire building. Canon defense is national defense.”
— Toni Morrison, “Unspeakable Things Unspoken: The Afro-American Presence in American Literature”
- How do you think Toni Morrison is critiquing the canon here? What do you think she means by “empire building” and “national defense” in relation to talking about literature?
- How does Morrison add further complexity to the conversation about American literature and Scott’s notion that a “big country demands big books”?
Wednesday 3/16
In Class: Share Writer’s Journal 15. Begin discussion of The Bluest Eye: Introduce Dick and Jane primer; begin reading the novel together.
No Homework – Enjoy your spring break!
Thursday 3/17 – No Class
Friday 3/18 – No Class
Oral History Video from Vietnam War Veteran Elliot Gardner
Veteran’s Help Network
Click on “friends” or “stories” for some potentially useful links for final projects.
The Vietnam War from History.com
Interesting videos on the Vietnam War
Swords to Ploughshares: Helping Vets since 1974
An interesting link to consult for final projects, particularly in addressing community outreach and support for returning veterans.
The following excerpt is from the “Our Mission” section of the website:
War causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield. Swords to Plowshares’ mission is to heal the wounds, to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and to significantly reduce homelessness and poverty among veterans.
Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education and partnerships with local, state and national entities.
No Place Like Home Final Project
English 10 Final Project
No Place Like Home Syllabus, February-March
Syllabus: February – March 2011
Wednesday 2/16
CLASS: Discuss The Odyssey Book 17.
HOMEWORK: Read and annotate The Odyssey Book 19. Begin brainstorming and writing your focused freewrite or proposal for final project.
Thursday 2/17
CLASS: Discuss Odyssey, Book 19
HOMEWORK: Read and annotate The Odyssey Books 21. Begin step 1 of final project: initial freewrite/proposal for final project. Please be as specific as possible in your freewrite/proposal. This will be due 2/24.
Friday 2/18
CLASS: Discuss The Odyssey Books 21
HOMEWORK: Read and annotate The Odyssey Books 22 and 23
Monday 2/21-Tuesday 2/22 – No School
Wednesday 2/23
CLASS: Discuss Books 22 & 23.
HOMEWORK: Read and annotate The Odyssey Book 24. Complete project proposal/freewrite, due tomorrow!
Thursday 2/24
CLASS: Final project freewrite/proposal due. Discuss Book 24
HOMEWORK: Read and annotate Odysseus in America Chapter 20 (pp 208-230).
Friday 2/25
CLASS: Discuss Odysseus in America and final project. View resources on lrei library website.
HOMEWORK: Begin independent research for your project: find at least two sources and take detailed notes on each source. Make sure to indicate what source your notes are from (including page numbers). Sources can and should be accessed through print materials, and through the databases and websites through the library website or visual search.
Over the course of your research, you should find at least four sources in total including primary sources – such as first person accounts, interviews, films, images, primary documents, recordings, etc; secondary sources — such as articles, reviews, essays, chapters in books, and statistical information from websites, articles, or books; and reference materials — such as articles/entries from encyclopedias. Web sources can be accessed through the LREI visual search or other means (if you can identify that it is a trustworthy and valuable source of information).
Monday 2/28 – No Class
Tuesday 3/1
CLASS: Independent work/research
HOMEWORK: Work on project: find sources and take notes on each. Make sure to indicate what source your notes are from (including page numbers).
Wednesday 3/2
CLASS: Independent work/research
HOMEWORK: Work on project: find sources and take notes on each. Make sure to indicate what source your notes are from (including page numbers).
Thursday 3/3
CLASS: Workshop on using footnotes/parenthetical citations in your written work and on creating works cited; conferencing as needed.
HOMEWORK: Work on project: Continue taking notes on your sources. Begin the visual and written portions of your project.
Friday 3/4
CLASS: Work period; conferencing as needed. Indicate any audio-visual needs for your presentation.
HOMEWORK: Complete your final project (due at our exam period). The project (visual and written elements), works cited, and your detailed research notes will be due at the exam time. Prepare and rehearse your presentation for the class (5-7 minutes in length).