Juniors Extra Credit

Great Gatsby - Read "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway supposedly wrote this story about Fitzgerald.  What connections do you see between Fitzgerald/Gatsby and the protagonist of this story?  Consider researching Fitzgerald's life and how it parallels Gatsby's, but also how Hemingway portrayed such a life in this story.

The Sun Also Rises - Read "Eyes of a Blue Dog" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Ralphsun discussed dreams in class today in response to the final lines of TSAR "Isn't it pretty to think so?"  How does Marquez's work create a similar type of relationship between the male and female dreamers that Hemingway portrays in Jake and Brett?  Even if you don't want to do the extra credit, read this story, it is amazing.

The Bell Jar - Read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Gilman chronicles a "hysterical" woman trapped in a room by her doctor husband.  She begins to hallucinate, believing that the wallpaper around her is moving.  Find direct comparisons to Plath's more modern text and conclude the significance of Freidan's "problem without a name" decades before Freidan was even born.

POST YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG.  THIS IS YOUR LAST EXTRA CREDIT.

Work for the week of May 29th - Juniors

Tuesday May 29th
Minutes: Michelle, Justin, Udovich
SAT Words: Abate, Asylum, Converge, Querelous, Substantiate
Reading Assignment: Finish book, Snows of Kilomanjaro
Homework Assignment: Please purchase House of Leaves on amazon.com for next Monday.

Wednesday May 30th
Minutes: Isabella, Bing, Lucy
SAT Words: Arid, Capitulate, Deleterious, Foster, Intrepid
Reading Assignment: http://www.teleportacia.org/war/wara.htm http://www.eblong.com/zarf/zplet/shade.html
http://ineradicablestain.com/skindex.html
Homework Assignment: How are these works different from anything you’ve read before?  Is any of this literature? Why or why not?


Thursday May 31st
Minutes: Christina, Allen, Harry
SAT Words: Perfidious, Prosaic, Spurious, Vindicate, Abscond
Reading Assignment:
Homework Assignment: PEER EDIT Draft Day!

Friday June 1st
Minutes: Ying, Kenny, Willy
SAT Words: Boisterous, Canny, Emulate, Enervate, Evanescent
Reading Assignment: Visit the following websites.
Game - http://www.secrettechnology.com/madethis/enemy6.html
Infinite Poetry - http://www.secrettechnology.com/sydney/sibera.html
Wittennoom -http://www.secrettechnology.com/wittenoom/artwork/p3.html
Cube - http://www.secrettechnology.com/ausco/poecubic2.html
Graph Poetry - http://www.secrettechnology.com/graphoem/two/graphoem2.htmlHomework Assignment: How are these poems different from anything you’ve read before?  Is this literature?

Work for the week of May 29th - Freshmen

Tuesday May 29th
Minutes: MAKE UP WEEK
SAT Words: Vacillate, Dilemma
Reading Assignment: Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
Homework Assignment: Create a thesis and provide 3 supporting quotes

Wednesday May 30th
Minutes: MAKE UP WEEK
SAT Words: Transparent, Obscured
Reading Assignment: Cathedral by Raymond Carver
Homework Assignment: Create a thesis and provide 3 supporting quotes

Thursday May 31st
Minutes: MAKE UP WEEK
SAT Words: Foolhardy, Asinine
Reading Assignment: To Build a Fire by Jack London
Homework Assignment: Create a thesis and provide 3 supporting quotes

Friday June 1st
Minutes: MAKE UP WEEK
SAT Words: Legerdemain, Grovel
Reading Assignment: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber
Homework Assignment: Create a thesis and provide 3 supporting quotes

Work for the week of May 21st - Freshmen

Monday May 21st
Minutes: George, Jimmy
Reading:
Homework: Work on your draft

Tuesday May 22nd
Minutes: Dionis, Carmen
Reading: "Rules of the Game" by Amy Tan
Homework: Develop a thesis statement based upon this story on either of the following topics: parent/child relationships, assimilation.  Have three quotes to support your point.


Wednesday May 23rd
Minutes: Victor, Daniel
Reading:
Homework: Final draft for peer editing


Thursday May 24th
Minutes: Joanne, Daisy
Reading: Through the Tunnel by Doris Lessing

Homework: Develop a thesis statement based upon this story that discusses parenting, accomplishing a goal, or growing up.


Friday May 25th
Minutes: Zarotsky, Olivia
Reading:
Homework: i-Search due today.

For Tuesday May 29th
Reading: Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
Homework: Devise a thesis statement about this story using three quotations.  I will be checking HW.

Work for the Week of May 21st - Juniors

Monday May 21st
Minutes: Amy, Ralphsun Vinit
SAT Words: Bellicose, Enigmatic, Acrimony
TSAR: Ch. 14 and 15

Homework Assignment: Utilize our knowledge of bullfighting and attempt to understand the romanticism that Hemingway views in this brutal sport.  Try to characterize Romero.
GG: Reading Assignment: Ch. 5
Homework Assignment:Who is Jay Gatz?  Continue to unravel the mystery of Gatsby.
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Ch. 9 and 10
Homework Assignment:What is a dybbuk?  Please focus upon the rape scene which we will analyze in class.

Tuesday May 22nd
Minutes: Jason, Rifat, John
SAT Words: Expiate, Invective, Languid

TSAR: Ch. 16
Homework Assignment: Begin your allusion assignment.  Pick three allusions to be approved in class for tomorrow.  I will likely reject some of your suggestions so be prepared.  Considering Brett's fascination with Romero, why does Mike verbally abuse Cohn of all people?  Pay attention to how Romero describes his experiences as a bullfighter.
GG: Reading Assignment: Ch. 6
Homework Assignment: Focus on the final section of the chapter where Nick imagines Gatsby kissing Daisy.  Please analyze this section, particular the odd imagery that Fitzgerald employs.  What kind of decision does Gatsby make here?  Why?  How does Nick perceive this scene, especially if he is not in it?
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Ch. 11-12
Homework Assignment: Describe the nature of Esther's depression.  How does she react to therapy?  How does she react to shock therapy?  How do you interpret Esther's failed suicide attempts?

Wednesday May 23rd
Minutes: Michael, Shirley, Jack
SAT Words: Nadir, Rife, Harangue

TSAR: Ch. 16

Homework Assignment: 
Homework Assignment: Why do the eyes of T.J. Eckleberg return in this chapter?  Why do you think Nick mentions that it is his 30th birthday in this chapter?  What is the role of weather in this particular scene?
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Ch. 12-13
Homework Assignment: How do you interpret Esther's repeating of the term "I am"?  Does this have any connection with the nature of her depression?  Why doe Esther cry at her father's grave?

Thursday May 24th
Minutes: Kaile Kaung, Shin
SAT Words: Surfeit, Wizened, Discursive

TSAR: Ch. 17

Homework Assignment: Try to explain Cohn's strange behavior, hitting his friends and then apologize profusely afterwards.  We will be doing a close reading of the disappointed waiter: "All for sport.  All for pleasure."
GG: Reading Assignment: Ch. 7
GG: Reading Assignment: Ch. 8
Homework Assignment: Why does the gardener want to drain the pool?  Why does Gatsby refuse to leave without Daisy?  Is he crazy or romantic?
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Ch. 14-15
Homework Assignment: Focus on the titular line presented in this chapter.  Discuss Valerie and Mrs. Norris.  How are these two characters symbolic of the role of women in American society?  Focus on the newspaper clippings Joan shows Esther and Esther's declaration about her mother.

Friday May 25th
Minutes: Chris, Yejoon, Udovich
SAT Words: Maudlin, Oblique, Venerate

TSAR: Ch. 18

Homework Assignment: Show how Romero and Belmonte are foils for one another.  How do these men compare to the others in the story?  Try to understand the final line of the chapter.
GG: Reading Assignment: Finish the book
Homework Assignment:Is Gatsby's dream similar to the American Dream?  Is it a beautiful thing or something perverse?  How does Nick describe Daisy and Tom in this chapter?
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Ch. 16-17
Homework Assignment: Does the shock therapy help Esther?  Is this therapy a symbol? 

For Tuesday:
TSAR: Finish the book.  Analyze the dual meanings of the last line of the book.  Revisit the epigram of the book and discuss its meaning.
GG: Read Hemingway's story about Fitzgerald, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." 
TBJ: Finish the book.  Is this a happy ending?

Extra Credit for Everyone! Freshmen

In continuation of our class discussion, I'd like us to ruminate over what makes a good teacher.  Let's try to use past experiences, before Stuyvesant, to not only pay respect, but analyze what makes an effective teacher.  Share your experiences but also, attempt to answer the following question:

What is the purpose of high school?  Once you've attempted to find an answer, try to consider what each teacher's role is in helping you reach that goal. 

I'll accept outside sources of course and encourage appropriate and polite student debate.  And please don't use this as an opportunity to bash a teacher.  If you're going to use someone as a negative example, let's leave out names.

Extra Credit for Everyone! TBJ

Those of us reading The Bell Jar, I'd like you to research 3rd wave feminism, particularly its music.  I'd like you to find out what led to this wave, who comprised it, and how the riot grrl movement used brash, obnoxious music in the name of creating a newer feminine identity.  Links to songs and research is greatly appreciated.  And let's try to use our own words instead of cutting and pasting information.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF SOME OF THIS MUSIC IS OFTEN CRASS AND SEXUAL IN NATURE AND MIGHT BE CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE.

Extra Credits for Everyone! TSAR

Those of us reading The Sun Also Rises, I'd like you read "Running" by Gil Scott Heron (this is only a remix of his spoken word works, find the lyrics on your own) and I'd like you to analyze the words.  Once doing so, please compare the narrator of the poem to Jake and perhaps attempt to clarify what this perception of "running" is.  Please do not be afraid to incorporate other poems by Heron or to research his story and life of addiction.  But please, don't cut and paste.  Speak with your own words.

Work for the week of May 14th - Freshmen

Monday May 14th
Minutes: Edward, Elizabeth
SAT Words: Pedagogy, Proxy
Reading Assignment: Read Gryphon
Homework Assignment: Explain, is Mrs. Ferenczi a good teacher?
Frank Bruni permission slips

Tuesday May 15th - Frank Bruni today - 8th and 9th period Conference Hall A - You NEED a permission slip to get in...
Minutes: Elvin, Thomas
SAT Words: Plagiarism, Transparent
Reading Assignment: MLA Citations i-search packet
Homework Assignment: Please prepare your research section with appropriate citations and a works cited page for Wednesday’s draft.

Wednesday May 16th
Minutes: Kemraj, Tiffani
SAT Words: Dilatory, Meticulous
Reading Assignment:
Homework Assignment: Introduction and research draft due today for peer editing.

Thursday May 17th
Minutes: Max, Sadie
SAT Words: Extol, Eulogy
Reading Assignment:
Homework Assignment: Introduction and research draft due today for peer editing.

Friday May 18th
Minutes: Brian, Fawn
SAT Words: Laconic, Maelstrom
Reading Assignment: Story, TBA
Homework Assignment:

Work for the week of May 14th - Juniors

 
Monday May 14th
Minutes: Natalie, Stella, Remy
SAT Words: Notoriety, Patriarchy, Surreptitious
TSAR: Reading Assignment: Finish book one
Homework Assignment: Compare Jake and the Count
GG: Reading Assignment: Finish through chapter four.
Homework Assignment: What information does Gatsby provide about his background?  Find holes in his story.  How does Gatsby's association with Wolfsheim infringe upon Gatsby's reputation?
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Finish chapter four.
Homework Assignment:

Tuesday May 15th
Minutes: Erica, Chun, Mahad
SAT Words: Arcade, Platonic, Semaphore
TSAR: Reading Assignment: Chapters Eight and Nine
Homework Assignment:
GG: Reading Assignment: Catch up through chapter four.
Homework Assignment:  Extra Credit and continue to trace, using quotes, who Gatsby truly is.
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Chapter five and six
Homework Assignment: Do you think Buddy is a good match for Esther?  Why or why not?  Should she settle?

Wednesday May 16th
Minutes: Philip, David, Amy
SAT Words: Egalitarian, Pantheon, Pestilential
TSAR: Reading Assignment: Chapter Ten
Homework Assignment: Please analyze the role of Catholics in this chapter and how such belief plays out in the post-war nihilistic world.
GG: Reading Assignment: N/A
Homework Assignment: Extra Credit Assignment (please hand in, do not post online!)
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Resaerch Freidan
Homework Assignment: Please research Betty Freidan and the Feminine Mystique.  What were some of Freidan’s teachings?  What was the impact of her writing?

Thursday May 17th
Minutes: Kyle, Christina, Mark
SAT Words: Amicable, Dysentery, Undergrowth
TSAR:  Reading Assignment: Eleven and Twelve
Homework Assignment: Try to describe Jake and Bill’s relationship, particularly when fishing.  Why do these two men share perhaps the best relationship in this book in this particular place?  Do you find that you are able to have better, closer relationship with people of the same sex?
GG: Reading Assignment: Chapter Five
Homework Assignment: Please explain the symbols of the rain, the clock, and Gatsby’s shirts in context with this chapter.
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Chapter Seven and Chapter Eight
Homework Assignment: Please explain Esther’s metaphor for her life: the fig tree.  I’d like you to develop a metaphor for your own life.  Please be creative and be prepared to explain your answer.  Also, consider the following question: Do you think it’s possible for someone to be happy without being married?

Friday May 18th
Minutes: Kevin, Taruna, Amiyo
SAT Words: Plagiarism, Eunuch, Smelt
TSAR: Reading Assignment: Chapter Thirteen
Homework Assignment: What’s the difference between a steer and a bull?  Who is a bull in this story?  Who is a steer?  Who is a matador?
GG: Reading Assignment: 
Homework Assignment: Complete extra credit assignment for today.  Revisions of internal citations due Monday
TBJ: Reading Assignment: Chapter 9-10
Homework Assignment: Revision of internal citations due Monday.  

LINK TO MLA INTERNAL CITATIONS EXPLANATION PAGE

Work for the Week of May 7th - Freshmen

May 7th   - Please return your copies of Nickel and Dimed

Minutes: Erik, Thomas

SAT Words:Disingenuous, Alibi

Reading Assignment: Review i-search packet online for assistance.

Homework Assignment: Begin research section draft.

May 8th - New Book!

Minutes: Tiffany, Wilson

SAT Words:Ruminate, Potent

Reading Assignment: Lies (in-class)

Homework Assignment: 

May 9th

Minutes: Shadman, Fanny

SAT Words:Transcribe, Ruse

Reading Assignment: 

Homework Assignment: In response to "Lies" write a six sentence explanation discussing either of the following ideas: Josephine innocently lies OR  Josephine deviously lies.

May 10th

Minutes: Mindy, Jessica

SAT Words: Transgress, Saccharin

Reading Assignment: 

Homework Assignment: Half of research section due today.  Have various sources and at least a full page written.

May 11th

Minutes: Ali, Victor

SAT Words: Transient, Aloof

Reading Assignment: Gorilla My Love

Homework Assignment: Have interview completed by today.  Identify the main characters of this story and ask three questions of the text that you would like to know.

Work for the Week of May 7th - Juniors

Some of you having been asking me for recommendations in music.  I've been listening to the "Radiohead Office Charts" all weekend on Spotify.  It's a REALLY good mix to work to and its over 13 hours of various genres of music.

May 7th

Minutes: Ada, Michael E., Christine

SAT Words: Feign, Supercilious, Conscientious

Reading Assignment: N/A
Homework Assignment: GG: Papers due.

May 8th

Minutes: Marius, Matt, Sinian

SAT Words:Incredulous, Reciprocal, Wan

Reading Assignment: "Are Today's Youth Really a Lost Generation"?

Homework Assignment: Today, we identified several characteristics of the Lost Generation: moral depravity,  lack of meaning, aimlessness, no purpose in life, overindulging in false pleasures, and so on.  I'd like for you to find THREE examples of such characteristics in modern times.  What aspects of this current generation are a génération perdue?  Please provide examples and a short explanation for today.
10th - Please identify a female icon, a popular figure that represents femininity in every sense of the word.  Provide an explanation as well as your icon for tomorrow.

May 9th

Minutes: Gina, Raeesa, Miles

SAT Words: Complacent, Intimation, Anon

Read Chapter One and Two of the TSAR // Read Chapter One of Gatsby // Chapter One The Bell Jar
Homework Assignment: TSAR: Identify a masculine icon.  Please explain how this individual represents masculinity focusing particularly on what masculine qualities this individual possesses.  This figure can be anyone in history or pop culture.  Please write at least five full sentences.  GG: What is the difference between old money and new money?  Please find two examples of each.   Identify and characterize the main characters. TBJ - Please answer either of the two prompts: I can relate to Esther because OR I don't like Esther because.  Please complete at least six full sentences for homework using references to the text.

May 10th

Minutes: Eric, Tracy, Aleks

SAT Words: Contiguous, Facet, Cower

Reading Assignment: Read Chapter Three and Four of TSAR //  // Chapter Two and Three The Bell Jar
Homework Assignment: TSAR: Please characterize Jake and Brett.  I would like full descriptions of their characters. Please include quotations as part of your explanation.   GG: N/A TBJ: N/A

May 11th

Minutes: Sarah K. Peter, Emily

SAT Words: Interpose, Apathetic, Languid

Reading Assignment: Read Chapter Five and Six of TSAR, Read Chapter Two and Three of Gatsby // Chapter Three and Four of TBJ

Homework Assignment: TSAR: Why does Robert want to break up with Frances?  How does she react to this news?  Attempt to explain each character's rationale. GG: The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg are meant to serve as a symbol of God looking down and judging his people.  How would these eyes judge Tom, Myrtle, and Nick in this chapter.  Explain why.  Describe Gatsby's party and the rumors his guests speak of him. TBJ - What do we learn of Esther's background from chapters three and four

Due Monday May 14th
Reading Assignment: Finish Book One of TSAR, Read Chapter Four of Gatsby // Chapter Four TBJ

Homework Assignment: TSAR: Compare and contrast the Count and Jake.  GG: What information does Gatsby provide about his background?  Find holes in his story.  How does Gatsby's association with Wolfsheim infringe upon Gatsby's reputation?

Juniors - Last Minute Extra Credit

Check out this OP-ED in the NY Times about Death of a Salesman.

Does this piece ring true in our current economy?  The recent production of Death of a Salesman has been nominated for 7 Tony awards.  Certainly we can attribute a great deal of the play's success to its talented director and cast, BUT, let us also entertain the idea that this story has connected with its audience despite the play's being written over 60 years ago.  Why are audiences being brought to tears, in 2012, by Miller's words?

Newest i-Search Schedule

i-Search Schedule 

Tuesday - 4/17 - Question Due 

Monday - 4/23 - draft of the Introduction due for peer editing 

Friday 4/27 - request for interview script 

Wednesday 5/2 - Intro and Source due date 

Thursday - 5/10 - half of Search section due for peer editing (two or more pages discussing two or more sources) 

Monday 5/14 - Interview must be completed by today. 

Wednesday - 5/16 - full draft of Search section due for peer editing 

Friday - 5/16 - draft of Conclusion and Works Cited sections due for peer editing 

Friday - 5/18 - full i-Search draft due for peer editing 

Wednesday - 5/23 - final i-Search paper due. 

NOTE: Missing any of the above due dates will lower your grade one step (from an A+ to an A, and an A to an A- and so on). Deadlines and peer editing are essential to the i-Search process.