Class Notes: Oct. 13, 2009

C-block (Honors)

AGENDA :
1. Journal: Sometimes even though we know that we should speak to someone about something important, we find reasons not to do what needs to be done. Has there ever been a time a "quiet carpenter" approached you concerning a difficult situation? Were you ever in the role of the carpenter? Did you ever find an excuse not to speak to someone? Did you ever wish that someone would have said something in confidence to you?
2. Discuss above question in relation to the passage in the book to which it relates.
3. Understanding the structure of Black Boy. Questions: Are any of you finding the book hard to follow? Why would that be?
4. Discussion of how Black Boy is theme-oriented rather than plot-oriented.
5. First of 4 theme-related explorations: HUNGER. Handout on "Hunger" as a theme with specific passages from the book chosen and questions for responding individually and discussing as a class.
6. Think-Pair-Share with discussion questions.

HOMEWORK: 1. Finish reading and responding in writing to passages on "Hunger" handout.

D-block

AGENDA :
1. Journal: Why do you think people gossip? What are the effects of gossip?
2. Discussion of personal experiences with and thoughts on gossip. Relation of students' experiences to those in the novel.
3. Explanation of difference between effect (noun) and affect (verb). Remember: Just think of A for action (in other words a verb.)
4. Reading strategy #3: Dense embedded questioning. Learning how to formulate specific kinds of text-reader-world questions about a text. Modeling of strategy and discussion of model in order to clarify.

HOMEWORK: 1. Create 9 questions modeled after the ones on the handout.