Class Notes: Oct. 6, 2009

B-block

AGENDA :
1. Formulating a thesis question: Write a question using the words "how" or "why" related to the theme that you worked on in groups yesterday.
2. Try to answer your question in a few sentences using evidence from the novel so far.
3. Check-in with Ms. Rich about questions and replies.
4. Characterization: Characterization is how an author develops a character in a novel. The question is how do we learn about a character? Develop list in class of how we learn about a character:

• appearance (how is a character described? what does the character wear?)
  
• character's name (or nickname)
• actions/behavior (how does a character act or react? what behaviors do they commonly exhibit?)
  
• speech: how a character says things (ironic? wise? funny? sarcastic? mean? does the character speak in a different dialect or speech pattern?)
• dialogue: what a character says to other characters
• feelings (guilty? low self-esteem? religious?)
• thoughts
• choices (how does a character make choices? based on what? what kinds of choices does a character make? what consequences do they have?)
  
• past/biography (early environment: family history, nationality, life experiences, education)
• what other characters or the narrator says about him/her (=direct characterization)
  

**Remember when you analyze a character, you are both a detective looking for clues and a psychiatrist analyzing behavior and thoughts.
5. Begin discussion of chapter 4.

HOMEWORK: Study vocabulary
Vocabulary quiz will be on Thursday, October 8.

C-block (Honors)

AGENDA :
1. Vocabulary quiz
2. Redistribute notecards with question and citation from yesterday so everyone has an unfamiliar card.
3. Free write/brainstorm in reply to the question and citation on your card. Add an additional citation from the book in your response.
4. Exchange what you've written with your partner.
5. Partner reads and comments on what the other person is saying.

HOMEWORK: 1. Develop a thesis based on what you wrote in class and your partner's peer editing suggestions.
2. Read chapter 3.

D-block

AGENDA :
1. Vocabulary quiz
2. Understanding characters: Look for examples of a character you like so far in the novel.
3. Write a paragraph using that evidence about why this is an interesting character.

HOMEWORK: 1. Complete A Provincial Perspective worksheet
2. Pick one of the themes from the worksheet and write a paragraph about how that theme relates to your own life.