Welcome

Welcome to English III. This is our blog spot. Here we will share our feelings and ideas about the works we are studying. I encourage you to be honest, but I EXPECT you to be mature and respectful.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Crystal Stairs

Langston Hughes, wrote "A Dream Deferred" from which the play A Raisin in the Sun gets its title also wrote "Mother to Son."  Read the poem below and explain how it connects to the play A Raisin in the Sun. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, December 18, 2012). 

MOTHER TO SON
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

The path worn by love and sacrifice...

Today, we read Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path," a story of love and sacrifice.  In it we witnessed Phoenix overcome many obstacles--thorny bushes, a log, a white hunter, a maze, a seemingly never ending staircase--to get someone she loved medicine.  In your life, I am sure you have witnessed others overcoming obstacles for their loved ones.  Briefly tell of someone (you should refrain from using that person's name--use instead Uncle T. or Grandmother) you have seen travel a worn path of sacrifice and how witnessing this affected you.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Saturday, December 15, 2012)

Monday, December 10, 2012

Burning Bright

Although Ray Bradbury's work is often referred to as science fiction, Fahrenheit 451 has plenty to say about the world as it is, and not as it could be. Now that you have finished reading the book, select one of the following themes from the novel and briefly explain what the book teaches about this concept.

conformity vs. individuality        

freedom of speech and the consequences of losing it          
the importance of remembering and understanding history
machines as helpers or hindrances/enemies to mankind
the individual versus society
the importance of thinking independently

Also please answer the poll about the books in the column at the right. (The deadline to post a reply to this question is midnight, Tuesday, December 11, 2012. )

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Sieve and the Sand

In part two of Fahrenheit 451, Faber asserts that books are feared because they "show the pores in the face of life" and make people uncomfortable. What the world needs, according to Faber, is quality of information like that found in books, the leisure to analyze and understand it, and the right to act on that understanding. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Faber's statements? Do all books provide "quality" of information? Do all people take time to analyze and understand what they read? Have you ever read a book that made you want to "act" based upon your understanding of that book's message? Share with us that book and explain what it made you want to do. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Wednesday, December 5, 2012.)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Carved into Stone

We have read four poems from Spoon River Anthology.  Which one ("Mrs. Charles Bliss,"  "George Gray," "Lucinda Matlock" or "Richard Boone") did you prefer?  Give a line from the poem you liked most and tell how that line made you feel? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Friday, November 30, 2012.)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil

 I hope that you are enjoying Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. It truly is a "thinking" book. One of the many things I hope that you will think about as you read this novel is its theme of indifference. As you are reading Part One, what are some things you have noticed about the society that reveals their indifference? Does our present society share some of these indifferences? or others? Explain. ( The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012)

Monday, November 26, 2012

A Simple Occurrence

Look at the picture above this passage. Based upon your reading of Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," does this picture capture the mood of the story? Explain your stance with specifics from the story. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Tuesday, November 27, 2012.)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Wishing you a ...


EXTRA CREDIT


 
Due November 29, 2012:
Make a display board (trifold) about your research topic.  It must be extremely neat and well-designed.  There must be a title and at least 6 pictures of good size.  Each picture must have a brief paragraph below it explaining it.  Paragraphs should be 3-6 sentences in length. You should use your words, but if you take from outside sources, cite them and type a bibiliography. Pictures do not have to be cited. Pictures and paragraphs should be mounted on colored/designed paper and not directly to the board.  Do not use tape.  Use glue. The display must be colorful and attractive.   This will be worth a test grade so do your best work.


Saturday, November 17, 2012

ReMINDer

Don't forget that you need your own copy or Kindle version of Fahrenheit 451 when we return from Thanksgiving break.  Here is the version that I will be using, but you can get any version (cover/print year). 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Veteran's Day




I was absent on Friday, when our school celebrated Veteran's Day, but had I been there, these are the pictures of the two men I would have worn.  They are my father, Adolph Roy "Johnny" Hall, (in the picture on the left) and my maternal grandfather, Jesse Anthony "Tony" Lott.(picture on the right)  My Old Papa, as he was called, fought in World War I and my father served 31 years in the US Army, fighting during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.  These two men, like many others you might know, protected freedom and those who could not protect themselves.  We owe them a great deal--it isn't just a job--it is a calling--an act of sacrifice--in my eyes.  I welcome you to post the name of a veteran you admire and tell why.   (Do you think I look my dad?  My mother always said, "Kay, is Johnny made over."  Whatcha think?)  The deadline to post to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, November 13, 2012).

Friday, November 9, 2012

Prove it to me!

Henry David Thoreau once said, "No way of thinking or doing, however ancient, can be trusted without proof.” Now that you have completed 5 days of research, what will you prove/justify/defend in your paper? Why have you selected this as your thesis? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Monday, November 12, 2012.)

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Missed you today!

I am sorry that I had to leave during first block today, but I got very weak and dizzy.  Hopefully, the medicine my doctor gave me will handle this and I will be back tomorrow.  If I am not, please do your very best to get your cards completed.  I hate to miss school at any time, but I know that this week of research is very important, and that you are stressing to do everything correcty, BUT I also know that you are some of the smartest students I have taught, and I know that you can do this.  Hope to see you soon.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Whatcha Finding Out?

You have been researching now for two days.  Tell us something you have learned about your topic that you find very interesting or had no previous idea about. ( The deadline to post a response is midnight, Nov. 7, 2012.)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Broken Heart

Sad, mournful, melancholy, grievous, dark...all of these words that might be used to describe the tone found in both "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe.  Select one of the poems and briefly pull lines or words from the selection (you have a paper copy of "Annabel Lee" and "The Raven" is in textbook, as well as both works being available online) that illustrate or convey one of these tones.  Also, explain how you felt while reading this poem. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, November 1, 2012)

Friday, October 26, 2012

The Appeal of a Poet...

Our focus on Romantic poets took us through 3 works by Longfellow:  "A Psalm of Life," "The Children's Hour," and "Cross of Snow."  Select one of the poems and share your overall thoughts on the work.  How and why does it appeal to you?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Saturday, October 27, 2012.)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Topics, anyone?

Today, you submitted your possible research topics.  What topic do you most want to research and why?  What will you attempt to prove through this research paper? (The deadline to post a response to this this question is midnight Thursday, October 25, 2012.)

Monday, October 22, 2012

Ole Leatherstockings...

Today, as we read "A Rescue" from The Deerslayer by James Fenimore Cooper, we encountered many traits of the adventure story and the adventure hero.  Which of these traits did you find most drawing and how have you seen it repeated in recent times?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, October 23, 2012.)

Saturday, October 20, 2012

JUNIORS WIN HOMECOMING WEEK 2012

                 Yes, we are celebrating! Good job, my juniors!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Celebrating Wildly Famous Wednesday

Here we are.  Honors English III (first block) celebrating Wildly Famous Wednesday.  You people are some of my favorite people in the world.  Thank you for being so amazing!

The Devil take me if I have made a farthing...

Recently, we read "The Devil and Tom Walker," a folk tale written by Washington Irving. In addition to teaching a lesson, a folk tale generally contains elements of humor and vivid imagery. What is something you found humorous in the selection? Explain. What scenes did Irving make especially vivid for you? How? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Saturday, October 20, 2012.)

Monday, October 8, 2012

What's inside...

We have met the four characters of The Glass Menagerie, and I think you will agree that each has something redeeming and each has something tragic within him or her.  Select one--Tom, Amanda, Laura, or Jim--and discuss this duality of his/her character.  Come to a conclusion as to how you view this character overall.  There is a catch to this post.  You must read the comments of those who have posted previously to you and you must agree or disagree with him/her.  I will start first.  (The deadline to post to this blog is Wednesday, October 10, 2012)

Saturday, October 6, 2012

And the winners are...

I just finished grading your Crucible "secret" diaries.  Many, many of them were very well written.  However, there are four that I simply must recognize.  The best diaries content wise were written by Sydney A. and Hunder S.  The best disguised diaries were those by Bailey F. and Zak F.  Great job all of you!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

The family that fights together...

In the conflicts between  Amanda and Laura about business college, which character do you sympathize with, and why?  What do you think Williams wants you to feel about Amanda?  In the conflict between Tom and Amanda in Scene Three, which character do you sympathize with, and why?  What do you think Williams wants you to feel about Amanda?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Friday, October 5, 2012).

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!

Be the first student to quietly hand me a slip of paper with the correct answer to this question tomorrow and you will get 2 bonus points on your writing warm-up average.  What was the original title of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams? 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Behind the name

Arthur Miller's The Crucible takes its name from the three meanings of "crucible."  One of these definitions is "a severe test or trial."  Several characters--John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Mary Warren, Giles Corey, Rebecca Nurse, and Reverend Hale--are tested throughout play.  Select one of these character and briefly recount his/her test and come to a conclusion as to whether he or she passed or failed this test and explain why.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Saturday, September 29, 2012.)

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The court is in session...

Many plot changing events occur in Act III of The Crucible.  Select one of the following and explain what this event/scene reveals and why it is an important part of the plot.  
1) Giles is arrested for contempt of court2) John confesses adultery with Abby
3) Elizabeth lies to Gov. Danforth. 
4) Abby and girls accuse Mary of bewitching them
 5) Mary turns on John Proctor and he is arrested. 
6) Hale quits the court.
(The deadline to post to this blog is midnight Thursday, September 27, 2012)

Monday, September 24, 2012

Oh, sweet diary of mine...if they only knew...

Which character in The Crucible have you selected as the author of your secret diary?  Why did you select him or her?  What do you want your diary to reveal about this character? (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Wednesday, September 26, 2012.)

Friday, September 21, 2012

What's a Puritan to do?

At the end of Act Two, both John Proctor and Mary Warren face crucibles: Mary must decide to tell the truth or not about Abigail and what the girls did in the forest while John must decide to go to the court and tell that he had an affair with Abigail.  Who should confess? Does this person have the ability to do this? What do you predict will happen if this person goes to the court with the truth? Why do you think this? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Sunday, September 23, 2012)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

There are wheels within wheels...

Ann Putnam's statement in Act One of The Crucible that "...there are wheels within wheels and fires within fires" in Salem village presents one of the major themes of the play--selfishness/self-directed society. Which character do you feel is most self-directed and why? How does his/her self-motivation "spin" the wheels of others? In this blogging, you must read the responses given by your fellow classmates who posted before you. Not only must you add to the conversation, you must reply to their responses. I will start this comments. The person who comments after me cannot write about the same person I did and must make some comment about what I said.(The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Saturday, September 22, 2011.)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The omnipotent power of hands...

In "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Jonathan Edwards creates via great imagery the wrath of God upon sinners. Which image, metaphor, simile, personification, etc., did you find to be most effective in conveying Edwards' message? Explain how it made you feel and how you think the members of the congregation must have felt hearing this. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Saturday, September 15, 2012.)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Puritan Pen...

Although most of the Puritans shunned the fanciful and lived simplistic lives of spiritual denial, the poetry of Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor reveals much creativity and use of figurative language.  Likewise, the diary of William Bradford contains figurative language.  Which of the pieces--"Upon the Burning of Our House," "To My Dear and Loving Husband," "Huswifery," or The History of Plymouth of Plantation--did you find to be the creatively written yet strong in theme?  Give a line or passage from the work that you found most vivid or expressive.   THERE IS A CATCH HERE; YOU CAN'T GIVE THE SAME LINE/PASSAGE AS THE PEOPLE WHO POST PRIOR TO YOUR POST.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Thursday, September 13, 2012)

Friday, September 7, 2012

This land is my land...

Having read two selections by European explorers to America--Christopher Columbus and John Smith--we have discussed their focus upon abundance, religion, wealth, and hospitality of Early America.  Time has changed these concepts of America in many ways. Which of the four aspects(abundance, religion, wealth, and hospitality) has remained basically the same throughout American history?  Which has changed the most?  Explain.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012.)

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wishing you and your families all the best at this time...

I hope that all of you are doing well and that you and your families have not had great losses.  We do not have school until Tuesday, September 4th.   Please check in here and let me know you are ok.  Miss you lots.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Tell me about the rabbits, George...

I sincerely hope that each of you enjoyed Of Mice and Men.  It was a pleasure to discuss this novel with you.  You are all so bright and complex thinkers that I am looking forward to further discussions with you about American literature.  I am proud to call you my students.  Here is a picture of our Of Mice and Men quote wall.  Some of you picked such thought-provoking passages.  I have enjoyed reading what intrigued you. 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Something that happened...

When Steinbeck first finished the manuscript of this novel, he entitled it Something That Happened. Then he remembered the Burns' poem he had always loved: "To a Mouse," and he changed the title to Of Mice and Men. Which title do you think is best? Why? What part of the novel conveys this title choice best? (This post closes at midnight, Saturday, August 25, 2012.)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Land of Misfit Toys: "They left the weak ones here..."

Chapter Four provides a look at the "misfits" of the ranch. Even among "their kind," these four-Crooks, Lennie, Curley's wife, and Candy--show both the human need for acceptance and the desire for dominance. Explain how so. Through which of these characters did Steinbeck best convey these conflicts in the human condition? Explain specifically. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight August 22, 2012.)

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

In the bunkhouse...

 In  Chapter 3 in Of Mice and Men, three important events occur as the men sit in the bunkhouse: Candy's dog is shot, Candy, George, Lennie and Candy decide to buy their dream ranch, and Curley attacks Lennie. Select one of these events and write about how Steinbeck created mood/tone of the scene. Explain how this scene made you feel. (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Friday, August 17, 2012.)

Thursday, August 9, 2012

"I got you and you got me..."

George Milton and Lennie Small, the main characters of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, are total opposites, yet they share a strong bond.  What message do you think Steinbeck is conveying through these polar opposites and their friendship and dream?  From chapter one, what part/line/passage really helped you to see this message?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Monday, August 13, 2012.  Remember do not post your name, give only your initials and the block of our class.)

Monday, July 30, 2012

Beginning English III with KP

Welcome to the HHS school year 2012-2013.  I feel very fortunate to be teaching English III this semester.  This course has always been my favorite to teach.  When I look at the writing you will learn and reading you will experience, I am reminded of the quote you see on the picture next to this post.  Helen Keller is often credited with this quote and we all know how hard she had to struggle in her life, but we all know, too, what a wonderful and positive life she had.  This course will be challenging, yes, but I promise you, I will give it every thing I have to make this semester one you will never forget and one from which you will take many things.  Again, welcome to English III.  I am glad to have you as a student in my class. 

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Dreams, dreams, dreams

As we are covering A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, we see the dreams of each member of the Younger family.  Select one of the characters and discuss his/her dream and explain if you think this dream can come true and if it would help the family and how this dream affects this character's life.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is Sunday, May 20, 2012.)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

It was a pleasure to...

We have talked about many themes in Fahrenheit 451.  Which theme--man can change, man must think for himself, the problem of too much technology, or the need for self-analyze--did you find most clearly stated through the book?  Explain.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight Thursday, May 17, 2012.)

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

We are the Happiness Boys!

Beatty tells Montag that the firemen are the "happiness boys."  People in Montag's society desire happiness more than anything. What is something that has occurred in the novel that reveals the desire for happiness above all other things?  How did you feel when you read this part/element?  What do you think Bradbury is tell us through things like this?  (The deadline to post is midnight, Friday, May 11, 2012.)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

If they give you ruled paper, write the other way...

 I hope that you are enjoying Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. It truly is a "thinking" book. One of the many things I hope that you will think about as you read this novel is its theme of indifference. As you are reading Part One, what are some things you have noticed about the society that reveals their indifference? Does our present society share some of these indifferences? or others? Explain. ( The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, May 4, 2012)

Monday, April 23, 2012

Welcome to Usher II...

Today, we read "April 2005: Usher II," which is a parody of Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher."  What elements of the story did you enjoy most and why?  How did you feel reading something and knowing what was going to happen next?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Tuesday, April 24, 2012.)

Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Man Called Poe

We have a few selections of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry and short stories.  If you had the opportunity to meet Poe, based upoon what you have read of his, what would you ask him and why?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Monday, April 23, 2012.)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Isn't it ironic?

We have been reading several poems and stories that have irony in them.  Which of the following:  "Richard Cory," "Lamb to the Slaughter," "Thank you M'am," "The Story of an Hour," or "The Cask of Amontillado"--did you find most entertaining through its use of irony?  Explain the element of irony that you found in that work and how it made you feel or think.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, April 20, 2012.)

Monday, April 16, 2012

Voices from Beyond

Today, we read "Mrs. Charles Bliss" by Edgar Lee Masters. Read now the epitaph of Reverend Wiley. Compare their views and tones. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Wednesday, April 18, 2012.)
Rev. Lemuel Wiley

I preached four thousand sermons,
I conducted forty revivals,
And baptized many converts.
Yet no deed of mine
Shines brighter in the memory of the world,
And none is treasured more by me:
Look how I saved the Blisses from divorce.
And kept the children free from that disgrace,
To grow up into moral men and women,
Happy themselves a credit to the village.
Edgar Lee Masters

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Soul Speaks through Ink...

We have just begun our study of American poetry by reading "Thanatopsis,"  "The Children's Hour," "Cross of Snow," "Psalm of Life," "Song of Myself," "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," "O Captain! My Captain," "The Raven," and "Annabel Lee."  Select any two of these poems and comment upon what the speaker was saying in each and how you felt reading them.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Saturday, April 14, 2012)

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Let me tell you a story...

Today, we read "The Devil and Tom Walker," a folk tale written by Washington Irving.  In addition to teaching a lesson, a folk tale generally contains elements of humor and vivid imagery.  What is something you found humorous in the selection?  Explain. What scenes did Irving make especially vivid for you?   How?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Wednesday, March 28, 2012.)