UPDATE!! For Parents!!

As we get closer and closer to our Christmas Break, we still have some housekeeping issues to take care of before we set off for a week of freedom.

1. Today and tomorrow, I have been conferencing with students on the "Forgiveness Essays" that were already turned in for a grade. For those that did poorly on their essay, they have been given the option to take their essays home and redo over the holidays for a higher grade. HOWEVER, students must return the original essay to go in their writing folders as well as the new "revamped" essay. I hope every student takes up on this opportunity.

2. ECAC Against Segregation Essays should be turned in by tomorrow. These essays will be reviewed once we return from the Christmas Holidays.

3. Thursday & Friday, we will be watching "Cry, The Beloved Country" the movie. Students are allowed to bring food and drink on FRIDAY ONLY! Parents please bring light snacks only such as chips, soda, popcorn, cupcakes, cookies etc. There is no need for large dishes such as baked chicken and rice, etc.

4. If any children are in danger of failing, I will be calling you Thursday and Friday. I will tell you what your child needs to complete in order to bring their grade up hopefully (fingers crossed) by report card. 

Finally, I look forward to the last couple of days and our break. I hope everyone has a great Christmas.  Please, parents if you have ANY concerns I am available. Feel free to contact me at any time via email or by phone. You may even comment on the website.

Thanks so much for being a concerned parent and participating in your child's education.

Monthly Update!!

We are finishing Cry, My Beloved Country" by Alan Paton this week. I am so happy that we are ready for out next unit. I hope the students gained a lot from this unit including all the literary terms that we have learned thus far. Students have completed our CCGPS Standards for Character Development, Theme and Motifs, Argumentative Essay, and Writing Style. The students should know the following literary terms by the end of this week:

1. Character
2. Characterization
3. Flat Character
4. Round Character
5. Dynamic Character
6. Static Character
7. Archetype
8. Diction
9. Tone
10. Connotation
11. Denotation 
12. Informal 
13. Formal 
14. Theme 
15. Motif
16. Parallel Structure
17. Allusion 
18. Semi-Colon Usage
19. Colon Usage
20. Character Motivation
21. Antagonist 
22. Protagonist
23. Conflict
24. Internal Conflict
25. External Conflict
26. Man Vs Man 
27. Man Vs Himself
28. Man vs Nature
29. Man vs Society
30. Direct Characterization 
31. Indirect Characterization 
32. Character Foil
33. Counter Argument 
34. Argument 
35. Thesis Statement 
36. Attention Grabber
37. Outline 
38. Textual Evidence
39. MLA
40. Cite
41. Sources
42. Quotation Mark Usage
43. Body
44. Conclusion 
45. Closing Statements
46. Dialect
47. Colloquialism 

Also, there are a couple of major assignments due before students leave for Christmas break. Students will take their Unit test over Cry, The Beloved Country on Monday, December 10, 2012. Students have their SLO Assessment on Thursday, December 13, 2012. Finally, students will have their final essay and presentation for this unit due by Friday, December 14, 2012. Also, during the week of the December 17th,  we will watch the movie to end our unit, during that time students can bring African Food and Drinks for the class as extra credit. However, these arrangements will be announced!

Please, make sure  your child study, study study!!! This upcoming weeks will be a doosey! I have had such wonderful students. If you have any question please feel free to contact me. Thanks!

WL Homework 10-31

World Literature Homework:
1. Read Chapter 18 of "Cry, The Beloved Country"
2. Complete Study Guide Questions for Chapters 15-17
3. Brainstorm & Outline Essay Topic Due Friday

Homework

World Literature Homework:
Read Chapter 14 and write a chapter summary and it is due on Monday, October 9, 2012.
Please be sure to write your chapter summary in blue or black ink.

Cry, My Beloved Country Update/Homework

Currently we are reading Cry, My Beloeved Country Booklet and we are working on are CCGPS Standard for Character Development. The students should know the following literary terms by the end of this week:

1. Character
2. Characterization
3. Flat Character
4. Round Character
5. Dynamic Character
6. Static Character
7. Archetype
8. Hero
9. Hero Quest/Journey

Also, on Friday of this week there will be a couple of assignments due. Students must have read Chapters 1-10, answer the study Questions, and complete their Character Archetype Graphic Organizers. All of these items must be completed and turned in by Friday, October 12, 2012.

I have enjoyed my weeks so far! I have had such wonderful students. If you have any question please feel free to contact me. Thanks!

Hello to my Early College Academy students and parents! I am so happy to work with you and your chilren this year. I am looking forward to all the wonderful activities we will be doing this year. This website is a helpful resource for you and had been created to keep you updated on my classroom activities. Please, feel free to comment on the website, and contact me about any concerns in class you may have.

ANSWER KEY SHORT ANSWER STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS –

Cry, The Beloved Country

Directions: Using the novel "Cry, The Beloved Country," by Alan Paton, answer the following questions in COMPLETE setences. Be sure to support answers from the text. Be prepared to discuss in class.

Chapters 1-5

1.  Paragraphs two and three in Chapter 1 sharply contrast. Explain the significance of these two
paragraphs in terms of the novel's central theme. (Come back to this later if you can't answer
it at first.)

2.  Identify and characterize Stephen, John, Msimangu, Mrs. Lithebe, and Gertrude.

3.  Explain the importance or meaning of the following quotation: "Once such a thing is opened, it cannot be shut again."

4.  Why did Stephen Kumalo go to Johannesburg?

5.  What does "Umfundisi" mean?

6.      "The journey had begun. And now the fear back again ...." What fears did Kumalo have?

7.      What happened to Kumalo when he first arrived in Johannesburg?

8.      Describe Gertrude's sickness.

9.      Why is Gertrude's sickness upsetting to Kumalo?

10.  What is Kumalo's brother John doing in Johannesburg?

11.  "The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that they are not mended again." Explain what Msimangu meant. (Ch. 5)

12.  "It is fear that rules this land." Who fears whom?