Final Exam Review

Click on the following link, and continue playing the game until you can beat my time! (To do this, you will have to get under two minutes.)

FINAL EXAM STUDY GAME

Journal Three for The Alchemist

Journal #3

Santiago: “I’m like everyone else – I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does.” p. 40

Santiago’s biases towards the Moroccan bar owner (Arabic speaking) and young Muslim (Spanish speaking) ends up having an unfortunate impact on his journey.  Write about a time that your personal biases led you to misjudge someone.  How/Why did this happen.  What did you learn from this event?

Mapping Santiago's Journey

This is our culminating project for the unit, and it will be a very detailed piece. It is due by May 16 at the latest. The necessary components are as follows:

Santiago's journey will be traced on a map - All places in bold must be labeled
The map will begin in southern Spain in an area Santiago refers to as Andalusia. The first location is the church. From there, Santiago will travel to Tarifa, Spain. Then he will cross the Strait of Gibraltar into the next city of Tangier (in Africa). After a year there, he will head out into the desert, and his next stop will be the Oasis of Al-Fayoum. After spending some time there, he and the alchemist will proceed into the desert where he is captured and held in a military camp. After his escape, he stops at a monastery before heading on to the pyramids (and then back to Andalusia).

You will need note cards to annotate the events that take place in each location. You should have 15-20 note cards in all. Some places will require more notes than others. [see below]

The church - one note card
Tarifa - two note cards
Tangier - at least three note cards
The Oasis of Al-Fayoum - at least four note cards
The Military Camp - two note cards
The Monastery - one note card
The Pyramids - one to two note cards
Andalusia - one to two note cards (to sum up the ending)

The Alchemist Friday Mini

If you missed today's Friday Mini, HERE is a copy. For this essay, you should have read The Alchemist at least through page 35.

Journal Two for The Alchemist

Journal #2 

Recall a difficult decision that you have had to make in your life.  What was involved in the decision?  What were the circumstances leading up to (and following) the choice you had to make.  Who else did this decision affect?  In what ways were you and others affected?  If you faced this decision again today, how would you respond?  Why?

Journal One for The Alchemist

Journal #1 

In The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, the author discusses the concept of an individual’s Personal Legend.

Personal Legend: “It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend.” (Coehlo 21)

Some Questions to Address in Your Response (You don’t have to address each one)

• What is/was your Personal Legend? Consider future goals and aspirations. Give this some thought. It might not come to you right away. What did you always want to accomplish or do when you were young?
• Has your Personal Legend changed since you were younger? If so, why?
• What are you doing now to ensure your Personal Legend becomes a reality? (In other words, what steps are you taking towards your life goals?)
• Why do you think people stray from their Personal Legends?

The Alchemist

After spring break, we will begin our study of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It is a relatively short novel; however, we will only have a class set worth of copies.

If you are concerned that you will not have enough time to read in class, feel free to get a jump start online. Just follow THIS LINK.

Happy Spring Break!!!

For those of you feeling super industrious, spring break will be a great time to make up missing work. I will be handing out missing work packets today. :)

Julius Caesar DBQ (Document Based Question)

Using two of the documents provided in class, evaluate whether Brutus's decision to kill Caesar shows the bravery of a tragic hero or the ambition of a powerful man. Be sure to include the following:

• Do the ends justify the means? Was Brutus's assassination of Caesar necessary for the good of the people of Rome?
• Was Brutus a tragic hero or villain?

GATEWAY TESTING NEXT MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY!

Be sure you (or your students) are well rested and on time! =)

Digital Comic Book Makers

This week we will be bringing Act III, Scene 2 of Caesar modern using a graphic novel or comic book layout.

The following links are options for digital layouts. (You will have to register to save or print your work.)

For a cartoon look, try ToonDoo or StripGenerator
Disney Marvel with superhero characters
Disney Manga with regular characters
Make Beliefs Comics if you want a "hand-drawn" look
Use Bitstrips if you want to design your own character
Pixton (warning: more advanced...plus, makes you register before you can create anything)

Rhetoric Mini Essay

How do politicians use rhetoric to sway public opinion? Discuss the leaders in Caesar’s time and the leaders present day.

Be sure to discuss use of ethos (moral appeal) and pathos (emotional appeal).

Northern Star Mini Essay

Caesar:

I am Constant as the Northern Star

I could be well moved, if I were as you;

If I could pray to move, prayers would move me;I am constant as the northern star,

Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality

There is no fellow in the firmament.

The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks;

They are all fire and every one doth shine;

But there's but one in all doth hold his place.

So in the world, 'tis furnish'd well with men,

And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;

Yet in the number I do know but one

That unassailable holds on his rank,

Unshaked of motion; and that I am he,

Let me a little show it, even in this;

That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,

And constant do remain to keep him so. (3.1.7)

Prompt: Intransigence is the refusal to compromise or give up any ground an on issue. Caesar prides himself in having this quality, claiming that he is an unmovable object, that he will never change his mind about a decision he has made.  Do you consider this inability to compromise to be a strength or a weakness? Explain how this trait would be beneficial or harmful during your interactions with others (co-workers, classmates, teachers/administrators, etc)?

Vocabulary Quiz Thursday!

Be sure to review the vocabulary that we pulled from the article on Caesar's "Life Work." You can also practice online using the review game on my site or follow the link directly HERE.

Leadership Mini Essay

What do you look for in a leader? Are there specific skills, traits or experiences that are necessary to lead others? Do all leaders have these? Can a good leader be a bad person? How or why?

Use examples from this week's reading, your prior knowledge and examples from the world.

Dante's Inferno DBQ

To wrap up Dante's Inferno, we spent the week in class working on a document based question. Students received points for their work in class, their prewrite organizer and the paper they wrote in class on Friday.

To view a rubric on how the project was graded, click HERE.

Betrayal vs. Loyalty Essay

This is due Monday! If you have lost your copy, please download THIS ONE.

Vocabulary Quiz

The vocabulary quiz was actually yesterday, but students were given the opportunity to revise today. They were also allowed to study immediately before the quiz and given class time the day before the quiz. (Make ups are available during guided study.)

Students who studied using the online vocab game did very well! =)

Loyalty Mini

In preparation for the betrayal essay, students brainstormed what it means to be loyal. They responded to the following:

How important is loyalty to you? To your family?
How do you show your loyalty to others?
What happens if someone betrays your trust? Why? Explain...

Canto XXXIV Illustration and Short Answer

Last canto of Dante's Inferno! After reading the canto, students drew their depictions of Lucifer on THIS organizer. (The short answer questions are only available in hard copy form, so if this page is lost, a replacement will need to be picked up in class.)

Canto XXXIV Vocabulary Practice

There will be a vocabulary quiz on Thursday. Students have copies of the Canto XXXIV with highlighted vocabulary and definitions. (They were given a daily grade for completing this.)
I've also created a review game for practice:

Dante's Inferno Vocabulary - Canto XXXIV SpeedMatch Review Game

Fortune Mini Essay

In Canto VII, Dante asks Virgil to explain the nature of “Fortune.” Virgil replies that Fortune has received orders from God to transfer worldly goods between people and between nations. Her swift movements evade human understanding; thus, men should not curse her when they lose their possessions.

In the passage, Virgil describes "Fortune" as a living being (personification):

• Compare (note similarities) and contrast (note differences) Virgil's theory of fortune to your own.
• Be sure to also compare and contrast the implications regarding the abuse of fortune.

Canto VII (4th and 5th Circle) Illustrations

This week we have been studying Canto VII, which describes vivid imagery of the fourth and fifth circles of hell. For this assignment, students are to review their notes, then draw and label imagery for each circle. (Illustrations should include the labels described on the GRAPHIC ORGANIZER.)

Designing Nine Circles

In Dante's Inferno, he described nine distinct levels of hell, each worse in his perception of the offenses committed. For this assignment, students are to design their own nine circles (or levels) of offenses ranging from the least to greatest offense. Then they are to write a thirty line essay outlining their rationale for setting it up the way they did.

Canto VI Vocabulary and Study Guide

For this assignment, students need to look up the vocabulary taken from Canto VI and answer the questions that follow pertaining to the notes taken in class.

If you are missing a grade for this item, you may print out another sheet HERE.

Canto III Vocabulary Assessment

Students are allowed to use their Canto III notes to match answers. If this assessment is missing, print HERE and turn in as soon as possible.

Cantos I and III Open Note Quiz

In class, we took notes on Dante's Cantos I and III (skipping II). THIS SHORT ESSAY QUIZ was given afterward, and students were allowed to use their notes.

Lamentations Mini Essay

At the beginning of Canto III, Dante says the people in line at the gates of hell are “lamenting” or having regrets. Why?

Describe regrets you’ve had at some point in your own life.

What did you learn from these regrets?

Guide Diagram

As an addendum to the Mount of Joy project, we are analyzing special traits about our guides that prompted us to pick them as our "ghosts."

Draw three boxes and fill in with the attributes this person has that push you in the direction of your goal.

List three examples of each that directly pertain to you reaching your goal.

Mount of Joy Project

In Canto I, Dante awoke to find himself off of the "path of life" and  lost in a depressing forest. He had no hope until the sun rose, and then he could see the Mount of Joy, representing his life long goal. He headed toward it, only to thwarted by three beasts (a panther, lion and wolf), representing his obstacles. He retreated backward and ran into a ghost, Virgil, who became his guide.

For the Mount of Joy project, you will draw and label the following:

Mountain - Label according to YOUR goal
Beasts - Label according to YOUR obstacles
Sun - What gives you hope?
Forest - What depresses you?
Ghost - Who is your guide?

Gates of Hell - Mini Essay

As Dante approaches the gates of hell, much of his prose becomes symbolic. Relate this to your own life using the following prompt:

Write about how doors and doorways can be symbolic as well as literal. The act of standing outside, or going through a door can represent much more than the simple movement. What doors have opened or closed for you thus far in your life? Use examples and evidence to support your writing.

Cantos I and III

We will not have time to study every Canto of Dante's Inferno, so we will begin with I, then jump to III.

These cantos should be read and annotated with unfamiliar words and plot points that are discussed in class.

If you have misplace your copies, you may get them here: Canto I and Canto III

What is hell?

In preparation for Dante's Inferno, we are collecting our preconceived notions of what hell is like using sensory language.

If you are missing this, you may use your own paper to recreate the assignment. Begin by writing what you might see, hear, smell, touch or taste there. Then, write a story as though you are the one visiting (rather than Dante).

Sensory Language Practice

We are beginning semester two by studying Dante's Inferno. Dante uses quite a bit of sensory language in his prose. In this assignment, students practice writing a sensory paragraph using various prompts.

If you are missing this assignment, you may choose one of the prompts from THIS link and turn it in. (You do not need to print all of the prompts, only one.)

Narrative Visual Comprehension

We started back after the break with a fun assignment. The students read a story entitled "Snow Day," and they colored the details in the picture to match the details in the narrative.

If you are missing the grade for this assignment, you may make it up by printing HERE.