Tuesday - Teacher Away

(Hi all! I'm having trouble with my voice. I am seeing a specialist on Friday - in the meanwhile, I am to rest it a little bit - so teaching is a challenge. Please be patient as we figure it out.)

1) Library - get out THE BRICK, our text, Discovering Literature.

2) Review Symbol/Symbolism - Something that represents something else. A symbol uses an object or action or image that means something more than its literal meaning. For example, an eagle can be a symbol for freedom, independence, etc.



3) Read Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums." p. 229?


4) Discussion Questions - What are the connotations of the word flower (review connotation - make a cluster around the word flower on the board). How are the Chrysanthemums the central symbol? How does the symbol evolve?


5) Assignment - questions # 1-8

Beggar Response

Beggar Response

Your Task: Given that pan-handling/begging is a complicated issue with many perspectives and arguments, present your opinion on “spare-changing.” Should we leave them alone? Should we give them a loonie or two? Should we yell at them to get a job? In your multi-paragraph response you will also be discussing the theme (although it is really a moral) of “The Beggar,” by Anton Chekhov.

Supporting Quotes (check out the Writer’s Guide on the blog):

-         Four quotes from the story itself.

-         Quote the film, at least once.

-         Quote at least one newspaper article twice.

Works Cited:

You must cite and quote all your sources. Microsoft Word does it for you now… I’ll show you.

Due Monday. Minimum of 500 words.

Sample Introduction
Begging, as a profession, and as a blight on society, has historically provoked much heated debate. Kick them off the street! Give them social services! Ignore them! It seems that there is no clear and easy solution to what most, but not all, consider the problem of “spare-changing” ( Panhandling, 2012). After reading Chekhov’s classic tale, “The Beggar,” readers will be no more clear on what to do. We are led to believe that Skvortsov’s kindness and job provisions have saved the lazy liar, but learn, in the end, that the passive aggressive efforts of the cook are really what “saved the wretch” (Chekhov). Begging is a complex issue, and like so many complex issues, the answer may like first with an honest appraisal of the reasons people beg. Only then, will we be able to help, if help is wanted.


I'll upload the pdf of the doc soon... sorry for this quick cut and paste.

Panhandling, the Documentary

The Panhandler from Bud Galloway on Vimeo.

Begging Questions

1) About Yesterday - we weren't done.

• Body in a Box Intro. 
• Paradox Activity.
• Want to see the funny vid I promised?

2) First Reading - The Beggar

There have always been beggars. How do you react when Starvin' Marvin hits you up?

Other links to non-fiction stuff:
Polls Call for Tougher Pan-handling Laws
A Question of Giving
Begging to Differ

3) Homework - B in a B introduction... Re-read the beggar, if needed.

Tomorrow: Be ready to write about "The Beggar", in contemporary context. We'll dive into quoting and citing sources and see how it goes with a little inter-textual analysis.

(FYI: 

What is "Begging the Question?"

"Begging the question" is a form of logical fallacy in which a statement or claim is assumed to be true without evidence other than the statement or claim itself. When one begs the question, the initial assumption of a statement is treated as already proven without any logic to show why the statement is true in the first place.

A simple example would be "I think he is unattractive because he is ugly." The adjective "ugly" does not explain why the subject is "unattractive" -- they virtually amount to the same subjective meaning, and the proof is merely a restatement of the premise. The sentence has begged the question.

What is it Not?

To beg the question does not mean "to raise the question."

(from: http://begthequestion.info/)

Welcome to English 12

1) Meet the Creature.  (Quick tour of dailyenglish12)

2a) If you teach, you learn. Get up. Stand at the front of the class. We need to break down the barriers fast. Pick one word that represents you. Tell me that one word (and tell me your name while you're at it). Yup, I'm writing them down.

2b) I am a Paradox. So are you. This time tell me the truth....up, up up!

3) The Epic Outline. (Ummmm... what's an epic anyway?)

4) What Dallas Green Said and why the heck should you take English 12, anyway? - A story about how I became "friends" with Grant Lawrence (of cbc radio3 fame). No - not real friends... Twitter followers.

(Don't you love the irony of watching a badly recorded live version of this song?)

5) First Writing Sample - watch Body in Box with me. Write down what you hear. What on Earth do these lyrics have to do with this class, with me, with you?

Writing Topic: It is given that the world is complicated, that you are not going to be here forever, so what are you here for? Tell me what you want to do in this world, in this life?
Due: tomorrow. 200-300 words.

6) Info please! Netbooks to fill in spreadsheet.

It is an honour to teach you in this last year of high school. You are almost free!
In June 2012 you will be born into the world... let's get you ready! (Baby analogy - goo, goo, ga, ga)

(Hey! This lesson got mentioned on CBC radio3: http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/1/K-OS-Concert-Today-Plus-Trivia-Challenge)

DOAS - Act One

<--- Impressionistic Set

1) Reminder - get your memoirs and late work in.

2) Discussion: Expectations - what are yours? What are your parents?

3) Finish reading: Act One of DOAS.

4) Writing Assignment - response to "It's Not About You."

Tuesday and Wednesday

Remember when we started this semester I told you that it was a very unusual one as I would be pulled away frequently for responsibilities outside of my class? Well, Tuesday and Wednesday I am away on a field trip... but this is it. No more days away.

To make things productive and enjoyable, I ask that you accomplish two things each day. There will be no homework as you are preparing for GRAD! :) (However, a little quiz on the play is coming up...)

1) Read Death of a Salesman out loud for half of the class. Stop an make sure you understand what is going on. I'll review the most essential lines when I return. Please let Ms. Rae know what page we are on.

2) For the last half of each day, watch the movie, Into the Wild. The film is based on a true story. After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. His struggles with a dysfunctional family and a growing sense of disconnection lead him towards a journey of independence and extreme connection with nature. He is searching for his own version of happiness that has no relationship to money, family or traditional expectations of success (he is like Biff in some ways). Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters who shape his life. Ultimately, his personal legend is not one that inspires, instead his story becomes a cautionary tale.