Term 4 bellringers:
DOL - Correct the following: I take for granite people's poor grammer. More pacifically how they try to sound smart. Exspecially on Twitter. Idiot.
Vocabulary: (Remember to restate/explain the new word in your own words, draw a non-linguistic symbol or picture representing the word, AND write the formal definition of the word)
Which is more important to a good book — a happy ending, an amazing setting, a believable plot, or a likable main character? Why? Rank them in terms of importance and explain
DOL - Correct the following: rev murphy their minister has worked in churches in australia guatemala and sri lanka
Vocabulary:
DOL - Correct the following: our english teacher may of saw millers death of a salesman an awfully powerfully play at the Shubert theater in new york
Vocabulary:
Vocabulary: (Remember to restate/explain the new word in your own words, draw a non-linguistic symbol or picture representing the word, AND write the formal definition of the word)
- Crux
- Illogical
- Agnostics
- Indolence
- Credible
- Imperceptible
Which is more important to a good book — a happy ending, an amazing setting, a believable plot, or a likable main character? Why? Rank them in terms of importance and explain
DOL - Correct the following: rev murphy their minister has worked in churches in australia guatemala and sri lanka
Vocabulary:
- Tomfoolery
- Acuity
- Implored
- Parched
- Venerable
- Contrite
DOL - Correct the following: our english teacher may of saw millers death of a salesman an awfully powerfully play at the Shubert theater in new york
Vocabulary:
- Akin
- Tremulous
- Subjective
- Objective
- Analogy
- Mettle
Term 3 bellringers:
1. Multiple mentions of the color white are made throughout Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby. What is the denotation of the color white? What are the connotations of the color? Why is white such a prominent color throughout the chapter, and what is Fitzgerald suggesting about the characters and settings he introduces? Is the color used literally or figuratively throughout the chapter? Give examples from the text to support your answer.
2. The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are mentioned multiple times in Chapter 2. What are those eyes (hint: they're not literal) and what larger concept could you argue they represent (think symbolism)
3. Throughout Chapter 2, people share many different theories of who Gatsby is and where he comes from. List some of these theories (use direct quotes) and then share your opinion — is Gatsby more likely to become the hero or the villain of the story? Use at least one direct quote to support your stance
4. In Chapter 4, Gatsby's complex history with Daisy is revealed. From what you read about Daisy's behavior the night before her wedding, what do you think the letter she received said? Why do you think Daisy chose to get married after telling others that she wanted to call it off?
5. Interpret the following passage — what does it mean and how do you think it will be significant later on? "There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams — not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything . . . no amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart" (95-96)
6. Jay Gatsby is a product of reinvention in that he created himself. Is it possible to reinvent yourself while still being yourself? Can you walk away from your past entirely or only hide what used to be? Do people reinvent themselves for them or for other people? Which motive spurred Gatsby's reinvention? How far is too far when it comes to reinvention, and can it become destructive? Is Gatsby's belief that you can repeat the past tied to his own reinvention, and if so, how? Use the text to support your answers.
7. At what point in Chapter 7 did Daisy choose between Tom and Gatsby? See if you can find the moment. You must defend your answer with textual evidence.
8. The end of Gatsby's story may not be satisfying to readers, but from what you know of the character, was any other ending possible? Explain why or why not, and you must include evidence from the text to support your answer. What is Fitzgerald saying about dreams — perhaps even the American Dream — with the ending of Gatsby's story?
9. "so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." These are the last words in The Great Gatsby. What do you think these words mean, and how is that meaning shown in Gatsby's story? Do you think these words are true? Give examples from the text and your own life as you answer the question.
10. What is great about the Great Gatsby? (The man, not the book.) What is your opinion of Gatsby now that you have finished the novel? How truly great was he and why? What makes a person great in your opinion? The world's opinion? Nick's opinion?
Term 1 bellringers:
August 24/25:
September 8/9:
September 10/11:
September 14/15:
Hester or Chillingworth
Four words that describe
Family relation (mother of)
Who feels…
Believer in…
Protective of…
Who needs…
Who fears…
Who gives…
Example:
Young Goodman Brown
Weak, susceptible to temptation, judgmental, sinner
Husband of Faith
Who feels shame at sinning and horror at finding that all people are sinners
Believer in Faith—until he finds that she is also a sinner
Protective of his family name and those he believes in
Who needs to forgive, recognize guilt in himself, and understand repentance
Who fears the sin he sees in everyone around him
Who gives nothing but judgment until the day he dies
September 16/17:
September 18/21:
New set of bellringers:
September 22/23:
September 24/25:
September 28/29:
(Answer however many you need to in order to reach 1/2 a page)
September 30/October 1:
"It is to the credit of human nature, that, expect where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed by love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility."
Translate that into simple English — what does it mean? What words don't you know? Do you agree or disagree, and why?
October 2/5:
"In our nature, however, there is a provision, alike marvelous and merciful, that the sufferer should never know the intensity of what he endures by its present torture, but chiefly by the pang that rankles after it."
Translate this into simple English — what does it mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
October 6/7:
"To the untrue man, the whole world is false — it is impalpable — it shrinks to nothing within his grasp. And he himself in so far as he shows himself in a false light, becomes a shadow, or, indeed, ceases to exist."
Translate this into simple English. Do you agree or disagree, and why do you feel that way?
October 9/12:
"It contributes greatly towards a man's moral and intellectual health to be brought into habits of companionship with individuals unlike himself, who care little for his pursuits and whose sphere and abilities he must go out of himself to appreciate."
Translate this into simple English. What does it mean? Do you agree or disagree and why?
October 14/20:
Aside from our desire to torture you — obviously that's a given — why do we have the 11th graders read "The Scarlet Letter"? What can you learn from that book? What lessons should you take away from it? What broader themes does it share that are applicable to your life? Did it have a concrete effect (i.e. did you expand your vocabulary)? What abstract and concrete things could you have learned, even if you hated every second of reading the book?
October 21/22:
Why are you here? Why do you come to school? What do you hope to accomplish with your 3 years spent in the exact same building? Now, look at your answer — are you satisfied with it? If you were a parent and your child just wrote that, would you be happy? What does education mean to you?
October 22/23:
Can one person really, truly have a massive impact on other people or society? Can you think of an example to support your answer? What does it mean to "have an impact"? What qualities does a person need to have or develop in order to challenge society and its flaws?
1. Multiple mentions of the color white are made throughout Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby. What is the denotation of the color white? What are the connotations of the color? Why is white such a prominent color throughout the chapter, and what is Fitzgerald suggesting about the characters and settings he introduces? Is the color used literally or figuratively throughout the chapter? Give examples from the text to support your answer.
2. The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are mentioned multiple times in Chapter 2. What are those eyes (hint: they're not literal) and what larger concept could you argue they represent (think symbolism)
3. Throughout Chapter 2, people share many different theories of who Gatsby is and where he comes from. List some of these theories (use direct quotes) and then share your opinion — is Gatsby more likely to become the hero or the villain of the story? Use at least one direct quote to support your stance
4. In Chapter 4, Gatsby's complex history with Daisy is revealed. From what you read about Daisy's behavior the night before her wedding, what do you think the letter she received said? Why do you think Daisy chose to get married after telling others that she wanted to call it off?
5. Interpret the following passage — what does it mean and how do you think it will be significant later on? "There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams — not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything . . . no amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart" (95-96)
6. Jay Gatsby is a product of reinvention in that he created himself. Is it possible to reinvent yourself while still being yourself? Can you walk away from your past entirely or only hide what used to be? Do people reinvent themselves for them or for other people? Which motive spurred Gatsby's reinvention? How far is too far when it comes to reinvention, and can it become destructive? Is Gatsby's belief that you can repeat the past tied to his own reinvention, and if so, how? Use the text to support your answers.
7. At what point in Chapter 7 did Daisy choose between Tom and Gatsby? See if you can find the moment. You must defend your answer with textual evidence.
8. The end of Gatsby's story may not be satisfying to readers, but from what you know of the character, was any other ending possible? Explain why or why not, and you must include evidence from the text to support your answer. What is Fitzgerald saying about dreams — perhaps even the American Dream — with the ending of Gatsby's story?
9. "so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." These are the last words in The Great Gatsby. What do you think these words mean, and how is that meaning shown in Gatsby's story? Do you think these words are true? Give examples from the text and your own life as you answer the question.
10. What is great about the Great Gatsby? (The man, not the book.) What is your opinion of Gatsby now that you have finished the novel? How truly great was he and why? What makes a person great in your opinion? The world's opinion? Nick's opinion?
Term 1 bellringers:
August 24/25:
- If you broke the law and were given a choice between life in prison and being put to death, which would you choose? What if life in prison meant solitary confinement? Would that change your decision? Which of the options is the most cruel, in your opinion?
- How would you define mercy? How would you define justice? Should the two work together, or are they separate things? Did the town leaders choose mercy or justice when they decided to make Hester wear the scarlet letter rather than sentencing her to death?
- Rev. Dimmesdale tells Hester, "Though he were to step down from a high place, and stand there beside thee on they pedestal of shame, yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life." Do you think that's true? Is Hester punishing the father by staying silent, or is he punishing himself? Why won't the father speak up? What do you think of the father?
- If you could somehow take a sin or a broken law and - like a Disney character - put it in human form, what would it look like? How would a human sin/broken law behave? What would it wear? How would it act? What would it become? Feel free to describe and then draw your broken law/sin
- Do you think children reflect their circumstances and/or parents? Do you see traits of your parents or relatives in yourself, for better or worse? Are there traits you'd be happy to inherit or ones you'd rather avoid? Are we all products of nature (born this way!) or nurture (the way we are raised)?
September 8/9:
- Have you ever met a "poisonous" person? These are, perhaps, the type of people who harm you spiritually, emotionally, or physically. How do you recognize these people - what are the signs - and how can/should you react?
September 10/11:
- What do you think Rev. Dimmesdale's scarlet letter looks liked? Carved into his flesh? Burned from inside his heart out? Branded into the skin? Is it fabric, like Hester's? Does it even exist? Is it imaginary? Is he crazy? What do you think, and why?
September 14/15:
- Complete this poem using either Hester or Chillingworth, along with information from the book. Use chapters 13 and 14 to help:
Hester or Chillingworth
Four words that describe
Family relation (mother of)
Who feels…
Believer in…
Protective of…
Who needs…
Who fears…
Who gives…
Example:
Young Goodman Brown
Weak, susceptible to temptation, judgmental, sinner
Husband of Faith
Who feels shame at sinning and horror at finding that all people are sinners
Believer in Faith—until he finds that she is also a sinner
Protective of his family name and those he believes in
Who needs to forgive, recognize guilt in himself, and understand repentance
Who fears the sin he sees in everyone around him
Who gives nothing but judgment until the day he dies
September 16/17:
- Part 1: Can you find similar topics in "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Scarlet Letter"? List some
- Part 2: What interests you the most in "The Scarlet Letter" and "Young Goodman Brown"? The depictions of the devil? Hawthorne's fascination with sin and guilt? The Puritan culture? Hester's feminism? Saying "nothing" will get you zero points...
September 18/21:
- Seeing something from someone else's point of view is one of the hardest skills to learn, particularly if you disagree with that view. Try to understand Dimmesdale's choice from HIS view. Why is he right not to reveal his sin? What could some consequences be if he did? Justify his choices - why was it good and/or necessary for him to keep his secret?
New set of bellringers:
September 22/23:
- Chapter 20 in "The Scarlet Letter" says, "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true." What do you think this statement means? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
September 24/25:
- When the devil sees his sinners being unwilling to own up to the relationship, he will force the truth to come out, according to Mistress Hibbins. Make your predictions - how will "The Scarlet Letter" end? What happens to Hester? Pearl? Dimmesdale? Chillingworth?
- If you know how it ends, what do you think about the ending? Does it match what you may have predicted?
September 28/29:
(Answer however many you need to in order to reach 1/2 a page)
- Hester and Dimmesdale were buried next to each other, but not touching – what do you think that means?
- The pair were buried under their own invented coat of arms, which consisted of a black shield with a scarlet A on it – what do you think that means?
- Why would Hawthorne choose to give them their own coat of arms?
- What do you think the central message of the book is?
- To go back to the first-ever bellringer – which is worse, living a life with your shame out in the open, or living a life of secret guilt?
September 30/October 1:
"It is to the credit of human nature, that, expect where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed by love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility."
Translate that into simple English — what does it mean? What words don't you know? Do you agree or disagree, and why?
October 2/5:
"In our nature, however, there is a provision, alike marvelous and merciful, that the sufferer should never know the intensity of what he endures by its present torture, but chiefly by the pang that rankles after it."
Translate this into simple English — what does it mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
October 6/7:
"To the untrue man, the whole world is false — it is impalpable — it shrinks to nothing within his grasp. And he himself in so far as he shows himself in a false light, becomes a shadow, or, indeed, ceases to exist."
Translate this into simple English. Do you agree or disagree, and why do you feel that way?
October 9/12:
"It contributes greatly towards a man's moral and intellectual health to be brought into habits of companionship with individuals unlike himself, who care little for his pursuits and whose sphere and abilities he must go out of himself to appreciate."
Translate this into simple English. What does it mean? Do you agree or disagree and why?
October 14/20:
Aside from our desire to torture you — obviously that's a given — why do we have the 11th graders read "The Scarlet Letter"? What can you learn from that book? What lessons should you take away from it? What broader themes does it share that are applicable to your life? Did it have a concrete effect (i.e. did you expand your vocabulary)? What abstract and concrete things could you have learned, even if you hated every second of reading the book?
October 21/22:
Why are you here? Why do you come to school? What do you hope to accomplish with your 3 years spent in the exact same building? Now, look at your answer — are you satisfied with it? If you were a parent and your child just wrote that, would you be happy? What does education mean to you?
October 22/23:
Can one person really, truly have a massive impact on other people or society? Can you think of an example to support your answer? What does it mean to "have an impact"? What qualities does a person need to have or develop in order to challenge society and its flaws?