Week 1: Intro to Realism and Regionalism, Dialect, and "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret HartStory Link
Mon-Tues : Take notes concerning the rise of realism and how this was influenced by the Civil War, westward expansion, and the new sciences of psychology and photography. Watch the cross-curricular PowerPoint spotlighting the differences between Romantics and Realists/Regionalists as shown through their artwork. Begin week's writing assignment.
Weekly Writing: Define Realism and Regionalism. The paper should be at least a five-paragraph essay, meaning: Paragraph 1: Introduction -when where who what Paragraphs 2-4: three points that you see as Realism and regionalism's most important beliefs. Review your notes. Do NOT focus on things that caused changes in their beliefs (technology, history); but instead focus on the beliefs themselves. Paragraph 5: Conclusion
You may chose to use these or other sources: The handbook entries in our text, both on page 1199 "The Rise of Realism" article, pgs 407-418 of our text There are also plenty of articles on the Internet: About.com, XXXAnswers.com, Stanford, Donna Campbell, etc. Encyclopedias in our library The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature XXX(810.9 in the reserved section of the library) Webster's New World Companion to American Literature XXX(820.9 in the reserved section of the library)
Big Ideas of Realism
Poetic Catalog Civil War Regionalism xxxCustoms xxxDialect Xxx Local Color Satire American culture, mid-1800s Themes Twain uses the form of satire to ridicule and rebuke the slaveholding society in Huck Finn. Every person deserves to be free. Huck learns that Jim is a true friend entitled to full human rights.
Thurs: Study the literary element of dialect using the glossary entry on pg 1192. Read: "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte, 1892. the article "American Dialects" by Gary Arpin on pg 512-514, and also by
Friday: Quiz over "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" will include the terms dialect, realism, and regionalism . Continue with paper.
Weekly Writing: Essay Option: Write an anti-war polemic specifically attacking the romanticization of war and the war hero. Creative Writing Option: Write a short story with a strong anti-war theme. It should specifically attack the romanticization of war and the war hero. Poetic Option: Write an anti-war poem specifically attacking the romanticization of war and the war hero.
Fri: quiz over "A Mystery of Heroism" and "War is Kind" by Stephen Crane , pg 494
Focus Questions How do I communicate truth? How can a person discover the truth about others?
What voice do I use to be heard? How can I influence positive changes in social behavior?
Where do I see the satire in my life?
What prejudices are we taught? How are we products of society?
What is my responsibility for my own actions?
Why is the teaching of Huck Finn so controversial? Is Huck a racist? Should Huck Finn remain required core literature in American Literature classes? How have criticisms of the book changed from its 1885 publication to now?
Essential Questions What compromises of my integrity will I make in order to be accepted?
Week 3: "To Build a Fire" by Jack London,pg 497-508, Biography on pg 495 Online Textbook
Mon: Each student will find an Internet picture that exemplifies each word's meaning. The student must then copy and paste the pictures into a PowerPoint show prepared by the teacher. Beginning this week, this assignment will also include finding synonyms and antonyms for words. Vocabulary ensued excruciating extremities imperative imperceptible intangible protruding recoiled solidity undulations
Tues-Wed: Study the literary element of foreshadowing using the article on pg 673 and the glossary entry on pg 1194.
Weekly Writing: Creative Writing Option: Write a short story involving the dangers of nature. Nature must appear as an impersonal, uncaring force. Essay Option: In the story, a man who thinks is contrasted with a dog that follows its instinct without thinking. Describe how the man and dog differ in the way they approach the great cold of the Yukon. Essay Option: Write an essay showing that the man in the story is operating with a Romantic image of the individual, but faces an uncaring, impersonal nature of the Realists.
Weekly Writing Option 2: Freedoms and Limitations Write a five-paragraph essay that examines both the freedoms and the limits on freedom that Huck experienced in different situations. Answer Plan: 1. Introductory Paragraph: Explain the idea that different situations provide both freedoms and limitations on freedoms. 2. Three Body Paragraphs: Write a short paragraph on each of the following situations Huck experienced. For each situation Huck was in, give specific examples of the freedoms he enjoyed while there and limitations on freedom he experienced while there: XXX a. Living with Miss Watson XXX b. Living with Pap XXX c. Living on Jackson Island 3. Conclusion Paragraph: Decide which of these three situations gave Huck the most personal freedom.
Tue: Read Chs 1-3 of Huckleberry Finn Several of the characters in this book try to make Huck into what they think he should be. Print off the Character Influence Chart and in small groups fill it out for Widow Douglas. Fill in the rest by yourself.
Thurs: Read Huck Finn Ch 6 Huck is Kidnapped Ch 7 Huck Escapes Quiz over Chs 1-7
Mon: Read Huck Finn Chs 9-11 Read "The Hunters of Men" by Whittier Create a wanted poster for a historical figure. Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. Malcolm X, Nelson Mandella, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw Caesar Chavez, Susan B. Anthony
Thurs: Weekly Writing: Using Chapter 16 from the book, the excerpt from the Fugitive Slave Law, and your charts to guide your thinking, describe a situation from your own life or one that you have read or heard about when a decision made had moral, financial and/or legal consequences.
Friday: "Feud Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer"
"The Hatfields and the McCoys"
"West Coast Rappers vs. East Coast Rappers"
Week 6: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mon: In Chapter 17, Huck is taken in by the Grangerford family and spends quite a bit of time describing in detail the gaudy eccentricities of the house and its furnishings. To Huck, this symbolizes status and what it means to be successful. Short Writing Assignment: · Do you agree with Huck's view of success? · What is considered status in today's society? · How is status related to personal happiness?
Tues: Read Ch 18
Read Appendix 26-27, Feud Stories. "Isn't It Ironic" Appendix 29 Use Read Appendix 25 Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer
Fri: Weekly Writing: Feuds Central Question: Are the costs of winning the battle ever too high? When is it better to not continue to fight?
Answer Plan: 1. Introductory Paragraph: Explain the idea of a feud and the general idea of the costs and benefits of winning. 2. Three Body Paragraphs: Write a short paragraph on each of the following feuds: XXX a. "The Hatfields and the McCoys," XXX b. history of Rap in the USA XXX c. Grangerfords and the Shepardsons in Chapter 18 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn XXX d. Another feud that you know about 3. Conclusion Paragraph: Identify what should be learned about feuds from these texts.
