Week 1: Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Monday:
Introduce the Essential Questions

"Bookfiles--Frankenstein".  YouTube:BNStudio.  http://youtu.be/xS6CA9ZpWZY (1:11). 

Rime of the Ancient Mariner  and Frankenstein are all Frame Stories.  Know this Literary Term.

Robert Walton's reference to Rime of the Ancient Mariner is an Allusion.  Know this Literary Term.

Rime of the Ancient Mariner
illustrated (5.7 MB PowerPoint file)     text only

Tues-Wed:
Vocabulary for this novel:
ardent (adj form)--enthusiastic
ardour (noun form)--enthusiasm (US: ardor)
benevolence--goodness toward others
countenance--facial expression
fortnight--fourteen nights
hitherto--up until now
melancholy--depression
mutable--changeable; same root as mutation
object--goal
precipice--the edge of a cliff
singular--unique, rare
succour--life-giving assistance (US: succor)
wretch--miserable person

Read the letters (15 pgs). 

Wed-Thurs: 
Read Chs 1-2
Remember who is telling the story to whom.

Focus Question #2: What becomes of Victor's studies and what event pushes this interest further? 
Cornelius Agrippa

Focus for 2nd Quarter:
Big Ideas:
Xx  mystery, horror
Xx  supernatural
Xx  role of technology
Xx  genetic engineering
Xx  cloning
Xx  unintended consequences
Xx  appreciating human life

Themes
Technology has the potential to enhance and extend human life.

Man's fascination with creation is reflected in fact and fiction.

Scientific exploration has the potential to improve human life.

Altering human traits has unexplored consequences.

ELA 11 Michigan Merit Curriculum Requirements, Page 36

Fri  View films:
What is Transhumanism? (5:48)

Con: Transhumanists - Mad Scientists? (9:05)

Pro: Technocallypse - Transhumanism (9:51)

Week 2: Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Mon: Read:
Ch 3--Victor goes to College
Ch 4 --Victor Throws Himself into his Schoolwork & Learns the Secret

Focus Question #3 What does Victor mean when he says, "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, then he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow."  To what extent do you agree or disagree with this philosophy?

Tues: Read:
Ch 5 - Bringing the Monster to Life: The Dream and the Reality
Ch 6--Clerval comes to Ingolstadt; Victor Recovers

Focus Question #4: In what way does the poem on page 36 aid in the clarification of Victor's emotional status?

Wed:
Genre: Feature Article Know this Literary Term.

Read "Souls on Ice" Mother Jones,. OR "Research avenue adds fuel to stem cell controversy".  CNN. 

Marginalia: know this Literary Term.

Thurs: Read:
Read "You be the Judge"  and complete the activity. 

Fri:
Ch 7 - William, Victor's youngest brother, is murdered.

Focus Question #5: Oftentimes authors use the technique of letter writing in their novels.  Why do you suppose Shelley uses this technique to allow her readers to learn of William's death?

Focus Questions
What issues are involved in creating, lengthening, and bettering life?
What is technology's role in society?
When do technological solutions become new problems?
Is there a point (percentage of replacement parts) when a human being is no longer considered human?
How have humans been redefined by technological advances?

Essential Questions
What role will I play in future technology? Will I question it, consume it, or help to create it?
What price am I willing to pay for immortality?
What are the tradeoffs for technological advances?
What moral limitations do we put on the use of technology?

Week 3: Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Mon:
Read Ch 8 - The trial commences

Tues:
Review the book by watching the first 45 minutes of the film Frankenstein

Wed-Fri:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 4: Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Quotations
"Keep us human. If we're truly smart, we'll refuse to foolishly tamper with our DNA."
Bill McKibben

"I busied myself to think of a story - a story to rival those which had excited us to this task. One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature and awaken thrilling horror - one to make the reader dread to look around, to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart."
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (Introduction, 1831 edition)

"How dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge."
Victor Frankenstein, Frankenstein

"Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould me man? Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?"
John Milton, Paradise Lost
(on cover page of Frankenstein)

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, does not go away."
Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

"The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all people and all time."
George Bernard Shaw

ELA 11 Michigan Merit Curriculum Requirements, Page 37

Mon:
Read Ch 9--Victor Escapes to the Wilds

Tues:
Read Ch 10--the Monster in the Mountains

Focus Question #6: Why does Victor decide to stay with him and listen to the creature's story?

Talking to the Text Bookmark 3

Wed:
Read Ch 11--The Monster Tells His Story and 
Read Ch 12--the Monster and the Cottagers

Focus Question #7: During the creature's time in the hovel, he learns many things about life.  What areas of life does he gain insight about?

Thurs:

Fri:

Week 5: Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Mon 8:

Tues 9
Read Ch 13--The Sweet Arabian; Monster Begins to Learn
Ch 14--The DeLacy Family History

Focus Question #8: In a piece of literature, the author often creates parallel circumstances among characters and situations to create emphasis.  Why does Shelley draw such a parallel between the DeLacey family and the creature?  Answer Plan:
1. Restate question.
2. Explain the parallel that is drawn giving specific examples.
3. Explain in your opinion what is shown by this parallel.

Wed 10: Read What parental responsibility should Victor have to his creature?
· How has the DeLacey family played the role of parental figures to the creature?
· How much responsibility should parents have to the children they create?
· Do you think Victor will take on more responsibility for his creature after hearing his story?
Response Writing: Does Victor play the role of a "good parent" to his creation?

Read Ch 15 as Readers Theatre

Why is the creature able to confide in the old man?  What does this say about our society's priorities? 

Thurs 11: Read Ch 16--The Creature's Revenge

Focus Question #9 The creature is a gentle and empathetic being when he begins his lonely journey.  What events cause him to change his attitude?  What do these events say about humankind? Answer Plan
1. Restate question in form of answers.
2. Explain the events that cause him to change his attitude.
3. Explain what you think this shows about humankind and its beliefs/values.

Talking to the Text Bookmark 4

Fri 12:
Read Ch 17-The Monster's Request
Read Ch 18--A Visit to England

Appendix 30 Focus Question #10 How does Victor explain his trip to England and why does his family accept it so easily?  Answer Plan:
1. Restate question first line.
2. Give his explanation of his trip abroad.
3. Give reasons why his family accepts it so easily.
No School

Narrative Text

Genre Study
Characteristics of realistic fiction
Characteristics of science fiction

Literary Movements
- Realism
- Naturalism
- Stream of Consciousness
- Emerging Modernism
Author-study of poets from time period

Historical/Cultural
What do our actions say about our nature?
What is the role of society in Lord of the Flies and today?

Critical Perspectives
moral dilemma
social hierarchies

Narrative Text
(Continued)

Literary Elements
character study
function of major/minor characters
symbolism (universal vs. contextual) slideshare
situational irony
conflicts (internal and external)
parody (The Choral Island)
allegory (moral, social, religious) link

Literary Devices
flashbacks
figurative language, imagery
metaphor, simile, and allusion
foreshadowing
point of view
diction

Informational Text
Genre Study
Characteristics of news articles
Characteristics of  interviews
Characteristics of  reviews

Elements of a News Article
short separated, telegraphic sentences  immediately establishes subject and purpose
uses language appropriate to audience and subject
uses quotations where appropriate
minimal use of jargon
clear purpose to the information
includes only essential information
effective page layout for clarity

Elements of a Review
focuses on performance, person, product
compares key aspects of the subject with others
establishes reviewer's authority
maintains objective tone throughout
identifies and applies criteria
clarifies purpose of the review (perform, persuade)
limited in scope; includes only essential aspects
includes telling examples that support opinion
offers balanced treatment
anticipates questions and needs of audience

Text Criteria
ACT Characteristics of Complex Text