Monday, March 2 ~ Villanelle's are not too hard to master...

MEMORIZATION ("If" Stanzas 1-2 Quiz on Block Day!)
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;


Journal 26: Interstellar Villanelle

• Why would you guess the speaker is giving advice to his father? 
• How would you summarize the message of the poem in one sentence?
• Name at least two other poetic devices or other structural features contribute to the message of the poem and how? 
• How does the refrain contribute to the message of the poem?
• Write a thesis to satisfy the SAT Prompt: What does the poem mean and how you know based on the text? (Your essay should not explain whether you agree with the message of the poem, but rather explain how the author clearly makes his/her message.)

"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.


HW: Journal 27: Independent Practice with "The Waking"

1. Describe the effect of the refrain in this poem.
2. What is the "another thing to do to you and me" in lines 13-14?
3. Write a thesis in response to the SAT Prompt: What does the poem mean and how does the writer convey that meaning within the text? 

"The Waking" by Theodore Roethke

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

I feel my fate in what I cannot fear. 

I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?

I hear my being dance from ear to ear.

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?

God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there, 

And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?

The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do

To you and me; so take the lively air,

And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.

What falls away is always. And is near.

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

I learn by going where I have to go.

Block Day, Feb. 27-28 ~ GOSPEL and the Villanelle Form

"If" Stanza ONE Quiz (Move on to J23 when you finish)

Journal 23: "G.O.S.P.E.L." by Propaganda (CLICK HERE)

1. Featured Device: Connotation What do you think is the power or connotation? List five words from "Gospel" that would not be as effective if they were replaced by another word that  shared the same denotation. For example...if he had used the word "squished" instead of "crushed" in the first line, the effect would remind you of a jellyfish rather than a powerful force.

2-18. Find the devices in the lyrics below.

"G.O.S.P.E.L."

It's the full story of life crushed into four minutes
the entirety of humanity in the palm of your hand, crushed into one sentence
listen, it's intense right (2)
God. Our. Sins. Paying. Everyone. Life.
The greatest story that’s hardly ever told: GOD. Yes. GOD.
The Maker and Giver of Life and by Life I mean any and all manner of substance. (3)
Seen and Unseen. What Can and Can’t Be Touched
Thoughts, Image, Emotions, Love, Atoms and Oceans (4)
GOD.

All of it His handiwork, one of which His Masterpiece,
made so uniquely that Angels look curiously.
The one thing in Creation that was made in His imagery,
a concept so old, it’s the reason I stay bold
GOD breathed into man and he became a living soul,
Formed with the intent of being an infinitely, intimately fond
Creator and Creation held in eternal bond, (5)
And it was placed in perfect paradise till something went wrong.
The species got deceived and started lusting for his job,
an odd list of complaints.Something ain’t working,
and used that same breath He graciously gave us to curse Him. (6)
And that sin seed spread through our soul’s genome, (7)
And by the nature of our nature, your species, you participated in the mutiny. (8)
Our – yes, our sins separate us from GOD.

It’s nature inherited. Blacken the human heart. (9)
It’s over before it started.
Deceived from Day One and led away by our own lust.
There’s not a religion in the world that doesn’t agree that something’s wrong with us.
The question is, what is it and how do we fix it?
Are we eternally separated from a GOD that may or may not have existed?
But that’s another subject.
Let’s keep grinding.
Besides, trying to prove GOD exists is like defending a lion hommie (10)
He don’t need the help.
Just unlock the cage. (11)
Let’s move on, on how our debt can be paid.

Short and sweet:
The problem is sin, yes sin.
It’s a cancer, an asthma, choking out our life force, (12)
forcing separation from a perfect and Holy GOD.
The only way to get back is to get back to perfection but, silly us…
Trying to pass the course of life without referring to a syllabus…this is us. (13)
Heap up your good deeds – chant, pray, meditate.
All of that, of course, is spraying cologne on a corpse.
Or you could choose to ignore it, as if something don’t stink.
It’s like stepping in dog poop and refusing to wipe your shoe,
But all of that ends with how good is good enough?
Take your silly list of good deeds and line them up with perfection – good luck!
That’s life past your pay grade.
The cost of your soul? You don’t got a big enough piggy bank, (14)
but you can give it a shot.
But I suggest you throw away the list
because even your good acts are an extension of your selfishness,
But here’s where it gets interesting,
I hope your closely listening,
and don’t get it twisted. It’s what makes our faith unique.
Here’s what GOD says in Part A of the Gospel,
You can’t fix yourself. Quit trying. It’s impossible.
Sin brings death. Give GOD His breath back. You owe him.
Eternally separated and the only way to fix it is for someone to die in your place.
That someone got to be perfect, or the payment ain’t permanent, (15)
So if and when you find a perfect person,
get him or her to willingly trade their perfection for your sin and indebtment.
Clearly, since the only one that can meet GOD’s criteria, is GOD.
GOD sent Himself as Jesus to pay the cost for us.
His righteousness, His debt functions as payment.
Yes, payment. (16)

He wrote a check with His Life but, at the Resurrection we all cheer,
because that means the check cleared
Pierced feet, pierced hands – blood-stained Son of Man, (17)
Fullness, forgiveness, free passage into The Promised Land.
That same breath that GOD brings into us, GOD gave up to redeem us.

Anyone and everyone, and by everyone, I mean everyone (18)
who puts faith and trust in Him and Him
alone can have full confidence of GOD’s forgiveness.
And here’s what the promise is:
That you are guaranteed full access to return to perfect unity
by simply believing in Christ and Christ alone. You are receiving Life. Yes. Life.
This is the gospel...

God. Our. Sins. Paying. Everyone. Life. (All the references to these words 19)

Journal 24: Villanelle Form

EQ: How can we use format to figure out what the writer is expressing? 

Notes  

• Villanelle: A French verse form consisting of five three-line stanzas and a final quatrain, with the first and third lines of the first stanza repeating alternately in the following stanzas. These two refrain lines form the final couplet in the quatrain (The Poetry Foundation).  The form is newer than Sonnet and has mostly been employed in modern times. 
• Etymology
• Italian: villanella: rustic song
• Italian: villano: peasant
• Latin: villanus: farmhand 
• Yes, this word is related to villain; bru, ha,ha!

• Some Key Ideas to Consider with a Villanelle
• Any poem featuring a repetition or refrain has special qualities:
• How does each instance of the refrain add meaning to the poem?  Perhaps it doesn't, but a great poem builds meaning.  Refrains aren't simply included for the sake of form.  Decide what the refrain means each time you see it.
• Does the refrain change at all?  Even by one word?  That is important; consider how the change nuances previously building meaning (synonymous, synthetic, or antithetic?).  

Journal 25: Villanelle Practice ~ Elizabeth Bishop (1911–1979)

• "One Art" Ask yourself: What is the art?  Is it hard to master?  Has the speaker mastered it?  How do you know?
• Short Answer: How does the villanelle format help you to understand what she means?
• Short Answer: What devices could you use to build a case that you understand this poem? Describe. 

Wednesday, Feb. 26 ~ "When Love Arrives"

Announcement: No homework tonight. We will finish this assignment tomorrow in class. However, we do have "IF" Stanza One Quiz on block day.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

 Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

 But make allowance for their doubting too.

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

 Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

 And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

POETRY 
Go over Journals 20 & 21

JOURNAL 22: "When Love Arrives"

1-10. Identify all of the underlined/marked devices.
11. What is the benefit of the repetition and parallelism?
12. What is love a metaphor for? Why use it?   
13. What is the poem's message about love?
14. What is the tone of this poem? Mood?   

"When Love Arrives"
I knew exactly what love looked like – in seventh grade

Even though I hadn’t met love yet, if love had wandered into my homeroom, I (1.  ?  )

would’ve recognized him at first glance. Love wore a hemp necklace. 

I would’ve recognized her at first glance, love wore a tight french braid. (2.   ?  )

Love played acoustic guitar and knew all my favorite Beatles songs.

Love wasn’t afraid to ride the bus with me.

And I knew, I just must be searching the wrong classrooms, just must be checking 

the wrong hallways, she was there, I was sure of it.

If only I could find him.

But when love finally showed up, she had a bowl cut.

He wore the same clothes every day for a week.

Love hated the bus. 

Love didn’t know anything about The Beatles.

Instead, every time I tried to kiss love, our teeth got in the way.

Love became the reason I lied to my parents. I’m going to- Ben’s house.

Love had terrible rhythm on the dance floor, but made sure we never missed a slow song. (3.   ?  )

Love waited by the phone because she knew if her father picked up it would be: 

“Hello? Hello? I guess they hung up.”

And love grew, stretched like a trampoline. 

Love changed. Love disappeared, 

Slowly, like baby teeth, losing parts of me I thought I needed.

Love vanished like an amateur magician, and everyone could see the trapdoor but me. (4.  ?  )

Like a flat tire, there were other places I planned on going, but my plans didn’t matter. (5.  ?  )

Love stayed away for years, and when love finally reappeared, I barely recognized him.

Love smelt different now, had darker eyes, a broader back, love came with freckles I didn’t recognize.

New birthmarks, a softer voice. (6.  ?  )

Now there were new sleeping patterns, new favorite books.

Love had songs that reminded him of someone else, songs love didn’t like to listen to. So did I.

But we found a park bench that fit us perfectly

We found jokes that make us laugh.

And now, love makes me fresh homemade chocolate chip cookies.(7.  ?  )

But love will probably finish most of them for a midnight snack.

Love looks great in lingerie but still likes to wear her retainer. 

Love is a terrible driver, but a great navigator.

Love knows where she’s going, it just might take her two hours longer than she planned. (8.  ?  )

Love is messier now, not as simple.

Love uses the word “boobs” in front of my parents. 

Love chews too loud.

Love leaves the cap off the toothpaste.

Love uses smiley faces in her text messages.

And turns out, love shits!

But love also cries.

And love will tell you you are beautiful and mean it, over and over again. “You are beautiful.”

When you first wake up, “you are beautiful.”

When you’ve just been crying, “you are beautiful.”

When you don’t want to hear it, “you are beautiful.”

When you don’t believe it, “you are beautiful.”

When nobody else will tell you, “you are beautiful.”

Love still thinks you are beautiful.

But love is not perfect and will sometimes forget, when you need to hear it most, you are beautiful, do not forget this. (9.   ?  )

Love is not who you were expecting, love is not who you can predict.

Maybe love is in New York City, already asleep;

You are in California, Australia, wide awake.

Maybe love is always in the wrong time zone.

Maybe love is not ready for you.

Maybe you are not ready for love.

Maybe love just isn’t the marrying type.

Maybe the next time you see love is twenty years after the divorce, love is older now, but just as beautiful as you remembered. 

Maybe love is only there for a month.

Maybe love is there for every firework, every birthday party, every hospital visit.

Maybe love stays- maybe love can’t.

Maybe love shouldn’t.

Love arrives exactly when love is supposed to,
And love leaves exactly when love must.
When love arrives, say, "Welcome. Make yourself comfortable."(10.  ?  )
If love leaves, ask her to leave the door open behind her.
Turn off the music, listen to the quiet, and whisper,
"Thank you for stopping by." 

HW: Not tonight. Go to the event, Under the Stars! We'll finish this tomorrow in class. However, we do have Stanza 1 quiz (we will practice before we take it).

Tuesday, Feb.25 ~ "Honest"

Stanza ONE Quiz on Block Day 2/27-28
Can you memorize the next two lines?

"If" by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

 Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

 But make allowance for their doubting too.

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

 Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

 And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

Carousel Walk: Your goal is to make sure that you can identify the device within each example. You are welcome to take notes, but it is not required.

Journal 20: Billy Collins (Practice together outloud)

1. Identification: First name all the devices in the poem below.
2. Short Answer: Consider Collins' use of random stanzas. Why do you think he chose to split up the text this way? Does it add anything to the meaning or rhythm of the poem?

"Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins

 I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light(1)
like a color slide(2)

or press an ear against its hive.(3)


I say drop a mouse into a poem(4)
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room(5)
and feel the walls for a light switch.


I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.


But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.(6)

They begin beating it with a hose(7)
to find out what it really means.

Today's Featured Device- Enjambment- from a French word enjambment, means to step over or put legs across. In poetry it can be defined as a thought or sentence that does not come to an end at the line break but continues on to the next line. Why do poets use this feature? Where do you see it in the first stanza of "If"?

HW: Journal 21: "Honest"

• Identify all the numbered devices in the poem.

"Honest" by Rudy Francisco

Dear hands, I get it.
You like writing poems,

But you can't bring a metaphor to a gun fight.*

Dear eyes,

There are things that I would tell you  (1)

But we both know how terrible you are at keeping secrets. (2)

Dear heart

I trust you

Don’t **** this up

Dear hands, I said I know

That you like writing poetry,

But you can't bring a metaphor to a gun fight.*

Dear legs

Walking is the easy part

Now find a reason.

Dear Brain

You’re a good listener

But you give terrible relationship advice.

Dear hands, I know    (all the bold 3)

That you like writing poetry,

But you can't bring a metaphor to a gun fight.

I was born on July 27th, I hear that makes me a Leo
I don't really know what that means

I'm 5 foot 6... and a half. I weigh a hundred and forty-five pounds.

I don't know how to swim, and I'm a sucker for a girl with a nice smile

And clean sneakers. (4)

I'm still learning how to whisper

I'm often loud in places where I should be quiet

I'm often quiet in places where I should be loud (5)

I was born feet first and I've been backwards ever since (6)

I like ginger ale...

a lot.

I've been told that I give really bad hugs

People say that it feels like I'm trying to escape
Sometimes it's because I am, and secretly I get really nervous (7)
Every time someone gets close enough to hear me breathe.

I have this odd fascination with things like sand castles and ice sculptures
I assume it's because I usually find myself dedicating time to things
That will only last a few moments

That's also why I tend to fall in love with women

Who would never love me back

I know it sounds crazy, but it's actually much easier than it seems

And to be honest, I think it's safer that way

See relationships, they often remind me that I'm not afraid of heights or falling

But I'm scared of what's gonna happen

The moment that my body hits the ground

I'm clumsy. Yesterday, I tripped over my self-esteem (8)

I landed on my pride and it shattered like an iPhone with a broken face (9)

Now I can't even tell who's trying to give me a compliment

I've never been in the military, but I have this Purple Heart (10)

I got it from beating myself up over things I can't fix

I know it sounds weird but sometimes,

I wonder what my bed sheets say about me when I'm not around (11)

I wonder what the curtains would do if they found out

About all the things that I've done behind their backs

I've got a hamper that's overflowing with really, really loud mistakes

And a graveyard in my closet, I'm afraid that if I let you see my skeletons

You'll grind my bones into powder (12) and get high on my fault lines (13)

Hi, my name is Rudy

I enjoy frozen yogurt, people watching

And laughing for absolutely no reason at all

But I don't allow myself to cry as often as I need to

I have solar-powered confidence, I have a battery-operated smile (14)

My hobbies include editing my life story, hiding behind metaphors

And trying to convince my shadow that I'm someone worth following (15)

I don't know much, but I do know this

I know that heaven is full of music

I know God listens to my heart beat on his iPod

It reminds him that we still got work to do.

Monday, Feb.24 ~ Finish Posters!

Today's Schedule: 

"If" is coming....


Discuss our Inquiry Statement:

• When communication employs both purpose and artistry, it is more likely to become a turning point in society or even history. 

Discuss Journal 19

Finish Posters (Due by end of flex tomorrow!)

Block Day, Feb.20-21 ~ Poetry Begins

Confused Words Quiz

Journal 19: What is Poetry?
1) How do you define what poetry is to our society today? (make sure you include what qualifies as poetry).
2) Does society need poetry/poets?
3) Can poetic expression be more powerful than a conversation or speech on the same topic? When?
4) What is your gut reaction to studying poetry? Explain.

Poetry Posters 
*Click here to remember which term your group was assigned.
*Due end of class on Monday
*Work in partners or groups of three
*Resource: Quizlet

Your Posters should teach the term to other students!

Posters must include:

• The Term (from quizlet)
• The definition (from quizlet)
• Example lines or a stanza (paragraph) of poetry that includes the device. You can write this or find an example online. 
• An image that helps to teach the device or illustrates the example. 
• Extra poster board on table; supplies are in the gray cabinet.

If time, use the Journals tab to make sure your journals are complete.

HW: Bring anything you need to finish your poster in class on Monday. 

100 Mountains Presentations Feb. 12-19

Wednesday, Feb.12: Mrs. West's Presentation


Block Day, Feb.13-14: Just Eat it and other fun


Monday, Feb.17: No School


Tuesday, Feb.18: Presentations


Wednesday, Feb.19: Presentations


Block Day: ?????

Tuesday, Feb.11 ~ To the end now!

Good/Well

Mini-Fishbowl 3: Identity & Writer choices

Timeline check?

J22: 225-255 end!

HW: Who is presenting on block day?

Monday, Feb.10 ~ Fishbowl #2: Laws & Systems

GRAMMAR

• Than/Then

ACROSS A HUNDRED MOUNTAINS

• Project Due Dates
• RENARD Project Due Date Sign up
• Rubric
• Mini-fishbowl 2: Laws & Systems
• SKIP 201-202
• READ: Pages 203-224 (or to the finish if you like)

HW

• Read to page 224.

Block Day, Feb. 6-7 ~ Immigration Mini-Fishbowl #1

HOUSEKEEPING

• Research Papers Back ~ Could you have done this at the beginning of the year? 
• EQ: How is this a transferable skill? (or an Approach to Learning if you want to be IB fancy pants!)

GRAMMAR: Who/Whom

• Explanation
• Excercise

PROJECT OPTIONS:

1. For the Artist
Create a product that examines part of our story and explores a deeper meaning beyond the text. You may use any medium. For example a painting, sculpture, collage, graphic, advertisement, ink art, etc… 2. Just Do It! Identify a theme or lesson from the novel that you think people could use. Find a way to enact that theme so that at least five people are affected in a positive way. Document what you did and what happens as a result, so that you can inspire others to do something equally meaningful. Share with the class via a multi- media presentation or demonstration.

3. Just Eat It! Trace your own immigration story. Who in your family first came to the U.S.? Tell us the story via a 5-8 minute speech while we eat an authentic dish you have prepared to help us “taste the history” of your family. Old photographs or other graphic representations are also a plus!

4. Why the Switchbacks Write an essay or create a presentation to analyze Reyna Grande’s style of switching back and forth between Juana and Adelina chapters. How does this style add depth to the novel? Would the novel have been better if told as two separate stories? How is meaning gained when a Juana chapter is paired with an Adelina chapter with a similar theme? (ie: both have sleeping problems, or both have a father in L.A., etc…)

5. Get a Real Story Find a person who has immigrated. Interview them to find out what factors inspired the move, the process of coming, the experience after, any challenges they faced, and their final advice to a person thinking about immigrating. Plan your interview questions ahead of time and then video tape the interview for the class viewing later. Time limit 5-7 minutes.

6. A Story Retold Write your own short story or epic poem to convey a theme from the novel in your own way. It may include autobiographical elements. 7. American Idol Perform a song or interpretive dance to show your understanding and personal reflection about a theme from the novel. Make sure there is a great amount of thought behind your performance and be ready to explain the meaning. Make sure you go beyond summary or demonstration, but toward teaching a lesson or adding to the meaning.

8. ????? Not satisfied with these choices? Come up with your own idea and propose it to the teacher. Some questions to consider:  How does your project show your understanding of the novel?  How is your project meaningful and enriching to you on a personal level?  How could your project be meaningful and enriching to your audience?

FISHBOWL 1: Breaking Cycles (15-20 minutes)

• Goal: Use the narrative to make deeper connections to your research. Use the narrative to make deeper connections to the common theme of breaking cycles to make a better life for oneself. 
• 10 points = TWO strong contributions to the conversation

IN CLASS: Read pages 173-183

HW: Read pages 187-200 and STOP!

• Work your timeline.
• Consider the dynamic between Adelina and Sebastian using the cycle of poverty. (Where is Adelina in the cycle?)

Confused Words Quiz on Block Day, Feb. 20.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 ~ Fishbowls coming!

Lay/Lie

Fishbowls Tomorrow

(15 min: 2 points)

Journal 18: Fishbowl Prep

*Record one question to address each of the topics below: 

Topics (Sign up for one of them.)

1: Breaking Cycles

2: Laws/Systems

3: Identity 

*Goal: Use the narrative to make deeper connections to your research. Use the narrative to make deeper connections to the common theme of breaking cycles to make a better life for oneself.

Read 150-172

Be prepared to discuss: What driving values and challenge do you see in each of our main characters? How does this affect
their abilities to break the cycle of poverty in their lives?

Tuesday, Feb. 4 ~ EQ: Are Flagelantes a biblical idea?

Who’s/Whose

Discuss: Timeline, moon and mom motifs

Journal 17: Pgs. 125-149 (mid chapter)

1. Why is mom practicing the tradition of the flagelantes (128, click here to learn what that is.)
2. Make a T-Chart of the differences between Adelina and Sebastian Luna. Why do you guess the writer is making such contrasts?
3. By page 149, what has survival done to Juana's faith and critical thinking ability? Can you relate her current mentality to a step in the cycle of poverty from yesterday's blog?