Hill's English Unleashed.life - Sophomore

Symbolism, Archetypes, and Motifs

9/16/2019

Chapters 11 and 12

In class we will read chapters 11 and 12. There are four questions to answer in MLA format on Google Classroom. You may write the answers on a hard copy or type.

Arguably beginning with Freud, Jung, and Campbell, the symbolism and archetype discussion has become fundamental, not only to literature, but to sociology, psychology, and religion, etc. Archetypes are symbols, or even structures, that are fundamental to how our brain thinks, remembers, and connects ideas. They are apart of our DNA, spirit, psyche, or wherever you feel comfortable locating them-- because science is still unsure. What we do know is that they seem to be similar (though not exactly the same) across time periods and cultures. They link and connect our mind to our body and our environment. They seem to be a secret psychological code to understanding story and ourselves. Because they are inherent to you, we just need to tap into them and create our own lists of symbols, archetypes, and motifs. Begin with: what does the archetype remind you of, and how does that make you feel...

African Mythologies

9/12/2019

Chapter 10

If is important to feel into the way a culture tells a story and to understand the beliefs or ideas of that culture to really listen to them. It doesn't mean that we suppress our own ideas, but that we look at another's to help articulate our own ideas and beliefs and find community together. When you learn about someone else, what also do you learn about yourself or what is human ?

Cultures of West Africa

ALWG: The Importance of Naming

9/10/2019

Chapters 8 and 9

What does your name mean to you? Really mean? Did you inherit it from a family member? Does it have a story? Do you have a nickname? Did you name yourself? Make a collage/poster of your name (8x11) that expresses what your name means to you.

Your life's soundtrack

"When I'm alone in my room sometimes I stare at the wall and in the back of my mind I hear my conscience call" (LL Cool J "I Need Love" quoted in Beah 68). What music represents you and what do you need?

Soundtrack Project

Juxaposition: the sacred and the profane

9/6/2019

Chapters 5-7

Find examples for your literary devices and finish the questions from the other day. Today especially watch the juxtaposition between the sacred and symbolic. When we enter a storytelling time the symbols naturally become richer and start to connect to one another. How many things have come in threes? How often do we see or cross water? In memory and storytelling time we are in a dream or prayer. Images float up and away one after another.

An Ocean of Reflections: Chapters 2-5

9/4/2019

Literary devices are brushes that word artists use to paint their pictures, tools with which they carve our our experiences. This book is an excellent piece to use as a literary cornucopia of devices. Here are the devices we are focusing on today: flashback (review), juxtaposition, genre, tone, symbol/archetype, and motif. We are also starting a soundtrack for our lives. I will give the teacher directions later, for now just think about the music that defines your life. :)

A motif is a reoccurring image or idea in a story. It may reoccur in a single story, an author's work, the work of a cultural period or place, or seem to be a part of a human story. The idea that someone out there is thinking of us under the same moon or across an ocean seems to be a human experience, but also have a special place for people who have had to leave homelands behind. Another motif from A Long Way Gone Chapter 2, is the idea of having to face your own reflection. Some other examples are below. What can you come up with?

The Cultural Significance of Reggae

A Long Way Gone - Chapter 1-Listen

8/30/2019

Storytelling is about listening. Are you listening?

Music plays a huge part in A Long Way Gone, as it does in many cultures as focal point of religion, of history, of revolution. Let's keep track of the songs in A Long Way Gone and discuss the importance of representation, language, and storytelling.

Literary Device- Flashbacks
Literary Devices are the meaning- how do flashes of memory overtake you? How do too many flashbacks in a piece of literature make you feel? How does the author feel? How does the method of storytelling help you understand the story?

PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.
It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.

Blood Diamond clip- introducing the RUF and the confusion, loss, violence, PTSD- RUF take over in
A Long Way Gone- Chapter 1.
Violence. OPTIONAL.

A Long Way Gone

8/28/2019

Destiny is the theme of our unit. How much of our lives are affected by things outside of our control or how much can we change our lives...or the lives of others...when it matters most? How brave are we? What would our ancestors want for us?

A Long Way Gone Slides

As WE Grew Older- Defining and Re/defining Destiny

8/20/2019

We all have dreams. Our lives revolve around the things we love, the people who support us, and possibilities of the future, but often there is a cost. We don't always achieve because we are scared, because we are unsupported, or because of some societal or physical issue we struggle with daily. That is exactly what Langston Hughes poem, "As I Grew Older" expresses for all of us. As we read deeply, we can see the challenges he faced and see ourselves in his mirror. What are your walls? And how will you break through?

As I Grew Older-Poem

Assignment:

Read and annotate with the class.
Write an essay explaining the rich meaning of Hughes' poem and how it relates to our lives. 5 paragraphs with evidence, in-text citations, and a works cited.
We will also write much of our essay in class. The rough draft template will be on Google Classroom.
Final draft is due Wednesday 8/28 on TurnItIn.com.

Rough draft - #1- Annotations!
Rough draft - #2 - Paragraph sheets and Outline
Please staple #1 and 2 together and turn into the basket during class
Rough draft - #3 - Google Classroom
Please hit submit when finished
Final drafts will only be graded on TurnItIn.com.
The date stamp on TurnItIn.com qualifies it as "on time" or not.

Sophomore Reboot 2019-2020

8/13/2019

Wednesday:
Reminder: Today is a traditional day. Make sure that you pick up your new schedule
Have an excellent first day everyone!!!! I am so excited to meet you!
Think about your favorite skills. Come ready to play . :)
Homework/Extra Credit-- Are you proactive?

Friday:
We will be working on Chromebooks to get everyone set up on Google, StudySync, TurnItIn.com, and more.
You are welcome to bring your own device.
Please bring your student ID or a photo of your student ID. :)
Steps 1-3 due in class.

Step 1: Google Classroom 2019-20
Log into Google Classroom:
Period 6: 8mvy1lk
Together we will annotate and sign your syllabus in Google Classroom

Step 2: Log into your Lit. Book From the Glendora Portal
We will go over and complete our first assignments together!

Step 3: Make an account to turn in your essays
Sophomore TurnItIn.com Class Id:
Enrollment Key: Please see Hill
Note: After you make an account, you will log into your account with your email and the password you create. This is were we turn in our essay final drafts. This site checks for plagiarism-- this includes sharing material with other students. Never share your work. Just do you.

Step 3: Time for dreams!

Write a letter to your future self about your goals, dreams, and life.
Make a "pocket" and we will hang it in the stars!
I will have some supplies, but bring your favorite glitter pens and decorations!
Feel free to take home to finish, but due Tuesday.

Personal Reviews

5/21/2019

Want a personal paper review to see where you stand and what to fix?
A notebook check? Or help on your How to Write a Research Paper?
Any tutorial or any lunch. Bring a hard copy and let's chat. :)