PLEASE READ! PLEASE READ! REMINDERS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Hi Everyone!
Glad to see we've been receiving a variety of thoughtful responses to our posts and not too many difficulties with Blogger.  Hope you've been enjoying your summer...and your summer reading, too!

Reminders:  Don't forget that you're each responsible for completing 6 responses on the blog by  Monday, July 30th.  These responses can be directed either to our posts or to comments made by your peers.  In either case, please continue to include and explain your quotes or references and add page citations for each of your replies.

Book Chats:
Wednesday, August 1, 10:00 - 12:30 or Thursday, August 9, 6-8:30.  Use the south (office- tennis court parking lot) entry for either meeting.

Please bring your annotated books, a writing utensil, something to drink, and some"munchies" to share.  Let's really celebrate our summer reading:  try to connect your treats with either of our reads...be creative!

Here's some additional news we hope you'll use:

Gannon University is presenting  SHAKESPEARE SUMMER NIGHTS, with performances of The Merchant of Venice (which you'll will read and study as sophomores) on Saturday, July 28 and Friday, August 3. The university is also presenting Shakespeare's Othello on Friday, July 29; Thursday, August 2, and Saturday, August 4, 2012.
The live performances are FREE and are outdoors in AJ's Way between West 7th and West 8th streets just west of Peach Street. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Take a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy!
Shakespeare intended for his plays to be seen, not read; these performances are a great opportunity for you to begin your journey with this renowned playwright.

Additionally, we will be reading Romeo and Juliet this year, so catching either or both of these plays will give you a head start with Elizabethan poetry and drama.  Pick up a program / take a photo of you and your friends with the cast...these "souvenirs" and sharing your impressions might just send some bonus your way once we get started at FHS! 
Great date, too, for those of you looking for an inexpensive night out! Tell your parents!
Hope to see you there!
Mrs. Hurt and Mrs. Nelson

Merchant of Venice links:
http://www.goerie.com/article/20120719/ENTERTAINMENT0201/307189921/'Merchant-of-Venice'-launches-Gannon's-Shakespeare-series

Plot overview: http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/merchant/summary.html

Othello links:
http://www.goerie.com/article/20120722/LIFESTYLES01/307229971/ARTS&template=mobile


Plot overview: http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/summary.html

HI EVERYONE!


We hope you've all been celebrating this beautiful start to summer 2012! If you have any questions about the summer reading assignments or evaluations, please review the handouts we distributed at FMS (more available in the FMS office), or online at the FHS site on the dropdown menu, Summer Reading. Remember, you're each responsible for 6 thoughtful paragraph-length posts (8-10 sentences) to be completed by July 30, 2012. Further questions? Please contact Mrs. Nelson (snelson@fairview.iu5.org), or Mrs. Hurt (phurt@fairview.iu5.org). We're anxious to share your insights and enthusiasm about our readings...can't wait to see and hear your responses!


Post 1 Thematic Focus

PONDER AS YOU READ…THEN RETURN TO RESPOND! Four themes form the core of our studies in Honors English 1 and Honors American Studies : Struggle for Equality, A Nation of Innovators, The Pursuit of Liberty and Justice, and Revealing Character: The American Mosaic. As you’re reading Part-Time Diary, keep these topics in mind. Consider how Arnold’s life and his experiences relate to the semester’s themes. In your post, state a chosen theme, share a brief account of the book’s episode, include page citations (22-23), and share your interpretation. Feel free to react to the event, Arnold’s conduct,& your chosen theme.

Post 2  A Diary?


PONDER AS YOU READ…THEN RETURN TO RESPOND!  A diary is “a daily record, usually private, especially of the writer's own experiences, observations, feelings, attitudes, etc.” (dictionary.com).  As you’re reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, consider how Alexie’s book does / does not support this definition.  Respond by sharing & explaining an example of your choice.  Include page reference (4)!  Finally, consider what effect is created since this work is presented as a "diary".  You may also want to consider Sherman Alexie's life:     http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/authors/p/alexie.htm .

Post 3  Find your own path!

PONDER AS YOU READ…THEN RETURN TO RESPOND!  At a bookstore reading, Sherman Alexie said the one thing he would want students to take away from this novel is “escaping and confronting familial and tribal expectations.” Ponder the drawing Junior makes of his parents (12).  Why and how does he, unlike his parents, manage to confront and escape the cycle of despair? Don’t forget page references!  

Post 4:  Personal Put-downs

From the novel’s opening, Junior seems to cope with hardships by making himself the subject of jokes, some brutally honest and even hurtful.  Share an example of this self-deprecating humor throughout the story.  (Please include page references!). Why does the narrator choose this approach?  What do we learn from these revelations? 

Post 5  GPS for Life 

Arnold is blessed to find a number of guides along his journey to maturity.  Name two of these mentors (positive influences and helpers).  Then, briefly relate a relevant incident or example, and explain their impact on Arnold’s growth.  Please include page references!

Post 6 Artwork in the novel

How do you react to the images / graphics in Part-Time Indian?  How do the images expand your understanding of the characters and themes?  Evaluate:  so far, how do you rate the incorporation of pictures in a novel?  Are you upset Alexie didn’t share his own caricatures, even though he used this outlet as a youngster?  GRAPHICS:  Thumbs up / thumbs down?  Explain; please mention & cite any you find particularly significant, humorous, or meaningful.