Ethan Frome Blogger Project

Here are your requirements for your blog on Ethan Frome.

1. Major Characters
A. Ethan Frome
B. Zeena Frome
C. Mattie Silver

* You need a separate post for each of these major characters.
* Your post needs to contain: 1. a picture (if possible - may be trouble with iPads)
                                              2. a short analysis of that character's physical attributes, personality,
                                                  static/dynamic, round/flat (complete sentences)
                                              3. a quote from the book (page number included)

2. Major Themes
* You need TWO posts for major themes in the novel.
* Each post should contain: 1. a picture (if possible - may be trouble with iPads)
                                          2. a short analysis of the theme identified
                                          3. a quote from the book (page number included)

3. Major Conflicts
* You need TWO posts for major conflicts in the novel.
* Your posts need to contain: 1. a picture (if possible - may be trouble with iPads)
                                              2. short analysis of the conflict identified
                                              3. a quote from the book (page number included)

4. Figurative Language 
* You need THREE posts for figurative language in the novel.
* Your posts need to contain: 1. a different type of figurative language for each post (symbol, simile,
                                                 metaphor, personification, imagery, etc.)
                                             2. a short analysis of the figurative language identified
                                             3. quote from the book (page number included)

That is a total of TEN posts overall.

American Dream Song/Movie Project

We have been focusing on the idea of "the American Dream" so far in the books we've read this semester. For this project, you will draw connections in music and films that depict the American Dream and Romance. Just like The Great Gatsby, Ethan Frome focuses on the relationship between the American Dream and a forbidden romance. Here are your requirements (this is an individual assignment):

You are making a booklet that must have the following in it:

I. Find three songs of different genres (rap, pop, indie, country, etc.) that focus on the relationship between the American Dream and romance
   A. Print the lyrics for each and put it in your booklet
   B. Provide an analysis for each song

II. Find two movies that focus on the relationship between the American Dream and romance
    A. Print a poster of the film and put it in your booklet
    B. Brief summary of the film (year, director, actors, basic plot, etc.)
    C. Provide an analysis of each film

Movie Test

Test for Pursuit of Happyness

For your test on the movie, you will be working with one other classmate to write an in-class five paragraph essay (typed or written). This will be a test grade; here are your requirements:

1. You and your partner need to work together to write a five paragraph essay. It's up to you and your
    partner to decide how you'll write this essay. You can take turns, dictate to each other, etc.

2. Choose one of the following prompts to write an essay on:
    A. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "the American Dream" in the book to the movie.
         1. Consider the American dreams of the characters in the book to the movie
         2. Were they the same in any way? Different?
         3. End results of each?

    B. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "The Price of Happiness" in the book to the movie.
         1. Consider the sacrifices of the characters in the book to the movie
         2. What did they have to give up? Was the movie different than the book in this regard?
         3. Was it worth it in the end for the characters? Etc.

    C. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "Weight of Love" in the book to the movie.
         1. Consider the relationships in the book and in the movie
         2. What effects did they have on the characters in each and their pursuits of happiness?
         3. What role did the relationships in the movie and book play in their American dreams?

3. Your essay will be graded on the same aspects as your other papers: grammar, formal tone,
     analyzing vs summarizing, etc.

4. Follow this essay guideline for your four paragraphs (6-8 sentences per paragraph):

    I. Introduction
        A. Generalization
        B. Thesis

    II. First Body Paragraph
         A. Compare/Contrast

    III. Second Body Paragraph
          A. Compare/Contrast

 IV. Third Body Paragraph
       A. Compare/Contrast

  V. Conclusion Paragraph
          A. Summarize your thesis and two body paragraphs briefly
          B. End with a lasting statement

Reporting the Results of Your Case Study

Here are the requirements in giving the results of your case study:

I. Interviews

* Everyone should have interviewed two people each
* Have each person you interview sign the paper

II. Questionnaire

* Your group should have given out around 35+ questionnaires

III. Poster
* The following information should be on your poster

  A. The hypothesis of your case study - what did you seek to find out?

   B. The results of your questionnaire and how it proved/disproved your hypothesis
         - Use your questionnaires to find PERCENTAGES and STATISTICS (do some math!)
         - example: We found that 45% of religious people interviewed agreed that the American Dream is
                           based on success and money.
 
   C. The results of your interviews and how it proved/disproved your hypothesis
         - What did your interviews tell you about your hypothesis?
         - These should be more in depth answers than the questionnaires were

   D. Future Study
        - Discuss possible future study that could be done for your hypothesis
        - What do you wish you could have done if possible? etc.

 

Case Study for American Dream

While we are reading the novel this week for homework, we will be working on a case study on marriage in class. The purpose of this project is to hypothesize and investigate. We want to discover something about the American Dream in today's society through interviews and research. Here are the requirements for this group project:

1. Case Study Report (example in Dropbox)
    A. It's up to your group who writes what part in the report.
    B. In section 3.0 Research Background, everyone needs to write one section each (needs an
        authentic source)

2. Interviews
    A. Everyone in your group should interview two people each
    B. Come up with interview questions as a group
    C. Interview RELEVANT people for your case study (no one in our class)

3. Questionnaire
    A. At least 30 people

4. Poster
    A. Present your findings to the class
         * summarize your case study report: what were you trying to find out about the AD?
         * what did you find out about your hypothesis through your interviews/questionnaire?


Potential Topics about the American Dream
1. American Dream and Marriage/Romance/Divorce
2. American Dream and other Cultures (Hispanic, Asian, European) 
3. American Dream and Religion
4. American Dream and the Economy/Work Force
5. American Dream and Society/Success/Sports/Hollywood 

The History of the American Dream

Exploring the World of The Great Gatsby

Your task for the next few days will be to research the history behind our novel and create/present a lesson to the class. We want to discover different aspects of the American Dream in connection to certain events/eras. Here are your requirements for your group project:

1. STEP ONE: Written Report
A. Each member of the group needs to write a one page historical report
B. Each member will choose one of the sub-topics underneath the major topic given to each group
C. Report needs to be MLA format (Times New Roman, Font 12, Double Spaced)
D. Report needs two authentic sources AND have parenthetical citation throughout

2. STEP TWO: Class Presentation/Lesson
A. There are three parts of your class lesson your group needs to create based on the information in
     your reports:

     * Part One: Activator - You need to come up with an opening activity to do with the class that
                                           prepares them for your lesson. This can involve writing, discussion,
                                           brainstorming, etc. Perhaps there are pictures/clips you want to use to
                                           stimulate the class' thinking. However, it needs to be more than just
                                           showing a video clip.

     * Part Two: Main Lesson - Your main lesson should be a Keynote presentation of your group's
                                                 reports. Work on becoming familiar with your information so you are
                                                 not reading off of your paper the entire time. Keep in mind slide
                                                 design (PICTURES vs WORDS). Practice speaking loudly, clearly,
                                                 and to the audience, maintaining eye contact throughout. Ask
                                                 questions to involve the class throughout.

    * Part Three: Summarizing Activity - After your main lesson, your group should have a follow up
                                                                 with the class that summarizes the important points of your
                                                                 Keynote presentation. This can be involve a handout that the
                                                                 class has to fill out during your main lesson that you
                                                                 follow-up on afterwards, etc.

3.TOPICS:

I. World War I
A. The Causes/Reasons behind the Start of the War
B. Brief History of the Events of the War
C. Effects on the US During the War
D. Aftermath of the War in the US

GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
How did WWI affect the American Dream? How does it relate to us today?


II. The Roaring 20s
A. the Harlem Renaissance/Jazz Music
B. Women of the 20s/Flappers/Sexual Revolution
C. The Fine Arts/Literature/Film/Fashion
D. The Economy/Advance of Technology/Suburban Life

GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
What was the American Dream during the Roaring 20s? How does it relate to us today?



III. The Lost Generation
A. Definition and Origin of the term "Lost Generation"/Disillusionment
B. Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald - his life, romances, works, problems, legacy, etc.
C. Biography of Ernest Hemingway - see above
D. Biography of T. S. Eliot - see above

GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
What happened to the American Dream to the "Lost Generation"? How does it relate to us today?



IV. The Great Depression
A. Definition and Causes of the Great Depression/Black Tuesday
B. Effects of the Great Depression on the Economy in US
C. Effects of the Great Depression on Society and Culture in US
GROUP QUESTIONS TO ANSWER IN MAIN LESSON: 
What happened to the American Dream during the Great Depression? How does it relate to us today?

The Heart of the South

Debunking the Southern Belle

The ideal of the Southern Belle represented the core values and qualities of the traditional Southern American Dream. Yet beyond the pretty, flamboyant exterior were serious issues that revealed devastating problems in the South which could no longer be ignored. Your assignment is to analyze the ideal of the Southern Belle and its relationship to the traditional Southern American Dream. Find one partner to work with. Here are your requirements:

1. Read Faulkner's "Dry September"

2. Write a 350 word/MLA format paper on one of the two topics: 

A. Compare/Contrast Southern Belle Figures
* What is the traditional Southern Belle? (need one authentic source/parenthetical citation)
* What is the Southern Belle portrayed in "Dry September"
* What is the Southern Belle portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird (there are at least two)
* Compare/Contrast these different Southern Belle figures
* What do these portrayals of the Southern Belle say about the Southern American Dream?

B. Compare/Contrast Black Brute Figures
* What is the traditional Black Brute figure? (need one authentic source/parenthetical citation)
* What is the Black Brute portrayed in "Dry September"
* What is the Black Brute portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird (think about other black characters too)
* Compare/Contrast these different Black Brute figures
* What do these portrayals of the Black Brute say about the Southern American Dream?

3. Create a Poster that Contains the Major Information of These Two Reports 


 

Southern Gothic Project

A Creepy Look into the Heart of the South

For your first assignment, you will create a Southern Gothic story based on "A Rose for Emily" that targets a social/religious/cultural/racial issue here in Rockingham, NC. Here are the requirements for your assignment:

1. Typed, doubled spaced original Southern Gothic story. It must be:
    a) From multiple points of view like "A Rose for Emily" in the first person
  
    b) Each member must write one double spaced page in the story from a unique point of view. The
        TONE and MOOD of your short story should be Southern Gothic

    c) Make sure you plan as a group the overall theme of your story, how all the viewpoints will  
        come together, your issue targeted...
 
    d) Avoid being overtly goofy and silly - tackle a legitimate issue.


2. Presentation of your analysis of the short story and original story. You must:
    a) Introduce to the class your group's original story and how it models Faulkner's story and what
        issue here in Rockingham your group targeted.
 
    b) Enact a dramatic reading of your original short story. Here are some ideas to consider:
        - Use sound effects (speakers, iPad, etc.)
        - Get into the character of your story!
        - Use costumes, etc.
        - Use appropriate props to create a background, etc.

Summarizing, Analyzing, Moralizing

"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor ---
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now ---
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

The Southern American Dream

What do you think is the Southern American Dream? Think about the values, traditions, and history specific to the South. Leave a comment stating what you believe makes up the ideal American Dream of the South.