Journeys
TASK ONE: Bring an English book for independent reading
One of the best ways to develop your vocabulary and reading abilities is to take time to read quietly.
For five points of extra credit (Homework category), bring a book, (an English book) to the first day of Mr. Curtis'
English class, July 16th. The book should be a narrative of eitherbe fiction, or non-fiction, but to recieve credit, the book must be written for readers of a high school or secondary level. (This means no children's books).
Here are some titles of fiction and non-fiction novels that might spark your interest:
Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitmann, by Earnest Gaines
The Great Brain by J.D. Fitzgerald
The Lion, the With and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
Hiroshima by John Hersey
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Children of the River, by Linda Crew
The Crossing, by Gary Paulsen
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Dicey’s Song, by Cynthia Voight
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Jacob Have I Loved, by Katherine Paterson
Journey of the Sparrows, by Fran Leeper Buss
The Lady With the Hat, by Uri Orlev
Letters from Rifka, by Karen Hesse
The Moonbridge, by Marcia Savin
Pacific Crossing, by Gary Soto
A Summer Life by Gary Soto
Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind, by Suzanne Fisher Staples
War Trash by Ha Jin
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Shadow of the Dragon, by Sherry Garland
Silver Days, by Sonia Levitin
Song of the Buffalo Boy, by Sherry Garland
Sounder, by William H. Armstrong
The Star Fisher, by Laurence Yep
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Taking Sides, by Gary Soto
That Was Then, This is Now, by S.E. Hinton
The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
For five points of extra credit (Homework category), bring a book, (an English book) to the first day of Mr. Curtis'
English class, July 16th. The book should be a narrative of eitherbe fiction, or non-fiction, but to recieve credit, the book must be written for readers of a high school or secondary level. (This means no children's books).
Here are some titles of fiction and non-fiction novels that might spark your interest:
Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitmann, by Earnest Gaines
The Great Brain by J.D. Fitzgerald
The Lion, the With and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
Hiroshima by John Hersey
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Children of the River, by Linda Crew
The Crossing, by Gary Paulsen
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Dicey’s Song, by Cynthia Voight
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Jacob Have I Loved, by Katherine Paterson
Journey of the Sparrows, by Fran Leeper Buss
The Lady With the Hat, by Uri Orlev
Letters from Rifka, by Karen Hesse
The Moonbridge, by Marcia Savin
Pacific Crossing, by Gary Soto
A Summer Life by Gary Soto
Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind, by Suzanne Fisher Staples
War Trash by Ha Jin
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Shadow of the Dragon, by Sherry Garland
Silver Days, by Sonia Levitin
Song of the Buffalo Boy, by Sherry Garland
Sounder, by William H. Armstrong
The Star Fisher, by Laurence Yep
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Taking Sides, by Gary Soto
That Was Then, This is Now, by S.E. Hinton
The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Journeys - All Classes - Homework as of July 16
1) Have an ENGLISH silent reading book by your first SSR (TUESDAY 11.2 & WEDNESDAY all other periods.
2) Have a notebook for English with two labeled sections: WRITING and WARM-UPS by TUESDAY
3) Sign and return the bottom portion on page 3 of your syllabus for THURSDAY 7/19.
2) Have a notebook for English with two labeled sections: WRITING and WARM-UPS by TUESDAY
3) Sign and return the bottom portion on page 3 of your syllabus for THURSDAY 7/19.
The Island of Bali....where Mr. Curtis ran dangerously low on his travel budget.
Journeys - Homework for Monday 7/22
(Typed - half a page) Brainstorm three answers to the
following question:
Define one idea about Journeys that you feel is presented in the Road Not Taken. What
techniques does the author use to present this idea?
WRITE out each answer in complete sentences and follow it up with some bullet
points that include QUOTED evidence from the Essay.
following question:
Define one idea about Journeys that you feel is presented in the Road Not Taken. What
techniques does the author use to present this idea?
WRITE out each answer in complete sentences and follow it up with some bullet
points that include QUOTED evidence from the Essay.
Journeys TASKS for Writing Section (Week of 7/22 - 7/27)
1. Read through the text North Korean Defector Learns to Trust the Stranger who Saved Him
- In your WRITING section, list THREE DETAILS from the story or text that you find descriptive (A quotation, an image, a flashback, or even the title or sub-heading).
- Briefly explain how each detail contributes to impact of the story.
2. After reading North Korean Defector Learns to Trust the Stranger who Saved Him
Task ONE: Draw a timeline of the events in the story as they happened in REAL LIFE
Task TWO: Draw a parallel timeline that shows the order of events in the STORY.
3. Answer the following with SHORT ANSWERS:
-In your own words, describe Kim’s journey to freedom (both emotionally and physically).
-Find one quote from the story that describes Lee’s relationship to Kim. (The quote can
be from the author's wording, or from one of the people in the story - explain the context).
- In your WRITING section, list THREE DETAILS from the story or text that you find descriptive (A quotation, an image, a flashback, or even the title or sub-heading).
- Briefly explain how each detail contributes to impact of the story.
2. After reading North Korean Defector Learns to Trust the Stranger who Saved Him
Task ONE: Draw a timeline of the events in the story as they happened in REAL LIFE
Task TWO: Draw a parallel timeline that shows the order of events in the STORY.
3. Answer the following with SHORT ANSWERS:
-In your own words, describe Kim’s journey to freedom (both emotionally and physically).
-Find one quote from the story that describes Lee’s relationship to Kim. (The quote can
be from the author's wording, or from one of the people in the story - explain the context).
Journeys Homework - 7/27 - DUE MONDAY
Written paragraph, half a page, typed. Answer the following question:
What is the purpose of a journalism article? Take North Korean Defector, as an
example. Take two quotations from the article and explain how they
help show the article's purpose.
What is the purpose of a journalism article? Take North Korean Defector, as an
example. Take two quotations from the article and explain how they
help show the article's purpose.
PPT Presentation Dates (...And Groups .. And Topics).
remaining_ppt_groups.doc | |
File Size: | 36 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Journeys WRITING SECTION Week of 7/27
In your WRITING SECTION
Re-read page one in Journey to Freedom
1. Find two quotations from the story that show the author presenting her opinion. What effect does she create by including her emotions/opinions?
2. What point does the author make about using numbers to describe atrocities? What narrative technique does she use to make this point?
Journeys WRITING SECTION - WEEK OF 8/3 (and Prep for your final essay)
1. Read through 'Journey to Freedom' and make a list of quotations you could use for an essay on the story.
2. Find at least TWO QUOTATIONS for each technique the author uses:
- Sensory detail (of setting, of characters)
- Her emotions and use of memory (for example, in a flashback)
- Her use of numbers as a significant idea in the story
- Her thoughts and opinions
Re-read page one in Journey to Freedom
1. Find two quotations from the story that show the author presenting her opinion. What effect does she create by including her emotions/opinions?
2. What point does the author make about using numbers to describe atrocities? What narrative technique does she use to make this point?
Journeys WRITING SECTION - WEEK OF 8/3 (and Prep for your final essay)
1. Read through 'Journey to Freedom' and make a list of quotations you could use for an essay on the story.
2. Find at least TWO QUOTATIONS for each technique the author uses:
- Sensory detail (of setting, of characters)
- Her emotions and use of memory (for example, in a flashback)
- Her use of numbers as a significant idea in the story
- Her thoughts and opinions
Essay-Writing Samples - Opening Paragraph
mr_curtis_does_ur_hw.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Freewrite Prompt (For those Biology who went on the biology field trip). Due MONDAY 8/6 - typed
How is learning a new language or a new culture a journey? Can it be a journey on two different levels (for example – emotional and spiritual?) Explain with examples from your own experience.
Writing Section - Week of Monday, 8/6
-Take five or six of the Evidence, details or quotations that you found in Journey to Freedom and STRUCTURE THEM into body paragraphs.
-You don’t need to write out the body paragraphs, but think of where they would fit
-FOR EXAMPLE – ONE PARAGRAPH about SETTING, ANOTHER PARAGRAPH about the author’s opinion on the perception of refugees.
-You don’t need to write out the body paragraphs, but think of where they would fit
-FOR EXAMPLE – ONE PARAGRAPH about SETTING, ANOTHER PARAGRAPH about the author’s opinion on the perception of refugees.
Mr. Curtis' example of SUMMARY
1) Journey to Freedom is a personal narrative written by Hai-Van Nguyen, a Vietnamese refugee who fled with her family on a small boat and then stayed in a Malayasian prison camp before arriving in Australia. Nguyen recalls the emotions and dangers of the journey, and she challenges the negative perception of refugees that exists in Australia.
** Practice Prompt for Final **
A journalism article is very different from a personal narrative, but both bring a journey to life through powerful detail.
Using examples from both texts, explain the differences in journalism and personal narrative.
How do both use detail to impact the reader?
Using examples from both texts, explain the differences in journalism and personal narrative.
How do both use detail to impact the reader?
Writing Section - Week of Monday, August 6
1) What is the stasis for Chuck's character in the beginning of Cast Away? Describe his situation.
2) What is the intrusion?
2) What is the intrusion?
PPT on Journalism vs. Personal Narrative
Brought to you by the group 'Journey to Mr. Curtis' Heart' in 11.2 Well done, group! On slide 2 there is an EXCELLENT table comparing all the features of journalism to the features of PPT. There are good examples as well.
WARNING: If any content (as in a full sentence) on handwritten notes on the in-class essay appears to be copied from this PPT, that will count as plagarism. Use the resources on this site as a study guide but DO NOT COPY THEM.
WARNING: If any content (as in a full sentence) on handwritten notes on the in-class essay appears to be copied from this PPT, that will count as plagarism. Use the resources on this site as a study guide but DO NOT COPY THEM.
journeys_to_mr_curtis_heart_-.pptx | |
File Size: | 125 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Reminders for Friday, August 10
1) Have all of the entires for your WRITING SECTION and your WARM-UPS completed. They must be in clearly labeled sections (you can use post-it notes if you like) so that Mr. Curtis can find them quickly.
2) Bring several pieces of lined paper and a pen to write with.
3) Bring your hand-written notes - one page, both sides. Your notes should be filled in with quotations from both texts. Your quotations should show techniques such as descriptive detail, expository info, setting, or examples of the author's objectivity / subjectivity. You may also include summaries of the texts and any other information that you feel might be helpeful in writing about them.
2) Bring several pieces of lined paper and a pen to write with.
3) Bring your hand-written notes - one page, both sides. Your notes should be filled in with quotations from both texts. Your quotations should show techniques such as descriptive detail, expository info, setting, or examples of the author's objectivity / subjectivity. You may also include summaries of the texts and any other information that you feel might be helpeful in writing about them.
Homework for Monday, Aug 13
(1/2 page typed, film analysis). Think about the first thirty to forty minutes of Cast Away. How do film techniques illustrate A) Chuck's character, and B) the STASIS and the INTRUSION? Select three camera techniques and explain how they present these opening elements of the film.
Writing Section - Week of Monday August 13th
*Get these done early so you can enjoy the Ramadan Break!
1) Make a list of the major events in Chuck’s journey (up until where we have watched in class) and how they are conveyed. (i.e. camera techniques, dialogue, visual humor, etc…).
2) What have you learned in class that you didn’t know before? What do you think about the ‘journey’ of this class so far?
1) Make a list of the major events in Chuck’s journey (up until where we have watched in class) and how they are conveyed. (i.e. camera techniques, dialogue, visual humor, etc…).
2) What have you learned in class that you didn’t know before? What do you think about the ‘journey’ of this class so far?
Warm-Up From Monday, August 13th (for 11.3 - anyone who missed it)
8/13 Warm-up
“Hunger is the best sauce.”
1) Explain this quotation (or what you think it means – take a guess).
2) Respond to this quotation as CHUCK from Cast Away – think back to your time on the island and what you ate to survive.
“Hunger is the best sauce.”
1) Explain this quotation (or what you think it means – take a guess).
2) Respond to this quotation as CHUCK from Cast Away – think back to your time on the island and what you ate to survive.
Helpful Links for Final Cast Away Paper
cast_away_cinematography.pdf | |
File Size: | 596 kb |
File Type: |
Writing Section - Week of August 27th
Think of how you might summarize the plot of Cast Away. Describe two important events in each of the four acts of the story.
For each event you select, explain how the director uses a Camera or film making technique to convey that event's importance.
For each event you select, explain how the director uses a Camera or film making technique to convey that event's importance.
Homework for Monday, Sept 3rd
On one page (typed), come up with a thesis statement that you could use to write your Film Analysis Essay. Remember, you are discussing one idea about journeys or survival that is portrayed through the director's use of film techniques and story.
(For example - 'Journeys are beyond our control and they test our ability to adapt and survive' - an idea that is emphasized through the intense action sequences that challenge Chuck and the extended use of still camera shots, close-ups and establish shots that show the simple ways in which he must struggle to survive).
Think about what types of camera and film techniques you could focus on in your essay.
* You will also create an outline of at least three body paragraphs that you could tangibly write for your essay. Your outline should include details of film techniques, events, dialogue and other elements that can show the idea from your thesis statement.
- You are not just summarizing Cast Away!
(For example - 'Journeys are beyond our control and they test our ability to adapt and survive' - an idea that is emphasized through the intense action sequences that challenge Chuck and the extended use of still camera shots, close-ups and establish shots that show the simple ways in which he must struggle to survive).
Think about what types of camera and film techniques you could focus on in your essay.
* You will also create an outline of at least three body paragraphs that you could tangibly write for your essay. Your outline should include details of film techniques, events, dialogue and other elements that can show the idea from your thesis statement.
- You are not just summarizing Cast Away!
Writing Section - Week of Sept 3rd
1. Freewrite (If you have not finished it in class).
Reflect on one aspect of Chuck’s emotional journey in Cast Away, (the stasis and intrusion, survival, cross roads at the end, etc…).
Connect this aspect of Chuck’s journey to something you have experienced or learned about in your own journey so far.
Reflect on one aspect of Chuck’s emotional journey in Cast Away, (the stasis and intrusion, survival, cross roads at the end, etc…).
Connect this aspect of Chuck’s journey to something you have experienced or learned about in your own journey so far.
MLA / ACADEMIC FORMAT, TITLE PAGE & STYLE FOR ESSAY
essay_draft_3.2.doc | |
File Size: | 55 kb |
File Type: | doc |
How to cite a Film, MLA STYLE!
The Usual Suspects. Dir. Bryan Singer. Perf. Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, and Benecio
del Toro. Polygram, 1995. Film.
More useful info on MLA citation can be found at this website:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/09/
del Toro. Polygram, 1995. Film.
More useful info on MLA citation can be found at this website:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/09/
Do not forget to email a soft copy of your essay to Mr. Curtis!
* To the students who came by after school to speak to me about their outlines - I am so sorry for not being there! I waited until 3:20 at which point I had to go to a meeting with Sir Jospeh. Again, I apologize. I will be checking my email (above) this weekend, if you have questions, or if you want to send me your essay idea -- those of you who have not recieved a graded outline -- I will do my best to respond to it.
Margaret Thatcher (above) says 'Good luck with that essay!'
Margaret Thatcher (above) says 'Good luck with that essay!'
Mr. Curtis' Journey Slides (Including the slides on Essay Writing)
journeys_slides_2012.pptx | |
File Size: | 1588 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Review for Final Exam
Cast Away Review Assignment
You will be writing a short review of Cast Away for an online publication.Be sure to state your opinion -- whether or not the film is an artistic or entertainment success and whether or not the viewer should watch it -- and support it with details.
- Use descriptive and intersting writing that appeals to the writer, but be sure to BUILD your argument.
- 700 words exactly!
*You can read two sample film reviews (One positive and One negative) in the file below.
**Cast Away film review is due on FRIDAY, SEPT 14th, for ALL CLASSES!
- Use descriptive and intersting writing that appeals to the writer, but be sure to BUILD your argument.
- 700 words exactly!
*You can read two sample film reviews (One positive and One negative) in the file below.
**Cast Away film review is due on FRIDAY, SEPT 14th, for ALL CLASSES!
cast_away_film_reviews.docx | |
File Size: | 31 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Finals Review Week - Notebook check!
There will be a notebook check on WEDNESDAY, Sept 19th for 11.3, 11.1 and 11.4. The notebook check will be on TUESDAY, Sept 18 for 11.2
- Be up to date with your Writing section and your warm-ups! They will be tallied for credit.
- Be up to date with your Writing section and your warm-ups! They will be tallied for credit.