Friday - Monday, August 31st -September 3rd, 2012

DUE TUESDAY: Interview your parent or parents (or an adult you know) about what he/she/they think about the differences between faith and belief. Type up the interview and bring to class on Tuesday (or email to me by Tuesday).

DUE WEDNESDAY: Write your response to Mary Oliver's  "Spring in the Classroom." Here are the directions for your response:

Read Mary Oliver’s “Spring in the Classroom.”

Read it again. Think about the author’s use of image in this poem. Read a third time and think about what the author is saying about these students and their teacher.

Remember: Two levels exist for every narrative (yes, poems can be stories): the literal level, or in other words, what is happening; and the subtext, which is the level underneath the story or plot The subtext refers to the thematic region of the story, or in other words, what the narrative or story means.

In this exercise:

1)     Identify at least three (3) symbols and explain what each represents.

2)     When does “the turn” occur in the poem? Identify the line or lines in the poem where the author changes direction. Explain why you think this is the turning point of the poem.

3)     Interpret the theme/message of the poem. What is the poet trying to say? Do not just summarize the poem here – go deeper, get beyond what is happening in the poem.

As always, type and doublespace. My expectation is for a one-(full)-page response to this exercise.

DUE IN THE FUTURE: If you have received your first draft of the Julian chapter with my comments, begin revising your work. The second draft will be due the week after next (most likely on Monday, September 10th). 

You should also be continuing work on your Precept Speeches. On Friday, September 7th, 8th graders will begin reading their speeches.