Blog Archives - Literature with Leonetti

March 31, 2020

3/31/2020

*If you have not selected a book yet, you need to go back to March 23, 2020 and work your way up to this point.*
Objective: I can empathize with the refugee characters and understand the impact of this issue on Afghanistan through the characters of my book.
Agenda:

Entry Task: Follow along to the directions in the Cultural Perspective prezi from slide 47-50 (Warning this may cause anxiety or stress if you listen to the video (slide 49) while you are creating your list. If this is a concern for you, simply do not play the video.)
At this point in class we would do Chalk Talk Discussion Questions.
- Instead, answer 5 of the question in your notebook for yourself.
- Then, in a different color answer 3 different questions AS A CHARACTER.

Exit Task: Finish by describing what was most valuable for you in regards to the questions answered. How has this influenced your thinking about refugees and/or the characters in your book? Copy your answer to this question in Google Classroom.
If you are reading a different novel, make sure you are adding to your characters on My Essential Lit. In your notebook, describe one of the characters in detail and how you relate to him/her.

March 30, 2020

3/30/2020

*If you have not selected a book yet, you need to go back to March 23, 2020 and work your way up to this point.*
Objective: I can consider A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Kite Runner, or my selected novel through one lens of Critical Theory, and share my perspective within a class discussion on themes that are relevant to both books (SL11-12.4).
Agenda:

Entry Task: Get out your Brief Overview of Lenses and review the questions for your selected lens
- Answer 1 question in a thorough paragraph on your My Essential Lit. incorporating evidence from the reading
  - My Essential Lit. due April 22nd
Review the Whole Class Discussion Questions in Google Classroom and select at least one to bring to the conversation
- Type the book, theme, and question in the CLASS COMMENTS and your response, OR you can reply/add to other students' comments.
- Only do one comment/question today; we will come back to this.

Exit Task: Update the plot to where you have read on your My Essential Literature. If you are reading a different book, send me an email to tell me what you have read so far as well as what you think about it.

March 27, 2020

3/27/2020

*If you have not selected a book yet, you need to go back to March 23, 2020 and work your way up to this point.*
Objective: I can show my comprehension of A Thousand Splendid Suns or The Kite Runner (or Choice Book) through the assigned chapters thus far (RL11-12.10).
Agenda:

Entry Task: In Google Classroom take the quiz for Choice Book, Thousand Splendid Suns or The Kite Runner for the week's reading.
Add characters and plot to My Essential Literature.

Exit Task: Enjoy your weekend. Be sure to email me if you have any questions or concerns as we work through this unique situation together. I am still here to help and listen. Take care and be well!

March 26, 2020

3/26/2020

*If you have not selected a book yet, you need to go back to March 23, 2020 and work your way up to this point.*
Objective: I know more about the history of Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, and how major players have influenced that history.
Agenda:

Entry Task: Open the Guided Notes in Google Classroom and fill in the blanks IN A DIFFERENT COLOR as you review the challenges in the Cultural Perspective prezi slides 28-44.
Read through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (p.4); on the left-hand side, put a + for all of the rights you consider you have.
- After each section, identify possible human rights issues (p. 4); put a - on the right-hand side for any rights you think the people of Afghanistan may not have.
If you are reading a different text, divide a page in your notebook in 1/2 and compare your life to one of the major characters. What similarities are there? What differences? What are you learning from their experiences in comparison with your own?

Exit Task: Having completed your notes, in the questions posted in Google Classroom answer: How do these human rights challenges compare to your own life? How does this impact your feelings toward the characters in the book as well as the real-life people they represent?

March 25, 2020

3/25/2020

Objective: I know more about the human rights issues facing Afghanistan, share what I learn with the class, and can consider which of these rights are most valuable to me (SL11-12.4).
Agenda:

Entry Task: On the map (p. 3 of handouts) provided, using only what you know and a pencil identify the countries listed in the Cultural Perspective prezi (slide 18)
- Check your answers on the map in the prezi
Review the timeline and reading provided (p. 23-26 from the companion guide)
- In your notebook, answer How, When, and Why each of the following influenced Afghanistan according to the information in the timelines.
  - Iran, Pakistan, USSR, Great Britain, The United States, UN/NATO, and the Taliban
- If you are reading another text, this your opportunity to research the historical time period/place in which the book is set. Utilize resources like Crashcourse on YouTube or Google "Historical Information +Title". Complete this Historical Info. on your My Essential Lit.

Exit Task: After presentations, answer the general questions as shown in Google Classroom.

March 24, 2020

3/24/2020

Objective: I can be introduced to the ethnic groups of Afghanistan to have a deeper understanding of my reading of A Thousand Splendid Suns or The Kite Runner.
Agenda:

Entry Task: Print out a copy of the Ethnic Groups handout. If you cannot print them out, you may take notes directly in your notebook.
- If you are reading another book, use this opportunity to research the author; take notes on who, what, when, where, and why about him/her by watching a video like Crashcourse or reading from a website like Shmoop.
- Complete Author Info. on My Essential Lit.
Both Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner explore significant cultural components of Afghanistan like kite running and the buddhist statues destroyed in Afghanistan by the Taliban.
- Watch the videos of these in the Cultural Perspective prezi (slides 7-8) to have a better sense of the importance and value of these two important cultural components.
Read p. 1 of the Ethnic Groups of Afghanistan handout---making notes around the pie chart on the back of your handout.
Read the information about each ethnic group either in handout above OR in the prezi (slides 10-17).
- Complete notes for each group next to the corresponding picture of the young woman who represents their ethnicity.

Exit Task: Review the information with Kahoot! (Click Play as Guest then Classic); you will need two devices to do this (a computer and your phone, for example---this is a great opportunity to get a household member involved). Update your notes if you get a question wrong.

March 23, 2020

3/23/2020

Objective: I can be introduced to Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini and select to read either A Thousand Splendid Suns or The Kite Runner as well as review critical lenses and select one through which to read the book (RL11-12.10).
Agenda:

Entry Task: Print out a copy of My Essential Literature.
Take notes on Khaled Hosseini in the Author Information box, jotting down at least 5 facts about him from the Cultural Perspective prezi.
- When watching the video (through 3:20), Hosseini is speaking to refugees--consider what advice he is giving to other immigrants. Do you think what he says is true? Is there a willing audience for these stories?
Read The New York Times reviews of A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner
- Be aware when making your decision:
  - The Kite Runner has a rape scene in Ch. 7 that is very difficult to read.
  - A Thousand Splendid Suns deals with suicide, child-marriage, and domestic abuse throughout the text.
  - I am telling you this, so you can make an informed decision about what you are prepared to read.
- Consider each option and select which you would prefer to read; write the title on your My Essential Literature.
  - If you choose one these books you will need to get a copy for yourself
    - Amazon (Thousand or Kite Runner)
    - Check out Kite Runner eBook if you have a Spokane County library card
    - Listen on Audible (your first book is free)
    - There are readings of the chapters from each book on YouTube, but no promises on the quality (or accuracy) of those!
  - If you absolutely cannot get a reading of one of these books, you should select a novel from this list at the bottom of this website (many of the older books from the early 1900s and back will be free or inexpensive on iTunes or Kindle because they are in the public domain).
    - Keep in mind if choosing this option:
      - What you should be doing with your book will be in this color in future posts.
      - There will be far less direction, so you will need to do some exploration of your own in order to be an active.
      - You will still need to complete My Essential Lit.
      - You will still need to complete the poetry essay and passage essay assigned for practice.
Review video on the purpose of Critical Lenses in prezi then select one for your reading by reviewing the questions in the handout. Label your selection on your My Essential Literature.
- If you are reading Kite or Thousand, Culture Studies, Marxist, or New Historical are recommended.

Exit Task: Get a copy of your selected reading. If you are reading The Kite Runner, read through Ch. 8 for a week from today. If you are reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, read through Ch. 15 (Part I) for a week from today. If you are reading another work, divide the chapters to be finished by April 22nd.

March 20, 2020

3/20/2020

Objective: I can make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and to add interest (SL11-12.5).

Entry Task: Email or text a friend to share your slideshow with.
Review the expectations for the Peer Presentation Review
- Make a copy of the review and share it with the friend you contacted.
- You and your friend should complete for one another then "Share" the review with sleonetti@cheneysd.org for extra credit points.
Exit Task: Make sure you have "Turned In" your slideshow as well.

March 19, 2020

3/19/2020

Objective: I can write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Entry Task: The essay assignment will post at 7 a.m. in Google Classroom.
- Review the poem prompt you selected and already did TPCASTT on and do your best to complete the essay in 55 min.
  If you did not select a prompt, you will complete poem prompt (p.2) from 2018.
Exit Task: Turn in essay when your timer goes off for legitimate AP Test practice.

March 18, 2020

3/18/2020

Objective: I can review my last essay score and review the expectations for a conclusion in order to be prepared for my final essays in AP Literature.
Agenda:

Because your writing folders are at school, we will not be able to do this, but I wanted you to see what we would have done to prepare for your essay tomorrow---especially the Major Work-Ons!
If you like, you can read another of the example essays from yesterday, but also take a look at the template for the concluding statement below (some of you asked for this in your writing folder).
Entry Task: Sit with your writing group. Review your score on your last essay.
Major Work-Ons:
- Address the Prompt!
  - Because you had not seen the prompt before, many students struggled to maintain the idea of the prompt. This is a KEY ingredient to any writing assignment
- Concluding Statement
  - Many students have utilized the structure to their benefit. If you are ready for the "next-step," try a concluding statement.
  - Although we want to start to avoid being "formulaic" to earn high scores, some students still need a template in order to earn a "passing" score.
  - It is ok to rely on these until you develop your own style
- Review your "Work On" and consider what you will do differently tomorrow.
Exit Task: Any extra time can be used today to continue your slideshow which is due Friday at the beginning of class.