Historical Fiction Slave Journals - GO CRAZY

To answer the many questions arising:

1. You need not type entries, for the final creative presentation. You may turn in typed entries for the weekly projects, however, transferring these into more relaxed, colorful, creative journals is expected.

2. All one needs for weekly presentations are: outlines or a few of the entries (even if they are only partials), since final is not due till Friday of every week.

3. Others wish to burn edges, create mini-Journals (folded pieces of colorful paper, construction, with burned or singed edges) for their Final Presentation (due Dec. 16)

By all means, KNOCK yourselves OUT!!

Do NOT be limited to the normal English MLA.

Add dialogue, subplots, suspense; any of those elements that keep you reading!

Remember, weekly reports are only to keep you FOCUSED, constantly pushing toward the final goals.

Don't be shy!!!!

Congratulations to Regents Prep #1 - Critical Lens

Though it was an abbreviated session, 12 scholars are five steps closer to Acing that part of the exam.

Well done: Iqra, Laura, Ayesha, Allison, Hana, Rinchen, Leonela, Brenda, Kristine, Riyesh, Emily, Mandy and Asha(semi).


Great effort!

Please Come Prepared-

Excellent class discussions connecting the Lakota poem, by White Buffalo Calf Woman, to the many paradoxes within the institution of Slavery.

Well done to all those who arrived with books, Critical Lens Essays, Windows and at least the first 30 pages of Mary Prince's autobiography!

Continue to arrive ready, tomorrow and the rest of the week, even though mini-Historical Fiction Slave Journals will be occurring. Remember these presentations will NOT contain the entire 86 minutes of Doubles, nor all of Friday's Singles.

St. Lucy's Soup Kitchen - Sat. Dec. 11 9:30 - 2:30 p.m.

St. Lucy’s School basement-
900 Mace Avenue
across from Church Grotto
9:30 - 2:30 p.m.
be sure to plan accordingly, as trains and buses will most likely be staggered WEEKEND service.

BX-26 runs up Allerton to Bronxwoods, walk away from Rite Aide till you hit Mace. Sign is outside the church.

OR take
the 2 Train to Allenton Ave.
Walk up Allerton about 12 blocks, passed Boston Ave., Bronxwoods is pased gas station on the right, turn right and walk two or three blocks to Mace Avenue.
Look for the sign outside church.

Availability: 12-15 scholars

CLOTHING DRIVE, too!
Even if you are not able to attend, please bring in any old clothing for these people that frequent this weekly Soup Kitchen. Simply bring old worn out or no longer used clothing to Mr. Carson or Mr. Shaw for transport to St. Lucy's.

Thanks!

Room Change - Carson's moving to Room 500 as of Dec. 3, 2010

In order to integrate newer teachers into the MHSHS community, Ms. Cordova and I will be switching rooms. While all your Writing Folders and other things in my filing cabinets will be transferred to Room 500 during the following week, please be sure to get your Portfolios and move them to a selected cabinet in Room 500 before Friday, Dec. 3.

Also, lockers must only be accessed BEFORE 8:09 a.m, during L&L and after school. Be sure NOT TO DISTURB Ms. Cordova's classes any other times. Please spread the word to all those who are not in my classes so they are not interrupting her classes looking for materials.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Regents Prep: Sign-ups for Critical Lens—Controlling Idea, Two Docs and Listening

There's still plenty of room in all sections, and the four areas of study will be repeated on different days so everyone will have the opportunity to access all four before Jan. 11, 2011.

Tues. Nov. 3o—Critical Lens—Rooms 569 and 568
Ayesha Begum
Kristine Buckheit
Laura Kabadi
Brenda Morales
Riyesh Nath
Ashley Lopez
Fernando Baez
Jadzia Ramsay
Allison Li
Rinchen Dolma
Haewon Kim
Arelis Medrano
Iqra Amin
Anisah Ahmed
Emily Chen
Aziza Arafat
Maya Guaman
Pretom Islam

18 TOTAL, five Maybes
SPACE AVAILABLE - sign-up in Mr. Carson's room

Thurs. Dec. 2—Controlling Idea—Rooms 500 and 514
Shenice Bunyun
Robert Bronchard
Valentine Castillo
Shakif Awsaf
Samantha Sun
Naurin Khondoker
Yomiuri Ortiz
Ricky Dundi
Abby Sceusa
Alex Erazo
Sabrina Fletcher
Solansh Estrella
Ana Morales
Stephanie Garces
Seamus Hughes
Erik DeLeon
Amy Lau

17 Total--plenty of space for MORE


Tues. Dec. 7—Listening— Rooms 569 & 568
Haynes Matias
Alex Erazo
Hana Lee
Mandy Zhao
Khalid Haynes
Leonela Contreras
Ernesto Malaluan Jr.
Oscar Quezada
Mike Lin
Alexus Murray
Regina Hembrador
Ana Morales
Stephanie Garces
Seamus Hughes
Priyanka Verma
Jennifer Khan
Sutapa Katari
Amy Lau
Sanum Afridi

19 Total--plenty of space for MORE




Thurs. Dec. 9—Two Docs/Analysis— Rooms 500 & 514
OPENED

Tues. Dec. 14—Two Documents/Analysis— Rooms 569 & 568

OPENED


Thurs. Dec. 16—Listening— Rooms 500 & 514
OPENED

Tues. Dec. 21—Controlling Idea—Rooms 500 and 514


OPENED

Thurs. Dec. 23—Critical Lens —Rooms 568 and 569
OPENED

Tues. Jan. 4, 2011—Listening—Rooms 500 and 514
OPENED

Thurs. Jan. 6, 2011—Two Docs Analysis —Rooms 568 and 569

OPENED

Monday, Jan. 10, 2011-Critical Lens? or Most needed?

OPENED

Extended Day for Carson's P2 and P8

As par Ms. Kreisman's approval, several scholars who have shown a need for improving study, reading, writing skills, and must show up certain days to continue working during L&L or into SOS after Double Blocks with Ms. Moore on days they see her and with Mr. Carson on days they see me.

If you failed either course this term you must show up. If you are unsure, check with your G.C. or one of us to see whether you are required to attend. For those of you who earned 75 or less in either class, you may also be required to attend as the course load will only get more complex.

We will be focusing upon reading comprehension, context clues, writing and other skills. With Ms. Moore you will be working on completely different History-related skills. If your name is on a list for Mandatory L&L or SOS you must stop by or remain in class through L&L or after school on specific days.

We are doing this in order to prevent let-downs, tears and gears seven months from now when you're expected to be ready for Mr. Froner and Ms. DeFeo as well as the other course load at Hunter College.

We'd love to have 0% of you collecting attendance next year, doing errands for Luisa or other office staff, and 0% of you wandering the halls. We are aiming for 100% attendance at Hunter College, earning 6-21 credits before your flight to NYU, Stanford, Brown, Howard, Georgetown, Kent State, UCLA, USC, MIT, Duke, Harvard, Cornell, or your other #1 universities and colleges choices.

Regents Prep: Critical Lens—Due Monday Nov. 29—P2 and P7 and Tues. Nov. 30 P3 and P8

In preparation of Jan. 11, 2011 English Regents: Take

“Security represents your sense of worth, your identity, your emotional anchorage, your self-esteem, your basic personal strength or lack of it.”
Stephen R. Covey


Using the following quote:

1. Agree or disagree with statement
2. Interpret quote
3. Correlate to two novels read within the last three months
4. Write a Standard 5-Paragraph Essay



Be sure to be mindful of:

1. include Literary Devices
2. formulate a solid Thesis Statement (with these Lit. Devs.)
3. watch grammar and other syntax
4. TRANSITIONS
5. Read out loud
6. Make edits prior to submitting
7. Include TITLES and AUTHORS of all sources
8. Do not SUMMARIZE plots
9. INCLUDE QUOTE, AUTHOR within TS Paragraph!!! (do NOT say, "The quote above...."
10. Have a HOOK or Lead in "Everyone is looking for......." or "There comes a time in everyone's life when......."
11. avoid "Throughout history..." and "Since the beginning of time......"

Hints: Literary Devices= metaphor, allegory, allusion, alliteration, rhyme scheme (end, slant, couplets, etc.), characterization, climax, simile, theme (Over-arching IDEAS such as Othering, Fear); Genre such as (Memoir, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Autobiography, Non-Fiction, Journal, Article, etc.);

Native Son, The Namesake, “The Crucible”, “Roots”, “Notes on the State of Virginia”, The History of Mary Prince, Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, The Trials of Phillis Wheatley


P5, already having done an In-Class Critical Lens QoD writing will have to revise those for Monday, Nov. 29 = 5 Paragraph Essay will ALL THE ABOVE qualities, TNR size 12, 1" margins all around.

P5 Quote: "The soul that is within me no man can degrade," by Fredrick Douglass

Vocabulary #3 Slave Narratives - Flashcards Due Tues. Nov. 23 ALL CLASSES

In this week’s vocabulary, notice how many of these —ed words APPEAR like they’re verbs when they’re actually ADJECTIVES, when used as modifiers for nouns.

Flashcards: Write one practice sentence, along with all the normal PoS, definitions, antonyms and synonyms

1. insolent [adj]— boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting: an insolent reply

[n]—an insolent person

ALL FOR [ADJ]
antonyms—cowardly, humble, modest, polite, respectful, servile

synonyms—abusive, arrogant, brazen, contemptuous, disdainful


2. termagant [adj]—disorderly, causing trouble, unlawful


antonyms—behaved, disciplined, manageable, orderly, conforming

synonyms—boisterous, disruptive, fractious, raucous rowdy


3. virago [n]—aggressive woman

antonyms—N/A

synonyms—vixen, amazon, shrew


4. pecuniary [adj]—financial, concerning business, marketing

antonyms—

synonyms—economic, fiscal, monetary, —profitable, market


5. avowed [v]—state, profess,
[adv]—sworn

antonyms—censure, condemn, deny, dispute, repudiate

synonyms—acknowledge, admit, affirm, concede, confess

[adj]

syn;--accepted, acknowledged, admitted, affirmed

6. calumny [n]—slander; verbal exhibition of bad temper; verbal assault

antonyms—calmness, happiness, kindness, mildness; defense, reprisal, resistance, retreat

synonyms—invective, defamation, lie; blame, criticism, censure



7. licentious [adj]—immoral, uncontrolled; free from moral restraint; uninhibited

antonyms—chaste, controlled, good, innocent; virtuous, pure, restrained

synonyms—lecherous, lewd, abandoned, amoral, ;corrupt, depraved, incorrigible


8. depraved [v] —corrupted, led astray [adj]—corrupt, immoral

antonyms—ennoble, improve, moralize
[adj] —good, honorable, just, moral, noble, pure, upright, virtuous

synonyms—debase, debauch, degrade, pervert, seduce, subvert, vitiate
[adj] —abandoned, bad, base, dirty, evil, degenerate



9. obstinate [adj] stubborn, determined; uncooperative

antonyms—agreeable, amenable, cooperative, flexible

synonyms—adamant, cantankerous, contradictory, contrary; averse, hesitant, loath, negative

Roots Showings Parts I-VI

While only Parts I and II are mandatory, scholars will gain greater perspective of texts, "The Trials of Phillis Wheatley", "Mary Prince and Fredrick Douglass's Narratives as well as ideas for their Historical Fiction Slave Journals Projects* in watching any or all of Parts III-VI.

Tentative Schedule

Tuesday, Nov. 29 - Part I in Mr. McMay's room 514
Wednesday, Nov 30 - Part III in 569 $2 per person for pizza and snacks

Tuesday, Dec. 6 - Part II in 514 $2 per person for pizza and snacks
Wednesday, Dec. 7 - Part IV in 569 $2 per person for pizza and snacks

Tues. Dec. 13 - Part III in 514 $2 per person for pizza and snacks
Wed. Dec. 14 - Part V in 569 $2 per person for pizza and snacks

Tues. Dec. 20 - Part IV in 514 $2 per person for pizza and snacks
Wed. Dec. 21 - Part VI in 569 $2 per person for pizza and snacks


*Week 1 due Dec. 3, with five-10 random presenters each week from each class. It is each scholars' responsibility to bring in work for that week every Friday until completion of three-week projects.

English Regents Tuesday January 11, 2011 Prep Begins Nov. 29-Jan10

Here's the most tentative SOS and After school schedule for Regent Prep
Sign-up for specific days
Sign-in once you arrive
Sign-out time you leave


Tuesday, Nov. 30 Rooms 569 and 568- Critical Lens 2:30-4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 2 Rooms 514 and 500- Controlling Idea 2:30-4 p.m.


Tuesday, Dec. 7 Rooms 569 and 568- Listening 2:30-4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 9 Rooms 514 and 500- Two Documents 2:30-4 p.m.


Tuesday, Dec. 14 Rooms 569 and 568- Two Documents Analysis 2:30-4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 16 Rooms 514 and 500- Listening 2:30-4 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 21 Rooms 569 and 568- Controlling Idea 2:30-4 p.m.

ALL SCHOLARS WILL READ THEIR FAVORITE TEXT DURING HOLIDAY BREAK TO REFRESH THEMSELVES IN PREPARATIONS FOR REGENTS. Sign-out The Kite Runner, "Othello" or whichever text you prefer for further study during the break = 100 points

Tuesday, Jan. 4 Rooms 569 and 568- Controlling Idea 2:30-4 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 6 Rooms 514 and 500- Critical Lens 2:30-4 p.m.


The Exams will be a version of all these tasks:

The NYS English Language Arts Regents is divided up into one three-hour day.

—Part A will test your listening skills. While taking notes, you will hear a passage read two times. You must then use your notes to answer six multiple choice questions.

—Part B will ask you to use information from two documents ( a text and a chart or graph) to write an essay for the situation provided. You will then have to use the information from those documents to answer ten multiple choice questions.

—Part C gives you two texts. You are asked to write an SRF (1 complete 6-9 sentence PARAGRAPH) for a given purpose in which you use information from both texts to establish a controlling idea.

The second SRF (1 complete 6-9 sentence PARAGRAPH) must refer to how the author uses specific literary elements to convey the controlling idea. You must then use information from those two texts to answer 10 multiple choice questions.

—Part D is the critical lens essay. For this, you are given a statement, and you must give a valid interpretation of it, tell whether you agree or disagree with what you think the statement means and then support your opinion using specific references to literary elements from any two texts that you have read in class.

Remember to FOLLOW all instructions, including all aspects of tasks.


For further PREP:
http://www.barronsregents.com/english-regents.html

Focus For Part II Roots

As you continue watching Part II of Alex Haley’s “Roots: The Saga of an American Family”, focus upon:

—How do Fiddler and Kunta Kinte (aka—Toby Reynolds) view freedom and slavery?

—How do whites on the Reynolds’ Plantation and Household define or differentiate between African slaves and white humans?

—How is Mr. Ames’ past “servitude” different compared to a slave’s?

New Characters-
Master John Reynolds
his wife
Mr. Ames
William Reynolds

English Regents Tuesday January 11, 2011

Hey there!
Long time since we've seen you...
We just received notice that this year's English Regents will be on Tuesday, January 11, during school hours.

Mr. Sciarrone explained that this is perhaps done this way since this NEW "Improved" format is in its inception, therefore they are testing it out two weeks BEFORE the other Regents are taken. All other Regent Exams will begin the last week of January. Check rooms for schedules.

What this MEANS to you:
Less Prep time.
Less Time

More pressure to do well in a shorter period of time, as this year we are transitioning from a 6-hour 2-day English Regents to a 1-day 3-hour exam.

Extra Regents Prep will begin immediately after the Turkey Day Holidays!

Quiz-a-Day

To further enforce the necessity to keep up daily readings, there will be quizzes in all classes until 100% have "The Classic Slave Narratives" and they are interacting correctly with these histories. This means actively reading and annotating 10 pages a day with WINDOWS every third day or 30 pages, whichever comes first. Therefore, for the 14-page Introduction and the 88 pages of Mary Prince's story each of you must have AT LEAST three (3) Windows to show for it.

At 10 pages a day, scholars are expected to enter prepared.

Each quiz should take approximately 15 minutes.

Slave Narrative Essay Due Dec. 20-You Decide

Ladies and gentlemen,
In an effort to remain College Preparatory, I must insist that all scholars come prepared to every class every single day.

It has come to my attention that several scholars have failed to obtain a copy of Henry Louis Gate's "The Classic Slave Narratives". You were physically given handouts and warned of the time-lag of 3-5 business days if ordering from Borders or Barnes & Nobles. Those with other issues were informed of local libraries.

If you scroll down in October's logs, you'll notice the advanced advertisement for getting this book. We even started reading it a full week later due to concentration upon Gates' "The Trials of Phillis Wheatley"

While a handful of scholars informed me of difficulties obtaining this tome, still approximately 18 others have failed to do so.

As of tonight, we are 84 pages into this book, including the 14-page Introduction.

Every person in your class must have a copy of this book with annotations up to at least page 299 by Monday or each class without 100% preparation (book in hand, highlights, Post-Its and at least 1 Window per 30 pages read) will have to do a 5-page Essay in addition to Historical Fiction Slave Narrative Journals.

Topics for Essay will be:

"Equality" and Legal Racism


Rhetoric and Reasons Behind Slavery


Paradoxes of "America"


Each scholar will be required to use a minimum of six resources
1. "Roots" Parts I and II (and any subsequent Parts III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII)
-no more than three of these can be used for essay-
2. Mary Prince's Narrative
3. Fredrick Douglass' Narrative
4. "The Trials of Phillis Wheatley"
5. (any of the three Wheatley poems studied) - no more than two of these poems
6. A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution, by Carol Berkin
7. Other approved source
8. Pre-approved articles
9. Pre-approved PBS.org programs
10. Historical Resources (pre-approved)
11. Excerpts from "Notes on the State of Virginia", by Thomas Jefferson


All these and other approved sources must be clearly cited and included within a properly formatted bibliography.

Naturally, this can all be avoided by living up to your end of the written Declaration, signed by most of you the third week of September.

Happy Eid

Have a safe and peaceful day sharing and caring with all those involved in partaking of the meals and devotions.

All Final Drafts Due Mon. Nov. 29-ONLY AFTER CONFERENCES

Please be aware that Final Drafts of "Crucible Essays" are due immediately after the Turkey Day Festivities. All must have had CONFERENCES prior to submitting these Final Drafts. = 80 points

Anything turned in after this date can not receive full credit = 40-60 points max

NEW VOCABULARY #2 Slave Narratives

Due to the Camping Trip this list is incomplete. Still, it is your responsibility to have complete FLASHCARDS on Friday, Nov. 19 with Parts of Speech, definitions, antonyms and synonyms with a practice sentence

READY for quizzes on Monday, November 22, since we're NOT in Double Blocks this wek.


M. sadism(n)—a sexual perversion where gratification is obtained by inflicting physical or mental pain on others

N. explicate(v)—to give a detailed explanation


O. verisimilitude (n) the appearance or semblance of truth; likelihood; probability: The play lacked verisimilitude.


P. shrewdly(adv)—clever, astute


Q. requisite (n)—required, necessary


R. extemporaneous(adj)—not planned before hand; impromptu

S. attestations(v)—to certify as genuine by signing as a witness 2. manifest 3. testify


T. condolence (n)— the expressing of sympathetic sorrow


U. incurred (v)—


V. ambidextrous (adj)—using both hands with ease


W. oestrum ( )—


X. impugned (v)—


Y. incisive ( )—



Z. incidious, (adj)—

AA. impetus ( )—

BB. vexed (v)—


CC. mulatto (n)—



DD. vendue (n)—

Camping Madness!

After years of Junior Camping Trips, this was the first one opened to all grade levels and it was extremely successful, thanks to all scholars' openness to younger and older peers working side-by-side, helping one another up steep, slippery mini-mountains, star-gazing, sitting around a campfire(roasting marshmellows, spoofing others), dancing, cooking, cleaning, listening and sharing many other activities together.

Thanks to:
Pod 1
Ohanugo Okorie, Robert Rodriguez, Sayda Marquez, Sarah Huang, Martin Borkowski

Pod 2
Delorian Nappi, James Chan, Marc Galarza, Alice Ishrat, Teona Johnson, Mariela Guzman

Pod 3
Sofia Tashman, Christian Gonzalez, Brenda Morales, Harold Peralta, Jacob Basher

Pod 4
Emmanuel Rodriguez, Jerry Valez, Yashoda Krishna, Hannifah Madyun, Alexandra Castro

Pod 5
William Watkins, Hector Vargas, Gar'yah Goba, Natalia Burke, Richard Beverly, Jazmin Martinez,

Pod 6
Lauren Fontanez, Joshua Lora, Alejandra Silguero, Kemar Pickering, Thomas Gorcyn and Jamie McCoy

A special Shout Out to those you made it to classes on time today, too!


Finally, thanks to Mr. Eisenstadt, Ms. DiMato and Ms. H., from her school in Harlem for planning all the fun activities, shopping and "Keepin' It Real!"

Oh, and for those who think they got away with "sneaking about", "mooning" others and other antics expect a Carson Beat-Down when you least expect it.

Slave Unit Projects Due Dec. Wed. 15 P2, P5, P7 and Thurs. Dec.-16 P3 and P8— Historical Fiction Slave Journals

Take that Time Machine back to 1792. Choose one of these and keep a written, pictorial, poetic or other creative journal of a three week period (or longer*).

——Cartoon strip, with dialogue
——Diary Entries
——Poetry Entries
——PowerPoint (PP)
——Video submissions
You can mix and match if you wish.


Ex:
Week 1 Date, Setting—Cartoon Strip of at least two pages with up to nine panels

Week 2 “ “—Daily Journal Entries (tell your readers where you are and what’s going on)

Week 3 “ “ —Poem of the Day which depicts what’s going on in YOUR world

—painting illustrations, drawings or other visual representations*
—PowerPoints outlining all the above*
—Video interpretations*

—* Optional representations of your weekly journals

Settings may change and expand as far into the future as Dec. 10, 1870. This means, while your first entries will start in 1792, the subsequent entries should span the months or decades following.


1. Taking a hint from news of the recent Haitian Slave Revolts, you are someone of your choosing in Maryland, Georgia or any other state of choice.
a. Choose your character
i. Leader of revolt in your state
ii. Participant of revolt, plantation
iii. Slaveowner
iv. Merchant (think “Amistad” mutiny)
v. Wife/daughter, teacher on or near plantation
vi. Abolitionist
vii. Pro-Slave Lawyer
viii. any other character of your choosing (with my approval)

2. Create a pictorial weekly journal—Cartoon your weeks out in 6-9 panel illustrations
a. Follow all instructions from 1a.

3. Create a Poetry Journal
a. Follow all instructions from 1a.



4. Create a combination of all these and more
a. Follow all instructions from 1a.

5. Video or PP presentation
a. Follow all instructions from 1a.



For those planning a PP or video presentation, be sure to save all projects on compatible programs which can be opened at MHSHS. Before you get too far into one of these, do a test run to be sure your hard work will be accessible.

All work should include some FACTUAL information from any of the materials, research or History/American Lit. Class materials studied. Download a Timeline to better understand what else was happening during your years on journal.

Each week’s work represents 100 points for a total of 300 points due by Dec. 15-16.
1st Weekly Check Friday, December 3 = 100 points (all classes)
2nd Weekly Check Friday, December 10 = 100 points (all classes)
3rd Weekly Check Wednesday, December 15 - P2, P5 and P7 = 100 points
and Thursday, December 16 - P3 and P8 = 100 points

Presentations To be Announced.

Raising the Bar!

Congratulations to all of you who have arrived, prepared with necessary readings complete and for taking notes and participating this first week of Term #2

You all have an A+

Now, the tough part, maintaining it.

Keys to earning that preferred grade:

1. Communicate: Only 10-11 scholars let me know the problems they were having with 2nd Drafts, and nearly all of them received extensions.

2. Don’t assume anything: Some scholars were out and simply assumed all their missed participation and HW would be forgiven. I’m not sure which planet these kids arrived from, but here on Earth, missed work = 0 until made up.

3. L&L SOS till 5 or 6 p.m. some days
For those who have not made time to see me for extra help, revising work or gaining greater understanding of themes, readings or other work, SEE any of the other 12 teachers or Guidance Counselors for help starting that next project, assignment or essay.

4.See G.C. at least twice a month!

As part of continuing to bring you closer to College levels, I want to express the need for each and every one of you to push on.

Many of you waited eight days to get Peer Edits back from fellow scholars.
Some of you failed to revise effectively or conference with your Peer Partners
Learn valuable lessons: Being out sick is not an excuse, unless you are on the Operating Table or so debilitated that you can’t read or write. I realize some of you get migraines, but others can still get work done in a more timely fashion.

If someone is NOT doing their job, get on them! It's YOUR quality of work on the line!

Thank you, Ricky and a couple others for editing scholars’ essays at the last minute.

Congratulations to Sukamol, Aziza, Ashley, and several others for stopping by to make up missed participation, HW and following their grades on mygradebook to better manage their classes.


Congrats to several of you: Robert, Mohammad F., Asha, Renee, Rinchen, Laura, who revised your Second Drafts of your Crucible Essays and have conferenced with me (Due Dates for your Final Drafts = Tues or Wed. Nov. 16 or 17)

The rest must see me ASAP to have the most time to improve your analytical writing.
Be sure to put the time into all your work.

The BAR IS RISING!

Historically Black Colleges & Universities Fair-Sat. Nov. 13, 2010 - Riverbank State Park 10 a.m - 3 p.m.

This just came in last night, so for anyone interested register at
www.nyul.org/HBCU

Scroll down to Express Lane's Online Registration

Unfortunately, I'll be on the camping trip, otherwise I'd be there.

HBCU Fair -
Sat., November 13, 2010
Riverbank State Park, NYC
145th Street & Riverside Drive
NY, NY

Workshops start at 10 a.m.
College Fair 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For more information:

CollegeReady@nyul.org
212-926-8000 x121

Trials of Phillis Wheatley - Who Else was Disrespecting Her? P3 and P8 Due Fri. Nov. 12

As you all finish "Trials", by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., look at

1. Who else was putting Wheatley under more trials and why?

P3 and P8 Due Fri. Nov. 12 = Quiz

2. Start "The Classic Slave Narratives", by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., by Wed. night
Intro = 1-14 pages
Mary Prince's Narrative begins on 249 (approx. 80 pages)

3. read 10 pages a night of "Narratives" including the Introduction
Highlight and at least ONE Window per 30 pages or Post-Its.

4. How slavery adversely affected the oppressor as well as the oppressed.

Themes of Othering, Identity, Humanity (defining "human" as Hume, Kant and T.J. believed), Rhetoric, Paradoxical "America" and others discussed in class.


P2, P5 and P7 Due Monday, Nov. 15 = Quiz

Guidance Counselor Visits = 30 points for every 2nd Visit

For those of you who had Beth Procho these last two years, many of you are now assigned to Pam Wilkes, in the Main Office, first door on your left upon entering.

Muyiwa Adeyeye, Kyle Anderson, Robert Bronchard, Kristine Buckheit, Bryan Duran, Alex Erazo, Nicole Espiritu, Marc Galarza, Laureen Garcia, Jasmine Hunter, Ernesto Malaluan, Arelis Medrano, Ana Morales, Naurin, Yomiuri, Krystal P., Rosemarie, Natalia, Shen Shen, Samantha, Cynthia T., Debbie and Aidan.

If you see these others whom I no longer teach, spread the message. They all should be touching base with Pam, Kathe and Eric twice a month. Additionally, visiting Mr. Cohen or other helpers Marilyn or Holly also qualify.

Please see whomever you have as a G.C. at least twice a month = 30 points (Nov. 19)
1. talk to them about academic issues
2. discuss The Common Application and College Acceptance requirements
3. learn more about possible majors, schools and where you may wish to go in two years
4. discuss a personal issue (family boyfriend/girlfriend, personal loss, et. cetera--Kathe is best for this but they can all help you)
5. get SAT word and problem of the day (USE IT in your next write-up, essay, impress your science teacher, parents, girlfriend-boyfriend)
6. ask about volunteering ops,
7. talk about scholarship opportunities
8. IN YOUR AGENDA, write a brief note stating what you worked on with them (date)
9. have G.C. sign it
10. return it to me for credit


See G.C. at least twice a month = 30 points (Dec. 19)


See G.C. at least twice a month = 40 points (Jan. 28)


See G.C. at least twice a month = 50 points (Feb. 28)

60 points (March. 28)
70 points (April. 28)
80 points (May. 20)
40 points (June. 13)

HW Updates Gates's "The Trials of Phillis Wheatley" Due 11-9 P3 and P8 ONLY

Due Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010
P3 and P8

HW: Finish Wheatley poems, "To S. M., a Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works" and "On Imagination" making Windows, be prepared for Open notebook-quiz


HW: Weekend
Read and annotate at least 20 pages/day including Sat., Sunday and any Holidays from Gates’s The Trials of Phillis Wheatley: Be sure to begin on page 1 Preface-

Friday night
1. setting and importance of trial
2. locate and identify those who were judging Wheatley
3. locate and identify at least three people whom supported her

Several scholars in P3 opted to make Windows instead of the paragraphs. These will also be accepted.

In One Paragraph, answer all questions clearly.

Ex: In Aurther Miller's "The Crucible" the setting of The Salem Witch Trial, which occurred in 1692 in the Puritanical Salem Massachusetts, was important for several reasons, but primarily it proved that a theocracy was NOT the best government. Another thing we, as a nation, learned from these tragic trials was how hysteria, fear and paranoia can destroy a community. There were many people "judging" whom was considered a "witch" or consorting with the devil and whom was not. Among these casting aspersions were Mr. Putnam, Mr. Danforth and especially Abigail Williams. However, there were several neighbors who supported those such as Goody Proctor, Goody Nurse and John Proctor of being innocent of charges of witchery. They were, for a time, Mary Warren, John Proctor, and especially the main voice of reason within Miller's play, Mr. Hale of Beverly.

Saturday
1. how did Hume and Emmanual (Immanuel) Kant define “humans”?
2. what was at stake?


In about a P or Windows to answer these two concisely and clearly.

HW Updates Gates's "The Trials of Phillis Wheatley" Due 11-8 P2, P5, and P7 ONLY

Due Monday, Nov. 8, 2010
P2, P5 and P7

HW: Finish Wheatley poems, "To S. M., a Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works" and "On Imagination" making Windows, be prepared for Open notebook-quiz


HW: Weekend
Read and annotate at least 15 pages/day including Sat., Sunday and any Holidays from Gates’s The Trials of Phillis Wheatley: Be sure to begin on page 1 Preface-

Friday night
1. setting and importance of trial
2. locate and identify those who were judging Wheatley
3. locate and identify at least three people whom supported her

In One Paragraph, answer all questions clearly.

Ex: In Aurther Miller's "The Crucible" the setting of The Salem Witch Trial, which occurred in 1692 in the Puritanical Salem Massachusetts, was important for several reasons, but primarily it proved that a theocracy was NOT the best government. Another thing we, as a nation, learned from these tragic trials was how hysteria, fear and paranoia can destroy a community. There were many people "judging" whom was considered a "witch" or consorting with the devil and whom was not. Among these casting aspersions were Mr. Putnam, Mr. Danforth and especially Abigail Williams. However, there were several neighbors who supported those such as Goody Proctor, Goody Nurse and John Proctor of being innocent of charges of witchery. They were, for a time, Mary Warren, John Proctor, and especially the main voice of reason within Miller's play, Mr. Hale of Beverly.

Saturday
1. how did Hume and Emmanual (Immanuel) Kant define “humans”?
2. what was at stake?


In about a P answer these two clearly

Roots: The Saga of an American Family

As part of The Slave Narrative Unit, we will be viewing the first two hours of Alex Haley's 1977 ground-breaking TV Mini Series chronicling his family's history from Gambia, Africa to Maryland and later to other states (North Carolina and Tennessee).

The journey begins in 1750, which coincides perfectly with our readings from Phillis Wheatley, Mary Prince and Fredrick Douglass as well as excerpts from Harriet Jacobs' narrative in Ms. Moore's classes.

After school showings of parts 2 will begin in two weeks. We'll meet every Wednesday (same episodes on Tues. or Thursdays in Mr. McKay's room). Join in for pizza, popcorn, movie, for a better understanding of the conflicting attitudes and "players" in early American History. $2 per day, max of 40 scholars at a time.

Phillis Wheatley's "On Imagination" and "To S. M., a Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works"

To S. M., a Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works
by Phillis Wheatley

To show the lab'ring bosom's deep intent,
And thought in living characters to paint,
When first thy pencil did those beauties give,
And breathing figures learn from thee to live,
How did those prospects give my soul delight,
A new creation rushing on my sight?
Still, wond'rous youth! each noble path pursue,
On deathless glories fix thine ardent view:
Still may the paint's and the poet's fire
To aid thy pencil, and thy verse conspire!
And may the charms of each seraphic theme
Conduct thy footsteps to immortal fame!
High to the blissful wonders of the skies
Elate thy soul, and raise thy wishful eyes.
Thrice happy, when exalted to survey
That splendid city, crown'd with endless day,
Whose twice six gates on radiant hinges ring:
Celestial Salem blooms in endless spring.
Calm and serene thy moments glide along,
And may the muse inspire each future song!
Still, with the sweets of contemplation bless'd,
May peace with balmy winds your soul invest!
But when these shades of time are chas'd away,
And darkness ends in everlasting day,
On what seraphic pinions shall we move,
And view the landscapes in the realms above?
There shall thy tongue in heav'nly murmurs flows,
And there my muse with heav'nly transport glow:
No more to tell of Damon's tender sighs,
Or rising radiance of Aurora's eyes,
For nobler themes demand a nobler strain,
And purer language on th' ethereal plain.
Cease, gentle muse! the solemn gloom of night
Now seals the fair creation from my sight.
1767-1773?






On Imagination by Phillis Wheatley

Thy various works, imperial queen, we see,
How bright their forms! how deck'd with pomp by thee!
Thy wond'rous acts in beauteous order stand,
And all attest how potent is thine hand.
From Helicon's refulgent heights attend,
Ye sacred choir, and my attempts befriend:
To tell her glories with a faithful tongue,
Ye blooming graces, triumph in my song.
Now here, now there, the roving Fancy flies,
Till some lov'd objects strikes her wand'ring eyes,
Whose silken fetters all the senses bind,
And soft captivity involves the mind.

Imagination! who can sing thy force?
Or who describe the swiftness of thy course?
Soaring though air to find the bright abode,
Th' empyreal palace of the thund'ring God,
We on thy pinions can surpass the wind,
And leave the rolling universe behind;
From star to star the mental optics rove,
Measure the skies, and range the realms above.
There in one view we grasp the mighty whole,
Or with new worlds amaze th' unbounded soul.


Winter frowns to Fancy's raptur'd eyes The fields may flourish, and gay scenes arise; The frozen deeps may break their iron bands, And bid their waters murmur o'er the sands. Fair Flora may resume her fragrant reign, And with her flow'ry riches deck the plain; Sylvanus may diffuse his honours round, And all the forest may with leaves be crown'd; Show'rs may descend, and dews their gems disclose, And nectar sparkle on the blooming rose.


Such is thy pow'r, nor are thine orders vain,
O thou the leader of the mental train:
In full perfection all thy works are wrought,
And thine the sceptre o'er the realms of thought.
Before thy throne the subject-passions bow,
Of subject-passions sov'reign ruler Thou,
At thy command joy rushes on the heart,
And through the glowing veins the spirits dart.

Fancy might now her silken pinions try
To rise from earth, and sweep th' expanse on high;
From Tithon's bed now might Aurora rise,
Her cheeks all glowing with celestial dies,
While a pure stream of light o'erflows the skies.
The monarch of the day I might behold,
And all the mountains tipt with radiant gold,
But I reluctant leave the pleasing views,
Which Fancy dresses to delight the Muse;
Winter austere forbids me to aspire,
And northern tempests damp the rising fire;
They chill the tides of Fancy's flowing sea,
Cease then, my song, cease the unequal lay.
1767-1773?

Slave Narrative Vocabulary #1 - Flashcards due Thurs. Nov. 4, 2010

A. Elegy(n)— a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, esp. a funeral song or a lament for the dead.
2. A poem written in the elergiac meter

3. dirge

synonyms = death song, funeral song, knell, lament, plaint

B. philanthropy(n) altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.
2. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions
3. love of mankind in general

synonyms = humanitarianism, alms, altruism, good works, helping hand


C. apostrophize—(v)
1. to address by apostrophe
2. to utter an apostrophe (used without a noun)
syns.= accost, declaim, exhort,

apostrophe (n) Rhetoric .
a digression in the form of an address to someone not present, or to a personified object or idea, as “O Death, where is thy sting?”
syn: deviation; straying

D. rabble(n)-a disorderly crowd

Syn= horde, throng, mob


E. ode (n) a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and
expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion.

2.(originally) a poem intended to be sung.

Syn=ballad, limerick, lyric, verse

F. encomium–noun
a formal expression of high praise; eulogy
Syn: accolade, commendation, eulogy, laudation, panegyric, praise,
salutation, tribute

Antonym = Demerit

G. panegyric –noun
1. a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; eulogy.
2. formal or elaborate praise.

Syn: (adj) acclamatory, complimentary, praising Laudatory

H. trope–noun
Rhetoric .
1a. any literary or rhetorical device, as metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, and irony, that consists in the use of words in other than their literal sense.

2. a phrase, sentence, or verse formerly interpolated in a liturgical text to amplify or embellish.



I. Chiasmas—(n)
1. Anatomy .
a crossing or decussation, as that of the optic nerves at the base of the brain.

2. Cell Biology . a point of overlap of paired chromatids at which fusion and exchange of genetic material take place during prophase of meiosis.

J .synecdoche –noun Rhetoric .
a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special, as in ten sail for ten ships

Syn= allegory, allusion, anticlimax, apostrophe

The allegorical play, “The Crucible” was a synecdoche of those persecuted during the 1940s-‘50s “Red Scare” reign.

K. rhetoric—(n) 1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or
display; bombast.

2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.

3. the study of the effective use of language.

4. the ability to use language effectively.

Syns= address, bombast, discourse
Antonym= conciseness

L. indict (v) (n) = indictment
1. (of a grand jury) to bring a formal accusation against, as a means of bringing to trial: The grand jury indicted him for murder.
2. to charge with an offense or crime; accuse of wrongdoing; castigate; criticize

Synonyms =Accuse, summon, incriminate impeach

Phillis Wheatley's "On Being Brought from Africa to America"

On Being Brought from Africa to America
by Phillis Wheatley

'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,

Taught my benighted soul to understand 

That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:

 Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

"Their colour is a diabolic die."

Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,

May be refin'd and join th' angelic train.


Upon analysis, what can one conclude with Wheatley’s poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America” and Thomas Jefferson’s “Notes on the State of Virginia”?

For those in P3 who didn't receive this, due to the Fire Drill Announcement and any others who failed to copy correctly or hold onto smaller handout copy this, annotate and answer prompt for Friday's class.


For those who have misplaced Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia:
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch15s28.html

THE CRUCIBLE, the movie shown after school Wed. Nov. 3, 2010

For anyone interested, the conclusion of this 1996 interpretation of Miller's Contemporary Classic will be shown in my room from 2:30-4:15. All those interested, stop by.

For anyone referring to this movie in your Final Drafts, be sure to include it in your Bibliographies by going on-line to get its data.